2014 Abstracts

Sarah Dursteler, Weber State University Communications The culture of sex outside intimate relationships including dating scripts and sexual scripts has shifted to one of more ambiguity. Multiple changes in sexual scripts have occurred in the last 50 years with the diversification of types of relationships in which sex occurs, including, a greater acceptance of sex outside of relationships (Gagnon & Simon, 1987). This study is in response to the call for more research on how social identities influence perceptions of sexual interaction (Backstrom, Armstrong, and Puentes, 2012). The purpose of this study is to examine hook-up culture outside of traditional intimate relationships. This study explores the extent of the shift from traditional dating scripts to a culture of hooking up as perceived by males and females that identify with the predominant Latter-Day Saint (LDS) religious culture. Using the tenants of social exchange and scripting theories this study examined the attitudes of males and females. Transcripts from four same gender and religion focus groups and 100 open-ended survey responses provided data for analysis. The constant comparative method (Glaser and Strauss, 1967) provided the means by which to analyze data within emergent categories. One open-ended response question was reviewed to assess content theme analysis. The constant comparative method indicated distinct contrast of perceptions of sexual intimacy between males and females. Findings suggest that there are distinct differences between male and female and LDS and non-LDS attitudes about and perceptions of hook-up culture. These results are consistent with previous research indicating that hooking-up can be a functional strategy used to shift focus from traditional intimate relationships to more academic and professional goals.

Taylor Topham, Dixie State University Communications With the new generations comes new forms of entertainment. Rarely is there a home without a television. The Cultivation Theory presented by George Gerbner and his colleagues states that television is so common in our society that it has an affect on our perceptions of the world. The Cultivation Theory specifically looks at violence on television and its effects on the viewer. Those that are heavy viewers of television often have what is known as mean-world syndrome. Because of the violence they watch on television, they are more likely to see the world as a violent place (Littlejohn & Foss, 2011). Along with a television often comes some type of video gaming system. Studies state that over 65% of North American households now have a video gaming system (Chiawen, Aiken & Huang, 2012). The purpose of this research is to determine if video gaming effects the perception of individuals similarly to that of television as described by George Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory.

Emma Penrod, Brigham Young University Communications A newspaper is the catalog of a community’s past. I spent about three years researching the impact of industrialization on Tooele from a variety of angles, primarily by reading archived newspapers from 1905 to 1970. During this time, I also collected and scanned nearly 200 original photographs. Industrialization came to Tooele in force in 1908, with the construction on the International Smelter and the Tooele Valley Railroad. Prior to the railroad and the smelter, Tooele was a small, predominantly Mormon community with an agrarian economy. Construction of the railroad, the smelter, and several affiliated projects could have employed 72 percent of every man, woman and child living in Tooele City in the early 1900s. An influx of immigrants changed the social landscape dramatically, reshaping Tooele as one of Utah’s most diverse communities. Through the early 1900s, conflict between the original Mormon settlers and the transplants embroiled the community in something of a perpetual identity crisis. Temporarily, a sort of physical segregation solved the problem-Mormons lived west of Main Street, and the immigrants set up shop east of Main Street. But it wouldn’t be long before the Tooele newspapers came to accept the newcomers and the advertising revenue they had to offer. The Great Depression and football, of all things, finally brought the community back together, and throughout the 1940s and 1950s, the immigrant families were invited to fly their native colors at important community events that celebrated Tooele’s heritage.

Jessica Read, Brigham Young University Communications As the world of online social networking has changed to accommodate public interest, online dating sites have become increasingly popular. With this new trend in social media there has been an increased awareness as to how one might present him or herself in the most favorable way possible through computer mediated stimuli. To find out if nonverbal cues played a significant role in online impression formation, we had males and females randomly assigned to one of two variables, where they viewed stimuli of a member of the opposite gender. The stimuli that was presented was either a photograph accompanied by a written autobiography about a member of the opposite gender, or a video of the person reading their own autobiography, which allowed for the presence of nonverbal cues. Participants rated the subjects in the assigned stimuli on a number of different scales ranging from trustworthiness to sexual attractiveness based on their first impressions. Results showed no significant differences between the presence of nonverbal cues in the video stimuli or the photographic stimuli, reasoning for the indifference participants had towards the nonverbal cues is discussed. However, there were significant gender differences among the first impressions formed, other findings are presented.

Sydney Tycksen, Utah Valley University Communications An award winning research project, this summary highlights research conducted by Communication students at Utah Valley University of a grassroots public relations campaign created to increase awareness among middle school students, parents, educators, and community leaders of the serious short and long term consequences of youth bullying. The study also demonstrates how the campaign informed audiences of the steps they should take to help prevent bullying. The goal of the research was to understand the short-and-long term effects of bullying, types of bullying, and the prominence of bullying in the surrounding community where the research was conducted. A public relations strategic communication plan was developed based on the research to change bullying behavior in the community. The campaign aimed to spread awareness of the short and long term effects of bullying and outline the steps to report and prevent bullying through the development of strategies and tactics. These steps help students, parents, educators, and community members understand bullying, recognize the signs and types, and know the appropriate authority to whom to report the behavior. This presentation will show how the research provided the students with the information needed to establish measureable objectives for the campaign, reach their key publics and provide an evaluation of the strategies and tactics used to meet campaign objectives. The document reviews the outcome and evaluation of each strategy and tactic implemented during the campaign, including media relations and social media tactics, The summary concludes with an overview of how campaign objectives of teaching key publics how to take steps to prevent bullying were achieved due to thorough research and understanding of how to effectively use messaging to generate behavior changes within the key public.

Emma Josey, Dixie State University Communications Romance novels seem to be a staple in the devoted reader’s array of books and have remained an extremely popular genre throughout the centuries. Not only are the actual stories appealing to the readers, but some readers go a step further and interact with or create a relationship with characters themselves. A phenomenon called parasocial interaction. This research study seeks to discover if the parasocial interactions female romance novel readers experience relate to a practice of a particular attachment style and jealousy in their romantic relationships. These characteristics are important to the health and sustainability of people’s romantic relationships, and this study seeks to learn whether or not the quasi relationships romance novel readers create with characters influences those relationships.

Indigo Klabanoff, Dixie State University Communications With globalization and the minority population changing, it is extremely important to learn the real statistics that are out there when it comes to single parenting. The most important thing though, is to figure out is which communication styles work in healthy communication, with single parent families.

María Velasco, Utah Valley University Agriculture Calochortus is a plant genus that includes approximately 60 species distributed in North America with great ornamental and ethnotobanical value. Sego lily, mariposa lily and other common names have been used to describe the different species of Calochortus. Native Americans and settlers have used the bulbs as food, either raw or ground into flour and cooked. C. nuttallii played an important role in the success of colonization of Utah. Between 1840 and 1851 the scarcity of food due to a plague of crickets led to the pioneers to dig for the bulbous roots of sego lily, ensuring the survival of the pioneer population. This research studies the effects of Gibberellic acid on the germination and elongation of these species in vivo and in vitro. Eight different species of Calochortus are being utilized for this experiment to evaluate the effect of this growth regulator on the germination of these species. Different types of media are being tested to evaluate the optimal in vitro conditions that these species require for germination and growth. In addition embryogenesis and organogenesis is being induced by using Benzyl Amino Purine and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at different concentrations. Sego Lily is the State flower of Utah; micropropagating this plant will allow us to understand and research new methods and conditions to grow these species successfully, making preservation possible since some Calochortus species have been listed as endangered. In addition, other species such as Calohortus ambiguous (Doubting Mariposa Lily), which is distributed in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, will also benefit from the system developed in this research because they are closely related to Sego Lily (C. nuttallii). The long term goal of this research is to establish an appropriate micropropagation system for a wide variety of Calochortus species.

Kyle Hansen, University of Utah Life Sciences Our brain processes physical stimuli from the world around us to shape how we perceive our environment. In the olfactory system, this processing begins with olfactory sensory neurons that relay information about distinct odorants to a region of the brain called the olfactory bulb. Olfactory sensory neurons express the same odorant receptors converge onto structures within the olfactory bulb called glomeruli. Here, we map lateral interactions between glomeruli to better understand how olfactory information from the environment is processed within the olfactory bulb. Using GCaMP6, a fluorescent calcium indicator, in awake mice we can observe optogenetically-evoked patterns of lateral connectivity between glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. The findings from this study will help clarify potential interglomerular connection schemes and provide understanding of how local circuitry in the olfactory bulb transforms the representations of sensory information before it is relayed to higher brain areas.

Brady Evans, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Nutrient-sensing kinases, such as AMPK and mTOR, play a key role in regulating cellular metabolism. They recognize nutrient levels within the cell and distribute nutrients accordingly. The failure to coordinate metabolic processes can lead to diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cancer. PAS kinase is another member of the nutrient-sensing kinase group that regulates glucose distribution in the cell. Despite its clear importance, little is known about the mechanisms regarding PAS kinase activation and its function. Studies have shown that mice without the PAS kinase gene are resistant to weight gain and maintain insulin sensitivity when placed on a high fat diet. Weight gain and insulin resistance are associated with increased rates of diabetes, cancer and other metabolic diseases. AMPK is currently the key target for the treatment of diabetes and has been found to be a cancer target as well. The yeast homologue, Snf1, is necessary for activation of yeast PAS kinase. Further studies have shown that PAS kinase is activated under the same respiratory conditions as Snf1. The aims of this project is to determine if Snf1 directly phosphorylates PAS kinase and to determine the effects of this phosphorylation. We have found that PAS kinase is activated quickly when cells are placed under Snf1-activating conditions. In addition, Snf1 is necessary and sufficient for this activation. Snf1 also copurifies with PAS kinase suggesting this activation is direct. PAS kinase purified from wild type verses Snf1-deficient cells shows phosphorylation on two key residues, S1020 and S1035. In addition, Snf1 directly phosphorylates PAS kinase in vitro. Together these findings suggest that Snf1 directly phosphorylates PAS kinase in order to regulate cellular glucose homeostasis

Joe Passman, University of Utah Life Sciences Neurodegenerative disorders and amyloidosis are thought to be a consequence of the misfolding of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). In non-pathogenic states, IDPs are thought to manipulate their configurational ensembles (CEs) – through partially folding and/or forming secondary structure – to create binding sites for the multiple interaction partners necessary for cell-signaling, recognition, and regulation. An obstacle to accurate in vivo understanding of non-pathogenic mechanisms is that little is known about the impact of the crowded cellular environment on the global (i.e. partial folding) and local structural characteristics (i.e. secondary structure) of IDPs. It is difficult to understand why an IDP may misfold if little atomistic structural understanding exists regarding IDP functional mechanisms in non-adherent physiological states.

Shwan Javdan, University of Utah Life Sciences Each year in the United States, over 22,000 new cases of ovarian carcinoma are diagnosed and 14,000 women die from its progressive cancer stages. Anthracyclines, a class of common chemotherapy drugs, have long been the primary treatment for this and many other cancers, but they often leave patients with cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and other adverse effects. Polymer-drug conjugates using poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (poly-HPMA) are nanosized, water-soluble constructs that accumulate passively in solid tumors by the enhanced permeability and retention effect as well as actively by cell surface targeting methods. As such, they have exhibited reduced toxicity in the body. The goal of this study was to develop a novel, targeted HPMA copolymer-drug conjugate for the treatment of ovarian carcinoma. To accomplish this, an antibody fragment called Fab’, targeted to ovarian carcinoma cell surface antigen OA3, was bound to an HPMA copolymer-gemcitabine conjugate. Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analog used in chemotherapy that has demonstrated considerable effectiveness in recent years. The copolymer-gemcitabine conjugate was successfully developed following the synthesis of all the requisite components, including Fab’, diblock chain-transfer agent (di-CTA), N-(2-(2-pyridyldithio)ethyl)methacrylamide (PDTEMA), and polymerizable backbone-degradable gemcitabine derivative. Syntheses of di-CTA and PDTEMA were optimized and then characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography, H-NMR, and mass spectrometry. Monomers were combined by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization, and then the Fab’ fragment was bound to the polymer backbone via a disulfide exchange reaction with PDTEMA. The targeted copolymer-drug conjugate was then verified by fast-protein liquid chromatography as well as ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. A number of in vitro tests have demonstrated the properties of an efficient drug delivery system. Flow cytometry displayed active accumulation of the copolymer-gemcitabine conjugate to OVCAR3 cell surfaces. Furthermore, IC50 measurement found promising drug efficacy comparable to modern anthracyclines. Future work will involve in vivo evaluation of the conjugate’s therapeutic efficacy in nude mice bearing OVCAR3-xenografts.

Julia Hull, Weber State University Life Sciences Endophytes are fungi that live within aerial portions of plants for most or all of their life cycle without causing visible signs of disease. Gall forming aphids, Pemphigus betae, are highly competitive over gall site selection (Moran 1993), forming galls on the leaves of narrowleaf cottonwood and their hybrids. The favored gall location overlaps with areas of highest endophyte probability. I hypothesized that a negative correlation would exist between endophyte infection and aphid galling on leaves of backcross hybrid cottonwood trees.

Brianne Palmer, Utah State University Life Sciences Inversions have plagued the valleys in Utah resulting in built up pollution carpeting the cities and spreading into surrounding ecosystems. The ecological impact of these inversions is unknown. Inversion-based pollution events deposit nutrients and pollutants in the ecosystems. The purpose of this study is to determine if lichens, due to their unique physiology, preserve a record of inversion-based nitrogen deposition in order to assess the ecological impact of the inversions. In June and July of 2013 we collected 111 samples of lichens from sites exposed to the inversions, along Red Butte Creek and on an elevation gradient on Grandeur Peak in Salt Lake City. The collection focused on two species of lichens (Xanthomendoza montana and Xanthomendoza fallax) because they are easily identifiable and live in all the sampling sites. The samples were ground, run through a stable-isotope mass spectrometer and analyzed for the %N and δ15N. If lichens hold a record of inversion-based depositions there should be more nitrogen in lichens from the sampling sites closer to the pollution source (Salt Lake City). Once the data was complied, the resulting graphs showed no correlation between %N and distance from Salt Lake City between δ15N and the pollutant source. However, the isotopic variability within the samples was greater than expected and requires further research.

Preston Manwill, Southern Utah University Life Sciences Plants produce compounds, secondary metabolites, which can be harnessed for medicinal uses. Caryophyllene, a secondary metabolite produced by a variety of higher plants, has shown promise as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Caryophyllene synthase is the final enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway that produces caryophyllene. The gene and enzyme responsible for caryophyllene production have been observed in crop plants and model organisms, but few studies have investigated caryophyllene production in indigenous plants. We investigated the production of caryophyllene in Ericameria linearifolia (Narrowleaf goldenbush) because it is a shrub native to southwest North America. The first portion of this research examined sequence similarities between caryophyllene synthase gene orthologs in E. linearifolia and other plant genera. Genomic DNA was isolated from E. linearifolia leaves collected from plants growing in southern Utah. Literature reviews and database inquiries have provided DNA sequences for similar synthases, from which primers will be designed to copy and sequence the E. linearifolia caryophyllene synthase gene, confirming the orthologs presence. Following confirmation of the gene, mRNA will be extracted from leaf material and oligo(dT) primers used to synthesize cDNA. Subsequent cDNA amplification and cloning of products into a vector will allow for transformation into a protein-producing bacterium. These final steps make the downstream procedures of protein production, structure determination, and functional characterization of the protein possible. Comparison with enzymes that produce similar organic compounds may result as well, and would provide insight that could improve the biosynthesis of medicinal compounds.

Preston Manwill, Sourthern Utah University Life Sciences Plants produce myriad secondary metabolites (essential oil) that play a role in ecological interactions. Species evolve unique mixtures of organic compounds due to strong selective pressures that act on metabolic pathways. Few studies have investigated the antimicrobial properties of secondary metabolites that evolved against soil microbes associated with native plants. The essential oil of Mojave goldenbush (Ericameria linearifolia), a shrub native to the Intermountain West, was characterized and its bacteriostatic abilities against root associated and non-root associated bacteria morphs were examined in this study. We hypothesized E. linearifolia oil would act as a greater growth inhibitor against native soil bacteria with which it has evolved than against bacteria from non-associated soils. Secondary metabolites were extracted using steam distillation and analyzed with gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. A Kirby-Bauer assay tested presence, size and retention of inhibition zones (IZ) produced against soil bacteria. The essential oil of E. linearifolia contained twenty secondary metabolites, two of which, limonene and sabinene, constituted greater than fifty percent of the oil. Presence and retention of IZ produced by E. linearifolia metabolites varied significantly by community association and bacteria morph. The hypothesis was supported by IZ that were largest against bacteria cultures isolated from soil that surrounded Mojave goldenbush roots and least effective against cultures isolated from non-root associated soil. Our findings suggest that secondary metabolites of E. linearifolia have evolved to specifically prevent negative interactions with bacteria most associated with the plant.

Cameron Sargent, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Although viruses present a potential solution for treating and studying many harmful diseases, they have yet to be utilized successfully, largely due to an overall lack of understanding of the interactions between viruses and their hosts. This study, however, demonstrates the efficacious usage of comparative genomics in further elucidating viral reproduction mechanisms, a step in overcoming this hurdle. Following the sequencing and annotation of genomes of the B4 subcluster of mycobacteriophage, a previously unstudied selection of viruses, comparative genomics analysis identified regions of proteins from these viruses that are highly conserved, or highly similar. One of these B4 phage proteins was then compared on the basis of its predicted folded structure and its amino acid composition to a protein with the same function from another phage, whose structure and DNA binding mechanism was determined via NMR spectrometry. Gene sequence alignments identified the region of highest conservation in the B4 phage. Protein folding then revealed that this region created a structure that was analogous to the functional region of the protein studied elsewhere, indicating that it too recognizes, binds to, and modifies DNA in the same manner. Furthermore, another DNA-binding motif with high conservation among B4 phage was observed in both the folded B4 proteins and the protein analyzed via NMR spectrometry. This comparison procedure not only further elucidated the function of an important gene in B4 phage but also displayed that comparative genomics, a resource-effective and computer-based approach, can successfully identify the critical functional regions of a protein. This study therefore provides a novel procedure for further understanding the mechanisms of virus-host interactions, which in turn facilitates the successful application of viruses in treating and studying diseases.

Eliza Warren, Brigham Young University Life Sciences We have previously demonstrated that ethanol inhibition of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in other ethanol-sensitive brain areas, is mediated by GABA(B) receptors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of GABA and glutamate (GLU), and in particular GABA(A), GABA(B) and NMDA receptors, in mediating ethanol inhibition of dopamine (DA) release in the NAc. Using fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), we evaluated the effects of ethanol on DA release in the NAc core of C57/BL6 and CD-1 mice. In the slice preparation, local stimulation evoked robust, frequency-dependent DA release in the NAc, with maximal release at 20 Hz. Ethanol decreased DA release with an IC50 of 60 mM in C57Bl6 mice. In anesthetized C57BL6 mice, ethanol decreased DA release with an IC50 of 2.0 g/kg. Superfusion of the GABA(B) receptor antagonist CGP55845 enhanced DA release 85%, while neither the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline, the GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol, the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen, nor the NMDA GLU antagonist APV significantly affected DA release. CGP55845 blocked ethanol inhibition of DA release, while neither bicuculline nor APV altered ethanol’s effects. GABA inhibited DA release at 0.5-10 uM but not at 0.1-1 mM. Compared to ethanol effects on DA release in C57BL6 mice, CD-1 GAD GFP knock-in mice, which only express GAD at 50% levels, were significantly less sensitive to ethanol. As DA release was sensitive to low concentrations of GABA, CGP55845 may act as a GABA(A) rho receptor antagonist, and neither bicuculline nor baclofen had any effect on DA release, ethanol may be acting on extrasynaptic GABA(A) rho receptors on DA terminals to inhibit DA release in the NAc.

Ryan Watkins, Univeristy of Utah Life Sciences The lymphatic system is responsible for controlling systemic fluid buildup. Lymphangiogenesis is a dynamic process involving sprouting and maintaining new lymphatic vasculature. Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is known as a key growth factor through VEGF receptor 2 and 3 (VEGFR2 and VEGFR3). Interestingly, the cornea expresses VEGF-C but is alymphatic. We found that the soluble isoform of VEGFR3, which lacks tyrosine kinase domains, is responsible for the alymphatic nature of the cornea by sequestering endogenous VEGF-C. Although soluble VEGFR3 or soluble VEGFR2 can be useful for inhibition of VEGF-C derived lymphangiogenesis, they also bind VEGF-A. Inhibition of VEGF-A suppresses blood vessel formation, damaging tissue and creating additional side effects. The development of a new anti-lymphangiogenic drug, that only blocks VEGF-C, has many implications: preventing tumor metastasis and reducing rejection rates of tissue and organ transplants. VEGF-C mainly binds to VEGFR3 domain 2 and VEGFR2 domain 3. To develop an anti-lymphangiogenic drug that specifically binds VEGF-C the binding domains were inserted into a vector that produces a recombinant protein (VEGF-C trap) that sequesters VEGF-C, suppressing lymphangiogenesis. Mice in a cornea transplantation model were treated with VEGF-C trap. After 8 weeks, 60% of the treated cornea survived (no rejection) compared to 10% in the empty vector control group. A 60% transplant survival rate is one of the highest rates compared to other single treatment methods. Blood and lymph vessel area was calculated and showed a decrease in lymph vasculature but not blood vessel. Suggesting only VEGF-C activity was affected. In a tumor metastasis model, nude mice will be injected subcutaneously with cultured MCF-7 cells which have been transfected with VEGF-C trap or an empty vector. We expect to see a decrease of lymphatic vasculature in the mice injected with MCF-7 cells containing the VEGF-C trap and ultimately less metastasis.

Kevin Nay, Southern Utah University Life Sciences Leech taxonomy has traditionally been based on morphological characters, but with new developments in DNA technology many taxonomists are starting to use genetic information in descriptions of new species. Leeches in southern Utah are poorly inventoried with respect to many other aquatic animals. There have been few morphological inventories of leeches and even fewer descriptions of the genetic diversity within leeches. Landscape genetics is a powerful tool used to understand geographic patterns of genetic diversity. Southern Utah has many naturally isolated bodies of water due to the climate and the dramatic changes in elevation in this part of the country. The landscape genetic study of leeches in southern Utah will provide us with a better understanding of genetic differentiation within southern Utah leeches. The mitochondrial DNA (CO I region) will be used to estimate genetic diversity and examine the relationships among individuals in two populations of leeches. I hypothesize that leeches in southern Utah will have greater genetic diversity then historically recognized from morphological studies suggesting a new species of leech. The study will lead to better understanding of the taxonomy and identification of southern Utah leeches.

Preston Manwill, Southern Utah University Life Sciences Members of Anthoxanthum (sweetgrass) have a history of ceremonial and medicinal use. Coumarin, a secondary metabolite produced by the grass, is an anticoagulant and antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial properties of commercially available European A. odoratum metabolites have been nominally investigated, but no North American species have been studied. Additionally, European sweetgrass is purported to be available in both diploid and polyploid strains. Our research objectives were to: 1) determine if ploidy level strains do exist, and 2) investigate secondary metabolite production and evolution in commercial strains and A. hirtum, a Great Basin native. Using epidermal casts and fuschin staining, differences in guard cells and nuclei were surveyed. Secondary metabolites from the A. odoratum strains and A. hirtum were obtained through steam distillation and a vacufugation protocol that concentrated hydrosols. GC/MS analyses characterized and quantified secondary metabolites. The secondary metabolites coumarin, dihydrobenzofuron, and dihydroactinidiolide were identified, with the first and latter greatest in A. hirtum. Significant guard cell differences between strains, as well as species, were observed. Two ploidy strains of A. odoratum were suggested. A Kirby-Bauer assay tested presence, size and retention of inhibition zones (IZ) produced against soil bacteria. Gram-staining initially characterized bacterial morphs. Secondary metabolites from the diploid strain were most effective against all bacterial morphs, but polyploid metabolites also generated and retained IZ against diploid root associated and non-root associated morphs. The native sweetgrass produced IZ only against root associated bacteria with which it had evolved. Future work will include similar studies of other North American Anthoxanthum species.

Justen Despain, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Mycobacterium ulcerans is an acid fast intracellular bacteria that is the causative agent of Buruli Ulcer, a disease endemic in tropical regions of Africa. The disease starts as a nodule that progresses into a necrotizing skin lesion. Treatment ranges from antibiotic therapy to surgical removal of surrounding skin to stop necrotization of the skin. Owing to the intracellular nature of M. ulcerans, antibiotic therapy can be an ineffective treatment option. It has been previously shown that mycobacteriophage can reduce extracellular bacterial load in mice infected with M. ulcerans. In this study, we propose a method of killing intracellular M. ulcerans by mycobacteriophage using avirulent Mycobacterium smegmaits as a vector.

Lee Leavitt, University of Utah Life Sciences The ventral respiratory column (VRC) is a region in the brainstem shown to control breathing patterns in mammals. Using activation and inhibition of neurons in this region, classes have been assigned based on response-combinations. Using a mouse model, cells from this region are dissociated, plated and incubated with a dye that indicates changes in cytoplasmic calcium levels. Hundreds of cells are measured while varieties of pharmacological agents are applied. Response-combinations provide a profile of the receptors found on these neurons. Previously, varieties of cell classes were shown to contain NMDA receptors (receptors linked to learning and memory). However, specific compositions of subunits within these receptors are not known. These receptors are ligand gated ion channels composed of four non-covalently bound proteins. Each subunit has a different activation profile determined by interactions of agonist and antagonists. Conantokins (peptides isolated from snail venom) and other compounds further afford understanding of the architecture the assigned cell-classes. This project has continued to classify the subunit compositions of NMDA receptors with the ultimate goal of understanding which NMDA receptor subunits are present in each class. This will provide valuable information on the VRC’s function, and will allow for pharmacological innervations to change behavior in this region.

Madison Landreth, Weber State University Life Sciences Enterococcus, a bacterial genus that normally inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of animals, can be pathogenic to humans, causing urinary tract infections, sepsis and other serious diseases. It is also one of the major causes of hospital acquired infections. One important complication of those infected with Enterococcus is the fact that these bacteria often have a high level of antibiotic resistance, making effective treatment of patients more difficult. While Enterococcus is a normal inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract, it can survive outside its host in the environment, even in adverse conditions, such as the Great Salt Lake (GSL). In this experiment, hundreds of isolates of Enterococcus were collected from the Great Salt Lake, from various sites along the Weber River which flows into the GSL and from clinical sources. Isolates were tested for different phenotypic characteristics and for their resistant patterns against certain antibiotics. Preliminary results of the Kirby Bauer disk-diffusion assay demonstrated that 47% of enterococcal isolates from the Great Salt Lake were resistant to one or more of the five antibiotics compared to 98% of the clinical isolates. In contrast, in a previous study, as few as 15% of Enterococcus isolated from the fresh water sources were resistant to one or more of the five antibiotics. These data may have implications concerning the importance of anthropological impact on rates of antibiotic resistance in this genus.

Jeremy Rehm, Brigham Young University Life Science The recent surge of interest in personality differences between individuals of a single population or members of differing populations has generated numerous new hypotheses that may aid in elucidating patterns of ecology and evolution that were previously considered improbable. Two hypotheses relevant to fish biology relate the size of an organism from a certain predation environment to the level of boldness it exhibits. The first of these (predation hypothesis) predicts small individuals living with predators should not express boldness comparable to their larger counterparts, whereas the other (metabolic hypothesis) predicts the exact opposite. Our study investigated these hypotheses using two sister-taxa fish species in Panama (Brachyrhaphis roseni and B. terrabensis) that exhibit two size classes (large and small) and live in differing predation environments. Additionally, because males are smaller than females in both species, we could look at size-boldness relations within each species. The study, as in others, defined boldness as the amount of time for an individual to emerge from a shelter and into an unfamiliar territory. When the species are analyzed collectively, our results support previous findings that fish from high-predation environments tend to be bolder than those without predators; males tend to be bolder than females; and both mass and standard length positively correlate with boldness. However, within species analyses find that mass and standard length have no significant relation to boldness, and gender was only significant in the predation-exposed B.roseni, where males were bolder. These interesting findings contrast with previous studies, and lead us to question the value of these size-related hypotheses in the process of speciation and, ultimately, evolution.

Charlee Byers, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Agave utahensis (Utah agave) plays a critical role as a keystone species in its native habitat. A rise in frequent, intense fires across the range of these habitats threatens to eliminate Utah agave populations, and consequently limit its genetic diversity. Characterizing the genetic diversity of Utah agave and its subspecies will help in restoration efforts to protect the species. We constructed primers to amplify microsatellite markers of two subspecies of Utah agave, ssp. kaibabensis and ssp. utahensis. Using these markers, we determined the level of polymorphism within four populations of each of the two subspecies.

Sean Studstill, Weber State University Life Sciences Imidacloprid is a popular systemic insecticide that has been applied to our staple crops for two decades. According to the EPA, it is persistent in the environment and at risk of effecting non-targeted organisms. Imidacloprid is an insect neurotoxin; however it is also known to be toxic to various aquatic species in concentrations as low as 37 ppb. Ingestion of imidacloprid causes paralysis in organisms through the blockage of postsynaptic nicotinic cholinergic receptors. We sought to find out how toxic imidacloprid is to brine shrimp and what kinds of physiological reactions occur upon exposure.

Jake Gamboa, Brigham Young University Life Sciences It is estimated that approximately 350,000 people in the United Stated die annually from post-myocardial infarction arrhythmias. A majority of these people will undergo a surgery that results in partial or complete removal of the stellate ganglion and other nerve fibers of the pharyngeal space in an attempt to prevent over stimulation from the neurons to the area of dead heart tissue and, therefore, future arrhythmias. However, without a somatomototopy, it is unclear what physiological effects partial or full sympathectomies may have. We will create a three-dimensional map of the pharyngeal space nerve plexus which will, in turn, allow for a more accurate and precise surgery.

Josh Hall, Weber State University Life Sciences Reproduction in birds is extremely conservative with the vast majority of the birds adopting bird-egg contact incubation to maintain an appropriate microclimate for embryonic development (Deeming, 2004). The Great Salt Lake is a vital nesting site for American Avocets (Recurvirostra Americana) that shows extreme temperatures and hostile environments where nest success can be as low as 1 -14% (Cavitt, 2008). Constancy of incubation, i.e. the time that the eggs are in contact with an adult, is a major indicator of nest success and environmental conditions. Our goals were to examine some of the costs natural selection places on embryos and parents to maintain a constant embryo temperature. We hypothesized that incubation attentiveness would increase across the nesting cycle. Over 200 AMAV nests were surveyed. Thermal probes were used to record various nest microclimates at every minute. A pseudonest with painted chicken eggs was also created and a thermal probe was placed to measure the ambient temperature without any adult incubation. A motion sensitive camera was placed over nests to examine differences in parental care. Nests will be divided into three phases: early, mid, and late incubation. Thermal data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and mean variance values to calculate how incubation constancy varied throughout these phases. We expect this data to tell us more on how natural selection is working on these populations and some possible theories of how this developed.

Goyeun Tun, University of Utah Life Sciences Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) are disorders which their symptoms and treatments are not clearly known. CFS and FMS are not life threatening diseases; however, they can affect patients’ quality of life because they experience symptoms including exercise intolerance, need for bedrest, and debilitating chronic pain and fatigue with these disorders. The research from Dr. Light’s lab has shown that moderate exercise for 25 minutes causes changes in mRNA levels in CFS and FMS patients but not healthy controls. The objective of our study was to examine changes in white blood cell gene expression of CFS and FMS patients both on Lyrica and on placebo in a double-blinded, cross-over design (where each study subject was his or her own control) by using quantitative PCR gene expression analysis. The lab routinely analyzes blood samples for 48 different genes from study subjects and healthy controls collected before (baseline) and then 8, 24, 48 hours after exercise moderate exercise. My focus was on changes in expression of two ATP-responsive purinergic receptors, P2X7 and P2Y1, which have not been studied after exercise in CFS and FMS but have been associated with chronic inflammation and pain in animal models. White blood cell layers (buffy coat) were collected from samples, RNA was extracted and converted to cDNA. 384 well PCR plates were robotically loaded from 96 well source plates, then the PCR reaction was run in an ABI 7900 thermal cycler that tracks fluorescence in “real time” (real time qPCR). Analysis of results is in progress and will be reported on the poster.

Xin Wan, University of Utah Life Sciences Endothelial dysfunction exists in individuals with diet-induced obesity (DIO) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Markers of endothelial dysfunction include reduced phosphorylation (p) of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) to total eNOS (p-eNOS:eNOS), and attenuated endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. Free fatty acids (FFAs) are elevated in individuals with DIO and T2DM. Our laboratory has shown that when: (i) endothelial cells are incubated with saturated FFA palmitate; (ii) mice are infused with lard-oil; and/or (iii) when mice are fed with high-fat diet, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) binds directly with eNOS. When this occurs, the association among Akt-Hsp90-eNOS is disrupted, p-eNOS:eNOS is impaired, and endothelium-dependent dysfunction occurs. This is prevented using pharmacological and genetic approaches that limit production of FFA metabolite ceramide. It is unknown whether PP2A inhibition per se is protective. We hypothesized that arterial dysfunction in obese vs. lean mice is prevented by PP2A inhibition. Seven-week-old, male, C57B16 mice consumed standard (CON, n=20) or high-fat (HF, n=20) chow for 12-weeks. Subgroups (n=10) of CON and HF mice received IP injections of saline (vehicle; V) or Lixte Biotechnology 100 (LB1, 1 mg/kg/day) for the last 14-days. Preliminary experiments verified that LB1-treatment for 3 and 21 days decreases (p<0.05) arterial PP2A activity. HF mice gained weight and developed peripheral glucose intolerance vs. CON mice regardless of LB1 treatment. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was impaired (p<0.05) in HF-V vs. CON-V mice, but dysfunction was less severe (p<0.05) in HF-LB1 mice. p-eNOS:eNOS was reduced (p<0.05) in arteries from HF-V vs. CON-V mice, but p-eNOS:eNOS was similar in arteries from HF-LB1 and CON-LB1 mice. Akt and Hsp90 co-immunoprecipitation with eNOS was impaired (p<0.05) in HF-V vs. HF-CON mice, but this was not observed in arteries from HF-LB1 and CON-LB1 mice. These findings suggest that PP2A activity suppression in vivo is sufficient to preserve endothelial function in obese mice.

J David Symons, University of Utah Life Sciences Autophagy plays a central role in cellular quality control by destroying damaged or excess proteins, lipids, membranes, and organelles that accumulate in response to deviations from homeostasis. The existence and role of autophagy in endothelial cells (ECs) and blood vessels has not been established. Autophagy can be quantified by assessing the ratio of the membrane bound conjugate of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3-II) to the cytosolic non-lipidated conjugate LC3-1 (LC3-II:LC3-I) or GAPDH (LC3-II:GAPDH) via immunoblotting. We sought to determine the extent to which a variety of cellular stressors induces autophagy in ECs and intact blood vessels. LC3-II:LC3-I or LC3-II:GAPDH was elevated (p<0.05) (i) 450±6% (n=4) in ECs incubated for 2 h in amino acid (AA)-deplete vs. AA-replete media; (ii) 47±3% (n=3) in arteries from fasted (14 h) vs. fasted / refed (1 h) mice; (iii) 40±2% (n=3) in arteries from mice that completed acute exercise vs. sedentary controls; (iv) 38±1% in arteries from exercise-trained vs. sedentary mice under basal conditions (n=2 per group); and was decreased (p<0.05) (v) 57±8% (n=4) in arteries from ~30 month-old (i.e., old) vs. ~6 month-old (i.e., young) mice. Further, indices of autophagy were elevated (p<0.05) 101±6% in ECs exposed to 3 h x 500 uM palmitate vs. vehicle (n=4), and 50±6% in arteries from obese vs. lean mice (n=4 per group). Thus, autophagy is altered in ECs and blood vessels in response to physiological (e.g., fasting, acute exercise, exercise training, aging) and pathophysiological (acute lipotoxicity, diet-induced obesity) stimuli. Ongoing research will determine the functional role of vascular autophagy in health and disease.

Janweb Lagazo, Brigham Young University Life Sciences The scientific community and the general public have long been interested in the effects of water pollution. Most studies on water pollution have focused solely on industrial pollution, but have failed to consider the potential impact of pharmaceuticals that unintentionally accumulate in aquatic ecosystems via wastewater treatment effluents. The purpose of this study is to advance our understanding on how these wastewater effluents affect aquatic ecosystems in Utah. We quantified the concentration of select pharmaceuticals in Hobble Creek using mass spectrometry. Then we sampled above the treatment plant, at the effluent outlet, and downstream of the effluent to determine pre-effluent and post-effluent drug concentrations. We are currently using this preliminary data to investigate how common endocrine disrupting, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-anxiety drugs may potentially affect the aquatic ecosystem of the endangered Chasmistes liorus, commonly known as June sucker.

Dani Peterson, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Due to its long and complicated trajectory through the cranium, facial nerve VII (CN VII) can be damaged in surgeries, sometimes resulting in facial muscle paralysis. Surgical removal of acoustic neuromas and parotid tumors, in addition to surgical repair of the temporomandibular joint disorder are associated with a risk of damage to CN VII. In addition, insertion of auditory implants can damage the nerve, as can improper stimulation to the nerve after the implantation has occurred. We will create a three-dimensional (3D) model based off of data from dissection of the nerve in a human cadaver in order to give physicians a greater in vivo knowledge of the pathway of CN VII. We have dissected the lateral side of the right half of the head to the level of the parotid gland, identified the parotid plexus of CN VII, and followed its five branches. In addition, we are currently following the nerve through the internal auditory meatus on its pathway through the temporal bone. In preparation for the modeling MicroScribe technique described below, we have imaged the head using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at BYU. These images will be used as a template for the nerve reconstruction model. After completing the dissection, we will track the nerve trajectory using a MicroScribe 3D Digitizer. The MicroScribe technique is used to create 3D computer models of any physical object. The user sets reference points and uses the stylus to trace data points of the object’s contours. Our final product will be a 3D spatial computer mapping of CNVII, as well as a mapping of the skull, parotid gland, and other landmarks to put the nerve model into context. We hypothesize that with our approach and MicroScribe technique, we will be successful in creating an accurate model of CN VII in the head.

Lauren Archibald, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Increased intake of selenium (Se) and soy have both been shown to reduce risk for prostate cancer, especially if these dietary treatments are combined. The purpose of this project is to determine how the timing of Se supplementation of either a low- or high-soy diet affects prostate cancer risk. [C57BL/6 X FVB] F1 TRAMP (TRansgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate) male mice were fed stock diets low or high in soy. Half of the mice received Se supplementation (4.0 mg Se/kg BW as Se-methylselenocysteine) by gavage 5 d/wk in a 2 X 2 factorial design. Se supplementation began at conception, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, or 18 weeks of age. The mice were then sacrificed at different stages of maturation (4, 12, 18, and 24 weeks). Our results showed that, at 12 weeks of age, urogenital tract weights, a measure of prostate proliferation and tumor volume, were significantly reduced by Se supplementation (p<0.001) and by soy (p=0.044), independent of time of dietary intervention. Histological scores of prostate cancer progression also showed a protective effect of Se supplementation (p=0.030). At this writing, statistical analysis of data from mice sacrificed at 18 weeks is in process. Data derived from 18-week mice, combined with our previous findings from 12-week animals, will allow us to chart the progress of prostate cancer in this model. In addition, results will show how dietary Se and soy may alter disease progression and how the timing of dietary intervention may determine its effects.

Claudia Gonzalez, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Cortisol has been shown to be a potential bio-marker as it discriminates between individuals with and without depression (Rush et al., 1996 and Ising et al., 2007). However, cortisol has not been used to predict variation in temperament extremes that lead to pathological behaviors in adulthood. In order to examine the relationship between cortisol and temperament extremes, data from the bio-behavioral assessment (BBA) was used. The BBA data base includes data collected from over 2,700 infant rhesus macaques located in California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC). During the BBA four blood samples per subject are obtained and later assayed for plasma cortisol levels. In this study, the plasma cortisol response levels were looked at in a holistic form encompassing all individual cortisol samples. The four points of plasma cortisol concentrations were used to extract patterns of response per subject which provided classifications for each of the monkeys. The pathological patterns of cortisol response were characterized by abnormal plasma cortisol levels in response to Dexamethasone suppression testing and adrenocorticotropin ACTH injections. The variability in plasma cortisol patterns was then compared to BBA temperament ratings of vigilance, gentle, nervousness and confidence. These results showed that 12 of the 26 possible patterns of response were significantly (p<.05) related to each of the temperament ratings of vigilance, gentleness and confidence. Thus cortisol response patterns can be used both as biomarkers for vigilance, gentleness and confidence, and as potential predictors for pathological behaviors in adulthood.

April McMurray, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DMT2) is a lifestyle-related disease where the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells are unreceptive to it, and it is now the most common form of diabetes. Individuals who do not control the disease can suffer serious complications such as limb amputation, damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and it can be very costly. This problem is particularly serious in Tonga; the prevalence is almost twice as high as that in the United States. The purpose of this research project was to determine to what extent the cultural, economic, and educational factors contribute to such high prevalence. In May I traveled to Tonga with the nursing students from Brigham Young University to conduct my research. I distributed surveys to patients and medical staff in the diabetes clinic in the Vaiola hospital in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. The surveys had questions related to their socioeconomic status, understanding and attitudes of diabetes, as well as patient management practices. While I was there, I also kept extensive field notes on observations related to my research, which provided supplemental information regarding the Tongan lifestyle that was difficult to gather from the surveys. Preliminary analysis indicates that there has been a very small, positive shift in understanding and attitudes towards DMT2, but economic- and culture-based habits still impede Tongans from managing the disease effectively. There were several limitations to this study: small sample numbers, lack of resources, some resistance from Tongan medical personnel, and particularly cultural barriers made it difficult to gather enough information to come to significant conclusions. However, the research does give insight concerning potential future studies and interventions to help the people of Tonga treat this disease.

Benjamin Gann, Utah Valley University Life Sciences (E)-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butenal (2-Butenal) was shown to inhibit various inflammatory responses by inhibiting NF-kB pathway. A pull-down assay proved 2-butenal to bind to IKKb and was proposed as an active site kinase inhibitor through molecular docking experiment. However, 2-butanal has a highly conjugated aldehyde group that makes it very unstable. Therefore, we have designed more stable 2-butenal analogues and prepared them using Heck reaction. Molecular docking experiment shows that many of them have a greater affinity to IKKb.

Sara Fauver, University of Utah Life Sciences We know that novel genetic variants have driven evolution for millions of years and that natural selection favors phenotypes most suited for survival, leading to the enormous diversity of life we see today. However, what remains unclear, are the patterns of mutations that lead to large phenotypic changes. For example, do mutations in a single gene of large effect lead to morphological changes more often than numerous mutations in genes of smaller effect? Also, do these mutations occur more often in protein coding regions or regulatory regions of DNA? Finally, are the same genes or gene pathways used repeatedly across lineages when parallel phenotypes evolve?

Jeffrey Leavitt, Utah Valley University Life Sciences Central Research Question: Heptageniidae is a large family within the order Ephemeroptera (mayflies). This family consists of over 500 described species. Recently a study was done across 200 of the species to break them up into subfamilies, and genera. The studied concluded that there are 29 genera and three subfamilies Ecdyonurinae, Heptageniinae, and Rhithrogeninae (Wang, 2004). Furthermore, Ogden et al. (2009) proposed that the families Arthropleidae and Pseudironidae were derived heptageniid lineages. The phylogenetic relationships of Heptageniidae, Arthropleidae, Pseudironidae, to other closely related families are inconclusive. We propose to study these three families and the three subfamilies of Heptageniidae in detail via molecular systematics.

Daniel Hall, Brigham Young University Life Sciences OBJECTIVE(S): Predictive analytics (PA) is increasingly being used in the delivery of healthcare. Whether PA can improve patient handoffs on a busy surgical service is unknown. This study aims to determine if predictive models for acute cellular rejection (ACR) episodes and biliary complications after orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT) can be built in order to improve patient care.

Spencer Alexander, Dixie State University Life Sciences Antibiotic resistance has increased with each new developed medication, creating new problems as bacteria become more difficult to defeat. Some of these bacteria are resistant because they can excrete an extracellular polymeric substance known as a biofilm. The polysaccharide-based biofilm matrix allows the colony to communicate, absorb nutrients, and exchange genetic material giving it an advantage in possible resistance through plasmid exchange. At present, there are no effective antimicrobial agents that can safely treat and prevent resistant bacteria like ORSA. Biofilms have a negative impact ranging from human pathogenesis down to economic expenses. In order to break down established biofilms, we utilized newly developed organic salts known as ionic liquids. These novel liquids have been observed to prevent bacterial colonies and biofilm formation, possibly by introducing intermolecular interactions that disrupt the chemical bonding in biofilms. The morphology of the microbes was characterized and observed to determine the effect of the ionic liquids on biofilms. Inhibition studies were also performed to determine antimicrobial efficiency of the ionic liquids as a function of organic structures. These novel ionic liquids provide an unprecedented, effective and efficient method to combat resistant bacteria, which could have tremendous impacts in achieving sterile environments in medical and remote settings.

Michael Gillespie, Brigham Young University Life Sciences It is vital to understand the anatomical microstructure of tendons and ligaments in order to ascertain their specific qualities and functions. Recent developments in micro-scribe 3D digitization are highly effective in revealing these intricacies. A necessary component to creating 3D fiber maps from this technology is the ability to distinguish between individual tissue fibers with the naked eye. However, this is a very difficult task with most tendons and ligaments. We developed a paste made of blue dye and powdered sugar that when applied, fits in-between these fibers and contrasts the specimen color. This exposes the fine architecture, making individual fibers much more visible and thus able to be 3D digitized. With these 3D fiber maps now available, tendon and ligament microstructure can be viewed in greater detail than previously possible. This technique was applied to human cadaveric calcaneal tendon and quadriceps tendon. It was discovered that the fibers of human calcaneal tendon have higher overlap relative to the rigidly parallel fibers of the quadriceps tendon. This further understanding carries implications regarding the advancement of biomechanical models, artificial reconstruction, and surgical repair of these tissues. It also highlights the need for further investigation into the microstructure differences among tendons and ligaments.

Michaelle Cadet, Utah Valley University Life Sciences Utah County, Utah has an estimated population of 540,000 residents and is considered to be a non-attainment area for criteria pollutants such as PM-10 and CO. High levels of these contaminants may increase the risk of respiratory diseases. Additional environmental issues exist including water contamination and eutrophication of Utah Lake. These environmental issues are frequently on the news and warnings are issued by the Department of Environmental Quality notifying citizens of the potential health concerns associated with environmental pollution. With these announcements, it is expected that Utahans are acutely aware of environmental issues, particularly, in the academic settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of environmental awareness among students at Utah Valley University and to correlate the results to socio-demographic categories. Utah Valley University, located in Utah County, is a public institution of higher education with approximately 30,000 registered students. Data for this study was collected through a survey using a multistage sampling technique with population stratified based on colleges and schools within the university. Sample size included approximately 1,000 students. The survey contained 12 environmental questions relating to recent local, national and international media exposure. Standards and protocol of the International Research Board were employed. We hypothesize that married, educated, religious males will positively correlate with higher levels of environmental awareness, but will be less than atheists. Additionally, those identifying with the Republican Party will have lower levels of awareness. No significant difference will be found between majors. Furthermore the young, poor and ethnic populations will be less aware than their more affluent counterparts. Results of this study will be used to inform residents of environmental issues and the associated health concerns. Additionally, this study will be used to inform legislators about the importance of environmental education in the community.

Ethel Tackie-Yarboi, Westminster College Life Sciences The brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana are an important source of nutrients for many of the over 15 million migratory birds that visit Great Salt Lake (GSL) in Utah each year. As well as being a source of food, the brine shrimp are an intermediate host to cestode parasites that infect many of the bird species. Although the effects of cestode infection in brine shrimp and the contribution of brine shrimp to cestode circulation in birds have been studied, little research has yet addressed the rate of cestode infection or molecular phylogeny of these cestodes. We collected brine shrimp from three sites in GSL and tested individuals for cestode infection using previously identified and newly designed cestode specific PCR primers that amplify the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Our preliminary results showed that the Spiral Jetty site from the North arm of GSL had a 2% infection rate, the Antelope Island site from the South arm had a 45% infection rate, and the shrimp collected at the Black Rock site, also in the South arm, had a 32% infection rate using our cestode specific PCR assays. We also have preliminary DNA sequencing results that demonstrate that we are amplifying cestode DNA, which is most closely related to members of the genus Hymenolepis. Our data suggest that there may be a higher prevalence of cestode infection in the shrimp in the South arm than those from the North arm of the Great Salt Lake. Our goal is to extend our study in order to better identify the species of cestodes that infect brine shrimp using further DNA sequencing and to expand our infection rate samples to better estimate the percentage of the brine shrimp population that is infected by the cestode parasites, as well as test samples from several years.

J David Symons, University of Utah Life Sciences Cardiovascular complications (e.g., arterial dysfunction) are more prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Patients with T2DM have elevated levels of circulating free fatty acids (FFAs). We have shown that when bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) are treated with the physiologically relevant FFA palmitate, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity increases, phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) to total eNOS (p-eNOS:eNOS) decreases, and metabolites of NO production decrease. NO is an important endothelial-derived relaxing factor that is vasculoprotective. As such, FFA-induced, PP2A-mediated reductions in p-eNOS:eNOS and NO production might explain why vascular complications are more common in pathologies associated with lipotoxicity e.g., T2DM and diet-induced obesity. Recently we showed in BAECs that if PP2A is inhibited using okadaic acid (OA), palmitate-induced increases in PP2A activity, and reductions in p-eNOS:eNOS and indices of NO production are negated. We sought to translate these finding from BAECs to the intact organism. However, OA cannot be used in vivo. Lixte Biotechnology 1 (LB1) is a PP2A inhibitor that has been used in vivo in the context of cancer research. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of LB1 under our experimental conditions, with the long-range goal of using LB1 in mice. Further, we used this opportunity to optimize the measurement of NO directly using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). BAECs were treated for 3 h with vehicle (V), 500 µM palmitate (P), 4 µM LB1, or P + LB1 (n=10 per treatment). P increased (p<0.05) PP2A activity (50±12%), and decreased (p<0.05) p-tyr307:PP2A (29±9%; redundant indicator of increased PP2A activity), p-eNOS:eNOS (30±3%), and NO production (27±9%). All P-induced effects were prevented by concurrent treatment with LB1. Future experiments will determine whether chronic treatment of mice with LB1 is capable of suppressing PP2A activity in intact arteries.

Cynthiann Heckelsmiller, Weber State University Life Sciences Heavy foot traffic compacts soil, leading to decreased gas exchange, water permeability, and reduced nutrient cycling. Plant communities are defined by the availability of nutrients, water, and other resources.

Jordan Fenlon, University of Utah Life Sciences Tsr, the serine chemoreceptor for E. coli, is a transmembrane protein with a periplasmic sensing domain and cytoplasmic adaptation and kinase control domains. The focus of my research project is Tsr residue A413, located in the cytoplasmic tip of the receptor’s kinase control domain. The project involves characterization of mutant Tsr proteins containing amino acid replacements at residue 413. Based on previous work in the Parkinson lab, this residue is thought to play a key role in Tsr signaling by regulating the dynamic motion of the tip.

Evan Campbell, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Asthma is a chronic allergic disorder manifest by airway restriction due to inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and increased respiratory mucous secretion. As many as 300 million people worldwide are affected by asthma and its prevalence is increasing primarily in countries experiencing urbanization and Westernization. Asthma is currently the most common chronic illness among children in the U.S., and the third leading cause of hospitalization for children aged 0 – 15 yrs. Reservoir dust collection and area air sampling are the two primary methods of measuring allergen levels in house dust. Allergen sensitization leading to asthma is thought to occur prior to age six while the immune system is still naïve. In the case of the dust mite allergen Der p1, the exposure window may be as early as age two. However, little evidence is available to establish a dose–response relationship between inhalation exposure and early immunological sensitization to allergens. Temperature and relative humidity play a major role in dust mite survival and proliferation and indoor humidity above 50-60% in arid environments has been shown to support dust mite populations. Evaporative “swamp” coolers cool air by adding humidity to it and can create favorable environments for dust mite survival. We are working to determine how much swamp coolers contribute to dust mite levels in Utah by quantitating dust mite allergen levels in homes with and without swamp coolers. In order to do this we are developing sensitive ELISA and quantitative PCR methods to allow us to determine levels of exposure even when low levels of dust are collected.

Logan Warner, Utah Valley University Life Sciences High-frequency ultrasound (20-80 MHz) has been found to be sensitive to a range of pathologies in excised breast tissue before fixation in formalin or other formaldehyde analogues. Formalin fixation, however, may alter the structure and rigidity of a sample so that data gathered using high-frequency ultrasound after fixation may no longer be viable for research purposes. This limits the amount of time researchers may conduct tests, so preservation via simple sugars is being considered. Numerous studies have been conducted using sucrose, trehalose, or glucose as cryoprotectants for cells and simple tissues. The objective of this study was to test the sensitivity of high-frequency ultrasound to changes in the microstructure, stiffness, and cellular integrity of tissue samples due to cryopreservation with these sugars. Domestic pig heart tissue was placed in aqueous solutions of sucrose, trehalose, and D-(+)-glucose. The specimens were refrigerated and observed over time using high-frequency ultrasound to detect tissue damage. The results of this study suggest that cryopreservation with sugars will not only allow more time for researchers to conduct ultrasonic tests on surgical specimens, but also that high-frequency ultrasound could potentially be used as an assay to measure tissue degradation in preserved living tissues such as transplant organs.