List of Titles

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Molecular Detection of Antibiotic-Resistant Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Nonclinical Environment: Public Health Implications in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

- Mojisola Clara Hosu, Sandeep Vasaikar, Grace Emily Okuthe, Teke Apalata

Authors: Mojisola Clara Hosu , Sandeep Vasaikar , Grace Emily Okuthe , Teke Apalata
Date: 5 January 2021
Subjects: Microbiology
Language: English
Type: Journal Article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2417 , vital:41877
Description: Evaluation of resistant profiles and detection of antimicrobial-resistant genes of bacterial pathogens in the nonclinical milieu is imperative to assess the probable risk of dissemination of resistant genes in the environment. .is paper sought to identify antibiotic-resistant genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from nonclinical sources in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, and evaluate its public health implications. Samples collected from abattoir wastewater and aquatic environment were processed by membrane filtration and cultured on CHROMagarTM Pseudomonas medium. Species identification was performed by autoSCAN-4 (Dade Behring Inc., IL). Molecular characterization of the isolates was confirmed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (rPCR) and selected isolates were further screened for the possibility of harboring antimicrobial resistance genes. Fifty-one Pseudomonas species were recovered from abattoir wastewater and surface water samples, out of which thirty-six strains were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (70.6%). .e P. aeruginosa isolates demonstrated resistance to aztreonam (86.1%), ceftazidime (63.9%), piperacillin (58.3%), cefepime (55.6%), imipenem (50%), piperacillin/tazobactam (47.2%), meropenem (41.7%), and levofloxacin (30.6%). Twenty out of thirty-six P. aeruginosa displayed multidrug resistance profiles and were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) (55.6%). Most of the bacterial isolates exhibited a high Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) Index ranging from 0.08 to 0.69 with a mean MAR index of 0.38. In the rPCR analysis of fifteen P. aeruginosa isolates, 14 isolates (93.3%) were detected harboring blaSHV, six isolates (40%) harbored blaTEM, and three isolates (20%) harbored blaCTX-M, being the least occurring ESBL. Results of the current study revealed that P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from nonclinical milieu are resistant to frontline clinically relevant antipseudomonal drugs. .is is concerning as it poses a risk to the environment and constitutes a public health threat. Given the public health relevance, the paper recommends monitoring of multidrug-resistant pathogens in effluent environments.
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VIVA Comrade Moss

- NUMSA

Authors: NUMSA
Date: 25 April
Subjects: NUMSA
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109640 , vital:33163
Description: The last 'Trial Update" reported on Comrade Moss’s case until mid-March. This report covers the period from that time up until 25th April.STADLER - "ANC EXPERT" Brigadier Stadler testified that the ANC had made certain calls to organisations within the country which, according to his "research", had been followed by organisations in the country. As examples he gave the ANC’s call for ungovernability, the formation of organs of people’s power and the destruction of town councils. During cross-examination Stadler conceded that he was not able to give examples of any direct link between the ANC and organisations inside the coutry but he said an inference could be drawn by looking at the ANC’s call and the behaviour of organisations inside the country.
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Morphology, histology and histochemistry of the digestive tract of the Banded tilapia, Tilapia sparrmanii (Perciformes: Cichlidae)

- Grace E. Okuthe, Bongile Bhomela

Authors: Grace E. Okuthe , Bongile Bhomela
Date: December 23, 2020
Subjects: Fish, gastrointestinal tract, histo-architecture
Language: English
Type: Journal Article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2425 , vital:41881
Description: ABSTRACT. This study described anatomical, histological and histochemical features of the mucosal layer of the digestive tract of Tilapia sparrmanii Smith, 1840, an omnivorous freshwater fish endemic to Southern Africa. This species exhibited a short thick oesophagus with long deep longitudinal folds (466.68 ± 16.91 µm), and a thick (173.50 ± 10.92 µm) muscular layer that allow the passage of large food items. The mucosa was lined with stratified secretory epithelium rich in goblet cells that secreted neutral and acid mucins. The stomach was a sac-like structure with simple tubular glands surrounded by connective tissue. The mucosa was lined with simple columnar epithelium and the lamina propria exhibited a well-developed layer of gastric glands that occupied the entire length of the cardio-fundic region. The stomach mucosa consisted of epithelial cells with intense neutral mucin secretion which protects against gastric juice. Neck cells of gastric glands synthesized neutral and acid mucins. The intestine was highly coiled and presented a complex pattern of transversal folds internally (villi). Villi length decreased progressively from the anterior to the posterior intestine (p < 0.0001). Tunica muscularis of the mid-intestine had the thinnest thickness among all parts of the intestine (p < 0.0001). Goblet cells whose numbers increased towards the rectum secreted both acid and neutral mucins. The results indicate structural similarities of T. sparrmanii GIT with other tilapia species and will be useful for understanding the physiology of the digestive systems as well as functional components of the GIT.
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Elucidating Tuta absoluta(Meyrick) invasion and enhancing its management in Eastern Africa: spread, socio-ecological impacts, andpotential of a newly importedlarval parasitoid for classical biological control Eastern in Africa

- Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal Osabhahiemen

Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal Osabhahiemen
Date: 2021
Subjects: Tuta absoluta -- Biological control , Tomatoes -- Diseases and pests -- Africa, East , Braconidae , Gelechiidae -- Biological control -- Africa, East , Insects as biological pest control agents -- Africa, East
Language: English
Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170421 , vital:41920
Description: Agriculture is a fundamental source of sustainable livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa and millions of people in the region rely solely on small-scale farming for their food security. However, the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on crop production are serious, and there is no sign of this abating. Among the recent IAS that have invaded Africa in the last decade, the South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has been one of the most damaging. Following its first record in the Maghrebregion of Africa in 2008, T. absoluta rapidly spread throughout Africa with substantial impacts on tomato production, often causing 100% yield loss. Management options adopted against T. absoluta by tomato growers in Africa have been based on the use of synthetic insecticides. While chemical insecticide applications arean important component of an integrated pest management programme, misuse and over-reliance often exacerbates the impacts of T. absolutadue to the development of resistance to commonly used active substances, increasing the fitness of the pest. This thesis sought to understand the socio-economic impacts of the spread of T. absolutain Eastern Africa and provide effective sustainable pest managementstrategies to reduce its impacts below economic thresholds. Mapping surveys of T. absoluta were conducted in 226 tomato agro-ecosystemsacross four eastern countries (Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) Eastern Africafrom 2016 to 2018 to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of the pest. The impacts of T. absolutaon the livelihoods of tomato growers were also assessed. Here, 200 tomato growers in Kenya were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Although T. absoluta, a recent invader,was distributed at high infestation levels throughout the subregion (all four countries) and was considered as the the most damaging invasive alien species of agriculturally sustainable livelihoods. The arrival of T. absolutain the subregion has resulted in livelihood losses and increased the cost of tomato production and price of the fruit, and the frequency of pesticide applications. The impact of this pest and the and the absence of effective indigenous natural enemies of the pest in Eastern Africa, was the rationale for the importation of a larval parasitoid, Dolichogenidea gelechiidivorisMarsh Syn.:Apanteles gelechiidivoris Marsh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), of T. absoluta from Peru into the quarantine facility of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and ecologyz(icipe), in Kenya. Pre-release assessments on the parasitzation potentia of D. gelechiidivoris, encompassing host larval preference and the host suitability, and its reproductive strategy, for classical biological control of T. absolutain Africa were conducted. Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris females preferentially oviposited in early (1st and 2nd) larval instars of T. absolutabut parasitized and completed development in all four instars of the host. Host instar did not affect D. gelechiidivorissex-ratio but females reared on the first instar had significantly fewer eggs than when reared in late larval instars (3rd and 4th). Females of the parasitoid emerged with a high mature egg load which peaked 2 d post-eclosion. The females of D. gelechiidivoris survived 8.51±0.65 d and produced 103±8 offspring per female at 26±4°C (range: 24 to 29°C) and 50–70% relative humidity (RH) in the presence of malesand fed honey-water (80% honey). Increasing maternal age decreased the proportion of female offspring. Under th aforementioned laboratory conditions, the Gross and Net reproductive rates were 72 and 39.5 respectively, while the mean generation time was 20 d. The estimated intrinsic rate of natural increase was 0.18. These findings indicate that D. gelechiidivorisis a potential biological control agent of T. absoluta and should be considered for augmentative/inundative release in Kenya and across Africa following host specificity testing and risk assessments.The nature of the interaction between D. gelechidivorisand the predatory mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis(Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae), an important and widespread natural enemy of T. absolutain Africa was evaluated because N. tenuis, although being a voracious predator of T. absolutaeggs, it can also prey on the early host larval instars (1st and 2nd) which are the preferred oviposition host stages of D. gelechiidivoris. Here, the impact of N. tenuisfeeding on T. absolutaand the effects on D. gelechiidivorisperformance was tested.Regardless of the order of introductions (i.e. the sequence of combination with D. gelechiidivoris) and densities (i.e. number of N. tenuiscombined with D. gelechiidivoris), there was no intraguild predation by N. tenuis on D. gelechiidivorisas there was little host larval feeding behaviour. Also, the presence of N. tenuisdid not affect the oviposition performance of D. gelechiidivoris. Further investigations revealed that the combined efficacy of N. tenuisand D. gelechiidivorison T. absoluta population was significantly higher than either natural enemy alone, thus contributes to the data supporting the release of D. gelechiidivoris in Africa. In concluding, integrating D. gelechiidivoris and N. tenuisin the management of T. absolut could potentially reduce yield losses in tomato in Eastern Africa where the socio-economic impacts of the pest are very serious.
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Exploring the role of supervisors in developing employee commitment in a Namibian Public Institution from the subordinates’ perspective

- Daniel, Anna

Authors: Daniel, Anna
Date: 2021
Subjects: Supervisors -- Namibia -- Case studies , Leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Employee motivation -- Namibia -- Case studies , Employee loyalty -- Namibia -- Case studies , Supervision -- Namibia -- Case studies , Management -- Employee participation -- Namibia -- Case studies
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170770 , vital:41958
Description: i ABSTRACT Over the years, scholars have noted the importance of organisations managing the performance of their employees by effectively maintaining their commitment. Hence, l ite rature highlighted that employee s have the potential to be recognised as a source of competitive advantage for an organisation and not a resource of an organisation. The main aim of the study was to explore the role of supervisors in developing employee commitment in a Namibian Public Ins titution from the subordinates’ perspective. The focus of this research was to understand how subordinates were included in decision making and were supported by their supervisors , and on how subordinates received feed b ack on role fulfilment and performance from their supervisors. Furthermore, the study described how subordinates viewed the leadership behaviour of their supervisors and how this i nfluenced employee commitment. The data was collected using qualitative me t hods through semi - structured face - to - face interview s with the subordinates of the selected institution. During this study, a sample of 15 subordinates taken from a population of 266 within the institution’s structure was inte rviewed . The interview quest ion s were based on how supervisors included subordinates in decision making, developed subordinates ’ support and delivered feedback on role and performance. The study used secondary data to determine the level of performance against set targets of the inst itu tion, using the annual performance report of the institution. In addition , the study used the staff access control syste m to determine the work time s of employees Lastly, the study analysed the data regarding staff resignation for the last five years to a ssess the level of staff turnover rate of the institution. The study f ound that the subordinates felt the re should be greater subordinate inclusion in decision making, increased levels of re gular feedback and higher levels of support shown by supervis ors t o subordinates when e xecuting their jobs. The study further highlighted the importance of supervisors to develop the ability of shifting from one leadership style to another depending on the situation at hand. The study reviewed six leadership style s that could influence commitment . Therefore, the study recommend s th at the institution direct its attention towards developing the situational leadership skills of their supervisors and developing their skills to enable them to better harmonise teamwork, increas e regular communication and give regular feedback to their subordinates . The results from this research will be beneficial to public institutions within the region and will, in add ition, enhance the academic body of literature in this field . The s tudy will draw the attention of supervisors to the importance of their behaviour, conduct, and their subsequent impact on employee commitment.
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The impact of labour legislation on selected small firms in Mbombela (Nelspruit)

- Dlamini, Sikhulile Blessing

Authors: Dlamini, Sikhulile Blessing
Date: 2021
Subjects: Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Small business -- Law and legislation-- South Afric , Small business -- South Africa -- Mbombela -- Case studies
Language: English
Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSci
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170781 , vital:41959
Description: This study uses the theoretical framework of industrial relations pluralism, to study and analyse the impacts of labour legislation on six small firms (employing less than 50 workers) based in Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The analysis is based on the viewpoints of six managers and how they see the impacts of labour legislation on their respective firms. The analysis is aided by utilising theory and literature to make sense of the manager perspectives on the topic. Also, utilising a qualitative research design to collect and analyse the data, the study presents diverse findings in terms of how the participants perceived and experienced certain types of legislation. Some managers believed that the benefits of labour legislation outweighed the costs. While others believed the exact opposite. At an overall level, the study revealed that most of the participants were not as severely affected by labour legislation as might be expected; given the scarcity of resources in most small firms. This was partly because of various coping strategies and practices (mostly involving the use of informal procedures) that were adopted by the firms. Also, some small firms who aimed at expanding their businesses strategised to adopt some formal procedures and practices in order to easily absorb labour legislation and subsequently mordenise their businesses in the process. While a few firms persisted with more informal customs as they appeared cost-effective and necessary in their particular market positioning.
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“Munhu wese ihama yako (everyone is your relative)”: Ubuntu and the social inclusion of students with disabilities at South African universities

- Chiwandire, Desire

Authors: Chiwandire, Desire
Date: 2021
Subjects: College students with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa , Inclusive education -- South Africa
Language: English
Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170578 , vital:41938
Description: Background: During apartheid, South African students with disabilities (SWDs) were educated in special schools and taught an inferior curriculum. Black learners with disabilities were discriminated against on grounds of bothrace and disability. Following South Africa’s first democratic election in 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) government put in place arange of new laws to address the educational and other needs of those disadvantaged under apartheid, including persons with disabilities (PWDs). The South African government is a signatory of the 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) which has resulted in the country assuming obligations to promote inclusive education forSWDs. However, research (see,for instance,Chiwandire & Vincent 2019; Chiwandire 2019; Mutanga 2019; Majoko & Phasha 2018; Mutanga et al. 2018; Mutanga 2017a; Chiwandire 2017; Israel 2017) has shown that SWDs continue to fare differently in comparison totheir non-disabled peers in terms of participation in education with the likelihood of success. Higher education institutions (HEIs) have thusbeen urged to create conducive environments for the academic inclusion of SWDs with particular attention being paid to lecturers employing inclusive instructional strategies as well as flexible curricula,if they are to ensure the equal opportunity for academic success of SWDs in the regular classroom setting. The focus, to date, on academic inclusion, while important, has meantthat issues relating to the social inclusion of SWDs have received minimal attention. Purpose: To date, there is a dearth of South African studies which have investigated the social inclusion needs of SWDs on South African campuses. Althougha number ofstudies have given voice to the perspectives of SWDs and lecturers,with respect to their experiences in relation to matters of academic inclusion in South African higher education (HE), few have focused on Disability Unit Staff Members(DUSMs) who are pivotal to ensuring fair and equitable policies and practices for SWDs in HEIs. Disability Studies (DS) as a field has been criticised for being dominated by voices from the Global North,which fail to consideror effectively theorise Global South disabilityexperiences in a contextually relevant way. The thesis argues that the failure to recognise the value of diversity and to treat SWDs as valued and welcomed participants in South vAfrican HEIs partly stems from policy, practice and relationships being informed by the Western individualist paradigm that prizes individual achievement and success rather than cooperation and mutuality. The African philosophy of Ubuntu,which stresses values of communalism, hospitality and respect for human dignity is offered here as an alternative starting point for achieving genuinely inclusive campuses. Methods: In-depth face-to-face qualitative interviews were conducted with 40 participants, most of whom were,at the time of being interviewed, Heads of Disability Units and DUSMs based at 10 different universities in four of South Africa’s nine provinces. Data were coded and analysed using Braun & Clarke’s (2006) method of inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Results: The findings of this study indicate that South African campuses are ableist spaces in which the social needs of SWDs are not prioritised. The thesis argues that in order for campuses to become genuinely inclusive, South African campuses ought to seek to inculcate in their members the values ofthe African worldview Ubuntu, in contrast to the dominant Western individualist orthodoxy. SWDs are being excluded anddenied a sense of belonging and equal participation despite universities giving lip service to embracing such inclusive education-oriented values as co-operative learning.Non-disabled students steeped in Western individualism,which affirms the solitary pursuit of individual success rather than the value of interdependence and diversity,end up marginalising SWDs who are seen as less capable. DUSMs addressing the needs of SWDs through an ableist/Western individualist lens are not challenging unfair practices which are impairing the dignity of SWDs,particularly students with physical disabilities who are being forced to “fit into” oppressive inaccessible built environments on campuses. These DUSMs may unwittingly re-inscribe ableist assumptions that normalise discrimination against SWDs. Conclusions and Recommendations: Ubuntu values offer a starting point for building mutual respectand interdependence between SWDs and their non-disabled peers. The thesis finds however that as was the case in traditional African communities,which embraced the values of Ubuntu, acts of leadership are required if Ubuntu’s values of human dignity, mutual respect and acceptance are to be fostered on campuses. In a range of important ways,the dignity of SWDs is not respected at HEIs in South Africa.This includes,for example,such practical matters as the inaccessibility of toilets to wheelchair users and the lack of appropriate signage for blind students. Disrespectful attitudes and assumptions about SWDs on the part of non-disabled university members also result in SWDs’ human dignity being impaired. Ubuntu’s value of hospitality stresses the importance of promoting relations of group solidarity and interdependence between SWDs and their non-disabled peers. Both academic inclusion-oriented programmes and the promotion of a wide range of social activities,involving both SWDs and non-disabled students,can play an important role in cultivating the formation of long-term fruitful and respectful friendships between SWDs and non-disabled students. An enabling classroom environment alone is not enough to holistically address the social inclusion needs of SWDs. South African HEIs that embrace the Ubuntu values of communalism, human dignity and hospitality will be in a position to respect the needs of SWDs as “whole persons”. Amongst other things, this requires DUSMs to be fully empowered to make important decisions regarding vitalmatters such as disability inclusion, and it necessitates university management to relinquish their power, so that they maywork collaboratively with DUSMs and SWDs, all on equal footing, to ensure that HE funding allocation, policy andplanning alsoprioritises the social needs of SWDs.
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The design of a modal interchange in Korsten, Port Elizabeth: santuary for the urban nomad

- Magwabeni, Mpho

Authors: Magwabeni, Mpho
Date: 202015
Subjects: Transportation buildings -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Terminals (Transportation) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Commuting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41258 , vital:36424
Description: The inception of this treatise is derived simply from the identification of the current inefficient public transportation facilities in Nelson Mandela Bay. This is especially experienced in the Korsten precinct as there is a scattering of transport nodes and none of them can be particularly identified as the key transport node in the fabric. With the 2010 World Cup behind us and many infrastructures such as the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium working as urban anchor of activity, the question still at hand is how the issue of integration between commuters and transportation can be addressed. This sets the scene for the application of an architectural resolution through the design of a transport interchange of the Korsten region. At present there are two functional informal taxi ranks that service the commuters of Korsten; the primary informal taxi node located on Attwell Street and the secondary informal taxi node on Cottrell Street. Currently they operate independently providing a service to people from different destinations, for instance Kleiner and Kempton Park. The first concern that arises is the proximity of the two taxi ranks in respect of the surrounding urban landscape. For these taxi nodes to be of service to the urban nomad they must be positioned in a more concentrated location to integrate efficiently with the urban fabric. Secondly, a thorough investigation into the informal trade is necessary to ascertain how it can enhance the street life and keep the edges activated and integrated. This treatise proposes the integration of the two independent taxi nodes with the proposed BRT system that has been implemented by the NMBM. This amalgamation would strengthen the urban landscape and create a place for the urban nomad. According to an article by Ian Ollis (2013) there is a dire need for accessible, affordable mass transport across South Africa .The bus rapid transit system was supposed to cure this woe, but implementation has been slow and mismanaged, especially in municipalities like Nelson Mandela Bay.
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A drug utilisation review of lithium at a public sector psychiatric hospital

- Mapfumo, Charlotte

Authors: Mapfumo, Charlotte
Date: 2020-04
Subjects: Lithium -- Therapeutic use , Psychiatric hospitals -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Drug utilization , Psychiatric hospital care , Manic-depressive illness , Lithium -- Toxicology , Drug monitoring
Language: English
Type: text , Thesis , Masters , M.Pharm
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/150541 , vital:38983
Description: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common mental condition that affects about 60 million people globally. Lithium is among the drugs of choice used to treat BD and other affective disorders such as schizoaffective disorder (SD). Lithium is a mood stabiliser with antimanic, antidepressant and anti-suicidal properties. Lithium has complex mechanisms of action and a narrow therapeutic index (NTI). Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a vital component of lithium therapy due to its NTI. Lithium toxicity can occur at therapeutic levels and is characterised by symptoms such as blurred vision and convulsions. Lithium interacts with a number of drugs resulting in lithium toxicity or diminished effects of lithium. Symptoms of lithium toxicity range from abdominal pain, convulsions and death. Lithium use is associated with serious adverse effects on renal and thyroid function. Other adverse effects include tremor and weight gain. Monitoring of lithium serum levels, renal and thyroid function are therefore recommended for patients on lithium therapy. Monitoring of these parameters assists in the early detection of any problems associated with lithium use. The metabolic monitoring of lithium is vital due to the adverse effect profile of lithium and the current South African Standard Treatment Guidelines Hospital level: Adults, do not have any recommendations for the monitoring of metabolic parameters. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) may be used and adapted for the South African setting. Aim and Objectives: The general aim of the study was to conduct a drug utilisation review (DUR) on lithium through investigating its prescribing and monitoring patterns in both inpatients and outpatients at Fort England Hospital. Methodology: The study was in the form of a retrospective DUR. Data was collected from 40 files (n=40) of patients who were on treatment with lithium between 1 January 2017-31 December 2017 at Fort England Hospital. The data was collected retrospectively for both in- and outpatients. Compliance of the monitoring requirements with both South African and international guidelines was analysed. Results and Discussion: In 87.50% (n=37) of the cases, patients had been on lithium therapy before 2017 with most patients (n=13; 37.50%) being maintained on 500 mg of lithium. Non-compliance with the South African and NICE guidelines for renal baseline monitoring was 65.00% (n=26) in both guidelines. Non-compliance for baseline thyroid monitoring was 70.00% (n=28) for both guidelines. There was non-compliance in 45.00% (n=18) of the cases for lithium serum level monitoring for both guidelines. Non-compliance with follow-up renal monitoring was 47.50% (n=19) for both guidelines. Compliance with the NICE guidelines for follow-up metabolic monitoring was 67.50% (n=27). Conclusion: There was non-compliance in most cases leaving room for clinical improvement in the monitoring of lithium. Healthcare professionals should be educated on the recommended monitoring guidelines to promote the rational use of lithium in South Africa. Pharmacists should be more involved in the TDM of lithium to promote its safe and effective use.
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Application of quality by design to the manufacture of a multiparticulate prednisone dosage form

- Manda, Arthur

Authors: Manda, Arthur
Date: 2020-04
Subjects: Drugs -- Quality control , Drugs -- Design -- Quality control , Drugs -- Dosage forms , Drug development -- Quality control , Pharmaceutical industry -- Quality control , Prednisone , High throughput screening (Drug development)
Language: English
Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc (Pharmacy)
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117986 , vital:34583
Description: For many years, quality by testing was the only approach to guarantee quality of drug products before the Food and Drug Administration launched the concept of current Good Manufacturing Practice. In order to gain more knowledge of the manufacturing process, a new system known as Quality by Design was introduced into the pharmaceutical industry. Quality by Design is based on thorough understanding of how materials, process parameters and interaction thereof impact final product quality. Quality by Design is a systematic approach to product development which ensures that quality is built into a product during product development and not just tested into it. The aim of Quality by Design is to achieve optimum product quality with consistent dosage form performance and minimal risk of failure in patients. The objective of these studies was to implement a Quality by Design approach to establish a design space for the development and manufacture of a safe, effective and stable multi-partite solid oral dosage form for prednisone as an alternative to currently marketed prednisone formulations. Multi-particulate dosage forms offer significant advantages over conventional technologies. In addition to lowering the incidence of gastrointestinal irritation they exhibit a reduced risk of dose dumping and a large surface area which favours dissolution. Furthermore, their free flowing nature facilitates reproducible capsule filling and consequently uniformity of dosing. Different multi-particulate dosage forms exist however a multiple-unit pellet system was investigated during these studies. Quality by Design principles were used to develop and establish a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for quantifying prednisone from solid oral dosage forms. A Central Composite Design was used to generate multivariate experiments and to investigate the impact of input variables on the quality and performance of the analytical method. The optimized method was validated according to International Council for Harmonization guidelines and was found to be linear, precise, accurate and specific for the quantitation of prednisone. Pre-formulation studies were conducted and included the assessment of particle size, particle shape, powder flow properties and compatibility studies. Carr’s index, Hausner ratio and the Angle of Repose were used to evaluate powder flow properties and results generated from all studies suggest the need for adding a glidant and lubricant to improve pellet flow. The images generated from Scanning Electron Microscopy were used to analyze particle shape and size. Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy were used to evaluate API-excipient compatibility. All excipients investigated were found to be compatible with prednisone and suitable for formulation development studies. Extrusion-spheronization was used to manufacture prednisone pellets. Extrusion-spheronization is a multi-step process involving many factors. Quality risk management tools particularly an Ishikawa Fishbone (cause and effect) diagram and failure mode and effects analysis were used to narrow down potentially significant factors to a reasonable number that could be investigated experimentally. Risk priority numbers were used to quantify risk and factors above a set threshold value were considered to be of high risk. A total of eleven risk factors were identified as high. A Plackett-Burman study was conducted to narrow down the eleven high risk factors to identify the most impactful factors viz., microcrystalline cellulose content, sodium starch glycolate content, extrusion speed and spheronization time. Evaluation of four factors was carried over to optimization studies using a Box-Behnken Design and following identifaction of the optimum process settings and excipient content a design space for the manufacture of a multi-partite dosage form containing prednisone was established.
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Evaluating the prescribing and management practices of clozapine at a public sector psychiatric hospital

- Mukoko, Vimbisai Millicent

Authors: Mukoko, Vimbisai Millicent
Date: 2020-04
Subjects: Clozapine , Schizophrenia -- Chemotherapy , Schizophrenia -- South Africa -- Treatment
Language: English
Type: text , Thesis , Masters , M.Pharm
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123266 , vital:35422
Description: Approximately one percent (1%) of the South African population suffers from schizophrenia. Clozapine has proven to be more effective than conventional antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia, particularly in alleviating positive symptoms. Clozapine is primarily indicated for treatment-resistant schizophrenia due to its severe adverse effect profile. The prescribing guidelines recommend a trial of at least two different antipsychotic drugs before the initiation of clozapine. At least one should be a non-clozapine second generation antipsychotic. Compared to other atypical antipsychotics, clozapine poses the greatest risk of causing a haematological event, such as neutropenia and agranulocytosis. Agranulocytosis (estimated prevalence of 1.3%) is a life-threatening adverse effect. Common adverse effects include weight gain and metabolic syndrome, hypersalivation and constipation. These can also predispose the patient to co-morbid diseases which further complicate their current diagnosis. Haematological and metabolic monitoring is paramount throughout the duration of clozapine therapy. International (NICE guidelines, Clozapine REMS, and Maudsley prescribing guidelines) and national (South African STGs, SASOP treatment guidelines and the SAMF) guidelines recommend these monitoring patterns to assist with the prevention and management of the adverse effects of clozapine.
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Evaluating the prescribing and management practices of venlafaxine at a public sector psychiatric hospital

- Naidu, Bavika

Authors: Naidu, Bavika
Date: 2020-04
Subjects: Venlafaxine , Anxiety disorcers -- Treatment , Depression, Mental -- Treatment
Language: English
Type: text , Thesis , Masters , M.Pharm
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123200 , vital:35414
Description: Neuropsychiatric conditions have been ranked third in South Africa according to some of the most recent reviews of disease burden, following human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome and other infectious diseases (Bateman, 2012:70; South African Depression and Anxiety Group, 2018). For depressive disorders, the conventional selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. fluoxetine), are common first-step treatments due to their relatively low toxicity and high tolerability (Rush et al., 2006:1231). The class of selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (e.g. venlafaxine) is relatively new on the market. The first SNRI to be marketed in the United States was venlafaxine immediate-release (IR). It was approved by the United States FDA in 1993 (Sansone and Sansone, 2014:37) and was soon followed by the introduction of a micro-encapsulated extended-release (XR) formulation in 1997. Currently there is no published or readily available information concerning the prescribing and management patterns of venlafaxine as well as the incidence and types of adverse effects experienced by patients in the public health sector of South Africa besides the established increased in blood pressure.
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Preparation, characterization and optimization of carbamazepine based pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization technique

- Makoni, Kudzai Gabriella

Authors: Makoni, Kudzai Gabriella
Date: 2020-04
Subjects: Carbamazepine , Pharmacokinetics , Anticonvulsants , Drugs -- Controlled release , Drugs -- Dosage forms , Tablets (Medicine) , Drugs -- Administration , High performance liquid chromatography , International Conference on Harmonisation , Experimental design
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Pharmacy)
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140478 , vital:37893
Description: Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an oral antiepileptic drug (AED) that is prescribed as a first-line treatment for partial seizures. CBZ is a class II compound according to the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), hence it exhibits low aqueous solubility and high gastrointestinal tract (GIT) permeability...
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"Knowing With": New Rhodes Board Navigates Collaboration, Intimacy, and Solidarity

- Baasch, Rachel, Fọlárànmí, Stephen, Koide, Emi, Kakande, Angelo, Simbao, Ruth

Authors: Baasch, Rachel , Fọlárànmí, Stephen , Koide, Emi , Kakande, Angelo , Simbao, Ruth
Date: 2020
Language: English
Type: text , article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147514 , vital:38645 , https://doi.org/10.1162/afar_a_00523
Description: Rhodes University (or UCKAR), based in Makhanda, South Africa, joined the African Arts editorial consortium in 2016 and its first journal issue—vol. 50, no. 2—was published in 2017. Initially the board was run by Ruth Simbao, with the aim of developing collaborations with other scholars, particularly those based on the African continent and within the global south (Simbao 2017: 1). For the second Rhodes issue (Summer 2018), Simbao worked with Guest Board Member Amanda Tumusiime from Makerere University, and for the third Rhodes issue (Summer 2019) she collaborated with Stephen Folárànmí from Obáfémi Awólówò University, Ilé-Ifè, Nigeria, who at the time was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Rhodes.
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