Leadership and early strategic response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at a COVID-19 designated hospital in South Africa.

While many countries are preparing to face the COVID-19 pandemic, the reported cases in Africa remain low. With a high burden of both communicable and non-communicable disease and a resource-constrained public healthcare system, sub-Saharan Africa is preparing for the coming crisis as best it can. We describe our early response as a designated COVID-19 provincial hospital in Cape Town, South Africa (SA).

Increased frequency of the transferrin C2 subtype in Alzheimer's disease.

Several genetic variants of transferrin can be separated by polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing. Studies by other workers have revealed that the genetic type Tf C2 has an increased frequency in certain malfunctions which are associated with the formation of free radicals, suggesting that the iron binding of Tf C2 promotes the formation of hydroxyl radicals. In our study population of 20 patients with Alzheimer's disease, 13 had the C2 genetic subtype.

Pilot trial to determine the efficacy of a low dose of fish oil in the treatment of angina pectoris in the geriatric patient.

23 geriatric patients completed a single-blind placebo controlled, crossover trial using fish oil as adjunctive therapy for stable angina pectoris. The results indicated a significant reduction in the number of anginal attacks, as well as a significant reduction in the consumption of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate tablets. A possible prolonged carry over effect of fish oil was noted after crossover from the active substance to placebo.

Membrane fluidity of platelets and erythrocytes in patients with Alzheimer's disease and the effect of small amounts of aluminium on platelet and erythrocyte membranes.

The membrane fluidity of platelet and erythrocyte membranes in 10 Alzheimer's disease patients and 9 age-matched controls was studied. The platelet membranes of patients with Alzheimer's disease were found to be significantly more fluid than those of controls (p less than 0.02).