bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Positive Impact of an Interactive 3D Neuroanatomy E‐learning Resource on Students' Spatial Neuroanatomical Knowledge
Authors: Allen Lauren , Wright Trinette , Eagleson Roy , de Ribaupierre Sandrine 
Published: June 2021

Neuroanatomy is one of the most challenging topics in anatomy for many novice students, who report it to be the most difficult subject in their anatomy curriculum. A primary reason for the perceived difficulties is the high degree of spatial complexity that exists between structures. The development of interactive three‐dimensional (3D) models in neuroanatomy curricula may provide an effective solution for alleviating difficulties students encountered with two‐dimensional (2D) learning resources, however this has yet to be fully examined in the literature.Interactive 3D and 2D e‐learning resources, as well as a novel virtual syncretion assessment tool, were developed to complement undergraduate anatomy instruction. The virtual syncretion assessment required participants to place neuroanatomical structures in a partial 3D neuroanatomical model. This assessment format allowed for the evaluation of spatial knowledge based on the accuracy of the 3D placement of structures rather than conventional nominal responses. Performance on the virtual syncretion assessment was measured by both the selection of correct structures, and the accuracy of the placement of structures within the partial 3D neuroanatomical model.One hundred seventy‐three participants completed the study, which utilized a cross‐over design to separate participants into two groups. Each group initially completed an anatomy knowledge pretest, followed by access to either the 3D or 2D neuroanatomy e‐learning resource. Participants completed both an anatomy knowledge quiz and virtual syncretion assessment prior to utilizing the second learning resource. A second anatomy knowledge quiz and virtual syncretion assessment were administered following participants' exposure to the second e‐learning resource.Anatomy knowledge quiz scores of participants who initially accessed the 3D learning resource increased significantly more than the students who initially accessed the 2D e‐learning module. Participants who initially utilized the 3D e‐learning resource performed significantly better on the digital syncretion assessment than participants who initially utilized the 2D e‐learning resource. Additionally, participants who accessed the 3D e‐learning resource subsequent to the 2D e‐learning resource significantly improved their performance on the final virtual syncretion assessment. No significant improvement in performance was observed for participants who accessed the 2D e‐learning resource subsequent to the 3D e‐learning resource. Results of this study could be used to inform the effective development and deployment of interactive 3D e‐learning resources to improve neuroanatomy instruction and assessment.Support or Funding InformationSocial Sciences and Humanities Research CouncilThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Investigation of Blood Cell Populations in the Development and Regeneration of a Colonial Ascidian
Authors: Boyd Megan , Balde Erick , Keeling Elena 
Published: June 2021

Botrylloides violaceus is a colonial marine invertebrate with the capability of regenerating its whole body when only blood cells and vessels are present. These tunicates are more closely related to vertebrates than other model organisms that undergo whole‐body regeneration. Regeneration is induced when the organism sustains an injury and is carried out by a circulating stem cell population. Botrylloides’ sister genus, Botryllus, also has the capability to regenerate; however, regeneration in Botrylloides occurs more readily. We investigated whether stem cell abundance in the blood differs across life stages of B. violaceus and between the two genera. Using brightfield microscopy, we quantified blood cell types from different life stages and from regenerating animals, emphasizing the hemoblasts which include the stem cell population. Preliminary data show a significant decrease in hemoblasts between adult and young Botrylloides, a decrease and then plateau during the regeneration process, and significantly fewer hemoblasts in adult Botryllus than adult Botrylloides. Our data suggest that a high number of stem cells within circulating blood may be important for inducing regeneration. The decrease in frequency in regenerating animals may imply that stem cells are partially depleted during regeneration.Support or Funding InformationCalifornia Polytechnic State University, Biological Sciences DepartmentThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
The assessment of interaction between eNOS and Alpha hemoglobin by Bio‐layer Interferometry
Authors: Ma Dongying , Ackerman Hans 
Published: June 2021

Alpha globin, a subunit of red blood cell hemoglobin, is also expressed in human and mouse resistance artery endothelial cells. Qualitative protein‐protein interaction methods have been used to identify a macromolecular complex that forms between alpha globin and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The aim of this study is to characterize the interaction between alpha globin and eNOS quantitatively using bio‐layer interferometry (BLI). To this end, alpha globin was purified from whole hemoglobin using ion exchange chromatography and the purity was assessed by mass spectrometry. The oxygenase of eNOS (eNOSox) was expressed in PGEX vector and UT5600 E. coli system. Further, the ForteBio Octet system was used to identify the binding characterization of purified alpha globin with eNOS, with its molecular chaperon a‐Hemoglobin stabilizing protein (AHSP) as control. The results showed that the affinity constant KD between alpha globin and AHSP is 1.09×10−7 M, which was calculated using the association rate ka (2.28×104 M−1s−1) and dissociation rate (2.49×10−3 s−1). The affinity constant KD between alpha globin and eNOSox is 1.31×10−6 M, which was calculated using the association rate ka (1.16×103 M−1s−1) and dissociation rate (1.51×10−3 s−1). Smaller affinity constant indicates greater affinity of analyte to ligand. Thus, the interaction between Alpha globin and AHSP is tighter than the interaction between alpha globin and eNOSox. However, the lower kd value for alpha‐globin and eNOSox indicates the slower dissociation, compared to dissociation from AHSP. This result will help us to better understand the molecular mechanisms of the regulation of alpha globin on eNOS function, and provide foundation for the development of chemical drug compounds which target specifically on this interaction.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Biochemical Characterization of MarR and TetR Proteins from Clostridium difficile
Authors: Takahashi Rei , Panchal Bhumika , Kim Da Eun , Wilkinson Steven 
Published: June 2021

Clostridium difficile, the causative agent of pseudomembranous colitis, is a leading cause of hospital acquired infections in the United States with approximately 420,000 – 700,000 new infections each year. Of major concern is the increasing rate of patient mortality and the rise in C. difficile infections in traditionally low‐risk groups (e.g. otherwise healthy adults) marked by the emergence of hypervirulent strains characterized by increased resistance to a range of antibiotics. In this study, we report initial efforts to purify and characterize MarR (multiple antibiotic resistance regulator) and TetR (tetracycline resistance regulator) proteins from C. difficile as part of a larger investigation into the possible roles of these proteins in the antibiotic resistance mechanisms of this pathogen. MarR and TetR proteins are known to regulate genes required for antibiotic resistance in a number bacterial species but their functions in C. difficile remain unknown. A common feature of members of these two protein families is the specific binding of small‐molecule ligand(s) with accompanying changes in protein conformation and altered DNA‐binding affinity. Here we report initial results from analytical size exclusion to characterize the oligomerization states of C. difficile MarR and TetR proteins and results from biochemical analyses to characterize DNA‐binding. We also present results obtained from protein homology modeling with a particular focus on the conservation of residues in potential ligand‐binding sites and predicted DNA binding domains.Support or Funding InformationCalifornia Polytechnical State University Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities GrantThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Deciphering the effect of salts on Bilirubin Oxidases activity
Authors: Roussarie Elodie , Bichon Sabrina , Perrière Guy , Mano Nicolas , Stines‐Chaumeil Claire 
Published: June 2021

Bilirubin Oxidases (BODs) and laccases belong to the Blue Multicopper Oxidases family (MCOs). Both enzymes couple the oxidation of substrates to the reduction of O2 to H2O. In contrast to laccases, BODs display high activity and stability at neutral pH and are more tolerant to chloride [1]. These unique features make BODs useful in a large number of biotechnological applications such as biosensors for jaundice detection, dyes degradation, and as a cathodic enzyme in enzymatic biofuel cells [2]. Glucose/oxygen enzymatic biofuel cells use the energy of redox reactions catalyzed by enzymes to produce electrical energy. Glucose oxidizing enzymes such as Glucose Oxidase (GOX) and oxygen reducing enzymes such as BODs are used at the anode and at the cathode respectively. Such biofuel cells are good candidates to be implanted in the human body of diabetic people and would be the only in vivo power source able to power glucose sensors. To be implanted, cathodic and anodic enzymes have to be enough stable and resistant to physiological salts to be efficient several weeks or months in biological fluids.Here, I will focus my presentation on the enzymatic cathodic part. BODs and laccases are well known to be sensitive to high salt concentrations [3] and their stability on the electrode needs to be improved. Efforts in this direction allowed our team to identify the BOD from Bacillus pumilus with interesting features as a cathodic enzyme [4]. By using a sequence analysis approach, a new BOD was identified with very interesting features compared to other BODs which makes it of great interest to be used as a cathodic enzyme in biofuel cells.Particularly, in contrast to most BODs described, this new BOD is not inhibited but activated by several salts (up to 1,7 times). This characteristic makes this BOD very interesting considering the fact that all biological fluids contain relatively high levels of salts (such as 140mM NaCl in the blood for example). For this reason, we have compared the effect of various salts and their mechanisms on the enzymatic activity of BOD from Bacillus pumilus and the new BOD in solution and immobilized on electrode. Molecular modeling studies were also performed on both enzymes to decipher the mechanisms of activation/inhibition of different salts and more precisely the sodium chloride effects at the atomic level.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Determining the mechanism of 6‐hydroxynicotinate 3‐monooxygenase (NicC), an enzyme involved in nicotinate degradation
Authors: Nakamoto Kent , Gerislioglu Selim , Snider Mark J. 
Published: June 2021

N‐Heterocyclic aromatic compounds (NHACs) are employed in daily life and are environmental contaminants. Due to NHAC's toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects, improved purification methods are imperative. Understanding bacterial degradation of NHACs may assist future bioremediation techniques. Nicotinic acid (NA) degradation serves as a good model for NHAC catabolism. 6‐Hydroxynicotinate‐3‐monooxygenase (NicC) is an enzyme involved in the degradation of NA. NicC catalyzes the hydroxylative decarboxylation of 6‐hydroxynicotinic acid (6‐HNA) and NADH to 2,5‐dihydroxypyridine (2,5‐DHP) and NAD. Understanding the mechanism of this reaction, which activates the pyridine of NA for ring‐opening, will provide greater insight on the conditions NHAC degradation require in bacteria. This knowledge could result in the optimization of bioremediation efforts that are already known and reduce the amount of hazardous waste in the environment. Two mechanisms for the oxidation half‐reaction of NicC have been proposed. One mechanism (A) predicts the formation of a covalent complex between NicC and 6‐HNA, decarboxylation, and subsequent hydroxylation by hydroperoxyflavin. A second mechanism (B) proposes a base deprotonates 6‐HNA leading to hydroxylation by hydroperoxyflavin and then decarboxylation. The research objective is to elucidate the mechanism of this reaction. Current results suggest NicC catalyzes oxidative decarboxylation by mechanism B. ESI‐MS data indicate no evidence of a covalent complex between the enzyme and the substrate, as the protein mass was equivalent to only the enzyme and not the ES complex. Mechanism A involves the keto tautomer requiring nitrogen to be present in the aromatic ring, while mechanism B has no such requirement. To test this, NicC was shown to catalyze the reaction of 4HBA, a homocyclic analog of 6‐HNA. This result confirms that NicC doesn't require nitrogen in the ring and disproves mechanism A. The coupling of the WT NicC reaction was determined to generate one NAD for every 2,5‐DHP with a time point HPLC assay. Future work will compare the coupling and rates of the WT NicC reaction to those of the variant NicC reactions to identify the key catalytic residues.Support or Funding InformationHenry J. Copeland Fund for Independent Study at the College of WoosterThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Purification of Acid Phosphatase from Lupinus albus for Characterization
Authors: Phillips Sophia R. , Fogle Emily J. 
Published: June 2021

The phosphorus cycle is an important biogeochemical process. Part of the phosphorus cycle occurs in soils where organic compounds containing phosphorus are converted into more bioavailable forms. However, the interactions between phosphatases that catalyze these reactions in soils are not well‐characterized. This research aims to characterize the adsorption and enzymatic activity of the adsorbed enzyme in different soil compositions. Thus far, research has been focused on overexpressing an acid phosphatase from Lupinus albus that is known to be excreted into soils and purifying the protein. Overexpression has been analyzed using SDS‐PAGE gels and UV‐Vis spectroscopy assays for enzyme activity. To date, overexpression of the enzyme is poor and further research will involve experimentation with an acid phosphatase gene from another source, Aspergillus ficuum.Support or Funding InformationFrost Undergraduate Student Summer ResearchThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Notch Heterodimer NICD Complexes have Divergent Functions Compared to NICD Homodimer Complexes
Authors: Crow Jacob Jeffery , Albig Allan 
Published: June 2021

The mammalian Notch signaling system consists of four receptors that can be activated by five membrane bound ligands on adjacent cells. Activation of Notch receptors results in the proteolytic release of Notch intracellular domains (NICD) that translocate to the nucleus to initiate transcriptional programs. Individual N1ICD molecules have been shown to homodimerize on DNA, however a number of basic questions remain regarding dimerization of NICD domains. Based on conserved sequences and structural similarities between NICD domains, we hypothesized that various NICD domains may be able to function as heterodimer complexes and that these heterodimeric complexes may exhibit different transcriptional activities compared to their homodimer counterparts. To address this hypothesis, we devised a co‐immunoprecipitation strategy to examine NICD dimerization in vivo. Our preliminary results show for the first time that some, but not all, NICDs are capable of functioning as heterodimers, even though all NICDs are capable of forming homodimers. This observation, together with the fact that individual cells often express multiple Notch receptors, prompted us to compare the transcriptional activities of homo‐ vs hetero‐dimer complexes. Using a Notch responsive luciferase reporter assay, we determined that NICD heterodimers have transcriptionally divergent activities compared to their NICD homodimer counterparts. Together, these and other observations suggest that signaling in the Notch system does not function solely on a homodimer basis. Instead, and more akin to other signaling systems, our results suggest that Notch signaling will also be influenced by NICD heterodimer complexes.Support or Funding InformationNIH Grant 2R15GM102852‐02This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Improving Student/Faculty Engagement: Impact of End of Lecture Classroom Surveys on Student Evaluations and Motivation
Authors: Miller Keith R. 
Published: June 2021

Student success is directly tied to effective feedback criteria where the focus is on what is being learnt and how students should go about it. To provide this learning environment, it is best if the student initiates the feedback conversations. From Fall 2015–2017, end of lecture surveys were included as part of each class session for an introduction to biochemistry class for junior and senior undergraduates. In this teaching strategy, students were anonymously asked to describe aspects of the day's lecture that were (a) surprising, (b) interesting or useful, and (c) confusing on a form turned in at the end of class. While submissions could remain anonymous, students were encouraged to place their name on the form for direct email feedback after class to answer any questions they had. These comments would then be used as a springboard for subsequent lectures, resulting in an immediate impact on student engagement and the clarity of the lectures. At the end of the semester, students were surveyed anonymously regarding whether this teaching strategy assisted in their learning for the course, if they chose to receive email feedback, and if they would like other courses to use these surveys. In the Fall 2014 semester, before these classroom surveys were initiated in the introduction to biochemistry class, most of the students did not feel the subject matter was understandable, half did not feel motivated to learn, and half did not feel the professor had created an atmosphere of mutual respect. After implementation, in Fall 2015, student evaluations reflected that the subject matter was overwhelming understandable, that an atmosphere of mutual respect was established, and that the professor cared about their learning. Students truly appreciated being able to ask questions if they could not make office hours. This presentation will discuss the implementation of the classroom surveys in large versus small classroom sizes in addition to its impact on student learning/evaluations.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Moving a Biochem Majors Lab Course into Discovery Based Research
Authors: Park Chad K. 
Published: June 2021

Efforts to establish an upper division lab course based on self‐directed, discovery based biochemical research are detailed. Consideration of the varying student backgrounds and levels of preparation must be balanced with preparation for the departmental requirement of a laboratory based senior thesis. The major goals of this lab course are to provide instruction in scientific writing, as well as in the design, execution, and interpretation of biochemical research projects. The first goal is to train students in reading and understanding original peer‐reviewed scientific reports, as well as in writing in a scientific style (i.e. following Biochemistry format). The second goal is to bridge the gap between receiving detailed lab protocols and the ability to design, implement, troubleshoot and communicate protein based biochemical research investigations in small groups. Our efforts to develop and evolve this course in a land‐grant university are detailed here.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Are Lab Courses Worth the Investment: Factors that Affect Student Success in a Biochemistry Lab Course
Authors: Hart Orla M. 
Published: June 2021

There are increasing challenges in maintaining and improving student outcomes in lab courses for a variety of reasons, including the relatively limited time students spend on experimental tasks, to the low credit hour to contact hour ratio. The push to increase enrollment and class sizes means that it is harder for academic programs to prioritize creation of resource‐demanding lab courses. That effective labs must operate in small sections with significant instructor interaction means that there is a disproportionate investment required by faculty, when compared with lecture‐based courses. Course‐based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) are effective, but may not be suited to service lab courses, or large enrollment lab courses. This study aims to identify factors that directly affect student engagement and success in a service (non‐majors) lab course, which will contribute towards best practices in lab course development and implementation.Factors investigated in this study were overall course structure, lecture material delivery, lab assignments, general assessment strategies, remediation, and faculty presence during the lab session. The biggest single factor affecting student engagement and learning outcomes was faculty presence in the lab class. When the lab sections were run by TAs without faculty present, the students were more 53% more likely to have negative comments about the course, and did not perform as well (a decrease of almost 10% on final exam scores, and the D, F rate increased from 5.4% to 12.1%). Other significant gains seen in student engagement and learning appear to be as a result of interventions in overall course structure and customized remediation opportunities for students. Assessment in practical skills significantly improved outcomes, without necessarily improving engagement. “Flipping” the lecture delivery from in‐class to online, did not have any impact on engagement or outcomes overall, however there was a significant correlation between when and how long students watched online lecture material, and subsequent exam scores. Interestingly, changing the lab assignments from full lab reports to shorter, more focused assignments, did not impact outcomes, but did appear to increase student engagement.It is hoped that these results will help validate the impact of undergraduate lab courses, and justify the commitment of resources. Structuring lab courses effectively and efficiently, and assessing lab learning in a way that ensures students receive high quality instruction and feedback, and are achieving the desired outcomes, will mean that the benefits of these courses justify the costs by both faculty and students.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.