A taxonomic revision of Boerhavia (Nyctaginaceae) in southern Africa

AbstractThe genus Boerhavia in southern Africa is revised. Eight species and one infraspecific taxon are recognized for the Flora of Southern Africa region, with Boerhavia orbicularifolia Struwig described as new. Four of the species are indigenous, with three endemic to semi-arid parts of Namibia and north-western South Africa. The eight species can be distinguished from one another by the shape and indumentum of the anthocarp. The majority of taxa have no edaphic preferences but Boerhavia repens subsp. repens is associated with high Mg levels. This is a first attempt at a comprehensive taxonomic revision for the genus in southern Africa, and includes a key to the species, complete nomenclature, and a description of all the infrageneric taxa. Taxon accounts are supplemented with geographical distribution records, notes on the ecology, soil preferences and known traditional uses

Do social media display correct conventional hotel ratings?

This study investigates conventional ratings as they are presented on TripAdvisor. Conventional ratings are ratings, commonlyusing stars as a symbol, allocated by government or private bodies that work with hotel inspectors. The data from guest ratingson TripAdvisor was explored through two samples of hotels that were purposively selected based on the TripAdvisor rankingscovering 11 international destinations. These data were compared to the ratings of the same hotels as they were retrieved fromthe databases of the conventional rating system bodies that were active in the respective destinations. Findings indicate that it isdifficult to retrieve conventional rating system databases and that almost half of the conventional ratings displayed on TripAdvisorare incorrect. These findings suggest that contemporary marketing and tourism opportunities on TripAdvisor outweigh thosepresented by conventional hotel-rating systems.Keywords: guest reviews, hotel ratings, marketing, social medi

A framework to investigate money attitudes and materialism

Purpose and/or objectives: This paper presents a framework to investigate money attitudes and materialistic values. The conceptualization of the framework is guided by a critical review of literature. The intention is to provide a framework that will be useful to examine how various childhood family experiences influence later-life consumption orientations. Problem investigated: The differences in family resources represent one of the biggest distinctions between an intact and a disrupted family. The underlining question is whether children raised in disrupted families will experience lower levels of family resources (economic and emotional) and find the experience stressful. If so, will these experiences influence them to adopt conservative money attitudes and be less materialistic or will they symbolically value money and be more materialistic? Design/methodology/approach: The development of a framework requires a critical review of secondary sources. The literature review is based on theories that provide an explanation of how childhood family experiences can affect the development of materialistic values and money attitudes. The secondary sources require careful scrutiny of journal articles, dissertations and essays in a number of libraries to provide more scholarly insight into the concepts and to assist in the conceptualisation of the framework. Findings and/or implications: Four main theories were found useful in conceptualizing the framework. They are Ryan and Deci's (2000) self-determination theory, Maslow's (1943) human need theory, Wicklund and Gollwitzer's (1982) symbolic self-completion theory and the life course theory contextualized by Moschis (2007). However, in line with Moschis' (2007) realization, the perspectives of the life course theory were found to be multi-disciplinary, multi-theoretical and thus innovative. They would therefore form the main theoretical guide for the design of the framework. Originality and/or value of the research: The paper provides a framework to investigate the moderating effect that money attitudes can have on how childhood family experiences influence later-life materialistic values. This proposed framework may form the building blocks for a number of empirical studies especially as the life course approach in studying consumption orientations is innovative and multidisciplinary. Conclusion: The framework includes as independent variable, childhood family structure. Depended variables are perceived level of family resources, stress and materialistic values. Money attitudes are regarded as moderating variables

Enterococcal endocarditis - a case treated with teicoplanin and amoxycillin

The study aimed to determine the antibacterial therapy effective in the cure of endocarditis caused by Enterococcus faecalis resistant to clinically achievable levels of vancomycin. Isolation of the causative enterococcus had been achieved by direct inoculation of the resected valve into the culture medium in theatre. The patient was known to have had an aortic valve defect since childhood and had recently undergone splenectomy following trauma. Blood cultures were negative prior to valve replacement. A perivalvular abscess was noted at operation. In vitro minimal bactericidal results and serum activity were the basis of the postoperative choice of drugs. The minimal bactericidal level of teicoplanin was 250 µg/ml and that of amoxycillin 64 µg/ml. Neither is achievable with the advocated dosage. A combination of these two cell-wall-active agents successfully eliminated the infection. Acting at two different sites in the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, teicoplanin and amoxycillin were found to be bactericidal in vitro at the trough levels of the antibiotics in the serum. The patient recovered fully

The prevalence and perception of obesity and its association with the lifestyle of women at the Mangaung University Community Partnership Project healthcare centre, Bloemfontein

Background: This investigation was prompted by the increase of obesity in developing countries with the simultaneous increased risk of preventable noncommunicable diseases. We aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity among women serving a predominantly black peri-urban community, who visited a healthcare centre in Bloemfontein. We also wanted to establish their perceived weight status, and any correlation between obesity, level of education, employment status and monthly income. Method: A cross-sectional analytical design was used. In June 2007, clinic-attending women aged 18-50 years were selected by a systematic sampling method to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire investigated participants’ socio-economic status, body image perception, psychological well-being, self-reported health status and physical activity. Body mass indices (BMIs) were calculated from weight and height measurements. Results: A total of 304 women completed the study, of whom 98 (32.2%) were overweight and 134 (44.1%) were obese, with a mean BMI of 30.1 kg/m2 [standard deviation (SD) 6.9 kg/m2]. More than half (53.4%) of the obese women perceived themselves as not obese. Approximately 84% of the participants were educated to secondary level, or higher. A significant difference in the employment status of the obese and non-obese participants (26.9% and 16.5% employed, respectively) was noted (p-value = 0.0013). The obese participants reported significantly less low self-esteem (29.5%) than the nonobese participants (42.4%) (p-value = 0.0250). Conclusion: The high prevalence of overweight and obesity, and the fact that 53.4% of the obese participants did not perceive themselves as such, poses a challenge for healthcare providers. Health-promotion strategies should aim to inform women about the health risks of overweight and obesity, and address misconceptions regarding perceived weight status.Keywords: overweight, obesity, women, socio-economic status, perceived weight statu

Suicide cases investigated at the state mortuary in Bloemfontein, 2003–2007

Background: Up to 8 000 South Africans commit suicide annually. This study aimed to investigate the profile of suicide cases in Bloemfontein and the southern Free State province.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. Suicides in the Bloemfontein and southern Free State areas (Xhariep and Motheo districts) investigated at the state mortuary in Bloemfontein in 2003 to 2007 were included. Data were collected retrospectively by using a specially designed data-capturing form.Results: A total of 469 suicide cases were included in the study. The estimated suicide rate for this part of the Free State province was 10.9/100 000 of the population per year. The majority (82.1%) of the victims were men. In total, 338 (72.1%) of the victims were black, 122 (26.0%) were white, five (1.1%) were coloured and three (0.6%) were Indian. The most common methods were hanging (262; 55.9%), shooting (99; 21.1%) and overdosing on pills (43; 9.2%). Most cases (57.8%) occurred in victims 21 to 40 years of age. Five (1.1%) victims were children younger than 11 years of age, while 12 (2.6%) were older than 65 years. More than half (267 cases; 56.9%) of the suicide victims were unemployed. The majority(43.1%) of suicides occurred in January to April of each year, with the highest incidence (67 cases; 14.3%) in January. Conclusion: The rate of suicide and the profile of victims with regard to the variables investigated corresponded to findings reported from other studies. The information obtained could make a meaningful contribution to suicide-preventionprogrammes.Keywords: suicide; profile; rate; prevention; Free State Provinc

Concomitant HIV infection in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients is hard to recognise and should be tested for routinely in areas of high endemicity

Background. Over the past three decades much has changed in the treatment and outcomes of patients suffering concurrently from both multiple myeloma (MM) and HIV. While the prevalence of MM appears to be higher in HIV-positive individuals than in those who are uninfected, early recognition of patients suffering from both diseases is difficult and little information is available on their demographics and clinical presentation.Objective. To compare the presenting features of HIV-positive patients diagnosed with MM with those of HIV-negative patients.Methods. A single-centre, retrospective cohort study included 16 HIV-positive and 73 HIV-negative patients diagnosed with MM, in order to compare variables related to the clinical presentation of both conditions.Results. HIV-positive patients presented with MM at a significantly younger age, and had fewer osteolytic lesions, less renal impairment and lower neutrophil counts. Disease stage, gender, pathological fractures, bone marrow plasmacytosis, plasmacytomas and lymphocyte counts were comparable, emphasising the difficulty of identifying these patients. The HIV-positive patients had relatively high CD4 counts and a low prevalence of abnormal Freelite kappa/lambda ratios. All HIV-positive patients presented with paraproteins of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) type, implying a possible relationship between MM and an IgG response to HIV antigens.Conclusions. On the basis of our findings and literature on the treatment of both diseases, we suggest that HIV be tested for routinely in younger MM patients, especially in areas with a high prevalence of HIV. The integration of our results into the sparse knowledge on the role of HIV infection-related MM provides possible new insights into the interaction between these diseases.