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Journal

2016

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Articles 1 - 17 of 17

Full-Text Articles in Physiology

Neofunctionalization Of Dual-Targeted Plant Organelle Dna Replication Proteins Mar 2016

Neofunctionalization Of Dual-Targeted Plant Organelle Dna Replication Proteins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Neofunctionalization is the process by which genes gain a new or modified function as a result of gene duplication and modification of one or more of the new genes. This exciting area of research helps explain the diversification of protein functions in cells. The number of documented examples has increased in recent years in all classes of organisms (Deng et al., 2010; Han et al. 2011; Cannela et al. 2014; Sakuma et al. 2013; Zhang et al. 2014). In some cases a protein that was previously thought to function in only one cellular compartment has been shown to also function …

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Biophysical Actions Of Nsaids And Volatile Anesthetics, David D. Busath Mar 2016

Biophysical Actions Of Nsaids And Volatile Anesthetics, David D. Busath

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This award led to a wonderful confluence of mentored research experiences for 9 undergraduates and 1 graduate student. The academic goal was to evaluated the role of NSAIDs and general anesthetics in modulating lipid bilayer mechanics, particularly as they influenced pressure area curves and dye absorption rates in purified lipid vesicles. The studies were augmented and informed by molecular dynamics simulations of such molecules being positioned at different levels in the lipid bilayer and measuring the average normal force on the molecules.

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Structural Variations In Articular Cartilage Associated With Osteoarthritis., David Kooyman Mar 2016

Structural Variations In Articular Cartilage Associated With Osteoarthritis., David Kooyman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Thank you for this MEG award. It led to important research performed primarily by undergraduate students in my laboratory. Our work resulted in some molecular pathways leading to OA that can be exploited by pharmacologic intervention. We exceeded our stated goals for the project. Work from this MEG has already resulted in 2 publications (see below; undergraduate students are in yellow). In addition, we have another paper in review at this time and three others that will be submitted within the next 3-4 months. Besides those students listed as co-authors below, other students that participated in the project are Joshua …

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The Neuroprotective Effect Of Exercise On Memory Impairment Induced By Stress, Jeff Edwards Mar 2016

The Neuroprotective Effect Of Exercise On Memory Impairment Induced By Stress, Jeff Edwards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The objectives of this award were met, especially in regard to the mentoring focus of the award. The students have been mentored and trained in an effective manner as outlined in my Mentoring Plan (abbreviated below). This includes mentoring students in research, writing, publishing, presenting at conferences, etc. Indeed, one measure of the success of mentoring is demonstrated by the fact that all the students graduating from my lab during this time were accepted to the professional school of their choice (see students listed below). Research, especially where the students are actually involved in all aspects of it including data …

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Alzheimer’S Disease And The P.V236e Variant In The Apoe Gene, Alton Chad Sorensen, John Kauwe Feb 2016

Alzheimer’S Disease And The P.V236e Variant In The Apoe Gene, Alton Chad Sorensen, John Kauwe

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I was interested in trying to validate the findings of the publication by Medway et al. concerning the SNP rs199768005 using data from the Cache Country data set. Unfortunately, of the 4703 people from our data set, only 10 were carriers. Using R statistical analysis, I found that the p-value for this SNP with an association to protect for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) was not significant. It was similarly not significant in its association with Any AD. I also ran other models to include for factors such as education or age in conjunction with this SNP and its association with AD …

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Anatomical Variation Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament And Implications For Joing Stability And Surgical Rehabilitation, Jakob Gamboa, Dr. Jonathan Wisco Feb 2016

Anatomical Variation Of The Ulnar Collateral Ligament And Implications For Joing Stability And Surgical Rehabilitation, Jakob Gamboa, Dr. Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 1974, the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery was performed on Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher, Tommy John. The damaged ligament of the medial elbow was repaired with tendons from the pitcher’s body. Since then, the surgery has been colloquially termed “Tommy John’s Surgery”, and the alarming increase of the rates of the procedure has now become a concern, being recently called an “epidemic” by the American Sports Medicine Institute1. The procedure possesses risk of complications, and can lead to shortened careers, decreased performance over time2, and can carry a heavy financial toll on individuals and …

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Ligament Microstructure Analysis, Michael Gillespie, Jonathan Wisco Feb 2016

Ligament Microstructure Analysis, Michael Gillespie, Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Due to the relatively poor fiber contrast of tendons in comparison with muscles, the anatomical, and therefore, functional relationship of muscle attachments to bones via tendons has not been well mapped. We were interested in mapping the 3D gross anatomical structure of tendons using a MicroScribe 3D digitizer (GoMeasure3D, Amherst, VA), with the goal to compare fibrous architecture between tendons of various types of muscles and muscle classes. We developed a stain made of blue dye and powdered sugar to increase fiber visibility, thus allowing for 3D digitization. This technique was applied to human cadaveric calcaneal tendon and quadriceps tendon.

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Analyzing Structural Differences In Quadriceps Femoris Tendon Fibers Using Microscribe Technology, Nathaniel Hainsworth, Jon Wisco Feb 2016

Analyzing Structural Differences In Quadriceps Femoris Tendon Fibers Using Microscribe Technology, Nathaniel Hainsworth, Jon Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Not all tendons and ligaments are created equally. Many have different structural characteristics based on functionality or need for stability. This turns out to be true even between different portions of the same tendon. This project’s purpose was to analyze and compare structural differences between tendon fibers of the patellar portion and quadriceps portion of the quadriceps femoris tendon. We hypothesized that there are significant structural differences between these two portions because they act very different biomechanically, as well as different in the amount of tension/strain put on each portion. We mapped individual tendon fibers of both portions using MicroScribe …

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Three-Dimensional Model Of Undocumented Lingual Nerve Branches For The Education Of The International Anatomy, Medical, And Dental Population, Craig D. Clayton, Dr. Jonathan Wisco Feb 2016

Three-Dimensional Model Of Undocumented Lingual Nerve Branches For The Education Of The International Anatomy, Medical, And Dental Population, Craig D. Clayton, Dr. Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The floor of the oral cavity is covered by a mucosal layer to protect underlying structures against the digestive events of the mouth. Ducts of the salivary glands open into this mucosa along the lingual frenulum. The lingual nerve from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve immediately begins to branch after passing through the foramen ovale, and continues its descent medial to the inferior alveolar nerve. Just superior to the angle of the mandible, the nerve turns anteriorly 90 degrees and continues a lateral to medial path to the anterior of the mouth. It crosses the submandibular salivary duct …

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Testing The Effect Of Antioxidants On The Pathogenesis Of Alzheimer’S Disease Through The Rage/Nf-Kb Inflammatory Pathway, Harrison Snyder, Jonathan Wisco Feb 2016

Testing The Effect Of Antioxidants On The Pathogenesis Of Alzheimer’S Disease Through The Rage/Nf-Kb Inflammatory Pathway, Harrison Snyder, Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) is known to have a role in inflammatory processes. When produced in excess it induces oxidative stress by activating a number of ligand enzymes, resulting in the generation of excessive cytosolic reactive oxidant species. This oxidative stress then stimulates Nuclear Factor Kappa-B (NF-kB), which regulates immune response and inflammation. When RAGE is incorrectly regulated, inflammation occurs in otherwise healthy tissue, a process implicated in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. RAGE is found throughout the body and is seen in greater concentration in inflamed tissues; it has also been found in the brain tissue …

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Confirming The Spatial Relationship Between Iron, Tau Protein, And Amyloid Beta Within The Subiculum As A Means To Better Detect Alzheimer’S Disease With Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Brandon Herrington, Jonathan Wisco Feb 2016

Confirming The Spatial Relationship Between Iron, Tau Protein, And Amyloid Beta Within The Subiculum As A Means To Better Detect Alzheimer’S Disease With Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Brandon Herrington, Jonathan Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

As the 6th leading cause of death in the United States1, and because of the significant deterioration it causes in the quality of life of its victims, Alzheimer’s disease is an area where research to improve its early diagnosis is paramount to establishing new treatments. Alzheimer’s disease appears to show its effects at a particularly early stage within the hippocampus2. More specifically, the subicular area of the hippocampus is noted as a region that is subjected to more severe pathological changes due to the disease3. Braak staging is a method used to classify, …

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Application Of Sihler’S Stain To Expose Cardiac Conduction Nerve Fibers, Adam Jorgensen, Jonathan J. Wisco Feb 2016

Application Of Sihler’S Stain To Expose Cardiac Conduction Nerve Fibers, Adam Jorgensen, Jonathan J. Wisco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Arrhythmia is a serious heart condition that affects 14 million people in the United Statesi, and is characterized by irregular frequency of atrial and ventricular beats.ii The most serious effects of arrhythmia include sudden cardiac arrest and stroke.iii About 383,000 cases of cardiac arrest are recorded annually in the United States alone.iv In a report complied in 2011 by the World Health Organization, stroke has the second highest death rate of any disease worldwide, ending the lives of 6.1 million people annually.v Recent developments in cardiac ablation have helped in the treatment of arrhythmia …

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The Role Of Wnt Secretion From Neural Crest Cells In Proper Craniofacial Development, Bradley Haynes, Stark Michael Feb 2016

The Role Of Wnt Secretion From Neural Crest Cells In Proper Craniofacial Development, Bradley Haynes, Stark Michael

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Both Wnt signaling and neural crest cells (NCCs) have a well-established role in the development of facial bones and cartilage. Wnt signaling is known to be required for neural crest cell formation; however, Wnt expression originating from the neural crest after their specification by Wnt1 has not been carefully explored. The purpose of our study is to investigate the role of Wnt secretion from NCCs in craniofacial development. Our hypothesis is that loss of Wnt secretion from NCCs will lead to improper craniofacial development and contribute to facial structure abnormalities.

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Novel G-Protein Coupled Receptor Expression And Modulation Of Synaptic Plasticity, Michael Thayer Christensen, Dr. Jeff Edwards Feb 2016

Novel G-Protein Coupled Receptor Expression And Modulation Of Synaptic Plasticity, Michael Thayer Christensen, Dr. Jeff Edwards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s disease – infamously known for its patients’ loss of memory and other intellectual abilities – is the sixth most common cause of death in the United States. Sadly this is just one of many ailments people experience that result in learning and memory loss. Why do so many suffer from these neurodegenerative states? One fundamental problem is that the complex learning and remembering process is not well understood. A specific brain region called the hippocampus is involved in short-term declarative memory; however, many of its intricate signaling pathways that mediate …

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Sensory Integration In Zebrafish Larvae, Hannah Waddel, Dr. Arminda Suli Feb 2016

Sensory Integration In Zebrafish Larvae, Hannah Waddel, Dr. Arminda Suli

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A major task of the central nervous system is to make sense of the environment and mount an appropriate reaction. The ability to organize and integrate inputs from different sensory systems is critical for survival in animals. Sensory integration dysfunction is implicated in human disorders such as autism and dyslexia. Swimming behaviors such as rheotaxis, defined as swimming against a current, require the integration of different sensory systems such as mechanosensory hair cells, the visual system, and the vestibular system. In this project, we attempted to create an assay to measure the rheotaxis behavior of Danio rerio (zebrafish) larvae, in …

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The Role Of Subtelomeric Silencing In Aging, Mark Roth, Jonathan Alder, Phd Feb 2016

The Role Of Subtelomeric Silencing In Aging, Mark Roth, Jonathan Alder, Phd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Telomeres, located at the ends of chromosomes, are repetitive DNA sequences composed of TTAGGG repeated thousands of times. Each time a cell copies its DNA a small amount of telomeric DNA is lost due to the end replication problem. Because of this, telomeres are eventually lost. New telomeres are synthesized by telomerase. Telomerase has both a protein reverse transcriptase component (TERT) and an RNA template (TERC) that it uses to synthesize new telomeres; however, expression is tightly controlled and is not expressed in most cells in our bodies. This limits the number of times that most of our cells can …

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Exercising To Stay Mentally Fit, Tyler Hammond, Dr. Jerffrey Edwards Feb 2016

Exercising To Stay Mentally Fit, Tyler Hammond, Dr. Jerffrey Edwards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Both exercise and stress have an impact on learning and memory. Exercise appears to have positive effects on learning and memory while stress appears to have negative effects on learning and memory. Previous work in our lab has demonstrated that exercise enhances long-term potentiation mediated by electrical stimulus in the hippocampus and that stress decreases long-term potentiation mediated by electrical stimulus in the hippocampus. Long-term potentiation is a measure of the strengthening of the synapses following an electrical stimulus intended to model learning and memory. The hippocampus is the area of the brain commonly deemed responsible for long-term declarative memories.

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