Clinical microbiology in developing countries.

We review the problem of limited microbiology resources in developing countries. We then demonstrate the feasibility of a cohort-based approach to integrate microbiology, epidemiology, and clinical medicine to survey emerging infections in these countries

Indoramin in the treatment of hypertension A mini-review and update

The origins, preclinical development and clinical pharmacology of a new antihypertensive agent, indoramin (Baratol; Wyeth), are briefly reviewed. Indoramin is a competitive postsynaptic α-adrenoceptor antagonist with a myocardial membranestabilizing component of action. These features are believed to be responsible for its antihypertensive efficacy. They may also explain the absence of problems common to older a-blockers such as reflex tachycardia and postural hypotension. Clinical evaluation of a new agent such as indoramin in the management of hypertension is discussed in terms of efficacy, dosage regimen, tolerance, adverse effects, interactions, withdrawal syndrome, and long-term influence on the complications of high blood pressure

Rethinking Empowerment: Theories of Power and the Potential for Emancipatory Praxis

In this paper, we make the case that “empowerment” is still a concept which requires closer scrutiny, for both practical and theoretical reasons. Building on critiques of empowerment and on calls to more consciously address the power relations inherent in adult education, we lay the groundwork for a practical theory of action whereby education practitioners and researchers can work towards salvaging empowerment’s emancipatory potential

Collective Impact in/for Adult Education: A Framework for Collective Action to Address Community Complexity and Resilience

We explore how adult educators may (re)position their praxis to focus on the social action goals of adult education by envisioning the possibilities of Collective Impact (CI) and evaluation capacity building. Implications emphasize the potential of achieving collective impact outcomes to address community complexity, resiliency, and systems-level change

Positron detection in silica monoliths for miniaturised quality control of PET radiotracers

We demonstrate the use of the miniaturised Medipix positron sensor for detection of the clinical PET radiotracer, [⁶⁸Ga]gallium-citrate, on a silica-based monolith, towards microfluidic quality control. The system achieved a far superior signal-to-noise ratio compared to conventional sodium iodide-based radio-HPLC detection and allowed real-time visualisation of positrons in the monolith

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease in a 30-Year-Old Caucasian Female

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a rare, self-limited, histiocytic, necrotizing lymphadenitis first described in Japan in 1972. Necrosis of lymph node tissue is caused by apoptosis and may be virally induced. It commonly presents with cervical lymphadenitis and fever. Despite its low incidence, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease should be considered in patients with persistent lymphadenopathy. Originally thought to occur only in young Asian women, it is now recognized in other geographic regions. We report a 30-year-old white woman with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. We discuss the clinical features, differential diagnosis, radiography, pathology, and outcome

Diatoms as indicators of water quality in the Jukskei-Crocodile river system in 1956 and 1957, a re-analysis of diatom count data generated by BJ Cholnoky

South Africa has a long legacy of diatom research. The eminent diatomist Dr BJ Cholnoky spent much of his working life examining and enumerating diatom communities found in Southern Africa. Most if not all of Cholnoky's collected diatom material in the form of mounted material on glass slides accompanied by diatom analysis sheets is stored in the South African Diatom Collection currently housed at the CSIR in Durban. As Cholnoky only employed enumeration methods yielding a margin of error of 2% or less, Cholnoky's results should provide an accurate reflection of the structure of the diatom communities that he examined. It is the aim of the present study to demonstrate the value of these historical diatom analyses for inferring past water quality conditions using the diatom-based index method. Data for the Jukskei-Crocodile River system were obtained from the South African Diatom Collection for the period 1956/1957. The nomenclature of the diatoms listed on Cholnoky's data sheets was modernised and the data then entered into OMNIDIA v3.1. Diatom index scores generated from OMNIDIA v3.1 were in general in agreement with Cholnoky's own assessment of water quality (especially with reference to organic pollution). It is concluded that the diatom analysis records housed in the South African Diatom Collection constitute a valuable resource for the assessment of past conditions of rivers and streams.. Water SA Vol. 31 (2) 2005: pp.237-24