Effectiveness of the digital image library cases in human anatomy studies

In several education technologies and options for teaching and studies one of the alternatives is the Anatomage 3D virtual dissection table with included Digital Image Library. The aim of this study was to observe the effectiveness of the Digital Image Library cases in Human Anatomy studies at Rīga Stradiņš University(RSU). In 2017 it was used every second week during the autumn`s practical classes on several occasions to show variety of interesting and many unique human anatomy cases, abnormalities, diseases and detailed sectional scans. As methods for collecting data were used discussions between students groups and survays. The sample included 100 students and 1 Human Anatomy tutor. The findings suggest that the Digital Image Library cases are very interactive and effective tools of the teaching and studies in HumanAnatomy at RSU. This is a new form of the communication between students, tutor, virtual reality of the body systems and it provides a lot of digital materials that develop relationships between basic and clinical study subjects.publishersversionPeer reviewe

TUTOR`S ROLES AND PERFORMANCES IN MODERN HUMAN ANATOMY COURSE SUPPORTED BY VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGY

Dynamical development of technologies changes not only education system in medicine at Rīga Stradiņš University, but there are a lot of performances in roles of the tutors, their skills and knowledge. The aim of this study was to investigate how the use of the 3D virtual dissection table “Anatomage”, like a platform for teaching of the students, transforms the tutor’s roles. In years 2016-2019 ten tutors learned the virtual technology well enough to utilize it in the practical classes and to integrate new, modern content into Human Anatomy curriculum at Department of Morphology. Tutors used virtual dissection platform and tools for a variety of purposes and in many ways. New technology helped tutors to develop topics with more interactive, complex tasks and collaboration among students, promoted required assessment methods and student self-assessment. Based on the variety of roles played by the Human Anatomy tutor in this virtual experience, through the focus groups we were fixed four main tutor’s roles types (technical, pedagogical, social and leadering). Variations in the usage of the “Anatomage” offered and reflected important performances, differences and divergences in tutors and their`s beliefs about the utility of this technology in the study course

Characterization of macrophages and tnf-α in cleft affected lip tissue

Funding Information: Funding: This research was funded by Riga Stradins University, Project 5-1/384/2020 “The complex research on the interrelation between tissue remodelling, tissue phenotype, and inflammation in most common craniofacial anomalies in Latvia”. Tissue samples were provided by Professor Ilze Akota. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Orofacial clefts are one of the most common congenital anomalies worldwide; however, morphopathogenesis of the clefts is not yet completely understood. Taking the importance of innate immunity into account, the aim of this work was to examine the appearance and distribution of macrophages (M) 1, M2, and TNF-α, as well as to deduce any possible intercorrelations between the three factors in cleft affected lip tissue samples. Twenty samples of soft tissue were collected from children during plastic surgery. Fourteen control tissue samples were obtained during labial frenectomy. Tissues were immunohistochemically stained, analysed by light microscopy using a semi-quantitative method, and the Mann–Whitney U and Spearman’s tests were used to evaluate statistical differences and correlations. A statistically significant difference in the distribution was observed only in regard to M1. A weak correlation was observed between M2 and TNF-α but a moderate one between M1 and M2 as well as M1 and TNF-α. However, only the correlation between M1 and M2 was statistically important. The rise in M1, alongside the positive correlation between M1 and TNF-α, suggested a more pro-inflammatory/inflammatory environment in the cleft affected lip tissue. The moderate positive correlation between M1 and M2 indicated an intensification of the protective mechanisms.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Remote Practical Anatomy Classes New Challenges and Directions for Tutors

Human Anatomy tutors had to adapt to Covid-19 reality by restructuring their methods by teaching in spring – autumn in 2020 at the Department of Morphology. The aims of this study were to identify and understand the variety of solutions being utilized by tutors and to clarify new challenges and directions. The open-ended interviews were used to collect data from 15 Anatomy tutors. Thematic analysis, used to analyze the qualitative data, emphasized the tutors’ perceptions of remote practical anatomy classes’ efficiency. Tutors developed their action plans for online teaching and highlighted the preparation of new materials, adoption of new technologies and skills. Based on the results of the transition from face-to-face to online anatomy teaching, there were detected five thematic items that were related to tutors’challenges. It was concluded that challenges that need to become a priority for tutors in online education concern mainly the special training courses, design of new models, video and/or online lectures, demonstration labs, practical classes, collegial contacts, technicians, IT-staff and colleagues support, consultation hours and communication. Future directions for tutors must be effective not only for increasing the quality of the Human Anatomy study process but also for the evolution of anatomy education.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Expression of MUC-2, MUC-6, NAPE-PLD, IL-6 and IL-13 in healthy and metaplastic bronchial epithelium

Background: The normal tissue structure of the respiratory system is necessary to provide adequate protection of the airways and lungs. Prolonged exposure to trigger factors can result in adaptive mechanism activation and lead to the development of chronic pulmonary diseases or even dysplastic changes. Materials and methods: Respiratory system material with a pseudostratified ciliated epithelium was obtained from 12 patients (aged 16 to 95), and material with a stratified squamosa epithelium was obtained from six patients (aged 23 to 93). Routine staining was performed, and an immunohistochemistry was conducted for MUC‐2, MUC‐6, NAPE‐PLD, IL‐6 and IL‐13. Results: Inflammatory processes were not detected in any of the specimens. A number of correlations were identified, with the most important being a strong positive correlation for IL‐13 between the alveolar epithelium and alveolar macrophages and a strong positive correlation for IL‐6 between the alveolar epithelium and alveolar macrophages in the stratified squamous epithelium group. We also detected a statistically significant difference in IL‐6 in alveolar macrophages. Conclusion: There were no signs of dysplastic changes in either group. Increased secretion of IL‐13 in the stratified squamous epithelium group shows its involvement in metaplastic changes in the bronchial epithelium. The secretion of atypical factors by hyaline cartilage demonstrates its plasticity and adaptability.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Relation between serum enzymes and liver histopathology in mink with hepatitis

The dystrophy of the mink liver is widely distributed in mink farms of Latvia. However, clinical diagnostics of the liver dystrophy is quite difficult. The hypothesis of this study was to clarify the indicators of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) as the criteria in the early diagnostics of the mink liver injury. The goal of this study was to determine the potential correlation between the expressed functional indicators and the histopathology of the liver. Blood samples were obtained from ten minks, seropositive against the Aleutian disease. Liver injury was assessed histologically. Through application of the biotin-streptavidine immunohistochemical method, the presence of the hepatocyte growth factor, as well as the basal membrane components was established in the mink liver tissue, but liver apoptosis was determined by TUNEL. For the assessment of cytokines, a semi-quantitative counting method was used. The results showed the apoptosis of the hepatocytes in the whole area of the liver parenchyma. The correlation between the apoptosis and the expression of inflammation cells in the mink liver was non-existent. Constitutive release of cytokines (Hsp 70 and HGF) was detected in the liver hepatocytes centrilobular or around the periportal area. We established that have the mean correlation existed between the moderate steatosis and the weak HGF expression. Hsp 70 expression in hepatocytes was higher when moderate and numerous apoptotic cells were seen. The ALT level of the experimental mink in 40% cases was incresed above the standart. Interconnection between the degree of gravity of steatosis and the increasing of ALP and ALT levels was not found. We concluded that the simultaneous presence of the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the moderate expression of HGF detect the still maintained regeneration ability of liver despite the persisting inflammation. The increased activity of liver enzymes (ALT and ALP) does not directly depend on the damaged mink liver disorders and can be suggested only as a common indicators for the liver disfunctioning of mink with the Aleutian disease.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Growth factors, genes, bone proteins and apoptosis in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of children with ankylosis and during disease recurrence

AIM OF STUDY was complex detection of appearance and distribution of growth factors, facial bone growth stimulating genes, ground substance proteins and apoptosis in bone of ankylotic TMJ in primary and repeatedly operated children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ankylotic tissue was obtained during the arthroplastic surgery from two 6 years old children (boy and girl) with osseous type of disease. The girl underwent the repeated surgery in TMJ due to the same diagnosis in age of 12 years. Ankylotic tissue was proceeded for detection of BMP2/4, TGFβ, Msx2, osteopontin, osteocalcin immunohistochemically, and apoptosis. RESULTS demonstrated massive bone formation intermixed by neochondrogenesis the lack of BMP 2/4, but abundant number of TGFβ-containing cells in bone of all tested cases. Despite rich osteopontin positive structures in bone obtained from both - primary and repeated surgery, osteocalcin demonstrated variable appearance in 6 years aged children, but was abundant in joint 5 years later during disease recurrence. Expression of Msx2 varied widely before, but with tendency to decrease stabilized until few positive cells in bone of 12 years old girl. Apoptosis practically was not detected in primarily operated TMJ, but massively affected the supportive tissue in girl with recurrent ankylosis. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of BMP2/4 expression in ankylotic bone proves the disorders in cellular differentiation with simultaneous compensatory intensification of cellular proliferation and/or growth by rich expression of TGFβ leading to the remodelling of TMJ. Mainly rich distribution of osteocalcin and osteopontin indicate the intensive mineralization processes of ankylotic bone. Persistent Msx2 expression is characteristic for the supportive tissue of recurrent ankylosis of TMJ and indicates the persistent stimulation of bone growth compensatory limitated by massive increase of programmed cell death.publishersversionPeer reviewe

3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY IN HUMAN ANATOMY MODERN TEACHING AND LEARNING

There are various combinations of 3D printing technology and medical study process. The aim of this study was to summarize our first experience on 3D printing and outline how 3D printed models can be successfully used in Human Anatomy modern teaching and learning. In 2018 autumn semester, together with traditional methods, a three-dimensional (3D) printing has been introduced into Human Anatomy curriculum at Department of Morphology. In practical classes 39 groups of students from Faculty of Medicine 1st year together with 3 tutors used 3 different open source softwares to create anatomical models and prepared them for printing process. All anatomical models were produced using an FDM 3D printer, a Prusa i3 MK2 (Prusa Research). As methods for data collection were used our observational notes during teaching and learning, analysis of discussions between tutors and students, comments on the preparing and usability of the created and printed models. 3D printing technology offered students a powerful tool for their teaching, learning and creativity, provided possibility to show human body structures or variations. Presented data offered valuable information about current situation and these results were suitable for the further development of the Human Anatomy study course

New Solution for Human Anatomy Remote Teaching to Medical Students : An Implementation of a Demo Class in Study Course

In searching for new and fast solutions in response to the Covid-19 period, medical tutors transformed a lot of methods and materials into online formats and digital platforms. A special solution for Human Anatomy remote teaching was found in the organization of practical classes for all groups of students at the same time. Weekly “live” and all semesters demonstrations or Demo classes were started in the study course from 2020. The present study aimed to extract and summarize tutors’ general experience in the implementation of a Demo class in the Human Anatomy course. In the academic years 2020-2022, Zoom and Panopto platforms allowed the tutors to teach Demo classes remotely for the 1st year and the 2nd year students of the Faculty of Medicine. Over 2.5 years, there were organized 252 online anatomical Demo classes. Every Demo class (two academic hours in length) was related to the special anatomical topics and their contents. The data of this study were collected using open-ended questions to find out tutors’ experiences with the implementation of a Demo class in the study course. The answers were coded and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Before every demonstration, most of the tutors studied, how to organize and deliver a class. During online sessions all students received information at the same time and could follow the tutors’ explanations of the topic step by step. At the end of each Demo class, tutors liked to get any feedback from students about the presented content and displayed several questions and answers in the “live” chat. All Demo classes were recorded by tutors and afterward reviewed, optimized, linked, uploaded onto e-studies and accessible to students or other tutors of the study course. This experience gives further development and next transformation of teaching methods in the study course with implemented Demo class.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Evaluation of TGF-β1 and EGFR in Cleft Affected Lip Mucosa

Funding Information: Funding: The present study was funded by Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) Project Nb. 5-1/384/2020 (dated 10.09.2020). Professor I. Akota is highly acknowledged for the providing of material. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Olga Rimdenoka, Māra Pilmane. Published by Vilnius University Press. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.Background. The morphopathogenesis of orofacial cleft development is only partly understood; therefore, it is important to identify factors, which possibly could be involved in it. The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of TGF-β1 and EGFR-containing cells in cleft affected lip mucosa. Materials and Methods. The study group included lip mucosa tissue samples from 14 patients with oro-facial cleft. The control group contained 11 healthy oral mucosa tissue samples. The tissue sections were stained by immunohistochemistry for TGF-β1 and EGFR. The expression of positive structures was graded semiquantitatively. IBM SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis, Spearman`s rank correlation and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed.Results.Mostly few to moderate number (+/++) of TGF-β1-containing cells was found in epithelium, also the same number of fibroblasts and macrophages was seen in the lamina propria of cleft affected lip mucosa. Meanwhile, healthy oral mucosa on average demonstrated a moderate number (++) of TGF-β1-containing epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages. A variable, mostly indistinct number of EGFR-containing cells was seen in the epithelium of cleft affected lip mucosa, meanwhile, mostly no (0) EGFR positive cells were found in the epithelium of healthy mucosa. Statistically significantly less TGF-β1-containing cells were found in the epithelium of cleft affected lip mucosa than in the healthy mucosa (U=33.000; p=0.015). Also, the lamina propria of cleft affected lip mucosa showed statistically significantly less TGF-β1 immunoreactive fi-broblasts and macrophages than the healthy mucosa (U=28.500; p=0.006). Conclusions. The decreased number of TGF-β1-containing epithelial cells, fibroblasts and macrophages in cleft affected lip mucosa proves the role of problematic tissue remodelation in the cleft pathogenesis. The distribution of EGFR in cleft affected and healthy mucosa is similar and possibly does not play a role in the cleft development of humans.publishersversionPeer reviewe