Call for Student Papers - 2003
Table of Colleges/Universities Presenting Papers - 2003
Meeting
Date - Saturday, April 5, 2003
Place - Tennessee State University (map TN,
Nashville, TSU
Campus)
McCord
Hall (Building #4 on map)
Time - 9:30 am to 2:00 pm (approximate ending time)
Registration - Begins at 8:30 am
Contact - E. Lewis Myles
Phone - (615) 963-5681 (Biology
Dept) - (615) 963-5789 (Myles' Office)
Email - emyles@tnstate.edu
Subjects - Undergraduate research in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geography, geology, history of science, mathematics, medical sciences, physics, science teaching (either presenter or research advisor must hold current TAS membership)
Length - Individual talks are limited to 10 minutes
Meeting
Subjects - Undergraduate research in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geography, geology, history of science, mathematics, medical sciences, physics, science teaching (either presenter or research advisor must hold current TAS membership)
Length - Individual talks are limited to 10 minutes
8:30-9:30 Registration - McCord Lobby - TSU
9:30-9:45 Opening Session - McCord 206 - TSU
9:45-11:30 Student Presentations - 2003
12:00-12:10 Group Photo Session - Front of McCord Hall - TSU
12:10-12:45 Lunch - McCord Lobby - TSU
12:45-1:00 Closing Session - McCord 206 - TSU
9:45
-10:00 am
The Effects of Thermal Shock on the Embryological Development of Drosophila
melanogaster
10:00-10:15
am
Inhibition of the immune function of human natural killer cells following in
vitro exposure to the agricultural fungicide, ziram. Sharnise Wilson*.
Advisor: Margaret Whalen, Department of Chemistry, Tennessee State
University
10:15
-10:30 am
Synthesis of C(7) Modified Flavin Models; Possible Implications for the
Mechanism of Formation of C(6) Covalently Attached Flavin Cofactors
10:30
-10:45 am
The Effect of Plant Extracts on Secondary Messengers of Cancer Cells.
10:45
-11:00 am - Break
11:00-11:15
Acute Exposure of
Iron & Nickel Ions on Lipid Peroxidation in Methyl Linoleate
11:15
-11:30 am
The Inhibition of Dependent Density of Anchorage Cancer Cells,
BT 549, Due to the Proapoptotic Protein, C/EBP and Its Accomplice,
The Plant Extract Hypericum Anthos. Alicia
Cleveland*, Advisors: Todd Gary and E. Lewis Myles, Department of Biological
Sciences; Center of Excellence in Information Systems and Engineering
Management and Cooperative Agriculture Research Program, Tennessee State
University
11:30
-11:45 am
Attitudes Toward Committment from an African American Male Perspective
11:45-12:00
pm
Multimedia Programing and Carbohydrate Biochemistry
9:45
-10:00 am
A Test of the Ultimate Attribution Error
10:00-10:15
am
The Effect of 4,4'-Bipyridin-1-ium Bromide Monohydrate on Lipid Peroxidation
in Human Mononuclear Progenitor Cells (U937 Cells)
10:15
-10:30 am
Colors of the Wind. A New Light
and Color Laboratory for Physical Science Students
10:30
-10:45 am
A Chemical Comparison by GC-MS of Romance for Men and Romance for Women
11:00-11:15
am
A Comparison of the Composition of a Perfume and Its Less Expensive
Imitation.
11:15
-11:30 am
P-31 NMR study of polyphosphate hydrolysis
11:30
-11:45 am
Phenotypic Modifier Screening For Regulators Of P150-Glued Dynactin And
Dynein Function In Drosophila
11:45-12:00
pm
Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides And Interleukin-12 Release From Peripheral
Leukocytes
| Name | Total | Biology | Chemistry | Psychology | APSU | 2 | 1 | 1 | - |
| Lipscomb | 2 | - | 2 | - | MTSU | 1 | - | 1 | - |
| TSU | 11 | 5 | 5 | 2 | |
Inhibition of the immune function of human natural killer cells following in
vitro exposure to the agricultural fungicide, ziram. Sharnise Wilson*.
Advisor: Margaret Whalen, Department of Chemistry, Tennessee State
University.
Inhibition
of the immune function of human natural killer cells following in vitro
exposure to the agricultural fungicide, ziram. Sharnise Wilson* and Margaret
Whalen, Department of Chemistry, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
Ziram is used as an agricultural fungicide and as a vulcanization
accelerator in production of latex rubber. Human exposure to ziram could
occur from residues that may be on treated crops or by contact with latex
rubber products. Natural killer (NK) lymphocytes are central in immune
defense against virus infection and tumor formation. This study investigated
the effects of a range of ziram concentrations on the tumor-lysing function
of human lymphocytes. Purified NK cells and a preparation that contained
both T and NK lymphocytes (T/NK cells) were studied. Lymphocytes were
exposed to varying ziram concentrations from 1 hour to 6 days. Exposing pure
NK cells to 5, 2.5, 1 and 0.5 micromolar ziram for 24 h caused 100, 97, 38,
and 32% decreases in tumor lysis (51Chromium release assay), respectively.
NK cells exposed to ziram for 6 d showed decreased lytic function at all
ziram concentrations tested. When T/NK cells were exposed to ziram for 24 h
only two concentrations caused decreases in lytic function (5 uM, 93%; 2.5
uM, 37%) and no ziram concentration used in a 6 d exposure decreased lytic
function. These results indicated that T cells alter the effect of ziram on
NK-cytotoxic function and that ziram was inhibitory to purified NK cells at
levels as low as 125 nM.
Synthesis of C(7) Modified Flavin Models; Possible Implications for the
Mechanism of Formation of C(6) Covalently Attached Flavin Cofactors
For many years, covalent attachment between flavins and their
apoproteins have been researched. Interest in the covalent attachment of
flavins stems from the fact that there are few flavins that are covalently
linked to their apoprotein. From studies of triethylamine hydrogenase,
Scrutton and coworkers (Mewies, M.; Basran, J.; Packman, L.C.; Hille, R.;
Scrutton, N.S. Biochemistry. 1997, 36, 7162) have postulated that the
mechanism by which covalent attachment between the flavin and
flavoenzyme-apoprotein occurs is via nucleophilic aromatic substitution at
the C(6) position. Scrutton?s conjecture was based on earlier research by
Bulluck (Bullock, F.J.; Jardetz, O. J. Org. Chem. 1965, 30, 2056) who
demonstrated that covalent attachment at the C(8a) position occurs via
formation of the flavin iminoquinone methide which then may be attacked by a
nucleophilic substrate. Scrutton and others have hypothesized that the
formation of the flavin iminoquinone methide adduct may also activate the
C(6) position toward nucleophilic attack. Recently, C(6) covalently attached
flavoenzymes have been isolated which shed doubt on the possibility of C(6)
nucleophilic aromatic substitution (Kita, A.; Kasai, S.; Miki, K. J. Biochem.
1995, 117, 575). The flavins isolated were a mixture of 6-(3?-myristic
acid)-FMN and 6-(4?-myristic acid)-FMN for which there would be no obvious
nucleophilic route.To obtain insight on the mechanism of C(6) covalent
attachment of flavin and apoprotein, the synthesis of a several C(7)
modified flavin models which will model radical attachment at the C(6)
position was attempted. It is hoped that the modified flavin will offer
evidence that C(6) aromatic substitution is a radical process rather than a
nucleophilic process. Two separate routes to achieve the synthesis of four
model flavins have been developed. The progress toward the four synthetic
goals will be discussed.
The Effect of Plant Extracts on Secondary Messengers of Cancer Cells.
Acute Exposure of
Iron & Nickel Ions on Lipid Peroxidation in Methyl Linoleate
The
purpose of this experiment was to investigate how acute exposure to and low
doses of Fe2+ as ferrous chloride and Ni2+ as nickel chloride can affect
lipid peroxidation in the essential fatty acid methyl linoleate. Controls,
samples, and blanks were prepared in duplicates. The control contained
buffer solution Tris-HCl buffer containing 0.2% SDS and 0.05 M KCl, pH 7.4,
methyl linoleate acid, and hydrogen peroxide. The samples contained all of
the control ingredients in addition to 10, 20, 40, and 60 µM of metal ion.
All the samples were incubated at 37 ºC for 6 hr. The samples were then
analyzed for lipid peroxides using the thiobarbituric acid assay. Lipid
peroxides were calculated and expressed as thiobarbituric reactive
substances (TBARS) using the molar extinction coefficient of 1.56 M–1cm-1
for thiobarbituric acid. The average of the Fe+2 trials indicates a dose
dependent increase in the levels of peroxides produced (14.7, 53.0, 92.6,
100.4 and 143.1 mM). The average of the Ni2+ trials indicated a dose
dependent, however, there was a decrease with the 60 µM level (3.5, 76.5,
228.0, 234.5 and 193 mM). The results indicate that acute exposure to low
doses of Fe2+ and Ni2+ ions resulted in a dose dependent increase of lipid
peroxides. Further studies will be performed using HPLC to analyze for the
various peroxidation products that were formed.
The Inhibition of Dependent Density of Anchorage Cancer Cells,
BT 549, Due to the Proapoptotic Protein, C/EBP and Its Accomplice,
The Plant Extract Hypericum Anthos. Alicia
Cleveland*, Advisors: Todd Gary and E. Lewis Myles, Department of Biological
Sciences; Center of Excellence in Information Systems and Engineering
Management and Cooperative Agriculture Research Program, Tennessee State
University
Attitudes Toward Committment from an African American Male Perspective
Commitment
is the tendency to maintain a relationship and feel psychologically attached
to it. The Investment Model, which is derived from the Social Exchange
Theory, is a theory explaining people’s commitment to a relationship.
However, research surrounding the Investment Model and other theories has
not been directed towards African Americans. This was an exploratative study
seeking differences in an African American male population on the Investment
Model. Questions developed from the Investment Model were asked of five
African American male undergraduate students at a historically black
university. Responses from this group interview were recorded, transcribed,
and compared to results from other studies in support of the Investment
Model. African American males displayed similar attitudes toward commitment
as participants studied in previous research surrounding the Investment
Model. When rewards exceed costs and great investments have been put into a
relationship, commitment is greater. Availability of alternatives did not
appear to have as much of an influence on degree of commitment as expected.
Multimedia Programing and Carbohydrate Biochemistry
A Test of the Ultimate Attribution Error
A
Test of the Ultimate Attribution Error. Ursula L. Bailey* and Peter Millet,
Psychology Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. The
purpose of the current study was to examine the ultimate attribution error,
which is defined as a systematic patterning of intergroup misattributions
shaped in part by prejudice. This definition suggests that there may be a
tendency to attribute behavior to dispositional characteristics when a
member of an outgroup is perceived to engage in negative behaviors.
Conversely, there may also be a tendency to attribute to external or
situational factors when a member of an outgroup is engaged in positive
behaviors. The importance of this study was to test this theory using adults
from different ethnic groups and vignettes with characters from different
ethnic groups. We compared the responses of the two ethnic groups while
controlling for certain independent variables including: level of
acculturation, level of self-esteem, economic status, education, history of
positive and negative experiences with persons from each of the four
identified ethnic groups in the vignettes, and racial composition of
childhood neighborhood. We examined participant’s reactions and
perceptions to vignettes describing members of differing ethnic groups as
well as members of their own groups.
The Effect of 4,4'-Bipyridin-1-ium Bromide Monohydrate on Lipid Peroxidation
in Human Mononuclear Progenitor Cells (U937 Cells)
Paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'bipyridylium dichloride), one of the most widely
used herbicides, is known for its severe toxicity to mammals, including
humans. One explanation for the
mechanism of paraquat toxicity is the concept of membrane-damage caused by
lipid peroxidation mediated by superoxide anions.
In our laboratory, a new compound, 4,4' -bipyridin-1-ium bromide
monohydrate, has been recently synthesized and reported.
This compound is an analog of paraquat.
No studies have yet been done on the toxicity of the compound.
We hypothesized that the new compound can also induce lipid
peroxidation in cell membranes.
Studies on 4,4'-bipyridin-
1-ium bromide monohydrate, using human Mononuclear Progenitor Cells (U937)
were conducted. U937 cells were
exposed to various concentrations ranging from 0-60 mM.
Untreated and control cells were cultured side by side with the cells
treated with the various concentrations of 4,4' -bipyridin-1-ium bromide
monohydrate. Untreated cells
did not contain any reagents used in the oxidation process.
Control cells contained all reagents, except the different doses of
the compound. Following the
incubation of the cells for 24 hours at 37°C,
the cells were pelleted by low speed centrifugation and lysed by repitive
freeze/thawing in distilled water (500µl).
The resultant supernatant, following centrifugation at 15,000 x g, 10
minutes, was used to measure the lipid peroxidation levels as described by
CALBIOCHEM's Lipid Peroxidation Assay Kit (Cat. No. 437634).
Briefly, 650 mL
of diluted R1 (chromogenic reagent) were added to clean eppendorf tubes.
200mL
of the cell sample were added and vortexed for 3-4 seconds.
For the assay using MDA only, 150mL
of 12 N HCl, was added. The
samples were then incubated for two hours at 45°C.
Samples were then read in a plate reader at 580 nm.
The levels of lipid peroxides were expressed as levels of
malondialdehyde and calculated, using a molar extinction coefficient of
0.1176 M-1cm-1. The
results indicated that lipid peroxides increased in a dose-dependent manner
for the doses tested. Thus, the
above compound can cause peroxidation in cells which could affect human
health. Further studies will
correlate lipid peroxides to glutathione levels in U937 cells.
Colors of the Wind. A New Light
and Color Laboratory for Physical Science Students
We
are currently designing and developing a technology based laboratory
curriculum for the general studies physical science course. This course
provides a basic overview of chemistry, physics, astronomy, and geology for
the non-science majors. Light and how it interacts with matter is a topic
that interests the students. To further encourage their interest in physical
science, a new laboratory activity that focuses on light, color and matter
was developed. The developmental process, testing, and results, along with
student comments will be presented.
A Chemical Comparison by GC-MS of Romance for Men and Romance for Women
In
order to compare the fragrances Romance for Men® and Romance for Women® by
Ralph Lauren, samples of the two colognes were injected into a GC-MS instrument
and the peaks in the total ion chromatograms were identified by their electron
ionization mass spectra using the NIST database. The components of the two
fragrances seemed virtually identical, but the concentrations varied between
the version for men and the version for women. In Romance for Men®, the
concentration of citrus-like components (limonene and linalool esters) was more
abundant. In Romance for Women®, there is comparatively less limonene and
related molecules and more jasmonate related molecules.
A Comparison of the Composition of a Perfume and Its Less Expensive
Imitation.
A
comparison of the composition of the perfume Happy® by Clinique and its
cheaper imitation fragrance Wanna Play? by Parfums de Coeur was produced
using a GC-MS. These perfumes have a fresh scent composed of floral and
citrus elements. The total ion chromatograms resulted in the detection of a
few more components in Happy® than were found in Wanna Play?. The other
components of both perfumes seemed identical. Slight differences in
concentrations were noticed. Some components of these perfumes are limonene,
linolool and linalyl esters, lilial, jasmonate, citronellal, and diethyl
phthalate. The components present in Happy® that are not found in WannaPlay?
have not yet been identified, but are currently being studied and will be
identified in the near future.
P-31 NMR study of polyphosphate hydrolysis
Phenotypic Modifier Screening For Regulators Of P150-Glued Dynactin And
Dynein Function In Drosophila
Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides And Interleukin-12 Release From Peripheral
Leukocytes
Section I
