Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf): Open Journal Systems
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Exercise intervention for post-acute COVID-19 syndrome – do FITT-VP principles apply? A case study
Get PDFThe lack of standardisation of reporting exercise interventions hampers the development of best practice guidelines for long COVID patients. This case study on the effect of an exercise intervention in a long COVID patient applied the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) for reporting interventions. FITT-VP exercise prescription principles for long COVID rehabilitation are also suggested. A 58-year-old male, previously hospitalised for 14 days in the ward for the intensive care for the management of severe COVID-19 infection, joined an exercise rehabilitation programme. A medical history, anthropometric, biochemical, lung function, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness and strength measures were all assessed before and after the eight week exercise intervention programme. Positive changes were found in all lung function test measures. Cardiorespiratory fitness, endurance capacity and muscle strength improved. However, the greatest improvements occurred in functional status, fatigue, dyspnoea and the state of depression levels. This case study suggested that in the absence of other instruments, the FITTVP principles may be used for long COVID patients, and CERT for reporting interventions, but these should be further researched
Elemental, phytochemical, and toxicological assessment of Cissus rotundifolia (Forssk.) Vahl
No full textCissus rotundifolia (Forssk.) Vahl. (Vitaceae) is a wild plant that is commonly used by communities from rural areas as a food and medicine. There are limited studies on the phytochemical composition and the impact of soil quality on the elemental distribution in this plant. In this study, we report a phytochemical analysis to identify the phytocompounds responsible for the reported biological activities of C. rotundifolia. We also examined the impact of soil quality on elemental uptake by the edible parts of C. rotundifolia collected from eight geographical locations in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) to assess the nutritional benefits and potential heavy metal toxicities. Three secondary metabolites (stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and pheophytin a) were isolated, and their structures were characterised by high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance data. The plant was found to contribute adequately to the recommended dietary allowances for essential nutrients without exceeding tolerable upper intake limits and with low concentrations of toxic heavy metals. The average concentrations of microelements in the edible parts were found to be in decreasing order of Fe>Mn>Se>Zn>Cu>Cr>Ni>Co. The bioaccumulation factors indicate that the plant controls the uptake of metals from the soil and would make a good indicator and biological monitor for cadmium toxicity. However, a health risk assessment exposed carcinogenic risks on regular consumption of the plant obtained from sites close to pollution sources, such as roads and landfills. The findings from this study show the synergies when consuming medicinal plants and provide evidence for C. rotundifolia as a nutraceutical.
Significance:
This study provides additional scientific knowledge on the phytochemical composition of C. rotundifolia. Three phytocompounds (stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and pheophytin a) were isolated, and their presence may be correlated to this plant’s antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. This study shows that C. rotundifolia contributes adequately to the recommended dietary allowances for essential elements, and the plant is safe for human consumption if collected from non-polluted sites. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic estimates for the toxic metals due to consumption of the plant signify the possibility of developing cancer over time if the plant is consumed frequently from polluted sites
Selenium quantification in wastewaters from selected coal-fired power plants and river waters in South Africa using ICP-MS
No full textSouth Africa mainly relies on Eskom's coal-fired power plants for electricity generation. However, the use of coal causes several adverse environmental impacts, including the release of selenium into the hydrosphere. Selenium is an essential nutrient for humans, animals, and microbes, but excess selenium is toxic. This paper describes the determination of total dissolved selenium in wastewater from selected coal-fired power plants and river waters near coal-fired power plants in South Africa. A sensitive and robust inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for determining total dissolved selenium in wastewater and river water was developed using a certified reference material (NIST SRM 1640a Trace Elements in Natural Water). The results agreed with the certified values, with percentage recoveries ranging from 92–96%. The method detection limit was 0.13 µg/L. Total Se concentrations in wastewater samples from Kriel and Lethabo Power Stations ranged between 4.86 and 8.53 µg/L, and in river water samples from the Olifants and Wilge Rivers, the concentrations ranged from 2.63–8.20 µg/L. These results indicate that the Se levels in the wastewater are too low to pose a health hazard to humans and livestock but pose an environmental threat to aquatic life. The low concentrations in the river samples also show that there may be slight Se pollution (regarding aquatic life) from the selected coal-fired power plants in South Africa. There may be slight Se pollution (with regards to aquatic life) from Duvha and Kendal Power Stations because an increase from 2–8 µg/L was observed in river water samples collected near these selected coal-fired power plants
Nutritive and immunological benefits derived from the honey bee gut microbiome are threatened by anthropogenic stressors
No full textInsect gut microbes have a disproportionate effect on their hosts, including the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. The honey bee gut, and that of other species that have been investigated, harbours a specific gut community that is conserved across populations globally. However, this gut community changes between different castes, sexes and life stages, which is largely due to diet and gut physiology. Evidence suggests that a healthy gut community is essential for honey bees to maintain functional immunity and nutrition. Without the four important gut symbionts (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Snodgrassella alvi and Gilliamella apicola), honey bees lack the ability to gain sufficient nutrients, protect themselves against pathogens and prevent intoxication. Unfortunately, honey bee gut symbionts are under threat due to in-hive pesticides, antibiotics and climate change. Therefore, we discourage the overuse of antibiotics and in-hive pesticides, as they could have unforeseen consequences for the honey bee gut microbiota. Instead, we recommend that beekeepers and scientists explore alternative options, such as bolstering honey bee resilience through probiotics
Factors influencing post-hackathon project continuation in an African corporate setting
No full textThis article reports on a study examining the factors influencing post-hackathon project continuation in a company with presence in several African countries. The research was conducted as a case study, and focused on hackathon events held by the company between 2018 and 2020. The study identified three core factors that influenced the potential for project continuation after the corporate hackathons: (1) availability of financing; (2) team skills fit and diversity; and (3) degree of project integration into company operations. Where one or more of these elements was insufficiently present, then project continuation became less likely—and the likelihood of project discontinuation increased. The findings are of potential utility to corporate hackathon organisers seeking to increase the levels of project continuation—and, by, extension, return on investment—from their companies’ hackathon projects
Is the Stick Real? Trends from Concluded Prosecutions of Industrial Environmental Crimes in South Africa
No full textSouth Africa’s suite of environmental laws contains many criminal sanctions and penalty provisions. Whether the criminal sanction is an effective tool that realises the constitutionally protected environmental right depends on how it is practically enforced and whether potential offenders become aware of such enforcement measures. This article reports on research aimed at collecting and analysing prosecutions for industry-related transgressions (conducted mainly in Magistrate’s Courts) and involving offences under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), the Waste Act, the Air Quality Act and the National Water Act. An analysis of 53 prosecutions shows that most cases resulted in convictions, half were concluded through plea and sentence agreements, half involved the conviction of individuals, no direct imprisonment penalties were imposed, and low fines were imposed in most cases. The findings include that there is some inconsistency in how different listed activities or water uses are treated as separate or consolidated criminal charges, and the exact number, outcome or trends arising from such cases are difficult to determine as there is no central, readily accessible database of concluded prosecutions. Increased access to such information would improve knowledge, implementation and the effective use of the criminal sanction through prosecutions. In turn, this would contribute to the improved realisation of the constitutionally protected environmental right
The 1874 Trial of Langalibalele of the Amahlubi
No full textThis article aims to discuss the actions leading up to the trial, and the 1874 Langalibalele trial itself, by including both the perspectives of Langalibalele and the colonial government. It sets out how the acquisition of guns from the diamond fields by the flourishing and largely independent Hlubi, their Chief Langalibalele's failure to adhere to a meeting request with colonial government officials, and the killing of three British soldiers outside the colony by fleeing Hlubi created the opportunity for nervous colonists and punitive leaders in a struggling colony to escalate the unfortunate events into the slaughter of hundreds of Africans and the destruction of their property without any negative personal consequences. The results for the colonists were overwhelmingly positive: access to more land, the availability of cheap labour and improved security.
Although the colonial government had the support of the colonists, questions were raised in England about the excessive bloodshed of the Hlubi and Putini tribes. After the capture of Langalibalele, his trial was an opportunity for the justification of the colonists’ actions. The authorities resorted to deceitful methods and a sham and unlawful trial to ensure the intended outcome, that Langalibalele was found guilty.
The article highlights the problems with the trial itself. These include that the LieutenantGovernor had no power to establish an African court and that the choice of law was inappropriate and contrary to applicable legislation. The law and procedure applied during the trial did not adhere to any specific legal system but was a convenient amalgamation of African and Natal law. Most of the members of the bench were not independent, were clearly prejudiced and were hostile towards the accused. The charges were not in accordance with the chosen law, they were unclear, and the accused's plea explanation was erroneously interpreted as a plea of guilty. He was found guilty before any evidence was led. He had no legal representation, no right to cross-examine witnesses and no right to call his own witnesses. The evidence did not support the crimes he was accused of committing and the punishment imposed was unlawful and exceeded the powers of the court. The appeal process was fraught with intimidation and those hearing the appeal were involved in the original trial.
Even after this travesty of justice had been exposed in England and discussed in Parliament, justice was not done for those who suffered the most (Langalibalele, the Hlubi and the Putini). Although Langalibalele was allowed to leave Robben Island, he was not restored as chief, the Hlubi's land and property were not restored, and the Putini did not receive their full compensation. There were some negative personal and career consequences for the unfortunate scapegoat (Pine), but also for the whistle-blower (Colenso) and the individual who unsuccessfully fought for reparations for the Putini reparations (Dunsford). The main conspirators, however, were rewarded with career advances and imperial awards (the Shepstone brothers).
This saga emphasises how "gun control formed a large part of an emerging struggle over land and citizenship" and the underhand methods and exceptional power the British used to cement imperial rule. The discovery of diamonds inland increased the economic potential and political importance of the colony, resulting in better security and a more structured, but less autonomous regulatory system for Africans, their chiefs, customs and laws
The Genesis of the Common Purpose Doctrine in South Africa
No full textThis contribution seeks to assess whether the generally accepted narrative of the emergence of the common purpose doctrine in South African law, as set out in Rabie's analysis of the doctrine, is indeed correct. In particular the following questions are examined: (i) Did the common purpose doctrine derive from English roots? (ii) Were the means of entry into South African law the Native Territories Penal Code? (iii) Did the doctrine indeed emerge in South African case law in 1917, in the Appellate Division case of McKenzie v Van der Merwe