Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Results from this study are relevant to all women of childbearing age. More specifically, findings from this body of work pertain to pregnant adolescents and their neonates, as well as women of racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds or those with limited resources. Data from this project will provide insights into both the dietary and hormonal determinants of maternal weight gain and fetal adiposity among young pregnant mothers. Changes/Problems: In addition to interviewing pregnant adolescents for Aim 3 of this project, an amendment to the original IRB protocol was submitted and approved to include interviews with healthcare providers who work with the adolescents and also a comparison group of adult pregnant women from the same clinic. This will provide another perspective regarding teen beliefs and behaviors relating to prenatal health and allow us to know how their dietary and physical fitness beliefs during pregnancy differ from adult women. Additionally, some of the research funds for this project were used to purchase a cell phone for the texting portion of the social media intervention. This phone was not originally accounted for in the budget as a personal cell phone was going to be used to save money. This change allowed the researchers to comply with updated IRB guidelines at Cornell University and the University of Rochester to assure that participant identities were protected and that the phone number and cellular plan could be cancelled at the end of the study intervention. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training activities from this project included the postdoc completing four courses: NS 6580: Advanced Epidemiology: Theory and Practice (audit), BioMG7510: Ethical Issues and Professional Responsibilities (credit), NS7040: Grant Writing (credit), and NS6400 Social Science Theories in Nutrition Science (audit). Individual mentoring was received from her faculty mentor on grant writing which resulted in the submission of a competitive grant in response to a USDA RFA on bioactive nutrients. Additionally, the postdoc on this project received one-on-one training in the lab to run ELISAs on serum metabolites related to maternal and fetal body composition as well as cDNA and qPCR of placental metabolites related to pregnancy outcomes. Professional development from this project included the completion of twelve workshops from Cornell University's Center for Teaching Excellence. These workshops covered a range of topics ranging from classroom communication, course design, experiential learning, flipping the classroom, hybrid (online and in-person) courses), student assessment, portfolio use and faculty roles and expectations. Additional university-wide programs were attended to develop skills in using social media, searching for and applying for academic jobs, grant writing, as well as methods for creating dynamic presentations. The postdoc also completed a Postdoc Leadership Certificate Program in which she learned about laboratory management, mentoring, collaboration building and professional development. All of these experiences were completed in preparation for a tenure- track faculty position. Statistical training was received from Cornell's Statistical Consulting Unit on regression analysis, experimental design, factor analysis and the SAS programming language. Concepts learned in these statistical workshops were used in data analysis portions of this study for Aims 1 and 2. The postdoc attended an Illumina User Group Conference to learn about the robust applications of Illumina DNA Sequencing technologies which would be used in the event that the above USDA grant was awarded. Three departmental seminars were given by the postdoc to graduate students, faculty and staff in the nutrition department at Cornell University. The postdoc mentored freshmen undergraduates by serving as a discussion leader for the Cornell Freshman New Student Reading Project: Julie Otsuka's novel "When the Emperor Was Divine." Lastly, the postdoc created academic job interview materials including a presentation, curriculum vitae, research statement and teaching philosophy statement. These materials were submitted to two job postings and after being invited for interviews at Louisiana State University and Arizona State University, a Tenure-track Assistant Professor position was accepted at Arizona State University. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The postdoc has presented findings from this research to 20 undergraduate and 5 graduate students in weekly lab meetings. These students were interested in research, academic and medical careers and may benefit from learning about metabolic determinants of fetal adiposity and how maternal beliefs and behaviors may influence fetal outcomes. This information could be applied in these careers by providing data that may inform evidence-based dietary recommendations for at-risk pregnant populations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Major activities that were accomplished for this project include analyses for Aims 1, 2 and 3. Adipocyte-derived cytokine measures were analyzed by Millipore ELISA assay in maternal and neonatal cord serum. Neonatal cord cortisol concentrations at delivery were measured by Immulite 2000. Data analyses of cytokine, dietary intake and fetal fat measures have been performed. A medical chart review was also completed to obtain additional anthropometric and biochemical data. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses were completed to measure transcript levels of GLUT1, SNAT1, megalin and cubilin (RNA transcripts for nutrient transporters) in placental tissue. Journal publications for these data are being written. Significant findings from these analyses include greater knowledge of how dietary components affect fetal fat accretion in pregnant adolescents. Specifically, we found that total dietary sugar intake was most predictive of excess fetal abdominal adiposity. Our analyses of cytokine data suggest that adiponectin and leptin were not significant mediators of this relationship. The social media intervention outlined in Aim 3 for improving prenatal attitudes and behaviors about health has been completed. Transcripts from study interviews and focus groups are being transcribed. Analysis and publication of these data will follow.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Whisner CM, Young BE, Cooper E, Queenan RA, Pressman EK, OBrien KO. Maternal diet but not gestational weight gain predicts central adiposity accretion in utero among pregnant adolescents. 2014; Under review at Int J Obes.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Whisner CM, Cooper BM, Pressman EK, OBrien KO. A brief survey of digital media access among pregnant teens. FASEB J. 2014;28:806.21.(Poster Presentation)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Whisner CM, Cooper EM, Pressman EK, OBrien KO. Infant cord cortisol is impacted by birth size in pregnant adolescents. Reproductive Sciences.2014;21(3 supp):345A. (Poster Presentation)
|
Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: This study provides results that may be relevant to all American women of childbearing age. Specifically, findings from this work are relevant to pregnant adolescents and their neonates but may also apply to women from minority backgrounds and limited resource areas. Findings from this work thus far provide insights into the dietary and hormonal mediators of fetal fat accretion in neonates of young pregnant mothers. Changes/Problems: In addition to interviewing pregnant adolescents about their health beliefs and behaviors, an amendment to the current IRB protocol was submitted and approved to include interviews with healthcare providers who work with these adolescents. This will provide another perspective regarding teen beliefs and allow us to know what kind of dietary and physical fitness information they are receiving during prenatal clinics. Additionally, some of the research funds for this project will be used to purchase a cell phone for the texting portion of the social media intervention. This phone was not originally accounted for in the budget as we were going to use a personal cell phone to save money. This change will allow us to cooperate with the most current IRB guidelines at Cornell University and University of Rochester to assure that participant identity is protected and that the phone can be disconnected at the end of the study intervention. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training activities from this project included the postdoc completing four courses: NS 6580: Advanced Epidemiology: Theory and Practice(audit), BioMG7510: Ethical Issues and Professional Responsibilities (credit), NS7040: Grant Writing (credit), and NS6400 Social Science Theories in Nutrition Science (audit). Individual mentoring was received from her faculty mentor on grant writing which resulted in the submission of a competitive grant in response to a USDA RFA on bioactive nutrients. Additionally, the postdoc on this project received one-on-one training in the lab to run ELISAs on serum metabolites related to maternal and fetal body composition as well as cDNA and qPCR of placental metabolites related to pregnancy outcomes. Professional development from this project included the completion of seven workshops from Cornell University’s Center for Teaching Excellence. These workshops covered a range of topics ranging from classroom communication, course design, experiential learning, student assessment, portfolio use and faculty roles and expectations. Additional university-wide programs were attended to develop skills in using social media, searching for and applying for academic jobs, grant writing, as well as methods for creating dynamic presentations. All of these experiences were completed in preparation for a tenure-track faculty position. Statistical training was received from Cornell’s Statistical Consulting Unit on regression analysis, experimental design, factor analysis and the SAS programming language. Concepts learned in these statistical workshops were used in data analysis portions of this study for Aims 1 and 2. The postdoc attended an Illumina User Group Conference to learn about the robust applications of Illumina DNA Sequencing technologies which would be used in the event that the above USDA grant was awarded. Two departmental seminars were given by the postdoc to graduate students, faculty and staff in the nutrition department at Cornell University. The postdoc mentored freshmen undergraduates by serving as a discussion leader for the Cornell Freshman New Student Reading Project: Julie Otsuka’s novel “When the Emperor Was Divine.” Lastly, the postdoc created academic job interview materials including a presentation, curriculum vitae, research statement and teaching philosophy statement. These materials were submitted to two job postings and she was invited for interviews at Louisiana State University and Arizona State University. Currently, the postdoc has verbally committed to joining the faculty at Arizona State University. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The postdoc has presented findings from this research to 15 undergraduate and 5 graduate students in weekly lab meetings. These students are interested in research, academic and medical careers and may benefit from learning about metabolic determinants of fetal adiposity and how maternal beliefs and behaviors may influence fetal outcomes. This information could be applied in these careers by providing data that may inform evidence-based dietary recommendations for at-risk pregnant populations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The postdoc plans to prepare cDNA for qPCR analysis of two placental targets. These targets will be glucose and amino acid transporters. Data on mRNA levels will be analyzed statistically for associations with fetal biometry measures, specifically fetal abdominal fat accretion. Recruitment for the social media intervention will continue and the postdoc will work with undergraduates to share health messages via text and Facebook with pregnant adolescents. Participant interviews will be completed and data collection forms will be collected from study volunteers. The postdoc will continue to attend teaching and research workshops and seminars while working on writing journal publications.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Major activities that were completed for this reporting period include analyses for Aims 1 and 2 of this project. Adipocyte-derived cytokine measures were analyzed by Millipore ELISA assay in maternal and neonatal cord serum. Neonatal cord cortisol concentrations at delivery were measured by Immulite 2000. Data analyses of cytokine, dietary intake and fetal fat measures have been performed and journal publications for these data are being written. We have currently completed the medical chart review and all cytokine analyses on archived serum. Significant findings from these analyses include greater knowledge of how dietary components affect fetal fat accretion in pregnant adolescents. Specifically, we found that total dietary sugar intake was most predictive of excess fetal abdominal adiposity. Our analysis of cytokine data suggests that adiponectin and leptin were not significant mediators of this relationship. The social media intervention outlined in Aim 3 for improving prenatal attitudes and behaviors about health has been initiated and recruitment is underway. During the early parts of recruitment, text messages and Facebook content have been developed to assure an efficient start to the intervention.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Whisner CM, Young BE, Witter FR, Harris ZL, Queenan RA, Cooper EM, OBrien KO. Pre-pregnancy weight, PTH and season at delivery predict maternal bone loss in pregnant adolescents. J Bone Min Res. 2013 (Under Review).
Whisner CM, Pressman EK, Young BE, Cooper E, Queenan RA, OBrien KO. Adipocytes and fetal fat accretion in pregnant teens. FASEB J. 2013;27:111.8.
Whisner CM, Pressman EK, Young BE, Cooper EM, Queenan RA, O'Brien KO. Does pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and dietary intake in pregnant teens influence fetal fat accretion? Reproductive Sciences. 2013;20(3 supp):217A.
|
|