Session 3: Posters
(11:00 AM-12:00 PM) Upper Cube
Mariah Moran
Anthrozoology
Zoonotic Risks Involved with Animal-Assisted Care
Animals have been proven to help human health in various ways, especially when it comes to animal assisted activities. In the last decade animal assisted care opportunities have increased as well as become more defined in the field. With this increased contact between animals and often immune-compromised individuals, more research has been conducted about the potential threat of zoonotic diseases. Comparing the results of multiple studies allows oversight of animal assisted activities including service animals, animal assisted interventions, and the partnership with exotic animals in these roles. With animals being welcomed into human health care the animals first should be held to a health standard for the safety of everyone involved.
Mikenna Deschamps
Health Science
Which material makes the best ACL graft? A systematic review
Objective: To review current literature comparing four different graft materials and their success rate as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) grafts in surgical patients.
Methods: Literature was gathered from the databases CINAHL and PubMed and was reviewed for associations between ACL graft options and their overall success.
Results: The bone-patellar tendon-bone graft (BPTB) is said to be the “gold standard” for ACL repair, but studies in this review support the use of hamstring tendon grafts (HT), cadaver grafts, and artificial grafts. However, the hamstring tendon was found to be superior for patients due to its post-operative success in; low pain percentage, increased range of motion, shorter recovery time, and lower chance of infection, compared to the BPTB graft.
Discussion: Although biomechanically sound, the increased percentage of post-operative pain along with donor site morbidity has been enough to question the reputation of BPTB grafts. The HT graft was found to have a higher percentage of overall patient success and should be considered as an alternative to the BPTB grafts.
Landen Conner, Mederise Tooke, Zack Prokopyschyn, Carson Lewis, Katherine Bold
Biochemistry
A Firefly Luciferase Bioluminescence Water Quality Indicator Based on Varying pH Levels
Firefly luciferase is the most widely researched enzyme for bioluminescence and is utilized in molecular biology and biotechnology. Its specialized ability to catalyze the oxidation of luciferin (the substrate for luciferase) results in light emission. Luciferase is a necessary enzyme for bioluminescence found in various organisms, including fireflies, multiple bacteria, and several aquatic species. This oxidoreductase enzyme catalyzes a reaction that emits light, which is widely used for biological imaging and gene labeling.
Researchers can use this enzyme-substrate pair to quantify biological processes by measuring the emitted light from the oxidation reaction, making firefly luciferase a functional indicator of various biological conditions, including pH, heavy metal concentration, and environmental temperature changes. Employing an environmentally responsive biological indicator to evaluate the water quality in a particular area visually conveys immediate pH information to residents, researchers, and environmentalists, enhancing their understanding of local ecosystem health. This investigation will focus on the effects of a range of pH values to create a colorimetric scale for quick pH reference based on the color of luminescence generated by the luciferase-catalyzed oxidation reaction. An optimal ATP concentration will be determined in which the reaction emits visible light at a measurable rate. The ideal ATP concentration will be used with the enzyme-substrate pair in an oxidative environment to measure wavelengths of light emitted at varying pH levels.
Julia Carr, Olivia Laib, Mason Harwood, Justin Denson, Jordan Bryant, Derek Kramer
Business: Mangement & Marketing
Fleet Management Process Improvement
Using the Six Sigma Methodology (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) and statistical tools, our team is currently working on the General Service Department Fleet Management project for the City of Helena. The department’s current processes are incomplete with missing database content making it difficult to manage their 68 vehicles. Our goal is to provide the most efficient way of tracking the fleet within a database, including items such as the inventory, the rotation of vehicles, titling, service receipts, odometer logs, and vehicle mileage. The purpose of this is to provide the GSD managers with a systematic way of accessing accurate information about their fleet, and more specifically, evidence to the state for the budget they need to provide and maintain their vehicles.
Kennedy Venner, Isabel Koivu, Hannah Sempf, Connor Sullivan
Elementary & Special Education
Promoting Student Involvement and Self-Determination in Transition Planning for High School Students
Student involvement in transition planning is essential to increase self-determination and future success. The emphasis on student-led planning, parental influences, and the effects of transition services for students with disabilities enhances this transition. Our research addresses the gap in transition planning that high school students face. We seek to identify optimal strategies to enhance students' self-determination and post-graduation success. We have found the ideal strategies for support by drawing from a variety of perspectives, exploring the goals of students with disabilities during transition planning, and finding the best plan of action for these students. According to research, adolescents with disabilities who participate in transition planning have a higher chance of succeeding as adults. Students with disabilities who do not participate in their transition planning often experience barriers to achieving positive post-school outcomes. To achieve successful post-school outcomes, students and their families can overcome obstacles through effective transition planning. Providing students with opportunities to strengthen their self-determination is essential during the transition planning process. These opportunities focus on critical skills related to college and career readiness, such as problem-solving, ownership of learning, and academic engagement. As future educators, we are responsible for promoting student involvement and self-determination in transition planning. By providing the tools necessary for this process to be successful, we can ensure that those with learning disabilities can have the opportunity to be contributing members of society.
Emma Pinal, Vicente Ortega
Biology
Influence of Ginkgo biloba on survival and cell cycle regulation in Tetrahymena thermophila under acute stressful conditions
Ginkgo biloba has been widely used for therapeutic purposes for centuries, especially in Chinese medicine. The supplement, which is extracted from the leaves of the Ginkgo tree, has been used to treat a variety of different ailments, including Dementia, Allergies, and Peripheral Artery Disease; however, the results of its effectiveness as a treatment are inconclusive. In order to test the effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba, we investigated the survival and cell cycle regulation of Tetrahymena thermophila that were subjected to a heat shock stressor. We hypothesized that T. thermophila exposed to acute heat shock would benefit from Ginkgo biloba treatment, as it would promote expression of the genes CDK3 and CDC7, both of which are involved in cell cycle regulation, while improving cell proliferation, metabolic activity, and feeding when compared to untreated cells. To test our hypothesis, T. thermophila cultures that were either treated or untreated with Gingko biloba were placed in an acute heat shock environment of 35 °C for 20 minutes. Following the heat shock treatment, T. thermophila cultures were maintained for 48 hours before undergoing behavioral assays to measure cell growth, metabolism, and feeding, along with Real Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) to measure expression of CDK3 and CDC7. Given the previously reported protective effects of Ginkgo biloba, we predicted an increase in CDK3 and CDC7 expression in the stressed T. thermophila cultures that were treated with Ginkgo biloba along with an increase in behaviors related to cell growth and metabolism.
Amber Rauser
Nursing
The Effect of Low Nurse Staffing on Patient Outcomes
In recent years, the topic of adequate nurse staffing has been widely discussed. The American Healthcare Association (AHCA) reported in 2023, that an estimated 100,000 registered nurses (RNs) left their profession as a result of stress/burnout experienced during the pandemic. Furthermore, the report projected a shortage of 200,000 to 450,000 RNs by 2025. The nurses who stay are facing an increased number of patients to care for during a shift. An increased number of patients has multiple negative adverse effects, which include increasing the risk of hospital acquired infections such as pneumonia and sepsis, and in some cases, death. Researchers have concluded the prevalence of a small patient load being incremental in positive patient outcomes, yet hospitals nationwide continue to set the nurse-patient ratios high. In a study of 232,342 surgical patients, from a group of Pennsylvania hospitals, 4,535 died one month after their discharge. The results revealed out of the total number discharged, the difference was estimated to 1,000 deaths when comparing patient-nurse ratios of either 4:1 or 8:1. The need to increase nurse-to-patient ratios is imperative for positive patient outcomes and to reduce the incidence of hospital acquired infections, failure to rescue rates, falls, pressure injuries and death. Appropriate nurse staffing is necessary to maintain safety and quality outcomes. The purpose of this EBP review is to compare low nurse staffing to adequate nurse staffing and the effects of each on patient outcomes.
Garrett Oleson, Natalie Brown
Environmental Science
Reconstructing Glaciers in The Anaconda and Flint Ranges, SW Montana
This project aims to reconstruct former glaciers and small ice caps in the Anaconda and Flint Creek Ranges in Southwest Montana, and to use those reconstructions to estimate paleoclimate conditions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) 20,000 yrs ago. While ice sheets encroached from Canada and significant ice caps formed on the Yellowstone Plateau and northern Rocky Mountains, the mountain ranges of western Montana were primarily occupied by valley glaciers and small ice caps. The lowering of regional snowlines during the LGM can be interpreted from reconstructing the extent, elevation, and equilibrium line altitude (ELA) of former glaciers. This project asks the question: can reconstructing maximum glacial extent and associated ELA depression help inform paleoclimate interpretations on a more local scale in SW Montana?
Satellite imagery and topographic data were used to map terminal and lateral moraines, erosional trimlines, and to reconstruct glacier surface area and ice thickness. A physical ice flow model (modified for use in Excel) was used to reconstruct glacial surface profiles. The ELAs of reconstructed LGM glaciers were estimated using accumulation/ablation area ratio and maximum lateral moraine elevation. Preliminary findings suggest a greater lowering of ELA on the east side of these ranges relative to west, and may suggest a more local source of moisture during the LGM. By providing data on glacial extent and snowline on smaller valley glaciers, this work will help fill gaps in regional paleoclimate reconstructions and may provide valuable insight on more localized influences of climate on glacial systems.
Juliette Crichton, Adisyn O'Connor, Ezekiel Bradbury, Kelly White, Rachel Kaiser
Biochemistry
Synthesizing a Viable Indicator for Staphylococcus Aureus
The objective of this research project is to synthesize a viable indicator for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to aid medical professionals in rapid and efficient testing for the bacterial infection it causes in humans. The V-8 protease produced by the bacteria cleaves polypeptide bonds specific to glutamic acid. Therefore, a proposed substrate-dye complex has been established utilizing glutamic acid bound to glycine which is then attached to a dye, 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein (DCF). When the indicator is intact, glutamic acid quenches DCF and prevents it from fluorescing but when the protease cleaves the peptide bond, the dye glows therefore confirming the presence of S. aureus. The goal of this semester’s work is to bind the components of the dye-amino acid complex together to synthesize the indicator. The process of Fischer esterification will be employed to add protecting groups to the glutamic acid of the dipeptide bond. If the esterification is successful, DCF will then be attached to the dipeptide utilizing aromatic substitution and the indicator can be tested in a culture of S. aureus.
Bersabeh Zellele
Sociology
Disparities in mental health help-seeking behaviors, and utilization of available resources among individuals of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds
This research delves into the disparities in mental health help-seeking behaviors and the
utilization of available resources among individuals of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. It scrutinizes how social determinants and systemic factors contribute to these differences.The investigation draws upon a comprehensive literature review, encompassing various studies that highlight the intricate dynamics influencing mental health outcomes across different minority groups. Notably, Chiang et al. (2017) reveal higher mental distress among double minority youth, emphasizing the need for nuanced understandings of their challenges and resilience. Similarly, Bosqui, Kouvonen, and Kawabata (2019) underscore the prevalence of psychological distress among migrants, ethnic minorities, and indigenous populations, highlighting historical trauma and systemic barriers as key contributors. Moreover, van der Boor and White (2020) elucidate the barriers faced by asylum seekers and refugees in accessing mental health care, emphasizing the role of social, linguistic, economic, and legal factors. Jackson and Erving (2020) explore the impact of social roles on mental health across ethnic groups, further elucidating the complexity of these associations within cultural and socioeconomic contexts. Building upon these insights, this research proposes a Sociological Theory framework rooted in the Social Determinants of Health (SDH). By considering the interplay of social, economic, and political factors, including income, education, employment, and access to healthcare, the SDH framework offers a holistic approach to understanding and addressing mental health disparities. Through a synthesis of existing literature and empirical analysis, this study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving mental health inequities among diverse populations. By identifying key determinants and proposing targeted interventions, this research seeks to contribute to the development of more effective strategies for promoting mental well-being and reducing disparities among marginalized communities.
Noah Lohar
Chemistry
Application of Thiophene Electrochemistry for Solar Fuels
Viable and efficient alternative solar fuels have implications from the renewable energy industry to space exploration. The long-range goal of this research is to use visible light to form carbon-carbon bonds via oxidative homocoupling reaction. Thiophene compounds with an alpha-proton were used to investigate the viability of using visible light to drive carbon-carbon bond formation. The synthesis, purification, and characterization of 2-(4-nitrophenyl) thiophene and 5,5'-bis(4-nitrophenyl)-2,2'-bithiophene was achieved. Cyclic Voltammogram (CV) and computational data fitting were used to estimate the kinetic parameters for the electrochemical oxidative homocoupling of thiophene compounds. A lambda max of 345 nm was observed for 2-(4-nitrophenyl) thiophene using UV-vis spectroscopy. Spectroelectrochemical measurements for the oxidation of 2-(4-nitrophenyl) thiophene show a decrease in the absorption at 375 nm and an increase in the absorption band red of 500 nm consistent with an oxidative homocoupling reaction to form 5,5'-bis(4-nitrophenyl)-2,2'-bithiophene.
Anna Brown
English
Word Relationships: “Amateur,” “Enemy,” “Amorous,” and “Amiable”
Where do words come from? For this project, I look specifically at the words “Amateur,” “Enemy,” “Amorous,” and “Amiable,” to examine their common origin and how they have developed into the words we see today. Most words have origins going back to the Proto-Indo-European language, which is a prehistoric language that was not written down but has been reconstructed. Linguists examine the similarities in different languages to arrive at what must have been the root word. The following project incorporates different languages and their pronunciations and usages of these words as they developed from the Proto-Indo-European word “em.” By looking at word development, I examine the different ways words can be formed, such as prefix, suffix, metathesis, and semantic shift (or changes in word definitions). Studying word origins is important because it gives insight into how other cultures have influenced our own and what our language has borrowed and pieced together to make the words we speak today.
Stephanie Westlund
Nursing
The Effect of Kangaroo Care on Premature Infant Feeding
Following premature birth, many infants need to stay in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to receive supportive care due to being underweight and lacking full development that would have been achieved while in utero until full term. Approximately 10% to 15% of babies born in the U.S. every year are admitted to the NICU. The practice of kangaroo care in the NICU can provide many health benefits for neonates. Kangaroo care, also known as skin-to-skin, is the technique of holding a baby, wearing only a diaper, on the bare chest of a parent or care giver. The benefits of kangaroo care include temperature regulation, improved breathing, circulation, sleep and growth, and improve parent baby bonding. The purpose of this Evidence Based research is to assess the effect of kangaroo care on the success of feeding in premature infants in the NICU setting. Nurses can use the outcome of this research to improve feeding in premature infants in the NICU. Improve feeding leads to increased weight gain, shorter time to discharge, shorter transition to entirely enteral feeding, stabilization of vital signs, decreased gastric residual volume, less incidence of vomiting and diarrhea, and overall decreased feeding intolerance.
Leah Manning
Health Science
Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy on ACL Rehabilitation
Objective: To review current literature comparing heavy-load traditional therapy (HLT-T) vs. blood flow restriction therapy (BFR-T) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery.
Methods: Literature gathered from PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar databases were reviewed for comparisons between HLT-T and BFR-T on rehabilitation outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery.
Results: BFR-T compared to HLT-T showed statistically significant evidence that BFR-T reduces muscle atrophy, improves muscle strength, and reduces knee pain from two weeks to five years post-ACLR.
Discussion: Physical therapists can utilize this review to justify incorporating BFR-T into their ACL plan of care. Since BFR-T is a relatively new approach to ACL rehabilitation, more research must be done to conclude that BFR-T does improve other factors such as overall knee function, recovery time, and ability to return to sport.
Mila Duncan, Hannah Kolb
Biochemistry
Examining the Effects of the homeopathic supplement, Nux Vomica, on metabolism in Tetrahymena thermophila
The seeds of the Strychnos Nux-Vomica tree have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and have carried over to modern homeopathic medicine due to claims that it is a cure-all supplement for everything from liver cancer to hangover relief. Nux vomica's supposed medical benefits are thought to arise from the alkaloids, strychnine, and brucine found within the plant; however, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims. The goal of this research was to determine whether the Nux Vomica supplement would affect metabolism in the model organism, Tetrahymena thermophila. We hypothesized that Nux Vomica would alter expression of the CDK3 and CAM1 genes due to its proposed anti-tumor properties while also affecting cell replication, metabolic rate, and responsiveness to chemical stimulation. The CDK3 gene encodes a protein involved in cell cycle regulation while the CAM1 gene encodes a regulator of cytokinesis that is expressed during cell division. To test our hypothesis, T. thermophila was treated with Nux Vomica for 48 hours before expression of the CAM1 and CDK 3 genes was measured via Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). The T. thermophila cultures were also subjected to 3 behavioral assays at the end of the treatment period, including cell counting to monitor growth, deciliation to determine metabolic rate, and chemotaxis to analyze chemical responsiveness. We predicted that exposure to Nux Vomica would result in increased expression of the CDK3 and CAM1 genes, increased metabolic rate and chemical responsiveness, and decreased cell growth.
Erik Muskett
Nursing
De-escalation Training and the Reduction of Physical Restraints
Physical Restraints (PR) are manual methods that restrict the freedom of movement of patients that are a danger to themselves or others. Although PR are sometimes necessary, they are associated with negative physical and psychological outcomes for patients and the nurses who must apply them. PR can cause pressure injuries, pain, joint dislocation, and more serious problems including pulmonary embolism, asphyxiation, and death. PR can also cause decline in cognitive ability, post-traumatic stress disorder, humiliation, and shame. Further, nurses can be physically assaulted during PR, which increases burnout, sick leave, and impacts their psychological well-being and ability to form therapeutic relationships with patients. The need for proper training that decreases violence and aggression is essential for nurses as 25% report being assaulted by patients.
De-escalation training programs are a potential solution to violence and aggression in health care settings that teach a combination of strategies intended to reduce a patient’s agitation and aggression. However, there is a small amount of research about the efficacy of de-escalation training programs with no guidance on what constitutes a gold standard for practice. The purpose of this evidence-based practice review is to evaluate if de-escalation training programs reduce the incidence of PR. Nurses can use this information to reduce the incidence of a controversial intervention that causes negative physical and psychological outcomes for themselves and their patients.
Madelyn Franz, Belle Anselmo
Biology
Exploring the relationship between osteoarthritis and age with global metabolomic profiling
Age is one of the most prevalent risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA). Prior research has revealed changes in joint tissues within the aging body, including cartilage thinning, a decrease in synovial fluid, increased risk for osteoporosis, and a decrease in bone volume. Factors such as chondrocyte senescence and oxidative stress also change with age and may contribute to OA pathogenesis. Global metabolomic profiling was used to identify metabolic variations in human OA synovial fluid samples below and above the age of 70 to better understand the relationship between age and OA. It was hypothesized that older patients identified with OA would show metabolic profiles that were more distinctly upregulated or downregulated within OA-altered metabolic pathways. Metabolites were extracted from synovial fluid, and identified using LC-MS. The processed data was uploaded into MetaboAnalyst for univariate (fold change) and multivariate (OPLS-DA) statistical analyses. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed on extracted metabolite features from fold change and OPLS-DA to compare age cohorts, as well as all OA samples with healthy samples separately. Across analyses, lysine metabolism was significantly distinct and upregulated within OA patients over 70, and OPLS-DA pathway analysis revealed linoleate metabolism was different between age cohorts. Glutathione, vitamin E, and purine metabolism were also all distinct between age groups. These findings present more specified potential areas for further research to understand how aging processes relate to OA pathogenesis. Clearer understandings of this connection could translate to more tailored treatments based upon age, and more effective preventative measures for OA.
Erin Welter
Gender Studies
An Analysis on Gender Disparity in Healthcare Systems
This research will delve into the reasoning behind the top gendered healthcare disparities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), gendered based health inequalities disproportionately affect women and girls due to having a lower status and less control in making decisions regarding their bodies, relationships, families and communities which introduces them to violence, coercion, and harmful practices (Gender and Health, n.d.). The focus of this research will be on the ways in which targets on gender in healthcare are apparent in our society, including high risk factors of sexually transmitted infections, cervical cancer, depression, malnutrition, and others that are apparent in female individuals and other people. I will also incorporate gender theorists and their writings to address these issues. Gender inequality restricts women and girls to healthcare information and services such as mobility restrictions, limitation on decision-making autonomy, constraint to finance access, lowered literacy rates, and discrimination from healthcare providers (Gender and Health, n.d.). The purpose of this study is to address these and more gender-based disparities in healthcare and suggest options to lessen these inequalities.
Thomas McGree
Health Science
Physical Therapy to Treat Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Objective: To review literature regarding canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRP) and their effectiveness in treating patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar were used to identify articles included in this systematic review. These studies looked at physical therapy, specifically CRP, and their effects on BPPV.
Results: All articles used in this review found that CRP had positive effects in short term resolution of symptoms regarding BPPV. Sufficient evidence was not available to determine whether or not CRP resulted in long-term resolution of BPPV symptoms.
Discussion: CRP is an effective treatment method of BPPV with a less likelihood of recurrence compared to not performing these maneuvers. Treating patients during the acute onset of BPPV symptoms showed better results than delaying the rehabilitation process. Physical and other therapists treating BPPV should be encouraged to incorporate CRP into their treatment modalities.
Keywords: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo; physical therapy; effectiveness; canalith repositioning maneuvers
Elizabeth Kirby, Elissa Mazkour
Biology
The Impacts of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Metabolism in Tetrahymena thermophila
Coenzyme Q is an integral component of the electron transport chain and functions by transporting electrons from Complexes I and II to Complex III within the inner mitochondrial membrane. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is the most common form of Coenzyme Q found in humans and is a popular homeopathic supplement that claims to improve symptoms of degenerative diseases by increasing the efficiency of mitochondrial ATP production. In order to determine whether CoQ10 increases mitochondrial efficiency in Tetrahymena thermophila, we examined changes in metabolic rate and the expression of genes associated with ATP production. To accomplish this, three independent behavioral assays were performed weekly to assess proliferation rate, energy consumption, and cilia regeneration, all of which are indicators of metabolic rate. Additionally, Reverse Transcription quantitative-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed weekly to determine the expression of AAC1 and TTHERM_00532800. The AAC1 gene encodes the ADP/ATP transmembrane transporter protein while TTHERM_00532800 encodes the Cytochrome c domain protein of the electron transport chain. As a result of CoQ10 exposure, we predicted that expression of AAC1 and TTHERM_00532800 would be upregulated in T. thermophila due to enhanced mitochondrial efficiency in ATP production. Consequently, we predicted that the CoQ10-exposed T. thermophila would demonstrate greater proliferation, increased energy consumption, and an accelerated metabolic rate.
Kaitlyn Randle, Gina Leveque-Zapata
Biology
Environmental and Socioeconomic Effects on Chlamydia trichomatis Incidence Rates within Montana
On any given day, one in five people are actively infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Chlamydia trichomatis is the most common STI, with one in 20 sexually active women being infected. Long term Chlamydia infections can lead to infertility, and even vision loss in the case of eye exposure. We tested for association between socioeconomic status, environmental factors and Chlamydia incidence rates within the 56 counties in Montana. We used county wide, passively surveyed, aggregated data on incidence rates of Chlamydia for the past 10 years. Poverty and education levels were the two socioeconomic variables investigated. We also sought to elucidate the correlation between various environmental factors that increase Chlamydia incidence. This data was analyzed for correlation by using a linear and multiple linear regression model. The less affluent counties have less access to adequate healthcare and education, which most likely correlates to higher STI incidence rates. The more moderate temperature climates most likely experience higher rates of Chlamydia based on previous research. Based on the colder temperatures at higher elevations, we believe there will be an inverse relationship between elevation and Chlamydia incidence rates. We will present our findings of which factors are significantly associated with Chlamydia incidence rates. Looking at both environmental and socioeconomic factors enables improved identification of at-risk areas and better-targeted preventive and screening efforts in order to decrease the prevalence of Chlamydia within Montana.
Erica Nessan, Kaden Kastner, Wade Luly
Neuroscience
Investigating the Effect of Homeopathic NMN on Cognition, Motor Function, and Mood of Drosophila malenogaster
Pure NMN, also known as β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, is a fast-dissolving homeopathic supplement that claims to increase longevity and promote healthy aging. Although previous research found that NMN supplementation positively affects physical activity and cognitive function in humans, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of whether these supplements function as claimed. The goal of the current study was to investigate the effect of NMN supplementation on cognition, motor function, and mood in the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies). It was hypothesized that flies treated with the NMN supplement would exhibit increased motor function, enhanced cognition, and improved mood compared to control flies. To test our hypothesis, behavioral assays were performed on D. melanogaster that were treated with 1.2x10-7 g/mL of homeopathic NMN for one week. Following the treatment, a RING assay was performed to test motor function, a mating assay was performed to measure cognition, and a wall following assay was performed to measure changes in mood. The results of this study showed there was no significant difference in either cognition or mood-related behaviors in D. melanogaster that were treated with NMN; however, the NMN-treated flies did exhibit a significant improvement in motor function. Collectively, these results show that NMN supplementation may improve physical activity; however, further research needs to be performed regarding its claimed effects on cognition and mood.
Addison Ekstrom
Health Science
Blood Flow Restriction Training vs. Non-Occlusive Training in Patients After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review
Objective: To review relevant literature comparing the effects of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) vs. non-occlusive training in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery.
Methods: Literature was gathered through PubMed and CINAHL and was reviewed for associations between BFR and patient outcomes after ACL reconstruction.
Results: The use of BFRT showed favorable results compared to non-occlusive therapy in restoring knee function. BFR increased muscle hypertrophy, reduced knee joint pain and effusion while exhibiting tolerable use with no major side effects.
Conclusions: The postoperative use of BFRT showed promising results for ACL reconstruction patients. The individualized prescription of BFRT should be studied further to be considered as a rehabilitation option for patients following ACL reconstruction.
Alison Ross
Environmental Science
Mapping Bathymetry and Modeling Historic Features in Lake Helena
Lake Helena is located in the northeastern area of the Helena Valley and is primarily fed by Prickly Pear Creek and Silver Creek. It was formed when Hauser Dam was constructed on the Missouri River in 1911. The underwater features of Lake Helena have not yet been documented, and in order to collect research-grade sediment cores, groundwater springs and historic stream channels, ponds, and wetlands need to be mapped. Research-grade cores need to be collected from the lake so they can be used to reconstruct the paleoclimate of the Helena Valley, and in order to get the most complete record cores need to be sampled from areas of low disturbance such as wetlands and ponds that haven’t dried out.
Bathymetry and estimated sediment depth were mapped using dual frequency sonar that collected 160,000 data points on a 50 meter grid. Approximate locations of ponds, wetlands, and streams were identified on an 1899 USGS topographic map. The historic map was matched and scaled to current satellite imagery using public land survey section corners in Autodesk Civil3D. The location of one large historic pond has already been verified through sediment coring and has been identified as a possible groundwater spring. This research has also found an unusual area of 10-15 meter deep sediments in the northwest corner of the lake. Future sediment coring will continue to verify the locations of various mapped features and potentially discover the cause of the deep sediments.
Keetyn Sayers, Jamie Pickens, Natalie Neveau
Nursing
Night Shift Nursing and Breast Cancer Risk: A Comprehensive Analysis
Working 12-hour shifts or more during the day is something that is normal to the healthcare population. New evidence has come to light that shows that abnormal disruptions in circadian sleep rhythms along with the exposure to artificial light at night may have carcinogenic qualities that could put shift workers at an increased risk of cancer. Looking at the different types of cancers, the most prevalent diagnosis among night shift healthcare workers appears to be breast cancer. But, because there is a need for health care services 24 hours a day, it's inevitable that a portion of healthcare professionals will work night shifts and therefore be subjected to its potential risks. The purpose of our evidenced-based review is to determine if there is an increased cancer risk for healthcare workers who work night shifts compared to healthcare workers who work day shifts. In determining whether or not there are health risks, facilities who employ night shift workers can implement screenings and protocols that would safeguard the health of their workers. This research will be extremely vital to the healthcare field because it will aid in early detection and prevention of cancer for this group.
Sydney Gannon, Elliot Wald
Biochemistry
The Effects of Curcumin on the Response of Tetrahymena thermophila to Oxidative Stress
Studies have shown that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, helps organisms recover from oxidative stress. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this benefit are not well understood. Exposing the model organism Tetrahymena thermophila (T. thermophila) to curcumin allowed for genetic and behavioral investigations into curcumin’s impact on stressed cells. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that T. thermophila treated with curcumin would be better protected against oxidative stress, as indicated by higher OXR1 expression levels, lower Rad51 expression levels, increased growth, faster speed, and less interest in oxygen when compared to controls. The T. thermophila genes OXR1 and Rad51 are involved in the oxidative stress response as they encode protective factors against stress (OXR1) and DNA damage repair proteins (Rad51). In this study, three experimental groups were established to determine how oxidative stress, induced by hydrogen peroxide, was impacted by curcumin treatment. During the 48 hour treatment period, cell counts were taken to determine growth trajectories followed by cell motility and aerotaxis assays to examine cell viability. Following the behavioral assays, Reverse-Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the expression of OXR1 and Rad51. Because curcumin protects organisms from oxidative stress, it was predicted that the presence of curcumin would increase OXR1 expression to enhance cellular protection and decrease Rad51 expression due to decreased DNA damage in T. thermophila. It was also predicted that T. thermophila treated with curcumin would better survive in an oxygen deprived environment and exhibit healthy behaviors.
Jack England
Health Science
Surgical versus Non-Surgical Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation
Objective. To review current literature on the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment compared to surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniations (LDH).
Methods. Literature identified through Pubmed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar was reviewed regarding the effectiveness of each type of treatment, nonsurgical (e.g. physical therapy) and surgical (e.g. microdiscectomy), and comparing the outcomes of each treatment.
Results. All studies found improvement in symptoms through both surgical and nonsurgical treatment for LDH, although the majority of literature found better improved outcomes in patients who underwent surgical treatment, vs. nonsurgical treatment. Participants in seven out of the eight studies were found to have better outcomes in low back or leg pain, physical function, and quality of life as a result of surgical treatment.
Conclusions. Surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniations is associated with a better improvement of quality of life, physical function, and low back or leg pain compared to non-surgical treatment. Alternative outcomes such as negative effects of each treatment, as well as long vs. short term effects of each treatment should be studied further.
Keywords: lumbar disc herniation; sciatica; lumbar radiculopathy; non-surgical; surgical; minimally invasive; conservative
Brittney Chapman, Samuel Conner
Psychology
The Impacts of Stress on Working Memory
Previous research suggests physical stress has an impact on a person’s memory. In order to better illustrate the impact, this study focuses on the link between stress and auditory working memory. Working memory describes the ability to take in information, hold it for a short period of time, and then utilize that information on a subsequent task. Deficits in this specific type of memory can impact a person’s ability to follow directions and maintain conversation, along with other components of daily functioning. In the classroom, this can appear as having difficulties finishing assignments with many steps or having trouble remaining engaged during a lecture. During the study, participants (N=43) were divided into two groups. One group was exposed to stress (plunged their hand into an ice bath), while the other group was not administered any stress. Both groups were read a list of words from the Deese, Roediger, and McDermott (DRM) task and after 15 seconds were asked to write down as many of the words as they could remember. The mean number of words remembered by each group was compared and results showed the ice bath had a significant effect on the participants' auditory working memory. These observations add to the body of research regarding the negative effects of stress on working memory.
Reagan Paris
History
Irene of Athens & Theodora the Armenian: The Overlooked Heroes of the Byzantine Iconoclast Controversy
In this paper I discuss the impact the empresses Irene of Athens and Theodora the Armenian had on the political and spiritual thinking of medieval Byzantium. I argue that these women, who brought both periods of Byzantine Iconoclasm to an end, demonstrated a political savviness and spiritual understanding that was not typically credited to women of the medieval world. Using both primary and secondary source documents, I examine the political and spiritual views of both empresses to create an understanding not only of what it meant to hold so much spiritual power, but also how they were able to navigate the struggles of being women in the male dominated sphere of Byzantine politics.
Macie Frans, Kaitlynn Ayers
Biology
Ecological Impacts on Dermacentor andersoni Abundance and Socioeconomic Impacts on Dermacentor Disease Incidence
Colorado Tick Fever Virus (CTFV), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), tularemia, Q Fever, and anaplasmosis are endemic to western North America. The vector for these diseases are Dermacentor ticks, which are located across Montana. In other states, D. andersoni abundance was found to be correlated with elevation and other environmental factors. Abundance of Dermacentor ticks can increase disease incidence, and may also be associated with socioeconomic factors. Health disparities impact disadvantaged populations through preventable differences in disease burden and health opportunities. RMSF and Lyme disease have shown associations between incidence rates and social determinants of health (SDOH). This project tests for associations between SDOH and Dermacentor disease incidence and between environmental factors and D. andersoni abundance in Montana. Data on tick abundance was collected across 156 sites in Montana from 2013-2017. Random stratified sampling of D. andersoni occurred across three ecoregions: grasslands, intermountain valleys, and the Rocky Mountains. The abundance of ticks was organized into categorical levels. GIS elevation data was acquired from the EROS Data Center. Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services reports communicable diseases by county, and identified 30 counties with Dermacentor tick diseases from 2014-2018. Correlation analysis was used to test association between disease incidence and SDOH. Data for socioeconomic factors comes from the 2020 census. Using ANOVA and correlation analysis, we will present findings on the association between elevation and other environmental factors and D. andersoni abundance and SDOH and Dermacentor disease incidence in Montana.