bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sharing Formative Exam Analysis Data with the Students Is a Useful Tool for Providing an Immediate Feedback During Learning
Authors: Eladl Mohamed Ahmed , Ranade Anu Vinod , Guimei Maha Mosheer
Published: June 2021

Background

One of the crucial needs of the students is to receive a constructive feedback that shows them how well they are doing as they learn. This gives them a sense of achievement and drives them to improve their learning. Hence, the educators are continuously seeking for an appropriate tool to help them better observe students' learning and provide them with an immediate feedback. Furthermore, the exam questions that appear to be quite clear to the teachers while framing them might not be as clear to students. Students always need an elaborate clarification about their assessments and sometimes feel unsatisfied when faced with difficult questions that they are unable to solve.

This study aims to present a new approach by sharing exam analysis data and its repercussions as a tool for not only providing immediate feedback but also for engaging the students in the assessment process. It also investigates the students' perceptions of the effectiveness of this technique on the students' learning process.

Method

A formative anatomy MCQ test was used and was evaluated by the scantron machine. The machine provided details of the item analysis for each question, number of students answering each question, and an average exam score. On the following day of the exam, all the questions were discussed with the students along with a complete description of their item analysis that has been provided by the scantron machine. In addition, the exam validity and reliability were also demonstrated and discussed with the students. Students' perception (N=106) was further measured using quantitative and qualitative instruments through a self‐designed questionnaire and a focus group discussion.

Results

The students admitted that sharing the item analysis was an interesting tool for getting an immediate feedback. They also agreed that apart from it being enjoyable (80%), it also motivated them for further learning (86%). Sharing Item analysis not only provided the students with diverse options for testing their knowledge (79%) but further stimulated them to attend these sessions (82%). Eighty‐four percent of the students indicated that it engaged them in the assessment process, and 91% agreed that it was a useful process to clarify the reasoning behind judgments.

Conclusion

Sharing exam item analysis is a helpful tool that can be employed as an effective tool for providing immediate feedback during learning.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Study Preferences of Strong and Weak Graduate Students
Authors: Bishop Keith
Published: June 2021

Many students beginning an allied health professional program come directly from their undergraduate academic experience. It is frequently the case that their first experience in a graduate program is a human anatomy course. Instructors frequently report that students struggle more in an anatomy course compared to other courses in a graduate program. One source of these challenges may be their lack of graduate level study skills. In an attempt to lessen student transition struggles with study skills from undergraduate to graduate education, faculty often provide a variety of supports. These may include assessment of learning styles, introduction to new study methods, providing subscriptions to online resources, lecture capture recordings, flash‐cards, anatomy models, cadavers, as well as spaces for group study. Questions arose regarding which of these supports were perceived as most effective for students in a graduate anatomy course.

This study examined graduate students' preferred study techniques during two consecutive summer anatomy courses for the years 2014 and 2015 at a small private university's College of Health Sciences. 130 DPT and OTD students completed a voluntary online survey on this topic. The survey asked the students, “Having completed this course, please rank the following study techniques in the order you feel was of the greatest benefit to your personal study method for the exams in the lecture portion of the course.”

Of the students that completed the survey, 16 earned an A grade and 14 received a C grade. In this study, the data from the 100 students achieving a B grade was not evaluated. The intent was to determine what the highest and lowest scoring students preferred to use in their written exam preparations. Each student ranked his or her preferred study techniques from 1 (most important) to 7 (least important). These data were evaluated using a Mann‐Whitney U‐test. The results of this survey indicated that the students earning the highest grades significantly (p< .05) utilized cadavers as a method of preparing them for lecture exams compared to the lower scoring students. In addition, the data from the C students identified that their use of a study group was ranked significantly (p <.05) more beneficial when compared to the study preferences of the higher scoring students.

These results suggest that the stronger PT and OT students are better able to synthesize the practical hands‐on cadaver experiences and apply them towards the content tested on the written exam. In addition, it appears that the weaker students might be relying too heavily on the use of group study sessions in their preparations for the written exams.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The use of games for teaching anatomy in basic education schools
Authors: Bonatto‐Costa João Antônio , Melo Matheus Aires , Scherer Jéssica Deisiane , Cândia Jonas Maximo , Ramos Matheus , De Campos Deivis , de Oliveira Lino Pinto
Published: June 2021

Introdution

Playful activities contribute a lot in the learning process of children, and using this through pedagogic games can potentiate the exploring and the construction of knowledge, because allows children to identificate, group and combine information. Knowing this, one of the ways to promote the teaching of anatomy in basic education is through the use of educational games, therefore, making possible the improvement of the student's teaching‐learning process, in the school enviroment.

Objetive

Evaluate alternative anatomy teaching methods for basic education.

Methods

Students of Physical Education, in the discipline of anatomy of the organic systems, nervous system and skeletal muscle were instigated to, in small groups, criate informative games of anatomy, to certain age groups, thus reaching primary to high school. After, each group shoul aply their game in a class of a chosen age group, film and then, bring the experiences and dificulties in the execution to their classmates.

Results

With the effort of the academics and the games quality, the sucess of the game's application was very significative, because it made possible to a large number of children (about one thousand) to experience the teaching of anatomy and provided its learning to all ages in basic learning. To provide this experience to the children was notable to the eyes of the academics of Physical Education and their professor. As consequence of this work, it was criated a place for the games of anatomy with more than 50 games, which have rules and instructions manual, and that today are available to all students and professors of the university that want to disseminate the learning of anatomy in the school enviroment, or simply play and learn about anatomy.

Conclusion

The use of educational games while teaching anatomy can be a tool to awake the knowledge of the human body and facilitate this experience for students of schooling age. Having a educational toy library in the academic enviroment can easy the access to the playful teaching of anatomy, and demystify that this learning can only happen when using traditional methods, when it can be a lot more interesting for children and even adults.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The games students play: student perceptions of creative revision strategies
Authors: Croker Sarah L. , Bryce Deborah , Burgess Annette
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Towards examinations, students are conscious of maximising study opportunities. Recently we introduced the “Anatomy Theory Games” as a new method of theory revision for the final anatomy session of the first year of the Sydney Medical Program. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the design and implementation of this new program; and explore participant perceptions to consider its strengths, and needs for improvement.

METHODS

A theory revision session for anatomy students was devised incorporating activities based on retrieval practice and team‐based learning, presented in a games format. The program was introduced for all Stage 1 students in 2016 (n=350) and 2017 (n=257). Students self‐allocated into teams of approximately 6 or 7. Rounds consisted of 1) students verbally describing anatomical features written on cards to peers; and 2) multiple choice questions (MCQ) answered initially as individuals, then discussed and answered as a team. Immediate feedback from students was sought using a paper‐based survey. The survey included three closed questions, using a Likert‐scale of 1–5, and open‐ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data.

RESULTS

In total, 473/607 (77.9%) students participated in the games in 2016 and 2017, and 451/473 (95.4%) of participants responded to the survey. Regarding the card game, 79.8% agreed or strongly agreed that it was helpful for identifying knowledge gaps. Nearly all students (96.7%) agreed or strongly agreed that the MCQs were helpful for identifying knowledge gaps. Almost as strongly, 92.8% agreed or strongly agreed that working as a team after the individual test was beneficial. Students described the card game as “great fun”. However, they found the MCQ with teamwork to be more beneficial to their learning. Students additionally commented that the MCQs helped to identify their knowledge gaps, and motivated them to revise. Students valued working in teams, however would prefer to work in smaller teams. Students suggested that more sessions be held throughout the year, and some felt more time should be allocated to the session.

CONCLUSIONS

The students found the Anatomy Theory Games both a valuable and enjoyable means to revise and identify knowledge gaps. They found the card games to be fun, and the MCQ and teamwork particularly useful to their learning. Improvements include considering scheduling more such sessions where possible, and increasing the time for each MCQ.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Motivational Pedagogy: A Targeted Needs Assessment in the Neuroscience & Neuroanatomy block of a 1st Year Medical School Curriculum
Authors: Wasicek Brian , McHugh Douglas
Published: June 2021

Background & Rationale

The mediocre teacher tells.

The good teacher explains.

The superior teacher demonstrates.

The great teacher inspires.

‐ William Arthur Ward

Medical school requires student perseverance and hard work on a level that most have never experienced. Neuroscience, Head & Neck Anatomy (NH&N) is described by M1 students as one of the most challenging curricular blocks. Motivational pedagogy is an emerging teaching framework that endeavors to minimize disengagement and instead promote intrinsic student motivation (i.e., students learn because they enjoy it or get a sense of accomplishment from learning).

Study objective

To conduct a targeted needs assessment of the NH&N block of the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medical 1st Year curriculum pertinent to a motivational pedagogy.

Methods

The needs assessment included: i) a systematic literature review conducted using PubMed, MedEdPortal, and J.A.N.E (Journal/Author Name Estimator); ii) student focus groups; iii) a review of existing NH&N curriculum evaluation data; and iv) qualitative interviews with key faculty stakeholders.

Findings

Literature searches yielded 1062 potential articles; application of inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in 17 final articles. Self‐determination theory (SDT) emerged from this as the most pertinent theory. SDT places a person on a spectrum describing the degree to which their motivation is fully self‐determined: intrinsic motivation > identified regulation > external regulation > amotivation. It goes on to posit three determinants of intrinsic motivation: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Focus group participants reported seeking self‐directed competence when their levels of motivation were strong enough to engage them in effective learning strategies. On the other hand, some focus group participants found that the inherent difficulty, novelty, and pace of the NH&N material led them to rely on modes of learning (e.g., rote memorization and heavy repetition) which required tremendous effort and relied on extrinsic motivation (i.e., behavior driven by rewards or to avoid negative consequences). These demotivated and disengaged learners consciously chose to reject many learning opportunities, including: lectures, pre‐event exercises, review sessions, and active participation in small group sessions. For many, disengagement extended into the next organ system teaching block. Evaluation data and faculty opinions echo these observations.

Conclusion

Our assessment emphasizes the need for NH&N curriculum development toward an improved motivational pedagogy, and has implications for neuroscience and neuroanatomy teaching at other health professional institutions.

Support or Funding Information

Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine Summer Research Fellowship.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Zebrafish as a Model for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Thiessen Kevin , Supe Emily , Kramer Kenneth
Published: June 2021

Dislodgment or degradation of calcium carbonate bio‐crystals within the inner ear, called otoconia, can result in an acute sensation of vertigo. The most common form of this vestibular disorder among adults and the elderly is known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is characterized by the dissociation of otoconial particles from the utricle which relocate either to the semicircular canals (canalithiasis) or the cupulae (cupulolithiasis). Feelings of vertigo that lead to loss of balance leaves affected individuals susceptible to falls, which is the leading cause of accidental death in the elderly. Although the exact mechanisms of BPPV are still unknown, elevated plasma levels of a key otoconial protein, Otolin‐1 (Otol1), have been proposed to be an early clinical marker for BPPV susceptibility. This study aimed to determine if zebrafish could be used as a model to predict BPPV incidence in humans by examining Otol1 levels in the blood plasma of zebrafish deficient in the gene tecta that are susceptible to vertigo. Western blot analysis of age‐matched males showed increased plasma levels of Otol1a in tecta‐null adults compared to wild‐type clutchmates. Beta‐actin was used as a sex‐independent marker of serum protein expression. Immunofluorescence was used to characterize otolith degradation in tecta‐null adults. Altogether, this data suggests a close link between BPPV susceptibility and otolith degradation in both humans and zebrafish. Moreover, this zebrafish model will allow further probing into the etiology of BPPV.

Support or Funding Information

We are grateful for funding through grants from NIH/NIGMS Neurosensory COBRE Grant.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Variations in the Pattern of the Interosseus Arteries of the Forearm
Authors: Hurley Mary , Neu Devlynn , Douglas Scott , Stevens Todd , Olivieri Marion
Published: June 2021

In many anatomy texts, the ulnar artery is named as the source of the common interosseus artery, and anterior and posterior interosseus arteries branch from the common interosseus artery. In the fall semester of 2017, a variation was observed in dissection of one of the cadavers, in which the common interosseus artery was a branch of the radial artery. This research determines variations in the branching pattern of common, anterior and posterior interosseus arteries in the population of cadavers dissected in fall 2017. Of the 17 upper extremities that were dissected and measured, only 5 common interosseus branches were observed, branching from the ulnar artery at an average of 3.4 cm distal to the split of brachial artery into the radial and ulnar arteries. Most limbs had no common interosseus artery, instead a branching of the ulnar to anterior and posterior interosseus directly, at an average of 3.75 cm from the split of the brachial. Three limbs displayed branching of the posterior interosseus directly from the ulnar at an average of 3.6 cm from the split of the brachial, proximal to the branching of the anterior interosseus at an average of 4.0 cm from the split of the brachial. In the limb in which the common interosseus was a branch of the radial artery, the branching of the common interosseus was 5.3 cm from the split of the brachial, and the length of the common interosseus was 2.2 cm. That cadaver's opposite limb had no brachial artery, instead the radial and ulnar arteries were branches of the axillary artery.

Support or Funding Information

Research supported by the Biology and Math Department of D'Youville College

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The Effect of Diet on Renal Cortical Thickness in Mammals
Authors: Al‐Khaledi Sondos , Hechtel Laura J.
Published: June 2021

The kidney regulates and maintains the solute and water composition of the internal environment and is known to vary in size and structure among mammals. Such differences may be associated with diet and water conservation demands. The measurement of the renal cortical thickness is regarded as a valid biomarker for such renal function condition. Therefore, it is likely that renal cortical thickness will vary in relation to the type of diet among mammals. In this study, several species of mammals were dissected, in order to compare renal cortical thickness differences based on herbivorous, omnivorous, or carnivorous diet. Not surprisingly, it was found that cortical thickness increased with increasing kidney weight (p=0.00053). However, the interaction of renal size and diet was not significant indicating that the change in cortical thickness to kidney size is constant across all groups. This may suggest an optimum filtration mechanism independent of diet, which may open the door for better understanding of filtration dysregulation and renal disease.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Geometric Morphometric Analysis of the Macaque Basicranium with Special Reference to the Ectotympanic Tube
Authors: Fricano Ellen E. I.
Published: June 2021

The primate ectotympanic tube is a widely used phylogenetic indicator in biological anthropology and paleontology. Despite its noted importance in fossil classification and catarrhine evolution, the precise nature of the feature is poorly understood. This study examines the intra‐taxon variation in this characteristic and the types of cranial structural processes that are correlated with it.

The basicrania of 76 individuals representing five species of Macaca (M. nemestrina, M. fuscata, M. fascicularis, M. mulatta, and M. sinica) were landmarked using a combination of real (Type I and II) and constructed landmarks. Intra‐landmark distances were also taken for bivariate comparisons. A partial Procrustes fit and principal components analysis were undertaken to illustrate the shape variation.

Consistent with previous two‐dimensional results, ectotympanic length is correlated with structural changes in the cranium. Displacement of the external auditory meati due to lateral brain growth is significantly correlated with increasing relative length of the ectotympanic tube. A second structural correlate identified in this analysis involves the angle of the ectotympanic tube relative to the midline. Longer ectotympanic tubes are significantly correlated a more inferior posterior orientation. As with many aspects of primate cranial morphology, the size and shape of the brain is key to understanding the ectotympanic tube.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Immunofluorescence Study of Ocular Mucin 5AC Expression 28 Days Post Sulfur Mustard Exposure
Authors: Gordon Marion K. , Zhou Peihong , Hahn Rita A. , Schaefer Jennifer , Gerecke Donald R.
Published: June 2021

Ocular sulfur mustard (SM) injuries can lead to the sloughing off of corneal epithelial cells by the formation and fusion of microbullae. Previous ex vivo work has shown that activation of MMP9 and ADAM17 lead to this sloughing. This type of injury also occurs in Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). By treating vesicant exposed eyes with a FDA approved drug for DES (Restasis) the integrity of the corneal epithelium to the underlying stroma can be salvaged/rescued. This study looks further to examine the expression pattern of Mucin5AC (a goblet cell marker) upon 28d post Sulfur Mustard (SM) exposed rabbit eyes. Fifteen rabbits were incorporated into the study at MRIGlobal. Three rabbits were used as Restasis controls, receiving one drop of Restasis (right eye) every 12 hours for 28 days. Twelve rabbits were exposed to 0.4ul of neat SM (right eye). After 2hours of SM exposure, 6 of these 12 rabbits received Restasis treatment (right eye) every 12 hours for 28 days; the other 6 SM exposed rabbits received no Restasis treatment. (Note: all left eyes served as unexposed controls.) Eyes were photographed at days 1, 3, 7, 14, 16, 21, and 28. At 28 days, rabbits were euthanized, eyes were enucleated, corneas isolated, placed in OCT medium, and frozen for further analysis. Unexposed and SM exposed +/− Restasis treated corneas were sectioned (~10μm) and Mucin5AC antibody applied for evaluation. In unexposed and Restasis only corneas, Mucin5AC is present only at the most distal ends of the corneal tissue. However, for SM exposed corneas, mucin5AC signal was present at intervals across the cornea proper. This suggests conjunctivalization of the cornea. Li, Wang and Li (Mol Vis 2010) demonstrated that corneas exposed to nerve growth factor can promote differentiation of limbal stem cell into conjunctival goblet cells. Our ocular SM exposures may create a similar or related phenomenon. This corneal conjunctivalization may explain some of the delayed adverse phenotypes seen after ocular mustard exposures.

Support or Funding Information

NIH U54 AR055073

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Morphometry and Frequency of the Pyramidalis Muscle in Adult Humans
Authors: Kogima Rudolph Octaviano , Simões Pedro , de Paula Santos Lesley Miriam , Hojaij Flávio , Andrade Mauro , Akamatsu Flávia Emi , Jacomo Alfredo Luiz
Published: June 2021

The pyramidalis muscle is a small triangular muscle located in the inferior part of the anterior abdominal wall. It can be bilateral, unilateral, duplicated in one or both sides, or also absent, and its incidence and morphometry vary between populations. Moreover, although its function is not well known, there are still few researches describing that it. Therefore, considering the literary scarceness regarding the pyramidalis and the inexistence of morphometric data of such muscle in Brazil, it becomes considerably relevant collecting that data in brazilian people. Thus, this study describes the pyramidalis muscle morphometry in a sample of brazilian population, verifying its dimensions, frequency, bilaterality, unilaterality, and other anatomical variations that may be found. Then, we compare the values obtained with other studies. With it, besides deepening knowledge about pyramidalis' functions, some medical procedures could be done in a more rationalized way, such as abdominal incisions, e.g. Pfannenstiel, once the pyramidalis' can be used as reference to these incisions; and grafts, once the absence of the pyramidalis doesn't cause notable disfunction.

The study comprised 21 cadavers of individuals older than 18 years (SVOC/FMUSP). Each one of them was dissected, exposing the pyramidalis muscles (if present), without releasing it from its original place, allowing to take photos for posterior measuring (pyramidalis medial border length and width in its origin/base) in image processing program Image.

Out of the 21 cadavers, 7 were females and 14 males. The pyramidalis muscle was present bilaterally in 16/21 (76.19%) of the cadavers, present unilaterally in 2/21 (9.52%) and absent in 3/21 (14.28%). The size of the medial border of the left and right‐sided pyramidalis ranged from 3.50–10.67 cm; and the size of the pyramidalis basis' length ranged from 0.91–2.93 cm in the left side, and from 1.10–2.50 cm in the right side. The mean size of the medial border of the pyramidalis was 6.30 ± 1.97 cm in the left side and 6.69 ± 2.07 cm in the right side. The mean size of the pyramidalis basis' width was 1.99 ± 0.23 cm in the left side and 1.90 ± 0.35 cm in the right side.

We found out that, in this sample, males presented longer and wider Pyramidalis than females. Besides that, the incidence of the pyramidalis in this sample of the brazilian population was one of the lowest, comparing to other populations . And, lastly, comparing the dimensions in women, in the present study the pyramidalis was wider and usually longer than in women from other populations .

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Prostatic Neurovascular Anatomical Variation May Explain Radical Prostatectomy Outcomes
Authors: Hung Jun , Patel Akash , Castro Monica , Hall Margaret I. , Plochocki Jeffrey H.
Published: June 2021

Radical prostatectomy is a common surgical option to excise primary tumors of the prostate. However, one common complication is erectile dysfunction thought to be caused by traction or severing of the cavernous nerves that course near the prostate and have erectile functionality. Specialized surgical approaches, such as laparoscopic robot‐assisted nerve‐sparing techniques, attempt to minimize nerve damage. Yet, the majority of studies show postsurgical potency rates among the prostatectomy approaches are highly variable and 2‐month potency recovery is no better for specialized approaches than traditional ones. We hypothesize that the variability in outcomes may be explained by variability in the course and anatomical relationships of the cavernous nerves. To test this hypothesis, we conducted detailed prostatic dissections using an 8 diopter, 4x LED magnifying lamp in human male cadavers (n=5). For these dissections, the urinary bladder, prostate, and proximal penis were dissected along with accompanying neurovasculature in the lateral prostatic fascia. The neurovascular bundle (NVB) containing the cavernous nerves was isolated and its branches were followed along the prostate. Although our study was limited to five prostatic dissections, we found the course of the NVB and its branches differed in each individual, sometimes being enveloped by prostatic tissue, other times coursing along the prostatic surface with only minor adherence. The results of our preliminary investigation suggest variation in prostatic neurovascular anatomy may help explain variation in radical prostatectomy outcomes observed across multiple surgical approaches.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Orthostatic Hypotension in People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Rosario Martin G. , Gonzalez Maryvi
Published: June 2021

People diagnosed with HIV may exhibit orthostatic hypotension (OH) as a consequence of infection and secondary effects of medications. Such impairments are attributed to autonomic nervous system (ANS) impairments deficiencies. The purpose of this study is to assess OH during a balance sensory condition test and evaluate the role of the cardiac autonomic system, regarding blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), during this balancing task. We hypothesized that blood pressure and heart rate would rise with an increase in postural instability, thus revealing orthostatic hypotension.

Methods

Nine diagnosed HIV subjects were recruited from a community health center in the San Juan Puerto Rico Area. BP and HR were measured after 5 minutes sitting, immediately after standing up and (1 minute after) during the sensory condition test (STC). Comparisons were made between sitting versus standing, sitting versus STC and standing versus STC. A T‐test was used to assess all comparisons.

Results

Participants showed an increased (p<.05) of systolic BP from sitting (M=136.5, SD=17.8) and standing (M=139.4, SD=16.1) when individually compared to STC (M=153.7, SD=16.5). Also, an increase of diastolic BP (p<.05) from sitting (M=86.7, SD=8.4) to STC (M=98.5, SD=11.7). Furthermore, HR standing (M=78.8, SD=14.4) versus STC (M=109.7, SD=33.9) & sitting (M=73.8, SD=10.1) versus STC (M=109.7, SD=33.9) was significantly increased (p<.05) among the participants. In conclusion, this study shows alteration in the ANS in people with HIV when orthostatic hypotension is assessed.

Support or Funding Information

None

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Mice expressing human apolipoprotein E4e exhibit altered thoracic ascending aortic elastic properties
Authors: Talley Nicholas , Jones T. Bucky , Alexander Tia , Vallejo‐Elias Johana , Esfandiarei Mitra
Published: June 2021

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized with the progressive loss of cognitive abilities that typically presents in the elderly population, therefore most research has focused primarily on the brain. Hypertension, obesity and atherosclerosis are often comorbidities that present with AD patients. Per the American Heart Association, by 2035 nearly half of the US population will suffer from some type of vascular disease. Despite that, peripheral vascular dysfunction within the progression of AD has not been studied in detail. Apolipoprotein‐ɛ (ApoE) is a lipid‐binding protein that is a major factor in cholesterol metabolism in the brain and periphery. ApoE is polymorphic and the expression of the ApoE4 allele is associated with late onset AD. Conversely, the ApoE3 allele has been shown to likely prevent neurodegeneration, suggesting a protective role for ApoE3 protein in the brain. In this study we investigated the functional (vasoconstriction & vasodilation) and structural (elastin fiber organization and elasticity) properties of the aorta in 18‐month old mice expressing human ApoE4 or ApoE3, and wild type C57BL/6 mice using wire myography and conventional histological staining. Our data shows that phenylephrine‐induced contraction and acetylcholine‐induced vasodilation is not different among experimental groups. However, elastin fiber fragmentation and disorganization were observed within the aortic wall in ApoE4 mice as compared to age‐ and sex‐matched ApoE3 and C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, the stretch‐induced wall stress and reversibility of elasticity were significantly reduced in aortic segments isolated from ApoE4 mice indicating an increase in aortic wall stiffness in ApoE4 mice. These data present the first evidence that neurodegenerative pathology in ApoE4 mice is associated with pathologic changes in the aortic wall that leads to increased vascular wall stiffness and reduced elasticity. This will establish a new direction aimed at studying the relationship between observed brain pathology in AD and abnormal changes in peripheral vascular function and structure that occur in a relevant mouse model for the disease.

Support or Funding Information

This study is supported by funding from Midwestern University Alzheimer's Advisory Committee.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Synemin is Important for the Health of Skeletal Muscle, Heart and Bone
Authors: PELAGIO KARLA , Buo Atum , Chen Ling , Joca Humberto , Moorer Megan , Lederer Jonathan , Stain Joseph , Ward Christopher , Bloch Robert
Published: June 2021

Synemin is a type IV intermediate filament (IF) protein that associates with of desmin and keratin IFs, costameric proteins, and alpha‐actinin in Z‐disks. It is also an A‐kinase anchoring protein (AKAP). Here, we report that genetic ablation of synemin in mice results in abnormalities in bone, skeletal, and cardiac muscle. We found osteopenia with reduction in trabecular and cortical bone fraction associated with changes in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Skeletal muscle in null mice have a mild phenotype denoted by decreased fiber size and force production, and increased sarcolemmal deformability and susceptibility to injury. In the heart, the absence of synemin causes left ventricular systolic dysfunction associated with hypertrophy and dilatation, and alterations in calcium handling in isolated cardiomyocytes. Thus, synmein plays important roles bone and striated muscles.

Support or Funding Information

Supported partially by APS‐Physiological Genomics Fellowship and UNAM‐PAPIIT (IA 207818) to KPGP; NIH to JPS (R01‐AR063631), AMB (F31‐AR064673), CWW (R01 AR062554), WJL (R01 HL105239, U01 HL116321) and RJB (R01 AR 055928).

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The Effect of (−)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) on Cell Viability and Protein Expression in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells (Panc‐1) and Rat Osteosarcoma Cell Cultures (UMR 106‐01 BSP)
Authors: Bolivar Samuel , Fong Kelly , Joseph Eugene
Published: June 2021

Traditional treatment of cancer includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. There are many studies regarding how cancer cells respond to various treatments. However, not many studies have been done on how cancer cells respond to natural compounds such as (−)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), a potent ingredient of green tea. In this study, it was hypothesized that EGCG inhibits cell viability of both human pancreatic (Panc‐1) and rat osteosarcoma, UMR 106‐01 BSP (UMR) cell cultures, inhibits the expression of Panc‐1 CXCR‐4 and VEGF‐A proteins in Panc‐1 cell cultures, and the expression of the oncoproteins MYC and PD‐L1 in UMR cell cultures. Briefly, Panc‐1 and UMR cell cultures were routinely passaged, treated with different concentrations of EGCG (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μM) in 6 well plates, then incubated for 48 hours at 37 degrees Celsius under humidification and 5% carbon dioxide infusion. At the end of the experiment, all cells were counted using the LUNA Automated Cell Counter (Logos Biosystems). Upon electrophoresis of experimental samples, Western blotting technique was employed to identify the expression of the Panc‐1 proteins (CXCR‐4, VEGFA) and the UMR oncoproteins (MYC and PD‐L1). F test ANOVA was used to compare variances and all values in the results were expressed as means ±SD. Cell viability results from the Panc‐1 and UMR cell lines showed a decrease at the higher concentrations (80 and 100 μM EGCG). The results of the Western blotting technique showed that the expression of Panc‐1 proteins and UMR oncoproteins were inhibited when treated with EGCG. The cell viability results suggest that EGCG may provide a therapeutic effect on both cancer cells lines at higher concentrations. Results of the Western blotting suggest that EGCG may exert its inhibitory effects on Panc‐1 and UMR cell viability through the regulation of Panc‐1 proteins and UMR oncoproteins.

Support or Funding Information

This work was made possible by support from the Ryckman Endowment Student Research Fund of the Biology Department of La Sierra University.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
SM22 is needed for actin‐rich structures formed by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Chua Michael Dominic , Hipolito Kevin Jay , Solway Julian , Guttman Julian Andrew
Published: June 2021

Food‐borne bacterial pathogens colonize the intestinal epithelia and cause various diseases. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) remains extracellular and uses disease‐causing bacterial proteins to generate membrane‐bound actin protrusions on the host cell surface. These protrusions, called pedestals are crucial for disease and allow the bacteria to surf atop the intestinal epithelia ultimately leading to progressive changes to the tissue that cause diarrhea in the host. On the other hand, Listeria monocytogenes enters intestinal cells. Once within the cells these microbes initially form of branched networks of actin filaments around the bacterium called an actin cloud. These actin filaments then concentrate to one end of the microbe forming a comet tail that allows the bacterium to move within the host cell. L. monocytogenes can then use its comet tail to spread from cell‐to‐cell and infect various organs in the host. Through a previous mass spectrometry analysis of EPEC pedestals, we found that the actin bundling protein SM22 was concentrated through the full length of the pedestal. Because SM22 was enriched in EPEC pedestals, we then hypothesized that SM22 plays a crucial role in actin‐rich structures formed by both EPEC and other bacteria that hijack the actin filaments of the host during their disease processes. To test this, we initially used immunolocalization with L. monocytogenes infected cultured cells and found SM22 concentrated at L. monocytogenes actin clouds and comet tails. Using small interfering RNA, we depleted SM22 expression levels in host cells and found that fewer EPEC pedestals were able to form and less L. monocytogenes bacteria formed comet tails. The average comet tail length was also significantly shorter. As the reduction of SM22 diminished the abundance of actin‐rich structures generated by both EPEC and L. monocytogenes, we then determined if expressing EGFP‐tagged SM22 would increase the amount of EPEC pedestals and L. monocytogenes comet tails. Although EPEC pedestal formation was unchanged in cells overexpressing SM22, more comet tails were formed in L. monocytogenes‐infected cells and those comet tails were longer. Taken together, EPEC pedestals and L. monocytogenes comet tails rely on SM22 for their formation and the disease process and identify SM22 as a target for regulating these infections.

Support or Funding Information

This study was funded through NSERC.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Klebsiella pneumoniae disassembles microtubules and kills vinca alkaloid resistant lung cancer cells
Authors: Chua Michael Dominic , Bogdan Alexander Constantine , Walker Brittany Dominique , Guttman Julian Andrew
Published: June 2021

Microtubules play an important role in maintaining cell shape, protein and organellar transport, and cell division. The integrity of the microtubule network is crucial for the viability of mammalian cells. Consequently, the cell has evolved many regulatory mechanisms to ensure the proper regulation of microtubules, especially during the cell cycle. The katanin family of microtubule severing proteins maintain microtubule lengths during interphase. When mitosis occurs, these katanins are recruited to the microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) to facilitate DNA separation. Previously, we have shown that the microtubules networks in lung epithelia were disassembled by the bacterial pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. Because the microtubules were targeted by disease‐causing proteins originating from K. pneumoniae, we hypothesized that K. pneumoniae has devised strategies to manipulate the katanin microtubule severing enzymes to ultimately cause cell cycle arrest. To test this hypothesis, we infected A549 lung cells with K. pneumoniae and immunolocalized the katanin proteins ‐ katanin catalytic subunit A1 protein (KATNA1), katanin catalytic subunit like protein A1 like protein (KATNAL1), katanin regulatory subunit B1 (KATNB1), and katanin regulatory subunit B1 like protein (KATNBL1). In uninfected cells, these proteins immunolocalized to the MTOCs and the cleavage furrow during cell division, but in infected dividing cells, these proteins were absent. This suggested that mitosis was halted. Thus, we examined if these infected cells were still viable and able to proliferate. Using a live/dead staining kit, we found that at this point of the infections, the cells were non‐viable and cell death has occurred. Given that host cells could be killed by the microbes and that microtubules were disassembled during the infections, we investigated whether microtubules could be destroyed in vincristine‐ and vinblastine‐resistant H69AR lung cancer epithelial cells. Microtubule disassembly occurred in these H69AR cells and taken together, we have identified a potent mechanism for destroying the microtubule cytoskeleton and ultimately killing lung cancer cells that are resistant to conventional therapeutics.

Support or Funding Information

This study was funded by SFU institutional funds.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Distinct Localization of Aurora A Kinase in Mouse Spermatozoa Suggests a Novel Role in Sperm Motility
Authors: Johnson Marquita , Wang Rong , Sperry Ann
Published: June 2021

In this work, we investigated the interaction of the kinase Aurora A (AURKA) with protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and its role in sperm flagella. In somatic cells, AURKA and protein phosphatase‐1 (PP1) interact to regulate cilia dynamics and cell division, however a role for this complex in male germ cells had not been shown previously. Primary cilia and flagella are post‐mitotic cellular organelles that extend from the cell membrane and function in signal transduction and motility, respectively. They are analogous structures with both containing a microtubule‐based axoneme. Although the mechanisms governing growth and maintenance of primary cilia are well understood, information regarding the molecular pathways responsible for sperm flagella biogenesis is limited. Based on the role of AURAK and PP1 in cilia and the functional conservation of cilia and flagella, we wanted to determine whether this protein complex plays a role in flagella. Because AURKA is a binding partner of PP1, we investigated whether AURKA interacts with PP1g2, a testis specific isoform of PP1 involved in the initiation of motility. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments provided evidence of an interaction between PP1g2 and AURKA in adult mouse testes. We used indirect immunofluorescent to determine that AURKA localizes to spermatogonia, a finding consistent with its known role in formation of the mitotic spindle. We also detected AURKA in the flagella of spermatids within the lumen of seminiferous tubules prior to spermiation. Most notably, AURKA was localized to the flagella of spermatozoa. AURKA localized to the principal piece of epididymal sperm while activated AURKA (phospo‐Th288) localized to the midpiece of sperm flagellum. In order to determine whether the activity of AURKA changed during maturation of sperm in the epididymis, we quantified the activation of AURKA in sperm collected from the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis. Activated AURKA is enriched in the cauda epididymis where motile sperm reside. Results obtained from this study suggest a novel role for AURKA in the signaling pathway controlling sperm motility through an interaction with PP1.

Support or Funding Information

The work is supported by grant HD08051 Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Chile Health and Human Development

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
RecQ4 helicases stimulate nuclease activity during DNA inter‐strand crosslink repair.
Authors: Bochman Matthew L. , Rogers Cody M.
Published: June 2021

Mutations in the RecQ4 DNA helicase cause genomic instability that leads to a predisposition to various cancers and/or premature aging. Despite its importance to human health, however, RecQ4 remains the least studied of the five human RecQ helicases because it is difficult to work with both in vivo and in vitro. We recently characterized a putative RecQ4 homolog from Saccharomyces cerevisiae called Hrq1 and found that like RecQ4, it is involved in telomere maintenance and DNA inter‐strand crosslink (ICL) repair. Our genetic, biochemical, and structural data indicate that Hrq1 is a bona fide RecQ4 homolog and represents a simple model to study the roles of RecQ4 in genome integrity. Currently, we are focusing on Hrq1's mechanism of action during ICL repair. S. cerevisiae cells lacking the HRQ1 gene or expressing a catalytically inactive allele (hrq1‐K318A) are highly sensitive to the ICL‐inducing drugs such as mitomycin C, and this sensitivity is epistatic to mutations in the nuclease Pso2, which defines the major ICL repair pathway in yeast. In contrast, Hrq1 does not function in the proto‐Fanconi Anemia pathway in S. cerevisiae. By analogy to another well characterized RecQ helicase/nuclease pair in yeast that is responsible for end resection during double‐strand break repair (Sgs1/Dna2), we hypothesized that Hrq1 may physically interact with Pso2 to facilitate ICL repair. Using purified proteins, we found that Hrq1 stimulates Pso2 nuclease activity on short DNA substrates. Further, reciprocal pull‐down experiments indicate that Hrq1 and Pso2 physically associate, suggesting that nuclease stimulation is direct rather than the result of Hrq1 generating a preferred substrate for Pso2. Similar in vitro nuclease stimulation is achieved with recombinant RecQ4 but not with S. cerevisiae Sgs1, suggesting that it is specific to RecQ4 family helicases. Experiments are now underway using bacterial and archaeal RecQ4 homologs to determine if this interaction is evolutionarily conserved among all domains of life and to identify the interaction motifs on the proteins.

Support or Funding Information

Support was provided by the College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, an Indiana University Collaborative Research Grant from the Office of the Vice President for Research, and the American Cancer Society [RSG‐16‐180‐01‐DMC].

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.