Free Republic

Those who are habitually inclined to consume burgers, fries and soda may think twice about their dietary choices following scientists' latest findings about high-fat, high-fructose diets. A team discovered that a high-fat diet can increase fructose metabolism in the small intestine, leading to release of a fructose-specific metabolite called glycerate into circulation. Circulating glycerate can subsequently cause damage of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, increasing the risk of glucose tolerance disorders, such as Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Past research has shown that fructose produces deleterious effects in the liver. However, additional research has shown that these effects are normally...

Doctors may have found a way around a major obstacle in the effort to perfect transplants of islet cells, an experimental treatment for Type 1 diabetes, a severe form that often begins in childhood. Such transplants usually succeed only if islet cells from the pancreases of two or even three donors are used - a significant drawback, given the scarcity of donor organs. But now, in a trial of eight patients at the University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, doctors have managed successful transplants of islet cells, which are needed to produce insulin, with the pancreases of single donors. The use...

Texas Right to Life PAC Congressional Endorsement The Texas Right to Life Political Action Committee announces the endorsement of Representative Carl Isett for U.S. Congress, District 19. Texas Right to Life has worked closely with Representative Isett since he became a member of the Texas Legislature in 1997, and we believe he should have your vote for U.S. Congress. Early voting began April 16th, and will continue through April 29th. Election Day is Saturday, May 3. Rep. Isett is a proven leader on protecting innocent human life by voting many times to pass laws that would protect women and strengthen...

SEATTLE - On May 30, Elizabeth Kresse became the first person in the Northwest to receive an islet transplant. The tiny cells are working to cure her diabetes. "This is big this is a life change. This is a new life ... and it's going to be a better life," said Kresse. One week later, Jackie Westcott, and another type 1 diabetic, David Ellis, would be among the first patients anywhere to receive a combination kidney and islet transplant. "I'll be limited for a while in what I can do, but after that, I'll be free to do what I...

Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, who held this Monday a press conference on the case of the Moroccan Mediterranean Islet of Leila read out the following statement: "The Islet of Leila has always been part and parcel of the Moroccan territory. History is indeed full of facts evincing that the Islet is Moroccan territory. After the signing of the Moroccan-Spanish peace treaty of 1860 (which does not mention at all the islet of Leila), there were some Spanish incursions in the islet that were counteracted by Sultan Hassan 1st, as testified in the letters sent by...