Nutrition Commons^™

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.

Lactose Hydrolysis As A Method For Reducing Added Sugar In Chocolate Milk, Eric Engstrom

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Milk is a nutrient dense food that cannot be utilized easily by those with lactose intolerance. Lactose-hydrolysis is a process through which the native lactose in milk is enzymatically converted into its constituent sugars, glucose and galactose. Because this process digests the lactose in milk, the milk can then be digested by consumers with lactose intolerance without adverse affect (Somkuti, 1997). This conversion results in a sweeter product (Fennema, 2008).

Best Integrated Writing 2014 - Complete Edition

Best Integrated Writing

Best Integrated Writing includes excellent student writing from Integrated Writing courses taught at Wright State University. The journal is published annually by the Wright State University Department of English Language and Literatures.

Modified Nutrition Facts Panels Help In Identifying Healthier Options, Courtney Marie Markey

Theses and Dissertations

Background Research shows understanding of information portrayed on nutrition facts panels is low.

Objective Nutrition facts panels were modified to increase identification of healthier label when comparing similar foods.

Design This was study was randomized. Participants, from a Midwestern University, were recruited through email for an online survey.

Participants 738 students responded (4.87% response rate) and 622 completed the entire survey.

Intervention Participants were randomly assigned one of three variations. One variation was the current nutrition facts panel. Another variation highlighted nutrients on the nutrition facts panel in traffic light colors indicating healthy, moderate, and unhealthy levels. The third variation …

Improvements In Blood Pressure Among Undiagnosed Hypertensive Participants In A Community-Based Lifestyle Intervention, Mississippi, 2010, Jamie M. Zoellner, Jessica L. Thomson, Alicia S. Landry, Charkarra Anderson-Lewis, Carol Connell, Elaine Fontenot Molaison, Kathleen Yadrick

Faculty Publications

Introduction

Effective strategies are needed to reach and treat people who lack awareness of or have uncontrolled hypertension. We used data from a community-based participatory research initiative, Hub City Steps, to quantify the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and determine the relationship between hypertension status at baseline and postintervention improvements in blood pressure and health-related quality of life.

Methods

Hub City Steps was a 6-month preintervention–postintervention lifestyle intervention targeting hypertension risk factors. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Generalized linear mixed models were used to test for effects by time and hypertension status.

Results

Of the …

Cholesterol Oxidation Products In Stored Egg Powder, Jonathan Swindler, Dr. Michelle Lloyd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cholesterol Oxidation Products (COPs) are a family of 27-carbon cholesterol oxidation derivatives that are formed from the auto-oxidation of cholesterol. They can result in food from high-temperature processing and storage. COPs have a variety of cytotoxic effects and are believed to be involved with major chronic diseases including atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative processes, diabetes, and kidney failure (Sottero and others 2007).

Microbial Degradation Of Folic Acid In Micronutrient Fortified Corn Masa, Brandon Jahner, Dr. Michael Dunn

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Pregnant women who consume the recommended micronutrient level of folic acid can reduce the incidence of newborn neural tube defects (NTD), like spina bifida and ancelephthy, by up to 70% (Yang et al., 2002). Hispanic women with the highest rates of NTD births, also have the lowest consumption of enriched grain products (Yang et al., 2002). In recent research conducted by Brigham Young University (BYU) faculty and students, corn tortillas were shown to be an effective vehicle for micronutrient fortification (Burton et al., 2008). Tortillas made with grains such as corn masa are considered an especially good micronutrient delivery medium …

Translational Nutrition: A Review Of The Application Of Nutrition Science, Regulation, And Outreach Case Study: Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Eliza Zalis

Public & Community Service Studies Student Scholarship

This project examines the avenues by which nutrition science impacts individuals in society. It examines the factors that influence consumer behavior and food choice and the importance of health literacy in guiding nutrition and health. It elucidates the role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regulating food labeling and the implications that such regulation has on consumer perception and possible health outcomes. Further, this project outlines recently proposed changes to the “Nutrition Facts” panel. In investigating nutrition education and outreach programs, this project includes a case study of Farm Fresh Rhode Island and the organization’s nutrition initiatives.

Fatty Acids And Mercury In Seventy Seven Species Of Commercially Available Finfish In The United States, Dennis P. Cladis

Open Access Theses

Finfish are consumed across the United States and constitute an important part of the American diet. However, seafood consumption can be a tenuous topic, with supporters highlighting the health benefits of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n3) and opponents emphasizing the neurotoxicity of methylmercury. Because all fish contain varying amounts of EPA, DHA, and methylmercury, the need for clear and unbiased information is essential to alleviate the confusion experienced by many consumers and empower them to make informed decisions regarding seafood consumption. As the market changes and more fish originate from aquaculture sources, where diets are controlled, …