bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collecting‐duct‐principal‐cell‐select knockout (KO) of the mechanistic‐target‐of‐rapamycin (mTOR) alters sodium and acid/base homeostasis
Authors: Fluitt Maurice B. , Brown Aaron L. , Tiwari Swasti , Li Lijun , Ecelbarger Carolyn M.
Published: June 2021

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine‐threonine kinase downstream of insulin receptor signaling and existing in a complex (mTORC2) with ancillary proteins, has been demonstrated to activate the renal epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). To further elucidate mTOR's role in the kidney collecting duct (CD), we generated CD‐principal‐cell‐select mTOR KO mice by Cre‐lox recombination using aquaporin‐2 (AQP2) promoter to drive Crerecombinase. A single injection of benzamil (ENaC antagonist) to male mice (n = 6/genotype) showed significantly reduced natriuretic response in the KO (32%) supporting lower ENaC activity. Urine was collected in metabolic cages while mice (n = 13/genotype) were fed a normal chow (1% NaCl) or a very low sodium (Na+) diet (<0.05%, LSD) for one week. Urine sodium concentrations were significantly higher on day 1 of the LSD in the KO (16.3 ± 1.8 versus 27.4 ± 4.3 mM, p = 0.024); but not on remaining days. Urine aldosterone (ng/d) rose 3–4 fold by day 7 with LSD in both genotypes, but was ~15–25% lower in the KO on most days. Mice were then divided to receive control diet or the LSD for an additional week and euthanized. Western blotting of cortex homogenates revealed a 20–40% reduction in the protein abundances of α, β‐and γ‐ENaC and aquaporin‐2 in the KO, regardless of diet. Furthermore, Rhbg (renal ammonia transporter) was ~65% lower in the KO. Blood chemistry showed significantly lower Na+ and higher bicarbonate (HCO3) concentrations in the KO under normal diet, and these differences were eliminated by the LSD. To test responses when aldosterone levels were clamped high, in Study 2, male mice were infused with aldosterone (20 mg/30 g·bw/d) by osmotic minipump for 3 days, then ½ of each genotype were switched to a high NaCl diet (4%) for 4 days. Clamping aldosterone high resulted in some “reversals” of phenotype, i.e., KO mice had significantly higher blood Na+ and lower HCO3 concentrations (relative to WT). This was associated with a modest relative reduction in K+ excretion and urine volume in the KO in the “aldosterone escape” phase, leading to an elevation in plasma K+ at the completion of the study. This may suggest relative aldosterone insensitivity in the KO. In sum, these studies support a role for CD‐principal cell mTOR in electrolyte and acid/base homeostasis. They also support a central role for mTOR in integrating growth factor and aldosterone actions at this site.

Support or Funding Information

Georgetown Medical Center Pilot Award (CE)Post‐Doctoral TL‐2 Award (MF)

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Analysis of ZO‐1, ARHGEF11 and Actin Cytoskeleton at the Apical Junctional Complex
Authors: White Addison R. , Mudekunye Gabriella G. , King Jonathan M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Zonula occludens (ZO‐1) is a tight junction cytosolic scaffolding protein known to bind the actin cytoskeleton in epithelial cells. ARHGEF11 is a Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor known to activate the Rho family of small GTPases which are regulators of the actin cytoskeleton of the cell. ARHGEF11 associates with ZO‐1 by binding to the ZU5 domain in the C‐terminal tail. We are interested in understanding the interplay between ZO‐1, ARHGEF11 and the actin cytoskeleton in confluent MDCK II cells.

Methods

Confluent monolayers stably transfected with EGFP‐ZO‐1 or EGFP‐ZO‐1Δ ZU5 were treated with latrunculin A to observe the actin depolymerization protection capacity of ZO‐1 with and without the ZU5 domain. Additionally, studies were performed to investigate the localization of EGFP‐ZO‐1 or EGFP‐ZO‐1ΔZU5 proteins following recovery from latrunculin A exposure. Colocalization studies were performed in mCherry‐ARHGEF11/EGFP‐ZO‐1 co‐transfected cells. Pharmacological inhibition of Rho‐kinase was used to target the ARHGEF11 pathway. Electrophysiological studies were conducted to evaluate junctional permeability.

Results

Full‐length EGFP‐ZO‐1 protects against latrunculin A induced actin depolymerization more robustly than EGFP‐ZO‐1ΔZU5. In the actin polymerization recovery paradigm EGFP‐ZO‐1ΔZU5 exhibited enhanced recovery rate when compared to full‐length EGFP‐ZO‐1 following latrunculin A exposure. Enhanced actin networks are observed in mCherry‐ARHGEF11 positive cells in both wildtype and ZO‐1 knockdown MDCK II cells.

Conclusions

The increased recovery rate exhibited by EGFP‐ZO‐1ΔZU5 in the latrunculin A recovery assay coupled with the greater actin protection capacity of full‐length ZO‐1 suggests that truncated ZO‐1 is more mobile. ARHGEF11 elicits actin cytoskeleton reorganization in both wildtype and ZO‐1 knockdown cells that was partially reversed by inhibition of Rho kinase. There was limited accumulation of ARHGEF11 at the apical junctional complex in confluent monolayers.

Support or Funding Information

San Antonio Medical Foundation, Trinity University Biology Department, Mach Research Award

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Purinergic Receptors Profile in the ARPKD Cystic Epithelia
Authors: Palygin Oleg , Ilatovskaya Daria V. , Levchenko Vladislav , Pavlov Tengis , Staruschenko Alexander
Published: June 2021

Polycystic kidney diseases (PKD) are a group of inherited nephropathies marked with the formation of fluid‐filled cysts along the nephron. Growing evidence suggests that autocrine and paracrine effects of purinergic signaling via P2 receptors could detrimentally contribute to cyst expansion. However, little is known about purinergic signaling in renal cyst epithelium, which is characterized by loss of polarity, dedifferentiation and other abnormalities which can lead to purinergic signaling remodeling. We have proposed that ATP via associated intracellular signaling can contribute to cystogenesis by modulation of calcium influx. PCK/CrljCrl‐Pkhd1pck/CRL (PCK) rat, an established model of ARPKD, was used here to test this hypothesis. The cystic fluid of PCK rats and their cortical tissues exhibited significantly higher levels of ATP compared to Sprague Dawley (SD) rat kidney cortical interstitium as assessed by highly sensitive for ATP enzymatic biosensors (211±55 vs 1082±147 nM for SD and PCK cortex correspondingly, and 2,078±391 nM for cystic fluid). Confocal calcium imaging of the freshly isolated cystic monolayers revealed a stronger response to ATP in a higher range of concentrations (above 100 μM). The removal of extracellular calcium results in the absence of ATP evoked transient, which pointed towards the extracellular (ionotropic) calcium entry in cyst‐lining cells rather than the metabotropic P2Y‐mediated internal depot. Application of iso‐PPADS (a non‐selective P2X antagonist) resulted in partial blockade of ATP response (calcium release after ATP was 30.1 ± 0.9, 22.2 ± 1.8 and 19.5 ± 3.2 a.u. in control, after incubation with iso‐PPADS, and after washout, respectively) indicating the contribution of P2X4 purinoreceptor in the cystic monolayer. Next, to specifically assess the role of P2X7 in the ATP‐mediated calcium influx, we employed AZ10606120, a potent P2X7 receptor antagonist. Application of AZ10606120 (5 μM) resulted in a bunted calcium response to ATP (32.4 ± 2.2, 13.5 ± 6.4, and 11.1 ± 3.1 a.u. of total calcium release in control, after incubation with AZ10606120, and after washout, respectively), which corroborates the commonly hypothesized role of P2X7 in cyst development. Further use of pharmacological agents (α,β‐methylene‐ATP, 5‐BDBD, and NF449) allowed to narrow down potential candidate receptors and suggested a significant involvement of the P2X4 and/or P2X7 signaling axis in the regulation of cytosolic calcium level in the cystic epithelia. In conclusion, our ex vivo study provides direct evidence that the profile of P2 receptors is altered in the ARPKD cystic epithelia towards the prevalence of P2X4 and/or P2X7 receptors, which opens new avenues for the treatment of this 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.
Annexin II light chain p11 interacts with ENaC to increase functional activity at the membrane
Authors: McDonald Cowles Fiona J. , Cheung Tanya T. , Ismail Noor AS. , Moir Rachel , Arora Nikhil , Condliffe Steven
Published: June 2021

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) provides for Na+ absorption in various types of epithelia including the kidney, lung and colon where ENaC is localized to the apical membrane to enable Na+ entry into the cell. The degree of Na+ entry via ENaC largely depends on the number of active channels localized to the cell membrane. While regulation of ENaC endocytosis has been well studied, relatively little is understood of the proteins that govern ENaC exocytosis. We hypothesized that the annexin II light chain, p11 could participate in the transport of ENaC along the exocytic pathway. Our results demonstrate that all three ENaC channel subunits interacted with p11 in an in vitro binding assay. Quantitative mass spectrometry of affinity‐purified ENaC‐p11 complexes recovered several other trafficking proteins including HSP‐90, COMMD10 and annexin A6. We also found that p11 exhibits a robust protein expression in cortical collecting duct epithelial cells. However, the expression of p11 in these cells was not influenced by either short‐term or long‐term exposure to aldosterone. To determine whether the p11 interaction affected ENaC function, we measured amiloride sensitive Na+ currents in Xenopus oocytes or mammalian epithelia coexpressing ENaC and p11, or a siRNA to p11. Results from these experiments showed that p11 significantly augmented amiloride‐sensitive current, whereas knockdown of p11 decreased current. Further, knockdown of p11 reduced the ENaC cell surface population suggesting p11 promotes membrane insertion of ENaC. Overall, our findings reveal a novel protein‐protein interaction of p11 with ENaC that controls the number of ENaC channels inserted at the plasma membrane via the exocytic pathway.

Support or Funding Information

This work was supported by a University of Otago Research Grant, and an AIM grant from the Department of Physiology, University of Otago.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Learning to Breathe: Cholinergic modulation of plasticity associated with the gating of pulmonary stretch receptor input in the nucleus of the solitary tract.
Authors: Furuya Werner Issao , Dhingra Rishi , Dick Thomas , Colombari Debora , Dutschmann Mathias
Published: June 2021

The lateral subnucleus of nucleus of the solitary tract (l‐NTS) is a primary synaptic site of visceral afferents, including pulmonary stretch receptors (PSRs). The PSR‐mediated inspiratory off‐switch (IOS), which is a component of the Hering‐Breuer reflex is a major determinant of the sensory modulation of breathing. Previously, we demonstrated that rhythmic vagal stimulation or lung inflations entrain phrenic nerve activity. Repetitive vagal stimulation or lung inflation induces a progressive shift from sensory (PSR) to anticipatory (learned) centrally mediated IOS (Dutschmann et al., 2009). In the present study, we investigated whether cholingeric neurotransmission within l‐NTS modulates PSR associated plasticity.

Juvenile Sprague‐Dawley rats of either gender weighing 40–80 g (P21–28) were used in the decerebrated arterially‐perfused in situ preparations to record the phrenic nerve activity (PNA). The Hering‐Breuer reflex was evoked by inflating the lungs (1–2 mL tidal volume) at 40 inflations min−1 for 2 min. Lung inflation trials were repeated 10 times, at For the experimental groups, either atropine (ATR, muscarinic antagonist, 5 mM) or mecamylamine (MEC, nicotinic antagonist, 5 mM) were microinjected bilaterally in the l‐NTS after one lung inflation trial. Following a 3‐min interval, the lung inflation trials were repeated 10 times with a 3‐min recovery‐period between each trial. The control group received only 10 lung inflation trials. The 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th trials were analyzed.

The injection of atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, in the l‐NTS promoted the plasticity switching the IOS from being initiated only by sensory activation to being initiated centrally, before the sensory input. In contrast, the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine prevented the shift from sensory to central of IOS. In conclusion, we suggest that the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the l‐NTS have opposite roles in modulating the Hering‐Breuer‐induced plasticity that affects the IOS.

Support or Funding Information

The study was funded by the Australian Research Council and a fellowship for WF from FAPESP, Brazil.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Gestational intermittent hypoxia induces neuroinflammation and impairs compensatory respiratory plasticity in adult offspring
Authors: Meza Armand , Gumnit Maia , Ewald Andrea , Braegelmann Kendra , Kiernan Elizabeth A. , Ouellette Jonathan N. , Johnson Stephen M. , Watters Jyoti J. , Baker Tracy
Published: June 2021

Sleep disordered breathing during pregnancy is increasing at an alarming rate, but virtually nothing is known about long‐lasting effects on adult offspring physiology. Preliminary data suggest that microglia isolated from adult rat offspring exposed to in utero intermittent hypoxia exhibit enhanced inflammatory gene expression and primed responses to inflammatory stimuli. Since neuroinflammation abrogates some forms of respiratory plasticity, we tested the hypothesis that gestational intermittent hypoxia (GIH) impairs respiratory plasticity in adult offspring. Pregnant rat dams were exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (8 hrs/day, 2 min 10.5% O2 separated by 2 min of 21% O2) or intermittent normoxia from gestation days 10–21 (GIH and GNX, respectively). Respiratory plasticity was assessed by measuring the response to recurrent neural apnea in urethane‐anesthetized, mechanically ventilated male and female GNX and GIH offspring. Recurrent neural apnea was induced by briefly hyperventilating below the CO2 apneic threshold for breathing (5, ~1 min neural apnea episodes, separated by 5 min). In GNX offspring, recurrent neural apnea triggered a significant increase in phrenic burst amplitude (45±3 %baseline, n=6, p<0.05), a form of plasticity known as inactivity‐induced phrenic motor facilitation (iPMF). By contrast, intermittent neural apnea did not trigger increased phrenic burst amplitude in GIH offspring (7±8 %baseline, n=10, p>0.05), suggesting that in utero intermittent hypoxia impairs the capacity to elicit iPMF. Further, the phrenic response to intermittent neural apnea was significantly different in GIH and GNX rats (p<0.05). A critical role for microglial neuroinflammation is suggested by preliminary data indicating that the capacity to elicit iPMF can be restored in adult GIH offspring in which microglia are depleted with Pexidartinib (PLX3397) or following administration of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug ketoprofen. Since iPMF is hypothesized to be a compensatory form of respiratory plasticity that prevents recurrent apneas, the impact of impaired iPMF on breathing stability in adult GIH offspring during sleep is currently being investigated.

Support or Funding Information

HL105511, NS085226

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Participation in a High Fidelity Patient Simulation Prevents Knowledge Loss after One Week in Undergraduate Students
Authors: Harris David , Fragapane Lauren , Cheng Zixi
Published: June 2021

High fidelity patient simulations (HFPS) have been used successfully in hospital training, medical education, and nursing to improve clinical, communication and procedural skills. Some reports have indicated that HFPS is underutilized for teaching basic science (Heyler R, Adv in Physio Educ, 2016). There are limited studies elucidating the benefits/challenges of using HFPS to learn physiology in undergraduate learners. One potential benefit is that HFPS allow students to apply physiology through recall and retrieval. The purpose of this study is to determine if HFPS enhances long‐term learning (1 week) more than re‐reading the material.

METHODS

Seventy‐six biomedical undergraduate students participated in the study and were assigned to one of two groups. The schematic for the study is included as an image. Both groups took a pre‐simulation quiz before reading the assigned text on pulmonary fibrosis and asthma (4 pages). All quizzes consisted of 10 true/false questions based on the text. The BLACK group (n=35) was given 15 mins to read the text and then another 15 mins to re‐read. The GOLD group (n=41) was given 15 mins to read the text and then participate in an asthma HFPS (intervention) for 15 mins. Afterwards, both groups took a post‐simulation quiz 1. One week later, both groups took another post‐simulation quiz 2. The pre‐simulation and post‐simulation quizzes 1 and 2 were all different, but the same between groups.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in the average number of questions correct between the pre‐simulation and post‐simulation quiz 1 in both groups. However, there were no differences between the two groups at either point. One week later, the BLACK group had a significant decrease in the number of correct answers on post‐simulation quiz 2 compared to post‐simulation quiz 1. There was no significant decrease in the number of correct questions on post‐simulation quiz 2 compared to post‐simulation quiz 1 for the GOLD group.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that HFPS may provide a platform to decrease the amount of knowledge loss after one week in undergraduate students. This may be due to HFPS acting as a method to promote recall and retrieval in students.

Support or Funding Information

N/A
Concussion Prevention Education for Maintenance of a Healthy Brain
Authors: Nguyen NhuNhu , Guiterrez Richard , Puder Barb
Published: June 2021

A concussion education program was designed to educate children ages 10 to 12 to help prevent pediatric traumatic brain injury that impacts 475,000 children in the United States each year. Short‐ and long‐term cognitive impairments and physical and psychological symptoms are seen after traumatic brain injury or concussions. Thus, it is important to educate children about what a concussion is, what the signs and symptoms are, and what to do if they sustain a concussion so they can get the medical care they need.

Goals of this program were for participants to be able to define a concussion, recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion, what to do in an event of sustaining a concussion, and evaluate the efficacy of our concussion education outreach.

We created a brief concussion education program that includes an informative presentation, hands‐on activities to reinforce the material discussed and pre‐ and post‐tests to evaluate the efficacy of our concussion education experience. We taught a total of 207 fifth and seventh grade students about concussions using our education program.

Results obtained from quantitative data from the pre‐ and post‐test revealed that the students who participated in our concussion education showed highly statistically significant increases in their knowledge on concussions after participating in our concussion education activity. Qualitative data from the student experience survey administered at the end of the Brain Outreach Program revealed that the participating students found our concussion education station fun, enjoyable, and easy to understand. Therefore, educational outreach programs such as the one executed are effective in engaging and raising awareness on concussions.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Development of an experimental model for the study of nasosinusal and skull base arterial system using iodinated contrast and latex in specimens's vessels
Authors: Barros Mirna Duarte , Burchianti Lívia Maria , Dolci Ricardo Dolci Landini Lutaif , Mendes Carlos José Lazzarini , Zuppani Henrique Bortot , Mendes Lucas Araújo , Santos Lucas Carvalho , Lazarini Paulo Roberto
Published: June 2021

Introduction

cadaver dissection is the most reliable and safe form of anatomical study; computed tomography is an essential exam for the nasosinusal and skull base anatomical understanding, surgery planning and vascularization knowledge of a complex region. In this way, the convergence of radiological and surgical information becomes essential.

Objective

To propose an experimental model of tomographic study of the skull base arterial and venous network (focus on the anterior ethmoidal artery) before doing the dissections. Secondarily, we aim to ensure the dissection of skull base and simulation of endoscopic surgery on a reliability much closer to that found in vivo.

Methods

four cadaver heads previously preserved in 10% formaldehyde remained for 72 hours in a solution of quaternary ammonium salt dimethyl ethanol mono/dialkyl siloxane. The arterial and venous network (the common carotid arteries, vertebral arteries, and internal jugular veins) were washed with a saline solution before being injected with a solution of latex, fabric paint and Ultravist 300. Sequentially, tomographic acquisitions were performed.

Partial results

After the solution injection of Ultravist 300, fabric paint and latex, it was possible to obtain tomographic acquisitions for a detailed study of the nasosinusal and skull base vessels. As a secondary result, we obtained a greater enrichment of information through the combined radiological and surgical study, which is represented by the dissections.

Discussion

The use of iodinated contrast to the injected solution allowed the acquisition of computed tomography for a radiological study of the skull base vessels (as the anterior ethmoidal artery and its anatomical variations, that should be identified in a tomographic study or neuronavigation system before beginning dissected). With precise tomographic acquisitions and subsequent software processing, became possible to perform a three‐dimensional reconstruction of the vessels of the skull base, optimizing the study and learning of this anatomical region.

Conclusion

It was possible to perform an experimental model using iodinated contrast and latex injection on specimens' vessels for a tomographic evaluation of nasosinusal and skull base vessels preceding the dissection. The injection of colored latex highlighted the vascular structures allowing an improvement of the anatomical knowledge of this region during the dissection.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
When Traditional Teaching Leaves Your Head Spinning: A New Interactive Online Learning Module on the Vestibular System
Authors: Rheaume Alan , Leong Megan , Inglis Timothy , Krebs Claudia
Published: June 2021

The objective of our project was to create an interactive multimedia learning module on the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system.

Classroom instruction and textbook reading on the vestibular system is inherently challenging—the vestibular system comprises complex, interrelated organs of the inner ear whose unique cellular and gross anatomy must be conceptually visualized to understand its dynamic, 3‐D physiological functions.

To address these challenges, we developed innovative online learning modules on the anatomy of the vestibular apparatus and the physiology of sensory transduction by the vestibular organs. The modules synthesize original visuals and animations with interactive schematics to tell the story of how vestibular organs transform head movements into neural schemas of balance and equilibrium. These modules serve as a complementary resource to curricular content for students in health professional programs.

Complementing these modules is a high‐quality video on the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system. This video uses intuitive visuals, animations, and high resolution filming of the bony structures in the temporal bone. Together, these resources provide an open education resource on the anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system for understanding of students and faculty around the world.

Critical feedback on the “Vestibular System” Learning Module was obtained with a Student Experience Survey on SurveyMonkey. From March 1 to December 1, 2017, a total of 100 respondents completed the post‐module feedback survey. This survey was used to solicit feedback about the module and determine if learners preferred this interactive online module to other learning resources on the vestibular system.

Survey respondents agreed the module was logically presented (98%), enriched their understanding of the vestibular system (98%), is relevant to their learning (99%), and covered core concepts adequately (98%). After completing the module, 85% of learners felt confident they could explain the vestibular anatomy and physiology to someone else, and 97% planned to revisit this module as a study aid. Importantly, learners preferred our learning module (67% of respondents) over other resources to prepare for academic examinations, such as class lectures (52%), textbook readings (24%), or other online resources (39%).

The overwhelmingly positive survey response and self‐reported preference for our online module for exam studying demonstrates a proof of concept that interactive online learning resources can complement and augment traditional classroom and textbook pedagogy on the Vestibular System.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Ask an Anatomist: Identifying Global Trends, Topics and Themes of Academic Anatomists Using Twitter
Authors: Lazarus Michelle , Marsland Madeleine
Published: June 2021

Social media (SoMe) is being increasingly integrated into higher education. Twitter©, a SoMe platform, is readily accessible, easily searchable and globally available. The twitter platform @AskAnatomist is a global tweet‐chat run weekly, where participants are invited to discuss the anatomy discipline (using the searchable hashtag #AnatQ). Due to the global stakeholder access of the twitter handle, the authors undertook a study identifying themes arising during the formative stages of the @AskAnatomist tweet chats in an effort to better understand potential concerns, issues, and ideas within the anatomy discipline.

The @AskAnatomist tweet chat incorporated the hashtag #AnatQ into their tweets allowing for retrospective searches. The #AnatQ hashtag was annotated allowing data to be stored and compiled with Symplur©, an online analytical platform; Symplur was data‐mined using #AnatQ for related analytics and transcripts. A thematic analysis using open coding was undertaken where themes were identified.

Participants in the Twitter© discussion were primarily academic anatomists, with some contribution from students in select themes. Thematic analysis revealed three core themes arising in the formative stages of the @AskAnatomist Twitter© site: (I) Anatomical Education Modalities, with subthemes including Donor Dissection, Expert Content Delivery, Examinations, Resources, Difficult Areas in Anatomy Education, and Favorite Areas of Anatomy (teach & learn); (II) Specific Anatomy Content, with subthemes including Structure & Function, Histology, Embryology, Evolution & Comparative Anatomy, and Layman Anatomy ; (III) Research Motivations, with subthemes including Textbook Limitations, Controversial Topics, Student Involvement, and Collaborations. These themes reveal controversies within the field, areas for potential education resource improvement and research, and anatomists' humor.

Though the original intent of the @AskAnatomist site was to engage the community in anatomy content and knowledge and increase anatomy literacy broadly, tweet analysis suggests that academic anatomists were the primary active “tweeters”. This “failed experiment” did yield a positive outcome, with engaged academics fostering an @AskAnatomist progression into a web‐based Community of Practice (CoP), suggesting an additional benefit of SoMe communities in the field of anatomy. This low‐cost approach to overcoming geographical limitations may have significant impacts in other discplines by fostering global collaborations and gaining neccesary insights to progress a given field.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Innovation for Computerized anatomy educational tools.
Authors: Nyamse Victor
Published: June 2021

The climate of uncertainty that has existed over the past decades has spurred the increased need for innovation seen in most areas of human activities. This demand for innovation has also been experienced in anatomy education with calls for new tools and thinking on the delivery of anatomical instruction. The response has been the implementation of new instructional methods (e.g. peer‐to‐peer teaching, body painting) and the use of new instructional medium and tools (e.g. computing systems, virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing). However, the introduction of these new innovations, though promising, has been unable to adequately address the concerns in the anatomy educational community. This is particularly seen with innovative computing systems used for anatomy education.

In seeking to innovate and investigate the situation with computerized anatomy educational tools (CAET), the research took a different approach by relying on the process of making a CAET as a way of investigating the problem. This approach involved the introduction of different ideas and practices from different disciplines throughout the research process. Based on this, we defined what an innovative instructional tool should be from three perspectives: psychologist, anthropologist and educationist as a learning tool that does not impose a negative cognitive load on the learner; affords sufficient processing of anatomical information; and results in increased confidence, respectively. This led to creation of a learning technology using the anatomy of the heart as a case study, that when evaluated showed a positive effect on cognitive load, learners behaviour associated with processing and self efficacy.

Based on the results of the evaluation it was concluded that this tool and its design positively affected the effective experience of learning anatomy. The finding was broadened to the general debate among instructional method in anatomy education, suggesting that CAETs and other learning technologies (LT) could positively affect on the anatomy learning experience that is associated with academic performance. In doing this, it suggests a new perspective for research around LT proposing a shift in focus from comparative studies that has been shown to offer little insights in determining their effect, to seeking ways that they could positive affect the experience of learning. Ultimately, the findings could be seen as innovative in the meaning associated with CAETs, as educational tools that positively improves the ALX, and not supplements or adjunct to other instructional tools or their replacement. It is expected that future research on CAET would focus on this meaning, de‐emphasizing the focus on comparative studies that has been prevalent for the past three decades in anatomy education.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Obesity, It's More Than Appearance: An Innovative Use of Anatomical Dissections to Teach About Obesity and Nutrition
Authors: Thompson Brent James , Uhley Virginia
Published: June 2021

Background

The growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes in the US has highlighted the need for future physicians to have formal training on the health impacts of obesity, and on how to advise their obese patients. Unfortunately, this training is lacking in most medical curriculums. As obesity is a complex, chronic condition with multiple pathophysiological aspects, students need an understanding of how basic principles of nutrition affect the body so they can take a more proactive role in talking to patients about what they eat, as well as how to change their diet and exercise habits to maintain an optimal weight. One barrier to achieving this goal this is getting students truly engaged in the subject and understanding its importance in overall health.

Methods

We developed visually impactful dissection videos, using obese donors, to highlight the pathophysiological effects of obesity on the human body. In particular the increased risk of hernia, enlarged greater omentum, accumulation of visceral fat, fatty liver disease, fatty pancreas, and effects of obesity on the heart. The collected photos and videos were imbedded into a SoftChalk module and used to engage students in a discussion on obesity before turning to discussions on how nutritional intervention can impact obesity.

Results

Here we present an outline of an innovative method used to engage students in the discussion of obesity. This Obesity and Nutrition module was based on a previous anatomy and nutrition session designed for second year medical students in the OUWB curriculum. As we strive to use relatively normal body weight donors in the gross anatomy course, this is the first time most students have observed the impact of significant obesity on donors. In addition, this innovative use of donors to teach about obesity allows us to accept donors that would otherwise be declined and honor the donors wish to be used to educate our future physicians.

Conclusions

Initial comments from students are positive. We believe that by combining the use of obese donors and nutritional education, we can develop effective modules to teach about obesity and nutrition in multiple courses. Future research using this approach may help to identify and overcome barriers to improving health care for patients diagnosed with obesity.

Support or Funding Information

OUWB Fellowship in Medical Education Award to Brent J. Thompson

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Climatic Adaptation in Human Inferior Nasal Turbinate Morphology: A Preliminary Investigation in Arctic and Equatorial Populations
Authors: Marks Tarah N. , Butaric Lauren N. , Maddux Scott D. , Franciscus Robert G.
Published: June 2021

The occupation of human populations in climatically diverse regions is of interest to anthropologists and clinicians alike. However, the extent to which humans have adapted to increasing respiratory demands posed by varying temperatures and humidities is still under exploration. Respiratory air conditioning is an important aspect of climatic adaptation in humans, and is governed predominantly by the amount of contact between respired air and mucosa within the internal nasal cavity. An important component contributing to internal nasal cavity shape are the nasal turbinates, which are scroll‐shaped bones that project from the nasal wall. Because the nasal turbinates directly influence the size, shape, and surface area of the mucosa‐lined nasal passages, variation in turbinate morphology may substantially impact heat and moisture exchange within the nasal fossa. However, unlike the encapsulating walls of the nasal cavity, ecogeographic variation in nasal turbinate morphology has not been established. Accordingly, this study investigated variation in inferior nasal turbinate morphology, employing linear measurements of inferior turbinate length, height, and breadth, as well as nasal passage and common meatus widths. These measurements were collected from CT‐scans of crania from two climatically distinct, mixed‐sex, modern human samples: equatorial Africans (n=33) and Arctic populations (n=30). Permutation t‐tests revealed the existence of significant ecogeographic differences in inferior turbinate morphology, with the Arctic sample characterized by significantly longer (p<0.0001), taller (p=0.0005), and wider (p=0.011) inferior turbinates compared to equatorial African individuals. Further, although the Arctic sample was found to possess slightly narrower nasal passages (p=0.015), greater breadth of the inferior turbinate resulted in substantially narrower common meatus dimensions (p<0.0001). Indeed, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) results show that Arctic individuals would possess significantly narrower common meatuses (p=0.0002) given the same nasal passage breadths as sub‐Saharan Africans. These results suggest that turbinate morphology likely augments other, previously documented, aspects of nasal fossa anatomy which modulate heat and moisture exchange by increasing or decreasing contact between respired air and nasal mucosa.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Unknown foramen in the middle cranial fossa
Authors: Bonatto‐Costa João Antônio , de Mello Coutinho Anna Julie , Araújo Cecília Emmel , Busatto Amanda Antônio , Renner Josué O. , Da Rocha Andrea Oxley , De Campos Deivis , de Oliveira Lino Pinto
Published: June 2021

The sphenoid is a bone that is part of the neurocranium and is located in the middle cranial fossa. A lot of anatomic structures go through its foramina. The typical foramina found in the sphenoid bone are the following seven: optic canal, superior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum, inferior orbital fissure, foramen ovale, foramen spinosum and foramen lacerum. However, in a skull belonging to the collection of the anatomic laboratory of an university of the South of Brazil, it was found an unusual foramen in the body of the sphenoid bone, below the optic canal, connecting the middle cranial fossa with the nasal cavity; a foramen not yet described in the literature. The goal of this paper was to check the presence of this foramen in dry skulls that had their base exposed, verifying their prevalence in the collection of the anatomic labs of the participating universities. Therefore, a search was made in all of the skulls, following the inclusion criteria, in three universities of Rio Grande do Sul, looking for the same observed foramen. The analysis was performed in other 71 skulls, finding the uncommon foramen in another 3 skulls, making a total of 5.4%. Among them, two had this foramen unilaterally and the other two presented the foramen bilaterally (2.7 %). The analysis was performed in dry skulls. It was not possible to see what structures could go through it. The knowledge of the existence of this foramen entails the need to, in the future, research in other cadavers in gross anatomy available in these institutions in order to identify possible anatomic structures that cross this foramen as well as their functions. The discovery of this anatomic variations can benefit neurosurgeons, antropologists, radiologists and others professionals in the health field, as well as showing itself as a variation depending on other variables. Future perspectives of this study will be concentraded on the observation of the existence of this foramen in cadavers during dissection and removal of the brains.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Limb Strength and Efficacy of Strength Rehabilitation on an American Alligator
Authors: Wu Leslie Y. , Manfredi Kevin R. , Georgi Justin A.
Published: June 2021

Several studies have looked at muscular strength in the jaws of crocodilians but there are little published data that examine the direct measurement of muscular strength in the limbs of crocodilians. When an Alligator mississippiensis was surrendered to the Phoenix Herpetological Society (PHS) with clear physical deficits, such as malnutrition and severe muscle atrophy, this subject was a suitable candidate for rehabilitation. We took this opportunity to measure the limb strength in healthy alligators over a range of sizes to assess the efficacy of the rehabilitation protocol we created for our afflicted alligator. Human physical therapy and companion animal rehabilitation are common and growing practices, but zoo animal rehabilitation is a relatively nascent field with very little published data. We designed rehabilitation exercises based on companion animal medicine.

Three aspects of body strength and condition were compared: grip strength, limb strength, and body measurements. Grip strength was measured with an incline board by placing the alligators on an incline and measuring the angle before they slip; correlating angle with grip strength. Limb strength was measured by placed a cuff at the base of the tail and pulling the subject from behind and encouraging the subject to walk forward. Resistance was measured in Newtons. We tested alligators ranging from 74.1 cm to 114.4 cm allowing us to distinguish between growth related strength increases and our rehabilitation success.

Data on normal alligators indicate an increase in limb strength with increasing size, however, with grip strength there is no indication that there is an increase with increasing size. Data from our rehabilitated subject indicate grip strength was far below standard levels initially, but is rapidly approaching normal levels. Limb strength was initially on the lower end of the normal levels for alligators smaller in size, and her growth in strength parallels that of the normal alligators. Rehabilitation is successful in companion animals and shows some degree of success in alligators. However, further investigation is required to explore why our limb strength results did not demonstrated a similar level of success to grip strength results. Rehabilitation is a rapidly growing field in both the human and veterinary profession; with our research we hope to expand current knowledge of alligator rehabilitation and improve biomechanical knowledge of alligator strength.

Support or Funding Information

Biomedical Science Program at Midwestern University at Glendale, AZ

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Mylohyoid Variations and their Clinical Implications
Authors: Hartnell Layne S. , Bender‐Heine Adam N. , Lambert H Wayne , Zdilla Matthew J.
Published: June 2021

The mylohyoid separates the sublingual and submandibular spaces and is, therefore, important with regard to the spread of infection and space occupying lesions. The mylohyoid may also be elevated in submental flap procedures. Therefore, mylohyoid variations are implicated in infection spread and are also important with regard to surgical planning. However, there have only been a few reported mylohyoid variations outside of mylohyoid boutonnieres. This report documents a case series of exotic mylohyoid variations including mylohyoid musculature that does not insert at the hyoid but rather inserts into the anterior digastric muscle belly, intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle, and geniohyoid. In each case, the mylohyoid is not a true mylohyoid because it does not insert into the hyoid. Understanding the potential for mylohyoid variation may improve clinical assessment, treatment, and prognosis in the suprahyoid region.

Support or Funding Information

WV Research Challenge Fund [HEPC.dsr.17.06] and [HEPC.dsr.14.13]

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Wnt Pathway Involvement in Whole Body Regeneration in Botrylloides violaceus
Authors: Medina Elida , Blackmer Jacob , Roldan Isabella , Sumner Jack , Keeling Elena
Published: June 2021

Colonial ascidians, or sea squirts, are invertebrate urochordates noted for their remarkable regenerative potential. One such organism, Botrylloides violaceus, is capable of undergoing whole body regeneration (WBR) from its peripheral vasculature. Studying the cellular mechanisms of regeneration in B. violaceus could provide insight into regenerative mechanisms in vertebrates. Specifically, since the Wnt signaling pathway has been consistently linked with regeneration in other organisms, we investigated its possible involvement in WBR for B. violaceus. Our results demonstrate that B. violaceus completed WBR an average of 4.5 days faster than control regenerates when treated with a Wnt agonist. This suggests that the Wnt pathway is involved in activating cellular signals that facilitate WBR in B. violaceus. We continue to investigate effects of other pharmacological manipulations of the Wnt pathway. We are also attempting to amplify possible Wnt homologs using PCR with degenerate primers derived from conserved Wnt sequences. Obtaining DNA sequence for B. violaceus Wnts will allow future experiments on Wnt gene expression during regeneration.

Support or Funding Information

California Polytechnic State University, Biological Sciences Department; Frost Summer 2017 Undergraduate Research Program

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