Life Sciences Commons^™

Registered Dietitans Practicing Advanced Level Skills In The State Of Tennessee And Their Perceived Job Satisfaction., Charlotte Norene Cochran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the number of registered dietitians in Tennessee who perceive they are practicing at advanced levels versus those making recommendations only. Job satisfaction according to order writing privileges was also assessed. A five question survey was sent to hospitals meeting selection criteria. Thirty-three surveys (89%) were returned. Eighty-nine percent of dietitians with order writing privileges considered themselves to be advanced level practitioners compared to 60% in the group of dietitians who did not have order writing privileges. Dietitians with order writing privileges indicated greater job satisfaction compared to dietitians that did not have …

Insulin Sensitivity And The Onset Of Hyperphagia In Fatty Rats, Holiday Agnes Durham

Masters Theses

Hyperphagia emerges suddenly after 22 days of age in Zucker fatty (fa/fa) rats, and fatties become visibly obese within days. This rapid increase in growth rate is likely to be associated with substantial changes in glucose metabolism. The objective of these experiments was to determine the relationship between insulin resistance and the onset of hyperphagia. Insulin tolerance tests showed that fatties were remarkably insulin resistant prior to the onset of hyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia, and obesity, but become as insulin sensitive as their lean littermates after the onset of hyperphagia. Furthermore, fatties became increasingly insulin resistant prior to the onset of …

Prostaglandin E2 Secretion And Effect On Adipocyte Lipogenesis, Patrick Allen Wortman

Masters Theses

With the current focus on the role of n-3 PUFAs as beneficial dietary interventions in the fields of cardiovascular disease and cancer, there has been a vastly increased awareness and focus on the mechanism of action for these essential fatty acids.

Many of the effects of PUFAs are mediated via changes in prostaglandin (PG) levels. One primary substrate for PGs is arachidonic acid (AA) (20:4 n-6), which results in the production of 2-series PGs. Increased concentrations of AA have been shown to increase levels of PGE₂ in vitro and in vivo. The omega-3 fatty acid EPA (20:5 n-3) is …

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 …

Effect Of Caloric Restriction On Bone Mineral Density And Bone Turnover In Over Weight And Obese Individuals With Differing Calcium Intake Levels, Timothy L. Radak

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this multi-center controlled study was to determine the effects of supplemental calcium, dairy products, and dietary calcium on bone metabolism during energy restriction. A total of 107 overweight or mildly obese males and premenopausal females between ages 18-35 years were recruited from the faculty, staff and student populations of each of the four participating institutions (University of Tennessee, Purdue University, Ohio State University and the University of California-Davis). Subjects were randomized to the following outpatient dietary regimens for 12 weeks: Low Calcium (LC) a control diet providing a 500 kcal/day deficit, 0-1 servings of dairy products/day, _ …

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 …

The Anti-Proliferation Effects Of Lycopene On Breast Cancer Cells, Tixieanna Dissmore

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: The incidence and deaths from breast cancer represent the most cause of all cancer deaths among women. Lycopene, the carotenoid in tomatoes has been associated with decreasing risk of prostate, breast, and digestive tract cancers. Various mechanisms of lycopene action have been proposed, including antioxidant activity and pro-differentiation activities. Identifying changes in the expression of proteins modified by lycopene can provide information to study the modulating effects of lycopene carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis development.

Objective: The objective was to study the anti-proliferative effects of lycopene on MCF- 7 human breast cancer cells and to identify changes in protein expression patterns. …

Relative Validity Of A Food Frequency Questionnaire Used To Assess Food And Nutrient Intake In A Dietary Intervention Study, Gina Segovia Siapco

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Food frequency questionnaire is a cost effective alternative for measuring dietary intake when conducting large scale surveys. We investigated the validity of a 171-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire in assessing food and nutrient intakes and the prescribed intervention measure during a randomized field trial. Eighty-seven free-living adults (48 females and 39 males) aged 30-72 years provided dietary information by self-administering the Walnut Study Dietary Assessment Questionnaire (WSDAQ), which assessed intake over the past six months, and through seven unannounced non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls by telephone. Participants were randomly assigned to either a walnut or habitual diet at baseline. For six …

Efficacy Of Different Educational Methods For A High School Prenatal Substance Use Prevention And Nutrition Program., Kimberly Renee Webb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to increase knowledge of the effects of prenatal substance use and to introduce the special nutritional needs of pregnancy in two counties in a region with high rates of low birth weight and prenatal substance abuse. A comparison of the efficacy of the educational program being delivered by a registered dietitian or by a group of high school students trained by the dietitian was performed. One hundred six high school students participated in the program and took identical pre- and posttests. The tests were compared to measure knowledge gain and were analyzed by paired …

Nutrition And Bone Density In Children With Cystic Fibrosis, Joanna K. Davidson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of these studies was to further research on bone density in children with cystic fibrosis, particularly as it pertains to nutritional parameters and care. The first paper presented a comparison of a group of 50 children with cystic fibrosis to a group of 32 control children. There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the pertinent bone density measurements. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D was positively correlated with spine density z score in the cystic fibrosis group.

The second paper, incorporating all of the information obtained from the first paper, describes an intervention study with the …

Cultivation Of Mushroom Mycelia Using Whey Products As A Growth Substrate, Boyd S. Inglet

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As part of a project designed to utilize common dairy waste products profitably, reconstituted dry whey permeate and delactosed whey were tested as growth substrates for mycelia of the edible mushroom Lentinus edodes. This mushroom was chosen because it is possible to profitably cultivate it due to its popular culinary appeal and perceived medical benefits.

Growth experiments were performed in petri dishes containing either reconstituted dry whey permeate or delactosed whey as a growth substrate, and the measured response was the size of the growing mycelia colony. When reconstituted dry whey permeate was utilized as a growth substrate, the …

Rapid Detection Of Salmonella Without Enrichment, Emily J. Harrington

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Salmonella is one of the leading foodborne pathogens causing illness today. Because of this, Salmonella rapid detection methods are under immense study for use in food. The traditional method, using the Food and Drug Administration- approved Bacterial Analytical Manual procedure, takes 4-6 days for Salmonella detection in food. Other rapid methods still take at least 16 h for detection due to their enrichment steps.

The hypothesis of this study was that the use of immobilized antibodies coupled with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used for the rapid capture and detection of Salmonella spp. in food without the need for …

Investigation Of The Effect Of Sulfitolysis On The Functional Properties And Extrusion Performance Of Whey Protein Concentrate, David P. Taylor

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Whey proteins have restricted use in many food applications because of limited functional properties. Whey proteins' relatively high content of disulfide bonds may be responsible for their lack of functionality, especially in extrusion applications.

To determine the effect of disulfide bond content on functional properties and extrudate performance, whey protein concentrate was treated with sodium sulfite to achieve four levels of disulfide bond sulfonation (0, 31, 54, and 71%). Sulfonated whey protein functional properties, extrusion-expanded snack properties (32% total protein), and extrusion-textured fibrous product properties (48% protein) were determined. Correlation analysis was performed to determine relationships between functional properties and …

Influence Of Sodium Chloride, Calcium, Moisture, And Ph On The Structure And Functionality Of Nonfat Directly Acidified Mozzarella Cheese, Brian M. Paulson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Experiment A explored the influence of sodium on direct acid, nonfat Mozzarella cheese. Cheeses with differing salt levels were obtained by varying dry salt applications (none, 0.5%, and 1.0% NaCl w/w) and hot brine stretching (0%, 5%, and 10% NaCl wt/v). Salt application and salt content influenced cheese moisture, meltability, expressible serum, micro- and ultra-structure, and color. Moisture was highest when cheese was salted before stretching (P = 0.03). Melt was lowest in cheeses that were unsalted (P = 0.05). Cheeses stretched in salt brine had < 1% of the amount of expressible serum found in unsalted cheese (P < 0.0001). Unsalted cheeses had a more open structure with pockets of serum distributed throughout the protein matrix giving it an opaque, white appearance. Salted cheeses had a more homogeneous protein matrix lacking light scattering surfaces, resulting in a translucent cheese. Neither salt concentration nor method of salting affected the calcium content of the cheeses (P > 0.05).

Experiment B explored the influence of calcium, moisture, and …

Assessment Of Calcium, Milk, And Non-Milk Beverage Intake Of Multiethnic Youth Aged 10 To 18 Years, J. Keith Jensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Achieving and maintaining maximal peak bone mass is critical to the prevention of osteoporosis. Adequate calcium intake during youth is a major aspect of proper bone mass development. Because of the importance of calcium, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that estimates calcium intake of 10- to 18-year-old Asian, Hispanic, and white youth living in the western United States was developed. This new FFQ was shown to accurately and reliably estimate calcium intake of these youth. Accuracy among Hispanics, however, was low and requires further evaluation. A second study examined intake of calcium, milk, and non-milk beverages of Hispanic and non-Hispanic …

Effect Of Raw Lngredient Surface Area, Storage Time And Antioxidants On Color And Oxidative Stability Of Ground Beef In 80% Oxygen Modified Atmosphere Packaging, Avanthi Vissa

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Fresh beef packaged in high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has longer red color stability than beef in oxygen-permeable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film. However, fresh beef in high oxygen becomes rancid by 10 days storage at 2°C. Thus the objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various antioxidants (milk mineral, MM; sodium tripolyphosphate, STP; vitamin E, E) on color and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values of ground chuck stored in 80% oxygen MAP for 14 days at 1° C. A preliminary experiment was also done to determine the effect of raw meat history (surface area during storage and storage …

Casein Supramolecules: Structure And Coagulation Properties, Bonney S. Oommen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The changes in quaternary structure of casein supramolecules with various physical and chemical treatments were studied using transmission electron microscopy, and a model to account for the changes is put forth. The effects of casein structure on coagulation properties were also studied. The sample preparation for transmission electron microscopy involved physical methods of fixation and flash freeing to preserve the structure of caseins in the sample.

The structure of caseins in sodium and calcium caseinate varied with sodium caseinate not exhibiting any spherical structure as opposed to the spherical structure seen in calcium caseinate, non-fat dried milk and native milk. …

Voluntary And Involuntary Weight Change And Risk Of Osteoporotic Hip Fracture In Men And Women Of Utah, Megan Ruth Mcdonough

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Change in body weight is an important determinant of risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in aging adults. Weight loss has been associated with an increased risk of hip fracture and weight gain has been associated with a decreased risk of hip fracture. Weight gain cannot be recommended as appropriate prevention against hip fracture, however, because it is associated with such adverse health outcomes as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and weight loss is commonly recommended in the treatment of these types of diseases. Clarification of how weight loss is related to risk of hip fracture is needed to resolve this issue. …

Magnesium Intake And Its Relationship With Type 2 Diabetes, Caralee Wilcock

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal and is the second most abundant cation in the human body. Magnesium plays important roles in the structure and the function of the human body; it is involved in more than 300 essential metabolic reactions in the body. Magnesium has been implicated in the prevention and treatment of many diseases including diabetes. Magnesium depletion is commonly associated with both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes. A significant number, (between 25% and 39%) of diabetics have been shown to have decreased serum levels of magnesium. There are many possible reasons and mechanisms for this. Diabetics …

Enhancing Weight Gain In Long-Term Care Residents At Risk For Weight Loss Through Protein And Calorie Fortification., Shannon Marie Tolbert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose of this study was to compare two methods of supplementing diets in order to provide additional protein and calories to increase body weight. The study consisted of two groups from the James H. Quillen Veterans Affair Medical Center Nursing Home Care Unit. Experimental group received foods fortified with increased calories and protein at mealtimes. Control group received nutrition supplements between meals. Fifteen subjects began the study. Analysis of weight change revealed that those in the experimental group had no weight change over the four months. Subjects in the control group gained an average of 4.8 lbs of body weight …

Nutritional Content Of Supplemental Food Baskets Distributed By Charitable Agencies In Northeast Tennessee., Lillian Khalili Aliata

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the nutritional needs of high-risk community members are met by supplemental food baskets distributed by charitable groups in northeast Tennessee. Hunger is a real problem among the area's elderly population, as 14.3% of the populations live at or below the poverty level. Data were collected using observation interviews at the food bank. A nutrient analysis tool was used to analyze the nutrient content of food items in a standard food basket. The findings were compared to the recommended dietary allowance for the elderly population. The supplemental food basket was adequate in …

Lifestyle Intervention Program With Calcium Supplementation To Promote Weight Loss And Body Fat Reduction In Overweight Individuals., Candee Meredith Spence

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference in weight loss, body fat, waist circumference, or diet quality among participants taking calcium or placebo supplements in a lifestyle intervention program. Three participants ages 52-55 completed the 14 week program. Two participants took 1,000 milligrams calcium while one participant took a placebo. Changes in diet were analyzed by Nutribase IV and self perception. Anthropometrics were analyzed by analysis of variance, alpha level 0.05. There was significant decrease in weight and waist circumference for the calcium group and decrease in bioelectrical impedance for the placebo group; …

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.

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 …