Acticoat™ has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects which aid wound healing. However, in vitro studies indicate that Acticoat™ is cytotoxic and clinical and in vivo studies suggest that it may delay healing in acute wounds. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of Acticoat™ on healing in acute full-thickness excisional wounds. Using a porcine model, healing was assessed on days 3, 6, 9 and 15 post-wounding. Five wounds dressed with Acticoat™ and five wounds dressed with polyurethane film (control) were assessed per day (n = 40 wounds). The rate of healing, inflammatory response, restoration of the epithelium and blood vessel and collagen formation were evaluated. No difference was found in the rate of healing between wounds treated with Acticoat™ and the control wounds. Inflammation was increased in Acticoat™-treated wounds on day 3 post-wounding compared to the control wounds. However, by day 15 post-wounding, the epithelium of the Acticoat™-treated wounds closely resembled normal epithelium. Acticoat™-treated wounds also contained a higher proportion of mature blood vessels, and differences in collagen deposition were apparent. Despite inducing an inflammatory response, Acticoat™ did not delay healing in acute wounds. Conversely, the improved quality of the epithelium and blood vessels within Acticoat™-treated wounds indicates that Acticoat™ has a beneficial effect on healing.
Knowledge of arterial variations within a clinical setting is essential. During routine dissection of the left upper limb of a 69 year‐old white, male cadaver, the ulnar artery was found to arise from the anterior aspect of the second part of the axillary artery. In its course the artery passed superficial to the medial and lateral roots of the median nerve and continued distally within the subcutaneous tissue on the medial aspect of the upper limb. No branches were observed in the arm or forearm before the artery passed through the ulnar canal to form the superficial palmar arch. The superficial ulnar artery positioned within the subcutaneous tissue of the upper limb is a notable variation due to the risk of intra‐arterial injection. This case further emphasizes the importance of all health care professionals being aware of clinically important variations.
Human dissection remains a cornerstone of the anatomy learning experience. However, the emotional response of students to the use of human remains for learning is influenced by a number of factors and is not always positive. Therefore, this study explored the students’ emotional response to and factors affecting their perceptions of the use of human remains for learning anatomy in a South African context. Four hundred and eighty of the 1538 health sciences students enrolled in human anatomy courses at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa during 2016 and 2017, completed a voluntary survey. The survey included closed and open-ended questions on students’ emotional responses, coping mechanisms and the factors that affected their perceptions of the use of human remains and dissection. Overall, the students had a positive emotional response. Their perceptions of dissection were affected in positive and negative ways by their religious and cultural beliefs. Feelings of gratitude and respect toward the cadaver were informed by belief systems. However, anxiety was caused by the delay of accepted sociocultural burial practices. Peer discussions were the preferred coping method, which may provide an approach for students to discuss how their beliefs influence their dissection experience.
Body donation is viewed as a selfless act on the part of the donors and their families which benefits the training of Health Sciences students for the future good of society. Most anatomists view the use of human bodies, which is made possible by donation, as the cornerstone for acquiring anatomical knowledge. In this context, our study investigated undergraduate health sciences students' expectations of the anatomy laboratory experience at a South African University.Over 600 of the 1381 students enrolled in anatomy courses for the degrees of medicine, dentistry and allied health sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa during 2016 and 2017, completed a voluntary survey (Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) Clearance no. M160219). The survey included an open‐ended question asking students about their expectations of the anatomy laboratory experience. Thematic analysis was used to identify major and minor themes emanating from the student responses. The major themes identified from the 464 responses to the question were: an expectation to learn and better understand the anatomy of the human body, the value of visualizing structures linked to practical learning and hands on experience, as well as the authenticity of dealing with human remains. Minor themes which emerged were the importance of the knowledge gained for future clinical careers as well as the acquisition of academic and personal skills. Additionally, students acknowledged the sacrifice of the body donor and their families in their contribution to the students' learning of anatomy.The laboratory experience and the use of human bodies was valued by the students for supporting and deepening their learning of anatomy and was viewed as enriching. Some students perceived the experience as an essential aspect in the preparation for their future careers as health sciences professionals.Support or Funding InformationNo funding was received for this projectThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
For surgical disciplines, an understanding of the variations of the superior thyroid artery (STA) is essential as the STA is a crucial landmark during surgical procedures involving the thyroid gland. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate variations in the origin and branching pattern of the STA within a South African population. Further analyses included variations in the origin and branching pattern according to sex and symmetry.Thirty‐two adult South African cadavers of European ancestry (18 males and 14 females) were dissected to expose the origin and branching pattern of the STA bilaterally. Observations were made on the origin and branching patterns of the vessel bilaterally. Frequency tables were used to determine the frequencies of the origin and branching patterns of the STA.The STA originated most commonly from the external carotid artery at the carotid sinus (34.2%). This origin was observed more frequently on the left side in males than in females (p=0.04). In both sexes and for both left and right sides, the STA most commonly gave rise to anterior and posterior glandular branches.South African populations of European descent exhibit similar variation in the origin and branching patterns of the superior thyroid artery to other European populations. Furthermore significant variation in the arterial supply to the thyroid gland exists between males and females. An understanding of these differences is important for successful thyroid surgery.
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