Combining classical educational methods with interactive three-dimensional (3D) visualization technology has great power to support and provide students with a unique opportunity to use them in the study process, training, and/or simulation of different medical procedures in terms of a Human Anatomy course. In 2016, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) offered students the 3D Virtual Dissection Table “Anatomage” with possibilities of virtual dissection and digital images at the Department of Morphology. The first 3D models were printed in 2018 and a new printing course was integrated into the Human Anatomy curriculum. This study was focused on the interaction of students with digital images, 3D models, and their combinations. The incorporation and use of digital technologies offered students great tools for their creativity, increased the level of knowledge and skills, and gave them a possibility to study human body structures and to develop relationships between basic and clinical studies.
Educational institutions in several countries state that the education sector should be modernized to ensure a contemporary, individualized, and more open learning process by introducing and developing advance digital solutions and learning tools. Visualization along with 3D printing have already found their implementation in different medical fields in Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, and Rīga Stradiņš University, where models are being used for prosthetic manufacturing, surgery planning, simulation of procedures, and student education. The study aimed to develop a detailed methodology for the creation of anatomically correct and optimized models for 3D printing from radiological data using only free and widely available software. In this study, only free and cross-platform software from widely available internet sources has been used—“Meshmixer”, “3D Slicer”, and “Meshlab”. For 3D printing, the Ultimaker 5S 3D printer along with PLA material was used. In its turn, radiological data have been obtained from the “New Mexico Decedent Image Database”. In total, 28 models have been optimized and printed. The developed methodology can be used to create new models from scratch, which can be used will find implementation in different medical and scientific fields—simulation processes, anthropology, 3D printing, bioprinting, and education.
The growth and maturation of a child’s body are going on continuously, but unevenly. Therefore, children of the same age may have different growth and functional abilities. On the initiative of the Latvian government, a pilot project was launched, which aims to evaluate the readiness of children to start school at the age of six as well as compare physical development, separate functional abilities, and posture for six and seven-year-old children of regions of Latvia and Rīga preschool educational institutions. The study involved 918 children, who were divided into two groups — Rīga (R) and regions of Latvia (RL). Respondents in each group were further divided by age — six- and seven-year-olds, and by sex. Anthropometric parameters were determined for each individual’s height, weight, chest circumference, lung vital capacity (PVC), forearm flexor muscle strength, and posture. In our study, the mean values of height for six-year-old girls were: R – 117.6 ± 5.8 cm, RL – 117.1 ± 6.3 cm, for boys R – 118.7 ± 5.0 cm, RL – 118.6 ± 5.1 cm. Seven-year-old children had an average increase in chest circumference of 1 to 2 cm, both by sex and by place of residence. Symmetrical posture was observed only for six-year-old children in 23.1% of cases and 17.1% of seven-year-old children. 59.5% of the children in the study group spent more than one hour a day watching TV, and 66.3% played computer games every day. The results of the study showed that children aged six and seven years grew and functionally developed very differently and individually. These age groups of children did not have accelerated growth ages; there were no large annual increases. A relatively small sex dimorphism was observed. The readiness of six-year-old children to start school should be assessed very individually by the child’s parents in collaboration with the pediatrician.
The analysis of bone microstructure and histological examination currently provides valuable insights into various facets of bone biology, ancient human existence, and bone-related diseases. This study aims to scrutinize the microstructure of historic Latvian bones, with three bone element groups selected (humerus, radius, and ulna) from a skeletal collection spanning from the Middle Ages to the Late Modern Period, procured through an archaeological excavation at St. George’s Church in Riga. To evaluate the changes in bone samples over time, two methods are utilized: (i) micro-computed tomography, used for measuring and calculating bone volume/trabecular volume (BV/TV), cortical bone and trabecular thickness, and trabecular pore diameter; (ii) immunohistochemistry (IHC) is employed to detect the presence of Runx2, OPG, OC, MMP2, TIMP2, BFGF, IL-1, IL-10, OPN, defensin-2, BMP 2/4, TGFβ factor in bone cells—specifically osteocytes. Archaeological human bone remains from the Middle Ages period in Latvia display a decline in the average bone volume to trabecular volume ratio when compared with the Late Modern Period, indicating a potential reduction in bone quality in the skeletons, potentially associated with a lower living standard during the earlier era. Comparing factors between the periods reveals a higher value of TIMP2 (p = 0.047) in samples from the Late Modern Period group, while IL-1 is higher (p = 0.036) in the Middle Ages group, which may suggest the presence of disease and diminished bone quality in the skeletons from the Middle Ages.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.