2020 Abstracts

Edwards, Taylor; Ram, Akila; McCarty, Ashley; Bobeck, Erin N (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Bobeck, Erin (College of Science, Biology Department)

First-line chemotherapies against solid tumors are highly efficacious in reducing the tumor burden, but have many adverse side-effects including nerve damage, leading to chronic pain. Non-addictive, efficacious pain relievers are an area of active interest, and we propose a novel target to address this pressing issue. GPR171 is a G-Protein Coupled Receptor that was recently deorphanized and was identified to be expressed in the brain in regions that regulate reward, anxiety, and pain. Within the pain circuit, it was shown previously that systemic administration of the GPR171 agonist enhances morphine antinociception in acute pain tests. Preliminary data from our lab has shown that GPR171 activation can also alleviate persistent inflammatory pain. However, the role of this receptor has not been investigated in other chronic pain models. Given these findings in acute and inflammatory pain, we hypothesize that GPR171 can reduce neuropathic pain. To test this hypothesis, we investigate the role of GPR171 in chronic neuropathic pain. We tested the efficacy of a GPR171 agonist in a chemotherapy-induced neuropathy mouse model. Neuropathic pain was induced by injecting paclitaxel (16 mg/kg) followed by assessment of the pain-relieving effects of activating GPR171 receptors. Mechanical pain thresholds were assessed using Von Frey filaments. We observed an increase in mechanical thresholds following GPR171 agonist treatment. Further, using immunofluorescence we observed that there is a decrease in GPR171 receptors in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) of these mice that have neuropathic pain, indicating that the agonist can bind to the available receptors to produce pain relief. Overall, this study proposes that GPR171 may be a novel target for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Bonnett, Kelsie; Golden, Kaitlyn; Johnson, Jerry (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Johnson, Jerald (Brigham Young University, Biology)

Understanding life-history strategies allows us to know how a changing environment affects species and communities. Livebearing Poeciliid fish are commonly used as models to gain a better understanding of these strategies, but some species like Alfaro cultratus have been neglected in this process. A. cultratus is a freshwater fish with a unique keel-shaped anal fin commonly found along the eastern coast of Central America. To understand the life-history strategies of this species and use it as a future model, I am performing an experiment to: 1) determine if there is sexual selection in Alfaro cultratus considering both body size and anal fin length; 2) determine whether A. cultratus displays sexual selection; and 3) understand how predation influences both dimorphism and selection. To do this I will be performing a two-part experiment in which I will first analyze previously collected samples for morphological differences, and second perform a live experiment to test Alfaro female preference. By doing so I will be able to not only advance our understanding of A. cultratus, but of life-history theory and conservation strategies.

Edwards, Jeffery; Saito, Erin; Blaylock, Tanner; Brantley, Adam; Winzenried, Eric (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Edwards, Jeffrey (Life Sciences, Physiology and Developmental Biology)

The ketogenic diet initially began as a significant treatment to prevent epilepsy. More recently it has seen a rise in popularity again, with many attributing positive physiological and cognitive benefits. The purpose of this study is to assess the validity of those claims in an animal model in order to examine this at the cellular level as well as identify possible molecular mechanisms for the changes observed. To quantify this, mice will be fed a diet high in fats and low in carbohydrates. A Morris water maze, radial arm maze, and novel object recognition will then be used to assess the diets effect on behavioral memory. Field electrophysiology will then be performed in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for mediating memory, to measure two types of synaptic plasticity: long-term potentiation and long-term depression. It has been previously hypothesized that changes in BDNF concentration are a possible explanation for physiological changes caused by the keto diet. To assess this, ANA-12, a TrkB antagonist, will be used to block the effects caused by BDNF. Preliminary data gathered from bathed brain slices of both male and female animals have shown an enhancement of LTP, the cellular equivalent of learning and memory. These data lead us to our hypothesis that the ketogenic diet will cause significant changes in behavioral memory and CA1 synaptic plasticity through altered BDNF levels.

Szulik, Marta; Wang, Li; Franklin, Sarah. (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Franklin, Sarah (Medicine, Internal Medicine)

Heart failure (HF) is a type of heart disease characterized by the structural and functional impairment of ventricular filling. In 2016, HF was the underlying cause of death in approximately 78,000 individuals and today more than 6.2 million Americans suffer from heart failure. HF is the final stage for many types of heart disease including cardiac hypertrophy. During hypertrophy, the ventricular walls thicken to help maintain the proper workload needed to continue supplying the body with oxygenated blood. In addition to increase in cell size, cardiac hypertrophy leads to cell death, fibrosis, metabolic reprogramming and reactivation of fetal gene expression. Gene expression is often modulated by changes in chromatin and histone structure via post-translational modifications (PTMs). Histone methylation, a covalent PTM, has been shown to play a significant role in cardiac development.

Smyd1 is a muscle specific lysine histone methyltransferase protein that has a role in early cardiac development and is known to methylate histone H3 on lysine-4. Additionally, loss of Smyd1 in adult mice models has been shown to induce heart failure and hypertrophy whereas overexpression of Smyd1 has been shown to restrict hypertrophic growth in cell model. Although Smyd1 knockdown experiments have been performed in vivo, the effects of knocking down Smyd1 in isolated cardiomyocytes has not been examined. Furthermore, the effects Smyd1 overexpression in adult mammalian heart failure is unknown.

This project seeks to characterize changes in global levels of histone PTM's as a result of either overexpressing or silencing Smyd1. Using proteomic analysis, we have identified the changes in histone methylation and consequently gene expression in the adult heart and isolated cells in response to Smyd1. Our results help us better understand Smyd1 role in the failing heart and help determine it therapeutic potential.

Carter, Riley; Hertig, Jess; Durrant, Doran (Southern Utah University)
Faculty Advisor: Pierce, Elizabeth (Science and Engineering, Physical Science)

Aldehyde oxidoreductases (AOR) are enzymes used to catalyze the conversion between aldehydes and carboxylic acids. Certain bacteria use these enzymes as a source of metabolism or to detoxify aldehydes to less toxic carboxylic acids: Desulfovibrio gigas uses a highly efficient enzyme (DgAOR) to oxidize benzaldehyde in metabolism while E. coli uses a periplasmic AOR (PaoABC) to detoxify aldehydes. These AORs are members of the xanthine oxidase family, but they don't metabolize many of the normal substrates characteristic of this enzyme family, namely purines. Moreover, the active sites of these enzymes have very different environments. Correia, et al (2014) characterized the kinetics and structure of DgAOR with several substrates and found that the Phe425 and Tyr535 residues at the active site likely stabilize aromatic aldehydes by pi stacking. This active site was also buried away from solvent. The active site of PaoABC lacked any significant aromatic residues and was positioned at the surface of the protein. The substrate stabilizing elements at this active site are Leu246 and Pro352. We are interested in why these active sites both are unreactive towards purines given their different chemical and location compared to the solvent. We propose that by mutating PaoABC to have smaller, nonpolar residues at the 246 and 352 position, we may be able to change the specificity of PaoABC to include purines. We also will mutate these residues to aromatic groups to probe at the chemical environment of the active site and its similarities to DgAOR.

Smith, Chyanne; Jal, Tumursukh; Duuji, Nyam-Ochir; Tumur, Battogtokh; Mull, John (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Mull, John (Weber State University, College of Science; Zoology)

The Darhad Valley, Mongolia, is a sparsely populated area with abundant wildlife and numerous livestock, including: goats, yaks, horses, and sheep. Few studies completed in this location have placed an importance on obtaining baseline species data. To our knowledge, no data have been collected on small mammal diversity, density, and distribution. This study focused on live-trapping small mammals, with an emphasis on rodents, in six locations throughout the Darhad. We aimed to identify species currently present and develop protocols for future work. Captured rodents represented four families: Sciuridae, Arvicolinae, Cricetidae, and Muridae. Common species included striped dwarf hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis), Mongolian silver voles (Alticola semicanus), and Korean field mice (Apodemus peninsulae). Challenges encountered, which must be mitigated in future studies, include: curious humans, resource and waste management, grazing animals, and novel food sources. These studies should also emphasize community composition, range, and presence of ectoparasites, which could transfer zoonotic diseases.

Bell, McKenzie; Porter, Tyrel; Naylor, Emily; Domyan, Eric (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Domyan, Eric (Utah Valley University, Biology)

The domestic rock pigeon has been the subject of selective breeding for over a hundred years and so displays an immense variety of phenotypes. This variety provides opportunities to further understand the genetic basis of phenotypic evolution. Pigmentation of pigeon feathers is controlled by multiple alleles at different loci, which influences the type and amount of melanin deposited in the feathers. A specific phenotype, known as "recessive red", consists of distinctly red plumage and is caused by a mutation that greatly reduces the expression of the gene SOX10. This gene encodes a transcription factor, known to play a key role in melanocyte maturation and proliferation. SOX10 likely regulates the transcription of multiple downstream genes but the identities of these genes are largely unknown. To identify downstream targets of SOX10, we compared the transcriptomes of regenerating feathers from wild-type and recessive red birds to identify genes that had different expression levels between the two groups. We identified 46 genes that are expressed at different levels between wild-type and recessive red birds, and thus potential targets of SOX101. Of the 46 genes, Tbx2 was selected as a starter because it is one of the only transcription factors regulated by Sox10 in melanocytes. This mechanism makes it a plausible candidate given the critical role proteins play in phenotypic expression ("TBX2 T-box transcription factor 2—Gene—NCBI," n.d.).

Yang, Haokun; Herring, Jacob; Elison, Weston; Wynn, Adam; Tessem, Jeffery (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Tessem, Jeffery (Brigham Young University; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science)

Nearly 1 in 10 Americans have type 2 diabetes (T2D), a disease that is characterized by a loss of functional β-cell mass, resulting in decreased insulin secretion and glucose utilization. The pancreatic β-cell is responsible for producing and secreting insulin and monitoring blood glucose levels, and it is crucial to the understanding of T2D. The orphan nuclear receptor Nr4a3 (Nor1) has well-defined roles throughout the body, specifically with fuel utilization in the liver, muscle, and adipose tissues. Here we present data demonstrating that Nr4a3 KO mice have increased body weight, blood glucose levels (fasting and non-fasting), and impaired glucose tolerance when fed a standard diet. Respiration from adipose tissue is significantly impaired in male and female Nr4a3 KO animals. These data demonstrate that Nr4a3 is necessary for whole-body homeostasis. We believe that these data serve as a step toward understanding the pathway of T2D progression and finding a cure.

Garcia, Jessica; Hanks, Hana; Kist, Taylor; Suman, Tanner (Dixie State University)
Faculty Advisor: Meyer, Jennifer (Dixie State University, Physical Sciences)

Antioxidants in the human body regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS). If ROS are increased within the body it can potentially lead to oxidative stress and cell injury. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an enzyme found in the pentose phosphate pathway that assists in reducing the amount of ROS in the bloodstream. Increased concentrations of glucose, commonly found in patients that suffer from type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus have been shown to impair G6PD activity, thereby causing damage to erythrocytes (RBCs)2. It has been shown that hyperglycemic conditions decrease the activity of G6PD in RBCs, which is improved by the addition of pterostilbene, a potent antioxidant1. Glutathione, another antioxidant found in the pentose phosphate pathway, is decreased in RBCs within hyperglycemic conditions. The addition of pterostilbene is predicted to increase levels of glutathione under high glucose conditions.

References:

1. Richins, M., & Meyer, J. (2018). Pterostilbene Ameliorates Lipid Peroxidation and Increases Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity in Erythrocytes Subjected to High Glucose Conditions. American Heart Association Journals, 138.

2. Zang, Z., Apse, K., Pang, J., & Stanton, R. C. (2000). High glucose inhibits glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase via cAMP in aortic endothelial cells. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 275(51), 40042-40047. Doi: 10.1074/jbc.M007505200

Ashley McCarty, Akila Ram, Max V. McDermott, Erin N. Bobeck (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Bobeck, Erin (College of Science, Biology Department)

Morphine is a potent opioid analgesic, but its long term use can lead to negative side effects, including tolerance, which is a decrease in the effectiveness of the opioid. An area of active interest is looking into the molecular effects of chronic morphine treatment in the Periaqueductal gray (PAG), a brain region that controls descending pain modulation. One such molecular target within the PAG is extracellular-signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK). Previous studies have shown that pharmacological inhibition of ERK enhanced morphine tolerance, indicating that ERK activity is associated with better responsiveness to morphine. The PAG is known to contain a heterogenous population of neurons including GABA and glutamate subtypes. However, which neurons ERK is activated in within the PAG following morphine tolerance is unknown. Further, there are known differences in PAG activity between male and female mice. However, these sex-differences have not been well studied after morphine tolerance using acute pain tests. The purpose of this research is to investigate differences in ERK activation following morphine tolerance in male and female mice. We treated wild-type male and female mice with morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline for 5 days to induce morphine tolerance, following which both behavior and protein immunofluorescence were assessed. We observe sex-specific differences in ERK activation levels and morphine antinociceptive tolerance in mice. We also assessed co-localization of ERK with GABA and glutamate neurons after morphine tolerance. The study will help us understand the cell-type specificity of kinase activation following morphine tolerance. Further this will give us more information about the nature of neurons that are contributing to sex-differences in opioid functions within the PAG

Brown, Nathan; Herring, Jacob; Tessem, Jeffery (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Tessem, Jeffery (Brigham young University; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science)

Diabetes is a global epidemic affecting millions of people. The total estimated cost of diabetes in the U.S. during 2017 was 327 billion dollars. Diabetes is characterized by the loss of pancreatic β-cell function which is caused by an autoimmune disorder in Type 1 diabetes or insulin resistance and β-cell exhaustion in Type 2 (T2D) diabetes.
It is shown that β-cell mitochondrial respiration is dependent on the nuclear receptor Nr4a1. Respiration rates of cells lacking Nr4a1 in the presence of 16 mM glucose resulted in a significant decrease in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by impeding the production of ATP. It was also found that knockdown of Nr4a1 results in decreased expression of mitochondrial dehydrogenase subunits Idh3g and Sdhb. Thus, the orphan nuclear receptor Nr4a1 is critical for β-cell mitochondrial function and insulin secretion.
In subsequent studies it was shown that dihydroergotamine (DHE) induces Nr4a1 expression via recruitment of the super elongation complex to enable elongation of Nr4a1 promoter paused RNA polymerase II. While these experiments have been shown in cancer cells, I hypothesize that DHE will up-regulate Nr4a1 and other downstream targets. To test this I will use an in-vitro model to culture INS-1 832/3 rat insulinoma cell lines as a useful model for insulin secretion regulation and pancreatic islet beta-cell function studies. This study will shed further light on the regulation of the Nr4a1 nuclear receptor in pancreatic β-cells.

Mitchell, Emily (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Arnold, Kristen (Engineering, Applied Science & Technology, Interior Design)

The design in this space will be used to keep the building fresh and calm with all of the changing that will be happening. This non-profit is here to help out women who are running from abusive relationships. Union Station is large enough so that they can house many different families or individuals. Giving them a space where they can get checkup when they are too afraid. There will be security in this locations so women will feel safe. (Aolain) There will be checkup rooms as well as therapy rooms where they can talk with someone private. There will be plenty of space to sleep for everyone that comes into this facility. To create a sense of home is to give them a space where they can have their own time and own space. (Falk, Wijk and Persson) There will be a small cafe and small store where they can buy small items for themselves or for their children. There will be classrooms for both the women and the children where everyone can learn to better themselves. Using the calming color of soft blue and soft green the space will be there for the women. (Instablogs.com) It will help with their fears of the unknown. The space will reflect the way that the women want with their time at the location. To be happy and healthy with themselves or their families. The space will have energy efficiency for this historical building. (Martinez-Molina, Tort-Ausina and Cho).

Jacob, Jonathan (Westminster College)
Faculty Advisor: Pu, Xiumei (Westminster College, Environmental Studies)

This presentation examines two bodies of environmental literature--environmental writing spanning from the late nineteenth century to contemporary times by indigenous and non-indigenous writers in the United States--to ponder several questions: where do these two bodies of literature converge and resonate with one another? How do these convergences bear on current debates and efforts for ecological, environmental, and (inter)cultural healing? Existing comparative analysis of these two bodies of literature often focuses on identifying the differences and their subsequent cultural manifestations (Cronon, 1995; Buell, 1996; Buell 2005; Garrard; 2011). In this presentation, I go in a different direction by examining complex resonances that emerge from these bodies of literature around the understandings of nature, place, self, and community. Bringing these resonances to light and examining their nuances and complexities could be a step toward imagining a cross-cultural perspective on eco-cultural healing so urgently needed in our time. This presentation is based on a summer research project in which I examined twelve books and novels by indigenous and non-indigenous American environmental writers (six from each body of literature), using an approach of pairing one work from each body of literature for individual analysis, then using those pairs to synthesize a larger, cross-cultural perspective. In this presentation, I will highlight analyses of three of these pairings, while my larger conclusions will be representative of ideas gleaned from all six of the pairs.

Doman, Abby (Dixie State University)
Faculty Advisor: Wolfe, John (Dixie State University, Humanities)

Jean-Paul Sartre argues in his essay, “Writing for One’s Age,” that all pieces of literature are influenced by the time period they are written in. This essay takes Sartre’s argument and analyzes the select works from four American pragmatists – Charles Sanders Peirce, John Dewey, William James, and Richard Rorty – through this lens. I also review Sartre’s literature in the light of his own philosophy. By taking into consideration the impact of prominent ideas of each pragmatist’s time period, a conclusion can be drawn for which ideas are relevant for the age they were written for and which ideas are consistent for the human condition. Therefore, the philosophies of American pragmatists can be reexamined to eliminate the contamination of the historical context.

Tylka, Kelsie (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Petersen, Jerry (Humanities and Social Sciences, English & Literature); Vogel, Charles (Humanities and Social Sciences, English & Literature)

Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent is a tale of political intrigue and morality. Many critics believe the narrator of this tale is purely "aesthetic"; however, I argue that the narrator is essential to the plot and to exposing the purpose of the novel, which is spotlighting humanity and moral choice. The first clue to the centrality of the narrator was Conrad's failure to adapt his novel to a theatrical production. This failure intrigued me as the characterization, viewpoint, and structure of the novel seemed ideal for theatrical adaptation. The question is, what was the root of Conrad's botched attempt at a theatrical production? I came to the conclusion that the narrator was essential to the plot and the ethos of the story. For this presentation, therefore, I intend to map out how and why the narrator is indispensable, as well as give a foundational groundwork on the Greek Theater and chorus. Turning to scholarship from both literary and theater experts, I will highlight the importance of the narrator within the novel, as well as, offer a suggestion as to how The Secret Agent could be effectively adapted into a successful stage production. I present the narrator of The Secret Agent as a stand-in for the classic Greek chorus through analyzing the narrator's function as a principal character in the story. Moreover, the utilization of the narrator's "anti-dramatic" commentary is a method of alienation that encourages the reader to reevaluate morality and humanity within the novel. Finally, I hope to engage both literary and theater scholar's alike to reevaluate the functionality of the narrator and to encourage a second look at the possibility of a successful theatrical production.

Chapman, Abigail (Southern Utah University)
Faculty Advisor: Law, Donna (Southern Utah University, Government Relations)

Currently, women make up fifty-one percent of the total population in the United States, and only twenty-four percent in the U. S. Congress. (Rutgers Institute for Politics) This paper seeks to examine some possible factors for this disproportionate gender representation in politics. Using both primary data [interviews] and secondary data [biographies, autobiographies, or documentaries] of women serving in politics or public service, I will explore the similarities in upbringing found amongst women who serve on the federal, state, and local levels. Then, I analyze the narratives of the women to highlight the similarities in upbringing between them, which include: exposure to politics or public service at a young age, similar personality traits, strong work ethic, and the influence of strong mothers. I also analyze the possible influence that learning a musical instrument and the amount of time spent with extended family has in the lives of some of these women. Research supports that the similarities found among these women potentially leads to career output and could be a factor as to why these women choose careers in politics or public service. In conclusion, I discuss the reasons why we need more women to serve in politics, particularly why young girls need to be encouraged to choose careers in politics.

Roberts, Katie (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Kinkead, Joyce (College of Humanities and Social Sciences, English Department)

The internet has provided students with countless opportunities for success and learning, online grammar checkers and blogs playing a significant role for many in their pursuit of education. Grammar blogs offer tips, tricks, and examples to help people learn grammar, while grammar checker websites, such as Grammarly, use AI technology to automatically review pieces of writing, sometimes offering plagiarism checks and citation suggestions with a paid subscription. While these websites proclaim to make all the difference in students' writing, are English majors finding these helpful? This research seeks to understand what upper-division English majors think of online grammar checkers.

Noorda, Meredith (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Belnap, Heather (Humanities, Comparative Arts and Letters); Swensen, James (Humanities, Comparative Arts and Letters)

In 1740 the Society of Dilettanti, an 18th century group of English gentlemen aiming to encourage an appreciation for the antiquities they had seen on their Grand Tours, decided to commission from George Knapton portraits of all their members. In the typical artistic vein of the early Dilettanti, the portraits, featuring many of the members in costume, exhibit a milieu where the erudite meets the comical to the outright lewd, a reflection of one of the Dilettanti's mottos of seria ludo, or "serious things done in a playful spirit." Within the wider context of London public life, these are also clear examples of the influence of the masquerade, and for a group closely aligned with the Italian Grand Tour, and thought to have been initially conceived in Venice, the appeal of those references is clear and the Dilettanti's use of them has been commented on in scholarship. However, the use of costume in George Knapton's portraits can reveal more than a simple love of Continental entertainments. Aligning oneself with the Continent and the East, as the sitters do in Knapton's works, was a subversive choice in relation to the normative British culture of the mid-18th century, in which the encroachment of Continental entertainments and fashion, among other things, was frequently feared. These portraits must be read with an acknowledgement of the ways in which the masquerade and the Italianate was seen in 18th century England, where it was not an accepted form of entertainment as on the Continent, but a controversial pastime. In turn the portraits can reveal where the Dilettanti situated themselves, and how they wanted to be represented�as internationally inclined participators in these foreign entertainments, boldly partaking in its vices, championing its creative possibilities in the self-fashioning of an individual.