Blood concentrations of prostaglandins, insulin, and glucose in overweight college females

This investigation is an examination of factors that affect eicosanoid (prostaglandin) concentrations in blood and their relationships to insulin and glucose concentrations. These parameters were evaluated in overweight college women participating in a Body Weight Management Program that emphasized weight reduction by moderate changes in dietary and lifestyle habits;A 12-hour fasting (fasted) and a 2-hour postprandial (fed) blood sample were obtained from 33 women at different stages of energy balance: (1) the initial phase of weight reduction when body weight loss was the most rapid (Sept. \u2782), (2) an intermediate stage when weight loss slowed down due to adaptation (Dec. \u2782), and (3) the final phase of the program when body weights for many of the participants had returned to or exceeded pre-reduction levels (Apr. \u2782). Eicosanoids (serum and plasma PGE(,1), PGE(,2)) concentration were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA); plasma insulin by RIA; and, plasma glucose by the glucose oxidase method;Several significant correlations were found among the variables measured in this study. One of the most interesting was the positive correlation between Met-I(,2) concentrations and body weights. The greater amounts of adipose tissue and blood vessels (both of which produce Met-I(,2)) in an obese person compared to a normal weight individual justify this relationship;This study indicates that at least three factors may affect eicosanoid concentrations in blood. These include: (1) nutritional state (fasted or fed): the overall mean serum TXB(,2) concentration was significantly greater in the fed samples than in the fasted samples; (2) energy balance: a significant difference between fasted and fed serum TXB(,2) concentrations was found only in the Sept. samples when body weight loss was the most rapid. This trend suggests that the apparent effect of the nutritional state on serum TXB(,2) concentrations may be due in part to the energy balance of the females; and (3) season: generally, antiaggregatory eicosanoid concentrations (PGE(,1) and Met-I(,2)) were higher in Sept. than in Apr. Pro-aggregatory eicosanoid concentrations (PGE(,2) and TXB(,2)) were lower in Sept. than in Apr. In conclusion, at least three possible factors have been identified in this study that may influence eicosanoid concentrations in blood

Pioneering Extension Nutrition Education with iPad Apps: A Development Story

Technology can be an effective vehicle for Extension nutrition education. Body Quest: Food of the Warrior is a childhood obesity prevention initiative of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System that successfully incorporates technology in the classroom. With Body Quest, students learn about healthful eating through blended learning involving both classroom instruction and self-directed e-learning via apps. Seven iPad apps excite students and engage them in the learning process. Extension professionals can benefit from our lessons learned for creating a successful app

Interrelationships of Selected Physical Properties and Chemical Constituents of Ground Water in Northwestern Nebraska

This study provides baseline data for many of the chemical constituents occurring in ground water in northwestern Nebraska and contiguous parts of Wyoming and South Dakota; it also projects the chemical behavior of water from similar geologic environments. Samples were collected from springs issuing mainly from the Pine Ridge escarpment and wells tapping aquifers in Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks. The 139 water samples were analyzed for fifteen chemical constituents, including lithium and heavy-metals (Le., uranium, manganese, silver, lead, cadmium, and copper). The chemical composition of spring water is similar to that of well water from mid-Tertiary sandstones. Water from the older formations tend to have increasing concentrations of many chemical constituents. Uranium concentrations in excess of 100 ppb occurred in water from eight wells. Although a few metal pairs exhibit narrow correlation values, most pairs show a wide correlation-coefficient pattern from well water of the various formations

Underground Water Problem at Chadron, Nebraska: Causes and Solution

Chadron, Nebraska and Chadron State College have experienced rising underground water levels and deteriorating streets and buildings in recent years. Groundwater levels have been measured monthly on the campus and in the City for a six-year period (1981-1986). Water levels on the measured parts of the campus show a rise of about two feet per year for the 1981-1984 period. In ]985, the water table started to decline, probably linked to the drought and decreased consumption of lawn-irrigation water. In 1986, a wastewater (desaturation) well was installed and the groundwater table continued its decline. On the other hand, a slower increase in groundwater levels was noted in certain parts of the City during the 1981-1984 period. During 1985 and 1986, only a slight or no increase in water levels was noted in certain parts of the City. Precipitation patterns, water consumption, and the geology of the area are examined in relation to their possible effects toward the rising underground water levels. Suggestions are made to reverse this trend

Chemical and Radiological composition of Air and Ground Water Near the Mineralized Uranium Ore Deposit at Crawford, Nebraska

Data on chemical composition of ground water collected from the post-Middle Chadron Oligocene strata are compared with those from water of the basal Chadron hydrological unit in an area near Crawford, Nebraska, where uranium mineralization is known to occur. Uncorrected Eh values, using a calomel reference electrode, indicated water from the post-Middle Chadron Oligocene unit was positive, whereas water from the basal Chadron was negative. The basal Chadron waters contained lower levels of calcium and uranium and higher concentrations of sodium, chloride, sulfate, and total dissolved solids, than did waters from the post-Middle Chadron Oligocene zone. Radon and radium concentrations in the water samples from the basal Chadron unit fluctuated widely. Radium levels in the oxidizing waters were consistently low (\u3c2 pCi/l), while radium in several water samples from the reduced unit exceeded the maximum recommended level of 5 pCi/l for drinking purposes. These samples, however, are not used domestically. Radon and radon daughter products in air were also evaluated on a limited basis. Their concentrations appeared similar to reported background levels in other midwestern regions

Interrelationships of Selected Physical Properties and Chemical Constituents of Ground Water in Northwestern Nebraska

This study provides baseline data for many of the chemical constituents occurring in ground water in northwestern Nebraska and contiguous parts of Wyoming and South Dakota; it also projects the chemical behavior of water from similar geologic environments. Samples were collected from springs issuing mainly from the Pine Ridge escarpment and wells tapping aquifers in Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks. The 139 water samples were analyzed for fifteen chemical constituents, including lithium and heavy-metals (Le., uranium, manganese, silver, lead, cadmium, and copper). The chemical composition of spring water is similar to that of well water from mid-Tertiary sandstones. Water from the older formations tend to have increasing concentrations of many chemical constituents. Uranium concentrations in excess of 100 ppb occurred in water from eight wells. Although a few metal pairs exhibit narrow correlation values, most pairs show a wide correlation-coefficient pattern from well water of the various formations

Trace Metals in Wyoming Coal: Their Analysis, Concentrations, and Interrelationships

The Teflon bomb and the flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) were used to analyze trace metals in Wyoming coal The results were compared to a National Bureau of Standard (NBS) reference coal sample. The combined use of the Teflon bomb and flameless AAS appears to be a sensitive, accurate, and practical method for analyzing trace metals in coal. Most metallic concentrations in Wyoming coal samples do not appear to exceed the collected U.S. coal samples

Radon and Radon Daughters: Characteristics, Health Effects and Occurrences in Dwellings in Chadron, Nebraska

Radon and radon progeny were sampled biweekly from January through June, 1984 in outside air and five representative buildings at Chadron in northwestern Nebraska. The buildings were constructed of a variety of materials. Radon averaged from a low of 0.2 pCi/L in outside air to a high of 5.3 pCi/L in an energy-efficient home. Radon daughters ranged from 0.001 WL in outside air to a high of 0.014 WL, again in the energy-efficient home. A strong positive correlation existed between radon and radon progeny. Health risks associated with elevated levels of radon and radon progeny are discussed and assessed