Harmonic Scalpel Compared to Conventional Hemostasis in Thyroid Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Background. The study's aim was to determine whether conventional hemostasis (CH) or the Harmonic Scalpel (HS) results in shorter operative times for thyroidectomy and to evaluate the incidence of postoperative complications with each approach. Methods. A literature search was conducted from study inception to September 30, 2008. Included studies randomized thyroidectomy patients to either CH or HS and reported the incidence of postoperative transient recurrent laryngeal nerve dysfunction (RLND) and hypocalcemia. Results. Nine RCTs were included. Use of the HS reduced operative time by 23.1 minutes (95% CI = 13.8, 32.33). There was no difference in the incidence of transient RLND (RR = 1.25, 95% CI = .56, 2.76), but a lower rate of transient hypocalcemia with the use of the HS (RR = .69, 95% CI = .51, .92). Conclusions. The use of HS in thyroidectomy significantly reduces operative time and is associated with a reduction in postoperative hypocalcemia compared to CH

Eine andere heimat - a different home : a biographical narrative of South African Germanness, 1864 - 2014

The growth of a distinctive German South African minority that began during the midnineteenth century, is closely related to the arrival of German mission societies in the region and the Hermannsburg Mission Society (HMS) in particular. Influenced by the tide of nineteenth century German emigration, along with sentiments of ethnic German nationalism, the HMS was far more than an agent of Christian evangelism in that it offered the means for a new life abroad without the need to forgo a connection to the “old country” or Heimat. Accordingly, and as with other examples of what has since been dubbed part of the German diaspora, evidence suggests that a significant portion of HMS related immigration to South Africa was representative of a desire for improved opportunities and the promise of the continuation of a traditionally agrarian mode of life. It follows that where the HMS inspired immigration must be regarded as an audacious undertaking, many of those involved in its venture were motivated to do so in pursuit of a conservative goal. It is within this context that this thesis uses the case study of the Behrens family from Hermannsburg in Germany to address the theme of German immigration, assimilation and identity as it presents itself over four generations of descendants. In doing so, it documents the origins, growth and decline of arguably South Africa’s most prominent German community during the twentieth century, the farming settlement of Kroondal, situated in the present-day North West province. Characterised by the desire to retain its culturally German identity, the community provides a minority perspective of a century and half of South African history, including the South African War, the First and Second World Wars and the Apartheid era. They are events that the thesis narrates through the use of a substantial and largely unpublished collection of Behrens family life histories, autobiographies and written correspondence, together with primary resource materials that have been assembled in the Kroondal church archive. Placed together, they are sources that offer insights into the community's norms regarding gender-roles, racial-relations along with their overall experience of a changing and often challenging South African environment. Ultimately, however, the community’s conservatism worked to divorce it from the increasingly liberal sentiments of the post-war (West) German public which eventually served to erode the self-identification of Kroondal’s Germanness.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019.Historical and Heritage StudiesPhDUnrestricte

An exploration of the influences of répétiteur work on solo pianism : a practice-led study

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the ways in which solo pianism could be influenced by répétiteur work. In my experience as a solo and collaborative pianist, I have benefited musically from engaging in répétiteur work. It has become evident to me that a reciprocal relationship between répétiteur work and solo piano performance exists. This is a practice-led study based on a qualitative approach with a performative paradigm. The literature studied includes the available sources by experts in the following fields: opera coaching, vocal accompaniment, collaborative pianism, the work of a répétiteur and various aspects of solo pianism. I also draw on my own experience as répétiteur and solo pianist. The following aspects were explored: breathing, phrasing and cantabile playing; imitating orchestral timbre on the piano; as well as facets of interpretation and expression. An interpretative analysis of numerous excerpts from the vocal and solo repertoire was conducted in order to elucidate the aspects explored.Dissertation (MMus Performing Art)--University of Pretoria, 2019.MusicMMus Performing ArtUnrestricte

The Afrikadeutschen of Kroondal 1849 - 1949

The history of the Afrikadeutschen of Kroondal that began with the formation of the Hermannsburg Mission Society in 1849 and that grew to encompass a century of German nationalism over the course of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, provides an important dimension to the greater story of German immigration and settlement in South Africa. It is a narrative in which the position of the community’s growing association with their adopted landscape or Heimat serves to create the inevitable counterpoint to their ideological identity as Germans and thereby too, its reconciliation in the name Afrikadeutsche (African-Germans). Situated in the North-West province of South Africa, the community of Kroondal displays a unique collection of archival and literary source material that along with the this dissertation’s use of the specifically German descriptors Heimat and Deutschtum (Germanness) then serve as the basis for its investigation into its African-German identity.Dissertation (MHCS)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Historical and Heritage Studiesunrestricte

1H‐NMR metabolomic profiling of the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus subjected to polyphenol‐enriched diets

1H-NMR analysis of the hepatopancreas, muscle and haemolymph of Astacus leptodactylus after feeding with polyphenol-enriched diet is reported. 1H-NMR spectra of lipophilic extracts showed the presence of cholesterol, fatty acid residues, phospholipids and triglycerides. 1H-NMR spectra of aqueous extracts identified 35 metabolites in the hepatopancreas, 31 in the muscle and 22 in the haemolymph. A total of 20 metabolites (amino acids and their derivatives) were present in the hepatopancreas, the muscle and the haemolymph. A total of 10 metabolites were present in both the hepatopancreas and the muscle (five amino acids, 2-hydroxybutyrate, choline, myo-inositol, glycogen and uracil). 2-Hydroxyisobutyrate and creatine were present in both the hepatopancreas and the haemolymph. Phosphorylethanolamine, phosphocholine and fumarate were present only in the hepatopancreas and isoleucine only in the muscle. Statistical analysis showed that the percentage of weight gain was statistically higher in polyphenol-enriched diet groups compared to the control and that polyphenols had a stimulating effect on the general metabolism. No stress-related metabolites were higher in crayfish fed with polyphenol-enriched diet. Conversely, phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and DHA, linked to resistance to environmental stress and diseases, were higher compared to the control diet. This study indicates that 1H-NMR is a useful tool to study the metabolomics in relation to diet differences

NADP+-dependent dehydrogenase activity of carbonyl reductase on glutathionylhydroxynonanal as a new pathway for hydroxynonenal detoxification.

A NADP+ dependent dehydrogenase activity on 3-glutathionyl-4-hydroxynonanal (GSHNE) was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from a line of human astrocytoma cells (ADF). Proteomic analysis identified this enzymatic activity as associated with carbonyl reductase 1 (E.C. 1.1.1.184). The enzyme is highly efficient at catalyzing the oxidation of GSHNE (KM33 µM,kcat.405 min-1), as it is practically inactive towards trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and other HNE-addicted thiol-containing amino acid derivatives. Combined mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis of the reaction products revealed that carbonyl reductase oxidizes the hydroxyl group of GSHNE in its hemiacetal form, with the formation of the corresponding 3-glutathionyl-nonanoic-δ-lactone. The relevance of this new reaction catalyzed by carbonyl reductase 1 is discussed in terms of HNE detoxification and the recovery of reducing power

Lipophilic phytotoxins produced by Neofusicoccum parvum, a grapevine canker agent

Lipophilic phytotoxins produced by Neofusicoccum parvum, a Botryosphaeriaceae species pathogenic to grapevine, were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods as (3R,4R)-(-)-4-hydroxymellein, (3R,4S)-(-)-4-hydroxymellein, isosclerone and tyrosol. When assayed for phytotoxicity on tomato plants, all four metabolites showed phytotoxic activity, with (3R,4R)-(-)-4-hydroxymellein and isosclerone the most active. Isosclerone is reported for the first time as produced by a Botryosphaeriaceae specie