A scanning electron microscope study of the developing rat secondary palate

PKThe surfaces of the developing secondary palatal shelves and palate, in Wistar strain albino rats, were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Beginning on the 16th day after insemination there was a progressive degeneration of the cell surfaces on the medial aspect of the shelves. This took the form of a loss of surface microvilli and intercellular boundaries accompanied by the appearance of clefts between the cells. Fusion of the palate was complete by the 18th day and two epithelial zones could be recognized in the soft palate. The cell surface degeneration is possibly an essential change prior to shelf fusion

Process error rates in general research applications to the Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) at the University of the Witwatersrand: A secondary data analysis

Objective. To examine process error rates in applications for ethics clearance of health research. Methods. Minutes of 586 general research applications made to a human health research ethics committee (HREC) from April 2008 to March 2009 were examined. Rates of approval were calculated and reasons for requiring revision or non-approval of the applications were grouped into eight categories. Results. Of the applications, 37% were approved at first evaluation; minor revisions were required for 56% and major revisions for 3%, while 4% were not approved. Eventually 69% of the 586 applications were approved. Surprisingly, 28% were removed from the Committee agenda because of no response from the applicants. Of the 607 instances of process error in 369 applications requiring revision or that were not approved at first evaluation, difficulty with consent documents (55%) and missing information (43%) were the most frequent; the remaining 6 types ranged in frequency from 3% to 17%. Conclusion. It is suggested that the process errors seen could be reduced in rate if applicants were to show a draft of their application to an HREC member or experienced researcher before submission

The Dental Research Institute at Wits 1954-1985

P

The histology of the soft palate of the vervet monkey Cercopithecus pygerythus

P

The palatal vault in adult South African Bantu-speaking Negroids

P

A study of stimulated saliva in Kalahari Bushmen

KI

Surface ultrastructure of the mucosa of the soft palate in the vervet monkey

KI

Applications and secretariat workload at the University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) 2002 - 2011: A case study

Objective: To examine trends in the numbers of new applications for ethics clearance of health research and associated research ethics committee secretariat activity.Methods: Data were obtained from research ethics committee secretariat databases with ethics approval.Results: General research applications increased from 440 in 2002 to 685 in 2011, all handled by one full-time staff member. This load is expected to increase by 250 per year for 2012, 2013 and 2014 before reaching a plateau. This new applications load per year is based on registered clinical postgraduates at the University of the Witwatersrand in a 4-year specialisation who must comply with the new Health Professions Council of South Africa requirement for completion of Master’s level research in order to register as a clinical specialist. Sponsored clinical trials have remained and should remain at approximately 100 per year but require three staff members to attend to this workload.Conclusion: The increased workload is a serious challenge and has to be tackled first by increasing the administrative staff number

Personal thoughts on training in general anaesthesia and in research methods in dentistry in South Africa

P

Inhalation sedation- is this a potential health hazard for the dentist and his staff ?

KI