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Ceroplastic, the art of wax modelling, is a depiction mode that has been used widely throughout time for artistic, religious and social purposes. During the 16th Century, ceroplastic became also an essential tool for medical education thanks to the creation of the first anatomical wax models. For centuries, anatomists have worked with artists with the aim of producing faithful and long-lasting wax artefacts that reproduce physiological and/or pathological conditions. Important figures such as Ercole Lelli and Anna Morandi Manzolini refined the techniques of the anatomical wax modelling and created works that are to date preciously conserved. The scientific and didactic value of these works was indisputable, for wax anatomical models have deeply facilitated the education of medical students in that time. Nowadays, a similar impact on medical education is given by new technologies such as augmented reality, that allows the addition of virtual contents to tangible anatomical 3D models. Under this light, anatomical wax models and augmented reality can be compared as two innovative tools that have changed the history of anatomical teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alterations of inositide signalling regulated by PI-PLCbeta1/Cyclin D3/PKCalpha or Akt/mTOR pathways are associated with MDS1. Most MDS patients may need transfusions of RBCs to correct anemia, but iron overload and increased oxidative stress are common collateral effects of this approach2, that is why they are treated with Deferasirox (DFX) as iron chelator3. Here, we further analyzed the molecular effect of iron stress and DFX therapy on inositide signalling, using hematopoietic cell lines and MDS samples, with the aim to identify new molecular markers of DFX response. The study included BM samples obtained from 6 transfusion-dependent MDS patients treated with DFX from 2006 to 2019, and 6 BM samples from healthy subjects who had given informed consent according to the Declaration of Helsinki. 3 patients were responders, and 3 were non responders. All samples came from the Institute of Hematology "L e A Seràgnoli", Bologna, Italy, where also the clinical data were collected. Gene/protein expression were evaluated on mononuclear cells at diagnosis and during the therapy, by Real-Time PCR and immunocytochemistry. Cell lines were treated with 150 µM FeCl for 48h and DFX 50 µM for 6h, used alone or in combination to imitate in vitro the patients' dose. Cell cycle and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry, along with the analysis of ROS production. We also studied the expression of enzymes related to inositide signalling, cytokine secretion and Akt/mTOR activation. Responder patients showed higher baseline levels of PI-PLCbeta1/Cyclin D3/PKCalpha expression, as compared both with non-responders and healthy subjects. During DFX therapy, ROS production and inositide signalling increased only in non responder patients, while in responder patients, as well as in K562 cells treated with FeCl +DFX, gene and protein expression remained almost constant. On the contrary, THP-1 cells were not affected. All in all, our results show for the first time that the expression of PI-PLCbeta1/Cyclin D3/PKCalpha pathway is directly associated with iron-induced oxidative stress and ROS production in MDS and hematopoietic cells. The apparent nuclear localization of inositides during treatment could hint at a specific involvement of this signalling pathway during oxidative stress, that could be linked to a specific regulation of hematopoietic differentiation and needs further investigation, first in a larger number of patients' cells, then in other in vitro experimental models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venerina (little Venus) is the name given to a wax model representing a pregnant young woman that was created in Florence (Italy) by Clemente Susini (1754–1814) in 1782. It is currently located in the historic Science Museum of the University of Bologna. The model was constructed so as to enable removal of the thoracic and abdominal walls and various organs, exposing the heart, diaphragm and an opened uterus with a well-developed fetus. The woman is small, about 145 cm (4′ 9′) tall and of delicate build; she looks like a teenage girl. We know that Clemente Susini worked directly with the cadaver and copied the anatomical preparation exactly. This artist often represented the true structure using a wax mould; the existence of two other versions of this specimen suggests that this model was made in this way. Therefore, Venerina’s body may be a faithful representation of a young woman who died while pregnant. Observation of the body confirms that the organs are normal, except for the heart and great vessels. The walls of both ventricles are of equal thickness and the ventricles themselves of approximately equal size. The arch of the aorta and the enlarged pulmonary trunk are connected by a short duct about 3.5 mm in diameter. If this structure represents an open arterial duct, we can deduce that the two ventricles worked under the same conditions of blood pressure, hence their equal wall thickness. If the young woman died from this congenital disease, the cause of death has been diagnosed on a wax model of her body after more than two centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human body dissection is fundamental in medical education, as it allows future physicians to learn about the body's morphology in three dimensions, to recognize anatomical variations and to develop and increase the essential qualities of respect, compassion and empathy for patients. It is equally important in clinical training as it allows surgeons to improve their manual dexterity and practical skills and to test innovative surgical techniques and devices. In Italy prior to 2020, body acquisition and use for study and research purposes were regulated by a generic set of old directives and national decrees which dealt only marginally with these issues. However, in 2013, a whole body donation program was officially set up at the Institute of Human Anatomy of the University of Bologna. Completely free and voluntary informed consent has always been regarded as a core prerequisite and, since its inception, the program exclusively accepted bequeathed bodies. On February 10, 2020, a specific law governing the disposition of post mortem human body and tissues for study, training and scientific research purposes was definitively enacted. The present work traces the University of Bologna's experience leading to the whole body donation program and the brand new dissecting room. It describes the program of Bologna as an example of "good practice" in body donation, aimed at ensuring education and clinical training by means of both traditional gross anatomy and innovative technology. Moreover, it analyzes the results achieved in terms of increased donor enrollment and improved teaching/training quality and the strengths of this program in light of the provisions enshrined in the new law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]