Critical thinking skills are invaluable for the process of asking reasonable questions and making rational decisions. Science classrooms are an excellent place to develop critical thinking skills for all students. Unfortunately, Black girls are often left out from opportunities to be in good science classrooms and/or exposed to effective science instruction. This marginalization diminishes their access to critical thinking skill development. Because Black girls, for a variety of reasons are not participating in science education they are missing the opportunity to develop, exercise and enhance their critical thinking skills. One approach that has shown promising effectiveness in developing critical thinking skills is the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH). The SWH approach helps students develop skills in the process of asking questions, making claims, and providing evidence through argument-based inquiry. The current study examines the impact of the SWH on critical thinking skills growth of 5th grade Black girls in a midwestern state. Results suggest practical implications for using the SWH to develop critical thinking skills for Black girls over the course of a school year. Statistical significance was found within the treatment group in two to subtest of the critical thinking measure when comparing pre- and post-test results. Practical analysis via effect size statistics is also discussed.

Distance learning has been a means to provide an education to those who are unable to participate in on-campus, face-to face classes. Teams of instructional design specialists that focus on online education put significant effort into course development. This planned process is very different from emergency remote education in response to a crisis. In early 2020, it was discovered that an extremely contagious respiratory illness termed COVID-19 had spread to every corner of the earth. As of mid-March 2020, the need to transition from face-to-face classroom instruction to exclusively online education landed on the doorstep of America's universities. COVID-19 has catalyzed a transition in the ecology of American education for all students, but especially the underserved and minoritized. Ecology, by definition, is concerned with the interactions of an organism and its environment. The circumstances of the pandemic have caused vast and rapid change in both the internal and external environments of the organisms (e.g., students) and the systems in which they reside (e.g., U. S. educational systems). The purpose of this paper is to provide some considerations for instructors who find themselves "thrown into teaching remotely," and help them think about how best to create sustainable systems, broaden participation and build capacity in a more equitable and inclusive manner.

Ethnic minorities comprise rapidly growing portions of the populations of most developed countries ( 1 ) but are underrepresented in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) ( 2 , 3 ). Efforts to increase diversity in the STEM workforce, important for developing more effective approaches to group problem-solving ( 4 – 6 ), have been under way in the United States for decades, but widespread impact remains relatively low ( 3 ). The Meyerhoff Scholars Program (MYS) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), provides a promising model for increasing retention and academic performance of underrepresented minority (URM) undergraduates in STEM and for preparing those undergraduates to pursue and succeed in graduate and professional programs ( 7 , 8 ). Although MYS is nearly 30 years old and outcomes for African-American STEM majors have been extensively documented [see ( 7 , 8 ) and references therein], no other majority university [not meeting the definition of being a minority-serving institution (MSI) ( 9 )] has achieved similar outcomes ( 10 ). We describe here some promising early indicators that an interinstitutional partnership approach can help enable MYS-like outcomes at majority universities with different URM compositions, geographies, and institutional sizes and cultures: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and Pennsylvania State University at University Park (PSU).

Undergraduate diversity is fostered across many contexts Ethnic minorities comprise rapidly growing portions of the populations of most developed countries (1) but are underrepresented in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) (2, 3). Efforts to increase diversity in the STEM workforce, important for developing more effective approaches to group problem-solving (4–6), have been under way in the United States for decades, but widespread impact remains relatively low (3). The Meyerhoff Scholars Program (MYS) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), provides a promising model for increasing retention and academic performance of underrepresented minority (URM) undergraduates in STEM and for preparing those undergraduates to pursue and succeed in graduate and professional programs (7, 8). Although MYS is nearly 30 years old and outcomes for African-American STEM majors have been extensively documented [see (7, 8) and references therein], no other majority university [not meeting the definition of being a minority-serving institution (MSI) (9)] has achieved similar outcomes (10). We describe here some promising early indicators that an interinstitutional partnership approach can help enable MYS-like outcomes at majority universities with different URM compositions, geographies, and institutional sizes and cultures: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and Pennsylvania State University at University Park (PSU).

To develop and characterize a novel cell culture method for the generation of undifferentiated and differentiated human mesenchymal stem cell 3D structures, we utilized the RWV system with a gelatin-based scaffold. 3 × 106 cells generated homogeneous spheroids and maximum spheroid loading was accomplished after 3 days of culture. Spheroids cultured in undifferentiated spheroids of 3 and 10 days retained expression of CD44, without expression of differentiation markers. Spheroids cultured in adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation media exhibited oil red O staining and von Kossa staining, respectively. Further characterization of osteogenic lineage, showed that 10 day spheroids exhibited stronger calcification than any other experimental group corresponding with significant expression of vitamin D receptor, alkaline phosphatase, and ERp60 . In conclusion this study describes a novel RWV culture method that allowed efficacious engineering of undifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cell spheroids and rapid osteogenic differentiation. The use of gelatin scaffolds holds promise to design implantable stem cell tissue of various sizes and shapes for future regenerative treatment.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men. For patients with hormone-refractory disease, few treatments are available once the tumor has metastasized beyond the prostate. In the present study, two conjugated lytic peptide sequences (named JCHLHRH and JC21LHRH) were designed to target luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptors (LHRH-R). Our results indicate that human prostate cancer cell lines were sensitive to both LHRH-conjugated and non-conjugated lytic peptides, with IC50 concentrations for LNCaP cells, 4.4 and 9.1 mu M; for DU-145 cells, 4.8 and 5.7 mu M; and for PC-3 cells, 4.4 and 8.2 mu,M, respectively. JCHLHRH and JC21LHRH were nontoxic to normal primary human prostate epithelial cells or to bone marrow stromal cells in co-culture. There were morphological changes in PC-3 cells after 3 h of exposure to either peptide; after 6 h, there were significant reductions in cell numbers. Exposure of PC-3 cells for 24 h to either JCHLHRH or JC21LHRH blocked their growth over 3 days. Since JCHLHRH and JC21LHRH have specificity for and anti-proliferative activity against tumor cells, and low toxicity for normal prostate cells, these peptides could serve as a new type of therapy for prostate cancer. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

HS-27a human bone stromal cells, in 2D or 3D coultures, induced cellular plasticity in human prostate cancerARCaPEandARCaPMcells in an EMT model. CoculturedARCaPEorARCaPMcells with HS-27a, developed increased colony forming capacity and growth advantage, withARCaPEexhibiting the most significant increases in presence of bone or prostate stroma cells. Prostate (Pt-N or Pt-C) or bone (HS-27a) stromal cells induced significant resistance to radiation treatment inARCaPEcells compared toARCaPMcells. However pretreatment with anti-E-cadherin antibody (SHEP8-7) or anti-alpha v integrin blocking antibody (CNT095) significantly decreased stromal cell-induced radiation resistance in bothARCaPE- andARCaPM-cocultured cells. Taken together the data suggest that mesenchymal-like cancer cells reverting to epithelial-like cells in the bone microenvironment through interaction with bone marrow stromal cells and reexpress E-cadherin. These cell adhesion molecules such as E-cadherin and integrin alpha v in cancer cells induce cell survival signals and mediate resistance to cancer treatments such as radiation.

Research into molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying prostate carcinogenesis in high-risk African American men would be greatly advanced by in vitro models of African American prostate tumors representing primary tumors. However, the generation of immortalized primary African American prostate cancer cells that will accurately reflect the in situ characteristics of malignant epithelium is currently limited but is greatly needed. We have successfully established immortalized cell lines of a pair of non-malignant and malignant tumors derived from an African American prostate cancer patient with HPV-16E6E7 (RC-77N/E and RC-77T/E). RC-77N/E and RC-77T/E cells are currently growing well at passage 40. Both cells exhibit epithelial morphology and are androgen sensitive. The RC-77T/E cells produced tumors in SCID mice whereas the RC-77N/E cells produced no tumor in SCID mice. These cells expressed androgen-regulated prostate-specific homobox gene, NKX 3.1, epithelial cell specific cytokeratn 8, androgen receptor (AR), prostate specific antigen (PSA), and p16. Chromosome analysis showed that both cell lines are similar; near diploid human male (XY) with most chromosome counts in the 45-48 range. However, RC-77T/E cell line has new marker chromosomes: M1B=del/t(4;?)(q28;?), M5=16q+ in addition to those observed in the RC-77N/E cell line (M1=del(4)(q28q34)+hsr in some, M1A=t(4q;?),M2=der(9?),M2A=del(M2p-),M3=iso(?), M4=der(22?)). This is the first documented case of the establishment of pair of non-malignant and malignant tumors derived from an African American prostate cancer patient. These models will provide novel tools to study the molecular and genetic mechanisms of prostate carcinogenesis, especially for high-risk African American men.

Abstract Background Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the United States. Treatment modalities available for this malignancy are inadequate and thus new drugs with improved pharmacological profiles and superior therapeutic indices are being continually explored. Noscapinoids constitute an emerging class of anticancer agents that bind tubulin but do not significantly alter the monomer/polymer ratio of tubulin. EM011, a rationally-designed member of this class of non-toxic agents, is more potent than the lead molecule, noscapine. Results Here we report that EM011 inhibited proliferation of a comprehensive panel of lung cancer cells with IC50's ranging from 4-50 μM. In A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells, the antiproliferative activity was mediated through blockage of cell-cycle progression by induction of a transient but robust mitotic arrest accompanied by activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint. The mitotically-arrested A549 cells then override the activated mitotic checkpoint and aberrantly exit mitosis without cytokinesis resulting in pseudo G1-like multinucleated cells that either succumb directly to apoptosis or continue another round of the cell-cycle. The accumulated enormous DNA perhaps acts as genotoxic stress to trigger cell death. EM011-induced apoptotic cell death in A549 cells was associated with a decrease of the Bcl2/BAX ratio, activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of PARP. Furthermore, EM011 induced downregulation of survivin expression over time of treatment. Abrogation of survivin led to an increase of cell death whereas, overexpression caused decreased apoptosis. Conclusion These in vitro data suggest that EM011 mediates antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity in non-small cell A549 lung cancer cells by impeding cell-cycle progression and attenuating antiapoptotic signaling circuitries (viz. Bcl2, survivin). The study provides evidence for the potential usefulness of EM011 in chemotherapy of lung cancer.

1Department of Biology and Center for Cancer Research, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, USA, 2Georgia Pediatric Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Geordia, USA, 3Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Geordia, USA

A major challenge for kidney transplantation is balancing the need for immunosuppression to prevent rejection, while minimizing drug-induced toxicities. We used DNA microarrays (HG-U95Av2 GeneChips, Affymetrix) to determine gene expression profiles for kidney biopsies and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in transplant patients including normal donor kidneys, well-functioning transplants without rejection, kidneys undergoing acute rejection, and transplants with renal dysfunction without rejection. We developed a data analysis schema based on expression signal determination, class comparison and prediction, hierarchical clustering, statistical power analysis and real-time quantitative PCR validation. We identified distinct gene expression signatures for both biopsies and PBLs that correlated significantly with each of the different classes of transplant patients. This is the most complete report to date using commercial arrays to identify unique expression signatures in transplant biopsies distinguishing acute rejection, acute dysfunction without rejection and well-functioning transplants with no rejection history. We demonstrate for the first time the successful application of high density DNA chip analysis of PBL as a diagnostic tool for transplantation. The significance of these results, if validated in a multicenter prospective trial, would be the establishment of a metric based on gene expression signatures for monitoring the immune status and immunosuppression of transplanted patients.