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Current instructional tools for anatomy education are insufficient scaffolds for learning abstract visual concepts such as basic biomechanics. Diagrams, illustrations and even computer-generated models may be adequate for identification purposes, but are typically not effective when it comes to demonstrating dynamic functions. Evidence from educational concepts, such as the active learning principle in constructivism, indicate that current tools are ineffective due to a lack of opportunity for hands-on or interactive, learning. To address this, our interdisciplinary team designed an instructional model of the canine thoracic limb which is physical, kinetic and interactive. We hypothesised that the unique combination of these three crucial elements would enhance the student learning experience. In order to test this hypothesis, we asked 126 undergraduate students in a biomedical anatomy course to interact with the model. Students were then invited to complete a survey evaluating their experience using the thoracic limb model. Results from completed surveys showed that students perceived the model as easy to use and helpful with understanding basic biomechanical concepts. These results indicate that there is potential for the model to positively impact the students' learning. Future studies will include quantitative evaluation of student performance and cognitive impact in the biomedical anatomy course.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a parasitic zoonosis with substantial human health and economic consequences, is highly endemic in Rio Negro Province, Argentina. The objective of this study was to estimate the direct and indirect human and livestock-associated monetary losses attributable to CE, in Rio Negro Province, for the year 2010. Human costs were estimated using data obtained from hospital chart reviews, patient interviews, and government reports. Livestock-associated losses were estimated using data from government reports and scientific publications. Spreadsheet models were developed utilizing Latin Hypercube sampling to account for uncertainty in the input parameters. In 2010, the estimated total cost of CE, in Rio Negro Province, ranged from US$4,234,000 (95% credible interval [CI]: US$2,709,000-US$6,226,000) to US$5,897,000 (95% CI: US$3,452,000-US$9,105,000), with livestock-associated losses representing between 80% and 94% of the total losses, depending on whether non-healthcare-seeking human cases were included and if livestock slaughter values were adjusted to account for underreporting. These estimates suggest that CE is responsible for considerable human and livestock-associated monetary losses in Rio Negro Province. Stakeholders and policymakers can use these data to better allocate public health and agricultural resources for this region.

Although cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important public health problem in Rio Negro Province, current epidemiological data for CE, in this region of Argentina, are not available. Therefore, a community-based study, which incorporated diagnostic imaging and a questionnaire, was conducted in Ingeniero Jacobacci, a small town in southern Rio Negro Province. This study sought to assess the prevalence of human CE, in the study population, and to evaluate epidemiologic factors associated with CE transmission within the study area. Of the 560 individuals who volunteered to participate in the study, 189 (34%) were children and 371 (66%) were adults. All study participants were screened for CE using abdominal ultrasound scanning, with CE-positive or suspect individuals also receiving thoracic radiographs. The overall prevalence of CE was 7.1% (40/560), with 1.6% (3/189) of children, and 10% (37/371) of adults diagnosed as CE-positive. Although 92.5% (37/40) of the CE-positive individuals had only hepatic lesions, two participants had both hepatic and pulmonary lesions, and one participant had a single renal lesion. Approximately 92% (340/371) of the adult study participants completed the questionnaire, which was used to identify factors associated with an increased risk for human infection. Age, level of education, dog ownership, and contact with sheep were found to be significantly associated with CE status. This study demonstrated that CE continues to be highly endemic in this region of Rio Negro Province, Argentina. In addition, community-based ultrasound screening surveys are a noninvasive, effective approach to case detection at the community level.

In order to assess the knowledge and perceptions of dog-associated zoonoses in Brazos County, Texas, random digit dialing was used to select 922 households for participation in a cross-sectional telephone survey. The interviews were completed during June 2008 and yielded a response rate of 55% (922/1691). Fifty-six percent of the respondents who completed the questionnaire owned dogs. Eighty-six percent of the respondents indicated they would report being bitten by a dog that they did not own. Five factors were shown to be significantly associated with such reporting. Those respondents who believed that rabies could be transmitted by bats were 5.5 times more likely (95% CI: 1.6, 18.6) to report a dog bite compared to people who did not hold this belief. Respondents who would seek emergency treatment if they believed they had been exposed to rabies were 3.1 times more likely to report a bite (95% CI: 1.8, 5.4). Those who were over 60 years of age were 2.3 times more likely (95% CI: 1.2, 4.4) to report being bitten when compared to respondents who were under the age of 60. Living inside the city limits also increased the chance that the respondent would report being bitten by a dog (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4, 3.9). Females were 2.3 times more likely (95% CI: 1.3, 3.7) to report being bitten than their male counterparts. Dog ownership did not have a significant impact on reporting. Only 85% of respondents stated that they would seek emergency treatment if they believed that they may have been exposed to rabies. In addition, only 59% of respondents were aware that exposure to rabies without treatment could lead to death. While 98% of respondents had heard of rabies and knew that it was possible to get it from a dog, only 54% of respondents knew that worms could be transmitted from dogs to people. This study demonstrated that many people surveyed lacked knowledge about dog-associated zoonotic diseases, which could seriously impact their health and the health of their families. It is important to find a method of getting information out to the public in order to correct this deficiency.