A Cost-Effective Novel Method of Preparing Plastinated Specimens of Brain

The human bodies and organs have traditionally been preserved using formalin solution, although it irritates the eyes, nose and throat. Plastination is an unique and expensive method for preserving biological samples that can be used in teaching and research. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to prepare a costeffective solution using thermocol to plastinate the brain specimens as a supplement for teaching and research. Two human brains were used in this pilot research project. According to standard procedures, the brains were first fixed in 10% formaldehyde, sectioned horizontally, sagittally and coronally dehydrated in acetone, and then immersed in the plastination solution at room temperature and pressure. Then the specimens were airdried at room temperature. A team of 62 Anatomists and Pathologists assessed the quality of the specimens using a self-developed grading scale. The grading was provided based on the specimens’ clarity, stability, aesthetic look, colour and smell. Statistical analyses was performed using SPSS software, Kruskal Wallis test showed that the lowest mean score was 4.04 provided for colour and highest mean score was 5 provided for the smell with a statistically significant p<0.001. Thus our plastinated specimens were of good quality, durable and handlefriendly. Our study demonstrated that the cost-effective plastination solution (CEPS) procedure is an inexpensive and efficient way to create plastinated specimens that are appropriate for teaching neuroanatomy.

Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in Down’s Syndrome

Introduction: Association of Down’s syndrome and Hypothyroidism is reported since long time. It is difficult to diagnose Hypothyroidism in Down’s syndrome as the symptoms overlap. Different studies reveal different views regarding the association. So in present study we tried to find out the association between Down’ syndrome and Hypothyroidism. Methodology: Present study was conducted at “Down Syndrome care association, Nashik, India”. The study group was 68 known cases of Down’s syndrome. TSH levels were obtained from blood sample at the earliest. Data was analysed statistically. Results: Overall population had 36% cases had high TSH levels. High TSH level in children below 5 years is 24%. The high level of TSH in children of the age group 5 years to 10 years is 46%. And percentage of children above the age of 10 years with high TSH level is 83.34%. Conclusion: Percentage of thyroid dysfunction is defiantly higher in children’s suffering from Down’ syndrome than normal population. Percentage goes higher as the age increases, so periodic check-up of thyroid function is recommended.