Life Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Selenium On Estrogen-Regulated Gene Expression In Lncap Prostate Cancer Cells, Tory L. Parker

Theses and Dissertations

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in American men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Supplementation with Se has reduced the incidence of prostate cancer and Se status is inversely correlated with prostate cancer risk. One molecular mechanism by which high Se concentrations may affect cancer risk is by catalyzing disulfide bond formation or otherwise complexing with reactive sulfhydryl groups in cellular proteins. The estrogen receptor (ER) contains cysteines in zinc (Zn) fingers that are susceptible to oxidation and internal disulfide formation, which can prevent DNA binding. We examined ER binding to its DNA response element …

The Effect Of Religiosity And Spirituality On Work Practices And Trust Levels In Managers And Their Subordinates In Food And Nutrition Care Departments, Jennifer S. Oler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which religiosity and spirituality affected daily work practices and leader/follower trust levels in foodservice and nutrition directors and their subordinates. A similar 72-item survey questionnaire was developed for both the directors and employees, which was completed by 129 directors and 530 employees. Both questionnaires contained questions on demographics, religious influences on work practices, trust characteristics, and three validated measures of religiosity: 1) worship service attendance (1=Religiosity Score), 2) influence of spiritual beliefs on daily life, and 3) frequency of prayer (2 + 3=Spirituality Score). Frequency data was gathered for …

Body Mass Index And Soft Drink Consumption Among Adolescents, Olivia Love Mccord

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and soft drink consumption among adolescents. It is hypothesized that soft drink consumption contributes to overweight and obesity among adolescents.

Background: Research examining the relationship between body mass index and soft drink consumption is inconsistent. Several studies have found a negative association between total sugar intake and BMI; however, others have found a link between sugar-sweetened drinks and obesity. There are no known studies that have controlled for physical activity.

Data and Methods: Data on approximately 225 adolescents were used. Frequency of soft drink consumption, type of milk, and calcium …

Determination Of The Nutritional Level Of Calcium And Phosphorus In Llamas (Lama Glama) In Two Seasons In The Condoriri Agricultural Experiment Center, Gustavo Adolfo León Titichoca

Theses and Dissertations

The concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were determined in 12 llamas from the Condoriri Agricultural Experiment Center (Oruro Technical University) of Oruro, Bolivia during two seasons (wet and dry) and at three ages (newborn, juvenile, and adult). Samples of flesh were taken from the arm, leg, back, rib, and neck. Pasture samples (grassland and prairie) were used to determine the rate of biting of each animal studied. The blood samples were taken by extracting blood from a jugular vein. The minerals (Ca and P) in the flesh are highest in the wet season, 113.78 mg/100 g. The newborns were found …

Botanical And Chemical Composition Of Diets Selected By Alpacas (Lama Pacos) Pastured In The Ulla Ulla Wetlands, Lino Constancio López López

Theses and Dissertations

This study was done in the subtropical high Andes of Ulla Ulla. Its objectives were to determine the botanical composition, nutritional value, and preferred forages in the wetlands (hydromorphic and mesico) diet, by season (dry and wet), and by botanical family (12 families). Three-hundred sixty samples were collected from 6 alpacas with esophageal fistulations, and from them nutritional value and botanical composition were determined; the latter was compared with the botanical composition of the wetlands to determine preference. The results are highly significant (p<0.01) for botanical families, interaction between season and family, interaction of wetland type and family, and interaction of the season with wetland type and family. Species from the family Juncaceae were the most consumed with 27.78%, followed by moderate consumption of Cyperaceae (21.03%), Gramineae (15.02%), and Rosaceae (12.39%). Lower consumption occurred with Umbeliferaceae and Asteraceae with 6.61% and 5.64%, respectively, and the lowest consumption was of Plantaginaceae, Scrophulariaceae, minor plants, Gentianiaceae, unidentified plants, and Ranunculaceae with 2.86%, 2.50%, 2.17%, 2.08%, 1.03%, and 0.89%, respectively. The botanical families with the greatest preference value (PV) were Gramineae (PV=6.48), Scrophulariaceae (PV=8.75), Gentianiaceae (PV=7.55), and Ranunculaceae (PV=8.16). Proportional preference was observed in Juncaceae (PV=1.49), Cyperaceae (PV= -1.72), Rosaceae (PV=1.82), and Umbeliferaceae (PV= -0.82). The Asteraceae family was classified as a forced preference (PV= -6.29). The average nutritional value of the diet shows high values: 14.69% of raw protein, 14.58% ash, 85.42% organic matter, 21.43% raw fiber, and 31.00% neutral detergent fiber. It was concluded that alpacas efficiently select their diet for nutritional value, however, consumption is not appropriate, which results in negative live weight gain, especially in the dry season. On the other hand, the plants' preference values correspond to the lowest and one of the highest is a forced preference, according to the botanical composition of the wetland, which suggests that the preferred plants are repeatedly consumed in current continual pastures, and that alpacas are forced to consume unpalatable plants. This reflects on bad CANAPAS wetlands management in Ulla Ulla. Consequently, reversing this situation implies changes in pasture management and a reduction of the animal load.