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Nutrition Science

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/10342/39

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    Influence of Glucose Concentration on Macrophage Polarization in vitro
    (2025-05-27) DiAugustine, Hana
    The innate immune response represents a critical piece of overall immunity, driving the immediate reaction to a variety of conserved antigens which are known to cause a multitude of diseases. Central to the innate response are macrophages, a heterogeneous population of monocyte derived immune cells capable of both killing bacteria directly as well as orchestrating a more complex innate and adaptive immune response. Indeed, macrophages provide both inflammatory responses to rid the body of bacteria while also helping to control inflammatory responses through the production of immune regulators such as interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor beta. Growing evidence indicates that environmental factors may influence this balance of inflammatory, or M1 macrophages, and regulator, or M2 macrophages. Intriguingly, the macronutrient fuel source itself powering the macrophage may influence its polarization dynamics. This study will evaluate the impact of glucose concentration on the in vitro polarization of murine macrophages. Given that hyperglycemia is associated, in humans, with chronic low-grade inflammation, it is hypothesized that macrophages cultured in high glucose conditions will present with increased M1 macrophage marker production (e.g. tumor necrosis factor alpha, TNFa; macrophage chemotactic protein 1, MCP-1; inducible nitric oxide synthase, iNOS) upon activation with inflammatory stimuli (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and suppressed M2 (anti-inflammatory) responses following treatment with interleukin 4 (IL4) including decreased mannose receptor expression, interleukin 10 (IL10),and transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) expression. To this end, murine macrophages were cultured in either normal glucose (100 mg/dL) or high glucose (450 mg/dL) in the presence or absence of M1 or M2 activating stimuli (LPS/IFNg or IL4 respectively). Following 3hr of exposure to stimuli, cells were harvested and RNA isolated for quantitative PCR analysis. High glucose conditions enhanced the expression of TNFa and iNOS in response to M1 stimuli when compared to normal glucose conditions. M2 responses were impaired in the high glucose group when compared to normal-glucose conditions as assessed by gene expression for Arginase I and IL10. High glucose alone appears capable of altering macrophage responses, augmenting standard inflammatory reactions to conserved stimuli like LPS while also impairing regulatory, or M2 macrophage development. Therapeutics aimed at limiting M1 responses may prove useful in treating or preventing chronic health conditions associated with diabetes among other disease states.
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    Mediterranean diet may help reduce risk, manage pain of osteoarthritis
    (2024-09-25) Samuel Stafford; Kolasa, Kathryn M.
    This is a weekly Q and A newspaper column under the byline of Dr. Kathy Kolasa. The column highlights the possibility that following a Mediterranean diet may help with the function of joints, reduce pain and prevent osteoarthritis.
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    Eating Smart and Moving More for Head Start: A Pilot Study With Head Start Teachers
    (2021) Stage, Virginia C.; Hegde, Archana V.; Goodell, L Suzanne; Chase, Susan; McDonald, Stephanie
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    Eastern North Carolina Head Start Teachers’ Personal and Professional Experiences with Healthy Eating and Physical Activity: A Qualitative Exploration
    (2021) Stage, Virginia C.; Bayles, Jocelyn; Hegde, Archana V.; Jones, Lorelei; Dev, Dipti A.; Goodell, L. Suzanne
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    Meeting the Challenge of Providing Nutrition Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    (2021) Kolasa, Kathryn M.; Craven, Kay; Nordby, Kelly; Drier, Lindsay; Ascanio, Kathleen; Tant, Robin; Strickland, Ashley; Matarese, Laura; Jennings, Jill; Johnstone, Julia
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    Skin Carotenoid Status Over Time and Differences by Age and Sex Among Head Start Children (3-5 years) Living in Eastern North Carolina
    (2021-02) Burkholder, Sarah; Jilcott Pitts, Stephanie; Wu, Qiang; Bayles, Jocelyn; Baybutt, Richard C.; Stage, Virginia C.
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    Food-Based Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Learning Activities May Reduce Decline in Preschoolers’ Skin Carotenoid Status
    (2021-04) Bayles, Jocelyn; Peterson, Amanda D.; Jilcott Pitts, Stephanie; Burkholder, Sarah; Stage, Virginia C.; Goodell, L. Suzanne; Hegde, Archana V.; Bian, Hui
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    Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Profile Among Australian Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Teenagers
    (2021) Pawlak, Roman; Vos, Paul; Grant, Ross; Bilgin, Ayse A.; Berg, Jade; Pearce, Robyn; Morris, Margaret
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    Link Between Redemption of a Medical Food Pantry Voucher and Reduced Hospital Readmissions
    (2021-05-18) Sastre, Lauren; Wynn, Desiree; Roupe, Melissa; Jacobs, Molly
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    Kathy Kolasa: Start a health lifestyle during National Nutrition Month
    (2022-03-02) Ramirez, Ashley; Kolasa, Kathryn M
    This is a weekly Q and A newspaper column under the byline of Dr. Kathy Kolasa. Today's column is National Nutrition Month 2022
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    Start a healthy life style during National Nutrition Month
    (2022-03-02) Ramirez, Ashley, Kathryn Kolasa
    Newspaper Column
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    Feeding Practices in NC-based Early Head Start Programs among Teachers Serving 12-36mo Children
    (East Carolina University, 2019-07-22) Bullard, Caitlin Elizabeth
    Background: Food behaviors are developed during the first few years of life making caregiver interactions especially important in the formation of healthy food preferences. Limited data exists on caregiver feeding styles and practices who work directly with toddlers 12-36 months. Of particular interest are differences in feeding practices among different ethnicities. Objective: To determine feeding styles of Early Head Start (EHS) teachers in North Carolina (NC) and examine differences in feeding practices by ethnicity. Design: Cross sectional data surveying the feeding practices of EHS teachers Participants/Setting: NC-based EHS teachers recruited throughout the state of NC aged 42.81 ± 12.74 working with toddlers 12-36 months. Main outcome measures: Validated instruments, Caregiver Feeding Style Questionnaire (CFSQ) and Mealtime Verbal Comments Checklist Statistical Analyses: Fisher's Exact Test, Mann-Whitney U Test, Pearson's [chi]^2, and Independent t-tests test were used to determine variations between ethnicities of childcare providers who completed the survey. Results: Teachers were categorized as authoritative (17.19%), authoritarian (34.38%), indulgent (29.69), and uninvolved (18.75%). Feeding styles were not significantly different among African Americans (AA) and White (p=0.33) teachers. However, significant differences were observed between individual items in the CFSQ such as "physically struggle with the child to get him or her to eat" (White [mu]=35.93 and AA [mu]=28.09; p=0.02). Statistical significant differences were also observed between 4 items in the Verbal Comments Checklist such as "when you're playing with your cup, you're showing me you're done" (p=0.045). White teachers were more likely to use both supportive (42.5±6.35) and unsupportive (57.48±6.34) comments during mealtime compared to AA with a mean of 37.24±12.69 for supportive comments and 62.76±12.69 unsupportive comments. Conclusions: Additional research is needed to explore direct observations of teacher-toddler interactions during mealtime to understand ethnic differences between teacher feeding styles.
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    How to Write a Nutrition-Related Children’s Book with Consideration of Child Perceptions
    (East Carolina University, 2018-05-03) Poindexter, Ashley
    This literature review analyzes various peer-reviewed health and psychology journal articles to discover the most effective ways to present information to elementary-aged children in the context of a picture book. Topics discussed include children’s perception of color, shape, and word choice. The goal of this research was to enhance education of children and their families as it pertains to nutrition, diet, and a healthy lifestyle by creating a fun and informative resource. This research was used to create a nutritional children's book about fiber.
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    Scleroderma Defiance: A Practical, Educational and Free Guide for Self-Management of Scleroderma
    (East Carolina University, 2018-05-03) Flanagan, Magen
    Scleroderma is a rare and incurable autoimmune disease characterized by overproduction of collagen, which often leads to organ damage and sclerotic tissue. This health condition affects multiple organ systems and tissues, such as the skin and digestive system. In the United States, it is estimated that 300,000 people suffer from this disease. Being diagnosed with Scleroderma is life changing and often results in feelings of helplessness and depression. Although there is no cure for this disease at this time, those with Scleroderma can slow the disease progression or even achieve a state of remission. For many, the internet is one of the first resources used to gather information regarding a medical diagnosis and disease management. However, online resources for Scleroderma patients are scarce and information regarding lifestyle modification is virtually non-existent. Nutritional counseling with Registered Dietitians (RD) has been shown to improve health outcomes in Scleroderma patients. Unfortunately, people with Scleroderma are rarely referred to RDs for nutritional consultations, which are not covered by medical insurance. Sclerodermadefiance.com is a free, comprehensive, online resource. It is designed to provide information that will help patients to manage Scleroderma symptoms. The goal is to help Sclerodermadefiance.com users improve health and nutritional status by making this comprehensive online research available free of charge.
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    Impaired T cell-mediated hepatitis in peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα)-deficient mice
    (2018-02-15) Hines, Ian N.; Kremer, Michael; Moore, Sherri M.; Wheeler, Michael D.
    Background Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα), a regulator of enzymes involved in β oxidation, has been reported to influence lymphocyte activation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether PPARα plays a role in T cell-mediated hepatitis induced by Concanavalin A (ConA). Methods Wild type (wt) or PPARα-deficient (PPARα−/−) mice were treated with ConA (15 mg/kg) by intravenous injection 0, 10 or 24 h prior to sacrifice and serum and tissue collection for analysis of tissue injury, cytokine response, T cell activation and characterization. Results Ten and 24 h following ConA administration, wt mice had significant liver injury as demonstrated by serum transaminase levels, inflammatory cell infiltrate, hepatocyte apoptosis, and expression of several cytokines including interleukin 4 (IL4) and interferon gamma (IFNγ). In contrast, PPARα−/− mice were protected from ConA-induced liver injury with significant reductions in serum enzyme release, greatly reduced inflammatory cell infiltrate, hepatocellular apoptosis, and IFNγ expression, despite having similar levels of hepatic T cell activation and IL4 expression. This resistance to liver injury was correlated with reduced numbers of hepatic natural killer T (NKT) cells and their in vivo responsiveness to alpha-galactosylceramide. Interestingly, adoptive transfer of either wt or PPARα−/− splenocytes reconstituted ConA liver injury and cytokine production in lymphocyte-deficient, severe combined immunodeficient mice implicating PPARα within the liver, possibly through support of IL15 expression and/or suppression of IL12 production and not the lymphocyte as the key regulator of T cell activity and ConA-induced liver injury. Conclusion Taken together, these data suggest that PPARα within the liver plays an important role in ConA-mediated liver injury through regulation of NKT cell recruitment and/or survival.
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    The Assessment of Muscle Oxygen Saturation in Students During Maximal VO2 Exercise and High Intensity Intervals
    (East Carolina University, 2017-04-28) Simmons, Justin
    The advancement of human performance benefits from state-of-the-art technology to improve the ability to monitor and evaluate physiological adaptations in athletes. Previously validated as a reliable tool for measuring muscle oxygenation, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has evolved into a more portable platform capable of being used in a variety of settings. This has expanded the usefulness of NIRS and created an increase in explorations to evaluate its capabilities and applications in exercise science. With the emergence of new portable devices, the need to assess the capabilities and potential of such exercise tools is important. One such example of a portable NIRS device advertised to athletes and the military is the MOXY monitor. Purpose: To our knowledge, no studies exist that have examined the output produced by the MOXY monitor compared to other more established variables during high intensity intervals. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the output provided by the MOXY monitors (SmO2) by comparing SmO2 to more established exercise variables including VO2, heart rate and blood lactate (BL) to determine if the values agree with physiological expectations. We predicted that the SmO2 would demonstrate an inverse relationship to other measured variables including HR, VO2 and BL. Eg. As SmO2 decreased, HR,VO2 and BL would increase and peak HR,VO2,BL values would coincide with SMO2 troughs. Methods: Six endurance-trained East Carolina University students, aged 21±2 years completed a VO2 max test followed by 6 high-intensity 30-second sprint intervals at 125% of VO2 max wattage on a cycle ergometer. SmO2 was measured using MOXY monitors (Fortiori Design LLC., MN, USA) placed on the quadriceps muscles as well as the left deltoid. HR was monitored using a Garmin FR70 watch (Garmin Ltd., Switzerland) and VO2 obtained using a Parvomedic TrueOne 2400 metabolic cart (Parvo Medics, UT, USA). BL was collected within 5 seconds of the completion of each of the 6 high intensity intervals using a Lactate Plus Meter (Sports Research Group Inc.). SmO2 and VO2 and SmO2 and HR were plotted over time to present a graphical illustration demonstrating the relationships among changes in oxygen saturation and the change with VO2 and HR. BL and SmO2 were presented using tables to display changes in BL and SmO2 as the intervals progressed. Results: All participants had a VO2 max [greater than]30ml/kg/min and no musculoskeletal injuries in the previous 3 months were reported. Body fat percentages were within normal ACSM guidelines and participants reported meeting USDA guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake (Dwyer, 2008, www.choosemyplate.gov). During each of the six intervals, SmO2 was shown to decrease as both VO2 and HR increased. Troughs in SmO2 did not consistently align with peaks in VO2 and HR, as SmO2 tended to reach troughs about 10 seconds after the completion of many intervals. VO2 also demonstrated peaks at 20 and 40-seconds following interval completion. Patterns in BL were unable to be evaluated due to inadequate BL collection. Only two participants had all 6 BL values successfully obtained while another had 5. These participants demonstrated a pattern of increasing with intervals 1-4 followed by a plateau or decline in the final intervals. Conclusion: The findings from this study support the hypothesis that SmO2 would demonstrate an inverse relationship compared to HR and VO2 during high intensity intervals. Eg. As SmO2 decreased during the intervals, both HR and VO2 increased. However, peak HR and VO2 values did not coincide with SmO2 troughs. A delay of about 10 seconds was observed in SmO2 troughs and a 20 to 40-second delay was seen in peak VO2 and HR values. Further research is needed to investigate this finding as it is unclear as to the cause of the delays. Despite previous research showing an inverse relationship among muscle oxygenation and BL, the present study was unable support this relationship as insufficient BL samples were available for evaluation. The results obtained from this study suggests the MOXY monitors may provide reliable output as the inverse relationships among SmO2 and HR and SmO2 and VO2 agree with physiological expectations, despite peaks and troughs not coinciding. Further research will be needed to explore the relationships among these variables and to further assess the MOXY monitor as a tool for exercise training.