bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Failed Phenotype Switching by Hepatic Macrophages Produces Persistent Inflammation in Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Strickland Jenna D , Roth Katherine J , Copple Bryan L
Published: June 2021

Acute liver failure remains a significant health problem with a high rate of mortality. Studies have revealed that acetaminophen‐induced acute liver failure patients with the poorest outcome suffer from a systemic inflammatory response‐like syndrome characterized by excessive production of immunomodulatory cytokines. Unfortunately, the cause of cytokine dysregulation in these patients remains poorly understood. In the present study, we determined whether cytokine dysregulation occurs in mice treated with a dose of acetaminophen that recapitulates many of the features of acute liver failure in patients. Further, we investigated the underlying mechanism. Treatment of mice with a dose of acetaminophen (e.g., 300 mg/kg), normally associated with full liver repair, increased expression of several proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Cytokine levels remained elevated at 48 hours in these mice but returned to baseline by 72 hours. In mice treated with a dose of acetaminophen (e.g., 600 mg/kg) that produces liver injury which fails to repair, cytokine levels were increased out to 48 hours and remained elevated at 72 hours. This indicated a failure to terminate the inflammatory phase of wound healing similar to what occurs in patients. Interestingly, in mice treated with 600 mg/kg acetaminophen, monocyte/macrophages failed to traffic into necrotic lesions and failed to clear dead cell debris by phagocytosis. Studies have suggested that phagocytosis of dead cells terminates cytokine production by proinflammatory monocytes/macrophages. To evaluate this in acetaminophen overdose, proinflammatory monocytes/macrophages were isolated from the livers of mice treated 24 hours earlier with acetaminophen. Exposure of these cells to necrotic hepatocytes increased expression of arginase‐1 and decreased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, indicating a switch from an M1‐like proinflammatory macrophage to an M2‐like prorepair macrophage. Further, treatment of these cells with necrotic hepatocytes decreased expression of several proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF‐α. Collectively, these studies suggest that persistent inflammatory cytokine production in some acute liver failure patients may result from a failure of proinflammatory monocytes/macrophages to phagocytose dead cell debris leading to a persistent M1‐like phenotype. Elucidation of the mechanism by which this occurs, could lead to therapies that restore macrophage function and liver repair in acute liver failure patients.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Role of Intra‐cardiac Neurohumoral Factors in Human Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Shults Nataliia
Published: June 2021

Background

A transient myocardial ischemia results in the destruction of typical metabolic cascades and leaves structural “traces” in the cardiomyocytes and myocardial interstitial components. Those structural “traces” are microscopically determined by disseminated micro‐focal alterations of the ultrastructure of the cardiomyocytes along with increased interstitial fibrosis. However, cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals are more sensitive to transient myocardial ischemia than the cardiomyocytes. The present study performed ultramicroscopic characterizations of sympathetic nerve terminals in human ischemic heart disease.

Methods

Left ventricular myocardial biopsies were taken from patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and examined under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using the electron‐histochemical method. Ultrastructural details of alterations in cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals were analyzed to assess their role in the fibrosis development and the damage to cardiomyocytes.

Results

In patients, the decrease in vesicles of sympathetic nerve terminals and the polymorphism of their secretory granules indicate decreased neo‐synthesis of neurotransmitters as well as their up‐take. We also found that glycocalyx is dissociated and micro‐configurated and cell membranes are lysed. These structural observations imply that the neurotransmitter release into the peri‐cellular space activates functions of mast cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, contributing to cardiomyocyte damage and the development of myocardial fibrosis.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the accumulation of endogenous cardiac neurotransmitters in the myocardial interstitium may lead to the progressive damage to cardiomyocytes and the development of cardiac fibrosis in human ischemic heart disease. Understanding mechanisms of the regulation of endogenous cardiac neurohumoral factors, especially those involved in the initiation, progression and resolution of cardiac fibrosis is crucial to prevent the ventricular cardiomyocyte damage and to design anti‐fibrosis treatment strategies for patients with chronic ischemic heart disease.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Inotropic Agent Digitoxin Strengthens Desmosomal Adhesion in Cardiac Myocytes in an ERK1/2‐dependent Manner
Authors: Schinner Camilla , Olivares‐Florez Silvana , Schlipp Angela , Trenz Sebastian , Feinendegen Manouk , Yeruva Sunil , Waschke Jens
Published: June 2021

Desmosomal proteins including desmoglein‐2 (DSG2), plakoglobin (PG), and desmoplakin (DP) are components of the intercalated disc and mediate cardiac myocyte cell‐cell adhesion. Enhancement of cardiac myocyte cohesion, referred to as “positive adhesiotropy”, was demonstrated to be a function of sympathetic signaling in the heart and to be relevant for a sufficient positive inotropic response to adrenergic stimulation. Here we used the positive inotropic agent digitoxin to further investigate the link between inotropy and adhesiotropy in cardiac myocytes. Digitoxin failed to enhance cardiac contractility in Langendorff‐perfused mouse hearts lacking the desmosomal plaque protein PG indicating that a positive inotropic response requires intact desmosomal adhesion. To investigate a potential effect of digitoxin on desmosomal adhesion, atomic force microscopy was applied and revealed that digitoxin increased the binding force of the adhesion molecule DSG2 at cell‐cell contact areas. This was paralleled by enhanced cardiac myocyte cohesion in both HL‐1 cardiac myocytes and murine cardiac slices as determined by dissociation assays as well as by accumulation of DSG2, DP and PG at cell‐cell contact areas. However, total protein levels or cytoskeletal anchorage of desmosomal proteins was not affected. siRNA‐mediated depletion of DSG2, PG or DP abrogated increase of cell cohesion demonstrating that intact desmosomal adhesion is required for positive adhesiotropy. Mechanistically, digitoxin caused activation of ERK1/2 but not of p38MAPK or Src. In line with this, inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling using the inhibitor UO 126 abrogated the effects of digitoxin on cell‐cell adhesion and desmosomal reorganization. These results show that the positive inotropic agent digitoxin enhances cardiac myocyte cohesion with reorganization of desmosomal proteins in an ERK1/2‐dependent manner. Desmosomal adhesion seems to be important for a sufficient positive inotropic response of digitoxin treatment which can be medical relevant for the treatment of heart failure.

Support or Funding Information

This work was supported by the Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität Munich with the Wifomed program and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG [grant number WA2474/11‐1 to J.W.]

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Immune Cell Oscillations Drive Circadian Responses in Adaptive Immunity
Authors: Holtkamp Stephan
Published: June 2021

Under steady state conditions, lymphocyte numbers in blood oscillate with a peak during the behavioral rest phase and a trough during the active phase. Murine T and B cells are rhythmically recruited to the lymph node at the start of the night, regulated by rhythmic in‐phase‐expression of homing mediators (chemokine receptor CCR7 on the lymphocyte and its cognate ligand CCL21 in the lymph node), along with increased adrenergic tone. The co‐ordinated oscillations in the locations of immune cells throughout the day correspond with time‐of‐day variations in adaptive immune responsiveness. We have previously shown differences in the magnitude of immune responses to MOG peptide, H. pylori and influenza A weeks after initial exposure. Here, our further investigations into the early stages of these processes reveal that subcutaneous injection of bone‐marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) leads to a 2‐fold increase in lymph node cellularity after injection during the rest phase (day, ZT7) compared to the active phase (night, ZT19). Using mice with conditional knockout of the circadian gene Bmal1 in T cells, B cells, dendritic cells or myeloid cells, we show that this time‐of‐day effect is dependent upon functional oscillations in each subset. Loss of Bmal1 in any of these populations was sufficient to block the rhythmic response to stimulation. Thus, coordinated oscillations in immune cell networks drive circadian adaptive immune responses.

Support or Funding Information

We are very thankful for our funding agencies: European Research Council (ERC), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Integrated Research Training Group 914 / Sonderforschungsbereich 914 of the Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universitaet Muenchen, International Max Planck Research School for Life Sciences

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Circadian Control of Leukocyte Numbers in the Circulation
Authors: Hergenhan Sophia Martina
Published: June 2021

Circadian rhythms play an important role in determining the strength of the immune response. It has previously been shown that leukocyte mobilization from the bone marrow fluctuates over the course of the day. In addition, leukocyte homing to organs contributes to an oscillatory cell count in the circulation. However, it is currently unclear which factors determine oscillations in blood cellularity. Serum transfer experiments with donor serum harvested at different times of the day revealed increased leukocyte numbers in the circulation at specific times. These increases could be blocked by pharmacological targeting of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, germ‐free mice exhibited lower leukocyte counts at specific times and reduced oscillations in overall cellularity. Together, our data point to an important role of inflammatory cytokines in determining oscillatory blood leukocyte counts in the steady state.

Support or Funding Information

We are very thankful for our funding agencies: European Research Council (ERC), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Integrated Research Training Group 914 / Sonderforschungsbereich 914 of the Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universitaet Muenchen, International Max Planck Research School for Life Sciences

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Therapeutic delivery of ALX‐0171 Nanobody reduces disease severity of human respiratory syncytial virus strain M37 after established RSV infection
Authors: Ackermann Mark , Alnajjar Sarhad , Sitthicharoenchai Panchan , Van Geelen Albert , Gallup Jack M , Stohr Thomas , Brochot Anne , Duprez Linde , Lorios‐Mora Alejandro , Detalle Laurent
Published: June 2021

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common reason for hospitalization of infants with viral pneumonia but lacks a therapy that is fully satisfactory and effective. ALX‐0171 is a Nanobody directed against RSV F protein that reduces RSV infection and disease severity. In order to determine the optimal dose of therapeutic delivery of ALX‐0171 after RSV infection, three doses of ALX‐0171 (0, 1.4, 2.8 and 11 mg) were delivered by nebulization to lambs at 3, 4, and 5 days after infection with a human strain of RSV (Memphis 37 strain) and assessed for efficacy at 2, 4 and 6 days post infection. Lambs not receiving ALX‐0171 had limited or lacked RSV gross and microscopic lesions, RSV viral antigen in lung and RSV titers at 2 days post RSV but these lesions and viral parameters increased progressively at days 4 and 6. There was a dose‐effect relationship yielding in vivo IC50 and lambs treated with ALX‐0171 lacked lesions 2 days post RSV infection and had reduced lesions and viral parameters at 4 and 6 days post RSV infection compared to lesions in lambs not receiving treatment. These studies determined that ALX‐0171 reduces RSV disease severity when administered after RSV inoculation. Clinically, infants commonly do not receive treatment for RSV until after clinical signs develop and work in this study suggests that ALX‐0171 has potential to reduce RSV disease severity in the face of established RSV infection at optimized doses.

Support or Funding Information

These studies were funded by Ablynx NV

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
3D Printing for the Improvement of Patient Consultation and Consent in Hand Surgery
Authors: Cheung Rocky , Lam Wee
Published: June 2021

Cadaveric dissection has traditionally been used to educate healthcare professionals about human anatomy, but a multimodal approach is now becoming more prevalent in a modern medical curriculum. The drive for this change is due to limitations in curriculum time and available resources. Anatomy educators have appropriated some technological inventions to alleviate issues posed by dissection. Amongst them, 3D printing technology is one gaining popularity and research interest. It produces physical 3D models from computerised moulds using an addictive fabrication technique. This involves the 3D printing machine interpreting the digital data as a series of cross sections, generated from computer‐aided design software, and laying down successive layers of materials thereby creating a physical model. This study aimed to explore the impact of 3D printed models on clinical consultations in hand surgery and whether they can give more informed consent to patients with hand pathologies. It also documented the manufacturing process of the 3D printed hand models. Prosected cadaveric forearm specimens were scanned by a hand‐held 3D scanner and after post‐processing of the digital data a computerised template was created for printing. The printed models were then painted by a professional artist. The manufacturing process adopted was found to cost less than ones described in other similar studies. Hand clinicians approved of the accuracy, quality as well as the realism of the models and considered they would be helpful in improving patients' understanding of pathologies and treatments. The outcomes of this study provide useful indicators for subsequent studies and patients' feedback and relevant survey would further establish the educational impact of these models.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Exciting New Orleans youth with plastinated anatomic specimens
Authors: Williams Sarah , Rae Guenevere
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the type of anatomy specimen (wet or plastinated) affected the anatomy educational experience of high school students from the New Orleans community. High school educational workshops have been carried out as community outreach activities for many years at Louisiana State University Health Science Center to stimulate area youth's interest in the field of Science. These workshops have traditionally utilized formalin‐fixed wet cadaveric specimens, which necessitated the use of laboratory space and safety materials. For this project, plastinated specimens were prepared and utilized to teach the educational workshops in addition to the wet specimens. After the workshop, the high school students were surveyed on their experience with the organs and also their feelings toward the anatomical sciences. Of the participants that attended these workshops, 49% are underrepresented minorities (African American and/or Latino). Each session was one‐hour in duration, and wet and plastinated specimens were labeled for learning key anatomical features. A total of 108 students were surveyed, with one group (n=46) interacting with both wet and plastinated specimens and a second group (n=62) interacting with only plastinated specimens. Data collected demonstrated that 91% of students learning from both wet and plastinated specimens felt positively toward the field of anatomy and 30% expressed wanting to learn more about anatomy. Of the group learning from only plastinated specimens, 79% reported feeling positively toward the field of anatomy and 20% wanting to learn more about anatomy. These results suggest that plastinated specimens may not significantly decrease student interest in anatomy although when given the choice, the students reported that they preferred the wet specimens. Although plastinated specimens are initially costly, they provide other long‐term benefits. They eliminate formalin exposure for the adolescent participants and also the needs for laboratory storage, gloves and bio‐hazardous waste. Based on the results from this study, we encourage other medical universities to invest in plastinated specimens and incorporate them into community outreach programs to inspire future young anatomists.

Support or Funding Information

This project was funded by the American Association of Anatomists Community Outreach Grant.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Embedding Brains to Educate Minds Inside and Outside the Classroom
Authors: Babcock Katharine Jane , Kong Elizabeth , Zumwalt Ann
Published: June 2021

Human brains are a powerful tool for teaching neuroscience at all educational levels as their strong emotional salience facilitates a memorable, and thus more effective, learning experience. Unfortunately, these post‐mortem tissues are delicate and typically preserved in chemicals that require handling with gloves in well‐ventilated areas, making their use in educational settings cumbersome. Plastination is a well‐known alternative to this conundrum, however it is expensive, often causes tissue shrinkage, and is still vulnerable to wear and tear. A new technique embedding brain tissue in silicone gel has recently shown great promise as a cost‐effective way to produce specimens that are structurally preserved, safe to handle, and durable for long‐term use. Following a successful pilot project to test the method earlier this year, the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology's Outreach Committee at the Boston University School of Medicine is currently working to create a permanent collection of normal and pathological silicone‐embedded brain specimens. These will be used in several ways, from supplementing neuroanatomy lessons in medical and graduate school courses, to providing brain demonstrations at different outreach events in the community. Graduate students in our program currently give brain demonstrations at the Museum of Science, Boston, but the tissues can only be handled by demonstrators due to their fragility. The main objective of this project is to create brain specimens that students can hold and interact with in a way that is safe for both them and the specimens. By doing so, brains that were donated for educational purposes will be made accessible to wider audiences while having their delicate structures protected and thus their educational shelf lives extended.

Support or Funding Information

This project was supported with funds from an American Association of Anatomists Education Outreach grant.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Student Perception vs Reality in Medical School Anatomy Education: From Alabama to New York
Authors: Marquez Samuel , Brooks William S
Published: June 2021

Curricular change has affected medical school teaching across the country and, in particular, the delivery of anatomical education in integrated systems‐based programs. Medical schools endeavor to deliver anatomy content through the most effective teaching modalities for the expressed goal of providing the foundational knowledge students need to be successful on licensing exams, in clerkships, and in residency. Reducing the number of gross anatomy labs, promoting an interactive learning environment, designing self‐directed learning modules, and fostering team‐based collaborations are but some of the current expectations placed upon anatomy educators. Here we report how two medical schools from Alabama (UAB) and New York (Downstate) approach gross anatomy laboratory education, illustrating and contrasting the range of teaching styles and strategies used in their respective curricula. At UAB, gross anatomy is integrated in organ system modules. During laboratory dissections, faculty rotate their coverage for every lab, and towards the end of each lab, there is a review of structures students should have seen during dissection. Anatomy structures are demonstrated on the best dissected donor using an overhead camera to project to the entire lab. At Downstate, faculty are assigned sections (i.e., 5 tables each) where they remain throughout the Unit (e.g., musculoskeletal). Faculty engage in short, pre‐lab talks with students from their section in preparation for each lab, which fosters a rapport between instructor and student. Faculty seek to identify students in need of academic assistance through these interactions. Based on course evaluations, Downstate students perceived that certain groups were receiving superior instruction compared to other groups, while these negative perceptions have not been noted at UAB. Student's t‐tests, however, revealed no statistical significant difference among the 5 sections at Downstate, contradicting the perceived reality. While student perceptions of their learning provide one subset of data, it should not be the primary assessment of their instruction. Evidence of understanding and of competencies, should include direct measures of learning that address learning objectives, structured faculty evaluations and use of assessment guidelines. While student impression of their anatomical education did not match objective metrics of learning, harmony between perception and reality is the worthwhile goal for which to strive.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The evolution of a lab practical: The role of learning modality in assessment
Authors: Prall Cristina R. , Fox Glenn M. , Alsup B. Kathleen
Published: June 2021

Curricula may fail to assess the incongruences between the various methods of learning employed by students and assessments. In the University of Michigan Human Anatomy course (ANAT 403), students are provided with physical specimens to study in lab, as well as cadaveric images developed by the BlueLink project. Lab practicals were first offered with physical specimens, and were later replaced with projected BlueLink cadaveric images. As images were used for both student studying and assessment, it was hypothesized that using other sources of cadaveric images for lab practicals would create more of a challenge for students. Assessment data was collected and compared from Fall 2017 that utilized BlueLink images during the exam, and from Fall 2018 that use published atlas images. Instructors were constant. While some variation exists within the data, no overall statistically significant effects on test scores were found between the two virtual testing strategies.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Creation and Use of Medical Histology‐Pathology Electronic Flashcards
Authors: Pinder Karen E , Dick Jeremy
Published: June 2021

To facilitate medical students' learning of the newly integrated histology‐pathology course components of the undergraduate medical school curriculum at the University of British Columbia (UBC), we created electronic study flashcards. Modelled after the histopathology curriculum, the flashcards are designed to utilize spaced repetition learning and to facilitate the recall of normal histologic structures and associated prototypical pathological changes in tissues and/or cells. Nearly nine hundred Anki software‐based flashcards were created, with content focussed on annotated histology and pathology virtual slides. Distributed to and used by students online, each flashcard opens with arrows indicating unlabelled structures and asks students to “name the following” prior to clicking on “show answer” to confirm answers. There are also second‐order flashcards prompting students to recall relevant aspects related to the unidentified tissues. Survey results demonstrate that the flashcards provide an effective means of augmenting students' learning and developing long‐term understanding and recall: 89% of responding medical students agreed that the flashcards are helpful for improving knowledge and exam preparation. This UBC histology‐pathology initiative is engaging and efficacious in enhancing student learning and is being used to promote learning in two core foundational medical sciences (histology and pathology). The software and its uses can easily be extrapolated to all of the foundational sciences and therefore it will be of interest to students and faculty in any of the medical and allied fields.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Development of an educational tool in human anatomy with the use of QR codes
Authors: Barros Mirna Duarte , de Araújo Filho Edmur Carlos , Morad Helena Machado , Cabral Julia Chaves , da Cruz Barbosa Nazzaro Andre , Mendes Carlos José Lazzarini , de Farias e Melo Homero José
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTION

The anatomy's study has a fundamental role in the health area courses, but the approach towards it has been inappropriate at many times. The challenging terminology and the difficult handling of the anatomic pieces require compatibility between the teaching method and the student's preferences. As shown in many studies, a large number of students are not satisfied with anatomy's teaching methods and do not learn as much as they think they could.

OBJECTIVE

This study seeks to develop an effective tool for the learning of anatomy, using QR codes linked to information on determined muscles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The elected structures for this study were the gastrocnemius (GM) and the rectus femoris (RFM) muscles. We selected dissected anatomical specimens from the collection of the Department of Morphology, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences which GM and RFM were intact and with well visible belly and attachments. To approach them, we photographed and produced digital content with information about their origin, insertion, and action, along with additional topics. The website used to produce this content was “Wix.com” each link was associated with a QR code.

RESULTS

The QR codes were printed and attached to the specimen in a way that students could use their cell phones to scan the codes and access the content corresponding to the muscle in question (Figure 1). The photo of the dissected muscle is then displayed on the screen accompanied by the basic function and fixation information (Figure 2). In this same screen, a link for those who want more information about this muscle, such as irrigation, innervation and clinical applications (Figure 3). This tool can be used by either IOS or Android phones.

CONCLUSION

The final result will be of value to increase the undergraduate's performance and will contribute to the development of different teaching methods, stimulating the student to use his own cell phone as a tool to aid his study alongside the dissected anatomical specimen.

Support or Funding Information

PiBiC, CNPq 2018, Brazil

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Analyzing Student Preferences and Accessibility for Online Anatomical Learning: An Assessment of BlueLink Anatomy
Authors: Hurwitz Rachel M. , Prall Cristina R. , Fox Glenn M. , Alsup B. Kathleen
Published: June 2021

BlueLink is a digital multimedia resource which provides high quality, expert‐reviewed anatomical resources free for educational use and accessible via the web. The BlueLink website was assessed by survey for user demographics and preference data. Data from the survey indicate consumers outside of U‐M are primarily learners from other medical institutions (85.6%). The majority of users came to the site via teacher or peer recommendation (58.4%), or an online search (40.7%), and most use the site for personal study purposes (91.8%). The preferred resources were 1) Online Practice Questions, 2) QuizLink Interactive Quizzes, and 3) BlueLink Cadaveric Atlas Images. Users suggest a potential benefit from making the site easier‐to‐navigate. These results indicate that while BlueLink has an international student user base, it can still expand to provide more of the requested video and animation‐based resources for its diverse variety of anatomical learners. These results demonstrate that digital resources, specifically cadaveric and quiz‐based, are highly utilized and preferred by anatomy students.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
SiMoJi‐B: A New Sequential Tool in Anatomy
Authors: Cevallos Manuel
Published: June 2021

Skin, bones, joints, and muscles, the classical sequence in our textbooks for lectures and laboratory practice. In a past survey in class, 74% answered the coracobrachialis does arm flexion; however, only 7% was able to answer: Coracobrachialis allows to raise the hand for ask a question. Most of the time, we are attached to the sequence… skin, bones, joints, muscles; and many times, we are missing the “integration factor.”

Different techniques are used in Anatomy Labs such as graphics, 3D models, digital 3D, board games, flashcards; all of them have a significant value in the learners and learning style. However, most of the time, let's do bones and features; then later, let's do muscles and functions; not a functional and visual link. However, when we are doing the donor dissection, we are cutting the skin, dissecting over muscles, to reach the bones and joints; a very natural, visual sequence. Then, can I deliver the same information but in a friendlier way?

I am introducing a new tool, it is called SiMoJi‐B. It is a technique based on a visual layer dissection to explore, integrate and identify macro‐anatomical structures. This vivid sequential tool gives an integration between student movement, sequential graphics (skin to bones), and regional donor dissection. SiMoJi‐B (Skin, Muscle, Joint, Bones) uses a sequential questionnaire (table 1) helping the student to address the integration of those systems; matching representation of movement in the pictures and supported by the dissection. Graphics will be showed in the presentation.

In a current survey in class, asking for which muscle allows raising the hand to ask? Using SiMoJi‐B technique was possible to increase from a 7% to 81%. This new tool in the undergraduate anatomy education can help students to integrate and visualize structures and application.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Teaching Technologies: Are the Aims and Methods Aligned?
Authors: PATHER Nalini
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Teaching technologies are ubiquitous and is transforming how academics engage students across the world. There are numerous drivers for increasing interactivity, improving the student experience, providing more feedback, and blending online and face‐to‐face activities. This can be both daunting and challenging, requiring thoughtful integration of technology into practice and aligning with pedagogy and design. The study aimed to evaluate the implementation of technology and learning strategies used in medical sciences to inform a design strategy.

Materials and methods

This is a mixed‐methods investigation that uses a cross‐over study to assess student experience, and a survey for instructor comfort and motivation. Data was analysed using Mann‐Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test and thematic analysis.

Results

Of the 108 instructors completed the survey and reported 93 technologies in use for five pedagogical paradigms of concern. Student experience of these technologies. Students experience indicated that self‐control was highly valued. Comparison of pre‐ and post‐test scores demonstrated a significant improvement (p = 0.00) in learning with resources that embedded interactivity. Interactivity that modulated presentation and pace was perceived to be most useful in the learning process.

Conclusion

These results are useful in developing a framework to inform blended learning pedagogical design. Cognitive load was influenced by resource design, with presentation simplicity, and embedded feedback lessening cognitive load

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The Use of Narrative Drawings to Improve the Understanding of Threshold Concepts in Pelvic Anatomy
Authors: Wozniak Amy , Venuti Judith , Barremkala Mallikarjuna
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTION

It is important for medical students to understand and retain threshold concepts in anatomy because knowledge of anatomical structures and relationships is relevant to patient care. As shown in current research, anatomy is best learned through visual demonstrations.

AIM

The goal of this project is to determine whether presenting the threshold concepts related to the pelvis with narrative drawings will improve learning and retention.

METHODS

246 first year medical students enrolled in a regional anatomy course and second‐year medical students enrolled in a reproductive organ system course from the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine were invited to use learning modules that contain narrative drawing videos along with pre‐and post‐video questions at the beginning of their respective units. After the students complete the assessments, a survey will be emailed out to assess the perceptions of the narrative drawing learning modules. Likert scale questions (scored 0–100, strongly disagree‐strongly agree) will be used to evaluate the usefulness of these modules in comparison to traditional study resources. In addition to survey responses, data from the learning modules will be collected including how much time was spent on the narrative drawing videos and student's performance on the questions. Lastly, we will correlate student's exam scores related to pelvic anatomy to the analyzed variables described above to determine if a relationship exists between the amount of time spent on the modules and test scores using t‐test and regression analysis. This project is approved by the Oakland University IRB (project ID: 1109177).

RESULTS

Currently, 47 of 246 (19%) students have completed the narrative drawing learning module. Preliminary results showed that students spent an average of 20.8 minutes on the module and scores on the post‐video questions improved by an average of 9.73% compared to pre‐video responses. Additional data is currently being collected and analyzed. Compared to the control group, students who used the learning modules are expected to perform better on their examination.

CONCLUSION

The results are expected to support the hypothesis that the use of narrative drawings will encourage interactive learning for medical students and will enhance the understanding of threshold concepts in pelvic anatomy. Overall, this study has the potential to help guide the adjustment of medical school curriculum to better meet the needs of students.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Characterizing the Role of Kcnq5a in Zebrafish Inner Ear Hair Cells
Authors: Giffen Kimberlee , Liu Huizhan , Kramer Kenneth , He David
Published: June 2021

Hair cells (HCs) are specialized mechanoreceptors in the vertebrate inner ear that function in hearing and balance. Non‐mammalian HCs have electrophysiological properties that resemble both that of mammalian vestibular or cochlear HCs, including mechanotransduction, as well as potassium ion (K+) and calcium ion (Ca2+) currents. While mammals rely upon mechanical mechanisms to generate tuned receptor potentials, non‐mammalian HCs exhibit electrical resonance, a unique feature for frequency tuning of HCs that is modulated by voltage‐dependent conductances. In non‐mammalian HCs, the channel kinetics and interplay of K+ and Ca2+ channels result in oscillation of the membrane potential, generating electrical resonance that enhances the frequency tuning of the HCs. However, the molecular identity of the channels involved in electrical resonance in non‐mammalian HCs remains largely unknown. This study focused on kcnq5a, a gene encoding the voltage‐dependent potassium channel KQT‐like subfamily member 5a (Kcnq5a). The channels of the KCNQ gene family are responsible for generating sub‐threshold M‐currents in neurons, stabilizing resting membrane potential and thereby influencing cell excitability. We hypothesized that Kcnq5a is responsible for generating electrical resonance and maintaining resting membrane potential of zebrafish inner ear HCs. Both RT‐qPCR and in situ hybridization studies confirmed that kcnq5a was expressed in HCs of the inner ear. To characterize the function of the Kcnq5a channel in inner ear HCs, morpholinos were injected into one‐cell stage embryos for targeted knockdown of kcnq5a mRNA. Morphology of HCs in both injected and wildtype zebrafish was examined with confocal microscopy. Auditory function was measured using microphonic responses of otolithic organs in larval zebrafish, while auditory sensitivity was measured using a behavioral prepulse inhibition assay. Following knockdown of kcnq5a, the larvae (5dpf) showed a decrease in microphonic amplitude and hearing threshold. This study represents a preliminary examination of the role of Kcnq5a in electrical resonance and frequency selectivity in zebrafish inner ear HCs.

Support or Funding Information

This work has been supported by the NIH grant R01 DC 016807‐01 to Dr. David He

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
In‐Vitro Estradiol Treatment Increases the Expression of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Embryonic Dopamine Neurons
Authors: Roldan‐Rodriguez Keudes Rolando , Rosario‐Esparra Bianca Paola , Gonzalez‐Aponte Maria Felicita , Rivera‐Sanchez Natalia , Gutierrez‐Silva Jean , Rodriguez‐Rosado Anthony , De Jesus‐Burgos Maria Ines
Published: June 2021

Sex differences in the manifestation, prevalence, and progression of dopamine‐related diseases have been documented, suggesting a role of gonadal hormones (Bodzean et al., 2014; Kokras and Dalla, 2014). Although dopamine neurons are sensitive to estradiol (E2), main estrogen metabolite in women, it is uncertain how estradiol affects the function and survival of dopamine neurons. Eight metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes (mGluR1‐8) have been identified and classified in three different groups according to the receptor signal transduction, pharmacology and amino acid sequence homology. mGluR subtypes are important modulators of cell proliferation (Plenz and Kitaj 1998), neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release (Meltzer et al. 1997; Mercuri et al. 1993). The objective of our research was to study the effects of E2 on the expression of group I (mGluR1 and 5) and group II (mGluR2 and 3) mGluRs. We hypothesized that E2 increases the protein expression of group I mGluRs without affecting the expression of group II mGluRs. To test our hypothesis cultures of embryonic mesencephalic dopamine neurons were treated with either cyclodextrin or E2 at different concentrations (10nM and 10μM). Immunocytochemistry experiments showed the expression of estrogen receptors alpha (ERα), mGluR1, and mGluR2/3 subtypes in our experimental cellular model. Western bot analyses demonstrated that E2 treatment upregulates the expression of mGluR1, a group I mGluR subtype, but not group II mGluRs subtypes. Estradiol's effect was concentration dependent producing mGluR1 upregulation at 10μM but not at 10nM (F(2,9)=4.03, p=0.05). Changes in mGluRs protein expression by differences in estradiol levels may underlay variations in cells excitability and function, inducing sex differences in the neurophysiology of dopamine neurons.

Support or Funding Information

This research was supported by the Deanship of Academic Affairs of the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey Campus (FIDI‐UPR CAYEY 2017–2018) and in part by Puerto Rico Center for Environmental Neuroscience (NSF grant HRD 1137725). We also thank Barreto‐Estrada J and Perez‐Acevedo N for her support, collaboration and mentoring during this project.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Antiretroviral Therapy‐Induced Cerebellar Disorders: Efavirenz, Lamivudine, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate; Which is Guilty?
Authors: Akang Edidiong N , Dosumu Olufunke O , Agumah Rhoda , Akanmu Alani S
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has transformed the landscape of managing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. However, there have been various reports on the deleterious activities of the therapy on patients' cerebellar function. Therefore, the aim of this study is to ascertain the effects of individual administration of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, Lamivudine and efavirenz (ingredients of cART) on the cerebellum.

Materials and Methods

Forty adult Wistar rat were used for this study. They were divided into four groups according to the substances administered: distilled water, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine and efavirenz. After 35 days of administration, the animals underwent open field and beam walk tests. They were euthanized and the brain was prepared for oxidative stress assay, histological (Giemsa stain, Hematoxylin and Eosin stain) and immunohistochemical (GFAP and Dopamine) analysis. Ethical clearance protocol number: CMUL/HREC/03/17/113.

Results

There was significant decrease in rearing, grooming, and line crossing in treatment groups most especially lamivudine group compared to control group. The latency, right and left hind limb slips increased significantly (p<0.01) in lamivudine group compared to control. There was a statistically significant decrease in the superoxide dismutase levels in the efavirenz group compared to control group (p<0.001). Tenofovir showed a significant increase in catalase level compared to the control group (p<0.001). Tenofovir, lamivudine and Efavirenz showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation level compared to the control group. Histology analysis showed a degeneration/decrease in the granular and Purkinje cells in treatment groups compared to the control group. There was also a significant proliferation of astrocytes and a decrease in dopamine expression in Lamivudine groups compared to control.

Conclusion

This study shows that tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and efavirenz cause various toxicities on the motor function of the cerebellum. However, Lamivudine is the major culprit in cART‐induced cerebellar disorders.

Support or Funding Information

Research reported in this publication was supported by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number D43TW010134, through the Building Research and Innovation in Nigeria's Science (BRAINS).

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Saccadic Eye Movements: Giving us a Glimpse into understanding Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Manuel Morganne , Zachary Hannah , Olinde Abigail , Lovera Jesus , Devier Deidre
Published: June 2021

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently causes cognitive impairment (CI), with learning, attention and memory being the most frequently impaired. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) measures visual scanning and information processing speed and accounts for the highest portion of the variance when classifying people with MS (PwMS) and healthy controls (HC). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a widely used screening assessment for detecting cognitive impairment.

PwMS have been shown to have abnormally slow saccadic eye movements. The King‐Devick (K‐D) Test, a test of attention and rapid eye movements, is used in the field to detect concussions among athletes. We want to determine the feasibility of administering the K‐D test in a routine clinical visit of PwMS.

Hypothesis

We believe the K‐D test can be used to help detect CI in PwMS.

Methods

We recruited PwMS and HC from the LSU MS Clinic and the community. Participants completed the K‐D Test, SDMT, and the MoCA. All HC scoring ≤25 on the MoCA were excluded. PwMS scoring ≤25 on the MoCA were categorized as CI. We determined the correlations between each of the tests using a Pearson correlation.

Results

We recruited 38 PwMS (84% females, mean age 48±13 years; years of education 15±2.8; 47% CI) and 18 HC (61% females, age 56±12 years; education 15±2.8). The HC scored significantly better than the PwMS on the SDMT (60±11.3 and 52.3±9.1, p=0.01) and MoCA (28±1.2 and 26±2.4, p<0.01). In the PwMS CI group, the K‐D correlated with SDMT (r= −0.43, p=0.06) and MoCA (r= −0.59, p=0.006); in the PwMS not impaired group, the K‐D correlated with SDMT (r= −0.17, p=.48); and MoCA (r= −0.16, p=.51). In HC, the K‐D correlated with SDMT (r= −0.59, p=0.01) and MoCA (r= −0.21, p=.41).

Conclusion

The K‐D test may detect CI in PwMS since there appears to be a link between saccadic eye movements and cognitive impairment.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.