bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary Arteries Show Differences in the Effects of Angiotensin II Stimulation of Mitochondrial Superoxide on Regulation of Heme Biosynthesis and Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Expression
Authors: Patel Dhara , Kelly Melissa R. , Accarino John J.O. , Sun Dong , Wolin Micahel S. 
Published: November 2023

It is well established that Angiotensin II (AngII) increases mitochondrial superoxide levels through the AT1 receptor. Ferrochelatase (FECH), the mitochondrial heme‐generating enzyme, has an iron‐sulfur cluster required for its stability and activity, which could potentially be disrupted by superoxide. We have observed that 24 hr organoid culture of bovine coronary arteries (BCAs) with AngII caused a depletion of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase‐2 (SOD‐2), FECH and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), as well as an increase in deficiency in heme (detected by depletion of cytochrome oxidase subunit‐4 (COx4), but not catalase). The heme precursor δ‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) prevents these effects of AngII through a mechanism that appears to involve promoting protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) accumulation and its stimulation of sGC/cGMP‐activation of protein kinase G (PKG). Thus, in this study we investigated the effects of AngII on 24 hr organoid cultured endothelium‐denuded bovine pulmonary arteries (BPAs). AngII increased mitochondrial (MitoSox/HPLC) and extra‐mitochondrial/cytosolic superoxide (DHE/HPLC) and protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) levels (detected by its surface fluorescence), and it depleted SOD‐2 (western blot) and Cox4 (western blot) protein expression. However AngII did not deplete protein expression of FECH, sGC and catalase (western blot). ALA prevented AngII‐elicited increases in mitochondrial superoxide, and depletion of SOD‐2 and COx4. Furthermore, co‐organoid culture of BPAs with AngII in presence of cGMP‐independent activation of PKG (DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)) and cGMP‐mediated activation of PKG (8‐bromo‐cGMP) reverses the increases in mitochondrial and extra‐mitochondrial superoxide induced by AngII in BPA. The increase in PpIX and depletion of heme, but not FECH, suggests that increased mitochondrial superoxide in AngII‐treated BPA is impairing the availability of iron for heme generation from PpIX. Since agents which bind the heme site of sGC appear to protect it from depletion when the sGC heme is oxidized, the observed AngII‐elicited increase in PpIX in BPA may prevent the depletion of sGC. In contrast, AngII did not increase PpIX in BCA, and the depletion of both FECH and heme appears to be a more dominant factor in AngII‐treated BCA. While increased PKG stimulation by PpIX generation from ALA may function to attenuate AngII‐induced increases in mitochondrial superoxide and depletion of heme in both BPA and BCA, and the increase in PpIX observed in BPA treated with AngII may function to prevent the depletion of sGC, and perhaps FECH.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NIH grant: R01HL115124
Do “Job Aids” Facilitate Retention of Physiology Concepts
Authors: Povlow Michael , Harris David 
Published: November 2023

Medical students are tasked with learning and managing large amounts of information and often find it difficult to distinguish between concepts critical for clinical application versus factual information. Since physiology is so conceptual in nature, many students struggle with integrating material due to previously formed study habits where repeated readings were effective. Therefore, it is important for educators to highlight critical information from learning sessions to facilitate student learning. In this study, we hypothesized that providing “job aids” or flash cards with a disease, pertinent questions about the underlying science, a critical graph/schematic for understanding, and a celebrity with the disorder would improve retention of physiology content.MethodsStudents participated in a high fidelity patient simulation or computerized case using lab tutor involving physiology concept. Each student then received a flash card which included a celebrity “mnemonic” relating that person to the session's physiology concept.ResultsA total of 120 second year medical students were recruited to participate in a study about 6 months after the physiology course. A survey with questions asking whether students recognized the celebrity and could match the celebrity with their disease was included. Also, physiology questions were administered as part of a quiz to determine whether concepts supplemented with a job aid were retained better than those not supported by a job aid.DiscussionFinding ways to improve student retention of physiology material as well as identifying critical concepts versus factoids is paramount to medical educators. The use of job aids which are relatively cheap to develop and design could enable students to better retain some physiology concepts. Aspects such as celebrity information may facilitate better retention as well.
Effects of selection for high voluntary wheel running on sexual dimorphism in the sacrum of Mus musculus
Authors: Asplund Crystal Lynn , Perry Kyler W. , Schutz Heidi 
Published: November 2023

Comparative studies have shown that pelvic girdle (os coxae and sacrum) morphology may be influenced by sex and/or locomotion and that a possible evolutionary trade‐off exists between reproductive constraints and locomotor activity. Previous unpublished work explored how sexual dimorphism in the os coxae responds to locomotor activity in Mus musculus through analyses of mice from an artificial selection experiment that bred mice for high voluntary wheel running. Three of the eight lines from this experiment were sampled, representing control (C), selected (HRNORMAL), and selected mini‐muscle (HRMINI) groups, with the mini‐muscle individuals possessing a Mendelian recessive mutation that causes a 50% decrease in skeletal muscle mass. Based on prior comparative work on the pelvis and the specific results from the os coxae of these mice showing differing patterns of dimorphism in shape, density and bone volume, we hypothesized that a similar pattern would be present in the sacrum. Using 122 specimens from the aforementioned experiment, we obtained shape and size (mass and centroid size) metrics of the sacra and compiled these with previously recorded body masses and lengths. ANOVAs of size metrics showed significant differences in body length, mass and sacral centroid size between the lines and sexes. On all metrics, both HR lines were smaller than the C line and the HRMINI line was smaller than the HRNORMAL line. In addition, females were smaller than males in all metrics. Finally, there was no significant sex‐by‐line interaction for either body size metrics or centroid size, indicating no differential sexual dimorphism patterns in these variables between lines.Results of MANOVAs showed that sex and line, but not body mass, had a significant effect on sacral shape, and there was no significant sex‐by‐line interaction. Further, we calculated a proxy measurement of sacral density using a ratio of sacral mass to sacral centroid size. ANOVAs showed a significant effect of sex, line, and the sex‐by‐line interaction, with females showing a greater mean bone density than males (a result opposite that found in a similar proxy metric in the os coxae). Overall, these results support the hypothesis that sacral morphology is influenced by sex, selection for high locomotor activity, and the presence of the mini‐muscle mutation in a complex manner, which affects specific skeletal elements in different ways.Support or Funding InformationMurdock Charitable Trust
Optimization of technical photographic variables to assess newborn length using photographic imaging
Authors: Orozco Monica N. , Gwaltney Rebecca , Solomons Noel W. 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundIn the past we explored the use of standardized photographic images as a potential method to measure length in newborns, which showed corrigible limitations in accuracy.ObjectiveTo refine a photographic technique used to assess newborn anthropometry by studying the effect of several technical photographic variables on intrinsic error, using inanimate baby models.MethodsVertical (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 cm) and horizontal (left, center and right) camera displacements, reference object size (5, 10, 20 and 25 cm), camera type (digital vs smartphone), and zoom magnification (pre vs post) were varied to optimize length accuracy from the photographic image. Total length from the images was calculated by adding up the head+trunk plus upper‐ and lower‐leg segments of the models, measured in mm on a paper print‐out, computer or smartphone screen, and then converted to actual length in cm in reference to the object. These were compared to the gold standard infantometer measurements for accuracy.ResultsIncreasing focal length reduces error, with an optimal height at 1 m (0.07% error, p<0.001). Camera must be centered over a focal point equidistant to the baby and reference bar to minimize error (0.01%, p<0.001). Camera optics impact error significantly (p=0.018). Variance in procedures for zoom and in reference bar length do not appear to significantly minimize error.ConclusionThus, technical photographic variables can be optimized to minimize estimated length error in inanimate model figures, promising a new, valid and comfortable camera‐based technique for assessing birth‐length in newborns.
Assessment of Myocardial Architecture Depends on Imaging DTMRI Parameters
Authors: Agger Peter , Laustsen Christoffer , Hjortdal Vibeke , Pedersen Michael 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundDiffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTMRI) is widely used when assessing the orientation of cardiomyocytes in the heart. Three important parameters are obtained from DTMRI in order to define the myocardial anatomical substructures: fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and helical angle (HA). The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of DTMRI sequence parameters: averaging, anisotropic resolution and number of diffusion‐weighted directions, on FA, MD and HA.MethodsHealth adult porcine hearts were harvested, formalin‐fixed, and a transmural biopsy of the left ventricular free wall was sampled and positioned in a 9.4 T MRI system. Five different DTMRI examinations were conducted: 1) with 6 predefined gradient directions, 2) with 30 directions, 3) with 6 directions and 2 averages, 4+5) with 6 and 30 directions, but with double slice thickness rendering the voxels anisotropic. All other DTMRI imaging parameters were kept constant. Differences in FA, MD and HA were analysed using ANOVA statistics.ResultsMD showed only minor non‐significant differences between groups. FA was decreased when using 30 diffusion directions (0.25±0.08) as compared with 6 directions (0.33±0.13), p<0.001. Helical angulations as compared using Bland‐Altman plots (Fig. 1) confirmed this finding revealing a variance indicative of low precision when using only 6 directions. Tractographies based on only 6 directions were less smooth and shorter when compared with 30 directions (Fig. 2).ConclusionsThis DTMRI study revealed that fewer gradient directions resulted in deterioration of the image quality, increasing the degree of averaging does not compensate for this. Introduction of anisotropic voxels on the other hand did not alter FA, MD or HA significantly. The results of this study are of importance when designing DTMRI protocols for the purpose of investigating myocardial microanatomy. We emphasize that interpretation of DTMRI results depends on the number of predefined diffusion directions.Support or Funding InformationThis work is supported by the Danish Children Heart Foundation.
Using CT Scans to Assess Early Postnatal Development of the Bony Eustachian Tube and Hyolaryngeal Apparatus: A Test of Reliability
Authors: Meaike Joshua , Gupta Anmol , Pagano Anthony , Curcio Daniella Franco , Som Peter , Laitman Jeffrey T. 
Published: November 2023

Human infants, like non‐human primates, can breathe and swallow simultaneously, due to similarities in the anatomy of the aerodigestive tract (ADT). Morphometric studies lack standardized methods to investigate the descent of the hyolaryngeal apparatus in relation to the skull base and bony Eustachian tube – a process taking place throughout the first three years of postnatal life. This study tests the hypothesis that 3D landmark coordinates taken on sagittal CT scans can be reliably used to assess ADT and craniofacial structures via 3D geometric morphometrics. We used the computer program Osirix® to identify 14 landmarks on head and neck sagittal CT scans obtained from 22 monkeys (Macaca mulatta) as a model to test accuracy. After four training sessions on images apart from the study sample, two observers assessed the study sample. Each observer performed three assessments per specimen and no specimen was evaluated twice in the same day. We used Generalized Procrustes Analysis, involving optimal superimposition and scaling by Centroid Size, and measured the procrustes distances to interpret data. Inter‐observer errors were significantly high (> 5%), indicating that plotting landmarks on sagittal CTs allows for low reproducibility of measurements via 3D analysis. ANOVA of inter‐observer distances per landmark yielded a significant result (p<0.0001), indicating that some landmarks are less reliable, and a series of t‐tests with Bonferroni‐Dunn adjustment revealed that the craniometric point Prosthion was the least accurate (p<0.05). Tracking the descent of the hyolaryngeal complex relative to craniofacial structures in early postnatal life requires a careful methodological approach. This study indicates that using 3D landmarks obtained from CT sagittal slices to ascertain measurements of the hyoid bone and craniofacial structures situated in different planes yields intrinsic errors of measurements that may jeopardize reproducibility of geometric morphometric analysis. Next step of this project is to use volume rendered 3D CT scans and collect coordinates for the same landmarks to determine interobserver variability, assess accuracy and validate reproducibility.Support or Funding InformationIcahn School of Medicine's Summer Student Investigator Program Award/CNPq ‐ Brazilian National Counsel of Technological Development
A Refined Study of the Effect of Cadaver Dissection on Written and Practical Gross Anatomy Test Scores
Authors: Olivieri Marion Pace , Hurley Mary Ida , Gervasi Megan E , Olivieri Nina Ruthie , Rokitka Elizabeth M , Georger Lesley , Bistulfi Gaia 
Published: November 2023

Since 2010, over 425 Italian medical students participated in D'Youville College's (DYC's) Giovanni Mazzotti Anatomy Conference (GMAC), named in honor of the late president of the Medical School of Bologna and the Italian Anatomy Society. In Italy, students rarely dissect cadavers. Instead, models, drawings, and computer‐generated images are utilized. Conference participants were selected by their professors at their corresponding Italian medical universities for their excellent anatomy competency and proficiency in English.After careful review of the previous five years of data from similar populations, modifications were made to improve data collection and validate results. For this analysis, the written examinations were scrutinized by faculty in the US and Italy for proper word choice and grammar. Exams were available to each student in both English and Italian. The written exams were identical for pre‐ and post‐testing. The practical exams contained identical content for pre‐ and post‐testing, utilizing different cadavers and a re‐arrangement of question order. Results, including scores, were only provided to the students after completion of the conference. Data analysis focused on comparing learning in three specific areas comprising V (viscera), H (head and neck) and E (extremities). After ~100 hours of available laboratory time, pre‐ and post‐examination results were compared. On average, a significant improvement was observed in individual written exam scores by 9% (n=60; p<0.001), practical knowledge scores increased 23% (n=60; p<0.001) with combined anatomical knowledge scores averaging a 16% increase (n=60; p<0.001). Overall, the cadaver dissection experience increased the practical as well as theoretical knowledge of these elite high performing medical students.We expect this collaboration to continue providing a more comprehensive analysis. We thank Todd Stevens and Russ Gullekson for their work with the Italian students in the anatomy laboratory. We also thank our collaborators, Professors Falconi & Manzoli (U of Bologna), Zecchi & Orlandini (U of Florence), Papa (U of Naples), Nori (U of Salerno), Sette (Rome's Tor Vergata) and Forni (U of Pisa).Support or Funding InformationSupported by the GMAC and approved through the IRB of DYC.
A Kinetic Model for Learning Gross Anatomy
Authors: Malone Erica Renee , Pine Michelle , Bingham Glenda 
Published: November 2023

Many different types of visual aids have been proven valuable in teaching gross anatomy. Diagrams, illustrations, cadavers, and physical models are all common teaching aids in gross anatomy courses. While these types of visual aids are quite useful for identifying structures or understanding one structure's spatial relationship to another, these visual aids are incapable of demonstrating movement, a concept that is critical to understanding the practical applications of gross anatomy. In order to create a model capable of demonstrating movement, knowledge of concepts from disciplines including design, sculpture, architecture, and simple physics should be employed. Using this interdisciplinary approach to demonstrate movement allows for more valuable tools for learning and teaching gross anatomy. In order to test this concept, a design for an interactive kinetic model of the canine thoracic limb was created. Once a basic design for the model was conceived, many different materials were tested for their ability to mimic anatomical structures such as bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These materials were then used to build a model complete with simulations of all relevant anatomical structures involved in movement. Once a preliminary iteration of the model was successfully constructed, students enrolled in Biomedical Anatomy at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences were provided multiple opportunities to interact with the model. Observing the students’ interactions with the model gave us the opportunity to evaluate the design's ability to visually demonstrate proper movement of the thoracic limb. This preliminary iteration of the model, while valuable in proving the capabilities of the design, also proved some of the materials were inadequate. A second iteration of the model was then constructed using new, more durable, materials. Students were again allowed and encouraged to interact with the model, even using the model to complete an in‐lab assignment. After interacting with the model and being allowed access to the model for studying purposes, outside of assigned lab and lecture periods, these students were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire evaluating their perceived efficiency of the model as a tool for learning. Analysis of these questionnaires revealed that the vast majority of students found the model helpful with at least one concept related to movement. Further iterations of this kinetic model will include improvements to movement capabilities and material durability. Kinetic models for other relevant areas such as the pelvic limb, as well as models for equine, bovine, caprine, and other species are possible areas of research for the kinetic anatomical model.Support or Funding InformationTAMU Summer 2012 Faculty Institute “Flipping Your Course”
ARE PROSECTIONS AN EFFECTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL TOOL FOR IMPROVING STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF NECK ANATOMY?
Authors: ALSHEHRY SAMI , Sedlmayr Jayc , Cork John 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionThe neck is a complex area that can be difficult for students to understand. Although cadaver dissection is still the best way to teach anatomy there are many other tools that can be used to help students understand neck anatomy. One of these tools is prosection.AimTo evaluate students’ understanding of neck anatomy after studying prosections of the neck.Materials and methods63 first‐year dental students at LSUHSC were involved in this study during their head and neck anatomy course. The students took a quiz (pre‐test) on their knowledge of neck anatomy. Then, they were provided access to 8 neck prosections for 3 full labs (total 9 hours). Labeled photos for these prosections were placed next to each prosection and instructor was available to answer students’ questions. Finally, students answered the same quiz (post‐test). The quiz also included demographic data questions.Results63 responses were collected each time. The mean score on the pre‐test was 62.1% and mean score for the post‐test was 65.9% (this difference was statistically significant at p = 0.0003). When asked whether they had studied the prosections 24 (38%) of the students said no. When comparing the mean scores of the pre‐test and post‐test for the group who didn't study the prosections, the mean difference was insignificant (p‐value= 0.2). For the group who did study the prosections, the difference in scores was significant (p‐value=0.0004).ConclusionWe found in this study that the use of prosections will improve students’ understanding of neck anatomy.Support or Funding InformationLSUHSC‐NO