Human cadaver tests

Many products move next to cadaver testing, where the biologically driven uncertainties cause complications. Sometimes it is possible to use animal models first in this phase, which allows for much more consistent conditions. Human cadaver tests require careful notation of the history and condition of the cadavaric materials. Results may be correlated with this data if there are anomalies that require explanation. 

Bir et al." have analyzed the effect of blunt ballistic impact of a baton-type, less-lethal projectile on the thoracic region using human cadavers. She determined human-response corridors and developed biomechanical surrogates, which can be used for testing different new projectiles for their blunt ballistic impact. The human-response force corridor for blunt thoracic impact by a thermoplastic polyurethane-based baton round with 37 mm diameter, weighing 30 g, and traveling... 

Given the overwhelming influence of the physical properties of skin in determining bioavailabilities via the dermal route, assessment of dermal penetration is one area in metabolism and toxicology where in vitro methods can be effectively used to predict in vivo results and to screen chemicals. Apparatus and equipment exist that one can use to maintain sections of skin (obtained from euthanized animals or from human cadavers or surgical discard) for such experiments (Holland et al., 1984). These apparatus are set up to maintain the metabolic integrity of the skin sample between two reservoirs the one on the stratum comeum side, called the application reservoir and the one on the subcutaneous side, called the receptor reservoir. One simply places radiolabeled test material in the application reservoir and collects samples from the receptor fluid at various time points. 

Transcutaneous Raman spectroscopic measurements using spatially offset optical fibers were reported less than a year later [59, 60]. The test systems were chicken tibiae and the humeri of human cadavers. The use of cadaveric and ex vivo specimens allowed validation of the measurements by comparison to exposed bone tissue. In these measurements a depth of 3-4 mm below the skin was reached. In vivo measurements began with a report of the Raman spectrum of a phalange of a human volunteer [61]. The periosteal surface was probably 1-2 mm below the skin and the mineral phosphate Vi was accurately reproduced, although incomplete separation of mineral and matrix spectra introduced errors in other bands. 

Human cadaver skin has also been studied in vitro. Human skin shows a higher threshold of sensitivity than does rat skin. The excised or full-thickness slices are also studied in Fran 2 diffusion chambers to evaluate the diffusion or absorption characteristics of test materials. Changes in the amount of a test material at different times and different depths are... 

Whereas skin from human cadavers, membranes made out of collagen, cultured corneal fibroblasts [79], and human skin grown in vitro [80] could also be used as substrates in testing the activity of topicals against viruses, they all suffer from a variety of limitations. For example, the viability and barrier integrity of cadaveric skin are compromised [77], layers of cultured cells are too fragile for the... 

DEHP is lipophilic and tends to migrate into adipose deposits. Since it is cleared from these deposits slowly, analysis of fat tissues probably provides the best test for previous exposure to this plasticizer. Analysis of human abdominal adipose tissues from accident victims indicated that DEHP was present in these tissues at a concentration of 0.3-1.0 ppm (Mes et al. 1974). DEHP was also identified in 48% of the adipose tissue specimens from cadavers autopsied in 1982 as part of the Human Adipose Tissue Survey from the National Human Monitoring Program (EPA 1989b). Neither study contained data on DEHP exposure history of the subjects, however, and there is no information regarding correlation of adipose tissue concentrations with DEHP exposure concentration and duration. 

Southwell et al. reported that the coefficient of variation for carrying out an in vitro transdermal diffusion study with human skin within an experiment was 43% and the variability in flux for the same compound tested with different human skin sources was 66% ( ). We report the within-experiment variability to be 24.6% and the between-experiments variability to be 30.6%. The differences in variability between our work and Southwell et al. might be attributable to the skin age and source differences. Southwell et al. used abdominal cadaver skin obtained from individuals 71 + 14 years old. We report the exclusive use of surgically removed breast skin from individuals 37 + 13 years old. 

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