The genus Calvatia (‘Gasteromycetes’, Lycoperdaceae): A review of its ethnomycology and biotechnological potential

Several members of the fungal puffball genus Calvatia Fr. have found widespread use amongst various cultures world-wide, especially as sources of food and/or traditional medicine. Hitherto the biotechnological potential of only a handful of Calvatia species, namely C. cyathiformis, C. craniiformis,C. excipuliformis, C. gigantea and C. utriformis has been investigated. However, despite promising results, information regarding the biotechnological potential of the rest of the genus, in particular theAfrican species, is still completely lacking. In the hope that it might stimulate interest and further research on this topic, the current paper provides a brief overview of the literature pertaining to the importance of Calvatia to man in terms of its pathogenicity, its ecology and role as bioindicator, its foodand nutritional value and also its potential as biotechnological tool in the pharmaceutical and other industries

Systematics, diversity and forage value of indigenous legumes of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland

The diversity of legumes, indigenous to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland is reported using recorded descriptive and distribution data. A total of 24 tribes, 118 genera and 1662 species were documented with the majority of genera belonging to subfamily Faboideae, tribe Phaseoleae, and the majority of species to tribe Crotalarieae. In terms of distribution patterns, most species were present in the Savanna Biome and Central Bushveld Bioregion. Even though most tribes contain species with secondary metabolites (mainly non-protein amino acids), tribes containing poisonous species are far fewer. Herbs are the key growth form, followed by shrubs, dwarf shrubs and trees. The majority of species are perennials. A map representing the collection intensity for the study area showed that the majority of legumes species were collected in the Fynbos, Savanna and Grassland Biome. It is concluded that indigenous South African legumes are extremely diverse and this denotes the importance of further investigating their forage potential or use in other agricultural practices.Key words: Biomes, bioregions, Fabaceae, fodder, genebank, Leguminosae, pastures, tribe

Decline of Birds in a Human Modified Coastal Dune Forest Landscape in South Africa

Previous studies demonstrate that old-growth forest remnants and vegetation regenerating after anthropogenic disturbance provide habitat for birds in a human modified coastal dune forest landscape in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. However, occurrence does not ensure persistence. Based on a 13-year monitoring database we calculated population trends for 37 bird species and general trends in overall bird density in different vegetation types. We evaluated species' characteristics as covariates of population trend and assessed changes in rainfall and proportional area and survey coverage per vegetation type. 76% of species assessed have declined, 57% significantly so at an average rate of 13.9% per year. Overall, bird density has fallen at 12.2% per year across old-growth forest and woody regenerating vegetation types. Changes in proportional area and coverage per vegetation type may partly explain trends for a few species but are unlikely to account for most. Below average rainfall may have contributed to bird declines. However, other possibilities warrant further investigation. Species with larger range extents tended to decline more sharply than did others, and these species may be responding to environmental changes on a broader geographical scale. Our results cast doubt on the future persistence of birds in this human modified landscape. More research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms driving population decline in the study area and to investigate whether the declines identified here are more widespread across the region and perhaps the continent

Enrolling adolescents in HIV vaccine trials: reflections on legal complexities from South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>South Africa is likely to be the first country in the world to host an adolescent HIV vaccine trial. Adolescents may be enrolled in late 2007. In the development and review of adolescent HIV vaccine trial protocols there are many complexities to consider, and much work to be done if these important trials are to become a reality.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This article sets out essential requirements for the lawful conduct of adolescent research in South Africa including compliance with consent requirements, child protection laws, and processes for the ethical and regulatory approval of research.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>This article outlines likely complexities for researchers and research ethics committees, including determining that trial interventions meet current risk standards for child research. Explicit recommendations are made for role-players in other jurisdictions who may also be planning such trials. This article concludes with concrete steps for implementing these important trials in South Africa and other jurisdictions, including planning for consent processes; delineating privacy rights; compiling information necessary for ethics committees to assess risks to child participants; training trial site staff to recognize when disclosures trig mandatory reporting response; networking among relevant ethics commitees; and lobbying the National Regulatory Authority for guidance.</p

Calvatia Fr. (Fungi, Lycoperdaceae) in suider-Afrika: Vyftig jaar na Bottomley

A taxonomic revision of the Calvatia complex in southern Africa, following a comparative morphological approach, has led to the adoption of a broad generic concept comprising thirteen species. Conservation of Calvatia against the older names Omalycus and Lanopila has been proposed

Threats To Ronga Custodianship Of A Sacred Grove In Southern Mozambique

Licuáti Forest Reserve in southern Mozambique safeguards a dry, tropical forest with many rare and endemic plant species, but it is also a sacred grove that holds the graves of the Santaca family who long served as the local traditional authority. Interviews with male elders of the tribe serve as the main source of information regarding local cultural beliefs and practices concerning the forest. Feedback contends that taboos and other local practices have been more important than state-based regulations in protecting the forest, particularly from charcoal production. The capacity of local measures to protect the sacred grove is limited, given the socio-economic and political status in the country. This has led to the involvement of government through conservation policy and law enforcement. However, such formal conservation measures are not sufficient, nor effective and a workable scheme based on the local indigenous knowledge system is proposed as a means to ensure the sustainable use of the forest in collaboration with governmental institutions. Keywords: Biodiversity, conservation, ethnobotany, indigenous knowledge, Licuáti, Sand Forest, taboo, tribal authority.Indilinga Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 182-19

Print media coverage of women\'s sport in South Africa

No Abstract.AJPHERD Vol. 14 (3) 2008: pp. 299-30

Assessment of effectiveness of traditional herbal medicine in managing HIV/AIDS patients in South Africa

Background: Very few clinical studies have been conducted in South Africa to assess the value and efficacy of traditional herbal medicines that are commonly used by traditional healers for the treatment of HlV-positive patients. Objective: To assess efficacy of a South African traditional herbal medicine in reducing viral load and increasing CD4+T cell counts of HIV/AIDS patients. Design: A descriptive, prospective, follow-up study of 33 HlV-positive volunteers over a one year period. Viral load and CD4 counts were taken three times from each participant. Setting: From November 2001 to October 2002, patients were treated at the Rustenburg Community Based Centre for traditional therapy. Clinical and paraclinical treatments and screening of patients were done at Pretoria Gynaecological Hospital. Participants: Seven men and 26 women aged between 22 and 43 years took part in a 12-month long follow-up study. HIV monitoring was done at the beginning and after 4 and 8 months in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with CD4 counts below 200 cells/mm3 or viral load counts above 10,000 copies. Intervention and assessment: ab initio and after 4-months, viral load, CD4+T cell count, FBC, LFT, glycaemia, U/E, cholesterol, pap smear, clinical and subjective assessment, modern drugs plus hospitalisation for opportunistic infections and resuscitation where needed, powder or suspension of herbal medicine followed by meals. Main outcome measures: Improvement in overall health condition and immune system, increase in CD4+T cell count and decrease in viral load count. The two sample paired t-test was used to compare initial and final counts at the 5% level of significance and power of 80%. Ninety five per cent confidence intervals were obtained for differences between mean values. Results: After four and/or eight months of therapy, significant health improvement was achieved: better physical appearance (80% of patients), increased appetite (65%), feeling of well-being (60%), disappearance of skin marks (70%) and urogenital lesions (100%), resumption of workplace duties (60%), weight gain (80%), significant reduction in viral loads (85.4%, p=0.0015) and significant increase in CD4+ T cell counts (226%, p=0.0000). Conclusion: Achievement of health improvement within eight months indicates that herbal medicine can be used as supplementary or alternative treatment for HIV/AIDS patients, and that it is an obvious immune system booster and probable "virus-cidal" factor. The apparent safety and efficacy of herbal medication warrants further research with a larger sample size of study. East African Medical Journal Vol.81(10) 2004: 499-50

Serum adenosine deaminase and total immunoglobulin G correlate with markers of immune activation and inversely with CD4 counts in asymptomatic, treatment-naive HIV infection

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