The initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis of new cancers at a large pathology laboratory in the public health sector, Western Cape Province, South Africa

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted cancer diagnostic services. A decline in the number of new cancers being diagnosed over a relatively short term implies a delay in diagnosis and subsequent treatment. This delay is expected to have a negative effect on cancerrelated morbidity and mortality. The impact of the pandemic on the number of new cancer diagnoses in our setting is unknown.Objectives. To assess the impact of COVID-19 on the number of new cancers diagnosed at our institution in the first 3 months following the implementation of lockdown restrictions, by focusing on common non-cutaneous cancers.Methods. A retrospective laboratory-based audit was performed at a large anatomical pathology laboratory in Western Cape Province, South Africa. The numbers of new diagnoses for six common cancers (breast, prostate, cervix, large bowel, oesophagus and stomach) from 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020 were compared with the corresponding period in 2019.Results. Histopathological diagnoses for the six cancers combined decreased by 193 (–36.3%), from 532 new cases in the 2019 study period to 339 in the corresponding period in 2020. Substantial declines were seen for prostate (–58.2%), oesophageal (–44.1%), breast (–32.9%), gastric (–32.6%) and colorectal cancer (–29.2%). The smallest decline was seen in cervical cancer (–7%). New breast cancers diagnosed by cytopathology declined by 61.1%.Conclusions. The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated response resulted in a substantial decline in the number of new cancer diagnoses, implying a delay in diagnosis. Cancer-related morbidity and mortality is expected to rise as a result, with the greatest increase in mortality expected from breast and colorectal cancer

δ Sct pulsation in magnetic Ap stars: The discovery of δ Sct pulsations in HD 218994AB and measurement of the magnetic fields of HD 218994A and HD 21190

We have discovered that at least one component of the visual binary star HD 218994AB is a δ Sct star. The primary star of this system is a known rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star; therefore, it is possible that it is both an roAp star and a δ Sct star - a hybrid. There are no confirmed such hybrid roAp-δ Sct stars, and they are predicted theoretically not to exist. More probably, HD 218994B is the δ Sct star, as it is 0.54 mag fainter than the primary and also lies in the δ Sct instability strip. It then offers the potential to determine Teff and L for the primary which appears to be one of the more evolved roAp stars and an important test the theoretically calculated roAp star instability strip. In this case, the system also is important since the stars are a co-eval pair of very similar mass, yet one is a magnetic roAp star and the other is probably a non-magnetic δ Sct star with a normal spectrum. We detect a significant longitudinal magnetic field strength of 440 ± 23 G in the roAp star HD 218994A. We also present the first measurement of the longitudinal magnetic field strength for the δ Sct star HD 21190, the most-evolved Ap star known. We obtain a formally significant value of 47 ± 13 G. If confirmed, this will make HD 21190 the first magnetic δ Sct star known.Fil: Kurtz, D. W.. University of Central Lancashire; Estados UnidosFil: Hubrig, S.. European Southern Observatory Chile; ChileFil: Gonzalez, Jorge Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito". Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito". Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito"; ArgentinaFil: van Wyk, F.. South African Astronomical Observatory; SudáfricaFil: Martinez, P.. South African Astronomical Observatory; Sudáfric

Genetic parameters for ewe reproduction with objectively measured wool traits in Elsenburg Merino flock

Reproduction is important for sustainable lamb production in Merino sheep. Data from a Merino flock maintained at Elsenburg Research Farm in the Western Cape, South Africa, were used to investigate the genetic parameters for ewe reproduction traits and their relationship with objectively measured wool traits. Traits included number of lambs born during the first lambing opportunity (NLB1), number of lambs weaned during the first lambing opportunity (NLW1), total weight of lamb weaned during the first lambing opportunity (TWW1), number of lambs born during a ewe’s lifetime (NLB3), number of lambs weaned during a ewe’s lifetime (NLW3), and total weight weaned per ewe’s reproductive life (TWW3) Fixed effects of selection line, birth type, sex, age of the dam in years, year of birth, and the sex*birth year interaction had significant effects on all bodyweight and objectively measured wool traits. Only year of birth and selection line affected ewe reproduction traits. Heritability estimates amounted to 0.10 ± 0.03 for NLB1, 0.07 ± 0.02 for NLW1, 0.10 ± 0.04 for TWW1, 0.25 ± 0.04 for NLB3, 0.12 ± 0.03 for NLW3, and 0.18 ± 0.04 for TWW3. Wool traits were moderately heritable at 0.28 ± 0.05 (staple strength) to 0.60 ± 0.03 (clean yield (CY)) and coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD). Relationships among ewe reproduction traits were high, ranging from 0.74 between TWW1 and NLB3 to 1.00 between NLW1 and TWW1. The genetic relationships of ewe reproduction traits with wool weights and staple length were positive. Fibre diameter (FD) and CY were unfavourably related to ewe reproduction traits. It seems possible to improve ewe reproduction when selecting on NLB, NLW, and TWW in Merino sheep without unwanted correlated response to selection in wool traits, with the exception of FD and CY.Keywords: Bodyweight, heritability, relationship

Genetic parameters for subjectively assessed wool and conformation traits in the Tygerhoek Merino flock

CITATION: Matebesi, P. A., Van Wyk, J. B. & Cloete, S. W. P. 2009. Genetic parameters for subjectively assessed wool and conformation traits in the Tygerhoek Merino flock. South African Journal of Animal Science, 39(3):176-187.The original publication is available at https://www.sasas.co.zaRecords of the Tygerhoek Merino resource flock were used to estimate genetic, phenotypic and environmental parameters for subjectively assessed wool and conformation traits. The database consisted of records of 4 495 animals, the progeny of 449 sires and 1 831 dams born in the period 1989 to 2004. The pedigree records have been collected between 1969 and 2004. Direct heritability estimates (h2a) for subjective wool traits ranged from 0.15 for face cover score to 0.50 for woolly face score. Corresponding h2a for subjective conformation traits ranged from 0.13 for topline (TOPL) to 0.39 for total fold score (TOT). Maternal heritability estimates were all below 10% where applicable. The proportion of the total phenotypic variance due to the maternal permanent environment variance (c2pe) amounted to 5% for general head conformation (GEN). The genetic correlation between animal effects ranged from -0.70 to 0.21 where applicable. Among the subjective wool traits favourable genetic correlations (rg) were estimated between regularity of crimp (ROC) and wool colour (COL) (0.31), for wool quality (QUAL) with ROC (0.49) and COL (0.26) and between staple formation (STAPL) and belly and points (BANDP) (0.58). The relationships between ROC and STAPL (-0.49) and for QUAL with STAPL (-0.45) and BANDP (-0.20) were unfavourable. The noteworthy relationships among subjective conformation traits were those between the conformation of the hind legs and the conformation of the front legs (0.71) and of GEN and TOPL with TOT (-0.31 and -0.47 respectively). The rg of significance between subjective wool and conformation traits were variable in sign and magnitude. These results indicated the possibility to achieve sustained genetic improvement by selection for subjective wool and conformation traits in South African Merino sheep.https://www.sasas.co.za/journals/genetic-parameters-for-subjectively-assessed-wool-and-conformation-traits-in-the-tygerhoek-merino-flock/Publisher's versio

Aflatoxin contamination of groundnuts in Mozambique

The incidence of fungal infection and levels of aflatoxin contamination (produced by Aspergillus flavus) were studied in groundnuts collected from farmers at lifting and after drying/curing, and from traders in Nampula, Mozambique, during 1997-98. Of 34 samples collected at lifting, 13 were contaminated with aflatoxins and 8 had aflatoxin levels >30 µg/kg. Of 30 samples collected after drying, 10 had aflatoxins and 4 had >30 µg/kg. Of 10 samples collected from traders, only 2 had aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin G1 was predominant in samples collected at lifting and aflatoxin B1 in samples collected from traders

Idea-caution before exploitation:the use of cybersecurity domain knowledge to educate software engineers against software vulnerabilities

The transfer of cybersecurity domain knowledge from security experts (‘Ethical Hackers’) to software engineers is discussed in terms of desirability and feasibility. Possible mechanisms for the transfer are critically examined. Software engineering methodologies do not make use of security domain knowledge in its form of vulnerability databases (e.g. CWE, CVE, Exploit DB), which are therefore not appropriate for this purpose. An approach based upon the improved use of pattern languages that encompasses security domain knowledge is proposed

The initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis of new cancers at a large pathology laboratory in the public health sector, Western Cape Province, South Africa

CITATION: Van Wyk, A. C., et al. 2021. The initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis of new cancers at a large pathology laboratory in the public health sector, Western Cape Province, South Africa. South African Medical Journal, 111(6):570-574, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2021.v111i6.15580.Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access FundBackground. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted cancer diagnostic services. A decline in the number of new cancers being diagnosed over a relatively short term implies a delay in diagnosis and subsequent treatment. This delay is expected to have a negative effect on cancerrelated morbidity and mortality. The impact of the pandemic on the number of new cancer diagnoses in our setting is unknown. Objectives. To assess the impact of COVID-19 on the number of new cancers diagnosed at our institution in the first 3 months following the implementation of lockdown restrictions, by focusing on common non-cutaneous cancers. Methods. A retrospective laboratory-based audit was performed at a large anatomical pathology laboratory in Western Cape Province, South Africa. The numbers of new diagnoses for six common cancers (breast, prostate, cervix, large bowel, oesophagus and stomach) from 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020 were compared with the corresponding period in 2019. Results. Histopathological diagnoses for the six cancers combined decreased by 193 (–36.3%), from 532 new cases in the 2019 study period to 339 in the corresponding period in 2020. Substantial declines were seen for prostate (–58.2%), oesophageal (–44.1%), breast (–32.9%), gastric (–32.6%) and colorectal cancer (–29.2%). The smallest decline was seen in cervical cancer (–7%). New breast cancers diagnosed by cytopathology declined by 61.1%. Conclusions. The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated response resulted in a substantial decline in the number of new cancer diagnoses, implying a delay in diagnosis. Cancer-related morbidity and mortality is expected to rise as a result, with the greatest increase in mortality expected from breast and colorectal cancer.http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/13301Publisher's versio

Praziquantel: its use in control of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa and current research needs

Treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) has become virtually the sole basis of schistosomiasis control in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere, and the drug is reviewed here in the context of the increasing rate that it is being used for this purpose. Attention is drawn to our relative lack of knowledge about the mechanisms of action of PZQ at the molecular level, the need for more work to be done on schistosome isolates that have been collected recently from endemic areas rather than those maintained in laboratory conditions for long periods, and our reliance for experimental work mainly on Schistosoma mansoni, little work having been done on S. haematobium. There is no evidence that resistance to PZQ has been induced in African schistosomes as a result of its large-scale use on that continent to date, but there is also no assurance that PZQ and/or schistosomes are in any way unique and that resistant organisms will not be selected as a result of widespread drug usage. The failure of PZQ to produce complete cures in populations given a routine treatment should therefore solicit considerable concern. With few alternatives to PZQ currently available and/or on the horizon, methods to monitor drug-susceptibility in African schistosomes need to be devised and used to help ensure that this drug remains effective for as long a time as possibl

COVID deaths in South Africa: 99 days since South Africa’s first death

Background. Understanding the pattern of deaths from COVID-19 in South Africa (SA) is critical to identifying individuals at high risk of dying from the disease. The Minister of Health set up a daily reporting mechanism to obtain timeous details of COVID-19 deaths from the provinces to track mortality patterns.Objectives. To provide an epidemiological analysis of the first COVID-19 deaths in SA.Methods. Provincial deaths data from 28 March to 3 July 2020 were cleaned, information on comorbidities was standardised, and data were aggregated into a single data set. Analysis was performed by age, sex, province, date of death and comorbidities.Results. SA reported 3 088 deaths from COVID-19, i.e. an age-standardised death rate of 64.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 62.3 - 66.8) deaths per million population. Most deaths occurred in Western Cape (65.5%) followed by Eastern Cape (16.8%) and Gauteng (11.3%). The median age of death was 61 years (interquartile range 52 - 71). Males had a 1.5 times higher death rate compared with females. Individuals with two or more comorbidities accounted for 58.6% (95% CI 56.6 - 60.5) of deaths. Hypertension and diabetes were the most common comorbidities reported, and HIV and tuberculosis were more common in individuals aged <50 years.Conclusions. Data collection for COVID-19 deaths in provinces must be standardised. Even though the data had limitations, these findings can be used by the SA government to manage the pandemic and identify individuals who are at high risk of dying from COVID-19

Somatomedin-C stimulates the phosphorylation of the beta-subunit of its own receptor.

Phosphorylation of the somatomedin-C receptor was investigated both in intact IM-9 cells and in IM-9 cells that had been solubilized with Triton X-100. Intact IM-9 cells were incubated with [32P]H3PO4 for 1 h and for an additional 5 min in the absence or presence of insulin or somatomedin-C. The cells were then solubilized and subjected to wheat germ agglutinin Sepharose chromatography. The extent of phosphorylation of insulin and somatomedin-C receptors was assessed by immunoprecipitating the wheat germ agglutinin Sepharose eluates with monoclonal antibodies specific for each receptor and analyzing the immunoprecipitates by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The beta-subunits of both receptors were phosphorylated in the absence of hormone, and the extent of phosphorylation of each receptor was enhanced by both hormones. However, each hormone was more potent than the other in enhancing phosphorylation of its own receptor. The beta-subunit of the somatomedin-C receptor was also phosphorylated when solubilized IM-9 cells that had been purified on wheat germ agglutinin Sepharose were incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP. In this soluble preparation, phosphorylation occurred on tyrosyl residues and was enhanced by concentrations of somatomedin-C in the range of 2.5 to 250 ng/ml, which is consistent with its receptor affinity. Tyrosyl phosphorylation of the somatomedin-C receptor also occurred when highly purified receptor, prepared by wheat germ agglutinin Sepharose affinity chromatography followed by immunoprecipitation, was incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP. This indicates that the responsible tyrosyl kinase activity is intrinsic to the receptor or tightly associated with it