The setting of the Split-IP parameter in Afrikaans: Evidence from transitive expletive constructions and object shift constructions

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Is synchronous computermediated communication a viable instructional mode in the language classroom? A facilitator and learner perspective

Increasing enrolments at tertiary institutions in South Africa have seena proliferation in the number of courses offered via blended learning systems. This paper reports on one such system at the University of the Free State in which a thirdyear module, Computer-assisted Language Learning, was offered via WebCT in 2007. During synchronous communication, a simulation was devised in which learners had to (a) complete activities in a foreign language (Latin)1, and (b) discuss the feasibility of learning a foreign language in synchronous WebCT Chat. Employing a conversationanalytic perspective, the logs were analysed to determine whether the interaction reflected in them replicated that characteristic of face-to-face classroom interaction. Once the discourse study had been completed, the logs were used to determine learners’ perceptions of synchronous learning. As a follow-up exercise, some of the learners wrote an assignment in which they had to weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of the networked environment for language learning. The findings of both analyses confirm the notion among some researchers that ‘[c]ontroversy surrounds the relative learning benefits of synchronous...text-based discussion...’ (Johnson, 2008: 166).Keywords: blended learning, CALL, synchronous CMC, WebCT Cha

Business rescue: How can its success be evaluated at company level?

The question of what constitutes a successful business rescue is a very topical and unanswered one. Reports on success are contradictory and seem to lack a set of standardised evaluation criteria. The purpose of this article is to investigate how business rescue success is evaluated internationally in order to develop a set of criteria that can be used to evaluate business rescue success at company level in South Africa. A comparative review approach was used to investigate data from four leading international countries with similar business rescue regimes. A number of evaluation criteria were identified and aligned with the business rescue legislation as set out in Chapter 6 of the South African Companies Act. The fi ndings indicated that the international business rescue regimes and Chapter 6 share similar goals. Several criteria for evaluating success were identifi ed, the key indicators being the going concern status on exiting business rescue, and whether the return to creditors was maximised as opposed to liquidation. It was further found that an initial exit as a going concern may be a short-term success indicator. Success can ultimately only be established if further investigation after some time period indicates no re-filing for business rescue.Key words: business rescue, South African Companies Act, success, evaluation, going concern, liquidation, stakeholders, restructurin

Diabetes mellitus and COVID-19: A review and management guidance for South Africa

This article reviews the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and COVID-19. We report on the convergence of infectious diseases such as coronavirus infections and non-communicable diseases including DM. The mechanisms for the interaction between COVID-19 and DM are explored, and suggestions for the management of DM in patients with COVID-19 in South Africa are offered

New antiretrovirals: What\'s in it for southern Africa

The rise of novel antiretrovirals (ARVs) has introduced a new evolutionary phase in HIV care. In developed countries, the 1980s and early 1990s were characterised by palliative care and opportunistic infection prophylaxis; the late 1990s by an attempt to use a limited and toxic antiretroviral arsenal effectively while cycling through high levels of resistance; and finally, the first half of this decade by working out the easiest-to-take regimens, using the steadily rising number of safer drugs. At present, there are 8 nucleoside analogues (NRTIs), 3 non-nucleoside analogues (NNRTIs), 10 protease inhibitors (PIs), and one each of the fusion, entry and integrase inhibitors to choose from, along with a new drug pipeline that targets both existing and new targets in the viral replicative cycle. The choice may seem quite vast, but the reality is that many of these drugs cannot be used simultaneously or in patients with extensive drug resistance. In addition, some drugs have unacceptable toxicities and are not favoured in current treatment regimens. Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine Vol. 9 (4) 2008: pp. 44-4

Integrating tuberculosis/HIV treatment: an evaluation of the tuberculosis outcomes of patients co-infected with tuberculosis and HIV in the Breede Valley subdistrict

Background: The Infectious Disease Clinic of Worcester Hospital introduced an integrated tuberculosis/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) service in July 2009 to provide comprehensive management to patients who were co-infected with tuberculosis and HIV.Method: In a retrospective cohort study that was carried out from 1 July 2009 to 31 March 2010, the tuberculosis outcomes of co-infected patients attending the Infectious Disease Clinic for antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and receiving their tuberculosis medication at the Infectious Disease Clinic, were compared with those of patients receiving ARV treatment at the Infectious Disease Clinic and tuberculosis treatment at their local clinic.Results: Seventy-four per cent of patients completed their treatment and 26% were cured, with no defaults or deaths, in the tubercuolosis/HIV integrated cohort. Thirty-eight per cent completed their treatment, 45% were cured, 9% died and another 9% defaulted in the cohort receiving their tuberculosis treatment at a local clinic. This indicates that there was a significantly better tuberculosis outcome in the tuberculosis/HIV cohort (p-value < 0.05).Conclusion: The significantly better tuberculosis outcome that resulted when tuberculosis and HIV services were integrated led to services being integrated in the Breede Valley subdistrict.Keywords: tuberculosis/HIV treatment integration, human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis, outcome

Genetic testing approaches for hereditary breast cancer: Perspectives from a private diagnostic laboratory

Breast cancer is highly prevalent in South Africa, and up to 10% of breast cancer cases may be hereditary. The landscape of genetic testing options for hereditary breast cancer (HBC) has changed significantly over the past decade, and healthcare providers are faced with multiple options when referring breast cancer patients for genetic testing. We have performed a retrospective study of 3 years’ worth of breast cancer genetic testing referrals to our laboratory. While Afrikaner and Ashkenazi Jewish founder screens may be appropriate as first-line tests in a limited subset of patients, we have shown that in the majority of cases it is more effective to adopt a multigene panel approach. While variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes still account for a significant proportion of cases, close to 40% of pathogenic variants were found in genes other than BRCA1 or BRCA2. There are many factors that healthcare providers should consider when requesting genetic testing for breast cancer patients and families, including family history, ancestral background, cost, medical aid scheme reimbursement and scope of testing. We summarise our findings and provide advantages and disadvantages of each approach, with the aim of assisting clinicians and genetic counsellors to make appropriate testing decisions

Diabetes mellitus and COVID-19 : a review and management guidance for South Africa

CITATION: Coetzee, A. et al. 2020. Diabetes mellitus and COVID-19 : a review and management guidance for South Africa. South African Medical Journal, 110(8):761-766, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i8.14881.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaENGLISH ABSTRACT: This article reviews the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and COVID-19. We report on the convergence of infectious diseases such as coronavirus infections and non-communicable diseases including DM. The mechanisms for the interaction between COVID-19 and DM are explored, and suggestions for the management of DM in patients with COVID-19 in South Africa are offered.http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/12991Publisher's versio

A call to action: Addressing the reproductive health needs of women with drug-resistant tuberculosis

Although there is substantial risk to maternal and neonatal health in the situation of pregnancy during treatment for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB), there is little evidence to guide clinicians as to how to manage this complexity. Of the 49 680 patients initiated on RR-TB treatment from 2009 to 2014 in South Africa, 47% were women and 80% of them were in their reproductive years (15 - 44). There is an urgent need for increased evidence of the safety of RR-TB treatment during pregnancy, increased access to contraception during RR-TB treatment, and inclusion of reproductive health in research on the prevention and treatment of TB