Serial changes in the concentrations of cortisol and thyroid hormones in Beagle dogs infected with Babesia rossi

DATA AVAILABILITY : Data will be made available on request.An experimental infection using Babesia (B.) rossi was performed in healthy male Beagle dogs to assess the changes in endocrine variables during disease. Two dogs were infected with a low dose (LD) of parasite inoculum (104 parasites) and three dogs were infected with a high dose (HD) (108 parasites). Basal serum cortisol, thyroxine (T4), and thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations were measured every second day. Samples were analyzed using a solid- phase, competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (Immulyte® 2000, Siemens). Variables were compared between groups and timepoints using linear mixed models. In both groups, the median cortisol concentration increased, whilst the median T4 concentration decreased after infection, with a return towards baseline concentration post treatment. The highest cortisol and the lowest T4 concentrations were reached at 96 h and 108 h post infection, respectively, in the HD group and slightly later at 108 and 144 h postinfection, respectively, in the LD group. A higher cortisol concentration with a more rapid increase, and a lower T4 concentration with a more rapid decline, were associated with disease severity and a higher dose of parasite inoculum. The TSH concentration remained within the reference interval throughout the study period. This study illustrated the temporal changes in endocrine parameters during experimental B. rossi infection and demonstrated that cortisol and T4 tracked the severity of disease, albeit in opposite directions.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/ttbdisam2024Animal and Wildlife SciencesSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

The dataset for the inflammatory response during experimental infection and treatment of dogs with Babesia rossi

Babesia rossi causes severe morbidity and mortality in dogs in sub-Saharan Africa. This was an experimental study designed to observe systemic changes caused by Babesia rossi infection within a canine disease model as well as investigate the influence of inoculum dose and treatment on the progression of inflammation and clinical disease. Six healthy male beagle dogs formed the study population, one dog was splenectomised and used to raise the infectious inoculum, three were administered a high B. rossi infectious dose and two a low infectious dose. Clinical examination, complete blood count (CBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined daily. Cytokines were quantified on stored plasma collected during the study, using a canine specific cytokine magnetic bead panel (Milliplex©). The experiment was terminated, and treatment administered once predetermined experimental or humane endpoints were reached. The data and information provided in the following article is the summary of all dataThe National Research Foundation.https://www.journals.elsevier.com/data-in-brief/dm2022Companion Animal Clinical StudiesProduction Animal Studie

Kinetics of the inflammatory response during experimental Babesia rossi infection of beagle dogs

Referred to by: The dataset for the inflammatory response during experimental infection and treatment of dogs with Babesia rossi. Data in Brief, Volume 45, December 2022, Pages 108475. Brogan Kim Atkinson, Peter Thompson, Estee Van Zyl, Amelia Goddard, Yolandi Rautenbach, Johan Petrus Schoeman, Varaidzo Mukorera, Andrew Leisewitz. (https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/88078)Babesia rossi causes severe morbidity and mortality in dogs in sub-Saharan Africa, and the complications associated with this disease are likely caused by an unfocused, excessive inflammatory response. During this experimental B. rossi study we investigated inflammatory marker and cytokine kinetics during infection and after treatment. We aimed to determine whether infectious dose and treatment would influence the progression of the inflammatory response and clinical disease. Six healthy male beagle dogs formed the study population, one was used to raise the infectious inoculum, three were administered a high B. rossi infectious dose (HD group) and two a low infectious dose (LD group). Clinical examination, complete blood count (CBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined daily. Cytokines were quantified on stored plasma collected during the study, using a canine specific cytokine magnetic bead panel (Milliplex©). The experiment was terminated and treatment administered when predetermined experimental or humane endpoints were reached. Parasitemia occurred on day 1 and 3 in the HD and LD groups respectively. The rate of increase in parasitemia in the HD group was significantly faster than that seen in the LD group. Significant differences were found in heart rate, blood pressure, interferon gamma (INFγ), keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), INFγ-induced protein 10 (IP10), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10 IL-15, IL-18, CRP, neutrophils and monocytes between groups at multiple time points during the course of the infection. Our findings suggest that the initiation of inflammation occurs before the onset of clinical disease in B. rossi infection and infectious dose influences the onset of the inflammatory response. Treatment enhances the inflammatory response in the immediate post-treatment period which may contribute to disease associated complications. Finally, we found that there is an imbalance in pro/anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations during infection which may promote parasite replicationThe National Research Foundation South Africa.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/vetpar2023-05-30hj2023Companion Animal Clinical StudiesProduction Animal Studie

Resilient transformation of studio-based teaching and learning in creative and design disciplines towards cognitive apprenticeship

New challenges present new opportunities for curriculum innovation and transformation. The immediate health crisis in South Africa necessitates a swift but resilient response by Higher Education Institutions to save the 2020 academic year with many institutions shifting their mode of teaching from face-to-face to online. Creative and design studio-based modules might face more challenges with this shift in the mode of delivery. These modules still rely heavily on teaching project-based modules through the master-apprentice model in studio environments. However, such a transformation to a virtual learning environment requires the ‘master’ to recognise the role of theory and evidence-based design activity to transform learning in these disciplines. The cognitive apprenticeship model has many similarities to the master-apprentice model, but it promotes the necessary power shift from the ‘master’ to the student. Such a pedagogical shift requires a collaborative, responsive, resilient and creative approach with deep empathy for both the student and ‘master’ to ensure the upholding of the integrity of the curriculum as well as the future. employability of students graduating at the end of the academic year. This chapter reflects in and on the action of the curriculum transformation response implemented in studio-based modules at a local Higher Education Institution in South Africa. The global health crisis started the conversation of a pedagogical shift in studio-based modules, but it forced South African design educators to have a hard look at the way design has been taught in South Africa

Nephroblastoma - a 25 year review of a South African unit

CITATION: Visser, Y. T., et al. 2014. Nephroblastoma - a 25 year review of a South African unit. Journal of medicine and life, 7(3):445–449.The original publication is available at http://www.medandlife.ro/Rationale: To determine the outcome of patients with nephroblastoma in a South African hospital. Objective: To determine if there is a difference in the outcome of patients with nephroblastoma comparing two treatment protocols SIOP (Société International D’Oncologie Pédiatrique Protocol) versus NWTS (National Wilms’ Tumour Study Protocol). Methods and results: A retrospective audit of 25 years (1983-2007), of children diagnosed with nephroblastoma in Tygerberg Hospital. One hundred and seven patients were included in the study and 98 were analyzed. The average age at diagnosis was 3.8 years. Most patients (37%) presented with stage 1 of the disease, followed by patients with stage 3 (27%). Most patients were treated according to the SIOP protocol (61%). Gender and race did not influence the outcome. Patients with stage 1 and 2 of the disease had the best outcome (76% versus 43% for stages 3 and 4). The SIOP group had a better outcome than the NWTS group (p value 0.001). The two groups had an equal distribution of the stage of presentation. The tumor volumes were bigger in the NWTS group (1004cm3 compared to 613cm3). Nutritional status did not influence the outcome although more patients were underweight for age in the SIOP group. The statistical methods used were: Kaplan Meier, Gehan’s Wilcoxon Test, Chi –square test and the Fisher exact test.http://www.medandlife.ro/archive/31-vol-vii-iss-3-july-september-2014/special-articles/74-nephroblastoma-a-25-year-review-of-a-south-african-unitPost prin

Curriculum design as an enabler of student involvement and success in higher education

Quality assurance, promotion, and the success of students are core drivers in Higher Education. Students shifted from being receivers in the knowledge transfer process of Higher Education to active co-producers in the learning process, which makes students more involved in the quality assurance process today than they were in the past. This shift requires curriculum developers of programmes to not only understand the nature of the change in the students’ role in Higher Education but also to anticipate future changes in their role. The Mode 1, Mode 2 and Mode 3 models of knowledge production are useful systems to help curriculum designers understand this daunting task. This research conducts a theoretical exploration into students’ shift in knowledge production as they engage with the curriculum in higher education, which explores the different modes of knowledge production. The exploratory research includes practical curriculum examples that highlight the changes in the structures of control, characteristics, and practicalities of the different modes, changes in assessment strategies, changes in teacher-student relationships, and the inclusion of other role-players such as industry and society. The first mode of knowledge production is a disciplinary and homogeneity model, with the second mode shifting to a transdisciplinary, heterogeneous, transient, and more systemic model which includes industry stakeholders, with a permeable boundary. The third mode of knowledge production is situated in the fourth industrial revolution space and looks at the combined future of science, knowledge, and technology

Curriculum design as an enabler of student involvement and success in higher education

Quality assurance, promotion, and the success of students are core drivers in Higher Education. Students shifted from being receivers in the knowledge transfer process of Higher Education to active co-producers in the learning process, which makes students more involved in the quality assurance process today than they were in the past. This shift requires curriculum developers of programmes to not only understand the nature of the change in the students’ role in Higher Education but also to anticipate future changes in their role. The Mode 1, Mode 2 and Mode 3 models of knowledge production are useful systems to help curriculum designers understand this daunting task. This research conducts a theoretical exploration into students’ shift in knowledge production as they engage with the curriculum in higher education, which explores the different modes of knowledge production. The exploratory research includes practical curriculum examples that highlight the changes in the structures of control, characteristics, and practicalities of the different modes, changes in assessment strategies, changes in teacher-student relationships, and the inclusion of other role-players such as industry and society. The first mode of knowledge production is a disciplinary and homogeneity model, with the second mode shifting to a transdisciplinary, heterogeneous, transient, and more systemic model which includes industry stakeholders, with a permeable boundary. The third mode of knowledge production is situated in the fourth industrial revolution space and looks at the combined future of science, knowledge, and technology

Antibacterial and anticandidal activity of Tylosema esculentum (marama) extracts

Bean and tuber extracts of Tylosema esculentum (marama) – an African creeping plant – were obtained using ethanol, methanol and water. Based on information that T. esculentum is used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases, the antibacterial and anticandidal effects of tuber and bean extracts were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC 6538), Mycobacterium terrae (ATCC 15755), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (clinical) and Candida albicans (ATCC 2091). We performed the broth microdilution test for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and a method to determine survival of microorganisms after in vitro co-incubation with the highest concentrations of T. esculentum extracts, followed by assessment of colony counts. Ethanol and methanol (phenolic) bean extracts exhibited higher potency against bacteria and yeast than aqueous extracts. Marama bean seed coat crude ethanolic extract (MSCE) and seed coat polyphenolic fractions, especially soluble-bound fraction (MSCIB), were highly antimicrobial against M. terrae, C. diphtheriae and C. albicans. All marama bean polyphenolic fractions, namely cotyledon acidified methanol fraction (MCAM), seed coat acidified methanol fraction (MSCAM), cotyledon insoluble-bound fraction (MCIB), seed coat insoluble-bound fraction (MSCIB), cotyledon-free polyphenolic fraction (MCFP) and seed coat free polyphenolic fraction (MSCFP) had high antimicrobial effects as shown by low respective MIC values between 0.1 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL. These MIC values were comparable to those of control antimicrobials used: amphotericin B (0.5 mg/mL) and cesfulodin (0.1 mg/mL) against C. diphtheriae, streptomycin (1.0 mg/mL) and gentamicin (0.4 mg/mL) against M. terrae, and amphotericin B (0.05 mg/mL) against C. albicans. Marama seed coat soluble-esterified fraction (MSCS) had closer activity to that of cefsulodin against M. terrae. High amounts of phenolic substances, such as gallic acid, especially in the seed coats, as well as high amounts of phytosterols, lignans, certain fatty acids and peptides (specifically protease inhibitors) in the cotyledons contributed to the observed antibacterial and anticandidal activities. Marama extracts, especially phenolic and crude seed coat extracts, had high multi-species antibacterial and anticandidal activities at concentrations comparable to that of some conventional drugsthese extracts have potential use as microbicides

Antibacterial and anticandidal activity of Tylosema esculentum (marama) extracts

Bean and tuber extracts of Tylosema esculentum (marama) - an African creeping plant - were obtained using ethanol, methanol and water. Based on information that T. esculentum is used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases, the antibacterial and anticandidal effects of tuber and bean extracts were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC 6538), Mycobacterium terrae (ATCC 15755), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (clinical) and Candida albicans (ATCC 2091). We performed the broth microdilution test for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and a method to determine survival of microorganisms after in vitro co-incubation with the highest concentrations of T. esculentum extracts, followed by assessment of colony counts. Ethanol and methanol (phenolic) bean extracts exhibited higher potency against bacteria and yeast than aqueous extracts. Marama bean seed coat crude ethanolic extract (MSCE) and seed coat polyphenolic fractions, especially soluble-bound fraction (MSCIB), were highly antimicrobial against M. terrae, C. diphtheriae and C. albicans. All marama bean polyphenolic fractions, namely cotyledon acidified methanol fraction (MCAM), seed coat acidified methanol fraction (MSCAM), cotyledon insoluble-bound fraction (MCIB), seed coat insoluble-bound fraction (MSCIB), cotyledon-free polyphenolic fraction (MCFP) and seed coat free polyphenolic fraction (MSCFP) had high antimicrobial effects as shown by low respective MIC values between 0.1 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL. These MIC values were comparable to those of control antimicrobials used: amphotericin B (0.5 mg/mL) and cesfulodin (0.1 mg/mL) against C. diphtheriae, streptomycin (1.0 mg/mL) and gentamicin (0.4 mg/mL) against M. terrae, and amphotericin B (0.05 mg/mL) against C. albicans. Marama seed coat soluble-esterified fraction (MSCS) had closer activity to that of cefsulodin against M. terrae. High amounts of phenolic substances, such as gallic acid, especially in the seed coats, as well as high amounts of phytosterols, lignans, certain fatty acids and peptides (specifically protease inhibitors) in the cotyledons contributed to the observed antibacterial and anticandidal activities. Marama extracts, especially phenolic and crude seed coat extracts, had high multi-species antibacterial and anticandidal activities at concentrations comparable to that of some conventional drugs; these extracts have potential use as microbicides

Antibacterial and anticandidal activity of Tylosema esculentum (marama) extracts

Bean and tuber extracts of Tylosema esculentum (marama) - an African creeping plant - were obtained using ethanol, methanol and water. Based on information that T. esculentum is used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases, the antibacterial and anticandidal effects of tuber and bean extracts were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC 6538), Mycobacterium terrae (ATCC 15755), Corynebacterium diphtheriae (clinical) and Candida albicans (ATCC 2091). We performed the broth microdilution test for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and a method to determine survival of microorganisms after in vitro co-incubation with the highest concentrations of T. esculentum extracts, followed by assessment of colony counts. Ethanol and methanol (phenolic) bean extracts exhibited higher potency against bacteria and yeast than aqueous extracts. Marama bean seed coat crude ethanolic extract (MSCE) and seed coat polyphenolic fractions, especially soluble-bound fraction (MSCIB), were highly antimicrobial against M. terrae, C. diphtheriae and C. albicans. All marama bean polyphenolic fractions, namely cotyledon acidified methanol fraction (MCAM), seed coat acidified methanol fraction (MSCAM), cotyledon insoluble-bound fraction (MCIB), seed coat insoluble-bound fraction (MSCIB), cotyledon-free polyphenolic fraction (MCFP) and seed coat free polyphenolic fraction (MSCFP) had high antimicrobial effects as shown by low respective MIC values between 0.1 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL. These MIC values were comparable to those of control antimicrobials used: amphotericin B (0.5 mg/mL) and cesfulodin (0.1 mg/mL) against C. diphtheriae, streptomycin (1.0 mg/mL) and gentamicin (0.4 mg/mL) against M. terrae, and amphotericin B (0.05 mg/mL) against C. albicans. Marama seed coat soluble-esterified fraction (MSCS) had closer activity to that of cefsulodin against M. terrae. High amounts of phenolic substances, such as gallic acid, especially in the seed coats, as well as high amounts of phytosterols, lignans, certain fatty acids and peptides (specifically protease inhibitors) in the cotyledons contributed to the observed antibacterial and anticandidal activities. Marama extracts, especially phenolic and crude seed coat extracts, had high multi-species antibacterial and anticandidal activities at concentrations comparable to that of some conventional drugs; these extracts have potential use as microbicides.http://www.sajs.co.z