Inflation perceptions and inflation expectation in South Africa: trends, determinants and comparisons (2006–2010)

This paper reports the results of a multinomial analysis of inflation perceptions and inflation expectations in South Africa. Inflation perceptions surveys among South African individuals have been undertaken since 2006. The introduction of these surveys followed on domestic inflation expectation surveys conducted in 2000, and the use of inflation perceptions surveys internationally. Domestic inflation perceptions surveys among individuals are a private initiative undertaken biennially, while domestic inflation expectation surveys among individuals are funded by the South African Reserve Bank and are undertaken quarterly. By comparing the results of domestic inflation perceptions surveys and inflation expectation surveys undertaken since 2006, this paper establishes common characteristics that impact on the formulation of inflation perceptions and inflation expectations. It supplements earlier research that focused only on the results of the 2006 and 2008 perceptions survey results. With the completion of the third biennial inflation perceptions survey in 2010, more data sets are available for the purposes of comparison. Furthermore, the questions on inflation perceptions were expanded in the third survey. Although this provides for a broader basis of analysis between inflation perceptions surveys and inflation expectation surveys, further periodic inflation perceptions survey data will be required to test whether current inflation figures determine and anchor inflation expectations.Key words: inflation, inflation perceptions, inflation expectations, inflation perceptions, inflation surveys, multinomial analysi

A selected history of South African inflation perceptions: The question matters

This paper provides a selected historical overview of inflation perception surveys undertaken in South Africa between 2006 and 2010 with a view to assessing the nature of the link between inflation perceptions and inflation expectations in the latest 2012 survey. These surveys are undertaken to assess the perceptions of respondents on the degree in which historic inflation figures reflect perceptions of actual inflation, and to find some link to inflation expectations. All the earlier pilot studies on inflation perceptions and the representative samples undertaken between 2006 and 2010 (in total six pilot studies, three representative samples and one survey among central bank employees) failed to show any link between inflation perceptions and inflation expectations. These findings cast some doubt on the premise that a policy of inflation targeting anchors inflation expectations in the current rate of inflation and therefore in the announced inflation target policy rate. In response to the earlier survey results, the question on inflation perceptions was put in different ways to respondents in the most-recent (2012) inflation perception survey to retest the hypothesis that inflation perceptions and inflation expectations are linked. The findings of this survey are analysed in this paper. These findings show a possible link to inflation expectations, and will be the subject of further research. The conclusion on the assessment of inflation perceptions is that the question matters.KIM201

Minimally invasive surgery to the aortic arch – endovascular repair combined with debranching: 4 case reports

Traditional repair of aortic arch aneurysms requires cardiopulmonary bypass and a period of profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest - allowing detachment of the head vessels off the aneurysm, and their anastomosis onto the graft. The procedure is safe and reproducible, however morbidity is significant and includes air embolism, stroke, excessive bleeding and acidosis. In addition the procedures are time-consuming, and cardioplegic arrest is also necessary, resulting in the potential for low cardiac output. Aortic arch aneurysms are not typically suitable for endovascular intervention. With improving techniques of descending aortic repair with stent grafts, hybrid techniques, which involve aortic arch debranching - thereby creating a proximal landing zone of adequate length, followed by stenting over the aortic arch are becoming popular. Methods: Four cases are presented. The technique involves initial sternotomy or upper sternal split, detachment of the innominate and left common carotid arteries, and their reattachment to the ascending aorta by separate grafts (debranching procedure). During this time a side clamp is placed on the ascending aorta. The left subclavian is usually left intact for technical reasons, unless there is a dominant left vertebral artery. This is safe as the shoulder has adequate collateral circulation, and stenting over this vessel is therefore well tolerated. The aortic arch is then completely covered with a stent graft which is inserted via the femoral artery. Arteriography was performed at the end of the procedure to confirm stent graft position and exclusion of the lesion. Results: All surgical transpositions were successful, and the patients recovered without neurologic, bleeding or cardiac complications. Surgical conversion for aortic graft was never required. There were no endoleaks. Mean duration of follow up was 53.5 months (range 21-77). Conclusions: Endovascular repair of the descending thoracic aorta, initially reserved for inoperable patients, is now becoming the accepted initial management. With improved technology and endografts it is now the safest option, especially for traumatic dissection. These techniques have now extended to the aortic arch. Debranching of the aortic arch enables endovascular grafting in this area, thereby avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest. Good pre-operative planning is necessary to make the procedure feasible

An Unusual Case of Human Rabies Thought to be of Chiropteran Origin

On 21 February 1970 a White male patient died in the H. F. Verwoerd Hospital, Pretoria after a 5-day illness diagnosed clinically as rabies. The source of exposure to the disease was reported to be a bat bite sustained approximately 5 weeks earlier. Fluorescent antibody (FA) tests using standard conjugate on the deceased's brain were negative but Negri bodies were found histologically in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. A strain of rabies virus not demonstrable with standard FA conjugate was isolated from brain tissue. Specific FA conjugate prepared from this virus revealed the presence of typical rabies fluorescent inclusions in the brain of the deceased

Comorbidity in context: Part 1. Medical considerations around HIV and tuberculosis during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa

Infectious diseases pandemics have devastating health, social and economic consequences, especially in developing countries such as South Africa. Scarce medical resources must often be rationed effectively to contain the disease outbreak. In the case of COVID-19, even the best-resourced countries will have inadequate intensive care facilities for the large number of patients needing admission and ventilation. The scarcity of medical resources creates the need for national governments to establish admission criteria that are evidence-based and fair. Questions have been raised whether infection with HIV or tuberculosis (TB) may amplify the risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes and therefore whether these conditions should be factored in when deciding on the rationing of intensive care facilities. In light of these questions, clinical evidence regarding inclusion of these infections as comorbidities relevant to intensive care unit admission triage criteria is investigated in the first of a two-part series of articles. There is currently no evidence to indicate that HIV or TB infection on their own predispose to an increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 or worse outcomes for COVID-19. It is recommended that, as for other medical conditions, validated scoring systems for poor prognostic factors should be applied. A subsequent article examines the ethicolegal implications of limiting intensive care access of persons living with HIV or TB

Comorbidity in context: Part 2. Ethicolegal considerations around HIV and tuberculosis during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought discussions around the appropriate and fair rationing of scare resources to the forefront. This is of special importance in a country such as South Africa (SA), where scarce resources interface with high levels of need. A large proportion of the SA population has risk factors associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes. Many people are also potentially medically and socially vulnerable secondary to the high levels of infection with HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in the country. This is the second of two articles. The first examined the clinical evidence regarding the inclusion of HIV and TB as comorbidities relevant to intensive care unit (ICU) admission triage criteria. Given the fact that patients with HIV or TB may potentially be excluded from admission to an ICU on the basis of an assumption of lack of clinical suitability for critical care, in this article we explore the ethicolegal implications of limiting ICU access of persons living with HIV or TB. We argue that all allocation and rationing decisions must be in terms of SA law, which prohibits unfair discrimination. In addition, ethical decision-making demands accurate and evidence-based strategies for the fair distribution of limited resources. Rationing decisions and processes should be fair and based on visible and consistent criteria that can be subjected to objective scrutiny, with the ultimate aim of ensuring accountability, equity and fairness

Dinosaur tracks in Triassic Molteno sediments: the earliest evidence of dinosaurs in South Africa?

A fossil tracksite containing well-preserved tridactyl footprints of bipedal theropod dinosaurs is reported from fluvial overbank deposits of Molteno age (Stormberg Group: Triassic) in the northeastern Cape Province, South Africa. They occur stratigraphically below the mudrocks of the Elliot Formation, in which dinosaur remains are comparatively common, and are taken to represent the earliest evidence for dinosaurs in South Africa. They also represent the earliest unequivocal evidence of tetrapods in Molteno deposits.Foundation for Research Development; Trustees of the Port Elizabeth Museu

The peripartum management of a 32-year-old patient presenting at 34 weeks’ gestation with unrepaired cyanotic heart disease

CITATION: Rossouw, J. N., et al. 2018. The peripartum management of a 32-year-old patient presenting at 34 weeks’ gestation with unrepaired cyanotic heart disease. South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 24(2):36-39, doi:10.7196/sajog.1265.The original publication is available at http://www.sajog.org.zaENGLISH ABSTRACT: Unrepaired cyanotic heart disease is considered a high-risk lesion owing to the consequent increase in maternal and fetal complications. In the presence of pulmonary hypertension, maternal mortality approaching 50% has been reported, and pregnancy is therefore considered contraindicated. We present a case of a 32-year-old woman presenting at 34 weeks’ gestation in heart failure due to newly diagnosed cyanotic complex cardiac disease. The diagnosis of left atrial isomerism with a common atrium, single atrioventricular valve, and a restrictive ventricular septum defect was made. Cyanosis was due to mixing at atrial level, without features of Eisenmenger’s syndrome. Her intrapartum multidisciplinary management is described in detail. The patient was discharged home in a condition similar to her baseline, together with her healthy neonate.http://www.sajog.org.za/index.php/SAJOG/article/view/1265Publisher's versio

Lupus nephritis. Part I. Histopathological classification, activity and chronicity scores

CITATION: Bates, W. D. et al. 1991. Lupus nephritis. Part I. Histopathological classification, activity and chronicity scores. South African Medical Journal, 79:256-259.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaRenal biopsy has made a major contribution to the understanding and management of patients with lupus nephritis. In a 5-year retrospective study the renal morphology of 55 biopsies from 51 patients with lupus nephritis was classified acccrding to World Health Organisation criteria. In addition, semi-quantitative activity and chronicity scores were documented. The findings were similar to series from other parts of the world. Of the biopsies reviewed, 6 were class II, 13 class III, 32 class IV and 4 class V. In situations of overlap, segmental proliferative features determined the class to which a biopsy specimen was assigned. Twenty-five of the patients, all WHO class IV, showed activity scores in the severe range. Most of the activity score features were common and easily recognised but necrotising angiitis was only seen in 1 patient. Haematoxylin bodies were difficult to document and the nature and value of the haematoxylin body is questioned.Publisher’s versio

The interplay between strategic drivers and neoliberalism in South African higher education

The VUCA world which refers to ‘volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity’ forces higher education institutions (HEIs) to be aware and understand strategic drivers. Further knowledge of the interplay between strategic drivers, neoliberalism, and ‘public good’ can assist HEIs not to seize the notion of furthering the neoliberal agenda at all cost, but to strive for a more balanced outcome. This article attempts to explore how strategic drivers can act as a ‘reality check’ to ensure that HEIs serve the interests of the communities and that of society in general, and that higher education does not become a mechanism to serve the neoliberal agenda above all else. This is a conceptual article in which a reflective, dialectical approach was employed, extrapolating on a PhD study on strategic drivers for South African HEIs. Strategic drivers are confirmed as key forces the South African HEIs should reckon with and manage in pursuing the socio-economic agenda within the growing popularity of neoliberalism. Contribution: This study alerts South African HEIs and institutions internationally on using strategic drivers to transform in serving the socio-economic agenda and the ‘public good’ in the midst of the neoliberal