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Exploratory analysis of the neuropil space in the somatomotor, visual and cingulate cortex of the extinct Tasmanian tiger (Thylacine cynocephlus)
Abstract
The Tasmanian tiger (Thylacine cynocephlus) was a carnivorous marsupial which was driven to extinction at the start of the 20th Century. While historical records and genetic data have provided us with some insight into thylacine behavior and relatedness, we still know very little about their comparative neurobiology. Through the recent availability of a high-resolution image dataset acquired from hematoxylin-stained sections of a single thylacine brain, we undertook an exploratory analysis of the cortical microcircuitry in the somatomotor, visual and cingulate cortex. The aim of this study was two-fold, 1) to evaluate if there are regional differences in microcircuitry between cortical areas and to access the quality of the image data for follow-up comparisons with the extant Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Using a design based stereological sampling and image analysis approach, we quantified the neuropil fraction and average cell size in the cortical regions of the Thylacine brain. Our preliminary findings are interpreted within the context of published data on the neuropil space across species and recommendations are made for the use of this image dataset in subsequent histological comparisons
Pathology Teaching Methods in Different Curricula in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Pilot Study
Abstract
Introduction: There are many different versions of curricula at medical schools which makes it difficult to understand the teaching methods and pathology subjects being taught. We compared the different teaching methods in general and systemic pathology within traditional curricula (TC), semi-integrated curricula (SIC), and integrated curricula(IC) from fourteen medical schools.
Methods: A pathology survey was sent out to evaluate general and systemic pathology teaching methods taught at medical schools with different curricula affiliated with Group Research in Pathology Education. Pathology lecture hours, TBL hours, PBL hours, and hours spent in other forms of teaching pathology were counted and compared in general pathology and systems pathology subjects in four schools with TC, four schools with SIC, and six schools with IC.
Results: The total number of mean lecture hours taught in general and systemic pathology was greater in traditional curricula (TC) than integrated (IC) or semi-integrated (SIC) curricula (TC-153 hours vs IC-104 hours vs SIC-73.1 hours). Overall active learning methods using PBL and TBL had much greater hours in IC compared TC (IC-267.5 hours vs TC-52 hours) with PBL being the most utilized method in both general pathology and systemic pathology (IC-171 total hours). Lastly, other teaching methods total hours were greater in IC compared to SIC or TC (IC-103.3 hours vs SIC-32 hours vs TC-24.5 hours).
Conclusion: Lectures are the most preferred method of teaching in TC where active learning methods such as PBL are utilized more in the IC. IC also utilized other teaching methods more than other curricula
Formation of asymptomatic intraabdominal and intrafascial heterotopic ossificans following repeated abdominal surgeries: Case report
Abstract
Background: This case study discusses a rare case of abdominal heterotopic ossification (HO).
Clinical case: Middle-aged man presented for an elective colostomy reversal. He had an extensive surgical history including open sigmoid resection for recurrent diverticulitis with primary umbilical hernia repair, and subsequent resection of anastomosis, additional washouts, and eventually an ostomy formation for a perforated anastomotic site. Now, he felt well and desired a colostomy reversal. Incidentally during the colostomy reversal, at least 30 separate pieces of heterotopic bone formation were encountered within the interloop spaces and removed from the patient’s abdomen, some of which were excess of 10cm x 10cm in size. Seven months after the reversal, only a single area of ossification was present towards the upper aspect of the fascia.
Clinical lesson: HO can present as early as two weeks post abdominal surgery and may lead to obstructive symptoms. There have been cases of more serious consequences like jejunal perforation post fall in patient with HO. Our patient was asymptomatic. The etiology of HO is multifactorial and surgery remains as the primary treatment option with evidence for benefit with early intervention, but some authors recommend delayed intervention to reduce HO recurrence. Although other treatment options are available in the orthopedic world, prophylactic NSAIDs, radiation therapy, and bisphosphonates are not recommended for abdominal heterotopic ossification. Open abdomen can be a possible risk factor for the development of heterotopic ossification which has been reported by another similar case of HO
Group 4 - Education Posters, 31-36, 75
The fourth group of the presentation breakout consists of Education posters 31-36 and 75
Association of eating speed and rate with adult obesity: an exploratory review
Abstract
Background: Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disorder. The evidence on the association of eating rate and speed with adult obesity has been growing.
Objective: To understand the association of eating rate and speed with adult obesity.
Methods: PubMed was the sole database used to identify the studies. To search the literature, eating rate, eating speed, and obesity were used as keywords, and one Boolean operator (‘and’) was used to link eating speed/rate to obesity. Exclusion criteria included studies published after August 31st, 2023, and publications included in previous systematic reviews published within the past 15 years.
Results: The 3 identified studies were all cross-sectional and used questionnaires to collect subjective data on eating rate and speed as exposure, of which one also included an objective evaluation of eating rate measured as chews per bite. All studies collected data on body mass index and waist circumference to define outcomes, including general and central obesity, respectively. These studies differed in statistical methods and reported significant relations between the exposure and outcomes. However, the association remained statistically significant in only one study after adjusting for confounding factors.
Conclusions: Subjective evaluation of eating speed and rate was common. Prior studies were inconsistent in the association of eating speed and rate with obesity after adjustment for confounding factors. A comprehensive scope review will be conducted to synthesize recent evidence on the association
Bimalleolar equivalent ankle fracture joint contact: Comparison of two stabilization methods.
Abstract
Introduction: When surgically repairing an ankle fracture one goal is to restore the stability of the ankle joint. The osseous injury that occurs during an ankle fracture can be accompanied by a ligamentous injury, specifically to the deltoid ligament complex. The purpose of this study is to evaluate measuring the contact area of the ankle joint with different stabilization methods of the deltoid ligament.
Methods: 5 frozen cadavers were utilized for this study. Ultra low contact film was cut to match each of the unique anatomic characteristics of the talus. The film was carefully placed and secured within the ankle joint. An axial load of 100 psi was applied to each ankle under 4 conditions: ( Normal ankle, ( transected deltoid ligament off the medial malleolus, ( transected deltoid ligament off the medial malleolus with a syndesmotic screw through a plate, and ( direct repair of the deltoid ligament. The ankle joint contact area was tested in the 4 conditions and analyzed using the FujiFilm Pressure Mapping System ©
Results: Our study demonstrated that the primary repair of the deltoid ligament more closely represented the average contact pressure of the normal ankle compared to syndesmotic screw placement. The highest maximum pressure was comparable to the normal ankle in the syndesmotic screw placement but the total areas of highest pressure and total area measured were elevated with the syndesmotic screw specimens compared to the normal ankle
Group 1 - Biomedical Posters, 1-10
The first group of the presentation breakout consists of Biomedical posters 1-10
Group 7 - Clinical Posters, 59-66 - Education Posters, 37-38
The seventh group of the presentation breakout consists of Clinical Posters 59-66 and Education Posters 37-38
Leveraging virtual containers for high-powered, collaborative AI research in radiology
Abstract
26 Numerous obstacles confront researchers engaged in the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) models within the field of radiology. The divergence in hardware and software specifications among different researchers poses a substantial hindrance to effective collaboration. Model development within the same lab may also be challenging due to differences in platforms and hardware/software between lab members. Additionally, remotely harnessing the power of GPU-equipped computer servers can lead to compatibility issues and add to these inter-user challenges. Finally, the dissemination of AI models and the ability to download pre-existing AI models are not simple tasks due to the size and complexity of most programs.
Virtual containers offer a solution to such compatibility issues and are integral to the way modern AI development takes place. Virtual containers are software tools that bundle code, required programs, and necessary software packages to ensure that a program runs identically for all users, regardless of their native computing environment. This article outlines the features of virtual containers (compatibility, versatility, and portability) and highlights an applied use-case for virtual containers in the development of an AI model. Although the use-case offered here is specific to AI within radiology, the applications of virtual containers are vast and such tools are becoming increasingly necessary in the world of data science and AI across all fields of research
Sex Differences in Obesity- and Aging-Mediated Increase of Body Weight and Blood Pressure.
Abstract
The rate of obesity is steadily increasing world-wide, and obesity may predispose to chronic kidney disease (CKD) via direct pathway or through its complications such as hypertension. Furthermore, incidence of CKD is affected by aging and obesity accelerates aging especially in association with its complications. Specifically, the relationship between obesity and aging in controlling CKD development has not been well-defined. To address this gap in knowledge, we generated an obese model of 52-58-week-old mice and started the characterization of the model by measuring body weight and blood pressure in male and female mice. We studied four groups of mice: first and second groups were male mice, fed 60% high-fat (HF) diet or 10% low-fat (LH) diet for 19 weeks. Third and fourth groups were female mice, fed HF or LF diet for the same number of weeks. A gain in body weight was measured in male mice on HF when compared to LF diet and was associated with a significant diet-dependent increase (about 30%) of blood pressure. The body weight gain in female mice was more pronounced than in male mice (62% female vs. 54% male). Blood pressure was higher in female mice than in age-matched male mice in control conditions and was not diet dependent. These findings suggest sex differences in the increase of body weight and blood pressure mediated by diet-induced obesity in mice of 52-58 weeks of age. These findings are valuable to aid the understanding of the relationship of determinants that control progression of kidney diseases