Implications of predicting hand proficiency from hand function tests and anthropometric measurements

The successful performance of everyday activities depends largely on the ability to perform purposeful  movements efficiently and  precisely. These dextrous movements are known to be dependent upon finely-tuned successions of synergistic muscle activity. It is  possible to manipulate the environs with a high measure of hand motion suppleness using various tests. Hand function testing recognizes manual capability (dexterity), hand preference (handedness), hand performance (dominance), and grip strength (efficiency) as essential features of human control of motion. Although anthropometric measurements may be used to accurately  describe the characteristics of individual hands, the large variations reported between and within individuals and populations often present a challenge. In the  assessment of hand proficiency, the researcher needs to consider the usefulness of carrying out hand function tests in isolation vis-à-vis in combination one with  another. This should reveal the independence of the hand function tests and at the same time identify those which can be used to predict hand proficiency for a particular population and a specific function. The use of a combination of hand function testing would lead to a better understanding and determination of hand  proficiency. It would also allow for hand function to be fully  assessed and the interpretations of the tests would not be restricted. The findings of such research may be applied in making a better  placement of individuals in the work/training environment so that they perform tasks that put them at less risk for injury

Referencing orbital measures for surgical and cosmetic procedures

Orbital morphometry is an important consideration during surgical procedures such as reconstruction of the face and cranium. These are done to restore lost functional capacity or to improve cosmetic appearance. Periorbital and intraorbital neurovascular structures risk relative damage during these maneuvers. A thorough understanding of orbital anatomy is therefore essential in avoiding surgical complications. The aim of this study was to describe the average orbital distances and depths from known identifiable anatomical landmarks. One hundred and thirteen adult crania obtained from National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi were examined. Measurements of superior and inferior orbital depths and the biorbital and marginofissural distances were taken using a sliding vernier caliper and their mean measurements documented. The superior orbital depth was 53.38mm in males and 52.03mm in females. The inferior orbital depth was 55.17mm in males and 53.76mm in females. The marginofissural distance was 23.79mm and 22.30mm in males and females respectively. The biorbital breadth was 99.49mm in males and 96.43mm in females while the interorbital distance was 18.91mm in males and 18.26mm in females. This study proposes that orbital measures be given special consideration during orbital reconstruction. A depth of 53mm is recommended as a safe superior orbital depth during operations involving the deep orbit. Similarly, on the orbital floor 55mm into the orbital cavity should be considered safe from the optic nerve.Key words: orbital measurements, facial cosmetic surgery, facial plastic surgery, orbital reconstruction, orbital anesthesi

Periduodenal Tuberculosis masquerading as Annular Pancreas

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is common in Africa. Nonetheless, isolated  duodenal involvement is rare, and is more likely to mimic other causes of duodenal obstruction. We report a patient who succumbed to an isolated mid duodenal tuberculosis, diagnosed at laparatomy, whose clinical presentation, endoscopy and computerised tomography scans resembled annular pancreas. The limitations of clinical evaluation, endoscopy and radiology are highlighted as the importance of diagnostic laparoscopy is emphasized

Morphology of the mandibular condyle in a Kenyan population

Use of condylar prostheses in mandibular reconstructive surgery is increasing in Kenya. To retain functional capability, condylar prostheses have to preserve the form of the condyle. Although condylar shape and size have been shown to vary between populations, few studies of these have been done in Africans. This study aimed to describe the morphology of the mandibular condyle in a Kenyan population. Sixty three mandibles of African origin were used. Condylar shape was assessed from the anterior, superior and lateral aspects as per a scheme used by Wedel et al. (1978). Data collected were analyzed using SPSS v.17 for frequencies and represented using tables, charts and photographs. The commonest shapes were: slightly convex anteriorly (71.43%); oblong superiorly (73.02%); and convex laterally (80.16%). Only the lateral shape displayed sexual dimorphism, with 100% of females but 88.33% of males having the C1 (convex) shape. Asymmetry was found in 12 (19.05%) of the mandibles. Right and left condyles are similar in shape in most cases but the frequency of the convex lateral shape displayed sexual variation. The mandibular condyles of Kenyans were different in frequency of convex lateral and anterior shapes from condyles of other populations recorded in literature. These differences in morphology imply that condylar measurements cannot be generalized in the manufacture of condylar prostheses and have to be customized for the local population as well as for male and female condyles.Keywords: Mandibular condyle, shap

Sternal foramina and variant xiphoid morphology in a Kenyan population

Sternal foramina may pose a great hazard during sternal puncture, due to inadvertent cardiac or great vessel injury. They can also be misinterpreted as osteolytic lesions in cross-sectional imaging of the sternum. On the other hand, variant xiphoid morphology such as bifid, duplicated, or trifurcated may be mistaken for fractures during imaging. The distribution of these anomalies differs between populations, but data from Africans is scarcely reported. This study therefore aimed to investigate the distribution and frequency of sternal foramina and variant xiphoid morphology in a Kenyan population. Eighty formalin-fixed adult sterna (42 males [M], 38 females [F]) of age range 18–45 years were studied during dissection at the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi. Soft tissues were removed from the macerated sterna by blunt dissection and foramina recorded in the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process. The xiphisternal ending was classified as single, bifurcated (2 xiphoid processes with a common stem), or duplicated (2 xiphoid processes with separate stems). Results were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Foramina were present in 11 specimens (13.8%): 7 M, 4 F. The highest frequency was in the sternal body (n = 9), where they predominantly occurred at the 5th intercostal segment. Xiphoid foramina were present in 2 specimens (both males) (2.5%), while manubrial foramen was not encountered. The xiphisternum ended as a single process in 64 cases (34 M, 30 F) (80%). It bifurcated in 10 cases (5 M, 5 F) (12.5%), and duplicated in 6 cases (4 M, 2 F) (7.5%). There were no cases of trifurcation. Sternal foramina in Kenyans vary in distribution and show higher frequency than in other populations. These variations may complicate sternal puncture, and due caution is recommended. The variant xiphisternal morphology may raise alarm for xiphoid fractures and may therefore be considered a differential

The Rho-GEF Kalirin regulates bone mass and the function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts

Bone homeostasis is maintained by the balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. Dysregulation in the activity of the bone cells can lead to osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass and an increase in bone fragility and risk of fracture. Kalirin is a novel GTP-exchange factor protein that has been shown to play a role in cytoskeletal remodeling and dendritic spine formation in neurons. We examined Kalirin expression in skeletal tissue and found that it was expressed in osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Furthermore, micro-CT analyses of the distal femur of global Kalirin knockout (Kal-KO) mice revealed significantly reduced trabecular and cortical bone parameters in Kal-KO mice, compared to WT mice, with significantly reduced bone mass in 8, 14 and 36 week-old female Kal-KO mice. Male mice also exhibited a decrease in bone parameters but not to the level seen in female mice. Histomorphometric analyses also revealed decreased bone formation rate in 14 week-old female Kal-KO mice, as well as decreased osteoblast number/bone surface and increased osteoclast surface/bone surface. Consistent with our in vivo findings, the bone resorbing activity and differentiation of Kal-KO osteoclasts was increased in vitro. Although alkaline phosphatase activity by Kal-KO osteoblasts was increased in vitro, Kal-KO osteoblasts showed decreased mineralizing activity, as well as decreased secretion of OPG, which was inversely correlated with ERK activity. Taken together, our findings suggest that deletion of Kalirin directly affects osteoclast and osteoblast activity, leading to decreased OPG secretion by osteoblasts which is likely to alter the RANKL/OPG ratio and promote osteoclastogenesis. Therefore, Kalirin may play a role in paracrine and/or endocrine signaling events that control skeletal bone remodeling and the maintenance of bone mass

Children's daily travel to school in Johannesburg-Soweto, South Africa: geography and school choice in the Birth to Twenty cohort study

This paper has two aims: to explore approaches to the measurement of children’s daily travel to school in a context of limited geospatial data availability, and to provide data regarding school choice and distance travelled to school in Soweto-Johannesburg, South Africa. The paper makes use of data from the Birth to Twenty cohort study (n=1428) to explore three different approaches to estimating school choice and travel to school. Firstly, straight-line distance between home and school is calculated. Secondly, census geography is used to determine whether a child's home and school fall in the same area. Thirdly, distance data are used to determine whether a child attends the nearest school. Each of these approaches highlights a different aspect of mobility, and all provide valuable data. Overall, primary school aged children in Soweto-Johannesburg are shown to be travelling substantial distances to school on a daily basis. Over a third travel more than 3km, one-way, to school, 60% attend schools outside of the suburb in which they live, and only 18% attend their nearest school. These data provide evidence for high levels of school choice in Johannesburg-Soweto, and that families and children are making substantial investments in pursuit of high quality educational opportunities. Additionally, these data suggest that two patterns of school choice are evident: one pattern involving travel of substantial distances and requiring a higher level of financial investment, and a second pattern, involving choice between more local schools, requiring less travel and a more limited financial investment

Land cover changes in the Upper Great Ruaha (Tanzania) and the Upper Awash (Ethiopia) river basins and their potential implications for groundwater resources

Over the past century, the world has experienced an unprecedented surge in population growth, accompanied by a significant increase in economic activity and fuelled by an intensive utilization of natural resources, including water. This phenomenon has brought about profound alterations in land cover and land use patterns across various regions. Knowledge of land use changes is key to unlocking an understanding of water use changes and associated impacts on water resources, and potential threats to sustainability. However, the pace and nature of land use transitions vary widely across the globe, shaped by a complex interplay of local, regional and global factors, making systematic assessments important. This report presents the results of a land cover change analysis conducted in two river basins in sub-Saharan Africa: the Upper Great Ruaha River Basin (UGRRB) in Tanzania and the Upper Awash River Basin (UARB) in Ethiopia. The spatio-temporal analysis spans a recent 15-20-year period up until 2015/16 and utilizes remote sensing imagery, secondary maps and ground truth information for the two end point times (resolution: 30 m). The basins are significantly different in terms of agricultural development and water resource use. UARB represents an area with emerging commercial farms, urban expansion and diminishing natural vegetation, whereas UGRRB still retains significant natural vegetation but is experiencing an increase in smallholder agriculture as well as intensive commercial irrigation potentially affecting fragile wetland systems. In UGRRB, surface water is the main source of irrigation water, while in UARB, groundwater resources are increasingly used for irrigation by smallholder farmers. The findings reveal a common overall trend in both basins that is similar to many low-income countries, illustrating an expansion of agricultural and irrigated areas and human settlements at the expense of natural land cover. The report presents a detailed systematic remote sensing-based methodology to quantify and compare land cover transitions in time and space with high resolution, within and between agricultural landscapes of larger basins. The study highlights that land cover changes in the basins follow diverse and unique trajectories, providing critical insights into evolving land use patterns. In its conclusion, the study underscores the profound implications of recent land use changes for groundwater resources within these agro-pastoral systems. Overall, the report highlights the importance of sustainable land management and integrated water resources management, and provides valuable insights into the complexities of land use change in these regions

De novo transcriptomic analyses revealed some detoxification genes and related pathways responsive to noposion yihaogong® 5% EC (Lambda-Cyhalothrin 5%) exposure in spodoptera frugiperda third-instar larvae

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous, invasive insect pest which causes significant losses in important crops wherever it has spread. The use of pesticides in agriculture is a key tool in the management of many important crop pests, including S. frugiperda, but continued use of insecticides has selected for various types of resistance, including enzyme systems that provide enhanced mechanisms of detoxification. In the present study, we analyzed the de novo transcriptome of S. frugiperda larvae exposed to Noposion Yihaogong® 5% emulsifiable concentrate (EC) insecticide focusing on detoxification genes and related pathways. Results showed that a total of 1819 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in larvae after being treated with Noposion Yihaogong® 5% EC insecticide, of which 863 were up- and 956 down-regulated. Majority of these differentially expressed genes were identified in numerous Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, including metabolism of xenobiotics and drug metabolism. Furthermore, many of S. frugiperda genes involved in detoxification pathways influenced by lambda-cyhalothrin stress support their predicted role by further co-expression network analysis. Our RT-qPCR results were consistent with the DEG’s data of transcriptome analysis. The comprehensive transcriptome sequence resource attained through this study enriches the genomic platform of S. frugiperda, and the identified DEGs may enable greater molecular underpinnings behind the insecticide-resistance mechanism caused by lambda-cyhalothrin