Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39852685›Full record

ArticleTomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.)2025

The Role of 3D Virtual Anatomy and Scanning Environmental Electron Microscopy in Understanding Morphology and Pathology of Ancient Bodies.

Sara Salucci, Mirko Traversari, Laura Valentini, Ilaria Versari, Luca Ventura, Emanuela Giampalma, Elena Righi, Enrico Petrella, Pietro Gobbi, Gianandrea Pasquinelli and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Sara SalucciDepartment of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-3507-4451
Mirko TraversariDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-6376-7626
Laura ValentiniDepartment of Biomolecular Sciences (DiSB), Urbino University Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-8028-1233
Ilaria VersariDepartment of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-6064-9673
Luca VenturaDivision of Pathology, San Salvatore Hospital, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-1526-3941
Emanuela GiampalmaDepartment of Radiology, AUSL Romagna, Morgagni-Pierantoni City Hospital, 47100 Forli, Italy.ORCID 0009-0004-1455-6971
Elena RighiDepartment of Radiology, AUSL Romagna, Morgagni-Pierantoni City Hospital, 47100 Forli, Italy.
Enrico PetrellaDepartment of Radiology, AUSL Romagna, Morgagni-Pierantoni City Hospital, 47100 Forli, Italy.
Pietro GobbiDepartment of Biomolecular Sciences (DiSB), Urbino University Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-4705-0833
Gianandrea PasquinelliDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1506-1829
Irene FaenzaDepartment of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5227-3567

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesMummy studies allow to reconstruct the characteristic of a population in a specific spatiotemporal context, in terms of living conditions, pathologies and death. Radiology represents an efficient diagnostic technique able to establish the preservation state of mummified organs and to estimate the patient's pathological conditions. However, the radiological approach shows some limitations. Although bone structures are easy to differentiate, soft tissue components are much more challenging, especially when they overlap. For this reason, computed tomography, a well-established approach that achieves optimal image contrast and three-dimensional reconstruction, has been introduced. This original article focuses attention on the role of virtual dissection as a promising technology for exploring human mummy anatomy and considers the potential of environmental scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy as complementary approaches useful to understand the state of preservation of mummified remains.

methodsAncient mummy corps have been analyzed through Anatomage Table 10 and environmental scanning electron microscope equipped with X-ray spectrometer; Results: Anatomage Table 10 through various volumetric renderings allows us to describe spine alteration due to osteoarthritis, dental state, and other clinical-pathological characteristics of different mummies. Environmental scanning electron microscope, with the advantage of observing mummified samples without prior specimen preparation, details on the state of tissue fragments. Skin, tendon and muscle show a preserved morphology and keratinocytes, collagen fibers and tendon structures are easily recognizable. Furthermore, X-ray spectrometer reveals in our tissue remains, the presence of compounds related to soil contamination. This investigation identifies a plethora of organic and inorganic substances where the mummies were found, providing crucial information about the mummification environment.

conclusionsThese morphological and analytical techniques make it possible to study mummified bodies and describe their anatomical details in real size, in a non-invasive and innovative way, demonstrating that these interdisciplinary approaches could have great potential for improving knowledge in the study of ancient corpses.

Indexed as

Imaging, Three-DimensionalMicroscopy, Electron, ScanningMummiesHumansenvironmental scanning electron microscopyhuman mummiesmummy body imagesvirtopsyvirtual anatomical table

Identifiers

PMID39852685
PMCPMC11768611

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.