One crucial component of the optical system is the ciliary body (CB). This body secretes the aqueous humour, which is essential to maintain the internal eye pressure as well as the clearness of the ...lens and cornea. The histological study was designed to provide the morphological differences of CB and iris in the anterior eye chambers of the following vertebrate classes: fish (grass carp), amphibians (Arabian toad), reptiles (semiaquatic turtle, fan‐footed gecko, ocellated skink, Egyptian spiny‐tailed lizard, Arabian horned viper), birds (common pigeon, common quail, common kestrel), and mammals (BALB/c mouse, rabbit, golden hamster, desert hedgehog, lesser Egyptian jerboa, Egyptian fruit bat). The results showed distinct morphological appearances of the CB and iris in each species, ranging from fish to mammals. The present comparative study concluded that the morphological structure of the CB and iris is the adaptation of species to either their lifestyle or survival in specific habitats.
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The cover image is based on the Research Article India ink to 3D imaging: The legacy of Dr. Deepak “Dee” N. Pandya and his influence on generations of neuroanatomists by Gene J. Blatt et al., ...https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.25551.
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INTRODUCTION
Schools of higher education across the US closed all operations and in‐person classes during the COVID ‐19 pandemic, significantly affecting laboratory‐based anatomy dissection courses ...and the anatomical gift programs (AGP) that support them. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the COVID‐19 pandemic affected AGP operations in the US. The researchers hypothesized that programs would modify donation acceptance criteria and that anatomy education demands for donors would be reduced during the first year of the pandemic.
METHODS/ RESULTS
The researchers sent a Qualtrics survey to 135 AGP directors with a response rate of 28% (n=38). Respondents were from 26 states and included 28 AGPs operating for 25 years or longer and ten programs operational for 15 years or less. Six AGP’s (16%) stopped accepting donors for varying lengths of time secondary to the COVID‐19 pandemic during its first year, while 32 programs (84%) continued operations. Of the programs that remained operational, 81% (n=26) made modifications to donor acceptance policies, while 19% (n=6) maintained existing acceptance policies. Schools that made policy modifications for donor acceptance criteria reported changes, including heightened screening for symptoms of COVID‐19 at the time of donor registration and upon death and requiring a negative COVID test for the anatomical donor near the time of death. In addition, COVID‐19 infection was added to the existing list of disqualifying conditions for many programs. Some sites excluded donors from large group facilities (hospitals, long‐term care), and some declined any donors with respiratory infections at the time of death. Several programs (13%) stopped accepting those donors who were not registered with their AGP prior to the onset of the COVID pandemic.
During COVID‐19, the demand for donors in anatomy education decreased significantly (p<0.05). Reasons for the reduced donor demand as reported by respondents included school closings and adjusted (smaller, shorter in time) laboratory sessions. These actions were taken because of concern for student/staff safety, reduced availability of appropriate personal protective equipment, and safety‐related student/faculty spacing needs.
CONCLUSION
Most AGPs were operational during COVID‐19 and able to maintain donor needs for anatomy education. Further research is warranted into the long‐term effects on AGPs as the pandemic persists.
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Introduction
Acknowledging the fundamental role anatomy education plays in medical training and taking into consideration the nascence of online anatomy education in Nigeria, we evaluated the current ...and future perceptions of medical and allied‐health students towards online anatomy education during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Nigeria.
Methods
Google Form questionnaires were distributed via different social and academic platforms to medical and allied‐health students in Nigeria between September 28 –December 17, 2020, using a purposive sampling. 954 students responded to questions on what they felt about the online anatomy teaching including how it could affect their academic performance in anatomy. Additionally, they were asked to give their opinion of the future of e‐learning in anatomy in Nigeria. The data collected from the study were analyzed using descriptive and inferential techniques.
Results
Out of a total of 954 students who participated in the study, 947 valid responses were recorded. From the responses, most of the students (77.6%) had computer/IT skills. Unexpectedly, many of
the students (60%) did not favor online learning approaches as effective tools for instructions in the anatomical sciences while more than a half of the students (55%) did not find the online classes in anatomy interesting. On the other hand, a majority (84%) believed that physical classes would have improved their performance in anatomy. Almost all the students (91.5%) believed anatomy educators in Nigeria need advanced skills for online education and that anatomy online teaching needs more advanced technology to be implemented in Nigeria(94.2%).
Conclusion
After evaluating online anatomy education experience during the COVID‐19 lockdown in Nigeria from medical and allied‐health students’ position, it was observed that there was an inclusive negative perception about the suitability and effectiveness of online education with regards to the anatomical sciences in Nigerian medical/health training. Majority of the students indicated that there is need for the enhancement of online teaching and quality training of the anatomy educators. Addressing the challenges that were presented during online anatomy education at the heat of the pandemic is recommended. This will incline science education towards the development and implementation of a workable and sustainable online education model in anatomical sciences for Nigeria.
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Introduction & Objective
In March 2020, medical schools around the country had to quickly transition from in person cadaveric anatomy curricula to an online distance learning format due to the ...COVID‐19 pandemic. This posed a challenge for students who had acclimated to learning anatomy inside the laboratory for the majority of their first year of medical school. The purpose of this study was to assess student perceptions of the abrupt transition from in person anatomy dissections and practical exams to an exclusively online format.
Materials and Methods
An anonymous survey was distributed to medical students from the Class of 2023 at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (n=191) in February 2021. The survey assessed student perceptions of the impact of COVID‐19 shutdowns on their medical education. In total, 45 responses were recorded, and survey data was analyzed using SPSS software. Nonparametric methods were used due to the ordinal nature of the Likert scale responses. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed. In addition, focus groups were conducted with 11 medical students who had completed the survey.
Results
A majority of respondents (82.55%) stated that their learning and understanding of anatomy was worse after cancellation of in person anatomy lab dissections. In contrast, understanding of didactic lecture material was split, with 37.5% stating that online lectures had no impact on their learning and understanding of the material, 31.25% stating understanding was worse, and 25% stating it was better following transition to online‐only lectures. The results from the Wilcoxon signed rank test of Likert scale responses indicated that students perceived impact of cancelling in person anatomy lab as significantly worse compared to the impact of cancelling in person lectures (p<0.001). Focus group responses echoed this theme, with the loss of 3‐dimensional visual and tactile learning in laboratory cited most frequently by participants as a challenge with the transition to online anatomy.
Conclusion
Medical student respondents in the class of 2023 perceived online anatomy as inferior to in person laboratory sessions after the COVID‐19 shut‐down in March 2020. The transition from in person to online anatomy was more impactful on student understanding of material than the transition from in person to online didactic lectures. Of note, the students surveyed had completed the majority of their anatomy curriculum in person prior to the transition online.
Significance/Implication
The medical school shutdowns that occurred in March 2020 due to the COVID‐19 pandemic highlighted the importance of in person interaction with cadaveric specimens in anatomy education, especially in the context of how students were initially exposed to content. When possible, consideration should be given to learning approaches that students are familiar with and how changes to the curriculum will impact them.
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After COVID‐19 vaccination a number of currently and formerly menstruating people reported changes in menstrual bleeding and menstrual symptoms. Media highlighted these experiences, but much of the ...focus was on changes in regularly menstruating cis‐gendered women and unnecessary concerns about fertility. This was despite ample evidence of vaccine safety for people who were currently pregnant or conceived after vaccination. An overlooked phenomenon was reports of periods, spotting, or other unexpected vaginal bleeding in people who usually do not menstruate, including people assigned female at birth who are transmasculine, trans men, agender, non‐binary, and other gender diverse identities. We present preliminary descriptions of post‐vaccine menstrual experiences of a vaccinated, non‐menstruating, gender diverse sample.
Methods
We conducted an online survey to characterize the menstrual experiences of a diverse group of currently and formerly menstruating people from April 7, 2021 through Oct 7, 2021. From over 160,000 responses, we identified 552 people between the ages of 18 and 45 who 1) reported they usually do not menstruate; 2) reported using testosterone and/or gender‐affirming hormones (some did not specify testosterone); and 3) were not cis women. In addition to demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender), we asked multiple‐choice and open‐ended questions about current menstrual status (including why they do not menstruate), hormone medications, contraceptive use, and menstrual symptoms after being vaccinated. Here, we combine experiences for both doses of the vaccine for analysis and group period, spotting, and other menstrual bleeding into one category called “breakthrough bleeding”.
Results
In this sample (n=552, age=25.6 +/‐ 5.7 (mean +/‐SD)), most respondents (84%, 463/552) selected more than one gender, with the most common for this subsample being transgender (n=460), man or man identified (n=373), non‐binary (n=241), and genderqueer/gender non‐conforming (n=124). 33% of respondents (180/552) reported breakthrough bleeding after vaccination, 9% (52/552) reported chest or breast soreness, and 46% (254/552) reported having other symptoms they would usually associate with a period. In response to the open‐ended question about other period related symptoms, respondents reported common symptoms such as cramping and bloating. A number of respondents also used the open‐ended text boxes to report negative mental health in response to their period symptoms, including anxiety, depression, gender dysphoria, panic attacks, and suicidal ideation.
Conclusions
Many gender diverse people who received vaccines for COVID‐19 experienced symptoms that are usually associated with menstruation, including unexpected bleeding. Because menstruation is usually considered in relation to fertility, other important aspects of this physiology are overlooked and this impacts people beyond fertile women. Attentiveness to menstruation beyond fertility and more inclusive use of gender in clinical trials is important to prepare people for potential side effects, address medically underserved populations, and reduce vaccine hesitancy.
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Background
Since the seventeenth century, the primary approach to teaching anatomy has involved hands‐on learning using cadaveric specimens. However, the ability to use this long‐standing tradition ...was curtailed in the 2020‐2021 school year due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Many institutions closed physical classrooms entirely, launching experiential courses, such as anatomy, into the online space.
Hypothesis
We hypothesized that Q‐methodology could be used to uncover student perceptions of an introductory anatomy and physiology course that was offered online for the very first time.
Methods
Q‐methodology, considered the study of subjectivity, is an approach that statistically uncovers groups of individuals with shared perceptions within a larger cohort. Instructors can use Q‐methodology to identify groups of students with shared needs, allowing for more specific and productive course reform. In the current study, Q‐methodology was used as a means of course evaluation in the fall 2020 and winter 2021 semesters. Students were asked to sort 44 opinion‐based statements in a quasi‐normal table based on their level of agreement. By‐person factor analysis of 166 responses revealed three statistically distinct groups of students.
Results
The three groups were assigned the following monikers: Connected and Contented (CC), Disconnected and Disgruntled (DD), and Interconnected and Collaborative (IC). CC students (n=66) felt generally ambivalent toward course components and were comfortable with the technology skills required to participate in the online course space. DD students (n=50) were deeply unhappy with several elements of the course, including lectures, assignments, and evaluations. These students also felt as if they were teaching themselves. Finally, IC students (n=29) looked favourably upon the tutorial space and the role of teaching assistants. Analysis also revealed that some sentiments were shared across all three groups, including the preference for physical rather than virtual specimens, and the desire for more practice questions from faculty in order to prepare for bellringer exams. Interestingly, cohort opinions did not remain static across both semesters. There was a positive attitude shift as more students felt “Disconnected and Disgruntled” in the fall, and “Connected and Contented” in the winter.
Conclusions
These findings are useful for anatomy instructors interested in transitioning courses to an online or blended space, particularly in the face of ever evolving public health restrictions. The current study also models the wealth of information that can be uncovered using Q‐methodology ‐ useful for anyone interested in the previously amorphous study of subjectivity.
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OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate students’ perceptions of the educational value of online, interactive anatomy radiology laboratories.
HYPOTHESIS
Digital dissection is performed with ...computed tomography (CT) scans on near life‐size anatomy visualization tables and has been used to teach radiology anatomy at our institution. These sessions were pivoted to online delivery in response to COVID‐19. With the ongoing movement towards technology integration in medical education, if home access to these online laboratories is made available then we hypothesize the perceived learning experience should be preserved.
METHODS
290 first‐year medical students participated in 10 weekly digital radiology anatomy laboratories, which employed 3D CT scans to emphasize the clinical applications of anatomy. Students reviewed the cases at home prior to the lab on a mobile platform and labs were delivered synchronously via the Zoom platform in a facilitated large‐group format. After the course, a voluntary anonymous online survey was distributed assessing learner satisfaction, task value, emotional achievement, and cognitive load.
RESULTS
Survey response rate was 44%. Most participants reported the labs improved their knowledge of anatomy (82%), disease (81%) and clinical decision making (65%), including surgical knowledge (76%). The large group, synchronous learning format was found to be the most effective (68%). Positive emotional achievement was reported (mean 2.98). The extraneous cognitive load of the at‐home mobile technology and lack of time were perceived as the greatest programmatic challenges.
CONCLUSION
Synchronous digital dissection labs were perceived as a valuable addition to the first‐year medical curriculum, enhancing learners’ clinical decision making and preparation for medical sub‐specialties. This format of radiology anatomy education can be integrated into blended learning environments to provide students with additional learning opportunities.
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To date (17 November 2021), there has been more than 254 million confirmed cases of COVID‐19, and more than 5 million death globally (World Health Organization. https://covid19.who.int/). The virus ...causing COVID‐19 is called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). SARS‐CoV‐2 infects host cells by the binding of its spike protein to the cellular surface protein angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The predicted 29 amino acid residues of ACE2 that interact with SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) vary between human ACE2 and mouse or rat ACE2. Therefore, wildtype mice and rats show lower SARS‐CoV‐2 infection rate and mild symptoms compared to what is seen in humans. Small animal models that recapitulate human COVID‐19 disease are urgently needed for better understanding the transmission and therapeutic measurement. Currently, scientists use either mouse‐adapted SAS‐CoV‐2 (SAS‐CoV‐2 MA) models or random transgenic mouse models that artificially express human ACE2 under the control of cytokeratin 18 promoter or a constitutive promoter. SAS‐CoV‐2 MA may not completely reflect all aspects of the original human‐tropic SAS‐CoV‐2 and the current transgenic human ACE2 mouse models typically have high mortality rate caused by neuroinvasion and encephalitis due to very high human ACE2 expression. To overcome these limitations, we have developed humanized ACE2 mouse and rat models using CRISPR‐Cas9. Specifically, we inserted a ~3kb human ACE2 cDNA cassette into the mouse and rat Ace2 gene loci to ensure that human ACE2 expression is under the control of rodent Ace2 promoter and regulatory elements, while simultaneously disabling the rodent Ace2 gene. To accomplish this, CRISPR gRNAs targeting close to the translation initiation site of Ace2 were screened in cultured mouse and rat cells. Then CRISPR/Cas9 complex and donor DNA were subsequently microinjected into one‐cell stage embryos which were subsequently implanted into pseudo pregnant females. Resulting pups were screened for correct knockin by junction PCR and insert PCR, and the PCR products were Sanger sequenced. Targeted Locus Amplification (TLA) further confirmed the integration sites and transgene sequence. RT‐qPCR and Western blot analysis data showed that, in our models, human ACE2 is expressed in tissues expressing endogenous Ace2 (such as lung, kidney, and GI tract), while rodent endogenous Ace2 is absent from these tissues. Further breeding data indicated that both hemizygous and homozygous humanized ACE2 animals appear to be normal and fertile. Most importantly, animals displayed symptoms after infection with SARS‐CoV‐2. In summary, these data suggest that our humanized ACE2 models can be valuable for COVID‐19 research.
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