Nutrition Commons^™

The Functional Food Diet: A Pilot Study, Caroline Knight, Ralph Hamill

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Background: Recently, several functional foods have been identified which have health benefits beyond providing energy and substrate molecules for cellular chemistry. These foods are effective in reducing fat absorption and lowering lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (Asgary, Rasquar, & Keshvari, 2018). In the past, diets low in saturated fat have been found to be ineffective in lowering LDL cholesterol. Statins are capable of lowering LDL cholesterol up to 60% when the latest generation is used at maximal dose (Law, Wald & Rudnicka, 2003). However, some patients do not tolerate statins because of side effects. Evidently, decreasing the LDL lowers the risk …

Selective Harvest Methods And Chemical Treatment Of Baled Corn Residue For Utilization In Growing Calf And Dry Cow Diets, Ashley C. Conway

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Three studies were conducted to evaluate baled corn residue using selective harvest method and anhydrous ammonia treatments to assess utility in growing calf and dry cow diets. Baled corn residue was harvested using conventional rake-and-bale (CONV) method, or harvested using the New Holland Cornrower in which either eight rows (8ROW), or two rows (2ROW) of corn stalks were chopped into the windrow with tailings. Bales were either not treated or ammoniated at 5.5% DM. When fed to wether lambs in a mixed ration (65% residue, 30% wet corn gluten feed) to determine digestibility, the 2ROW residue had greater apparent DM, …

The Total Western Diet And Vancomycin Treatment Increase Inflammation-Mediated Colorectal Cancer, Niklas David Joakim Aardema

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Prior work by our research group showed that the total Western diet (TWD), a rodent diet which models the typical American diet, promoted the development of colon tumors when fed to mice. Other researchers previously showed that vancomycin, an antibiotic that changes the gut microbiome composition, causes differential changes in the severity of colon inflammation and CRC. Our goal was to determine the combined effects of feeding the TWD and vancomycin treatment on colitis and CRC, and if these factors interact. We hypothesized that vancomycin treatment would mitigate colitis and CRC in mice fed the TWD. To this end, mice …

Effects Of Mid-Gestation Nutrient Restriction On Carcass Measurements And Meat Quality Of Resultant Offspring, Shelby M. Quarnberg

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The goal of this study was to investigate feedlot performance and meat quality of calves born to cows that underwent a nutrient restriction during the second trimester of gestation which may be occurring in the Intermountain West. Thirty-four angus influenced calves from the same sire were used for this study. The calves were born from cows that were separated into either a maintenance group, and kept on an irrigated pasture, or a restricted group, that was placed on an unirrigated pasture and allowed to lose one body condition score during the second trimester of pregnancy. This study begins with the …

Hemodialysis Care Staff Perceptions On Barriers To Optimal Health: Results From A Qualitative Study And National Survey, Daniela A. Gutierrez More

Graduate Theses

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is currently the ninth leading cause of death in the United States, and despite the favorable outcomes reported in previous studies, mortality rates for CKD have yet to show improvement. The purpose of this study was distinguish between the different strategies used to treat CKD as perceived by renal practitioners. It is hypothesized that the lack of improvement in mortality rates may be attributed to the lack of cardiovascular protection.

Organization Of A Community Garden Program Through Utah State University Food $Ense And Master Gardener Extension Programs For Low-Income Families In Logan, Utah, Jackie Hendrickson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Nearly 12.3% of American households are food insecure. In Cache County, Utah, specifically, the rates of food insecurity are even higher (15%). Addressing the issue of food insecurity improves physical/mental health outcomes, childhood cognitive/physical development, family environments, and decreases healthcare costs. Evidence-based strategies to improve food security include increasing one’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables and improving self-efficacy. Community gardens are recognized as an initiative that improve participant’s levels of food security. In Utah, a number of community gardens exist, but none focus on food insecure individuals or include a curriculum of basic gardening and nutrition skills. Utah State …

Effects Of An Educational Intervention On Nutrition And Healthy Eating Habits In Minority Group Parents And Children Living In Arkansas, Peri Clay

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: The Hispanic population is the largest growing minority ethnic group in the United States today. Minority groups have an added struggle with obesity and have higher rates of obesity in this country than the caucasian counterparts. While minority group parents want more for their children they face many cultural and language barriers related to proper nutrition and hydration. This prevents these families from gaining adequate nutrition.

Objective: The purpose was to evaluate the impact of nutrition education on obesity rates through implementation of a year long educational intervention for minority group mothers and their children through and …

Effects Of Eat Better, Move More (Ebmm) Educational Program On Obesity Rates In Latino Children Residing In Northwest Arkansas, Allison Jones

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Childhood obesity, especially in ethnic minority populations, is a growing problem with no signs of improvement over the past decade. The Latino population is one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States. Unfortunately, they have experienced substantial health disparities and socioeconomic disadvantages that contribute to the high rates of obesity in their youth. Decreasing obesity rates would not only have many health advantages, but also financial benefits as well. It would reduce the risk of co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease and depression. Healthy children are more likely to grow into healthy adults, ultimately lowering the cost …

The Effect Of Grind Size And Brew Time Upon Antioxidant Potential, Sensory Profile, And Consumer Likability Of Cold Brew Coffee, Angela Morresi

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. Cold brew coffee has grown in popularity among the recent years. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of grind size and extraction time on the antioxidant potential, sensory profile, and consumer likability of cold brew coffee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 138 adults participated in randomized sample consumer assessment of the likeability of 18 different cold brew coffee samples based on appearance, aroma, flavor, and overall. The samples were made with 2 different types of beans, 3 different grind sizes (0.65mm, 1.15mm, and 1.65mm), and 3 different brewing times (18h, 24h, …

Alcohol Use, Dietary, And Exercise Behaviors: A Latent Profile Analysis Of Young Adult Lifestyle Behaviors, Ryan Wesley Grant

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As individuals enter adulthood, their lifestyles and lifestyle behaviors begin to change drastically. These lifestyle behavior changes in emerging adulthood provide a foundation for future health behaviors that often persist through all of adulthood. The aim of this study was to use Latent profile analyses (LPA) to discover distinct profiles of homogenous groups of young adults based on alcohol, diet, and exercise behaviors. Overall, five distinct profiles for both males and females were identified: Moderates, Unhealthy Eaters, Medium Drinkers, Healthier Eaters and Exercisers, and Heavy Drinkers. Heavy Drinkers and Unhealthy Eaters were the highest risk groups and reported the highest …

Effects Of Polystrene Foam On The Growth And Development Of Darkling Beetles (Tenebrio Molitor), Nick Langlois

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

The growing field of entomoremediation explores the use of insects and other invertebrates as biological agents for the natural removal of hazardous substances, and recent research has investigated the potential for using mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) to digest and decompose polystyrene. Two experiments conducted over two years tested the tolerance of mealworm populations to the inclusion of polystyrene in their diet, and the ability of these diets to support multi-generational populations. The first experiment compared mealworms raised on a diet of 100% polystyrene foam with mealworms raised on a control diet of wheat bran and potatoes. The second experiment …

Common Garden Experiment Reveals Altered Nutritional Values And Dna Methylation Profiles In Micropropagated Three Elite Ghanaian Sweet Potato Genotypes, Belinda Akomeah, Marian D. Quain, Sunita A. Ramesh, Lakshay Anand, Carlos M. Rodríguez López

Horticulture Faculty Publications

Micronutrient deficiency is the cause of multiple diseases in developing countries. Staple crop biofortification is an efficient means to combat such deficiencies in the diets of local consumers. Biofortified lines of sweet potato (Ipomoea batata L. Lam) with enhanced beta-carotene content have been developed in Ghana to alleviate Vitamin A Deficiency. These genotypes are propagated using meristem micropropagation to ensure the generation of virus-free propagules. In vitro culture exposes micropropagated plants to conditions that can lead to the accumulation of somaclonal variation with the potential to generate unwanted aberrant phenotypes. However, the effect of micropropagation induced somaclonal variation on …

Chemophobia And The Relation To Names, Justin Crow

Undergraduate Research Conference

Chemophobia is a recently identified cultural phenomena where people are afraid of chemicals in their lives, whether "chemicals" are in their food, their medicines, vaccinations, and other products. An increasing amount of people have a concern about the risk associated with chemicals in their everyday life. Chemistry professionals find this a bit strange as Chemistry states that all matter is made up of chemicals. Chemistry has many systems of naming and understanding chemicals which can exclude people from understanding the risk or lack thereof attributed to materials that are common in daily life. This effect could be accentuated by educational …

Food Insecurity Awareness, Acknowledgment, And Actions On A University Campus, Heather Adams

Undergraduate Research Conference

The purpose of this pilot study was to understand student awareness of food insecurities. Subjects for the study were students enrolled in a Foundations in Human Sciences course at a university located in East Texas (n=55). Students were asked to complete an online survey concerning knowledge of food insecurities, impacts of budgeting on food buying, previous personal food insecurity, skipped or had less nutritious meals due to the cost, and the food pantry on campus.

Bovine Milk Extracellular Vesicles (Evs) Modification Elicits Skeletal Muscle Growth In Rats, Hailey A. Parry, C. Brooks Mobley, Petey W. Mumford, Matthew A. Romero, Cody T. Haun, Yufeng Zhang, Paul A. Roberson, Janos Zempleni, Arny A. Ferrando, Ivan J. Vechetti, John J. Mccarthy, Michael D. Roberts, Andreas N. Kavazis

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The current study investigated how bovine milk extracellular vesicles (EVs) affected rotarod performance and biomarkers of skeletal muscle physiology in young, growing rats. Twenty-eight-day Fisher 344 rats were provided an AIN-93G-based diet for 4 weeks that either remained unadulterated [EVs and RNA-sufficient (ERS; n = 12)] or was sonicated [EVs and RNA-depleted (ERD; n = 12)]. Prior to (PRE) and on the last day of the intervention (POST), animals were tested for maximal rotarod performance. Following the feeding period, the gastrocnemius muscle was analyzed at the histological, biochemical, and molecular levels and was also used to measure mitochondrial function and …

Pilot Test Of An Online Asa24 Training With Efnep Educators, Lori Andersen Spruance, Abiodun Atoloye, Deirdre Douglass, Thea Palmer Zimmerman, Patricia M. Guenther, Karen Franck, Teresa Henson, Carla J. Moore, Gina Wood, Carrie M. Durward

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and usability of an online training to prepare Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) educators to collect 24-hr dietary recalls using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24). Fifty-eight educators in 17 states were recruited to take the training; 29 completed the online training, assisted two individuals in completing a 24-hr recall using ASA24, and completed a survey about their experiences. The sample included 26 respondents. The majority (n = 16; 61.5%) of the sample was EFNEP educators with college education. The majority of the respondents indicated …

Steroid Receptor Coactivator-1 Modulates The Function Of Pomc Neurons And Energy Homeostasis, Yongjie Yang, Agatha A Van Der Klaauw, Liangru Zhu, Tessa M Cacciottolo, Yanlin He, Lukas K J Stadler, Chunmei Wang, Pingwen Xu, Kenji Saito, Antentor Hinton, Xiaofeng Yan, Julia M Keogh, Elana Henning, Matthew C Banton, Audrey E Hendricks, Elena G Bochukova, Vanisha Mistry, Katherine L Lawler, Lan Liao, Jianming Xu, Stephen O'Rahilly, Qingchun Tong, Uk10k Consortium, Inês Barroso, Bert W O'Malley, I Sadaf Farooqi, Yong Xu

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Hypothalamic neurons expressing the anorectic peptide Pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) regulate food intake and body weight. Here, we show that Steroid Receptor Coactivator-1 (SRC-1) interacts with a target of leptin receptor activation, phosphorylated STAT3, to potentiate Pomc transcription. Deletion of SRC-1 in Pomc neurons in mice attenuates their depolarization by leptin, decreases Pomc expression and increases food intake leading to high-fat diet-induced obesity. In humans, fifteen rare heterozygous variants in SRC-1 found in severely obese individuals impair leptin-mediated Pomc reporter activity in cells, whilst four variants found in non-obese controls do not. In a knock-in mouse model of a loss of function …

Nutrient And Food Group Intakes Of Low-Income Pregnant Women By Race/Ethnicity, Alla M. Hill, Danielle L. Nunnery Phd, Rdn, Ldn, Alice Ammerman Drph, Jigna M. Dharod Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

In an exploratory study, a convenience sample of 148 pregnant women was recruited from a WIC clinic in the southeast region of the U.S. to: 1) Examine and compare daily nutrient and food group intakes of WIC pregnant women to national guidelines, and; 2) Determine racial/ethnic differences in nutrient and food group intakes among WIC pregnant women. Women were selected for the study if they were: ≥ 18 y, in 2^nd trimester of pregnancy, and if they spoke English or Spanish as a first language. Upon recruitment, participants were interviewed to collect information on their socio-demographics, including race/ethnicity. Additionally, …

Body Mass Index In Multiple Sclerosis Modulates Ceramide-Induced Dna Methylation And Disease Course, Kamilah Castro, Achilles Ntranos, Mario Amatruda, Maria Petracca, Peter Kosa, Emily Y. Chen, Johannes Morstein, Dirk Trauner, Corey T. Watson, Michael A. Kiebish, Bibiana Bielekova, Matilde Inglese, Ilana Katz Sand, Patricia Casaccia

Advanced Science Research Center

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) results from genetic predisposition and environmental variables, including elevated Body Mass Index (BMI) in early life. This study addresses the effect of BMI on the epigenome of monocytes and disease course in MS.

Methods: Fifty-four therapy-naive Relapsing Remitting (RR) MS patients with high and normal BMI received clinical and MRI evaluation. Blood samples were immunophenotyped, and processed for unbiased plasma lipidomic profiling and genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of circulating monocytes. The main findings at baseline were validated in an independent cohort of 91 therapy-naïve RRMS patients. Disease course was evaluated by a two-year longitudinal follow up …

Mycoprotein: The Future Of Nutritious Nonmeat Protein, A Symposium Review, Tim Finnigan, Benjamin Wall, Peter Wilde, Francis Stephens, Steve Taylor, Marjorie Freedman

Faculty Publications

Mycoprotein is an alternative, nutritious protein source with a meat-like texture made from Fusarium venenatum, a naturally occurring fungus. Its unique method of production yields a significantly reduced carbon and water footprint relative to beef and chicken. Mycoprotein, sold as Quorn, is consumed in 17 countries, including the United States. In line with current dietary guidelines, mycoprotein is high in protein and fiber, and low in fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar. Mycoprotein may help maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels, promote muscle synthesis, control glucose and insulin levels, and increase satiety. It is possible that some susceptible consumers will become …