Poster Session 7

ABSTRACT:

Hippocampus (HC) - anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) network interactions are critical for efficient memory performance. Impaired ACC-HC interactions are thought to contribute to the cognitive deficits seen in schizophrenia (SZ). Although many genes are identified to contribute to SZ, underlying genetic processes, such as primary cilia functioning, have been less studied and may provide better insight into factors influencing cognitive symptoms. Cilia are rod-like organelles that extend from cell surfaces, providing motility, sensory functions and act as signaling devices during development. A known gene associated with primary cilia dysfunction, pericentriolar material 1 (PCM1), affects neurogenesis and leads to behavioral phenotypes related to SZ. Recent research has revealed that localized cilia in the HC and ACC are altered in genetic knockouts of PCM1. We hypothesized that dysregulated cilia functioning leads to disruption in network oscillatory activity in the ACC and HC, thus, compromising cognitive performance. To test this, we recorded from PCM1 knockout mice during spatial exploration and found substantial alterations in ACC and HC electrophysiology. Notably, we showed decreased theta power, irregular theta peak frequencies, and increased delta power in PCM1 -/- mice in both brain regions. This increase in delta power resulted in an overall decrease in the theta/delta ratio. We also found significantly lower HC-ACC theta coherence in PCM1 -/- animals, which is consistent with the desynchronization hypothesis of SZ. All together, we found remarkable changes in HC and ACC network activity in a knockout mouse associated with SZ that are coherent with a leading SZ mechanistic explanation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Maternal diet is a critical influence on the development of metabolic complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders, and can cause additional weight gain in pregnancy. Many studies demonstrate relationships between dietary intake, weight gain, and metabolic pregnancy complications; however, few focus on these associations in the ethnic minorities at inherently higher risk for complications. This study thus aims to elucidate associations between maternal dietary intake and cardiometabolic risk profiles in women at risk for metabolic complications in the first half of pregnancy.

Methods

This secondary cross-sectional analysis is based on data of fifty-two women of Hispanic or African American ethnicity from a previously reported clinical trial. Baseline anthropometric, clinical, and dietary data was obtained. Linear regression analysis was used to determine associations after covariate adjustments.

Results

Maternal fat intake demonstrated many associations with markers of cardiometabolic risks: total fat intake was positively associated with maternal body weight, BMI, and serum CRP (β±SE: 0.25±0.13, 0.28±0.18, 0.29±0.14, respectively, all p<0.05), while saturated fats were positively associated with glycated hemoglobin (0.32±0.12, p<0.05). Dietary fiber showed strong inverse associations with body weight, BMI, glycated hemoglobin, and serum CRP (-0.26±0.13, -0.19±0.15, -0.22±0.16, -0.19±0.14; p<0.05). Increased intake of dairy was inversely associated with systolic blood pressure and serum IL-6 (-0.18±0.15, -0.22±0.17, p<0.05), and greater vegetable intake was inversely associated with serum CRP (-0.17±0.12, p<0.05).

Conclusion

Maternal dietary modifications, including decreasing fat intake while increasing fiber, dairy, and vegetable intake, can be beneficial in reducing inflammation and obesity, and thus should be considered when addressing metabolic complications in African American and Hispanic pregnant women.

ABSTRACT:

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hyperglycemia is the primary characteristic of diabetes. Hyperglycemia was induced in both young and aged mice. Following an incubation period, a hyperglycemic rescue was introduced to lower hyperglycemia, and to determine if hyperglycemia itself, or neuroinflammation as a result of hyperglycemia, increased AD pathology (i.e., hyperphosphorylated tau).

Method: Young (7 month old; N=24) and aged (18 month old; N=24) C57BL/6J (wildtype) mice were injected with a low and staggered dose of streptozotocin (STZ) to induce sustained hyperglycemia, seen in late-stage type II diabetes - a major non-genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). After a 9-week incubation period of hyperglycemia (e.g., +250mg/dl), a group of mice was treated with Phloridzin (PZ) - a drug that lowers hyperglycemia by preventing renal and intestine glucose uptake - to determine if hyperglycemia itself, or neuroinflammation as a result of hyperglycemia, increases AD pathology (e.g. hyperphosphorylated tau).

Result: STZ increased hyperglycemia levels; PZ lowered hyperglycemia levels. Aged STZ, PZ, and STZ+PZ mice showed significantly increased levels of tau protein phosphorylation compared to young mice. Additional targets relevant to diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease were also measured. These results indicate that altering blood glucose levels in aged mice showed greater deficits compared to young mice.

Conclusion: Fluctuating blood glucose levels in an aged population may increase Alzheimer’s disease-related pathology (e.g., hyperphosphorylated tau); a potential mechanism by which diabetes confers increased risk for developing AD.

ABSTRACT:

"Little Shop of Horrors" produced by the Nevada Conservatory Theatre brought us to Skid Row, where Seymour discovers a new plant. We join Seymour on his journey out of Skid Row as this plant takes him on a rise to fame.

In this poster display, I will discuss the process of lighting design for this major musical. Lighting designers work to direct the audience’s attention onstage while pulling them into the story being told. Atmosphere, time of day, location, and time period are all parts of the story that are conveyed through lighting. The lighting process starts with analysis and research of the production. Collaboration becomes a huge step in the process, as the lighting design needs to work with the director’s vision, performers, and other design areas so all areas are working together to tell the story. From research and collaboration, a concept is created to be implemented onstage. For this production, it becomes known this new plant eats blood. We know that eating blood is not normal. This causes our gut reaction to scream out in warning. Showing this eeriness became the pivotal concept for lighting. From the concept, lighting instruments are installed in the performance space so that the lighting looks can be created to lead the audience through the story from the moment they walk into the theatre until the end of the performance.

ABSTRACT:

The purpose of this research is to provide four art songs by Francisco Mignone (1897-1986). Mignone is considered one of the greatest Brazilian composers of the twentieth century, and his large body of vocal works is acclaimed for expressing varying Brazilian musical styles. Additionally, I will analyze and provide performance practice guidelines for the selected pieces, showing how Brazilian national identity is expressed through these songs.

There is a plethora of Brazilian art song repertoire generally unknown in the United States. Brazil is the largest country in South America by territory and population and is known for its musical diversity reflecting several cultures, such as African, European, and Amerindian. I believe it is important to explore other cultures' music, besides what we consider to be the traditional repertoire: the United States, France, England, Italy, and Germany, in order to discover and propagate the beauty and richness of cultures from other countries.