Undergraduate Research Posters

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  Determining Effective Treatment Regimens for Breast Cancer Using Combined Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy in Vivo

  Akhila R. Kunuthuru; Laura Graham; and Harry D. Bear MD, PhD

  Breast cancer has the highest incidence rate of all cancers globally in women, and those of African descent, especially West African females, face higher rates of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a more aggressive form of breast cancer. Immunotherapy for breast cancer is a relatively new treatment option, and research is ongoing to identify the best combination treatments for increasing survival of those diagnosed with TNBC. Eganelisib (IPI-549: a PI3K-gamma inhibitor that works to shift M2 macrophages to M1 to augment T cell function) with other combinatory treatments has shown promising results in reducing tumor growth and increasing survival in mice. We have been conducting experiments to determine the most effective treatment regimen that will reduce growth of 4T1 mammary cancers, a murine TNBC model in syngeneic BalbC female mice. Combinations of eganelisib, cyclophosphamide, and anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 have been tested to determine how immunotherapy and chemotherapy can induce a strong immune response, resulting in better responses to chemotherapy. Our current data indicates that a treatment regimen combining eganelisib, cyclophosphamide, and anti-PD-1 was most effective at suppressing tumor growth, compared to other treatments that only included one or two of these treatments. Mean tumor sizes of mice treated with a combination of eganelisib and other treatments were 187±70 mm³, 232±71 mm³, and 227±59 mm³ at the end of the experiments, compared to control data of 576±137 mm³, 414±31 mm³, and 591±200 mm³, respectively. These results could lead to further research on effective immunotherapy treatment combinations for TNBC.

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  The Water Solubility of Ursolic Acid Complexes at Different Choline Concentrations

  Sera Lim, Renjie Zhan, and Phillip M. Gerk

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  Introduction of plasmid DNA into Sneathia vaginalis; the first step to genetic manipulation

  Rea Mansukhani, Cathyrn O'Brien, Zion McCoy, and Kimberly K. Jefferson

  Many bacterial pathogens are capable of secreting one or more toxins, all of which can be categorized based on their function, target, or mechanism of action. Pore-forming toxins, for instance, are characterized based on their ability to perforate the host membrane. This may result in the delivery of bacterial substances into the host cell, release of compounds from the host cell, and/or death of the host cell. Research from our lab has demonstrated that Sneathia vaginalis, a gram-negative anaerobic bacterial species that is associated with bacterial vaginosis and preterm birth, produces a pore-forming toxin referred to as cytopathogenic toxin A. CptA is capable of lysing human red blood cells and permeabilizing chorionic trophoblasts and other epithelial cells. CptA appears to contribute to the traversal of Sneathia vaginalis across fetal membranes and may therefore contribute towards preterm birth and bacterial vaginosis. In order to confirm its role in fetal membrane traversal, an isogenic mutant of Sneathia vaginalis, in which the cptA gene has been functionally deleted, is needed. To accomplish this, we tested both plasmids and linear PCR products for the ability to insertionally inactivate the cptA gene. If the mutant is no longer able to traverse fetal membranes, then this will confirm that CptA is necessary for the virulence of Sneathia vaginalis.

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  COVID-19 Impact and the Association between Sociodemographic, Social Support, Depression, and Anxiety in the Mindful Moms Program

  Ashley Nguyen

  Background: The Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown resulted in lessened social support and a higher incidence of depressive symptoms in the United States. Low-income families were more likely to have experienced negative impacts on income, access to mental health treatment, stress, and discord within the family, and higher anxiety scores during the pandemic. Minority groups had higher COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates. More than 1 in 5 pregnant women in the United States experience clinically significant depressive symptoms, with marginalized populations carrying a greater burden. Maternal depression is linked to poor maternal and child health outcomes.

  Depression scores of pregnant individuals during the pandemic were higher than those who were pregnant before the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this it is important to understand the association between the impact of COVID-19 and social support, sociodemographic, and mental health among marginalized pregnant women.

  Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the association between the impact of COVID-19 sociodemographic (race, age, children, and socioeconomic status), social support, depression, and anxiety.

  Methods: Inclusion criteria includes current depressive symptoms (≥7 EPDS); being 12-16 weeks’ gestation at baseline; marginalized status: minorized (Black/Latinx/Native American and other); WIC eligible, and/or low educational attainment (≤high school); ≥18; English language speaking; and absence of suicidal ideation with a plan, psychosis or mania (measured with the MINI). Eligible pregnant women were randomly assigned to treatment or active control groups. Univariate and bivariate analysis were done to assess the differences between participants with high COVID-19 impact and low COVID-19 impact.

  Results: The study and my analysis are currently enrolling; the first participant was enrolled mid-September. Currently, the study has enrolled 30 participants. Of the 12 participants with high COVID impact, two-thirds have children and one-third did not and two thirds were between 27 and 35, while one-third was above.

  Discussion: COVID-19 and similar disruptors in family life should be studied to understand the impact on women with children.

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  Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1) Deletion Selectively Enhances the Antinociceptive Effects of Morphine

  Apurva Puli, Shivani Patel, Bryan Mckiver, Eda Köseli, Devanand Sarkar Ph.D., and M. Imad Damaj Ph.D.

  Background: Opioids are a class of drugs that are utilized in clinical settings to alleviate acute and chronic pain, but can often lead to development of tolerance, addiction and overdose following prolonged usage. Opioids such as morphine function by activating endogenous µ opioid receptors, which are located in various tissues throughout the body. Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1) is a multifunctional protein that regulates inflammation, myeloid cell activity and lipid metabolism. Studies have shown interactions and overlaps in cellular signaling between the inflammatory/immune responses and the endogenous opioid system which could suggest a role for AEG-1 in opioids effects. Our goal is to investigate the role of AEG-1 in morphine mediated pharmacological effects including analgesia. Methods: Adult AEG-1 global knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) male and female mice (C57BL/6J background) were utilized to assess morphine-induced thermal antinociception (The tail immersion assay test), hyperlocomotion, gastrointestinal (GI) transit inhibition, and tolerance. GI transit was assessed via charcoal transit assay. Locomotor boxes were used to assess spontaneous activity in mice. Results: AEG-1 KO mice displayed increased thermal antinociception following acute and repeated morphine administration compared to their WT counterparts. Pretreatment with naloxone blocked the enhancement of morphine thermal antinociception in AEG-1 KO mice. In addition, chronic morphine treated AEG-1 KO mice displayed reduced morphine tolerance development compared to their WT counterparts. No significant differences in morphine-induced hyperlocomotion or GI transit inhibition were observed between AEG-1 KO and WT mice. Conclusions: Our data suggest that AEG-1 deletion enhances the antinociceptive effects of morphine and reduces tolerance to chronic morphine treatment. However, AEG-1 deletion does not impact morphine-induced locomotor activity of GI transit inhibition. Overall, our results suggest that AEG-1 may function as a modulator of the endogenous opioid system.

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  The Association Between Survivors’ Guilt and Gratitude in the Belongingness of First-Generation College Student Refugees

  Mehwish Safdar, Chelsea Williams, and Myriam Kadeba

  Refugees often experience a lot of stress and trauma before relocating to their host country (Leo, 2021). Additionally, they often continue to experience different challenges while adapting to their new environment (Leo, 2021). Refugees who relocate may experience survivor’s guilt, gratitude to their host country, or may not feel like a member in their new community. On top of new challenges and stressors, refugee students who are the first in their families to attend college feel pressure to excel academically in a way to ‘give back’ to their family and their host country (Turjanmaa & Jasinskaja-Lahti, 2020). Although there has been prior research on refugee individuals, there is limited work focused on first generation refugee college students. The current study aims to test three questions: 1) How does survivors’ guilt impact the feeling of belongingness in first generation college student refugees? 2) Do first generation college student refugees feel obligated to do well in school due to the feeling of indebtedness to their host country and family or the feeling of gratitude? 3) How does gratitude and indebtedness impact the feeling of belongingness in first generation college student refugees? We aim to recruit first generation college refugee students in the United States from multiple colleges to test these research questions. Aims will be tested with questionnaires provided to the students that assesses survivors’ guilt, gratitude, belongingness, obligation, and discrimination. The current abstract will focus on existing literature and the planned study.

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  A Highly Conductive, Flexible, and 3D-printable Carbon Nanotube-Elastomer Ink for Additive Bio-manufacturing

  Andy Shar, Phillip Glass, and Daeha Joung Ph.D.

  The synthesis of a highly conductive, flexible, 3D-printable, and biocompatible ink has been of great interest in the field of bio-based additive manufacturing. Various applications include ultra-sensitive, microscale tactile sensors, patient-customizable scaffolds for cardiac and nerve tissue regeneration, and flexible electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes. Here, a novel elastomeric carbon nanocomposite is presented consisting of amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT-NH₂) homogenously dispersed in a one-part room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone matrix. The use of acetone as a swelling solvent aids in electrical percolation through the elastomer matrix. CNT-NH₂ ratios can be tuned to fit various needs; higher tensile strength is favored at lower ratios while increased electrical conductivities are observed at greater ratios. Moreover, the fabrication process is facile, inexpensive, and can be conducted at room temperature within the span of minutes, due to the use of acetone as a unique volatile solvent. The resulting ink can be extrusion-printed to yield detailed, flexible, and highly conductive microstructures with resolution up to 250 microns. Future testing of the ink’s biocompatibility is necessary, but its electrical and mechanical properties demonstrate great potential for use in the additive manufacturing of patient-customizable bioelectronics.

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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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  The Human Louse Microbiome Insights Into Insect-Bacterial Coevolution and Consequences for Vector Capacity

  Kirthana Srinivasan

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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 child^2,3. 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 methylome^2,4,5. 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.