Preserved Specimens Research Articles

Threatened and extinct amphibians and reptiles in Italian natural history collections are useful conservation tools

Natural history museums are irreplaceable tools to study and preserve the biological diversity around the globe and among the primary actors in the recognition of species and the logical repositories for their type specimens. In this paper we surveyed the consistency of the preserved specimens of amphibians and reptiles housed in the major Italian scientific collections, and verified the presence of threatened species according to the IUCN Red List, including the Extinct (EX), Extinct in the Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), and Vulnerable (VU) categories. Altogether, we analyzed 39 Italian zoological collections. We confirmed the presence of one extinct reptile (Chioninia coctei) and five extinct or extinct in the wild amphibian species (Atelopus longirostris, Nectophrynoides asperginis, Pseudophilautus leucorhinus, P. nasutus, and P. variabilis). Seven CR amphibians, fourteen CR reptile species and the extinct skink C. coctei are shared by more than one institution. Museums which host the highest number of threatened and extinct amphibian species are respectively Turin (17 CR and 1 EX), Florence (13 CR and 1 EX), and Trento (15 CR and 1 EW), while for reptiles the richest museums are those from Genoa (15 CR and 1 EX), Florence (11 CR and 1 EX), and Pisa (7 CR). Finally, we discussed the utility of natural history museums and the strategies to follow for the implementation of their functionality.

First records of Mylonchulus brachyuris (Bütschli, 1873) (Nematoda, Mononchida, Mylonchulidae) from South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Mononchids are predatory soil nematodes of ecological and agricultural importance. Our morphological examination of preserved mononchid specimens collected from South Kalimantan, Indonesia, revealed that they are Mylonchulus brachyuris (Bütschli, 1873). The morphological characters of these South Kalimantan specimens generally fit the published descriptions of this species. However, they have some deviations which are considered to be intraspecific variations and contribute to a redescription of the species. This is the first report of M. brachyuris from Indonesia, expanding the the distribution of the genus Mylonchulus Cobb, 1916 and adding to the nematode fauna in the Indonesian archipelago.

Evidence for continent-wide convergent evolution and stasis throughout 150 y of a biological invasion

The extent to which evolution can rescue a species from extinction, or facilitate range expansion, depends critically on the rate, duration, and geographical extent of the evolutionary response to natural selection. Adaptive evolution can occur quickly, but the duration and geographical extent of contemporary evolution in natural systems remain poorly studied. This is particularly true for species with large geographical ranges and for timescales that lie between “long-term” field experiments and the fossil record. Here, we introduce the Virtual Common Garden (VCG) to investigate phenotypic evolution in natural history collections while controlling for phenotypic plasticity in response to local growing conditions. Reconstructing 150 y of evolution in Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) as it invaded North America, we analyze phenology measurements of 3,429 herbarium records, reconstruct growing conditions from more than 12 million local temperature records, and validate predictions across three common gardens spanning 10° of latitude. We find that phenological clines have evolved repeatedly throughout the range, during the first century of evolution. Thereafter, the rate of microevolution stalls, recapitulating macroevolutionary stasis observed in the fossil record. Our study demonstrates that preserved specimens are a critical resource for investigating limits to evolution in natural populations. Our results show how natural selection and trade-offs measured in field studies predict adaptive divergence observable in herbarium specimens over 15 decades at a continental scale.

DNA Barcoding of Potential Mosquito Disease Vectors (Diptera, Culicidae) in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

The conventional morphological characterization of mosquito species remains heavily used for species identification in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. It requires substantial expertise and time, as well as having difficulty in confirming identity of morphologically similar species. Therefore, to establish a reliable and accurate identification system that can be applied to understanding spatial distribution of local mosquito species from the Jazan region, DNA barcoding was explored as an integrated tool for mosquito species identification. In this study, 44 adult mosquito specimens were analyzed, which contain 16 species belong to three genera of potential mosquito disease vectors (Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex). The specimens were collected from the Jazan region located in southwest Saudi Arabia. These included old and preserved mosquito voucher specimens. In addition, we assessed the genetic distance based on the generated mitochondrial partial COI DNA barcodes to detect cryptic diversity across these taxa. Nine mosquito species belonging to three genera were successfully barcoded and submitted to GenBank, namely: Aedes aegypti, Aedes caspius, Aedes vexans, Aedes vittatus, Anopheles arabiensis, Culex pipiens, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex sitiens, and Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Of these nine species, Aedes vexans, Aedes vittatus, Culex sitiens, and Culex tritaeniorhynchus were registered in GenBank for the first time from Saudi Arabia. The DNA barcodes generated a 100% match to known barcodes of these mosquito species, that also matched with the morphological identification. Ae. vexans was found to be either a case of cryptic species (subspecies) or a new species from the region. However, more research has to be conducted to prove the latter. This study directly contributes to the development of a molecular reference library of mosquito species from the Jazan region and Saudi Arabia. The library is essential for confirmation of species in support of existing mosquito surveillance and control programmes.

Cryodehydration protocol to obtain high-quality permanent anatomical material.

The study of anatomy is largely dependent on cadaveric specimens to fulfill the tridimensional comprehension of each structure as well as the relationship between organs. Given the difficult access to fresh anatomical specimens, the constant renovation of samples for research and educational purposes is unsustainable, beyond the ethical issues involved. The standard technique for preserving specimens involves fixation and later immersion in formaldehyde, which enables a good result, but also presents elevated carcinogenic potential. Therefore, safe and efficient preservation methods are mandatory for anatomical practices and investigations. An accessible and inexpensive alternative for specimen preservation is cryodehydration. Cryodehydrated specimens can be kept dry, with no final odor, reducing the use and exposure to formaldehyde. The objective of this study was to propose a simplified step-by-step cryodehydration protocol to obtain high-quality anatomical specimens. Through consecutive freezing and thawing cycles, cryodehydration caused a weight reduction of 60%-70% and allowed anatomical preservation, while maintaining the main morphological aspects of cavitary and parenchymatous organs, muscles, or even full-body sections. The final specimens presented high durability and can be maintained for decades, preserving all relevant anatomical features.

Cryptic Species Diversification of the Pedicularis siphonantha Complex (Orobanchaceae) in the Mountains of Southwest China Since the Pliocene.

Morphological approaches often fail to delimit species in recently derived species complexes. This can be exacerbated in historical collections which may have lost key features in specimen preparation and preservation. Here, we examine the Pedicularis siphonantha complex, endemic to the Mountains of Southwest China. This complex is characterized by its red/purple/pink and long-tubular corolla, and twisted, beaked galea. However, herbarium specimens are often difficult to identify to species. Molecular approaches using nrITS or nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) + plastid DNA (ptDNA) have been successfully used for species identification in Pedicularis. To resolve taxonomic confusion in the Pedicularis siphonantha complex, we reconstructed phylogenies of the complex using nrITS and four plastid DNA loci (matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, and trnL-F). To recover as much of the phylogenetic history as possible, we sampled individuals at the population level. Topological incongruence between the nrITS and ptDNA datasets was recovered in clades including two widely distributed species, Pedicularis milliana and Pedicularis tenuituba. Based on morphological, geographical, and genetic evidence, we suggest that hybridization/introgression has occurred between P. milliana and Pedicularis sigmoidea/Pedicularis sp. 1 in the Yulong Snow Mountain of Lijiang, northwest Yunnan, and between P. tenuituba and Pedicularis leptosiphon in Ninglang, northwest Yunnan. After removing conflicting DNA regions in Pedicularis dolichosiphon (nrITS) and P. milliana (ptDNA), the concatenated nrITS and ptDNA phylogenies distinguish 11 species in the P. siphonantha complex, including two undescribed species, from the Jiaozi and Yulong Snow Mountains, respectively. Phylogeographical analyses indicate that the P. siponantha complex originated from south of the Hengduan Mountains, expanding north to the Himalayas and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Moreover, the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and climate oscillations may have driven further diversification in the complex.

Herbaria collections as cues of leaf trait adjustments in Senecio pyrenaicus subsp. carpetanus in response to environmental aggravation.

The direct link of stomatal traits to fundamental physiological processes makes them critical attributes fordefining leaves’ physiological potential. Stomatal traits can serve as proficient ecophysiological proxies of plant responses to changing environments. Studying stomatal patterns and structures in leaves could be a particularly suitable approach to assess plant responses to the current climate crisis imperiling our ecosystems. The reconstruction of plant responses to past conditions could be attained by assessing stomatal and other foliar traits from preserved specimens in herbarium collections associated with primary strategies (i.e., growth, resource gaining, water usage). In combination with climatic records, studying these traits offers a promising and rarely explored venue in the context of changing climate. The assessment of herbarium specimens offers a powerful tool to reproduce long-term trait variations along shifting climates when monitoring programs are inexistent. This research aims to unveil the great potential in-built in herbaria specimens to discern long-termfeedbacks at various scales (morphologic, physiologic) in the high-mountain herb Senecio pyrenaicus subsp. carpetanus. The latter to foresee its enduring capacity to the challenging conditions during its growing season in Sierra de Guadarrama and their expected aggravation due to the ongoing climate crisis. Analysis of conserved and recent specimens revealed S. carpetanus could adjust to the shift to drier growing seasons in these mountains and the aggravating climate over the last three decades by modifying leaf micromorphological traits (i.e., smaller, densely packed stomata) and leaf size.Additionally, these results suggest a potential influence of the reportedly increasing O3 levels in the study site on the observed increases in stomatal density and reduced stomatal size. These findings point out a potential improvement in the control of stomatal aperture and in minimizing the incoming rates of O3 to plant cells. Overall, this research expects to draw attention to the valuable evidence in herbaria collections to assess plant distribution variations, morphology, and phenology across spatial and time scales. Similarly, it intends to open the gate for future studies incorporating herbaria collections to evaluate plant responses and predict their ensuing fitness under changing environmental conditions.

On the distribution of the species of the genus Hebius Thompson, 1913 (Squamata: Natricidae) in northern Thailand, including the description of a new species and a discussion on snake diversity of this region.

We examined and identified preserved specimens, skins, and photographs from a collection of 83 snakes from northern Thailand presenting the characters of the genus Hebius Thompson, 1913. They belong to at least six different taxa divided into five species including a new one described here, namely H. bitaeniatus (Wall, 1925), H. deschauenseei (Taylor, 1934), H. igneus David, Vogel, Nguyen, Orlov, Pauwels, Teyni Ziegler, 2021, Hebius khasiensis (Boulenger, 1890), and a series of specimens with strong similarities to H. khasiensis that are here preliminary identified as Hebius cf. khasiensis. Furthermore, we obtained a series of 21 different specimens in the most western strip of the region that we could not refer to any presently known species. We refer these specimens to a new species that we describe here. For each of these taxa, we provide the list of localities and specify the geographic range in northern Thailand. Lastly, we also discuss the diversity of the snake fauna of northern Thailand.

First Specimen-based Records of Redfin Emperor <i>Monotaxis heterodon</i> (Perciformes: Lethrinidae) from Japan, with New Diagnostic Characters Applicable to Identification of Preserved Specimens

Twenty-four specimens (184.6–243.6 mm in standard length) of Monotaxis Anonymous [Bennett], 1830, collected from the Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan, were identified as M. heterodon (Bleeker, 1854) (Perciformes: Lethrinidae). Although a widely distributed Indo-West Pacific species, all previous records from Japanese waters have been based solely on photographs, the present specimens therefore representing the first specimen-based records of M. heterodon from Japan. A detailed comparison between M. heterodon and its only congener, M. grandoculis (Forsskål, 1775), from which it has previously been distinguished primarily by scale rows below the lateral line and fresh or live coloration, revealed new diagnostic characters, most of which are applicable to preserved specimens. In addition to previously recognized characters, the two species can be distinguished by mid-dorsal snout profile in adults (concave vs. straight), snout length (excluding lips) [8.9–11.1 (mean 9.9) % of SL vs. 10.3–12.1 (11.2) % SL], spinous anal-fin base length [4.6–5.9 (5.0) % of SL vs. 3.9–4.9 (4.4) % SL], a distinct black blotch above the pupil (absent vs. present), a dark brown stripe across the post interorbital region in preserved specimens (present vs. absent), and preserved coloration of the pectoral-fin base inner surface (blackish brown vs. light brown).

Estimating Macroinvertebrate Biomass for Stream Ecosystem Assessments.

We propose a field procedure for estimating the dry biomass of stream macroinvertebrates. Estimates are calculated using the mean values of the a and b regression coefficients from unpublished data and an extensive review of the relevant literature. The regression equation employed for calculating dry biomass is one that has been extensively used: Y = aXb, where Y = mg dry mass of an individual macroinvertebrate; X = mm total body length of an individual macroinvertebrate; a = intercept coefficient of the Y on X regression; and b = slope coefficient Y on X. The procedure was developed for use in the field, but dry mass estimates can also be made on preserved specimens. The case is made for presenting stream macroinvertebrate dry biomass data categorized by functional feeding groups (FFGs) and their component higher level taxa. The tables summarize the FFGs and their food resources, mean regression coefficients, dry biomass estimates for FFG-taxa by size and a comparison of their numerical-to-gravimetric surrogate FFG ratios to predict the stream environmental condition. A sizing template for rapidly sorting macroinvertebrates in the field is described. Thresholds for surrogate FFG ratios that directly predict measured stream ecosystem conditions are described.

Biophysics of Cryopreservation

A significant credit towards today’s scientific and medical advancements goes to the technique of cryopreservation. Cryopreservation refers to the maintenance of cellular life at subzero temperatures for a definite period of time in a state of suspended cellular metabolism. The technique has become an indispensable step in most scientific research and medical applications like assisted reproduction, transplantations, and cell-based therapies where-in it allows the long-term preservation of biological specimens like gametes, embryos, viruses, cells and tissues. Although already an extensively used technique, a significant proportion of the cryopreserved samples still incur notable damage. Ultimately this leads to a decreased post-thaw viability and proliferation. Moreover, it is also possible that events during the freezing process, provoke more serious disturbances in the preserved material with regard to its identity and functionality. Hence, with the need to use the technique more judiciously, additional studies are needed for optimizing the current cryopreservation methods in use. For this, a thorough understanding of the normal physiological changes that the cryopreserved sample undergoes and the physics of cryopreservation seems plausible. The review thus aims to unravel the current knowledge on the complex physico-chemical processes and reactions that occur during the standard cryopreservation techniques.

A glimpse of a Gondwanan postglacial fossil forest

The rooted nature of vegetation allows for individual plants or entire communities to be buried in life position under exceptional geological conditions, thereby preserving their ecology and spatial distribution in the stratigraphic record. Upright lycopsids are not uncommon within paleoequatorial Carboniferous coal-bearing deposits, but they are rare in mid- to high-paleolatitude Gondwana, where they have only been found in lower Permian strata. An exceptionally well preserved in situ Brasilodendron-like lycopsid forest is described from an early Permian postglacial paleolandscape of western Gondwana (Paraná Basin, Brazil). The forest depicted here is unique given its extratropical location, as well as the exceptional preservation of abundant specimens and their morphological and paleoecological aspects. Over 150 lycopsid stumps, with a clustered spatial organization, were mapped. The host succession, overlying glaciomarine diamictites by a few tens of meters, captures the terminal deglaciation in the Paraná Basin, and shows that these forests could establish dense communities on poorly developed soils in postglacial times. Sedimentological data suggest that the death and burial of these lycopsids in life position were caused by crevasse splay progradation over the colonized interdistributary bay areas as a consequence of a major river flooding event.

Charniodiscus and Arborea Are Separate Genera Within the Arboreomorpha: Using the Holotype of C. concentricus to Resolve a Taphonomic/Taxonomic Tangle

Charniodiscus is one of the most iconic and first described of the Ediacaran frondose taxa. Since the diagnosis of the holotype of C. concentricus in 1958, the scarcity and poor preservation of unequivocal specimens has resulted in genus-level taxonomic uncertainty. Since the recent reinterpretation of C. concentricus as a multifoliate frond, other Charniodiscus species—all of which are bifoliate—have been left in taxonomic limbo, with most authors comparing them to the clade Arboreomorpha and also the Rangeomorpha. Reconsideration of the taphonomy of the holotype of C. concentricus has revealed that the frond is bifoliate as first described, and also that the frondose portion was broadly conical rather than planar as previously inferred. The conical frond of Charniodiscus is thus morphologically quite different from all other frondose taxa within the Arboreomorpha. Our emendation of the generic diagnosis of Charniodiscus to encompass bifoliate arboreomorphs with conical fronds without a backing sheet distinguishes Charniodiscus concentricus and C. procerus from more planar leaf-like arboreomorphs such as Arborea arborea, A. longa and A. spinosa, all of which have a distinctive backing sheet. Additionally, we find no evidence of rangeomorph-type fractal branching in Charniodiscus.

Comparative Anatomy of the Caudal Skeleton of Cyprinid Fishes

With at least 3006 species, the family Cyprinidae is the most varied group of freshwater fishes in the entire globe. The development of a more thorough understanding of the evolution within any taxon can be assisted using osteological data. The current study is the first attempt to investigate the osteological relationships among members of the Subfamily- Labeoninae- tribe Garrini (Garra mullya), Subfamily Smiliogastrinae (Puntius mahecola, Puntius sahyadriensis, Rohtee ogilbii and Systomus sarana), Family Danionidae (Barilius barna, Barilius bendelisis and Salmophasia balookee), Family- Danionidae Subfamily Danioninae (Devariao aequipinatus) and Family DanionidaeSubfamily Rasborinae (Rasbora daniconius and Rasbora labiosa). Members of the aforementioned species were procured from local markets or collected from the wild from Lonavala, Karjat, Patan, Pune, Bhor, and Malvan, and they were then preserved in either absolute alcohol or 4% buffered formalin. These preserved specimens were identified and used for cleaning and staining with slight modifications to the Taylor and Van Dyke (1985) methodology. Under an Olympus SZX Stereo microscope, these cleaned and stained specimens were examined. Photos were taken, and pictures or drawings were created for further research. Variations in the caudal fin's components were studied.

SpeciesLink: dados valiosos e ferramentas inovadoras para avaliações digitais da biodiversidade

Abstract speciesLink is a large-scale biodiversity information portal that exists thanks to a broad collaborative network of people and institutions. CRIA’s involvement with the scientific community of Brazil and other countries is responsible for the significant results achieved, currently reaching more than 15 million primary biodiversity data records, 95% of which are associated with preserved specimens and about 25% with high-quality digital images. The network provides data on over 200,000 species, of which over 110,000 occur in Brazil. This article describes thematic networks within speciesLink, as well as some of the most useful tools developed. The importance and contributions of speciesLink are outlined, as are concerns about securing stable budgetary support for such biodiversity data e-infrastructures. Here we review the value of speciesLink as a major source of biodiversity information for research, education, informed decision-making, policy development, and bioeconomy.

A Cadaveric Study of Radial Artery and Cephalic Vein in Forearm and Hand: A Guideline for Radio-cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula Planning

Introduction: The creation and maintenance of uninterrupted Haemodialysis (HD) is dependent on the quality and reliability of vascular access. The native Radio-cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula (RCAVF) is the vascular access of choice for HD in patients with end stage renal diseases. A thorough understanding of the vascular anatomy is critical in selecting the site for the RCAVF that provides the flow rates necessary for the development of an optimal outflow vein. The widespread use of the doppler ultrasound has facilitated the identification of vessels that are suitable for fistula construction. Aim: To analyse the surgical anatomy of radial artery and cephalic vein in the front of forearm and dorsum of hand, pertinent to RCAVF planning. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional cadaveric of 30 formalin preserved upper limbs specimens of adult human cadavers was done in the Department of Anatomy, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, (n=22 limbs) from August 2016 to April 2018 and Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India (n=8 limbs) from November 2018 to November 2019. The external diameter of radial artery, cephalic vein and distance between radial artery and cephalic vein were measured at mid forearm, front of wrist and Anatomical Snuff Box (ASB). Measurements were taken with sliding vernier caliper to an accuracy of 0.01 mm. All the measurements were tabulated separately for right and left-side. The data was analysed using Microsoft excel. Descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation (SD) and range were evaluated for all the parameters collected. The paired t-test was applied to compare the right and left-side measurements. Results: Amongst 30 formalin preserved specimens of upper limbs of human cadavers analysed, the diameter of radial artery was 3±0.26 mm on the right-side and 2.87±0.24 mm on the left- side and of cephalic vein was 2.5±0.59 mm on the right-side and 2.9±0.33 mm in ASB. The distance between radial artery and cephalic vein were 2.5 ±0.59 mm on the right-side and 2.9±0.33 mm on the left-side which was minimum in ASB. The distance between radial artery and cephalic vein was maximum at wrist (4.02±0.76 mm and 4.2±0.71 mm on the right and left hand). Conclusion: The fistula formation in ASB may give better results as the radial artery and cephalic vein are closer as compared to wrist and midforearm with reasonable diameter. Additionally, it would also provide long segment of vein for arterialization.

ВЕЛИКАЯ ХАРТИЯ ВОЛЬНОСТЕЙ КАК ПРАВОВОЙ АКТ, КУЛЬТУРНО-ИСТОРИЧЕСКИЙ АРТЕФАКТ И ОБЪЕКТ ИЗОБРАЗИТЕЛЬНОГО ИСКУССТВА

The article gives a comprehensive description of the Magna Carta of 1215 in the totality of three aspects as a legal act, a cultural and historical artifact and an object of fine art. The author proceeds from the fact that the originality of each of the aspects reinforces and strengthens the rest, giving special uniqueness to the Magna Carta of 1215 and turning it into an important element of modern culture. To analyze each of the aspects, the corresponding scientific method is used: comparativistic, formal-logical, source-research, retrospective, semiotic, etc. The characterization of the Magna Carta of 1215 as a legal act reflects its place in the legal system of Great Britain as part of the country's constitution. At the same time, special attention is paid to the ambiguous situation of its adoption. The article shows that this is a legal instrument that has had a huge impact on the formation of modern ideas about the constitutional system around the world, especially with regard to human rights. Considered as a cultural and historical artifact, the Great Charter of Liberties has a whole set of features that give it special value and make the preserved specimens unique. The circumstances associated with its adoption, the materials and ink used at that time to produce official documents, the methods of authenticating the document and other historical and cultural features of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta of 1215 make it an interesting object of historical and cultural research. As an object of fine art, the Great Charter of Liberties was embodied both in serious monumental works and in caricatures; both in the works of artists and sculptors creating works of elitist art, and in works related to mass culture. The latter is illustrated by examples of images on clothing and vector Internet culture.

Attitude towards oral biopsy among general dental practitioners of Vadodara, a city in Western state of India

Introduction: In practice, the diagnosis of certain oral lesions must be made by biopsy. A biopsy constitutes an essential diagnostic tool in application to patients with oral pathology. However oral biopsy is not routinely performed in general dental practice. The present study aimed to explore the attitudes of General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) towards oral biopsy for diagnosis of oral lesions in Vadodara city, Gujarat, India. Methodology: A questionnaire was distributed to 200 general dental practitioners, consisting of several items addressing the socio-demographic and professional aspects and their attitudes towards oral biopsy procedures. Results: Our study showed that 73% of the GDPs do not perform a biopsy on their own. Out of which 32% of GDPs gave the reason of lack of skills and knowledge while 7% of GDPs lacked confidence in performing a biopsy on their own. 28% of the GDPs were not aware of the medium of specimen preservation. Conclusion: There is a need for better education and training of GDPs to perform oral biopsy procedures on their own and create awareness among them about the proper referral of the specimen to oral histopathological centers which will aid in accurate diagnosis of the lesions. Keywords: Oral Diagnosis; Attitudes; Biopsy; General Dental Practitioners; Oral Lesions.

Attitude Towards Oral Biopsy among General Dental Practitioners of Vadodara, a City in the Western State of India

Introduction In practice, the diagnosis of certain oral lesions must be made by biopsy. A biopsy constitutes an essential diagnostic tool in application to patients with oral pathology. However oral biopsy is not routinely performed in general dental practice. The present study aimed to explore the attitudes of General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) towards oral biopsy for diagnosis of oral lesions in Vadodara city, Gujarat, India. Methodology A questionnaire was distributed to 200 general dental practitioners, consisting of several items addressing the socio-demographic and professional aspects and their attitudes towards oral biopsy procedures. Results Our study showed that 73% of the GDPs do not perform a biopsy on their own. Out of which 32% of GDPs gave the reason of lack of skills and knowledge while 7% of GDPs lacked confidence in performing a biopsy on their own. 28% of the GDPs were not aware of the medium of specimen preservation. Conclusion There is a need for better education and training of GDPs to perform oral biopsy procedures on their own and create awareness among them about the proper referral of the specimen to oral histopathological centers which will aid in accurate diagnosis of the lesions.

Preservation of musculoskeletal specimens of goat by the Elnady technique: an innovative low-cost alternative to plastination

Preservation of musculoskeletal specimens of goat by the Elnady technique: an innovative low-cost alternative to plastination