Independent learning modules enhance student performance and understanding of anatomy.

Didactic lessons are only one part of the multimodal teaching strategies used in gross anatomy courses today. Increased emphasis is placed on providing more opportunities for students to develop lifelong learning and critical thinking skills during medical training. In a pilot program designed to promote more engaged and independent learning in anatomy, self-study modules were introduced to supplement human gross anatomy instruction at Joan C.

Sperm defects in mice lacking a functional Niemann-Pick C1 protein.

The Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) gene encodes for a multiple membrane spanning protein, which regulates the trafficking of low-density lipoprotein-mediated endocytosed cholesterol. Mutation of the human NPC1 gene causes Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease. The Npc1(NIH) mice, a model of human NPC disease, bear a spontaneous mutation of the Npc1 gene, and are infertile.

Identification of a novel male germ cell-specific gene TESF-1 in mice.

Mammalian spermatogenesis is precisely regulated by many germ cell-specific factors. In search for such a germ cell-specific factor, we have identified a novel mouse gene testis-specific factor 1 (TESF-1). Messenger RNA of TESF-1 was found only in the testis and its expression appeared to be regulated in a developmental manner.

Mouse strains with an active H2-Ea meiotic recombination hot spot exhibit increased levels of H2-Ea-specific DNA breaks in testicular germ cells.

We devised a sensitive method for the site-specific detection of rare meiotic DNA strand breaks in germ cell-enriched testicular cell populations from mice that possess or lack an active recombination hot spot at the H2-Ea gene. Using germ cells from adult animals, we found an excellent correlation between the frequency of DNA breaks in the 418-bp H2-Ea hot spot and crossover activity. The temporal appearance of DNA breaks was also studied in 7- to 18-day-old mice with an active hot spot during the first waves of spermatogenesis.