Using Zebrafish to Implement a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience to Study Teratogenesis in Two Biology Laboratory Courses.

A course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) spanning three semesters was introduced into freshman and sophomore biology classes, with the hypothesis that participation in a CURE affects skills in research, communication, and collaboration, which may help students persist in science. Student research projects were centered on the hypothesis that nicotine and caffeine exposure during early development affects gastrulation and heart development in zebrafish. First, freshmen generated original data showing distinct effects of embryonic nicotine and caffeine exposure on zebrafish heart development and function.

Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs): a review of bioaccumulation potential in the aquatic environment.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are high molecular weight organochlorine compounds that have been used in a variety of industrial applications for many years. Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) (CAS 85535-85-9; Alkanes, C14-17 , chloro) are currently under investigation as potential persistent bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) compounds. In this article, the bioaccumulation potential of MCCPs is assessed using a tiered framework proposed after a recent Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Pellston Workshop in 2008.

The use of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo for the acute toxicity testing of surfactants, as a possible alternative to the acute fish test.

At present, the acute toxicity of chemicals to fish is most commonly estimated by means of a short-term test on juvenile or adult animals (OECD TG 203). Although, over the last few years, the numbers used have been reduced due to the implementation of the Three Rs (Reduction, Refinement and Replacement), significant numbers of fish are still used in acute toxicity tests. With the introduction of the new European Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) system, this number is likely to increase dramatically.

Investigation of Livingstone's curious point.

The explorer and missionary David Livingstone was identified after death by the appearances of his humerus which had been damaged in an encounter with a lion. In his writings Livingstone suggested that the consequences of the lion's attack were not as bad as he might have expected. He wondered if this was due to the fact that he was wearing a tartan jacket when he was attacked and suggested that this curious point should be investigated.

A single dose of Ginkgo biloba does not affect soleus motoneuron pool excitability.

EGb 761 has been shown to increase acetylcholine synthesis and release and increase cholinergic receptors leading to an increase in cholinergic neurotransmission. These effects may be observed in the neuromuscular system, manifested by changes in motoneuron pool excitability as measured by the Hoffmann reflex to motor response (H/M) ratio. The objective was to determine whether a single dose of EGb 761 affects motoneuron pool excitability of the soleus muscle as measured by the H/M ratio.