bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cold-induced stress alters the dynamics of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cytokine production in a mouse model during Chlamydia muridarum genital infection.
Authors: Brown Gezelle , Belay Tesfaye 
Published: May 2022

Chlamydia caused by Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of bacterial STDs worldwide and the USA. Although there are more clinical and epidemiological studies of chlamydia genital infection, the effect of stress on chlamydia disease is not well explored. Previous results from our lab show that cold-induced stress results in increased intensity of chlamydia genital infection in mice; however, the mechanisms are unknown. Thelper 1(Th1) is known to be protective against chlamydia, whereas Th2 leads to infection. However, the differentiation of Th1 and Th2 during exposure to cold stress is not well understood. Several studies show GATA-3 and T-bet are associated with Th1 and Th2 cytokine production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of cold water on the activity off Th1 and Th2 during Chlamydia muridarum genital infection. We hypothesized that cold stress alters the differentiation and variation in gene expression profile of transcription factors and cytokine productions in T cells. T cells isolated from the genital tract were proliferated for 48 h incubated at 37OC and 5% CO2. The mRNA levels and detection of cytokines in culture supernatants was determined by quantitative real time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Our results showed increased IL-4 production, which was associated with upregulated expression of transcription factor GATA-3. In contrast, decreased gamma interferon production was associated with decreased T-bet gene expression in T cells. Based on this data, cold stress modulates the dynamics of signature Th1 and Th2 cytokine productions that are regulated by expression of GATA-3 and T-bet. This work was supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence and NIH Grant P20GM103434 awarded to Bluefield State College.
Validation of the antimicrobial activity of Nymphaea odorata extract.
Authors: Voellinger Jada Michelle , Horzempa Joseph 
Published: May 2022

We previously screened a library of nearly 4000 extracts of plants, marine life, and fungi from the National Center for Natural Product Research to identify compounds that exhibited antimicrobial activity. From this screen, Nymphaea odorata (Fragrant Water Lily) extract significantly inhibited the growth of Burkholderia cepacia (an opportunistic pathogen frequently associated with drug resistance). The objective of this project is to validate the antimicrobial activity exhibited N. odorata, extract and to isolate and identify the compound(s) responsible for this activity. For this project we conducted ethanol extractions on three different parts of the plant: the rhizome, roots, and stems. These antimicrobial properties of these extracts will be determined using two different drug resistant bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we will utilize both disk diffusion and time-to-kill assays to determine the presence of antimicrobial compounds.
Alteration in MAPK/ERK and Akt signaling following exposure to sublethal silver nanoparticles in cultured adult neural stem cells
Authors: Spitzer Nadja 
Published: May 2022

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), an emerging environmental contaminant, have been developed as antimicrobials, biosensors, and for other applications in products ranging from medical devices to consumer goods including toothpaste, socks, and appliances. AgNPs, particularly in consumer goods, can be shed off during use and ingested or inhaled, leading to bioaccumulation in tissues including brain. While they are effectively used for their antimicrobial properties, they also have negative effects on mammalian cells, even at low concentrations of 1µg/mL. We previously found that low-level AgNPs disrupt cytoskeletal function, leading to formation of f-actin inclusions and disrupting neurite dynamics. These effects are partially mediated by interaction with the β-catenin intracellular signaling pathway. Here, we investigate interactions of AgNPs with two other intracellular signaling pathways, MAPK/ERK and Akt, both of which are involved in regulation of neuronal cell differentiation. Specific pharmacological inhibitors of these pathways, in combination with AgNPs, are applied to cultured adult neural stem cells that provide a model for brain cells. Fluorescent labeling and time-lapse microscopy are used to assess disruption of f-actin dynamics and changes in neurite extension. Preliminary data indicate that AgNPs may inhibit both the MAPK/ERK and the Akt intracellular signaling pathways, and thereby induce formation of f-actin inclusions and disrupt neurite dynamics during differentiation. This work will help us to understand chronic effects of low-level AgNP exposure from consumer goods on brain cell function. Our work in neural stem cells is especially applicable to children, whose brains are still developing and therefore depend on neural stem cell function. This material is based upon work supported by NSF Award# 1553667.
Comparison of microbial respiration and carbon loss in the upper Ohio River and selected tributaries in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia
Authors: McClelland Emma , Wood James 
Published: May 2022

Stream microorganisms can drive ecosystem processes, such as carbon cycling; however, changes in water chemistry can slow down or speed up the rate that carbon moves through the ecosystem. When microorganisms respire, inorganic carbon is released back into the system. In this study, we investigated the influence of water chemistry on microbial respiration and the breakdown of organic matter using two types of standardized substrates: labile cellulose sponge and recalcitrant red oak wood veneer. The rate of breakdown of these substrates correlated positively with increasing microbial respiration rates. Water chemistry data was used to assess for correlation with the microbial respiration rates. Specific conductance (SPC) was found to be a significant predictor model of microbial respiration rates; as SPC increased, microbial respiration rates increased. These correlations could provide us with new ways to predict the effects of stressors on multiple aspects of aquatic ecosystems, such as carbon cycling.
Immunostimulatory Activity of Dillapiole Isolated from Fennel Root
Authors: Collins Elliot , Schmitt Deanna , Horzempa Joseph 
Published: May 2022

Francisella tularensisis a highly infectious bacterium that causes the disease, tularemia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified F. tularensisas a category A bioterror agent due to its virulence and ease of aerosolization. The intentional release of a resistant strain of F. tularensis could be devastating. Consequently, there is a need for novel treatments effective against F. tularensis infections. We previously tested a cataloged natural compound library for inhibition growth of a fluorescent F. tularensis strain (LVS/pTC3D) during infection of THP-1 monocyte cells. From this analysis, we identified nine extracts that only limited bacterial replication in the presence of these host cells. One of the most promising extracts for the inhibition of F. tularensis during infection was from Fennel. Using bioassay guided fractionation, the Fennel extract was separated until a pure compound was isolated and identified using NMR and mass spectrometry. The active compound was determined to be dillapiole, an allylbenzene that has previously been extracted from several plant species. We sought to determine whether dillapiole would be effective at diminishing disease caused by other infectious bacteria, such as the opportunistic pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii. Therefore, wax worms infected with A. baumannii were treated with dillapiole or were mock treated. Wax worm larvae treated with dillapiole exhibited significant survival compared to the control-treated insects. We are currently investigating the mechanism of activity of dillapiole, a compound that could have potential as a novel immunostimulatory therapeutic.
Modeling the effect of a combinatorial anti-CTLA antibody and radiation therapy on metastatic melanoma
Authors: Kouadio Jean-Emmanuel , Wang Qing 
Published: May 2022

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is an inhibitory receptor that is upregulated after T-cell activation, and transmits signals that suppress T-cell activation and proliferation. Antibodies targeting CTLA-4 can selectively deplete regulatory T cells by antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity mechanisms. Radiation therapy (RT) on the other hand is a longstanding pillar of cancer treatment, historically utilized to treat a discrete target and provide local tumor control. Recent preclinical studies demonstrated that RT is synergistic with anti-CTLA antibody and induces systemic anti-tumor responses. In order to better understand the effect of the combination therapy on metastatic melanoma, we developed a multi-scale mechanistic model using a system of impulsive differential equations. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive simulation platform to improve cancer management by manipulating dose and fractionation schedule of RT in the combination therapy. The project was supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence.
Fatal and Behavioral Effects that Household Cleaners Pose to Pets
Authors: Snedegar Steven , Arnett Heather 
Published: May 2022

Steven Snedegar, Dept of Biology, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV, 25304, and Heather Arnett, Dept of Biology, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV, 25304. Fatal and Behavioral Effects that Household Cleaners Pose to Pets. Frequent cleaning of a household is necessary to maintain sanitation; however, houses are not well ventilated and cleaning products may contain eye, skin, and respiratory irritants. Pets spend the majority of their time on the floor of the home, so they are potentially at risk of chemical exposure by cleaning products up to two times per week. These irritants may affect pets due to their paws walking on surfaces, and them licking themselves clean; this makes it easy for pets to ingest chemicals. Gryllodes sigillatus (cricket) were used as a model organism to mimic the behavior that a pet would exhibit such as walking and resting. The crickets were exposed for five days to low, medium and high concentrations of the cleaner, Formula 409. Food accumulation was measured, and crickets with no exposure to Formula 409 consumed the least amount of food. Activity levels were measured for ten minutes, and the crickets from the control group experience the highest increase of activity. Death rate was measured, and there were no fatalities throughout the experiment. ANOVA was utilized to determine a difference in means, if a difference was found, a Tukey test was used. Unaccumulated biomass was found significant with chemical concentration (F(3,24)=14.7, p<0.001). For Unaccumulated biomass, Concentration 0% was significant with 25%(t(3,24)=5.69, p<0.001), 50% (t(3,24)=4.94, p<0.001), and 100% (t(3,24)=5.56, p<0.001). Activity change was significant with chemical concentration (F(3,24)=3.23, p=0.04). The only significant difference was between 0% and 50% concentration (t(3,24)=-2.86, p-0.04).
The Role of FTL_1228 in Erythrocyte Invasion by Francisella tularensis
Authors: Macom Rhiannon Virginia , Horzempa Joseph 
Published: May 2022

Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative bacterium and is the causative agent of tularemia- a disease more commonly known as ‘rabbit fever’. This microbe is extremely virulent as inhalation of fewer than ten bacteria can lead to a lethal infection. During infection, F. tularensis replicates in cells of the immune system, such as macrophages, as well as other non-phagocytes such as epithelial cells and hepatocytes. Moreover, this bacterium has been shown to invade erythrocytes – a process that enhances colonization of ticks (a major disease vector). Our laboratory previously showed that a locus encoding a hypothetical gene, FTL_1228, was induced in the presence of erythrocytes. Therefore, we hypothesized that this gene may be responsible for invasion of these host cells. In this study, we mutated FTL_1228 of F. tularensis LVS and studies are ongoing to determine the role of this gene in erythrocyte invasion.
THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS ALCOHOL DOSAGES ON NEURAL VESICLE PACKAGING AND GABA RECEPTORS.
Authors: Anthony Bruce , McIntosh Thomas 
Published: May 2022

Abusive alcohol consumption has negative effects on proliferation, differentiation and migration of neuronal stem cell in both fetal development and adult neural plasticity. IN both cases, loss of neurons and astrocytes alters synaptic transmission in dopaminergic and GABAergic synapses within the limbic system. This is particularly evident within areas of the amygdala and nuclear accumbens. It is known that alcohol causes an imbalance between GABA and glutamate-NMDA transmission, and could cause altered levels of neurotransmitter reuptake or insensitivity to regular GABA levels. In this study, the effects of binge and chronic alcohol exposure to neuronal stem cell were observed. We examined synaptic vesicle packaging and GABAergic receptors on fully differentiated neurons. E14 Rat Cortical Stem Cells were grown, and differentiated, then exposed to alcohol in various doses. The expected results were to observe alterations in the density of synaptic vesicles, and an alteration in GABAergic receptor expression. These results would suggest that both chronic and binge drinking of alcohol causes alterations in synaptic transmission as well as neuron numbers.
Expressional changes in amino acid glutamate transporters: 2 and 3, in the presence of plague severities in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Anthony Bruce , Murphy Caitlin 
Published: May 2022

The primary goal of this experiment was to determine if there was a correlation between the expression of EAAT-2 and EAAT-3 in the glutamate reuptake pathway in astrocytes and the production of plaques associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. Since both the EAAT-2 and EAAT-3 transporter proteins are involved in glutamate transport under normal pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neuron signaling, then altered expression of either EAAT-2 or EAAT-3 can have catastrophic effects on the functions of neurons in the brain. In Alzheimer’s Disease it is believed that there is an under expression of both EAAT-2 and EAAT-3 which in turn effects the glutamate transport pathway by preventing glutamate uptake and causing synaptic suppression. Accumulation of extracellular glutamate can cause neurodegeneration and allow for the reduction of glutamine needed by the presynaptic neuron. We anticipated an inverse correlation between the expression of both EAAT-2 and EAAT-3 and the formation of plaques, revealing that the expression of EAAT-2 and EAAT-3 is decreased most in patients with severe Alzheimer’s Disease.
Neuroprotective effects of creatine treatment on the differentiation of E14 rat cortical stem cells and expression of GABA-ergic neurons.
Authors: Anthony Bruce , Casingal Nicholas 
Published: May 2022

Along with the promotion of muscle growth and recovery, it has been observed that the supplement, creatine, also contains neuroprotective properties that aid in the developmental process of neuronal cells by increasing developmental competency in early differentiation. In clinical research, addiction treatments are beginning to introduce dietary supplements such as Creatine for patients in early recovery to improve recovery abstinence. Research has shown that supplemental Creatine induces higher cerebral phosphocreatine levels which could help with improved neuron connectivity. In order to examine the neuroprotective effects of Creatine, E14 rat cortical stem cells were differentiated and treated with different dosages of alcohol and creatine. Alcohol was used as a negative control in order to compare the differentiation and expression of GABAergic neurons associated with alcohol exposure and neuronal protection from Creative. We anticipate that Creatine acts as a neuroprotective agent in GABAergic neurons treated with alcohol
Compound Isolated from Fennel Dampens Virulence Factor Expression of Francisella tularensis
Authors: Collins Elliot 
Published: May 2022

Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious bacterium that causes the disease, tularemia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified F. tularensis as a category A bioterror agent due to its virulence and ease of aerosolization. The intentional release of a resistant strain of F. tularensis could be devastating. Consequently, there is a need for novel treatments effective against F. tularensis infections. We previously tested a cataloged natural compound library for inhibition growth of a fluorescent F. tularensis strain (LVS/pTC3D) during infection of THP-1 monocyte cells. From this analysis, we identified nine extracts that only limited bacterial replication in the presence of these host cells. One of the most promising extracts for the inhibition of F. tularensis during infection was from Fennel. Using bioassay guided fractionation, the Fennel extract was separated until a pure compound was isolated and identified using NMR and mass spectrometry. We sought to determine whether the compound would be effective at diminishing disease caused by other infectious bacteria, such as the opportunistic pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii. Therefore, wax worms infected with A. baumannii were treated with the compound or were mock treated. Wax worm larvae treated with the compound exhibited significant survival compared to the control-treated insects. To investigate the mechanism of action, RNA-seq was conducted on F. tularensis incubated in the presence of the compound. These samples compared to bacteria treated with vehicle-alone showed a significant decrease in virulence factor expression – specifically genes under the control of the master virulence regulators MglA and SspA. Currently, we are working to validate this finding with other methods.
Analysis of Stable Isotopes for Cambarus carinirostris, Cambarus robustus, and Faxonius obscurus in Kings Creek.
Authors: Miller Haley 
Published: May 2022

Crayfish, being ecosystem engineers, are essential parts of ecosystems. They are perceived as omnivorous benthic organisms and opportunistic feeders. The goal of this study is to understand the trophic position of three species of crayfish (Cambarus carinirostris, Cambarus robustus, and Faxonius obscurus) in Kings Creek, a stream in Northern West Virginia. Since no two species can share the same niche space in nature, we are inspired to question how these crayfish are partitioned in the stream. Community structure and interspecific trophic relegation can be analyzed using the stable isotopes, Carbon-13 and Nitrogen-15. These isotopes are necessary to construct the trophic dynamics of Kings Creek. The higher the δC13 and δN15 signatures are, the higher an organism sits trophically. This study aims to determine how the crayfish are oriented trophically within the community and intraspecifically through development. In addition to representative species for each tropic level, ten of each crayfish species were collected and frozen for at least 48 hours. All samples were prepared accordingly and sent to the University of Georgia’s Stable Isotope Ecology Laboratory to be processed and analyzed. Our analyses show that C. carinirostris, C. robustus, and F. obscurus are independent of one another in the food web indicating diet partitioning. Out of the three species, F. obscurus held the highest trophic position indicating it feeds off a different food source.
Computational Study of Pressurized Oxy-fuel Combustion of a Multi-phase Medium comprised of Methane (Fluid) and Pulverized Coal (Solid)
Authors: Pokharel Ansan , Islas Montero Alain , Udochukwu Gideon , Akkerman V’yacheslav 
Published: May 2022

Staged pressurized oxy-fuel combustion is an advanced technology to be employed for the combustion and carbon capturing processes. This technology is promising because of relatively low costs, low emissions and high-efficient power generation with exhausting pressurized carbon dioxide. Our computational combustion group at West Virginia University performs a numerical study of a lab-scale SPOC reactor by using the ANSYS Fluent software for steady and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Naiver-Stokes simulations as well as large-eddy simulations aiming to support the experiments on SPOC ongoing at Washington University in St. Louis,. The simulations consider the total power to be 100 kW, varying the inputs from coal and methane, with CO2 being the coal carrier. The ultimate computational goal is to continuously reduce the portion of CH4 and eventually perform the LES of pure coal combustion generating 100 kW without no assistants of CH4. In present work, the numerical analysis involves a two-phase flow, turbulence, heat transfer as well as the flame and particle dynamics. The species transport model with the finite rate/eddy dissipation turbulence-chemistry interaction is used for coal combustion, along with a non-premixed combustion model for coal-CH4 burning. The discrete ordinates model for radiation is employed. Being successful with the RANS for pure coal, we are currently on the transition to the LES of pure coal.
Faculty-Student Engagement Best Practices
Authors: Stauber Renaud Emmanuel 
Published: May 2022

RENAUD STAUBER, Dept of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, Davis and Elkins College, WV 26241. Faculty-Student Engagement Best Practices.A network improvement community associated with the First2 Network is looking at ways to improve faculty-student engagement, particularly as it relates to improving STEM persistence in rural first-generation college students. In particular, we are evaluating two of the change ideas that have been proposed with the “plan-do-study-act” (PDSA) methodology. One idea has to do with broadening participation through engagement in the college’s Maker Space. The other investigates one way to apply Saundra McGuire’s learning skills interventions as outlined in her book “Teach Students How to Learn.” The results of the first were not encouraging, with fewer than six students participating in weekly workshop sessions. The second yielded 15% exam grade improvements when compared with the prior year when the interventions were not performed. In both cases the sample size was too small to be considered statistically meaningful, but the PDSAs provide some anecdotal evidence to be considered by other community members in their own classrooms and as a basis for further iterations of the change ideas.