Addition of dietary methionine but not dietary taurine or methyl donors/receivers to a grain-free diet increases postprandial homocysteine concentrations in adult dogs

Author(s):  
Sydney Banton ◽  
Júlia G Pezzali ◽  
Adronie Verbrugghe ◽  
Marica Bakovic ◽  
Katie M Wood ◽  
...  

Abstract Grain based ingredients are replaced in part by pulse ingredients in grain-free pet foods. Pulse ingredients are lower in methionine and cysteine, amino acid (AA) precursors to taurine synthesis in dogs. While recent work has investigated plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations when feeding grain-free diets, supplementation of a grain-free diet with various nutrients involved in the biosynthesis of taurine has not been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementing a complete grain-free dry dog food with either methionine (MET), taurine (TAU), or methyl donors (choline) and methyl receivers (creatine and carnitine; CCC) on postprandial AA concentrations. Eight healthy Beagle dogs were fed 1 of 3 treatments or the control grain-free diet (CON) for 7 d in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. On d7, cephalic catheters were placed and one fasted sample (0 min) and a series of 9 post-meal blood samples were collected at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 min. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using the PROC GLIMMIX function in SAS (Version 9.4). Dogs fed MET had greater plasma and whole blood methionine concentrations from 30 - 360 min after a meal (P < 0.0001) and greater plasma homocysteine concentrations from 60 - 360 min after a meal (P < 0.0001) compared to dogs fed CON, TAU and CCC. Dogs fed TAU had greater plasma taurine concentrations over time compared to dogs fed CON (P = 0.02), but were not different than dogs fed MET and CCC (P > 0.05). In addition, most AA remained significantly elevated at 6 h post-meal compared to fasted samples across all treatments. Supplementation of creatine, carnitine and choline in grain-free diets may play a role in sparing the methionine requirement without increasing homocysteine concentrations. Supplementing these nutrients could also aid in the treatment of disease that causes metabolic or oxidative stress, including cardiac disease in dogs, but future research is required.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 62-62
Author(s):  
Sydney Banton ◽  
Julia G Pezzali ◽  
Renan Antunes Donadelli ◽  
Marica Bakovic ◽  
Katharine M Wood ◽  
...  

Abstract Grain-free pet foods have been sold for over a decade and comprise more than 40% of dog and cat diets sold today. Grain-free diets replace grain ingredients with pulse ingredients, which are high in lysine but low in methionine and cysteine, the precursor amino acids to taurine synthesis in the dog. The objective of this study was to evaluate the postprandial response of plasma methionine and taurine and whole blood taurine concentrations of dogs fed a grain-free diet without supplementation (CON) or with methionine (MET), taurine (TAU) or creatine, carnitine and choline (CCC) supplementation. Eight Beagles were pair housed and fed one of the four experimental diets for seven days in a 4x4 Latin Square Design. On the morning of d 7, cephalic catheters were placed and one fasted sample (0 min) and nine post-meal blood samples (15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 min) were collected. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using the PROC GLIMMIX function in SAS (Version 9.4). Dogs supplemented with MET had significantly higher plasma methionine concentrations from 30 to 360 minutes post-meal compared to dogs on CON, TAU and CCC treatments (P < 0.05). However, no differences were observed in plasma methionine concentrations between CON, TAU and CCC treatments at any time point (P > 0.05). Plasma taurine concentrations were significantly higher across time points in all treatment groups compared to CON (P < 0.05). Whole blood taurine concentrations tended to be higher across time points in MET and TAU treatment groups compared to CCC (P = 0.0513). Overall, MET, TAU and CCC supplementation increased plasma taurine concentrations compared to CON, but only MET supplementation increased plasma methionine concentrations from 30 to 360 minutes post-meal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Guazzelli Pezzali ◽  
Heather L Acuff ◽  
Will Henry ◽  
Celeste Alexander ◽  
Kelly S Swanson ◽  
...  

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of a grain-based (GB) and grain-free (GF) diet on protein utilization and taurine status in healthy Beagle dogs. Two practical dog diets sufficient in crude protein, sulfur amino acids, and taurine content were formulated with the same ingredients with exception of the carbohydrate sources. The GB contained sorghum, millet, and spelt while potatoes, peas, and tapioca starch were used in the GF. A total of 12 Beagle dogs were used in a completely randomized design with six replicates per treatment. The study consisted of an adaptation period of 2 wk followed by an experimental period of 28 d in which GB and GF were fed to the dogs. At the end of the adaptation period and every 2 wk after it (day 0, day 14, day 28), markers of taurine metabolism were analyzed in whole blood (taurine), plasma (taurine, methionine, and cystine), urine (taurine:creatinine), and fresh fecal samples (primary and secondary bile acids). Fecal samples were collected during the last 6 d of experimental period for digestibly assessment using titanium dioxide as an external marker. Taurine markers and digestibility data were analyzed in a repeated measures model and one-way ANOVA, respectively, using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS (version 9.4). Apparent crude protein digestibility was not affected by treatment, but dogs fed GF diet had lower apparent organic matter digestibility compared with those fed GB (P < 0.05). Greater plasma taurine concentrations were observed at days 14 and 28 compared with day 0; wherein dogs fed GF exhibited greater increase compared to those fed GB (P < 0.05). Whole blood taurine concentrations, plasma methionine concentrations, and urinary taurine:creatinine were also greater at days 14 and 28 compared with day 0 (P < 0.05), but no effect of diet was observed. Total bile acid excretion was similar between GF and GB groups, but dogs fed GF excreted a higher proportion of primary bile acids compared with those fed GB (25.49% vs. 12.09% at day 28, respectively). In summary, overall taurine status was not affected by dietary treatments, however, our results suggest that the higher content of oligosaccharides and soluble fibers in the GF diet may alter the composition of the fecal bile acid pool.


2010 ◽  
Vol 80 (45) ◽  
pp. 319-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allyson A. West ◽  
Marie A. Caudill

Folate and choline are water-soluble micronutrients that serve as methyl donors in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Inadequacy of these nutrients can disturb one-carbon metabolism as evidenced by alterations in circulating folate and/or plasma homocysteine. Among common genetic variants that reside in genes regulating folate absorptive and metabolic processes, homozygosity for the MTHFR 677C > T variant has consistently been shown to have robust effects on status markers. This paper will review the impact of genetic variants in folate-metabolizing genes on folate and choline bioefficacy. Nutrient-gene and gene-gene interactions will be considered along with the need to account for these genetic variants when updating dietary folate and choline recommendations.


Methodology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Livacic-Rojas ◽  
Guillermo Vallejo ◽  
Paula Fernández ◽  
Ellián Tuero-Herrero

Abstract. Low precision of the inferences of data analyzed with univariate or multivariate models of the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in repeated-measures design is associated to the absence of normality distribution of data, nonspherical covariance structures and free variation of the variance and covariance, the lack of knowledge of the error structure underlying the data, and the wrong choice of covariance structure from different selectors. In this study, levels of statistical power presented the Modified Brown Forsythe (MBF) and two procedures with the Mixed-Model Approaches (the Akaike’s Criterion, the Correctly Identified Model [CIM]) are compared. The data were analyzed using Monte Carlo simulation method with the statistical package SAS 9.2, a split-plot design, and considering six manipulated variables. The results show that the procedures exhibit high statistical power levels for within and interactional effects, and moderate and low levels for the between-groups effects under the different conditions analyzed. For the latter, only the Modified Brown Forsythe shows high level of power mainly for groups with 30 cases and Unstructured (UN) and Autoregressive Heterogeneity (ARH) matrices. For this reason, we recommend using this procedure since it exhibits higher levels of power for all effects and does not require a matrix type that underlies the structure of the data. Future research needs to be done in order to compare the power with corrected selectors using single-level and multilevel designs for fixed and random effects.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Mac Leod Dyess ◽  
Angela S. Prestia ◽  
Doren-Elyse Marquit ◽  
David Newman

Acute care practice settings are stressful. Nurse leaders face stressful demands of numerous competing priorities. Some nurse leaders experience unmanageable stress, but success requires self-care. This article presents a repeated measures intervention design study using mixed methods to investigate a self-care simple meditation practice for nurse leaders. Themes and subthemes emerged in association with the three data collection points: at baseline (pretest), after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks (posttest) from introduction of the self-care simple meditation practice. An analysis of variance yielded a statistically significant drop in perceived stress at 6 weeks and again at 12 weeks. Conducting future research is merited.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Papp ◽  
Chrystyna D Kouros

Objective: Guided by accounts of adjustment in daily life as a key indicator of health, the current study examined prospective changes in young adults’ emotions and substance behaviors assessed during a normative baseline period and during the acute COVID-19 disruption period in late March/early April 2020. The COVID-19 assessment also collected psychosocial risk factors expected to moderate changes in adjustment across time. Method: Participants included 295 young adults (70.8% female; ages 18-21 at baseline), drawn from an ongoing study of daily behaviors and health in college life that oversampled for recent substance behaviors, who completed both the baseline and COVID-19 assessments. Hypotheses were tested using analyses of repeated-measures data that included covariates of length of time between assessments and sampling group status. Results: Direct tests in support of hypotheses indicated an increase in negative affect (d = .67, p < .001), and greater alcohol use (d = .75, p < .001) and marijuana use (d = .58, p < .001), in daily life across time. Levels of positive affect (d = .08, p > .05), nicotine use (d = .01, p > .05), and prescription drug misuse (d = .003, p > .05) did not reliably change in tests of direct models. Moderation tests indicated several risk factors for experiencing steeper increases in negative affect, and increased likelihood of marijuana and nicotine use, in daily life across time. Conclusions: Findings offer implications for future research and clinical efforts to improve young adult adjustment in response to the pandemic.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey J. GINSBURG ◽  
Rebecca CAMERON ◽  
Roque V MENDEZ ◽  
Michael WESTHOFF

ABSTRACT: Social networking sites (SNS) include online products such as Facebook that allow users to build and maintain large interpersonal Internet networks. Older adult users have dramatically increased (Duggan & Smith, 2014). This investigation examined how 212 university undergraduate Facebook users estimated success with helping others use Facebook when learner’s age (20, 40, 60 year olds.) and type of acquaintance (friend or kin) was manipulated in hypothetical scenarios. In these scenarios, a person is identified as KW, described as being a college student much like the participant. KW has 20, 40 or 60 year-old acquaintances, a friend or a kin at each age, all wanting KW’s help learning about social media. This was the only information provided. Qualities and strengths of these interpersonal relationships were not examined. Results from repeated measures 2x3 ANOVA showed a significant main effect for age, but no effect for acquaintance type. Results showed no significant interaction. Although the age demographic above 50 years is the fastest growing SNS group, results showed possible age stereotyping among youth when they assist older adults learning to use SNS. This age effect may be lessened as older adults become more skillful social media users. These findings are limited because of the sample demographics and a lack of identifying qualities of participants’ attributions about the hypothetical friends or relatives. Future research using multiple items per condition might be able to further elucidate how the type of associations between helper and learner, close or distant, positive or negative, would influence outcomes.Ayudando a otros a usar los medios sociales: estereotipos de edad al estimar el éxito del alumnoRESUMEN: Sitios de redes sociales (SNS) como Facebook permiten a usuarios crear y mantener redes de Internet interpersonales. El número de usuarios adultos mayores de edad sigue incrementado (Duggan y Smith, 2014). Esta investigación examinó como 212 estudiantes universitarios usuarios de Facebook calcularon su éxito en ayudar a otros a usar Facebook cuando la edad de la persona a quien ayudaron (20, 40, 60 años) y su conocimiento de la persona a quien ayudaron (amigo o pariente) fue manipulado en escenarios hipotéticos. En estos escenarios, una persona hipotética identificada como KWfue definida como un estudiante universitario al igual que el participante. En cada escenario se supuso que KW tuviera un amigo o pariente de 20, 40 o 60 años de edad quien le pidiera que le enseñara los medios de comunicación social. Esta fue la única información proporcionada. No fueron examinadas las cualidades de estas relaciones interpersonales. Los resultados de un 2X3 ANOVA de mediciones repetidas mostraron un efecto significativo para la edad, pero no para conocimiento. Los resultados no mostraron interacción significativa. Aunque los mayores de edad en encima de 50 años es el grupo demográfico que ha visto el más rápido crecimiento de uso de sitios de redes sociales, los resultados mostraron posibles estereotipos entre los jóvenes hacia estos adultos. Este efecto de edad disminuye si los adultos mayores de edad llegan a ser más hábiles en el uso de los medios sociales. Estos resultados son limitados debido a las características demográficas de la muestra y la falta en identificar las cualidades de atribución hechas por los participantes sobre amigos o familiares hipotéticos. Las investigaciones futuras utilizando varias ítems por condición podrían aclarar cómo las asociaciones entre el ayudante y alumno, y la relación cercana o distante de quien ayuda, podrían influir en los resultados.


2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Lane ◽  
Ruth Hewston ◽  
Emma Redding ◽  
Gregory P. Whyte

Full-time dancers typically spend a large proportion of time participating in dance classes. The present study examined mood state changes following two contrasting modern-dance styles on a sample of full-time dancers. Twenty-three dancers completed the Brunel University Mood Scale (Terry, Lane, Lane, & Keohane, 1999) to assess anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, tension, and vigor before and after two different dance classes. One class taught was the Jose Limon technique style, characterized by light flowing movement, and the other class taught was the Martha Graham technique style, characterized by bound movements. Results showed that participants reported a positive mood profile before and after both dance classes. Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance results indicated a significant interaction effect (Pillai's Trace 6, 15 = .32, p < .01), whereby Vigor increased following the Limon class but remained stable after the Graham class. Future research is also needed to investigate mood changes over a sustained period to evaluate more fully mood states responses to the demands of dance classes.


1989 ◽  
Vol 33 (18) ◽  
pp. 1223-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Lewis

This paper discusses methods with which one can simultaneously counterbalance immediate sequential effects and pairing of conditions and stimuli in a within-subjects design using pairs of Latin squares. Within-subjects (repeated measures) experiments are common in human factors research. The designer of such an experiment must develop a scheme to ensure that the conditions and stimuli are not confounded, or randomly order stimuli and conditions. While randomization ensures balance in the long run, it is possible that a specific random sequence may not be acceptable. An alternative to randomization is to use Latin squares. The usual Latin square design ensures that each condition appears an equal number of times in each column of the square. Latin squares have been described which have the effect of counterbalancing immediate sequential effects. The objective of this work was to extend these earlier efforts by developing procedures for designing pairs of Latin squares which ensure complete counterbalancing of immediate sequential effects for both conditions and stimuli, and also ensure that conditions and stimuli are paired in the squares an equal number of times.


Author(s):  
Richard R. Suminski ◽  
Gregory M. Dominick ◽  
Matthew Saponaro

Evidence suggests that video captured with a wearable video device (WVD) may augment or supplant traditional methods for assessing park use. Unmanned aerial systems (UASs) are used to assess human activity, but research employing them for park assessments is sparse. Therefore, this study compared park user counts between a WVD and UAS. A diverse set of 33 amenities (e.g., playground) in three parks were videoed simultaneously by one researcher wearing a WVD and another operating the UAS. Assessments were done at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends, with one park evaluated on two occasions 7 days apart. Two investigators independently reviewed videos and reached consensus on the counts of individuals at each amenity. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to determine intra- and interrater reliabilities. A total of 404 (M = 4.7; SD = 9.6) and 389 (M = 4.5; SD = 9.0) individuals were counted in the UAS and WVD videos, respectively. Absolute agreement was 86% (74/86) and 100% when no individuals were using the amenity. Whether using all 86 videos or only videos having people (48 videos), ICCs indicated excellent reliability (ICC = .99; p < .001). The totals seen for the repeated measures were UAS = 146 and WVD = 136 for Day 1 and UAS = 169 and WVD = 161 for Day 2. Intrarater reliability was excellent for the UAS (ICC = .92; p < .001) and good for the WVD (ICC = .89; p < .001). Disagreement was mainly due to obstructions—people behind or under structures. This study provides support for the use of UASs for counting park users and future research examining the potential benefits of video analysis for assessing park use.


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