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Expressive language of hard of hearing toddlers as influenced by siblings

Expressive language of hard of hearing toddlers as influenced by siblings

Primary author: Allison Saur
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Mark Vandam

Primary college/unit: Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Campus: Spokane

Abstract:

Linguistic complexity is an indicator of language development in young children. Complexity of a child’s linguistic productions have been shown to increase with development, but may be affected by factors such as disability or environmental variables. In particular, hearing impairment may affect language and speech development. In a previous study, we investigated the effect of a siblings’ and sex of the child on the mean length of utterance (MLU) in typically developing children. Here, we look at the MLU of children who are hard-of-hearing compared to their typically developing peers in the context of siblings. MLUs were extracted from the public HomeBank database [http://homebank.talkbank.org] of transcribed natural child speech for both the target toddler and for siblings. A difference in expressive language was found between children who are hard-of-hearing and their typically developing peers. Findings are discussed in terms of language development and sibling presence on expressive language in children with hearing loss.

Moving Towards a Policy, Systems and Environmental (PSE) Change Framework for Extension Professionals

Moving Towards a Policy, Systems and Environmental (PSE) Change Framework for Extension Professionals

Primary author: Clea Rome
Co-author(s): Laura Ryser; Carrie Backman; Debra Hansen

Primary college/unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus: Clallam County

Abstract:

The Policy, Systems and Environmental (PSE) change framework has emerged in the last decade as new way of approaching difficult and layered public health problems, including obesity, diabetes and cancer. Rather than focusing solely on individual choices, the PSE approach acknowledges the “interrelated, dynamic, and adaptive factors” (Lyn 2013) that influence an individual’s health. Public health practitioners are increasingly addressing not only an individual’s choices, but the broader landscape that influences personal behavior, including the policies, systems, and environments (PSE) that shape those behaviors (Leeman et al. 2015).

Beyond the public health sector, the PSE approach is a useful framework to guide the work of Extension leaders in many program areas to create long-term change. For example, the complex issues that Extension community development professionals work on require a framework that utilizes the University’s strength to conduct applied research for data-driven solutions at the local level. The authors have found that applying a PSE framework to community development work through Extension provides leverage points that create population-level benefits across many sectors. Extension faculty and staff have played a critical role in facilitating the process for desirable PSE change outcomes for community development through six key activities: (a) assessing the social and political environment; (b) engaging, educating, and collaborating with key stakeholders; (c) identifying and framing the problem; (d) utilizing available evidence; (e) conducting research to identify needed data; (f) identifying PSE solutions; and (g) building support and political will (Lyn et al. 2013).

The Sea as a Source of Novel Antiparasitic Compounds

The Sea as a Source of Novel Antiparasitic Compounds

Primary author: Rachel Relat
Faculty sponsor: Roberta O’Connor

Primary college/unit: College of Veterinary Medicine
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Cryptosporidium, an intracellular parasite that causes severe diarrhea, is now recognized as a leading cause of waterborne disease worldwide, infecting both humans and valuable livestock. Cryptosporidium infection is particularly devastating in children as it causes life-threatening diarrhea, along with developmental delays including growth stunting and cognitive impairment. Cryptosporidium is an especially important disease of immunocompromised individuals of all ages, leading to chronic, potentially fatal diarrhea. No effective treatment exists for many human or veterinary patients diagnosed with Cryptosporidium.

To address this medical imperative, we designed a high throughput screen to test thousands of unique compounds, with the goal of discovering new, potent, anti-Cryptosporidium drugs and drug scaffolds. Our collaborators at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) have amassed a library of over 125 natural compounds, and 6500 highly enriched fractions from extracts of marine organisms. We began screening this library as it contains compounds and fractions produced by sessile oceanic animals which frequently use chemical defenses. Additionally, numerous sessile oceanic organisms are known to have endosymbionts that are likely to produce additional bioactive metabolites.

We screened greater than 3,600 partially purified extracts from the HBOI library and identified 10 extracts that effectively inhibit Cryptosporidium growth without damaging the host cells in which these parasites live. Ongoing studies indicate that some of the identified fractions may also inhibit the growth of Toxoplasma gondii, a closely related parasite. This work will significantly contribute to the goal of discovering effective treatments against Cryptosporidium specifically, and further the search for novel antiparasitic drugs.

Sleep improves when hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) administered before and after methadone dose reduction for adults with opioid use disorder

Sleep improves when hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) administered before and after methadone dose reduction for adults with opioid use disorder

Primary author: Raymond Quock
Co-author(s): Marian Wilson; Lillian Skeiky; Karen Stanek; Tamara Odom-Maryon; Devon Hansen; Matthew Layton

Primary college/unit: Arts and Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Up to 80% of adults undergoing medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder report reduced sleep quality and quantity [Sharkey et al., Drug Alcohol Depend 113:245-248, 2011]. Earlier we reported that HBOT—100% oxygen at greater-than-atmospheric pressure—reduced signs of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal in morphine-dependent mice [Nicoara et al., Brain Res 1648:434-437, 2016]. To study the effects of HBOT on self-reported and objective measures of sleep in adults with opioid use disorder, 31 participants (11 males, 20 females) were randomized into HBOT (n=17) or control (n=14) arms. HBOT was administered for five consecutive days in 90-min sessions at 2.0 atmospheres absolute in a 12-seat sealed, pressurized chamber. Participants agreed to a 10% reduction in their daily methadone dose or 5 mg, whichever was smaller, on Day 2 after HBOT on Day 1. The PROMIS Sleep Disturbance short form, an assessment of self-reported sleep quality, was the primary sleep measure collected at baseline, and post-HBOT at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. For a sub-sample (n=7) of those in the HBOT arm, objective sleep measures were captured one week pre- and post-HBOT via wrist-worn actigraphy. PROMIS results showed that the mean sleep disturbance for the control group increased over time but decreased for the HBOT group. Actigraphy results from the HBOT group showed a ~30-min increase in total sleep time and a 16-min reduction in sleep onset latency post-HBOT. These findings support the hypothesis that sleep quality and quantity can improve when HBOT is administered before and after opioid dose reduction.

Marijuana Use and American Indian/Alaska Native Youth in Washington State

Marijuana Use and American Indian/Alaska Native Youth in Washington State

Primary author: Faith Price
Faculty sponsor: Elizabeth Weybright

Primary college/unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth have higher rates of marijuana use than their peers nationally. However, substance use trends differ by region and there is immense diversity amongst Tribes. In addition, many AI/AN youth are from multicultural heritages, a group typically ignored by research.

This study used data from tenth grade respondents to the Washington Healthy Youth Survey from 2006-2018 to explore marijuana use prevalence rates amongst AI/AN-only and multicultural AI/AN youth in Washington state and the risk and protective factors influencing their substance use. Statistical analyses revealed both AI/AN-only and multicultural AI/AN HYS respondents had significantly higher marijuana use prevalence rates than their non-Native peers. Both groups of AI/AN youth were also initiating marijuana use at significantly younger ages than their non-Native peers. In addition, AI/AN-only and multicultural AI/AN tenth graders reported significantly higher means of risk factors and lower means of protective factors than non-Native youth. However, many of the risk and protective factors associated with marijuana use for non-Native youth were not significantly predictive of marijuana use for AI/AN-only youth, nor, to a lesser extent, multicultural AI/AN youth.

This study’s findings suggest that research needs to be inclusive of multicultural AI/AN health, a substantial segment of the AI/AN population that is at high risk and generally overlooked. In addition, both AI/AN-only and multicultural AI/AN youth have unique risk and protective factors from the general population which may better explain marijuana use patterns. Prevention programs must address these unique needs if they are to effectively serve AI/AN populations.

Complementary effects of adaptation and gain control on sound encoding in primary auditory cortex

Complementary effects of adaptation and gain control on sound encoding in primary auditory cortex

Primary author: Jacob Pennington
Co-author(s): Alexander Dimitrov; Stephen David
Faculty sponsor: Alexander Dimitrov

Primary college/unit: Arts and Sciences
Campus: Vancouver

Abstract:

A common model for the function of auditory cortical neurons is the linear-nonlinear spectro-temporal receptive field (LN STRF). However, while the LN model can account for many aspects of auditory coding, it fails to account for long-lasting effects of sensory context on sound-evoked activity. Two models have expanded on the LN STRF to account for these contextual effects, using short-term plasticity (STP) or contrast-dependent gain control (GC). Both models improve performance over the LN model, but they have never been compared directly. Thus, it is unclear whether they account for distinct processes or describe the same phenomenon in different ways. To address this question, we recorded activity of primary auditory cortical neurons in awake ferrets during presentation of natural sound stimuli. We fit models incorporating one nonlinear mechanism (GC or STP) or both (GC+STP) on this single dataset. We compared model performance according to prediction accuracy on a held-out dataset not used for fitting and found that the GC+STP model performed significantly better than either individual model. We also quantified equivalence between the STP and GC models by calculating the partial correlation between their predictions, relative to the LN model. We found only a modest degree of equivalence between them. We observed similar results for a smaller dataset collected in clean and noisy acoustic contexts. Together, the improved performance of the combined model and weak equivalence between STP and GC models suggest that they describe distinct processes. Therefore, models incorporating both mechanisms are necessary to fully describe auditory cortical coding.

Identification of two noncanonical members to the CCp gene family of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina

Identification of two noncanonical members to the CCp gene family of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina

Primary author: Sezayi OZUBEK
Co-author(s): Heba F. Alzan; Reginaldo G. Bastos; Carlos E. Suarez
Faculty sponsor: Carlos Suarrez; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey(TUBITAK)

Primary college/unit: College of Veterinary Medicine
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Babesia bovis and B. bigemina are responsible for bovine babesiosis, a tick borne disease that causes important economic losses in many tropical and semi-tropical regions worldwide. The CCp protein family, containing LCCL motifs, is differentially expressed on gametocytes of apicomplexans, including Plasmodium and Babesia. Knocking out Plasmodium CCp genes blocks development of the parasite in the mosquito vector, making the CCp proteins potential targets for transmission-blocking vaccines. Although six LCCL protein family members (CCp1-5 and FNPA) have been identified in Plasmodium falciparum, only genes encoding for homologous of the CCp1-3 proteins have so far been reported in B. bovis and B. bigemina. In this study, we describe the presence of two additional CCp-related genes (CCp5 and FNPA) in the genomes of B. bovis and B. bigemina. Similar to other apicomplexan CCp proteins, the newly identified CCp proteins also have a signal peptide (B. bigemina CCp5 and FNPA) and a transmembrane domain (B. bovis FNPA), consistent with surface expression. Consistent with their putative role during sexual reproduction of the parasite in the tick gut, RNAseq analysis sugests that none of the CCp genes are highly expressed in the blood stage, and at negligible levels in kinete stages. The pattern of expression of the new CCp members during distinct developmental stages of B. bovis and B. bigemina will be explored in further studies.

Falling and Depression among Older Adults: Explanations, Conditions and Implications

Falling and Depression among Older Adults: Explanations, Conditions and Implications

Primary author: Kyle Murphy
Co-author(s): Shane McFarland; Myah Houghten; Marie Gray; Garrett Jenkins
Faculty sponsor: Brittany Cooper

Primary college/unit: Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:
Introduction: The present study, presented at the Society for Prevention Research (SPR) 2019 conference as part of the SPR Cup, an academic competition for early-career prevention scientists, is an award-winning study, making WSU the winner of this competition for two consecutive years. With SPR-intentions to broaden prevention science in older adults (a critically understudied population with growing needs), all teams worked with the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey Data, a longitudinal, population-level dataset 1.5 months prior to presenting. Using Anderson’s Behavioral Health Model, the goal of the present study was to assess the relationships of needs-based, enabling and environmental mechanisms/processes by which falling predicts depression in older adults. Experiencing a fall increases risk for depression, which increases risk for suicidality and nursing home admission, and is related to mobility, physical health, physical activity, and health policy.

Sample: N>50,000 adults aged 65+, cohorts 2007-2014.

Method: We employed multiple group structural equation modeling to evaluate the following: 1. Mediation of falling predicting depression through mobility and general physical health; 2. Moderated-mediation by physical activity promotion; 3. Moderated-mediation by implementation of the affordable care act (ACA; designed to enhance Medicare).

Findings/conclusions: Reduced mobility and physical health explained the relationship between falling and increased depression. This relationship was consistent, however, the associative magnitude changed by condition; individuals who reported physical activity promotion with medical professionals, and individuals post-ACA implementation, were at significantly less risk. Implications for older adults, include continued prevention research and medical practices that promote physical activity. Furthermore, ACA evaluation is warranted.

Adaptive evolution in extreme environments

Adaptive evolution in extreme environments

Primary author: Kerry McGowan
Faculty sponsor: Joanna L. Kelley

Primary college/unit: Arts and Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a lethal gas for most organisms because it inhibits aerobic respiration. However, the fish Poecilia mexicana successfully colonized several springs with high H2S after migrating from nearby freshwater springs. There are known H2S-related changes in gene expression in P. mexicana, but the underlying regulatory changes that control them are unknown. We hypothesized the following: (1)Transcription factors (TFs), which bind to DNA and regulate gene expression, would vary in their expression in P. mexicana based on the presence/absence of H2S. (2)TFs would co-vary with the expression of genes involved in aerobic metabolism and H2S detoxification. We performed network analyses on gene expression data from wild-caught P. mexicana from freshwater and H2S springs and lab-reared individuals exposed to H2S. The network analyses clustered genes into modules based on their expression levels across different treatments, allowing us to draw conclusions regarding the connectivity of these biological networks. Several TFs clustered in one module that significantly correlated with habitat (freshwater versus H2S) in wild-caught P. mexicana. Several aerobic respiration-related genes significantly correlated with different springs, indicating P. mexicana may have evolved different strategies to adapt to H2S. These results indicate that H2S affects the regulation of genes involved in aerobic respiration. As aerobic respiration includes some of the most evolutionarily conserved metabolic pathways in animals, this testifies to the potential of H2S to drive adaptive evolution. Understanding H2S metabolism in these fish will help inform the use of H2S as a therapeutic to treat human conditions.

Breastfeeding patterns in four cultures: A cross cultural analysis

Breastfeeding patterns in four cultures: A cross cultural analysis

Primary author: Courtney Love
Co-authors: Katherine Flores, Beatrice Caffe, Avery Lane, Courtney Helfrecht, Courtney L. Meehan
Faculty sponsor: Courtney Meehan

Primary college/unit: Arts and Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Breastfeeding, widely acknowledged to have significant benefits to infant growth and development, maternal-infant bonding, and infant immunity, is also one of the most intensive and energetically expensive forms of maternal investment. Despite these noteworthy benefits, we lack foundational data regarding the underlying daily structure (e.g., frequency and number of bouts, temporal and developmental variation) of breastfeeding, particularly in cross-cultural perspective. Here we present data on breastfeeding structure in four cultures and test the broad hypothesis that maternal and infant life history characteristics and allomaternal investment are related to infant nursing patterns. Data were analyzed on 226 infants and children via naturalistic focal follow behavioral observations, which recorded infant behavior every 30 seconds across daylight hours, among hunter-gatherers and horticulturalists in the Central African Republic, agro-pastoralists in Ethiopia, and Washington/Idaho women living in a semi-rural community in the US. Our results support the hypotheses that several life history characteristics (e.g., infant age, sex, and allomaternal network size) are associated with nursing frequency. Understanding the daily structure of breastfeeding across subsistence patterns can help us understand cross-cultural variation, in addition to illustrating how life history traits influence maternal investment strategies on a critical investment pattern with clear fitness consequences.