Abstract
The use of the CD-ROM to provide as an interactive and richly illustrated learning tool for rat heart trimming is here, but does this CD-ROM really offer the key features necessary for general understanding and practical information? This is my opportunity to explore not only the scientific content but also the potential target audiences and overall impression on functionality, i.e., ease of use and any special computer skills required.
First, the title of this CD-ROM, “Heart trimming protocol of the laboratory rat”, should not mislead the user. The CD-ROM also covers anatomy, histology and histopathology of the rat heart. The CD-ROM begins with an introduction in which the welcome screen and self-guided tour information are included, accompanied by well-organized interactive button-keys with subject headings/modules. This is a true multimedia CD-ROM with animation, reasonably fast access capability, and a comprehensive list of topics that includes 3-dimensional (3-D) anatomy, trimming techniques, histology, pathology and references. The screen layout is clear, and even for those of us challenged by the continually changing operating system of the computer, the subject headings are relatively easy to understand, logically arranged, and the “button-keys” are fairly intuitive. Each button-key links to the corresponding section (i.e., histology, pathology etc.). As a pathologist, I was tempted to select the pathology button-key first. The advantage of this interactive button-key is that one can go to the specific area of interest right from the welcome page. This feature is particularly useful for focused researchers interested in specific areas, and will definitely save time by escaping unwanted screens or steps. For example, researchers interested only in the trimming procedure or students reviewing heart anatomy can select appropriate button-keys that will link to the section(s) of interest for details. Alternatively, one can review the entire CD-ROM content by sequentially pressing the “next” button on the right-bottom corner of each screen.
The 3-D heart page includes still 3-D images that can be rotated either vertically or horizontally to view the entire surface of the rat heart. Rotation is mouse-controlled, astoundingly realistic, and can be halted at any time to view a specific anatomical feature of the rat heart. The user can review the external and internal anatomical features at various angles in subsequent screens. Round-out line drawings are used to mark and label specific anatomical sites with pop-up text terminology. This provides the user with the key features necessary for a general understanding of the rat heart anatomy. The CD-ROM covers two heart-trimming techniques with animation, showing how trimming is performed, the steps involved and text decriptions. The animation clips illustrate slicing steps and orientation of primary and secondary cuts. The histology section starts with a low-magnification image of the entire heart section that has roll-over function to identify and view various histological hallmarks. This section is followed by an impressive collection of histopathogic images; both proliferative and non-proliferative findings are included. The reference section includes useful website information and citations from journal articles, books and symposia.
However, there are some deficiencies and annoyances in this CD-ROM. For example, two trimming techniques are included in this CD-ROM, but are separated by histology modules. Kevin Issac’s technique has no associated histology or histology identification modules. Also missing are descriptions for images in the pathology module. It would have been helpful to separate proliferative from non-proliferative lesions and to characterize acquired or spontaneous findings. Because the CD-ROM offers little detail and no histopathological descriptions, many users (particularly students and non-pathologists) may find it insufficient to be used alone as a learning tool or study guide. The CD-ROM is also limited in that it does not cover histopathology of all acquired and spontaneous diseases. Some photomicrographs are redundant (e.g., nine cardiomyopathy and six paraganglioma images) or out of focus (particularly at low magnification), and few diagnostic inconsistencies are noticeable as well (e.g., use of atriocaval mesothelioma and atriocaval tumor as separate diagnostic entities).
Finally, here are suggestions for perhaps the next version of this CD-ROM. Eliminate redundant and poor-quality photomicrographs, and include helpful information for each image (e.g., magnification, type of stain used and a brief description of the finding with arrows pointing to specific areas on the image). I’ll admit to my bias as a pathologist, but surely a histopathological photomicrograph should have magnification, stain and a brief description of the finding.
In summary, the CD-ROM serves as a useful adjunctive learning tool for practicing pathologists, students/residents, laboratory technicians, clinical and non-clinical scientists to supply the basic knowledge of rat-heart examination, trimming techniques and histopathology. It is easy to operate, and most functions are self explanatory. Above all, this CD-ROM is free and available from NIEHS. I certainly would recommend this CD-ROM for any facility that has a training or research program in the laboratory rat heart.
For questions concerning this CD-ROM, Contact: Dr. Robert Maronpot,