Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Coastal Monitor: Vol. 10 No. 2, John Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

Stephen J. Gould’s prophetic piece, “The Golden Rule: A Proper Scale for Our Environmental Crisis”, noted that, “Patience enjoys a long pedigree of favor”, which he elaborated, “usually involves a deep understanding of the fundamental principle… rarely grasped in daily life – the effects of scale.” Scientists observe changes incessantly, in dimensions and time, from microscopic conditions of cellular biology to the inconceivable distances of galaxies and their influences on Earth.

The Coastal Monitor: Vol. 10 No. 1, John Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

New Year’s Day has always been, for me, a time to reflect and project into the near future. Nature’s influence on us all certainly tops my listing with several environmental concerns. For example, the frequency and intensity of hurricanes to Long Island. A decade has passed since Superstorm Sandy re-opened the “Old Inlet” on Long Island which now has mostly naturally closed. So, the new year immediately prompts me to assess the previous year’s Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 system, with winds exceeding 150 mph, which had considerable impact in Florida, and then proceeded north resulting in over 2 inches …

Diverse Secondary Metabolites Are Expressed In Particle-Associated And Free-Living Microorganisms Of The Permanently Anoxic Cariaco Basin, David Gellar-Mcgrath, Paraskevi Mara, Gordon T. Taylor, Elizabeth A. Suter, Virginia Edgcomb, Maria Pachiadaki

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Secondary metabolites play essential roles in ecological interactions and nutrient acquisition, and are of interest for their potential uses in medicine and biotechnology. Genome mining for biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) can be used for the discovery of new compounds. Here, we use metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to analyze BGCs in free-living and particle-associated microbial communities through the stratified water column of the Cariaco Basin, Venezuela. We recovered 565 bacterial and archaeal metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and identified 1154 diverse BGCs. We show that differences in water redox potential and microbial lifestyle (particle-associated vs. free-living) are associated with variations in the predicted composition …

The Kappa Opioid Receptor: Candidate Pharmacotherapeutic Target For Multiple Sclerosis, Brian Reed, Surya Dutta

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Multiple sclerosis (MS) afflicts millions of people worldwide. While multiple therapeutics have recently been developed and approved as treatment agents, they are not 100% effective. Recent developments investigating the endogenous opioid system involvement in MS has revealed that agonists of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) have beneficial effects in both animal models of MS (and demyelinating disorders more generally) as well as in vitro models of remyelination. Several groups have contributed to this development. We summarize here the findings of these published studies, with comparisons of the effects and discussion of similarities and differences. The effects of KOR agonists involve …

The Coastal Monitor: Vol. 9 No. 5, John Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

There are a multitude of lessons learned from the last 3 years of the Covid-19 pandemic. But one truly stands out ...the total lack of understanding of the basic chemistry associated with the nitrogen cycle, which in Suffolk County, NY, continues to be declared as the “evil-nitrogen”. The major source of nitrogen into the water body comes from the atmosphere which is the predominate constituent of the air we breathe79% nitrogen. Nitrogen compounds contribution to eutrophication in freshwater (ponds & lakes) systems is legendary and, the concentration of nitrogen in marine waters has always been known as a limiting agent …

Characterization Of Pyrrolidinyl-Hexahydro-Pyranopiperazines As A Novel Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist Scaffold, Brian Reed, Michael Miller, Mayako Michino, Eduardo R. Butelman, Ariel Ben-Ezra, Philip Pikus, Michelle Morochnik, Yuli Kim, Amy Ripka, Joseph Vacca, Mary Jeanne Kreek

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

The kappa agonist structure–activity relationship around the novel, pyrrolidinyl substituted pyranopiperazine scaffold was developed. More specifically, the dichloroPhenylAcetamide-Pyrrolidinyl-PyranoPiperazine (PAPPP) core A was the focus of our work. The modulation of kappa receptor potency/G-protein activation and arrestin recruitment with respect to changes of the piperazine R group in A was demonstrated. Reduced β2-arrestin recruitment and differential G-protein bias were observed for select analogues. To better understand the subtlety in receptor signaling, analogues were profiled as the resolved enantiomers. To determine in vivo target engagement, a subset of compounds was tested in mice for stimulation of serum prolactin, a neuroendocrine biomarker of …

Changes In Breast Cancer Care In New York During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alexandra Fiderlein, Cheyenne Rosado, Noelle L. Cutter Ph.D.

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy among women in the United States. As such, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused medical facilities to change their methods of operation since March of 2020, including changes in diagnosis and treatment plans. New York (NY) has an unusually high incidence of breast cancer. This study analyzed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer care (BCC) in NY. Women in NY that were diagnosed with or in remission for breast cancer were asked to take an online, anonymous survey regarding their BCC experience. For patients in treatment, 26% of women wished …

The Coastal Monitor: Vol. 8 No. 4, John Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

The original five acre of land portion of the historic Blue Points Oyster Company is located at the southern end of Atlantic Ave in West Sayville, Islip Town, Suffolk County, New York on the shore of Great South Bay. The Center for Environmental Research and Coastal Oceans Monitoring (CERCOM) is the science field station serving Molloy College’s BCES programs in Earth & Environmental Sciences and Biology. Our mission is to provide unique hands-on educational opportunities in the physical and life sciences, in collaboration with a host of Federal, State, and local and NGO groups, to bolster students’ career path. Great …

Eukaryotic Parasites Are Integral To A Productive Microbial Food Web In Oxygen-Depleted Waters, Elizabeth A. Suter, Maria Pachladaki, Gordon T. Taylor, Virginia P. Edgcomb

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Oxygen-depleted water columns (ODWCs) host a diverse community of eukaryotic protists that change dramatically in composition over the oxic-anoxic gradient. In the permanently anoxic Cariaco Basin, peaks in eukaryotic diversity occurred in layers where dark microbial activity (chemoautotrophy and heterotrophy) were highest, suggesting a link between prokaryotic activity and trophic associations with protists. Using 18S rRNA gene sequencing, parasites and especially the obligate parasitic clade, Syndiniales, appear to be particularly abundant, suggesting parasitism is an important, but overlooked interaction in ODWC food webs. Syndiniales were also associated with certain prokaryotic groups that are often found in ODWCs, including Marinimicrobia and …

The Bioinformatics Virtual Coordination Network: An Open-Source And Interactive Learning Environment, Benjamin J. Tully, Joy Buongiorno, Ashley B. Cohen, Jacob A. Cram, Arkadiy I. Garber, Sarah K. Hu, Arianna I. Krinos, Philip T. Leftwich, Alexis J. Marshall, Ella T. Sieradzki, Daan R. Speth, Elizabeth A. Suter, Christopher B. Trivedi, Luis E. Valentin-Alvarado, Jake L. Weissman, Bvcn Instructor Consortium

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Lockdowns and “stay-at-home” orders, starting in March 2020, shuttered bench and field dependent research across the world as a consequence of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic continues to have an impact on research progress and career development, especially for graduate students and early career researchers, as strict social distance limitations stifle ongoing research and impede in-person educational programs. The goal of the Bioinformatics Virtual Coordination Network (BVCN) was to reduce some of these impacts by helping research biologists learn new skills and initiate computational projects as alternative ways to carry out their research. The BVCN was founded in April …

The Coastal Monitor: Vol. 7 No. 3, John Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

Where has all the pollution gone? No hazardous toxic algal blooms? Incredible summer estuarine water quality! No fish kills. Banner years in recreational fisheries for Stripers and Blues and incredible numbers of Humpback whales! No going to restaurants, so greater at home use of water and septic systems! Since March 2020, drier years than most, thus reducing runoff with fertilizers and organic pesticides, resulting in reduced water contamination. So maybe, just maybe, this COVID- 19 period which has altered our collective lives forever, has also resulted in a grand experiment on what has been hiding in plain sight? That is, …

Salty Sensors, Fresh Ideas: The Use Of Molecular And Imaging Sensors In Understanding Plankton Dynamics Across Marine And Freshwater Ecosystems, Trisha Lyn Spanbauer, Christian Briseno-Avena, Kathleen Johnson Pitz, Elizabeth A. Suter

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Understanding plankton dynamics in marine ecosystems has been advanced using in situ molecular and imaging instrumentation. A range of research objectives have been addressed through high‐resolution autonomous sampling, from food web characterization to harmful algal bloom dynamics. When used together, molecular and imaging sensors can cover the full‐size range, genetic identity, and life stages of plankton. Here, we briefly review a selection of in situ instrumentation developed for the collection of molecular and imaging information on plankton communities in marine ecosystems. In addition, we interviewed a selection of instrumentation developers to determine if the transfer of sensor technology from marine …

The Coastal Monitor Fall 2019, John Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

In 2013 I had the distinct pleasure to be offered the opportunity to become a part of the Molloy College family. President Dr. Drew Bogner believed that CERCOM would be an important part of building an exciting program for students in Earth and Environmental Science at Molloy. Dr. Bogner was able to envision how the CERCOM Field Station, would enrich Molloy College science students, given its decades of earth, environmental, and marine sciences research. He had the foresight to understand that the experiences at CERCOM would help foster a vast array of international academic collaborations which now include 14 countries. …

Loss Of Scribble Confers Cisplatin Resistance During Nsclc Chemotherapy Via Nox2/Ros And Nrf2/Pd-L1 Signaling, Na Wang, Lele Song, Yi Xu, Longfu Zhang, Yanjun Wu, Jingyu Guo, Weiwei Ji, Li Li Ph.D., Jingya Zhao, Xin Zhang, Lixing Zhan

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Background: Cisplatin resistance remains a major clinical obstacle to the successful treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Scribble contributes to ROS-induced inflammation and cisplatin-elevated toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) promotes cell death. However, it is unknown whether and how Scribble is involved in the cisplatin-related cell death and the underlying mechanism of Scribble in response to chemotherapies and in the process of oxidative stress in NSCLC. Methods: We used two independent cohorts of NSCLC samples derived from patients treated with platinumcontaining chemotherapy and xenograft modeling in vivo. We analyzed the correlation between Scribble and Nox2 or Nrf2/PD-L1 both in …

Diuretic, Glucosuric And Natriuretic Effect Of Pantoyltaurine In Diabetic Sprague-Dawley Rats, Ripal P. Amin, Sanket N. Patel, Sunil Kumar, S. William Zito, Sue Ford, Michael A. Barletta

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT) inhibitors offer a novel tool to control hyperglycemia and its complications. We present preliminary findings of pantoyltaurine, N-substituted analog of taurine, as diuretic, glucosuric and natriuretic agent in streptozotocin (60 mg/kg/mL, i.p.)-induced type 1 diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats and whether pantoyltaurine has an effect on regulation of SGLT isoforms that may further help in reducing hyperglycemia and improving renal function. After 14 days of persistent diabetes, phlorizin (0.4 g/kg/day, s.c.) or pantoyltaurine (2.4 mM/kg/day, p.o.) was administered for three weeks, days 15 - 35. As expected, diabetic rats showed persistent hyperglycemia, hyperphagia and weight loss. Pantoyltaurine and phlorizin-treated …

Hidden In Plain Sight: The Importance Of Cryptic Interactions In Marine Plankton, Nicole C. Millette, Julia Grosse, Winifred M. Johnson, Michelle J. Jungbluth, Elizabeth A. Suter

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Here, we present a range of interactions, which we term “cryptic interactions.” These are interactions that occur throughout the marine planktonic foodweb but are currently largely overlooked by established methods, which mean large-scale data collection for these interactions is limited. Despite this, current evidence suggests some of these interactions may have perceptible impacts on foodweb dynamics and model results. Incorporation of cryptic interactions into models is especially important for those interactions involving the transport of nutrients or energy. Our aim is to highlight a range of cryptic interactions across the plankton foodweb, where they exist, and models that have taken …

The Coastal Monitor: Fall 2017/ Spring 2018, John T. Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

As I sat there in the Members Lounge at the Explorers Club; the world center for exploration, getting ready for our first Spring Saturday Science for Students @the EC lecture, I was putting together some notes on the accomplishments of our science students and CERCOM over the last few months since our last newsletter. Our visit to the Galapagos, a spectacular academic experience for our Molloy College students was at the top of my list! This was certainly not an epiphany but as I accumulated the items on this list, I was impressed not only with what we have conducted …

Single-Cell Growth Rates In Photoautotrophic Populations Measured By Stable Isotope Probing And Resonance Raman Microspectrometry, Gordon T. Taylor, Elizabeth A. Suter, Zhuo Q. Li, Stephanie Chow, Dallyce Stinton, Tatiana Zaliznyak, Steven R. Beaupre

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

A newmethod tomeasure growth rates of individual photoautotrophic cells by combining stable isotope probing (SIP) and single-cell resonance Raman microspectrometry is introduced. This report explores optimal experimental design and the theoretical underpinnings for quantitative responses of Raman spectra to cellular isotopic composition. Resonance Raman spectra of isogenic cultures of the cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp., grown in 13C-bicarbonate revealed linear covariance between wavenumber (cm−1) shifts in dominant carotenoid Raman peaks and a broad range of cellular 13C fractional isotopic abundance. Single-cell growth rates were calculated from spectra-derived isotopic content and empirical relationships. Growth rates among any 25 cells in a sample varied …

The Coastal Monitor: Vol 2. No 1., John Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

There is something enchanting and vibrant about viewing the coast. Every day at CERCOM we are welcomed by either a vivid sunrise, a view of the barrier island Fire Island and a blending of the sky across the horizon, ultimately flooding the Great South Bay with either clouds or sunshine that reveals the Bay’s surface as either shimmering with sunlight, or an integration of sky and water as an endless ocean. I don’t normally wax poetic but the varying sights along the near shore ocean and this embayment beckon our scientific inquisitiveness. What’s below the surface water? How do animals …

The Stress Of Public Speaking Increases Cortisol Levels In Undergraduates: Is Increased Preparation Really The Best Remedy?, Jodi F. Evans Ph.D., Erin Clinton, Grace Cookson, Stephanie Brown, Daniel Woods

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Perceived stress is prevalent among the undergraduate population. When this stress persists, it has the potential to lead to mental health illnesses. Recent research shows 85% of students experience overwhelming anxiety from academic pressures. Physiologically, during stressful events, cortisol levels rise in the body which disrupts homeostasis. The anticipation prior to a class presentation, a form of public speaking, is a common source of perceived stress among undergraduates. The focus of this experiment was to determine if there is a correlation between factors such as increased preparedness, sleep, level of understanding, perceived anxiety and physiological stress parameters. Twenty-eight student volunteers …

Cd105 Deficieny In Mouse Aorta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes An Enhanced Inflammatory Response To Lipolysaccharide., Jodi F. Evans Ph.D., Joseph Granata, Hugo Sanchez, Philip Loeschinger, Anthony Goez

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being widely studied for their ability to regulate macrophage cell responses. Previous works have demonstrated that mouse aorta-derived MSC (mAo-MSC) support the macrophage inflammatory response. mAo-MSC have been characterized phenotypically for MSC-associated surface antigens and express CD90 and CD105 but do not express CD73. CD105, also known as endoglin, is a coreceptor in the TGFβ superfamily of receptors. Mouse adipose-derived MSC lacking CD105 have an increased capacity to regulate T-cells by reducing their proliferation while elevated CD105 expression is consistently associated with inflammatory disease. Therefore, we hypothesized that suppression of CD105 in mAo-MSC will reduce …

Mouse Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Expressing Adipogenic And Osteogenic Transcription Factors Suppress The Macrophage Inflammatory Response, Jodi F. Evans Ph.D., Natalie Fernandez, Heather Renna, Lauren Mchugh, Katie Mazolkova, William Crugnola

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Mesenchymal progenitor cell characteristics that can identify progenitor populations with specific functions in immunity are actively being investigated. Progenitors from bone marrow and adipose tissue regulate the macrophage (MΦ) inflammatory response by promoting the switch froman inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory phenotype.Conversely,mesenchymal progenitors fromthe mouse aorta (mAo) support and contribute to the MΦ response under inflammatory conditions.We used cell lines with purported opposing immune-regulatory function, a bonemarrow derivedmesenchymal progenitor cell line (D1) and amouse aorta derived mesenchymal progenitor cell line (mAo). Their interaction and regulation of the MΦ cell response to the inflammatory mediator, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was examined by coculture. As …

The Coastal Monitor: Vol. 1, No. 3, John Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

Each fall I teach a course in “Ecology” and in the spring, “Marine Biology”; two seminal courses absolutely necessary and required to complete a BS Degree in Earth and Environmental Studies at Molloy College. To a large extent I draw on my 48 years of life experiences; flight meteorologist, “Hurricane Hunter” in the US Navy (1968-1970), environmental impact analyst with the US Coast Guard’s Bridge Administration on Governors Island (1974-1978); Coastal Barrier Parks Coordinator and Research Ecologist with the National Park Service (1978-2001); Research Associate in the Invertebrate Zoology Department at the American Museum of Natural History(1982-2000); Chairman Department of …

The Coastal Monitor: Vol. 1, No. 2, John Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

At a recent event a colleague asked me, “So what do you do at CERCOM?” My immediate response was the “M” word fundamentally! After 45 years involved in environmental sciences, monitoring remains the most important and critical aspect of not only any field station in support of the academics conducted, but the seminal responsibility to be able, as a scientist, to reveal trends in the massive volume of data collected through routine monitoring exercises. It is extremely rare for a single data point, or even a single season of data, no matter how accurate the individual data point is, to …

Questioning Ecosystem Assessment And Restoration Practices In A Major Urban Estuary: Perpetuating Myths Of Degradation In Spite Of Facts, John T. Tanacredi Ph.D., Martin P. Schreibman, Kevin Mcdonnell

Faculty Works: CERCOM

The Jamaica Bay ecosystem is a dichotomy. It encompasses more than 12,000 acres of coastal estuarine marshes and an ecological diversity rivaling any coastal environment in the world. It is considerably altered, and is affected by a variety of ecological insults directly related to the fact that more than 14 million people live in its vicinity. Environmental protection institutions responded to the challenge of protecting the bay, surrounding wetlands and recreational benefits by addressing the increasing load of contaminants into the ecosystem. Billions of dollars have been spent during the past five decades on restoration attempts, including upgrading wastewater treatment …

A Quest For A Custom-Made Mesenchymal Stem Cell In The Treatment Of Inflammatory Diseases, Jodi F. Evans Ph.D., Natalie Fernandez, Caroline Winters, Maria Barandica, Abi Ocava, Michael Delsignore, Kristina Coppola

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondrocytes. These cells are widely studied in tissue regeneration and for their therapeutic effects in inflammatory disease. MSC interact with cells of the innate and adaptive immunity to promote or suppress the inflammatory response. MSC from the bone marrow (D1 MSC) decrease inflammatory responses by lowering macrophage (Mᶲ) secretion of soluble factors such as nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Aorta-derived MSC (mAo MSC) support the macrophage inflammatory response by contributing to NO secretion and enhancing secretion of TNFα by Mᶲ. Previous …

The Coastal Monitor: Vol. 1, No. 1, John Tanacredi Ph.D.

The Coastal Monitor

The Center for Environmental Research and Coastal Oceans Monitoring (CERCOM) is a scientific coastal research center and field station dedicated to exploring our global coastal environments and near-shore oceans. CERCOM is the field station support facility for all sciences at Molloy College and services the degree programs of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies, with special attention to a B.S. degree in Earth and Environmental Studies. Located at the West Sayville Boat Basin on the Great South Bay, CERCOM is a 2,500 sq. ft. field station estuarine/ marine science laboratory where environmental monitoring and analysis is conducted 365 days a year.

Vascular Tissue-Resident Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Friend Or Foe?, Jodi F. Evans Ph.D., Heather Renna, Lauren Mchugh, Eddie Bochynski, Victoria Flemm

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are ideal candidates for stem cell-based therapies of vascular inflammation. They are progenitor cells that can replace damaged cells and they can modulate immune response cells. MSC from bone marrow and adipose tissue regulate inflammation by promoting the switch of macrophage cell from an inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Much less is known about the tissue resident MSC’s and their interaction with macrophage cells. We hypothesized that aortaderived mesenchymal stem cells (mAo MSC) would also promote the expression of the antiinflammatory phenotype among macrophage cells. The interaction of mAo MSC with the macrophage was examined by …

Acth Enhances Lipid Accumulation In Bone-Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Undergoing Adipogenesis, Jodi F. Evans Ph.D., Thomas Rhodes, Michelle Pazienza

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

ACTH is a major hormone of the stress axis or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. It is derived from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) the precursor to the melanocortin family of peptides. POMC produces the biologically active melanocortin peptides via a series of enzymatic steps in a tissue-specific manner, yielding the melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSHs), corticotrophin (ACTH) and β-endorphin. The melanocortin system plays an imperative role in energy expenditure, insulin release and insulin sensitivity. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells circulate in the blood stream and as progenitor cells have the potential to differentiate into many cell types such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Here we …

Mouse Aorta-Derived Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Contribute To And Enhance The Immune Response Of Macrophage Cells Under Inflammatory Conditions, Jodi F. Evans Ph.D., Veronica Salvador, Sheela George, Cristina Trevino-Gutierrez, Catherine Nunez

Faculty Works: Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Studies

Abstract

Introduction: Mesenchymal progenitor cells interact with immune cells and modulate inflammatory responses. The cellular characteristics required for this modulation are under fervent investigation. Upon interaction with macrophage cells, they can contribute to or suppress an inflammatory response. Current studies have focused on mesenchymal progenitors derived from bone marrow, adipose, and placenta. However, the arterial wall contains many mesenchymal progenitor cells, which during vascular disease progression have the potential to interact with macrophage cells. To examine the consequence of vascular-tissue progenitor cell-macrophage cell interactions in an inflammatory environment, we used a recently established mesenchymal progenitor cell line derived from the …