The toxicity and chemical assay of sterigmatocystin, a carcinogenic mycotoxin, and its isolation from two new fungal sources

No Abstract

Osteogenic tumour in Australopithecus sediba: Earliest hominin evidence for neoplastic disease

We describe the earliest evidence for neoplastic disease in the hominin lineage. This is reported from the type specimen of the extinct hominin Australopithecus sediba from Malapa, South Africa, dated to 1.98 million years ago. The affected individual was male and developmentally equivalent to a human child of 12 to 13 years of age. A penetrating lytic lesion affected the sixth thoracic vertebra. The lesion was macroscopically evaluated and internally imaged through phase-contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography. A comprehensive differential diagnosis was undertaken based on gross- and micro-morphology of the lesion, leading to a probable diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. These neoplasms are solitary, benign, osteoid and bone-forming tumours, formed from well-vascularised connective tissue within which there is active production of osteoid and woven bone. Tumours of any kind are rare in archaeological populations, and are all but unknown in the hominin record, highlighting the importance of this discovery. The presence of this disease at Malapa predates the earliest evidence of malignant neoplasia in the hominin fossil record by perhaps 200 000 years.NCS201

Earliest hominin cancer: 1.7-million-year- old osteosarcoma from Swartkrans Cave, South Africa

The reported incidence of neoplasia in the extinct human lineage is rare, with only a few confirmed cases of Middle or Later Pleistocene dates reported. It has generally been assumed that premodern incidence of neoplastic disease of any kind is rare and limited to benign conditions, but new fossil evidence suggests otherwise. We here present the earliest identifiable case of malignant neoplastic disease from an early human ancestor dated to 1.8–1.6 million years old. The diagnosis has been made possible only by advances in 3D imaging methods as diagnostic aids. We present a case report based on re-analysis of a hominin metatarsal specimen (SK 7923) from the cave site of Swartkrans in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. The expression of malignant osteosarcoma in the Swartkrans specimen indicates that whilst the upsurge in malignancy incidence is correlated with modern lifestyles, there is no reason to suspect that primary bone tumours would have been any less frequent in ancient specimens. Such tumours are not related to lifestyle and often occur in younger individuals. As such, malignancy has a considerable antiquity in the fossil record, as evidenced by this specimen.NCS201

Significant out-of-sample classification from methylation profile scoring for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

We conducted DNA methylation association analyses using Illumina 450K data from whole blood for an Australian amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) case–control cohort (782 cases and 613 controls). Analyses used mixed linear models as implemented in the OSCA software. We found a significantly higher proportion of neutrophils in cases compared to controls which replicated in an independent cohort from the Netherlands (1159 cases and 637 controls). The OSCA MOMENT linear mixed model has been shown in simulations to best account for confounders. When combined in a methylation profile score, the 25 most-associated probes identified by MOMENT significantly classified case–control status in the Netherlands sample (area under the curve, AUC = 0.65, CI95% = [0.62–0.68], p = 8.3 × 10−22). The maximum AUC achieved was 0.69 (CI95% = [0.66–0.71], p = 4.3 × 10−34) when cell-type proportion was included in the predictor

The SARAO MeerKAT 1.3 GHz Galactic Plane Survey

We present the SARAO MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey (SMGPS), a 1.3 GHz continuum survey of almost half of the Galactic Plane (251○ ≤l ≤ 358○ and 2○ ≤l ≤ 61○ at |b| ≤ 1 5). SMGPS is the largest, most sensitive and highest angular resolution 1 GHz survey of the Plane yet carried out, with an angular resolution of 8″ and a broadband RMS sensitivity of ∼10–20 μJy beam−1. Here we describe the first publicly available data release from SMGPS which comprises data cubes of frequency-resolved images over 908–1656 MHz, power law fits to the images, and broadband zeroth moment integrated intensity images. A thorough assessment of the data quality and guidance for future usage of the data products are given. Finally, we discuss the tremendous potential of SMGPS by showcasing highlights of the Galactic and extragalactic science that it permits. These highlights include the discovery of a new population of non-thermal radio filaments; identification of new candidate supernova remnants, pulsar wind nebulae and planetary nebulae; improved radio/mid-IR classification of rare Luminous Blue Variables and discovery of associated extended radio nebulae; new radio stars identified by Bayesian cross-matching techniques; the realisation that many of the largest radio-quiet WISE H II region candidates are not true H II regions; and a large sample of previously undiscovered background H I galaxies in the Zone of Avoidance

Long acting reversible contraception

The lifetime risk of dying due to pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa is 1 in 22. Many of these pregnancies are unintended. Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) has great potential in reducing these pregnancies as they are highly effective and do not rely a great deal on compliance and correct use. They have better continuation rates than short term hormonal contraception and as per definition require administration less than once per cycle or month. Despite these obvious advantages they remain largely underutilized even in developed countries even though being more cost effective. Lack of knowledge and myths amongst women and health professional remain a barrier to their use especially in adolescents at risk for unintended pregnancy. The World Health Organization (WHO) Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use provides guidance to health professionals in selecting the appropriate contraception for women. The LARC methods include copper intrauterine devices (Cu - IUDs), levonorgestrel- intrauterine systems (LNG-IUS), progestogen-only injectable contraceptives (POIC), progestogen-only subdermal implants and combined vaginal rings.Revie

Contraceptives: A guide to product selection

Contraception remains one of the most cost-effective public health measures to reduce rates of maternal and infant mortality. General practitioners (GPs) who provide contraceptive counselling should be able to discuss every eligible contraceptive method for the specific woman. In addition to contraceptive counselling, the GP can address other sexual and reproductive health issues, including the prevention of sexually transmitted infections at the same visit, providing a holistic approach. The World Health Organization (WHO) has online tools available to aid in contraceptive choice. The WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (WHO MEC) provides evidence-based recommendations to ensure that patients are medically fit to use a particular method and can safely select the most appropriate method of contraception. The Faculty of Sexualand Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Effectiveness (NICE) also provide extensive guidelines on the use of various contraceptives. This article guides product choice available in South Africa. © SAAFP.Articl

Emergency contraception - A review

Emergency contraception (EC) can be used as a backup contraceptive to help prevent unintended and unplanned pregnancies after unprotected sexual intercourse. These methods include the use of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) or copper containing intrauterine devices (IUD). These ECPs should not be used as regular contraception. Mifepristone (not available in South Africa as EC) and levonorgestrel are very effective, with few adverse effects, and are preferred to combined oestrogen and progestogen administration. Levonorgestrel can be used in a single dose (1.5 mg) instead of two doses (0.75 mg) 12 hours apart. A Copper IUD can be retained for ongoing contraception. Despite the proven efficacy of ECP, increased access to ECPs enhances use but has not been shown to reduce unintended pregnancy rates at a population level. Further research is needed to explain this finding and to define the best ways to use EC to produce a public health benefit. Efforts should be targeted at vulnerable groups such as adolescents and women presenting for urgent care. At the time of the visit regular contraception should be promoted and initiated.Revie

Contraception for first time users: A problem-orientated guide to product selection and safe prescription

[No abstract available]Revie

Survey of Ochratoxin A in South African Wines

The mycotoxin, ochratoxin A (OTA), an important nephrotoxin, teratogen and carcinogen, is mainly produced as a secondary metabolite of Aspergillus and Penicillium species. The mycotoxin is a common contaminant of various feedstuffs and of foodstuffs such as grains, coffee and wine. The levels of OTA have been established in 122 South African wines, representative of a variety of wine cultivars from various wine-producing regions of the country. The method of analysis was based on the method of Visconti et al. (1999): it consisted of immunoaffinity clean up, quantification on reversed phase HPLC with fluorescence detection and confirmation of the presence of OTA by synthesising its methyl ester.  The levels of OTA of most of the red and white wines were substantially lower than the maximum permissible levels of OTA in wines, as suggested by the European Union. However, high levels of OTA were found in a few noble late harvest wines. This first comprehensive survey unambiguously shows that OTA presents no cause for concern to the South African wine industry