Other Nutrition Commons^™

Cloning And Expression Of Ebi3 And P28 Subunits Of Human Interleukin 27 In E. Coli, Ameneh Koochaki, Mojgan Bandehpour, Sam Massahi, Mahrou Sadri, Bahram Kazemi

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Interleukin (IL)-27 is a heterodimeric cytokine belonging to IL-12 and IL-23 families, secreted by antigen presenting cells(APCs). The IL-27 is composed of 2 subunits: Epstein-Barr virus induced gene 3 (EBI3) and p28. IL-27 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine which has an inhibitory effect on Th17 population and suppress the IL-17 expression. It is suggested that IL-27 could be a potent drug candidate for treating auto immune diseases.

Materials and Methods: The EBI3 and p28 subunits of human interleukin 27 were constructed into plasmid vectors; they sub-cloned into pETDuet-1 expression vector in restriction sites of BamHI, SacI and NotI. Subsequently the …

Effects Of Partners Together In Health (Path) Intervention On Physical Activity And Healthy Eating Behaviors: A Pilot Study, Bernice C. Yates, Joseph Norman, Jane Meza, Kaye L. Stanek Krogstrand, Susana Harrington, Scott Shurmur, Matthew Johnson, Karen Schumacher

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background—Despite proven efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in helping patients initiate physical activity and healthy eating changes, less than 50% of CR participants maintain changes 6 months later.

Objective—The objective of this feasibility study was to test the Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention versus usual care (UC) in improving physical activity and healthy eating behaviors in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients and spouses.

Methods—An experimental, two-group (n = 17 couples/group), repeated measures design was used. CABG patients in both groups participated in Phase II outpatient CR. Spouses in the PaTH group attended CR with the patient and …

School Gardens: Cultivating A Child’S Nutritional Habits, Environmental Knowledge, And Sustainability Practices, Jeffrey Meltzer

Honors Theses

School gardens have existed since the late nineteenth century and today are becoming increasingly popular in many parts of the world, including where I studied in Maine and Australia (AUS). Multiple organizations support school gardens in Maine, including the Maine School Garden Network, which has over 125 registered school gardens. In AUS, the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation primarily supports the school garden movement and has over 800 registered school gardens. While many researchers have studied school gardens, few have compared two countries, focused on environmental sustainability, or investigated Maine in particular. This thesis combines information from literature reviews, and …

The Effect Of Training And Nutrition On The Body Composition Of College Football Players, Lindsey Marie Goderwis

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

The body size of American football players has changed over time. The known health implications of overweight and obesity make it important for football players to understand how to increase size without increasing body fat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an increased emphasis on training and nutrition on the body composition of college football players. The sample included 68 football players. Paired t-tests were performed to compare percent fat and body mass index (BMI) at three points in time, all of which were during the off-season. A significant decrease in percent fat and BMI …

Developing Microbial Biomarkers To Non-Invasively Assess Health In Wild Elk (Cervus Canadensis) Populations, Samuel B. Pannoni

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

The composition of the intestinal bacterial community (intestinal microbiome) of mammals is associated with changes in diet, stress, disease and physical condition of the animal. The relationship between health and the microbiome has been extensively demonstrated in studies of humans and mice; this provides strong support for its potential utility in wildlife. When managing elk (Cervus canadensis), federal and state agencies currently must rely on invasive sampling and coarse demographic data on which to base their decisions. By developing microbiome-based biomarkers that vary as a function of elk body condition and disease (i.e. microbial biomarkers), we hope to …

Individual Responses For Muscle Activation, Repetitions, And Volume During Three Sets To Failure Of High- (80% 1rm) Versus Low-Load (30% 1rm) Forearm Flexion Resistance Exercise, Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins, Terry J. Housh, Samuel L. Buckner, Haley C. Bergstrom, Kristen C. Cochrane, Cory M. Smith, Ethan C. Hill, Richard J. Schmidt, Joel T. Cramer

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

This study compared electromyographic (EMG) amplitude, the number of repetitions completed, and exercise volume during three sets to failure of high- (80% 1RM) versus low-load (30% 1RM) forearm flexion resistance exercise on a subject-by-subject basis. Fifteen men were familiarized, completed forearm flexion 1RM testing. Forty-eight to 72 h later, the subjects completed three sets to failure of dumbbell forearm flexion resistance exercise with 80% (n = 8) or 30% (n = 7) 1RM. EMG amplitude was calculated for every repetition, and the number of repetitions performed and exercise volume were recorded. During sets 1, 2, and 3, one of eight …

Knowledge, Use And Perceptions Of Probiotics And Prebiotics In Hospitalized Patients, Melanie Betz, Anne Uzueta, Heather Rasmussen, Mary Gregoire, Cassandra Vandrwall, Gretchen Witowich

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Aim: Little is known about inpatient probiotic and prebiotic consumption or beliefs, despite their increase in availability. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to assess inpatient knowledge, use and perceptions of probiotics and prebiotics.

Methods: All subjects were inpatients at two urban medical centers on general medical/surgical floors. Patients were randomly selected to complete a verbally administered questionnaire inquiring about probiotic and prebiotic knowledge, use and perceptions. Patient responses were recorded directly into Survey Monkey (Palo Alto, CA, USA) on a computer.

Results: Patients (n = 200) were 58% were women and 56% were Caucasian with a mean age …

Bmp7 Drives Human Adipogenic Stem Cells Into Metabolically Active Beige Adipocytes, Meshail Okla, Jung-Heun Ha, Ryan E. Temel, Soonkyu Chung

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Adult humans have a substantial amount of inducible-brown (or beige) fat, which is associated with increased energy expenditure and reduced weight gain via thermogenesis. Despite the identification of key regulators of beige adipogenesis, impacts of dietary factors on adaptive thermogenesis are largely unknown, partly due to a lack of validated human cell models. Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) is known to promote brown adipogenesis in rodent and human progenitor cells. However, controversy still surrounds the cellular identity in BMP7-mediated transition of white to brown adipocytes. The aim of this study is to confirm BMP7-derived human adipocytes as a relevant in …

Fruit And Vegetable Perceptions Among Caregivers Of American Indian Toddlers And Community Stakeholders: A Qualitative Study, Rachel C. Sinley, Julie A. Albrecht

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

American Indians experience higher rates of obesity than any other ethnic group living in the USA. This disparity begins to develop in early childhood, and the excess weight carried by American Indian children contributes to health conditions that can affect their quality of life by the time they enter preschool. These children consume less than recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, a dietary pattern that may be related to the development of obesity and other health conditions. This qualitative study explored the fruit and vegetable intake of American Indian toddlers through use of the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model. Focus groups …

Maternal Fish Oil Supplementation In Pregnancy: A 12 Year Follow-Up Of A Randomised Controlled Test, Suzanne Meldrum, Janet A. Dunstan, Jonathon K. Foster, Karen Simmer, Susan L. Prescott

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

A number of trials have been undertaken to assess whether the intake of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) during pregnancy can influence the neurological development of the offspring, yet no consensus from these trials has been reached. We aimed to investigate the long-term effects (12 years) of fish oil supplementation in pregnancy on neurodevelopment, including cognition, language and fine motor skills. In a follow up of a previously published randomised controlled trial of 98 pregnant women, their children were assessed at 12 years of age using a battery of neurodevelopmental assessments. Fifty participants were assessed at 12 years, …

Evaluation Of Low-Tannin Grain Sorghum In Broiler Chicken Diets, Samantha Aniecia Shelton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary grain sorghum on broiler live performance, carcass yield and shank (leg) and breast skin coloring. Iso-caloric diets were formulated where sorghum replaced corn at rates of 0% (control), 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% for a total of 6 diets. For each of the two trials, 1500 Cobb 500 male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 60 pens with 25 birds per pen (10 pens/diet) and grown to 46 days for the first research trial and 41 days for the second. There were no differences (P>.05) …

Fresh Bytes - Connected Hydroponics For Small-Scale Growing, Jack Bowen

Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies

Many users are now transitioning to small-scale hydroponics and aquaponics at home. There can be a barrier to entry with these systems as there is a delicate balance of chemicals, pH, etc. that must be maintained. There are sensors for these various components but they are either aimed at commercial production or are un-automated. Fresh Bytes is a microcomputer with sensors to detect all of these unseen components in a hydroponic system. A prototype of this microcomputer is produced along with CAD plans for more professional versions of it. The sensors are verified and future development is contemplated.

The Fat Of The Matter: How Dietary Fatty Acids Can Affect Exercise Performance, Barbara J. Pierce, Scott R. Mcwilliams

Biology Faculty Publications

Fatty-acid composition of fat stores affects exercise performance in a variety of vertebrates although few such studies focus on flying vertebrates such as migratory birds, which are exceptional exercisers. We first discuss the natural variation in quality of fat available in natural foods eaten by migratory birds and their behavioral preferences for specific fatty acids in these foods. We then outline three proposed hypotheses for how dietary fatty acids can affect exercise performance, and some of the evidence to date that pertains to these hypotheses with special emphasis on the exercise performance of migratory birds. In theory, selectively feeding on …

Aerobic Exercise Training Prevents Heart Failure-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy By Anti-Catabolic, But Not Anabolic Actions, Rodrigo W.A. Souza, Warlen P. Piedade, Luana C. Soares, Paula A. T. Souza, Andreo F. Aguiar, Ivan Jose Vechetti Jr, Dijon H.S. Campos, Ana A. H. Fernandes, Katashi Okoshi, Robson F. Carvalho, Antonio C. Cicogna, Maeli Dal-Pai-Silva

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Heart failure (HF) is associated with cachexia and consequent exercise intolerance. Given the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise training (ET) in HF, the aim of this study was to determine if the ET performed during the transition from cardiac dysfunction to HF would alter the expression of anabolic and catabolic factors, thus preventing skeletal muscle wasting. Methods and Results: We employed ascending aortic stenosis (AS) inducing HF in Wistar male rats. Controls were sham operated animals. At 18 weeks after surgery, rats with cardiac dysfunction were randomized to 10 weeks of aerobic ET (AS-ET) or to an untrained group …

Knowledge Of And Accordance With The Academy Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline For Disorders Of Lipid Metabolism, Megan T. Metropulos, Mary B. Gregoire, Sarah J. Holland, Annabelle S. Volgman, Heather E. Rasmussen

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge of and accordance with practices recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Guideline for Disorders of Lipid Metabolism. Knowledge and food frequency questionnaires were completed by dyslipidemic patients from an outpatient cardiology clinic (n = 51). Participants were primarily white (74.5%), obese (64.7%), female (64.7%) adults 62.0 ± 9.3 years of age. Mean Disorders of Lipid Metabolism guideline knowledge score was 53.l ± 13.4% correct. Mean accordance was 35.4 ± 13.0% correct. There were no significant associations between knowledge and accordance (r_s = 0.175, P = .219). In …

Urban Farm And Community Garden Hybrid Models: A Case Study Of The Huerta Del Valle Community Garden, Leah Hochberg

Scripps Senior Theses

This study examines models of community gardens and urban farms and determined a successful hybrid model for future implementation at the Huerta del Valle Community Garden. This was accomplished through analyzing the unique benefits and drawbacks of community gardens and urban farms as defined by the author, and then determining the components of each model that would maximize Huerta del Valle’s social and economic potential. Community gardens are defined in this thesis as places where community members can grow their own food in individual plots, and these spaces often contribute to community building, hands-on gardening education, and improved food access. …

Characterizing And Improving The Oral Sensations And Preference Of Polyphenol-Rich Aronia Berry Juice, Jeeha Park

Honors Scholar Theses

Background: Aronia berries (chokeberries) have very high levels of health-promoting polyphenols yet cause "choking" sensations due to bitterness and astringency. We aimed to describe oral sensations and palatability of aronia juice by variations in harvest time and oral sensory phenotype. Sensory blocking combinations were tested to improve juice acceptability. Methods: Ripe aronia berries were harvested at 7 time points and juiced for oral sampling by 50 adults who underwent bitter taste phenotyping. The adults reported quality intensities of prototypical tastes, foods, and aronia juices. Ethyl butyrate (10ppm) and/or sucrose (0.15 and 0.3M) were added to prototypical oral stimuli and aronia …

Books And Bruschetta: An Investigation Of The College Students’ Diet, Corie Lee Adamucci

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

This project identifies the main issues seen in the dietary habits of college-aged young adults through a comprehensive literature review of studies on the topic. Roughly half of the research articles were obtained through Dr. Tanya Horacek, an associate professor in SU’s Department of Public Health, Food Studies, and Nutrition, who has done research on the college diet and factors that affect the college diet. Other studies were obtained via scholarly journals including, but not limited to the Journal of American College Health, the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, and the Journal of Exercise Physiology. Major problems in college …

Erratum To ‘‘Associations Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness And Fatness With Metabolic Syndrome In Rural Women With Prehypertension’’, Patricia A. Hageman, Carol H. Pullen, Melody Hertzog, Linda Boeckner, Susan Noble Walker

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

In the original paper, the authors discovered a computer coding error that resulted in 33 of the women’s ages being incorrectly recorded. All analyses were repeated for this paper using the corrected age dataset, as all our logistic regression analyses in the published paper were adjusted for age.The repeated analyses, using the corrected dataset, lead to minor changes that needed to be reported to the results in the published paper. These corrections did not change the conclusion of the published paper.The authors apologize for any inconvenience.

Health Care Providers’ Knowledge, Perceptions, And Use Of Probiotics And Prebiotics, Laura Oliver, Heather Rasmussen, Mary B. Gregoire, Yimin Chen

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Health care providers (N = 256) completed an online questionnaire to assess their knowledge, perceptions, and use of probiotics and prebiotics. Participants were familiar with probiotics (88%) but not with prebiotics (22%). Probiotics (62%) and prebiotics (55%) were perceived as being “somewhat” to “quite a bit” beneficial to health (μ = 3.6 ± 1.0 and 3.6 ± 1.2, respectively). Health care providers were “quite a bit” to “very much” willing to recommend probiotics (77%) and prebiotics (83%) if substantiated with literature. Despite this belief, they did not recommend probiotics (45%) or prebiotics (26%) to patients or read current research …