Phytomedicinal Studies Of Medicinal Plants Used For The Treatment Of Gastro-Intestinal Disorders (Diarrhoea And Stomach Ache), In The Three Districts Of The Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Babalwa N Mbolekwa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Masters
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2862 , vital:42968
- Description: GENERAL ABSTRACT The use of plants for medicinal purposes has involved many plants exhibiting healing powers for many diverse illnesses and circumstances and one of those being diarrhoea. In different areas of the OR Tambo, Ukhahlamba and Alfred Nzo District Municipalities, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa it has been long-established that native plants are the main components of traditional health care systems. The study aimed at identifying and documenting plants frequently used for the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders (diarrhoea and stomach ache), evaluating their efficacy and isolation of active compounds in the crude extracts. Ethnobotanical information of the commonly used plants was collected and documented through the use of questionnaires with traditional healers, herbalists and community members. In the study area, the ethnobotanical data revealed that 51 plant species belonging to 36 families were used in treating diarrhoea and stomach ache. According to the ethnobotanical information, Acacia mearnsii (idywabasi) was the most frequently used plant for treating diarrhoea and was selected for further studies because of its frequent use in most sites within the study area. Four extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and methanol) from the bark of Acacia mearnsii were screened against five Gram-positive bacteria strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus kristinae and Streptococcus faecalis.) and five Gram-negative bacteria strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumonia and Serratia marcescens). The antibacterial activities were determined by minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and bio-autographic methods. The extracts showed various degrees of activity. Ethyl acetate extract showed higher activity against bacterial species used during the antibacterial assay and was further investigated for isolation of active compounds. Bio-autography results showed one compound separated on the TLC with activity against the test organisms Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus cereus. In the future, this study may serve as a foundation for choosing the common, active medicinal plants to use in traditional medicine practices.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Babalwa N Mbolekwa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Masters
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2862 , vital:42968
- Description: GENERAL ABSTRACT The use of plants for medicinal purposes has involved many plants exhibiting healing powers for many diverse illnesses and circumstances and one of those being diarrhoea. In different areas of the OR Tambo, Ukhahlamba and Alfred Nzo District Municipalities, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa it has been long-established that native plants are the main components of traditional health care systems. The study aimed at identifying and documenting plants frequently used for the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders (diarrhoea and stomach ache), evaluating their efficacy and isolation of active compounds in the crude extracts. Ethnobotanical information of the commonly used plants was collected and documented through the use of questionnaires with traditional healers, herbalists and community members. In the study area, the ethnobotanical data revealed that 51 plant species belonging to 36 families were used in treating diarrhoea and stomach ache. According to the ethnobotanical information, Acacia mearnsii (idywabasi) was the most frequently used plant for treating diarrhoea and was selected for further studies because of its frequent use in most sites within the study area. Four extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and methanol) from the bark of Acacia mearnsii were screened against five Gram-positive bacteria strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus kristinae and Streptococcus faecalis.) and five Gram-negative bacteria strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumonia and Serratia marcescens). The antibacterial activities were determined by minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and bio-autographic methods. The extracts showed various degrees of activity. Ethyl acetate extract showed higher activity against bacterial species used during the antibacterial assay and was further investigated for isolation of active compounds. Bio-autography results showed one compound separated on the TLC with activity against the test organisms Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus cereus. In the future, this study may serve as a foundation for choosing the common, active medicinal plants to use in traditional medicine practices.
- Full Text:
POLYMETHYLHYDROSILOXANE REDUCTION OF CARBONYL FUNCTION CATALYSED BY TITANIUM TETRACHLORIDE
- Ndze D. Jumbam, Siyavuya Makaluza, Wayiza Masamba
- Authors: Ndze D. Jumbam , Siyavuya Makaluza , Wayiza Masamba
- Date: 2018
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4256 , vital:44054
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ndze D. Jumbam , Siyavuya Makaluza , Wayiza Masamba
- Date: 2018
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4256 , vital:44054
- Full Text:
Predictors of consent to cell line creation and immortalisation in a South African schizophrenia genomics study
- Campbell, Megan M, de Vries, Jantina, Mqulwana, Sibonile G, Mndini, Michael M, Ntola, Odwa A, Jonker, Deborah, Malan, Megan, Pretorius, Adele, Zingela, Zukiswa, van Wyk, Stephanus, Stein, Dan J, Susser, Ezra
- Authors: Campbell, Megan M , de Vries, Jantina , Mqulwana, Sibonile G , Mndini, Michael M , Ntola, Odwa A , Jonker, Deborah , Malan, Megan , Pretorius, Adele , Zingela, Zukiswa , van Wyk, Stephanus , Stein, Dan J , Susser, Ezra
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5232 , vital:44412
- Full Text:
- Authors: Campbell, Megan M , de Vries, Jantina , Mqulwana, Sibonile G , Mndini, Michael M , Ntola, Odwa A , Jonker, Deborah , Malan, Megan , Pretorius, Adele , Zingela, Zukiswa , van Wyk, Stephanus , Stein, Dan J , Susser, Ezra
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5232 , vital:44412
- Full Text:
Predictors of institutional delivery service utilization among women of reproductive age in Senegal: a population-based study
- Betregiorgis Zegeye, Bright Opoku Ahinkorah, Dina Idriss-Wheelr, Olanrewaju Oladimeji, Comfort Z. Olorunsaiye, Sanni Yaya
- Authors: Betregiorgis Zegeye , Bright Opoku Ahinkorah , Dina Idriss-Wheelr , Olanrewaju Oladimeji , Comfort Z. Olorunsaiye , Sanni Yaya
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Institutional delivery, Women, Reproductive age, Senegal, Maternal health, Global health, Sub-Saharan Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4496 , vital:44126
- Description: Background: In Senegal, sub-Saharan Africa, many women continue to die from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Even though health facility delivery is a key intervention to reducing maternal death, utilization is low. There is a dearth of evidence on determinants of health facility delivery in Senegal. Therefore, this study investigated the predictors of health facility-based delivery utilization in Senegal. Methods: Data from the 2017 Senegal Continuous Survey were extracted for this study, and approximately 11,487 ever-married women aged 15–49 years participated. Chi-square test was used to select significant variables and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify statistically significant predictors at a 95% confidence interval with a 0.05 p-value using Stata version 14 software. Results: Facility-based delivery utilization was 77.7% and the main predictors were maternal educational status (primary school Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 1.44, 95% CI; 1.14–1.83; secondary school aOR = 1.62, 95% CI; 1.17– 2.25), husband’s educational status (primary school aOR = 1.65, 95% CI; 1.24–2.20, secondary school aOR = 2.17, 95% CI; 1.52–3.10), maternal occupation (agricultural-self-employed aOR = 0.77, 95% CI; 0.62–0.96), ethnicity (Poular aOR = 0.74, 95% CI; 0.56–0.97), place of residence (rural aOR = 0.57, 95% CI; 0.43, 0.74), media exposure (yes aOR = 1.26, 95% CI; 1.02–1.57), economic status (richest aOR = 5.27, 95% CI; 2.85–9.73), parity (seven and above aOR =0.46, 95% CI; 0.34–0.62), wife beating attitude (refuse aOR =1.23, 95% CI; 1.05–1.44) and skilled antenatal care (ANC) (yes aOR = 4.34, 95% CI; 3.10–6.08). Conclusion: Uptake of health facility delivery services was seen among women who were educated, exposed to media, wealthy, against wife-beating, attended ANC by skilled attendants and had educated husbands. On the other hand, women from ethnic groups like Poular, those working in agricultural activities, living in rural setting, and those who had more delivery history were less likely to deliver at a health facility. Therefore, there is the need to empower women by encouraging them to use skilled ANC services in order for them to gain the requisite knowledge they need to enhance their utilization of health facility delivery, whiles at the same time, removing socio-economic barriers to access to health facility delivery that occur from low education, poverty and rural dwelling.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Betregiorgis Zegeye , Bright Opoku Ahinkorah , Dina Idriss-Wheelr , Olanrewaju Oladimeji , Comfort Z. Olorunsaiye , Sanni Yaya
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Institutional delivery, Women, Reproductive age, Senegal, Maternal health, Global health, Sub-Saharan Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4496 , vital:44126
- Description: Background: In Senegal, sub-Saharan Africa, many women continue to die from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Even though health facility delivery is a key intervention to reducing maternal death, utilization is low. There is a dearth of evidence on determinants of health facility delivery in Senegal. Therefore, this study investigated the predictors of health facility-based delivery utilization in Senegal. Methods: Data from the 2017 Senegal Continuous Survey were extracted for this study, and approximately 11,487 ever-married women aged 15–49 years participated. Chi-square test was used to select significant variables and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify statistically significant predictors at a 95% confidence interval with a 0.05 p-value using Stata version 14 software. Results: Facility-based delivery utilization was 77.7% and the main predictors were maternal educational status (primary school Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 1.44, 95% CI; 1.14–1.83; secondary school aOR = 1.62, 95% CI; 1.17– 2.25), husband’s educational status (primary school aOR = 1.65, 95% CI; 1.24–2.20, secondary school aOR = 2.17, 95% CI; 1.52–3.10), maternal occupation (agricultural-self-employed aOR = 0.77, 95% CI; 0.62–0.96), ethnicity (Poular aOR = 0.74, 95% CI; 0.56–0.97), place of residence (rural aOR = 0.57, 95% CI; 0.43, 0.74), media exposure (yes aOR = 1.26, 95% CI; 1.02–1.57), economic status (richest aOR = 5.27, 95% CI; 2.85–9.73), parity (seven and above aOR =0.46, 95% CI; 0.34–0.62), wife beating attitude (refuse aOR =1.23, 95% CI; 1.05–1.44) and skilled antenatal care (ANC) (yes aOR = 4.34, 95% CI; 3.10–6.08). Conclusion: Uptake of health facility delivery services was seen among women who were educated, exposed to media, wealthy, against wife-beating, attended ANC by skilled attendants and had educated husbands. On the other hand, women from ethnic groups like Poular, those working in agricultural activities, living in rural setting, and those who had more delivery history were less likely to deliver at a health facility. Therefore, there is the need to empower women by encouraging them to use skilled ANC services in order for them to gain the requisite knowledge they need to enhance their utilization of health facility delivery, whiles at the same time, removing socio-economic barriers to access to health facility delivery that occur from low education, poverty and rural dwelling.
- Full Text:
Predictors of recovery in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
- Kadhaya David Muballe, Constance R. Sewani-Rusike, Benjamin Longo-Mbenza, Jehu Iputo
- Authors: Kadhaya David Muballe , Constance R. Sewani-Rusike , Benjamin Longo-Mbenza , Jehu Iputo
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3694 , vital:43927
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kadhaya David Muballe , Constance R. Sewani-Rusike , Benjamin Longo-Mbenza , Jehu Iputo
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3694 , vital:43927
- Full Text:
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and the incidence of the associated malignant and peptic ulcer disease PUD at Nelson Mandela Academic.pdf
- Authors: Stephen Z. Molaoa
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4104 , vital:44024
- Full Text:
- Authors: Stephen Z. Molaoa
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4104 , vital:44024
- Full Text:
Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Associated Risk Factors in a Rural Black Population of Mthatha Town, South Africa
- Jyoti Rajan Sharma, Sihle E. Mabhida, Bronwyn Myers 3, Teke Apalata, Edward Nicol, Mongi Benjeddou, Christo Muller, Rabia Johnson
- Authors: Jyoti Rajan Sharma , Sihle E. Mabhida , Bronwyn Myers 3 , Teke Apalata , Edward Nicol , Mongi Benjeddou , Christo Muller , Rabia Johnson
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3980 , vital:43979
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jyoti Rajan Sharma , Sihle E. Mabhida , Bronwyn Myers 3 , Teke Apalata , Edward Nicol , Mongi Benjeddou , Christo Muller , Rabia Johnson
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3980 , vital:43979
- Full Text:
Prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium in Hong Kong
- P.C.D. Chan, K.M. Kam1, C.K. Kwan, P.H. Chung
- Authors: P.C.D. Chan , K.M. Kam1 , C.K. Kwan , P.H. Chung
- Date: 202
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3919 , vital:43970
- Full Text:
- Authors: P.C.D. Chan , K.M. Kam1 , C.K. Kwan , P.H. Chung
- Date: 202
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3919 , vital:43970
- Full Text:
Protocol for a prospective descriptive prevalence study of catatonia in an acute mental health unit in urban South Africa
- Zingela, Zukiswa, Cronje, Johan, Fink, Max, van Wyk, Stephanus, Stroud, Louise
- Authors: Zingela, Zukiswa , Cronje, Johan , Fink, Max , van Wyk, Stephanus , Stroud, Louise
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4610 , vital:44142
- Full Text:
- Authors: Zingela, Zukiswa , Cronje, Johan , Fink, Max , van Wyk, Stephanus , Stroud, Louise
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4610 , vital:44142
- Full Text:
Pulse amplitude tonometry and angiogenic factors in preeclampsia in rural African women
- Authors: Meeme, Allen
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) (Health Sciences, Physiology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2009 , vital:40800
- Description: The pathogenesis of preeclampsia remains a puzzle despite extensive research that has been carried out over the years. Endothelial dysfunction and altered angiogenic balance have now been shown to play a significant role in the protean manifestations of this syndrome. There are several direct and indirect methods that have been used for assessing endothelial function during pregnancy. The most commonly used non-invasive method for assessing endothelial function in pregnancy has been the flow-mediated ultrasonic method. Because this method requires a skilled sonographer and a good quality ultrasound machine, it is not readily available for routine investigational use. Pulse amplitude tonometry using the EndoPAT 2000 is a novel non-invasive automated method that has been used rather extensively in recent years for assessing endothelial dysfunction in non-pregnant subjects, with only a few reports in pregnancy. This study set out to assess pulse amplitude tonometry using EndoPAT 2000 in normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women in rural African women to determine whether it can demonstrate endothelial dysfunction associated with preeclampsia. In addition, angiogenic factors known to be associated with preeclampsia were measured to assess whether there are any differences in their levels between normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women in the rural African setting. As HIV, a common condition in this population of antenatal mothers, is known to affect endothelial function, secondary evaluation was carried out based on the HIV status to assess if there are any differences in the tested parameters. This was a prospective case-control study conducted in Mthatha Hospital Complex, Eastern Cape, South Africa. A total of two hundred and fifteen (215) participants with known HIV status were recruited into the study; 105 women had preeclampsia (cases) and 110 were normotensive pregnant women (controls). Endothelial function was assessed using EndoPAT 2000 technique that measured pulse amplitude tonometry using the reactive hyperemia index (RHI, arbitrary units). Blood samples were also taken from the subjects and the serum was stored at -70°C until assayed for soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF). Nitric oxide levels were measured indirectly using nitrite and nitrate levels in serum from blood samples taken from the test arm about 5 minutes after the end of the pulse amplitude tonometry, and these were measured using the Cayman colorimetric method. sFLt-1 and PIGF levels were quantified using specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Statistix 8.0 and Graphpad Prism 5 software were used for data analysis. Data were summarised as means ± standard error of the mean (SEM) for normally distributed data and medians (interquartile range, IQR) for non-normally distributed data. Two sample Student’s t-test was used to compare means while Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare medians. Spearman’s correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to determine correlations between variables. Secondary analysis was carried based on whether the cases were early onset or late onset and whether cases and controls were HIV-positive or negative. Kruskal-Wallis and one way ANOVA were used to compare means between cases and controls. Statistical significance was set at a p value of <0.05. Women with preeclampsia were found to have significantly lower RHI [1.70(1.04-3.61)au vs.1.81 (1.18-4.62) au; p˂0.05], lower PIGF levels (90.26 ± 8.99 pg/ml vs. 172.80 ± 20.24 pg/ml; p˂0.01) and higher sFlt1, (2087.3 ± 200.1 pg/ml vs. 1546.5 ± 91.9 pg/ml; p˂0.01) compared to normotensive controls. The sFlt1/PIGF ratio was also found to be higher among women with preeclampsia (66.77 ± 18.66 vs. 22.26 ± 2.95; p˂0.01) compared to the normotensive controls. Unlike the lower RHI, the nitrite and nitrate levels did not differ between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women (6.04 ± 0.52 µM vs 6.12 ± 0.49 µM; p>0.05). No significant relationship was observed between RHI and nitrite/nitrate levels (r=-0.08, p>0.05), RHI and pro-angiogenic factor PIGF (r=0.101, p>0.05) or RHI and anti-angiogenic factor sFlt1 (r= 0.002, p>0.05). There was also no significant relationship between RHI and the sFlt1/PlGF ratio (r=-0.047, p>0.05). HIV-positive status significantly affected sFlt1, baseline pulse wave amplitude and augmentation index compared to HIV-negative status in the different groups of women. RHI, PlGF and the sFlt1/PlGF ratio differences were not statistically significant. Pulse amplitude tonometry measured as reactive hyperemia index (RHI) using EndoPAT 2000 revealed the presence of endothelial dysfunction in rural African women with preeclampsia, thus suggesting that this technique can be used reliably to assess endothelial dysfunction in pregnant women. To our knowledge this is the first such report involving rural African women. The significant differences in the levels and ratios of angiogenic factors found in the preeclamptic women when compared with the normotensive controls in this study also confirm what has been reported in the literature. Although endothelial dysfunction was clearly demonstrable in the preeclamptic rural African women, this appears not to have been associated with either reduced or elevated levels of nitric oxide, as assessed using nitrite/ nitrate levels when compared with normotensive controls. This finding adds to the current conflicting reports on nitric oxide levels in preeclampsia reported in the literature. The RHI in both cases and control pregnant women was also not significantly correlated with the levels of nitrites/nitrates. Although this might raise some questions about the actual role of nitric oxide in endothelial dysfunction in rural African women with preeclampsia, the explanation for this finding might simply be the fact that NO has a very short half-life, and has to be measured indirectly using its more stable metabolites such as nitrites and nitrates. The absence of significant correlation between RHI and angiogenic factors demonstrated in this study could mean that the effect of sFlt1 may be more on the larger arteries than small resistance arteries from which RHI is obtained. It is recommended that prospective studies are carried out to determine whether the RHI becomes abnormal before the onset of clinical preeclampsia or not as the search for predictors of preeclampsia continues.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Meeme, Allen
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) (Health Sciences, Physiology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2009 , vital:40800
- Description: The pathogenesis of preeclampsia remains a puzzle despite extensive research that has been carried out over the years. Endothelial dysfunction and altered angiogenic balance have now been shown to play a significant role in the protean manifestations of this syndrome. There are several direct and indirect methods that have been used for assessing endothelial function during pregnancy. The most commonly used non-invasive method for assessing endothelial function in pregnancy has been the flow-mediated ultrasonic method. Because this method requires a skilled sonographer and a good quality ultrasound machine, it is not readily available for routine investigational use. Pulse amplitude tonometry using the EndoPAT 2000 is a novel non-invasive automated method that has been used rather extensively in recent years for assessing endothelial dysfunction in non-pregnant subjects, with only a few reports in pregnancy. This study set out to assess pulse amplitude tonometry using EndoPAT 2000 in normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women in rural African women to determine whether it can demonstrate endothelial dysfunction associated with preeclampsia. In addition, angiogenic factors known to be associated with preeclampsia were measured to assess whether there are any differences in their levels between normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women in the rural African setting. As HIV, a common condition in this population of antenatal mothers, is known to affect endothelial function, secondary evaluation was carried out based on the HIV status to assess if there are any differences in the tested parameters. This was a prospective case-control study conducted in Mthatha Hospital Complex, Eastern Cape, South Africa. A total of two hundred and fifteen (215) participants with known HIV status were recruited into the study; 105 women had preeclampsia (cases) and 110 were normotensive pregnant women (controls). Endothelial function was assessed using EndoPAT 2000 technique that measured pulse amplitude tonometry using the reactive hyperemia index (RHI, arbitrary units). Blood samples were also taken from the subjects and the serum was stored at -70°C until assayed for soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF). Nitric oxide levels were measured indirectly using nitrite and nitrate levels in serum from blood samples taken from the test arm about 5 minutes after the end of the pulse amplitude tonometry, and these were measured using the Cayman colorimetric method. sFLt-1 and PIGF levels were quantified using specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Statistix 8.0 and Graphpad Prism 5 software were used for data analysis. Data were summarised as means ± standard error of the mean (SEM) for normally distributed data and medians (interquartile range, IQR) for non-normally distributed data. Two sample Student’s t-test was used to compare means while Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare medians. Spearman’s correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to determine correlations between variables. Secondary analysis was carried based on whether the cases were early onset or late onset and whether cases and controls were HIV-positive or negative. Kruskal-Wallis and one way ANOVA were used to compare means between cases and controls. Statistical significance was set at a p value of <0.05. Women with preeclampsia were found to have significantly lower RHI [1.70(1.04-3.61)au vs.1.81 (1.18-4.62) au; p˂0.05], lower PIGF levels (90.26 ± 8.99 pg/ml vs. 172.80 ± 20.24 pg/ml; p˂0.01) and higher sFlt1, (2087.3 ± 200.1 pg/ml vs. 1546.5 ± 91.9 pg/ml; p˂0.01) compared to normotensive controls. The sFlt1/PIGF ratio was also found to be higher among women with preeclampsia (66.77 ± 18.66 vs. 22.26 ± 2.95; p˂0.01) compared to the normotensive controls. Unlike the lower RHI, the nitrite and nitrate levels did not differ between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women (6.04 ± 0.52 µM vs 6.12 ± 0.49 µM; p>0.05). No significant relationship was observed between RHI and nitrite/nitrate levels (r=-0.08, p>0.05), RHI and pro-angiogenic factor PIGF (r=0.101, p>0.05) or RHI and anti-angiogenic factor sFlt1 (r= 0.002, p>0.05). There was also no significant relationship between RHI and the sFlt1/PlGF ratio (r=-0.047, p>0.05). HIV-positive status significantly affected sFlt1, baseline pulse wave amplitude and augmentation index compared to HIV-negative status in the different groups of women. RHI, PlGF and the sFlt1/PlGF ratio differences were not statistically significant. Pulse amplitude tonometry measured as reactive hyperemia index (RHI) using EndoPAT 2000 revealed the presence of endothelial dysfunction in rural African women with preeclampsia, thus suggesting that this technique can be used reliably to assess endothelial dysfunction in pregnant women. To our knowledge this is the first such report involving rural African women. The significant differences in the levels and ratios of angiogenic factors found in the preeclamptic women when compared with the normotensive controls in this study also confirm what has been reported in the literature. Although endothelial dysfunction was clearly demonstrable in the preeclamptic rural African women, this appears not to have been associated with either reduced or elevated levels of nitric oxide, as assessed using nitrite/ nitrate levels when compared with normotensive controls. This finding adds to the current conflicting reports on nitric oxide levels in preeclampsia reported in the literature. The RHI in both cases and control pregnant women was also not significantly correlated with the levels of nitrites/nitrates. Although this might raise some questions about the actual role of nitric oxide in endothelial dysfunction in rural African women with preeclampsia, the explanation for this finding might simply be the fact that NO has a very short half-life, and has to be measured indirectly using its more stable metabolites such as nitrites and nitrates. The absence of significant correlation between RHI and angiogenic factors demonstrated in this study could mean that the effect of sFlt1 may be more on the larger arteries than small resistance arteries from which RHI is obtained. It is recommended that prospective studies are carried out to determine whether the RHI becomes abnormal before the onset of clinical preeclampsia or not as the search for predictors of preeclampsia continues.
- Full Text:
Rapid testing for respiratory syncytial virus in a resource-limited paediatric intensive care setting
- Howard Newman, Sikhumbuzo Mabunda, Donald Tshabalala, Nokwazi Nkosi, Candice Care
- Authors: Howard Newman , Sikhumbuzo Mabunda , Donald Tshabalala , Nokwazi Nkosi , Candice Care
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4249 , vital:44052
- Full Text:
- Authors: Howard Newman , Sikhumbuzo Mabunda , Donald Tshabalala , Nokwazi Nkosi , Candice Care
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4249 , vital:44052
- Full Text:
Re-engaging cultural perspectives on disability discourse : An analysis of the Bakossi and Isixhosa Oral Traditions
- Enongene Mirabeau Sone, Mfusi Hoza
- Authors: Enongene Mirabeau Sone , Mfusi Hoza
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: amaXhosa; Bakossi; disability; oral literature; paradigms; perceptions
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2680 , vital:42322
- Description: A healthy society is one where members make efforts to work together as people from diverse backgrounds towards achieving society’s goals. Although this seems to be a difficult task, some societies have made, and continue to make conscious efforts to achieve this purpose by enacting laws that prohibit discrimination based on disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and colour. This article examines the perceptions and conceptualisations of disabilities as portrayed in the Bakossi and isiXhosa oral traditions of Cameroon and South Africa respectively. The article argues that the oral traditions of these communities are heavily loaded with images that highlight stereotypical notions that these societies hold towards disabled persons. The images reveal that these categories of people are the most stigmatised, prejudiced and marginalised. In other words, people with disabilities have been pushed to the margins of society, and face socially-constructed barriers that prevent them from fully participating in many domains of society’s mainstream activities. Undertaken against the background of the sociological and psychoanalytic theories, the study concludes by recommending that inasmuch as disabled people are recognised as existing among the Bakossi and amaXhosa, they should be wholly integrated into their respective societies and treated like other members of the society; as some of them have hidden potentials that can be exploited to salvage society from various trials and tribulations.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Enongene Mirabeau Sone , Mfusi Hoza
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: amaXhosa; Bakossi; disability; oral literature; paradigms; perceptions
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2680 , vital:42322
- Description: A healthy society is one where members make efforts to work together as people from diverse backgrounds towards achieving society’s goals. Although this seems to be a difficult task, some societies have made, and continue to make conscious efforts to achieve this purpose by enacting laws that prohibit discrimination based on disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and colour. This article examines the perceptions and conceptualisations of disabilities as portrayed in the Bakossi and isiXhosa oral traditions of Cameroon and South Africa respectively. The article argues that the oral traditions of these communities are heavily loaded with images that highlight stereotypical notions that these societies hold towards disabled persons. The images reveal that these categories of people are the most stigmatised, prejudiced and marginalised. In other words, people with disabilities have been pushed to the margins of society, and face socially-constructed barriers that prevent them from fully participating in many domains of society’s mainstream activities. Undertaken against the background of the sociological and psychoanalytic theories, the study concludes by recommending that inasmuch as disabled people are recognised as existing among the Bakossi and amaXhosa, they should be wholly integrated into their respective societies and treated like other members of the society; as some of them have hidden potentials that can be exploited to salvage society from various trials and tribulations.
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REDUCTION IN ADHERENCE TO ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY DURING POSTPARTUM: FINDINGS FROM A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY
- Oladele Adeniyi, Anthony Ajayi
- Authors: Oladele Adeniyi , Anthony Ajayi
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4371 , vital:44110
- Full Text:
- Authors: Oladele Adeniyi , Anthony Ajayi
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4371 , vital:44110
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Relationship between Endothelial Function, Antiretroviral Treatment and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in HIV Patients of African Descent in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study
- Benedicta N. Nkeh-Chungag, Goswami, Nandu, Engwa, Godwill Azeh, Sewani-Rusike, Constance R, Mbombela, Vuyolwethu, Ingrid WebsterPatrick De Boever, Kessler, Harald H, Stelzl, Evelyn
- Authors: Benedicta N. Nkeh-Chungag , Goswami, Nandu , Engwa, Godwill Azeh , Sewani-Rusike, Constance R , Mbombela, Vuyolwethu , Ingrid WebsterPatrick De Boever , Kessler, Harald H , Stelzl, Evelyn
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3998 , vital:43982
- Full Text:
- Authors: Benedicta N. Nkeh-Chungag , Goswami, Nandu , Engwa, Godwill Azeh , Sewani-Rusike, Constance R , Mbombela, Vuyolwethu , Ingrid WebsterPatrick De Boever , Kessler, Harald H , Stelzl, Evelyn
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3998 , vital:43982
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Religious Poetry as a Vehicle for Social Control in Africa: The Case of Bakossi Incantatory Poetry
- Authors: Enongene Mirabeau Sone
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2624 , vital:42301
- Description: Religious poetry is generally considered the fruit of a people’s long reflection on their relationship with their gods, with the ancestors, and with the partly seen and unseen universe. It is used to celebrate events in the life of the individual and the community, to express fellowship, and as a powerful means of communication. Thus, religious poetry is an integral element of a people’s heritage. In this paper, I intend to present some forms of religious poetry, which are found among the Bakossi people of Cameroon, in order to show how magically-oriented formulaic expressions are used in order to maintain adherence to the normative order of society. The point I intend to make is that the incantatory form of religious poetry, was, and still is, used among the Bakossi people of Cameroon, as well as in other parts of rural Africa in terms of individual and communal education.
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- Authors: Enongene Mirabeau Sone
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/2624 , vital:42301
- Description: Religious poetry is generally considered the fruit of a people’s long reflection on their relationship with their gods, with the ancestors, and with the partly seen and unseen universe. It is used to celebrate events in the life of the individual and the community, to express fellowship, and as a powerful means of communication. Thus, religious poetry is an integral element of a people’s heritage. In this paper, I intend to present some forms of religious poetry, which are found among the Bakossi people of Cameroon, in order to show how magically-oriented formulaic expressions are used in order to maintain adherence to the normative order of society. The point I intend to make is that the incantatory form of religious poetry, was, and still is, used among the Bakossi people of Cameroon, as well as in other parts of rural Africa in terms of individual and communal education.
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Risk factors and outcomes of acute kidney injury in South African critically ill adults: a prospective cohort study
- Ryan E. Aylward, Elizabeth van der Merwe, Sisa Pazi, Minette van Niekerk, Jason Ensor, Debbie Baker, Robert J. Freercks
- Authors: Ryan E. Aylward , Elizabeth van der Merwe , Sisa Pazi , Minette van Niekerk , Jason Ensor , Debbie Baker , Robert J. Freercks
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4465 , vital:44122
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- Authors: Ryan E. Aylward , Elizabeth van der Merwe , Sisa Pazi , Minette van Niekerk , Jason Ensor , Debbie Baker , Robert J. Freercks
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4465 , vital:44122
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RNA – Sustainable Marine & Freshwater Economic Development (SMAFED)
- Authors: Okuthe, Grace
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Poster
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6415 , vital:45479
- Description: In a knowledge-based economy, the capacity to compete in the global market is highly dependent on the ability to innovate and apply the relevant technologies to industries and productive sectors. Investment in Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) and its integration into the social, economic and governance policies can increase global market competiveness, create employment and increase productivity, which are key components for achieving S. African Vision 2030. It is against this National background that Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has established RNAs. The general theme of the RNA is; Marine & Freshwater Resource Management & Economic Development. Hence, the name the proposed name (SMAFED)
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- Authors: Okuthe, Grace
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Poster
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6415 , vital:45479
- Description: In a knowledge-based economy, the capacity to compete in the global market is highly dependent on the ability to innovate and apply the relevant technologies to industries and productive sectors. Investment in Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) and its integration into the social, economic and governance policies can increase global market competiveness, create employment and increase productivity, which are key components for achieving S. African Vision 2030. It is against this National background that Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has established RNAs. The general theme of the RNA is; Marine & Freshwater Resource Management & Economic Development. Hence, the name the proposed name (SMAFED)
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Selecting human papillomavirus genotypes to optimize the performance of screening tests among South African women
- Johnson. Lauren G, Wright, Thomas C, Saidu, Rakiya, Mbulawa, Zizipho, Williamson, Anna-Lise, Boa, Rosalind, Tergas, Ana, Moodley, Jennifer, Persing, David, Campbell, Scott, Tsai, Wei-Yann, Kuhn, Louise, Denny, Lynette
- Authors: Johnson. Lauren G , Wright, Thomas C , Saidu, Rakiya , Mbulawa, Zizipho , Williamson, Anna-Lise , Boa, Rosalind , Tergas, Ana , Moodley, Jennifer , Persing, David , Campbell, Scott , Tsai, Wei-Yann , Kuhn, Louise , Denny, Lynette
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4523 , vital:44129
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- Authors: Johnson. Lauren G , Wright, Thomas C , Saidu, Rakiya , Mbulawa, Zizipho , Williamson, Anna-Lise , Boa, Rosalind , Tergas, Ana , Moodley, Jennifer , Persing, David , Campbell, Scott , Tsai, Wei-Yann , Kuhn, Louise , Denny, Lynette
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4523 , vital:44129
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Socio-demographic associations of HIV among women attending antenatal care in selected rural primary care facilities in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province
- Sikhumbuzo A. Mabunda, Khuthala Sigovana, Wezile Chitha, Teke Apalata, Sibusiso Nomatshila
- Authors: Sikhumbuzo A. Mabunda , Khuthala Sigovana , Wezile Chitha , Teke Apalata , Sibusiso Nomatshila
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4112 , vital:44025
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- Authors: Sikhumbuzo A. Mabunda , Khuthala Sigovana , Wezile Chitha , Teke Apalata , Sibusiso Nomatshila
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: Journal article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4112 , vital:44025
- Full Text:
Some Remarks on the Solution of Linearisable Second-Order Ordinary Differential Equations via Point Transformations
- Authors: Winter Sinkala
- Date: 2020
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4314 , vital:44091
- Full Text:
- Authors: Winter Sinkala
- Date: 2020
- Type: Journal Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/4314 , vital:44091
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