Examining Phospholipids after Oxidative Stress in the Membrane of a C. elegans Alzheimer’s Model and Culture of Safety Analysis in New York Hospitals

Hote, Liza

Student Work

Examining Phospholipids after Oxidative Stress in the Membrane of a C. elegans Alzheimer’s Model and Culture of Safety Analysis in New York Hospitals

Public

Recent studies have shown a decrease in plasmalogens, a unique class of ether-linked phospholipids, in the Alzheimer’s brain prior to cognitive decline. Thus, plasmalogens have potential as a biomarker for early Alzheimer’s detection or as a therapy, but the connection between plasmalogens and Alzheimer’s is not completely understood . Plasmalogens most putative function for Alzheimer’s is as sacrificial antioxidants that would limit oxidative damage in a cell. To further study these lipids, a fard-1 mutant in C. elegans was used as these animals are incapable of making plasmalogens. Specifically, we investigated the role of plasmalogens in responding to oxidative stress caused by elevated dietary sugar (glucose and galactose). Wildtype (N2) animals and fard-1 mutants were fed a diet with or without sugar and their lipids were extracted then analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for membrane fatty acids and HPLC with an orbitrap mass spectrometry for intact phospholipid species. On a regular diet, fard-1 exhibited a decrease in polyunsaturated fats, and increase in moderately unsaturated fats. Surprisingly, no changes were identified in fard-1's response to additional oxidative stress, glucose and galactose. Taken together, future work should further elucidate the role of plasmalogens in response to oxidative stress. This may provide evidence that plasmalogens can be harnessed as a therapy or biomarker. Research lab oratories are places where hypotheses get assessed and ideas become reality. While labs are the center of innovative science, they contain more hazards and risks than the regular workplace. No matter what research is being conducted, it is vital for any lab member to understand the hazards existing in the environment around them so that they do not put themselves, other lab members, and the research at risk. When completing our separate biochemistry Major Qualifying Projects at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the University of Massachusetts Medical School were required to obtain training to protect ourselves from chemical, physical, and biological hazards. In relation to this, we explored the outcomes of weak and strong cultures of safety in individual institutions. We hypothesized that if there is a poor culture of safety in any institution, indicated by the number of occupational hazards, there would also be poor work results. Due to access to information, we analyzed New York hospital data in relation to compensation claims and patient outcomes, which were indicative of occupational and patient safety culture, respectively. We then quantitatively correlated the hospital's patient safety grade with occupational hazards in the hospitals. By examining trends and using statistical analysis, we demonstrate that hospitals with better note-taking abilities or ‘measurement robustness,’ tend to have better patient outcomes. The results elucidate ‘you are what you measure,’ and organizations that put the effort into recording their practices, tend to have better work outcomes.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator