Enabling resilience: Shifting the intergenerational career expectations of South Africans challenged by structural disadvantage

No abstract necessary

A critical review of South African child and youth resilience studies, 2009-2017

Abstract: In contexts of high levels of structural disadvantage, such as South Africa, resilience among children and youth becomes increasingly important to buffer children and youth from the negative effects of adversity. This article reports on a systematic review of research conducted in South Africa over the period 2009 to 2017 on the resilience of children and youth (ages 0 to 24) from the perspectives of young people themselves. It serves as a follow-up and refinement of an earlier publication in 2010. A total of 61 journal articles are reviewed. Four categories of social-ecological resilience-enablers emerge from these study, viz. personal, relational, structural and spiritual/cultural. Most of the resilience-enablers identified in these studies are in the personal and relational domains. Various reasons for this finding are discussed, and emerging recommendations for service professionals (particularly social worker and educational psychologists) and youth resilience researchers are advanced

Understanding the Effects of a Tannin Extract on Forage Protein Digestion in the Rumen and Abomasum Using a Dynamic Artificial Digestive System Coupled to a Digestomic Approach

Improving the use efficiency of dietary protein in ruminants is a major challenge to decrease feed supplementation and significantly decrease nitrogen (N) losses to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of tannins on protein digestion in the rumen and in conditions simulating the abomasum, using a dynamic in vitro digestive system coupled to a digestomic approach. Three ruminally-cannulated sheep fed with alfalfa hay were infused daily with a solution of tannins, while three other sheep were infused with water (control). Standardized ruminal fluid was introduced into the digester, which simulated the transit of digesta under physicochemical conditions mimicking the abomasum in terms of pH regulation, digestive enzyme infusions and transit rate. Protein degradation in the rumen and in the simulated abomasum was analyzed by determination of fermentation end-products, and identification and quantification of peptides (Label Free Quantification) by LC-MS/MS high resolution (Orbitrap). The analysis of rumen samples showed that tannins result in a clear decrease of fermentation end-products related to protein degradation, namely ammonia (NH3) and iso-volatile fatty acids (VFA), and a greater abundance of the Rubisco, a major plant protein. In the simulated abomasal compartment, the peptidomic analysis showed that the hydrolysis intensity of Rubisco was higher in the presence of tannins compared to the control group. These results indicate that protein-tannin complexes could be dissociated in the physico-chemical conditions of the abomasum, increasing the flow of peptides to the intestine after protection of protein by tannins in the rumen

Integrative approaches required to support children affected by COVID-19

No abstract available.https://www.journals.elsevier.com/the-lancet-child-and-adolescent-healthhj2023Educational Psycholog

Clinical Practice: Direct-to-consumer genetic testing: To test or not to test, that is the question

In direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing, laboratory-based genetic services are offered directly to the public without an independent healthcare professional being involved. The committee of the Southern African Society for Human Genetics (SASHG) appeals to the public and clinicians to be cautious when considering and interpreting such testing. It is important to stress that currently, the clinical validity and utility of genetic tests for complex multifactorial disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases is questionable. The majority of such tests are not scientifically validated and are based on a few preliminary studies. Potential consumers should be aware of the implications of genetic testing that could lead to stigmatisation and discrimination by insurance companies or potential employers of themselves and their family members. Guidelines and recommendations for DTC genetic testing in South Africa (SA) are currently lacking. We provide recommendations that seek to protect consumers and healthcare providers in SA from possible exploitation

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

INTERGROWTH-21st v. local South African growth standards (Theron-Thompson) for identification of small-for-gestational-age fetuses in stillbirths : a closer look at variation across pregnancy

CITATION: Lavin, T., et al. 2019. INTERGROWTH-21st v. local South African growth standards (Theron-Thompson) for identification of small-for-gestational-age fetuses in stillbirths : a closer look at variation across pregnancy. South African Medical Journal, 109(7):519-525, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2019.v109i7.13485.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaBackground. Global growth standards for fetuses were recently developed (INTERGROWTH-21st). It has been advocated that professional bodies should adopt these global standards. Objectives. To compare the ability of INTERGROWTH-21st with local standards (Theron-Thompson) to identify small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses in stillbirths in the South African (SA) setting. Methods. Stillbirths across SA were investigated (>500 g, 28 - 40 weeks) between October 2013 and December 2016 (N=14 776). The study applied the INTERGROWTH-21st standards to classify stillbirths as <10th centile (SGA) compared with Theron-Thompson growth charts, across pregnancy overall and at specific gestational ages. Results. The prevalence of SGA was estimated at 32.2% and 31.1% by INTERGROWTH-21st and Theron-Thompson, respectively. INTERGROWTH-21st captured 13.8% more stillbirths as SGA in the earlier gestations (28 - 30 weeks, p<0.001), but 4.0% (n=315) fewer between 33 and 38 weeks (p<0.001). Observed agreement and the Kappa coefficient were lower at earlier gestations and at 34 - 36 weeks. Conclusions. Our findings demonstrated differences in the proportion of stillbirths considered SGA at each gestational age between the INTERGROWTH-21st and the local SA standard, which have not been considered previously by other studies.http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/12640Publisher's versio

Using the Conservation Planning Tool to Effectively Recover Northern Bobwhites: An Example for States to Effectively Step-Down the NBCI Plan

The National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI) 2.0 provides a sound foundation for recovering northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) range-wide, regionally and, to some extent, even locally. However, the NBCI does not provide detailed guidance to states on how to step-down the plan for efficacious delivery of on-the-ground management actions prescribed via biologists within the plan itself. States often must incorporate multiple planning efforts (e.g., state wildlife action plans) and geospatial layers not directly included in the NBCI plan (see NBCI Appendix in these Proceedings) to make tenable decisions which best guide allocation of resources and benefit multiple species of greatest conservation concern. The Conservation Planning Tool (CPT), developed as part of NBCI 2.0, provides the infrastructure for states and conservation organizations to capture biologist information coalesced in the plan while incorporating other data (e.g., species emphasis areas, current CRP implementation, etc.) germane to conservation planning. We use 3 states (Kansas, Florida, and Virginia) to demonstrate the utility of the CPT and to develop a step-down implementation plan, via creation of a habitat prioritization model, for recovery of bobwhites in each state. We explore the implications associated with creation of focal areas with respect to high versus medium ranked areas and underscore the importance of inclusion of major land-use opportunities and constraints prescribed within the plan to garner successful bobwhite recovery. We propose a framework for the integration of monitoring efforts into the step-down model to assess bird response and evaluate NBCI success through estimating bobwhite population density