2006 supplemental abstracts.

MISSISSIPPI ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Seventieth Annual Meeting-February 2006

Errata--new life members and new abstracts

New Life Members

Roy J. Duhe, Jackson, MS

Dionne Fortenberry, Columbus, MS

Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology

Addition to poster presentations, 6:00p Thursday

HUNT AND PECK: IN SEARCH OF GO TERMS FOR CHICKGO

Susie M. Baker* (1), Fiona M. McCarthy (2), and Shane M. Burgess (2), (1) Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS 39701 and (2) Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762

The chicken is the first agricultural animal to have its genome sequenced. The chicken genome was sequenced primarily because of its importance in evolutionary biology, but also it is an important source of protein and used as an immunological model. However prior to biological modeling, chicken gene products must first be functionally annotated. Gene Ontology (GO) has become the de facto method for functional annotations. A mere 17% of chicken proteins have GO annotation, and more than 99% of these proteins have been assigned their annotation from the least accountable form, inferred by electronic annotation (IEA). I assigned GO annotations to chicken gene products via ChickGO, which is a part of the AgBase, a database established to provide functional annotations for agricultural organisms. A list of bursal B-cell mitochondrial proteins was generated from experimental data. I searched the UniProt database for UniProt accession numbers and for any annotations listed for these proteins. Proteins for which no annotations were listed were submitted into Goanna, which returned several possible homologue matches to each protein. I manually compared sequences strict homology matches to our chicken protein. If the comparison was suitable, I was able to take GO annotations from the homologue and transfer them to the corresponding chicken protein. Using this method, I manually annotated 629 mitochondrial proteins for ChickGO based upon sequence similarities (ISS). These annotations will provide a basis for further research into the biological function of these proteins, aid biological modeling using chicken gene products and assist comparative biology studies.

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Addition to poster presentations, 6:00p Thursday

CONFORMATIONAL STUDIES OF DITERT-BUTYLCYCLOHEXANES BY AB INITIO MOLECULAR ORBITAL CALCULATIONS

Gurvinder Gill, Diwakar M. Pawar, and Eric A Noe, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217

The conformational space was searched for 1,1-di-tert-butylcyclohexane (1), trans-1,2-di-tert-butylcyclohexane(2), and trans-l,3-di-tert-butylcyclohexane (3) with Allinger's molecular mechanics program (MM3 and MM4), and free energies were obtained at various temperatures. Calculations were repeated for low-energy conformations and intermediate transition state for interconversion of chair and twist-boat conformation with ab initio methods until the HF/6-311+G(d) level was reached. Ab initio calculations for 1 and 3 predict that twist-boat conformation is lower in free energy than the chair conformation, whereas chair (ax) form is found to be more stable for 2. Molecular mechanics calculations are in qualitative agreement with Ab initio calculations except for 1, the chair conformation is predicted to be more stable. At the HF/6-311+G* level the barriers to interconversion of the chair and twist-boat conformations, molecular geometries, symmetries, relative strain energies, and relative free energies and calculated (GIAO) chemical shifts for four conformations and comparisons with published results of compounds 1-3 will be presented. Experimental work is in progress. This work was supported by NSF-CREST Grant No. HRD-9805465.

EFFECT OF ELECTRODE MATERIAL AND ELECTROLYTE ON THE ELECTROGENERATED CHEMILUMINESCENCE BEHAVIOR OF RU(BPY)[.sub.3.sup.2+]/TPRA SYSTEM (1)

Shijun Wang*, Wujian Miao, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) is a process of light generation by electrode reactions. ECL was observed at an electrode placed in contact with Ru(bpy)[.sub.3.sup.2+] (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl)/tripropylamine (TPrA) solution when the electrode was scanned positively. Because ECL intensity is solution pH dependent, where the highest ECL signals are obtained around pH 7-8, neutralization of basic TPrA with an acid is needed when TPrA is added to a neutral buffer such as a phosphate buffer solution. Phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, and perchloric acid, are often used for such a purpose. In 0.10 M TPrA-0.10 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4, neutralized with [H.sub.3]P[O.sub.4]), two ECL waves were observed at both glassy carbon (GC) and Au electrodes, but only one at a Pt electrode, when micro-molar levels of Ru(bpy)[.sub.3.sup.2+] were used. The first ECL wave has a peak potential of ~0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl, and the second one at ~1.15 V vs Ag/AgCl. The ECL generated at a Pt corresponds to the second ECL wave. ECL intensity was also found to be electrode material dependent. The limit of detection for Ru(bpy)[.sub.3.sup.2+] was determined to be ~1H10[.sup.-11] M at GC, ~1H10[.sup.-10] M at Au, and ~1H10[.sup.-7] M at Pt, on the basis of the second ECL signals. No difference in ECL behavior and the limit of detection was found when the electrolyte solution was neutralized with either HCl or HCl[O.sub.4] for the electrode of GC and Pt. However, at a gold electrode, the first ECL wave was significantly decreased and the second one was disappeared. This kind of ECL quenching behavior could be associated with the redox reactions between the electrogenerated oxidant, e.g., AuCl[.sub.4.sup.-], and the electrogenerated strong reducing agent TPrA! free radical. Because, based on the previous studies, TPrA! free radicals are essential for the ECL generation, any process that eliminates their existence near the electrode could result in the disappearance of ECL signals.

Health Sciences

Addition to poster presentations, 9:30a Thursday

BETA-2-MICROGLOBULIN COMPARED WITH FOURTEEN OTHER ANTIGENS FOR THE DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER

Mary Guo (1*), Sharae Johnson (1), Rasheeda Crowell (1), Tammy Sims-Davis (1), Wileen Cooksey, Slobodanka D. Manceva (1), Sabrina Bryant (1), Margaret Jackson (1), James T. Johnson (1), Harold Schultze (1), Shawn Clinton (1), Kevin Beason (1), Cynthia Wilson (2), Debbie Fortenberry (1), Cynthia Bright (1), Helen Hua (1), Jiarong Ying (1), Paul Sykes (1), Rafat AlKurd (1), Kay Hollifield (3), Charlton Vincent (3), and Margot Hall (1), (1) University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, (2) University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, and (3) Laurel Clinic for Women, Laurel, MS 39442

Breast cancer has the highest prevalence (17.9%) worldwide of all the non-skin cancers. Similarly, in the USA, there are approximately 211,000 new cases annually making it the number one solid tumor among American females. Tumor antigens are often used for therapeutic monitoring and have been used together with other methods for diagnosis of breast cancer. The goal of this study was to compare the diagnostic potential of beta-2-microglobulin ($2M) with that of fourteen other tumor antigens for breast cancer. Sera from 554 patients (87 breast cancer, 272 other cancers, and 195 non-cacer) were assayed for the presence of tumor antigens and the results correlated with diagnoses established pathologically. Immunoassay test kits from Diagnostic Automation ($2M, NSE, Ferritin, CA242), Hybritech (CEA, CA195, CA549), Centocor/Fugirebio Diagnostics (CA125, CA19-9, CA72-4, CA15-3, CA27.29, Cyfra21-1), CIS Biointernational (CA50), and Abbott (AFP) were used to test for the concentration of these antigens. Using the manufacturers' decision values the following diagnostic sensitivities were obtained: $2M 28.1%, NSE 0.0%, Ferritin 40.0%, CA 15-3 63.4%, CA27.29 39.3%, CA549 40.3%, CEA 22.4%, CA195 31.8%, CA19-9 12.2%, CA50 22.2%, CA72-4 12.9%, CA125 12.1%, Cyfra21-1 12.2%, AFP 21.8%, CA242 29.3%. Diagnostic specificities were >75%. Interestingly, $2M demonstrated diagnostic sensitivities of 50.0%, 50.0%, and 66.7% for pancreatic, hepatic, and testicular cancer respectively. From these data we conclude that $2M was inferior to ferritin and the three traditional breast cancer markers (CA15-3, CA27.29, CA549) and roughly equal to the other markers for diagnosis of breast cancer. It was useful for testicular cancer.

THE ROLE OF REM SLEEP IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL EXPRESSION OF NMDA RECEPTOR SUBUNITS IN VISUAL CORTEX.

Kimystian Harrison, Adrian Dreher, Jorge Lopez, Howard Roffwarg, and James P. Shaffery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216

The objective of this project is to determine in immature kittens the effect of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep deprivation on expression of subunits of the excitatory, glutamatergic NMDA receptor (NMDAR) in the brain that are involved in the development of the central nervous system. REM sleep is believed to have important effects on central nervous system processes that are involved in brain development of young animals. This idea is based upon the positive correlation between the relatively large REM sleep quantities and extensive central nervous system development that are present during early life. Glutamate and its receptors provide for excitatory synaptic transmission in the visual system. In this study, we analyze using Western Blot analysis two specific subunits of the glutamate receptor NMDAR2 that are differentially regulated during development of visual cortex, subunits (NR2A and NR2B). A commercial software package is used to visually score stages of recorded sleep for study kittens during the baseline and days 1,3, and 6 of the study to ensure that the rats are deprived of REM sleep during the week-long study. We hypothesize that the relative amounts of NR2A and NR2B in REM sleep deprived kittens will be altered from those in non-deprived controls. This is part of a larger study that seeks to increase our understanding of REMS mechanisms and the function of this sleep stage in early life. A better understanding of REMS function may lead to the prevention and treatment of certain sleep and mental disorders, including depression.

Addition to poster presentations, 3:00p Thursday

SCREENING OF PANAMANIAN PLANT EXTRACTS FOR ACTIVITY AT [beta]1 ADRENOCEPTORS

Joshua T. Swan*, Catherina Caballero-George, and Robert C. Speth, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677

Panamanian plants have long been used by traditional healers for cardiovascular effects. To determine a possible mechanism of action of these plants, 45 extracts from Panamanian plants reported to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system were screened for their ability to bind to the [beta]1 adrenoceptor by competition binding assays with [.sup.125.I]-cyanopindolol ([.sup.125.I]-CYP). [beta]1 adrenoceptor transfected Chinese Hamster Ovary cells were incubated with [.sup.125.I]-CYP at 37 C for one hr. The Kd of [.sup.125.I]-CYP binding to the [beta]1 adrenoceptor ("10 :M propranolol) was 196 pM. The transfected receptors were demonstrated to be [beta]1 based on pharmacological specificity of beta adrenoceptor subtype selective ligands: CGP 20712 (Ki=68 nM) ICI 118,551 (Ki=3170 nM) SR59230A (Ki=565 nM). Two concentrations; 10 and 100 :g/ml of extract were evaluated initially with a cut-off of 50% inhibition of binding at 10 :g/ml for subsequent determination of an I[C.sub.50]. Only one extract showed >50% inhibition at 100 [micro]g/ml and none showed >50% inhibition at 10 [micro]g/ml. Interestingly, 3 extracts enhanced [.sup.125.I]-CYP binding >50% at 100 [micro]g/ml, but not at 10 [micro]g/ml. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of Panamanian plant extracts on the cardiovascular system do not involve effects on the [beta]1 receptors which are located in the heart and control its contractile force and rate, or the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney which control the release of renin which activates the renin-angiotensin system. Supported by the Mississippi Functional Genomics Network, Research Experience Opportunity Grant (NIH/NCRR P20 RR016476).

IDENTIFICATION OF A CDNA CLONE TO THE EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX PROTEIN HLAMP-1 IN THE CHICK

Sakeli Hall* and Allan R Sinning, Murrah High School, Jackson, MS 39202, and University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216

HLAMP-1 is an extracellular matrix protein that is secreted into areas of the embryo undergoing epithelial/mesenchymal transformation. We have recently identified a 1.1 kb cDNA clone of hLAMP-1 named KMS-2 using a quail cDNA expression library (accession number AY313452). BLAST analysis of this clone revealed no significant homologies in the GenBank database suggesting that KMS-2 represents a previously unidentified sequence. This clone reacts with chick tissue by in situ hybridization and labels areas that have been shown to express hLAMP-1. This report describes the isolation and sequencing of a chick cDNA clone using reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR. Initial experiments utilized oligonucleotide primers designed from KMS-2 that were used in RT-PCR. These experiments showed a cDNA of the appropriate size for the primers indicating an mRNA species consistent for hLAMP-1. A second set of experiments used RT-PCR reactions designed for direct sequencing and for TOPO cloning of the isolated cDNA. Finally experiments are ongoing to extend the chick cDNA using anchored PCR and screening a chick cDNA expression library.

Addition to poster presentations, 6:00p Thursday

KNOWLEDGE VS CHOICE ASSESSMENT IN PURSUING CAREERS IN HEALTH RELATED PROFESSIONS

Faye Johnson*, Jamil Ibrahim, Hamed Benghuzzi, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216

This study aimed (a) to assess the background and magnitude of knowledge of various student groups toward health related professions (HRP) disciplines, and (2) to provide the HRP programs with sufficient information that may contribute in revising as well as upgrading recruitment efforts and admission polices. A questionnaire was sent to intercity sites (2 high schools and historic black universities) regarding the knowledge of various SHRP programs. A total of 106 questionnaires were completed (return rate 50%). Data collected was analyzed using standard descriptive statistical software. The groups were divided into two groups based on age (Group 1 = 15-21) and (Group 2 = 22-52).

There were 19 females and 9 males respectively. The results of this study revealed that the student knowledge of SHRP programs are in the following order: Dental Hygiene (46%)> Physical Therapy (44%)> Medical Technology (30%)> EMT (28%)> OT (25%)> HIM (23%)> CT (5%)>. In contrast, knowledge vs choice demonstrated the following order PT (33%)> HIM (29%)> DH 28%> MT (30%)> OT (16%)> EMT (16%)> CT (9%). This descriptive study offers a golden opportunity across health related professions programs aimed at increasing the number of minority applicants. The results of such studies would not only provide needed information aimed at meeting the specific health card providers need for the state of Mississippi, but may also contribute towards laying a framework to help in building a bridge between some health related professions disciplines and minority groups. More research is needed to evaluate these initiatives effectiveness.

Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

Addition to lecture presentations, Friday 11:30 A Comparison of Physiological Parameters between Thirteen Species of Sharks

Will V. Bet-Sayad and Glenn R. Parsons, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677

Sharks exhibit numerous body morphologies ranging from the fusiform shape of the mako shark Isurus oxyrhynchus to the almost anguilliform shape of the benthic species. Traditionally, anatomical indicators such as body shape, gill surface area, and caudal fin aspect ratio have been used as indicators of the activity level (swimming speed) of an elasmobranch. In this study we classified 13 species of sharks into three activity levels (active, intermediate, sluggish) using the aforementioned anatomical indicators. We then attempted to correlate various physiological parameters against their activity rating. We obtained sharks during NMFS/NOAA cruises in the Gulf of Mexico and Bering Sea (June-Sept. 2003-2005). For each individual we measured caloric and water content of hepatic and skeletal tissue, as well as glycogen content of skeletal muscle tissue. Additionally, we measured cardiosomatic index (CSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and hematocrit. ANCOVA revealed positive correlations (highest mean averages) for caloric content, CSI, HSI, and hematocrit amongst the most active species and declined according to activity level rank. Caloric content and HSI supported previous reports of buoyancy regulation and was most evident in the Pacific sleeper shark Somniosus pacificus.

Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics

Addition to lecture presentations, Friday 11:10 APPLICATION OF PROBABILISTIC NEURAL NETWORKS FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF REMOTESENSING SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE DATA OF STRESSED SOYBEAN LEAF

Abdullah Faruque and Gregory A. Carter, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS 38941, and Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS 39566

This research paper describes the application of probabilistic neural networksas a superior pattern recognition tool for the classification of remote sensing spectral reflectance data of stressed soybean leaves. The objective of this study funded by National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) at Stennis Space Center was to record and classify the spectral reflectance differences of leaf stress caused by drought, fungal disease, and lead contamination of the soil. Reflectance spectra of drought stressed, lead contaminated and fungal infected leaves were measured using GER1500 Spectroradiometer for 512 spectral bands with 1.52nm intervals from 308nm to 1089nm. Probabilistic neural network model was used to train and predict the different classes of stressed leaves from their spectral signature. The classification performance of probabilistic neural networks was compared to K-nearest neighbor and other statistical pattern recognition techniques. The superior classification capability of probabilistic neural networks refined with an additional research can be used to monitor more precisely the signs of damaging stress due to different factors on economic crops.

Psychology and Social Sciences

Addition to poster presentations, 6:00p Thursday

HEALTH OF THE MANGUM MOUNDS (22Cb584) POPULATION: A LOOK AT ENAMEL HYPOPLASIAS AND STATURE

Amber Martin, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg. MS 39406

This paper looks at the health of the prehistoric population from the Mangum site, located in Claiborne County, Mississippi, on the Natchez Trace and dating to the Plaquemine cultural period (1400-1650 AD). Teeth were examined from 21 individuals for whom a central maxillary incisor and/or mandibular canine was available. Hypoplasias were considered present if there was a transverse furrow across the tooth's surface. The non-specific defect results from any sort of growth disruption; age at formation was determined as well. Stature was determined based on long bone lengths using regression formulae (Trotter-Gleser 1958). Results showed that 5 individuals (24%) had at least one hypoplasia. Most of the episodes were slight. Age at formation centered between ages 2.5 and 4. When the sexes were compared, 2 of 11 males (18%) were affected as compared to 2 of 13 females (15%). Average age at formation did not vary by sex. Mean male height was 169.83 cm whereas mean female stature was 163.06 cm. These results were quite tall compared to other regional groups. When hypoplasia formation was compared with stature, no significant correlation was seen. These results of low hypoplasia formation and tall stature suggest that the Mangum population was well adapted to their environment. Many groups dependent on maize agriculture experienced significant health problems, especially as they were undergoing transition. The Mangum group, however, dates to several centuries after transition. Thus, the examination of the skeletal material helps us to understand their health status in relation to subsistence.

Zoology and Entomology 

Addition to lecture presentations, Thursday 2:40 MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS OF THE HETEROCERIDAE, BASED ON 28S RDNA AND EF-1 & ALPHA SEQUENCE Jonas King, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677

The Heteroceridae are a cosmopolitan family of beetles that occur on everycontinent except Antarctica. There are currently around 250 described species worldwide, with 87 known from the New World, including 34 from the United States. Despite the abundance and ecological significance of the family, heterocerids are poorly studied and their taxonomy is unresolved. The current study aims at resolving infrafamilial relationships within the group using data from DNA sequences. A brief introduction to molecular systematics and DNA marker selection will be included.

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