Simulation Learning: Effectiveness and Stressfulness in Medical Student Teaching

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Introduction: The aims of this study were to assess the effectiveness of different modalities of simulation learning in medical students and the resulting stress response. Methods: Students were randomised into two groups for simulation learning, on the assessment and management of acutely ill patients. Group 1 performed assessments in a static individual format, whilst group 2 performing assessments in a dynamic group format. The stress response was measured by heart rate monitors worn by students, and performance was graded by a final simulator assessment. Results: The stress response did not significantly vary between groups, but there was a significant increase in heart rate in all students during the simulation learning; with a mean increase of 34 beats per minute in group 1 and 38 beats per minute in group 2. Performance in the final simulator assessment was significantly better in group 2, with a mean score of 21.5 points, compared to 16.2 points in group 1. Conclusion: A dynamic group simulation learning strategy is more effective in teaching medical students than simulations performed individually. Simulation learning, however; results in a significant stress response in all students, which must be carefully managed when delivering this type of learning.</ns4:p

Cells activated for wound repair have the potential to direct collective invasion of an epithelium.

Mechanisms regulating how groups of cells are signaled to move collectively from their original site and invade surrounding matrix are poorly understood. Here we develop a clinically relevant ex vivo injury invasion model to determine whether cells involved in directing wound healing have invasive function and whether they can act as leader cells to direct movement of a wounded epithelium through a three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. Similar to cancer invasion, we found that the injured cells invade into the ECM as cords, involving heterotypical cell-cell interactions. Mesenchymal cells with properties of activated repair cells that typically locate to a wound edge are present in leader positions at the front of ZO-1-rich invading cords of cells, where they extend vimentin intermediate filament-enriched protrusions into the 3D ECM. Injury-induced invasion depends on both vimentin cytoskeletal function and MMP-2/9 matrix remodeling, because inhibiting either of these suppressed invasion. Potential push and pull forces at the tips of the invading cords were revealed by time-lapse imaging, which showed cells actively extending and retracting protrusions into the ECM. This 3D injury invasion model can be used to investigate mechanisms of leader cell-directed invasion and understand how mechanisms of wound healing are hijacked to cause disease

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions

Effect of nitrogen gas flow on amorphous Si–C–N films produced by PVD techniques

Si C N thin films were deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering on glass and steel substrates. The films were grown in a x y z rotation mode over a carbon and a silicon targets in a mixed Ar/N2 atmosphere at a substrate temperature of 300 °C. The 2 substrates were held grounded or at a negative bias of -25 and -50 V. The film characteristics were also controlled by nitrogen flow. Binary and ternary films were obtained. The films were analysed with respect to microstructure, state of chemical bonding and optical properties by Raman spectroscopy (RS) and optical transmittance. RS was used as a probe of micro-structural modifications induced by deposition conditions. The main features observed in RS spectra are the well-known D- and G-bands characteristic of amorphous carbon. The position, widths and intensity ratio of these bands are found to be dependent on the film composition. The refractive index, the absorption coefficient and also the thickness were calculated from transmittance spectra obtained between 200 and 2500 nm. The hardness and Young’s modulus of the films were measured by nano-indentation experiments. The average hardness and Young’s modulus of the produced coatings was 21 and 200 GPa, respectively

Improved Intraoperative Detection of Ovarian Cancer by Folate Receptor Alpha Targeted Dual-Modality Imaging

Contains fulltext : 177772.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Complete resection of tumor lesions in advanced stage ovarian cancer patients is of utmost importance, since the extent of residual disease after surgery strongly affects survival. Intraoperative imaging may be useful to improve surgery in these patients. Farletuzumab is a humanized IgG1 antibody that specifically recognizes the folate receptor alpha (FRalpha). Labeled with a radiolabel and a fluorescent dye, farletuzumab may be used for the intraoperative detection of ovarian cancer lesions. The current aim is to demonstrate the feasibility of FRalpha-targeted dual-modality imaging using 111In-farletuzumab-IRDye800CW in an intraperitoneal ovarian cancer model. Biodistribution studies were performed 3 days after injection of 3, 10, 30, or 100 mug of 111In-farletuzumab-IRDye800CW in mice with subcutaneous IGROV-1 tumors (5 mice per group). In mice with intraperitoneal IGROV-1 tumors the nonspecific uptake of 111In-farletuzumab-IRDye800CW was determined by coinjecting an excess of unlabeled farletuzumab. MicroSPECT/CT and fluorescence imaging were performed 3 days after injection of 10 mug of 111In-farletuzumab-IRDye800CW. FRalpha expression in tumors was determined immunohistochemically. Optimal tumor-to-blood-ratios (3.4-3.7) were obtained at protein doses up to 30 mug. Multiple intra-abdominal tumor lesions were clearly visualized by microSPECT/CT, while uptake in normal tissues was limited. Fluorescence imaging was used to visualize and guide resection of superficial tumors. Coinjection of an excess of unlabeled farletuzumab significantly decreased tumor uptake of 111In-farletuzumab-IRDye800CW (69.4 +/- 27.6 versus 18.3 +/- 2.2% ID/g, p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that the radioactive and fluorescent signal corresponded with FRalpha-expressing tumor lesions. FRalpha-targeted SPECT/fluorescence imaging using 111In-farletuzumab-IRDye800CW can be used to detect ovarian cancer in vivo and could be a valuable tool for enhanced intraoperative tumor visualization in patients with intraperitoneal metastases of ovarian cancer