Undergraduate Research Posters

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  Finite Element Analysis of 3D-printed PCL Scaffolds

  Ireolu K. Orenuga, Joao Soares, Phillip D. Glass, and Daeha Joung Ph.D.

  Finite Element Analysis of 3D-printed PCL Scaffolds for Synergizing Cellular Micro-Environment and Mechanical Stimuli to Enhance Engineered Tissue Growth in Vitro

  Ireolu Orenuga,1 Phillip Glass,2 Daeha Joung,2 Joao S. Soares1

  1. Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, College of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University
  2. Department of Physics, College of Humanities & Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University

  Introduction: Tissue engineering aims to create viable and functional engineered tissues via biodegradable scaffolds and autologous cells. Scaffolds play an essential part in organizing the architecture of developing tissues and aid in the proper function of implants acutely by serving as mechanical support and long-term by degrading and undergoing absorption as de novo tissue is produced. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a commonly used biodegradable and biocompatible material. PCL scaffolds are typically electrospun or nonwoven, which produces random microstructures without a very robust control. 3D printed PCL scaffolds allow for the design of a structured and controlled cellular micro-environment and mechanical properties for cells to grow in vitro. However, the translation of mechanical training at the tissue level happening in bioreactors during in vitro culture to cellular stimulation is poorly understood. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of 3d-printed PCL scaffolds may elucidate the different roles of microstructural parameters in cellular mechanotransduction and provide insight on how to effectively engineer better tissues.

  Methods: SolidWorks was used to make four models of 3D-printed PCL fibers with 0-90 and 45-45 orientations in two configurations, i.e. aligned and staggered fibers. The completed 0-90 and 45-45 orientations staggered model was exported as an .stl file to 3D-print. SEM imaging analyzing the 3d-printing results were conducted to obtain realistic microstructures of the 3D-printed PCL scaffolds. These 3D-models were imported into FEBio for FEA analysis of the deformations involved with in vitro mechanical training up to a uniaxial strain of 50% (aligned with the 0-degree orientation). Additionally, we have performed exploratory cell seeding experiments on some scaffolds to analyze seeding efficiency and mechanical testing of virgin scaffolds to validate the FEA results.

  Results: The 3D-printed models produced were a 0-90 and a 45-45 staggered configuration scaffold each with dimensions of 8 x 20 x 0.45mm thickness with 16 layers. PCL fibers were printed as ribbons with 10 by 85 microns and spaced apart creating pores of 235 by 235 microns. Meshing both configurations was successful and FEA simulations showed that scaffolds can undergo strains of up to 33% before pores start collapsing. Mechanical tests showed the scaffold was able to undergo strains of up to 10% in the elastic regime without appreciating damage. Drip seeding experiments showed that RVSMCs are able to survive and grow on the 3D printed PCL scaffolds.

  Conclusions: FEA has proven to be useful for predicting mechanical behavior of 3D printed PCL scaffolds. Future experiments will focus on conducting mechanical testing on more scaffolds and in vitro engineered tissue culture under mechanical stimulation.

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  COVID-19 Impact on Latinx Families within the RVA Breathes Program

  Abigail Poulston; Robin S. Everhart, Ph.D; and Sarah C M Morton

  RVA Breathes is a community-based asthma intervention program that aims to reduce asthma disparities among 5 to 11-year-old children in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to the pandemic, Latinx children faced greater disparities in asthma treatment and morbidity than non-Latinx White children. During the pandemic, there is evidence to suggest that these disparities may have been further exacerbated. Specifically, research shows that COVID-19 health disparities among Latinx individuals arose due to social inequities, such as poverty, living conditions, lack of access to health care, language barriers, and employment. The current study provides an overview of responses from 20 Latinx caregivers to pandemic-related questions asked during intervention sessions.

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  Prevalence of Nicotine Delivery Systems by Biological Sex in the Spit for Science Study

  Ayrton Quiroz, Amy Adkins, S4S Working Group, Elizabeth Prom-Wormley, Elizabeth K. Do, Megan Cooke, James Clifford, and Hermine H. Maes

  Nicotine intake usage trends have changed over recent decades given the wide variety of nicotine delivery systems including cigarettes, vaping, hookah, and snubs/chewables. These trends also vary by demographic factors, such as race/ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES). For example, studies in rat populations, as well as humans, have found that females tend to be more dependent on nicotine products and have a more difficult time quitting than male rats and humans (Pogun et al., 2017). Also, race/ethnicity may impact the frequency of nicotine usage in different populations; in that non-white Hispanics were more susceptible to smoking through adolescence with a peak at ages 12 and 16; whereas non-Hispanic Asian Americans were less susceptible to smoking at ages 11 and 15 (El-Toukhy et al., 2016). Certain nicotine delivery methods may be more available or perhaps more socially accepted by certain groups of people. While lower SES is associated with more prevalent cigarette advertisements and usage, individuals with a higher SES were associated with an increased prevalence of e-cigarette advertisements, leading to an increased frequency of e-cigarette usage among adolescents (Simon et al., 2018). This project aims to document rates of nicotine use across different nicotine delivery systems in college students by demographic factors. We use the Spit for Science (S4S) database to investigate prevalence rates and study if they differ by sex, race/ethnicity, or SES. It is hypothesized that higher SES individuals will have an increased frequency of use with nicotine products that are non-cigarette based, non-white Hispanics will have greater frequency with nicotine usage, and females within the study sample will display a higher dependency on nicotine products than males. Preliminary analyses reveal that there are more female participants than males throughout the S4S cohorts collected between 2020 and 2022. Across cohorts, prevalence of all nicotine delivery systems differs in female and male participants across all products. Larger differences in prevalence between females and males are observed for cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and cigars than for products that have been introduced more recently, such as hookah, vaping, and heat-not-burn products. Further analyses will focus on patterns of use in relation to race/ethnicity and SES. Understanding nicotine usage trends within our sample could pave the way for additional research (i.e., genetic studies) and allow for the development of prevention/intervention models tailored to our sample populations.

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  The Association Between Survivors’ Guilt and Gratitude in the Belongingness of Refugee College Students

  Mehwish Safdar

  Many refugees experience significant stress and trauma before relocating to their host country (Leo, 2021) and often encounter new challenges when adapting to their unfamiliar environment. Refugee college students, who are often the first in their families to attend college, face additional pressure to excel academically to give back to their families and host country (Turjanmaa & Jasinskaja-Lahti, 2020). Despite prior research on refugee individuals, little work has focused on refugee college students. This study aimed to address this gap by examining the relationships between survivors’ guilt, gratitude, indebtedness, and belongingness in 16 refugee university students. Specifically, the study investigated the following research questions: 1) How does survivors’ guilt relate to the feeling of belongingness in refugee college students? 2) How does gratitude relate to the feeling of belongingness in refugee college students? 3) How does indebtedness relate to the feeling of belongingness in refugee college students? 4) Is the feeling of gratitude or indebtedness stronger in refugee college students? Results revealed no significant correlation between survivor guilt or gratitude and belongingness but showed a significant correlation between indebtedness and belongingness. Implications and limitations are discussed.

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  Black Liberation in Transnational Terms: The Case of Haiti and the United States

  Dulanda F. P. Saintcyr

  Haiti made history on January 1st, 1804 when it secured independence from France. Not only did Haiti become a sovereign state, it also earned the title of being the first independent Black nation in the world. The latter accomplishment should not be ignored. The Haitians’ efforts created an impact that transcends their national border, particularly in the context of Black liberation. For example, the United States' history of working towards achieving full freedom for Black people resembles the Haitian struggle. Whether the connection between the two states is widely acknowledged is a point of interest. As a result, this project aims to answer the following research question: “How has the Haitian Revolution shaped our perception of Black liberation in the United States?” Its methodology consists of a researcher-administered survey that captures the perspectives of legal-aged adults in the United States. By using this method, the study hopes to find a commonality between Haitian and American history that further shows how Black history is everyone’s history.

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  The Collaboration between Art and Botany

  Hee So and Sierra Beecher

  Using past research from my work study with Dr. Beecher where a team of students focused on quantitative and diagnostic anatomies of salt marsh and beach grasses on the Atlantic coasts, I used the research collected and created vector-based diagrams that were easily readable for Biology students at VCU. These illustrations were used in a manuscript we have been preparing, which has been accepted by the “Castanea” scientific journal. During the research fellowship, I was able to design a poster that portrayed the benefits of collaboration between art and botany, and Dr. Beecher presented the poster at the ASPB conference in Portland. We are continuing to work on a free laboratory manual resource where I oversee the creation of the diagrams while Dr. Beecher authors the manual. The manual resource will hopefully be adaptable to changing curriculums as the project finishes.

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  The Role of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Alzheimer's Disease

  Ethan S. Terman

  This study examines the consequences of Alzheimer’s in rat and mice test subjects. The goal is to identify the effects of certain NLRP3 inhibiting drugs and to see if there are any noticeable effects in regards to impeding the pathological development of Alzheimer’s disease. The results are visualized by implementing the immunohistochemical process to identify neurodegeneration in the brain and to assess the expression levels of amyloid beta as an indicator of Alzheimer’s pathology. Other tests are also conducted on these transgenic mice to gauge cognitive functioning levels during the onset of their disease, those being behavior tests, but not limited to the extraction of information on the results of the NLRP3 inhibitor drug trials which aid in adding to the existing database of quantitative data from previous tests. The results of this study play into further understanding of this crippling neurodegenerative disease.

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  Comparing the Microbiomes of Dental Plaques in 19th Century Ancestral Remains

  Ananya Udyaver

  During the construction of VCU’s Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building in April 1994, nineteenth century ancestral remains were found in an abandoned well on the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) campus. This well, now known as the East Marshall Street Well (EMSW), is thought to have been used as a disposal location for cadaver dissection for surgical and other medical waste in the past. VCU is now seeking to use DNA sequencing technology to match and assemble bones from each individual for a proper burial, uncover the cultural and historical context in which these people lived, and bring a sense of closure to our community and to these ancestors. The development of oral diseases can result from disruptions to the ecological balance of the oral microbiome, especially by pathogenic bacteria, so studying the dental plaque microbiome and recognizing the different species present can provide insight into the health and disease status of these individuals. This research includes a preliminary study (n=8) on the calcified dental plaques (dental calculus) found on the teeth of the skulls using 16S rDNA high throughput sequencing to uncover information about microbes associated with dental calculus. The two most abundant bacteria associated with these samples were Caulobacteraceae and Cytophagales. The composition of the ancient oral microbiome, which preserves dietary and environmental debris, might also provide us with insight into the dietary patterns and environmental conditions of these individuals.

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  Memory Reconsolidation and Alcohol Use Disorder: Intravenous Infusion of Ketamine to Alleviate Addictive Symptoms in Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnoses

  Yasaswi Veera

  According to the National Institute of Health, substance use disorder in the United States in 2021 caused nearly 106,000 deaths and an annual healthcare and criminal justice expenditure of roughly $200 billion, however, only 10% of diagnoses receive proper treatment. This is primarily due to the lack of previous research in addictive studies as well as the lack of accessibility to resources and proper treatments. Current treatments for alcohol use disorder range from medications and behavioral therapies, such as acamprosate, naltrexone, and cognitive behavior therapy. Much of these treatments consist of reconditioning the brain to associate alcohol with a negative outcome, demotivating the patient to consume alcohol. Recent studies propose ketamine as an effective treatment method due to its anesthetic properties and its potential to interfere with the association between alcohol consumption and its transient effects. In this study, the researcher investigated the extent to which current treatments are able to modify neural pathways to alleviate alcoholic associations as well as the benefits of providing treatment specifically during the memory reconsolidation period rather than providing treatment alone. It was concluded that ketamine would offer a longer onset of effects when administered immediately after alcoholic desire was stimulated in patients, signifying that it is a more effective treatment than other current treatments.

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  Structural Analysis of Predicted Proteins Using AlphaFold

  Brydon P. Wall

  The function of around 67% of predicted proteins from genes in Mycobacteriophage CheetoDust can not be confidently predicted using traditional techniques and can only be functionally labeled “hypothetical proteins”. However, a new approach using AlphaFold, an artificial intelligence tool to generate a structural prediction from a sequence, can take advantage of structurally conserved regions that were previously obfuscated to gain new insights and visualize data in new ways.

  Since amino acid sequences are more conserved than its corresponding DNA sequence, amino acid sequences are used when predicting the function of the corresponding translated protein. Until recently, predicting structure from an amino acid sequence, known as the “protein-folding problem,” was unreliable, and thus, not widely used. Functional analysis of predicted proteins can now be enhanced with new tools like AlphaFold that attempt to solve the protein-folding problem and generate monomer and multimer structural predictions that can be used to further functional predictions.

  For this project, AlphaFold was used to: 1) confirm the function of gene product 68 as DNA primase/helicase, 2) confirm a ‘wing’ structure to enable functional annotation as a winged-helix-turn-helix protein, and 3) predict functions for other proteins previously annotated as hypothetical protein. This poster will explore the potential for using artificial intelligence to improve functional annotation of protein sequences.

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  The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic On Mental Health of College Students

  Alexis West, Afton White, Punit Gandhi, Indranil Sahoo, Michael Robert, and David Chan

  In April and May of 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, a few hundred VCU students were surveyed about their academics, mental health, support network, and the impact COVID was having in their life.

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  ROS and SFK signaling is required for development of hematopoietic stem cells in zebrafish

  Bradley Williams and Erich Damm

  ROS and SFK signaling is required for development of hematopoietic stem cells in zebrafish

  Bradley Williams and Erich Damm

  Background

  Hematopoiesis is the process in which the myriad of mature blood cell types, including erythrocytes and leukocytes, develop from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) throughout the life of an organism. In vertebrates, HSCs originate from endothelial cells lining the floor of the dorsal aorta. This process is referred to as the endothelial to hematopoietic transition and is likely controlled in part by molecular signals from neighboring cells. Investigation into the molecular signaling mechanisms controlling the development of HSCs is critical to the development of potential treatments to blood disorders, such as training patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to differentiate into replacement HSCs for transplantation into leukemia patients or patients receiving gene therapy for genetic hematologic disorders. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxides and peroxides, have been shown to act as cellular signaling molecules. Previous studies have shown a requirement for ROS signaling in the early development of HSCs, although the complete mechanism of ROS signaling involvement has not yet been determined. Additionally, it has been suggested that Src family kinases (SFKs), a family of key cell signaling regulators, can be regulated by ROS signaling, although a role for SFKs in developmental hematopoiesis has not been demonstrated.

  Objectives

  The aim of this study was to determine if ROS and SFK signaling are required for the earliest stages of HSC development in the zebrafish embryo.

  Methods

  To evaluate the roles of ROS signaling and SFK activity in HSC development, pharmacological inhibition or anti-sense morpholino oligonucleotides were used to knockdown ROS and SFK activity. Wild type zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were treated with either MCI-186, a ROS scavenging compound, or PP2, a pharmacological inhibitor of SFKs. Whole-mount in-situ hybridization (WISH) for key HSC and endothelial cell marker genes was performed to examine the status of HSC and endothelial development under these conditions. To examine the expression of the SFK yes related kinase (yrk) in the zebrafish embryo, WISH was performed. Transgenic zebrafish embryos exhibiting fluorescent vascular tissue (Tg(kdrl:mCherry)) were stained with a phospho-Src antibody to highlight SFK activity in the embryonic vasculature. Transgenic embryos were also injected with splice-blocking morpholino oligonucleotides targeting yrk mRNA transcripts to knock down Yrk protein expression.

  Results and Conclusions

  We show that inhibition of ROS signaling results in a loss of HSC development and a reduction in phosphorylated Src kinases in the dorsal aorta of zebrafish embryos during the stage when HSCs develop. Importantly, we confirmed that the SFK yrk is expressed in the embryonic vasculature during the stage when HSCs initially develop. We further show that embryos treated with the SFK inhibitor PP2 or injected with morpholinos targeting yrk, exhibit defective HSC development, implying that both ROS and SFKs are required for HSC development. Our results suggest a model where ROS signaling is required for phosphorylation of the SFK yrk, which in turn plays a yet to be determined signaling role in the development of HSCs.

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  Perspectives of Middle School Students on their Engagement and Relevance in Science

  Dylan E. Young, Kamil Hankour, Javonti Braxton, Martinique Sealy, Hui Sun, and Christine Bae

  The purpose of this study is to explore urban middle school students' thoughts and attitudes about engagement, belonging, use of their funds of knowledge (FoK), and discourse in their science classrooms. Historically, students from this population often feel disengaged and alienated from science, which is why it is important to study their point of view; and, there is currently a dearth of literature that does so (Emdin et al., 2021; Fredricks et al., 2018). The engagement model used includes behavioral, cognitive, affective and social dimensions (Wang et al., 2016). The data was collected in a study that involves collaboration between teachers and researchers, including the development of the science lessons that were taught during data collection. The data included 135 students across seven mid-Atlantic, urban middle school science classrooms in the United States. Students were administered surveys after their lessons, and later participated in focus group interviews collected in a previous study. Descriptive statistics and profile analysis were conducted on our quantitative data, resulting in 3 main profiles of students being identified. The profiles included (1) Above average engagement, FoK and discourse, (2) Below average engagement and FoK with high discourse, and (3) Average engagement and FoK with high discourse. Furthermore, qualitative themes were identified, such as students preferring group work and “hands-on” lessons. Implications for practice and plans for future distribution are discussed.

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  A Participatory Group Process to Collect and Disseminate COVID-19 Needs Assessment Data

  Areebah Ahmed

  The Richmond, VA COVID-19 Needs Assessment Survey (RVA CoNA) was created in March 2020 to identify behaviors and needs related to COVID-19 in Richmond area adults ages 18 and over. Results are being used to inform support, strategic efforts, and educational outreach of local community organizations. The purpose of this study is to (1) summarize the process used to develop the RVA CoNA, (2) summarize preliminary survey results from a second phase of data collection as well as initial feedback from community partners, and (3) summarize initial conclusions and results dissemination strategies.Community partners and researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University jointly contributed to the RVA CoNA through: (1) survey development, (2) pilot testing, (3) survey administration, (4) review survey results, (5) identifying dissemination strategies, and (6) identifying activities informed by survey results. Survey respondents answered questions in the following areas: healthcare, education, access to transportation, employment, behaviors, and self-reported illnesses. Two phases of data collection were conducted using: internet-based surveys (August 4, 2020-March 4, 2021; N = 350) and paper/pencil surveys (May 22-October 22, 2021; N = 265). Summary statistics were produced in R (Version 3.6.1). Second phase data collection results were discussed by the RPN-CAN in December 2021.Over half (58.5%) of second phase participants indicated that they spent more time doing enjoyable activities with family and friends during the pandemic. However, 45% of participants reported increased feelings of isolation and loneliness since the pandemic, 56% indicated having sleep problems since the start of the pandemic, and 48.1% indicated increased mental health problems.Community partners identified mental health as a priority. They considered developing organizational support that connects people with mental health resources to be a priority. Additional community-wide results dissemination and strategy implementation began in 2022 and is ongoing.

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  Modified YSK12-MEND-siRNA in Dendritic Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy

  Syed S. Alam

  Tumors may induce tolerogenesis through signaling dendritic cells to produce tolerogenic molecules, such as indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). Tumor-associated immunosuppression is associated with higher mortality in patients. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been shown to silence specific target genes in the target cell. The siRNA associated with these genes could support a gene knockdown of these immunosuppressors and reduce mortality. Delivery of these therapeutic nucleic acids is difficult in vivo because siRNA is easily broken down inside the cell and the bloodstream through present nucleases. Use of liposome polymers has been reviewed extensively in literature. YSK12-C4, a lipid nanoparticle developed by Hokkaido University, is a lipid that has both fusogenic and cationic properties, making it ideal for dendritic cell uptake. However, limitations make it less effective in vivo as it may collect in areas other than the target human dendritic cells in the draining lymph node. To improve specific targeting in vivo, ligand-based targeting modifications (anti-DEC205, anti-CD11c, mannose+) and physical targeting (pKa modifications through YSK05 lipid addition) have been proposed to the YSK12-MEND system in order to better target dendritic cells in vivo. In order to estimate the theoretical efficacy of modified YSK12-MEND-siRNA, I investigated prior experiments, both in vivo and in vitro, to recognize the practicality of each modification. In murine hepatocytes, it was found that pKa improved specific uptake in vivo while anti-DEC205 and anti-CD11c peptides were found to be effective in dendritic cells in vivo in mice. Mannose+ lipid nanoparticles were ideal for targeting both dendritic cells and macrophages. These modifications will likely result in an improved uptake, more cell specificity, and transfection efficiency for human dendritic cells.

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  The transcription factor Nfe2l2a is required for development of hematopoietic stem cells in the zebrafish embryo

  Sivam Bhatt, Teerth Patel, Madeleine Seputro, Anubhav Thapaliya, and Erich Damm

  Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) are the self-renewing population of cells that generate all erythrocytes and leukocytes over the lifetime of a vertebrate organism. HSCs are also the therapeutic units of curative bone marrow transplants used in the treatment of blood malignancies and in gene therapy for genetic blood disorders. In all vertebrate embryos, HSCs originate from the floor of the embryonic dorsal aorta during the endothelial to hematopoietic transition. Nascent HSCs will bud into the blood vessel and be carried to maturation sites by the embryonic blood flow. Despite the curative potential of HSC transplants in blood disorders, this approach is limited by low numbers of immunologically compatible HSCs for transplantation. A major objective is to generate unlimited numbers of patient matched HSCs from patient derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to alleviate this challenge to therapy, however it has not yet been possible to generate HSCs from iPSCs. This is likely because key developmental signals remain unknown. This makes the study of HSC development in the vertebrate embryo a key area of biomedical study. Previous work has suggested glucose metabolism generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are needed for HSC development. Nfe2l2a is a transcription factor and master regulator of the cellular antioxidant response and is activated by increased levels of ROS in the cell. Nfe2l2a has been previously indicated as a regulator of ROS mediated cytokine signaling in adult HSCs. Additionally, nfe2l2a is expressed in the embryonic vasculature of zebrafish embryos, which is the origin of HSCs. We sought to determine whether nfe2l2a is required for the development of HSCs in the zebrafish embryo. The zebrafish pre-clinical animal model serves as an appropriate model due to evolutionary conservation of hematopoiesis between the zebrafish and humans. We examined the expression of the conserved hematopoietic markers runx1, cmyb, and rag1 in embryos injected with an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide which disrupts nfe2l2a mRNA translation. We observed a significant reduction in the expression of these markers, indicative of impaired HSC development. Since normal patterning of the embryonic dorsal aorta is required for HSC development, the embryonic vasculature of nfe2l2a morphants was also examined for expression of key marker genes, which indicated normal patterning of these tissues. Interestingly, examination of fli1:EGFP transgenic embryos injected with nfe2l2a morpholino revealed arterio-venous malformations which are indicative of defects in the segregation of the dorsal aorta and cardinal vein. Overall, our work has revealed that nfe2l2a activity is required for the development of HSCs in the zebrafish embryo, possibly by controlling segregation of the dorsal aorta and cardinal vein blood vessels during development. Future experiments will be aimed at determining how nfe2l2a regulates this process.

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  The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms during COVID-19

  Tene'sha L. Crews and Christina Sheerin

  The rise of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a global surge in exposure to disaster and crisis-related media. Increases in poor mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression, are associated with increased exposure to such media content (Abbas et al., 2021; Riehm et al., 2020; Zhao & Zhou, 2020). In recent years, social media has become one of the most widely used sources for news; approximately 48% of adult Americans receive their news from social media (Pew Research Center, 2021). During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in social media use due to social distancing and isolation resulting from pandemic-related safety measures (Abbas et al., 2021; Riehm et al., 2020). Further research is needed on the interplay of increased social media use and the associated exposure to crisis-related content, with anxiety and depression symptoms. The current project will investigate these associations by presenting results from an ongoing, longitudinal study, Spit for Science, a yearly series of surveys assessing behavioral health and, more recently, the COVID-19 experiences of undergraduate students. This survey was conducted in May of 2020 on the current active cohort of students shortly after safety precautions were taken to halt on-campus activities (N=897). Participants completed measures assessing COVID-19-related stressors and behaviors and questionnaires assessing anxiety and depression symptoms. Social media use was measured using multiple-item questions assessing the frequency of exposure to COVID-19 related content. Data analysis will be conducted using linear regressions to understand the relationship between the variables of interest. Analyses are currently ongoing. The significance of this study is to contribute to the scientific literature regarding the impact of COVID-19 and social media use on mental health outcomes.

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  Development And Usability Testing Of A PHR For Down’s Syndrome (DS) Care Coordination

  Jeffrey B. Duah, Elizabeth Baker Ph.D, Bethany Cosgrove Ph.D, and Isosceles Lab

  Development and Usability Testing of a PHR for Down’s

  Syndrome (DS) Care Coordination

  Jeffrey Duah¹, UROP Fellow, Dept. of Computer Science, with Dr. Elizabeth Baker¹, Dept. of Information Systems, Dr. Bethany Cosgrove², School of Nursing, and ISOSCELES Lab¹

  ¹Virginia Commonwealth University ²UNC Chapel Hill

  Parents of children with Down’s Syndrome typically have many health professionals they have to meet with which leads to the need to efficiently document the development of the child. With this, information management becomes a problem for a number of families. Dr. Bethany Cosgrove drafted 321Connect with the purpose of addressing this problem and allowing for smoother coordination of care. This study aims to, 1) create a mHealth application (321 Connect) for documenting the development of children with Down’s Syndrome and 2) conduct usability testing with the general mobile device users on said app. Development for 321Connect (Android) began on February 2021. It was created with an XML front-end, Java for the logic and functionality, and a SQLite database. Usability testing was done via survey through QuestionPro. Users were asked to follow a script and use the app and then fill out a 10-question survey about the usability of the app. Initial results were favorable with the usability score of 78.8 with just 20 participants. Testing is still ongoing and is expected to increase the score. The primary results showed that users agreed that the app was easy to navigate and the systems were well implemented. Users also saw the importance of the app to the Down’s Syndrome community and believed it would greatly benefit them. This is important as this app will be something that caretakers will interact with daily. Ease of use and well-integrated systems are of upmost importance for the success of the app. Dr. Cosgrove’s testing with actual families proved fruitful as they praised the app for its helpfulness and ease of use. With feedback from testing, changes will be made to the prototype in order to provide the families with the best experience possible.

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  Dental Safety Net Patients’ Reflections on Their Dental Problems and Opportunities for Care

  Jenifer Euceda Nunez

  Introduction: Low-income and underserved populations have disproportionately more unmet oral health needs. This may reflect factors across the lifetime as well as current home hygiene and access to care. These experiences lead to dental care having personal impacts on their lives that oftentimes can lead to personal opinions and stories. Their opinions and stories can provide insight to new themes that are not found within the existing limited literature. Steering away from a technical view on oral health research, personal perspectives can provide a new approach to oral health utilization that can further expand the limited existing literature. Objective: To identify findings related to dental safety net patients’ experiences of their oral health and dental care that are not already reflected in the literature. Methods: Using an iterative process, we identified deductive codes from the existing literature on oral health disparities and utilization and inductive codes found within interview recordings and recording transcripts from interviews conducted among participants who obtain services at federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Richmond, Virginia (n=29). This poster explores a new theme not previously well-documented in the literature.

  Results: Numerous Latinx patients reflected on their lifetime acceptance of dental problems, their gratitude for treatment opportunities at the FQHC, and the role that their faith has played in their oral health experiences. Discussion: Frameworks and theories need to take into consideration the way patients perceive their oral health experiences, for example through spirituality and cultural methods. Patients have strong cultural beliefs and methods that play a big role in their health and decision-making. Safety net providers should give equal amounts of attention and appropriate care to all patients. Some patients noted that providers wouldn’t give them certain advice or care while others would state the opposite. Fear, as well as low-income, little to no resources, and waiting times for appointments were common reasons why a person might not visit a dentist.

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  Comparison of Free versus Encapsulated Drugs on 3T3 Differentiation

  Simon H. Friedrich and Gabriel Volpe

  The scope of this project was to design, synthesize and test targeted nanoparticles containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs that promote browning in adipose tissue. For hydrophilic drugs the use of liposomes and their hydrophilic core is more useful than the PLGA nanoparticles which have hydrophobic cores. The inhibition of the FOXO1 pathway and modulation of autophagy in adipose tissue can promote browning of white adipose tissue, or an energy burning state where excess energy is burned as heat instead of stored in the cell. If successful, these drugs would offer an alternative treatment for obesity where changes to the patient's lifestyle, such as dieting and frequent exercise, have had little desired effect. The targeted nature of this treatment offers several potential benefits over free drug doses. For example, the FOXO1 pathway interacts with the insulin signal in cells and the inhibition of this pathway in many cell types throughout the body may have various unintended side-effects. Targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles may result in a more efficient transfer of the drug to the adipose tissue and may allow for a lower active drug-load for treatment. We have successfully synthesized PLGA nanoparticles containing AS1842856 and DMPC/DPPC liposomes containing Balfilomycin-A1 or CL316243 using a turbulent jet mixing approach. A targeting peptide, P3 which binds to prohibitin in white adipose tissue vasculature, was conjugated to the PLGA nanoparticles. The particle size, as measured by dynamic light scattering, was found to range between 140-210nm for the PLGA nanoparticles and 90-220nm for the liposomes. We are currently testing the free drugs and nanoparticle encapsulated drugs using the 3T3 cell line. FOXO1 and autophagy inhibitors can prevent differentiation of 3T3 cells into preadipocytes. The 3T3 cells have been successfully differentiated into preadipocytes as measured using oil red O staining and dose response testing is ongoing. The results will demonstrate whether encapsulation and targeted encapsulation improves the response and/or allows for a lower drug dose as compared to the free drug.

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  Spanish Translation and Psychometric Validation of a Measure of Acculturative Stress among Latinx Immigrants in the USA

  Ria Grover; Kritzia Merced; Chimdindu Ohayagha; Isis Garcia-Rodriguez,; Oswaldo Moreno; and Paul B. Perrin

  BACKGROUND: In the U.S., the Latinx community is growing at a faster rate than any other racial and ethnic minority group. Members of this community have been found to experience a number of acculturative stressors after immigrating including xenophobia, racism, and discrimination. Although several scales have been created in recent years to measure acculturative stress in Spanish-speaking immigrants, they are long, do not have nuanced subscales, or have not been validated in an extremely diverse sample of Latinx immigrants.

  OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to translate and psychometrically validate the Riverside Acculturative Stress Inventory (RASI) in a diverse sample of Spanish-speaking immigrants. METHODS: A sample of 202 Latinx immigrants in the U.S. completed the RASI as well as measures of depression and anxiety. RESULTS: An initial confirmatory factor analysis suggested at the overall subscale factor structure was not an ideal fit for the data. Exploratory factor analysis suggested the retention of four subscales, each with three items, forming a 12-item Spanish RASI short form. As indices of convergent validity, the RASI total score was positively associated with depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the study contribute to the literature a brief and valid assessment of acculturative stress in Spanish-speaking immigrants. The RASI Spanish short form holds promise to stimulate research on the unique adversities experienced by Latinx immigrants.

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  Developing a Model of Aged Decellularized Muscle Matrix with Advanced Glycation Cross-linking

  Ammar Jawad, Scott Pennebaker, Lucas C. Olson, Tri M. Nguyen, Barbara D. Boyan, Zvi Schwartz, and Michael J. McClure

  Volumetric muscle loss (VML) has been found to overwhelm muscle regeneration, resulting in loss of long-term muscle functionality. Decellularized muscle matrices (DMMs) provide an effective environment for muscle regeneration; however, the age of their source has not been adequately explored for clinical translation. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are chemical cross-links that contribute to the aging process by accumulating on collagen fibers, resulting in a stiffening of the collagenous matrix and an increase in inflammation via the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE). In previous experiments, we found increased levels of AGE-specific cross-links within DMMs in old mice compared to young as proven by ALT-711 treatment. In this study, we developed a model of aged rat DMMs using AGE cross-links and hypothesized that our AGE-DMM model will contain a higher number of collagen cross-links compared to the control. This AGE-DMM model aims to elucidate the effect of AGEs on muscle regeneration when used in vitro or implanted in a volumetric muscle loss model.

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  Mental Health among Chicanos and Chicanas: Barriers to Mental Health Care, Consequences of Disparities, and Resources

  Roma A. Kankaria, Shaheer Alam, Ananya Udyaver, and Alyssa Sievers

  Mexican Americans, or Chicanos and Chicanas, face many barriers to mental health care. This literature review was conducted by the Collective Corazón—a VCU student organization, mentored by Dr. Indira Sultanić, that addresses Latinx health equity through service and advocacy—in order to examine the underlying causes and consequences of disparities in mental health in Chicanos and Chicanas. Some of the barriers that affect mental health care in Mexican Americans are racial inequities and discrimination, the societal and/or cultural stigma associated with receiving care, language barriers, lack of health insurance, and legal status. Furthermore, among Chicanos, machismo culture is associated with an increased risk for depression and higher stress levels. Colorism has also been correlated with depression among Chicanos with darker skin phenotypes. Cultural identity also plays a role in mental health for Mexican Americans; a balance of Mexican and American culture is associated with a decreased risk for depression. Among Chicanas, there may be justified mistrust of healthcare systems and services due to historical events. The Latina paradox also has unintended health consequences; Latina women are not screened for prenatal depression as often as other ethnic groups. Lastly, are mental health resources for Latinx communities, like Therapy for Latinx and The Focus on You. However, this review argues that in order to reduce the mental health disparities that Chicanos and Chicanas face, there must be increased awareness of the disparities as well as changes in the healthcare system that address current inequities and barriers.

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  Health Disparities in Afro-Latinx Populations: Chronic Health Diseases, Linguistic and Cultural Competency, and Inequities and Barriers in Richmond, Virginia

  Roma A. Kankaria, Avani Hariprashad, Henzee Machado, Teerth Patel, and Anubhav Thapaliya

  Afro-Latinx individuals face health disparities that differ from those faced by white Latinx individuals. This literature review was conducted by the Collective Corazón—a VCU student organization, mentored by Dr. Indira Sultanić, that addresses Latinx health equity through service and advocacy—in order to examine the underlying causes of Afro-Latinx health disparities. Skin color is a predictor of health, life expectancy, and quality of life for many Latinx individuals. On average, Afro-Latinx individuals in particular have less access to education, fewer financial freedoms, and poorer health outcomes. The Afro-Latinx community also describes higher rates of discrimination compared to white Latinx individuals. As a result, Afro-Latinx individuals suffer from higher rates of chronic illness, stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, due to a lower average socioeconomic status and decreased education access that many Afro-Latinx individuals face, the prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, are higher for such populations when compared to national averages. Additionally, COVID-19 has exacerbated inequities and unequal access to resources; chronic comorbidities that Afro-Latinx individuals have are also predictors of poor COVID-19 outcomes. In Richmond in particular, another barrier that affects the health of many Afro-Latinx populations is the lack of access to healthcare services and/or insurance. This review argues that increasing cultural competency and racial equity trainings in healthcare systems, addressing social determinants of health, and encouraging connections with community leaders are ways to reduce health disparities that Afro-Latinx individuals face.

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  Man vs Machine: How will Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Systems Impact Cancer Diagnosis and the Patient-Physician Relationship?

  Aditya Kotha and Faye Prichard

  Oncologic diagnosticians are physicians who specialize in interpreting diagnostic exams to diagnose cancer in patients. Software companies have been developing artificial intelligence (AI) systems to interpret these exams to diagnose cancer. These AI systems may affect the traditional role of oncologic diagnosticians if they were to be implemented in the clinical setting. Therefore, I set out to answer my research question: How will AI and machine learning systems impact the roles of oncologic diagnosticians in diagnosing cancer and the patient-physician relationship? By analyzing surveys and studies, I examined the attitudes of oncologic diagnosticians versus cancer patients toward implementing AI systems in healthcare. Furthermore, I compared the diagnosing accuracies of AI systems and oncologic diagnosticians to uncover which screening entity is superior. I also evaluated specific diagnostic workflows to explore the practical implementations of AI systems in oncology. I investigated AI systems’ potential effects on the oncologic patient-physician relationship. Moreover, I reviewed the ethics of utilizing AI systems in cancer diagnostics to determine if AI implementation is practical. I observed positive attitudes amongst oncologic diagnosticians and patients towards the usage of AI systems, especially if these systems are to be used as assistance programs for physicians. In terms of screening accuracy and the impact on patient-physician relationships, studies showed a lack of consensus. There are also several ethical implications present, but policies and guidelines can be implemented to regulate and manage the usage of AI systems as diagnostic tools. In summary, AI and machine learning systems seem unlikely to replace oncologic diagnosticians. Instead, studies suggest that these devices will assist physicians to reduce diagnostic errors and improve accuracy and reliability. The extent to which the patient-physician relationship is influenced by AI systems seems likely to depend on the physician and their style of practice.