Antimicrobial susceptibility of organisms causing community-acquired urinary tract infections in Gauteng Province, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Patients with community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) frequently present to healthcare facilities in South Africa (SA). AIM: To provide information on UTI aetiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens. METHODS: We recruited women with UTI-related symptoms, who tested positive for ≥2 urine dipstick criteria (proteinuria, blood, leucocytes or nitrites) at 1 public and 5 private primary healthcare facilities in 2011. Demographic and clinical data were recorded and mid-stream urine (MSU) specimens were cultured. UTI pathogens were Gram-stained and identified to species level. Etest-based antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefixime, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin, levofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, norfloxacin and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole. RESULTS: Of the 460 women recruited, 425 MSU samples were processed and 204 UTI pathogens were identified in 201 samples. Most pathogens were Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) (182; 89.2%) and 22 (10.8%) were Gram-positive cocci (GPC). Escherichia coli was the most frequent GNB (160; 79.6%), while Enterococcus faecalis was the predominant GPC (8; 4.0%). The UTI pathogens had similar susceptibility profiles for fosfomycin (95.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 92.6 - 98.4), the 3 fluoroquinolones (94.1%; 95% CI 90.8 - 97.4), nitrofurantoin (91.7%; 95% CI 87.8 - 95.6), cefuroxime (90.1%; 95% CI 86.0 - 94.3) and cefixime (88.2%; 95% CI 83.7 - 92.6). UTI pathogens were less susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (82.8%; 95% CI 77.5 - 88.0) when compared with fluoroquinolones and fosfomycin. Trimethoprim/ sulphamethoxazole was the least efficacious antimicrobial agent (44.3% susceptible; 95% CI 37.4 - 51.2). CONCLUSION: This study provides relevant data for the empirical treatment of community-acquired UTIs in SA

Intraoperative ketorolac in high-risk breast cancer patients : A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Funding: This work is financed by grants received by PF, in the name of his institution: the Anticancer Fund (no grant number) (www.anticancerfund.org); the Belgian Society of Anaesthesia and Resuscitation (no grant number) (www.sarb.be); the Fondation Saint-Luc (no grant number) (www.uclouvain.be); the Commission du Patrimoine of the Université catholique de Louvain, St-Luc Hospital (exceptional grant, no number) (www.uclouvain.be). None of the funders had any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript except the scientific advise of GB, scientific director of the Anticancer Fund.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Hepatitis B virus PreS/S gene variants: Pathobiology and clinical implications

SummaryThe emergence and takeover of hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants carrying mutation(s) in the preS/S genomic region is a fairly frequent event that may occur spontaneously or may be the consequence of immunoprophylaxis or antiviral treatments. Selection of preS/S mutants may have relevant pathobiological and clinical implications. Both experimental data and studies in humans show that several specific mutations in the preS/S gene may induce an imbalance in the synthesis of the surface proteins and their consequent retention within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the hepatocytes. The accumulation of mutated surface proteins may cause ER stress with the consequent induction of oxidative DNA damage and genomic instability. Viral mutants with antigenically modified surface antigen may be potentially infectious to immune-prophylaxed patients and may account for cases of occult HBV infection. In addition, preS/S variants were reported to be associated with cases of fulminant hepatitis as well as of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis, and they are associated with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma development

Happiness around the world: A combined etic-emic approach across 63 countries.

What does it mean to be happy? The vast majority of cross-cultural studies on happiness have employed a Western-origin, or "WEIRD" measure of happiness that conceptualizes it as a self-centered (or "independent"), high-arousal emotion. However, research from Eastern cultures, particularly Japan, conceptualizes happiness as including an interpersonal aspect emphasizing harmony and connectedness to others. Following a combined emic-etic approach (Cheung, van de Vijver & Leong, 2011), we assessed the cross-cultural applicability of a measure of independent happiness developed in the US (Subjective Happiness Scale; Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999) and a measure of interdependent happiness developed in Japan (Interdependent Happiness Scale; Hitokoto & Uchida, 2015), with data from 63 countries representing 7 sociocultural regions. Results indicate that the schema of independent happiness was more coherent in more WEIRD countries. In contrast, the coherence of interdependent happiness was unrelated to a country's "WEIRD-ness." Reliabilities of both happiness measures were lowest in African and Middle Eastern countries, suggesting these two conceptualizations of happiness may not be globally comprehensive. Overall, while the two measures had many similar correlates and properties, the self-focused concept of independent happiness is "WEIRD-er" than interdependent happiness, suggesting cross-cultural researchers should attend to both conceptualizations

The validation of the selection battery for pilots of the South African Air Force

Assignment (MComm)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The recent procurement of modern fourth-generation fighter aircraft by the South African Air Force (SAAF), severe budget constraints, as well as demographic transformation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) impacted heavily on the selection and training of SAAF pilots. Against this backdrop, this predictive criterion-related validation study attempted to find an optimal battery to predict various aspects of pilot training performance, using all SAAF qualified pilots from 1997 to 2002 as the sample (N=107). Multiple regression analyses were performed to construct a model which can be used to predict the success of trainee pilots in three phases of pilot training, namely officers' formative training, ground school training and practical flight training. Stepwise regression analyses with training grade achieved as criterion were performed on the data for each of the phases of training. Multiple correlations of 0,34 (p0,05) and 0,22 (p<0,05) were obtained for flight, ground school and formative training results respectively. Various recommendations regarding the present composition of the battery are madeAFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die onlangse aanskaffing van moderne vierde-generasie vegvliegtuie deur die Suid Afrikaanse Lugmag (SALM), sowel as omvattende begrotingsbeperkinge en die demografiese transformasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag (SANW) het In swaar impak op die keuring en opleiding van SALM vlieëniers gehad. Teen hierdie agtergrond het hierdie voorspellende kriteriumgerigte valideringsstudie gepoog om In battery saam te stel wat die verskeie aspekte van prestasie tydens vlieëniersopleiding optimaal kon voorspel. AI die SALM vlieëniers wat gekwalifiseer het van 1997 tot 2002 is in die steekproef ingesluit (N=107). Meervoudige regressieontledings is uitgevoer om In model te bou wat die sukses van kandidaatvlieëniers kon voorspel tydens die drie fases van opleiding, naamlik offisiersvorming, grondskool en praktiese vliegopleiding. Stapsgewyse regressie-ontleding is gedoen vir elke fase van opleiding, met opleidingspunt behaal as kriterium in elke fase. Meervoudige korrelasies van 0,34 (p0,05) en 0,22 (p<0,05) is verkry vir vlieg-, grondskool-, en vormingsopleidingspunt onderskeidelik. Verskeie aanbevelings in verband met die samestelling van die battery word gemaak

Druiping by Bruin leerlinge in Promosa : 'n psigometriese ondersoek

Thesis (MA)--PU vir CHO, 1989The purpose of the investigation was to obtain a psychological evaluation of coloured pupils who failed. Chapter One stipulates the goals of the investigation and explores the literature concerning failure and aspects dealing with pupils who failed. A review of the conceptions and extent of failure among the different population groups in South Africa are given. The experience of failure by die pupil who failed, teachers, friends and parents, and the characteristics and aspects to be found in the pupil who failed, are then discussed. The aspects covered are interpersonal and family relations, socio-economical and cultural aspects, and personality characteristics. This is followed by a discussion of the causes of failure, as well as preventive and reductive measures. The methods of investigation are discussed in Chapter Two. The structure of the experiment, the subjects, the psychometrical instruments and the statistical methods used are covered. Twenty coloured pupils who failed are compared with twenty-three coloured pupils who passed. The investigation consisted of the following: a. The Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes (SSHA) to determine the study habits and -attitudes of the coloured pupils who failed. b. The High School Personality Questionnaire (HSPQ) and Group Personality Projective Test (GPPT) to determine a possible personality structure of the coloured pupils who failed. c. The High School Interest Questionnaire to determine a possible interest profile of the coloured pupils who failed. d. The Cattell Culture Fair Intelligence Test (Scale 3) for measuring the intellectual capability of the coloured pupils who passed and failed. The results are then discussed in Chapter Three. No significant differences were found between the coloured pupils who passed with respect to study habits and attitudes and interest. However, on the whole the coloured pupils who failed seem to tend to have bad study habits and attitudes, as well as a lack of interest. Significant differences were found in the personality evaluation, as well as in the verbal intellectual capability of the coloured pupil who failed and those who passed. No significant differences were found in the non-verbal intellectual capabilities. . The investigation and conclusions are summarized in Chapter Four. The most important conclusions are the following: * Although differences were found, these are not significant enough to establish a personality structure of the coloured pupil who failed. No clear profile can be attributed to the personality of the coloured pupil who have failed. * The poor socio-economical conditions and cultural and educational backwardness of the coloured population group, are factors that must be taken into consideration. These aspects of the coloured population group still demand urgent and close attention. * The coloured educational system justifies more financial support as well as educational and extra-mural facilities.Master

The role of salient beliefs in graduates’ intention to apply

CITATION: Adams, S. & De Kock, F. 2015. The role of salient beliefs in graduates’ intention to apply. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 41(1), Art. #1223, doi:10.4102/sajip.v41i1.1223.The original publication is available at http://www.sajip.co.zaENGLISH SUMMARY : Orientation: Organisations compete fiercely to recruit the best graduates, because they consider them a rich source of future talent. In the recruitment literature, it has become increasingly important to understand the factors that influence graduate applicant intentions. Research purpose: Drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), we tested a model proposing that applicant intention is a function of their attitude towards applying, beliefs about referent other’s expectations (subjective norms) and perceived behavioural control with respect to this behaviour. Motivation for the study: The study was motivated by the need to shed light on graduate applicants’ decisions to apply to an organisation of their choice. Research approach, design and method: The study used a quantitative design to test hypotheses that attitudes towards behaviour, norms and control beliefs would influence intention to apply. We surveyed prospective job seekers (N = 854) studying at a South African university about their beliefs regarding the job application process. Main findings: Structural equation modelling showed reasonable fit of the proposed model to the survey data. Latent variable analysis demonstrated that perceived behavioural control and subjective norm explained intention to apply. With the combination of all three variables, only attitude towards applying did not play a significant role in the prediction of intention to apply, which is contrary to previous research. Practical/managerial implications: The findings highlight the role of salient control beliefs in the application process. Efforts by universities and organisations to affect intentions to apply may potentially benefit from focusing on support services that could enhance feelings of control and minimise perceived obstacles. Recruiters could focus on control to increase potential recruitment pools. Contribution/value-add: The study contributes to the recruitment literature in three ways. Firstly, TPB is shown to be a useful framework to explain graduate applicants’ intention to apply, as this theoretical model found empirical support. In doing so, the present study advances our understanding of how graduates’ intentions to apply are formed. Secondly, the results showed that applicants’ control and normative beliefs dominate when considering applying. Lastly, the study results open up interesting avenues for future research on applicant intentions.http://www.sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/1223Publisher's versio