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• Volume 18

  Research Articles

  Jacob Lee

  Abstract: Acyl peptide hydrolase (APEH) activity is important for normal cellular function. APEH activity is lower in many different diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Type II Diabetes. Therapeutic activators of APEH are of interest because they may increase cytoprotective mechanisms. Based on the paper by Izishaki, et. al., tea extracts can activate APEH. In this work, additional teas were tested to see if the published results could be replicated and to extend the work by finding additional activators. Tea extracts were brewed and then tested in vitro to determine the APEH activity. Winter spice tea was the only activator in the teas tested and a dose curve was obtained.

  Kathryn Hales

  Abstract: College students deal with a lot of stress, and it can impact their college experience and success. This mixed-methods study helps explain how current Weber State students’ communication with their faculty are affected by stressors. Students responded to a survey answering questions about how they experience and respond to stress and communicate in the classroom, and interviews were conducted to gain more depth on what instructors do that are helpful or not to relieve stress in the classroom.

  Ben Cornwall; Ethan Mayfield; Rebekah Nilson; Tara Tankersley; Ryan Brown; and Jon Henriod

  Abstract: Contaminants in drinking water can be invisible and deadly. Weber State University (³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø) has pipe material capable of leaching heavy metals into drinking water. We built a geochemical reaction model to predict metal concentrations based on pipe material and length, then measured actual concentrations of metals in water in buildings of interest. We found lead, copper, zinc, and iron levels below Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) federal action limits.

  Kayden Kawaguchi; Krimson Anderson; Kenley Stanger; Sophie Trafelet; Kami Nalder; Jessika Tobey; Brody Manore; and Carie Frantz

  Abstract: The Great Salt Lake’s hypersaline environment sustains migratory birds, international aquaculture, and unique microbialite reefs. Historic lake level fall from 2021–2022 subjected microbialites to desiccation, with consequences for the lake ecosystem. Summer 2023 saw lake level rebound over five feet, presenting an opportunity to understand the recovery of desiccated microbialites as salinity returned to normal. We collected core samples of microbialites at different lake depths, representing varied durations of submergence to assess the health and recovery of microbial communities. Pigment analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of these samples indicate that microbialites resubmerged for several months show partial recovery of the surface microbial community, expanding on previous research indicating the same over shorter timescales.

  Jordan Brown; Ben Cornwall; and Colten St. John

  Abstract: Candida albicans along with other pathogenic Candida species, especially C. auris, are becoming multidrug resistant and are spreading at alarming rates, especially through hospitals. This is especially of concern to immunosuppressed and immunocompromised patients. Filastatin is a drug that has not yet been approved for human use but has been found to uniquely inhibit adhesion of C. albicans to the surface of several biomaterials and human cells. This study assessed filastatin’s ability to inhibit the adhesion of other pathogenic Candida species. Our research determined that filastatin causes a significant reduction in biofilm production among the Candida species tested and should be further investigated as a viable option for treatment, prevention of infection, or as a biofilm inhibiting coating on medical devices.

  Cameron Clark; McLayne Arnold; Ben Laughter; and Misia Farnsworth

  Abstract: Trypanosoma cruzi is an extracellular blood parasite that is primarily transmitted via the reduviid bug in South and Central America. Rarely, it can be transmitted through donated blood products. Although the incidence of trypanosomiasis acquired through blood transfusion is rare, warming temperatures may cause the northern migration of the reduviid species, creating an opportunity for the parasite to infiltrate blood products from asymptomatic donors in other areas. This research was conducted in order to determine a cold storage temperature in which T. cruzi viability in donated blood units would be reduced. A manual hemocytometer was initially utilized to determine viability and parasite counts at various time intervals in cold storage. The use of the hemocytometer for the manual count resulted in values of low statistical significance combined with a laborious procedure. Flow cytometry was later explored in an attempt to detect parasites in inoculated blood based on size and complexity. Control parameters were established, however, when simulated patient blood samples were tested, these parameters were lost due to background scatter. Parasites were not identified clearly within the overlapping cell populations. Although the results of this experiment were inconclusive, flow cytometry has the potential to detect live T. cruzi in blood donor samples once proper differentiation of cell populations is achieved.

  Alexandra Kelley; Angelina Macwan; and Wanutchaporn Sonsawat

  Abstract: Candida auris (C. auris) has recently become a cause for concern in healthcare facilities worldwide due to its ability to cause severe infections and its resistance to a limited arsenal of antifungals, including azoles, amphotericin B, and echinocandins. Utilizing a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, it may be possible to eliminate C. auris without the need to rely on antifungals and can potentially eliminate antifungal-resistant fungi. However, little research has been done regarding utilizing RNP mechanisms to abrogate
  resistance or promote apoptosis in multi-drug resistant yeast such as C. auris. The objective of this research is to identify potential genes necessary for crucial cellular function and study the effects of manipulating these genes to see if the changes will lead to the elimination of C. auris without the use of antifungal drugs. Two groups of C. auris isolates—one control and one modified—will test the hypothesis. The control group of C. auris will contain an off-target green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the experimental modified group will consist of C. auris with ADE2, a housekeeping gene, as a target via an RNP complex. Both the control and experimental groups will undergo incremental culturing to effectively monitor growth pre- and post-transfection in varying organism concentrations.

  Angelina Macwan, MLS (ASCP)CM

  Abstract: Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) can withstand various environmental stresses due to spore and biofilm formation. Rice is often contaminated with B. cereus spores during the harvesting and processing stages. In many countries, cooked rice is stored at room temperature for prolonged periods and may be consumed days later, increasing the potential pathogenic risk of B. cereus. Commercial high-end decontamination processes are unavailable to individual households; hence, studying B. cereus growth under varying circumstances like pressure and storage temperatures using household appliances is essential. To test this hypothesis, rice inoculated with B. cereus spores was cooked using household cooking appliances (stovetop pot, pressure cooker, and Instant pot) and was incubated for twenty-four hours at three different temperatures (4 degrees Celsius, Room temperature, and 30 degrees Celsius). The post-cooking survival of the spores was estimated using the colony forming units (CFU) and flow cytometer. Spores’ survival was noticed by higher bacterial colonies and absolute count of spores on the stovetop-cooked rice, and the most negligible growth and count in the refrigerated rice, implying that pressure cooking is better than stovetop cooking, and storing rice at lower temperatures is better.

  Jennifer Nava; McKenna Hogan; and Braydon Pesnell

  Abstract: Clostridioides difficile (C.diff), a common healthcare-associated infection (HAI), is a gram-positive bacteria that causes life-threatening diarrhea (12,800 deaths in the US in 2017), especially in immunocompromised individuals. Patients who receive extensive broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment are at an increased risk of developing this infection and it is highly contagious in clinical environments. Despite it being primarily spread through exposure in hospitals, there are no standardized procedures between clinical settings on sanitizing surfaces after coming into contact with a patient who is positive for C.diff. The goal of this research is to compare cleaning procedures between healthcare facilities in different regions of the United States. Surveys will be sent to various medical facilities nationwide, categorized by region, inquiring about patient
  history and cleaning techniques. Their status of being a reporting versus a non-reporting state will also be evaluated to determine its effect on their overall cleaning procedures. Following their responses, each procedure will be evaluated on its efficacy in eliminating spores based on CDC guidelines and procedures using their cleaning supplies.

  Travel Abstracts

  Every year the Office of Undergraduate Research has the opportunity to send students to conferences all over the world to present their research. These students represent Weber State University and our commitment to research and scholarly advancement. What follows is a summary of these industrious students and their hard work that they presented to the world.

  Locations Traveled: 

  San Diego, California
  Rochester, New York
  Boston, Massachusetts
  Gramado, Brazil
  Chicago, Illinois
  Denver, Colorado
  Albuquerque, New Mexico
  Pasadena, California
  Erfurt, Germany
  New Orleans, Louisiana
  Spokane,Washington
  Fort Hall, Idaho
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  Spokane, Washington
  New York, New York
  Atlanta, Georgia
  National Harbor, Maryland
  San Francisco, California
  Chicago, Illinois
  Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
  Orlando, Florida