Thesis (M.S.) in Marine Bio-Resources--University of Maine, 2006. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-81).

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2009. / Mode of access: Internet. Title from PDF title page; viewed on November 13, 2009. Major professor: Susan Hawk. "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Agriculture, with specialization in Food Science and Nutrition." "October, 2009." Includes bibliographical references (p. 40-46).

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on November 19, 2009). Thesis advisor: Dr. Thyfault. Includes bibliographical references.

Οι ελαιογόνοι Ζυγομύκητες έχουν την ικανότητα να συσσωρεύουν σημαντικές ποσότητες λιπιδίων, πλουσίων σε πολυακόρεστα λιπαρά οξέα (PUFA) μεταβολίζοντας γλυκερόλη. Στο μυκήλιο όλων των στελεχών που μελετήθηκαν συσσωρεύτηκε μεγαλύτερη ποσότητα ουδέτερων λιπιδίων (NL) από ότι γλυκολιπιδίων, σφιγγολιπιδίων και φωσφολιπιδίων (P). Η βιοσύνθεση των P στους Mortierella ramanniana, Mucor sp. και Cunninghamella echinulata πραγματοποιήθηκε ενώ η διαδικασία συσσώρευσης των NL ήταν σε εξέλιξη. Η συγκέντρωση των PUFA μειώθηκε σε όλα τα λιπιδιακά κλάσματα του M. ramanniana κατά τη διάρκεια της αύξησης. Αντίθετα, στην περίπτωση του C. echinulata τόσο η συγκέντρωση του λινελαϊκού όσο και του γ- λινολενικού οξέος (GLA) αυξήθηκε με το χρόνο σε όλα τα κλάσματα, και κυρίως στο κλάσμα των P. Τα λιπίδια του Mucor sp. ήταν πλούσια σε ελαϊκό οξύ και GLA, ενώ τα Ρ του Thamnidium elegans παρόλο που ήταν πλούσια σε λινελαϊκό οξύ, αυτό δε μετατράπηκε σημαντικά σε GLA. Δεδομένου ότι η κύρια λειτουργία των PUFA στους Ζυγομύκητες σχετίζεται με τη συμμετοχή τους στις μυκηλιακές μεμβράνες θα μπορούσαμε να υποθέσουμε ότι η βιοσύνθεση αυτών των λιπαρών οξέων σχετίζεται άμεσα με τη μυκηλιακή αύξηση. Ωστόσο αυτό ισχύει μόνο για ορισμένες περιπτώσεις Ζυμομυκήτων όπως αυτή του M. ramanniana. Αντίθετα, υπό τις ίδιες πειραματικές συνθήκες, η βιοσύνθεση των PUFA στην περίπτωση του C. echinulata συνεχίζεται ακόμη και μετά την ολοκλήρωση της αύξησης, υποδεικνύοντας ότι σε αυτό το είδος η βιοσύνθεση δεν σχετίζεται άμεσα με την πρωτογενή αύξηση. / Oleaginous Zygomycetes have the ability to accumulate large amounts of lipids rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that are of pharmaceutical and nutritional interest. In all investigated strains fungal mycelia contained higher amounts of neutral lipids (NL) than glycolipids plus sphingolipids (G+S) and phospholipids (P), while biosynthesis of P in Mortierella ramanniana, Mucor sp. and Cunninghamella echinulata occurred though NL accumulation process was in progress. PUFA concentration gradually decreased in all lipid fractions of M. ramanniana during growth. In contrast, in C. echinulata concentration of both linoleic acid and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) strongly increased with time in all lipids, especially in P. Lipids of Mucor sp. were enriched in both oleic acid and GLA, while P of Thamnidium elegans were enriched in linoleic acid, but this fatty acid was not efficiently converted to GLA. Taking for granted that the main function of PUFA in Zygomycetes is associated to their participation in mycelial membranes we could suppose that biosynthesis of these fatty acids is strongly associated to mycelial growth. However, this is accurate only for some Zygomycetes, such as M. ramanniana. On the contrary, under the experimental conditions used in this work, PUFA biosynthesis in C. echinulata persists after growth cessation, suggesting that in this species biosynthesis is not a strictly growth-associated process.

Orientador: Fernando Sebastián Baldi Rey / Banca: Raysildo Barbosa Lobo / Banca: Danisio Prado Munari / Banca: Fabyano Fonseca e Silva / Banca: Humberto Tonhati / Resumo: Existem diferentes métodos e pseudo-fenótipos utilizados em predições genômicas, sendo necessário determinar o ideal para a característica de interesse. Os ácidos graxos da carne que contribuem de forma prejudicial para a saúde humana têm recebido considerável atenção nos últimos anos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a acurácia de predição genômica de diferentes métodos (SNP-BLUP, BayesC, BayesCπ e Bayesian Lasso) e pseudo-fenótipos (fenótipo ajustado para os efeitos fixos, valor genético estimado via pedigree e valor genético genômico obtido pelo método single step GBLUP) em dados simulados e reais de perfil de ácidos graxos no músculo Longissimus thoracis da raça Nelore terminados em confinamento. A proposta de inclusão do GEBV obtido pelo método passo único genômico BLUP (ssGBLUP) como pseudofenótipo nesta pesquisa é inédita em predição genômica, para responder um dos problemas frequentes ao utilizar a matriz advinda da informação genealógica, pela maioria dos produtores de gado de corte utilizarem o sistema de acasalamento que utiliza reprodutores multiplos. Foram utilizados cerca de 963 bovinos machos inteiros da raça Nelore terminados em confinamento e genotipados com um painel de 777.962 SNPs do Ilumina BovineSNP BeadChip. A informação genômica pode servir para melhorar o perfil de ácidos graxos em animais do grupo Zebu, por ter-se observado valores genômicos preditos com com acurácia de baixa a moderada magnitude. Nenhum dos métodos foi melhor para todos os ácidos... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: There are different methods and pseudo-phenotypes used in genomic predictions, being necessary to determine the ideal for each trait of interest. Beef fatty acids that contribute to human health have received considerable attention in the last years. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate genomic predition accuracy of different methodologies (SNP-BLUP, BayesCπ, BayesC and Bayesian Lasso) pseudo-phenotypes (adjusted phenotype, estimated breeding value and genomic estimated breeding value by ssGBLUP) in simulated and real data of fatty acid profile in the Longissimus thoracis muscle of Nelore cattle finished in feedlot. The inclusion of the GEBV obtained by single step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP) method as pseudo-phenotype in this research is innovator in genomic prediction, to answer one of the frequent problems when using the matrix derived from pedigree, by the mating system that uses multiple sires for many cattle breeders. A total of 963 Nelore bulls with phenotype for fatty acid profiles, were genotyped using the Illumina Bovine HD Bead Chip with 777,962 SNPs. Genomic information can assist in improving fatty acid profile in Zebu animals, since the use of genomic information yielded genomic values for fatty acid profile with accuracies ranging from low to moderate. None of the methods excelled in terms of accuracy, however the SNP-BLUP method allows obtaining less biased genomic evaluations. The ssGBLUP model is an appropriate alternative to obtaining more reliable and less biased GEBVs as pseudo-phenotypes in situations of missing pedigree, due to high proportion of multiple sires, being more appropriate than the EBVs or adjusted phenotypes for fixed effect to predict direct genomic values. / Doutor

BACKGROUND: As the prevalence of metabolic risk factors in the American population has increased over time, so too has the diagnoses of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Within this spectrum of disease lies the potential for silent progression towards cirrhosis, leaving the patient with few options for treatment. Currently, the standard of care remains counseling on diet and exercise with the goal of reversing disease progression by addressing the underlying risk factors. LITERATURE REVIEW: Recent studies have shown that a correlation exists between low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and hepatic injury from NAFLD. This has become an active area of research, due in part to the anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties of vitamin D. The prospect of a simple and cost effective intervention that can exert its effects on the mechanisms behind the development of NAFLD is interesting and warrants further research. PROPOSED PROJECT: This proposal is for a double-blind, randomized, experimental study of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) versus placebo in a patient population of those with both clinically proven NAFLD and concomitant vitamin D deficiency. Liver fibrosis will be measured and staged with the use of FibroScan elastography. The statistical analysis thereafter will determine if a clinically significant reduction in hepatic fibrosis exists, compared with the results of the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Should vitamin D prove to be an effective treatment option in reversing the progression of NAFLD, clinicians would be equipped with a simple and safe tool to augment their management of the patient. For those that experience barriers (i.e. lower socioeconomic status, other comorbidities, etc.) preventing them from improving diet and exercise, vitamin D would serve as an alternative therapy to aid in reducing their disease burden. Easier methods to treat their disease now projects improved quality of life years later.

Lipid oxidation is the main factor which limits the shelf-life of meat when held under frozen storage. Research undertaken used pork phospholipid liposomes as a model for studying lipid oxidation in meat. Oxidation was followed by monitoring the decrease in the phospholipid unsaturated fatty acyl chains. It was found that the greater the level of unsaturation of the phospholipid fatty acyl chain the greater was their susceptibility to peroxidation. However, the results were not consistent and several reasons for the variation in rate are provided. At ambient temperatures copper (II) was found to be pro-oxidant in the peroxidation of liposomes. At temperatures below 0°C the prooxidant activity of copper (II) was significantly reduced. However copper again became highly pro-oxidant if sodium chloride was present. It is suggested that salt controls the copper ion concentration at sub-zero temperatures as the pro-oxidant activity of copper (II) is reduced on increasing the copper (II) concentration from 0.9 to 90 ppm. Other experiments found sodium nitrite and pholyphosphate to act as antioxidant and that liposome structure was an important factor in the rate of peroxidation. Four storage trials on pork burgers were undertaken to determine whether salt was also pro-oxidant in the stability of pork when held under frozen storage. The oxidative deterioration of the meat was followed by the following methods of analysis:- 1. The decrease in the unsaturated acyl chains of both total lipid and phospholipid. 2. The change in the colour parameters of the meat using reflectance spectroscopy. 3. The analysis of neutral lipid oxidation products by HPLC. 4. The organoleptic qualities of the pork using a trained panel of food assessors. The results from these storage trails showed that the deterioration of pork was minimised by storing the burgers at lower temperatures within the range 0 to -30°C. Salt was found to accelerate the oxidative deterioration of both uncooked and cooked pork when stored at -20°C. Nitrite was found to exhibit some antioxidant behaviour and reduce the pro-oxidant effect of salt.

This work investigated the consequences of vegetable oils spills in salt marsh sediments. The role of autochthonous bacteria in the oils degradation and degradative pathways were also studied 'in situ' and 'in vitro'. Simulated spills of sunflower and linseed oils revealed that both oils penetrated the sediments at a rate of 10-7 CM2 s-1. However, whereas 60% of the linseed oil had disappeared from the sediments after 2 months most of the sunflower oil remained after 6 months. Differences were noted in the adsorption of the oils to sediment particles and the depth at which they accumulate and these factors most likely influenced the route of the oil degradation and the sediments properties such as permeability. The contamination of the sediments with vegetable oils lead to a noticeable reduction in the abundance of plant roots and infauna. The abundance of aerobic, anaerobic and sulphate reducing bacteria in the sediments was increased by the addition of both oils, with linseed oil supporting greater bacterial density than sunflower oil. During the course of the experiment the relative abundance of oil degrading bacteria also increased. As a consequence of the increased bacterial activity, the sediments pH and Eh decreased and anoxic conditions were established, earlier in the case of linseed than that of sunflower oils. The degradation of the oils appeared to be a sequential process, initiated by the aerobic and/or anaerobic bacteria and continued by the sulphate reducing bacteria which themselves where unable to utilise the raw oils. The original composition of both oils underwent alterations mostly associated with their main fatty acid: the concentration of 18: 3(o3 and 18: 2o)6 in linseed and sunflower oil, respectively, decreased whereas that of the remaining fatty acids increased. As a result of the bacterial degradation of the vegetable oils 'new' fatty acids were detected and their identification was attempted using GC-MS analysis of their picolinyl and methyl esters. Various degradative pathways of linseed and sunflower oils involving the formation of the 'new' fatty acids are suggested with isomerisation, hydrogenation and P-oxidation as the primary routes for the degradation.

This thesis examines the influence of inter-generational, early life and behavioural factors on adiposity in young adulthood. The work is based on 951 families who participated in the Barry Caerphilly Growth Study between 1972-9. Children in the study were followed-up at age 25-26 and invited to attend a clinic where anthropometric measurements were taken and details collected of current lifestyle. Their middle aged parents were followed-up for this research project; all parents were sent a health and lifestyle questionnaire and a sub-sample measured clinically. Parent and offspring variables were assessed in multivariable models to determine factors associated with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in young adulthood. Offspring variables included childhood adiposity from birth to age 5 and behaviours and social class at follow-up; parental variables included maternal BMI during pregnancy and parental adiposity in middle age. BMI at age 5 predicted later BMI, though the strength of the association was reduced after controlling for social class and parental BMI. An inverse relationship between age at puberty and later adiposity was explained by BMI at age 5. Size at birth was not significantly associated with later BMI, but children who were smaller at birth had a higher waist circumference at age 25-26. The BMI of both parents predicted their offspring's BMI in adulthood. Parental adiposity had little influence on offspring fat distribution. Few significant associations were found with parental or offspring behaviours. One exception was parental dietary restraint score; higher restraint was associated with lower BMI and waist circumference in females but not males. Thus, higher BMI around age 5 or higher parental BMI at any age, may identify individuals at risk of raised BMI in young adulthood. Size at birth may influence later fat distribution. Shared family attitudes to weight control may also be important in the development of adiposity.