Ethnic differences in risk factor profiles in subjects with coronary disease attending a state hospital in KwaZulu-Natal

Objectives: This study compares the profile of coronary artery disease (CAD) across different ethnic groups at a tertiary referral hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Method: We reviewed the clinical records of 1 104 subjects who underwent coronary angiography at Grey’s Hospital for suspected CAD over a 5-year period (2012 - 2016). Uni- and multivariable analysis was used to identify associations of risk factors with CAD. Results: Coronary artery disease was present in 886 subjects, of whom 69.9% were male. The majority were of Indian ethnicity (60.8%). The mean age of Africans was younger (54.9 ± 10.8 years) compared to Indians (58.0 ± 11.0 years), Coloureds (58.6 ± 12.3 years) and Whites (60.0 ± 10.5 years) (p=0.001). The prevalence of premature CAD (PCAD) (<55 years in males and <65 years in females) was 46% of males and 66,7% in females. Most African females (84,6%, p=0.01) and white females (75,6%, p=0.01) presented with PCAD. ST-elevation myocardial infarction was the most frequent presentation among African subjects (n=99, 66.0%), followed by Whites (n=76, 45.2%) and Indians (n=240, 44.5%), and least common among Coloureds (n=11, 37.9%) (p<0.001). The most prevalent risk factors were dyslipidaemia (95.1%), hypertension (70.3%), smoking (67.4%) and diabetes (57.2%). The prevalence of smoking was lowest in the African group (51.3%) compared to about 66% in the other groups (p<0.001) (Table I). About 80% of Indians and Whites had clustering of 3 or more risk factors compared to 39.3% of Africans (p<0.001). A family history of CAD lowest among African (n=13, 8.7%) and Coloured subjects (n=11,37.9%) (p<0.001) and a history of previous MI was obtained in 5.3% of African subjects compared to >23% in each of the other ethnic groups (p<0.001). Single vessel disease was commoner among Africans (48.7%), while Indians had more triple vessel disease (47.7%), (p<0.001). Univariate analysis identified risk factors and ethnicity (Indians, p=0.02) and Whites, p=0.02) as being associated with CAD, but on multivariable analysis ethnicity fell away. Age (46 - 65 years: OR: 2.2 [1.5 - 3.3], age >65 years: OR: 4.8 [2.8 - 8.2], male gender (OR: 2.7 [1.9 - 3.9]), history of smoking (OR: 2.0 [1.4 - 3.1] (all p<0.001) as well as diabetes (OR: 1.7 [1.2 - 2.4], p=0.005) and atherogenic dyslipidaemia (OR: 1.7 [1.2 - 2.4], p=0.004) were independent cardiovascular risk factors associated with the presence of CAD. Conclusion: Major risk factors were associated with CAD at a young age across all race groups. Although Africans had a lower risk factor burden, the low prevalence of a family history of MI and near absence of a previous history of MI indicate that recent environmental and / or lifestyle changes that have contributed to the emergence of CAD, often premature, in this group

AGENCY THROUGH BODILY ALTERITY: THE CASE OF “PRO-ANOREXIA” WEBSITES

The phenomenon of pro-anorexia websites is beginning to receive attention within the academy following its increasing visibility in popular media. Pro-Ana is vibrant, yet subversive online community, with membership purportedly comprised of girls in their mid to late teens. This article draws on an Honours research project that explored discursive representation on two such websites. It draws on post-structuralist feminist theoretical resources, and discourse analysis to explore the constructions of identity and bodily inscriptions within the Pro-Ana community. We include a brief statement on historical constructions of anorexia, as well as more contemporary medical and lay representations. Our main analysis focuses on a generic logo of the websites, which reads “anorexia is a lifestyle not a disease”. We argue that members of the Pro-Ana community (Anas) display agency by both resisting and conforming to dominant discursive representations of anorexia, problematizing dominant constructions of the gendered body. We posit that this performativity is a critical reply to the medical andpublic responses to the anorexic body and the phenomenon of Pro-Ana

Fitting in, figuring it out: Attitudes to English at a South African university

Students at South African higher education institutions typically need to use English as their language of learning and teaching. One of the objectives of this study was to explore what students felt about this, and how their perceptions and practices were linked to their identities. Small focus group discussions were held with students at a South African university. A framework of New Literacy Studies was used, which views student learning as a process of mastering discipline-specific, socially constructed norms and values, and sees the adoption of any kind of literacy as including the adoption of an identity. Critical Discourse Analysis was then applied to the transcripts of these discussions. Two of the Discourses revealed in this way were the ‘Model C was better’ and the ‘English to fit in’ Discourse. The former was a Discourse of deficit, with students attributing academic success to those who experienced ‘good’ schooling from ex-Model C schools and so were proficient in English. ‘English to fit in’, by contrast, was a Discourse underpinned by quiet pride in the students’ own multilingualism. It is argued that deficit discourses need to be noted and, if possible, countered, if efforts to improve students’ levels of academic literacy are to succeed

Decolonisation of Health Sciences curricula as a vehicle for transformation in Higher Education: A scoping review

Inclusive curriculum transformation is crucial in Higher Education (HE).  Decolonisation is considered a necessary intervention that offers opportunities to reimagine curricula, broaden access, and foster inclusivity. However, the full potential of decolonisation remains untapped due to contradictory perceptions and the absence of substantive decolonial theory. This scoping review explored how the decolonisation of Health Sciences curricula can be used as a vehicle for transformation in HE. A systematic search of online academic databases was conducted and included 31 relevant articles. Deductive and inductive coding was used to analyse the data, through which 14 decolonial actions were identified and presented as an action framework. By identifying and organising the main concepts used in the literature and proposing an action framework to decolonise curricula within the field of Health Sciences, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse of how decolonisation can be used to bring about transformation in HE. Contribution: Findings contribute to the development of decolonial theory and highlight the benefits of decolonising Health Sciences curricula. This scoping review sets the stage for further research to build on this action framework, develop practical guidelines to guide curriculum change and evaluate and measure decolonisation efforts.&nbsp

Investigating the Phenolic Composition of Merlot and Shiraz Grape Extracts and Wines Produced from Grapes With Different Seed-to-skin Ratios

This study explored how Shiraz and Merlot grape extracts and wines made with different skin-to-seed ratios using various extraction methods differ in terms of phenolic composition. These methods included the Iland, Glories and machine-crushed techniques. Each method varied in extraction solvent, pH, extraction time and grape-processing techniques. The Iland method showed no significant differences between Shiraz and Merlot grapes in terms of anthocyanin concentration and colour density for all treatments. However, tannin concentrations and the total phenolic index varied significantly, with higher tannin levels generally observed in treatments with more seeds. Machine-crushed and microwave extraction did not significantly affect anthocyanin levels in the extracts, but showed differences in tannin concentrations, especially in Merlot grapes. The Glories method showed higher potential anthocyanin levels in the seedless treatments for both cultivars compared to those with seeds. However, the method’s evaluation of seed tannin contribution requires reassessment due to interesting findings in the seedless treatments. In winemaking, treatments with more seeds exhibited the highest anthocyanin and tannin levels, affecting the colour density and total phenolic index over time, especially with extended maceration time. Analysing tannin composition via phloroglucinolysis revealed that seed presence affected tannin molecular weight and composition, with notable differences observed between seedless and seeded treatments in the grape extracts and corresponding wines. Overall, the study underscores the intricate relationship between grape seed ratios, extraction methods and phenolic composition. The findings contribute to understanding how these factors affect wine phenolic composition and could contribute to future research on optimising phenolic extraction in winemaking

Can MS Excel help Finance students to Excel? A study in student work readiness

Microsoft Excel is vital in the finance sector, and preparing students for the professional arena involves honing their spreadsheet skills. A study investigated the efficacy of a finance-centric Microsoft Excel workshop as an intervention to enhance students' skills and readiness for work. Pre- and post-intervention tests assessed students' perceptions and abilities. The results revealed a significant improvement across basic, intermediate, and advanced Excel skills, positively impacting students' self-perceptions. The majority recognized Excel as a critical job market skill. The study recommends integrating Excel assignments into finance modules to elevate skills and enhance finance knowledge retention, promoting self-directed learning

Partnership Between Universities in Japan and South Africa

Cross-border partnerships are increasingly important for higher education in the twenty-first century (Oleksiyenko & Yang 2015, Sanders & Wong 2021:214). While virtually all universities in the world, in their pursuit of internationalisation, strive to enter into partnerships with universities abroad, there is no synthesis of literature on the many case studies on such partnerships or the various models of international partnership to guide such activities. The purpose of this chapter is to fill this lacuna and to serve as a frame for the chapters and discussions in the rest of the volume.The chapter commences with a survey of the contextual background: the essential international dimension of universities, the enhanced imperative for internationalisation in the contemporary era in history, and how international partnerships between universities are put into service of this need. The research method is then explained, followed by the rationales for forging international partnerships between universities. Steps and decisions in forging such partnerships are then outlined. Subsequently, modes or models of partnerships are surveyed. In the final sections, the benefits and challenges of forging international partnerships are highlighted, and lessons learned are enumerated. From this, suggestions for the path forward, regarding such partnerships in general, and between Japanese and South African universities in particular, are made

MARXISM & PSYCHOLOGY CONFERENCE – 2010

The Marxism & Psychology conference took place from 5-7 August at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Around 100 participants from around the world discussed the intersection between different traditions in psychology and different strands of Marxism. The Island is the site of a number of political-economic cultural forces, ranging from the minority “Acadian” community descended from French settlers (the Acadians were expelled from the Island by the British and some ended up in Louisiana where they become known as “Cajuns”) to the Mi’q Maks who are now mainly confined to the much tinier Lennox Island off the coast of the main island (where they sell tacky souvenirs, including parmesan flavour dog biscuits in the shape of Prince Edward Island). These potent reminders of the history of colonialism and class were sidestepped in the conference by a focus instead on Anne of Green Gables (the musical is in its 46th year and “all things Anne” sustain the tourist trade). I put together the main sessions, so this is also a self-critique