NE172: Nutritional Risk and Antioxidant Status in the Elderly

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[10/20/2002]

Date of Annual Report: 10/20/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/09/2002 - 06/11/2002
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/1999 - 09/01/2004

Participants

Participants:
Afele-Faamuli, Salei’a (sfaamuli@reeusda.gov) –CSREES;
Burke, Joanne (jburke@cisunix.unh.edu)-Univ. of New Hampshire;
Cohen, Nancy (cohen@nutrition.umass.edu)-Univ. of MA, Amherst;
Cook, Richard (racook@umenfa.maine.edu)-Univ. of ME, Farmington;
Curran-Celentano, Joanne (joanne.celentano@unh.edu)-Univ. of New Hampshire;
English, Cathy (cathy@uri.edu)-Univ. of RI
Ferris, Ann (ferris@uconnvm.uconn.edu)-Univ. of CT., Storrs;
Fey-Yensan, Nancy (fey@uri.edu)-Univ. of RI;
Gilbride, Judith (judith.gilbride@nyu.edu)-New York Univ.;
Jiles, Charles (Cjiles@udc.edu)-Univ. of DC;
Kantor, Mark (mk4@umail.umd.edu)-Univ. of Maryland;
Lammi-Keefe, Carol (clammi@canr.uconn.edu)-Univ. of CT., Storrs;
Lariviere, Crystal (email/na) Univ. of New Hampshire;
Mathias, Melvin (mmathias@reeusda.gov)-CREES, USDA;
Mitchell, Dianne (dcm1@psu.edu)-Penn. State Univ.;
Parker, Ronald (rsp3@cornell.edu)-Cornell Univ.;
Prior, Ronald (PriorRonals@uams.edu)-USDA/ARS, Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center;
Rice, William (wrice@undc.edu)-Univ. of DC;
Smiciklas-Wright, Helen (hsw@psu.edu)-Penn State Univ.;
Wyche-Moore, Gloria (gwychemo@udc.edu)-Univ. of DC;

Participants unable to attend:
Laus, Mary Jane (laus@nutriton.umass.edu)-Univ. of MA, Amherst
Odilia, Bermudez (bermudez@hnrc.tufts.edu)- USDA Human Nutrition Res. Ctr. Aging
Tucker, Katie (tucker@hnrc.tufts.edu) -USDA Human Nutrition Res. Ctr. Aging
Wilhelm, Kathi (kwilhelm@hnrc.tufts.edu) –ARS/USDA Human Nutrition Res. Ctr. Aging

,Participants:
Afele-Faamuli, Saleia (sfaamuli@reeusda.gov) CSREES;
Burke, Joanne (jburke@cisunix.unh.edu)-Univ. of New Hampshire;
Cohen, Nancy (cohen@nutrition.umass.edu)-Univ. of MA, Amherst;
Cook, Richard (racook@umenfa.maine.edu)-Univ. of ME, Farmington;
Curran-Celentano, Joanne (joanne.celentano@unh.edu)-Univ. of New Hampshire;
English, Cathy (cathy@uri.edu)-Univ. of RI
Ferris, Ann (ferris@uconnvm.uconn.edu)-Univ. of CT., Storrs;
Fey-Yensan, Nancy (fey@uri.edu)-Univ. of RI;
Gilbride, Judith (judith.gilbride@nyu.edu)-New York Univ.;
Jiles, Charles (Cjiles@udc.edu)-Univ. of DC;
Kantor, Mark (mk4@umail.umd.edu)-Univ. of Maryland;
Lammi-Keefe, Carol (clammi@canr.uconn.edu)-Univ. of CT., Storrs;
Lariviere, Crystal (email/na) Univ. of New Hampshire;
Mathias, Melvin (mmathias@reeusda.gov)-CREES, USDA;
Mitchell, Dianne (dcm1@psu.edu)-Penn. State Univ.;
Parker, Ronald (rsp3@cornell.edu)-Cornell Univ.;
Prior, Ronald (PriorRonals@uams.edu)-USDA/ARS, Arkansas Childrens Nutrition Center;
Rice, William (wrice@undc.edu)-Univ. of DC;
Smiciklas-Wright, Helen (hsw@psu.edu)-Penn State Univ.;
Wyche-Moore, Gloria (gwychemo@udc.edu)-Univ. of DC;

Participants unable to attend:
Laus, Mary Jane (laus@nutriton.umass.edu)-Univ. of MA, Amherst
Odilia, Bermudez (bermudez@hnrc.tufts.edu)- USDA Human Nutrition Res. Ctr. Aging
Tucker, Katie (tucker@hnrc.tufts.edu) -USDA Human Nutrition Res. Ctr. Aging
Wilhelm, Kathi (kwilhelm@hnrc.tufts.edu) ARS/USDA Human Nutrition Res. Ctr. Aging

Brief Summary of Minutes

The NE 172 Regional Research Project Summary Report is presented in two parts;

I. Key decisions made during the annual meeting and

II. Meeting minutes for the annual meeting held June 9-11 in Ogunquit, Maine

I. Key decisions made by members of the collaborative research project.

A. Members expressed a strong commitment to advancing the understanding of elderly nutrition issues and research through continued collaborative efforts. Possible funding sources included the renewal of the current grant cycle NERA, as well as funding through the IFAFS (Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems) programs.

Review of the requirements for project designs and funding were encouraged, since the benefits of the groups collaborative efforts is evidenced by the multiple research initiatives successfully completed during this projects duration. In addition, the established network of professional support and expertise that has developed through these collaborative efforts could be utilized to design and expand comprehensive regional research projects.

Research goals for the elderly population, though not necessarily limited to the elderly, that could be expanded or initiated as part of the renewal project development included the following:

1. To determine the use of functional foods and supplements and document their role in elderly nutrition. Methods used to estimate actual supplement usage and nutrition product information would need to be evaluated given the challenge associated with such documentation .

2. To use and evaluate dietary assessment strategies and tools used to determine portion sizes and weights of foods, and to determine their impact on dietary assessment.

3. To develop and assess culturally and educationally appropriate health and dietary screening tools.

4. To evaluate the function of antioxidants as measured by ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity), by FRAP (ferric-reducing ability of plasma), or by other assessment means; and to consider antioxidants and phenolic compounds in relation to the health of the elderly.

5. To continue and expand research on carotenoid status, measured in the diet, serum, and/or measured as macular pigment optical density (MPOD). Based on the preliminary results funded by the present grant cycle, investigations that further an understanding of the metabolic milieu associated with BMI and carotenoid status appears warranted.

6. To identify consumer concerns and interests as advances in biotechnology confront consumers in the nutrition marketplace.

7. To continue to evaluate the impact of food security and availability on nutrient intake and health status.

B. Initial results presented for the tri-state carotenoid screener were based on reported fruit and vegetable consumption, as the major food sources of carotenoids. Reported fruit and vegetable consumption indicated a significant relationship to serum carotenoid concentrations. In addition, as reported fruit and vegetable intake increased, so did MPOD. The goal is to expand the screener capacity to include carotenoid intake and possibly antioxidant quantification. Strategies to make the screener adaptable to various populations were explored. Participants discussed the need to make the screener culturally appropriate and user friendly, especially for those who may not have English as their primary language.

C. Collaborators were committed to designing comprehensive Institutional Review Board documents. The need to seek approval from all institutions involved in collaborative research efforts was discussed. Members were encouraged to draft informed consents that were explicit and comprehensive in nature so that if further analysis or expanded collaboration was advisable, participants in the research study would have been adequately informed of such a possibility.

D. The proposal to write a series of articles for submission consideration in Topics in Clinical Nutrition was enthusiastically considered since both the process of collaboration and the actual research results could prove to be quite instructional for health professionals and researchers.

E. Research results from participating institutions were discussed via poster session to highlight the depth and diversity of the projects supported in whole or in part funded by NE 172. (See end of the actual minutes section for specific titles of the posters presented).

II. Meeting Minutes:

Presiding: Joanne Curran-Celentano

Joanne began by thanking Dick for arranging the meeting and Carol for dinner at her home on Sunday evening. The group sent its condolences to Mary Jane who lost her husband last year.

The following accomplishments of NE-172 members were recognized: Carol Lammi-Keefe won the American Dietetic Association Dietetics Research Award, Nancy Fey-Yensan was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor, Joanne Burke earned her PhD degree, and Crystal Lariviere earned her MS degree. Three members were also participants on IFAFS grants: Carol Lammi-Keefe (PI), Nancy Cohen (co-PI), and Joanne Curran-Celentano (co-PI).

The minutes of the 2001 Technical Meeting were reviewed and approved.

CSREES Reports - Gloria Wyche-Moore described the new electronic system to submit annual reports. The minutes of the annual meeting will also be submitted to Gloria as part of the new system. Saleia Afele-Faamuli provided an overview of USDA and CSREES and described some changes planned for the upcoming year. Mel Mathias provided an update on the budget and discussed opportunities for funding.

Station Reports - All stations reported their activities over the past year. Hard copies of reports were provided to meeting participants.

Tristate Carotenoid Screener - UNH and URI stations reported on activities over the past year to validate the carotenoid screener. A calculator, or computer program that can calculate specific carotenoid values from the screener, is being developed. Ron Prior discussed adding ORAC values to the calculator. URI and UNH plan to collaborate on a study this fall to evaluate dietary data and macular pigments measures of low-income seniors in Rhode Island.

Institutional Review Board Approval - Joanne discussed issues related to IRB approval of studies at individual universities and the ability to then share this data with others in our multi-state project. She encouraged stations to work with individual IRBs to craft language that will allow for the possibility of data to be shared with other stations in the project in the future.

Project Renewal - The group agreed to try to renew the project for another 5 years. The requirements for renewal and some possible areas for continued research were discussed. We believe that the Critical Review portion of the proposal is due in January or February. Gloria will check on the deadlines and guidelines for project renewal and provide us with this information. Possible research areas for the project renewal were discussed and include:

7 Portion size and weight of food

7 Functional foods (Where does this fit in the nutritional needs of the elderly?)

7 Supplements

7 ORAC (further development)

7 Macular pigment optical density and BMI, diabetes, health issues, and underserved populations

7 Adapting the screener to make it culturally appropriate

7 Consumer driven agriculture (What does the consumer want?)

7 Food security

IFAFS - The members agreed that we should try for IFAFS funding. Mel said that the outlook for IFAFS funding is good and is projected to increase between FY 2002 - 2006. IFAFS supports conceptually-based applied research and outreach activities. The grants may be either multi-discipline or multi-state and are commonly $2,000,000 for 4 years. A subgroup agreed to look at the possibility of submitting an IFAFS grant (Joanne C-C., Joanne B., Crystal, Nancy C., Nancy F-Y, and Carol). Gloria said she would provide the group with information on funding from NERA.

Journal Article - Judy Gilbride suggested that the project might want to write a series of articles for an issue of Topics in Clinical Nutrition. The articles could show the project as a model for education and highlight what has been done over the years and how these accomplishments have affected practice. Helen agreed to coordinate the journal writing activity and Judy will send us the guidelines for the Journal. Outlines for the articles are due in September! A rough outline was discussed:

7 Title: Protein to Lutein - The Evolution of the Northeast Regional Project

7 History of the Project - Dick

7 Diet Assessment Methods - Helen, Diane, Carol, Nancy C., Mary Jane (?), Katie (?)

7 Diet-biochemical-functional status using antioxidants as a model - Joanne C-C., Joanne B., Ron

7 Carotenoid/ORAC screener - Joanne C-C., Joanne B., Nancy F-Y., Cathy, Ron

7 Strategies for practitioners (qualitative and quantitative research) - Nancy F-Y., Ann

A poster session was held on Monday afternoon showcasing the activities of the members. A list of posters is attached.

The Executive Committee met on Monday evening. The committee confirmed the date of the next meeting, discussed the process of renewing the project, and developed a plan to submit the previous annual reports. Copies of the annual reports will be distributed to members in the future either as hard copies or posted on our website. No election of officers was needed as current terms run until 2003.

A design for the projects website was discussed and approved by the members. It was decided that this years minutes, member list, and project timeline should be sent electronically as attachments rather than as hard copies.

The next meeting is scheduled on June 9-11, 2003 (Monday 12:00 - Wednesday 4:30) in Annapolis, MD, hosted by the UDC and UMD.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 AM.

Poster Session

The Influence of plasma lipid status on macular pigment optical density in healthy adults. J. Curran-Celentano, J. Burke, C. Lariviere, and B. Gowdy-Hohnson. University of New Hampshire.

Factors related to the perceived availability of fruits and vegetables at food pantries in central and western Massachusetts. N. Cohen, M. Laus, V. Akobundu, M. Soussloff, B. Bradley, C. Zechello. University of Massachusetts.

Absorption / metabolism of anthrocyanins in human subjects following consumption of blueberry or elderberry. X. Wu, L. Gu, R. Prior. USDA.

The influence of lutein supplementation and diet on serum carotenoid concentration and macular pigment optical density profiles in participants aged 21-48. C. Lariviere, J. Curran-Celentano, J. Burke, B. Gowdy-Johnson. University of New Hampshire.

In vivo antioxidant capacity in human subjects following consumption of dried plum juice, dried plums, or blueberries. R. Prior, G. Cao, H. Hoang, X. Wu, and L. Gu. USDA.

Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) profiles and body mass index in adults. J. Burke, J. Curran-Celentano, C. Lariviere, B. Gowdy-Johnson. University of New Hampshire.

Antioxidant assessment in western Maine elderly women following 30 days of wild Maine blueberry consumption. R. Cook, R. Prior, J. Bagnulo. University of Maine and USDA.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

OBJECTIVE 1 - TO EVALUATE BIOMARKERS OF NUTRITIONAL RISK, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ANTIOXIDANT STATUS. OBJ 1: Experiments 1a and 1b. Dietary, supplemental, and serum carotenoids investigated as determinants of MPOD The pigment located in the foveal region of the retina, referred to as the macular pigment (MP) is composed of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Since humans do not synthesize carotenoids, these pigments must originate from the diet. A limited number are avaiulable as supplements. Carotenoids have been purported to act as antioxidants and to provide protection to the visual system. Much remains to be learned about carotenoid intake absorption and deposition. Two studies were completed in the past year at UNH on carotenoids and their relation to carotenoid deposition in the retina measured as macular pigment optical density (MPOD). OBJ. 1: 1a. In the first study, selected dietary data collected at UNH was analyzed in relation to serum carotenoid concentrations and carotenoid deposition in the macula of the eye in adults aged 45-73 years. Significant associations were found for reported dietary carotenoids lutein /zeaxanthin intake and MPOD, as well as for serum concentrations of the carotenoids lutein and lutein/zeaxanthin and MPOD. However, it appears women and men may respond differently to carotenoid intake as measured by serum concentrations and MPOD. Additional research should be conducted to further investigate potential gender differences. The development of optimal dietary carotenoid intake and/or supplement advice is dependant upon an understanding of the functions of carotenoids as well as the many variables that influence carotenoid status, including differences in responses possibly based on gender or lifestyle OBJ 1: Experiments 2a-2b. Effects of increasing foods high in antioxidat capacity (primarily food flavonoids) as assessed by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay on biomarkers of antioxidant status. Research on antioxidant absorption, metabolism, utilization and detection continue to evolve. In the original proposal, antioxidant activity was to be detected using ORAC. The additional FRAP assay (ferric-reducing ability of plasma), was utilized to both assess antioxidant status and to compare the FRAP test with the ORAC. OBJ 1: 2a. Research from the antioxidant capacity (AC) of prune juice (PJ), prunes (PR) and blueberries (BB) was assessed in six women aged 60-70 years to determine how consumption of a single meal would impact results of plasma ORAC or FRAP since both tests are used as measures of antioxidant capacity. Results from the ORAC analysis differed from those of FRAP, indicating that these assessment tools differed in their ability to detect antioxidant reactions in this study at the human USDA Human Nutrition Center on Aging, Boston. OBJ 1: 2b. In a pilot study at the Univ. of Maine, in which 24 women aged 60-90 years were assigned to an experimental BB consumption group (n=12) and a non-consuming group (n=12), both ORAC and FRAP tests (p=0.036) results were significantly increased in the BB consuming group, with no significant change in the control group. OBJ 1: Experiment 3a-3b. Retrospective analyses of plasma biomarkers and antioxidant status. OBJ 1: 3a. Working collaboratively with ACNC, researchers from PA, Tufts and NH plan to incorporate ORAC data into their food databases. Once completed, retrospective analyses of dietary intake and health indicators (such as MPOD in NH), based on ORAC can be conducted. This will expand upon work completed in previous years by collaborators from Tufts and CT, which examined food intake data and health outcomes in relation to ORAC status. OBJ 1: 3b. In addition, researchers from UNH plan to collaborate wuth those from CT. to evaluate the potential relationships among carotenoids, fatty acid status, and MPOD. OBJ 1: Experiment 3a-3b. Retrospective analyses of plasma biomarkers and antioxidant status. OBJ 1: 3a. Working collaboratively with ACNC, researchers from PA, Tufts and NH plan to incorporate ORAC data into their food databases. Once completed, retrospective analyses of dietary intake and health indicators (such as MPOD in NH), based on ORAC can be conducted. This will expand upon work completed in previous years by collaborators from Tufts and CT, which examined food intake data and health outcomes in relation to ORAC status. OBJ 1: 3b. In addition, researchers from UNH plan to collaborate wuth those from CT. to evaluate the potential relationships among carotenoids, fatty acid status, and MPOD. OBJ 1: Experiment 4a-4b. Additional biological assessments and nutritional implications OBJ 1: 4a. Trans fatty acids (TFA) are formed during hydrogenation of fats and oils and are present in the diet throughout the life-span. The presence of TFA has been shown to interfere with the normal elongation and desaturation of the essential fatty acids arachidonic, (AA) and decosahexaenoic acids (DHA) to their biologically active long chain metabolites. Essential fatty acids are not only utilized for eicosanoid formation, but also for central nervous system functioning and in retinal development. Researchers from CT determined trans fatty acids were inversely related to both AA and DHA concentrations in pregnant women. Future plans include collaborating with Cornell to share urine specimens and assess vitamin E metabolites. OBJ1: 4b. Dietary intake and urinary metabolites of vitamin E. The overall objective for the Cornell research project was to investigate urinary metabolites of vitamin E (tocopherols) as potential biomarkers of dietary intake of vitamin E and possibly of vegetable oils, the major dietary source of vitamin E. The research compared a) the of rates of excretion of metabolites of the common dietary tocopherols with dietary intakes of the substrate tocopherols in 11 subjects consuming standardized diets under controlled circumstances and b) examined the relationship of urinary excretion of vitamin E metabolites with vitamin E intake as estimated by various food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) instruments (Objective 3). At the time of the annual meeting, the urinary metabolite data was available for weeks 12 and 13 and indicated that most subjects were near but not at a steady state of tocopherol excretion by week 13, and that the tocopherol content of the diet was less than the average intake of tocopherols from the self-selected diets of the subject at entry into the metabolic study. Though the researchers had hypothesized that after 13 weeks on the standardized diet all subjects would exhibit the same rate of excretion for a given tocopherol, the excretion rates differed from 2 to 4 fold between subjects. The researchers plan to further investigate in urinary metabolites can be used as markers of vitamin E intake by comparing subject variation before diet standardization with that after standardization. OBJECTIVE 2: TO IMPROVE DIETARY INTAKE ASSESSMENT METHODS AND SCREENING PROTOCOLS TO IDENTIFY NUTRITIONAL RISK OBJ 2: Experiments 1a-1d: Investigations were designed to examine predictors of nutrition risk and low fruit and vegetable intake in diverse populations. OBJ 2: 1a. Researchers from UMASS surveyed food bank recipients residing in the western and central regions of the state to assess food insecurity, food choice, and health indicators. Older food pantry recipients (+70 yrs.) were more likely to eat alone, have an illness that impacted their diet, and be ranked as high risk by the DETERMINE scale. They were also more likely to use supplements but less likely to use food stamps than recipients aged 51-70 yrs. Recipients showed a low frequency of fruits (1.39x per day) and vegetables (2.06 x per day). More information is needed to determine the barriers that contribute to the inadequate distribution of fruits and vegetables at food pantries. OBJ 2: 1b. Dietary information from case studies using a qualitative approach by the researchers from the DC revealed that eating behavior might be more influenced by dietary knowledge in concert with evidence of impending or diagnosed morbidity rather than by dietary knowledge alone. A second study suggested by the results from the research relates to the use and accurate assessment of dietary supplements. Initially, subjects reported only the sporadic use of supplements, however upon further investigation it was determined that all six participants regularly used a commercially available, over the counter nutrition drink (Ensureb). It appears these types of products were not initially perceived as a dietary supplement. As the number of nutriceutical/fortified foods continues to expand beyond Total Cerealb and Ensureb type products, researchers will need to devise questions that accurately document use o these supplement sources OBJ 2: 1c. Researchers form Tufts, UNH and PA continue their evaluation of dietary assessment tools (including screeners, FFQ, and dietary recalls) to estimate carotenoid and antioxidant intake. Results from UNH comparing three FFQ showed mean total daily carotenoid intakes between 10.5 to 15.5 mg/day depending on the FFQ utilized. Using a short fruit and vegetable screener, significant correlations were found for reported fruit and vegetable intake and serum carotenoid concentrations and MPOD. Similar, though not identical, rank orders for the carotenoids were obtained by each of the FFQ utilized. OBJ 2: 1d. Researchers plan to evaluate 200 rural white elderly participants from PA by food groups and ORAC values. This will expand upon previous work completed by PA researchers in which food group intake was estimated from the Nutrition Risk Screener, 24-hour recalls, and the Block FFQ; food group adequacy was compared using the Food Guide Pyramid and Five-A-Day guidelines. This will also expand research discussed in OBJ 1; experiment 3 and OBJ 2: experiment 2 in which ORAC status is being evaluated as a potential biomarker of nutrition risk. Objective 2: Experiment 2: Exploration of food patterns which may be associated with diet related protection against oxidative stress. 2a. Validity of the Block FFQ was assessed by researchers from PA by comparing FFQ results to five- 24 hour recalls collected over ten months in 181 elderly adults. Correlations between methods for key dietary components (fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, Vit.C, Vit. D and calcium ranged from 0.41-0.61 and may provide reasonable estimates while for other nutrients (protein, carbohydrate, Vit. B6, Vit. A., Vit. E, Fe, Mg.), and food group correlations were low. Plasma biomarkers for the folate, Vit D and Vit B6 were not well correlated with the FFQ (< 0.02). With further examination by intake quartiles, 65% more would be misclassified by one quintile: 23% by more than one. The data suggest that this FFQ would not provide reasonable estimates of selected nutrient intake.

Publications

Curran Celentano J, Burke JD, Hammond Jr. BR.(2002) In vivo assessment of retinal carotenoids: macular pigment detection techniques and their impact on monitoring pigment status. J Nutr. 132: 535S-539S. Dutram, K., Cook RA, Bagnulo J. Lincoln,W. (2002) Trends in nutritional risks and effects of nutrition education among low-income elderly in Maine. J. Nutr. Elderly. 21 (4) (in press) Fey-Yensan, N., English, C., Caldwell, M., and Museler, H.R. (2002) Evaluation of a nutritioneducation newsletter for home-delivered meal participants. Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly. 21(4), summer. Fey-Yensan, N., English, C., Pacheco, H.R., Belyea, M., Schuler, D. Elderly food stamp recipients are different from eligible non-participants by level of nutrition risk but not nutrient i- intake. Journal of the American Dietetic Association (accepted for publication, 2002). Jensen, G., Friedman J. Coleman, C. Smiciklas Wright, H. (2001) Nutrition risk screening modification to predict hospitilization in rural older adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 74: 201-205, 2001. Jugdaohsingh R, Anderson SHC, Tucker KL, Elliott H, Kiel DP, Thompson RPH, and Powell JJ (2002). Dietary silicon intake and bioavailability. Am J Clin Nutr 75:887-93. Kwan L, Bermudez OI, Tucker KL (2002). Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common among Hispanic elders than among neighborhood based non-Hispanic white elders. J Nutr 132:2059-2064. McKeown NM, Jacques PF, Gundberg CM, Peterson JW, Tucker KL, Dawson-Hughes B, Kiel DP, Wilson PWF, Booth S (2002). Dietary and non-dietary determinants of biochemical measures of vitamin K in men and women. J Nutr 132: 1329-1334. Mitchell, D.C. (2001) Database requirements to meet food grouping needs. J. of Food Comp Ana14: 279-285 Smiciklas Wright, H., Mitchell, D.C., Harris, J. (2001). Dietary intake assessment: methods for aduls. Handbook of Nutrition, Food and Dietetics, Berdainer, C. ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. Pp 477-493, Sontag, TJ and Parker, RS (2002). Cytochrome P450 w-hydroxylase pathway of tocopherol catabolism: Novel mechanism of regulation of vitamin E status. J. Biol. Chem. Jul 12: 277(28): 25290-25296. Tucker KL, Chen H, Hannan MT, Cupples LA, Wilson PWF, Felson D, Kiel DP (2002). Dietary Patterns Are Associated with Bone Mineral Density in Elderly Men and Women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study. Am J Clin Nutr 76:245-252 Wu X, Cao, G., Prior RL (2002). Absorption and metabolism of anthyocyanins in elderly women after consumption of elderberry or blueberry. J. Nutr. 132: 1865-1871. ABSTRACTS C. Lariviere, J. Curran-Celentano, J. Burke, B. Gowdy-Johnson. The influence of lutein supplementation and diet on serum carotenoid concentration and macular pigment optical density profiles in participants aged 21-48. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), 2002. J. Curran-Celentano, J. Burke, C. Lariviere, and B. Gowdy-Hohnson. The Influence of plasma lipid status on macular pigment optical density in healthy adults. ARVO, 2002 J. Burke, J. Curran-Celentano, C. Lariviere, B. Gowdy-Johnson. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) profiles and body mass index in adults. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), 2002. Smiciklas-Wright, H. Mitchell, D.C., Ledikwe, J.H., Whitehead, K.L, Jensen, G.L, Still, C.D., (2002). The stability of energy density , fat and food weight by gender in rural older adults. The FASEB J 16: A631. Whitehead, K.L., Smiciklas-Wright, H., Mitchell, D.C., Ledikwe, J.H., Jensen, G.L., Still, C.D. (2002) Energy density and food weight are related to weight status in older women but not men. The FASEB J. 16: A631. Ledikwe, J.H., Smiciklas-Wright, H., Mitchell, D.C., Friedmann, J.M., Jensen, G., Still, C.D. (2002) Body mass index more associated with nutrition risk in rural older women than men. The FASEB J. 16: A249. Mitchell, D.C., Ledikwe, J.H., Smiciklas-Wright, H., Jensen, 0., Tucker, K.I., Still, C.D. (2002) The validity of using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess nutrition risk in rural older adults. The FASEB J. 16: A660. Lancaster, K.J., Hayman, L.L., Smiciklas-Wright, H., Ahern, F. (2002) Characteristics influencing daily consumption of fruits an vegetables and low fat dairy products in older adults with hypertension. The FASEB J. 16: A 638. MASTERS THESES/DISSERTATIONS: McCormick, L. ( 2001) Ivestigation of the Factors Contributing to Body Image Perception and Subsequent Food Behavior in an Aging Population MS thesis, Department of Nutrition andFood Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Auguast (major professor = N. Fey-Yensan). Museler, H. R. (2001)Evaluation of a Nutrition Education Newsletter for a Population of Elderly Meals on Wheels Participants. MS thesis, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, December (major professor = N. Fey-Yensan). Pacheco, Holly. (2001) Impact of Food Stamp Program Participation on Dietary Quality in an Aging Population MS thesis, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, December (major professor = N. Fey-Yensan). Joanne D. Burke. (2001) Investigating Determinants of Macular Pigment Optical Density and Distribution in Adults aged 45-73: Can enhanced detection techniques improve the ability to predict macular pigment status? Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, December. (academic advisor, Joanne Curran-Celentano) Crystal Lariviere, (2002). The influence of lutein supplementation and diet on serum carotenoid concentrations and macular pigment optical density profiles in participants aged 21-28. , MS. Thesis, Department of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durhan, NH, May. (academic advisor, Joanne Curran-Celentano) WEB SUBMISSIONS Akobunbu, U. and Cohen, N. 2002. Increasing fruit and vegetable intakes for better health. V Nutritiongate Spotlight, April, www.nutritiongate.com, CAB Publishing. PRESENTATIONS Belury M, Ip C, and Lammi-Keefe, CJ, (2001) Conjugated linoleic acid: recent advances in breast cancer prevention and diabetes management . American Dietetic Association. Food and Nutrition Conference & Exhibition 2001 October 20-23. P 36. Akobundu, U., Laus, M.J., Cohen, N., Soussloff, M. (2002) Factors related to the perceived availability of fruits and vegetables at Food Pantries in Central & Western Massachusetts. Massachusetts Dietetics Association, May. Cohen, N, Laus, M.J., Akobundu, U., Soussloff, M., Bradley, B., and Zechello, C. (2002) Factors related to the perceived availability of fruits and vegetables at Food Pantries in Central & Western. SPHHS Poster Day, University of Massachusetts, April. Cohen, N.L., Laus, M.J., Akobundu, U.,Schulte, M., and Soussloff, M. (2001) Factors Related to Food Security Among Pantry Users in Western Massachusetts. Massachusetts Dietetic Association Conference, Springfield, MA. November. Laus, M.J., Cohen, N.L., Akobundu, U.,Schulte, M., and Soussloff, M. (2001) Factors Related to Food Security Among Pantry Users. Society for Nutrition Education Annual Conference, Oakland, CA. July.