bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Case Study: Superficial Ulnar Artery and its Clinical Significance
Authors: Pattani Sager , Irshad Sumbal , Sewo Lolade , Dacquel Maxwell , Narayan Vinayak , Dhiman Shiv 
Published: May 2022

We present a case with an atypical variation of the ulnar artery discovered while examining a cadaver in our routine Gross Anatomy lab dissection. A superficial ulnar artery was found in a 55‐year‐old male cadaver originating directly from the brachial artery. This is a rare variation where the route of the ulnar artery runs superficially to the flexor compartment in the forearm. Based on previous cadaver studies, the incidence of such variation in the adult population appears to be approximately 3.75% 1. Deviations in the ulnar artery can lead to a potential risk of injury to patients during surgery 2. The superficial ulnar artery can mistakenly result in the administration of medicines into the artery as opposed to the median cubital vein during the injection. Hemorrhaging as well as other potential traumas can occur. We will also discuss the potential complications that could arise from this variant and the clinical recommendations for treatment.1. Fadel RA, Amonoo‐Kuofi HS. The superficial ulnar artery: Development and surgical significance. Clin Anat. 1996;9(2):128‐132. Accessed Jan 27, 2022. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098‐2353(1996)9:2<128::AID‐CA5>3.0.CO;2‐D.2. Rodríguez‐Niedenführ M, Vazquez T, Parkin IG, Sanudo J. Arterial patterns of the human upper limb: Update of anatomical variations and embryological development. European Journal of anatomy, ISSN 1136‐4890, Vol 7, Nº 1, 2003 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Supplement 1), pags 21‐28. 2003;7. Accessed Jan 26, 2022.
Creatine Nitrate and Caffeine Alone and Co‐ingested on Cognition, Readiness to Perform, and Sleep Quality
Authors: Newton Andrew , Koozehchian Majid S. , Mabrey Gina , Forbes Scott , Haddad Monoem , Naderi Alireza 
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUNDCaffeine and creatine nitrate are two purported supplements that may alter cognitive function. The primary purpose was to examine the impacts of each supplement ingested individually and co‐ingested on cognitive performance. A secondary purpose was to explore the effects of caffeine and creatine nitrate alone and co‐ingested on subjective feelings of readiness and sleep quality. METHODS: In a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled cross over study, 12 resistance‐trained participants (22±1 y; 180.0±9.5 cm; 85.9±15.1 kg) completed 4 conditions in random order: creatine nitrate (CN: 5 g/day + 0.675 g/day of maltodextrin), caffeine (CAF: 400 mg/day + 5 g/day of maltodextrin), CN+CAF (5 g/day of creatine nitrate + 400 mg/day of caffeine), and placebo (PL: 5.4 g/day of maltodextrin). Supplements were ingested for 7 days with a 7‐day washout period between conditions. Before and after supplementation, participants completed a Stroop color‐word test, in addition to a readiness to perform a visual analog scale and a sleep quality questionnaire (sleep latency and duration). The readiness to perform the questionnaire assessed sleep, vigor, optimism, energy, appetite, and soreness. Data were analyzed using a two‐way (within‐within) analysis of variance (p≤0.05) with a Tukey’s post hoc when appropriate. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction for the Stroop color‐word interference (p=0.049), with the post hoc revealing that CN+CAF was superior to CN alone (CN+CAF: 65.9 ± 17.3; CN: 56.8 ± 10.8, p=0.007); however, no other conditions were significantly different. There was no interaction or main effects for the readiness to perform questionnaire or sleep quality (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: CAF+CN appears to be superior for cognitive performance compared to CN alone. Overall, neither supplement ingested individually or together altered subjective readiness to perform or sleep quality.
A Pilot Anatomy‐based Teacher Training Curriculum for Medical Students
Authors: Proffitt James V. 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundNumerous medical education training programs are currently implemented internationally to train residents and future academic physicians for teaching duties, many of which use peer‐teaching in anatomy as a major component. The length of these programs and the degree to which they provide both teaching practice and generalized training in medical educational competencies varies widely. Conversely, teacher training programs aimed at anatomy graduate students have a robust balance of in‐class practice and out‐of‐class professional development but take place over a longer timescale. With unscheduled curricular time at a premium in most medical programs, developing comprehensive training courses that can be administered over an accelerated timescale and provide generalizable professional skills in medical education is essential.InterventionIn summer of 2021 I implemented a 6‐week pilot program for developing practical teaching and medical education skills in undergraduate medical students. The program consisted of an in‐class component where students performed daily peer teaching in a summer graduate‐level anatomy course and out‐of‐class professional development including training on educational methods, peer evaluations of student‐made materials, and reflective exercises.Assessment5 students were enrolled in the pilot program, 3 of which completed a 1‐5 Likert Scale, IRB‐approved survey after completion. The 22‐question survey measured pre‐and‐post program perceived confidence in 4 skill categories: anatomy knowledge (4 questions), teaching and assessment (5 questions), communication (9 questions), and educational research and innovation (4 questions). Although current survey sample lacks enough statistical power for formal nonparametric tests, initial student responses indicate improved self‐reported confidence in all 4 areas. Educational research and innovation showed the highest average increase (+2.4), followed by teaching and assessment (+2) anatomy knowledge (+1.58) and communication (+1.47).Significance & ConclusionWith the caveat that limited data are available, students’ perceived confidence increased in all skill areas following participation in the training program. Additional longitudinal follow up will be needed to further determine the utility derived from the course pre‐and‐post residency. If successful, this course may serve as a model for both medical student and anatomical educator training courses that can be deployed on shorter timescales.
Triiodothyronine Improves Contractile Function of Hypoxic/Reoxygenated Human Right Atrial Tissue
Authors: Kuthan Philipp , Eickelmann Chantal , Thielmann Matthias , Ruhparwar Arjang , Heusch Gerd , Kleinbongard Petra 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundIn patients with acute myocardial infarction, the one‐year mortality remains at 7‐15% despite successful interventional reperfusion. Thus, innovative treatment strategies beyond reperfusion are needed. In isolated perfused rat hearts, triiodothyronine (T3), when given during early reperfusion in a supraphysiological concentration, improves left ventricular function and reduces infarct size (Basic Res Cardiol 2021;116:27).AimTo investigate whether or not such acute, non‐genomic effects of T3 also protect human myocardium.MethodsWe isolated right atrial trabeculae from patients undergoing routine coronary artery bypass grafting and investigated the effect of T3 on contractile function during hypoxia/reoxygenation. Trabeculae (≥ 3 mm length, ≤ 1 mm diameter) were isolated in cardioplegic buffer and transferred to Tyrode buffer. Electrically initiated (1 Hz) developed force of contraction (mN/mm2) was recorded for 10 min at baseline (95% O2 – 5% CO2, glucose). Hypoxia/reoxygenation (60 min/30 min) was induced by changing the buffer gas supply and composition and by increasing the stimulation rate (95% N2 – 5% CO2, choline chloride, 3 Hz) and returning back to baseline. T3 (500 µg/l) or NaOH (as solvent control), respectively, was administered A) during hypoxia and reoxygenation (n=11 vs. n=10) or B) 15 min before and during reoxygenation (n=12 vs. n=14).ResultsAt baseline, before T3 or NaOH treatment, the contractile function of trabeculae was comparable (mN/mm2: 15.4±3.5, 13.8±4.4 in protocol A, and 14.5±4.1, 13.7±4.0 in protocol B, respectively). T3 improved the contractile function during reoxygenation, irrespectively of whether given continuously (A) or just before and during reoxygenation (B; see Figure).ConclusionT3 protects patient myocardium: contractile function is improved during reoxygenation in right atrial trabeculae. This bioassay will now permit an identification of causally involved cardioprotective signaling molecules of such non‐genomic protection in human tissue by T3.
Calcium Signaling in Trauma: Increased Intracellular Calcium Flux in the Severely Injured
Authors: Schaid Terry , Mitra Sanchayita , DeBot Margot , Cralley Alexis , Erickson Christopher , Dabertrand Fabrice , Fontaine Jackson , D'Alessandro Angelo , Hansen Kirk , Jones Kenneth , Sauaia Angela , Banerjee Anirban , Silliman Christopher , Moore Ernest , Cohen Mitchell 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionThe pathogenesis of organ dysfunction following traumatic injury involves endothelial barrier disruption, and plasma from severely injured patients increases endothelial permeability in vitro. Many endothelial cell (EC) functions entail changes in intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentrations, and multiple inflammatory mediators have been shown to induce EC barrier disruption in a Ca2+ dependent manner. However, study of Ca2+ signaling in trauma remains limited. Our objective was to investigate the role of intracellular Ca2+ signaling in trauma pathology. We hypothesized that ex vivo plasma from injured patients would induce intracellular EC Ca2+ flux and do so to a greater magnitude in more severely injured patients.MethodsBlood was collected from injured patients at a single, urban Level I Trauma Center. Patients were categorized by minimal injury without shock (Group 1: ISS<15 + base excess >‐6mEq/L; n=3) and severe injury with shock (Group 2: ISS>15 + base excess <‐6mEq/L; n=4). Human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells were grown on culture inserts and pre‐incubated with Fluo‐4 Ca2+ indicator. Plasma was diluted to concentrations previously used for in vitro permeability assays and flowed over EC’s under physiologic conditions for five minutes. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize and quantify intracellular Ca2+ flux. Thrombin was used as a positive control for inducing Ca2+ flux. We used Prism software to calculate areas under curves (AUC) and unpaired t‐tests to compare group means.ResultsCompared to Group 1 plasma, Group 2 induced greater calcium flux, which was sustained for a longer period of time, corresponding to greater AUC for total intracellular calcium flux (P<0.05, Figure).ConclusionsEx vivo plasma from more severely injured trauma patients increases intracellular Ca2+ flux in EC’s. These data suggest Ca2+signaling may play a role in trauma‐induced endotheliopathy and present as a therapeutic target. Our study lays the groundwork for additional investigation to elucidate sources of Ca2+ in this setting as well as identify plasma mediators of both Ca2+ flux and endothelial permeability.
Quantification of Learning Gains in a Science CURE: Leveraging Learning Objectives to Substantiate and Validate the Benefits of Experiential Education
Authors: Keating Rachel , Saco Vertiz Luzcarime , Manly Victor , Sastry Akshata , De Santanu , Sikora Arthur K. 
Published: May 2022

Course‐based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) aim to provide college students with hands‐on experiences to develop research skills and complex thinking. Development of these abilities is invaluable as students undertake further education and begin critical professions. Regardless of eventual career aspirations, CUREs make it possible for every student to experience the enchantment of science in its authentic form. Performing research serves to galvanize inquiring minds that serve as role models for future generations of scientists. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines as a whole suffer from high rates of student attrition. Notably, students from underrepresented groups enter STEM disciplines at similar rates and with similar interest levels as White students, but do not persist at the same rates. CUREs have proven to be an indispensable model to expose every student, regardless of race, socioeconomic status or family obligations, to the process of science first hand. While many CURE curricula are freely available online, faculty are hesitant to adopt this new style of teaching. Using established anticipated learning outcomes (ALO) designed specifically for the Biochemistry Authentic Student Inquiry Laboratory (BASIL) CURE, this study aims to gauge student learning objective mastery quantitatively. Likert scale‐based analysis is employed to evaluate the level of content mastery student responses demonstrate. Assignment questions were designed to correspond to the most critical learning objectives, as identified by BASIL faculty. Researchers spent significant effort designing and refining laboratory assignment questions that correspond to and can reliability and consistently to gage mastery of the ALOs.Data of student mastery spanning 4 semesters will be discussed. Students showed significant learning gains in all four semesters/modalities. Greater mastery of bioinformatic ALOs during remote learning shows quality education can be enhanced and improved by technology. The student’s mastery of wet‐lab ALOs coincided with our findings that lab courses need enhanced strategies to teach critical STEM lab‐research skills in an online setting. Novel assessment and instruction strategies targeted to learning mastery gaps identified as part of this work will pave the way for wider CURE adoption. Ultimately, serving as a platform to expose every undergraduate student to vital STEM research experiences.
Proper cell‐to‐cell communication relies on signal coordination, and signal coordination relies on transcription fidelity
Authors: Zhang Shu 
Published: May 2022

Cryptic transcription is the process by which transcripts are initiated at intragenic promoters. Emerging studies indicate that transcription fidelity relies on the suppression of cryptic transcription, and this process is fine tuned in concert with signaling proteins and transcription regulators. The yeast gene STE11 is particularly important in dictating signal coordination and is well known to undergo cryptic transcription. The product of this gene, Ste11, is a protein kinase that is upstream of multiple MAP kinases, including one that promotes mating (Fus3) and another needed for adaptation to osmotic stress (Hog1). Both pathways are conserved in humans, but yeast has advantages that include unequalled genetic tractability.Our hypothesis is that cells exposed to different and simultaneous external stimuli undergo adaptations that include cryptic transcription. In particular, we propose that yeast exposed to mating pheromone and osmotic stress prioritize the osmosensing pathway. We propose further that Ste11 coordinates both mating and osmosensing pathways by 1) cryptic transcription and expression of the gene and 2) phosphorylation, activation or inactivation of the MAPKs Fus3 and Hog1. We directly measured Ste11 cryptic transcripts and protein products after stimulation of both pathways. We also monitored phosphorylation and transcriptional outputs of the MAPKs in yeast strains that increase or decrease cryptic transcription of STE11, and upon stimulation of one or both pathways.Our data indicate that cryptic Ste11 is promoted when the mating pathway is active. Furthermore, cryptic transcription elevated the osmosensing pathway and prolonged Hog1 activity. Our data indicate that cryptic transcription regulates MAPK signaling and suggest that cells use cryptic transcription as one of the strategies to coordinate responses to multiple stimuli.
Brain Structural and Functional Connectivity in Collegiate Endurance Athletes
Authors: Tarumi Takashi , Fukuie Marina , Ohyama‐Byun Keigo , Maeda Seiji , Sugawara Jun 
Published: May 2022

High‐intensity endurance training elicits profound cardiopulmonary adaptations, but its impact on the central nervous system, particularly the brain neuronal connectivity, remains unclear.PURPOSETo compare the structural and functional brain connectivity between endurance athletes and age‐ and sex‐matched sedentary adults.METHODSFifteen long‐distance male runners (20±1 years) in the university track‐and‐field team and 16 sedentary male students (21±2 years) underwent brain imaging with a 3‐tesla MRI system. Structural brain connectivity was quantified by fractional anisotropy (FA) calculated from diffusion tensor images and analyzed by tract‐of‐interest (TOI) and whole‐brain voxelwise statistics. Functional brain connectivity was assessed by seed‐based network analysis of the resting‐state functional MRI data. Brain volume and cortical thickness were also assessed by T1‐weighted images.RESULTSEndurance athletes had the maximal oxygen uptake of 69.5±3.1 ml/kg/min that is higher than 90 percentiles based on the American College of Sports Medicine guideline. TOI analysis exhibited that FA in the anterior thalamic radiation was significantly higher in the athlete group than the sedentary group (0.421±0.019 vs. 0.397±0.025, p=0.007). Furthermore, voxelwise analysis showed that athletes had a significant elevation of FA across the white matter, including the anterior portions of the corpus callosum, internal capsule, and corona radiata. Within the default mode network, athletes had stronger functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate and the right frontal pole than sedentary participants (p=0.0419 with false discovery rate correction). Regional brain volume and cortical thickness were similar between the athlete and sedentary groups (p>0.05).CONCLUSIONOur findings suggest that high‐intensity endurance training is associated greater brain structural and functional connectivity in young men.
The design and development of cardio‐physiology domino as an interactive media to improve student’s learning achievements
Authors: Irfannuddin Muhammad , Zulissetiana Eka Febri , Santoso Budi , Susilawati Susilawati , Alexander Mailan , Aminuddin Muhammad 
Published: May 2022

Physiology is a complex course that summarizes various aspects of basic medical science. Physiology is integrative, and requires logical causal thinking. Therefore, the innovation of interactive learning methods centered on learners is needed. An interactive physiology domino cards has been developed. The inventors focus on the topics of the heart system.As inspired by dominoes, a set of 28 cardio‐physiology cards (CPC) contains 56 statements has been developed. The development was conducted through 16 steps of 4D model. Stands of define, design, development, and dissemination provided by Thiagarajan (1974). Physical prototype has been ready and has been tested to measure knowledge and practically level among medical students. Students were divided into experiments and controls. The experiment group (n=32) was conducting learning through dominoes in addition to lectures. The control group (n=31) was following learning through lectures and open questions independent tasks.The MCQ‐test showed that the domino group had a better level of knowledge than the controls (p<0.001). The average n‐gain of the domino group was 68.3±7.1, higher than the control group of 54.4±6.7. The Likert’s scale of practicality feedback from experiment group gave a score between near to firmly agree (4.5±0.6).Cardio‐physiology domino was effective to improve student outcomes. The domino also practical as a fun media of learning. Currently, the prototype is being developed in the form of a web‐based computer program with a JavaScript programming language supported by HTML and CSS.
Using molecular modeling to identify potential anti‐tubulin compounds
Authors: Evans Blake A. , Cole Kathryn 
Published: May 2022

In 2020 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported cancer as the second leading cause of death in the United States with over 598,000 cases. Therefore, the need for new innovative cancer drugs is ever‐growing. Tubulin, a protein crucial to cell dynamics, has been the target for many anti‐cancer drugs since the 1960’s. Most anti‐tubulin compounds to date, however, are complex molecules that have issues with solubility, toxicity, multi‐drug resistance, and low efficacy amongst various cancers. The severity of these problems highlights the need to develop a new generation of anti‐tubulin molecules.Previously we synthesized a small vicinal diaryl heterocycle, PY‐407‐C, which showed potent antiproliferative activity against U‐937 cancer cells. Further investigations in vitrodetermined the mode of inhibition is by anti‐tubulin polymerization. Analysis of the known binding sites of tubulin led us to hypothesize PY‐407‐C binds in the tubulin colchicine‐binding site due the similarities of having vicinal diaryl groups. Initial molecular modeling studies were then carried out in AutoDock Vina which strongly supported our predictions. Most significantly, PY‐407‐C makes many hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions within a known hydrophobic pocket of the beta‐tubulin subunit congruent to colchicine, such as L242, L248, L252, L255, T314, V315, I318, N350, K352, and A354.Utilizing these inhibitory docking studies, we hypothesize analogs that theoretically have stronger binding energies than colchicine or PY‐407‐C will also make stronger inhibitors. This allows for an efficient system where synthetic targets are first determined through computational studies, to which they would be synthesized and then tested for biological activity. More specifically, by analyzing interactions between our potential inhibitors and nearby residues, we can make informed decisions on which changes will lead to stronger binding. For example, this methodology led to the design of a new compound for synthesis containing a large hydrophobic propyl‐benzene substituent, which when simulated gave the highest binding affinity of compounds tested thus far.