11613 research outputs found
Sort by
Isolation and characterization of lytic bacteriophages, a potential alternative for bovine mastitis control
No full textMastitis is a common disease affecting dairy herds, with high occurance incidents and tremendous economic losses associated with it. Varieties of infectious agents are associated with mastitis, but bacteria are responsible for most of the cases. Apart from large numbers and heterogeneity between bacterial species associated with mastitis, it is an infectious disease and the process of milk production makes it easy for the disease to spread and difficult to control. Good milking hygiene, antibiotic therapy during lactation and dry off and chemical teat dips are some of the measures used in its control and treatment of mastitis. However, more cases of antibiotic therapy in treatment and control end up in failure and antimicrobial resistance is the reason attributed to this.
The main goal of this study was to investigate the diversity of bacterial species causing mastitis in South African dairy farms, determine their antimicrobial susceptibility profile and isolate lytic bacteriophages for these species as potential alternative for the control of mastitis caused by bacterial pathogens. Milk samples from mastitis and normal cows were analysed using traditional isolation methods on non-selective and selective differential agar plates, identification by standard biochemical tests. The following bacterial species were predominantly found: Staphylococcus aureus and members of Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus group (Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus xylosis, Staphylococcus epidermis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus hycus, Staphylococcus capitis, Staphlococcus sciuri), Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Enterococcus spp., Enterobacteriacea spp., Proteus spp., Citrobacter spp., Bacillus spp., Bacillus pumilus, Acinetobacter spp., Lactococcus lactis and Pasteurella spp.
For their antimicrobial susceptibility evaluation, disk-diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used. The highest sensitivity was found on cephalosporins (cefuroxime 94% and cephalexin 65%) and aminoglycosides (streptomycin 82% and kanamycin 82%), tetracycline 65%, bacitracin 59%, novobiocin 59% and amplicillin 53% and resistance to polymyxin B (53%), penicillin (53%), ampicillin (41%), bacitracin (41%), novobiocin (41%). Intermediate resistance was found for neomycin (47%). Also, different teat dip disinfectants with different active ingredients were evaluated. Products tested were, Deosan Teat Form (Chlorhexidine based), Mastocide (Chlorhexidine digluconate based), Deosan Iodel Gel and locally available chemical pre- and post-milking teat dip (Citric acid monohydrate 0.42% ppm m/v and Dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid based) and milking equipment sanitiser Perosan (peracetic acid based). All teat dips products were found to be effective, with 100% lethal effects at the recommended application rate in inhibiting growth of all mastitis associated causative strains tested. While the local chemical distribitor chemical Perosan acid sanitizers was ineffective at the concentration of 0.4% and double these manufacture recommended concentration for both Gram-negative and positive isolates at exposure time of 5 minutes. Deosan Perosan was also ineffective at manufacture recommended working concentration 0.5% and at double this concentration for Gram-negative. The MIC for these strains was predicted to be >0.75% and for Gram-positive strains, their MICs were between 0.75%-0.19%.
For isolation of lytic bacteriophages, 12 lytic phages were successfully isolated from cow manure for the following species S. aureus, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium sp., Acenetobacterium sp. and E. coli. All these phages formed clear round plaques with size between 1-2 mm in diameter and titer between 108- 10¹² PFU/ml. Their TEM morphology characteristics showed that they belong to Myoviridae family. Spot test and efficiency of plaque formation were used to determine phage host ranges and most showed a broad host range, they were able to lyse other strains from the same species and strains from other species showing their potential for phage therapy application.National Research Foundation (NRF
PUNT, W Inventory of documents
No full textCOVERAGE 1 Book 323.168 TWESecretary of the Dutch - South African Society; publicatio
Determining the nutritional status of children from agri-business families in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
No full textSince the dawn of the new democratic South Africa in 1994, the subject of food, and food
security, thereof, has received serious attention, especially among previously
disadvantaged groups. Farming communities from these previously disadvantaged
groups have continuously received support from the government and other roleplaying
organisations in agricultural development in order to strengthen their capacity to produce
food for their communities and for the nation at large. However, very little or virtually
nothing is known of the state of nutrition (in)security or nutritional status of many of these
farming communities, particularly those that are involved in agri-business ventures.
Instead, these communities are presumed nutrition secure or having elevated nutritional
status by virtue of being food producers.
In view of the information gap outlined above, the purpose of this study was to investigate
the current state of nutrition security / nutritional status among children from agri-business
families. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to, namely; establish baseline data
for nutrition security / nutritional status of children from agri-business families, establish
the extent to which children from agri-business families are nutrition secure, using a
multiple of scientifically proven research methods of measuring nutrition security, identify
and understand short-comings to achieving nutrition security or good nutritional status
among children from agri-business families, and draw recommendations based on the
findings of the study.
This study’s research population was agri-business families who operated and resided in
Umzimvubu and Ntabankulu Local Municipalities of Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the
Eastern Cape Province. Precisely, the target group was previously disadvantaged agribusiness
owners / managers whose individual or collective annual turnover was between
R150 000 and R4 000 000. Such agri-businesses are statutorily classified as very small
or small or medium agricultural enterprises. After the objective and scientific selection
process, a purposeful research sample of 124 agri-businesses that were operated by 263
agri-business owners / managers was achieved. The agri-business owners / managers
were from 263 households. Each of the 263 agri-business households were represented
by a caregiver, to whom questions that relate to nutritional knowledge, attitudes and
feeding and general care of children were directed. A total of 327 children aged 5-14
years from the agri-business households participated in this study. Collection of data
from the abovementioned respondents was carried out in a theoretical, methodological
and analytical manner. This involved use of mixed research methods that included; a
socio-economic questionnaire, and other questionnaires on nutritional knowledge and
attitudes, nutritional practices, anthropometric measurements, and 24h dietary recall
method, and a food frequency questionnaire.
The outcomes of parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses, and content
analysis, showed that the caregivers had fairly good nutritional knowledge on a wide
range of issues. However, their children enjoyed rather modest nutritional practices that
were often characterised with intake of low quantities of foods, deprivation of breakfast
and some meals, high consumption of carbohydrates-rich foods, and low consumption of
fruits and vegetables. Food variety and dietary diversity scores which are indicative of
nutritional status were low and conservatively high, respectively.
The above scores and feeding patterns in general, influenced the intake of 24 nutrients
under investigation. When compared with their dietary reference intake (DRI) values, the
intake of these nutrients varied from low to high, with nutrients such as iodine and dietary
fibre, and carbohydrates and vitamin A, reported at low and high intake levels,
respectively. Most of the children had good nutritional status, in as far as their
anthropometric dimensions are concerned. However, the creeping problem of overweight
/ obesity was concerning, while stunting and wasting were at low levels.
The causes of nutrition insecurity / low nutritional status among the children from agribusiness
families were identified. Among these causes, the key ones which were
hypothesised and subsequently tested were; low farm and non-farm income, low
expenditure on food, and low educational status of caregivers. Based on the above
findings, conclusions were drawn, the most important being that quantities and varieties
of food items produced or financially accessed by agri-business families were not
sufficient to yield high food variety scores and unequivocally high dietary diversity scores
which would be indicative of high nutrition security / nutritional status for their children. A
similar conclusion held true with respect to the low intake of some nutrients against their
dietary reference intake.
Also drawn from this study’s findings were recommendations, the emphasis being on
nutrition education, and an integrated and systematic approach to addressing food and
nutrition insecurity among agri-business families.
This nutrition-sensitive food security study which was targeted at families of owners /
managers of very small, small and medium agricultural enterprises is the first of its kind
to be conducted in South Africa. To this end, this study brought ground breaking
contributions, thereby adding value to the general paucity of literature of the concept of
food and nutrition security. It also made similar contributions in the policy and
professional spheres of this contemporary concept
The status and role of provincial governance in the South African constitutional dispensation 1996 - 2012
No full textProvincial governance in South Africa has come under tremendous pressure and scrutiny from a variety of sectors, including Chapter 9 institutions, non-governmental organisations, the media, and opposition political parties. However, these challenges are not new and have been a concern for the South African government since the dawn of democracy. Former president, Thabo Mbeki, during his term of office, highlighted the challenges facing provinces – particularly with regard to financial management – and hinted at the need to abolish provinces. Endemic poor governance and incapacity within provinces – particularly those that inherited regions of the former homelands – undermined government’s efforts of reconstruction and development. Yet, more than 23 years since the dawn of democracy in the country, the provinces continue to struggle to fulfil their executive obligations. This incapacity at provincial government level has led the ruling ANC to review provinces.
The review of provinces requires constitutional amendment as it entails rearranging the political legislative framework and system of government that assigns the powers and functions to the provinces; a political provision that is entrenched in the Constitution of the country. This political framework of government, known as a quasi-federal system or a decentralised unitary state because of its close resemblance to a federal state, albeit highly centralised, was agreed to as a compromise by negotiating parties during the Codesa negotiations to accommodate the fears and safeguard the interests of minority parties, particularly the IFP and the NP, in the new government of national unity. The study took an exploratory descriptive qualitative research approach to explore the status and role of provincial governance in the South African constitutional dispensation between 1996 and 2012.
The study found weaknesses in the legislative framework of the current political system of government, which subsequently renders provinces prone to practices of poor governance and incapacity with respect to their ability to fulfil their constitutional executive obligations and electoral mandate. Thus, the study proposes an assignment of constitutionally guaranteed powers and functions to provinces through constitutional reforms. This would establish South Africa as a federation, whereby provinces have the authority and capacity to act independently as autonomous institutions of democratic governance within their respective jurisdictions to fulfil their legislative and executive obligations in the best interest of their diverse constituencies
Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of registered dietitians in South Africa regarding eating disorders
No full textEating disorders, including disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder (among others), are coined as some of the most difficult and frustrating conditions for healthcare practitioners to deal with. Despite the relatively low percentage of the population suffering from an eating disorder, it remains one of the psychiatric conditions with the highest mortality rate. Both black and white ethnic groups have been found equally at risk for developing the disease. Little is known regarding the aetiology, onset, pathology, and treatment of the condition within a South African context. Dietitians are widely seen as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team and treatment of patients suffering from eating disorders. However, little formal training is provided in order to provide dietitians with the advanced skills and knowledge needed to treat a patient with an eating disorder successfully. It is also been proven that the negative attitudes of practitioners towards patients with eating disorders as well as the misconceptions taken for truth may hamper treatment outcomes of the condition. The main aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of registered dietitians in South Africa regarding eating disorders. The researcher mainly focused on anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In order to achieve the aim of the study, the researcher developed an electronic questionnaire with questions compiled from literature regarding diagnosis, pathology and treatment of eating disorders. After ethical clearance was obtained, an invitation was sent to participants (by means of dietetic associations’ newsletters and social media platforms) inviting South African dietitians to participate in the study and complete the online questionnaire. In order to investigate participants’ attitudes towards patients with eating disorders, dietitians were given statements regarding eating disorders and were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with the statement. Multiple choice questions were asked to test knowledge. A total of 85 dietitians responded. Most dietitians responded positively to most of the attitude statements with a mean of 56% of statements. However, respondents held a more negative view towards treating patients suffering from eating disorders. Knowledge regarding eating disorders was poor with none of the participants achieving the 70% mark needed to be considered as having good knowledge. Knowledge lacked mainly regarding diagnostic criteria, which was followed by pathology. Knowledge regarding treatment fared the best, but still showed poor results. Overall, South African dietitians showed poor knowledge in the field of eating disorders but neutral to slight positive attitudes towards patients suffering from eating disorders despite a large portion of participants still holding some misconceptions regarding the condition. Due to the complex nature of the disease and the intensive training needed to treat patients with eating disorders competently, the researcher recommends that dietitians be allowed to specialise in the treatment of eating disorders via a formal training programme. This will ensure that patients receive optimal treatment for their condition
Adequacy of oral intake in a private intensive care unit in Gauteng province
No full textThe prevalence of DRM in acute care facilities is a common phenomenon that negatively impacts on patient mortality, morbidity and cost of treatment. However, it remains a widely under-recognised and under-treated problem. The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy of nutritional intake of exclusively orally fed patients admitted to the ICU in a private South African hospital in Alberton, Gauteng Province.
An observational cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 14 consecutive days. A total of 26 participants were recruited and included in the study and their oral intakes were followed up daily throughout their stay in the ICU to deliver a total number of 94 data collection points for comparison. The sample comprised of 15 male and 11 female participants. Majority of the participants were admitted to ICU as result of trauma, were between the ages of 20 and 40 years and spent less than 10 days in ICU. Fifty percent of the participants had a normal BMI between 20 – 24.9 kg/m2.
Energy and protein requirements as well as total oral intakes in terms of energy and protein content, were calculated for each participant. For participants that were included in the study for more than one day, the average daily oral intake was calculated. Total oral intake included food received from the catering department, personal snacks and beverages as well as ONS. To assess the adequacy of nutritional intake, the nutritional content of consumed food and beverages was compared to requirements at the hand of energy and protein content.
For the total sample (n=26) as well as the subgroup that received ONS (n=11), the median energy and protein intakes were inadequate, with and without ONS. The energy intake for the subgroup that did not receive ONS (n=15) was almost adequate at 98%, whilst protein intake was inadequate. Although the addition of ONS did not elevate energy and protein intake to adequacy in these two groups, the increase in energy and protein intakes were statistically significant for the total sample (n=26), as well as for the sub-group (n=11) that received ONS. When the sample was divided per BMI group, for the subgroup BMI < 30 kg/m2 (n=19) the median energy intake for energy and protein was inadequate with and without ONS. For the heavier subgroup (n=7), energy requirements were exceeded both without and with ONS while protein intake remained inadequate even with the addition of ONS. Therefore, the intake of energy was inadequate for all the subgroups, with and without ONS, except for the heavier subgroup where energy intake exceeded requirements, with and without ONS. Protein intake was inadequate for all the subgroups despite the addition of ONS.
This study confirmed that, in general, the oral intakes of patients admitted to ICU is inadequate. It was confirmed that the prescription of ONS to optimise the oral intakes, is essential. However, specific consideration to optimise protein delivery without exceeding energy requirements in the critically ill obese patient, is necessary. Furthermore, the study highlighted the important role of a dedicated food service dietitian in the hospital setting.
Recommendations for future research include the development of South African guidelines aimed at directing and monitoring adequate oral intakes of ICU patients, development of ONS to meet the specific nutritional requirements of the critically ill obese patient and suggestions to investigate the nutritional requirements and importance of optimal nutrition during the recovery phase. Finally, the researcher considers it necessary to develop a position statement outlying the specific role and responsibilities of the therapeutic dietitian versus the food service dietitian, highlighting the importance of a dedicated food service dietitian.Die voorkoms van wanvoeding in akute sorg-hospitale is ‘n algemene verskynsel wat die mortaliteit en morbiditeit van pasiënte, sowel as koste verbonde aan behadeling, negatief beïnvloed. Tog is dit ‘n verskynsel wat swak geïdentifiseer word en daarom ook nie na wense behandel word nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die toereikendheid van die voedingsinname van pasiënte met uitsluitlik orale inname in ‘n intensiewe sorg eenheid in ‘n Suid-Afrikaanse privaat hospitaal in Alberton, Gauteng Provinsie, te bepaal.
‘n Obserwerende dwarssinitstudie is oor ‘n periode van 14 opeenvolgende dae uitgevoer. ‘n Totaal van 26 deelnemers is gewerf waarvan die orale innames daagliks, vir die duur van verblyf in die intensiewe sorg eenheid, opgevolg is, wat n totale aantal van 94 data-insamelingspunte opgelewer het. Die steekproef het uit 15 manlike en 11 vroulike deelnemers bestaan. Die meerderheid van die deelnemers is in die intensiewe sorgeenheid opgeneem as gevolg van trauma. Die meeste van die deelnemers se ouderdomme was tussen 20 en 40 jaar en het minder as 10 dae in die intensiewe sorg eenheid deurgebring. Vyftig present van die deelnemers het ‘n normale liggaamsmassa-indeks tussen 20 – 24.9 kg/m2 gehad.
Energie- en proteïnbehoeftes sowel as die totale orale inname in terme van energie- en proteïne, is vir elke deelnemer bepaal. Vir deelnemers wat meer as een dag in die studie ingesluit was, is die gemiddelde orale inname bereken. Die totale orale inname het voedsel van die spysenieringsafdeling, persoonlike versnaperings en drank sowel as orale supplemente ingesluit. Ten einde die toereikendheid van die voedingsinname te bepaal, is die voedingswaarde van alle voedsel en drank wat ingeneem is, aan die hand van die energie- en proteïninhoud, vergelyk met die voedingsbehoefte van elke deelnemer.
Vir die totale steekproef (n=26), sowel as die subgroup wat orale supplemente ontvang het (n=11), was die mediaan vir energie- en proteïninanme ontoereiekend, met sowel as sonder oral supplemente. Die energie-inname van die subgroep wat nie orale supplemente ontvang het nie (n=15) was 98% en dus bykans toereikend, maar proteïninname ontoereikend. Alhoewel die inname van orale supplemente nie energie- en proteïninname na toereikende vlakke verhoog het nie, het dit beide energie- sowel as proteïnname statisties beduidend verhoog vir die totale steekproef (n=26) sowel as die subgroep wat orale supplemente ontvang het (n=11). Die steekproef is verder verdeel volgens liggaamsmassa-indeks. Vir die subgroep met n liggaams massa indeks < 30 kg/m2 (n=19) was die mediaan vir energie- en proteïninname ontoereiekend met en sonder oral supplemente. Vir die swaarder subgroep (n=7) is energiebehoeftes, met en sonder orale supplemente, oorskrei terwyl proteïninname ontoereikend was selfs wanneer orale supplemente ingeneem is. Dus, behalwe vir die swaarder subgroep waar energiebehoeftes oorskrei is, was die energie-inname van al die ander groepe ontoereikend. Die proteïninname van al die subgroepe was ontoereikend, ten spyte van die inname van orale supplemente.
Die studie het bevestig dat die orale inname van pasiënte wat in die intesiewe sorg eenheid opgeneem is, oor die algemeen ontoereikend is. Aangesien die inname van orale supplemente van kardinale belang is om die voedingsinname te optimaliseer, is spesifieke oorweging egter nodig om optimale proteïninname vir kritieke siek, obese pasiënte te verseker sonder om energiebehoeftes te oorskrei. Die studie her verder die belangrike rol van ‘n toegewyde voedseldiensdieetkundige in die hospitaal beklemtoon.
Aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing sluit in die ontwikkeling van Suid-Afrikaanse riglyne om toereikende orale inname van pasiënte in die intensiewe sorg eenheid, te verseker. Verdere navorsing word ook voorgetsel vir die ontwikkeling van orale supplemente om aan die unieke voedingsbehoefte van die kritieke siek obese pasiënt te voldoen sowel as om die rol van toereikende voeding tydens die rehabilitasiefase, te verseker. Laastens stel die navorser voor dat ‘n posisiestelling wat die rol en verantwoordelikhede van die terapeutiese dieetkundige versus die voedseldiensdieetkunidge uiteensit, asook die belang van ‘n toegewyde voedseldiensdieetkundige beklemtoon, gepubliseer word
GREWAR, David McKenzie [Dawie] Inventory of documents
No full textCOVERAGE 1958-1993; 59 Files; 0,33 Metres.Private papers of D.M. Grewar, Commissioner General of the South Sotho Ethnic Unit, Member of the President's Council
Time motion analysis of elite under 19 female netball players using GPS technology
No full textIntroduction: Netball is a high intensity team sport characterized by short bursts of movements coupled with less intense recovery periods. Understanding the physiological demands of the sport is essential for constructing sport-specific conditioning programmes.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to profile the physical characteristics and physiological demands on elite u/19 female netball players during netball matches, in an attempt to assess the differences in those characteristics and demands for the various playing positions in netball.
Methods: Global Positioning System (GPS) data on a total of forty-four (44) elite junior netball players (u/19A) were collected and a total of sixteen netball matches were analysed for the study. Therefore, a total of hundred and forty (140) GPS data sets (player games) were analysed (equivalent to 560 (140 x 4) player quarters out of a total of 731 player quarters that were recorded). Minimax X4 Catapult GPS units as well as a Polar HR monitors and chest straps were used to determine the physiological demands of netball players. The following variables were recorded: Distances covered, player load, the maximal velocity during the match; and heart rate (HR) response.
The various HR and GPS data variables were analysed using a linear mixed model with Playing Position as fixed effect, and the random effects Game, Team, Game x, Team interaction term, and Player. Fitting these random effects allowed for correlation between the observations in question due to multiple observations from the same game, team, and player. Based on this linear mixed model, the mean values of the variable for each playing position were estimated, together with their standard errors. Furthermore, the pairwise mean differences between playing positions were estimated, together with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the mean differences and P-values associated with the null-hypothesis of zero mean difference between the pair of playing positions in question.
Results: The body weight, body fat percentage and height of u/19 female netball players vary according to playing position. The Goal Shooter (GS) (186 b/min) recorded significantly (p<0.05) lower mean maximum HR than all the other positions. The mean HR of the GS (162 b/min) and the Goal Defence (GD) (170 b/min) was significantly lower than the Centre (C),Goal Attack (GA) (180 b/min) and WA (178 b/min). The C presented with the highest mean maximum velocity (5.23m.s-1) whereas the GS recorded the lowest mean maximal velocity of 4.05m.s-1. The C also covered significantly (p<0.05) more distance and presented with significantly (p<0.05) higher Player load (PL) than all the other positions, whereas the GS and the Goal Keeper (GK) presented with significantly (p<0.05) lower distance covered and PL. However, the GS and GK had a significantly higher PL per meter. The C covered 44% of its total distance between 0.2 – 3.6 m.s-1 whereas the GK and GS covered 77% of their total distance between 0.2 – 3.6 m.s-1. The GS and GK covered significantly (p<0.005) more distance in velocity band 1 than the C, GA, GD and Wing Attack (WA) and the Wing Defence (WD) travelled significantly (p=0.007) further than the C in velocity band 1. However, the GK and GS covered significantly (p<0.05) less distance than all the other positions in velocity band 2. The C travelled significantly (p<0.05) further than all the other positions in velocity band 3 and 4 and the GK travelled significantly (p<0.05) less in velocity band 4 than the other positions.
Conclusions: The study revealed the differences in physical profile and physical demands of u/19 female netball players between the seven playing positions. These findings emphasize the difference in physical demand between the different positions as well as the different type of load placed on the different positions. Coaches and conditioning coaches must implement the findings of the study to develop sport-specific, and more importantly, position-specific conditioning programs
