Welcome to Anatomy & Morphology

It is my pleasure to introduce Anatomy & Morphology, a new peer-reviewed journal dedicated to providing a focused platform for research, discussion, and innovation in the structural sciences. As the Editor-in-Chief, I would like to share the vision behind this endeavor and highlight why a journal devoted exclusively to Anatomy and Morphology is both timely and essential.

The placenta plays an essential role in calcium transport and regulation during gestation; however, few studies have investigated the identification of placental transporters in animals. The present study aimed to identify calcium transporters in the placentas of postpartum alpacas. A total of 12 placentas were collected from adult huacaya alpacas. The mate- rial was fixed with a 10% formaldehyde solution and reduced in paraffin blocks. The material was fixed with a 10% formaldehyde solution and reduced in paraffin blocks. Sections measuring 5 μm were subjected to hematoxylin- eosin staining and immunohistochemical reactions to detect calbindin D-9K (CaBP-9K) and calbindin D-28K (CaBP-28K). The results obtained in the present study reveal chorionic projections exhibiting a trophoblast with va- riable cell morphology and multinucleated giant cells in the apical regions of the chorionic projections. In turn, columnar trophoblastic cells with a developed cytoplasm and a centric nucleus were observed. A moderate immunoexpression to CaBP-9K was identified in the chorionic trophoblast cells, being lower towards CaBP-28K, the multinucleated giant cells showed a moderate immunoexpression to both transporters, likewise, CaBP-28K showed a moderate reaction in the columnar cells, being more intense in the apical surface, while CaBP-9K showed a mild immunoexpression, regarding the allantois, this showed a moderate immunoexpression to CaBP- 28K. These results confirm a complex regulation system of placental calcium transport, since CaBP-28K would act as a regulator of calcium entry into trophoblast cells, especially in the tall columnar cells related to areola formation. At the same time, CaBP-9K, being lighter, is detectable in the trophoblast cytoplasm, thus confirming that calbindins mediate calcium transport in the alpaca placenta, this being the first report in the species.

Pulmonary venous drainage can exhibit anomalies of significant clinical relevance, often associated with interatrial septal defects. During a cadaveric dissection at the Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, an anomalous pulmonary venous pathway was identified. This variant replaced the right superior pulmonary vein and drained into the superior vena cava (SVC) instead of the left atrium. The anomalous pulmonary veins at the right hilum of lung were carefully dissected, along with the heart (right and left atria), in a female cadaver weighing 45 kg and preserved in formaldehyde. Dissection tools, a digital caliper for measurements, and a Nikon D500 camera for photographic documentation were employed. Five anomalous pulmonary venous branches were identified from the right lung lobe, with lengths ranging from 5 mm to 18 mm, draining into the SVC. Additionally, a patent foramen ovale of heart was observed in the cardiac anatomy. Anomalies in pulmonary venous drainage have critical implications in clinical and surgical settings. A thorough anatomical understanding is essential for any intervention involving the pulmonary vasculature. Several classifications exist for anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, with that of Kirklin and Barret-Boyes being among the most widely referenced. The findings in this case correspond to Type I of this classification, though notably associated with a patent foramen ovale of heart rather than a venous sinus, which is more commonly observed in Type I cases.

There are multiple brain functions, including sensory, motor, cognitive, perceptual, memory-related, chemosensory, behavioral, and salutogenic processes. However, beyond establishing afferent and efferent functional pathways, the brain actively compares predictions. This requires specialized neuronal populations involved in both motor and sensory domains to process information prospectively, functioning as a neurobiological processor that generates inferences. The aim of the present work is to offer a perspective on brain function based on its predictive capacity. KEY WORDS: brain, predictive coding, neuroanatomy.

The book Advances in Plastination Techniques by Dr. Nicolás E. Ottone (Springer Nature, 2023) offers a comprehensive and methodologically rigorous overview of plastination, consolidating its role in anatomical education, research, and public engagement. This reflection highlights the book's thorough historical contextualization of anatomical preservation methods and its detailed description of plastination techniques using silicone, epoxy, and polyester resins. Notable innovations such as ultra-thin sectioning and microplastination are emphasized for their value in correlating micro- and macroanatomy, morphometric analysis, and 3D reconstruction. The work also addresses critical topics including biosecurity, ethical considerations surrounding body donation, and the institutional role of the International Society for Plastination. Moreover, the book explores the applications of plastinated specimens in clinical training, comparative anatomy, and forensic science—particularly when integrated with advanced imaging technologies. Ottone’s contribution is positioned as an essential reference for morphologists, educators, and biomedical researchers engaged in anatomical preservation.

This study presents the first documented experience of plastination of hollow human viscera (cecum, appendix, and colon) in Bolivia, specifically in the city of La Paz, located at 4,150 meters above sea level. The primary objective was to assess the technical feasibility of performing plastination at room temperature, taking advantage of the reduced atmospheric pressure as a potential benefit during the forced impregnation stage. A human specimen fixed in 10% formalin was used, with prior vascular treatment using resin, and progressively dehydrated with acetone until reaching a concentration of 99.5%. Forced impregnation with flexible resin (silicone) was carried out using an active-passive vacuum protocol, adapted to high-altitude conditions, with alternating 8- hour phases of active and passive vacuum. The specimen was then positioned and periodically inflated with air during the polymerization process, using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) for curing. The results indicated successful anatomical preservation without structural collapse, achieving optimal handling and morphological stability of the plastinated specimen. This pioneering experience demonstrates the technical viability of room-temperature plastination at high altitude and represents a valuable contribution to the development of didactic anatomical resources within the Bolivian academic context.