Sharon Foley

Circadian Rhythm of Serum Total Homocysteine in Men

Serum homocysteine levels were examined in a 24-hour study of 7 healthy and 5 diabetic men, revealing a statistically significant circadian rhythm (p = 0.030), normal concentrations of 11.83 +/- 1.2 vs 12.99 +/- 1.2 micromol/L, with peak values occurring during the evening (10:37 P.M.) and lowest levels occurring during the morning. These findings imply that increased atherosclerotic risk in insulin-resistant diabetics during morning hours does not appear to be explained by differences in homocysteine levels in the normal population.

Altered Circadian Relationship Between Serum Nitric Oxide, Carbon Dioxide, and Uric Acid in Multiple Sclerosis

The free radical nitric oxide (NO·) is involved in a variety of diverse biological processes from acting as a vasodilator in the cardiovascular system to being the rate-limiting component in the production of peroxynitrite (ONOO−), a contributor to neurodegenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Uric acid (UA), the end product of purine metabolism in humans and a selective inhibitor of toxic reactions attributed to radicals formed by the interaction of ONOO− and CO2, is generally low in MS patients. We investigated the relationship between serum ONOO−, CO2, and UA in MS patients and normal controls by comparing the circadian characteristics of the NO· metabolites nitrite/nitrate (NO), CO2, and UA. In this preliminary study, we found the functional relationship ascribed to the circadian timing of the peak and trough levels of NO, CO2, and UA in healthy subjects to be clearly altered in MS patients. These findings suggest that alterations in the temporal relationship between the 24 h pattern in serum ONOO− formation and UA may either contribute to or reflect the disease processes in MS.

Predictors of weight loss in overweight veterans with knee osteoarthritis who participated in a clinical trial

Individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee have a high prevalence of obesity. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of weight loss among participants with knee OA in a clinical trial. A secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial was used. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict weight loss after identification of predictor variables from the data. Hypothesized predictors of weight loss included demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics. The only baseline variable that was significantly related to weight loss was the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score. The CES-D score was an independent predictor of weight loss at 16 (p < 0.01) and 32 weeks (p < 0.05). Receiving nutrition counseling was also predictive of weight loss at 16 weeks (p < 0.03). These two variables explained 24% and 22% of the variance in weight loss for weeks 16 and 32, respectively. Being less depressed and receiving nutritional counseling appeared predictive of weight loss in this group of veterans.

Estimation of Resting Energy Expenditure in Children With Spinal Cord Injuries

Abstract Background/Objective: Resting energy expenditure (REE) is the amount of energy needed to maintain energy balance. Prediction equations exist to estimate REE for adults. Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) can be used to estimate energy needs for children but may not be suitable for children with spinal cord injury (SCI). Limited information is available on energy expenditure of children with SCI. Research is needed to determine a method to estimate energy needs for children with SCI. This research project was designed to determine REE in children with SCI who attended an SCI clinic at a children’s hospital, determine variables that are correlated to REE in children with SCI, and determine a regression equation to estimate REE in children with SCI. Methods: A sample of convenience was obtained from children attending the SCI clinic at Shriners Hospitals for Children–Chicago. The REE was measured after a 4-hour fast usinga portable hand–held MedGem device to perform indirect calorimetry. Data including height, weight, age, months since injury,level of injury, gender, race, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Motor Score, ASIA Impairment Score, and body mass index were obtained as covariates. Results: Regression equations to predict REE were developed for boys and girls. The REE varied significantly from results obtained using both RDA and the Harris–Benedict equation. Height and level of injury were the only variables that correlated with REE in this sample. Conclusions: Measured REE was lower than the results of prediction equations. A regression equation was developed to estimate REE in children with SCI based on height and level of injury. Further validation studies are needed.

Vitamin D Status of Home Care Patients

Results: There were 252 (70%) patients included in the study and 69% of these patients had insufficient/deficient serum 25(OH)D levels. The mean serum 25(OH)D was 24.9 10.7ng/ ml. Therewere 21 (8%) subjects who experienced a fracture and 90 (36%) who experienced a fall. There was a significant association between fractures and vitamin D status (p 0.047) and no association between vitamin D status and falls (p 0.61). There was significant improvement in serum25(OH)D after vitaminD supplementation (p 0.001). Patients who failed to respond to vitamin D supplementation had significantly higher levels of serum vitamin B12 than patients who responded to supplementation (p 0.044).

Comparison of Two Methods for Evaluating Dietary Intake

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To determine the relationship between nutrient intakes obtained using the Gladys Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) vs. a recall of a typical days diet. Fifty-two men aged > 55 years participated in the study. Each subject was administered the Gladys Block FFQ by a registered dietitian who used food models to demonstrate portion sizes. Six months later, the same individuals were contacted by phone and probed to report a typical days intake. The FFQs were analyzed by the associated FFQ software and the typical days intake was analyzed using Nutritionist IV. Correlation coefficients and paired t-tests were used to determine relationships between nutrient intakes using both methods and mean group differences. Results showed a significant relationship (p