THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A DIVERSION PROGRAMME FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS : PROBLEM AREAS AND 'PITFALLS'

According to the 2001 South African census, about 35% fo the South African population can be classified as youths, that is, below the age of 35 years, while 22% is below 20 years of age (Statistics South Africa, 2003).  Schönteich (1999:22) emphasises that South Africa faces some serious challenges because of the high proportion of young people in the population.  Reffering to criminal behaviour in particular, he suggests that juveniles and young adults commit crimes "...far in excess of their proportion of the general population", and that these rates seem to be similar all over the world.  He also points to conviction rates that show that young males in South Africa are at greater risk of being convicted for a wide range of crimes that older males or females of any age group

Digitale Dataverwerking Gedurende Radio-isotoopflikkergrafie

The features of an on-line image data processing system for nuclear medicine are described. The uses of the system for the processing and evaluation of images, lung function determinations and cardiac studies are mentioned

'n Vergelyking van drie verskillende tegnieke die berekening van glomerulere filtrasiespoed

The clearance of inulin, creatinine and radioactive tracers from the blood may be used to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR). These techniques, however, are usually invasive and time-consuming. Although the clearance of a radioactive tracer is usually applied in nuclear medicine for the determination of GFR, it is also possible to convert the concentration of the tracer in the kidneys to absolute GFR by means of a regression equation. As this new technique is much faster, we have compared it with the conventional technique. A good correlation was found with the standard radionuclide techniques (r = 0,91), but the reference method was underestimated on the average by 14 ml/min. The new regression equation derived in our clinic will ensure future accurate GFR measurements within 6 minutes

Kwantitatiewe Radio-isotoop Kardiografie met die Sintillasie-kamera

Methods for obtainiR9 various cardiac parameters, using radio-isotopes and the scintillation camera, have improved tremendously during recent· years. These investigations offer a simplified screening test for visual interpretation. By the use of numerical techniques, quantitative information can be obtained, making investigations more sensitive. Left-to-right shunts, cardiac output, left ventricular ejection fraction and other parameters can be quantitated

Digital Data Processing of Images

Digital data processing was investigated to perform image processing. Image smoothing and restoration were explored and promising results obtained. The use of the computer, not only as a data management device, but as an important tool to render quantitative information, was illustrated by lung function determination. The availability of on-line computers for image processing represents a major advance in the radiological investigation of organ function.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 986 (1974)

Association between personality factors and consulting specialty of practice of doctors at an academic hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Background. Studies found an association between personality types and field of specialty. The current study could assist aspiring specialists in deciding which specialty they are best suited for by comparing their own personalities with the results.Objectives. To explore the personality characteristics of doctors in three consulting and four surgical specialties at an academic hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa.Methods. In this analytical cross-sectional study, questionnaires, including the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, were handed out. Overall, 58 consultants and senior registrars from the departments of Family Medicine, Paediatrics and Internal Medicine (response rate 71.6%) and 70 consultants and senior registrars from surgical specialties (response rate 60.3%) participated.Results. Family medicine had the lowest median score for impulsive sensation seeking (21.1%) and aggression-hostility (11.8%), and highest for parties and friends (33.3%). Paediatrics scored highest for neuroticism-anxiety (44.7%) and aggression-hostility (23.5%). Internal medicine scored highest for sociability (25.0%) and isolation intolerance (37.8%), and lowest for neuroticism-anxiety (36.8%) and activity (47.1%). Overall, the consulting group scored lower than the surgical group for impulsive sensation seeking, aggression-hostility, sociability and activity, and higher for neuroticism-anxiety.Conclusion. The study identified personality types of some specialties, and revealed differences between characteristics of local specialists compared with findings from studies elsewhere

A comparison of the clinical relevance of thallium201 and technetium-99m-methoxyisobutyl-isonitrile for the evaluation of myocardial blood flow

Thallium-201 is at present the radiotracer of choice for the clinical evaluation of myocardial blood flow. Although different technetium-99m-isonitrile agents have been synthesised recently, only 99mTc-melhoxyisobutyl-isonitrile (99mTc_MIBI) has proved to hold promise for clinical implementation. The myocardial distribution of 201TI and 99mTc_MIBI was compared in a group of 20 patients, who underwent both 201TI single photon emission computed tomography and 99mTc_MIBI study as well as coronary angiography. The sensitivity for predicting a lesion ranged from 25% to 88% in different areas of the heart and was comparable for the two radiophannaceuticals. The specificity was > 80% tor all regions except the inferior region where a specificily ot 58% obtained by 99mTc-MIBI was better than the low specificity of 17% obtained with 201TI (P< 0,008)

Determination of glomerular filtration rate with radionuclide renography and direct urinary activity quantitation

Objective. The direct urinary activity quantitation method is quick (approximately 40 minutes), requires only a single blood sample, is performed as part of standard renal scanning and shows high accuracy compared With 24hour creatinine clearance. The purpose was to evaluate the practical application and accuracy of this technique at our clinic. Design. Direct urinary activity quantitation was done in patients scheduled for routine radionuclide renography and compared to standard multiple-blood-sample techniques by means of Cr-51-EDTA and Tc-99m-DTPA.Setting. Academic Medical Complex, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Universitas Hospital, Bloemfontein.Participants. Fifteen patients scheduled for routine radionuclide renography (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determination) were voluntarily enrolled in the study. The GFRs of selected patients varied over a wide range. Possible obstructive uropathy was excluded.Main outcome measures. GFRs obtained by the direct urinary method were compared with GFRs determined by multisample Cr-51-EDTA and Tc-99m DTPA.Results. GFRs from the direct urinary method compared with multisample Tc-99m-DTPA showed differences from -19,85 to 22,95 ml/min with a mean of 0,2 (+- 12,25) ml/min (r = 0,93). When compared with multisample Cr-51 EDTA, differences ranged from -34,35 to 21,05 ml/min with a mean of -4,25 (+- 16,08) ml/min (r =0,90).Conclusion. The direct urinary activity technique is easily applied and highly accurate compared with previous standardised multisample radionuclide techniques for determination of GFR

Acquisition and Processing of Cerebral Blood Flow Data with a M;ultichannel Analyser and Microcomputer

The method of the determination of cerebral blood flow in dogs with radio-isotopes to evaluate ethrane as a new anaesthetic agent is described, as well as the use of a multichannel analyser and the programmes developed for the analysis of data in a conversational mode. Preliminary results of the use of the computer programme are presented

South African Thoracic Society position statement on the management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in adults: 2023

Background. Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disorder that affects the lives of many South Africans. Post-tuberculosis (TB) bronchiectasis is an important complication of previous pulmonary TB and a common cause of bronchiectasis in South Africa (SA). No previous statements on the management of bronchiectasis in SA have been published. Objectives. To provide a position statement that will act as a template for the management of adult patients with bronchiectasis in SA. Methods. The South African Thoracic Society appointed an editorial committee to compile a position statement on the management of adult non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis in SA. Results. A position statement addressing the management of non-CF bronchiectasis in adults in SA was compiled. This position statement covers the epidemiology, aetiology, diagnosis, investigations and various aspects of management of adult patients with non-CF bronchiectasis in SA. Conclusion. Bronchiectasis has largely been a neglected lung condition, but new research has improved the outlook for patients. Collaboration between interprofessional team members in patient management is important. In SA, more research into the epidemiology of bronchiectasis, especially post-TB bronchiectasis and HIV-associated bronchiectasis, is required