Browsing by Author "Tripp, Patricia"

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    Evaluation of a Plant-Based Infant Formula Containing Almonds and Buckwheat on Gut Microbiota Composition, Intestine Morphology, Metabolic and Immune Markers in a Neonatal Piglet Model
    Gurung, Manoj; Rosa, Fernanda; Yelvington, Brooke; Terry, Nathan; Read, Quentin D.; Piccolo, Brian D.; Moody, Becky; Tripp, Patricia; Pittman, Hoy E.; Fay, Bobby L.; Ross, Talyor J.; Sikes, James D.; Flowers, Jessica B.; Fox, Renee; LeRoith, Tanya; Talatala, Rachelanne; Bar-Yoseph, Fabiana; Yeruva, Laxmi (MDPI, 2023-01-12)
    A controlled-neonatal piglet trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of a plant-based infant formula containing buckwheat and almonds as the main source of protein compared to a commercially available dairy-based formula on the gut health parameters. Two day old piglets were fed either a plant-based or a dairy-based formula until day 21. Gut microbiome, cytokines, growth and metabolism related outcomes, and intestinal morphology were evaluated to determine the safety of the plant-based infant formula. This study reported that the plant-based formula-fed piglets had a similar intestinal microbiota composition relative to the dairy-based formula-fed group. However, differential abundance of specific microbiota species was detected within each diet group in the small and large intestinal regions and fecal samples. Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus crispatus, and Fusobacterium sp. had higher abundance in the small intestine of plant-based formula-fed piglets compared to the dairy-based group. Bacteroides nordii, Enterococcus sp., Lactobacillus crispatus, Prevotella sp., Ruminococcus lactaris, Bacteroides nordii, Eisenbergiella sp., Lactobacillus crispatus, Prevotella sp., and Akkermansia muciniphila had greater abundance in the large intestine of the plant based diet fed piglets relative to the dairy-based diet group. In the feces, Clostridiales, Bacteroides uniformis, Butyricimonasvirosa, Cloacibacillus porcorum, Clostridium clostridioforme, and Fusobacterium sp. were abundant in dairy-based group relative to the plant-based group. Lachnospiraceae, Clostridium scindens, Lactobacillus coleohominis, and Prevetolla sp. had greater abundance in the feces of the plant-based group in comparison to the dairy-based group. Gut morphology was similar between the plant and the dairy-based formula-fed piglets. Circulatory cytokines, magnesium, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), vitamin D, vitamin K, and IgE levels were similar among all piglets independent of dietary group. Overall, the present study demonstrated that a plant-based formula with buckwheat and almonds as the primary source of protein can support similar gut microbiota growth and health outcomes compared to a dairy-based infant formula.
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    Greenhouse Hydroponic Production: The Evaluation of Tools, Methods and Guidance: A SWOT Analysis
    Tripp, Patricia (Virginia Tech, 2012-05)
    Hydroponic crops are growing popularity as consumer awareness increases recognizing the need of sustainable and safe food practices. Hydroponic production is considered a ‘high-­‐tech’ production system to many small farmers. The need to diversify remains within the farmer’s mind, while regulatory bodies seem to be more in support of mono cropping as industry guidance changes. The recent implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act has small farmers in fear of being pushed out of the supply chain. Hydroponic crop production can provide these small farmers with the opportunity to remain diversified, while producing the yields necessary to meet their monetary needs. The dual purpose of this paper is to provide insight on the need in maintaining diversity acknowledging the small farmer’s values, while incorporating necessary food safety and food defense. The evaluation and determination of the most valuable tools and guidance was made.
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    Human Milk Oligosaccharides Impact Cellular and Inflammatory Gene Expression and Immune Response
    Rosa, Fernanda; Sharma, Ashok K.; Gurung, Manoj; Casero, David; Matazel, Katelin; Bode, Lars; Simecka, Christy; Elolimy, Ahmed A.; Tripp, Patricia; Randolph, Christopher; Hand, Timothy W.; Williams, Keith D.; LeRoith, Tanya; Yeruva, Laxmi (Frontiers, 2022-06-29)
    Human milk harbors complex carbohydrates, including human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), the third most abundant component after lactose and lipids. HMOs have been shown to impact intestinal microbiota, modulate the intestinal immune response, and prevent pathogenic bacterial binding by serving as decoy receptors. However, the direct effect of HMOs on intestinal function and immunity remains to be elucidated. To address this knowledge gap, 21-day-old germ-free mice (C57BI/6) were orally gavaged with 15 mg/day of pooled HMOs for 7 or 14 days and euthanized at day 28 or 35. A set of mice was maintained until day 50 to determine the persistent effects of HMOs. Control groups were maintained in the isolators for 28, 35, or 50 days of age. At the respective endpoints, intestinal tissues were subjected to histomorphometric and transcriptomic analyses, while the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were subjected to flow cytometric analysis. The small intestine (SI) crypt was reduced after HMO treatment relative to control at days 28 and 35, while the SI villus height and large intestine (LI) gland depth were decreased in the HMO-treated mice relative to the control at day 35. We report significant HMO-induced and location-specific gene expression changes in host intestinal tissues. HMO treatment significantly upregulated genes involved in extracellular matrix, protein ubiquitination, nuclear transport, and mononuclear cell differentiation. CD4+ T cells were increased in both MLNs and the spleen, while CD8+ T cells were increased in the spleen at day 50 in the HMO group in comparison to controls. In MLNs, plasma cells were increased in HMO group at days 28 and 35, while in the spleen, only at day 28 relative to controls. Macrophages/monocytes and neutrophils were lower in the spleen of the HMO group at days 28, 35, and 50, while in MLNs, only neutrophils were lower at day 50 in the 14-day HMO group. In addition, diphtheria toxoid and tetanus toxoid antibody-secreting cells were higher in HMO-supplemented group compared to controls. Our data suggest that HMOs have a direct effect on gastrointestinal tract metabolism and the immune system even in the absence of host microbiota.