Digital Commons Network^™

Integrative Assessment Of Body Composition And Micronutrient Status In An Adult Egyptian Population, Roua Aref Nouh

Theses and Dissertations

Integrative Assessment of Body Composition and Micronutrient Status in an Adult Egyptian Population: A Functional and Biochemical Approach

Obesity and metabolic dysfunction are increasingly recognized as heterogeneous conditions that cannot be sufficiently characterized by body mass index (BMI) alone. Alterations in body composition, particularly central adiposity and skeletal muscle mass, may coexist with micronutrient imbalances even among individuals who fall outside conventional BMI-based obesity classifications. In clinical settings, such metabolic vulnerability is frequently accompanied by non-specific functional symptoms, highlighting the need for integrative assessment approaches that extend beyond weight-centered metrics. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between micronutrient …

The Impact Of Gastric Sleeve And Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass On Chief Cell Function And Protein Digestion In Obese Patients, Garikoitz Mikel Gainza

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Obesity has become one of the largest global health concerns of the 21^st century, correlating with numerous associated diseases. To help address the growing prevalence and burden of obesity, sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass have become two commonly performed surgical procedures done to promote weight loss by altering the anatomical structure of the stomach and surrounding organs of the gastrointestinal system. Although the benefits of improved metabolism linked to these surgical procedures are well studied, their impact on the physiology of gastric cells, and more specifically chief cells as they relate to protein digestion post-surgery, is yet to …

The Impact Of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Antagonist On Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells, Jeanne Michelle Dugas

Master's Theses

Obesity is a condition that affects over 40% of American adults and contributes to numerous preventable health issues. This condition is caused by increased adipose tissue, which forms when stem cells transform into adipocytes. Mesenchymal stem cells, including human adipose-derived stem cells (hASC), are multipotent with the ability to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, or chondrocytes. Many factors affect this transformation, including the peptide growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The main role of GHRH is to trigger the release of growth hormone, but it has also been found to play an important role in adipocyte metabolism. We expect that if the differentiation …

The Association Of Resistin With Metabolic Health And Obesity In A Mexican-American Population, Reem Al-Dallal, Keziah Thomas, Minjae Lee, Aysha Chaudhri, Eleanor Davis, Priyanka Vaidya, Miryoung Lee, Joseph B Mccormick, Susan P Fisher-Hoch, Absalon D Gutierrez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Research on the relationship between resistin levels, metabolic health, and obesity has produced inconsistent findings across different ethnic groups, making it unclear whether lower resistin levels are associated with these conditions in Mexican-Americans. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between resistin, metabolic health, and obesity in an adult Mexican-American cohort (n = 1511) using multivariable linear regression analysis. Related adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) were measured simultaneously. Participants were categorized into four groups by metabolic health (healthy/unhealthy) and obesity (obese/non-obese) status. “Metabolically unhealthy” was defined as ≥2 cardiometabolic abnormalities. Obesity was defined as a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. We also …

Bilirubin Hepatic And Intestinal Transport And Catabolism: Physiology, Pathophysiology, And Benefits, Zachary A. Kipp, Sally N. Pauss, Genesee J. Martinez, Terry D. Hinds, Jr., Wang-Hsin Lee

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Bilirubin, a metabolite derived from heme degradation, has traditionally been regarded as a waste product and a marker of liver injury. However, increasing evidence suggests that bilirubin also functions as a hormone, and reduced levels are associated with metabolic dysfunction. Studies have shown a strong association between low circulating bilirubin levels and an increased risk of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease. To advance bilirubin-based treatment strategies, it is essential to elucidate the mechanisms underlying bilirubin transport and metabolism. Therefore, we provide an in-depth discussion of bilirubin production and its subsequent fates, with a particular focus on the transport between the …

Initiation Of Metformin In Early Pregnancy Results In Fetal Bioaccumulation, Growth Restriction, And Renal Dysmorphology In A Primate Model, Erin Bolte, Tyler Dean, Brandon Garcia, Maxim D Seferovic, Kristin Sauter, Gwendolynn Hummel, Matthew Bucher, Feng Li, John Hicks, Xuan Qin, Melissa A Suter, Enrico R Barrozo, Michael Jochum, Cynthia Shope, Jacob E Friedman, Maureen Gannon, Stephanie R Wesolowski, Carrie E Mccurdy, Paul Kievit, Kjersti M Aagaard

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: In recent years, pragmatic metformin use in pregnancy has stretched to include prediabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus, and (most recently) preeclampsia. However, with its expanded use, concerns of unintended harm have been raised.

Objective: This study developed an experimental primate model and applied ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry for direct quantitation of maternal and fetal tissue metformin levels with detailed fetal biometry and histopathology.

Study design: Within 30 days of confirmed conception (defined as early pregnancy), 13 time-bred (timed-mated breeding) Rhesus dams with pregnancies designated for fetal necropsy were initiated on …

Loss Of Transient Receptor Potential Channel 5 Causes Obesity And Postpartum Depression, Yongxiang Li, Tessa M Cacciottolo, Na Yin, Yang He, Hesong Liu, Hailan Liu, Yuxue Yang, Elana Henning, Julia M Keogh, Katherine Lawler, Edson Mendes De Oliveira, Eugene J Gardner, Katherine A Kentistou, Panayiotis Laouris, Rebecca Bounds, Ken K Ong, John R B Perry, Inês Barroso, Longlong Tu, Jonathan C Bean, Meng Yu, Kristine M Conde, Mengjie Wang, Olivia Ginnard, Xing Fang, Lydia Tong, Junying Han, Tia Darwich, Kevin W Williams, Yongjie Yang, Chunmei Wang, Shelagh Joss, Helen V Firth, Yong Xu, I Sadaf Farooqi

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Hypothalamic neural circuits regulate instinctive behaviors such as food seeking, the fight/flight response, socialization, and maternal care. Here, we identified microdeletions on chromosome Xq23 disrupting the brain-expressed transient receptor potential (TRP) channel 5 (TRPC5). This family of channels detects sensory stimuli and converts them into electrical signals interpretable by the brain. Male TRPC5 deletion carriers exhibited food seeking, obesity, anxiety, and autism, which were recapitulated in knockin male mice harboring a human loss-of-function TRPC5 mutation. Women carrying TRPC5 deletions had severe postpartum depression. As mothers, female knockin mice exhibited anhedonia and depression-like behavior with impaired care of offspring. Deletion of …

Reduction Of Sparc Protects Mice Against Nlrp3 Inflammasome Activation And Obesity, Seungjin Ryu, Olga Spadaro, Sviatoslav Sidorov, Aileen H. Lee, Sonia Caprio, Christopher Morrison, Steven R. Smith, Eric Ravussin, Irina Shchukina, Maxim N. Artyomov, Yun-Hee Youm, Vishwa Deep Dixit

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The comprehensive assessment of long-term effects of reducing intake of energy (CALERIE-II; NCT00427193) clinical trial established that caloric restriction (CR) in humans lowers inflammation. The identity and mechanism of endogenous CR-mimetics that can be deployed to control obesity-associated inflammation and diseases are not well understood. Our studies have found that 2 years of 14% sustained CR in humans inhibits the expression of the matricellular protein, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), in adipose tissue. In mice, adipose tissue remodeling caused by weight loss through CR and low-protein diet feeding decreased, while high-fat diet-induced (HFD-induced) obesity increased SPARC expression …

When A Calorie Is Not Just A Calorie: Diet Quality And Timing As Mediators Of Metabolism And Healthy Aging, Maria M Mihaylova, Amandine Chaix, Mirela Delibegovic, Jon J Ramsey, Joseph Bass, Girish Melkani, Rajat Singh, Zheng Chen, William W Ja, Michele Shirasu-Hiza, Mary N Latimer, Julie A Mattison, Anna E Thalacker-Mercer, Vishwa Deep Dixit, Satchidananda Panda, Dudley W Lamming

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

An epidemic of obesity has affected large portions of the world, increasing the risk of developing many different age-associated diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. In contrast with the prevailing notion that "a calorie is just a calorie," there are clear differences, within and between individuals, in the metabolic response to different macronutrient sources. Recent findings challenge this oversimplification; calories from different macronutrient sources or consumed at different times of day have metabolic effects beyond their value as fuel. Here, we summarize discussions conducted at a recent NIH workshop that brought together experts in calorie restriction, macronutrient composition, and …

Lateral Septum As A Melanocortin Downstream Site In Obesity Development, Yuanzhong Xu, Zhiying Jiang, Hongli Li, Jing Cai, Yanyan Jiang, Joshua Otiz-Guzman, Yong Xu, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Qingchun Tong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The melanocortin pathway is well established to be critical for body-weight regulation in both rodents and humans. Despite extensive studies focusing on this pathway, the downstream brain sites that mediate its action are not clear. Here, we found that, among the known paraventricular hypothalamic (PVH) neuron groups, those expressing melanocortin receptors 4 (PVHMc4R) preferably project to the ventral part of the lateral septum (LSv), a brain region known to be involved in emotional behaviors. Photostimulation of PVHMc4R neuron terminals in the LSv reduces feeding and causes aversion, whereas deletion of Mc4Rs or disruption of glutamate release from LSv-projecting PVH neurons …

Effect Of Obesity And Insulin Resistance On Glucose And Fatty Acid Metabolism, Chao Cao

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

In people with obesity, insulin resistance of glucose and fatty acid metabolism is common and it is thought that insulin resistance of fatty acid metabolism is involved in causing insulin resistance of glucose metabolism and subsequently hyperglycemia through a mechanism referred to as “lipotoxicity”. However, in many individuals with obesity and insulin resistance fasting plasma glucose and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations are not elevated. It is widely believed that pancreatic beta-cells detect the need to increase insulin secretion in order to compensate for the impaired insulin action caused by insulin resistance in these people, whereas beta-cell dysfunction results in …

Evaluating The Relationship Between Circadian Rhythms And Sleep, Metabolic And Cardiovascular Disorders: Current Clinical Evidence In Human Studies, Maria Mentzelou, Sousana K. Papadopoulou, Dimitrios Papandreou, Maria Spanoudaki, Antonios Dakanalis, Georgios K. Vasios, Gavriela Voulgaridou, Eleni Pavlidou, Maria Mantzorou, Constantinos Giaginis

All Works

Circadian rhythms are generated by the circadian clock, a self-sustained internal timing system that exhibits 24-h rhythms in the body. Many metabolic, cellular, behavioral and physiological processes are regulated by the circadian clock in coordination with environmental cues. The present study is a comprehensive review of the currently existing evidence concerning the relationship between circadian rhythms and sleep, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders. We thoroughly searched the online databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to find the existing clinical studies from the last twenty-three years (2000–2023). Circadian misalignment was found to be associated with an increase in the risk of …

The Influence Of A Low Glycemic Load Diet On Appetite In Women With Pcos, Sarah Et Hoover

All ETDs from UAB

Dysregulated appetite may contribute to weight gain and high prevalence of comorbid obesity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), yet dietary recommendations to promote satiety and facilitate weight maintenance in this population remain scarce. The objective of this dissertation was to determine if women with PCOS have alterations in appetite-regulating hormones that can be manipulated by low glycemic load diet habituation to improve satiety. This was tested by secondary analyses of two randomized controlled dietary intervention trials in women with and without PCOS. First, we explored differences in women with and without PCOS during a standardized liquid meal test …

The Impact Of Mkp-2 Deficiency On Hematological Parameters In Diet Challenged Mice, Cassandra Secunda

Theses

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate metabolic homeostasis and MAPK dysfunction promotes metabolic diseases. MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) regulate MAPKs and are implicated in obesity and platelet activation. To elucidate the role of MKP-2 in platelet function and NAFLD, tail bleed, platelet isolation, and western blot assays were performed. MKP-2 KO mice and control mice were fed either a chow or 12- 13 week high fat diet (HFD), a 10 week iron deficient (ID), or an iron supplement (IS) regimen. On the chow diet, the bleeding time was significantly reduced in female MKP-2 KO mice. Male MKP-2 KO IS mice showed significantly …

Overweight And Obesity Challenges Among African Americans In Rural Alabama Black Belt, Joel Tumwebaze, Johnpaul Kagulire, Norma L. Dawkins

Journal of Extension

This study aimed at averting challenges of overweight and obesity among African Americans in rural Alabama. Focus group discussions and surveys were used to design a 12-week nutrition education and physical activity program. Results showed a significant improvement (p<0.05) in participants’ knowledge scores. Values for systolic blood pressure significantly reduced (p<0.00). There was an increase in number of participants with normal blood pressure and a reduction in number of participants with stage 2 hypertension. The study highlights that nutrition education and physical activity can lead to improved health outcomes among African Americans in rural Alabama.

French-Fried Potato Consumption And Energy Balance: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Daniel L Smith, Rebecca L Hanson, Stephanie L Dickinson, Xiwei Chen, Amy M Goss, John B Cleek, W Timothy Garvey, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Epidemiologic observations suggest increased potato consumption correlates with weight gain, adiposity, and diabetes risk, whereas nut consumption is associated with weight control and metabolic health. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) data indicate humans respond to changes in energy intake in single dietary components and compensate for extra energy consumed.

Objectives: We completed an RCT testing whether increased daily potato consumption influences energy balance [specifically, fat mass (FM)] compared with calorie-matched almond consumption.

Methods: A 30-d RCT of 180 adults prescribed calorie-matched (300 kcal/d, n = 60 participants/group) than consumed 1 of the following: 1) almonds (almond group), 2) French fries …

The Complicated Relationship Between Dieting, Dietary Restraint, Caloric Restriction, And Eating Disorders: Is A Shift In Public Health Messaging Warranted?, Tiffany M. Stewart, Corby K. Martin, Donald A. Williamson

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

The origins of theories specifying dietary restraint as a cause of eating disorders can be traced to the 1970s. This paper will present an overview of the origins of dietary restraint theories and a brief historical review of evidence will be summarized. Recent research will be presented, including the results from the CALERIE Phase 1 study, as well as CALERIE Phase 2, which were NIH-sponsored randomized controlled trials. CALERIE 2 provided a test of the effect of two years of caloric restriction (CR) on the development of eating disorder syndromes and symptoms in comparison to a control group that did …

Immunometabolic Dysregulation At The Intersection Of Obesity And Covid-19, Collins N. Khwatenge, Marquette Pate, Laura C. Miller, Yongming Sang

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Obesity prevails worldwide to an increasing effect. For example, up to 42% of American adults are considered obese. Obese individuals are prone to a variety of complications of metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Recent meta-analyses of clinical studies in patient cohorts in the ongoing coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic indicate that the presence of obesity and relevant disorders is linked to a more severe prognosis of COVID-19. Given the significance of obesity in COVID-19 progression, we provide a review of host metabolic and immune responses in the immunometabolic dysregulation exaggerated by obesity and the …

Pioglitazone Reverses Markers Of Islet Beta-Cell De-Differentiation In Db/Db Mice While Modulating Expression Of Genes Controlling Inflammation And Browning In White Adipose Tissue From Insulin-Resistant Mice And Humans, J. Jason Collier, Heidi M. Batdorf, Kaelan L. Merrifield, Thomas M. Martin, Ursula White, Eric Ravussin, David H. Burk, Chris R. Cooley, Michael D. Karlstad, Susan J. Burke

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in humans. The db/db mouse is an important mouse model that displays many key features of the human disease. Herein, we used the drug pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione with insulin-sensitizing properties, to investigate blood glucose levels, indicators of islet β-cell health and maturity, and gene expression in adipose tissue. Oral administration of pioglitazone lowered blood glucose levels in db/db mice with a corresponding increase in respiratory quotient, which indicates improved whole-body carbohydrate utilization. In addition, white adipose tissue from db/db mice and from humans treated with pioglitazone showed …

Racial And Socioeconomic Disparities Influencing Obesity Amongst Middle-Aged Women, Morgan Woods

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

Many studies have examined the effects of racial and socioeconomic differences on health-related disparities involving obesity but, few have examined the mental and physical well-being intersection. Obesity is a disease that affects many Americans and has become an epidemic affecting the American population. Obesity, especially morbid obesity, is a risk factor for many other obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and more. Using the 2018 Healthcare Avoidance Study, differences were found between two racial groups, Caucasian and African-American women. Race was found as a significant factor for both level of physical activity and ideal body image perception

Leptin Activation Of Metabolically-Related Hypothalamic Neurons, Kailee Hixon

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Obesity is often associated with multiple other clinical conditions, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Currently, more than one-third of the world’s population is classified as obese. Leptin is a neuropeptide that is released from adipose cells and is responsible for reducing appetite and increasing metabolism. Leptin also has a role in the activation of cardiovascular and metabolic pre-sympathetic neurons and has been reported to increase blood pressure and heart rate. Thus, understanding the activation of the autonomic nervous system by leptin has implications in the development and safety of drugs to avoid activation of cardiovascular pre-sympathetic neurons. This is important …

Characterization Of Clostridium Cochlearium As A Potential Probiotic For Obesity Management, Paba Edirisuriya

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACTCHARACTERIZATION OF CLOSTRIDIUM COCHLEARIUM AS A POTENTIAL PROBIOTIC FOR OBESITY MANAGEMENT

ByPABA EDIRISURIYA MAY 2021 Advisor: Dr. Kequan Zhou Major: Nutrition and food science Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Emerging evidence indicates that manipulation of gut microflora is a potential therapeutic approach for managing obesity. Probiotic effects on host weight reduction have repeatedly been revealed through previous studies. Clostridium cochlearium is a butyrate-producing, spore-forming bacteria that have been reported to present in the mammalian gut. Our simulated Invitro digestion model revealed that C. cochlearium could survive in the unfavorable conditions of the human gastrointestinal tract, including low pH (pH2), high bile …

Adipose Depot-Specific Effects Of 16 Weeks Of Pioglitazone On In Vivo Adipogenesis In Women With Obesity: A Randomised Controlled Trial, Ursula White, Mark D. Fitch, Robbie A. Beyl, Marc K. Hellerstein, Eric Ravussin

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Aims/hypothesis: In vitro and rodent studies suggest that pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione, can promote adipogenesis in adipose tissue (AT); however, there is a lack of in vivo studies in humans to support these findings. The objectives of this randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm trial were to test if pioglitazone stimulates in vivo adipogenesis in the subcutaneous adipose tissue depots and if these measures were related to metabolic health outcomes in women with obesity. Methods: Forty-one healthy women with obesity (20 black; 21 white; 29 ± 6 years; BMI 32.0 ± 1.7 kg/m2; 44.0 ± 3.6% body fat) were randomised to consume 30 mg/day …

Wearable Activity Tracking Device Use In An Adolescent Weight Management Clinic: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial, Kanika Bowen-Jallow, Omar Nunez-Lopez, Alex Wright, Erika Fuchs, Mollie Ahn, Elizabeth Lyons, Daniel Jupiter, Lindsey Berry, Oscar Suman, Ravi S Radhakrishnan, Andrea M Glaser, Deborah I Thompson

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: The use of physical activity tracker devices has increased within the general population. However, there is limited medical literature studying the efficacy of such devices in adolescents with obesity. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using wearable activity tracking devices as an adjunct intervention on adolescents with obesity.

Methods: Randomized controlled pilot trial evaluated the feasibility (attrition ≤50%) of an activity tracking intervention (ATI) and its effects on weight loss in adolescents with obesity enrolled in an adolescent weight management clinic (AWMC). Outcomes included feasibility (attrition rate) and absolute change in BMI. Differences between groups at 6, …

Opportunities, Barriers, And Recommendations In Down Syndrome Research., James A. Hendrix, Angelika Amon, Leonard Abbeduto, Stamatis Agiovlasitis, Tarek Alsaied, Heather A. Anderson, Lisa J. Bain, Nicole Baumer, Anita Bhattacharyya, Dusan Bogunovic, Kelly N. Botteron, George Capone, Priya Chandan, Isabelle Chase, Brian Chicoine, Cécile Cieuta-Walti, Lara R. Deruisseau, Sophie Durand, Anna Esbensen, Juan Fortea, Sandra Giménez, Ann-Charlotte Granholm, Laura J. Hahn, Elizabeth Head, Hampus Hillerstrom, Lisa M. Jacola, Matthew P. Janicki, Joan M. Jasien, Angela R. Kamer, Raymond D. Kent, Bernard Khor, Jeanne B. Lawrence, Catherine Lemonnier, Amy Feldman Lewanda, William Mobley, Paul E. Moore, Linda Pollak Nelson, Nicolas M. Oreskovic, Ricardo S. Osorio, David Patterson, Sonja A. Rasmussen, Roger H. Reeves, Nancy Roizen, Stephanie Santoro, Stephanie L. Sherman, Nasreen Talib, Ignacio E. Tapia, Kyle M. Walsh, Steven F. Warren, A Nicole White, Guang William Wong, John S. Yi

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in medical care have increased life expectancy and improved the quality of life for people with Down syndrome (DS). These advances are the result of both pre-clinical and clinical research but much about DS is still poorly understood. In 2020, the NIH announced their plan to update their DS research plan and requested input from the scientific and advocacy community.

OBJECTIVE: The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the LuMind IDSC Foundation worked together with scientific and medical experts to develop recommendations for the NIH research plan.

METHODS: NDSS and LuMind IDSC assembled over 50 experts across …

Metabolic Benefits Of Plant-Based N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids On Brown Thermogenesis, Kyung Ho Park

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

There are two essential fatty acids for humans, a-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA), which should be taken from foods to maintain health. Once incorporated into cells, ALA and LA, which are omega-3 poly unsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) and n-6 PUFA respectively, undergo elongation and desaturation to generate longer and more unsaturated fatty acids influencing inflammation and immunological responses. Numerous studies showed a dietary reduction of n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio improves cardiovascular health, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Fish oil, the main resource for n-3 PUFA, is shown to increase these health benefits. In our lab, we investigated the efficacy …

Nutritional Supplementation And Skeletal Muscle Health In Chronic Diseases, Hexirui Wu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Prevalence of chronic diseases in the United States keeps increasing in recent years. There are approximately four in ten adults having chronic diseases in America. Chronic diseases include obesity, aging, heart diseases, cancer and many others. This thesis mainly focuses on obesity and aging. Skeletal muscle performance is impaired in obesity and aging conditions. One common reason causing this could be higher fat mass and lower muscle mass. However, there is no study showing what pathways are involved in the imbalance of body composition. Therefore, the first objective of the thesis is to determine gene expression of selected pathways in …

Dietary Nitrate And The Oral Microbiome In Obesity, Health And Exercise, Christian E. Behrens

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity ranks among the top growing health concerns worldwide. The prevalence of obesity at all life stages continues to rise with nearly 40% of adults and 35% of children/adolescents being affected. Equally troublesome is the increased risk for a number of comorbidities associated with obesity including cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and certain types of cancer. The successful treatment of obesity, particularly long-term, continues to prove challenging and is often met with limited success. This highlights the importance of continued investigation into alternative strategies that may reduce the incidence and severity of obesity and associated pathophysiologies. Regular physical …

West Virginia’S Sugary Drink Tax: Examining Print Media Frames In Local News Sources, Lauri Andress, Ogaga Urhie, Christine Compton

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Framing is an important aspect of the policy process that helps the public and decision makers sort through and resolve highly charged claims about an issue. Through slight changes in the presentation of issues, a framing effect may alter public support. The way a proposed sugary drink tax is discussed in public discourse and by the media significantly influences policy acceptance. Given the public health significance of obesity and diabetes in West Virginia (WV) the study of media frames employed to represent a sugary drink tax policy is useful.

Methods: Using quantitative content analysis, this study assessed news articles—published …

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors And Physical Fitness In Volunteer Firefighters, Zachary T. Martin, Rebecca A. Schlaff, Jade K. Hemenway, Jillian R. Coulter, Jeremy L. Knous, John E. Lowry, Joshua J. Ode

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(2): 764-776, 2019. Forty-seven percent of volunteer firefighter line of duty deaths are caused by cardiovascular events. Aggressive cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor reduction and improved physical fitness could reduce CVD mortality within this population. We assessed CVD risk factors and physical fitness in a large cohort of volunteer firefighters to help establish a health and fitness profile of this population, which may serve as evidence for the need to initiate programs aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality caused by CVD in the volunteer fire service. Seventy-four male volunteer firefighters were assessed for eight CVD …