Fred Wiegant

An Undergraduate Course to Bridge the Gap between Textbooks and Scientific Research

This article reports on a one-semester Advanced Cell Biology course that endeavors to bridge the gap between gaining basic textbook knowledge about cell biology and learning to think and work as a researcher. The key elements of this course are 1) learning to work with primary articles in order to get acquainted with the field of choice, to learn scientific reasoning, and to identify gaps in our current knowledge that represent opportunities for further research; 2) formulating a research project with fellow students; 3) gaining thorough knowledge of relevant methodology and technologies used within the field of cell biology; 4) developing cooperation and leadership skills; and 5) presenting and defending research projects before a jury of experts. The course activities were student centered and focused on designing a genuine research program. Our 5-yr experience with this course demonstrates that 1) undergraduate students are capable of delivering high-quality research designs that meet professional standards, and 2) the authenticity of the learning environment in this course strongly engages students to become self-directed and critical thinkers. We hope to provide colleagues with an example of a course that encourages and stimulates students to develop essential research thinking skills.

The influence of adaptogens on ultraweak biophoton emission: a pilot-experiment.

In the present study, the effect of plant adaptogens (Rhodiola rosea and ADAPT‐232) on human photon emission has been determined. In a randomized double blind placebo‐controlled study, 30 subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: one group (n = 10) taking placebo pills, one group (n = 10) taking Rhodiola rosea (SHR‐5) pills and one group (n = 10) taking ADAPT‐232 supplements (the latter being a fixed combination of the following three adaptogens: Eleutherococcus senticosus, Rhodiola rosea and Schisandra chinensis). All subjects underwent measurements to determine ultra‐weak photon emission (UPE) of the dorsal side of their hands using a photon‐counting device, both before and after a week of taking the supplements. In addition, the experienced levels of stress and fatigue (tiredness) were evaluated. After 1 week of supplementation, the Rhodiola group showed a significant decrease (p = 0.027) in photon emission in comparison with the placebo group. Furthermore, after supplementation, a significant decrease (p = 0.049) concerning the experienced level of fatigue in the Rhodiola group was observed compared with the placebo group. No significant changes were observed between the ADAPT‐232 and the placebo group. Copyright

The challenge of evaluating health effects of organic food; operationalisation of a dynamic concept of health.

The health benefits of consuming organically produced foods compared with conventional foods are unclear. Important obstacles to drawing clear conclusions in this field of research are (1) the lack of a clear operational definition of health and (2) the inability to distinguish between different levels of health using valid biomarkers. In this paper, some shortcomings of the current definition of health are outlined and the relevance of integrating a more dynamic and functional component is emphasised, which is reflected by the ability to adapt. The state of health could then be determined by challenging an individual with some form of stressor and by subsequent quantification and evaluation of the coherence in recovery of various physiological processes and parameters. A set of relevant parameters includes the activity of the immune system and the activity of the autonomous nervous system. A good recovery towards homeostasis is suggested to reflect a qualitatively good state of health. Furthermore, it would enable objective evaluation of health-optimising strategies, including the consumption of organically produced foods that aim to strengthen health.

Arsenite induced sensitization and self-tolerance of Reuber H35 hepatoma cells

Our data show that a short incubation with arsenite (30–300 μM) induces a biphasic change in ceSlular sensitivity towards a second exposure to arsenite. A transient sensitization was followed by the development of self-tolerance. Sensitization was measured using the step-down protocol; i.e., application of a high dose of arsenite pretreatment (100 or 300 μM) followed immediately by incubation in a low dose of arsenite (1–30 μM), with extensive rinsing in between. Whereas no effect of 1 and 3 μM on cellular survival is observed without pretreatment, a large decrease in cell survival can be established when these low doses of arsenite are applied immediately after a 1 hr pretreatment with 100 or 300 arsenite.According to the step-down protocol, a high dose of toxic compounds is applied and is followed by prolonged incubation in a lower concentration of the initial toxic compound. This might be a more accurate model for studying the effects of toxic insults on cells and organisms in the manner in which they occur in their natural environment. The level of tolerance was determined by a 1 hr test treatment with 300 pM arsenite applied at different times after pretreatment. Using this fractionated treatment protocol, it was established that tolerance increases with the increasing time intervals between the sodium arsenite treatments, during the 6 hr studied.These observations suggest that sensitization gradually decreases, whereas tolerance develops. Furthermore, our data indicate that the condition of pretreatment determines the extent to which the early sensitivity increases, as well as the development of tolerance later on. A relatively high arsenite concentration leads to more sensitized cells, which are transformed into more tolerant cells in comparison with the effect of a lower arsenite concentration.

Collaborative Learning in Higher Education: Evoking Positive Interdependence

This study focuses on factors increasing the effectiveness of collaborative learning. Results show that challenging, open, and complex group tasks that required the students to create something new and original evoked effective collaboration.

The Metabolic Syndrome as a Maladaptive Condition of the Circadian Clock

A circadian timing system is a common characteristic among many species across all taxa. This endogenous 24-h clock entrains core physiological processes to the daily fluctuations in the environment. Studies reveal that the possession of a circadian clock is advantageous for the organism, since it enhances fitness and general health conditions in a number of ways: for example by ensuring that incompatible cellular processes are temporally segregated, by gating certain cellular processes to the optimal time of the day or by defining the niche of a species. However, as with any biological trait, the circadian timing system can turn maladaptive under certain conditions. Due to profound changes in the environment, maladaptation of the circadian clock of people in industrialized countries may have occurred, as represented by the increased incidence of life-style related diseases. On the cellular and molecular level, the circadian clock interacts with the physiological processes that underlie these pathophysiological conditions, including metabolism. This is exemplified by the relationship of circadian disruption and the metabolic syndrome, which holds important implications for the treatment of this epidemic. More insight into the influence of circadian clocks on the well-being of an organism will not only help to understand the adaptive problems organisms face during time-related changes in their environment (jetlags and altered environment), it may also help to design therapeutic strategies aimed at alleviating the burden that lifestyle-related diseases pose on the individual and the society.