SUMMARY:The debate on how best to teach anatomy and the central role of cadaveric dissections in medical training remains topical even today. Despite the use of a variety of teaching methodologies e.g. prosected specimens, plastinated specimens, cadaveric dissection and computer-assisted learning, the amount of time dedicated to a full body human dissection programme, its clinical relevance and whether it promotes deeper learning has become a bone of contention in problem-based learning context. The implementation of student centred, PBL curricula means that students' learning is autonomous, and studies suggest the link between students' approaches to learning with their perceptions of their learning environment. Therefore, this study explored the perceptions of an educationally diverse medical student cohort in a 5 year problem-based learning programme who learned anatomy through the dissection method, elaborating on the value of this subject to their medical studies. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected and thematically analysed. One hundred students of the MBChB2 cohort (44%) completed the questionnaire. The majority of the respondents (70%) reported a positive experience during anatomical dissection in terms of visual and clinical application whilst gaining anatomy understanding and skill. Students with prior educational qualifications (mature) and first time school leavers voiced similar complaints. Student responses differed qualitatively on how they benefitted from the dissection. This study confirms that dissection remains an effective method for basic anatomy teaching even in PBL contexts. It concludes with strategies to enhance the learning experiences of educationally diverse students.

Background. The application of nanomedicine to antiretroviral drug delivery holds promise in reducing the comorbidities related to long-term systemic exposure to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, the safety of drugs loaded with silver nanoparticles has been debatable. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of HAART-loaded silver nanoparticles (HAART-AgNPs) on the behavioural assessment, biochemical indices, morphological, and morphometric of the hippocampus in diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods. Conjugated HAART-AgNPs were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, UV spectrophotometer, HR-TEM, SEM, and EDX for absorbance peaks, size and morphology, and elemental components. Forty-eight male SD rats ( 250 ± 13  g) were divided into nondiabetic and diabetic groups. Each group was subdivided into ( n = 8 ) A (nondiabetic+vehicle), B (nondiabetic+HAART), C (nondiabetic+HAART-AgNPs), D (diabetic+vehicle), E (diabetic+HAART), and F (diabetic+HAART-AgNPs). Morris water maze, Y-maze test, and weekly blood glucose levels were carried out. Following the last dose of 8-week treatment, the rats were anaesthetized and euthanized. Brain tissues were carefully removed and postfixed for Nissl staining histology. Results. 1.5 M concentration of HAART-AgNPs showed nanoparticle size 20.3 nm with spherical shape. HAART-AgNPs revealed 16.89% of silver and other elemental components of HAART. The diabetic control rats showed a significant increase in blood glucose, reduced spatial learning, positive hippocampal Nissl-stained cells, and a significant decrease in GSH and SOD levels. However, administration of HAART-AgNPs to diabetic rats significantly reduced blood glucose level, improved spatial learning, biochemical indices, and enhanced memory compared to diabetic control. Interestingly, diabetic HAART-AgNP-treated rats showed a significantly improved memory, increased GSH, SOD, and number of positive Nissl-stained neurons compared to diabetic-treated HAART only. Conclusion. Administration of HAART to diabetic rats aggravates the complications of diabetes and promotes neurotoxic effects on the experimental rats, while HAART-loaded silver nanoparticle (HAART-AgNP) alleviates diabetes-induced neurotoxicity.

SUMMARY:The morphology of the sphenoid air sinuses is variable amongst populations. The variation in terms of the morphology of this air sinus is particularly important in cranial base surgery. This study aimed to illustrate the three dimensional (3D) morphology of the sphenoid air sinus across ages 1 to 25 years in a South African population. The frequency of the sphenoid sinus characteristics viz. its presence, shape and septa was observed in 3D reconstructed sphenoid sinus models. The sample (n=480 patients) consisted of 276 males and 204 females, 1-25 years and of two population groups viz. black African and white. The sphenoid air sinus was present in (442/480) 92.1 % on the right and in (441/480) 91.9 % on the left. The sphenoid air sinus was absent in 7.9 % and 8.1 % on the right and left sides respectively. Of those present, six different shapes were identified in the anterior/coronal view. Overall, the main shape identified in the anterior view, was quadrilateral on the right (n=243; 50.6 %) and left (n=238; 49.6 %). There was no association between the shape anteriorly and sex or population groups. However, three forms in the lateral view viz. sellar, presellar and conchal types were documented. The main shape identified was the sellar type on both sides (45.2 % R; 49 % L). Laterally, there was an association between shape and sex, on the left side only, and, between the population groups (p<0.05). Intersinus septa were observed in 90.2 % and located predominantly central in 55.4 %. The maximum amount of partial intrasinus septa observed was up to 7 septa. An in depth analysis and classification of the three dimensional form of the sphenoid air sinus according to age 1-25 years was documented in this study. This study proposed a classification of the air sinus utilizing its three dimensional form. The classification illustrated how the air sinus developed within the sphenoid bone and grows into its surrounding parts in both a lateral and posterior direction.

The dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) is the largest blood vessel distal to the ankle joint. It is the continuation of the anterior tibial artery (ATA) and runs along the dorsum of the foot until the 1 st intermetatarsal space. The DPA gives rise to five branches, viz. medial tarsal, lateral tarsal, arcuate, deep plantar and dorsal metatarsal arteries. Given the vast blood supply provided by the DPA, in the current era of microvascular surgery, the anatomy of the DPA is of increasing interest to anatomists, surgeons and angiographers. The aim of this study was to outline the course, origin, branching patterns and possible variations of the DPA. The present study included the dissection of forty (n=40) cadaveric specimens of the lower limb region (Left: 25; Right: 15). The origin, course and branching patterns of the artery were studied. These morphological parameters were further analysed with regard to laterality to determine if a correlation existed. The Pearson Chi-square test was employed and a p value of less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Although the DPA was present in 97.5 % of cases, it followed the standard anatomical description in only 42.5 % of cases. The DPA originated from the peroneal artery in 5 % of cases. In 25 % of cases, DPA deviated laterally. Variation in the branching pattern of the DPA, which was recorded in 50 % of cases, was further classified according Types 1 to 6. The findings of this study correlated closely with most previous studies. However, the incidence of lateral deviation of the DPA was higher in this study as well as the incidence of Type 1 variation in branching pattern. Additionally, this study proposes a novel variation in branching pattern which has been termed Type 6, which displays a recurrent branch of the Type 5 variation. The DPA has an important role in a clinical setting since the DPA flap is employed in reconstructive surgeries and peripheral circulation may be assessed by the palpation of the DPA pulse. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the DPA is of prime importance to podiatrists, surgeons, anatomists and angiographers.

The facial artery (a branch of the external carotid artery) is the main artery of the face. It gives rise to seven branches viz. inferior labial, superior labial, inferior alar, superior alar, lateral nasal and angular arteries, which are variable. This study included a dissection of twenty embalmed adult cadaveric head and neck specimens. The parameters of origin, branching patterns, termination and variations were analysed and compared with sex and laterality. The facial artery followed the standard anatomical description of origin in 84.62 % of the sample. Variations: (i) origin as a linguofacial trunk in 12.82 % and (ii) high origin in 2.56 % was observed. Male specimens displayed a higher number of linguofacial trunk origins (7.69 %). The branching patterns of the facial artery was classified into six types, with subtypes for Types 1 and 2. Subtype 1-A (standard anatomical description with early termination) occurred in most of the sample (46.15 %). Males were found to have more variations in branching patterns than females (48.72 % and 41.03 % respectively). Termination of the facial artery was as follows: inferior labial artery (5.13 %), superior labial artery (10.26 %), inferior alar artery (10.26 %), superior alar artery (46.15 %), lateral nasal artery (5.13 %), and angular artery (20.51 %). A single case (2.56 %) of an abortive artery was noted. Statistical analysis showed that sex was independent of each parameter observed in this study. Anatomical knowledge of the facial artery is of importance to clinicians and surgeons during procedures such as musculomucosal, island flaps and aesthetic dermatology.