Life Sciences Commons^™

Polyphenol Characterization And Antioxidant Capacity Of Multi-Species Swards Grown In Ireland—Environmental Sustainability And Nutraceutical Potential, Samuel Rapisarda, Nissreen Abu-Ghannam

Articles

Ruminant production systems are major contributors to greenhouse gases emissions, with animal feeding practices being the main cause for methane and nitrous oxide’s release. Although feeding animals forages has been proven to be more sustainable, traditional ryegrass monocultures still require a lot of input (e.g., fertilisers and pesticides). Multi-species swards, consisting of different swards, such as grasses, forage legumes and herbs, need less management and fertiliser, produce more dry matter, and also add a variety of phytochemicals into the animal diet. In particular, polyphenols have been associated with a positive impact on animal health and productivity. However, data on the …

Novel Therapeutic Nutrients Molecules That Protect Against Zika Virus Infection With A Special Note On Palmitoleate, Philma Glora Muthuraj, Chandan Krishnamoorthy, Ann Anderson-Berry, Corrine K. Hanson, Sathish Kumar Natarajan

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a Flavivirus from the Flaviviridae family and a positive-sense single strand RNA virus. ZIKV infection can cause a mild infection to the mother but can be vertically transmitted to the developing fetus, causing congenital anomalies. The prevalence of ZIKV infections was relatively insignificant with sporadic outbreaks in the Asian and African continents until 2006. However, recent epidemic in the Caribbean showed significant increased incidence of Congenital Zika Syndrome. ZIKV infection results in placental pathology which plays a crucial role in disease transmission from mother to fetus. Currently, there is no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved …

Extracellular Vesicle Characteristics And Micro Rna Content In Cerebral Palsy And Typically Developed Individuals At Rest And In Response To Aerobic Exercise., Ivan Jose Vechetti Jr, Jessica Norrbom, Björn Alkner, Emma Hjalmarsson, Alexandra Palmcrantz, Eva Pontén, Jessica Pingel, Ferdinand Von Walden, Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalo

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

In this study, the properties of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) were examined in cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developed (TD) individuals at rest and after aerobic exercise, focusing on the size, concentration, and microRNA cargo of EVs. Nine adult individuals with CP performed a single exercise bout consisting of 45 min of Frame Running, and TD participants completed either 45 min of cycling (n = 10; TD EX) or were enrolled as controls with no exercise (n = 10; TD CON). Blood was drawn before and 30 min after exercise and analyzed for EV concentration, size, and microRNA …

Nutrition Education In Food Pantries: Perceptions Of Pantry Personnel Towards Implementation, Chelsea Allison, Christopher T Sneed, Marissa Mcelrone, Kristin Riggsbee, Janie Burney

The Journal of Extension

Extension programming can be effective at delivering nutrition education to food pantry clients. This study aimed to understand the perceptions of food pantry personnel towards nutrition education. A mixed methods survey was administered to food pantry personnel (n=53). Most (62.3%) reported their food pantry was church-affiliated, and few (22.6%) reported any Extension collaboration. Qualitative themes included perceptions that nutrition education was resource intensive, clients were not interested in nutrition education, and differing attitudes towards nutrition education. When working with food pantries, Extension should educate personnel about the importance of nutrition education, offer resources, and facilitate programming.

Educating Dietetics Students About The Nutritional Concerns Of Older Adults, Lily Brickman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The percentage of individuals in the United States who fall within the 65 years and older cohort is anticipated to increase substantially over the next decade due to the large baby boomer generation aging into this category by 2030. Consequently, the healthcare demands of older adults are expected to increase, and medical and healthcare providers must be educated and prepared to meet the unique needs of this population. The purpose of this study is to help learn why interest in FSN 406 Nutritional Care of Older Adults has been so low since its inception in 2020, and whether other institutions …

Narrative Review: Food Image Use For Machine Learnings’ Function In Dietary Assessment And Real Time Nutrition Feedback And Education, Jason Fee

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Technology has played a key role in advancing the health and agriculture sectors to improve obesity rates, diseasecontrol, food waste, and overall health disparities. However, these health and lifestyle determinants continue to plague theUnited States population. While new technologies have been and are currently being developed to address these concerns, they may not be practical for the general population. Utilizing machine learning advancement in food recognition using smartphone technology may be a means to improve the dietary component of nutrition assessments while providing valuable nutrition feedback. This narrative review was conducted to assess the current state of the literature on …

Healthy Eating Index And Body Fat Distribution, Masar Ozrail

Theses and Dissertations

Body fat distribution has been identified as a more significant risk factor for metabolic-related diseases. This study investigated whether body fat distribution affects dietary outcomes (quality and intake), anthropometric measures, body composition, and skin carotenoid levels. A cross-sectional study with 91 female students was conducted. Thirty-one percent of participants (n=28) had an android body fat distribution. Body fat distribution was associated with WC and WHtR (p

The Influence Of Taste Sensitivity To 6-N-Propylthiouracil (Prop) On Anthropometric Measurements, Body Composition, And Eating Behaviors Among Female College Students, Abeer Mohammedsharief Alardawi

Theses and Dissertations

Taste is one of the crucial factors that contributes to shaping eating behaviors and is also one of the leading reasons that affects our preferences to like or dislike some foods that mainly have a bitter taste. Variation in bitter phenotype (tasters and non-tasters) could influence diet quality and in turn body weight, which overall influenced health outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify whether bitter taste phenotype status influences anthropometric measurements, body fat percentage, and eating behaviors (liking and intake) in female college students. In this cross-sectional study (n = 86), female college students aged 18 to …

Attitudes Towards Breastfeeding Among College Students At Mississippi State University, Kristin F. Williford

Theses and Dissertations

Breastfeeding rates in America are lower than other high-income countries, with Mississippi having one of the lowest rates. A survey using the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) was distributed twice to Mississippi State University students to understand their breastfeeding attitudes. Attitudes were determined by calculating a composite score and conducting statistical tests for significance. Knowledge between health and non-health related majors were explored by using five statements, and attitudes towards the statement “Breastmilk is the ideal food for babies” were compared across demographics. Of 642 respondents, the composite score was 57.3 out of 85, and all demographics had a …

Healthfulness Of Fast-Food And Full-Service Restaurants In 16 Georgia Counties After Mandatory Menu Labeling, Janani Rajbhandari-Thapa, Donglan Zhang, Nicole Katapodis, Dana Alvin, Melanie Andrews

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: Despite that the effect of menu labeling on consumer choices has been studied, there are gaps in the research on the healthfulness of the restaurant food environment post-mandatory menu labeling, specifically in the Southern United States. This study aims to assess the healthfulness of fast-food and full-service chain restaurant environments after compliance with mandatory menu labeling.

Methods: The healthfulness of 46 representative fast-food and full-service chain restaurants in 16 Georgia counties was examined using the Nutritional Environment Measures in Restaurants (NEMS-R) survey. The scores were compared between full-service and fast-food restaurants using t-tests across several healthfulness measures such as …

Vitamin D3 Status And The Cardiovascular Response To Head Down Flexion In Healthy Adults, Justin Pascual

Theses - ALL

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to elucidate relationships linking vitamin Dconsumption and the vestibulo-sympathetic reflex (VSR) by exploring the associations between self-reported vitamin D consumption and the cardiovascular responses to head-down flexion (HDF), a maneuver known to activate the vestibulo-sympathetic response. Background: During orthostasis, the body attempts to maintain cerebral blood flow, thereby avoiding syncope. Orthostatic intolerance, the inability to withstand postural changes, occurs when cardiac output is not maintained during orthostasis and is highlighted by symptoms including lightheadedness, impaired cognition, loss of balance, low blood pressure, and syncope. The cardiovascular and vestibular systems work in tandem …

Implementing Food Insecurity Screening On A College Campus, Norma Martinez

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Students attending universities have higher rates of food insecurity than U.S. households. Most college campuses do not routinely screen students for food insecurity, which can affect students’ health and school performance. Currently, the university health clinic does not screen students for food insecurity. Purpose. To screen all students who present to the university clinic for food insecurity and evaluate students with food insecurity for malnutrition. Evidence. Foreman et al. (2018) and Abu and Oldewage-Theron (2019) found that food insecurity was present at some of the largest Texas universities at rates higher than the national average. Project Objectives. To screen …

Changes In Depressive Symptoms, Perceived Stres, And Food Security Among Study Participants With Metabolic Syndrome During A Covid-19-Mandated Research Pause, Barbara A. Lohse, Anahi Ramirez, Jenna Hickey, Lisa Bailey-Davis, Betty Drees, Kevin S. Masters, Elizabeth H. Ruder, Nicole Trabold

Articles

Introduction: This study explored how food security, perceived stress and mental health of persons with metabolic syndrome (MetS) changed in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: An online survey was administered to persons enrolled in a 2-year lifestyle intervention trial to reverse metabolic syndrome at baseline; the survey was repeated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes were a change in depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and food security as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-8, Cohen Stress Scale, and USDA 10-item Food Security Screener. Changes in outcomes were analyzed with measures of association, paired t-test, repeated measures and independent t-test.

Results: Participants (n = …

The Emerging Epidemic Of Type 2 Diabetes And Obesity Amongst Young Children, Juliana Morales

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background:

In the past years childhood obesity has increased tremendously and currently ⅓ of children in the United States are obese today. Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes are illnesses that can later on lead to more severe health complications when as a child enters adulthood. Children who are obese have a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and currently more than 80% of children who already are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are obese. In school and often by health care providers we are told daily physical activity and healthy diet are the best ways to maintain optimal health, …

Assessment Of Novel Protein Ingredient Arthrospira Platensis (Microalgae) And Soybean Genotype Amino Acid And Oil Selection Improvements On Broiler Performance, Savannah Wells Crafton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Two experiments were conducted to assess the efficiency of including novel protein ingredient Arthrospira platensis or improved soybean meal in a broiler diet. The first experiment aimed to determine the feeding value of soybean meal produced from varieties of soybeans bred for increased amino acid content (SBAA) improved oil content (SBO) compared to a conventional soybean variety in an ANOVA design fed to Cobb 500 female broilers for 28-42d of age. The SBAA and SBO soybeans contained overall higher amino acid content and lower oligosaccharide content compared to the conventional soybean variety in addition to improved oil quality. The second …

Evaluating The Health Impacts Of Fruit And Vegetable Intake At The Individual Level And Food Pantry Level Among Food Pantry Users, Jiacheng Chen

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Background: Chronic diseases impose heavy burdens on individuals and the healthcare system in the US. Many factors were found to be associated with chronic diseases, including demographics, family history, social environmental factors, and individual behavioral factors such as diet and physical activity. Among those factors, fruit and vegetable intake can have substantial health impacts via a variety of causal pathways. Fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is generally lower among individuals living in households experiencing food insecurity and rely on food assistance programs. Decreased F&V intake among food pantry users may negatively impact health. However, conducting quantitative analysis on this population …

Survey For Usage Of And Interest In Personalized Nutrition As A Possible Health Approach, Kimberly Garrett

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Dietary factors can lead to chronic diseases and impact certain health factors such as sleep and mood. Personalized nutrition is based on an individual’s phenotype and genotype to meet specific dietary needs. This approach could be an intervention to benefit an individual’s health. This study surveyed a population to analyze the population’s view on and usage of personalized nutrition. The use of personalized nutrition was minimal, but there was interest within the population. In addition, a relationship between health and mood was found. However, the sample size was a limiting factor for this study. Future directions could include studying why …

Enhancing Amino Acid Utilization For Broiler Chickens Under Different Scenarios Of Dietary Protein Reduction And Subclinical Coccidiosis, Derrell Trevor Lee

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Five experiments were conducted to evaluate responses of broiler chickens fed diets with different dietary amino acid (AA) levels when fed normal and reduced dietary crude protein (RCP) diets and reared under different coccidiosis control programs. In the studies with the use of RCP diets, the relationship between dietary Gly + Ser and the Met:Cys ratio was investigated. Experiment 1 evaluated broilers in 2 coccidiosis control programs (live vaccine or in-feed zoalene) and fed increased dietary AA derived from soybean meal or unbound sources from 0-40 d. Vaccination impaired young (0-26 d) broiler body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion …

Hunter-Gatherers In Context: Hadzabe People And Early Nutrition Transition, Trevor Pollom

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The current study utilizes a mixed-methods approach to investigate the processes that influence landcover change and nutrition transitions in the Lake Eyasi Basin area of Northern Tanzania. In doing so, it provides unique insights into the behavior and biology of Hadzabe foragers living in the Yaeda Valley during the early stages of nutrition transition and provides much needed context for scientific literature that has been derived from this region. The current study answers the following questions: 1) How can historical and ethnographic maps, combined with present-day landcover classifications, inform our understanding of the people(s), spaces, and places of Lake Eyasi? …

Predicting Personalized Responses To Dietary Fiber Interventions: Opportunities For Modulation Of The Gut Microbiome To Improve Health, Car Reen Kok, Devin J. Rose, Robert Hutkins

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Inadequate dietary fiber consumption has become common across industrialized nations, accompanied by changes in gut microbial composition and a dramatic increase in chronic metabolic diseases.The human gut microbiome harbors genes that are required for the digestion of fiber, resulting in the production of end products that mediate gastrointestinal and systemic benefits to the host. Thus, the use of fiber interventions has attracted increasing interest as a strategy to modulate the gut microbiome and improve human health. However, considerable interindividual differences in gut microbial composition have resulted in variable responses toward fiber interventions. This variability has led to observed nonresponder individuals …

Racial/Ethnic Disparities Of Cancer, Metabolic Syndrome, And Lifestyle Behaviors In People Under 50: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Data From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Lin Zhu, Areebah Rahman, Ming-Chin Yeh, Grace X. Ma

Publications and Research

Introduction: Recent epidemiological studies have suggested a trend of increasing preva- lence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and certain types of cancer among adults under age 50. How MetS is associated with cancer in adults under the age of 50, however, remains unclear. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether associations between MetS and cancer vary by racial/ethnic group and whether modifiable lifestyle factors influence MetS–cancer relationships. Methods: We used data from the 2011–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to define a case-control sample to examine potential racial/ethnic disparities associated with MetS and cancer of any type. We used a chi-square …

A Prophylactic Subcutaneous Dose Of The Anticoagulant Tinzaparin Does Not Influence Qpcr-Based Assessment Of Circulating Levels Of Mirna In Humans, Abraham Nilsson, Anna Maria Nerhall, Ivan Jose Vechetti Jr, Lotta Fornander, Simon Wiklund, Björn Alkner, Jörg Schilcher, Ferdinand Von Walden

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have become increasingly popular biomarker candidates in various diseases. However, heparin-based anticoagulants might affect the detection of target miRNAs in blood samples during quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)- based analysis of miRNAs involving RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and the polymerase catalyzed reaction. Because low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) are widely used in routine healthcare, we aimed to investigate whether a prophylactic dose of the LMWH tinzaparin influences qPCR-based quantification of circulating miRNAs. A total of 30 subjects were included: 16 fracture patients with tinzaparin treatment and 14 non-fracture controls without anticoagulation therapy. To control for the effect of tinzaparin …

The Childhood Acute Illness And Nutrition (Chain) Network Nested Case-Cohort Study Protocol: A Multi-Omics Approach To Understanding Mortality Among Children In Sub-Saharan Africa And South Asia, James M. Njunge, Kirkby Tickell, Abdoulaye Hama Diallo, Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayeem Bin Shahi, Md Amran Gazi, Ali Faisal Saleem, Zaubina Kazi, Syed Ali, Caroline Tigoi, Ezekiel Mupere

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: Many acutely ill children in low- and middle-income settings have a high risk of mortality both during and after hospitalisation despite guideline-based care. Understanding the biological mechanisms underpinning mortality may suggest optimal pathways to target for interventions to further reduce mortality. The Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network ( www.chainnnetwork.org) Nested Case-Cohort Study (CNCC) aims to investigate biological mechanisms leading to inpatient and post-discharge mortality through an integrated multi-omic approach.
Methods and analysis; The CNCC comprises a subset of participants from the CHAIN cohort (1278/3101 hospitalised participants, including 350 children who died and 658 survivors, and …

Covid-19, Nutrition, And Gender: An Evidence-Informed Approach To Gender-Responsive Policies And Programs, Anna Kalbarczyk, Noora-Lisa Aberman, Bregje S M Van Asperen, Rosemary Morgan, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Bianca Carducci, Rebecca Heidkamp, Saskia Osendarp, Neha Kumar, Anna Lartey

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

In addition to the direct health impacts of COVID-19, government and household mitigation measures have triggered negative indirect economic, educational, and food and health system impacts, hitting low-and middle-income countries the hardest and disproportionately affecting women and girls. We conducted a gender focused analysis on five critical and interwoven crises that have emerged because of the COVID-19 crisis and exacerbated malnutrition and food insecurity. These include restricted mobility and isolation; reduced income; food insecurity; reduced access to essential health and nutrition services; and school closures. Our approach included a theoretical gender analysis, targeted review of the literature, and a visual …

Evaluation Of Wheat-Specific Peptide Targets For Use In The Development Of Elisa And Mass Spectrometry-Based Detection Methods, Jessica Humphrey

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Individuals with IgE-mediated wheat allergy and celiac disease must avoid the consumption of wheat. Those with celiac disease must also avoid rye and barley in addition to wheat as these make up the gluten-containing grains. To ensure products are accurately labeled, ELISA methods may be used to monitor compliance with food allergen and gluten-free regulations. Currently, available ELISA methods for wheat detection utilize monoclonal antibodies that target peptides from the gluten fraction of proteins, and therefore, also detect rye and barley. Limitations such as differing antibody reactivity and unequal gluten content among wheat, rye, and barley have led to inconsistent …

Neurodevelopment And Recovery From Wasting, Harriet M. Babikako, Celine Bourdon, Emmie Mbale, Peace Aber, Annet Birabwa, Josephine Chimoyo, Wieger Voskuijl, Zaubina Kazi, John Mukisa, Ali Faisal Saleem

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background and objectives: Acute illness with malnutrition is a common indication for hospitalization among children in low- and middle-income countries. We investigated the association between wasting recovery trajectories and neurodevelopmental outcomes in young children 6 months after hospitalization for an acute illness.
Methods: Children aged 2 to 23 months were enrolled in a prospective observational cohort of the Childhood Acute Illness & Nutrition Network, in Uganda, Malawi, and Pakistan between January 2017 and January 2019. We grouped children on the basis of their wasting recovery trajectories using change in mid-upper arm circumference for age z-score. Neurodevelopment was assessed with the …

Alleviating Hidden Hunger: An Infallible Bridge To Improved Health And Nutrition, Jai K. Das, Zahra Ali Padhani

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Participatory Mapping To Address Neighborhood Level Data Deficiencies For Food Security Assessment In Southeastern Virginia, Usa, Nicole S. Hutton, George Mcleod, Thomas R. Allen, Christopher Davis, Alexander Garnand, Heather Richter, Prachi P. Chaven, Leslie Hoglund, Jill Comess, Matthew Herman, Brian Martin, Cynthia Romero

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

Background: Food is not equitably available. Deficiencies and generalizations limit national datasets, food security assessments, and interventions. Additional neighborhood level studies are needed to develop a scalable and transferable process to complement national and internationally comparative data sets with timely, granular, nuanced data. Participatory geographic information systems (PGIS) offer a means to address these issues by digitizing local knowledge.

Methods: The objectives of this study were two-fold: (i) identify granular locations missing from food source and risk datasets and (ii) examine the relation between the spatial, socio-economic, and agency contributors to food security. Twenty-nine subject matter experts from three cities …

The Effects Of Surface Composition On 6-Weeks Of Plyometric Training, Cameron D. Addie, Richard S. Farley, Sandra L. Stevens, Halle J. Brandt3, Jocelyn E. Arnett, Jennifer L. Caputo

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Plyometric training programs may be performed on a hard surface or a soft surface to target specific training adaptations and enhance jump performance. However, it is unknown how surface compliance impacts jump performance. Objective: To compare changes in horizontal lower body power following a 6-week plyometric training program performed on a soft surface (n = 9) and a hard surface (n = 11). Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. University students (N = 20; males = 11, females = 9; age: 20.4 ± 3.7 yr; body mass: 68.4 ± 12.5 kg; height 1.7 …

Gutka Consumption And Dietary Partialities Explaining Anemia In Women Of A Coastal Slum Of Karachi, Pakistan: A Mixed-Method Study, Ameer Muhammad, Sarah Saleem, Daniyaal Ahmad, Eleze Tariq, Yasir Shafiq

Community Health Sciences

Background: Limited literature is available on the dietary pattern and its consequences on health of women living in coastal slums of Karachi, Pakistan.
Material and methods: The study employed a mixed-method approach where concurrent quantitative and qualitative assessments were carried out. An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect information on demographic, household, obstetrics characteristics, and dietary pattern of married women of reproductive age (MWRA). Blood samples were collected to identify the hemoglobin level to determine anemia. For the qualitative component, focus group discussions were carried out with women and in-depth interviews with shopkeepers to understand the availability of food …