COLLEGE OF SCIENCEs and Health Professions
Abstracts
Research Day 2014
001
AQUATIC-TERRESTRIAL LINKAGES AT AN URBANIZED STREAM
Martin J. Calabrese,1 M.A.; Terry L. Robison,2 Ph.D.; B. Michael Walton,1 Ph.D.
1
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University;
2
Natural Resources Division, Cleveland Metroparks
Urbanization is a leading cause of stream impairment in the United States, second only to agricultural land use. 20th Century
metropolitan-area sprawl increased the proportion of streams flowing through urbanized landscapes. The primary specific
aim of this in-progress Ph. D. thesis is to quantify the cross-boundary subsidies between stream and terrestrial riparian
habitats within headwater stream systems varying in degree of urbanization. Cross-boundary subsidy refers to the
contribution of one distinct habitat type (e. g. , an aquatic stream habitat) to the nutrients and energy that support an adjacent
ecosystem type (e. g. , terrestrial stream bank and riparian forest). In-situ methods are employed to quantify the reciprocal
subsidies from stream-to-forest and forest-to-stream. Specific field methodology includes establishing stream and terrestrial
transects, quantification of biotic and physical features of stream habitats, and quantitative assessment of stream and forest
invertebrates using a variety of techniques. The study locality for this research is West Creek (41°23’ N, 81°41. 5’ W),
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA. Stream biology, physical habitat, and chemistry can be adversely affected by even low levels
of urbanization. Natural stream systems provide many ecosystem services that are important benefits to society. For example,
stream ecosystems prevent nuisance algal blooms by capturing nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. A healthy stream
system with well vegetated floodplains can reduce erosion and mitigate flooding. Lastly, accessible streams provide
recreational opportunities, improving quality of life for the neighboring communities.
002
SYNCHRONIZATION OF HUYGENS’ CLOCKS: AN ELEMENTARY TREATMENT
L. Karle,1 M. Smith,1 U. Zurcher,1 and A. Slifkin2
1
Department of Physics, Cleveland State University;
2
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
During bipedal locomotion [walking], each leg swings like a pendulum: if the right (left) leg swings forward, the left (right)
leg swings backward. We say that the two pendulums swing out-of-phase. Huygens proposed a general model to explain the
synchronization of two pendulums mounted on a cart. There is no direct force between the pendulums [i. e. , they are not
connected by a spring]. The cart moves along the horizontal: the motion is damped. We show that the principle of
conservation of momentum can be used to describe an escapement mechanism. Simple graphical methods are used to show
that the motion of the two pendulums can be described in terms of a symmetric and anti-symmetric `mode. ’ We quantify the
damping of the pendulums and show that the two modes are described by two different damping constants. We discuss that
this property explains why only the anti-symmetric mode “survives” for long time.
003
DYNAMIC STABILITY DURING ARBOREAL LOCOMOTION OF SIBERIAN CHIPMUNKS (TAMIAS
SIBIRICUS)
Alexandra Power,1 Ulrich Zurcher,1 and Andrew Lammers2
1
Department of Physics, Cleveland State University;
2
School of Health Sciences, Cleveland State University
1
We examine the ability of Siberian chipmunks to maintain their balance and comfortable body state while running up a tree.
This phenomenon is otherwise known as dynamic stability, familiar from riding a bicycle. It requires a non-zero angular
momentum, which in the case of a bicycle is produced by the spinning wheels. For the dynamic stability of bipedal
locomotion of humans, the angular momentum is produced by swinging legs. During arboreal locomotion of chipmunks the
angular momentum is produced by the trunk and body of the chipmunks, whereas the contribution from the legs is
insignificant. This requires that the distortions of the body follow a systematic pattern during each stride. We hypothesize that
the motion of the trunk is governed by central pattern generators [CPGs] so that the motion of body parts should follow
oscillatory patterns. Five different chipmunks were used and allowed to run across a tree branch. Sixteen different points on
the chipmunk were decided upon and tracked as the chipmunk ran across the branch. The coordinates for each chipmunk
body were recorded every 2 ms. The center of mass of each chipmunk was found and subtracted from each coordinate. In all
planes these values added up to zero meaning the chipmunk was indeed in a state of dynamic equilibrium. These angular
momentum values were then averaged. It was found that nearly all body parts rotate clockwise, and usually complete a full
three-hundred-sixty degree oscillation for each trial. We find a linear correlation between the angle the body part makes with
the center of mass and the elapsed time.
004
ARE INTERPERSONAL TRAUMA HISTORY AND PTSD ASSOCIATED WITH CERVICAL CANCER
SCREENING NONATTENDANCE?
Emma M. Melaragno, BA1; Samantha A. Scott, BS1; Lisa Stines Doane, PhD1; Kelly Ackerson, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC2
1
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University;
2
School of Nursing, Western Michigan University
Cervical cancer can be prevented or treated if symptoms are detected early. Interpersonal trauma exposure and posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) may be barriers to Pap smear attendance, as survivors may view the discomfort associated with the
screening as a reminder of their trauma and seek to avoid it as a result. In the few studies that have examined this, a PTSD
diagnosis was found to be a unique barrier to cervical cancer screening. In the current study, we hypothesized that
participants exposed to interpersonal trauma would be less likely to attend routine cervical cancer screening than those who
experienced a noninterpersonal trauma, and that greater severity of PTSD symptoms would predict cervical cancer screening
nonattendance. A total of 350 women between the ages of 18 and 65 attending one of two large universities located in the
Midwestern United States participated in this study. Participants completed a survey that included questions on cervical
cancer screening history (attendance and experience), trauma history (Traumatic Stress Schedule; TSS), and PTSD symptoms
(PTSD Symptom Scale- Self Report Version; PSS-SR). Routine cervical cancer screening nonattendance was not found to
be related to either interpersonal trauma exposure, χ²(1, N=360)= 2.43, p>.05, or PTSD symptomatology, rpb(360)= .017,
p>.05. However, higher levels of PTSD symptoms is correlated with emotional discomfort, r(271)=.134, p<.05, and
embarrassment, r(304)=.154, p<.05, during the cervical cancer screening procedure. Cervical cancer remains a significant,
though preventable, cause of death for women in the US. It is essential to identify a comprehensive model of the factors that
function as barriers to women’s attendance to screening. Although this study yielded insignificant results to the initial
hypothesis, it demonstrates that trauma exposure and PTSD may have more of a relationship with negative screening
experience than on attendance, which may make women less likely to return for future routine screenings.
005
STEREOTYPE PERFORMANCE EFFECTS ON TESTS OF CREATIVITY IN GAY AND BISEXUAL
MALES
Page W. Walker, A.A.S.
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
Previous studies have shown that by framing a task as diagnostic of an ability related to a relevant stereotype (positive or
negative) members of the stereotyped group will show performance effects consistent with the activated stereotype. Among
the public, there exists a stereotype that gay and bisexual men are more creative than straight males. In this study, we
investigated whether or not gay and bisexual men would perform better on a test of creativity when the task is framed as
measuring creative ability. Adult male participants completed an online demographics questionnaire that collected their age,
gender, and sexual orientation. Following this, participants were told that they would either be taking a test of creativity or a
test to learn more about them. After this creativity or control prime, participants completed the STAT-H 12-question
2
synthetic ability subtest. A 2-way between subjects ANOVA compared the effects of orientation and priming on test scores
and found no significant main effect for prime or interaction between prime and orientation. However, a significant main
effect was seen for orientation (F = 3. 665, p = . 029, ² . 061). A 1-way ANOVA then compared the effects of orientation
on scores [F(2, 116) = 3. 591, p = . 031]. Post hoc Tukey HSD indicated mean score for straight participants (M = 8. 648, SD
= 1. 649) was significantly higher than mean score for gay participants (M = 7. 091, SD = 3. 015). When scores were
considered by subtype (words, math, and shapes), the difference was isolated to math. Future research should address
whether gay participants experience a stereotype threat effect to math similar to those found in women that overshadowed
whatever performance effects the creativity prime may have had.
006
GLYCOPROTEIN LRG1 PLAYS A ROLE IN CELL MIGRATION
Qiao yun Zheng, M.A.; Aimin Zhou, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
Leucine rich α-2-glycoprotein-1 (LRG1) is a serum glycoprotein. Recently studies have shown that LRG-1 is involved in
certain diseases including hear failure, appendicitis, and cancer. However, its biological function is largely unknown. In this
study, we found that LRG-1 is highly expressed in all cancer cells tested, but secreted in the medium from only certain cell
types. The accumulation of LRG-1 in the medium was time-dependent. Interestingly the LRG-1 protein is not glycosylated
until secreted outside the cells. Obviously, the glycosylation occurs on the cell membrane. Further investigation of the
function of the secreted LRG-1 protein revealed that LRG-1 in the medium played an important role in cell migration as
analyzed by using Transwells, suggesting that LRG-1 may be a potent chemotrafficking molecule. Our finding implicates
that LRG-1 may be a target for treating metastatic cancer.
007
EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EASE OF LEXICAL ACCESS AND LISTENERS’
SUBJECTIVE PERCEPTION OF FOREIGN ACCENTS
Sara Incera, M.S.1; Conor T. McLennan, Ph.D.1; Amee P. Shah, Ph.D.2
1
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
2
School of Heath Sciences, Speech and Hearing Program, Cleveland State University
Foreign-accented speech is one source of variability that listeners may face during the perception of spoken language.
Although a number of previous studies have examined the role that foreign-accented speech plays in listeners’ ability to
process spoken language, we are interested in examining the converse of this relationship. That is, previous work has
demonstrated that accent manipulations affect listeners’ ability to process spoken language. For example, the speed and
accuracy with which listeners access spoken words produced with a foreign accent is compromised (at least initially) relative
to the same words produced with a native accent. However, the present study examines whether manipulations known to
affect listeners’ ability to access spoken words will affect listeners’ subjective perception of foreign-accented speech. More
specifically, because spoken words are typically easier to process when they are produced in meaningful sentences, we
investigated whether listeners would be more likely to rate an accent as strong when presented in a sentence that did not make
sense. Results provide new information regarding the relationship between lexical access and the perception of foreignaccented speech.
008
TOPOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY OF GROUPS
Mark Grant1, Gregory Lupton2 and John Oprea2
1
Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle (U. K. ),
2
Department of Mathematics, Cleveland State University.
The motion planning problem in robotics asks whether it is possible to design an algorithm so that a robot can autonomously
move from any starting configuration to any other configuration. The mathematical version of this problem asks whether
there is an algorithmic way to assign paths between any two points in a particular space of configurations. (For instance, the
space of configurations of a simple robot arm with n links is the torus T n which lives in 2n-dimensional Euclidean space. )
3
Topological complexity (TC) is a measure of how difficult the motion planning problem is for robots constrained to move
according to a specified configuration space X. If X is contractible (i. e. is shrinkable to a point), then its topological
complexity is 0. Odd spheres have TC=1 and even spheres have TC=2. A major problem in the area is to understand the
topological complexity of aspherical spaces (denoted by K(G,1)). These are spaces that have only a fundamental group G and
no higher homotopy groups. Thus, understanding their geometry and topology is intimately tied up with understanding the
group structure of G. The goal then is to understand TC(K(G,1)) in terms of the subgroup structure, say, of G. This work
shows how cohomological dimension may be used in conjunction with G's subgroup structure to obtain new lower bounds for
TC(K(G,1)). Applications are made to braid groups (which are associated to knotting phenomena), right-angled Artin groups
(associated to graphs and networks) and to a very strange group known as Higman’s group (which is almost undetectable!).
009
A NEW LC/MS/MS METHOD FOR QUANTIFICATION OF GANGLIOSIDES IN HUMAN PLASMA
Qianyang Huang, M.S.1; Xiang Zhou, Ph.D.1; Danting Liu, M.S.1; Baozhong Xin, Ph.D.2; Karen Cechner, Ph.D.2; Heng
Wang, Ph.D.2; and Aimin Zhou, Ph.D.1
1
Clinical Chemistry Program, Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, 44115;
2
DDC Clinic, Center for Special Needs Children, Middlefield, Ohio, 44062
Gangliosides are a big family of glycosphingolipids characterized by mono- or poly-sialic acid-containing oligosaccharides
linked to ceramide portions with subtle differences in structure, which are abundantly present in the central nervous system of
many living organisms. Their abnormal cellular surface expression and physiological function are generally believed to be
pathologically implicated in the pathogenesis of considerable neurological disorders, including Alzheimer and Parkinson
diseases. In this study, we developed and validated a sensitive LC/MS/MS method for determination of GM2, GM3, GD2,
and GD3 in the human plasma. The analytes and internal standard were extracted from plasma using a one-step protein
precipitation procedure with the addition of methanol. Then the samples were analyzed by LC/MS/MS in Multiple Reaction
Monitoring (MRM) mode during MS detection to obtain superior sensitivity and specificity. This assay was validated for
extraction recovery, calibration linearity, precision, accuracy, stability, and matrix effect, and was successfully applied to
ganglioside level measurements in plasma from various normal human subjects.
010
PDZ-GEF/RAP1 ANTAGONIZE BORDER CELL DETACHMENT BUT REGULATE CELL ADHESION
BETWEEN BORDER CELLS DURING COLLECTIVE CELL MIGRATION
Ketki B. Sawant, M.S.1; Jocelyn A. McDonald2, Ph.D.
1
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, OH
2
Department of Molecular Genetics, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic , OH
Collective cell migration is an important mechanism in development and maintenance of multicellular organism. How groups
of cells stay together to coordinate their motility is still not well understood. During Drosophila melanogaster oogenesis, 6-8
cells derive from the follicular epithelium form the border cell cluster and migrate as a cohesive cluster from the anterior to
posterior end of the egg chamber. How the cluster detaches and migrates, as cohesive group is still elusive.
Screening studies in our lab have identified the Drosophila homolog of PDZ-GEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factor
containing PDZ domain) as a novel gene required for border cell migration. PDZ-GEF is an activator of the small GTPase
Rap1. Loss of either PDZ-GEF or the small GTPase Rap1 showed strong border cell migration defects. Although the
Drosophila genome encodes for at least two other GEFs, we found that loss of PDZ-GEF had the strongest migration defects.
This suggests that PDZ-GEF is the primary Rap1 GEF in border cells. Phenotypes of PDZ-GEF mutants were similar to Rap1
suggesting they affect same pathway. Further, constitutively active Rap1 mutant (Rap1V12) or overexpression of PDZ-GEF
each showed a failure of the border cell cluster to detach from the follicular epithelium, indicating that PDZ-GEF/Rap1
antagonize detachment of the cluster. Further, Rap1 dominant negative mutant (Rap1N17) showed a distinct cluster
morphology defect, where border cells appeared to be more spread out compared to normal. To further validate our results,
we performed preliminary live imaging on Rap1 N17 mutant border cells. We observed that during migration, border cells no
longer behaved as a cohesive cluster suggesting loss of cell adhesion. Also a viable combination of PDZ-GEF mutant alleles
(PDZ-GEF1/PDZ-GEF3) showed lower levels of E-Cadherin in-between cells of the cluster. These results suggest that PDZGEF/Rap1 regulate border cell migration through cell adhesion.
4
011
RUTHENIUM OXIDE BASED COMBINED ELECTRODES AS NITRIC OXIDE SENSORS: TOWARDS
MEASURING NO IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Tiyash Bose, M.Sc.; Thomas Bomberger,,B.S.; Mekki Bayachou,. Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
Nitric oxide is an important physiologic metabolite implicated in both health and disease states. Accurate determination of
NO in tissues and cells is of paramount importance. The major challenges with NO measurement are its short half-life and
often low nanomolar concentrations in tissues. Electrochemical tools provide a mean to accurately measure this analyte in
confined environments using miniaturized probes. In the past, our lab explored electrodeposited alternate layers of ruthenium
oxide nanoparticles and a conductive sulfur-containing polymer on carbon microelectrode fibers for catalytic determination
of NO.
In this work, we explore the performance of combined reference/working electrodes modified with ruthenium oxide in the
detection of nitric oxide with the goal to measure nitric oxide at the level of single or collective cultured cells. This is a
preliminary work towards preparing a device capable to measure nitric oxide levels in a cystic fibrosis cell line model. It has
been found that exhaled NO levels remains unchanged or reduced in cystic fibrosis patients unlike other inflammatory lung
diseases like asthma where it increases. However it is not clear whether the lower NO levels in cystic fibrosis correlate with
lowered production of this metabolite in the bronchial epithelium. It was shown that levels of nitrite and nitrate, the primary
stable end products of NO metabolism increases in the breath condensate of patients with cystic fibrosis. We will present
preliminary results of our ruthenium oxide modified combined electrodes and how they can be applied to the study of cystic
fibrosis at the cellular level.
012
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING KNOWLEDGE AND ANXIETY
ABOUT THE PROCEDURE
Samantha A. Scott, B.S.1; Emma M. Melaragno, B.A.1; Kelly Ackerson, Ph.D.2; Lisa S. Doane, Ph.D.1
1
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA;
2
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA.
Despite effective screening procedures, cervical cancer remains common among U. S. women. Some studies have found that
women who know less about the procedure are less likely to follow through with routine screening. Women have also
reported that anxiety or fear about the procedure have prevented them from engaging in routine screening. One particular
study found that women who had never gone through a Pap smear procedure were significantly more likely to believe that it
was embarrassing and more painful than women who had been screened. While several studies have looked into whether
knowledge about the pap smear procedure impacts women’s likelihood to have it done, none to date have explored the
specific relationship between knowledge about the Pap smear and anxiety about the procedure. In this study, we hypothesized
that lower knowledge about the Pap smear procedure would be associated with greater anxiety about the screening. A survey
was conducted with 350 women from two Midwestern US university communities between the ages of 18 and 65. The survey
included questions on knowledge of the Pap smear test and on anxiety related to the procedure. A Pearson correlational
statistical analysis revealed that knowledge about the procedure was not related to Pap smear-related anxiety (r=-0. 063).
However, greater knowledge about the exam was associated with reduced fear that women did not understand what was
happening during the screening (r=-0. 146, p<0. 05). Cervical cancer remains a significant, though preventable, cause of
death for women in the US. Although having knowledge about the Pap smear procedure was not significantly related to
anxiety about the procedure in this sample, it is significantly correlated with reduced fear of not knowing what is going on
during the procedure. Providing women with knowledge could reduce this fear and increase the likelihood that they will
return to undergo routine screening.
013
SURVEY OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS IN EAGLE CREEK, PORTAGE AND TRUMBULL COUNTIES,
OH
Matthew T. Begley, B.S.1; Robert A. Krebs, Ph.D.1
1
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University
5
Between May and August, 2013, surveys were conducted for freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in Eagle Creek, which is
located in Portage and Trumbull Counties. Eagle Creek is located in an agricultural watershed and is part of the Upper
Mahoning River watershed. The stream was surveyed at eight sites between Garrettsville, OH, and the confluence with the
Mahoning River. Visual surveys were used in most areas, as was permitted by the shallow water. Tactile searches and mussel
rakes were also used to survey deeper areas and to find smaller mussels. Mussels were removed from the sediment and
collected for identification of species, measurement of maximum length, and estimation of age by counting growth lines
when possible. Shells of dead mussels were collected and are held at Cleveland State University.
Many live mussels were found in Eagle Creek (n=673), consisting of eight species. All sites were dominated by the
fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), which comprised 73% of live mussels. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences
in length and estimated age between some of the sites. The largest and oldest mussels were found at the furthest upstream
site, which is located approximately 0. 5 miles downstream of a dam in Garrettsville. However, there were no consistent
patterns in size and age distribution, diversity, or abundance along the direction of the stream. Future studies will investigate
the local hydrologic variables that may influence diversity, abundance, size, and age of freshwater mussels throughout the
entire Upper Mahoning River watershed.
014
MOFFATT EDDIES IN A RECTANGULAR CHANNEL
Petru S. Fodor, Ph.D. and Miron Kaufman, Ph.D.
Department of Physics, Cleveland State University
A detailed analysis of the fluid flow in a rectangular channel is performed by combining numerical and analytical methods.
While finite element analysis numerical models are used to extract the transversal velocity field, an analytical model in the
limit of zero Reynolds numbers is used to determine the longitudinal component of the fluid velocities. The high resolution
3D model developed for the fluid flow in channels with aspect ratios (i. e. depth/width) ranging from 1 to 0. 1, allows the
identification of the position and extent of Moffatt eddies that impede the fluid mixing through the entire channel.
Implications for polymer processing with extruders will be presented.
015
ADIPONECTIN IN CARDIAC ALLOGRAFT VASCULOPATHY
Sreedevi Goparaju, M.Sc.1; Xi Wang, M.D.2; Hong Yu, M.D.2; Nina Dvorina, M.D.2; William M Baldwin, III, M.D., Ph.D.1
1
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences; Cleveland State University;
2
Department of Immunology, Cleveland Clinic
Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory cytokine produced primarily by adipocytes. Skeletal muscle cells, cardiac myocytes,
endothelial cells and more recently arterial smooth muscle cells have also been shown to produce adiponectin. Clinically low
levels of adiponectin are associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. Morphologically cardiac allograft vasculopathy
(CAV) shares many features with atherosclerosis. CAV is a diffuse, concentric expansion of the intima with fibrosis of the
adventitia. CAV remains the major cause of chronic graft failure, but little is known about the potential role of adiponectin in
transplantation. We hypothesize that the anti-inflammatory effects of adiponectin modulate CAV. We tested this hypothesis
in hearts transplanted from male to female C57BL/6 mice that were deficient in adiponectin. Allografts were removed and
analyzed by histology and ELISA. Adiponectin levels remained stable (20-110 pg/mg tissue) in control isografts from 10
days to 8 weeks after transplantation. In allografts adiponectin were in control range at 10 days, peaked at 4 weeks (100-250
pg/mg) and returned to control range at 6 and 8 weeks. Adiponectin levels were undetectable in allografts from deficient
donors to deficient recipients. At 4 weeks about 35% of large arteries in control allografts developed a macrophage rich
arteritis. This increased in allografts of adiponectin deficient mice, and about 30% of the arteries had striking loss of smooth
muscle actin in the medial layer. This is consistent with recent reports that adiponectin produced by smooth muscle cells from
arteries has autocrine and paracrine roles in regulating the contractile phenotype of vascular smooth cells. These data support
the concept that adiponectin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in arteries of cardiac transplants. Moreover, adiponectin
appears to be critical in maintaining the contractile phenotype of smooth muscles in the media of large arteries.
6
016
THE INCORPORATION OF AZIDE FUNCTIONALITY INTO RECOMBINANT THROMBOMODULIN
VIA MULTIPLE APPROACHES FOR ITS BIO-ORTHOGONAL MODIFICATION APPLICATION
Lin Wang, Rui Jiang, and Xue-long Sun, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
Thrombomodulin (TM), an endothelial cell surface membrane glycoprotein, is a cofactor for protein C activation via
thrombin, and therefore a crucial regulator in protein C pathway and coagulation cascade. TM contains six epidermal growth
factor (EGF)–like structures, in which the forth to sixth EGF-like region (TM456) is the minimum functional domain
responsible for the activity of protein C activation. In this study, we investigated three different strategies to introduce azide
molecule to TM456 site-specifically by unnatural amino acid, chemical, and enzymatic methods. The first method is to express
C-terminus azido-TM456 by replacing methionine with azidohomoanlanine from methionine auxotroph E. coli cell. The
second method is to incorporate azide molecule into the C-terminus of TM456 with sortase A recognizing motif LPETG via
sortase A (SrtA)-mediated ligation (SML). The third method is to add azide molecule to the N-terminus amine of TM456 by
NHS ester reaction chemistry. The successful azide functionalized TM456 conjugates were then confirmed by SDS-PAGE and
further modification with fluorescent dye via copper-free click chemistry (CFCC). The obtained azido-TM456 will allow
further modification of TM456 through bioorthogonal CFCC without affecting the activity of TM by various functionalities,
such PEG and lipid.
017
CHARACTERIZATION OF MIXED POLYPEPTIDE COLLOIDAL PARTICLES BY LIGHT
SCATTERING
Hannah E. Shuman1; Grace K. Gaeckle2; Jack Gavin3; Nolan B. Holland, Ph.D.3; Kiril A. Streletzky, Ph.D.1
1
Department of Physics, Cleveland State University;
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cleveland State University;
3
Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Cleveland State University
Temperature-dependent polymer surfactants have been developed by connecting three elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) chains
to a charged protein domain (foldon), forming a three-armed star polymer. At low temperatures, the polymer is soluble, while
at higher temperatures it forms micelles. The behavior of mixtures of the three-armed star ELP (E20-Foldon) and H40-Linear
ELP chains was analyzed under different salt and protein concentrations and various foldon to linear ELP ratio using
Depolarized Dynamic Light Scattering. It was expected that under certain conditions, the pure E20-Foldon would form
spherical micelles, which upon adding the linear ELP would change in size and possibly shape. The pure E20-Foldon indeed
formed largely spherical micelles with Rh of 10-20nm in solutions with 15-100mM salt and protein concentration between
10μM and 100μM. For the mixtures of 50μM E20-Foldon and varying concentrations of H40-Linear in 25mM of salt, it was
discovered that low and high H40-Linear concentration (4μM and 50μM) had only one transition. For the mixtures with of 10
and 25μM of H40-Linear the two distinct transition temperatures were observed by spectrophotometry. The first transition
corresponded to significantly elongated diffusive particles of apparent R h of 30-50nm, while the second transition
corresponded to slightly anisotropic diffusive particles with apparent R h of about 20nm. At all H40-Linear concentrations
studied, diffusive particles were seen above the second transition. Their radius and ability to depolarize light increased with
the increase of H40-Linear concentration.
018
IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL SMALL MOLECULE AGONIST OF
LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE (LPL) BY RANDOM SCREENING
Prabodh Sadana, Ph.D.; Danielle Aring, B.S.; Jamie Burke, M.S.; Werner Geldenhuys, Ph.D.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272
Elevated triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol are hallmarks of metabolic syndrome. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) found
lining the endothelium tissue in the adipose tissue, heart and muscle is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglyceride
rich lipoproteins and chylomicrons into free fatty acids. Regulation of LPL is a key physiological mechanism for the control
of lipid levels and atherosclerosis risk. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) which inhibits the activity of LPL is a critical
7
regulatory protein in LPL physiology and triglyceride metabolism. Currently, the most well characterized LPL agonist is NO1886. We screened an in-house chemical library at a fixed concentration of 40µM in an in vitro LPL assay. Our screening
identified a compound designated C10, showing LPL agonist activity equipotent to NO-1886. Further, we determined that
this novel LPL agonist is able to rescue the LPL inhibition by ANGPTL4, whereas NO-1886 doesn’t rescue against
ANGPTL4 inhibition. Additionally, we performed structure activity relationship study for C10 and identified a more potent
LPL agonist (C10d) exhibiting at least 3 fold greater increase in LPL activity than NO-1886. Our studies have identified a
novel LPL agonist that can find therapeutic use in dyslipidemias associated with diabetes and cardio-metabolic conditions
like atherosclerosis.
019
RETIREMENT: ARE YOU READY?
Julie E. Burns, B.S.; Kevin R. Hauser, B.S.; Nicole Hwodeky, B.S. , B.A.; Jo D. Loutzenhiser, B.S., COTA/L; Kelsey
McPhie, B.S.; Advisor: John J. Bazyk, M.S, OTR/L,
School of Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Program, Cleveland State University
“The number of Americans ages 65 and older will more than double over the next 40 years, reaching 80 million in 2040”
(Urban Institute Program on Retirement Policy, 2013, para. 1). This vast population needs access to comprehensive
retirement planning programs to help them retire successfully. Currently, pre-retirement programs in the United States are
predominantly finance based. Retirement is an important stage in adult development, and with the growing life expectancy,
older adults spend many years outside of the workforce. During retirement, this population is faced with changes in daily
routines, role identity, social participation, income, leisure pursuits, and additional health concerns. Research in other
countries outside of the US supports the need for holistic pre-retirement programs. To begin to address this need locally, we
will submit a grant proposal to the Bruening Foundation to create a pre-retirement program. It will be modeled after the
successful Pre-Retirement Planning Program at UC Berkeley.
Retirement: Are You Ready? is a free, public education program to be operated as a service learning experience through the
Master of Occupational Therapy Program. This program will employ a holistic, multifaceted approach to successful planning
for workers who are within 5 years of retirement. Education and hands-on participation will be used to prepare attendees for
the life challenges in retirement. The program is designed to maximize a successful transition to retirement and to reduce the
economic burden on the community from the failure of this population to adapt adequately.
020
AGING AND ATTENTION TO THREAT: AN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
Elliott C. Jardin, B.S1; Philip A. Allen, Ph.D. 2; Mei-Ching Lien, Ph.D. 3; Conor T. McLennan, Ph.D. 1
1
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University;
2
Department of Psychology, The University of Akron;
3
The School of Psychological Science, Oregon State University
The future study aims to examine age-related differences in processing emotionally valenced objects. Previous studies with
younger adults have found that negatively valenced stimuli such as threatening objects attract attention involuntarily
comparing to positively valenced stimuli. They concluded that the rapid detection of threatening stimuli has potential
adaptive value. The future study is therefore designed to provide a converging evidence for this claim using both behavioral
and electrophysiological measures. In addition, we aim to examine whether the involuntary capture by threatening objects is
observed in older adults. We will adopt the cuing paradigm used by Lien, Taylor, and Ruthruff (2013). Participants will be
asked to identify a pre-specified colored target letter in a display. Preceding the target, an irrelevant object which is either
neutral or emotional is presented for 125 ms. The object serving as a cue is either in the same location as the target (25% of
the trials; valid) or in different locations (75% of the trials; invalid). Thus, there is no incentive to allocate attention to those
irrelevant objects. The event-related potential (ERPs) components of N2pc and P1 will be used as measures of spatial
attention and arousal, respectively. Previous behavioral studies have shown that for younger adults, negative stimuli most
easily captures attention (Sutton & Altarriba 2011). If the emotional-cue captures attention, making a cue validity effect for
behavioral measures, we would then expect congruent effects from the electrophysiologial ERP components N2pc and P1.
We expect younger adults to show attention capture to emotionally valenced stimuli and for older adults to only show
attention capture to positively valenced stimuli
8
021
IMMUNOGENICITY OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM NOVEL MEROZOITE RHOPTRY PROTEINS
Raghavendra Yadavalli, B.S. and Tobili Y. Sam-Yellowe, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences; Cleveland State University
Plasmodium merozoite rhoptry proteins play a vital role in erythrocyte invasion. Investigations on rhoptry proteins would
assist in developing new malaria vaccine candidates. Five P. falciparum novel rhoptry proteins encoded by genes
PF3D7_0925900, PF3D7_1361800, PF3D7_0814200, PF3D7_0912000 and PF3D7_0621200, orthologs of P. yoelii rhoptry
genes PY17X_0830000, PY17X_1139200, PY17X_0816400, PY17X_1425300 and PY17X_1121500 were selected for
investigation from previous proteome studies. The encoded proteins ranged in size from 23 kDa to 110 kDa. An additional P.
falciparum Maurer’s cleft protein PfMC-2TM (Plasmodium falciparum Maurer’s cleft - 2 transmembrane) was also selected.
These six proteins were expressed using an in vitro human cell free expression system. In this study, a purification method
was developed using nickel-chelating resin to purify the expressed recombinant proteins, each with different solubility
properties from micro volumes of translation product. Rabbit antibodies specific to whole merozoite rhoptries reacted with
the purified recombinant proteins. In addition, P. falciparum rhoptry proteins PF3D7_0925900, PF3D7_1361800,
PF3D7_0814200, PF3D7_0912000 and PF3D7_0621200 were expressed to determine their immunogenicity in human
infections. The rhoptry specific rabbit antibodies reacted with all five recombinant rhoptry proteins. Human plasma from
malaria infected individuals also reacted with the five recombinant rhoptry proteins, in western blotting confirming the
immunogenicity of the expressed rhoptry proteins. The host immune system makes antibodies specific to these novel rhoptry
proteins when infected with the parasite.
022
PERSONAL LISTENING DEVICES AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON HEARING SENSITIVITY
Samantha L. Baker
School of Health Sciences, Speech and Hearing Program, Cleveland State University
The possibility for personal listening devices (PLDs) to cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been a concern not only
for researchers and clinicians, but for the general media as well. Given the popularity of PLDs and the overwhelming number
of people all over the world that own at least one device, this concern cannot be taken lightly. The current generation’s
dependence on the latest and greatest technology is unsurpassed and will only continue to grow in the future. "Personal
listening devices and the potential impact on hearing sensitivity" is being conducted at Cleveland State University. The
objective is to determine whether excessive use of personal listening devices (PLDs) is causing damage to the inner ear,
resulting in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The lack of consensus in recent literature substantiates a need for further
research. Audiologists, PLD manufacturers, parents, and the public in general need to know if there are dangers, what these
possible dangers are, and how to avoid them. We know that PLDs have the potential to cause NIHL. They are capable of
reaching intensity levels that, if listened to for a long enough period of time, could be toxic to the cochlea. The problem
occurs when the following two questions are asked: Are PLDs actually causing NIHL? What are the standards for harmful
recreational noise? Self-reported listening habits were obtained from questionnaires distributed to college students. A select
number of individuals were chosen for further participation. Participants’ hearing was tested in the Cleveland State
University Speech and Hearing Clinic. Listening habits and hearing threshold levels were compared to determine whether or
not a correlation between prolonged PLD use and reduced hearing sensitivity exists.
023
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT AND THE MODERATING EFFECT OF READINESS TO CHANGE
Evan G. Shelton, B.A. 1; Katherine S. Judge, Ph.D.1; Sarah J. Yarry, Ph.D.2
1
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University;
2
VA Palo Alto Healthcare System California
The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change outlines a five-stage categorization of an individual’s readiness to
alter a behavior. This model has been used as a basis for understanding the behavioral change process and for tailoring
interventions (e. g. , smoking cessation and weight management). Little research exists, however, applying the TTM to
behaviors among individuals with dementia (IWD) and their caregivers (CGs). The present research examined the
9
moderating effect of readiness to change on psychosocial outcomes. Findings indicate that readiness to change is an
especially strong moderator of the relationship between memory related distress and depression among both the CG and the
IWD. The moderation effect was such that high levels of memory related distress and high readiness to change in IWDs was
predictive of high levels of depression in both IWDs and their family CG. The possible mechanisms underlying this
relationship and the use of targeted intervention strategies are discussed.
024
IDENTIFICATION OF SELECTIVE SULFONAMIDE TUBULIN INHIBITORS AGAINST HUMAN
AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS
Daniel G Kulman1; Rati Lama B.S.2; Bin Su, Ph.D.1,2.
1
Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University
2
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of BGES, College of Sciences and Health Professions,
Cleveland State University
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is an endemic life-threatening disease caused by parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma
brucei (T. brucei). The drugs being used for the treatment of HAT exhibit high toxicity to the hosts due to their poor
selectivity against the parasite. There is a need for the development of potent drugs with efficient pharmacodynamics and
high selectivity against the parasite over mammalian cells. Tubulin plays an important role in T. brucei cell growth because
of their rapid rate of cell proliferation. In addition, microtubule within the flagellum of the parasite assists in locomotion,
which is vital for their survival. The importance of tubulin in the parasite suggests the potential advantages of tubulin
inhibitors against HAT. Based on the differences between mammalian and parasitic tubulin, a library of sulfonamide tubulin
inhibitors was screened and evaluated using MTS assay on T. brucei. We propose to compare the anti-parasitic activity of the
compounds to their activity against mammalian cells. The compounds with high potency and selectivity will be identified as
drug candidates to move further in the drug discovery pipeline. Currently, we completed the proliferation assay with T.
brucei cells and, the potent candidates against T. brucei are being screened for toxicity against normal mammalian kidney
cells, HEK293. Overall, this study provides with the basis for further development of tubulin inhibitors that selectively
targets T. brucei for the treatment of HAT.
025
HOW DO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAMS ADMIT STUDENTS AND HOW EFFECTIVE ARE
THESE METHODS?
Monica A. Goetz, B.S.; Ed; Shannon M. Holzheimer, B.S; Allison A. Widman, B.A.; Jennifer L. Anderson, B.S.; Shardae
R. Burks, B.S.; Glenn D. Goodman, Ph.D.
School of Health Sciences, MOT Program, Cleveland State University
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) programs play the important role of determining which candidates are most qualified
and best suited for this profession. However, there is limited evidence-based research to identify the best admission criteria to
consider when accepting applicants. Much of the research base consists of outdated studies involving bachelor’s rather than
master’s level occupational therapy programs. The main purposes for this investigation were to determine which selection
criteria accredited MOT programs in the United States used to admit students into the graduating class of 2012 and to
determine which criteria most reliably predicted success based on each program’s student pass rates on the National Board of
Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. A survey was sent to 147 program directors of accredited MOT
programs to obtain this information. Of the 49 programs that responded, the most widely used admission criteria were
undergraduate GPA, prerequisite GPA, letters of reference, essays, and interviews. Although only about 45% of these
programs use GRE scores when considering applicants, GRE scores were the only criterion determined to have a statistically
significant correlation with NBCOT exam pass rates. It also was found that the programs with the highest NBCOT exam pass
rates tended to put more weight on undergraduate GPA, prerequisite GPA, and GRE scores than the programs with the lowest
pass rates. Qualitative review found that many program directors regarded taking a comprehensive approach as best practice
when reviewing candidates for selection. Program directors were also found to have differing opinions about the importance
of subjective admission criteria, such as essays and interviews. Consistent with prior studies, we found that MOT programs
continue to use a wide variety of criteria when admitting potential students and there is still no definitive method to best
make these decisions.
10
026
CONFOCAL LASER SCANNING MICROSCOPE IN CSU: NEW AVENUES FOR YOUR RESEARCH
Evgeny Ozhegov, M.D., Ph.D.; Sailen Barik, Ph.D.
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of BGES, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
The purpose of our presentation is to introduce the audience to advantages of confocal microscopy and discuss how this new
technology can advance their research projects. Here we will talk about general principles of confocal microscopy and
specifics of existing in CSU instrument. We will also show examples of our collaborative work using this particular
equipment.
027
THE HEARING AID EFFECT: THEN AND NOW
Caitlin E. Donovan; Myrita M. Wilhite, AuD
School of Health Sciences, Speech and Hearing Program, Cleveland State University
There have been numerous studies conducted about the stigma associated with hearing loss and hearing aid usage; this
phenomenon is known as the hearing aid effect. Many of these studies have examined perceptions. These perceptions
include, but are not limited to, how individuals perceive those who wear hearing aids as well as how those with a hearing
impairment view themselves. “The Hearing Aid Effect”, originally completed by Blood, Blood & Danhauer in 1977
presented evidence that suggested individuals look at those who wear hearing aids in a negative light. However, with the
invention of new hearing aid styles over the years, this study was recreated and conducted in 2005 under the title “The
‘Hearing Aid Effect’ 2005: A Rigorous Test of the Visibility of New Hearing Aid Styles”. This study had 150 participants
between 18 and 27 years old. These participants were shown three sets of six photographs taken at 45 degrees, 90 degrees, or
135 degrees, of the same young model wearing a different type of hearing aid. After seeing such images, participants were
asked to rate, using a 7 point scale, the visibility of each hearing aid (with 1 meaning it was obvious to a 7 meaning it was
invisible). This study showed that individuals tend to favor hearing aids that are nearly invisible. However, individuals with
hearing impairments still exhibited low self-esteem when wearing their hearing aid. This may be attributed to how nonhearing impaired individuals view hearing impaired individuals. The purpose of my study is twofold. First, it will attempt to
determine whether or not the hearing aid effect still exists in a diverse college setting. Secondly, it will investigate whether or
not those with a hearing impairment, or with a hearing impaired relative, project the hearing aid effect onto other individuals
with a hearing impairment
028
FOUNTAIN 0F YOUTH AS CLOSE AS THE DINNER PLATE? CALORIE RESTRICTION MODIFIES
CIRCADIAN EXPRESSION PROFILE OF MAMMALIAN SIRTUINS -GENES CRUCIAL IN
METABOLIC REGULATION AND HEALTHSPAN.
Roman Kondratov, PhD; Soumyaditya Ghosh, M.Sc.
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University.
Calorie restriction [CR] is a proven method to increase lifespan among a variety of organisms –from fruit fly to mice. It is
also known that CR can affect activity of Sirtuins, and it was proposed that CR acts at least partially through Sirtuins. Sirtuins
are a group of genes conserved in evolution from yeasts to humans. It is known that Sirtuin activity is critically dependent on
the intracellular [NAD] / [NADH] status, and this ratio is heavily influenced by the intracellular synthesis of NAD. The
biosynthesis of NAD is a multi-step process where the enzyme NAMPT is rate-limiting. Expression of some Sirtuin family
members and NAMPT are under the circadian clock control. The circadian clock is internal time keeping system that is
involved in the regulation of many physiological processes including aging.
We hypothesized that CR can exert its beneficial effects via modulation of the circadian rhythms of expression of Sirtuins. To
address this we have analyzed the transcription profiles of Sirt-1, Sirt-3 and NAMPT across the circadian cycle in the liver of
male mice subjected to Calorie restriction.
We found:
1. Calorie restriction over limited time does not affect circadian rhythms of Sirtuins. However, prolonged Calorie restriction
shows significant alteration in the transcript profile of Sirtuins.
11
2. The effect is dependent on the subcellular localization of the Sirtuins.
3. The NAMPT activity becomes more important in CR context in controlling Sirtuin expression levels.
The data indicate that dietary restriction may be used as a tool to modulate daily cycles of important metabolic genes. This
effect can be used to develop therapeutic intervention strategies to help treat lifestyle disorders.
029
ANALYSIS OF PROTON TRANSFER IN RNAse A USING SOLVENT KINETIC ISOTOPE
Tiffany Hicks1 and Michael Harris, Ph.D.2
1
Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, OH,
2
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Understanding how enzymes accomplish catalysis provides information on the basic chemical principles that describe
biological catalysis. This information can be useful for designing drugs to treat human diseases. Ribonucleases are essential
enzymes in all cells; they catalyze the cleavage of RNA chains by the a 2’-O-transphosphorylation reaction. Many
ribonucleases such as RNAse A are proposed to use acid-base catalysis since two protons must be transferred during 2’-Otransphosphorylation. However, it is difficult to determine whether these protons are transferred one at a time or
simultaneously. To answer this question we compared the rate of enzyme reaction in H 2O (water) and D2O (deuterium
oxide). Deuterium is a stable but heavier isotope of hydrogen; therefore, transfer of these atoms is slower. If D 2O slows the
reaction, then the degree of this effect can provide information on the numbers of protons transferred in the reaction.
Accordingly, we compared the rate of RNAse A multiple turnover reactions with a dinucleotide (UpG) substrate in H 2O and
D2O. The conversion of UpG to products 2’,3’-cUMP and Guanosine was monitored by HPLC (High Pressure Liquid
Chromatography). The resulting peaks corresponding to UpG, cUMP and Guanosine were integrated in order to quantify the
amount of substrate consumed in the reaction. The concentration of the remaining substrate was plotted against time and the
reaction rate was measured by fitting the kinetic data to a linear function. The results show that UpG is an efficient substrate
for RNAse A and that reaction rates can be successfully measured by HPLC using D 2O.
030
EFFICIENT PROTOCOLS FOR LONG-TERM PRESERVATION OF FISCHERELLA MUSCICOLA A
CYANOBACTERIUM
Jade Moten1, and Rajesh Viswanathan, Ph.D.2
1
Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, OH,
2
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
The purpose of this experiment was to find an efficient way of preserving cyanobacteria in the laboratory with low
contamination and high rate of survival. In the laboratory we grew several species of cyanobacteria to be used for both
genomic and small DNA isolation. We prepared cyanobacteria cell suspensions in BG-11 media and 0.125 grams of agar for
flaking. The cell suspensions were inoculated into sterile cryogenic tubes containing either 5, 10 and 15 % glycerol socks or
5, 10 and 15 % DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) stocks and were frozen at - 80º C. Cells were later thawed and added to agar
solution to show survival of cyanobacteria colonies under the various conditions. Using UV Spectroscopic analysis of cell
cultures, it was found that cells stored in 15 % glycerol or 15 % DMSO stocks grew best after thawing but only on regular
nutrient agar. Using these preservation techniques in the future may help provide a way to store and harvest healthy
cyanobacterial cells for research.
031
STUDY OF TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE POLYMERIC MICROGELS WITH LIGHT SCATTERING
AND SPECTROPHOMETRY
Janna Mino, Justin Flaherty, Kiril A. Streletzky, Ph.D.
Department of Physics, Cleveland State University
Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) polymer can be cross-linked to form microgel nanoparticles that undergo a temperature
dependent volume phase transition. We studied the structure and dynamics of HPC microgels and HPC polymer that
12
microgels were made from using Dynamic (DLS) and Static Light Scattering (SLS) and Spectrophotometry. Our results
determined the transition behavior of the microgels and polymer as temperatures were varied from Troom to above the
transition temperature TC~41ºC. The HPC microgels showed a reversible deswelling by a factor of 4-8 volume as
temperature was brought above TC. The deswelling is caused by HPC chains becoming more hydrophobic at the TC and
aggregating together to diminish water contact. SLS measurements yielded the relative molecular weight MW of microgels
and MW of polymer. We also found the change of microgels’ MW and Rg/Rh with increase of solution temperature (T): MW
decreased steadily from 20ºC to 40ºC (possibly due to microgels losing water) and then increased with T rising to 50ºC
(possibly due to loose polymer chains fusing into microgels). The Rg/Rh ratio ranged from 0.4 to 0.7, consistent with a soft
sphere and hard sphere models. The transition in polymer was found to be sharper than in microgels and the MW of the
polymer clusters above the transition was found to be ~30 times larger then MW of microgels.
032
IPADS AND AUTISM: ADDRESSING PERFORMANCE SKILLS WITH TODAY’S TOP APPS
Rebecca J. Young, B.S.; Ashley M. Maziarz, B.S.; Trisha K. Bockmore, B.S.H.S.; Jenna R. Miller, B.A., B.S.H.S.
School of Health Sciences (HSC), Cleveland State University
While the iPad may be a relatively new invention, its popularity and acceptance in the realm of occupational therapy has
already made its mark. Evidence from Mechling (2011) and Mintz, Gyori, & Aagaard (2012) demonstrates that iPads and
apps demonstrate tremendous potential for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and should be used as an aid to
support engagement in daily life activities. ASD is characterized by impairments in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal
communication deficits, repetitive behaviors, cognitive impairments, and poor adaptive functioning (Simonoff et al., 2008).
The researchers sought to identify the most effective apps to use with individuals diagnosed with ASD as a part of the
occupational therapy process. Due to the limited amount of empirical data that focuses on specific apps, 49 websites,
databases, and blogs were reviewed to compile an app list. A total of 2,878 apps were identified and compiled in rank order.
The top 45 apps were selected for further review and aligned with the performance skills as defined in the Occupational
Therapy Practice Framework, 2nd Edition: motor and praxis, sensory perceptual, emotional regulation, cognitive skills, and
communication and social participation. Several trends were identified as a result of the research. First, apps were categorized
according to the iTunes App Store categories, which does not appropriately capture the true benefits of each app. Second,
many of the databases contained apps that were no longer available through the App Store. Third, communication apps that
function purely as speech generating devices dominated the list of app recommendations despite communication deficits only
representing a single component of the characteristics of ASD. Apps are a valuable tool to incorporate into the therapeutic
process but need to be researched to ensure the app supports the unique needs of the individual.
033
INTRINSIC AUTOIMMUNE CAPACITIES OF HEMATOPOIETIC CELLS FROM FEMALE NEW
ZEALAND HYBRID MICE
Alexandria David, Ph.D.1; Abhishek Trigunaite, M.Sc.2,3; Megan K. MacLeod, Ph.D.1; Angela C. Johnson, Ph.D.2; Philippa
Marrack, Ph.D.1; Trine N. Jørgensen, Ph.D.1,2,3
1
National Jewish Medical Research Center, Denver, CO;
2
Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH;
3
Department of BGES, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH.
Most systemic autoimmune diseases are more commonly found in females than in males. This is particularly evident in
Sjögren’s Syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis (SLE) and thyroid autoimmunity, where the ratio of females to males
ranges from 20:1 to 8:1. Our current understanding of the etiology of SLE implies important roles for genetics, environmental
factors as well as sex hormones, but the relative significance of each remains unknown. Analyses of mouse models of SLE
have proven good systems for studying both genetic and hormonal regulation. Using the New Zealand hybrid mouse model
system of SLE we present here a new system in which we can segregate the effects of immune system genes and sex
hormones in vivo through generation of male/female bone marrow or fetal liver chimeras. Our results show that female
hematopoietic cells (HCs) express an intrinsic capacity to drive lupus-like disease in both male and female recipient mice,
suggesting that this capacity is hormone independent. Particularly, only chimera mice with a female immune system
expressed significantly increased numbers of germinal center B cells, memory B cells and plasma cells. Recipients of female
hematopoietic cells also displayed a spontaneous loss of tolerance to nuclear components resulting in elevated serum anti13
nuclear autoantibodies. A protective effect of testosterone was noted only with regards to disease onset, not disease
incidence. Thus, genetic factors encoded within the female hematopoietic system can effectively drive lupus-like disease
even in male recipients.
034
THE EFFECTS OF GOAL ORIENTATIONS AND COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENTS ON LEARNING
AND TASK PERFORMANCE
Michael Horvath, Ph.D.; Laura J. Elias B.A.; Nicole A. Celin, B.A.; Megan E. Crane, B.A.; Adam M. DeLong, B.A.; Kylie
Paulina, B.A.; Charles W. Benton; Sarah D. Borgos, B.A.; Jessica R. Burt, B.A.; Tony Carcioppolo; Natalie J. DiNero, B.A.;
Morris S. Edelstein, B.A.; Katherine Elias; Dana E. LoPresti; Gregory J. McKay, B.A.; Mark W. Murch, B.A.; Renee
Popovic, B.A.; Danielle R. Simpson, B.A.; Jordan Van Akin; Wei Zhou
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
In achievement situations, individuals are typically motivated in one of three ways: learning as much as they can (mastery),
attempting to demonstrate their competence on the task (performance approach), or attempting to avoid demonstrating
incompetence on the task (avoidance approach). Building upon previous research that has shown the different orientations
can aid in learning and later duringperformance, our study’s objective is to add the influence of contextual factors including
both competitive and noncompetitive goals. The goal of this study is to investigate the interaction of goal orientation and
competitiveness in the production of knowledge and subsequently inperformance. Researching the interplay betweengoal
orientations and competitive versus noncompetitive environments will add to our understanding of the best ways to facilitate
the highest performance from individuals. This study has six conditions including all three goal orientations crossed with
either competitive or noncompetitive goals. First, during the learning phase, participants learn a new, complex task. The
participants perform the task and receive feedback about their performance following each trial. Next, participants take a test
to assess their knowledge of the task. Lastly, all participants complete the task during a second phase with a performance and
non-competitive goal. The purpose of the second phase is to determine whether the manipulations of the goal orientation and
competitiveness in the learning phase affects the participants’ overall ability to apply the knowledge they accumulated during
the learning phase to perform on the task.We anticipate that the highest performance will be seen in individuals that are
assigned to the mastery orientation during the learning phase. In addition, we hypothesize that the performance in the
performance-approach condition will be dependent upon the interaction with competitiveness.
035
USING CHANGE DEAFNESS TO INVESTIGATE ATTENTIONIAL ALLOCATION DURING SPOKEN
WORD RECOGNITION
Matt Wetzel; Samantha E. Tuft, M.A.; Maura L. Krestar, M.A.; and Conor T. McLennan, Ph.D.
Psychology Department, Cleveland State University
Change deafness is a phenomenon in which listeners fail to detect auditory changes. This phenomenon can be used to analyze
the allocation of cognitive resources during spoken word processing. According to a relatively new theory, listeners should
be more likely to process non-linguistic information (e.g., talker-specific details) when they pay more attention to the words
they are hearing. In the current study, participants performed a lexical decision task in which they heard words and nonwords
and decided on each trial whether they were hearing a real word or a nonword. One group heard taboo words; the other heard
neutral words. Half way through the experiment, the talker changed to a new but distinguishable talker. We predicted the
group listening to taboo words would pay more attention to the words they were hearing. The degree of change deafness (the
number of participants who failed to detect the talker change) was analyzed as a function of condition (taboo versus neutral).
Moreover, of the participants who detected the talker change, we analyzed their confidence in their response. We predicted
significantly more change deafness and greater confidence in the neutral condition. That is, more participants should notice
the talker change, and report greater confidence that the talkers changed, when hearing taboo words. Almost all participants
noticed the change in talker, regardless of condition. However, as predicted, participants hearing taboo words were
significantly more confident that the talker changed. The change deafness paradigm is a novel way to examine listeners’
attentional allocation during lexical processing, and the current study has theoretical implications for spoken word
recognition.
14
036
RNASE L IS INVOLVED IN FOAM CELL FORMATION
Chunfan Liu, Ph.D.1; Danting Liu, B.Sc.1; Norah Alghamdi, M.S.1; Ge Jin,Ph.D.3; and Aimin Zhou,Ph.D.1,2
1
Clinical Chemistry Program, Department of Chemistry,
2
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Diseases, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
3
Department of Biological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, the leading killers in the United States.
Macrophage-derived foam cell formation is a milestone of the atherosclerotic lesion initiation and progression. The formation
of foam cells results from the disruption of a homeostatic mechanism that manipulates the uptake, intracellular metabolism
and efflux of cholesterol within macrophages. Although studies have yielded much information about the homeostatic
mechanism, the molecular basis of foam cell formation remains to be fully understood. We recently found that deficiency of
RNase L attenuated macrophage functions including macrophage migration and its endocytic activity. Furthermore, RNase L
markedly impacted the expression of certain pro- and anti-foam cell genes in macrophages. Most interestingly we have
revealed that lack of RNase L significantly increased the formation of foam cells from bone marrow derived macrophages
(BMMs). The increase of foam cell formation was associated with up-regulation of the expression of scavenger receptors
such as CD36, SR-A, and PPARstrategies for atherosclerosis may be designed through activation/up-regulation of RNase L.
037
DETECTION OF ONSETS VERSUS OFFSETS: IS OUR ATTENTIONAL SYSTEM FLEXIBLE?
Maria J. Donaldson, M.A., Naohide Yamamoto, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
Change blindness refers to the inability to detect salient visual changes in the environment. Typically, change blindness
studies have involved the unexpected replacement of one object by another. Visual search studies have focused on
performance differences for onsets, the appearance of a novel stimulus, and offsets, the deletion of a previously viewed
stimulus. Visual search literature supports onset primacy, a phenomenon wherein onsets are detected with higher accuracy
and lower reaction time than offsets. The present study was designed to determine if there is flexibility in our attentional
system. Two competing hypotheses were proposed. The attentional rigidity hypothesis posits that our default mode of
attention is set to prioritize onset detection regardless of circumstances. The attentional priority hypothesis suggests that our
default mode of attention may be set to prioritize onset detection, but that we can flexibly adapt to prioritize non-onset events
depending on observer’s goals in a particular context. The results of the present study distinguish between these two
competing hypotheses. Implications of this study will add to the literature regarding the nature of our attentional system.
038
THE EFFECTS OF GOAL ORIENTATIONS AND COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENTS ON LEARNING
AND TASK PERFORMANCE
Michael Horvath, Ph.D.; Laura J. Elias B.A.; Nicole A. Celin, B.A.; Megan E. Crane, B.A.; Adam M. DeLong, B.A.; Kylie
Paulina, B.A.; Charles W. Benton; Sarah D. Borgos, B.A.; Jessica R. Burt, B.A.; Tony Carcioppolo; Natalie J. DiNero, B.A.;
Morris S. Edelstein, B.A.; Katherine Elias; Dana E. LoPresti; Gregory J. McKay, B.A.; Mark W. Murch, B.A.; Renee
Popovic, B.A.; Danielle R. Simpson, B.A.; Jordan Van Akin; Wei Zhou
Department of Psychology
In achievement situations, individuals are typically motivated in one of three ways: learning as much as they can (mastery),
attempting to demonstrate their competence on the task (performance approach), or attempting to avoid demonstrating
incompetence on the task (avoidance approach). Building upon previous research that has shown the different orientations
can aid in learning and later duringperformance, our study’s objective is to add the influence of contextual factors including
both competitive and noncompetitive goals. The goal of this study is to investigate the interaction of goal orientation and
competitiveness in the production of knowledge and subsequently inperformance. Researching the interplay betweengoal
orientations and competitive versus noncompetitive environments will add to our understanding of the best ways to facilitate
the highest performance from individuals. This study has six conditions including all three goal orientations crossed with
15
either competitive or noncompetitive goals. First, during the learning phase, participants learn a new, complex task. The
participants perform the task and receive feedback about their performance following each trial. Next, participants take a test
to assess their knowledge of the task. Lastly, all participants complete the task during a second phase with a performance and
non-competitive goal. The purpose of the second phase is to determine whether the manipulations of the goal orientation and
competitiveness in the learning phase affects the participants’ overall ability to apply the knowledge they accumulated during
the learning phase to perform on the task.We anticipate that the highest performance will be seen in individuals that are
assigned to the mastery orientation during the learning phase. In addition, we hypothesize that the performance in the
performance-approach condition will be dependent upon the interaction with competitiveness.
039
THE DYNAMIC POSSIBILITIES OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY WITHIN THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Tova Weiner, B.H.S., Beth Grummitt, B.A., Melissa S. Kennedy, B.H.S., Kelli J. Meer, B.S., Fay Rozen, B.H.S.
Department of Health Sciences, Cleveland State University
A systematic literature review was conducted to address how occupational therapists can, under the provisions of the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), play a role in a health care team by providing quality and affordable services to
all Americans by utilizing the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). The PCMH is a multidisciplinary model of healthcare
aligned with both the ACA and occupational therapy practice guidelines. Based on identified criteria, a search of relevant
databases initially identified a total of 13,477 articles for review. Through triangulation methodology, 23 articles were
identified to be used for data extraction and synthesis. Results indicate the need for post-transitional support as well as the
use of client-centered and occupation-based rehabilitation during acute care treatment. For individuals with chronic diseases,
occupational therapy intervention may improve functional independence, physical and cognitive activity, social engagement,
and coping through self-management. Investing in health care reform promotes prevention and wellness as the key to
circumvent the onset of chronic disease, effectively decreasing health care expenditures. These findings suggest that
occupational therapy can enhance services in the PCMH, and can address health care reform goals of improving access,
improving quality, and reducing costs.
040
EFFECTIVE THEMES TO IMPLEMENT IN A SERVICE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR OLDER
ADULTS WITH MILD TO MODERATE DEMENTIA: A PILOT PROGRAM
Robin Chilton, OTR/L, MBA; Brianne B. Beyer; Kerry Kish; Molly O’Donnell; Heidi Rost; Suzanne Weinfurtner
School of Health Sciences, Masters of Occupational Therapy Program, Cleveland State University
Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that enhances the educational experience for students to fulfill the unique
needs of the community. Cleveland State University’s Masters of Occupational Therapy students participate in an eight week
service learning experience at The Eliza Bryant Adult Day Care Center, focusing on older adults with mild to moderate
dementia. Students engage participants in weekly activities based on the Lifestyle Redesign Program. This program focuses
on well elderly living in the community and does not meet the cognitive needs of each group participant at Eliza Bryant. The
objective of this project was to create a pilot program that outlines seven weekly modules that accurately address the lower
cognitive functioning level of each group participant to enhance their experience. A literature review was conducted to
solidify suggested weekly modules for older adults with mild to moderate dementia. The review identified the benefits,
suggested interventions, and recommended activities of the following seven modules: music, art, nutrition, horticulture,
physical activity, reminiscence, and social participation. In addition, interviews were conducted with experts in the field to
provide a clinical perspective. The literature review resulted in the development of a structured pilot program based on the
seven identified modules aimed at meeting the needs of older adults with mild to moderate dementia at Eliza Bryant. In
addition, our program provides a toolkit that includes suggested activities for future students to implement in accordance with
the weekly module. Based on the results of the literature review, it is hypothesized that the implementation of this pilot
program will be successful. Further research is needed to identify the outcomes of the implemented program and it’s benefits
for the older adults.
16
041
CELL SURFACE PHOPSHOLIPID INDUCED CHANGES IN GENERATING ACTIVE PROTEIN C AND
THROMBIN-ACTIVATABLE FIBRINOLYSIS INHIBITOR BY THROMBIN/THROMBOMODULIN
COMPLEX
Valentinas Gruzdys, B.S. , and Xue-Long Sun, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
Thrombomodulin (TM), an endothelial membrane protein, plays central roles in maintaining haemostasis and preventing
inflammation by increasing protein C (PC) and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) activation by thrombin. The
lipid membrane further facilitates TM-enhancement of protein C activation by thrombin, but no lipid effect information on
TAFIα (active form) generation is available to date. APC selectively inactivates coagulation factors Va and VIIIa, thus
preventing excessive coagulation. TAFIα modulates inflammatory mediators and reduces plasmin generation. During cell
apoptosis, membrane lipids such as phosphatidylserine and ethanolamine, are enzymatically flipped to the cell surface.
Endothelial cell damage often occurs in conditions such as septic shock. We studied the effects of different phospholipids in
generating APC and TAFIα by the TM/thrombin complex in an effort to better understand thrombotic and inflammatory
processes for possible implications in diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
First, liposomes containing TM were generated by extrusion after TM was reacted with a swelled lipid solution of different
compositions in Tris-HCl buffer. APC and TAFIα were generated by incubation with liposomal TM and thrombin in
otherwise identical conditions. Concentrations of APC and TAFIα were determined by hydrolysis of Spectrozyme PCa and
hippuryl-arginine, respectively.
We have determined that phosphatidylserine-bound TM increases the generation of APC and TAFIα in liposome-based
systems. This is contrary to phosphoethanolamine, which had a reducing effect on APC generation. The study suggests
possible significance of the effects of cell membrane lipids on hemostatic balance and inflammation and could have possible
implications damaged endothelium situations such as septic shock.
042
TESTING THE EFFICACY OF NEW ANTI-CANCER AGENTS AGAINST BRAIN CANCERS
Seol Kim1, Jung-Suk Choi, Ph.D.1, and Anthony J. Berdis, Ph.D. 1,2
1
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
2
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University
Approximately 4,000 children in the United States are diagnosed each year with a brain tumor. Brain cancers are the deadliest
of all pediatric cancers as they have survival rates of less than 20%. Typical treatments include surgery and radiation therapy.
However, chemotherapy is the primary therapeutic option for children, especially against aggressive brain tumors. An
important chemotherapeutic agent is temozolomide, an alkylating agent that causes cell death by damaging DNA. In this
project, we tested the ability of non-natural nucleosides developed in the Berdis lab to increase the ability of temozolomide
to kill brain cancer cells. Results show that combining low doses of one particular nucleoside, 5-nitroindolyl-2’deoxyriboside (5-NIdR) with temozolomide kills more cells compared to treatment with either compound individually. This
increase in efficacy is specific for temozolomide as similar effects are not observed treating cells with other chemotherapeutic
agents such as cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and taxol. High-field microscopy techniques demonstrate that the combination of 5NIdR and temozolomide causes cell death via apoptosis rather than necrosis. A model is provided describing how 5-NIdR
increases the cell-killing effects of temozolomide by inhibiting the misreplication of damaged DNA created by this agent.
Collectively, these studies provide pharmacological evidence for a new treatment strategy to more effectively treat patients
with brain cancers.
043
RHOPTRY SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES MADE AGAINST P. YOELII MULTIPLE ANTIGENIC PEPTIDES
(MAPs) SHOWS REACTIVITY WITH NATIVE PROTEINS
Elizabeth A. Brochu1, Tobili Sam-Yellowe, Ph.D.2, Raghavendra Yadavelli, B.S.2
1 Honors Program, Cleveland State University;
2 Department of Biological and Geological Sciences, Cleveland State University
17
The purpose of this study was to analyze Plasmodium yoelii rhoptry proteins using rhoptry specific antibodies made against
P. yoelii multiple antigenic peptides (MAPs) and to determine if MAPs are viable immunogens. Immunogens are important
tools in vaccine design. Due to the complex life cycle of the malaria parasite, prevention of the disease is difficult and there is
currently no vaccine. Rhoptry proteins are hypothesized to have a role in erythrocyte invasion and are thus an intriguing
choice for protein characterization. In this study,Plasmodium yoelii (Py) rhoptry proteins were analyzed comparatively
with P. berghei (Pb), P. chabaudi (Pc), and P. falciparum (Pf) protein extracts using bioinformatics and western blotting.
Eight antibodies were tested in this study. These antibodies are rhoptry specific and made against MAPs consisting of a 4
branch lysine core and peptides 10 amino acids long. The peptide gene ID's used in this study and the respective antibody
names are PY17X_13660000(697), PY17X_0830000(699), PY17X_(701), PY17X_(702), PY17X_1121500(706),
PY17X_1010100(708), PY17X_1139200(709), and PY17X_(710). Western blots were performed to determine binding
specificity of the antibodies to the Pc, Pb, Py, and Pf parasite antigens. Most of the antibodies were unable to detect the
antigens or showed weak reactivity. Three antibodies (697, 706, and 708) reacted with protein bands of 190 kDa (Pf), 80 kDa
(Pb), and 70 kDa (Pb), respectively. In conclusion, antibodies made against small peptides (10aa) are capable of detecting
parasite antigens by western blotting. Other immunoassays will be performed to confirm antibody reactivity to the parasite
antigens.
044
METAL CONTAINING NUCLEOSIDES THAT FUNCTION AS THERAPEUTIC AND DIAGNOSTIC
AGENTS AGAINST BRAIN CANCER
Jennifer N. Williams, M.S.1; Jung-Suk Choi, Ph.D. 1; Anthony Berdis, Ph.D 1, 2
1
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University;
2
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University
Brain cancer is one of the most devastating forms of cancer. Understanding the molecular mechanisms accounting for the
proliferative capabilities of these malignant cells can provide important insights toward generating improved therapeutic
and/or diagnostic agents. In general, cancer cells have alterations to key metabolic pathways, and these alterations account for
their hyperproliferative nature. One important pathway is the increase in nucleoside metabolism which provides cancer cells
with substrates needed for higher levels of DNA and RNA synthesis. Nucleoside transporters are essential components of
nucleoside metabolism as they are required for the rapid growth of cancer cells. Due to this dependency, these transporters
serve as key targets for the diagnostic detection of brain cancer as well as therapeutic intervention against this disease. To
study the mechanism of how natural nucleosides are imported into cells, our lab uses a series of metal containing nucleoside
(MCN) analogs. This study focuses on cyclometalated iridium nucleosides designated Ir(III)-ppy, Ir(III)-bzq, and Ir(III)-pbo
as MCNs that display therapeutic and diagnostic activities against a glioblastoma brain cancer cell line, U87. Ir(III)
complexes were chosen as they offer a wider range of emission energies, longer lifetimes, higher luminescence quantum
yields, and more structural diversity. The therapeutic activity of each MCN was measured against human glioblastoma cell
lines (U87) using several biochemical methods. Cell viability experiments show all three compounds induce cell death in a
concentration and time-dependent manner. In addition, high-field microscopy studies demonstrate that the MCNs enter
cancer cells via the activity of specific nucleoside transporters. Collectively, the anti-cancer activities defines coupled with
fluorogenic detection of these analogs in cells classifies them as “theranostic agents” – compounds that possess both
therapeutic and diagnostic activities.
045
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PRO-MUTAGENIC ACTIVITY OF HIGH-FIDELITY AND
SPECIALIZED DNA POLYMERASES DURING THE REPLICATION OF OXIDIZED DNA LESIONS
Jung-Suk Choi, Ph.D.1, Anvesh Dasari1, Sneha Jukanti1, Mark Sutton, Ph.D.2, Stephen J. Benkovic, Ph.D.3, and Anthony J.
Berdis, Ph.D 1,4
1
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University;
2
Department of Biochemistry, the University of Buffalo;
3
Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University;
4
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University
The oxygen-rich environment present in the lung can create various pro-mutagenic DNA lesions such as 8-oxoguanine and
thymine glycol. Each DNA lesion can be misreplicated in a biological process known as translesion DNA synthesis (TLS)
18
which can cause genetic diseases such as lung cancer. In this report, we evaluate the pro-mutagenic behavior of two
commonly formed oxidized lesions, 8-oxoguanine (8-OG), and thymine glycol (TG), by quantifying the ability of highfidelity and specialized DNA polymerases to replicate each lesion. During normal DNA synthesis, high-fidelity polymerases
(eukaryotic pol delta and the bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase) show remarkable fidelity by exclusively incorporating
dCTP opposite a template G. However, both polymerases display pro-mutagenic tendencies when replicating 8-OG as dATP
is efficiently inserted opposite the oxidized lesion. In this case, pol delta possesses higher fidelity than the T4 polymerase as
it shows a 10-fold higher efficiency for “error-free” insertion of dCTP rather than “error-prone” incorporation of dATP
opposite 8-OG. The specialized eukaryotic DNA polymerase, pol eta, shows less fidelity when replicating undamaged DNA.
Remarkably, pol eta shows unusual fidelity as it catalyzes a higher degree of “error-free” synthesis of 8-OG compared to pol
delta or the bacteriophage T4 polymerase. Pol eta is the only of four different DNA polymerases tested that efficiently
incorporates nucleotides opposite the oxidized pyrimdine, TG. However, this lesion is replicated in an “error-prone” manner
as dTTP is inserted as efficiently as dATP. These kinetic data present a complex picture for the mutagenic potential of
oxidized DNA lesions. In the case of 8-OG, high-fidelity DNA polymerases appear more likely to perform “error-prone”
replication compared to pol eta. In contrast, TG behaves as a strong replicative block to high fidelity DNA polymerase such
as pol delta and as a pro-mutagenic lesion by pol eta.
046
RNASE L IS INVOLVED IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Boo Seok Yun, M.S1, Norah Alghamdi, M.S1, Danting Liu, B.S1, Qianyang Huang, B.S1 and Aimin Zhou, Ph.D1, 2.
1
Clinical Chemistry Program, Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
2
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Diseases, Cleveland State University
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, which may manifest as either Crohn’s
disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). Clinical studies documented the progression of this disease is often associated with
an increase of immune cells in the affected area, particularly CD4 +T and macrophages. These cells produce significant
amounts of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, interleukin-1,-6 (IL-1, 6), IFN-γ and IP-10 to promote
inflammation. In this study, we have shown that RNase L, an interferon-inducible enzyme, is highly expressed in the
intestinal epithelial cells and plays an important role in regulating the expression of inflammatory genes such as TNF- , IP-10
and Cox-2, which is closely correlated with the IBD development. RNase L-deficient mice remarkably attenuated the severity
of colitis and had a higher surviving rate in compared to the wild type mice in DSS-induced IBD-like intestinal inflammation.
These studies provide new insights into IBD development and novel therapeutic strategies may be designed through
inhibition/regulation RNase L by small molecules or peptide.
047
MEASURING ANTHROPOGENIC INPUTS IN SEDIMENT CORES FROM PUNDERSON LAKE OHIO
van Blarcum, R.1, Yuan, F.1, Matisoff, G.2 and Wolin, J.1
1
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science; Cleveland State University
2
Department of Earth Science; Case Western Reserve University
Sediment core archives provide a history of data useful for serving as a long‐term monitoring reserve to evaluate
chronological events of contamination to lake systems. This could be an effective tool for continual environmental
management, monitoring and potential restoration efforts. This method is also very cost-effective without the addition of a
water quality monitoring station on site. Taking 2 sediment cores from Punderson Lake Ohio for analysis has allowed
associating variations in select metals to anthropogenic events or activities; we can determine a time frame with limited
uncertainty and resolve the intensity of anthropogenic contamination to the lake during the Anthropocene. We used
radiometric dating methods of 137Cs and 210Pb to establish a timeline through the cores. Applying mass depth g/cm 3 (Matisoff
and Whiting, 2011) and core segmentation intervals (1cm) we can remove issue of porosity and compaction. Selected trace
metals (As, Cu, Mn and Pb) were studied in these sediment cores. We can parse natural crustal sources of sediment input
from anthropogenic sources using a method known as enrichment factor (EF) (Feng et al., 2004). This method requires the
normalization of trace metal concentration into an index dimensionless data form (Essien et al. 2009). EF index implies a
severity of contamination in a sediment interval allowing for the consideration of environmental impact, status of pollution
and possibly source the contamination of the select trace metal. We can then plot EF over time to obtain relative burial times
of the excess trace metals. Using sedimentation rates we can establish a clear time of burial of each layer in the core. We can
19
then make a comparison to other regional lakes to see how anthropogenic source contamination appears in other systems.
Future benefits such as building and periodically updating a data base that can be used to track a lake systems contamination
levels and provide invaluable insight into remediation efforts.
048
THE IMPACT OF DIABETES ON CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT: EDUCATIONAL AND MENTALLY
Franklin U. Eruo, Biology Major, Pre-Med
Urban Health Fellow Program, NEOMED-CSU Partnership for Urban Health, Cleveland State University.
It is important when dealing with childhood develop to create an environment in which they can flourish. Additional pressure
can be extremely influential on their development. For children with diabetes it is key to reduce the stress on diabetic
students and further their education in a socially accepting environment. Students are easily acceptable to negative influences,
additional stress due to diabetes is one. By reducing the mental stress caused by diabetes the development of the student
would be better off in the future. The application of this is simple and should focus primarily on making the student feel
accepted even with the student’s disease. This problem is an attempt to implement a comfortable and cooperative
environment for diabetic students so that they do not feel isolated by their disease. Research has shown that there is an impact
on mental health of a diabetic student if they feel ashamed or limited by their disease. By using social and interactive
meetings the student will be more likely to be engagement in his or her learning experiences in the future.
049
THE EFFECTS OF LANDCOVER AND LAND USE IN AN URBAN LAKE’S WATERSHED ON THE
PRESENCE OF MICROCYSTIS AND THE PRODUCTION OF MICROCYSTIN
Tom P. Bienvenu. Julie A. Wolin, Ph.D.
Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, Cleveland State University.
Microcystin has proven harmful health effects on humans and ecosystems. It is still unknown exactly what conditions cause
the cyanobacteria microsystis to produce microcystin. In the summer of 2013, 40 urban lakes in Cuyahoga County are studied
at the local scale at the lake site and since then at a larger scale by observing each lake’s watershed. Water samples were
collected using a Van Doren water sampler to collect samples for water chemistry and microcystin levels from every 0.5
meters for lakes that are less than 3m deep and every 1.0m for lakes that are more than 3m deep. Algal scum and possible
microcystis colonies were recorded when observed and visual assessments were recorded for vegetative health on a five point
scale. For the larger scale portion of the study GIS and remote sensing technology was used to create DEMs from LiDAR
images of the lakes’ surrounding area to then build the watersheds around each lake and classify the land use or land cover of
each watershed to better understand the inputs in each watershed. Water sample and GIS analyses are not yet complete, but it
is suspected that watersheds with increased surface area will be correlated to an increase in microsystin production. The
information derived from this study may be useful to future researchers and city developers to help urban planning deter
production of harmful cyanobacteria in high population areas.
050
IMPACTING COMMUNITIES BY MAKING HEALTH AWARENESS FOR CPR
Tyler P. Fitzgerald, Biology Major, Pre-Med
Urban Health Fellow Program, NEOMED-CSU Partnership for Urban Health, Cleveland State University
CPR is an easy and useful method to help save lives which can be used by anyone who has been trained. The most useful
way to save this victim is by using CPR. It is important to learn CPR because no one knows when and where a heart attack
can occur. Heart attacks can happen anywhere which can include home, on the street, or at the store. Usually these attacks
happen at the victims’ home, therefore, it is important for everyone to learn how to use CPR, so they know how to respond
when this attack happens to their relatives. Some of the greatest casualties that are faced everyday are caused by victims of
heart attacks. The victims lack oxygen and blood flow to their brains and hearts, and without this flow, death will ultimately
occur. Anyone can take CPR classes which teach them the appropriate techniques on how to save a victim. Those learning
CPR will help save a higher rate of heart attack victims and the death rate will decrease tremendously.
20
051
DEFICIENCY OF CIRCADIAN PROTEIN BMAL1 RESULTS IN SENILE OSTEOPOROSIS
William E. Samsa, B.A.1, Ronald J. Midura, Ph.D.2, Roman V. Kondratov, Ph.D.1
1
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Diseases, Department of BGES, Cleveland State University;
2
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic
The circadian clock is an endogenous time keeping system that controls the physiology and behavior of many organisms. The
core circadian protein Brain and Muscle ARNT-like Protein 1 (BMAL1) is a transcription factor necessary for producing
rhythmic behavior. Bmal1-/- mice display progeria and accompanying age associated pathologies, including osteoporosis.
Here, we report that mice deficient for BMAL1 have age-related bone loss and are a good model for studying senile
osteoporosis. We show that BMAL1 deficiency results in abnormal periosteal growth and ectopic calcification bones. Using
micro-computed tomography scanning, we show that these mice have an early closure of the epiphyseal growth plate,
resulting in shorter long bones. Furthermore, we show that bmal1-/- mice have weakened bone structure as a result of
reduction in cortical and trabecular bone parameters and a lower bone mineral density. We show that the weakened bone
structure is the result of a defect in osteoblast function and osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Using the
preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell line, we show that osteoblast differentiation has no effect on the function of the circadian
clock. Our data suggests that BMAL1 is a positive regulator of bone formation by controlling the differentiation and
functional ability of osteoblasts.
052
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR EARLY DEAFENED CHILDREN
Husna A. Shariff, Speech and Hearing Major
Urban Health Fellow Program, NEOMED-CSU Partnership for Urban Health, Cleveland State University.
Research is being conducted in speech and hearing in order to focus on solutions for families who choose to treat deafness in
their children. It has come to the attention of the presenter that when children are diagnosed with deafness, parents are not
given a large range of options concerning how to handle it, often times only being informed about cochlear implants. The
plan of action in order to fix this is to create informational brochures for parents as well as an informational table at school
simply to raise awareness. The population needs to be aware of options outside of cochlear implants as well responsibilities
that need to be followed up with after cochlear implant surgery. For example, there is speech and auditory training that must
be attended. According to SPH 241, Survey of Deaf Culture class, after med school, there is only so much more that doctors
can learn and memorize. As a result, most are not given sufficient training in how to deal with babies who were born with
deafness. This deficiency in information can result in a domino effect in which parents of the deaf children do not receive the
information either. The brochures that will be created will be effective in exposing this information to the population. The
brochures can be left in surrounding hospitals that doctors and audiologists can give to parents who have deaf-born children
so they will have a guide they can quickly skim for at least a little bit of information.
053
APPLICATIONS OF U.S. EPA PROTOCOLS FOR LAKE QUALITY ASSESSMENT AT AN URBAN
SCALE
Roseann Soika, B.S.; Julie A. Wolin, PhD; Megan Dunleavy B.S.; Tom Bienvenu; Justin Ostry; Amelia Visnauskas; Sarah
Cutteridge, B.S.; and Kathryn Johncock
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University
Water quality data for urban lakes in the Lake Erie watershed has been limited over the two decades. Using protocols
modeled after the US EPA’s probabilistic National Lake Assessment (NLA) we have created an Urban Lake Assessment
(ULA). We identified 106 suitable sites within the watershed for Group Randomized Trials (GRTs) during the summers of
2012 and 2013. Forty were accessible for an ULA. We measured water quality parameters using a YSI 556 water quality
probe. Water chemistry assays are pending for nutrient input, chlorophyll-a and the toxin microcystin. Shoreline
characteristics and associated vegetation were recorded at the site and will be further analyzed using Geographic Information
Systems (GIS). GIS will allow for quantitative scrutiny of surrounding land use, the largest contributing factor to lake
conditions. Qualitative samples for zooplankton and phytoplankton were gathered for identification. Lake sediment samples
we collected for analysis of diatom microfossil communities as biologic indicators of current and historic lake quality and
21
climate. Biological quality will be measured following the NLA scale, dividing lakes into Good (>20% taxa loss compared to
pristine lakes), Fair (20%-40% loss), or Poor (>40% loss) categories. The majority of lakes tested were man-made, quality is
expected reflect the 2007 NLA. The EPA found thattwice (30.4%) the man-made lakes fell under Poor biologic quality as
compared to natural lakes (15.8% Poor). A decrease in diatom species richness is anticipated; favoring pollutant tolerant taxa.
054
STIGMA AGAINST THE ELDERLY IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND PRACTICES TO DIMINISH
NEGATIVE ATTITUDES TOWARD OLDER PERSONS
Daniel Busher Betancourt, Pre-Nursing
Urban Health Fellows Program, NEOMED-CSU Partnership, Cleveland State University
The contemporary and ever-apparent issue of stigma experienced by persons over 65 years of age with regards to quality of
care received will be carefully examined in this study. An evaluation of current research reinforces the existence of stigma of
the elderly in health care settings. The ultimate goal is to educate students undertaking health care careers in the issue of
stigma against the elderly, to learn practices to reduce such attitudes, and thereby encourage the need for health care
professionals to focus on ensuring the highest quality care for elderly patients.
055
TARGETING MTORC1-MEDIATED METABOLIC ADDICTION TO OVERCOME FLUDARABINE
RESISTANCE IN MALIGNANT B CELLS
A Sharma, M. Sc. (Hons.)1,3, Allison Janocha , B.S.E.4 , Brian T Hill, M.D., Ph.D 2, Mitchell R Smith, M.D., Ph.D 2, Serpil
C. Erzurum, M.D. 4Alex Almasan, Ph.D.1;
1
Dept Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Inst;
2
Dept Hematologic Oncology & Blood Disorders, Taussig Cancer Inst, Cleveland Clinic,
3
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University;
4
Dept of Pathobiology, Lerner Research Inst.
mTORC1 activation occurs frequently in cancers, however, its allosteric inhibitors (rapalogs) are only modestly effective in
the clinic, as they also block feedback inhibition of the upstream PI3K pathway. An alternative approach is to inhibit
downstream targets of mTORC1. We investigated acquired resistance to fludarabine (Flu), a purine analog, active agent for
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Elevated phospho-p70S6 kinase (T389), an mTORC1 activation marker, predicted Flu
resistance in a panel of B-cell tumor lines, isogenic Flu-resistant (FluR) derivatives, and primary CLL cells. Consistent with
the anabolic role of mTORC1, FluR cells had higher rates of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation than Flu-sensitive
(FluS) cells. The rapalogs everolimus (Ev) and rapamycin induced moderate cell death in FluR and primary CLL cells and Ev
treatment of FluR cells significantly inhibited glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Strikingly, the higher oxidative
phosphorylation in FluR cells was not coupled to higher ATP synthesis. An alternative function of mitochondrial respiration
is oxidation of dihydroorotate via the enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, an essential step in de novo pyrimidine
synthesis. mTORC1 promotes pyrimidine synthesis by p70S6 kinase-mediated CAD-Ser1859 phosphorylation and favors Sphase progression. We found increased phospho-CAD (S1859) and higher S-phase population in FluR cells. siRNA-mediated
knockdown of p70S6K and treatment with mitochondrial toxins caused significant cell death in FluR, but not FluS cells. In
conclusion, mTORC1-dependent increased de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis provides cell survival advantage and causes
addiction to mitochondrial respiration in FluR cells. Thus, mitochondrial respiration and de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis
provide potential therapeutic targets to overcome Flu resistance. These studies provide the first evidence for mTORC1/
p70S6K-dependent regulation of pyrimidine synthesis in a disease setting.
056
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN STRESS RELATED ANXIETY, PRESSURE, AND DEPRESSION AND
THE INCREASE IN THE ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION AND ITS SOCIETAL IMPACT
Aicha E. Quamine, Pharmaceutical Sciences Major, Pre-Pharm
Urban Health Fellow Program, Cleveland State University
22
According to the CDC, in 2010 roughly 60 percent of drug overdose deaths involved pharmaceutical drugs. A significant
amount of those drugs included opioid analgesics and drugs often prescribed for mental illness such as anti-anxiety drugs
(30%) and antidepressants (18%). Many studies are considering stress related anxiety and depression to be considerable
influence in increasing the risks of drug abuse. This rising trend of prescription drug abuse enforces the idea that in order to
effectively treat and combat co-morbid disorders we must deliver equal amounts of focus and effort towards the prescription
drug abuse epidemic and the inadequate treatment and awareness of stress related anxiety and depression.
Now that prescription drug abuse as a disorder is now rivaling the abuse of illegal medications, it is imperative that we turn
our attention to combating this huge health concern. The purpose of this research project is to analyze this epidemic as a
concept of the self-medication hypothesis. Drugs that are selected by abusers may not be chosen at random, but instead as a
result of the subconscious interaction between the pharmacodynamics of the chosen medication and the pain or suffering that
the abuse wants to remove. Individuals dealing with untreated stress related anxiety, depression, or pressure may be turning
to opioid drugs and CNS depressants to relieve themselves of their disorders, not understanding the dangers that are
associated with unregulated prescription medications. By raising awareness and implementing education about the dangers of
non-medical usage of prescription medications I hope to create a positive movement in the direction towards ending the
abuse of medication. I hypothesize that if people were more knowledgeable of the co-occurrence between stress related
illness and drug abuse and addiction, they may develop a stronger motivation to avoid the horror of this disease which
could’ve been prevented.
057
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESPONSES TO A 5-ITEM FOOD INSECURITY SURVEY (FIS) AND
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS (SES) AMONG FOURTH-GRADE CHILDREN
Megan P. Puryear, B.S., RD, LD1; Suzanne D. Baxter, Ph.D., RD, LD, FADA, FAND1; Caroline H. Guinn, B.S., RD, LD1;
Kate K. Vaadi, B.S., RD, LD1; Alyssa L. Smith, B.S.1; Kathleen L. Collins, B.S.1; Chris J. Finney, M.S.1,2; David B.
Hitchcock, Ph.D.3; Albert F. Smith, Ph.D.4; Patricia H. Miller, Ph.D.5
1
Institute for Families in Society, College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
2
South Carolina Budget and Control Board Division of Research and Statistics, Columbia, SC
3
Department of Statistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
4
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
5
Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA.
Food insecurity is limited or intermittent access to nutritionally adequate, safe, and acceptable foods accessed in socially
acceptable ways. We investigated the relationship between SES and fourth-grade children’s responses to a 5-item FIS. In
spring 2014, children from 21 classes in 5 schools (4 districts) were randomized to classroom-administration—researchers
read questions and children marked answers (n=81; 45 boys)—or one-on-one-interview-administration—researchers read
questions and marked children’s responses in a private setting (n=77; 41 boys). Most children (72%) were classified as lowSES based on free/reduced-price school-meal eligibility and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
eligibility. Each FIS question began “In the last 30 days...” and ended “...because your family didn’t have enough money for
food” (except #3 excluded “money for”). Response options were “a lot”, “sometimes”, “never”, “refuse to answer”, and
“don’t know” (except #5 substituted“once/twice” for “a lot”). Affirmative responses (“a lot”, “sometimes”, “once/twice”)
were coded 1; others were coded 0. Scores were summed with 0 indicating food secure and 5 indicating the highest level of
food insecurity. A generalized estimating equation model was fit on FIS scores with independent variables SES, gender, and
administration-mode. FIS means were greater for one-on-one-interview-administration (1.57±1.34; mean±standard deviation)
than classroom-administration (1.16±1.39) [p=0.0005]. Means were greater for low-SES (1.5±1.39) than non-low-SES
(1.00±1.28) children [adjusted-p=0.0008]. FIS responses were sensibly related to SES classification based on school-meal
and SNAP eligibility. As one-on-one-interview-administration occurs in a private setting (away from peers), low-SES
children may be more inclined to report more food insecurity than with classroom-administration. (Supported by
R01HL103737 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH (Principal Investigator – SD Baxter).
058
CASE TRANSITION FORMAT AND LEXICAL DECISION PERFORMANCE
Albert F. Smith, Ph.D., Risa F. Orlosky, Michelle E. Aebi, B.A., Stephanie M. Reyes Torres, and Kathryn G. Van Gunten
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
23
Previous research has shown that reading MIXed caSE ITEms is harder than reading UPPERCASE or lowercase items, but
whether the type of case transition in mixed-case items affects performance is unknown. We investigated whether the type of
case transition (uppercase-to-lowercase, e.g., PLAnt, vs. lowercase-to-uppercase, e.g., plaNT) affects lexical decision
performance—deciding whether a letter string is a word. Some models of word identification imply that, as a result of
perceptual learning during the experience of reading, readers should process items with uppercase-to-lowercase transitions
more effectively than items with lowercase-to-uppercase transitions. We conducted two lexical decision experiments. In the
main experiment, every item included a case transition; the central question was whether type of case transition (uppercaseto-lowercase vs. lowercase-to-uppercase) affects performance. In a control experiment, we ascertained whether, for the
participants in the main experiment, lexical decision performance is worse (slower response times and/or higher error rates)
for mixed-case items than for uppercase and lowercase items.
059
COORDINATION OF CONTINUOUS AND DISCRETE COMPONENTS OF ACTION
Stephanie L. Kilian, B.A., Andrew B. Slifkin, Patrick Byrne
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
Goal-directed movement may contain discrete and continuous components of action. In the proposed experiment, participants
moved back and forth between targets using a computer mouse in a cyclical aiming task. It was of interest to examine the
relation between a discrete button press on a computer mouse, indicating an attempt at target capture, and the peak position of
the corresponding, continuous movement trajectory of the mouse. How might the spatial and temporal relations between
those events vary as a function of variations in task constraints? In particular, the proposed study would vary the target width
(W) and amplitude requirement (A), where variations of both can be quantified by the Index of Difficulty (ID) according to
the equation log2(2A/W). Previous research by Slifkin et al. (2013) has shown that the spatial and temporal location of the
peak position relative to the spatial and temporal location of the button press varied as a function of changes in target width
and amplitude. As the ID increased, the coincidence of the spatial qualities of the button press increased as task demand
increased, suggesting serial processing of movement at high indices of difficulty and parallel processing of movement
coordination at low indices of difficulty. The purpose of the proposed experiment is to examine the effects of target width or
the effects of the movement amplitude, by using Index of Difficulty (ID), have more of an influence on the coordination and
timing of button press position and peak movement position. It is hypothesized that the target width manipulation will have
more of an influence on the coordination of peak position and button press.
060
THE EFFECTS OF IMPLEMENTING A DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING MODULE FOR
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: PROMOTING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Karen M. Keptner, M.S., OTR/L, Anne M. Curran, MOTS, Rosalia DiLiberto, MOTS, Alyssa J. Johnson, MOTS, Alison
L. Wiswell, MOTS
School of Health Sciences, Masters of Occupational Therapy Program, Cleveland State University
Research has suggested that individuals with disabilities experience inequity in care during interactions with the health care
system. Moreover, people with developmental disabilities are becoming a larger portion of the population; estimates suggest
that over the past 12 years, the prevalence of developmental disabilities in US children has increased by 17.1% (Boyle et al.,
2011). It has been found that health care providers may have negative attitudes towards individuals with disability, so perhaps
these individuals are seeking more care because they feel that their needs are not being met. Education and training
specifically focused on individuals with disabilities for health care providers may increase awareness of disability-specific
healthcare, reduce negative attitudes towards individuals with developmental disabilities and ultimately improve equity of
care in this population (WHO, 2011).
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an intervention focused on disability awareness on attitudes of health
care providers towards individuals with disabilities. The main objectives were 1) to increase awareness of how clients with
developmental disabilities view health care and the health care encounter, 2) to acquire skills to promote good
communication and rapport between providers and clients with developmental disabilities, and 3) to provide information and
resources to promote good communication between providers and their clients with developmental disabilities. Researchers
24
created a training module to address the aforementioned objectives to be presented to a variety of healthcare professionals at
MetroHealth Medical Center. The Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons (ATDP) scale will be used to assess professionals’
attitudes before, after, and three months after participating in the training module. Results will be assessed using SPSS
software then interpreted to assess the effectiveness of the learning module to improve disability awareness.
061
FITTS’ INDEX OF DIFFICULTY PREDICTS THE 1/F STRUCTURE OF MOVEMENT AMPLITUDE
TIME SERIES
Andrew B. Slifkin, Ph.D., Jeffrey R. Eder, Ph.D., Patrick J. Byrne
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
Studies using a variety of experimental tasks have established that when humans repeatedly produce an action, fluctuations in
action output are highest at the lowest frequencies and fluctuation magnitude (power) systematically declines as frequency
increases. Such time-series structure is termed pink noise. However, the appearance of pink noise seems to be limited to tasks
where action is executed in the absence of task-related feedback. A few studies have demonstrated that when action was
executed in the presence of task-related feedback, power was evenly distributed across all spectral frequencies—i.e., white
noise was revealed. Here, participants produced cyclical aiming movements under visual feedback conditions and we sought
to determine if variations of both the movement amplitude requirement (A) and the target width (W)—in the form of the
index of difficulty [ID = log2(2A/W)]—would predict the structure of movement amplitude (MA) time series. There were two
ID levels and there was a small- and large-scale version of each ID: The A and W values of the large-scale version were twice
those used for the small-scale version. Given that increases in ID are known to induce increased reliance on the available
visual feedback, we predicted an ID-induced shift in MA time-series structure from pink to white noise. Indeed, that is what
we found. Further, there were no changes in MA structure when scale level changed within each ID level. Such scale
invariance of MA time-series structure reinforces the notion that MA structure depends on the combined influence of A and
W.
062
EFFECTS OF TRAIL AND ELLAGIC ACID ON MALIGNANT MELANOMA A375 IN VITRO AND IN
VIVO
Katherine A. Turner, B.S.1,2; Daniel Lindner, MD, Ph.D 2; and Michael Kalafatis, Ph.D 1,2,3
1
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland Ohio 44115;
2
Taussig Cancer Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Ohio 44195;
3
Department of BGES, Cleveland State University, Cleveland Ohio 44115
Cancer is a widespread disease characterized by unregulated cell growth and evasion of apoptotic stimuli. A direct and
selective cancer therapy is the application of Tumor necrosis factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL).
Recombinant human TRAIL (rhTRAIL) can induce apoptosis in a broad range of transformed human cells while showing
minimal toxicity towards non-malignant cells. However, some cancers are resistant to rhTRAIL-induced apoptosis as a direct
result of the Casein Kinase 2 (CK2)-mediated overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins. Therefore, by inhibiting CK2,
TRAIL-resistant cells may become more sensitive to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We utilized cotreatment with Ellagic Acid
(EA), a natural CK2 inhibitor, and TRAIL against the malignant melanoma cell line A375. In vitro analysis showed that
TRAIL and EA inhibit cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, and combination treatments synergistically enhanced the
effects of the single-agent treatments. TRAIL reduces the viability of A375 cells; whereas, EA although it can inhibit growth,
cannot reduce the viability of A375. In combination treatments, the cytotoxic effects of TRAIL were not enhanced. AnnexinV Apoptosis assays and Western Blot analysis show that TRAIL can induce apoptosis in A375 cells characterized by the
formation of Annexin-V positive cells, PARP fragmentation and the activation of caspase 3. EA treatment alone did not
induce apoptosis and did not induce formation of Annexin-V positive cells or PARP fragmentation. Combination treatments
show that EA does not potentiate TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In vivo, TRAIL-treated nude mice bearing A375 xenografts
exhibited ~80% tumor growth inhibition compared to the untreated control group. EA was not able to inhibit the growth of
established A375 tumors and did not augment the in vivo antiproliferative effects of TRAIL. These data demonstrate that EA
can enhance the cytostatic but not the cytotoxic or proapoptotic effects of TRAIL in vitro. In vivo, EA cannot augment the
antiproliferative effects of TRAIL.
25
063
EFFECT OF IL-13 ON EZRIN MOBILIZATION TO THE APICAL MEMBRANE IN MCCD CELLS
Briana M. McGinness, B.S.1, Andrew H. Resnick, Ph.D.2
1
Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, Cleveland State University,
2
Department of Physics, Cleveland State University
Research on the effect of chemical and biological stimulation on ciliary intra and inter-cell signaling has been a source of
newly found regulatory mechanisms. My current experiments aim to determine if IL-13 treatment shows the same effect on
mouse cortical collecting duct cells as it has on airway epithelial cells in terms of down-regulating foxj1 which blocks the
mobilization of ezrin to the apical membrane. Ezrin displacement results in an inability of the cells to establish basal bodies
for cilia, preventing the formation of cilia (You et al., 2004). Our lab is very efficient at culturing, maintaining, and
differentiating MCCD cells, so elucidating this effect in these cells will not only suggest a broader application of this effect in
ciliated cell lines, but also provide a strong model to further test the mechanism of this phenomenon. It has been established
that IL-13 triggers the phosphorylation of STAT6, which in turn, allows it to dimerize and enter the nucleus (Chen et al.,
2004). STAT6 then binds to the foxj1 promoter sequence and blocks its function in ezrin mobilization to the apical
membrane. It is unknown what the mechanism of ezrin mobilization is, but an intersection of the JAK-STAT and Wnt
pathway may be the culprit as RhoA has been localized to the apical membrane (Schlessinger et al., 2009). An
electrophoretic mobility shift assay will be a preliminary test to examine my hypothesis of its binding to ezrin to mobilize it.
The pathways of recruitment and mobilization of necessary molecules to the apical membrane is an avenue of research that
needs to be investigated to further illuminate the cause of the displacement of ezrin and possibly other essential ciliary
proteins. Ezrin mobilization is a crucial step in ciliogenesis and the signaling pathway that precipitates it may be a key to
unraveling causes of ciliary dysfunction.
064
ROLE OF LIPID MEMBRANES IN MODULATING THE ACTIVITY OF ENDOTHELIAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE
Ghaith Altawallbeh, M.Sc., Chris Verdi, B.A., Mona Patel, M.Sc., Mekki Bayachou, Ph.D
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, 2399 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Approximately 30% of all global deaths in 2008 were
due to CVD. Endothelial cells cover the blood vessels lumen and provide a barrier against vascular disease. Nitric oxide is a
unique bio-regulator with important signaling roles in cardiovascular as well as other physiologic systems. Nitric Oxide
Synthases (NOSs) are a family of enzymes that generate nitric oxide from arginine and oxygen. Endothelial nitric oxide
synthase (eNOS) is one member of this family, and is the dominant isoform in the inner walls of blood vessels. It regulates
numerous essential cardiovascular functions including vasodilation (blood pressure), inhibition of platelet aggregation and
adhesion to the vascular wall, which prevents atherosclerosis and unwanted blood clots.
To determine the influence of the phospholipid bilayer on the structure and activity of eNOS in a defined system, we have
incorporated the recombinant oxygenase subunit of the enzyme into miniature lipid membranes called nanodiscs which are
12.9 nm in diameter. These nanodiscs provide a unique system that mimics the enzyme’s native microenvironment, yet the
prepared enzyme/nanodiscs assemblies can be conveniently studied in solution like any soluble enzyme preparation.
Homogenous eNOS/nanodiscs samples are purified using size exclusion chromatography. The average size of nanodisc
diameter was confirmed by particle analysis based on dynamic light scattering. Griess assay is used to measure activity of
free and nanodisc-bound enzymes. As compared to the free enzyme, the specific activity of nanodisc-bound eNOS oxygenase
appears to be much lower. These data suggest that the membrane environment affects the catalytic properties of eNOS
oxygenase.
065
IMPAIRED IMMUNE RESPONSES AGAINST T-DEPENDENT AND T-INDEPENDENT ANTIGENS IN
RNASE L DEFICIENT MICE
Lin Zhang, B.Sc., Chun Zeng, Ph.D., and Aimin Zhou, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry, Clinical Chemistry Program, Cleveland State University
26
RNase L is highly expressed in the spleen, thymus, and multiple immune cells, which may be critical for eliciting host
defense against microbes. It has been shown that RNase L regulates the expression of certain cytokines, however, little is
known about its influence on adaptive immunogenicity. In this study, RNase L gene knockout mice with C57BL/6
background were used to elucidate the effect of RNase L on immune responses after stimulation with T-dependent (TD) or Tindependent (TI) antigens. Interestingly both spleen size and antibody production in TD or TI antigen immunized RNase L-/mice were severely impaired. After immunization with TI antigens, RNase L-/- mice exhibited a significant reduction in total
IgM and antigen-specific IgM levels compared to that in RNase L+/+ mice. Similarly, serum levels of IgM and IgG were
significantly lower in TD antigen immunized RNase L-/- mice than those in RNase L+/+ mice. A combination of GM-CSF
and the antigen in immunization augmented TD antigen directed immune responses in RNase L+/+ mice compared to that in
RNase L-/- mice, but at less extent in mice receiving TI antigen immunization. PolyI:C , a synthetic dsRNA, showed a
significant enhancement of the IgM level in TI antigen immunized RNase L+/+ mice, but no any obvious effect on the
immune responses in the mice receiving TD antigen immunization. Taken together, our findings provide direct evidence
suggesting that RNase L may play an important role in humoral immune responses.
.
066
EFFECTS OF ASSIGNED COMPETITIVENESS ON GOAL ORIENTATION AND PERFORMANCE
Wei Zhou, B.A., Michael Horvath, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
This study is exploring the effects of whether there is a relationship between the three types of goal orientations – mastery,
performance avoidance and performance approach under competitive and non-competitive conditions. 107 undergraduate
students from Cleveland State University participated in the study and more participants will be recruited to meet our power
analysis requirement. The participants were assigned two roles of goal orientation, which are competitive and noncompetitive. Based on previous study, we are looking to employ Hierarchical Linear Modeling to explain differences in the
extent to which the assigned competitive and non-competitive roles relate to goals and performance (Horvath, Herleman, &
McKie, 2006). There is significance supporting that there is a relationship between the performance and difference in goal
orientation. Furthermore, performance avoidance roles complied with prior research, which indicates an avoidant behavior
when encountering competitive scenario.
067
GAMBLING BEHAVIORS IN COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH ANTISOCIAL TRAITS
Alexandra J. Welch and Amir Poreh, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
Previous studies have looked at the general relationship between antisocial personality disorder and pathological gambling
(Sandeep et al. 2011; Blaszczynski et al. 1997; Blaszczynski et al. 1994), but very few studies have looked at the dimensions
within psychopathy in relation to gambling behaviors. The present study will examine gambling behaviors in college students
with antisocial traits. Participants from Cleveland State University will be given the Poreh Sociopathy Scale, Levenson SelfReport Psychopathy scale, and Eysenck Impulsivity Scale. Participants who scored in the top ten percent and in the middle
ten percent on the LSRP will be asked to participate in an interview. Those who agree will then be interviewed using the
Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised and given the Iowa Gambling Task. Using an ANOVA analysis, we will examine the
differences among the two groups in terms of impulsivity and psychopathy scores. We also hope to look at the correlations
between the different dimensions of psychopathy and the performance on the IGT. A multiple regression analysis will be
used to create a model that predicts gambling behavior in college students.
068
CALORIE RESTRICTION AFFECTS CIRCADIAN CLOCK GENE EXPRESSION
Sonal A.Patel, B.S, Rohini V.Khapre,B.S, Nikkhil S.Velingkaar,MS, Amol S.Chaudhari, MS, Roman V.Kondratov Ph.D.
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease(GRHD), BGES Department ,Cleveland State University
Organisms from unicellular to complex multicellular are shown to exhibit behavioral and physiological rhythms (circadian
rhythms) that persist with the period of approximately 24 hours. These rhythms are generated by the internal system known
27
as the circadian clock. The clock is entrained by light and feeding regimen. We recently found that disruption of circadian
clock leads to premature aging and reduced lifespan. Dietary restriction, mainly, calorie restriction (CR) is a well known
paradigm that delays aging and increases longevity in diverse species. Interestingly, we observed that calorie restriction did
not have any effect on lifespan of animals with disrupted clock. We hypothesized that the clock plays an important role in
calorie restriction mediated longevity. To investigate the effect of CR on circadian clock we checked the mRNA expression
of clock controlled genes by real time PCR in tissues of calorie restricted animals and compared it with animals on ad-libitum
feeding. We found that 30% CR has gene specific and time specific effect on clock genes expression. These results suggest
that CR affects circadian clock and may play a role in CR mediated beneficial effects. Therefore, we will further study the
mechanism of CR effect on circadian clock function.
069
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF LC-ESI/MS/MS ASSAY FOR QUANTIFICATION OF A
NOVEL ANTICANCER DRUG CANDIDATE CSUOHI0901 IN RAT PLASMA
Ramakrishna Reddy Voggu, B.S.P.S., Xiang Zhou, Ph.D., Bin Su, Ph.D., and Baochuan Guo, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
CSUOH0901, a novel anticancer derivative of nimesulide, exhibits very strong anticancer activities in various cancer cell
lines. In order to support further pharmacological and toxicological studies of this promising anticancer drug candidate, a LCESI/MS/MS method was developed and validated in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The
drug compound and the analytical internal standard (JCC76) were extracted from plasma samples by a protein precipitation
procedure, and then the extractants were injected into HPLC with a C-18 column for separation with a gradient flow of
mobile phase A: 5mM ammonium formate in 2% Methanol and mobile phase B: 5mM ammonium formate in 90% Methanol
at a flow rate of 0.2ml/min, which was interfaced to a tandem mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ion source for
detection. The validated liner dynamic range was between 0.5 to 100 ng of the drug per ml plasma; the correlation coefficient
(r2) was greater than 0.999, indicating the high linearity of the calibration curves within the range. The precision (CV) and
accuracy (relative error) for measurement of QC samples at low, medium, and high concentrations were less than < 12% and
5%, respective, which met the criteria of FDA Guidelines. In addition, the drug and internal standard were found to be stable
during storage and analysis. The results demonstrated that the LC-ESI/MS/MS method is quick, precise, accurate, and
sensitive, which can be used for pharmacokinetic studies of CSUOH0901.
070
SYNTHESIS OF 5-SUBSTITUTED INDOLE ANALOGUES AS POTENT ANTI-CANCER AGENTS
Snigdha Chennamaneni1, B.S.P.S., Zhong Bo1, Ph.D., Chunfang Gan1, Ph.D., Bin Su1, 2, PhD
1
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
2
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland Statee University
The derivatization of carboxylic acid moiety and benzoyl ring in Indomethacin results in the generation of potent anticancer
agents. In the quest for further development of cytotoxic agents, we designed and synthesis six new N-(3-(dimethyl amino)
ethyl)-2-(5-methoxy-2-methyl-1-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-1H-indol-3-yl) acetamide - hybrids, utilizing the Fischer indole
synthesis as the key step, using various benzoyl chloride substituents to modify the 5-position of the indole ring to further
optimize the structure. An eight step synthetic scheme was developed for the synthesis of the analogs. The characterization of
the compounds synthesized was performed by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.
071
ANALYSIS OF TURNING BEHAVIOR IN THE AFRICAN CLAWED TOAD
Alisia Kifer, Rachel Andrikanich, Matt Barr, Sean Poland, Jeffrey Dean
Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences
African clawed toads, which are purely aquatic, turn toward surface waves created by prey. We studied the turning motion.
We concentrated on initial body movement and its relation to leg action and hip, knee and ankle movements, classified
respectively as pushing/pulling or extension/flexion/return. As expected, we observed symmetrical patterns for left and right
stimuli. Very rostral stimuli (less than 30°) generally elicited forward body movement as the legs extended and pushed; hips
28
extended while knee and ankle movement varied according to turn angle. More lateral and caudal stimuli commonly elicited
an initial backward movement of the body as one or both hips flexed and legs pulled forward. Knee and ankle movement
again varied by turn angle and together with the hip flexion initiated body rotation. Turning usually continued with a
sweeping push by the contralateral leg, resulting from hip and ankle extension and knee flexion. The movements of one toad
have been described; here, we provide data for three other toads, classified the same way, in order to understand if patterns of
movement vary. Overall, leg movements are similar among toads although the strength of joint flexion and extension vary.
Variation in joint movement may be influenced by the size of the toad and the configuration of the legs.
072
ANALYZING TURNING BEHAVIOR OF THE AFRICAN CLAWED TOAD XENOPUS LAEVIS IN
RELATION TO LEG CONFIGURATION
Stephanie Sredniawa, Sarah Adams, Rachel Andrikanich, Jeffrey Dean
Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences
African clawed toads, Xenopus laevis, demonstrate stereotyped turning behaviors when capturing prey. Previous research
showed that the movement pattern of the legs, hips, knees and ankles varied with stimulus angle. These leg movements were
categorized as pushing/pulling, and the joint movements as extension/flexion or return to normal. Stimuli on the right and left
sides elicited mirror image patterns. Rostral stimuli to ±30° induced forward movement where both legs extended and
pushed. Caudal or lateral stimuli induced backward motion of the toad where the hips flexed as one or both legs first pulled
forward before pushing to rotate and move the toad forward. This pattern was studied for toads with normal leg
configuration, which is flexion at the hips, knees, and ankles. Some toads develop an abnormal leg configuration with
extended hips and knees. In this study we are testing toads with this abnormal leg configuration to see if the patterns are the
same as for normal toads. Our goal is to see if these toads show a different pattern of movement to compensate for their leg
configuration. The efficiency of turning will also be considered.
073
NON-CANONICAL ROLE FOR THE DR5/FADD/CASPASE PATHWAY IN THE REGULATION OF
EXPRESSION OF THE MUSCLE REGULATORY TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR MYOD
Jason A. Ross, B.S.; Crystal M. Weyman, Ph.D.
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences,
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
Our lab has previously reported that the stable expression of a dominant negative Death Receptor 5 (dnDR5) in proliferating
myoblasts inhibits differentiation by decreasing mRNA and protein expression of the master muscle regulatory factor MyoD,
and without altering MyoD mRNA stability. Futher, we have shown that the acetylation of histones associated with the
MyoD promoter in dnDR5 myoblasts is decreased and that treatment with a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor allows
partial recovery of MyoD expression consistent with transcriptional repression. The transcription of MyoD is regulated by a
distal regulatory region (DRR), which includes a non-canonical serum response element (SRE) that is required for MyoD
expression in both differentiated and proliferating myoblasts. Contained in this cis-element is a CArG box required for MyoD
expression; it has been demonstrated that trans-acting factors, SRF and Mef-2, bind to this CArG element in proliferating and
terminally differentiated myoblasts respectively. Myoblasts stably expressing dnDR5 (A2:dnDR5) exhibit an increase in the
amount of Mef-2 bound at this CArG element when compared to Mef-2 bound to this CArG element in wild-type (WT) cells.
We infer that Mef2 binding in proliferating myoblasts rather than in differentiated myoblasts results in repression rather than
activation of transcription. Recruitment of HDAC(s) by Mef-2 bound to the CArG element in the MyoD DRR may explain
the reduction of MyoD protein in proliferating myoblasts. Mef-2 recruitment to the DRR in A2:dnDR5 myoblasts may be
controlled by the phosphorylation status of p38 MAPK (p38) which is reduced in these cells, and there are many possibilities
by which basal caspase expression may control p38 activity. The goal of the present project is to elucidate the mechanism(s)
by which dnDR5 expression affects the level of Mef-2 at the CArG element.
29
074
PATTERNS OF DEPRESSION IN ISRAELI ELDERLY
Erika B. Gobbi, B.A.; Amir M. Poreh, Ph.D.
1
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
The current study viewed data collected between 1999 and 2000 from 199 randomly sampled Israelis. Age was a screening
factor. Participants needed to be 65 or older and fluent in Hebrew. The participants were given the 30-item Geriatric
Depression Inventory (GDI, Yesavage 1982) as part of a larger epidemiological study in Israel. From this sample 30
holocaust survivors were readministered the GDI 2 years later. The study showed a correlation between immigrates that
migrated later in life to Israel exhibiting higher levels of depression. From the subsample assessed 2 years later an increase in
depression was found. Contrary to our hypothesis Holocaust survivors did not exhibit a higher degree of depression but, did
exhibit symptoms of PTSD such as nightmares. There was a correlation between the mini mental status exam with holocaust
survivors (r=0.287, p <0.05). Finally, there was a significant difference between older adults overall and higher depression
levels (r= 0.339, p<0.01). Furthermore, ethnicity seems to have a role in depression levels. Participants born in Western
Europe, native Israelis and those whom emigrated from Middle Eastern regions were less depressed than Israelis that
migrated from Eastern Europe. Although these differences can be seen it was not sufficient enough to reach significance.
Overall, the most astonishing find in this study is that Holocaust survivors did not differentiate in terms of depression levels
or cognitive functioning from other Israeli immigrants. Implications of this correlational study regarding how individuals
who suffer from extreme trauma is discussed.
075
ROLE OF RIBOSOMAL PROTEIN S16 IN TRANSLATION
Supriya Jindal, M.S., Arnab Ghosh, M.S., Anton A. Komar, Ph.D.
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences,
Cleveland State University
Ribosomal protein s16 belongs to the family of ribosomal proteins that contains Rps9 from prokaryotes and Rps16 from
eukaryotes. It forms a component of 40S ribosomal subunit. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it has been proposed that the
extended parts of Rps16 likely contribute to the molecular environment of the ribosomal P site bound t-RNA in yeast 80S
ribosome. Alignment of Rps16/Rps9 across different domains shows that the proteins contain an almost conserved C
terminus region. To investigate the function of Rps16 and in particular the role of the C-terminus conserved region of the
yeast protein, we obtained and characterized yeast strains in which the wild type Rps16 was replaced by the mutant Rps16
(deletion/addition mutants at the C-terminal end). These strains display defects in translation initiation, elongation and
translational fidelity. It has also been proposed that Rps5-NTD-Rps16-NTD interaction modulates Rps16-CTT association
with Met-tRNAiMetat ribosomal P site, a step in translation initiation. We hypothesize a new set of interacting residues in
Rps16 and/or in Rps5 which could be crucial for the communication of the C-terminal tail (CTT) of RpS16 to the initiator
tRNA base-paired to AUG in the P site. The point mutations in Rps16 exhibits reduced growth rate of yeast cells, along with
perturbed translation initiation, abrogated re-initiation and no ribosome biogenesis defect. Biochemical analysis of the mutant
yeast strains suggests that both N-terminal part and CTT of the yeast Rps16 play important roles in translation.
076
NOVEL ROLE FOR MYOD AS A SENSOR OF DNA DAMAGE
Gregory M. Kliment B.S.. and Crystal M. Weyman Ph.D.
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease. Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences.
Cleveland State University
When induced to differentiate by culture in differentiation media (DM: absence of growth factors), a subset of skeletal
myoblasts undergo apoptosis instead. While the muscle regulatory transcription factor MyoD is known to control the process
of differentiation in skeletal myoblasts, our lab has recently discovered that MyoD is also controlling the apoptotic process in
response to culture in DM by direct up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic Bcl2 family member PUMA. We have also discovered
that, through direct up-regulation of PUMA, MyoD plays a role in the apoptotic process initiated by the DNA damaging
agent, etoposide. Our hypothesis is that a novel role for MyoD as a sensor of DNA damage could correlate both of these
findings. We are testing our hypothesis by determining if culture in DM results in the activation of pathways known to
30
respond to DNA damage. We have determined that p38, p53, Chk1 and c-abl are all up-regulated in response to culture in
DM. Next, we will determine the significance of activating the DNA damage pathway to both differentiation and apoptosis.
077
PERCEPTIONS OF WEIGHT, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, DIET, AND OVERALL HEALTH AMONG
INDIVIDUALS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES
Peter Lambrou, B.S.1, Kristen A. Weeber, B.S.1, Kelly Kachele, B.S.1, Jason Drusbacky, B.S.1, Anne M. Bryden, OTR/L 2,
Gina L. Kubec, OTD, OTR/L,3, Glenn Goodman, Ph.D., OTR/L,1
1
School of Health Sciences, Master of Occupational Therapy Program, Cleveland State University
2
Case Western Reserve University
3
Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Individuals with chronic spinal cord injuries (SCI) are at a great disadvantage maintaining an optimum level of physical
activity due to a paralysis of one or more limbs. Their resultant physical limitations and consequent inactivity may lead to a
higher caloric intake to energy expenditure ratio, which contributes to weight gain and increased health risks. Individuals
with spinal cord injuries are subject to developing secondary health conditions as a result of paralysis and inactivity which
can inhibit a person’s ability to participate in desired occupations, engage in the community, and experience lower quality of
life. This information was applied to the creation of an online needs assessment survey intended to gather the perceptions of
individuals who have experienced spinal cord injury on topics of weight, exercise, diet, and overall health relative to
engagement in daily occupations. The web-based survey is hosted by a free website; participants were recruited through
national online organizations tailored to providing resources to individuals with SCI. Results are intended to answer the
question, “What challenges do individuals who have experienced spinal cord injuries face in achieving and maintaining
fitness?” It is hypothesized that individuals with spinal cord injuries will report dissatisfaction with their level of fitness, lack
of knowledge in ways to achieve and maintain fitness given their SCI, and lack of confidence in their abilities to achieve
fitness. Data collected from this survey are intended to inform healthcare practitioners who encounter individuals with SCI of
the potential lack of education of and access to means of managing weight in this population. Results from this study may be
used to inform a pilot weight management program for individuals with SCI in the Cleveland area. Further research is
warranted to examine the effects of weight management intervention in populations of individuals with SCI from an
occupational perspective.
078
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDEX OF LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT INTENSITY FOR PREDICTING
THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITION AND WATER QUALITY OF
SMALL LAKES AND PONDS IN
NORTHEAST OHIO
JUSTIN M. OSTRY B.A. , Julie A. Wolin Ph.D., Megan Dunleavy M.D. , Roseanne Soika M.D., Thomas Bienvenu B.A.
Department of Environmental Science, Cleveland State University
The purpose of this research is to analyze the influence of human development intensity on the ecological condition and
water quality of urban freshwater lakes and ponds in Northeast Ohio. Urban freshwater lakes and ponds, while essential
habitat to a myriad of species, are increasingly threatened by ever escalating human disturbances. They are also vital to
humans for economic, social, and ecological values they provide. Thus, determining how human behavior in the landscape
affects urban freshwater ecosystems is a subject of significant importance. An index of Landscape Development Intensity
(LDI) was used as a measure of the human disturbance gradient against which the ecological condition and water quality of
40 isolated ponds and lakes were analyzed at different landscape scales.
079
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIVE MEASURE OF PROSE MEMORY IN OLDER ADULTS
Ellen F. Day, B.S.; Amir Poreh, Ph.D.; Erika Gobbi, B.A.; Brittany Swansboro, B.A.; Michelle Aebi, B.A.
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
There is limited research on the presence of a learning curve on multiple trials of prose memory tasks in older adults, ideally
50 participants. This study is aimed at objectively measuring performance on a prose memory test in older adults. The study
31
aims to investigate the effects of multiple trial presentation of immediate and delayed recall of prose memory tasks presented
in the form of a story. The current study seeks to revise current measures of prose memory by increasing the number of trials
an individual has to listen to and repeat the contents of a story as well as implementing an objective delayed recognition trial.
Participants will be read two short stories and after each story they will be instructed to tell the researcher how much they
remember about each story. They will repeat this process two more times, for a total of three trials. Following a 30 minute
delay, the researcher will ask the participant to state how much they recall about both the first and second story. Then, the
participants will answer 13 multiple choice questions about the contents of the stories. The hypothesis of the current study is
that the participants will learn more contents of the stories as they are read off the stories more times. Repeated exposure to
the stories will increase the participants’ abilities to remember details about the stories because in order for information to be
retained in older adults repeated trials of a story may be necessary. Results of this study may aid in better assessing the
function of prose memory encoding, retrieval, and storage processes that change as people age.
080
SEXUAL AVERSION AND DISORDERED EATING: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY
Lynsay M. Strahorn, Christopher M. France, Psy.D,
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
This study is designed to measure levels of sexual aversion in eating disordered individuals and compare it to sexual aversion
levels in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. In addition, this study aims to compare anorexic and bulimic
participants explicitly in terms of both DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria. In order to do this a sample of anorexic individuals will
be gathered from a university or a treatment center using either solicitation or a snowball effect. They will be asked to
anonymously complete the Questionnaire for Eating Disorders Diagnosis (Q-EDD; Mintz, O’Halloran, Mullholand, &
Schneider, 1997) and the Sexual Aversion Survey (Katz, Gipson, Kearl, & Kriskovich, 1989) via an internet survey engine
such as Survey Monkey. Data collected from these items will be compared to existing data on college undergraduate bulimic,
eating disorder not otherwise specified, symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals, which was collected in the same
manner. This existing data has already been analyzed to show significant differences in sexual aversion among eating
disordered, symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals with eating disordered participants scoring the highest and
asymptomatic participants scoring the lowest. It is predicted that a comparison between anorexic and bulimic individuals will
show greater sexual aversion in anorexics than bulimics, both of which will be higher than symptomatic and asymptomatic
individuals.
081
PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ EXPECTATIONS REGARDING PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Katherine E. Elias and Colleen McMahon, PhD
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
There is overwhelming research evidence that increased parental involvement improves important student outcomes (Bryan,
2005; Bernard, 1992). Urban schools rarely achieve high levels of parental involvement. Several barriers to high parent
involvement in urban schools include, but are not limited to, parents’ feeling unwelcomed by school staff, parental lack of
resources, and parents’ lack of familiarity with schools as systems (Flynn, 2007). Teacher expectations of parental
involvement in urban schools impact involvement. Discrepancy between expectations and values of urban school teachers
and families may inhibit teacher-parent collaboration and parent involvement. By surveying pre-service teachers at Cleveland
State University, this study aims to investigate whether (a) teachers perceive urban parents as less likely to be involved in
their child’s education; (b) teachers judge urban parents more harshly than suburban counterparts; and (c) whether teacher
expectations about low involvement or blaming predicts teachers willingness to build teacher-parent partnerships in urban
schools. The survey will consist of three sections. The first section will include items regarding teacher characteristics (age,
experience, and licensure). The second section will consist of items regarding teacher beliefs about parent involvement. The
final section will present vignette items; which provide teachers with typical school- parent scenarios across urban and
suburban settings followed by attitudinal and action items. We anticipate findings which reveal belief differences based on
district setting. Results will be discussed regarding best practices to increase urban parent involvement.
32
082
GROWTH INHIBITION EFFECTS OF TRAIL ALONE AND IN COMINBTION WITH ELLAGIC ACID
ON THE HORMONE-DEPENDENT MCF-7 CANCER CELL LINE
Jasmine Manouchehri, B.S. 1,2, Daniel Lindner, MD, Ph.D. 2, Michael Kalafatis, Ph.D. 1,2,3
1
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University;
2
Taussig Cancer Institute, The Cleveland Clinic;
3
Department of BGES, Cleveland State University
Breast cancer affects many individuals, and this study focuses specifically on the hormone-dependent breast cancer cell line
MCF-7. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been explored as a potential cancer
therapy. Recombinant human TRAIL (rhTRAIL) has been shown to be a potential anti-cancer agent because it can target and
induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells without harming normal cells. However, the MCF-7 cancer cell line
has shown resistance to TRAIL. Casein Kinase 2 (CK2) is a protein kinase that has been shown to promote cancer growth.
CK2’s activity can induce the activity of inhibitors of apoptosis causing resistance to cell death. The purpose of this study is
to determine the growth inhibition effects of TRAIL alone and in combination with naturally occurring CK2 inhibitor Ellagic
Acid (EA) on MCF-7 cancer cells. In vitro analysis of the MCF-7 cancer cell line was performed. Sulforhodamine-B (SRB)
colorimetric assays were utilized to observe the inhibition effects of varying concentrations of TRAIL alone and in
combination with varying concentrations of EA on MCF-7 cell growth. It was shown that TRAIL in combination with EA
resulted in a greater decrease in cell growth for MCF-7 cells. In addition, MCF-7 cells were grown in 12 well plates and
treated with varying concentrations TRAIL and with varying concentrations of EA, and an inhibition of MCF-7 cell growth
was observed over time. More research will be done to observe the growth inhibition effects on MCF-7 cancer cell cancer
growth due to the combination of TRAIL and EA.
083
SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF HMBA ANALOGS AS POTENT HEXIM1 INDUCERS IN
PROSTATE CANCER
Rati Lama, B.S.1, Bo Zhong, Ph.D.1, Bin Su, Ph.D.1,2
1
Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University
2
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University
Hexamethylene bis-acetamide (HMBA) is a potent anti-cancer and cell-differentiating agent. HMBA specifically and
significantly induces the expression of Hexamethylene bis-acetamide inducible protein 1 (HEXIM1) in in vitro cell culture
models. HEXIM1 is a 7SK RNA binding protein that interacts with P-TEFb via cyclin T1 and inhibits its activity. It plays a
critical role in estrogen receptor regulated genes. In addition, variations in HEXIM1 protein expression are known to
influence Androgen receptor activation and TGFf prostate cancer. Despite its role as
anti-tumorigenic agent, acute toxicity effects, short half-life, poor tissue distribution and concentration dependent activity of
HMBA has limited its use in clinical applications. Combinatorial chemistry approach was employed to synthesize
symmetrical and unsymmetrical derivatives of HMBA to obtain analogs with improved HEXIM1 expression and solubility.
The newly synthesized compounds were screened for their potency to induce HEXIM1 in LNCaP prostate cancer cells using
Western blot analyses. Several HMBA derivatives showed increased HEXIM1 expression at a concentration lower than the
lead HMBA agent while few derivatives dose-dependently induced HEXIM1 expression. Structure activity relationship study
revealed molecular scaffolds critical for HEXIM1 expression. To further investigate the molecular targets of HMBA and the
identified potent analogs, a biotin conjugated probe was designed and the associated proteins were detected using protein-pull
down assay followed by SDS-PAGE. The most abundant protein was identified as Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), a 70-kDa
molecular chaperone protein, the overexpression of which contributes to tumor growth and metastatic potential. The results
suggest that HMBA may serve as a novel HSP70 ligand; however, the correlation between HSP70 with HMBA and HEXIM1
along with the binding interactions between them needs to be determined to validate the molecular targets of HMBA and its
analogs.
084
SPACE PERCEPTION ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN
Menzies, D., Moran, K., Isoms, A., & Yamamoto, N.
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
33
It has recently been shown that older observers (in their 70's) judge distance to a nearby target (up to 12 m away) very
accurately, while younger observers (in their 20's) significantly underestimate the same distance. Although this finding has
important scientific and practical implications, more research is needed to confirm whether the observed age difference truly
reflects improved accuracy in distance judgment. Importantly, it is possible that there is tendency to increasingly
overestimate the distance as observers grow older, and the seemingly accurate performance exhibited by the older observers
is a mere consequence of canceling the intrinsic underestimation of distance with the age-related overestimation. The present
study is being conducted to address this issue by investigating whether distance judgment stays accurate in even older ages
(i.e., 80's). If distance judgment is indeed improved in older age, these observers should continue to show accurate
performance in the distance judgment task. Additionally, we aim to test middle-aged observers on the same task to uncover
the time course of the change in distance perception through adulthood. This will provide an important clue for understanding
what underlies the possible age-related improvement of distance perception.
085
A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF ORNITHINE TRANSCARBAMOYLASE FROM METHANOCOCCUS
JANNASCHII
Elissar Daher, B.S.; Aditya K. Singh, Ph.D.; Jacqueline Vitali, Ph.D.
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences; Cleveland State University;
Department of Physics, Cleveland State University
Ornithine Transcarbamoylase (OTCase) catalyzes the reaction of ornithine and carbamoyl phosphate to produce citrulline and
phosphate. OTCase can be found in the process of arginine biosynthesis in plants and microbes and has a role in the urea
cycle of mammals. The current research is a preliminary study of this enzyme from the archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii.
The highlights are: (1) We have evaluated common resins and a heat step toward establishing a purification scheme for this
protein. (2) The enzyme exhibits hyperbolic kinetics with K m = 0.32 ± 0.04 mM. (3) A homology model for the OTCase
subunit was constructed using the web-server Swiss-Model. (4) The active site residues are conserved as in other OTCases.
(5) A comparison of the amino acid composition of this protein with E. coli suggested potential thermostabilizing features -a decrease in Ala and an increase in Ile and Val residues, an increase in charged Lys residues as well as a decrease in
thermolabile Gln, small polar Thr, and flexible Gly residues.
086
STRUCTURAL ELEMENT OF U6ATAC SNRNA INTERACTS WITH P65 PROTEIN AND IS
FUNCTIONALLY INTERCHANGEABLE WITH U12 P65 BINDING STEM-LOOP
Jagjit Singh, M.S.; Kavleen Sikand, Ph.D.; Tupa Basu Roy, M.S.; and Girish C. Shukla, Ph.D.
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University
U6atac and U12 snRNAs are fundamentally central to U12-dependent nuclear pre-mRNA splicing. In the process of U12dependent spliceosome assembly, U6atac and U12 interact with the 5′ splice site and branch site regions of a U12-dependent
intron, respectively. In addition, U6atac-U12 interaction establishes an intermolecular base paired helix I region. Beyond
these known functional regions of U6atac and U12 snRNAs, several regions within these RNA molecules are predicted to
form stem-loop structures. Our previous work demonstrated that the 3′ stem-loop region of U6atac snRNA contains a U12dependent spliceosome-specific targeting activity. In this work, we show the functional requirement of an evolutionarily
redundant substructure of U6atac 3′ stem-loop in U12-dependent in vivo splicing. Our in vitro data show that the C-terminal
RRM (RNA recognition motif) of p65, U12 snRNA binding protein, binds to a distal stem-loop substructure of the U6atac 3′
stem-loop. Further, we show that the functionally important p65 protein-binding apical stem-loop of U12 snRNA can be
replaced by this U6atac stem-loop. Using a binary splice site mutation suppressor assay, we demonstrate that the exchange of
these RNA elements between U12 and U6atac snRNAs is functional in in vivo U12-dependent splicing. In addition, we found
that structure of this distal 3′ stem loop is more important as compared to the sequence for in-vivo splicing. We have also
shown that 3′ end of U6atac from distant species with different structure and sequence could catalyze splicing to different
extent, demonstrating its evolutionarily conserved function. These results support the idea that RNA-RNA and RNA-protein
interactions in the U12-dependent spliceosome are highly plastic as compared to the U2-dependent spliceosome.
34
087
AGE RELATED SATISFACTION WITH INDIVIDUALIZED CARE, THERAPIST
CHARACTERISTICS, OUTCOMES AND ORGANIZATION AT A FREE CLINIC FOR PERSONS
RECEIVING PHYSICAL THERAPY
Mary Milidonis1, Scott Euype2, Karen O'Loughlin1, Karen Vitak1, Marcus Blohm1
1
School of Health Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland , OH, United States.
2
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States.
Satisfaction is associated with quality healthcare, improved adherence and improved outcomes. The purpose of this
study is to evaluate satisfaction with pro bono physical therapy for older compared to younger adults, all of whom
have no health insurance and thus, have barriers to accessing physical therapy care. Methods: This is a prospective
observational cohort study. Survey was developed from validated satisfaction research questions related to
individualized care, therapist characteristics, outcomes and care organization. Final 30 item survey was administered
after the first visit. Medical chart abstraction collected additional data on functional difficulties and comorbidities.
SPSS 19 used for univariate and bivariate analysis. Surveys were scanned for data entry. Results: Seventy-two
subjects completed surveys with 56% female, 71% black, 36% older than 55 years, 44% depression diagnosis and an
average of four comorbidities related to function. Subjects were overall satisfied after the first visit of physical
therapy. The strongest associations with satisfaction for both age groups was therapist characteristics and
individualized care (r=.49). “The way the condition affected me was taken into account” was the strongest satisfaction
related question (r=.5) overall. “The meaning of the illness to me personally was taken into account” was the strongest
satisfaction related question(r=.53) for older adults. Conclusions: Data suggest pro bono physical therapy is valued
after an initial visit. Satisfaction is related to both therapist characteristics and individualized care. Physical therapists
practicing in pro bono settings should emphasize individualized care that considers adult lifespan differences.
088
MURINE AKAP7 HAS A 2’, 5’-PHOSPHODIESTERASE DOMAIN THAT CAN COMPLEMENT AN
INACTIVE MURINE CORONAVIRUS ns2 GENE
Elona Gusho B.Sc. 1, 2, Rong Zhang Ph.D. 3, Babal K. Jha Ph.D.1, Beihua Dong M.D.1, Joshua M. Thornbrough Ph.D.3,
Christina Gaughan M.S.1, Ruth Elliott M.S.3, Susan R. Weiss Ph.D.3, and Robert H. Silverman Ph.D.1
1
Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
2
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences; Cleveland State University; Cleveland, Ohio, USA
3
Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Viral 2’,5’-phosphodiesterases (PDEs) help disparate RNA viruses evade the antiviral activity of interferon by degrading
2’,5’-oligoadenylate (2-5A) activators of RNase L. A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) bind the regulatory subunits of
protein kinase A (PKA) to localize and organize cAMP signaling during diverse physiological processes. Among more than
43 AKAP isoforms, AKAP7 appears to be unique in its homology to viral 2’,5’-PDEs. Here we show mouse AKAP7 rapidly
degrades 2-5A with similar kinetics to that of murine coronavirus (MHV) strain A59 ns2 and human rotavirus strain WA
VP3 proteins. To determine if AKAP7 could substitute for a viral 2’,5’-PDE, we inserted AKAP7 cDNA into an MHV
genome with an inactivated ns2 gene. The AKAP7 PDE domain, or an N-terminal truncated AKAP7 (both lacking a nuclear
localization motif), but not the full length AKAP7 or a mutant AKAP7 (H185R), restored infectivity of ns2 mutant MHV in
bone marrow macrophages and in liver of infected mice. Interestingly, the AKAP7 PDE domain and the N-terminal deleted
AKAP7 were present in the cytoplasm (the site of MHV replication), whereas full length AKAP7 was observed only in
nuclei. Our results suggest that viral acquisition of the host AKAP7 PDE domain during evolution allowed diverse RNA
viruses to antagonize the RNase L pathway.
089
RACIAL/ETHICAL DISPARITIES IN CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING BEHAVIOR
Arielle.N.Bowers1, Lisa S. Doane, Ph.D1 Kelly Ackerson, Ph.D, R.N2
1
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
2
Bronson School of Nursing, Western Michigan University
35
Previous studies have found that minority status, socioeconomic status, and social support can influence the likelihood of
women receiving a cervical cancer screening, but few studies have looked at these variables simultaneously to understand
their relative impact. The current study examined factors that relate to racial disparity in cervical cancer screening in a sample
of over 300 college-aged women. We hypothesized that African American women would be less likely to obtain routine
cervical cancer screening, and that low SES and social support would be a greater influence of screening behavior for African
American women than Caucasian women. The study found that there was no significant difference between Caucasian
women and minority women in percentage of women who receive a routine Pap smear (once every three years or more
frequently). There was a significant difference in rates of routine Pap testing based on income. For example those who had an
individual income below $10,000 were less likely to receive a routine Pap smear. There was a significant difference between
the levels of insurance and adherence to Pap smears, such that those with no insurance (36%) and those women who received
insurance through their parents (36%) were significantly less likely to receive a Pap test. There was not a significant
difference in the social encouragement that the women received. The results of this study and future research within this area
can be used to help create and refine appropriate education, intervention, and outreach programs to increase rates of cervical
cancer screening.
090
QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT OF HYPOMETHYLATING EFFECT OF DECITABINE ON HL60
CELLS BY LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY (LC-MS/MS)
Sujatha Chilakala, MSc; Yan Xu
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
DNA methylation refers to the addition of a methyl group to the cytosine in the CpG dinucleotide by the DNA
methyltransferase. Hypermethylation of DNA leads to transcriptional silencing of numerous tumor suppression genes and is
the main cause for many types of cancers including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysplatic syndrome.
Decitabine (5-aza-2'-deoxycitidine) is a nucleoside analog that induces hypomethylation of DNA. Decitabine incorporates
into DNA during S-phase of the cell cycle, irreversibly inhibits DNA methyltansferases, and leads to reactivation of the
silenced tumor suppression genes. Although the anticancer property of decitabine has been known for forty years, the
therapeutic dosage and schedules are still under clinical investigation. For instance, recent studies show that the low-dose
drug regimen with low cytotoxicity was more desirable and efficacious than the high-dose ones.
To study the hypomethylating effect of low-dose decitabine, we have developed an ultrasensitive LC-MS/MS method for
quantitative assessment of the amounts of decitabine, cytidine, 5-methylcytidine released by a multi-enzyme digestion of
cellular DNA. In the LC-MS/MS method, a stable heavy isotope of 2-deoxycytidine was used as internal standard; a reversephase C18 column was used for separation, and mass spectrometric detection was carried out by MRM mode with mass
transitions of m/z 229> 113 for decitabine, m/z 228 > 112 for cytidine, m/z 242 > 116 for 5-methylcytidine, and m/z 268 >
136 for guanosine. A limit of quantitation at 0.500 ng/mL (2nM/mL) with a linear calibration range up to 500
ng/mL(~2000nM/mL) and a correlation coefficient of 0.9992 were achieved for the decitabine. For DNA enzyme digestion, a
quad-enzyme system consisting of DNase 1, NP1, PDE1, ALP was optimized and used to release the incorporated decitabine
and all deoxynucleotides. The released drug molecule was identified and quantified. The method developed has been applied
to low-dose decitabine study on HL60 cells. The detail data will be discussed in the presentation.
091
RAMAN CHEMICAL IMAGING AND RAMAN POLARIZATION SPECTROSCOPY OF POLY-LLACTIDE
Venkata N K Rao, Bobba, and John F, Turner II, PhD
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University,
Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible implant polymer that has been utilized as an implant material
and drug release substrate. The elastic properties of PLLA vary depending on the degree of its crystalline character. Colddrawing PLLA at temperatures above the glass-transition temperature and below the cold-crystallization temperature induces
molecular ordering. By controlling the draw ratio, PLLA substrates can be designed to conform to a specific elastic moduli
and crystalline character, on average, making them better suited for a particular application or target tissue type. In the work
presented here, we describe a high fidelity wide-field Raman imaging system and an accompanying chemometric method for
elucidating the localized crystalline content across the cold-drawn PLLA surface. Our implementation overcomes some of the
36
previous limitations of acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) imaging systems and combines AOTF-based acquisition with
novel multivariate strategies based on Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization and spectral identity mapping (SIM). Because the
AOTF diffracted light is linearly polarized, it is important to understand the way in which the Raman spectrum is affected by
laser polarization, sample orientation, and draw ratio. To answer these questions, we have carried out Raman polarization
studies on PLLA substrates with different draw ratios. The Raman polarization and wide-field image results are presented,
and reveal that the orientations of bonds comprising the polymer chain backbone are preferentially affected by cold drawing
as expected. In addition to these results, the instrument design and a theoretical description of the multivariate methods
employed are presented.
092
IN-SITU LIGHT SCATTERING MEASUREMENTS OF FeOOH SPINDLES IN SOLUTION
Phil Dee B.S.1, Olga Dement'eva Ph.D2, Victor Rudoy Ph.D2 , Kiril Streletzky Ph.D1
1
Department of Physics, Cleveland State University
2
Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry
Characterizing spindle-shaped (nanorice) particles of iron (III) oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) with the techniques of Dynamic Light
Scattering (DLS) and Depolarized Dynamic Light Scattering (DDLS), provides an accurate and reliable estimate for
nanoparticle size, and shape in a native solution. Specific applications such as targeted synthesis of core/metal nano-shell
structures for techniques such as laser pulse therapy suggest that there’s advantage to in situ measurements of FeOOH
nanoparticles. FeOOH also serves as a standard/control system for experimenters determined to characterize anisotropic
geometries similar to prolate spheroids and short cylinders. Our approach employed analytical geometrical models (prolate
spheroid & short cylinder) and computational methods which utilized time-intensity correlation function parameters to
acquire nanoparticle dimensions, geometry, and strength of interaction. Two methods which utilized a straight cylinder model
created by de la Torre, proved to be most accurate in describing the dimensions provided by both Transmission Electron
Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) size distribution analyses. Statistics are drawn from 3 separate
stock solutions of differently sized FeOOH, synthesized independently. Further results discuss the sensitivity of quality data
to filtration, PMT pinhole size, and number concentration of nanoparticles. Coupling parameters extracted from translational
and rotational diffusion provided dimensional results, ranging from 20% to as low as <1% of TEM and SEM results, and fall
within 1 standard deviation.
093
BORONIC ACID-BASED GLYCO-AFFINITY LIGAND FOR GLYCOMICS APPLICATIONS
Vinay Kumar Kodithyala and Xue-Long Sun
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
Cell surface carbohydrates existing majorly as glycoproteins and glycolipids are involved in many biological processes such
as cell communication and cell targeting and act as key cell recognition antigens in the immune system . However, the
mechanisms of most processes at the molecular level are still unclear. It is therefore very important to develop novel tools for
efficient analysis of complex carbohydrates structures and functions, known as glycomics. In addition, certain carbohydrate
molecules can be used for bio-analytical, pharmaceutical and targeted drug delivery applications. Herein, we report synthesis
and characterization of boronic acid (BA)-silica gel conjugates as glyco-affinity ligand for carbohydrate capturing and
modification applications. The BA-silica gel conjugates were synthesized by amidation of carboxylic acid-functionalized
silica gel with amino phenyl boronic acid in the presence of EDC, and were characterized IR spectroscopy. The carbohydrate
capturing capacity and specificity were confirmed by Alizarin Red displacement assay. Quantification of carbohydrate was
performed using anthrone method. Further, on-resin glycosylamine formation from the captured sugar was investigated.
Overall, the boronic acid (BA)-silica gel conjugates serve as both glyco-capturing ligand and solid phase for carbohydrate
synthesis and thus will provide an important tool for glycomics research and applications.
37
094
CROSS VALIDATION OF LC-MS/MS METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF
METHOXYAMINE IN HUMAN PLASMA BETWEEN LC-QQQ AND LC-QTOF SYSTEMS
Shashank Gorityala1, Shuming Yang2, Yan Xu1,2
1
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
2
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, and Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals,
Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106
Methoxyamine (MX) is a small molecule inhibitor which covalently binds to apurinic / apyrimidinic (AP) DNA damage sites
and inhibits base excision repair (BER). The inhibition of BER elevates DNA single strand breaks (SSB) leading to
apoptosis. This property of MX helps to potentiate the anti-tumor activity of alkylating agents. This work was mainly aimed
on the cross validation of LC-MS/MS method for pharmacokinetic study of MX in human plasma on triple quadrupole
(QQQ) and quadrupole time of flight (QTOF) mass spectrometers.
A quantitative method was developed by derivatising MX and it’s stable isotope methoxyl-d3-amine (MX-d3 as internal
standard) in human plasma by 4-(N,N-diethylamino)benzaldehyde. The derivatised MX and MX-d3 were subjected to liquidliquid extraction using methyl-tert-butyl ether and separated isocratically on Xterra C18 column (2.1×100mm) using the
mobile phase 45% ACN-water and 0.4% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. Quantitation was performed based on the
mass transitions, 207 178 for MX and 210 181 for MX-d3 using positive ion mode of QQQ and QTOF mass
spectrometers. The method has a comparable calibration ranges of 0.625 ng/ml to 500 ng/ml (QTOF) and 1.25 ng/ml to 500
ng/ml (QQQ) for MX in human plasma with an acceptable correlation coefficient (≥0.998). The work has also accounted for
intra and inter-assay precision and accuracy.
095
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTICIPATING IN A COMMUNITY BASED WELLNESS CENTER
AND WELLBEING FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH A SPINAL CORD INJURY: A
QUALITATIVE, EXPLORATIVE STUDY
Beth A. Ekelman, PhD., JD, OTR/L., Darcy L. Allison, BS., Dario Duvnjak, BS., Dorothy R. DiMarino, BS., John A.
Jodzio, Paolo V. Iannarelli, BS, BA.
School of Health Sciences, Cleveland State University
The purpose of this study is to investigate how individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) describe their experiences
participating in a community-based wellness center program that is designed specifically for individuals with SCI, the
meaning of these experiences, and how their engagement in this setting and program has influenced their physical, social, and
mental wellbeing. The majority of literature relating to SCI and wellbeing explore only the physical wellbeing and the
resulting physiologic benefits of exercise or physical activity. This qualitative study employed a phenomenological design
(Patton, 2002). Researchers recruited members from the Buckeye Wellness Center (BWC) using convenience and purposive
sampling methods. Thus far, 4 individuals have participated in the study. Data collection methods included one-on-one semistructured interviews that lasted between 1-2 hours. Investigators also conducted observations of participants as they
participated in their usual routine at the wellness center and took field notes to document their observation. Data analysis
included the identification of meaning units and themes (Polkinghorne, 1989). Investigators established trustworthiness
through triangulation using multiple methods and investigators, peer debriefing, maintaining an audit trail, use of an external
auditor, and use of rich descriptions and quotes to illustrate themes. Preliminary analyses suggests participation in the
wellness program provides participants with a sense of community where they support one another and a place where they
can go to belong and get better physically, mentally, and socially. Participants describe life experiences as constant struggles
that are mentally challenging, yet the wellness center provides them with a place they can go to receive one on one care,
support from others who have had similar experiences, and a place where they feel hopeful.
38
096
PREDICTING PATIENT DOSE IN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT): COMPARING EQUILIBRIUM
DOSE TO CONVENTIONAL CT DOSE INDEX
Xiang Li, Ph.D.1,2, Ashraf G. Morgan, M.S.2,3, Frank F. Dong, Ph.D.2,3, Andrew N. Primak, Ph.D.4, William J. Davros,
Ph.D.1,2,3, W. Paul Segars, Ph.D.5
1
Department of Physics, Medical Physics Graduate Program, Cleveland State University;
2
Doctoral Program in Applied Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland
State University;
3
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Cleveland Clinic;
4
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
5
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center
In computed tomography (CT), a desirable quality assurance dose quantity should account for the dose variability across scan
parameters and scanner models. Recently, AAPM Task Group 111 proposed to use equilibrium dose-pitch product, in place
of CT dose index (CTDI100), for scan modes involving table translation. The purpose of this work is to investigate whether
this new concept better accounts for the kVp dependence of organ dose than the conventional CTDI concept. The adult
reference female extended cardiac-torso (XCAT) phantom was used for this study. A Monte Carlo program developed and
validated for a 128-slice CT system (Definition Flash, Siemens Healthcare) was used to simulate organ dose for abdomenpelvis scans at five tube voltages (70, 80, 100, 120, 140 kVp). The same Monte Carlo program was used to simulate CTDI 100
and equilibrium dose-pitch product. For both metrics, the central and peripheral values were used together with helical pitch
to calculate a volume-weighted average, i.e., CTDIvol and (Deq)w, respectively. While other scan parameters were kept
constant, organ dose depended strongly on kVp; the coefficient of variation (COV) across the five kVp values ranged
between 70-75% for liver, spleen, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, colon, small intestine, bladder, and ovaries, all of which were
inside the primary radiation beam. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the effect of kVp was highly significant
(p=3e-30). When organ dose was normalized by CTDIvol, the COV across the five kVp values reduced to 7-16%. The effect
of kVp was still highly significant (p=4e-4). When organ dose was normalized by (Deq)w, the COV further reduced to 4-12%.
The effect of kVp was borderline significant (p=0.04). In conclusion, in abdomen-pelvis CT, TG 111 equilibrium dose
concept better accounts for kVp dependence than the conventional CTDI. It has the potential to more accurately predict
patient dose from CT scans.
097
THE EFFECTS OF FOCUS OF ATTENTION INSTRUCTION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF A DROP
LATERAL CUT MANEUVER FOLLOWING AN ACL INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM.
Kathleen J. Pantano, PT, PhD1, Eric Schussler, MSPT, ATC2, James Onate, PhD, ATC2
1
School of Health Sciences, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH.
2
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Approximately 100,000 ACL ruptures occur each year in the United States. Women are 4-6x more likely to suffer an ACL
injury compared to men. Research indicates that landing from a jump with increased knee valgus and decreased knee flexion
increases risk of ACL injury. ACL prevention programs are promoted to decrease the deleterious movement mechanics.
Providing instruction during motor learning that focuses attention on external stimuli has been found to be superior to
focusing attention to body movement (internally). The effect of an external (EFA) or internal focus of attention (IFA) in ACL
injury prevention programs has not been studied. Thirty-one college recreational female athletes (mean age=22.5) having no
current lower extremity injury or history of ACL injury/surgery were recruited for the study. Participants completed an ACL
prevention program 2x/week for 6 weeks, consisting of neuromuscular strengthening, coordination, plyometric, and
proprioceptive exercises: 16 received instruction with IFA training; 15 received instruction with EFA training.
Biomechanical data (knee flexion and abduction) were measured pre- and post-training during a drop lateral cut maneuver via
a 3-D motion capture system. A mixed model 2x2 (EFA/IFA x Pre/Post) ANOVA was performed with p <.05 level set a
priori. A significant main effect was found in knee abduction by time (F=5.78, p=.02) but not for the time x group interaction
(F=2.75, p=.11). Post-hoc t-tests showed a significant difference between the EFA pre-test/post-test results (F=3.31, p=.005).
Average knee motion changed from 1.96° abduction to 1.89° adduction in the EFA condition, compared to 0° to .77°
adduction in the IFA condition. No significant difference was found in knee flexion by time (F=1.31, p=.26) or interaction
(F=2.12 p=.16). Providing instructions that focus the learner to external cues while performing an ACL prevention program
39
may improve knee abduction motion during landing. Additional research is needed to determine if EFA instruction is
superior to IFA instruction with other qualities of movement patterns.
098
PERFORMANCE VARIABIBILITY OF MOTOR OUTPUT IN RELATION TO MINDFULNESS
Julie A. Gabb, Andrew B. Slifkin, Ph.D.,
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
Mindfulness, also known as consciousness in relation to well-being, is quantified in this research to see whether mindfulness
has any effect on motor output performance. Participants are given the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) (Brown
and Ryan, 2003), where the top 10% of scorers and the bottom 10% scorers are taken and put into two groups (n=20). The
two groups are given a computer generated movement task of two levels of difficulty, where participants move a cursor
between two targets (Slifkin and Eden, 2012). Data is collected regarding movement time in milliseconds and accuracy of
clicks to determine whether “high mindfulness” participants were more attentive to visual feedback of the targets, alas having
the same movement time, but higher accuracy than the low mindfulness group; or if high mindfulness participants tend to be
slower, but more accurate.
099
DIETARY EFFECT ON IGF-1 REGULATION
Amol S. Chaudhari, MS; Sonal A. Patel, BS; Roman Kondratov, PhD
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of BGES, Cleveland State University
The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathway involved in control of cell growth, differentiation, and transformation.
IGF-1 is produced primarily by the liver as an endocrine hormone in response to growth hormone as well as in target tissues.
Insulin/IGF signaling pathway is implicated in the control of aging and it was proposed that this pathway mediates effects of
caloric restriction on physiology. Our laboratory focused on the role of biological clock in nutrient response and aging. In
order to study circadian clock mechanisms in CR we assay the effect of 30% CR in mice on IGF pathway across the circadian
cycle. To control the effect of time of feeding and calorie intake we also assay IGF level in time restricted and fasted mice.
We observed that level of IGF-1 in blood plasma is decreased upon 30% CR, interestingly, level of IGF-1 in blood plasma of
mice, which were subjects of time restricted feeding was increased. In order to understand mechanisms of these changes in
serum IGF we have investigated IGF expression in the liver on level of protein and mRNAs. We observed decrease in mRNA
levels of IGF-1 in liver whereas at protein level the production of IGF-1 in liver is increased. The regulation of IGF-1 by
feeding/nutrients occurs at different level (transcription, translation and secretion). We hypothesized that liver cells
undergoes molecular adaptation due to which liver cells under 30% CR and fasting sequesters IGF-1 inside the cells whereas
cells under time restricted feeding release IGF-1 into the blood which could be explained in part by increase turnover for
hepatic IGF-1 protein during time restriction feeding. We plan to continue investigate interconnected regulation of IGF by the
circadian clock and diet.
100
CELL SURFACE RE-ENGINEERING VIA EFFICIENT LIPID ANCHORING INTO CELL
MEMBRANES
Pratima Vabbilisetty, M.S.1; Huan Nie, Ph.D.2; Evgeny Ozhegov, Ph.D.3; Xue-Long Sun, Ph.D.1
1
Department of Chemistry, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease
(GRHD), Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, USA
2
School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150000, China
3
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BGES), Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
44115, USA
The cell membrane is an important platform for the occurrence of many biological processes such as cell signaling, cell-cell
adhesions, and other extracellular/intracellular communications. These processes are governed and guided by cell surface
receptors. Various biomolecules like proteins and carbohydrates, when introduced at the cell surface will further improve the
potential of the cells. Introduction of chemoselective functional groups, via bio-orthogonal copper-free click chemistry, at the
40
cell surface facilitates many cellular modifications and enables for rapid and efficient cell surface labeling. For this purpose,
incorporation of bio-orthogonal lipid derivative molecules into the cell membrane provides scope for conjugation to its
complimentary biomolecules of interest. Therefore, in this study, to demonstrate effective cell membrane lipid anchoring,
phospholipid (DSPE-PEG2000-DBCO) and cholesterol (CHOL-PEG2000-DBCO) based anchor lipids were synthesized and
characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The potential effects of DSPE-PEG2000-DBCO and CHOL-PEG2000-DBCO anchor
lipids on cell surface re-engineering were assessed with Raw 267.4 cells as model. Briefly, the cells were incubated with
varying concentrations of biotinylated anchor lipids and at different incubation times. The successful incorporation of
biotinylated anchor lipids was confirmed by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry after specific streptavidin-FITC
binding onto the cells. Cholesterol afforded relatively higher cell membrane incorporation efficiency with less internalization
compared to phospholipid as anchoring lipid. Thus, this study suggests the possible use of these lipids for cell surface reengineering applications.
101
INTERDISCIPLINARY PAIN REHABILITATION FOR FIBROMYALGIA: GENDER DIFFERENCES IN
OUTCOMES SIX MONTHS FOLLOWING TREATMENT
Ashley A. Haas, B.S.1; Sara Davin, Psy.D.; MPH2; Brinder Vij, M.D.2; & Judith Scheman, Ph.D.2
1
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University;
2
Neurological Center for Pain, Cleveland Clinic
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a multi-faceted chronic pain condition, typically thought to be more prevalent in females. 1 While recent
research points to an increasing number of males with FM, there is still no clear consensus on gender differences, and, more
specifically, the differential response to treatment.1 Few studies have explored gender differences in patients with FM who
have participated in an interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program (CPRP), and no studies have assessed the long
term outcomes of such patients. Our study investigated the immediate and long term (6 month) treatment outcomes among 28
men and 135 women with FM who participated in a ~3 week comprehensive CPRP from 2006 to 2013. Statistical analyses
(repeated measures ANOVAS) revealed that men and women demonstrated equal levels of anxiety, depression, function, and
pain upon program admission and at discharge. Upon program completion both groups showed statistically and clinically
significant normalization of depression, anxiety, function, and pain. Improvements in pain, depression and anxiety were
maintained at 6 month follow-up among both groups. Men, however, reported significantly higher levels of disability
(p=.004), specifically in the social activity (p<.001), sexual behavior (p=.001), and self-care (p=.001) domains of the Pain
Disability Index. Results demonstrate substantial and sustained improvements in both men and women with FM from
participation in an interdisciplinary CPRP. However, men may need additional support during and after treatment,
specifically in the areas of socialization, sexual behavior and self-care to maintain optimal pain-related functioning.
1
Wolfe F, Brähler E, Hinz A, Häuser W. Fibromyalgia prevalence, somatic symptom reporting, and the dimensionality of
polysymptomatic distress: results from a survey of the general population. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 2013;65(5):777-85.
doi: 10.1002/acr.21931. PubMed PMID: 23424058.
102
TRABECULAR BONE STRUCTURE IN THE TALUS MAY RELATE TO ACTIVITY DIFFERENCES IN
TWO OHIO HUMAN POPULATIONS
Noah J. Capriotti, Anne Su, Ph.D.
School of Health Sciences, Cleveland State University
Sunwatch village is a Fort Ancient settlement near Dayton, Ohio that was inhabited for a period of about 20 years between
1000 and 1300CE. These people were farmers, hunters, fishermen, builders, and pottery makers, likely enduring greater
levels of daily physical activity than most urban humans. We hypothesized that this, and their primarily maize diet, would
manifest in significant differences in the trabecular bone of weight-bearing bones compared to recent urban humans because
trabecular bone density and morphology has been shown to be affected by habitual joint loading magnitudes and nutritional
deficiencies. To determine differences, we examined the trabeculae from micro-CT images of the talus bones of individuals
from Sunwatch (N=10) and from a 1928-1950CE urban population from Cleveland, Ohio (N=17). Volumetric image data
from each talus were separated into nine different anatomical regions. For each of these regions we used Quant3D software to
compute Bone Volume (BV/TV), Mean Trabecular Thickness (Mean Tb.Th), Maximum Trabecular Thickness (Max Tb.Th),
Trabecular Number (Tb.N), and Degree of Isotropy (I). To determine differences between the groups, we performed t-tests
41
using MiniTab software. We predicted that, due to greater activity levels, the Sunwatch group would show higher BV/TV
and Tb.Th, and significant differences in Tb.N and I compared to the Cleveland group. The results did not show significant
differences in BV/TV, Max Tb.Th, or I in any of the nine regions across the talus. It did, however, reveal significant
differences in Mean Tb.Th and Tb.N. Thus, while there was no difference in the volume of trabecular bone or its material
orientation, the Sunwatch population did have thicker struts that were fewer in number. This study supports the findings of
other researchers in bone biology that suggest that greater activity levels may be associated with fewer, but thicker
trabeculae.
103
STAT6 SIGNALING ACTIVITY IN RESPONSE TO FLUID FLOW IN A MOUSE EPITHELIAL CELL
LINE
Brianna Boslett, B.S.1 Andrew Resnick, Ph.D.1,2
1
Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University
2
Department of Physics
The renal primary cilium is a mechanosensitive organelle that extends from the apical surface of epithelial cells into the
luminal space of nephron tubules. It was previously demonstrated that fluid shear stress over the cilium impacts the
localization of signaling proteins, decreases the transepithelial sodium current, and maintains cells in a differentiated, nonproliferating state. The current study seeks to investigate STAT6 activity in the presence and absence of flow with a Minucell
gradient culture chamber.
Read-outs will include western blots for STAT6, phospho-STAT6, mTOR and β-actin. Filters from each time point will be
immunoflourescently stained for the above proteins.
Over an acute time-course (0 minutes – 120 minutes) STAT6 quantity is expected to stay the same, while phospho-STAT6
activity is expected to steadily increase, peak, and decrease rapidly. These results are expected because STAT6 is
constitutively expressed in cells, but not phosphorylated in mature tissues unless stimulated. STAT6 is capable of rapidly
initiating a response once activated. In the current experiment, the absence of flow is hypothesized to be a stimulus capable of
initiating STAT6 phosphorylation. Alternatively, interleukin-4 or interleukin-13 may be needed to phosphorylate STAT6.
104
CIRCADIAN MECHANISMS OF REGULATION OF MTORC1 ACTIVITY WITH AGE
Richa Gupta, MS; Rohini Khapre, PhD; Roman Kondratov, PhD
Center for Gene regulation in Health and Disease, Department of BGES, Cleveland State University
Caloric restriction (CR) is diet based intervention, which is known to delay aging. Molecular mechanisms of CR are not
known. It was proposed that CR down regulates activity of TOR signaling pathway and TOR mediates effects of caloric
restriction on physiology. The TOR signaling pathway is conserved nutrient sensing pathway involved in various cellular
processes and metabolism. There are two complexes of TOR in mammals and aging. mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1) signaling
pathway is activated by nutrients and growth factors. Since nutrients availability depends on organisms feeding rhythms,
which are regulated by the circadian clock, our laboratory demonstrated a link between the circadian clock and TOR
pathway. We hypothesize that the circadian clock might be involved in CR mediated regulation of TOR signaling. In order to
study circadian clock mechanisms in CR we assay the effect of 30% CR in mice on mTORC1 pathway across the circadian
cycle. To dissect the effects of feeding time and calorie intake we also assay mTORC1 activity in the liver of young ad
libitum (these animals have access to food throughout the day), time restricted (these animals received food once per day) and
fasted mice. CR does not affect daily average activity of mTORC1 but significantly change its daily pattern. We also found
increased activity of mTORC1 in old ad libitum fed mice as compared to young mice. Based on these data we hypothesized
that mTORC1 activity increases with age which in turn contributes to development of age related diseases such as cancer and
metabolic disorders. CR might delay the age related increase in TOR signaling. We plan to continue investigate age
dependent effects of CR on mTORC1 activity.
42
105
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DETERMINATION OF PHENOBARBITAL IN URINE BY
DILUTE AND SHOOT- FLOW INJECTION MASS SPECTROMETRY
Ravali Alagandula, B.S.P.S. and Baochuan Guo, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
Controlled substances play an important role in pain management but have the potential to be abused. Urine drug testing of
patients helps in monitoring the use of prescribed medications to ensure that they are receiving optimal treatment, and also to
identify any non-prescribed medication or illicit substances. Phenobarbital is a long acting barbiturate, effective as
anxiolytics, anticonvulsants and hypnotics whose abuse has been reported to be steadily increasing. Therefore, a simple,
rapid and reliable dilute and shoot- flow injection mass spectrometric method was developed for the determination of
phenobarbital in urine using a negative electrospray ionization mode. Calibrators were prepared by spiking drug free urine
with phenobarbital in the range of 50- 2000ng/ml and internal standard phenobarbital-d5 at 100ng/ml and enzymatically
hydrolyzed. The samples were diluted ten times using DI water, centrifuged and injected. The analyte and internal standard
were detected by a triple- quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry in a multiple reaction- monitoring (MRM) mode set at m/z
231.2 → 42.0, 188.1 for phenobarbital and 236.2 → 193.3, 85.1 for phenobarbital-d5 in 5mM ammonium acetate in 70%
acetonitrile, by passing the column compartment. Calibration curve was established and the correlation coefficient of 0.998
was achieved. Based on these results further validation of this method will be performed. Hence, the method developed in
this study will be very useful for forensic and toxicological laboratories to monitor drug abuse, as this method is ultrafast and
does not require HPLC separation.
106
RENAL EPITHELIAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN HYPOXIA
Subhra S. Nag, M.S.1and Andrew Resnick, Ph.D.1,2,3
1
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BGES), Cleveland State University
2
Department of Physics, Cleveland State University
3
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University
The blood flow and oxygen supply in kidneys are high, still oxygen tensions in the kidney tissues are comparatively low.
This lack of oxygen tension can create tissue localized hypoxia resulting in acute renal injury or progression and pathogenesis
of chronic renal diseases such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD). In PKD, stagnant fluid-filled cysts are formed and these
cysts can better reflect the effect of hypoxia resulting in the loss of regulated transport of salt and water. Therefore, we
hypothesize that hypoxia is very likely to interfere with sodium ion and water transport resulting in the kidney cystic disease
progression and this loss of regulated transport mechanism may also occur in case of other kidney diseases due to hypoxia.
In this electrophysiological study, a cortical collecting duct cell line (mCCD 1296 (d)) was used. The transepithelial
monolayer resistance and voltage were recorded using an Endohm chamber and amiloride sensitive sodium currents were
calculated using Ohm’s law to compare sodium transport. A stable sodium current of -1 to -4.5 mA/cm2 was detected in cell
population before any treatment. Hypoxic conditions was simulated with 100 µM Cobalt Chloride (CoCl 2) by stabilizing the
hypoxia inducible transcription factor 1α (HIF1α) under static and dynamic cell differentiation conditions. We noticed a drop
in the sodium current at 48 and 72 hours in the presence of CoCl 2. According to our hypothesis, the sodium current is
expected to alter or decrease in shorter time points of hypoxia (t max= 72 hours), whereas longer CoCl2 exposure induces
apoptosis eventually nullifying the sodium current. The MTT cell viability assay was used to determine the time points at
which CoCl2 induced hypoxia or it started inducing cell death. Correlating the MTT assay results with sodium current data
will help in finding the direct effect of hypoxia on sodium ion transport.
107
NON-CANONICAL ROLES OF THE MUSCLE REGUALTORY TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR MYOD
Divya Nair, M.Sc. and Crystal M. Weyman Ph D.
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease; Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences;
Cleveland State University
43
A goal of our lab is to investigate novel roles for the muscle regulatory transcription factor MyoD. The canonical role of
MyoD is to regulate transcription of genes responsible for myoblast differentiation. We have determined that myoblasts
silenced for MyoD expression proliferate almost twice as their parental counterparts. Further, cell cycle analysis indicates
that silencing of MyoD results in 20 percent increase of cells in S phase. Others have previously reported that when
myoblasts are cultured in differentiation media (DM), MyoD contributes to the increased expression of the cyclin dependent
kinase inhibitor p21, resulting in cell cycle exit. We have now determined that MyoD also plays a role in cell cycle
progression in GM. Preliminary experiments suggest that MyoD regulates cell cycle in GM through suppressing the
expression of p21. We have also determined that MyoD positively regulates the expression of molecules critical to capdependent translation and that translation of the pro-apoptotic Bcl2- family member PUMA is cap-independent and IRES
mediated. We, therefore, hypothesized that in the absence of MyoD, there will be an increased IRES mediated translation of
PUMA. This was investigated by analyzing luciferase expression from constructs with or without the PUMA IRES element
in both wild type and MyoD silenced myoblasts. Finally, we have also previously reported that when myoblasts are cultured
in DM, MyoD regulates the expression of the pro-apoptotic Bcl2 family member PUMA, causing a sub population of cells to
undergo apoptosis. However, the signaling responsible for determining when MyoD will increase the expression of myogenin
and differentiation, or PUMA and apoptosis, remains unknown. We now report that signaling by the p38 kinase appears to
play a role in this decision.
108
BORONIC ACID DERIVATIVES FOR CARBOHYDRATE PURIFICATION AND
CHARACTERIZATION
Joshua Whited, B.S., and Xue-Long Sun, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, and Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease
(GRHD); Cleveland State University.
Identification and characterization of carbohydrates has come to the forefront of biological scientific research, aiming to
uncover the molecular mechanisms of many physiological and pathological processes with carbohydrate recognition
involved. In addition, carbohydrates are used to discover therapeutic targets or diagnostic mechanisms for various diseases,
including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. Current methodologies for fully
exploring the biomedical potentials of carbohydrate research are still limited for dealing with heterogeneity of glycans arising
from the nonplate-driven nature of glycan biosynthesis. Here, we propose a solid phase purification and methylation
procedure with boronic acid functionalized beads, facilitating carbohydrate purification and derivatization, in one-pot fashion
and thus provides an efficient approach for carbohydrate characterization applications. Briefly, based on boronic acid
specificity towards cis-diol configurations, a one-pot method has been developed for purification and methylation of glycans.
3-aminophenylboronic acid was used to capture gluco-, manno- and galactopyranosides, followed by methylation, both under
basic conditions. Due to the specificity of 3-aminophenylboronic acid, a specific permethylation proceeds for a specific
glycan at only two possible sites as confirmed by 1H, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry. Therefore, the presentation of unique
chemical shifts can be used for characterization of glycans along with the use of boronic acid as a protection group. This
research proposes a novel and viable method for glycan analysis, using solid phase synthesis, offering increased control of
reaction, faster purification, and characterization through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance as compared to more
common gas chromatographic techniques.
109
EFFECTS OF RELATIONSHIP TYPE ON CAREGIVER RESULTS IN A STRENGTH BASED SKILLS
TRAINING PROGRAM FOR DEMENTIA CAREGIVING DYADS
Kathryn A. Demski
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
It is well known that debilitating disorders such as Dementia lead to great strain on the patient as well as the individual acting
as a caregiver to the patient (Deimling & Bass, 1986). There are many strains placed on the caregiver, which may result in
negative health as well as poor psychological outcomes as a result of caring for a partner with dementia (Ory, Yee, Tennstedt
& Schulz). There exist intervention protocols to maintain the skills of the patient with dementia, as well as educational
programs to aid caregivers; Project ANSWERS combines these two methods into one intervention in an attempt to improve
the outcomes of both the patient as well as the caregiver (Judge, Yarry, Looman, & Bass). Sixty-eight care giving dyads
44
consisting of an individual with dementia and their respective caregiver underwent the project ANSWERS protocol.
Caregivers were given an interview before the protocol and after, examining ten aspects of care giving that indicate quality of
life. The forthcoming research will attempt to determine if the type of relationship between the caregiver and the patient
impacts the degree to which the protocol improves caregiver outcome. Caregivers will be divided into two groups: as spousal
caregivers (married couples where one individual suffers from dementia) and non-spousal caregivers. Their interview results
from before and after the intervention will be used to determine the outcome of the intervention. Caregiver outcomes will be
compared to find if spousal dyads have better overall outcomes than non-spousal dyads.
110 FROM START TO FINISH: A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON FACTORS THAT EFFECT RETENTION
WITHIN AN URBAN COMMUTER SCHOOL SETTING
Peter M. Arian, Christopher M. France, Psy.D.
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
This study investigates undergraduate retention at an urban commuter school from the perspective of current undergraduate
students. Many models of student persistence do not apply well to commuter schools due to the fact that they have been
developed around a “traditional” residential university setting. We have identified and explored specific factors that have
been found to effect undergraduate retention rates. Such factors include academic preparedness, social connectedness, social
support, levels commitment and goal orientation, amongst others. The other part of this study explores several strategies that
could possibly be implemented by institutions as ways of combating decreasing undergraduate retention by improving
student’s attitudes of their postsecondary institutions as well as academic and social supports. We will use a variety of
quantitative measures (e.g., categorical questions, Likert-type ratings, etc.) as well as qualitative (e.g., open ended questions).
In this study we will attempt to identify factors that significantly effect undergraduate retention rates, as well as gather
information exploring undergraduate beliefs as to what strategies would be effective for improving college retention rates.
We believe that the information obtained from this study will be useful for institutions (specifically urban commuter schools)
as well as individuals in finding effective strategies for improving college retention at the undergraduate level.
111
See the end
112
VALIDATION OF THE POREH NON-VERBAL MENTAL TEST WITHIN EPILEPTIC POPULATIONS
Dale M. Lewis, A.A.S.; Amir M. Poreh, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
The proposed study will examine the validity the Poreh Non-verbal Mental Test (PNMT), a new measure for the assessment
of visual spatial memory that is not amenable to verbal mediation. A sample of volunteers with epilepsy will be recruited
from the Epilepsy Association of Cleveland and administered the new test as well as the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test
(RAVLT) and the Rey Complex Figure Test (ROCF), two commonly used measures for the assessment of memory deficits in
this population. Statistical sensitivity and specificity analyses of the three measures will be conducted to assess the validity of
each. It is predicted that the PNMT learning curve and long term recall score will be more sensitive and specific in
identifying subjects with right temporal lobe foci whereas the RAVLT learning curve and long term recall scores will be
more sensitive and specific in identifying left temporal foci. The anticipated performance delivered by the PNMT will result
in an improved diagnostic measure for identification and exclusion of right temporal lobe foci in epileptic populations.
113
ROLE OF CIRCADIAN CLOCK IN MAINTAINING ENERGY HOMEOSTASIS IN CELL
Nikkhil S. Velingkaar, M.S; Yuliya Dubrovsky, M.S.; Roman Kondratov, Ph.D.
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease (GRHD), Cleveland State University
Circadian clock is highly conserved system that generates rhythms in behavior and physiology known as circadian rhythms.
Recently it was demonstrated that the circadian clock is key regulator of metabolic pathways. Transcriptional factor BMAL1
45
is a core component of molecular clockwork, whose function is necessary for circadian clock operation. It was reported that
BMAL1 is involved in regulation of glucose homeostasis in vivo. Glucose is used by cells as an energy source to generate
ATP and as building blocks for biosynthesis of biological macromolecules such as lipids and DNA. Cells use two major ways
to generate ATP from glucose: complete glucose oxidation in mitochondria (highly efficient but slow way to generate
energy) or incomplete oxidation with generation and excretion of lactate (inefficient but fast way to generate energy),
depending on the needs of the cells. We found that cells isolated from Bmal1 deficient mice produce higher level of lactate in
comparison with cells isolated from wild type mice. We hypothesized that BMAL1 is important regulator of glycolysis and
cellular response to nutrients. To address this we have compared proliferation of wild type and Bmal1 deficient cells under
conditions of nutrient withdrawal or when different nutrients were used as source of energy. We found that Bmal1 deficient
cells have increased sensitivity to glucose withdrawal. Glucose depletion can lead to cell death through energetic collapse or
through ER stress dependent mechanisms. We start to discriminate between these two possible mechanisms using protein Nglycosylation inhibitors and mTor pathway inhibitors. Experiments are in progress and our preliminary data suggest that
BMAL1 can be involved in control of both mechanisms. We also present updated results on the effect of different nutrient
conditions on mTORC1 signaling pathway in vitro.
114
NOVEL NANOSTRUCTURED INTERFACES FOR SELECTIVE AND SENSITIVE PEROXYNITRITE
DETECTION
Haitham Kalil, M.Sc., Mekki Bayachou, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
Peroxynitrite (PON, ONOO−) is a strong oxidizing and/or nitrating metabolite formed by the diffusion-controlled reaction of
nitric oxide (·NO) and superoxide (O2·−). Elevated peroxynitrite levels are associated with chronic inflammatory disorders
including neurological and vascular diseases, as well as a number of other pathophysiologic conditions. The accurate
quantification of this analyte in biological systems is of paramount importance not only to understand the genesis and
development of diseases at the tissue/cellular level, but also to assess potential therapies.
Our lab has been exploring various designs of surfaces based on metalloporphyrins in polymeric matrices as well as metaldecorated carbon nanotubes and graphene-based nanostructures for electrochemical sensing of peroxynitrite. Recently, we
have published some work describing sensors based on polymerized hemin both as a stand-alone component and in
combination with sulfur-containing conductive polymers or on carbon-based nanostructures.
In the current work we will present results on the performance of combinations of metal or metal oxides, carbon
nanostructures, and polymeric matrices for selective and sensitive detection of peroxynitrite. We will present various
physicochemical characterizations of these PON-sensitive surfaces, including scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet/visible (UV), and Raman spectroscopy. We will compare and contrast the
performance of the various combinations in terms of PON sensitivity using cyclic voltammetry and dose-response
chronoamperometry.
115
THE IMPACT OF VISION AND TASK DIFFICULTY ON MOVEMENT OF OLDER ADULTS
Amanda L. Brown, B.A.; Andrew B. Slifkin, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
As people continue to live longer lives, the need to understand age-related cognitive change will increase. Understanding
how older adults control their movements is one way to better understand how aging affects behavior. Research conducted by
Welford, Norris, and Shock (1969) and Temprado et al. (2013) using a task to measure speed and accuracy demonstrated that
as humans age, the characteristics of their movements change. In particular, as compared with younger adults, older
participants aged 60-79 showed a trend of reducing their movement speed while maintaining similar levels of accuracy across
increases in task difficulty. Using a task to measure the speed and accuracy of participants over changes in the task difficulty.
Coats and Wann (2011) suggested that older adults are more reliant on vision in order to complete a task that required
accuracy in the placement of their movement endpoints. In the proposed study, older adults (aged 60+) will use a computer
mouse to move back and forth between two targets over the course of a long sequence of trials. The conditions will include
46
manipulations of task difficulty and visual information i.e., whether movement will occur in the presence or absence of visual
feedback. The results are expected to reflect the impact of difficulty on the task, with older adults having longer movements
time while maintaining accuracy and having a wider spread of endpoints when visual feedback is available. In conditions
where visual feedback is not available, older adults are expected to have less accurate endpoint placements compared to
younger adults while having a similar movement slowing as the task difficulty increases.
116
THE PARANOID PERSONALITY QUESTIONNAIRE - A NEW DSM-5 SELF-REPORT MEASURE
Michelle E. Aebi, B.A.; Dr. Amir Poreh, Ph.D
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
The current study examined the psychometric properties of a new scale entitled the paranoid personality questionnaire. 151
college students from a midwestern university were administered the PPQ (Paranoid Personality Questionnaire, Poreh 2006).
The new scale is based on the DSM-5 Paranoid Personality Disorder criteria, and is composed of 75 items and 7 subscales,
each corresponding to a different criteria. The new scale exhibited high internal consistency (Crombauch alpha=
.912). Additional analysis of the PPQ subscales shows the internal consistency were all in moderate range (Crombach alpha =
.582 to .797). Correlational analysis with the new scale and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2)
scales of poignancy, suspiciousness and naiveté show that the new scale possesses construct validity (r= .524, r= .624, r=
.443, respectively). The correlation between the PPQ and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire Short Form (SPQ, Raine
2001) was significantly lower (r= .342) than the correlations between the PPQ and the MMPI-2 subscales, confirming the
divergent validity of the new scale. Factor analysis produced a single dimension. The results of the current study are
discussed with regards to recent theories about paranoid thinking. Suggestions regarding future research are also presented.
117
GC-IT-MS ANALYSIS OF GLYCEROLIPIDS AND FATTY ACIDS IN ALGAE, SCENEDESMUS
DIMORPHUS
Satya Girish Avula1, Joanne Belovich2, Yan Xu1
1
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
2
Department of Chemical Engineering, Cleveland State University
Algae are autotrophic organisms which can synthesize, accumulate, and store large amounts of fatty acids and glycerolipids
which have been precursors for biodiesel production. In order to optimize growing conditions of various microalgae in the
engineered gravity settlers, we have developed a GC-IT-MS method for quantifying fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs)
produced by a one-step esterification of fatty acids or trans-esterification of glycerolipids with BCl3-methanol.
In this work, algae Scenedesmus dimorphus dried mass was first grounded by mortar and pestle, extracted (by modified
Bligh-dyer method) and fractionated into fatty acids and glycerolipids sequentially using various solvents on amino-propyl
solid phase extraction cartridges. The conversion yields of fatty acids and glycerolipids to FAMEs were assessed using
FAME standard calibration plots and optimized in terms of reactant ratio, reaction temperature and time. The recovery of
fatty acids and glycerolipids from algae dried mass and the algal matrix effect on analytical measurement were determined by
spiking stable isotopes of Tridecanoic-2,2-d2 acid and Glyceryl Tri(hexadecanoate-16,16,16-d3) into weighed algal dried
samples prior to analyte extraction. The quantitation of fatty acids and glycerolipids was successfully achieved by GC-IT-MS
using extracted ion mode.
The method developed has been validated in terms of, linear calibration ranges (0.500 to 500 µM for fatty acids, and 0.200 to
200 µM for glycerolipids), recoveries (≥ 85%), precision (2 to 8%CV) and accuracy (-6 to 8 %RE), and applied for the
quantitation (5-150 µM for various fatty acids, and glycerolipids) of fatty acids and glycerolipids in algae Scenedesmus
dimorphus dried mass.
118
TOPIC: MICRORNA PROCESSING AND ROLE IN ANDROGEN RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN
PROSTATE CANCER
Savita Singh, MS,; Kavleen Sikand, Ph.D.; Girish C. Shukla, Ph.D.
47
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease; Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences;
Cleveland State University
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the 2nd leading cause of cancer related death in men. Current therapies for PCa include androgen
depletion by castration and/or anti-androgen based treatments. However, these therapies become ineffective once PCa
progresses to its castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Development of better therapies requires clear understanding of
molecular basis of development of PCa and its transition from hormone dependent to CRPC. Overexpression and stability of
androgen receptor (AR) is one of the major determinants in PCa. Aberrant expression of various microRNA that target AR is
one factor that influences AR expression in prostate cancer. microRNAs are ~22 nucleotide long non-coding RNA molecules,
which are produced from an intermediate 60 nucleotide precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA) and a long primary miRNA
transcript (pri-miRNA) through sequential endonucleolytic maturation steps. Processing, transport and stability of miRNAs is
controlled by multiple RNA binding proteins (RBPs), and several RBPs are known to regulate microRNAs expression in
cancers. We have observed differential expression of several Pri-miRNAs and mature microRNAs such as hsa-miR-488, hasmiR-644 and has-miR-149, we have shown previously that these microRNAs target AR in normal prostate epithelial cells,
androgen dependent and androgen independent epithelial Pca cell lines. We hypothesize that the Pri-miR RNA binding
proteins regulate the processing of hsa-miR-488, has-miR644 and has-miR-149 in Pca cell lines. We are in the process of
identifying these RBPs by RNA-protein pull down assays and mass spectrometry. Kinetics of microRNA processing and
structural requirement for processing by the identified RBP will be studied in in-vitro. The results will help in elucidation of
mechanism of post transcriptional gene regulation by coordinated action of microRNA and RBPs in prostate cancer. The
finding will aid in both, better development of miRNA based therapeutics in prostate cancer and identification of other
potential targets for therapy.
119
DIFFERENTIAL ANALYSIS OF PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS BY METABOLOMIC
WORKFLOW
Chandana.Mannem1, Yan Xu1, 2
1
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University.
Lycopene is a tetraterpene assembled from eight isoprene units. It is a phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits
and vegetables, and an intermediate for biosynthesis of carotenoids. Naturally produce all-trans lycopene is a long and
straight molecule containing eleven conjugated double bonds. When exposed to light or heat, lycopene can undergo
isomerization to form any number of cis-isomers (72 possible isomers). Recent studies suggest that lycopene isomers are
strong antioxidants and possess unique anti-tumor activity.
Lycopene capsules are commercially available as food supplement from numerous manufacturers with various claims of
effective ingredients. In this work, we intend to use metabolomics workflow to profile lycopene capsules from two different
sources using ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and quadrupole time-of-flight accurate-mass mass
spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS). Prior to the instrumental analysis, lycopene capsules were prepared as follows: extracted by
DCM: MeOH (75:25), centrifuged at 3500 x g, dried under nitrogen gas, and reconstituted with MTBE:MeOH:H2O
(60:37:3). UPLC separation was performed on YMC Pro C18 column with mobile phase of A and B (A: 90% MeOH, 10%
10 mM ammonium acetate; B: 85% MTBE, 15% MeOH) using a gradient elution profile (min/%B: 0-2/5%, 20/65%, 2227/85%) at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min.
Profiling of capsule extracts involves acquisition of data by untargeted mode, followed by molecular feature extraction (i.e.,
finding compounds by extracting ions that are calculated from a formula in a database). Prior to multivariate analysis to
reveal statistically significant differences between the lycopene capsules, the data collected were normalized by retention
time. The differential analysis was performed using Agilent MPP software and identification of each individual component
was done using METLIN PCD and PCDL database for LC-MS and LC-MS/MS data, respectively.
120
ENGAGED PHYSICS LEARNING THROUGH UNDERGRADUATE (MACROMOLECULAR)
RESEARCH, UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING, AND SPS ACTIVITES
Kiril A. Streletzky, Ph.D
Department of Physics, Cleveland State University
48
According to the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the undergraduate research (UR) is crucial for clarification of graduate
school intentions and refinement of career plans for physics majors (AIP Report [R-211.32, June 2004]). However,
evaluating the pedagogical benefits of learning through a research experience is somewhat challenging. The efforts to
integrate UR into the physics curriculum of an urban state university and to evaluate its perceived pedagogical benefits will
be presented in this talk. In particular, it was found that UR significantly helps the personal/professional development of
students, cultivates their social/networking/communicative skills, in addition to providing clarification to their
career/educational goals. The conclusions are substantiated by student and alumni interviews and compared to available
literature. To deepen the interest in physics, our majors are also encouraged to participate in teaching intro physics labs and
be engaged in vibrant activities of the Society of Physics Students (SPS), which include outreach, student seminars,
professional conferences, physics competitions, and outreach volunteering. The interplay between UR, teaching experience,
and SPS activities provides a comprehensive foundation for engaged physics learning of our undergraduates.
121
URBAN LAKE ASSESSMENT IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY
Megan Dunleavy, BS, Julie Wolin, PhD, Rosanne Soika, BS, Tom Bienvenu, Justin Ostry
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences
The United States Environmental Protection Agency is conducts lake assessments every five years to assess the overall water
quality within the United States. We conducted a similar assessment for 40 lakes in Cuyahoga and surrounding counties to
determine the overall water quality in our lakes. The parameters tested include Phosphorous, Nitrogen, cholorophyll,
phytoplankton, zooplankton, microcystis, the algae responsible for harmful algal blooms (HABs), and diatoms in the
sediment, for a historical perspective. We will correlate this data with general lake information such as location, type of
origin, etc, mainly taking into consideration the quality of the riparian areas, and how that may influence lake quality.
122
REGULATORY ROLE OF 3’ UNTRANSLATED REGION ON AR GENE EXPRESSION
Jey Sabith Ebron, B.Tech Kavleen Sikand, Ph.D.; Girish C. Shukla, Ph.D.
Center for Gene regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological and Evironmental Sciences,
Cleveland State University
Androgen receptor (AR) is a member of the steroid receptor family which plays a significant role in the regulation of both
prostate cell proliferation and growth suppression. AR is a target for Prostate Cancer (PCa) treatment. The 3’UTR AR mRNA
is 6.8 kb long and is a potential target of many miRNAs. We have shown that AR is a direct target of hsa-miR-488* and hsamiR-644. In this study we show the synergistic and combinatorial action of hsa-miR-488* and hsa-miR-644 miRNAs on AR
gene expression in prostate cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that the increase in apoptosis is mediated through miRNA
targeting AR repression as well as through intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, we have explored the inhibitory
function of RNA binding protein HuR protein on the miRNA mediated repression of AR expression in PCa cells. Our
preliminary results indicate that HuR affects the downregulation of AR presumably by competing for miRNA binding target
sites within the 3’ UTR. These results demonstrate a complex posttranscriptional regulation of AR that is mediated via
miRNA and HuR protein antagonistic action in PCa cells.
123 AMINO ACID SEQUENCE 473-487 OF HUMAN PROTHROMBIN IS REQUIRED FOR INNATE
COAGULANT ACTIVITY
Joesph R Wiencek1, and Michael Kalafatis1,2,3,4
1
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease (GRHD), Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
3
Department of Molecular Cardiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
4
Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
2
Persistent thrombus formation at the genesis of diseases, such as stroke and other coagulation disorders, has no full model to
date. Upon vasculature damage, the proteolytic conversion of prothrombin (Pro) to thrombin compatible to rates of survival
is catalyzed by the prothrombinase complex composed of the enzyme, factor Xa (fXa), the cofactor, factor Va (fVa),
49
assembled on a phospholipid membrane in the presence of calcium ions. Although fXa is capable of activating Pro through
the initial cleavage at Arg271 followed by the cleavage at Arg320 (pre2 pathway), it would take approximately six months to
form a clot. However, the incorporation of fVa into prothrombinase results in a 5-fold increase in the catalytic efficiency of
fXa for thrombin generation and the order of cleavages reversed (meizo pathway). The presence and absence of fVa dictates
the pathway of Pro activation and previous studies with synthetic peptides have suggested that fXa interacts with Pro within
amino acid region 473-487 in a fVa-dependent manner. Using well established protocols, a recombinant Pro molecule with
the region 473-487 was deleted (rProΔ473-487) and purified to homogeneity. The mutant zyomgen was found to be severally
impeded in clotting activity and macromolecular substrate activation. Further studies revealed a 6-fold increase in rProΔ473-487
consumption by fXa alone when compared to the recombinant wild type prothrombin and a 24-fold decrease in consumption
within the fully assembled prothrombinase complex. Overall our data provides rational why no major mutations have been
identified in this region that could lead to a disorder in hemostasis.
124
POOR DENTAL HYGIENE AS A CHILD CAN AND WILL AFFECT AN INDIVIDUAL’S FUTURE
HEALTH CONCERNS.
Sarah Bixel, Biology Major, Pre-Dental
Urban Health Fellows Program, NEOMED-CSU Partnership for Urban Health, Cleveland State University
Although many people do not correlate dental hygiene with common occurring health risks, this relationship is a growing
research topic among dentists and pondering individuals. Even though poor dental hygiene is one hundred percent
preventable, it is interesting to learn of numerous side effects to the rest of the body that result from people’s choices during
their life. Beginning as a topic of interest, my increasing desire to learn the results of poor habits in dental care grew into a
research project to spread awareness to parents of Northeast Ohio of the detrimental effects of allowing mediocre care of their
children’s teeth. Parents must gain the knowledge of the problematic effects of not stressing the importance of proper dental
hygiene to their young children. Through devoting timely research, I have found many results from professionals in the field.
Results show that there is a large correlation of people who take poor care of their teeth and gums as a child who in turn pay
the consequences of heart disease, pancreatic cancer or many other life threatening diseases. It is also important to note the
significance that diabetes and high body mass index pose on an individual’s risk to dental caries and gum disease. If given the
proper information for their children before it is too late, parents will decrease the additional health concerns that may arise
due to poor dental hygiene. Oral disease is one of the most preventable diseases, but if the proper precautions aren’t proposed
and carried out, oral disease can be one of the most influential to other disease that may arise in the body.
50
111
MITONEET’S RESPONSE TO OXIDATIVE STRESS
L. Lin1, J.G. Ross2, W. J. Geldenhuys1, R. T. Carroll1
1
Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, 44272, 2University of
Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627
MitoNEET is a protein that may be protective in a number of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s Disease. It
was our goal to show the effect that Reactive Oxygen Species has on mitoNEET. Therefore, expression levels in neuronal
cell base models were examined in order to test the levels of mitoNEET expression associated with oxidative stress. This was
done with the hope of providing evidence that mitoNEET is involved in protection against oxidative damage that occurs in
cells, where mitoNEET in a cell will increase due to oxidative insult. Interestingly, we found that 1: hydrogen peroxide
(H2O2) induces mitoNEET expression in neuronal N2A cells, 2: Sin-1, a peroxynitrite generator, does not alter mitoNEET
expression, and 3: that the mitochondrial poison, rotenone, causes a decrease in mitoNEET expression. These data suggest
that mitoNEET expression is regulated through several mechanisms. These include oxidative insult and mitochondrial
integrity.
125
USING TABLETS AS AN AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH
ASD
Ivah E. Kurzhals, B.A.; Glenn D. Goodman, Ph.D., OTR/L.
1
School of Health Sciences, Cleveland State University
The hypothesis of this research proposal is that tablets would be functional as augmentative communication devices for
individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Tablets will be examined and tested for their effectiveness as augmentative
communication devices for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Other research has found that individuals with
autism are able to use tablets and that their use is beneficial, but little has been done as far as research in the usefulness as
augmentative communication devices. The proposed researched will compose 2-4 Critically Appraised Papers (CAPs) from
previous research done for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
126
KIDNEY EPITHELIAL CELL PROLIFERATION INDUCED BY CHANGES IN FLUID FLOW
VELOCITY
Vikram N. Seetharaman, B.S.¹, and Andrew H. Resnick, PhD.¹˒²
¹Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University
²Department of Physics, Cleveland State University
It was previously determined that, in mouse cortical collecting duct cells (MCCDC’s) bathed in pro-differentiation culture
media (pcd), changes in fluid flow velocity (Δvf) generated using an orbital shaker (os) lead to increased cell density, thought
to result from proliferation (prol) transduced through the primary sensory cilia, mechanosensory organelles. Since mature
kidney cells of all types exist in non-dividing states, this proliferation must result from cell cycle re-entry. I hypothesized
that MCCDC’s subjected to Δvf de-differentiate into mesenchymal kidney cells before re-entering and continuing through the
cell cycle, subsequently dividing.
To investigate this hypothesis, MCCDC’s bathed in pcd were allowed to differentiate while kept under conditions of no fluid
flow (vf = 0; negative control), or constant rapid flow (vf = max; positive control) on os’s. Cells were subjected to Δvf at 3,
5, 10, 20 days post-differentiation, from vf = 0 to vf = max, or vice versa. At various times post-Δvf, cells were harvested,
nuclei were DAPI stained for cell counting, and RNA/protein extracted. qRT-PCR/Western blot analyses is being used to
determine concentrations of several mRNA transcripts/proteins considered markers of KEC prol/differentiation.
Immunostaining was used to visualize the relative abundance and cellular localization of the differentiation markers.
Differentiation markers include E-cadherin (E-cad), important in adherens junction formation, and acetylated tubulin (AT),
critical for primary cilia outgrowth. Prol markers include phospho-Akt (protein)/phospho-mTOR (protein)/phosphoERK1&2 (protein)/cdk1 (mRNA)/c-Myc (mRNA). If MCCDC’s de-differentiate and divide in response to Δvf, protein
levels of E-cad and AT should decrease, those of phospho-Akt/phospho-mTOR/phospho-ERK1&2 should increase, and
mRNA levels of cdk1/c-Myc should increase as compared to controls.
51
127
TRANSGENDER INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE
Michael J. Robinson, B.A., Steven Slane, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology, Cleveland State University
While studies continue to examine the effects of diversity and inclusion efforts on protected classes within the United States,
transgender individuals remain relatively ignored in that research or are given token representation in research about sexual
orientation. By focusing on transgender inclusion as a gender issue with similar but different challenges to both sexual
orientation and cisgender women and examining where transgender individuals face the greatest difficulties, a case becomes
for inclusion efforts of people of all genders. By drawing on research that explores the impact of organizations inclusion
efforts across multiple classes and the responses of transgender individuals to the study, I hope to create a list of best
practices for gender-based inclusion that spans all cisgender and transgender identities alike.
128
SYNTHESIS OF DI-AND TRI-ARYL PENTANES AS MODEL FOR CONDUCTING ORGANIC
POLYMERS
Aditya Agrahari, M.Sc.; John Masnovi, PhD
Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University
Large planar aromatic molecules such as anthracenes and carbazoles often pack in parallel planar face-to-face or ‘T-shaped’
face-to-edge interactions, among others, in the solid state and even in the gas phase However, the optimum geometry of the
dimers in solution probably contains a face-to-face orientation of the aromatic rings in order to maximize π overlap, as found
for the excited state dimers (excimers) of anthracene although a nonparallel planar interaction more akin to the orientation of
the two anthryl groups in di(9-anthryl)methane also has been proposed.
Association of aryl groups in diarylalkanes can be more favorable entropically than those which occur intermolecularly, but
the connecting linkage can also restrict the geometries possible for interaction. In particular, dimers with aryl groups
separated by three saturated carbons seem optimally situated to achieve parallel planar interactions. Such as 1, 3diarylalkanes have been used to model the behavior of pendant aryl groups in organic polymers such as poly(vinylcarbazole)
and poly(vinylanthracene). These polymers become photochemical semiconductors in the presence of electron accepting
dopants. Since the tacticity of the polymer will affect the interactions which occur between the carbazoles units, we prepared
meso-2, 4-di(N-carbazolyl)pentane in order to determine the effect of the stereochemistry of the carbazole groups on the
close contacts between them.
52