2020 Abstracts

Sommers, Taryn; Veon, Raymond (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Veon, Raymond (Caine College of the Arts, Art and Design Department)

A literature search of research and academic journals suggests that there are few critical examinations of LDS visual culture in visual culture research. The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the types of gender roles portrayed in contemporary LDS visual culture, the visual codes used to represent these gender roles, and the degree to which the representations of gender used in LDS visual culture align with findings in related visual culture studies. The result of this study will be a description of the current visual strategies used by the LDS church to represent gender roles, a thematic analysis of these visual strategies, and suggestions for future research into the ways that the LDS church visually defines gender in relation to existing trends and themes in visual culture research. The scope will include: “Mormon Ads,” images used in the LDS magazine, “Ensign,” and conference memes used during the years 2016-2019. This will contribute to the field of visual culture and gender studies by examining the visual codes used by the LDS church to portray the role and status of males and females as represented in current LDS visual culture, determining the strategies used in these representations, and discussing the potential research implications of these findings in light of themes in visual culture gender studies. Some research questions are: What visual codes are used in the representation of males, females, and mixed-sex groups in current LDS visual culture? What types of roles and status do these visual codes convey pertaining to the representation of males, females, and mixed-sex groups in current LDS visual culture? What extent do the results of investigating the above research questions align with other research findings in gender and visual culture studies? The methods used in this research will be 1) an inventory of discrete visual codes (e.g. color use, affect/expression, clothing/dress, setting, etc.) used in the LDS visual culture samples, and 2) a separate thematic analysis of the sample will also be conducted. The results of both methods will be compared, analyzed, and discussed in light of current trends in visual culture gender research. While the results of this research are expected to demonstrate that LDS visual culture will emphasize and reinforce traditional gender roles of females as mothers and homemakers and males as leaders and providers, it is hoped that this study will reveal strategies related to gender role representation unique to LDS culture.

Marissa Devey (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisors: Vigneault, Marissa (Caine College of the Arts, Art and Design Department); Winward, Robert (Caine College of the Arts, Art and Design Department)

To those of us who are privileged enough to pad ourselves from the immediate consequences of global climate change, its reality remains an abstract and intangible problem. In the tropical cloud forests of Costa Rica, however, the effects of global warming are readily evident. My research aims to provide a narrative of climate change in the uniquely diverse and delicate cloud forest ecosystem, where I work in partnership with Ph.D. ecology student Jessica Murray. While Jessica uses sensors and datasets to quantify an intricate network of plants, animals, and microorganisms, my intent is to help non-scientists to visualize the implications of Jessica’s findings. My purpose is not to simplify or re-tell Jessica’s research, but to help the viewer connect with unfamiliar, abstract ideas in a visceral, internal way. I leverage paint, poetry, infographics, and abstraction to construct a metaphor for climate ecology: the human body. Working within this metaphor allows me to channel the viewer’s own physical, bodily experiences into an intimate portrait of ecological systems and their vulnerability to climate change. My goal is for viewers to become more conscious of their own ecology-- more aware of their dependence on the environment and more compassionate towards its components.

Passey, Abigail; Domyan, Eric (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Domyan, Eric (Utah Valley University, Department Of Biotechnology/Biology)

In the United States approximately 3 million people are living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Approximately 75,000 of those patients represent pediatric cases. We aim to create a new drug delivery system with the intention of establishing a more feasible, stable, and effective form of administering treatments to those with the aforementioned autoimmune diseases, specifically attempting to provide a more ideal treatment for juvenile patients. We are focusing on first providing a rudimentary proof of concept. For the project, we will attempt to engineer mammalian cells that will produce the fusion protein CTLA4-Ig, commonly known as abatacept, a current treatment for RA, and a potential treatment for SLE. Thus far, we have completed and verified success of the molecular cloning necessary to create the recombinant molecule. We have successfully induced expression of the fusion protein in mammalian cell lines COS-7 and B16F10 via lipofections. We are currently working to optimize lipofection conditions and test for successful cellular production of CTLA4-Ig. Ideally, we aim to engineer red blood cells (RBCs) to produce the molecule. If we can complete our proof of concept, we will then attempt to reprogram myeloid and lymphoid progenitors into induced hematopoietic stem cells (iHSCs), and culture the cells ex vivo to allow for massive expansion of these iHSCs, which can then be genetically engineered. Additionally, the iHSCs will be cultured in such a way that, once in vivo, will result in them committing explicitly to erythroid lineages, and secreting the target protein as they mature into fully functional, adult RBCs. Causing RBCs to secrete CTLA4-Ig throughout the body would eliminate the need for regular injections of the drug, and thus potentially improve the quality of pediatric patients' lives.

Preece, J Caleb; Seibold, Tanner; Hutchison, Cortland (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Feland, J. Brent (Life Sciences, Exercise Science)

BACKGROUND: The recent development of shear-wave elastography (SWE) allows for the quantification of muscle elasticity/stiffness without complex biopsy or dynamometry. To date SWE information is available in younger subjects (typically <30 yrs). Variables such as temperature, joint position, ultrasound probe position and pressure can affect the SWE measurement.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of SWE measurements of both the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius muscle using 3 different trained ultrasound users.
METHODS: Data was collected from 118 volunteers (participants in the Huntsman World Senior Games) in St. George, Utah, 2019. Subjects (62 males: mean age = 68.9 ± 7.8 yrs, Ht = 177.4 ± 8.1 cm, Wt= 85.4±20 kg; 54 females: mean age = 66.9 ± 8.5 yrs, Ht = 164.4 ± 7.2 cm, Wt= 69.8±18 kg) signed an approved consent form and then lay prone on a treatment table for 3 repeated ultrasonic measurement of SWE of both heads of the gastrocnemius using all three trained research assistants.
ANALYSIS: The three SWE measurements were analyzed using SPSS ver25 for medial and lateral gastrocnemius separately using the reliability analysis function and calculating a two-way mixed model of Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).
RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Overall, the measurements of SWE were very reliable with both the lateral gastrocnemius (ICC = .985) and the medial gastrocnemius (ICC = .991). Based on our experience in learning SWE measurements there is a significant learning curve to probe positioning and pressure as well as waiting for a stable elastography signal on the ultrasound screen. The high ICC values for these repeated measurements demonstrate that SWE measurement of the gastrocnemius can be reliable and repeatable. These results may not apply to other muscles since size and depth of muscle can also affect SWE signaling.

Seibold, B. Tanner; Hutchison, Cortland; Preece, J. Caleb; Feland, J. Brent (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Feland, J. Brent (Life Sciences, Exercise Science)

BACKGROUND: To date, a few studies have demonstrated shear wave elastography (SWE) values for the gastrocnemius muscles in younger subjects (<30 yrs). However, little info is available on aging muscle. SWE of aging muscle is needed to better understand the intrinsic tensile changes that take place in muscle over time.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine how cross-sectional area (CSA) and SWE correlate with each other) in both the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles of active older athletes participating in the HuntsmanWorld Senior Games.
METHODS: Data was collected from 116 volunteers (participants in the Huntsman World Senior Games) in St. George, Utah, 2019. Subjects (62 males: mean age = 68.9 ± 7.8 yrs, Ht = 177.4 ± 8.1 cm, Wt = 85.4 ± 20 kg; 54 females: mean age = 66.9 ± 8.5 yrs, Ht = 164.4 ± 7.2 cm, Wt = 69.8 ± 18 kg) signed an approved consent form and then lay prone on a treatment table for ultrasonic measurement of both CSA and SWE of both heads of the gastrocnemius.
ANALYSIS: All data were analyzed using SPSS ver25 with a multivariate analysis utilizing both age, height, and weight as covariates with Pearson correlations calculated on the relationship between CSA and SWE of both heads.
RESULTS & CONCLUSION: We hypothesized that increases in cross-sectional area would positively correlate with increased SWE values since the muscle would be larger and prior studies have found muscle hypertrophy increases muscle pennation angle. Neither Medial gastroc (r=-.100, p=.280) or Lateral gastroc (r=.047, p=.613) CSA was significantly correlated with their respective SWE ratings. Age significantly affected CSA only after the age of 59, but similarities in CSA and SWE between all participants may be the result of the high level of activity of these subjects.

Petersen, Chrissa; Velaytham, Anandh; Saldivar, Miguel (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Velayutham, Anandh (Integrative Physiology and Nutrition)

Aging is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, which are major causes of disability and mortality in the elderly. Endothelial dysfunction plays a major role in aging-associated vascular complications. Dietary change may be one of the novel strategies to ameliorate endothelial dysfunction and aging-associated complications. Our lab recently showed that dietary supplementation of blueberries improves vascular inflammation and dysfunction in diabetic mice. In our present study, we investigated the effect of dietary blueberries on vascular function in aged mice. Adult male mice (two months old) and old male mice (17 months old) were fed a control rodent diet (Y and O respectively). The subgroups of Y and O mice were fed a diet supplemented with 3.8% freeze-dried blueberries (Y+BB, O+BB respectively) for 15 weeks. Based on normalization to body surface area, this dose in mice is equivalent to ~1.5 servings of blueberries (~240 g) in humans. Mesenteric arteries were collected and used to assess vascular function using a wire myograph system. After arteries were precontracted to ~65% of maximal phenylephrine-induced contraction and tension was stable, responses to acetylcholine (ACh, 10-8-10-6 M) were evaluated to determine endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. In our study, there is no difference existed between Y vs. O and O vs. O+BB indicating the vascular function was similar among the groups. Our ongoing studies are focused on identifying the effect of dietary blueberries on vascular inflammation in aged mice and the possible molecular mechanisms involved.

Nelson, Andrew; Foutz, Isaac; Hunt, Porter; Wood, David; Bundy, Bradley; (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Bundy, Bradley (Brigham Young University, Chemical Engineering)

Cell-free Protein Synthesis (CFPS), an in vitro system for producing recombinant protein, is a rapidly expanding field. To date, applications of this technology, among others, include unnatural amino acid incorporation, protein microarray fabrication, genome engineering, and the production of therapeutics, vaccines, and biocatalysts. Here, we further engineer cell-free protein synthesis as a biosensor for endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), compounds that mimic hormones and thus disrupt endocrine system physiology in the body.

Ashton, S. Jeramy (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Mizell, Karen (Utah Valley University; Philosophy, Ethics)

A desire to maintain attention, a crave for focus, a potential escape from reality, these are some of the potential reasons that a person would recreationally take a stimulant.
A stimulant substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body. Stimulants such as Adderall have been studied for years as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the stimulant in 1996. The drug has seen an enormous amount of popularity among prescribers, patients and the general public. Studies on the drug continue to examine levels of effectiveness, possibility of dependency, recreational use and the typical benefit to harm ratios.
Empirical data shows that individuals among the college cohort make up the highest number of recreational stimulant users. Using data from across the county and comparing such findings to Bioethical principles (more specifically, the four parts of principalism), I will first examine the benefits and harms of the recreational use of stimulants (such as dependency, classism, social and academic advancements) and then, with that gathered reasoning, argue against the recreational use of stimulants among the college cohort.

Hansen, Riley; Hooper, Victoria; Rawson, Clayton (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Gazdik-Stofer, Michaela (Utah Valley University, Biology)

The human microbiome is the community of microbes associated with the human body. Disruption and imbalances in these microbiomes can cause diverse symptoms from depression to eczema. Celiac Disease (CD) is characterized by an immune response in the small intestine that is triggered by the protein gluten, found in wheat. Previous studies have identified microbial dysbiosis in patients with CD. To better understand how these dysbiosis can affect the disease itself we will exam the microbiome diversity and composition in CD patients and healthy individuals on gluten-free diets. This will help identify what microbiome changes are associated with CD compared to those that are caused by the CD patients lack of gluten in their diet. The microbial populations of three different groups will be analyzed: 1. those diagnosed with CD and on a gluten-free diet, 2. those who do not have CD and are on a gluten-free diet, and 3. those who do not have CD and are not on a specific diet. The dietary and disease influences on the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract will be analyzed via a single stool sample collected from each study subject. Microbial DNA was extracted using the QIAamp PowerFecal DNA kit following manufacturer's specifications (Qiagen) V3/V4 region of 16s rRNA will be sequenced using the 600 cycle v3 MiSeq kit (Illumina) The results of the analysis will be compared to existing microbial genome databases to determine the composition of microbes present in the study groups.

Richardson, Deborah; Valentine, Julie; Miles, Leslie (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Valentine, Julie (Brigham Young University, Nursing); Miles, Leslie (Brigham Young university, Nursing)

Purpose: Describe the minimal effect of post-assault bathing or showering on the development of FBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) eligible DNA profiles from sexual assault kit evidence.
Sexual assault kit (SAK) submission rates significantly decrease in cases wherein the victim has bathed or showered. The belief that these actions diminish the possibility of finding evidence heavily contributes to be a significant negative predictor of SAK submissions by law enforcement (LE). Now there are improved DNA analysis methods that can yield CODIS eligible DNA profiles from skin regardless of whether the victim bathed or showered.
SAK submission rates and DNA analysis findings from 5,423 cases were evaluated in this retrospective study. 36% of victims reported post-assault bathing or showering. These washing actions was found to be highly correlated with time between assault and sexual assault forensic examination. In a generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression analysis on SAK submission rates, victim reports of post-assault bathing or showering was a consistent predictor of law enforcement not submitting kits. Yet, bivariable statistical analysis determined that victim bathing or showering post-assault was not associated with the lack of development of a DNA probative profile from SAK evidence.
The effect of post-assault bathing or showering must be reconsidered in the forensic science and criminal justice community as DNA analysis can yield probative DNA profiles, even after a victim has bathed or showered. The presentation of these research findings will encourage the submission of SAK by law enforcement and potentially increase SAK submission rates by eradicating any doubt regarding the minimal effect of bathing or showering on the development of CODIS eligible DNA profiles. New research data supports the collection, submission and testing of all SAK especially those with a victim history of post-assault bathing or showering.

Symons, John David; Cho, Jae Min; Ly, Kellsey; Thompson, Lauren; Lee, Sebastian; Hansen, Michele; Carter, Kandis (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Symons, John David (University of Utah; Nutrition and Integrative Physiology)

The process of macroautophagy is operational during basal conditions to maintain organelle and protein quality control, but is upregulated during cellular stress to adapt to changing nutritional and energy demands. We tested the hypothesis that intact endothelial cell (EC) autophagy is required to observe exercise training-induced vascular improvements. Rationale for this hypothesis was provided by an earlier report that obese mice with germline, whole body mutation of a protein requisite for autophagy i.e., Bcl2-AAA mice were refractory to training-induced improvements concerning glucose homeostasis. First we demonstrated that : (i) workload achieved during a maximal treadmill test; (ii) soleus muscle citrate synthase activity; (iii) vascular indices of autophagy; and (iv) endothelium-dependent function were greater (p<0.05) in male C57Bl/6 mice that completed 10-weeks of treadmill-training vs. age-matched sedentary animals. These findings indicate that an efficacious training protocol improves vascular autophagy and arterial function. Next, age-matched male mice on a C75Bl/6 background with tamoxifen-inducible Cre/LoxP-based impairment of autophagy-related gene 3 (Atg3) specifically in ECs (iecAtg3KO mice) or wild-type (WT) littermates were trained (ETR) identically or remained sedentary (SED). Atg3 mRNA was minimal (p<0.05) in ECs obtained from iecAtg3KO vs. WT mice, but vascular smooth muscle cell Atg3 was similar between groups. These data verify that specific knockdown of Atg3 existed in ECs but not vascular smooth muscle of iecAtg3KO mice. As expected, intraluminal flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) improved (p<0.05) in WT-ETR vs. WT-SED mice, while vascular smooth muscle responses to sodium nitroprusside were similar between groups. Further, as anticipated, intraluminal FMD was blunted (p<0.05) in iecAtg3KO-SED vs. WT-SED mice, indicating the importance of EC autophagy to FMD induced vasodilation. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, training-induced vascular adaptations were observed (p<0.05) in iecAtg3KO-ETR vs. iecAtg3KO-SED mice, while vascular smooth muscle responses were similar between groups. Indeed, training-induced vascular improvements concerning intraluminal FMD were not different between WT-ETR and iecAtg3KO-ETR mice. These findings are not congruent with our original hypothesis, and indicate that intact EC Atg3 is not required for training-induced vascular adaptations to occur.

Carrington, James; Xue, Qian; Roh-Johnson, Minna (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Roh-Johnson, Minna (University of Utah, Biochemistry)

Metastasis of melanoma to distant sites of the body result in poor patient prognosis with a high mortality rate (76%). Cell migration has been studied in vitro and focal adhesions, which allow cells to move forward by attaching to extracellular matrix (ECM) on the front of the cell and breaking down at the back of the cell, have been shown to play important roles in locomotion. However, it has been difficult to visualize these structures in vivo, especially during tumor cell dissemination. Understanding how cancer cells are utilizing focal adhesions could play an important role in developing therapeutics to counteract metastasis using focal adhesion inhibitors and lead to improved patient outcomes. This research focuses on identifying if a previously observed focal adhesion marker in melanoma is formed at surfaces where cells are in contact with ECM. Because zebrafish share 80% disease homology with humans and are transparent during early embryonic development, they provide an optimal model for visualizing cell migration while still maintaining physiological significance. To identify if migrating melanoma cells are in contact with ECM, we injected fluorescently labeled melanoma cells in zebrafish. We allowed the melanoma cells to migrate and labeled components of the ECM (laminin, collagen, and fibronectin). We then imaged the zebrafish and determined the proximity of melanoma cells to the ECM. We also used transmission electron microscopy to identify the location of melanoma cells in respect to the ECM. We found that melanoma cells are in contact with ECM in vivo. The in vivo contact of focal adhesion markers in melanoma with ECM suggests that focal adhesions can be visualized and studied in zebrafish. Future studies will examine how focal adhesion formation is regulated and how inhibiting their function will impact tumor cell dissemination.

Taylor, Sarah; Fawver, Bradley; DeCouto, Brady; Lohse, Keith R.; Williams, A. Mark� (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Lohse, Keith (University of Utah; Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation); Williams, Mark (University of Utah; Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation)

Achieving elite status in sport often requires athletes to overcome significant physical injuries. However, to date, there has been a paucity of studies exploring how hours engaged in practice and early developmental milestones influence injury rates in "high-risk" winter sports, such as alpine skiing. Moreover, despite numerous published reports on injury epidemiology, a lack of objective measures of performance has been a notable oversight. The purpose of this study was to assess how previous sport engagement and performance are related to injury in a sample of sub-elite youth alpine skiers. Adolescent skiers enrolled in U.S. academies (N = 169, males = 81) were given questionnaires assessing practice/injury history and sport-specific milestones, while performance in speed and technical disciplines were derived from participants' National points (i.e., ranking) for each year available. Simple correlations, MANOVAs, and linear mixed-effect regressions were used to assess relationships between predictors: age, gender, sport-specific milestones (e.g., age of first competition), practice hours, ranking; and the outcomes of interest: injury incidence (i.e., proportion of seasons an athlete sustained injuries causing them to miss > 4 weeks) and injury impact (i.e., average weeks missed due to injury each year). Results revealed that while older athletes had accumulated more injury weeks across their career (p = .020), female skiers reported greater injury incidence (p = .049). Neither injury incidence nor injury impact was associated with performance trends (all p's > .05), but they were negatively associated with time spent in group and individual practice (both p's < .05). Finally, the age of first competition was positively correlated with injury impact (p = .014). These and other findings are discussed in relation to previous studies of sport-injury, as well as applied implications for working with developmental athlete populations in high-risk domains.

Contreras, John; Forrest, Rachel T.; Bayles, Madelyn (Westminster College)
Faculty Advisor: Contreras, John (Westminster College, Public Health); Forrest; Rachel T. (Westminster College, Public Health)

Air pollution, much of which results from human activities like transportation, may significantly harm children's health, from worsening asthma to potentially even lowering I.Q. This makes idling near schools a serious concern. In response, the EPA has developed an idle-free schools campaign. This campaign will be implemented during the 2019-2020 school year at a Salt Lake City elementary school. Ground-level ozone and PM2.5 levels will be measured before and after the campaign in order to determine its efficacy. Additionally, during the spring and summer of 2019, parents' perceptions of idling, and, by extension, air pollution, were examined using a focus group and a survey. The resulting data, which was analyzed using R statistical software and Excel, found associations between gender and beliefs about air pollution, as well as between education level and beliefs about air pollution. A better understanding of the effectiveness of the EPA's campaign and of parents' perceptions may be helpful in combating air pollution, leading to improved community health.

Poudyel, Kamala; Gurung, Surya (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Kamimure, Akiko (Social and Behavioral Science, Sociology)

Bhutanese refugees are often torture survivors and experience mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorders, anxiety and depression. However, there are few studies focusing on mental health among Bhutanese women in the US. The purpose of this proposed study is to examine mental health among Bhutanese women with a refugee background living in Utah. Specifically, this study analyzes how social support and acculturation are associated with mental health (stress) and images of mental illness. A Self-administered or interviewer-administered survey has been collected from Bhutanese women since September 2019. Preliminary results suggest stronger sense of belonging to American and Bhutanese cultures was associated with higher levels of social support. Lack of social support was associated with higher levels of stress. The notable images of people with mental illness among the participants included "People with chronic mental illness are, by far, more dangerous than the general population," and "Mental health facilities should be kept out of residential neighborhood." Those negative images were related to lower levels of understanding both American and Bhutanese cultures. It is important to maintain ethnic identity as Bhutanese as well as to learn American culture to promote social support and reduce stress. In addition, reducing negative images of mental illness may help seek help for mental health issue when they experience such problems. Strong sense of belonging to American and Bhutanese cultures is important for well-being among Bhutanese women in Utah.

Gaona-Partida, Paul; Chan, Julian; Aguilar-Alvarez, David (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Chan, Julian (Weber State University, Mathematics); Aguilar-Alvarez, David (Weber State University, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences)

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS:
Low hemoglobin (HB) levels are used to indicate anemia, which increases your risk for contracting infectious diseases and overall mortality. The rate of iron deficiency anemia in Ghana is more than triple the world average, making this condition a main health concern for the country. In this study, we sought to identify the influence of location and iron consumption on HB levels of Ghanaians.

METHODOLOGY:
Food frequency questionnaire was given to 140 participants in 5 different locations of Ghana (Jamestown, King Tower, Mole, Larabanga, University of Ghana). All food was classified as low, medium, or high iron content according to the USDA food database. Participants were categorized as adequate or inadequate iron consumers according to this classification. ANOVA and t-test analysis was conducted to determine the differences in hemoglobin level means. P-value was set at µ0.05 and HSD was used as the post-hoc test.

RESULTS/PREDICTED RESULTS:
Mole National Park population had higher HB (µ=13.3 ± 2.51) compared to Jamestown (µ=12.1 ± 1.97) (p=0.034) and Larabanga (µ=12.0 ± 1.97) (p =.032). Individuals classified as high iron consumers had significantly higher HB that their low iron consumers counterparts (µ=13.8 ± 2.42 vs µ=12.1 ± 1.97, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION:
We were able to identify foods associated with increased Ghanaians HB. Mole had higher access to iron-rich foods such as game meat, which was reflected in their HB levels. This study illustrates the importance of promoting consumption of indigenous iron-rich foods in the current Ghanaian diet to prevent iron deficiency anemia in this population.

Bergen, Makenna; Meier, Amanda; Thomas, Victoria; Banna, Jinan; Cluskey, Mary; Stokes, Nathan; Richards, Rickelle (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Richards, Rickelle (Life Sciences; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science); Stokes, Nathan (Life Sciences; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science); Banna, Jinan (Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (University of Hawaii at Manoa), Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences)

Background: Food insecurity among college students has been reported to be as high as 59%. Most research related to this phenomenon has used quantitative approaches. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of college students' perceptions of their own food security using qualitative methodology.
Methods: Researchers interviewed 57 college students at three universities across the western United States. A random sample of transcripts were independently coded in NVivo to determine interrater reliability. Kappa statistics ranged from 0.44-0.99 (food insecure) and from 0.73-0.99 (food secure), indicating moderate to almost perfect agreement. Percent agreement ranged from 92-100% (food insecure) and from 97-100% (food secure). Researchers then divided transcripts for final coding and overarching themes, including differences between food secure and food insecure students under each theme, were discussed.
Results: Three themes emerged to help explain drivers of food insecurity in college students: 1) transition from pre-college life to college life; 2) students' management of finances; and 3) methods and barriers to obtaining food. Differences were identified between food secure and food insecure students. Food insecure students prioritized other living expenses over food and used various strategies when funds were low: purchasing lowest cost campus meal plans, stretching food budget, buying cheaper groceries, and skipping meals. In regards to eating away-from-home, food insecure students prioritized eating at home, using discounts, or waiting to get paid before eating out. Both food secure and food insecure students reported positive aspects of using food assistance programs but believed stigma and embarrassment would deter students from using these programs. A few food insecure students expressed confusion about qualifying for these programs.
Conclusions: This study helps us better understand the context surrounding food insecurity in college students. This understanding could lead to broader solutions to helping college students become more food secure.

Thompson, Lauren; Ramous, Caroline; Ly, Kellsey; Luu, Kiana; Margetts, Alex; Warren, Tahno; Tippetts, Trevor; Choi, Ran Hee; Symons, JD (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Symons, J. David (University of Utah, Nutrition and Integrative Physiology)

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an epidemic worldwide. Cardiovascular complications (e.g. endothelial dysfunction and hypertension) are associated with T2DM. T2DM affects the quality of life for the patient and their caregivers, and the costs for treating cardiovascular complications are unsustainable. An urgent need exists to elucidate new therapeutic targets for intervention. Our laboratory is interested in defining the contribution from the sphingolipid ceramide. We reported earlier that arterial dysfunction and hypertension that otherwise develop in mice that consume an obesogenic diet is attenuated by pharmacological inhibition of ceramide using myriocin and by germline haploinsufficiency for dihydroceramide desaturase (DES1), an enzyme required for ceramide biosynthesis. However, each study had limitations. Myriocin improved systemic glucose homeostasis, and DES1 inhibition elevated dihydroceramides, both of which could impact arterial function. In the present study, we used a novel murine model to inhibit the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for ceramide biosynthesis (serine palmitoyl transferase light chain 2; Sptlc2) specifically in endothelial cells (ECs). We hypothesized that EC specific inhibition of ceramide biosynthesis would preserve arterial function in obese mice. Six-week-old male mice with intact Sptlc2 (wild-type; WT) and EC specific deletion of Sptlc2 (iecSptlc2KO mice) consumed either standard (CON) or high fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks. qPCR results indicated Sptlc2 was knocked down > 80% in ECs but not media and adventitia from iecSptlc2KO vs. WT mice. In general, results were similar between WT and iecSptlc2KO mice concerning glucose, insulin, and pyruvate tolerance tests (indicating intact glucose homeostasis) and lean mass, fat mass, and fluid mass (indicating body composition was unaltered). Of note, intraluminal flow-mediated vasodilation was greater in femoral arteries from iecSptlc2KO vs. WT mice that consumed high-fat chow. Preventing ceramide biosynthesis specifically in ECs from mice that consume an obesogenic diet might be vasculoprotective.