bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A 50 Year Review and Meta‐analysis of Anatomy Laboratory Pedagogies
Authors: Wilson Adam , Miller Corinne , Klein Barbie , Taylor Melissa , Goodwin Michael , Boyle Eve , Brown Kirsten , Hoppe Chantal , Lazarus Michelle 
Published: November 2023

The debate regarding effective anatomy teaching methods is ongoing and highly controversial. Previously, Winkelmann(2007) attempted to address this discussion through a literature review that compared the efficacy of new anatomy laboratory pedagogies to traditional dissection approaches. This review, however, had considerable methodological weaknesses that undermined the significance and generalizability of its findings and raised further questions about the influence of educational interventions on student performance. One question left unanswered was “What impact, if any, does dissection have on learning anatomy within formal, informal, and hidden curricula?” To address this question, a meta‐analysis was undertaken to objectively, and more conclusively, summarize the effectiveness of instructional laboratory approaches used in anatomy education.Studies published between January 1965 and December 2015 were searched through five databases. Titles and abstracts of the retrieved records were screened using eligibility criteria to determine their appropriateness for study inclusion. Both numerical and qualitative data were extracted for analysis. A summary effect size was estimated to determine the effects of laboratory pedagogies on learner performance and a thematic review was performed to understand the perceptions of key stakeholders.Of the 3,045 records screened, 327 underwent full‐text review. Twenty‐six studies, comprising a total of 7,689 participants, were viable to include in the effect size calculations. The meta‐analysis detected no effect (standardized mean difference = −0.02; 95% CI=−0.15–0.11; p=0.43) on learner performance. Across studies, student performance on knowledge examinations was found to be equivalent regardless of being exposed to either dissection or another laboratory instructional strategy. This was true of every comparison investigated (i.e., dissection vs prosection, dissection vs digital media, dissection vs models/modeling, and dissection vs hybrid). The total heterogeneity was moderate (p<0.001; I2=82%) indicating sizable variation among the included studies.In the context of assessing only knowledge gains, this meta‐analysis revealed that the instructional approach of dissection is no better, and no worse, than alternative instructional modalities used in laboratory settings. As identified throughout the systematic review, many authors argued that donor dissection teaches essential ancillary skills such as professional identity, clinical communication and leadership, and introduces students to concepts of death and dying. Few studies, however, have evaluated whether similar themes emerge as a consequence of anatomy teaching in general or whether some of these skills are best imparted through active dissection.
The Long‐Term Effects of an Interprofessional Education Dissection Course on Healthcare Professional Students
Authors: Zheng Eric , Palombella Andrew , Salfi Jenn , Bayer Ilana , Wainman Bruce 
Published: November 2023

An intensive interprofessional gross anatomy dissection course was created in 2009 to facilitate interprofessional education (IPE) at McMaster University. First year students from Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, Physician Assistant, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy programs were randomly assigned into four interprofessional teams for this 10‐week course. Previously, data was collected from 2011 to 2016 using a before/after design to measure differences in attitudes and perceptions towards IPE and collaboration using the revised Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) and Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS), while focus group data elaborated on the student experience with the course. Pre‐ and post‐matched data revealed significant improvements in positive professional identity, competency and autonomy, role clarity, and attitudes toward other health professions. Qualitative analysis of intraprofessional focus group interviews revealed meaningful improvements in a number of areas including learning anatomy, role clarity, and attitudes towards other health professions.The purpose of this study is to assess the long‐term effects of our IPE gross anatomy dissection course on past participants by quantitatively and qualitatively evaluating how their attitudes and perceptions have changed now that they have started working with other health care professionals outside of the IPE course setting. Past students were contacted via email and asked to fill out a follow‐up questionnaire consisting of a modified RIPLS and open‐ended questions to measure both quantitative and qualitative change, respectively. Thirty‐four past participants who have clinical experience working in an interprofessional setting or who are working in the healthcare field responded to the survey. Post‐course and follow‐up subscale score mean differences were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed‐Rank Test. Quantitative analysis revealed a significant decrease in teamwork and collaboration, and positive professional identity, but a significant improvement in their understanding of roles and responsibilities compared to their time in the course. Qualitative analysis of open‐ended questions revealed a number of themes including development of interprofessional competencies, anatomy learning through dissection, relationship building, and appreciation of the gross anatomy dissection course. Our results indicate that the IPE experience in anatomy was highly valued by the students and that past participants maintain a clear understanding of their scope of practice, but the reality of clinical practice may have eroded gains made in the program.
Formative Assessments in Anatomy: Promoting Self‐Directed Learning with Self‐Assessment
Authors: Lee Vaughan , Higgins Katie , Schneider Brandt 
Published: November 2023

In the past decade, reduced curricular time, decreasing numbers of anatomy faculty, and the demand for self‐directed learning activities have been major drivers in anatomical curriculum redesign. At TTUHSC we have developed a battery of formative assessments to improve the efficiency of anatomical education and promote metacognition (thinking about how we learn). Specifically, in the 2016–2017 Clinically Oriented Anatomy course at TTUHSC/SOM we instituted daily student audience response questions in lectures, weekly quizzes, unit practice written exams, unit practice practical exams, and group and individual practical quizzes following peer‐taught laboratory sessions. Preliminary evaluation of this initiative reveals: 1) Formative assessments were used by a majority of the class, (written, 85–93%; practical 70–74%); 2) Summative exam scores were 8–10 points higher than their formative counterparts suggesting that students successfully used these educational tools and self‐directed learning to improve their anatomical comprehension; and 3) Tracking formative performance may identify academically at risk students in time for successful interventions. Student evaluation of the formative written and practical assessments was very favorable, 4.26 and 3.7 (5pt Likert), respectively. Detailed analyses of preliminary data, outcomes, limitations and future plans will be presented.Support or Funding InformationThis project was funded by the TTUHSC/SOM.
Investigating the roles of Fascin in collective cell migration using Drosophila border cell migration
Authors: Lamb Maureen , Tootle Tina 
Published: November 2023

Fascin is an actin bundling protein that regulates dynamics of cytoskeletal structures, such as filopodia and invadopodia, during cell migration. Importantly, Fascin is known to mediate retinal formation and axonal growth during development by promoting cell migration. In addition, recent research has demonstrated Fascin plays a significant role in cancer invasion and metastasis. However, additional roles of Fascin, including regulation of microtubules, interaction with mechanotransduction machinery, and nuclear localization, have been uncovered that may contribute to its roles in cellular migration. To study the role of Fascin in invasive, collective cellular migration in vivo we use Drosophila border cells as a model. Border cell migration occurs during Stage 9 of oogenesis in which a specified group of follicular epithelial cells cluster together and migrate posteriorly in between the nurse cells to the nurse cell ‐ oocyte border. This process is crucial for oocyte development since aberrant or delayed border cell migration leads to female sterility. While fascin mutants have been highly studied during Drosophila oogenesis, they have not been reported to have border cell migration defects. However, Fascin is highly expressed in the border cells and fascin‐null flies are sterile. These and other findings led us to hypothesize that Fascin plays a critical role in promoting border cell migration during oogenesis. Contrary to prior reports, we find that follicles from young fascin‐null flies display a significant delay in border cell migration. Cell‐specific knockdown studies suggest that Fascin is required within the somatic cells or specifically the border cells to mediate migration. Together these findings implicate a role for Fascin in collective cell migration in vivo during Drosophila oogenesis. Furthermore, these findings provide a system to investigate the actin bundling‐independent functions of Fascin in invasive cellular migration. Overall, this research will lead to a more complete understanding of the function of Fascin in developmental cell migrations and cancer metastasis.Support or Funding InformationNational Institutes of Health: R01GM116885
Modular 3D dense surface analysis and GWAS reveal localized genetic effects on human facial morphology involving multiple novel loci
Authors: Weinberg Seth M , Lee Myoung Keun , Leslie Elizabeth J , Orlova Ekaterina , Carlson Jenna C , Roosenboom Jasmien , Mattern Brooke C , Liebowitz Corey R , White Julie D , Zaidi Arslan , Hernandez Diego , Gonzalez Tomas , Pearson Laurel N , Sero Dzemila , Li Jiarui , Feingold Eleanor , Marazita Mary L , Shaffer John R , Wysocka Joanna , Shriver Mark D , Claes Peter 
Published: November 2023

Many aspects of human facial morphology are under strong genetic control. Several GWASs of normal facial variation have been completed, with each identifying a handful of significant findings. However, a large number of genes are expected to influence facial morphology, suggesting that a different approach is needed. We performed a GWAS on 2329 individuals of European descent with available 3D facial scans. To derive phenotypes, we established a dense correspondence among the 3D facial surfaces (~10,000 pseudolandmarks) and applied a novel hierarchical modular facial decomposition approach. Facial modules were identified based on pair‐wise 3D correlations of spatially‐dense landmark configurations in a hierarchical spectral clustering approach. This resulted in a decomposition of the 3D facial surface morphology into 63 distinct modules. Shape variation in each of the modules was captured separately using principal component (PC) analysis. SNPs were tested for association with modular shape PCs via multivariate canonical correlation analysis, controlling for sex, age, height, weight, and population stratification. In total, we identified 41 genome‐wide significant (5×10E‐8) loci associated with at least one facial module. Most of the associated loci were novel, but contained one or more plausible craniofacial candidate genes based on evidence from mouse models and/or syndromes (TBX15, SOX9, PAX1). While many of the signals were associated with a single highly localized facial module (e.g. tip of the nose), others involved multiple hierarchically related modules (e.g. all parts of the nose). Bioinformatics analysis of the variants around our GWAS peaks revealed evidence of enrichment for active cranial neural crest cell enhancers (p<0.006), suggesting an important role during craniofacial development. To date, we have replicated 15 of our discovery GWAS signals in an independent cohort of 1978 individuals. Finally, we tested 27 previously reported SNPs from the GWAS literature, with 26 replicating at p≤0.05. In multiple instances we were able to confirm the same previously reported phenotype‐genotype relationships, providing additional validation of the methodology. In conclusion, using highly innovative and comprehensive facial phenotyping methods, we have identified a large number of novel and replicated loci associated with a range of facial features, involving both highly localized effects and larger more global effects.Support or Funding InformationU01‐DE020078; U01‐DE020057; R01‐DE016148
From the top of your head: phenotypic integration in the head and neck
Authors: Villamil Catalina Isabel 
Published: November 2023

Phenotypic integration is a powerful way of understanding morphological evolution. However, it remains unclear how integration itself evolves. I discuss here a variety of factors shaping phenotypic integration of the head and neck in a wide range of mammalian taxa.The head serves as a site for many important functions and is integrated in complex ways. Across mammals (marsupials=231, carnivores=100, primates=473) the facial skeleton is integrated with the basicranium, regardless of the factors influencing the morphology of the skull. Magnitudes of integration (MI) within the basicranium (carnivores=348, primates=1159) are strongly linked to relative brain size and to the height and breadth of the cranial vault, such that taxa with large brain sizes and relatively broad and tall cranial vaults have lower MI. When the brain can grow upwards and outwards, it may not require such tightly matched basicranial anatomy to support it. Facial size also influences MI, such that taxa with large faces tend to have higher MI. The mechanical requirements of supporting a relatively large face may serve to functionally constrain the basicranium. However, the interplay of facial and brain morphology also plays a role in these relationships. The age divergence or appearance of specific taxa may play a small role in MI as well. Although smaller taxa are better able to respond to selection generally, body size does not specifically affect MI.The head is also tightly integrated with the neck. Patterns and magnitudes of integration in the head and neck in hominoids (Homo=120, Pan=112, Hylobates=92) largely follow those hypothesized based on Hox expression patterns in mice. Transitional vertebrae C2 and C7 differ markedly in MI from all others. Locomotor and postural behavior appears to have no influence on these relationships. Instead, aspects of facial anatomy are likely ultimately driving cervical vertebral morphology.My results support the contention that phenotypic integration patterns match underlying genetic developmental relationships. Strong natural selection favoring particular anatomical features, such as relatively large brains, may alter patterns of phenotypic integration by breaking down existing developmental patterns, especially those that are not tightly constrained. However, cervical vertebrae may be strongly buffered from environmental pressures. The extent to which external environmental influences act during ontogeny on other features, such as the face, has yet to be examined. Knowledge of such interactions will serve as an important complement to studies of phenotypic integration.Support or Funding InformationThis work was funded by the Wenner‐Gren Foundation and New York University.
Integration and coevolution of the mammalian skeleton in “real time”: the case of the Longshanks mouse
Authors: Rolian Campbell 
Published: November 2023

Since the publication of Olson and Miller's seminal book “Morphological Integration” in 1958, there have been over 200 studies on integration, modularity and evolvability of the mammalian skeletal and dental systems. These studies have yielded fundamental insights into the role of genetic, developmental and functional constraints on the evolutionary history, and evolutionary potential, of complex skeletal traits in diverse mammalian lineages. Yet integration and evolvability studies in skeletal systems suffer from two important limitations. First, they are by nature post‐hoc, i.e., they rely on observed patterns of covariation among traits to reconstruct the (often deep) history of (co)evolution in skeletal traits, and/or to identify the genetic, developmental and functional sources of covariation that have influenced this history. Second, and related, evolvability studies are theoretical, relying on the multivariate breeder's equation to predict the potential response of more or less integrated skeletal phenotypes to selection. Since 2010, my lab has been selectively breeding mice for increases in tibia length relative to body mass. This long‐term selection experiment provides an opportunity to validate empirically how the magnitude and pattern of covariation among skeletal traits (i.e., integration) impacts “real time” evolutionary change in the target of selection, as well as in genetically and developmentally correlated traits. Here, I use an evolutionary quantitative genetics framework and a large multi‐generational dataset of full body micro‐CT scans of the selectively bred mice (Longshanks) and random‐bred mice to: (1) quantify correlated evolution of skeletal traits in the Longshanks postcranium and cranium, and (2) determine how the magnitude and pattern of integration across the skeleton has evolved in response to strong selection on a single trait. Results show that while tibia length has changed the most, other skeletal traits (e.g. tibia cross‐sectional shape, other fore‐ and hind limb bone lengths) have also responded to selection, though to a lesser extent (i.e., allometrically). Interestingly, skull shape in Longshanks has changed significantly. The types of changes observed over ontogeny suggest the involvement of both local and systemic factors underlying mechanisms of endochondral ossification in the limbs and cranial base. Finally, the magnitude of covariation among postcranial skeletal traits increased over generations, which suggests that unidirectional selection on a single skeletal trait in Longshanks has actually reduced the evolvability of its skeleton overall. This study in “real time” vertebrate evolution thus validates and complements the insights gleaned from classical, yet largely theoretical, integration, modularity and evolvability in the mammalian skeleton.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NSERC Discovery Grant 4181932, and by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary.
O‐Glycan recognition and function in mice and humans
Authors: Cummings Richard D. 
Published: November 2023

Glycans function both as direct recognition molecules, where they are bound by a wide variety of glycan‐binding proteins (GBPs), including animal cell receptors, microbial adhesins lectins and toxins, and indirectly glycans function in glycoproteins to facilitate intra‐ and intermolecular interactions that maintain homeostasis and biological integrity. To explore both direct and indirect functions of glycans we have engineered mutations in biosynthetic pathways, most notably in regard to O‐glycan biosynthesis (O‐GalNAc glycans). Normal synthesis of such O‐glycans in animals requires the action of the T‐synthase, a b3‐galactosyltransferase that generates the core 1 O‐glycan Galb1‐3GalNAca1‐Ser/Thr from the Tn antigen precursor GalNAca1‐Ser/Thr. Such normal extended O‐glycans, including those with the core 2 O‐glycan structure and sialyl Lewis x antigen, are recognized by key GBPs, including P‐selectin and L‐selectin. Such specific recognition of O‐glycans by P‐selectin, CLEC2, and other GBPs, directly regulated many cellular interactions and signaling pathways important in development, morphogenesis and organ development. In molecular and biochemical studies we have explored such recognition by generating glycopeptides with specific modifications, including O‐glycans and sulfated tyrosine residues. In terms of additional functions of O‐glycans, we have exploited our discovery that the T‐synthase requires a specific protein chaperone, termed Cosmc, encoded on the X‐chromosome. Cosmc, a resident protein in the endoplasmic reticulum, directly interacts with the newly synthesized T‐synthase to facilitate folding to the active form of the enzyme, that subsequently moves to its functional location in the Golgi apparatus. Thus, Cosmc is the key regulator of Tn antigen expression, and loss of Cosmc, through epigenetic silencing, gene mutations and other pathways, and acquired changes in Cosmc function cause Tn expression in many human tumors and tumor cell lines and in Tn syndrome patients. Targeted deletion of Cosmc leads to loss of normal O‐glycans, expression of the Tn and sialyl Tn antigens, and multiple pathological consequences. In this presentation the loss of Cosmc has been explored in the gastrointestinal tract, where it leads to pathology, chronic inflammation, and changes in the gut microbiome, and in other cell types, such as T cells and B cells, where loss of Cosmc alters cellular maturation and functionalities. Our studies are revealing the multiple ways in which O‐glycans in humans, animals, and other organisms interact within the larger protein‐glycan interactome to regulate biological processes.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NIH grants U01CA168930 and P41GM103694 to R.D.C.
Bacterial copper acquisition
Authors: Rosenzweig Amy C. , Kenney Grace E. , Dassama Laura M. K. , Ro Soo Y. 
Published: November 2023

Methanotrophic bacteria use methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as their primary source of carbon and energy. The first step in methane metabolism is its oxidation to methanol. In mostly all methanotrophs, this chemically challenging reaction is catalyzed by particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO), a copper‐dependent integral membrane enzyme. Many methanotrophs acquire copper for pMMO by secreting small ribosomally produced, post‐translationally modified natural products called methanobactins. Each species produces a methanobactin (Mbn) with a unique structure, and all Mbns characterized thus far bind copper with high affinity. The copper‐loaded form (CuMbn) is then re‐internalized into the cell via an active transport process. Genome mining has led to the identification of operons containing potential Mbn biosynthesis, transport, and regulatory genes. These operons are present in a range of non‐methanotrophic bacteria as well, suggesting a broader role for Mbn and Mbn‐like molecules in and perhaps beyond copper acquisition. The roles of specific gene products have been investigated by genetic, biophysical, and structural approaches. These data provide evidence for CuMbn‐protein interactions and begin to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of its recognition, transport, and biosynthesis.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NIH grants GM118035 (A. C. R.) and F32GM110934 (L. M. K. D.), a Burroughs Wellcome Fund PDEP award (L. M. K. D.), and AHA grant 14PRE20460104 (G. E. K.).