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BackgroundOur main objective was to evaluate the ability of cranberry phytochemicals to modify immunity, specifically γδ-T cell proliferation, after daily consumption of a cranberry beverage, and its effect on health outcomes related to cold and influenza symptoms.MethodsThe study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel intervention. Subjects drank a low calorie cranberry beverage (450 ml) made with a juice-derived, powdered cranberry fraction (n = 22) or a placebo beverage (n = 23), daily, for 10 wk. PBMC were cultured for six days with autologous serum and PHA-L stimulation. Cold and influenza symptoms were self-reported.ResultsThe proliferation index of γδ-T cells in culture was almost five times higher after 10 wk of cranberry beverage consumption (p <0.001). In the cranberry beverage group, the incidence of illness was not reduced, however significantly fewer symptoms of illness were reported (p = 0.031).ConclusionsConsumption of the cranberry beverage modified the ex vivo proliferation of γδ-T cells. As these cells are located in the epithelium and serve as a first line of defense, improving their function may be related to reducing the number of symptoms associated with a cold and flu.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01398150.

This study compared the metabolic, cardiopulmonary and inflammatory responses of novel acute machine based concentrically-focused resistance exercise (CON RX) and eccentrically-focused resistance exercise (ECC RX). Twenty healthy adults (26.8 ± 5.9 yrs; 25.4 ± 4.0 kg/m2) performed two work-matched RX exercise sessions. Cardiopulmonary responses, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), soreness, oxygen consumption; (VO2) were collected during each session. Blood lactate and levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 alpha (IL1α), interleukin-6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) were analyzed pre, post ad 24 hours post-exercise. HR were higher (5-15bpm) during ECC RX (p<.05). Soreness ratings were consistently higher post-ECC RX compared to CON RX. VO2 area under the curve was higher during ECC than CON (31,905 ml/kg/min vs 25,864 ml/kg/min; p<.0001). Post-ECC RX, TNFα levels increased compared to CON RX 23.2 ± 23.9% versus 6.3 ± 16.2% ( p=.021). ECC RX induced greater metabolic, cardiopulmonary and soreness responses compared to matched CON RX. This may be due to recruitment of additional stabilizer muscles and metabolic stress during the ECC RX. These factors should be considered when designing ECC RX programs particularly for untrained persons, older adults or those with history of cardiovascular disease.

Objectives Evidence-based practice (EBP) has been embraced and supported in medicine and several allied health professions for over a decade. We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature to explore EBP competencies and teaching strategies within the nutrition field. Methods Five databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, ERIC, Cochrane, CINAHL) were systematically searched for observational and experimental studies from inception to August 2021. Eligible studies had to document EBP competencies or teaching strategies to improve EBP competencies among nutrition students and professionals. Competencies were categorized as: i) framing answerable questions, ii) searching literature for best evidence, iii) assessing study quality and/or risk of bias (RoB), iv) interpreting the importance of results, v) interpreting certainty of evidence, vi) applying results based on client values and preferences, vii) evaluating clinical performance. Currently, two reviewers are independently screening, abstracting data, and assessing RoB. Results We screened 1006 initial articles to find 9 eligible studies. Six cross-sectional surveys discussed EBP competencies among registered dietitians (RD) and dietetic interns, while 1 randomized trial and 2 before and after studies evaluated the effectiveness of teaching strategies among RDs and undergraduate students. Studies assessed 2 to 5 EBP competencies using heterogeneous methods that were often unclear. Participants generally scored low with respect to knowledge and skills across the competencies assessed. For instance, the largest study, a survey of RDs from the American Dietetic Association reported that among 258 participants, 64% never attended an EBP lecture, 45% never received formal training in RoB, and 31% did not understand 95% Confidence Intervals. Among teaching strategies, journal clubs improved EBP competencies the most, including framing answerable questions, searching literature, assessing RoB, and applying study results. Full results forthcoming. Conclusions Preliminary results indicate that few nutrition students or professionals have adequate EBP competencies, including skills in RoB assessment and interpreting the importance of study results. Regular journal clubs are an effective way to teach most competencies in EBP. Funding Sources Texas A&M Presidential Transformational Teaching Grant.