The effects of dietary soyabean oil-cake meal on performance and gut histology of piglets

The effects of four diets containing different protein sources on the performance and gut histology of piglets were compared. The diets contained as the main protein sources either: milk powder plus fishmeal, milk powder plus high-protein (48% crude protein) soyabean oil-cake meal, fishmeal plus high-protein soyabean oil-cake meal or high-protein soyabean oil-cake meal alone. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between treatments for average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, intake or intestinal villus height. It was concluded that high-protein soyabean oil-cake meal can be utilised successfully in diets for weaner pigs either in combination with other protein sources or as main protein source without detrimental effects on production parameters or gut histology. These results apply to diets are formulated on the basis of digestible amino acids using soyabean oil-cake meal has been correctly processed. (South African Journal of Animal Science: 2000, 30(1): 62-66

The effect of slaughter weight on pig production efficiency

(South African J of Animal Science, 2000, 30, Supplement 1: 115-117

“Have milk, maas or yoghurt every day”: a food-based dietary guideline for South Africa

A national working group recently reached consensus that a guideline  message for milk consumption should form part of the set of revised food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) for South Africa. The message was formulated as: “Have milk, maas or yoghurt every day”. This paper provides scientific support for this FBDG, based on the nutrition and healthprofile of South Africans; addresses concerns about possible detrimental effects of milk consumption, such as lactose intolerance, saturated fat and trans-fat content, milk allergies and dental caries in children; and  identifies barriers to increased consumption. The guideline refers to milk, maas and yoghurt, and not all dairy products. This is based on the nutrient contribution of these products to a healthy diet. Milk (and some dairy products) has a low sodium-to-potassium ratio, as well as bioactive peptides, which may protect against the development of noncommunicable diseases. There is some evidence that the calcium in milk and dairy plays an important role in the regulation of body weight and bone mineral content in children. Available data show that milk and calcium intake in South Africans is low. Identified barriers include perceptions about lactose intolerance, taste, price, lack of knowledge on the nutritive value of milk and milk products, and possibly cultural taboos. As a result, increasing the consumption of milk, maas and yoghurt of South Africans will require active, multifaceted and multilevel promotion

An assessment of the statistical procedures used in original papers published in the SAMJ during 1992

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The forgotten coracoid: A case report of a coracoid fracture in a male cyclist

A fall onto the shoulder is a common mechanism of injury in cyclists. However, coracoid fractures remain unreported in the literature in this population. These authors report a case of a coracoid fracture missed on the initial plain film radiographs. Whilst these fractures can be easily missed on standard trauma series radiographs of the shoulder, alternate views and other imaging modalities can be used to detect these fractures. Clinical suspicion, judicious imaging and accurate diagnosis of these fractures are important, as stability of the coracoid influences the entire superior shoulder suspensory complex which allows normal function of the shoulder jointKeywords: cycling, trauma, sport, injury, shoulder injur

Low rates of exclusive breastfeeding are still evident in four South African provinces

Objectives: Breastfeeding is one of the primary strategies used to enhance infant nutrition and improving child survival worldwide. The intention of globally increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) to at least 50% of infants in the first six months of life was stated in the 2014 International Conference on Nutrition Rome Declaration on Nutrition and the Post-2015 Development Agenda. This study aimed to explore the infant-feeding practices of mothers and caregivers of infants aged ≤ 6 months in four provinces in South Africa.Setting and subjects: This cross-sectional study was conducted in four provinces in South Africa. In total, 40 health facilities were randomly selected in the four provinces and visited, including metropolitan and non-metropolitan health facilities over the geographical area of the provinces. The sample size comprised mothers and/or caregivers of babies aged ≤ 6 months.Design: Fixed-format interviews were used in this cross-sectional study on 580 mothers and/or caregivers. The mothers completed 24-hour recall based on the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations dietary diversity list, consisting of 12 different food groups, to assess dietary intake and diversity.Results: The EBF rate for infants up to the age of six months was 12%. Mothers who delivered full-term babies were most likely to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of delivery. More than a third of the mothers had ceased breastfeeding by one month (40%, n = 23). The introduction of complementary food took place in 17% of infants during this first month. The minimum standards of dietary diversity were met by one infant only. Different reasons found to influence mothers’ feeding practices included needing to return to work (29%) or their studies (12%), the mothers’ health status (25%), and perceptions of an “insufficient” milk supply (13%).Conclusion: Therefore, new strategies should address these gaps in knowledge with key breastfeeding awareness messages and a special focus on community involvement and participation. There is also a need for the whole nutrition fraternity, including government, academia and development industries, to intervene by developing more innovative approaches to increase the rate of EBF in South Africa.Keywords: exclusive breastfeeding, South Africa, low rates, infant feeding practice

Reducing the sodium content of high-salt foods: Effect on cardiovascular disease in South Africa

Background. Average salt intake in South African (SA) adults, 8.1 g/day, is higher than the 4 - 6 g/day recommended by the World Health Organization. Much salt consumption arises from non-discretionary intake (the highest proportion from bread, with contributions from margarine, soup mixes and gravies). This contributes to an increasing burden of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD).Objectives. To provide SA-specific information on the number of fatal CVD events (stroke, ischaemic heart disease and hypertensive heart disease) and non-fatal strokes that would be prevented each year following a reduction in the sodium content of bread, soup mix, seasoning and margarine.Methods. Based on the potential sodium reduction in selected products, we calculated the expected change in population-level systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mortality due to CVD and stroke.Results. Proposed reductions would decrease the average salt intake by 0.85 g/person/day. This would result in 7 400 fewer CVD deaths and 4 300 less non-fatal strokes per year compared with 2008. Cost savings of up to R300 million would also occur.Conclusion. Population-wide strategies have great potential to achieve public health gains as they do not rely on individual behaviour or a well-functioning health system. This is the first study to show the potential effect of a salt reduction policy on health in SA

RAPID THERMOCYCLER SYSTEM FOR RAPID AMPLIFICATION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS AND RELATED METHODS

A thermo cycling device and method of operating a thermocycler instrument, the instrument including a sample holder, at least one thermal cycling element, and at least one first and second temperature sensors, for causing the sample holder containing the at least one sample to undergo polymerase chain reaction amplification by repeated cycling between at least a denaturation heating stage and an aunealing cooling stage. The first temperature corresponding with the temperature of the sample holder is monitored using the at least one first temperature sensor, and a second temperature corresponding with the temperature external of the sample holder is monitored using the at least one second temperature sensor. Based upon the first temperature and the second temperature, the power that is delivered to the at least one thermal cycling element of the instrument is dynamically controlled

Reflection on remote teaching and learning of a final-year BPharm clinical training module during a pandemic

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