Digital Commons Network^™

Distribution Of Metals Exposure And Associations With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors In The "Modeling The Epidemiologic Transition Study", Adrienne S. Ettinger, Pascal Bovet, Jacob Plange-Rhule, Terrence E. Forrester, Estelle V. Lambert, Nicola Lupoli, James Shine, Lara R. Dugas, David Shoham, Ramon A. Durazo-Arvizu, Richard S. Cooper, Amy Luke

Faculty Publications

Background: Metals are known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to cardiometabolic diseases via multiple potential mechanisms, yet few human studies have both the exposure variability and biologically-relevant phenotype data available. We sought to examine the distribution of metals exposure and potential associations with cardiometabolic risk factors in the "Modeling the Epidemiologic Transition Study" (METS), a prospective cohort study designed to assess energy balance and change in body weight, diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk in five countries at different stages of social and economic development. Methods: Young adults (25-45 years) of African descent were enrolled (N = 500 from each …

Culture Of Lobotes Surinamensis (Tripletail), Eric Saillant, Jason T. Lemus, James S. Franks

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Common Marmoset Genome Provides Insight Into Primate Biology And Evolution, Kim C. Worley, Wesley C. Warren, Jeffrey Rogers, Devin Locke, Donna M. Muzny, Elaine R. Mardis, George M. Weinstock, Suzette D. Tardif, Kjersti M. Aagaard, Nicoletta Archidiacono, Nirmala Arul Rayan, Mark A. Batzer, Kathryn Beal, Brona Brejova, Oronzo Capozzi, Saverio B. Capuano, Claudio Casola, Mimi M. Chandrabose, Andrew Cree, Marvin Diep Dao, Pieter J. De Jong, Ricardo Cruz-Herrera Del Rosario, Kim D. Delehaunty, Huyen H. Dinh, Evan E. Eichler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Paul Flicek, Catherine C. Fontenot, R. Gerald Fowler, Catrina Fronick, Lucinda A. Fulton, Robert S. Fulton, Ramatu Ayiesha Gabisi, Daniel Gerlach

Faculty Publications

We report the whole-genome sequence of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). The 2.26-Gb genome of a female marmoset was assembled using Sanger read data (6×) and a whole-genome shotgun strategy. A first analysis has permitted comparison with the genomes of apes and Old World monkeys and the identification of specific features that might contribute to the unique biology of this diminutive primate, including genetic changes that may influence body size, frequent twinning and chimerism. We observed positive selection in growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor genes (growth pathways), respiratory complex I genes (metabolic pathways), and genes encoding immunobiological factors and proteases (reproductive …

Sampling Locality Is More Detectable Than Taxonomy Or Ecology In The Gut Microbiota Of The Brood-Parasitic Brown-Headed Cowbird (Molothrus Ater), Sarah M. Hird, Bryan C. Carstens, Steven W. Cardiff, Donna L. Dittmann, Robb T. Brumfield

Faculty Publications

Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) are the most widespread avian brood parasite in North America, laying their eggs in the nests of approximately 250 host species that raise the cowbird nestlings as their own. It is currently unknown how these heterospecific hosts influence the cowbird gut microbiota relative to other factors, such as the local environment and genetics. We test a Nature Hypothesis (positing the importance of cowbird genetics) and a Nurture Hypothesis (where the host parents are most influential to cowbird gut microbiota) using the V6 region of 16S rRNA as a microbial fingerprint of the gut from 32 cowbird …

Aerobic And Strength Training In Concomitant Metabolic Syndrome And Type 2 Diabetes, Conrad P. Earnest, Neil M. Johannsen, Damon L. Swift, Fiona B. Gillison, Catherine R. Mikus, Alejandro Lucia, Kimberly Kramer, Carl J. Lavie, Timothy S. Church

Faculty Publications

Purpose: Concomitant type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome exacerbates mortality risk; yet, few studies have examined the effect of combining (AER + RES) aerobic (AER) and resistance (RES) training for individuals with T2D and metabolic syndrome. Methods: We examined AER, RES, and AER + RES training (9 months) commensurate with physical activity guidelines in individuals with T2D (n = 262; 63% female, 44% black). Primary outcomes were change in, and prevalence of, metabolic syndrome score at follow-up (mean and 95% confidence interval [CI]). Secondary outcomes included maximal cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak) and estimated METs from time-to-exhaustion (TTE) and exercise efficiency …

Index Selection Of Tropical Maize Genotypes For Nitrogen Use Efficiency, Ítalo Stefanine Correia Granato, Felipe Pereira Bermudez, Gabriel Gonçalves Dos Reis, Julio César Dovale, Glauco Vieira Miranda, Roberto Fritsche-Neto

Faculty Publications

Nitrogen (N) limitation in maize crops is related to the fact that the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization in maize does not exceed 50%, primarily due to volatilization, denitrification and soil leaching. Therefore, the development of new nitrogen use efficient (NUE) cultivars is necessary. The aim of the present study was to develop indices for the accurate selection of NUE maize genotypes for use in conditions of both high and low N availability. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse (20°45'14"S; 42°52'53"W) at the Federal University of Viçosa during October 2010. A total of 39 experimental hybrid combinations and 14 maize …

An Ethanolic Extract Of Artemisia Dracunculus L. Regulates Gene Expression Of Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Enzymes In Skeletal Muscle: Potential Role In The Treatment Of Sarcopenic Obesity, Heather Kirk-Ballard, Gail Kilroy, Britton C. Day, Zhong Q. Wang, David M. Ribnicky, William T. Cefalu, Z. Elizabeth Floyd

Faculty Publications

Objective: Obesity is linked to insulin resistance, a primary component of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The problem of obesity-related insulin resistance is compounded when age-related skeletal muscle loss, called sarcopenia, occurs with obesity. Skeletal muscle loss results from elevated levels of protein degradation and prevention of obesity-related sarcopenic muscle loss will depend on strategies that target pathways involved in protein degradation. An extract from Artemisia dracunculus, termed PMI 5011, improves insulin signaling and increases skeletal muscle myofiber size in a rodent model of obesity-related insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of PMI …

Optimizing Sweetpotato Production For Fresh And Processing Markets Through Plant Spacing And Planting-Harvest Time, Ramón A. Arancibia, Cody D. Smith, Don R. Labonte, Jeffrey L. Main, Tara P. Smith, Arthur Q. Villordon

Faculty Publications

Consumption of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) has increased in the past decade in part because of its nutritional and health attributes, and because of the availability and convenience of processed products. The sweetpotato processing industry is expanding and supplying more sweetpotato products than ever before. Unlike the medium-sized roots (U.S. no.1) preferred for fresh market, large (jumbo) roots is accepted and in certain cases desired by the processing industry, and overall yield is preferred over strict sizing requirements and aesthetic appeal. Therefore, this study investigated the yield increase and grade proportions in response to plant spacing and extension of the growing …

Optimization Of Hot Water Treatment For Sprout And Spoilage Inhibition Of Cured Sweet Potato, Ershad Sheibani, Taejo Kim, Dja Shin Wang, Juan L. Silva, Ramon Arancibia, Frank B. Matta, David Picha

Faculty Publications

The effect of hot water treatment on inhibition of sprouting and spoilage of cured sweet potatoes was investigated. The surface plot showed that as processing temperature and time of hot water treatment increased, spoilage increased until treated sweet potatoes showed 100% spoilage. The contour plot indicated that regardless of processing times (6-34min), minimal sprouting (20%) was observed between 55 and 62C. Hot water treatment below 50C increased sprouting up to 100%. The overlapped contour plot indicated that hot water treatment at 53-56C for less than 10min minimized spoilage (0-20%) and sprouting (30-50%) of cured sweet potatoes. Untreated sweet potatoes (control) …

Bale Location Effects On Nutritive Value And Fermentation Characteristics Of Annual Ryegrass Bale Stored In In-Line Wrapping Silage, K. J. Han, M. E. Mccormick, S. M. Derouen, D. C. Blouin

Faculty Publications

In southeastern regions of the US, herbage systems are primarily based on grazing or hay feeding with low nutritive value warm-season perennial grasses. Nutritious herbage such as annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) may be more suitable for preserving as baleage for winter feeding even with more intensive production inputs. Emerging in-line wrapped baleage storage systems featuring rapid wrapping and low polyethylene film requirements need to be tested for consistency of storing nutritive value of a range of annual ryegrass herbage. A ryegrass storage trial was conducted with 24-h wilted 'Marshall' annual ryegrass harvested at booting, heading and anthesis stages using …

Evaluation Of Nutritive Value And In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Gas Accumulation Of De-Oiled Algal Residues, Kun Jun Han, Michael E. Mccormick

Faculty Publications

Background: Algae are widely recognized for their high oil content and for exponentially accumulating biomass with particular potential to provide single cell protein for human consumption or animal feed. It is believed that along with biodiesel from algae, the high protein de-oiled algal residue may become an alternative feed supplement option in the future. This study was conducted to investigate de-oiled algal residue obtained from the common Chlorella species, Thalassiosira weissflogii, Selenarstrum capricornutum, Scenedesmus sp., and Scenedesmus dimorphus for assessment as potential feed supplements for ruminants by comparing with soybean (Glycine max) meal and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay. Results: With …

Moisture Concentration Variation Of Silages Produced On Commercial Farms In The South-Central Usa, K. J. Han, W. D. Pitman, A. Chapple

Faculty Publications

Preservation of forage crops as silage offers opportunity to avoid the high risk of rain-damaged hay in the humid south-central USA. Recent developments with baled silage or baleage make silage a less expensive option than typical chopped silage. Silage has been important in the region primarily for dairy production, but baleage has become an option for the more extensive beef cattle industry in the region. Silage samples submitted to the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Forage Quality Lab from 2006 through 2013 were assessed for dry matter (DM) and forage nutritive characteristics of chopped silage and baleage of the different …

Creating A Transformational Learning Experience: Immersing Students In An Intensive Interdisciplinary Learning Environment, Shelley K. White, Mindell Reiss Nitkin

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

The Simmons World Challenge is a unique, interdisciplinary program recently developed at Simmons College. It immerses students in an intensive winter-session course that challenges them to tackle a pressing social issue, such as poverty or hunger, and create actionable solutions to the problem. The program was conceived and designed to harness the strengths of pedagogical theories on transformational teaching and learning. This article describes the Simmons World Challenge and presents assessment findings from the program’s third iteration in 2013, as well as on the long-term impact of the program based on follow-up assessments with the first two cohorts of students. …

Fmic Annual Report 2014 | English, French Medical Institute For Mothers And Children

French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) Archives

No abstract provided.

University Of New Hampshire Undergraduate Course Catalog, 2014-2015, University Of New Hampshire

Undergraduate Catalog

No abstract provided.

Aga Khan University, Report 2014, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Reports Archives

• The Greatest Challenge of Our Time
• Transforming the University
• AKU Overview
• Going Where the Need is Greatest
• Our People
• Research with Impact
• Notable Developments
• World-Class Graduate Professional Education
• Investing in Excellence with Your Support
• AKU by the Numbers
• University Governance
• Financial Highlights

Developing A Survey To Measure School Wellness Policy Engagement Among School Administrators, School Staff And Parents, Tara J. Pratt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: As a means to combat the childhood obesity epidemic, congress enacted the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. This act required all school districts participating in the Healthy School Lunch or Breakfast Program to create and implement a school wellness policy. In 2010 the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act required additional components be added to school wellness policies, such as public notification of wellness policy initiatives. There is currently not a survey tool available that measures these new mandate requirements among school administrators, school staff and parents in school wellness policies. Goal: The goal of this research …

Ruminal Degradabilities And Intestinal Digestibilities Of Canola Meals And The Production Response Of Cows Fed Canola Meal With Varying Concentration Of Starch Sources, Nadeesha Kumari Jayasinghe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Canola meal (CM) is a by-product in the manufacturing process of canola oil which can be performed with or without using solvent extraction. It is a protein supplement which has grown its importance in dairy cattle feeding competing with soybean meal (SBM). However, final quality of the feed depends on the oil extraction process and the production conditions used by the individual processing plant. Two studies were conducted to investigate: 1) the variability among the CM produced in different processing plants and 2) the best starch source or the most suitable proportion of corn and barley to be fed with …

Effects Of Short-Term Hyperglycemia On The Vasoconstriction Of The Aorta, Soner Dönmez, Osman Gökalp, Mustafa Doğan, Hüseyi̇n Vural, Barbaros Yi̇ği̇t

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate vasoconstrictor responses of healthy blood vessels to short-term hyperglycemic conditions such as postprandial hyperglycemia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and steroid-induced diabetes. Materials and methods: Female Wistar rat aorta rings were incubated in normal (11 mM) and high (22 mM and 44 mM) glucose concentrations for 4 h. Responses of vasoconstriction were measured in reaction to serotonin (10-5 M), phenylephrine (10-6 M), and KCl (60 mM) compared to the ambient condition, including different glucose concentrations. Results: While the responses of vasoconstriction to KCl were increased in the presence of Krebs' solution with high glucose, no statistically significant changes were observed …

Is The Combined Use Of Insulin Resistance Indices, Including Adipokines, More Reliable In Metabolic Syndrome?, Bi̇rgül Kural, Orhan Değer, Ci̇hangi̇r Erem, Fulya Balaban Yücesan, Rezzan Ali̇yazicioğlu, Yaşam Barlak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the levels of adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin) and the indices of insulin sensitivity/resistance, and to examine the relationship among them in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Materials and methods: The study groups included 45 subjects with MetS (31 women/14 men), and 45 sex-and age-matched non-MetS healthy volunteers (31 women/14 men). The levels of adipokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The levels of leptin and visfatin were significantly higher in the MetS than in the non-MetS subjects (P < 0.01). There was no difference in adiponectin levels in subjects with and without MetS (P = 0.052). Similarly, resistin did not show any statistically significant difference. A statistically significant positive correlation of leptin with insulin levels was observed, while negative correlations of visfatin levels with age, and resistin levels with the ratio of adiponectin to leptin, were found in the MetS (P < 0.05). The combination of adipokines, insulin resistance-sensitivity parameters, and MetS criteria parameters gave more significant differences than a single parameter. Conclusion: Since the parameters mentioned above might affect, interact with, and/or interfere with each other, the combinations of these parameters might give more reliable results to evaluate the insulin resistance/sensitivity in MetS patients.

2014 Accountability Report Usf Sarasota-Manatee, Usf

USF Accountability Reports

No abstract provided.

Ycf1-Mediated Cadmium Resistance In Yeast Is Dependent On Copper Metabolism And Antioxidant Enzymes, Wenzhong Wei, Nathan Smith, Xiaobin Wu, Heejeong Kim, Javier Seravalli, Oleh Khalimonchuk, Jaekwon Lee

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Aims: Acquisition and detoxification of metal ions are vital biological processes. Given the requirement of metallochaperones in cellular copper distribution and metallation of cuproproteins, this study investigates whether the metallochaperones also deliver metal ions for transporters functioning in metal detoxification. Results: Resistance to excess cadmium and copper of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is conferred by PCA1 and CaCRP1 metal efflux P-type ATPases, respectively, does not rely on known metallochaperones, Atx1p, Ccs1p, and Cox17p. Copper deficiency induced by the expression of CaCRP1 encoding a copper exporter occurs in the absence of Atx1p. Intriguingly, CCS1 encoding the copper chaperone for superoxide …

She’S A Femme Fatale: Low-Density Larval Development Produces Good Disease Vectors, Steven A. Juliano, Gabriel Sylvestre Ribeiro, Rafael Maciel-De-Freitas, Márcia G. Castro, Claudia Codeço, Ricardo Lourenço-De-Oliveira, L Philip Lounibos

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Two hypotheses for how conditions for larval mosquitoes affect vectorial capacity make opposite predictions about the relationship of adult size and frequency of infection with vector-borne pathogens. Competition among larvae produces small adult females. The competition-susceptibility hypothesis postulates that small females are more susceptible to infection and predicts frequency of infection should decrease with size. The competition-longevity hypothesis postulates that small females have lower longevity and lower probability of becoming competent to transmit the pathogen and thus predicts frequency of infection should increase with size. We tested these hypotheses for Aedes aegypti in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during a dengue …

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention For Autism: Is It Actually More "Intensive" Than A Typical Child's Day?, Caitlyn B. Sorensen

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, and excessive ritualistic and repetitive behavior. Numerous treatments for autism devised over the last half-century have proven ineffective, or have never been scientifically evaluated. Despite the state of the research, the most demonstrably effective treatment, Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), has been a target of much criticism, including accusations of being too intense. A large number of learning trials in relatively short periods of time supposedly induce children to have disordered stress responses. To explore the intensity of EIBI, behavior samples from children engaging …

Smash: Ceremonial Intoxicants And Intentional Tool Destruction In The Northern Highlands Of Pre-Columbian Ecuador, Amy Krull

Wayne State University Theses

This thesis examines fragmented ground stone food processing tools referred to as, manos and metates, that were found at the palatial late imperial Inca site of Caranqui located in the highlands of northern Ecuador. This region represents the northern frontier of the Inca Empire and was the last region to come under control of the Inca just prior to Spanish invasion. Manos and metates were integral to the production of chicha, a beverage often used for it intoxicating effects by the Inca and other Andes peoples during ritual and stately events. A temple and other features found at Inca-Caranqui would …

Isolation And Characterization Of Natural Antimicrobials From Plant And Marine Organisms, Corene Barbara Canning

Wayne State University Dissertations

Antibiotic agents have been found to have a limited lifespan due to the ability of microrganisms to develop antimicrobial resistance. In this study a number extracts of plant and marine organisms were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against a number of high priority pathogens. Bioassay-guided fractionation of four extracts led to the identification of compounds with inhibitory activity; including one previously unknown compound. Compounds were evaluated through a variety of techniques including broth microdilution assay to determine each compound's MIC and MBC. The majority of the compounds showed antimicrobial activity equal to, if not better than, the commonly used antimicrobial …

Characterization Of Bacteriophages From Environmental Water Samples And The Potential Of Bacteriophages Tailspike Proteins (Tsp) In Bacteria Detection, Gayathri Upeksha Gunathilaka

Wayne State University Theses

ABSTRACT

CHARACTERIZATION OF BACTERIOPHAGES FROM ENVIRONMENTAL WATER SAMPLES AND THE POTENTIAL OF BACTERIOPHAGES TAILSPIKE PROTEINS (TSP) IN BACTERIA DETECTION

by

GAYATHRI UPEKSHA GUNATHILAKA

May 2014

Advisor: Dr. Yifan Zhang

Major: Nutrition and Food Science

Degree: Master of Science

The high abundance of phage in the environment and their specificity with the bacteria host make them an excellent tool for bacteria detection. To characterize phage specific to Salmonella and E. coli from water samples in the Southeastern Michigan and to develop a novel bacterial detection method using phage, environmental water samples were collected from rivers and waste water treatment plant (WWTP) …

Saudi Arabian Students In Detroit Use Natural Health Products More So Than Other University Students In Detroit, Samiah Naji Alqahtani

Wayne State University Theses

Natural Health Products (NHP), are defined as products that derive from organisms and may include supplements and herbal/traditional remedies. Prior research indicates that females use NHP more than males. We have unpublished data to show that students use NHP for health maintenance with significantly different use of NHP by Native/Aboriginal students vs. other students. Less is known about Saudi students. We hypothesize that: (1) There are gender differences in NHP used; and (2) There are geo-ethnic differences in NHP used. We also determine the predictor variables that influence NHP use by students. Students from Wayne State University (n=560; 193 …

Junk Food, Rita Lakhani, Namrata Patil, Juby Jincy, Merlin Beulah, Savita Kambayat, Pankaj Bhadarge

General Submissions: Community and Population-based Materials

A descriptive study on the habit of consumption of junk food amongst urban adolescence in selected colleges of Mumbai.

Characterisation Of The Vaginal Microflora Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Positive And Negative Women In A Sub-Urban Population Of Kenya, Teresa N. Kiama, Rita Verhelst, Paul M. Mbugua, Mario Vaneechoutte, Hans Verstraelen, Benson Estambale, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Lactobacilli predominate normal vaginal microflora and are important in maintenance of vaginal health. The current study set out to identify and compare culture isolates of vaginal microflora of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive (HIV+ ) and HIV negative (HIV- ) women at different phases during menstrual cycle from a sub-urban population of Kenya. Seventy four (74) women, 41 HIV+ and 33 HIV- , followed up two consecutive menstrual cycles, had high vaginal swabs taken to prepare Gram stains for six visits and anaerobic cultures for four. All 751 isolates identified by t-DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) belong to 51 species. …