Die invloed van die tipe en hoeveelheid dieetvet op die vlakke en samestelling van plasmalipoproteiene van blou-ape (Cercopithicus aethiops)

Proefskrif (M. Sc.) -- Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 1987.Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record

The effect of N-3 fatty acid (fish oil) supplementation on plasma lipoprotein and arterial lipids in Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) with established atherosclerosis

Dissertation (Ph. D.) -- University of Stellenbosch, 1996.One copy microfiche.Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record

Minerals, antinutrients content and the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc in cooked, spontaneously fermented-dried, and blanched-dried dark green leafy vegetables commonly consumed in Sub-Saharan Africa

Iron and zinc deficiencies remain a significant problem in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at determining mineral, antinutrient contents of differently processed ALVs, and the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc from cooked, blanched-dried, as well as spontaneously fermented-dried ALVs. Mineral and antinutrient contents of ALVs were analysed and the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc from ALVs were analysed by in vitro dialysability assay. Iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium contents of the ALVs were high. Compared to cooked vegetables, both spontaneously fermented-dried and blanched-dried vegetables had significantly lower levels of condensed tannins, while significantly lower total phenolic contents were found in blanched-dried vegetables. Compared to cooked counterparts, percentage iron and zinc bioaccessibilities in spontaneously fermented-dried and blanched-dried ALVs showed no significant (p > 0.05) differences except for iron in Ethiopian kale and zinc in amaranth. Based on data from this study, it is recommended that ALVS should be consumed concurrently with iron and zinc enhancers to enhance bioaccessibility.ISSN:1475-332

The effects of anti-inflammatory agents as host-directed adjunct treatment of tuberculosis in humans : a systematic review and meta-analysis

CITATION: Hayford, F. E. A., et al. 2020. The effects of anti-inflammatory agents as host-directed adjunct treatment of tuberculosis in humans : a systematic review and meta-analysis. Respiratory Research, 21:223, doi:10.1186/s12931-020-01488-9.The original publication is available at https://respiratory-research.biomedcentral.comBackground: The potential role of adjunctive anti-inflammatory therapy to enhance tuberculosis (TB) treatment has recently received increasing interest. There is, therefore, a need to broadly examine current host-directed therapies (HDTs) that could accelerate treatment response and improve TB outcomes. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis included randomised controlled trials of vitamin D and other HDT agents in patients receiving antibiotic treatment for pulmonary TB. Sputum smear conversion rate at 4–8 weeks was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included blood indices associated with infectivity and inflammation, chest radiology and incidence of adverse events. Results: Fifty-five studies were screened for eligibility after the initial search, which yielded more than 1000 records. Of the 2540 participants in the 15 trials included in the meta-analysis, 1898 (74.7%) were male, and the age at entry ranged from 18 to 70 years. There was a 38% significantly (RR 1.38, 95% CI = 1.03–1.84) increased sputum smear negativity in patients administered with vitamin D in addition to standard TB treatment than those receiving only the TB treatment. Patients treated with other HDT anti-inflammatory agents in addition to TB treatment also had a 29% significantly increased sputum smear conversion rate (RR 1.29, 95% CI = 1.09–1.563). Lymphocyte to monocyte ratio was significantly higher in the vitamin D treatment groups compared to the controls (3.52 vs 2.70, 95% CI for difference 0.16–1.11, p = 0.009) and (adjusted mean difference 0.4, 95% CI 0.2 -- 0.6; p = 0.001); whilst tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) showed a trend towards a reduction in prednisolone (p < 0.001) and pentoxifylline (p = 0.27) treatment groups. Vitamin D and N-acetylcysteine also accelerated radiographic resolution in treatment compared to placebo at 8 weeks. No differences were observed in the occurrence of adverse events among all HDT treatments. Conclusions: Vitamin D and other anti-inflammatory HDT medications used as adjunct TB treatment may be well tolerated and effective. They significantly improved sputum smear conversion rate and chest radiological appearance, and also exhibited an inflammation resolution effect.https://respiratory-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12931-020-01488-9Publisher's versio

Adjusting haemoglobin values for altitude maximizes combined sensitivity and specificity to detect iron deficiency among women of reproductive age in Johannesburg, South Africa

In South Africa, haemoglobin (Hb) is measured to screen for iron deficiency (ID). However, low levels of Hb are only a late stage indicator of ID. Furthermore, Hb values are generally not adjusted for altitude even though recommended by WHO. We determined the Hb threshold with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for detecting ID among South African women living at 1700 m above sea level. In a cross-sectional study of 492 18–25-year-old women, we measured Hb and iron status biomarkers. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, we determined the Hb threshold with maximum Youden Index for detecting ID. This threshold of <12.35 g/dL resulted in a 37.2% anaemia prevalence (20.9% IDA), and sensitivity and specificity of 55.7% and 73.9%, respectively. The WHO altitude-adjusted threshold of <12.5 g/dL resulted in a 39% anaemia prevalence (21.3% IDA), and sensitivity and specificity of 56.8% and 70.8%, respectively. In contrast, using the unadjusted Hb cut-off of <12 g/dL resulted in a 18.5% anaemia prevalence (12.6% IDA), and sensitivity and specificity of 35.1% and 88.6%, respectively. In this sample of South African women of reproductive age an Hb threshold <12.35 g/dL had the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for detecting ID. The diagnostic performance of this Receiver operating characteristic curve-determined threshold was comparable to the altitude-adjusted threshold proposed by WHO. Thus, clinical and public health practice in South Africa should adopt adjustment of Hb for altitude to avoid underestimation of ID and missing women in need for interventio

Adjusting Haemoglobin Values for Altitude Maximizes Combined Sensitivity and Specificity to Detect Iron Deficiency among Women of Reproductive Age in Johannesburg, South Africa

In South Africa, haemoglobin (Hb) is measured to screen for iron deficiency (ID). However, low levels of Hb are only a late stage indicator of ID. Furthermore, Hb values are generally not adjusted for altitude even though recommended by WHO. We determined the Hb threshold with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for detecting ID among South African women living at 1700 m above sea level. In a cross-sectional study of 492 18–25-year-old women, we measured Hb and iron status biomarkers. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, we determined the Hb threshold with maximum Youden Index for detecting ID. This threshold of <12.35 g/dL resulted in a 37.2% anaemia prevalence (20.9% IDA), and sensitivity and specificity of 55.7% and 73.9%, respectively. The WHO altitude-adjusted threshold of <12.5 g/dL resulted in a 39% anaemia prevalence (21.3% IDA), and sensitivity and specificity of 56.8% and 70.8%, respectively. In contrast, using the unadjusted Hb cut-off of <12 g/dL resulted in a 18.5% anaemia prevalence (12.6% IDA), and sensitivity and specificity of 35.1% and 88.6%, respectively. In this sample of South African women of reproductive age an Hb threshold <12.35 g/dL had the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for detecting ID. The diagnostic performance of this Receiver operating characteristic curve-determined threshold was comparable to the altitude-adjusted threshold proposed by WHO. Thus, clinical and public health practice in South Africa should adopt adjustment of Hb for altitude to avoid underestimation of ID and missing women in need for intervention

Female rats consuming an iron and omega-3 fatty acid deficient diet preconception require combined iron and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for the prevention of bone impairments in offspring

We previously showed in rats that pre- and postnatal deficiencies in iron and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids can impair bone development, with additive and potentially irreversible effects when combined. This study aimed to investigate, in female rats consuming a combined iron and n-3 fatty acid deficient (ID + n-3 FAD) diet preconception, whether supplementation with iron and docosahexaenoic/eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA/EPA), alone and in combination, can prevent bone impairments in offspring. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, female Wistar rats consuming an ID + n-3 FAD diet preconception were randomised to receive an: 1) iron supplemented (Fe + n-3 FAD), 2) DHA/EPA supplemented (ID + DHA/EPA), 3) Fe + DHA/EPA, or 4) ID + n-3 FAD diet from gestational day 10 throughout pregnancy and lactation. Post-weaning, offspring (n = 24/group; male:female = 1:1) remained on the respective experimental diets for three weeks until postnatal day 42-45. Offspring born to female rats consuming a control diet preconception and an Fe+DHA/EPA diet throughout pregnancy and lactation served as non-deficient reference group (Control+Fe+DHA/EPA). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bone strength using three-point bending tests. Only offspring in the Fe+DHA/EPA group had significantly higher spine and femur BMD, and higher femur stiffness than offspring in the ID + n-3 FAD group, and had similar spine BMD and femur stiffness as the Control + Fe + DHA/EPA group. Offspring in the Fe + DHA/EPA group further had significantly higher femur strength (ultimate load) than the other experimental groups, and a similar femur strength as the Control + Fe + DHA/EPA group. This study shows that only combined iron and DHA/EPA supplementation can prevent bone impairments in offspring of female rats consuming an iron and n-3 FA deficient diet preconception.</p