Clinical trials

Systemic inflammation and intestinal hyperpermeability (disruption of the gut barrier which allows nutrient molecules and bacteria to enter the bloodstream) are triggered by consumption of high-sugar meals and are linked to future development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous research indicates that fresh mangos have properties that have positive effects on the intestinal barrier and local gut inflammation. The investigators want to understand if replacing table sugar (sucrose) with sugar from fresh mango (which also contains fiber and plant bioactives) will lead to decreased inflammatory and permeability biomarkers after eating a high-sugar breakfast. The investigators will compare the postprandial (post meal) levels of inflammatory (IL-6) and permeability (LPS, lipid binding protein (LBP), and soluble CD14) biomarkers in blood from participants who have consumed a meal sweetened with either sucrose or fresh mango.

The investigators seek to better understand how a single high-fat meal impacts gut, immune, and vascular outcomes in individuals with "metabolically healthy obesity" (obesity and largely normal cardiometabolic profile) and "metabolically healthy normal-weight individuals." Second, the investigators seek to understand how a prebiotic fiber (inulin) impacts gut, immune, and vascular outcomes in individuals with "metabolically healthy obesity."

Most of the time, body weight is evaluated by looking at the ratio of your weight to your height. This measurement is called body mass index or BMI. However, BMI does not account for what your body is actually made up of (e.g., body fat versus muscle), which may be more important for determining cardiovascular disease risk. The investigators aim to understand vascular health in females with a "healthy" BMI with differing amounts of body fat and muscle mass. We will have participants come to the lab for two different study visits. At one visit, participants will eat a meal high in fat, and at the other visit, participants will undergo a stress task.

Based on prior research, the investigators are interested in whether an intervention targeting gut health (supplemental fiber for 9 weeks total) will improve vascular health in individuals with obesity. Additionally, the investigators are interested in if this response differs based on whether individuals with obesity have very few heart disease risk factors or several heart disease risk factors.

Large blood sugar and insulin increases after meals high in table sugar are related to risk for diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, large increases in blood sugar may also negatively impact vascular health. Previous research suggests that mango consumed in small quantities has blood sugar-lowering properties, but the evidence of this within larger, more realistic meals is limited. The investigators want to understand if replacing table sugar (sucrose) with sugar from fresh mango (which also contains fiber and plant bioactives) will lead to more favorable blood sugar, insulin, and vascular responses after eating breakfast meals. The investigators will compare the postprandial glycemic, insulinemic, and vascular response to low and high glycemic meals sweetened with either fresh mango or sucrose.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to develop and test the COMPASS \[Collaborative Model for Competence and Success\] Across Settings (CAST) intervention to enhance the goal setting and attainment skills of autistic youth. Despite federal education law mandating transition services as part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for ensuring good outcomes for students with disabilities, current educational practices have been unable to demonstrate that autistic students experience positive postsecondary outcomes. There are existing, evidence-based interventions aimed at supporting positive outcomes for these students. However, these interventions have not systematically provided coaching support to the caregivers, students, and employment specialists. To address these issues, CAST will integrate three evidence-based interventions for supporting student transitions while providing this critical coaching support. By doing so, CAST aims to align the priorities and goals of interventions across home, school, and community settings to better support positive postsecondary outcomes for autistic students.