This dissertation examined whether factors specific to the perceiver influence whom he/she labels as “fat.” Building upon research examining the role that one‟s level of identification with a group (Castano, Yzerbyt, Bourguignon, & Seron, 2002; Leyens & Yzerbyt, 1992) and one‟s prejudice level (Allport, 1954; Allport & Kramer, 1946) play in the process of categorizing others, this dissertation examined whether one‟s body weight centrality and prejudice against fat people influence whom he/she labels as “fat.” Further, to understand the mechanism explaining the link between these factors and the labeling process, this dissertation also explored whether motivational factors underlie whom a perceiver labels as “fat.” Undergraduate females who self-identified as “not fat” were recruited for two studies that addressed these goals. Study one examined whether perceivers‟ prejudice levels and body weight centrality levels influenced how they categorized others based upon body weight and whether this categorization process represented a threat to the self. Study two examined further examined the role of prejudice and body weight centrality in body weight-based categorization as well as whether the desire to protect the in-group from contamination motivates the categorization process. Hypotheses were tested through a series of multiple regression analyses. Findings suggest that both prejudice towards fat people and the importance that one places upon body weight in one‟s feelings of self-worth predicted the fat threshold. Further, evidence did not support the hypothesized impact of motivational factors on the link between prejudice or body weight centrality and the fat threshold. Implications and limitations are discussed.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of total dietary fat intake on the prevalence of hand osteoarthritis (HOA) utilizing data collected in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) study cohort. METHODS: This is an observational cross-sectional study. Subjects from the OAI cohort with hand radiographs were analyzed for HOA, defined as a Kellgren-Lawrence score of ≥2 in two or more joints on different fingers. Dietary data and socioeconomic factors were collected from the baseline study visit. Logistic regression analysis assessed the association of total fat intake and disease prevalence. Odds ratios were calculated from the coefficients and confidence intervals were calculated with log-likelihood. RESULTS: HOA was prevalent in 1,106 out of the 2,993 participants (37%). Total fat intake did not show a significant relationship to disease prevalence when adjusted for age, education, income, race, smoking, BMI, prescription NSAID use, calcium intake, protein intake, total calories, saturated/monounsaturated fats, and alcohol consumption. There was a significant association of HOA with age, sex, education, race, total calories, and alcohol intake. Sex was analyzed independently to assess for effect modification, showing an association with age (P<0.01) OR (95%CI) 1.03 (1.02,1.03), race (P<0.01) 1.16 (1.09,1.23), and alcohol consumption (P<0.01) 1.06 (1.02,1.09) among only female subjects. Male subjects showed a strong association with age (P<0.01) 1.02 (1.01,1.02). CONCLUSION: Total fat intake does not show a significant association with HOA prevalence with the study sample from the OAI cohort. Age, race, and alcohol consumption showed significant associations depending on sex. More research is needed to further investigation these associations among different groups.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

No description available.

Graduation date: 1996

The accumulation of excessive fat is a serious concern in both the livestock production and human health fields. Obesity is a condition of excessive energy storage in the form of body fat ( triacylglycerols ). The cellular basis for obesity is not yet understood but numerous factors have been suggested. Genetic factors and altered metabolism may be two cellular parameters that contribute to the excessive accumulation of fat. Adipocytes are responsive to extracellular signals, which have a dramatic effect on their metabolism implying that these metabolic responses may be the result of differences in the composition or responsiveness of adipocyte receptors. The purpose of this research was to identify adipocyte specific marker proteins and to determine if there are any differences in the expression of these proteins that may be associated with the conditions of genetic obesity or leanness. Identification of adipocyte-specific markers should allow for a better understanding of adipocyte growth and development and determination of the adipocytes role in energy metabolism. A hybridoma line was produced which secreted a monoclonal antibody (LA-1) directed against a novel 64-kD protein unique to porcine adipocyte plasma membranes, having an undetermined function in the unique physiology of the adipocyte. This protein was found to be expressed in genetically lean adipocytes but not adipocytes derived from genetically obese sources. In order to elucidate the role of this unique adipocyte-specific plasma membrane protein, a porcine adipocyte eDNA library was produced. This library was screened with LA-1 and a eDNA clone isolated. This eDNA clone was used to study the expression of the gene responsible for this unique protein at the nucleic acid level. Northern blot analysis revealed a 5000- and a 7000-base pair species of poly (A+) RNA present in total RNA isolated from contemporary porcine adipose tissue. Determination of the nucleic acid sequence of the eDNA clone should allow for the determination of the actual identity and possible function of this adipocyte-specific protein and the possible role it may serve in regulating adipocyte growth and development. / Graduation date: 1991

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Radioreceptor binding studies were carried out in broiler chickens in order to characterize adrenergic receptors on their abdominal fat adipocytes. The radioligands ($ sp3$H) DHA and ($ sp3$H) YOH were used to identify $ beta$- and $ alpha sb2$-adrenoceptors respectively. The determination of receptor criteria indicated that the optimal protein concentration for the simultaneous binding of both receptor types was between 0.35 and 1.0 mg/ml. Pharmacological specificity for both $ beta$- and $ alpha sb2$-adrenoceptors was demonstrated using receptor specific antagonists and an agonist. Saturation isotherms indicated that ($ sp3$H) DHA and ($ sp3$H) YOH labelled with high affinity, a homogenous population of non interacting $ beta$- and $ alpha sb2$-binding sites respectively. Scatchard analysis of the saturation data for ($ sp3$H) DHA revealed a Kd value of 8.1 nM and a Bmax value of 420 fmol/mg protein, while ($ sp3$H) YOH binding had a Kd value of 7.0 nM and a Bmax value of 68 fmol/mg protein. The variation in $ beta$- and $ alpha sb2$-adrenoceptor binding parameters was then investigated on the abdominal fat pad adipocytes of male and female broiler chickens at 4, 6 and 9 weeks of age. Scatchard analysis of the binding data for $ beta$-adrenoceptors indicated that Bmax values were greater in male and female broilers at 9 weeks of age (p $<$ 0.05) and that overall Bmax values were greater in females than in males (p $<$ 0.05). Scatchard analysis of $ alpha sb2$-adrenoceptor binding revealed that in females Bmax values remained constant but differed at all ages in males. The $ beta$-adrenoceptor Bmax values were always significantly greater (p $<$ 0.05) than the corresponding $ alpha sb2$-adrenoceptor Bmax values. / These results established for the first time the existence of adrenergic receptors on broiler chicken adipocytes using a radioreceptor binding assay. Although the physiological implication of these receptors is not known, it is a critical step toward the understanding of the influence of the adrenergic system on adipose tissue metabolism in avian species.

Currently more than 300 million adults are obese and 1 billion are overweight throughout the world. Obesity is frequently accompanied by an array of health conditions such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes which are all considered to be part of what is now known as the metabolic syndrome. The role of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ has been emphasized by the characterization of its hormones: leptin, adiponectin and resistin. All three proteins regulate energy utilization. Over the past decade, leptin and resistin have also been shown to affect the reproductive system. This suggests that other adipocytokines, such as adiponectin, may also affect reproduction. This relationship was investigated using a porcine in vitro maturation system. When porcine cumulus oocyte complexes were matured in the presence of 30mug/mL of recombinant adiponectin an improvement in the meiotic maturation was observed. Moreover, maturation of denuded oocytes revealed that adiponectin acts through the cumulus cells to improve meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes. Finally, maturation of cumulus-oocyte complexes in the presence of MAPK pathway inhibitors suggested that adiponectin acts at or downstream of MEK1/2 and 38MAPK. This study shows, for the first time, an effect of adiponectin on porcine oogenesis. Further investigation will determine whether adiponectin also affects embryo development.