Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

Lac-Phe Mediates The Effects Of Metformin On Food Intake And Body Weight, Shuke Xiao, Veronica L Li, Xuchao Lyu, Xudong Chen, Wei Wei, Fahim Abbasi, Joshua W Knowles, Alan Sheng-Hwa Tung, Shuliang Deng, Gaurav Tiwari, Xu Shi, Shuning Zheng, Laurie Farrell, Zsu-Zsu Chen, Kent D Taylor, Xiuqing Guo, Mark O Goodarzi, Alexis C Wood, Yii-Der Ida Chen, Leslie A Lange, Stephen S Rich, Jerome I Rotter, Clary B Clish, Usman A Tahir, Robert E Gerszten, Mark D Benson, Jonathan Z Long

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Metformin is a widely prescribed anti-diabetic medicine that also reduces body weight. There is ongoing debate about the mechanisms that mediate metformin’s effects on energy balance. Here, we show that metformin is a powerful pharmacological inducer of the anorexigenic metabolite N-lactoyl-phenylalanine (Lac-Phe) in cells, in mice and two independent human cohorts. Metformin drives Lac-Phe biosynthesis through the inhibition of complex I, increased glycolytic flux and intracellular lactate mass action. Intestinal epithelial CNDP2+ cells, not macrophages, are the principal in vivo source of basal and metformin-inducible Lac-Phe. Genetic ablation of Lac-Phe biosynthesis in male mice renders animals resistant to the …

Advancing The Decadal Plan For The Science Of Nutrition: Progressing A Framework For Implementation, Helen Truby, Margaret Allman-Farinelli, Eleanor J. Beck, Emma L. Beckett, Catherine Bondonno, Aimee L. Dordevic, Katherine M. Livingstone, Jane Willcox, Shelley A. Wilkinson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: In 2019, the Australian Academy of Science in collaboration with the nutrition community published the decadal plan for the science of nutrition. This article aims to review progress towards each of its pillar goals (societal determinants, nutrition mechanisms, precision and personalised nutrition, and education and training) and two enabling platforms (a national data capability and a trusted voice for nutrition science), prioritise actions, and conceptualise program logic implementation models. This process also brought together public health nutrition researchers to reflect on societal determinants of health, and advise how the next 5 years of the decadal plan could reflect contemporary …

Maternal Prebiotic Supplementation During Pregnancy And Lactation Modifies The Microbiome And Short Chain Fatty Acid Profile Of Both Mother And Infant, Jacquelyn M. Jones, Stacey N. Reinke, Mahsa Mousavi-Derazmahalleh, Johan Garssen, Maria C. Jenmalm, Ravisha Srinivasjois, Desiree Silva, Jeffrey Keelan, Susan L. Prescott, Debra J. Palmer, Claus T. Christophersen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background & aims: Improving maternal gut health in pregnancy and lactation is a potential strategy to improve immune and metabolic health in offspring and curtail the rising rates of inflammatory diseases linked to alterations in gut microbiota. Here, we investigate the effects of a maternal prebiotic supplement (galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides), ingested daily from < 21 weeks' gestation to six months’ post-partum, in a double-blinded, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Stool samples were collected at multiple timepoints from 74 mother–infant pairs as part of a larger, double-blinded, randomised controlled allergy intervention trial. The participants were randomised to one of two groups; with one group receiving 14.2 g per day of prebiotic powder (galacto-oligosaccharides GOS and fructo-oligosaccharides FOS in ratio 9:1), and the other receiving a placebo powder consisting of 8.7 g per day of maltodextrin. The faecal microbiota of both mother and infants were assessed based on the analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) sequences, and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in stool. Results: Significant differences in the maternal microbiota profiles between baseline and either 28-weeks’ or 36-weeks’ gestation were found in the prebiotic supplemented women. Infant microbial beta-diversity also significantly differed between prebiotic and placebo groups at 12-months of age. Supplementation was associated with increased abundance of commensal Bifidobacteria in the maternal microbiota, and a reduction in the abundance of Negativicutes in both maternal and infant microbiota. There were also changes in SCFA concentrations with maternal prebiotics supplementation, including significant differences in acetic acid concentration between intervention and control groups from 20 to 28-weeks’ gestation. Conclusion: Maternal prebiotic supplementation of 14.2 g per day GOS/FOS was found to favourably modify both the maternal and the developing infant gut microbiome. These results build on our understanding of the importance of maternal diet during pregnancy, and indicate that it is possible to intervene and modify the development of the infant microbiome by dietary modulation of the maternal gut microbiome.

Simultaneous Extraction And Quantitative Analysis Of S-Methyl-L-Cysteine Sulfoxide, Sulforaphane And Glucosinolates In Cruciferous Vegetables By Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, Armaghan Shafaei, Caroline R. Hill, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Mary C. Boyce

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sulfur containing compounds including glucosinolates (GLS), sulforaphane (SFN) and S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO) have been proposed to be partly responsible for the beneficial health effects of cruciferous vegetables. As such, greater understanding of their measurements within foods is important to estimate intake in humans and to inform dietary intervention studies. Herein is described a simple and sensitive method for simultaneous analysis of 20 GLS, SFN and SMCSO by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Analytes were effectively retained and resolved on an Xbridge C18 column. Detection can be achieved using high resolution or unit resolution mass spectrometry; the latter making the method more …

High Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation Reduced The Composition Of Fatty Acids And Amino Acids In Fortified Eggs, Ao-Chuan Yu, Yu-Han Deng, Cheng Long, Xi-Hui Sheng, Xiang-Guo Wang, Long-Fei Xiao, Xue-Ze Lv, Xiang-Ning Chen, Li Chen, Xiao-Long Qi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

AIMS: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary folic acid (FA) on the production performance of laying hens, egg quality, and the nutritional differences between eggs fortified with FA and ordinary eggs.

METHODS: A total of 288 26-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens (initial body weights 1.65 ± 0.10 kg) with a similar weight and genetic background were used. A completely randomized design divided the birds into a control group and three treatment groups. Each group consisted of six replicates, with twelve chickens per replicate. Initially, all birds were fed a basal diet for 1 week. Subsequently, they were …

Dissection, Histological Processing, And Gene Expression Analysis Of Murine Supraclavicular Brown Adipose Tissue, Mark G Waterstraat, Ziyi Wang, Mari Kogiso, Rommel Caballero-Juarez, Miao-Hsueh Chen

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Brown adipose tissue (BAT)-mediated thermogenesis plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism, and its morphology and function can be greatly impacted by environmental stimuli in mice and humans. Currently, murine interscapular BAT (iBAT), which is located between two scapulae in the upper dorsal flank of mice, is the main BAT depot used by research laboratories to study BAT function. Recently, a few previously unknown BAT depots were identified in mice, including one analogous to human supraclavicular brown adipose tissue. Unlike iBAT, murine supraclavicular brown adipose tissue (scBAT) is situated in the intermediate layer of the neck and thus …

Dissection, Histological Processing, And Gene Expression Analysis Of Murine Supraclavicular Brown Adipose Tissuejove: Peer Reviewed Scientific Video Journal Article Protocols, Mark G Waterstraat, Ziyi Wang, Mari Kogiso, Rommel Caballero-Juarez, Miao-Hsueh Chen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Brown adipose tissue (BAT)-mediated thermogenesis plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism, and its morphology and function can be greatly impacted by environmental stimuli in mice and humans. Currently, murine interscapular BAT (iBAT), which is located between two scapulae in the upper dorsal flank of mice, is the main BAT depot used by research laboratories to study BAT function. Recently, a few previously unknown BAT depots were identified in mice, including one analogous to human supraclavicular brown adipose tissue. Unlike iBAT, murine supraclavicular brown adipose tissue (scBAT) is situated in the intermediate layer of the neck and thus …

Increased Nitrate Intake From Beetroot Juice Over 4 Weeks Affects Nitrate Metabolism, But Not Vascular Function Or Blood Pressure In Older Adults With Hypertension, Rebeka Fejes, Martin Lutnik, Stefan Weisshaar, Nina Pilat, Karl-Heinz Wagner, Hans-Peter Stüger, Jonathan M. Peake, Richard J. Woodman, Kevin D. Croft, Catherine P. Bondonno, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Michael Wolzt, Oliver Neubauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The decline in vascular function and increase in blood pressure with aging contribute to an increased cardiovascular disease risk. In this randomized placebo-controlled crossover study, we evaluated whether previously reported cardiovascular benefits of plant-derived inorganic nitrate via nitric oxide (NO) translate into improved vascular function and blood pressure-lowering in 15 men and women (age range: 56-71 years) with treated hypertension. We investigated the effects of a single ∼400 mg-dose at 3 hours post-ingestion (3H POST) and the daily consumption of 2 × ∼400 mg of nitrate through nitrate-rich compared with nitrate-depleted (placebo) beetroot juice over 4 weeks (4WK POST). Measurements …

Risk Of Food Insecurity Reflects Health Status In Adult Relatives Of Prek Children – ​ Data From The Steps Snap-Ed Research Study​, Lisa M B Salinas, Karla Cortez, Brenda Rodriguez, Joseph Reyes, Moises Cisneros, Elizabeth Alanis, Zasha Romero, Lin Wang, Juan C. Lopez-Alvarenga, Roberto Treviño-Peña

Research Symposium

Background: Past research shows a correlation between household food insecurity and chronic medical conditions such as diabetes in the general U.S. population as well as metabolic syndrome-related cardiometabolic markers in Hispanic/Latino youth. Furthermore, minority status, including Hispanic/Latino identity, shows an association with low food security and diabetes. The Hunger Vital Sign (HVS) is a validated screener designed to assess risk of food insecurity within households. This study analyzes associated factors related to the screener’s 2 questions, specifically targeting PreK 4-year-old children and their household relatives. The first question assesses concern about food running out before obtaining more due to financial …

Pilot Study To Assess The Effectiveness Of The Sustainable Culturally Adaptive Nutrition Program (Scan) To Improve Adherence To The National Diabetes Prevention Program, William B Perkison, Pierre Fwelo, Fernanda Velasco-Huerta, Natalia I Heredia, James J Yang, Sidra S Beg, Belinda M Reininger, Serena A Rodriguez, Maha Almohamad, Catherine Pulicken, Ella Garza, Grace E White, Maria E Fernandez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: The Sustainable Culturally Adapted Nutrition Program (SCAN) is a novel adaptation to the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) that aims to improve attendance and effectiveness. This paper presents its feasibility and impact through the initial 6-month outcomes.

DESIGN: A pragmatic quasi-experimental pilot study with intervention (DPP plus SCAN) and control (DPP only) groups.

SAMPLES AND INCLUSION CRITERIA: Sustainable Culturally Adapted Nutrition Program participants were recruited from federally qualified health center (FQHC) clinic patients enrolled in a NDPP in Houston, Texas. Participants needed to be (1) ≥18 years old, (2) body mass index >25, (3) no prior diagnosis of diabetes, …

Trends In Us Public Confidence In Science And Opportunities For Progress, Arthur Lupia, David B Allison, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Jennifer Heimberg, Magdalena Skipper, Susan M Wolf

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

In recent years, many questions have been raised about whether public confidence in science is changing. To clarify recent trends in the public's confidence and factors that are associated with these feelings, an effort initiated by the National Academies' Strategic Council for Research Excellence, Integrity, and Trust (the Strategic Council) analyzed findings from multiple survey research organizations. The Strategic Council's effort, which began in 2022, found that U.S. public confidence in science, the scientific community, and leaders of scientific communities is high relative to other civic, cultural, and governmental institutions for which researchers regularly collect such data. However, confidence in …

Evaluating A Common Book Program's Effect On Gains In Knowledge And Position Toward Sustainability In The Nutrition Professions, Hallie Lanice Shupe

Master's Theses

A Common Reader Program, also called a common book, summer reading, or a one-book program, has been reported to enhance the college educational experience yet appears to have been underutilized by colleges and universities. In the case of health sciences, there can be great benefits in having students learn from the literature not typically found in textbooks used in the curricula. Common reader programs allow for different teaching methods to be implemented and using multiple teaching methods in a single program can be beneficial. In nutrition and dietetics (ND) programs there is a need for additional education regarding sustainability in …

Exploring The Longitudinal Associations Between Diet And Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Among Middle-Aged Adults In The Cardia Study, Meaghan Osborne, Dragana Komnenov

Medical Student Research Symposium

There is currently limited evidence for the use of pharmacotherapies for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Given that diet is a key health behavior, the purpose of this study was to explore dietary predictors of HFpEF among middle-aged adults. All data were obtained from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study, a longitudinal cohort study. We analyzed the data from males and females (n= 2505) who had (1) completed the diet questionnaire at year(Y) 20 of follow-up and (2) undergone Doppler scan at Y30. We then classified participants as having HFpEF or not using three separate …

A Novel System To Culture Human Intestinal Organoids Under Physiological Oxygen Content To Study Microbial-Host Interaction, Tatiana Y. Fofanova, Umesh C. Karandikar, Jennifer M. Auchtung, Reid L. Wilson, Antonio J. Valentin, Robert A. Britton, K. Jane Grande-Allen, Mary K. Estes, Kristi Hoffman, Sashirekha Ramani, Christopher J. Stewart, Joseph F. Petrosino

Food for Health: Publications

Mechanistic investigation of host-microbe interactions in the human gut are hindered by difficulty of co-culturing microbes with intestinal epithelial cells. On one hand the gut bacteria are a mix of facultative, aerotolerant or obligate anaerobes, while the intestinal epithelium requires oxygen for growth and function. Thus, a coculture system that can recreate these contrasting oxygen requirements is critical step towards our understanding microbial-host interactions in the human gut. Here, we demonstrate Intestinal Organoid Physoxic Coculture (IOPC) system, a simple and cost-effective method for coculturing anaerobic intestinal bacteria with human intestinal organoids (HIOs). Using commensal anaerobes with varying degrees of oxygen …

March 2024, Swosu Bulldog Wellness Committee

SWOSU BULLDOG WELLNESS

IT'S SPRING

According to the CDC, here are some strategies for a healthier Spring:

Targeting Glutamine Dependence With Drp-104 Inhibits Proliferation And Tumor Growth Of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer, David Moon, J Spencer Hauck, Xue Jiang, Holly Quang, Lingfan Xu, Fan Zhang, Xia Gao, Robert Wild, Jeffrey I Everitt, Everardo Macias, Yiping He, Jiaoti Huang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in men. While androgen deprivation therapy is initially effective, castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) often recurs and has limited treatment options. Our previous study identified glutamine metabolism to be critical for CRPC growth. The glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) blocks both carbon and nitrogen pathways but has dose-limiting toxicity. The prodrug DRP-104 is expected to be preferentially converted to DON in tumor cells to inhibit glutamine utilization with minimal toxicity. However, CRPC cells' susceptibility to DRP-104 remains unclear.

METHODS: Human PCa cell lines (LNCaP, LAPC4, C4-2/MDVR, PC-3, 22RV1, …

Increased Plasma Branched Short-Chain Fatty Acids And Improved Glucose Homeostasis: The Microbiome And Insulin Longitudinal Evaluation Study (Miles), Arianne Aslamy, Alexis C Wood, Elizabeth T Jensen, Alain G Bertoni, Patricia A Sheridan, Kari E Wong, Gautam Ramesh, Jerome I Rotter, Yii-Der I Chen, Mark O Goodarzi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been extensively studied for potential beneficial roles in glucose homeostasis and risk of diabetes; however, most of this research has focused on butyrate, acetate, and propionate. The effect on metabolism of branched SCFAs (BSCFAs; isobutyrate, isovalerate, and methylbutyrate) is largely unknown. In a cohort of 219 non-Hispanic White participants and 126 African American participants, we examined the association of BSCFA with dysglycemia (prediabetes and diabetes) and oral glucose tolerance test-based measures of glucose and insulin homeostasis, as well as with demographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and lipid traits, and other SCFAs. We observed a bimodal distribution of …

Estrogen Signaling In The Dorsal Raphe Regulates Binge-Like Drinking In Mice, Valeria C Torres Irizarry, Bing Feng, Xiaohua Yang, Nirali Patel, Sarah Schaul, Lucas Ibrahimi, Hui Ye, Pei Luo, Leslie Carrillo-Sáenz, Penghua Lai, Maya Kota, Devin Dixit, Chunmei Wang, Amy W Lasek, Yanlin He, Pingwen Xu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Estrogens promote binge alcohol drinking and contribute to sex differences in alcohol use disorder. However, the mechanisms are largely unknown. This study aims to test if estrogens act on 5-hydroxytryptamine neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (5-HTDRN) to promote binge drinking. We found that female mice drank more alcohol than male mice in chronic drinking in the dark (DID) tests. This sex difference was associated with distinct alterations in mRNA expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and 5-HT-related genes in the DRN, suggesting a potential role of estrogen/ERs/5-HT signaling. In supporting this view, 5-HTDRN neurons from naïve male mice had …

Dietary Adherence And Cognitive Performance In Older Adults By Nativity Status: Results From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes), 2011–2014, Md Towfiqul Alam, Elizabeth Vásquez, Jennifer L. Etnier, Sandra Echeverria

Department of Health Sciences - Faculty Scholarship

Although adherence to dietary guidelines is associated with better cognitive performance, there may be differences by nativity status. This study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to the healthy eating index (HEI) and cognitive performance (CP) among United States (US)-born and foreign-born older adults (60+ years). Data were obtained from the 2011–2014 NHANES (n = 3065). Dietary adherence was assessed with HEI quintiles. CP (adequate vs. low) was examined using word listing (CERAD), animal naming (AFT), and the digit symbol substitution test (DSST). Weighted multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine associations. The US-born participants in higher dietary quintiles …

International Consensus Statement On The Radiological Evaluation Of Dysraphic Malformations Of The Spine And Spinal Cord, Ankit Balani, Jai Sidpra, Sniya Sudhakar, Asthik Biswas, Özgür Öztekin, Valeria Capra, Martin Catala, Andrew J Copp, Neetu Kumar, Navroop Johal, M Zubair Tahir, Dominic Thompson, Dachling Pang, David M Mirsky, Mai-Lan Ho, Thierry A G M Huisman, Andrea Rossi, Kshitij Mankad

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Dysraphic malformations of the spine and spinal cord (DMSSC) represent a spectrum of common congenital anomalies typically (though not exclusively) affecting the lower spinal segments. These may be responsible for varying degrees of neurologic, orthopedic, and urologic morbidity. With advances in neuroimaging, it is now possible to better diagnose and evaluate these disorders both prenatally and postnatally. Neuroimaging, performed at the right time and with technique optimization, is integral in guiding clinical management. However, the terminology used to describe these lesions has become increasingly confusing, and there is a lack of consensus regarding the essential radiologic features and their clinical …

An Excitatory Projection From The Basal Forebrain To The Ventral Tegmental Area That Underlies Anorexia-Like Phenotypes, Jing Cai, Yanyan Jiang, Yuanzhong Xu, Zhiying Jiang, Claire Young, Hongli Li, Joshua Ortiz-Guzman, Yizhou Zhuo, Yulong Li, Yong Xu, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Qingchun Tong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Maladaptation in balancing internal energy needs and external threat cues may result in eating disorders. However, brain mechanisms underlying such maladaptations remain elusive. Here, we identified that the basal forebrain (BF) sends glutamatergic projections to glutamatergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in mice. Glutamatergic neurons in both regions displayed correlated responses to various stressors. Notably, in vivo manipulation of BF terminals in the VTA revealed that the glutamatergic BF → VTA circuit reduces appetite, increases locomotion, and elicits avoidance. Consistently, activation of VTA glutamatergic neurons reduced body weight, blunted food motivation, and caused hyperactivity with behavioral signs of …

Food And Mood: The Correlation Between Vitamin B12 And Folate Intake And Depression, Jana Soucar, Hawley Almstedt

Honors Thesis

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that metabolizes homocysteine, which is a potentially neurotoxic molecule when in excess. Folate is a B vitamin that is essential to the production of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain. Studies show that a deficiency in vitamin B12, as well as folate, may be associated with mental health conditions. Additionally, the prevalence of depression is higher in college students than other demographic populations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate a correlation between vitamin B12 and folate intake with signs and symptoms of depression in college students. METHODS: This …

Parental Age Effects And Rett Syndrome, Xiaolan Fang, Lauren M Baggett, Raymond C Caylor, Alan K Percy, Jeffrey L Neul, Jane B Lane, Daniel G Glaze, Tim A Benke, Eric D Marsh, Kathleen J Motil, Judy O Barrish, Fran E Annese, Steven A Skinner

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder, and pathogenic Methyl-CpG-binding Protein 2 (MECP2) variants are identified in >95% of individuals with typical RTT. Most of RTT-causing variants in MECP2 are de novo and usually on the paternally inherited X chromosome. While paternal age has been reported to be associated with increased risk of genetic disorders, it is unknown whether parental age contributes to the risk of the development of RTT. Clinical data including parental age, RTT diagnostic status, and clinical severity are collected from 1226 participants with RTT and confirmed MECP2 variants. Statistical analyses are performed using Student t-test, …

February 2024, Swosu Bulldog Wellness Committee

SWOSU BULLDOG WELLNESS

February is the Month that we Celebrate Love.

Here are a few tips on how to love yourself more....

Genetic Architecture And Biology Of Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes, Soo Heon Kwak, Shylaja Srinivasan, Ling Chen, Jennifer Todd, Josep M Mercader, Elizabeth T Jensen, Jasmin Divers, Amy K Mottl, Catherine Pihoker, Rachelle G Gandica, Lori M Laffel, Elvira Isganaitis, Morey W Haymond, Lynne L Levitsky, Toni I Pollin, Jose C Florez, Jason Flannick, Progress In Diabetes Genetics In Youth (Prodigy) Consortium

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The prevalence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) and childhood obesity has been rising steadily1, producing a growing public health concern1 that disproportionately affects minority groups2. The genetic basis of youth-onset T2D and its relationship to other forms of diabetes are unclear3. Here we report a detailed genetic characterization of youth-onset T2D by analysing exome sequences and common variant associations for 3,005 individuals with youth-onset T2D and 9,777 adult control participants matched for ancestry, including both males and females. We identify monogenic diabetes variants in 2.4% of individuals and three exome-wide significant ( …

Using Mobile Technology For Family-Based Prevention In Families With Low Incomes: Lessons From A Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Childhood Obesity Prevention Program, Thomas G Power, Susan S Baker, Karen V Barale, M Catalina Aragón, Jane D Lanigan, Louise Parker, Karina Silva Garcia, Garry Auld, Nilda Micheli, Sheryl O Hughes

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Researchers are increasingly using web-based technologies to deliver family-based, prevention programming. Few studies have examined the success of such approaches for families with low incomes. The purpose of this study was to describe the level of in-class and online engagement in a childhood obesity prevention program for parents with low incomes, to examine the demographic correlates of parent engagement, and to examine dosage effects on parental feeding outcomes as a function of online exposure. All participants attended in-class nutrition education classes (Eating Smart · Being Active) as part of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in Colorado and …

An Increase In Food Insecurity Correlated With An Increase In Plasma Triglycerides Among Latinx Children, Keally Haushalter, Marissa Burgermaster, Erin Hudson, Matthew J Landry, Shreela V Sharma, Jaimie N Davis

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity and metabolic diseases both disproportionately affect Hispanic children. Cross-sectional studies have linked food insecurity with adverse cardiometabolic markers, including elevated plasma triglycerides and glucose concentrations. However, the association between changes in food insecurity and changes in cardiometabolic markers in children remains to be explored. Furthermore, few studies have assessed the impact of school-based nutrition interventions on household food insecurity.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study are to assess the effect of the TX Sprouts intervention on household food insecurity and to examine the association between changes in household food insecurity and changes in cardiometabolic markers over 1 …

The Role Of Diet And Gut Microbiota In Alzheimer’S Disease, D. M.Sithara Dissanayaka, Vijay Jayasena, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Ralph N. Martins, W. M.A.D.Binosha Fernando

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (A ) plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau tangles. Currently, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) impacts 50 million individuals, with projections anticipating an increase to 152 million by the year 2050. Despite the increasing global prevalence of AD, its underlying pathology remains poorly understood, posing challenges for early diagnosis and treatment. Recent research suggests a link between gut dysbiosis and the aggregation of A , the development of tau proteins, and the occurrence of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are associated with AD. However, investigations into the gut–brain axis …

Improved Mortality Prediction For Pediatric Acute Liver Failure Using Dynamic Prediction Strategy, Ruosha Li, Jingyan Wang, Cuihong Zhang, James E Squires, Steven H Belle, Jing Ning, Jianwen Cai, Robert H Squires

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a prediction tool for pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) mortality risks that captures the rapid and heterogeneous clinical course for accurate and updated prediction.

METHODS: Data included 1144 participants with PALF enrolled during three phases of the PALF registry study over 15 years. Using joint modeling, we built a dynamic prediction tool for mortality by combining longitudinal trajectories of multiple laboratory and clinical variables. The predictive performance for 7-day and 21-day mortality was assessed using the area under curve (AUC) through cross-validation and split-by-time validation.

RESULTS: We constructed a prognostic joint model that combines the …

Leptin Reduction As A Required Component For Weight Loss, Shangang Zhao, Na Li, Wei Xiong, Guannan Li, Sijia He, Zhuzhen Zhang, Qingzhang Zhu, Nisi Jiang, Christian Ikejiofor, Yi Zhu, May-Yun Wang, Xianlin Han, Ningyang Zhang, Carolina Solis-Herrera, Christine Kusminski, Zhiqiang An, Joel K Elmquist, Philipp E Scherer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Partial leptin reduction can induce significant weight loss, while weight loss contributes to partial leptin reduction. The cause-and-effect relationship between leptin reduction and weight loss remains to be further elucidated. Here, we show that FGF21 and the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist liraglutide rapidly induced a reduction in leptin. This leptin reduction contributed to the beneficial effects of GLP-1R agonism in metabolic health, as transgenically maintaining leptin levels during treatment partially curtailed the beneficial effects seen with these agonists. Moreover, a higher degree of leptin reduction during treatment, induced by including a leptin neutralizing antibody with either FGF21 or …