Nano-chip for cancer diagnostics

Exosomes are vesicles with a size range of 30 to 50nm, which are secreted by a cell into its surroundings..

Bone intake by vultures in Namibia

The use of bones by vultures was assessed during early 2005 in the Otjiwarongo area in north-central Namibia. Bone fragments were utilized by all species, especially by the African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus and the Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos. There was an overall increase in bone fragment consumption from May onwards (taken as the beginning of the breeding period). A rough estimate of bone fragment use for all vultures of 2.49 g/vulture (consumption/total number of vultures observed) and 60.31 g/vulture (consumption/individuals of vultures observed) was determined. The results suggest that bone fragments should be added as a supplement at vulture restaurants.Vulture News Vol. 57 2007: pp. 17-2

Medical applications based on nanotechnology

Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid can form nanoparticles which can be applied in nanomedicine as delivery vehicle for therapeutic agents. Here the aim is to reduce negative side-effects and to obtain higher local concentrations at the site of action. This work is about determining the binding-capacity of PLGA nanoparticles to several substances, applying a small set of model proteins. Our aim was to find out, whether PLGA nanoparticles can transport drugs in order to make drug targeting in medicine easier. This would show us a new section of medicine with new ways of therapy methods

Nutritional status of HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy and the impact of nutritional supplementation in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Objectives: The study aimed to describe the nutritional status and determine the impact of current nutrition intervention strategies on weightchanges in adult HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy.Design: A descriptive, prospective trial was performed.Setting: The investigation was conducted at ARV roll-out centres in Kimberley, Upington, Kuruman, Prieska and Springbok in the NorthernCape Province of South Africa.Subjects: Adult HIV-infected patients receiving ARV therapy were included in the study. Outcome measures: Each participants’s body mass index (BMI) was determined before and after a four-month intervention period ofnutritional supplementation with an instant, enriched maize product.Results: Data from 98 patients (mean age 39.7 years; standard deviation 8.9 years) were assessed. Prior to intervention, the median BMI was 20 kg/m2 (range 12.6–29.7 kg/m2); the patients from Kuruman had a greater incidence of underweight compared to the other towns, with a median BMI of 17.9 kg/m2. Of the 87 patients assessed during the final week, 49.4% experienced weight gain and 40.2% lost weight. Eighteen (20.7%) patients gained more than 5% of their baseline weight, which was significant. Only eight (9.2%) patients lost more than 5% of their baseline weight. Twenty-two patients who presented with a BMI 18.5 kg/m2 presented with no change in median weight.Conclusions: Nutritional supplementation, provided according to provincial policy and combined with ARVs, nutritionally benefitted about half of the patients in the ARV programme in the Northern Cape.Keywords: nutrition supplementation; HIV-infection; ARV; adults; nutritional statu

Misoprostol alone for the termination of pregnancy

The administration of mifepristone, a powerful antiprogestin, coupled with a prostaglandin, is a highly effective medical method of terminating pregnancy. Of the most widely used prostaglandins, namely gemeprost and misoprostol, the latter shows the greater promise for developing countries, since it can be administered orally and is inexpensive, stable at ambient temperatures and widely available. South African Family Practice Vol. 49 (3) 2007: pp. 1

Active drug targeting

Over 100 years ago, Paul Ehrlich first proposed the side-chain theory to explain how living cells mount an immune response in reaction to an infection. His theory stated that upon the encounter of a threat, cells express side-chains to bind dangerous toxins. These side-chains, which he later named receptors, can break off the cell and circulate throughout the body (i.e. antibodies). Specific antibodies link to particular antigens in the same way that Emil Fischer proposed enzymes bind to their receptors, “as lock and key”. Ehrlich described these so-called “keys” or antibodies as “magic bullets”, which target toxins without harming the body. In recent years, research has focused on using antibodies not only for detection of infection, but also as aids for drug targeting. Thereby, antibodies are bound to the surface of carriers (e.g. nanoparticles) and facilitate a directed transport to a specific organ or site in the body. Aptamer- peptide- or folic acid-doped carriers furthermore have been shown to specifically target cancer cells. By using hydrophilic structures as carriers (e.g. polyethylene glycol), negative side effects resulting from the accumulation of innate proteins can be prevented. Currently, there are drug carriers in the pre-clinical development phase for the treatment of bowel cancer. Thereby, nano polymer capsules coated with a specific antibody are used to target a glycoprotein expressed on bowel cancer cells. The polymers have a size of approximately 500 nm and are produced with a so-called “layer-by-layer” procedure. Once the carrier has reached its target site, the drug needs to be released in a controlled manner. This can be facilitated, for example, by applying a magnetic field in the case of iron oxide particles. Once these particles are taken up by the cells, magnetic radiation can be used to excite the particles, resulting in the rupture of the cell and subsequent cell death

Telling stories in science communication: case studies of scholar-practitioner collaboration

Reflecting on the practice of storytelling, this practice insight explores how collaborations between scholars and practitioners can improve storytelling for science communication outcomes with publics. The case studies presented demonstrate the benefits of collaborative storytelling for inspiring publics, promoting understanding of science, and engaging publics more deliberatively in science. The projects show how collaboration between scholars and practitioners [in storytelling] can happen across a continuum of scholarship from evaluation and action research to more critical thinking perspectives. They also show how stories of possible futures and community efficacy can support greater engagement of publics in evidence-informed policymaking. Storytelling in collaborations between scholars and practitioners involves many activities: combining cultural and scientific understandings; making publics central to storytelling; equipping scientists to tell their own stories directly to publics; co-creating stories; and retelling collaborative success stories. Collaborative storytelling, as demonstrated in these case studies, may improve the efficacy of science communication practice as well as its scholarship.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Late-night simulation: Opinions of fourth- and fifth-year medical students at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Background. Sleep deprivation is a problem for medical students and practitioners due to long and late working hours, which may result in a decline in their performance in practising medicine. Objectives. To investigate whether educational practices require altering with regard to the time at which simulation classes are presented, or identify any other possible suggestions for improving the preparation of students for shift work in their profession as medical doctors as a potential solution to reduce sleep-deprivation-related adverse outcomes. Methods. In this quantitative cross-sectional study, an anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 111 fourth-year and 141 fifth-year medical students at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein, South Africa, during the second half of 2018. The researchers interpreted the responses and the Department of Biostatistics, UFS, analysed the data. Results. The majority of the fourth-year (88.6%) and fifth-year (90.4%) student groups responded that late-night simulation classes between 01h00 and 04h00 would not be beneficial to their preparation for shift work. The motivation for negative responses was that it might worsen sleep deprivation due to time constraints in an already demanding course. The fourth-year (61.4%) and fifth-year (80.5%) student groups did not regard simulation as realistic and felt that late-night simulation training sessions would not prepare them better for future shift work. However, both groups believed ‘practice makes perfect’ and, as such, their confidence with procedures would improve as they practise more during simulation. Conclusion. The majority of students were negative towards the idea of late-night simulation classes, because of the effect it would have on their already full programme. Students are familiar with the effects of sleep deprivation and felt that late-night simulation classes would add pressure to their busy lives and worsen their sleep deprivation. Further investigation and practical testing would be required to conclude the impact of late-night simulation classes in preparation for shift work of medical doctors and the resultant effect on clinical performance