Depression, anxiety and coping mechanisms among mental healthcare practitioners during COVID-19.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed the psychological functioning of mental healthcare practitioners under severe strain. Coping methods may affect mental health outcomes.

Aim: The study examined the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and coping styles utilised by mental healthcare practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Autosomal recessive -related disorder: comprehensive analysis of phenotypic variability and genetic mutations.

A newly identified subtype of hereditary axonal motor neuropathy, characterized by early proximal limb involvement, has been discovered in a cohort of 34 individuals with biallelic variants in von Willebrand factor A domain-containing 1 (). This study further delineates the disease characteristics in a cohort of 20 individuals diagnosed through genome or exome sequencing, incorporating neurophysiological, laboratory and imaging data, along with data from previously reported cases across three different studies. Newly reported clinical features include hypermobility/hyperlaxity, axial weakness, dysmorphic signs, asymmetric presentation, dystonic features and, notably, upper motor neuron signs.

Evaluating the accuracy of planar gated blood pool processing software using simulated patient studies.

Planar gated blood pool (GBP-P) radionuclide imaging is a valuable non-invasive technique for assessing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Serial cardiac imaging can be performed to monitor the potential decline in LVEF among patients undergoing cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Consequently, accurate LVEF determination becomes paramount.

Neurological examination of healthy term infants at ages 6 and 10 weeks in Tshwane District.

Background: Globally, there is a significant gap in detailed neurodevelopmental data for infants under 3 months, despite 6 weeks being identified a critical milestone for neuro-behavioural development. Normative values and optimal scores for healthy infants at 6 and 10 weeks postnatally are lacking in many settings. In South Africa, the statutory neurodevelopmental assessments at these ages exclude notable characteristics of central nervous system maturation and limit opportunities to collect data of early developmental progress.

A comparison of different technologies to improve temperature control in refrigerated containers: A table grape export case.

Purpose: Table grapes are exported in refrigerated (reefer) containers owing to their temperature sensitivity. Previous studies have found that insufficient airflow around pallets of fruit cause hotspots in reefer containers, which could negatively affect fruit quality. This study compared the efficacy of two technologies fitted inside reefer containers to improve airflow for table grape shipments.

Salivary IgA and vimentin differentiate in vitro SARS-CoV-2 infection: A study of 290 convalescent COVID-19 patients.

SARS-CoV-2 initially infects cells in the nasopharynx and oral cavity. The immune system at these mucosal sites plays a crucial role in minimizing viral transmission and infection. To develop new strategies for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, this study aimed to identify proteins that protect against viral infection in saliva.

The mortality rate of patients with open abdomen and contributing factors - a three-year audit in a major academic trauma unit.

Background: Damage control surgery (DCS) is a widely used approach in trauma. An open abdomen carries complications, increased morbidity and mortality. This study aims to quantify the mortality rate, determine contributory factors and factors influencing the decision to perform DCS and assess morbidity in patients undergoing open abdomen.

Reduction in pollution load to an urban estuary using a sustainable drainage system treatment train.

Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have placed increased pressure on the ecosystem health of urban estuaries. Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are globally accepted practices for managing the water quality of stormwater and effluent discharged into urban systems. The Swartkops Estuary in South Africa is a heavily urbanized estuary that has a long history of pollution, specifically trace metal contamination, originating from industrial sources and urban wastewater.

Neuromuscular disease genetics in under-represented populations: increasing data diversity.

Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) affect ∼15 million people globally. In high income settings DNA-based diagnosis has transformed care pathways and led to gene-specific therapies. However, most affected families are in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs) with limited access to DNA-based diagnosis.

Becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable: The tale of adaptability.

Background: With the ever-changing healthcare environment and impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on tertiary education, healthcare students need to constantly adapt their approach to learning, clinical practice and well-being. Adaptive performance is therefore vital.

Objectives: To investigate the adaptive performance of final year physiotherapy students at the University of the Free State.

Analysis of Structural Variants Previously Associated With ALS in Europeans Highlights Genomic Architectural Differences in Africans.

Background And Objectives: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative condition of the brain and spinal cord in which protein-coding variants in known ALS disease genes explain a minority of sporadic cases. There is a growing interest in the role of noncoding structural variants (SVs) as ALS risk variants or genetic modifiers of ALS phenotype. In small European samples, specific short SV alleles in noncoding regulatory regions of , , and have been reported to be associated with ALS, and several groups have investigated the possible role of / gene copy numbers in ALS susceptibility and clinical severity.

Chronic Ankle Instability and Associated Self-Reported Function in South African Professional Ballet Dancers.

Introduction: Ankle sprains are the most common acute injury among dancers and may result in the development of chronic ankle instability (CAI). Chronic ankle instability is characterized by recurrent ankle sprains, incidents of the ankle "giving way," and sensations of instability and has been reported to negatively impact functioning and psychosocial status. The large number of ankle sprains in addition to contextual factors relating to professional dancing, suggests that CAI may be a significant problem in professional ballet dancers.

Heavy metal compartmentalisation in salt marsh and seagrass of the urbanised Swartkops estuary, South Africa.

Wetland plants are naturally exposed to high metal concentrations, and often have mechanisms to prevent metal toxicity. This study compared metal concentrations in seagrass (Zostera capensis) and salt marsh (Spartina maritima, Salicornia tegetaria) - to determine their niche as metal sinks. Samples were collected in each season over a year at five sites in the estuary and analysed using a Total X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometer.

Impact of a nutrition education intervention on nutrition-related self-efficacy and locus of control among women in Lesotho.

Introduction: Lesotho is one of the poorest countries in the world with high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition. The aim was to evaluate the impact of a nutrition education intervention informed by self-efficacy and locus of control theories among women in Lesotho.

Methods: A randomized pre-test-post-test design was adopted to implement a systematically designed nutrition education intervention in women from Maseru and Berea districts in Lesotho.

Clinical testing panels for ALS: global distribution, consistency, and challenges.

: In 2021, the Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spectrum disorders Gene Curation Expert Panel (GCEP) was established to evaluate the strength of evidence for genes previously reported to be associated with ALS. Through this endeavor, we will provide standardized guidance to laboratories on which genes should be included in clinical genetic testing panels for ALS. In this manuscript, we aimed to assess the heterogeneity in the current global landscape of clinical genetic testing for ALS.

The Long-Term Impact of Early-Life Tuberculosis Disease on Child Health: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study.

There is growing concern that post-tuberculosis disease (TB) sequelae and morbidity are substantial, but no studies have controlled for preexisting factors before disease. Whether children have post-TB morbidity is not well characterized. To assess the effect of a TB diagnosis on wheezing episodes, lung function, and anthropometric measurements among children enrolled in a prospective birth cohort study in South Africa.

In Vitro and In Silico Pharmacological and Cosmeceutical Potential of Ten Essential Oils from Aromatic Medicinal Plants from the Mascarene Islands.

In this study, 10 essential oils (EOs), from nine plants (, , , , , , , , and ) were assessed for their antimicrobial, antiaging and antiproliferative properties. While only , (MIC: 0.50 mg/mL) and (MIC: 2 mg/mL) EOs showed activity against , all EOs except S.

Health literacy of Sesotho-speaking patients diagnosed with chronic conditions in South Africa.

Background: Health literacy influences patients' health outcomes, as their ability to read, interpret and apply health information associated with health-related decision-making. These decision-making skills need to be made up by patients diagnosed with chronic conditions - also Sesotho-speaking patients receiving treatment in public primary health care environments.

Aim: The study aimed to assess the health literacy of Sesotho-speaking patients diagnosed with chronic conditions and to establish the associations between the sociodemographic data of patients and items of a health literacy test.

Nutrigenomics: Perceptions of South African Dietitians and General Practitioners.

Introduction: Although investigations into the emerging field of nutrigenomics are relatively limited and more research in this field is required, experts agree that there is potential for it to be incorporated into health care practice. If health care professionals can promote healthy dietary behavior based on nutrigenomic testing, it can assist in addressing the health consequences of poor diet and lightning the strain on the South African health care system.

Methods: Registered dietitians (RDs) and general practitioners (GPs) registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) who obtained their qualification in South Africa (SA) were eligible to participate in this cross-sectional study.

Special education teachers' job demands-resources profiles and capabilities: Effects on work engagement and intention to leave.

This study aimed to investigate the job demands-resources profiles and work capabilities of special education teachers in Namibia and their effect on work engagement and intention to leave. A convenience sample was taken of teachers from seven different regions across Namibia ( = 200). The Capability Set for Work Questionnaire, the Job Demands-Resources Questionnaire, the Work Engagement Questionnaire, and the Intention to Leave Questionnaire were administered.

Does Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Yield Better Outcomes Over Closed Reduction of Mandibular Condylar Fractures?

Purpose: Despite decades of study, a consensus on therapeutic approaches to condylar fractures remains elusive, and the vexing question of invasive or noninvasive therapy remains to be definitively answered. This randomized clinical study aimed to compare the outcomes of mandibular condylar fractures (MCFs) treated by closed reduction (CR) with those treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).

Methods: The investigators designed and implemented a randomized controlled trial composed of patients with unilateral or bilateral MCFs.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet of Pregnant Women in Central South Africa: The NuEMI Study.

Introduction: The Mediterranean diet (MeD) has been shown to have significant health benefits for adults and children. A mother's diet during pregnancy directly impacts the health of her offspring. This study aimed to investigate the adherence to the MeD of pregnant women attending antenatal care at a Regional Hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa (SA).