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The need to transfer human biological materials (HBMs) across national boundaries has become increasingly important in view of increased biobank and commercial activities globally. In light of South Africa (SA)’s history of colonisation and racial discrimination, coupled with well-known instances of exploitation of research participants in the developing world, it is critical that the management of HBMs from and to other jurisdictions is explored and regulated. Material transfer agreements (MTAs) represent an important point of departure in such a process. This article explores the need for a uniform MTA in SA and discusses some aspects of the recently gazetted national MTA, which provides a framework that can serve as a safeguard for cross-border transfer of HBMs in the absence of the National Health Act’s chapter 8 regulations in this regard.

Non-resectable colorectal liver metastases (CLMs) are generally considered an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation. However, a 2013 Norwegian study transplanted livers in 21 patients with CLMs and reported excellent outcomes. The current article reports on the deliberations of the Wits Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical), which resulted in approval of the first liver transplant for a patient with CLMs in South Africa (SA). Factors considered included the scarcity of donor organs in SA, weighing the best interests of different groups of patients and the requirement for extensive and careful information provision. Originally under the auspices of Section 37 of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (2013), the protocol has now been formalised as a research project.

South African doctors (n = 211) experienced in antiretroviral therapy use were asked via an online questionnaire about the WHO 2013 adult antiretroviral integrated guidelines, as well as clinical and personal issues, in three hypothetical scenarios: directing the Minister of Health, advising a family member requiring therapy amidst unstable antiretroviral supplies, and where doctors themselves were HIV-positive. Doctors (54%) favoured the 500 cells/μl WHO initiation threshold if advising the Minister; a third recommended retaining the 350 cells/μl threshold used at the time of the survey. However, they favoured a higher initiation threshold for their family member. Doctors were 4.9 fold more likely to initiate modern treatment, irrespective of their CD4 cell count, for themselves than for public-sector patients (95%CI odds ratio = 3.33-7.33; P

Objective. A retrospective examination of numbers of applications, decision rates, and process errors in 2015 was done for comparison with earlier studies to understand current ethics secretariat workload. Methods. In December 2015 information from committee minutes of all the meetings (N=11) in 2015 (January - November) was collected to quantify change in application numbers and process errors. Statistical analysis used SAS for Windows (version 9.4). Statistical significance was set at p

This retrospective study documents the Masters and PhD training of 131 Dental Research Institute (DRI) postgraduates (1954-2006) to establish demographics, throughput and research outcomes for future PhD pipeline strategies using the DRI database. Descriptive statistics show four degree-based groups of postgraduates: 18 PhDs; 55 MScs; 42 MDents and 16 dropouts. Postgraduate activity peaked in1981. Pipeline conversion from Masters to PhD was below 20% with MScs more likely to embark on a PhD than MDents. Nearly half of all postgraduates had prior published research experience before embarking on the degree. Acquired skills were predominantly thesis publication, teaching and conference presentation. Higher degrees were done for personal betterment (40%), specialist training (34%) or academic betterment (20%). The DRI intellectual climate and 50-hour research techniques course contributed to the 87% postgraduate completion rate. There is no incentive for DRI clinical researchers to complete a PhD unless on an academic career path.

Objectives. To compare numbers of applications to the University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) for clearance by the full committee during 2011 - 2013; to see the proportion of clinical Master’s applications in 2013 and to look for the influence of eight variables in applications reviewed from January to June 2013. Methods. A retrospective extraction of data from committee minutes (2011-2013) and application forms (January – June 2013) was done. Statistical analysis was completed using SAS for Windows (version 9.4). Variables examined were committee decision, choice of research method, supervision or not, supervisors’ research degree, supervisors’ publication group, university administrative entity, registered degree and month of approval after first review. Results. Total numbers were 685 (2011), 845 (2012, a 23.4% increase from 2011) and 769 (2013, a 9.0% decrease on the previous year). In 2013, 22% of applications were for clinical Master’s degrees required by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for specialist registration. A number of cross-tabulations of variables are presented. Logistic regression analysis (Proc Catmod) showed that three variables significantly influenced the committee’s initial review decision, namely school (p=0.03), applicants’ registered degree (p=0.01) and the research method chosen (p=0.03). The month of committee approval was also significantly affected by school (p=0.002). Preferred research methodologies for supervised and independent research applications differed within and between schools. Conclusion. A predicted continuous increase in number of applications from 2011 to 2013 did not happen for unknown reasons. Research method, school, and registered degree significantly influenced the committee’s decision at the initial review of applications. For clinical Masters, and other Masters, a supervisor’s degree had no effect on the committee’s decision at the initial review of applications; however undergraduate and honours applicants having supervisors without a research degree had more than double the approval rate at first review than when supervisors had either a Doctorate or a Master’s (p=0.008). Supervisors’ possession of a research degree did not increase approval rate of applications nor did a supervisor’s publication grouping.Â

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare vertical and horizontal periodontal measurements of posterior teeth on standardized panoramic and intraoral radiographs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Standardized panoramic and periapical radiographs were made of 16 human skulls using ball bearings placed on the maxillary first molars to allow adjustment for horizontal and vertical magnification. RESULTS: At 14 of 19 measurement sites there was no significant difference between measurements on the 2 radiographic film types. At 4 sites vertical measurements on panoramic radiographs were significantly larger than on periapical radiographs (0.80 to 1.37 mm). At one site horizontal measurements were significantly greater on periapical radiographs (0.88 mm). CONCLUSIONS: If there is adjustment of the raw data for magnification as suggested in this study, panoramic radiographs may be used for measurement studies in the posterior region once the patients are positioned appropriately within the focal trough of the machines and the magnification range for the posterior focal trough is used for adjustment of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate associations between the position and orientation of the maxillary first permanent molar and localized attachment loss (localized gingival recession or alveolar bone concavity) at the mesiopalatal aspect of this tooth. Methods: The study samples were 30 orthodontic study casts of young patients treated without premolar extractions, 45 pretreatment adult periodontal patient study casts, and 56 adult skulls. Measurements made were the maxillary first permanent molar crown angulation, inclination, rotation, and arch position, as well as the presence or absence of localized gingival recession/alveolar bone concavity at the mesiopalatal aspect of the tooth. Results: Localized attachment loss was most frequent in the periodontal study casts. The localized attachment loss was significantly associated with crown angulation, inclination, and type of sample but not with crown rotation and arch position. Conclusion: Orthodontists need to consider the final position of the maxillary first molar crown in terms of its angulation and inclination to reduce the likelihood of the localized attachment loss at the mesiopalatal aspect of the maxillary first molar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report is of maxillary central incisors still in place 38 years after periodontal surgery to correct the damage to supporting tooth structure by an orthodontic elastic band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. A retrospective examination of numbers of applications, decision rates, and process errors in 2015 was done for comparison with earlier studies to understand current ethics secretariat workload. Methods. In December 2015 information from committee minutes of all the meetings (N=11) in 2015 (January - November) was collected to quantify change in application numbers and process errors. Statistical analysis used SAS for Windows (version 9.4). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results. There were 809 new general research applications considered in 2015. Monthly approvals at first evaluation ranged from 4 to 30% with an overall approval rate of 16%. Minor revision was required in 72%, major revision in 11% and 1% of applications were not approved. The χ² test for trend for initial approval showed a statistically significant decrease across the study periods (p<0.0001). However, the χ² test for trend for pending responses from applicants was also statistically significant (χ²=29.64). Informed consent and missing information process errors were the most frequent. There were statistically significant increases in lapses of confidentiality methods (p<0.0001) and discrepancies on application forms (p<0.005). Conclusion. Applications to the Wits Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) (HREC (M)) for ethics clearance almost doubled between 2003 and 2015 while approvals at first evaluation approximately halved. This has increased the workload on the HREC (M) secretariat. Process error rates are similar to those in an earlier study except that confidentiality and discrepancies have shown a statistically significant increase. Given limitation on the number of secretariat staff in the current stringent financial circumstances of South African universities, applicants need to improve the quality of their applications to increase approval at first review and reduce secretariat workload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-resectable colorectal liver metastases (CLMs) are generally considered an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation. However, a 2013 Norwegian study transplanted livers in 21 patients with CLMs and reported excellent outcomes. The current article reports on the deliberations of the Wits Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical), which resulted in approval of the first liver transplant for a patient with CLMs in South Africa (SA). Factors considered included the scarcity of donor organs in SA, weighing the best interests of different groups of patients and the requirement for extensive and careful information provision. Originally under the auspices of Section 37 of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (2013), the protocol has now been formalised as a research project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]