Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

Reducing The Production Of Acrylamide During The Roasting Of Balloon Flower Roots In Consumer Appliances And Industrial Equipment, Min Gyu Lee, Hyebin Han, Seung Hwan Ham, Suyoon Lee, Young Jin Choi, Jungwoo Hahn

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This study aimed to determine what conditions were needed to reduce the production of acrylamide when balloon flower roots [Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq. A. DC.)] were heated. The conditions of temperature, time, and the type of equipment (i.e., consumer appliance or industrial equipment) were the important variables in the experiment. The official criterion for a recommended standard of acrylamide in tea product is less than 1000 µg/kg as determined by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea. A response surface methodology was used to determine whether the heated samples met the safety requirements. The most significant condition …

Prematurity Blunts Protein Synthesis In Skeletal Muscle Independently Of Body Weight In Neonatal Pigs, Marko Rudar, Jane K Naberhuis, Agus Suryawan, Hanh V Nguyen, Marta L Fiorotto, Teresa A Davis

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background

Postnatal growth failure in premature infants is associated with reduced lean mass accretion. Prematurity impairs the feeding-induced stimulation of translation initiation and protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs. The objective was to determine whether body weight independently contributes to the blunted postprandial protein synthesis.

Methods

Preterm and term pigs that were either fasted or fed were stratified into quartiles according to birth weight to yield preterm and term groups of similar body weight; first and second quartiles of preterm pigs and third and fourth quartiles of term pigs were compared (preterm-fasted, n = 23; preterm-fed, n …

Distinct Gene Expression Profiles Between Human Preterm-Derived And Adult-Derived Intestinal Organoids Exposed To Enterococcus Faecalis: A Pilot Study, Andrea C. Masi, Tatiana Y. Fofanova, Christopher A. Lamb, Jennifer Auchtung, Robert A. Britton, Mary K. Estes, Sasirekha Ramani, Simon J. Cockell, Jonathan Coxhead, Nicholas D. Embleton, Janet E. Berrington, Joseph F. Petrosino, Christopher J. Stewart

Food for Health: Publications

We read with interest the study by Kayisoglu et al¹ comparing the gene expression between embryo-derived and adult-derived intestinal organoids. Some innate immune system genes were differentially expressed between the two organoid types, suggesting a potential role of exposure to the environment, including gut microbiota, in shaping the intestinal gene expression. In extremely preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation), microbial–host interaction at the epithelial surface has been associated with various morbidities including late onset sepsis and necrotising enterocolitis.² Thus, preterm intestinal organoids may provide a specific and robust model for this population.

Dietary Sources Of Linoleic Acid (La) Differ By Race/Ethnicity In Adults Participating In The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes) Between 2017-2018, Shabnam R Momin, Mackenzie K Senn, Ani Manichaikul, Chaojie Yang, Rasika Mathias, Mimi Phan, Stephen S Rich, Susan Sergeant, Michael Seeds, Lindsay Reynolds, Floyd H Chilton, Alexis C Wood

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Linoleic acid (LA) is a primary n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), which is of interest to nutritional professionals as it has been associated with health outcomes. However, as some LA-rich foods offer protection against chronic diseases such as CVD (e.g., fatty fish), while others increase risk (e.g., red meat), the individual foods contributing to LA intake may be an important factor to consider. Therefore, this analysis sought to examine whether there are racial/ethnic differences in the proportion of overall LA intake accounted for by individual food groups, via a cross-sectional analysis of 3815 adults participating in the National Health …

Diet Quality Among Pre-Adolescent African American Girls In A Randomized Controlled Obesity Prevention Intervention Trial, Debbe Thompson, Yiming Mirabile, Noemi Islam, Chishinga Callender, Salma M A Musaad, Julie Miranda, Jennette P Moreno, Jayna M Dave, Tom Baranowski

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Consuming an unhealthy diet increases health risks. This study assessed the impact of a culturally adapted behaviorally innovative obesity prevention intervention (The Butterfly Girls and the Quest for Founder’s Rock) on diet quality in pre-adolescent non-Hispanic Black/African American girls. The RCT consisted of three groups (experimental, comparison, and waitlist control); block randomization allocated participants to each group. The two treatment groups varied in terms of whether or not they set goals. Data were collected at baseline (prior to receiving the intervention), post 1 (3 months post-baseline), and post 2 (6 months post-baseline). Two dietitian-assisted 24 h dietary recalls …

Birth Weight Moderates The Association Between Obesity And Mortality Rate, Gregory Pavela, Nengjun Yi, Luis Mestre, Pengcheng Xun, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Purpose: The strength of the association between obesity and mortality rate (MR) varies by body mass index (BMI) and sociodemographic groups. We test the hypothesis that the association between obesity and MR varies, in part, due to the moderating effect of parental BMI and birth weight.

Methods: Data come from the 1958 National Child Development Study, an ongoing longitudinal dataset initiated in 1958 with baseline measures of birth weight from 18,059 infants born in Great Britain over 1 week. We tested whether the association between BMI and MR was moderated by parental BMI and birth weight using generalized additive proportional …

Comparison Of Female Ovarian Reserve Before Vs After Covid-19 Vaccination, Liubin Yang, Samantha Neal, Tiffany Lee, Andrew Chou, Amy K Schutt, William Gibbons

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

This cohort study examines the association of COVID-19 vaccination with levels of anti-Mullerian hormone and antral follicle count in women seeking fertility treatment.

Antioxidant Activity And Total Phenolic Compounds Of Commiphora Gileadensis Extracts Obtained By Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction, With Monitoring Antiaging And Cytotoxicity Activities, Hani Ahmed, Marwan M A Rashed, Marwan Almoiliqy, Mohammed Abdalla, Mohanad Bashari, Mohamed Y Zaky, Zhu Hailin, Taha A A Naji, Ahmed Eibaid, Jinpeng Wang, Li-Ping Jiang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Commiphora gileadensis (C. gileadensis) has been identified and linked with various health benefits and pharmaceutical potential for its phytochemical activities and chemical constituents. This study aimed to evaluate ultrasonic‐assisted extraction (USE) technique for total phenols content from C. gileadensis leaf compared to the hydrodistillation extraction (HDE). Our results showed that the USE operating conditions were identified as: MeOH·H2O solvent‐to‐fresh sample ratio of 80:20 (v/v); ultrasonic power/frequency at 150 W/20 kHz; and a temperature of 40 ± 1°C; subjected to acoustic waves intermittently for a calculated time (5 min) during the total programmed time of 12 min. The USE …

Preterm Birth Alters The Feeding-Induced Activation Of Akt Signaling In The Muscle Of Neonatal Piglets, Agus Suryawan, Marko Rudar, Jane K Naberhuis, Marta L Fiorotto, Teresa A Davis

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Postnatal lean mass accretion is commonly reduced in preterm infants. This study investigated mechanisms involved in the blunted feeding-induced activation of Akt in the skeletal muscle of preterm pigs that contributes to lower protein synthesis rates.

METHODS: On day 3 following cesarean section, preterm and term piglets were fasted or fed an enteral meal. Activation of Akt signaling pathways in skeletal muscle was determined.

RESULTS: Akt1 and Akt2, but not Akt3, phosphorylation were lower in the skeletal muscle of preterm than in term pigs (P < 0.05). Activation of Akt-positive regulators, PDK1 and mTORC2, but not FAK, were lower in preterm than in term (P < 0.05). The formation of Akt complexes with GAPDH and Hsp90 and the abundance of Ubl4A were lower in preterm than in term (P < 0.05). The abundance of Akt inhibitors, PHLPP and SHIP2, but not PTEN and IP6K1, were higher in preterm than in term pigs (P < 0.05). PP2A activation was inhibited by feeding in term but not in preterm pigs (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that preterm birth impairs regulatory components involved in Akt activation, …

Examination Of Parent-Reported Differences In Children’S Daily Screen Use, Sleep, And Sleep Hygiene Behaviors During The School Year And Summer And Their Association With Bmi, Jennette P Moreno, Alexis C Wood, Brooke Reichek, Hafza Dadabhoy, Tom Baranowski, Debbe Thompson, Teresia M O'Connor

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: The current study examined school-summer differences in children's sleep patterns and sleep hygiene. Cross-sectional relationships with children's sleep, sleep hygiene, and weight status were explored during the school year and summer.

METHODS: Children (5-8 years) and their parents (n = 197 dyads) were recruited from 4 schools in southeastern Texas and via Facebook. Parents reported children's school year and summer sleep, sleep hygiene, and screen media use. Children's body mass index (BMI) was objectively assessed at the beginning and end of the summer. Associations between children's sleep hygiene and screen media use, sleep duration, and weight status were explored. …

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 …

An Assessment Of How Clinicians And Staff Members Use A Diabetes Artificial Intelligence Prediction Tool: Mixed Methods Study, Winston R Liaw, Yessenia Ramos Silva, Erica G Soltero, Alex Krist, Angela L Stotts

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Nearly one-third of patients with diabetes are poorly controlled (hemoglobin A1c≥9%). Identifying at-risk individuals and providing them with effective treatment is an important strategy for preventing poor control.

Objective: This study aims to assess how clinicians and staff members would use a clinical decision support tool based on artificial intelligence (AI) and identify factors that affect adoption.

Methods: This was a mixed methods study that combined semistructured interviews and surveys to assess the perceived usefulness and ease of use, intent to use, and factors affecting tool adoption. We recruited clinicians and staff members from practices that manage diabetes. During …

The Metreleptin Effectiveness And Safety Registry (Measure): Concept, Design And Challenges, Morey W Haymond, David Araújo-Vilar, John Balser, James H Lewis, Ruth Louzado, Carla Musso, Julia Von Schnurbein, Martin Wabitsch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Metreleptin, a recombinant analog of human leptin, is an approved therapy, adjunct to diet, to treat the metabolic complications of leptin deficiency in patients with lipodystrophy - a group of rare diseases characterized by a paucity of adipose tissue. MEASuRE (Metreleptin Effectiveness And Safety Registry) is a post-authorization, voluntary registry that gathers long-term safety and effectiveness data on metreleptin. Here, we present the aims and evolution of MEASuRE.

METHODS: MEASuRE was established to collect data from patients receiving commercially supplied metreleptin in the United States (US) and European Union (EU). MEASuRE aims to determine the incidence and severity of …

Food Insecurity And Dietary Restrictions, Courtney Williams, Savana Rodriguez, Tiffany Guerrero, Stephen Acheampong, Vanesa Pizutelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

According to the USDA Food Insecurity affects around 10.2 percent of the US population as of 2021. For families that have members with certain dietary restriction such as, but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, and food allergies, the challenge of securing food becomes an even greater burden with having to navigate food banks or discount stores that may not offer food items that meet their dietary requirements. Families with dietary restrictions often face greater food insecurity and less access to food. More research is needed to understand the challenges families with dietary restrictions face regarding food …

The Management Of Non-Ige-Mediated Allergies In Human Milk-Fed Infants, Sarah Kelly Rowe

Graduate Theses

Background: Non-IgE (immunoglobulin E)-mediated food allergies (FA) present diagnostic and management challenges despite guidelines due to knowledge gaps amongst clinicians. Given that 60% of food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) cases occur in breast-fed infants, maternal elimination diets are routinely prescribed to manage allergy symptoms. The implications of maternal dietary eliminations extend beyond maternal nutrition to consideration of infant nutrition and feeding skill acquisition.

Methods: A survey-based retrospective, cross-sectional study sought to identify dietary triggers and symptom management techniques practiced by (n=59) lactating mothers of infants with confirmed and suspected cases of non-IgE FA in the United States. Statistical significance was …

Food Insecurity Screening In People With Cystic Fibrosis, Rebecca Edwards, Lauren Tate, Ana Cairns, Cheryl Coyne, Kathleen Walker, Kim Violette, Ann Ladner, Jessica D'Amico

Costas T. Lambrew Research Retreat 2023

Background: Adequate nutrition is a cornerstone in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF). Malabsorption secondary to pancreatic insufficiency and increased energy demands related to lung disease can increase energy requirements over twofold for a person with CF. Food insecurity (FI) affects approximately 10% of Mainers (1). Per the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, there may be up to a threefold increase in the prevalence of FI in the CF population (2). To address this issue, we implemented FI screening in the adult and pediatric CF programs to identify the prevalence of FI within our population and to offer immediate interventions.

Effectiveness Of Lactation Cookies On Human Milk Production Rates: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Ana M Palacios, Michelle I Cardel, Erik Parker, Stephanie Dickinson, Valerie R Houin, Bridget Young, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Expensive lactation cookies (LCs) are marketed as milk boosters; however, their effectiveness remains unknown.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the 1-mo daily intake of LCs on changes in objective and subjective milk production and breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Methods: This is a 1-mo, randomized controlled trial among 18-45-y-old exclusively lactating parents of healthy, term, 2-mo-old infants living in the United States from March to December 2021. Participants (n = 176) were randomly assigned to eat daily 56.5 g of either LCs with "galactagogues" (oatmeal, brewer's yeast, flax seeds, and fenugreek) or conventional cookies containing …

Associations Between Avocado Intake And Lower Rates Of Incident Type 2 Diabetes In Us Adults With Hispanic/Latino Ancestry, Alexis C Wood, Mackenzie K Senn, Jerome I Rotter

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Hispanic/Latinos in the US are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Data suggest that avocado intake is associated with better glycemic control, but whether this translates to protection from T2D has not been studied. The goal of the current analyses was to examine whether consuming avocados at baseline is associated with lower incident T2D over a six-year period, compared to not consuming avocados at baseline.

SUBJECTS/METHODS: Using data from a large population of US adults with Hispanic ancestry, without known or unknown T2D at baseline (N=6,159), participants were classified as avocado consumers (N=983) or non-consumers (N=5,176) based …

The Inherited Intestinal Microbiota From Myeloid-Specific Zip8ko Mice Impairs Pulmonary Host Defense Against Pneumococcal Pneumonia, Derrick R. Samuelson, Deandra R. Smith, Kelly C. Cunningham, Sabah Haq, Daniel N. Villageliú, Christi Christi Ellis, Niaz Bahar Chowdhury, Amanda E. Ramer-Tait, Jeff Price, Daren L. Knoell

Food for Health: Publications

Intestinal dysbiosis increases susceptibility to infection through the alteration of metabolic profiles, which increases morbidity. Zinc (Zn) homeostasis in mammals is tightly regulated by 24 Zn transporters. ZIP8 is unique in that it is required by myeloid cells to maintain proper host defense against bacterial pneumonia. In addition, a frequently occurring ZIP8 defective variant (SLC39A8 rs13107325) is strongly associated with inflammation-based disorders and bacterial infection. In this study, we developed a novel model to study the effects of ZIP8-mediated intestinal dysbiosis on pulmonary host defense independent of the genetic effects. Cecal microbial communities from a myeloid-specific Zip8 knockout mouse …

Identification Of A Gabaergic Neural Circuit Governing Leptin Signaling Deficiency-Induced Obesity, Yong Han, Yang He, Lauren Harris, Yong Xu, Qi Wu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The hormone leptin is known to robustly suppress food intake by acting upon the leptin receptor (LepR) signaling system residing within the agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons of the hypothalamus. However, clinical studies indicate that leptin is undesirable as a therapeutic regiment for obesity, which is at least partly attributed to the poorly understood complex secondary structure and key signaling mechanism of the leptin-responsive neural circuit. Here, we show that the LepR-expressing portal neurons send GABAergic projections to a cohort of α3-GABAA receptor expressing neurons within the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) for the control of leptin-mediated obesity phenotype. We identified the …

Fruit And Vegetable Intake And Home Nutrition Environment Among Low-Income Minority Households With Elementary-Aged Children, Brittni Naylor Metoyer, Ru-Jye Chuang, Minjae Lee, Christine Markham, Eric L Brown, Maha Almohamad, Jayna M Dave, Shreela V Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences were shown to have an influence on child fruit and vegetable intake. This study examined the associations between parent and child fruit and vegetable intake and the home nutrition environment among Hispanic/Latino and African American families. Through a cross-sectional study design, self-reported surveys (

Identification Of Protein Biomarkers Of The Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension Diet In Randomized Feeding Studies And Validation In An Observational Study, Hyunju Kim, Alice H Lichtenstein, Peter Ganz, Shutong Du, Olive Tang, Bing Yu, Nilanjan Chatterjee, Lawrence J Appel, Josef Coresh, Casey M Rebholz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is recommended for cardiovascular disease prevention. We aimed to identify protein biomarkers of the DASH diet using data from 2 randomized feeding studies and validate them in an observational study, the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study.

Methods and Results

Large‐scale proteomic profiling was conducted in serum specimens (SomaLogic) collected at the end of 8‐week and 4‐week DASH diet interventions in multicenter, randomized controlled feeding studies of the DASH trial (N=215) and the DASH‐Sodium trial (N=396), respectively. Multivariable linear regression models were used to compare the relative abundance of 7241 proteins …

Health Consequences Of Low Energy Availability In Females And Their Underlying Physiological Mechanisms, Grace Parry

Senior Honors Theses

Low energy availability (LEA) is a state in which energy intake is insufficient to support energy expenditure while maintaining energy balance, which has been shown to result in gastrointestinal distress, immunosuppression, reduced metabolic rate, menstrual dysfunction, diminished bone health, and impaired cardiovascular function in females. Alterations to the microbiome and mucosal lining may propagate gastrointestinal complaints and compromised immune function associated with LEA. The pathophysiology of LEA is otherwise largely driven by hormonal adaptations. Diminished production of thyroid hormones is known to contribute to reduced metabolic rate. Decreases in leptin and insulin and increases in ghrelin disrupt reproductive function through …

The Effect Of A Pharmaceutical Ghrelin Agonist On Lifespan In C57bl/6j Male Mice: A Controlled Experiment, Kathryn A Kaiser, Inga Kadish, Thomas Van Groen, Daniel L Smith, Stephanie Dickinson, Beate Henschel, Erik S Parker, Andrew W Brown, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Interventions for animal lifespan extension like caloric restriction (CR) have identified physiologic and biochemical pathways related to hunger and energy-sensing status as possible contributors, but mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Prior studies using ghrelin agonists show greater food intake but no effect on lifespan in rodent models. This experiment in male C57BL/6J mice tested the influence of ghrelin agonism for perceived hunger, in the absence of CR, on longevity. Mice aged 4 weeks were allowed to acclimate for 2 weeks prior to being assigned (N = 60/group). Prior to lights off daily (12:12 cycle), animals were fed a ghrelin …

Reflection Spectroscopy-Assessed Skin Carotenoids Are Sensitive To Change In Carotenoid Intake In A 6-Week Randomized Controlled Feeding Trial In A Racially/Ethnically Diverse Sample, Stephanie Jilcott Pitts, Nancy E Moran, Melissa N Laska, Qiang Wu, Lisa Harnack, Stacey Moe, Pamela Carr-Manthe, Elizabeth Gates, Jocelyn Chang, Yusuf Zaidi, Abigail Gelineau, Lauren Berg, Neal E Craft

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Reflection spectroscopy, utilized by the Veggie Meter, is a less-expensive, noninvasive method to quantify skin carotenoids and is a valid approximation of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. However, it is unknown to what degree Veggie Meter-assessed skin carotenoid score change is responsive to changes in carotenoid intake.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate Veggie Meter-assessed skin carotenoid score response in a 6-wk randomized controlled trial of a carotenoid-containing juice to determine whether the Veggie Meter can be used to detect nutritionally relevant changes in carotenoid intake; and to compare skin and plasma carotenoid responses with the 6-wk trial.

Methods: …

Diet, Physical Activity, And Stress Among Wheelchair Users With Multiple Sclerosis: Examining Individual And Co-Occurring Behavioral Risk Factors, Stephanie L Silveira, Brenda Jeng, Gary Cutter, Robert W Motl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: This study examined individual and co-occurring behavioral risk factors (diet, exercise, and stress) in wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis (MS) and potential association with MS symptoms (ie, fatigue, depression, anxiety, pain, sleep, and health-related quality of life [HRQOL]).

DESIGN: Survey.

SETTING: General Community.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty-three wheelchair users with MS completed this study (N=123).

INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were mailed instructions for accessing online questionnaires (demographic and clinical characteristics, Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool, and MS symptoms).

RESULTS: Standard cut-points were used to categorize behavioral risk factors …

Effect Of The Physical Fibrillated Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas) Stem On The Plant-Based Patty Analogues, Suyoon Lee, You Young Lee, Yang Kim, Seung Hwan Ham, Min Gyu Lee, Jungwoo Hahn, Young Jin Choi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In this study, a dietary fiber extracted from sweet potato stems (Ipomoea batatas, PS) was evaluated for its ability to improve the quality of vegetable patty analogues. A patty analogues containing 0–50 wt% dietary fiber were prepared to analyze the utilized dietary fiber's performance. To evaluate the manufactured patty analogues, texture profile analysis, color analysis, emulsion stability, and microstructural analysis were conducted. As the PS increased, the hardness decreased, while the total expressible fluids tended to increase. The color analysis revealed that the a* value, which represents red, declined as the PS content increased, and heterogeneous colors showed …

Fit24, A Digital Health Intervention To Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk Among Hispanic Youth: Protocol For A Feasibility Pilot Study, Erica G Soltero, Callie Lopez, Salma M Musaad, Teresia M O'Connor, Debbe Thompson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Poor physical activity (PA) and sleep behaviors in Hispanic adolescents contributes to increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Commonly owned digital devices and services like smartphones and text-messaging are highly used among adolescents and are promising intervention tools for reaching this age group. Personal activity trackers assess activity and sleep, making them ideal tools for addressing these behaviors. We propose to examine the feasibility of a 12-week intervention that uses theoretically grounded text messages and a Fitbit device to improve PA and sleep among Hispanic adolescents with obesity, as compared to a wait-list control group with a Fitbit device …

Soybean Gmsaul1, A Bona Fide U-Box E3 Ligase, Negatively Regulates Immunity Likely Through Repressing The Activation Of Gmmpk3, Jun-Mei Li, Mei-Yan Ye, Chaofeng Wang, Xiao-Han Ma, Ni-Ni Wu, Chen-Li Zhong, Yanjun Zhang, Ninghui Cheng, Paul A Nakata, Lirong Zeng, Jian-Zhong Liu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

E3 ubiquitin ligases play important roles in plant immunity, but their role in soybean has not been investigated previously. Here, we used Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV)-mediated virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) to investigate the function of GmSAUL1 (Senescence-Associated E3 Ubiquitin Ligase 1) homologs in soybean. When two closely related SAUL1 homologs were silenced simultaneously, the soybean plants displayed autoimmune phenotypes, which were significantly alleviated by high temperature, suggesting that GmSAUL1a/1b might be guarded by an R protein. Interestingly, silencing GmSAUL1a/1b resulted in the decreased activation of GmMPK6, but increased activation of GmMPK3 in response to flg22, …

Longitudinal Associations Between Dietary Fructose And Sodium And Systolic And Diastolic Blood Pressure Among Us Black And White Adults In The Cardia Study, Rana Elhamzawy, Dragana Komnenov, Daniel Domin

Medical Student Research Symposium

Longitudinal associations between dietary fructose and sodium and systolic and diastolic blood pressure among US Black and White adults in the CARDIA study

Authors: Rana Elhamzawy, Daniel Domin, Dragana Komnenov

Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Likewise, suboptimal dietary habits, including high fructose and sodium intake, are major contributors to mortality. High dietary fructose alone predisposes to salt-sensitivity of blood pressure, which is an independent, significant cardiovascular risk factor. We previously showed in our rat model of fructose-salt-sensitive hypertension that even a short term (4 weeks) feeding with 20% fructose and 4% …