Sacramental symbols and the oral tradition.

Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 1994.This dissertation is an attempt to draw a connecting link between Marcel Jousse's theory of MIMISM as found in his book The Oral Style and the symbols used when celebrating four of the sacraments celebrating in the Roman Catholic Church. These symbols are water used in the sacrament of baptism, the bread and the wine as used in the celebration of the Eucharist, and the oil which is used in the sacraments of Confirmation and the Anointing of the Sick. Jousse was the first anthropologist to discover that all action or gestes as he called it, is constantly being replayed and re-enacted by man. The second chapter in this thesis will give a comprehensive summary of this theory of MIMISM. Since man is constantly attempting to get closer to God whom he falls short of when he sins, this practice of the sacraments is a means of getting man back in touch with God and the symbols used in this procedure is what actually makes it real. After a chapter on symbolism and the role that symbols play in the celebration of sacraments, the next chapter deals with the rites, rituals and religion in society. It is the symbols together with the rights, that in effect bridge the relationship between God and man. The final chapter then looks into the symbols themselves, which are oil, water and the Eucharist and fits the entire subject into perspective

Leptospirosis Presenting with Features of Thrombotic Microangiopathy

Leptospirosis is an exceptionally rare infectious disease in the Republic of Ireland. Leptospirosis can present with or mimic thrombotic microangiopathies (TTP/HUS). A 48-year-old male presented to a peripheral hospital with a short history of diarrhoea, anaemia, hyperbilirubinemia, raised lactate dehydrogenase, thrombocytopenia, and severe acute kidney injury and was transferred to our tertiary care kidney centre. A form of acute thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was suspected. However, no schistocytes were seen on the blood film, and the reticulocyte count was depressed. A kidney biopsy was performed before initiating any potential treatment which revealed acute interstitial nephritis (AIN). Leptospirosis was considered and subsequently serologically confirmed. The patient was managed with antimicrobials and supportive therapy. Acute kidney injury is common in leptospirosis and is often due to AIN. Initial presentation can mimic TMA; however, a differential diagnosis of leptospirosis should be considered even in nonendemic areas due to re-emergence of the disease

Effect of Size and Concentration of PLGA-PEG Nanoparticles on Activation and Aggregation of Washed Human Platelets

Nanotechnology is being increasingly utilised in medicine as diagnostics and for drug delivery and targeting. The small size and high surface area of nanoparticles (NPs), desirable properties that allow them to cross biological barriers, also offer potential for interaction with other cells and blood constituents, presenting possible safety risks. While NPs investigated are predominantly based on the biodegradable, biocompatible, and FDA approved poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) polymers, pro-aggregatory and antiplatelet effects have been reported for certain NPs. The potential for toxicity of PLGA based NPs remains to be examined. The aims of this study were to determine the impact of size-selected PLGA-PEG (PLGA-polyethylene glycol) NPs on platelet activation and aggregation. PLGA-PEG NPs of three average sizes of 112, 348, and 576 nm were formulated and their effect at concentrations of 0.0–2.2 mg/mL on the activation and aggregation of washed human platelets (WP) was examined. The results of this study show, for the first time, NPs of all sizes associated with the surface of platelets, with >50% binding, leading to possible internalisation. The NP-platelet interaction, however, did not lead to platelet aggregation nor inhibited aggregation of platelets induced by thrombin. The outcome of this study is promising, suggesting that these NPs could be potential carriers for targeted drug delivery to platelets

Effect of size and concentration of PLGA-PEG nanoparticles on activation and aggregation of washed human platelets

Nanotechnology is being increasingly utilised in medicine as diagnostics and for drug delivery and targeting. The small size and high surface area of nanoparticles (NPs), desirable properties that allow them to cross biological barriers, also offer potential for interaction with other cells and blood constituents, presenting possible safety risks. While NPs investigated are predominantly based on the biodegradable, biocompatible, and FDA approved poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) polymers, pro-aggregatory and antiplatelet effects have been reported for certain NPs. The potential for toxicity of PLGA based NPs remains to be examined. The aims of this study were to determine the impact of size-selected PLGA-PEG (PLGA-polyethylene glycol) NPs on platelet activation and aggregation. PLGA-PEG NPs of three average sizes of 112, 348, and 576 nm were formulated and their effect at concentrations of 0.0-2.2 mg/mL on the activation and aggregation of washed human platelets (WP) was examined. The results of this study show, for the first time, NPs of all sizes associated with the surface of platelets, with >50% binding, leading to possible internalisation. The NP-platelet interaction, however, did not lead to platelet aggregation nor inhibited aggregation of platelets induced by thrombin. The outcome of this study is promising, suggesting that these NPs could be potential carriers for targeted drug delivery to platelets