Prevalence and factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care in a district hospital and its feeder community healthcare centre of the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Pregnancy anaemia is a significant public health concern in South Africa (SA), particularly in rural areas, but little is known about its prevalence and risk factors in rural areas. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and identify risk factors of pregnancy anaemia in the public health facilities of Limpopo Province (LP), SA.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a consecutive sample of 211 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Seshego Hospital and its feeder health centre (May to June 2019).

C-reactive protein level at 2 weeks following initiation of infliximab induction therapy predicts outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis: a 3 year follow-up study.

Background: Poor response to anti-tumour necrosis factor biologicals like infliximab (IFX) is observed in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), which may lead to prolonged morbidity and waste of medical resources. We aimed to look for potential biomarkers of response to IFX in patients with UC who were to undergo IFX induction therapy.

Methods: Seventy-two IFX naïve UC patients with partial Mayo (pMayo) score of 4-9 received IFX infusion at weeks 0, 2 and 6 as induction therapy.

Effectiveness of probiotic therapy for the prevention of relapse in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of probiotic therapy for suppressing relapse in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Bio-Three tablets, each containing 2 mg of lactomin (Streptococcus faecalis T-110), 10 mg of Clostridium butyricum TO-A, and 10 mg of Bacillus mesentericus TO-A, were used as probiotic therapy. Sixty outpatients with UC in remission were randomly assigned to receive 9 Bio-Three tablets/day (Bio-Three group) or 9 placebo tablets/day (placebo group) for 12 mo in addition to their ongoing medications.

Factors associated with the loss of response to infliximab in patients with Crohn's disease.

Background And Aims: The efficacy of infliximab (IFX) has validated the role of TNF-α in the immunopathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). However, antibodies to IFX emerge, which impair its efficacy. This study investigated factor(s) associated with the loss of response (LOR) to IFX and how IFX non-responders may be treated.

Melanin-based coatings as lead-binding agents.

Interactions between metal ions and different forms of melanin play significant roles in melanin biochemistry. The binding properties of natural melanin and related synthetic materials can be exploited for nonbiological applications, potentially including water purification. A method for investigating metal ion-melanin interactions on solid support is described, with lead as the initial target.