Objective. To incorporate Bloom’s taxonomy into multiple-choice examination questions in a pharmacotherapeutics course and assess its effectiveness in detecting areas of improvement in learning.Design. Bloom’s taxonomy was incorporated into examination questions through a multi-step process: Sample questions representing each learning domain within Bloom’s taxonomy (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation) were introduced to students during lecture presentations and discussions. Quiz and examination containing questions categorized according to Bloom’s taxonomy were administered to students. During review sessions following each quiz or examination, the categorization of each question was provided to students and feedback from students was gathered.Assessment. The effect of the 5 types of test questions on the correct response fraction and discrimination index was determined after combining synthesis and evaluation. Correct response fractions for knowledge, comprehension...

Drug resistance is a fundamental problem in cancer chemotherapy. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) may play a role in the development of chemoresistance. We investigated the regulatory role of [Ca²⁺]_i in Taxol resistance in the non‐small‐cell lung cancer cell line A549 and its chemoresistant subclone A549‐T24. Measurement of cytosolic calcium ([Ca²⁺]_c) in single cells and cell populations revealed similar levels of basal calcium in the two cell lines. However, a reduced response to thapsigargin (a sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺‐ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor) in A549‐T24 cells compared to the parent cell line suggested a lower ER Ca²⁺ content in these cells. mRNA expression of SERCA2b and SERCA3, major Ca²⁺ pumps involved in ER Ca²⁺ homeostasis, did not significantly differ between the two cell lines, as revealed by RT–PCR. An altered calcium influx pathway in the Taxol‐resistant cell line was observed. Modulation of the ER calcium pools using CMC (4‐chloro‐m‐cresol) and ATP revealed lower ryanodine receptor (RyR) and IP₃ receptor (IP₃R)‐sensitive Ca²⁺ stores in the chemoresistant cell line. Western blot and RT–PCR studies suggested that A549‐T24 cells expressed higher levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐2 and the calcium‐binding protein sorcin, respectively, in comparison to the parent cell line. Both of these proteins have been previously implicated in chemoresistance, in part, due to their ability to modulate [Ca²⁺]_i. These results suggest that altered intracellular calcium homeostasis may contribute to the Taxol‐resistant phenotype. British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 305–316. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705755

Ahn MJ, et al. Korean J Physiol Pharmacol. 2014 Aug;18(4):307-311. http://dx.doi.org/10.4196/kjpp.2014.18.4.307