Digital Commons Network^™

Latin America And The Caribbean: Assessment Of The Advances In Public Health For The Achievement Of The Millennium Development Goals, Amal K. Mitra, Gisela Rodriguez-Fernandez

Faculty Publications

To improve health and economy of the world population, the United Nations has set up eight international goals, known as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), that 192 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015. The goals include: (1) eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; (2) achieving universal primary education; (3) promoting gender equality; (4) reducing child mortality; (5) improving maternal health; (6) combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; (7) ensuring environmental sustainability; and (8) developing a global partnership for development. Having been in the midway from the 2015 deadline, the UN …

Parental Report Versus Child Perception Of Familial Support: Which Is More Associated With Child Physical Activity And Television Use?, Daheia J. Barr-Anderson, Ramona Robinson-O'Brien, Jess Haines, Peter J. Hannan, Dianne R. Neumark-Sztainer

Faculty Publications

Background: Parent-report and child perception of familial support for weight-related behaviors may not be congruent. This research explores whether parent-report or child perception is more strongly associated with child-reported physical activity and television (TV) use. Methods: Elementary school children (n = 73) participating in Ready. Set. ACTION!, a theater-based obesity prevention pilot program in Saint Paul, MN, and their parents completed surveys assessing familial support for physical activity and limitations on TV use in fall 2006. Paired t tests examined congruency between parent-report and child perception. Linear regression models adjusted for sociodemographics explored the associations between familial …

The Influence Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness On Lung Cancer Mortality, Xuemei Sui, Duck-Chul Lee, Charles E. Matthews, Swann Arp Adams, James R. Hébert, Timothy S. Church, Chong-Do Lee, Steven N. Blair

Faculty Publications

Purpose—Previous studies have suggested that higher levels of physical activity may lower lung cancer risk; however, few prospective studies have evaluated lung cancer mortality in relation to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), an objective marker of recent physical activity habits. Methods—Thirty-eight thousand men, aged 20 to 84 years without history of cancer, received a preventive medical examination at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, TX, between 1974 and 2002. CRF was quantified as maximal treadmill exercise test duration and was grouped for analysis as low (lowest 20% of exercise duration), moderate (middle 40%), and high (upper 40%). Results—A total of 232 lung cancer …

Impact Of After-School Nutrition Workshops In A Public Library Setting, Marjorie Freedman, Audrey Nickell

Faculty Publications

Objective: To determine if after-school nutrition workshops conducted in public libraries were related to lasting changes in food choice.Methods: “Snack Smart” workshops, based on Social Cognitive Theory, were conducted in 8 branch libraries (49 ethnically diverse children, ages 9 to 14) to assess changes in consumption of targeted food items by pretest, posttest, and follow-up food frequency questionnaires. Results were analyzed using the Friedman test for repeated measures and Wilcoxon signed rank test.Results: Intake of milk, vegetables, and water significantly increased at 3-week posttest (P < .05), but only water intake showed a significant change from pretest to follow-up 3 months later.Conclusions and Implications: This low-intensity program did not produce lasting behavior change, as measured by changes in food frequency at 3 months post- intervention. The study supports the need to critically evaluate out-of-school nutrition programs for lasting impact.

Food Insecurity As A Barrier To Sustained Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence In Uganda, Sheri D. Weiser, David M. Tuller, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Jude Senkungu, Nozmu Mukiibi, David R. Bangsberg

Faculty Publications

Background: Food insecurity is emerging as an important barrier to antiretroviral (ARV) adherence in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere, but little is known about the mechanisms through which food insecurity leads to ARV non-adherence and treatment interruptions.

Methodology: We conducted in-depth, open-ended interviews with 47 individuals (30 women, 17 men) living with HIV/ AIDS recruited from AIDS treatment programs in Mbarara and Kampala, Uganda to understand how food insecurity interferes with ARV therapy regimens. Interviews were transcribed, coded for key themes, and analyzed using grounded theory.

Findings: Food insecurity was common and an important barrier to accessing medical care and ARV …

Research Associations Between Sport And Screen-Entertainment With Mental Health Problems In 5-Year-Old Children, Lucy J. Griffiths, Marsha Dowda, Carol Dezateux, Russell R. Pate

Faculty Publications

Background: Few studies have examined the benefits of regular physical activity, and risks of sedentary behaviour, in young children. This study investigated associations between participation in sports and screen-entertainment (as components of physical activity and sedentary behaviour), and emotional and behavioural problems in this population.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of data from 13470 children (50.9% boys) participating in the nationally representative UK Millennium Cohort Study. Time spent participating in sports clubs outside of school, and using screen-entertainment, was reported by the child's mother at child age 5 years, when mental health was also measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Results: …

Associations Between Sport And Screen-Entertainment With Mental Health Problems In 5-Year-Old Children, Lucy J. Griffiths, Marsha Dowda, Carol Dezateux, Russell R. Pate

Faculty Publications

Background: Few studies have examined the benefits of regular physical activity, and risks of sedentary behavior, in young children. This study investigated associations between participation in sports and screen-entertainment (as components of physical activity and sedentary behavior), and emotional and behavioral problems in this population.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of data from 13470 children (50.9% boys) participating in the nationally representative UK Millennium Cohort Study. Time spent participating in sports clubs outside of school, and using screen-entertainment, was reported by the child's mother at child age 5 years, when mental health was also measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Results …

Symbiosis In Subterranean Termites: A Review Of Insights From Molecular Studies, Claudia Husseneder

Faculty Publications

The symbiotic relationship of termites and their eukaryotic and prokaryotic gut microbiota is a focal point of research because of the important roles symbionts play in termite nutrition. The use of molecular methods has recently provided valuable insights into the species diversity and the roles of microorganisms in the guts of termites. This paper provides a review of the current knowledge of symbiont species inventories, genome analysis, and gene expression in the guts of subterranean termites. Particular emphasis is given to the termite genera Reticulitermes and Coptotermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), because they contain pest species of global impact in their native …

Policies That Restrict Sweetened Beverage Availability May Reduce Consumption In Elementary-School Children, Sonya J. Jones, Wendy Gonzalez, Edward A. Frongillo Jr.

Faculty Publications

Objective:We investigated whether having a policy regarding the availability of sweetened beverages in school was associated with children's purchase of total weekly and daily consumption of sweetened beverages.

Design: Data were obtained in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten cohort. Multilevel logistic regression was used to determine the magnitude and significance of relationships between the availability of different beverages and purchase of sweetened beverages at school and overall consumption of beverages.

Results: The purchase of sweetened beverages by children in school was strongly associated with the administrative policy of sweetened beverage availability. Compared with children in schools without an administrative …

Factors Affecting College Students’ Knowledge And Opinions Of Genetically Modified Foods, Chad Laux, Gretchen A. Mosher, Steven A. Freeman

Faculty Publications

The use of biotechnology in food and agricultural applications has increased greatly during the past decade and is considered by many to be a controversial topic. Drawing upon a previous national study, a new survey was conducted of U.S. and international college students at a large, land-grant, Research University to determine factors that may affect opinions about genetically modified (GM) food products. Factors examined included nationality, discipline area of study, perceptions of safety, and awareness and levels of acceptance regarding GM food. Results indicated students born outside the United States had more negative opinions about genetically modified foods than did …

Who Guidelines For Antimicrobial Treatment In Children Admitted To Hospital In An Area Of Intense Plasmodium Falciparum Transmission: Prospective Study, Behzad Nadjm, Ben Amos, George Mtove, Jan Ostermann, Semkini Chonya, Hannah Wangai, Juma Kimera, Walii Msuya, Frank Mtei, Denise Dekker, Rajabu Malahiyo, Raimos Olomi, John A. Crump, Christopher J. M. Whitty, Hugh Reyburn

Faculty Publications

Objectives To assess the performance of WHO’s “Guidelines for care at the first-referral level in developing countries” in an area of intense malaria transmission and identify bacterial infections in children with and without malaria.

Design Prospective study.

Setting District hospital in Muheza, northeast Tanzania.

Participants Children aged 2 months to 13 years admitted to hospital for febrile illness.

Main outcome measures Sensitivity and specificity of WHO guidelines in diagnosing invasive bacterial disease; susceptibility of isolated organisms to recommended antimicrobials.

Results Over one year, 3639 children were enrolled and 184 (5.1%) died; 2195 (60.3%) were blood slide positive for Plasmodium falciparum …

Early Childhood Feeding: Assessing Knowledge, Attitude, And Practices Of Multi-Ethnic Child-Care Providers, Marjorie Freedman, Karina Alvarez

Faculty Publications

Early childhood is a critical period for shaping and influencing feeding and lifestyle behaviors that have implications for future weight and health. With more women in the workforce, families have become reliant on child care. Thus, the child-feeding relationship has become a shared responsibility between the parent and child-care provider. Little is known about the impact of child-care providers on development of early childhood feeding behaviors and subsequent risk for obesity, especially in the Hispanic ethnic group. This research examined child-feeding attitudes, practices, and knowledge of multi-ethnic home-based and center-based child-care providers. Questionnaires were completed by a convenience sample of …

Correlates Of Physical Activity In Black, Hispanic, And White Middle School Girls, Evelyn B. Kelly, Deborah Parra-Medina, Karin A. Pfeiffer, Marsha Dowda, Terry L. Conway, Larry S. Webber, Jared B. Jobe, Scott Going, Russell R. Pate

Faculty Publications

Background: A need exists to better understand multilevel influences on physical activity among diverse samples of girls. This study examined correlates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among adolescent girls from different racial/ethnic backgrounds. Methods: 1,180 6th grade girls (24.5% black, 15.7% Hispanic, and 59.8% white) completed a supervised self-administered questionnaire that measured hypothesized correlates of PA. MVPA data were collected for 6 days using the ActiGraph accelerometer. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine correlates of PA in each racial/ethnic group. Results: Hispanic girls (n=185) engaged in 21.7 minutes of MVPA per day, black girls (n=289) engaged in 19.5 minutes …

The Role Of Adaptive Trans-Generational Plasticity In Biological Invasions Of Plants, Andrew R. Dyer, Cynthia S. Brown, Erin K. Espeland, John K. Mckay, Harald Meimberg, Kevin J. Rice

Faculty Publications

High-impact biological invasions often involve establishment and spread in disturbed, high-resource patches followed by establishment and spread in biotically or abiotically stressful areas. Evolutionary change may be required for the second phase of invasion (establishment and spread in stressful areas) to occur. When species have low genetic diversity and short selection history, within-generation phenotypic plasticity is often cited as the mechanism through which spread across multiple habitat types can occur. We show that trans-generational plasticity (TGP) can result in pre-adapted progeny that exhibit traits associated with increased fitness both in high-resource patches and in stressful conditions. In the invasive sedge, …

Fatty-Acids And Their Δ 13C Characteristics Of Seep Carbonates From The Northern Continental Slope Of Gulf Of Mexico, Hong Xiang Guan, Dong Feng, Neng You Wu, Duo Fu Chen, H. H. Roberts, Dai Dai Wu

Faculty Publications

Here we reported the fatty-acids and their δ C values in seep carbonates collected from Green Canyon lease block 185 (GC 185; Sample GC-F) at upper continental slope (water depth: ~540 m), and Alaminos Canyon lease block 645 (GC 645; Sample AC-E) at lower continental slope (water depth: ~2200 m) of the Gulf of Mexico. More than thirty kinds of fatty acids were detected in both samples. These fatty acids are maximized at C . There is a clear even-over-odd carbon number predominance in carbon number range. The fatty acids are mainly composed of n-fatty acids, iso-/anteiso-fatty acids and terminally …

School Health Fairs Show Potential To Improve Short-Term Learning, Marjorie Freedman

Faculty Publications

School-based health fairs, that include a variety of informational and/or “fun” booths, are examples of Level 1 interventions designed to build awareness of a health or nutritional topic or problem.1 Designing, implementing, and evaluating a health fair requires considerable resources. Yet recent examination of their efficacy in increasing knowledge is limited.2, 3 and 4 No research has been conducted on preadolescents, a group whose patterns of behavior and food choices may affect their current and future health status. Currently, almost one third of children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 are overweight or obese.5 Less than 10% of females and …

The Effects Of Theaflavin-Enriched Black Tea Extract On Muscle Soreness, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, And Endocrine Responses To Acute Anaerobic Interval Training: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study, Shawn M. Arent, Meghan Senso, Devon L. Golem, Kenneth H. Mckeever

Faculty Publications

Background: Muscle soreness and decreased performance often follow a bout of high-intensity exercise. By reducing these effects, an athlete can train more frequently and increase long-term performance. The purpose of this study is to examine whether a high-potency, black tea extract (BTE) alters the delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), oxidative stress, inflammation, and cortisol (CORT) responses to high-intensity anaerobic exercise.Methods: College-age males (N = 18) with 1+ yrs of weight training experience completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Subjects consumed the BTE (1,760 mg BTE·d-1) or placebo (PLA) for 9 days. Each subject completed two testing sessions (T1 and T2), …

Laboratory Evaluation Of Novaluron As A Rodent Feed-Through Insecticide Against Sand Fly Larvae (Diptera: Psychodidae), T. M. Mascari, L. D. Foil

Faculty Publications

Experiments were conducted to evaluate novaluron as a feed-through larvicide to control immature phlebotomine sand flies (Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli) (Diptera: Psychodidae). The minimum effective concentration of novaluron against sand fly larvae fed hamster feces treated with novaluron, or feces of hamsters fed a diet containing novaluron, was 9.88 and 9.88 × 10-1 mg/kg, respectively. Feces of novaluron-treated hamsters were held under conditions simulating the inside of a rodent burrow for up to 30 d, and all larvae that consumed these feces died before pupation; a significant reduction in treated larval survival relative to control was observed when the feces were …

Intracellular Consequences Of Sos1 Deficiency During Salt Stress, Dong Ha Oh, Sang Yeol Lee, Ray A. Bressan, Dae Jin Yun, Hans J. Bohnert

Faculty Publications

A mutation of AtSOS1 (Salt Overly Sensitive 1), a plasma membrane Na +/H+-antiporter in Arabidopsis thaliana, leads to a salt-sensitive phenotype accompanied by the death of root cells under salt stress. Intracellular events and changes in gene expression were compared during a non-lethal salt stress between the wild type and a representative SOS1 mutant, atsos1-1, by confocal microscopy using ion-specific fluorophores and by quantitative RT-PCR. In addition to the higher accumulation of sodium ions, atsos1-1 showed inhibition of endocytosis, abnormalities in vacuolar shape and function, and changes in intracellular pH compared to the wild type in root tip cells under …

A Lanthanide-Based Chemosensor For Bioavailable Fe3+ Using A Fluorescent Siderophore: An Assay Displacement Approach, Karen M. Orcutt, William Scott Jones, Andrea Mcdonald, David Schrock, Karl J. Wallace

Faculty Publications

The measurement of trace analytes in aqueous systems has become increasingly important for understanding ocean primary productivity. In oceanography, iron (Fe) is a key element in regulating ocean productivity, microplankton assemblages and has been identified as a causative element in the development of some harmful algal blooms. The chemosenor developed in this study is based on an indicator displacement approach that utilizes time-resolved fluorescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer as the sensing mechanism to achieve detection of Fe3+ ions as low as 5 nM. This novel approach holds promise for the development of photoactive chemosensors for ocean deployment.

Can We Improve The Salinity Tolerance Of Genotypes Of Taxidium By Using Varietal And Hybrid Crosses?, Lijing Zhou, David Creech, David Kulhavy

Faculty Publications

Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. var. distichum [baldcypress (BC)], Taxodium distichum var. mexicanum Gordon [Montezuma cypress (MC)], and a Taxodium hybrid (‘Nanjing Beauty’: BC · MC cross, T302) were evaluated for salt tolerance in 2006 at Nacogdoches, TX. Plants were irrigated weekly with four levels of salinity [0, 1, 3.5, and 6 ppt (0, 17, 60, and 102 mol[1]m–3)] for 13 weeks and then 0, 2, 7, and 12 ppt (0, 34, 120, and 204 mol[1]m–3) for another 12 weeks. Salinity treatments did not have a significant effect on growth rate; however, there were significant differences in growth rate among the …

The Carboxyl-Terminal Segment Of Apolipoprotein A-V Undergoes A Lipid-Induced Conformational Change, Kasuen Mauldin, B. L. Lee, M. Oleszczuk, B. D. Sykes, R. O. Ryan

Faculty Publications

Apolipoprotein (apo) A-V is a 343-residue, multidomain protein that plays an important role in regulation of plasma triglyceride homeostasis. Primary sequence analysis revealed a unique tetraproline sequence (Pro293-Pro296) near the carboxyl terminus of the protein. A peptide corresponding to the 48-residue segment beyond the tetraproline motif was generated from a recombinant apoA-V precursor wherein Pro295 was replaced by Met. Cyanogen bromide cleavage of the precursor protein, followed by negative affinity chromatography, yielded a purified peptide. Nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis verified that apoA-V(296-343) solubilizes phospholipid vesicles, forming a relatively heterogeneous population of reconstituted high-density lipoprotein with Stokes’ diameters>17 nm. At …

Implementing A Solid Waste Management Diversion Program In A Conventional Cook–Serve Hospital System: A Feasibility Study, Marjorie Freedman, Irene Franklin

Faculty Publications

Americans generate over 250 million tons of municipal solid waste (trash) each year, with institutional facilities such as hospitals accounting for up to 45% of this waste. Solid waste diversion, through recycling and composting, decreases the waste sent to landfills. The objective of this feasibility study was to implement an integrated solid waste diversion program at a conventional cook–serve kitchen for a 250-bed hospital. The waste diversion program resulted in 1390 pounds of organic matter and recycling being diverted from landfills over 5 days. It is estimated that the continuing program will reduce landfill waste by 51 tons annually.

Pharmaceutical Crops: An Overview, Shiyou Li, Wei Yuan, Peiying Yang, Mikhail Antoun, Michael Balick, Gordon Cragg

Faculty Publications

Pharmaceutical crops is an ambiguous term used by biologists and chemists for different categories of plants. We define pharmaceutical crops as those cultivated species that are used for extraction or preparation of therapeutic substances such as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients used in pharmaceutical formulations, vaccines and antibodies, as well as other therapeutic proteins. Based on the type of pharmaceutical product, these crops can be classified into three distinct yet sometimes overlapping categories: crops for the production of small therapeutic molecules (STMs), large therapeutic molecules (LMTs), or standard therapeutic extracts (STEs). This review briefly discusses the relationships of pharmaceutical crops …

Disparities In Self-Reported Postpartum Depression Among Asian, Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Women In Hawai‘I: Pregnancy, Risk, Assessment, And Monitoring System (Prams), 2004-2007, D. K. Hayes, Van M. Ta Park, E. Hurwitz, K. M. Mitchell-Box, L. J. Fuddy

Faculty Publications

Postpartum depression affects 10–20% of women and causes significant morbidity and mortality among mothers, children, families, and society, but little is known about postpartum depression among the individual Asian and Pacific Islander racial/ethnic groups. This study sought to identify the prevalence of postpartum depression among common Asian and Pacific Islander racial/ethnic groups. Data from the Hawaii Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS), a population-based surveillance system on maternal behaviors and experiences before, during, and after the birth of a live infant, were analyzed from 2004 through 2007 and included 7,154 women. Questions on mood and interest in activities since …

Trends In Alcohol Use Among Hawai‘I Adolescents, Van M. Ta Park, D. S. Kittinger, L. A. Pham, R. J. Williams, L. N. Eller, C. R. Nigg

Faculty Publications

It is important to review trends in youth alcohol use over time in order to effectively tailor prevention programs to address those trends. This article reviews data on alcohol use behaviors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Hawai‘i from 1993 to 2007. Five alcohol use indicators were examined and stratified by grade level, from 9th grade through 12th grade. Significant drops in nearly all indicators are seen among 9th through 11th graders, but not among 12th graders. This suggests that Hawai‘i youth are responding well to anti-alcohol messaging as young teens, but a …

Food, Nutrition, And Natural Resource Sciences In The Fy 2011 Budget. Chapter 27, American Assoc. For The Advancement Of Science Report Xxxv, William Fisher, Karl Glasener, Caron Gala Bijl, Mary Lee Watts, Lowell Randel, Steven H. Bullard, Jim Gulliford

Faculty Publications

Food, agricultural, nutrition, and natural resource sciences are poised to make major contributions to improve human health and protect our environment. With the launch of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIF A) in 2009, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said "the opportunity to truly transform a field of science happens at best once a generation." With the release of a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization stating that food production will need to nearly double by 2050 to meet the demands of a world population totaling more than nine billion, this announcement is timely. The current …

White-Tailed Deer Antler Research: A Response To Demarais And Strickland, Ben Koerth, James Kroll

Faculty Publications

Demarais and Strickland presented several questions about the scope and validity of conclusions regarding predictability of mature antler size based on yearling antler size and produced a simulation model reported to demonstrate measurement bias in our 2008 study. We believe our conclusions were appropriate with our research hypothesis and demonstrated the assumed differential selection bias by hunters used in Demarais and Strickland was unwarranted. Demarais and Strickland provided no metadata to document the provenance of data used in their model and did not account for location, year, cohort, nutrition of research animals, or loss of individuals from their sample population …

Alum Application To Improve Water Quality In A Municipal Wastewater Treatment Wetland: Effects On Macrophyte Growth And Nutrient Uptake, Lynette M. Malecki-Brown, John R. White, Hans Brix

Faculty Publications

Application of low doses of alum to treatment wetlands to reduce elevated outflow winter phosphorus concentrations were tested in mesocosms vegetated with either Typha domingensis, Schoenoplectus californicus, or submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) (Najas guadalupensis-dominated). Alum was pumped to experimental units at a rate of 0.91 g Al m^-2 d^-1 and water quality monitored for 3 months. The alum application significantly improved the outflow water quality and overall the growth of the plants was unaffected by the alum application. Biomass and growth varied between species and through time, but no significant effects of alum application were detected. The concentrations …

Encouraging Savings Under The Earned Income Tax Credit: A Nudge In The Right Direction, Vada Waters Lindsey

Faculty Publications

During 2007, 3.6 million or 9.7% of people in the United States age 65 or older were below the poverty level. In light of the number of elderly people living below the poverty level, it is important that everyone, including low-income workers, have the opportunity to save for retirement. Low-income workers face many challenges to saving for retirement. The barriers to saving include the lack of access to retirement plans and lack of investment savvy. For example, only 42% of workers employed in service occupations in the private industry have access to employer retirement plans. The percentage drops to 39% …