Volume 19 (2024 - 2025) 

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Research Articles

 

Article 1: Enhancing Treatment Efficacy: Phage Aided Cream for P.aeruginosa Infections Using an In-Vitro Tissue Model

Grace Richardson, Madelyn Terry, and Christopher Pantle

Abstract: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are becoming harder to treat due to the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains. P. aeruginosa is a common healthcare-associated infection and is responsible for skin infections including surgical wounds, burns, and diabetic foot ulcers. Bacteriophages, naturally occurring viruses that kill bacteria, present a promising alternative to traditional antimicrobials. This study compares how well a polyethylene-glycol (PEG) cream, containing the P. aeruginosa specific bacteriophage, PP7, performs against a topical antibiotic ointment and a combination of both treatments for an infection of P. aeruginosa. PEG-based bacteriophage ointment, antibiotic ointment, and a combination treatment was applied to an in-vitro porcine skin model, which simulates a skin infection. Using flow cytometry, bacterial cells were assessed for cell death and membrane integrity. We expected the combination therapy would result in the highest percentage of cell death, which was confirmed. However, statistical analysis showed that its effectiveness was not significantly better than the antibiotic treatment alone. Further research should be done assessing dosage of the bacteriophage. This experiment demonstrated the efficacy of combining antibiotics and bacteriophages, revealing a synergistic effect that surpassed their individual efficacy when used alone.

 

Article 2: Quantifying Water Loss from Fine-Mist Irrigation Sprinklers in Arid Climates

Hayden Barry, Christopher Pantle

Abstract: Water conservation is among the most important modern engineering challenges; with increasing human populations and constant demand for fresh water supplies, potable water is becoming more precious. In many arid climates in the United States, a significant portion of freshwater is used for landscaping. More concerning is that many of the common landscape irrigation systems are inefficient at delivering water, with significant volume not reaching the intended plants. It is well-known that a percentage of water ejected from irrigation sprinklers does not reach intended targets due to wind and evaporation. This study presents a novel experimental approach to quantify the volume of water lost to wind and evaporation in order to quantify the scale of this water inefficiency problem. Flow rate through a hose is measured before water is sprayed from a common fine-mist sprinkler that is adjusted so that spray will be collected in a tarp. The mass of water collected in the basin is measured and compared with the inlet mass. This measurement shows that water lost to wind and evaporation could be greater than twenty percent for fine mist irrigation sprinklers.

 

Article 3: The Effects of Oral Microbiome on Blood Plasma Nitrogen Species Levels 

Afton Green, Rylan Schmanski, Jeremy Chavez

 

Abstract: High blood pressure is an important risk factor in cardiovascular disease. Nitrate, nitrite, and nitric oxide in the blood are important mediators of human blood pressure. Dietary nitrates are reduced in the oral cavity by bacteria in the oral microbiome, and lowering the production of nitrites through this process has demonstrated a significant effect on blood pressure. This demonstrates the importance of bacteria in the bioavailability of nitrous oxide species. Minimal research has been done on specific bacterial species indicated in elevated blood plasma nitrous oxide species levels. The goal of this research was to associate specific bacteria with elevated levels of blood plasma nitrate levels. To achieve this, we collected blood pressure readings, measured serum nitrate levels, and quantified four genera of oral bacteria in oral wash samples from 33 patients. However, our analysis revealed no statistical significance among these three variables, nor with  the various demographic and lifestyle factors examined during the study.

 

Article 4: Comparison of DNA Extraction Methods to Determine the Most Environmentally Accurate Approach for Analyzing Photosynthetic Communities in Great Salt Lake Microbialites

Gage Warner, Joy Imolega

 

Abstract: Cyanobacteria are the primary producers in Great Salt Lake (GSL) but are underrepresented in DNA sequencing data, likely due to extraction inefficiencies. This study compared DNA extraction kits to evaluate their representation of cyanobacteria relative to purple sulfur bacteria, the two main photopigment producers in GSL microbialites. DNA was extracted from microbialite samples using four commercial kits, followed by 16S sequencing to assess the cyanobacteria to purple sulfur bacteria ratio as a proxy for community function. Sequencing results were compared to microscopy and pigment extraction data, which also measured this ratio. While none of the kits performed optimally, the Qiagen DNeasy PowerSoil Pro kit, combining physical and chemical lysis, was the most effective at extracting cyanobacteria while preserving the highest diversity within the microbial community.

 

Article 5: Case Study: Molecular Investigation of A2B Subtype, Partial c Antigen, and GATA-1 Mutation in an Individual of Egyptian Ancestry

Alexis Vigil, Taylor Poulson, Oakley James, Sorya Fouad

 

Abstract: A 21-year-old female of Egyptian descent with a history of microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency exhibited an ABO typing discrepancy while performing an educational blood typing activity in an immunohematology laboratory course. The ABO blood group system is based on the presence or absence of A and B antigens on red blood cells (RBCs). Preliminary results suggested a rare ABO subtype. Subsequent serological, lectin, and genotype testing, including ABO subtyping and targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS), identified the A2B subtype, unexpected anti-A1 antibodies, and partial c antigen expression. Genotyping confirmed the presence of ABO A2.01 / B.01 alleles and heterozygous FY01 / FY*02N.01 inheritance. The anti-A1 antibodies causing the typing discrepancy were determined to be of the IgM isotype, with no unexpected alloantibodies detected in the antigen detection test (ADT). These findings provide valuable insights into the blood group allelic frequencies in the Egyptian population and have potential implications for transfusion safety and alloimmunization risk.

 

Article 6: Radon Testing of Energy-Efficient Homes

Allison Brown, Ravyn Haselden, Shane McDougal, Alesha Rivera, Russell Weldon

 

Abstract: Radon is a cancer-causing gas produced from uranium-bearing rocks commonly found in Utah. This gas can accumulate in homes and harm residents. Energy-efficient (well-sealed) homes are becoming more common. While this is beneficial to the environment, well-sealed homes could theoretically trap radon gas inside, leading to higher levels of indoor radon than in poorly-sealed homes. We measured radon levels and air exchange rates (AER) in 18 Wasatch Front homes: 9 well-sealed homes, each paired to a nearby poorly-sealed home, accounting for underlying geology through proximity. We found no direct correlation between radon levels measured and the different home types. We also found no correlation between home radon levels and Utah’s radon hazard map. Together, these results highlight the unpredictable nature of radon hazards and the importance of testing each home.

 

Article 7: Herbal Tea Extract Effects on Acyl Peptide Enzyme Hydrolase (APEH) Activity

Faith Luk, Courtney Stechelin

 

Abstract: Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are proteins or lipids that become glycated as a result of exposure to excess sugars. Glycative stress occurs with abnormal, accelerated accumulation of AGEs and is associated with the development of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer. In order to decrease the accumulation of AGEs, mechanisms that prevent glycative stress are of interest. Acyl Peptide Enzyme Hydrolase (APEH) is a dual function enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-terminal acetylated amino acids and also degrades oxidized and damaged proteins as a result of AGEs. Building off recent published work, we showed that tea extracts can activate APEH and hypothesized that herbal tea extracts may reduce the accumulation of AGEs by enhancing APEH activity. APEH can cleave glycated proteins, and activation with tea extracts would increase cleavage of glycated proteins, thereby enhancing glycative stress repair.

 

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.

Click here for Travel Abstracts 

Locations Traveled: 

Chicago, Illinois
New Orleans, Louisiana
Washington D.C.
New York City, New York
Chicago, Illinois
West Lafayette, Indiana
Manchester, United Kingdom
Nashville, Tennessee
Reno, Nevada
Manchester, United Kingdom
Chicago, Illinois
Washington D.C.
Atlanta, Georgia
Washington D.C.
Atlanta, Georgia
Denver, Colorado
Pasadena, California
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
New York City, New York
Denver, Colorado
Anaheim, California
San Juan, Puerto Rico