Poster Presentations
SESSION 1: CELLULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL
FIRST PLACE
Alvarado, John Kenneth1, Johanna Stephanie Rivera2, Esther Angelica Jimenez3, Dinah
Lee Ramos-Ortolaza2, Annelyn Torres Reveron2. Zeta Kappa, University of Puerto
Rico/Ponce1, Nova Southeastern University2, and Ponce School of Medicine and Health
Sciences3. Depression and anxiety behaviors are influenced by sex and estrous cycle
stage.
It is well-documented that as compared to men, women experience higher levels of mood
disorder and depression during the reproductive years. However, it has not been fully
elucidated how variations in gonadal hormones are linked to depression and anxiety
disorders. During eight weeks, adult females and males Sprague Dawley rats were
exposed to a mild stressor consisting of housing isolation (HI) and were compared to
paired-housed controls. Vaginal smears were taken to determine the estrus cycle stage. At
the end of the eight-week period all animals were tested on the open field (OF) followed
by the forced swim test (FST) for measuring anxiety and depression-like behaviors.
Myeloperoxidase activity in the colon of female rat showed a significant increase in HI
females as compared to the paired housed females, suggesting underlying inflammatory
processes produced by stress. However, the stressor (HI) only produced mild effects on
the animal’s behaviors. There were significant effects of sex and estrous cycle on OF and
FST. During the OF the males presented reduced locomotor activity as compared to
females. Females in proestrus showed less depressive behaviors as compared to males,
confirming previously reported antidepressant effects of estrogen. These experiments
demonstrate a significant role of gonadal hormones on the expression of depression-like
behaviors. NSU-CFRDG 335513 & R25GM096955-01.
SECOND PLACE
Liakhova, Tatyana, and Jefferson Knight. Phi Rho, University of Colorado Denver.
Molecular interactions and membrane targeting of granuphilin C2 domains: a Preliminary Study.
2nd Place
Membrane-targeting proteins are crucial components of many cellular signaling
pathways, including the secretion of insulin. Granuphilin (also known as synaptotagminlike protein 4) is essential for proper insulin secretion and acts most likely in docking the
exocytic vesicles to the plasma membrane. However, the precise mechanisms of its
membrane targeting and regulation remain uncertain. Granuphilin contains two C2
domains (C2A and C2B) involved in the process of docking to the lipid bilayer of the
plasma membrane. Previous studies suggest that at least the C2A domain is essential for
proper plasma membrane docking. The present study focuses on determining the target
lipids, affinities and kinetics of both granuphilin C2 domains using fluorescence
spectroscopy and microscopy methods. Preliminary data suggest that C2A domain binds
membranes nonspecifically in electrostatic manner, while C2B domain requires
phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate (PIPx) lipids for membrane targeting, and does not
have a significant affinity for major plasma membrane components such as
phosphatidylserine (PS) or zwitterionic lipids. Our experimental results confirm the
observation that granuphilin C2-membrane binding is Ca2+ independent, in contrast to
closely related C2 domains from synaptotagmin 1 and others. Current results of this
ongoing study will be presented. Overall, this study aims to clarify important molecular
interactions between granuphilin and its signaling lipid molecules to better understand the
process of insulin secretion.
THIRD PLACE
Gonzales Ramos, Osniel. Mu Iota, Northern Kentucky University. Pathophysiology of
amyloid beta peptide on cells of the human central nervous system.
A better understanding of the effect of amyloid beta (AB) aggregation on cells of the
central nervous systems (CNS) may help design effective therapies for Alzheimer's
disease (AD). To determine the effects of AB on individual cells within the CNS we
established cell cultures of human neurons, astrocytes and microglia. AB peptides were
added to the cells in aggregated and non-aggregated form.By real time polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR) we observed unique cytokine expression profiles from the individual
cells depending on the peptide stimulus. The results of this project will be useful for
understanding the pathology of AB in the CNS and may facilitate the discovery of
treatments for AD.
HONORABLE MENTION
Marek, Catherine, Sajjan Gayam, Ned Goertzen, and Erich K. Stabenau. Omega Epsilon,
Bradley University. Pyrene-induced activation and differentiation of cultured skeletal muscle
satellite cells in Northern Leopard frogs.
We have previously reported that in-water exposure of frogs to polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (i.e., pyrene) produces many deleterious effects, including significant
reductions in swimming performance, muscle contractility, and mitochondrial O2
consumption and ATP levels. One plausible explanation for reduced muscle performance
in pyrene-exposed frogs is cellular damage induced by the agent. The purpose of this
project was to develop a culture technique of frog muscle progenitor cells, culture cells
from pyrene and control animals, and determine whether pyrene exposure induces
satellite cell differentiation and proliferation. Frogs were exposed to pyrene or control
conditions for a 7-day period, the animals were anesthetized, and isolated muscle fibers
were placed under appropriate culture conditions. Phase contrast microscopy was used to
visualize the cells, and to permit counts of muscle progenitor cells every two days for a
ten day period. Differentiation of muscle progenitor cells was followed for up to 24 days.
In a second study, cultured fibers from control animals were exposed to pyrene and
differentiation and proliferation examined. Finally, Western Blot analyses were used to
verify activation of the satellite cell pathway. The data revealed that in-water pyrene
exposure induced significant muscle cell proliferation when compared to muscle cultures
from control animals. Moreover, satellite cell activation occurred following in vitro
exposure of cultured cells to pyrene. Western blot analyses revealed that the
concentrations of PAX3/PAX7 and Myogenin were significantly altered following pyrene
exposure. These data suggest that pyrene is a myotoxin that leads to activation of muscle
repair mechanisms via proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells.
SESSION 2: ECOLOGY
FIRST PLACE
Rigano, Kim. Sigma Psi, Florida Institute of Technology. Visual Capabilities of Yellow
Ratsnakes (Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata) as Predators of the Threatened Florida Scrubjay (Aphelocoma coerulescens).
In habitats considered ideal for threatened Florida scrub-jays, such as Merritt Island
National Wildlife Refuge, scrub-jay populations continue to decline. Videography
suggests that yellow ratsnakes are important predators of scrub-jays. Therefore, this
research aimed to elucidate the sensory capabilities of yellow ratsnakes in order to better
understand the threat they pose to scrub-jays. Ratsnakes were tested under controlled
conditions to determine the roles of vision and olfaction in predatory targeting. Because
vision proved especially important, a functional analysis of retinal architecture was
conducted. The relative abundance and distribution of rod and cone photoreceptors was
determined by anti-opsin immunofluorescence in the retina using laser-scanning confocal
microscopy. Cones far outnumbered rods in both juveniles and adults, but relative
abundance of rods increased with age. Photoreceptor densities and lens diameters were
quantified to calculate theoretical spatial acuity, which demonstrated higher visual acuity
in daytime than in dim light (dusk/night). Calculations suggest that nest-height birds may
be barely visible to adult snakes in dim light. Thus, adult ratsnakes likely target flying
birds during daytime, and attack nests at night using chemosensory cues. Juvenile
ratsnakes likely avoid contact with potentially lethal scrub jays at all times. This research
supports the development of scrub-jay conservation programs.
SECOND PLACE
Bound, Jessica. Tau Eta, Catawba College. Changes in Composition of Coral Larvae
Exposed to Different Levels of Carbon Dioxide.
As the levels of atmospheric CO2 increase, the pH of the oceans will become more
acidic, potentially affecting the physiology of marine organisms, such as coral. While
much research has been dedicated to the impact of CO2 levels on calcification,
skeletogenesis, and other physiological mechanisms of adult coral, little has dealt with
early developmental stages. In the current study, planula larvae of the coral Favia fragum
were exposed to different levels of atmospheric CO2 (ambient = 390ppm, 700ppm, and
1300ppm) for 10 days. At that point, larvae where assayed for the amounts of total lipids,
total carbohydrates, and proteins. As the larvae aged, the amount of lipids decreased;
however, there was a greater decrease at elevated CO2 levels. After 10 days, protein
levels did not decrease in normal CO2 treatment, but there was a significant decrease at
700ppm and 1300ppm. Total carbohydrates increased as the larvae aged, with 1300ppm
CO2 having the highest content of carbohydrates. This data may indicate that larvae
exposed to higher levels of CO2 utilize energy stores (lipids) to produce higher levels of
carbohydrates to deal with the lower pH of their seawater.
THIRD PLACE
Frei, Katelynn J., and Robert C. Dowler. Epsilon Sigma, Angelo State University.
Effects of the Nematode Skrjabingylus chitwoodorum on the Crania of Striped Skunks
(Mephitis mephitis) in Texas.
Previous studies have used infrared camera trapping to document animal distribution,
habitat associations, and behavior. The nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus,
and the hog-nosed skunk, Conepatus leuconotus, share foraging strategies that may result
in competition between the two species. The purpose of this study was to examine
habitat segregation between the two species in a rocky upland habitat and a riparian zone
in the semi-arid Edwards Plateau of Texas. This study utilized remote infrared camera
traps to determine presence of the two species in each of the habitat types. Images of D.
novemcinctus and C. leuconotus were collected between 9 October 2010 and 21 October
2011 using a 5 X 5 camera grid spanning both habitat types with cameras 500 m apart.
Five cameras were located at riparian sites and 20 cameras were located at rocky upland
sites. In 12 months of data collection, 2,107 images of medium-sized mammals were
captured. Nine-banded armadillos were captured in 5.9% of the total images and hognosed skunks were captured in 1.2% of the images. Capture indices were calculated
based on number of images of a species divided by total trap days in a given habitat. For
hog-nosed skunks the capture index for riparian habitat was 0.0011 and that for upland
was 0.0031. For nine-banded armadillos the capture index for riparian habitat was
0.0366 and that for upland was 0.0072. The disparity between the capture indices of each
species in the two habitat types may suggest niche partitioning between D. novemcinctus
and C. leuconotus.
HONORABLE MENTION
Doyle, Julius. Epsilon Delta, Loyola Marymount University. Characterization of
herbivory in Cecropia obtuifoli, a dioecious ant plant mutualism from a lowland
rainforest in Costa Rica.
Interactions between ants and plants are a key phenomenon in moist tropical ecosystems.
In order to better understand the highly sophisticated obligate mutalistic association
between Azteca ants and Cecropia plants we conducted an experiment at La Selva
Biological Station in Costa Rica to see if allocation of resources in a dioecious species
would impact its mutualism with ants. Our experiment focused on herbivory in relation
to plant size and sex and whether this relationship would change based on cohorts of
different sizes. Our results revealed that herbivory did not differ between sexes or
between plant size and sex (W= 0.989, p>0.05). However, there was a significant
difference with respect to tree size (DBH) (W= 0.946, p<0.05). These findings suggest
that trees with a smaller DBH may have a smaller domatia and be colonized by a fewer
number of ants leading to increased herbivory.
SESSION 3: MICROBIOLOGY
FIRST PLACE
Nguyen, Truc. Sigma Theta, Texas Wesleyan. Rescue of the flaR Gene in the Strain N1003 of Listeria monocytogenes.
Listeria monocytogenes is a gram positive bacterium that causes the disease listeriosis.
Although outbreaks of listeriosis in humans are rare, the disease has a high mortality rate
ranging from 20% to 30%. Populations of L. monocytogenes consist of multiple strains
that vary in their associations with disease in humans. The L. monocytogenes N1-003
strain was responsible for an outbreak in 1994. Two unique characteristics of N1-003 are
that it shows reduced motility in soft agar and has a premature stop codon in its flaR
gene. We hypothesize that the correction of the flaR premature stop codon in strain N1003 will restore the motility of N1-003 to the motility observed in the wild type strain
10403S. Site directed mutagenesis was performed on the flaR gene to correct its
premature stop codon. The corrected flaR gene sequence was then sub-cloned from
vector pCR4 into vector pKSV7, in preparation for subsequent integration into the L.
monocytogenes N1-003 chromosome. Successful sub-cloning was verified by
sequencing the flaR gene sequence in pKSV7and by comparing the restriction enzyme
digests of pCR4+flaR and pKSV7+flaR. These results pave the way for future
experiments that will help elucidate the contribution of L. monocytogenes flagellar-based
motility to human listeriosis.
SECOND PLACE
Vargas, Joel. Zeta Alpha, University of Puerto Rico/Mayaguez. Methane Stimulation
and Searching of Endemic Methanogens in Montana Coal Beds.
The coal bed methane in Montana represents an important renewable energy source that
could reduce the high dependence on coal to produce electricity in United States. The
methane generation and accumulation in coal beds is controlled by several factors that
include methanogenesis. However few things about microorganisms that create
methanogenesis and their capacity to decompose organic complex compounds in coal to
produce methane are known. The main purpose of this research is to evaluate the
Montana coal potential to produce methane under different treatments and to determine
the presence of endemic methanogens. A series of treatments with Montana’s coal
samples were developed. The treatments included the addition of a known
microorganism’s culture (WBC-2) with the presence of methanogens and the supply of
certain conditions that benefit the microbial endemic activity in coal. This study indicates
that methane production in Montana coal can be stimulated adding some complex organic
compounds, that exists endemic methanogens in Montana coal and that the groundwater
can inhibit the mcrA gene expression in molecular analysis. The demonstration of
endemic activity in Montana coal and the stimulation of methane production provide a
platform for anthropogenic manipulation. Research is in progress to determine the
microorganism biodiversity.
THIRD PLACE
Fitzpatrick, Erin. Upsilon Theta, California University of Pennsylvania. Comparing
Laboratory Methods to Household Kitchen Methods.
This project deals with lab activities versus at home activities with exploring bacteria. We
will explore how much bacteria are on certain types of foods and be doing different lab
procedures both in the lab and at home. The types of foods used were steak, beef, tilapia
and tuna. We want to see if we get the same results using at home products to replace all
the instruments and lab products that would be used in the lab. We have 50 dollars to
explore materials outside of the lab such as gelatin to replace the agar that would be used
in lab, use plastic cups instead of petri dish plates to streak the bacteria on and use food
color dye to stain the bacteria instead of the gram staining method. The main question is
can a homemade kitchen method lab protocol be as successful as a laboratory method
protocol in showing if the bacteria can grow both of the different types of plates. We are
also looking to see which types of meats have the most amount of microbes on them and
try and see if these microbes can be identified as harmful or not. During the conference
this experiment will be presented in the format of a post presentation.
SESSION 4: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
FIRST PLACE
Augustyniak, Alex. Theta Omega, Gannon University.
SECOND PLACE
Guthmueller, Kassandra, Ashley Rodriguez, Kody McKay, Josiah Dittrich, Melanie
Graham, Carissa Fischer, and Andrea Holgado. Delta Sigma, Southwestern Oklahoma State
University. Genomic Wide Analysis of vsm-1(ok1468) Mutant Caenorhabditis elegans Using
Microarray.
If a method to increase the synaptic density in human’s frontal lobe and hippocampus can
be engineered, then learning and memory could theoretically be genetically enhanced. A
synapse is a cellular junction that is formed by the presynaptic terminal of the signaling
cell and the postsynaptic terminal of the target cell. A neuron communicates to other
neurons by secreting neurotransmitters into synapses, which then bind to neuroreceptors
on the target cell. Previous studies have shown that a protein, VSM-1, regulates the
exocytosis of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic terminal. vsm-1 mutants have
shown an increase in synaptogenesis when compared to the wild type. We hypothesized
that genes are expressed in vsm-1 mutants that enhance synaptogenesis. In order to
analyze the genes of interest we utilized the tools of microarray. In our experiments, we
first isolated the total RNA from young-adult wild-type and vsm-1 mutant
Caenorhabditis elegans. Next, we synthesized cDNA from reverse transcription of the
isolated RNA. Hybridization of the cDNA to a microarray was performed to facilitate
gene expression profiling. Last, fluorescently labeled microarrays were analyzed and the
identity of induced and repressed genes was uncovered using the open source software
called Magic tool. Microarray experiments were performed using three biological
replicas for wild-type and vsm-1 mutants and two technical dye swaps. Our results
suggest that induction of Major Sperm Proteins and Lin-2 coupled with the repression of
several genes of interest may be the source causing increased synaptogenesis in the vsm-1
mutant C. elegans.
THIRD PLACE
Izaguirre, Ivelisse, Courtney Peloso, Joe Matarlo and Teresa G. D’Aversa. Theta Xi,
Iona College. Myelin basic protein stimulates CCL2 chemokine secretion in human
astrocytes: importance in the pathogenesis multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system
distinguished by demyelination of the neurons. Destruction of the protective myelin
sheath causes exposure of axons and interruption of impulse propagation, leading to MS
disease pathology. Myelin basic protein (MBP) is an essential component of the myelin
sheath, which is released upon its degradation. Previous studies have shown that MBP
increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and induces endothelial cells
to secrete CCL2. Based on the data, we examined the expression of CCL2 chemokine
production in cultured astrocytes after treatment with MBP. We found that CCL2 protein
was induced in a time and dose dependent manner. CCL2 protein expression gradually
increased from 4 hours post treatment to a peak at 24 hours post treatment. We also
demonstrate that CCL2 protein expression is partially dependent on the
phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, as a specific inhibitor to this pathway
decreased CCL2 protein expression by 40%. These results demonstrate that degradation
of the myelin sheath and the release of MBP may aid in the progression of MS by
inducing the secretion of a pro-inflammatory chemokine from astrocytes. This
chemokine can then recruit inflammatory cells, thereby enhancing the immune response
and inflammation, which may result in the continuation of demyelination.
HONORABLE MENTION
Marchese, Vincent and Afroditi Emporelli. Chi Eta, Monmouth University. Regulation
of E-cadherin activity in fibroblast and fibrosarcoma cells: influence of culture density, MMP-9
expression and ERK activity.
Cadherins are integral proteins that play an important role in cellular adhesion. If Ecadherin is cleaved, releasing an 80 kDa fragment, it is no longer active. Interestingly,
this 80 kDa product has been found to be increased in several types of cancers. In this
work, the presence of an 80 kDa protein reactive with E-cadherin antibody, consistent
with the inactive cleavage product of E-cadherin, has been detected in normal fibroblasts
(BJ cells) and fibrosarcoma cells (HT-1080), and is detected at a slightly higher level in
subconfluent cultures than confluent cultures. Similarly, matrix metalloproteinase-9
(MMP-9), which is capable of cleaving cadherins, is also observed in higher levels in
subconfluent cultures. Therefore, obtaining a confluent state is correlated with decreased
MMP-9 expression and a decrease in E-cadherin cleavage. ERK is upregulated in
proliferating cells, and may also upregulate expression of MMP-9. To investigate the
potential role in the regulation of E-cadherin cleavage by the ERK pathway,
dexamethasone treatment was used to inhibit the ERK pathway. Dexamethasone
treatment of subconfluent cultures of fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) cells resulted in a decrease
in the amount of the 80 kDa cleaved E-cadherin fragment, as well as a decreased amount
of phosphorylated ERK, the active form of ERK.
SESSION 5: ORGANISMAL
FIRST PLACE
Belcher, Josh, Brent Biddy and Stephen Fields. Psi DeltaEast Central University.
Characterization of a Temporary Cryptophycean Endosymbiont of the Freshwater Dinoflagellate,
Gymnodinium acidotum.
Gymnodinium acidotum is a nonphotosynthetic, aplastidic dinoflagellate that ingests
blue-green cryptophycean algae. The cryptophycean chloroplasts and other organelles are
sequestered for several weeks within the dinophycean cytoplasm and remain
photosynthetically active in an obligate symbiosis. Drastic ultrastructural and
physiological modifications occur in the sequestered cryptophycean organelles during the
period of retention in the dinoflagellate and then are digested. We have characterized the
growth properties of G. acidotum co-cultured with the blue-green cryptomonad
Chroomonas coerulea. The dinoflagellate demonstrates a steady growth rate (~0.1
divisions day-1) over a 40 day period, with a peak ingestion rate of nearly five
cryptomonad cells per dinoflagellate cell per day. Interestingly, growth rates of
monocultured C. coerulea are never as high as their counterparts co-cultured with G.
acidotum or grown in the presence of G. acidotum-secretions. This raises the possibility
that G. acidotum secretes stimulatory compounds for the purpose of “harvesting”
cryptomonads. To identify the species of cryptomonad that is ingested by natural
populations of G. acidotum, we carried out PCR on G. acidotum from Paul’s Valley Lake
samples using primers specific for cryptophycean nucleomorph rRNA genes.
SECOND PLACE
Rodriguez, Luke. Zeta Epsilon, University of Puerto Rico/Cayey. Association of Sleep
Disturbances with Cognitive Impairment and Depression in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.
There are few data on the relationship of sleep with measures of cognitive function and
symptoms of depression in dialysis patients. We evaluated the relationship of sleep with
cognitive function and symptoms of depression in 168 hemodialysis patients using
multivariable linear and logistic regression. Sleep disturbances were assessed using the
sleep subscale battery of the CHOICE Health Experience Questionnaire. The cognitive
battery assessed a broad range of functioning including global ability, verbal intelligence,
supraspan learning, auditory retention, visual retention, attention/mental processing
speed, visual construction/fluid reasoning, and motor speed. Depressive symptoms were
assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression (CESD) Scale, with
depression indicated by a CESD score > 16. Mean (SD) age was 62 (17) years, 49%
were women, 30% were African American and 33% had diabetes. There was no
significant relationship between sleep score and performance on any neurocognitive test
(p > 0.13 for all multivariable analyses). The prevalence of depression increased from
16% in the highest quartile (best) of sleep score to 31% in the lowest quartile (worst) of
sleep score. In multivariable analyses each 1 SD increase in sleep score was associated
with a 2.18 (95% CI 1.07 to 3.29, p < 0.001) lower CESD score. Results were consistent
when considering individual components of both the CESD and sleep score.
Disturbances in sleep are associated with symptoms of depression but not measures of
cognitive function. Dialysis patients with disturbances in sleep should be screened for
depression.
This investigation was presented in the 2011 BDBS Results Research Symposium
(August/10&11/2011) and the 2011 RISE Summer Research Symposium (August/2831/2011).
This investigation is pending publication in the Journal of Nephrology, Issue 2 (MarchApril 2012).
THIRD PLACE
Pirkle, Jared and Dr. Carl Kaster. Xi Omega, Siena Heights University. The Effects of
Scotophase Shortening on the Wheel-Running Activity of the Mus musculus.
Scotophase-shortening affects the wheel-running activity of the house mouse. Circadian
activity rhythms are highly correlated with wheel-running behavior. Light is the most
dominant cue, or zeitgeber, that synchronizes the circadian phases to the environment.
Using a Hall Effect device and Microsoft Visual Basic software, I collected runningwheel data from 32 mice. The mice were subjected to five days of LD 12:12, followed by
five days of LD 14:10, and then by five days of LD 16:8. I found that two days within the
first LD cycle were each significantly different than two days in the two later LD cycles.