Holman, Michelle A.

Emotional intelligence (EI), the ability to perceive and respond to emotions, has been shown to increase academic achievement and team performance. Studies to support this association exist largely in the business world, but its impact in medical education is relatively unexplored. The purpose of this study was to determine whether emotional intelligence correlates with individual or team academic performance in the anatomy course. This study hypothesizes that individuals or teams with higher emotional intelligence will score higher in the course and that team‐based learning will increase emotional intelligence scores. Medical students were asked to complete the Self‐report Emotions Intelligence Test (SSEIT) at the beginning and the end of the 7‐ week anatomy course. Average EI scores for each team were compared to final course grades as well as cumulative daily quiz grades. Individual EI scores were also compared to individual grades, and change in EI scores over the course was assessed. Preliminary analysis of initial EI scores vs. averaged quiz scores at the midpoint of the course does not appear to show significant correlations. Final results, to be analyzed at the end of the course, may hold stronger predictive value in determining association between EI and team performance. This research is supported by the Department of Anatomy at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Grant Funding Source : Department of Anatomy, Mayo Clinic

INTRODUCTION: The Pregnancy Reasonably Excluded Guide (PREG) questionnaire is based on traditional methods of excluding pregnancy including sterilization, menopause, and the World Health Organization criteria. The PREG has been validated and shows a 99-100% negative predictive value for pregnancy (Selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use, 2013: adapted from the world health organization selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use, 2nd edition. MMWR Recomm Rep 2013; 62:1‒60.). Pregnancy testing in our outpatient surgical settings varied by provider. This study compared utilization of pregnancy tests in the outpatient gynecologic surgery setting after implementation of universal PREG administration. METHODS: All women undergoing outpatient gynecologic surgery were prospectively evaluated between March and September 2016. Administration of the PREG to women 18-49, excluding those undergoing procedures related to pregnancy, was implemented in July and rates of pregnancy testing pre- and post-implementation were compared using Fisher’s exact test. RESULTS: 369 patients underwent an outpatient gynecologic procedure during the study period (excluding a two week washout period after implementation). In the pre-implementation group, 136 met inclusion criteria with 45 pregnancy tests performed (33.1%). After implementation, 80 patients met inclusion criteria and 17 pregnancy tests were performed as indicated by PREG response (21.3%), demonstrating over one third reduction in pregnancy test administration (p = 0.086). No pregnancy tests were positive and no false negative evaluations were identified. Physician and nursing staff requested continued use of the PREG after the trial. CONCLUSION: PREG administration on admission for outpatient gynecologic surgery consistently and effectively identifies patients in whom pregnancy testing improves the value of care.

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. There are multiple known risk factors, including induction of labor. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was completed with review of nulliparous women undergoing labor induction at term, from July 2006 to May 2011. Baseline maternal variables and risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage were assessed. All combinations of methods of induction were sequential rather than concurrent. The need for additional uterotonics (beyond routine oxytocin) was used as a surrogate for postpartum hemorrhage. Variables were evaluated for an association with additional uterotonic use based on fitting logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 785 women were included in the study. Additional uterotonics were required for 84/785 (11%) of women. Based on univariate analysis, only birth weight and presence of meconium were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with additional uterotonic use, while method of induction approached statistical significance (p=0.06). The mean (SD) birth weight was 3668 (584) vs. 3463 (500) grams in those with and without additional uterotonic use. Multivariate analysis showed an increased risk of additional uterotonics with higher birth weight (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.44 per 500 gram increase in birth weight; 95% CI 1.15, 1.82) and use of Foley plus oxytocin (aOR 4.40; 95% CI 1.36, 14.23). CONCLUSION: In our model, higher birth weight and induction method of Foley followed by oxytocin were associated with increased need for additional uterotonics. This data adds detail to previous studies that have broadly identified induction of labor as a risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage.

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been associated with increased academic achievement, but its impact on medical education is relatively unexplored. This study sought to evaluate change in EI, performance outcomes, and team cohesion within a team‐based medical school anatomy course. Forty‐two medical students completed a pre‐course and post‐course Schutte Self‐Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT). Individual EI scores were then compared with composite course performance grade and team cohesion survey results. Mean pre‐course EI score was 140.3 out of a possible 160. During the course, mean individual EI scores did not change significantly (P = 0.17) and no correlation between EI scores and academic performance was noted (P = 0.31). In addition, EI did not correlate with team cohesion (P = 0.16). While business has found significant utility for EI in increasing performance and productivity, its role in medical education is still uncertain. Anat Sci Educ 9: 143–149. © 2015 American Association of Anatomists.

Cigarette smoke is a common environmental insult associated with increased risk of developing airway diseases such as wheezing and asthma in neonates and children. In adults, asthma involves airway remodeling characterized by increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell proliferation and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, as well as airway hyperreactivity. The effects of cigarette smoke on remodeling and contractility in the developing airway are not well-elucidated. In this study, we used canalicular-stage (18–20 wk gestational age) human fetal airway smooth muscle (fASM) cells as an in vitro model of the immature airway. fASM cells were exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE; 0.5–1.5% for 24–72 h), and cell proliferation, ECM deposition, and intracellular calcium ([Ca 2+ ] i ) responses to agonist (histamine 10 μM) were used to evaluate effects on remodeling and hyperreactivity. CSE significantly increased cell proliferation and deposition of ECM molecules collagen I, collagen III, and fibronectin. In contrast, [Ca 2+ ] i responses were not significantly affected by CSE. Analysis of key signaling pathways demonstrated significant increase in extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and p38 activation with CSE. Inhibition of ERK or p38 signaling prevented CSE-mediated changes in proliferation, whereas only ERK inhibition attenuated the CSE-mediated increase in ECM deposition. Overall, these results demonstrate that cigarette smoke may enhance remodeling in developing human ASM through hyperplasia and ECM production, thus contributing to development of neonatal and pediatric airway disease.

Object The aim in this study was to describe the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and risk for neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) in pediatric patients presenting with cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and internal auditory canal (IAC) tumors. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective study at a tertiary care academic referral center. All patients with an age ≤ 18 years who had presented with an extraaxial CPA or IAC tumor between 1987 and 2012 were included in the study cohort. Data regarding symptoms, diagnosis, tumor characteristics, and NF2 status were collected and analyzed. Results Sixty patients (55% female, 45% male) harboring 87 tumors were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 12.8 years (median 14.0 years, range 0.9–18.9 years). Schwannomas were the most commonly identified lesions (57 of 87 tumors, including 52 vestibular, 3 facial, and 2 trigeminal schwannomas), followed by meningiomas (5 of 87) and epidermoid cysts (4 of 87). Six malignant tumors were diagnosed, including small-cell sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant meningioma, atypical rhabdoid-teratoid tumor, endolymphatic sac tumor, and malignant ganglioglioma. Headache, followed by hearing loss and imbalance, was the most common presenting symptom, whereas dysphagia, otalgia, and facial pain were uncommon. Neurofibromatosis Type 2 was diagnosed in 20 (61%) of 33 patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS), while the other 13 patients (39%) had sporadic tumors. Nineteen of the 20 patients with NF2 met the diagnostic criteria for that disorder on initial presentation, and 15 of them presented with bilateral VS. At the last follow-up, 19 of the 20 patients subsequently diagnosed with NF2 demonstrated bilateral VSs, whereas 1 patient with a unilateral VS and multiple other NF2-associated tumors has yet to demonstrate a contralateral VS to date. Only 1 patient presenting with an isolated unilateral VS and no family history of NF2 demonstrated a contralateral VS on subsequent radiological screening. Conclusions Cerebellopontine angle and IAC tumors in the pediatric population are rare. There are several noteworthy differences between the adult and pediatric populations harboring these lesions. While VS is the most common pathology in both age groups, the lesion was found in only 60% of the pediatric patients in the present study. Unlike in adults, VSs in the pediatric population were associated with NF2 in over one-half of all cases. The majority of pediatric patients with NF2 fulfilled the diagnostic criteria at initial presentation; however, approximately 7% of patients presenting with a seemingly sporadic (no family history of NF2) unilateral VS will meet the criteria for NF2 later in life. Finally, malignancies account for a significantly higher percentage (10%) of cases among pediatric patients. These findings underscore the importance of early screening and close radiological follow-up and may be helpful in patient counseling.