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The Journal of Plastination
The official publication of the International Society for Plastination
Honolulu, Hawaii USA
MEETINGS ISSUE:
15th International Conference on Plastination; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; July 19-24, 2010
10th International Interim Conference on Plastination; Toledo, Ohio, USA; July 9-12, 2011 Toledo, Ohio 16th International Conference on USA Plastination; Beijing, China; July 23-27, 2012
Beijing, China
Volume 24; 2009-2012 Special Issue – Meetings The Journal of Plastination – 24:2 (2009-2012)
The Journal of Plastination
ISSN 1090-2171 The official publication of the International Society for Plastination
Editorial Board:
Renu Dhingra Carlos A. C. Baptista. M.D., Ph.D., MPH New Delhi, India Interim Editor Department of Neuroscience Geoffrey D. Guttman University of Toledo, College of Medicine Scranton, PA USA Toledo, Ohio, USA
M.S.A. Kumar Robert W. Henry North Grafton, MA USA Associate Editor Rafael Latorre Department of Comparative Medicine Mucia, Spain College of Veterinary Medicine Knoxville, Tennessee, USA Scott Lozanoff Honolulu, HI USA Selcuk Tunali, MD, Ph.D. Assistant Editor Ameed Raoof. Department of Anatomy Ann Arbor, MI USA Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, Turkey Mircea-Constantin Sora Vienna, Austria Philip J. Adds, MSc. FIBMS Assistant Editor Hong Jin Sui Dalian, China Division of Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy) St. George’s, University of London London, UK
Executive: Carlos Baptista, President Rafael Latorre, Vice-President Christoph von Horst, Secretary Ameed Raoof, Treasurer
Instructions for Authors
Manuscripts and figures intended for publication in The Journal of Plastination should be sent via e-mail attachment to: [email protected] . Manuscript preparation guidelines are on the last two pages of this issue. The Journal of Plastination – 24:3 (2009-2012)
Journal of Plastination Volume 24; 2009-2012 Special Issue - Meetings Contents
Letter from the President, Carlos A. C. Baptista 4
Letter from the Interim Editor, Carlos A. C. Baptista 5
The 15th International Conference on Plastination - Steven Labrash and Scott Lozanoff 6
The 15th International Conference on Plastination -Abstracts 9
Minutes of the 15th International Conference on Plastination 15
The 10th Interim Meeting on Plastination - Carlos A. C. Baptista 17
Letter from Dr. Gunther von Hagens to the ISP Community 2
1 The 10th Interim Meeting on Plastination - Abstracts 23
The 16th International Conference on Plastination - Ming Zhang 33
The 16th International Conference on Plastination: Impressions of Prof. D. Gareth Jones 34
Post-Plastination Conference Tour to Dalian - Hong-Jin Sui 36
The16th International Conference on Plastination – Abstracts 39
Index of Authors 59
Instructions for Authors 60 The Journal of Plastination – 24:4 (2009-2012)
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Fellow Plastinators:
After eight outstanding years, in light of increasing duties on the board of the AHE Journal and in his professional life, Dr. Robert Reed has asked to be relieved of his duties as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the International Society for Plastination. Dr. Reed has been an excellent Editor-in-Chief, notably for his fairness and wisdom in the editorial process.
During Dr. Reed’s tenure as Editor-in-Chief, the Journal greatly improved not only in format and status, but more importantly in the quality of the articles. On behalf of the International Society for Plastination, I would like to express my gratitude for his service and wish him well in his new endeavors.
New Journal
This issue of the Journal of the International Society for Plastination is the first issue with the new name “The Journal of Plastination.” The new name was approved at the 14th Biennial Meeting of the ISP in Heidelberg, Germany in July 2008.
It is difficult to ignore the impact that The Journal of the International Society for Plastination (JISP) had on all of us. With the birth of the science of plastination in the 80’s the JISP fulfilled its mission. It served the novice as well as the expert in plastination, as a source of information that was not available elsewhere. Science moves forward through publications in outstanding, peer-reviewed journals. I am sure The Journal of Plastination will continue to provide a venue for plastinators to share innovations and expertise.
I would like to announce the appointment of Dr. Selcuk Tunali, MD, Ph.D., as Assistant Editor for The Journal of Plastination. Dr. Tunali is an Instructor of Anatomy at Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey. Dr. Tunali’s primary function as Assistant Editor shall be to organize the online edition of The Journal of Plastination.
I am also delighted to announce the reappointment of Dr. Robert Henry, DVM, Ph.D. as Interim Associate Editor for The Journal of Plastination. Dr. Henry graciously accepted my invitation to continue in the interim capacity to assist in the transition to the new Editorial Board. Needless to say, the International Society for Plastination is still here today because of Dr. Henry's dedication, love for the ISP and passion for plastination. We are eternally grateful for his commitment to the ISP.
New Members
I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new members. Thank you for joining the ISP. Your enthusiasm and interest in plastination will spark a new exchange of ideas among both new and existing members of the ISP. I am grateful for the knowledge and dedication of our existing members as well, and am looking forward to a great year with our increased membership.
Finally, I would like to ask you to become actively involved in our society and share your knowledge of plastination. By attending the ISP sponsored conferences, participating in committees, contributing to the editorial board, by submitting articles to the Journal of Plastination, or contributing to our ListServe, you will stimulate growth and help make the ISP a valuable instrument of knowledge, innovation and collaboration for the advancement of plastination.
With my warmest regards from Toledo, Ohio, USA
Yours Sincerely
Carlos A. C. Baptista President The Journal of Plastination – 24:5 (2009-2012)
LETTER FROM THE INTERIM EDITOR
Dear ISP Members,
This first volume of the new Journal of Plastination (JP) contains abstracts and reports from two Biennial conferences of the International Society for Plastination (Honolulu, Hawaii and Beijing, China) and one Interim meeting (Toledo, Ohio) spanning from 2010 to 2012. The reason for publishing this special volume of the Journal of Plastination is twofold. First, this issue serves as a transition between the old JISP and the new JP. Secondly, it closes the gap of publications between our last issue, vol. 23, 2008 (published in 2011) to the present publication.
In order to maintain a flow of publications during the years, we rely on articles submitted by our scientific community. Many abstracts presented at the Biennial conferences and Interim meetings of the International Society for Plastination are never submitted as a full manuscript. Abstracts alone do not contribute to the advancement of plastination because they lack data - the fundamental principle of a scientific publication. I encourage each of you to expand the data from your abstract(s) and submit it(them) as a full manuscript.
One of the biggest challenges for any journal is to keep a steady flow of publications without compromising the quality of the journal. In recent years many articles submitted to the journal were rejected because they lacked the scientific rigor that is required for a quality manuscript. When submitting an article for publication, please follow the Instructions for Authors as outlined on the last two pages of this issue. Manuscripts that do not conform to these instructions will be returned. I also encourage you to use the following queries as you prepare your material for submission:
- What contribution will the article have to the advancement of plastination? - Is the title accurate and abstract complete? - Is the work scientifically sound? - Are the data presented clearly and concisely? - Do the conclusions follow logically from the data presented? - Does the discussion concisely summarize the new findings? - Do the tables and figures clearly present the relevant data and are all of them necessary? - Are the references appropriate and complete?
In the words of Harmon Bickley (J. Int. Soc. Plastination 2(1) 1988), the first Editor of the Journal,
“Take it from me, being editor is no fun if you don’t have manuscripts to publish. The papers in this issue are based on those published at the conference. But more are urgently needed. Those of you who have an item of information you would like to share with your fellow plastinator are urged to submit it for publication.”
Echoing Dr. Bickley words I again invite you to submit manuscripts. The next issue is already under preparation and I wish to have it published in the Spring of 2013.
Thank you
Carlos A C Baptista Interim Editor The Journal of Plastination – 24:6 (2009-2012)
15th International Conference on Plastination Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, July 19-24, 2010
Steven Labrash and Scott Lozanoff Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry & Physiology University of Hawaii School of Medicine Honolulu, HI USA
Overview:
The 15th Annual ISP meeting was held jointly with the 27th Annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. This meeting represented the first joint meeting in which the ISP has ever engaged. The theme of the joint meeting was titled “Hot Topics in the Tropics: Plastination and Anatomical Education.” The theme was particularly timely given the rapid technological advances in the field of plastination as applied to medical and allied medical education, as well as the complex ethical issues that surround this preservation technology. The program brought together a wide range of distinguished experts from over 25 countries and six continents.
Program:
The scientific component of the program extended over five days and included plenary sessions focusing on plastination as applied to anatomical education, as well as two ISP platform sessions.
A plenary session was given by Dr. D. Gareth Jones and titled “Finding a Context for Plastination within the Development of Anatomy: Aberration or Pathfinder?” He compared trends in plastination with body donations and presented several interesting paradoxes and ethical dilemmas with respect to anatomical donations and application of the material by anatomy instructors. The Harmon Bickley Memorial lecture was titled “Can Human Dignity be Preserved? Ethical Issues Surrounding Plastinated Specimens” and presented as a joint effort between an anatomist, Dr. Charleen M. Moore and ethicist, Dr. C. Mackenzie Brown. This unique presentation centered on ethical concerns of the modern body exhibits and the underlying criterion for respect of human dignity when subjecting cadaveric material to plastination.
Dr. Ben Young gave the Vincent J. De Feo Memorial lecture titled “The Role of Anatomical Education in Hawaiian Medical History”. Dr. Young was one of only 10 native Hawaiian physicians in Hawaii in 1972 and he shared his experience as a young physician and his role in several milestone cultural events, including serving as the physician on the first voyage of the Hokulea, serving to attract young native Hawaiians into the field of medicine as well as the role of anatomy in the Hawaiian culture.
The first ISP platform session had presentations on the fundamentals of plastination. Dr. Carlos Baptista moderated the session and began by presenting a general background of the principles and equipment necessary for establishing a plastination laboratory. Subsequent presentations focused on technical aspects of E12 sheet plastination (Dr. Constantin Sora), P40 (Dr. Rafael Latorre) and room temperature plastination (Dr. Ameed Raoof). This session provided a technical basis for the subsequent platform session.
The second ISP platform session was moderated by Dr. Ming Zhang and focused on plastination in education and research. Dr. Hongjin Sui described his group’s efforts to provide educational experiences in The Journal of Plastination – 24:7 (2009-2012) public education using plastinated materials. Dr. Shengebo Yu described research aimed at developing techniques for large animal plastination and use in veterinary medical education. Dr. Remu Dhingra reported on plastination methods for lungs while Dr. Rani Kumar provided an orthopedic educational experience utilizing plastinated knees. Mandeep Gill Sagoo described methods and applications of plastinated brain slices. Dr. Sora presented his group’s efforts to generate 3-D models of anatomical structures utilizing serially sectioned plastinated thin sections.
Many ISP members also made presentations during several poster sessions.
The joint ISP/AACA Educational Affairs Committee Symposium focused on the use of plastinated specimens in medical and allied medical education. Dr. Peter Ward presented the educational value of having students create plastinates as a way to gain anatomical expertise. Using plastinated anatomical specimens as an essential resource at the University of Michigan over two decades was discussed by Dr. Ameed Raoof. Dr. Kaori Tamura gave a presentation on using plastinated material to demonstrate sports medicine and kinesiology concepts. The final speaker was Dr. Mark Pizzimenti who shared the University of Iowa’s success in using plastinated prosections for study and exams. Following the presentations, a lively open discussion followed concerning the ethics of plastination, particularly related to commercial body exhibits.
Post Graduate Course
The postgraduate course was held on Saturday, July 24th in the Department of Anatomy, John A. Burns School of Medicine. The objective of the postgraduate course was to facilitate a unique “hands-on” experience complementing the didactic information communicated during the scientific sessions. By the end of the course, participants were expected to be able to undertake P40 and S10 methods, comprehend the underlying theoretical aspects of plastination, appreciate the tools required to set up a plastination laboratory, and understand basic safety issues pertaining to the plastination methods. Specifically, participants undertook the following exercises:
• Sliced a well-fixed brain on a deli/meat slicer to a thickness of 2-3 mm, suitable for polyester plastination (P40 technique). • Dehydrated tissue with freeze substitution in - • Gained an understanding of forced impregnation of brain/tissue slices for the P40 technique. • Built a flat chamber around a brain/tissue slice and cast a P40 slice. • Learned how to cure a P40 slice either outside in the shade or indoors with a UVA light set-up. • Gained an understanding of forced impregnation of room-temperature plastinates. • Cured room temperature impregnated specimens by applying a catalyst and wrapping specimens.
The course was developed and organized by Steven Labrash. Instructors for the workshop included several ISP members: Ameed Raoof, Constantine Sora, Rafael Latorre, Carlos Baptista, Selcuk Tunali, Scott Lozanoff and Steven Labrash. There were 80 participants for the hands-on workshop. An instructional DVD was distributed to all of the participants while several sample specimens derived from non-human tissues were also distributed. The Journal of Plastination – 24:8 (2009-2012) The Journal of Plastination – 24:9 (2009-2012)
Abstracts from the 15 International Conference on Plastination Honolulu, Hawaii – 2010
SmartPen®-Plastinate Integrated Tutorial System A comparison of dissection versus plastinated (S-PITS): A self-directed learning tool. Baptista, prosections to teach the anatomy of the hand. Carlos A. C.. Department of Neurosciences, University of Bennett-Clarke, Carol A. Carlos A. Baptista, and Richard D. Toledo, College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA Lane. Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH 43614, USA Self-directed learning has been identified as a promising methodology for life-long learning in health Cadaver dissection of certain body regions such as the education. The LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical hands and feet can be very challenging, time Education) is recommending flexible and innovated consuming, and frequently unrewarding for medical approaches that foster self-directed learning. The use students. The present study was designed to examine of plastinated anatomical/pathological specimens the impact of plastinated prosections on the efficiency provides a unique opportunity for self-directed learning. of student learning in the gross anatomy laboratory. Plastinates are dry, odorless and free of formaldehyde. Methods: Fifty-two first year medical students Therefore, they can be removed from the participated in a study conducted during a single lab dissection/autopsy laboratories and brought to the session covering the dissection of the hand. All classrooms/libraries. In addition, the integration of students were given a pretest, them randomly placed digital technology to plastinates promotes meaningful in 3 groups that either completed the standard learning by providing guidance and more robust dissection of the hand (group 1), completed the knowledge. dissection as group 1 but with access to plastinated Methods: Design a software application to integrate prosections (group 2), or used the laboratory session the LiveScribe® Smart Pen® to plastinates. to study plastinated prosections of hands without Results: The S-PITS prototype consisted of a series of performing a dissection (group 3). All groups used the educational objects on anatomy created by a same dissection guide during the session. At the end capture/play device using a dot-positioning system of this laboratory, all students completed a posttest (DPS) in standard paper with printed microdots on its followed by a brief survey. A faculty member evaluated surface. The paper was attached to a silicon plastinate final dissections completed by groups 1 and 2. through a thumbtack using a permanent bonding Results: No significant differences were noted in either agent. A series of narrative anatomy modules were the pre- or post-test results between the three groups. recorded in wave format and encoded to LiveScribe® However, the mean time needed to complete the lab proprietary format. Two S-PITS modules were using plastinated specimens only (group 3) was half of designed to teach the anatomy of the brain and the that required by the two groups. There was no hand. significant difference in time spent or quality of the Conclusion: S-PITS is a platform for self-directed dissection noted between the two dissection groups (1 learning that integrates plastinates with digital and 2). The students in the “prosection only” (group 3) technology providing flexibility for the study of anatomy were significantly more satisfied with the laboratory and pathology outside the usual academic settings. In experience based on ease of learning and time addition, they provide an interactive environment, productivity measures. structure and guidance to the student and a powerful Conclusion: These results suggest that plastinated educational tool to promote meaningful learning prosections provide an effective alternative to student through the integration of words, sounds and visuals. dissection of technically difficult regions. The Journal of Plastination – 24:10 (2009-2012)
Staining of sections planned for sheet plastination. images. The plastinated hearts were knife sectioned Dall, Annette M. and John Chemnitz. Neurobiological according to the corresponding echo-images. Science, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Results: The collection of plastinated slices displayed Denmark. the heart anatomy of standard 2D echocardiographic Sheet plastinated sections provide an exceptionally planes with great detail and accuracy. Nevertheless, good intermediate between macroscopic and due to the process of fixation (by dilation) no microscopic anatomy. They are normally unstained but comparison could be done with echocardiographs in will get an even wider field of application if stained. The ventricular systole. conventional protocols for histological staining are Conclusion: The plastinated slices were anatomically developed for thin tissue sections applicable for light accurate, durable and easy to manage, and considered microscopy, which are only a few µm thick. Sections appropriate for 2D echocardiographic training and made for sheet plastination are usually 2-5 mm thick, clinical assessment. and hence the staining protocols have to be changed to secure solid colouring of the tissue. Methods: We focused on the van Gieson protocol Tridimensional anatomical model of the elbow joint labelling collagen fibers in the connective tissue and of the dog. Latorre, Rafael 1, Jorge Arredondo2, Sarria, the Klüver & Barrera method for myelinated nerve Ricardo 1, Sora, Mircea-Constantine 3, Lozanoff, Scott 4, 1 1 1 fibers. The relation between incubation time and colour Ayala, María D. , and López-Albors, Octavio. Department penetrance of the tissue was studied for the solutions of Anatomy and Compared Pathologic Anatomy University of 2 required according to the staining protocols. Murcia, 30100, Spain. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, Autonomous University Results: Staining protocols for conventional thin tissue of the State of Mexico, 50000, México. 3The Medical sections were modified to be suitable for thick tissue University of Vienna, A-1090, Austria. 4Department of slices planned for sheet plastination. Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, John A. Burns Conclusion: Staining of connective tissue and School of Medicine, Hawai, 96813 U.S.A. myelinated nerve fibers in thick sections may contribute to the understanding of the myofascial Developmental pathologies and traumatic lesions of system. the elbow joint are very common in dogs and most of them have a surgical solution; however, surgical planning is difficult due to the high complexity of this Use of heart plastinated heart slices to assist joint. 3D computed tomography models have proven echocardiography interpretation in the dog. Latorre, useful when planning surgical approaches but do not Rafael, Alejandro Gomez, María J. Fernandes Del Palacio, always offer good definition of soft tissue structures Ricardo Sarria, and Octavio Lopez Albors. Dept. of Anatomy such as blood vessels and nerves. The use of epoxy and Comparative Pathology, and Dept. of Medicine and ultrathin plastinated slices (aprox. 400 µm) allows Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, Spain. accurate description of complex anatomical regions The present work is aimed at obtaining a collection of with great definition and can be used for three- plastinated slices of dog hearts corresponding to the dimentional reconstructions. The aim of this work is to standard protocol for the bidimensional (2D) construct a 3D computer model of the anatomical echocardiography. This study is justified by the lack of structure of the elbow joint of the dog from plastinated abundant material in this subject and by both its ultrathin sections. educational and clinical applications. Methods: One elbow joint of a dog was used in this Methods: Thirteen fresh normal dog hearts were fixed study. The whole fore limb was removed from the by dilation and processed by S10 silicon plastination cadaver and the axillary artery injected with epoxy (Biodur®). Also, two dogs without cardiopathies were resin. It was frozen at -30ºC for 48 hours and a block explored by 2D echocardiography so as to obtain containing the elbow joint removed. The block was standard right parasternal (short and long axis), plastinated by epoxy impregnation E12-E1-E600 subcostal and left parasternal, caudal and cranial (Biodur®) and cut into 0.4-0.6 mm thick slices with a contact point diamond band saw (Exakt®). The The Journal of Plastination – 24:11 (2009-2012)
plastinated slices were scanned and the images proximity to the medial aspect of the dorsal synovial uploaded into the Windsurf® 3D reconstruction pouch and fibrous caudal expansion of the software. articular disc. Results: The thin plastinated slices provided good Conclusion: There is a direct relationship between the anatomical detail of the elbow joint, allowing the bony TMJ and the middle ear in horses which may explain structures to be reproduced in 3D. Subtraction of the aforementioned clinical signs. The close proximity specific structures was possible, permitting the of the mandibular nerve to the medial aspect of the elements in the model to be displayed in groups or as TMJ components may also explain some of the a whole, as well as rotated in the simulated 3D space. malocclusion problems affecting horses with TMJ This procedure permitted a better understanding of the disorders. anatomy of the elbow joint of the dog and may be useful in assessing surgical or clinical problems in this complex joint. The Brain Book: Plastination and lamination of Conclusion: The 3D model of the elbow joint of the brain cross sections. Mitra, Aditi, Linda Saab, Lauren dog obtained from ultrathin plastinated sections is a Marchese, Adriane Marchese, Ameed Raoof. Division of reliable tool for the study of this joint and could become Anatomical Sciences/Plastination, University of Michigan. useful for planning standard and alternative surgical approaches in this or other species. Plastination has proven to be an invaluable asset to the education of anatomy. With its use, specimens have been preserved in a way that is both durable and Clinical anatomy of the relation between the conducive to learning anatomy much more effectively temporomandibular joint and the middle ear in than two-dimensional pictures and plastic models horses. Latorre, Rafael 1, María J Rodríguez1, Octavio alone. In particular, brain slicing has been an effective López-Albors1, Jorge Arredondo2, Francisco Gil1 and Amalia method of visualizing the numerous tracts and deep Agut1. 1Dept. of Anatomy and Comparative Pathology, and internal structures held within the cortex. However, Dept. of Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, University organization and fragility of such fine slices, as well as of Murcia, Spain. 2Dept Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary the vast amount of anatomy found within the brain, has Medicine and Zootecny, Autonomous University of the State hindered students’ ability to sufficiently navigate these of México, México. resources. As a result, it is important to develop a system which not only processes thinly sliced brain In horses, some of the clinical signs shown in the sections, but also organizes them in a way that both temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, such as safeguards them for long term use and presents headshaking or head leaning are similar to those anatomical structures in a more interactive way. described for certain neurological and middle ear Methods: Our objective is to enhance anatomy pathologies. The aim of this study is to demonstrate education by developing a hands-on, interactive, the relationship between the TMJ, the middle ear and teaching tool for the University of Michigan’s anatomy surrounding structures in horses. education needs. Through the collaboration of students Methods: Heads from 6 Purebred Spanish horses well versed in anatomical research and medicine, we were frozen at -30ºC for 48 hours. Blocks containing created a series of slides in which human brains have the TMJ and its surroundings were then plastinated by been thinly sliced transversely, sagittaly, and coronally. epoxy impregnation E12-E1-E600 (Biodur®). The Next, each slice was plastinated and laminated using epoxy blocks were cut in oblique sagittal 0.4-0.6 mm plastic lamination sheets. This ensures the slices are ultrathin slices with a contact point diamond blade saw protected while also maintaining the ability to see the (Exakt ®). brain clearly. In addition to the brain slices, Results: Fibers of the articular disc and the articular transparencies labeled with specific areas of the brain capsule of the TMJ, especially from the caudal were placed over the plastinated brain slices thereby ligament, were observed running through the highlighting various anatomical structures. These areas petrotympanic fissure and attaching onto the middle were labeled using colored markers, where each color ear. The mandibular nerve was observed in close represented a different landmark. A color legend was The Journal of Plastination – 24:12 (2009-2012)
laminated along with the brain slices, correlating the Conclusion: A posteromedial portal made at the level color and anatomical structures. of the tip of the medial malleolous is safe, effective, Results: We created a tangible brain atlas allowing reproducible and advantageous for an endoscopic students to better visualize and understand the tarsal tunnel release or ankle arthroscopy. complexity of the human brain, providing a useful resource to facilitate anatomy comprehension with specimens that can be used independently or in Use of plastinated specimens to convey learning conjunction with transparencies. concepts in Sports Medicine and Kinesiology. Conclusion: The brain atlas will improve the ability of Tamura, Kaori. Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation students to learn brain anatomy and comprehend the Science, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu,HI, USA. dynamics of its intricacy. It will not only serve as a useful tool for visualizing the anatomical structures of Reduction in anatomy contact hours, budget the brain, but also provide a tangible and durable piece reductions, and changes in student learning of anatomy that students can hold. approaches have prompted novel instructional approaches to maximize efficiency. While computer- assisted instruction provides an important supplemental approach, “hands-on” opportunities The posteromedial neurovascular bundle of the remain critical for fully appreciating anatomical ankle: an anatomic study using plastinated slices. concepts. The purpose of this study is to develop a 1 2 1 Sora, Mircea-Constantin , Petru Matusz , Radu jilavu , Jan series of plastinated specimens to demonstrate 1 1 Dresenkamp . Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical common sport injuries and assess their usability for 2 University of Vienna, Austria. Anatomical Department, learning musculoskeletal injury evaluation. University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Methods: Dissected specimens were dehydrated, Timisoara,Romania. degreased, impregnated, and cured following standard room temperature plastination methods. An The aim of this study was to evaluate the topography assessment tool using a Likert scale was designed to of the posteromedial neurovascular bundle of the evaluate the usefulness of the plastinates for ankle. The anatomic relationship of the posteriormedial conveying associated learning issues. Students from neurovascular bundle at different levels of the ankle various programs and backgrounds were presented was studied as an aid in planning minimally invasive with the models following didactic presentation of injury surgery. A thorough knowledge of the local anatomy is mechanism, symptom, and clinical testing. Results: Plastinates provided realistic representations a prerequisite prior to attempting release of the tibial of injuries. Preliminary data suggested that the nerve, or when using the posteromedial portal for ankle plastinates were helpful in understanding the injured arthroscopy. structure and its surrounding relationships. Most Methods: A sectional anatomy study was performed health-profession students believed the injury models on twelve intact right male cadaver lower limbs. The would enhance their skills in palpation and special distal third of each limb was cut and the foot positioned testing. in the neutral position. The measurements were Conclusion: Plastination may be a cost effective performed at the level of the tibiotalar joint, tip of the method for exposing students to unique human medial malleolus and at the sustentaculum tali. anatomical materials. The plastinated injury models are Results: The tibial nerve is predicted to be 11.8 ± 2.4 useful learning tools that enhance the students’ understanding of sports injuries from the anatomical mm and the posterior tibial artery 16.7 ± 3.8 mm perspective. anterior to the calcaneal tendon at the level of the tibiotalar joint. At the tip of the malleolus medialis, the tibial nerve is 14.3 ± 2.5 mm and the posterior tibilal artery 22.1 ± 4.1 mm anterior to the Achilles tendon. The medial plantar nerve is situated at the sustentaculum tali level 8.4 ± 3.4 mm and the lateral plantar nerve 16.1 ± 3.1 mm posterior to the sustentaculum tali. The Journal of Plastination – 24:13 (2009-2012)
Plastination of fresh and old embalmed human Plastinated specimens serve as excellent models not lungs using modified S-10 technique Dhingra, Renu 1, only for teaching purposes but also to provide hands- Sankat Mochan1, Sanjeev Lalwani2 and Rani Kumar1 on experience for aspiring surgeons. Plastinated cross- 1 2 Department of Anatomy, Department of Forensic medicine, sections of body and brain also serve as excellent All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, INDIA. comparable models for radiologists for analyzing MRI, CT and Sonography images. The present study was Well preserved gross specimens become an integral undertaken to plastinate the knee region for the part for understanding their three dimensional arthroscopic study of the knee joint. anatomy, thereby giving clarity to spatial co-relations to Methods: Freshly embalmed knee regions were an aspiring surgeon. Many fixatives are used for plastinated, for the arthrosopic study. The sections of preservation of biological tissues, formalin being the knee region were then cut to compare the anatomy of most popular globally. Formalin-fixed specimens have knee joint with MRI images. Fifteen knees were certain limitations like formalin fumes, use of gloves, collected from the Department of Forensic Medicine at masks, deterioration with handling etc. To overcome AIIMS. The knees were washed, cleaned and fixed in these disadvantages, plastination is being used as 5-8% formalin. Each joint was filled with 120-250 ml of these specimens are dry, odorless and require minimal fixative and plastinated using the standard S-10 aftercare. We have successfully plastinated specimens silicone technique. such as liver, kidney, heart and knee joints using the Results: The interior of the knee joint was viewed S10 technique with certain improvisations. through an arthroscope by making a port on the Methods: In the present study, we planned to anterolateral side of the joint. The structures seen were standardize the plastination of human lungs using the the ligamentum mucosum menisci, intercondylar notch, S 10 technique as they contain air spaces which can infrapatellar fat pad, and the anterior and posterior cause considerable shrinkage. Twenty-one fresh lungs cruciate ligaments. By making more ports and (group I) and 15 old embalmed lungs (group II) were changing the position of the arthoscope and divided into subgroups based on variation in forced manipulating the freshly embalmed plastinated knee impregnation mixture. All the lungs were then joint, the interior of the joint was viewed for clinical subjected to dehydration, forced impregnation (with or assessment without disturbing its anatomy. Coronal without solvent) and curing. and sagittal sections of the plastinated knee were also Results: The morphological features of the lungs were made and compared with MRI images of the knee joint. evaluated using qualitative (color, flexibility) and Conclusion: Plastinated specimens can serve as a quantitative criteria (shrinkage % in surface area and very good model for surgical procedures and for volume). The difference in mean % shrinkage of comparisons with MRI images. surface area and volume was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05) among with and without solvent groups in both fresh and old embalmed lungs. Room temperature plastination of stained brain Conclusions: The fresh lungs impregnated with slices. Sagoo, Mandeep and Adds, Philip, St George’s solvent in the impregnation mixture showed superior Hospital Medical School, London SW17 0RE, United color preservation, were more flexible and had less Kingdom shrinkage when compared to fresh lungs impregnated without solvent in impregnation mixture and old The standard method for plastination with Biodur® embalmed lungs. S10/S3 silicone involves low-temperature dehydration in a volatile intermediary solvent (acetone or methylene chloride) followed by forced impregnation under Plastinated knee: A model for arthroscopic and vacuum at -15°. However, some institutions have been diagnostic purposes. Kumar, Rani1, Neha JAIN1 , reluctant to install low-temperature impregnation Sanjeev Lalwani2 and Renu Dhingra1, 1Department of equipment because of health and safety concerns. 2 Anatomy, Department of Forensic medicine.All India Room-temperature plastination has the advantages of Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New low cost and simplicity of set-up, and avoids the Delhi,INDIA. potential safety hazards associated with low- The Journal of Plastination – 24:14 (2009-2012)
temperature impregnation. Previous studies at St remain unknown and mysterious to the general public. George’s have shown that a low-temperature Public education of anatomical science is a strong dehydration/ room temperature impregnation protocol desire for anatomists. Anatomy is a unique subject for Biodur® S10/S3 can produce results comparable, if since its research findings are achieved mainly by not equal, to the standard low-temperature method. dissecting real human bodies. The history of Studies on brain tissue have shown that slices systematic dissection of human corpses began in impregnated at room temperature retain excellent ancient Alexandria. Many anatomical museums in the colour definition. Shrinkage was below 5%. world (which are still open to the public) have a history Methods:. In this study, formalin-fixed brain slices of hundreds of years, containing specimens preserved were first stained with Mulligan’s stain for grey matter, in formalin. Public education of anatomical science before undergoing dehydration in acetone at -30° C reflects a considerable far-reaching significance. But it and vacuum impregnation with S10/S3 at room is not as easy as many people thought to conduct a temperature. Measurements of the slices were taken at public education of anatomical science. Even though a each stage of the process to monitor shrinkage. majority of people accept the public display of Results: Colour definition of the stained grey matter anatomical specimens, a few visitors might be critical remained good after plastination. Shrinkage was and some even question the validity of those exhibits. acceptable, and did not detract from the value of the In China, plastinated specimens are contributing to slices for neuroanatomy teaching. The stain has thus public education. The specimens are dry and have no far not faded on exposure to light. odor compared with specimens preserved with Conclusions: Cold-temperature dehydration and formalin, allowing the public to observe and to learn room-temperature impregnation can be used to about the human body more directly. Public education plastinate brain slices stained with Mulligan’s stain. using plastinated specimens has also been effective in This further extends the potential applications of room- promoting body donation. The Chinese have a temperature plastination stronger traditional view of human bodies. The opinion of a large majority of Chinese visitors has been positively changed because of our public education Public Education with Plastinated Specimen Sui, with plastinated specimens. The plastination technique Hong-Jin , and Shengbo Yu. Department of Anatomy, Dalian creates a new age for the public education of Medical University, Dalian 116044, P.R. China anatomical science.
Although the development of anatomy is more than five hundred years old, the structures of the human body The Journal of Plastination – 24:15 (2009-2012)
Minutes 15th Biennial Business Meeting of the International Society for Plastination held in Honolulu, USA, July 22nd, 2010
1. Call to Order The 15th Biennial Meeting of the society was called to order at 4:30 PM by the president Carlos A. C. Baptista. There were 23 members present at the ISP meeting. The quorum was established and the agenda was approved without alterations.
2. Reading and approval of the minutes of the 2008 conference The minutes were approved as read/printed in ISP journal volume 23; 3-4 (2008)
3. Report of Elections Anthony J. Weinhaus, Ph.D., Director of the Program in Human Anatomy Education at the University of Minnesota coordinated the Elections of the ISP officers. Nominations were opened until June 30, 2010. Elections were held electronically during the first week of July.
In the absence of Anthony Weinhaus the report was given by Carlos Baptista. The results of the election of officers, which had been held over the internet was announced as follows:
President: Carlos A. C. Baptista Vice-President: R. Latorre Treasurer: Ameed Raoof Secretary: Christoph von Horst
4. Presidents’ Report Since our meeting in Heidelberg several changes suggested at that meeting have taken place. a. The ListServe hosted by the University of Graz is now hosted by the University of Toledo. All members listed in old ListServe were transferred to the new site. b. The ISP has a new website and a new Domain Name: Http://isp.plastination.org Joshua Lopez suggested enhancing the website of the society by adding a Blog. c. The Journal of Plastination is online and can be accessed by going to http://journal.plastination.org d. The elections for officers now are monitored and handled by Elections-on-line. There was very positive feedback using the new system.
5. Membership The total number of ISP members to date (98) increased slightly from the number of active members during the Conference in Heidelberg in 2008. There are 53 old members (time of last International Conference 2008) and 45 new members that joined after the Heidelberg conference. There are still a large number of old members who have not renewed their membership.
6. Journal of Plastination Craig Goodmurphy suggested that the objective of the Journal of Plastination be expanded to provide a medium for the publication of scientific papers dealing with all aspects of preservation of biological specimens including plastination, sectional anatomy and other anatomical techniques”. The same suggestions were endorsed by many other members present at the meeting. The Journal of Plastination – 24:16 (2009-2012)
7. The 16th International Conference on Plastination Ming Zhang presented a detailed concept for Beijing to host the 16th International Conference on Plastination in 2012. It would be the first International Conference in Asia. The conference will be hosted by China Capital Medical University (CCMU) and the Chinese Society for Anatomical Sciences (CSAS). After a vote, Beijing was approved to host the Conference in 2012.
8. The 10th Interim Meeting on Plastination The 10th Interim Meeting on Plastination will be hosted by the University of Toledo, Ohio, USA in July 2011. The meeting will be held in a close schedule to the AACA meeting that will take place in Columbus, Ohio.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM. The Journal of Plastination – 24:17 (2009-2012)
10th International Interim Conference on Plastination Toledo, Ohio, USA, July 9-12, 2011
Carlos A. C. Baptista, Department of Neurosciences University of Toledo College of Medicine
Overview:
The 10th Interim Conference on Plastination was held on the Health Science Campus of the University of Toledo, in Toledo, Ohio, from July 9-12, 2011. More than 70 participants (representing 27 countries) attended the four-day conference. The meeting brought together a wide range of distinguished experts as well as novices with an interest in plastination.
Among our distinguish faculty were Dr. Gunther von Hagens, Dr. Robert W. Henry, Dr. Christoph von Horst, Dr. Kees H. de Jong, Dr. Ameed Raoof and Dr. Mircea-Constantin Sora. The conference followed the tradition of previous interim meetings. It targeted the novice learner in plastination with oral presentations on the basic principles of plastination and a hands-on workshop. In addition, the more experienced plastinators had the opportunity to learn about new advances in polymers and plastination presented by Dr. von Hagens and Vladimir Chereminsky. Attendees were able to view an exhibit of plastinated specimens from laboratories around the world including several specimens from Dr. von Hagens. Program: The scientific component of the program extended over four days. The morning sessions were devoted to oral presentations and the afternoons were dedicated to the hands-on workshop. Each day began with a questions/answer session regarding the workshop held on the previous afternoon. Participants were also provided time within each day’s schedule to review scientific posters.
The conference opened with welcoming messages from the President of the University of Toledo and the Dean of the College of Medicine at the University. This was followed by a message to the plastination community by Rurik von Hagens, who addressed the audience on behalf of Dr. von Hagens. (See letter on page18-in this journal).
The keynote address, “New Dissection Techniques: Reasons and Details of a New Dissection Technique for the Manufacturing of Plastinates”, was delivered by Vladimir Chereminsky on behalf of Dr. Gunther von Hagens. He compared the traditional anatomical dissection based on removal of structures with the dissection methods of open body doors, open drawers, shifting of fragments and side by side presentation of systems. “Students are mentally forced to close the expanded plastinate in their minds which is an active mental process, facilitating learning” according to Dr. Chereminsky and Dr. von Hagens “Plastination of Fetuses and Brain Specimens without Shrinkage” was presented by Dr. Chereminsky and Dr. von Hagens with emphasis on the fixation and impregnation (infiltration) of polymer, resulting in fetuses with less wrinkles and brains with less shrinkage.
The oral sessions of the first day was dedicated to the basic principles of plastination. The session began with an overview of plastination (Dr. Baptista) followed by dehydration (Dr. Henry), impregnation (Dr. Sora), curing (Dr. Henry) and room temperature plastination (Dr. Raoof). This session provided a technical basis for the afternoon workshop. The day ended with a tour of the Plastination Exhibit and a reception sponsored by the University of Toledo Alumni Affiliate. The Journal of Plastination – 24:18 (2009-2012)
Presentations on the second day focused on technical aspects of epoxy technique (E12) sheet plastination (Dr. Constantin Sora) and polyester technique (P40) (Dr. Kees de Jong). A demonstration on the Epoxy Sandwich technique was done by Dr. Sora in the auditorium. This session provided a technical basis for the afternoon workshop. In the evening, participants were treated to a delightful reception and small group tours at the Toledo Museum of Art, an internationally known museum with a collection of more than 30000 works of art.
On the third day, a keynote address entitled “From Universities to Primary Schools – A user-Oriented Approach to Plastination” was presented by Dr. Christoph von Horst. A subsequent presentation focused on the technical aspects of a flat chamber method of P40 technique, demonstrated by Dr. Constantin Sora. A new polyester technique for sheet plastination (P50) was introduced by Dr. von Hagens. The day ended with a gala dinner at the Maumee Bay Resort & Conference Center situated along Lake Erie, one of the five great lakes in the United States.
The last day of the conference was devoted to issues of Safety and Health and how to setup a plastination lab. A presentation on “Safety and Hazardous Issues in Plastination” was provided by Dr. Michael Valigosky, Director of Safety and Health at the University of Toledo. Following the presentation, a lively open discussion followed concerning the ethics and the use of plastinates. There were several other oral presentations, posters and specimens exhibited by attendees of the conference Workshop The hands-on workshop was held in the afternoons and complemented the didactic sessions presented in the mornings. The workshop was designed to expose the novice to plastination and the following aspects of the technique: Day 1 - dehydration (freeze substitution in -25 C acetone), and impregnation (cold and room temperature). Day 2 - polyester technique. Slice a fixed brain on a meat slicer and an unfixed leg on a band saw for polyester impregnation. Construct a glass chamber to and cast a brain slice with P40. Day 3 - dismantling and sawing P40 slices and curing of silicone (cold and room temperature). In addition P50 technique was introduced by Dr. von Hagens impregnating leg slices. Day 4 - final room temperature and cold curing manipulation, and wrapping specimens for transportation was reviewed. Instructors for the workshop included several ISP members: Kees de Jong, Steven Labrash, Robert Henry, Gunther von Hagens, Christoph von Horst, Ameed Raoof, Constantine Sora, and Carlos Baptista. The Journal of Plastination – 24:19 (2009-2012) The Journal of Plastination – 24:20 (2009-2012) The Journal of Plastination – 24:21 (2009-2012)
10th International Interim Conference on Plastination Toledo, Ohio, USA, July 9-12, 2011
Letter from Gunther von Hagens
Dear good old friends and dear beginners of Plastination:
I am here as a participant of this 10th interim conference of Plastination, which is for me a kind of farewell party. This does not mean that I plan to cease attending future Plastination conferences. I value the intellectual enrichment, the renewal of friendships that span nearly three decades, and the company of my peers in Plastination, that this conference affords me. However, as some of you know, I have been grappling with the challenges of Parkinson’s disease that has affected me in ways too many to count. It has affected my body, altered the shape of my life, and changed the course of my work. The most precious commodity for me now is time, and I have been compelled to ask myself, “What is worth doing?” I decided after long contemplation that I wish to harness and channel my creative energy and scientific impulses towards work that is fulfilling, and that I wish to leave as my legacy to public anatomy and plastination science.
With this imperative established, I decided to delegate the day to day management, development, and leadership of the endeavor I began half a life ago, to three people who I know will strive to carry the banner of plastination, and be the keepers of the flame, of the science that I invented.
First of all, I would like to pay tribute to my wife, Dr. Angelina Whalley, who gave up her intended career as a surgeon back in 1995 to work with me to develop Plastination to what it is today. Today she is the curator and main media spokesperson of the Body Worlds exhibitions, and the owner and Managing Director of the Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg and Biodur® Products, a company we founded in 1978 to meet the growing demand for polymers and equipment from practitioners of Plastination.
Secondly, I would like to recognize my son, Rurik von Hagens, who transitioned from a career in business administration in Germany and the UK to assume a leadership role in our company. As our Commercial Director, I trust him implicitly to guide our endeavors into the next decade and beyond. His financial experience is an asset to our organization which underwrites its own research activities without external funding.
Finally, I would like to introduce Dr. Vladimir Chereminsky to you. Vladimir is currently leading our Plastination Department in Dalian, China and will assume the same role in Guben, Germany. He is, unquestionably, my best scholar in Plastination, and I am very glad of his work to come in Guben and his help in presenting my work to you today. The Journal of Plastination – 24:22 (2009-2012)
It is inevitable that I talk of death when I talk about anatomy. The older I get, the more I believe that death is completely normal and that it is life that is exceptional. To understand life, it is helpful to embrace death. As an anatomist and plastinator, I have the privilege to be closer to death than others. Whenever I plastinated someone younger than me, I experienced death mentally with such intensity, that I no longer fear death. I believe that fearing my own mortality would require me also to mourn those who have been never been born. This insight has been quite valuable as I live with a progressive and incurable disease. It is not that I expect to die soon, but that accepting death as normal and accepting the inevitable degeneration of bodily strength and capabilities is a kind of liberation. In addition, I feel consoled about my mortality, because I am a body donor, extending my body’s life. Foreseeing that my body will be transformed by Plastination from an object of individual mourning into an object of appreciation, enlightenment and learning is the great consolation of my life.
Fortunately, unlike in Alzheimer’s disease, my mind remains healthy and vigilant. This will enable me to finalize ongoing research projects as well as to begin new endeavors. I am occupied now with a new trajectory in plastination, focused on aesthetics and gestalt forms that I call, Sci-Art, through which I plan to revive the renaissance based art of creating anatomical masterpieces using Plastination.
Let me close my message to you with what was always dear to my heart: the democratization of anatomy through Plastination. I am not religious, but I believe in the democratization of knowledge and by extension, the democratization of anatomy. As a former East German citizen, jailed for two years as a political prisoner, I know what it means to talk about democracy. To my mind democracy is at its best, when the people turn the predictions of experts into a mockery. The unforeseen reunification of Germany, and the success of BodyWorlds exhibitions, both predicted by experts to fail, this is democracy at its best. Authorities like the city government of Munich tried to prohibit the showing of plastinates to the public. But the people voted with their feet. Body Worlds has been seen by over 33 million visitors worldwide which means that at least 100 Million have discussed and understood that the body is not a trash bin but a treasure, changing the understanding of the human body by the public. This is the wish of the people realized, their thirst for sensation, curiosity and knowledge met, proving that Plastination is beauty beneath the skin, frozen in time, between death and decay.
I am thankful to see you all here today and I greet all my old friends who journeyed with me from the beginning: Bob Henry from Tennessee, Ron Wade from Baltimore, Constantin Sora from Vienna, of course Carlos Baptista and everybody else who I see here in the auditorium.
Thank You,
Gunther von Hagens. The Journal of Plastination – 24:23 (2009-2012)
Abstracts from the 10th Interim Meeting on Plastination Toledo, Ohio, 2011
Fungal infection of plastinated brain slices in high Plastinated camel brains have been shown to be temperature storage rooms. Alshehry, Murad A. and effective in teaching and research purposes, Alobeaci, Mahir M. Faculty of Medicine. King Fahad Medical enhancing the quality of education in neuroanatomy. City (KFMC), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Methods: Five camel brains were plastinated using the standard S10 technique. The brains were fixed by In desert conditions in Riyadh City in the Kingdom of injection of cold 10% formalin for 4 weeks, dehydrated Saudi Arabia, plastinated brain slices are regularly by freeze substitution in cold acetone, forced stored in dry, higher temperature environments of more impregnated (Biodur S10&S3) and cured (Biodur S6). than 30 C. Because of these conditions, a white crystal Results: The plastinated camel brains were dry, easy precipitate is seen in brain slices, particularly located in to handle and durable. All structures on both ventral the white matter. The objective of this study is to and dorsal surfaces were very clear. The brain slices determine the origin and type of contaminant, and showed contrast between grey and white matter. Also solutions to prevent brain slice contamination. the deep origin of some cranial nerves and nuclei were Methods: Several brain slices were used for this distinguished, especially the spinal trigeminal nucleus, study. Feathery crystals were scraped from the brain hypoglossal nucleus and dorsal nucleus of the vagus. slices surface and then swabbed onto two petri dishes Conclusion: Plastinated camel brain specimens and containing broad range growth medium. Two types of slices are non-toxic and ideal for teaching purposes growth medium were used for this experiment, that is, and research. Digital photos of the specimens were Sabouraud dextrose agar and Corn Meal dextrose used for e-learning. This work is supported by a project agar. Crystals from the slices were swabbed onto both from The Ministry of Higher Education (CIQAP, 2nd media types and incubated at 30°C in humid incubator. cycle 2009, code zag-vet-1). For the control sample, laboratory benches were swabbed in each of the media type stated previously. The media containing crystals was allowed to grow for Brief history of plastination in Kyrgyzstan. Belov a month. Results: Mycological growth was found on Georgei*and Aidarova Dinara Department of Pathologic both media of Sabouraud dextrose agar and Corn Meal Morphology of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavonic University, dextrose agar petri dishes after 1 month of incubation Institute of Polymeric Technologies, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The petri dishes were positive for Aspergillus fumigatus. The control plates showed colonies of The aim of this work is to analyze the legal, financial, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. technological and scientific documents of mass media Conclusion: Aspergillus fumigatus is the articles about the Centre for Plastination in Kyrgyzstan contaminating agent of the plastinated brain slices. We since 1997 (Institute of Morphology and Polymer conclude that the contamination of the plastinated Technologies in 2002). The largest investment project brain slices with the airborn fungus was a result of in medicine in Kyrgyzstan included the newest storing the specimens in a dry, high temperature technologies of sectional, 3-dimensional and corrosion environment. anatomic specimens developed by Dr. Gunther von Hagens for teaching and research purposes. Students of the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy (KSMA) and Use of plastinated camel brain as neuroanatomy Kyrgyz-Russian Slavonic University (KRSU) studied teaching aids. Basset Aly A.E*, Soliman K.Z., Selim A. , anatomy using unique specimens that had an aesthetic Abdel Aziz S.E., Nosiur H., Konsowa M.,Omar A., Hilal A., look, unlimited storage time, free of formalin odor, Atia A., Khairy S.and Elhadi E. Plastination Laboratory, which contributed greatly to anatomy learning. Special Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig , tests of students’ knowledge conducted by the Egypt Association of Central Asia Medical Schools showed The Journal of Plastination – 24:24 (2009-2012)
KSMA to be in the leading ranks. The Museum of Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Plastination established in Bishkek has more than (MR) examinations are normally used in clinical and 1500 plastinated specimens, including 15 whole anatomical practice. Imaging of plastinated specimens anatomic bodies. The Museum became a place for by CT, was used to evaluate its internal and external training first year students, practicing physicians and structures to ascertain their integrity. surgeons. Mobile training sessions on several topics Methods: A Toshiba Aquilion 64-multdetector CT were organized for students of other universities. The scan, at Radiology Department of the Heart Institute – Museum, the most visited among others, had many University of São Paulo - USP/Brazil, was used to foreign guests, physicians and laypersons, people of evaluate plastinated secimens of the heart, a different faiths who expressed their delight for the diencephalon and a brain stem. The specimens were collection..Besides the Museum, the investments of G. plastinated in 1986 at The Department of Anatomy of von Hagens were directed to the repair of the building the Institute of Biomedical Science - ICB/USP/Brazil, of The Morphology Department of KSMA, the Institute using Biodur S10 standard technique. Several images of Physiology and High-Altitude Pathology of the were obtained from the scanned specimen slices of National Academy of Sciences, and the reconstruction cross-sections of 0.5-mm thickness and 0.5-mm of refrigeration and equipment of the Bureau of reconstruction interval. Three-dimensional images Pathologic Anatomy, Bureau of Forensic Medical were reconstructed through MIP (Maximum Intensity Examination. Anatomical specimens have been made Projection) and VR (Volume Rendering) techniques at with the involvement of many specialists from the Aquarius Net Viewer Workstation of TeraRecon departments of general anatomy, topographic anatomy Company. Also, the rate of CT attenuation coefficient and operative surgery of KSMA and KRSU. Members (UH) of the images was measured and compared with of the students’ scientific community, where many of images obtained from myocardium and white/ grey them had training abroad also supported the project. matter of a living individual. The legal basis concerning anatomic specimens in Results: The anatomical aspect of the heart, Kyrgyzstan, as in other NIS countries has been diencephalon and brain stem of the plastinated deteriorating since 2000. Involvement of politicians in specimens were preserved. The internal structures of research and teaching disrupted all activity related to the heart, such as cardiac valves, ridges and bridges plastination. The use of human organs, including (trabeculae carneae), fibrous threads (chordae surgical amputated material and placenta, are tendineae) and papillary muscles where remarkably restricted by legislation. As a result the quality of preserved. The internal and external structures of the learning anatomy has declined, the sanitary and third ventricle and the midbrain were found to be technical state of morgues has worsened, and preserved twenty-two years after being plastinated. problems of temporary storage and burial of unclaimed The 3D reconstructions of anatomical structures of corpses remain unsolved. The problems of the past these specimens showed great detail and high spatial demand the resolve at the present. We developed resolution. Radiological images showed increased proposals to amend some chapters, regulations and attenuation rates, compared with the images of the guidelines of the National Healthcare Law on anatomic myocardium of the living specimen. When images of specimens. Special attention was given to points the plastinated grey and white matter was compared concerning to body donation. with the living brain specimen images, they showed reduced attenuation but less than the attenuation values of any kind of calcification. CT images were not 3D multidetector CT reconstructions of a heart and clear enough to recognize the layers of myocardium a diencephalon and brain stem, plastinated by wall, or the grey/white matter of the nervous tissue of 1 Biodur S10 standard technique. Cerqueira, Esem , both specimens. Baptista, Carlos A. C.3, Campi, Cláudio.C.2,Silva, Adriano F Conclusion: CT scanning is an excellent method for 1Dept. of Anatomy, University of São Paulo/ICB/USP, São 2 assessing plastinated specimens, especially to reveal Paulo, Brazil Dept. of Radiology, Heart Institute, São Paulo, and evaluate either inner or outer surfaces, but not to Brazil 3Dept. of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, U.S.A. differentiate their wall structures because the silicone The Journal of Plastination – 24:25 (2009-2012) impregnation altered the CT attenuation rates of specimens. Use of glycerine embedded specimens for teaching neuroanatomy for medical students. Fazan, Valéria P. S.School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Using the plastination facilities at the medical Paulo,Brazil. school to establish new research, education and The neuroanatomy course for our medical students communication with the local community. Dall, Annette M and Chemnitz, John Department of (MED-NEURO) is taught using whole and sectioned, Neurobiological Science, Institute of Molecular Medicine, formalin-fixed brains and spinal cords. In order to have University of Southern Denmark, Denmark, Europe. enough good quality specimens available, a considerable amount of time has been needed to At the medical faculty at the University of Southern collect the brains and ensure proper and timely Denmark – Odense we have facilities for S10 fixation. plastination, which were established to prepare Methods: Fixation was accomplished by arterial anatomical specimens. These facilities were used in a injection of 10% formalin. Additional tissue from new co-operation with the local zoo, where incidentally autopsies was fixed by immersion. After several days a giraffe was necropsied. Because giraffes have in the fixative, the immersion-fixed or arterially-fixed extremely high blood pressure the heart and kidney tissues were then placed in 50% formalin/50% were studied. glycerine to start the embedding process. Three days Methods: The heart, stomach and a segment of the later, the specimens were placed in 100% glycerine giraffe neck were immersion-fixed in 4% formaldehyde, until they sank to the bottom of the container.. dissected and plastinated using the Biodur®. S10 Results: The fixed specimens are wet and slippery to technique. The two fresh kidneys were cast-injected handle., Gloves must be worn for protection from the with red epoxy-resin (Biodur® E20) via the renal artery, fixative. Differentiation of white and grey matter was One kidney was immersion-fixed with 4% difficult to appreciate on unstained, fixed cross paraformaldehyde and plastinated with S10, while the sections. The glycerine-embedded specimens are other was macerated using NaOH. more pleasant to touch, do not drip on the student's Results: The weight of the heart was 4.2 kg. The left text or notes, and do not cause tearing, respiratory ventricle had a remarkable thick wall and a small irritation, and topical allergic reactions that have been a lumen. The ligamentum nuchae of the neck extends problem in anatomy laboratories in the past. from the seventh cervical vertebra to the head, where it Conclusion: We observed that students use widens before attachment. The arterial structure from glycerine-embedded brains more readily than formalin- the renal artery to the interlobular arteries was fixed brains. An added advantage, in view of the visualized. dwindling availability of cadavers and increased Conclusion: The weight of the heart corresponded to cadaver costs, is that glycerine-embedded specimens 0.5% of the total body-weight, similar to other domestic are more durable, reducing the need to replace the animals. The thick wall of the left ventricle in collection so often. *Support: FAPESP, CAPES, CNPq combination with the small lumen is essential in creating the high blood pressure unique to the giraffe. The giraffe neck contains large neck muscles and an Comparing mechanical properties between pre and enormous elastic ligamentum nuchae, which are post-plastinated specimens. Kim, Sang-Hyun *, Hong significant structures in the movement of the head and Byung-Ouk, Lee U-Young, Kwak Dai-Soon, Lee Mi-Sun, neck. Our reconstruction of the renal arterial system is HAN Seung-Ho. Department of Anatomy, Catholic Institute in accordance with the description by Maluf (Anat Rec for Applied Anatomy, College of Medicine, The Catholic 267:94-111, 2002). This study is the beginning of co- University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. operation between the medical faculty at the University and the local community. The Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy first made plastinated specimens in 2003. Presently about 200 plastinated specimens of human organs and some The Journal of Plastination – 24:26 (2009-2012)
whole body animal specimens are used for research intraosseous vascularization could be obtained. The and education. There are some advantages in making periosteal vessels of the medial condyle are plastinated specimens which are elastic and able to responsible for the whole peripheral intraosseous move slightly. However there are no trials to assess vascularization, without any watershed region. Several the mechanical properties of our specimens. This constant vascular axes could be found, and may serve research compared the elasticity between pre and post as a pedicle for a vascularized osteochondral graft plastinated specimens using a Universal Test Machine. from the medial femoral trochlea. Methods: Brain, lung, liver and kidney from one Conclusions: This combination of techniques is embalmed male cadaver were used. In order of valuable for a fine definition of the intraosseous decreasing stiffness values these are liver, brain, vascularization as well as extraosseous kidney and lung for pre-plastinated specimens and vascularization, even in a basic lab. Results are liver, kidney, brain and lung for post-plastinated rewarding, but these demanding techniques have to be specimens. slightly customized. Results: We found the decrease in elasticity to be as follows: liver, 36%; brain, 24%; kidney, 62% and lung, 55%. Cross-sectional anatomy of the carpal tunnel in Conclusion: Based on these results, it is possible to children. Luz, Marcus A. M.¹; Camilli, José A.²; Santo-Neto, predict how much elasticity would be reduced after H.²Paulista University (UNIP), São José do Rio Preto, SP, plastination. The information would be helpful to Brazil.² Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology prepare better plastinated specimens. If more samples and Biophysics, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil. are analyzed, procedures could be developed to maintain or improve elasticity of plastinates. Plastination is an excellent technique for impregnating anatomical materials that can then be used for teaching and research. Several studies have used this Injection-corrosion technique followed by technique for obtaining sections of anatomic details, Spalteholz clearing for the description of extra- and enabling morphometric and positional analyses. intra-osseous vascularization in the distal femur. Despite the advantages offered by plastination, it Koninckx Alain*, Hugon Sébastien, Barbier Olivier, Anatomy Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of remains a costly and complex technique which has Namur,Belgium. undergone several changes in recent years. Due to the complex nature of the plastination process many We studied the feasibility of a convex vascularized researchers still have little or no knowledge of the osteochondral graft harvested from the medial femoral technique. An alternative to the plastination technique condyle and trochlea, from an anatomical and practical for studying small anatomical material is embedding in point of view. This work was mainly designed for a paraffin wax. clinical outcome but the unprecedented combination of Method: In the present study, carpal samples were anatomical techniques used represented a real taken from 12 children ranging from 2 to 11 years old. challenge. After fixation in a 10% solution of formalin, the samples Methods: An injection-corrosion technique was used were dehydrated in ethanol, embedded in paraffin and on 16 fresh cadaver specimens, and completed by a sectioned with a microtome to obtain cross sections of modified Spalteholz clearing. Each step of the standard the carpal region. The sections were then stained with procedures was carefully watched and, if needed, hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichome. In each adapted in real time. The extra- and intraosseous section, images were obtained by a digital camera vascularization of the medial femoral condyle was capture system that was coupled to a microscope and systematized and the luminal diameter of the arteries then analyzed using Image J Version 1.32 software. was microscopically measured. The main nervous, muscular and vascular structures of Results: The last steps of the Spalteholz clearing had the carpal tunnel were analyzed. to be customized due to corrosion of the cast itself. Results: The position of the median nerve was in the Nevertheless, a very precise visual mapping of the central and lateral areas of the carpal tunnel and The Journal of Plastination – 24:27 (2009-2012)
showed marked variability. In addition, variations in this process could affect plastination. For this purpose position of the flexor retinaculum and flexor muscle we harvested an upper limb, piece of femoral artery, tendons in the carpal tunnel were found. Approximately liver, lung and kidney. All specimens were plastinated 56% of the carpal tunnel was occupied by the tendons in the room temperature method with success. Our of the superficial and deep flexor muscles of the hope was to find a final product that would be more fingers. The median nerve occupied 11.9% of the area. flexible and life-like than traditional plastination. After In 16% of the samples a persistent median nerve plastination we found no difference than specimens satellite artery was observed that occupied 1.37% of prepared with common embalming chemicals. We did the area of the carpal tunnel. The variation in size and however, notice the skin on the arm specimen position of the components of the carpal tunnel can continued to express a slight odor while the other explain the syndrome of non-traumatic compression in tissues still had no noticeable odor. This was children. Our results showed that the technique of interesting because all the specimens were processed embedding small specimens in paraffin wax provided in the same containers and chemicals at the same sections with anatomical details preserved for time. morphometric analyses. Conclusion: Plastination of specimens preserved initially in this manner are similar to those preserved by common embalming chemicals. The faculty in the Innovative preparation technique produces life-like Department of Surgery were impressed with the life- specimens and delayed decomposition. Mueller, like condition of the cadavers so much so that they Dean A.*, Wessels, Michael W., Akingbola, Bolaji A.*Division have requested all future cadavers to be preserved in of Anatomical Sciences, Department of Medical Education, the same manner. They are also submitting The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI recommendations to other universities for what is 48109, USA hopefully to become a national surgical boot camp curriculum with other medical schools. These Over the past several years the embalmer at the successes and failures have encouraged us to University of Michigan has been approached by the continue to develop the protocol and chemicals to Department of Surgery to embalm cadavers for an better learn how we can use it to expand and develop annual “boot camp” class. They have asked if it would anatomical teaching. With minor improvements to the be possible to preserve cadavers that would be more protocol and chemicals, we assume even greater life-like than traditional formaldehyde-embalmed success in the near future. cadavers. Several solutions were tried, using chemicals including preservatives, fixatives and disinfectants with minimal success. All the attempts Integrated teaching of anatomy correlating with either failed because of rapid decomposition or the un- clinical anatomy with the help of plastinated natural feel of the treated tissues. specimens. Nimmagadda, Haritha kumari*¹, Tyagi Kavita¹, Methods: We decided to contact Trinity Fluids, LLC., a 1 2 Mathur Brij Kishore². Department of Anatomy, Department Michigan-based company that we currently use to of Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Mission’s Medical College, supply our customized embalming chemicals. They Mumbai, India. provided an arterial chemical they believed would make the cadavers have a life-like feel and last up to 5 Anatomy is taught for all medical health science days at room temperature without decomposition or courses. Gross Anatomy is a fundamental basic course putrefaction odors. We followed the protocol which was in virtually all medical training programs, and the similar to common embalming practices on two whole methods used to teach it are under frequent scrutiny body cadavers. and revision. Students often struggle with the vast Results: The cadavers remained satisfactory for over collection of new terms and complex relationship 14 days. During the last 4 days a noticeable yet between structures they must learn. Teaching Anatomy tolerable odor became distinct on the skin, but not in various modalities has been a topic of discussion for noted on the organs or muscles. The results peeked a very long time. Dissection has been the main focus in many faculty and students’ interests, wondering how the anatomy curriculum requiring a constant flow of The Journal of Plastination – 24:28 (2009-2012) cadavers to be available to various courses. Since tissue. Additionally, in order to design methods to body donation is not uniform, the lack of cadavers for decrease shrinkage the following questions were dissection in many institutions is making anatomists tested: (1) Which plastination step results in the rely on plastination. greatest shrinkage? (2) Does impregnation length Methods: Plastination is a method where dissected contribute to shrinkage. specimens can be preserved in a plastic form which Methods: Four brain samples were used to create 48 will be dry, odorless, life-like, non-hazardous, specimens. These were first divided into four groups maintenance free and which do not deteriorate with according to concentration of sucrose: control, 4%, 6%, time and even can be re-dissected if required. This and 10%. Then each group was further divided technique consists of four main important steps, 1. according to impregnation length: 3 weeks, 4 weeks, Fixation, 2. Dehydration, 3. Forced impregnation and 4. and 5 weeks. The surface area of each specimen was Hardening. Fixation can be done by almost all measured after each step of plastination using image conventional fixatives. Dehydration is achieved mainly analysis software. by acetone because acetone also serves as the Results: Statistical analysis was conducted to intermediary solvent during impregnation. Forced determine correlation between fixation time, impregnation is the central step in plastination: vacuum concentration of sucrose, impregnation length, forces the acetone out of and the polymer into the plastination step, and shrinkage of tissue. No statistical specimen. Finally the impregnated specimen is significance was found among the variables. It was hardened by exposing it to a gaseous hardener. There found that the impregnation step resulted in the are currently three methods of plastination which are greatest shrinkage. The specimen treated with 6% followed frequently: whole organ plastination, sheet sucrose with an impregnation length of 5 weeks plastination and luminal cast plastination. resulted in the least shrinkage during the dehydration Results: We conducted a study to evaluate the use of and impregnation steps. However, the specimen plastinates for teaching anatomy from the perspective treated with 10% sucrose with an impregnation length of teachers and students. The observations and results of 5 weeks resulted in the least shrinkage during the of our study show that with the help of these curing step. These data represent preliminary results. plastinated specimens, the anatomy of every organ Conclusion: The interpretation of our experiment can be well shown and easily understood. The results was challenging due to the large number of observations and results of our study will be reviewed variables tested. Because the results were deemed in detail along with problems faced by medical inconclusive regarding the effect of sucrose in the colleges. Problem-based learning is becoming an shrinkage of the brain tissue, an experiment with more important tool in medical education. Plastination controlled variables is being performed. applied to normal and abnormal structures of the body can be well-reviewed, making it an excellent technique in medical institutions for better understanding of Improved science education with exhibition of anatomy. plastinated specimens for teachers and students of Does sucrose prevent shrinkage in silicone brain public high schools of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Pereira-Sampaio, Marco A1*; Chagas, Maurício A1; plastination? Parsai, Shireen and Baptista, Carlos A.C., Holanda, Eloísa CO1; Bastos, Ana L1, Babinski, Márcio A1; University of Toledo, College of Medicine, Department of Henry, Robert W2.1Department of Morphology, Fluminense Neurosciences, Toledo, Ohio, USA Federal University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil and 2Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Sucrose has been advocated for use in plastination of TN, USA. brain tissue. Several researchers utilize sucrose in many different concentrations as a means of protection Test scores of the 2007 ENEM (Exame Nacional do of the brain tissue against cold silicone impregnation. Ensino Médio, the exam necessary to select students The purpose of this study was to determine whether entering Brazilian universities) of students of public sucrose treatment is an effective means of preventing high school were significantly lower than those of shrinkage in the silicone plastination technique of brain students of private high schools of Niterói, Rio de The Journal of Plastination – 24:29 (2009-2012)
Janeiro. A difference of 17.27 points between scores of Volumetric changes in tissue during the plastination students from private and public schools shows that process are common and almost inevitable. However, public high schools of Niteroi require more focal the degree to which specimens will experience attention. Plastinated specimens were used as an volumetric decreases through plastination has not exhibition to enhance science exposure to students of been quantitatively assessed for intact brain public high schools. The teachers could then improve specimens. If brain specimens are to serve educational learning and therefore increase performance of purposes, they must reflect appropriate size and students of public high schools. The aim of this work morphologic relationships after the plastination was to improve the science education in Niterói public process. high schools. Methods: Sixteen human brain specimens were used Methods: All plastinated specimens used in the to investigate how alterations in the plastination exhibitions were produced in the Plastination process affect specimen volume. The brains were Laboratory of the Department of Comparative divided into hemispheres and assigned to one of four Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA. experimental conditions: standard room temperature The exhibitions took place on Saturdays in the (SRT); standard cold temperature (SCT); short Anatomy Laboratory of the Department of Morphology standard cold temperature (SSCT); and SSCT with of Fluminense Federal University. Teachers of public xylene (SSCTX). Standard protocols were followed for high schools attended training for teaching anatomy each of the experimental conditions, however in the and physiology, using plastinated animal specimens. SSCTX conditions, the impregnation time was reduced Students participated in demonstrations by their to only 36 hours. Also, in the SSCTX condition, 200 mL teachers, where topics of anatomy and physiology of xylene was added to the polymer bath. Volume and were addressed. Both teachers and students had the mass measures were made at specific stages during opportunity to handle the plastinated specimens during the plastination process. Volumetric changes were the exhibitions. determined through water displacement. Results: Teachers of the public high schools of Niterói, Results: Specimens underwent a decrease in volume at the end of the exhibitions, reported that the training that varied with the experimental conditions. At the activities were helpful and they would participate in dehydration phase of the process, SRT specimens other training. After the first year of exhibitions (2007), were affected most and measured 88.2% (±4.7) of their the ENEM results of Niterói public high school students original volume. Specimens in the SSCTX conditions improved from 32.18/100 (2007) to 46.08/100 (2008) demonstrated the lowest decrease in volumetric and 49.20/100 (2009) This significant improvement change (98.2% ±5.0). Volumetric decreases were also suggests that the exhibitions did not only increase observed in the STR (78.1% ±3.7) and SSCT (95.0% learning in science but also motivated the students in ±4.2) conditions. The major decrease in specimen other subjects. When compared with the results of volume occurred during the impregnation process. private school students, the difference decreased SRT specimens demonstrated the largest overall significantly after two years of exhibition from 17.27 to change, measuring only 43.3% (±6.7) of the original 9.28 points. volume. Specimens in the SSCTX condition also Conclusion: Using plastinated specimens as an aid to demonstrated a large change in volume, but on improve science teaching is a good way to motivate average measured 47.4% (±1.3) of the original volume. students and professors to improve learning. Grant Mass of the specimens was generally correlated with Sponsor: Foundation for Research Support of Rio de volume measures for each experimental condition. Janeiro (FAPERJ), Brazil. Specimen density prior to the dehydration process (e.g., SCT 1.06 g/mL (±0.01)) decreased through the dehydration process (0.91 g/mL (±0.03)). There was, Volume changes in brain specimens with altered however, no overall difference in specimen density approaches to S10 plastination. Pizzimenti, Marc once the specimens were cured. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Conclusion: The primary stage in which major Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52240 volumetric changes in brain tissue occurs is during The Journal of Plastination – 24:30 (2009-2012)
polymer impregnation. Cold temperature methods tend details of their anatomical structures. Embedding to minimize brain tissue volume loss, particularly if an technology was also used in horizontal slices to show additional intermediary solvent (e.g., xylene) is added human acupoints. The material of the slices was to the polymer bath. However, additional methods for normal adult male. According to the horizontal sections the S10 process must be determined to minimize of the acupoints, we selected 159 slices (less or equal volume loss in brain tissue. to 2mm) from the corpse which could reflect the specific structures of 830 acupoints. The process
includes: bleaching tissues by H2O2, dehydration, de- Plastination and embedding technology used in fatting in pure Acetone; vacuum infiltration; determining teaching and researching on meridian human points and inserting needles; positioning with glass anatomy. Qixiao, Ye1;Chengjie Yang 2; Jianhua Zhang1; ptates, embedded with ester resin and finally shaping Hui Wang4; Yang Zhou 3; Xiaoxu Liu 1 Shanghai University of into slices with heat. After these processes, the Traditional Chinese Medicine; 2Qingdao Keyi Biological thickness of slice could be limited to 3.7mm. These 3 Technology Company; Shanghai Putuo Medical school;. slices were transparent, bright and clear. We intend to 4 Shanghai Public Safety Department. connect these slices with a digital retrieval system in order to realize the communication between students The research on Meridian Acupoints of Human and machine, to emphasize the anatomical structures Anatomy has been at the frontier of modern Chinese of acupoints and to strengthen the ability to identify Medicine explorations. Since 2007, with cooperation requested acupoints in clinical trials. between Shanghai University of TCM and Qingdao Conclusions: As the first two cases around the world, Keyi Biological Technology Company, plastination and the creation of these two specimens will have a great embedding technologies have been applied in teaching influence on the field of medication, teaching and and researching on structures of meridians and researching, especially in meridian and acupoints of acupoints, which has aroused great interest in human anatomy. *Supported by Shanghai China academic fields. This research will introduce the Municipal People’s Government Education Funds applications of plastic and embedding technologies to **supported by Shanghai Municipal Education meridians and acupoints in specimens of human Commission Specific Discipline Construction Funds anatomy. Methods: Five normal female cadavers whose properties accord with the average standard of Asian Intermediate solvents rectification unit in the races were selected. According to the requirements of plastination laboratory. Starchik, Dmitry* and Kucher teaching and research, we divided human anatomic Fedor International Morphological Centre, Saint-Petersburg, structures into the following four levels: skin, superficial Russia fascia, superficial and deep muscle-vascular-nerve layers, and used four cadavers to exhibit each level. Rectification of acetone and other solvents from water Another cadaver was used to review the dangerous and fats for recycling is one of the important tasks in acupoints which were closely related to body organs. plastination. The rectification unit must have high Generally, the process of making plastinated productivity but small size, provide a high degree specimens can be divided into five steps: dehydration; purification of dehydration and degreasing agents and de-fatting in pure acetone; vacuum infiltration; be easy to control. It should also meet explosion safety positioning and gas curing. We then inserted needles and reliability requirements. into those acupoints following the principles layed Methods: We have designed a laboratory unit for down by authorities. The meridians were marked with rectification of intermediate solvents polluted by different colors in the body and different names marked dehydration and degreasing of anatomical specimens. on the needles. One of the unique designs of these The unit consists of 4 parts: vaporizing tank, specimens was their gestures of playing Taiji, which rectification column, reflux condenser and an electronic manifests the vitality and aesthetic properties; another block. The vaporizing tank consists of external and is that all specimens were exhibited in a three- internal containers, placed one inside another, each dimensional way which successfully shows every with capacity of about 100 liters. The external container The Journal of Plastination – 24:31 (2009-2012) has three heating elements and a heat sensor. The Plastinated Minke whale with silicone technique by internal container is designed for evaporation of Dalian Hoffen. Sui, Hongjin1,21 Department of Anatomy, 2 solvents and has filling and draw-off taps, a Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China; Dalian Hoffen Bio- temperature sensor and a thin metal tube for pumping technique Co., Ltd. No.36, Guangyuan Street, Lushunkou air. The rectification column is 100 mm in diameter and Economic Development Zone, Dalian, China 1950 mm high and is attached to the top aperture of the internal container. The column consists of two A 6.2m minke whale preserved by Dalian Hoffen segments that have special spiral wire elements inside. through silicone plastination technique, is currently the The top segment is equipped with two temperature largest plastinated specimen currently in the world. sensors. The reflux condenser is installed on the top of This specimen displays the skin, muscles, nerves, rectification column and has an adjusting valve and is vessels, and organs. cooled by water. The electronic block provides power Methods: The plastination process of the minke whale for the heating elements, controls the process of was as follows: A male minke whale became stranded rectification and prevents the unit from overheating. and died in the Dalian Wafangdian sea in February, Before starting, the external container is filled with 2009. It was found by local fishermen. After verified by heat-resistant oil and the internal tank is filled with the fishery sector, Dalian Hoffen was entrusted to polluted solvent. Distillation is carried out in a preserve it through plastination. After injecting 1 ton of semiautomatic mode. The rectification degree of 10% formalin, perfusing 50,000 ml dye and immersion solvents is adjusted by the valve of the reflux in 10% formalin purpose-made bath for 8 months, the condenser. The volume of rectified solvent and its specimen was dissected to display muscles, nerves, water content are measured every ten minutes. vessels and organs, and then bleached using 5% Results: During the trial period the unit was used to H2O2 until a uniform color was obtained. The process rectify single-component and multicomponent mixtures, of dissection and bleaching took 2 months. Due to the containing acetone, ethanol, methylene-chloride and large size of the minke whale, plastination was isopropyl alcohol. For single-component mixtures the performed by cutting it into 4 parts. Meanwhile, special highest efficiency was registered when rectifying baths and cantilever cranes were designed and used methylene-chloride (44 liters/hour) and the lowest one for its dehydration and forced impregnation. The 4 with ethanol (18 liters/hour). Separation of parts were precooled in a 5ºC refrigerator, then multicomponent mixes is also possible with strict dehydrated in cold acetone baths for 4 months, temperature control. It is possible to adjust the water degreased in acetone baths at room temperature for 4 percentage in distilled solvent and obtain a minimal months, then impregnated in a cold vacuum bath for 2 level by decreasing the rate of solvent by controlling months. After forced impregnation, the minke whale’s 4 the difference in temperatures between top and middle parts were reassembled through a reinforced steel parts of the rectification column. framework fitted into its body. The whale was Conclusion: The experiments have proved that the positioned into a diving posture. The process of productivity of the unit depends on the physical and modeling and anatomically repairing took 2 months. chemical properties of the intermediate solvent and its After modeling and repairing, the specimen was carried water content. Achieving minimal water percentage out for curing with gas and heat for 1 month. Results: The process of the minke whale’s plastination solvent requires maximum time. Using spiral wire elements inside the rectification column helps to halve took 23 months. The flexibility of its skin, muscles, the unit height and makes it possible to install it in labs nerves, vessels, and organs tissues after plastination with floor-to-ceiling height up to 3 meter. were easily discriminated. The minke whale specimen, with its vividly diving posture, clearly showed its dorsal and ventral structures. Conclusion: Dalian Hoffen preserved a dry, odorless, resilient, and durable minke whale specimen used for not only science popularization but also anatomical learning. The Journal of Plastination – 24:32 (2009-2012)
Generating 3D computer models for educational Methods: A formalin-fixed cadaveric adult human delivery through personal mobile computer heart was dissected free and injected with INR-seal devices: an example using a plastinated heart. (Dodge) so that the cavities remained expanded. The Tunali, Selcuk1,2*, Farrell, Michael1, Labrash, Steven1, Lozanoff, Beth1, Lozanoff, Scott1 1Department of Anatomy, specimen was subsequently dehydrated in an acetone Biochemistry & Physiology, University of Hawaii School of bath of increasing concentrations (90%-99.5%) for six 2 Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA. Hacettepe University weeks followed by degreasing for 2 weeks. Forced Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy 06100 Sihhiye, impregnation was accomplished with PR10 polymer Ankara, Turkey. and Cr20 cross-linker (4 days) and it was cured by Computer-aided delivery of anatomical course content applying sequential coats of Ct32 cross-linker. The is becoming increasingly popular since instructional resulting plastinated heart was digitized using a hand- information can be tailored to specific learning held scanner (Polhemus), exported and edited in Maya objectives. With increasing availability of mobile (AutoDesk) and WinSURF (Akuaware), and finally computer devices such as iPads and iPhones, learning saved in xdf format. Audio files (.wav) were recorded, opportunities have become individualized and based on the individual cardiac components. The instantaneous for students. As well, sophisticated 3D model was incorporated into an electronic dissection images can be delivered within virtual learning guide (.pdf) and viewed with SURFviewer environment facilitating understanding of complex (Akuaware.com). spatial relationships. Design of anatomical course Results: Using the PDF file, students could call the content deliverable through personal computer devices heart model as they worked through the electronic remains problematic when representative models do dissection guide. The model can be viewed and not exist. A potential solution for this issue is to utilize interactively manipulated on a standard Dell computer plastinated anatomical material enabling an instructor stationed at each dissection table as well as personal to generate anatomical models tailored for specific mobile devices including an iPhone and iPad. pedagogical objectives deliverable through personal Conclusion: Results from this study demonstrate how mobile computer devices. The purpose of this study plastinated specimens can be generated and tailored was to develop a method to generate computerized 3D for electronic dissections guides. anatomical models from plastinated material for use in electronic media. The Journal of Plastination – 24:33 (2009-2012)
16th International Conference on Plastination Beijing, China July 23-27, 2012
Ming Zhang Chairman of the ICP 2012 Organizing Committee
The ICP2012 Success
On the 23rd to 27th of July, the 16th International Conference on Plastination (ICP2012) (http://www.csas.org.cn/icp2012/) was successfully held in Beijing, China. The conference was jointly hosted by the International Society for Plastination (ISP), the Chinese Society for Anatomical Sciences (CSAS) and Beijing Capital Medical University (CCMU). About 110 delegates from 27 countries attended the conference.
Professor Gareth Jones from the University of Otago, New Zealand, Professor Darrell Evans from Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK, Professor Andreas Weiglein from Graz Medical University, Austria, and Professor Beat Riederer from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland gave their plenary lectures and another 51 delegates gave either platform or poster presentations. The presentations covered the areas related to plastination and preservation of biological specimens, including their potential application to clinical, functional and digital anatomy. The participants took full advantage of this conference for formal and informal interaction with colleagues from all over the world, sharing knowledge of the most recent advances in technology, education and research of plastination and biological preservation.
The ICP 2012 continued the tradition of the ISP biennial conferences and ran a two day pre-conference hands-on workshop at the CCMU. The workshop was supervised by Professor Rafael Latorre from the University of Murcia, Spain, Professor Constantin Sora from the Medical University of Vienna, Austria and Professor Carlos Baptista from the University of Toledo, the United States. Fifty-three people participated in the workshop. The workshop provided hands-on training on the basic principles and techniques of plastination, particularly the epoxy sheet plastination technique, and was well received and praised by the participants.
During the conference, the ISP held its council meeting and general business meeting. It was decided that the 17th International Conference on Plastination will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2014. The Journal of Plastination – 24:34 (2009-2012)
Impressions on the 16th International Conference for Plastination Beijing, China July 23-27, 2012
D. Gareth Jones, Director of the Bioethics Centre Professor of Anatomy at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand,
I found myself in an interesting position at ICP 2012 in Beijing, since while I have a considerable interest in many aspects of plastination, I have no expertise in the technical aspects of it. I was therefore what one might describe as a committed onlooker, especially since I had been a strong supporter of the development of plastination in its early days at the University of Otago. It has been a joy to see the manner in which it has flourished there, not only in teaching but also in a fascinating array of research projects. The same applies to its development across so many countries and departments.
The scope of the topics and papers was considerable, pointing to the way in which plastination has matured both technically and also educationally. The scene was set by the plenary addresses varying as they did from ethical and educational issues in anatomy and plastination to technological insights into the plastination process. These were backed up by many illustrations of the numerous ways in which the uses of plastination throw light on anatomical structure and relationships. The scope was broadened by discussion of histopathology, solvent recycling, the way in which plastination can be combined with online modules in anatomy education, sheet plastination, three-dimensional reconstruction of anatomical structures using plastinated sections, and the use of plastination in community outreach. Plastinated bodies exhibitions were touched on in a variety of ways, including a survey of young people to investigate their perceptions of them, while exhibitors provided ample insight into their products in this and other ways.
The workshops were by all accounts a great success. I cannot comment on these since I was not present at them. But they were referred to on many occasions and quite clearly had elicited considerable interest. They were the end result of concerted preparation over a period of 2 years or so, and it is to be hoped that the workshops will remain a vital part of most future conferences.
One concern I came away with was the difficulties experienced in some countries. I am thinking particularly of African countries, where there is not the money to undertake plastination themselves nor to purchase plastinated material. This presents a major challenge for the plastination, and more generally, the anatomical community. It is fine for us to say what a wonderful technique this is, but we need to be aware that many of our colleagues are denied it. While I am not suggesting there is an easy answer, the Society for Plastination is the only group able to address this problem.
ICP 2012 provided a forum at which matters like this, as well as more general ethical ones, could be brought into the open, mainly because it attracted such a cross section of colleagues from a diversity of countries. Its value will be shown over the coming months and years as the many lessons learned are applied in our departments. The Journal of Plastination – 24:35 (2009-2012) The Journal of Plastination – 24:36 (2009-2012)
Post-Plastination Conference Tour to Dalian
Hong-Jin Sui, Dept. Anatomy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
Following the 16th International Conference on Plastination (ICP) in Beijing (July 25-27, 2012), many of the delegates of the conference took part in a post-conference tour in Dalian. The participants, from 10 different countries all over the world, enjoyed themselves immensely and the Dalian tour left them with many fond memories.
On the first day of the tour (July 28, 2012) the members visited the Jinshitan Mysterious Life Museum in Dalian, Jinshitan. Mysterious Life Museum is the largest museum in the world which exhibits plastinated specimens. It opened for the first time on April 30th, 2012. There are three Exhibition Halls: Marine Sprint, Vertebrate Kingdom and Human Body, and more than two thousand exhibits including marine animals, vertebrate animals and the human body which are on display in the museum. Inside the museum, visitors could not only see the smallest rorqual (minke whale), the largest fish (whale shark) and many rarely seen marine animals (such as a pregnant finless porpoise and pregnant hammerhead shark), but they could also see many land vertebrates, such as the lovely camel, running horse, powerful giraffe, and the naughty macaque. Lots of normal and pathological human body specimens were also on display. All of the members of ISP were astounded at the amazing displays of plastinated specimens at the museum.
The second day was a rainy day, but all of the members were delighted when they visited Dalian Hoffen Bio- Technique Co., Ltd., the largest plastination laboratory in China. During the visit, all of the visitors witnessed the delicate plastinated specimens, advanced polymers and equipment for plastination. All of these impressed them deeply. The P45 technique was shown on site (see J. Inter. Soc. Plastination, 22:78-81, 2002). The visitors were very satisfied with the low-priced equipment and easy-to-handle process.
After a traditional Chinese lunch, the members visited Dalian Medical University. Dalian Medical University is a multi-disciplinary medical university which also offers programs in other fields like arts, science, management, and law. The vice president of the university, Prof. Zhao Jie, welcomed all the visitors warmly. He believes that the university will consistently support the research and development of plastination techniques and hopes more applications of the plastination technique will be applied to the education and scientific research of the medical university.
The two day tour went very fast yet all of the members had an unforgettable visit to Dalian. It was really a fantastic travel experience. The Journal of Plastination – 24:37 (2009-2012) The Journal of Plastination – 24:38 (2009-2012) The Journal of Plastination – 24:39 (2009-2012)
Abstracts from the 16th International Conference on Plastination Beijing, China July 23-27, 2012
Histopathology Solvent Recycling. Hawkes, Jack, using our facilities for plastination, which are commonly Kumar MSA. Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. utilized for human specimens used for teaching at the USA medical faculty. Methods: Fresh kidneys were cast by injection of red In 2007, after we set up our plastination program, we epoxy-resin (Biodur E20) in the renal artery – realized that we weren’t using our solvent recycler to according to Gunther von Hagens’ “Heidelberg its full capacity. Like many plastination programs we Plastination Folder.” Afterwards one kidney was are part of a medical school, in our case a veterinary macerated using NaOH, while the other was school, which is associated with a hospital. We worked immersion-fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and out an agreement with that hospital’s histopathology thereafter plastinated (Biodur S10). Before curing, this unit that would benefit both them and us. kidney was cut in half by a coronal section using a Methods: We report our experience over the last four Virchow brain sectioning knife. and a half years recycling alcohol and ProPar (a xylene Results: The anatomical division of the organ into substitute), and the lessons we have learned from that cortical and medullary parts was extremely experience. We discuss the financial arrangement we conspicuous using the combination of casting and agreed upon, and how that benefits all parties plastination. The renal arterial structure from the renal concerned. We briefly review the process of artery to the interlobular arteries was visualized and histopathology, and discuss the chemical and possible examination at higher magnification showed the legal constraints on a recycling program. Finally, we interlobular arteries associated with glomeruli. These emphasize the importance of a quality control program, structures were also visible in the macerated kidney. and share some of the tools we have found to maintain Conclusion: The combination of casting and the quality of our recycled solvents. plastination sustains the relations between the vascular Results: To date we have recycled approximately system and the surrounding parenchyma, which is not 1500 gallons of solvents for the histopathology section; possible using the methods separately. The described this has more than paid for our distillation unit. combination of methods will also be suitable for Conclusion: A recycling program can be a good kidneys from other species showing variations. source of income for a plastination program, and is environmentally sound. Whale Shark with Silicone Technique by Dalian Hoffen. Gao, Hai-Bin1, Sui, Hong-Jin2. 1Dalian Hoffen Bio- Combination of casting with E20 and consecutive Technique, 2Dalian Medical University.Plastinated plastination with S10 is a suitable technique for studying the vascularization of the kidney. Dall, A 5.5 meter-long whale shark preserved by Dalian Annette M, Department of Neurobiological science, Hoffen using the silicone plastination technique is the University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. largest plastinated fish in the world. The specimen remains with both its original shape and its internal The giraffe is an interesting animal, among other structures. things, because it has an extremely high blood Methods: A whale shark was found stranded and died pressure and the vascularization of the kidneys is of in the Bohai gulf in June, 2009. After local fishermen special interest. Through a collaboration with the local found it and it was verified by fishery sector, Dalian zoo, where incidentally a giraffe was necropsied, we Hoffen was entrusted to preserve it with the got the possibility to study the structure of the kidneys plastination technique. After injecting 750 liters of 10% The Journal of Plastination – 24:40 (2009-2012)
formalin and perfusing it with 300 liters of dye the anatomy, micro-CT arthrography, histology and E12 specimen was immersed in 10% formalin for 6 months. sheet plastination examinations. The cadavers were The specimen was dissected to display muscles and donated for the purposes of teaching and research organs, and then bleached using 5% hydrogen under the Human Tissues Act, New Zealand. peroxide until it was a uniform color. The process of Results: This study demonstrated that the dimension dissection and bleaching took one month. Due to the of the CAJ cavity was much larger than that of the large size of the whale shark, it was cut into 3 parts. articular surfaces, particularly at the medial and Cantilever cranes and tanks were specially designed posterior aspects of the joint. The CAJ was lined by a and used for its dehydration and forced impregnation. wide joint capsule. The structural arrangement was The 3 whale sections were precooled at 5℃, then mainly due to shear forces and only to a lesser extent dehydrated in cold acetone for 3 months, and then to compressive forces based on the different strain degreased in acetone baths at room temperature for 3 acting in the CAJ. The size of the direct contact area of months. The whale shark was impregnated in a cold the opposing articular surfaces varied significantly vacuum for 2 months by forced impregnation. After between the sides of the same subject and among impregnation was completed, the whale shark’s 3 parts individuals. were reassembled through a reinforced steel Conclusion: Micro-CT arthrography and E12 sheet framework fitted into its body. It was modeled to plastination are novel techniques for the direct resemble the swimming posture above the surface of visualization of the distinct features and structural sea. The process of modeling and anatomically analysis of the CAJ of the human cadaver, and to repairing took 2 months, followed by curing with gas correlate the appearance of the CAJ cavity to its and heat for 1 month. fibrous capsule, allowing investigators to visualize and Results: The process of the whale shark plastination to analyze mathematically the trajectory of the took 18 months. The flexibility of its skin, muscles and laryngeal cartilages more correctly. organs tissues after plastination was easily differentiated. The whale shark with vividly swimming posture clearly showed its dorsal and ventral Principles of epoxy plastination technique (E12). structures. Sora, Mircea-Constantin. Center for Anatomy and Cell Conclusion: Dalian Hoffen preserved a dry, odorless, Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. resilient, and durable whale shark specimen used not only for science popularization but also anatomical The E12 plastination process is a well-established learning. preservation technique used for demonstration in teaching and also in research (von Hagens et al., 1987). Micro-CT and sheet plastination assessment of the Methods: Slicing: For E12 plastination we usually use cadaver cricoarytenoid joint cavity. Chen Shenghuo 1, fresh tissue which has been frozen at –80°C for one Ren Jun, Wang Huaqiao2, Xu Wen, Zhang Ming3,4. 1Xinjiang week, and cut with an average thickness between 3 Medical University. 2Sun Yat-Sen University. 3Capital Medical and 5mm. The slices were stored at -25°C overnight. University, China, 4University of Otago, New Zealand. Dehydration and Degreasing: The acetone used for dehydration was cooled at –25°C. Each slice was The shape and movements of the cricoarytenoid joint placed between soft plastic grids in order to allow (CAJ) remain subject of dispute and controversy. They better circulation of the dehydration fluid. The acetone are difficult to study in vivo, although in recent years a was changed once after 3 days at a concentration of number of studies have presented tomographic 96%, by using technical quality acetone. The final observations in cadaveric and living subjects. concentration of the dehydration bath was 99%. When However, the CAJ cavity has not been precisely dehydration finished the freezer was disconnected. described to date. The aim of this study was to identify The temperature increased and after one day room the morphological features of the CAJ. temperature (+15°C) was reached. The acetone was Methods: Twenty-five cadavers (nine females and 16 changed with room temperature methylene-chloride for males; age range, 67-95 years) were used for gross degreasing. Degreasing finished after 7 days. The Journal of Plastination – 24:41 (2009-2012)
Impregnation: Impregnation was performed at +5°C process of preservation of anatomical specimens by a using the following epoxy (E12) mixture: E12/E1/AE10 delicate method of forced impregnation with curable (95:26:10 pbw) (von Hagens, 1985). The slices were polymers like silicone, epoxy or polyester resins with submerged in the E12 mixture and placed in a vacuum vast applications in medical fields of study. This chamber, directly out of the methylene chloride bath. technique preserves every part of the body and tissues Pressure was continuously reduced over the next two for educational purposes. This article examines the days down to 2 mm Hg. Casting and Curing: The slices knowledge and awareness of this invention amongst were cast between two sheets of tempered glass and a lecturers of anatomy in medical colleges as well as the flexible gasket was used as a spacer (4 mm). The possible applications of the technique. following E12 mixture was used for casting: Methods: The survey was carried out amongst 85 E12/E1/AE30 (95:26:5). The slices were placed lecturers who participated at the 10th Annual between glass plates, sealed and the flat chambers Conference of the Society of Clinical and Experimental were filled with casting mixture. Then they were placed Anatomists of Nigeria, Enugu, March 2011. for one hour in a vacuum chamber at 3 mmHg to Results: It was found that 50% and 23.75% of remove small air bubbles present in the resin. Large respondents had their masters and doctorate degrees bubbles were removed afterwards manually. After in Anatomy respectively. Less than 8% utilized bubble removal, the flat chambers were placed plastination as a tool for teaching as against 40% horizontally inclined at 15° for one day. After one more (plastic models), 36.25% (cadavers) and 15% day the flat chambers containing the slices were (pathology pots). Conventional methods such as placed in an oven at 45°C for 4 days. fixation by immersion (15%) and embalming (52.5%) Results: The transparency and color of the slices with formaldehyde were commonly used for long term were perfect and shrinkage was not evident. The preservation of tissues in their various institutions. finished E12 slices were semi-transparent, easy to These methods were found to be less costly (25%), orientate and offered a lot of anatomical details down easy to use (56.25%) and the only method available to the submicroscopic level. The transparent loose (12.25%) even though they posed some health areolar and adipose tissues contrasted perfectly with hazards (96%). The study found that 6.25% of the the muscle tissues and all epithelial parenchyma. respondents did not know anything about plastination Conclusion: The E12 technique was and still is the while 93.75% were aware of it. preferred method for producing transparent body Conclusion: The advocacy of preservation of tissues slices. Transparent body or organ slices are used for by plastination has been gradual in developed teaching and research purposes, because they allow countries. All the respondents recommended the use studying the topography of all body structures in a non- of plastinates in medical schools in Nigeria. However, collapsed and non-dislocated state. In addition, the the extent to which it may impact the developing specimens are useful in advanced professional training countries appears to depend on cost effectiveness and programs. feasibility of implementation, as well as training of personnel.
Knowledge, awareness and applicability of plastination technology for anatomical teaching Exploring the effectiveness of combining and studies in Nigeria: Opinion of teachers of plastinated specimens with online learning anatomy in medical institutions. Azu, Onyemaechi modules in enhancing anatomy education. Raoof, Okpara,1 Peter, AniekanImo.,2 Aquaisua, NyongAquaisua.,2 Ameed. The University of Michigan Medical School, United Ekandem, GabrielJohn.,2 Naidu, Jesse.,1 1Discipline of States Clinical Anatomy, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, South Africa. 2Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic The purpose of this study is to explore the Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Nigeria. effectiveness of guided modules that include diagrams, photos of prosected and plastinated specimens, and Plastination as a technique of tissue preservation was clinical vignettes to teach anatomy to medical students. developed by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977. It is a Furthermore, it is to interpret which areas of existing The Journal of Plastination – 24:42 (2009-2012) resources are most useful and how to maximize their 3D Multidetector CT Reconstructions of a Heart benefit in order to best facilitate learning within the and A Diencephalon and Brain Stem Plastinated by medical school. Biodur S10 Standard Technique. Cerqueira, Esem.,1 Methods: This study measured how new styles of Baptista, Carlos Augusto.2 1Department of the Heart Institute, 2 teaching clinical anatomy translated into effective University of São Paulo, Brazil, University of Toledo, United learning in students. Data were obtained from two States. groups of medical students. Each group completed Comparison between plastinated specimens and identical pre- and post- test exams covering both Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance clinical and practical anatomy of the brachial plexus. (MR) images are used in anatomy and clinical practice. The control group was the existing anatomy webpage However, the direct examination of specimens, by CT, as a study reference. Each student had a maximum of may be performed to evaluate its internal and external 30 minutes for each test and three hours to study. structures, and to ascertain whether the integrity of the Each group also answered pre- and post- structures can be of value in gross anatomy teaching. questionnaires asking them various questions about Methods: A Toshiba Aquilion 64-multdetector CT how effective each learning method was and scan, at Radiology Department of the Heart Institute – demographic information. University of São Paulo - USP/Brazil, was used to Results: Our result was a pilot study. Our main goal evaluate plastinated specimens of a heart, a was to increase the difference between post-test and diencephalon and a brain stem. The specimens were pre-test scores for the test versus the control groups. plastinated in 1986 in The Department of Anatomy of The results were not statistically significant. However, if the Institute of Biomedical Science - ICB/USP/Brazil, our numbers stayed consistent and our sample size using Biodur S10 standard technique. Several images was 82 students rather than 37, this result would be were generated from the scanned specimens. Cross- significant. With a class size of 170, it was not section slices of 0.5-mm slice thickness and 0.5-mm improbable that this study would prove to have reconstruction interval were used. 3D images were significant results when applied to an entire class of reconstructed through MIP (Maximum Intensity medical students. Additionally, students who used the Projection) and VR (Volume Rendering) techniques module to study rated themselves more comfortable using Aquarius Net Viewer Workstation TeraRecon. with the material than the control group and more The rate of CT attenuation coefficient (UH) of the confident in their ability to do well on the post-test. images was measured and compared with images Further, students who rated their confidence level obtained from myocardium and white/grey matter of a higher had significantly better post-test scores. living individual. Conclusion: Building upon these studies and tailoring Results: The anatomical aspect of the heart, them to the University of Michigan will be an extremely diencephalon and brain stem of the plastinated helpful tool as our anatomy program evolves to use specimens were preserved. The internal structures of more online instruction resources to supplement both the heart, such as cardiac valves, ridges and bridges lecture and dissection time. Additionally, there has not (trabeculae carneae), fibrous threads (chordae been extensive research done to show how an online tendineae) and papillary muscles were remarkably module with a corresponding painted plastinated preserved. The internal structures of the third ventricle cadaver would improve learning. We hypothesize that and external aspect of the midbrain were also mixing online-based education with actual specimens preserved after twenty-two years of plastination. The will further enhance the learning process, as students 3D reconstructions of anatomical structures of these will be able to translate knowledge gained from online specimens showed great detail and high spatial modules directly to a specimen in the laboratory. resolution. The radiological imaging showed increased Furthermore, most studies of this nature do not focus attenuation rates, compared with the myocardium of on clinical correlates and seldom deal with neurology the living specimen. When images of the plastinated such as the brachial plexus. grey and white matter were compared with the images of the living brain it showed reduced attenuation but less than the attenuation values of any kind of The Journal of Plastination – 24:43 (2009-2012)
calcification. CT images were not clear enough to Conclusion: Plastination provides a useful alternative recognize the layers of the myocardium wall, or the for generating anatomical databases. The grey/white matter of the nervous tissue of both reconstructed model can be used for residency specimens. education, testing an unusual surgery, and for the Conclusion: CT scanning is an excellent method for development of new surgical approaches. assessing plastinated specimens, especially to reveal and evaluate either inner or outer surfaces, but not to differentiate their wall structures because the silicone The Use of Plastination in Community Outreach & impregnation altered the CT attenuation rates of Leadership Development for Medical Students. specimens. Coulter James 1 Goodmurphy Craig W.2, Gellman Jon1. 1Eastern Virginia Medical School. 2Pathology & Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, United States. The strategy for the three dimensional reconstruction of anatomical structures by using A 4-week elective on Community Outreach and plastinated cross-sections. Matusz, Petru1, Sora Leadership was developed at Eastern Virginia Medical Mircea-Constantin2, Wengert Georg2. 1Anatomical School to help meet the institutional goals of being Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor more community-centered. The course was intended to Babes" Timisoara, Romania. 2Center for Anatomy and Cell provide 4th year medical students with a basic Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. sciences elective that would build their knowledge of leadership method and logistical consideration, Computerized reconstruction of anatomical structures empowering them to become community-minded is becoming very useful for developing anatomical leaders. This project was designed to engage 6th to teaching modules and animations. Although databases 12th grade students in public schools in Hampton exist consisting of serial sections derived from frozen Roads, Virginia, using prepared kits of plastinated cadaver material, plastination represents an alternative human specimens. The purpose of the kits was to method for developing anatomical data useful for provide visual and tactile learning aids that addressed computerized reconstruction. The purpose of this study the impact of 5 lifestyle choices on both related was to describe a method for developing a disease and US health care costs. computerized model of different anatomical specimens Methods: Over 150 middle and high school students by using plastinated slices. were presented with human specimens prepared using Methods: Several anatomical specimens (ankle, room temperature plastination that included stomachs, lumbar spine, skull, shoulder joint) were used for this hearts, pancreas, brains, cranial vaults and lungs. study. A tissue block containing the desired region was They were used as launching points for discussions removed from the cadaver, then dehydrated, about obesity, heart disease, diabetes, alcohol and degreased and finally impregnated with the mixture drug consumption, preventable head trauma and E12/ E6/ E600. Using a band saw the E12 block was smoking. After the discussion and presentation, cut into 1 mm slices. Once scanned, these images of students were given a 5 point Likert scale survey to the plastinated slices were loaded into WinSURF and measure their satisfaction, perceived knowledge traced. After all contours were traced, the acquisition and willingness to enter into a promissory reconstruction was rendered and visualized. contract to change their habits in an effort to mitigate Results: The generated 3D models displayed a the effects of these notable diseases and lifestyle morphology corresponding qualitatively to the actual choices. Videos of the presentations are being cadaver specimen. The quality of the reconstructed produced to place on the http://www.anatomyguy.com images appeared distinct, especially the spatial website for wider distribution beyond the Hampton positions and complex relationships of contiguous Roads area. The organizing medical students have structures. Soft tissue features were easily seen when been asked to keep records of the organizational displayed with the bones positioned in the background. logistics, and a brief journal of their impression of each All reconstructed structures were displayed in groups presentation with both student and teacher/adult or as a whole and interactively rotated in 3D space. responses to the presentation. Data on the The Journal of Plastination – 24:44 (2009-2012)
globalization of the project is being tracked on Google pressure was gradually applied over a 2 day period Analytics. using a 1-1/2 horse power electric pump with onboard Results: At the time of the abstract submission data pressure gauges. The peak pressure utilized was from the surveys is still being gathered and tabulated. approximately 20 inches Hg. Vacuum pressure was Anecdotal responses from teachers and students were applied at intervals of 6 hours per 24 hour period until overwhelmingly positive with several requests for infrequent or no bubbles were observed. The project expansion. The medical students involved impregnation time varied due to differences in the size reported that the experience was positive and helped of the hearts. The hearts were removed to drain for 3 them to feel both pride and a sense of community that to 4 days and intermittently wiped of excess polymer. other medical educational experiences have not Next a topical application of the curing or hardening offered them. They have recommended that the course catalyst Ct32 was applied with a brush and the hearts in community leadership become a formalized were carefully sealed in a plastic wrap for 24 hours. opportunity. Finally, the hearts were suspended in sealed Conclusion: The success of the interaction with the containers with petri dishes filled with the curing public school students, teachers and medical students catalyst in an attempt to gas cure the specimens. The will be formally put forward for Curriculum Committee hearts were observed at 24 hour intervals until dry at assessment and approval for the 2013-14 electives which point the process was deemed complete. calendar. The Galen Club, at EVMS is going to be Results: Well-fixed previously unembalmed hearts continuing the project in the fall of 2012 and spring of with shorter fixation intervals (<2 years) that had been 2013. submitted to ethanol baths rendered very good finished specimens. Older heart specimens particularly those housed in an inadequate volume of fixative and those Silicone Plastination Trials at Room Temperature not bathed in ethanol had color variations and many on Non Dysmorphic Pediatric and Perinatal Hearts had white precipitate. Obtained at Autopsy for Medical Education. Daniel, Conclusion: The quality of these plastinated Richard L., Li, Xianming, Kelly David R., Daniel. Richard. nondysmorphic heart specimens seems to depend on Children's of Alabama Hospital, United States. initial specimen integrity, shorter fixation intervals with adequate fixative volume, thorough rinsing with water, Nondysmorphic perinatal and pediatric heart and utilization of ethanol baths prior to acetone specimens from autopsies were plastinated with dehydration. DowTM PR-14 silicone as trials prior to implementing a plan to plastinate selected hearts with congenital malformations for medical education. Most of the Plastinated bodies exhibitions – A survey study in hearts had been stored in 10% formalin for two to ten 500 young individuals. Raikos Athanasios1, Paraskevas years. Some hearts had been embalmed at the time of George2, Tzika Maria2, Kordali Panagiota2, Natsis autopsy using a conventional embalming fluid. Konstantinos2. 1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Methods: Nondysmorphic formalin-fixed hearts were Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia. 2 rinsed from 24 to 48 hours in tap water. Some hearts Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Aristotle University were submitted to ethanol baths prior to acetone. The of Thessaloniki, Greece. previously opened hearts were posed prior to dehydration and impregnation of the polymer. Acetone Plastinated bodies exhibitions are amazingly popular at room temperature was used for dehydration and as and attract millions of spectators worldwide. The aim of the intermediary solvent. The dehydration progress the study was to investigate the opinion of young was measured with a hydrometer. Following individuals about such exhibitions and expose any dehydration the hearts were submerged in DowTM PR- positive or negative comments and worries on the 14 silicone polymer (premixed with cross linker and issue. chain extender) and contained in polycarbonate Methods: For the purpose of the investigation, an vacuum chambers. The hearts were left to equilibrate anonymous survey study was conducted on 500 in the polymer for 24 hours after which vacuum randomly selected young individuals aged 18-35 years The Journal of Plastination – 24:45 (2009-2012) old. The questions concentrated on the public opinion temperature laboratory, which contributed to about shows exhibiting plastinated human bodies, prevention of small structures (including teeth, concha specimens, and organs while additional questions were nasalis, and articular cartilage) from falling off the provided about body donation strictly for scientific use. milling surface. Thus, better integrity of images was Results: Some participants in the study (4.5%) had ensured. So far, we have achieved acquisition of five already visited a plastinated bodies exhibition, while CVH data sets and their volume visualization on PC. 51% intended to visit one in the future. Moral issues 3D reconstruction of some organs and structures has were expressed by 46.3% of the sample with the way been finished. The work of segmentation of a complete such shows were conducted, and 21.8% of the sample data set is also under way. raised religious/philosophical concerns, while 28% Conclusion: Although there is still a distance to go to stressed the potential for psychological/mental health make the visible human meet the application-oriented disturbances. The majority of the participants in the needs in various fields, we are taking our first steps study (73.4%) agreed with body donation strictly for toward future application by acquiring new data sets, educational use. performing segmentation and setting up a platform of Conclusion: As demonstrated in our results, a computer-assisted medicine. considerable number of participants in the study raised various moral worries about the attendance of plastinated human bodies’ exhibitions. On the other Three-dimensional reconstruction of the deep hand, the frenzied rhythm of knowledge spreading and epaxial muscles of the chick using Biodur E12. the ease of access through the Internet allow no more Adds, Philip. St George's School of Medicine, University of close doors and barriers to the general audience. London, United Kingdom However, normal and pathological anatomy education of the general public requires special management and The developmental processes leading to the formation should be handled by specialists in a series of steps and individuation of the deep intrinsic postvertebral and according to the cohort’s age in order to secure muscles have been little studied and are not well the physical and mental health of the public. understood. The detailed anatomy of these muscles is complex and descriptions in the literature often differ between authors. As part of an on-going investigation Chinese Visible Human Project and its Application. into the development of the deep epaxial musculature Zhang Shao-Xiang. The Third Military Medical University, and its corresponding tendons of attachment, a 3-D China. reconstruction of these muscles has been undertaken from sectioned day-old chicks. Research on the digital visible human is of great Methods: Day-old chicks of Gallus domesticus were significance and application value. The first digital used for this study. Two sets of chicks were prepared image data sets of complete humans (male and for sectioning: formalin-fixed and unfixed. The chicks female) were made in the United States in 1995. To were first dehydrated in acetone at -30°C then promote worldwide application-oriented Visual Human embedded under vacuum in Biodur E12 epoxy resin, Project (VHP), more visible human data sets using E6 hardener and E600 accelerator. The chicks representative of different populations of the world are were removed from the vacuum and dissected to in demand. remove the head, wings and legs. The skin was Methods: The team in the Third Military Medical removed, and the body was cut into sections University worked on the Chinese Visible Human (neck/thorax/abdomen). The sections were placed in Project from 1999 until the present. rectangular moulds and covered in epoxy resin mixture Results: The Chinese Visible Human (CVH) male before degassing and curing. Sequential thin sections (created in Oct. 2002) and female (created in Feb. (0.5 mm) were cut using a slow-speed diamond 2003) project achieved greater integrity of images, circular saw (Buehler IsoMet Precision Sectioning saw) easier blood vessel identification, and were free of with a 100 mm diameter blade. After each section was organic lesions. The most noteworthy technical cut, the exposed surface of the block was advance of CVH Project was construction of a low- photographed with a Nikon D60 Digital SLR with a The Journal of Plastination – 24:46 (2009-2012)
Sigma 105 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro lens. Three- agarose gel electrophoresis compared with fresh dimensional reconstruction of the serial sections was samples. If pre-treated with sodium salt solution, a carried out using ‘Reconstruct’, a free editor for serial small amount of genomic DNA remained which could section microscopy. be extracted from plastinated samples. Results: The individual muscles and their tendons of Conclusion: Silicone plastination technology may attachment could be differentiated, enabling the preserve the general morphology, while genomic DNA muscles and tendons to be delineated by drawing may also be kept to some extent. Sodium salt solution around them on the computer screen. It was then pretreatment is the key step which guarantees possible to create the 3-D image of the musculature successful DNA extraction and quality from silicone- demonstrating the morphology of the muscles. plastinated specimens. Conclusion: Embedding in Biodur E12 epoxy resin facilitated the sectioning and analysis of serial sections of the thorax of the day-old chick. Using ‘Reconstruct’ Histopathological evaluation of biomedical devices software a 3-D image of the musculature can be built using a plastic embedding technique. Medlej, Bahaa, up allowing the image to be rotated to study the Slob Viviane., Loeb Emmanuel., Hershkovitz. Tel-Aviv detailed anatomy of the postvertebral muscles and University, Israel. tendons. The objective of this study was to present a method that allows histological examination of soft tissues State of preservation and extraction of DNA in containing solid medical devices, for the purpose of silicone plastinated specimens. Yu, Shengbo, Fu histopathological and morphometric evaluation. Yuanshan, Gong Jin, Chi Yanyan, Zhang Jianfei, Zheng Nan, Methods: The targeted tissues were fixed in 10% Sui, Hong-Jin. Dalian Medical University, China formaldehyde for 48 hours (time varies according to sample thickness), and then dehydrated in increasing The technique of plastination has developed rapidly in concentrations of ethanol (40%-100%) and in xylene recent years. It can preserve macro-biological (3-5 days). Samples were then placed in methyl specimens almost forever. Silicone plastination methacrylate 99% (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany) for 3-5 technology is the most widespread method to be days. Subsequently, samples were embedded in a applied in this field. But the state of preservation of mixture of methyl methacrylate 99%, polyethylene hereditary substances in the plastinated sample was glycol 400 and benzoyl peroxide powder (Sigma- unknown after the process. The objective of this study Aldrich Germany); and placed in a vacuum at room was to investigate the state of preservation of the temperature. Sections (minimum thickness 500µm) hereditary substance and explore the extraction of were cut using an Isomet low-speed saw (Buehler, genomic DNA from specimens plastinated with silicone Germany) equipped with a diamond wafering blade ploymer. (Buehler, Germany). The specimens were then glued Methods: The specimens investigated were livers of to plastic slides and ground to a thickness of 6-50µm Wistar rats which were divided into experimental and by a Phoenix/Beta Grinder/Polisher (Buehler, control groups. Experimental samples were treated Germany), using metallographic grinding discs of through the standard plastination process including decreasing coarsening (320-1200 Grit) and Metadi formalin fixation, dehydration, degreasing, forced Supreme polycrystalline diamond suspension (1-6µm) impregnation and hardening. The genomic DNA (Buehler, Germany). Prior to staining, the specimens extraction kit was provided by Takara. Direct and were immersed in formic acid for 1-5 minutes. pretreatment methods were applied in the extraction Results: Histological slides, with different types of process. Paired observation was used to compare medical devices implanted in blood vessels, bones, fresh samples with plastinated ones by agarose gel joints and skin tissue, were demonstrated. In addition electrophoresis. to the standard histological observations, such as Results: Genomic DNA was not obtained in the necrosis, inflammation and fibrosis, this technique plastinated specimens by the direct DNA extraction provides reliable data on size and shape of anatomical method. Although a clear smear was observed by The Journal of Plastination – 24:47 (2009-2012) structures, such as blood vessel diameter, tissue Mysterious Life Museum - a unique museum with proliferation adjacent to the implant, etc. plastinated specimens. Sui, Hong-Jin1, Gao Hai-Bin2. Conclusion: The plastic embedding method offers the 1Dalian Medical University, 2Dalian Hoffen Bio-Technique, investigator the opportunity to examine the pathological China. changes and tissue reactions to an implanted medical device, which cannot be adequately examined using The museum is a social classroom for improving the paraffin embedding technique. people's scientific knowledge and cultural level. Methods: Traditional biological specimens in the museum include stuffed specimens, skeleton Morphological aspects of renal arterial supply and specimens, bottled specimens, etc. Plastinated the small intestine of Procyon cancrivorus. Kleber, biological specimens can show not only the original Fernando Pereira. Federal University of Goias, Brazil. shape and appearance but also the internal structure. Results: The Mysterious Life Museum is the first The use of polymers to study the architecture of organs museum showing plastinated biological specimens, set and tissues is becoming feasible because of low cost up in Dalian, China in April, 2012. This museum and ease of handling. The aim of this study was to contains 2,000 plastinated specimens of ocean describe the arterial supply of the small intestine and animals, vertebrate animals and human bodies. The kidney of the raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) using ocean animal hall reveals the mystery of blue ocean injection of acrylic. life. It shows different kinds of fishes as well as marine Methods: Animals killed by accident on highways mammals. The key point of this hall is to introduce the were collected. The aorta was cannulated and injected differences between the fishes and marine mammals. with a mixture of autopolymerized acrylic and red The vertebrate animal hall reveals the mysterious pigment. After hardening the specimen was fixed in kingdom of vertebrates. Through comparative formaldehyde solution (10%). The dissections were anatomy, the characteristics of homologous, analogous documented using a digital camera (Sony Cyber-shot and vestigial organs show the great variability and camera, 8.1 megapixels). uniformity of vertebrates, and the evolution of the life Results: The cranial mesenteric artery supplied the will be understood further. jejunum and ileum on the mesentery. Near the Conclusion: The hall of human body shows the mesenteric border, anastomoses formed vascular mysterious body world. The exhibits lead people into arcades and vasa recta supplied the mesenteric side. the internal world of the human body, and allow visitors The artery for the ileum arose as the final branch of the to understand the importance of health, and the danger cranial mesenteric artery. In the kidney, the renal of bad living habits. arteries were always single, bifurcating into dorsal and ventral segments, and subdivided into several P40 Sheet plastination: An emerging tool in segments medical teaching and imaging studies. Dhingra, Renu Conclusion: The technique of injecting polymers is of 1, Pandey Jayashrip1, Seith Ashu2, Lalwani Sanjeev3, Kumar low cost and easy implementation, generating material Ranik1. 1Department of Anatomy, 2Department of Radiology, 3 of excellent quality, enabling the identification of all Department of Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of mesenteric and renal vasculature. The technique of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. plastination, which will be used in the next study, will Knowledge of cross sectional anatomy is a pre- provide more organic life parts to be handled for study requisite for accurate interpretation of CT and MRI and demonstration, as well as those that are kept on images of the brain. Sheet plastination gives a better permanent display. understanding of cross sectional anatomy, it augments the diagnostic and clinical acumen of radiologists and physicians thus enhancing the care and and monitoring of patients. Plastination is an excellent tool for tissue preservation. In our laboratory at AIIMS, we standardized the protocol for plastination of brain slices The Journal of Plastination – 24:48 (2009-2012)
using the P40 technique as it offers better gray and Austria. 2Anatomical Department, University of Medicine and white matter differentiation and has better instructional Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Timisoara, Romania. value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the topography Methods: The brains were procured from autopsy of the saphenous nerve branches and the popliteal cases being done in the Forensic department and neurovascular bundle of the knee. The anatomic cadavers donated to the Anatomy department at relationships of these structures at different levels of AIIMS. Coronal and horizontal 4 mm slices of each the knee were studied as an aid in planning minimal fixed brain were dehydrated in acetone at -25°C. invasive surgery. A thorough knowledge of the local Forced impregnation with P40 and A4 mixture (100:1) anatomy is a prerequisite prior to attempting posterior was carried out at room temperature as well as at - arthroscopy, in regard of the saphenous nerve, 25°C. The brain slices were slipped into glass popliteal artery or the sciatic nerve and its branches. chambers filled with immersion mixture and then Methods: A sectional anatomical study, using exposed to UVA light in the UV curing chamber. plastinated transparent knee cross sections, was Measurements (length and breadth) were obtained performed on twelve intact right male cadaver lower before dehydration and after curing and shrinkage limbs. The measurements were performed at the level percentage was calculated. of the medial epicondyle, at the joint line level and at Results: Room temperature impregnation was faster the level of the tibial attachment of the posterior than cold impregnation. It is also cheaper in the Indian cruciate ligament (PCL). scenario because of the electricity cost. The mean % Results: The popliteal artery is predicted to be 8.66 ± shrinkage in length was more in specimens 2.17 mm dorsal and the sartorial branch of the impregnated at room temperature (7.99± 2.15) as saphenous nerve 4.27 ± 0.05 mm posterior to the joint compared to specimens impregnated at -25°C (6.12± capsule at the level of the medial epicondyle. At the 1.32). Similarly the mean % shrinkage in breadth was joint level, the popliteal artery is 7.86 ± 2.26 mm away more in specimens impregnated at room temperature from the posterior cruciate ligament and the sartorial (8.90 ± 2.37) as compared to specimens impregnated branch of the saphenous nerve is predicted at 2.41 ± at -25°C (7.20± 1.46). The brain slices exhibited a clear 0.12 mm posterior to the joint capsule. At the level of visual contrast between gray and white matter and the tibial attachment of the PCL the popliteal artery to beautifully highlighted blood vessels. The gray and PCL distance is 5.93 ± 3.61 mm and the sartorial white matter differentiation was much more distinct branch of the saphenous nerve is situated 4.36 ± 0.43 with P40 impregnated brain slices (both room mm posterior to the joint capsule. temperature and at -25°C impregnation) as compared Conclusion: Based on our anatomical data, a to S10 slices. The structures like caudolenticular posteromedial portal placed at the level of the medial bridges, anterior commissure, external capsule and epicondyle seems to be safe, effective and claustrum were better appreciated in P40 sections than reproducible. At this level the popliteal artery is situated S10 brain sections. widely lateral to the medial epicondyle and the distance Conclusion: P40 plastinated brain slices can be ideal between the saphenous nerve branches and the for teaching and examination purposes. A thorough articular capsule is greater than at the other levels. knowledge of brain sections can help in correct Therefore, a portal placement here would be interpretation of CT and MRI images thus enhancing advantageous and safer. Anatomical characteristics the diagnostic acumen of clinicians. They require should be kept in mind when knee surgery is minimal aftercare and can be used repeatedly without performed, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the deterioration. saphenous nerve and neurovascular bundle, and offering easy access to the posterior compartment of the knee. The neurovascular bundle of the knee: an anatomic study using plastinated cross sections. Wengert, Georg1, Sora Mircea-Constantin1, Matusz, Petru2. 1Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, The Journal of Plastination – 24:49 (2009-2012)
Sectional anatomy of plastinated knee joint: A anatomy of the knee not only because of their boon for anatomists, radiologists and instructional value but also their durability, ease of orthopedists. Jain, N.1, S. Lalwani.2, R. Dhingra.1 handling, transportation to the operation theatre 1Department of Anatomy, 2Department of Forensic and provide a ready reference material at the work Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India. place for clinicians.
The increasing use of cross sectional imaging techniques for clinical diagnosis makes it mandatory to A new method of brain plastination. Esfandiary, understand anatomy in all dimensions. Since in Ebrahim 1, Asadi Mohammad Hossein2, Rabiei Abbas Ali1, 1 1 humans the knee joint supports nearly the whole Setayesh Mehr Mohsen , Taghipour Monir , Bahadoran 2 1 weight of the body, it is most vulnerable both to acute Hossein . Department of Anatomic Sciences, Isfahan 2 injury and the development of osteoarthritis. University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. School of Medicine, Baghiatallah University of Medical Sciences, Plastinated slices of the knee region constitute Tehran, Iran. excellent teaching material in cross-sectional anatomy, a field of ever-increasing importance, and correlate Plastination is a unique technique for preservation of well with radiographic images. Exact knowledge of the biological specimens used for teaching medical topographical anatomy is not only a pre-requisite but students. The standard protocol of flexible sheet also facilitates accurate clinical diagnosis in imaging plastination includes fixation, slicing, dehydration, techniques like MRI, CT and sonography. The present forced impregnation, casting and curing which when study was undertaken to plastinate the knee done by P87 flexible unsaturated polyester resin, gave region for studying sectional anatomy of the knee heavy, gross fragile and bubbling plastinated sheets. joint. Through this project, we omitted the casting stage and Methods: Knee regions were collected from the saved polyester resin. Then, we compared fragility, Department of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS. They weight and bubbling of the new sheets with those of were washed, cleaned, and fixed in 5-8% formalin. sheets provided by the standard method. The joint was filled with 120-250 ml of fixative. The knee region was plastinated using the standard S- Methods: This study was carried out on three human 10 silicone technique with some modifications. The brains. Initially according to the conventional methods specimens were frozen to -40°C before sectioning. they were fixed in 10% formaldehyde, and cut into Plastinated knee specimens were sliced in coronal sagittal, coronal and horizontal thin sections of 3mm (1cm) and sagittal planes (1 cm) with a band saw to thickness, with a meat slicer. They were then demonstrate the internal features and to understand dehydrated in cold acetone (-25°C) and immersed in the relationship of various muscles, extra- and intra- P89 unsaturated polyester resin at 25°C. Finally the articular ligaments, blood vessels and nerves. These specimens were taken out from the vacuum chamber slices were then compared with MRI images of the and exposed to room temperature. When both same. surfaces of the specimens became dry, they were Results: In the mid-coronal slice of the knee region the taken to P89 polyester resin again. This step was medial and lateral femoral condyles, medial and lateral repeated 10 times. menisci, medial and lateral collateral ligaments, Results: The weight of plastinated sheets with P89 posterior cruciate ligament and the lateral head of was about one tenth of the weight of plastinated sheets gastrocnemius were observed. In the mid-sagittal with P87. Some degree of gross fragility was observed section, the patella, lateral condyles, popliteus, in the standard method, while it was not seen in P89 gastrocnemius, lateral head, plantaris, patellar flexible sheets. P89 plastinated slices showed ligament and both the horns of the lateral meniscus, excellent differentiation between white and gray matter infrapatellar fat pad and suprapatellar bursa could be of the brain fixed for 2 years, while the fresh brains seen. All the structures correspond exactly to the MRI which were fixed for 12 weeks showed less images. differentiation. Conclusion: Plastinated coronal and sagittal sections of the knee are ideal for studying the sectional The Journal of Plastination – 24:50 (2009-2012)
Conclusion: In conclusion, our study showed that the Results: It was found that the color produced by the P89 technique is a quick and less expensive method of staining methods was maintained, following completion producing sheet plastinated specimens suitable in of the plastination process. Although in some cases teaching neuroanatomy. there was a small degree of shrinkage of the specimens, this was found to be of an acceptable level for teaching purposes. Staining of brain slices and room temperature Conclusion: The stain which was found to be most impregnation with Biodur S10/S3. Mooncey, Mumtaz, effective was the Roberts’s method, as it provided the Mandeep Gill Sagoo. St George’s Hospital Medical School, clearest differentiation between the grey and white London, United Kingdom. matter. This study further extends the potential applications of a cost-effective room temperature Stained and plastinated brain slices have the potential plastination (impregnation) method. to be used as an effective tool in the teaching of neuroanatomy. These specimens are easy to handle, long-lasting and a good alternative to plastic models. Considerations during S10 Plastination of a Gabon Different staining methods can be used to differentiate Viper (Bitis gabonica). Arredondo Jorge1, Dom_nguez between the grey and white matter, and this study Guillermo1, Jackniuk Mariela1, L López-Albors Octavio2, compares the effects of the following methods on the Hernandez Wendy1, Gonz_lez Patricia1, Aja Guardiola brain slices: Mulligan’s, Tannic acid, Le Masurier and Santiago3, Ayala María-Dolores4, Sarri_ Ricardo2, Latorre, Roberts’s methods. Rafael 2. 1Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Methods: The standard procedure for plastination Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Mexico. 2Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathologic using Biodur S10/S3 silicone involves low-temperature 3 dehydration in a volatile solvent, followed by forced Anatomy, Murcia University, Spain. Department of Morphology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, impregnation under a vacuum at -15° C. However, due Mexico. to the health and safety concerns and high expenses implicated by such conditions, this study uses low- The Gabon viper (Bitis gabonica) is highly venomous temperature dehydration and room temperature species from sub-Saharan Africa. Its venom is deadly impregnation instead. Previous studies at St. George’s as it is hemotoxic with the capability to destroy the have shown that this adapted protocol has the potential blood and lymphatic vessels causing severe to produce results which are comparable, if not equal, hemorrhage. During its plastination process it is to the results from the standard procedure, with the mandatory to handle this specimen carefully to avoid additional advantages of lower costs and simplicity of accidental inoculation of the venom in the operator, set-up. This project investigates the reduction in size of since it is not certain if the venom of this viper remains unstained brain dissection specimens and stained active after plastination. The main purpose of this work brain slices, after each stage of the staining and is to describe a method to minimize the risk of damage plastination process (after staining/before dehydration, by the toxins of the venom’s glands of a Gabon viper after impregnation and after curing). In this study, during S10 plastination method. some of the brain specimens were sliced and Methods: The full cadaver of the viper was comparisons were drawn between the effects which longitudinally aligned and mounted over a wooden the four different staining methods had on them. The board and firmly attached to it and then frozen at -25°C process of plastination involves four different stages; for 72 hours. A block section containing the head was fixation, dehydration, impregnation and curing. In this sectioned and separated from the rest of the body and case, the dehydration step was performed at -30° C, submerged in a solution of 1% phenol with 37% over three weeks, using acetone of increasing formaldehyde for one week. The baths were replaced concentrations over this period. Next, the vacuum weekly for three weeks. The head was rinsed with tap impregnation with S10/S3 and curing with S6 steps water and then placed in cold acetone baths to were carried out at room temperature. Measurements dehydrate it. The rest of the body was frozen at -25°C of the slices were taken at each stage of the process, for one week and then sectioned 1cm thick in the in order to monitor the level of shrinkage. The Journal of Plastination – 24:51 (2009-2012)
transverse plane. The head and the rest of the body Conclusion: We propose this new method of were plastinated by the cold temperature S10 method. decalcification of bones before plastination for human Results: The specimen showed great anatomical cadavers because the method prepared bones of details. The topography of the organs was fully excellent quality for teaching. represented on the plastinated slices. The full attention and careful preparation of the specimen during plastination avoided any potential harm to the Double staining method for fetal specimens to laboratory personnel, and permitted the use of the rest enhance the educational value of plastinates. of the S10 polymer contained in the vacuum chamber Miklosova, M.1, Miklosova, Z.3, Korpova, M.1, Kalatova, B.1, in another plastination process, without risk for the Dankovcik, R.2, Dudas, M.1. 1Department of Biology and 2 operator. Ecology, Safarik University, Department of Gynecology and Conclusion: This method provides a good alternative Obstetrics, Safarik University and Pasteur University to handling venomous vipers during plastination and Hospital, Slovak Republic, 3Department of Pharmacology, Masaryk University, Czech Republic. can also reduce the loss of S10 Biodur polymer due to contamination with poisonous toxins, however, more The improved double-staining technique to specific studies on the activity of the venom after demonstrate cartilage and bone can now be used in plastination are needed. teratological and toxicological studies as well as in morphological studies of large specimens. Moreover, it can be used to process museum skeleton specimens Decalcified Bone Plastination by the new UP89 preserved in liquids. The principle used here is the resin. Rabiei, Abbas Ali., Esfandiary, Ebrahim., Setayesh affinity of alizarin red S to bind with the calcium of Mehr, Mohsen., Shamosi, Atefeh., Mardani, Mohammad., bones, while alcian blue reacts with acid Dashti, Gholam Reza. Isfahan Medical University, Iran mucopolysacharides in cartilage. The end product of this technique is a specimen in which the ossified parts Plastination specimens have a unique position as of bone are stained red and cartilages are stained blue. teaching aids. In plastination, water and adipose tissue This staining allows us to observe primary ossification are replaced with an intermediate solvent which is centers, transition of cartilage to bone, and related replaced with suitable polymer. The specimens abnormalities. obtained are odorless, stable and non-fragile. The Methods: We examined large fetuses and neonates. scope of this study was to preserve the whole The improved procedure involves rapid, complete structural details of bone and make it not fragile, skinning of fresh eviscerated specimens. The durable and very light. specimens are incubated with Alcian Blue 8 GS and Methods: Sheep bone specimens (femur, hip and Alizarin Red S. The cartilage stains blue in color and scapula) were fixed in 5% formaldehyde for 20 to 30 bones are red, both embedded in the transparent days according to the bulk of the samples. They were (cleared) muscle. Before examination or storage, the decalcified with 5% nitric acid for different times and double stained specimens must be cleared in graded then washed under tap water. They were dehydrated in concentration arrays of glycerin. The specimens can –25°C acetone and defatted in 30°C acetone. Finally be stored in pure glycerin. they were placed in a vacuum chamber for forced Results: Differentiation of colors was very good, but impregnation. Acetone present in the tissue was specimens were wet and handling was difficult. Fresh, replaced with a new flexible unsaturated polyester formaldehyde-fixed or alcohol-fixed specimens from resin (UP89). After this process, curing was carried out various species worked well. via heat and UV light exposure. Conclusion: Although fragile and not ideal for Results: Plastinated bones prepared by this method mounting, this type of specimen is excellent for were found to be lighter than their primary samples. detailed scientific skeletal studies in 3D, and may also They were not fragile, and were durable and odorless. be used in multiple settings in university teaching All parts of the bones, e.g. groove, tubercle, cartilage, curricula. *Supported by the grant GEMIN-2007/65-UPJS- ligament, were preserved. 02 from the Slovak Ministry of Health (M.D.). The Journal of Plastination – 24:52 (2009-2012)
Plastination of specimens using new flexible Medial aspect of the canine elbow joint: unsaturated polyester resin (UP 89). Setayesh Mehr Anatomical study by plastinated sections. Latorre, 1, 2 2 1 Mohsen, Ebrahim Esfandiari, Abas Ali Rabie, Gholam Reza Rafael Villamonte Aquilino , Soler Marta , Sarria Ricardo , Gil Francisco1, Agut Amalia2. 1Department of Anatomy and Dashti. Isfahan University, Iran. Compared Pathological Anatomy, 2Department of Medicine Specimens perserved using the new flexible and Surgery, University of Murcia, Spain. unsaturated polyester resin (UP89) were synthesized Excessive local pressures and rotational forces in the plastination laboratory of the Anatomy transmitted through the canine elbow joint have been department in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. proposed as a possible cause of medial coronoid Plastination was first introduced by Gunther Von process disease. The purpose of this study is to Hagens in 1978 in Germany. Plastinated specimens assess the relationship of the ligamentous and have a unique position as teaching aids for easy muscular structures of this region. storage and handling by students. In this study we Methods: Six cadavers of adult German shepherd applied the UP89 technique to examine the new cross-breed dogs were used in this study. Synovial and synthesized resin instead of the silicone resin in the vascular injections were performed in the elbow joint. conventional (S-10) technique. These joints were destined either for dissection or Methods: This study was carried out by using suitable frozen to obtain sagittal or dorsal cryosections to raw materials of modified unsaturated polyester resin assess the relationship between myotendinous (UP89). The synthesized resin was found to be structures. Sections were then plastinated using the E- transparent and flexible enough to be used in 12 plastination method. plastination. Animal specimens such as heart, liver, Results: The tendon of insertion of the biceps brachii femur of sheep, fish, lizard and human specimens such muscle divided into two branches: a main cranial as heart were utilized. Initially according to the branch that inserted on the radial tuberosity and a conventional method, they were fixed in 5% caudal branch that inserted with an extended fan formaldehyde, then dehydrated in cold acetone (-25 appearance on the ulna next to the medial coronoid C°) and defatted in warm acetone (+25 C°). In the process. The brachialis muscle had a partly fleshy forced impregnation stage, 1% peroxide (MEKP) was insertion on the cranial branch of the tendon of the added to the resin, and then the specimens were biceps brachii muscle and was finally inserted on the placed in the resin within the vacuum chamber. Forced ulna in an open fan shape along with the insertion of impregnation was performed at a low temperature (10 the biceps brachii muscle. A fibrous sheath formed by C°) in order to avoid the gelation of the resin. Curing of the tendon of insertion of the biceps brachii muscle and the specimens was carried out in the UV light and heat the reinforcement of the oblique ligament was cabinet. After a period of two months, appropriate observed. This leads to the formation of the biceps curing was obtained and the specimens were found to brachii–brachialis muscles complex whose main point be dry and odorless. of insertion is the radial tuberosity where it inserts Results: The specimens obtained by UP89 technique along with the cranial branch of the oblique ligament were found to show acceptable appearance for teaching anatomy and as museum specimens. The and the cranial branch of the medial collateral specimens were odorless, dry and flexible compared to ligament; furthermore the annular ligament covers the the specimens prepared by the S-10 technique. The radial head attaching from the medial coronoid process cost was observed to be lower than that of specimens to the lateral coronoid process; these features make prepared by the S-10 technique. The synthesized resin the myotendinous structures responsible for elbow joint was found to be much more appropriate and stability. economical for plastination of specimens. Conclusion: The insertion of the brachialis muscle on Conclusion: The synthesized resin UP89 provides an the ulna is mainly related with the medial coronoid excellent opportunity to preserve and study the process. The section of this tendon could be different tissues of human and animal specimens. The considered a subject of study as a treatment to unsaturated polyester resin (UP89) can be an appropriate material in place of silicone resin for S-10 diminish the traction and rotational forces during the technique. medial coronoid disease. The Journal of Plastination – 24:53 (2009-2012)
Morphological changes of the caudal vena cava mainly the pre-hepatic portion, while under laparoscopic conditions. A study by MRI and pneumoperitoneum caused a decrease in the total plastinated sections. Latorre, Rafael1, P_rraga Ester1, vascular lumen, exerting a greater effect on the hepatic López-Albors Octavio1, Sarri_ Ricardo1, Ramirez Gregorio1, portion. 2 1 S_nchez-Margallo Francisco . Department of Anatomy and Conclusion: The use of MRI and anatomical Compared Pathological Anatomy, University of Murcia, 2 plastinated sections demonstrated that both the Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Cáceres, reverse Trendelenburg position and Spain. pneumoperitoneum significantly affected the morphology of the CCV of pigs. Pneumoperitoneum and patient positioning during laparoscopic surgical procedures cause hemodynamic and anatomical changes in several abdominal organs. Plastination versus glycerol preservation method Hemodynamic changes in the abdominal portion of the in Alizarin red - Alcian blue double staining. caudal cava vein (CCV) have been described in a pig Esfandiary, Ebrahim, Setayesh, Mehr Mohsen, Rabie, Abas model, but how the vein morphology and size are Ali, Sayed, Hanaei Mahsa. Isfahan University of Medical affected is unknown. The objective of this study is to Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. assess morphological and morphometrical changes in the CCV of the pig caused by pneumoperitoneum and In this study, the new technique of plastination has reverse Trendelenburg position by in vivo magnetic replaced the glycerol preservation method, after fetal resonance imaging (MRI). and tiny samples of skeletal tissues were stained by Methods: Six pigs were scanned using magnetic Alcian blue- Alizarin red staining. resonance imaging under four situations: S1- control Methods: Rats of four different age groups were (no pneumoperitoneum), S2- control with reverse chosen and were skinned after death. The specimens Trendelenburg position, S3- pneumoperitoneum (14 were double-stained with Alizarin red & Alcian blue, mmHg). Euthanasia was done after S3 examination and then cleared in 1% KOH. Four groups of rats: day and the whole cadavers (pneumoperitoneum 1, day 3, day 12, and mature rats were chosen for the maintained) were frozen at -20 °C. Then, transversal experiment. One rat of each group was selected to be body blocks including the abdominal cavity were preserved in glycerol, and one of each group was obtained and frozen at -70 °C. Serial sections of 2- selected to be preserved by plastination. 3mm thickness were obtained with a high speed band Results: The quality of staining had an inverse saw and plastinated by epoxy impregnation according relationship with the age of the rats. The younger the to the E12 protocol. MRI and plastinated body sections rats, the brighter the staining. The brightness of the were used to evaluate the topography, morphology and plastinated samples also had an inverse relationship cross-sectional area of the CCV. with the age of rats. Therefore, the young rats’ skeletal Results: MRI images and plastinated anatomical tissues were stained clearly and brightly, both in the sections allowed the differentiation of two glycerol and plastination preservation methods. Older morphologically different portions in the CCV, a pre- rat tissues were dull in both method of preservation. hepatic portion from the caudal origin of the vein to the Conclusion: This study showed that plastination is a liver (T15 vertebra) with flat and irregular morphology, good preservation method for fetal and young skeletal and a hepatic portion, where the vein is surrounded by tissues, stained by Alizarin red- Alcian blue combined this organ until it reaches the caval foramen of the technique. The, plastinated samples were dry, odorless diaphragm (T14-T11). Whole-body plastinated sections and durable. were used to assist the interpretation of these images and to establish accurate anatomical correspondence with the MRI images. The reverse Trendelenburg position caused an increase in the lumen, affecting The Journal of Plastination – 24:54 (2009-2012)
The elbow joint of the dog three-dimensionally Conclusion: The deep study of the elbow joint in the reconstructed. Arredondo Jorge1, López-Albors Octavio2, dog will be of great relevance for the veterinary Sora Mircea-Constantine3, Lozanoff Scott4, Ayala María- clinicians, however, it will be necessary to combine 2 2 5 5 Dolores , Sarri_ Ricardo , Becerril Sigrid , Victoria Mauro , several fields of scientific research and to involve 2 1 Latorre, Rafael . Department of Anatomy and Physiology, clinicians, biomechanics, physical therapists, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Mexico. anatomists and physiologists. The 3D anatomical 2Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathologic model of the elbow joint of the dog obtained from Anatomy, Murcia University, Spain. 3The Medical University of Vienna, Austria. 4Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry ultrathin plastinated sections is a reliable tool for the and Physiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Hawai, study of this joint and could be considered as a useful U.S.A. 5Academic Research Group in Animal Medicine and addition to experimental studies in the investigation of Surgery, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, physiopathological and therapeutics options. Mexico. *This project has received financial support from the PROMEP/SEP in Mexico. The veterinary community is currently discussing how to improve the therapeutic options and understanding of the pathophysiological origins of elbow disorders in Abdominal cavity of the mouse. A study by ultrathin plastinated slices. Latorre, Rafael 1, Sora the dog. The debate indicates the high level of 2 1 complexity of this multi-segment joint and it is clear that Mircea Constantin , López-Albors Octavio , Ayala M. Dolores1, Vazquez Jose María1. 1Department of Anatomy intensive research is required, not only in the clinical and Compared Pathological Anatomy, University of Murcia, aspects but also on the anatomy and biomechanics of Spain. 2Plastination Laboratory, Institute of Anatomy, the joint. One way to solve the scientific challenge University of Vienna, Austria. given by this joint could be to combine in vitro and in vivo research methods, thereby permitting the design The purpose of this study was to increase the of anatomically realistic two and three-dimensional anatomical knowledge of the normal topography within models. Such methods can provide significant insights the abdominal cavity of the adult mouse by means of into how the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal ultrathin plastinated sections. systems interact to produce movement. Methods: A mouse abdominal cavity was used in this Methods: One elbow joint of a dog was used in this study. After freezing the specimen, a block containing study. The whole forelimb was removed from the the abdominal cavity was sectioned and plastinated by cadaver and the axillary artery injected with epoxy epoxy impregnation with E12-E1-E600 (Biodur). The resin. It was then frozen at -30°C for 48 hours and a epoxy block was then cut in transversel 1 mm thick block containing the elbow joint removed. The block slices with a contact point diamond blade saw. Both was plastinated by epoxy impregnation E12-E1-E600 surfaces of the plastinated slices were scanned into a (Biodur) and then cut into 0.4-0.6 mm thick slices with computer using an EPSON GT-10000+ Color Image a contact point diamond band saw (Exakt). The Scanner. The obtained images were uploaded into 3-D plastinated slices were scanned and the images reconstruction software WinSURF uploaded into the WinSURF 3D reconstruction (http://www.surfdriver.com) and traced in the monitor software. manually with a graphic table. The structures used in Results: The thin plastinated slices provided good the reconstruction were the kidneys, spleen and caudal anatomical details of the elbow joint. In the 3D model vena cava. bony structures were particularly well reproduced. Results: The ultrathin slices provided good anatomical Subtraction of specific structures was possible; so all details of the abdominal structures at the macroscopic the elements in the model could be displayed in groups and submacroscopic levels. The 3D model was useful or as a whole, as well as rotated in the simulated 3D to understand the spatial relationship between different space. This facility increased the understanding of the organs. All reconstructed structures can be displayed anatomy of the elbow joint of the dog and may be in groups or as a whole and could be rotated in 3D useful in assessing surgical or clinical problems in this space. complex joint. The Journal of Plastination – 24:55 (2009-2012)
Conclusion: Ultrathin plastinated sections provided was calculated for each experimental group. Findings excellent anatomical details of the different organs of are summarized as follows: control group 38.5% the abdominal cavity in the mouse. 3D modelling is a shrinkage, sucrose treatment group 31.9% shrinkage, reliable tool for the study of specific organs and related DMSO treatment group 39.4%. The sucrose treatment structures. These results may help in further research resulted in the least overall shrinkage. Other notable and in the diagnosis of experimentally induced findings include greatest shrinkage occurring during pathologies as well as correlation with diagnostic the curing step. Statistical Analysis: for brain 1 and imaging like CT or MRI. brain 2, the difference between the DMSO - treated brain and the control was not statistically significant. For brain 3, there was a statistically significant Can Sucrose Prevent Shrinkage in Silicone Brain difference between the sucrose-treated brain and the Plastination? Baptista, Carlos A. C.,. Parsai, Shireen, control as determined by one-way ANOVA (F (1,10) = University of Toledo, College of Medicine, United States. 7.947, P = 0.018). Finally, for brain 4, there was a statistically significant difference between the sucrose- One of the most significant disadvantages of silicone treated brain and the control as determined by one- plastination of brain tissue is shrinkage. Sucrose has way ANOVA (F (1,22)=11.463, P = 0.003). been used as a cryoprotectant prior to processing in Conclusion: Treating brain tissue with 10% sucrose many neurosciences techniques. Our previous prior to plastination is effective in decreasing experiments included evaluating the efficacy of shrinkage. DMSO treatment did not prove to be sucrose treatment in protection of brain tissue during effective in preventing shrinkage. silicone plastination techniques. The results were deemed inconclusive due to the number of variables present in the experimental protocol. The purpose of Comparing properties of specimens before and this study was to reevaluate sucrose treatment as a after chemical treatment for plastination: volume. means of preventing shrinkage in a more controlled Kim, Sang-Hyun, Hong Byung-Ouk, Lee U-Young, Lee Mi- environment. In addition to sucrose, we tested DMSO Sun, Han Seung-Ho. The Catholic University of Korea. (dimethyl sulfoxide) as a solvent media. Seoul, Korea. Methods: The experimental groups were as follows: Plastinated specimens have some advantages: control (no treatment), sucrose treatment, and DMSO elasticity and slight movement, but there are no trials to treatment. Care was taken to normalize all known assess the mechanical properties of the specimens. variables to only produce variance in initial treatment The aim of this research was to compare the volume prior to dehydration. Four brains, fixed in formalin, between pre- and post-plastinated specimens using a were sectioned coronaly using a deli slicer producing 1 three dimension coordinate measuring machine cm thick slices (samples). Each slice was divided into (VIVID9i). right and left hemispheres. The right hemispheres were Methods: Brain, lung, liver, heart and kidney were used as control groups and the left hemispheres were extracted from one embalmed male cadaver. The used as experimental groups. Therefore each specimens were produced by the common S-10 experimental sample could be compared to an method. The volume of each prepared organ was equivalent control sample from the same region of the measured before and after plastination. brain. Two different brains were used in each Results: Compared to the pre-plastinated specimens, experimental group. The experimental groups were the volume of post-plastinated specimens decreased immersed in 10% sucrose and DMSO, respectively, at 19% in the liver, 17% in the brain, 14% in the kidney, 5 degrees Celsius overnight prior to dehydration. The 19% in the heart and 22% in the lung. control group was immersed in distilled water at 5 Conclusion: Volume change is known as a general degrees overnight prior to dehydration. The surface problem in the S-10 plastination method. This study area of the specimens were measured after each step showed the volume change in several internal organs. of plastination using image analysis software. Comparing the volume change at each step of the Results: To determine the correlation between plastination process using 3-dimentional scan is our treatment and control, the average percent shrinkage The Journal of Plastination – 24:56 (2009-2012) future study goal and it could be helpful to reveal in The objective of this study is to share the treatment what step of the S10-plastination the volume change method of cleaning crystallization from silicone occurs. plastinated slices. Methods: Start with manual brushing of crystallization on plastinated brain slices under running cold tap Plastination and staining of brain slices using two water. Afterwards, dip the plastinated brain slices in a different dehydration methods. Asadi Mohammad solution of an industrial surface disinfectant commonly Hossein, Bahadoran Hossein, Azami Abolfazl. Department of used in Hospitals (Virkon). Furthermore, we dry the Anatomy, Baqiatollah Medical Science University, Iran. plastinated brain slices in a well ventilated area. Afterwards, the brain slices are tested for any Unstained formalin-fixed whole brain specimens and microbiological contamination that could damage the brain slices do not give satisfactory results in teaching plastinate in the future. neuroanatomy. In addition, difficulties in obtaining Results: This treatment had good results, as none of human brains for dissection have increased the the brain slices was damaged by the solution or any demand for more durable brain specimens which are microbiological growth. However, there were a few left- obtained by plastination. The purpose of this study was overs of crystals in some fissures that were colored to compare two different dehydration methods for brain with the solution's pink color. This minor discoloration slice preparation after staining with a modified staining could be the only reported disadvantage. method, followed by the S10 plastination technique. Conclusion: This new method of treatment could Methods: Brain slices were fixed and stained using disinfect and remove any crystallization or suspected the Mulligan method. Plastination was performed after microbiological contamination on damaged brain two different dehydration methods: stepwise using slices. lower concentrations of acetone in room temperature and the standard method. Fading of color and shrinkage of the specimens were measured and Preparation of blood vessel configuration from compared in both methods. lung specimens using corrosion casting method Results: The stained plastinated brain slices were with unsaturated polyester resin (UP87) – glass dry, odorless and durable. Staining of samples gave a fibers composite. Setayesh Mehr Mohsen, Rabie Abas clear visual contrast between grey and white matter in Ali, Esfandiari Ebrahim, Dashti Gholam Reza, Karubi Arezu. brain slices. Stepwise dehydration in room temperature Department of Anatomic Sciences, Isfahan University of caused no significant loss of color in stained slices Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. compared to the standard method. Shrinkage in the stepwise method was higher than in the freeze The first to apply this classic injection technique in the substitution method (P value<0.05). reproductive arena was John Hunter (1754). As the Conclusion: Considering the low cost of stepwise science was developed and industrial polymers were dehydration with used acetone and without needing a produced, it was August Schummer about 70 years freezer, the stepwise method could be used for ago who, for the first time, applied this type of polymer educational purposes in gross anatomy courses. as corrosion casting. The purpose of this study is to prepare vessel configuration using unsaturated polyester resin (UP87) – glass fibers composite Cleaning the Crystallization off the Plastinated synthesized in the plastination laboratory of Esfahan Brain Slices. Alshehry, Murad 1, Ba Abbad Radwan1, University of Medical Sciences. Alobaysi Maher1, ABAbutaleb Nada2, Alhamdan Nasser1. Methods: Fresh sheeps’ lungs were obtained and the 1King Fahad Medical City - Faculty of Medicine. 2King Fahad ridge of the trachea, pulmonary veins and pulmonary Medical City - Hospital Laboratory Microbiology, Saudi artery were fastened by a plastic tube. At the Arabia. beginning, 4% formalin solution was injected into the cavities by a syringe and then the samples was immersed into 4% fixative for about 2 days. The fixative was drained from the cavities and an The Journal of Plastination – 24:57 (2009-2012)
appropriate amount of injection mixture consisting of: plastinate and transparent plastinated slices. The 100 PBW (part by weight) UP87 resin, 1 PBW glass silicone impregnation technique at room temperature fibers (diameter: 5-10um, length: 5mm), pigment, 2 was applied to produce three-dimensional plastinates, PBW catalyst, 0.4 PBW accelerator, was injected into and the conventional flat chamber E12 method was the cavities. The samples remained in the oven for used to make transparent plastinated slices. about 12 hours at 40ºC temperature, till the resin was Results: It has been found that the most efficient way cured. Finally the samples were kept in a concentrated to demonstrate pathological changes in organs is to acid bath till the lung tissue was completely removed. present three-dimensional plastinates along with Results: The prepared specimen obtained was found transparent plastinated slices. Some pathological to show the configuration of tracheal tube, bronchioles, states, e.g. recent myocardial infarction or chronic pulmonary veins and pulmonary arteries which were venous congestion, cannot be clearly seen in silicone manifested very clearly. plastinates after formaldehyde fixation, and thus Conclusion: Since the available specimens from transparent plastinated slices are the only way to UP87 resin were brittle and not durable enough, this demonstrate such phenomena. Silicone plastination study was carried out to improve the weak point of the should be applied to produce this type of specimen technique. The specimens obtained by (UP87) – glass only after Kaiserling fixation, which preserves the fibers composite were found to show acceptable natural color of organs and tissues. Transparent appearance and durability for teaching anatomy and plastinated slices can efficiently be used when studied museum quality specimens. Therefore (UP87) – glass in transmitted light of a binocular loupe with low fibers was found to possess the necessary quality for magnifying power. preparing vessel configuration and corrosion casting Conclusion: Plastinated specimens have proved to method. be a highly efficient teaching resource in pathologic anatomy courses, and they undoubtedly have a number of advantages when compared with Application plastinated specimens for teaching conventional specimens, because students showed a pathology. Starchik, Dmitry, International Morphological better understanding of pathological processes. Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia Integrating plastinated specimens in a pathological anatomy curriculum gives more variety in teaching and Plastinated specimens have been an integral part of empowers research techniques. general anatomy courses at medical schools in Russia for more than a decade. However, we still do not see extensive use of plastinates in teaching pathology. Application of silicone impregnated brain and brain Methods: The International Morphological Centre in sections in modern medicine. Kumar, Rani1, Pandey, Saint Petersburg, Russia, has produced more than 300 Jayashrip1, Seith Ashu2, Lalwani Sanjeev3, Dhingra, Renu 1. plastinated specimens to be used in pathology 1Department of Anatomy, 2Department of Radiology, 3 courses. Pathological material sampling was carried Department of Forensic Medicine, All India Institue of out in the anatomy departments of St. Petersburg Medical Sciences, New Delhi , India. hospitals in compliance with the requirements of a pathology department’s curriculum, covering all Teaching of neuroanatomy to medical students, essential pathological bulk specimens. The specimen neurologist and neurosurgeons requires an in-depth selection process included taking photographs of a knowledge of the brain and its sections. Even for specimen, and tissue and organ fragment sampling for correct clinical diagnosis of neurological diseases, the histological study. The selected specimen was right interpretation of CT and MRI by a radiologist is a dissected again and marked, then it was fixed in must. The formalin-embalmed brains and brain slices formaldehyde solutions with increasing concentration get easily damaged by repeated handling and the for 2 to 8 weeks. Fixation completed and histological procurement of brain tissue at autopsy involves ethical study results obtained, each specimen was then used issues. Therefore charts, models and pictures are for producing both a three-dimensional silicone being used for teaching purposes, but they do not give a 3D picture. Thus, plastinated specimens of brain and The Journal of Plastination – 24:58 (2009-2012) its sections can serve as the only answer which observations were made on brain slices to evaluate the provides safe, durable, odorless and permanent level of satisfaction with plastination. The gray and specimens which can be reconstructed, and which also white matter were well-differentiated and the help in interpreting radiological plates. These morphology was well-preserved. The internal structure specimens also give a clear gross and external view of of the sections was distinct and easily identifiable. The the structure of the brains and brain slices and can be nuclei and tracts in the sections were also well- used for teaching, research and diagnostic purposes. differentiated. Even the blood vessels and tela Methods: A total of 8 human brain specimens used choroidea were recognizable. The S-10 plastinated for the study were collected from the Department of brain sections showed both external and internal Forensic Medicine AIIMS and from bodies donated to morphology very clearly and looked similar to fresh the Anatomy Department for teaching and research specimens, although these changes were more purposes. The brains were fixed in 10% formalin and distinctly appreciated in specimens impregnated at - plastinated with the standard S-10 technique. Before 25°C than those which were impregnated at room plastination, coronal and horizontal sections were cut temperature. and each section was subjected to various changes of Conclusion: These plastinated brains and their dehydration at -25°C and impregnation both at room coronal and transverse sections can thus be used by temperature as well as -25°C. neurosurgeons for understanding the normal anatomy Results: The percentage of shrinkage was greater at and also by radiologists while analyzing CT and MRI room temperature (12.39%±1.26 for length and images. 12.0%±1.49 for breadth) while it was less at -25°C (8.65%±0.89 in length and 8.37%±0.59 in breadth) in both coronal sections and in horizontal sections. Gross The Journal of Plastination – 24:59 (2009-2012)
Index of Authors
Adds, Philip ...... 45 Luz, Marcus ...... 26
Alshehry, Murad ...... 23, 56 Matusz, Petru ...... 43
Arredondo Jorge1 ...... 50, 54 Medlej, Bahaa ...... 46
Asadi Mohammad Hossein, ...... 56 Miklosova, M...... 51
Azu, Onyemaechi Okpara ...... 41 Mitra, Aditi ...... 11
Baptista, Carlos A. C...... 9, 55 Mooncey, Mumtaz ...... 50
Basset Aly A.E ...... 23 Mueller, Dean A...... 27
Belov Georgei ...... 23 Nimmagadda, Haritha kumari ...... 27
Bennett-Clarke, Carol A ...... 9 Parsai, Shireen ...... 28
Cerqueira, Esem ...... 24, 42 Pereira-Sampaio, Marco A ...... 28
Chen Shenghuo ...... 40 Pizzimenti, Marc ...... 29
Coulter James ...... 43 Qixiao, Ye ...... 30
Dall, Annette M ...... 10, 25, 39 Rabiei, Abbas Ali ...... 51
Daniel, Richard L...... 44 Raikos Athanasios ...... 44
Dhingra, Renu ...... 13, 47 Raoof, Ameed ...... 41
Esfandiary, Ebrahim ...... 49, 53 Sagoo, Mandeep ...... 13
Fazan, Valéria ...... 25 Setayesh Mehr Mohsen ...... 52, 56
Gao, Hai-Bin ...... 39 Sora, Mircea-Constantin ...... 12, 40
Hawkes, Jack ...... 39 Starchik, Dmitry ...... 30, 57
Jain, N ...... 49 Sui, Hong-Jin...... 14, 31, 47
Kim, Sang-Hyun ...... 25, 55 Tamura, Kaori...... 12
Kleber, Fernando Pereira...... 47 Tunali, Selcuk...... 31
Koninckx Alain ...... 26 Wengert, Georg ...... 48
Kumar, Rani ...... 13, 57 Yu, Shengbo ...... 46
Latorre, Rafael ...... 10, 11, 52, 53, 54 Zhang Shao-Xiang ...... 45 The Journal of Plastination – 24:60 (2009-2012)
Journal of Plastination Instructions for Authors (Revised January 2013)
JOURNAL OF PLASTINATION is owned and controlled responsibility to obtain permission to reproduce illustrations, by the International Society for Plastination (ISP). tables and figures from other publications.
Goals - The Journal of Plastination (ISSN 1090-2171) is to Copyright Transfer Form may be downloaded from provide a medium for the publication of scientific papers http://www.journal.plastination.org/downloads/copyright.pdf. dealing with all aspects of plastination and preservation After the form is completed and signed by all the authors, it of biological specimens. should be submitted to the Editorial Office ([email protected]) as a pdf or jpeg file via an e- Submission Guidelines mail attachment. All manuscripts must be submitted to the Editorial Office via the e-mail: [email protected]. If you experience Manuscript preparation any problems or need further information, please contact Cover Letter either Dr. Carlos Baptists, [email protected], or The cover letter should include a statement of authorship, Dr. Selcuk Tunali, [email protected]. notification of conflicts of interest, ethical adherence, and Authors must have an e-mail address at which they may be any financial disclosures. reached. Cover letters may be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Plastination. Necessary Files for Submission Include: Cover letter Manuscript Manuscript (including references and figure legends) The manuscript should consist of subdivisions in the Table(s) (when appropriate) following sequence: Figure(s) (when appropriate) Title Page Copyright Release Form (after acceptance) Abstract with keywords Text Note: The above items should be prepared as separate files. Introduction Each file must contain a file extension (.doc, tif, jpg, eps). Materials and methods File formats appropriate for text and table submissions: Results Microsoft Word Discussion File formats appropriate for figure submissions: TIFF, References JPEG (JPG) and EPS Figure Legends
Categories of submissions: Title Page Articles published in Journal of Plastination are grouped into The first page of the manuscript should include: general article types (listed below). Final designation of a Title of paper manuscript’s article type is determined by the EDITOR. Each author’s name Original Research – Plastination Institution from which paper emanated, with city, state, and Original Research – preservation postal code. Each affiliation should be listed as a separate Education entity, with a superscript number that links it to the Case reports individual author. Technical brief notes Review - by invitation only For example: 1 2 1 Legacy – institutions and people S. D. HOLLADAY *, B. L. BLAYLOCK and B. J. SMITH 1 Correspondence Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Editorial Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Acceptance of a submission implies the transfer of University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0442, USA. 2 copyright from the authors to the publisher. It is the author's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71209, USA. The Journal of Plastination – 24:61 (2009-2012)
Corresponding Author’s name, address, telephone and Henry R, Haynes C. 1989: The urinary system. In: Henry telefax numbers, and e-mail address. R, editor. An atlas and guide to the dissection of the pony, 4th ed. Edina, MN: Alpha Editions, p 8-17. For example: For other publications: *Correspondence to: Dr Shane D. HOLLADAY, Department Von Hagens G. 1985: Heidelberg plastination folder: of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Collection of technical leaflets for plastination. Heidelberg: Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Anatomiches Institut 1, Universität Heidelberg, p 16-33. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0442, USA. Tel.: +001 404 739 Figure legends 6403; Fax.: +001 404 739 6492; E-mail: Legends for all figures should be brief, specific and not be [email protected] a substitute listing for the result section, and appear on a separate page at the end of the manuscript, following the list It is the corresponding author’s responsibility to notify the of references. Editorial Office of changes of address. Only the Legends must be numbered consecutively as they first corresponding author should communicate with the appear in the text. Editorial office for matters regarding each manuscript. All symbols or abbreviations appearing in any figure must be defined in the legend. Abstract & Key Words: The abstract should be no longer than 250 words. It should Tables contain a description of the objectives, materials and All tables must be cited in the text and have titles. Table methods, results, and conclusions. The abstract should titles should be complete but brief. Information other than include a section on technique/technical development if the that defining the data should be presented as footnotes. paper is significantly technical in nature. The abstract must Create tables using the table creating and editing feature of be written in complete sentences and be intelligible without Microsoft Word. Do not use Excel or comparable reference to the rest of the paper. No references should be spreadsheet programs. used in the abstract. Each table should be simple and uncomplicated, with NO vertical and as few horizontal lines as possible. On the same page, list, in alphabetical order, five Key Each table is to appear on a separate page and must include Words that reflect the content of the manuscript. Consult the table title and appropriate column heads. the Medical Subject Headings for appropriate key words. Save each table in a separate word document file and Key words should be set in lower case (except for essential upload individually, like figures. capitals), separated by a semicolon and bolded. Do not embed tables within the body of the manuscript.
References: Figures References to published works, abstracts and books must All figures must be cited in the text and must have legends. include all that are relevant and necessary to the manuscript. Each figure should be attached as a separate file and Citations in the text should be in parentheses and listed labeled with the appropriate number. chronologically; e.g. (Bickley et al., 1981; von Hagens, Figures should be created, saved and submitted as either a 1985; Henry and Haynes, 1989) except when the authors TIFF, JPEG (JPG) or an EPS file. name is part of a sentence; e.g. "…von Hagens (1985) Line drawings must have a resolution of at least 1200 dpi, reported that…" When references are made to more than and electronic photographs, scanned images, radiographs, one paper by the same author published in the same year, CT and MRI scans must have a resolution of at least 300 dpi. designate each citation as 1999 a, b, c, etc. The size of each figure should be at least 8.25 cm / 3.25 Literature cited may only include the publications, which inches (one-column width) or 16 cm / 6 inches (two-column are cited in the text. References are to be listed width). alphabetically using abbreviated journal names according to Index Medicus. Page numbers of the citation must be Magnification must be recorded and have a “scale bar” in included. the photo. Since reproduction of illustrations is costly, authors should limit the number of figures to those which Examples of the reference style are as follows: adequately present the findings, and add to the For a journal article: understanding of the manuscript. Bickley HC, von Hagens G, Townsend FM. 1981: An Figures that are submitted in color must be published in improved method for preserving of teaching specimens. color. Authors are responsible for the costs of any color Arch Pathol Lab Med 105:674-676. reproductions. Contact the editor for details. For a book section: