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Article Excerpt
Co-Chair: Ibrahim Farah, Jackson State University
Co-Chair: LaToya Richards, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Co-Vice Chair: Stacy Vance, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Co-Vice Chair: Kenneth Butler, University of Mississippi Medical Center
THURSDAY MORNING
Grand Ballroom
Session 1: Biomedical, Dental, Microbiology, Epidemiology, and Animal Model Research
O6.01
8:00 A STUDY OF GLYCOGEN CLEAVAGE BY HEPATIC GLYCOGEN PHOSPHORYLASE, PART 1. THE CHALLENGE IN THE DETERMINATION OF MECHANISMS
Candace M. Jones, Dorothy M. Wood
Jackson State University
The general intent of this work is a study of certain biophosphate effector molecules that promote the catalytic release of energy-rich glucose-1-phosphate (G1P) by hepatic glycogen phosphorylase (GP or phosphorylase, code name: E. C. 2.4.1.1). Reasons to study this particular system are primarily two-fold: (1) Awry phosphorylase mechanisms cause debilitating diseases associated with hereditary glycogen storage defects and, (2) such phosphorus mechanisms are ubiquitous in nature; if successful, this work will provide a powerful tool, and many more such studies will follow. In part 1, we discuss particular challenges that have encumbered the elucidation of these mechanisms.
O6.02
8:15 METHODOLOGY TO IMPROVE HEALTH DATA GEOCODING RESULTS THROUGH INCREASED ACCURACY OF DATA
Hui Li, Worth Williams, Fazlay Faruque
University of Mississippi Medical Center
The matched rate of street-level geocoding, depending on the quality of address data to be matched and reference data, is a major concern in scientific research, because it might impact the research result. Typing errors are a major factor impacting the quality of address data. The goal of this research is to develop a methodology to automatically correct the misinformation in address data caused by human error and thus improve geocoding results in an efficient manner. To reach this goal, the University of Mississippi Medical Center has developed a methodology to correct this misinformation automatically, which combines three steps. First, misspelled city name is corrected using a pattern-matching algorithm against the reference address data. Second, misspelled street name or zip code is corrected through the following approaches: (1) finding all potential address candidates from the reference address data based on the first two characters of the street name, city name, and state; and (2) correcting the street name or zip code according to the identified address with the highest matched score among its potential address candidates. The score a sum of individual scores for each part of an address (e.g. street name, prefix, street type, suffix, suftype, and zip code) based on the similarity between an address and its potential address candidates. Third, correct the house number if it is outside the range of the house numbers in the reference data. It is shown that this methodology improves the street-level geocoding result by approximately 5%-8%.
O6.03
8:30 FIRE ANT VENOM ALKALOIDS (SOLENOPSINS) INDUCE APOPTOSIS IN HUMAN CELLS.
R. W. Rockhold (1), D. Sullivan (1), K. Kelly (1), B. Chapman (1), H. White (1), R. Deshazo (1), H.M.T. Bandara Herath (2), N.P.D. Nanayakkara (2)
(1) University of Mississippi Medical Center, (2) University of Mississippi
Toxic effects of solenopsins A (Sol A) and B (Sol B) and isosolenopsins A (Iso A) and B (Iso B), on the viability of U93 7 human monocytic cells were examined. Cells were exposed to 6 concentrations (3-30 ?M) of each solenopsin. Sol B, the most toxic compound, decreased cell viability by >70% at 30 mM. Sol B induced lactate dehydrogenase release, with levels at 38% and 62% of maximum activity at 1 and 6 hours, respectively. Cells treated with Actinomycin D (a known inducer of apoptosis) or Sol B demonstrated the typical apoptotic DNA ladder on agarose gel electrophoresis. Microarray analysis of 15,067 known human genes and ESTs was used to identify altered gene transcription in U937 cells following incubation with Sol B (13 mM) for 1 or 6 hours. Following treatment, 661 and 620 genes/ESTs were up regulated 1.5 fold at 1 and 6 hr, respectively, compared to control. Caspase 4 and 8 as well as Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), Talin 1 (TALIN), and PTK2 protein tyrosine kinase 2 (FAK) genes, involved in apoptosis, were up-regulated in response to Sol B. Fewer than 15 genes were down-regulated by more than 50% at any time point. A synthetic fire ant venom alkaloid, Sol B, induces cell death in human cell lines by activation of the apoptotic pathway choreographed by the caspases. (Supported in part by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Precollege Program)
O6.04
8:45 EFFECTS OF PERIAPICAL TOOTH ABSCESSES ON THE UTERUS OF PREGNANT RATS
Meredith Bierdeman, Jennifer Bain, S. Lester, J. Naftel, Roger Johnson
University of Mississippi Medical School
The objective: To determine the effects of periapical tooth abscesses on the pregnant rat uterus.
Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: pregnant rats with induced pulpal inflammation (n=16) and sham-operated control pregnant rats (n=16). The pulps of the first and second maxillary right molars were exposed using a 1/4 round burr. Rats became pregnant two weeks following pulp exposure. Following the delivery of the pups, the mothers were sacrificed and serum and uterine horns were removed. The left uterine horn was embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained with H and E and anti-IL-6, IL-1-beta, and anti-TNF-alpha. A digital photograph was made of a serial cross-section of each uterine horn at 40 micrometer intervals. The thickness of the endometrium was measured at random sites using Sigma Pro software. Data were compared by factorial ANOVA and a post-hoc Tukey test. Results: Rats with periapical abscesses had significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 (p<0.05) and VEGF (p<0.05) and significantly lower concentrations of IL-10 (p<0.05) within the uterine horn, as compared to controls. Serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly higher in the animals with periapical abscesses compared to controls. The thickness of the endometrium from animals with periapical abscesses was significantly less than control (p<0.05). Conclusions: Periapical tooth abscesses could produce uterine inflammation and changes in the uterine lining which could result in developmental defects in the offspring.
O6.05
9:00 INTYRAOSSEOUS DENTAL IMPLANTS: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MORPHOLOGIC CONFIGURATION AND BIOLO0GIC RESPONSE; THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION
Robert DeVille
U. of Mississippi Medical Center
Archaeological studies indicate that dental implants have been used by a number of civilizations as early as several centuries B.C. Many materials (including teeth) were tried. Today, implant placement is relatively common. Great strides have been made over the last century in knowledge of biomaterials, patient selection factors, and placement and loading techniques. Still, the question of biologic "acceptance" or "rejection" of foreign materials in the oral cavity remains a crucial question. "Success rates" are difficult to establish as practitioners and manufacturers alike are reluctant to discuss their "failures," and there is no consensus regarding a "minimum time" for declaring "success." Also the question remains as to what other factors, may obscure the outcome of a given case. We have learned that many factors such as location within the mouth, bone quality and density at the implant site, etc., can dramatically affect success rates. Current implants are increasingly predictable. This paper reviews implant literature and calls for research into areas that move us in the direction of "evidence based" implant design. The design and shape of implants has received very little systematic study to date. Further research into the relationship between the shape and configuration of implants, should lead to scientific principles of optimal design configuration for implant selection. Currently implant design appears to be driven more by factors such as "marketing departments," cost, and "user friendliness" than evidence based research.
O6.06
9:15 BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADULT OBSEITY IN TWO EXTREME STATES; COLORADO AND MISSISSIPPI
Shelia Crump, Elgenaid Hamadain
School of Health Related Professions, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Obesity is a gateway to heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other diseases. Obese population in Mississippi exceeds 30% over a three-year average, and two-thirds of its citizens are either overweight or obese by CDC standards. We compare prevalence of physical activity and trends in fruit and vegetable consumption among adults in Mississippi (most obese state), and Colorado (the leanest state) to investigate possible behavioral risk factors contributing to the observed difference in obesity rates among the two states. Data was obtained from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. On the average, 13.1% more adults participated in monthly physical activity from 1998 to 2006 in Colorado than in Mississippi. Participation in physical activity among adults in Mississippi increased from 66.2% in 1998 to 68.9% in 2006, while adult physical activity in Colorado increased from 78.7 % in 1998 to 82.6% in 2006. Also, adults who consumed less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in Mississippi decreased from 84.4% in 1998 to 80.8% in 2002. An increase was noted from 80.8% in 2002 to 83.5% in 2005. In 1998, Colorado showed an increase from 74.0% adults that consumed less than 5 fruits and vegetables to 75.5% in 2005. Public awareness interventions and knowledge can be an effective way to encourage dietary and physical activity in adults as well as children. Early childhood prevention is one of the most effective ways to combat obesity in Mississippi or Colorado.
O6.07
9:30 CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEASE PRODUCTION IN A PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA MUTANT
Steven Thorton
Belhaven College
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes several diseases and conditions, including burn wounds infections and corneal infections. Extracellular proteases are reported to be involved in P. aeruginosa virulence, especially ocular virulence. A P. aeruginosa mutant believed to be deficient in four proteases was analyzed to determine if the mutant was deficient in the specific proteases. Previously characterized mutants deficient in fewer proteases, as well as PA01 wild type, were used as a control. Protease production was analyzed using zymography and western blotting. On the zymogram two bands were detected, one at a high molecular weight and one at a low weight. Western blotting showed the lower band to be a protease that the mutant was believed to produce, PASP. The higher band was not clearly identified, but may have been Protease IV, a high molecular weight protease the mutant was believed to be deficient in or an aggregate of PASP
9:45 Break
O6.08
10:00 THE AVIAN VESTIBULAR SYSTEM: FUNCTIONAL AND ANATOMICAL RECOVERY AFTER OTOTOXIC DAMAGE
Asim Haque (1), Mridha Zakir (2), J. David Dickman (2)
(1) University of Mississippi School of Medicine, (2) Washington University School of Medicine
Integrating sensory and motor information via a complex neural network, the vestibular system controls compensatory responses of the eye, head, and body. Since gaze stabilizing responses depend on input from the vestibular system, these quantifiable behaviors can be used as important barometers for the functional viability of the vestibular system. Aminoglycosidic insults have been shown to elicit repair and regenerative responses in various submammalian classes via a mechanism that is not yet fully understood. This investigation examined anatomical changes in the vestibular labyrinth during regenerative recovery along with measuring the return of gaze stabilization over a long period of time. Specifically, contributions of eye and head movements in normal pigeons and quails were quantified in response to a broadband battery of rotational stimuli. The two species presently utilized differed in their compensatory strategies, with the pigeon relying primarily on head movement when the head was free to move, whereas the quail utilized both eyes and head near equally. Next, a group of pigeons was lesioned with streptomycin to kill hair cells and alter afferent connectivity. Gaze stabilization responses, which were then monitored longitudinally, showed recovery to near normal levels. Gaze responses to fast head movements recovered first, followed by low frequency responses. Conjointly, afferent innervation morphologies were examined in the semicircular canal neuroepithelia and a unique 3-dimensional surface mapping of the organs generated for both normal and regenerated conditions. These studies show that functional vestibular recovery during regeneration occurs over a period of time nearly corresponding with anatomic recovery.
O6.09
10:15 METHODOLOGY TO ESTIMATE POLLUTANTS USING NEAR REAL-TIME AIR QUALITY AND SATELLITE DATA FOR A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM
Hui Li, Fazlay Faruque
University of Mississippi Medical Center
As part of developing an integrated surveillance system to track pollution and pollution-related diseases, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) developed a near real-time pollution system to estimate air pollutants, PM2.5 and Ozone, using air quality and satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) data. This abstract focuses on the methodology for estimating pollutants in an integrated surveillance system. Near real-time air quality and satellite Terra MOD data are automatically obtained from the AirNow gateway FTP site and the Goddard Earth Sciences (GES) FTP site via a FTP client service on a daily basis respectively. A 220 km buffer area surrounding the state of Mississippi is used to identify the air quality monitoring inside the study area. Data from those identified stations only are loaded into the database. Satellite data are identified for their geographical area according to their acquired time, and those data outside the study area are excluded from the system. PM2.5 values are estimated from the MOD data via a PM2.5-MOD regression model, and a control procedure is used to remove the bias, caused in the satellite...
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