Basic Science Information Research Articles

Gelatin methacryloyl biomaterials and strategies for trophoblast research

Rising maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are a significant public health issue that must be addressed; however, much of the basic science information required to target pregnancy-related pathologies have not yet been defined. Placental and blastocyst implantation research are challenging to perform in humans because of the early time frame of these processes in pregnancy and limited access to first trimester tissues. As a result, there is a critical need to develop model systems capable of studying these processes in increasing mechanistic detail. With the recent passing of the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 and advances in tissue engineering methods, three-dimensional microphysiological model systems offer an exciting opportunity to model early stages of placentation. Here, we detail the synthesis, characterization, and application of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel platforms for studying trophoblast behavior in three-dimensional hydrogel systems. Photopolymerization strategies to fabricate GelMA hydrogels render the hydrogels homogeneous in terms of structure and stable under physiological temperatures, allowing for rigorous fabrication of reproducible hydrogel variants. Unlike other natural polymers that have minimal opportunity to tune their properties, GelMA hydrogel properties can be tuned across many axes of variation, including polymer degree of functionalization, gelatin bloom strength, light exposure time and intensity, polymer weight percent, photoinitiator concentration, and physical geometry. In this work, we aim to inspire and instruct the field to utilize GelMA biomaterial strategies for future placental research. With enhanced microphysiological models of pregnancy, we can now generate the basic science information required to address problems in pregnancy.

The Universal Theory for Multiscale Modelling of Infectious Disease Dynamics

The replication-transmission relativity theory, currently used to inform the development of multiscale models of infectious disease dynamics, needs a revision and extension to accommodate new basic science and clinical information about infectious disease dynamics. In this article, we revise and extend the replication-transmission relativity theory into a new scientific theory of infectious disease dynamics called the universal theory for the multiscale modelling of infectious disease dynamics. This new theory states that, for every host–pathogen interaction that results in an infectious disease system, there is no privileged or absolute scale of a disease system form that would determine the dynamics of the infectious disease system, only interactions between the scales of a level of organisation of the pathogen-centred disease system form and the scales of the corresponding levels of organisation of the host-centred disease system form. We further explain the utility of this theory, which is reflected in its flexibility and ability to incorporate new information and explain previous information that could not be accounted for by the replication-transmission relativity theory of infectious disease dynamics.

Highlights from the 12th congress of the international pediatric transplant association, Austin, Texas 2023.

The 12th Congress of the (IPTA) event in Austin, Texas, had over 400 attendees from 40 countries. The attendees included a diverse mix of pediatric transplant professionals from several specialties including physicians, surgeons, scientists, nurses, organ procurement personnel, advance transplant providers, pharmacists, administrators, fellows, residents, and students. The 4-day event featured nearly 200 abstracts, 90 oral presentations, 24 mini oral presentations, and more than 80 poster presentations. All of these presentations encouraged vibrant discussions and supported the exchange of new clinical and basic science information regarding clinical care management, basic science research, socioeconomic, and ethical and organ donation issues relevant to pediatric transplantation. We briefly describe here the highest scored presented abstracts at IPTA 2023 that are divided into two categories: clinical and basic sciences.

Integrating Basic Science into Endocrine Clinical Electives.

Practical and effective methods to integrate basic science material into clinical electives are lacking. We developed a primer for medical students participating in an ambulatory endocrinology elective highlighting pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and management of disorders. Students felt better prepared for the elective and mean scores on the endocrine knowledge test improved (7.5 (SD = 2.4) to 9.6 (SD = 2.2), p < 0.001). The endocrine primer required minimal faculty time and resources while integrating basic science information into a clinical elective, standardizing students' knowledge, and enhancing student satisfaction with the elective. This innovative primer lays the groundwork to expand to other specialty electives and institutions.

Structure and Spatial Distribution of the Abundance of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Spondias mombin&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L. Populations in the Subequatorial Zone of Benin (West Africa)

Conservation and sustainable use strategies for reliable management plans of valuable species are lacking due to the gap in basic scientific information on their structure and status. The objectives of this work were to study the structural characteristics and the spatial distribution of the abundance of <i>Spondias mombin</i> L. populations in the subequatorial zone of Benin. The data collection was based on the tessellation of study zone with ArcGIS analysis tools. The grid cell used was a square of 100 m side (1ha of surface). The occurrence of species in each grid was obtained using GBIF database. One hundred and seventy-five (175) trees of <i>S. mombin</i> were sampled through the four Phytodistricts of study zone. The main dendrometric variables measured from these individuals were diameter at breast height (1.30 m above ground level) and height. The parameters such as density, mean quadratic diameter, basal area and mean Lorey height were calculated. To study the spatial abundance distribution of <i>S. mombin,</i> we used Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation method to realize abundance map from the occurrences. The results of structure showed a density of 3 trees/ha. The basal area was 1500 cm²/ha and the mean quadratic diameter was 25.10 cm. The mean of Lorey height obtained was 12 m<i>.</i> The diameter structure showed a predominance of bell-shape distribution with a relative abundance of young individuals. The low numbers of individuals in some diameter classes, the erratic distribution and the presence of old population of <i>S. mombin</i> indicate the strong anthropogenic pressure on the species. The abundance map showed that the species was present in all the phytodistricts and covers 93% of the study area’s municipalities. The conservation strategies, including both the species and its habitat, need to be developed to allow sustainable use of <i>S. mombin</i>.

Oviposition Preference and Age-Stage, Two-Sex Life Table Analysis of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Different Maize Varieties

Host plants play an important role in the growth, development, and reproduction of insects. However, only a few studies have reported the effects of maize varieties on the growth and reproduction of S. frugiperda. In this study, a free-choice test was used to evaluate the oviposition preferences of female adults on ten common maize varieties and ten special maize varieties. The population fitness of S. frugiperda on six different maize varieties was also examined using the age-stage, two-sex life table method. The results showed that S. frugiperda oviposited and completed its life cycle across all maize cultivars. Moreover, the S. frugiperda females exhibited a significantly higher oviposition preference on the special maize varieties than on the common maize varieties. The highest number of eggs and egg masses occurred on Baitiannuo and the lowest on Zhengdan 958. The egg + larval stage, preadult, pupal stage, adult, APOP, TPOP, and total longevity of S. frugiperda were significantly shorter on the special maize varieties than on the common maize varieties. The fecundity, oviposition days, pupal weight, and hatching rate of S. frugiperda were significantly higher on the special maize varieties than on the common maize varieties. Specifically, S. frugiperda had the highest fecundity, female, and male pupal weight on Baitiannuo. Moreover, the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) of S. frugiperda were the greatest on Baitiannuo, whereas the shortest mean generation time (T) occurred on Zaocuiwang. The lowest R0, r, and λ, and longest T occurred on Zhengdan 958, suggesting that Zhengdan 958 is a non-preferred host plant compared to the other tested maize varieties. The findings of this study can provide a reference for the rational planting of maize and provide basic scientific information for the management of S. frugiperda.

Plant Species Composition and Conservation Values at Dilla University Botanical and Ecotourism Garden, Dilla, Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a diverse topography with higher plant species composition and estimated to the higher proportion of endemic plant species. Currently, several factors drive natural forest destruction in the country, extensive agricultural land expansion triggered by increasing human population is probably the dominant force. The Dilla University Botanical and Ecotourism Garden was established targeting to rescue threatened flora from extinction, contribute towards conservation, and research on biodiversity and sustainable education as well as ecotourism development. The study was aimed to generate basic scientific information by identifying and documenting the formerly available plant species in to the garden and provide information for farther plant collection planning and research. Systematic sampling method was used to collect the vegetation data from 52 plots of 20 m × 20 m (400 m2) quadrats. To collect data for herbaceous plants, five 1 m × 1 m subplots were laid in each of the main plot, where four were at the corners and one at the centre. Vegetation classification was performed using R-programme version 3.6.1 software packages. Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index was used to calculate species diversity, richness, and evenness. A total of 408 plant species, including trees (30%), shrubs (25%), herb (30%), grass (6%), and 9% of other species, were collected. The identified species belong to 287 genera and 105 families. Out of this, 27 species of plants are endemic to Ethiopia and 72 plant species were screened as a medicinal plant used for the treatment of human diseases. Based on IUCN Red Data List, among the endemic plant species nineteen species were least concern; two were near threatened; two were endangered while four were vulnerable. Three vegetation community types were identified from the hierarchical clustering analysis. The result designates that Dilla University Botanical and Ecotourism Garden has high plant species composition and diversity with a good distribution. The higher composition of this ecologically, economically, and socially important plant species at its early stage makes the garden a unique garden in the country and realize to be a centre for research, education, and tourist destination.

Tadpoles of Central Amazonia (Amphibia: Anura).

Amazonian lowland rainforests epitomize, as few other biomes, the terrestrial and freshwater biological diversity of our planet. We provide here a comprehensive description of the larval anurans of Central Amazonia, and their natural history. We base our analyses on fieldwork conducted in six terra-firme rainforest and two várzea floodplain sites during ~60 months between 1990 and 2013, complemented with an examination of museum specimens and a review of published literature. Ninety-nine species of anurans are known to occur in Central Amazonia. Of these, 84 species (85%) have a free-swimming exotrophic larva, six species (6%) have a terrestrial endotrophic larva, one species has a terrestrial exotrophic larva (1%) and another seven species (7%) have direct development of eggs into froglets. The life cycle of one species (1%) remains unknown. We formally describe and illustrate the larval stage of 68 species (i.e., 75% of the species with a known larval stage), five of them previously unkown and nineteen never described for Central Amazonia. We compile, review and update information on species natural history including reproductive modes, habitat use, phenology, and species interactions including diet, predators, competitors and parasites. Finally, we assessed the ecomorphological diversity in the region by the application of a system inspired in Altig & Johnston (1989), later updated by Altig & McDiarmid (1999), which recognizes tadpole guilds based on a combination of morphological and natural history data. Basic scientific information presented in this monograph provide the essential background for further studies on the ecological and evolutionary forces shaping anuran Amazonian assemblages, and their conservation.

The Sheep as a Large Animal Model for the Investigation and Treatment of Human Disorders.

Simple SummaryWe review the value of large animal models for improving the translation of biomedical research for human application, focusing primarily on sheep.An essential aim of biomedical research is to translate basic science information obtained from preclinical research using small and large animal models into clinical practice for the benefit of humans. Research on rodent models has enhanced our understanding of complex pathophysiology, thus providing potential translational pathways. However, the success of translating drugs from pre-clinical to clinical therapy has been poor, partly due to the choice of experimental model. The sheep model, in particular, is being increasingly applied to the field of biomedical research and is arguably one of the most influential models of human organ systems. It has provided essential tools and insights into cardiovascular disorder, orthopaedic examination, reproduction, gene therapy, and new insights into neurodegenerative research. Unlike the widely adopted rodent model, the use of the sheep model has an advantage over improving neuroscientific translation, in particular due to its large body size, gyrencephalic brain, long lifespan, more extended gestation period, and similarities in neuroanatomical structures to humans. This review aims to summarise the current status of sheep to model various human diseases and enable researchers to make informed decisions when considering sheep as a human biomedical model.

SANATSAL ARAŞTIRMANIN BİLİMSEL NİTELİKLERİ ÜSTÜNE: SEÇİLMİŞ ÖRNEKLERLE BİR DEĞERLENDİRME

Son yıllarda uluslararası alanda sanatsal araştırma konusunda yapılan yayınların sayısının hızla arttığı görülmektedir. İlgili literatürde sanatsal araştırmanın hangi açılardan bilimsel yaklaşım ve yöntemlerle uyumlulaşabileceği konusu öne çıkan bir tartışma olagelmiştir. Bu bağlamda çalışmamızın esas amacı sanatsal araştırmaların bilimsel yeterlikler açısından değerlendirilebilmeleri için tanım ve ölçütler belirleyerek yapılan tartışmalara katkı sağlamaktır. Bu amaca ulaşmak için çalışmada önce yerleşik bilime ilişkin tanım, yöntemsel yaklaşım ve tartışmalar ele alınmış; katı ve sınırlayıcı bir bilim tanımından uzaklaşarak tüm bilim sahalarına ve bu arada sanat konusuna da uygun esnek bir bilim yaklaşımının gerekli olduğu savlanmıştır. Bu çerçevede bir araştırmanın ve araştırma raporunun bilimsel nitelik kazanması için temel düzeyde sahip olması gereken özellikler belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Daha sonra sanatsal araştırma literatürü ele alınarak sanatsal araştırma tanım ve türlerine ilişkin öneriler tartışılmıştır ve tipoloji önerisinde bulunulmuştur. İlgili literatür ışığında bir sanatsal araştırmanın bilimsel nitelik kazanması için konu/sorun sunumu, literatür ve katkı sunumu, yöntem sunumu, bulgu ve sonuç sunumunun olması gerektiği; ancak sorun sunumu, yöntem sunumu ve biçimsel açılardan sanat araştırmalarının yerleşik bilimsel çalışmalardan ayrılan yönleri olabileceği varsayımlarında bulunulmuştur. Ardından sanatla ilgili yükseköğrenim kurumlarının esas ilgi konusu olan “dar anlamda” sanat araştırmalarına örnek olabilecek, amaçlı örneklem yöntemi ile belirlenen, üç yayın incelenmiştir. Bir bilimsel çalışmada bulunması gerektiği varsayılan bilgi kategorilerinin örnek çalışmaların metinlerinde bulunup bulunmadığını, bulunuyorsa sunumunun nasıl yapıldığını sorgulayan bir niteliksel içerik analizi yapılmıştır. İncelenen çalışmalarda temel bilimsel bilgi kategorilerinin bulunduğu; ancak özellikle yöntem sunumu, bulgu sunumu ve biçimsel yapı açısından sanat araştırmalarının yerleşik bilimsel çalışmalardan farklı ve özgün görülebilecek yönleri olduğu bulgulanmıştır.

Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation Does Not Result in Full-Thickness Articular Cartilage Penetration: An Ex Vivo Bovine Investigation

PurposeTo evaluate the depth of penetration of manufacturer-recommended bipolar radiofrequency (BRF) output in healthy hyaline cartilage.MethodsTwo matched knees from a bovine specimen were harvested for immediate testing. BRF probes were used to treat the articular cartilage in a hydrated noncontact technique employing a 1-mm spacer on patellar, condylar, and trochlear surfaces. Two manufacturer-recommended ablate power settings were evaluated to analyze the effect of varying power outputs on the depth of penetration. Surfaces were randomized and treated with BRF ablate setting 3 (AB-3), 4 (AB-4), or left untreated as a control (12 grids each). Slices were extracted from treatment zones and subjected to fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide viability stains and analyzed with confocal light microscopy. A general linear model was used to determine whether variables such as ablation setting, cartilage location, and side significantly influenced depth of penetration (DoP) and cartilage thickness (Minitab 19, Chicago, IL). When significance was noted (P < .05), a post hoc-Tukey test was used to investigate specific differences.ResultsAB-3 had a 50.9% lower mean DoP than AB-4 (P = .006). The mean DoP was 237.9 ± 140.6 μm for AB-3 and 484.1 ± 267.0 μm for AB-4. Median DoP values were 243.2 ± 149.5 μm for AB-3, 51.2% lower than the 498.4 ± 286.0 μm for AB-4. The mean maximum DoP for AB-3 was 302.4 ± 167.8 μm, 50.6% lower than AB-4 value of 611.6 ± 299.1 μm. Analysis of the cartilage thickness confirmed there was no difference in overall cartilage thickness used for AB-3 versus AB-4 testing (P = .953).ConclusionsThe RF probe ablate power setting AB-3 demonstrated significantly less articular cartilage depth of penetration than the AB-4 setting in a healthy bovine model.Clinical RelevanceDebridement of chondral lesions with plasma BRF is of clinical interest. The presented study adds basic science information for those considering performing this technique.

Urbanization and water quality dynamics and their spatial correlation in coastal margins of mainland China

The urbanization of coastal margins and the resulting deterioration of coastal water environment have been a major concern, due to their substantial threat to the health and sustainability of coastal marine ecosystems. However, the spatiotemporal information about these two aspects and their correlation analysis are still lacking in China. This study quantitatively investigated the urbanization and water quality dynamics from 54 statistical units of coastal margins with a width of 40 km in mainland China, and examined the response characteristics of different water quality indicators to the coastal margin urbanization (CMU). Our results revealed that CMU generally shifted from low to medium/high levels nationwide in 2000–2013, with a 75% increase in the average urbanization index, while the nearshore water quality did not vary significantly over time, maintaining a medium level in the sequence of water quality from good to bad during the study period. The spatial heterogeneity of CMU and water quality distribution was evident. Yangtze River Estuary, Pearl River Estuary, Hangzhou Bay, Bohai Bay and the coastal provinces located here, including Shanghai, Tianjin, Zhejiang, and Guangdong, should receive more attention due to their excessive CMU and the worst coastal water quality. The indicators that characterize the overall state and eutrophication of water quality were found to be sensitive to CMU. Compared with coastal cities, coastal margins were stronger in terms of urbanization intensity and impact on coastal water quality. The findings will provide basic scientific information for decision-making on urbanization control and ecological restoration in coastal margins, and will also promote the understanding of the CMU process and its environmental impact from a continental-scale perspective.

Release behavior and mechanism of uranium and thorium from Ta-Nb tailings under simulated rainfall in Jiangxi Province, China.

Tantalum-niobium ore belongs to associated radioactive ore, which is accompanied by a certain amount of radioactive uranium and thorium. The remaining slag is enriched with a large number of radionuclides; after weathering, natural rainfall, and surface water scouring, radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium, and some heavy metal elements are exposed or washed into the soil, which poses a threat to the ecological environment and human health. In this study, for characterization analysis during, before, and after leaching, dynamic simulation experiment was carried out on a Ta-Nb slag sample in Jiangxi, China. From SEM analysis, the soluble substances adsorbed on the slag surface dissolve into the solution after leaching in simulated rainfall, and the remained slag becomes smooth with different particle sizes. The XRD diffraction analysis of the sample showed that after leaching in simulated rainfall, the existing forms of elements are different. pH of the leachate of Ta-Nb slag is 1.79; Ta-Nb slag contains many rare metal elements, nonmetal elements, radioactive elements, and some salt compounds; and the content of thorium is higher than that of uranium by EDS analysis. The release of uranium and thorium is obviously affected by the amount of leachate and pH. Under the lower pH of leaching solution, the release of uranium and thorium is more effective. The results of Fick diffusion theory and Elovich equation show that the release and migration mode of uranium and thorium in Ta-Nb slag are mainly surface elution; under acidic conditions, the release and migration of uranium and thorium are faster. This study provides basic data and scientific information for solving the key problems of pollution control of associated radioactive waste in environmental protection.

Development of intellectual and scientific abilities through game-programming in Minecraft

In recent years, the technological revolution has changed the way we see reality and interact with it. Inevitably, education and didactic planning have also had to deal with new technologies. Indeed, the presence of digital tools has radically changed people’s lives since childhood. Many educational realities have exploited this digital transformation to speed up and specialize learning, customizing study plans and type of software according to age groups. The activity of the Digital Education Lab is part of this context. It is a digital education school which uses the game software Minecraft Education Edition to teach its students the fundamental principles of computer science, geometry and mathematics. This article discusses learning key science concepts through game learning. The analysis carried out allows to see that students are facilitated in learning complex scientific concepts when these are shown through the game and can therefore be “experienced”. The learning of 186 students aged between 8 and 10, who are generally at the first approaches to the digital world, has been evaluated. To evaluate the acquisition of knowledge through these innovative methods, at the end of the didactic course we have administered anonymous tests through the Google classroom platform. The results show that learning through a game-software facilitates the learning of basic scientific information as well as fostering the capacity for interconnection and transversality.

Intra-Articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Review of Their Current Molecular Mechanisms of Action and Their Degree of Efficacy.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is estimated to affect more than 10% of the population, with a lifetime risk of 45%. Contemporary guidelines advise control of body weight, therapeutic physical exercise, drug treatment (oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol, opioids), and mechanical aids (walking aids, braces, orthoses). Nevertheless, these treatments typically have only short-term benefits. Intra-articular corticosteroids are typically advised, but only for short-term pain alleviation, given that their benefits last only a few weeks. The efficacy of hyaluronic acid is controversial. When the aforesaid options fail, total knee arthroplasty is generally recommended as an efficacious treatment. However, it is costly and can involve medical and postoperative complications. Therefore, determining alternate safe and effective treatments for knee OA is paramount. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has lately been investigated for the treatment of knee OA. This article reviews recent knowledge concerning PRP’s molecular mechanisms of action. The effectiveness of intra-articular PRP injections in the knee joint remains controversial, although most recent publications show pain alleviation in the short term. Orthopedic surgeons treating people with knee OA are becoming increasingly interested in PRP, despite indecisive clinical data and basic science information. Further studies comparing PRP with placebo are required.

Mesenchymal stem cells and COVID-19: the process of discovery and of translation.

ABSTRACTMesenchymal stem cells were developed as a cell-based therapeutic in the 1990’s. The translation of culture expanded mesenchymal stem cells from a basic science focus into a modern therapeutic has taken 30 years. The current state of the basic science information argues that mesenchymal stem cells may be curative for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Indeed, early small-scale clinical trials have shown positive results. The issue raised is how to assemble the resources to get this cell-based therapy approved for clinical use. The technology is complex, the COVID-19 viral infections are life threatening, the cost is high, but human life is precious. What will it take to perfect this potentially curative technology?

General Election Debates – Problems and Solutions

Pre-election debates are one of the most important steps in the electoral process – indeed, they serve an important public interest as they inform the American public about the issues of the day and offer a forum by which candidate proposed solutions may be heard. However, pre-election debates are led by moderators who generally do not have expertise in many of their key topic areas, such as law or judicial studies; and because of this, the propositions and arguments made by candidates in the pre-election time may be de-contextualized during debates such that the voting public may be misled in terms of the practicality of candidate positions. It is not unusual for individuals to unwittingly make propositions which insufficiently account for the confines of governmental structures, norms, and institutions in important ways. Likewise, it is not expectable for candidate to have absolute expertise in all areas of the debate, such as from health care to international law. This presents a real and pressing problem or issue for the quality of debates and democracy. It would be useful for pre-election debates to have additional facilitators present to provide basic factual and scientific information, as well to define key terms and principles relevant to American government and political life. Thus, given the current format of pre-election debates, this policy brief offers proposals to increase voter awareness and thus strengthen American democracy through amendments to the pre-election debate format for general elections.

REGISTRIES, CARE, QUALITY OF LIFE, MANAGEMENT OF NMD: P.340 Coalition to cure calpain 3: A patient organization committed to treating and ultimately curing limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A

Coalition to cure calpain 3 (C3) was founded in 2010 with a mission to fund research and clinical trials relevant to limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A, also called LGMD R1 calpain 3-related), a form of calpainopathy, to support a network of families affected by this disease, and to raise awareness of LGMD2A in the global community. We are governed by a Board of Directors including two LGMD2A patients, a Scientific Advisory Board composed of academic scientists, and a Scientific Director. C3 provides support for promising research focused on understanding pathomechanisms of or finding treatments for LGMD2A. LGMD2A is characterized by proximal muscle weakness. Patients are usually diagnosed before their second decade and experience progressive skeletal muscle wasting in all muscles leading to loss of ambulation approximately 10 years after diagnosis. LGMD2A is caused by mutations in CAPN3, the gene which encodes the proteolytic enzyme calpain 3. Despite being the most common subtype of limb girdle muscular dystrophy, the pathophysiology of LGMD2A is still not well understood. Furthermore, the biological function of the calpain 3 enzyme is not entirely clear. C3 has funded research on the basic biology of calpain 3, has supported preclinical studies in LGMD2A models, and has sponsored the generation of tools for use in studying LGMD2A. C3 has also organized four workshops (in the US in 2011, 2018, and 2019, and in the Netherlands in 2013) that have been instrumental in bringing together experts in relevant fields to discuss basic science and clinical information pertaining to LGMD2A. A travel grant program, aimed at early career researchers, provides travel support for investigators to present on LGMD2A at major scientific conferences. Additionally, C3 has created the first global patient registry for LGMD2A. Our current priorities are to fund research efforts and support collaborations focused on finding a treatment for LGMD2A.

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

An Experiential Learning Chemistry Course for Nonmajors Taught through the Lens of Science Fiction

A nonmajors general chemistry course entitled “Putting the Science in SciFi” was taught to 19 seniors at the College of the Holy Cross in 2018. The course coupled the delivery of content with experiential learning strategies in the form of writing assignments and hands-on activities. A pretest and posttest indicate that students gained and retained basic scientific information throughout the semester. Student feedback reveals a positive learning experience. As a result, the pedagogical tools used in this course carry significant implications to the course design of science curriculum.