Walter Sisulu University
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Correlation of Total Phenolic, Flavonoid and Tannin Content of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) (Crassulaceae) Extract with the Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Activities
Get PDFBryophyllum pinnatum is a perennial herb used in traditional medicine against varieties of ailments such as memory disorder. This study quantitatively estimated the total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) and total proautocyanidin (TPA) contents of extract and fractions of B. pinnatum and correlated them with its antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities. Methanolic extract of the dried leaves was partitioned into n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. Total phenolic, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins content were estimated as gallic acid or quercetin equivalents. DPPH and nitric oxide scavenging activity as well as ferric reducing power assays were used to evaluate antioxidant activity, using 2,6-di-tert-butyl4-methylphenol (DDM) and ascorbic acid as standards. In vitro anticholinesterase activity was evaluated by Ellmann’s colorimetry assay with phsiostigmine (serine) and donepezil as positive control. The crude methanol extract had the highest phenolic, flavonoid and tannin content. The ethyl acetate fraction had the highest DPPH radical scavenging effect (IC50 0.004 mg/ml) while the aqueous fraction had the highest NO scavenging and ferric reducing effects with values of IC50 0.012 mg/ml and 0.007 mg/ml respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction had the best cholinesterase inhibitory effect (IC50 0.951 µg/ml AChE; 3.546 µg/ml BuChE). DPPH radical scavenging effect correlated strongly with total phenolic, flavonoids and proautocyanidins (r2 0.896, 0.651 and 0.619 respectively) while ferric reducing power showed weak correlation and NO scavenging as well as AChE inhibition had no correlation. The study shows DPPH radical scavenging could be due to the phenolic content while other class of compounds are responsible for the cholinesterase inhibition
Prevalence and molecular analysis of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in the extra-hospital environment in Mthatha, South Africa
No full textThe presence of Acinetobacter baumannii outside hospitals remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of multidrug-resistance (MDR) A. baumannii in the extra-hospital environment in Mthatha, South Africa and to investigate the frequency of carbapenemase-encoding genes. Material and Methods: From August 2016 to July 2017 a total of 598 abattoir samples and 689 aquatic samples were collected and analyzed presumptively by cultural methods for the presence of A. baumannii using CHROMagarTM Acinetobacter medium. Species identification was performed by autoSCAN-4 (Dade Behring Inc., IL) and confirmed by the detection of their intrinsic blaOXA-51 gene. Confirmed MDR A. baumannii isolates were screened for the presence of carbapenemase-encoding genes, ISAba1 insertion sequence and integrase intI1. Results: In total, 248 (19.3%) Acinetobacter species were isolated. Acinetobacter. baumannii was detected in 183 (73.8%) of which 85 (46.4%) and 98 (53.6%) were recovered from abattoir and aquatic respectively. MDR A. baumannii was detected in 56.5% (48/85) abattoir isolates and 53.1% (52/98) aquatic isolates. Isolates showed high resistance to antimicrobials most frequently used to treat Acinetobacter infections such as piperacillin/tazobactam; abattoir (98% of isolates resistant), aquatic (94% of isolates resistant), ceftazidime (84%, 83%), ciprofloxacin (71%, 70%), amikacin (41%, 42%), imipenem (75%, 73%), and meropenem (74%, 71%). All the isolates were susceptible to tigecycline and colistin. All the isolates carried blaOXA-51-like. The blaOXA-23 was detected in 32 (66.7%) abattoir isolates and 11 (21.2%) aquatic isolates. The blaOXA-58-like was positive in 7 (14.6%) and 4 (7.7%) abattoir and aquatic isolates, respectively. Both groups of isolates lacked blaOXA-24-like, blaIMP-type, blaVIM-type, blaNDM-1, blaSIM, blaAmpC, ISAba1 and inI1. Isolates showed high level of Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index (MARI) ranging from 0.20-0.52. Conclusion: Extra-hospital sources such as abattoir and aquatic environments may be a vehicle of spread of MDR A. baumannii strains in the community and hospital settings
The Impact of Energy Consumption on The Profitability and Renewable Energy Preference among SMEs in The KSD Municipality
Get PDFThis study investigated the impact of energy consumption on the profitability and renewable energy preference among SMEs in the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) local municipality. Cross sectional data was collected using a questionnaire and the adoption of information acceleration (IA) technique. The theoretical framework applied in this study is the theory of consumer-fuel-energy choice which is based on the energy ladder model and the associated fuel switching. Short-run sensitivity analysis (SRA), cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and multinomial logit model (MNL) were employed to measure the profitability and switching behaviour of the firms. SRA showed that the average monthly profit/loss by all firm categories were positive indicating a profit in the consumption of non-renewable energy (NRE). In contrast, results showed that all categories of the firms’ ran at loss if they were to switch to the renewable energy (RE) immediately. Results for CBA indicate that only RE system option satisfied the economic viability of all the three CBA decision criteria on both discount rates, proving to be a viable investment choice for all firm categories. The MNL regression results showed that the number of rooms, firm revenue, irregular power experiences, product information, price, business age, firm grades, gender of the respondent, and the educational levels have a statistically significant impact on willingness to switching from substantial to full willingness. The study recommends establishment of financial subsidy to SMEs to enable them switch to RE system. The research also suggests the need for policies and incentives on profit enhancing strategies, symmetric product information and environmental benefits for switching to RE by SMEs in the rural areas. Key words: Energy consumption, Profitability, Willin¬gness to switch, Cost-Benefit analysis, Multinomial logit model.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce and Administration, 201
GeoGebra as a Manipulative Tool in Providing Processes of Circle Geometry in Grade 11: A Case of One School in OR Tambo Inland District
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to establish the influence of using GeoGebra as a manipulative tool in providing processes of Grade 11 circle geometry at one school in OR Tambo Inland. The study adopted a quantitative approach and utilised the quasi-experimental research design. The sample consisted of 107 Grade 11 mathematics learners. Sixty (60) learners were in the experimental group and 47 in the control group. Pre-test and post-test, and likert-scaled questionnaires were used as instruments. Reliability and validity were ensured through test-retest, as well as member checking and a pilot study. All ethical requirements were followed. Findings revealed that pre-test results did not show much difference in the performance of experimental and control groups. After using GeoGebra, it statistically emerged that control group respondents performed lower than the experimental group. Findings obtained from the questionnaire also showed similar patterns. The study also found that participants who learnt circle geometry using GeoGebra were significantly motivated and that GeoGebra allowed learners to be exceedingly creative and discover skills of solving geometry problems by themselves. The positive impact of using GeoGebra resulted in significant differences on academic performance. Based on gender, more females compared to males agreed that GeoGebra was an effective manipulative tool in learning circle geometry. Interestingly, boys performed better than girls in the post-test. The study concluded that students who used GeoGebra showed higher ability in conceptual knowledge compared to students who used conventional methods. It also concluded that GeoGebra had positive effects on learners’ understanding as learners became significantly active and responsible for their own learning process as the software allows a self-learning process. Recommendations included the need for teachers to use the latest technology and to vary their methods of teaching to motivate learners. There is also a need for a workable alternative opposed to the rigid axiomatic approaches to circle geometry to facilitate and enhance learners’ ability to make and test conjectures. Curriculum planners and subject specialists need to emphasise on education systems that shift teaching and learning away from the traditional methods and emphasise on learning rules for manipulating geometry problems.Thesis (M.Ed) -- Faculty of Education Sciences, 202
Does femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) cause less endothelial cell loss and corneal oedema than conventional cataract surgery with phacoemulsification?
Get PDFOn-site evaluation of smoking, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity among commercial taxi drivers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
Get PDFCommercial drivers have been identified as eliciting behaviours that promote non- communicable diseases and road traffic accidents. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and pattern of alcohol use, smoking and physical inactivity among commercial taxi drivers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 commercial drivers using the face-to-face interviews method. The WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic data, self-reported rate of alcohol consumption, tobacco use and physical inactivity. The participants’ mean age was 43.3 ± 12.5 years. About 30% of the participants were daily smokers, 37% consumed alcohol regularly and only 18% were physically active, whilst 82% were physically inactive. The prevalence of alcohol use, smoking and physical inactivity is high among commercial drivers in East London. Workplace health education on the health effects of these lifestyles’ risky behaviours on individuals and the general public should be given to the drivers
The prevalence of insufficient iodine intake in pregnancy in Africa: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFManagement Capacity within Small to Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs) in the Eastern Cape Province
Get PDFThe small to medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs) are recognised as significant contributors to the development of the local and regional economies and create much needed entrepreneurial ventures. Universally, SMTEs play a significant role in the tourism sector. Management of these enterprises by owners and managers seems to face challenges. This paper examines the factors impacting on management capacity with specific focus on the SMTEs in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A systematic random sampling technique was utilised to choose a sample of 320 business respondents from the 2012 database of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, comprising of formally registered small tourism businesses. A total of 310 usable questionnaires was finally obtained. In this study descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Descriptive statistics were captured to highlight the owners’ characteristics and to consolidate their measurement scores. Utilising inferential statistics, the study undertook an investigation into relationships between demographic variables, business characteristics and factors impacting on management capacity within SMTEs were undertaken. The paper elucidates that a significant relationship was found between business characteristics and demographic variables. Furthermore, skills development, strategic and management knowledge and business leadership factors were compared with the qualifications group. This study adds to the body of knowledge in a predominantly less researched phenomenon of management capacity within SMTEs
Improving intravenous fluid prescribing in the Eastern Cape in South Africa
Get PDFIntravenous fluids are an essential component of patient care, but a 2013 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline noted that inappropriate prescribing or administration may lead to actual or potential patient harm in up to 20% of patients.1 This project aimed to improve prescribing documentation and communication between nurses and doctors regarding intravenous fluid management. This was done through the introduction of a fluid chart, in combination with teaching on appropriate fluid management. It was initiated within the medical department of Cecelia Makiwane Hospital in East London, South Africa. 309 patients were included and data were analysed over a 6-month period. The outcome measures were the standards of intravenous fluid prescribing set by the NICE guidelines. The process measure was the use of the new chart. Baseline data highlighted that there was no standardised location for fluid prescriptions within the bedside notes. Following the intervention, 81% of fluid prescriptions were on a fluid chart. The percentage of fluid scripts with a 24-hour fluid prescription, a recorded indication and recorded input increased after the intervention. Seventy six per cent of patients received more than 50% of the fluids prescribed following the intervention compared with 22% at baseline. These results indicated an increase in the doctor’s awareness of appropriate fluid prescribing and an improvement in the communication between doctors and nurses regarding the patient’s fluid management. The engagement of local stakeholders and staff was fundamental to the success of the project and allowed for this change in practice. Fluid management is a vital part of care in many specialties; therefore, a toolkit has been created to allow similar quality improvement projects to be implemented across other hospitals around the Eastern Cape
