BRIDGES ABSTRACTS

Summer 2005 Survey of Mosquito Species in Southside Virginia 

 

In the present investigation, the effects of the test compound, Diospyrin, on the development of Trypanosoma musculi wasobserved inFawn (FN) male mice. The LD₅₀ of the test compound was determined. The phytochemical was isolated from the stem-bark of an indigenous plant, Diospyros on the development of wasobserved inFawn (FN) male mice. The LD of the test compound was determined. The phytochemical was isolated from the stem-bark of an indigenous plant, montana Roxb. A dose of inoculum of 250 mg of a bisnapthoquinonoid compound, Diospyrin, was found to show antiprotozoan activity in vivo. The result of our study indicated that the phytochemical, Diospyrin, administered simultaneouly with a standard inoculum of 5 X 10⁴ T. musculi, affected the parasitemic level in the experimental animals when compared with the infected but untreated controls. The infection was measured by the number of hemoflagellates at the peak and throughout the course of the patent period (7 to 17 Post Inoculation days). was found to show antiprotozoan activity .

 

 Cannabinoids derived from the marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa have been used in the treatment of glaucoma as well as an analgesic and to prevent nausea in cancer patients. The major psychoactive ingredient is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the non- psychoactive, cannabidiol (CBD). CBD has been used effectively in animal models of autoimmune diseases. However, the precise mode of action of CBD is not known. We have used vanilloid receptor-1 knockout (VR-1 KO) mice to provide insights into the mode of action of CBD. Apoptosis is one of the mechanisms by which CBD modulates the immune system. To study the action of CBD in vitro, single cell suspension of splenocytes from C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and VR-1 KO mice were cultured with 5 and 10uM CBD. THC-10uM was used as a positive control. The cells were incubated for 24h after which they were washed, fixed, permeabilized and stained with FITC-dUTP and TdT in TUNEL assay for quantifying the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis. The cells were analyzed using a flow cytometer. We found that upon CBD treatment, the cells from WT mice underwent apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, the cells from VR-1KO mice failed to undergo apoptosis, suggesting that VR1 plays an important role in CBD-induced apoptosis. This study emphasizes the importance of VR-1 in CBD-mediated apoptosis of immune cells. The current study suggests that agents that bind and activate VR-1 can be used as immunosuppressive agents in the treatment of autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases. 

We now know that hydroxyurea is an effective drug in the treatment of cancer and severe adult sickle cell anemia disease. However, characterization of SC-1 cell surface features after treatment with hydroxyurea using the SEM has not been reported. The cell line referred to as SC-1 from the American Tissue Culture Collection (ATCC), number CRL-8756 is an established human lymphoblast-like cell culture that grows in suspension. This cell line is homozygous for the sickle cell gene and is being used in basic laboratory research to further study the effectiveness of hydroxyurea against this inherited red blood cell disorder. There is no reported data of a scanning electron microscopy view of SC-1 cell suspension treated with hydroxyurea and observed at various time intervals. This study reports that cell surface features, as it relates to viability, correlates with toxicity tests, in that, cellular viability increases with time. The SEM can be used to corroborate other tests used in studying SC-1 treated with hydroxyurea.

 Students: Carmen Batiste

Rodents have become the animal model of choice for modern medical and scientific researchers. Because their physiology and genetic make up closely resemble that of humans, rodents play an invaluable role in biomedical research in the last decade. Approximately 95 percent of all lab animals are mice and rats. Easily housed, bred, and short lived (2-3 years), mice are small and relatively economical. Moreover, scientists discovered how to breed mice with genetic alterations that mimic human diseases. This has revolutionized medical research and dramatically increased the number of mice used in medical science. Erythrocyte estimation was performed following conventional hematological technique, using hemocytometer, red blood cell (RBC) pipette and Toison’s fluid as diluents (Exp 1). In the other experiment (Exp 2), along with hemocytometer estimation, Beckman Coulter Counter Z2 Series was also used to estimate erythrocyte population, using balanced electrolyte solution (Isonton II) and designated cuvette (Acuvette II). Furthermore, weight gain or loss was determined at regular intervals during the period of research undertaking. The result indicated that there is a direct correlation of weight gain and increased number of erythrocyte cell populations. In both experiments, the nursing mother (mice) displayed increased weight gain and elevated erythrocytic cell populations as compared to the expectant experimental mice and control counterparts (Exp.I & II).

 

Worldwide, 60% of all plants depend on pollinating bees and other factors to allow them to reproduce. For many years the Honeybee has played a major role in the pollination of plants. Early blooming plants relied on the large numbers of Honeybees for pollination. However the recent decline in Honeybee populations due to parasites and disease has encouraged the search for alternative pollinators.   Of the hundreds of species of native bees many construct nests in the ground and are called ground, or digger bees. This study involves one such species (Andrena Wellesleyana) that has been increasing in population on the VSU campus.   Our objective was to identify the pollen collected by this bee in the early spring of 2004. Three female bees were captured and their pollen identified using a scanning electron microscope.   All bees had large amounts of pollen from ornamental Bradford pear trees that had been planted 10 years earlier.   Pear pollen made up 80% of all pollen, followed by Box Elder (19%) and oak (1%). Bees traveled at least 300 meters to visit pear trees whereas box elders were only 10 meters distant.   The Bradford pears appear to be highly preferred by these bees and it is likely that their population increase was related to this new food source.   

 

            Human consumption of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seed is increasing rapidly due to its high contents of dietary fiber, omega-3 oils, and anti-carcinogenic lignans. Flax seed is known to contain up to 800 times more lignans (phytoestrogenic hormone-like compounds) than any other plant. Flax seed is also considered a healthy source of vegetable oil with a low content of saturated fatty acids (FAs) and high content of poly-unsaturated FAs, especially α-linolenic acid (omega-3; >50%of FAs). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in flax seed oil are nutritionally important for humans, as well as farm animals and cultured fish. We are interested in developing flax as a potential grain crop for Virginia and the mid-Atlantic region of . However, information about the composition of flax seed produced in this region is unavailable. To generate such information, seed of five flax cultivars (Linton, Neche, Omega, Pembine, and Rahab-94), grown at two Virginia locations ( Petersburg and Suffolk ) during 2003-04 season, were evaluated.   The concentration of oil, protein and crude fiber in flax seed ranged from 40.5% to 43.9% with a mean of 42.3%, 23.4% to 25.3% with a mean of 24.2% and 17.06 to 19.3% with a mean of 18.3%, respectively. The oil was characterized by a balanced fatty acid composition with total saturated FAs #= 10%, total unsaturated FAs #= 90%, MUFA #= 23%, and PUFA #= 67% acids. The oleic (22.5%), linoleic (18.9%), linolenic (47.8%) were the major unsaturated FAs whereas palmitic (4.7%) and stearic (5.0) were the major saturated FAs in flax oil. Growing location significantly affected contents of protein, fiber, oil, FAs, and minerals. The seed produced in Petersburg had higher contents of oil (+13%), crude fiber (+25%), Fe (+16%), and Zn (+9%), as compared to seed produced in Suffolk . On the other hand, the seed produced in Suffolk had higher contents of protein (+13%), Mn (+36%), and Cu (+12%) as compared to seed produced in Petersburg . Growing location induced significant changes in the concentration of omega-3 (α-linolenic) from 47.0 to 48.7% and omega-6 (linoleic) from 18.1 to 19.7% in flax seed oil. The oil in flax seeds grown in Petersburg contained 3.6% more omega-3 and higher ratio of omega-3/omega-6 (2.7 vs. 2.4) FAs than the oil in flax seeds produced in Suffolk . In general, oil in flax produced in Virginia compared quite well with oil in flax produced elsewhere. Our results indicated that flax might be a potential new cash crop for Virginia farmers and a source of health food for consumers everywhere.

Rodents have become the animal model of choice for modern medical and scientific researchers. Moreover, Swiss Webster (SW) mice were used in the current study. For this experimentation, ±25 g Swiss Webster (SW) Mus musculus female mice had been selected. The mice were grouped in the following categories; (a) female mice recently had litters, (b) females expecting litters, and (c) females that had not mated and therefore served as controls.  Erythrocytic cell estimations (RBC counts) were determined by using: (a) conventional hematological technique (Exp.I & II) and (b) Coulter Counter Z 2 Series (Exp. II). The data were collected and analyzed statistically. The estimation of cells indicated that nursing mothers had a higher number of erythrocytes in circulating blood as compared to the expectant experimental mice and control counterparts (Exp.I). A similar trend of elevated RBC was observed in Exp. II, where Coulter Counter was used in addition to the conventional Hemocytometer for routine estimation of the erythrocytes. The estimation of cells indicated that nursing mothers had a higher number of erythrocytes in circulating blood as compared to the expectant experimental mice and control counterparts (Exp I and II).  In conclusion, nursing mothers indicated a high demand of erythrocytic cells in blood circulation as compared to other mice. female mice had been selected. The mice were grouped in the following categories; (a) female mice recently had litters, (b) females expecting litters, and (c) females that had not mated and therefore served as controls.  Erythrocytic cell estimations (RBC counts) were determined by using: (a) conventional hematological technique (Exp.I & II) and (b) Coulter Counter Z 2 Series (Exp. II). The data were collected and analyzed statistically. The estimation of cells indicated that nursing mothers had a higher number of erythrocytes in circulating blood as compared to the expectant experimental mice and control counterparts (Exp.I). A similar trend of elevated RBC was observed in Exp. II, where Coulter Counter was used in addition to the conventional Hemocytometer for routine estimation of the erythrocytes. The estimation of cells indicated that nursing mothers had a higher number of erythrocytes in circulating blood as compared to the expectant experimental mice and control counterparts (Exp I and II).  In conclusion, nursing mothers indicated a high demand of erythrocytic cells in blood circulation as compared to other mice.

A total of 19 BG male mice were employed as experimental animals, and 11 BG male mice were used as controls to initiate the experiment. Both control counterpart and experimental groups received a standard dose of 5 X 10⁴  Trypanosoma musculi  on the Day 1 of experimentatiom. The experimental animals received a dose of 250µg of the test compound Gossipol along with T. musculi inoculation on different days: a) one Day prior to inoculation of T. musculi; b) on Day 1, simultaneously with T. musculiinoculation; and c)one Day after inoculation with T.musculi inoculation. The infection was measured by the number of organisms in the tail blood of mice at regular intervals using Hemocytometer, Red Blood Cell pipette and Toissons’ as diluent. In most of the cases, Gossipol-treated experimental animals developed lower parasitemic levels as compared to the untreated but infected control counterparts.In most of the cases, treated experimental animals developed lower parasitemic levels as compared to the untreated but infected control counterparts.

Echinacea and Dandelion are two plants that have been proven to have some antibacterial properties. Not many experiments have been performed to test this theory although the experiments that have been performed were proven to have some antibacterial activity. After knowing this I took my research one step farther and compared Echinacea and Dandelion to see exactly what type of antibacterial properties each plant had, and which part of the plant had it. In order to do this, the roots, leaves, and flowers of each plant were collected and extracts were made. Hexane, alcohol (70%), and water were used as solvents to prepare these extracts. Two cultures were made using two different bacterial strains. After about 24 hours of letting the bacteria grow the three extracts were placed on them to see how it would react, whether it would grow on it, around it, or not at all. The results and conclusion of this experiment will be presented in detail during our poster presentation.

The botanical name for the daylily flower plant, Hemerocallis is derived from two Greek words meaning "beauty" and "day". Although traditionally a genus of the family Liliaceae, it is not considered a lily. The use of daylily pollen as a protein food source and medicine began before the development of written language in China (The History of the Daylily). This study is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of six hybrid species of daylily, Hemerocallis, pollen grains, further distinguished by their particular ploidy - haploid, diploid, and tetraploid. Additionally, daylilies have a somatic chromosome number of 22, also referred to as its diploid number. The haploid or basic chromosome number is 11. Polyploidy occurs whenever there is one or more extra genome compliments. The polyploidy observed during this research was the tetraploid daylily, having a chromosome number of 44. The external texture or sculpture of these pollen grains was observed at comparable magnifications for each hybrid species. The observations suggest that there may be noticeable variations in size among these particular haploid, diploid and tetraploid Hemerocallis pollen grains. Magnification was standardized. The data collected will expand the reference classification for further research of pollen grains of Hemerocallis and pollen grains overall.
 

Today in Virginia, farmers are 200 percent more likely to live in poverty than members of the general population. As of 1997, 4.8 percent of Virginia's farmers earned between $99,999 and $50,000; however, 85.2 percent earned less than $50,000. The U.S. Government had recognized this problem and is working towards implementing the 2002 Farm Bill. Set up to provide monetary aid to qualified individuals, the Farm Bill is for Beginning Farmers, Limited Resource Farmers, and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers. However, the problem arises of accurately identifying those individuals who qualify. The purpose of my lab was to take current data from the 1997 Ag Census and the 2000 General Census and develop a new method of determining counties in Virginia with a large number of Limited Resource Farmers through the use of ArcView GIS 3.2a software. I concluded that it is possible to do this relatively accurately when given valid data.
 

 

The farming economy in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States has suffered from continuing declining cash returns from winter wheat and farmers need a new crop to replace winter wheat. White lupin (Lupinius albus L.) is a winter legume plant that can utilize atmospheric nitrogen gas to support its growth and development, thus, reducing pollution from use of N fertilizers. Seeds of white lupin are nutritious and are used as human food all over the world. However, use of lupin seeds, as human food is not prevalent in the . We conducted this experiment to determine the possibility of manufacturing a healthy food for human consumption from lupin seeds. Seeds of "Lunoble" cultivar were soaked in tap water for 24 hours, in two replications. The germinating seed were liberally watered twice a day for following seven days and data on fresh weight (i.e. weight of sprouts) were recorded daily. The sprouts were also evaluated for concentrations of protein, oil, and various fatty acids. The nutritional quality of lupin sprouts, based on chemical composition, was compared to the sprouts from alfalfa and mungbean. The sprout fresh weight increased from an initial weight of 43 g to 179 g on the seventh day of soaking. The differences between fresh sprout weights on sixth and seventh days were not significant whereas significant differences were observed between weights on sixth and fifth days indicating that soaking of lupin seed for six days results in optimal yield of sprouts. Lupin sprouts contained (dry weight basis) 26.3 % protein, 6.5 % oil on the sixth day of growth. The oil in lupin sprouts contained 43% oleic, 24.9 % linoleic, and 9.3 % linolenic fatty acids. The contents of saturated, unsaturated, mono-unsaturated, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids in the oil in lupin sprouts, after six days of soaking, were 17.9 %, 82.1 %, 47.9%, and 34.2 %, respectively. A comparison of these values to those reported in the literature for alfalfa and mungbean sprouts indicated that protein content of lupin sprouts was lower than those made from alfalfa (45.0 %) and mungbean (31.7 %). With regards to the oil content, lupin sprouts had higher oil content than mungbean (1.9 %) and lower oil content than alfalfa (7.8 %) sprouts, thus, a source of greater energy. The results indicated that production of sprouts from seeds of white lupin could provide an alternate source of income for Virginia farmers.

The Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria Say) is an alternative pollinator to the honeybee and is used in western North America on fruit and other crops. It is sometimes a better pollinator because it stays in one area, doesn't have problems of disease and parasites, and pollinates some crops better than honeybees. The eastern subspecies has not been studied. Pollen samples were taken from cells of bee shelters, cleaned in 40% ethanol, dispersed, shaken, and centrifuged. A drop of pollen was placed on a stub and prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Digital images of pollen were taken of pollen samples from a bee shelter near the Meadowfoam field. It was discovered that the Blue Orchard Bee collects pollen from different plants. In one cell, Redbud was very abundant. There was also pollen of elm, oak, and beech. In another cell, there was an enormous amount of Meadowfoam present, approximately 90%. It was found that the Blue Orchard Bee pollinated Meadowfoam. This research provides essential information to help develop an alternative pollinator for fruit and other crops.

Student: Jennifer BrightMentor: Dr. Mark Kraemer, VirginiaStateUniversity
 

The Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria Say) is an alternative pollinator to the honeybee and is used in Western North America on fruit and other crops. It is sometimes a better pollinator because it stays in one area, does not have problems of disease and parasites, and pollinates some crops better than honeybees. The eastern subspecies has not been studied. Pollen samples were taken from cells of bee shelters, cleaned in 40% ethanol, dispersed, shaken, and centrifuged. A drop of pollen was placed on a stub and prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Digital images of pollen were taken of pollen samples from a bee shelter near the Meadowfoam field. It was discovered that the Blue Orchard Bee collects pollen from different plants. In one cell, Redbud was very abundant. There was also pollen of elm, oak, and beech. In another cell, there was an enormous amount of Meadowfoam present, approximately 90%. It was found that the Blue Orchard Bee pollinated Meadowfoam. This research provides essential information to help develop an alternative pollinator for fruit and other crops.