Nutrition Commons^™

Nutrition And Genes Associated With Orofacial Cleft Birth Defects In Utah, Huong Dieu Meeks

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are facial malformations that happen during early pregnancy and have a complex and heterogeneous etiology, involving both genetic and environmental risk factors. This project examined the association between maternal nutrition, folate-related biomarkers, candidate genes involved in one-carbon metabolism (OCM), and OFCs in order to achieve more comprehensive knowledge of how nutrition and genetics influence OFC risk. All studies performed in this project used the data collected in the Utah Child and Family Health Study (UCFHS) and the Johns Hopkins International Cleft Consortium.

Neither maternal periconceptional multivitamin use nor healthy dietary pattern score alone was individually associated with …

Combined Metagenomic And Phenomic Approaches Identify A Novel Salt Tolerance Gene From The Human Gut Microbiome, Eamon Culligan, Julian R. Marchesi, Colin Hill, Roy D. Sleator

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

In the current study, a number of salt-tolerant clones previously isolated from a human gut metagenomic library were screened using Phenotype MicroArray (PM) technology to assess their functional capacity. PM's can be used to study gene function, pathogenicity, metabolic capacity and identify drug targets using a series of specialized microtitre plate assays, where each well of the microtitre plate contains a different set of conditions and tests a different phenotype. Cellular respiration is monitored colorimetrically by the reduction of a tetrazolium dye. One clone, SMG 9, was found to be positive for utilization/transport of L-carnitine (a well-characterized osmoprotectant) in the …

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.

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Kathryn E. Brackett

Senior Honors Theses

Abstract

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a worldwide movement started by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that is aimed at providing hospitals with a certification that guarantees the best possible patient-centered care for mothers and infants. It focuses on breastfeeding as optimal infant nutrition, and implements strategies to encourage and support mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months after birth. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding are a set of 10 simple, easy to understand guidelines developed by WHO and UNICEF for implementing this initiative in the hospital setting and …

Tpn Collaborative: Improving Network Wide Parenteral Nutrition Care, Christina Christianson Rd, Cnsc, Ldn, Anthony Buonanno Md, Mba

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

No Patient Left Behind, Courtney Bloom Rd, Ldn, Melissa Faura Rd, Ldn, Ann Flickinger Ms, Rd, Ldn, Karen A. Yerger Rd, Ldn

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

Teach-Back For Inpatient Nutrition Education: Mission Possible, Melissa Faura Rd, Ldn, Ann Flickinger Ms, Rd, Ldn, Katherine Lyle Ms, Rd, Ldn

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

Calculating Value- Added Services Of The Registered Dietitian, Melissa Faura Rd, Ldn, Ann Flickinger Ms, Rd, Ldn, Kathleen Hanuschak Rd, Ldn, Krysta Miller Rd, Ldn, Renee Selby Rd, Cnsc, Ldn

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

Dietary Prevention Of Prostate Cancer In The Tramp Mouse Model, Brett Shaw, Dr. Merrill Christensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project utilized histology in determining whether dietary supplementation of selenium and/or isoflavones (a component of soy) had a preventative effect on the development of prostate cancer. Additionally, we explored the timing of introduction of these supplements and observed their individual and combinational effects on cancer progression.

Cultural, Economic, And Educational Factors Related To Diabetes Melitus Type 2 In Tongans, April Mcmurray, Dr. Lora Beth Brown

Journal of Undergraduate Research

DMT2 is a lifestyle-related disease where the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells are unreceptive to it, and it is now the most common form of diabetes1. DMT2 has several risk factors: obesity, poor nutrition, a lack of exercise, and genetics1. The diabetic population is growing throughout the world. Individuals who do not control the disease can suffer serious complications such as limb amputation and damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart; treatment can also be very costly1.

Food Costs Of A Gluten-Free Diet: Comparison To Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Allotments, Blair Harmon, Dr. Rickelle Richards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks the lining of the small intestine when gluten is present, which can lead to poor absorption of nutrients resulting in malnutrition.1 The only medical treatment for people with this condition is life-long adherence to a gluten-free diet. The prevalence of celiac disease has continued to rise in the United States, with recent estimates of 1 in 141 people having celiac disease, suggesting this is a common health condition today.2,3

Childhood Obesity And Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Genetic Diseases That Contribute To Cardiovascular Disease, Alyssa Caudle

Senior Honors Theses

Childhood obesity occurs as the result of an imbalance between caloric intake and energy expenditure. Genetic risk factors for obesity have become an area of research due to its permanency. Mutated genes such as Fat Mass and Obesity Associated (FTO), Leptin (LEP), Leptin Receptor (LEPR), Melanocortin 4 Receptor (MC4R), Adiponectin C1Q and Collagen Domain Containing (ADIPOQ), Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 1 (PCSK1), and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG) all contribute to the development of childhood obesity. In the presence of high cholesterol caused by obesity, the genetic condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia is exacerbated. Familial hypercholesterolemia is caused by a …

Case Study Of A Food Safety/Good Agricultural Practices (Gaps) Educational Program For Small And Limited Resource Produce Farmers, Barrett Vaughan, Audrey Zeigler, Gertrude D. Wall, Miles D. Robinson, William A. Hodge, Conrad O. Bonsi, Ntam R. Baharanyi, Walter A. Hill

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

This case study examined methods used in a food safety/Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) educational program with small and limited resource produce farmers in Alabama to assist them with obtaining certification. Two methods were used, namely, the identification of challenges to food safety certification and development of strategies to address the challenges, and the enlistment of educational methods to facilitate food safety certification. As a result, there were four challenges to food safety certification identified; needs for motivation, information, clarification, and resources. In addition, the educational methods enlisted included group meetings, instructional material distribution, individual farm instruction, and expert instruction. The …

The Role Of Timing Of Dietary Selenium And Isoflavone Supplementation In The Reduction Of Prostate Cancer Risk Factors In Tramp Mice, Ji Su Park, Dr. Merrill Christensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men, with a predicted 29,720 deaths in 2013. (1) Previous studies have shown that both selenium (Se) and soy isoflavones reduce risk for prostate cancer when consumed at high levels. (2-3) However, little is known about the effect of Se and isoflavones combined on cancer progression or whether it matters when these supplements are introduced into the diet to decrease cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the individual and combinational effects of Se and soy and the role of timing of …

From Histone Modification To Gene Repression: Epigenetic Regulation By Holocarboxylase Synthetase-Containing Repression Complex And Fad-Dependent Lysine Specific Demethylase, Dandan Liu

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Histones undergo different types of post-translational modifications that have been linked to a variety of biological processes and disease states. Histone acetylation and methylation are well characterized modifications with respect to regulation of chromatin structure and transcription. Histone acetylation, regulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), is linked with gene activation. Here we introduce a novel paradigm suggesting that holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS), the sole biotin protein ligase in the human genome, recruits nuclear receptor corepressor (N-CoR) and HDAC1 to chromatin, thereby contributing toward the removal of lysine (K)-9 acetylated histone H3 (H3K9ac) gene activation marks and the repression …

Lactose-Hydrolyzed Yogurt Sweetness, Paul Mcmullan, Dr. Lynn Ogden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

My project was focused on developing a yogurt that was sweeter than traditional yogurt via means of lactose-hydrolysis. The purpose was to find what percentage of added sugar could be spared when hydrolyzing the lactose inherent in milk. The 3 batches of milk had additional sugar and Non-Fat Dry Milk (NFDM) added to boost its lactose content. The two experimental batches were treated with the lactase enzyme and left to sit for a period of 48 hours, at which point one could safely assume that 99% of the lactose had been fully hydrolyzed. One of the experimental batches had 50% …

Stability Of Added Folic Acid In Micronutrient-Fortified Rice Using Different Cooking Techniques And Storage Conditions, Shintaro Pang, Dr. Michael Dunn

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Rice is the main staple in many people’s diet, accounting for 80% of the daily caloric intake of 3 billion people. Studies also show that folate intake is insufficient worldwide (Schoenlechner et al 2010). This is of much concern because folate deficiency is linked to many serious disorders, such as megaloblastic anemia and neural tube defects in newborns (Steur et al 2010). In order to remedy this problem, folate concentrations in many foods, including rice has been well analyzed. However, the stability of folic acid in rice is less known. This information is of interest because folic acid is very …

Selenium Toxicity In C57bl/6 Mice, Lauren Nielson, Dr. Merrill Christensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of my ORCA project was to determine the highest intake of selenomethylcysteine mice could consume without it being toxic to them. Selenium has been shown to have preventative effects on the progression of prostate cancer, so determining the optimum dosage of selenomethylcysteine (the most absorabable form of selenium) is essential for future research on this topic.

Optimization And Standardization Of The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (Orac) Assay, Richard Low, Dr. Tory Parker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Antioxidants, when consumed, have the ability to neutralize free radicals, suggesting their presence may protect human physiology from destructive oxidative processes1. Several assays have been developed that quantify the antioxidant capacity of compounds, and one assay that is commonly utilized by researchers and industry is the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay2. Despite its popularity, significant differences in reported ORAC values occur between laboratories, leading to difficulties in comparing research. Dr. Parker and his lab conducted a series of tests to attempt to standardize and optimize the ORAC assay.

Do The Antioxidants In Chocolate Interact Synergistically With The Antioxidants In Strawberries?, Kevin Lowder, Dr. Tory Parker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project was a very meaningful experience for me, as it allowed me to work closely with my mentor with the goal of publication in a scientific journal. I had approached Dr. Parker about working in his lab prior to applying for an ORCA grant, so it was good that we already had established a rapport before working on this project.