Poster Session B

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can lead to impairment of cognitive and executive functions. Individuals can also develop chronic pain that may be neuropathic which may further impair these functions. The present study evaluated chronic pain in individuals with TBI-related pain and their associations with cognitive functions using the Brief Visuospatial Memory TestRevised (BVMT-R) and Hodgkin's Verbal Learning Test (HVLT). For executive function evaluation, the Trail Making Test-B (TMT-B), and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) for sematic and phonemic fluency were used. A three-group comparison between healthy controls (HC, N = 37), TBI individuals with no pain (TBI-NP, N = 23), and TBI individuals with pain (TBI-P, N = 26) were used to determine differences in executive and cognitive functions. Our findings showed that there was a significant difference in cognitive function among all groups (cognitive composite, p = .01). In addition, TBI individuals with pain had a lower mean score in all cognitive function tests. Although there was a significant difference in executive function among all groups (executive composite, p = .02), individuals with no pain had a lower mean score than the other groups. These results suggest that chronic pain after TBI may impair cognitive abilities, but may not be associated with impairments in executive function. These results highlight the importance of a multidimensional pain evaluation and an evaluation of cognitive function in people with TBI. More comprehensive evaluation may facilitate the development of new treatment strategies targeting cognitive function in individuals with chronic pain after TBI. 

In the United States, many adolescents do not have access to comprehensive sexual education, and instead, receive abstinence-only-until-marriage (AOUM) education. Given the current social and political climate in the United States, LGBTQ+ youth are becoming more likely to be excluded from sexuality education curricula and significantly harmed by the flurry of anti-LGBTQ+ bills being introduced into states' legislations. Without receiving access to comprehensive sexuality education, marginalized youth are likely to turn to the Internet and non-conventional sources, thus indicating the need to provide medically accurate, positive, and diverse sexuality education online. The Sex Wrap (TSW) is a sexual health intervention podcast, created and run by licensed sexual health educators of the LGBTQ+ community, that uses the power of the internet and social media to provide evidence-based, comprehensive sexual health information to gender and sexual minorities. This case study collected data from TSW to assess whether the podcast's episodes and social media posts are effective in disseminating comprehensive and LGBTQ+-inclusive sexuality education. The results show that TSW's podcast and social media provide more LGBTQ+-inclusive information than state curricula, and over time engagement with TSW's Instagram posts has been maintained, indicating a consistent number of Instagram users are consuming evidence-based sexual health information. These findings suggest that the TSW podcast, and social media platforms, are useful tools for reaching gender and sexual minorities who have been excluded from traditional sexuality education methods.

The oral and intestinal microbiota have a proven influence on the pathogenesis of non-communicable chronic digestive diseases related to dysbiosis. Acute periodontitis is a multifactorial disease, caused by various etiological agents, one of these factors is the oral microbiota dysbiosis. This inflammatory disease has a high prevalence in Hispanic patients due to genetic, dietary, and environmental factors. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a bacterium that commonly resides in the oral microbiota. This bacterium increases its presence in those individuals who present an oral microbiota dysbiosis. We hypothesize that by eradicating the acute periodontal disease in Hispanic patients, we can reduce Inflammatory Bowel Disease and establish the intimate relationship between the oral and intestinal microbiota by monitoring the prevalence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. A longitudinal population-based cohort study will be used to survey the active periodontal disease and intestinal wellness of  patients (N=25) adults. The biospecimen will be collected from saliva and stool samples once a month. The patients will be under treatment for periodontitis. Each patient will be tested using an Oral DNA test. Collected stool samples from patients will go through a biochemical analysis with fecal calprotectin baseline. After obtaining the data for each patient, we will perform a Pearson correlation coefficient test to analyze the relationship between the oral and gut bacteria, as well as a final health assessment. Through this study, we will establish Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, as the primary pathogen for this relationship. Moreover, we want to prove that proper oral health can reduce the incidence of IBD.

INTRODUCTION: The State of Florida has an incarceration rate of 870 per 100,00 adult residents (Minton et al., 2021). Post-release this population faces a higher mortality rate due to drug overdose by a factor of 3.5, which does not return to the general population baseline even after nine weeks post-release (Binswanger et al., 2007). Post-release this population may not receive adequate care for their substance use disorder (SUD), which contributes to poor health outcomes and recidivism (Kendall et al., 2018). The Florida Department of Corrections shows that the 3-year recidivism rate of people released in 2017 is 24.1% (Florida Department of Corrections, 2020). 
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this landscape analysis is to identify re-entry programs that offer substance use services within the State of Florida. 
METHODS: Using Florida Department of Corrections data, we tabulated the number of substance use service organizations and the count of "other" services offered, and displayed these services by county using a geographic information system (GIS). 
RESULTS: SUD organizations provided an average of 20.5 additional services and a median of 13.5 services. 
CONCLUSION: The literature suggests that substance use recovery, employment, housing, and food intake are competing priorities that impact health (Dong et al., 2018). Organizations that provide multiple services may ease the stress of re-entry and overcoming competing priorities. This project hopes to inform the availability of SUD and other services throughout Florida in hopes to reduce mortality and recidivism of formerly incarcerated people.

Kinase inhibitors are among the most developed targeted therapies for cancer and serve as a frontline treatment replacing chemotherapy for several B-cell malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Due to its critical role in the proliferation and survival of B-cells, Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) is a target for multiple generations of covalent (irreversible) and non-covalent (reversible) small molecule inhibitors. Despite numerous advancements made in the development of targeted therapies, many patients still face relapse due to acquired resistance.
 
We performed a genomic analysis of CLL patients that relapsed during the phase I/II clinical trial of a novel non-covalent BTKi, pirtobrutinib, and discovered acquired mutations (BTK V416L, A428D, M437R, T474I, L528W) that occur at critical residues within the catalytic kinase domain of BTK and conferred resistance to pirtobrutinib. Using cell-based and molecular assays, we observed that these mutations physically impede drug binding and disrupt the normal kinase activity of BTK but can, upon B-cell receptor stimulation, sustain AKT, ERK, and NFkB signaling and intracellular Ca2+ release. This leads us to believe that BTK is being used as a scaffold for other signaling molecules to phosphorylate PLCG2, the direct downstream target of BTK.
 
Our data has shown that on-target BTK mutations allow escape from BTK inhibition resulting in BTKi resistance. Even in the absence of BTK catalytic activity, downstream targets are still activated, suggesting an unidentified mechanism of genomic escape. Pinpointing and confirming these unique signaling mechanisms will be paramount in influencing patient treatment options.

In my experiences making paintings, I find that the completed works often effectively serve as bridges between my conscious mind and that of my audience thereby providing an evolutionary affirmation that we are not alone. My interest in creating art is rooted in my understanding that artistic creation erases the barriers between the phenomenal world and my imagination by allowing me to explore my sensory experience, my emotions, my intuitive reactions, my love of nature, my complex social relationships, and, eventually, my place in the cosmos in the imaginative worlds inside my imagination. When I am engaged in the process of making art, I think more deeply, and time moves more slowly than at any other time in my life. My mind becomes absorbed within an ever-rotating cycle of images, ideas, memories, and perceptions that meld as I wrestle the chaotic flow of elements into a harmonious whole. My paintings provide a portal to a direct experience of the natural beauty, excellence, and energy that drives our social, intellectual, spiritual, and biological evolution. As I allow myself to lose myself in the intuitive process of painting, I have also discovered a fascinating well of inspiration that springs out from my diverse cultural upbringing in the Middle East, the Philippines, and the US. By reflecting upon this internalized 'canvas' of a challenging medley of starkly contrasting cultural experiences I encounter a highly personal well of inspiration that infuses my art with energizing spirit and emotional satisfaction.

In this work a NIR emitting dye, p-Toluenesulfonate (IR-813) was explored as a model precursor to develop red emissive carbon dots (R-CD) for fluorescent imaging.  Current commercial photosensitizers (PS) used in fluorescence-based techniques have glaring limitations.  For example, to achieve optimal efficiency, PS used in theranostics techniques require the utilization of light within the red region to NIR-I window ranging between 650-950 nm, respectively.  A direct consequence of this requirement typically results in the degradation of the PS such as photobleaching or thermal degradation.  Additionally, modern PS have the disadvantage of non-rapid blood clearance from the host which limits biomedical applications.  Significantly, (CDs) have attracted increasing attention in various biomedical areas of application such as in vitro/in vivo imaging, photodynamic and photothermal therapy.  Previous literature suggests that complex surface modifications of produced CDs with hydrophobic organic dyes as the precursor are of interest to unlock the potential route to develop red emissive CDs.  If one were to develop carbon dots (CDs) from this source, it is expected that the product will retain most of the functionality of the precursor.  In this case, mainly utilization in the far-red region between 700 – 900 nm respectively.

The stress of a cancer diagnosis has adverse effects on the family caregiver's daily diet and subsequent immune health. Such relation may be exacerbated by limited resources, such as income.  Less known is the extent to which daily diet and income relate to immune health of family caregivers of adult cancer patients. This study investigates the association of diet with inflammatory biomarkers and the moderating effects of poverty among cancer caregivers concurrently and prospectively.
Participants reported consuming at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables 3 days a week and fat 4-5 times a week. One-fifth of the sample met the criterion for poverty. IL-6 and IL-10 levels at T1 and T2 were comparable with those reported in other caregiver studies, and changes in levels from T1 to T2 were not significant. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that higher FatC at T1 was associated with lower IL-10 at T1 (B = -.149, p = .017) and increased IL-6 from T1 to T2 (B = .302, p = .026).  Higher FVC at T1 was associated with increased IL-10 from T1 to T2 (B = .146, p < .001). These diet effects were independent of those of poverty level of income.
Findings indicate that dietary habits, regardless of income, uniquely contributes to caregiver's inflammatory biomarkers. Evidence suggests that high fat diets have both concurrent and prospective deleterious effects on caregiver's immune health, whereas diets consisting of high fruits and vegetables have lasting protective effects. 

Background: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma diagnosis. Targeted therapeutics originally focused on the cell-of-origin hypothesis, which divides DLBCL into subtypes based on the origin of oncogenic cells. However, newer classifications point to a wider diversity of subtypes and one gene that is mutated in approximately 5% of newly diagnosed DLBCL encodes the BCL10 protein. BCL10 associates with CARD11 and MALT1 to activate downstream oncogenic pathways such as the canonical NF-kB and JNK. The mechanisms by which BCL10 mutations promote lymphomagenesis and drug resistance are poorly understood. We hypothesize that BCL10 mutations promote oncogenesis and contribute to drug resistance through activation of NF-kB signaling. Methods: We used a luciferase dual reporter assay to probe NF-kB activity in 293T cells with wild-type or mutant BCL10. Overexpression of two recurrent mutations was performed using a doxycycline-inducible system in DLBCL cell lines and Western Blot was used to identify changes in signaling pathways. Next, we used a human phosphokinase array to determine the profile of phosphorylated proteins and RNA sequencing to understand changes in gene expression. Results:Our data indicate upregulation of both canonical and noncanonical NF-kB pathways and increased MALT1 activity. Additionally, the phosphokinase array and RNA sequencing data showed upregulated ERK signaling and activation of cytokine-mediated signaling. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate mechanisms through which BCL10 mutations may promote lymphomagenesis and identify potential drug targets. Further analysis of targetable signaling pathways, including ERK and cytokine signaling, are underway.

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a technique that uses a confocal microscope to study the diffusion of molecules within a membrane. During FRAP, fluorescently-labeled molecules within a specified region of interest (ROI) are photobleached using a high-power laser. After photobleaching, the fluorescent intensity in the ROI is reduced to zero. Due to molecular diffusion that naturally occurs within the membrane, surrounding fluorescent molecules will move into the bleached area. The confocal microscope is used to visualize the recovery of fluorescent intensity within the ROI over time. Analysis of the recovery curve must be performed to extract meaningful quantitative data, such as the diffusion coefficient and the halftime recovery of the sample. Having insight on these properties is crucial for understanding molecular diffusion within a given material. Commercial confocal microscopy software can perform FRAP, yet it lacks the analytical tools to extract these properties. Therefore, in this project, a user-friendly interface was developed in MATLAB to curve fit the data, extract the diffusion coefficient and halftime recovery, and visualize the confocal images. Proof of concept testing using FRAP data of insulin diffusion through a polymer capsule demonstrated the efficacy of the interface.

Type I diabetes (T1D) results from T cell destruction of pancreatic beta-cells that leads to insulin ablation. Autoimmune attacks on beta cells occur, due to defective immune tolerance and escape of autoreactive T cells from regulation. There is no cure available for T1D, and patients rely on exogenous insulin to regulate their blood glucose, which does not prevent life-threatening complications. Transgenic Ins2-CCL21 non-obese diabetic mice, secreting immunomodulatory chemokine CCL21 from their beta-cells, are protected from T1D, while transplantation of Ins2-CCL21islets in non-transgenic mice delayed T1D onset. Local and systemic protection from T1D was associated with formation of tolerogenic stromal cell networks near the CCL21-secreting islets. To recapitulate transgenic islets and reinstate T1D tolerance, we developed hydrogels delivering CCL21 and beta-cell antigens (BDC2.5). CCL21 and BDC2.5 were linked to polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels and implanted under the kidney capsule of prediabetic NOD mice that received injection of BDC2.5.CD45.2 splenocytes. We quantified different immune cell populations in the pancreata through immunofluorescence. There were slightly more regulatory T cells in the infiltrates of CCL21 + BDC2.5 gels recipients than control gels. Additionally, we quantified islet size by measuring Ferret's diameter in ImageJ. There was no significant difference in islet size between control and CCL21 + BDC2.5 gel recipients, which suggested there was no significant difference in islet damage. These results show the potential for increasing regulation of autoreactive T cells by inducing tolerance with our CCL21 + BDC2.5 delivery platform.

Hispanics are still 2.5 times more likely to become hospitalized and 2.1 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than non-Hispanic whites. Sexual minority stress compounds this risk for Latinx sexual and gender minorities (SGM), but little remains known about the drivers of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in this community. Data come from the Latinx SGM sub-study of the National Institutes of Health-funded Florida Community Engaged Alliance against COVID-19 Health Disparities (FL-CEAL) (N=120). A multivariable logistic regression model was fit with a dichotomous outcome indicating whether the respondent had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose at the time of the survey. Key covariates included an index of COVID-19-related challenges (e.g. transportation, job loss), immigration status, education level, gender identity, trust in the federal government, poverty, and whether the survey was taken before or after June 1, 2021- the date the Delta variant became dominant in the US. Immigrants and those with a high degree of trust in the federal government had significantly higher odds of vaccination than non-immigrants (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.93, p=0.049) and those with less trust in the government (aOR: 8.97, p=0.004). Those below the federal poverty level had significantly lower odds of vaccination (aOR: 0.13, p=0.013). This analysis provides the first insights into the modifiable factors associated with vaccine uptake in a highly marginalized community. Data collection is ongoing and will be instrumental in designing FL-CEAL's targeted outreach and intervention activities throughout 2022.

Positive affect (PA) is an important construct in the etiology and maintenance of anxiety and depressive disorders, and therefore an important treatment target to address for youth with such psychopathology and related impairment. Prior studies have yielded mixed results regarding the role that changes in PA might play with regard to youth interventions. However, evidence has shown the benefits of focusing on PA in treatment for adults, suggesting that additional investigations into the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on PA in clinical samples of youth may be warranted. The purpose of the current study is to investigate changes in self-reported PA and its relationship to emotional disorder symptoms and avoidance behaviors in a clinical sample of youth (N=222), aged 6-17 years old, who completed a course of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) using the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children and Adolescents (UP-C/A). Results indicate that pre-treatment PA was a significant predictor for post-treatment PA but not post-treatment symptoms of depression, anxiety symptoms, or avoidance behaviors. Limitations of the study include limited variability of depression scores at baseline and overall underrepresentation of depressive symptoms within the sample. Future work will investigate whether PA affects certain youth (e.g., those with greater depression, etc.) and their course of psychopathology and treatment more than others. Incorporating novel techniques that specifically target PA (e.g., savoring, etc.) may also be important to highlight with youth that are lower in PA.

Due to high salinity, low pH and anoxic conditions, brine pools are one of the most extreme habitable environments on Earth making them home to unique extremophile microbial assemblages. These assemblages are an oasis of biodiversity in an otherwise bathyal desert. Previous work focused on characterizing the microbial community inhabiting the brine body itself while only minimally addressing the associated sediments. No other study to date has attempted to realize vertical stratifications within the brine-associated sediment regime. This study proposes there are in fact multiple microbial ecosystems present within brine pool systems suggesting that focusing exclusively on the brine underestimates the full extent of biodiversity. We further sought to determine whether vertical stratifications exist within the scope of these ecosystems. DNA was extracted from three brine samples as well as five sediment cores taken in and around the newly discovered NEOM brine pool located in the Gulf of Aqaba. This study utilizes 16S rRNA genomics and bioinformatics software including Qiime2 and FAPROTAX to characterize the microbial assemblages present within the brine and associated sediments. Results reveal that the NEOM brine pool consists of three microbial ecosystems that are taxonomically distinct from one another. These can be broadly categorized as the brine itself, beneath-brine sediments and brine-adjacent sediments. Furthermore, vertical stratifications were identified within the brine-adjacent sediments. These results indicate that the biodiversity present in unique brine pool communities is even higher than previously thought potentially opening the door for new research avenues in these environments.

Serotonin regulates vertebrate and invertebrate behaviors such as feeding, mood, aggression, perception, reproduction, and sleep. Serotonin has been implicated in psychiatric disorders such as depression, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), such as fluoxetine (aka Prozac), inhibit the Serotonin Reuptake Transporter (SERT) and potentiates serotonin signaling to improve moods. However, while SSRIs block SERT activity immediately, behavioral changes may take weeks to develop, raising questions on how serotonin signaling contributes to psychiatric disorders and how long-term restoration of serotonin signaling alleviates symptoms. 
            We are addressing how SSRIs like fluoxetine regulate behavior using the C. elegans egg-laying circuit as a model system. Egg laying is promoted by serotonin which is released by a pair of command neurons (HSNs) that innervate and regulate the contractility of the vulval muscles. Low levels of fluoxetine promote egg laying, but high levels of fluoxetine can inhibit it. This suggests that small increases in serotonin activate excitatory postsynaptic serotonergic receptors to stimulate vulval muscle contractility, while saturation of serotonin can inhibit behavior. Using behavior assays and Ca2+ imaging, we observed from our model that high concentrations of fluoxetine can inhibit HSN activity and egg laying due to increases in serotonin. We predict that inhibition of egg laying by fluoxetine requires inhibitory serotonin receptors MOD-1 and SER-4, thus mutant animals lacking these receptors will be more active. Together, these results would support a model where continuous treatment with fluoxetine ultimately decreases serotonin release and signaling by inhibiting activity of serotonin releasing neurons.

Ten-Eleven Translocation 2 (TET2) mutants are frequently associated with hematopoietic malignancies, specifically myeloid and lymphoid cancers. We performed comparative analyses of patient samples across cancer sub-types to characterize TET2 mutations within lymphoid malignancies. Vitamin C is a cofactor for TET enzymes and may restore TET function in specific mutants. This could support vitamin C's role as a supplement in the treatment of hematopoietic malignancies. Patient sample analysis revealed that TET2 mutations in the B cell malignancies are primarily missense mutations and the top missense mutations are located in the N-terminal protein domain, unlike TET2 mutations in myeloid cancers which are primarily located in the C-terminal domain. To investigate these specific TET2 mutations and their functional effect in the N terminus, we prepared a methodology for site-directed mutagenesis of the wild-type TET2 gene. The mutant TET2 proteins of the four most frequent TET2 mutations identified in B lymphoma will be transfected into HEK293T cells for treatment with and without vitamin C to determine effects on TET2 enzymatic activity. We will use Western blot analysis to determine TET2 mutant expressions levels and cellular localization, and dot blot analyses to quantify DNA modifications generated by TET2 enzymatic activity. These studies will allow us to understand if vitamin C has a therapeutic effect on diseased cells with TET2 mutants represented in B Lymphoma.