Human and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

Mechanisms By Which Dietary Ellagic Acid Attenuates Obesity And Obesity-Mediated Metabolic Complications, Inhae Kang

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Ellagic acid (EA) is a polyphenol found in various fruits and plants, such as berries, pomegranates, muscadine grapes, nuts and bark of oak tree. EA has been known to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects in various types of cancer. However, little is known about the effects of EA on obesity. Herein, 1) the lipid-lowering role of EA was identified in primary human adipose stem cells (hASCs) and human hepatoma Huh7 cells; 2) the molecular mechanisms by which EA attenuates adipogenesis by epigenetic modification were identified; 3) the effects of EA on high fat and high sucrose-mediated obesity was …

Activation Of Toll-Like Receptor 4 (Tlr4) Attenuates Adaptive Thermogenesis Via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Meshail Okla, Wei Wang, Inhae Kang, Anjeza Pashaj, Timothy P. Carr, Soonkyu Chung

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Human obesity is associated with defective brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation.

Results: Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) activation by high fat diet or lipopolysaccharide impairs adaptive thermogenesis.

Conclusion: Obesity-mediated TLR4 activation represses adaptive thermogenesis through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.

Significance: Inhibition of TLR4/ER stress axis is a novel target to augment BAT activity.

Abstract: Adaptive thermogenesis is the cellular process transforming chemical energy into heat in response to cold. A decrease in adaptive thermogenesis is a contributing factor to obesity. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the compromised adaptive thermogenesis in obese subjects have not yet been elucidated. In …

Electromyographic Responses From The Vastus Medialis During Isometric Muscle Actions, C. M. Smith, Terry J. Housh, Trent J. Herda, Jorge M Zuniga, Clayton L. Camic, Haley Bergstrom, D.B. Smith, John R. Weir, Joel T. Cramer, E.C. Hill, Kristen C. Cochrane, N. D. M. Jenkins, R. Schmidt, G. Johnson

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

This study examined the electromyographic (EMG) responses from the vastus medialis (VM) for electrodes placed over and away from the innervation zone (IZ) during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and sustained, submaximal isometric muscle action. A linear electrode array was placed on the VM to identify the IZ and muscle fiber pennation angle during an MVIC and sustained isometric muscle action at 50 % MVIC. EMG amplitude and frequency parameters were determined from 7 bipolar channels of the electrode array, including over the IZ, as well as 10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm proximal and distal to the …

Food Resource Management Education With Snap Participation Improves Food Security, Lucia Kaiser, Virginia Chaidez, Susan Algert, Marcel Horowitz, Anna Martin, Concepcion Mendoza, Marisa Neelon, David C. Ginsburg

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objective: To determine the influence of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and participant demographics on nutrition education outcomes.

Methods: At program enrollment (pre) and 1 month later (post), a statewide convenience sample of adults, who participated in the Plan, Shop, Save, and Cook program, completed a 7-item questionnaire to evaluate change in resource management skills (RMS) and running out of food before the end of the month.

Results: Percent of participants (n = 3,744) who reported behavioral improvements in RMS ranged from 38.8%in comparing prices to 54% in reading labels. Female gender and Hispanic ethnicity were positively related to pre–post …

Cloning And Expression Of Ebi3 And P28 Subunits Of Human Interleukin 27 In E. Coli, Ameneh Koochaki, Mojgan Bandehpour, Sam Massahi, Mahrou Sadri, Bahram Kazemi

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Interleukin (IL)-27 is a heterodimeric cytokine belonging to IL-12 and IL-23 families, secreted by antigen presenting cells(APCs). The IL-27 is composed of 2 subunits: Epstein-Barr virus induced gene 3 (EBI3) and p28. IL-27 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine which has an inhibitory effect on Th17 population and suppress the IL-17 expression. It is suggested that IL-27 could be a potent drug candidate for treating auto immune diseases.

Materials and Methods: The EBI3 and p28 subunits of human interleukin 27 were constructed into plasmid vectors; they sub-cloned into pETDuet-1 expression vector in restriction sites of BamHI, SacI and NotI. Subsequently the …

Reductions In Urinary Collection Frequency For Assessment Of Reproductive Hormones Provide Physiologically Representative Exposure And Mean Concentrations When Compared With Daily Collection, Heather C.M. Allaway, Nancy J. Williams, Rebecca J. Mallinson, Karsten Koehler, Mary Jane De Souza

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objective — To determine if reducing the frequency of urinary sample collection from daily to 5, 3, or 2 days per week during a menstrual cycle or 28-day amenorrheic monitoring period provide accurate representations of the reproductive hormone metabolites estrone- 1-glucuronide (E1G) and pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) exposure and mean concentrations.

Methods — Exercising women presenting with eumenorrhea or exercise-associated menstrual disturbances collected daily urine samples for the assessment of E1G and PdG concentrations. After enzyme immunoassay analysis of the daily samples, E1G and PdG data were systematically removed from each menstrual cycle or amenorrheic monitoring period to mimic three reduced …

Physiological Responses Underlying The Perception Of Effort During Moderate And Heavy Intensity Cycle Ergometry, Kristen C. Cochrane, Terry J. Housh, Ethan C. Hill, Cory M. Smith, Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins, Joel T. Cramer, Glen O. Johnson, Richard J. Schmidt

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

This study examined patterns of responses for physiological and perceptual variables during cycle ergometry at a constant rate of perceived exertion (RPE) within the moderate and heavy exercise intensity domains. Nineteen (mean age 21.3 ± 0.5 years; 43.4 ± 2.0 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ VO_2Peak) moderately trained cyclists performed an incremental test to exhaustion and two 60 min constant RPE rides at the RPE corresponding to the gas exchange threshold (RPE_GET) and 15% above the GET (RPE_GET+15%). Oxygen consumption (VO₂), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (V_E), …

Individual Responses For Muscle Activation, Repetitions, And Volume During Three Sets To Failure Of High- (80% 1rm) Versus Low-Load (30% 1rm) Forearm Flexion Resistance Exercise, Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins, Terry J. Housh, Samuel L. Buckner, Haley C. Bergstrom, Kristen C. Cochrane, Cory M. Smith, Ethan C. Hill, Richard J. Schmidt, Joel T. Cramer

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

This study compared electromyographic (EMG) amplitude, the number of repetitions completed, and exercise volume during three sets to failure of high- (80% 1RM) versus low-load (30% 1RM) forearm flexion resistance exercise on a subject-by-subject basis. Fifteen men were familiarized, completed forearm flexion 1RM testing. Forty-eight to 72 h later, the subjects completed three sets to failure of dumbbell forearm flexion resistance exercise with 80% (n = 8) or 30% (n = 7) 1RM. EMG amplitude was calculated for every repetition, and the number of repetitions performed and exercise volume were recorded. During sets 1, 2, and 3, one of eight …

Knowledge, Use And Perceptions Of Probiotics And Prebiotics In Hospitalized Patients, Melanie Betz, Anne Uzueta, Heather Rasmussen, Mary Gregoire, Cassandra Vandrwall, Gretchen Witowich

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Aim: Little is known about inpatient probiotic and prebiotic consumption or beliefs, despite their increase in availability. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to assess inpatient knowledge, use and perceptions of probiotics and prebiotics.

Methods: All subjects were inpatients at two urban medical centers on general medical/surgical floors. Patients were randomly selected to complete a verbally administered questionnaire inquiring about probiotic and prebiotic knowledge, use and perceptions. Patient responses were recorded directly into Survey Monkey (Palo Alto, CA, USA) on a computer.

Results: Patients (n = 200) were 58% were women and 56% were Caucasian with a mean age …

Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors Of Native American Families With Young Children: A Mixed Methods Study, Kara Vlasin-Marty, Paula Ritter-Gooder, Julie A. Albrecht

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Children are at increased risk for foodborne illness due to underdeveloped immune system. Limited research has been reported on food safety knowledge of Native American families with children 10 years of age and younger. This study was conducted to determine the food safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the main food preparer in these families by collecting quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously in a mixed method approach. A food safety knowledge survey created using FightBAC!™ concepts was administered prior to focus groups discussions held in Native American communities using a script based upon the Health Belief Model. Quantitative data were …

Development And Validation Of A Social Cognitive Theory-Based Survey For Elementary Nutrition Education Program, Elisha Hall, Weiwen Chai, Wanda Koszewski, Julie A. Albrecht

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is a widely used model for developing elementary nutrition education programs; however, few instruments are available to assess the impact of such programs on the main constructs of the SCT. The purposes of this study were: 1) to develop and validate a SCT-based survey instrument that focuses on knowledge, behavior, and self-efficacy for fifth grade students; 2) to assess the relationships between knowledge, behavior, and self-efficacy; and 3) to assess knowledge, behavior, and self-efficacy for healthy eating among the fifth grade students.

Methods: A 40-item instrument was developed and validated using content validity …

Bmp7 Drives Human Adipogenic Stem Cells Into Metabolically Active Beige Adipocytes, Meshail Okla, Jung-Heun Ha, Ryan E. Temel, Soonkyu Chung

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Adult humans have a substantial amount of inducible-brown (or beige) fat, which is associated with increased energy expenditure and reduced weight gain via thermogenesis. Despite the identification of key regulators of beige adipogenesis, impacts of dietary factors on adaptive thermogenesis are largely unknown, partly due to a lack of validated human cell models. Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) is known to promote brown adipogenesis in rodent and human progenitor cells. However, controversy still surrounds the cellular identity in BMP7-mediated transition of white to brown adipocytes. The aim of this study is to confirm BMP7-derived human adipocytes as a relevant in …

Effects Of Partners Together In Health (Path) Intervention On Physical Activity And Healthy Eating Behaviors: A Pilot Study, Bernice C. Yates, Joseph Norman, Jane Meza, Kaye L. Stanek Krogstrand, Susana Harrington, Scott Shurmur, Matthew Johnson, Karen Schumacher

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background—Despite proven efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in helping patients initiate physical activity and healthy eating changes, less than 50% of CR participants maintain changes 6 months later.

Objective—The objective of this feasibility study was to test the Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention versus usual care (UC) in improving physical activity and healthy eating behaviors in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients and spouses.

Methods—An experimental, two-group (n = 17 couples/group), repeated measures design was used. CABG patients in both groups participated in Phase II outpatient CR. Spouses in the PaTH group attended CR with the patient and …

Nutrition-Related Policy And Environmental Strategies To Prevent Obesity In Rural Communities: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, 2002–2013, Larissa Calancie, Jennifer Leeman, Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts, Laura Kettel Khan, Kelly R. Evenson, Michelle Schreiner, Carmen Byker, Clint Owens, Jared Mcguirt, Ellen Barnidge, Wesley Dean, Donna Johnson, Jane Kolodinsky, Emily Piltch, Courtney Pinard, Emilee Quinn, Lauren Whetstone, Alice Ammerman, Sheila Fleischhacker

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Residents of rural communities in the United States are at higher risk for obesity than their urban and suburban counterparts. Policy and environmental-change strategies supporting healthier dietary intake can prevent obesity and promote health equity. Evidence in support of these strategies is based largely on urban and suburban studies; little is known about use of these strategies in rural communities. The purpose of this review was to synthesize available evidence on the adaptation, implementation, and effectiveness of policy and environmental obesity-prevention strategies in rural settings.

Fruit And Vegetable Perceptions Among Caregivers Of American Indian Toddlers And Community Stakeholders: A Qualitative Study, Rachel C. Sinley, Julie A. Albrecht

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

American Indians experience higher rates of obesity than any other ethnic group living in the USA. This disparity begins to develop in early childhood, and the excess weight carried by American Indian children contributes to health conditions that can affect their quality of life by the time they enter preschool. These children consume less than recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, a dietary pattern that may be related to the development of obesity and other health conditions. This qualitative study explored the fruit and vegetable intake of American Indian toddlers through use of the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model. Focus groups …