Browsing by Subject "nutrition"
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Item A Report with Recommendation Concerning the Management of Proper Nutrition for the Police Officer(Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT), 1994) Hooker, Claude F.Item An assessment of kilocalories and protein in the diets of HIV-infected adults in Kenya(2011-05-15) Elizabeth Mary Vaughan; Victor Cardenas, MD; Harvey Bunce, PhD; Christine Arcari, PhDINTRODUCTION: The detrimental effects of HIV are well known throughout the world. This public health burden is particularly evident in Kenya, Africa, where 6.7% of adults are infected with HIV. One problem of those living with HIV in this resource-poor country is the concurrent existence of malnutrition. Previous investigators undertook many studies to bridge the link between HIV and malnutrition. However, they were unable to gather individual diet information to allow accurate estimation of kilocalorie and protein needs. These deficits hinder accurate dietary interventions for these patients. \r\nMETHODS: Over the period of April 2009 to August 2009, we designed and implemented a dietary instrument (3-day recall survey) to assess the kilocalorie and protein consumption for HIV-infected adults in Kijabe, Kenya. We used this data to compare subject consumption to predicted nutrient needs. We used Harris-Benedict (HB) and Mifflin formulas for kilocalorie need predictions and World Health Organization (WHO) equation for protein need predictions. We then characterized the relationship between dietary intake, BMI and CD4 levels.\r\nRESULTS: A total of 201 patients were surveyed, 122 (60.7% [27% males, 73% females]) met inclusion criteria. There was no statistical difference between HB and Mifflin equations for kilocalories. Males averaged 68.8% (SD 23.3) of estimated kilocalorie requirements (HB) and 100.5% (SD 45.3) of protein. Women averaged 74.4% (SD 24.4) of kilocalorie needs (HB) and 100.5% (SD 42.5) of protein. Differences between genders were not statistically significant (p=0.247 [kilocalorie], p=0.936 [protein]). There was a significant correlation between protein intake and CD4 for males (r=0.7035, p=0.0004) but not for females (r=-0.1911, p=0.1546). There was no statistical significance found between kilocalories (male r=0.104, p=0.654; female r=0.0420, p=0.765) and CD4. No relationship was found between nutrient intake and BMI (male p=0.690; female p=0.477).\r\nCONCLUSIONS: A 3-day recall dietary assessment appears to be an adequate method to obtain dietary information for adult HIV patients in East Africa. Further, we conclude that current predictive formulas for protein underestimate needs in the male HIV population. \r\nItem Calcium balance and bone density in immature horses fed a high protein diet(Texas A&M University, 2006-10-30) Spooner, Holly SueStudies in other species indicate high protein diets increase urinary calcium (Ca) excretion and may lead to negative calcium balance and reduced bone density. As overfeeding of protein is commonplace in the horse industry, this study was undertaken to determine the effects of excess dietary protein on growth, physiologic response, mineral balance, bone density, and bone geometry in immature horses. Sixteen 10-month-old American Quarter Horses were blocked by age and sex into two dietary treatments. The control diet was formulated to provide the NRC (1989) recommended concentration of crude protein, while the high protein diet provided 130% of NRC (1989) recommendations. All other nutrients were formulated at or slightly above NRC (1989) recommendations. Blood samples, feces, and urine were collected during the 116-day study to determine any diet effect on pH and mineral balance. Radiographs were made of the left third metacarpal (MCIII) to determine bone density via radiographic bone aluminum equivalence (RBAE), and bone geometry was determined metrically from the radiographs. Urine pH decreased over time (p < 0.001), but there were no diet effects on blood pH or urine pH. Conversely, when normalized to day 0 values, fecal pH was reduced by feeding the high protein treatment (p < 0.02). Density of dorsal and palmar cortices increased over time (p < 0.001), but no differences were observed between diets. But, normalized total medial-lateral (ML) width of the MCIII was higher in the control diet (p < 0.05). Fecal Ca loss was greater in horses fed the high protein diet (p < 0.005), while Ca absorption and retention were lower for horses on the high protein treatment (p < 0.02). Phosphorus (P) balance was not different between diets, although feeding the high protein diet resulted in higher P intake overall (p < 0.001). While excess dietary protein may decrease fecal pH, increase fecal Ca excretion, and decrease Ca absorption and retention, there was no consistent effect of the high protein diet on bone density over the course of this study. Further research is necessary to determine if feeding high-protein diets is detrimental to bone quality in the growing horse.Item Changes in Obesity-related Food Behavior: A Nutrition Education Intervention to Change Attitudes and Other Factors Associated with Food-related Intentions in Adolescents: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior(2011-08-08) Carson, Diane E.This research examines the effect of a nutrition education intervention to change attitudes and other factors associated with eating breakfast and consuming low-fat dairy and whole-grains. Adolescents (n = 106) 11 to 15 years old were recruited from afterschool programs in Los Angeles County, California. Participants in the treatment group (n = 57) met once weekly for 60 minutes during seven weeks. The curriculum focused on changing attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control toward eating breakfast along with including low-fat dairy and whole grains. The first three lessons focused on basic nutrition concepts. The later lessons focused on identifying barriers and overcoming barriers, goal-setting, and identifying methods to stay motivated. Questionnaires were administered at baseline and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using SAS statistical analysis program (v. 9.2). Eighty-eight percent of participants were Hispanic, 55% were girls, and mean age was 12 years. One-hundred six adolescents completed the questionnaire at baseline and 75 completed it at post-intervention. Cronbach alpha statistic for subjective norms and attitudes toward eating breakfast, consuming low-fat dairy and whole-grains were 0.67 and higher for each dependant variable. Intention was significantly predicted by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control; however, as these models do not differentiate change, additional models were run with interactions between group (treatment versus control) and the change variables. Significant changes in perceived behavioral control were observed among participants in the treatment group regarding drinking skim milk, 1% milk, and 2% milk respectively (p < .05; p < .001; p < .001) and attitude (p < .05). No change was observed in breakfast eating or consumption of wholegrainsItem Comparison of the Efficacy of Popular Weight Loss Programs in Sedentary Overweight Women(2014-08-06) Baetge, ClaireThis study compared the efficacy of the Curves? Complete 90-day Challenge (CC), Weight Watchers? Points Plus (WW), Jenny Craig? At Home (JC), and Nutrisystem? Advance Select? (NS) on weight loss, body composition and/or markers of health and fitness in sedentary overweight women. One hundred thirty-three women (47?11 yr, 86?14 kg, 46?5%, 35.4?6 kg/m2) were randomized into CC (n=29), WW (n=29), JC (n=27), NS (n=28), or control (n=20) for 12-wks. Self-recorded food logs (4-d), International Physical Activity Questionnaires, weight, resting energy expenditure (REE), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, anthropometrics, and fasting blood samples were obtained at 0, 4, 8, & 12 wks. Peak aerobic capacity and muscular strength were measured at 0 and 12 wks. Data were analyzed by ANOVA or MANOVA with repeated measures. Average energy intake was 1,403?427 kcal/day with no differences among groups. CC was the only group with an increase in protein (0.15?0.30, p=0.039) combined with a reduction in carbohydrate (-0.63?0.95 g/kg/day, p=0.005) intake. CC was the only group with a significant increase in total physical activity (3,801?8,668 MET-min/wk, p=0.012) through week 8. All diet groups experienced a decrease in weight (-4.0?4.2 kg, p<0.001), body mass index (-4.0?2.1 kg/m2, p<0.001), waist circumference (-2.7?5.9, p<0.001), and hip circumference (-3.4?4.4 cm, p<0.001), and all maintained REE (0.09?2.0 kcal/kg/day, p=0.008). CC had the greatest decrease in fat mass (-3.8?4.0 kg, p<0.001) and body fat % (-2.7?3.4%, p<0.001) and was the only group that maintained fat-free mass (-0.19?2.00 kg, p=0.631). All groups, except WW, had a decrease in resting heart (-3.0?9.8 bpm, p<0.001). CC was the only group with a decrease in systolic (-7.6?14.2, p=0.002) and diastolic blood pressure (-3.6?7.3 mmHg, p=0.045). CC had the greatest increase in peak aerobic capacity (2.5?2.9 ml/kg/min, p<0.001) and was the only diet group that increased in lower (15.0?21.9 p=0.001) and upper body (8.7?12.5% p=0.001) strength. CC trended toward a decrease in total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (-4.9?11.3%, p=0.053). Though all diet groups lost weight and had improvements in anthropometrics, CC experienced greater improvements in body composition, blood pressure, peak aerobic capacity, and muscular strength and trended toward improvements in blood lipid ratios.Item Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids modify plasma lipids and red blood cell membrane composition but do not induce ∆6 desaturase mediated conversions in the domestic feline(2009-05-15) McClure, Melena KathleenThis study explored the effects of dietary unsaturated fatty acids on feline lipid metabolism. It was hypothesized that high dietary linoleic acid (18:2n-6, LA) would enhance conversion to arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), enrichment of dietary long chain n-3 FA (LCn-3FA) would affect lipid parameters, and n-3 FAs incorporation may blunt n-6 FA incorporation. Twenty-nine cats were randomized into groups (n = 9, 10, 10), and fed for 28 days with blood collections on days 0, 14, and 28. Experimental diets consisted of a commercial diet, supplemented with 8g oil/100g kibble. Oil supplements and subsequent diets were: high-oleic sunflower (H diet) with 82% oleic acid (18:1n-9), Menhaden fish (M diet) with LCn-3FA, and safflower (S diet) with 75% 18:2n-6. Dietary 20:4n-6 content was: 0.03 for H and S, and 0.09 for M (g FA/kg diet). Nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), lipoproteincholesterol (LP-C), plasma phospholipid (PL) FAs, red blood cell membrane (RBC) FAs, and ?5 and ?6 desaturase indices were measured. Statistical analyses were performed with SAS PROC MIXED with p < 0.05 determining significance. Neither TC nor NEFA showed significant effects. Diet M resulted in significant TG lowering, despite typically low feline TGs. Similarly, pre-? LP-C (i.e. TG-rich VLDL) was decreased in diet M. Plasma PL FAs revealed significant accumulations of the following: 18:1n-9 in diet H, 18:2n-6 in diet S, and LCn-3FA in diet M. Despite high dietary 18:2n-6, plasma PL 20:4n-6 was not increased in diet S over diets H or M. Increased docosadienoic acid (20:2n-6) in diet S demonstrated that 18:2n-6 chain elongation occurred in deference to its ?6 desaturation further substantiating low feline ?6 desaturase activity. Interestingly, no diet M blunting of 20:4n-6 incorporation occurred because fish oil supplementation provided additional 20:4n-6. Tissue 20:4n-6 content appears to be diet-dependent. Accumulation of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), but low affinity for docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) occurred in diet M RBC membranes. After 28 days, plasma PLs reflect dietary intake more readily than RBC membranes. Fish oil supplementation resulted in plasma PL LCn-3FA enrichment and lowered plasma TG concentrations, both of which may have physiological significance in cats.Item Effects of Compensatory Gain on Success of a 7-day Co-Sync+CIDR Artificial Insemination Protocol in Beef HeifersHughes, Kaitlyn; Runyan, Chase A; Scott, Cody B; Salisbury, Micheal W; Muelsch, Elisabeth-ChristineAngus heifers born in the spring of 2014 (n=38) were used to evaluate the effects of compensatory gain on the pregnancy status using a 7-day Co-Sync+CIDR® estrous synchronization protocol followed by a fixed-timed artificial insemination (FTAI) procedure. The heifers that were kept at the Management Instruction and Research Center (MIR group) were managed to a limited level of nutrient availability and experienced limited growth rate after weaning. Then the MIR group was placed in feeding pens to obtain an accelerated rate of gain to capture the compensatory gain phenomenon. Heifers concurrently managed at a collaborator herd in Fredericksburg (FRED group) were allowed access to oat forage, self-limiting supplementation, and free choice sorghum hay through the entirety of the project to suffice nutrient demands, not limiting growth rate. It was observed that even though differences in growth rate were significant, there was no difference in the pregnancy status from the FTAI.Item Effects of Dietary Magnesium Status on Indices of Muscular Dysfunction in Exercising Horses(2011-02-22) Kurtz, Cassidy A.Throughout the performance horse industry, the occurance of various muscle disorders is common and can be detrimental to the performance and longevity of equine athletes. Research has revealed effects of diet manipulation, exercise, and electrolyte supplementation on the symptoms and occurrence of disorders like exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER). However, there has been no investigation on effects of Mg on muscle function in horses during exercise. Six Quarter Horse mares were used to study the effects of varying levels of Mg on indices of muscular dysfunction during a standardized exercise test (SET) on a highspeed treadmill. Three rations were used over three 28 d periods: control (Trt 1), low Mg (Trt 2), and high Mg (Trt 3). A baseline SET was conducted prior to day 0 (Trt 0). Blood samples were taken during the SET at rest, immediately post, 1 h, 6 h, and 24 h post exercise for analyses of serum muscle enzymes and Mg concentrations. Heart rates (HR), respiration rates (RR), and rectal temperatures (RT) also were documented. No effect of Trt was observed on HR or RR at any point throughout the SET. Resting RT?s were lowest in Trt 0 (P<0.05). There was no Trt effect on blood lactate (LA) during the SET; however, blood glucose (GLU) at rest in Trt 2 was lower than Trt 0 (P<0.05). Treatment had an effect on both resting serum creatine phosphokinase (CK), as Trt 3 was higher than Trt 0, and the change in CK from rest to 24 h post SET, where Trt 1 exhibited the greatest increase in CK concentration (P<0.05). Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were not affected by Trt (P>0.05). Serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) at rest and 6 h post exercise was lower in Trt 2 than in Trt 3 (P<0.05). Additionally, serum P was lowest at rest in Trt 0 and highest 6 h post exercise in Trt 3, also varying within each Trt. Average daily intake (ADI) of Mg was higher in Trt 1 and 3 than in Trt 2 (P<0.05). Finally, at rest, immediately post and 24 h post exercise, serum Mg was highest in Trt 3 (P<0.05). Results suggest there is an effect of dietary Mg on serum muscle enzyme and Mg concentrations and potentially, overall performance in the equine athlete.Item Effects of Higher Carbohydrate or Higher Protein Diets with Exercise on Individual Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Women(2014-03-18) Lockard, BrittanieThe purpose of this analysis was to determine whether following a higher protein (HP) diet for 10-weeks promotes a reduction of MetS and the individual NCEP ATP III MetS risk factors better than a higher carbohydrate (HC) diet, when combined with an exercise program. 633 women (age 46.2?11.4 yrs, height 163?7 cm, weight 92.7?18 kg, BMI 34.8?6 kg/m^(2)) were assigned either a HP or HC diet in conjunction with 30 minutes of circuit-style exercise 3x/wk for 10-weeks. Participants consumed 1,425?355 kcal/day while the HP group (N=371) consumed 1.14?0.5, 1.41?0.7, and 0.63?0.3 g/kg/d CHO, PRO, fat and the HC group (N=292) consumed 0.78?0.3, 2.20?0.7, and 0.60?0.2 g/kg/d. Participants were retrospectively categorized as apparently healthy (N=377) or metabolic syndrome (?3 MetS risk factors, N=286). Body composition, anthropometrics, resting energy expenditure, lipid profiles, markers of glucose homeostasis, and fitness parameters were assessed at 0 and 10 weeks. Data were analyzed using ANOVA or MANOVA for repeated measures. The HP group experienced a greater decrease in scanned mass (HP -3.9?3.5, HC -3.0?3.5 kg, p=0.002), fat mass (HP-3.1?2.7, HC -2.4?2.8 kg, p=0.003), weight (HP -4.3?3.6, HC -3.2?3.4 kg, p<0.001), and body mass index (HP -1.6?1.3, HC -1.2?1.3 kg/m^(2), p<0.001), and tended to experience a greater decrease in waist circumference (HP -4.0?5.7, HC -3.2?5.7 cm, p=0.07). Individuals with MetS experienced greater decreases in weight (AH -3.6?3.4, MS -4.2?3.6 kg, p=0.054), body mass index (AH -1.3?1.3, MS -1.6?1.3 kg/m2, p=0.046), systolic blood pressure (AH -0.5?13.3, MS -5.9?16.0 mmHg, p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (AH -0.4?8.9, MS -4.1?10.5 mmHg, p<0.001), triglycerides (AH -0.00?0.47, -0.23?0.73 mmol/L, p<0.001), and glucose (AH +0.01?0.73, MS -0.24?1.19 mmol/L, p=0.001) and a trend towards a greater decrease in scanned mass (AH -3.3?3.5, MS -3.8?3.5 kg, p=0.07) and lean mass (AH -0.56?2.0, MS -0.89?2.0 kg, p=0.07). Results indicate that participants following the HP diet experienced more favorable changes in body composition and triglyceride levels, and that participants with MetS have greater room for improving markers of health on a diet and exercise protocol.Item Effects of prebiotics on growth performance, nutrient utilization and the gastrointestinal tract microbial community of hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis) and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)(2009-05-15) Burr, Gary StephenA series of experiments examined the effects of four potential prebiotics-- GroBiotic?-A (a mixture of partially autolyzed brewers yeast, dairy components and dried fermentation products), mannanoligosaccharide (MOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), and inulin/ fructooligosaccharide (FOS)--on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?s microbial community in hybrid striped bass and red drum. The first in vitro experiment applied denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to examine responses of red drum GI tract microbiota to anaerobic incubation with brewers yeast, FOS, and GroBiotic?-A. Brewers yeast and GroBiotic?-A produced unique microbial communities compared to that associated with the basal diet. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles did not differ among treatments, with acetate being the major fermentation product. A second in vitro experiment examined effects of GroBiotic?-A, MOS, GOS, and FOS on the GI tract microbiota of hybrid striped bass. None of the prebiotics altered the culturable microbial community, but all tended to lower acetate production and increase butyrate production. A third experiment examined the effects of the four prebiotics fed to juvenile hybrid striped bass for 8 weeks. Growth, feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were not affected by the different prebiotics, but the GI tract?s microbial community was altered from that associated with the basal diet. The fourth experiment consisted of an 8-week feeding trial and one 6-week feeding trial in which the effects of GroBiotic?-A and FOS on growth performance and microbial community composition were compared for red drum living in independent tanks versus tanks with a shared water system. Neither the intestinal microbial community nor growth performance were significantly altered by the prebiotics in these trials; fish in independent and shared water tanks produced similar results. The final experiment examined the effects of GroBiotic?-A, FOS, MOS and GOS on nutrient and energy digestibility of sub-adult red drum fed diets containing fish meal and soybean meal. The prebiotics generally increased protein, organic matter, and energy digestibility, with the exception of FOS/inulin. Lipid digestibility was decreased by GOS, MOS and FOS. These studies are the first to establish that prebiotics can alter the GI tract microbial community of these fish and influence nutrient digestibility.Item Environmental Health Education in Underserved Hispanic Communities(2013-12-12) Ross, Jennifer AnnThe focus of this study was to use environmental health education to improve topic-specific health literacy in two underserved Hispanic communities, Webb County and San Antonio. Hispanic communities may have disparities in income, health care, pesticide use, and access to health information when compared to non-Hispanic communities. The education intervention topics, pesticides and nutrition, were topics of relevance to participants in these communities. Promotoras delivered the health education interventions and assessments. Assessments of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were given to participants prior to, immediately after, and several months after the health education intervention. These repeated measures assessed change and persistence of change following the message. Paired t-tests, McNemar?s chi square, and Wilcoxon sign rank test were used to assess significance of change in the repeated measures. Between-community differences were assessed with Wilcoxon rank sum tests. One community, San Antonio, was in an urban setting, while the other community in Webb County was functionally rural despite the location near Laredo. The demographics of the participants from the two study communities were very similar in gender, country of origin, education status, employment status of self and spouse, and language. Participants in the two study communities reported similar pests, household pesticide use, continuing pest problems, planned household pesticide use, and past use of illegal pesticides. In Webb County, the mean summed pesticide knowledge pre-test score was 13.68 (98.33% CI: 13.24, 14.13). The summed knowledge scores for the knowledge assessment after the module were 15.92 (98.33% CI: 15.58, 16.25) in Webb County and 15.36 (98.33% CI: 14.90, 15.82) in San Antonio. There were also statistically significant changes in some attitudes and behaviors regarding pesticides in both communities; however, the communities had different baseline attitudes and behaviors. For the nutrition intervention in San Antonio there was an increase of 0.92 (98.33% CI: 0.28, 1.56) points between the pre-test and immediate post-test, an almost 10% increase in the mean participant score following the module. Between the pre-test and three month post-test, there was a 0.54 (98.33%CI: -0.21, 1.28) point increase in mean knowledge score on the three month post-test when compared to the pre-test. The results suggest that pesticide health education can change attitudes and behaviors regarding pesticides. The nutrition module resulted in significant immediate changes in knowledge, but not in the long-term. However, there were long-term changes in some attitudes and behaviors following the nutrition module. Additionally, the Webb County pesticide intervention results suggest that even with linguistically and culturally appropriate promotora driven interventions, evaluation and education modules should be developed taking into account the baseline knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the community.Item Evaluation of amino acid supplementation of soybean-meal-based diets for hybrid striped bass(2009-05-15) Savolainen, Lea ChristineHybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis) aquaculture is a major commercial enterprise in the United States and internationally. Efforts to decrease diet costs and limit dependence on fishmeal, have led to the development of plant-based diets as an alternative aquafeed. Due to limiting concentrations of amino acids such as methionine, cystine, and taurine in plant meals such as soybean meal, supplementation of these plant-based diets with methionine or other sulfur amino acid compounds is typically required. Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate different amino acid supplements in soybean-meal-based diets for hybrid striped bass for possible refinement of diets and reduction of production costs. One feeding trial evaluated methionine hydroxy analog (MHA) and Mintrex? which is MHA containing chelated zinc relative to L-methionine. The second trial evaluated the effects of supplemental taurine or arginine on fish performance and potential health benefits. In the first feeding trial, a basal soybean-meal-based diet (56% soybean meal and 15% fishmeal) marginally deficient in total sulfur amino acids (TSSA) (1.10% methionine and cystine) was supplemented with either L-methionine, Mintrex? or MHA calcium salt and fed to triplicate groups of juvenile hybrid striped bass for 10 weeks. The different methionine supplements provided similar weight gain, feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) values that tended to be greater than observed in fish fed the basal diet. Mintrex? supplementation provided much higher plasma zinc concentrations compared to fish fed the other methionine supplements. In the second feeding trial, soybean-meal based diets which satisfied the requirement for TSAA were supplemented with either taurine or arginine at 1.5% of dry weight. Supplemental taurine or arginine did not provide any improvements in weight gain, FER, PER or survival compared to the basal diet. Thus, taurine or arginine supplementation of soybean-meal-based diets does not appear warranted. However, sulfur amino acid supplementation of plant-based diets is critical, and Mintrex? appears to be an effective supplement to meet the methionine and zinc needs of hybrid striped bass.Item Evaluation of Elevated Dietary Iron and Aluminum on Growth and Survival of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei(2013-11-19) Morgan, Jessica LeAnneThe need to identify economical applications for the co-products of algal biofuel has led to the evaluation of these co-products as feedstuffs in aquaculture feeds. However, the flocculation of algae often results in co-products with high levels of iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al). Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of high levels of dietary Fe and Al on Litopenaeus vannamei. For the first experiment, a semi-purified basal diet was evaluated using ten diets containing graded levels of either Fe or Al at 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 3,000 mg/kg diet over a 30-day period. In the second experiment, 12 diets with either Fe inclusions of 1,650, 3,260, 4,910, 6,640, 8,290 or 10,044 mg/kg diet or Al inclusions of 670, 1,330, 2,000, 2,702, 3,370, or 4,050 mg/kg diet were evaluated over a 42-day period. The experiments were conducted with post-larval shrimp in 24-L aquaria using a flow-through system. Dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity were monitored daily. Automatic feeders distributed diet 15 times daily based on an estimated average growth curve for the duration of both experiments. Feces, molts and uneaten feed were siphoned daily. Survival was not affected in either experiment by the dietary treatments. In the first experiment, growth and biomass increased with each level of supplemental Fe and Al to the 1,000 mg/kg inclusion. At 2,000 mg/kg inclusion of either Fe or Al, growth and biomass decreased significantly. In the second experiment, growth and biomass significantly decreased with increasing inclusion of either mineral (P<0.0001). In both experiments, body tissues were analyzed to determine mineral retention. In the first experiment, tail muscle and whole-body Fe and Al tissue levels did not increase. However, hepatopancreactic levels significantly increased with increasing dietary levels of both Fe and Al. In the second experiment, retention in tail muscle and combined head and carapace tissues increased significantly with increasing dietary inclusion levels of both Fe and Al. Based on data from these experiments, relatively high levels of less than 10,000 mg/kg of Fe and Al in co-products are safe assuming a dietary inclusion level of 10% of the co-product.Item Evaluation of Seafood Processing Wastes in Prepared Feeds for Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)(2012-07-16) Pernu, Benjamin MarkHigh feed costs and increasing demand for fishmeal have intensified the search for alternative protein sources which are needed to allow world aquaculture to continue expanding. A severely underused marine resource is processing wastes of various types of seafood, which are often disposed of at great cost. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate three different types of seafood processing wastes as potential feed ingredients for the red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). The three processing wastes evaluated were heads and shells from Penaeid shrimp, and viscera and skeletal remains from filleted black drum (Pogonias cromis) and channel catfish (Ictaluras punctatus). These wastes were blended with soybean meal in a 40:60 ratio, dry extruded and dried to produce stable ingredients. All three byproduct meals produced had crude protein levels ranging from 45 to 50 percent. Two feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the different processing waste byproduct meals in comparison to menhaden fishmeal. A digestibility trial was conducted with sub-adult red drum which led to the computation of apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for organic matter, protein, lipid and energy for each of the byproduct meals. Each byproduct meal had relatively high ADC values that were generally similar to those of menhaden fishmeal. A comparative growth trial with red drum was then conducted in which experimental diets were formulated with the three byproduct meals replacing menhaden fishmeal on an equal-digestible-protein basis at levels of 65 percent, 80 percent, or 95 percent. Juvenile red drum were fed the various diets for 8 weeks in a brackish (6 plus/minus 1 ppt) water recirculating system after which weight gain, survival, feed efficiency, as well as whole-body proximate composition and condition indices were measured. All three of the byproduct meals could replace up to 65 percent of the protein provided by fishmeal without adversely affecting performance of red drum. However, the shrimp byproduct consistently provided the highest performance values at 80 percent replacement. The catfish byproduct yielded the lowest fish performance at all levels. This study indicates that dry extrusion of seafood processing wastes can be used to replace a considerable amount of fishmeal in feeds for red drum.Item Insights on Psittacine Nutrition through the Study of Free-living Chicks(2012-07-16) Cornejo, JuanThe Psittacidae is one of the most endangered families of birds in the world. Knowledge of its nutrition is important for understanding their survival and productivity in the wild, as well as for their adequate husbandry in captivity. Hand-rearing is a common practice for this group. However, research on their requirements is limited. Analysis of the crop content of chicks can provide new insights into psittacine nutrition, but it is limited by the small sizes of samples which can be obtained. We sampled the crops from free-living chicks of scarlet macaws and red-and-green macaws from southeastern Peru, Cuban parrots from the Bahamas, lilac-crowned parrots from northwestern Mexico, and thick-billed parrots from northern Mexico. The predicted metabolizable energy, protein, fat, minerals, profile of essential amino acids and profile of fatty acids of the crop samples, as well as from 15 commercial hand-rearing formulas, were analyzed and contrasted. Near Infrared Spectroscopy was shown to be a valid technique for the nondestructive, low cost prediction of a variety of nutritional attributes of crop samples as small as 0.5 g dry weight, expanding the possibilities of wild animal nutrition research. The diets of the five studied species presented remarkable similarities and common patterns. The predicted dietary metabolizable energy and fat concentrations were particularly similar among species, the thick-billed parrot being the one with the most unique nutrient profile. The fatty acid profile of the crop contents differed markedly among genera, with the thick-billed parrot closer to the macaws than to the parrots. In comparison with the crop samples, the hand feeding formulas presented lower fat, Mg, arginine, and valine concentrations. The wide variation in nutrients suggests that there is not yet a consensus among manufacturers concerning the correct nutrition for growing psittacines. It is suggested that a single formulation could be used to hand-rear macaws and parrots from half its nesting time to fledging, and further research should focus on their nutrition during the first half. Our results suggest that manufacturers should evaluate if increasing the concentrations of crude fat, Mg, arginine, and valine in commercial formulas enhances psittacine chick growth and health.Item Investigating and Refining Roles: Health Educators' Preparation and Competency for Delivering Nutrition Education(2012-10-19) Ettienne-Gittens, ReynoletteThis dissertation presents four studies designed to investigate and provide evidence based insight into the preparation of health educators in the science and practice of nutrition. A mixed methods approach was utilized for this research. First, a review of the current literature will be presented discussing (a) what other authors have written regarding nutrition education for allied health professionals, and (b) the availability of research advocating for nutrition education for health educators. Also included is the review of twenty-three (23) articles addressing how researchers conceptualize nutrition, and their rationale for nutrition's inclusion into the respective allied health discipline's curriculum. Secondly, an analysis of the health education curriculum of a professional health program is presented. With the use of an availability scale, the university's most recent catalogue as well as the curriculum of the health degree was analyzed. The health program was also assessed for the presence of nutrition credentialed faculty and the presence of nutrition requirements and electives. Thirdly, the development and administration of an instrument to test the nutrition, nutrition education and health education knowledge of a sample of health and nutrition students will be discussed. The self-administered instrument was developed by the author. The final sample (n=123) comprised a purposeful set of students all currently enrolled at Texas A & M University, College Station, TX. The student's final scores on the instrument were assessed based on major, classification and by whether they had pursued a nutrition course during their undergraduate tenure. Lastly, a qualitative examination of health educators with the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential will be presented. Employing a naturalistic approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted. The final sample comprised four (4) persons. Health educators provided narratives related to their prior experiences in nutrition and their perceived competency in delivering nutrition education. Prior to this study, scientific literature has been deafeningly silent on nutrition and the health educator, the ability of health educators to deliver nutrition education, as well as the advocacy of nutrition for the profession. Thus, this study represents the first step towards addressing the limitations associated with the role of nutrition educator and filling the theoretical gaps.Item Lipid Metabolism, Learning Ability and Potential Biomarkers for Atherosclerosis in Monk Parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) Fed N-3 Fatty Acids(2012-07-16) Petzinger, ChristinaAtherosclerosis, an inflammatory disease characterized by plaque formation in the arteries, commonly occurs in mammals, including humans, and some avian species. Polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce known mammalian risk factors associated with the development of atherosclerosis in mammals. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have also been linked to improving retinal, neurological, and brain development and functioning. In order to assess the effects of n-3 PUFA on potential risk factors for atherosclerosis in avian species and learning ability, a series of studies were conducted in Monk parrots: 1) alterations comparing a high linoleic acid diet with -linolenic acid (ALA) diet on lipid metabolism, fatty acid conversions, and lipoproteins, 2) the dose response of ALA and comparison with a high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) diet on lipid metabolism, fatty acid conversions, and markers of oxidation, 3) the effect of a high DHA diet on learning ability, and 4) assessment of growing energy requirement estimations to improve adult health. Monk parrots were able to convert ALA to DHA and also retro-convert DHA/docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Feeding Monk parrots a high ALA diet resulted in a shift in the peak density of the high-density lipoproteins after 70 days. Decreased superoxide dismutase and increased malondialdehyde were observed by day 63 regardless of dietary n-3 PUFA levels or source. Higher plasma phospholipid DHA levels at day 28 were obtained when n-3 PUFA were provided in the diet as DHA rather than ALA (at equivalent amounts). Total plasma cholesterol, free cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations were not altered by increasing dietary n-3 PUFA. An effect of DHA on learning ability could not be concluded due to decreased power from adjusting for an age effect. Additionally, the growing energy needs for Monk parrots through day 23 after hatching were estimated and, unlike previous general equations, accounted for changes in growth energy requirements. These closer energy estimations that accounted for growth energy variations will hopefully prevent negative fluctuations in growth rate which were observed in the study and prevent obese fledgling and young adult birds. In conclusion, Monk parrots are able to benefit from dietary n-3 PUFA provided as either ALA or DHA. Although, dietary DHA may provide more protection against the development of atherosclerosis due to its higher accumulation into plasma phospholipids and retro-conversion to EPA. However, caution should be used when feeding PUFA, as they increase oxidation in the body. While many risk factors for atherosclerosis have been determined in humans and other mammals, some of these do not appear to hold for Monk parrots and possibly other avian species prone to atherosclerosis.Item n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Suppress Mitochondrial Translocation to the Immunological Synapse and Modulate Calcium Signaling in T Cells(2011-02-22) Yog, RajeshwariT helper (Th) cell activation is necessary for the adaptive immune response. Formation of an immunological synapse (IS) between Th cells and antigen-presenting cells is the first step in Th cell activation. In vitro studies indicate that formation of the IS induces cytoskeleton-dependent mitochondrial redistribution to the immediate vicinity of the IS. This redistribution of mitochondria to the IS in T cells is necessary to maintain Ca2 influx across the plasma membrane and Ca2 -dependent Th cell activation. Earlier studies have demonstrated that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) suppress the localization and activation of signaling proteins at the IS. Therefore, we hypothesized that n-3 PUFA suppress CD4 T cell mitochondrial translocation during the early stages of IS formation and down-modulate Ca2 dependent Th cell activation. CD4 cells derived from fat-1 mice, a transgenic model that synthesizes n-3 PUFA from n-6 PUFA, were co-cultured with anti-CD3-expressing hybridoma cells (145-2C11) for 15 min at 37 degrees C, and mitochondrial translocation to the IS was assessed by confocal microscopy. fat-1 mice exhibited a significantly (P< 0.05) reduced percentage of CD4 T cells with mitochondria which translocated to the IS; fat-1 (30 percent) versus wild type control (82 percent). With respect to an effect on the mitochondrial-to-cytosolic Ca2 ratio, wild type cells showed significant increases at the IS (71 percent) and total cell (60 percent) within 30 min of IS formation. In contrast, fat-1 CD4 T cells remained at basal levels following the IS formation. A similar blunting of the mitochondrial-to-cytosolic Ca2 ratio was observed in wild type cells co-incubated with inhibitors of the mitochondrial uniporter, RU360 or calcium release-activated Ca2 (CRAC) channels, BTP2. Together, these observations provide evidence that n-3 PUFA modulate Th cell activation by limiting mitochondrial translocation to the IS and reducing Ca2 entry.Item Nutritional Programming of Neuroendocrine Pathways Controlling the Onset of Puberty in Heifers(2014-05-01) Alves, Bruna R. C.Accelerated body weight gain during the juvenile period leads to early maturation of the reproductive neuroendocrine system and puberty by advancing the onset of high-frequency release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). In a series of studies conducted as part of this dissertation, it was hypothesized that nutritional regimens that accelerate pubertal development alter the function of kisspeptin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons, known modulators of the release of GnRH. In addition, alterations in the pattern of methylation of target genome sequences were investigated in DNA collected from the arcuate nucleus, a hypothalamic region well-characterized for its role in mediating the metabolic control of reproductive function. Early-weaned crossbred heifers were fed diets to promote an average daily gain of 0.5 Kg (Low Gain; n=12) or 1.0 Kg (High Gain; n=12) from approximately 4 to 8 mo of age. This nutritional regimen has been demonstrated to facilitate early onset of puberty in heifers. At eight mo of age, heifers were slaughtered and a block of tissue containing the preoptic area and hypothalamus was collected and processed for examining the expression of NPY and KISS1, investigating the innervation of GnRH and kisspeptin neurons by NPY fibers, and characterizing the methylation profile of target genomic DNA sequences isolated from the arcuate nucleus. Mean body weight and circulating concentrations of leptin were greater in High-gain than in Low-gain heifers. Elevated rate of body weight gain was associated with reduced expression of NPY in the arcuate nucleus, reduced proportion of GnRH neurons in apposition to NPY-containing varicosities, particularly in GnRH neurons located in the mediobasal hypothalamus, and a reduced number of KISS1-expressing cells in the mid portion of the arcuate nucleus. The rate of body weight gain during the juvenile period did not affect NPY innervation of kisspeptin neurons. Differential methylation of target genomic DNA sequences isolated from the arcuate nucleus was observed in association with rate of body weight gain in juvenile heifers, and genes affected included GHR, IGF2, IGF1R, LEPR, PEG3, LIN28B and HMGA2. Overall, results from these studies support the hypothesis that accelerated body weight gain during the juvenile period promotes alterations in cellular functions within the hypothalamus that facilitate early onset of puberty in heifers.Item Parental use of child feeding practices and outcomes in child and adolescent nutrition(Texas A&M University, 2005-02-17) Yeley, Genevieve ConnorsThe incidence of childhood and adolescent overweight in the United States is increasing at an alarming rate and is now considered the most prevalent nutritional disease of children and adolescents in this country. Although much attention has focused on genetic research, and heredity is an unarguable component of obesity, the role of the environment must be considered because genetic changes over entire populations are not likely to occur at such a rapid rate. In observing today?s environment where energy-dense foods abound, restaurant dining has increased, and children are more sedentary than ever, the current trends in child/adolescent weight status are not surprising. This study digs to the heart of worrisome eating habits by exploring the development of these behaviors in the family. Previous studies show that parents? use of child feeding practices is related to their children?s weight status. It is hypothesized that children of parents who utilize highly controlling feeding strategies (pressure, restriction, monitoring) will have nutrient intakes and weight indicators that are either higher or lower than the average for children whose parents exert less control over the eating domain. The objective of this research is to discover if significant relationships exist between parental child feeding strategies and child/adolescent overweight or underweight and nutrient intake. Birch?s model explaining familial resemblances in eating and weight status was tested using her previously validated Child Feeding Questionnaire, standard anthropometric techniques, three days of diet records, and a previously validated child questionnaire. Three-hundred and twelve children/adolescents, 254 mothers, and 245 fathers from the Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area completed interviews, and data was analyzed with the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Results confirmed the validity of Birch?s model and previous studies that found significant relationships between child feeding strategies and children?s nutrition status. Parents who pressured their children to eat (motivated by concern about the child being underweight) were more likely to have children with lower BMI percentiles and skinfolds while parents who monitored or restricted the child?s intake had children with higher BMI percentiles and skinfold thicknesses. No clear relationships were found between feeding styles and nutrient intake.