Relationship of DNA Methylation with Cardiovascular Fitness and Body Composition

Global DNA Methylation (GDM), an epigenomic modification has been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. Our focus was to identify potential relationships between epigenetic alterations and both cardiovascular fitness and body composition measures. Purpose: As increases in aerobic fitness have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease, one purpose was to determine if a relationship was evident between global DNA methylation and VO2max. A secondary purpose was to determine if the relationship extends to body composition measured via Dual X-ray Absorbtometry (DXA). Methods: Fifty-two (male n=25, female n=27) subjects provided a blood sample for DNA isolation, underwent a DXA scan, and completed a maximal exertion exercise test on a treadmill for the determination of maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max). Global DNA methylation (GDM) (%) was evaluated utilizing a commercially available ELISA kit, and correlated with BMI, percent body fat (%BF), and VO2max using Pearson’s correlation coefficient with significance accepted at p≤0.05. Participants were divided into high and low groups according to median score and differences were determined by the independent t-test. Results: When the overall group was considered, GDM was not significantly correlated with any measure (BMI r=-0.15, p=0.27; %BF r=-0.20, p=0.14; VO2max r=0.24, p=0.09). When separated by gender, males displayed no significant correlations for any variable. In females, GDM was significantly correlated with BMI (r=-0.38, p=0.05), % BF (r=-0.43, p=0.02), and VO2max (r=0.39, p=0.04). Also, when the t-test was preformed there were no differences in the whole group or in the female group, but there were differences in the male group for %BF (p=0.007) and BMI (p=0.028). Conclusion: The results provide evidence that as BMI and % body fat increases, GDM decreases in females when they were tested for a relationship. In addition, epigenetic modifications appear to be associated with aerobic fitness in women. Future research should be directed toward identifying the gender difference observed from this data. The men in this study had significantly lower body fat (21±9 vs 29±8%) and greater VO2max (54±10 vs 46±9 ml/kg/min) compared to the women. Upon examining the data via the t-test in men, our results show that greater %GDM are found in the lower groups for %BF and BMI. It is possible that epigenomic effects are associated with a threshold of body fatness, and future studies should investigate this possibility

Synthesis and Characterization of PT(II) Complexes for Anticancer Therapy

The first platinum-based drug was discovered and approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1978 is cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin or CDDP). Cisplatin is used for about 50% of the chemotherapeutic cancer treatments along with its two analogues carboplatin and oxaliplatin. So far these drugs have been used extensively as treatment for ovarian, bladder, head and neck, and lung cancers. Although cisplatin has been used so often, it has toxic side effects and drug resistance.1-4 Due to these limitations other compounds have been synthesized. Specifically, our lab in conjunction with a biochemistry lab has recently published one article in this area. This project is a continuation to the development of anticancer drugs

Relationship of Global DNA Methylation with Cardiovascular Fitness and Body Composition

Global DNA Methylation (GDM), an epigenomic modification has been linked to the development of Cardiovascular Disease and its risk factors. The research focus is to identify the relationship between cardiovascular fitness measurements and epigen­etic alterations specific to chronic disease states in adult subjects. Twenty-six adult human subjects were required to complete a physical activity and diet questionnaire. Each individual donated a small blood sample (600 μL) in order for us to analyze the Global DNA Methylation (GMD). Then, their body composition was evaluated by us­ing the Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA Scan) machinery. The Pearson’s “r” value was used to reveal the correlation between GDM and various variables, while t-tests were used to assess if any differences exists between high and low value groups for each variable. The Body Mass Index was significantly correlated (p-value, r value; 0.031, -.556) with GDM in females only. Individuals with high folate intake had sig­nificantly greater GDM than the low folate group (high= 3.1+-1.2%, low=2.3+-0.7, p=0.034) as determined by the diet questionnaire. No significant correlations or dif­ferences were found in males. The results conclude that as BMI increases, GDM de­creases in females. In attempts to further investigate the relationships between GDM and these variables, auxiliary research needs to be conducted with larger subject pools containing additional sedentary participants

Iron Deficiency is Related to Depressive Symptoms in United States Nonpregnant Women of Reproductive Age : A Cross-Sectional Analysis of NHANES 2005-2010

This study was supported by the John L. Beard Program Endowment Fund.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Engaging Rural Nevadans in Participatory Research to Explore and Explain the Community Food and Physical Activity Context

The purpose of this study was to engage residents of four rural Nevada communities to explain local resources and readiness to address environmental challenges to weight healthy lifestyles. Residents engaged in HEAL MAPPS™, a participatory research approach using photomapping and community conversations to document lived experiences of place-based resources as supports or barriers. Data were triangulated to scale community readiness-to-change. This study focuses on a description of methods and qualitative findings. Healthy food unavailability emerged consistently among communities as a barrier; produce options were limited and many residents relied on convenience foods. Physical activity opportunities were available, yet access was a barrier. Transportation-related issues emerged as barriers to healthy eating and physical activity. Communities ranged between “vague awareness” and “preplanning” on readiness-to-change. Local data and shared knowledge of the obesogenic context can inform community policy and environmental improvements that promote health and enhance quality of life for rural populations

McNair Research Journal - Summer 2015

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the McNair Scholars Program Table of Contents Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair Statements: Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, UNLV President Dr. Juanita P. Fain, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Retention and Outreach Mr. Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach McNair Scholars Institute Staf

Nutritious Supplemental Foods for Pregnant Women from Food Insecure Settings: Types, Nutritional Composition, and Relationships to Health Outcomes

There is growing evidence that the provision of nutritious supplemental foods to undernourished pregnant women can improve maternal and infant outcomes. However, comparing and synthesizing the evidence base is complicated by differences in interventions and products and the use of ambiguous terminology. We aimed to define 2 common types of nutritious supplemental foods used in pregnancy, balanced energy-protein (BEP) supplements and lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS), and to review the evidence supporting each via a narrative review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs). Information about the nutritional composition of the food supplements and their effects on maternal and infant outcomes was abstracted. Five SRMAs ( = 20 trials) evaluated the effect of BEP compared with no BEP/control (comparison group commonly received iron and folic acid [IFA]). BEP foods/products ranged in calories (118-1017 kcals), protein (3-50 g), fat (6-57 g), and micronutrient content. Overall, maternal BEP improved birth weight and reduced the risk of stillbirth and small for gestational age when compared with no BEP/control in pregnancy. Three SRMAs ( = 5 trials) evaluated the effect of LNS compared with IFA or multiple micronutrients (MMNs). The LNS interventions comprised small- and large-quantity LNS that ranged in calories (118-746 kcals), protein (3-21 g), fat (10-53 g), and micronutrient content. LNS compared with IFA increased pregnancy duration, birth weight, and birth length and reduced the risk of small for gestational age and infant stunting; however, no beneficial effect of LNS was identified when compared with MMN. Despite heterogeneity in the nutritional composition of BEP supplements, the evidence suggests that in nutritionally at-risk populations, these products may improve birth outcomes in pregnant women. The evidence is limited but promising when LNS is compared with IFA in improving maternal and infant outcomes. Overall, BEP, compared with MMN or LNS, are key areas that have not been studied and deserve attention

Using Hexoskin Wearable Technology to Obtain Body Metrics in a Trail Hiking Setting

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(4): 425-430, 2015. Use of wearable technology to obtain various body metrics appears to be a trending phenomenon. However there is very little literature supporting the notion that these apparatuses can be used for research purposes in the field. The purpose of this study was to utilize Hexoskin wearable technology shirts (HxS) to obtain data in a pilot study using a trail hiking situation. Ten individuals (male, n = 4, female n = 6) volunteered to participate. On the first day, volunteers completed two approximately flat trail hikes at a self-preferred pace with a 15-minute rest between trials. On the second day, participants completed a strenuous uphill hike (17.6% grade) with a 15-minute rest at the summit and then completed the downhill portion. Body metrics provided by the HxS were average heart rate (HR), maximal HR (MHR), total energy expenditure (EE), average respiratory rate (RR), maximal respiratory rate (MRR), total steps (SC), and cadence (CA). Other measurements obtained were systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Data were analyzed using both one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with significance accepted at p≤0.05 and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for each variable. Both were determined using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS). No significant differences for trail type were noted for MHR (p=0.38), RR (p=0.45) or MRR (p=0.31). The uphill trail elicited significantly elevated HR (up=154±24 bpm, easy=118±11 bpm, down=129±19 bpm; p=0.04) and EE (up=251±78 kcal, easy=124±38 kcal, down=171±52 kcal; p=0.02). Significant ICC were observed for DBP (r = 0.80, p = 0.02), RR (r = 0.98, p = 0.01), SC (r = 0.97, p = 0.01) and RPE (r = 0.94, p = 0.01). Non-significant correlation were noted for uphill RR vs CA (r=0.51, p=0.16) or RPE vs SBP (r=0.03, p=0.94), HR (r=0.60, p=0.12), and MHR (r=0.70, p=0.051). We utilized HxS to provide physiological data in an applied setting. It should be noted that HR did not register in 5 out of 10 subjects on the easy trail, and 8 of 10 participants during the uphill hike. Additionally, estimated EE appears to be linked to HR intensity. Future investigations taken in an outdoor environment should take these findings into consideration