30 research outputs found
The Relationships between Two Different Drinking Water Fluoride Levels, Dental Fluorosis and Bone Mineral Density of Children
This field study included the whole population of children aged 10â15 years (77 from a 0.19 mg/L F area; 89 from a 3.00 mg/L F area), with similar nutritional, dietary habits and similar ethnic and socioeconomic status. The fluoride concentration in the drinking water, the bone mineral content, the bone density and the degree of dental fluorosis were determined. The left radius was measured for bone width, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density. The mean fluorosis score was 1.3 in the low fluoride area and 3,6 in the high fluoride area. More than half the children in the low fluoride area had no fluorosis (scores 0 and 1) while only 5% in the high fluoride area had none. Severe fluorosis (30%) was only observed in the high fluoride area. The Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test indicated that fluorosis levels differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the two areas. No relationships were found between dental fluorosis and bone width or between fluorosis and bone mineral density in the two areas (Spearment Rank correlations). A significant increase in bone width was found with age but no differences amongst and boys and girls. A significant positive correlation was found in the high fluoride area between bone mineral density over age. In the 12-13 and 13-14 year age groups in the high fluoride area, girls had higher bone mineral densities. However, a significant negative correlation (p<0.02) was found for the low fluoride area (0.19 mg/L F) over age
Unipolar mania reconsidered evidence from a South African study
OBJECTIVE : There is a lack of studies that examine prevalence and phenomenology of bipolar disorder in Africa. In literature,
a unipolar manic course of illness in particular is reported to be rare. The purpose of this study was to investigate and
describe the course of illness and clinical features for a cross-section of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder attending
public hospitals in Limpopo Province, South Africa and to determine the rate of a unipolar manic course in this sample of
patients. METHOD : This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of patients presenting with a history of mania between
October 2009 and April 2010, to three hospitals in Limpopo Province. A purposeful sample of 103 patients was recruited and
interviewed using the Affective Disorders Evaluation. RESULTS : This study confirms that a unipolar manic course is indeed
much more common than occurrences suggested in present day literature, with 57% of the study sample ever experiencing
manic episodes. Patients presenting with a unipolar manic course of illness, as described in this study, may contribute to
the search for an etiologically homogeneous sub-group, which presents a unique phenotype for genetic research and the
search for genetic markers in mental illness. With a view to future research, a unipolar manic course therefore needs to be
considered as a specifier in diagnostic systems in order to increase the awareness of such a course of illness in bipolar
disorder. CONCLUSION : Fifty seven percent (57%) of study subjects had only ever experienced manic episodes, which is in
keeping with findings from Africa and other non-Western countries. Identifying etiologically homogenous subgroups in
psychiatry can also aid the profession in developing a reliable and valid nosology for psychiatric disorders. We need to
consider a unipolar manic course at least a specifier in DSM and ICD.http://ajop.co.zaam201
Strengthening intellectually challenged adolescentsâ sense of self: An appreciative inquiry mixed-methods intervention
Background:Â Individuals with intellectual challenges may experience a sense of isolation within their families. How their families and friends react towards these challenges influences the formation of their identity and self-acceptance significantly.
Aim:Â The aim of this research was to explore and describe how the sense of self of intellectually challenged adolescents could be strengthened within familial relationships and to evaluate the effectiveness of appreciative inquiry as an intervention approach.
Setting:Â The study was conducted with families at a school for children with intellectual disabilities in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Area, Northern Region of Gauteng, South Africa.
Methods:Â In an embedded mixed-method approach, a sample of 24 intellectually challenged adolescents and their families were selected, tested and interviewed. Quantitative data were collected using the BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory (BarOn EQ-i:YV) on adolescents and the Family Environmental Scale (FES) on families in the experimental and control groups, before and after intervention. Qualitative data were gathered through an appreciative inquiry intervention and semi-structured interviews with adolescents in the experimental group.
Results:Â Although the quantitative findings were not statistically significant, the qualitative findings indicated that adolescents and family members experienced the sense of self of intellectually challenged adolescents positively, rather than as âdisabledâ. The appreciative inquiry shows potential to strengthen intellectually challenged adolescentsâ sense of self in a supportive, positive family environment.
Conclusion:Â The research is valuable in the way it highlights the importance of relational research in cases where quantitative research does not seem to be effective
Novel S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase inhibitors as potent antiproliferative agents against intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum parasites
S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC) in the polyamine biosynthesis pathway has been
identified as a suitable drug target in Plasmodium falciparum parasites, which causes the most lethal form
of malaria. Derivatives of an irreversible inhibitor of this enzyme, 50-{[(Z)-4-amino-2-butenyl]methylamino}-
50-deoxyadenosine (MDL73811), have been developed with improved pharmacokinetic profiles
and activity against related parasites, Trypanosoma brucei. Here, these derivatives were assayed for
inhibition of AdoMetDC from P. falciparum parasites and the methylated derivative, 8-methyl-50-{[(Z)-
4-aminobut-2-enyl]methylamino}-50-deoxyadenosine (Genz-644131) was shown to be the most active.
The in vitro efficacy of Genz-644131 was markedly increased by nanoencapsulation in immunoliposomes,
which specifically targeted intraerythrocytic P. falciparum parasites.Department of Science and Technology through the South African Malaria Initiative, the University of Pretoria, the South African National Research Foundation and by grant BIO2011-25039 from the Ministerio de EconomĂa y Competitividad, Spain, which
included FEDER funds, and 2009SGR-760 from the Generalitat de Catalunya, Spainhttp://www.elsevier.com/locate/ijpddrhb201
Community Engagement newsletter, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Winter, 2012
Mangaung community receives support from Onderstepoort / Willem Engelbrecht, Helzna Krikke, Ingrid Metz, Janine Lombard, Marelize Greyling and Willem
Janson -- Fighting animal abuse one school at a time / Ruche Harmse, Taryn Light, Ansu Visser, Este van Coetzen, Megan Naude, Nadia Strydom and Tess Tjasink -- Veterinary education and âVets for the kidsâ / Patrick Ntsibande, Nyeleti Manganyi, Noluthando Ndashe, Thapelo Makae, Khulekani Lukhele and
Sabelo Magagula -- soVETo k9 Mobile clinic outreach / Daleen Bester, Gideon Stemmet, Ian Gibson, Kobus Rabe, Louw Grobler and Rhynard de
RidderNews articles with colour photos about the various community engagement projects of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.ab201
Risk factors for Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) death in a population cohort study from the Western Cape province, South Africa
Risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) death in sub-Saharan Africa and the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis on COVID-19 outcomes are unknown. We conducted a population cohort study using linked data from adults attending public-sector health facilities in the
Western Cape, South Africa. We used Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, sex, location, and comorbidities, to examine the associations between HIV, tuberculosis, and COVID-19 death from 1 March to 9 June 2020 among (1) public-sector âactive patientsâ (â„1 visit in the 3 years before March 2020); (2) laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 cases; and (3) hospitalized COVID-19
cases. We calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for COVID-19, comparing adults living with and without HIV using
modeled population estimates.Among 3 460 932 patients (16% living with HIV), 22 308 were diagnosed with COVID-19, of whom 625 died. COVID19 death was associated with male sex, increasing age, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. HIV was associated with
COVID-19 mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70â2.70), with similar risks across strata of
viral loads and immunosuppression. Current and previous diagnoses of tuberculosis were associated with COVID-19 death (aHR,
2.70 [95% CI, 1.81â4.04] and 1.51 [95% CI, 1.18â1.93], respectively). The SMR for COVID-19 death associated with HIV was 2.39
(95% CI, 1.96â2.86); population attributable fraction 8.5% (95% CI, 6.1â11.1)
Die midsomerdroogte in die sentrale dele van die somerreenvalstreke van Suid-Afrika
Tesis (M.Sc.) -- Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 1993.Een kopie mikrofiche.Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record
Relationship between drinking water fluoride levels, caries and fluorosis
TandheelkundeGemeenskapstandheelkundePlease help us populate SUNScholar with the post print version of this article. It can be e-mailed to: [email protected]
ân Praktykbenadering tot geloofsvorming vanuit die benadering van Thomas Groome en die Gestaltteorie: ân Prakties-teologiese dialoog
The article describes the dialogue between Thomas Groomeâs approach to faith formation and Gestalt theory in order to develop a practice approach to faith formation. The transversal model of cross-disciplinary dialogue, developed by Wentzel van Huyssteen, is utilised to develop a practice approach to faith formation. The process of faith formation, according to Thomas Groomeâs Shared Christian Praxis approach, encompassing five movements, is described first. This is followed by a literature study on Gestalt theory. The philosophical roots of Gestalt theory as well as specific Gestalt concepts are explored in order to explain the process of human growth and change. Gestalt theoryâs paradoxical theory of change, as well as the contact cycle are utilised in order to explain the process of integration and assimilation of faith. The transversal dialogue is continued by relating the insights gained from Groomeâs approach and Gestalt theory. The context of missional ecclesiology, in which the researcher finds himself, is also accounted for during the dialogue. The process identifies six guidelines for the practice of faith formation. The findings of the dialogue are processed into a practice approach to faith formation. The practice approach is presented in such a way that it can be utilised in a variety of settings