A cross-sectional analytical study of geophagia practices and blood metal concentrations in pregnant women in Johannesburg, South Africa

P

Zinc, Hydrochlorothiazide and Sexual Dysfunction.

A CAJM article on sexual dysfunction.This study was designed to test the hypothesis that hydrochlorothiazide a diuretic used to treat hypertension depletes body zinc and thereby cause sexual dysfunction. Serum zinc and sexual dysfunction were measured in 39 middle aged hypertensive men who had been taking hydrochlorothiazide in average daily doses of between 25 and 50 mg daily for at least six months, and a control group of 27 unmedicated middle aged normotensive men. The medicated group had a higher incidence of sexual dysfunction (56 pc) as compared to 11 pc in the control group. The use of hydrochlorothiazide did affect serum zinc levels significantlyin 20 patients. Sexual dysfunction occurred more often in older and overweight patients (p < 0,004). Three of the normotensive men experienced sexual dysfunction probably related to old age

A review of rodent infestation in selected locations within the city of johannesburg (2009 - 2010)

Abstract:Background Rodent infestation is a public health challenge globally. Cities in high and low income countries have been ravaged by rodent infestation. The lack of basic services has exposed communities to health risks and rodent-borne diseases. Objective The study aimed at determining the rodent infestation in the five study sites within the City of Johannesburg namely: Bertrams; Braamfischerville; Hillbrow; Hospital Hill; and Riverlea with special focus on 2009 to 2010, seeing that previous articles have dealt with infestation of rodents from 2006 to 2008. Methods Secondary data extracted from Head, Environment, and Development (HEAD) study project was used to analyse and interpret the trend of rodent infestation over a period of five years. Sampling comprised of households from the afore-mentioned study sites. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire from members of households above the age of 18 years residing in the study sites. Data was analysed using STATA software version 13. Results The study indicated significant differences in rodent prevalence across the study sites. For instance, residents living in Hillbrow (high rise buildings) reported the lowest (17.4%) prevalence from 2009 to 2010 study period, while those living in Hospital Hill (informal settlement) reported the highest (79.7%) prevalence compared with other study sites during the same study period. However, overall there is a significant decrease in rodent infestation across the study sites except in Bertrams where an increase of 7.8% was reported. Conclusion Informal settlements are more exposed to rodent’s infestation than formal settlements due to lack of proper basic sanitation services e.g. waste management. Municipal departments such as Solid Waste and Public Works should work together with communities towards a sustainable resolution of rodent problem. Socio-economic and environmental variables such as type of dwelling, toilet facilities, absence of refuse containers and rodents’ access to water sources were noted as contributing factors of rodents infestation

Application of (S,S)-Pentacycloundecane bis(4-Phenyloxazoline) as a Novel Chiral Ligand for Catalysis of the Asymmetric Diels-Alder Reaction of Cyclopentadiene with 3-Acryloyl-2-oxazolidinone

The synthesis of the novel C1 symmetric (S,S)-pentacycloundecane bis(4-phenyloxazoline) ligand 5 and its evaluation as a chiral Lewis acid catalyst in the benchmark asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction between 3-acryloyloxazolidin-2-one (6) and cyclopentadiene (7) is reported. From the various metal salts screened the anhydrous magnesium perchlorate complex emerged as the best catalyst. The endo-cycloadduct product 8 was afforded in 81% enantiomeric excess with an endo:exo ratio of 98:2. An extensive screening of various metal ions as complexing agents was performed and is also reported.Keywords: Pentacycloundecane, oxazolines, chiral catalysis, Diels-Alder reactionPDF and Supplementry file attache

Hypoglycaemic and hypotensive effects of Ficus exasperata Vahl. (Moraceae) leaf aqueous extracts in rats

The hypotensive and hypoglycaemic effects of Ficus exasperata (Vahl) (family: Moraceae) leaf aqueous extract (FEE) were investigated in experimental rat models. In this study, spontaneously-hypertensive rats (SHR) (type 1 diabetes), obese Zucker (type 2 diabetes) and Wistar rats were used. Three (A, B and C) groups of rats, each group consisting of 10 rats, were used. Group A Wistar rats received distilled water in quantities equivalent to the volume of streptozotocin (STZ) and FEE administered intraperitoneally to treated rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the SHR group B rats by multiple low-dose (MLD) intraperitoneal injections of STZ (40 mg/kg body weight) to induce type 1 diabetes. The animals in group C were the obese Zucker rats with non-insulin-independent diabetes mellitus (NDDM) (type 2 diabetes) on genetic basis. F. exasperata leaf aqueous extract (FEE, 100 mg/kg/day p.o.) was administered orally by orogastric intubation to fasted Groups B and C rats. In groups B and C rats, administration of FEE commenced 4 weeks post STZ injection, and continued for the next 4 consecutive weeks. Group A rats gave normal biochemical and morphological findings. Group B rats exhibited pronounced polyuria, hypoinsulinaemia, hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycaemia. These findings were also observed in group C rats, except that there was hyperinsilinaemia. Histopathological study of the aortic blood vessels showed extensive collagen fiber formation as well as perivascular fibrosis in both groups B and C rats. Four weeks of oral administration of F. exasperata leaf aqueous extract to diabetic groups of rats decreased blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid profiles. Administration of FEE (100 mg/kg p.o.) also restored the microanatomy of the blood vessels to almost normal levels. The findings of this study suggest that F. exasperata leaf aqueous extract possesses hypoglycaemic, hypotensive and hypolipidaemic properties. These findings lend biomedical and pharmacological support to the folkloric, ethnomedical uses of the plant in the management and/or control of diabetes and hypertension among the Yoruba-speaking people of Western Nigeria.Key Words: Ficus exasperata (Vahl) leaf aqueous extract; streptozotocin; rats; hypoglycaemic; hypotensive and hypolipidaemicproperties

The Evaluation of Novel Camphor-derived Pyridyl Ligands as Catalysts in the Asymmetric Diels-Alder Reaction of Cyclopentadiene with 3-Acryloyl-2-oxazolidinone

A series of camphor-derived pyridyl ligands were evaluated in the Diels-Alder reaction of 3-acryloyl-2-oxazolidinone 1 with cyclopentadiene 2. High yields with good endo:exo selectivity, but only moderate enantioselectivities (43 % ee), were obtained. The structures of the copper (II) complexes of the ligands were calculated using ONIOM density functional theory and the results suggest that chiral induction to the alkene functional group is indeed lacking. This explains the moderate experimental selectivities obtained.Keywords: Camphor ligands, asymmetric catalysis, Diels-Alder cycloaddition, computational modellingPDF and Supplementry file attache

How do South African obstetricians manage hypertensive disorders of pregnancy - a survey

Objective. To determine the current management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in South Africa.Method. A postal questionnaire was sent to 600 South African obstetricians.Results. The response rate was 72% (432/600), with 425 questionnaires suitable for analysis. South African obstetricians disagree on the definitions of various hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Methyldopa was the antihypertensive used most frequently for the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension (diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 109 mmHg), while intravenous dihydralazine was preferred in severe hypertension (diastolic blood pressure ;0, 110 rnrnHg and proteinuria ≥, ++). To stop convulsions in eclampsia, 256 respondents (60%) said they would use diazepam, 28 (11%) said tlIey woUld continue with a diazepam infusion, and the remairling 228 (89%) preferred magnesium sulphate (MgS04) to prevent further convulsions. The intramuscular route was the preferred method of administration for MgS04. In cases of eclampsia, 273 respondents (64%) said they would use intravenous dihydralazine to lower high blood pressure (≥, 160/110 rnrnHg) and proteinuria; 98 respondents (23%) said they would use met.'1yldopa, 38 (9%) nifedipine, and 8 (2%) apresoline. Eight (2%) said they would not use antihypertensives. In patients with severe pre-eclampsia and impending eclampsia, 330 respondents (78%) said they would"use MgS04 as prophylaxis, 46 (11%) diazepam, and 6 (1.4%) phenobarbitone. Forty-three of the respondents did not prescribe prophylactic anticonvulsant therapy. To prevent pre-eclampsia, 247 of the respondents (58%) said they would prescribe Iow-dose aspirin.Conclusion. This study demonstrates that South African obstetricians show great uniformity in terms of the treatment of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Synthesis and NMR Elucidation of Novel Pentacycloundecane-Derived Peptides

Herein we report the synthesis and NMR elucidation of five novel pentacycloundecane (PCU)-derived short peptides as potential HIV protease inhibitors. 1H and 13C spectral analysis show major overlapping of methine resonance of the PCU ‘cage’ thereby making it extremely difficult to assign the NMR signals. Attachment of short peptides to the cage at position C-8/C-11 results in conformational differences of the peptide side chains due to diastereomeric interactions between the cage skeleton and the chiral side chains. The use of two-dimensional NMR techniques proved to be highly effective in the elucidation of such systems.Keywords: 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR, PCU diol diaminoacid, HIV protease inhibitors PDF and supplementary file attached

Laboratory surveillance of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 in Kwazulu-natal

Objective. To collect data on the antimicrobial susceptibility of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 in KwaZulu-Natal, including the testing of newer therapeutic agents, and to evaluate the ability of laboratories to participate in a provincial surveillance programme.Design. Prospective descriptive study.Setting. Hospital laboratories in KwaZulu-Natal, including peripheral laboratories and the medical microbiology laboratory of the University of Natal.Main outcome measures. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of surveillance strains and evaluation of the ability of provincial laboratories to isolate Shigella.Results. All 354 strains tested were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline. Co-trimoxazole resistance was found in 99.2% of strains, and 0.8% of strains were resistant to nalidixic acid. All strains were susceptible to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, pivmecillinam, azithromycin, loracarbef and fosfomycin. Of the 29 laboratories surveyed, 18 (62.1%) were able to isolate and identify S, dysenteriae correctly, and 9 (32%) were able to serotype it further to S, dysenteriae type 1. Twenty-seven (93.1%) had appropriate culture media and 26 (89.7%) had antisera for Shigella identification.Conclusions. There is little variation among strains of S. dysenteriae type 1 in KwaZulu-Natal with regard to their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Nalidixic acid should remain the antimicrobial of choice for treatment of dysentery in our region as resistance to it is low. The majority of KwaZulu-Natallaboratories.have the expertise and equipment to perform the isolation and identification of Shigella species

‘Sink or swim?’: Learning from stories of becoming academics within a transforming university terrain

The meanings connected with becoming or being an academic are constantly shifting, on account of diverse forces that act on universities. The authors of this article portray their learning as a research team of four academics (including one early-career academic) and a doctoral student who took a narrative inquiry approach to listening and responding to their early-career colleagues’ stories of becoming and being academics within a transforming university landscape. Imaginative engagement with these stories through the evocative and reflexive medium of poetry awakened possibilities for navigating the uncertain terrain of academia. The article draws attention to collegial relationships as critical to the growth of self-belief and self-resourcefulness in becoming and being academics. It demonstrates how, through collective participation, novice and experienced academics can become valuable sources of learning and support for each other