Evaluation of an improved method for direct Basophil counts

The improved method for direct basophil counts described by Cooper and Cruickshank was evaluated. Their findings, indicating a small mriance and negligible chamber error, could be confirmed on a larger series of normal individuals

Changes in Vitamin A and C Levels In Black Mine-Workers

An investigation of the vitamin A and C status of Black mine-workers was carried out at the request of the Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Ltd. It was found that, although there was no evidence of widespread vitamin A deficiency, there was sufficient evidence of subclinical deficiency to warrant further investigation. In spite of apparently adequate vitamin C intakes, a relatively high incidence of subclinical vitamin C deficiency was found. It is strongly recommended that further studies be undertaken to establish what are the minimum levels of vitamin A and C required daily to reduce effectively the incidence of subclinical deficiency

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

Nutritional status of young school-going and pre-school children

A series of experiments was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of enriching maize meal with nicotinic acid and riboflavin. First the necessary level of enrichment was established and then the efficacy of such enrichment of maize was tested in the field on children and young adults. This report deals with the results of an experiment designed to establish whether such an enrichment scheme would have any detrimental effects on young growing children with marginal protein calorie malnutrition. As in the previous experiments, a marked improvement in the nicotinic acid and riboflavin status was found in the experimental group. These biochemical findings were in conformity with the improvement in clinical status found. Moreover, such enrichment did not have any noticeable adverse effects. The hypothesis that vitamin enrichment could cause growth stimulation, and thus aggravate an existing marginal protein deficiency state, could not in any way be substantiated. The enrichment of maize meal with riboflavin and nicotinic acid during milling has been shown conclusively to be highly effective in improving the vitamin nutritional status while at the same time not harming the protein nutritional status of young children. Since tho:! previous experiments proved it to be economically and technologically feasible, it is now strongly r::commended that such an enrichment scheme be introduced on a national basis with the least possible delay.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1641 (1974

Some Statistical Methods and their Application to the Design and Analysis of Experiments in the Biosciences

The application of statistics to the biological and medical sciences is well known, but has perhaps not yet come into its full right in South Africa. A few examples are described which give an indication of how statistical theory can help the researcher to arrive at statistically valid decisions

A Comparison between Oral Pivampicillin and Ampicillin in Children with Bronchopneumonia

Pivampicillin and ampicillin were compared, in 30 children suffering from acute bronchopneumonia, as regards intestinal absorption, liver function tests and clinical response. No significant differences were found in the clinical response or liver function tests of the two groups. Enteral absorption of pivampicillin was significantly better than that of ampicillin. It is concluded that pivampicillin should be theoretically superior to ordinary ampicillin in the oral treatment of infections due to ampicillin-sensitive micro-organisms

Obesity - A Psychological Study

The psychological aspects of weight reduction were evaluated using a representative sample of 100 overweight patients drawn from the Iscor population. Psychologically it was not possible to differentiate in advance between successful and unsuccessful reducers. It was found, 'however, that the majority of patients suffered from anxiety and depression, and needed continued emotional support while dieting

Integrity of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Kwashiorkor as Tested with Piromen

Plasma cortisol levels were determined in 30 kwashiorkor children with and without Piromen stimulation on admission to hospital, after 1 week and after 5 weeks. A positive response after Piromen injection was considered to be present if there was an increase in cortisol level of 50% or more above the basal value. The incidence of responders was similar on admission and after 5 weeks. There were, however, fewer responders one week after admission than either at the beginning or at the end, the reaction appearing somewhat blunted at this stage. Plasma cortisol levels could not be related to the degree of body weight deficit, haemoglobin concentration, serum albumin reduction or total number of white blood cells. It is concluded that the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal interrelationship does not appear to be particularly disturbed in uncomplicated kwashiorkor

Vorapaxar in the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: Thrombin potently activates platelets through the protease-activated receptor PAR-1. Vorapaxar is a novel antiplatelet agent that selectively inhibits the cellular actions of thrombin through antagonism of PAR-1. METHODS: We randomly assigned 26,449 patients who had a history of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or peripheral arterial disease to receive vorapaxar (2.5 mg daily) or matching placebo and followed them for a median of 30 months. The primary efficacy end point was the composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke. After 2 years, the data and safety monitoring board recommended discontinuation of the study treatment in patients with a history of stroke owing to the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS: At 3 years, the primary end point had occurred in 1028 patients (9.3%) in the vorapaxar group and in 1176 patients (10.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio for the vorapaxar group, 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 0.94; P<0.001). Cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or recurrent ischemia leading to revascularization occurred in 1259 patients (11.2%) in the vorapaxar group and 1417 patients (12.4%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.95; P=0.001). Moderate or severe bleeding occurred in 4.2% of patients who received vorapaxar and 2.5% of those who received placebo (hazard ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.43 to 1.93; P<0.001). There was an increase in the rate of intracranial hemorrhage in the vorapaxar group (1.0%, vs. 0.5% in the placebo group; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of PAR-1 with vorapaxar reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or ischemic events in patients with stable atherosclerosis who were receiving standard therapy. However, it increased the risk of moderate or severe bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage. (Funded by Merck; TRA 2P-TIMI 50 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00526474.)