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Exploring Cell Differentiation Vs. Localization in Engineered Ligament-to-Bone Entheses
Saagar N. Sheth, Michael E. Brown, and Jennifer L. Puetzer
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects to bone via structurally complex insertions known as entheses that translate load from elastic ligament and stiff bone via gradients in organization, composition, and cell phenotype [1]. These gradients are not recreated in graft repair or engineered replacements, yielding limited repair options and high failure rates [2]. Previously, we developed a culture system that uses a tensile-compressive interface to guide ligament fibroblasts to develop early postnatal-like entheses by 6 weeks [3]; however, cells used were isolated from the entirety of the neonatal bovine ACL from bone to bone and likely contained multiple cell phenotypes and progenitor cells [3]. This study explored how ligament fibroblasts from ACL mid-substance and fibrochondrocytes from ACL entheses respond to mechanical cues in our system to assess if cells localize to specific tissue regions or remain mixed and differentiate in response to the local mechanical environment over 6 weeks. Confocal microscopy revealed at 0 weeks all regions begin unorganized with an even distribution of ligament (green) and enthesis (violet) cells for 50/50 ligament/enthesis co-culture (Fig 1). By 6 weeks, 50/50 co-culture resulted in early postnatal-like organization [1,3] with mixed cell distribution; however, ligament cells appear to undergo zonal morphological changes with elongated cells in the middle and larger rounded cells under the clamp. Zonal cell morphology, biochemical, and mechanical analysis of 100% ligament, 100% enthesis, and 50/50 co-culture are ongoing.
References: [1] Lu+ 2013, [2] Patel+ 2018, [3] Brown+ 2022.
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Bringing Swipe Out Hunger to VCU: Identifying Best Practices and Analyzing Administrative Policies for Future Reform
Jackie Stephens and Anjali Ta
At first glance, a college campus might look like a place of equal opportunity– communal dorms, shared dining halls, and similar course loads. However, arriving on campus is not where the college access conversation ends if students’ basic needs are not met. Food insecure students are at elevated risk of poor academic performance and delayed degree completion, with first-generation students being particularly vulnerable. Swipe Out Hunger is an organization that partners with colleges to reduce food insecurity among students by allowing those with extra dining hall meal swipes to donate them to food insecure peers. If implemented at VCU, Swipe Out Hunger would mitigate food insecurity amongst the student population by creating a formalized donation process. We analyzed Swipe Out Hunger programs at Florida State University, Sacramento State University, Temple University, Texas A&M, Rutgers University – New Brunswick, UNC Charlotte, and the College of William and Mary. Semi-structured interviews with students, faculty, and staff from each of the chosen universities, alongside an analysis of publicly available information on university, administrative, and contractual policies, informed our creation of an internal roadmap for VCU. Through our findings, best practices were established and an institutional configuration of the program was recommended. As a result, other universities seeking to introduce their own version of a Swipe Out Hunger program will be more knowledgeable about how to achieve successful implementation and ensure long-term sustainability.
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Review of the effects of Asphalt fume emission (VOCs and PAHs) in vitro, in vivo and human studies
Omran Taqi, Nastassja Lewinski, Elham Fini, Eran Rozewski, and Judith Klein-Seetharaman
Review of the effects of Asphalt fume emission (VOCs and PAHs) in vitro, in vivo and human studies
Omran Taqi, Nastassja Lewinski1
1) Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Background
Asphalt is abundantly available around human operations including road paving and roofing sites. However, their emissions and fumes (specifically volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)) have been found to have adverse effects on health. Asphalt fumes are a class 2A carcinogen and exposure can increase the risk of lung cancer, asthma, headache, fatigue, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Methods
We used three literature sources (Google Scholar, PubMed and Web of Science) to gather in vitro, animal in vivo, and human studies about VOCs and/or PAHs exposure, and specifically asphalt/bitumen exposure and their effects on lungs, as well as focusing on biomarker measurements, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentration in blood and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in urine samples.
Results
Our review resulted in 80 papers describing various human, in vitro, and in vivo studies. Analyzing the biomarkers reported in these papers revealed that the IL-8 concentration in exposed cells/animals or workers in the asphalt industry is nearly double that of the unexposed control group, and the (1-OHP) concentration in exposed asphalt workers is nearly 11 times the amount of (1-OHP) as the control group.
Conclusions
Due to the limited number of research papers addressing in vitro studies on lung cells (A549 and BEAS-2B cells), future work should focus on developing optimal in vitro asphalt/bitumen exposure conditions for lung cells, as well as developing new technologies that can remove pollutants for people who work in industries with high levels of VOCs or PAHs exposure.
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Deoxyribose phosphate aldolase is required for development of hematopoietic stem cells in the zebrafish embryo
Anubhav Thapaliya, Sanyam Patel, Teerth Y. Patel, Sivam J. Bhatt, and Erich W. Damm
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are an integral part of modern biomedical research because they are precursors to all blood cell lineages in vertebrates. Further understanding of hematopoietic development will allow for improvements in the success of therapeutic bone marrow transplantation; which is a crucial treatment in management of both malignant and non-malignant blood disorders. Although HSC transplantation is curative for many blood disorders, finding compatible donors is difficult due to a need for immunologic compatibility. Consequently, recent research efforts have been directed towards generating HSCs for the patient, from the patient themselves through the directed differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). To achieve this overarching goal, it is imperative to have a thorough understanding of genetics and molecular signals involved in the specification, determination, and differentiation of HSCs during embryonic development so that this process can be replicated using patient derived cells. In all vertebrates, hemogenic endothelium cells, located in the dorsal aorta floor, are the origin of HSCs. Hemogenic endothelial must undergo an endothelial to hematopoietic transition to become HSCs. Oxidative stress, as a result of glycolysis, is required for this transition and to generate proliferating, quiescent, and differentiating HSCs. Deoxyribose phosphate aldolase (Dera) is an enzyme that is involved in controlling the development of stress granules in cells that are under stress. These stress granules are thought to play an important role in mediating the stress response in cells. Dera is expressed in the embryonic vasculature early in zebrafish development – at the time when HSCs first develop. Trunk expression is present in the intermediate cell mass at 18 hours post fertilization (hpf) and in the pronephric ducts, vasculature, and neural crest. Publicly available RNA sequencing data suggests that dera might be somewhat enriched in the hemogenic endothelium. In this study, we knocked down Dera expression in zebrafish embryos by antisense morpholino oligonucleotide and examined expression of the conserved hematopoietic markers: runx1, cmyb and rag1. We found a significant reduction in the expression of these markers, indicating defective HSC development in dera morphant embryos. We further examined the expression of markers of embryonic vasculature development in morphant embryos and found expression to be normal suggesting that defective HSC development was not a result of abnormal vascular patterning. We also conducted drug treatments with cycloheximide and sodium arsenite, at varying concentrations, to determine if embryos are more sensitive to stress in the absence of Dera. In conclusion, normal HSC development requires dera where its role is likely to moderate the cellular stress response to keep it within physiological levels that are required for HSC development.
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Neonatal Blood Methylation Marks Associated with Obstetric Pain Relief
Charles J. Tran, Lin Y. Xie, Christina Hultman, Edwin van den Oord, and Karolina A. Aberg
The placenta, responsible for intrauterine development, can facilitate modifications within the placental epigenome in response to changes in the mother. In turn these changes have the potential to also influence the neonate1. Pain relief during delivery is widely used and frequently involves the use of nitrous oxide (N2O, commonly referred to as laughing gas), and pudendal blocks. These treatments, alone or in combination, are generally accepted as safe methods of providing pain relief to mothers. However, laughing gas and local anesthetics such as the ones used during pudendal blocks have been known to cross the placental barrier from mother to child2,3. Furthermore, although current literature about the effects of laughing gas and pudendal blocks on the epigenome, when used as maternal pain relief, is very limited, some evidence implicates effects of obstetric anesthesia on the neonatal methylome2,4,5. Thus, it is reasonable to hypothesize that obstetric pain relief administered to the mother during childbirth may affect the methylome of the child. In conclusion, we detected methylome-wide significantly associated loci for laughing gas and pudendal block treatment when studied in combination, but not for either of the treatments separately.
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How does direct volunteering affect the onset of Alzheimer’s Dementia in elderly patients with preexisting cardiac comorbidities?
Sneha R. Gade
Alzheimer's Dementia is a disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. The Alzheimer's Association reported Alzheimer's as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and a cure does not exist. Donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor drug, is frequently prescribed to treat Alzheimer's disease. Still, patients must continuously take the medication for years to receive any measurable improvement in quality of life after developing Alzheimer's Dementia. Further, research shows prolonged use of Donepezil can lead to other health problems, such as QTc prolongation, for cardiac disease patients. Therefore, the effectiveness of non-drug interventions, such as volunteering to prevent the disease's onset, is gaining popularity. The purpose of this study is to review the scientific literature to explore the benefits of various types of volunteering, such as physical, social, and cognitive activities, and their effect in delaying the onset of Alzheimer's Dementia in elderly patients with preexisting cardiac comorbidities.
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Post-Mortem Brain Nuclei Isolation for Single Nucleus RNA Sequencing
Charles J. Tran, Lin Y. Xie, Min Zhao, Edwin JCG van den Oord, and Karolina A. Aberg
Abstract
Post-Mortem Brain Nuclei Isolation for Single Nucleus RNA Sequencing
Charles Tran, Dept. of Biology, with Dr. Karolina Aberg, VCU School of Pharmacy
When tissue samples are studied in bulk without consideration for different cell proportions and types, results can be biased due to the attenuation of unique cellular expressions. In order to study cell type specific RNA expression profiles within tissue, single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is used. For scRNA-seq studies it is critical to have intact cells. However, when investigating frozen post-mortem brain tissue, it is often challenging to isolate intact whole cells. An alternative solution is to instead isolate nuclei (which have similar, but not identical, transcriptomes to cells) and then perform single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq). In this study we have carefully optimized a protocol for nuclei extraction from post-mortem brain cells suitable for downstream snRNA-seq analysis. We found that adjusting our protocol to include less aggressive methods of tissue homogenization and sample-retaining lab techniques has resulted in the successful removal of cell debris and myelin alongside providing a workable sample size. In conclusion we have successfully evaluated and prepared enough high-quality nuclei for downstream scRNA-seq using our optimized protocol.
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A proposal for a social dance intervention to improve health in older African Americans living in community settings
Olivia M. Alsamadi
A proposal for a social dance intervention to improve health in older African Americans living in community settings
Olivia Alsamadi, Dept. of Dance & Choreography, with Dr. Ana Diallo, VCU School of Nursing
Introduction: Older low-income African Americans are at high risk for health problems such as falls, hypertension, stress, and depression, partly due to limited physical activity. Despite the fact that most healthcare professionals prescribe exercise, older adults are likely to drop out of exercise programs or avoid them altogether due to multiple barriers, including lack of interest. Social dance interventions offer innovative solutions for introducing exercise to interested individuals seeking an alternative exercise program. Low-impact aerobic exercise from social dance, for instance, can help address some health problems afflicting older adults, such as mobility, balance, sleep, and gait patterns. Additionally, the endorphins released from the exercise in conjunction with social interaction can combat residents’ depression and social isolation experiences. Furthermore, offering the opportunity to engage in social dancing as exercise on-site eliminates transportation barriers that keep older adults from participation. As part of the VCU Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry and Innovation (iCubed) Health and Wellness Aging Core and in collaboration with the Richmond Health and Wellness Program (RHWP), our research team plans to work with senior residents of a low-income public housing building to assess the feasibility of introducing a social dance intervention to improve physical and mental health. Following implementation of the social dance intervention, it is hypothesized that there will be improvement in participant health and attitudes toward dance as physical activity. Methods: Ten residents will be recruited on a volunteer basis and then assessed by the occupational therapist on-site to determine whether this form of exercise is safe for this population. The research team will conduct surveys to assess residents’ past and current experiences and attitudes toward dancing, and their physical/mental health status. The research team will develop a social dance intervention based on residents’ feedback and tailored to their interests (e.g., line dancing). The proposed intervention will take place two times a week, each session lasting forty-five minutes, over a three-week period. Focus groups with the residents pre- and post-intervention will inform the development of this social dance intervention, as well as provide insight on their overall experience with said intervention. Data collected from the focus groups will be analyzed to determine how the participants’ attitudes about their health and physical activity change over the three weeks. Discussion: The research team hopes to find that the health of the subjects will improve after the intervention as well as their attitudes about their health. This can be tracked through the surveys that are taken before and after the intervention, and the responses given in the focus groups. The research team also hopes to see a new sense of community with the residents in this new group activity that can continue outside of the intervention. A possible limitation could be residents dropping out during the intervention, but we hope to prevent this by having the program onsite for the residents so it is easily accessible. Using social dance, we hope to create and foster a long-term relationship with the residents and sustained exercise and social interaction.
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The Role of Cultural Competency on Treatment Adherence and Health Literacy for Persons of Color Living with HIV/AIDS
Rohan Arora
The Role of Cultural Competency on Treatment Adherence and Health Literacy for Persons of Color Living with HIV/AIDS
Rohan Arora, Depts. of Psychology, Medical Humanities, & Chemistry, with Dr. Faye Pritchard, VCU Honors College
For decades, the American medical establishment has been a notable perpetrator in the mass marginalization of minority groups, leading to a variety of health disparities. Given that the existing healthcare institution is not culturally equipped to serve the evolving American demographic, experts have called for the greater usage of cultural competency in medicine; however, little research has been done to better understand how the degree of cultural competency of a health-care provider impacts the complex disease management for those living with HIV/AIDS. The aim of this research is to better understand how cultural competency can impact the health literacy and treatment adherence for persons of color living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to considering what factors shape patient experience and expectations, the research explores how many socioeconomic and cultural factors lead to low treatment adherence and health literacy. Also, the research considers the nuance in the patient-provider relationship and explores tools, such as partnerships with existing community institutions, that may strengthen the relationship. In order to regain the trust lost in the medical establishment by persons of color living with HIV/AIDS, the research suggests that a healthcare provider ought to self-reflect about the cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic complexities in America that necessitate cultural competency. By practicing modernized cultural competency in medicine, healthcare providers can shape patient care and strengthen the patient-provider relationship, which may increase treatment adherence and health literacy rates for persons of color living with HIV/AIDS. Bringing attention to how cultural competency can impact treatment adherence and health literacy, the research urges the medical establishment to take educational and policy-related steps to effectively provide healthcare to historically underserved groups such as people of color living with HIV/AIDS.
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Tobacco Use Prevention: Culturally-Specific Protective Processes in College Students with Asthma
Vanessa Atra
Tobacco Use Prevention: Culturally-Specific Protective Processes in College Students with Asthma
Vanessa Atra, Depts. of Biology, Psychology, & Chemistry, with Dr. Rosalie Corona, Dept. of Psychology
The African American and Latinx communities are disproportionately affected by health disparities such as cancer. Recent cancer statistics shows death rates of African American men and women at a high of 33% and 16%, respectively, as compared to Caucasian men and women1 it is the leading cause of death in Latinx individuals.2 Minority college students of this group have higher risk of developing cancer later in life; thus this study focuses on examining associations between cancer risk factors (e.g., stress, family history of cancer, poor asthma control), differences in cancer risks factors and tobacco use/frequency of use in African American and Latinx College students with asthma and how these factors are associated with secondhand smoke (SHS) and its outcomes. Recruitment is being done through telegram announcements, website text, text messages, flyers, and E-mail invitations. The investigators seek to recruit 200 college students in Virginia; 100 African Americans and 100 Latinx college students with asthma or who have asthma-like symptoms and are between the ages of 18 and 20. Screening forms and script survey are being used to determine participants eligibility, and participants receive $25 gift card for completing the questionnaires. So far, 135 students have completed the questionnaire on Redcap; the research is ongoing and is supposed to run for two years. The researchers will begin analysis of the data once the target sample size has been met.
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Thrombolytics in Pediatric Stroke: Imaging Modalities
Katherine Au and Bisi Hollist
Thrombolytics in Pediatric Stroke: Imaging Modalities
Katherine Au, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, with Dr. Bisi Hollist, Inova Neuroscience and Spine Institute
We report the potential danger associated with an initial neuroimaging-negative cerebral ischemia in pediatrics. For patients who present with clinical features suggestive of acute ischemic stroke but have an alternative diagnosis, there is concern of utilizing thrombolysis. Due to the short time window from symptom onset to treatment, a thorough history and neurologic examination, along with diagnostic imaging and blood tests are important for diagnosis and timely treatment. We present a case of a 14-year old female with a history of thalamic stroke who presented with neurological symptoms consistent with acute stroke. An MRI of her brain was indeterminate and showed no frank evidence of cerebral infarction. Further inspection showed an area of restricted diffusion which clinically correlated to her symptoms. There was no evidence of vessel wall irregularities, high grade stenosis or dissection. This patient was administered intravenous tPA over the course of 1 hour and her symptoms resolved.
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A Game-Theoretic Model of Monkeypox to Assess Vaccination Strategies
Sri Vibhaav Bankaru, Samuel Kossol, William Hou, Parsa Mahmoudi, and Jan Rychtar
A Game-Theoretic Model of Monkeypox to Assess Vaccination Strategies
Sri Vibhaav Bankaru, Depts. of Biomedical Engineering, Math, & Chemistry, Samuel Kossol, William Hou, & Parsa Mahmoudi, with Dr. Jan Rychtar, Dept. of Mathematics
Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic disease similar to smallpox. Its fatality rate is about 11% and it is endemic to the Central and West African countries. In this paper, we analyze a compartmental model of MPX dynamics. Our goal is to see whether MPX can be controlled and eradicated by voluntary vaccinations. We show that there are three equilibria - disease free, fully endemic and previously neglected semi-endemic (with disease existing only among humans). The existence of semi-endemic equilibrium has severe implications should the MPX virus mutate to increased viral fitness in humans. We find that MPX is controllable and can be eradicated in a semi-endemic equilibrium by vaccination. However, in a fully endemic equilibrium, MPX cannot be eradicated by vaccination alone.
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Identification of Alternative Transcription Start Sites that Generate Neuron-Specific nhsl1b Isoform that Regulates Neuron Migration
Abanoub Bector
Identification of Alternative Transcription Start Sites that Generate Neuron-Specific nhsl1b Isoform that Regulates Neuron Migration
Abanoub Bector, Depts. of Biology and Chemistry, with Dr. Sarah Golding, Dept. of Biology
A recently identified novel gene, nhsl1b, has been shown to be necessary for the caudal tangential migration of facial branchiomotor neurons (FBMNs) as an effector of planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling. The role of nhsl1b in regulating neuron migration remains unknown. Nhsl1b has six variants, termed ex1nhsl1b, ex1anhsl1b, ex1bnhsl1b, ex1cnhsl1b, ex1dnhsl1b, and ex1enhsl1b in exon 1 that then splices into the common portion of the transcript (exon 2 to exon 8). Each isoform has its own transcriptional start site (TSS) and 5-prime UTR region. Here we examined the spatial expression patterns for the six nhsl1b variants and investigated their role in FBMN migration. In order to determine the spatial expression pattern for each isoform, we performed whole mount in-situ hybridization. We found that all nhsl1b variants were expressed generally throughout the developing nervous system, including neural progenitor cells. An exception was the ex1dnhsl1b that exhibited an enrichment in FBMNs, suggesting that ex1dnhsl1b is a neuron-specific isoform of nhsl1b. To determine whether ex1dnhsl1b was required for FBMN migration, we generated de novo mutations in ex1dnhsl1b using CRISPR/-Cas9 genome editing. We found that an ex1dnhsl1b mutation can lead to a severe migration defect of motor neurons consistent with the idea that ex1dNhsl1b is a neuron-specific isoform.
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Veteran spinal cord injury: An investigation of the mediating role of pain interference on the relationship between pain and emotional distress.
Carly Blaine, Jack Watson, and Richard Henry
Veteran Spinal Cord Injury: An Investigation of the Mediating Role of Pain Interference on the Relationship between Pain and Emotional Distress
Carly Blaine, Dept. of Psychology, Jack Watson, and Richard Henry, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, with Dr. Scott McDonald, VCU School of Medicine
Background: Pain commonly co-occurs with spinal cord injury (SCI) and has been linked to poorer psychological function. SCI patients who experience chronic pain report great levels of interference with daily life.Pain interference with daily life may lead to emotional distress and depression.Objective: Using the PROCESS macro (model 4; Hayes, 2017), this study examines whether pain interference with daily life mediates a positive relationship between pain severity and mental health. Design: This study used a cross-sectional design. Setting and Participants: 221 veterans with SCI were interviewed by a psychologist during their annual evaluation at a Veteran Affairs medical center outpatient clinic. Outcome Measures: Single-item, self-report, Likert scale measures of pain severity and pain interference (M-HIP) were used along with the Patient Health Questionaire-4 (PHQ-4), a measure of mental health symptom severity. Results: Pain severity had a direct effect on mental health as well as an indirect effect through pain interference, using 5,000 bootstrap samples. The overall model was significant (F[1, 219] = 17.763, R2= .075, p < .001). The direct paths from pain severity to pain interference (b= .857, p< .001) and from pain interference to mental health (b= .929, p< .001) were both statistically significant. Further, the indirect effect of pain on mental health through pain interference was statistically significant (b= .796, 95% CI [.493, 1.140]), indicating a full mediation because the direct path from pain severity to mental health was no longer statistically significant in the model (b= .094, p= .683). Discussion: Findings suggest SCI-related emotional distress can result from the inability to participate in daily activities such as going to work, spending time with others, or engaging in hobbies due to pain. Such interference with regular life was found to significantly mediated the positive relationship between SCI-related pain and emotional distress. Future research may take a more qualitative account of how pain inhibits daily life emotionally and physically and focus on interventions designed to decrease pain’s interference with daily living.
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Parent-Child Perception of Cancer-Specific Quality of Life and Relationship to Medication Adherence
Tiara Bolden and Evrosina Isaac
Parent-Child Perception of Cancer-Specific Quality of Life and Relationship to Medication Adherence
Tiara Bolden, Dept. of Psychology, and Evrosina I. Isaac, VCU School of Medicine Medical Student, with Dr. Jennifer M. Rohan, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Background: Medication adherence has a significant impact on health outcomes in pediatric cancer with adherence <95% indicating a significant increase in relapse risk. In recent years, the literature on medication adherence in pediatric oncology has increased. However, there is a lack of research on determining what specific factors may result in nonadherence. The current research was conducted to address the gaps in the literature regarding parent-child perceptions of cancer-specific quality of life and medical adherence. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between quality of life and medication adherence in the pediatric oncology setting. We also aim to examine the discrepancies of parent and child perceptions in cancer-specific quality of life. To our knowledge, there is limited literature on parent-child rater discrepancies in pediatric cancer studies. Methods: Children/adolescents ages 7 to 19 years old (N=139; Mage = 12.29 ± 3.44)diagnosed with cancer who were in the maintenance phase of treatment were monitored over fifteen months by using Medication Event Monitoring System devices to examine medication adherence. Parents and patients completed an assessment battery, which included a Parent- and Child-Report of PedsQL Quality of Life Inventory.. Assessments were taken at baseline, six months, and 15 months. Results: A bivariate (Pearson) correlation suggested that there was a significant relationship between parent and child reports of cancer-specific quality of life across all domains from baseline to 15 months (p<.05) We also identified three group-based trajectories of quality of life, including an optimal, moderate, and low quality of life group across 15 months. Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggested the importance of examining both patient and parent-reported cancer specific quality of life as parents and patients may not always report congruent perceptions of quality of life during cancer treatment. Future interventions should explore strategies for improving quality of life and medication adherence in pediatric cancer.
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Establishing a Community-Academic Partnership to Investigate the Sociopolitical Context of Oral Care Among Refugees Resettled in Richmond, Virginia
Tatiana Brown, Ashley Koo, Matthew Tessama, and Jay Lawson
Establishing a Community-Academic Partnership to Investigate the Sociopolitical Context of Oral Care Among Refugees Resettled in Richmond, Virginia
Tatiana Brown, Depts. of Anthropology, Medical Humanities, & Mathematics, with Dr. Dina Garcia, Dept. of Health Behavior and Policy
This study has established a community-academic partnership between four organizations and VCU Health Behavior and Policy’s Kalpulli Research Team to investigate the sociopolitical context of oral health needs among refugees resettling in Richmond, Virginia. In the year 2018, 1,689 refugees resettled in the state of Virginia; 47.7 percent of this population reported oral health needs during their initial health assessment screening. Despite the oral health needs present within this population, little is known about the facilitators and barriers to dental care access for this population post-resettlement. Creating a partnership with two local resettlement agencies (e.g., the International Rescue Committee, Commonwealth Catholic Charities), the Department of Social Services (DSS), and VA Department of Health’s Newcomer (Refugee) Health Program, in addition to having a transdisciplinary research team, enable the development of a holistic representation within, and of, the refugee community. The use of semi-structured interviews is the strongest approach to build the research team’s understanding of community perceptions towards access to oral health care, refugee health workers’ identified barriers to equitable care, and providers’ attitudes towards treating the refugee and Medicaid population. Community partners are key in shaping study recruitment, determining which interview questions will be most salient, and creating an effective intervention from the results. This partnership plans to create two collaborative interventions: a process map to help refugees better navigate establishing care with local providers and “oral care cards” in the top three refugee languages (Arabic, Farsi/Dhari, and Swahili) to be distributed through dental providers in the area.
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Ethnic-Racial Identity and Social Outcomes in Childhood: A Research Review
Grace Bryan, Keyri Hernandez, Chloe Walker, and Eryn Delaney
Ethnic-Racial Identity and Social Outcomes in Childhood: A Research Review
Grace Bryan, Dept. of Sculpture, Keyri Hernandez, and Chloe Walker and Eryn DeLaney, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Students, with Dr. Chelsea Williams, Dept. of Psychology
Ethnic-racial Identity (ERI) is the labeling, identification, and processing regarding ethnicity-race that takes place during childhood (Umana-Taylor, 2014). Development of ERI begins as early as 4 years (Derlan et al., 2017), and may have implications for social outcomes, such as prosocial and externalizing behaviors. The aim of the current narrative review was to review research that has tested how ERI is associated with social outcomes, and identify gaps in this field. The results of the narrative review suggest that, in adolescence, higher ERI is associated with better social outcomes, such as prosocial behaviors (Armenta et al 2011:Streit et al 2020). Further, findings of the review indicated that limited work has included individuals younger than adolescents; one study that did found that lower ERI was linked with more externalizing problem behaviors (Smith et al., 2009). The review also highlighted various gaps in this literature, such as that an operational definition of prosocial behavior in the context of ERI needs to be established, and there is a lack of research that includes multiracial individuals, and individuals younger than adolescents. Future research should investigate ERI and social outcomes in childhood with diverse samples, as such research may provide important information to school systems, counselors, and caregivers about the development of ERI and its implications for development.
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Molecular Mechanisms of the DYRK1A-regulated DNA Repair
Polina Bukina and Varsha Ananthapadmanabhan
Molecular Mechanisms of the DYRK1A-regulated DNA Repair
Polina Bukina, Dept. of Biology, with Dr. Sarah Golding, Dept. of Biology
The functions of human Dual-specificity tyrosine (Y)-Regulated Kinase 1A, or DYRK1A, include cell cycle control and differentiation. DYRK1A is required for assembly of the DREAM complex and repression of the cell cycle-dependent genes, such as BRCA1 and RAD51, in quiescence. Our lab previously reported that overexpression of DYRK1A inhibits the accumulation of a DNA repair protein 53BP1, at the DNA double-stranded breaks (DSB). Accumulation of 53BP1 is attributed to repair by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) over homologous recombination (HRR). The function of 53BP1 is opposed by RNF169, a ubiquitin-binding protein that also accumulates at the DSB sites and promotes HRR. It was found that DYRK1A interacts with RNF169 to regulate the displacement of 53BP1 from the DSB sites. This study focuses on RNF169 in order to understand the role of DYRK1A in DNA damage response. We used the Multi-Dimensional Protein Identification Technology (MudPIT) proteomic analysis to identify RNF169-interacting proteins. Human cancer U-2 OS cells stably expressing HA-tagged RNF169, as well as control cells were used for immunoprecipitation. The samples were sent to Stowers Institute for Medical Research for MudPIT proteomic analysis. In order to understand the regulation of DNA repair by DYRK1A, the RNA sequencing dataset was analyzed as part of other studies in the lab. The expression of the mRNA for repair factors RAD51 and BRCA1 was found to be regulated by DYRK1A. To determine the significance of this finding, an experiment was designed to assess BRCA1 and RAD51 protein levels in the normal U-2 OS cells and in the cells lacking DYRK1A (U-2 OS DYRK1A knockout cells) after inducing DNA damage by gamma irradiation. It was found that the levels of RAD51, BRCA1 and 53BP1 levels were increased with DYRK1A KO. These results were consistent with the finding that DNA repair efficiency is increased with DYRK1A KO. Further studies can help to understand if these effects are mediated by DYRK1A-regulated DREAM complex.
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Basalt Leaching in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Rock Gardens Favours Agricultural Surplus Production
Elisabeth Burns
Basalt Leaching in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Rock Gardens Favours Agricultural Surplus Production
Elisabeth Burns, Depts. of Anthropology and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies, with Dr. Christopher Stevenson, Dept. of Anthropology
In an effort to provide evidential support for the process of basaltic mineral dissolution replenishing soil fertility and enabling productive plant growth in Rapa Nui rock gardens, a simulated leaching experiment was conducted to determine the elemental release rates from the basalt matrix, and the availability of these elements for plant absorption. The dissolution experiment modeled Rapa Nui soil conditions and rainwater with a pH of 6.3. Basalt leaching was accelerated at elevated temperatures (50-90°C) for 44.8 days. The results indicated that calcium and magnesium were preferentially leached even with a short-term exposure. These data support an earlier observation of calcium enhancement in rock gardens above levels of natural fertility in non-garden soils. Ultimately, it is of interest to determine if soil nutrient enrichment through basalt leaching was enough to increase crop surplus and facilitate the construction of megalithic architecture.
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Role of Self-Worth Contingencies on Sleep Quality Due to Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms
Victoria Cambar, Ruth Laryea, Bianca Owens, and Chelsie Dunn
Role of Self-Worth Contingencies on Sleep Quality Due to Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms
Victoria Cambar, Depts. of Psychology and Criminal Justice, Ruth Laryea, and Bianca Owens and Chelsie Dunn, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Students, with Dr. Kristina Hood, Dept. of Psychology
Scholars have well documented the association on discrimination experiences, negative implications for both physical and psychological symptoms (Gee et al., 2007; Williams et al., 2008). According to Stone and Carlisle (2018), the experience of racial discrimination at the workplace may increase the likelihood of negative emotions and sadness. In addition, the occurrence of perceived discrimination experienced by African American undergrad students in college settings has been associated with psychological and emotional problems including depression (Chao, Mallinckrodt, & Wei, 2012). Subtle forms of discrimination in both the school and the workplace are predictors of negative physical health conditions like low energy levels and fatigue (Nadal et al., 2017). A notable variable that may play an influential role in the relationship between discrimination and depressive symptoms is one’s self-worth; but more specifically their self-worth contingencies. Such that, self-worth may also play a role in the link between discrimination and depression. Orth and Robins (2013) suggest that individuals with low self-esteem/worth are more likely to feel sad, lonely, and dejected. Contingent self-worth, the fluctuation of one’s self-worth in response to positive or negative experiences including the perceived approval or lack thereof of peers, has also shown to be a vulnerability factor for depression and depressive symptoms (Crocker & Knight, 2005; Crocker et al., 2003). According to Zahn and colleagues (2015) low self-worth and feelings of worthlessness, often appear to occur consistently with lack of energy. Therefore, the present study sought to examine the moderating role of contingent self-worth (i.e., others’ approval) on the link between experiences of discrimination at work or school and depressive symptoms after controlling for age, frequency of gendered racial discriminatory experiences, and gendered racial socializations. The current study consisted of 206 Black/African American women between the ages of 18 and 55 (M=33.24, SD=8.46). Majority of the sample was employed (97%) and about 30% were enrolled in a two- or four-year university. Participants were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and completed questions assessing their sleep quality due to discrimination, depressive symptoms (i.e., energy and emotion levels), and self-worth contingencies (i.e., self-worth based on others’ approval).
The moderation model was assessed via the PROCESS macro (Hayes, 2017) within SPSS v.26 using 5,000 bootstrapped samples. Moderation analysis revealed a statistically significant interaction between sleep quality due to discrimination and others’ approval-contingent self-worth on depressive symptoms (i.e., energy and emotions), b=-.07,SE=.04, 95% CI [-.14, -.01], p=.04. To interpret the statistically significant moderation effect, we used Hayes’s PROCESS v.3 (2017) Johnson-Neyman and bootstrap analysis. Findings revealed that others’ approval-contingent self-worth is a significant moderator of the link between sleep quality due to discrimination and depressive symptoms at higher levels of self-worth contingencies only (b=-.20,SE=.07, 95% CI [-.33, -.06], p=.00). More specifically, among those who higher self-worth contingencies, those who reported poor sleep quality due to discrimination reported greater depressive symptoms compared to those with better sleep quality. Findings could potentially enhance existing mental health interventions by increasing awareness of how discriminatory events impact sleep quality and depressive symptoms.
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Phenotypic Expression of Two Candidate Genes of Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis in Danio rerio
Annemarie Carver
Phenotypic Expression of Two Candidate Genes of Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis in Danio rerio
Annemarie Carver, Dept. of Biology with Dr. Rita Shiang, Dept. of Human and Molecular Genetics
Craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of cranial sutures, can be either syndromic or nonsyndromic. The majority of cases are nonsyndromic, the causes of which are rarely known. Craniosynostosis is relatively common and occurs in about 1 in every 2,000 babies. Bambia is suspected to cause craniosynostosis as a predicted deleterious stabilizing variant has been identified in affected individuals within one family, though when normally or under expressed no phenotypic differences are observed. Slc30a9, a gene involved in zinc transport within cells,is also suspected to cause craniosynostosis as a predicted pathogenic variant was also identified in the same family, the variant is predicted to replace a leucine with proline. It is hypothesized that when the gene bambiais overexpressed or the null slc30a9 mutant gene is present in Danio rerio, phenotypic characteristics of craniosynostosis will be observed when compared to wildtype animals. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a phenotypic difference occurs in the development of the skull when the gene bambia is overexpressed or when slc30a9 is mutated in D. rerio, zebrafish. Wholemount in situ hybridization and observation of 8 weeks of skull development of zebrafish were performed to test this hypothesis. The results of this study could be used to identify causes for nonsyndromic craniosynostosis and help to learn more about the condition.
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The Role of Gendered Racial Microaggressions on African American Women's Sleep Quality
Shanya Chandel, Ashlynn Bell, and Chelsie Dunn
The Role of Gendered Racial Microaggressions on African American Women's Sleep Quality
Shanya Chandel, Depts. of Psychology and Human Resource Management, and Ashlynn Bell and Chelsie Dunn, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Students, with Dr. Kristina Hood, Dept. of Psychology
African American women are often subjected to oppressive and marginalizing commentary directed toward various facet of their being. This subtle yet harmful oppressive commentary is commonly referred to as silencing and marginalizing gendered racial microaggressions (Lewis & Neville, 2015). These types of microaggressions can be expressed by silencing, meaning taking away the voices of others. Microaggressions can also be used to marginalize individuals in regard to physical appearance, stereotypes about behavior, and even sexually objectifying messages. While the deleterious effects (e.g., mental health, sleep quality) of the more overt workplace and academic discrimination have been previously established; little is known about the subtle, pervasive forms of discrimination (Whitaker, 2019). It is important to explore one’s sleep quality as adequate sleep allows for critical cognition, or the ability to think clearly, be alert, and sustain attention (Worley, 2018) – aspects essential for good workplace and academic performance. Previous work has established the link between discriminatory experiences and the sleep quality of African American adults (Fuller-Rowell et al., 2017; Owens et al., 2017). Additionally, frequent exposure to microaggressions can impact African American women’s bodily functioning, such as their sleep quality (Lewis, Williams, Peppers & Gadson, 2017). However, little to no research has examined the potential effects of silencing and marginalizing experiences on African American women, who experience a unique combination of racism and sexism in the workplace, school, or other professional settings. The present study sought to examine the moderating role of frequency of silencing and marginalizing gendered racial microaggressions (GRM) on the link between GRM stress appraisal and sleep quality due to discriminatory events after controlling for gendered racial socialization, sleep patterns, silencing behaviors, ethnic identity, and self-worth contingencies. The current study consisted of 229 Black/African American women between the ages of 18 and 55 (M=33.30,SD=8.49). Majority of the sample was employed (87%) and about 27% were enrolled in a two- or four-year university. Participants were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and completed questions assessing their sleep quality due to discrimination, stress appraisal and experiences of GRM, ethnic identity, self-worth contingencies, and demographics.
The moderation model was assessed via the PROCESS macro (Hayes, 2018) within SPSS v.26 using 5,000 bootstrapped samples. Moderation analysis revealed a statistically significant interaction between GRM frequency and stress appraisal on sleep quality due to discrimination, b=.05, SE=.02, 95% CI [.00, .10], p=.05. To interpret the statistically significant moderation effect, we used Hayes’s PROCESS v.3 (2017) Johnson-Neyman and bootstrap analysis. Findings revealed that GRM frequency is a significant moderator of the link between GRM stress appraisal and sleep quality due to discrimination at both higher (b=.25, SE=.05, 95% CI [.14, .36], p=.00) and lower (b=.12, SE=.05, 95% CI [.02, .23], p=.02) frequencies. More specifically, among those who higher frequency of GRM events, those who reported greater stress appraisal of GRM events reported poor sleep quality due to discrimination compared to those with lower stress appraisal. This positive relationship was also true for those who reported lower frequency of GRM events. Findings could potentially enhance existing mental health interventions by increasing awareness of how silencing and marginalizing experiences at work or school impact sleep quality among African American women.
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GABRA2 and Alcohol Dependence in College-Aged Students
Abaiz Chaudhri
GABRA2 and Alcohol Dependence in College-aged Students
Abaiz Chaudhri, Depts. of Biology and Chemistry, with Dr. Amy Adkins and Dr. Sally Kuo, Dept. of Psychology
Problematic alcohol use and associated consequences is a major problem in college-aged students. These outcomes, and alcohol dependence (uncontrolled alcohol consumption despite consequences), are complex and influenced by genetics and environmental factors, and the interplay between both. Variants in the gene GABRA2 have been shown to be associated with alcohol dependence in adolescents and older adults, yet the association is not studied nearly enough in the college-aged population, a high-risk period for the development of alcohol-related problems. The hypothesis of this study is that GABRA2 is associated with alcohol dependence in college-aged students of European and African ancestry. The data was obtained from Spit4Science, where surveys were given to college students and saliva samples were collected and DNA extracted. The results indicate that the 8 genetic variants studied showed no significant association between GABRA2 and alcohol dependence in either ancestry. Our results suggest that further research needs to be conducted, either on the same or different genetic variants to see whether there may still be an association. This study adds a primary look at GABRA2 as it relates to alcohol dependence within a college-aged sample.
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Victim Silencing, Sexual Violence Culture, Social Healing: Inherited Collective Trauma of World War II South Korean Military "Comfort Women"
MiJin Cho
Victim Silencing, Sexual Violence Culture, Social Healing: Inherited Collective Trauma of World War II South Korean Military "Comfort Women"
MiJin Cho, Depts. of Psychology and English, with Prof. Mary Boyes, VCU Honors College
The unresolved reconciliation process for WWII South Korean military “comfort women” presents a case of nationally inherited collective trauma, in which South Koreans far removed in time and space from the historical tragedy feel its implications and obligations for reparations and social healing. In examining the South Korean comfort women redress movement and systemic concealment of WWII military sexual slavery, this study investigates a pattern of victim silencing, characterized by institutional patriarchy and ineffective government involvement, from 1945 to 2019. Following the South Korean government’s formal rejection of the 2015 agreement with Japan regarding a final and irreversible conclusion to the comfort women issue, South Korean and international women’s rights organizations have openly addressed a need for new reconciliation efforts with Japan; however, the current stance of the South Korean government, under President Moon Jae-in, remains hesitant to seek a renegotiation. Based on the effective methods of democratic reparations from South Africa, Germany, and the United States, this study proposes a new victim-centered approach to the reconciliation of collective trauma through the role of the South Korean government. The new approach encompasses the following: (1) organizing an official collection of victim testimonies, (2) fostering government relationships with women’s rights organizations, and (3) instating sexual violence education in university settings in order to facilitate long-term social healing.
Poster presentations from the annual Undergraduate Poster Symposium, organized by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and part of VCU Research Week.
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