Sickle cell trait and targeted genomic variants in chronic kidney disease an African cohort

Background Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), has a high and increasing burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Environmental factors that have been associated to CKD are associated with multiple co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and HIV. Some genetics factors such APOL1 have been associated with the highest burden of CKD among population of African ancestries. Other emerging genetic factors such as Sickle Cell trait (SCT) have been investigated mostly among African Americans. Sickle Cell trait (SCT) has the highest burden in sub-Saharan Africans, because of a natural selection, attributed to its protective advantages against the severest form of Malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Many studies showed that SCT has an impact on the normal functioning of the kidneys among African Americans with some studies indicating significant association between SCT and CKD. However, no study has been reported from Sub-Saharan Africa, where most SCT carrier reside. Moreover, there are multiple other loci and variants in the genome that have been associated with CKD in many populations, and that are used for Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) models but have not been explored in populations living in Africa. Aims This project aimed to study in a sub-Saharan African cohort, the association between 1) Sickle cell trait (SCT) with Chronic Kidney disease (CKD), and 2) the association of CKD with 29 targeted single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in multiple Genome-Wide Association studies (GWAS). Methods Patients and controls: 300 Cameroonian adult participants were included: 150 CKD cases and 150 non-CKD age, sex, and comorbidities matched controls. Molecular methods: SCT heterozygosity was determined by RFLP-PCR using the restriction enzyme DdeI. A total of 29 targeted SNPs was genotyped using MassArray and TaqMan techniques, followed by Sanger sequencing in a subset of samples. 11 Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics and logistic regression, and Fisher exact test were used. Functional pathway analysis: following the identification SNPs with significant association with CKD, we performed functional pathway test using the Linux programme Cytoscape. Results The mean age of cases was 53 years (range 46-55 years), with 43% that were female; there were no age and sex significant differences with controls. We identified, an expected, association between CKD and various co-morbidities, demographic and anthropometric variables: hypertension (p value = 5.16X10-9 ), HIV (p value = 2.68x10- 9 ), diabetes (p value = 7.12X10-7 ), BMI (p value = 4.58X10-8 ) and age (p value = 4.5X10-8 ). HbAS carrier status was significantly associated CKD (p value= 4.3X10-9 ; Odds Ratio:7.05). Only three targeted SNPs (3/29) previously associated with CKD in GWAS among African Americans, European and Asian population, were significantly associated with CKD among this group of Cameroonians (KBTBD2 rs3750082, PTPRO rs7956634 and LPR2 rs4667594 with p values of 0.02335, 0.0408 and 0.0398). Genes protein-protein interactions analysis identified the two key functional pathways and one network cluster that could play a crucial role in kidney dysfunctions. Lastly, we distinguished that HbS carrier state doesn’t influence the relationship between APOL1 G1/G2 risk alleles and CKD (p value = 0.5725) in this group from subSaharan Africans. Conclusion and perspectives Our study illustrates a strong association between SCT and CKD, an important discovery that will have a major implication in preventative medicine policies and practices in both sub-Saharan African where there is a very high prevalence of SCT. The data also has global resonance, with the projected increase in the prevalence of 12 individual with SCT, due to migration and the improve life expectancy and genetic fitness of people living with both SCT and SCD. We identified a relatively low proportion of (3/29) of target SNPs positively associated with CKD among this group of Cameroonians. The study illustrates that the vast majority of targeted SNPs associated with CKD in GWAS studies in multiple populations including African American, Europeans, and Asians, are not relevant for sub-Saharan Africans, indicating the urgent need to include diverse populations, specifically those living in Africa. Therefore, the data support the possible bias in currently available Polygenic Risk Score generated from GWAS data, where population from sub-Saharan Africa are largely underrepresented. The data further indicate that there is potential to discover new loci associated with CKD when investigating populations of African ancestry living in Africa

Integration of social media records into enterprisecontent management at the South African Broadcasting corporation in the Limpopo Provincial office in South Africa

The integration of social media records into enterprise content management systems is crucial to organisations as it enables them to have access to these records if they are required for evidential purposes. However, despite social media content being considered as official records in state-owned enterprises, they are often left unmanaged. The purpose of this study was to investigate the integration of social media content into the enterprise content management system at the South African Broadcast Corporation Limpopo provincial office in South Africa. The study utilised quantitative data collected through questionnaires distributed to SABC employees and employees at three radio stations in the Limpopo provincial office (Munghanalonene FM, Thobela FM and Phalaphala FM). The key results suggest that there were no policies or guidelines on the management of digital records that emanated from social media. It was discovered that the SABC’s Limpopo provincial office opened official accounts with various social media platforms such as SNSs, online content communities and podcasts to use for official matters; yet content generated through these platforms is neither managed nor preserved. It has been established that the responsibility of managing social media content is unconsciously assigned to the creators of the content as no official records management responsibilities were assigned. It is recommended that digital records emanating from the use of social media by the staff of the SABC Limpopo provincial office need to be treated and managed as official records, like all other paper-based records. In this regard, a policy for integration of social media content into enterprise content management is desirable. A further study on the development of a framework to integrate social media content into organisational records management is recommended. social media content, social media platform, enterprise content management, digital records, records, records management, online content communities, South African Broadcasting Authority.Information ScienceM.A.(Information Science

An instructional leadership perspective on the management and implementation of Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) in South African schools

This study encompasses a reflection of the way back at the beginning of the democratic South Africa when there was an immense yearning for a curriculum which could transform the education system in South Africa into a new national system for schools. After numerous attempts, in search of a tangible, user-friendly curriculum, Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) was finally brought forth and at the moment, it is regarded as being the turning point of our education system and also geared at promoting the highest possible standard of education in all schools in South Africa. This study investigates some problems experienced at the apex of the management and implementation of CAPS, especially in some schools in rural areas. It focuses on some of the drawbacks which are putting a strain on the smooth running of schools during these prime stages of curriculum implementation such as disciplinary problems, overcrowded classes, large workloads for educators, the gap between well-resourced and under resourced schools as well as non-delivery of textbooks to schools in some provinces. This study examines how school management teams (SMTs), imbued with management and leadership responsibilities are able to put up systems that will ensure that evaluation, assessment and monitoring tools are utilised effectively in support of teaching and learning in schools. It is against this background that this study is therefore informed and guided by the instructional leadership paradigm which, if correctly engaged, can effectively strengthen curriculum management and implementation. For the purpose of conducting empirical research, the mixed method design was used as it offers a wider scope of collecting data and promotes triangulation. Six schools were selected on the basis of proximity to the school I am attached to, two primary schools and four secondary schools. All these were done after having obtained ethical clearance with the College of Education at Unisa and permission from the Limpopo Department of Education. Questionnaires were distributed to all educators in the six schools to fill, while one-to-one interviews were conducted with the principals of each of the six selected schools. The research highlighted that instructional leadership is critical in the implementation of CAPS with the SMTs members affirming their commitment to various aspects of instructional leadership. Furthermore, the findings also affirmed the opportunities that shared leadership offered schools to share moral purpose. However, the findings also enumerate lack of resources, lack of curriculum knowledge and larger workloads of teachers as crucial factors that inhibit the implementation of CAPS. As a result of this research, a number of recommendations and opportunities for further research are offered to Limpopo schools and their SMTs, the systemic authorities responsible for Limpopo Education and for those responsible specifically for policy making and curriculum development in the South African education system.Educational Leadership and ManagementD. Ed. (Education Management

The impact of disciplinary problems on educator morale in secondary schools and implications for management

The aim of this study was to identify the kinds of disciplinary problems educators experience in schools, their causes, as well as their impact on the morale of educators. The researcher made use of a quantitative approach whereby questionnaires were completed by educators from five secondary schools in the Zebediela area. In total, 89 respondents completed the questionnaires. They were from both genders, with various years’ of teaching experience, and generally well qualified. The results indicated that there indeed existed disciplinary problems in the schools. These problems were caused by factors relating to the learners, to their parents, the educators, as well as to the school principal. The impact of a lack of discipline on educator morale included anger, irritability, tiredness, loss of control, and expressing the wish to leave the teaching profession. The study made recommendations for managers on how to improve the situation, and also for further study. Some limitations of the study were also identified.Further Teacher EducationM.Ed. (Education Management

Vegetable consumption patterns of urban farmers in community gardens in Emfuleni Local Municipality, Gauteng province of South Africa

Lack of adequate vegetable consumption may contribute to micronutrient deficiency especially in developing countries where low intake of nutrient-dense animal products is common. Despite growing evidence that vegetable consumption is of great importance, only about 25.6% South Africans consume sufficient vegetables per day. This research was carried out to investigate the vegetable consumption patterns of urban farmers in Emfuleni Local Municipality, South Africa. The objectives were to determine reasons why urban farmers consume vegetables, vegetable intake patterns in a 24-hour recall, and factors influencing vegetable consumption patterns. The study was conducted in six (6) large townships of Emfuleni Local Municipality using a quantitative research approach and survey design. A sample of 254 urban farmers were randomly selected from 30 urban community gardens with a population of 418 farmers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured survey questionnaire. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Program for the Social Sciences Version 23. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and ordered logistic regression model were explored to analyse the data. The results revealed that 96.1% and 93.3% of farmers in urban community gardens consumed vegetables as a relish and salad, respectively. Vegetables were mostly consumed during dinner because most respondents were physically present in the community gardens during the day. The results of the factors influencing vegetable consumption patterns showed that out of 10 independent variables chosen, only three (age group, level of education, and main source of income) were positive and statistically significant. The study, therefore, recommends that farmers should include vegetables in all three of their daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Education in the form of training should be provided to the urban farmers to create awareness in the community about the importance of vegetable gardens and the consumption of vegetables across all age groups

Mothering behind bars : lived experiences of female offenders at Johannesburg correctional facility, Gauteng province

The percentage of female offenders who are single mothers of minor children is a growing concern among the total female incarceration population in South Africa and globally. This study aimed to explore how expectations about mothering bear out for incarcerated mothers who are physically separated from their children. The experience of motherhood was captured using face-to-face interviews with a guide of semi-structured questions with eight (8) incarcerated mothers at Johannesburg correctional facility, Gauteng province, South Africa. The data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) couched with Social Identity Theory (SIT) and revealed that circumstances that led to maternal pathways differed from the literature. The findings of this study provided a foundation of how the social context, together with maternal obligation, influences behaviours that women internalise, and which lead to offending behaviours. This warrants further research in an effort to curb and prevent maternal incarceration.Diphesente tsa bagolegwa ba basadi ba go hloka balekani ba e lego bommagobana ba bannyane ke tlhobaboroko go palomoka ya basadi bao ba golegilwego ka Afrika Borwa le lefaseng ka bophara. Maikemisetso a nyakisiso ye e be e le go nyakisisa maitemogelo a bagolegwa ba basadi bao ba godisago bana ba le kgolegong, le go kwesisa maitemogelo a bona a gore ba bopa bjang ditshupo tsa godisa bana le kwesiso ye ba e amantshago le go godisa bana. Nyakisiso ye e laeditse maitemogelo a bagolegwa ba basadi bao ba arogantswego le bana ba bona. Boitemogelo bja go ba mma bo dirilwe ka go somisa mokgwa wa dipoledisano ka tlhahlo ya bommagobana bao ba golegilwego ba seswai (8) ka dipotsiso tse di beakantswego pele go kgoboketsa datha ka maitemogelo a bona a go ba batswadi bao ba lego ka kgolegong ka Johannesburg, Profense ya Gauteng, Afrika Borwa. Datha e sekasekilwe ka go somisa mokgwa wa go sekaseka maitemogelo ka Teori ya Boitshupo bja Setshaba gomme e laeditse gore mabaka a go dira gore ba godise bana a fapana le ao a lego ka gare ga dingwalwa. E laeditse gore mabaka a go swana le Tlaiso ka Balekane, mathata a ditshelete le go nyaka go hlokomela bana ke mabaka a magolo ao a ilego a gapeletsa batswadi ba bagolegwa go dira bosenyi. Dikutollo tsa nyakisiso ye di laeditse ka moo maemo setshabeng, le maikarabelo a botswadi, a amago maitshwaro a basadi gomme ba fetse ba dira bosenyi. Se ke lebaka la gore go dirwe dinyakisiso tse di tseneletsego gore go fediswe le go thibela go golegwa ga batswadi.Amaphesente enani labenza amacala abangomama ababodwa abanezingane ezincane aya ngokukhula ngendlela ekhathazayo eNingizimu Afrika. Inhloso yalolu cwaningo bekuwukuphenyisisa ngezipiliyoni zabesimame abenza amacala abongomama ababoshiwe ukuqondisisa ngezipiliyoni zempilo yabo nokuthi bakubona kanjani ukuba ngomama kanye nencazelo yabo abayibeka kwindima yokuba ngomama. Lolu cwaningo belunenhloso yokuhlaziya ngokuthi kulindeleke kanjani ukuba ngomama kubantu abangomama ababoshiwe abahlukaniswa nezingane zabo. Izipiliyoni zokuba ngomama zabhekwa ngokwenza ama-interview ubuso nobuso ngokuholwa yimibuzo ebhaliwe yama-semi-structured eyabuzwa komama abasyisishagalombili (8) ababoshwe kwifasilithi yokuqondisa izimilo eJohannesburg, kwiprovinsi yaseGauteng, eNingizimu Afrika. Ulwazi lwahlaziwa ngokusebenzisa uhlaziyo lwe-Interpretative phenomenological analysis olalusekelwa yi-Social Identity Theory olwaveza ukuthi izimo ezenza ukuphambuka kwabesimame zehlukile kunemibhalo. Lwakhombisa izinto ezifana nodlame olwenzeka kubalingani olwaziwa njenge-Intimate Partner Violence, kanye nezihibe ngokwezimali, kanye nezidingo zokufezekisa indima yokuba ngomama, kwaba yizinto ezinkulu ezinomthelela kwababoshiwe abangomama kwindlela yokuziphatha yobugebengu. Okutholwe wucwaningo kuhlinzeke ngesisekelo sokuthi isimo sezenhlalisano, kanye nezibopho zokuba ngomama, kunomthelela kanjani kwindlela yokuziphatha komama, nokuziphatha okuholela ekwenzeni amacala. Lokhu kudinga ukuthi kwenziwe futhi olunye ucwaningo, ngemizamo yokuvimbela ukuboshwa kwabesimame.PsychologyM.A. (Psychology, with specialisation in Research Consultation

Household energy needs and utilization patterns in the Giyani rural communities of Limpopo Province, South Africa

A study was conducted in the rural communities of the Giyani district in Limpopo Province, with the aim of identifying types of energy resources used and the patterns of utilization of such energy sources. Surveys were conducted in three villages and semi-structured questionnaires were used to interview 20 randomly selected households per village. Focus group discussions were also held in each of the surveyed villages. Data obtained in all surveyed villages showed that fuel wood is the main source of energy for cooking and heating while paraffin and candles are mainly used for lighting. Wood in these villages is very scarce and communities spend 5 to 6 hours per trip collecting fuel wood. Women using the loadhead method of carrying wood and occasionally wheelbarrows are the main source of labour used in collecting fuel wood. The paper concludes that there is a need to promote sustainable energy resources and technologies such as the use of improved wood and charcoal stoves. Furthermore, the paper recommends the promotion of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, which have a potential of being adopted in the area. It is also argued that policies which enhance integrated rural development and promote sustainable energy utilization in rural communities need to be put in place and implemented

Natural archives of long-range transported contamination at the remote lake Letšeng-la Letsie, Maloti Mountains, Lesotho

Naturally accumulating archives, such as lake sediments and wetland peats, in remote areas may be used to identify the scale and rates of atmospherically deposited pollutant inputs to natural ecosystems. Co-located lake sediment and wetland cores were collected from Letšeng-la Letsie, a remote lake in the Maloti Mountains of southern Lesotho. The cores were radiometrically dated and analysed for a suite of contaminants including trace metals and metalloids (Hg, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, As), fly-ash particles, stable nitrogen isotopes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated flame retardants (PBDEs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). While most trace metals showed no recent enrichment, mercury, fly-ash particles, high molecular weight PAHs and total PCBs showed low but increasing levels of contamination since c.1970, likely the result of long-range transport from coal combustion and other industrial sources in the Highveld region of South Africa. However, back-trajectory analysis revealed that atmospheric transport from this region to southern Lesotho is infrequent and the scale of contamination is low. To our knowledge, these data represent the first palaeolimnological records and the first trace contaminant data for Lesotho, and one of the first multi-pollutant historical records for southern Africa. They therefore provide a baseline for future regional assessments in the context of continued coal combustion in South Africa through to the mid-21st century

Patterns of household level availability, accessibility and utilisation of food in some rural areas of Sekhukhune District in South Africa

Institute for Rural DevelopmentPhDRD

Patterns of household level availability, accessibility and utilisation of food in some rural areas of Sekhukhune District in South Africa

Institute for Rural DevelopmentPhDRD