An implantable sensor for disease detection and treatment

Current sensors employed in medicine are used to detect chemical and biochemical abnormalities. Their applications range from biopsy (brain), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (spinal fluid), blood (bio-barcode), and sweat and urine bio-diagnostics where the primary focus is the selection of biomarkers that can pinpoint the occurrence of the disease. Emerging sensors for cholesterol detection are based on enzymatic functions, which degrade these molecules, where the signal can be visualized optically by using a transducer. Cholesterol is a steroid metabolite that is employed for the synthesis of steroid hormones, and the establishment of proper membrane permeability and fluidity. Since cholesterol is insoluble in blood, it is transported in the circulatory system within lipoproteins, complex spherical particles which have an exterior comprising of amphiphilic proteins and lipids with outward-facing surfaces that are water-soluble and inward-facing surfaces that are lipid-soluble. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as ‘bad’ cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as ‘good’ cholesterol. LDL is linked to cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, which ultimately lead to coronary heart disease, myocardial and cerebral infarction (stroke). An appropriate therapeutic response to a sensor system for cholesterol, specifically LDL, detection implicates the design of an implantable system for stimuli-responsive drug release. The proposed system was designed to detect specific biochemical changes by employing nanoparticles made of glyceryl behenate, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer, avidin, biotin and anti-beta lipoprotein antibodies as sensors. This was achieved by coating nanoparticles with antibodies specific to the antigen (i.e. LDL) to create an antibody-conjugated antibody conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles (henceforth known as ‘antibody conjugated SLN). Fenofibrate was used as a model drug due to its low water solubility and to its lipophilic properties similar to statins. The antibody conjugated SLNs were of 150nm in size and had a zeta potential of -28mV. Their drug entrapment efficacy was 86%, with a drug release of 16mg/day due to Fickian diffusion and erosion mechanism. The slow release was due semi-crystalline structure determined by XRD and DSC. Antigen responsive hydrogel was designed by incorporation of thiolated antibody conjugated SLN via Traut’s reagents, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, methyl acrylic acid and polyethylene glycol 200. The osmotic pump was designed from polyethylene oxide, ethyl cellulose and mannitol. The drug reservoir was synthesized from ethyl cellulose coated gelatin capsule via coacervation phase separation method. The polymeric tube synthesized from ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and castor oil was coated with antigen responsive hydrogel. Ex vivo studies evaluating intravascular stability of the implant in correlation with mechanical analysis indicated the polymeric tube unstable. An 18-gauge catheter was used for forming an infusion tube as a substitute for the polymeric tube. The implant showed a correlation of Korsmeyer-Peppas drug release during in vivo and in vitro studies. A constant drug release of 881μg/day was observed during in vivo. This played a role in reduction of total cholesterol by means of reduction in LDL sub-fractions by 30%; in correlation with LDL particle enhance clearance from the plasma due to SLN-LDL uptake. An increase by 46% in HDL was observed, which correlated to fenofibrate therapeutic effect. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated improved mean residence time and efficacy. This indicated that the device could be used for delivery of lipophilic drugs and detection of circulating biomarkers

Synthesis of pH responsive carriers for pulmonary drug delivery of anti-tuberculosis therapeutics: mesoporous silica nanoparticles and gelatin nanoparticles

Pulmonary drug delivery has historically been used as a route for delivery of therapeutics for respiratory disease management. However, while there are many advantages, there are also some serious limitations, arising mostly from the physical aspects of the inhaler devices. This is more profound when the devices are the driving force for controlling particle size generation, which results in non-uniform particles that end up being swallowed/wasted/expelled. One promising solution to overcome this limitation is to pre-formulate nano/microscale particles with a high degree of manufacturing control. Nanomedicine has advanced such that there are already several nanoparticle formulations commercially available. In the case of tuberculosis treatment, there is an opportunity not only to examine the use of nanoparticles for inhalation therapy, but to take advantage of the fact that the physiochemical environment of diseased tissue is significantly different to health lung tissue (lower pH and increased enzyme concentrations). We formulated two series of nanoparticles, whose design included moieties that could respond to pH and enzymes. To address variability, a Box-Behnken statistical approach was followed to construct mesoporous silica nanoparticles. These “hard nanoparticles” can entrap both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs and were coated with a pH-sensitive hydrazone linker. It was observed that pH, calcination temperature and ratio of water to silica source played the greatest role, not only in controlling the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles but also the drug release rate. A second series of nanoparticles were synthesized based on gelatin. This was done partly to add support the comparison of hard (inorganic silica) versus soft, organic particles, but also to enable enzymatic degradation and drug release. Again, diseased lung tissue expresses increased concentrations of gelatinase enzymes that could be used to stimulate drug release at the site of the disease. In addition, it was observed that the non-ionic surfactant C12E10 could interact with the protein via hydrophobic interactions thus affecting the gelatin folding. The folding states affected crosslinking with the pH responsive linker, which in turn affected the rate of drug release. To support the synthetic work, we sought to develop a unique 3D lung model directly from MRI data of tuberculosis infected lungs. This would not only permit the evaluation of our nanoparticles but could be used as a proxy for in-vivo studies in future to predict lung deposition in diseased lung. Thus, this study shows that it is possible to synthesize pH and enzyme sensitive nanoparticles for pulmonary drug delivery in the treatment and management of pulmonary tuberculosis. These particles could be loaded with either hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs and their distribution in the airway modelled using an in-silico 3D model based on real data. Further development and verification of these results should improve treatment for pulmonary diseases and conditions such as tuberculosis. This is especially urgent in the face of multi-drug resistance and poor side effects profiles for current treatment

Strengthening the Flow of Agricultural Knowledge among Agricultural Stakeholders: The Case of Morogoro Region in Tanzania

Effective agricultural knowledge exchange is important for increased access to agricultural knowledge. However, studies conducted in Tanzania indicate that access to agricultural knowledge among agricultural stakeholders is inadequate. This chapter investigates how to strengthen the exchange of agricultural knowledge can be strengthened. Specifically, the chapter assesses how agricultural knowledge flows, determines how communication channels are chosen and analyses critical factors for effective agricultural knowledge exchange. The study involved different agricultural stakeholders identified through stakeholders’ analysis. Random and non-random sampling techniques were used in drawing the sample for the study. The study involved 371 respondents. Key findings indicate that agricultural knowledge sharing, exchange, transfer and dissemination which facilitate the flow of agricultural knowledge. Findings indicate that availability and accessibility of the communication channels, ICT infrastructure, affordability of communication tariffs and ownership of communication tools influenced the choice of communication channels. Likewise, membership in professional groups, accessibility of knowledge sources, affordability of tariffs for, access to agricultural extension services, availability of knowledge and ICT infrastructure influence the flow of agricultural knowledge. It is concluded that effective agricultural knowledge flow increases knowledge accessibility, usage and creation. It is recommended that each agricultural stakeholder should be involved in conducting relevant agricultural knowledge roles so as to enhance the accessibility, sharing, exchange, dissemination and usage of agricultural knowledge

Bohwa bja rena

Go bohlokwa kudu gore barutwana ba tsebe go ngwala le go bala polelo ya ga bobona gore ba kgone go atlega mo dithutong tša bona. Gore motho a kgone go kwešiša polelo ya bobedi, go bohlokwa gore motheo wa polelo ya mathomo o tie. Ke ka moo go bilego le tirišano magareng ga Unibesithi ya Afrika-Borwa (UNISA) le sekolo se sennyane sa Kiletsi le ZZ2 go leka go hlohleletša barutwana go ba le kgahlego mo polelong ya bona. Bohwa bja rena ke pukwana ya dikanegelo le dinonwane tšeo di ngwadilego ke barutwana ba sekolo se sennyane sa Kiletsi le ZZ2 go tšwa motseng wa Sekgopo le polaseng ya ZZ2, Porofenseng ya Limpopo. Ke tšeo go tšwa peneng le khiipotong ya barutwana!National Heritage Council College of Human Sciences, UnisaInformation Scienc

Fostering a framework to embed the records management function into the auditing process in the South Africa public sector

Proper records management plays a significant role in the auditing process, risk management and wider corporate governance. Despite this role, in South Africa, many governmental bodies are issued with disclaimer reports every year by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) due to a lack of supporting documentation. This problem is exacerbated by the exclusion of records management from the criteria for a sound financial management infrastructure in many governmental bodies. The other dilemma is that some records such as financial records, personnel records and electronic records usually fall outside the jurisdiction of the organisation’s records manager. Utilising the King Report III as a framework, this study sought to develop a framework to embed records management practices into the auditing process in the public sector of South Africa, with a view to entrench a culture of clean audits. The study relied on mixed methods research (MMR), with the quantitative study conducted first through informetrics analysis of audit reports, while the qualitative paradigm was used to substantiate numerical data. Data collection adopted a multi-approach with four key sources of data: a questionnaire, interviews, literature review and publicly available data from the consolidated general reports of AGSA. The study revealed that most governmental bodies have established internal audit units, audit committees and records management units, which did not work in unison. In most governmental bodies records management did not form part of the audit scope and records management professionals were not part of the audit committees. As a result, most governmental bodies continued to receive negative audit opinions from AGSA. The study recommends that records management community should utilise auditing and risk management as a springboard to propel records management to the new heights. A further empirical study on the role of auditing and risk management in records management that embraces both the private and public sectors is recommended.Information ScienceD. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science

An exploration of records management trends in the South African Public Sector : a case study of the Department of Provincial and Local Government

An effective records management programme is a major element of the governance of any organisation. However, despite this crucial role played by records management, there is a consensus amongst researchers that many organisations, including government departments, pay little attention to the management of records. In South Africa, government departments are under legislative obligations to adopt a systematic and organised approach to the management of records. For example, the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act (Act No. 43 of 1996) requires government departments to develop, implement and maintain proper records management systems. The purpose of this study was to explore records management trends in the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) to establish if the Department was managing records according to legislative requirements. Data was collected through online questionnaires, physical observation and interviews with selected DPLG employees and analysed through an open source software. The key findings of the study revealed that an enormous benefit for the implementation of a records management programme is the commitment and support of top management. The study recommended that records management should be included in the performance contracts of all employees in the DPLG. The study concluded that a records management programme will only function effectively if it is developed as part of the strategic objective of the organisation.Information ScienceM.A. (Information Sxcience

Turning liquid into solid: a faucet to control the flow of liquid communication generated through social media in Botswana

The Botswana government uses social media platforms to communicate with its citizens. This interaction results in liquid communication which needs to be managed. Liquid communication is the type of communication that can easily go back and forth and is therefore difficult to control. This study collected qualitative data through interviews to develop a faucet to control the flow of liquid communication with a view to ensuring the trustworthiness of the content. The study established that measures to ensure the integrity of liquid communication generated through the use of social media by the Botswana government were deficient. The study recommends a framework to control and manage liquid communications

Digital diplomatics of records in a government accounting system in Botswana

Determining the authenticity of digital records to support the audit process is problematic due to a lack of criteria to declare the authenticity of records. This study is part of a larger study (Mosweu 2018) that explored the authenticity of records in a government accounting system in Botswana. The current study utilised a literature review to demonstrate the need for a framework for digital diplomatics of records to support the audit process in a government accounting system in Botswana. The study used concepts from archival diplomatics as a theoretical lens. It was established that records in a government accounting information system are presented to auditors even when their authenticity is questionable, leading to their rejection as audit evidence. A framework is suggested with the hope that, if implemented, it would transform public sector audit processes and lead to improvements in accountability for monies expended as the government delivers services to the people.Information Scienc

A Framework to Integrate Healthcare Records in the South African Public Hospitals Using Blockchain Technology

In the public sector in South Africa, health records are not integrated into a single system and a new file is opened every time a patient consults in a different hospital. This compromises the quality of the medical services as the doctors diagnose a patient without the medical history. At times, healthcare providers find it difficult or impossible to treat the patients without access to the medical history of patients because it involves high risks that include repetition or duplication of treatments and prescriptions. This study conducted literature review to demonstrate a need for a framework which involves the use of blockchain technology for security to integrate healthcare records in the South African public hospitals. It was established that one of the elements that impedes the integration of the health records in South Africa is security of information. A framework that enables public hospitals using blockchain technology for security to integrate health records is suggested. The framework enables public hospitals anywhere in the country to access the complete, accurate and secure health records of a patient, irrespective of where the file as opened. Blockchain can be used to secure such information so that when health records are integrated, a complete, accurate and secure medical history can be generated. In that regard, a health record of a patient can be accessed and added anywhere in the country, leaving a digital trail for a system that can be trusted inherently.Information Scienc

Tsoga O Itirele Bakgoma Community library as a model for rural libraries in South Africa

With inadequate provision of community libraries in Limpopo province, citizens in disadvantaged rural communities need to wake up and do it for themselves. However, establishing a library in rural setting is a highly complex and difficult task due to challenges such as lack of funding, resources, infrastructure, electricity and roads. The purpose of this case study was to explore the process of establishing a library facility in the rural area with the view to capture lessons learnt, as well as the efforts by the villagers to identify a building to serve as a library. The community library serves as a model for other communities in a rural setting. To collect in-depth data from the participants, the study adopted a qualitative research approach. The participants were interviewed telephonically and a structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Before data were collected, the researchers obtained ethical clearance. Only half of the sixteen board members were available for interviews. One of the researchers visited the library twice. Data were analysed thematically. To ensure anonymity, the participants are referred as “Participant” followed by a letter as follows: Participant A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. Lessons learnt from the establishment of Bakgoma Community Library are captured and can be useful to other rural communities in developing libraries.Information Scienc