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Durability and Longevity of Gene Edited DMD Skeletal Muscle
Get PDFThe content of this work is adapted with or without modifications from the previously published articles that are cited below. Sections that have been reproduced from previously published work have been clearly indicated at the beginning of each section.Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal muscle disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has been used to correct DMD mutations in animal models at young ages. However, the longevity and durability of CRISPR/Cas9 editing remained to be determined. To address these issues, I subjected ΔEx44 DMD mice to systemic delivery of AAV9 expressing CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing components to reframe exon 45 of the dystrophin gene, allowing robust dystrophin expression and maintenance of muscle structure and function. I found that genome correction by CRISPR/Cas9 confers lifelong expression of dystrophin in mice and that corrected skeletal muscle is highly durable and resistant to myofiber necrosis and fibrosis, even in response to chronic injury. In contrast, when muscle fibers were ablated by barium chloride injection I observed a loss of gene edited dystrophin expression. Analysis of on-target and off-target editing in aged mice confirmed the stability of gene correction and the lack of significant off-target editing at 18 months of age. These findings demonstrate the long-term durability of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing as a therapy for maintaining the integrity and function of DMD muscle, even under conditions of stress
Formative Feedback Passport: A Tool to Engage Students in Reflecting on and Incorporating Mid-Point Feedback
Get PDFBACKGROUND: The importance of formative feedback in undergraduate medical education is widely appreciated; however, it is historically inadequate. The formative feedback passport (FF tool) was developed and implemented in the Internal Medicine (IM) clerkship at UT Southwestern to address these concerns.
OBJECTIVE: This dissertation examines the FF tool's role in facilitating an optimal formative feedback process.
METHODS: Initially, a pre-intervention study was conducted, in which randomly selected, de-identified FF tools from the 2018-2019 IM clerkship were analyzed for content and quality of student reflection. Results revealed that student reflection on feedback was insufficient, with transformative, thoughtful reflection seldom occurring. In response to these findings, the FF tool's instructions were augmented with a module to encourage critical reflection. Subsequently, a post-intervention study was conducted, in which randomly selected, de-identified FF tools from the 2020-2021 IM clerkship were analyzed in the same manner as the pre-intervention study.
RESULTS: 149 feedback tips from 50 FF tools were included in the pre-intervention study, and 162 feedback tips from 54 FF tools were included in the post-intervention study for a total of 311 feedback tips from 104 FF tools analyzed. In both studies, most of the feedback tips aligned with established standards for resident and faculty evaluators. In addition, the mean scores for each REFLECT Rubric criterion were significantly higher in the post-intervention group than the pre-intervention group.
CONCLUSION: The FF tool is an invaluable electronic feedback tool in the IM clerkship at UT Southwestern. It enables documentation of formative feedback and promotes critical student engagement, reflection upon feedback, and the development of plans to implement feedback for improvement. Study results demonstrate that students receive formative feedback from an attending, resident, or patient that is appropriate in content. Additionally, study results demonstrate that the intervention improved student engagement and quality of reflection on feedback using the FF tool
Exploring Health Information-Seeking Behaviors: Insights from the Armenian Community in the United States
No full textThe author did not give permission for the presentation file to be made public so only the general metadata is available.This presentation was recognized at the SCC/MLA Annual Business Meeting on October 29, 2024, as the recipient of the Second Place Award for Contributed Papers in the 2024 Elizabeth K. Eaton, Ph.D. Research Awards.OBJECTIVE: To study how Armenians in the United States seek healthcare and how social support influences their health decisions. METHODS: A survey was created using Qualtrics to assess demographics, cultural tendencies, healthcare preferences, and opinions on health resources and social support. The Vancouver Index of Acculturation was used to measure adherence to heritage culture. A manual thematic analysis was conducted on open-ended responses about healthcare choices and the importance of social networks. The survey was distributed in April of 2024 through Armenian groups on Facebook. RESULTS: Forty-seven participants completed the survey; twenty-seven (64.3 %) met the inclusion criteria. The average age was 39.4 years with 67% female and 33% male. Most respondents were from southern states and over 50% were US-born. 67% identified more with their heritage culture. On a 5-point Likert scale, 70.37% rated their doctors as qualified, 22.22 % preferred an Armenian doctor, and 70.37% favored US-trained doctors. For health challenges, 33% consulted primary care physicians, 33% Internet sources, and 26% family. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: social concept, misinformation awareness, and referral and experience. CONCLUSIONS: Armenians in the US value their primary care providers, the Internet, family, and their research in health decision-making. They prefer US-trained doctors despite strong ties to their heritage culture, indicating trust in local health professionals
A Healthy Partnership: Libraries and Community Health Workers Unite
No full textThis poster was recognized at the SCC/MLA Annual Business Meeting on October 29, 2024, as the recipient of the Third Place Award for Posters in the 2024 Elizabeth K. Eaton, Ph.D. Research Awards.OBJECTIVE: Health Science Librarians (HSL) and Community Health Workers (CHW) both offer services that are vital in improving health outcomes within their communities. In an effort to connect the professions, two HSLs partnered with a statewide CHW organization to provide information on improving health literacy and utilizing library services. This poster will detail the partnership, lessons learned, and ideas for future programming opportunities. METHOD: Two HSLs collaborated with a state-level CHW organization to assess the health information training needs of CHWs and identify where libraries could provide support. Based on these findings, the HSLs presented a webinar on understanding health literacy, using MedlinePlus, and partnering with libraries. The webinar was accredited by the CHW organization for continuing education (CE) credits, essential for CHW certification in the state. RESULTS: The HSLs established a partnership with the CHW organization to provide further CE training for CHWs in the state. Feedback from a post-webinar survey highlighted additional topics of interest, guiding HSLs in planning future programming tailored to CHWs' needs. CONCLUSION: Health science librarians and community health workers play an important role in addressing the health needs of their communities. This poster demonstrates the effectiveness of creating an interprofessional partnership to promote better health outcomes
Using the MISO Survey at UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center
Get PDFOBJECTIVE: To share lessons on compiling data from a longitudinal, nation-wide survey in an academic health sciences center library. METHODS: Since 2005, the Measuring Information Service Outcomes (MISO) Survey has been administered at >100 institutions, but hasn't been widely adopted by health sciences libraries. It is a customizable quantitative survey that measures how faculty, students, and staff view library services. We conducted the MISO survey five times over 12 years. Surveys went to a sample of students, staff, and faculty with questions targeted to each group. Question data was compiled to determine what questions were asked multiple years. The questions were sorted based on a minimum number of years asked. RESULTS: 557 distinct non-demographic questions were asked over the 5 survey years. 314 questions were filtered because they related to discontinued services. Of the remaining questions, 23 were asked 1 time across all surveys, and 5 were asked to all survey groups in all years. 14 were asked to at least 2 of the groups at least 3 years. DISCUSSION: Question inconsistency makes identifying trends difficult; inconsistencies arose from updates made by MISO, and others reflected changing priorities. Extended breaks between survey years also contributed to inconsistencies
Dreaming of FOSLs: The Friends of the Schusterman Library, Our Successes and Lessons Learned
Get PDFIn summer of 2022, the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Library leadership team began to explore the possibility of establishing a "Friends" group for the purpose of fundraising and advocacy. That exploration included several coordinating meetings with the OU Development office to determine the structure and legal framework for the group, as well as surveying selected libraries about their successes with friends groups and library societies. That fall, a small steering committee of interested persons began to meet with the library director, and the Friends of the Schusterman Library (FOSL) was established, a formal charter being adopted a few months after the first meeting. A basic membership structure was developed and each charter member began recruiting new FOSL members in time for OU Giving Day 2023, a major fundraiser held in the spring each year. This paper will look closely at the history of the founding of FOSL, and how it differs from more traditional academic library societies and friends groups. Discussion will include FOSL general membership metrics, fundraising support, successfully funded projects, social events and programming, communications, and anticipated next steps with this fledgling organization
Forging Successful Relationships with Faculty to Support Critical Information Literacy
No full textOBJECTIVE: The objective of this roundtable is to probe into the best strategies for forging open, collaborative relationships with faculty and librarians built on mutual respect, trust, and expertise. Facilitators will open the session with a description of successful partnerships at their institutions and identify challenges and opportunities they faced when forging these relationships. Discussion will move to the table, and all participants will be invited to engage. METHODS: Facilitate an open discussion informed by the available literature and anecdotal experience of librarians on their strategies, successes, and challenges in collaborating with faculty members at their institutions. Facilitators will have three themes with associated questions to help guide the discussion: Trust: What strategies do you currently use to build rapport amongst faculty? Collaboration: What strategies or practices could we employ for more effective and open communication with faculty? Development: What types of professional development could be mutually beneficial for both librarians and faculty for supporting critical information literacy, especially considering the implications of evidence-based practice? GOALS: Identify successful strategies for building open, collaborative relationships between librarians and faculty; and create an open dialogue for future insights into the topic and creation of a collaboration toolkit for librarians
Building on Big Dreams for Library Spaces
No full textThe purpose of this poster is to share the current state of one academic library's spaces and show how staff create value and appeal for users. The library's big dream is to continually develop and adapt spaces for students and users that meet their needs and encourages return visits. By creating space and emotional connections, the library becomes a valuable part of the students' educational experience. Considering ergonomics, universal design, student mood, comfort, wellness, mental and spiritual health, and direct feedback, including from a student advisory group, the library staff fashioned the current space. In a perfect world, each change would be easy to make and very affordable. As with most academic libraries, cost concerns, local campus politics, and older infrastructure present challenges to be overcome. For example, library staff regularly utilize nudge theory techniques to reduce higher noise levels created by the library's recent renovation rather than overt 'shushing.' The "vibe check" is confirmed by solid and increasing gate count data, student feedback, and overall positive comments on the space. The proof is in the users who show up every day and keep coming back
The Value of Black Literature
No full textThe author submitted this entry in the Creative Non-Fiction category (Amateur division) for the 2024 On My Own Time (OMOT) Art Show.I was inspired to explore the history of black authors in America after reading several amazing books and poems. Can you name any black authors from the 18th century? If not, give this piece a read and find out
Identification and Characterization of a Nuclear Export Pathway for GC-Rich RNAs in Mammalian Cells
No full textSplicing promotes nuclear export of RNAs by recruiting export factors to nascent transcripts. Nevertheless, many intronless RNAs are efficiently exported to the cytoplasm through mechanisms that remain poorly characterized. To identify new RNA export factors, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR screen to investigate the mechanism of export of NORAD, an intronless cytoplasmic long noncoding RNA. This screen revealed an RNA binding protein, RBM33, that directs the nuclear export of NORAD and numerous other transcripts. RBM33 directly binds substrate transcripts and recruits components of the NXF1-dependent RNA export pathway. Interestingly, high GC-content, not intron number or splicing efficiency, emerged as the feature that specifies RBM33-dependent nuclear export. Accordingly, RBM33 directly binds GC-rich elements in target transcripts. Importantly, these targets are nuclear enriched in RBM33 deficient cells, thereby establishing the role of RBM33 as a hitherto unknown nuclear export factor. These results provide a broadly applicable approach for the genetic dissection of nuclear export mechanisms and reveal the existence of an alternative RNA export route for GC-rich transcripts, providing a mechanistic basis for the long-standing observation that GC-rich sequence composition boosts gene expression and cytoplasmic localization