Genetic variant detection in a South African haemophilia B population.

Background: Haemophilia B is characterised by a deficiency of factor IX (FIX) protein due to genetic variants in the FIX gene (F9). Genetic testing may have a vital role in effectively managing haemophilia B. However, in many developing countries, comprehensive genetic variant detection is unavailable.

Antimicrobial nano-assemblies of tryptocidine C, a tryptophan-rich cyclic decapeptide, from ethanolic solutions.

Tryptocidine C (TpcC), a Trp-rich cyclodecapeptide is a minor constituent in the antibiotic tyrothricin complex from Brevibacillus parabrevis. TpcC possesses a high tendency to oligomerise in aqueous solutions and dried TpcC forms distinct self-assembled nanoparticles. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy revealed the influence of different ethanol:water solvent systems on TpcC self-assembly, with the TpcC, dried from a high concentration in 15% ethanol, primarily assembling into small nanospheres with 24.

Post-mortem evidence of a diverse distribution pattern of atherosclerosis in the South African population.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of mortality worldwide. The disease profile of CVD varies considerably between different demographic groups and socioeconomic status. Atherosclerosis remains a major risk factor for CVD, and thus, believed to be a good indicator of the CVD profile in a population, yet little is known on its prevalence in sub-Saharan African populations.

Creating Robust Antimicrobial Materials with Sticky Tyrocidines.

Modified antimicrobial and antifouling materials and surfaces can be used to limit the propagation of microorganisms on various surfaces and minimise the occurrence of infection, transfer, and spoilage. Increased demand for 'green' solutions for material treatment has pushed the focus towards to naturally produced antimicrobials. Tyrocidines, cyclo-decapeptides naturally produced by a soil bacterium , have a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, filamentous fungi, and yeasts.

High throughput method to determine the surface activity of antimicrobial polymeric materials.

Surface colonization by microorganisms, combined with the rise in antibiotic resistance, is the main cause of production failures in various industries. Self-sterilising materials are deemed the best prevention of surface colonization. However, current screening methods for these sterilising materials are laborious and time-consuming.

The Influence of Cellulose-Type Formulants on Anti- Activity of the Tyrocidines.

species are highly adaptable to environmental changes with their phenotypic flexibility allowing for the evasion of most host defence mechanisms. Moreover, increasing resistance of human pathogenic strains has been reported against all four classes of available antifungal drugs, which highlights the need for combinational therapies. Tyrocidines are cyclic antimicrobial peptides that have shown synergistic activity with antifungal drugs such as caspofungin and amphotericin B.

Variation in mineral element composition of landrace taro () corms grown under dryland farming system in South Africa.

Taro [ (L.) Schott] has the potential to address food and nutrition insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the nutrient content of taro is yet to be fully elucidated.

Influence of male-male competition on reproductive performance and mortality of broiler breeders following intra-spiking.

The study was conducted to determine the influence of male-male competition on reproductive performance and male mortality of Cobb 500 broiler breeder flocks following double intra-spiking. Broiler breeders were housed in 3 open-sided houses each accommodating 8,200 females and 820 males. Males of the same age on the same farm were exchanged between the houses (intra-spiking) to stimulate competition thereby changing the social hierarchy of each house.

Tyrocidine A interactions with saccharides investigated by CD and NMR spectroscopies.

Tyrocidines are a family of cyclic decapeptides produced by the soil bacterium, Brevibacillus parabrevis. These antibiotic peptides can be used to prevent infections in agriculture and food industry but also to prepare antimicrobial lozenges, creams, and dressings for medical applications. It has been observed that the tyrocidines interact with saccharides such as cellulose from their soil environment, as well as sugars in culture media and glycans in fungal cell walls.

Inhibition of contact-mediated activation of factor XI protects baboons against -induced organ damage and death.

infections can produce systemic bacteremia and inflammation in humans, which may progress to severe sepsis or septic shock, even with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Sepsis may be associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation and consumptive coagulopathy. In some types of mouse infection models, the plasma coagulation protein factor XI (FXI) contributes to the pathogenesis of sepsis.

The Multifaceted Antibacterial Mechanisms of the Pioneering Peptide Antibiotics Tyrocidine and Gramicidin S.

Cyclic β-sheet decapeptides from the tyrocidine group and the homologous gramicidin S were the first commercially used antibiotics, yet it remains unclear exactly how they kill bacteria. We investigated their mode of action using a bacterial cytological profiling approach. Tyrocidines form defined ion-conducting pores, induce lipid phase separation, and strongly reduce membrane fluidity, resulting in delocalization of a broad range of peripheral and integral membrane proteins.

The validation of an educational database for children with profound intellectual disabilities.

Background: The Western Cape Forum for Intellectual Disability took the South African Government to court in 2010 on its failure to implement the right to education for Children with Severe and Profound Intellectual Disability. Subsequently, multidisciplinary teams were appointed by the Western Cape Education Department to deliver services to the Special Care Centres (SCCs). Initially, minimal information was available on this population.

-acetylcysteine in preclinical mouse and baboon models of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a microangiopathic disorder diagnosed by thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia, associated with a deficiency in von Willebrand factor (VWF)-cleaving protease ADAMTS13. Current treatment is based on plasma infusion for congenital TTP, or plasma exchange, often in combination with immunosuppressive agents, for acquired TTP. These treatment methods are not always effective; therefore, new treatment methods are highly necessary.

Genetic Diversification and Dispersal of Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott).

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) is widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical areas. However, its origin, diversification and dispersal remain unclear.

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the quality and bioactive compounds of Chinese cabbage (Brasicca rapa L. ssp. chinensis).

Background: The perishability of Brassica chinensis poses a major challenge to distribution and marketing. The aim of this work was to select a suitable modified atmosphere packaging to retain the overall quality and bioactive compounds during storage.

Results: Four types of biorientated polypropylene packaging (BOPP)--BOPP03, BOPP04, BOPP05 and BOPP06--with different perforations were evaluated regarding the maintenance of quality parameters (weight loss, leaf yellowing, colour L*, C*, h°), decay, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, bioactive compounds (carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total phenolic compounds), antioxidant scavenging activity, overall appearance and odour evaluation, at 10°C at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days.

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of the anti-VWF Nanobody ALX-0681 in a preclinical baboon model of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

ALX-0681 is a therapeutic Nanobody targeting the A1-domain of VWF. It inhibits the interaction between ultra-large VWF and platelet GpIb-IX-V, which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). In the present study, we report the efficacy and safety profile of ALX-0681 in a baboon model of acquired TTP.

Inhibition of von Willebrand factor-platelet glycoprotein Ib interaction prevents and reverses symptoms of acute acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in baboons.

The pathophysiology of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) can be explained by the absence of active ADAMTS13, leading to ultra-large von Willebrand factor (UL-VWF) multimers spontaneously interacting with platelets. Preventing the formation of UL-VWF-platelet aggregates therefore is an attractive new treatment strategy. Here, we demonstrate that simultaneous administration of the inhibitory anti-VWF monoclonal antibody GBR600 and the inhibitory anti-ADAMTS13 antibody 3H9 to baboons (prevention group) precluded TTP onset as severe thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia were absent in these animals.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids cause apoptosis in C. albicans and C. dubliniensis biofilms.

Background: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have antifungal properties, but the mode by which they induce their action is not always clear. The aim of the study was to investigate apoptosis as a mode of action of antifungal PUFAs (stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid) which are inhibitory towards biofilm formation of C. albicans and C.

Tirofiban versus abciximab: tirofiban is administered at suboptimal dosages when evaluated in an arterial thrombosis model in non-human primates.

To prevent thrombosis in high-risk acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for re-vascularisation, concomitant administration of a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, such as abciximab, tirofiban or eptifibatide, is recommended. Abciximab and eptifibatide are mostly preferred over tirofiban, which is less effective in preventing ischaemic events. We compared the efficacy and bleeding potential of escalating doses of tirofiban and abciximab in non-human primates.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura directly linked with ADAMTS13 inhibition in the baboon (Papio ursinus).

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is the prototypical microangiopathy characterized by disseminated microthromboses, hemolytic anemia, and ultimately organ dysfunction. A link with deficiency of the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (ADAMTS13) has been demonstrated, but additional genetic and/or environmental triggers are thought to be required to incite acute illness. Here we report that 4 days of ADAMTS13 functional inhibition is sufficient to induce TTP in the baboon (Papio ursinus), in the absence of inciting triggers because injections with an inhibitory monoclonal antibody (mAb) consistently (n = 6) induced severe thrombocytopenia (< 12 × 10(9)/L), microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and a rapid rise in serum lactate dehydrogenase.

Thiopentone sedation for sedation of acutely agitated, violent, intoxicated patients: evaluation of 2 cases.

Two cases of violent, drug-intoxicated patients who presented considerable problems in management, and were resistant to standard sedative agents, are described. Effective and safe sedation, without the need for full anaesthesia and endotracheal intubation, was achieved using titrated doses of thiopentone. The merits of selecting this agent in these circumstances are discussed.

(S)- and (R)-eriodictyol-6-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside, novel keys to the fermentation of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis).

The processed leaves and stems of Aspalathus linearis contain a new diastereomeric pair of the flavanones, (S)- and (R)-eriodictyol-6-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside, which is also formed via the oxidative cyclization of the dihydrochalcone, aspalathin, under conditions which mimic the fermentation process.

Tyrosinase catalysed biphenyl construction from flavan-3-ol substrates.

Mushroom tyrosinase catalysed oxidation of three flavan-3-ols, viz. catechin, fisetinidol and mesquitol, was conducted to construct biphenyl bonds. Exposure of the flavan-3-ols to tyrosinase and subsequent trapping of the o-quinone intermediates resulted in the formation of novel flavan-3-ol derivatives, the structures of which were elucidated by mono- and two-dimensional 1H-NMR experiments.