Background and Purpose— Aging affects elastin, a key component of the arterial wall integrity and functionality. Elastin degradation in cerebral vessels is associated with cerebrovascular disease. The goal of this study is to assess the biomechanical properties of human cerebral arteries, their composition, and their geometry, with particular focus on the functional alteration of elastin attributable to aging. Methods— Twelve posterior cranial arteries obtained from human cadavers of 2 different age groups were compared morphologically and tested biomechanically before and after enzymatic degradation of elastin. Light, confocal, and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze and determine structural differences, potentially attributed to aging. Results— Aging affects structural morphology and the mechanical properties of intracranial arteries. In contrast to main systemic arteries, intima and media thicken while outer diameter remains relatively constant with age, leading to concentric hypertrophy. The structural morphology of elastin changed from a fiber network oriented primarily in the circumferential direction to a more heterogeneously oriented fiber mesh, especially at the intima. Biomechanically, cerebral arteries stiffen with age and lose compliance in the elastin dominated regime. Enzymatic degradation of elastin led to loss in compliance and stiffening in the young group but did not affect the structural and material properties in the older group, suggesting that elastin, though present in equal quantities in the old group, becomes dysfunctional with aging. Conclusions— Elastin loses its functionality in cerebral arteries with aging, leading to stiffer less compliant arteries. The area fraction of elastin remained, however, fairly constant. The loss of functionality may thus be attributed to fragmentation and structural reorganization of elastin occurring with age.

The ageing process affects elastin, a key component of the arterial wall integrity and functionality. Elastin may play an important role in cerebral vessels because elastin degradation is linked to cerebrovascular disease [1]. The goal of this study is to assess the biomechanical properties of human cerebral arteries, their composition and geometry, with particular focus on the functional alterations of elastin in cerebral arteries due to ageing.

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Purpose: Cricothyrotomy and bronchoscopy were performed on cadavers embalmed according to Thiel’s method, and the results compared with findings from other types of cadavers and living subjects, to assess the suitability of such specimens for medical teaching and research. Methods: Blind cricothyrotomy was performed in 40 cadavers using two different devices (Cook and Portex sets) on each of 20 cadavers and the procedures were recorded by a monitoring fibreoptic bronchoscope placed in the larynx. Bronchoscopy was performed on another 22 cadavers. All procedures were videotaped and evaluated by board certified anatomists and anaesthetists. Tissue behaviour, ligament resistance, palpability of anatomical structures, mucosal colour and cadaver flexibility, especially during jaw thrust and tongue lift, were evaluated and qualitatively compared to conditions found in the living and to reports of studies using specimens embalmed with the classic formalin method. Where the procedures caused mucosal lesions, the damaged was assessed during subsequent dissection. Results: The cadavers were life-like in all criteria evaluated. Portex and Cook cricothyrotomy was feasible in all cases. Bronchoscopy was feasible in all cadavers without difficulty. Jaw thrust and tongue lift was never limited and lobar bronchi were always reached. Further advancement was limited in half of the cases by either the preservation liquid or the diameter of the segmental bronchi; in the remaining half, advancement into the smaller airways was limited only by their diameter. Conclusion: Cadavers fixed according to Thiel’s method are highly useable, life-like specimens for teaching and researching cricothyrotomy and bronchoscopy. The data obtained are transferable to the living, so research findings should be valid and teaching effective.

Andreas Weiglein-Anatomists all over the world know this name very much. His death in February 2020 was a shock and tragedy, although many of the anatomical community knew about his illness and his suffer. Despite the tragic end, let´s highlight this person and honor him respectfully in a different way. Not about numbers of publications, not about the regularly known stories, I want to present some personal key-moment with Andreas. Andreas Weiglein studied at the Karl Franzens University in Graz and became Studying Assistant at the Institute of Anatomy. At that time, the head of Department was Professor Thiel, who is also well known due to his developed embalming procedure. Under his "mentor" Professor Anderhuber, he became assistant and was assisted and supervised in his early career. When he received the "Venia docendi", he already was known in the English-speaking countries. He attended the meetings of the AACA and AAA frequently, also won prizes for "Best lectures". Memorable as his style of lectures, presenting with an easiness and high standard. When myself saw him as a presenter for the first time at a meeting of the International Society of Plastination (ISP) in Knoxville, TN, in 1997 and at a AACA meeting in Lexington, KY, in 1998, I was deeply moved and impressed about the way of his presentations, the standard and the clinical background of his scientific work. He became an idol, to work hard and to try the best in presenting our scientific work on an international platform. What is more, he was a respected person with high reputation at that time. In addition, we always highlighted the affiliation to the University of Graz and was proud to be part of the Institute. All the upcoming years, he surprised with new investigations and never rested to support young colleagues not only from the own Institute, such as myself, but especially encouraged young scientists to come to Graz. Many visits were enforced by Andreas´ support, many of our, nowadays experienced scientists still remember unforgettable moments in Graz and worldwide at meetings and during the gala dinners or spouse programs.