Fine Arts

Authors: Parker Graves, Landon Deru, Bruce Bailey. Mentors: Bruce Bailey. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Chronic illness such as strokes, heart disease and diabetes all rank among the leading causes of death in the United States. Recently, fasting has gained popularity as a means of preventing and treating chronic illness. PURPOSE: Fasting produces multiple beneficial physiological responses that have been shown to aid in chronic disease prevention, one of which is observed in relation to incretin hormones such as glucose-dependent insulin tropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These incretin hormones are released by the gut to augment the secretion of insulin to regulate postprandial glucose levels. During a fast, the decrease in incretin hormones, and resultant insulin levels can aid the body to regain insulin sensitivity. This can lead to more effective blood glucose management and chronic illness prevention. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of an acute 24-hour fast started with either a high fat (HF) or high carbohydrate (HC) meal on plasma GIP and GLP-1. METHODS: Subjects were over the age of 55, had a BMI equal to or greater than 27, and had no diagnosed metabolic disorders or some other disqualifying medical issues. Using a randomized crossover design, each participant performed two 24-hour fasts. One fast beginning with a high carbohydrate meal and the other a high fat meal, both of equal calories. Venous blood draws were taken at 0, 1, 24, and 48 hours. RESULTS: GIP and GLP-1 (P < 0.001) were both elevated 1 hour after consuming the pre-fast meal in both conditions. In addition, both GIP (P = 0.0122) and GLP-1 (P = 0.0068) were higher in the high fat condition compared to the high carbohydrate condition at 1 hour. There were no significant differences between conditions for either GIP or GLP-1 at any other time point. CONCLUSION: As expected, both incretin hormones spiked postprandially. We did find that GIP and GLP-1 levels were significantly higher at 1-hour postprandial for the HF meal compared to the HC meal. This could give evidence to show how macronutrient levels can affect incretin secretion and alter sensitivity to insulin. However, the impact of the pre-fast meal on GLP-1 and GIP did not persist throughout the fast.

Authors: Leila Moore, Marin Farnsworth. Mentors: Tyson Harmon. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Background:Facial expressions are crucial for understanding human emotions in communication. Coding and quantifying these expressions, however, have often been subjective, leading to issues with reliability and consistency (Kring and Sloan, 2007). To address this, we have modified the Facial Expression Coding System (FACES) protocol (Kring and Sloan, 2007), which traditionally relies on subjective interpretation. Our modified protocol employs a more objective approach by quantifying facial expressions based on the counting of facial units (e.g., eyes, corners of the mouth, eyebrows, and teeth). Each intensity rating corresponds to a certain number of facial units. For example, an expression involving one facial unit would receive an intensity rating of one whereas an expression involving two units would receive an intensity rating of two. Multiple studies have found that women are more emotionally expressive than men overall when considering gestures, body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice (Ashmore, 1990; Brody & Hall, 1993; Hall, 1984). Rather than focusing on overall emotional expressiveness, though, the present study aims to understand how gender impacts the production of emotional facial expressions specifically. Method:The proposed study aims to compare the frequency and intensity of facial expressions produced by men versus women when recounting personal narratives. Participants. Video footage from participants with and without aphasia producing personal narrative discourse will be obtained for equal numbers of male and female participants. Samples will include two personal narratives in response to prompts from the interviewer. The first prompt is to speak of an experience the participant has had with illness/injury/stroke, and the second prompt is to talk about an important event that has happened in their life. Procedure. A modified FACES protocol will be used to code facial expressions in videos obtained from AphasiaBank. The coding process is conducted with the audio muted to help eliminate distractions. The modified FACES protocol includes specific, operationalized criteria for what qualifies as a facial expression. This protocol does not include coding non-facial gestures or eye movements. However, we do take into account the narrowing and widening of eyes in addition to instances when the eyes are opened or closed with intention. A critical question we ask during coding is whether the facial expression conveys emotional content. We have established standards for intensity ratings and will outline how we arrived at these standards, as well as the distinctions between intensity ratings one, two, three, and four. The analysis process includes establishing a baseline expression for each participant and coding for 20 minutes before taking a break to maintain energy and productivity and to ensure accuracy in data collection. Additionally, secondary coding and a final pass for gestalt ratings are performed to ensure comprehensive analysis.Data Analysis. To address our research questions, we will conduct a comprehensive analysis, focusing on our participants' facial expressiveness during personal narrative storytelling. The analysis will involve quantifying the frequency of facial expressions exhibited by the participants. Additionally, we will consider the valence of these expressions, distinguishing between positive and negative emotional content. We will also assess the intensity of facial expressions by counting the number of facial units engaged during each expression. This examination of facial data will allow us to discern not only the prevalence of expressions but also emotional content and intensity, ultimately providing a more in-depth understanding of the gender differences in non-verbal communication during personal narratives.Anticipated Results:Our study aims to explore if there is a statistically significant difference in the quantity, valence, and intensity of facial expressions between men and women. By using a standardized approach for measuring emotional facial expression production, we hope to shed light on the nuances of non-verbal communication during personal narratives and contribute to a better understanding of gender differences in emotional expression. Consistent with previous research, we anticipate that females will produce more frequent and intense emotional facial expressions than males (Ashmore, 1990; Brody & Hall, 1993; Hall, 1984).References:Ashmore, R. D. (1990). Sex, gender, and the individual. In L. A. Pervin (Ed.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (pp. 486-526). New York: Guilford Press.Brody, L. R., & Hall, J. A. (1993). Gender and emotion. In M. Lewis & J. M. Haviland (Eds.), Handbook of emotions (pp. 447-460). New York: Guilford Press.Hall, J. A. (1984). Nonverbal sex differences: Communication accuracy and expressive style. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.Kring, A. M., & Sloan, D. M. (2007). The facial expression coding system (FACES): Development, validation, and utility. Psychological Assessment, 19(2), 210–224. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.19.2.210.

Authors: Ken Dixon, Jack Davis, DeLayney Anderson, Mackenzie Burr, Peyton Worley, Isaac Packer, Bridger Kearns, Jeffrey Okojie. Mentors: Jared Barrott. Insitution: Brigham Young University. IntroductionPersonalized cancer care requires molecular characterization of neoplasms. While the research community accepts frozen tissues as the gold standard analyte for molecular assays, the source of tissue for all testing of tumor tissue in clinical cancer care comes almost universally from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE). Specific to genomics assays, numerous studies have shown significant discordance in genetic information obtained from FFPE samples and cryopreserved samples. To explain the discordance between FFPE samples and cryopreserved samples, a head-to-head comparison between FFPE and cryopreserved tissues was performed to analyze the DNA yield, DNA purity, and DNA quality in terms of DNA length.MethodsHuman (n = 48) and murine tissues (n = 10) were processed by traditional formalin fixation and paraffin embedding or placed in cryovials containing HypoThermosol solution. 19 human-matched samples were included. These cryovials were cooled to -80°C slowly and stored in liquid nitrogen until the time of the study. DNA was extracted using the same protocol for both tissue types except that tissues embedded in paraffin were first dewaxed using a xylene substitute followed by a multistep rehydration protocol using ethanol and water. Samples were weighed and calibrated to have the same starting mass. After the column purification, samples were eluted in 20 µL and concentration and purity were measured on a Nanodrop. Purity was determined by calculating the 260/280 ratio. DNA fragment length was measured on an Agilent Fragment Microelectrophoresis Analyzer.ResultsGraded amounts of tumor tissue (5- >50 mg) were used to determine the lowest starting material needed to extract 40 ng/mg of DNA. The average for both sample types reached the minimal threshold of 40 ng/mg. However, 74% of FFPE specimens failed to meet the minimum 40 ng/mg, whereas only 21% were below the threshold in the cryopreserved samples (Figure 1). In the cryopreserved group, the average DNA yield was 222.1 ng/mg, whereas 52.8 ng/mg was obtained from FFPE tissue. For DNA purity in cryopreserved tissues, the 260/280 ratio range was 1.09-2.13 with a mean of 1.79. The 260/280 ratio range in FFPE tissues was 0.85-2.76 with a mean of 1.65 (Figure 2). The DNA Quality Number(DQN) is a measurement of DNA fragment length and the percentage that exceeds the threshold of 300 bp. For FFPE, the DQN was 4.4 compared to a DQN of 9.8 for the cryopreserved samples (Figure 3). Setting a higher threshold of DNA length to 40,000 bp and measuring the area under the curve (AUC), it was observed that cryopreserved samples were 9-fold higher in fragments greater than 40,000 bp (Figure 4).ConclusionsCryopreserved cancer tissue provides superior quality assurance measurements of DNA over FFFPE. Treatment decisions based on molecular results demand accuracy and validity. The pathology community should support efforts to cryopreserve cancer biospecimens in the clinical setting to provide valid molecular testing results. The automatic pickling of tumor specimens in formalin is no longer an acceptable default.

Authors: Ashley Allan, Mikayla Kimball, Noah Bezzant, Brent Feland, Josh Sponbeck. Mentors: Brent Feland. Insitution: Brigham Young University. BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that there are differences bilaterally in the cross sectional area of the patellar tendon for lead vs non lead extremities of athletes. Yet, little research can be found as to whether there is a difference that develops over one’s lifetime between the stiffness of the patellar tendons in the dominant vs non-dominant legs. Reliability has not yet been established for elastography in the patellar tendons, so we are continuously striving to gather more reliable data on shear-wave elastography of the patellar tendon. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess whether there is a difference in the average patellar tendon stiffness as measured by ultrasound elastography using a pad vs no pad and differences between self reported non-dominant vs dominant knee of senior athletes over the age of 50. Dominance taken as reported in a modified KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) survey. METHODS: Data was collected from 15 active, senior aged volunteers at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St George, Utah, 2023. All subjects (mean age= 67.29 ± 6.26 yrs, height=175.44 ± 8.18 cm, weight=87.40 ± 12.21 kg) signed an approved consent and completed a modified KOOS survey. Following, they were seated on a table, with their backs against the wall directly behind them. They were seated so that their lower legs were hanging off of the table in a relaxed position. The patellar tendon was then imaged with a long axis view using ultrasound elastography. ANALYSIS: All data were analyzed using JMP ver16.2 with a repeated measured analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine if differences existed between pad and no pad and between dominant and non- dominant legs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference between (p=.0423) pad and no pad patellar tendon measurements, but no significant difference when comparing sides combined with pad and no pad, between dominant and non-dominant legs, although a trend for significance did exist, and we suspect that with more subjects analyzed, we will get more significance.

Authors: Logan McMaster, Joshua Sponbeck, Malorie Wilwand, A. Wayne Johnson. Mentors: A Wayne Johnson. Insitution: Brigham Young University. In the dynamic game of professional football, where split-second decisions and explosive movements often determine the outcome, players train all year round for optimal athletic performance. Paramount to this performance are the hamstring muscles including the semimembranosus (SM), semitendinosus (ST), and both the long and short head of the biceps femoris (BFLH and BFSH). They play pivotal roles in sprints, agility, jumping, and overall lower-body strength. Because of the critical nature of the hamstrings during functional activity, this study sought to determine which of these three muscles contributes the most to eccentric hamstring strength. Recognizing the correlation between muscle volume and muscle strength, this study compared maximal eccentric hamstring strength with the proportion of each isolated hamstring muscle's volume relative to the total hamstring muscle group volume. Doing so would identify which specific muscle contributes the most to eccentric hamstring strength. This study incorporated 74 male, collegiate football players representing all positions on the team. Maximal strength was assessed through Nordic hamstring curls and overall muscle volume was quantified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our results show no correlation (R^2<0.2) between maximal force output and proportional muscle volume for the ST, and the BFSH. Additionally, the correlations for these muscles were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The SM muscles had a weak negative correlation (R^2= -0.25) with eccentric hamstring strength that was statistically significant (P = 0.03). The BFLH proportional volume was positively weakly correlated (R^2= 0.22) with eccentric hamstring strength. This correlation was statistically non-significant (P = 0.06). This information shows that no hamstring muscle contributes more to eccentric hamstring strength than any other. Knowledge of this can be invaluable for clinicians and researchers to design comprehensive strength training programs that enhance the collective strength of the entire hamstring muscle group, ultimately optimizing the performance of football players.

Authors: Spencer Jezek, Malorie Wilwand, Joshua Sponbeck, Hunter Jack, Kaden Kennard, A Wayne Johnson. Mentors: A Wayne Johnson. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Hamstring injuries are one of the most common injuries sustained in professional football with 800+ hamstring injuries per year. These hamstring injuries often occur between late swing (eccentric contraction) and early ground contact.PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation of eccentric hamstring strength to muscle volume across positional groups.METHODS:Athletes were divided into three homogeneous groups based on position (big (e.g., linemen), skill (e.g., receivers), combo (e.g., linebackers)). Seventy-three NCAA Division I football players participated (24 big, 37 skill, and 12 combo). Hamstring strength was collected for each leg while performing 3 Nordic curls on a Nordbord device. The peak force of each leg was summed for our data analysis. Collective hamstring volume for each athlete was found through MRI. RESULTS:A Pearson’s product correlation demonstrated an overall moderate correlation (r = 0.52, p < 0.0001) between hamstring muscle volume and strength, with skill players demonstrating a strong correlation (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001), combo players demonstrating a moderate correlation (r = 0.49, p < 0.0001), and big players demonstrating a weak correlation (r = 0.39, p < 0.0001). An ANOVA showed no statistically significant difference of hamstring strength between positional groups (p = 0.1074) relative to hamstring volume (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION:The observed overall moderate correlation between hamstring strength and muscle volume across positional groups indicates that factors outside of muscle volume contribute to muscle strength. Our data also suggests that, regardless of position, hamstring muscle strength was similar when accounting for volume. Muscle volume was the best predictor of strength for the skill group. However, other factors should be considered, such as motor control factors. In the combo and big groups, these additional factors play a larger role.

Authors: Joseph Holmes. Mentors: Jared Nielsen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. BACKGROUND Anosognosia is characterized by a stroke victim’s inability to acknowledge their acquired physical deficits. Such patients could believe they can operate their limbs normally even when they cannot. Patients will often attribute other reasons to explain their deficit (unwillingness to move, a sprain, arthritis, etc).Previous research has reported damage from various brain areas, including several fronto-temporal-parietal areas, insula, and subcortical regions. Many studies suggest that the deficit is caused from impaired sensory feedback coupled with spared motor intentions, which involves premotor, sensory-motor regions, basal ganglia, temporal-parietal junction, insular cortex, and prefrontal cortex. The objective of this study is to confirm the involvement of these brain areas. It is also to identify other possible networks that could contribute to the development of AHP. METHODSWe performed a literature review for case studies of patients presenting with anosognosia for hemiplegia (n=17). The majority of cases were attributed to ischemic stroke (n=15) while the others resulted from hemorrhagic stroke. Lesion network mapping analysis was performed on the 17 lesions with a large cohort of healthy control resting-state scans (n=1000). RESULTSThe main regions to which the lesions were functionally connected included the right transverse temporal gyrus (n=17) and the anterior left insula (n=17). It is also important to note that the lesion networks were found to be negatively correlated with a few areas in the prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONFurther research should be done to investigate the involvement of specific areas of the prefrontal cortex in AHP. Some regions in the prefrontal cortex may be negatively correlated; however, past research suggests a positive correlation of other prefrontal regions. It is important that clinicians understand the lesion networks of AHP, as it will guide them to treat patients more effectively. Interventions such as transcranial brain stimulation could become more beneficial to patients, as clinicians will know specific areas of the brain to stimulate to mitigate symptoms of AHP.

Authors: Alex Jarvis, Brooklyn Flowers, June Oaks, Sadie North. Mentors: Tyson Harmon. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Background: Dual tasks have been found to negatively affect language production for people with and without aphasia (Harmon et al., 2023). For people with aphasia (PWA) specifically, previous research suggests that limited working memory or attentional capacity contributes to their difficulty with language tasks (Harmon et al., 2019; Pompon et al., 2015; King & Karen 1996; Obermeyer et al., 2020). One common situation in which communication occurs within a dual task environment is talking while driving. Investigating how talking while driving impacts spoken language could help us better understand how to facilitate both safer driving behaviors and improved communication among friends and family while driving. Longer-term, this understanding can springboard further research addressing assessment and intervention practices in aphasia, which better reflect communication in daily life. Original findings related to speech acoustics revealed that talking while driving led to increased speech intensity and decreased speech time ratios (Glenn, 2017; Simmons, 2016). The potential impact of these driving tasks on spoken language, however, has not been investigated. For the present study, we will conduct a secondary analysis of language samples produced across the aforementioned conditions to understand how they impact spoken language production. Method: Data for the present study was collected for a larger project with initial aims of investigating the impact of driving on speech acoustics (e.g., frequency, intensity). This project also investigated bidirectional interference between speech acoustics and driving as well as the effects of different conversational modalities (e.g., talking on the phone, in person, or through Bluetooth). Forty healthy adults who reported no speech, language, or hearing impairment participated in the study. Participants completed seven tasks, which were presented in a random order: driving without speaking, speaking on a hand-held cell phone, speaking on a hands-free phone, talking to a person next to them speaking on a hand-held cell phone while driving, speaking on a hands-free phone while driving, and talking to a person next to them while driving. Within each of these conditions, participants discussed a topic they selected from a list while completing these tasks. To analyze spoken language, we will first transcribe samples orthographically. These transcriptions will then be coded for lexical-phonological, morphosyntactic, and macro-linguistic errors. Parametric statistical analysis will be used to compare across different age groups. Anticipated Results: We hypothesize that participants will demonstrate increased errors in conditions that involve talking while driving (i.e., dual task conditions) than in conditions that involve talking alone (i.e., single task conditions). Previous research suggests dual-tasking has a negative effect on language including lexical and phonological errors even in non-aphasic participants (Harmon et al., 2023). In this study, we would expect more lexical-phonological (e.g., fillers, revisions, repetitions) and macro-linguistic (e.g., aposiopesis) errors during dual task conditions. For future studies involving PWA’s, we would expect more impaired language in dual-task activities than those without aphasia.

Authors: Amanda Carlson. Mentors: Bradford Berges. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes AIDS and is one of the most studied viruses in history. HIV is a retrovirus that has two copies of a single stranded RNA genome. While there is in-depth understanding of the virus and its pathogenesis, no completely effective treatment or vaccine exists. One potential target for therapeutic treatment of HIV is Viral Protein R (Vpr). Vpr is a multi-functional accessory protein encoded by the HIV genome. While HIV is a quickly mutating virus, the vpr gene remains relatively conserved. Mutations in this protein dramatically impact the rate of AIDS progression compared to the wild type (WT) version of Vpr. The Vpr polymorphism R77Q is associated with the Long Term Non Progressor (LTNP) phenotype. Regular AIDS onset is 5-7 years for WT virus and 10 or more years for R77Q. These differences in AIDS progression have been observed in vivo by following people with HIV over time. We have successfully shown that R77Q activates G2 cell cycle arrest more efficiently than WT followed by apoptosis, a death mechanism with less inflammation compared to necrosis. While the molecular mechanism of Vpr-induced apoptosis is known, it is not yet determined why point mutations in Vpr are changing levels of apoptosis. With further experimentation, we have shown that R77Q has decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to WT virus, which may explain why it is associated with the LTNP phenotype. The functions of Vpr come from binding and modifying cellular proteins and enzymes. The focus of our research is to determine what molecular interactions change between Vpr mutants to better understand the shifts in apoptotic levels. Vpr can be found intracellularly in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria and extracellularly in secreted proteins and within virions. We will determine Vpr concentration in these various locations for both WT Vpr and the R77Q mutant, starting by measuring extracellular Vpr. To quantify virion-associated Vpr, we have designed a research plan. We will use WT-Vpr plasmids tagged by GFP to create GFP-tagged plasmids with either WT, R77Q or null mutations using site-directed mutagenesis. We will use Sanger sequencing for confirmation of the proper Vpr mutations tagged by GFP. We will then digest the plasmid DNA, leaving only the Vpr-GFP component and use PCR to amplify the sequences. We will transfect null virus plasmid (NL4-3) and Vpr-GFP plasmids into HEK cells to package the null virus and Vpr-GFP plasmids together to create active HIV particles. Using these virus particles, we will infect Hut-78 cells for a short time to allow the virion to enter the cells. We will then measure GFP fluorescence via flow cytometry, allowing us to quantify virion Vpr. This will be run alongside a mock infection as a control. We hypothesize that differences in virion Vpr concentrations exist among Vpr mutants. Through these experiments, we aim to discover more about the role Vpr plays in cell death by apoptosis and contribute to the existing literature exploring the importance of Vpr in HIV-1.

Authors: Korina Ziegler, Aaron McKenzie, Wesley Ziegler, Spencer Maxwell, Bryson Carrier, Charli Aguilar, Alexandra Routsis, Talon Thornton, Jae Bovell, Setareh Star Zarei, Devin Green, Amanda Hawkes, Jeffrey C Cowley, Merrill Funk, James Navalta, Marcus M Lawrence. Mentors: Marcus Lawrence. Insitution: Southern Utah University. ACSM has again determined that resistance training (RT) and outdoor activities are two of the top ten worldwide fitness trends for 2023. We previously found that RT outdoors had a significantly lower perception of effort (RPE) compared to indoor RT, despite no physiological differences in heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE). However, no study has examined other feelings during RT in indoor or outdoor settings. PURPOSE: To determine how indoor or outdoor environments effect perceptions of fatigue and physical activity enjoyment following RT in recreationally resistance trained adults. METHODS: Twenty-three adult participants (n=10 female, n=13 male) completed this study. The Visual Analog Scale Fatigue (VAS-F) measured perceived fatigue and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale – Short Version (PACES-S) measured PA enjoyment, and both were measured at baseline and then immediately following an acute session of indoor or outdoor RT. HR was obtained from a chest strap (Polar H10) and EE from a Portable Metabolic Cart (COSMED K5). Randomly in indoor and outdoor settings, participants completed 4 supersets of the reverse lunge and shoulder press exercises using dumbbells at a light (2 sets) and moderately heavy (2 sets) intensity with 1 superset of 6 repetitions per exercise and 1 min rest between supersets. A paired T-test (for HR & EE comparisons) or one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Sidak post-hoc test (for VAS-F & PACES-S comparisons) were used to determine differences (p<0.05). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between indoor and outdoor RT for the physiological variables of average HR (129.4±17.2 and 127.75±23.3 bpm, respectively, p=0.66) and EE (30.6±11.5 and 28.3±9.9 kcals, respectively, p=0.06). Perceived fatigue significantly (p<0.0001) increased from baseline (1.13±0.94 arbitrary units, AU’s) following indoor (4.54±1.91 AU’s) and outdoor (3.99±1.54 AU’s) RT, but no environmental differences (p=0.36) were observed. PA enjoyment was not significantly (p range: 0.27-0.93) different between baseline (18.73±1.83 AU’s) and following indoor (18.18±1.99 AU’s) or outdoor (18.36±1.99 AU’s) RT. CONCLUSION: In recreationally resistance trained adults, moderately heavy superset RT in indoor or outdoor settings does not alter perceived fatigue or physical activity enjoyment.

Authors: Michaela Lovejoy, Rylee Udom, Lindsey Fry, Hailey Roubidoux, Makayla Dunbar, Kali Hunt, Mandy Gibbs, Lisa Welch. Mentors: Lisa Welch. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Traditional dental radiography education necessitates the exposure of both clinician and patients to radiation to build clinician skill. Virtual reality (VR) may enable practitioners to learn valuable hands on skills without the use of expensive equipment and without patient or operator exposure to radiation. The purpose of the research is to determine if access to practice in virtual reality (VR) using a specifically designed application, builds skill competency in dental radiology compared with traditional practice methods. A convenience sample of 24 first year dental hygiene students at Utah Tech University were recruited and randomly assigned to the test and control groups. Test group participants were given access to a VR headset with a dental radiology skill practice application installed. Control group participants were given access to traditional dental radiography skill practice methods. To encourage participation, an incentive of a $10 Amazon gift card upon completion of the study was offered. Data will be collected via skill competency evaluation at two-months, mid-term grade scores and final grade scores from the participants’ dental radiology laboratory course. To increase internal validity and reliability, investigators responsible for skill competency evaluation will be blinded and undergo both intra and inter-rater reliability testing to 95% agreement. Upon completion of the Fall semester 2023, data will be analyzed using ANOVA repeated measures between factors accounting for the two independent variables of traditional practice and practice in VR and the dependent variables of competency assessment scores, mid-term and final clinical course grades. Alpha will be set at 0.05. Should it be determined that practice in VR contributes to student learning, VR may enable students to practice additional health science skills in a safe, low stakes environment; thus, increasing student experiential learning and contributing to increased student and patient safety.

Authors: Marcus M Lawrence, Merrill Funk, Jeffrey C Cowley, Amanda Hawkes, Aaron McKenzie, Alexandra Routsis, Wesley Ziegler, Talon Thornton, Spencer Maxwell, Korina Ziegler, James Navalta. Mentors: Marcus Lawrence. Insitution: Southern Utah University. American College of Sports Medicine has again found that wearable technology and resistance training (RT) are two of the top 5 fitness trends in 2023. Our lab recently found that the bicep-worn Polar Verity device was valid and reliable for measuring average and maximal heart rate (HR) during light intensity circuit RT. However, no study has examined other bicep worn devices during RT while also examining heavier intensities. PURPOSE: To determine the concurrent validity of identical Polar OH1 (x2) and Verity Sense (x2) bicep-worn devices in recording average and maximal HR following moderately heavy RT. METHODS: Twenty-one adult participants completed this study (n=10 female, n=11 male; age: 26.1±9.2 yrs; height: 171.3±9.4 cm; mass: 71.4±18.2 kg; RT experience: 5.7±4.9 yrs). The four bicep devices (Polar OH1 x2 and Polar Verity Sense x2) were worn along with the Polar H10 chest strap, criterion for HR. Participants completed 8 supersets of the reverse lunge and shoulder press exercises using dumbbells at a light (4 sets) and moderately heavy (4 sets) intensity with 1 superset of 6 repetitions per exercise (12 repetitions per superset) and 1 min rest between supersets. Data was analyzed for validity (Mean Absolute Percent Error [MAPE] and Lin’s Concordance Coefficient [CCC]), with predetermined thresholds of MAPE<10% and CCC>0.70. Paired t-tests were used to determine differences (p<0.05). RESULTS: For average or maximal HR, neither the Polar Verity Sense 1 (127.2±17.8 or 151.5±16.7bpm) or 2 (125.7±18.8 or 147.9±18.9bpm) or the Polar OH1 1 (128.7±18.5 or 154.5±18.1bpm) or 2 (129.5±18.2 or 156.4±17.4bpm) were significantly (p range: 0.14-0.97) different than the criterion (128.6±19.2 or 149.3±18.0bpm). However, the Polar Verity 1 and 2 were not considered valid for average HR (MAPE range:16.17-17.57%; CCC range: 0.07-0.13) or maximal HR (MAPE range: 11.60-13.33%; CCC range: 0.02-0.29). The Polar OH1 1 and 2 devices were not considered valid, either, for average HR (MAPE range: 17.22-17.25%; CCC range: 0.08-0.09) or maximal HR (MAPE range: 13.24-13.92%; CCC range: .024-0.27). CONCLUSION: Despite our lab previously finding the Polar Verity as valid for HR measurements during light intensity RT, the current bicep-worn devices should not be utilized during heavier intensity RT for accurate HR measurements. Individuals resistance training and utilizing bicep-worn devices for heart rate should use them cautiously.

Authors: Wesley Ziegler, Spencer Maxwell, Aaron McKenzie, Talon Thornton, Alexandra Routsis, Korina Ziegler, Jae Bovell, Devin Green, Bryson Carrier, James Navalta, Setareh Star Zarei, Kaye Lavin, Jeffrey C Cowley, Amanda Hawkes, Merrill Funk, Marcus M Lawrence, Charli Aguilar. Mentors: Marcus Lawrence. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Wearable technology and strength training with free weights are two of the top 5 fitness trends worldwide. However, minimal physiological research has been conducted on the two together and none have measured the accuracy of devices measuring repetition counts across exercises. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity of four wrist-worn Garmin devices, Instinct (x2), Fenix 6 Pro, and Vivoactive 3, to record repetition counts while performing 4 different exercises during circuit resistance training. METHODS: Twenty participants (n=10 female, n=10 male; age: 23.2  7.7 years) completed this study. Participants completed 4 circuits of 4 exercises (front squat, reverse lunge, push-ups, and shoulder press) using dumbbells at a light intensity with 1 set of 10 repetitions per exercise and 30 seconds rest between exercises and 1-1.5 min rest between circuits. Mean absolute percent error (MAPE, ≤10%) and Lin’s Concordance Coefficient (CCC, ρ≥0.7) were used to validate the device’s repetitions counts in all exercises compared to the criterion reference manual count. Dependent T-tests determined differences (p≤0.05). RESULTS: No devices were considered valid (meeting both the threshold for MAPE and CCC) for measuring repetition counts during front squats (MAPE range: 3.0-18.5% and CCC range: 0.27-0.68, p value range: 0.00-0.94), reverse lunge (MAPE range: 44.5-67.0% and CCC range: 0.19-0.31, p value range: 0.00-0.28), push-ups (MAPE range: 12.5-67.5% and CCC range: 0.10-0.34, p value range: 0.07-0.83), and shoulder press (MAPE range: 18.0-51.0% and CCC range: 0.11-0.43, p value range: 0.00-0.79) exercises. CONCLUSION: The wearable wrist-worn devices were not considered accurate for repetition counts and thus manual counting should be utilized. People who strength train using free weights will need to wait for either improved repetition counting algorithms or increased sensitivity of devices before this measure can be obtained with confidence.

Authors: Kade Robison, David Britt, Elizabeth Vargis. Mentors: David Britt. Insitution: Utah State University. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss, the most prevalent form of permanent hearing loss, worldwide. CMV treatment requires long term administration of nucleoside analog antivirals such as ganciclovir (GCV). Although ganciclovir effectively inhibits CMV, it also inhibits neutrophils, an essential component of the immune system, reducing optimal treatment duration. Previous studies have demonstrated that ganciclovir toxicity can be reduced while maintaining effective CMV inhibition by combining subtherapeutic doses of ganciclovir with quercetin, an FDA approved hydrophobic flavonoid with antiviral properties, solubilized with a mitochondria-targeting drug delivery vehicle, Poloxamer 188 (P188). Further efforts have been made to optimize the combinatorial ganciclovir with quercetin encapsulated in P188 (GCV-QP188) treatment by exploring the potential benefits of adding antioxidant vitamins to the GCV-QP188 treatment. One of the pathways by which CMV induces hearing loss is the generation of excess reactive oxygen species, specifically in the mitochondria. Current literature suggests that the toxic effects of the reactive oxygen species produced by CMV in the could be reduced via natural vitamin antioxidant treatments. Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, was the first antioxidant vitamin investigated due to its synergistic antiviral properties when paired with quercetin to treat SARS-CoV-2. Yet, the addition of ascorbic acid into the combinatorial treatment was more toxic than the existing GCV-QP188 treatment. Current efforts are concentrated on assessing the effect of selectively delivering hydrophobic antioxidants to the mitochondria of CMV infected mouse fibroblast cells as targeted antioxidant delivery will require lower antioxidant concentrations, reducing associated toxicity. The addition of hydrophobic antioxidants retinol and alpha-tocopherol, vitamins A and E respectively, delivered via mitochondria-targeting P188 to the existing GCV-QP188 treatment is being investigated to determine if it will significantly improve GCV-QP188 treatment efficacy.

Authors: Anya Weglarz. Mentors: Melissa Watt. Insitution: University of Utah. AbstractBackgroundWomen living with HIV (WLHIV) commonly experience internalized HIV stigma, which refers to how they feel about themselves as a person living with HIV. Internalized stigma interferes with HIV care seeking behavior and may be particularly heightened during the pregnancy and postpartum periods. This thesis aimed to describe internalized HIV stigma among WLHIV giving birth, identify factors associated with internalized HIV stigma, and examine qualitatively the impacts of internalized HIV stigma on the childbirth experience.MethodsPostpartum WLHIV (n=103) were enrolled in the study between March and July 2022 at six clinics in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Participants completed a survey within 48 hours after birth, prior to being discharged. The survey included a 13-item measure of HIV-related shame, which assessed levels of internalized HIV stigma (Range: 0-52). Univariable and multivariable regression models examined factors associated with internalized HIV stigma. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with pregnant WLHIV (n=12) and postpartum WLHIV (n=12). Thematic analysis, including memo writing, coding, and synthesis, was employed to analyze the qualitative data.ResultsThe survey sample had a mean age of 29.1 (SD = 5.7), and 52% were diagnosed with HIV during the current pregnancy. Nearly all participants (98%) endorsed at least one item reflecting internalized HIV stigma, with an average endorsement of 9 items (IQR = 6). The most commonly endorsed items were: “I hide my HIV status from others” (87%), “When others find out I have HIV, I expect them to reject me” (78%), and “When I tell others I have HIV, I expect them to think less of me” (75%). In the univariable model, internalized stigma was associated with two demographic characteristics: being Muslim vs. Christian (ß = 7.123; 95%CI: 1.435, 12.811), and being in the poorest/middle national wealth quintiles (ß = 5.266; 95%CI: -0.437, 10.969). Internalized stigma was associated with two birth characteristics: having first birth vs. having had previous births (ß = 4.742; 95%CI: -0.609, 10.093), and attending less than four antenatal care appointments (ß = 5.113; 95%CI: -0.573, 10.798). Internalized stigma was associated with two HIV experiences: being diagnosed with HIV during the current pregnancy vs. diagnosis in a prior pregnancy (ß = 5.969; 95%CI: -1.196, 10.742), and reporting experiences of HIV stigma in the health system (ß = 0.582; 95%CI: 0.134, 1.030). In the final multivariable model, internalized stigma was significantly associated with being Muslim vs. Christian (ß = 6.80; 95%CI: 1.51, 12.09), attending less than four antenatal care appointments (ß = 5.30; 95%CI: 0.04, 10.55), and reporting experiences of HIV stigma in the health system (ß = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.27, 1.12). Qualitative discussions revealed three key themes regarding the impact of internalized HIV stigma on the childbirth experience: reluctance to disclose HIV status, suboptimal adherence to care, and the influence on social support networks.ConclusionWLHIV giving birth in this sample experience high rates of internalized HIV stigma. This stigma was significantly associated with being Muslim, as opposed to being Christian, attending less than four ANC appointments, and reporting experiences of HIV stigma in the healthcare setting. Other factors that were correlated to higher levels of internalized stigma were socioeconomic status, parity, and timing of HIV diagnosis, all of which can impact access to and engagement in healthcare services during the intrapartum and postpartum periods. Internalized HIV stigma impacts the childbirth experience for WLHIV, making the labor and delivery setting an important site for intervention and support.

Authors: ANNA EDLER, RYAN KUNKLER, CASEY WEBB, JACOB MANNING, MARCUS M LAWRENCE. Mentors: Marcus Lawrence. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Climbing (sport and bouldering) has become a very popular hobby for people all over the globe.Now that climbing is an Olympic sport the need for understanding best training practices through evidence, not anecdotal experience, has grown. Using the International Rock Climbing Research Association (IRCRA) individual grading scale based on route completion difficulty,some research has shown that upper limb strength is important for individuals to progress from recreational/intermediate to more advanced/elite levels. However, many studies use non-sportspecific measurements (i.e., hand dynamometer versus a finger climbing hold) and none have assessed rate of force development (RFD) or lower body strength contributions. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that compared to recreational/intermediate climbers advanced climbers would have greater dominant and non-dominant upper-body strength and finger RFD as well as lower body compound strength. METHODS: Nineteen subjects (n=8 female and n=11 male;age: 24.7±7.5 yrs; height: 177.6±7.8 cm; mass: 76.0±14.9 kg; IRCRA Sport Grade: 14.1±6.7; n=10 intermediate, n=9 advanced) completed this study. During a single session, following a standardized 3-5 min. warm-up all participants dominant and non-dominant finger strength andRFD (using a Tindeq dynamometer load cell attached via static rope to a 20mm edge) as well as shoulder strength (using the same Tindeq load cell with a static rope attached to an olympic ring), and lower-body compound strength (isometric mid-thigh pull using G-strengthdynamometer load cell attached to a straight bar with a static rope) were assessed. Three trials were done on each measurement with 1 min. between trials and 3-5 min. between tests. Unpaired t-tests determined differences, p<0.05. RESULTS: Across every measurementadvanced climbers had significantly (p<0.05) higher values for absolute and relative (normalized to body weight, BW) measurements. As absolute and non-dominant results were similar we onlyreport dominant relative results, where appropriate. Indeed, compared to intermediate climbers advanced climbers had significantly higher relative dominant finger RFD (9.9±3.7 vs 20.8±9.4N/s*BW -1 ), finger strength (0.5±0.1 vs 0.7±0.3 kg/BW), shoulder strength (0.7±0.2 vs 0.9±0.2 kg/BW), as well as relative compound strength (1.8±0.4 vs 2.6±0.7 kg/BW, respectively). CONCLUSION: Advanced climbers have larger absolute and relative RFD in their fingers,stronger dominant and non-dominant fingers and shoulders, as well as stronger lower body compound strength. Thus, individuals looking to progress from recreational/intermediate climbing grades to advanced/elite should focus on improving total body absolute and relative strength as well as finger RFD.

Authors: Caroline Nielson, Connor Baird. Mentors: Robert Kagabo. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Opioid Use Disorders Treatment Related Disparities in Patients with Psychiatric IllnessAuthors: Caroline Nielson, Connor Baird, Robert Kagabo, PhD, MSW, MPHAbstractBackgroundThis study is a review of peer-reviewed articles of Opioid Use Disorders (OUD) treatment among individuals with psychiatric illness. OUD is a subset of substance use disorders (SUD) that is chronic and a growing public health concern. There were 47,000 opioid-related deaths in 2018 in the US; OUD is responsible globally for 68% of the drug-related deaths. OUD can result from either prescribed or non-prescribed opioid use. Some populations such as individuals with psychiatric illness have high rates of prescription opioids yet face opioid use treatment and research-related disparities. This review study examines OUD treatment and research-related disparities among patients with psychiatric illness with the goal to improve treatment among this vulnerable population.MethodsUsing PubMed and PsycINFO databases, we performed a search of journal articles regarding OUD treatment which were published between 2010 and 2023. We then completed a review of the journal articles using narrative overview guidelines. All articles reviewed were from randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies. Examples of search terms used include OUD treatment and mental health; OUD and psychiatric illness RCT studies; and opioid use treatment and mental health. Studies included were those of OUD treatment among individuals with psychiatric illness and or with a DSM5 or DSM4 diagnosis. Any studies that did not include OUD treatment and, or a DSM diagnosis, or RCT design were excluded. To avoid duplication, only one journal article from a study was included. ResultsThere were 18 journal articles reviewed that met the inclusion criteria. Treatment periods ranged from 8-24 weeks. Generally, studies excluded individuals with diagnoses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, or other serious mental health diagnoses. Several studies included participants with a DSM5 or DSM4 diagnosis of OUD, while excluding individuals with other psychiatric or substance use disorders. Most of the studies used pharmacological treatments and only a few studies had combined pharmacological and behavioral treatments. The common medicines in pharmacological treatments were methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.ConclusionOUD treatment and research related disparities exist among individuals with psychiatric illness, yet this is the population who suffer most from OUD. Additional studies regarding OUD treatment among individuals with psychiatric illness are needed to improve OUD treatments and reduce OUD-related morbidity and mortality rates.

Authors: Maddy Howard, Brooke Dension, Shanna Groesbeck. Mentors: Sandy Wilson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. AbstractThere are many systemic diseases that are linked to oral health. This literature review specifically examines different studies and academic journals that have studied the relationship between oral health, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Obesity is linked to the patient's oral health in many ways. When patients are consuming large quantities of food more often than normal, this results in a more acidic environment along with energy for bacteria to grow. One study found a correlation between obesity and risk factors such as “frequency of brushing teeth, smoking, tooth loss, gingivitis, and dental caries (Yilmax & Somay, 2021). This article discusses the strong correlation between oral health and heart disease. Several studies emphasize the importance of dental hygienists educating their patients about the link between their oral and cardiovascular health. The articles conclude that treating periodontal disease more effectively and aggressively could lead to a marked reduction in coronary heart disease rates and vice versa.Diabetes and periodontal disease is also examined at length in this literature review. Diabetes and periodontitis is described as a ‘two-way relationship’. Evidence shows that individuals with diabetes, type 1 or type 2, are 34% more likely to develop periodontal disease. On the other hand, individuals experiencing periodontal disease are 53% more likely to develop diabetes (Wu, et al., 2020). This literature review will explore the importance of oral health in keeping your entire body healthy.ReferencesArora, A., Rana, K., Manohar, N., Li, L., Bhole, S., & Chimoriya, R. (2022). Perceptions and practices of oral health care professionals in preventing and managing childhood obesity. Nutrients, 14(9), 1809. 10.3390/nu14091809.Batty, G. D., Jung, K. J., Mok, Y., Lee, S. J., Back, J. H., Lee, S., & Jee, S. H. (2018). Oral health and later coronary heart disease: Cohort study of one million people. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 25(6), 598-605. 10.1177/2047487318759112Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Defining adult overweight & obesity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Deraz, O., Rangé, H., Boutouyrie, P., Chatzopoulou, E., Asselin, A., Guibout, C., Van Sloten, T., Bougouin, W., Andrieu, M., Vedie, B., Thomas, F., Danchin, N., Jouven, X., Bouchard, P., & Empana, J. P. (2022). Oral condition and incident coronary heart disease: A clustering analysis. Journal of Dental Research, 101(5), 526-533. 10.1177/00220345211052507Sanchez, P., Everett, B., Salamonson, Y., Ajwani, S., Bhole, S., Bishop, J., Lintern, K., Nolan, S., Rajaratnam, R., Redfern, J., Sheehan, M., Skarligos, F., Spencer, L., Srinivas, R., & George, A. (2017). Perceptions of cardiac care providers towards oral health promotion in Australia. Collegian, 25(5), 471-478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2017.11.006Preshaw, P. M., Alba, A. L., Herrera, D., Jepsen, S., Konstantinidis, A., Makrilakis, K., & Taylor, R. (2012). Periodontitis and diabetes: A two-way relationship. Diabetologia, 55(1), 21-31. 10.1007/s00125-011-2342-yWu, C.-Z., Yuan, Y.-H., Liu, H.-H., Li, S.-S., Zhang, B.-W., Chen, W., An, Z.-J., Chen, S.-Y., Wu, Y.-Z., Han, B., Li, C.-J., & Li, L.-J. (2020). Epidemiologic relationship between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. BMC oral health, 20, 204. 10.1186/s12903-020-01180-wYilmax, Busra. & Somay, Efsun. (2021). Is obesity a problem that threatens oral health in adults? Cukurova Medical Journal, 46(3), 1215-1221. DOI: 10.17826/cumj.950243

Authors: Marie Gibb. Mentors: Francine Jensen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Maternal mortality, also known as maternal death, is defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. (MacDorman et al., 2021; Spelke & Werner, 2018). The United States is the only developed nation where the rates of maternal mortality are rising, and they have been rising for twenty years (Simpson, 2019; Spelke & Werner, 2018). This incidence represents a maternal health crisis in the United States. On average, 700 women in the United States die each year from pregnancy-related complications. This equates to 17.2 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births (Simpson, 2019). Currently, the maternal mortality rate for Utah is higher than the national average at 21.5 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births (Utah Department of Health and Human Services, 2023). According to More than 60% of these deaths are preventable (MacDorman et al., 2021; Simpson, 2019).The leading causes of maternal death in the United States are hemorrhage, preeclampsia, eclampsia, hypertension, embolisms, and cardiomyopathy, which often lead to cardiovascular disorders (MacDorman et al., 2021; Simpson, 2019). The Utah Health and Human Services (2023) reported that increases in heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, mental health disorders, and other chronic conditions complicate pregnancies and are contributing to maternal mortality in Utah. The American Heart Association has cautioned that pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm delivery are linked to maternal heart disease later in life (Parikh et al., 2021). Research suggests that each episode has a cumulative effect (Marill, 2021), meaning, the more pregnancies women have, and the more complications women have during pregnancy, the more elevated their risks are in general for cardiovascular disorders as they age. A qualitative survey was sent out using snowball sampling to women over the age of 18 in Utah asking about their understanding of cardiovascular risk factors and current health conditions. Findings showed that women were unaware of their potential cardiovascular risks associated with pregnancy. Raising awareness regarding these cardiovascular risks may be the number one preventative strategy, as women are the ones who bear the personal and physical risks. If pregnant women are aware of their cardiovascular risk factors, they can be empowered to raise concerns when necessary. Future interventions may include educating all women of childbearing years about cardiovascular risks prior to pregnancy, as well as more frequent screening of women during and after delivery (Marill, 2021). ReferencesMacDorman, M. F., Thoma, M., Declcerq, E., & Howell, E. A. (2021). Racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality in the United States using enhanced vital records, 2016‒2017. American Journal of Public Health, 111(9), 1673–1681. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2021.306375Marill, M. C. (2021). Getting to the heart of America's maternal mortality crisis. Health Affairs, 40(12), 1824-1829. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01702Parikh, N. I., Gonzalez, J. M., Anderson, C. A. M., Judd, S. E., Rexrode, K. M., Hlatky, M. A., Gunderson, E. P., Stuart, J. J., & Vaidya, D. (2021, May 4). Adverse pregnancy outcomes and cardiovascular disease risk: Unique opportunities for cardiovascular disease prevention in women: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 143(18), e902-e916. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000961Simpson, K. (2019). Maternal mortality in the United States. MCN, The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 44 (5), 249-249. doi: 10.1097/NMC.0000000000000560.Spelke, B., & Werner, E. (2018). The fourth trimester of pregnancy: Committing to maternal health and well-being postpartum. Rhode Island Medical Journal (2013), 101(8), 30–33.Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, March 16). Complete health indicator report of maternal mortality. Retrieved Sat, 09 September 2023 from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health website: http://ibis.health.utah.gov. https://ibis.health.utah.gov/ibisph-view/indicator/complete_profile/MatMort.html

Authors: Ishmael Elliott Molina-Zepeda, Brandt Jones, Myke Madsen, Douglas Sborov, Brian Avery, Nicola J. Camp . Mentors: Nicola J. Camp. Insitution: University of Utah. Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of plasma cells and one of the more common hematological malignancies (6.3/100,000 new cases/year). Although treatments have improved, most patients fail their first line of treatment and ultimately do not survive beyond 5 years. Identifying patients at high risk of failing treatment early is a critical need. SPECTRA is a statistical technique developed by the Camp Lab to characterize global gene expression (the transcriptome) by representing it as multiple quantitative tumor variables. Spectra variables allow gene expression to be incorporated into predictive modeling to identify high-risk groups.Transcriptome data for myeloma cells was available from 768 patients in the international CoMMpass study where 39 spectra variables were derived. Each patient has a value for each of the 39 variables (their spectra “barcode”); patients can be compared for each bar in the barcode. Predictive modeling using spectra variables was successful in identifying risk groups for time to treatment failure, such that a patient’s tumor transcriptome can be used to predict whether they are at high risk of having their treatment fail earlier.To replicate the CoMMpass data findings, we collect and process local biological samples from MM patients at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). We collect bone marrow samples, which are then cell-sorted to identify tumor (CD138+) cells. RNA is extracted from these cells and sequenced to generate transcriptome data. Then the spectra barcode is calculated.Utilizing the SPECTRA technique provides a more complete understanding of MM by better characterizing the tumor. Each spectra is a tumor characteristic. Our future research includes an investigation of whether inherited variations (in normal DNA from saliva or whole blood) are associated with the transcriptome risk score. We are also pursuing the SPECTRA technique in several other cancers.

Authors: Sofia Denise Flowers. Mentors: Lauri Linder. Insitution: University of Utah. Background and Purpose: In the year 2023, roughly 9,000 children will be diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. Dealing with a potentially fatal diagnosis is already difficult for many grown adults, let alone a young child. The aim of this project is to describe caregiving experiences of parents and children with cancer as related through feedback comments within written and oral feedback to proposed items to measure self-efficacy for managing their child’s symptoms and behaviors used to manage their child’s symptoms.Methods: This project involved a secondary analysis of qualitative data from 21 parents (19 mothers; mean age 38 years) of school-age children with cancer who participated in a study to establish the content validity of instruments to measure aspects of symptom management. Data consisted of interview transcripts and free responses to the content review surveys. The data were then uploaded to Dedoose. My mentor and I worked independently to identify statements pertaining to parents’ experiences in managing their child’s symptoms and responding to the child’s cancer diagnosis. We then met together to reconcile content and then organize parents’ statements into categories and subcategories. Results: 101 excerpts were extracted from the transcripts and included for the secondary analysis. Excerpts were grouped into four main categories: informational resources, social support, emotional support, and medication management Within these four main categories, subthemes of professional staff support, managing child attitude and mood changes, and balancing between being a parent and their child’s medical advocate were present. Conclusion: The insights gained from this project can guide the information healthcare providers need to provide better care to the child and additional support to parents. This can allow professional staff to get a stronger understanding of not just the family’s medical needs but their informational, social, and emotional needs as well.

Authors: Isaac Stubbs, Skyler Russell, Melissa Blotter, Maxwell Holmes. Mentors: Ryley Parrish. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Status Epilepticus (SE) is a severe medical condition marked by continuous seizures lasting over 5 minutes. When SE becomes resistant to anticonvulsant drugs, the condition is known as Refractory Status Epilepticus (RSE), which lacks effective treatments and has a mortality rate of 38%. RSE lacks effective treatments partially due to our limited understanding of the mechanisms that lead to patient drug resistance to commonly used anticonvulsants. This study aims to address this knowledge gap in two pivotal ways.First, we have employed a high-density multi-electrode array (HD-MEA) with acute mouse brain slices to better understand RSE propagation patterns and various seizure states with unparalleled spatial precision. The HD-MEA allows us to record from the entire brain slice with 4096 electrodes sampling electrophysiological activity at every 60 micrometers for many hours at a time. Our data demonstrates that different seizure states, such as phasic seizure-like events, short duration epileptic discharges, or RSE itself, occur within both the same brain region and in different brain regions simultaneously. With our novel data visualization software, we can visualize the unique propagation of this phenomenon. These findings indicate that RSE might be a progressive event, challenging conventional understanding of RSE. Second, we are currently exploring a potential pharmacoresistance mechanism that may contribute to the patient entering RSE, which suggests that changes in the chloride reversal potential may lead to a phenomenon known as depolarizing GABA. Depolarizing GABA may negate the effectiveness of the currently used antiepileptic drugs that rely on standard physiological chloride conductance to effectively limit seizure activity. We are studying this drug resistant mechanism with the HD-MEA by introducing anticonvulsant drugs to acute mouse brain slices during the evolution of RSE to locate a critical point at which the slice becomes resistant to these compounds.We hope this study will illuminate the complexities of RSE by revealing its progressive nature and drug resistant properties.

Authors: Quinn Gerber, Lucas Carpenter, Jacob Clemons, Cindy Kin. Mentors: Cindy Kin. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Introduction: It is vital that patients are adequately prepared for surgical intervention. To meet this need, many medical centers have adopted prehabilitation protocols. The aim of this study was to establish an in-depth comprehension of the attitudes towards surgery and barriersand preferences to prehabilitation for patients identifying as Latino, in order to develop a preliminary framework for adapting prehab programs to best meet the needs of this specific patient population.Methods: We conducted qualitative semi-structured in-person one-on-one interviews with Latino patients who had recently undergone major abdominal surgery. The interviews, conducted at an academic medical center, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English (as needed), iteratively coded, and discussed by four researchers to reach consensus. We used thematic analysis to identify shared attitudes held by patients and common barriers to the adoption of prehabilitation programs. Analysis of these attitudes and barriers, along with stated patient preferences, led to the development of several ideas that physicians can implement to increase prehab adoption among Latino patients.Results: We interviewed 16 patients, at which point we reached thematic saturation. The patients were on average 52 years old (range 20 to 79) and 50% were women. Our pooled kappa score was .92, indicating a very high degree of concordance among the coding researchers. We identified five common attitudes held by Latino patients regarding surgery: anxiety associated with hospitalizations and surgical procedures, deep trust in physicians, reliance on positivity, tight-knit families/communities, and prominent religious and cultural beliefs. A lack of understanding, physical limitations, a reactive/delayed approach to healthcare, dietary barriers, and mental barriers emerged as obstacles to prehabilitation adoption. These attitudes and barriers, along with direct patient feedback, led us to identify several programmatic priorities that may increase adherence to prehab. These components consist of face-to-face interaction, increased communication, patient and physician collaboration in program development, and family/support group engagement in surgical preparation.Conclusion: Our study provides physicians preliminary insight into customizing prehabilitation programs to best meet the needs and customs of the Latino community, including anxiety associated with hospitalizations, strong social support, and a dominant role of religious faith in coping with illness. We identified several critical components that may make prehab more culturally competent and thus more likely to be adopted by patients. These include in-person coaching, increased information about the upcoming operation and recovery, and engagement of family members. We recommend that healthcare teams committed to prehabilitation consider these needs to make their programs more attractive and accessible to their Latino patients.

Authors: Caroline Cowley, Megan Jewell, Brenda Mendoza, Aubrey Cluff, Ryan Summerhays, Jason Hansen. Mentors: Jason Hansen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Approximately 8 million newborns manifest a birth defect every year worldwide. One of the most common birth defects involve disruptions in musculoskeletal development. Oxidative stress has been found to propagate teratogenesis. Thioredoxin-1 (Trx1), an oxidoreductase, is an important antioxidant regulator required for proper embryonic development. Trx1 knockouts have been found to be embryolethal prior to implantation. A preliminary study to assess osteogenesis was conducted using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) originating from transgenic conditional Trx1 knockout embryos. Upon confluence, MEFs were stimulated to undergo osteogenesis via commercially available media. A subset of cells were treated with doxycycline (DOX) prior to and throughout the culture period. MEFs were maintained over a 21 day period in a reduced oxygen environment. MEFs were then fixed in formalin and stained with Alizarin red to determine the degree of osteogenesis. MEFs treated with DOX were unable to undergo proper osteogenesis. While this would suggest that osteogenesis is regulated through proper functions of Trx1, it is unknown how Trx1 regulates osteogenesis in utero. Because Trx1 deletion is lethal prior to implantation it has been historically difficult to study the role of Trx1 during organogenesis. With the development of the DOX-inducible Trx1 conditional knockout mouse, we can now target specific developmental periods and evaluate post-implantation processes like osteogenesis. Using proper transgenic mice and breeding schemes, DOX-inducible Trx1 conditional knockout embryos were treated in utero with DOX through the dam’s drinking water, starting on gestational day (GD) 8.5. The embryos were collected on GD 16.5, fixed in 95% ethanol, and then skinned. To visualize bone and cartilage, the embryos were placed in ethanol and subsequently stained with Alizarin red and Alcian blue. The staining showed that embryos lacking Trx1 were significantly stunted in their skeletal maturation. With this data, we are the first to show that during organogenesis, the musculoskeletal system is affected by deletions of Trx1 at specific periods of development. Under oxidizing conditions which exceed the capacity of the oxidoreductase pathway of Trx1, Trx1 exists primarily in its oxidized form and can no longer reduce proteins that have been turned off by oxidation. Our Trx1 deletions model a highly oxidized state in which Trx1 is dysfunctional. Because regulatory redox control of protein activity is required for proper embryonic development, exposure to oxidizing environmental conditions specifically affecting Trx1 redox state may target the disruption of the musculoskeletal system.

Authors: Drew Allred, Vern Hart. Mentors: Vern Hart. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Surgery remains one of the most common and effective treatments for a variety of cancers, especially those that form solid, localized tumors such as breast and colorectal cancers. During these treatments, the palpable lesion is surgically resected with the assumption that cancerous cells have metastasized to nearby tissues. As such, surgeons will excise a tissue margin surrounding the tumor in hopes of removing any additional cancer, thus preventing further spread of the disease. However, this process is time-consuming and requires specialized expertise from a trained pathologist to verify that all cancer has been removed. Furthermore, if the pathology report indicates that not all cancerous cells have been extracted, additional follow-up visits and surgeries are typically required. In recent years a number of non-invasive technologies have been developed which seek to map cancerous cells in whole tissues. Training and validating these methods still requires a reliable ground truth, typically provided by an annotated pathology report. We propose a simpler model in which two cell species were co-cultured to provide a heterogeneous training sample. One of these species (PANC-1) was transfected with a vector coding for a fluorescent marker to represent healthy tissue, while the other species (COS-7) remained untreated, representing cancerous cells. An experiment was then conducted using a coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) system, in which laser light incident on the cells was used to quantify phase shifts produced by each cell type. Fluorescent microscopy was then used to create a map of transfected and non-transfected cells for comparison. Results will be presented demonstrating a correlation between the phase shifts produced by the two cell types and the corresponding fluorescent images, potentially facilitating optical cell identification without the need for pathology.

Authors: Hunter Morrill, Ryley Parrish. Mentors: Ryley Parrish. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Spreading depolarizations (SDs) are slow propagating waves of depolarization that move through the brain and have been associated with a wide variety of neuropathologies including the termination of seizures, the cellular correlate of aura in migraines, traumatic brain injury, and ischemic stroke. Though first characterized by Aristides Leão in the 1940s, only a very limited understanding of the mechanisms of SD induction has been achieved. SDs have been induced in mouse models using a variety of techniques, however regardless of the method of induction, high extracellular potassium and/or a strong cellular depolarization have been largely hypothesized as necessary conditions for SD induction. Interestingly, we have recently demonstrated that using a light-induced chloride pump (Halorhodopsin) to drive chloride ions into the neurons can reliably induce SDs even in the absence of high extracellular potassium levels (Parrish, 2023). It was also demonstrated that the triggering of archaerhodopsin, which removes protons from the cell and therefore hyperpolarizes the neuronal membrane without affecting chloride levels, did not induce SDs, suggesting the implication of chloride loading as a primary mechanism in SD induction. This challenges the prevalent hypothesis regarding the induction of SDs and results in a novel method of induction that allows for more characterization of the mechanisms involved. The use of genetically expressed light-gated ion channels or pumps is referred to as optogenetics. Using zebrafish, a common model for electrophysiology recordings that is also cost-effective to genetically manipulate, we have established an optogenetically induced model of SD induction. We are currently characterizing mechanisms that result in optogenetically induced SDs with pharmacology to further our understanding of SD initiation and propagation.Parrish, R. R.-G.-T. (2023). Indirect Effects of Halorhodopsin Activation: Potassium Redistribution, Nonspecific Inhibition, and Spreading Depolarization. The Journal of neuroscience: the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 43(5), 685-692.

Authors: Noah Bezzant, Mikayla Kimball, Ashley Allan. Mentors: Brent Feland. Insitution: Brigham Young University. BACKGROUND: General knee pain is a common complaint among both athletes and older adults. Osteoarthritis is a common etiology for knee pain that can interfere with function during aging and can be assessed by validated questionnaires. It remains unclear whether there exists a dose–response relationship between cartilage loss and pain worsening. Articular cartilage thickness of the femoral condyles can be measured by ultrasound imaging and few studies utilizing this form of measurement exist. It is currently unknown if articular cartilage thickness measured ultrasonographically correlates with pain related ratings in aging athletes. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess whether articular cartilage thickness at the femoral condyles as measured by ultrasound imaging has any relationship to knee pain as rated by the modified KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) survey in senior athletes over the age of 50.METHODS: Data was collected from 35 volunteers (participants in the Huntsman World Senior Games) in St. George, Utah, 2023. All subjects (22 females: mean age = 64.9 ± 6.6 yrs, Ht = 158.7 ± 35.6 cm, Wt= 66.3 ± 10.0 kg; 13 males: mean age = 67.3 ± 8.3 yrs, Ht = 179.3 ± 10.7 cm, Wt= 84.3 ± 13.4 kg) signed an approved consent and completed a modified KOOS survey before being seated on a table, with their back flattened against the wall directly behind them. They were then asked to bring either knee as deeply into flexion against their torso as possible; approximating 120°-140° of knee flexion, depending on the range of motion the subject was capable of. In flexion, the patella was shifted inferiorly enough to expose the femoral condyles so that a short axis image of the articular cartilage was obtained and the thickness of the cartilage was assessed at 3 points.ANALYSIS: All data were analyzed using JMP ver16.2 with a Pearson product pairwise correlations to determine if a relationship between average cartilage thickness correlates with pain subscale scoring from the KOOS in males and females. Correlation between age and thickness was also examined.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were no significant correlations between the pain subscale score and cartilage thickness in males (p=.6998, r=0.1316), females (p=.8733, r=0.0392), or combined (p=.7308, r=0.0655) in this group of senior athletes. Age and thickness was not significantly correlated (p=.1232, r= -0.2877), but did show a trend of decreasing cartilage thickness with age. The addition of more subjects should show age and thickness to be negatively correlated with each other.

Authors: Brett Pickett, Lincoln Sutherland, Jacob Lang. Mentors: Brett Pickett. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer present in society today, and is the second leading cause of cancer death for women. Approximately 13% (1 in 8) of women will develop invasive breast cancer, with 3% of women (1 in 39) dying from this type of cancer. Three important classifications used when formulating a treatment plan for breast cancer are the presence or absence of Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR), or Hormone Receptor (HR). Treating Estrogen Receptor Positive (ER+) breast cancer with aromatase inhibitors, such as Letrozole, is the current standard treatment for all postmenopausal women. A prior study by Lee et. al. identified PRR11 as the only gene that was significantly overexpressed in resistant vs non-resistant cancers among the 51 genes in chromosome arm 17q23. The goal of the current study is to perform a secondary analysis of this valuable dataset to identify genes, signaling pathways, and biomarkers across the whole human transcriptome that are significantly associated with treatment resistance in ER+ patients.Methods: We retrieved, preprocessed and analyzed 58 ER+ breast cancer samples from patients who had been treated with Letrozole, which are publicly available in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The Automated Reproducible MOdular Workflow for Preprocessing and Differential Analysis of RNA-seq Data (ARMOR) was used to process our data downloaded from NCBI. This workflow trimmed low quality reads from the RNA-sequence reads, mapped and quantified our data to generate a DEG list. Gene ontology enrichment with camera was also performed. Next, the genes were mapped to common gene identifiers and input to the signaling pathway impact analysis (SPIA) algorithm to identify intracellular signaling pathways that were enhanced by our DEGs. With that information, Pathway2Target was used to identify known drug targets within our identified pathways. Finally, a decision tree-based machine learning approach was used to predict features/expressed genes that could be used to most accurately classify responders vs nonresponders to Letrozole. Results: Our comparison of 36 responders versus 22 non-responders detected a total of 18,735 genes and identified 105 that were statistically significant (p-value < 0.05) after applying a false-discovery rate (FDR) correction, including SOX11, S100A8/S100A8, and IGLV3-25. We then used the Signaling Pathway Impact Analysis (SPIA) algorithm to determine whether any known intracellular signaling pathways were significantly enriched in DEGs (Bonferroni-adjusted p-value < 0.05). This analysis identified 4 pathways that were statistically significant in Non-Responders to Letrozole Treatment. We then used the pathway results to predict 60 existing therapeutic targets that could be repurposed to treat the resistance phenotype. Notably, the predicted targets for the non-response phenotype included VEGFA, a current target for solid tumors as well as ESR1, an Estrogen Receptor. We next wanted to determine whether we could predict transcriptional biomarkers that could aid with identifying patients that do not respond to treatment. To do so, we used the read counts for all samples as the input for this analysis and identified 278 transcriptional biomarkers. Performance metrics for all biomarkers identified yielded an area under the receiver-operator characteristic (AUROC) curve of 0.972 (Figure 2), indicating an exceptional ability to classify Letrozole responders vs non-responders by the transcriptional profile. Sensitivity for all transcriptional biomarkers was measured at 100%, and specificity at 94%. We used the top two biomarkers from our first analysis as input for a second analysis to determine the performance of a smaller subset. Our second analysis determined that PRDX4 and E2F8 together yielded an AUROC of 0.823 and an overall accuracy of 88.2%. Discussion:Our results identify additional DEGs, pathways, targets and biomarkers for further exploration in the treatment and categorization of ER+ breast cancer.