bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of a Good Basic Science Teacher as Perceived by Medical Students
Authors: Hussein Inaya Hajj , Wunderlich Tracy , Loftus Stephen , Wedemeyer Rose 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundMedical curricula have changed focus to competencies acquired by the medical student and introduced new teaching strategies to reach the set objectives. The medical educator or basic science teacher is expected to develop accordingly and acquire basic characteristics and competencies to lead such a learning process. The question commonly asked: what are such characteristics?AimsThe purpose of this study is to assess the characteristics of a basic science teacher as perceived by medical students at OUWB School of medicine.MethodologyThe study was conducted using a self‐administered anonymous electronic survey (Qualtrics) administered to first through fourth year medical students with a covering letter explaining the project and goals.ResultsDescriptive analysis of the survey data was conducted on 24 items and means were calculated based on Likert scale ratings of 1 – 5, where 1 is not at all important and 5 is extremely important. Analysis revealed that students were most likely to report content knowledge (4.85), professionalism (4.79), learner‐centeredness (4.76), and interpersonal skills (4.68) as the most important attributes for a biomedical sciences instructor to embody. Further, students felt that the least important attributes were when faculty used interactive teaching methods (3.9) and innovative teaching methods (3.2).ConclusionBy learning more about medical students' perceptions of basic science and clinical instruction and about their perceptions of teacher effectiveness, we will be able to tailor the training at OUWB in order to more effectively integrate and make relevant clinical application to basic science. Results from this study may also lead to recommendations for best practices in medical education at other types of institutions.
Utilizing medical students' attitudes toward whole body donation in developing a whole body donation program
Authors: Dykowski Sara , Ahmed Mohammed , Tooley Trevor , Helland Timothy , Barremkala Malli 
Published: November 2023

INTRODUCTIONThe Biomedical Sciences department at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB) aspires to start a body donation program in association with Oakland University. Understanding OUWB medical students' attitudes towards a whole body donation program and its advertisement will help better direct the department in designing a donation program that can be successful and align with students' values. A secondary goal of this study is to gauge medical student awareness of the body donation process to determine if an educational intervention should be introduced in the future.METHODSAn online survey was sent to first‐year OUWB students to be completed prior to their first gross anatomy lab in August 2016 to determine students' attitudes prior to dissection exposure. The survey included questions regarding demographics, past anatomical education, and Likert scale questions involving perceptions of body donation. The same group of students was surveyed again 8 weeks (halfway mark) into the semester to assess for any changes in their attitudes. Data will be collected through December 2016 and a paired t‐test will be used to analyze the collected results.RESULTSOf the 126 students eligible to participate, 69 students responded to the survey prior to the first dissection; 42 students (62.7%) identified themselves as female and the average age of students was 23.5±2.08. Only 10 students (14.1%) felt that body donation programs should not advertise publicly while 21 students (30.4%) were neutral and 38 students (55.1%) either somewhat or strongly agreed with advertising publicly. Students felt most comfortable receiving information about whole body donation via pamphlet (65 students, 94.2%); social media (30 students, 43.48%), billboard (11 students, 15.94%) and radio (11 students, 15.94%) advertisements followed. 61 students (89.7%) did not know how to register for whole body donation, and 63 students (91.3%) were neutral or in favor of learning more about the donation process. These results will be compared with the post‐dissection responses in December 2016.CONCLUSIONPreliminary results indicate that students are in support of developing a whole body donation program that utilizes various methods of public advertisement. Student awareness of the whole body donation registration process is lacking and the majority of students expressed interest in learning more about the process, thus supporting the need for an educational intervention in the future. Analysis of the pre‐ and post‐dissection surveys in December 2016 will determine if dissection experience influences students' attitudes towards whole body donation.
Neuroscience Outreach Education: Establishing Partnerships between Graduate and Secondary School Programs
Authors: Puder Barb 
Published: November 2023

Community outreach education is an effective and essential method to convey relative health information from health care institutions to the neighboring community. Additionally, community members are becoming more proactive in their health care decisions, and are seeking more information regarding the function and maintenance of various body systems, disease prevention, and lifestyle choices that can impact their personal health. Despite the community's need for health education, there are barriers which can make it difficult to establish relationships between the university and the community. Our goal was to establish a relationship between our allied health graduate school and local secondary schools whose focus was also health related. To accomplish this goal, Samuel Merritt University, a health professions graduate school in Oakland, created relationships with secondary school health academy programs. “Ninety‐Nine Minutes of Neuro” is the educational outreach program which teaches neuroscience to health academy high school students. Samuel Merritt Occupational therapy (OT) students (master and doctoral level) presented interactive neuroscience topics to the high school students from the West Contra Costa county health academies. 11 neuroscience interactive stations were set up for the high school students to experience. Pre and post‐tests were administered to the high school students to assess the effectiveness of the program. Review worksheets were created to reinforce key ideas from each station and workbooks were given to each student and a teacher's edition to the health academy instructor for later use at their institution. Finally, qualitative data was gathered from OT students regarding their experience in the partnership with the health academy high schools.Support or Funding InformationResearch supported by: AAA Education Outreach Grant
Transoral Thyroidectomy: Anatomical Aspects of an Esthetic Access
Authors: Barros Mirna Duarte , Gonçalves Antonio José , Nishio Ricardo Tadashi , Kavabata Norberto Kodi , Ayres Neto Daniel P. , Mendes Carlos José Lazzarini 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionClassically, ample dissections expose the indisputable beauty of the human structural topography and offer an unquestionable learning opportunity on the syntropy of anatomical repairs, be they by the Letulle (en masse) technique or by the Virchow (organ by organ) method. Jargon of the type: “great surgeons, great incisions,” in light of technological advances, lack in conceptual revision.The traditional transverse cervicotomy, as an access for thyroidectomy, presents itself as consecrated, yet the disagreeable cosmetic aspect in the form of a scar still persists. Surgeons and Anatomists seek alternative accesses, such as the transoral, which could contemplate the same efficacy, safety and outcomes as the transverse cervicotomy. The objective of this study was to verify the viability of using a cadaver fixed in a modified Larsen solution to perform a transoral thyroidectomy for teaching and training.MethodTwo cadavers were carefully dissected in order to obtain safe anatomical parameters, both by the transoral pathway of the subplastimal space, for the resection of the thyroid. Both cadavers were in horizontal dorsal decubitus with a cushion under the shoulder girdle and with the head in hyperextsion. On the first, relaxing and combined incisions were made, going from the right and left labial commissures in the craniocaudal direction to the mandibular tuberosity, and; on the second, 10‐mm trocar punctures were made on the medial line and two 5‐mm punctures in the projections of the lower canine teeth in the buccal vestibule. Both dissections accomplished the detachment of the superficial fascia of the neck, creating space for the exposure of the pre‐thyroid musculature. In sequence, the linea alba was opened, the laryngeal prominence, trachea, thyroid isthmus, upper and lower vascular pedicles of the thyroid, parathyroid glands and right and left recurrent laryngeal nerves were identified and then the gland was removed. In both cadavers, the thyroid region had been clearly totally approached in a safe manner, preserving adjacent structures (Figure 1).ResultsThe thyroid gland was adequately located, as well as its vasculonervous relations. The neck fascia, trachea and innervation of the platysma, motor and sensory muscles were preserved.Discussion and conclusionThe transoral pathway is possible and topographically adequate for performing a thyroidectomy, but the compulsory hyperextension of the head may be contraindicated for patients with cervical spine disorders. The hyperextension was possible, as the fixation by the modified Larsen solution provides sufficient tissue malleability to perform the maneuver.The use of a cadaver presents a safe and reliable alternative in teaching video‐assisted anatomy and for training the resident surgeon.
Effect of Simulation‐Based Cerebral Angiography Training on Navigational Error in Novices
Authors: Zaika Oleksiy 
Published: November 2023

Endovascular surgical procedures require visual‐spatial coordination in workspaces with restricted motions and temporally limited imaging. The development of the skills needed for these procedures can be facilitated by 3D simulator‐based training. Simulation‐based medical education has recently started focusing on personalized training in reducing errors, enhancing trans‐situational competence and promoting professional transparency. Cerebral angiography (CA) has lagged behind in this training approach due to the lack of validated, realistic training models, relying strictly on clinical case exposure frequency as a means of assessing proficiency. The ANGIO Mentor visual‐haptic simulator has been regarded as an effective training tool, increasing performance in diagnostic CA, however, this simulator has not been tested thoroughly in error reduction in CA. In our study, residents and graduate students were given practice diagnostic angiography and were subsequently tested on a right middle cerebral artery aneurysm case, repeating over 8 sessions. Participants were also administered a mental rotations test (MRT) and grouped into MRT groups to identify performance differences. We have identified a significant self‐guided reduction in spatial errors by the participants over 8 sessions. Further investigation revealed a negative change in error frequency for major trajectory deviations. This allowed us to categorize vessels that, although less frequent in erroneous access, were creating the most difficulty for the trainee and most potential harm to patients. Assessing MRTs, we found that high MRT individuals performed much better than low MRT individuals at the start of the study, however, both groups plateaued at a similar performance level by the 8th session. These results are significant in the adoption of personalized medical training in this field and identify vascular areas of difficulty that can be addressed by the curriculum. Although it is well understood that simulation training under expert supervision is most effective, we have shown that self‐guided training can build appropriate technical and spatial ability in procedural skill development.Support or Funding InformationNSERC
Comparing First‐Year Medical Students Performance on Radiology and Non‐Radiology Components of a Gross Anatomy Course
Authors: Ginsburg Alexander D , Knight Jennifer A , Gibbs Christopher M. , Stadem Paul S. , Hoch Wyatt B. , Harvey Jamison A. , Eiken Patrick W. , Lachman Nirusha , Pawlina Wojciech 
Published: November 2023

Radiology is often incorporated into medical school anatomy courses. Radiology education furthers understanding of anatomical relationships and prepares students to apply anatomical knowledge in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate how cognitive performance on the radiology components (RC) of a first‐year medical school anatomy course are related to performance on non‐radiological components (NRC). We hypothesized that there is no correlation between these two performance variables, because they rely on different cognitive skills. Thus, anatomy education alone will not prepare students for the interpretation of normal anatomy on radiological images. Medical students (n=51) enrolled in a first‐year anatomy course at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine were included in this study. Assessment data from three lab practical examinations were collected, and RC and NRC questions were compared. A bivariate linear regression and statistical tests were conducted. A subgroup analysis was used to compare students whose RC performance was greater than their NRC performance (RC>NRC, n=33) to students whose RC performance was less than their NRC performance (RC<NRC, n=18). When considering all three exams, students correctly answered 71.1% of the RC questions and 68.3% of NRC questions (p=0.047). Bivariate linear regression demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between RC and NRC performance (p<0.01, r= 0.51); however, performance on RC questions only accounted for 24% of the variability of NRC scores. Additionally, students in the RC>NRC group had significantly higher scores on RC questions than the students in the RC<NRC group (74% vs 66%, p<0.02). Conversely, students in the RC>NRC group had significantly lower scores on NRC questions than the students in the RC<NRC group (61% vs 74%, p=0.001). These results indicate that while RC performance has some influence on NRC performance it does not account for the majority of the difference observed. Such results suggest that the cognitive skills involved in both radiology and anatomy education are different. Therefore, dedicated radiology education is an important component of an anatomy course as it fosters the development of novel skills that are necessary when interpreting normal anatomy on radiological images in a clinical setting.Support or Funding InformationNone
Improving the Quality of Prosected Limbs in Gross Anatomy by Dissecting Under Water
Authors: Gao Yuan , Vitela Alberto Parra , Ransom Alyssa , Alturkustani Sarah , Reynolds Amberly , Miller Caroline , Nieto Lauren , Ettarh Raj 
Published: November 2023

One key advantage of properly performed formalin‐based embalming is that quality and duration of tissue preservation is very good. This advantage is however associated with the need for specialized equipment, effective approved ventilation systems in preparation and dissecting environments, as well as regulated air monitoring and chemical disposal protocols for formaldehyde. As part of a study of methods to reduce levels of formaldehyde in air while preserving tissue quality, formalin‐embalmed gross anatomy specimens were pre‐soaked and dissected under water. This report describes the effect on both the quality of tissue preservation and dissection of upper limb specimens. Sections of upper limbs that had been embalmed in 10% formalin for at least 90 days were immersed in water for 12 or 48 hours (water was changed after 24 hours). Following pre‐soaking in water, specimens were dissected under water using standard dissecting instruments to expose muscles in the forearm and hand. One upper limb specimen did not receive water treatment and was dissected normally in air for comparison. The dissecting experience under water was technically less challenging (easier than normal dissecting in air), less force was required to reflect skin, and tissue quality and appearance of specimens dissected under water were significantly enhanced when compared to untreated specimens dissected in the normal manner. Our findings suggest that over a seven‐month period, water immersion treatment of formalin‐embalmed limbs does not affect quality of tissue preservation, did not result in tissue swelling or development of mold, and facilitated the production of high quality prosected specimens for teaching. This approach is cost effective and environmentally safe.Support or Funding InformationNone
Pitx2 controls dental stem cell proliferation and differentiation by regulating Cyclin D2 and Irx1
Authors: Yu Wenjie , Sun Zhao , Eliason Steven , Amendt Brad A. 
Published: November 2023

Pituitary homeobox 2 (PITX2), the gene responsible for Axenfeld‐Rieger syndrome (ARS), plays a crucial role in odontogenesis. ARS individuals has dental agenesis and enamel hypoplasia. Although the function of Pitx2 in tooth development is well established, detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms of Pitx2 regulation remain unclear. Here, we conditionally ablated Pitx2 in the dental epithelium using the Krt14‐Cre (K14CrePitx2f/f), which resulted in arrested tooth development at the bud stage. BrdU incorporation analysis showed that cell proliferation is decreased in the K14CrePitx2f/f incisors. In addition, we found that Sox9+ cells are reduced in the dental epithelium in K14CrePitx2f/f teeth, indicating that cell differentiation is down‐regulated. We have identified Iroquois 1 (Irx1) as a new homobox transcription factor expressed in early dental development. Mechanistically, Pitx2 regulates the expression of Cyclin D2 and Irx1 to promote early tooth formation. In conclusion, we have uncovered a new Pitx2 dependent regulatory network during early tooth development.Support or Funding InformationCollege of dentistry, the University of Iowa
Fgf8 dosage and tissue interactions contribute to jaw asymmetry in disease
Authors: Fish Jennifer L. , Dolan Katie , Green Rebecca , Marcucio Ralph S , Hallgrimsson Benedikt 
Published: November 2023

Asymmetry in presence or severity of jaw defects is commonly observed in craniofacial congenital disorders, such as cleft palate. Fgf8 is a secreted signaling factor that contributes to the growth and development of many tissues, including the limbs and jaw. Using an allelic series of Fgf8 mutant mice to generate embryos with 5 distinct genotypes and Fgf8 dosages, we investigated the effects of reductions in Fgf8 dosage on size and symmetry of the jaw and limbs. Bone length was measured and compared left versus right in limbs and isolated dentaries of WT, heterozygous, and mutant neonatal skeletons. Mutant mandibles are smaller and much more variable in size than WT or heterozygote mandibles and exhibit directional asymmetry, with the left side more severely affected. In contrast, no apparent asymmetry was observed in the limbs, however, mutant limbs are smaller than in the other genotypes. These data suggest jaw development is more susceptible to reduction in Fgf8 dosage than is limb development. To investigate mechanisms underlying differential susceptibility to Fgf8 reduction, we compared Fgf expression in mandibles and limbs. To investigate mechanisms underlying directional asymmetry in the jaw related to Fgf8 reduction, we evaluated cell death and jaw patterning. Fgf8 mutants exhibit increased cell death in neural crest progenitors at E9.5 relative to WT, however, there is no difference in L‐R asymmetry between mutants and WT individuals. We do, however, observe asymmetry in jaw patterning (e.g, Dlx5 expression) in mutant embryos at E10.5. We also find asymmetry in first pharyngeal pouch (PP1) morphology. We hypothesize that early developmental interactions between the heart field (which is known to asymmetrically express Fgf8) and prospective pharyngeal endoderm fields contribute to asymmetry in PP1 development, which ultimately lead to asymmetry in jaw patterning and morphogenesis. Our data suggest that asymmetry in craniofacial defects may result from early asymmetries in gene expression coupled with developmental tissue interactions.Support or Funding InformationR01‐DE019638 and R01‐DE021708 to R.M. and B.H.
Cutaneous Innervation of the Palmar Aspect of the Hand
Authors: Hurley Mary , Stevens Todd , Fracassi Rebecca , Neu Devlynn , Olivieri Marion P. 
Published: November 2023

The median and ulnar nerves carry cutaneous sensory fibers for the skin of the palmar side of the hand. The distribution of cutaneous nerves on the dorsum varies according to authors of anatomy textbooks and atlases. Gray's Anatomy, Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy, Grant's Atlas of Anatomy, and Netter's Atlas cite variations of cutaneous nerve distribution on the dorsum of the hand. Description of the cutaneous distribution on the palmar side of the hand does not vary between these different sources. The median nerve supplies the palmar side of fingers 1–3 and the lateral side of finger 4, while the ulnar nerve supplies the palmar side of finger 5 and medial side of finger 4. This project examined the palmar cutaneous distribution of both left and right hands in a group of cadavers and did not discover any variations from the typical description. Future studies will explore cutaneous distribution on the dorsum of the hand.Support or Funding InformationSupported and funded by the Department of Biology and Mathematics of D'Youville College, Buffalo, NY