The effects of COVID-19 on placental morphology.

The impact of the COVID-19 infection, caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), during the pandemic has been considerably more severe in pregnant women than non-pregnant women. Therefore, a review detailing the morphological alterations and physiological changes associated with COVID-19 during pregnancy and the effect that these changes have on the feto-placental unit is of high priority. This knowledge is crucial for these mothers, their babies and clinicians to ensure a healthy life post-pandemic.

Covid-19 pandemic: Perspectives on management.

The pandemic COVID-19 presents a major challenge to identify effective drugs for treatment. Clinicians need evidence based on randomized trials regarding effective medical treatments for this infection. Currently no effective therapies exist for the progression of the mild forms to severe disease.

The Renin-Angiotensin System, Hypertension, and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: a Review.

Purpose Of Review: This review focuses on the associations between the renin-angiotensin system, hypertension, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-COV-2) infection. A brief prelude on the current state of affairs with COVID-19 is given. In addition to an overview of ACE2, Ang II, and Ang (1-7), this review presents a brief statement on hypertension, including the function of enzymes involved in the control of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and other malignancies.

Aminopeptidase A (ENPEP) gene polymorphisms and preeclampsia: Descriptive analysis.

Objective: The etiology of preeclampsia (PE) remains elusive. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified a number of genetic variants associated with blood pressure variations in east Asians. One of the genetic variants is the aminopeptidase A (ENPEP) gene, which converts angiotensin II to angiotensin III.

The Role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in Preeclampsia: a Review.

Purpose Of Review: Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex human pregnancy-specific condition and is clinically characterized by new onset hypertension and proteinuria in the second half of pregnancy. The precise etiology of PE is unknown, but much of the pathophysiology has been elucidated, and it is accepted that the disorder is multifactorial in nature. Historically, because of the presence of proteinuria, the role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has been considered in the etiology of PE.

Serum levels of vasoactive factors in HIV-infected pre-eclamptic women on HAART.

In South Africa, pre-eclampsia (PE) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are major causes of pregnancy-related deaths. This study aimed to measure serum levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng) and placental growth factor (PlGF) in HIV-infected highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-treated and HIV-uninfected PE and normotensive women to ascertain if HIV/HAART alters their concentrations. Mean sFlt-1 levels were significantly up-regulated in the PE (HIV-uninfected 4.

Angiogenesis, Lymphangiogenesis, and the Immune Response in South African Preeclamptic Women Receiving HAART.

This review highlights the role of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and immune markers in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated preeclamptic (PE) pregnancies in an attempt to unravel the mysteries underlying the duality of both conditions in South Africa. Studies demonstrate that HIV-infected pregnant women develop PE at a lower frequency than uninfected women. In contrast, women receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) are more inclined to develop PE, stemming from an imbalance of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and immune response.

Association of gene polymorphisms of aldosterone synthase and angiotensin converting enzyme in pre-eclamptic South African Black women.

Introduction: The exact cause of preeclampsia (PE) remains elusive. Recently, many researchers have focused on the role of genetic variations in pathogenesis of PE. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is affected in the pathogenesis of PE.

Association of gene polymorphisms of four components of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and preeclampsia in South African black women.

Objective: To investigate the association of the gene polymorphisms of: angiotensinogen (AGT), renin (REN), angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1R) and angiotensin II receptor 2 (AT2R), in the pathogenesis of PE in South African Black women.

Methodology (study Design): 603 pregnant women; 246 normotensive and 357 with PE (early-onset=187, late-onset=170), were recruited. Each study group was subdivided into HIV infected and uninfected groups.

The impact of a modified World Health Organization surgical safety checklist on maternal outcomes in a South African setting: A stratified cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Background: In South Africa (SA), the Saving Mothers Reports have shown an alarming increase in deaths during or after caesarean delivery.

Objective: To improve maternal surgical safety in KwaZulu-Natal Province, SA, by implementing the modified World Health Organization surgical safety checklist for maternity care (MSSCL) in maternity operating theatres.

Methods: The study was a stratified cluster-randomised controlled trial conducted from March to November 2013.

The effects of sildenafil citrate on urinary podocin and nephrin mRNA expression in an L-NAME model of pre-eclampsia.

We investigated the effects of sildenafil citrate (SC) on podocyturia in N -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) model of pre-eclampsia (PE). One hundred and twenty Sprague-Dawley rats (SDR) were divided into five groups like pregnant control (PC), early-onset PE (EOPE), late-onset PE(LOPE), early and late-onset PE with SC-treated groups [EOPE (SC); LOPE (SC)]. PE was induced in SDR by oral administration of L-NAME in drinking water for 4-8 days for EOPE and 8-14 day for LOPE.

The effects of sildenafil citrate on uterine angiogenic status and serum inflammatory markers in an L-NAME rat model of pre-eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is detrimental to both mother and foetus. There is currently no effective treatment, but we have shown that Sildenafil Citrate (SC) improve various foetal outcomes in N-nitro-L arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) rat model of PE. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of SC on a uterine angiogenic status and serum inflammatory markers in an L-NAME rat model of PE.

Pre-eclampsia: its pathogenesis and pathophysiolgy.

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder that has a worldwide prevalence of 5-8%. It is one of the main causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality globally and accounts for 50 000-60 00 deaths annually, with a predominance in the low- and middle-income countries. It is a multi-systemic disorder however its aetiology, pathogenesis and pathophysiology are poorly understood.

High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Durban South African Indians: The Phoenix Lifestyle Project.

Background: Previous studies show a high prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in South African (SA) Asian Indians, with the emergence of premature coronary artery disease in young Indian subjects.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of CV risk factors in this population.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of randomly selected adults aged 15 - 64 years from the suburb of Phoenix in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, SA.

The optimization of a chronic nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition model of pre-eclampsia by evaluating physiological changes.

Objectives: In order to address the gap in our understanding of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of PE, we optimized the NOS inhibition animal model by comparing changes in different parameters at various time frames during pregnancy, in both early and late-onset PE.

Study Design: 120 nulliparous Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups (n=24). A pregnant control, two groups that represented early and late-onset PE and two groups that were treated with sildenafil citrate (SC) to show reversal of the pre-eclamptic-like symptoms.

Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 in HIV infected pre-eclamptic South African Black women.

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are the commonest direct cause of maternal deaths in South Africa, 83% being attributed to pre-eclampsia. Elevated placental sFlt-1 levels are linked with angiogenic disruption and subsequent pre-eclampsia development. The impact of HIV infection on pre-eclampsia is controversial.

Medicine and medical sciences in Africa.

The year 2014 is an important year because it will mark the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the African Association of Physiological Sciences (AAPS) and initial talks to launch the International Society for Pathophysiology (ISP). Both these organizations had a foothold in Finland and both occurred during the IUPS Centennial Celebration Congress in 1989. The congress was hosted by the Finnish Physiological Society in Helsinki, Finland in July 1989.

Tuberculosis in medical doctors - a study of personal experiences and attitudes.

Background: The concurrent TB and HIV epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa place all health care workers (HCWs) at increased risk of exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Aim: This study explores personal experiences, attitudes and perceptions of medical doctors following treatment for TB within the healthcare system.

Method: Sixty-two medical doctors who were diagnosed and treated for TB during 2007 - 2009 agreed to participate and complete a semi-structured questionnaire.

The role of angiogenic, anti-angiogenic and vasoactive factors in pre-eclamptic African women: early- versus late-onset pre-eclampsia.

The pathogenesis and aetiology of pre-eclampsia (PE) is still unclear. We investigated the role of angiogenic, antiangiogenic and vasoactive factors in black South African women with early- and late-onset PE. Serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) levels were determined using the ELISA technique, and placental mRNA expression levels of sFlt-1, VEGF, PlGF and AT1 receptors were determined using real-time PCR.

The effect of Kraussianone-2 (Kr2), a natural pyrano-isoflavone from Eriosema kraussianum, in an L-NAME- induced pre-eclamptic rat model.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Kraussianone-2 (Kr2), a pyrano-isoflavone isolated from the roots of Eriosema kraussianum N. E. Br.

Sildenafil citrate decreases sFlt-1 and sEng in pregnant l-NAME treated Sprague-Dawley rats.

Objectives: We have previously shown that sildenafil citrate improves various fetal outcomes in pregnant, L-NAME treated, Sprague-Dawley rats. We therefore aimed to identify which component/s of this diverse pathophysiologic cascade is/are improved by this drug.

Study Design: This study is a sub-analysis of plasma samples obtained in a previous study in which 24 pregnant Sprague-Dawley dams were divided into three groups (n=8) i.

Sildenafil citrate improves fetal outcomes in pregnant, L-NAME treated, Sprague-Dawley rats.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of sildenafil citrate on various fetal and physiological parameters, including fetal mortality, number of pups, placental weights and micro-albuminuria in pregnant, L-NAME treated Sprague-Dawley rats.

Study Design: Twenty-four pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups (n=8). In the L-NAME treated group (PRE), l-NAME (0.

Vitamin B6 deficiency alters tissue iron concentrations in the Wistar rat.

Purpose: We investigated the effect of a vitamin B6 deficiency and pair-feeding on tissue trace element status.

Method: Tissue zinc, copper and iron concentrations were measured in 3 groups of young, male Wistar rats receiving a diet of 3.5mg/kg (control group), 0mg/kg (deficient group) and a pair-fed group over 8 weeks.