Anatomia | Invitation to Read the Editor’s Choice Articles Published in 2024
We are pleased to share the following editor’s choice articles published in Anatomia (ISSN: 2813-0545). Our Editors-in-Chief selected these papers from the most notable papers published in Volume 3. All these papers are of particular interest and importance to readers and have been well received by researchers.
1. “The Complexity of the Pancreatic Lymphatic System and the Key Role of Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis Prediction: A Comprehensive Review”
by Fábio França Vieira e Silva, Andrea Ballini, Marina Di Domenico and María Elena Padín-Iruegas
Anatomia 2024, 3(2), 124-135; https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia3020010
Editor’s comments:
The anatomical knowledge of the lymphatic system draining from the pancreas has enormous implications for our understanding of the spreading of pancreatic cancer. It is associated with a worse prognosis in the short-term outcome of this severe neoplasm. The article combined a detailed anatomical description of the pancreas lymph nodes with a molecular analysis of specific markers, which may associate with lymphatic spreading, such as the Homing cell adhesion molecule (CD44), Prominin-1 (CD133), Bicaudal-C (BICC1), and others (SMAD4, VEGF-D, M2-TAM, and CA19-9). These may help to refine the diagnoses and prognosis of pancreatic cancer.
2. “Cytoarchitectonic Analysis and 3D Maps of the Mesial Piriform Region in the Human Brain”
by Olga Kedo, Sebastian Bludau, Christian Schiffer, Hartmut Mohlberg, Timo Dickscheid and Katrin Amunts
Anatomia 2024, 3(2), 68-92; https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia3020007
Editor’s comments:
The manuscript provides a useful and skillful 3D mapping of a small allorcortical area, which is emerging as a critical site, in acute neurological insults such as epileptic seizures, and chronic degenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The classic conceptualization of the piriform cortex deals with its role as a primary olfactory cortex. The Author provided a useful mapping of specific pirifom sub-regions, which may help anatomical in vivo imaging of this area, which remains difficult to describe in detail during routine MRI. The Authors conclude that probabilistic maps indicate high interindividual variability. These maps are made openly available via the digital EBRAINS platform to serve as an anatomical reference for in vivo human anatomical studies.
3. “Morphological and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Bone Structure and Cell–Cell Communication in a Rat Osteoporosis Model”
by Kristina Glenske, Asmaa Eldaey, Stephanie Schaalo, Stefan Arnhold, Christian Heiss, Reiner Schnettler, Sabine Wenisch and Mohamed I. Elashry
Anatomia 2024, 3(2), 93-109; https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia3020008
Editor’s comments:
The original article provides an innovative molecular and anatomical characterization of bone structure based on specific antigens that are active in cell-to-cell signaling. The interactions of these molecules with specific cell types are likely to regulate bone remodeling, while altered communications may underlie an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption, leading to bone diseases such as osteoporosis. The main finding consists of providing evidence for a potential role of changes in Cx43 distribution in bone cells in causing altered trabecular mineralization. This suggests that Cx43 may play a role in the progression of osteoporosis and is a potential target to improve bone remodeling.
4. “Morphological Research Directions at Neuroscience-Related Institutes of the German Max Planck Society, 1948–2002”
by Frank W. Stahnisch
Anatomia 2024, 3(4), 301-332; https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia3040024
Editor’s comments:
Dr. Stanish wrote a fascinating chronicle of the primary role of neuroanatomy in driving the evolution of Neuroscience Research at the German Max Planck Society. The article stems from the role of neuroanatomy in the activity at the Kaiser Wilhelm Society (after World War II), which formed a legacy to develop and create the Max Planck Society covering the time period from 1948 to 2002. Neuroanatomical studies range from detailed descriptions in gross anatomy up to fine molecular characterization of the brain network serving as the basis to understand brain functions. The pivot role of anatomy in the development of neuroscience in Germany and the profile of eminent German neuroscientists are analyzed in their historical and prospective context.
5. “The Foot Musculature of the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta): An Anatomical Study”
by Christophe Casteleyn, Max Bosmans, Sofie Muylle and Jaco Bakker
Anatomia 2024, 3(4), 256-276; https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia3040022
Editor’s comments:
This accurate article analyzes the foot muscles of Macaca Mulatta, which has a 93.5% genome similarity to humans. As often occurs in anatomical studies related to humans, original findings are much more abundant in non-primates compared with primates, which sometimes leads to correct educational and functional outcomes. The article reports the paucity of atlases and images covering the various anatomical systems in primates, which limits the background knowledge in the field of human anatomy and produces a lack of specific knowledge in veterinary non-human primates. The article provides a follow-up of recent studies producing detailed evidence about topographical anatomy, analyzing the foot muscles. Full-color stereomicroscopic photographs were produced following serial layer-by-layer (from the superficial to the deepest) dissections of the feet of three rhesus monkeys. The foot musculature of the rhesus monkey shows a large overlapping with its human counterparts, although some important differences were noticed.
6. “Anatomical and Histological Analyses of Rare Pancake Kidney”
by Lindsey Koper, Rachell L. Quarles, Janine M. Ziermann-Canabarro, Tashanti Bridgett, Paola Correa-Alfonzo and Sulman J. Rahmat
Anatomia 2024, 3(3), 202-214; https://doi.org/10.3390/anatomia3030016
Editor’s comments:
The rare anatomical variant of a pancake kidney was described in this article, which represents an interesting correlation between gross anatomy and structural effects produced by two merged kidneys, where abnormal placement, shape, and structures were described post mortem in an asymptomatic patient. The pancake variant of kidney fusion is the rarest, being present in approximately 1:65,000–375,000 individuals. The gross anatomy and kidney histology described in the article represent an exceptional chance to validate historical descriptions of rare variants, providing some clues about renal development and function. The study provides interesting information about abnormal vascularization and nephron structures.