Using whiteboards to support college students' learning of complex physiological concepts.

Research underscores the importance of retrieval-based practice and application of knowledge for meaningful learning. However, the didactic lecture format continues to persist in traditional university physiology courses. A strategy called whiteboarding, where students use handheld dry erase boards and work in small groups to actively retrieve, discuss, and apply concepts presented in the lecture, has the potential to address challenges associated with actively engaging students in science courses for greater learning. The purpose of this study was to empirically examine the potential benefits of whiteboarding for increasing students' understanding of animal physiology concepts. Student performance on physiology questions assessing concepts taught using lecture only vs. concepts taught using lecture and whiteboarding were compared within the term that whiteboarding was used, as well as across whiteboard and lecture-only terms taught by the same instructor. Results showed that when whiteboarding was incorporated in the course, student performance on items that assessed concepts corresponding to the whiteboarding activities were significantly higher compared with performance on items that assessed concepts taught through lecture only. These patterns in student performance were found within and across terms. Taken together, findings point to whiteboarding as an effective tool that can be integrated in traditional lecture courses to promote students' understanding of physiology.

[Sporadic progressive mucinous histiocytosis]. / Histiocytose mucineuse progressive sporadique.

BACKGROUND: Progressive mucinous histiocytosis is a very rare, benign, non-Langerhans' cell histiocytosis limited to the skin. This disorder has been observed solely in women, with the exception of three cases in male patients, and most cases are hereditary. The hereditary forms begin in childhood, with sporadic cases occurring later, and it is characterized by numerous papules of slow progression. The aetiology and mode of genetic transmission remain unclear. We report one sporadic case of progressive mucinous histiocytosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 33-year-old woman presented with a 15-year history of multiple small purplish asymptomatic papules on the outside of both legs. There was no history of similar cases in her family. The dermatologists she consulted suggested a diagnosis of lichen planus. A punch biopsy was performed and revealed dermal accumulation of histiocytes with abundant mucin deposition. DISCUSSION: Seventeen hereditary cases in seven families, all of which concerned women except for three males, and five sporadic cases have been described to date. The clinical and histological presentation is typical. Histopathology shows dermal accumulation of histiocytes with abundant mucin deposition. The ultrastructural aspect (intracytoplasmic phospholipid deposits) and progressive extension suggest a disorder similar to that observed in lysosomal diseases. However, primary proliferation of macrophages in response to an unknown stimulus cannot be ruled out. At present, there is no treatment.

Detection of Angiostrongylus vasorum by quantitative PCR in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in Belgian dogs.

OBJECTIVES: To describe Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a series of clinical cases over a 12-month period, report the use of quantitative PCR on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and investigate the -possibility of previously undiagnosed angiostrongylosis in a retrospective cohort of coughing and healthy dogs. METHODS: Pulmonary angiostrongylosis was diagnosed based on compatible clinical signs and positive quantitative PCR on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and/or positive Baermann examination. Quantitative PCR was also performed retrospectively on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid from 65 dogs (55 coughing and 10 healthy dogs), examined between 2008 and 2014; results of Baermann examination were also available in 33 dogs. RESULTS: Seven young adult dogs from Southeastern Belgium with respiratory clinical signs were diagnosed with angiostrongylosis between March 2013 and April 2014. Positive broncho-alveolar lavage fluid quantitative PCR results and positive Baermann examination were obtained in 5/5 and 2/5 dogs, respectively. In the remaining two dogs, only Baermann analysis was performed. Among the retrospective cohorts, only one broncho-alveolar lavage fluid from a coughing dog was quantitative PCR-positive whereas all faecal samples were negative. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Until recently, canine angiostrongylosis was not reported in Belgium. It should now be included in the differential diagnosis of coughing Belgian dogs. Identification of affected dogs may be aided by quantitative PCR on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid.

Thelazia callipaeda ocular infection in two dogs in Belgium.

Nematode worms were retrieved from the left eyes of two dogs presented for unilateral ocular discharge in Belgium. Morphological and molecular identification were performed and the parasites were identified as Thelazia callipaeda. The history suggested that the infection had been acquired in south-western France and southern Italy where the disease has been observed regularly for the last 6 and 12 years, respectively. In these two regions, the disease is considered endemic and spreading. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of canine thelaziosis in Belgium.

Three cases of Parafilaria bovicola infection in Belgium, and a few recent epidemiological observations on this emergent disease.

Parafilariosis is a vectorborne parasitic disease caused by the development of the nematode Parafilaria bovicola in the subcutaneous and intermuscular connective tissues of cattle. On February 28, 2012, the so-called bleeding spots were observed in two heifers and one bull in a cattle herd close to Namur (Belgium). The animals had been treated in December with an injectable ivermectin/closantel solution (Closamectin pour-on, Norbrook Lab) at the recommended dosage. Samples of serohaemorrhagic exudate and blood, as well as skin biopsies, were collected. Embryonated eggs of P bovicola in the serohaemorrhagic exudate and high levels of creatine phosphokinase were detected. Clinically affected animals were treated with injectable ivermectin (Ivomec, Merial) at 200 µg/kg. Two epidemiological phone surveys were carried out in the south of Belgium (Wallonia) in order to estimate the geographical distribution of this condition since it was first described and published in 2009. A standardised questionnaire was used and the results were analysed. Most outbreaks were recorded in the provinces of Liege and Luxembourg. The initial source of infection is still unknown, but this parasitic infection is clearly spreading from the initial Belgian outbreak site.

An optimized DNA extraction and multiplex PCR for the detection of Fasciola sp. in lymnaeid snails.

This study deals with the development and validation of an original PCR protocol to assess the presence of Fasciola hepatica in Galba truncatula its main intermediate host in Western Europe. In the present study two DNA extraction techniques are compared and a new multiplex PCR is described. The Chelex(®) DNA extraction technique showed to be more appropriate than the classical Phenol/Chloroform/Proteinase K based method because of the absence of toxic organic solvent, shorter duration and lower cost, and a higher reproducibility regarding DNA concentrations and wavelength ratios. The multiplex PCR was set up to amplify the lymnaeid internal transcribed spacer 2 sequence (500-600 bp) that act as an internal control and a 124 bp Fasciola sp. sequence that is repeated more than 300,000 times in fluke whole genome. Ninety six snails were pooled and 6 snails (6.25%) found positive for Fasciola sp. The limit of detection is lower than the minimal biological infestation unit (one miracidium). DNA extracts from Paramphistomum daubneyi, Dicrocoelium lanceolatum, and Fascioloides magna did not cross react.

Fasciola hepatica: an assessment on the vectorial capacity of Radix labiata and R. balthica commonly found in Belgium.

A previous study conducted in Belgium revealed that genetic material of Fasciola sp. was present in snail species belonging to the genus Radix. Here, these snails were collected and identified by DNA-based techniques as Radix labiata and Radix balthica. These two species and Galba truncatula (the major intermediate host in Europe) were experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica. The resulting metacercariae were fed to rats and the infection was monitored using several techniques. Microscopy revealed the presence of larval stages in 78.3, 45, and 6.25% of G. truncatula, R. labiata, and R. balthica snails, respectively. These results were confirmed by a PCR that amplifies a Fasciola sp. specific sequence. Furthermore, this PCR was found to be more sensitive than microscopic examination. R. labiata shed fewer metacercariae than G. truncatula but these were as infective to rats as those shed by G. truncatula. This study demonstrates that R. labiata may act as an incidental intermediate host for F. hepatica in Belgium.

Dietary carotenoids predict plumage coloration in wild house finches.

Carotenoid pigments are a widespread source of ornamental coloration in vertebrates and expression of carotenoid-based colour displays has been shown to serve as an important criterion in female mate choice in birds and fishes. Unlike other integumentary pigments, carotenoids cannot be synthesized; they must be ingested. Carotenoid-based coloration is condition-dependent and has been shown to be affected by both parasites and nutritional condition. A controversial hypothesis is that the expression of carotenoid-based coloration in wild vertebrates is also affected by the amount and types of carotenoid pigments that are ingested. We tested this carotenoid-limitation hypothesis by sampling the gut contents of moulting house finches and comparing the concentration of carotenoid pigments in their gut contents with the colour of growing feathers. We found a positive association: males that ingested food with a higher concentration of carotenoid pigments grew brighter ornamental plumage. We also compared the concentration of carotenoids in the gut contents of males from two subspecies of house finches with small and large patches of carotenoid-based coloration. Consistent with the hypothesis that carotenoid access drives the evolution of carotenoid-based colour displays, males from the population with limited ornamentation had much lower concentrations of carotenoids in their gut contents than males from the population with extensive ornamentation. These observations support the idea that carotenoid intake plays a part in determining the plumage brightness of male house finches.

Usefulness of basement membrane markers in tumoural pathology.

The distribution of basement membrane (BM) markers, type IV collagen, laminin (LM), heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSP) and fibronectin (FN) has been studied by indirect immunofluorescence using specific antibodies, in tumoural pathology. The disrupted pattern of BM by these markers in severe dysplastic lesions of the breasts, the bronchi and uterine cervix provides evidence for malignancy. In invasive carcinomas, there is generally a loss of these BM components, with FN persisting in the stroma. The loss of these markers in BM is concomitant and superimposable in double staining studies. In embryonic tumours, the presence of BM markers is related to a mesenchymal differentiation of malignant cells with pericellular FN and/or maturation towards organoid structures with BM. In sarcomas, there is a loss of the pericellular BM staining around most transformed muscular and Schwann cells and adipocytes. The persistence of this labelling in some well-differentiated areas can help to diagnose the nature of the sarcoma. The persistence of intercellular filaments of FN corresponds to the mesenchymal and/or sarcomatous nature of undifferentiated anaplastic proliferations.

[Basement membranes and tumor pathology]. / Membranes basales et pathologie tumorale.

The distribution of four basement membrane components, type IV collagen (C IV), laminin (LM), heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSP) and fibronection (FN) has been studied by indirect immunofluorescence using specific antibodies, in benign and malignant proliferations of the mammary gland and in soft tissue tumors. In breast carcinomas, specially intraductal cancers, there is a progressive and concomitant loss of these macromolecules around tumoral cells, preceding an overt tumoral invasion. In sarcomas, FN is frequently seen between malignant cells but the regular pericellular labeling observed around normal muscular cells, Schwann cells and adipocytes is absent. Nevertheless, the persistance of some pericellular staining with anti-C IV, anti-LM, anti-HSP and anti-FN antisera, in most differentiated territories of liposarcomas, leiomyosarcomas and neurifibrosarcomas can help to the diagnosis of such lesions.

Distribution of type IV collagen in benign and malignant epithelial proliferations. An indirect immunofluorescence study on the breasts, the lungs, and the skin.

The distribution of type IV collagen in benign and malignant epithelial proliferations of the breasts, the lungs, and the skin was studied by an indirect immunofluorescence technique using specific antiserum. In benign lesions of the breasts, the staining for type IV collagen was present in all vascular and glandular basement membranes. In basal cell carcinoma of the skin, the basement membrane labeling was also found to be continuous. In malignant lesions of the breasts, the lungs, and the skin, staining for type IV collagen was seen only around well-differentiated glandular structures and in close contact to basal epidermal cells. This staining appeared as an irregular network. Of particular interest was the localization of type IV collagen in non-infiltrating lesions of the breasts and the bronchi where discontinuity in the basement membrane staining was observed. In contrast, there were no disruptions of basement membrane labeling in skin senile keratosis and in Bowen's disease. We conclude that the loss of type IV collagen seen in malignant proliferations in our study is related to overt or potential tumor cell infiltration and aggressiveness.

Distribution of laminin, a basement membrane glycoprotein in epithelial proliferations. A preliminary study in the breast, the lungs and uterine cervix.

Distribution of laminin, a basement membrane glycoprotein, was studied by an indirect immunofluorescence technique in benign, dysplastic and malignant lesions of breast, lungs and uterine cervix as compared with normal tissues. Laminin was present with a linear and continuous staining in epithelial and vascular basement membranes in normal tissues, benign and dysplastic lesions and in in situ carcinomas of the uterine cervix. By contrast, laminin was absent or very irregularly distributed around malignant infiltrating tumoral clusters. Of particular interest was the linear and disrupted labeling observed in intra-epithelial carcinomas of breast and bronchi. Loss of laminin in these conditions could be related to a potential tumoral invasion.

Distribution of fibronectin in diabetic skin.

Distribution of the fibronectin (FN) present in the forearm skin was studied in 23 controls and 34 insulin dependent diabetics. All the subjects were lean males under 50 years. After biopsy FN was studied by an indirect immunofluorescence technic. A semi-quantitative evaluation was attempted by giving a score to the fluorescent intensity read at the three following sites: vascular basement membranes, papillary dermis, and the dermo-epidermal basement membranes. We found an increased amount of FN-immunofluorescence in diabetic skins. This increase was seen not only in vascular basement membranes but also at the two other sites. No correlation was found between apparent FN levels and the duration or equilibration of diabetes. These results are consistent with other findings of the literature concerning the involvement of the intercellular matrix in diabetes.

[Distribution of fibronectin in the skin of patients with scleroderma]. / Distribution de la fibronectine dans la peau des sujets sclérodermiques.

The distribution of fibronectin (FN), a major glycoproteic component of extra-cellular matrix, has been studies by an indirect immunofluorescence technique in the skin of 50 normal controls and 19 sclerodermic patients. In the normal skin, FN was present mainly in the papillary dermis, as thin strips and less abundant in reticular dermis, bound to collagen bundles. In scleroderma skins, FN was increased in the deep dermis of extensive and evolutive lesions (11 cases). In an other hand, the distribution of FN was not modified in stabilized lesions (8 cases). We conclude that the detection of FN in the scleroderma skin is an useful marker of the activity of the systemic sclerosis process and we discuss the possible role of FN as a primary matrix for organization of the collagenous connective tissue during the sclerosing process.

[Interference of anaesthesia and transfusion on rheological parameters (author's transl)]. / Interférence de l'anesthésie et de la transfusion sur les paramètres rhéologiques.

This study was designed to investigate the rheological and plasmatic parameters from multiple transfused patients and patients undergoing surgery non transfused. Blood filtrability compared with the erythrocyte electrophoretic mobility shows the perturbance resulting from the delay of conservation and the importance of the transfused blood. The 2-3 DPG, ATP and oxygen-hemoglobin affinity suggest the excellent recuperation of the erythrocyte metabolic function in vitro. The rheological parameters seems to be a good mean in the supervision of red massive transfusion blood cell.