Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Medicine
Department of Anatomy
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
The section Clinical Anatomy has pursued their interest in the three dimensional visualisation of anatomical structures by means of Cone Beam technology at Necsa, Pelindaba. BSc honnours student, Robyn Hills, completed and presented her studies on the three dimensional visualisation of the pterygooalatine fossa by microfocus imaging at Faculty Day 2011 and achieved first place for student oral presentations. The data analysis towards the PhD of AC Oettlé has been completed and involved the assessment of changes in shape and size of the adult mandible visualised by cone beam technology. Dr Oettlé received RESCOM funding to the value of R10 000 for 2011. A masters study by Erin Hutchinson involving the three dimensional assessment of shape changes during growth of the foetal mandible by means of a microscribe digitiser has been completed and is in the process to be printed by the journal "Forensic Sciences International". Three dimensional shape analyses along with linear measurements also forms part of the masters study: "Clinically applied dimensions of the pelvis in South Africans" of Suvasha Jagesur who has finished her data analysis and intends to complete in 2012. Ms suvasha Jagesur received UP postgraduate funding of approximately R18 000. Research on anaesthetic blocks by Dr Albert van Schoor is continuing as well with an hounours student: Elsabé Smit who investigated sonar guided brachial blocks. another hounours topic on paediatric procedures was investigated by Nkunsani Maluleka. Dr Albert van Schoor received R 1000 from RESCOM for 2012. Gerda Venter and Nanette Briers have submitted their masters and doctoral theses respectively for external examination, while Lané van der Merwe has almost completed the data collection for her MSc.
Contact person: Prof MC Bosman.
a. Research on the remains of southern Africans held in European and other international institutions: This forms part of a SANPAD funded initiative and is done in collaboration with Prof GJR Maat and Dr AE van der Merwe from the Netherlands, Prof AG Morris from Cape Town and Dr D Morris from Kimberley. Several post-graduate students are involved in this programme. Skeletons of pre-colonial (Monks Kop) and colonial contact periods in the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences in Harare are studied, in order to assess changes in health status. Skeletons from Iron Age Botswana were also assessed, and we also went to Gaberone in August 2011 with Prof F Ruhli from Switzerland to assess mummified remains of an old male individual found in the Tuli block. We took samples for DNA, dating, histology, isotopes etc. Two MSc studies (on Chinese mine workers and Late 19 the century Khoesan health, respectively) are also progressing well. Four posters from this project were presented at the ASAPA conference.
b. Following from this SANPAD funded project, we realized that we do not have enough information about the archaeology of Monk’s Kop (Zimbabwe) to support E Swanepoel’s PhD. We were fortunate to obtain AOP (African Origins Platform) funding from the NRF, and did a collaborative project with archaeologists from the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences. The project conducted fieldwork in the Mbagazewa Ancient Park, under leadership of Coen Nienaber, and consisted of surveys and assessments of the cultural landscape. Twenty three previously unrecorded archaeological sites were identified and recorded ranging from Middle Stone Age, through Rock Art and Late Farmer occupations. This has contributed immensely to the understanding of the Monk’s Kop remains and the finds have been lauded as exceptional. The project also strengthened ties of co-operation with Zimbabwean colleagues and all indications are that there will be follow-up research on the sites independent of our direct involvement. Our own research will also gain from these results in so far as it informs the Mapungubwe/Great Zimbabwe Cultural complex – a long standing research interest of the Department of Anatomy.
c. Research on evaluating the prevalence of hyoid bone fractures in cases of upper body trauma, such as hangings, strangulations, falls from heights, and motor vehicle accidents: the project is done by Dr EN L’Abbé in collaboration with Forensic Pathology Services: Johannesburg. In 2010, a total of 270 hyoid samples were collected. Dr EN L’Abbé, in collaboration with Professor SA Symes of Mercyhurst College, analyzed the material and the results are to be disseminated in a workshop (Professor SA Symes) and oral presentation (Dr EN L’Abbé) at the 64th Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Atlanta, Georgia from 20 to 25 February 2012. A manuscript on these results is to be submitted in 2012.
d. Research into investigating an alternative approach to the estimation of ancestry from unidentified skeletal remains: this forms part of a CSUR-NRF grant and is done in collaboration with Professor Stephen D. Ousley of Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA. Two MSc’s have been identified. One MSc is completed and the manuscript was published this year (L’Abbe et al 2011). The second MSc is near completion and should be submitted in December 2012. The custom database has been completed and contains data on 275 individuals, namely black (n=155, 48 F, 107 M), coloured (n=132 48 F, 84 M ) and white (n=108, 44 F, 64 M) South Africans. The database is used in FORDISC 3.1 and for forensic case analysis. In 2012, researchers have identified a need to collect data from crania of white and coloured South Africans, as well as compile a manuscript on data from the three groups.
e. MSc research done on tissue depths of South African black females, for use in facial reconstruction has been completed. One paper has been published, and another is underway.
f. MSc research on the mandibular and maxillary canines, specifically dealing with their use in determination of sex and ancestry: this project still needs completion, but a paper published from it won the award for the best paper by a young researcher published in 2010 from the South African Dental Journal (A Ackermann and M Steyn).
Contact person: Prof M Steyn.
Ultrastructural studies on platelets and fibrin networks have been undertaken in collaboration with Prof E. Pretorius. The changed morphology of platelets and fibrin networks in differnet diseases and conditions have been characterised using scanning electron microscopy. These disease conditions included thrombo-embolic ischemic stroke, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionaly, in collaboration with a researcher from Harvard University, the changed morpohology of red blood cells in stroke patients have been investigated as well as that of contol patients with the addition of ferric chloride and ferrous sulphate or chloride. This was performed in order to determine the interaction between red blood cells and fibrin networks under the influence of oxidative molecules. These studies have lead to several published scientific articles and through this Dr N Oberholzer and Ms W van der Spuy in collaboration with Prof E Pretorius have established themselves as experts in this research area.
Honey is a functional food and honey has been found to have beneficial antibacterial effects on the gastrointestinal tract and has wound healing effects. These have been investigated in samples from southern Africa. Findings are that these honeys have high antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity even after GIT tract digestion. Techniques developed and knowledge obtained by Prof MJ Bester and Ms J Serem has lead to collaboration studies between the Departments of Food Science and Biochemistry as well as the Centre of Nutrition. These focus on the antimicrobial effects of honey and the antioxidant and the cellular protective effects of indigenous leafy green vegetables, sorghum and marama beans. Funding of new equipment has extended our research capabilities. These collaborations has also lead to group applications for funding and has extended our funding within the University of Pretoria, Institutional Research Theme: Food, Nutrition and Well-being.
Contact person: Prof E Pretorius.
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