Life Sciences Commons^™

Sexual Dimorphism Of Glomerular Capillary Morphology In Rats, Zackarias Coker

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses faster in males than females; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Sex differences in glomerular capillary morphology has been hypothesized to contribute, in part, to the increased susceptibility to hypertension-induced renal injury and CKD progression in males, but this has not been investigated. The goal of the present study was to assess glomerular capillary morphology in male vs. female rats with intact kidneys and after uninephrectomy (UNX). We hypothesized that glomerular capillary radii (R_CAP) and length (L_CAP) would be greater in male rats.

Male (n=4) and female (n=4) with intact …

Determining The Effects Of Maternal Adiposity On Preterm Neonatal Microbiome And Short Chain Fatty Acid Profiles, Dalton James, William A. Clark Phd, Kristy L. Thomas

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The gut microbiota and its metabolites have vast impacts on the human digestive system, immune system, and health outcomes. Short chain volatile fatty acids (SCVFAs) present in feces can be representative of the interactions of the microbiota present in the gut. Low microbiota diversity in the human gut is highly associated with obesity and adverse health outcomes. Furthermore, the maternal microbiome has a direct impact on neonatal microbiota through various pathways such as environment, skin flora, breast milk composition, and vaginal secretions. This study is aimed to further understand the associations between various factors (maternal adiposity, gestational time, length of …

An Assessment Evaluating The Possible Participation Of A Virtual Nutrition Education Program For Older Adults, Ashlyn Cobble

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The importance of proper nutrition education among older adults is crucial in promoting overall physical health and management of chronic health conditions. However, access to such education has been limited, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the current boom in social media popularity, as well as virtual communication portals such as Zoom, the question must be asked if nutrition education could be effectively implemented for the use of older adults through these electronic channels. The study design for this particular research was a cross sectional survey to inform development of an online nutrition education program for older adults in Northeast …

The Short- And Long-Term Effects On The Microbiome Of Infants Who Are Exposed To Opioids In Utero, Dawson Brown-Ezell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: The gut microbiome is believed to have a significant impact on health throughout the lifespan, and the influence of infant nutrition and other environmental factors are of particular interest in its development. The aim of this research project was to learn more about the microbiome and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) composition of toddlers of differing weights, considering birth history, environment, and diet. In East Tennessee, opioid misuse is a growing issue, and a number of participants in this study were exposed in utero. We also hoped to identify related effects on infant’s SCFA composition. Finally, it is known …

Microbiome Diversity And Differential Abundances Associated With Bmi, Immune Markers, And Fecal Short Chain Fatty Acids Before And After Synbiotic Supplementation, John Sterrett, W Andrew Clark, Michelle Chandley

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The gut microbiota and its metabolites – namely short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) – interact with the digestive, immune, and nervous systems. Microbiota with disrupted composition are highly associated with obesity, gastrointestinal symptoms, and chronic inflammation. Levels of SCFAs in the feces can represent dynamics of the microbiota, and they represent one mechanism by which the microbiota interacts with its host. This study aimed to further our understanding of associations between microbiota bacterial diversity and SCFAs, immune markers, BMI, and GI symptoms and to identify bacteria that are differentially abundant in different BMI groups and with synbiotic supplementation. Data (SCFAs, …