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Depression And Anxiety Among Parents Of Phenylketonuria Children, Mehmet Gunduz, Nur Arslan, Ozlem Unal, Sevim Cakar, Pınar Kuyum, Selda F. Bulbul

Neurosciences

Objective: To investigate the existence of depression and/or anxiety with underlying risk factors among parents of children with classical phenylketonuria (PKU). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Division of Pediatric Metabolism, Ankara Children’s Hospital, Dokuz Eylul University, Kırıkkale University, and Erzurum Local Research Hospital, Turkey, between January and July 2014. Parents of 61 patients and 36 healthy controls completed the self-report questionnaires. We used Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess the parental depression and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory S-T (STAI S-T) to assess parental anxiety. Results: Depression and anxiety scores were significantly higher in the case group (BDI 12.3±9.1; …

The Multilevel Marketing Misnomer: How The Federal Trade Commission May Change Network Marketing, Jeremy Pineres

Emory Business Law Review Perspectives

In light of recent litigation against Vemma Nutrition Co. by the Federal Trade Commission, Jeremy Pineres examines the compensation structures of multi-level marketing companies with a focus on the various shortcomings of these companies that lead to quasi-pyramid scheme business practices. During a time where the internet provides consumers instant access to competitive pricing, multi-level marketing companies nevertheless offer products and services that are largely unsellable. Generally, the price and quality of these marketed products and services are unable to compete with store-bought items. When combined with a compensation structure that financially rewards and encourages new member recruitment over bona …

Being Ready To Treat Ebola Virus Disease Patients, David Brett-Major, Shevin T. Jacob, Frederique A. Jacquerioz, George F. Risi, William A. Fischer, Yasuyuki Kato, Catherine F. Houlihan, Ian Crozier, Henry Kyobe Bosa, James V. Lawler, Takuya Adachi, Sara K. Hurley, Louise E. Berry, John C. Carlson, Thomas C. Button, Susan L. Mclellan, Barbara J. Shea, Gary G. Kuniyoshi, Mauricio Ferri, Srinivas G. Murthy, Nicola Petrosillo, Francois Lamontagne, David T. Porembka, John S. Schieffelin, Lewis Rubinson, Tim O'Dempsey, Suzanne M. Donovan, Daniel G. Bausch, Robert A. Fowler, Thomas E. Fletcher

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

As the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa continues, clinical preparedness is needed in countries at risk for EVD (e.g., United States) and more fully equipped and supported clinical teams in those countries with epidemic spread of EVD in Africa. Clinical staff must approach the patient with a very deliberate focus on providing effective care while assuring personal safety. To do this, both individual health care providers and health systems must improve EVD care. Although formal guidance toward these goals exists from the World Health Organization, Medecin Sans Frontières, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and …

Prevalence Of Schistosoma Haematobium Infection Among School-Age Children In Afar Area, Northeastern Ethiopia, Abraham Degarege, Zeleke Mekonnen, Bruno Levecke, Mengistu Legesse, Yohannes Negash, Jozef Vercruysse, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

In this study, the prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium infection was determined among school-age children living in the Middle and Lower Awash Valley, Afar Regional State of Ethiopia. Between February and May 2014, urine samples were collected from 885 school-age children (5-16 years of age) from the Middle (n = 632; 4 villages) and Lower (n = 253; 3 villages) Awash Valley. All samples were processed using urine filtration to detect and quantify S. haematobium eggs. In addition, a subset of the urine samples was tested for hematuria using a urine dipstick (n = 556). The overall prevalence was …

Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections And Associated Risk Factors Among Schoolchildren In Durbete Town, Northwestern Ethiopia, Tilahun Alelign, Abraham Degarege, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Identifying determinants of soil transmitted helminth infection is vital to design control strategy for the disease. This study assessed the prevalence of STH infections and associated factors among schoolchildren in Durbete town, northwestern Ethiopia. Data about the sociodemographic and socioeconomic status of the children were collected using a questionnaire and stool samples were diagnosed using thick Kato-Katz smear. STH infection was more common among school-age children in Durbete town. Hookworm was the most frequent helminth species detected. The prevalence of STH infection was more in children who did not practice wearing shoes and washing hands before eating and in those …

Tennessee Ag Insider, A Guide The The State's Farms, Food, And Forestry, 2015 Edition, Tennessee. Department Of Agriculture.

Tennessee Ag Insider

No abstract provided.

The Association Between Environmental Cadmium Exposure And All-Cause Mortality And Cardiovascular Disease In A Cohort Of Elderly Western Australian Women, Kane Deering

Theses : Honours

Introduction: Recent research suggests an association between environmental cadmium exposure and increased risk of, and death from, cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of mortality in Australia and worldwide. However, the research to date is neither comprehensive nor have there been any studies conducted on an Australian population. This study identified whether increasing concentrations of urinary cadmium in elderly West Australian women was associated with an increased odds of incidence of, and deaths from CVD, as well as all-cause mortality.

Method: Cadmium excretion was measured in urine samples collected at baseline (1998) from 1359 women from Perth who …

Resting Energy Expenditure Using Indirect Calorimetry In Individuals With Moderate To Low Burns: A Pilot Study Of Associated Factors, Patient Acceptability And Comparison With Predictive Equations, Janica Bell

Theses : Honours

Background: Energy expenditure increases following a burn injury. The extent of hypermetabolism is dependent on a range of factors including burn total body surface area. Moderate to low burn injuries (< 15% TBSA) represent majority of hospital admissions for burn injuries however, their energy expenditure remains unpublished. While indirect calorimetry (IC) is the gold standard for determining energy requirements, less accurate predictive equations are often used in practice. Acceptability of IC from a burn patient perspective has not been published.

Aim: To describe the resting energy expenditure (REE) of patients with a moderate to low burn injury using IC; compare measured REE to predictive equations; and determine the patient acceptability of IC.

Methods: Demographic, anthropometric and dietary data were collected for five male and three female burn patients. REE was determined using indirect calorimetry (Ultima CPX) and five predictive methods (Schofield, Harris-Benedict, Toronto and the Ireton-Jones …

General Population Job Exposure Matrix Applied To A Pooled Study Of Prevalent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ann Marie Dale, Angelique Zeringue, Carisa Harris-Adamson, David Rempel, Stephen Bao, Matthew S. Thiese, Linda Merlino, Susan Burt, Jay Kapellusch, Arun Garg, Fred Gerr, Kurt T. Hegmann, Ellen A. Eisen, Bradley A. Evanoff

Occupational and Health Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Model And Sensor-Based Recommendation Approaches For In-Season Nitrogen Management In Corn, L. J. Thompson, R. B. Ferguson, N. Kitchen, D. W. Frazen, M. Mamo, H. Yang, J. S. Schepers

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Nitrogen management for corn (Zea mays L.) may be improved by applying a portion of N in-season. This investigation was conducted to evaluate crop modeling (Maize-N) and active crop canopy sensing approaches for recommending in-season N fertilizer rates. These approaches were evaluated during 2012–2013 on 11 field sites, in Missouri, Nebraska, and North Dakota. Nitrogen management also included a no-N treatment (check) and a non-limiting N reference (all at planting). Nitrogen management treatments were assessed for two hybrids and at low and high seeding rates, arranged in a randomized complete block design. In 9 of 11 site-years, the sensor-based …

Parental Age At Conception: An Examination Of Risk Factors Related To Autism Severity And Comorbid Psychopathology, Robert D. Rieske

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Many researchers have cited the continuing increase in the prevalence of autism worldwide and have speculated on the potential causes of that increase. One theory that suggests at least a contributory effect is the general trend for parents to have children at later ages. Previous research has begun to examine the relationship between advanced parental age at conception and the incidence of autism and have noted strong relationships between advanced parental age and other developmental disabilities. The purpose of this study was to not only confirm the relationship between advanced parental age and autism risk but to extend that knowledge …

The Baby And Infant Screen For Children With Autism Traits: A Dsm-5 Update, Matthew Jason Konst

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Interest surrounding the investigation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased exponentially since it was initially described over a half-century ago. With this passage of time our conceptualization of the ASD diagnosis has undergone multiple changes. An increasing trend in research has been an emphasis on early identification and intervention. This trend has brought about the creation and adaptation of multiple measures designed to inform early ASD diagnosis. Recently, the ASD diagnostic category underwent significant revisions. In response to revisions, it is necessary to adapt preexisting measures to reflect these significant changes in order to maintain diagnostic accuracy. The Baby …

Development And Evaluation Of Fiber And Pectin Based Delivery Systems For Delivering Lactobacillus Plantarum , Arranee Chotiko

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Probiotics may improve gut microbial composition and immune function. Introduction of probiotics via foods or supplements may result in the probiotics not surviving during processing and passage through the stomach to the large intestine. The overall objective of this study was to develop and investigate three delivery systems for delivering live probiotic cells (Lactobacillus plantarum NRRL B-4496) (LP). The three delivery systems were: (1) immobilized LP (~10⁸-10⁹ CFU/mL LP Free Cells) on purple rice bran fiber (PRF) (Delivery system 1), (2) encapsulated LP with combined pectin-rice bran extract (Delivery system 2), and (3) double encapsulated LP …

Release, Stability And Functionality Of Nanodelivered Hydrophobic (Lutein And Beta-Carotene) And Hydrophilic (Folic Acid) Antioxidants Using Zein Nanoparticles, Thanida Chuacharoen

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Nanodelivery systems enable innovations that can benefit foods and human health on a large scale in the coming years. The instabilities of antioxidants during food processing and during digestion are drawbacks that can be successfully addressed by nanoentrapment. This research provided technical strategies to synthesize zein nanoparticles loaded with hydrophobic/hydrophilic antioxidants, and to study the release profiles and physical stability of nanocarriers and chemical stability of entrapped bioactives under on-shelf and GI conditions. The results supported the potential of zein nanoparticles stabilized by surfactants to improve chemical stability of entrapped lutein, and to slowly release lutein under PBS conditions. Same …

Developing Co-Current And Counter-Current Spray Drying Computational Fluid Dynamics (Cfd) Simulation Studies To Predict The Quality Of Microencapsulated Fish Oil With Egg White Hydrolysates Powders, Kevin Estuardo Mis Solval

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Eggs are an excellent source of high quality protein containing all essential amino acids (EAA) including leucine. Food-grade protein hydrolysates can enhance the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Thermal degradation of bioactives normally occurs during microencapsulation by spray drying. Spray drying modeling using computational tools is essential to engineer new food powders and to minimize and thermal degradation of bioactives. The first chapter of this work discusses the optimization of an enzymatic process in terms of reaction temperature, pH, enzyme:substrate ratio, and reaction time using a response surface methodology (RSM) to produce food-grade protein hydrolysates from egg whites (EWH). …

Insights Into The Development Of Chemotherapeutics Targeting Pfkfb Enzymes, Robert Blake Crochet

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The PFKFB enzymes control the primary checkpoint in the glycolytic pathway and are implicated in a multitude of diseases: from cancer, to schizophrenia, to diabetes, and heart disease. The inducible isoform, PFKFB3, is known to be associated with the upregulation of glycolysis in many cancers. The first study within this work investigates the potential for using tier-based approaches of virtual screening to target small molecule kinases, with PFKFB3 serving as a case study. For this investigation, bioactive compounds for PFKFB3 were identified from a compound library of 1364 compounds via high-throughput screening, with bioactive compounds being further characterized as either …

Sensory Perception Of Saltiness And Bitterness In Oil-In-Water Emulsions, Damir Dennis Torrico

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The objective of this research was to evaluate saltiness and bitterness perception in oil-in-water emulsion systems. For that purpose, three experiments were performed: A sensory threshold study, a descriptive sensory and physical property evaluation, and a psychophysical assessment of taste perception in emulsion systems. Experiment-I: Sensory detection and recognition thresholds of NaCl, caffeine, and KCl in aqueous-solutions vs. oil-in-water emulsions were evaluated. For saltiness recognition thresholds, KCl thresholds were higher compared to those of NaCl. For NaCl and KCl, emulsions did not significantly affect the saltiness recognition threshold compared to that of solutions. The bitterness recognition thresholds of caffeine and …

Estimating Desirable Cattle Traits Using Latent Class And Mixed Logit Models: A Choice Modeling Application To The U.S. Grass-Fed Beef Industry, Isaac Sitienei

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study examines the preferences for cattle traits using mixed logit and latent class models. Choice experiment data from a 2013 mail survey of 1,052 U.S. grass-fed beef producers were used. The findings indicate that grass-fed beef producers generally preferred lower-priced, heavy animals that were small-to-medium framed and easy to handle for grass-finishing. Black animals that were retained from their own calves were preferred. Relative to intact males, steers and heifers were preferred. Except for the estimated parameter for the weight attribute, the standard deviations for the temperament, body frame, source, color, gender, and price attribute levels were significant at …

A Spatial Analysis Of Obesity And Its Associations With The Built And Natural Environment, Physical Inactivity, And Socioeconomic And Demographic Conditions In The United States Of America, Mustafa Erdem

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Obesity has strong genetic determinants but the genetic composition of the population does not change rapidly. Thus in this study, the major changes in non-genetic factors such as the development of obesogenic environments and shifting socioeconomic status and lifestyle of individuals are hypothesized to increase the risk of obesity. As the prevalence of obesity continue to increase worldwide with substantial attention in the US, a clearer understanding of how spatial associations between obesity and confounding factors are interrelated is crucial to better tackle the issue of obesity. This study employs the ‘global’ and ‘local’ Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) methods …

Health Effects Of Dietary Fermentable Fiber (Resistant Starch), Diana Gabriela Carvajal-Aldaz

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Resistant starch (RS) reaches the large intestine for fermentation and is considered a prebiotic. We wanted to determine if we could reduce fermentation for future mechanistic studies and how there is improved insulin sensitivity in human studies with or without increased incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Two main studies were performed. In the first main study, low potency antibiotics (Ampicillin 1g/L and Neomycin 0.5g/L) were added to the drinking water of rats to reduce fermentation of RS. Antibiotics were used either prior (first) to or during (second) feeding of RS. Results demonstrated that low potency antibiotics given prior to …

Distribution And Female Reproductive State Differences In Orexigenic And Anorexigenic Neurons In The Brain Of The Mouthbrooding African Cichlid Fish, Astatotilapia Burtoni, Danielle Tiffany Porter

LSU Master's Theses

The integration of reproduction and metabolism is necessary for the survival and continuation of a species. While the neural circuits controlling energy homeostasis have been well-characterized, the signals controlling the relay of nutritional information to the reproductive axis are not conclusively defined. The cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni is ideal for studying the neural regulation of feeding and reproduction because during their parental care phase, females undergo a two-week period of forced starvation while holding developing young in their buccal cavity. To test the hypothesis that candidate neuropeptides known to be involved in feeding and energy homeostasis in mammals show conserved …

A Domesticated Idea: British Women Writers And The Victorian Recipe, 1845-1910, Helana E. Brigman

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Until recently, critics have devalued the Victorian cookbook as an object of literary inquiry, regularly dismissing it as “Victoriana”—cultural, anthropological histories detailing bland culinary traditions. A Domesticated Idea: British Women Writers and the Victorian Recipe, 1845-1910 seeks to provide a framework by which we can explore the Victorian cookbook as a literary text appropriated by writers responding to and advocating for cultural, educational, and artistic reform during the mid-to-late nineteenth century. Looking specifically at how women used recipes to discuss food preparation, dining, and household management, I argue that British women writers participated in a collaborative tradition, borrowing and sharing …

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Status In Overweight Pregnant Women Of Louisiana, Adriana Virginia Gaitan

LSU Master's Theses

Omega-3 fatty acids are well known to benefit pregnant women and infant outcomes. More women are entering pregnancy with excess weight which puts them at higher risk for complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery, amongst others. In the present study we assessed the omega-3 fatty acid (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) status in overweight (BMI = 25.0 - 29.9 kg/m2) pregnant women of Louisiana. Age, ethnicity, weeks of pregnancy, weight, and length were recorded for each participant. Dietary intakes were assessed by repeated 24-h dietary recalls using the University of Minnesota Nutrient Data System for Research. Blood samples were …

Effect Of Attention Retraining On Pathological Eating Behaviors And Body Dissatisfaction, Jose Silgado

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Prevalence rates of pathological eating behaviors (PEB) and body dissatisfaction are high among college women, and rates are rising among college men. PEB and body dissatisfaction are also risk factors for the development of clinically significant eating disorders. Further, a lesser studied factor involved in male body dissatisfaction is drive for muscularity. With approximately 70% of college women and 45% of college men experiencing body dissatisfaction, it is important to identify its potential etiological and maintaining risk factors. One such mechanism may be the construct of attentional bias. Research suggests that individuals that engage in PEB or have high levels …

Exploring Daily Dietary Behaviour Through Examination Of The Food Choice Process, Ivy Dam

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

As obesity rates continue to rise, the negative health impacts associated with unhealthy food choice behaviour remain an issue of concern. Observing the connection between food consumption and weight gain alone is likely not sufficient to understanding people’s construction of food choices. More detailed examination of a novel concept, the overall food choice process (FCP), including food thoughts, plans, purchases, and preparation, leading up to food intake/consumption may contribute to an improved understanding of food choice behaviour.

This thesis explored the wider FCP that gives rise to observed food consumption by testing passive video recording technologies, …

Growing The Mission: Nonprofit Organizations Conducting Food-Growing Activities In The Twin Cities Of Minnesota, Marcos Stoltzfus

School of Business Student Theses and Dissertations

Growing food has become an increasingly common activity for nonprofit organizations, and doing so offers many opportunities to confer benefits to individuals and communities. Through a qualitative methodology, this research project uses a grounded theory approach to explore the challenges, opportunities, and issues faced by nonprofits in the Twin Cities that conduct food-growing activities as part of their mission. The study found three main categories of themes relevant to this sub-sector: Food Philosophy and mission prioritization, business model and economic concerns, and integrated program design characteristics. These factors are discussed from a nonprofit management lens, and implications for leaders are …

Activating The Biological And Behavioral Immune Systems, Julia Christensen

Departmental Honors Projects

Psychology recognizes two distinct facets of the immune system: the biological immune system (BIO), covering all processes of the typical immune system, and the behavioral immune system (BEH), a set of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to environmental stimuli. Research on this dual immune system indicates that each is capable of influencing the other (Schaller & Park, 2011). For example, perception of illness in others can activate the sympathetic nervous system (Schaller, Miller, Gervais, Yager, & Chen, 2010). Furthermore, evidence suggests that these two systems are capable of influencing moral judgment (Inbar, Pizarro, & Bloom, 2008). This study aims to …

Pathogenic Enteric Viruses In Louisiana Oysters And Environmental Waters, Naim Montazeri Djouybari

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Norovirus (NoV) and pathogenic enteroviruses are the major causes of gastroenteritis in humans worldwide, and are usually transmitted through direct or indirect exposure to raw or partially treated sewage. Filter-feeding shellfish concentrate virus particles from the water and transmit them to humans. The occurrence of norovirus GI and GII and fecal indicators in Louisiana eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and harvest water were investigated on a biweekly basis for almost one year. Only one oyster sample was positive for NoV GII at 3.5 log10 genomic copies/g digestive tissues. A stool specimen obtained from an infected individual associated with a norovirus outbreak …

Evolutionary Relationships Among Fungal Soybean Pathogens And Molecular Marker Development In The Genus Cercospora, Sebastian Albu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Cercospora leaf blight (CLB) and purple seed stain (PSS) are common soybean diseases in the Gulf South of the United States (USA). For nearly a century, Cercospora kikuchii has been considered as the only pathogen causing these diseases. However, previous reports of genetic diversity among isolates collected throughout Louisiana suggested the presence of multiple lineages or species. Recent systematic studies classified species of Cercospora using a taxonomic system based on phylogenetic analysis of five nuclear loci (legacy genes). Using a similar approach, cercosporoid fungi tentatively identified as C. kikuchii were evaluated along with 53 other species of Cercospora. No …

Bacterial Xanthine Dehydrogenase Regulators, Smitha Sivapragasam

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Bacteria are resilient organisms that tend to evolve rapidly in order to acquire abilities to survive in a constantly changing environment. Transcriptional regulators play a vital role in regulating the function of various essential proteins of the cell. The gene encoding Xanthine Dehydrogenase Regulator (XdhR), a transcriptional regulator, is divergently oriented to the gene cluster (xdhABC) encoding Xanthine Dehydrogenase (Xdh) protein in Streptomyces coelicolor, Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Ralstonia solanacearum. Xdh participates in purine salvage pathway in converting adenine to guanine. My research here is aimed at identifying the novel function of Xdh and XdhR in the above mentioned bacteria. XdhR …