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Trait Inter-Individual Differences in Deep Sleep

Trait Inter-Individual Differences in Deep Sleep

Primary author: Julie Erwin

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

Abstract:

Inter-individual differences in the amount of deep sleep, stage N3, in nighttime sleep have been found to be large and trait-like, even during recovery sleep after sleep deprivation. We investigated whether this phenomenon extends to daytime sleep, and whether it is robust to prior caffeine intake.

In an 18-day in-laboratory study, 12 healthy adults underwent three 48-hour periods of total sleep deprivation. In randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind fashion, participants received either placebo, 200 mg caffeine, or 300 mg caffeine every 12 hours during sleep deprivation. Each sleep deprivation period was preceded by three baseline sleep periods (21:00-07:00) and followed by a daytime recovery nap (07:00-12:00). Sleep periods were recorded polysomnographically. Analyses focused on the baseline night immediately preceding and the daytime recovery nap immediately following each sleep deprivation period.

Daytime recovery naps had 44.6±5.1 minutes (mean±SE) more stage N3 sleep than baseline sleep periods (p<0.001). Daytime naps preceded by 200 or 300 mg caffeine intake every 12 hours during sleep deprivation had 15.4±6.2 and 21.6±6.2 minutes less stage N3 sleep, respectively, than daytime naps in the placebo condition (p=0.003). Across the baseline nights and daytime naps, regardless of caffeine condition, there were large inter-individual differences in stage N3 sleep, with a standard deviation over individuals of 23.2 minutes and considerable stability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.70). Thus, the amount of deep sleep is a trait characteristic that is robust to sleep deprivation, time of day, and caffeine.

A wake-like state in vitro induced by transmembrane TNF/soluble TNF receptor reverse signaling

A wake-like state in vitro induced by transmembrane TNF/soluble TNF receptor reverse signaling

Primary author: Cheryl Dykstra-Aiello

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

Abstract:

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays a role in regulating sleep. Neuronal activity enhances TNF expression. Co-cultured neuron/glia cells exhibit deeper sleep-like states after TNF administration. Both TNF and TNF receptors (R) are produced as transmembrane ™ proteins that, when cleaved, produce soluble (s) forms. Unlike conventional cell signaling induced by soluble (s) ligands binding to tm receptors, with immunocytes, sTNFR can bind tmTNF and reverse signal within the cell expressing tmTNF. Having previously shown sTNFR sleep inhibition in animals, we hypothesized that tmTNF-sTNFR binding would induce wake-like states in cells through reverse signaling.
Somatosensory cortical neurons/glia from wildtype (WT) mice and mice lacking either TNF (TNF-KO) or both TNFRs (TNFR-KO), were co-cultured and incubated on multi-electrode arrays. Daily one-hour electrophysiological recordings were taken on days 4 – 13 for development analyses. On day 14, a one-hour baseline was recorded prior to sTNFR treatment. Immediately post-treatment, recordings resumed for another hour. Synchronization of electrical activity (SYN), action potentials, slow wave power (SWP), and burstiness index (whole animal sleep defining measures) were used to characterize the emergence of these electrophysiological properties and sTNFR-induced changes.
Relative to WT, development rates were increased in both TNF-KO and TNFR-KO cells. Additionally, a sTNFR dose-dependent wake-like state was suggested by decreased SYN and SWP in TNFR-KO cells, but not in TNF-KO cells.
To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of reverse TNF signaling in sleep/wake states. This provides a new way of viewing state regulation and associated potential clinical applications.

College Student Boredom: A Prevention Science Intervention Target for Substance Use?

College Student Boredom: A Prevention Science Intervention Target for Substance Use?

Primary author: Erica Doering
Co-author(s): Elizabeth Weybright; Linda Caldwell; Sammy Perone
Faculty sponsor: Elizabeth Weybright

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

Abstract:

Boredom is conceptualized as an unpleasant state of “wanting, but being unable, to engage in satisfying activity” (Eastwood et al., 2012, p. 482). Although boredom is a normative part of emerging adulthood, it is associated with substance use in college students – a group at risk for substance misuse. Despite researchers call for “development of methods to target and alleviate state boredom” (Vogel-Walcutt et al., 2012, p. 90), there are few behavioral interventions addressing boredom as a motive for engaging in substance use. The purpose of this study is to understand how college students experience boredom and its association with risk behavior to inform substance use prevention approaches.

A sample of undergraduate students (N=480, Mage=19.5, 85% female) completed an online survey of quantitative and qualitative measures related to boredom. Quantitative data was descriptively analyzed to identify the association between substance use and boredom measures.

Descriptive analyses resulted in significant, moderate correlations between boredom sensation seeking and substance use (tobacco, 0.22; alcohol, 0.26; marijuana, 0.27) for annual and monthly use but not daily use. Boredom proneness is positively correlated with annual marijuana use. Findings suggest daily users are not using for boredom sensation seeking (boredom susceptibility; disinhibition; experience, thrill, and adventure seeking) reasons compared to annual and monthly users. Therefore, motives differ for more intense substance use. Findings build on prior research and theory to inform associations between experiences of boredom and substance misuse. This may hold implications for future research on intervention components addressing boredom for substance use prevention.

Multi-functionalized Nanoparticles for Receptor-Mediated Transcytosis Across the Blood-Brain Barrier

Multi-functionalized Nanoparticles for Receptor-Mediated Transcytosis Across the Blood-Brain Barrier

Primary author: Shichao Ding
Co-author(s): Yang Song; Prashanta Dutta; Yuehe Lin
Faculty sponsor: Yuehe Lin

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) as a unique and protective organization in the human brain could prevent most drugs from reaching their target, which not only limits the therapy effect but also becomes one of the biggest challenges in drug development. At present, the scientific community has witnessed an exponential increase in utilizing nanoparticles as nanomedicine for drug delivery. In particular, there is a great interest in the BBB for brain disease treatment by using a multifunctional nanomedicine system. Therefore, researching the transport efficiency of nanoparticles across the BBB has potential meaning for directing applications to deliver drugs and imaging probes to the brain. Herein, we cocultured one-cell or three-cell BBB models and utilized to study nanoparticle transport mechanisms. Various designed nanoparticles with different sizes and functions were applied to enhance transport efficiency in vitro. All researches will provide comprehension of how various properties of nanoparticles are benefited in the BBB study, what’s more, they could usher to the development of novel nanomaterials and nanotechnology-based therapies.

HoloLens Clutter Detection and Senior Care Support System

HoloLens Clutter Detection and Senior Care Support System

Primary author: Aaron Crandall
Co-author(s): Konstantin Shvedov; Jarred Eagley; Austin Craigie; Jacob Stocklass

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

With the advent of modern medicine and a declining birthrate, our communities have been faced with an aging population. Older adults who live independently wish to stay safe, retain their independence, and not be a burden on their families. The Center for Advanced Studies in Adaptive Systems (CASAS) has ongoing work in the field of gerontechnology to support adults as they age. Significant research into caregiver needs pointed to issues of home maintenance and tripping hazards among independent older adults. Caregivers for seniors needed to know more about whether a home is cluttered or safe without being intrusive to the senior’s daily lives. This work’s hypothesis is that a 3D mapping system, notably the Microsoft HoloLens, can be used to build in-home models and track the changes in safe walking paths, in-home clutter, and detect tripping hazards. This information is provided to caregivers to help with home care and safety issue tracking. This project has developed a system which builds and algorithmically analyzes 3D maps of the home for clutter, renders the state of the home from a clutter and safety perspective, then notifies caregivers if issues are found. Ongoing work to test and evaluate the quality of the tools and to get user feedback about its effectiveness are underway. Once complete, this work shall provide new insights into how to sense and analyze living spaces for home care, and methods of notifying caregivers of when an independent senior might need an intervention to help take care of living spaces.

The effects of music versus mindfulness on affective responses to self-paced treadmill walking

The effects of music versus mindfulness on affective responses to self-paced treadmill walking

Primary author: Anne Cox
Co-author(s): Sarah Ullrich-French; Amanda McMahon

Primary college/unit: College of Education
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Positive affective responses are positively associated with exercise behaviour. Thus, researchers have focused on identifying strategies that are most effective at optimizing positive affect during exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using dissociative (music) and associative (mindfulness) strategies during exercise on affect-related variables in women not currently meeting physical activity guidelines. Participants (N = 31, Mage = 28.6, SD = 9.9) completed three self-paced exercise sessions (control, music, mindfulness) on a treadmill in a randomized order. Affective responses and ratings of perceived exertion were measured at four points during the 20-minute exercise session and affective responses, enjoyment, mindfulness, remembered affect and forecasted affect were measured after the exercise session. Results showed that participants’ affective responses during exercise were similar across conditions. Significantly higher enjoyment, remembered and forecasted affect were reported for the music condition compared to the control. There were no differences between the music and mindfulness conditions. The only significant difference between the mindfulness and control conditions was higher forecasted affect in the mindfulness condition. Results suggest that the use of mindfulness as an associative attentional strategy during exercise may support positive affective responses that are similar in magnitude to music. The qualities of acceptance and nonjudgement characteristic of mindfulness distinguish it from other forms of associative attention.

Repeated cross-sectional evaluation of Washington State’s Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative for adolescent substance use prevention

Repeated cross-sectional evaluation of Washington State’s Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative for adolescent substance use prevention

Primary author: Brittany Cooper
Co-author(s): Gitanjali Shrestha; Laura Hill; Clara Hill

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

Abstract:
Introduction: The Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI) is a strategic, data-informed community coalition model aimed at bringing together key stakeholders to reduce underage substance use and related risk factors among adolescents using evidence-based prevention programming. In this repeated measures cross-sectional study, we followed linked grade-cohorts of students over time to assess whether developmentally normative patterns of changes in substance use and related risk factors differed in CPWI communities compared to non-CPWI communities.

Method: We used a quasi-experimental design and conducted propensity score weighted multilevel modeling to examine change over time. Our sample consisted of students who participated in the biennial Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) from 18 CPWI and 174 non-CPWI communities. As HYS is anonymous at the student level, linking grade-cohorts of students enabled us to study changes in outcomes as adolescents grew older.

Results: Results suggest that CPWI has a positive impact on developmental trends in reducing adolescent substance use and risk factors. Consistent with developmentally normative expectations, alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use increased significantly with age in both CPWI and non-CPWI communities. However, the use of these substances increased more slowly in CPWI communities compared to non-CPWI communities. Six risk factors across peer-individual, family, and community domains increased significantly with age in both CPWI and non-CPWI communities, but these risks increased more slowly in CPWI communities.

Conclusion: Positive findings are similar to those found in experimental trials; these suggest that the coalition model is effective and can be scaled up to the state level.

Construction of a Recombinant Bovine Herpesvirus 4 as a Delivery System for Ovine Herpesvirus 2 Glycoprotein B

Construction of a Recombinant Bovine Herpesvirus 4 as a Delivery System for Ovine Herpesvirus 2 Glycoprotein B

Primary author: Emily Cole
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Cristina Cunha

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

Abstract:

Ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) causes a frequently fatal disease called malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) in several ungulates, such as bison, cattle, pigs and deer. Vaccine development is a major goal for MCF research because there are no treatment options. However, the inability to propagate OvHV-2 in in-vitro systems has hindered the development of a vaccine. Since the virus cannot be modified or attenuated in-vitro, alternative approaches for delivering OvHV-2 antigens for immunization are of utmost importance. OvHV-2 glycoproteins, gB, gH, and gL, are necessary for viral entry and can stimulate neutralizing antibody responses capable of protecting animals from disease. This makes them ideal vaccine candidates. Additionally, bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) has been evaluated as a vaccine vector for several viral diseases with promising results in delivering heterologous antigen that confer immunity.The purpose of this study was to construct and evaluate a recombinant BoHV-4 for the expression of OvHV-2 gB. To do this, the bacterial artificial chromosome recombineering galK selection system was used and confirmed with PCR, sequencing, and restriction enzyme digestion. Then viral growth curves were used to assess reconstitution of the infectious virus in various cell types. Also, western-blot analysis and immune-fluorescence assays were used to confirm OvHV-2 gB expression. The construction of this recombinant BoHV-4 virus will allow further MCF research regarding vaccine efficacy, as this vector virus could provide a means of delivering OvHV-2 gB in vivo. Vaccine development is vital considering this is an untreatable, global disease that economically effects agriculture, particularly bison production.

Estimating the proportion of signals in high-dimensional data via integral equations

Estimating the proportion of signals in high-dimensional data via integral equations

Primary author: Xiongzhi Chen

Primary college/unit: Arts and Sciences
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

In scientific endeavors such as identifying genes that may be associated with a disease, a researcher often simultaneously tests many null hypotheses (e.g., as many null hypotheses as the number genes under investigation) using some high-dimensional data. This makes the proportion of signals, i.e., “the proportion of false null hypotheses” (e.g., the proportion of genes that are associated with a disease), a very important quantity. In particular, accurate information on the proportion increases the accuracy and power of the decisions to be made. However, the proportion is unknown in practice and needs to be estimated. Even though there are several major methods to estimate the proportion, they are very restrictive, in that they are statistically inconsistent or require stringent modeling assumptions. To eliminate the shortcomings of these existing estimators, uniformly consistent estimators of the proportion are constructed as solutions to Lebesgue-Stieltjes integral equations. Their excellent performances are verified by simulation studies.

A novel anti-nutritional strategy that inhibits the newly identified Tyramine and D-glucuronic acid metabolic pathways in Salmonella

A novel anti-nutritional strategy that inhibits the newly identified Tyramine and D-glucuronic acid metabolic pathways in Salmonella

Primary author: Raquel Burin
Co-author: Devendra Shah
Faculty sponsor: Devendra Shah

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

Abstract:

Discovering the genetic mechanisms that Salmonella uses to elicit metabolic adaptations in the host is the key to find novel strategies to control Salmonella associated-disease. However, precise metabolites and the underlying metabolic pathways are relatively poorly understood. Previously we reported that deletion of genes involved in the catabolism of two micronutrients namely, tyramine (TYR) and d-glucuronic acid (DGA) resulted in decreased colonization and invasion of Salmonella in orally challenged mice. Given that TYR and DGA are found in the GI tract as byproducts of the gut microbial metabolism, it is likely that these micronutrients may serve as sources of energy to boost Salmonella growth and adaptation during the colonization process. The objectives of this study were to identify TYR and DGA catabolic pathways and to develop an innovative anti-nutritional approach to inhibit TYR and DGA nutritional adaptation of Salmonella. We conducted global transcriptome profiling of TYR and DGA-induced cultures of Salmonella. Next, we identified and employed anti-nutritional molecules to inhibit key enzymes committed to the first steps within the TYR and DGA catabolic pathways. We constructed novel TYR and DGA catabolic pathways in Salmonella and developed a novel strategy for the inhibition of these pathways thereby inhibiting the ability of Salmonella to utilize TYR and DGA as energy sources. We show that inhibition of metabolic enzymes and consequently the metabolism of TYR and DGA leads to nutrient adaptation defects in Salmonella. Further studies are ongoing to determine the utility of such anti-nutritional approach to control Salmonella in vivo.