Mechanical testing machines used in cadaveric spine biomechanics research vary between labs. It is a necessary first step to understand the capabilities and limitations in any testing machine prior to publishing experimental data. In this study, a reproducible protocol that uses a synthetic spine was developed and used to quantify the inherent rotation error and the ability to apply loads in a single physiologic plane (pure-moment) of a custom spine biomechanics simulator. Rotation error was evaluated by comparing data collected by the test machine and the data collected by an optical motion capture system. Pure-moment loading was assessed by comparing the out-of-plane loads to the primary plane load. Using synthetic functional spine units previously shown to have mechanics similar to the cadaveric human spine, the simulator was evaluated using a dynamic test protocol reflective of its future use in the study of cadaveric spine specimens. Rotation errors inherent in the test machine were <0.25° compared to motion capture. Out of plane loads were <4.0% of the primary plane load, which confirmed pure-moment loading. The authors suggest that a standard validation protocol for biomechanical spine testing machines is needed for transparency and accurate field-wide data interpretation and comparison.We offer recommendations based on the reproducible use of a synthetic spinal specimen for consideration.
The relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2) belongs to the family of class A G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and it is the only known target for the insulin-like factor 3 peptide (INSL3). The importance of this ligand-receptor pair in the development of the gubernacular ligament during the transabdominal phase of testicular descent is well established. More recently, RXFP2 has been implicated in maintaining healthy bone formation. In this report, we describe the discovery of a small molecule series of RXFP2 agonists. These compounds are highly potent, efficacious, and selective RXFP2 allosteric agonists that induce gubernacular invagination in mouse embryos, increase mineralization activity in human osteoblasts in vitro, and improve bone trabecular parameters in adult mice. The described RXFP2 agonists are orally bioavailable and display favorable pharmacokinetic properties, which allow for future evaluation of the therapeutic benefits of modulating RXFP2 activation in disease models.
INTRODUCTION Previous work has shown that students that know more information about their donors, such as first names, tend to do better in gross anatomy courses (Talarico, 2013). Yet, there are little to no data of how student‐chosen names may affect student performance or experience. AIM Assess how student choice to name cadavers impacts performance and experience in a medical gross anatomy course. METHODS First‐year medical student volunteers (n=151) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences were administered a survey inquiring about their dissection and course experiences as well as interactions with their cadavers including decisions about naming the cadaver. This study was deemed exempt by Institutional Review Board. For analysis the subjects were divided based on whether their group chose to give a name to their cadaver (“Naming‐Students” or “Non‐Naming Students”) or whether their group chose to give a name to their cadaver and if the individual agreed with the decision. RESULTS Students in groups who gave names to their cadavers (n=105), compared to students who did not give names, “Non‐Naming Students” (n=45), scored slightly lower on practical exams (86.6% vs 88.8%), written exams (86.1% vs 88.4%), and final grade (89.0% vs 90.7%). Within groups that named their cadaver, students that agreed with the decision tended to outperform those that disagreed in each of the three exam measures. Naming‐Students were more likely to report positive experiences as a percentage of all experience responses (77.1% vs 62.8%). Naming‐Students were more likely to report thinking about their cadaver’s life “often” or “very often” (49.5% vs 40.0%). Naming‐Students were more likely to report interest in meeting their cadaver’s family if offered (26.7% vs 9.9%). DISCUSSION These results indicate that students in groups that bestow a name upon their cadavers may be less able to separate the job at hand and humanity before them. These Naming‐Students spend more of their time thinking about who their cadavers were, and our results suggest this is related to small decreases in performance measures. However, they are more likely to report positive experiences compared to the Non‐Naming‐Students. It seems the connection that naming creates is a positive influence on experience. While both gross anatomy and the medical profession require an ability to separate humanity from work, the medical students will eventually be physicians where their compassion will also play an important role in their work. The decision to name the cadavers shows a relationship with measures of compassions such as willingness to meet family members and time spent thinking about the human being that the cadaver once was. These results show relationships between students’ choices to name a cadaver, but further work is needed to strengthen and clarify the significance of the relationships. Naming Students vs Non‐Naming Student Average Exam Scores Average Practical Grade% Average Written Exam% Average Final Grade% Course Pass% Naming Studnets To...
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