Development of predictive equations for total body water using the deuterium-dilution method as the gold standard in a population of asymptomatic HIV-positive Zulu women in South Africa

Objectives: The study aimed to derive predictive equations for total body water determinations with bioelectrical impedance and anthropometricmeasurements in a population of asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -positive Zulu women.Design: Cross-sectional data from within an ongoing prospective study that observed the effect of infant feeding mode on maternal and childhealth in a cohort of asymptomatic HIV-positive women were used for this objective.Setting: A community health centre in Durban.Subjects: Asymptomatic HIV-infected women who were not eligible for antiretroviral therapy. They were resident in the area and were of Zuluethnicity.Outcome measures: Development of predictive equations for total body water.Results: Success was achieved in developing predictive equations for total body water using bioelectrical impedance analysis andanthropometric measurements that were specific to the HIV-positive female Zulu population. These equations were developed using the totalbody water that was obtained from deuterium-dilution method as a gold standard.Conclusion: These predictive equations are likely to be more valid for the HIV-positive female African populations of similar build than thecurrent predictive equations that derive from the Western population

Resilience to droughts in mammals: a conceptual framework for estimating vulnerability of a single species

The frequency and severity of droughts in certain areas is increasing as a consequence of climate change. The associated environmental challenges, including high temperatures, low food, and water availability, have affected, and will affect, many populations. Our aims are to review the behavioral, physiological, and morphological adaptations of mammals to arid environments, and to aid researchers and nature conservationists about which traits they should study to assess whether or not their study species will be able to cope with droughts. We provide a suite of traits that should be considered when making predictions about species resilience to drought. We define and differentiate between general adaptations, specialized adaptations, and exaptations, and argue that specialized adaptations are of little interest in establishing how nondesert specialists will cope with droughts. Attention should be placed on general adaptations of semidesert species and assess whether these exist as exaptations in nondesert species. We conclude that phenotypic flexibility is the most important general adaptation that may promote species resilience. Thus, to assess whether a species will be able to cope with increasing aridity, it is important to establish the degree of flexibility of traits identified in semidesert species that confer a fitness advantage under drying conditions

Detection of Presumptive Pathogens in Ground Beef from Supermarket and Farmers\u27 Market Sources

This study investigates whether specific pathogens are more prevalent in retail meat sold by supermarkets compared to locally sourced markets. Ground beef samples were obtained from conventional ‘big box’ supermarkets and from local, farmers’ markets and examined for the presence of two pathogens, Escherichia coli O157,H7 and Salmonella. For the detection of E. coli O157,H7, homogenized meat samples were enriched overnight in modified EC medium with novobiocin. The enriched cultures were selected onto MacConkey agar with sorbitol, cefixime and tellurite. Presumptive positive colonies were subcultured onto tryptic soy agar with yeast extract and further tested for positive indole and motility, and negative oxidase reactions. For Salmonella detection, homogenized meat samples were incubated first in universal pre-enrichment broth, then enriched overnight in Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth, and further plated onto Salmonella selective medium. Presumptive Salmonella colonies were further incubated on triple sugar iron agar and lysine iron agar to confirm glucose fermentation, sulfide production, and lysine decarboxylase. Oxidase assays were conducted on all presumptive strains. Presumptive colonies of both E. coli and Salmonella were subjected to rapid identification assays and serological tests to confirm identity. Isolates were then tested for antibiotic sensitivity using the Kirby-Bauer assay. The presence of E. coli O157 was observed in one sample of meat sourced from a supermarket, and Salmonella was isolated from ground beef purchased from a different retail supermarket. Neither pathogen was detected from ground beef sourced from farmers’ markets. Our preliminary results demonstrate a potential difference in the prevalence of both E. coli O157 and Salmonella species based upon food source

Problem solving in animals: proposal for an ontogenetic perspective

Problem solving, the act of overcoming an obstacle to obtain an incentive, has been studied in a wide variety of taxa, and is often based on simple strategies such as trial-and-error learning, instead of higher-order cognitive processes, such as insight. There are large variations in problem solving abilities between species, populations and individuals, and this variation could arise due to differences in development, and other intrinsic (genetic, neuroendocrine and aging) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. However, experimental studies investigating the ontogeny of problem solving are lacking. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of problem solving from an ontogenetic perspective. The focus is to highlight aspects of problem solving that have been overlooked in the current literature, and highlight why developmental influences of problem-solving ability are particularly important avenues for future investigation. We argue that the ultimate outcome of solving a problem is underpinned by interacting cognitive, physiological and behavioural components, all of which are affected by ontogenetic factors. We emphasise that, due to the large number of confounding ontogenetic influences, an individual-centric approach is important for a full understanding of the development of problem solving

Acceptance of a complementary food prepared with yellow, provitamin A-biofortified maize by black caregivers in rural KwaZulu-Natal

Objectives: The objective was to assess the sensory acceptability and consumer perceptions of soft porridge made with yellow, provitamin A-biofortified maize by black African female infant caregivers from rural KwaZulu-Natal.Design: This was a cross-sectional study.Setting: The study was conducted at Edendale Hospital, located in the uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal province. The hospital serves a high proportion of people from rural areas in this district.Subjects: Sixty black African female infant caregivers participated in the study.Outcome measures: The sensory acceptability of soft porridge made from two varieties of provitamin-A biofortified maize and one variety of white maize were evaluated by black African female infant caregivers (n = 60) using a five-point facial hedonic scale. Some of the subjects (n = 21) participated in focus group discussions to assess consumer perceptions.Results: There was no significant difference in the sensory acceptability of the biofortified maize porridge and the white maize porridge, irrespective of caregiver age (p-value > 0.05). The caregivers expressed a willingness to give their infants porridge made with provitamin A-biofortified maize if it was more affordable, readily available and beneficial to health.Conclusion: The biofortified maize soft porridge was found to be as  acceptable as the white maize soft porridge to black African female infant caregivers from rural KwaZulu-Natal. Provitamin A-biofortified maize has the potential to be used as a complementary food item that would contribute to the alleviation of vitamin A deficiency

The impact of climate change on maternal and child health

It can be argued that there are three colliding pandemics that are currently affecting the planet and its people: COVID-19, global inequities and climate change. Regrettably, these are all the result of human action or inaction and are preventable. The United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP26), held in November 2021 in Glasgow, addressed some of these issues. Prince Charles called this meeting the ‘last chance saloon to save the planet.’ e main objective of COP26 was to reduce global heating and limit global warming to the target maximum temperature of 1.5-degree Celsius above preindustrial levels. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), since the late 19th century, the earth surface temperature rose by.18 degrees Celsius, caused by increased carbon dioxide and other emissions into the atmosphere, with the years 2016 and 2020 being tied as the warmest years on record. However, many, including a group of scientists called ‘Scientist Rebellion’ were not convinced that COP26 would make any di erence to the warming of the planet. President of COP26, Alok Sharma admitted that the objective of the conference was not reached but remained cautiously optimistic: “We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5 degrees alive. But its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action”.https://www.obstetricsandgynaecologyforum.comam2023Obstetrics and Gynaecolog