The aim of this work is to present a room-temperature plastination technique developed in our laboratories and its results. This technique emphasizes the use of silicones, catalysts, and generic hardeners, and some variations of the traditional technique resulted in low cost and high-speed implementation. Two hands, a heart, and a brain were dissected from Caucasian adult undefined-gender cadavers previously kept in 5 % formalin solution. Also dissected was a pig heart kept in 5 % formalin solution. Dehydration was performed for 1 month at room temperature to favor defatting. Afterwards, forced impregnation took place. The average process for each specimen lasted 3 or 4 days, 8 h a day (active forced impregnation), halting the forced impregnation overnight (passive forced impregnation). Once 5 mmHg had been reached without bubbling and the vacuum process had ended, specimens were drained and positioned. Finally, curing was performed by subjecting the specimens to cross-linker. The different morphological characteristics of the specimens determined variations in the forced impregnation time, as well as curing. Once polymerization was complete, specimens were stored in plastic bags, facilitating internal curing. Three kinds of silicones were used: Biodur, North Carolina, and a local generic. The catalyst and the hardener were generic products also acquired locally. Based on our technique, we obtained completely dry and rigid specimens, of excellent quality and durability, which kept their original color and anatomical shape.
SUMMARY:Today, alternatives methods are developed for the use of laboratory animals for teaching, research and surgical training. In our work we present a novel alternative to the use of rats, by developing a technique of plastination at room temperature. High-quality rat preparations from the anatomical dissection point of view were obtained, in order to indefinitely preserve them dry, the thoracic and abdominal organs conserve its natural volume and shape, maintaining their texture and color. No odors or hassles and toxic vapors of conventional preserving agents were found. This technique allows the collection of dry, completely biosafe and durable specimens in a short time and with excellent quality. Plastination in laboratory rats complements undergraduate and postgraduate anatomy studies perfectly. Also, radiology and surgery may benefit from this technique.
Introducción. Es conocido que, para aumentar el rendimiento cognitivo, numerosos estudiantes recurren a sustancias con el objetivo de estar más horas despiertos con la atención agudizada para estudiar. Pero dichas sustancias interfieren en la memoria y pueden generar farmacodependencia.Objetivo. Establecer la frecuencia de uso de sustancias psicoactivas en universitarios y su relación con características de sueño, socioeconómicas y educativas. Sujetos y métodos.Estudio observacional transversal mediante una encuesta estandarizada, normalizada y anónima, con sistema de elección múltiple, a 122 alumnos de anatomía en el año 2009. Se aplicaron parámetros estadísticos y se exigió el consentimiento informado.Resultados. El 79,51% refirió no llegar a leer todos los temas y el 36,89% refirió haber memorizado conceptos. El 25% comenzó a memorizar términos tres días antes del examen; un 20,49% comenzó el día anterior, y el 19,67%, la noche anterior y luego acudió al examen sin haber dormido. El 25,41% respondió que tomaba sustancias para dormir y el 41,8% alguna sustancia para aumentar las horas de estudio; destacaban el café, las bebidas energizantes, psicofármacos (45,09%, principalmente modafinilo y metilfenidato) y ácido acetilsalicílico. El número de horas trabajadas por día se correlacionó con el número de sustancias consumidas (r = 0,89); los repetidores de la asignatura refirieron menor cantidad de horas de sueño, indirectamente correlativas con el uso de psicoactivos (r = -0,86). Conclusiones.Registramos una alta prevalencia de consumo de sustancias psicoactivas, especialmente en repetidores de la asignatura y alumnos con actividades laborales. Es de suma importancia implementar herramientas pedagógicas para aumentar las capacidades motivacionales, atencionales y asociativas bajo una concepción integradora-educacional.Palabras clave. Anatomía. Aprendizaje. Enseñanza. Sustancias psicoactivas.
SUMMARY:In preliminary studies, we recorded increased prevalence of psychoactive substances use in students retaking classes and with work activities. This constantly growing university population showed a greater use of mobile virtual spaces (mVS). The objective was to evaluate the adhesion characteristics, implications and impact of these factors in the teaching and learning process of anatomy. A cross-sectional observational study using standardized and anonymous survey on 326 students. Statistical parameters were applied and ethical and legal requirements were met. Forty-five percent reported that they used substances to increase the hours of study, highlighting coffee, energy drinks, psychoactive drugs (modafinil) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Working hours were proportional to the amount of substances. Among those students retaking classes, this variable was consistent with the use of psychoactive drugs (modafinil: r= -0.88; ASA: r= -0.73). We recorded that the increased prevalence of psychoactive drugs use was associated with increased adherence to mVS. Work activity was crucial in the results of these factors, which had impact on attentional educational sphere.
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