640 research outputs found
Morphology of the palmaris longus and plantaris muscles employed as flaps in reconstructive surgery
No full textDissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011.Tendons are frequently used for reconstructive surgery. This includes palmaris longus, plantaris, the long extensors of the toes and fingers as well as the flexors of the fingers. The surgeon must base his or her selection of the donor tendon for grafting on what is needed, for example tendon size, length, and width. The most desirable tendons in reconstructive surgery are the palmaris longus and plantaris tendons. These two muscles are also considered to be the easiest tendons to harvest, and therefore they remain the ideal choices for plantaris,or tendon grafts. Apart from what is mentioned in the literature, questions remain such as: which characteristics do the palmaris longus and plantaris muscles possess that make them suitable for use as flaps or grafts in reconstructive surgery and; how can knowledge of the characteristics of these muscles improve reconstructive surgery in South Africa? The palmaris longus and plantaris muscles are indeed subject to variation, whether in the general anatomy, form, attachment, actions and/or prevalence. A statistical significant difference was found between the male and female sample when considering the length of the palmaris longus muscle. When comparing the palmaris longus muscle to the plantaris muscles, it was found that there is a statistical significant difference between them as well. Therefore, although these muscles may look alike, when it comes to the surgical aspect it is suggested that the palmaris longus is used when a wider tendon is preferred and the plantaris muscle when a longer tendon is needed. The prevalence of the palmaris longus and plantaris muscles compared well with studies done on other population groups. No correlation was found between the sex of the cadaver and the prevalence of the palmaris longus and plantaris muscles. In addition it was established that there is no relationship between the prevalence of the palmaris longus and plantaris muscles in the same individual. A possible phylogenetic degenerative trend for the palmaris longus muscle was also examined. After studying various age groups, it was determined that such a trend could not be established for this sample. In conclusion, based on the morphology and prevalence of the palmaris longus and plantaris muscles in a South African population, they are ideal for the use of flaps and/or tendon graft in reconstructive surgery. But it is of utmost importance that the reconstructive surgeon, working on South African patients, remember that both these muscles are subject to variation and not only will it be beneficial to employ proper detection methods to determine the viability of either muscle before considering its suitability in reconstructive surgery but also a sound knowledge of the anatomy of these muscles must be known. AFRIKAANS : Tendons word dikwels gebruik vir rekonstruktiewe chirurgie. Dit sluit die M. palmaris longus en M. plantaris, die lang ekstensors van die tone en vingers, sowel as die fleksors van die vingers in. Die chirurg moet sy of haar keuse van die skenkertendon baseer op dit wat benodig word, byvoorbeeld tendongrootte, ~lengte en ~breedte. Die mees gesogte tendons in rekonstruktiewe chirurgie is dié van M. palmaris longus en M. plantaris. Hierdie twee spiere word ook geag as die maklikste spiere om te oes / bekom, en daarom bly hulle die ideale keuse vir weefselsnitte of tendon-oorplantings. Afgesien van wat in die literatuur beskryf word, bly die volgende vrae onbeantwoord: Watter eienskappe maak M. palmaris longus en M. plantaris geskik vir die gebruik as weefselsnitte of tendon-oorplantings in rekonstruktiewe chirurgie en, hoe kan kennis van hierdie eienskappe van dié spiere, rekonstruktiewe chirurgie in Suid-Afrika verbeter? M. palmaris longus en M. plantaris is inderdaad onderworpe aan variasie van die algemene anatomie, vorm, aanhegtings, aksies en / of aanwesigheid en/of afwesigheid. 'n Statistiese beduidende verskil is gevind tussen die manlike en vroulike steekproef ten opsigte van die lengte van M. palmaris longus. M. palmaris longus is met M. plantaris ook vergelyk en daar was gevind dat daar 'n statisties beduidende verskil tussen hierdie spiere is. Alhoewel hierdie spiere dieselfde lyk, is dit belangrik om in ag te neem dat as dit by die chirurgiese aspekte kom, word daar voorgestel dat M. palmaris longus eerder gebruik moet word wanneer 'n wyer tendon verkies word en M. plantaris gekies moet word wanneer ‘n langer tendon benodig word. Daar is goeie ooreenkoms tussen die aanwesigheid en/of afwesigheid van M. palmaris longus en M. plantaris wanneer hul met studies, wat op die ander bevolkingsgroepe gedoen was, vergelyk word. Geen ooreenkomste was tussen die geslag van die kadawer en die aanwesigheid en/of afwesigheid van M. palmaris longus en M. plantaris gevind nie. Daarbenewens was dit vasgestel dat daar geen verhouding tussen die aanwesigheid en/of afwesigheid van M. palmaris longus en M. plantaris in dieselfde individu is nie. 'n Moontlike filogenetiese degeneratiewe tendens vir M. palmaris longus is ook ondersoek. Na die bestudering van verskillende ouderdomsgroepe, is daar bepaal dat so 'n tendens nie bevestig kon word vir hierdie steekproef nie. Ter afsluiting, die morfologie en die aanwesigheid en/of afwesigheid van M. palmaris longus en M. plantaris, in 'n Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking, is ideaal vir die gebruik van weefselsnitte of tendon-oorplantings in rekonstruktiewe chirurgie. Maar dit is van uiterste belang dat die rekonstruktiewe chirurg, wie met Suid-Afrikaanse pasiënte werk, onthou dat beide hierdie spiere onderworpe is aan variasie. Dit sal dus voordelig wees om behoorlike opsporingsmetodes te gebruik om die vatbaarheid van hierdie spiere in rekonstruktiewe chirurgie vas te stel, maar hy of sy het ook kennis van die anatomie van hierdie spiere, nodig. CopyrightAnatomyunrestricte
Author ID’s: enhance visibility and accessibility: Workshop 2
No full textPapers presented at the second workshop on Author ID’s: enhance visibility and accessibility , Auditorium, Merensky Library, University of Pretoria, 28 October 2015Follow up on the first workshop (Researcher ID Workshop), the aim of this workshop was to continue discussion on the information specialists' role in enhancing research visibility and accessibility. A large part of the workshop was devoted to a discussion and practical demonstration of ORCID ID by Mr Matthew Buys, the Regional Director of ORCID. Author IDs were also discussed from different perspectives, including a junior information specialist (Ms Lesego Makhafola); a cataloguer (Ms Martha De Waal); a researcher (Prof. Estelle Venter) and a case study at GIBS (Ms Beulah Muller).mn201
Development and validation of LC-ESI-MS/MS methods for quantification of 27 free and conjugated estrogen-related metabolites
No full textAn imbalance in the estrogen metabolism has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer development. Evaluation of the estrogen biotransformation capacity requires monitoring of various estrogen metabolites. Up to now, only some estrogen metabolites could be measured in urine. However, in order to offer tailor made nutritional support or therapies, a complete estrogen metabolite profile is required in order to identify specific deficiencies in this pathway for each patient individually. Here, we focused on this need to quantify as many as possible of the estrogen-related metabolites excreted in urine. The method was developed to quantify 27 estrogen-related metabolites in small urine quantities. This entailed sample clean-up with a multi-step solid phase extraction procedure, derivatisation of the metabolites in the less water-soluble fraction through dansylation, and analyses using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The metabolites accurately quantified by the method devised included parent estrogens, hydroxylated and methylated forms, metabolites of the 16α-hydroxyestrogen pathway, sulphate and glucuronide conjugated forms, precursors and a related steroid hormone. This method was validated and enabled quantification in the high picograms and low nanograms per millilitre range. Finally, analyses of urine samples confirmed detection and quantification of each of the metabolite
Data on the optimisation of a solid phase extraction method for fractionating estrogen metabolites from small urine volumes
No full textCertain estrogen metabolites have been implicated in the pathophysiology of breast cancer. Moreover, the estrogen metabolite profiles of healthy women and those with (a high risk of) breast cancer differ significantly. The development of an analytical method to determine the relative levels of all the estrogen biotransformation products has been described in van der Berg et al. [1]. An improvement on previously developed methods was the ability to also detect molecules such as sulphate and glucuronide conjugates as well as progesterone, estradiol precursors, and metabolites from the 16-hydroxylation metabolic pathway of estrogens simultaneously with all other estrogen metabolites. The data presented here describe the optimisation of a solid phase extraction method with different fractionation steps for LC-MS/MS analysis of 27 estrogen-related metabolites from small urine volumes. Conditions that were optimised include the elution and washing solvent concentration, the urine, loading, washing, and elution volumes, as well as pH. All raw data used to construct the bar graphs presented in this article are included in the supplementary data file. The data indicated that fractionation was necessary in order to elute estrogen metabolites with different chemical properties at different eluate compositions. Only one of the fractions (containing the less water-soluble metabolites) underwent derivatisation before LC-MS/MS analysi
Surface preparation and the effects on rock art deterioration
No full textDissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2011.The Drakensberg is the highest part of a 1000-km long escarpment that also forms a natural border between South Africa and eastern Lesotho. The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park was declared a World Heritage site in 2000 and is globally significant, in particular due to the rock art painted by San hunter-gatherers who inhabited the area from about 8 000 years ago until the late 19th Century. Approximately 30 000 painted images can be found in nearly 600 rock shelters in the area. Rock art heritage in the Drakensberg is unfortunately being lost through a variety of processes, some natural and others resulting from human impacts. Previous research on the weathering of San paintings has focused largely on either monitoring processes causing weathering in rock shelters or investigating rock surfaces that are adjacent to the rock paintings. Recent findings indicate that some of the San art has been painted onto surfaces that were prepared by smoothing the rock surface with a “grinding stone” and coated with a clay (“ground”) layer prior to the application of pigments. This new information may have important implications for rock art conservation as smoothing of a rock surface could significantly modify the physical and chemical characteristics of the surface, thereby influencing the deterioration of the art. In this study two classification systems are developed from data collected in four rock shelters situated in the Park. The first, a Type of Surface Classification System, is developed for the purpose of identifying different types of rock surfaces within rock shelters. The second, a State of Deterioration Classification System, is developed with the purpose of establishing, through visual inspection, how deteriorated the rock art on different types of rock surfaces is. Linkages between the type of surface and the state of deterioration are also explored. Findings show that it is not only possible to determine which surface type a painting has been painted on, but that different rock surface types can deteriorate through different weathering mechanisms and to a different degree. One type of rock surface, acknowledged but not yet recorded, was found amongst the rock art paintings selected for the purpose of this study. More importantly, the alteration of rock surfaces through human action in the past is found to cause rock surfaces to deteriorate either at an accelerated or a retarded rate as opposed to rock paintings that were made on surfaces that have only been altered by natural weathering mechanisms. For example, if a rock surface has only been smoothed with a grinding stone, results show that weathering mechanisms did not deteriorate the surface as quickly as in the case where a clay ground layer has been applied to the rock surface. Different types of rock surfaces deteriorating through different weathering mechanisms (as a result of surface preparation) might have significant implications in terms of rock art conservation as the strategies implemented to conserve rock art should be adapted to consider surface type. In terms of rock art studies aiming to conserve this precious heritage, the two classification systems presented could, therefore, be useful non-destructive tools in assessing rock art deterioration. CopyrightGeography, Geoinformatics and MeteorologyMAUnrestricte
Eben Venter as gewete van die vleiseters
No full textThis artide explores the representation of meat in three novels by Eben Venter, namely Foxtrot van die vleiseters (1993) (published in translation as Foxtrot of the Meat-Eaters), Ek stamel ek sterwe (2005) (published in translation as My Beautiful Death), and Horrelpoot (2006) (published in translation as Trencherman). The author uses the metaphor of meat and meat consumption to comment on the greed and oppression associated with the white farm owner and patriarch, as well as on other related issues such as gender, the body and sexuality. Finally the artide explores the use of vegetarianism as a counter-discourse by the author to undermine the prevalent meat-loving culture associated with the farm-novel tradition in Afrikaans. In all three novels there is an opposition between life on the farm and life in the big city, predominantly life in large Australian cities after the main characters have emigrated to Australia.
Opsomming Hierdie artikel ondersoek die simboliese uitbeelding van vleis in drie romans deur Eben Venter, naamlik Foxtrot van die vleiseters (1993), Ek stamel ek sterwe (2005) (in Engels gepubliseer as My Beautiful Death) en Horrelpoot (2006) (in Engels gepubliseer as Trencherman). Die auteur gebruik die metafoor van vleis en die eet of verbruik daarvan, om kommentaar te lewer op die gierigheid en onderdrukking wat verband hou met die blanke plaaseienaar en patriarg, sowel as ander verwante kwessies soos geslag, die liggaam en seksualiteit. Uiteindelik ondersoek die artikel ook die gebruik van vegetarisme as \u27n teendiskoers deur die auteur, om sodoende die dominante vleiseterkultuur, wat verband hou met die plaasromantradisie in Afrikaans, te ondermyn. In al drie romans is daar \u27n teestelling tussen die lewe op die plaas en die in die grootstad, hoofsaaklik in groat Australiese stede, nadat die hoofkarakters na Australie geemigreer het.
Short message service (sms) and loneliness in a group of adolescents
No full textThesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007The aim of the research was to explore the relationship between the use of SMS communication by adolescents and their perceived feelings of loneliness. The SMS seems to be the new communication medium for young people as they are most comfortable with and enthusiastic about this technology and its applications. The adolescent stage is characterised by the building of own social networks, the definition of boundaries between themselves and parents, self-presentation constructed on a social stage in relation to others and characterised by the development of romantic attachments, feelings of anxiety, self-esteem development and maintenance which may result in feelings of isolation and loneliness. Loneliness can be defined as an emotional and cognitive reaction to having fewer and less satisfying relationships than one desires. This includes the absence or self-perceived absence of satisfying social relationships and the unpleasant experience that occurs when a person's network of social relations is deficient in some important way. The motivation for this research was to get insight into the relationship between the use of SMS communication and loneliness in the South African context. An internet search on the 13th February 2006 indicated that no research has yet been done on the relationship between the use of the SMS and loneliness of adolescents in South Africa.
An availability sample was used. One hundred and seventeen Grade 11 and 12 learners from two schools in the North West Province participated in the research project. An explanatory cross-sectional survey design with features of qualitative data analysis was used in this investigation. Three methods were used to obtain data, namely the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), Satisfaction with Life Scale as well as a self-compiled questionnaire. After scoring the UCLA scale the researcher determined which of the participants had the highest level of loneliness and the lowest level of loneliness. Two groups were chosen, each consisting or 15 learners, according to the highest and lowest scores on the loneliness scale respectively. These two groups represented the top and bottom 14% of the sample. The data obtained from the self-compiled questionnaire and Satisfaction with Life scale were qualitatively compared. Analysis of the data indicated that there might be a relationship between the experience of loneliness and the following: gender; number of siblings; involvement in romantic relationships; amount of money spent on bill (financial constraints); quantity of SMS messages sent and received; need to stay in contact with friends over the weekend; reasons for sending SMS messages; feelings regarding sending or receiving SMS messages; feelings regarding no response to SMS messages; feeling with regard to not receiving SMS messages from a friend for a long time; initiating of friendships via cellphone and the SMS rather than face-to-face communication. Suggestions for future research projects were made.Master
A multi-method study to explore perceptions and attitudes towards neuroanatomy in an undergraduate medical curriculum
No full textThesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020.Human anatomy is a core module of the medical curriculum. Anatomy lecturers are expected to teach clinically-relevant content, while utilising interactive and student- centred teaching methods and approaches. This teaching and facilitation must happen in the context of decreased curriculum hours while credits remain mostly unchanged. Therefore, a dire need exists to explore the various teaching modalities currently used in medical education, to improve the teaching and facilitation of anatomy, and more specifically, neuroanatomy.
Neuroanatomy tends to be challenging for students. Their inability to integrate the basic concepts with the clinical environment could lead to the development of a negative attitude or fear towards neuroanatomy (neurophobia). Neuroanatomy provides exceptional opportunities for the integration of basic- and applied concepts, however, the teaching approaches and time allocated to this subject has a large influence on how staff and students perceive neuroanatomy and the teaching thereof.
A multi-method research study was conducted to explore the attitudes of anatomy lecturers, undergraduate- and postgraduate students towards the teaching and learning of neuroanatomy in the medical curriculum. This study further explored the perception of students on the importance of neuroanatomy as it relates to their future careers. The sample constituted four groups: Nineteen neuroanatomy lecturers from various medical schools in South Africa, five postgraduate neuroscience students and
299 undergraduate medical students from the University of Pretoria, as well as two international key-opinion leaders in the field of neuroanatomy education and neurophobia. Various methods were used for data collection which included online questionnaires, focus-group discussions, round-table discussions and semi-structured interviews.
All the neuroanatomy lecturers acknowledged that neuroanatomy is important in their students’ medical training. However, only a few deem it necessary to modernize their teaching approaches to be more suitable for the 21st century student. Information of the medical neuroanatomy curriculum and teaching practices at the institutions were gathered, which was then benchmarked against various international medical schools’ curricula. One-directional didactic lectures and guided dissection are mainly used for undergraduate neuroanatomy teaching. This indicated a need for more innovative, technology-supported teaching methods better suited for the 21st century medical student in South Africa.
Undergraduate medical students preferred lecture notes to other literature types while their most favourite topic was cranial nerves. The postgraduate students shared their undergraduate neuroanatomy experiences and provided constructive feedback and suggestions to undergraduate students and lecturing staff. These students perceive neuroanatomy as an interesting and important subject in their medical degree stating, however, that changes are needed to modernize neuroanatomy and make it more accessible and student-friendly.
The interviews with the experts yielded three themes namely the teaching practices in neuroanatomy, perceived relevance of neuroanatomy within the medical curriculum and the perception of neurophobia. The participants had opposing views on teaching approaches and the relevance of neuroanatomy in the undergraduate medical curriculum. However, they had similar opinions on neurophobia, its impact on the undergraduate medical students and possible preventative measures.
This study highlighted that there is neither a single best teaching method for neuroanatomy, nor does it need to be a modern teaching approach, but rather student- centred. Therefore, by reflecting on our own perceptions, attitudes and teaching approaches for neuroanatomy, and by making the necessary changes, we can help our students overcome this fear for the neurosciences.AnatomyPhDUnrestricte
Metallothionein 1 overexpression does not protect against mitochondrial disease pathology in Ndufs4 knockout mice
No full textMitochondrial diseases (MD), such as Leigh syndrome (LS), present with severe neurological and muscular phenotypes in patients, but have no known cure and limited treatment options. Based on their neuroprotective effects against other neurodegenerative diseases in vivo and their positive impact as an antioxidant against complex I deficiency in vitro, we investigated the potential protective effect of metallothioneins (MTs) in an Ndufs4 knockout mouse model (with a very similar phenotype to LS) crossed with an Mt1 overexpressing mouse model (TgMt1). Despite subtle reductions in the expression of neuroinflammatory markers GFAP and IBA1 in the vestibular nucleus and hippocampus, we found no improvement in survival, growth, locomotor activity, balance, or motor coordination in the Mt1 overexpressing Ndufs4−/− mice. Furthermore, at a cellular level, no differences were detected in the metabolomics profile or gene expression of selected one-carbon metabolism and oxidative stress genes, performed in the brain and quadriceps, nor in the ROS levels of macrophages derived from these mice. Considering these outcomes, we conclude that MT1, in general, does not protect against the impaired motor activity or improve survival in these complex I–deficient mice. The unexpected absence of increased oxidative stress and metabolic redox imbalance in this MD model may explain these observations. However, tissue-specific observations such as the mildly reduced inflammation in the hippocampus and vestibular nucleus, as well as differential MT1 expression in these tissues, may yet reveal a tissue- or cell-specific role for MTs in these mic
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