MS, Kent State University, 2024, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Health Sciences

The purpose of this study was to determine if tart cherry juice (TCJ) consumption will reduce perceived muscle soreness in collegiate athletes after soreness inducing exercise is performed. This was a five-day trial that assessed a treatment and control group on Kent State University's campus. Day One of the study, all participants were asked to perform a standardized exercise to induce soreness. Additionally, the treatment group received eight ounces of TCJ, and the control group received eight ounces of a placebo beverage once each day. The study design was quasi-experimental. Perceived soreness was assessed using a muscle soreness rating scale with ratings of 0-10. Ratings for each day were recorded and analyzed using a 2x5 factorial design. Upper body soreness and lower body soreness were analyzed separately each day. The participants (n=10) were all female Kent State student athletes from the same team sport between the ages of 18-23 years old. Criteria that excluded any potential participants was an injury preventing them from performing exercise and participants who take an additional supplementation of antioxidants or anti-inflammatory drugs that could affect the results. This study found no significant differences in perceived soreness ratings between the treatment and control groups over the five-day trial for both upper body and lower body data (p<0.05). More research is needed to determine the parameters where TCJ is an effective beverage for collegiate athletes.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2024, Kinesiology

Background: Nutritional ketosis achieved by the consumption of a well-formulated ketogenic diet (WFKD) may benefit individuals diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) but limited ketogenic intervention trials have been conducted, and none in college students. We examined if a WFKD can be implemented in a university counseling treatment program as an adjunctive therapy for MDD, and whether such a program improves symptoms of depression and metabolic health. Methods: Students (n=19) with MDD receiving standard of care counseling and/or medication treatment participated in a 10-12 week WFKD intervention. Food and dietary counseling was provided, and daily tracking of ketones were used to personalize the diet formulation and assess adherence. Participants completed a series of assessments including the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), body composition, cognitive performance, and blood metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory markers. Results: Completers (n=13) had a mean capillary ketone (R-beta-hydroxybutyrate) 0.6 mM. There were significant improvements in PHQ-9 at week 2 (a mean score of 15.6 + 5.1 at BL and a mean score of 9.5 + 3.6 at week 2) that continued to improve through the end of the trial (mean of 4.5 + 3.5) (p<0.001). Similarly, HRSD decreased at week 6 from a mean score of 13.9 + 4.9 to a mean of 5.2 + 3.1 and remained lower at the end of the intervention (mean of 3.6 + 2.8 at post) (p<0.001). Participants lost body mass (-6.6%; p=0.004) and fat mass (-12.1%; p=0.004). Insulin and leptin significantly decreased compared to BL (p=0.01 and 0.04 respectively). Participant performance in one cognitive tests, pattern comparison, improved after the intervention (p = 0.002). Conclusion: These pilot data indicate that implementation of a WFKD for 10-12 weeks is a feasible adjunctive therapy for students undergoing standard of care treatment for MDD. The intervention was associated with rapid, consistent, and (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2024, Food Science and Technology

Vitamin D is a secosteroid with numerous benefits for human health, including its effects in skeletal health, immunomodulation, cell proliferation, and cellular differentiation. Despite these benefits, vitamin D deficiency is a global health concern. While supplementation is common in many countries and is commonly conducted by oral delivery, individuals with fat malabsorption face challenges with vitamin D absorption. Thus, transdermal delivery is therefore considered a suitable alternative for these individuals. However, the stability of vitamin D in most commercially available cosmetic products is questionable due to its sensitivity to temperature, light, pH, and oxygen. Therefore, this study aims at developing a vitamin D3 delivery system using hemp seed oil for enhanced transdermal delivery and Maillard reacted lecithin conjugates. Further the study focuses on characterizing and optimizing the encapsulation method to achieve thermal and oxidative stability of hemp seed oil and vitamin D3. Hemp seed oil was chosen as the carrier for vitamin D3 due to its excellent skin permeation ability and rich polyunsaturated fatty acid profile, which provides additional health benefits. According to results, moisture and water activity data conform with recommended values for low moisture food products whereas the p-anisidine test indicated good lipid quality during the period of storage. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry results demonstrate that the proposed wall matrix provides adequate thermal and oxidative stability for the encapsulated vitamin D3. The study did not identify a significant difference (p < 0.05) in retention of vitamin D3 based on the temperature treatment provided. Moreover, 50 °C heat treatment achieved the best encapsulation efficiency of 59.5 % compared to 100 °C and the control. Overall, the use of Maillard-reacted glycated lecithin wall matrix appears to be a promising approach for protecting vitamin D3 from external st (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Ohio State University Nutrition

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder which affects up to 10% of children in the United States, with prevalence rates markedly increasing over the last 2 decades. This population of children is at increased risk of poor academic, social, and long-term health outcomes compared to children with typical development, creating an urgent public health need to understand risk factors contributing to this disorder. The etiology of ADHD is multi-factorial with a significant genetic and environmental contribution. While nutrition is recognized as an important modifiable environmental risk factor for various chronic diseases, it also plays a contributing role in neurodevelopmental disorders, though this relationship is poorly understood. The existing literature suggests that ADHD is associated with mineral deficiencies and increased oxidative stress (OS), both of which may be mediated by nutrition related factors including dietary deficiencies or altered nutrient or energy metabolism. Our lab previously completed a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of a complete multivitamin/mineral supplement as a treatment modality for children with ADHD and emotional dysregulation, the Micronutrients for ADHD in Youth Study (MADDY). This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) enrolled 135 children aged 6-12 years at 3 sites in the U.S. and Canada. The primary outcome demonstrated that 3x as many children on the active multinutrient showed significant behavioral improvements as compared to placebo. However, identifying which subset of children benefited most from this treatment modality and mechanisms of action are unanswered questions that may provide critical insight regarding the pathophysiology of ADHD. Therefore, the objective of this dissertation was to elucidate biomarkers of physiological changes that occurred in response to 8-weeks of multinutrient supplementation in children with ADHD, focusing on the nutr (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2024, Clinical Translational Science

Nutrition is both a lifesaving and life sustaining intervention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that is needed for the appropriate growth and development of premature infants. The importance of nutrition for preterm infants is clear, as providing both the appropriate quantity and quality of nutrition to premature infants has been shown to variably influence infant growth, morbidities, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Thus, identifying, preventing, and resolving malnutrition are all necessary to provide optimal care to preterm infants. Diagnostic criteria for neonatal malnutrition were proposed in 2018 by field experts, but these criteria have not been validated since publication. The objective of this dissertation was to investigate the validity of the neonatal malnutrition diagnostic tool in preterm infants using a large, single-center cohort from a level III NICU. Validity of the neonatal malnutrition diagnostic tool was assessed in three aims: 1) evaluating how current proposed indicators of malnutrition identify patients in a preterm infant population; 2) analyzing current malnutrition indicators to determine if a causal relationship between malnutrition diagnoses and critical clinical outcomes exists; and 3) exploring novel markers of neonatal malnutrition to determine their predictive power in relation to patient significant clinical outcomes. This work found that inter-indicator reliability of the overall malnutrition diagnostic tool was poor (κ = 0.054 for malnutrition diagnoses in the first two weeks of life, and κ = 0.048 for malnutrition diagnoses in the remainder of the NICU course). Inter-indicator of reliability of individual malnutrition indicators was moderate for between growth-based indicators of malnutrition, but poor when comparing intake-based indicators of malnutrition to growth-based indicators of malnutrition. Intra-indicator reliability was high for different definitions of the weight gain velocity malnutrition indicator (open full item for complete abstract)

Bachelor of Science (BS), Ohio University, 2024, Translational Health

Along with global rise of obesity rates among adults and adolescents, there has been an increase in weight control practices, many of which are not sustainable in the long term; thus they lead to a pattern of weight fluctuation cycles known as weight cycling. Despite the prevalence of weight cycling, little is known about its effects on health and overall mortality since survey studies in humans are conflicting. Controlled mouse studies have found increased lifespan in weight cycled (WC) mice compared to obese mice (HF). However, the cellular mechanisms responsible for increased lifespan in WC mice relative obese mice remain unknown. This thesis investigates the cellular mechanisms that underlie differences in WC and HF mice to determine why it's better to weight cycle than remain obese. Livers previously collected from a subset of low fat (LF) and high fat (HF) control mice as well as weight cycled mice sacrificed on a HF (WC(H)) diet and weight cycled mice sacrificed on a low-fat diet (WC(L)) were used. These mechanisms were evaluated by isolating RNA from the livers and then measuring gene expression levels using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RNA sequencing data was used to find activated pathways in QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Results obtained from this project expanded the results to show cancer and inflammation as cellular mechanisms underlying differences in WC and HF mice. This research can be used to inform the public and healthcare professionals whether weight loss, even if not sustainable, is more healthy than stable obesity. Future applications of this study's data can inform revisions of current obesity treatment protocols and therapies.

Bachelor of Science (BS), Ohio University, 2024, Translational Health

Within Appalachia, specifically Appalachia Ohio, health disparities and inequities are prevalent along the lifespan, stemming from multiple factors. Among these factors, dietary habits play a pivotal role in shaping health outcomes. A possible intervention to improve dietary habits is nutrition education in K-12 schools, which is not currently regulated or mandated by the Ohio Department of Education. Certain non-profits, such as Rural Action, work to provide nutrition education in local classrooms in Southeastern Ohio, with the objective of improving student ability and willingness to make positive food choices through better nutritional knowledge and application of that knowledge, acquired through a multisensory learning experience. Their Live Healthy Kids (LHK) curriculum seeks to educate second-grade students on the merits of eating new plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the LHK nutrition education curriculum at meeting its stated learning objectives of improving nutritional knowledge and preference of participants by examining the changes that occurred after the curriculum was administered. The data from five preference cohorts and four knowledge cohorts were analyzed overall and by year to see if changes in nutritional knowledge and preferences occurred and if said changes were consistent between years. Improvements in food preference score were observed across all twelve tested foods when all five cohorts were aggregated. Concurrently, nutritional knowledge scores saw improvements, albeit across fewer questions. However, the average overall knowledge score exhibited an upward trend in three of the four examined years. These results support that the LHK nutrition education curriculum is effective at improving nutritional knowledge and preference amongst its second-grade participants.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Nutrition Program, The Ohio State University

Advancements in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology have led to enhanced accuracy, resolution, and speed, facilitating high throughput metabolomics and foodomics analysis. Nevertheless, persistent challenges in data interpretation impede comprehensive metabolomics analysis, mainly attributable to obstacles in feature annotation, signature selection, and model prediction accuracy. In this dissertation, novel chemometrics and bioinformatics methodologies were developed and implemented to overcome existing limitations in untargeted metabolomics analysis. Integrated molecular networks, machine learning approaches, and multi-omics integration strategies were employed to enhance the knowledge in metabolomics/foodomics research. In chapter 2 and 3, molecular network-based feature annotation was developed through structural similarity analysis, and with application examples particularly focusing on polyphenol metabolites and derivatives. Chapter 4 and 5 leverages analytical chemistry techniques in combination with machine learning tools, aimed to improve signature selection accuracy in bourbon quality evaluation by mitigating overfitting issues. Last, chapter 6 presents an integrative multi-omics approach using artificial neural networks and other machine learning tools to study the diagnostic and prognostic monitoring potential of metabolomics in colorectal cancer, aims to comprehensively understand the molecular mechanisms underlying colorectal cancer progression. These interdisciplinary approaches hold promise in addressing critical data analysis challenges in metabolomics and foodomics, fostering a deeper understanding of chemical analyses, metabolic changes in biological systems and disease mechanisms.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Human Ecology: Human Nutrition

Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment that induces neuroinflammation and may contribute to cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). A higher intake of Omega-3 polyunsaturated unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may reduce inflammation. In our previous mouse model of chemotherapy, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)-enriched diets were shown to reduce pro-inflammatory biomarkers in the cortex, including Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Keratinocyte chemoattractant / growth-regulated oncogene (KC/GRO) in the context of a background diet low in fat (19% of kilocalories). Considering that the majority of breast cancer survivors are overweight or obese at the time of diagnosis and high-fat diets can promote the develoment of obesity, EPA and DHA in diets with different fat contents should be evaluated to determine effects on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. In addition, the association of blood levels of fatty acids with cognitive function and the underlying mechanisms of CRCI have not been well studied in breast cancer survivors. In addition to omega-3 PUFAs, omega-6 PUFAs are also important for inflammatory processes. Moreover, we have found omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) to rise in mice brain after chemotherapy treatment, potentially suggesting neurodegeneration. Therefore, this dissertation will focus on understanding the relationship of fatty acids in the diet and blood, including omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs and omega-9 MUFAs, with neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and cognitive outcomes in a chemotherapy-treated mouse model and human breast cancer survivors. The first project of this dissertation evaluated whether a diet rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA and DHA) could reduce neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in a mouse model of chemotherapy. In this study, female C57BL/6 mice were randomized to high fat, high fat omega-3, or low-fat diet groups for 8 week (open full item for complete abstract)

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2024, Allied Health Sciences: Nutrition

Objective: To investigate eating habits and behaviors in dancers on a University Dance Team (UDT) to provide targeted resources in the future to prevent low energy availability and subsequent risk for RED-S and disordered eating patterns. Methods: The design is a mixed methods study utilizing the combination of qualitative data from focus groups and quantitative data from Likert scale survey responses. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling from the team roster of dancers on a UDT. Qualitative data were gathered from surveys that consisted of twelve 5-point Likert scale questions. Qualitative data were gathered from focus groups. Focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured interview style and were used to gather more insight into dancers' eating habits and behaviors. Focus group data were transcribed and analyzed with NVIVO using grounded theory. Results: Of the 7 participants, all met inclusion criteria and 6 participants completed the survey. The survey item with the highest mean score was “Being a dancer influences when I eat in a day” with a score of 4.67 meaning, on average, participants agreed with this statement. Six major themes were identified from the focus groups included “barriers to nutrition”, “dancer identity”, “health/wellness and nutrition”, “nutrition for performance”, “nutrition knowledge”, and “success in fueling”. Conclusions: This is the first study to examine eating habits and behaviors of a collegiate dance team using a mixed methods approach. We found that the theme “barriers to nutrition” had a disproportionately greater amount of responses/concern from the participants, which warrants more extensive research on this population to further explore the potential need for changing systems to decrease risk of disordered eating and increase preventative measures when it comes to weight sensitive sports and eating behaviors.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Nutrition Program, The Ohio State University

Tumorigenesis relies on cellular metabolism reprogramming driven by oncogenic mutations, profoundly affecting gene expression, cellular differentiation, and the tumor microenvironment. Metabolomics profiling is a potent tool for monitoring tumor metabolism, assessing treatment response, predicting metabolic shifts, measuring drug efficacy, and tracking drug resistance. We investigated lung cancer cell cultures to understand the metabolic processes underlying cancer-associated VOCs and identify related protein-encoding genes. Utilizing SESI-HRMS, we identified VOCs associated with lung cancer, distinguishing between NSCLC and SCLC. Treatment-induced changes in VOC profiles were also observed. To overcome ion competition in data collection, we developed dGOT-SESI-HRMS, leveraging the mVOC database and spectral stitching. Validation with anaerobic bacterial cultures uncovered robust data collection and paved the way for biological interpretation using this novel VOC screening tool. This method enabled robust analysis of the volatilome associated with interventions in mice, revealing unique profiles associated with distinct microbiome compositions and cancer. Our analyses circumvented the metabolic and genetic heterogeneity in humans to established pre-clinical models for standardized VOC analyses. Additionally, mass spectrometry based metabolomics can be a powerful tool when combined with other –omics techniques. Unbiased high-throughput metabolomics techniques uncovered metabolic deregulations associated with acquired ibrutinib resistance in lymphoma and allowed us to construct metabolic maps to reveal key players like IL4I1 influencing metabolic reprogramming. This integrated approach highlights the power of metabolomics for revealing systemic metabolic and volatile changes in cancer cells and facilitates advancements in cancer detection and treatment monitoring for improved outcomes.

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2024, Food and Nutrition Sciences (Health Sciences and Professions)

It is imperative that Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) have sufficient knowledge about the gluten-free diet in order to provide appropriate medical nutrition therapy to individuals who must avoid gluten. Other than a survey conducted in 2017, there is limited research characterizing the knowledge of gluten and the gluten-free diet amongst RDN. The purpose of this research was to evaluate how RDN knowledge and perceptions of the gluten-free diet have changed over the past 7 years. A representative sample of 385 RDN in the United States completed a questionnaire regarding the gluten-free diet. RDN who incorrectly identified gluten as a carbohydrate (19%) concurred less with other evidence-based applications of the gluten-free diet compared to RDN who correctly identified gluten as a protein (81%). RDN were knowledgeable regarding medical nutrition therapy for celiac disease, but there is an opportunity to further educate RDN on the appropriate interventions for wheat allergy. Overall, RDN perception of the gluten-free diet as a “fad” is diminishing, which implies interest in future legitimate applications of the gluten-free diet outside of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Only a fraction of RDN who completed the questionnaire were aware of (23%) or had completed (1%) a Certificate of Training for Gluten Related Disorders developed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The clinical implications of this research suggest an opportunity to further market the Certificate of Training and other gluten-related educational tools to RDN who work with gluten-free clientele. Ultimately, RDN who are knowledgeable regarding the gluten-free diet can have a direct positive impact on the physical health outcomes and quality of life of individuals who must follow a gluten-free diet.

MS, Kent State University, 2024, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Health Sciences

This study aimed to identify what college students believe about carbohydrates as a result of nutrition messaging, why they trust certain sources and messages over others, and how their beliefs could impact their dietary choices and health outcomes. For this qualitative study, 20 United States undergraduate college students were recruited to participate in an electronic survey, followed by a one-on-one interview. The survey determined participants' demographic data, whether they met the inclusion criteria, and from what sources they obtain nutrition information. The interview script consisted of 35 questions that collected in-depth data on students' nutrition-related beliefs and experiences, which were designed to help answer the three research questions of the study. This investigation uncovered several themes per research question. These themes helped to delineate what college students know about carbohydrates, who they trust to provide them with accurate nutrition information, reasons why they believe certain nutrition messages, and how their beliefs have impacted their dietary choices and experiences. Understanding the influence of nutrition messages on college students in United States culture today, the gaps in students' nutrition knowledge, and the dietary effects that nutrition messages have on students can provide researchers with the information needed to develop proper methods for guiding students towards qualified nutrition information sources and appropriate nutrition education resources.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership , Franklin University, 2024, International Institute for Innovative Instruction

This study applied a qualitative methodology and generated descriptive data while exploring the food insecurity (FI) of student service members and veterans (SSM/V). Thematic data analysis was used to rigorously interpret the participant's reporting's (Braun, & Clarke, 2006; Terry, et al., 2017). The conceptual framework that informed the study was the multi-theoretical model of student persistence (Falcone, 2011). The following research question (RQ) guided the researcher: How do food-insecure military student service members and veterans describe their post-secondary food-insecure lived experiences? The study's in-depth semi-structured interviews applied five open ended questions The guiding research question and four research sub-questions. In sum 15 SSM/V participants were recruited online and interviewed from five different states, along the east coast, and the central U.S. (Maramwidze-Merrison, 2016). Participants were from various postsecondary institutions. Three support services professionals were interviewed each having completed a doctoral degree, from two different states, and familiar with FI. The researcher developed codes were read and reread during coding and analyzed on an Excel Spreadsheet, for recurring and critical themes that developed throughout the interviews (Creswell, 2014; Pajo, 2017). Categorization, and consolidation of the intersecting codes and themes found four informative themes critical to the topic of the FI SSM/V. This exploratory study provided rich descriptive data on the following four FI SSM/V themes: 1) intersecting stressors, 2) consider seeking help, 3) accessing Food, 4) coping strategies. The researcher also integrated content gleaned from experiential observations, and reflections, to add context to the experiences of the FI SSM/V (Maramwidze-Merrison, 2016). Key terms: DFAC, food security (FS), food insecurity (FI), military discharge, military student service member and veterans (SSM/V), postsecondary.

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2023, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Broad-scale interventions to improve food security and healthy food access for populations with a high chronic disease burden have largely not resulted in improved dietary patterns or reduced diet-related disease risk. These findings indicate current interventions may not be effective in modifying food system elements that drive health outcomes, illuminating a disconnect between a collective scientific understanding of food insecurity and creating successful interventions to improve population health. Food insecurity is currently operationalized and measured as a lack of financial resources to purchase food; however, this framework does not account for the multidimensional factors that compromise nutrition quality among low-income households. Nutrition security, a recently proposed term that expands on food security, has been defined as “consistent access, availability, and affordability of foods and beverages that promote well-being and prevent (and if needed, treat) disease.” Emphasizing nutrition in this context provides an opportunity to capture the complex and interrelated life experiences that structure diet quality outcomes in the development of a new nutrition security metric. This transitional phase poses an opportunity to conceptualize nutrition security with a system thinking lens to capture and unpack the interacting, multidimensional, and complex food system components that drive diet-related inequities among low-income populations. The goal of this dissertation is to gain system insights related to the complex food system that perpetuates nutritional and health disparities as well as examine proposed solutions (Chapter 2) and explore the relationship between diet quality, food security, and healthy food access factors to identify unique nutrition security typologies for low-income residents living in an urban area with low access to healthy food retail (Chapter 3). Chapter 2 investigates the system architecture and mechanisms related to nutrition secu (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, Miami University, 2023, Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health

Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings of enrolled preschoolers are conducted as part of Head Start's (HS) health and nutrition screenings. Referrals are made for children whose BMI falls above the 85th percentile. However, caregiver follow-up on the referral process is not well understood. The purpose of this project was to explore the processes and perceptions (of caregivers, WIC dietitians, and HS Health and Nutrition Managers) of the weight-based referrals and caregiver follow-up in one HS program in the Midwest. Using a phenomenological qualitative approach, interviews (n=21) were conducted with caregivers of HS preschoolers to identify perceptions and actions taken after receiving BMI screening results. Focus groups were conducted with WIC dietitians (n=6) and HS Health and Nutrition Managers (n=6) to understand the referral process. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, then analyzed using thematic analysis. Emerging themes from caregivers included Understanding of Process, Results, and Support; Concern and Follow-up Actions; Nutrition Education and Health Behaviors; and Preferred Communication, Explanation, and Resources. Focus group themes included Additional Indicators of Health; Communicating BMI and Referrals; Consistency and Coordination Between Services; and Recommendations for Health and Nutrition Communication and Education.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Ohio State University Nutrition

Optimal piglet performance is fundamental to the profitability of the swine industry. Dysregulated gut homeostasis has been associated with neurological disorders, and conversely, neurological/brain diseases can affect the gut environment. Cumulatively the nutritional, psychological, and environmental challenges early in a piglet's life leads to increased morbidity and mortality in the swine industry. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a gram-negative bacterium associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disfunction and diarrhea disease in young animals worldwide, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) also referred to as endotoxin, is a glycolipid component of its cell wall. Dietary nutrients in the early neonatal period not only provide essential sustenance for growth, but also are critical for intestinal, immunologic, and neurological development. Both long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) have been implicated in gut barrier function, inflammatory response, neurodevelopment, and gut microbiota. The first objective of this research is to define the local intestinal barrier function mechanisms of LC-PUFA that drive the protection of the barrier during ETEC challenge. Using the intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) model, pretreatment with LC-PUFA showed various protective properties. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) significantly enhanced the barrier integrity by increasing transepithelial electrical resistance and decreasing fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran flux across the epithelial barrier. Arachidonic acid (ARA) and DHA tended to increase protein abundance of membrane tight junction (TJ) protein (occludin), while increasing nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR). In the presence of ETEC, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) protected against a decline in membrane TJ claudin-1 protein. All three LC-PUFA alleviated the ETEC-induced up-regulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFB) p65 and decreased lactat (open full item for complete abstract)

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2023, Allied Health Sciences: Nutrition

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a six-week nutrition education intervention in increasing nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy related to nutrition behaviors in female high school athletes. Methods: A preliminary assessment of needs was distributed to a group of athletes at a local high school. Female high school athletes were recruited to participate in the nutrition intervention.. The intervention included six-weekly nutrition education sessions, each of which being one half hour in duration. The topics of the classes included energy needs, macronutrients, micronutrients, periodization, hydration, and supplement usage. Nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy related to nutrition behaviors were assessed before and after the intervention. Paired T-tests were used to examine the differences pre- to post-intervention for nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy. Results: Seventeen participants completed both the pre- and post-test. The average knowledge post-test score was 34.35. The average change in score from pre to post was +3.7 points. The post-test score was significantly higher than the pre-test score at p<0.05. The average score of the self-efficacy pre-evaluation was 4.67 points (with the highest possible score being 7 and lowest possible score being 1), and the average score of the self-efficacy post-evaluation was 5.94 points. The average change in this score was +1.24 points. The average score from the self-efficacy post-evaluation was significantly higher than that of the self-efficacy pre-evaluation at p<0.001. There were no significant differences found by grade level for self-efficacy or nutrition knowledge. Conclusion: This nutrition education intervention was shown to be effective in increasing sports nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy in this population. The short duration and flexibility of this program indicate that it would be feasible to repeat the intervention with future participants. Future inte (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Nutrition Program, The Ohio State University

Iron deficiency anemia is a world-wide problem and affects 2 billion people, especially children, women, and vegetarians. Currently, inorganic iron fortified foods and iron supplements are used to prevent or treat iron deficiency, and some governments mandate iron fortification of staple crops. However, inorganic iron in grains and vegetables has limited bioavailability (1-10%), compared to heme iron (10-35%) in red meat. Since red meat consumption is resource intensive, we proposed a more sustainable plant-based iron delivery method. Iron chlorophyll derivatives (ICDs) are structurally analogous to heme containing a chlorophyll backbone with Fe replacing Mg. We tested if moderate electric field (MEF) could increase iron concentration in kales (iron fortification of vegetables), and proposed iron chlorophyllin can be produced in a green vegetable matrix following MEF treatment. The hypothesis was that ICDs can be produced in a green vegetable following MEF treatment. The results show MEF processing increased iron concentration 160 times more than control, indicating MEF increased mass transfer from solution to vegetable matrix. MEF did not produce ICDs, but increased heme isomer concentrations and total chlorophyll derivatives in MEF treated kale, possibly via increasing heme synthesis, reduced degradation, or increased extractability. We have also determined if ICDs are bioaccessible and deliver iron to Caco-2 human intestinal cells after in vitro digestion, better than ferrous sulfate. The results show that ICDs have poorer bioaccessibility relative to FeSO4 and hemoglobin. However, ICDs are better than FeSO4, but not hemoglobin, at increasing the ferritin concentration within Caco-2 cells, a marker of cell iron uptake and concentrations. ICDs facilitated greater ferritin synthesis when co-digested and incubated with albumin and ascorbic acid. This work also evaluated the capacity of ICDs to bind common toxins in food and water, i.e. aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), 1, 2 (open full item for complete abstract)

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2023, Allied Health Sciences: Nutrition

Background/Purpose: Cancer survivors who undergo a blood and marrow transplant often report low quality of life along with a variety of symptoms, with fatigue being the symptom of most interest for this study. Evidence regarding inflammation and its relationship to fatigue has been accumulating in recent years. The ability of the diet to impact inflammation and therefore possibly fatigue is the main interest of this study. Antioxidants of interest in this study were mainly zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. This research aimed to investigate whether there was an association between a low versus high dietary antioxidant capacity and chronic fatigue and related symptoms in BMT survivors one year after transplant. Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis of a convergent design mixed methods study involving BMT survivors from the University of Cincinnati Medial Center (UCMC) and the Jewish Hospital-Mercy Health Blood and Marrow Transplantation programs entitled Factors Contributing to Symptoms of Survivors of Adults Blood and Marrow Transplant (SOS-A BMT) (PI Dr. Caroline F. Morrison, PhD, RN). Diet was assessed with the Diet History Questionnaire III, and antioxidant potential of the diet was assessed using Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI) scores and Dietary Antioxidant Quality (DAQ). Diet quality was assessed by calculating Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) scores and Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores. These measures were compared to clinical indicators/symptoms using items from the Promis-29, FACT-BMT, and Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) questionnaires. Participants data was split into two groups (High) and (Low), at the median score for each measure. Population averages for each clinical indicator in both groups were obtained and analyzed for significance. Results: Participant's DAI scores had a mean of -1.43, indicating that on average, participants' diets did not have significant anti-inflammato (open full item for complete abstract)