The purpose of this study is to research bone fractures in early stage breast cancer patients in the southern United States region. In early stage breast cancer patients, many factors may contribute to a higher rate of bone fractures than in those that have not had breast cancer. Use of aromatase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulators, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, chemotherapy, and radiation are a few of the factors that may contribute to higher bone fracture rate in cancer patients. In this study, the medical records of both estrogen positive breast cancer patients will be assessed. The focus of the study will be on estrogen positive breast cancer patients, but estrogen negative breast cancer patients will be used as a control group. Calcium and Vitamin D levels will be studied and compared to similar studies conducted in the northern region of the United States. Other sicknesses, deficiencies, or lifestyles that may contribute to bone fracture rate will be taken into account in this study. When research begins, data will be gathered from medical records. Data that will be gathered will include age, weight, gender, type and stage of breast cancer, treatments, medications, previous illness or injury, Calcium and Vitamin D levels, and bone density tests. This information will be compiled to compare altered estrogen levels found in early stage breast cancer patients to see the correlation to bone fractures.
A Rational Design for Smallpox Post-Exposure Therapy in Case of Bioterrorism
Although, smallpox is completely eradicated there is always a possibility of a zoonotic epidemic and it still be used as a bioterrorism weapon. All poxviruses replicate in specialized cytoplasmic factories and have the ability to sequester necessary raw materials from the host including translation initiation factors. Our laboratory is investigating the potential use of microRNAS (miRNAs) that can be used a post translational silencing vehicles against smallpox in case of exposure to variola (the etiological agent of smallpox) or a chimera virus that can be used as bioterrorist attacks Our goal is to uncover miRNAs that can completely silence smallpox upon exposure to the deadly agent. Methods: We computationally analyzed the human miRNAs that show near perfect homology to smallpox and vaccinia viral genomes by sophisticated alignment tools. Results: We identified 26 miRNAs for variola and 23 miRNAs for Vaccinia that showed >90% homology with human miRNAs. Whereas, 13 miRNAs showed mutual homology with both viral genomes. Conclusion: We present evidence using bioinformatics tools, and hypothesize that the utility of 26 miRNAs (i.e., hsa-miR-32-5p, hsa-miR-599, hsa-miR-103a-3p, hsa-miR-876-3p, hsa-miR-488-3p, hsa-miR-4647, hsa-miR-1264, hsa-miR-5186, hsa-miR-198, hsa-miR-6781-3p, hsa-miR-3128, hsa-miR-7161-5p, hsa-miR-3668, hsa-miR-338-3p, hsa-miR-3121-5p, hsa-miR-1205, hsa-miR-4789-3p, hsa-miR-548a-5p, hsa-miR-4528, hsa-miR-337-3p, hsa-miR-6824-3p, hsa-miR-545-5p, hsa-miR-4719, hsa-miR-3921, hsa-miR-33a-3p and hsa-miR-514b-3p can be utilized as a post exposure therapy in case of any kind of zoonotic or bioweapon chimera pox created as a weapon of mass destruction.
South Carolina Center for Biotechnology at Claflin University
P137 • Paul V. Cupp, Jr.
Long-Term Nest Site Fidelity in Some Male Green Salamanders, Aneides aeneus
Previous studies indicate that male and female Aneides aeneus exhibit site fidelity from one year to the next in their use of rock crevices, including breeding crevices. The present study examines the use of breeding crevices by A. aeneus males at field sites in SE KY over a 12-22 year period. Crevices in specific rock outcrops were monitored for the presence or absence of males prior to or during the deposition of eggs by females during the summer breeding period. Of the visible rock crevices with A. aeneus present, only a relatively few had brooding females with eggs. These crevices were often used every year or in alternate years over several years to brood eggs and hatchlings. Long-term site fidelity was shown by males (n=6) over a range of 4-13 years during which individual males were found in the same crevices in subsequent years at about the same time of year. Nest site fidelity by males may influence the continued use of these crevices. These crevices must have properties that result in their selection by males (and females?) as breeding sites.
Dept of Biological Sciences, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
P138 • Carrie S. Schmaus, Margaret E. Ruppel, Adam C. Brown, Richard S. Phillips
Short-Term Impacts of PIT Tag Implantation in Captive King Snakes, Lampropeltis mexicanus
PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tagging is a common method of marking both wild and captive snakes. Although two methods of implantation are frequently used, subcutaneous implantation is often preferred to surgical abdominal implantation despite concerns of potential tag expulsion. To examine short term impacts of PIT tags, 36 captive king snakes, Lampropeltis mexicanus, were assigned to one of two treatments: tagged or injected. Each treatment had an even weight distribution. Using a 12 mm PIT tag and a reuseable syringe, the tagged group was implanted with the tags while the injected group received only the injection. All injection sites were treated with cyanoacrylate. Weights of each individual were recorded weekly for 5 weeks pre-treatment as well as 5 weeks post-treatment. Weight gain percentages did not differ for either the tagged or injected groups for 5 weeks pre-treatment (¯Xpre-tagging = 4.42%; ¯Xpre-injection = 3.91%) or for 5 weeks post-treatment (‾Xpost-tagging = 2.10%; ‾Xpost-injection = 1.78%). No tags were lost during the study and little movement of tags was noted. Data suggest subcutaneous injections present little short-term impact on Thayeri king snakes as evidenced by weight gain percentages. Long-term evaluation of PIT tag retention is ongoing.
Dept of Biology, Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH; 2 Dept of Biology, Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH; 3 Dept of Biology, Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH; 4 Dept of Biology, Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH
