Undergraduate dental students’ perspectives on teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from an online survey conducted at a South African university using a mixed-methods approach

Background. Many institutions of higher education transitioned from classroom-based settings to remote settings as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is unclear how undergraduate dental therapy and oral hygiene students responded to this transition in the learning environment. Objectives. To explore undergraduate dental students’ knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and practices related to clinical and theory-based learning at a South African university. Methods. A mixed-methods approach comprising a concurrent dominant status design (QUAN/qual) was used. Therefore, the study was a cross-sectional quantitative survey with descriptive qualitative data. An online, self-administered questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions was developed to gain insights into students’ knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and learning practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. Most respondents (n=86; 80.4%) agreed that they had the necessary skills to engage with online learning (p=0.04). Respondents in the first year (n=25; 76%), second year (n=24; 73%) and third year (n=32; 28%) were either unsure or did not agree that they understood online platform-based lectures better than classroom-based lectures. The major emergent themes included external (internet connectivity) and internal (students’ coping skills) barriers to online learning. Conclusions. This study highlighted dental student challenges in embracing the blended approach of teaching and learning. While this may be a new norm for curriculum delivery, it is important to include student input in curriculum-related decision-making processes

Passive smoking and meningococcal disease

Neiserria meningitidis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in South Africa (SA). It is the sixth commonest cause of notified disease with a case fatality rate of 11% for the period 1990 1994. Identification of preventable risk factors is critical as no effective vaccine exists for serogroup B, the most prevalent serogroup in SA. A case control study was undertaken to determine the risk factors associated with meningococcal disease. The study population consisted of all children under the age of 14 years who were residents of the Cape Town City Council and Cape Metropolitan Council areas of jurisdiction. Cases were identified from weekly notification reports and from admissions to the City Hospital for Infectious Diseases. Controls were selected from the trauma wards at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. Data was analyzed using EPI INFO and SAS statistical software. During the period October 1993 to January 1995 70 cases and 210 controls were interviewed. Cases were significantly younger than controls (p = 0.0001). On univariate analysis significant risk factors for meningococcal disease included: a household where 2 or more members smoked (odds ratio (OR) =1.8), recent upper respiratory tract infection (OR= 1.8), poor nutritional status (OR= 3.6), being breastfed for less than 3 months (OR= 2.7) and overcrowding (OR= 2.8). After adjusting for confounders, the main force of passive smoking as a risk factor for meningococcal disease appeared to be in the presence of a recent upper respiratory tract infection. Other factors that remained significant after adjusting for confounders included: being breastfed for less than three months (adjusted OR= 2.4) and being less than 4 years old (adjusted OR= 2.3). This is the first case control study in South Africa examining risk factors associated with meningococcal disease. The study provides further evidence for the reduction of smoking, reduction of overcrowding and the promotion of breast-feeding as important public health measures. It also identifies children under the age of 4 years as an important target group should an effective vaccine become available

The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among dentists in KwaZulu - Natal

Occupational hazards in dentistry can result in injuries and reduced income if work -time is lost. Injuries include percutaneous insults, inhalation of noxious chemicals, hearing loss and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The prevalence of MSD among South African dentists is uncertain. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to determine that prevalence and associated risk factors among dentists in KwaZulu - Natal (KZN), South Africa. A convenience sample (n = 350) of dentists registered with the South African Dental Association (SADA) were sent a questionnaire interrogating their medical and work history and their work-related posture. One hundred and nine (31%) responded. Almost all (99.1%) reported pain in the hands, neck, lower back and / or a shoulder, while 22.5% reported hand symptoms. Nearly three quarters (73.6%) rotated their necks during clinical work and 68.6% tilted a shoulder towards their dominant hand. A strong association (p value = 0) was found between the number of years in practice and work-related pain in the neck. The prevalence of MSD was very high when compared with international data. Self - recognition is most important in preventing occupational injuries. This study suggests the need to include ergonomic work practice during training to create awareness of the risk of MSD and to promote wellbeing.DHE

The proposed transfer of the echiuran Ochetostoma capense to the genus Listriolobus

The taxonomic position of the echurian Ochetostoma capense is reviewed based on examination of type material and on specimens from the type locality. On the basis of the disposition of the inner oblique muscle layer, the species is transferred to the genus Listriolobus and is re-described as L. capensis

Determining Correlations Between Library Usage and Student Success at the Durban University of Technology: A Pilot Study

Thorpe et al. (2016: 373) note that there is a growing trend for academic libraries to adopt measures that demonstrate the value of the library in the context of student success. While it may seem intuitive to librarians that students who engage more with library services and resources learn more, Oakleaf (2017) cautions that providing reliable evidence to support this is not straightforward. Librarians are aware of the numerous activities students engage with in the library, and, according to Soria, Fransen and Nackerud (2013), it is important to examine the differences of each of those interactions in relation to student success. To provide reliable and contemporary evidence of associations of library usage and student success, a multi-phase quantitative student success project was undertaken at a single site library, BM Patel Library, at the start of the first semester of 2017. The first phase of the project provided a comprehensive view of the use of physical and virtual library services at BM Patel Library by undergraduate Faculty of Management Sciences students. Five service points were identified that provided the data for this study. Statistics were collected from library entrance points, library book loans, computer use, laptop use, and off-campus use. The sample consisted of students enrolled in three departments: Marketing and Retail Management, Public Management and Economics, and Human Resource Management. These departments were selected based on the analysis of library visits of all students who visited the BM Patel Library in the first semester. According to the ACRL findings on academic library impact on student success, there is compelling evidence that library use and information literacy (IL) attendance increases student success (Burrows 2011). There are limited local studies that attempt to determine the impact of IL training on student success. This could be due to challenges in the collection of relevant data and/or the use of the data to draw correlations to student success reliably. This paper reports on the second phase of the project, which goes beyond the data from service points and incorporates data from three additional sources: IL attendance, IL assessment results, as well as semester marks of students in the selected departments

Note on an invasion of intertidal zoanthid colonies by a chaetopterid polychaete at Park Rynie Beach, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

At Park Rynie Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, South Africa, four species of zoanthids were invaded by a sand-tube building polychaete Mesochaetopterus minutus. It is a small polychaete about 15 mm long, which occurs gregariously in dense masses of sandy tubes. M. minutus is an opportunistic species that exploits zoanthid colonies mainly for support and protection from heavy wave action because of the inability of the fragile sandy tube to survive in exposed habitats. Population density studies of the polychaete were undertaken to quantify the degree of invasion of the different zoanthid species. Highest polychaete density was recorded for Zoanthus sansibaricus, the number of polychaetes exceeding 3 500 m-2, followed by Palythoa nelliae, with a density of 2 200 m-2. Polychaete densities were comparatively low in Z. durbanensis and Z. natalensis

Phytochemistry, cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies of β-sitosterol-3-oglucoside and β-amyrin from Prunus africana

Background: Prunus africana is used traditionally in many countries for the treatment of cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia.Materials and methods: In this study, compounds from the leaves and bark of this plant were isolated and tested for their cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in two human cancer cell lines (hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and colorectal carcinoma (Caco-2)) and a non-cancer cell line (embryonic kidney (HEK293)). GC-MS profiling of the extract was also conducted.Results: Three compounds (β-sitosterol, β-amyrin and β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside) were isolated and the cytotoxic activity of β-amyrin and β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside on the HepG2, Caco-2 and HEK293 was determined using the MTT cell viability assay. Both compounds had significant cytotoxic activity towards the Caco-2 cell line with IC50 values of 81 μg mL-1 and 54 μg mL-1 for β- amyrin and β-sitosterol- 3-O-glucoside, respectively while low cytotoxicity was observed on HepG2 cell lines with IC50 values of 206 μg mL-1 and 251 μg mL-1 for β-amyrin and β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside, respectively. Apoptosis induction in cells was studied using acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining. In both cases, the compounds tested demonstrated selective cytotoxicity towards cancer cells with high apoptosis indices in cells exposed to β-amyrin. Low IC50 values of 156 μg mL-1 and 937 μg mL-1 for β-amyrin and β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside, respectively, were observed in the HEK293 cell line.Conclusion: This study reveals that the plant is rich biologically active compounds thereby validating its ethno-medicinal use.Keywords: triterpenoids, phytosterols, MTT cell viability, apoptosis induction

A review of the literature on breast-feeding - Policy and research issues

No Abstract

The value of pimecrolimus in improving quality of life of children with severe eczema – an open non-randomised study

Background: Atopic eczema is a common skin condition. It has the potential to severely impair quality of life in affected children. Pimecrolimus is currently registered for mild-moderate eczema but in clinical practice children with more severe disease are often treated with this therapy in an attempt to find a safe addition to long-term topical corticosteroid usage. The aim of this study was to test the value of pimecrolimus in improving quality of life in children with severe atopic eczema.Methods: This a single site, phase 4, non-randomised, open label trial of pimecrolimus use in children aged 4 months to 12 years living withmoderate to very severe atopic eczema. The study was conducted at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Patients with unsatisfactorily controlled disease despite conventional topical therapy, adequate use of emollients, allergen avoidance and non-pharmacological skin hygiene were enrolled. A ParentIndex Quality of Life Questionnaire was completed by parents before and three months after using pimecrolimus.Results: A total of 24 patients were recruited, 20 of whom completed the study. Ninety per cent of patients had co-morbid asthma and allergicrhinitis. The Parent Index Quality of Life demonstrated a mean 33% score improvement after the use of pimecrolimus. There was an attendant reduction in cost of therapy to these patients.Conclusions: Pimecrolimus usage should be extended to patients with more severe atopic eczema as the improvement in quality of life is important and demonstrable.Keywords: severe eczema; topical steroids; calcineurin inhibitors; pimecrolimus; quality of lif