Introduction The present study describes a variation of the cryodehydration technique, applied to prepare biological tissues by repetitions of section freezing and thawing (SFT). First developed for muscles and then viscera, the aim of this process as presented here is to obtain anatomical segments to be used in anatomy classes, general exhibitions and museums. Materials and Methods The animal, previously fixed in 10% formalin, must be frozen and then sectioned in longitudinal, transverse and horizontal slices of the body-axis. It has two steps: the “burning phase,” in which ice crystal formation and water dilatation cause micro ruptures in the tissue; and the “dehydration phase,” developed to dry out the slices segments slowly and, at the same time, to impregnate tissues with wood glue. Results The obtained slices present several advantages, such as being dry segments, of light weight, and being rapidly used, easily stored and promptly studied. Also, it is possible to study the different organs of one segment and, by apposition, remount an entire animal, enabling a dynamic study. Conclusion This very simple and inexpensive technique produces anatomical preparations with high durability and resistance, which are very helpful in practical and theoretical classes.
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Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Introduction The aim of the present study was to determine the morphological features of the pineal gland in three closely related Canidae species (raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray, 1834; silver fox, Vulpes vulpes L., 1758; and blue fox, Vulpes lagopus L., 1758) of different ages during the breeding (spring) and nonbreeding (winter) periods. Materials and Methods Histological analysis of the pineal glands of canids was performed. Results The morphological changes in the pineal gland detected in the current study are either age-associated, including increase in the reticular fibers and vascularization in the studied species, as well as increase in the amount of the protruding septae in the blue fox, or seasonally related, including an increase in the number and size of blood vessels. The present work reported two types of pigments: lipofuscin (primarily in the silver fox) and melanin (primarily in the raccoon dog and in the blue fox). The pineal gland in the blue fox is characterized by the ability to form corpora arenacea. Conclusions The present study provides the first insight into the morphological changes of the pineal gland in three closely related Canidae species of different ages during the breeding (spring) and nonbreeding (winter) periods, and showed some species-specific features of gland morphology. The aspects concerning the biogenesis of the calcium concretions and the factors influencing the accumulation of pigments need further investigation.
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Introduction Morphological variants of the pancreatobiliary system can predispose to chronic pancreatitis. The goal of the present study is to assess the prevalence of pancreatic duct patterns in the Indian population, both by cadaveric dissection and by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Materials and Methods A total of 15 adult pancreas specimens of unknown age and gender, and 5 fetal pancreas specimens of different gestational ages with the intact second part of duodenum, were dissected by the piecemeal method. For clinical relevance, MRCP images of 103 clinically-diagnosed chronic pancreatitis patients irrespective of their etiology were obtained retrospectively from the existing database and studied. The anatomical patterns were classified as five different types based on the course of the main pancreatic duct and the accessory pancreatic duct and their openings into the duodenal wall, including variants like pancreas divisum and ansa pancreatica. Results In the cadaveric study, the main pancreatic duct was single with a straight course in 46.67% of the adult specimens, and in the MRCP study, the main pancreatic duct showed a descending course in 77.66% of the cases. The most common pattern was type III in both the cadaveric (80%) and radiological (55.33%) studies, and the accessory duct was absent on the MRCP in all type-III cases, while it ended blindly in the cadaveric specimens. Ansa pancreatica (type V) was observed in 1 adult specimen (6.7%), but not in the radiological study. Pancreas divisum (type IV) was observed in the 8 cases (7.76%) cases in the radiological study. Conclusion Knowledge of the anatomical variants of the pancreatic ductal system may be helpful for the radiologists during diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures.
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Morus nigra L., popularly known as blackberry, mulberry or blackberry bush, is a plant species widely used by folk medicine. Although there are few scientific studies that denote its therapeutic features, an important highlight of black mulberry is the recurrent use of tea leaves in popular environment for treatment of climacteric because it is considered a source of substances with estrogenic activity, which, if deficient, decreases osteoblastic action. Thus, the objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of the infusion of the leaves of M. nigra L. on bone repair experimental models. Twenty female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), ∼ 100 days old, were submitted to fracture with bone loss in the left fibula. After that, they ingested tea leaves of M. nigra L. for 30 days without interruption. The animals suffered euthanasia after the treatment period. The results showed a significant healing of fractures in all animals that ingested the tea, when compared with other groups. In this way, it is possible to suggest that M. nigra L. tea is able to trigger a positive response in bone repair mechanism; however, it is not possible to state at what level this positive interference occurs, since mechanisms of its action have not yet been elucidated, thus requiring more specific studies on the phytotherapeutic effects of this plant.
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Medical museums are a record of the history of the medical thought processes. The Anatomical museum of the Department of Normal Anatomy located in the Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University was founded in 1894 by Professor Henryk Kadyi (1851–1912). The museum includes a number of unique objects and displays > 2,000 specimens. These medical artifacts include both normal anatomy and malformed artifacts. The museum is divided into three sections that are arranged according to the systems of the body and a method of preparing specimens. The vast array of preserved specimens represents comparative, developmental, gender, systemic, dynamic, plastic, and descriptive anatomy. Besides the Anatomical museum, the historical treasure is the Anatomical Theater, the oldest auditorium at the Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University that preserved its authenticity. These educational places teach us not only about morphology, but also help us appreciate the beauty of the human body.
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Annular pancreas is a rare congenital anomaly that results from the malrotation of the ventral pancreatic bud. The presentation of annular pancreas varies: it can be asymptomatic or present clinical symptoms of duodenal obstruction that can affect all age groups, from newborns to adults. In the present case report, we describe a complete type of annular pancreas at the level of the second part of the duodenum, which was an incidental finding in a prosected specimen. This anomaly has significant clinical relevance to clinicians and radiologists due to its variable presentation. The embryological, clinical and radiological aspects of this congenital anomaly are discussed in detail in the present article.
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Introduction The present study was undertaken to analyze the morphological features of a skull supposed to be that of Alum Bheg, a martyr from the 1857 Indian Freedom Struggle (also called the Sepoy Mutiny), using established methods to validate identity with regards to age and height as available in the note found with the skull (∼ 32 years old and 5 feet 7½ inch tall). Materials and Methods Identification of the gender of the skull was performed based on established criteria. Analysis for closure of skull sutures (cranial and facial) and measurement of orbitomedial (OM) and maxillomedial (MM) facial anthropometric lines were undertaken to provide an estimated age against each examined suture, as well as against a group of sutures through established scoring systems. Furthermore, the approximate height of the individual was estimated from the skull length using regression equations from a reference adult Indian male population. All of the measurements were made on the digital images of the skull using a digital image analyzer (Image J software, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). Results Established criteria confirmed that the skull was of a male individual, and the skull sutures and age related morphological changes in the bones indicate that it belonged to an individual in an age range between 20 and 50 years old, with an average of 30 years old, and an approximate height between 5 feet 8.2 inches to 6 feet 1.3 inches. Conclusion The observed values are in approximation with those mentioned in historical notes, and slight differences may be attributed to gross reporting of the original values or limitations of anthropometric analysis. Further biological tests will be required to validate the identity beyond reasonable doubt.
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Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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