Browsing by Subject "Medical Nutrition"
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Item Dietary Quality In The United States: An Evaluation Of The American Diet Using The Mediterranean Diet Index(2003-12-01) LaFontaine, Laura Jean; Sejong BaeLaFontaine, Laura Jean, Dietary Quality in the United States: An Evaluation of the American Diet Using the Mediterranean Diet Index. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), December 2003, 69 pp., 10 tables, 3 figures, reference list, 92 titles. Mediterranean Diet Index (MDI) score is positively associated with increased longevity in diverse populations. High scores are characterized by high intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish, and grains; low intake of meat and dairy; moderate alcohol intake; and high monounsaturated to saturated fat ratio. Dietary quality 7,772 individuals ages 2 and older in the NHANES 1999-2000 sample was assessed using the MDI. Mean MDI scores were low overall and across all population groups. Highest mean scores (3.03-3.13) were observed in children 2-3 and adult men; lowest scores (2.76-2.77) were observed in adolescents. High scores were associated with foreign-born status, higher education level, increasing age in adults, and decreasing age in children.Item Do Social Factors Influence the Severity of Diabetes among Hispanics in Fort Worth?: A Cross-Sectional Study(2004-05-01) Moayad, Neda Zandi; Hector Balcazar; Manuel Bayona; Sue LurieNeda Zandi Moayad, Do social factors influence the severity of Diabetes among Hispanics in Fort Worth? A cross-sectional study. Doctor of Public Health, May 2004, 91 pp., 5 tables, bibliography, 99 titles. The Latino population is the fastest growing ethnic group in Texas, representing more than 35% of the total population. There is evidence that diabetes among Latinos has increased considerably in recent years. The prevalence of type II diabetes in Latinos ages 45-74 is three times higher than in the non-Latino whites of the same age group. The goal of this research was to assess the importance of selected potential prognostic factors to severe type II diabetes in Latino patients. Among other findings, the results of this study show that family history of diabetes, place of birth and having spent childhood in Mexico, preferring Spanish as the spoken language, having been educated in Mexico, receiving food stamps, smoking, being overweight and obsess, acculturation and low family cohesiveness were associated with severe diabetes. These findings indicate that level of family cohesiveness and acculturation and other variables might be predictors of diabetes severity.Item Effects of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on Serum Ferritin Concentration and Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS)(2008-05-01) Le, Tuan D.; Sejong Bae; Karan Singh; Steven BlairLe, Tuan D., Effects of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on Serum Ferritin Concentration and Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Student (ACLS). Doctor of Public Health (Clinical Research). May 2008, 114 pp., 12 tables, 8 figures, bibliography, 68 titles. Recent studies suggest that an elevated serum ferritin concentration is considered an independent factor associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is inversely associated with diabetes. Using secondary data from Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study at the Cooper Institute, Dallas, Texas, the author explored the association between serum ferritin levels and diabetes, CRF and diabetes, and the effect of CRF on the association between serum ferritin levels and diabetes. A cross-sectional study and a longitudinal cohort study were used. In the cross-sectional study, an increased CRF level found to be associated with a decreased serum ferritin concentration and a lowered prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Participants with high ferritin levels and high triglyceride levels were 1.89 and 1.57 times more likely to have diabetes respectively. Overweight or obese individuals were 1.35 to 1.40 times more likely to have diabetes. Participants with a family history of diabetes were 3.69 times more likely to have diabetes. Participants in the highest CRF quintile levels were 40% and 15% less likely to have type 2 diabetes among persons with normal and high blood glucose, respectively. In the prospective cohort study, it was found that serum ferritin might predict the development of type 2 diabetes in males and high serum ferritin concentration levels. The incidence rate among males increased with serum ferritin quartile (ptrend [less than] 0.05). A reduction of serum ferritin concentration was associated with a reduction of diabetes risk in those participating in physical activity. It suggests physicians might use patients' serum ferritin concentrations as a marker for predicting risk for new-onset diabetes and patients should be encouraged to participate in physical activities.Item EGCG and Its Role in Prostate Cancer Angiogenesis(2005-05-01) Thomas, Rusha; Porunelloor Mathew; Ming-Chi Wu; Dan DimitrijevichThomas, Rusha, EGCG and its role in prostate cancer angiogenesis. Master of Science (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), May 2005, 47 pages, 14 illustrations, reference list, 44 titles. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)-mediated upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in angiogenesis associated with malignancies. HIF-1 consists of a constitutively expressed HIF-1β subunit, and a hypoxia-inducible HIF-1α subunit. Hypoxic induction of HIF-1α correlates with increased transcriptional activation of its downstream target genes, including VEGF. Epidemiologic and laboratory studies indicate that green tea has cancer preventive activity which has been attributed to its polyphenol components, the major one being epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This study investigated the effect of EGCG on normoxic VEGF expression in PC-3ML human prostate cancer cells. In contrast to previous studies where EGCG inhibited VEGF expression in breast and colon cancer cell lines, our results demonstrated that EGCG has the ability to upregulate HIF-1α transcription factor via inhibition of prolyl hydroxylation and subsequent von Hippel-Lindau protein interaction. HIF-1α upregulation by EGCG led to increased VEGF promoter activity and protein expression.Item Endurox R4® & Gatorade®: Effects of Recovery Drinks After Prolonged Glycogen-Depleting Exercise(1999-06-01) Williams, Michael Brandon; Raven, Peter B.; Smith, Michael; Shi, XiangrongWilliams, Michael B., Endurox R4® & Gatorade®: Effects of Recovery Drinks After Prolonged Glycogen-Depletion Exercise. Master of Science (Biomedical Sciences, Integrative Physiology), June, 1999, 73 pp., 2 tables, 18 figures, references. Purpose: Eight high-fit (bicycle Vo2max=62.4 ± 1.10 ml·kg-1·min-1) male cyclists, aged 28.4±1.65 yrs, performed a two-hour endurance bicycle exercise to achieve depletion of skeletal muscle and liver glycogen. During recovery, Endurox R4 Recovery Drink®, or Gatorade®, was ingested to investigate their relative restorative capacities to enable further exercise. Methods: Each subject performed two days of testing: one for each drink presented in random order. On each testing day, the twelve-hour fasted subject performed a two-hour cycling exercise bout at 75% VO2max followed by one to three five-minute sprints at 85% VO2max. At the end of the exercise blood glucose concentrations were 3.98±0.138 mmol/L. A four hour recovery period ensued in which the subject was given 24-ounces of the recovery drink. A performance test at 85% VO2max to exhaustion was then conducted. Ventilatory responses were collected breath-to-breath, while venous blood samples were measured for oxidation products, glucose and insulin concentrations. Results: The recovery phase showed significant increases in both plasma glucose and serum insulin following Endurox R4 Recovery Drink® ingestion as compared to Gatorade®. There was a significant increase in time to exhaustion (+55%) following Endurox R4 Recovery Drink® during the performance ride compared to Gatorade®. Final oxidation products following Endurox R4 Recovery Drink® ingestion were significantly decreased as compared to Gatorade® ingestion, in that Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substrates (T-BARS) were significantly decreased. Conclusions: These data indicate that the Endurox R4 Recovery Drink®, when compared to Gatorade®, significantly enhanced recovery from glycogen-depleting exercise. In addition, Endurox R4 Recovery® Drink decreased the formation of final oxidation products, when compared to Gatorade®.Item Enhancing the Care of the Elderly; An Educational Intervention to Improve Nutritional Knowledge of Nursing Home Staff(1998-06-01) Cummings, Dana; Gilbert Ramirez; Claudia Coggin; Antonio ReneCummings, Dana M., Enhancing the Care of Elderly; an Educational Intervention to Improve Nutritional Knowledge of Nursing Home Staff. Master of Public Health, June 1998, 81 p.p., 5 tables, bibliography, 15 titles. Gross deficiencies exist in the quality and quantity of health care personnel taking care of the aged (Hersch, 1989). Eighty to ninety percent of nursing home staff are untrained aides paid the minimum wage to care for one of the sickest and frailest populations in the United States (Patenaude, 1997). The purpose of this study was to determine if short term nutrition education, utilizing principles for adult learners, would result in knowledge improvement in nursing home staff. An interactive, participatory instructional model was implemented into an existing structure of regular staff inservices to answer this question. To test the effectiveness of the intervention a questionnaire was developed using items from previously validated instruments. Using three nursing homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, a total of 157 pre-test and 132 post-test questionnaires were completed. A significant increase in overall knowledge from 80.6% at baseline to 96.1% at post-test was found (p [less than] .001). Participants also showed a significant (p [less than] 0.001) overall increase in knowledge for each of the three learning domains; patient care related to nutrition, food and fluid intake of residents, and eating. These findings suggest that employing short-term education to nursing home staff, using principles for adult learners, can improve nutritional knowledge significantly.Item Role of Adenosine in Acute Hibernation of Guinea-Pig Myocardium(1995-08-01) Gao, Zhi-Ping; H. Fred Downey; James L. Caffrey; Patricia A. GwirtzGao, Zhi-Ping, Role of Adenosine in Acute Hibernation of Guinea-Pig Myocardium Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), August, 1995; 111 pp; 3 tables; 15 figures, bibliography, 158 titles. Myocardial hibernation is a state of depressed contractile function and energy demand during chronic ischemia. When coronary flow is restored, depressed contractile function can partially or completely recover to the pre-ischemic level, and ischemic injury of the myocardium in not evident. This project tested the hypothesis that endogenous adenosine mediates hibernation in guinea-pig myocardium. Isolated working guinea-pig hearts, perfused with glucose fortified Krebs-Henseleit buffer, were subjected to global low-flow ischemia. Left ventricular performance and cytosolic energy level were assessed. Lactate and purine nucleotides were measured in venous effluent. Heart were perfused with [U-14C]glucose to investigate the role of adenosine on glucose metabolism in myocardium. Left ventricular function in untreated hearts decreased by 80% and remained stable during ischemia, and completely recovered upon reperfusion. Neither adenosine receptor blockade with 8-p-sulfophenyl theophylline (8-SPT; 20 μM) nor ecto 5’-nucleotidase inhibitor αβ-methylene adenosine 5’-diphosphonate (AOPCP; 50μM) affected left ventricular function either ischemia or during reperfusion. Cytosolic energy level fell by 67% at 10 min ischemia in untreated hearts, but subsequently recovered to the pre-ischemic level despite continued ischemia. Adenosine receptor blockade increased cytosolic energy level at 10 min ischemia relative to untreated hearts, but blunted the subsequent rebound of phosphorylation potential. Moreover, 8-SPT doubled ischemic lactate release. Adenosine receptor blockade also increased glucose uptake during pre-ischemia and hypoperfusion, but did not stimulate glucose oxidation. Crossover plots of glycolytic intermediates revealed that phosphofructokinase, a key rate-controlling step in glycolysis, was activated by adenosine receptor blockade in both pre-ischemic and hibernating myocardium. We conclude that 1) activation of adenosine receptors results in recovery of cytosolic energy level of moderately ischemic working myocardium, but this energetic recover is not solely responsible for post-ischemic contractile recovery; 2) endogenous adenosine attenuates anaerobic glycolysis during myocardial hibernation by blunting phosphofructokinase activity.Item Street, E. Bruce, Sr.(1989-03-16) Street, E. Bruce; Stokes, C. RayMr. Street, a member of the UNT/TCOM Board of Regents since 1975 and a recipient of the TCOM Founders Medal in 1981, shares his interest in preventative nutrition. A former mayor and president of the Chamber of Commerce of Graham, Texas, Mr. Street promoted his interest by establishing the annual Roger J. Williams Award in Preventive Nutrition with gift of $50,000. Interviewed by C. Ray Stokes, March 16, 1989Item Synergy 2010: Annual Research Report(2010-01-01)Item The Role of Advanced Glycation End Products in Brain Aging(2007-10-01) Thangthaeng, Nopporn; Michael J. Forster; Tina MachuThangthaeng, Nopporn, The Role of Advanced Glycation End Products in Brain Aging. Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Sciences), October, 2007, 178 pp., 9 tables, 6 figures, bibliography, 213 titles. Glycoxidation is a process of post-translational modification of proteins, involving both glycation and oxidation that ultimately generated advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Glycoxidation, which pay promote oxidative stress and disrupt protein structure and function, is hypothesized to be responsible for pathological conditions related to aging, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and degenerative ophthalmic diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that AGEs accumulate in the brains of aged animals and humans, yet few studies have directly addressed the possibility that AGEs are a cause of age-related brain dysfunction. Therefore, the overall purpose of the present studies was to examine the role AGEs in normal brain again and the associated decline in cognitive and psychomotor function. In order to achieve the goals, two different approaches were taken. The first approach involved (i) determining whether or not AGEs accumulated in different regions of the brain as a function of age and (ii) determining whether these changes were correlated with individual differences in the ability of old mice to perform in tests of cognitive and psychomotor function. Age-associated accumulation of CML, a predominant form of AGEs in vivo, and expression of receptor for AGEs (RAGE) protein, inferred from densitometry quantification of immunoblots in different regions of the brain, were assessed by comparing groups of 8-or 25-month old mice. The 25-month-old mice were administered a series of behavioral tests to assess cognitive and psychomotor function prior to assessment of glycation status. In the second approach, groups of mature (6 mos) and older mice (18 mos) were fed with a control diet or a diet enriched with galactose (49% of caloric content), an intervention that was expected to promote formation of AGEs. The mice were subsequently tested for impairment of their cognitive and psychomotor functions after 8 weeks on the assigned diet. Upon completion of the behavioral tests (after 14 weeks on diet), amounts of CML and RAGE protein were assessed through densitometric analyses of the immunoblots. The main findings from the first approach were that (i) there was a robust increase in CML content and expression of RAGE protein in the aged mouse brain that occurred in a region-specific manner; (ii) the relative amounts of CML and RAGE were not closely associated with the degree of age-related impairment of mice tested for brain function. The main findings from the second approach were that high dietary galactose: (i) failed to induce aged-like behavioral impairments in young/mature mice; (ii) exacerbated age-related impairment of some psychomotor functions and (iii) had no significant effects on glycation status or oxidative damage. Comparison of the experimental outcomes from the first and second approaches was complicated by a difference in the fat content of the diets fed to the mice in the two studies, which had an apparent effect on the amounts of AGEs and protein oxidation present in young mice. However, considering the results of the two studies independently warrants the following conclusions: (i) Amounts of AGEs do not predict individualized brain aging as assessed by neurobehavioral impairment and may instead by largely reflective of chronological age. (ii) Diets enriched with galactose may produce deleterious effects in older mice that do not involve a change in oxidative damage or glycation status. Overall, these studies provide little support for a specific role of glycoxidation in normal brain aging. It is impossible that the extent of accrual of AGEs in the normally aging brain is insufficient to affect cellular function, whereas larger accumulations of AGEs may be associated with various pathological conditions discussed in the literature.