2019 Annual Meeting

The Montana Academy of Sciences (MAS) was incorporated on the 20th day of March, 1961, as a non-profit, educational organization. The objectives of the Montana Academy of Sciences are to encourage interest and participation in the sciences and to promote public understanding of science and its contribution to society. The Academy accomplishes its objectives by conducting meetings of those interested in sciences and the education of scientists, by publishing contributions to scientific knowledge, by supporting research, by making awards to recognize accomplishments in science, by administering gifts and contributions to accomplish these aims, by assigning and cooperating with affiliated and other organizations with similar objectives, and by engaging in such other activities as deemed necessary to accomplish its objectives. We held our 2019 Annual Meeting at Montana Tech in Butte, MT. on April 5 and 6. Over 90 registrants participated, viewing 24 contributed oral presentations and 27 poster presentations over the day and a half meeting. We present the abstracts from our meeting here so that the readers of the Intermountain Journal of Sciences can see the quality and types of science supported by MAS

INTRODUCTION

The Montana Academy of Sciences (MAS) was incorporated on the 20th day of March, 1961, as a non-profit, educational organization. The objectives of the Montana Academy of Sciences are to encourage interest and participation in the sciences and to promote public understanding of science and its contribution to society.  The Academy accomplishes its objectives by conducting meetings of those interested in sciences and the education of scientists, by publishing contributions to scientific knowledge, by supporting research, by making awards to recognize accomplishments in science, by administering gifts and contributions to accomplish these aims, by assigning and cooperating with affiliated and other organizations with similar objectives and by engaging in such other activities as deemed necessary to accomplish its objectives.We held our 2016 Annual Meeting at Montana Tech in Butte, MT. on April 8 and 9.  Over 100 registrants participated, viewing 13 contributed oral presentations and 13 poster presentations over the day and a half meeting.  We present the abstracts from our meeting here so that the readers of the Intermountain Journal of Sciences can see the quality and types of science supported by MAS.  Please mark your calendars for our next meeting, April 7 and 8, 2017 in Butte.  Finally, the Board of Directors of MAS would like to thank the sponsors of our 2016 Annual Meeting: Dr. Doug Coe, Dean, College of Letters, Sciences & Professional Studies, Montana Tech; Dr. Beverly Hartline, Vice Chancellor for Research, Montana Tech; Dr. Renee Reijo Pera, VP for Research, Montana State University - Bozeman; Dr. Beth Weatherby, Chancellor, University of Montana – Dillon; Dr. Tim Laurent, VP for Academic Affairs, University of Great Falls; Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, Montana State University – Billings

Introduction

The Montana Academy of Sciences (MAS) was incorporated on the 20th day of March, 1961, as a non-profit, educational organization. The objectives of the Montana Academy of Sciences are to encourage interest and participation in the sciences and to promote public understanding of science and its contribution to society. The Academy accomplishes its objectives by conducting meetings of those interested in sciences and the education of scientists, by publishing contributions to scientific knowledge, by supporting research, by making awards to recognize accomplishments in science, by administering gifts and contributions to accomplish these aims, by assigning and cooperating with affiliated and other organizations with similar objectives, and by engaging in such other activities as deemed necessary to accomplish its objectives. We held our 2017 Annual Meeting at Montana Tech in Butte, MT. on April 7 and 8. Over 100 registrants participated, viewing 22 contributed oral presentations and 20 poster presentations over the day and a half meeting. We present the abstracts from our meeting here so that the readers of the Intermountain Journal of Sciences can see the quality and types of science supported by MAS. Please mark your calendars for our next meeting, April 6 and 7, 2018 in Butte. Finally, the Board of Directors of MAS would like to thank the sponsors of our 2017 Annual Meeting: Dr. Doug Coe, Dean, College of Letters, Sciences and Professional Studies, Montana Tech Dr. Beverly Hartline, Vice Chancellor for Research, Montana Tech Dr. Renee Reijo Pera, VP for Research, Montana State University Dr. Beth Weatherby, Chancellor, University of Montana – Western Dr. Tim Laurent, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs, University of Great Falls Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, Montana State University – Billing

Adrenal involvement in the biostimulatory effect of bulls

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective was to evaluate if cortisol concentrations are associated with the resumption of luteal activity in postpartum, primiparous cows exposed to bulls. The hypotheses were that 1) interval from start of exposure to resumption of luteal activity; 2) proportions of cows that resumed luteal function during the exposure period; and 3) cortisol concentrations do not differ among cows exposed or not exposed to bulls (Exp. 1), and cows continuously exposed to bull or steer urine (Exp. 2).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In Exp. 1, 28 anovular cows were exposed (BE; n = 13) or not exposed (NE; n = 15) to bulls for 30 d at 58 d after calving. In Exp. 2, 38 anovular cows were fitted with a controlled urine delivery device at 45 d after calving and exposed continuously (24 h/d) to bull (BUE; n = 19) or steer (SUE; n = 19) urine. Length of exposure was ~64 d. Blood samples were collected from each cow on D 0 and every 3 d throughout exposure periods in both experiments and assayed for progesterone. Cortisol was assayed in samples collected on D 0, 8, 16, and 24 in Exp. 1; and, D 0, 19, 38, and 57 in Exp. 2.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In Exp. 1, interval from the start of exposure to resumption of luteal activity was shorter (P < 0.05) for BE cows than NE cows, similarly, more (P < 0.05) BE cows than NE cows resumed luteal function during the exposure period. In Exp. 2, there was no difference in intervals from the start of exposure to resumption of luteal activity and proportions of cows that resumed luteal function during the exposure period between BUE and SUE cows. In Exp. 1, there was no difference in cortisol concentrations between BE and NE cows at the start of the experiment (D 0), however, cortisol concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in BE cows than NE cows on D 9, 18, and 27. In Exp. 2, cortisol concentrations were higher for BUE than SUE cows on D 0 (P < 0.05), thereafter cortisol decreased (P < 0.05) but did not differ between BUE and SUE cows.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that the physical presence of bulls stimulates resumption of luteal activity and is coincident with increased cortisol concentrations, and hypothesize a possible association between adrenal activation and the biostimulatory effect of bulls.</p

Metabolites, Metabolic Hormones and Hematological Profiles in Mountain Goats Before the Breeding Season and During the First Trimester of Pregnancy

Objectives were to evaluate the relationships among energy-related metabolites, hormones, and hematological variables in mountain goats (Oreamnos Americans) before the breeding season and during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Does were from herds in the Palisades (PAL) and NE Yellowstone (NEY) areas. Samples were collected from July to Aug. (before breeding season) and mid-Jan. (1st trimester of pregnancy). Sera was assayed for insulin (I), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), b-OH-butyrate (bOHB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and total protein (TP). Concentrations of TP did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) between pregnant (P) and non-breeding season (NB) does. bOHB, I, BUN, and T3 concentrations, and the T3:T4 ratios were greater (P &lt; 0.05) in NB does than in P does. Whereas, T4 concentrations were greater (P &lt; 0.05) in P does than in NB does. Obviously, NB does have a different profiles of metabolites, metabolic hormones and select hematological variables compared to P does.  In conclusion, these differences may be related to P does utilizing and partitioning nutrients to support placental and fetal growth and development. These differences may also be related to the effect of season, since there were no non-pregnant does were sampled in Jan. Another factor that may be important for interpretation of these differences is location. All NB does were sampled in the PAL, while all P does were sampled in the NEY

Indices of Body Composition and Repeatability of Residual Feed Intake in Growing Columbia Ewes Fed the Same Diet

Residual feed intake (RFI), an efficiency measurement based upon the difference in expected and actual feed intake, is used to improve production efficiency of livestock. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of ewe RFI measured for two consecutive years, and to investigate the relationship between indices of body composition in yearling ewes and RFI. Two trials, using the same Columbia ewe lambs (n = 17) were conducted in consecutive years (2014, 2015) using the same diet. RFI was calculated for each ewe each year. RFI did not differ (P = 0.77) between years. Each year, ewes were separated into RFI classes (LOW (efficient); MOD (average); HIGH (inefficient)). In 2014, ewe lamb performance did not differ among classes (P &gt; 0.3). In 2015, dry matter intake was greater for HIGH ewes (P &lt; 0.0002). Ribeye area (REA; cm2) and backfat thickness (BF; cm) were measured by ultrasound on day 0 (start of trial), 17, and 45 (end of trial) in 2015 and used to calculate estimates of final body composition. RFI classification did not affect REA or BF (P &gt; 0.25). There was a trend for whole-body muscle mass to differ among RFI classes (P = 0.09), but no other body composition estimates were affected. Results suggest that RFI is repeatable; however, indices of body composition seem to be independent of RFI in Columbia ewes fed the same diet under similar conditions

Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Metabolic Profiling to Distinguish Herds of Bighorn Sheep

The objective of this study was to determine if nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolic profiling has the potential to serve as a management tool for evaluating herds of bighorn (Ovis canadensis) sheep. Two-hundred and forty bighorn sheep serum samples from 13 herds located in Montana and Wyoming were processed for NMR spectra, profiled for small molecule metabolites using Chenomx®, and then analyzed with MetaboAnalyst (v3.0). Fifty-six small molecule metabolites were identified in ungulate serum.  To determine if NMR metabolic profiles can distinguish herds that are geographically distinct with access to different nutritional resources, herds collected in December were compared to herds collected in March. Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) indicated a clear, majority separation of metabolic shifts with minor overlaps. Biomarker analysis identified 15 potential biomarkers from the compounds with variables of importance (VIP) scores greater than 1.0. These molecules enabled us to identify ‘significantly’ important metabolic pathways that discriminate herds sampled in December and herds sampled in March. Key biomarkers resulting from the pathway analysis, included: 2-oxoisocaproate, choline, tyrosine, creatinine, and trimethylamine n-oxide. To determine if metabolic profiling can distinguish individual herds within a month, herds in December, January and March were compared to a domestic, Rambouillet ewes (control) sampled during the sample months.  PLS-DA of all herds showed clear metabolic shifts and complete separation between each individual herd and the control ewes for each month. Potential biomarkers for herds within a season that were found to be good discriminants for the December herds included: trimethylamine n-oxide and sarcosine; for January herds included: creatinine and asparagine; and, for March herd included, creatinine. Through identification of small molecule metabolites, it is possible to discriminate herds from each other within and between seasons. These biomarkers represent a potential panel of metabolites that may be used for assessing nutritional status, environmental stress, and herd health through the identification of significantly important metabolic pathways related to energy and protein balance

Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity Correlates With the Age at Onset in Mild FSHD Cases

A majority of patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) report severe fatigue. The aim of this study was to explore whether fatigability during a performance task is related to the main clinical features of the disease in mildly affected patients. A total of 19 individuals with a molecular genetic-based diagnosis of FSHD (median D4Z4 deletion length of 27 kb) performed two isometric flexions of the dominant biceps brachii at 20% of their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 2 min, and then at 60% MVC until exhaustion. Fatigability indices (average rectified value, mean frequency, conduction velocity, and fractal dimension) were extracted from the surface electromyogram (sEMG) signal, and their correlations with age, age at onset, disease duration, D4Z4 contraction length, perceived fatigability, and clinical disability score were analyzed. The conduction velocity during the low level contraction showed a significant negative correlation with the age at onset (p &lt; 0.05). This finding suggest the assessment of conduction velocity at low isometric contraction intensities, as a potential useful tool to highlight differences in muscle involvement in FSHD patients

Inhibition of Bromodomain and Extraterminal Domain (BET) Proteins by JQ1 Unravels a Novel Epigenetic Modulation to Control Lipid Homeostasis

The homeostatic control of lipid metabolism is essential for many fundamental physiological processes. A deep understanding of its regulatory mechanisms is pivotal to unravel prospective physiopathological factors and to identify novel molecular targets that could be employed to design promising therapies in the management of lipid disorders. Here, we investigated the role of bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins in the regulation of lipid metabolism. To reach this aim, we used a loss-of-function approach by treating HepG2 cells with JQ1, a powerful and selective BET inhibitor. The main results demonstrated that BET inhibition by JQ1 efficiently decreases intracellular lipid content, determining a significant modulation of proteins involved in lipid biosynthesis, uptake and intracellular trafficking. Importantly, the capability of BET inhibition to slow down cell proliferation is dependent on the modulation of cholesterol metabolism. Taken together, these data highlight a novel epigenetic mechanism involved in the regulation of lipid homeostasis