Life Sciences Commons^™

Marty Root.Jpg

Dr. Martin Root

No abstract provided.

Sulfur Emerges As A Nutritional Issue In Iowa Alfalfa Production, John E. Sawyer, Brian J. Lang, Daniel W. Barker

John E. Sawyer

Sulfur is often classified as a “secondary” essential element, mainly due to a smaller plant requirement, but also because it is less frequently applied as a fertilizer compared to N, P, and K. This has certainly been the case in Iowa, where research had not documented S deficiency or fertilization need for optimal crop production. However, if deficient, S can have a dramatic effect on plant growth and crop productivity – more than the classification “secondary” would imply.

Farm To School: Strategies For Urban Health, Combatting Sprawl, And Establishing Community Food Systems, Mark Vallianatos, Robert Gottlieb, Margaret Haase

Mark Vallianatos

Farm-to-school is a new, innovative strategy with multiple planning-related objectives. The article evaluates the significance of farm-to-school in relation to improving the health and nutrition of school-age children, particularly low-income youth; strengthening the capacity of local farmers, particularly those engaged in sustainable practices; adding to the toolkit of strategies designed to contain and ultimately reduce sprawl-inducing developments by helping preserve farmland; and helping establish a community food systems approach no longer entirely dependent on the global food system that has come to dominate food growing, processing, distribution, and consumption patterns around the world.

Phytogenic Feed Additives As An Alternative To Antibiotic Growth Promoters In Broiler Chickens, G. R. Murugesan, Basharat Syed, Sudipto Haldar, Chasity Pender

G. R. Murugesan

The recent trend toward reduction of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in North American poultry diets has put tremendous pressure on the industry to look for viable alternatives. In this context, phytogenic feed additives (PFA) are researched to improve gut health and thereby performance. An experiment was conducted with the objective to evaluate the effects of PFA as an alternative to AGP on small intestinal histomorphology, cecal microbiota composition, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance in broiler chickens. A total of 432, day-old Vencobb 400 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of three dietary groups, each consisting of 12 replicate pens …

The Goods: Myths And Facts About Probiotics, Andrea Arikawa

Andrea Y Arikawa

Probiotics are “live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host,” according to the World Health Organization. Andrea Arikawa, registered dietitian nutritionist and assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of North Florida, debunks myths and offers a recipe for you to try.

What’S A Probiotic & Why Do We Need Them?, Andrea Arikawa

Andrea Y Arikawa

No abstract provided.

Community Based Nutritition Education: A Model For Raising Awareness Of Childhood Obesity, Selina Ahmed

Selina M Ahmed PhD

Background: Since 2003, Texas Southern University has coordinated conferences to educate Houston’s Third Ward community about strategies to combat childhood obesity. Presenters included faculty and students as speakers and activity coordinators. Participants indicated that these conferences are helpful in increasing awareness of health problems and the availability of community health resources. Purpose: To address the high rate of childhood obesity in Houston’s Third Ward and its costs in terms of health and long-term productivity on that community, faculty at Texas Southern University (TSU) coordinated annual conferences to educate community members about strategies to combat childhood obesity. Methods: Seven conferences intended …

Effect Of Environmental Factors On Whole Plant Assimilate Partitioning And Associated Gene Expression, Donald Geiger, K. Koch, Wen-Jang Shieh

Donald R. Geiger

Partitioning of assimilated carbon among sink organs is a critical factor that controls the rate and pattern of plant growth. Time-course measurements of plant and organ growth rates are useful for determining how regulation of carbon partitioning controls plantgrowth. Measuring growth rates over a 24 h period reveals the current pattern of carbon partitioning that can be used to predict growth ratesof specific sinks. Comparison of growth rates among sinks under defined conditions can point out key factors that regulate partitioning ofrecently assimilated carbon among sinks. Internal control of carbonpartitioning by developmental programmes regulates the timing andsite of carbon distribution …

Health Professionals’ Roles In Animal Agriculture, Climate Change, And Human Health, Aysha Z. Akhtar, Michael Greger, Hope Ferdowsian, Erica Frank

Michael Greger, MD, FACLM

What we eat is rapidly becoming an issue of global concern. With food shortages, the rise in chronic disease, and global warming, the impact of our dietary choices seems more relevant today than ever. Globally, a transition is taking place toward greater consumption of foods of animal origin, in lieu of plantbased diets. With this transition comes intensification of animal agriculture that in turn is associated with the emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases, environmental degradation, and the epidemics of chronic disease and obesity. Health professionals should be aware of these trends and consider them as they promote healthier and more …

Flax: Food And Fiber, Madeleine K. Charney

Madeleine K. Charney

Highlights the versatile and nutritious flax plant, now cultivated worldwide.

Health Claims And Food Advertising: Comparison Of Marketing And Nutrition Experts' Ratings Of Magazine Advertisements, Sandra C. Jones, Peter Williams, Linda C. Tapsell, Kelly L. Andrews

Peter Williams

To determine the nature and differences in expert opinion from the fields of nutrition and marketing on the use of health claims in the 30 most frequently appearing Australian magazine food advertisements, a survey was conducted with 28 nutritionists and 21 marketing experts in Australia and New Zealand. The experts assessed the advertisements with respect to the accuracy of the nutrition claims, the tactics and intentions of the advertising strategy and the accessibility of the nutrition information to lay consumers. Of 28 advertisements where a claim was identified, for only one did more than 90% believe the claim to be …

Nutrition Status Of Primary Care Patients With Depression And Anxiety, Adrienne K. Forsyth, Peter G. Williams, Frank P. Deane

Peter Williams

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrition status of people referred to a nutrition and physical activity program for the management of mental health in a general practice.

Effects Of Protease, Phytase And A Bacillus Sp. Direct-Fed Microbial On Nutrient And Energy Digestibility, Ileal Brush Border Digestive Enzyme Activity And Cecal Short- Chain Fatty Acid Concentration In Broiler Chickens, G. R. Murugesan, L. F. Romero, M. E. Persia

G. R. Murugesan

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of protease and phytase (PP) and a Bacillus sp. direct-fed microbial (DFM) on dietary energy and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens. In the first experiment, Ross 308 broiler chicks were fed diets supplemented with PP and DFM in a 262 factorial arrangement. The 4 diets (control (CON), CON + PP, CON + DFM, and CON + PP + DFM) were fed from 15–21 days of age. In Experiment 1, significant interaction (P#0.01) between PP and DFM on the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient for starch, crude protein, and amino acid indicated that both …

Influence Of A Direct-Fedmicrobial And Xylanase Enzyme On The Dietary Energy Uptake Efficiency And Performance Of Broiler Chickens, G. R. Murugesan, M. E. Persia

G. R. Murugesan

BACKGROUND: Efficacy of a multi-strain direct-fed microbial product (PoultryStar® ME; PS) and a xylanase enzyme product on the dietary energy utilization efficiency and resulting performance in broiler chickens was evaluated. Apart from performance parameters, cecal and serum metabolites and activities of hepatic enzymes involved in energy metabolism were also determined. Ross 308 chicks were fed one of four experimental diets [control (CON), CON + PS, CON + xylanase and CON + PS + xylanase] using a 2×2 factorial arrangement from 1–21 days of age.

RESULTS: Cecal proportions of propionate and butyrate, as well as total short-chain fatty acid concentration were …

Are Informal Carers And Community Care Workers Effective In Managing Malnutrition In The Older Adult Community? A Systematic Review Of Current Evidence, Skye Marshall, Judith Bauer, Sandra Capra, Elizabeth Isenring

Skye Marshall

Health Claims And Food Advertising: Comparison Of Marketing And Nutrition Experts' Ratings Of Magazine Advertisements, Sandra C. Jones, Peter Williams, Linda C. Tapsell, Kelly L. Andrews

Sandra Jones

To determine the nature and differences in expert opinion from the fields of nutrition and marketing on the use of health claims in the 30 most frequently appearing Australian magazine food advertisements, a survey was conducted with 28 nutritionists and 21 marketing experts in Australia and New Zealand. The experts assessed the advertisements with respect to the accuracy of the nutrition claims, the tactics and intentions of the advertising strategy and the accessibility of the nutrition information to lay consumers. Of 28 advertisements where a claim was identified, for only one did more than 90% believe the claim to be …

A High Omega-3 Fatty Acid Diet Has Different Effects On Early And Late Stage Myeloid Progenitors, Melinda Varney, James Buchanan, Yulia Dementieva, W. Hardman, Vincent Sollars

Yulia Dementieva

The effects of the polyunsaturated omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids (FA) on hematopoiesis are complex in that both FA forms are processed into leukotrienes, eicosanoids, and prostaglandins, which can have independent effects. These FA have antagonistic effects in that n-6 FA prostaglandins tend to be pro-proliferative and pro-inflammatory, while the effects of n-3 FA prostaglandins are the opposite. We have previously shown that diets high in n-3 FA reduce the size of the middle to later stage myeloid progenitor compartment in FVB X sv129 F1hybrid mice. To assay the effects of high n-3 FA diets on earlier stages …

Healthy Eating And Physical Activity Challenges And Opportunities In After-School Programs: Providers’ Perspectives, Heather Thomas, L. Fellner, Patricia Tucker, Jennifer Irwin

Trish Tucker

The purpose of this study was to understand after-school program providers’ perspectives of (a) current physical activity and nutrition curriculum, practices, and challenges, and (b) necessary modifications, program suggestions or resource needs to improve the healthy eating and active living practices within their after-school program for children aged 6 to 12 years. This qualitative study targeted a sample of nine after-school program providers in London, Ontario. Data was collected via in-depth interviews and a demographic survey between January and April 2009. Strategies to enhance data trustworthiness were incorporated throughout. After-school program providers identified insufficient healthy eating curriculum and requested interactive, …

Current State Of Food Security: Research, Education And Outreach In Burkina Universities, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof.

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

Burkina Faso is a Sahelian West African country. Current population is about 16 millions and 43.9 % live below the poverty line. Burkina Faso is classified as both a least developed country and a low-income, food-deficit country. The nutritional quality is poor (1830 against 2000 Kcal/person/day). Food insecurity affects 50 % of households, and is increasing in the urban areas. However, Burkina Faso is one of the country that respect the 2003 Maputo’s declaration’s call to invest at least 10 percent of the budget in agriculture, in order to increase agricultural production and attain food self-sufficiency. Several training programs dealing …

Validation Of The Effects Of Small Differences In Dietary Metabolizable Energy And Feed Restriction In First-Cycle Laying Hens, G. R. Murugesan, M. E. Persia

G. R. Murugesan

An experiment was conducted to evaluate energy utilization of laying hens fed diets containing 2 ME concentrations, using response criteria including performance, BW, abdominal fat pad, and energy digestibility. The experiment was a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 feeding regimens (ad libitum and restriction fed), and 2 dietary ME levels [2,880 kcal/kg of ME (CON); and 2,790 kcal/kg of ME (LME)]. A total of 60 Hy-Line W36 first-cycle laying hens were fed experimental diets, resulting in 15 individually caged hens for each of the 4 treatments. Hens in the restriction-fed group were fed 90 g of feed per day. …

Poor Knowledge And Practices Related To Iodine Nutrition During Pregnancy And Lactation In Australian Women: Pre-And Post-Iodine Fortification, Karen Charlton, Heather Yeatman, Catherine Lucas, Samantha Axford, Luke Gemming, Fiona Houweling, Alison Goodfellow, Gary Ma

Karen E. Charlton

A before-after review was undertaken to assess whether knowledge and practices related to iodine nutrition, supplementation and fortification has improved in Australian women since the introduction of mandatory iodine fortification in 2009. Surveys of pregnant (n = 139) and non-pregnant (n = 75) women in 2007-2008 are compared with surveys of pregnant (n = 147) and lactating women (n = 60) one to two years post-fortification in a regional area of New South Wales, Australia. A self-administered questionnaire was completed and dietary intake of iodine was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. A generally poor knowledge about the role …

Nutrition Screening: Time To Address The Skeletons In The Bedroom Closet As Well As Those In Hospitals, Karen E. Charlton

Karen E. Charlton

Ever since Dr Charles Butterworth's seminal article in 19741 on the widespread prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalised patients and its detrimental effect on recovery, attempts have been made to improve the detection of malnutrition through screening initiatives. However, despite compelling evidence that those who are either malnourished at admission or become malnourished during their hospital stay experience increased surgical complications, greater morbidity and increased length of hospital stay2,3 as well as higher rates of mortality at 12 months,4,5 malnutrition often remains undetected and untreated because it is not considered to be a clinical priority. Even overt signs of malnutrition are …

Food And Nutrition Knowledge During Pregnancy - Absence And Opportunity, Heather Yeatman, Dolly Bondarianzadeh, Karen Charlton, Deanne Condon-Paoloni, Luke Gemming, Danka Sinikovic, Barbara Meyer

Karen E. Charlton

No abstract provided.

Food, Health And Nutrition: Where Does Chicken Fit?, Karen E. Charlton, Yasmine Probst, Linda C. Tapsell, Patrick J. Blackall

Karen E. Charlton

The link between diet and health is important, given the prevalence of diet related disease, including obesity, in the Australian population. Consumers need to be able to discriminate between foods based on the nutritional contribution of each to a healthy diet. They also need to be able to discriminate between foods in a broader context, considering issues such as food safety, how the food is produced and the environmental consequences of its production. This review outlines the position of chicken in the Australian diet from a health, consumer and environmental perspective. Chicken can contribute to a healthy eating pattern. It …

The “Green Eating” Project: A Pilot Intervention To Promote Sustainable And Healthy Eating In College Students, Kelleigh E. Eastman

Geoffrey Greene

The “Green Eating” Project: A Pilot Intervention to Promote Sustainable and Healthy Eating in College Students Kelleigh Eastman Sponsor: Geoffrey Greene, Nutrition and Dietetics A topic of interest that is growing in the general population is the idea of being sustainable, or “green”, and there is a rising awareness in sustainable practices involving food and the environment. Some of the “green” eating behaviors identified through my research included eating a plant-based (i.e. vegetarian or semi-vegetarian) diet, eating locally grown foods, eating organically grown foods, and eating foods that are labeled fair-trade. Frequently, these “green” eating behaviors are healthful eating behaviors …

Society Of The Quarter: Sustainable Agriculture Education Association, Madeleine K. Charney

Madeleine K. Charney

A expose of the organization's innovative educational approaches for sustainable agriculture through the development, application, and research of teaching and learning practices. Includes the history, past conferences, and plans for an open access curriculum library.

New Model For Examining The Energy Metabolism Of Laying Hens, G. Murugesan, Michael Persia

G. R. Murugesan

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the energy utilization of laying hens fed diets containing two energy concentrations, using a holistic approach includingmeasurement of productive, maintenance and storage energy. The experiment was a 2 x 2 factorial arrangementwith two feeding levels (ad libitum and restricted feeding of 90 g feed/hen-d), and two dietary energy levels (HE-high metabolizable energy or ME content of 2,880 kcal/kg; and LE-low ME content of 2,790 kcal/kg). A total of 60 HyLine W36 first-cycle laying hens were fed treatment dietsfor 12 wk from hen age 27 to 39 wk, with 15 individually housed hens for each …

Evaluation Of Energy Values Of Various Oil Sources When Fed To Broiler Chicks, G. Murugesan, Brian Kerr, Michael Persia

G. R. Murugesan

The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) values of seven different oil and fat sources used in broiler diets, primarily across the Midwestern US, were determined in a digestibility experiment. Fifteen days old, Ross 308 male broiler chicks were fed diets containing each oil or fat source at 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% inclusion levels for 7 days before excreta samples were collected to analyze AMEn on day 21. The AMEn was calculated using 2 different methods, including a linear equation slope method as well as calculating the difference between basal diet and oil containing diets. The AMEn values determined by …

Nutrition Status Of Primary Care Patients With Depression And Anxiety, Adrienne K. Forsyth, Peter G. Williams, Frank P. Deane

Frank Deane

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrition status of people referred to a nutrition and physical activity program for the management of mental health in a general practice.

The Impact Of Complex Survey Design On Prevalence Estimates Of Intakes Of Food Groups In The Australian National Children's Nutrition And Physical Activity Survey, Sandy Burden, Yasmine Probst, David G. Steel, Linda C. Tapsell

Professor David Steel

No abstract provided.