Opioid-Related Visits to Rural Emergency Departments

Increased rates of acute opioid poisoning and related emergency department (ED) visits in the United States have occurred at the same time as rural EDs face a number of resource constraints. Researchers at the Maine Rural Health Research Center conducted this study to gain insight about rural ED visits for acute opioid poisoning and how they compare with urban ED visits. The authors used data from the 2006 and 2013 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample to examine rural and urban opioid-related visits (ORVs) to EDs, including rate change over time, and the outcomes of these ED visits (treatment and release, inpatient admission, transfer, and death). Study findings showed that ORVs as a proportion of total visits increased in rural and urban EDs between 2006 and 2013; rural ORV rates were lower than urban rates in both time periods, however this difference narrowed because of somewhat higher rural increases. Additionally, rural ORVs were more likely than those in urban areas to be by patients 65 and older and to involve concurrent use of benzodiazepines. One fifth of ORVs by rural residents occurred in urban EDs and rural EDs were more likely to transfer patients to another hospital. More research is needed to understand the impact of rural residents’ treatment in urban EDs or other facilities on short- and long-term outcomes for patients who experience an ORV. For more information on this study, please contact Dr. Erika ZIller, [email protected]

Isolation and characterization of tomato cDNA and genomic clones encoding the ubiquitin gene ubi3

We report here the isolation and nucleotide sequence of tomato cDNA and genomic clones encoding a ubiquitin extension protein homologous to the yeast gene ubi3 . Sites similar to upstream activating sites commonly found in the promoters of yeast ribosomal genes were observed in the tomato promoter. The tomato ubi3 promoter also contained elements found in the rbcS promoter from pea. The transcription initiation site was determined to occur 66 bp upstream of the initiating Met. RFLP mapping revealed that the gene was located on chromosome 1, 23 cM from marker TG301. A ubi3 gene-specific probe hybridized to a single 800 nt transcript. Expression was reduced in heat-shocked plants and plants kept in the dark. Expression was highest in young leaves and immature green fruit and lowest in mature leaves and petals. We isolated the original cDNA clone using an antibody prepared against chloroplast polypeptides. Immunological studies did not detect ubiquitin or ubiquitin extension proteins in the chloroplast. However, higher-molecular-weight chloroplast proteins were detected with ubiquitin antisera suggesting that ubiquitin conjugates are transported into the chloroplast.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43430/1/11103_2004_Article_BF00028735.pd

Using Multimedia Principles to Reduce Visual Complexity of Transcriptional Regulation in Cancer

Environmental factors can regulate gene expression without changing the genetic code itself, a process called epigenetics. One currently active area of genetic and epigenetic research is into the regulation of a tumor-inducing gene called Mylocytomatosis, or MYC, which is involved in many types of cancer. As genetic discoveries, such as the regulation of MYC, are generating more interest from the medical community and the public, creating effective visuals is of increasing importance. However, research studies on the general public’s understanding of genetics have demonstrated a poor grasp of genetic concepts - a finding that also appears in similar studies of undergraduate genetics students, medical students, and practicing physicians. Fortunately, visual learning studies and multimedia design principles have established methods for improving comprehension of biomedical topics. Animation, in particular, has the benefit of pairing narration and dynamic visuals, which, when used together, benefit long-term memory more than the use of static images. Here, we employ visual design strategies (including content mapping, storyboarding, and user studies), multimedia learning principles, and 3D molecular animation to successfully improve the understanding of a complex genetic topic to an audience with a wide range of background knowledge. This study presents the first and most accurate animation of the complex interactions of transcription initiation and elongation on a molecular scale. The animation includes the initiation complex, the transcription elongation complex, MYC, Pol II, and the assortment of transcription factors that assist in modulating the rate of elongation of Pol II. The resulting product is a three-minute animation which uses audio, visuals, and a deep understanding of multimedia principles to significantly increase individuals’ prior knowledge of a complex topic in molecular genetics

Developing a Virtual Lab to Teach Essential Biology Laboratory Techniques

Laboratory classes have consistently played a crucial role in science education for many years. Common to all labs is the need to understand essential lab techniques. Students often lack this foundational understanding, and this can lead to poor performance or confidence (Gallagher et al. 2008).Virtual labs have been found to be effective in promoting active learning and increasing performance (Lewis 2014). In this project, a virtual lab for preparing a phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) was created to educate undergraduate biology students on essential laboratory techniques. The virtual lab included animations and interactive elements to visually communicate each step.Content experts provided input on the accuracy of the scientific content throughout development. Focus group testing with biology teaching assistants (TAs) at the University of Illinois at Chicago was conducted to assess the potential effectiveness of the virtual lab