Reregistration of gynaecologists in South Africa - results of a 1-year trial run

Objective. Evaluation of an Australian system of reregistration with recommendations for a possible future South African system.Design. Cohort descriptive study.Setting. Gynaecologists from both private and full-time academic practices.Participants. One hundred and eighty volunteers participated for a period of 1 year.Intervention. Each participant had to obtain a minimum of 25 points and an additional subminimum in at least two of the following practice-related categories: audit, continuing medical education (CME), self-study and research or tuition.Outcome measures. Compliance with the rules of the system and participants' comments.Results. Ten of the 180 volunteers withdrew from the study. Only 42% of the remaining 170 participants retumed their logbooks and a mere 32% their self-studyquestionnaires. The majority were in favour of self-study programmes or CME as future methods of reregistration.Conclusion. A future system of reregistration must be based on self-study programmes and a well-structured and relevant CME curriculum

Myeloid-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B deficiency in mice protects against high-fat diet and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, and endotoxemia through an IL-10 STAT3-dependent mechanism.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) negatively regulates insulin and leptin signaling, rendering it an attractive drug target for treatment of obesity-induced insulin resistance. However, some studies suggest caution when targeting macrophage PTP1B, due to its potential anti-inflammatory role. We assessed the role of macrophage PTP1B in inflammation and whole-body metabolism using myeloid-cell (LysM) PTP1B knockout mice (LysM PTP1B). LysM PTP1B mice were protected against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia and hepatic damage associated with decreased proinflammatory cytokine secretion in vivo. In vitro, LPS-treated LysM PTP1B bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) displayed increased interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA expression, with a concomitant decrease in TNF-α mRNA levels. These anti-inflammatory effects were associated with increased LPS- and IL-10-induced STAT3 phosphorylation in LysM PTP1B BMDMs. Chronic inflammation induced by high-fat (HF) feeding led to equally beneficial effects of macrophage PTP1B deficiency; LysM PTP1B mice exhibited improved glucose and insulin tolerance, protection against LPS-induced hyperinsulinemia, decreased macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue, and decreased liver damage. HF-fed LysM PTP1B mice had increased basal and LPS-induced IL-10 levels, associated with elevated STAT3 phosphorylation in splenic cells, IL-10 mRNA expression, and expansion of cells expressing myeloid markers. These increased IL-10 levels negatively correlated with circulating insulin and alanine transferase levels. Our studies implicate myeloid PTP1B in negative regulation of STAT3/IL-10-mediated signaling, highlighting its inhibition as a potential anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic target in obesity

Integrating laboratory and field data to quantify the immersion freezing ice nucleation activity of mineral dust particles

Data from both laboratory studies and atmospheric measurements are used to develop an empirical parameterization for the immersion freezing activity of natural mineral dust particles. Measurements made with the Colorado State University (CSU) continuous flow diffusion chamber (CFDC) when processing mineral dust aerosols at a nominal 105% relative humidity with respect to water (RHw) are taken as a measure of the immersion freezing nucleation activity of particles. Ice active frozen fractions vs. temperature for dusts representative of Saharan and Asian desert sources were consistent with similar measurements in atmospheric dust plumes for a limited set of comparisons available. The parameterization developed follows the form of one suggested previously for atmospheric particles of non-specific composition in quantifying ice nucleating particle concentrations as functions of temperature and the total number concentration of particles larger than 0.5 μm diameter. Such an approach does not explicitly account for surface area and time dependencies for ice nucleation, but sufficiently encapsulates the activation properties for potential use in regional and global modeling simulations, and possible application in developing remote sensing retrievals for ice nucleating particles. A calibration factor is introduced to account for the apparent underestimate (by approximately 3, on average) of the immersion freezing fraction of mineral dust particles for CSU CFDC data processed at an RHw of 105% vs. maximum fractions active at higher RHw. Instrumental factors that affect activation behavior vs. RHw in CFDC instruments remain to be fully explored in future studies. Nevertheless, the use of this calibration factor is supported by comparison to ice activation data obtained for the same aerosols from Aerosol Interactions and Dynamics of the Atmosphere (AIDA) expansion chamber cloud parcel experiments. Further comparison of the new parameterization, including calibration correction, to predictions of the immersion freezing surface active site density parameterization for mineral dust particles, developed separately from AIDA experimental data alone, shows excellent agreement for data collected in a descent through a Saharan aerosol layer. These studies support the utility of laboratory measurements to obtain atmospherically relevant data on the ice nucleation properties of dust and other particle types, and suggest the suitability of considering all mineral dust as a single type of ice nucleating particle as a useful first-order approximation in numerical modeling investigations

The study of atmospheric ice-nucleating particles via microfluidically generated droplets

Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) play a significant role in the climate and hydrological cycle by triggering ice formation in supercooled clouds, thereby causing precipitation and affecting cloud lifetimes and their radiative properties. However, despite their importance, INP often comprise only 1 in 10³–10⁶ ambient particles, making it difficult to ascertain and predict their type, source, and concentration. The typical techniques for quantifying INP concentrations tend to be highly labour-intensive, suffer from poor time resolution, or are limited in sensitivity to low concentrations. Here, we present the application of microfluidic devices to the study of atmospheric INPs via the simple and rapid production of monodisperse droplets and their subsequent freezing on a cold stage. This device offers the potential for the testing of INP concentrations in aqueous samples with high sensitivity and high counting statistics. Various INPs were tested for validation of the platform, including mineral dust and biological species, with results compared to literature values. We also describe a methodology for sampling atmospheric aerosol in a manner that minimises sampling biases and which is compatible with the microfluidic device. We present results for INP concentrations in air sampled during two field campaigns: (1) from a rural location in the UK and (2) during the UK’s annual Bonfire Night festival. These initial results will provide a route for deployment of the microfluidic platform for the study and quantification of INPs in upcoming field campaigns around the globe, while providing a benchmark for future lab-on-a-chip-based INP studies

Socrates

(Statement of Responsibility) by William D. Niemand(Thesis) Thesis (B.A.) -- New College of Florida, 1982(Electronic Access) RESTRICTED TO NCF STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY, AND ON-CAMPUS USE(Bibliography) Includes bibliographical references.(Source of Description) This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.(Local) Faculty Sponsor: Moore, Joh

Feeding potential of summer grain crop residues for woolled sheep in the south-eastern Transvaal Highveld. I. Availability of crop residues and sheep mass changes

In a two-year study, the value of crop residues of lupins, dry beans, soybeans, sunflower, sorghum and maize for wintering sheep was evaluated. The amounts of residues arid weeds present at the start and end of grazing were estimated by means of quadrat samples. Maize cobs were picked up. Amount of residues and the ratio of grain to straw at the start of grazing differed in the two seasons and differences occurred between crops. Weeds were an important source of feed. The extent of utilization of total dry matter and individual components varied between crops and components. The crop residues were each grazed by 10 mature Dohne Merino wethers/ha. Midrib wool samples were collected in the second season. The sheep initially gained and then lost mass. They were removed from the trial when they had reached the starting mass. Sheep on dry, bean residues gained least during both seasons. Sheep on sorghum residues had the highest average ADG of 98 g over the two seasons, while sheep on soybean residues gained disappointingly with an ADG of only 47 g. Grazing periods differed between seasons. The total length of the grazing period was much the same between crops, except for dry beans where it was markedly shorter. Clean yield percentage was about 61% and did not differ between residues. The wool growth rate of sheep on all crops except on lupins was similar and varied from 0,24 to 0,28 g / d /100 cm2. Sheep on lupins had a wool growth rate of 0,53 g / d /100 cm2..In 'n studie oor twee jaar is die waarde van oesreste van lupiene, droebone, sojabone, sonneblom, sorghum en mielies geevalueer. Die hoeveelheid reste asook onkruid is met aanvang en beeindiging van beweiding bereken volgens kwadraatmonsters. Mieliekoppe is opgetel. Die hoeveelheid reste en die verhouding van graan tot strooi aan die begin van beweiding het in die twee seisoene verskil en verskille het ook tussen gewasse voorgekom. Onkruid was 'n belangrike bron van voer. Die mate van benutting van die totale droe materiaal en die onderskeie komponente het tussen gewasse en komponente verskil. Die oesreste is deur tien volwasse Dohnemerinohamels/ha bewei. Midribwolmonsters is in die tweede winter geneem. Beweiding is gestaak nadat die skape na piekmassa, weer dieselfde mass a as hul aanvangsmassa bereik het. Skape op drol!boonreste het gedurende beide seisoene die minste in massa toegeneem. Skape op die sorghumreste het die hoogste gemiddelde GDT van 98 g oor die twee seisoene getoon, terwyl skape op die sojaboonreste telleurstellend gevaar het met 'n GDT van slegs 47 g. Weiperiode het tussen die twee seisoene verskil. Totale lengte van weiperiode' was ongeveer dieselfde tussen gewasse, behalwe vir dronbone waar dit heelwat korter was. Persentasie skoonwol was ongeveer 61% en het nie tussen gewasse verskil nie. Die wolgroeitempo van die skape op al die gewasse, behalwe op lupiene, het gewissel vanaf 0,24 tot 0,28 g/d/100 cm2.. Skape op lupiene het 'n wolgroeitempovan 0,53 g/d/100 cm2. getoon.Keywords: Crop residues, utilization, sheep mass changes, wool productio

Feeding potential of summer grain crop residues for woolled sheep in the south-eastern Transvaal Highveld. II. Selection of material and intake

Dohne Merino wethers grazed crop residues of lupins, dry beans, soybeans, sunflower, sorghum and maize at a stocking rate of 10 wethers/ha. Three wethers in every treatment were oesophageally fistulated and during sampling periods the other seven were fitted with faecal bags. Oesophageal and faecal samples were taken during the same period every second week. Oesophageasl samples were separated into grain and straw (including weeds) to determine the grain:straw ratio and were analysed for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM). Digestible organic matter and protein intake of sheep generally decreased with time as grain availability declined. At commencement of grazing the nutritional value of the residues was sufficient for sheep to increase mass. Crude-protein intake decreased with time and should be supplemented to sustain production . Dohnemerinohamels het die oesreste van lupiene, droebone, sojabone, sonneblom, sorghum en mielies teen 'n belading van 10 skape/ha bewei. Drie van die hamels in elke groep was slukdermgefistuleerd en gedurende monsternemingsperiodes het die ander sewe hamels missakke gedra. Slukderm- en mismonsters is gedurende dieselfde periode elke tweede week geneem. Slukdermmonsters is in graan- en strooikomponente( insluitend onkruid) verdeel om die gran: strooiverhouding te bepaal en is vir droe materiaal (DM), organiese materiaal (OM), ruprotei'en (RP) en in vitro organiese materiaal verteerbaarheid( IVOMV) ontleed. Verteerbare organiese materiaal-en protei'eninname het oor tydafgeneem soos die hoeveelheid graan beskikbaar afgeneem het. Met aanvang van beweiding was die voedingswaarde van die oesreste hoog genoeg vir massatoename by die skape. Proteieninname het oor tyd gedaal en moet aangevul word om produksie te onderhou. Keywords: Sheep, crop residues,digestible organic matter intake,protein intak

Reregistration of gynaecologists in South Africa - the profession's opinion

Objective. Testing of the profession's opinions and attitudes with regard to a possible reregistration system.Methods. A questionnaire was sent to all the gynaecologists in South Africa to test their opinions and, attitudes with regard to reregistration.Results. After two mailings, 62,4% of the 603 gynaecologists had responded. Seventy per cent of the respondents were in private practice while 19% were in full-time academic positions. More than two-thirds (68%) of the respondents resided in a city, close to a medical school. Although 74% were in favour of the implementation of a reregistration system, only 56% were enthusiastic about it. Congress attendance and self-study programmes were the categories in which more than 85% of the respondents would be able to earn points. The general feeling was that such a system should be governed by the profession.Conclusions. The profession was in favour of a system of reregistration, but great concern was expressed at the contents of such a programme and the manner in which it would be governed