Digital Commons Network^™

Coconut Oil Enhancement Of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Induced Body Fat Loss And Lipolysis In Mice, Siri Manasa Ippagunta

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) causes a body fat loss that is enhanced when mice are fed coconut oil (CO) compared to soy oil (SO). The objectives were to determine if CLA feeding altered proteins involved in lipolysis. Male mice (n = 80; 3 wk old) were fed 7% SO or CO diets for 6 wk then 0 or 0.5% CLA for 12d. A body fat index was calculated: (retroperitoneal (RP) + epididymal (EPI) fat pads)*100/body weight. Lipolysis was determined by non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and glycerol release from EPI & RP explants. The relative expression of perilipin, phosphorylated perilipin …

Variation In, And Contributing Factors Of Placental Efficiency In Swine, Tiffany Ann Wilmoth

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Placental efficiency, defined as fetal weight divided by placental weight, has been shown to be involved in litter size. Breeds that are more prolific (12-13 pigs per litter) have feto-placental units with higher placental efficiencies. However, domestic commercial breeds have much smaller litters of about 9.5 pigs per litter. Placental size is vastly different, such that high placental efficiency pigs have smaller, more vascularized placentae. Even within an individual litter two piglets with similar body weights may be grown on placentae that are different in size. The placenta of the least efficient feto-placental unit may be up to 50% bigger …

Effects Of Delayed Fat Supplementation On Post-Prandial Rumen Metabolism, Lamb Quality And Fatty Acid Composition Of Rumen Effluent, Quinn Stephan Baptiste

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sheep farmers have an option to incorporate fat supplements into the ration of grazing ruminants. Farmers choosing this option will have to select a time for offering that supplement. It might be practical to feed the supplement in the morning or evening. However, the time at which that supplement is fed should not compromise nutrient digestion or the enhancement of ruminant product fatty acid composition. Consequently, the effects of feeding a fat enriched supplement, at a delayed time on rumen metabolism, lamb quality, and fatty acid composition of effluent digesta were investigated in three experiments. In experiment 1, treatment (time …

The Development And Nutritional Characteristics Of An Omega-3-Enhanced Egg Product, Nissan Michelle Kassis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Novel, nutritionally-enhanced egg product was developed by substituting saturated fat and cholesterol-containing yolk with omega-3 fatty acids-rich (o-3 FA) flaxseed, menhaden, algae, and krill oils. The o-3 FA-fortified eggs are typically developed through alteration of hen feed. However, the present study aimed at creating such a product via processing. Experimental batters were developed to match composition, color, and texture of hen eggs (whole egg). The batters, whole egg, and liquid egg product (egg beaters) were cooked, analyzed, and compared. Moisture, protein, and fat content of experimental eggs matched (P>0.05) whole egg. Nutritionally, amino acid profile (AAP) analysis showed no …

Improvement Of The Physical And Nutritional Quality Of Pelleted Feed, Curran Kenji Gehring

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Experiments were conducted to improve the physical and nutritional quality of pelleted feed. One experiment focused specifically on improvement of pellet quality using functional muscle proteins. A second experiment examined the effects of increasing mixer-added fat (MAF) on feed manufacture variables, broiler performance variables and carcass composition. In experiment 1, muscle proteins (myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic) were recovered using isoelectric/solubilization precipitation, and a functional paste (TPP) was formed by mixing recovered proteins with typical surimi additives. Trout protein paste was included in broiler diets at 0, 2.5 or 5%. A tap water treatment (3.9%) was included to match the moisture added …

The Effects Of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids On Ampk Activation And Lipid Metabolism In Skeletal Muscle, Myra Ellen Woodworth-Hobbs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Intramyocellular lipid accumulation and low lipid oxidative capacity contribute to the formation of insulin resistance, but omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are shown to attenuate insulin resistance caused by high levels of saturated fats. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) promotes lipid oxidation and oxidative gene expression, highlighting its possible role in promoting insulin sensitivity by reducing lipid content and improving oxidative capacity. This study evaluated the effects of n-3 PUFA on the AMPK pathway and alterations to lipid content, oxidative markers, and insulin signaling proteins in a muscle cell culture model, with the hypothesis that n-3 PUFA would attenuate …

A Daily Process Analysis Of Short -Term Physical Activity Goal Pursuits In Midlife: Changes In Goal Processes, Physical Activity, And Subjective Well -Being, Eric A. Goedereis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The prevalence of obesity in the United States increases with age, with the highest rates corresponding to midlife. Midlife health behaviors may play a contributing role in many of the health problems commonly associated with advanced age. Health psychologists who have embraced a life-span developmental perspective argue that it is important to consider the individual developmental trajectories of health and successful aging. Goal-setting has been shown to account for significant variance in physical activity, which has a variety of health-promoting benefits. In order to investigate individual variability in the daily processes of physical activity goal pursuit within a sample of …

Role Of Endothelin 1 In Follicular And Luteal Function In The Sheep, Fernando P. Perea-Ganchou

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Three experiments were carried out in order to examine the role of endothelin in follicular steroid secretion in vitro and in spontaneous and PGF2alpha-induced luteolysis in sheep.;In experiment 1, it was hypothesized that endothelin 1 (END1) acting through its receptors ENDRA and/or ENDRB, on granulosal cells of ovine preovulatory follicles would inhibit steroid production, and therefore, prevent the premature luteinization of granulosal cells of those follicles. Data from estrogen-inactive 20 follicles collected from 13 ewes were analyzed. Accumulation of E 2 and P4 by cultured granulosal cells was not affected by either LH or END1 or the END receptor blockers. …

Foraging Ecology Of Male Cerulean Warblers And Other Neotropical Migrants, Gregory A. George

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding foraging ecology provides insight into species resource requirements and overall conservation needs. We examined foraging behavior and tree species selection of male Cerulean Warblers (Dendroica cerulea ) (n = 673) in response to varying degrees of habitat disturbance from silvicultural treatments at four study sites in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, during the 2006 and 2007 breeding seasons. Cerulean Warblers foraged primarily in the forest canopy, along branch tips by gleaning insects off leaf surfaces, often adjacent to canopy gaps, both pre- and post-harvest. Tree species availability, based on importance values (IV) calculated from density, frequency and basal areas, …

Success From The Voices Of Educators, Katherine Eddy Cox

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines teachers' conceptions of success through interviews of fourteen educators from a rural county in a Mid-Atlantic state. The results find that the critical elements of success are student-oriented, practice-oriented, and policy-oriented; the consensus definition of success is caring for individual students; and the beliefs and values of educators are in making a difference for every student. Relationships, joy in learning, and fair testing are enabling of success within the community and culture studied. In terms of challenges and needs---parents are often named as the biggest barrier to success; secondly, having time to teach as well as possible; …

The Effects Of A Multiple Step Antioxidant Nutritional Supplementation Protocol On High-Intensity Cycling Performance, Ryan Hobbs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Purpose. To determine if 5 days of antioxidant supplementation coupled with a pre-ride antioxidant/energy supplement improves cycling performance or reduces oxidative stress in trained cyclists.;Methods. Eight well-trained cyclists participated in a double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled study. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2Max), peak power output (WMax) and total work during a 15-minute time trial were determined. Subjects consumed an antioxidant supplement (S) or a placebo (P) for 5 days before each trial and a pre-exercise supplement or isocaloric placebo (4 kcal·kg-1) 45 minutes before each trial. Subjects performed an endurance ride of 90 minutes followed immediately by a time trial requiring accumulation of …

Overweight Adolescents In West Virginia Report Healthier Diet Choices After A Two-Week Residential Camp, Heidi Jo Schoeppner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As the number of overweight adolescents in the United States continues to grow, effective methods of treatment intervention need to be established. The objective of this study was to determine if various methods of nutrition education is an effective approach to teach overweight 10-14 year-old adolescents (BMI ≥85th percentile on the CDC's growth charts) in West Virginia to make healthier food choices. Twenty-four adolescents were recruited through schools, physician offices, and community programs to attend a two-week residential lifestyle-modification camp with three follow-up weekends over the next 12 months. Prior to attending the initial camp session, subjects were asked to …

The Effect Of Parent Education On The Home Food Environment For Overweight Adolescents In West Virginia, Kimberly N. Fisher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study is a pre and post-intervention study examining family involvement and healthy food behaviors prior to and three month post nutrition education. The intervention was conducted as part of a residential summer camp for overweight adolescents in West Virginia. Twenty-one parents were included, one parent per camper. The intervention included nine hours of nutritional instructional time consisting of lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and a grocery store tour. Data were measured to determine occurrence of positive changes within the home environment of these families. Parent education sessions were evaluated. A factor analysis and independent samples t test were used respectively to …

Test Re-Test Reliability Of The Unc Functional Performance Test, N. Regina Hash

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Context. Football is a high risk contact sport in which many injuries are sustained to the lower extremity. Functional screening tests exist for football, but it is unknown if they are specifically used as criteria for return to play. The UNC Functional Performance Test has been used as criteria for return to play but reliability for this test is unknown. Objective . The purpose of this study was to establish reliability for the UNC Functional Performance Test (UNCFPT), a battery of functional skills. Design. This study was conducted as a prospective test re-test design. Setting. One site was used with …

The Effects Of Active Living Every Day Online On Physical Activity, Amy M. Sidwell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 14-week intervention based on Active Living Every Day (ALED) Online. Outcomes of the 14-week online program and the process of delivering the program were analyzed. Outcome considerations included: whether ALED Online increased physical activity among participants (as measured through step counts), whether physiological changes (cholesterol and body mass index) were apparent throughout the intervention, and whether participants progressed or regressed through the Stages of Change (SOC). Process measures included examining the nature of retention of participants in the program and the quality of participants' responses to the "Life …

Let 'Em Work, Let 'Em Nurse: Accommodation For Breastfeeding Employees In West Virginia, Matthew L. Williams

West Virginia Law Review

No abstract provided.

Mountain Health Choices Beneficiary Report, Tami Gurley-Calvez, Paula Bone, Adam Pellillo, Christopher Plein, Michael Walsh

Bureau of Business & Economic Research

No abstract provided.

2009 Symposium Brochure

Programs

No abstract provided.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Discovery In Rainbow Trout By Deep Sequencing Of A Reduced Representation Library, Cecilia C. Sanchez, Timothy P L Smith, Ralph T. Wiedmann, Roger L. Vallejo, Mohamed Salem, Jianbo Yao, Caird E. Rexroad Iii

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background

To enhance capabilities for genomic analyses in rainbow trout, such as genomic selection, a large suite of polymorphic markers that are amenable to high-throughput genotyping protocols must be identified. Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) have been used for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery in salmonids. In those strategies, the salmonid semi-tetraploid genomes often led to assemblies of paralogous sequences and therefore resulted in a high rate of false positive SNP identification. Sequencing genomic DNA using primers identified from ESTs proved to be an effective but time consuming methodology of SNP identification in rainbow trout, therefore not suitable for high throughput …

Empowering Youth Through Research: Adolescents’ Perceptions Of Physical Activity Interventions In Appalachian Communities, Sam Zizzi, James Rye, Elizabeth Vitullo, Nancy O'Hara-Tompkins

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Active participation in evaluation and research projects can empower youth and effect community change. Adolescents along with supervising teachers participating in after-school Health Sciences and Technology Academy clubs conducted research projects to increase physical activity in Appalachian communities. The sample involved 50 adolescents who participated across one of six focus groups. Two primary themes emerged from the focus groups, indicating the impact of the research experiences on students, teachers, and their communities. First, students reported increased public health and research competence as well as feelings of self-worth. Second, the participants reported developing a stronger sense of the barriers to and …

College Students' Attitude Towards The Utilization Of The Sport Recreation Center (Src), Mohd Sofian Omar-Fauzee, Aminuddin Yusof, Sam Zizzi

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The primary aim of this paper is to examine the reasons for using or not using the student recreational center (SRC) among a frequent users and non-users. The second purpose is to use the research findings in order to make same recommendations for attracting stronger patronage amongst student users. Two groups of college students that were identified by user and non-user were invited to attend a separate focus group discussion. A user group consisted of six students (5 male, 1 female) with a mean age of 20.33 (Sd=.82), and the non-user group consisted of eight students (6 male, 2 female) …

Ngf Is An Essential Survival Factor For Bronchial Epithelial Cells During Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection, Sreekumar Othumpangat, Laura F. Gibson, Lennie Samsell, Giovanni Piedimonte

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background

Overall expression of neurotrophins in the respiratory tract is upregulated in infants infected by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but it is unclear where (structural vs. inflammatory cells, upper vs. lower airways) and why, these changes occur. We analyzed systematically the expression of neurotrophic factors and receptors following RSV infection of human nasal, tracheal, and bronchial epithelial cells, and tested the hypothesis that neurotrophins work as innate survival factors for infected respiratory epithelia.

Methodology

Expression of neurotrophic factors (nerve growth factor, NGF; brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF) and receptors (trkA, trkB, p75) was analyzed at the protein level by immunofluorescence …

Predictors Of Pfoa Levels In A Community Surrounding A Chemical Plant, Kyle Steenland, Chuangfang Jin, Jessica Macneil, Cathy Lally, Alan Ducatman, Veronica Vieira, Tony Fletcher

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It does not exist in nature but has been used widely since World War II. It is present in the serum of most Americans at about 4–5 ng/mL, although the routes of exposure remain unknown.

Objectives

We examined predictors of PFOA in mid-Ohio Valley residents living near a chemical plant that until recently released large quantities of PFOA into the environment, contaminating drinking water.

Methods

We studied 69,030 residents in six contaminated water districts who participated in a 2005–2006 survey involving a questionnaire and …

Discrepant Comorbidity Between Minority And White Suicides: A National Multiple Cause-Of-Death Analysis, Ian R H Rockett, Yinjuan Lian, Steven Stack, Alan M. Ducatman, Shuhui Wang

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background

Clinician training deficits and a low and declining autopsy rate adversely impact the quality of death certificates in the United States. Self-report and records data for the general population indicate that proximate mental and physical health of minority suicides was at least as poor as that of white suicides.

Methods

This cross-sectional mortality study uses data from Multiple Cause-of-Death (MCOD) public use files for 1999–2003 to describe and evaluate comorbidity among black, Hispanic, and white suicides. Unintentional injury decedents are the referent for multivariate analyses.

Results

One or more mentions of comorbid psychopathology are documented on the death certificates …

X Chromosomes Aneuploidy Lymphocytes Centromeres Chromosomal Translocations Sex Chromosomes Etiology Fluorescent In Situ Hybridiz, Beth M. Cleveland, Stephen S. Leonard, Hillar Klandorf, Kenneth P. Blemings

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Humans, birds, and some primates do not express the uric acid degrading enzyme urate oxidase (UOX) and, as a result, have plasma uric acid concentrations higher than UOX expressing animals. Although high uric acid concentrations are suggested to increase the antioxidant defense system and provide a health advantage to animals without UOX, knockout mice lacking UOX develop pathological complications including gout and kidney failure. As an alternative to the knockout model, RNA interference was used to decrease UOX expression using stable transfection in a mouse hepatic cell line (ATCC, FL83B). Urate oxidase mRNA was reduced 66% (p < 0.05) compared to wild type, as measured by real time RT-PCR. To determine if UOX knockdown resulted in enhanced protection against oxidative stress, cells were challenged with hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) or 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1). Compared to wild type, cells with UOX knockdown exhibited a 37.2 ± 3.5% reduction (p < 0.05) in the electron spin resonance (ESR) signal after being exposed to Cr(VI) and displayed less DNA fragmentation (p < 0.05) following SIN-1 treatment. Cell viability decreased in wild type cells (p < 0.05), but not cells with UOX knockdown, after treatment with SIN-1. These results are consistent with an increased intracellular uric acid concentration and an increased defense against oxidative stress.

Effect Of Weaning Regimen On Energy Profiles And Reproductive Performance Of Beef Cows, J. F. Odhiambo, J. D. Rhinehart, R. Helmondollar, J. Y. Pritchard, P. I. Osborne, E. E. Felton, R. A. Dailey

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Implementation Of The Framework Of 21st Century Schools: A Comparison Of Two Rural, West Virginia High Schools., Cynthia Phillips Kolsun

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

While prior research exists that high schools need to make changes to meet the needs of the students of the 21st Century, no research exists from the perspective of the teacher who must implement the changes. This qualitative study provides a comparison of two rural model 21st Century high schools in West Virginia, both members of the High Schools That Work network, and factors that impacted their initial benchmarking of 21st Century through a cross case analysis. The purpose of this study was to add to the body of knowledge concerning the factors that affecting the West Virginia framework of …

Effects Of Age And Polyploidy On Growth, Composition, Fatty Acids, And Egg Development In Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus Mykiss., Meghan Lynn Manor

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Egg development (vitellogenesis) is a dominant physiological process that alters growth efficiency and compromises muscle quality in some species. Lipid mobilization from fat stores supplies energy required for this process. To study the effect of vitellogenesis on lipid mobilization, triploid (3N; sterile) and diploid (2N; fertile) rainbow trout females were derived from two families (70 and 71). Fish growth, egg development, proximate composition, and fatty acid composition of muscle, liver, visceral fat, and gonads were determined from July 2008 to March 2009. There were no differences in growth measurements (whole body weight, length, condition factor, eviscerated body weight, and empty …

The Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content Of Krill Protein Concentrate Influences Bioavailability, Tissue Deposition, Peroxidation, And Metabolism In Young Rats, Kayla Marie Bridges

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Objective. Krill protein concentrate (KPC) has been determined to be a high quality protein for human consumption with the advantage of being a rich source of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (o-3 PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The o-3 PUFAs in krill are mainly associated with phospholipids, which have been proposed to result in high incorporation of o-3 PUFAs into tissues and to be stable against oxidation. The study objective was to determine bioavailability, tissue deposition, peroxidation, and metabolism of o-3 PUFAs in rats fed KPC.;Methods. Young female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=10/group) were fed ad libitum isocaloric diets …

Concerns, Social Support, And Health -Related Quality Of Life Of Mothers., Susan B. Coyle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mothers are primary caregivers and gatekeepers for family health yet little is known about the nature and level of maternal concern, social support, and health-related quality of life for mothers across the maternal continuum. This research was designed to examine the relationship between maternal concerns and health-related quality of life, describe the impact of social support on this relationship, identify the relationship between sociodemographic factors and concern, social support and HRQOL, and identify differences in these variables among categories of mothers. Participants were 238 mothers from Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania who completed a mail survey. The sample was composed …