Assessment of Biomedical Science Content Acquisition Performance through PBL Group Interaction

poster abstractObjective: To assess the relationship between biomedical science content acquisition performance and PBL group interaction. PBL process activities should enable students to learn and apply biomedical science content to clinical situations and enhance understanding. However, learning and exam preparation may be largely driven by post-case individual study and the publicized Learning Objectives. Methods: To determine whether students were actually learning SABS content during PBL process activities, just prior to the Learning Objectives dissemination, we administered a quiz assessing content recall and application as well as a student and facilitator survey to determine students’ role in group regarding the assessed topic. Results: Year 1 mean score: content=84%; application=61%. Year 2 mean score: content=68%; application=20%. Survey response categories were: C1-those whose group did not research the topic, C2-those who did not personally research the topic, but who were in a group where the topic was researched and presented by others, and C3-those who researched the topic and contributed to/were the primary discussants. Year 2. Students scoring 100% were in: C1 (12.3%), C2 (15.5%), and C3 (15.5%). Students scoring 0% were in: C1 (30%), C2 (33%), and C3 (22%). Year 1. Students scoring 100% were in: C1 (50%), C2 (48%), and C3 (55.3%). Students scoring 0% were in: C1 (11%), C2 (9%), and C3 (2.3%). For Year 2, self-reported role in group correlated with scores of 50% (r=0.68) and 0 % (r=-0.78). For Year 1, self-reported role in group correlated with scores of 100% (r=0.78) and 0% (r=0.97). Conclusion: Year 1 and 2 students performed better on test items assessing content recall rather than application. Students who reported being more active in the PBL group process activities tended to have better assessment performance

TOBACCO CESSATION: COMPARING SMOKERS WITH AND WITHOUT SUB-STANCE ABUSE HISTORY

poster abstractSmoking cessation has been suggested to be more difficult for individuals with a history of chemical dependence. Previous research suggests a higher intensity of nicotine addiction, greater negative affect, and unfavorable psy-chometric assessment scores during cessation. The Indiana University Nico-tine Dependence Program (IUNDP) treated over 1200 patients using a Mayo Clinic-based approach which assesses the behavioral, social, and physiologi-cal aspects of tobacco and nicotine dependence. The IUNDP was also insti-tuted at FB. Participant charts (1992-2011) were selected from IUSD and FB for retrospective analysis. Chart selection criteria consisted of complete, pre-and post quit measures for a minimum of four appointments, and two post-quit appointments. 107 charts from patients without history of chemical de-pendence (ND) and 123 from those with a chemical dependence (CD) history were reviewed. Student researchers, trained to a standardized protocol, cap-tured 16 tobacco use and demographic variables, and 12 post-quit treatment measures. Analyses were made using Pearson chi-square tests for binary da-ta, Wilcoxon rank sum tests for all other data, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests for changes between time periods. Comparatively, smokers in the CD group were likely to be male, and displayed an increase in the following: sensorimotor handling scores of the Horn psychological test of nicotine de-pendence, negative mood, anxiety, restlessness, and average withdrawal scores (p<0.05). Additionally, CD smokers had less decrease in anger, but a greater decrease in frustration (p<0.05). Despite some differences, smokers with and without a history of substance abuse were similar in their tobacco-related addiction parameters. Results suggest that smokers with a history of chemical dependence have greater difficulty during smoking cessation with respect to addiction-related sensorimotor manipulation and psychological withdrawal symptoms

Probability distribution of Majorana end-state energies in disordered wires

One-dimensional topological superconductors harbor Majorana bound states at their ends. For superconducting wires of finite length L, these Majorana states combine into fermionic excitations with an energy $\epsilon_0$ that is exponentially small in L. Weak disorder leaves the energy splitting exponentially small, but affects its typical value and causes large sample-to-sample fluctuations. We show that the probability distribution of $\epsilon_0$ is log normal in the limit of large L, whereas the distribution of the lowest-lying bulk energy level $\epsilon_1$ has an algebraic tail at small $\epsilon_1$. Our findings have implications for the speed at which a topological quantum computer can be operated.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Retail promotions and perceptions of R.J. Reynolds' novel dissolvable tobacco in a US test market

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With declining cigarette sales, tobacco manufacturers have been developing and marketing new smokeless products, such as R. J. Reynolds' dissolvable tobacco, Camel Sticks, Strips and Orbs. This study assessed the availability, price and point-of-purchase promotional strategies for Camel Dissolvables, and investigated consumer awareness, interest and perception of these products in the Indiana test market.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An exploratory retail audit of point-of-purchase promotions was conducted in a random sample of retailers from 6 store categories (n = 81) in the test market area. Data included: store type, location, product placement, forms/flavors carried, price, types and locations of advertisements and promotions, and ad messages. An Awareness-Attitude-Usage (AAU) survey was used to gauge consumer awareness and knowledge of tobacco products including Camel Dissolvables. Respondents were shown promotional materials from a package onsert and perceptions and interest in the Camel Dissolvables were assessed. An Intended Target Survey (ITS) compared subjects' perceptions of ad targets for several non-tobacco products, as well as Camel Snus, Camel No. 9 and Camel Dissolvables. Respondents were asked to identify each ad's intended target category, perceived targetedness, and purchase intent.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The products were carried by 46% of stores, most frequently gas stations (100%) and convenience stores (75%). They were shelved near smokeless tobacco (70%), cigarettes (25%) or candy (5%). Prices ranged from $3.59 -$4.19 per package; most stores carried at least 1 promotional item. Ad messages included: "Dissolvable Tobacco" (60%). "Free Trial" (24%), "Special Price" (24%), "What's Your Style?" (22%). At 14% of stores, free trial packs of Camel Dissolvables were offered with another Camel purchase. Awareness was reported by 42% of respondents (n = 243), and trial by 3%. Consumer interest was very low, but younger respondents (< 40 years) were more familiar with Camel Dissolvables (60% vs. 45% for those > 40 years, p < .01). Males, as well as current and former smokers had higher rates of interest and trial; only 1% of never smokers reported trial. In the ITS, only for the 3 tobacco product ads, was perceived targetedness for smokers significantly higher than for non-smokers. Smokers and nonsmokers perceived that the ads targeted smokers.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Current retail promotional strategies for Camel Sticks, Strips & Orbs appear to be targeting a select audience, primarily current smokers. Overall, consumer awareness, interest and trial were low.</p

Subthalamic neural activity patterns anticipate economic risk decisions in gambling

Economic decision-making is disrupted in individuals with gambling disorder, an addictive behavior observed in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients receiving dopaminergic therapy. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is involved in the inhibition of impulsive behaviors; however its role in impulse control disorders and addiction is still unclear. Here, we recorded STN local field potentials (LFPs) in PD patients with and without gambling disorder during an economic decision-making task. Reaction times analysis showed that for all patients the decision whether to risk preceded task onset. We compared then for both groups the STN LFP preceding high and low risk economic decisions. We found that risk avoidance in gamblers correlated with larger STN LFP low frequency (<12 Hz) fluctuations preceding task onset. In particular, the amplitude of low frequency LFP fluctuations carried significant information about future decisions. Decisions of patients not affected by gambling disorder were instead not correlated with pre-task STN LFP. Our results suggest that STN activity preceding task onset affects risk decisions by pre-emptively inhibiting attraction to high but unlikely rewards in favor of a long-term payoff

Periarticular histiocytic sarcoma with heart metastasis in a cat

A 4-year-old intact female domestic short-haired cat was referred for recommendations about adjuvant medical treatment 1&nbsp;month after left forelimb amputation due to periarticular histiocytic sarcoma (HS). At presentation, physical abnormalities were limited to enlarged ipsilateral superficial cervical and axillary lymph nodes. Routine blood analysis, abdominal ultrasound, and thoracic radiology were unremarkable. The cat initially received lomustine without any adverse events. Four weeks later, the cat developed severe acute respiratory distress. Results of thoracic radiographs and transthoracic echocardiographic analysis were suggestive of pulmonary and heart metastasis. Due to the cat's poor clinical condition and prognosis, the owner elected euthanasia, and a necropsy was performed. Based on gross pathology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry, an HS with nodal, renal, pulmonary, and heart (right auricular and right ventricular) metastases was diagnosed. This case represents the first description of HS with a heart metastasis in a cat, providing further insight into the clinical course and metastatic behavior of this rare malignant neoplasm. Clinicians should be aware of this site of metastasis and consider HS in the list of differential diagnoses for secondary heart tumors in cats

Plasmatic Dimethylarginines in Dogs With Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease

Plasmatic dimethylarginines, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) are considered biomarkers of endothelial and renal dysfunction, respectively, in humans. We hypothesize that plasmatic concentration of dimethylarginines in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is influenced by heart disease stage. Eighty-five client-owned dogs with MMVD, including 39, 19, and 27 dogs in ACVIM stages B1, B2, and C+D, respectively, and a control group of 11 clinically healthy dogs were enrolled. A prospective, multicentric, case-control study was performed. Each dog underwent a complete clinical examination, arterial blood pressure measurement, thoracic radiography, six-lead standard electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography, CBC, biochemical profile, and urinalysis. Plasmatic concentration of dimethylarginines was determined through high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Median ADMA was significantly increased in dogs of group C+D (2.5 μmol/L [2.1–3.0]) compared to those of group B1 (1.8 μmol/L [1.6–2.3]; p &lt; 0.001) and healthy dogs (1.9 μmol/L [1.7–2.3]; p = 0.02). Median SDMA was significantly increased in dogs of group C+D (0.7 μmol/L [0.5–0.9]) compared to those of groups B1 (0.4 μmol/L [0.3–0.5]; p &lt; 0.001), B2 (0.4 μmol/L [0.3–0.6]; p &lt; 0.01), and the control group (0.4 μmol/L [0.35–0.45]; p = 0.001). In the final multivariable analysis, ADMA and SDMA were significantly associated with left atrium to aorta ratio (p &lt; 0.001), and creatinine (p &lt; 0.001), respectively. Increased plasmatic concentrations of dimethylarginines suggest a possible role as biomarkers of disease severity in dogs with decompensated MMVD

GABA and Glutamate Levels in Occlusal Splint-Wearing Males with Possible Bruxism

Objective The inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of anxiety behavioural disorders such as panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder and is also implicated in the manifestation of tooth-grinding and clenching behaviours generally known as bruxism. In order to test whether the stress-related behaviours of tooth-grinding and clenching share similar underlying mechanisms involving GABA and other metabolites as do anxiety-related behavioural disorders, we performed a Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) study for accurate, in vivo metabolite quantification in anxiety-related brain regions. Design MRS was performed in the right hippocampus and right thalamus involved in the hypothalamic−pituitary−adrenal axis system, together with a motor planning region (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex/pre-supplementary motor area) and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Eight occlusal splint-wearing men (OCS) with possible tooth-grinding and clenching behaviours and nine male controls (CON) with no such behaviour were studied. Results Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant Group × Region interaction for GABA+ (p = 0.001) and glutamate (Glu) (p = 0.031). Between-group post hoc ANOVA showed significantly lower levels of GABA+ (p = 0.003) and higher levels of Glu (p = 0.002) in DLPFC of OCS subjects. These GABA+ and Glu group differences remained significant (GABA+, p = 0.049; Glu, p = 0.039) after the inclusion of anxiety as a covariate. Additionally, GABA and Glu levels in the DLPFC of all subjects were negatively related (Pearson's r = −0.75, p = 0.003). Conclusions These findings indicate that the oral behaviours of tooth-grinding and clenching, generally known as bruxism, may be associated with disturbances in brain GABAergic and glutamatergic systems