Mitochondrial dynamics–fusion, fission, movement, and mitophagy–in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurons are metabolically active cells with high energy demands at locations distant from the cell body. As a result, these cells are particularly dependent on mitochondrial function, as reflected by the observation that diseases of mitochondrial dysfunction often have a neurodegenerative component. Recent discoveries have highlighted that neurons are reliant particularly on the dynamic properties of mitochondria. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles by several criteria. They engage in repeated cycles of fusion and fission, which serve to intermix the lipids and contents of a population of mitochondria. In addition, mitochondria are actively recruited to subcellular sites, such as the axonal and dendritic processes of neurons. Finally, the quality of a mitochondrial population is maintained through mitophagy, a form of autophagy in which defective mitochondria are selectively degraded. We review the general features of mitochondrial dynamics, incorporating recent findings on mitochondrial fusion, fission, transport and mitophagy. Defects in these key features are associated with neurodegenerative disease. Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2A, a peripheral neuropathy, and dominant optic atrophy, an inherited optic neuropathy, result from a primary deficiency of mitochondrial fusion. Moreover, several major neurodegenerative diseases—including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease—involve disruption of mitochondrial dynamics. Remarkably, in several disease models, the manipulation of mitochondrial fusion or fission can partially rescue disease phenotypes. We review how mitochondrial dynamics is altered in these neurodegenerative diseases and discuss the reciprocal interactions between mitochondrial fusion, fission, transport and mitophagy

Teach in Context: Responding to Diverse Student Voices Helps All Students Learn

This article uses quotes from interviews with diverse students as a spring board to discuss contextualized learning theory and teaching strategies to enhance student learning. Students must relate new information to their own experience; develop ideas about the new information; and articulate their understanding of it. In other words, to fully understand something, students must be able to relate to it, own it, and translate it. To help students do this, the article discusses and provides examples of three concrete teaching strategies: experiential learning exercises, writing exercises, and collaborative exercises

Principle 7: Good Practice Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning, and Conclusion: Adapting the Seven Principles to Legal Education

This is one of seven articles from a symposium applying to law school the Principles of Good Teaching Practices that were developed for undergraduate educators. The article presents a good overview of the general issues that impact diverse students such as the institutional climate, admission and selection criteria, academic policies, student support program, curriculum, and law school pedagogy. It provides some concrete suggestions on how law schools can enhance learning. It is a good primer for ASP professionals because it points out the various factors that can hinder students\u27 learning or academic performance

Conclusion: Adapting the Seven Principles to Legal Education

Professor Lustbader discusses how applying the seven principles to legal education can be done without a complete overhaul of legal pedagogy—several of the principles are now evident in many law schools. Professor Lustbader uses quotations from students to show how the seven principles help to create a more effective learning environment for students. Since the principles maximize the students learning experience, as graduates they will be better prepared to server their clients

Some Tips on Using Collaborative Exercises

This article outlines the teaching method of collaborative learning, which is apparently effective but difficult to properly administer. It provides teachers with a variety of ways to effectively employ this method

AMERICA’S RAMPANT GUN EPIDEMIC: HOW 3D PRINTERS ARE ONLY ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE

The assassination of the United Healthcare CEO in December of 2024 captivated national attention, specifically over the killer’s use of a homemade three dimensional (“3D”) printed gun. The use of 3D printing poses a breadth of opportunity for useful and valuable innovation across a variety of fields, such as allowing advancements in medical technology. However, with technology expansion comes associated risk and, in this case, that risk is the potential for increased presence of illegal firearms. Anyone with access to a 3D printer can download the necessary files and print weapon parts to create their own unregistered, untraceable firearms, including machine guns. The absence of laws governing the capabilities and usage of 3D printers in the context of home manufactured illegal firearms can exacerbate our national gun violence epidemic. This Note explores how federal regulation could help ameliorate the risks associated with this increasingly accessible and inexpensive means of creating illegal firearms. Specifically, it proposes how one possible uniform regulation has the potential to disrupt the deadly exploitation of 3D printing technology. The United surpasses any other developed country in the sheer volume of gun violence. 3D printing technology essentially pours gasoline on already rampant flames, creating another access point for those wanting to create or obtain illegal firearms