Proceedings of the Queens College Undergraduate Science ... · 10/16/2012 · Zebrafish as a Model for Studying Cardiomyopathies 16 ... and neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer’s

Proceedings of the

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Organized by the Division of Math & Natural Sciences

Website: http://www.qc.cuny.edu/Academics/Degrees/DMNS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/QueensCollegeDMNS YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/QueensCollegeDMNS

Queens College Undergraduate Science

Research Day

Schedule Breakfast (for presenting students, family, and faculty mentors) 9:30am-11:00am West Section of the 4th Floor Ballroom Student Union Building, Queens College Poster Session 9:30am-1:30pm East and Central Sections of the 4th Floor Ballroom

Student Union Building, Queens College See List of Abstracts for information about presenters. Lunch (for presenting students, family, and faculty mentors) 12:30am-2:00pm West Section of the 4th Floor Ballroom Student Union Building, Queens College Oral Presentations 1:30pm-2:30pm West Section of the 4th Floor Ballroom Student Union Building, Queens College Presenters: Nancy Huynh

“Assessing the impact of major depressive disorder on infant development” Faculty Mentor: Yoko Namura, Department of Psychology Walid Rahman “Biology-inspired model of a Forster drag in a system of coupled electron and hole two-dimensional gases” Faculty Mentor: Lev Murokh, Department of Physics Jeremiah Werner “Pragmatics and Iconicity in Commerce: Starbucks Lingo and Its Significance” Faculty Mentor: Michael Newman, Department of Linguistics and Communication Disorders

List of Abstracts Biology Page The Role of Autophagy in Lipid Storage 1 Sara Wong, Melissa Silvestrini and Alicia Melendez Faculty Mentor: Alicia Melendez The Effects of Tissue Specific BEC-1 Overexpression 2 Brenda Gonzalez and Alicia Meléndez Faculty Mentor: Alicia Melendez Molecular Evolution of the WFDC Locus in Baboons 3 Stephane Boissinot and Sela Sherr Faculty Mentor: Stephane Boissinot Environmental stress resistance in exl-1 mutants of C.elegans 4 Yakov Shaulov, Jun Rice, Tasmia Hoque and Cathy Savage-Dunn Faculty Mentor: Cathy Savage-Dunn Identifying Mycobacteriophage: DNA Primer Design for Phage Clusters 5 Lauren Esposito, Lauren Mordukhaev, Tara Sooknauth and Swati Gupta Faculty Mentor: John Dennehy Cardiac Contractility and Cell Death in Zebrafish 6 Ariel Karp and Nathalia Holztman Faculty Mentor: Nathalia Holtzman Distribution and Development of Senescence-Associated 7 Beta Galactosidase in the Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina) Mengjia Lin and Pokay Ma Faculty Mentor: Pokay Ma The Organization of Sarcomeres and the Level of 8 Protein Expression in the Atria of Wea Mutated Zebrafish Shoshana Reich and Nathalia Holtzman Faculty Mentor: Nathalia Holtzman Estimating Times of Postglacial Recolonization of Lake Hovsgol 9 by Fish Using mtDNA Coalescent Analysis Ivana Roman, Mike Hickerson and John Waldman Faculty Mentor: Mike Hickerson, John Waldman Comparative Morphology of Wildtype and Weakatrium Hearts in Zebrafish 10 Jaymie Estevez, Corinna Singleman and Nathalia Holtzman Faculty Mentor: Nathalia Holtzman The Effects of Flavivirus Infection on Mitochondrial Form and Function 11 Johnny Groeling, Emmanuel Datan and Zahra Zakeri Faculty Mentor: Zahra Zakeri

Influenza A Induces Autophagy Through ER Stress 12 Shawna Benjamin, Emmanuel Datan and Fiorella Penaloza Faculty Mentor: Zahra Zakeri The L1 frequency in the green anole 13 Tiffany Edwards Faculty Mentor: Stephane Boissinot Dengue-2 infection induces ER stress that leads to upregulation of autophagy 14 Sasha Harbajan, Golnoush Golshan and Zahra Zakeri Faculty Mentor: Zahra Zakeri Flavivirus Autophagy Protects Cells Against Death By M-TOR Pathway 15 Gabrielle Germain and Zahra Zakeri Faculty Mentor: Zahra Zakeri Zebrafish as a Model for Studying Cardiomyopathies 16 Gabriella Kigler, Alanna Leung and Nathalia Holtzman Faculty Mentor: Nathalia G. Holtzman The Effect of FK-506 Drug on Endocardium Formation in Early Zebrafish Embryo. 17 Alishba Maira Faculty Mentor: Nathalia G. Holtzman Chemistry and Biochemistry Reactivity of Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TMSP): Synthesis of the 18 Bisphosphonate Derivatives of Amino Acids Taikchan Lildar Faculty Mentor: Sanjai Kumar Development of 1,10-Phenanthroline-based Nek2 Biosensor for Live Cell Enzymology 19 Daniel Novoa, Ameena Amin, Dibyendu Dana and Sanjai Kumar Faculty Mentor: Sanjai Kumar Reactivity of Tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite (TMSP): Synthesis of the 20 Bisphosphonate Derivative of Bicine Lena Najjarian and Luis Vargas Faculty Mentor: Luis Vargas Determination of Gallic Acid in Teas and Other Beverages using 21 High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Mengjia Lin and Paris Svoronos Faculty Mentor: Paris Svoronos Effects of Resveratrol Analogues on Migration of Mouse Melanoma Cells 22 Fathima B. Nazumudeen, May Myat Moe, Valery Morris, Carmela Spatafora, Corrado Tringali and Susan A. Rotenberg Faculty Mentor: Valery Morris, Susan A. Rotenberg

Interstrand Crosslink Repair in Post-Replication Repair-Deficient Yeast 23 Ariel Fromowitz, Dovid Kotkes and Wilma Saffran Faculty Mentor: Wilma Saffran Towards Improved Drug Delivery – Biomolecules Encapsulation Within Nanogels 24 Yakov Masheev, Reeta Yadav, Celestina Dcosta and Uri Samuni Faculty Mentor: Uri Samuni Spectral Characterization of the Interaction between Cytochrome C and SS Peptides 25 Tony Maduako, Brittney Eady, Glendon D. McLachlan Faculty Mentor: Glendon D. McLachlan Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences Sensory Characteristics and Physical Properties of Gluten-Free Cupcakes 26 Prepared by Replacing All-Purpose Flour with Almond Flour and Coconut Flour Sung Eun Choi, Patricia Daley, Adolfo Conca, Travis Redwood and Angel Tejada Faculty Mentor: Sung Eun Choi Bimanual Coordination for Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy 27 During a Lifting Task Juan Cifuentes, Jullisa Vargas and Zahava Polishuk Faculty Mentor: Ya Ching Hung The Performance of Cerebral Palsy Children in Boxwalk and Walk Tasks 28 Geneva Meredith and Ya Ching Hung Faculty Mentor: Ya Ching Hung Linguistics and Communication Disorders Multiculturalism and Early Literacy 29 Veronica Maglaya Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Ijalba Pragmatics and Iconicity in Commerce: Starbucks Lingo and It's Significance 30 Jeremiah Werner Faculty Mentor: Michael Newman Mathematics Computing the Chromatic Polynomials for the Six Signed Petersen Graphs 31 Bryan Nevarez, Erika Meza and Alana Shine Faculty Mentor: Matthias Beck, Michael Young

Physics Biology-inspired model of a Forster drag in a system of coupled electron 32 and hole two-dimensional gases Walid Rahman and Lev Murokh Faculty Mentor: Mourokh PEDOT Nanorod Self-Assembly via Modulational Instability 33 Ho Yong Lee and Luat Vuong Faculty Mentor: Luat Vuong Nanowires and Nanomeshes 34 Aislinn Deely Faculty Mentor: Luat Vuong Modeling Beam Propagation through Metal Nanocolloids 35 Alexa Lempel Faculty Mentor: Luat Vuong Psychology and Neuroscience Low Birth Weight Predicts Significant Cognitive and Academic Deficits 36 Stephanie Gampel, Ariella Aharon, Juliet Gerber, Mahmoud Khalil and Yoko Nomura Faculty Mentor: Yoko Nomura Microglia Within the Mouse Somatosensory Barrel Cortex: Development 37 and Sensory Experience Dependent Reorganization John Kalambogias, Safraz Khan, Titus Son, Chia-Chien Chen and Joshua Brumberg Faculty Mentor: Joshua Brumberg The Effect of Caffeine on the Morphology and Density of Microglia within the Mouse 38 Sarah Lutchman, Robert Steger, Arifa Islam, Liliana Intrabartolo and Joshua Brumberg Faculty Mentor: Joshua Brumberg Prenatal Exposure to Infection & DNA Methylation of 11β-HSD2 in Human Placenta 39 Jackie Finik, Yoko Nomura, Yocheved Hoffman, Nancy Huynh, Jenny Ly, Michelle Yoon and Mordechai Grabie Faculty Mentor: Yoko Nomura Socioeconomic Status in Pregnant Women: a possible risk factor 40 for contracting sexually transmitted infections Yocheved Hoffman, Jacqueline Cavieles, Leora Schrieber, Mordechai Grabie, Yoko Nomura and Jackie Finik Faculty Mentor: Yoko Nomura Inflammation in the Mouse Hippocampus Following Mold Exposure 41 Lauren Blachorsky, Kimberly Page-Soto and Carolyn Pytte Faculty Mentor: Carolyn Pytte

Role of Life Events on Depression in Pregnant Women 42 Nida Naqvi, Yashodra Singh, Qudsia Chaughtai, Nancy Huynh, Mordechai Grabie, Yoko Nomura and Mia Davey Faculty Mentor: Yoko Nomura Effect of Maternal Major Depressive Disorder and Paternal 43 Substance Abuse Disorder on Infant Behavior Katarzyna Zajac, Kei Davey, Nancy Huynh and Yoko Nomura Faculty Mentor: Yoko Nomura Assessment of Timing in Children with and without Autism: Does 44 Autism Modulate the Effects of Emotional Stimuli? Paulina Kaczmarczyk, Erich K. Grommet, Pierre S. Zelanti, Nancy S. Hemmes, Yuliya Ochakovskaya, Sandrine Gil, Sylvie Droit-Volet and Bruce L. Brown Faculty Mentor: Bruce L. Brown Response to reinforcement but not alerting stimuli in preschoolers 45 predicts later ADHD severity Esther Babad and Olga Berwid Faculty Mentor: Jeffrey M. Halperin Early Language Skills Mediate the Relation Between Preschoolers’ 46 ADHD Severity and Reading Achievement at 8-Years-Old Veronica Thornton, Sarah O'Neill, David Marks and Jeffrey Halperin Faculty Mentor: Jeffrey M. Halperin Performance of Transgenic Huntington’s Disease Rats on a Timing Task 47 When the Temporal Signal is Interrupted Jennifer Rojas, Catherine Tsiris, Daniel Garces, Valerie Doyere, Nancy Hemmes and Bruce Brown Faculty Mentor: Bruce L. Brown Epigenetic Changes in Cord Blood Due to Maternal Antenatal Depression 48 Leads to Suboptimal Fetal Development Mahmoud Khalil, Mordechai Grabie, Eileen Kao, Michael Tymon, Jackie Finik, Qudsia Chaughtai, Michelle Yoon, Mia Davey and Yoko Nomura Faculty Mentor: Yoko Nomura Assessing the impact of major depressive disorder on infant development 49 Nancy Huynh, Jenny Ly, Jackie Finik and Yoko Nomura Faculty Mentor: Yoko Namura Effects of Exposure to Mold Spores on Adult Neurogenesis 50 in the Mouse Hippocampus Yassmin Simmonds, Danielle Beech and Carolyn Pytte Faculty Mentor: Carolyn Pytte

The Role of Autophagy in Lipid Storage

Sara Wong, Melissa Silvestrini, Alicia Melendez Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Alicia Melendez

Abstract

Autophagy is a catabolic cellular process in which long-lived proteins, cytoplasm, and organelles are engulfed in a double membrane structure, referred to as an autophagosome. The contents of the autophagosome are degraded upon its fusion with a lysosome. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process shown to occur in many different cell types. Autophagy has been implicated in age related diseases, such as cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. BEC-1 is a highly conserved autophagy protein that acts in a complex that mediates early steps of vesicle nucleation in the formation of an autophagosome. We report that autophagy is required to facilitate storage of neutral lipids in C. elegans. Mutations, in either daf-2, the insulin-like receptor, or in germline-less glp-1, the Notch signaling receptor, have been previously shown to accumulate neutral lipids and have increased autophagy levels. We find that loss of bec-1 results in a decline in lipid storage in daf- 2 insulin/IGF-1 receptor mutants and in germline-less glp-1/Notch animals. Moreover, similar to our results with bec-1, inactivation by RNAi of additional autophagy genes, including unc-51/ULK1 and lgg-1/LC3, leads to a reduction in lipid accumulation. Taken together, these observations suggest a dynamic and potentially anabolic role for autophagy in lipid remodeling in C. elegans. Further studies are needed to explain the mechanism(s) by which autophagy genes regulate lipid accumulation

October 16, 2012 Queens College Undergraduate Science Research Day Page 1

The Effects of Tissue Specific BEC-1 Overexpression

Brenda Gonzalez and Alicia Meléndez Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Alicia Meléndez

Abstract

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a suitable model for the study of aging not only because of its short lifespan and easy to visualize anatomy, but because they also share many of their aging characteristics with other organisms including humans (slowed movement, wrinkled appearance, and sarcopenia). Autophagy is a dynamic and homeostatic process of cellular self-degradation and recycling that provides fatty acids, amino acids and other materials to be recycled for cellular remodeling during development, survival during stress, and aging. Several longevity pathways have been identified in C. elegans, such as the insulin/IGF-1 signaling, dietary restriction, protein translation, mitochondrial respiration and lack of reproductive capacity, and interestingly, all, except protein translation have been shown to rely on autophagy to extend lifespan. Autophagy genes are also required for lipid storage and germline development, as for example, loss of function mutants in bec-1, a gene required early in the nucleation step of autophagosome formation, display a decrease in lipid storage, defects in germline development with a decrease in the number of germline nuclei. Our specific aim is to demonstrate whether tissue specific expression of autophagy genes can affect lifespan, lipid storage and/or germline development. We will investigate the effects of overexpression of the BEC-1 protein (in neurons, hypodermis, muscle and intestine). Populations of animals are scored for the number of days that they are alive to determine their lifespan, and germline development is assayed by DAPI staining and counting of mitotic and meiotic nuclei. Lifespan assays have shown no significant results among transgenics compared to wildtype control animals. Lipid storage is assayed by staining with Oil-Red O and quantification. We will report on this analysis.


Molecular Evolution of the WFDC Locus in Baboons

Stephane Boissinot and Sela Sherr Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Stephane Boissinot

Abstract

Social systems in baboons have been thoroughly studied. These studies have revealed that social structure differs between hamadryas and savannah baboons (olive and yellow). Hamadryas live in multilayered troops based on a single male unit with multiple females. In contrast, savannah baboons live in a multi-male multi-female groups based on a network of related females. Such differences in social structure between baboon species may potentially affect the spread of infectious diseases. Specifically, sexually transmitted diseases are more likely to spread in more promiscuous species, such as the savannah baboon, as females have accessibility to more than one male. Consequently, a higher rate of adaptive evolution of immunity genes is predicted in promiscuous species. To examine this prediction we decided to compare the rate of adaptive evolution in genes that play a role in innate immunity and protect against bacterial infections. Our preliminary data on three immunity genes (WFDC5, SLPI, PI3) belonging to the WFDC locus show that the level of diversity differs drastically among loci and among taxa. However, there were no clear differences in the rate of evolution between species that differ in mating system.


Environmental stress resistance in exl-1 mutants of C.elegans

Yakov Shaulov1, Jun Ling Rice1,2, Tasmia Hoque2, Cathy Savage-Dunn1

Biology Department 1 Queens College of the City University of New York

2Borough of Manhattan Community College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Cathy Savage-Dunn

Abstract Environmental stress leads to applicable cellular changes in all biological systems including humans. Our goal for this study is to determine whether the c.elegans intracellular chloride channel protein EXL-1 plays a role in stress resistance or longevity. In humans, CLIC4 (homologue) is essential in regulating electrogenic cation transport across intracellular and plasma membranes, maintaining membrane potential in organelles. A 2005 study has linked targeting CLIC4 as a novel molecular target for cancer therapy. By figuring out how these various stresses affect longevity, we will better understand the role of exl-1 that can be pertinent in cancer cell therapy. We first performed lifespan assay tests (3 trials) using standard protocols with FUDR, which ceases proliferation of eggs, helping keep accurate track of the worms. Two out of three trials showed exl-1 mutants lived approximately 2-3 days shorter than control N2. We next determined resistance to heat stress by placing the worms in 32 C◦ environment. Similar results were observed in which exl-1 mutants died faster than N2. Future experiments include testing how oxidative stress using paraquat affects the exl-1 mutant. We are also interested in interactions with the TGFβ pathway. dbl-1 is a TGFβ ligand that is involved in body size and growth. Mutant dbl-1 worms are smaller and take longer to reach adulthood. We will test how the double mutant exl-1;dbl-1 is affected by environmental stress perhaps being correlated with the TGFB pathway in growth and longevity.


Identifying Mycobacteriophage: DNA Primer Design for Phage Clusters

Lauren Esposito, Lauren Mordukhaev, Tara Sooknauth, Swati Gupta Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: John Dennehy

Abstract To date, 326 mycobacteriophages have been fully sequenced and assigned to one of 31 clusters and subclusters. However, greater than 2,400 collected phages remain unidentified. In order to identify and categorize unknown mycobacteriophages, DNA primers specific for genes or groups of genes unique to each subcluster of mycobacteriophage were designed. These DNA primers were tested to confirm their ability to produce bands visible by gel electrophoresis of the PCR product produced by PCR of template DNA of the corresponding subcluster of interest. Working primers were then tested against template phage DNA from all other subclusters to ensure their specificity. Our results show that most of the DNA primers created for each subcluster suitably identified the corresponding subcluster template phage DNA. These primers provide a simple, efficient, and low cost system to categorize the 2,400+ mycobacteriophages isolated from the wild by the HHMI Phage Hunters program, allowing the prioritization of unknown phages for full genome sequencing. Ultimately the long term goal is to discover genes or gene families that could be useful in the treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.


Cardiac Contractility and Cell death in Zebrafish

Ariel Karp, Nathalia Holtzman Biology Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Nathalia Holtzman

Abstract

The development of a normal heart is critical to the overall health of an organism. In zebrafish, the weak atrium (wea) mutation disrupts the atrial specific myosin heavy chain 6, which inhibits contraction of the atrium. The disrupted cardiac contractions cause morphological changes in the heart, as well as a dramatic decrease in the lifespan and health of the fish. This is a dominant mutation that produces three phenotypes; wild type, partial contractors, and non-contractors. Wild types are the offspring of wea fish, but they do not carry the wea mutation and their hearts’ contract normally. Partial contractors are heterozygous for the wea allele and their atriums contract minimally. Non-contractors are homozygous for the wea allele and their atriums do not contract at all. Partial contractors have significantly shorter lifespans then wild type fish, and non-contractor die early in their larval stage. When looking at their hearts on a cellular level, the effects of the wea mutation are even more apparent. From the start of the differentiation of the two cardiac chambers until the development of heart valves we can see a progressive amount of cardiac cell death, in both the partial and non-contractors. This cell death is apoptotic. It is present in both heart chambers, and is much more concentrated in the non-contractors than in the partial contractors. This death provides another clue as to what is changing with these mutant hearts and how they change. The results will be ultimately applied to the understanding of contractility defects in human hearts and could lead to new preventative treatments for cardiomyopathies.


Distribution and Development of Senescence-Associated b Galactosidase in the Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina)

Mengjia (Michelle) Lin1, Pokay Ma2 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry1 Queens College of the City University of New York Department of Biology2 Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Pokay Ma

Abstract Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina) is the most common fish species found in Flushing Meadows Lake, where they live their entire life. Adults spawn between May and August and die thereafter. Young fish grow up in the summer and autumn, and spawn in the subsequent year. This fish therefore has a lifespan of one year; adult fish found in the summer will live for only a few more weeks. Senescence-associated b galactosidase (SAbG) is an acid galactosidase believed to be associated with senescent cells and tissues. Since the lifespan and time-to-death of silverside is known, they may serve as a model system for testing the usefulness of SAbG as an indicator of senescence. Using SAbG enzyme histochemistry, the brain, heart, and intestine were examined in silverside of various sizes and ages. Over the course of early development, SAbG staining appeared first in the intestine, then in the heart, and lastly in brain. By 16 mm (1 month old), all 3 organ systems were SAbG-positive, and the staining pattern did not differ significantly from that of the adult. It appears that SAbG is not a reliable marker for determining senescence in this fish, The function of this enzyme, and the significance of its distribution, remain to be determined.


The Organization of Sarcomeres and the Level of Protein Expression in the Atria of Wea Mutated Zebrafish

Shoshana Reich, Nathalia Holtzman

Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract Heart failure is when an abnormality in cardiac function prevents the heart from providing enough blood to sustain the metabolic needs of the body. Deficiencies in a heart’s contraction can be fatal. The wea atrium mutation in zebrafish hearts causes contractility defects similar to those seen in humans. This mutation distorts the formation and contractility of the atrium. Specifically, the wea atrium mutation disrupts the zebrafish atrial myosin heavy chain gene and in turn distorts the formation of the atrium’s sarcomeres. The mutation is dominant, resulting in a heterozygous and homozygous mutant. In the first, referred to as “partials”, part of the atrium functions properly and part of the atrium’s function is inhibited. The second phenotype, “non-contractors”, exhibits no contraction of the atrium and therefore dies prematurely. In early stages of development of the wild-type zebrafish the sarcomeres appear to be in a regular pattern. In early stages of development of the “non-contractors” and “partials” zebrafish atrial myofibrial organization is irregular. The primary antibody S46 is used to stain the atrium green and the primary antibody MF20 is used to stain all muscle including the ventricle and atrium red. It is evident from the staining that only the atrium possesses irregular patterns of sarcomeres. Further experiments will analytically examine the level of protein expression and organization in mutated zebrafish in comparison to wild-type zebrafish. The levels of protein expression will explain the irregular patterns of sarcomeres and how this irregularity affects the overall contractility and shape of the atrium.


Estimating Times of Postglacial Recolonization of Lake Hovsgol by Fish Using mtDNA Coalescent Analysis

Ivana Roman, Mike Hickerson, John Waldman Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Mike Hickerson, John Waldman

Abstract Not long ago, during the Last Glacial Maximum, Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia, experienced ecological collapse due to low surface water temperatures, low transparency of the lake water, and drastic changes in water chemistry (Karabanov et al. 2004). Likely because of this, its ichthyofauna is extremely limited. The lake is populated with ten species and subspecies of fishes belonging to eight families. However, only one subspecies, Thymallus arcticus nigriscens, is endemic to the lake. In our research we will estimate the time of recolonization of fish species in Lake Hovsgol. We assume that fish came upstream from the Eg/Uur River Watershed and that there are no other possible source populations. Our samples were collected from two locations in the northwest Mongolia, Eg/Uur Rivers and Lake Hovsgol. There are five different species of fishes from the lake and rivers Eg/Uur and both forms of grayling. Since we include six phylogenetically diverse species with differing life history characteristics, by the end of the research we expect to provide a robust answer to a question of: When did fish reinvade Lake Hovsgol?


Comparative Morphology of Wildtype and Weakatrium Hearts in Zebrafish

Jaymie Estevez, Corinna Singleman, and Nathalia Holtzman Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract Cardiomyopathy is a heart disease in humans that has multiple phenotypes. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy: dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive. These conditions are associated with alterations in heart contractions. When studying cardiomyopathies in humans, it is hard to follow the progression of the disease, so model organisms are usually used to further understand the disease states. Zebrafish are good models for this disease, especially in early development because hundreds of eggs are externally fertilized per clutch, embryos are translucent, and fish reach sexual maturity in 3 months. These features allow for easy manipulation of embryos, the ability to track development. The zebrafish mutant weak atrium (wea) the atrium either does not contract or only partially contracts. This wea mutant has a defect in an atrial specific myosin (myh6). The goal of this study is to characterize the type of cardiomyopathy found in the wea mutant. We would imagine that the expression levels on the wea would be less than those in wildtype hearts. To test this, embryonic hearts were labeled with antibodies, marking atrial cells (green) and muscular cells (red) in contrasting fluorescent colors to aide in visualization of the sarcomeres. The antibody used for the atrial cells, specifically marked the wea protein. Photos were taken using confocal microscopy. In order to define what type of cardiomyopathy was being expressed, larval, juvenile and adult hearts (aged 15d to 2yr) from wildtype and wea populations were dissected, photographed, and measured for ventricle length, ventricle width, bulbous arteriosus length, and outflow tract angle. Hearts were then embedded in gelatin and sectioned to visualize the internal structures of the heart. Analysis of the external morphology shows that the ventricle was elongated, and the calculated circularity (ratio of VL to VW) of the hearts showed that there is a reduction in development in the wea mutant heart as compared to wildtype hearts. It was also seen that there is reduced trabeculation, fingerlike muscular projections, in the chambers of mutant hearts as well as a decrease in compact myocardium in mutants versus wildtype. These characteristics are consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype in humans. These results establish the wea mutant as a model system for identifying the mechanisms underlying this disorder.


The Effects of Flavivirus Infection on Mitochondrial Form and Function Johnny Groeling, Emmanuel Datan, Zahra Zakeri Department of Biology Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Zahra Zakeri

Abstract Flaviviruses are among the most prevalent and least understood viruses. Infection of fibroblasts with Dengue or Modoc virus results in changes within the cells that serve to enhance replication of virus. Virus replication within cells increases the demand for energy. The mitochondria produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which can be increased or decreased depending on the needs of the cell. One mechanism that affects mitochondrial efficiency (amount of ATP produced/oxygen consumed) is mitochondrial fusion. We used cells defective in several genes regulating mitochondria function to examine how flavivirus infection alters mitochondrial function and how this alteration affects replication of virus and survival of the cell. We report that infection of fibroblasts with Modoc results in changes in mitochondrial activity and shape. The change in activity may be related to the fact that Modoc infection increases autophagy in the cells, leading to cell survival. We are examining the underlying mechanisms.


Influenza A induces autophagy through ER stress

Shawna Benjamin1, Emmanuel Datan1, and Fiorella Penaloza2 1 Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York 2 Biology Department Graduate Center of the City University of New York


Abstract Autophagy is a process of “self-cannibalization,” a normal occurrence in the cell in response to various stimuli including starvation, toxins, and infections. Though the signaling behind autophagy has been characterized for various conditions such as starvation, and IGF stimulation, the pathway during infection still remains unknown. Here we report that influenza infection induces autophagy. This autophagy is momentarily induced, therefore we explored the upstream signaling that led to this quick response. Calreticulin, a marker for ER stress is transiently induced during early infection suggesting its role in virus-induced autophagy. UV irradiation of influenza virus prevents influenza-induced apoptosis, a normal consequence of viral reproduction, and restricts viral protein synthesis. Infection of UV irradiated influenza triggers autophagy suggesting activation of autophagy after binding and entry. Deficiency of autophagy during infection leads to early cell death as observed in ATG5 KO and Beclin-1 KD cells. We are currently establishing the involvement of ER stress in autophagy during infection by inhibiting ER stress using salubrinal and 4-phenyl butyric acid (PBA). In summary, our results suggest that influenza A virus triggers autophagy in cells through a mechanism involving the ER stress pathway.


Population Genetics of L1 retrotransposons in Anolis Lizards Tiffany Edwards, Marc Tollis, Stephane Boissinot

Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Stephane Boissinot

Abstract

Scientists often refer to the observation that the amount of DNA in cells does not correlate with the level of complexity of organisms as the C-value paradox. This apparent paradox is believed to be due to the abundance of non-coding DNA such as transposable element insertions. The goal of our research is to assess the role drift and selection play in the accumulation of transposable element, with a focus on vertebrate genomes. We are using a population genetics approach to quantify the respective role of drift and selection in determining the chance of fixation of transposable element insertions. To this end we are determining the population frequency of a type of transposable element, the L1 element, in the genome of a reptile, the green anole (Anolis carolinensis). Using the green anole genome sequence we identify L1 insertions and using a PCR approach we determine their frequency in natural populations of anoles.


Dengue-2 infection induces ER stress that leads to upregulation of autophagy

Sasha Harbajan, Golnoush Golshan, and Zahra Zakeri Department of Biology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract Dengue, a flavivirus commonly transmitted by mosquitoes, is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations in children in subtropical regions. This virus invades epithelial, endothelial and immune cells. We find that Dengue-2 or Modoc (a murine flavivirus) upregulates autophagy, and that autophagy is important to virus replication in epithelial cells and perhaps for the persistent infection. Autophagy is natural phenomenon that involves the degradation of a cell’s own components—such as old proteins and organelles to use for energy and maintain the cell’s functions under conditions of stress, such as starvation. Several studies have linked endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress with autophagy. The single stranded viral genome loops itself into the lumen of the ER where it replicates. Taken together we have hypothesized that Dengue-2 induces autophagy through its induction of ER stress by insertion of the viral protein NS4A into ER. We further postulate that Dengue-2 induced ER stress leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and activation of ATM pathways which downregulates mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin)—an autophagy inhibitor, thus inducing autophagy. To this end we will determine first if dengue infection and NS4A transfection lead to ER stress by examining the activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) related genes EIF2K3, ERN1, ATF6, and XBP1 splicing at translational and transcriptional levels. Our findings should lead to new insights into the means by which dengue virus activates and allow us if it proves beneficial to suppress that autophagy.

Supported in part by the NIH(MARC –USTAR)grant 2T34GM070387-09


Flavivirus Autophagy Protects Cells Against Death by m-TOR Pathway

Gabrielle Germain Jeffrey E McLean, Emmanuel Datan, Zahra Zakeri Biology Department Queens College and Graduate Center of the City University of New York


Abstract Flavivruses such as Dengue-2 and Modoc, induce an up regulated autophagy in epithelial cells. This autophagy protects the cells against death thus allowing viral replication to persist in the host. We have previously shown that in the case of Dengue-2 and Modoc ,the flavivirus gene that uniquely up regulates this autophagy is NS4A. In attempt to explore the mechanism by which NS4A induces autophagy, we hypothesize that NS4A insertion into the ER will lead to the induction of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). We propose that this increase in ROS will then activate stress responses like ATM signaling; down regulate the m-TOR pathway, which will then lead to autophagy.


Zebrafish as a Model for Studying Cardiomyopathies

Gabriella Kigler, Alanna Leung Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Nathalia G. Holtzman

Abstract

Blood flow rate regulates cardiac morphogenesis, and changes in this flow rate disrupt morphogenesis, leading to cardiomyopathies. We have identified a zebrafish mutant, weak atrium, that modifies blood flow leading to two mutant phenotypes. Close examination of the cardiac contractions in the heart demonstrated two distinct contractility phenotypes, one with a partially contracting atrium, and another with no contraction in the atrium. The mutant with non- contracting atria have a slower heart rate than the wild types and the partially contracting atria mutants. In the non contracting mutants, the heart constricts, reducing the amount and efficiency of blood flow, and results in death at around five days post fertilization, while mutants with partially contracting atria can live into adulthood. The heart rates of the partially contracting mutants is only slightly slower than the heart rate of the wild types, meaning something more subtle is causing their mutant cardiac morphogenesis, such as cardiac output. We have examined the red blood cell flow rate of the different phenotypes, and future work involves measuring contraction dynamics and cardiac output of the different phenotypes to determine what is changing the morphology of the mutant hearts. In addition, we will treat the mutant phenotypes with Mannitol, an organic sugar alcohol, to see if we can reduce the edemas in the chest cavities of the partial and non- contracting mutants, in an attempt to increase heart function. The results will be applied to the morphogenesis of human hearts and can ultimately lead to preventative treatments for cardiomyopathies.


The Effect of FK-506 Drug on Endocardium Formation in Early Zebrafish Embryo

Alishba Maira, Nathalia G. Holtzman Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Nathalia G. Holtzman

Abstract Cardiac development is an elegant dance between the endocardium and myocardium that must occur correctly to ensure these two layers form a set of concentric tubes. The angiogensis inhibitor FK506 has previously been shown to disrupt endocardium formation and is thus predicted to disrupt myocardial formation as well. To further investigate the role of FK506 on cardiac development, we attempted to repeat the previous experiments. However, our current experimental result has showed that FK-506 did not have significant role on endocardium formation. The endocardium has formed in control as well as drug treated embryos under many conditions (concentration and timing of exposure). The drug seems to differences in overall body formation. Drug treated embryos have defects in ventral formation, shortened body axis and a twisted notochord. Our future plan is to examine the role of FK-506 on cardiac morphogenesis and marking cell migration of the drug treated embryos in different stages. In addition, we have interest in cellular and molecular mechanism of FK 506 to see how it effect over all growth of the embryos.


Reactivity of Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TMSP): Synthesis of the Bisphosphonate Derivatives of Amino Acids Taikchan Lildar, Luis Vargas, Sanjai Kumar Chemistry & Biochemistry Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Sanjai Kumar

Abstract Attempts to synthesize aryl bisphosphonic derivatives as a possible inhibitors of Protein Tyrosine Phosphotase 1B(PTP1B) enzyme are reported. The synthesis involves converting carboxylic acids of various amino acids to acyl chloride, and then reacting it with tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TMSP). A new reaction involving an activated acid-catecholborane complex with tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite is evaluated and is possibly a more suitable route for the synthesis of bisphosphonic acids. These compounds will be screened as inhibitors of PTP1B enzyme.


Development of 1,10-Phenanthroline-based Nek2 Biosensor for Live Cell Enzymology

Daniel Andre Novoa, Ameena Amin, Dibyendu Dana, Sanjai Kumar Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Sanjai Kumar

Abstract Nek2 is a centrosomal serine/threonine kinase that is overexpressed in many forms of human cancer. However, despite its involvement in cancer, much of the Nek2 biology remains unknown. This is primarily due to the lack of available chemical tools (e.g. biosensors) needed for in vivo study of this enzyme. We plan to develop a novel Nek2 biosensor utilizing 1,10-phenanthroline as a fluorophore. To accomplish this objective, the synthesis of the PCAP fluorophore (Fmoc-3-(1,10-phenanthroline-2-carboxamido)-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid) is undertaken in this study. The bidentate properties of 1,10-phenanthroline allows it to participate in chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). The PCAP fluorophore will be subsequently utilized to develop fluorescence-based Nek2 biosensors for studying the role of Nek2 kinase in living cells.


Reactivity of Tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite (TMSP): Synthesis of the Bisphosphonate Derivative of Bicine

Lena Najjarian1, Luis Vargas2 Chemistry Department1

Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York Chemistry and Biochemistry Department2 Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Luis Vargas

Abstract Attempt to synthesize a bisphosphonic derivative to possibly inhibit the enzyme Protein Tyrosine Phosphotase 1B(PTP1B). The synthesis involves converting carboxylic acid of the amino acid, bicine, to acyl chloride and then reacting it with tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TMSP). The compound would undergo various purification methods and tested as a potential inhibitor for the PTP enzyme.


Determination of Gallic Acid in Teas and Other Beverages using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Mengjia (Michelle) Lin1, Paris Svoronos2 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry1 Queens College of the City University of New York Department of Chemistry2 Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Paris Svoronos

Abstract Many products available in the market now contains high amount of antioxidants within them. Antioxidants will help prevent the formation of free radicals by quenching them together. Antioxidants can be found in food and plants. The objective of this research project is to analyze different kind of samples like teas, juices and other beverages commercially available, and to determine the actual concentration of a specific antioxidant, Gallic acid by using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Gallic acid happens to be the most popular in the society, where it acts as a reagent that is used for testing antioxidants. In winery Gallic acid is used for measuring the total amount of antioxidants in wines.


Effects of Resveratrol Analogues on Cell Migration of Mouse Melanoma Cells

Fathima B. Nazumudeena, May M. Moea, Carmela Spataforab, Corrado Tringalib, Valery Morrisa, and Susan A. Rotenberga aDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York bDipartmento di Scienze Chimiche Universita di Catania, Italy

Faculty Mentors: Valery Morris, Susan A. Rotenberg

Abstract Resveratrol (trans-3, 5, 4' trihydroxy stilbene) is found in red wine in addition to other foods. It occurs naturally as both trans and cis isomers. It has been shown to have both anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. There is recent interest in the beneficial effects of resveratrol against cancer cells and the prospects for synthesizing resveratrol analogs with more potent anti-cancer properties. The focus of our research is to examine the inhibitory effect of resveratrol and its analogs on migration of metastatic B16 F10 mouse melanoma cells. Compared to cis and trans-resveratrol (trihydroxy) compounds, two cis analogues with 3 or 4 methoxy groups (cis-trimethoxy and cis-tetramethoxy) showed novel and potent activity in inhibiting cell migration and therefore have potential as anti-metastatic agents. The cis methoxy compounds were further shown to produce loss of α -tubulin expression, as shown by Western blot, as well as loss of microtubule structure, as demonstrated by immunocytochemistry.


Interstrand Crosslink Repair in Post-Replication Repair-Deficient Yeast

Ariel Fromowitz, Dovid Kotkes, Wilma Saffran Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Wilma Saffran

Abstract DNA damage incurred by the use of psoralen + UV light produces interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), covalent linkages between DNA strands. ICLs hinder DNA replication and are cytotoxic and carcinogenic. They are repaired by homologous recombination (HR) involving interaction with an undamaged homologous gene, or by post replication repair (PRR), which bypasses damage at stalled replication forks. There are two PRR pathways: template switching, which is error-free, and an error-prone trans-lesion synthesis pathway. In yeast cells the MMS2 and RAD5 genes function in error-free PRR. Rad5 protein and the Mms2-Ubc13 complex carry out polyubiquitination of PCNA, a DNA replication factor; this modification leads to a switch from error-prone to error-free PRR. Mms2-Ubc13 act as the E2 component of ubiquitin ligase and Rad5 acts as the E3 component.

The function of MMS2 in ICL recombinational repair was studied by characterizing the type of recombination produced by psoralen ICLs in a yeast strain missing MMS2 gene function. The yeast cells carried a direct repeat of two non-functional his3 alleles; recombination can produce a functional HIS3 gene that is detected as colony growth on histidine omission medium. Different HR pathways can produce gene copy number changes, to one copy (deletion) or three copies (triplication), or can conserve the number of copies at two (gene conversion). In mms2 yeast, ICL-induced recombinants were deletions, and to a lesser extent, gene conversions; triplications were rarely found in this experiment. Repair proficient yeast, in contrast, produced mostly gene conversions. These results suggest that MMS2 is important for genome stability.

Since Mms2 and Rad5 function together in their ubiquitin ligase activity, it may be expected that the two genes will show epistatic interactions; i.e., single and double mms2 and rad5 mutants should be similar. However, Rad5 has an additional helicase activity, which may function in ICL repair and recombination. Preliminary results comparing the mms2 and rad5 single mutants with the mms2 rad5 double mutant indicate that there is no significant difference in survival of the rad5 colonies and the mms2 rad5 colonies. However, it seems that there is significantly more recombination in the mms2 rad5 double mutants than in the rad5 single mutant.


Towards Improved Drug Delivery – Biomolecules Encapsulation Within Nanogels

Yakov Masheev, Reeta Yadav, Celestina Dcosta, Uri Samuni Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Uri Samuni

Abstract Nanogels are crosslinked polymeric sol-gel based nanoparticles that offer an interior network for incorporation and protection of biomolecules, exhibiting unique advantages for polymer based delivery systems. We have successfully synthesized stable sol-gel nanoparticles by means of [a] silicification reactions using polycationic peptides like polylysine as gelating agents, and [b] lyophilization of solgels. We have used Transmission Electron Microscopy and dynamic light scattering to characterize nanogel size, shape, size distribution and aggregation. Macromolecules like Hemoglobin and Myoglobin as well as small molecule drugs like Thymoquinone and Distamycin A were encapsulated inside the nanogels. Our initial studies have indicated that the nanogel encapsulated proteins and drugs remain intact, stable and functional. The aggregation of the nanogels is also considerably reduced by addition of surfactants like Polyethylene glycol (PEG). The interactions of Polyethylene glycol with nanogels and solgel matrices were also studied using FTIR and UV/Vis Spectroscopy. It was found that PEG is adsorbed on the surface of the nanogels opening the door for many possible applications related to PEGylated nanoparticles. These results indicate that our approach can provide a high degree of control over the formation of protein/drug incorporated nanogels raising the prospect of fine tailoring to specific applications such as drug delivery and bioimaging.


Spectral Characterization of the Interaction between Cytochrome C and SS Peptides

Tony Maduako, Brittney Eady, Glendon D. McLachlan Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Glendon Dale McLachlan

Abstract Cytochrome C (CytoC) is a 12 kilo-Dalton protein, consisting of 144 amino acids and functions in transferring electrons between complex III and IV during cellular respiration. Electron transport is coupled to H+ pumping across the inner mitochondrial membrane, which drives ATP production with H2O as a byproduct. The conformational stability of CytoC depends on a prosthetic group, which consist of an iron atom centered in a heme group. CytoC exhibits spectral lines at 280nm, 410nm and 520nm, which represent the single Tryptophan, and the heme-group respective, and is advantageous for probing the core of the protein. Recently, it was shown that a four residue peptide termed SS-31 for Szeto-Schiller (SS-31), increased mitochondrial ATP production in live cells. The primary sequence of SS-31, consist of aromatic amino acids interspersed with cationic residues (D-Arg-dimethylTyr-Lys-Phe-NH2), localize in vivo to membrane associated CytoC. However, whether the peptide interacts directly or indirectly with CytoC is unknown. We performed a series of experiments to characterize the interaction between CytoC and SS-31 using tryptophan fluorescence, UV-Vis and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The results show that SS-31 binds directly to CytoC; however peptide binding does not require a change in the secondary structural content of the protein. However, the tertiary structure is altered, which might be important in understanding the observed increased electron transport in vivo.


Sensory Characteristics and Physical Properties of Gluten-Free Cupcakes Prepared by Replacing All-Purpose Flour with Almond Flour and Coconut Flour

Adolfo Conca, Patricia Daley, Travis Redwood, Angel Tejada, Sung Eun Choi Department of Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Sung Eun Choi

Abstract Gluten intolerance has become more recognized as an allergen and as the cause of celiac disease, an auto immune disorder. In the United States, 1 in 133 people have celiac disease and the need to develop palatable gluten–free baked products is still a necessity. The objective of this study was to develop consumer-approved gluten-free cupcakes by substituting wheat flour with gluten-free flours.

A control recipe that was made with all-purpose flour was modified using 100 % almond flour and 100 % coconut flour. A sensory test was performed to determine the effects of gluten free flour on the appearance (brownness), flavor (sweetness), texture (chewiness), and overall acceptability for the blueberry cupcake samples using a 9-category scale by 25 adult panelists aged 18-40 years (40% male and 60% female). The viscosity was measured by line spread test and the amounts of macronutrients amongst the control made from all purpose flour and two modifications were calculated.

Significant differences were found in brownness between the all-purpose flour and the almond flour (p < .05) and in sweetness of the all-purpose flour versus the almond flour and coconut flour samples (p < .05). There was no significant difference found in the chewiness of the three formulations. The almond flour and coconut flour samples were significantly preferred over the all-purpose flour samples. Nutrient analysis concluded the all-purpose flour had the greatest amount of carbohydrates, the almond flour had the greatest proportion of calories from fat, and the coconut flour was the healthiest alternative. The result of the experiment was successful in determining gluten-free cupcakes can be preferred by consumers over original all-purpose flour cupcakes. The development of almond flour cupcakes and coconut flour cupcakes will allow those with celiac disease to consume a palatable cupcake free from the complications associated with gluten in their diets.


Bimanual Coordination for Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy During a Lifting Task

Julissa Vargas, Zahava Polishuk, Juan Cifuentes Department of Family Nutrition and Exercise Sciences Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Ya Ching Hung

Abstract Children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy have shown impairments in bimanual coordination when performing lifting tasks. Differences were made evident when compared to age-matched typically developing children in the same lifting task. The influence posture control has on bimanual coordination of the affected and non-affected hands in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy is not well understood. Ten children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (age 4-12 years; MACS levels I -II) and ten age-matched, typically-developing children participated in the study. Children were asked to pick up an empty box with both hands while standing. Children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy showed less bimanual coordination with a delay in movement of the affected hand. Therefore, children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy were unable to synchronize the movement between their affected and non-affected hands. Typically-developing children maintained synchronization of both hands. The results highlight the importance of task constraints on bimanual coordination and suggest that posture control may affect bimanual coordination strategies.


The Performance of Cerebral Palsy Children in Boxwalk and Walk Tasks

Geneva Meredith, Ya Ching Hung Department of Family, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Ya Ching Hung

Abstract Children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) have early non-progressive lesions of the brain that result in a number of impairments predominantly on one side of their body. The non-dominant side (arm and leg) was found to have slower movements during boxwalk and walk tasks as well as the dominant side (arm and leg) was shown to move slower than both arms and legs of a healthy subject. In previous boxwalk and walk tasks, there was little attention of how children with hemiplegic CP coordinate their joints to cope with this type of tasks. The current study was performed on ten children with hemiplegic CP and ten age-matched typically developed children that randomly participated in boxwalk and walk tasks at Queens College. The purpose of the study was to determine to evaluate the differences in motor and joint coordination control during boxwalk and walk tasks in children with and without hemiplegic CP. The current study drew attention to the discrepancies in joint movements control for not only the non-dominant side but also the dominant side of children with hemiplegic CP. Children with hemiplegia showed deficits in boxwalk and walk tasks in motor control and joint movement control of their dominant side; having greater proximal compensations of the trunk movements and less joint range of motion at the distal joints of elbow flexion movements. The results showed that the non-dominant side of children with hemiplegic CP had a slower movement during boxwalk and walk tasks compared to their dominant side and both arms and legs of the control group. Additionally, the non-dominant side was found to have greater compensatory trunk movements during boxwalk task when compared to the control group. Greater shoulder and elbow movements were also found during boxwalk task. The results demonstrated that future treatments or assessment can potentially impact on the joint movements control for both the non-dominant and dominant side (arm and leg). The boxwalk and walk tasks are feasible to be used as an assessment tool for future treatments to quantify the quality of joint movements. In addition, 3-D kinematic analysis of boxwalk and walk tasks might be very useful to test the efficacy of rehabilitation protocols.


Multiculturalism and Early literacy

Veronica Maglaya Department of Linguistics and Communication Disorders Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Ijalba

Abstract

There is limited knowledge concerning attitudes toward bilingualism in the Filipino- American community. Filipinos constitute the 2nd largest Asian group in the U.S., numbering at 3.4 million in the 2010 census. We aim to learn how parental perspectives on native language use and early literacy practices in the homes of 1st and 2nd generation Filipino families. Surveys were distributed among Filipino families of children aged 0-5 years old residing in NY and NJ. The survey questions focused on identifying attitudes toward bilingualism, early literacy practices, educational planning, early education within the population sampled.

We hypothesize that preserving bilingualism in families with young children is related to parental perspectives on bilingualism, availability of resources in more than one language, and involvement within the Filipino Community.


Pragmatics and Iconicity in Commerce: Starbucks Lingo and Its Significance

Jeremiah Werner Linguistics Department and Psychology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Michael Newman

Abstract This study seeks to explicate Starbucks “lingo”, a highly defined jargon, in contrast to everyday language use and conventional coffee terminologies. It also attempts to explore and explain the implications of the commercialization and commodification of a lingo. Beginning with a preliminary ethnography of the language of Starbucks through qualitative participant observation, it includes the abstract description and genesis of Starbucks lingo as a means of iconicity within the coffee industry and the standardization of this lingo as a means of efficiency in product delivery. Starbucks lingo is known for its pseudo-Italian nature as a sort of branding and employs this lingo to ensure customer order accuracy and improve the communication of customer drinks between employees quickly. However, language in everyday use carries with it certain implications in social interactions, specifically that of identity (i.e. in-group vs. out-group membership) indexed through linguistics resources. Analyzing situations of incompatible discourse practices; e.g. customers who refuse to use the lingo and how employees handle those situations linguistically, I attempt to showcase the consequences of this lingo and its parallels to everyday language usage through Starbucks lingo within its business practices.


Computing the Chromatic Polynomials of the Six Signed Petersen Graphs

Erika Meza, Bryan Nevarez, Alana Shine Mathematics Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Matthias Beck, Michael Young

Abstract

Graphs are a collection of vertices and edges that connect some vertices to others. Signed graphs are graphs with edges assigned positive or negative labels and may contain loops. Signed graphs have been useful in understanding phenomena that occur in our society, such as interactions within a group of individuals or the representation of biological networks which allow for further analysis of the relationships that exist in nature. Our work addresses open questions regarding proper colorings of signed graphs, in which the vertices are assigned colors based on rules according to the edge connections and edge labels. We explore the number of proper colorings of these graphs by computing their corresponding chromatic polynomials. In particular, we investigate the six distinct signed Petersen graphs studied by Thomas Zaslavsky (Discrete Math 312 (2012), no 9, 1558-1583) and prove his conjecture that they have distinct chromatic polynomials.


Biology-inspired model of a Forster drag in a system of coupled electron and hole two-dimensional gases

Walid Rahman1 and Lev Mourokh2 1 Townsend Harris High School 2 Physics Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Lev Mourokh

Abstract

Energy exchange between electrons and protons leading to proton pumping in biological membranes is of great importance for the functionality of living cells. Recently, a model of this exchange based on a dipole-dipole (Forster) electrostatic interaction was proposed [1]. While this model explains the existing data, its direct experimental verification is very difficult, if not impossible. In the present work, we examine the feasibility of similar energy exchange in an electron-hole system formed in a semiconductor structure where the convincing experiment can be performed. The system consists of a double-quantum-dot in a two-dimensional hole gas (representing the proton two-level system in the biological counterpart) and a double-quantum-dot in a two-dimensional electron gas (representing the electron two-level system). We expect that the electron source-drain transfer via the double dot facilitates hole transport against the applied voltage, as it happens in the proton-pumping complexes.

Electron and hole two-dimensional gases can be formed in quantum wells formed in semiconductor layers having a narrow forbidden gap placed between layers with a wide gap. These wells can be placed in the region between heavy p- and n-dopings, so the resulting electric field put the hole ground state above the Fermi level and the electron ground state below the Fermi level, so both of them are populated. We solved the Schroedinger equations both for electron and the holes to determine their energies and wavefunctions. Varying the wells widths, the distance between them, and the distance to the dopings, as well as the semiconductor materials, we found the conditions for the simultaneous formation of the electron and hole two-dimensional gases. Doing this, we took into account the fact that the distance between the gases should be small for the Forster interaction to be effective but not too small, so the electron and hole wavefunctions are not overlapping to prevent the electron-hole recombination. We determined that all these conditions are satisfied for InAs wells and AlAs barrier at the well widths of 11 nm, well separation of 2.5 nm, and the distances between the wells and the positions of the dopings of 5.5nm.

1. A. Yu. Smirnov, L. G. Mourokh, and F. Nori, Förster mechanism of electron-driven proton pumps, Phys. Rev. E 77, 011919 (2008).


PEDOT Nanorod Self-Assembly via Modulational Instability

Ho Yong Lee, Luat Vuong Physics Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Luat Vuong

Abstract

We have observed that when a PEDOT polymer dries with a razor-cut trench on glass substrate, a strange finger-like pattern develops in the trench, perpendicular to the length. To explain how this pattern formation occurs, we develop a MATLAB simulation in efforts to demonstrate the finger-like patterns numerically and identify the physical mechanism that underlies their structure. Using the physical principles and Maxwell’s Equations, the Ginzberg-Landau Hamiltonian is derived. It describes various aspects of the experiment such as diffraction and nonlinearity. The Ginzburg-Landau Hamiltonian is then used to derive the evolution equations. The evolution equation is propagated using a split-step Fourier method. The nonlinearity causes modulational instability, which results in random fluctuations over periods of time and may be the cause of the finger-like patterns.


Nanowires and Nanomeshes

Aislinn Deely Physics Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Luat Vuong

Abstract

There are many benefits of using Ag nanowire meshes in organic photovoltaic cells (PVCs): Ag nanowires have low resistivity and high optical transmission (Lim et al., 2012). An Ag nanowire active layer is also more cost efficient compared to traditional indium tin oxide (ITO) PVCs. However, these Ag nanowire active layers are only efficient when they are uniform and smooth, as compared to a rough active layer (Gaynor et al., 2011). Over wavelengths 350-800 nm, ITO cells have a 90% transmission, while PVCs using Ag nanowires have 86% transmission. Therefore, PVCs using Ag nanowire meshes are a decent alternative to expensive ITO cells.


Modeling Beam Propagation through Metal Nanocolloids

Alexa Lempel Physics Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Luat T. Vuong

Abstract

Noble metal nanocolloids, comprised of nanometer-scale noble metal particles suspended in liquid, display many unique optical properties that prove useful in a wide variety of applications. Especially notable among these properties is the unusually high degree of optical nonlinearity found in metal nanocolloids, which endow them with absorption, scattering, and lensing characteristics that depend upon the intensity of incident light. Colloidal gold in particular has been widely reported to exhibit intensity dependant diffraction pattern formation and beam-defocusing behavior that remain to be well understood.

In order to provide valuable insight as to how intensity dependent nonlinear effects influence the propagation of light, we simulate beam evolution through metal nanocolloids using the split-step Fourier method. Accounting for nonlinear phase contributions made by the intensity dependent processes of self-focusing, thermal lensing, and transverse radiation pressure, our model achieves close agreement with experimental observations.


Low Birth Weight Predicts Significant Cognitive and Academic Deficits

Stephanie Gampel, Ariella Aharon, Juliet Gerber, Mahmoud Khalil Psychology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Yoko Nomura

Abstract Studies have shown that low birth weight at birth is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. However, less is known about longer terms implications of low birth weight on neuropsychological functioning throughout childhood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this at birth finding remains a significant factor in development as the child ages.

We used a sample of children born to mothers who received prenatal care at an urban obstetric clinic in the USA. This sample (n=2364) consisted of subgroups that had normal birth weight or had low birth weight. Cognitive and achievement tests were administered when offspring were at ages 4, 7 and 8 years. We used a One Way Analysis of Variance to determine if there were any differences between the groups. The results indicated that children born with low birth weight (<2500g) had suboptimal outcomes compared to children born with normal birth weight. These differences in groups persisted through aging. Specifically, at age 4 the at-risk group had significantly lower IQ scores. At age 7 the at-risk group maintained their lower IQ status, and at age 8 had significantly lower achievement scores.

These results show that issues at birth remain significant factors throughout childhood. Individuals born with low birth weight should be identified as a high-risk group and should be monitored closely for early intervention and remedial services.


Microglia Within the Mouse Somatosensory Barrel Cortex: Development and Sensory Experience Dependent Reorganization

Titus Son1,3, Safraz Khan2, John Kalambogias1, Carolyn Headlam3, Chia-Chien Chen4, Joshua C. Brumberg1,3,4 Neuroscience Major1, Biology Department2, Psychology Department3, The Neuropsychology Sub-program, Graduate Center of CUNY4 Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Joshua C. Brumberg

Abstract

The barrel cortex is the region of rodent cerebral cortex that corresponds faithfully to the processing signals from the vibrissae. Although a significant amount of information regarding the neuronal circuitry, dynamics, and development within this specialized somatosensory region has been elucidated, relatively little is known about the property of glial components, especially with regards to microglial populations. Microglia are the principal immune cells of the nervous system that responds to the constantly updating cellular environment in a very dynamic fashion. Here, we investigated the normal as well as disrupted development of microglial profile in maturing barrel cortex by chronically depriving sensory signals via whisker trimming every other day for thirty days. Animals were sacrificed at various postnatal days and the brains were post-fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for seven days. Using immunohistochemical approaches to reveal labeled microglia (Iba-1), we performed morphological reconstructions as well as densitometry microphoto-analyses of the microglial population as a function of maturation time and sensory experience.

Our results suggested that the expression of microglia appear to vary as a function of developmental age and is highest during postnatal day 45. In addition, sensory experience does not dramatically impact expression of Iba-1, but increases cell body size and decreases process length. These findings suggest that a transitional transformation occurs between resting (surveying) microglia and activation. The microglial cells exhibit morphological features resembling a more activated state potentially performing phagocytic cellular processes. Increased numbers of microglia as well as morphological changes might be reflective of the brains need to remove tissue during critical periods for structural plasticity such as during development and in response to chronic deprivation. The results from this study will add to our understanding how brain circuits can rapidly adapt to changes in the sensory environment that the animal experiences.


The Effect of Caffeine on the Morphology and Density of Microglia within the Mouse

Sarah Lutchman1, Robert Steger3, Arifa Islam1, Liliana Intrabartolo2, Joshua C. Brumberg123

Neuroscience Program1 Psychology Department2 Queens College of the City University of New York Neuropsychology Doctoral Subprogram3 Graduate Center of the City University of New York Faculty Mentor: Joshua C. Brumberg

Abstract Caffeine is the most popular psychoactive drug in the world which contributes to behavioral and metabolic changes when ingested. Within the central nervous system (CNS), caffeine has a high affinity for A1 and A2a adenosine receptors. Serving as an antagonist, caffeine affects the ability for adenosine to bind to these receptors. Caffeine has been shown to alter neuronal functioning through inhibiting spontaneous firing. However, the effects of caffeine on non-neuronal cells in the CNS has been not been studied extensively. Microglia is one phenotype of glia within the CNS. Primarily acting as phagocytes, these cells contribute to the immune defense system of the brain. Microglia acquire energy from adenosine triphosphate(ATP) as well as possessing A1 and A2a adenosine receptors. Caffeine, therefore, may affect microglia proliferation and morphology.

In order to test this hypothesis, 21 adult (>p30) female CD-1 mice were randomly placed into one of three groups: control, low caffeine (0.3g/L water) and high caffeine (1.0g/L water). Mice were allowed to drink freely for 30 days. Following 30 days, mice were sacrificed and their brains were post-fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Brains were sectioned at 70 µm on a vibratome. Microglia were revealed using the Iba-1 primary antibody which specifically labels microglial cells. Following immunohistochemistry, morphological reconstructions and density measurements were examined in numerous cortical and subcortical areas including the primary sensory cortex, primary motor cortex and striatum. Results indicate that microglial density throughout the brain is decreased in the caffeine groups as compared to the control. It was also revealed that chronic ingestion of caffeine also affected microglia morphology including decreased process length as well as fewer branches. These results suggest that chronic caffeine ingestion has a systemic impact on microglia density and activation.


Prenatal Exposure to Infection & DNA Methylation of 11β-HSD2 in Human Placenta

Jackie Finik, Nancy Huynh, Yocheved Hoffman, Jenny Ly, Mordechai Grabie, Michelle Yoon, Holly Loudon, M.D., and Yoko Nomura, Ph.D Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract The 11β-HSD2 gene which encodes the 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme is responsible for the regulation of maternal cortisol by metabolizing active cortisol to inactive cortisone. Recent research has indicated the expression of this gene as a potential barrier to protect the fetus from increased exposure to maternal cortisol (Mukherjee et al 2011). Research has further indicated that DNA methylation is affected by mother’s stress and mood (Marist et al., 2012), with increased anxiety linked to heightened fetal exposure to cortisol (O’Donnell et al., 2012). The silencing of 11β-HSD2 promoter gene, influenced by maternal stress hormones, in the placenta, may serve as a force of fetal programming in-utero. Overexposure to increased stress hormones may negatively affect a wide range of functioning in the fetus and developing neonate, such as fetal growth and neurobiological development, and is also associated with immune deficiency, cancer (Marketon & Glaser, 2012), and heart complications later in life (Reynolds et al., 2010). The current study examines the association between methylation level of 11β-HSD2 promoter gene and maternal vaginal infections during gestation. Placenta tissue samples were collected at Mount Sinai Medical Center following 50 participant births. Obstetric history and presence of vaginal infection was collected through a baseline questionnaire during the second trimester. We hypothesized that vaginal infection during pregnancy may serve as a marker for stress which increases DNA methylation of 11β-HSD2. A general linear model (GLM) adjusting for confounders (race, education) analyzed the association of vaginal infection on methylation of the 11B-HSD2 gene. A significant association was found between presence of vaginal infection and increased DNA methylation of 11β-HSD2 (p=.026), suggesting a possible biological mechanism behind maternal stressors and fetal programming. The study provided initial evidence for one underlying biological mechanism, via epigenetic regulation, of adverse in utero exposure, infection, which led to changes in the expression of 11B-HSD2. Further research in epigenetics is necessary to determine the role of maternal risk factors and syndromes in gene expression, and its resulting impact on fetal development.


Socioeconomic Status in Pregnant Woman: a possible risk factor for contracting sexually transmitted infections

Yocheved Hoffman, Jackie Finik, Jacqueline Cavieles, Leora Schrieber, Nancy Huynh, Mordechai Grabie, Holly Loudon, and Yoko Nomura Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract Research has indicated that socio-economic status is consistently linked to health outcomes (Adler, et al. 1994), with low socio-economic status associated with poor health outcomes in urban females in particular (Landy, 2008). STI’s are particularly important field of study among a population of pregnant women as infections pose severe health risks for mother and fetus during pregnancy, such as miscarriage, preterm delivery, and severe infection and blindness in infants (Jeffrey & Lahra, 2005). This study was designed to investigate the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and sexually transmitted infection in pregnant females. Among the three major components of SES, i.e., education, income, and occupation, we used education level and entitlement status as indicators for SES, as occupation could be irrelevant for some participants. We hypothesize that low SES will be associated with increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infection(s). 250 pregnant women, receiving prenatal care at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, were given a battery of questionnaires assessing demographic information. This includes education level, entitlement status, obstetric history, and a social history interview, assessing sexual behaviors, substance use, and in-depth financial and interpersonal history. A logistic regression was used to analyze the risk for STI’s associated with SES, adjusting for potential confounders such as, age of intercourse. Results indicated low SES is associated with an increased risk for STI’s. In particular, a significant association between entitlement status and STI rates (p=.04), and low education level, and STI diagnoses (p=.05) were found. Participants of low educational attainment (less than 12 years) were approximately three times as likely to contract an STI (p=.07). The potential harm STI’s pose for pregnant women are extremely serious, and at times life threatening. Increased research and awareness of risk associated with vaginal infection, namely low SES should help public health officers eliminate hindrances for receiving education, among young women living in poverty. This in turn can aid in altering the education system in low SES areas, which may lead to a reduction in STI’s in pregnant women.


Inflammation in the Mouse Hippocampus Following Mold Exposure Lauren Blachorsky, Kimberly Page-Soto, Cheryl Harding, Carolyn Pytte

Psychology Department Queens College of the City University of New York Faculty Mentor: Carolyn Pytte

Abstract Mold is a serious problem in the United States, and according to most estimates, over 40% of American buildings are moldy. Adverse health effects due to mold exposure include problems with the respiratory system (e.g., asthma) and immune system (e.g., allergies). Recent reports have also suggested that prolonged mold exposure may result in cognitive deficits, such as problems with learning and short-term memory. Alarmingly, these studies indicate that memory impairment due to mold exposure may be as severe as that due to mild traumatic brain injury. No animal models have yet been established to study the mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits following mold exposure. The goal of our research is to establish a mouse model for studying cognitive and neural effects of mold exposure using the black mold Stachybotrys – the most common mold found in water damaged buildings. Our research focuses on the hippocampus, which subserves particular types of learning and memory. Microglia are the resident immune cells in the brain and are the primary source of the pro-inflammatory cytokine (signaling molecule) Interleukin1-Beta (IL-1β). Our model predicts that cognitive deficits following mold exposure are mediated by neural inflammation. Therefore, we are quantifying IL-1β as an indicator of inflammation. We hypothesize that more IL-1β expression in the hippocampus will correlate with a greater degree of cognitive impairment. In addition, we are looking at potential regional differences in IL-1β expression throughout the hippocampus, which may influence different hippocampal functions. Mice were given intranasal treatments of low doses of either intact (IN) spores, extracted (EX) spores, or a saline vehicle (VEH) 3 times per day for 6 weeks. Extracted spores are the skeletons only, with their proteins denatured. They were then tested on hippocampal-dependent learning and memory tasks during weeks 4-6. We then used immunohistochemistry to label IL-1β and quantified the number of cells expressing IL-1β throughout the hippocampus. We found a significant difference in numbers of IL-1β -expressing cells between mold-treated and control groups when both types of mold exposure were combined (IN + EX) (2-tailed t-test, p<0.05). This suggests that mold exposure may cause neural inflammation, providing a possible mechanism for the cognitive deficits previously found in our lab.


Role of Life Events on Depression in Pregnant Women

Nida Naqvi, Yashodra Singh, Qudsia Chaughtai, Mia Davey, Mordechai Grabie, Yoko Nomura, and Nancy Huynh Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract

Previous studies have shown negative maternal life events are related to depression during pregnancy (Lancaster et al., 2010; Dayan et al., 2010; Koleva et al., 2010). This study sought to measure the effects of both positive and negative life events on maternal depression. Pregnant women, who received prenatal care at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, were given self-report questionnaires, and told to report the amount of both positive and negative life events experienced with their partners, health related events, work related events, events experienced with friends, and in legal matters during the first trimester of their pregnancy. During third-trimester assessment, mothers (n=241) were assessed for symptoms of depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (Cox et al. 1987), using a suggested clinical cut-off point of 9 for depression. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the scaled scores between life events and depression. Results show that pregnant women who experienced more negative life events were likely to be depressed (p< .0001). Negative experiences in all life events measured were correlated with depression; negative events with their partners (p< .0001), negative health related life events (p= .01), negative legal events (p= .02), negative events in their relationships with friends (p< .0001) and negative events experienced at work (p< .0001). Total experiences in all life events in partners (p< .0001), health (p= .04), legal (p= .02), work (p= .01) and friends (p< .0001), were significantly correlated with depression. No significant results were found for women who reported positive life events. Contradictory to the current understanding that both negative and positive life events are indeed stressful, our study demonstrates a strong likelihood for pregnant women to suffer from depression when faced with negative, but not positive life events. The present study identifies normative regular life events can trigger depression during pregnancy, enabling doctors to provide appropriate prenatal care.


Effect of Maternal Major Depressive Disorder and Paternal Substance Abuse Disorder on Infant Behavior

Katarzyna Zajac, Kei Davey, Nancy Huynh, Yoko Nomura Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract Previous research has shown a strong concordance between spouses for major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychological disorders and the existence of negative outcomes in offspring because of this nonrandom mating for similar traits called assortative mating (Merikangas, 1982). This study measured the risk of female probands with MDD forming relationships with males who have substance abuse disorder (SAD) and the effects of such relationships on infants’ behavior and functioning. Pregnant women were recruited at Mount Sinai Medical Hospital and given the Family History Screen (FHS) during their third trimester. Based on the information obtained, an odds ratio of 4.070 (p < .0001) was found between mothers with MDD and fathers with SAD, indicating a four-fold increased risk of depressed women mating with substance abusing men. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then used to compare the scaled scores of infants on the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R) according to the following categories: mothers without MDD and fathers without SAD; mothers with MDD and fathers without SAD; mothers without MDD and fathers with SAD; and mothers with MDD and fathers with SAD. Results show that infants of mothers with MDD and fathers with SAD received significantly higher scores on Distress to Limitations (p = .047), Duration of Orienting (p = .009), Smiling and Laughter (p = .010), High Pleasure (p = .012), Sadness (p = .048), Approach (p = .007), and Vocal Reactivity (p < .0001), and significantly lower scores on Falling Reactivity (p = .004) than infants of mothers and fathers without the respective disorders. Further research is necessary to determine the exact causes for these observed behaviors and whether or not they may lead to further symptoms developing during childhood and adolescent years.


Assessment of Timing in Children with and without Autism: Does Autism Modulate the Effects of Emotional Stimuli?

Paulina Kaczmarczyk1, Erich K. Grommet1 2, Pierre S. Zelanti3, Nancy S. Hemmes1 2, Yuliya Ochacovskaya2, Sandrine Gil4, Sylvie Droit-Volet3, Bruce L. Brown1 2

Psychology Department1

Queens College of the City University of New York

Psychology Department2 Graduate Center of the City University of New York

Psychology Department3 Blaise Pascal University, CNRS, France

Psychology Department4

Poitiers University, CNRS, France

Faculty Mentor: Bruce L. Brown

Abstract Human observers overestimate the presentation durations of pictures of people making angry facial expressions relative to pictures of people making neutral expressions (Droit-Volet et al., 2004; Gil et al., 2007). An account of this phenomenon is that angry facial expressions are highly arousing and negative affective cues that result in the activation (speeding up) of the internal clock in comparison with affectively neutral cues. People diagnosed with autism exhibit impairments in the use of facial expressions and distortions in the expression of fear (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). We tested the hypothesis that these features may result in children with autism performing differently from comparison children without autism on a timing task (adapted from Gil et al., in press) that involved judgments of the duration of pictures showing angry and neutral facial expressions.

In line with the hypothesis, we observed that the children without autism exhibited facial-expression induced temporal distortion, that is, duration overestimation of neutral faces on a short duration range, and duration overestimation of angry at a long duration range, while children with autism did not differ in their duration estimates of the different facial expressions. Furthermore, we replicated an effect observed by Allman et al. (2011), in which children with autism overestimated the shorter durations in a given duration range in comparison to children without autism, a result that may be indicative of children with autism storing or retrieving shorter temporal referents than children without autism.


Response to reinforcement but not alerting stimuli in preschoolers predicts later ADHD severity

Esther Babad, Olga G. Berwid Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Jeffrey M. Halperin

Abstract Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an early emerging disorder characterized by age-inappropriate levels of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that often persist throughout lifetime. Children with ADHD have been shown to exhibit deficits in alerting and an altered response to reinforcement, which some investigators suggest represents underlying deficits that may result in the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive behavior associated with ADHD. This study tested whether preschool children’s sensitivity to alerting and reinforcement during a reaction time (RT) task predicted future ADHD symptom severity. Computerized simple, cued, and reinforced RT tasks were administered to 36 3-4 year-old children with ADHD and 37 typically developing controls. The effects of cuing (i.e., alerting) and reinforcement were quantified by calculating difference scores from simple RT performance for accuracy, mean RT, and RT standard deviation. At 7 years, 61 children from the original sample completed a follow-up assessment of ADHD symptoms that yielded dimensional measures of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms. Partial correlations controlling for age at baseline were used to assess the relationship between preschool sensitivity to alerting cues and reinforcement and later ADHD symptoms. The degree to which reinforcement reduced RT standard deviation significantly predicted later inattentive, but not hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. The positive impact of reinforcement on response speed (mean RT) at baseline was also marginally related to later inattentive symptoms. The impact of alerting did not significantly correlate with later ADHD symptoms. These findings about children’s responsiveness to reward may have prognostic value with regard to the persistence or emergence of ADHD during the school-age years.


Early Language Skills Mediate the Relation Between Preschoolers’ ADHD Severity and Reading Achievement at 8-Years-Old

Veronica J. Thornton, Sarah O’Neill, Ph.D., David J. Marks, and Jeffrey M. Halperin Psychology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Jeffrey M. Halperin

Abstract We tested whether language skills at age 5 mediate the relation between preschool ADHD symptoms and reading achievement at 8 years. The sample comprised 146 preschoolers [76% boys; Mean age (SD)=4.24 (.49) years].

The severity of preschool (T1) ADHD was assessed using parent report on the KSADS-PL semi-structured psychiatric interview and teacher ADHD-RS-IV ratings. One year later (T2; M(SD) age=5.27 (.51) yrs), children completed five language tests from the CELF-P:2 and the NEPSY. At T3 [M(SD) age=8.56 (.31) yrs)], children completed 3 WIAT-II subtests: Word Reading, Pseudoword Decoding, and Reading Comprehension. A factor analysis using maximum likelihood estimation with oblique rotation was carried out on raw scores from the five T2 language measures. One factor was extracted, which was used to represent language ability at T2. Mediation models (Baron & Kenny, 1986) were tested using hierarchical linear regression. T1 ADHD severity was the predictor, T2 Language the Mediator, and T3 reading scores the dependent variables. T1 SES and age were covariates. Sobel’s test was used to estimate the indirect effect. Mediation would be evident if the relation between T1 ADHD severity and T3 reading declined significantly when T2 Language was added to the model. The relation between T1 ADHD severity and T3 Word Reading (direct β = -.17, p = .04) was fully mediated by T2 language skills [Indirect β= -.08, p = .31; Sobel’s z (SE)= -2.26 (.04), p=.02). Likewise, the relation between T1 ADHD severity and T3 Pseudoword Decoding (direct β= -.16, p=.05) was fully mediated by T2 Language (indirect β= -.08, p=.31; Sobel’s z(SE)= -2.21 (.04), p=.03). Finally, the relation between T1 ADHD severity and T3 Reading Comprehension (direct β= -.22, p=.006) was fully mediated by T2 Language (indirect β= -.12, p=.09; Sobel’s z (SE)= -2.32 (.03), p=.02). It appears that preschoolers with more severe ADHD are at greater risk for language difficulties, which in turn places them at risk for poorer reading achievement at age 8.


Performance of Transgenic Huntington’s Disease Rats on a Timing Task When the Temporal Signal is Interrupted

Jennifer Rojas, Catherine Tsiris, Daniel Garces, Valerie Doyere, Nancy S. Hemmes, Bruce L. Brown Psychology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Bruce L. Brown

Abstract Huntington’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects, among other structures, the striatum and frontal cortex, which are both implicated in an internal clock governing interval timing. These neuropathological changes in brain structures should result in impaired temporal perception in organisms with the disease. In this study, homozygous (HM) tgHD rats were compared to wildtype controls (WT) on the gap test under an interval timing test—the peak interval (PI) procedure. Animals varied from 12-21 months of age. The PI procedure is a modification of the signaled fixed interval procedure, consisting of reinforced trials that end at the first response after a fixed interval, and unreinforced probe trials that are longer than the reinforced trials. On some probe trials, called gap trials, the trial signal is briefly interrupted (gap) followed by the resumption of the signal. Gap trials typically lead to longer time estimates (peak times) than on trials with no gap, possibly reflecting the decay of temporal working memory during the gap. In the present study, rats were trained on an FI 30-s schedule, followed by testing with probe trials, and gap trials with a 3-s gap introduced at 3 or 15 s after trial onset. Results indicated that HM and WT rats performed differently on probe versus gap trials, and suggested that gaps produced larger shifts in peak time for HM than for WT rats, indicating possible impairment in temporal working memory for tgHD models.


Epigenetic Changes In Cord Blood Due to Maternal Antenatal Depression Leads to Suboptimal Fetal Development

Mahmoud Khalil, Mordechai Grabie, Eileen Kao, Michael Tymon, Jackie Finik, Qudsia Chaughtai, Michelle Yoon, Yoko Nomura Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract The current study investigated the effect of maternal antenatal feelings of depression on cord blood methylation, maternal anxiety, birth outcomes, and infant neurobehavioral development. In addition, the study also looked at unconventional risk factors for maternal antenatal depression and anxiety (i.e. paternal depression and alcohol abuse). A sample of 250 pregnant women, who received prenatal care at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City from 2010-2012, were followed throughout pregnancy until 3 months postpartum. Participant psychosocial profiles were obtained via a series of self-reporting questionnaires and interviews. At birth, the cord blood was processed and stored for later analysis. The data was analyzed using Independent design t-tests.

The results showed that the hypomethylation of the gene SLC6A4 was marginally significant (p=.061) in the cord blood of participants suffering from maternal antenatal depression. Pregnant women suffering from depression were also found to be suffering from anxiety (p<.001), and their children scored significantly higher on sadness (p=.007). The children of participants suffering from anxiety had significantly lower birth weight (p=.004), head circumference (p=.009), and body length (p=.009). In addition, paternal depression significantly increased the risk of maternal antenatal anxiety (p=.014), and paternal alcohol abuse significantly increased the risk for maternal antenatal depression (p=.046) and anxiety (p<.001). The hypomethylation of SLC6A4 observed in cord blood due to maternal antenatal depression leads to an increase in serotonin reuptake transporters, thereby decreasing serotonin efficiency. The children of these mothers scored higher on sadness, indicating a possible hereditary mechanism through epigenetic changes. Additionally, the study showed that paternal depression and alcohol abuse increased the risk of maternal antenatal depression and anxiety, which also increased the risk of suboptimal infant neurobehavioral development. Communication of these findings, and providing support for mothers at risk through positive activity and therapy, will play a critical role in promoting proper child development.


Assessing the impact of major depressive disorder on infant development

Nancy Huynh, Jenny Ly, Jackie Finik, Yoko Namura Psychology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Yoko Namura

Abstract Previous studies have shown that depression during pregnancy has been related to many negative outcomes in offspring. This study measures the effects of symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) during pregnancy on infants’ behavior and functioning. Pregnant women, who received prenatal care at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, were given self-report questionnaires about their family history during their third trimester. During post-partum assessment, mothers (n= 102) were given the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R) and asked to rate their infant’s behavior and temperament. A multivariate analysis was used to compare the scaled scores between pregnant women and their partners who experienced symptoms of MDD and those who did not. Results show that infants of mothers without MDD had greater scores on Smiling and Laughter (p<.0001), High Pleasure (p=.001), Soothability (p=.03), Falling Reactivity (p=.03), Approach (p=.009), and Vocal Reactivity (p<.0001) items compared to infants of mothers with MDD. Infants of fathers without MDD had greater scores than infants of fathers with MDD on High Pleasure (p= .001), Vocal Reactivity (p < .0001) items. Significant interaction effects between maternal MDD and paternal MDD were found on Smiling and Laughter (p= .005), High Pleasure (p= .01), Approach (p= .01) and Vocal Reactivity (p< .0001). These observed behaviors may also potentially lead to future symptoms during childhood and adolescent years. Raised awareness on the adverse effects of depression should be implemented for future mothers, their partners, and their unborn children which may help to improve well-being during pregnancy and birth outcomes.


Effects of Exposure to Mold Spores on Adult Neurogenesis in the Mouse Hippocampus

Yassmin Simmonds, Danielle Beech, Edna Norman, Cheryl Harding, Carolyn Pytte Psychology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Carolyn Pytte

Abstract

Stachybotrys chartarum, or “black mold” is one of the most commonly found mold species in water-damaged buildings. It has been estimated that nearly half of buildings in the United States contain this mold and reports suggest that exposure to Stachybotrys may trigger flu-like symptoms, respiratory problems, cognitive impairment, and other health effects. Prolonged exposure to mold could permanently damage cognitive systems. However, we do not yet know the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment following mold exposure.

Stachybotrys produce various toxins including proteins which kill macrophages and inhibit protein synthesis. A critical question is whether the adverse health effects of mold exposure are caused by these toxins. Alternatively, inhaling the outer spore casing or skeleton alone can activate the peripheral immune system and perhaps subsequently cause inflammation of the central nervous system. In this work, we compare the neural effects of intact spores with those of extracted spore casings in which the proteins and toxins have been removed to begin to understand the mechanisms underlying cognitive effects of mold exposure.

Previous work has shown that intranasal exposure to both intact and extracted Stachybotrys spores causes learning and memory impairment in tasks that require the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a brain structure implicated in memory and spatial navigation. The hippocampus also undergoes adult neurogenesis, the production of new neurons throughout life. The goal of our research is to determine whether the cognitive deficits seen after mold exposure are associated with changes in neurogenesis in the hippocampus. We are also assessing whether there are differences in effects on neurogenesis between mice exposed to extracted or intact spores.

Mice were given low intranasal doses of intact (IN) Stachybotrys mold spores, extracted (EX) spores, or a saline vehicle (VEH) 3 times per week for 6 weeks. After mold exposure, mice were given an intramuscular injection of BrdU, which is a marker for cell mitosis. Mice were then tested on hippocampal-dependent learning and memory tasks. Forty days after the BrdU injections, mice were perfused and we performed immunohistochemistry to label BrdU and NeuN, a neuron-specific protein to quantify new neurons. Preliminary results show no differences in numbers of new neurons between mice treated with intact mold spores and those treated with extracted mold spores. It has been reported that the external spore casing alone is sufficient to induce a peripheral immune response, and perhaps the response in central nervous system is a result of this activation rather than direct effects of Stachybotrys toxins.


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