Comparative cytoarchitecture of the midbrain colliculi of defined age groups in the African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus)

Background: The rostral and caudal colliculi of mammalian midbrain are pivotal to vision and audition, respectively. Cytoarchitecture of these midbrain  colliculi in neonate, juvenile and adult African giant pouched rats is dearth. Objective: This study compared the histology of the nuclei, neurons and  laminations of the colliculi in these age groups. Methods: Thirty-six captive African giant pouched rats consisting of twelve neonates, juveniles and adults were used. Thickness of the histologic layers of  the rostral colliculi and lengths of the central nucleus of the caudal colliculi were compared among the groups. Results: the rostral colliculus  composed of an outermost stratum zonale, middle stratum griseum superficiale and innermost stratum griseum  profundus; migratory immature neurons of radial glial cells were observed in the stratum zonale of neonates, which disappeared in juveniles and adults;  the stratum griseum superficiale of neonates was characterized of already formed neurites, similar to those of the juveniles and adults. However, this  layer in adults had more oligodendrocytes than in juveniles. There was significant increase in thickness of the stratum griseum superficiale and stratum  griseum profundus, with increasing age (P < 0.05). The caudal colliculus contained a central nucleus, dorsal and lateral cortices, with significant increase  in the length of the central nucleus with increasing age (P < 0.05); there was transformation of fibre shaft in the lateral cortex of neonates into a mixture  of chain like and marshy matrix in the juveniles which completely disappeared in adults, indicative of mature lateral cortex in the later. Conclusion: The adult African giant pouched rat may have the best auditory and visual senses, followed by juvenile. The neonate has the least acuity of  these senses

Readiness, barriers, and attitude of students towards online medical education amidst COVID-19 pandemic: A study among medical students of Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic caused massive disruption to medical education in Nigeria, necessitating the call for online medical education in the country. This study assessed the readiness, barriers, and attitude of medical students of Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria, to online medical education.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was employed. All matriculated medical students of the university participated in the study. Information was obtained using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire which was self-administered. Good attitude towards information and communication technology (ICT) based medical education was determined by the proportion of respondents correctly answering 60% of nine variables. Readiness for online classes was determined by the proportion of students who preferred either a combination of physical and online lectures or only online medical education amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Chi-square test and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression analysis were used in the study. A p-value of ResultsFour hundred and forty-three students participated in the study (response rate; 73.3%). The mean age of the students was 23.0±3.2 years. The majority of the respondents, 52.4%, were males. The students' most preferred sources for studying before the COVID-19 pandemic included textbooks, 55.1% and lecture notes, 19.0%. The commonly visited websites included Google, 75.2%, WhatsApp, 70.0% and YouTube, 59.1%. Less than half, 41.1%, have a functional laptop. The majority, 96.4%, have a functioning email address, while 33.2% participated in a webinar during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though 59.2% had a good attitude towards online medical education, only 56.0% expressed readiness for online medical education. The major barriers to online medical education included poor internet connectivity, 27.1%, poor e-learning infrastructure, 12.9% and students not having laptops, 8.6%. Predictors of readiness for online medical education included previous participation in a webinar, AOR = 2.1, (95%CI: 1.3-3.2) and having a good attitude towards IT-based medical education, AOR = 3.5, (95%CI: 2.3-5.2).ConclusionsThe majority of the students showed readiness for online medical education. Lessons from COVID-19 pandemic necessitate the initiation of online medical education. University authorities should ensure that every enrolled medical student owns or have access to a dedicated laptop through a university-mediated arrangement. Adequate attention should be given to the development of e-learning infrastructure, including steady internet services within the confines of the university