A case in South Africa of ocular myiasis in man due to the first-stage larvae of the nasal bot fly of the sheep (Oestrus ovis L.)

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A retrospective review of the adverse effects of biological therapy and reasons for its discontinuation in a resource-limited setting

Background. Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapies have become the gold standard of treatment for refractory rheumatic conditions in well-resourced countries. There is a significant risk of infection and reactivation of latent infections, in particular tuberculosis, with the use of biological therapies. Their safety and reasons for discontinuation in a resource-limited environment are still unclear.Objectives. The primary objective was to describe the nature and frequency of adverse events as well as the main reason for discontinuation of biological treatment.Methods. We conducted a retrospective, descriptive folder review of all patients started on biological therapy for rheumatic conditions from November 2011 to December 2016.Results. A total of 31 patients were included. The rheumatic diseases included in the study were ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (35%), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (19%), systemic lupus erythematosus (16%), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (13%), vasculitides (10%) and psoriatic arthritis (7%). Adverse events occurred in 26 patients (84%). Serious adverse events occurred in 14 patients (45%) with recurrent uveitis being the most common, occurring in 5 patients (16%). One patient developed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Discontinuation or switching of biological therapy occurred in 13 patients (42%), with the main reasons being serious adverse events in 7 patients (23%) and treatment failure in 6 (19%). The median (interquartile range (IQR)) Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score improved from 6.4 (5 - 7.4) to 2.8 (0.9 - 5.0), a statistically significant difference of –3.5 (p=0.001) (95% confidence interval (CI) –5.3 - –1.7) over a median (IQR) of 20 (9 - 30) months in the AS group. The median (IQR) Clinical Disease Activity Index score improved from 39 (34.5 - 43) to 21 (18.7 - 25.5), a statistically significant difference of –17.4 (p=0.044) (95% CI –34.1 - –0.7) over a median (IQR) of 39 (21 - 50) months in the RA group.Conclusions. Recurrent uveitis occurred in almost half of the patients with AS and was also the main reason for discontinuation of biological therapy. We did not document an increased risk of PTB. Disease activity scores showed significant improvement. The study is limited by the small number of patients on biological therapy, a reflection of the impact of severe resource constraints

Investigating the business value of information management

Research on the effect of information management on organizational performance is an important issue. The primary problem of the business value of information is embedded in the following reasoning: information management creates business value indirectly but creates business costs directly, making the evaluation and measurement of information management and the benefits thereof difficult for organizations. In this study an empirical survey was conducted in ten large South African organizations to establish practices and norms in managing the business value of information management, information management investment and benefits evaluation. The most common criteria considered to be important were the ability to adapt and support business changes and the stability and quality of information management services to the user community

The mature female clothing shopper : profiles and shopping behaviour

The original publication is available at http://www.sajip.co.zaCITATION: Visser, E.M., Du Preez, R. & Du Toit, J.B. 1996. The mature female clothing shopper : profiles and shopping behaviour. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 22(2):1-6, doi:10.4102/sajip.v22i2.603.This study was designed to profile the mature female clothing shopper. More specifically certain variables that could be attributed to differences in consumer behaviour were investigated. Mature female clothing shoppers were segmented as clothing moderates, clothing enthusiasts and the clothing unconcerned. These three cluster groups significantly differed regarding clothing involvement, clothing orientation, activities, interests, opinions, family orientation, needs and media usage. No significant differences were found among the three groups regarding evaluative criteria for clothing and clothing store attributes. Profiles of the clusters were developed, along with applicable marketing implications. Recommendations for further research are made.Hierdie studie is onderneem ten einde die vroulike kledingverbruikers van 55 en ouer te tipeer. Die veranderlikes wat 'n bydrae kon lewer ten opsigte van die verskille in verbruikersgedrag is ondersoek. Die verbruikers is gesegmenteer as die kledinggematigdes, kleding- entoesiaste en die kleding-onbetrokkenes. Die drie groeperings verskil beduidend van mekaar ten opsigte van die volgende veranderlikes naamlik: kleding-betrokkenheid, kleding-oriëntasie, aktiwiteite belangstellings, opinies, familie oriëntasie, behoeftes en media gebruik. Geen beduidende verskille kon gevind word tussen die drie groeperings ten opsigte van die veranderlikes evalueringskriteria van klere en winkeleienskappe nie. Profiele van die verskillende trosse is ontwikkel en die bemarkingsimplikasies is uitgewys. Aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word gedoen.Publishers' Versio

Trypanosomiasis in Zululand and the control of tsetse flies by chemical means

1. The distribution of Nagana and its importance as a limiting factor in the development of the livestock industry in Africa are stressed. 2. The relationship between the tsetse fly belt within the Union of South Africa and those occurring in Portuguese East Africa is discussed, emphasis being laid upon the isolation of Glossina pallidipes in the Union. 3. Within Zululand the range of dispersion of G. pallidipes, G. brevipalpis and G. austeni, occupying approximately 7,000 square miles, have been plotted and the breeding areas accurately determined. 4. The bionomics of the Glossina spp., in Zululand and the dominant role of G. pallidipes in the causation of epizootics of Nagana are dealt with. 5. The cyclical appearance of Nagana epizootics at fairly regular intervals of approximately ten years and theories attempting to explain this phenomenon are considered. 6. Methods of survey for establishing the relative density of adult and immature flies are dealt with and their merits in arriving at a conception of the biotope of the different species discussed. 7. The preliminary investigations and the methods finally adopted for the application of DDT and BHC, together with the technique employed for the eradication of G. pallidipes over the entire, and G. brevipalpis in a localized area of Zululand, are described in detail. 8. The value of bush clearing as an important aid in the control of tsetse flies and the manner in which it was used in Zululand are pointed out. 9. Costs connected with the application of the procedures actually employed are compared and attention is drawn to the potentialities of the methods advocated following the experience gained. 10. The possible application of the methods used in Zululand to the eradication of at least some Glossina spp., in other parts of Africa is discussed. 11. In view of insufficient knowledge regarding methods of survey the practical eradication of G. austeni requires further investigation. Its elimination from the Union necessitates international co-operation, which would also be necessary in the case of G. brevipalpis on the international border with Portuguese East Africa. 12. The direct and indirect effects of mass applications of insecticides to extensive areas of bush upon the fauna and flora are considered.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

Opinions of South African dietitians on fistuloclysis as a treatment option for intestinal failure patients

Introduction: Intestinal failure is the consequence of diverse aetiologies and pathophysiological causes. Fistuloclysis is an effective means of nutritional support to selected intestinal failure patients. This study aimed to investigate the management of adult intestinal failure patients in hospitals in South Africa, determining how practical and acceptable fistuloclysis is.Methods: The current management of type 2 and type 3 intestinal failure patients in South African hospitals was investigated by means of occupation-specific questionnaires, evaluating perceptions and opinions among dietitians.Results: Twenty-seven dietitians indicated willingness to participate in the survey, the majority (67%) having been involved with patient management in this field for one to five years. All indicated correctly that high fistula outputs would be defined as intestinal failure. Only 47% gave the correct definition of fistuloclysis, while 28% were currently utilising it as a means of nutrition support. All respondents agreed that unsuccessful implementation of fistuloclysis was due to training shortfalls and resistance from clinicians and nursing staff.Conclusion: There is a positive perception and awareness of fistuloclysis; however, numerous stumbling blocks hamper the wider use of this novel treatment.Keywords: Fistuloclysis, Intestinal failure, Parenteral nutritio

The structural validity of Holland's R-I-A-S-E-C model of vocational personality types for young black South African men and women.

This study examined the validity of Holland’s circular order model of vocational personality types for young black South African men and women. The validity of the model was investigated for four groups, namely men and women from the Eastern Cape Province, and men and women from the North West Province. The randomization test of hypothesized order relations and the accompanying correspondence index suggested that the data of all four groups fit the circular order model poorly. The results of multidimensional scaling analyses also suggested poor fit. These results indicate that the circular order model may not be valid for black South African youths. Reasons for the unsatisfactory fit between the model and the observed data are discussed