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The Efficacy Of School Wellness Policies In Kentucky, Margaret O'Bryan Murphy

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

With the passage of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, all schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program are required to establish local wellness policies to address childhood obesity. In the state of Kentucky, Senate Bill 172 requires all elementary schools to adopt a local wellness policy addressing competitive foods, healthy choices, and daily physical activity. This study measured federal and state compliance among schools that responded to the 2008 Kentucky School Nutrition Survey. This study analyzed differences in the school nutrition environment among policies based on data from the 2002 and 2008 Kentucky School …

Obesity And Hyperandrogenism, Amit M. Deokar, Shawn J. Smith, Amanda J. Goodwin, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

This chapter has a two-fold objective. One, it addresses the association of hyperandrogenism and obesity and the complex metabolic derangements that are part of the problem. Clinical management of these co-morbidities is challenging and complex. Second, this article will aid health care providers with the key features to an early diagnosis and intervention to decrease the morbidities in the short as well as long term. Method: Systematic review of articles and information on the topic of interest that were published in the last 15 years. Conclusion: Obesity and hyperandrogenism are integral parts of Metabolic Syndrome/Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)/Hyperandrogenism, Insulin resistance, …

Obesity And Lack Of Physical Activity, Hatim A. Omar, Efrat Merrick-Kenig, Joav Merrick

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Lack of physical activity and overweight status continues to be a significant health problem in the United States. To assess the actual prevalence of these problems, we reviewed data from the School-based Health Promotion Centers in one middle school, and one high school in central Kentucky. A total of 232 6th graders and 607 9th graders were included. A total of 92% of 6th graders and 45% of 9th graders reported complete lack of regular exercise. 37% of 9th graders and 59% of 6th graders had inappropriate nutrition, 47% of 9th graders and 33% of 6th graders had Body Mass …

Product Liability's Parallel Universe: Fault-Based Liability Theories And Modern Products Liability Law, Richard C. Ausness

Law Faculty Scholarly Articles

Strict liability has always been the heart and soul of American products liability law. As early as 1963, Justice Roger Traynor in Greenman v. Yuba Power Products, Inc. stated that "[a] manufacturer is strictly liable in tort when an article he places on the market, knowing that it will be used without inspection for defects, proves to have a defect that causes injury to a human being." Shortly thereafter, the drafters of section 402A of the Restatement (Second) of Torts made it clear that the exercise of due care would not shield sellers from liability when their products caused injury. …

Evaluation Of Dietary Alterations That Have Potential To Affect Feed Intake And Feed Preference In Swine, James Seth Monegue

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Feed intake is a key factor affecting pig performance; thus, the objective of these studies was to assess a variety of factors that could potentially affect intake in pigs in different production stages. Studies were conducted to determine the effects of flavor and diet complexity, Appetein™ (an alternative protein source), and graded levels of salt on swine feed intake and feed preference. Two newly developed flavors were used in nursery pig diets. The use of the two flavors did not increase feed intake (P > 0.05). Nursery pigs actually showed a preference for the control diet. Complex diet formulation does increase …

Biology And Management Of The Bed Bug, Cimex Lectularius L. (Heteroptera: Cimicidae), Alvaro Romero

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The near absence of bed bugs from human dwellings for fifty or more years has left us with limited knowledge of its biology and few answers to eliminate populations. I explored a diverse set of objectives to answer key questions concerning bed bug biology and control. Major objectives were studies of circadian rhythmicity, pyrethroid resistance, sublethal effects of insecticides, synergism of pyrethroids, and evaluation of a pyrrole insecticides, chlorfenapyr. Additional studies included persistence of Borrelia in bed bugs after ingestion, and aggregation factors from feces.

In the absence of host stimuli, insects were much more active in the dark than …

An Empirical Analysis Of The Utilization Patterns Of Within Facility And Secondary Healthcare Services By Kentucky State Prison Inmates, Sandra Jane Winter

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The inmate population is increasing, aging and generally in poorer health than the non-incarcerated population. Providing healthcare to inmates is constitutionally mandated, and expensive. Little published research exists to assist corrections health policy makers strategically plan for future inmate healthcare needs. This research provides an extensive description of the healthcare utilization patterns of a sample of 577 male and female inmates incarcerated at state-operated prisons in Kentucky during the period January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2007 and who have at least one of the chronic conditions of diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidemia. The primary outcome measures were a count of …

Understanding The Development Of Infant Feeding: A Spectral Analysis Approach, Pooja Vijaygopal

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Feeding problems in preterm neonates stem from complications of early delivery. Attainment of independent feeding is a prerequisite for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) discharges. Some quantitative studies of infant feeding involve excessive amounts of time for data processing. Multivariate spectral analysis was used to minimize time for investigation of variability in these rhythms. Auto and Cross-spectral parameters of the rhythms were correlated with Gestational Age (GA), Postmenstrual Age (PMA), Birthweight (BW), Days of Life (DOL), and Time Since First Nipple feeding (TSFN). Auto-spectral analysis showed 25.55% increase in Bandwidth of suck (bw-su) for a 2-week increase in GA (DOL …

Influences Of Supplementing A Mannan Oligosaccharide Containing Product To Pig Diets On Sow And Weanling Pig Performance, I-Fen Hung

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The objective of these studies was to evaluate the effect of supplying mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) to pig diets on both weanling pig and sow performances.

Nursery pigs challenged with LPS to stimulate an immune challenge had increased body temperature and respiratory rate as well as elevated serum cortisol and TNF-α concentration, MOS-supplemented pigs had a lower rectal temperature and respiratory rate which implied that MOS improves some aspect of the immune function of piglets.

MOS supplementation in sow diets during late gestation and lactation had no effect on litter size, but the piglets from MOS-fed sows were heavier at birth …

An Impact Study Of Locally-Designed Head Start Program Models On Children's Assessment Scores, Jennifer Price

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Head Start, a nationwide early childhood program, promotes the development and use of locally-designed program models, such as partnerships with child care centers, to expand enrollment opportunities and improve service delivery to eligible children and families. Partnerships are considered to be an efficient solution with positive benefits accruing to the Head Start grantee, partnering child care center, and participating families. It is not known, however, whether partnerships differ from standard, direct-managed centers in terms of promoting school readiness among children, the goal of Head Start. This study addresses that question, undertaking an assessment of the impact, if any, that program …

A Descriptive Study Of The Diet And Physical Activity Practices Of Overweight And Obese College Students Enrolled In A Weight Loss Program, Laura Brooke Walters

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The effect of weight gain on college students may lead to physical and emotional problems that could continue into adulthood. Identifying behavioral, demographic, and psychological factors that impact college student’s weight status could aid in developing programs to help reduce weight and prevent weight gain in overweight and obese college students. This study evaluated the dietary habits, physical activity, and psychosocial characteristics of college students entering a university-sponsored weight loss program. Results suggest that the majority of participants have experienced weight gain in the past year and none have experienced weight loss. The student’s diets tended to include less than …

Nutrient And Medication Intake Of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Cristina Elizabeth Hiten

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The incidence of autism continues to rise with no cure or understanding of the cause of the disorder. Approximately one in 150 children will be diagnosed with an (ASD) Autism Spectrum Disorder although recent prevalence data suggest one in 91. The objective of the study is to assess medicinal intake regarding prescription and nonprescription medications of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and its affect on their nutritional status compared to age, and sex matched healthy children. The study included families of children with autism in which they completed questionnaires and 24‐hour recalls. There were 26 children used within the questionnaire …

Assessing Factors Influencing Participation And Dissemination In Community-Based Public Health Coalitions: An Exploration Of Social Change, Chad Tyler Morris

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The community-based public health coalition has proliferated in public health practice since the 1970‘s as a favored means of achieving community participation in public health promotion. There is concern, however, that many contemporary coalitions are not particularly inclusive, and that population health indicators fail to demonstrate significant improvement in health outcomes resultant from coalition practice. This dissertation research was designed to critically examine participation and dissemination of coalition-derived ideas through ethnographic study of five community-based participatory public health coalitions in the United States. The research answers calls from public health scholars to improve upon the coalition theory base and to …

The Prevalence Of Nutritional Issues In African American Woment Living In Low-Income Housing, Jessica Renee Coffie

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

African Americans have more disease, disability, and early death than whites. The leading causes of death for African American women are heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease. Several reasons for these differences, including racism, poverty, cultural differences, lack of knowledge about the importance of screening or testing to prevent health problems, inability to get to the doctor, or lack of trust in the medical system. Healthy eating habits are less evident among lower class neighborhoods because of the lack of availability and education about healthy foods. Although African Americans have a healthy acceptance of a wider range of …

Identification And Characterization Of The Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 Hormonal System In Ruminants, Christina C. Taylor Edwards

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The hormone glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is important in the regulation of intestinal growth and blood flow in nonruminant animals. However, no research reports the existence of GLP-2 in ruminants. Therefore, this dissertation examined the existence of GLP-2 and its receptor, their response to physiological stimuli, and its ability to induce gastrointestinal growth and intestinal blood flow in ruminants.

Experiments 1 and 2 established the gastrointestinal distribution of mRNA for proglucagon (the GLP-2 precursor) and the GLP-2 receptor. Furthermore, these experiments determined the effects of changing dietary energy intake on plasma GLP-2 concentrations and proglucagon and GLP-2 receptor mRNA expression. Experiment …

Studies On The Role Of Acid Sphingomyelinase And Ceramide In The Regulation Of Tace Activity And Tnfα Secretion By Macrophages, Krasimira Rozenova

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Acid Sphingomyelinase (ASMase) activity has been proposed to mediate LPS signaling in various cell types. This study shows that in macrophages, ASMase is a negative regulator of LPS-induced TNFα secretion. ASMasedeficient (asm^-/-) mice and isolated peritoneal macrophages produce several fold more TNFα than their wild-type (asm^+/+) counterparts when stimulated with LPS. The mechanism for these differences however is not transcriptional but post-translational.

The TNFα converting enzyme (TACE) catalyzes the maturation of the 26kD precursor (proTNFα) to the active 17kD form (sTNFα). In mouse peritoneal macrophages, the activity of TACE rather than the rate of TNFα mRNA …

Preparation And Characterization Of Blackberry Extracts And Their Anticancer And Anti-Inflammatory Properties, Jin Dai

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Blackberries are rich in polyphenols including anthocyanins. Polyphenols are hypothesized to have biological activities that impact positively on human health. The purpose of these studies was to develop phenolic extracts from selected cultivars of blackberries currently grown in Kentucky as potential Botanical Drug Products for the treatment and prevention of cancer and inflammatory diseases.

An ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction method was employed to obtain anthocyanin-containing extracts (ACEs) from puree or powder (lyophilized puree) of blackberries. ACEs were analyzed for total anthocyanin and phenolics content, polymeric color, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The influence of water content in the extraction system was …

The Interplay Between The Expression And Functions Of Wnt13 Isoforms During Apoptosis In Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells, Tao Tang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Wnt proteins are crucial for development/homeostasis by controlling cell fate including apoptosis (Moon RT et al. 1997). Three humanWnt13 isoforms were identified: the secreted Wnt13A, mitochondrial Wnt13B, and nuclear Wnt13C forms; and nuclear Wnt13 had an increased sensitivity to LPS/TNF-induced apoptosis in primary endothelial cells (EC); both Wnt13B and C mRNA contain two start codons (AUG+1 and +74), but the same protein encoded from AUG+74 by Wnt13C was expressed lower than Wnt13B (Struewing IT et al.2006). We hypothesize that during EC apoptosis, the nuclear Wnt13C expression is regulated translationally; nuclear Wnt13 favors apoptosis through regulating the activity/expression of apoptosis-related factors; …

Alterations Of Zinc Transporters In Alzheimer's Disease, Ganna Lyubartseva

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one of the major causes of disability and mortality in Western societies, is a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Increasing evidence suggests the etiology of AD may involve disruptions of zinc (Zn) homeostasis. We hypothesize that disruption of Zn homeostasis leads to alterations of Zn transporter (ZnT) proteins, resulting in increased production of neurotoxic amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide in AD brain. To address this hypothesis we carried out the following studies.

1. We characterized alterations of ZnT-1, ZnT-4 and ZnT-6 in the brain of preclinical AD (PCAD) subjects, who show no overt clinical manifestations of AD but demonstrate …

Role Of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor In Chronic Inflammatory Diseases, Violeta Arsenescu

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) is a ligand-actviated receptor known as the dioxin receptor. Environmental pollutants called dioxin-like toxicants are found in food, cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust and air. Therefore, they could chronically amplify the pathology of numerous chronic inflammatory diseases. AhR is a well known target of these environmental chemicals that disrupt endocrine signaling. By the year 2020, the number of people older than 60 years is expected to top 1 billion. The burden of treating chronic disease is significant both in dollars spent and in lost productivity. The need to identify risk factors for chronic diseases must be evaluated …

Towards Elimination And Genetic Manipulation Of Ergot Alkaloid Production In Fungal Endophytes, Simona Florea

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Clavicipitaceous fungal endophytes provide several ecological benefits to their hosts. Besides improving host’s growth characteristics, Neotyphodium coenophialum, the endophyte of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum), produces ergot alkaloids that have been proposed to be involved in fescue toxicosis. One approach to address the toxicosis problem is to genetically manipulate and modify N. coenophialum by knocking out a pair of homologous genes, (dmaW1 and dmaW2), encoding dimethylallyltryptophan synthase, the enzyme for the first and determinant step in ergot-alkaloid biosynthesis. In this study, disruption of dmaW2 was attempted using several disruption methods. Out of 1522 transformants screened, three …

School Lunch Programs And The American Diet: Exploring A Contested Food Terrain, Rebecca Som Castellano

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

This study examines the social actors and issues involved in constructing and contesting the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), in order to identify whose interests are involved in shaping an institution which transmits dietary habits and food knowledge to the nation’s children through the mid day meal.

For the historical analysis, I collected data from historical accounts of the NSLP, congressional hearings, laws, and newspaper articles. For the contemporary analysis, I interviewed 15 actors representing organizations key to federal NLSP policy making. To frame my analysis, I utilize a model of power, based on the work of Arts and Van …

Gender Specific Differences In The Pros And Cons Of Smoking Among Current Smokers In Eastern Kentucky: Implications For Future Smoking Cessation Interventions, Dana A. Hazen, David M. Mannino, Richard Clayton

Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

This study investigated gender differences in the perceived “pros” and “cons” of smoking using the constructs of decisional balance (DB) and stage of change from the Transtheoretical Model. The population distribution for stage of change among a population-based, cross-sectional survey of 155 current smokers over 40 years was: precontemplation (22.6%), contemplation (41.9%), preparation (35.5%). Results of stepwise regression models indicated significant gender differences in DB were in the preparation stage of change; scores on the DB measure increased 3.94 points (95% CI: 1.94, 5.93) for male smokers. Interventions targeting the “pros” and “cons” of smoking may need to be gender …

Forage News [2008-12], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Improved Grass Varieties Benefit Farmers
• Alfalfa and the Environment
• Grass May Help Balance Hot Dairy Diets
• Ethanol Maker Files for Bankruptcy Relief
• Pricing Hay: Consider Plant Nutrient Value
• Performance and Physiology of Steers Grazing Toxic Tall Fescue as Influenced by Feeding Soybean Hulls and Steroidal Implants
• Upcoming Events

Borderline Personality Disorder: An Overview Of History, Diagnosis And Treatment In Adolescents, Linah Al-Alem, Hatim A. Omar

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a cluster B personality disorder. It is characterized by erratic behaviors, emotional instability and one of its hallmarks is self injurious behavior, which starts in adolescence. Patients with BPD are difficult to treat, most have a history of child sexual abuse, about a quarter present with sexual abuse from a caretaker. Although personality disorders are diagnosed only in adults, BPD manifests itself in adolescence in the form of uncontrollable anger, self mutilations, dissociation and other such behaviors. Hence, there is a growing number of scientists discussing the possibility of diagnosing BPD in adolescents. Here, we …

Manufactured Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles Decrease Expression Of Tight Junction Proteins In Brain Vasculature, Lei Chen, Robert A. Yokel, Bernhard Hennig, Michal Toborek

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Manufactured nanoparticles of aluminum oxide (nano-alumina) have been widely used in the environment; however, their potential toxicity provides a growing concern for human health. The present study focuses on the hypothesis that nano-alumina can affect the blood-brain barrier and induce endothelial toxicity. In the first series of experiments, human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) were exposed to alumina and control nanoparticles in dose- and time-responsive manners. Treatment with nano-alumina markedly reduced HBMEC viability, altered mitochondrial potential, increased cellular oxidation, and decreased tight junction protein expression as compared to control nanoparticles. Alterations of tight junction protein levels were prevented by cellular …

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Markers Are Associated With Obesity In Nondiabetic Subjects, Neeraj K. Sharma, Swapan K. Das, Ashis K. Mondal, Oksana Hackney, Winston S. Chu, Philip A. Kern, Neda Rasouli, Horace J. Spencer, Aiwei Yao-Borengasser, Steven C. Elbein

Clinical and Translational Science Faculty Publications

Objective: Adipocyte and hepatocyte endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response is activated in dietary and genetic models of obesity in mice. We hypothesized that ER stress was also activated and associated with reduced insulin sensitivity (S_I) in human obesity.

Research Design and Methods: We recruited 78 healthy, nondiabetic individuals over a spectrum of body mass index (BMI) who underwent oral and iv glucose tolerance tests, and fasting sc adipose and muscle biopsies. We tested expression of 18 genes and levels of total and phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, c-jun, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 in adipose tissue. We compared …

Supplementing Cattle On Pasture: When, What And How Much?, Roy Burris

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The biggest advantage of maintaining cattle in the southeast is our ability to grow forages. It is generally an economic advantage to make maximum use of our forage and then supplement only when needed to meet our production goals. Judicious use of extra nutrition to grazing cattle can allow us to meet an objective which was best stated by Hoveland in 1986:

“Our objective is to maintain pasture at the highest quality that the environment will allow and efficiently convert as much of the pasture as possible into saleable animal product.”

Growth Of Grasses And Legumes: Impact On Grazing, S. Ray Smith

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The primary, cool season, perennial pasture grasses used in Kentucky are orchardgrass, bluegrass, and tall fescue. When not grazed or harvested, each of these passes through successive stages of growth in the spring: 1) leafy vegetative; 2) boot with seed heads enclosed in leaf sheath; 3) heading when the seed heads begin to show and, 4) bloom when pollination has occurred ( Figure 2). Since fiber and lignin contents increase steadily beyond the vegetative stage, while percent protein and digestibility decrease, a major goal in grazing management is to maintain these grasses in the leafy, vegetative stage at all times. …

The Effects Of Food Stamps On Exiting Welfare And Becoming Employed For Welfare Recipients, Charles Baum

University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Discussion Paper Series

Welfare reform’s success encouraging employment may be affected by the federal Food Stamp program because many households receive welfare and Food Stamps. Food Stamp benefits could discourage employment because benefits are reduced proportionally with income; alternatively, it could encourage employment by increasing stability and allowing more resources to be allocated toward employment-related expenses. I examine the effects of Food Stamps on exiting welfare and becoming employed for welfare recipients. Results suggest, if anything, that Food Stamps discourage employment, and such benefits may discourage transitions off welfare, too. If so, then it may be necessary to study the determinants of welfare …