Protecting participants in health research: The South African Material Transfer Agreement.

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.

Commentary on "Measuring the Quality and Performance of Institutional Review Boards".

This commentary uses personal research ethics experience in South Africa to consider the position of Tsan who recommends a consortium to develop common metrics / performance indicators for determining quality of RECs / IRBs. Terms such as performance, quality and throughput need clarification in research metrics before effective metrics may be useful.

Views of Medical Doctors Regarding the 2013 WHO Adult HIV Treatment Guidelines Indicate Variable Applicability for Routine Patient Monitoring, for Their Family Members and for Themselves, in South-Africa.

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.

Case report: A medieval case of molar-incisor-hypomineralisation.

Introduction: Molar-incisor-hypomineralisation (MIH) has been identified in recent years as a condition affecting the first permanent molars and, in some cases, the permanent incisors. Many factors have been suggested as to its aetiology. Examples of MIH have also been reported in skeletal remains in the past.