Novel Role of CD47 in Obesity-Associated Metabolic Dysfunctions

Obesity and its associated comorbidities are of global concern. These complications are largely driven by perturbations in energy homeostasis, inflammation, and oxidative stress within metabolic tissues. Although these underlying pathways have been established, molecular mechanisms augmenting metabolic dysfunction have not been fully defined. CD47, a ubiquitously expressed cell membrane receptor, has been previously implicated in the development of inflammation and oxidative stress in a number of disease conditions. Previous work from our lab and others has confirmed that the most potent ligand of CD47, TSP1, plays a critical role in facilitating inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in diet-induced obesity. Whether these effects of TSP1 are mediated by CD47 has never been explored. Specifically, the functions of CD47 in white and brown adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and the liver have never been characterized under obese conditions. Within our studies, we clearly defined distinct regulatory functions of CD47 in different metabolic tissues of a diet-induced obesity rodent model. We found that CD47 deficiency was associated with reduced adiposity and systemic inflammatory markers which preserved glucose homeostasis. In white adipose tissue, CD47 deficiency was associated with suppressed inflammation and macrophage recruitment which may be attributed to smaller adipocyte size driven by enhanced lipid mobilization. Further, whole body CD47 deficiency stimulated brown adipose tissue energy expenditure through increased FFA-mediated uncoupling and enhanced fatty acid oxidation. Interestingly, no significant changes were observed in skeletal muscle-dependent energy expenditure. In the liver, both TSP1 and CD47 deficiency protected mice from diet-induced fatty liver disease. In vitro studies demonstrated that TSP1 induces liver oxidative stress comparable to free fatty acids and that CD47 blockade partially attenuates this effect. From these studies, we concluded that increased lipid turnover fueled the enhanced energy requirements of activated brown adipose tissue resulting in a leaner phenotype despite high fat diet challenge. In addition, the increased TSP1-CD47 protein expression in the liver may augment ROS in fatty liver disease. Together, these studies provide evidence to suggest CD47 may contribute to metabolic dysfunction in a tissue-specific manner and that the pathological roles of CD47 function should expand to include obesity and its associated comorbidities

Healthy Trees – Healthy People: A Model for Engaging Citizen Scientists in Exotic Pest Detection in Urban Parks

Healthy Trees – Healthy People (HT-HP) is an outreach and education program created to enlist and train participants in exotic pest detection while providing them with structured opportunities to connect with urban nature and increase their physical and emotional health. HT- HP creates infrastructure to increase engagement by the urban populace in the urban tree canopy. The program solicits participants to engage in an 8-week intervention designed to expand capacity to detect non-native insect pests and pathogens, while increasing physical activity, raising awareness of healthy lifestyle choices, and improving the health of participants. Program participants were trained in tree and tree pest identification to provide ‘eyes on the ground’ that can contribute to exotic pest detection, reducing the risk of pest establishment, and increasing the sustainability of urban tree canopies. Participants in this pilot program reported significant improvements in their knowledge of tree identification and tree care, an awareness of, and ability to identify selected exotic invasive tree pests, and improved mindfulness. Healthy Trees – Healthy People is nimble, easily adaptable, and serves as a unique model that could include tailored tree identification and pest detection. The program can engage citizen scientists in exotic pest detection while increasing usage of urban parks

Assessment of Cultural Sensitivity in Dietetics Education

Cultural sensitivity and competency are skills needed for agricultural professionals including nutrition and dietetics practitioners. The objective of the current study was to examine the learning transference of cultural sensitivity topics taught in a cultural foods course into case study assessments of a capstone-level course. This study is a cross-sectional, content analysis of cultural sensitivity assessment rubric (CSAR) scores for two case study assessments. The study was conducted in a landgrant, research-intensive university and 55 students (60%) from a capstone-level dietetics course participated. T-tests were used to compare CSAR scores between students who had completed a cultural foods course and those who had not. Students who completed the cultural foods course, n= 39 (71%), on average scored significantly higher (p\u3c 0.037) on the CSAR, 2.11/10, versus an average score of 1.03/10 among the students who had not completed the course, n=16 (29%). Students who completed the cultural foods course were more likely to apply cultural sensitivity knowledge and awareness without explicit elicitation than those who had not completed the course. Findings reinforce the use of intentional assessments of cultural sensitivity and competency topics and provide support for laying a cultural sensitivity foundation in undergraduate education

Alternative Community Nutrition Experiential Learning Opportunities for Dietetic Interns during COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, collaboration among faculty in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at the University of Kentucky yielded two, four-week virtual experiential learning opportunities with Cooperative Extension for 19 dietetic interns. Remote experiences focused on development of new programming regarding the role of nutrition in the prevention/management of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting Kentuckians and translating an existing social marketing program that promotes quality family time through preparation of nutritious, affordable home-cooked meals. Weekly assignments took ~10 hours, included individual and groupwork, and came together to create program packages encompassing commonly used products (e.g., podcast, recipe demonstration). Interns perceived improvement in professional competencies and transferable skills – notably adaptability, multitasking, and cooperation. They also reported gains in competency with software programs and awareness of the diverse roles for registered dietitian nutritionists in community settings. Lessons learned include: the need for streamlined coordination and communication of timelines across overlapping tasks; more support to transition to remote work environments including virtual shared workspaces, group work, and tech support, and the value of providing interns purposeful learning experiences during times of uncertainty. Extension-based projects, in-person or virtual, can provide opportunities for valuable experiential learning that build professional competencies and transferable skills

CD47 Deficiency Protects Mice from Diet-Induced Obesity and Improves Whole Body Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Sensitivity

CD47 is a transmembrane protein with several functions including self-recognition, immune cell communication, and cell signaling. Although it has been extensively studied in cancer and ischemia, CD47 function in obesity has never been explored. In this study, we utilized CD47 deficient mice in a high-fat diet induced obesity model to study for the first time whether CD47 plays a role in the development of obesity and metabolic complications. Male CD47 deficient and wild type (WT) control mice were fed with either low fat (LF) or high fat (HF) diets for 16 weeks. Interestingly, we found that CD47 deficient mice were protected from HF diet-induced obesity displaying decreased weight gain and reduced adiposity. This led to decreased MCP1/CCR2 dependent macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue and reduced inflammation, resulting in improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. In addition, CD47 deficiency stimulated the expression of UCP1 and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b (CPT1b) levels in brown adipose tissue, leading to increased lipid utilization and heat production. This contributes to the increased energy utilization and reduced adiposity observed in these mice. Taken together, these data revealed a novel role for CD47 in the development of obesity and its related metabolic complications

Examining the Perspectives and Experiences of Nutrition Educators Working with Clients in Substance Use Recovery Settings

Substance use disorder (SUD) is one of the most detrimental health, social, and economic problems in the United States. Limited studies suggest providing tailored nutrition education during SUD treatment correlates with positive recovery outcomes. The University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program conducted two focus group sessions to explore and determine educators’ instructional and programmatic needs who deliver nutrition education to clients in substance use recovery throughout Kentucky. The study team identified four emerging themes and several subthemes related to Nutrition Education Program educators working with clientele in recovery. The four emerging themes included: (1) current experiences working with the audience, (2) relevant components in the current curriculum, (3) suggested new and expanded resources for future curriculum, and (4) guidance to assistants new to the audience. Our research findings contribute to the development of new programmatic materials that are better suited to meet clients’ needs in recovery and ultimately improve SUD recovery outcomes. With increased knowledge on this emerging research topic, the University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program will directly benefit Kentucky residents who suffer from SUD and experience its detrimental social and health implications

Process Evaluation of the Early Implementation Stages of theNational Diabetes Prevention Program through Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Perceptions of Adopters and Potential Adopters

With the growing demand for lifestyle change programs that prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes onset, community organizations with broad reach should be explored for national dissemination of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). This study evaluates the early implementation of the NDPP through Cooperative Extension in four Kentucky counties and explores the feasibility of scaling up the program to additional counties. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 12 Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agents – four who were participating in the pilot (adopters) and eight who had no experience with the NDPP (potential adopters). Five overarching themes emerged: satisfaction with and desire for the NDPP; implementation barriers (recruitment challenges and Agent comfortability issues); needed supports; roles of community partners (potential duplication of efforts); and dynamics of community relationships and trust. While there was agreement that Cooperative Extension was an appropriate platform for dissemination, notable barriers must be overcome. This study provides important information for Cooperative Extension Services across the country that are implementing or considering implementing the NDPP; specifically, that this program may need a more tailored and controlled rollout compared to traditional Extension programming

Examining the Perspectives and Experiences of Nutrition Educators Working with Clients in Substance Use Recovery Settings

Substance use disorder (SUD) is one of the most detrimental health, social, and economic problems in the United States. Limited studies suggest providing tailored nutrition education during SUD treatment correlates with positive recovery outcomes. The University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program conducted two focus group sessions to explore and determine educators’ instructional and programmatic needs who deliver nutrition education to clients in substance use recovery throughout Kentucky. The study team identified four emerging themes and several subthemes related to Nutrition Education Program educators working with clientele in recovery. The four emerging themes included: (1) current experiences working with the audience, (2) relevant components in the current curriculum, (3) suggested new and expanded resources for future curriculum, and (4) guidance to assistants new to the audience. Our research findings contribute to the development of new programmatic materials that are better suited to meet clients’ needs in recovery and ultimately improve SUD recovery outcomes. With increased knowledge on this emerging research topic, the University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program will directly benefit Kentucky residents who suffer from SUD and experience its detrimental social and health implications

Drought and Land-Cover Conditions in the Great Plains

Land–atmosphere interactions play a critical role in the Earth system, and a better understanding of these interactions could improve weather and climate models. The interaction among drought, vegetation productivity, and land cover is of particular significance. In a semiarid environment, such as the U.S. Great Plains, droughts can have a large influence on the productivity of agriculture and grasslands, with serious environmental and economic impacts. Here, we used the vegetation drought response index (VegDRI) drought indicator to investigate the response of vegetation to weather and climate for landcover types in the Great Plains in the United States from 1989 to 2012. We found that analysis that focused on land-cover types within ecoregion divisions provided substantially more and land-cover-based detail on the timing and intensity of drought than did summarizing across the entire Great Plains region. In the northern Great Plains, VegDRI measured more frequent drought impacts on vegetation in the western ecoregions than in the eastern ecoregions. Across the ecoregions of the Great Plains, drought impacts on vegetation were more commonly found in grassland than in cropland. For example, in the ‘‘Northwestern Great Plains’’ ecoregion (which encompasses areas of Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska), grassland and nonirrigated cropland were observed in VegDRI to have historical fractional drought coverages in the growing season of 17% and 11%, respectively. Includes supplemental materia