Morphometric description of thoracic vertebral pedicles in adult Malawian cadavers and implications for transpedicula spine fixation / Descripción morfometrica de los pedículos vertebrales torácicos en cadáveres de Malawi adultos e implicaciones para la fijación transpedicular de la columna

SUMMARY: Thoracic pedicles are important during the surgical repair of the thoracic spine deformities. Individuals show considerable differences in the asymmetric dimensions of the thoracic pedicles across populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the thoracic pedicle size and angle in adult Malawian cadavers and to suggest the clinical implications associated particularly the transpedicular fixation of spinal deformities. Adult thoracic vertebra from undetermined sex specimens (n=227) from the skeletal collection in the Anatomy Division, Biomedical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Malawi were measured to assess the pedicle width, pedicle height, chord length, transverse diameter, interpedicular distance, transverse and sagittal pedicle angles. The mean pedicle width was 4.71 ± 1.83 mm (left side) and 4.82 ± 1.77 mm (right side) and the mean pedicle height was 12.63 ± 2.61 mm (left side) and 12.60 ± 2.54 mm (right side). The mean transverse pedicle angle was 12.22 ± 2.30 degrees (left side) and 12.46 ± 2.34 degrees (right side). The mean sagittal pedicle angle was 9.24 ± 2.67 degrees (left side) and 9.40 ± 2.76 degrees (right side). The mean interpedicular distance was 16.67 ± 2.23 mm. Our sample population generally showed smaller thoracic pedicle dimensions than those reported in other populations. Prior knowledge of the variations regarding the thoracic pedicle dimensions is vital for the determination of the pedicle screw size and design. Most importantly the information helps surgeons during preoperative planning of the transpedicular thoracic spine fixation and radiological interpretation.

RESUMEN: Los pedículos de las vértebras torácicas son importantes durante la reparación quirúrgica de las deformidades de la columna torácica. Los individuos muestran diferencias considerables en las dimensiones asimétricas de las vértebras torácicas entre poblaciones. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar el tamaño y el ángulo los pedículos de las vértebras torácicas en cadáveres de Malawi adultos y sugerir las implicaciones clínicas asociadas a la fijación transpedicular de las deformidades espinales. Se midieron 227 vértebras torácicas de muestras de individuos de sexo indeterminado de la colección esquelética en la División de Anatomía, Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Malawi para evaluar el ancho del pedículo, la altura del pedículo, la longitud, el diámetro transversal, distancia interpedicular y ángulos pediculares transversales y sagitales. El ancho medio del pedículo fue de 4,71 ± 1,83 mm (lado izquierdo) y 4,82 ± 1,77 mm (lado derecho) y la altura media del pedículo fue de 12,63 ± 2,61 mm (lado izquierdo) y 12,60 ± 2,54 mm (lado derecho). El ángulo pedicular transverso medio fue de 12,22 ± 2,3 grados (lado izquierdo) y 12,46 ± 2,34 grados (lado derecho). El ángulo pedicular sagital medio fue de 9,24 ± 2,67 grados (lado izquierdo) y 9,40 ± 2,76 grados (lado derecho). La distancia interpedicular media fue de 16,67 ± 2,23 mm. La población de esta muestra mostró dimensiones de los pedículos de las vértebras torácicas generalmente más pequeñas que las informadas en otras poblaciones. El conocimiento previo de las variaciones con respecto a las dimensiones de los pedículos de las vértebras torácicas es vital para la determinación del tamaño y diseño del tornillo pedicular. Lo más importante es que la información ayuda a los cirujanos durante la planificación preoperatoria para la fijación transpedicular de la columna torácica y su interpretación radiológica.

A morphometric study of the mandibular foramen in dry adult human mandibles in a black Malawian population / Un estudio morfométrico del foramen mandibular en mandíbulas humanas adultas secas en una población malauí negra

SUMMARY: The inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) technique is a common technique performed on patients in dental surgery, placement of mandibular implants and other procedures involving the mandible. Precise identification of the mandibular foramen (MF) is essential for dental surgeons to accurately administer local anesthetics. Inaccurate localization of the mandibular foramen may result in IANB failure and injury to neurovascular tissues. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the precise location of the MF from various anatomical land marks in dry adult human mandibles of Malawian population. The study was conducted on 29 dry adult human mandibles of unknown sex of Malawian origin from the Anatomy Division collection of human skeletons housed in the Biomedical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Malawi. To determine the position of the mandibular foramen, distances from mandibular foramen to anterior margin, posterior margin, mandibular notch, gonial angle and mandibular base using a Vernier caliper were measured. The mean distance of the MF from posterior margin of mandibular ramus was 11.26±1.22 mm (right side) and 11.47±1.35 mm (left side), from the anterior margin 20.85±3.12 mm (right side) and 20.85±3.22 mm (left side) mandibles. The mean distance between mandibular notch (MN) and MF was 23.87±2.61 mm (right side) and 23.53 ± 2.65 mm (left side). The mean distance between mandibular base (MB) and MF for the right and left were 28.47 ± 2.90 mm and 27.85 ± 2.99 mm respectively. The inferior limit of the mandibular foramen was located at 24.69 ± 3.65 mm (right side) and 24.25 ± 2.77 mm (left side) to the angle (AG) of the mandible. The findings of this study show that the anterior margin mean distance from the MF for both right and left mandibles seem to be bilateral symmetrical suggesting the interpretation that the needle for IANB could be inserted at about 21 mm from the anterior margin to the MF in an adult of Malawian origin during surgery.

RESUMEN: La técnica de bloqueo del nervio alveolar inferior (IANB) es una técnica común que se realiza en pacientes en cirugía dental, colocación de implantes mandibulares y otros procedimientos que involucran la mandíbula. La identificación precisa del foramen mandibular (MF) es esencial para que los cirujanos dentistas administren con precisión anestésicos locales. La localización inexacta del foramen mandibular puede resultar en una falla de la IANB y lesión de los tejidos neurovasculares. Por lo tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la ubicación precisa de la MF de varias marcas anatómicas en las mandíbulas humanas adultas secas de la población de Malawi. El estudio se llevó a cabo en 29 mandíbulas humanas adultas secas de sexo desconocido de origen malauí de la colección de esqueletos humanos de la División de Anatomía del Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Malawi. Para determinar la posición del foramen mandibular, se midieron las distancias desde el foramen mandibular hasta el margen anterior, margen posterior, incisura mandibular, ángulo gonial y base mandibular utilizando un calibre Vernier. La distancia media del MF desde el margen posterior de la rama mandibular fue de 11,26 ± 1,22 mm (lado derecho) y 11,47 ± 1,35 mm (lado izquierdo), desde el margen anterior 20,85 ± 3,12 mm (lado derecho) y 20,85 ± 3,22 mm (lado izquierdo) lado) mandíbulas. La distancia media entre la muesca mandibular (MN) y MF fue de 23,87 ± 2,61 mm (lado derecho) y 23,53 ± 2,65 mm (lado izquierdo). La distancia media entre la base mandibular (MB) y MF para la derecha y la izquierda fue de 28,47 ± 2,90 mm y 27,85 ± 2,99 mm, respectiva- mente. El límite inferior del foramen mandibular se ubicó a 24,69 ± 3,65 mm (lado derecho) y 24,25 ± 2,77 mm (lado izquierdo) del ángulo (AG) de la mandíbula. Los resultados de este estudio mues- tran que la distancia media del margen anterior desde el MF para las mandíbulas derecha e izquierda parece ser simétrica bilateral, lo que sugiere la interpretación de que la aguja para IANB podría insertarse a unos 21 mm del margen anterior al MF en una adulto de origen malauí durante la cirugía.

Esquistosomiasis vesical urinaria: caso anatomoclínico diagnosticado en Chile / Urinary bladder schistosomiasis: a case report diagnosed in Chile

Resumen La esquistomiasis urinaria es producida por Schistosoma haematobium. Es una enfermedad endémica en muchas regiones del mundo, no existente en Chile. Se presenta el caso de un hombre joven que viajó a Malawi, en África meridional, y que a su regreso al país, años después, presentó un síndrome miccional con hematuria macroscópica. La biopsia de vejiga mostró una cistitis granulomatosa y eosinofílica con huevos de Schistosoma haematobium.

Urinary schistosomiasis is produced by Schistosoma haematobium. It is an endemic disease in many regions of the world, non-existent in Chile. We report a case of a young man who traveled to Malawi, in southern Africa, and who returned to Chile. Few years later, he presented a urinary syndrome with macroscopic hematuria. The bladder biopsy showed a granulomatous and eosinophilic cystitis with eggs of Schistosoma haematobium.

SSR genetic diversity assessment of popular pigeonpea varieties in Malawi reveals unique fingerprints

Background: Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is a drought tolerant legume of the Fabaceae family and the only cultivated species in the genus Cajanus. It is mainly cultivated in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Oceania, Africa and America. In Malawi, it is grown as a source of food and income and for soil improvement in intercropping systems. However, varietal contamination due to natural outcrossing causes significant quality reduction and yield losses. In this study, 48 polymorphic SSR markers were used to assess the diversity among all pigeonpea varieties cultivated in Malawi to determine if a genetic fingerprint could be identified to distinguish the popular varieties. Results: A total of 212 alleles were observed with an average of 5.58 alleles per marker and a maximum of 14 alleles produced by CCttc019 (Marker 40). Polymorphic information content (PIC), ranged from 0.03 to 0.89 with an average of 0.30. A neighbor-joining tree produced 4 clusters. The most commonly cultivated varieties, which include released varieties and cultivated land races, were well-spread across all the clusters observed, indicating that they generally represented the genetic diversity available in Malawi, although substantial variation was evident that can still be exploited through further breeding. Conclusion: Screening of the allelic data associated with the five most popular cultivated varieties, revealed 6 markers - CCB1, CCB7, Ccac035, CCttc003, Ccac026 and CCttc019 - which displayed unique allelic profiles for each of the five varieties. This genetic fingerprint can potentially be applied for seed certification to confirm the genetic purity of seeds that are delivered to Malawi farmers.

Ética em pesquisa na dinâmica do campo científico: desafios na construção de diretrizes para ciências humanas e sociais / Research ethics in the dynamic of scientific field: challenges in the building of guidelines for social sciences and humanities

ResumoA elaboração de diretrizes para a apreciação ética de pesquisas em ciências humanas e sociais (CHS) se efetiva no campo científico, espaço marcado por disputas voltadas ao estabelecimento do padrão hegemônico de cientificidade. No Brasil, cabe ao Conselho Nacional de Saúde aprovar essas diretrizes, o que envolve certas especificidades. Com base na vivência das autoras no Grupo de Trabalho CHS da Comissão Nacional de Ética em Pesquisa (GT CHS/CONEP), este manuscrito apresenta o processo de elaboração de uma resolução para CHS e alguns dos seus desafios: a distância entre a garantia legal e a efetivação de diretrizes; a hegemonia biomédica e a posição marginal das CHS no Sistema CEP/CONEP; a inadequação da atual resolução ante as características da pesquisa em CHS; e o emprego do conceito de risco, em diretrizes voltadas a CHS no espaço da saúde. Discutem-se ainda interfaces e tensões no debate entre mérito científico e avaliação ética. A análise evidencia importantes impasses e dificuldades concernentes ao diálogo interparadigmático na pesquisa em saúde, consideradas as características das distintas tradições, a ancoragem da CONEP na perspectiva positivista e a defesa da hegemonia dessa tradição.

AbstractThe development of guidelines on research ethics for social science and humanities (SSH) takes place in the scientific field, marked by disputes aimed at the establishment of hegemonic scientific standard. In Brazil, the National Health Council is responsible for approving these guidelines, which involve certain specificities. Based on the authors' experience in the SSH Working Group of the National Commission on Research Ethics (GT CHS / CONEP), this article presents the process of development of guidelines for SSH, and some its challenges: the distance between the statutory guarantee and the effective execution of guidelines; the biomedical hegemony and the marginal position of the SSH in the CEP / CONEP system; the inadequacy of the current resolution facing the research features in CHS; the use of the concept of risk in guidelines aimed at SSH in the health area. Some interfaces and tensions in the debate between scientific merit and ethical evaluation are also discussed. The analysis highlights important impasses and difficulties regarding inter-paradigmatic dialogue in health research, considered the characteristics of the different traditions, the CONEP's heavily relying on the positivist perspective and the defense of that paradigm hegemony.