Effect of ascorbic acid on serum cholesterol levels and on die-away curves of 14C-4-cholesterol in baboons

Fourteen young male baboons (Papio ursinus) were divided into two groups. All the animals received the same dietary regimen during a 2%-month adaptation period. During the next 3 months one group received 250 mg and the other 20 mg vitamin C daily. For the last 2% months of the experiment no vitamin C was given to the first group, and that of the second group was increased to 350 mg daily. Simultaneously with the switchover, 14C-4-cholesterol was administered. A classical twopool system for the kinetic behaviour of cholesterol in the body was confirmed. Vitamin C treatment did not alter the serum cholesterol levels significantly, but the production rate was repressed. It was also shown that vitamin C was depleted from the body in a typical two-pool fashion.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1182 (1974)

The influence of a Mediterranean Diet with and without Red Wine on the Haemostatic and Inflammatory Parameters of Subjects with the Metabolic Syndrome

This 8 week study examined whether a Mediterranean diet supplemented with red wine, had an acute impact onsubjects diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome. Twelve non-smoking subjects with diagnostic criteria of themetabolic syndrome on minimal medication, consumed a Mediterranean-like diet for 4 weeks respectively withoutand with red wine. The amount of red wine consumed was 250 ml (26 grams of alcohol) per day for male and 180ml (19 grams) per day for female participants. A nutrigenetic profile for cardiovascular risk factors was performedon each participant. Fasting blood specimens were taken at baseline, after the diet and after the diet with wineinterventions for platelet function, procoagulants FVII and FVIII, von Willebrand’s factor, fibrinogen, tissueplasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, highly sensitive C-reactive protein and oxygen radicalabsorbance capacity (ORAC). After both periods of diet without wine and with wine, ORAC increased significantlycompared to baseline levels. Except for platelet H2O2 fluxes and FVII concentration, none of the haemostatic orinflammatory parameters changed significantly after the intervention periods compared with baseline levels.Genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease were identified in all study participants and the potential genotypiceffects relevant to this study were generally in agreement with expected phenotypic response following the dietaryintervention. Our conclusions are that the period of intervention was too short for substantial changes inhaemostatic or in inflammatory parameters in subjects who already manifest some changes in their cardiovascularsystem and who showed diverse genetic profiles underlying increased cardiovascular risk

Recurrent LDL-receptor mutation causes familial hypercholesterolaemia in South African coloureds and Afrikaners

No Abstract

The use of DNA markers in the pre-clinical diagnosis of familial adenomatous polyposis in families in South Africa

No Abstract

Seasonal variation in serum ascorbic acid and serum lipid composition of free-living baboons (Papio ursinus)

Two surveys were conducted in the Kruger National Park in which 205 baboons were captured. The first survey was done during late summer and the second during late winter. Serum ascorbic acid, serum cholesterol and serum phospholipids were determined. Baboons of both sexes and various ages were captured. This work was undertaken to establish serum ascorbic acid, serum cholesterol and serum phospholipid values for baboons under free-living conditions. A seasonal variation was found, and the serum ascorbic acid serum cholesterol and serum phospholipid values were significantly higher during winter than during summer.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1700 (1974

The Short-term Influence of a Mediterranean-type Diet and Mild Exercise with and without Red Wine on Patients with the Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is a target for the dietary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The effect of adding redwine to the diet has not been fully investigated. This study examined whether a Mediterranean-type dietcomplemented with red wine and mild exercise had an impact on patients with the metabolic syndrome in the shortterm. Twelve patients with the metabolic syndrome consumed a Mediterranean-type diet for four weeks withoutand with red wine respectively and performed mild exercise. We implemented the diagnostic criteria for themetabolic syndrome as formulated by the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) in 2001. The patients were alsoscreened for multiple genetic markers implicated in cardiovascular disease. Weight, body mass index, abdominalcircumference and blood pressure were measured, as well as various biochemical, haematological andinflammatory markers. There was a significant decrease in the body weight (p = 0.04) and an increase in ORACvalue (p = 0.035) after the dietary intervention. A significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.045) wasobserved. Red wine had no additional benefits. Although diet reduced weight and blood pressure, the lipoproteinand pro-coagulant profiles of patients with the metabolic syndrome were not affected in this study. These findingsmay be explained partly by the diverse genetic profile identified among the study participants, as 50% hadmutations involved in lipid metabolism that may influence the response to dietary intervention and alcoholconsumption

An mHealth HIV prevention programme for youth : lessons learned from the iloveLife.mobi programme in South Africa

A mobile-based behavioural change program iloveLive.mobi was implemented to prevent HIV among young people (12–24 years) in South Africa. The mobile site offered access to sexual and reproductive health and psychosocial information through interactive learning. The site provided incentives for positive behaviour (such as HIV testing). The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the iloveLife.mobi site in promoting protective behaviour of users. A mixed-methods approach was used, including document review, KAPB survey (n = 1882), group discussions (n = 68) and telephonic interviews (n = 175) with users and interviews with 46 project and community stakeholders. The SRH and psychosocial information on the site was age-appropriate and useful to young people (82.2%). The site reached young men who are generally difficult to reach with SRH information. High-frequency users reported more confidence related to condom use and HIV testing and more protective behaviour (condom use, VMMC) compared to low-frequency users. Users also reported more protective behaviour (HIV testing, VMMC, condom use) than a comparable national sample. iloveLife.mobi became a repository for learning to reach young people with health information. The research highlights key issues to consider when implementing an mHealth platform in a low- or middle-income country, where literacy levels and technical infrastructure may cause challenges.The ilovelife.mobi site was developed by loveLife in a programme by the South African National Department of Health.KfW Development bank of Germanyhttp://www.tandfonline.com/loi/caic202021-03-19hj2021Psycholog

The coping strategies used over a two-year period by HIV-positive women who had been diagnosed during pregnancy

Structured interviews were conducted with 224 HIV-positive women diagnosed during pregnancy, at antenatal clinics in Tshwane, South Africa, in order to investigate the use of coping strategies during the first two years after diagnosis. Interviews were conducted between one and four weeks after diagnosis during pregnancy, with three follow-up interviews conducted post-partum. Coping strategies were assessed with an adapted version of the Brief COPE. It was found that active coping was used more often than avoidant coping throughout the study period. Active coping increased over time, while avoidant coping decreased at first but increased again between 6 and 21 months after diagnosis. The most frequently used coping strategies included acceptance, direct action, positive reframing, religion and distraction. At first, women coped through internalised strategies. Over time, outwardfocused strategies developed. Avoidant coping patterns differed from previous research indicating that women diagnosed during pregnancy deal with the consequences of HIV after the baby is born. Recommendations for mental health services are made.National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) grant R24HD43558http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/caic20hb201

Psychosocial variables associated with coping of HIV-positive women diagnosed during pregnancy

To identify psychosocial variables related to the use of coping strategies by HIV-positive South African women diagnosed during pregnancy, structured interviews were conducted with 224 HIV-positive women at antenatal clinics over a period of two years. Two coping styles, active and avoidant coping, were assessed using an adapted version of the Brief COPE. Psychosocial variables associated with changes in coping over time were identified with mixed linear analysis. Increases in active coping were associated with decreasing levels of internalized stigma and depression, increasing self-esteem and positive social support, knowing someone who is living with HIV, being physically healthy and living above the poverty line. Increases in avoidant coping were associated with increasing internalized stigma and depression, lower levels of self-esteem, HIV-knowledge and lower levels of education. Recommendations are made for psychological support services to strengthen women’s ability to cope and enhance their health and that of their infants.National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) grant R24HD43558http://www.springer.com/public+health/journal/10461gv201

Puzzling blue dips in the black hole candidate Swift J1357.2−0933, from ULTRACAM, SALT, ATCA, Swift and NuSTAR

We present rapid, multiwavelength photometry of the low-mass X-ray binary Swift J1357.2-0933 during its 2017 outburst. Using several sets of quasi-simultaneous ULTRACAM/NTT (optical), NuSTAR (X-ray), XRT/Swift (X-ray), SALT (optical) and ATCA (radio) observations taken during outburst decline, we confirm the frequent optical dipping that has previously been noted both in outburst and in quiescence. We also find: 1) that the dip frequency decreases as the outburst decays, similar to what was seen in the previous outburst, 2) that the dips produce a shape similar to that in binary systems with partial disc occultations, 3) that the source becomes significantly bluer during these dips, indicating an unusual geometry compared to other LMXB dippers, and 4) that dip superposition analysis confirms the lack of an X-ray response to the optical dips. These very unusual properties appear to be unique to Swift J1357.2−0933, and are likely the result of a high binary inclination, as inferred from features such as its very low outburst X-ray luminosity. From this analysis as well as X-ray/optical timing correlations, we suggest a model with multi-component emission/absorption features with differing colours. This could include the possible presence of a sporadically occulted jet base and a recessed disc. This source still hosts many puzzling features, with consequences for the very faint X-ray transients population