-
A Narrative Review of Interpersonal Trauma, Mental Health, and Substance Use Among LGBQ College Students
Meagan Nguyen, Mar'Quelle Winfield, and Eryn DeLaney
A Narrative Review of Interpersonal Trauma, Mental Health, and Substance Use Among LGBQ College Students
Meagan Nguyen, Dept. of Psychology, Mar’Quelle Winfield, & Eryn DeLaney, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, with Dr. Chelsea D. Williams, Dept. of Psychology
College is a critical time for LGBQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer) individuals due to sexual identity formation and trauma exposure (e.g. Arnett, 2000; Acierno et al,. 2001). Studies have shown that heterosexism is manifested on college campuses through discriminaition and cultural norms that devalue LGBQ individuals and perpetuate heterosexuality as normative and superior (Rankin et al., 2010). Additionally, there is a drastic increase in prevalence across different trauma types (e.g., sexual assault), as well as the continuation of risk behavior and psychological distress, including substance abuse (Oswalt & Wyatt, 2011) during this time period. Using psychinfo to find articles to day, the purpose of this literature review was to examine the literature review and identify gaps in work that has exposed the associations between intimate partner violence (i.e., IPV), childhood sexual abuse, physical assault and sexual assault on mental health and substance use among LGBQ college students. Findings indicated that the previously mentioned associations exist among LGBQ+ adults. Discussion will include limitations within these studies, implications and future directions to improve LGBQ college students’ outcomes.
-
Medication Risk and Polypharmacy in Minority Older Adults
Rusha Patel
Medication Risk and Polypharmacy in Minority Older Adults
Rusha Patel, Depts. of Biology and Chemistry, with Dr. Youssef Roman, VCU School of Pharmacy, Dr. Elvin Price, VCU School of Pharmacy, and Dr. Lana Sargent, VCU School of Nursing
Introduction: Adverse drug events refer to an individual being harmed due to taking a medication. These risks can include side effects, damage to different organs, senses impairment and more. The older adult population has the highest risk for adverse drug events. Antibiotics and anticoagulants are some examples of medication that cause higher adverse events in the elderly. The Beer’s List also includes drugs and their possible side effects. Anticholinergic can cause confusion and dry mouth, anti-infective can cause pulmonary toxicity, and cardiovascular medication can cause damage to the nervous system and increase toxicity in other organs. These events are preventable with caution, but it is important to recognize which medications are taken and the possible interactions/risks for the elderly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the number of high-risk medications used by older adults (age 60 and older) living in a low-income community-based housing. Participants included had no history of dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Lewy-body disease. Methods: Data will be collected at senior apartment buildings in the Richmond area and at the VCU Health Clinic through the Richmond Health and Wellness Program (RHWP) among Older Adults. Demographics analysis includes age, sex, race/ethnicity, and housing location. Variables considered in the model include; 1) Social Determinants of Health (SDH) as defined by income, race/ethnicity, and education; 2) Medication risk will be measured by polypharmacy >=5 medications, Anticholinergic burden (ACB) score, drug class, and number of medications on the Beer’s list. Polypharmacy numbers >=5 and >=7 were compared to see how much the difference would be significant. Results: Findings and study hypothesis focus on identifying number of individuals taking high risk medications. When the polypharmacy medication was compared using the chi square statistics, the results were significant with a p-value of 0.02. Conclusions: Study implications have an impact on older adult drug safety. With results being significant, it can be concluded that the number used to compare polypharmacy mattered for these results.
-
BPTF Enhances Chemotherapy Induced Cytotoxicity
Valentina Posada
BPTF Enhances Chemotherapy Induced Cytotoxicity
Valentina Posada, Depts. of Biology, Chemistry, & Religious Studies, with Dr. Joseph Landry, Dept. of Human Molecular Genetics
New chemotherapies and immunotherapy treatments have greatly improved the outcomes of many cancers. However, for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), existing therapies are not very effective long term as the disease becomes resistant and has low immunogenicity. Here we show the early development of a new way to treat the disease by combining existing chemotherapies with depletion of the Nucleosome Remodeling Factor (NURF). NURF is an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complex that is over-expressed in cancers and has shown to inhibit the anti-tumor immune response. The largest and essential subunit of the complex, BPTF is required for function. BPTF shRNA-mediated knockdown (KD) was done as a way to deplete cells of NURF. Our first aim was to determine if BPTF-KD cells showed enhanced sensitization to chemotherapies most prominently Doxorubicin. The results from completing this aim showed sensitization to several chemotherapies which correlated with enhanced therapy-induced autophagy. Our second aim was then to investigate the role of autophagy in the sensitization of BPTF-KD cells to chemotherapies. Autophagy is a process by which cells undergoing stress consume their cellular components. This process is mediated in part by the ATG5 protein. ATG5 KD was done through lentivirus transfection, and in turn, functional blockade of autophagy was achieved as confirmed by Western blotting. Results showed that BPTF-KD cells did not have enhanced sensitivity to Doxorubicin through the blockade of autophagy, which suggested a non-protective role in autophagy, while the BPTF-WT cells that had autophagy blocked did show an enhanced sensitization, suggesting a cytoprotective role. Aims were then tested in vivo to determine the role of autophagy in BPTF-KD cells in vivo. BPTF-KD and ATG5-KD 4T1 cells were transplanted into mice and tumor volume over time was measured. Syngeneic mouse models showed that the BPTF-KD tumors had significantly smaller tumor volumes than the control when treated with Doxorubicin, and therefore showed sensitization to Doxorubicin. Results for the ATG5 KD mice show tumors growing better in the WT while growing worse in the KD1/ KD2 mice suggesting that autophagy is required for sensitization of BPTF-KD tumors to Doxorubicin in vivo. The third aim of the project was to determine the possible immune-modulatory consequences of treating BPTF KD cells with chemotherapies. Natural Killer (NK) cells were depleted in mice to see if there would be a change in the sensitization to therapies. Results showed that once we depleted NK cells in mice with a mAb-depletion strategy, the sensitization to Doxorubicin was lost. Furthermore, a metabolomics screening was conducted and reductions in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were discovered in the therapy treated BPTF-KD cells. PGE2 is a well know immune suppressive metabolite produced by tumor cells to suppress the anti-tumor immune response. Further results showed PGE2 reductions when autophagy was blocked by ATG5 KD in the BPTF-KD cells. This result could explain the improvements in tumor growth within the mice since PGE2 is a known NK cell inhibitor. Together, these results suggest that NURF could be a therapeutic target for enhancing clinical outcomes in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients.
-
Game-Theoretical Model of Retroactive Hepatitis B Vaccination in China
Vooha Putalapattu
Game-Theoretical Model of Retroactive Hepatitis B Vaccination in China
Vooha Putalapattu, Depts. of Psychology, Chemistry, & Biology, with Dr. Jan Rychtar, Dept. of Mathematics
Hepatitis B (HepB) is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting over two billion people worldwide. About one third of all HepB cases are in China. In recent years, China made significant efforts to implement a nationwide HepB vaccination program and reduced the number of unvaccinated infants from 30% to 10%. However, many individuals still remain unprotected, particularly those born before 2003. Consequently, a catch-up retroactive vaccination is an important and especially cost-effective way to reduce HepB prevalence. In this paper, we analyze a game theoretical model of HepB dynamics that incorporates government-provided vaccination at birth coupled with voluntary retroactive vaccinations. We show that this retroactive vaccination should be a necessary component of any HepB eradication effort. Due to the vaccine waning, the optimal vaccination rates are almost independent of the vaccination coverage at birth. Moreover, it is in an individual's self-interest to vaccinate (and re-vaccinate) at a rate just slightly below the vaccine waning rate.
-
The Role of Acting with Awareness on Sleep Quality and Difficulties with Emotion Regulation
Victoria Rabii and Alexandra Martelli
The Role of Acting with Awareness on Sleep Quality and Difficulties with Emotion Regulation
Victoria Rabii, Depts. of Psychology and Biology, and Alexandra Martelli, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, with Dr. David Chester, Dept. of Psychology
About 60% of college students experience difficulties with proper sleep quality. Poor sleep quality challenges one’s ability to effectively regulate emotions, especially in college-aged adults. Emotion regulation, defined as the strategies utilized to alter or manage the experience of intense emotions, is beneficial to our health and social relationships. Mindfulness, how we focus our attention on internal feelings and emotions in relation to external experiences, can assist in understanding the link between sleep quality and emotion regulation ability. Without proper balance between the two, this maladaptive emotional management is likely to be heightened in addition to reducing internal resources that ultimately worsen self-control. In the present study, we predicted that there will be a positive relationship between poor sleep quality and difficulties in emotion regulation. Additionally, this link will be explained via a facet of mindfulness termed acting with awareness. Undergraduate students (N=471) completed self-report measures of sleep quality, emotion regulation, and mindfulness. Findings indicated that our hypotheses were supported, as poor sleep quality was discovered to be positively correlated with difficulty in emotion regulation through the indirect effect of less acting with awareness. Significant implications may be evident in mindfulness interventions aimed at improving the process behind effective emotion regulation. Additional support for the role of sleep within these concepts allow for further emphasis on better quality and quantity of sleep to yield enhanced cognitive controls (e.g. information processing, impulse control). Future research should focus on specific mindfulness strategies that highlight the importance of better self-awareness during behavioral decision making. Examining differences in the use of emotion regulation strategies for those living with sleep disorders or general, consistent disturbances should also be considered.
-
Negative Assortative Mating in Prothonotary Warblers: Crown Feathers Reveal Mating Preference
Jordan Rasure and Elsa Chen
Negative Assortative Mating in Prothonotary Warblers: Crown Feathers Reveal Mating Preference
Jordan Rasure, Depts. of Biology, Spanish, & Chemistry and Elsa Chen, Dept. of Biology, with Dr. Lesley Bulluck, Center for Environmental Studies
While male ornamentation has been the subject of many avian studies, there is a dearth of studies on their female equivalents. Several studies have evaluated male ornamentation as an indication of individual quality and a driving factor in mate choice. Spectral analysis of feathers has revealed that color intensity can be interpreted as an indicator of both aggression and parental quality. We evaluated the correlation between male and female ornamentation in prothonotary warblers (Protonotaria citrea) to determine whether individuals select mates that share their same plumage characteristics. We collected 46 samples of crown and breast feathers from 46 individuals (23 breeding pairs) across two study sites in eastern Virginia, USA. From these samples, we measured reflectance and calculated three color metrics: violet-blue chroma (an index of carotenoid content), ultraviolet chroma, and yellow intensity. After ruling out age as a confounding variable, we found a significant negative correlation between the yellow intensity of female crown feathers and the yellow intensity of her respective male’s crown feathers. This finding suggests a pattern of non-assortative mating in prothonotary warblers, which may be explained by a trade-off between parental quality and aggression. Further studies are needed to expand the sample size of breeding pairs and to evaluate the role of ornamentation in parental care and aggression.
-
Benefits of a Daily Personal Growth Activity: An Autoethnographic Study
Maria Ribera Sites and Carolyn Henao
Benefits of a Daily Personal Growth Activity: An Autoethnographic Study
Maria Ribera Sites, Dept. of Psychology, and Carolyn Renao, with Dr. Richard Bargdill, Dept. of Psychology
The aim of this poster will be to describe autoethnographic research evaluating the benefits of a daily personal growth practice. For the past four years Dr. Richard Bargdill has taken a reading from one of the 81 chapters of the Tao de Ching as well as a reading from one of the 64 I-Ching excerpts daily. In addition, he writes his own commentary for each chapter of the Tao and a comparative American idiom for each I-Ching reading. The numbers corresponding to each excerpt pulled have all been recorded in an excel file to be examined for numerical trends.
Autoethnographic work must consist of five key features, which are included in the research we plan to present. First, there should be at least one participant in the study who is also a researcher. Second, the study must utilize methodological reflexivity suggesting that there is a framework that the researcher intentionally brought to the experience. Third, there is a clear narrative presence in any written texts meaning that the researcher/participant’s experiences are being described or elaborated upon. Fourth, the primary researcher shares the information so that it is not a private project, and the research should be dedicated to an agenda of empirical analysis aimed at enhancing a theoretical understanding of wider social phenomena. This personal growth autoethnographic research has provided us with both qualitative and quantitative data to analyze for the purpose of sharing the transformational power of daily meditative practice.
-
The Stages of Justice: Sketching the Sculpture of William Rush
Jae Ricketts
The Stages of Justice: Sketching the Sculpture of William Rush
Jae Ricketts, with Dr. Bernard Means, Dept. of Anthropology
This poster displays a portion of the illustrative work that I did for Dr. Bernard Means at VCU’s Virtual Curation Lab (VCL). Using 3D scans procured by Dr. Means, I was able to create sketches of the work of William Rush, an American neoclassical sculptor. My poster focuses specifically on the illustrative process that I went through when drawing Rush’s sculpture called Justice. Dr. Means’ scans of Justice, made publicly available on the VCL’s Sketchfab site, allowed me to complete this project remotely. Many 3D models can be interacted with, manipulated, or viewed from multiple angles, all while maintaining a perceptible level of detail. Not only does this fact allow for remote study by scholars and artists, but it also opens up new possibilities for virtual education. Digital media, such as 3D scans and models, could provide viable answers to questions of geographic accessibility in educational institutions such as museums and universities.
-
Strengthening Student Engagement in Alternative School Settings
Alisha Robinson
Strengthening Student Engagement in Alternative School Settings
Alisha Robinson, Depts. of Social Work and Sociology, with Dr. Erin Burke Brown, VCU ASPiRE
In the United States public school system students who attend alternative high schools (AHS) are identified as the most socially and academically marginalized group of individuals. AHS last chance and remedial programs are used as a behavioral remediation intervention to serve students who have been expelled or suspended from their traditional school. Reasons that contribute to students attending AHS include poor grades, negative behavior, truancy, and involvement with the juvenile justice system. The student population within AHS settings are highly comprised of at-risk African American and Latinx students from low-socioeconomic environments. As AHS are intended to promote a positive learning environment with beneficial resources, the outcomes of past enrolled students are alarming. Dropout rates have continually risen within the AHS student population. As well, students are being sent to juvenile detention centers at an increased rate. Students’ experiences in the alternative learning environment affect their perception of school, how they engage within the environment, and their overall educational outcome. Therefore, this project sought to find effective interventions that would promote behavior, academics and attendance for students in alternative school settings. Through a summer volunteer experience, various themes were formulated that can positively enhance student engagement within AHS settings.
-
Oral Health Prevention Interventions Targeting the Latinx Population in United States: A Scoping Review
Anyi Rodriguez, Sara Debab, and Jay Lawson
Oral Health Prevention Interventions Targeting the Latinx Population in United States: A Scoping Review
Anyi A. Rodriguez, Dept. of Forensic Science, with Dr. Dina Tamar Garcia, VCU Health Behavior and Policy
The Latinx population is the second-largest ethnic group in the United States (U.S.). This large and growing population is disproportionately impacted by oral diseases, including Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and periodontitis. They also face several barriers accessing dental care such as lacking a regular source of care, being uninsured/underinsured, and language barriers. Despite the high oral health needs and barriers to dental care present within this population, little has been done to understand the current state of the literature concerning research related to this population. To address this gap in the literature, a scoping review of literature regarding oral health behavior and intervention studies targeting the U.S. Latinx population was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and the Tricco et al. (2018) Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Review Guidelines. Four scholarly databases (Embase, Ovid Medline, DOSS, CINAHL) were searched from inception to December 13, 2019 for peer-reviewed articles published in English or Spanish. Four reviewers independently screened articles at the title-abstract level using Rayyan QCRI software. Articles were included if they focused on the Latinx population in the United States and mentioned oral health. Conflicting decisions were resolved by consensus between the reviewers. A total of 3096 articles were identified through the scholarly databases, of which 31 were duplicates. Initial results from the abstract selection phase yielded 208 of 3065 articles for full-length article review. Articles were excluded because they did not focus on the U.S. Latinx population or mentioned oral health, had a biological focus, or were formats other than research studies (e.g. reviews, editorials, conference abstracts). Full-text review of the articles is currently underway, to be followed by data charting using REDCap. Studies will then be summarized using qualitative synthesis. Results from the scoping review will inform the direction of future oral health prevention intervention research.
-
Sex Differences in Skin Tone Predicting Depressive Symptoms among College Students of Color
Jenifer Rodriguez, Jenna Minter, Eryn DeLaney, and Chloe Walker
Sex Differences in Skin Tone Predicting Depressive Symptoms among College Students of Color
Jenifer Rodriguez, Jenna Minter, Depts. of Psychology and Political Science, Eryn DeLaney, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, & Chloe Walker, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, with Dr. Chelsea D. Williams, Dr. Amy Adkins, Dr. Tricia Smith, & Dr. Danielle Dick, Dept. of Psychology
Skin tone, or more specifically the meaning and treatment that society attaches to skin tone, has been found to impact individuals’ outcomes, with those with darker skin tones (who experience more colorism) experiencing more negative outcomes (e.g., Norwood, 2014). However, less research has tested whether there are sex differences in these relations. Intersectionality theory (Crenshaw, 1989) suggests that one’s lived experiences result from their holistic experiences of intersecting aspects of themselves (e.g., skin tone and sex). Thus, to address gaps in research, the current study examined sex as a moderating variable in the relation between skin tone and depressive symptoms among 81 college students of color who were part of a larger study on cultural experiences, genetics, and ancestry. We hypothesized that sex would moderate this relation, such that skin tone would predict greater depressive symptoms, and this association would be weaker among males compared to females (Hunter, 2007). A linear regression was conducted to test our hypothesis. Findings indicated that sex moderates the relation between skin tone and depressive symptoms, however, in a direction contrary to our hypothesis. In particular, there was no relation between skin tone and depressive symptoms among females (B = .08, p = .54), however, for males, those with darker skin tones had lower depressive symptoms (B = -.53, p = .02). In conclusion, this study pushes for more research on the sex differences in how skin tone affects mental health among college students.
-
Differences on the Use of Emotion Regulation Strategies and Intimate Partner Aggression Between Males and Females
Natalia Rodriguez Romero and Alexandra Martelli
Differences on the Use of Emotion Regulation Strategies and Intimate Partner Aggression Between Males and Females
Natalia Rodriguez Romero, Depts. of Psychology and Criminal Justice, and Alexandra M. Martelli, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, with Dr. David Chester, Dept. of Psychology
Intimate partner aggression (IPA) is defined as an attempt to harm one’s romantic partner via physical, verbal, or sexual means. It is crucial to determine key factors related to IPA perpetration to further understand the phenomena and reduce its prevalence in society. We explored gender differences in the use of emotion regulation strategies and IPA perpetration. The emotion regulation strategies examined were reappraisal – the act of reassessing an emotion and its intensity – and suppression – deliberately inhibiting unwanted thoughts, feelings, emotions, and associated behaviors. It was hypothesized that males would report higher levels of IPA perpetration than females. Moreover, that there would be a negative relationship between reappraisal and IPA perpetration, and a positive relationship between suppression and IPA perpetration. Undergraduate students (N = 543) completed three intimate partner aggression self-report scales. There was support for hypothesis 1, however it was in the opposite direction to what we preregistered. Women reported more IPA perpetration than men. Additionally, we found that overt aggression had a negative relationship with reappraisal, such that greater self-reported reappraisal was associated with less overt IPA perpetration. Finally, there was no support for hypothesis 2 and 3; so, gender did not moderate the link between either emotion regulation strategy on IPA perpetration. These results indicated that use of reappraisal and suppression emotion regulation techniques did not significantly differ among women and men. More research should be conducted to determine causal factors leading to gender differences in IPA perpetration. These data will aid in determining what interventions to apply to particular groups, and in turn help reduce the occurrence of IPA.
-
Moral Development of Eco-Martyrs
Ashley Sanico, Ian McFadden, and Victoria Bee
Moral Development of Eco-Martyrs
Ashley Sanico, Depts. of Psychology and Gender Studies, Women, & Sexuality, Ian McFadden, and Victoria Bee, with Dr. Richard Bargdill, Dept. of Psychology
Over the past 18 years, close to 2,000 individuals have been murdered in attempts to preserve the natural world. Those who have carried out the killings are corrupt individuals or institutions that wish to discard and destroy the environment for personal gain and wealth. For the past two years, we have been studying these venerable Eco-Martyrs and their efforts to preserve the ecosystems and communities around them. Today, we are commenting on how these late heroes exemplify Lawrence Kohlberg’s final two stages of Moral Development, the Post-Conventional stages. The four individuals seen above, as well as their numerous counterparts are all consciously taking action to promote the stability and well-being of the environment around them while simultaneously bolstering the culture of the communities they belong to. These traits are indicative of individuals who have transcended the first two levels of moral development. It is a shame for us to have lost such forward-thinking individuals but it would be a greater dishonor to let these individuals die in vain and continue to reap rewards with no thought as to how it affects the world around us.
-
How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck if this Wood was Sediment: The Effect of Marmota monax on the Archaeological Record
Megan Scalzo
How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck if this Wood was Sediment: The Effect of Marmota monax on the Archaeological Record
Megan Scalzo, Dept. of Anthropology, with Dr. Bernard Means, Dept. of Anthropology
Geomorphology is the study of the topographic effects of different physical, chemical, biological processes occurring along and within the landscape. Biological processes can occur from different faunal influences and subsequently get called geomorphic agents. In the majority of North American woodlands, Marmota monax (common names include: groundhog, woodchuck) can be found and thus can be assumed to be geomorphic agents of these woodland areas. In this poster, I will discuss and organize the effects of Marmota monax on the archaeological record.
-
A Review and a Proposal for Reducing the Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents by Combining Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training and Methylphenidate Medication as a Treatment
Kirti Sharma
A Review and a Proposal for Reducing the Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents by Combining Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training and Methylphenidate Medication as a Treatment
Kirti Sharma, Dept. of Biology, with Prof. Mary Boyes, VCU Honors College
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder among adolescents that may lead to impaired executive functioning and poor mental development. In 2018, the National Health Interview Survey reported that from 1997 to 2016, the prevalence of ADHD significantly increased from 6.1% to 10.2% in children and adolescents (age 4 to 17 years). Medication, such as methylphenidate, is considered as first-line therapy for reducing symptoms of ADHD. However, medication may produce adverse side-effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and stress. Also, due to its lack of long-term effectiveness, medication may inflict an extra financial burden on the families of adolescents with ADHD. To balance the challenges of medication-based therapy, extant psychological research has shown that mindfulness-based practices are also efficacious in managing symptoms of ADHD. A review of two bodies of scientific research was conducted: (a) the use of medication for treating ADHD, and (b) the use of mindfulness-based practices as a therapy for ADHD in children and adolescents. The research analysis revealed that in most cases, higher doses of methylphenidate is needed to effectively counter ADHD symptoms, leading to a significant cost burden for the families. The review of the literature related to mindfulness-based practices for treating ADHD indicated its effectiveness in attention-regulation, cost-effectiveness, and long-term effects. Based on the analysis, it is proposed that a treatment combining methylphenidate medication and the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, a mindfulness-based practice, could be an effective therapy for reducing the symptoms of ADHD in adolescents. The findings from this study may add to the conventional medication-based methods for treating ADHD in adolescents by combining with mindfulness-based practices.
-
Fenofibrate-Loaded Biodegradable Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Russell Simmers, Tuo Meng, Fangfang Qiu, Vineet Kulkarni, and Jianxing Ma
Fenofibrate-Loaded Biodegradable Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Russell Simmers, Depts. of Physics and Chemistry, with Dr. Qingguo Xu, VCU School of Pharmacy
Background: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment in the elderly population in the industrialized world. The current treatment for neovascular AMD is anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy; however, nearly 40-50% of patients do not fully respond to anti-VEGF therapy. Therefore, non-VEGF therapeutics are required for neovascular AMD treatment. Fenofibrate is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonist and has demonstrated robust therapeutic effects on neovascular AMD in animal models; however, it must be delivered frequently via intravitreal injection due to quick clearance of the drug from the eye, and may induce injection associated side effects such as retinal detachment, ocular hemorrhage and endophthalmitis. Purpose: To develop and optimize fenofibrate-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (Feno-NP) with high-drug loading and long-lasting drug release profile to effectively treat neovascular AMD for 6-months with one single intravitreal injection. Methods: Feno-NPs were prepared by emulsification method and were fully characterized in terms of particle size, surface charge, morphology and in vitro drug release profiles and the ocular pharmacokinetics studies were performed in rats following intravitreal injection. Efficacy on neovascular-AMD was determined by measuring vascular leakage, vascular permeability, and the numbers of subretinal neovascular (SRNV) and intraretinal neovascular (IRNV) lesions after intravitreal injection of Feno-NPs in a laser-induced choroid neovascularization (CNV) rat model.
-
The Relationship between Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms and Substance Misuse (in Terms of Marijuana, Illicit Drugs, Tobacco, and Alcohol) in College Students
Devin Singh
The Relationship between Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms and Substance Misuse (in Terms of Marijuana, Illicit Drugs, Tobacco, and Alcohol) in College Students
Devin Singh, Depts. of Psychology and Chemistry, with Dr. Sally Kuo and Dr. Amy Adkins, Dept. of Psychology
The prevalence of substance use (in terms of marijuana, illicit drugs, tobacco, and alcohol) in college students is of consistent concern as are rising rates of mental health concerns (i.e., anxiety and depression). College is a critical developmental period for establishing health in young adults. Previous studies have shown that students experienced anxiety and depressive symptoms when they used alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, amphetamines, cocaine, sedatives, and hallucinogens (Walters et al., 2018, & Stowell et al., 2019). The purpose of this study was to look at mental health and substance use in a college sample to determine the relationships between different patterns of use and internalizing symptoms. Data was taken from Spit4Science (Dick et al., 2014) and the analytic sample consisted of the freshman class of Fall 2014 and their follow-up survey in Spring of 2015 at a diverse, urban, public university. The survey covered anxiety and depressive symptoms and substance use. Separate sum scores for anxiety and depressive symptoms were put together by adding up the responses to four questions for anxiety symptoms and four questions for depressive symptoms, taken from the SCL-90 (Derogatis & Cleary, 1977), to get a total score for each. A metavariable substance use group was created based upon lifetime use: Non-Users; Alcohol Only; Alcohol and Nicotine; Alcohol and Marijuana; and Poly-Substance Use of Alcohol, Marijuana, and Illicit Drugs and/or Nicotine. Separate ANOVA tests were run for anxiety and depressive symptoms, and follow up comparisons done with a post-hoc Tukey Test. There was a significant difference in anxiety symptoms [F(4, 1320) = 3.983, p = 0.015] and depressive symptoms [F(4, 1321) = 7.698, p = 0.020] between the Polysubstance group and Alcohol Only group. The Polysubstance group had higher rates of symptoms. These results highlight potential detrimental emotional and behavioral health effects for polysubstance users.
-
Hitting the Right Notes: The Nordoff-Robbins Model of Musical Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Compared to Methylphenidate
Ishika Singh
Hitting the Right Notes: The Nordoff-Robbins Model of Musical Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Compared to Methylphenidate
Ishika Singh, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, with Prof. Mary Boyes, VCU Honors College
Music encompasses every aspect in a person’s life, from listening to tonal changes in the voices of parents, to the sounds heard by nature and the manmade sounds in the music industry. With psychological and development disorders like ADHD, natural forms of healing would be the most effective in improving a person’s mental state without disrupting the development of the brain and body. However, in the growing field of pharmaceuticals, chemical treatments and medications are the first line of defense. Specific illnesses such as ADHD require more attention to find a sustainable treatment which would allow the patient to become a self-aware individual. In younger and vulnerable ADHD patients, psychostimulants can impact development in the body and brain long term. People’s innate response towards music opens up a platform for people to express themselves. Music has been shown to have positive benefits as long-term treatment therapy because it allows patients to form an emotional bond. I analyzed the neurological responses such as change in affect and behavior when young elementary school children with ADHD are placed in a musical environment. Results from case studies have indicated that the specific model of Nordoff-Robbins music therapy is a strong alternative treatment for younger children with ADHD. The traditional treatment of drugs using the chemical methylphenidate has proven to have harmful side effects such as nausea, stomach ache, headaches, sleep apnea, loss of appetite. The Nordoff-Robbins Model focuses on a client-patient relationship where the structure, cadence, rhythm, scale, and the lyrics of each musical piece is catered towards evoking a specific emotional response from the patient. This study justifies music therapy as a sustainable and effective treatment for children with ADHD and verifies the further implementation of Nordoff-Robbins music therapy model in public institutions such as public elementary schools.
-
Differences in Mental Health and Ethnic-Racial Identity between White Gender Variant Students and Gender Variant Students of Color
Xuxa Sky Lark, Arlenis Santana, and Chloe Walker
Differences in Mental Health and Ethnic-Racial Identity between White Gender Variant Students and Gender Variant Students of Color
Xuxa Sky Lark, Depts. of International Social Justice and French, Arlenis Santana, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, & Chloe Walker, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, with Dr. Diamond Y. Bravo, Dept. of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, and Dr. Chelsea Derlan Williams, Dr. Amy Adkins, and Dr. Danielle M. Dick, Dept. of Psychology
Gender variant college students (i.e., transgender, genderqueer, and questioning) experience increased risk for mental health disparities, discrimination, bullying, family disownment, homelessness, and hate crimes, to name a few (Eisenberg, 2017). Further disparities arise when the intersections of gender and race are both considered; however, few studies have tested ethnic-racial identity (ERI) development among gender variant individuals (Kattari, 2016), which is predominantly tested in cisgender populations (e.g., Aoyagi et al, 2017; Umaña-Taylor et al., 2014). This is a notable gap given that ERI is a normative aspect of adolescence and emerging adulthood that is associated with positive development (Umaña-Taylor et al., 2014). Understanding ERI and mental health among diverse gender variant individuals is important to be able to create effective interventions and resources across ethnic-racial backgrounds that considers individuals’ unique lived experiences (Mossakowski, 2003). To address these gaps, the current study, grounded in the minority stress framework (Meyer, 2003) and ERI frameworks (Umaña-Taylor et al., 2014), tested differences in mental health (i.e., anxiety and depression) and ERI (i.e., exploration, resolution, and affirmation) between White gender variant students and gender variant students of color. The sample in the current study was from a larger university-wide study (i.e., Spit for Science; Dick et al., 2014), and consisted of 112 ethnically diverse gender variant students who identified as a White student (n = 72) or identified as a student of color (n = 40) in college. Students ranged in age from 18-24 years old (M = 20.15, SD = 1.61), and were 4.6% transgender women, 11.11% transgender men, 30.16% questioning, and 53.97% genderqueer. The Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL-90-R; Derogatis & Cleary, 1977) was used to measure levels of depression and anxiety, and the Ethnic Identity Scale-Brief (EIS-B; Douglass & Umaña-Taylor, 2015) was used to assess ERI exploration, resolution, and affirmation. First, descriptive statistics were conducted to examine correlations among variables (Table 1). Next, hypotheses were tested with five t-tests that tested mean differences in mental health and ERI between gender variant White students and students of color. Findings indicated gender variant students of color (compared to White gender variant students) had significantly higher ERI exploration (t (107) = -6.49, p = .00), ERI affirmation (t (106) = -2.23, p = .03), and ERI resolution (t (106) = -5.61, p = .00). Although gender variant students of color had higher mean levels of anxiety and depression than White gender variant students, this difference was not significant (p > .05). Discussion will center on how ERI may be a protective factor for gender identity-based risk factors among gender variant students of color, which will be a fruitful area for continued investigation and intervention efforts.
-
The Impact of Submersion on the Quantification of Host and Bacterial DNA
Grace Sprouse
The Impact of Submersion on the Quantification of Host and Bacterial DNA
Grace Sprouse, Depts. of Forensic Science and Chemistry, with Dr. Catherine Connon, Dept. of Forensic Science and Dr. Baneshwar Singh, Dept. of Forensic Science
Microorganisms, which contribute to carrion decomposition, can be used as a clock to estimate time since death. There has been an increase in the amount of studies looking into how bacteria can be used to estimate time since death. Much of this research has been aimed at examining how microorganism communities can be used to determine post mortem interval (PMI) in land environments, for example, research completed by Finley et all1, which focused on how microorganism communities differ on corpses and in the soil surrounding the body. Finley et all1 research was used to see how these quantities can be used to determine PMI. However, the comparison between 16S rDNA and nDNA has not been explored. Changes in bacterial DNA quantity may inform researchers on feasibility of using bacteria on remains to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) and postmortem submersion interval (PMSI). It could also provide insight regarding bacteria: host nDNA ratio, guiding decisions on best methods for victim ID (i.e., microbe based PMSI estimation or DNA profile development). Therefore, this research sought to compare bacterial DNA (16S rDNA) to host nuclear DNA (nDNA) recovered from long-term submerged skeletal elements (e.g., rib and scapula) using two different extraction methods (e.g., organic-phenol chloroform and solid-phase). Using 10” x 10” cages, each containing five ribs and scapulae, samples were submerged in a freshwater lake (e.g., Henley Lake) and river (e.g., James River). Approximately ca. 250 accumulated degree days (ADD), one cage was collected, totaling nineteen lake and twenty-four river collections.
The resulting 364 samples underwent DNA extraction (e.g., organic phenol-chloroform and ChargeSwitch®) before being analyzed via agarose gel electrophoresis (1.0% agarose gel). Gel visualization was performed to evaluate the separation of DNA bands and assess the quality of the extraction method used on each sample. In preparation for Real-Time qPCR quantification, standard curves were performed. Using the ABI 7500, each sample will be quantified twice, once using bacterial primers focusing on variable region 4 of 16S rDNA and once utilizing FH1733 porcine nuclear primers2. This section of the research will continue when the university reopens.
-
A Narrative Review of Protective Factors that Predict Enculturation Processes for Latinx Individuals in the U.S.
Jane Sun, Jennifer Rodriguez, Alanna Cason, Yessica Flores, Karl Villareal, Arlenis Santana, and Chloe Walker
A Narrative Review of Protective Factors that Predict Enculturation Processes for Latinx Individuals in the U.S.
Jane Sun, Dept. of Psychology, Jennifer Rodriguez, Alanna Cason, Yessica Flores, Karl Villareal, Arlenis Santana, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, & Chloe Walker, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, with Dr. Chelsea D. Williams, Dept. of Psychology
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the rise of immigration led the Latinx community to experience the largest population growth amongst all ethnic-racial groups (Sanchez et al., 2012). Enculturation is the process of preserving heritage cultural values while enduring the influence of the current, surrounding culture (Schwartz et al., 2013). Enculturation is a subcomponent in the broad spectrum of acculturation, the process through which the introduction of two differing cultures induces cultural changes (Rodriguez et al., 2002). While current research has focused on the protective factors involved in the acculturative process, minimal research has centered on the protective factors in enculturation amongst the Latinx community. The aim of the current narrative review was to identify the protective factors (e.g., language, values, generational differences, group membership) associated with enculturation of Latinx U.S. citizens. Implications will discuss the promotion of social awareness within the Latinx community.
-
Stress and Positive Coping in Older Adults
Jazzmin-Guy Swain
Stress and Positive Coping in Older Adults
Jazzmin-Guy Swain, Dept. of Exercise Science, with Dr. Faika Zanjani, Dept. of Gerontology
Stress can become a huge health risk factor for older adults. Stress occurs when individuals experience demands or threats without sufficient resources to meet these demands or mitigate threats. Everyone has some form of the same stressor(s), money job/school, health and family, which are the main common stressors. In every population, if those stressors are prolonged the stress can become chronic and become detrimental to a person's health. The reason stress often becomes chronic is because individuals may not know how to overcome their stress. As individuals age their health can decline but the stress doesn't necessarily dissipate which then put older adults at increased risk of diseases. One stressor that the older adults uniquely experience is stress about their age. Older adults can experience stress related to worries about growing old, like potential declines in mobility, brain functioning,health, hearing and seeing, and ageism, discrimination against a person because of their old age. A way to address the effect that stress has on the older population is by giving advice on positive coping mechanisms. Introducing positive ways to manage stress can potentially have positive effects for reducing the stress, and also providing a positive viewpoint on aging and improving health. Accordingly, this study aims to obtain feedback on a developed positive coping poster. In collaboration with iCubed Health and Wellness Aging Core and Richmond Health and Wellness Program (RHWP), we implemented a survey to assess poster feedback and aging related stress levels to RHWP low-income senior housing resident population. Survey results will provide insight about the individual stress and how they feel about using positive coping mechanisms to cope with their own stress. The poster design, development, justification, and preliminary survey data from n=10 participants will be described and discussed to direct future health interventions.
-
Examining the Relationship Between PTSD Symptom Clusters and Drinking to Cope Motives on Drinking Outcomes
Fatima Tariq
Examining the Relationship Between PTSD Symptom Clusters and Drinking to Cope Motives on Drinking Outcomes
Fatima Tariq, Dept. of Psychology, with Dr. Christina Sheerin, Dept. of Psychology and Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among combat veterans, and its symptoms are categorized (in DSM-IV) in clusters of: reexperiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Alcohol use disorder (AUD), often preceded by risky drinking behaviors such as binge drinking, and PTSD comorbidity is especially common in veteran populations. One theory underlying this comorbidity is that individuals use alcohol to self-medicatePTSD symptoms. Extant literature more often examines the relation on PTSD symptom severity as a unitary construct rather than on individual symptom clusters,a gap the present study attempts to fill.The aims of this study were to examine whether PTSD total symptom severity and each symptom cluster had significant main effects on a range of alcohol use outcomes (total frequency, binge drinking, and risky drinking) and determine whether self-reported drinking to cope motives moderate the relationship between PTSD symptoms and alcohol use outcomes. It was hypothesized that a) the hyperarousal symptom cluster would most strongly predict alcohol outcomes, as compared to other clusters, and b) drinking to cope would moderate the relationship between PTSD symptoms on alcohol use outcomes, such that those who reported greater drinking to cope motives would endorse higher severity of alcohol use. The present sample (N = 211) consists of a combat trauma-exposed subsample of individuals from a larger study of OIF/OEF veterans (90.5% male, 70.1% white, 70.1%) assessed for PTSD, determined through clinical interview with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-IV. Participants also completed the drinking to cope subscale from the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ-Cope) and the Timeline Folllowback measure (TLFB; with outcome measures including total number of drinks per month, risky drinking status, and total number of binge days). Analyses consisted of a series of separate hierarchical regression models, with PTSD severity scores (total and symptom cluster) entered in Step 1, DMQ-Cope entered in Step 2, and their interaction entered in Step 3. Linear regressions were conducted for the continuous number of drinks per month, a logistic regression was conducted for risky drinker status, and a negative binomial regression was conducted for number of binge drinking days. In the linear regressions examining whether total PTSD symptom severity and each symptom clusters had significant main effects on total number of drinks per month, while all PTSD severity scores were initially associated in Step 1 with total alcohol use (all ps <0.02), when DMQ-Cope was added to the model (Step 2), they were no longer significant. In the final step (Step 3), DMQ-Cope showed main effects (all ps < 0.001), but there were no significant interaction effects found (all ps > 0.15). The pattern for both risky drinking status and number of binge drinking days was the same. PTSD total and cluster scores were not associated with either outcome in any of the Steps (all ps > 0.35), DMQ-Cope showed a main effect in all models (all ps < 0.003), and no interaction effects were found (all ps > 0.107). The current findings show that across all alcohol use outcomes, drinking to cope is a strong predictor of alcohol use outcomes, over and above the impact of PTSD symptoms in this sample. Drinking to cope has been independently associated with both PTSD and alcohol misuse and the current study’s findings add to the existing literature. Contrary to hypotheses, however, hyperarousal symptoms were not associated with alcohol use outcomes and no moderations were found. Limitations include limited diversity within the sample and future research would benefit from examination in civilian populations, extension to different types of traumas, and examination of other alcohol use outcomes, such as risky drinking behaviors and problems.
-
The Socioeconomic and Policy Barriers to Refugee Health
Matt Tessema
The Socioeconomic Barriers and Policy Barriers to Refugee Health
Matt Tessema, Dept. of Journalism, with Dr. Dina Garcia, Dept. of Health Behavior and Policy
There are multiple barriers that make it difficult for refugees to get adequate healthcare and among their largest barriers is meeting their oral health needs. The goal of this study is to figure out what those barriers are, whether it is financial or educational, and how to address it. This will be determined through the use of qualitative data from our semi-structured interview questionnaire. Those that will be interviewed include the health liaisons of refugee camps and the refugees themselves. The subjects will come from the surrounding refugee resettlement camps in the Richmond, VA area. The questions will aim to identify the refugee oral health care habit and their concerns gauging how much knowledge they have around oral health. These interviews will be audiotaped. We will then qualitatively analyze our data.
-
There's More to Sleep than Counting Sheep: A Cross Sectional Analysis of Sleep Health
Elizabeth Torres, Sanika Lawate, Hali Russell, Emily Donovan, and Pablo Soto
There's More to Sleep than Counting Sheep: A Cross Sectional Analysis of Sleep Health
Elizabeth Torres, Depts. of Psychology, Biology, and Chemistry, Sanika Lawate, Hali Russell, and Emily Donovan, M.S., and Pablo Soto, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Students, with Dr. Joseph Dzierzewski, Dept. of Psychology
Background: Studies have supported the claim that good physical health and positive affect have a lasting positive impact on the body and the brain across all age groups. High levels of activity and positive affect can boost immunity, increase life expectancy, and promote resiliency. Studies have also shown that poor physical health and low affect can negatively impact sleep quality. While the associations among physical health, affect, and sleep have been examined, the present study aims to extend these findings to sleep health, a newly developed construct which aims to emphasize the benefits of sleep, rather than the negative effects of the absence of sleep. The purpose of this study is to determine the predictive power of affect for sleep health above and beyond age and physical health, in a large sample of adults. Methods: Data from this study were drawn from a larger online survey investigating sleep and health outcomes across various developmental stages. In this study, physical health, affect, and sleep health were self-reported. Sleep health was measured using the RU-SATED, and affect was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Physical health was measured as the total number of self-reported medical conditions from a list of common conditions. A hierarchical linear regression was conducted, with age in block 1, physical health in block 2, positive and negative affect in block 3, and sleep health as a dependent variable. Results: A three-level hierarchical linear regression was computed to investigate if affect predicted sleep health above and beyond age and physical health. When age was entered, it predicted sleep health, F(1, 3282) = 61.87, p < .001, R2 = .019. This initial model revealed that 1.9% of the variance in sleep health was predicted by knowing the participant’s age. When physical health was entered, it predicted sleep health, ∆F(1, 3281) = 78.53, p < .001, ∆R2 = .023. This model revealed that an additional 2.3% of the variance in sleep health was predicted by knowing the participant’s physical health. When positive and negative affect were added to the model, they significantly improved prediction, ∆F(2, 3279) = 178.26, p < .001, ∆R2 = .094, revealing that an additional 9.4% of the variance in sleep health was explained by positive and negative affect. All variables together significantly predicted sleep health outcomes, F(4, 3279) = 128.43, p < .001, R2 = .135, with 13.5% variance in sleep health explained. In the final model, age (β = .10, p < .001), physical health (β = -.09, p < .001), positive affect (β = .17, p < .001), and negative affect (β = -.24, p < .001) were significant predictors of sleep health. Conclusion: The current study suggests that affect predicts sleep health above and beyond age and physical health. Greater positive affect and fewer chronic health conditions are associated with better sleep health. Inversely, greater negative affect and more chronic health conditions negatively are associated with worse sleep health. Therefore, people who have higher negative affect (i.e., negative emotions, including anger, contempt, disgust, guilt, fear, and nervousness as well as low self-concept) report poorer sleep. Future studies would benefit from a longitudinal design to examine the associations among positive affect, physical health, and sleep health over time. Moreover, studies could incorporate clinical samples with chronic medical conditions to further explore the associations among affect, physical health, and sleep health. Given the strong association between affect and sleep health, future studies could also explore interventions that foster positive affect to see if manipulation of affect improves sleep health.
Poster presentations from the annual Undergraduate Poster Symposium, organized by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and part of VCU Research Week.
Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.