ANALYZING THE ROLE OF HIGH PRO-INFLAMMATORY DIETS AND CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN THE RISK OF ADULT CARCINOGENESIS IN SOUTH CAROLINIAN CHILDREN

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: EVANS-ALLEN
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1009651
• Project Start Date: May 16, 2016
• Project End Date: May 15, 2020
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
ORANGEBURG,SC 29117

Performing Department
Engineering Technologies

Non Technical Summary
There has been a growing crisis of childhood obesity in the United States. It is now being regarded as one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st Century. In the United States, one -third of all children, ages 2-19, are considered overweight or obese. The increase in the number of overweight and obese children in the United States could be caused by several factors, including nutrition and certain social determinants. Children from households that do not have access to healthy, nutritious foods are significantly more likely to be obese earlier in life than other children. Areas of South Carolina, such as the I-95 Corridor, have been under-developed for a long period of time and contribute to numerous problems to include obesity, poverty, and increasing health problems due to lagging health care. Obesity in children can lead to numerous health complications like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and cancer. Therefore, eliminating or reducing preventable risk factors such as unhealthy nutrition and childhood obesity may have important implications for reducing clinical manifestations of adult cancer outcomes. We plan to conduct a study enrolling South Carolinian children from varying degrees of rurality to determine if obesity and/or high-fat pro-inflammatory diets contribute to increased levels of pro-inflammatory markers, raising the possibility that long-term chronic inflammation may contribute to and increase the risk of adult cancers. These subjects will be randomized into obese and non-obese groups, based on BMI guidelines. We plan to assess the levels and transcription profiles of pro-inflammatory genes collected from these subjects using DNA sequencing and proteomics technology. The main objectives of this application are to determine a) whether there are significant differences in transcription within specimens between obese and non-obese South Carolinian children and b) whether incorporation of high-fat, pro-inflammatory diets significantly affect transcription of pro-inflammatory markers in bio-specimens collected from enrolled subjects. Comparison of transcription patterns, geographical area, demographics, and socioeconomic status between subjects enrolled in the study will also allow us to establish whether nutrition, obesity, or the combination are the contributing factors to the enhanced chronic inflammatory state implicated in carcinogenesis. Reducing childhood obesity, pro-inflammatory diets, increasing physical activity, and access to healthy foods are beneficial to the reduction of cancer risk and will serve as preventive measures for the onset of early-stage, adult cancers.

Animal Health Component

25%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

75%

Applied

25%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
724	6020	1050	100%

Knowledge Area
724 - Healthy Lifestyle;

Subject Of Investigation
6020 - The family and its members;

Field Of Science
1050 - Developmental biology;

Keywords

pro-inflammatory

childhood obesity

inflammatory

diet

cancer

cancer risk

anti-inflammatory

Goals / Objectives
The overall major goal of this project is to better understand the relationship between pro-inflammatory diets, pro-inflammatory marker expression levels, and adult cancer risk in obese South Carolinian children.The central hypothesis of this study is that high pro-inflammatory diets and lack of exercise, which are obesity precursors, will result in increased levels of bio-inflammatory markers that have been linked to cancer diagnosis. The study proposes to address our goal in two specific aims:Specific Aim 1: To investigate the link between childhood obesity caused by pro-inflammatory (high-fat) diets and low physical activity as risk factors for carcinogenesis; we will measure the expression and functionality of pro-inflammation biomarkers (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, Il12b, IL-10, TNFα, leptin, VEGF, adiponectin, CRP, and SAA); andSpecific Aim 2: To determine cancer risks by investigating differences in the pro-inflammatory gene signature according to demographics and socioeconomic status in racially-diverse populations (varying degrees of rurality, age, gender, income, and educational level) by data stratification.

Project Methods
Design and distribute participant survey: A survey will be designed to collect information on demographics, socioeconomic status, diet, exercise, family history, weight, BMI, and height. This information will provide a snapshot of participants' profiles. The PI, Co-PI, and the collaborators will design this survey.Survey distribution and bio-specimen sample collection: To distribute the survey, the researchers and the 1890 Extension agents will employ the help of area churches and well-utilized community venues to include barbershops, hair salons, community centers, and schools. Collection sites will be organized in each county, preferably community centers or churches.Recruitment of Human Subjects: Participants will include residents from the I-95 Corridor, or "Corridor of Shame", and other parts of South Carolina with compatible rurality. Participants must range between the ages of 2-19, the age-range classified as childhood years. As an incentive for participation, upon survey completion and collection of the data sample, a $50 gift will be provided to each participant. If the child is too young, it will be provided to the parent. Participants will be recruited through social media, flyers, letters, word-of-mouth, churches, and community centers. An information session will be held to discuss the proposed project (purpose and benefits) and the significance of their participation at a community venue.Based on statistical analysis, the number of samples needed has been determined and listed in the chart below. We will recruit twenty samples (ten normal and ten obese) from each of the six counties.Sample Types Year 1 Year 2 Year 3Participants with Normal Weight 60 60 60Participants who are Obese60 60 60Sample Collection: Sample collection sites will be organized in each county. Twenty samples (10 normal weight and 10 overweight/obese) will be selected from each county each year of the project for a total of 60 samples (30 normal weight and 30 overweight/obese). To collect the samples, we will provide participants with easy to use Norgen's saliva DNA, Oragene RNA, and Oasis Diagnostics Pure·SAL™ for protein collection kits. The kits are simple, non-invasive and will be easy to store and transport. Participants will be provided with the saliva collection funnel and collection tube. This is where the participants will collect the saliva. After spitting in the collection tube, the research team will add the preservation ampoule and then mix it with the collected saliva. The saliva collection tubes will then be transported to the lab located at SC State University for DNA, RNA, and protein isolation and analysis. Unique serial numbers will be used to track the samples until de-identification occurs.Sample Preparation: RNA, DNA, and protein will be extracted from saliva samples. RNA will be extracted using a Qiagen RNeasy micro-kit. DNA will be extracted using an established protocol (40). Protein will be extracted using an establish protocol (41).Sample Analysis: The expression of inflammation markers (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, Il12b, IL-10, TNFα, leptin, VEGF, adiponectin, CRP, and SAA) will be evaluated using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (q-PCR), DNA sequencing, and proteomics. Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) will be used as a standard control for each marker. The samples will be prepared for sequencing, and expression levels will be examined using PCR methods in house; then, DNA sequencing will be outsourced. Primers will be designed for each gene to quantitate DNA expression levels before sequencing occurs. Protein expression levels will be analyzed using western blotting at SC State, and mass spectrophotometry as needed will be outsourced as our laboratory does not have the technology or expertise to do so. After the subsequent data is analyzed, it will be stratified based on demographics and socioeconomic determinants.Pro-inflammatory Gene Signature: High fat diets initiate a cascade of events which eventually increase the risk for cancer. High fats diets are precursors to obesity. At the onset of obesity, alterations of receptors and growth factors (such as adiponectin and Interleukin-6) can occur which lead to the activation of upstream kinases (PKC, PKB, PI3K and Akt). Upon the activation of the upstream kinases (PKC, PKB, PI3K, and Akt), the transcription factors (Stat-3, NF-kb) initiate the pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. Once the transcription factors move to the nucleus, they initiate the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes such as TNFα, COX2, IL-1, IL-6 IL-8, Il12b, IL-10, leptin, VEGF, CRP, and SAA. The aforementioned genes have established roles in pathways associated with cell proliferation, inflammation, and cell survival which are all hallmarks of cancer (22, 30, 31, & 24).Correlation and Statistical Analysis: In Aim 2, to analyze the associations between inflammatory markers and the risk of adult cancer, we will calculate hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using separate Cox Proportional Hazards Models. The final models will include age, gender, race, site, exercise, BMI, weight, income, and education as covariates. We will examine variable distribution and correlation using the Wilcoxon Rank Test and the Pearson Correlation Coefficients, respectively. P values will also be considered

Progress 05/16/16 to 05/15/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences over the course of the project period has included: Children and adults in the rural (Orangeburg, Newberry, and Chesterfield counties) and non-rural (Richland) community through data collection, focus groups and local/community meetings; underrepresented minority SCSU students have also been reached through engaging them in scientific laboratory training and discovery. Scientists in the field, community stakeholders and faculty members at South Carolina State University were also a part of our target audience. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This research project has provided numerous training and professional development experiences for the Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator along with over seventeen (17) students funded through 1890 and through other grants. Training activities were provided via one-one and group lab meetings weekly in addition to training activities of how to conduct research on the bench in the laboratory. The 1890 funded student researchers attended the Annual Professional Agriculture Workers Conference (PAWC) at Tuskegee University in 2016, 2017, and 2019. The student researchers and project leaders also attending the professional development sessions at the LS-SCAMP Undergraduate Research and Symposium held at South Carolina State University on November 9, 2018. In 2018, six student researchers participated in the Young Researcher's Forum at the 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain. Three students had been accepted to attend the Young Researchers Forum at the 13th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in London, England; however, due to the recent Covid-19 pandemic this trip was cancelled. The PI and Co-PI attended a professional development conference during the MeTRC Health Disparities Conference held at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN on November 9-11, 2016 ss well as the PI and Co-PI attending the AACR Cancer Health Disparities Conference in San Francisco, CA in September 2019. All training and professional development activities hosted by South Carolina State University's 1890 Research and Extension Program were attended by the project leaders over the project period. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results from this research study have been disseminated to communities of interest via local, national and international meetings. Actual medical advice or individual research profiles have never been released to participants, as they are de-identified during the research process to protect the human subjects and protect confidentiality The participant survey has been designed using information from published surveys which is also used as an information tool to disseminate and educate about healthy nutrition options and physical activity. One presentation was held on June 18, 2016 at Rock Hill A.M.E. church for the Orangeburg District Christian Education Conference and Church School Convention. About 75 people were informed of the project and how they can participate. Another presentation was conducted for the Threatt-Spigner meeting held in Pawley's Island on July 16, 2016, representatives from various counties in Clusters 1 and 2 were present A recruitment and education table was set up at the 5th Annual Back 2 School Bash held August 7, 2016 in Newberry, SC. There were about 40-60 people who were informed of the importance of the study and participants did sign up for the study. A second presentation was also held for community residents of Newberry County at Fairview Baptist Church in Newberry, SC on October 31, 2016. A radio interview was conducted with Dr. A. Jerome Butler of The Power of Your Destiny Broadcast on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at 7pm. The title of the interview was "Childhood Obesity Shaping the Future". Dr. Knowell and Dr. Brown discussed relevant health related issues to childhood obesity and cancer, as well as the research project details. Listeners were given contact information to reach the project investigators for more information and to sign up for the study. The link to the live broadcast was also shared via Facebook and it is archived on The Power of Your Destiny Broadcast website. The PI presented the aims and progress of the project as a guest lecturer at the BRTCUM Seminar Series held June 28, 2017 at South Carolina State University. A presentation of scientific results was conducted at the 2nd International Conference on Obesity and Chronic Diseases held in San Francisco, CA on July 6-8, 2017 by the project leaders and research students. The PI and Co-PI disseminated research findings on the project and began recruitment for participants at the "Hotter than July" Benefit Brunch hosted by Endure the Extreme Non-Profit Organization scheduled on Saturday, July 29, 2017 in Orangeburg, SC. An oral presentation of the research took place at the 20th Global Summit on Food Processing, Safety & Technology held in Las Vegas, NV on November 6-8, 2017. The PI and Co-PI had an oral presentation of the research at the 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018. Six (6) students presented on work done on the project at the same conference as a part of the Young Researchers Forum. Dissemination also occurred at the BRTCUM Seminar Series in June 2018, the SC State CSMET STEM Showcase Day on April 4, 2018, the ABCRMS (Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students) undergraduate research conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 14-17, 2018 and the LS-SCAMP Undergraduate Research and Symposium held at South Carolina State University on November 9, 2018. The project leaders and students attended and presented research findings at the required 2017 and 2019 Association for Research Directors (ARD) Symposium hosted for all 1890 Land grant institutions held in Atlanta, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida, respectively. Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator presented the research findings to St. John Baptist Church in Columbia, SC (Richland County) in June 2019 and at the various community meetings held throughout the course of the project. Positive changes in attitudes toward healthier diets among community individuals and research participants that have attended our research talks and collection days has been seen. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Accomplishments SA1: We have preliminary data that compares the expression of the inflammation markers in non-cancer vs. prostate cancer DNA. We did notice marked increased expression in the inflammation markers, Serum amyloid A and C-Reactive Proteins (SAA1 and CRP). We have enrolled South Carolinian children from varying degrees of rurality (Chesterfield, Newberry, and Richland counties) to determine if obesity and/or high-fat pro-inflammatory diets contribute to increased levels of pro-inflammatory markers and obesity related genes to include: Adiponectin, leptin, SAA1 /2, Interleukin 1 and 6. Accomplishments SA2: Pro-inflammatory genes (SAA1, ADP, CRP and IL-1β) were expressed at varying levels among participants with direct correlation to diet. Preliminarily, the results suggest increased expression of these pro-inflammatory markers seen are directly correlated to diet irrespective of weight class (normal, overweight, obese). Survey analysis indicated that many of the participants eat variety of foods, both healthy and processed foods. Overall, the results suggest that the intake of high-fat diets (pro-inflammatory/fast foods) present with increased expression of these pro-inflammatory markers seen irrespective of weight class (normal, overweight, obese). The Demographic/Nutritional Survey, educational literature handouts and presentations, student training and communication outreach literature were all outputs disseminated during this reporting period

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 1. Ashley. Knowell*and Shanora. Brown*, Analyzing the Role of High Pro-Inflammatory Diets and Childhood Obesity in the Risk of Adult Carcinogenesis in South Carolinian Children. Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 2. Elijah. Medina-Bandy*, Kayla Hasty, Taiwo. Biotidara, Shanora. Brown and Ashley. Knowell. Investigating the Expression of Acute and Chronic Inflammation Markers in South Carolinian Children. Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 3. Kayla. Hasty*, Taiwo. Biotidara, Shanora. Brown and Ashley Knowell, Analyzing the Expression of Known Obesity and Pro-Tumorigenic Markers in South Carolinian Children. Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 4. Ashley Knowell and Shanora Brown. Analyzing the role of high pro-inflammatory diets and childhood obesity in the risk of adult carcinogenesis in South Carolinian children. 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 5. Dejah Thomas, Richard Drayton, Shanora Brown and Ashley Knowell. Implication of childhood obesity and high proinflammatory diets in South Carolinian children: Survey and data stratification. 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 8. Elijah Bandy, Ashley Knowell and Shanora Brown. Investigating the expression of acute and chronic inflammatory markers in South Carolinian children. The ABCRMS (Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students) undergraduate research conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 14-17, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 9. Dejah Thomas. Implication of childhood obesity and high pro-inflammatory diets in South Carolinian children: Survey and data stratification. SC State CSMET STEM Showcase Day on April 4, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 10. Elijah Bandy. Investigating The Expression Of Acute Inflammatory Markers In South Carolinian Children Presented at the LS-SCAMP Undergraduate Research and Symposium held at South Carolina State University on November 9, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 11. Ashley. Knowell*, and Shanora. Brown*.Analyzing the Role of High Pro-Inflammatory Diets and Childhood Obesity in the Risk of Adult Carcinogenesis in South Carolinian Children. Presentation at the 2017 ARD Research Symposium, April 1-4th, 2017, Atlanta, GA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 6. Taiwo Biotidara, Sydney Spry, Shanora Brown and Ashley Knowell. Expression of chronic inflammatory markers in South Carolinian children. 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 7. Maya Barbour, OQuan Cross, Timothy Green, Shanora Brown and Ashley Knowell. Evaluating the expression of known pro-inflammatory and obesity markers in prostate cancer. 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 12. Timothy. Green*, OQuan. Cross, Shanora. Brown and Ashley. Knowell. Implication of Childhood Obesity and High Pro-Inflammatory Diets in South Carolinian Children: Survey and Sample Analysis. Presentation at the 2017 ARD Research Symposium, April 1-4th, 2017, Atlanta, GA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 13. Ashley Knowell ,Shanora Brown ,Dejah Thomas and OQuan Cross. The role of high-fat diets and childhood obesity on chronic and acute pro-inflammatory markers (ADP, CRP, IL1�, SAA1, IL-12�) and the risk of adult carcinogenesis in south carolinian children Presented at 2nd International Conference on Obesity and Chronic Diseases held in San Francisco, CA on July 6-8, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 14. Ashley Knowell. Analyzing the Role of High Pro-Inflammatory Diets and Childhood Obesity in the Risk of Adult Carcinogenesis in South Carolinian Children. Presented at the 20th Global Summit on Food Processing, Safety & Technology held in Las Vegas, NV on November 6-8, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 15. Shanora Brown Implication of Childhood Obesity and High Pro-Inflammatory Diets in South Carolinian Children: Survey and Data Stratification Presented at the 20th Global Summit on Food Processing, Safety & Technology held in Las Vegas, NV on November 6-8, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 16. Ashley Knowell Analyzing the Role of High Pro-Inflammatory Diets and Childhood Obesity in the Risk of Adult Carcinogenesis in South Carolinian Children. presented the aims and progress of the project as a guest lecturer at the BRTCUM Seminar Series held June 28, 2017 at South Carolina State University.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: 17. Ashley. Knowell and Shanora. Brown. (2016). Analyzing the Role of High Pro-inflammatory Diets and Childhood Obesity in the Risk of Adult Carcinogenesis MeTRC Health Disparities Conference held at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN on November 9-11, 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: 18. Timothy. Green. (2016). Analyzing the Role of High Pro-inflammatory Diets and Childhood Obesity in the Risk of Adult Carcinogenesis Presented at the South Carolina State University LS-SCAMP and INBRE summer internship program on July 28-29, 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: 19. Timothy. Green, Q. Cross, S. Brown and A. Knowell. (2016). Implication of childhood Obesity and High Pro-Inflammatory Diets in South Carolinian Children: Survey and Sample Analysis and at the (PAWC)Professional Agriculture Workers Conference held at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, December 2016.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: 1. Ashley. Knowell and Shanora. Brown presented the research findings to St. John Baptist Church in Columbia, SC (Richland County) in June 2019.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: 2. Ashley. Knowell and Shanora. Brown. presented the aims and progress of the project as a guest lecturer at the BRTCUM Seminar Series held June 28, 2017 at South Carolina State University.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: 3. Ashley. Knowell and Shanora. Brown presented on the project and recruitment participants at the Hotter than July Benefit Brunch hosted by Endure the Extreme Non-Profit Organization Saturday, July 29, 2017.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: 4. Ashley. Knowell and Shanora. Brown presented at Rock Hill A.M.E. church for the Orangeburg District Christian Education Conference and Church School Convention was held on June 18, 2016.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: 5. Ashley. Knowell and Shanora. Brown. Presentation was conducted for the Threatt-Spigner meeting held in Pawleys Island on July 16, 2016.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: 6. Ashley. Knowell and Shanora. Brown presentation was held for community residents of Newberry County at Fairview Baptist Church in Newberry, SC on October 31, 2016.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: 7. A radio interview was conducted with Dr. A. Jerome Butler of The Power of Your Destiny Broadcast on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at 7pm. The title of the interview was Childhood Obesity Shaping the Future. Dr. Knowell and Dr. Brown discussed relevant health related issues to childhood obesity and cancer, as well as the research project details.

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences over the course of year 3 of the project has included: Children and adults in the rural (Orangeburg, Newberry, and Chesterfield counties) and non-rural (Richland) community through data collection, focus groups and local/community meetings; underrepresented minority SCSU students have also been reached through engaging them in scientific laboratory training and discover Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities were provided to the 6 undergraduate students who work on this project, in addition to 6 other students who work in our laboratory. We had one-one and group lab meetings weekly in addition to training activities of how to conduct research on the bench in the laboratory. Professional Development opportunities were provided for the project leaders and students. The PI, Co-PI, and six students attended the 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018. The student researchers were Dejah Thomas, Richard Drayton, Taiwo Biotidara and Maya Barbour, Sydney Spry and O'Quan Cross. Dr. Knowell. Dr. Brown, Dejah Thomas, and Sydney Spry attended the SC State CSMET STEM Showcase Day on April 4, 2018. Elijah Bandy was selected as a student scholar to attend the ABCRMS (Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students) undergraduate research conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 14-17, 2018. Dr. Knowell, Dr. Brown, Kayla Hasty, Taiwo Biotidara and Elijah Bandy also attended the LS-SCAMP Undergraduate Research and Symposium held at South Carolina State University on November 9, 2018. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The PI had an oral presentation of the research at the 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018. The Co-PI presented research at 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March 15-16, 2018. Six (6) students presented on work done on the project at the same conference. The student workers were Dejah Thomas, Richard Drayton, Taiwo Biotidara and Maya Barbour, Sydney Spry and O'Quan Cross. Dejah Thomas presented her research the SC State CSMET STEM Showcase Day on April 4, 2018. Dr. Ashley Knowell presented her research during the BRTCUM Seminar Series in June 2018. Elijah Bandy was selected as a student poster presenter at the ABCRMS (Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students) undergraduate research conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 14-17, 2018. Elijah Bandy also presented the LS-SCAMP Undergraduate Research and Symposium held at South Carolina State University on November 9, 2018. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, we have scheduled meetings with local school districts and school principals in order to notify them of the research study. It is our hope that the schools and school districts will be instrumental in providing the information to families in mass numbers; thereby increasing our participant numbers by a larger scale. We plan to continue collaborating with the health ministries and local churches within the communities. We plan to have large-scale recruitment and collection days to obtain the necessary samples and begin processing and sequencing. Our research team is planning to attend the 12th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Rome, Italy.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Accomplishments SA1: We have preliminary data that compares the expression of the inflammation markers in non-cancer vs. prostate cancer DNA. We did notice marked increased expression in the inflammation markers, Serum amyloid A and C-Reactive Proteins (SAA1 and CRP). We have enrolled South Carolinian children from varying degrees of rurality (Chesterfield, Newberry, and Richland counties) to determine if obesity and/or high-fat pro-inflammatory diets contribute to increased levels of pro-inflammatory markers and obesity related genes to include: Adiponectin, leptin, SAA1 /2, Interleukin 1 and 6. Pro-inflammatory genes (SAA1, ADP, CRP and IL-1β) were expressed at varying levels among participants with direct correlation to diet. Preliminarily, the results suggest increased expression of these pro-inflammatory markers seen are directly correlated to diet irrespective of weight class (normal, overweight, obese). Survey analysis indicated that many of the participants eat variety of foods, both healthy and processed foods. Preliminarily, the results suggest that the intake of high-fat diets (pro-inflammatory/fast foods) present with increased expression of these pro-inflammatory markers seen irrespective of weight class (normal, overweight, obese). Despite recruitment efforts, participants have been hesitant to enroll/participate in the study. Data analysis is on-going. Additional recruitment efforts have been implemented throughout all counties to set up information sessions with emphasis on participant incentives. The Demographic/Nutritional Survey, educational literature handouts and presentations, student training and communication outreach literature were all outputs disseminated during this reporting period.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 1. Ashley Knowell and Shanora Brown. Analyzing the role of high pro-inflammatory diets and childhood obesity in the risk of adult carcinogenesis in South Carolinian children. 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 2. Dejah Thomas, Richard Drayton, Shanora Brown and Ashley Knowell. Implication of childhood obesity and high pro-inflammatory diets in South Carolinian children: Survey and data stratification. 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 3. Taiwo Biotidara, Sydney Spry, Shanora Brown and Ashley Knowell. Expression of chronic inflammatory markers in South Carolinian children. 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 4. Maya Barbour, OQuan Cross, Timothy Green, Shanora Brown and Ashley Knowell. Evaluating the expression of known pro-inflammatory and obesity markers in prostate cancer. 11th International Conference on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition in Barcelona, Spain in March of 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 5. Elijah Bandy, Ashley Knowell and Shanora Brown. Investigating the expression of acute and chronic inflammatory markers in South Carolinian children. The ABCRMS (Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students) undergraduate research conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 14-17, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 6. Elijah Bandy presented at the LS-SCAMP Undergraduate Research and Symposium held at South Carolina State University on November 9, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 7. Dejah Thomas. Implication of childhood obesity and high pro-inflammatory diets in South Carolinian children: Survey and data stratification. SC State CSMET STEM Showcase Day on April 4, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: 8. A. Knowell* and S. Brown*, Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC 29117.Analyzing the Role of High Pro-Inflammatory Diets and Childhood Obesity in the Risk of Adult Carcinogenesis in South Carolinian Children. Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: 9. E. Medina-Bandy*, K. Hasty, T. Biotidara, S. Brown and A. Knowell, Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC 29117.Investigating the Expression of Acute and Chronic Inflammation Markers in South Carolinian Children. Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: 10. K. Hasty*, T. Biotidara, S. Brown and A. Knowell, Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC 29117. Analyzing the Expression of Known Obesity and Pro-Tumorigenic Markers in South Carolinian Children. Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.

Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences over the course of year 2 of the project has included: Children and adults in the rural (Orangeburg, Newberry and Chesterfield counties) and non-rural (Richland) community through data collection, focus groups and local/community meetings; underrepresented minority SCSU students have also been reached through engaging them in scientific laboratory training and discovery Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities were provided to the 2 undergraduate students who work on this project, in addition to 8 other students who work in our laboratory. We had one-one and group lab meetings weekly in addition to training activities of how to conduct research on the bench in the laboratory. Professional Development opportunities were provided for the project leaders and students. The PI had an oral presentation of the research at the 20th Global Summit on Food Processing, Safety & Technology held in Las Vegas, NV on November 6-8, 2017. The Co-PI presented research in a poster presentation at the 20th Global Summit on Food Processing, Safety & Technology held in Las Vegas, NV on November 6-8, 2017. Four (4) students presented on work done on the project at the 76th Annual PAWC (Professional Agricultural Workers Conference) Conference in December 2017 in Tuskegee, AL. The student workers were Dejah Thomas, Richard Drayton, Taiwo Biotidara and Maya Barbour. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The PI presented the aims and progress of the project as a guest lecturer at the BRTCUM Seminar Series held June 28, 2017 at South Carolina State University. PI, Co-PI and 2 students (Dejah Thomas and O'Quan Cross) presented at 2nd International Conference on Obesity and Chronic Diseases held in San Francisco, CA on July 6-8, 2017. The PI and Co-PI presented on the project and recruitment participants at the "Hotter than July" Benefit Brunch hosted by Endure the Extreme Non-Profit Organization Saturday, July 29, 2017. The PI had an oral presentation of the research at the 20th Global Summit on Food Processing, Safety & Technology held in Las Vegas, NV on November 6-8, 2017. The Co-PI presented research in a poster presentation at the 20th Global Summit on Food Processing, Safety & Technology held in Las Vegas, NV on November 6-8, 2017. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, we have scheduled meetings with local school districts and school principals in order to notify them of the research study. It is our hope that the schools and school districts will be instrumental in providing the information to families in mass numbers; thereby increasing our participant numbers by a larger scale. We plan to continue collaborating with the health ministries and local churches within the communities. We plan to have large-scale recruitment and collection days to obtain the necessary samples and begin processing and sequencing.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Accomplishments SA1: We have preliminary data that compares the expression of the inflammation markers in non-cancer vs. prostate cancer DNA. We did notice marked increased expression in the inflammation markers, Serum amyloid A and C-Reactive Proteins (SAA1 and CRP). We have enrolled South Carolinian children from varying degrees of rurality (Chesterfield, Newberry, and Richland counties) to determine if obesity and/or high-fat pro-inflammatory diets contribute to increased levels of pro-inflammatory markers and obesity related genes to include: Adiponectin, leptin, SAA1 /2, Interleukin 1 and 6. Pro-inflammatory genes (SAA1, ADP, CRP and IL-1β) were expressed at varying levels among participants with direct correlation to diet. Preliminarily, the results suggest increased expression of these pro-inflammatory markers seen are directly correlated to diet irrespective of weight class (normal, overweight, obese). Survey analysis indicated that many of the participants eat variety of foods, both healthy and processed foods. Preliminarily, the results suggest that the intake of high-fat diets (pro-inflammatory/fast foods) present with increased expression of these pro-inflammatory markers seen irrespective of weight class (normal, overweight, obese). Despite recruitment efforts, participants have been hesitant to enroll/participate in the study.Data analysis is on-going. Additional recruitment efforts have been implemented throughout all counties to set up information sessions with emphasis on participant incentives.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: PI, Co-PI and 2 students (Dejah Thomas and OQuan Cross) presented at 2nd International Conference on Obesity and Chronic Diseases held in San Francisco, CA on July 6-8, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: The PI had an oral presentation of the research at the 20th Global Summit on Food Processing, Safety & Technology held in Las Vegas, NV on November 6-8, 2017. The Co-PI presented research in a poster presentation at the 20th Global Summit on Food Processing, Safety & Technology held in Las Vegas, NV on November 6-8, 2017.
• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: The PI and Co-PI presented on the project and recruitment participants at the Hotter than July Benefit Brunch hosted by Endure the Extreme Non-Profit Organization Saturday, July 29, 2017.
• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: The PI presented the aims and progress of the project as a guest lecturer at the BRTCUM Seminar Series held June 28, 2017 at South Carolina State University.

Progress 05/16/16 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences over the course of year 1 of the project has included: Children and adults in the rural (Newberry and Chesterfield counties) and non-rural (Richland and Dorchester counties) community through data collection, focus groups and local/community meetings; underrepresented minority SCSU students have also been reached through engaging them in scientific laboratory training and discovery; conference attendees. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training activities were provided to the 2 undergraduate students who work on this project, in addition to 8 other students who work in our laboratory. One-one and group lab meetings were conducted weekly in addition to training activities of how to conduct research on the bench in the laboratory. Professional Development opportunities were provided for the project leaders and students. The PI and Co-PI attended a professional development conference during the MeTRC Health Disparities Conference held at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN on November 9-11, 2016. A poster presentation of the work accomplished to date was presented at the meeting. The student worker, Timothy Green, attended the 74th Annual Professional Agriculture Workers Conference (PAWC) at Tuskegee University on December 2-4, 2016, were he gave an oral presentation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Many outreach activities have been implemented and conducted to reach and inform members of the communities of interest to this project as they are the true drivers of this research project. The participant survey has been designed using information from published surveys which is also used as an information tool to disseminate and educate about healthy nutrition options and physical activity. One presentation was held on June 18th at Rock Hill A.M.E. church for the Orangeburg District Christian Education Conference and Church School Convention. About 75 people were informed of the project and how they can participate. Another presentation was conducted for the Threatt-Spigner meeting held in Pawley's Island on July 16, 2016, representatives from various counties in Clusters 1 and 2 were present. A presentation was also held for community residents of Newberry County at Fairview Baptist Church in Newberry, SC on October 31, 2016. A recruitment and education table was set up at The 5th Annual Back 2 School Bash held August 7, 2016 in Newberry, SC. There were about 40-60 people who were informed of the importance of the study and participants did sign up for the study. A radio interview was conducted with Dr. A. Jerome Butler of The Power of Your Destiny Broadcast on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at 7pm. The title of the interview was "Childhood Obesity: Shaping the Future." Dr. Knowell and Dr. Brown discussed relevant health related issues to childhood obesity and cancer, as well as the research project details. Listeners were given contact information to reach the project investigators for more information and to sign up for the study. The link to the live broadcast was also shared via Facebook and it is archived on The Power of Your Destiny Broadcast website. Student research assistants, Q. Cross & Timothy Green presented at the 74th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference held at Tuskegee University, December 2017. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period, meetings with local school districts and school principals have been scheduled in order to notify them of the research study. Schools and school districts will be instrumental in providing information to families in mass numbers, thereby, increasing participant numbers on a larger scale. Collaboration with the health ministries and local churches within the communities will continue. Large-scale recruitment and collection days are planned to obtain the necessary samples for processing and sequencing.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Accomplishments Specific Aim 1: Preliminary data has been collected that compares the expression of the inflammation markers in non-cancer vs. prostate cancer DNA. There is evidence of marked increased expression in the inflammation markers, Serum amyloid A and C-Reactive Protein (SAA1 and CRP).

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: A. Knowell and S. Brown. (2016). MeTRC Health Disparities Conference held at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN on November 9-11, 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: T. Green. (2016). South Carolina State University LS-SCAMP and INBRE summer internship program on July 28-29, 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Timothy. Green, Q. Cross, S. Brown and A. Knowell. (2016). Implication of childhood Obesity and High Pro-Inflammatory Diets in South Carolinian Children: Survey and Sample Analysis and at the (PAWC)Professional Agriculture Workers Conference held at Tuskeggee University in Tuskeegee, Alabama, December 2016.