48th Annual Meeting of the New
Jersey
Academy
of Science Senior Program Abstracts
ORAL
PRESENTATIONS
CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
FIBER OPTIC PROBE FOR THE REMOTE SENSING OF
GLUTAMATE. 1. BUILDING THE PROBE
Shadi Nehme (student), Peter Schaeffer, Mihaela Leonida, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ
A fiber optic probe was built. Two types of
fibers were used, glass fiber for the input signal and plastic fiber for the output
signal. The proper detector was chosen based on experiments scanning response at different
wavelengths and subsequent tests determined its sensitivity. The probe is designed for the
determination of glutamate in biotechnology applications which requires detection at 340
nm. Since the preferred detection domain for the fiber optic sensors is IR, the response
of both input and output fibers required additional testing in the UV. The study also
discusses the difficulties associated with the customized fabrication of such a probe.
ECO-FRIENDLY PROCESS RESEARCH: PREPARATION OF A
PAIN KILLER AND ANALOGS
Priya Pradhan (student), Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology,
Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken NJ 07030. priya_stevens@yahoo.com.
Commercially available p-nitrophenol (1) was alkylated in a few min by reaction with
an alkyl halide (R-I) under microwave irradiation to form 2. Reduction of the nitro group of 2 was performed by a novel technique (Grindstone
Chemistry): a mixture of 2, Pd/C, HCOONH4 and
HOAc was ground for a few min in a mortar and pestle to produce 3. Acylation of 3 to phenacetin (4, R=Et, R'=Ac) or an analog was conducted by
reaction with an acid under microwave irradiation. This sequence is suitable for
large-scale work, using an electrical mixer instead of a mortar and pestle.
GREEN CHEMISTRY APPROACHES TO NITRATION OF
PHENOLS
Sheetal S.Rao (student), S. N.
Ganguly, Arun Mandadi, Ajay. K. Bose Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens
Institute of Technology, Hoboken NJ 07030.
As an alternative to the conventional
nitration method (HNO3+ H2SO4), we have developed a mild
and rapid reaction under microwave irradiation for converting phenols (1) to mononitrophenols (3). The nitrating agent is a mixture of calcium
nitrate (2) and acetic (or propionic) acid; the
byproduct is calcium acetate (propionate) (4).
This method is eco-friendly because the unused 2 can
be used as a fertilizer. Purer products in higher yield were obtained by using
"Chilled Microwave" techniques that involve starting with the reaction mixture
at about 0o C (instead of at RT). 15N labeled compounds can be
easily prepared by starting with commercially available 15N labeled calcium
nitrate.
GRINDSTONE CHEMISTRY: FRICTION ACTIVATED
CONDENSATION AND HYDROGENATION REACTIONS
Mala Shah. Department of Chemistry and
Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, shah_mala22@hotmail.com
Toda et al. have conducted several types of
reactions by grinding solid reagents together with a mortar and pestle. We have modified
this method by grinding together one or more solid reagents with liquid reagents for 5-10
min. Thus, solid p-nitroaromatic compounds (1), Pd/C, solid ammonium formate and a small
amount of acetic acid were ground together to give (2)
on workup (Scheme-1). Troger's base (4) was
originally prepared by refluxing a solution of p-toluidine
(3) in HCl with formaldehyde dimethyl acetal.
In contrast, we have prepared (4) by grinding a
mixture of (3), aq.formaldehyde and some HCl
for about 10 min; after storage for 10 min at RT; the reaction mixture deposited a solid,
which was crystallized to give (4) (Scheme-2).
SCHEME-1
SCHEME-2
COMPUTER AUTOMATION AND DATA ANALYSIS OF AN
EXPERIMENTAL HIGH CURRENT ELECTRON SOURCE
Ines Stromberg (student), Kevin
Martus, Chemistry and Physics Department, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ.
A graphical programming language was used to
automate the operation of an experimental high current electron source. Characterization of the electron source included
determination of the mean electron energy as well as the energy spread of the beam. The program was used to ascertain the mean electron
energy by controlling a retarding potential on a grid, while simultaneously measuring the
current on a Faraday cup. The program
calculated the derivative of the current as a function of the retarding potential to yield
the energy spread and mean energy of the beam. The
energy spread of the beam is attributed to space charge effects and the potential across
the electron filament. Under operating
conditions the computer will also control the power supply that defines the electron
energy. The project consisted of two parts;
learning to operate the experimental apparatus and learning how to interface computers to
electronic equipment (e.g. power supplies and digital multi-meters). The culmination of the project involved the
integration of these two objectives which led to the complete automation of the
experimental apparatus and digital analysis of the data.
Future work using the electron source will entail the analysis of
electron-impact induced dissociation of molecular targets by absorption spectroscopy.
SIMPLIFIED CADOGAN REACTION BY MICROWAVE
ENHANCED NITRENE CHEMISTRY
Deepu J. Varughese(student), Arun Mandadi, M. S. Manhas, Ajay K. Bose.
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030. dvarughe@stevens-tech.edu
The classical Cadogan reaction for
indazoles [Org. Synth. V, 941] involves Schiff base (1) formation followed by refluxing 1 with excess triethylphosphite in an inert
atmosphere for 8 hrs. Cyclization to phenylindazole 3
involves a nitrene 2, which undergoes an
insertion reaction. We have conducted the synthesis of 3 in 10 min of reaction using MORE (Microwave-
induced Organic Reaction Enhancement) chemistry techniques but without inert atmosphere.
The excess triethylphospite was removed by conversion to water-soluble triethylphospate by
using 3 % H2O2 instead
of distillation. Yield and purity of the product 3 were
about the same as in the classical Cadogan reaction.
CHARACTERIZATION OF DEFENSIVE CHEMICALS OF
BETTLES
Xiaogang Wu (student), Athula B.
Attygalle, Josef Ruzicka, Sheetal S. Rao, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology,
Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030
There are over 350,000 species of beetle
which can be divided into nearly 170 families. Clearly, taxonomic categorization of
beetles based solely on anatomical features is a laborious task. Chemistry of defensive
secretions of beetles, on the other hand, can provide additional data for solving
difficult taxonomic problems. For example, taxonomists debate whether the beetle family
Trachypachidae is phylogenetically closer to water beetles or to ground beetles. We
identified volatile constituents of pygidial glands in two
species of Trachypachidae (Trachypachus slevini and Trachypachus
gibbssi) by GC-MS and revealed that their
chemistry is similar to that reported from ground beetles. However, the composition of
defensive gland fluids of T. slevini and T. gibbsii differ sufficiently,
allowing the distinction of the two species based on their defensive gland chemistry
alone. The secretion of T. slevini is a mixture of
methacrylic acid, tiglic acid, octanoic acid and hydrocarbons, whereas, that of T.
gibbsii is a unique blend of methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, phenethyl
methacryllate, phenethyl ethacrylate and hydrocarbons as major constituents. Ethacrylic
acid has been reported only rarely from arthropod secretions. To the best of our
information, phenethyl methacrylate and ethacrylate have not been identified as secondary
metabolities from any source
MARINE
AND COASTAL SCIENCES I: GEOLOGY
CONTROLLING
STORMWATER RUNOFF QUALITY FROM A LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AREA
Hong C. Ahn (student), Christopher G.
Uchrin, Department of Environmental Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ
08901-8625 and George Van Orden, Department of Health, Township of Hanover, NJ 07981
Stormwater runoff from residential areas has
been found to contain contaminants including nitrogen, phosphorus, fecal coliform,
petroleum hydrocarbons, salts, metals and pesticides.
Most of these originate from the over-use and improper application of
fertilizers and pesticides on residential lawns, improperly operated and maintained septic
systems, and improper practices dealing with the disposal of waste oil, silt fencing and
the application of deicers. In this study, 8 storm events were analyzed for this study. We found that stormwater passing through the catch
basins most likely leached pollutants from the decay of vegetative matter. The catch
basins were cleaned during July and August of 1997 and a storm event sampled in June,
1998, showed a significant reduction of pollutants when compared to the storm events prior
to the cleaning. The
time distribution of runoff was very sensitive to the time distribution of rainfall
because of the rapid arrival of peak flow rate within the first half hour. Over the 8
storm events, the model simulation results using SWMM showed good correlation match with
the measured flow rate and it was concluded that the application of a time shift was
necessary to correlate well with the measured flow rate in the case of storms with long
duration.
THE EFFECTS OF SOIL TYPE AND LAND
USE ON NITROGEN CONCENTRATIONS IN STREAMS DRAINING SUB-WATERSHEDS OF VIRGINIA'S EASTERN
SHORE COASTAL LAGOONS
Leandra R. Lockwood (student), Fairleigh Dickinson
University, Jennifer W. Stanhope, and Iris C. Anderson, Biological Sciences Department,
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Pt., VA, 23062.
We investigated the role of base
flow (ground water discharge to stream), land use, and soil type on nitrogen loading to Virginia coastal lagoons. Data
collected for 14 creeks along a north-south transect of Virginia's Eastern Shore were used for analysis of land use
and soil type effects on NO3- concentrations in base flow.
Data collected at three creeks in June and July of 2001 and 2002 were used for
determinations of interannual variations in NOx and DON concentrations and
loadings. There was no significant relationship between soil type and NO3- concentrations.
Due to the significant difference (p< 0.0001) of NO3- in northern streams, land use analysis was
conducted using only the middle and southern stream data. We found that forest cover
was negatively correlated with mean NO3- concentrations (p = 0.0268,
R2 = 0.527, n=9), suggesting that land use does affect nutrient concentrations in base
flow. Mean NOx loading was significantly higher in both June and July
2001 compared to 2002. Although DON loading was generally higher in 2001, results
were only significant for Gargatha Creek. The significant interannual difference in mean
NOx loading implies that rainfall in addition to land use affects nutrient
concentrations in base flow.
MODELING OF GROUND WATER FLOW AND SOLUTE
TRANSPORT IN A FRACTURED ROCK SYSTEM AFFECTED BY NONPOINT SOURCES
Yuri Mun (Student), Christopher G. Uchrin,
Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New
Brunswick, NJ 08901
Cranberry Lake, located in northwestern New Jersey, has exhibited eutrophic characteristics for
some time without any significant point sources. Since the surrounding homes depend on
septic systems for their domestic wastewater treatment, this study simulated ground water
flow and solute transport in the watershed to examine the influence of septic systems. The
watershed’s major aquifer is composed of crystalline fractured rock showing a
discrete heterogeneity of fracture distribution and its flow properties are highly
heterogeneous and localized which result in major modeling difficulties. PMF (a
Preprocessor to MODFLOW for Fractured media) package was applied, which was developed as a
preprocessor to MODFLOW to identify the preferred fluid pathways utilizing percolation
theory. A comparison of alternatives is used to determine the most appropriate model
parameters, as the PMF package can generate several different model scenarios having
different preferred fluid pathways. Calibration using hydraulic head observations,
validation using a water balance and evaluation using residuals were performed. They
showed that the application of the PMF package could provide accurate simulation. In
addition, the transport of nitrate was simulated to address the influence of septic
systems on eutrophication using MT3DMS.
ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION AND
BENTHIC ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY IN A BRACKISH MARSH: EIGHT DAY SWAMP, HACKENSACK MEADOWLANDS, NEW JERSEY
Peddrick Weis, Dept. of Radiology, UMDNJ-NJ
Medical School, Newark, NJ; weis@umdnj.edu; Judith S. Weis, Dept. of Biological Sciences,
Rutgers University, Newark, NJ; Kirk R. Barrett, Meadowlands
Environmental Research Institute, Rutgers Univ. CIMIC, Newark NJ
Eight Day Swamp lies along two historically
polluted brackish, tidal creeks, including Berry’s Creek, especially heavily polluted with
mercury. At 17 sites, we cored sediments to as
much as 30 cm, analyzed for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn and organic C; and counted and
identified benthic organisms in the surficial 5 cm. We
found that metal contamination was found throughout the site and the depth profile. For all metals but As, Long, et al’s (1998)
“effects range-medium” (ER-M) was exceeded in more than 50% of samples. Hg concentrations were largest when expressed
as ratio to ER-M. On the marsh plain, depth profiles of all metals showed enrichment
10-40X at 14-20 cm depth, seemingly indicating cleaner sediments are covering older
sediments. On intertidal mudflats, concentrations were lower than on the marsh plain and
did not show enrichment at depth, evidently being swept clean by tidal flow. Diversity
indices and number of taxa were generally somewhat lower than in a less-contaminated marsh
in the Meadowlands, and variability was higher, an indication of higher stress. Benthic
abundance and taxa richness were most closely correlated with site elevation (i.e.,
frequency/duration of tidal flooding); diversity indices were correlated with
concentration of individual metals and with an overall measure of potential toxicity from
metals.
A TALE OF TWO VALLEYS:
HOW PLATE TECTONICS INFLUENCED COVER COLLAPSE SINKHOLE RISK IN CENTRAL MARYLAND
Boyer, Bruce W.
(retired)
Cover collapse sinkholes form
when cavities in soil over carbonate rock collapse, often suddenly and without warning,
sometimes causing loss of life and property. The
two largest areas of carbonate rock exposure in Maryland, the Hagerstown Valley and the Frederick Valley, have rocks of similar age, but
exhibit differing styles of karst development, with the Frederick Valley having a greater risk of large
collapse sinkholes and generally more complete coverage by a soil mantle. This difference is ultimately the result of
contrasting plate-tectonic histories, beginning with creation of an abrupt continental
shelf break near the Frederick depositional site by Iapetan sea-floor spreading over half
a billion years ago. Hagerstown Valley carbonates were deposited atop the
young shelf as peritidal platform facies rich in less-soluble dolomite. Those of the Frederick Valley (Frederick and Grove formations)
were deposited in deeper water at the shelf break or slope, under hypoxic or anoxic
conditions (which prevailed at relatively shallow depths during late Cambrian time); hence
they are predominantly dark and shaly limestone, with beds of dolomite concentrated only
near the top of the section. The greater risk
of collapse sinkholes in the Frederick Valley compared to the Hagerstown Valley is thought
to result from many factors: 1) The greater
lithologic diversity of the Frederick Valley sequence favors an irregular soil-bedrock
surface, which encourages sinkhole formation; 2)
Oxidation of pyrite may contribute to the
unusually deep weathering and high sinkhole risk observed along the Frederick-Grove
formational boundary; 3) The western limb of
the Frederick syncline is a favorable site for development of gently-dipping strata-bound
conduits, which may have inherent hydraulic advantages over steeply-dipping or flat ones; 4) The greater
damage inflicted by Mesozoic extensional tectonics and weathering (both
influenced by the location of the old Iapetan continental margin) may have produced more
solution-enlarged fractures in the Frederick Valley.
SCIENCE
EDUCATION
BLOOD CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TOADFISH
Donald Dorfman, Georgiana Sutphen
(student), Jonathan Syby (student), Department of Biology, Monmouth University, West Long
Branch, NJ 07764
Electrophoretic analyses were made of both
serum and hemoglobin obtained from toadfish, Opsanus tau. Blood was obtained from
the caudal artery by severing the fish’s tail at the caudal peduncle. Blood was
collected in capillary tubes, centrifuged for five minutes, and the serum and red blood
cells separated. The serum was frozen until electrophoresed. Red blood cells were rinsed
with a saltwater solution, then rinsed several times with deionized water and frozen.
Electrophoresis was performed using agarose gel (Helena Laboratories Titan Gel High
Resolution Protein System). Gels were stained with Coomassie blue stain, then oven dried
and destained. Controls consisted of human sera and human hemoglobin, for comparisons.
Toadfish serum consists of eight proteins versus the six of humans (including human
pre-albumin). The most advanced fish protein occurs at the approximate position of human
albumin, with major bands at the alpha I and alpha II positions. Toadfish have six
hemoglobins, with two lighter (i.e. further advanced) than human hemoglobin, and four
heavier than human hemoglobin. Most, if not all, fish species have multiple hemoglobins.
HEMOGLOBIN PATTERNS OF CYPRINODONTIDAE
(FISHES)
Donald Dorfman, Department of Biology,
Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Hemoglobin (hgb) patterns of five
Cyprinodontid species occurring in New Jersey were studied. Blood was collected in
non-heparinized capillary tubes from the caudal artery, and centrifuged for five minutes.
Red blood cells were separated from the serum. Cells were rinsed with salt water, then
with de-ionized water. Cells were frozen until electrophoresed. Cells were electrophoresed
(agarose gel, Helena Laboratories) for 24 minutes, then stained with Coomassie blue. Cyprinodon
variegates had two peaks. Fundulus diaphanus and Lucania parva had three peaks, F. heteroclitus and F. majalis
had four. The following key was designed;
1a. With three or more major
peaks………………..2
b.
With two major peaks…………….C. variegatus
2a. Peaks all
anodal………………………………….3
b.
One peak cathodal, others anodal……………..4
3a. Peaks similar in
size…………………..F. diaphanus
b.
Peaks increase in size toward the anode…L. parva
4a. 25% of cathodal peak is an hgb….F.
majalis
b.
20% of cathodal peak is an hgb….F. heteroclitus
WHITE PERCH LENGTH COMPARISONS
Donald Dorfman and T. Smith,
Department of Biology, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Different measurements are employed to
determine fish lengths including standard, fork, and total length, and total length tail
compressed. A study of the length of white perch, Morone americana, collected from Deal Lake, New Jersey, was made using all of the mentioned
measurements, to develop a program that fisheries workers could use to relate the
different measurement systems used for this species. The equations for the spread sheet
were formulated using the Maple™ statistics
package employing a least squares fitting of a linear regression line to the data. The
data were culled for irregularities before the analysis. Twelve regression slopes were
generated. The program allows the user to enter a single measurement and then relate the
entered number to the other measurement systems. This program is useful for examination of
measurements from previous studies of this species, and for studies of this species
obtained from polluted waters where, for example, tail fin erosion may have occurred
precluding certain types of measurements. Copies of this program are available from the
senior author.
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL VALUES AND
USES OF RIPARIAN FOREST
BUFFERS IN NEW JERSEY
Joseph A. Labriola, School of Natural Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, N.J. 07666
Riparian forest buffers can provide
interesting opportunities for various educational field activities and studies at all
instructional levels. The relatively ready
access of these linear environments, especially in urban-suburban areas, offer themselves
as ideal outdoor laboratories for exploring such areas as hydrology, water quality, soils,
microbiology, botany, invertebrate biology, vertebrate biology, and cultural resources. The author will review his instructional
experiences using riparian forest buffers in watershed and wetland education with various
student and general public groups. A greater
public awareness of the environmental values and services provided by riparian forest
buffers will enhance the protection and management of these habitats as they are regulated
by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Flood Hazard Area Control Act
Rules and municipal greenway and stormwater ordinances.
THE ETHICS OF FOOD: PLANT BASED STRATEGIES COMBAT WORLD HUNGER AND
PRESERVE THE EARTH
Rosanna Pittella (student), Donald
Dorfman, Department of Biology, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Veganism is a solution to starvation and
destruction of the earth’s natural systems. Daily
840 million people go hungry. Forty percent of
the world’s grain harvest feeds livestock: a
cow grazing on one acre produces enough meat to sustain a person two and a half months;
soybeans grown on that same acre would nourish a person for seven years. India adds 17 million people every year. Nutritionists have estimated that reducing meat
production by 10 percent would provide grain to feed 60 million people. In 1996, U.S. factory farms produced 1.4 billion tons of
animal waste – 130 times more than humans did. The
waste produced in a single year would fill 6.7 million train boxcars. Factory farming pollutes U.S. waterways more than all industrial sources
combined. For example, runoff from animal
waste is linked to a 7,000-square mile “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. Since
1960, more than 25% of Central
America’s and the
Amazon’s rain forest have been cleared for cattle pastures. This research provides strategies for the
replacement of animal based food production with vegan methodologies.
MARINE
AND COASTAL SCIENCES II: ECOLOGY
A FISHERIES RESOURCE INVENTORY OF THE HACKENSACK RIVER
A. Brett Bragin, Jeff Misuik, and Craig Woolcott, Meadowlands
Environmental Research Institute, One DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071.
The Meadowlands Environmental Research
Institute (MERI), began a two-year fisheries resource inventory of the lower Hackensack River. Using
the same gear and sampling locations as a previous study conducted during 1987-1988,
thirty fisheries collections were made monthly between August 2001 and July 2002 at 21
locations within the Hackensack Meadowlands. Each
month, we sampled nine otter trawl, three gill net, three seine, and six trap net
locations. A total of 29,490 fish representing
36 species were captured in the 360 fisheries collections made during the first year of
the study. The 10 most abundant species
collected were; mummichog (44.1% of total catch), white perch (27.7%), Atlantic silverside
(9.9%), gizzard shad (5.4%), striped killifish (3.7%), striped bass (2.9%), blueback
herring (1.2%), inland silverside (0.9%), brown bullhead (0.9%) and weakfish (0.7%). A comparison of the results from the first year of
the two studies has shown that a shift in the populations of some species has occurred
over the 14-year period between the studies. Examples
include mummichog (91% of the total 1987 catch), white perch (1.4%), Atlantic silverside
(2.6%), gizzard shad (0.2%), striped killifish (0.2%), striped bass (0.1%), and Atlantic
tomcod (0.6% during 1987, none collected during the current study).
REVISED MACROINVERTEBRATE CRITERIA FOR THE GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER
Jason R. Gliddon (student) and William
J. Cromartie, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, The Richard Stockton College
of New Jersey, PO BOX 195, Pomona, NJ 08240.
The focus areas for this project were several
sub-watersheds within the Great Egg Harbor River (GEHR) basin, Watershed Management Area
(WMA) #15 of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Our goal has been to aid the NJ DEP in revising the
Ambient Biomonitoring Network (AMNET) criteria. Inconsistencies in the AMNET results
versus other indicators of water quality in the NJ Pinelands have been pointed out by the
scientific staff of the Pinelands Commission. In
spring of 2002, we developed a conceptual model of water quality in the GEHR basin based
on existing water quality and biotic data and developed sub-watershed maps, showing the
percent of developed land in each. In summer
2002, we collected samples of macroinvertebrates from diverse substrates and measured pH
and specific conductance at each stream site. Biological
samples were identified to genus or family in the lab, and multivariate statistical
analysis was performed on the data. The
percent of developed land seemed to be the best predictor of water quality and biological
impairment. It appears that the
macroinvertebrate fauna found on woody debris in the streams is the best target for
accurate biological sampling.
WATER QUALITY OF THE MUSCONETCONG RIVER
ASSESSED USING MACROINVERTEBRATES AS INDICATORS
Ryan Higgins
(student), Michael J. Sebetich, Biology Department, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470.
Shade is an important factor in regulating
the water temperature of streams and small rivers. By
providing shade, riparian vegetation may lower the water temperature and thereby influence
the macroinvertebrate assemblages in the stream. Our
objectives were to: 1) Assess river water
quality by using macroinvertebrate indices, and 2) try to determine if water temperature
affected the distribution and abundance of macroinvertebrates. During summer 2002 we studied a short section of
the Musconetcong River at Hackettstown, NJ. Deciduous trees and shrubs shaded the stream
water at three sites, and the other site was completely exposed to sunlight. We installed data loggers that measured water
temperature every hour at the four sites. Macroinvertebrates were sampled using Surber
samplers. The macroinvertebrate community was
evaluated according to methods in the USEPA rapid bioassessment protocol (USEPA 1989). The lowest water temperature occurred at the site
that was exposed to the most direct sunlight. Further, despite consistent differences in
water temperature among sites, the macroinvertebrate assemblages were similar. The research indicated that minor variations in
water temperature did not affect macroinvertebrate populations, and that factors (ground
water, for example) other than shade from riparian plants influenced water temperature in
the study area. Based on macroinvertebrate
indices, the study section of the Musconetcong River had high water quality.
EVALUATING CREATED WETLANDS IN NEW JERSEY -
HOW CREDIBLE IS NJDEP?
James A. Schmid, Schmid & Company,
Inc., Consulting Ecologists, 1201 Cedar Grove Road, Media PA 19063-1044
The New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Protection
Act of 1987 established a State permit program for construction activities affecting
freshwater wetlands. Permits authorizing significant wetland damage require that wetlands
be created or enhanced as compensation for those lost.
In 2002 NJDEP proposed a methodology for evaluating the success of wetland
mitigation and applied it to 88 created wetlands (65% of the mitigations required by
permit conditions). The research report concludes that compliance with permit requirements
has been poor, that approved plans are not being followed, and that the required quantity
and quality of replacement wetlands are not being achieved.
It is not surprising that mitigation success continues to be limited, but
the NJDEP methodology requires considerable revision before it can serve as a credible
tool for wetland evaluation. Almost devoid of
site-specific data, it represents a step backward from the 1994 work of the US Fish and
Wildlife Service, which documented the limited success of compliance with the 91 Corps of
Engineers permits requiring compensation in New Jersey approved during the period 1985-1992. Unlike
the Florida analysis on which it was patterned (Miller and
Gunsalus 1999), the NJDEP methodology was not tested on any natural wetlands.
Bacterial Preferences
of Protozoan of the Hackensack River
Don Suess, Alice Benzecry, and Marsha
Rowe (student), School of Natural Sciences, Metropolitan Campus, Fairleigh Dickinson University
A number of bacteria and protozoan were
isolated and cultured from the Hackensack river waters.
Live bacteria were stain with cyanoditolyl tetrazolium chloride (CTC), a
florescent stain. The application of a
florescent stain to a variety of live bacteria permits us to observe their ingestion by
protozoan. Previous literature notes the wide
diversity of bacterial ingestion, or non-ingestion, by a wide diversity of finicky
protozoan food gatherers.
MOLECULAR
BIOLOGY
IDENTIFICATION
OF MATERNAL GENES IN LEECH
Belgin Canturk (student) and Daniel H.
Shain. Biology Department, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08012
Early development in animals is controlled,
in part, by maternally-derived mRNAs that are asymmetrically distributed during early
embryonic cleavages. These maternal mRNAs are
at the top of a hierarchy of gene expression that lays the ground work for regional
specialization in the developing embryo. Embryos
of the glossiphoniid leech, Theromyzon rude, are
well suited for determining early gene expression patterns due to the large size of their
embryos (~1 mm in diameter) and their small genome size (~2 x 108 bp). In an attempt to identify maternal genes in this
lesser-known model system, a cDNA library was constructed from total RNA isolated from
~100 leech eggs. In total, 148 random cDNA inserts were sequenced and aligned to the
GenBank database in all six reading frames. Of
these, 66 (46%) displayed no significant sequence identity to known genes, 48 (32%) were
related to hypothetical or poorly described sequences and 34 (23%) were related to
previously reported genes. Among the latter
were numerous sequences homologous to “housekeeping” genes and few candidate
cDNAs that may have determinate roles in embryonic development (e.g., Lethal giant larvae, Larp, zinc finger protein,
RNA binding protein).
SPECIFICATION OF EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS IN LEECH
Kristi A. Hohenstein (student) and
Daniel H. Shain. Biology Department, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08012
The glossiphoniid leech, Theromyzon rude, displays particularly large and
accessible embryonic stem cells during early development.
Among these are the bilaterally-paired mesodermal (M) and neuroectodermal
(N) embryonic stem cells that give rise to the bulk of segmental tissue in an adult leech,
and their respective progenitor cells, DM and NOPQ. In
an effort to identify genes associated with stem cell formation, pure populations of M, N,
DM and NOPQ, respectively, were dissected from developing embryos. Following total RNA purification, cDNA was
synthesized independently from each cell type using SmartTM methodology
(Clonetech). Differential Display analyses
were then conducted simultaneously with cDNA from all cell types. To date, ~10,000 cDNA fragments have been displayed
using >100 primer sets. Of these, >98% were expressed in all four cell types and are
likely to represent “housekeeping” genes. Approximately
200 cDNA fragments were differentially-expressed and fell into the following categories:
mesoderm-specific (DM & M; 55); neuroectoderm-specific (NOPQ & N; 49);
precursor-specific (DM & NOPQ; 30); stem cell-specific (M & N; 26); M-specific
(15); and N-specific (39). Among the 30
precursor-specific and 26 stem cell-specific cDNAs, 13 have been confirmed by Northern
blot analyses. Based on sequence analyses and
GenBank BLAST searches, ~50% of these cDNAs
represent novel or uncharacterized genes. Several
cDNAs displayed strong sequence similarity to members of the Rad gene family, a CCR4 antiproliferation gene, a
PHD finger binding domain, transcriptional regulators and homeobox genes.
PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF THE ICE WORM, Mesenchytraeus solifugus Jefferson V. Nghiem (student) and
Daniel H. Shain
Biology Department, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102
Relatively few species complete their life
cycle in extreme environments. Among these is
the ice worm, Mesenchytraeus solifugus, the only
annelid known to complete its life cycle on hydrated glacier ice (i.e., constant 0°C). The geographic range of ice worms appears
restricted to temperate glaciers between Washington State and south-central Alaska. The aim of this investigation is to
characterize the ice worm’s evolutionary history in the context of time and geography
(i.e., phylogeography). Employing differential display-PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
methodology, several polymorphic genomic DNA fragments have been identified from eight
independent ice worm populations in south-central Alaska (Alice, Burns, Byron, Exit, Learnard, Marathon, Milk and Portage Glaciers). Preliminary analyses suggest that geographic
distance does not correlate with evolutionary distance, and that ice worms appear to
disperse passively (i.e., crawl) to their respective glaciers. Ice worm mitochondrial DNA
sequence comparisons suggest that ice worms separated from two of their closest
terrestrial relatives, Enchytraeus albidus and
Fredericia tuberosa, between 60-100 million
years ago, raising the possibility that ice worm origins predate the speculated time frame
of Alaskan glaciation.
SYNERGISTIC
EFFECTS OF ENDOTOXIN AND ARSENIC ON ERYTHROCYTE
SEDIMENTATION RATE
Arif Shahzad (student), David Kristol,
Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, Rohit R.
Arora, Cardiology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, and Charles R.
Spillert, Surgery, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103
Endotoxin (Lipopolysaccharide, LPS) is part
of the outer wall of a Gram-negative bacterial cell. LPS
is a powerful mediator that causes a number of pathophysiological changes such as
inflammation, tissue destruction, respiratory distress, capillary damage, intravascular
coagulation and hypotension. Arsenic is
present in the biosphere and humans may be exposed via inhalation, ingestion, or skin
absorption. Previous studies in humans have
shown that exposure to arsenic may lead to cancer of the liver, kidney, bladder, prostate,
skin, and colon. The effect of LPS and Arsenic
on Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) determinations has not previously been
investigated. We performed in vitro studies by mixing human citrated whole blood (CWB)
with 20 ug/ml LPS, 0.5 uM Arsenic in 0.2 mM NaOH, 0.2 mM NaOH (control), and a combination
of these agents. Samples (n=10) were incubated
at 37oC for 10 minutes and then allowed to settle for one hour to determine ESR. ESR is a simple and inexpensive test to detect
blood inflammatory and necrotic process. When compared to the control, there were no
significant changes in ESR values individually. However,
results indicate LPS and Arsenic treated blood form a synergism and have a significant
reduction (p<0.05) in ESR values compared
to the control. This data warrants further
investigation on the role of ESR in evaluating LPS and Arsenic mediated inflammation.
GENE EXPRESSION PROFILING BY OLIGONUCLEOTIDE
MICROARRAY AND REAL TIME PCR IN HUMAN BREAST CANCER CELLS EXPOSED TO TIMP-1
Shashi Sharma (Student), Dr. David T.
Denhardt, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Cell Biology and
Neuroscience, Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, Nelson Laboratories, 604
Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1
(TIMP-1) is a ubiquitous protein in human body fluids. The primary function of TIMP-1,
like other TIMPs, is to inhibit certain metalloproteinases (MP) especially matrix
metalloproteinases (MMPs). Matrix metalloproteinases are enzymes that degrade the
extracellular matrix. TIMP-1 inhibits invasion and metastasis of cancer cells and
angiogenesis of tumors by inhibiting MMPs. Another function of TIMP-1 is to stimulate proliferation of breast cancer cells. Recent
research in our laboratory showed that TIMP-1 induced proliferation of breast cancer cells
mediates through MP inhibition. It is important to understand how inhibition of MP
results in proliferative stimulus to breast cancer cells upon TIMP-1 exposure. This
research is focused on studying gene expression profile of TIMP-1 exposed cells by
oligonucleotide microarray and Real time PCR. Gene expression profiles of the treated
breast cancer cells generated from microarray analyses was compared with untreated control
cells to identify changes in the expression of genes at least as measured by mRNA
abundance. Real Time PCR confirmed genes that appeared to be significantly regulated in
microarray results for change in expression. Elucidating the effect of TIMP-1 on breast
cancer cells can solve a mystery of breast cancer progression and various factors involved
in its resulting poor prognosis.
CELLULAR
BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
Regulation of Matrix
Metalloproteinases by Anti Transforming Growth Factor-beta Antibodies in Dermal
Fibroblasts
Thomas V. Keller, Neena Philips, Ph.D., Department of Biology
and Chemistry, Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b) stimulates collagen and matrix
metalloproteinase –2 (MMP-2), and inhibits MMP-1 expression in dermal fibroblasts.
Anti-TGF-b antibodies have been proposed in the
prevention of wound scars. This research
investigated the mechanisms by which an anti TGF-b antibody to all the TGF-b isoforms (1-3), and an anti TGF-b1 antibody regulate the MMP–1 and
MMP–2 genes. The anti TGF-b and anti TGF-b1 antibodies demonstrated TGF-? like effects,
instead of opposing effects. They inhibited MMP-1 protein, mRNA and promoter activity,
indicating transcriptional regulation. The protein levels of MMP-2 were upregulated to a
greater extent than the MMP-2 mRNA level by both antibodies, indicating transcriptional
and posttranscriptional regulation. These effects of anti TGF-b and anti TGF-b1 antibodies were mimicked by exogenous TGF-b1 but not the rabbit or chicken IgG. We infer that the TGF-b1 isoform that composes the anti TGF-b antibody may be responsible for the feedback
stimulation of TGF-b and the resultant alterations in the
expressions of the MMPs by the anti TGF-b antibody.
ICE
ORGANISMS BOOST ENERGY LEVELS AT LOW PHYSIOLOGICAL TEMPERATURES
Michael J. Napolitano (student) and
Daniel H. Shain Biology Department, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102
The ice worm, Mesenchytraeus solifugus, its bacterial microbiota
and several algal species co-exist on numerous Alaskan glaciers. Ice worms freeze at
–6°C and begin to autolyse at 5°C. Despite
thier atypical physiological temperature range, ice worm behavior (e.g., motor, neural) is
comparable to that of temperate worms. We show
here that free ATP levels in the aforementioned cold-adapted species are significantly
elevated in comparison with their temperate relatives.
Moreover, ATP levels of ice organisms increase as physiological temperatures
are lowered, a response opposite to that observed in other temperate organisms, and that
predicted by the Arrenhius equation (i.e., an increase in the rate of a biological process
with temperature gain). Collectively, these
results support a notion that elevated ATP levels drive biochemical reactions in ice
organisms, thus off-setting the inherent lethargy and death associated with cold
temperature physiology.
EFFECTS
OF l-TRIIODOTHYRONINE ON
PHOSPHORYLATION OF TYROSYL RESIDUES IN A CELL-FREE PREPARATION.
Pradip K. Sarkar and Joseph V. Martin, Biology Department, Rutgers University,
Camden, NJ
The effect of T3 on phosphorylation of tyrosyl residues of
proteins was measured in synaptosomes, a preparation free of cell nuclei from adult rat
brain. Hypotonically ruptured synaptosomes
were preincubated for 1 hour on ice in a reaction mixture containing 50 mM HEPES (pH 7.4) with or without 1 :M T3 and/or 3 mM sodium o-vanadate (tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor) in a
total volume of 50 :l, followed by a 5 min
incubation at 30EC. The reaction was started
by adding 20 :M ATP and terminated by the addition of 10
:l of SDS-sample buffer. The mixture was then heat-denatured for 3 min at
100°C. The proteins were subjected to
SDS-PAGE (10%) followed by Western blot. The
blot was then probed with anti-phosphotyrosine monoclonal antibody, followed by secondary
antibody conjugated with HRP. Proteins were
visualized using ECL chemiluminescence reagents and X-ray film. The results demonstrate a
T3-induced increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of a protein band of approximately 115
kDal. As expected, inhibition of phosphatase
activity also increased the level of phosphorylation of the protein. These results suggest a novel non-genomic mechanism
of action of T3 in adult brain.
TUBULIN ASSEMBLY IN COLD-ADAPTED ORGANISMS
Lawrence J. Tartaglia (student) and Daniel H.
Shain Biology Department, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102
The ice worm, Mesenchytraeus solifugus, is the only known annelid
that survives solely in glacier ice and snow. The molecular mechanism(s) of this
adaptation remain unclear. Nevertheless, it seems likely that ice worms have modified
their microtubules structurally,, allowing them to remain functional at low physiological
temperatures. Microtubules are involved in several basic cellular processes including the
segregation of genetic material, intracellular transport and maintenance of cell shape.
The main constituent of microtubules is tubulin, a globular protein comprising alpha- and
beta- subunits that is known to depolymerize at temperatures below 10°C in most animals.
In an effort to identify tubulin modifications in ice worms, both tubulin subunits were
isolated via degenerate PCR (polymerase chain reaction) from an ice worm cDNA library. Following DNA sequencing, each subunit displayed
several significant modifications in its predicted amino acid sequence, respectively.
Studies of tubulin in the Antarctic fish, Notothenia
corriceps suggest that there is an increased reliance on hydrophobic interactions that
underlies the energetics of microtubule formation at low temperatures. An amino acid comparison between ice worm and N. corriceps tubulin subunits suggest that these
two disparate animals have resolved the problem of tubulin polymerization by different
strategies.
HIGHLY CONSERVED
hISTONE h3 FROM Schizosaccharomyces pombe CANNOT
FUNCTIONALLY REPLACE ENDOGENOUS HISTONE H3 IN Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Matthew Wood (student), Jeffrey
S. Thompson, Department of Biology, Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ.
DNA in eukaryotic cells is organized as a
DNA-protein complex known as chromatin to facilitate the complex organization and
regulation of the genome. The primary
chromatin proteins are known as the histones, which are required for viability. The histones are some of the most highly conserved
proteins known, suggesting that the these proteins are necessary for very similar
functions in all eukaryotic organisms. To test
this hypothesis, we attempted to replace histone H3 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
(Bakers yeast) with histone H3 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (fission yeast),
whose amino acid sequences differ by only ~7% (10 out of 135 amino acids). In this study, we demonstrate that histone H3
from S. pombe is not functional as a replacement for endogenous histone H3 in S.
cerevisiae. S. cerevisiae cells
were not able to sustain viability when relying exclusively on S. pombe histone H3. However, when co-expressed in S. cerevisiae
with the endogenous histone H3, expression of S. pombe histone H3 had no effect on
chromatin-mediated gene regulation or cell growth. These
results indicate that even minor differences in amino acid sequences between highly
conserved proteins does not necessarily imply interchangeable functionality.
POSTER
ABSTRACTS
THE USE OF TROPICAL WOODY VINES IN THE
FABRICATION OF "CANASTOS"
Alice Benzecry, School of Natural Sciences, Metropolitan Campus, Fairleigh Dickinson University
"Canastos" are woody baskets
commonly used by Central American coffee-pickers. They
serve both as a collecting vessel and a storage container.
The main natural sources for the manufacture of canastos are the stems of
five taxa of bignoniaceous woody vines. Basket
makers, "Canasteros", learn to recognize specific characteristics of the bark of
older, thicker portions of the stem; the part that is used in basket construction. The wood of bignoniaceaous vines is not completely
cylindrical due to arcs of unidirectional cambial activity or “furrows”
(Dobbins, 1969.) According to Fisher and Ewers
(1991), the presence of furrows in many species of lianas is correlated with an orderly,
longitudinal splitting of the stem rather than catastrophic, transverse breakage. "Canasteros" take advantage of this
orderly, longitudinal splitting of the stem to obtain perfectly straight, flexible and
strong ribs of wood. Ribs or "fajas para
base" are cut to a standard size, approximately 80 cm long and 4-5 mm thick. Fourteen ribs are needed for the construction of
the canasto. Canastos are made in a standard
size of 125 cm in circumference and 25 cm deep.
Demonstrating Calmodulin Activation of
Phosphodiesterase Using Non-radioactive Methods
Patricia Canas (student), Ushma Patel
(student), and Angela Porta (faculty sponsor), Biology Department, Kean University,
Union, NJ 07083
Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium binding protein. When calmodulin binds calcium it changes its shape
and then it can bind to a target protein and regulate its activity. Demonstrating these events is very feasible using
radioactive methods. However, when developing
undergraduate laboratories, it is more desirable to use non-radioactive methods. We developed and tested a way of demonstrating the
activation of a target protein by calmodulin and calcium using non-radioactive methods.
Calmodulin binds to increasing concentrations
of calcium and the calcium-calmodulin complex binds to the enzyme cyclic nucleotide
phosphodiesterase to activate it. The function of this enzyme is to hydrolyze cyclic
adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) to 5’-adenosine monophosphate (5’-AMP). This
reaction was coupled with 5’–nucleosidase, which removes the phosphate from
5’-AMP, to obtain our measurable product: free phosphate. Thus, measuring the amount
of free phosphate produced is an indirect way of measuring the activity of
phosphodiesterase. We demonstrated that as the
concentration of calcium increases, the reaction rate increases and consequently the
amount of product increases, indicating that phosphodiesterase is regulated by calmodulin
in a calcium dependent manner. This laboratory
can be used as an undergraduate teaching laboratory without the safety concerns normally
associated with the use of radioactivity.
ANTI-AGING EFFECTS OF MILD STRESS ON FIBROBLAST
CELLS
Summer Cassidy, Susan Karl, and Sharon Myatt,
Neena Philips, Ph.D., Department of Biology and Chemistry, Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ 08701
By keeping cells in a vigilant state, slight
stress has been shown to be beneficial for many cell types.
Mild stress has been shown to have anti-aging effects by increasing collagen
and elastin levels in fibroblast cells. Therefore,
our experimental focus was to induce stress to fibroblasts by exposing the cells to 0 uM, 5 uM,
50 uM and 500 uM concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. By RT-PCR and oligodetection, it was found that
MMP-1 mRNA levels were inhibited significantly only at the 50 uM concentration showing dose dependent effects. However, all of the different concentrations of
hydrogen peroxide were found to significantly inhibit MMP-2 mRNA levels. The next step in this research will be to perform
Northern Blot Hybridizations and Dot Blots to further examine mRNA levels of the
MMP’s. Also, to further investigate the
anti-aging qualities of mild stresses, mRNA levels of collagen and elastin will be looked
at with respect to hydrogen peroxide gradient stress.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A DNA ENZYME
THAT LIGATES RNA
Amber Charlebois, Department of
Chemistry and Physics, William Paterson University of New Jersey, Wayne, NJ 07470 and
Scott Silverman, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, Urbana, IL
Using in vitro selection, new DNA catalysts
have been identified that ligate two RNA molecules sequence specifically. These Mg2+
dependent enzymes create a non-native 2’-5’ linkage. Initial characterization of
the newly selected DNA enzymes reveals the following properties of direct practical
interest.
The deoxyribozymes will provide a means of
synthesizing (ligating) large amounts of RNA in hours at 37 °C
The DNAzymes are sequence specific, with
specificity enforced by the substrate binding arms
The deoxyribozymes require the RNA junction
ligation termini to be a 2’-3’ cyclic phosphate and a 5’ hydroxyl group
These efforts should be useful for the
discovery of novel nucleic acid catalysts with interesting properties. It is anticipated
that these enzymes will find an immediate use as a complement to the protein-mediated
splint ligation for practical preparation of modified RNA molecules.
At William Paterson, initially, the goal is
to comprehensively characterize several additional sequences of the recently selected
DNAzymes. Future plans include the application of this ligating enzyme for the synthesis
of a well-characterized RNA molecule for three-dimensional structural studies.
Xanthophyll AND ITS
ROLE IN AGING
Samantha Covert*, Donata G.
David*, Dr. Neena Philips, Department
of Biology and Chemistry/Biochemistry, Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Aging is associated with increased reactive
oxygen species (ROS) and degeneration of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Xanthophyll is a
potent anti-oxidant. We determined the dose responsive effects of xanthophyll on dermal
fibroblast, which maintains the ECM. Xanthophyll caused dose response inhibition of matrix
metalloproteinase (MMP) -2, and Elastin. Xanthophyll did not alter cell proliferation. In conclusion, xanthophyll is
effective in decreasing elastin and MMP-2, which are known to be upregulated in skin
photoaging. Further studies are being done to understand the molecular mechanisms.
Dose Dependent Responses of Early and Late
Passage Fibroblasts to P. leucotomos extract
Ambrose Ekelhar*, Brian Surgent*, Neena Philips Ph.D, Department of Biology
and Chemistry/Biochemistry, Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ 08701
P. leucotomos has anti-oxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties. Skin aging is associated with the accumulation of reactive
oxygen species, and the up regulation of matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs). Our goal was to
examine the effects of P. leucotomos on
early and late passage fibroblasts. In-vitro cell passage is thought to mimic in-vivo
aging. Early and late passage fibroblasts were treated with 0, 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.1%, 0.3%,
and 1% P. leucotomos extract. The early passage cells showed a decrease in cell
viability, MMP1, MMP2, and an increase in collagen from the lowest to the highest doses
(0.03%- 1%). The late passage cells showed a decrease in cell viability, MMP1, MMP2 and an
increase in collagen at the higher doses (0.3%-1%). Early passage fibroblasts respond at
lower doses of P. leucotomos and the late passage fibroblasts respond at higher
doses. It can be inferred that the late passage fibroblasts require more signal for
response.
RECOVERY OF EELGRASS (Zostera marina) AFTER A MAJOR DECLINE EVENT IN
LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NEW JERSEY
Sasha Gibbons (Student), Paul Bologna,
Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ 07940.
During 1998 a major eelgrass die-off occurred
due to macroalgal smothering in Little Egg Harbor, NJ (Bologna et al. 2001). During the summer of 2002, we revisited the region
most impacted to conduct a site assessment. Spatial coverages of eelgrass (Zostera marina) and widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) were determined using randomized
transect lines (N=14) adjacent to Ham Island. While
some regions of the investigated area showed significant recovery (>80%), large regions
of former eelgrass beds had not recovered. In
fact, numerous locations contained less than 30% eelgrass coverage and some less than 10%. Results also showed that several regions were being
colonized by widgeon grass, suggestion that they were able to move into the disturbed area
and utilize the substrate for habitat. It
appears that in the absence of competition, widgeon grass can extend its’ range into
high salinity regions of the Bay that have been vacated by eelgrass. Widgeon grass is frequently observed in very
shallow regions immediately adjacent to island within Barnegat Bay. These surveys demonstrate that when eelgrass is
eliminated from a region, widgeon grass has an opportunity to colonize deeper portions of
the bay. Whether this colonization facilitates
eelgrass recovery is yet to be assessed.
Anti-carcinogenic Effects of Xanthophyll
Diane Gocek*, Pamela Wines*, Neena Philips,
Ph.D., Department of Biology and Chemistry/Biochemistry, Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Xanthophyll is a potent anticarcinogenic
agent. The extracellular matrix (ECM) maintains the structural integrity of the skin. Skin
cancer metastasis is associated with the degradation of the ECM by the
matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs). The purpose of this research is to investigate the dose
dependent effects of xanthophyll on the proliferation and expression of MMP-1 (degrades
structural collagen) and MMP-2 (degrades the basement membrane) in melanoma and renal
adenocarcinoma cells. Melanoma, and renal
adenocarcinoma cells were exposed to 0, 0.1uM, 0.3uM, 1uM, 3uM, and 10uM xanthophyll for
24 hours, and examined for cell proliferation, MMP-1 and MMP-2 protein levels. Xanthophyll
did not significantly alter the proliferation of melanoma or renal adenocarcinoma cells.
It inhibited MMP-1, and MMP-2 protein levels at 0.1uM to 1uM, but not at the higher
concentrations (3uM, 10uM) in melanoma cells. The higher concentration(s) of xanthophyll
stimulated MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression in renal adenocarcinoma cells The lower doses of xanthophyll may be
beneficial in melanoma and renal adenocarcinoma treatment, whereas the higher
concentrations are ineffective in melanoma cells and stimulatory to the metastatic
potential in renal adenocarcinoma cells.
THE ROLE OF INTERLEUKIN-1 AND INTERLEUKIN-3 IN
REGULATION OF MURINE ERYTHROPOIESIS AND BONE MODELING IN HYPOXIA
Mayrim Gonzalez (student), E. Regina
Giuliani, Biology Department, St. Peter’s College, Jersey City, NJ 07306, Dennis
Giuliani
Regulation of hematopoiesis involves
controlling output of pluripotential stem cells. Proliferating
stem cell compartments may be controlled through niche competition. Stem cells bind to Steel Factor (SF) prior to
differentiation. Successful niche competition
for SF in the bone marrow between committed stem cell compartments permits differentiation
into that compartment. Hypoxic mice synthesize
erythropoietin (EPO) which induces erythropoiesis and achieve a red cell mass greater than
EPO alone. Interface specific bone modeling in
hypoxic mice occurs without changing bone density and increases hematopoietic carrying
capacity, thus hypoxic mice express greater erythroid proliferative potential than EPO
induced mice. Plasma Interleukin – 1
(IL-1) concentration increases tenfold in hypoxic mice, while athymic mice fail to model
bone during hypoxia. Data indicate that
hypoxia induced IL-1 mediated T cell dependent bone modeling increases hematopoietic
carrying capacity. Interleukin – 3
(IL-3), stimulates growth of hematopoietic precursors and may support hypoxia induced bone
modeling. Data on IL-3 levels during hypoxia
are not complete. Failure of the NS-1 myeloma
(B cell leukemia) to proliferate in hypoxic mice and post hypoxia NS-1 tumor rebound
supports a model of niche competition. Post
hypoxia erythroid shutdown allows myeloma cells to successfully compete for SF prior to
proliferation.
DOSE
RESPONSE OF POLYPOLIUM LEUCOTOMOS ON MMP-1, MMP-2 AND TGF-b IN RENAL AND MELANOMA CELLS
Cynthia A. Inzano (student), Leann (student),
Dr. Neena Philips, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Georgian Court College, Lakewood,
NJ 08701
Polypolium Leucotomos (PL) is an
anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agent. PL
was used to determine if it was an inhibitor to cancer cells (melanoma and renal), with
regards to cell proliferation and expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, TGF-b. PL
inhibited cell proliferation in melanoma and renal cells, though more notable in renal
cells. In renal cells the dose response
decreased expression of TGF-b at 0.01 to 0.1, for melanoma the dose response
decreased expression at 0.0 to 0.03. Also at
these doses PL decreased MMP-2 in renal cancer cells and MMP-1 in melanoma cells. MMP-1, MMP-2 and TGF-b all had a decrease in expression with an
increase in dose of PL in both cancerous cells (renal and melanoma). In conclusion,
melanoma cells were more responsive at lower concentrations where as renal cells were more
responsive at higher concentrations. Therefore for further studies anyone of MMP-1, MMP-2
and TGF-b can be used for molecular mechanisms.
MONITORING AND RESEARCH IN THE JACQUES COUSTEAU
NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE
Michael J. Kennish and Scott M. Haag, Institute of Marine and
Coastal Sciences, Rutgers
University, New Brunswick, NJ.
The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine
Research Reserve (JCNERR) centered in Tuckerton, New Jersey, focuses on the collection of
water quality and scientific data along a well-defined salinity gradient in the Mullica
River-Great Bay Estuary. This monitoring and
research effort also extends along the open waters of the adjacent inner continental shelf
out to the Long-term Ecosystem Observatory (LEO-15) of Rutgers University located ~9 km
offshore of Little Egg Inlet. Data collected
in this program are being compiled and analyzed not only to monitor the physical,
chemical, and biological conditions in the estuary and dynamic coastal ocean but also to
assess the stability and change in habitats and biotic communities of the reserve. To this end, standard sampling protocols are
followed, together with various experimental approaches, such as the deployment of an
advanced multinutrient analyzer, backscatter fluorometer, and remotely operated vehicle
(REMUS). An array of research projects is
ongoing in the JCNERR to accompany water quality monitoring.
Included here are investigations of nutrient and phytoplankton dynamics,
emergent and submerged aquatic vegetation, estuarine sediments and benthic communities,
shellfish, and finfish. In addition, a mapping
initiative is underway in the watershed and estuary to characterize habitat in the JCNERR
and to determine habitat utilization by organisms in the system.
THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF BOATING ON WIDGEON
GRASS (Ruppia maritima).
David Maio (student), Paul Bologna, Department of
Biological and Allied Health Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ 07940.
Our coastal waters are faced with an epidemic
that is caused by the increased use of recreational watercrafts. Seagrass habitats play an
important role in the ecosystem as both a safe haven for many species, and also as a
barometer of the health of coastal communities. During
2001 and 2002, Benthic cores were collected monthly during the summer within an expansive
Widgeon grass bed (Ruppia maritima) in Barnegat Bay NJ. Samples showed a significant decline in plant
biomass and reproductive potential during late July, with a subsequent recovery in biomass
during August. Given the natural growth cycle
of R. maritima, these precipitous drops in plant demographic characteristics during
a period when these values should be at their maximum were cause for concern. Within this region, an active Personal Water Craft
(PWC) rental facility exists. The probable proximal mechanism to explain the drop in plant
biomass is the increased use of PWC in the region during this time period. Consequently,
we conclude that the physical disturbance generated by PWC lead to mid-season decline in
plant biomass, shoot density and reproductive potential.
Regulation of Matrixmetalloproteinases (MMP) in
Melanoma cells by Hydrogen Peroxide
Theresa Massa*, Samantha Vaccaro*, Lindsey
Vestyck*, Neena Philips, Ph.D., Department of Biology and Chemistry, Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ 08701
A series of experiments were conducted to
determine the dose-dependant effects of hydrogen peroxide on MMP expression in melanoma
cells, at the mRNA and protein levels. The MMP1 and MMP-2 mRNA levels were determined by
RT-PCR with specific biotin labeled primers and oligodetection, and were normalized with
actin mRNA levels. Indirect ELISA, with specific antibodies, determined the proteins
levels of the MMPs. The results revealed that the lowest concentration of hydrogen
peroxide (5uM) was mildly stimulatory to MMP expression, whereas the higher doses (50, and
500 uM) of hydrogen peroxide inhibited MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression, significantly and
markedly, at the mRNA and protein levels. The higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide
may be beneficial in inhibiting the metastasis of melanoma cells. Regulation at the mRNA
levels will be continued using Northern Blot and Dot Blot hybridization techniques, and
the dose dependent effects of hydrogen peroxide on melanoma cell proliferation, and
metastasis will also be investigated.
DIFFERENTIAL
EFFECTS OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ON MMP-I, MMP-II, AND TGF-ß mRNA LEVELS IN RENAL CANCER
CELLS.
Tonya Matlosz, Purvi Patel,
Diana DeGregorio, Dr. Neena Philips, Biochemistry Department, Georgian Court College,
Lakewood, NJ 08701.
The purpose of this
study was to examine the dose dependent regulation of MMP-I, MMP-II, and TGF-ß mRNA
levels in renal cancer cells, with increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The technique of RT-PCR was used to analyze the
information gathered and Oligodetection was completed to determine mRNA expression. It was observed that MMP-I mRNA levels were
significantly inhibited when compared to the control.
MMP-II and TGF-ß were significantly stimulated at higher concentrations of
hydrogen peroxide. A Northern Blot and Dot
Blot will be used to further determine these alterations at the mRNA level.
Spartina
alterniflora AND Phragmites australis AS HABITAT FOR THE RIBBED
MUSSEL Geukensia demissa (DILLWYN)
Marion McClary, Jr., School of Natural Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ 07666
In areas where the cordgrass Spartina
alterniflora and the invasive common reed Phragmites australis exist, P.
australis is often regarded as the salt marsh grass that is less populated by fauna
than that of S. alterniflora. Although
it is known that the ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa utilizes S. alterniflora
as habitat, it is unknown as to which marsh grass is more densely populated by G.
demissa when both grasses coexist in an area. To
determine if the preferred habitat for G. demissa is S. alterniflora or P.
australis, the mean number of G. demissa in four replicate quadrants near P.
australis and S. alterniflora was determined in Saw Mill Creek of the
Hackensack Meadowlands of New Jersey in March, June and October of 2002. Although there were significantly more G.
demissa near P. australis in March and June, there was no significant
difference between the numbers of G. demissa near P. australis and S.
alterniflora in October. The results
suggest that P. australis provides more habitat for G. demissa than S.
alterniflora in March and June, but not in October.
DEVELOPMENTAL EFFECTS OF CHROMIUM (III) ON Oryzias
latipes (JAPANESE MEDAKA) AND Xenopus laevis (CLAWED FROG) WITH
EMPHASIS ON THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Dawn Mycewicz (student), Daneris
Jimenez (student), E. Regina Giuliani and Laura H. Twersky, Department of Biology,
Saint Peter’s College, Jersey
City, NJ 07306
Chromium (III), a naturally occurring
element, and an essential nutrient is used in dietary supplements for Type II diabetes. Little is known of chromium’s safety,
effectiveness and mechanism of action in vivo.
Chromium (VI), produced by industrial processes, is a known carcinogen. We are investigating the effects of chromium (III)
on the rate of cleavage and the developing circulatory system. Tadpoles of Xenopus laevis and newly
hatched fish fry of Oryzias latipes are transparent, allowing for easy
visibility of major developing organs. Exposure
of newly hatched fish fry to various concentrations of chromium (III) resulted in
increased heart rate from an average extra six beats per minute up to an additional 24
beats per minute compared to the control rate of 154 beats per minute. There seemed to be
a decrease in movement of the fish fry at the higher end of the concentration range. Higher doses may have increased toxicity, and
incubation in different doses will be investigated further. The putative causes usually
cited for the increase in amphibian malformations observed today are: pesticides,
parasites, ultraviolet radiation or some combination.
Relatively little work has been done on the effects of chromium on amphibian
embryogenesis and metamorphosis
EVIDENCE OF APOSEMATISM IN AN ALREADY
UNPALATABLE AND GREGARIOUS MILKWEED BUG, Oncopeltus fasciatus, IN RESPONSE TO VERTEBRATE
AND INVERTEBRATE PREDATION AND A MEASURE OF THE COSTS, BENEFITS AND TRADE-OFFS OF A
COMPROMISED GROWTH RATE
Joseph Schwarz (student), Zeeshan Qureshi,
Mohammed Rahman, Desiree Reyes, Christine Rossilli, Department of Biological Sciences,
Kean University, Union, NJ 07083. 2002.
The efficacy of chemical defense in
aposematic milkweed bugs was examined using a variety of predators (birds, lizards,
mantids). A population of Oncopeltus was
initially reared on a nontoxic sunflower (Helianthis) seed diet; another population was
reared on a diet of toxic milkweed (Asclepias) seeds.
There is significant evidence to support the predators as being potential
selective agents in the evolution and/or maintenance of aposematism in Oncopeltus, thus
supporting the efficacy of automimicry. However,
mantids showed some degree of ambiguity; in contrast to previous reports, they never
learned to avoid toxic milkweed bugs. As the
mantids used in this study were gravid females, their reproductive state may have
confounded responses to unpalatable prey. Our
data also suggest survival and developmental
costs for Oncopeltus when reared on toxic diets. Early
instar nymphs switched from Helianthis to Ascelpias seeds suffered higher mortality than
those reared on Helianthis throughout the life cycle.
However, overall developmental parameters were reduced in late instars fed
only the nontoxic diet. Separating out these
variables may reveal an increase in reproductive potential for Oncopeltus when reared on
toxic diets, which would agree with the proposition of increased fitness for aposematic
individuals supporting the predator-avoidance response so often witnessed—bolstering
the efficacy of automimicry.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FATTY ACID
ANALYSIS IN IDENTIFYING Russula SPECIES IN NORTH AMERICA
Jason Sinclair (Student) The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ 08628
The family of Russulaceae
(Basidiomycota) contains some of the most common species of mushrooms found in North America.
However, the species of Russula prove difficult to tell apart.
Macroscopic qualities such as odor, taste, color, spore print color, and cap size are
useful field identification characters. However, using all these methods in the
identification of Russula species often proves unreliable and burdensome. Of
the 300 species of Russula known, there is no existing American monograph with
dichotomous keys (Fatto, 1995).
The purpose of this study was to
investigate the usefulness of gas chromatography cellular fatty acid analysis in the
identification of the Russula subsections Foetentinae and Compactae species
of northeast North
America.It was
determined that fatty acid profiles of the specimens reinforced the current
morphological separation of the Russula genus into two of the subsections; Foetentulae
and Compactae. Subsection Foetentulae could be further separated,
depending on the presence or absence of a peak at 20 minutes on the gas chromatograph
charts. However, to identify each sample to species it was determined that spore
morphology is still the best diagnostic characteristic.
BACTERIOCIN PRODUCTION BY Enterococcus sp.
ISOLATED FROM MIGRATORY GEESE
Safirah Stewart (Student), Kimberly
Green (Student) and June
Middleton, Department of
Biological and Allied Health Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ 07940.
Bacteriocins are low molecular weight
proteins produced by certain bacteria that exhibit antagonistic activity toward other
bacterial strains but do not harm the producing strain.
We were interested in determining whether migratory Canadian geese (Branta
canadensis) harbored bacteriocin producing enterococci.
We screened 80 isolates from birds in two flocks (n = 11; n=14). Enterococci were isolated from fresh feces using
standard selection techniques. Twenty-four
isolates per bird were examined for resistance to 10 antibiotics in 5 classes; from these,
individual strains to be tested for bacteriocin production were selected based on
pigmentation and antibiotic resistance profiles. Bacteriocin
production was detected using the agar spot assay in 15 strains from 10 birds. One strain showed activity against E.cloacae, S.
aureus and S. epidermidis; 13
strains showed activity against the control E. faecalis strain and other
enterococci. Five different bacteriocin
antagonism patterns were detected by cross inhibition assay.
Cultures producing bacteriocins were identified as E. faecalis, E.
mundtii and E.casseliflavus.
THE EFFECT OF LOW FREQUENCY, WEAK INTENSITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (EMF) ON THE RESTORATION OF PERIPHERAL NERVE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
IN MOTORNEUROPATHY MICE MODEL
Ligy Varkey (student) School of Natural Sciences, Metropolitan Campus, Fairleigh Dickinson University
The effect weak electromagnetic field
intensity and frequency on the ultra-structures of radial nerves as correlated with
forelimb grip strength in mice induced with motor neuropathy was studied. Motorneuropathy condition was induced by the
administration of 0.62% neurotoxin 3, 3’- Iminodiproprionitrile (IDPN) in drinking
water for 9½ weeks. The forelimb grip
strength as measured by a force gauge meter declined by 47% as compared to the untreated
control group. One IDPN treated group received
EMF exposure for 8½ weeks and showed 87% recovery of grip strength, which was maintained
at 82% level even after the termination of exposure. On
the other hand, the IDPN treated mice not receiving any EMF exposure remained at a 56%
level of grip strength. The
electronmicrographs of EMF exposed group showed axonal remyelination, condensed state of
mitochondria, and evenly distributed neurofilaments and microtubules, whereas the EMF
unexposed group showed axonal demyelination, mitochondria in an orthodox state of
conformation and an uneven distribution of neurofilaments and microtubules. These results show the effect of EMF on the
restoration of peripheral nerve ultra structure consistent with grip strength recovery
from a state of motorneuropathy.
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