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1H-NMR metabolomics investigation of CSF from children with HIV reveals altered neuroenergetics due to persistent immune activation
Full text linkDepartment of Biochemistry, Human Metabolomics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences,
North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa, 2Department of Pediatrics and Child Health,
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South AfricaBackground: HIV can invade the central nervous system (CNS) early during infection,
invading perivascular macrophages and microglia, which, in turn, release viral
particles and immune mediators that dysregulate all brain cell types. Consequently,
children living with HIV often present with neurodevelopmental delays.
Methods: In this study, we used proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1
H-NMR)
spectroscopy to analyze the neurometabolic profile of HIV infection using
cerebrospinal fluid samples obtained from 17 HIV+ and 50 HIV− South African
children.
Results: Nine metabolites, including glucose, lactate, glutamine, 1,2-propanediol,
acetone, 3-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, 2-hydroxybutyrate, and myoinositol, showed significant differences when comparing children infected with
HIV and those uninfected. These metabolites may be associated with activation
of the innate immune response and disruption of neuroenergetics pathways.
Conclusion: These results elucidate the neurometabolic state of children infected
with HIV, including upregulation of glycolysis, dysregulation of ketone body
metabolism, and elevated reactive oxygen species production. Furthermore,
we hypothesize that neuroinflammation alters astrocyte–neuron communication,
lowering neuronal activity in children infected with HIV, which may contribute to
the neurodevelopmental delay often observed in this population
Impact of Cosmic Rays on Atmospheric Ion Chemistry and Spectral Transmission Features of TRAPPIST-1e
Full text linkArticle, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Centre for Space Research (CSR)--Northwest University, Potchefstroom CampusOngoing observing projects like the James Webb Space Telescope and future missions offer the chance to characterize Earth-like exoplanetary atmospheres. Thereby, M dwarfs are preferred targets for transit observations, for example, due to their favorable planet–star contrast ratio. However, the radiation and particle environment of these cool stars could be far more extreme than what we know from the Sun. Thus, knowing the stellar radiation and particle environment and its possible influence on detectable biosignatures—in particular, signs of life like ozone and methane—is crucial to understanding upcoming transit spectra. In this study, with the help of our unique model suite INCREASE, we investigate the impact of a strong stellar energetic particle event on the atmospheric ionization, neutral and ion chemistry, and atmospheric biosignatures of TRAPPIST-1e. Therefore, transit spectra for six scenarios are simulated. We find that a Carrington-like event drastically increases atmospheric ionization and induces substantial changes in ion chemistry and spectral transmission features: all scenarios show high event-induced amounts of nitrogen dioxide (i.e., at 6.2 μm), a reduction of the atmospheric transit depth in all water bands (i.e., at 5.5–7.0 μm), a decrease of the methane bands (i.e., at 3.0–3.5 μm), and depletion of ozone (i.e., at ∼9.6 μm). Therefore, it is essential to include high-energy particle effects to correctly assign biosignature signals from, e.g., ozone and methane. We further show that the nitric acid feature at 11.0–12.0 μm, discussed as a proxy for stellar particle contamination, is absent in wet-dead atmospheres
Conceptual framework for the psychosocial management of depression in adolescents in the North West Province, South Africa
Full text linkArticle, Faculty of Health Sciences (Quality In Nursing and Midwifery (NuMiQ)--Northwest University, Potchefstroom Campu
Iron and n-3 fatty acid depletion, alone and in combination, during early development provoke neurochemical changes, anhedonia, anxiety and social dysfunction in rats
Full text linkJournal Article, Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre of Excellence for Nutrition-- Potchefstroom CampusObjectives: Both iron and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FA) play important roles in the development and functioning of the brain. We investigated the effects of n-3 FA and iron deficiencies, alone and in combination, during early development on behaviour and brain monoamines in rats.
Methods: Using a 2-factorial design, female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to one of four diet groups: Control, n-3 FA deficient (n-3 FAD), iron deficient (ID), or n-3 FAD + ID. Females received these diets throughout mating, pregnancy and lactation. Offspring (n = 24/group; male:female =1:1) continued on the same diet until post-natal day 42–45, and underwent a sucrose preference test (SPT), novel object recognition test, elevated plus maze (EPM) and social interaction test (SIT).
Results: ID offspring consumed less sucrose in the SPT and spent more time in closed arms and less time in open arms of the EPM than non-ID offspring. In female offspring only, ID and n-3 FAD reduced time approaching and together in the SIT, with an additive effect of ID and n-3 FAD for even less time approaching and spent together in the n-3 FAD + ID group compared to controls. ID offspring had higher striatal dopamine and norepinephrine and lower frontal cortex dopamine concentrations.N-3 FAD and ID affected frontal cortex serotonin concentrations in a sex-specific manner.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that ID and n-3 FAD during early development provoke anhedonia, anxiety and social dysfunction in rats, with potential additive and attenuating effects when combined. These effects may in part be attributed to disturbances in brain neurochemistry and may be sex-specific
Physical activity interventions among youth living in rural and remote areas: A systematic review
Full text linkArticle, Faculty of Health Sciences (Physical Activity Sport and Recreation (PhASRec)--Northwest University, Potchefstroom CampusObjectives: Physical activity (PA) interventions have potential to improve health and social outcomes among youth. The aim of this study was to collate the evidence on the effectiveness of PA and sports-based interventions among youth living in rural and remote areas.
Methods: We searched five databases and grey literature (HealthInfoNet). Search terms included PA, rural status, adolescents, and outcome measures. Studies were included if published in English, recruited 10- to 18-year olds, and were based in rural or remote communities (Modified Monash Model [MMM] area classification range of MMM 3–7). Quasi-experimental and pre-experimental and post-experimental PA interventions were included. Two authors evaluated the articles independently following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, and relevant data were extracted. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42020199001).
Results: Of the 11802 studies identified, 6 were included in the review. Most studies were excluded for not meeting MMM 3–7 criteria. Four of the included studies had sports-related interventions, and 2 had walking-based interventions. Outcomes included self-efficacy, mental health, and academic performance. One study reported a positive effect of PA on self-efficacy (β = 0.26, p=0.018, odds ratio = 1.43 [95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.92]).
Conclusion: Few community-based PA interventions have been evaluated in rural areas. There is a need for future evaluations in rural areas and include PA as an outcome measure. Implications for Public Health: The findings highlight the need for measurement of PA outcomes in PA interventions in rural and remote areas. The findings also highlight the need for research to utilise a standardised measure of rurality
Nutrient intake of young South African adults from the baseline of the African-PREDICT cohort study
Full text linkJournal Article, Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre of Excellence for Nutrition— Potchefstroom CampusObjective: This study aimed to describe and compare the nutrient intake of young adults in the African Prospective Study on the Early Detection and Identification of Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension (African-PREDICT) study according to ethnicity and socio-economic status (SES). Design: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline nutrient intakes in the African-PREDICT study. Setting: North West Province, South Africa Participants: Black and white adults (n 1153), aged 20–30 years, were classified into three SES groups. Dietary data were collected using three multiple-pass 24-h dietary recalls. Results: Among all participants, over 70 % failed to meet the estimated energy requirements and the estimated average requirements (EAR) for seventeen of the nineteen reported micronutrients. Across SES groups, more than 50% of participants consistently did not meet the EAR for Ca, Mg, folate, pantothenic acid and biotin, as well as vitamins A, C, D and E. Participants’ distribution by nutrient pattern tertiles showed high adherence to two patterns: one rich in animal protein and saturated fat, and the other in Mg, potassium, Ca, phosphorus and fibre. This was seen only in white participants and high SES. Black participants and low SES showed higher adherence to a plant protein, B-vitamins, Zn and Fe nutrient pattern. Conclusions: The dietary intake of young adults in this study was restricted, with none of the groups meeting nutrient requirements for essential nutrients. Further research is needed to establish a direct link between nutrient patterns and the early detection and identification of CVD and hypertension.Acknowledgements.
The authors are grateful for the research participants, support and research staff, and all students at the Hypertension Research and Training Clinic at the North-West University.
Financial support. The African-PREDICT study financially supported by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) with funds from National Treasury under its Economic Competitiveness and Support Package; the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa; the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships (SHIP) Unit of the SAMRC with funds received from the South African National Department of Health; GlaxoSmithKline R&D, the UK Medical Research Counciland with funds from the UK Government’s Newton Fund; as well as corporate social investment grants from Pfizer (SA), Boehringer Ingelheim (SA), Novartis (SA), the Medi Clinic Hospital Group (SA) and in kind contributions of Roche Diagnostics (SA). Any opinion, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors, and therefore, the NRF does not accept any liability in regard
Anthropogenic fertilization influences a shift in barley rhizosphere microbial communities
Full text linkJournal Article, Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, MmabathoBackground
Anthropogenic mediations contribute a significant role in stimulating positive reactions in soil–plant interactions; however, methodical reports on how anthropogenic activities impact soil microorganism-induced properties and soil health are still inadequate. In this study, we evaluated the influence of anthropogenic fertilization of farmland soil on barley rhizosphere microbial community structure and diversity, and the significant impacts on agro-ecosystem productivity. This will help validate the premise that soil amendment with prolonged synthetic fertilizers can lead to a significant reduction in bacterial abundance and diversity, while soils amended with organic fertilizers elicit the succession of the native soil microbial community and favor the growth of copiotrophic bacteria.
Methods
The total metagenomic DNA was extracted from soils obtained from the barley rhizosphere under chemical fertilization (CB), organic fertilization (OB), and bulk soil (NB). Subsequently, these samples were sequenced using an amplicon-based sequencing approach, and the raw sequence dataset was examined using a metagenomic rast server (MG-RAST).
Results
Our findings showed that all environments (CB, OB, and NB) shared numerous soil bacterial phyla but with different compositions. However, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria predominated in the barley rhizosphere under chemical fertilization, organic fertilization, and bulk soils, respectively. Alpha and beta diversity analysis showed that the diversity of bacteria under organic barley rhizosphere was significantly higher and more evenly distributed than bacteria under chemical fertilization and bulk soil.
Conclusion
Understanding the impact of conventional and organic fertilizers on the structure, composition, and diversity of the rhizosphere microbiome will assist in soil engineering to enhance microbial diversity in the agroecosystem.The National Research Foundation, South Africa, funded this research (grant numbers UID135449; OOB). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
Transhumanism as a positional good, economic inequality, and a response from Christian ethics
Full text linkJournal Article, Faculty of Theology, Unit for Reformational Theology and Dev of the SA Society-- Potchefstroom CampusEthical responses to transhumanism, even from secular points of departure, often use religious language in debating the merits of discussion, and phrases such as ‘playing God’ or ‘hubris’ are not rare. Having Christian ethics and theology as one of the respondents to the ethical and moral issues that are raised by biotechnological developments such as transhumanism, is therefore perhaps easier than in other ethical concerns. In this contribution, the discourse on transhumanism will be approached by defining it in economic terms as a positional good. The focus will further be on the notion of economic inequality, and why it should matter in an ethical discussion on transhumanism, particularly from the perspective of Christian ethics. In making this case, the notion of solidarity will especially be drawn on as articulated in liberation theology as a theological resource. Social community is part and parcel of the Christian moral imperative and, as such, within the context of the discussion on economic inequality and transhumanism, the theological theme of solidarity forms an integral part of responding.
Contribution: This article aims to contribute to the Christian ethical discussion on transhumanism by including an economic definition of transhumanism and situating the discussion within the field of liberation theology. The contribution also lies in centring the ethical issues around the theological theme of human solidarity and social community as a Christian moral imperative
Family language policy tensions in Ndebele-Shona intermarriages
Full text linkJournal Article. School of Languages, North-West UniversityLinguistic intermarriages are now a common feature of contemporary societies as a consequence of migration and globalisation. In some contexts, intermarriages contribute to the creation of bilingual families because of children's exposure to the different languages of their parents. In these families, tensions around bilingual child-rearing and language socialisation often arise from mismatched parents' ideologies about what languages represent and their subjective dispositions towards each other's language, particularly in the context of historical conflicts. This study presents part findings of a larger study investigating the emotional dimensions of family language policy in a post-conflict context. It reports on how parents' language practices and negotiations within selected Ndebele-Shona intermarried families reveal underlying tensions which reproduce the prevailing socio-political order. The study deploys in-depth interviews with parents from each family to understand their language socialisation preferences for their children in the context of family bilingualism. Using the concept of family language policy, we argue that parents' language practices and negotiations in each of the families are products of historical Ndebele-Shona tensions, and the family becomes a site of conflictual bilingualism, resulting in the re-negotiation of family linguistic identities
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF MOBILE INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM ADOPTIONBY MICRO ENTREPRENEURS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Full text linkJournal Article, Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, North-West UniversityTo uncover the influencing factors that impact the adoption of MoIS by Micro entrepreneur and the challenges they face throughout the adoption process, an investigate into the micro-tasked embodied within the adoption process was conducted through the review of existing literatures on MOIS adoption. To achieve this, a qualitative research approach was used consisting of systematic review to scoop related literatures from diversified and robust database systems related to Micro entrepreneurs operating in different industries and particularly in South Africa. The paper selection process followed a multifaceted stage with the first stage having an overwhelmingly total of 1 439 papers from four prestigious databases, namely Science Direct, IEEE Xplore, Springer, ACM Digital Library using the North-West University Library portal. With further pruning using various inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 180 papers were selected for the review in the second stage. The third stage of selection sees the application of various logical operators to keywords and year of publication. The outcomes of the literature analysis reveal that the primary factors affecting the adoption of MoIS by Micro entrepreneur in South Africa are the high costs of MoIS devices and applications, insufficient skills and expertise, and the perceived complexity of the technology. Furthermore, the adoption process is plagued by resistance to change, limited resources, and a lack of support from stakeholders. Our study concludes that there is a need for further education and awareness about the benefits of MoIS and for the development of more affordable and user-friendly MoIS solutions for Micro entrepreneur businessowners. These findings have significant implications for Micro entrepreneurs’ MoIS solution providers, and policymakers, and can contribute significantly to the literature on MoIS adoption by entrepreneur globall