Facilitating Learning Analytics in Histology Courses with Knowledge Graphs

peer reviewe

ARanatomy, an Augmented Reality Application Dedicated to Anatomy and Histology Teaching. an Educational Innovation with High Potential in Different Educational Strategies

peer reviewedAnatomy and histology are cornerstones of preclinical education for health professionals. However, students may not fully perceive the importance of these disciplines and therefore may not develop a sufficient level of competence. To facilitate learning and increase efficiency, 3D environments using augmented reality (AR) recently emerge as educational strategies. They seem to improve knowledge and create an environment conducive to learning. Therefore, we have developed an AR application that integrate anatomy and histology, based on anatomical reality, able to scalable and usable in hybrid teaching. Reference patient DICOM data were transformed into .obj formats using the 3D slicer software and imported into the blender, while zbrush, autodesk maya and substance software were used to optimize the skeleton, urinary cavities, and vascular structures. Bone images obtained by photogrammetry were superimposed on this reconstruction. To this basic structure, relevant anatomical and histological structures with a high degree of scientific fidelity have been integrated. A feasibility study was carried out to assess the technical aspects, the ways to introduce the app to the students and the potential for its implementation in educational strategies. First, a technical test was performed with 500 first-year medical students. From 202 respondents, 31% of them encountered technical difficulties mostly related to functionalities. We are nevertheless optimistic about the tool potential because almost half of the students (47% of respondents) have found it very useful to better visualize the 3D aspects and the relationships between organs. A second feasibility study investigated the tool handling. 41 second-year medical students were randomly assigned to three protocols: one totally autonomous, one autonomous after watching an explanatory video and another supervised by a teacher. The handling was evaluated by questions requiring the use of all the app functionalities. The most successful group is the one that used the explanatory video, followed by the accompanied group and then the working independently group. The survey showed that the students experienced technical difficulties to display the model (20%) and the observation levels (11%), to perform rotations (40%) and zooms (17%). The tool potential was underlined as 91% find the app useful. Aspects relating to anatomy and histology integration (34%), 3D visualization (28%) and topography (17%) are mentioned in the free answers. Several anatomical visualizations in the same tool, displaying areas of interest and superimposing histological images are estimated useful by all of the involved students (100%). Finally, 97% of students have a general positive opinion qualifying the app as promising, useful, fun, integrative, congruent with morphology courses. This view is tempered by difficulties related to technical stability. In conclusion, the difficulties encountered are explained by the fact that the tool is still in the optimization phase. The app potential was undeniably highlighted. The integration of anatomy and histology in the same learning tool is a real opportunity. Indeed, while most students approach anatomy as a compartmentalized memorization task, those who combine it with understanding, integration with other disciplines and visualization at different levels seems to have a better acquisition of knowledge. This aspect will be investigated in the future.4. Quality educatio

ARanatomy, une application de réalité augmentée dédiée à l’enseignement de l’anatomie et de l’histologie : une innovation pédagogique à haut potentiel dans différentes scénarisation

peer reviewedL'anatomie et l’histologie sont des pierres angulaires de l’enseignement préclinique au sein des institutions universitaires formant des professionnels de la santé. Cependant, les étudiants peuvent ne pas percevoir pleinement l’importance de ces disciplines en tant que composantes essentielles de leur formation et ne pas développer un niveau de compétence suffisant. Les séances de laboratoire sont souvent limitées et l’intégration des notions reste compliquée pour la majorité des étudiants. Pour faciliter leur apprentissage et gagner en efficacité, des environnements 3D utilisant la réalité augmentée apparaissent dans les stratégies éducatives émergentes. Dès lors, nous avons développé, ARanatomy, une application de réalité augmentée répondant aux exigences suivantes : intégré des notions d’anatomie et d’histologie, basé sur la réalité anatomique, capable d’évoluer et utilisable dans un enseignement hybride. ARanatomy associe des notions anatomiques du rétropéritoine et histologiques du système néphro-urinaire, de même que le squelette reconstitué en photogrammétrie et les données d’imagerie médicale correspondantes. Le potentiel de l’intégration de cette application a été évalué dans différentes scénarisations pédagogiques.4. Quality educatio

Validating instructional design and predicting student performance in histology education: Using machine learning via virtual microscopy.

peer reviewedAs a part of modern technological environments, virtual microscopy enriches histological learning, with support from large institutional investments. However, existing literature does not supply empirical evidence of its role in improving pedagogy. Virtual microscopy provides fresh opportunities for investigating user behavior during the histology learning process, through digitized histological slides. This study establishes how students' perceptions and user behavior data can be processed and analyzed using machine learning algorithms. These also provide predictive data called learning analytics that enable predicting students' performance and behavior favorable for academic success. This information can be interpreted and used for validating instructional designs. Data on the perceptions, performances, and user behavior of 552 students enrolled in a histology course were collected from the virtual microscope, Cytomine®. These data were analyzed using an ensemble of machine learning algorithms, the extra-tree regression method, and predictive statistics. The predictive algorithms identified the most pertinent histological slides and descriptive tags, alongside 10 types of student behavior conducive to academic success. We used these data to validate our instructional design, and align the educational purpose, learning outcomes, and evaluation methods of digitized histological slides on Cytomine®. This model also predicts students' examination scores, with an error margin of <0.5 out of 20 points. The results empirically demonstrate the value of a digital learning environment for both students and teachers of histology

Here Comes the Sun—Methylene Blue in Combination with Sunlight Sanitises Surgical Masks Contaminated with a Coronavirus and a Tenacious Small Non-Enveloped Virus

In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the reuse of personal protective equipment, specifically face coverings, has been recommended. Reuse of such items necessitates procedures to inactivate contaminating human respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens. We previously demonstrated decontamination of face coverings contaminated with either infectious SARS-CoV-2 and animal coronaviruses or a highly resistant, non-enveloped norovirus via a novel photochemical treatment. Contaminated materials were coated with photosensitive methylene blue dye and were subsequently exposed to a visible bright light source (LED-equipped light boxes) to trigger the generation of virucidal singlet oxygen. A possible factor restricting the widespread use of such photochemical decontamination is its reliance on the availability of electricity to power light sources. Here, we show that natural sunlight can be used in lieu of artificial light. We demonstrate efficient inactivation of a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate, porcine respiratory coronavirus, via 10 µM dye coating in conjunction with short outdoor exposures of 5–30 min (blue sky to cloudy day; mean 46,578 lx). A tenacious human norovirus surrogate, murine norovirus, is inactivated via methylene blue solar decontamination involving 100 µM dye concentrations and 30 min of high-illuminance sunlight (blue sky; mean 93,445 lx) or 2 h of mid- to low-illuminance (cloudy day; mean 28,558 lx). The protocol developed here thus solidifies the position of methylene blue solar decontamination as an important equitable tool in the package of practical pandemic preparedness

Of masks and methylene blue - the use of methylene blue photochemical treatment to decontaminate surgical masks contaminated with a tenacious small non-enveloped norovirus

BACKGROUND: In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, reuse of personal protective equipment, specifically that of medical face coverings, has been recommended. The reuse of these typically single-use only items necessitates procedures to inactivate contaminating human respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens. We previously demonstrated decontamination of surgical masks and respirators contaminated with infectious SARS-CoV-2 and various animal coronaviruses via low concentration- and short exposure methylene blue photochemical treatment (10 µM methylene blue, 30 minutes of 12,500-lux red light or 50,000 lux white light exposure). METHODS: Here, we describe the adaptation of this protocol to the decontamination of a more resistant, non-enveloped gastrointestinal virus and demonstrate efficient photodynamic inactivation of murine norovirus, a human norovirus surrogate. RESULTS: Methylene blue photochemical treatment (100 µM methylene blue, 30 minutes of 12,500-lux red light exposure) of murine norovirus-contaminated masks reduced infectious viral titers by over four orders of magnitude on surgical mask surfaces. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Inactivation of a norovirus, the most difficult to inactivate of the respiratory and gastrointestinal human viruses, can predict the inactivation of any less resistant viral mask contaminant. The protocol developed here thus solidifies the position of methylene blue photochemical decontamination as an important tool in the package of practical pandemic preparedness