This study investigated the effects of artificial sweeteners on chick embryo development. Saccharin, aspartame, sucrose, and sucralose solutions at low and high concentrations were injected into fertilized chicken eggs. After 7 days of incubation, embryos were examined. Significant differences were found between groups in embryo weight, length, and cell size. The highest concentrations of saccharin and sucralose resulted in no development or bacterial infections. Low aspartame caused irregular cell shapes. Overall, the sweeteners appeared to negatively impact development at both the whole-organism and cellular levels in a concentration-dependent manner. Further research with larger sample sizes could help clarify these effects.
Lay summary of the manuscript published in Science. The Dana Foundation is a philanthropic organization that provided funding to our lab. I was responsible for securing this PR opportunity and for all copy.
Objective: The aim of this research study is to compare ferrous fumarate and bovine lactoferrin as regard treatment of anemia in a pregnant patient with iron deficiency anemia.
Study design: A prospective open label randomized clinical trial which was conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital outpatient clinic in the period from 15 February 2016 to 15 August 2016. The study included 146 pregnant women suffering from iron deficiency anemia and divided in two groups.
Diet and exercise in the treatment of fatty liverRONSA1
This is a special issue published in volume 2012 of “Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism.”
All articles are open access articles dis- tributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Lay summary of the manuscript published in Science. The Dana Foundation is a philanthropic organization that provided funding to our lab. I was responsible for securing this PR opportunity and for all copy.
Objective: The aim of this research study is to compare ferrous fumarate and bovine lactoferrin as regard treatment of anemia in a pregnant patient with iron deficiency anemia.
Study design: A prospective open label randomized clinical trial which was conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital outpatient clinic in the period from 15 February 2016 to 15 August 2016. The study included 146 pregnant women suffering from iron deficiency anemia and divided in two groups.
Diet and exercise in the treatment of fatty liverRONSA1
This is a special issue published in volume 2012 of “Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism.”
All articles are open access articles dis- tributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Austin Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome is an international scholarly peer reviewed Open Access journal, aims to promote the research in all the related fields of Metabolic Syndrome.
Austin Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome is a comprehensive Open Access peer reviewed scientific Journal that covers multidisciplinary fields. We provide limitless access towards accessing our literature hub with colossal range of articles. The journal aims to publish high quality varied article types such as Research, Review, Short Communications, Case Reports, Perspectives (Editorials), Clinical Images.
Austin Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome supports the scientific modernization and enrichment in Metabolic Syndromes research community by magnifying access to peer reviewed scientific literary works. Austin Publishing Group also brings universally peer reviewed member journals under one roof thereby promoting knowledge sharing, collaborative and promotion of multidisciplinary science.
http://losebellyfatx.com Belly fat contains many serious health issues such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and risk of diabetes. But the stomach fat that sits deep between the organs (visceral fat) is directly linked to colon cancer, according to a new animal study.
In this study the effect of cigarette smoking on
semen quality of fertile and infertile men with or without obesity
was investigated.
The number of fertile and infertile participants was as
following: 203 fertile smokers, 78 fertile non-smokers, 147
infertile smokers and 68 infertile non-smokers. The body mass
index (BMI) was measured in all fertile and infertile men. All
semen parameters were assessed in both fertile and infertile men
with or without obesity to identify the values that would
distinguish fertile from infertile men.
The results of this study showed that cigarette smoking has a
significant influence only on sperm count, percentage of active
sperm and sperm morphology. The semen parameters in infertile
men were significantly different from that of fertile men. The
influence of body mass index on semen parameters was obvious
except in percentage of immotile sperms. This results suggest
that the chemical agents or mutagens may affect male
reproductive via direct effect on the spermatogenesis
Dietary guidelines are accused to be the key reason for obesity and diabetes epidemic. This slide deck shows why they are not. Junk food diet is the key reason.
This presentation compares the effects of different animal proteins on cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Presentation covers fish, dairy, poultry, red meat, processed meat and eggs.
Fat intake US has remained rather stable during the past decades despite many claims. I present here the case based on USDA and NHANES data.
Claiming that fat intake has decreased in US is as silly as advising a dieter: “If you want to follow a low-fat diet just keep your fat intake at the current level and simply increase the consumption of carbs. Then you are on low-fat diet and you will reap all the benefits of the diet”
Animal modelsof diabetes and obesity
by: Suinil Kumar
M.pharm (pharmacology )
University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Panjab university
Chandigarh
Yogurt consumption for a healthier diet and lifestyle: overview from cohorts ...Yogurt in Nutrition #YINI
Yogurt is generally considered as a healthy food because of its nutrient composition, its profile of fermented food, and its link with an improved metabolic fitness. Population studies show that yogurt consumers report a greater intake of some nutrients,
e.g. calcium and protein, and fruits and vegetables compared to non-consumers. This is concordant with recent data demonstrating that diet quality is improved in yogurt consumers. Other cohort studies have shown that yogurt consumption is
associated with a reduced body weight over time. Our research experience with the Quebec Family Study reveals that yogurt consumption might be the “signature of a healthy lifestyle”. Indeed, female yogurt consumers report a better macronutrient
composition of the diet than non-consumers; they are also more physically active and display feeding behaviors which are more compatible with body weight stability. This agrees with results of the Infogene Study demonstrating that yogurt consumers
are more prone to adhere to a Prudent dietary pattern whereas non-consumers tend to exhibit a Western pattern. In summary, currently available cohort studies tend to show that yogurt consumption is associated with a healthy eating pattern
and lifestyle.
Trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) is a pancreatic serine protease from the S1 family and PA clan superfamily. Trypsin is a proteolytic enzyme that located in the digestive system, which is important for the digestion of proteins. In humans, trypsin is produced initially in its inactive form, trypsinogen, within the pancreas. Then, trypsinogen enters the small intestine and converted to active trypsin. The main function of trypsin is cleaving peptide chains at the carboxyl side of the amino acids lysine or arginine, except when either is followed by proline. The two main forms of trypsin are α-trypsin and β-trypsin. https://www.creative-enzymes.com/similar/Trypsin_694.html
Globally 165 million children under-five
years of age are stunted. Hence development of local
therapeutic nutritional intervention is recommended by WHO.
Present study was designed to find the efficacy of the
nutritional intervention for the recovery of impaired lipid
metabolism and correlation of weight for height% with
cholesterol, triglyceride in malnourished children. 105 test and
100 control SAM children without infection, of 1 to 5 years of
age and either sex were enrolled. Test group was given
treatment of nutritional intervention therapy, providing 2.5 to
3gm Protein and 90-100 kcal /kg body Weight/day, for the
three months. Their Anthropometric, and Biochemical
parameters were measured before and after the nutritional
therapy. Before the nutritional intervention treatment P values
for Serum Total cholesterol, Triglyceride, Weight for height
%, were insignificant suggestive of similar baseline
characteristics at enrollment. After nutritional intervention
treatment P values for Serum Total cholesterol, Triglyceride,
Weight for height % were highly significant. The r value of
Pearson correlation coefficient for triglycerides in the study
group and its ANOVA model was very significant, showing
poor positive correlation with weight for height % while for
total cholesterol it was found to be insignificant. Depending on
results we conclude that it is the most effective food supplement
for the speedy recovery of the impaired lipid metabolism in
SAM children and the use of weight for height % as a
anthropometric marker for the pre-indication of fatty liver in
malnourished children
Guest Lecture at University of Delhi - The Entangled Relationship between Dia...Vinod Nikhra
The talk at Ramjas College, University of Delhi on 18th Feb 2015. It highlights the latest issues in biological and molecular research which link overweight/obesity with diabetes, metabolic syndrome and aging.
Austin Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome is an international scholarly peer reviewed Open Access journal, aims to promote the research in all the related fields of Metabolic Syndrome.
Austin Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome is a comprehensive Open Access peer reviewed scientific Journal that covers multidisciplinary fields. We provide limitless access towards accessing our literature hub with colossal range of articles. The journal aims to publish high quality varied article types such as Research, Review, Short Communications, Case Reports, Perspectives (Editorials), Clinical Images.
Austin Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome supports the scientific modernization and enrichment in Metabolic Syndromes research community by magnifying access to peer reviewed scientific literary works. Austin Publishing Group also brings universally peer reviewed member journals under one roof thereby promoting knowledge sharing, collaborative and promotion of multidisciplinary science.
http://losebellyfatx.com Belly fat contains many serious health issues such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and risk of diabetes. But the stomach fat that sits deep between the organs (visceral fat) is directly linked to colon cancer, according to a new animal study.
In this study the effect of cigarette smoking on
semen quality of fertile and infertile men with or without obesity
was investigated.
The number of fertile and infertile participants was as
following: 203 fertile smokers, 78 fertile non-smokers, 147
infertile smokers and 68 infertile non-smokers. The body mass
index (BMI) was measured in all fertile and infertile men. All
semen parameters were assessed in both fertile and infertile men
with or without obesity to identify the values that would
distinguish fertile from infertile men.
The results of this study showed that cigarette smoking has a
significant influence only on sperm count, percentage of active
sperm and sperm morphology. The semen parameters in infertile
men were significantly different from that of fertile men. The
influence of body mass index on semen parameters was obvious
except in percentage of immotile sperms. This results suggest
that the chemical agents or mutagens may affect male
reproductive via direct effect on the spermatogenesis
Dietary guidelines are accused to be the key reason for obesity and diabetes epidemic. This slide deck shows why they are not. Junk food diet is the key reason.
This presentation compares the effects of different animal proteins on cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Presentation covers fish, dairy, poultry, red meat, processed meat and eggs.
Fat intake US has remained rather stable during the past decades despite many claims. I present here the case based on USDA and NHANES data.
Claiming that fat intake has decreased in US is as silly as advising a dieter: “If you want to follow a low-fat diet just keep your fat intake at the current level and simply increase the consumption of carbs. Then you are on low-fat diet and you will reap all the benefits of the diet”
Animal modelsof diabetes and obesity
by: Suinil Kumar
M.pharm (pharmacology )
University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Panjab university
Chandigarh
Yogurt consumption for a healthier diet and lifestyle: overview from cohorts ...Yogurt in Nutrition #YINI
Yogurt is generally considered as a healthy food because of its nutrient composition, its profile of fermented food, and its link with an improved metabolic fitness. Population studies show that yogurt consumers report a greater intake of some nutrients,
e.g. calcium and protein, and fruits and vegetables compared to non-consumers. This is concordant with recent data demonstrating that diet quality is improved in yogurt consumers. Other cohort studies have shown that yogurt consumption is
associated with a reduced body weight over time. Our research experience with the Quebec Family Study reveals that yogurt consumption might be the “signature of a healthy lifestyle”. Indeed, female yogurt consumers report a better macronutrient
composition of the diet than non-consumers; they are also more physically active and display feeding behaviors which are more compatible with body weight stability. This agrees with results of the Infogene Study demonstrating that yogurt consumers
are more prone to adhere to a Prudent dietary pattern whereas non-consumers tend to exhibit a Western pattern. In summary, currently available cohort studies tend to show that yogurt consumption is associated with a healthy eating pattern
and lifestyle.
Trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) is a pancreatic serine protease from the S1 family and PA clan superfamily. Trypsin is a proteolytic enzyme that located in the digestive system, which is important for the digestion of proteins. In humans, trypsin is produced initially in its inactive form, trypsinogen, within the pancreas. Then, trypsinogen enters the small intestine and converted to active trypsin. The main function of trypsin is cleaving peptide chains at the carboxyl side of the amino acids lysine or arginine, except when either is followed by proline. The two main forms of trypsin are α-trypsin and β-trypsin. https://www.creative-enzymes.com/similar/Trypsin_694.html
Globally 165 million children under-five
years of age are stunted. Hence development of local
therapeutic nutritional intervention is recommended by WHO.
Present study was designed to find the efficacy of the
nutritional intervention for the recovery of impaired lipid
metabolism and correlation of weight for height% with
cholesterol, triglyceride in malnourished children. 105 test and
100 control SAM children without infection, of 1 to 5 years of
age and either sex were enrolled. Test group was given
treatment of nutritional intervention therapy, providing 2.5 to
3gm Protein and 90-100 kcal /kg body Weight/day, for the
three months. Their Anthropometric, and Biochemical
parameters were measured before and after the nutritional
therapy. Before the nutritional intervention treatment P values
for Serum Total cholesterol, Triglyceride, Weight for height
%, were insignificant suggestive of similar baseline
characteristics at enrollment. After nutritional intervention
treatment P values for Serum Total cholesterol, Triglyceride,
Weight for height % were highly significant. The r value of
Pearson correlation coefficient for triglycerides in the study
group and its ANOVA model was very significant, showing
poor positive correlation with weight for height % while for
total cholesterol it was found to be insignificant. Depending on
results we conclude that it is the most effective food supplement
for the speedy recovery of the impaired lipid metabolism in
SAM children and the use of weight for height % as a
anthropometric marker for the pre-indication of fatty liver in
malnourished children
Guest Lecture at University of Delhi - The Entangled Relationship between Dia...Vinod Nikhra
The talk at Ramjas College, University of Delhi on 18th Feb 2015. It highlights the latest issues in biological and molecular research which link overweight/obesity with diabetes, metabolic syndrome and aging.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON BEHAVIOUR OF FLYASH BASED GEOPOLYMER CONCRETEIAEME Publication
Objective: The experimental study on behavior of fly ash based geo-polymer concrete and other parameters like strength properties, concentration of alkaline solution, ratio of NaOH to Na2Sio3, curing time, additional water in mix. Method: In the present study sustainable materials were used such as Fly ash. Combination of Sodium Hydroxide and sodium silicate is used as activator solution to form geopolymer concrete. The activator solution is prepared 24 hours prior of casting. The mix is designed for 10 Molarity with varying ratios of 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3. The GPC specimens are tested for compression, flexural and tension tests at the age of 3, 7, 28 days. Findings: As the activator ratio increases the compressive strength, Split tensile strength, Flexural strength is also increased. As the time curing is increased the geopolymer specimens also improved. Applications/ Improvements: Fly ash based geoploymer concrete can be used as precast products like parking tiles, pavement tiles, precast GPC beams, girders, railway sleepers, building blocks, electric power poles. They are good resistance towards fire, permeability.
EFFECT OF ACTIVATOR RATIO ON STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF GEOPOLYMER CONCRETEIAEME Publication
Objective: To examine the impact of activator ratio on strength properties of Geo Polymer concrete, activator solution, ratio of NaOH to Na2SiO3, time of curing. Method: The mix is designed for 12 Molarity. The Activator solution used in the present study is a combination of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solution and Sodium silicate solution (Na2SiO3) with the varying ratios 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3. The total number of specimens 81 is being cast. The Geo Polymer specimens are tested for the Compressive, Flexural and Tensile strength at the ages of 3, 7, 28 days. Finding: As there is an increment in the activator ratio the compression, tensile and flexural strengths of geopolymer concrete specimens have increased and with the increment in a time of ambient curing of GPC specimens, the strength parameters were increased. Applications/Improvements: Geopolymer concrete can be widely used in precast girders, beams, electricity poles, railway sleepers. Geo-polymer offers good resistance to fire and permeability.
A STUDY ON REPLACEMENT OF CEMENT WITH RICE HUSK ASHIAEME Publication
Objectives: This study is to identify the effect of parameter such as Activator ratio thataffects the properties of alkali activated fly ash
Methodology: To achieve the above objectives, the present investigation is adopted atechnology that is currently in use to manufacture and to test themain aim of this activity was to facilitate promotion of newmaterials later on to the concreteindustry. Research variable included activator ratio (1:2, 1:2.5, and 1:3). The trial mix isprepared for the molarity of 16 M. Concrete specimens were cured at roresponse variables are Flexural strength, Compressive strength and Split tensile strength.Findings: Test data are used to identify the variation ofGeopolymer concrete propertieswhich are affected by using of various activator ratios and curing period. At all ages, theactivator ratio 1:3 gives maximum strength and also economical when compared to otheractivator ratios. There is substantial gain incompressive strength of fly ash geopolymerconcrete with age.Improvements:Thisworkcan beenhancedforvariousmolaritiesundervarioustemperaturesandvariousactivator ratios.
STRESS ANALYSIS OF CFRP STRENGTHENED SLABS SUBJECTED TO TEMPERATURE CHANGEIAEME Publication
This paper includes an experimental and analyticalinvestigation of flexural behavior ofreinforcedconcrete two-way slabs strengthened with CFRP sheets, CFRP bar due to
temperature change. Normal concrete was used to cast the slabs. The experimental work
includes testing of twelve reinforced concrete slab specimens with dimensions(900mmx900mmx70mm). These slabs can be dividedaccording to temperature change to three
groups at 23 ,45 and 80according to strengthening to four groups each group contain three specimens, first group was
tested without strengthening acts as reference slabs (control),second group was reinforcedwith (CFRP) bar, third group was strengthening with (CFRP) sheet 5cm each 10 cmand the
last group was strengthening with (CFRP) sheet 10cm each 20cm. The use of CFRP sheetsdelays the appearance of the cracks by (60%
strengthening. The experimental results showed that the slabs reinforcement with CFRP bar
reduces the ultimate load carrying capacity by (0.61%concrete slab. Also the experimental results show that theultimate loads are increased by
about (0.61%-83.03%) for the slabs strengthened with CFRP sheets with respect to theunstrengthened reinforced concrete slab (control slab). The increase in load carrying capacityof slab due to temperature change was (36.36%strengthening at 23 . The optimum a result was in the slabsstrengthen by CFRP sheets 5cmeach 10cm at temperaturestrengthen slabs . The numerical analyses present threecomputer program (ABAQUS 6.13).
HackerEarth is pleased to announce its next session to help you understand what it really takes to become a data scientist.
Agenda of this session will include answers to the following questions:
- Why is it the best time to take up Data Science as a career?
- How can you take the first step in Data Science? (After all, first step is always the hardest!)
- How can you become better and progress fast?
- How is life after becoming a Data Scientist?
Speaker:
Jesse Steinweg-Woods is soon-to-be a Senior Data Scientist at tronc, working on recommender systems for articles and understanding customer behavior. Previously, he worked at Argo Group Insurance on new pricing models that took advantage of machine learning techniques. He received his PhD in Atmospheric Science from Texas A&M University, and his research focused on numerical weather and climate prediction.
STUDY OF THE PROPERTIES OF METAKIOLIN AND GGBS BASED GEOPOLYMER CONCRETEIAEME Publication
Objectives: To investigate the properties of metakiolin and GGBS based geopolymer concrete. Methods/Statistical Analysis: In this connection, Geopolymer is need of the hour, where the binder is inorganic polymer. Geopolymer concrete will be introduced as an alternative concrete which did not use any cement in its mixture and used Metakaolin and GGBS as alternative cement. NaOH and Na2SiO3 were used as activator solution. Findings: Geopolymer concrete is prepared by using the solution of sodium silicate mixed with sodium hydroxide. The fixed ratio of sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide is 2.5 and the concentration of sodium hydroxide is 8M. The geo polymer concrete specimens are casted and tested for compressive strength for and 28 days and cured at ambient temperature. Applications/Improvements: This study helps in gaining knowledge about the morphological composition of concrete which might result in path-breaking trends in construction industry.
Can the right diet get rid of acne? - A low-glycemic diet may lead to fewer p...Dani Preston
Do you avoid eating greasy fries and burgers because you believe they’ll cause new pimples? There may be a connection, but probably not for the reason you think. Here’s what the research shows.
The global prevalence of overweight and obesity as a public health concern is well established and reflects the overall lack of success in our ability to achieve and maintain healthy body weight. Being overweight and obese is associated with numerous comorbidities and is a risk factor for several of the leading causes of death, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and many types of cancer.
The foundation of treatment has been diet and exercise.
Expositor: Juan Ponce -Director FLACSO Ecuador
Seminario Internacional sobre Experiencia exitosas en Nutrición, organizado por el Programa Mundial de Alimentos de las Naciones Unidas (PMA) en Colombia y DSM.
14 y el 15 de mayo de 2015.
Bogotá, Colombia.
Examples of Nutrition ClaimsClaims about a popular diet BetseyCalderon89
Examples of Nutrition Claims
Claims about a popular diet that is supposed to change your body, reverse a disease, or dramatically improve your health or performance in some way.
Claims about a particular food, beverage or dietary supplement that is supposed to help you lose weight, gain muscle, boost immunity, improve mood or memory, lower blood cholesterol or blood sugar levels, fight inflammation, remove toxins, prevent or cure a disease, make your hair/nails/skin/digestion better, slow aging…
Claims about a particular ingredient in foods/beverages that’s supposed to be “bad,” “toxic,” or contribute to a particular health problem (acne, autism, ADHD, PCOS, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, aging, hormone disruption, infertility, obesity, digestive problems)…
Sources of Nutrition Claims
Google!
Magazines, Newspapers, Blogs
Books, Videos, Documentaries
Advertisements, Social Media Influencers
Product label, brochure, website
Scientific peer-reviewed journals
How to choose a claim…
Examples:
Magazine article or blog claiming Intermittent fasting or whole 30 or keto is the answer to weight loss. Vitamin D/C/zinc and COVID19.
LA Times article reporting on a new study that shows chocolate or red wine protects the heart (in time for Valentine’s Day)
Book or Youtube video that claims sugar or wheat or gluten is toxic
Documentary that claims plant-based diet best for performance (The Game Changers)
Advertisement about new dietary supplement or “cleanse” for brain health, skin health, digestive health (turmeric, collagen, probiotics, spirulina, apple cider vinegar)
Website bodybuilding.com claiming need certain amount/type of protein to get huge muscles. Or no soy/no dairy for PCOS or fertility.
2
Evaluating Nutrition Research & Claims
Is the source credible & unbiased?
Author/credentials
“Nutritionists” vs. “Registered Dietitians” – what’s the difference?
Self-proclaimed guru, fitness trainer, massage therapist, store clerk
MDs, DCs, PhDs – are they always reliable?
Is there any conflict of interest? Are they trying to sell you something?
Publication source
Internet site (.com or .org, .edu, .gov)
Magazine, newsletter, brochure, trade journal (paid advertising)
Peer-reviewed, professional/scientific journal
Most “nutritionists” have little to no formal education/degree (e.g. famous people, fitness trainer/massage therapist/GNC or health food store clerk). Some “nutritionists” do have a high level of education/degree, but they may or may not be highly educated in nutrition
Conflict of interest – Juice plus, herbal life, arbonne sales rep directly trying to sell you something or researcher/author/speaker could be employed/paid by the company trying to sell something (funded by beef/dairy council)
Example of ephedra article in fitness magazine, local SCV magazines
3
Evaluating Nutrition Research & Claims
How good is the research?
Study design
No systematic method at all
testimonials, anecdotal, before/after
Epidemiolo ...
OBESITY AND WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY, HOW MUCH BENEFICIAL AND SAFE?BY DR MANZOOR A...Prof Dr Bashir Ahmed Dar
Obesity is recognized as a global health crisis. Weight loss surgery offers a treatment that can reduce weight, induce remission of obesity-related diseases, and improve the quality of life. This review summarizes recent evidence related to the safety, efficacy, and metabolic outcomes of weight loss surgery for morbid obesity. The article also highlights various issues when lifestyle modifications and weight loss medications have failed to provide significant weight loss in the majority of obese people.
This pilot study describe the malnutrition with its double burden ( overweight and under weight ) among Egyptian population and its effect on public health.
This poster published in Duphat conference in Dubai
1. Determining the Effects of Artificial Sweeteners as Teratogens on Chick Embryo Cell
Morphology
Alexandria Emery, Katharine Meola, Katrina Nikitsina, Lorraine Salterelli
Department of Biology, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, 19530
Introduction
• Teratogens are defined as any chemical or substance that can cause
malformations within a developing embryo.
• Many exist that pose a threat, although they are currently approved by
government agencies.
• Sweeteners and sugar substitutes are currently approved by the FDA,
though controversy about their safety remains.
• Epidemic levels of obesity cause an increase in use of artificial
sweeteners
• Women are especially prone to dieting and use, possibly more so when
weight gain is expected due to pregnancy
• Previous studies have shown risks to using substitutes including
increasing risks for cancer, or increasing cravings for sweets
• Possible effects include altering or halting development, ending with
malformations or death of the developing embryo, or tumor growth
within the consumer.
• Increasing populations means increasing pregnancies along with high
costs of healthcare illustrates the importance of proper prenatal car
• Sugar substitutes that were tested:
1. Sucrose
• Common table sugar
2. Sucralose (Splenda):
• widely believed to be the safest artificial sweetener
• Not readily broken down by body: passes through unmetabolized
(IFIC, 2009)
• No energy gain
3. Aspartame (Equal):
• Negligent energy gain
• Denatures at high temperatures (IFIC, 20011)
4. Saccharin (Sweet N’ Low):
• used for over a century, and the most studied
• Concerns arise from study that found correlation of use with bladder
tumors in male mice3
• Chick embryo as a Model organism
Hypotheses
1. Changes in the cell morphology will appear at the macroscopic level and at
the cellular level.
Null: There will be no changes in cell morphology at either macroscopic
or cellular levels
2. The damage to embryos will be increased in those that receive the higher
concentrated sugar solutions
Null: The damage observed will be equal in those that received low and
high concentrated solutions
Results
Table 1: Commonly observed malformations when observing embryos
Conclusion
Lowest Body Weight: Highest Body Weight:
Sucralose High Saccharin High
Smallest Body Length: Largest Body Length:
Sucralose High Saccharin High
Irregular shaped cells: Enlarged Cell Size:
Aspartame Low Sucrose High
Sucralose Sucrose Low
• Body weight and length was observed to have decreased in higher concentrations
of sweetener solutions, with saccharin as an exception.
• All treatment groups caused an enlarged cell size when compared with the
untreated control group.
• Solutions may have caused an increase water intake to dilute sweeteners.
• A significant difference was found among the groups for body weight, body
length, and cell size.
• Aspartame: produced differences among all observations.
• Sucralose Low may be harmful because of its effects on body weight and
length
• Saccharin High might affect body weight. Low concentrations may effect
body height.
• Sucrose may cause low body weight and stunt growth. However, this was not
observed in an experiment (Shafet et al. 2012) that found an increase in body
weight of chicks injected with carbohydrates
• A follow-up of immunofluorescence stain would reveal if there were damages
to the cytoskeleton. This technique was not able to be performed due to time
constraints, but might provide information on how irregular cell shapes were
produced.
• Our first hypothesis was supported
• The groups varied from controls in different aspects, but the large variance and
significant differences found among all measurements seems to indicate that
all were somewhat affected by the sweeteners
• These implications may lead to sweeteners being re-evaluated for safety of
consumption by government agencies,
• Further studies supporting risks when using sweeteners may help eliminate
them from products and on market shelves.
• A major improvement in this study in future replications and trials would be to
greatly increase sample size.
Literature Cited
Calorie Control Council [Internet]. Saccharin. cited 2014 Mar 9. Available from:
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/sweeteners-and-lite/sugar-substitutes/saccharin
Gilbert SF. 1997. Developmental Biology.http://9e.devbio.com/about.php.
International Food Information Council [Internet]. 2009. Everything You Need to Know About
Sucralose. cited 2014 Mar 9. Available from: http://www.foodinsight.org/Content/5519/Sucr
alose%20cons%20piece_web.pdf
International Food Information Council [Internet]. 2011. Everything You Need to Know About
Aspartame. cited 2014 Mar 9. Available from: http://www.foodinsight.org/Content/3848/FINA
L_Aspartame%20Brochure_Web%20Version_11-2011.pdf
Shafey, TM, Alodan, MA, Al-Ruqaie, IM, Abouheif, MA. 2012. In ovo feeding of carbohydrates and
incubated at a high incubation temperature on hatchability and glycogen status of chicks. South
African Journal of Animal Science. 42(3), 210-220.
Acknowledgement
We would like to thank the Biology Department at Kutztown University, and Dr. Rosch
and Dr. Stone for providing help and support as well as advice.
Research Objectives
• The primary objectives of this research experiment are to:
• To determine if the sweeteners will have an effect at the cellular level on
the cell morphology.
• To determine if there is a visible, larger morphological effect on the organ
systems.
• To determine how different the effects of the different sweeteners are.
Solution External Abnormalities
Control Bulging eyes, Hemorrhaging
0.9% Saline Smaller embryo
0.6 M
Saccharin
No development, Bacterial Infection, Hard Yolk
2.2 M
Saccharin
No development or tiny embryo, Bacterial Infection, Hard
Yolk, Hemorrhaging
0.6 M
Aspartame
Tiny embryo, Bacterial Infection, Hemorrhaging
2.2 M
Aspartame
Tiny embryo
0.6 M
Sucrose
Bacterial Infection, Hemorrhaging
2.2 M
Sucrose
Tiny embryo
0.6 M
Sucralose
Tiny embryo, Hard yolk
2.2 M
Sucralose
Bacterial Infection, No development
Significant differences were found among groups in embryo weight and length, as well as
cell size.
Figure 1: An ANOVA found a significant difference between the above groups in embryo
weight [F(7) = 2.73, p = 0.032]
Figure 2: An ANOVA found a significant difference between the above groups in embryo
length [F(7) = 3.04, p = 0.021]
Figure 3: Muscle cells from tissue sample stained with eosin (left) and methylene blue
(right) from different groups
Figure 4: An ANOVA found a significant difference between the above groups in cell size
[F(5) = 10.54, p = 1.82 X 10-7 ]
-0.50
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
Control Aspartame
Low
Aspartame
High
Sucrose
High
Sucralose
High
Sucralose
Low
Sucrose
Low
Ringers
Weight(g)
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50
Control Aspartame
Low
Aspartame
High
Sucrose
High
Sucralose
High
Sucralose
Low
Sucrose
Low
Ringers
Length(cm)
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
14.00
Sucrose High Sucrose LowSaccharin HighSaccharin LowSucralose Low Control Aspartame Low
CellDiameter(µ)
Control
Aspartame High Sucralose Low
Saccharin Low
Sucralose Low
Saccharin Low
Sucrose Low
Control
Figure 1: Comparison of
embryos Chick and human
embryo similarities made
by Haeckel in 1874. Chicks
are inexpensive, easy to
maintain and have a short
developmental period
Methods
• A 0.9% Ringer’s saline solution was made, and used as an injection control
and base in creating sweetener solutions in low (0.6M) and high (2.2M)
concentrations.
• Four eggs were assigned to each of the ten groups, aseptically injected,
weighed, and then incubated for seven days.
• On the seventh day, eggs were reweighed. Embryos were anesthetized and
killed in a freezer.
• Eggs were opened to observe embryo weight, length, and malformations.
Embryos were preserved in ethanol.
• Tissue samples were homogenized and stained with eosin and methylene blue
to observe cell morphology.
Figure 1: performing injections Figure 2: Weighing eggs
Figure 3: Staining cells