South Africa’s contribution in the field of Forensic Odontology - A textbook review

This textbook represents an up-to-date, comprehensive compilation of the field of Forensic Odontology. The chapters have been uniquely structured to take the reader through all aspects of this discipline in a methodical and logical approach. Authors for each section were carefully selected as being internationally recognised experts and renowned amongst their peers in their particular field of Forensic Odontology. The material in this textbook is presented in a manner that is both interesting and clear for novices in the discipline, while at the same time offering highly informative, cutting-edge information for experts practising Forensic Odontology. The book begins with a chronology of the origin of Forensic Odontology dating back to 1477, using intriguing real-life cases to set the theme for the rest of the book

Autocrine, paracrine and necrotic NMDA receptor signalling in mouse pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour cells.

N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation is implicated in the malignant progression of many cancer types, as previously shown by the growth-inhibitory effects of NMDAR antagonists. NMDAR-mediated calcium influx and its downstream signalling depend critically, however, on the dynamics of membrane potential and ambient glutamate concentration, which are poorly characterized in cancer cells. Here, we have used low-noise whole-cell patch-clamp recording to investigate the electrophysiology of glutamate signalling in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (PanNET) cells derived from a genetically-engineered mouse model (GEMM) of PanNET, in which NMDAR signalling is known to promote cancer progression. Activating NMDARs caused excitation and intracellular calcium elevation, and intracellular perfusion with physiological levels of glutamate led to VGLUT-dependent autocrine NMDAR activation. Necrotic cells, which are often present in rapidly-growing tumours, were shown to release endogenous cytoplasmic glutamate, and necrosis induced by mechanical rupture of the plasma membrane produced intense NMDAR activation in nearby cells. Computational modelling, based on these results, predicts that NMDARs in cancer cells can be strongly activated in the tumour microenvironment by both autocrine glutamate release and necrosis

Numerical and experimental study of semi-transparent photovoltaics integrated into commercial building facades

Semi-transparent photovoltaics (STPV) have a large potential for integration in fenestration systems, adding the option of solar electricity production while still allowing for satisfaction of daylight needs. In office buildings, where the trends in architecture already include large glazed façades, and lighting loads constitute a significant portion of the overall energy consumption and, the integration of this technology is intuitive. This thesis studies the potential of using either spaced opaque PV (photovoltaics) or thin-film PV and examines the impact of changing the PV area ratio (ratio of photovoltaics coverage to fenestration area) on the façade. It includes a verification of the workplane illuminance and PV output simulation models through comparison with measured data from an experimental office with a specially built full-scale prototype of a window with spaced solar cells. The thesis addresses the issue of optimizing the PV area ratio for a simplified model based on a typical office in Montreal with an evenly divided south facing 3-section façade, which is an optimized façade concept that allows for view, adequate daylight and reduced heating/cooling loads. Several parametric variations are taken into consideration including façade orientation, site location, PV efficiency, lighting control strategies and shading device transmittance. The annual simulation results show that a façade with integrated STPV has the potential to improve the overall energy performance when compared with opaque PV due to the significant daylighting benefits even at low transparency ratios. At approximately 90% PV area ratio in the upper section of the façade, the daylighting needs of the room are met; at higher PV area ratios the lighting loads increase rapidly and at lower ratios, the additional natural lighting does not enhance the performance further

Evaluation of an automated ankle brachial pressure index calculator in a nurse-led leg ulcer clinic

The Dopplex Ability® is a new automated ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) calculator, the increased use of which the authors are witnessing in clinical practice. Proposed benefits over the traditional hand-held Doppler machine and manual blood pressure (BP) sphygmomanometer include: ease of use, reduced procedure time and reduced time lying flat for patient, which may lead to more cost- effective treatment outcomes. Since it is routine practice in a number of clinical areas for two members of staff to carry out the holistic leg ulcer assessment process, an additional benefit may be the ability of a single member of staff with minimum training to use the Dopplex Ability. An evaluation of the Dopplex Ability was carried out at a busy nurse-led community leg ulcer clinic over a period of 3 months. A total of 22 patients who attended the clinic for Doppler assessment consented to participate. Participants underwent ABPI calculation using both the Dopplex Ability and the hand-held Doppler. Overall 56% of readings were marginally higher with the Dopplex Ability than with the hand-held Doppler; 9% of readings were lower and 34% were equal. ABPI readings from the Dopplex Ability equipment were on average 0.067 higher than corresponding readings taken from hand-held equipment; this difference was statistically significant (p=0.014). Differences between methods were greater in patients who had readings taken by the Dopplex Ability first than in patients who had hand-held readings taken first. The majority of patients found the Dopplex Ability to be tolerable and staff found it easy to use. The Dopplex Ability was found to be a useful adjuvant to the hand-held Doppler

South Africa’s contribution in the field of forensic odontology - a textbook review

This textbook represents an up-to-date, comprehensive compilation of the field of Forensic Odontology. The chapters have been uniquely structured to take the reader through all aspects of this discipline in a methodical and logical approach. Authors for each section were carefully selected as being internationally recognised experts and renowned amongst their peers in their particular field of Forensic Odontology.www.sada.co.zahttp://www.sada.co.zaam2022Oral Pathology and Oral BiologyProsthodontic

Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool Version Two: Development of a tool to inform preparation for care planning and delivery in families and care staff

Care for the person with dementia requires understanding of the person’s perspective and preferences, integrated with knowledge of dementia’s trajectory and appropriate care. Version One of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool addressed such knowledge in care workers; Version Two is for families as well as staff. Content validity was established during development. Revisions addressed clarity, time for completion, and reliability. When 671 staff completed Version One before an education intervention, internal consistency reliability estimates exceeded 0.70. Validity was supported by higher scores in professional versus nonprofessional staff and following the education. Version Two was used with 34 family carers and 70 staff members. Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient) was promising (0.79, both groups). Completion was within 15 minutes. Median correct responses (from 21) were 14 for families (range 4–20) and 16 for the staff (range 3–21). Eighteen staff members (26%) and two family carers (6%) reported substantive dementia education. Inclusion of the person with dementia in care planning is often limited because of a late diagnosis and the progressive impacts of the condition. Establishing a shared staff–family understanding of the dementia trajectory and care strategies likely to be helpful is therefore critical to embarking upon the development and implementation of collaborative long term and end-of-life care plans. Version Two can help establish needs for, and outcomes of, education programs and informational resources in a way that is feasible, minimises burden, and facilitates comparisons across family and staff carer groups

“Time to Reflect”: Enhancing the self-efficacy of secondary school wellbeing personnel in recognising and responding to mental health needs of students

“Time to Reflect” (TTR) is an innovative five-session professional development program for secondary school wellbeing personnel working with students between the ages of 12 and 18. TTR is jointly designed and delivered by an educational and a youth mental health specialist service. The program provides education on a range of mental health related topics and offers participants an opportunity to reflect on their current practices. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether the TTR program increases perceived competence and confidence of participants in recognising and responding to the mental health needs of students. The secondary aim was to assess changes in the use of reflection and its perceived benefits for professional practice. Participants completed a self-assessment questionnaire at three time points: prior to the first session, after the final session, and three months after completion of the program. One hundred and thirty-five school wellbeing personnel from a variety of state, independent, and Catholic secondary schools participated. Following completion of the program, participants reported significantly greater confidence and competence in helping students with mental health problems, with this level of change being maintained at the three-month post-training assessment. The majority of participants reported positive changes in their use of reflection, and consequent benefits to their professional practice. The findings from this study suggest that the TTR program promoted the self-efficacy of participants in responding to the mental health needs of students, and that regular reflective practice may be an effective and beneficial model for continued professional learning and development in schools

Ultrasonographic assessment of splenic volume at presentation and after anti-malarial therapy in children with malarial anaemia

Background: Splenic enlargement is a component of the host response to malaria and may also influence the genesis and progression of malarial anaemia. Few cross-sectional and no longitudinal studies have assessed the relationship between splenic volume measured ultrasonographically and haemoglobin concentrations in children with malaria. Methods: Fifteen Papua New Guinean children with severe malarial anaemia (SMA; haemoglobin <50 g/L) and ten with moderate malarial anaemia (MMA; 51-99 g/L) were recruited. The SMA patients were given intramuscular artemether followed by oral artemisinin combination therapy (ACT), and were transfused one unit of packed cells 0.3-4.0 days post-admission. The MMA patients were treated with ACT. Splenic enlargement (Hackett's grade, subcostal distance and ultrasonographically determined volume) and haemoglobin concentrations were measured on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42. Results: Associations between Hackett's grade, subcostal distance and splenic volume were modest (r(s) = 0.90). Mean splenic volume had fallen by approximately 50 % at day 14 in children with MMA ( P = 0.30). There was no change in haemoglobin in the MMA group during follow-up but a rise in the SMA group to day 7 ( P <= 0.05 vs days 0, 1, 2, and 3) which paralleled the packed cell volume transfused. Conclusions: Clinical assessment of splenomegaly is imprecise compared with ultrasonography. Serial splenic volumes and haemoglobin concentrations suggest that the spleen does not influence post-treatment haemoglobin, including after transfusion