19th Virtual NSD Annual Research Symposium

Human use of plastics, stemming from water bottles, eating utensils, and packaging containers, adversely affects marine animal life. Improper disposal of such plastics after human use pollutes oceans worldwide and has caused animals to consume them. The plastics consumed by these animals are identified as microplastics, non-biodegradable debris that are ingested by aquatic animals and are less than 5 mm. MPs can serve as a vector to transport man-made surfactants [perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)]. PFAS can impact marine animals. They also can be very toxic to human health. These risks can include increased cholesterol levels and testicular cancer. In this work, MPs and PFAS from dolphin stomach contents were extracted using a pre-optimized KOH/methanol digestion and filtration via 9.8 μm filter paper. MPs were visually identified using a benchtop microscope (aided by Nile-red fluorescence staining). Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and pyrolysis gas chromatography (Pyro-GC) were used to confirm the identity of MPs. PFAS were pre-concentrated using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-Tof-MS) using optimized EPA 537.1 method. PFAS extraction and analysis were validated using pike perch (IRMM-427) certified reference material. The overreaching goal for this work is for a clear understanding of the distribution of MPs and PFAS contents in the tissues of various parts of the animal and to further optimize PFAS extraction and identification.

Natalie Hampton

Department of Biology/Jackson Heart Study, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Mississippi 39174

Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762-9573, USA Mississippi State University-College of Veterinary Medicine,Mississippi State, MS 39762-9573, USA

Lead pollution is a global issue since lead mining and smelting, and battery manufacturing/disposal/recycling, are common in many countries. Poisoning typically results from ingestion of food or water contaminated with lead. Lead can be leached out into tap water from water pipes. The extraction, production, use, and disposal of lead and its products have caused significant contamination of the Earth's soils and waters. This research is to develop a sensitive electrochemical method for determining the lead in water based on the anodic stripping voltammetry. A graphene oxide modified carbon electrode was used as the working electrode. Lead is first preconcentrated on the electrode at -1.2V. The electrode is then subject to a square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. We have test different electrodes bare pyrolytic graphite, PG modified with Hg-film or with a graphene oxide film. In all three experiments, the electrode was investigated by i-t Amperometry in a buffer solution of 0.1M HAc-NaAc pH 4.5. The electrochemical cell consists of a working electrode, a Pt wire counter electrode, and Ag/AgCl (3M) reference electrode. We have found that during the experiments the lead(II) potential peaked at about -0.6 V to -0.7V at a current of 4x10-5 to 8x10-5 A. For a Hg-film electrode, the peak current is at -0.05 V with a current of 7x10-5 to 15x10-5 A. Among the three tested electrodes, graphene oxide modified graphite electrode shows the highest sensitivity which deserves further researches. This work is supported by the LSMAMP program.

Alexandria Morgan

Tougaloo College

Deficiency in dietary protein is one of the most severe health problems. The Arabidopsis thaliana orphan gene Qua-Quine Starch (QQS) has been identified as a regulator of carbon and nitrogen partitioning when expressed in crop plant species. QQS transcript levels are altered in plants under stresses and in mutants with genetic mutations, indicating that QQS may integrate primary metabolism with environmental perturbations, thus adjusting the plant’s adaption to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, how QQS transcript level is regulated still unknown. Previous research from our lab showed that QQS transcript level was obviously increased in the Arabidopsis Starch Synthase III (ss3) knockout mutant, together with the changed accumulation levels of metabolites in sucrose/starch synthesis pathway. My research goal was to identify the metabolites in sucrose/starch synthesis pathway that impact QQS transcript level. Using genetic approaches, our lab showed that QQS transcript level was reduced upon sucrose treatment and in a knockout mutant in trehalose metabolism connecting sucrose/starch synthesis pathway (unpublished data). The relationship between QQS transcript level and the content of metabolites, corresponding changes of protein and starch content in mutants involved in sucrose/starch synthesis, and which transcriptional factor is involved in sensing the level change of the metabolites and further regulates QQS transcript level are to be explored. Here we quantified the content of metabolites in several gene-knockout mutants related to sucrose pathway and QQS transcript level. Taken together, our study aims to reveal a novel molecular mechanism on regulation of QQS transcript level through metabolites and signal factors.

Ané Scott

Department of English, Tougaloo College Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University

Breast, Colorectal, and Pancreatic Cancers are among the highest mortality diagnosed. The frequent occurrence of these cancers, specifically colorectal cancer, is likely caused by Cancer Stem Cells (CSC). Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is a distinct marker found on cancer stem cells. It is imperative in the tumorigenesis, proliferation, and progression of colorectal cancer. It has been proven that up-regulation of DCLK1 is directly related to the very low survival rates of these cancers. The DCLK1 gene has five isoforms. In this study, our goal was to determine how the up regulation of DCLK1 isoform 3 affected stemness and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.

Skylar McInnis

Tougaloo College

Leptomeningeal metastasis disease (LMD) occurs in up to 10% of solid tumors and 15% of hematologic malignancies, with over 100,000 new cases diagnose in the United States annually. Breast cancer LMD is of unique importance in Mississippi, which suffers from the third highest rate of cancer overall and the highest mortality from breast cancer in the United States.Themicroenvironmental factors of the leptomeningeal space is physiologically acellular and poor in protein, glucose, and growth factors, whichispoorly understood.Here, we are developing a xenograft model of LMD by performing intraventricular injections of breast cancer cells into zebrafish embryos to understand the process by which breast cancer cells grow within the unique microenvironment of the leptomeninges. In keymethodology,gel electrophoresis DNA purification analysis (PMD2.G, psPAX2, GFP, and HypoxCR), MDA-MB-231 cell injections with Dil into the ventricle of zebrafish embryos (48 hours post fertilization (hpf)), and fluorescent imaging reporters (GFP-Lucifierase, HypoxCR, and mCherry) to express our cells lines by a lentiviral production protocol using lipofectamine 2000 reagent. Our results reveal that we establish a stable breast cancer cell lines that express useful fluorescent reportersand metastasize cancer cells in zebrafish embryo. Overall, the completion of establishing a valid model for LMD is not complete. Following of this present work is to inject our cell line reporters and demonstrate fluorescent patterns. Once constituting a valid model for LMD,we will be able to further understand the metabolic conditions of the leptomeninges and LMD’s effect on the microenvironment in the brain.

Leslie "Tré" McClinton, III

Department of Biology, Tougaloo College

University of Mississippi Medical Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Cancer Center and Research Institute

Cancer biology, Neuro-oncology, Leptomeningeal metastasis disease (LMD)

Bovine growth hormone (bGH) plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism in cattle. Our laboratory is interested in investigating the influence of bGH on calcium metabolism of the periparturient dairy cow. Previously, research laboratories used radioimmunoassays for the quantification of bGH in serum and plasma. However, due to safety and special handling requirement of radioactive reagents and waste, non-isotopic immunoassays are a much needed alternative for experiments requiring bGH quantification. Several bovine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are commercially available; however, none have been validated by independent research groups. Previous experiments in our laboratory demonstrated that commercial ELISAs were unsuccessful at quantifying a highly purified, native bGH based on spike and recovery experiments. The goal of this study was to 1) identify commercially available antibodies against bGH to identify bGH in serum using western blot (WB), and 2) attempt quantification of bGH in serum using a quantitative WB. We tested two antibodies for detection of the purified native bGH, a rabbit polyclonal anti-bGH antiserum and rabbit polyclonal anti-ovine GH IgG. Serial dilutions of the bGH standard demonstrated that it is possible to perform relative quantification of bGH in WB with the anti-bGH but not the anti-ovine GH antibody. Attempts to quantify bGH in actual serum samples were not successful. Experiments are underway to concentrate bGH in serum samples via an immunoprecipitation protocol to determine if WB can be successfully used for relative quantification purposes.

Christopher Buie

Tougaloo College, Department of Biology

Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine

Since the 1890s, maternal outcomes relating to pregnancy have become a major health problem. Racial and ethnic disparities in obstetric care have shown that African American women experience high rates of pregnancy related mortality and morbidity compared with other racial and ethnic groups. According to CDC.org, Between 2011-2013, white women had a maternal mortality rate of 12.7 percent of deaths per 100,000 live births, while black women had 43.5 percent of deaths per 100,000 live births. Given the aforementioned statistic, Black women are also 2-3 times as likely to die as white women. According to Americanprogress.com, “Racism in healthcare has manifested in many structural forms. This includes the concentration of women of color in communities that lack quality health facilities and providers; harsh environmental factors and toxins in predominantly African American neighborhoods; inequality in the workplace; or policy changes to health care programs that disproportionately serve people of color, such as Medicaid.” Social determinants factors such as education level, income, sexual orientation, and disabilities may also negatively affect patients’ experiences in health care settings as well as their health outcomes. In a Youtube Video, U.S. Maternal Mortality is Much Higher for African-Americans, Dr. Aaron Campbell states there was a study that showed how college educated black women had a higher risk of severe maternal morbidity than a white woman without a high school diploma. The aim of this study is to illustrate how racial disparities, social determinants, and prenatal care affects maternal outcomes.

Chad McKnight

Tougaloo College, Department of Biology

Maternal

Background Early prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF) could enable the prevention of heart disease and reduce morbidity. However, most existing AF risk prediction models consider a narrow range of biological variables. Race, along with socioeconomic factors and social determinants of health (SDOH) could have a major impact in determining who is most at risk for AF. Identifying opportunities to include these additional factors could increase the accuracy of prediction models across populations. Methods and Results A literature search was conducted from electronic databases, PubMed and ScienceDirect, between 2009 and 2019. Eligible studies included atrial fibrillation as the outcome and race as a risk factor. Race was dichotomized as white and black in all of the prediction models. Non-white individuals comprised 0-30.3% across the study samples. White race was associated with an increased risk of AF in all of the models evaluated. Socioeconomic risk factors and SDOH were not included or considered in 3 of the 6 of prediction models. Conclusion Race was tested on a superficial level in all included studies without examination of additional factors that may vary across race and ethnicity, making it difficult to ascertain whether the predictive utility of race for AF risk reflects biological, social, demographic, or other factors. Examined models displayed both a lack of population-representative inclusion among non-White populations and insufficient analysis of socioeconomic factors and SDOH in the risk of AF. Studies that did include SDOH lacked adequate exposure data to model interactions between these variables and race. While common AF risk factors have some association with race and AF with varying consistency, consideration of socioeconomic and SDOH information may offer an opportunity to further improve AF risk modeling and advance understanding of the roles of ancestry and sociocultural components of risk mediation in AF.

Corban Jackson

Biology Department, Tougaloo College

Boston University

Atrial Fibrillation, Race, Prediction Models

High-resolution Large Eddy Simulation (LES) was adopted to simulate the Micro Vortex Generator (MVG) controlled supersonic ramp flow with different Mach numbers. Power Spectrum Analysis was conducted on the numerical results of Shock Wave Boundary Layer Interaction (SBLI) in the ramp corner. The existence of a strong correlation between the low-frequency distributions of vortices and shock oscillation was observed. The correlation was not reduced with the increase of Mach number, although the vortex structures became more complicated.

Hickman, Tyler

Tougaloo College

Fluid Dynamics

There has been a general lack of knowledge amongst minority communities regarding participation in clinical trials. This has been shown in recent COVID-19 vaccine trials, due to the need for more diversity in trials for development of the vaccine. In the past, studies have considered the attitudes in regards to clinical trials of cancer patients, physicians, and Saudi Arabians. However, there is still a general lack of knowledge amongst minority communities that is contributing to underrepresentation in these trials. We used data from a cross-sectional online questionnaire survey of 735 participants to learn more about attitudes towards clinical trials for US adults. Survey participants were asked questions based on the topics of attitudes and knowledge of clinical research. With this information, we were able to measure and study the attitudes of participants in clinical trials, learn and compare how attitudes towards clinical trials vary for individual races, and learn and compare how attitudes towards clinical trials vary from individual perceived health statuses. We studied the variables of race and perceived health status. There were seven survey statements of focus. The statements were as follows: 1) Volunteers receive information needed to decide whether they want to take part in a clinical trial; 2) Volunteers can refuse to participate in a clinical trial; 3) Volunteers can change their mind at any time and withdraw from a clinical trial; 4) Volunteers are made aware of any possible complications or side effects of taking part in a clinical trial; 5) Volunteers are told about the possible risks and benefits of taking part in a clinical trial; 6) Clinical trials are needed to study the effects of treatments; 7) Volunteers usually receive a cash stipend for participation in a clinical trial. From this information, we found that people who identify as white were twice as likely to feel comfortable about knowing the possible impacts of participating in a clinical trial. In addition, we found that knowledge about cash stipends did not significantly differ by race. Those with health statuses perceived as good were likely to feel as if they would be aware of all health complications in a clinical trial, while those with health statuses perceived as poor are less likely to participate in clinical trials. Education was not found to be a predictor associated with participation in clinical trials. Our findings indicate that opportunity remains in the attitudes amongst minorities about clinical trials, as there is great opportunity to improve the attitudes amongst minorities about clinical trials.

Amber Jackson

Tougaloo College

University of Houston College of Medicine, Humana Institute

Clinical Trials

Recent data suggests that the proteins found in eggshell membranes not only can be digested, but support many functions of the body such as joint support and strengthening connective tissue. Eggshell membranes found in their purest form yield the best nutrients. A laser based optical spectroscopy method can be used to explore content analysis. The use of this device measures samples for certain impurities. Data gathered through Raman spectroscopy tells the specific vibrations of a molecule and can be used to determine a substance. Because of their relationship with the egg shell, it is suspected that impurities can be found within the commercial eggshell membrane capsules. Experimental results also suggest that these commercial eggshell membrane capsules contain more egg shell than membrane. High ratios of egg shell to eggshell membrane refutes the viability of commercial eggshell membrane capsules.

Kennedy Corey

Jackson State University, Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Science

Mississippi INBRE

Raman Spectroscopy, Biomedical Physics

Dysphagia refers to difficulty with eating or swallowing. It affects as many as nine million Americans. Understanding normal swallowing mechanics and how they may be disrupted is a vital patient safety goal in rendering care. In this study, Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM)is implemented to simulate the bolus flow. A series of 2D simulations is performed. The results were compared with simplified analytical solution of bolus flow model in previous research. The detail flow field in the swallowing process was provided.

Bradford Patton

Math and Computer Science Department, Tougaloo College

MS INBRE

Breast cancer continues to be a leading cause of death in women, in USA and worldwide. One of the major reasons for therapy failure is inefficient delivery of chemotherapeutics at the target site. Here we propose the use of exosomes, natural nanoparticles, for the efficient delivery of Paclitaxel, an efficient breast cancer-chemotherapeutic. We have loaded exosomes with Paclitaxel, by co- incubating MDA-MB-231 cells with sub-lethal doses of Paclitaxel. Exosomes were isolated from the spent media by using an exosome isolation kit. The DLS data reveals that the isolated exosomes show a mean diameter of ~145 nm, typical to exosome size. The HPLC analysis of drug-loaded exosomes loading of the Paclitaxel inside exosomes is calculated to be 12.3 μg per 1 mg of exosomes. Further studies to assess the toxicity of Paclitaxel-loaded exosomes towards breast cancer cells are undergoing.

Kristen Brown

Tougaloo College, Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry

Breast Cancer, Exosomes, Paclitaxel

Staphylococcus aureus causes a wide variety of infectious diseases including skin infections, pneumonia, and bacteremia. The pathogen's ability to cause such a wide variety of infections stems from its various virulence factors. The msaABCR operon of S. aureus is a four gene operon that is important for several important staphylococcal phenotypes like biofilm formation, cell wall biosynthesis, oxidative stress response, intracellular survival, capsule production, and osteomyelitis infection in RAT model. The msaA and msaC are putative noncoding RNA molecules, while msaR is an antisense RNA. Although each region is important for the function of the operon, MsaB is the only protein translated from this operon and is a dual transcriptional regulator that can repress or activate its target gene promoter. The needed regions of the transcript to produce the MsaB protein remain unknown. The purpose of this project is to determine which portions of the 5’ msaA region and 3’ msaC region are important to produce the MsaB protein. To best determine which regions of the transcript, play a role in MsaB protein production, a series of nested deletions were performed in the msaABCR operon, creating multiple complement strains differing in the 5’ msaA and 3’ msaC regions. The MsaB production were measured in these nested deletion constructs. We also performed different phenotypic assays to determine how these variations affect phenotypic changes in S. aureus strain. The MsaB production and phenotypic changes of these variant strains were compared to the wild type, mutant, and msaABCR complement strains.

Diavian Cooper

Tougaloo College, Department of Biology

University of Southern Mississippi

Injury to the spinal cord (SCI) results in debilitating sequelae to individuals. The initial spinal cord injury is marked by profound changes in the trauma area as well as systemic changes including the digestive system. Persons with SCI report altered gastric emptying, peristalsis, and solute absorption. Intestinal Peyer’s Patches (PP) are the immune sentinels of the digestive tract, acting as sensors, sampling the contents of the intestinal lumen. The impact of SCI on PP remains unknown. In the present study, adult, male, Long Evans rats received thoracic level 10 contusion or sham laminectomy. Bodyweight, food intake, and adiposity were measured for 4 weeks. PP were harvested from the proximal and distal small intestine after 4 weeks of recovery. We performed RT-PCR on common markers expressed within the PP. There was no difference by injury in markers for T-cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, or B-cells; however, macrophage marker CD68 was reduced overall in the distal intestine (p<0.05). Western blot analysis of CD68 protein in PP also showed reduced CD68 in both proximal and distal SCI PP in comparison to sham (p<0.05). Furthermore, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL1α (p<0.05) was reduced in SCI PP. In addition, IL4 and 7, important in T-cell maturation, were reduced in SCI PP. Finally, TLR4, the immune receptor important in lipopolysaccharide translocation, was reduced in distal SCI PP. Taken together, these data suggest reduced immune sensing in the SCI intestine during the subacute recovery period. Further work is necessary to determine the mechanism of action for these changes.

Alicia Hulitt

Tougaloo College, Department of Biology

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Perovskites are materials that have a crystal structure similar to the original perovskite mineral, CaTiO3. Lead halide perovskites (CsPbX3, X= I, Cl, or Br) have been used in the development of solar photovoltaic cells for a short time, but they have shown potential to be highly effective. Chalcogenide perovskites such as BaZrS3 and the related material BaTiS3 are semiconductor materials that can be just as effective as lead halide perovskites but may be more stable and less toxic. The goal of this project is to optimize and study making BaTiS3 nanocrystals from single source precursors and to extend the development to BaZrS3, SrTiS3, CaTiS3, and SrZrS3. This project uses a Ba2+ and Ti4+ dithiocarbamate (-S2CNR2) precursor that will react to form BaTiS3. The Ti4+ dithiocarbamate precursor has a diisopropyl substituent Ti(S2CNiPr2)4 while there are four different Ba2+ dithiocarbamate precursor substituents Ba(S2CNR2)2 which are diisopropyl (R=iPr), diisobutyl (R=iBu), dicyclohexyl (R=Cy), and dibenzyl (R=Bn). Nanocrystals are synthesized using a heat-up method with temperatures around 350˚C. Once the products are made, they are put through powder x-ray diffraction analysis to determine their crystal structure compared to a reference pattern of BaTiS3. Through experimentation, it has been found that the ideal stoichiometry is a 2 to 1 ratio of Ba2+ to Ti4+ in making BaTiS3. Also, the different precursor substituents have been shown to produce similar results. The results have shown that BaTiS3 nanocrystals can be synthesized using single source dithiocarbamate precursors.

Brian Jordan

Department of Biology, Tougaloo College

Mississippi State University

A ligand is typically an organic molecule that binds to the central metal atom of a coordination compound to form a complex. A catalyst is a substance that accelerates a chemical process without being affected by chemical change itself. This research creates a tripyridyl methane-based tri-dentate ligand along with its Fe(II) complexes that will catalyze SP2C-H bond activation reactions. The ligand is playing a crucial role in the transition metal complexes, which are used as pre-catalysts. In this study, we are attempting to synthesize a nitrogen-based tridentate ligand and form a transition metal complex as a pre-catalyst.2,2’,2”-(methoxymethanetriyl) tripyridine was synthesized as a tridentate nitrogen-based ligand and formed the Fe(II) containing transition metal complexes. Ligand synthesis consists of two steps: nucleophilic addition of 2-bromopyridine to di(pyridine-2-yl) methanone to form the tri(pyridine-2-yl) methanol and methylation of the tri(pyridine-2-yl)methanol to form final ligand2, 2’,2”-(methoxymethanetriyl) tripyridine. The ligand was stirred with Fe(II) salt to make the transition metal complex which is used as a pre-catalyst to perform the C-H activation. TLC, column chromatographic isolation, solvent extraction separation, NMR structure elucidation were done throughout the ligand synthesis and Fe(II) metal complex was characterized using high-resolution mass spectroscopy. Through this experiment, the ligand was successfully created. Upon further experimentation, conclusions will be made regarding the success of the Fe(II)complex. This work will contribute to increased research surrounding the catalysis of C-H bonds.

Kirsten Moore

Biology, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS and Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

Jackson Heart Study UTEC

Ligand, Synthesis, Iron(II)

Background: Based upon epidemiological estimates, 3-4% of the global population suffers from neuropathic pain (NP) that is associated with tissue or neuronal injury. Our lab has shown specific neuropeptides are expressed in the injured nerve tissues along with increased density of the Y1 receptor. The objective of this study was to use an established chronic constrictive nerve injury (CCI) model that mimics chronic pain and to use different drug modalities and evaluate pain over time. Methods: Seventeen female rats were divided into four groups (Sham (surgery no injury n=3), CCI (injury + saline treatment n=4), CCI + Antlinear (linear molecule n=5), CCI + Antbicycle(bicyclic molecule n=5). Surgery was performed on the right hind limb to constrict the sciatic nerve. Prior to surgery body weights, food intake, body composition, temperature, physical activity, gait, and mechanical threshold scores were determined. Three days following surgery, the CCI groups were injected with saline or drug (5ug/kg) and mechanical threshold was assessed at 1, 3, 5, and 24 hours then daily for 7 days. Gait and body composition were determined weekly while temperature and food intake were assessed daily for 7 days. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the study and vital organs, reproductive organs, brain, spinal column, and nerves were collected for histopathological evaluations. Results: Following surgery, all groups showed a reduction from baseline weight that returned toward baseline at the end of the study and no differences between the groups were detected. At 24 hours, CCI + Ant bicycle treated animals had mechanical thresholds above the CCI +saline and CCI + Antlinear treated animals. Conclusion: Compounds with specific structures offer a potential treatment for reducing neuropathic pain.

Alayjha Edwards

Tougaloo College

Department of Anesthesiology UMMC

Neuropathic pain, Y1 receptor, CCI, Injured

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (SCA1) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by a mutation in the poly-glutamine stretch of the ATXN1 protein. ATXN1 proteins form nuclear inclusion bodies in vivo and in vitro. It is speculated that accumulation of the mutated ATXN1 causes a gain-of-function resulting in neuronal death in the cerebellum and brainstem of SCA1 patients. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases that have gained popularity as possible therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative disease. Recent studies have shown that MMPs can degrade toxic polyglutamine aggregates in Huntington’s disease contributing to its’ disease pathology. We hypothesize that MMPs will also degrade the toxic poly-glutamine aggregates in the SCA1 diseases. To test our hypothesis, we generated GFP-dMMP constructs and mCherry-ATXN1 constructs to express in SHSH5Y neuroblastoma cell lines. We speculated that coexpression of dMMPs with the ATXN1 constructs will reduce nuclear inclusion body formation. Here, we have transiently expressed our GFP-dMMP and mCherry constructs in neuroblastoma. We found that dMMPs can localize to the nucleus, where they may interact with ATXN1. This is the first time that nuclear localization of MMPs have been demonstrated. This paves the way for future co-expression studies. This work is critical to supporting our long-term goal, which is to test the efficiency of MMP inhibitors as SCA1 therapeutics using the drosophila SCA1 animal model.

Desiree-Gift Mills <dmills@tougaloo.edu>

Tougaloo College, Mississippi State University

Mississippi INBRE

Matrix Metalloproteinases, Drosophila, Aggregates

The prevalence of obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to increase at alarming rates in the United States. Previous studies have demonstrated that obesity-induced renal disease is associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a molecular complex that becomes activated by danger signals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of CKD. However, studies examining whether NLRP3 is implicated during the progression of obesity-induced renal disease are limited. Therefore, in the current study, we compared the renal expression of NLRP3 in lean Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats and obese SS (ob-SS) rats, which develop CKD. At 12 weeks of age, body weight, plasma insulin, and total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in ob-SS rats compared to SS rats. Both strains' blood glucose levels were in the normal physiological range (<120 mg/dL). MAP was significantly higher in ob-SS rats compared to SS rats (189±5 and 124±7 mmHg, respectively). Proteinuria was markedly elevated in ob-SS rats versus their lean SS littermates (872±147 and 127±13 mg/day, respectively). We also conducted a ROS assay to measure the renal mitochondrial H2O2, which was markedly higher in ob-SS rats than SS rats. To determine the gene and protein expression of NLRP3 in the kidneys from SS and ob-SS rats, we performed PCR and western blot analyses, respectively. In conclusion, these data indicate that the progression of obesity-induced renal injury is associated with increases in NLRP3 expression. Therefore, future studies will be focused on the role of NLRP3 in obesity-induced renal injury.

Olive Cooper

Tougaloo College

Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Emergency Medicine, UMMC

Immunology, NLRP3, Chronic Kidney Disease, Obesity

Sexually transmitted disease rates have reached an all-time high in the United States of America. The most common STIs include genital shingles (genital herpes), chlamydia, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The Center for Disease Control, CDC, estimates that youth ages 15-24 account for almost half of the twenty-six million new sexually transmitted infections that occurred in the United States in 2018. Along with sexually transmitted diseases, obesity has been a long-time public health topic and has been linked to several diseases and chronic illnesses. According to the CDC, 73.6% of adults aged 20 and over are overweight or obese. The purpose of this study aims to examine the relationship between body mass index, or BMI, and risky sexual behaviors. The relationship between BMI and risky sexual behaviors is important because individuals who engage in risky sexual behaviors are more likely to contract sexually transmitted infections than individuals who practice safe sexual behaviors. In regard to body mass index and its relation to sexual risk behaviors, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, states that “individuals with higher BMIs are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors.” The identified risky sexual behaviors include having multiple sexual partners within 6 months, participating in intercourse without protective barriers, engaging in anal sex, and using drugs and/or alcohol surrounding sexual encounters. All in all, these behaviors increase the risk of STI contraction and current secondary data from previous studies support that BMI and STI conception are correlated due to sexual risk behaviors.

Seth Johnson

Tougaloo College

Cyclodextrins are ring shaped oligosaccharides that are used for the improvement of solubility and are produced by enzymatic conversion of starch. The pharmaceutical industry uses cyclodextrin because it serves as a powerful delivery agent. Cyclodextrin is available in 3 forms: Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. We found that we can dissolve 2-Hydroxypropyl-γ-Cyclodextrin in aqueous media while heating and stirring; then adding the drug dissolved in DMSO This solution he drug goes into solution. This drug is now soluble in the media, and we can test the efficacy of the drugs killing cancer cells.

Haley Clark

Department of Chemistry and Physics, Tougaloo College

The NSF LSMAMP and Target Infusion Programs.

Cyclodextrins, Solubilization

The Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) refers to the overlapping interest between private business and government to employ surveillance, policing, and imprisonment as a solution to social, economic, and political issues. The PIC creates incentives for the incarceration of disadvantaged community members, thus perpetuating mass incarceration and, subsequently, negatively affecting not only individuals, but also the public health of communities. The objective of this research was to find realistic solutions to the PIC and mass incarceration. This research focused primarily on three case examples, the state of California, New York, and Georgia. Particularly, analyzing how they have addressed this issue and the outcomes it produced. The results showed that while criminal justice and prison reform have drastically decreased the levels of incarceration, there was still much to be done to address the impacts that incarceration and the PIC have on individuals and communities. To conclude, addressing the PIC through a public health approach requires a new framework rooted in primary prevention: abolition. Through an abolitionist approach, public health practitioners and researchers can shift the focus away from repressive approaches and toward methods of prevention that eliminate the need for incarceration.

Alitzel Serrano, <aserrano@tougaloo.edu>

University of California Los Angeles, UCLA Public Health Scholars Program

Tougaloo College, Department of Mathematics

Public Health, Prison Industrial Complex, Mass Incarceration

Double Cortin-like Kinase 1 (DCLK1) is a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker that is over-expressed in CSCs and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) cells of many cancers. Due to its expression in the therapy-resistant, tumorigenic subpopulation in cancer tissue, DCLK1 plays critical roles in indefinite cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, tumor metastasis, and recurrence of cancer. Further evidence has shown that the deregulation or inhibition of DCLK1 directly causes a decrease in cancer succession and reduces the possibility of relapse.

Since DCLK1 is so crucial to overall cancer progression, it’s important to better understand how its over-expression specifically impacts the stages and development of human colorectal cancer (hCRC). However, DCLK1 has five isoforms and association of each isoform with hCRC is unclear. For the current project, we aim to reveal correlation of the DCLK1 isoform 2 (DCLK1-S) with invasion and migration capability of hCRC cells. In order to achieve our goal, we established the isogenic DCLK1-S over-expression cells using the HCT116 cell line, performed the scratching assay, and used ImageJ software to determine the wound healing speed of DCLK1-S over-expression cells and HCT116 cells. Our preliminary results demonstrated that DCLK1-S was not associated with increased migration and invasion capability of hCRC cells. Compared to the HCT116 cells, the wound healing speed of DCLK1-S over-expression cells significantly decreased (P<0.05). Therefore, the DCLK1-S might not change migration and invasion capabilities of hCRC cells. In the future, we will further confirm our findings and will determine whether DCLK1-S affect stemness of hCRC CSCs and EMTs from other aspects.

Valeria Brown

Tougaloo College

Biology Department

DCLK1, Cancer Stem Cell, Colorectal Cancer