bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy of a Cadaver‐based Online Teaching Resource on Improving Physiotherapists' Anatomical Knowledge: A Pelvic Health Perspective
Authors: Gastle Nicole , Robson Naomi , Hauck Katie , McWatt Sean , Jadeski Lorraine 
Published: June 2021

Neuromuscular dysfunction of the pelvic floor and perineum can negatively impact several populations including the elderly, parous women, and athletes. Pelvic health physiotherapists assess and treat neuromuscular dysfunction of the perineal and pelvic diaphragmatic regions using targeted physical therapy techniques. Consequently, they must rely on their understanding of the complex anatomy of the pelvic floor to guide them during the assessment and treatment of their patients. In Canada, physiotherapists who choose to specialize in pelvic health enroll in continuing education courses to learn clinical concepts and techniques associated with the specialty. However, an initial pilot study revealed that the majority of physiotherapists attending these entry‐level pelvic health courses had limited prior knowledge of the anatomy relevant to the specialty. Since pelvic anatomy is foundational to the pelvic health specialty, entering the course with insufficient anatomical knowledge may limit the physiotherapists' abilities to learn and execute more advanced clinical procedures.To improve baseline pelvic anatomy knowledge, a cadaver‐based online teaching resource, the Pelvic Health Anatomy Module (PHAM), was created and evaluated in the present study. The study was conducted to assess: (1) the efficacy of the PHAM to enhance physiotherapists' anatomical knowledge before entering a pelvic health course, and (2) if having stronger anatomical knowledge prior to the onset of the course impacted their understanding of the course concepts. Physiotherapists (n = 23) were given one of two anatomy education resources to review before the beginning of an entry‐level pelvic health certification course – the experimental group received the novel PHAM resource, while the control groups reviewed a traditionally‐used online video resource.Participants who received the PHAM perceived it as “very useful”, while the control group perceived the traditional videos as “useful”. The average for the group who reviewed the PHAM was higher for the anatomy scores at the beginning, end, and one week after completion of the course than the group who reviewed the control resource. Furthermore, the average for the group who reviewed the PHAM was higher on evaluations of course concepts compared to the groups who reviewed the control resource. The initial results of this study support the development and use of comprehensive and purposeful anatomy resources for continuing education courses in healthcare, particularly physiotherapy, to enhance foundational knowledge and facilitate better application of course concepts.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Does Optional Online Quizzing Improve Student Satisfaction and Preparedness in an Undergraduate Elective Advanced Human Anatomy Course?
Authors: Richardson Nicolette Shannon 
Published: June 2021

Many methods of online quizzing have been used in the past to assess understanding, improve accessibility, and help improve student success, however it does require additional time and preparation on the part of the student, compared to completing only midterm and final exams. We have previously shown that completing online quizzes throughout the semester improves student success on course exams, however we have only anecdotal feedback about the student experience. The present study will examine student satisfaction in two offerings of an upper‐level elective advanced regional human anatomy course. In both offerings, students completed two online quizzes, each worth 10% of the final grade, and based on material from both lecture and online “dissection” labs (using human anatomy software). In one course, it was mandatory to complete both quizzes, however in the other course the quizzes were optional (with the option of moving the 10% to the midterm and final exam respectively for the two quizzes).Data will be presented from a student satisfaction survey with Likert‐style questions, through which we will assess student satisfaction with the usefulness and accessibility of the online quizzes to help guide future course design. Data will be compared between the two courses, as well as between the students in the optional course who chose not to complete quizzes, and those who do. We hypothesize that students will feel better prepared for midterm and final exams if they completed the quizzes, and that they will prefer the flexibility and accessibility of the optional quizzes, compared to the non‐optional quizzes.Support or Funding InformationYork University Faculty of Health Dean's Catalyst eLearning GrantThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Exploring the Role of Videos in Medical Education Curriculum: A Two Year Study in Cardiothoracic Anatomy
Authors: Sajan Abin , Torre Barrett , Caceres Noel , Laurance Brett , Marquez Samuel 
Published: June 2021

Anatomy education in medical schools has evolved since the Flexnor report of 1910 with traditional resources of cadaveric dissections, prosected specimens, lectures, anatomy textbooks, atlases and now, included in this range of assets are radiologic images and an increasing number of anatomical videos. Multiple studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of integrated anatomy videos as the preparatory pre‐requisite resource prior to laboratory. Studies have shown that anatomy videos, specifically short two to three minute clips, are the most accepted introductory and/or summary method preferred by students. Anatomical videos have seen a major increase on websites (e.g., YouTube and internet resources), but further research is required on how best to utilize these videos to their full potential in the gross anatomy curriculum. We report on our two year SUNY Downstate findings (2017–2018) on the creation of four detailed student‐driven videos that covered the anatomy of the thorax that included the anterior chest wall (Part I), lungs (Part II), heart (Part III), and posterior mediastinum (Part IV). The videos, designed to match Downstate anatomy curriculum with a narrative dialogue that totaled twenty‐six minutes in length, were offered as a supplemental learning resource to the Class of 2020 and 2021 via Panopto software that provides video content management through Blackboard. The survey given to the 2021 class after the summative exam showed 99% of the 2021 class responders recommended these videos to future classes and 98% of students reported that these videos were necessary to best prepare for the practical exams. Quantitative results recorded by Panopto showed an average of 151 out of 204 unique users utilized this resource totaling 961 views resulting in 5952 total minutes viewed within one week of access to the videos. Our findings suggest that students found the anatomy videos indispensible to their learning with a majority viewing the videos multiple times, strengthening the value and utility of the resource. In an era of increasing number of medical education resources, we are striving towards remodeling our Integrative Pathways Curriculum by implementing concise anatomy videos to best benefit our medical students.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Effectiveness of learning through online modules compared to lecture format in medical undergraduate curriculums
Authors: Doroudi Majid , Johnson Kristine , Finlayson Sarah , Fejtek Monika , Macrae Naomi 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundInteractive modules have been shown to be effective avenues for medical education. With recent changes to medical undergraduate curriculums, particularly at UBC, modules can serve an important role for both students and educators as a resource for creating well‐rounded content. As part of week 63 in the UBC undergraduate curriculum (Abnormal Uterine Bleeding), we created an educational module on gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) to serve as an independent curricular activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of developing the curricular content of GTD into an online educational module.MethodsSecond year UBC medical students were evaluated in two sequential academic years with one class receiving a lecture on GTD (lecture‐based group) and one class completing a module on GTD during allocated curricular time (module‐based group). The educational module on GTD was developed with a focus on an interactive, case‐based approach. Surveys evaluating subjective knowledge acquisition were administered.ResultsOf the module‐based group, 59% felt their knowledge of GTD was strong or very strong compared to 21% of the lecture‐based group after the educational intervention. Fewer students in the module‐based group identified their knowledge of basic science concepts (placental development, genetics) as poor or very poor after completing the module. Of those who completed the module, 86% would like to see more educational modules for other curricular topics.ConclusionsEducational modules can help support evolving medical undergraduate curriculums and provide subjectively similar, if not improved educational outcomes. Overall, students would like to see more educational modules on curricular topics.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Localization and induced release of potentially therapeutic components of the rat submandibular salivary gland
Authors: Watanabe Michiko , Lin Amy , Doughman Yong Qiu , Al‐Adhami Omar , Getsy Paulina , Coffee Gregory , Giarola Alessandra S , Sridhar Arun , Siegel Ruth , Liu Yehe , Jenkins Michael W , Befus Dean , Lewis Stephen J 
Published: June 2021

The salivary glands release multiple compounds into the saliva and blood that have potentially therapeutic properties. One aim of this study was to localize rat submandibular gland protein SMR1, a prohormone known to contain anti‐inflammatory and analgesic peptides, and compare to the distribution of other known components within the rat submandibular gland (SMG). We also explored the feasibility of releasing SMR1 by local neurostimulation using electrodes. Our hypothesis is that SMR1 would be found in discrete regions of the SMG and could be stimulated to be released into the saliva and blood using localized electrostimulation.Salivary glands serve as a source of multiple compounds that are essential to health. The prohormone SMR1 is an example of such a compound that is present in the rat SMG and is secreted into the saliva or blood as peptides that have been shown to have analgesic and anti‐inflammatory properties. Neuroactivation using systemically applied drugs have been shown to release these and other SMG components. Focused electrode‐based neurostimulation of specific sites of the autonomic system may be a better strategy to more specifically release therapeutic compounds without affecting off‐target systems. Previous studies supported differential release of components from the acini compared to the duct system. In this study we evaluated the tissue distribution of SMR1 compared to other known components of the rat SMG, a major salivary gland.SMGs from young and mature rats were fixed, cryosectioned and immunostained. SMR1 peptides were immunohistologically detected in the serous acinar cells of the rat SMG with heterogeneous distribution within any particular acinus. The location of other components alpha‐amylase, EGF (marker of the tubogranular duct system), lactoferrin, lysozyme, were compared to the location of SMR1. Smooth muscle cell (anti‐smooth muscle actin), neuronal components (anti‐TuJ1, anti‐TH, anti‐ChAT, and anti‐synapsin) were also localized or co‐localized.Neurostimulation of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) and adjacent nerve trunk by bipolar electrodes induced marked increases in SMR1 content in the saliva as determined by Western blot. We also discovered that placement of the electrode altered the level of peptide secretion. Intriguingly, the electrode stimulation increased levels of SMR1 collected from adjacent blood vessels. These findings set the stage for additional studies to refine the stimulation parameters and to map the SCG innervation of the SMG.Support or Funding InformationSupported by grants from GSK‐GalvaniThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Behavioral Outcome after Exposure to Two Different Rewarding Stimuli Depends on Social Status
Authors: Pallé Anna , Zorzo‐Vallina Candela , Luskey Valerie , McGreevy Kerry R. , Fernández‐Lajo Jorge , Trejo Jose Luis 
Published: June 2021

Several studies have described the important role of social environment on dimensions of behavior such as mental health and cognitive performance. Specifically, social rank has been found to affect how individuals respond after significant social experiences such as isolation. Although changes in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) activity play a role in the establishment of social rank, few studies have assessed how animals of different positions in the hierarchy process, interact, and respond to different stimuli. Firstly, we analyzed the relationship among stress, adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) and social rank. Secondly, we studied how the exposure to two different types of rewarding stimuli, such as physical exercise and female interaction, affect (i) the social behavior of differently ranked animals, and (ii) adult hippocampal neurogenesis and signaling pathways. No differences were found between animals of different rank in stress‐like behavior, anxiety, and AHN, but we found differential gene expression in mPFC. We also found that female exposure induces subtle different responses in the sociability of animals depending on their rank, as dominant animals presented a trend for an increased social preference after female interaction compared to naïve mice, and 3 weeks of treadmill exercise significantly increased the social preference of dominant animals. We analyzed Oxt+ cell density in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and no differences were found among groups in naïve conditions and after female exposure. Moreover, we found that 3 weeks of treadmill increased phosphorylated ERK in dominant mice, produced no changes in neurogenesis depending on the rank but microarray analyses showed differential gene expression among experimental groups. Together, these data suggest that the position of an individual in a social hierarchy may alter the way reward information is processed and unveils an unexplored role of social hierarchy in the development of activity‐induced behaviors.Support or Funding InformationWork was supported by project grants from Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness BFU2013‐48907‐R and BFU2016‐77162‐R (to J.L.T.). A.P. was funded by an FPI grant, and K.R.McG. was funded by a contract associated with the project grants above mentioned (to J.L.T.).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Hypertensive Neuropathy: A New Clinical Entity?
Authors: Fazan Valéria Paula Sassoli 
Published: June 2021

Hypertension is a main risk factor for stroke and vascular dementia and may cause important changes to the cerebrovascular tree, turning the brain more susceptible to infarcts, microaneurysms and ischemia. In spite of the well documented influence of hypertension on the brain, data on the sensitivity of peripheral nerves in hypertension is scarce. Our laboratory has been working for decades to help understanding how hypertension affects peripheral nerve morphology and function, using the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) model. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), first inbred from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), are considered a good experimental model of human essential hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate the alterations on the morphology and morphometric data on sural, phrenic, vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves of SHR, previous to the development of hypertension and with well‐established hypertension. Male and female SHR and normotensive WKY rats aged 5, 8 and 20 weeks (N = 6 in each group) were investigated. After arterial pressure and heart rate recordings in anesthetized animals, right and left sural, vagus, phrenic and recurrent laryngeal nerves were removed and prepared for epoxy resin embedding and light microscopy. Morphometric analysis was performed with the aid of computer software, and took into consideration the fascicle area and diameter, as well as myelinated fiber number, density, area and diameter. Nerves from young animals did not show differences between sides and genders. Significant differences were observed for the myelinated fiber number and density, comparing different genders of WKY and SHR in all nerves. Also, significant differences for the morphological (thickening of the endoneural blood vessel walls and lumen reduction) and morphometric (myelinated fibers diameter and G ratio) parameters of myelinated fibers were identified in nerves from adult hypertensive animals. Morphological exam of the myelinated fibers suggested the presence of a neuropathy due to hypertension in both SHR genders. These results indicate that hypertension altered important morphometric parameters related to nerve conduction in hypertensive animals. Moreover the comparison between males and females of WKY and SHR showed that the morphological and morphometric alterations due to hypertension are not gender related. The presence of a so called “hypertensive neuropathy” is documented with endoneural vascular lesions, axonal atrophy and loss of small myelinated fibers.Support or Funding InformationSupport: CNPq, FAPESP and FAEPAThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The Role of Nesprin in the Facial Branchiomotor Neuron (FBMN) Migration of Danio rerio (zebrafish) development
Authors: Nugooru Aishwarya , Conway Daniel E. , Walsh Gregory 
Published: June 2021

Nuclear envelope spectrin‐repeat proteins (Nesprins) are part of the LINC (LInker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) complex, which plays a vital role in the binding of F‐actin cytoskeleton to the nuclear envelope. Nesprins are crucial in maintaining the integrity of the nuclear membrane. Nuclear membrane movement is a fundamental aspect in cell migration and muscle development. Previous work has demonstrated that Nesprins may be associated with myosin‐dependent tension, which has implications in muscular dystrophy due to the role that nesprins play in muscle cells. We hypothesize that expressing dominant‐negative nesprin in Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos would result in defects in the migration of facial branchiomotor neurons and also cause disruptions in nuclear positioning in multinucleated muscle cells. To test this hypothesis, we use transient transgenic expression of dominant Nesprin in cranial motor neurons using the islet1 promoter. We quantify the extent of migration in neurons with inactive Nesprin. In addition, we express dominant‐negative Nesprin in muscle cells using a heat shock promoter and explore the positioning of nuclei in developing skeletal muscle myofibrils. Our preliminary data shows that transgenic zebrafish embryos with expression of dominant‐negative nesprin have disruptions and defects in tangential FBMN migration. However, with further experimentation and data collection in progress, we hope to analyze our findings for statistical significance. Our goal is to gain insight into the function of Nesprins in embryo development to better devise therapeutic strategies for patients with mutations in Nesprins.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Nutritional Health Status in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Farkas Gary J , Berg Arthur S , Pitot Marika , Gater David R 
Published: June 2021

Despite an understating of accelerated aging attributed to changes in body composition and an increased risk of acquired chronic metabolic disease following spinal cord injury (SCI), the current status of nutritional health of those living with a SCI remains unknown. The objective was to investigate nutritional status in chronic spinal SCI and compare macronutrient and micronutrient intake to the recommended values by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science literature search was performed, identifying 268 papers. All papers included were English‐language papers examining nutritional status in adults with chronic SCI. After applying the inclusion criteria, a meta‐analysis using a linear mixed effects model was performed on 11 papers to produce weighted averages and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Weighted averages for age, weight, and time since injury were 39.5 y (CI: 36.0, 43.1; N = 541), 77.4 kg (CI: 72.3, 82.6; N=175), and 12.3 y (CI: 9.3, 15.3; N = 525), respectively. Resting metabolic rate (1492 kcal/day; CI: 1414–1569) fell below the able‐bodied average, and total energy (1866 kcal/day; CI: 1666–2066) and fiber (16 g/day; CI: 13–19) intake were below USDA guidelines (Figure). Protein (315 kcal/day; CI: 288–342) and carbohydrate (953 kcal/day; CI: 824–1082) intake were above guidelines (Figure). Fat intake (675 kcal/day; CI: 596–755) was within USDA guidelines (Figure). Vitamins A, B5, B7, B9, D, E, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were deficient, while vitamins B1, B2, B3, B12, C, K, sodium, phosphorus, and copper were in excess according to USDA guidelines. Vitamin B6, iron, and zinc were within USDA guidelines. Findings indicate greater energy intake relative to energy needs in those with chronic SCI, and an imbalance in fiber intake and micronutrients compared to the USDA guidelines. Future research examining nutritional health status is needed in order to establish evidence‐based, SCI‐specific dietary guidelines.Support or Funding InformationNAThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.