A functional genomics screen identifying blood cell development genes in Drosophila by undergraduates participating in a course-based research experience

Undergraduate students participating in the UCLA Undergraduate Research Consortium for Functional Genomics (URCFG) have conducted a two-phased screen using RNA interference (RNAi) in combination with fluorescent reporter proteins to identify genes important for hematopoiesis in Drosophila. This screen disrupted the function of approximately 3500 genes and identified 137 candidate genes for which loss of function leads to observable changes in the hematopoietic development. Targeting RNAi to maturing, progenitor, and regulatory cell types identified key subsets that either limit or promote blood cell maturation. Bioinformatic analysis reveals gene enrichment in several previously uncharacterized areas, including RNA processing and export and vesicular trafficking. Lastly, the participation of students in this course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) correlated with increased learning gains across several areas, as well as increased STEM retention, indicating that authentic, student-driven research in the form of a CURE represents an impactful and enriching pedagogical approach.

Vascular anomalies: classification, imaging characteristics and implications for interventional radiology treatment approaches

The term vascular anomaly represents a broad spectrum of vascular pathology, including proliferating vascular tumours and vascular malformations. While the treatment of most vascular anomalies is multifactorial, interventional radiology procedures, including embolic therapy, sclerotherapy and laser coagulation among others, are playing an increasingly important role in vascular anomaly management. This review discusses the diagnosis and treatment of common vascular malformations, with emphasis on the technique, efficacy and complications of different interventional radiology procedures.

Effect of age on the contraction of pulmonary venous sphincters in rats

Pulmonary veins of rats have regular focal ringlike muscular constrictions (sphincters) that deepen with stimuli, such as head injury, sufficient to cause pulmonary edema. The depth of the individual constrictions on the veins can be determined by casting the pulmonary circulation, fracturing the cast veins at their narrowed points, and measuring the constriction using a scanning electron microscope. A recent study in rats given a blow to the head showed that the venous constriction was attenuated by alpha-adrenergic antagonism, but interaction between the antagonist, the animal body weight, and sex was found. Older, heavier male animals constricted more. To clarify these factors and assess the change in pulmonary venous sphincter contraction with age, 20 female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 wk had their lung vasculature cast with methyl methacrylate. Of the 4 animals in each age group 3 were given a blow to the head to constrict the veins while the plastic was solidifying. The lungs were digested and the casts of the blood vessels were fractured, exposing the constricted portions of the veins. The depths of these focal constrictions were measured. In animals that received the head blow the constrictions were 2.9 +/- 0.3% (5 wk), 4.1 +/- 0.3% (10 wk), 5.8 +/- 0.4% (15 wk), 6.8 +/- 0.4% (20 wk), and 7.1 +/- 0.5% (30 wk) (p < 0.0001). To separate age from weight, a multivariate regression that accounted for venous contraction was carried out. Although head blow, age, and weight were each individually important, the combined model showed age was insignificant (p = 0.9) when weight (p = 0.02) was present.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)