Nutritional environment at secondary schools in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Objective: The objective was to determine the nutritional environment at secondary schools in Bloemfontein, Free State province.Design: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study.Subjects and setting: The subjects were secondary school principals in Bloemfontein, Free State province, in 2006.Method: Principals of 10 secondary schools who were already participating in a larger study on 26 schools completed structured questionnaireson nutrition practices.Results: Four schools utilised nutrition education programmes. None had vending machines. Two schools sold dairy products. Biscuits andchocolates were sold at eight schools, and sweets, crisps and fast food at all of the schools.Conclusion: The nutrition environment at Bloemfontein secondary schools does not support healthy eating habits. Nutrition policies need tobe introduced to improve the nutritional environment at schools as the available food for learners at the tuck shops and/or via the vendorswas mostly unhealthy

Book Reviews

Die hartJou Harl en Lewe. Deur A. J. Brink. Bl. 248. Gemustreer. RI6,95. Pretoria: Femina. 1982.The physiology of digestionExperiments and Observations on the Gastric Juice and the Physiology of Digestion. By William Beaumonr. 1st ed. 1&33. Reprinted in facsimile for the Classics ofMedicine Library, Division of Gryphon Editions Ltd, Birmingham, Alabama, 1980.Bone in Clinical Orthopaedics: A Study in ComparativeOsteology. Ed. by G. Sumner-Smith. Pp. xvi + 435. Illustrated. R94,25. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders. 1982.Tamoxifen in breast cancerThe Role of Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer. Ed. by S. Iacobelli, M. E. Lippman and G. R. Della Cuna. Pp. xii + 124. Illustrated. 523,12. New York: Raven Press. 1982.Under the Influence. A History ofNitrous Oxide and OxygenAnaesthesia. By W. D. A. Smith. Pp. xxviii + 188. Illustrated. R33,50. London: Macmillan. 1982.Clinical internal medicine in the agedClinical Internal Medicine in the Aged. By R. W. Schrier. Pp. vii + 324. Illustrated. R61,-. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders. 1982.Genital Infection by Chlamydia Trachomatis (Current Topicsin Infection, No. 2). By J. D. Oriel and G. L. Ridgway. Pp. viii + 144. Illustrated. R32,20. London: Edward Arnold. 1982.Placental Function Tests. By T. Chard and A. Klopper. Pp. viii + 94. Illustrated. DM42,-. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. 1982.Therapeutic Heat and Cold. 3rd ed. Ed. by J. F. Lehmann. Pp. xiv + 641. Illustrated. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins. 1982

Risk assessment of birds foraging terrestrially at Marion and Gough Islands to primary and secondary poisoning by rodenticides

Context. Aerial application of poison bait pellets is an established and widely used method for removing invasive rodents and restoring insular ecological processes. However, the non-target effects of saturation poisoning require very careful consideration and precautionary risk-avoidance strategies. Aims. We assessed the risk of primary and secondary poisoning by rodenticides to terrestrially foraging lesser sheathbills (Chionis minor marionensis), Gough moorhens (Gallinula comeri) and Gough buntings (Rowettia goughensis) at Marion and Gough Islands. Methods. Birds taken into temporary captivity were offered non-toxic bait pellets dyed different colours and the carcasses of house mice (Mus musculus). In addition, dead mice were offered to these three species in the field, as well as to sub-Antarctic skuas (Catharacta antarctica) at both islands. Response to captivity was assessed by daily weighings. Key results. Individual birds either gained or lost mass overall during their 4–7 days in captivity. Whereas all captive birds pecked at the pellets, minimal amounts were consumed. However, Gough moorhens offered pellets in the field did consume them. Sheathbills (in captivity and in the field) and moorhens (in the field) consumed mouse carcasses, whereas buntings in captivity ate little from them. Sub-Antarctic skuas offered mouse carcasses in the field at both islands readily consumed them. At Gough Island some, but not all, skuas consumed bait in the field. Conclusions. Although the levels of assessed risk to primary and secondary poisoning differed among the three main species studied, it is recommended that populations for subsequent reintroduction be taken into temporary captivity before and during a poison-bait exercise as a precautionary measure. It is not deemed necessary to take sub-Antarctic skuas into captivity because they will be largely absent during a poisoning exercise in winter (the most likely period). Implications. Captive studies to assess susceptibility to primary and secondary poisoning are useful for determining positive risk; however, cage effects can cause false negatives by altering behaviours, and should be conducted with complimentary field trials. Where endemic species show any degree of risk (e.g. are vulnerable to the poison, regardless of how it might be ingested), precaution dictates that the risk be mitigated.Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biolog

Perceived Barriers to Application of Glycaemic Index: Valid Concerns or Lost in Translation?

The term glycaemic-index (GI) originally appeared in the literature in the early 1980s. GI categorizes carbohydrate according to glycaemic effect postprandially. Since its inception, GI has obtained and maintained interest of academics and clinicians globally. Upon review of GI literature, it becomes clear that the clinical utility of GI is a source of controversy. Can and should GI be applied clinically? There are academics and clinicians on both sides of the argument. Certainly, this controversy has been a stimulus for the evolution of GI methodology and application research, but may also negatively impact clinicians’ perception of GI if misunderstood. This article reviews two assessments of GI that are often listed as barriers to application; the GI concept is (1) too complex and (2) too difficult for clients to apply. The literature reviewed does not support the majority of purported barriers, but does indicate that there is a call from clinicians for more and improved GI education tools and clinician GI education. The literature indicates that the Registered Dietitian (RD) can play a key role in GI knowledge translation; from research to application. Research is warranted to assess GI education tool and knowledge needs of clinicians and the clients they serve

Revival of the magnetar PSR J1622-4950: observations with MeerKAT, Parkes, XMM-Newton, Swift, Chandra, and NuSTAR

New radio (MeerKAT and Parkes) and X-ray (XMM-Newton, Swift, Chandra, and NuSTAR) observations of PSR J1622-4950 indicate that the magnetar, in a quiescent state since at least early 2015, reactivated between 2017 March 19 and April 5. The radio flux density, while variable, is approximately 100x larger than during its dormant state. The X-ray flux one month after reactivation was at least 800x larger than during quiescence, and has been decaying exponentially on a 111+/-19 day timescale. This high-flux state, together with a radio-derived rotational ephemeris, enabled for the first time the detection of X-ray pulsations for this magnetar. At 5%, the 0.3-6 keV pulsed fraction is comparable to the smallest observed for magnetars. The overall pulsar geometry inferred from polarized radio emission appears to be broadly consistent with that determined 6-8 years earlier. However, rotating vector model fits suggest that we are now seeing radio emission from a different location in the magnetosphere than previously. This indicates a novel way in which radio emission from magnetars can differ from that of ordinary pulsars. The torque on the neutron star is varying rapidly and unsteadily, as is common for magnetars following outburst, having changed by a factor of 7 within six months of reactivation.Comment: Published in ApJ (2018 April 5); 13 pages, 4 figure

Vinflunine: a new active drug for second-line treatment of advanced breast cancer. Results of a phase II and pharmacokinetic study in patients progressing after first-line anthracycline/taxane-based chemotherapy

To evaluate the single agent activity, pharmacokinetics and tolerability of the novel tubulin targeted agent vinflunine (VFL) (320 mg m−2 q 21 days) as second-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC). All patients had disease progression after anthracycline/taxane (A/T) therapy. They could have received a nonanthracycline adjuvant treatment and subsequently received a first-line A/T combination for advanced/metastatic disease; or relapsed >6 months after completion of adjuvant A/T therapy and were subsequently treated with the alternative agent; or relapsed within 6 months from an adjuvant A/T combination. Objective response was documented in 18 of 60 patients enrolled (RR: 30% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18.9–43.2%)). Among the responders, seven patients had relapsed during a period of <3 months from taxane-based regimen yielding a RR of 33.3%. The median duration of response was 4.8 months (95% CI: 4.2–7.2), median progression-free survival was 3.7 months (95% CI: 2.8–4.2) and median overall survival was 14.3 months (95% CI: 9.2–19.6). The most frequent adverse event was neutropenia (grade 3 in 28.3% and grade 4 in 36.7% of patients). No febrile neutropenia was observed. Fatigue (grade 3 in 16.7% of patients) and constipation (grade 3 in 11.7% of patients) were also common; these were non-cumulative and manageable permitting achievement of a good relative dose intensity of 93.5%. Vinflunine is an active agent with acceptable tolerance in the management of MBC patients previously treated with (A/T)-based regimens. These encouraging phase II results warrant further investigation of this novel agent in combination with other active agents in this setting or in earlier stages of disease

Estación Experimental de Aula Dei. Memoria anual 2014

67 Pags.Esta memoria recoge la actividad científica de la Estación Experimental de Aula Dei (EEAD-CSIC) durante el año 2014, conteniendo información específica sobre las siguientes actividades de la EEAD-CSIC: Publicaciones (ISI y no ISI; Actas de congresos; Libros y Capítulos de Libro), Transferencia tecnológica, Tesis, Congresos, Cursos, Seminarios, Estancias, Actividades de cultura científica, Eventos. Incluye, además, un informe de financiación, directorio del personal en activo durante el año y tabla-resumen de las estadísticas relacionadas con los procesos técnicos y servicios de la Unidad Técnica de Biblioteca y Documentación.Peer reviewe

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