Sunyata Smith - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Sunyata Smith

Research paper thumbnail of Contemplative Pedagogy – Implications for Multicultural Science Education

Springer international handbooks of education, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Transformative Learning: Integrating the Mind-Body Connection and Contemplative Practices Into Undergraduate Science Education

Proceedings of the 2020 AERA Annual Meeting

Research paper thumbnail of 3 dietary intervention for Chronic Daily Headache: Protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Low omega-6 vs. low omega-6 plus high omega-

Research paper thumbnail of The STEMELL Program and Its Progression: Changing Fieldwork into Clinical Experience--Year 3

Research paper thumbnail of Contemplative Pedagogy – Implications for Multicultural Science Education

Springer International Handbooks of Education, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of A Mixed-Methods, Randomized Clinical Trial to Examine Feasibility of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Management and Diabetes Risk Reduction Intervention for African Americans with Prediabetes

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019

African Americans have disproportionately high rates of stress-related conditions, including diab... more African Americans have disproportionately high rates of stress-related conditions, including diabetes and diabetes-related morbidity. Psychological stress may negatively influence engagement in risk-reducing lifestyle changes (physical activity and healthy eating) and stress-related physiology that increase diabetes risk. This study examined the feasibility of conducting a randomized trial comparing a novel mindfulness-based stress management program combined with diabetes risk-reduction education versus a conventional diabetes risk-reduction education program among African American adults with prediabetes and self-reported life stress. Participants were recruited in collaboration with community partners and randomized to the mindfulness-based diabetes risk-reduction education program for prediabetes (MPD; n = 38) or the conventional diabetes risk-reduction education program for prediabetes (CPD; n = 30). The mindfulness components were adapted from the Mindfulness-based Stress Redu...

Research paper thumbnail of Weathering the seasons of cancer survivorship: mind-body therapy use and reported reasons and outcomes by stages of cancer survivorship

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, Sep 6, 2016

Mind-body therapies (MBTs), a subset of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), are used by... more Mind-body therapies (MBTs), a subset of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), are used by cancer survivors to manage symptoms related to their cancer experience. MBT use may differ by cancer survivorship stage (i.e., acute, short-term, long-term) because each stage presents varying intensities of medical activities, associated emotions, and treatment effects. We examined the relationship between MBT use and survivorship stage (acute <1 year; short-term 1 to 5 years; long-term >5 years since diagnosis) using the CAM supplement of the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. We also examined reported reasons for and outcomes of MBT use and frequency of MBT types. The sample included cancer survivors (N = 3076) and non-cancer controls (N = 31,387). Logistic regression tested the relationship of MBT use and survivorship stage. Weighted percentages were calculated by survivorship stage for reported reasons and outcomes of use and frequency of MBT types. MBT use varied by canc...

Research paper thumbnail of Low omega-6 vs. low omega-6 plus high omega-3 dietary intervention for Chronic Daily Headache: Protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Trials, 2011

Background: Targeted analgesic dietary interventions are a promising strategy for alleviating pai... more Background: Targeted analgesic dietary interventions are a promising strategy for alleviating pain and improving quality of life in patients with persistent pain syndromes, such as chronic daily headache (CDH). High intakes of the omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) may promote physical pain by increasing the abundance, and subsequent metabolism, of LA and AA in immune and nervous system tissues. Here we describe methodology for an ongoing randomized clinical trial comparing the metabolic and clinical effects of a low n-6, average n-3 PUFA diet, to the effects of a low n-6 plus high n-3 PUFA diet, in patients with CDH. Our primary aim is to determine if: A) both diets reduce n-6 PUFAs in plasma and erythrocyte lipid pools, compared to baseline; and B) the low n-6 plus high n-3 diet produces a greater decline in n-6 PUFAs, compared to the low n-6 diet alone. Secondary clinical outcomes include headache-specific quality-of-life, and headache frequency and intensity. Methods: Adults meeting the International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria for CDH are included. After a 6-week baseline phase, participants are randomized to a low n-6 diet, or a low n-6 plus high n-3 diet, for 12 weeks. Foods meeting nutrient intake targets are provided for 2 meals and 2 snacks per day. A research dietitian provides intensive dietary counseling at 2-week intervals. Web-based intervention materials complement dietitian advice. Blood and clinical outcome data are collected every 4 weeks.

Research paper thumbnail of Radical Transformation: The "Inner Work" of Equity-Based Design

Proceedings of the 2023 AERA Annual Meeting

Research paper thumbnail of 3,3'-DIINDOLYLMETHANE and Genistein Alter the Effects of Estrogen on Prostate Cancer Cells

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of 3,3'-Diindolylmethane and genistein decrease the adverse effects of estrogen in LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer cells

The Journal of Nutrition, Dec 1, 2008

Evidence suggests that 17b-estradiol (E2) contributes to the risk of prostate cancer (PCa), where... more Evidence suggests that 17b-estradiol (E2) contributes to the risk of prostate cancer (PCa), whereas the phytochemicals genistein from soy and 3,3#-diindolylmethane (DIM), derived from indole-3-carbinol in cruciferous vegetables, decrease the risk of PCa. This study examined the potential of these phytochemicals to reduce the adverse effects of E2 on PCa. In LNCaP PCa cells (E2 sensitive), DIM decreased E2-induced proliferation. Genistein increased proliferation at low concentrations and decreased proliferation at higher concentrations; DIM abolished the increased proliferation by genistein. The E2 stimulation in LNCaP cells was consistent with dependence on the androgen receptor, as evidenced by the inhibition of E2-induced proliferation with the antiandrogen casodex, E2 stimulation of an androgen response element luciferase reporter, and E2 stimulation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) protein expression. Both genistein and DIM abrogated the E2 stimulation of PSA. Genistein and DIM altered major E2 metabolism pathways in LNCaP and PC-3 (E2 insensitive) PCa cells by increasing the expression of the 2-hydoxylation enzyme cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and the O-methylating enzyme catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) as determined by real-time RT-PCR. The increase in COMT mRNA occurred only when the combination of DIM and genistein (15 mmol/L) was used. Quantitation by MS indicated increased 2-hydroxyestrogen and decreased 16a-hydroxyestrone, a result that should result in less estrogenicity and increased amounts of the anticancer metabolite 2-methoxyestrone. We conclude that DIM and genistein decrease the effects of E2 that have the potential to promote PCa.

Research paper thumbnail of Contemplative Pedagogy – Implications for Multicultural Science Education

Springer international handbooks of education, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Transformative Learning: Integrating the Mind-Body Connection and Contemplative Practices Into Undergraduate Science Education

Proceedings of the 2020 AERA Annual Meeting

Research paper thumbnail of 3 dietary intervention for Chronic Daily Headache: Protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Low omega-6 vs. low omega-6 plus high omega-

Research paper thumbnail of The STEMELL Program and Its Progression: Changing Fieldwork into Clinical Experience--Year 3

Research paper thumbnail of Contemplative Pedagogy – Implications for Multicultural Science Education

Springer International Handbooks of Education, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of A Mixed-Methods, Randomized Clinical Trial to Examine Feasibility of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Management and Diabetes Risk Reduction Intervention for African Americans with Prediabetes

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019

African Americans have disproportionately high rates of stress-related conditions, including diab... more African Americans have disproportionately high rates of stress-related conditions, including diabetes and diabetes-related morbidity. Psychological stress may negatively influence engagement in risk-reducing lifestyle changes (physical activity and healthy eating) and stress-related physiology that increase diabetes risk. This study examined the feasibility of conducting a randomized trial comparing a novel mindfulness-based stress management program combined with diabetes risk-reduction education versus a conventional diabetes risk-reduction education program among African American adults with prediabetes and self-reported life stress. Participants were recruited in collaboration with community partners and randomized to the mindfulness-based diabetes risk-reduction education program for prediabetes (MPD; n = 38) or the conventional diabetes risk-reduction education program for prediabetes (CPD; n = 30). The mindfulness components were adapted from the Mindfulness-based Stress Redu...

Research paper thumbnail of Weathering the seasons of cancer survivorship: mind-body therapy use and reported reasons and outcomes by stages of cancer survivorship

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, Sep 6, 2016

Mind-body therapies (MBTs), a subset of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), are used by... more Mind-body therapies (MBTs), a subset of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), are used by cancer survivors to manage symptoms related to their cancer experience. MBT use may differ by cancer survivorship stage (i.e., acute, short-term, long-term) because each stage presents varying intensities of medical activities, associated emotions, and treatment effects. We examined the relationship between MBT use and survivorship stage (acute <1 year; short-term 1 to 5 years; long-term >5 years since diagnosis) using the CAM supplement of the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. We also examined reported reasons for and outcomes of MBT use and frequency of MBT types. The sample included cancer survivors (N = 3076) and non-cancer controls (N = 31,387). Logistic regression tested the relationship of MBT use and survivorship stage. Weighted percentages were calculated by survivorship stage for reported reasons and outcomes of use and frequency of MBT types. MBT use varied by canc...

Research paper thumbnail of Low omega-6 vs. low omega-6 plus high omega-3 dietary intervention for Chronic Daily Headache: Protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Trials, 2011

Background: Targeted analgesic dietary interventions are a promising strategy for alleviating pai... more Background: Targeted analgesic dietary interventions are a promising strategy for alleviating pain and improving quality of life in patients with persistent pain syndromes, such as chronic daily headache (CDH). High intakes of the omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) may promote physical pain by increasing the abundance, and subsequent metabolism, of LA and AA in immune and nervous system tissues. Here we describe methodology for an ongoing randomized clinical trial comparing the metabolic and clinical effects of a low n-6, average n-3 PUFA diet, to the effects of a low n-6 plus high n-3 PUFA diet, in patients with CDH. Our primary aim is to determine if: A) both diets reduce n-6 PUFAs in plasma and erythrocyte lipid pools, compared to baseline; and B) the low n-6 plus high n-3 diet produces a greater decline in n-6 PUFAs, compared to the low n-6 diet alone. Secondary clinical outcomes include headache-specific quality-of-life, and headache frequency and intensity. Methods: Adults meeting the International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria for CDH are included. After a 6-week baseline phase, participants are randomized to a low n-6 diet, or a low n-6 plus high n-3 diet, for 12 weeks. Foods meeting nutrient intake targets are provided for 2 meals and 2 snacks per day. A research dietitian provides intensive dietary counseling at 2-week intervals. Web-based intervention materials complement dietitian advice. Blood and clinical outcome data are collected every 4 weeks.

Research paper thumbnail of Radical Transformation: The "Inner Work" of Equity-Based Design

Proceedings of the 2023 AERA Annual Meeting

Research paper thumbnail of 3,3'-DIINDOLYLMETHANE and Genistein Alter the Effects of Estrogen on Prostate Cancer Cells

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of 3,3'-Diindolylmethane and genistein decrease the adverse effects of estrogen in LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer cells

The Journal of Nutrition, Dec 1, 2008

Evidence suggests that 17b-estradiol (E2) contributes to the risk of prostate cancer (PCa), where... more Evidence suggests that 17b-estradiol (E2) contributes to the risk of prostate cancer (PCa), whereas the phytochemicals genistein from soy and 3,3#-diindolylmethane (DIM), derived from indole-3-carbinol in cruciferous vegetables, decrease the risk of PCa. This study examined the potential of these phytochemicals to reduce the adverse effects of E2 on PCa. In LNCaP PCa cells (E2 sensitive), DIM decreased E2-induced proliferation. Genistein increased proliferation at low concentrations and decreased proliferation at higher concentrations; DIM abolished the increased proliferation by genistein. The E2 stimulation in LNCaP cells was consistent with dependence on the androgen receptor, as evidenced by the inhibition of E2-induced proliferation with the antiandrogen casodex, E2 stimulation of an androgen response element luciferase reporter, and E2 stimulation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) protein expression. Both genistein and DIM abrogated the E2 stimulation of PSA. Genistein and DIM altered major E2 metabolism pathways in LNCaP and PC-3 (E2 insensitive) PCa cells by increasing the expression of the 2-hydoxylation enzyme cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and the O-methylating enzyme catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) as determined by real-time RT-PCR. The increase in COMT mRNA occurred only when the combination of DIM and genistein (15 mmol/L) was used. Quantitation by MS indicated increased 2-hydroxyestrogen and decreased 16a-hydroxyestrone, a result that should result in less estrogenicity and increased amounts of the anticancer metabolite 2-methoxyestrone. We conclude that DIM and genistein decrease the effects of E2 that have the potential to promote PCa.