Can private obstetric care be saved in South Africa?

This article examines the question of whether private obstetric care in South Africa (SA) can be saved in view of the escalation in medical and legal costs brought about by a dramatic increase in medical negligence litigation. This question is assessed with reference to applicable medical and legal approaches. The crux of the matter is essentially a question of affordability. From a medical perspective, it seems that the English system (as articulated by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) as well as American perspectives may be well suited to the SA situation. Legal approaches are assessed in the context of the applicable  medicolegal framework in SA, the present nature of damages and  compensation with reference to obstetric negligence liability, as well as alternative options (no-fault and capping of damages) to the present system based on fault. It is argued, depending on constitutional  considerations, that a system of damages caps for noneconomic damages seems to be the most appropriate and legally less invasive system in conjunction with the establishment of a state excess insurance fund

Cannabis legalisation and testing for cannabis use in safety- and risk-sensitive environments

The legalisation of cannabis by the High Court of South Africa, which was confirmed by the Constitutional Court, imposes challenges to occupational medical practitioners acting as medical review officers in compliance testing and fit-for-service medical examinations. The lipophilic character of the psychoactive component of cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), and its prolonged elimination half-life, create challenges for the ethically and scientifically correct management of the legal use of cannabis in risk-sensitive environments. Important issues to consider in testing for cannabis use are: the stance of ‘zero tolerance’; screening and confirmation cut-off concentrations; and the bio-matrices used for testing. Constitutional rights relate to privacy, freedom, autonomy, freedom of religion and the equal enjoyment of rights and privileges, which must be balanced against the health and safety of others

Comparison Of Several Aitken Nuclei Counters

The basic thermodynamical processes leading to the formation of droplets in the central part of the Nolan-Pollak counter are analyzed in some detail. The comparison of the UMR-Absolute Aitken Nuclei counter with Nolan-Pollak, General Electric and Gardner counters showed consistently higher counts of the UMR-AAN counter. The mean deviations varied between 20% and 50% depending on the type of the counter, nuclei concentration and nature. Several observations are made on ultrafine particle counting. © 1981

Poly(2-propylacrylic acid)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) blend microparticles as a targeted antigen delivery system to direct either CD4+ or CD8+ T cell activation.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) based microparticles (MPs) are widely investigated for their ability to load a range of molecules with high efficiency, including antigenic proteins, and release them in a controlled manner. Micron-sized PLGA MPs are readily phagocytosed by antigen presenting cells, and localized to endosomes. Due to low pH and digestive enzymes, encapsulated protein cargo is largely degraded and processed in endosomes for MHC-II loading and presentation to CD4+ T cells, with very little antigen delivered into the cytosol, limiting MHC-I antigenic loading and presentation to CD8+ T cells. In this work, PLGA was blended with poly(2-propylacrylic acid) (PPAA), a membrane destabilizing polymer, in order to incorporate an endosomal escape strategy into PLGA MPs as an easily fabricated platform with diverse loading capabilities, as a means to enable antigen presentation to CD8+ T cells. Ovalbumin (OVA)-loaded MPs were fabricated using a water-in-oil double emulsion with a 0% (PLGA only), 3 and 10% PPAA composition. MPs were subsequently determined to have an average diameter of 1 µm, with high loading and a release profile characteristic of PLGA. Bone marrow derived dendritic cells (DCs) were then incubated with MPs in order to evaluate localization, processing, and presentation of ovalbumin. Endosomal escape of OVA was observed only in DC groups treated with PPAA/PLGA blends, which promoted high levels of activation of CD8+ OVA-specific OT-I T cells, compared to DCs treated with OVA-loaded PLGA MPs which were unable activate CD8+ T cells. In contrast, DCs treated with OVA-loaded PLGA MPs promoted OVA-specific OT-II CD4+ T cell activation, whereas PPAA incorporation into the MP blend did not permit CD4+ T cell activation. These studies demonstrate PLGA MP blends containing PPAA are able to provide an endosomal escape strategy for encapsulated protein antigen, enabling the targeted delivery of antigen for tunable presentation and activation of either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells

Characterization of sequences and mechanisms through which ISE/ISS-3 regulates FGFR2 splicing

Alternative splicing of fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2) mutually exclusive exons IIIb and IIIc results in highly cell-type-specific expression of functionally distinct receptors, FGFR2-IIIb and FGFR2-IIIc. We previously identified an RNA cis-element, ISE/ISS-3, that enhanced exon IIIb splicing and silenced exon IIIc splicing. Here, we have performed comprehensive mutational analysis to define critical sequence motifs within this element that independently either enhance splicing of upstream exons or repress splicing of downstream exons. Such analysis included use of a novel fluorescence-based splicing reporter assay that allowed quantitative determination of relative functional activity of ISE/ISS-3 mutants using flow cytometric analysis of live cells. We determined that specific sequences within this element that mediate splicing enhancement also mediate splicing repression, depending on their position relative to a regulated exon. Thus, factors that bind the element are likely to be coordinately involved in mediating both aspects of splicing regulation. Exon IIIc silencing is dependent upon a suboptimal branchpoint sequence containing a guanine branchpoint nucleotide. Previous studies of exon IIIc splicing in HeLa nuclear extracts demonstrated that this guanine branchsite primarily impaired the second step of splicing suggesting that ISE/ISS-3 may block exon IIIc inclusion at this step. However, results presented here that include use of newly developed in vitro splicing assays of FGFR2 using extracts from a cell line expressing FGFR2-IIIb strongly suggest that cell-type-specific silencing of exon IIIc occurs at or prior to the first step of splicing

A Comprehensive Echinacea Germplasm Collection Located at the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, Ames, Iowa

Echinacea is a well-established, high-value crop, both as an ornamental and dietary supplement. A comprehensive collection of Echinacea germplasm is currently held at the USDA-ARS North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS) in Ames, Iowa, and is available via seed distribution for research purposes . The NCRPIS\u27s mission includes: (1) The conservation of genetically diverse crop germplasm through collection and acquisition; (2) The conduct of germplasm-related research; and (3) The encouragement of the use of the germplasm collections and associated information for research, crop improvement, and product development. Representing all nine species collected throughout their respective North American geographic ranges, the Echinacea collect.ion includes 159 accessions (Table 1). Extensive morphological characterization data associated with t.he collection have been assembled and are available to researchers to aid in select.ion criteria. The collection has been used extensively for various research projects ranging from ornamental breeding studies for the horticulture trade to HPLC analysis of metabolites of interest to the phytopharmaceutical industry. Germplasm is collected and made available for distribution through a series of steps. Those steps include: (1) Acquisition and exploration; (2) Regeneration and evaluation; (3) Dormancy and germination stu dies; (4) Seed propagation in field cages with pollinating insects; (5) Harvesting, drying, cleaning, and processing seeds; (6) Long-term storage under cont.rolled conditions; and (7) Distribution for research purposes

Airline Pilot Perceptions of Stress and Self-Reported Fatigue: A Cross-Sectional Study

In the air transportation sector, fatigue is a known problem influencing safety. Over the past two decades, fatigue mitigation has gained increased regulatory emphasis. The psychosocial construct of perceived stress, however, has been less studied and emphasized, though decades of research demonstrates stress’s impact on psychosocial and physiological wellbeing and safety performance. This observational, cross-sectional study measured airline pilots’ perceived stress levels alongside selected fatigue factors. Data was gathered from a sample of 144 airline pilots and analyzed using non-parametric statistics to explore the relationship between pilots’ perceptions of their own stress levels over the previous month with their answers to a questionnaire on fatigue factors. The objective here was both assessment of Cohen’s (1983) Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) as a tool for measuring chronic stress among airline pilots, along with classification and juxtaposition of organizational, professional, social and biological fatigue factors that may contribute to chronic stress. This study fills a gap in the literature on reliable, repeatable methodologies for studying chronic occupational stress, and importantly–establishes correlations between two safety-influencing constructs not previously explored side-by-side. Results support the validity of the PSS for subjective assessment of stress among airline pilots, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge on measuring chronic stressors and fatigue factors in the airline industry. This study also highlights the relevance of additional emphasis in this area of study. The implications of qualitatively exploring a relationship between these two related safety-influencing constructs may provide a different angle for future practical solutions and regulatory guidance