The axillary approach to raising the latissimus dorsi free flap for facial re-animation: a descriptive surgical technique

The latissimus dorsi flap is popular due to the versatile nature of its applications. When used as a pedicled flap it provides a robust solution when soft tissue coverage is required following breast, thoracic and head and neck surgery. Its utilization as a free flap is extensive due to the muscle's size, constant anatomy, large caliber of the pedicle and the fact it can be used for functional muscle transfers. In facial palsy it provides the surgeon with a long neurovascular pedicle that is invaluable in situations where commonly used facial vessels are not available, in congenital cases or where previous free functional muscle transfers have been attempted, or patients where a one-stage procedure is indicated and a long nerve is required to reach the contra-lateral side. Although some facial palsy surgeons use the trans-axillary approach, an operative guide of raising the flap by this method has not been provided. A clear guide of raising the flap with the patient in the supine position is described in detail and offers the benefits of reducing the risk of potential brachial plexus injury and allows two surgical teams to work synchronously to reduce operative time

A study on creating a custom South Sotho spellchecking and correcting software desktop application

Thesis (B. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 200

Kennis- en leerbehoeftes van ouers met kleuters

The knowledge and learning needs of parents with toddlers Knowledge and insight regarding the child and his/her particular developmental phase improve the prospects of a successful parentchild relationship. This prerequisite is considered to be a proactive approach to parenthood. Proactive parents with the necessary insight and knowledge are more capable of anticipating the possible nature of their children’s behavioural phases and seek ways and means to satisfy their children’s needs in an appropriate manner. Parents are, however, often ignorant or confused regarding their children’s behaviour. They may thus express the need for knowledge from a perspective that can be reconciled with their particular view of reality. This article reports on an investigation into the knowledge needs of Christian parents with toddlers. In order to reach this aim applied research was undertaken by means of the method of intervention research. Data collection was done through focus group interviews; subsquently these data were analysed by means of descriptive analysis as described by Tesch. The principles and topics identified as a result of the analysis are discussed and the article ends with conclusions regarding the possible design of a proactive parent guidance programme for Christian parents with toddlers

A Review of Fetal Scarless Healing

Wound healing is a complex process involving a number of processes. Fetal regeneration has been shown to have a number of differences compared to scar-forming healing. This review discusses the number of differences identified in fetal regeneration. Understanding these differences may result in new therapeutic targets which may reduce or even prevent scarring in adult healing

Microcystis aeruginosa: source of toxic microcystins in drinking water

Cyanobacteria are one of the earth's most ancient life forms. Evidence of their existence on earth, derived from fossil records, encompasses a period of some 3.5 billion years in the late Precambrian era. Cyanobacteria are the dominant phytoplanton group in eutrophic freshwater bodies worldwide. They have caused animal poisoning in many parts of the world and may present risks to human health through drinking and recreational activity. Cyanobacteria produce two main groups of toxin namely neurotoxins and peptide hepatotoxins. They were first characterized from the unicellular species, Microcystis aeruginosa, which is the most common toxic cyanobacterium in eutrophic freshwater. The association of environmental parameters with cyanobacterial blooms and the toxicity of microcystin are discussed. Also, the synthesis of the microcystins, as well as the mode of action, control and analysis methods for quantitation of the toxin is reviewed. Key Words: Cyanobacteria, microcystins, mcyB gene, PCR-RFLP. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(3) 2004: 159-16

The political context of AIDS-related stigma and knowledge in a South African township

The purpose of this study was to examine the presentation of AIDS-related stigma and knowledge within the political context of the South African government\'s response to the AIDS epidemic. It was during the 2000 - 2004 period that key government officials publicly challenged the orthodox views of HIV/AIDS, with the South African president, Thabo Mbeki, actively positing the primary role of poverty and other socio-economic stressors in the progression of the AIDS epidemic. This discursive position had real-time effects for AIDS policy-making and ultimately delayed the implementation of a national antiretroviral (ARV) rollout programme. Consequently this position was criticised by commentators in the media and elsewhere for contributing to an already widespread climate of AIDS stigmatisation and misinformation. To shed more light on these claims we conducted a survey in 2005 in Atteridgeville, a South African township, and compared results with those of a similar survey conducted shortly after ARV medications became available in 2004. Results indicated a reduction in AIDS stigma levels across the 1-year period, and that those participants who endorsed contentious political views (such as those expressed by key government officials) were more likely to have a higher level of AIDS-related stigma than those who disagreed. Nevertheless, this study cautions against drawing a causal relationship between the South African government\'s position and AIDS-stigmatising attitudes, and suggests that further political and social factors be accounted for in an attempt to gain a fuller understanding of this seemingly complex relationship. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, AIDS-related stigma, South African government, AIDS debate, antiretroviral rollout, Atteridgeville.SAHARA J Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 74-8

Sacred and Profane: The Artist and Religion: Religious Patronage in Mid-Twentieth Century England (1940-1965)

This Exhibition addresses the relationship between art and religion in Mid- Twentieth century England and focuses primarily on the ambivalent role of the Church in directing the development of religious art. The historical context of religious patronage in England is highlighted. Efforts to address the role of the Church as patron, such as the patronage of Reverend Walter Hussey and the Coventry Cathedral Scheme, are discussed to illuminate the complex relationship between patron and artist. The secular interpretation of religious imagery as an important component of the overall genre of artistic production (as exemplified by Francis Bacon) of this time is highlighted. In conclusion, the question is posed whether there is a future role for the Church as an active patron of the visual arts

Successful pregnancy in a South African patient with end-stage renal disease with the use of thrice-weekly nocturnal haemodialysis

Pregnancy outcomes in patients on chronic dialysis have improved as a result of the intensification of dialysis and improved perinatal care. We report the successful outcome of a pregnancy in a patient on chronic haemodialysis in Cape Town, South Africa. With intensification of her therapy using thrice-weekly, nocturnal haemodialysis the pregnancy  was maintained until 34 weeks at which time a 1.86 kg baby boy was delivered by elective caesarean section. One year later the patient was doing well on maintenance haemodialysis and the baby was achieving his developmental milestones. This report highlights our ability to employ a multi-disciplinary approach and prolonged, nocturnal haemodialysis to support pregnant dialysis patients in the South African setting and achieve good outcomes for both mother and baby

A rare complication of radiofrequency treatment for cellulite of the lower leg

Radiofrequency (RF) is increasingly used as an aesthetic treatment for a variety of purposes ranging from the treatment of acne scarring, cellulite correction and skin and soft tissue rejuvenation. The majority of patients experience no complications, and the treatment is therefore also frequently administered by non-medically trained staff. We present a patient, who developed severe 3rd degree burn after RF treatment requiring reconstructive surgery with a split thickness skin graft

Delivering HIV services in partnership: factors affecting collaborative working in a South African HIV programme

Abstract Background The involvement of Global Health Initiatives (GHIs) in delivering health services in low and middle income countries (LMICs) depends on effective collaborative working at scales from the local to the international, and a single GHI is effectively constructed of multiple collaborations. Research is needed focusing on how collaboration functions in GHIs at the level of health service management. Here, collaboration between local implementing agencies and departments of health involves distinct power dynamics and tensions. Using qualitative data from an evaluation of a health partnership in South Africa, this article examines how organisational power dynamics affected the operation of the partnership across five dimensions of collaboration: governance, administration, organisational autonomy, mutuality, and norms of trust and reciprocity. Results Managing the tension between the power to provide resources held by the implementing agency and the local Departments’ of Health power to access the populations in need of these resources proved critical to ensuring that the collaboration achieved its aims and shaped the way that each domain of collaboration functioned in the partnership. Conclusions These findings suggest that it is important for public health practitioners to critically examine the ways in which collaboration functions across the scales in which they work and to pay particular attention to how local power dynamics between partner organisations affect programme implementation