Auburn Research Day 2022

Caroline Clark 1 ; Roxana Bahani 1 ; Kenny Brock 1 ; Z.Y Cheng 2 ; Jessica Kranzein 1 ; Shannon Rice 1 ; Wei Yi Z 2 ; Kari Duggar 1 1 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn Campus; 2 Auburn University, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering B i omed i ca l Resea rch | Med i ca l St udent Rapid Detection of Urinary Tract Infections Using Magnetostrictive Particle Biosensor Technology 73

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are commonly diagnosed in both outpatients and inpatients. Notably, these infections are becoming increasingly hard to treat due to a rise in bacterial antibiotic resistance. The current gold standard method for diagnosis of UTIs is a urine culture that requires 18-48 hours for identification of the causative microbe and an additional 24 hours for the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The purpose of these investigations will be to develop a biosensor detection method for bacterial identification in urine that can be optimized for use in clinics and deliver results the same day the urine sample is collected. Escherchia coli (E. coli) and coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp. (S. epidermidis/S. saprophyticus) will be used in these studies to provide a comparison of a gram negative and gram-positive bacterial species detection in urine samples. Standard growth curves will be established using the

widely accepted OD600 spectrophotometer light scatter readings, serial dilution bacterial cultures, and the newly developed biosensor technology. The field of biosensor technology has shown to be effective using pathogen-specific antibodies as bio-probes adhered to magentostrictive particles (MSPs) as the sensor platform. The binding of the bacteria to the bio-probes will produce a resonant frequency shift on the MSP platform. The experiment will compare the use of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies as the bio-probe to ensure high sensitivity and specificity for detection of bacteria. Previous data using bacteria samples suspended in water indicates the resonant frequency shifts are quantitative and will maintain this characteristic in urine. Observed frequency shifts will be able to be detected in as short as 20 minutes.

Vitale Kyle Castellano 1 ; Jon Commander 2,3 ; Thomas Burch 1 ; Hayden Burch 1 ; Jessica Remy 3 ; Benjamin Harman 3 ; and Michael E. Zabala 1 1 Auburn University, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering; 2 Internal Medicine Associates, Opelika, AL; 3 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn Campus B i omed i ca l Resea rch | Gr adua te/Undergr adua te St udent A Diagnostic Tool for Neuropathy Assessment: Clinical Analysis of the Effects of Age, Average Fasting Blood Sugar, and Average HGBA1C to Threshold Sensitivity Index in a Non-Diabetic Control Population 74

A diagnostic tool for neuropathy assessment on the plantar surface of the foot was developed and utilized in a clinical study in the Auburn-Opelika area. Neuropathy is a disease which causes a loss of sensation in the extremities, most prevalent in older type 2 diabetics. In some cases, those who suffer from neuropathy may puncture their foot leading to the formation of ulcers, which potentially require amputations. Control subject volunteers were recruited from the local area, which were all greater than the age of 40, had Ankle Brachial Indexes greater or equal to 1.0, and were non-diabetic. The device takes a standard 10-gram hand applied Semmes-Weinstein monofilament and automates the testing procedure by accurately applying the monofilament with the use of a stepper motor load cell feedback loop. This allowed for a range of monofilament contact forces to be applied over multiple locations per foot until their minimum threshold sensation was determined. Measurements were taken at 13 locations per foot, which were broken down into 3 regions (toe, ball, and heel). The toe region included each of the distal phalanges, while the ball region encompassed five locations along the distal metatarsals spanning the width of the foot. The heel region was made up of 3 locations. The threshold sensitivity was determined at each location using the machine. Furthermore, a 10-gram hand applied monofilament was also used to assess for sensation. The

results from both of these methods were compared to each other to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the machine. Additionally, a threshold sensation index (TSI) metric was created to analyze the data collected by the machine. TSI was calculated by taking the average of the threshold sensitivities in each region per human subject. This was followed by calculating a TSI norm by finding the magnitude value utilizing all 6 regions per individual. This TSI norm was compared to age, average fasting blood sugar (FBS), and average HgbA1C values within the control population. It was observed that age and average fasting blood sugar showed strong relationships to sensation loss in the non-diabetic control group. As a subject’s age increased their sensation decreased. Likewise, while as an individual’s average FBS increased their sensation decreased. Not enough human subjects had HgbA1C data available in their medical charts to draw statistical claims about the effects of this parameter to sensation loss, but it was observed that as an individual’s average HgbA1C increased so did their sensation loss.

43 2022 Via Research Recognit ion Day