{"title":"Morphology of Memory: Creating a Web-Based 3D Interactive Resource to Teach the Anatomy of the Human Hippocampus","authors":"Alisa Brandt, David W. Nauen, M. Miller, L. Gregg","doi":"10.5210/JBC.V43I2.10226","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5210/JBC.V43I2.10226","url":null,"abstract":"The hippocampus is a critical region of the brain involved in memory and learning. It has been widely researched in animals and humans due to its role in consolidating new experiences into long-term declarative memories and its vulnerability in neurodegenerative diseases. The hippocampus is a complex, curved structure containing many interconnected regions that consist of distinct cell types. Despite the importance of understanding the normal state of hippocampal anatomy for studying its functions and the disease processes that affect it, didactic educational resources are severely limited. The literature on the hippocampus is expansive and detailed, but a communication gap exists between researchers presenting hippocampal data and those seeking to improve their understanding of this part of the brain. The hippocampus is typically viewed in a two-dimensional fashion; students and scientists have difficulty visualizing its three-dimensional anatomy and its structural relationships in space. To improve understanding of the hippocampus, an interactive, web-based educational resource was created containing a pre-rendered 3D animation and manipulatable 3D models of hippocampal regions. Segmentations of magnetic resonance imaging data were modified and sculpted to build idealized anatomical models suitable for teaching purposes. These models were animated in combination with illustrations and narration to introduce the viewer to the subject, and the completed animation was uploaded online and embedded into the interactive. A separate section of the interactive allows the user to rotate the models, hide and show different regions, and access additional explanatory text. The user interface and interactivity were coded to allow exploration of hippocampal regions and navigation between sections of the resource. The resources developed in this project provide a didactic and accessible visualization for graduate students, researchers, clinicians, and other individuals involved in neuroscience. The animation and interactive models allow users to reinforce their understanding of 3D hippocampal anatomy and connectivity. By improving visual understanding of the hippocampus, this project aims to advance the communication and scientific study of hippocampus-related topics, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.","PeriodicalId":75049,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of biocommunication","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79875724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"25 Years Ago in the JBPA/JBP.","authors":"Thomas St John Merrill","doi":"10.5210/jbc.v43i2.9568","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5210/jbc.v43i2.9568","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this column, we look back at the content and imagery found in the Journal of the Biological Photographic Association (JBPA), later renamed the Journal of Biological Photography (JBP). This column examines important articles from 25 years ago. In doing so, we gain some insight into those legacy photography techniques of that time.</p>","PeriodicalId":75049,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of biocommunication","volume":"43 2","pages":"e9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/ba/1e/jbc-43-2-e9.PMC9140056.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40503650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eleanor Milman, John Daugherty, Zeresenay Alemseged, Kevin Brennan, Leah Lebowicz
{"title":"Visualization of a Juvenile Australopithecus afarensis Specimen: Implications for Functional Foot Anatomy.","authors":"Eleanor Milman, John Daugherty, Zeresenay Alemseged, Kevin Brennan, Leah Lebowicz","doi":"10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10229","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10229","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Since it was named in 1978, analyses of Australopithecus afarensis have culminated in several dominant theories on how humans acquired many of their unique adaptations. Because bipedal locomotion is one of the earliest characteristics of human functional anatomy to appear in the fossil record, its associated anatomy in early hominins has significant implications for human evolution (Stern 2000). The skeleton and overall morphological characteristics of the foot in Australopithecus afarensis provide important clues about the origins of upright bipedal locomotion. Popularly known as \"Selam,\" the 3.3 million-year-old DIK-1-1 fossil was discovered in Dikika, Ethiopia by Dr. Zeresenay Alemseged and his team in 2000. Selam was an australopithecine who died at three years old, making her the youngest early hominin specimen known today (Alemseged et al. 2006). This discovery allows researchers to investigate not only locomotor patterns of A. afarensis within the context of human evolution, but also to examine what child development may have looked like during this pivotal time. The purpose of this project is to create a 3D animation that accurately reconstructs the anatomy and taphonomy of the Dikika foot. By segmenting CT data, 3D modelling, and animating, this investigation aims to contribute to the breadth of fossil reconstruction techniques in the field of biomedical visualization. This method provides a robust means of communication within, and beyond, the paleoanthropological community about new discoveries and how to visualize them.</p>","PeriodicalId":75049,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of biocommunication","volume":"43 2","pages":"e11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/b6/33/jbc-43-2-e11.PMC9138551.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40503647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"AMI Salon Winners - 2019: Milwaukee AMI Annual Meeting.","authors":"","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This JBC Gallery features the Salon award winners from AMI's 2019 annual meeting held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The annual meeting Salon exhibition represents the AMI's visual media competition showcasing some of the finest medical illustration, animation, graphics, and media in the life sciences and medicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":75049,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of biocommunication","volume":"43 2","pages":"e24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9139208/pdf/jbc-43-2-e24.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40503648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"BCA BIOIMAGES Winners - 2019: Asilomar BCA Annual Meeting.","authors":"","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This JBC Gallery features the BioImages award winners from BIOCOMM 2019 held at Asilomar State Beach & Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California. BioImages represents the BCA's annual visual media competition that showcases the finest still imagery, graphics, and motion media in the life sciences and medicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":75049,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of biocommunication","volume":"43 2","pages":"e25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9139007/pdf/jbc-43-2-e25.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40503646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dani E Bergey, Kevin Brennan, D. Milkowski, Christine D. Young
{"title":"Using Multimedia Principles to Reduce Visual Complexity of Transcriptional Regulation in Cancer","authors":"Dani E Bergey, Kevin Brennan, D. Milkowski, Christine D. Young","doi":"10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10228","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10228","url":null,"abstract":"Environmental factors can regulate gene expression without changing the genetic code itself, a process called epigenetics. One currently active area of genetic and epigenetic research is into the regulation of a tumor-inducing gene called Mylocytomatosis, or MYC, which is involved in many types of cancer. As genetic discoveries, such as the regulation of MYC, are generating more interest from the medical community and the public, creating effective visuals is of increasing importance. However, research studies on the general public's understanding of genetics have demonstrated a poor grasp of genetic concepts - a finding that also appears in similar studies of undergraduate genetics students, medical students, and practicing physicians. Fortunately, visual learning studies and multimedia design principles have established methods for improving comprehension of biomedical topics. Animation, in particular, has the benefit of pairing narration and dynamic visuals, which, when used together, benefit long-term memory more than the use of static images. Here, we employ visual design strategies (including content mapping, storyboarding, and user studies), multimedia learning principles, and 3D molecular animation to successfully improve the understanding of a complex genetic topic to an audience with a wide range of background knowledge. This study presents the first and most accurate animation of the complex interactions of transcription initiation and elongation on a molecular scale. The animation includes the initiation complex, the transcription elongation complex, MYC, Pol II, and the assortment of transcription factors that assist in modulating the rate of elongation of Pol II. The resulting product is a three-minute animation which uses audio, visuals, and a deep understanding of multimedia principles to significantly increase individuals' prior knowledge of a complex topic in molecular genetics.","PeriodicalId":75049,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of biocommunication","volume":"66 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81955237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chinami Michaels, Kevin Brennan, Leah A. Lebowicz, R. Dull, Christine D. Young
{"title":"Influence of Expertise on Perception and Understanding on Viewing a Molecular Animation of the Lung Endothelial Surface Layer and its Role in Inflammation","authors":"Chinami Michaels, Kevin Brennan, Leah A. Lebowicz, R. Dull, Christine D. Young","doi":"10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10227","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10227","url":null,"abstract":"A study of the effect of expertise on the perception and understanding of a 3D biomedical animation and the ability of a 3D animation of the lung endothelial surface layer to generate understanding of, and interest in, the lung endothelial surface layer was carried out using a mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches. The animation was tested using eye-tracking with five lung trauma researchers who were experts on the animation's topic, the lung endothelial surface layer, and with 15 biomedical visualization graduate students who lacked prior knowledge of the structure and science of the lung endothelial surface layer. Information on demographics, knowledge gain on the lung endothelial surface layer, eye-tracking recordings, cued-retrospective reports, and written open-ended feedback were collected from both groups. The eye-tracking results, cued-retrospective audio recordings, and surveys between the groups of experts and novices showed expertise influenced perception and understanding of the animation of the lung ESL. The group with high expertise on the lung endothelial surface layer rated the animation as very engaging. They gained knowledge on the lung endothelial surface layer from the animation and would recommend the animation to their colleagues as an introduction to their research. Their eye-tracking results and cued-retrospective reporting showed greater attention paid to areas of high scientific relevancy in the animation. They also showed a viewing pattern of switching to one modality (audio or visual) to seek new information when shown familiar representations similar to schematics in the science literature. The group without prior knowledge of the lung endothelial surface layer focus also gained in knowledge of the lung endothelial surface layer after watching the animation. They paid more attention to aspects of how the animation was created and less to the scientifically relevant areas. They rated the animation on average as moderately engaging. These results demonstrate how important designing for a target audience is in order to maximize multimedia's potential to fully engage and generate interest, as prior expertise greatly influences how an audience perceives and understands biomedical animations.","PeriodicalId":75049,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of biocommunication","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84133352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julia Jiménez, Ludovic Autin, Inmaculada Ibáñez de Cáceres, David S Goodsell
{"title":"Integrative Modeling and Visualization of Exosomes.","authors":"Julia Jiménez, Ludovic Autin, Inmaculada Ibáñez de Cáceres, David S Goodsell","doi":"10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10331","DOIUrl":"10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10331","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Information from proteomics, microscopy, and structural biology are integrated to create structural models of exosomes, small vesicles released from cells. Three visualization methods are employed and compared: 2D painting of a cross section using traditional media, manual creation of a cross section using the mesoscale 2.5D digital painting software cellPAINT, and generation of a 3D atomic model using the mesoscale modeling program cellPACK.</p>","PeriodicalId":75049,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of biocommunication","volume":"43 2","pages":"e10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/45/00/jbc-43-2-e10.PMC9139774.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40503649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Isabel Romero Calvo, Leah A. Lebowicz, Christine D. Young, Kevin Brennan
{"title":"Impact of Visual Scientific Data on Comprehension and Perception of Educational Animations for Biomedical Researchers","authors":"Isabel Romero Calvo, Leah A. Lebowicz, Christine D. Young, Kevin Brennan","doi":"10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10223","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10223","url":null,"abstract":"Due to the rapid evolution of biomedical research, it is crucial to effectively communicate new technological advances in topics such as organoid models in cancer therapeutics to help improve health outcomes. Visual communication, including animation, has been shown to improve cognition and understanding of complex biological processes. However, there is contradictory information about the amount of detail that should be used for effective communication when utilizing animation. Although it is known that the inclusion of detailed references increases the scientific community's perceived credibility of the visualization, the effect of including visual scientific data is unknown. This research examines the impact of including visual scientific data in an educational animation by analyzing biomedical researchers' perception of credibility and learning outcomes with respect to cancer organoid research.","PeriodicalId":75049,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of biocommunication","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75541538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Autopsy Brain Removal Training Using Virtual Reality Simulation","authors":"I. Choi","doi":"10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10225","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5210/jbc.v43i2.10225","url":null,"abstract":"Hospital autopsy is the only method of confirming diagnoses for neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's and Lewy body disease, despite advanced diagnostic technologies. However, the number of hospital autopsies has steadily declined, due to changes in hospital accreditation requirements, lack of reimbursement, and other factors. Consequently, it is challenging to train autopsy assistants, pathology residents and neuropathology fellows to become competent in evisceration and dissection techniques, as there are few opportunities to observe and perform hospital autopsies. The procedure for autopsy brain removal is particularly challenging because: (i) incorrect cutting planes and depth of cut during opening of the cranium can lead to inadequate exposure of, or damage to, brain tissue, and (ii) there may be initial hesitation to perform the procedure due to proximity to the face. These challenges are compounded because current teaching resources are limited to drawings (which lack key spatial and volumetric cues) and photographs (which provide only a single view, and may have superfluous information); no physical practice of the procedure is involved. To address this deficit, a virtual reality (VR) simulation application was developed to teach proper methodology in performing steps of the autopsy brain removal, and as a proof-of-concept for a complete hospital autopsy VR simulation. The simulation provides an immersive VR interactive experience within an Oculus Rift platform. It uses realistic virtual patient models created from surface 3D scans of a real person, data-driven 3D models of anatomy, sound effects, and haptic responses within a VR autopsy suite. The simulation also features real-time visual feedback and evaluation of user performance, to assist improvement of skills and knowledge during the step of opening the cranium with an oscillating saw. This thesis documents the process of developing the VR simulation, in particular the creation and use of i) 3D models of patient, cranium and brain, ii) interactions between instruments and patient in VR, iii) in-game feedback: visual, sound and haptic, and iv) user interface (UI) interaction in VR.","PeriodicalId":75049,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of biocommunication","volume":"112 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84918439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}