Systemic Representational Biases in Anatomical Education: A Multi-Modal Content Analysis of Racial, Sex, and Skin Tone Diversity Across Literature, Textbooks, and Digital Platforms.

Diversity in anatomical education.

Reconsidering laboratory-based anatomy within the backdrop of digital transformation: Bringing an old practice into a new world.

Highlights Review of the potential use of AI in anatomy education, including any weaknesses or threats associated with integrating AI into anatomy teaching. Recommendations for incorporating AI in anatomy education within medical curricula. ABSTRACT Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to machines capable of performing human tasks and exhibiting intelligent behavior. The application of AI in medical education has increased significantly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as remote teaching became widespread across all medical disciplines, including anatomy. Objective: This narrative review aimed to explore the potential use of AI in anatomy education and to identify any associated weaknesses or threats related to its integration. Material and Method: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and Embase (limited to the past 5 years), and Google Scholar (limited to the past 2 years), employing keywords related to "artificial intelligence" and "anatomy education". Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials and review articles focusing on AI tools in anatomy education, published in English and freely accessible. Exclusion criteria included abstract-only publications, non-human studies, and studies not specifically related to anatomy education. Of the 3,298 articles identified, seven met the inclusion criteria. Result: Seven articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The reviewed literature explored AI applications in anatomy education, highlighting innovations such as blended learning, automated assessments, and digital platforms. Overall, AI demonstrates potential to improve teaching effectiveness and student engagement. However, successful implementation requires strategic planning, adequate infrastructure, and a solid pedagogical framework. Conclusion: AI has emerged as a valuable tool in anatomy education, enhancing learning outcomes, accessibility, and instructional flexibility. Nonetheless, its integration must be carefully managed to overcome current limitations and ensure equitable, effective, and sustainable educational practices.

Influence of environmental stress on skin tone, color and melanogenesis in Japanese skin

While GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format) have been studied as digital communication tools, their repositories – these databases of visual expressions – remain largely unexamined as sites that generate emotional expressions across different modes of communication. This research introduces the concept of “emotional transcoding,” examining how it operates in major repositories Giphy and Tenor through the conversion of paralinguistic vocal expressions – auditory reactions like “aww,” “duh,” and “wow” – into visual representations within silent GIF formats. Through multimodal analysis, this study documents the semiotic strategies involved in emotional transcoding, revealing systematic patterns for visually encoding auditory emotional expressions. Using qualitative content analysis of 1000 GIFs, this study identifies the visual techniques used in cross-modal conversion and analyzes the demographic patterns among performers who represent these expressions. The findings reveal how emotional transcoding operates through specific representational conventions and highlight questions about whose bodies become available as vehicles for emotional communication in digital platforms.

Various studies have revealed that there is a disproportionately low representation of skin of colour (SOC) in medical school dermatologic curriculum and board study resources. First-year and second-year medical students were emailed an 18-question survey regarding (1) identifying correct diagnoses of dermatologic conditions on either White skin or SOC and (2) their confidence in identifying dermatologic conditions on SOC. 15% of the images of dermatologic conditions included in the institutional preclinical curriculum show images of patients with SOC. Regarding overall scores for diagnosing dermatologic diseases, students performed similarly on both the White image survey (61.73%) and SOC image survey (66.20%) with no statistically significant differences between surveys (p=0.14). Second-year medical students performed better than first-year medical students overall (p=0.01) and on White skin image survey scores (p=0.02) but not on people of colour image survey scores (p=0.09). Students largely agreed that they were more comfortable identifying dermatologic diagnoses on White skin and that their school could benefit from increased SOC dermatological resources. The overall low scores for the diagnosis of common skin conditions on both the White image and SOC image survey by first- and second-year students are not surprising given the results of a prior study and support the need for re-exposure to dermatology presentations in all skin types during the preclinical curriculum. The low scores support the need for changes in the pre-clinical dermatology curriculum to improve diagnostic ability. Second-year students performed better at diagnosing dermatologic conditions overall and on White skin compared to SOC at the end of their didactic years, possibly due to an underrepresentation of SOC images in institutional and outside educational resources. Attitudes towards school-specific dermatologic SOC education demonstrated a clear desire amongst students for more exposure to dermatologic conditions in various skin colours throughout the curriculum.

Physicians are trained to visually recognize disease using images. Many pediatric dermatologic conditions are initially identified and treated by pediatricians, who need to diagnose on varied skin tones. The objective was to evaluate if figures depicting cutaneous disease in the preeminent pediatrics textbook reflect diverse skin tones. Figures depicting dermatologic findings in Nelson's Textbook of Pediatrics were assessed using the Fitzpatrick, Massey-Martin, and Color Bar scales. The distribution was compared to the US population using American National Election Survey 2012 data. The three scales were compared for concordance. Statistical analysis included chi square with P < 0.05 significant. Of 515 figures, 484 were classifiable. Light skin tones were depicted in 453 (93.6%) by Fitzpatrick, 364 (75.2%) by Massey-Martin, and 406 (83.9%) by Color Bar, moderate tones in 92 (19.0%) by Massey-Martin and 53 (11.0%) by Color Bar, and dark tones in 31 (6.4%) by Fitzpatrick, 28 (5.8%) by Massey-Martin, and 25 (5.2%) by Color Bar. The textbook skin tone distribution did not reflect the US population: light 75.2% vs. 63.3%, moderate 19.0% vs. 25.8%, dark 5.8% vs. 11.0%, respectively (P < 0.00001). The three scales yielded consistent proportions for light/moderate vs. dark tones (P = 0.71). Certain conditions were mostly depicted on dark (burns, leprosy, urticaria pigmentosa) or light skin (psoriasis, acne, hemangioma, molluscum, herpes, keloid). Figures demonstrating dermatologic manifestations are predominantly depicted on light skin tones, and are not representative of the US population. Certain conditions were more commonly shown on dark or light skin tones, unrelated to epidemiology.

Purpose Scales for rating acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) are inconsistent and have not been validated despite decades of clinical use, making ARD difficult to report reliably. We sought to design a photonumeric scale to consistently describe ARD in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation (RT). Methods Patients undergoing RT for breast cancer were enrolled on a prospective study that included photographs and reporting of physician-rated erythema, hyperpigmentation, and CTCAE toxicity score at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 weeks after initiating RT. Erythema and hyperpigmentation were also quantified using a hand-held colorimetric device. Photographs were taken using a standardized protocol that included 3 views to fully assess the breast/chest wall, axilla, and inframammary fold. 209 photographs from 35 patients with white skin (Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV) and 369 photographs from 50 patients with skin of color (Fitzpatrick skin types V-VI) were clustered according to the apparent severity of ARD. Due to the prevalence of hyperpigmentation that obscured erythema in patients with skin of color, separate images were used to illustrate ARD in this population. Two photonumeric scales (for white skin and skin of color) were developed via an iterative process until group consensus was achieved. Four raters with experience in the evaluation of ARD in breast cancer patients used the photonumeric scale to independently score the entire collection of photographs, sequenced in random order. Intra- and inter-rater agreements were assessed using weighted kappa scores. Results Of the 35 patients with white skin, 20% experienced severe erythema, and 40% experienced dry or moist desquamation. Of the 50 patients with skin of color, 34% experience severe hyperpigmentation, and 48% experienced dry or moist desquamation. Using the photonumeric scales, we observed high intra-rater agreement for independent ratings of erythema or hyperpigmentation (70 to 89% agreement fraction, kappa 0.55 to 0.81) and desquamation (79 to 87% agreement fraction, kappa 0.52 to 0.64). Similarly, we observed moderate to high inter-rater agreement for independent ratings of erythema or hyperpigmentation (61 to 76% agreement fraction, kappa 0.40 to 0.62) and desquamation (69 to 84% agreement fraction, kappa 0.36 to 0.58). Quantitative measurements of erythema in white patients using colorimetry correlated strongly with photonumeric grade (correlation coefficient 0.76, p&amp;lt;0.001), as did physician-rated erythema at the point-of-care (p&amp;lt;0.001). Fitzpatrick score was not significantly associated with maximum photonumeric erythema grade (p = 0.14). Conclusions We report a new photonumeric scale with high intra- and inter-rater reliability for acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients. To our knowledge, this is the first rigorously evaluated scale that is applicable to patients across the spectrum of skin pigmentation, including white skin and skin of color. The photonumeric scale will facilitate consistent reporting of acute radiation dermatitis in research and clinical settings using a simple, standardized instrument. Future work will include prospective real-time clinical validation with multiple raters and correlation with patient-reported outcomes. Funded by a Munn Idea Grant (G011480). Citation Format: Dean Shumway, Eleanor M Walker, Nirav Kapadia, Thy Thy Do, Kent Griffith, Mary Feng, Bonnie DePalma, Reshma Jagsi, Yolanda Helfrich, Erin Gillespie, Alexandria Miller, Adam Liss, Lori J Pierce. Development of a photonumeric scale for acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-15-12.

Introduction: Facial appearance depends on various factors, including both intraoral and extraoral features. The association between skin pigmentation and gingival pigmentation has been previously established. Severe gingival pigmentation remains an aesthetic concern for individuals, regardless of skin colour. Aim: To explore the relationship between lip, skin and gingival pigmentation and the willingness of South Indian women to undergo depigmentation procedures. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Periodontology, Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from April 2023 to September 2023. A total of 500 South Indian women aged 21-39 years were included. Participants who provided informed consent and had not undergone any antibiotic therapy in the six months prior to participation were included. Individuals were excluded if they had previously undergone any form of aesthetic gum correction, or if they had periodontitis or any gingival pathology affecting gum colour, such as Addison’s disease or malignant neoplasms like Kaposi’s sarcoma. Clinical examinations were conducted to determine lip, skin and gingival colour based on established criteria and validated classifications. Gingival pigmentation and lip pigmentation was classified. Information on area of residence, income, skin type, lip pigmentation, gingival pigmentation type and willingness to undergo depigmentation procedures was also recorded after explaining the available treatment options. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, 2012). Results: The mean age of the study population was 27.23±4.39 years. Moderate gingival pigmentation was most prevalent among the participants 295 (59%). Regarding skin colour, 323 (64.6%) had brown skin, 143 (28.6%) had fair skin and 1 (0.2%) had dark skin pigmentation. The association between skin colour and gingival pigmentation was statistically significant (p&lt;0.001). Most participants exhibited mild gingival pigmentation (LC2). LC5 and LC6 were not observed in any subjects. The association between lip colour and gingival pigmentation was also statistically significant (p&lt;0.001). Gingival pigmentation showed a very weak positive correlation with willingness to undergo treatment (r=0.017, not significant). Lip pigmentation demonstrated a very weak negative correlation with willingness (r=-0.089, p=0.046), while skin pigmentation showed a very weak positive correlation with willingness (r=0.106, p=0.018). Conclusion: The study results demonstrated a significant association between gingival pigmentation and skin colour, as well as between gingival pigmentation and lip colour.

Using a nationally representative longitudinal data set, the current study examines the link between colorism and educational attainment of Asian American young adults. Three levels of educational attainment are used as outcomes: high school diploma, some college and a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Independent variables include skin tone, ethnic origin, parental income and education, family structure, parental involvement, family social support and others. Given the fact that colorism affects genders disparately, the analyses are conducted separately for males and females. The findings suggest that, compared to their co-ethnics with light brown skin tone, Asian American males and females with white skin are more likely to be college educated. Conversely, the odds of getting a Bachelor’s degree or higher are significantly higher for Asian Americans with light skin tone than for their co-ethnics with dark brown skin tone. All in all, the findings point to the pattern of the inverse relationship between educational attainment and the darkness of skin tone.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of long-pulsed laser for hair removal in different colour of skin. Methods Hair removal was performed in 607 hirsute patients with two long-pulsed lasers. Results Although the effectiveness rates of hair removal in upper lip and full bread were not different, their complications were different by using two long-pulsed lasers. Also there were signifi-cant decreases of effectiveness and complication in the lighter skin and thc darker skin (P<0.01). Con-clusion The 755 nm wavelength has more effectiveness and lower complication in the lighter skin. How-ever, the 1 064 nm wavelength has more effectiveness and lower complication in the darker skin. Key words: Laser; Hair removal; Colour of skin

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small non-protein-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in plants and animals. Skin colour is an important economic consideration in chicken production, and chickens with black skin have high market value. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted on miRNA regulation of melanogenesis in chicken skin. In this study, we sampled the dorsal skins of chickens with black (BS) and white (WS) skin to construct six small RNA libraries. High-throughput sequencing technology was then used to identify which miRNAs were expressed differentially between the BS and WS phenotypes. A total of 645 known and 64 novel miRNAs were identified from the six sequencing libraries. Additionally, the expression of 18 miRNAs was significantly different between the two phenotypes, including 9 miRNAs that were up-regulated, and 9 that were down-regulated. We identified 2 miRNAs, i.e. miR-204 and miR-6631-5p, that may be important for melanogenesis in chicken skin. Our data contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanism, through miRNA regulation, of melanin formation in chicken skin. Highlights Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in black skin (BS) and white skin (WS) of black-bone chickens Eighteen DEMs were detected in BS and WS groups. miR-204 and miR-6631-5p were potential candidates influencing skin melanogenesis in chicken.

Under the current COVID‐19 global pandemic, most of the world is operating online, which has increased the importance of better understanding the perceived color quality of video conference calls. We performed two experiments to evaluate the white balance appearance preference for images simulating a scene from a video conference call where a person is using a virtual background. Due to the dissimilarities of the light sources used for the subject and the background scene, the overall picture may look aesthetically unappealing. The first experiment was designed to assess the preference of white balance for images containing a foreground subject, with three different skin tones: light, medium, and dark, and a background scene, with five different color temperature appearances, cool to warm. The background scenes include famous attractions in the United States, water bodies, foliage, and a few less common scenes like a sculpture at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and a ColorChecker. Observers were presented with a pair of images of the same subject with same background scene, but with different white balance appearance. These comparisons were performed for each foreground subject with all background scenes. Both experiments were performed by naïve observers, who were from around the globe with no knowledge of color science and observers from the Munsell Color Science Lab (MCSL) at the RIT. The results show that observers' preference increases as we go from cooler to warmer appearance for the Canyon, RIT, Snow, Flower, and Autumn backgrounds, and vice versa for the Lake background. The Golden Gate background results are the most scattered among all scenes with very small differences in their scale values. MCSL observers show a strong agreement in preference to warmer appearance for light and dark skin tones for the RIT scene, and neutral and warmer appearance for medium skin tone for the RIT and Golden Gate scenes, respectively. To understand the relation between the background scene and foreground subject's white balance appearance, a second experiment was performed. The subjects had three different appearances: cool, neutral, and warm. Based on the results of the first experiment, five scenes with two white balance appearances, the most preferred rendition and the neutral rendition (original appearance at the time of the scene was captured), were used for the second paired comparison study. The results indicated that preference varied based on the foreground subject skin tone and background scene. However, the background preferences follow similar trends to the first experiment. There were variations in the degree of agreement, some showed very strong agreement, like dark skin tone with the RIT background, whereas for others, like autumn background with light skin tone, preferences were more scattered. Overall, the differences in the scale values were smaller as compared to the first experiment, which indicates that, as we present the observers with more options, the decision became harder.

Racial disparities in breast cancer survival after treatment initiation in Brazil: a nationwide cohort study

Human anatomy pertaining to dentistry forms a core component of dental education, as it involves understanding the complex structures of the head, neck, and oral cavity. Conventionally, it has been taught through cadaveric dissection, bone specimens, and histology slides. A strong grasp of knowledge in head and neck anatomy is critical for clinical procedures, including extractions, implant placements, and surgeries, as well as in specialties such as orthodontics and periodontics. Due to technological advancements, the field of medical/dental education has evolved by integrating tools such as 3D virtual models, augmented reality, virtual reality, and digital platforms. These innovations allow students to interact with anatomical structures, enhancing their understanding of craniofacial anatomy and improving spatial comprehension. Digital resources support self-directed learning and reinforce knowledge retention, while maintaining the importance of hands-on cadaveric dissection for reinforcing tissue structure and spatial relationships. The future of dental anatomy education lies in combining traditional methods with digital tools, creating more interactive and dynamic learning environments to equip students with the skills necessary for modern dental practice. By embracing both approaches, dental education can enhance student learning, ensuring dental professionals are well-prepared to provide high-quality care and improve patient outcomes. In this comprehensive review, we explore the evolution of anatomy education, its role in dental curriculum, and highlight the importance of detailed anatomical knowledge as the foundation of medical/dental practice, along with modern advancements, make learning more interactive and engaging.