[Quantitative evaluation of knee joint effusions with high resolution real-time sonography]. / Quantitative Evaluierung von Kniegelenksergüssen mit hochauflösender Real-Time-Sonographie.

In three human cadaver specimens an intraarticular effusion of the knee was simulated by injecting sodium chloride in 10 ml portions. The sonographic appearance and quantification as well as the location of the fluid were evaluated. Effusions of the knee joint are a principal sign for many diseases. Their sonographic evaluation is easy and provides valuable clinical information.

The human thyrocervical trunk: configuration and variability reinvestigated.

Reinvestigation of the configuration of the human thyrocervical trunk revealed, that in the presently investigated specimens the dorsal scapular artery is a direct branch of the subclavian artery in approximately 75% of the cases, whereas in the remaining 25% it is derived from the thyrocervical trunk, either directly or via the transverse cervical artery (Nomina anatomica 1977). The internal thoracic artery participates in the thyrocervical trunk in more than 10% of the observed cases. Thus, both dorsal scapular and internal thoracic artery have to be considered as facultative branches of the thyrocervical trunk. According to our results, the subclavian artery must be considered as the most common site of origin of the dorsal scapular artery. This vessel may be replaced by another artery in about one fourth of the cases. A survey of studies on the origin of the dorsal scapular artery clearly demonstrates that it is not warranted to give an overall numerical proportion for the main modes of branching. As yet no satisfactory explanation for the high degree of variability of these subclavian branches has been given. Especially the widely held notion of differences related to race, which is based on Adachi's (1928) work, has turned out to be invalid. Interpretation of variability may rather be based, as a general concept, on the late acquisition of a thyrocervical trunk in phylogeny as well as in ontogeny.

[Controlled dissecting laboratory trial of different phenol-free-embalming fluids in comparison with phenol-formalin-solution (author's transl)]. / Zur Präparatequalität von anatomischen Studienleichen: Vergleich verschiedener phenolfreier Rezepturen mit der klassischen Phenol-Formalin-Methode.

Phenyl and formaline, which are contained in a series of embalming fluid formulas, are considered to be disadvantageous in some respect. Different approaches were envisaged in order to minimize risks and to maintain a safe and suitable condition of specimens. Concentrations of phenol and formaldehyde in our customary formula were reduced to 4.1 and 0.82% respectively. Quality of specimen, which had been preserved with this fluid, was compared with that obtained with different phenol-free formulas in standardized dissecting laboratory trials. Best results were registered in bodies preserved with a solution containing ethanol, formaline and glycerine (Tutsch 1975). Quality of specimens preserved with phenol/formaline did not fall short of these to a decisive degree, whereas other solutions (Jores 1913; Neumann 1974) turned out to yield less desirable effects. Successful substitution of preservation with phenol proved to be practicable. Nevertheless high cost of alternative fluids prevented the substitution of our traditional phenol/formaline solution at large scale. In addition to results on comparison of effects of different embalming fluids a survey on our experience with consequent low-pressure injection of bodies and with a new storage system is given.

Neurotoxicity of kainic acid: evidence against an interaction with excitatory glutamate receptors in rat olfactory bulbs.

The hypothetical interaction of kainic acid (KA) at excitatory glutamate (GLU) receptors was tested by injecting this neurotoxin into the olfactory bulb (OB), since the putatively GLUergic output neurons of the OB are among the few neurons in the CNS that are not excited by GLU. However, the mitral (and tufted) cells are found to be highly and preferentially destroyed by KA, whereas the GLUreceptive interneurons of the OB appear to be relatively resistant to the neurotoxin. These findings suggest that the toxic effect of KA on OB neurons may be mediated by mechanisms other than by action on GLUreceptors.

[Feedback by objective tests for coordination of medical teaching (author's transl)]. / Rückmeldung durch objektive Wissenskontrollen als Hilfe zur Koordination des medizinischen-Unterrichts.

Within the framework of an experimentally introduced curriculum in Medical Physiology during the past three years, voluntary tests of the multiple-choice type were offered at the end of each term in order to provide students with feedback on their achievements. Positive results contribute to the final grade. Analysis of test results reveals improvement after the first year; results of subsequent tests are fairly stable. Selected items are presented in detail in order to show the distribution of choices. As revealed by item analysis the attractivity of distractors seems to be of a specific nature. Statistical results and interpretation of content of questions derived from different fields indicate that valuable feedback might be obtained from objective tests when interdisciplinary coordination of the curriculum is to be achieved.

[Microbiological monitoring of embalmed cadavera during dissection courses (author's transl)]. / Mikrobiologische Uberwachung von konservierten Studienleichen während des anatomischen Präparierkurses.

Microbiological monitoring of normal anatomical specimens was done in order to evaluate results which were obtained in a investigation of decay of embalmed cadavera. The process of decay was characterized by massive colonisation with enterobacteria and aerobic sporeformers. Under normal conditions mainly germs from skin and air are cultivated from surfaces of anatomical specimens, but only in small numbers. The number of germs is increased after periods of intensive preparative work. The results show that the main criterion for the microbiological quality of embalmed cadavera is resistency against external germs during course work. This is to be achieved by consequent preventive measures in the dissection laboratory.

[Comparison of disinfectant activity of 3 different embalming fluids on cadavera for anatomical study (author's transl)]. / Vergleichsuntersuchungen der Desinfektionswirkung verschiedener Konservierungslösungen für Anatomieleichen.

The antimicrobial effect of 3 different embalming fluids (Phenol/Formaline, JORES 1913 TUTSCH 1975) was evaluated from the beginning of the conservation process through storage in a new system (TUTSCH et al. 1971) and the subsequent dissection course. Endogenous bacteria are significantly reduced 24 hours after injection. Later on during the storage period of at least 6 months no germs are detected in swabs from orifices whereas Staphylococcus epidermidis and aerobic sporeforming bacteria were found on the surfaces of the bodies in some cases. The formula of the disinfectant (Phenol/Formaline or Merfen according to NEUMANN 1974) in the storage system appears to be of no significance. During dissection as a rule Staphylococcus epidermidis and a few aerobic sporeformers were found on the surface of specimens, at one time Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultivated too. Swabs from the peritoneal cavity and from contents of the intestine were sterile. Investigations by broth dilution method were carried out in order to evaluate the degree of bacteriostatic activity of the various fluids in use. This method is now routinely used for control of the disinfectants in the storage system.

[Experience with the written examination (multiple choice test) in the teaching of anatomy]. / Erfahrungen mit der schriftlichen Prüfung (Wahlantwort-Verfahren) im Anatomieunterricht

All students (400 each winter-term) receive extensive information at the beginning of the course "anatomical propedeutics": a timetable with recommendations for learning, a list of instructional objectives and of terminology and an instruction for that type of test, the students never had experienced before. Feed-back is given by computer-output containing comments on the objective related to a wrong answer and indicating sub-test scores. Correlation of scores with results in the following dissection course seems to be acceptable. Questions of the multiple-choice test were compared by pairs with questions asked for in confrontation with the anatomical object. A strong coherence was found in answering correctly the multiple choice questions and the related oral exam. Over-all experience with a multiple choice test administered in Austria for the first time was rather encouraging.