Student experiences with a molecular biotechnology course containing an interactive 3D immersive simulation and its impact on motivational beliefs.

The development and use of virtual laboratories to augment traditional in-person skills training continues to grow. Virtual labs have been implemented in a number of diverse educational settings, which have many purported benefits including their adaptability, accessibility, and repeatability. However, few studies have evaluated the impact of virtual laboratories outside of academic achievement and skills competencies, especially in biotechnology.

High-throughput AR dimerization assay identifies androgen disrupting chemicals and metabolites.

Analysis of streamlined computational models used to predict androgen disrupting chemicals revealed that assays measuring androgen receptor (AR) cofactor recruitment/dimerization were particularly indispensable to high predictivity, especially for AR antagonists. As the original dimerization assays used to develop the minimal assay models are no longer available, new assays must be established and evaluated as suitable alternatives to assess chemicals beyond the original 1,800+ supported by the current data. Here we present the AR2 assay, which is a stable, cell-based method that uses an enzyme complementation approach.

Flower orientation influences floral temperature, pollinator visits and plant fitness.

Effective insect pollination requires appropriate responses to internal and external environmental cues in both the plant and the pollinator. Helianthus annuus, a highly outcrossing species, is marked for its uniform eastward orientation of mature pseudanthia, or capitula. Here we investigate how this orientation affects floral microclimate and the consequent effects on plant and pollinator interactions and reproductive fitness.

Vasoactive and Inotropic Support, Tube Feeding, and Ischemic Gut Complications After Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Vasoactive and inotropic support (VIS) may predispose cardiac surgery patients to ischemic gut complications (IGCx). The purpose of this study was to describe the effect of VIS on the manner in which we deliver tube feeds (TFs) and determine its relationship with IGCx in cardiac surgery patients.

Methods: We reviewed cardiac surgery patients at a single institution and examined the effect of VIS (none, low, medium, high) on TF administration and evaluated IGCx.

Strain-guided mineralization in the bone-PDL-cementum complex of a rat periodontium.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of mechanical strain by mapping physicochemical properties at periodontal ligament (PDL)-bone and PDL-cementum attachment sites and within the tissues .

Design: Accentuated mechanical strain was induced by applying a unidirectional force of 0.06N for 14 days on molars in a rat model.

Patient privacy and social media.

Healthcare providers using social media must remain mindful of professional boundaries and patients' privacy rights. Facebook and other online postings must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), applicable facility policy, state law, and AANA's Code of Ethics.