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Dyslipidaemia pattern and prevalence among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on lipid-lowering therapy at a Tertiary Central South African Hospital
No full textBackground: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major cause of death worldwide. A large number of deaths due to ASCVD occur among people with diabetes mellitus (DM). One of the important modifiable risk factors associated with ASCVD is dyslipidaemia and its prevalence is not known in central South Africa (SA). This study aimed to determine the pattern and prevalence of dyslipidaemia among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients on lipid-lowering therapy. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective patient record study was conducted at Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein, in central SA. The study population included 143 consecutive T2DM patients of any age that attended the Diabetes Clinic from 1 January to 31 March 2019. The patients had to be on lipid-lowering therapy for a minimum duration of 3 months. Data was sourced from the clinic files and it included lipid profile, anthropometric and demographic data. Dyslipidaemia was defined using the 2018 SA dyslipidaemia guidelines. Result: The median age of the study participants was 63 years (interquartile range 52-71 years). Majority of the participants (n=92; 64.3%) were female. The median duration of DM diagnosis was 18 years (interquartile range 13-23 years). The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 86.7% that occurred in 124 out of the 143 subjects. Combined dyslipidaemia, namely triglycerides (TG) + low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) + TG or HDL + LDL, was the most common pattern (n=51; 42.5%) largely due to raised TG+LDL contributing 37.2% to this pattern. The second and third most common pattern was isolated (LDL, HDL or TG) and mixed dyslipidaemia (TG+HDL+LDL) at 40.8% and 16.7%, respectively. The most frequent abnormal lipid particle (n=84; 70%) was LDL cholesterol ≥ 1.8mmol/L. Of the 140 participants on statin therapy, only 5% were on high-intensity statin therapy. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of dyslipidaemia among DM patients despite the use of lipid-lowering therapy in this small retrospective study. The study highlights the need for better education of healthcare providers regarding the intensification of lipid-lowering therapy, along with improved strategies to address poor glycaemic control and other modifiable lifestyle factors
Stem rust resistance in South African wheat and triticale
No full textAbstract not availableThe rapid distribution of Ug99 and its variants emphasized the vulnerability of global
cereal production to stem rust. Due to the evolution and mutation of Puccinia
graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) pathotypes in South Africa (SA) there is a constant need
to discover new sources of resistance, understand the genetic base of presently
deployed sources in cereal cultivars, and to manipulate the future deployment of
resistant sources through a more sustainable approach. The current study includes
various fundamental aspects for effective management of stem rust in SA.
Assessment of wheat varieties elucidated a decline in seedling and adult plant stem
rust resistance from 2009 to 2011. Previous studies confirmed the presence of the
resistance genes Sr24 and Sr31 in various South African varieties and the sudden
decrease in adult plant resistance (APR) observed from 2009 to 2011 after the
appearance of Pgt pathotype UVPgt60 (PTKST) corroborated the presence of
these genes in certain South African varieties. Since 2011, the withdrawal of
susceptible cultivars and selection for resistance to this pathotype, resulted in an
annual increase in the number of entries with seedling and APR.
In the past conventional methods of phenotyping wheat and triticale have proven to
be difficult and time consuming and multi-pathotype tests were only feasible on
seedlings in the greenhouse. The development of a dependable screening system
for assessing APR for stem rust in the greenhouse provides an additional
instrument to assess for stem rust resistance and allows for simultaneous multipathotype screening. The validation of the technique emphasized that it is unlikely
that greenhouse phenotyping will replace field testing, especially for additively
inherited resistance genes that may yield more reliable results under field
conditions.
The effective management of stem rust requires race-monitoring, characterization
of resistance sources and deployment thereof. A single rust species, such as Pgt,
can be variable in its ability to attack different genera of host plants such as wheat
and triticale. Although there is some understanding of rust resistance in wheat, little
SUMMARY 226
is known about resistance in triticale. Inheritance studies were undertaken to
determine the genetic base of certain South African cultivars through seedling
analysis and field work to detect APR. Breeding emphasis should be on the stacking
of resistance genes as observed for Duzi, SST 047, Steenbras and Tankwa.
However, the presence of single genes detected in Tobie and Kiewiet explains the
short-lived resistance to Pgt in both triticale cultivars. The additional seedling
resistance gene expressed in Line SrNin needs further clarification.
To add to our understanding of the host-pathogen interaction of triticale, histological
methods such as microscopy were used to elucidate the infection structures and
subsequent colonization process of rust pathogens in different cereal hosts.
Previously no comprehensive information existed for the infection process of Pgt in
triticale and scanning electron microscopy results showed no evident morphological
differences in pre-penetration fungal behavior when compared with wheat. Results
further revealed that colony size and biomass growth are equally applicable to
triticale when the expression of resistance is studied.
In conclusion, the utilization and development of different resistance screening
methods, a valued study to elucidate host genetics as well as the use of histological
and microscopic methods to study early resistance responses broaden our
knowledge and understanding of stem rust resistance in South African wheat and
triticale cultivars.University of the Free State, Department of Plant Science
Translating terms for reconciliation in the Toussian New Testament (Burkina Faso): Bible translation as a means for social change
No full textThis thesis examines the problem of inadequate terminology in Toussian, a language of Burkina Faso, for translating the biblical concept of reconciliation. Through a detailed analysis of the biblical terms for reconciliation and in-depth ethnographic analysis of the traditional social structures for reconciliation in Toussian culture, appropriate strategies are proposed for translating the biblical concept of reconciliation in Toussian. When the biblical texts relating to reconciliation are meaningfully translated in Toussian, it is then possible to propose a model for Scripture Engagement involving reconciliation as a means for social transformation. In this way, the Bible translator can be an agent for social change. The subject of reconciliation has become more and more important because of various conflicts that undermine the world. In addition, it has become an issue in many African communities such as the Toussian people, living in the south of Burkina Faso, which need to understand well this concept of reconciliation for real social change. For its theoretical framework, this research utilises the Structuration Theory of the sociologist Anthony Giddens. In translation studies, both Descriptive Translation Studies and the Functionalist Approaches emphasise the importance of taking into account the social context in which translation occurs. The recent sociological turn in Translation Studies emphasises the role of the translator as an active social agent in given social contexts, which is not always recognised or noticed by other social agents. Structuration Theory provides a framework for examining the Bible translation process in a holistic way and a more realistic way. It also highlights the fact that the social and the individual are in constant interaction. In addition, an understanding of the sociology of religion provides an important framework for considering the religious life of the Toussian people and the religious context of Bible translation. Toussian society is a headless society with leadership distributed among the “land chief,” the “village chief” and the blacksmiths. It has both matrilineal and patrilineal lines; the matrilineal line determines inheritance of family property and also plays an important role in the solving of conflicts among clans. Reconciliation of social conflict involves restorative justice or punitive justice as determined by the nature of the offense. Conflict resolution mechanisms involve an oral dimension (the rhetoric of mediators and negotiators), a ritual dimension (music, song, dance), and a traditional dimension (the founding myths of the community). Toussian culture is predominantly non-literate with a strong oral culture; Biblical performance criticism thus provides a method or set of approaches for proposing a model for the implementation of oral Scripture engagement involving biblical texts with the theme of reconciliation in the Toussian area. The biblical concepts of reconciliation are examined through a study of the notions in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, there are various mechanisms for reconciliation, both between humans and between humans and the deity. In fact, there is no specific lexical term for reconciliation as in the New Testament. The Greek terms relating to reconciliation that are found in the New Testament appear in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, but the meaning is not fully developed as in the New Testament. In the New Testament, by contrast, the notions of reconciliation are expressed through a number of words. This study focuses on the differences between horizontal reconciliation (between humans) and vertical reconciliation (between humans and God) with special attention to an analysis of 2 Corinthians 5.18-21. This study established that the meaning of καταλλαγη (reconciliation) when it refers to the vertical dimension involves the idea that God is ending enmity with humankind. The analysis of the terms for reconciliation in the New Testament demonstrates that the translation already made in Toussian translates well the idea of horizontal reconciliation but Toussian lacks lexical terms to render the concept of vertical reconciliation. The Toussian translators used expressions which have only a connotation of union for both kinds of reconciliation. It is proposed to use expressions relating to the ending of enmity or hostility to express the concept of vertical reconciliation in which there is the idea of a change of the situation. On the basis of the new translation, a model for the implementation of reconciliation within Toussian society is proposed alongside the implementation of oral performance of biblical texts and songs utilizing the proposed reconciliation terminology to effect social change and cohesion.Seed companyUniversity of the Free Stat
An ethnobotany institute in mid-town Bloemfonten: altering perceptions of the implicit through imagination and architecture
No full textAbstract not availableAfrican Ginger, like many medicinal plants, is extinct in the
wild. More valuable plants will become extinct if they are
not protected through cultivation. However, cultivation
is not traditionally how a herbalist would gather their
specimens.
Herbalist’s resources come from ritualized places of
gathering known only to themselves. This journey takes
them beyond the realms of what is ‘known’ by the tribe and
into areas only they knows. They see these places through
a different lens to the rest of society, and has an in-depth
knowledge of plants and what each can do. The knowledge
of these plants is implicitly rooted in the stories and myth
of the specific area. In contemporary society, knowledge
is explicit and must be available to all to be embraced.
This dictates that the herbalist’s lenses must be shared to
transform how society sees ethnobotany.
As cities such as Bloemfontein grow, and farms occupy
increasing amounts of this landscape, the medicine man has
fewer and fewer places to gather his specimens. The realm
of the ‘unknown’ wild is, therefore, further and further
diminished. The congestion of the city is the ‘new wild’ and
is brought into being by man.
60% of South Africans use herbalists as their healthcare
provider, and there is 40 times the number of herbalists
than trained medical doctors in South Africa. This leads to
questioning why the government has not provided similar
infrastructure for this kind of healthcare. The University of
the Free State (UFS) is rectifying this problem by funding the
division of Phytomedicine and Phytopharmacology within
the Post Graduate School. This is a university research
building which incorporates greenhouses and gardens in the
Mid-Town of Bloemfontein
Characterization of autoantibodies to ADAMTS13 in HIV-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
No full textThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a potentially fatal thrombotic microangiopathic disorder that can occur secondary to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The pathogenesis involves deficiency of the von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving protease ADAMTS13 and the presence of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. Insufficient information is however available regarding epitope specificity and reactivity of the ADAMTS13 autoantibodies present in HIV-associated TTP. In this study, epitope-mapping analysis was performed to provide novel insight into the specific antigenic regions (epitopes) on ADAMTS13 domains affected by autoantibodies in patients with HIV-associated TTP. Anti-ADAMTS13 IgG autoantibodies are also present in HIV positive individuals, and their binding specificities were analysed. Methods: A total of 59 HIV-associated TTP plasma samples with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency of less than 10% were collected prior to plasma therapy and analysed. Hundred (100) plasma samples from HIV positive patients without TTP were included as a control group. We compared the ADAMTS13 parameters i.e. ADAMTS13 antigen and activity levels and autoantibody titers and VWF parameters i.e. antigen levels, propeptide and multimeric patterns between the HIV-associated TTP and the control cohort. To understand the pathogenic mechanisms of anti-ADAMTS13 IgG autoantibodies, a synthetic peptide library comprising of ADAMTS13 proximal domains was used to map potential epitope regions that bind to purified anti-ADAMTS13 IgG antibodies isolated from 53 individual HIV-associated TTP patient samples and 18 control cohort samples using a newly developed Peptide ELISA-based assay. Results: The HIV-associated TTP patient plasma samples had severely reduced ADAMTS13 antigen (25% but 200%), and no statistically significant difference between them (p>0.05). The epitope mapping results revealed that the Metalloprotease, Cysteine-rich and Spacer domains were constantly (100%) involved in binding anti-ADAMTS13 IgG antibodies isolated from the 53 patients with HIV-associated TTP samples. 58% of these samples contained anti-ADAMTS13 IgG antibodies that bind to the C-terminal part of ADAMTS13 Disintegrin-like domain. However, in the HIV positive plasma samples, the Metalloprotease and Disintegrin-like domains were the primary targets (100%) for anti-ADAMTS13 IgG antibody binding, while only 61% of samples with IgG antibodies showed binding to the Cysteine-rich and Spacer domains of ADAMTS13. The IgG autoantibodies detected in the control cohort samples shared linear epitopes at various regions of the ADAMTS13 proximal domains investigated with anti-ADAMTS13 IgG antibodies detected in HIV-associated TTP patient samples. Conclusions: Most (90%) of patients diagnosed with HIV-associated TTP with severe ADAMTS13 activity levels of less than 10% have anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. Thus, highlighting that ADAMTS13 autoantibody-mediated deficiency may be involved in HIV-associated TTP. Both inhibitory and non-inhibitory anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies are present in these patients, suggesting that different pathogenic mechanisms may be involved in HIV-associated TTP. The Metalloprotease, Cysteine-rich and Spacer domains are the primary target for anti-ADAMTS13 IgG autoantibodies in patients with HIV-associated TTP. In contrast, HIV positive patients without TTP may have anti-ADAMTS13 IgG autoantibodies, which may even share linear epitopes with those detected in patients with HIV-associated TTP, but their pathological relevance has not been elucidated. The results of this study provides new insight into the pathophysiology of HIV-associated TTP. HIV-associated TTP patients have anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies potentially affecting the proteolytic activity of this enzyme.National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS
Considerations of talent management in retention of academics: a case of the National University of Lesotho
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of talent management practices at the National University of Lesotho in the retention of talented academics. The study was informed by Pierre Bourdieu’s social theory and Michael Armstrong’s equity theory. Bourdieu’s theory was used to offer insight on the various kinds of capital, and how these kinds of capital could be instrumental in the design and implementation of talent management practices in order to increase retention of talent in universities. Additionally, the equity theory was used to inform how talent management practices could be used to bring equilibrium between the different kinds of capital and the outputs or rewards, in retaining talent in the face of high competition for talent in the labour market. Despite the successful implementation of the concept talent management in the business world and universities in Europe, the application of talent management in African universities is lagging behind. Considering that circumstances and characteristics of the private organisations are different from those of public institutions like universities, talent management in the private organisations has taken a more management perspective at the exclusion of other key stakeholders such as employees, government and the society. In that light, a literature review was conducted to offer the theoretical underpinnings of the meaning and importance of talent management to all the stakeholders. To further understand talent management narratives, an overview of talent management practices was done followed by a discussion on the current possible challenges that could affect the implementation of successful talent management practices meant to retain talented academics. Following a qualitative methodology, data was generated through semi-structured interviews and document analysis to advance a critical and interpretive understanding of the perspectives of talent management from both management and talented academics in the university. The data revealed that, though the university is implementing talent management practices, it does not have an official and structured talent management programme, which is imperative in retaining academics. It was through the lens of understanding perspectives of different participants, that there are other factors which need to be addressed in order to effectively and successfully implement talent management in universities and retain talented academics. This study concludes by advocating the design and implementation of a formal, contextual and structured talent management framework, in consultation with all key stakeholders, in order to increase retention of talent. Although suggestions about particular talent management practices have the potential to improve talent retention, it remains important that the government, as a major stakeholder in public universities, commits to prioritise provision of resources and afford a higher degree of autonomy to universities for them to gain competitive advantage in the academic aren
SI screw vs locking square plate fixation in sacroiliac joint disruption on composite bone models
No full textBackground: The aim of this study was to compare a locked square plate to a standard sacroiliac screw of the sacroiliac joint on a composite pelvis bone model to assess the ultimate load tolerated before failure of fixation and to describe the mode of failure of the construct. Methods: Bilateral sacroiliac (SI) joint dislocations were created in 10 composite pelvic bone models. In this descriptive comparative study, the one SI joint was fixated using a 7.3mm cannulated screw and the contralateral side fixated using a 4-hole square locking plate. The pubic symphysis was not fixed. An upward vertical load was manually applied to each respective SI joint using a hook into the sciatic notch. The ultimate load to failure and the mode of failure was recorded for both groups. Results: The mean load to failure for the SI screw group was 310 N and for the SI plate group 580 N. The ultimate load to failure was significantly lower in the SI screw group (p=0.0002). There were no hardware-related failures recorded in any of the fixations in the study. The SI screw group had failure through a fracture of the sacrum in all the specimens. In the SI plate group, fractures of the sacrum and ilium constituted, respectively, 60% and 40%. Conclusion: A locked square plate fixation is superior to a single SI screw at the ultimate load to failure when a vertical load is applied to the sacroiliac joint in a composite bone model
Association between deformity correction and clinical outcome post total knee arthroplasty
No full textBackground: The aim of this study was to establish if the degree of deformity correction during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has an influence on post-operative patient satisfaction. Patient and methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive analytical study of 180 patients that underwent an elective TKA using computer assisted software. Patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of deformity correction required to obtain a neutral mechanical axis: 3-degrees-andmore or less-than-3-degrees. Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) were collected at the pre-operative, 6 week and 1 year post-operative intervals. The mean KOOS scores were compared at each interval and the difference between mean KOOS scores were compared for the following intervals: pre-operative to 6 weeks postoperative; pre-operative to 1 year postoperative; 6 weeks to 1 year postoperative. Results: The pre-operative mean KOOS scores for the group of patients that required a 3-degree-andmore deformity correction were statistically higher than the group requiring less-than-3-degreedeformity correction. At 6 week and 1 year follow ups there was no statistical difference between the two comparison groups. With respect to mean KOOS score improvement between intervals, the group that required less than 3 degrees of deformity correction showed statistically significant improvement in symptoms for the pre-operative to 1 year follow up period. Conclusion: Results of the study showed that patients requiring a lesser correction of their malalignment do better after TKA
Critical success factors for SMEs in the Northern Cape Province
No full textDissertation (MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2020Research has proven that the SME sector is important to the economy of
developing countries, and South Africa is no exception. This sector has contributed
immensely to job creation, poverty alleviation and assisting in the prosperity of the
nation. The Northern Cape province only contributes between 1.9% and 2% to the
country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP); it is therefore of the utmost importance
that the SMEs in the province become successful, so that they can continue
operating and provide employment and contribute to the national GDP. The primary
objective of the research is to identify success factors that influence the
development of SMEs in the Northern Cape Province, and to examine the economic
factors necessary for SMEs to thrive in the province as well as the necessary
personal attributes and business skills for entrepreneurship. Through an analysis of
theoretical information and empirical results it is possible to facilitate a better
understanding of how SMEs in the Northern Cape succeed, thus enabling learning
that contributes to the body of knowledge relating to SMEs in the Northern Cape.
The literature review has pointed out that there are psychological and nonpsychological
factors as well as enterprise characteristics that make a business
successful. Psychological factors are the motive of the entrepreneur as well as the
vision and mission for the business, while non-psychological factors are the product
/ service knowledge, stakeholder relations; and the enterprise characteristics are
the business age, business network, and financial resources. Mixed-method
research was adapted to conduct this study comprising both the quantitative and
qualitative research methods. Questionnaires were distributed to SMEs to gather
data from participants, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with relevant
institutions. Of the questionnaires issued, 125 that were usable were obtained, and
interviews were conducted with three agencies. From the analysis of the data, it
was identified that one of the significant factors that can contribute to the success
factors of the SMEs is the improved relationship between government agencies and
SMEs in the province. Other critical success factors identified are personal
attributes and business skills as well as business location
Blood culture contamination in the Department of Paediatrics of Universitas- and Pelonomi Hospitals
No full textBackground: Sepsis and septic shock are one of the most important risk factors for mortality in children. Blood cultures remain the gold standard to identify the causative organisms of sepsis and to obtain the antibiotic sensitivity profile. The shortcoming of blood cultures is that only 5 to 13% of cultures will turn out to be positive and roughly 20 to 56% of these will represent contaminants. The South African Society for Clinical Microbiology (SASCM) endorses the blood culture sampling technique as described by Ntusi e t al . (2010). Abrahams et al . (2015) described that there was poor adherence to these standards which contributes to a high blood culture contamination rate. There is a shortage of South African studies addressing the problem of blood culture contamination. Objective: To determine the blood culture contamination rates in the Department of Paediatrics at Pelonomi- and Universitas Hospital for the month of May to 27 August 2019 by reviewing blood culture results. To assess blood culture sampling technique amongst clinicians by means of anonymous questionnaires. Methods: This is a descriptive study. The blood culture contamination rate for 1 May 2019 to 27 August 2019 was determined by analysing NHLS data. Clinician blood culture sampling practices were described by using information from anonymous questionnaires which were handed out to clinicians working in the Department of Paediatrics during the same period. Results: Of the 244 blood cultures reviewed, 61 (25%) had positive growth, 36 (15%) grew contaminants and 7 (3%) grew more than one organism. The blood culture contamination rate was 15%. Thirty-two percent of clinicians were aware of the SASCM guidelines regarding blood culture sampling technique, but only 3% indicated that they complied with the guidelines. Conclusion: This study found a blood culture contamination rate which is almost five times higher than internationally accepted rate. It also found that clinicians were not aware of blood culture sampling guidelines and in the few cases where clinicians were aware of these guidelines, compliance with these guidelines was not met. Recommendations made, include quarterly review of blood culture contamination rate at these institutions and making clinicians aware of correct technique or optimising technique within the limited circumstances by putting together guidelines on blood sampling techniques for blood cultures for local use