Tick paralysis: regional neurological involvement caused by Hyalomma truncatum

No Abstrac

An evaluation of the leadership effectiveness among production supervisors at selected pharmaceutical organisations in Port Elizabeth

Effective leadership is one of the most important factors that influence the performance of an organisation. Effective leadership together with supervision are similar in terms of their influence of others towards achieving the goals of the organisation. Therefore, effective leadership and supervision are principal activities through which organisational goals and objectives are achieved. The main objectives of this study are firstly to evaluate the leadership effectiveness of production supervisors at Lennon and Intramed. Secondly, to suggest recommendations to management to improve or eliminate shortcomings in the leadership effectiveness of the production supervisors at Lennon and Intramed. In this way, a contribution to the overall leadership effectiveness of the production supervisors at Lennon and Intramed is achieved. In order to achieve the said objectives, the following methodology was employed: Firstly, guidelines for effective leadership were identified by means of evaluating existing literature and theory. This was achieved by critically examining existing leadership theories and models. The major contributions, disadvantages, and advantages of each of these theories and models were evaluated which resulted in the list of guidelines for effective leadership. Secondly, the pharmaceutical industry and the theory surrounding supervision were critically examined and discussed. Attention was given to the pharmaceutical industry in South Africa, with special reference to Lennon and Intramed. The theory of supervision was examined with special focus on the skills, functions, power, and responsibilities of the supervisor. Thirdly, a postal questionnaire was used to gather the required empirical information. The response obtained from the questionnaire was critically evaluated against the guidelines for effective leadership and effective supervision, and the results were graphically represented in a company leadership profile. Lennon and Intramed were evaluated separately, and the major differences and similarities between the two organisations were critically evaluated. Lastly, the main findings and recommendations were formulated in order to remedy the shortcomings that were identified. The following recommendations may lead to more effective leadership among production supervisors at Lennon and Intramed: It is necessary that this study be made available to the supervisors at Lennon and Intramed, as it will give them insight into the theory of leadership and what effective leadership is about. It will furthermore give the supervisors an insight into the way that their subordinates view their leadership behaviour and effectiveness. It is further recommended that the information from this study be made available through sensitisation sessions where the necessary information is presented to a group or individual supervisors. Leadership training and development is required as it can make a meaningful contribution to equip supervisors with the necessary leadership skills to practise effective leadership. This leadership training and development can be done by means of short courses presented by a formal training institution, or by a suitably qualified in-house presenter. The last recommendation to leadership effectiveness involves the implementation of a performance management system and incentive scheme to further motivate and drive the supervisor’s leadership behaviour towards effective leadership

Predictors of learner performance in mathematics and science according to a large-scale study in Mpumalanga

Eight hundred and ninety-nine (431 male, 467 female and one missing value) Grade 8 and 9 (n = 184 and 713, respectively, with two missing values) learners from secondary schools in Mpumalanga completed a science and mathematics questionnaire. Student's t tests showed that male and female, as well as language groups' scores, differed significantly. Stepwise non-linear regression shows that a combination of factors contributes significantly to learner, science and mathematics performance (R2 = 25%, 20%, and 11%, respectively). South African Journal of Education Vol. 26(2) 2006: 229–25

Flow cytometric comparison of platelets from a whole blood and finger-prick sample : impact of 24 hours storage

In this study, we investigate the validity and laboratory utility of flow cytometry when analyzing platelet activation by studying CD41, CD42b, CD62P and CD63. We compare flow cytometry results from citrated whole blood and finger-prick samples directly after collection and also after storing both a finger-prick and whole blood sample for 24 hours. Citrated whole blood and finger-prick samples were taken from three healthy individuals on two occasions, and a total of 60 000 cells were analyzed for each of the 4 phycoerythrin-labelled monoclonal antibodies. Half of each sample was analyzed immediately after sampling while the other half was kept in the fridge at 6°C for 24 hours before analysis. No significant difference was found between the sampling methods or the period of time before analysis. Results therefore suggest that an appropriately prepared finger-prick sample can be used for platelet function analysis, and samples can be stored for 24 hours in the fridge at 6°C before analysis.http://www.maneyonline.com/loi/hemhb2016Physiolog

Dr Spur’s mystery case : the pain of the grain

No abstract available.https://journals.co.za/journal/caciPaediatrics and Child HealthSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

Epidemiology of histologically proven Glomerulonephritis in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aim: Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Africa. Data on epidemiology and outcomes of glomerular diseases from Africa is still limited. We conducted a systematic review on the epidemiology of histologically proven glomerular diseases in Africa between 1980 and 2014. Materials and methods We searched literature using PubMed, AfricaWide, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature on EBSCO Host, Scopus, African Journals online databases, and the African Index Medicus, for relevant studies. The review was conducted using standard methods and frameworks using only biopsy-confirmed data. RESULTS: Twenty four (24) studies comprising 12,093 reported biopsies from 13 countries were included in this analysis. The median number of biopsies per study was 127.0 (50-4436), most of the studies (70.0%) originated from North Africa and the number of performed kidney biopsies varied from 5.2 to 617 biopsies/year. Nephrotic syndrome was the commonest indication of renal biopsy. The frequency of reported primary pathologic patterns included, minimal change disease (MCD); 16.5% (95%CI: 11.2-22.6), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS); 15.9% (11.3-21.1), mesangiocapillary GN (MCGN); 11.8% (9.2-14.6), crescentic GN; 2.0% (0.9-3.5) and IgA nephropathy 2.8% (1.3-4.9). Glomerular diseases related to hepatitis B and systemic lupus erythematosus had the highest prevalence among assessed secondary diseases: 8.4% (2.0-18.4) and 7.7% (4.5-11.7) respectively. There was no evidence of publication bias and regional differences were seen mostly for secondary GNs. CONCLUSIONS: Glomerular diseases remain poorly characterized in sub-Saharan Africa due to declining renal biopsy rates and consequent paucity of data on pathologic patterns of key renal diseases. Development of renal biopsy registries in Africa is likely to enable adequate characterization of the prevalence and patterns of glomerular diseases; this could have a positive impact on chronic kidney disease evaluation and treatment in the African continent since most glomerulopathies are amenable to treatment

Complications of head and neck radiotherapy : a dental perspective

For the treatment of head and neck cancers radiotherapy is frequently and successfully performed by medical specialists. However, a number of complications may occur following such therapy. Many of these complications are diagnosed and treated primarily by dental practitioners and specialists. Whilst some are easily managed, others, such as osteoradionecrosis of the jaw, may be very difficult to treat and have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. The following report documents a case where several complications occurred following radiotherapy. Comprehensive dental assessment and treatment prior to, during and after radiotherapy may lead to a reduction of complications. Greater cooperation and understanding between the medical and dental professionals is required during radiotherapy of head and neck cancer patients.http://www.onk.ns.ac.rs/archive/home.aspam2020Maxillo-Facial and Oral SurgeryOdontologyOral Pathology and Oral Biolog

The association between seven-day objectively measured habitual physical activity and 24 hr ambulatory blood pressure: the SABPA study

Few studies have examined objective physical activity in relation to 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP). We aimed to assess the association of seven-day objectively measured habitual physical activity with ambulatory BP in a sample of African and Caucasian school teachers (n=216, age 49.7 yrs) from the Sympathetic Activity and Blood Pressure in Africans prospective cohort study. Hypertension (ambulatory systolic BP≥130 and / or Diastolic BP≥80 mmHg) was prevalent in 53.2% of the sample, particularly in black Africans. The hypertensive group spent significantly more awake time in sedentary activity (51.5 vs. 40.8 % of waking hours, p=0.001), as well as doing less light (34.1 vs. 38.9%, p=0.043) and moderate- (14.0 vs. 19.7%, p=0.032) intensity activities compared with normotensives, respectively. In covariate adjusted models, light intensity activity time was associated with lower 24-hr and day-time ambulatory systolic BP (β=-0.15 ,95% CI: -0.26, -0.05, p=0.004; β=-0.14, -0.24, -0.03, p=0.011) and diastolic BP (β=-0.14, -0.25, -0.03, p=0.015; β=-0.13 ,-0.24, -0.01, p=0.030), as well as resting Systolic BP (β=-0.13 ,-0.24, -0.01, p=0.028). Sedentary time was associated only with 24 hr Systolic BP (β=0.12; 0.01, 0.22), which was largely driven by night time recordings. Participants in the upper sedentary tertile were more likely to be “non-dippers” (odds ratio=2.11, 95% CI, 0.99, 4.46, p=0.052) compared with the lowest sedentary tertile. There were no associations between moderate to vigorous activity and BP. In conclusion, objectively assessed daily light physical activity was associated with ambulatory BP in a mixed ethnic sample

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever presenting with undiagnosed chronic myeloid leukaemia

A patient with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) presented with a high white cell count and splenomegaly. Underlying chronic myeloid leukaemia was diagnosed. The management of this complex case was difficult, and the patient demised. This case illustrates that in patients with an acute febrile illness with haemorrhage, a thorough history and examination, as well as a high index of suspicion for concurrent conditions, is important.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ojid20am2018Veterinary Tropical Disease

Landscape Level Effects of Lion Presence (Panthera leo) on Two Contrasting Prey Species

Due to the strong individual cost of being predated, potential prey species alter their behavior and physiology in response to predation risk. Such alterations may cause major indirect consequences on prey populations that are additive to the direct demographic effects caused by prey being killed. However, although earlier studies showed strong general effects of the presence of apex predators, recent data suggest that indirect effects may be highly context dependent and not consistently present. We combined behavioral data with data on endocrine stress and stable isotopes to assess landscape level effects of lion (Panthera leo) presence on two prey species in South Africa, impala (Aepyceros melampus) and blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). We also evaluated if there was any seasonal variation in such effects. In addition, we provide results from a physiological validation for an enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) that can be used for non-invasive monitoring of glucocorticoid stress metabolite concentrations in impala from fecal pellets. We did not find any significant differences in vigilance behavior, fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations, δ13C values or isotope niche breadth between animals living with and without lions for either species. However, wildebeest living in a reserve with lions spent more time foraging compared to wildebeest in a lion-free environment, but only during the wet season. Values of fecal δ15N suggest a shift in habitat use, with impala and wildebeest living with lions potentially feeding in less productive areas compared to animals living without lions. For both species, characteristics of the social groups appeared to be more important than individual characteristics for both foraging and vigilance behavior. Our results highlight that antipredator responses may be highly dynamic and scale-dependent. We urge for further studies that quantify at what temporal and spatial scales predation risk is causing indirect effects on prey populations