From incubation to release: Hand-rearing as a tool for the conservation of the endangered African penguin.

The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) population is estimated at 25,000 breeding pairs, approximately 5% of that at the start of the 20th century, and the species is currently classified as Endangered. In the last two decades, the hand-rearing of penguin chicks that were abandoned by their parents due to oil spills or other circumstances has become a valuable conservation tool to limit mortality and to bolster the population at specific colonies. We summarize and evaluate the techniques employed by the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) to incubate and hand-rear African penguin eggs and chicks.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 558-624.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: : (incl. gen. nov.

A successful lifestyle intervention model replicated in diverse clinical settings.

Lifestyle interventions can treat metabolic syndrome and prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus, but they remain underutilised in routine practice. In 2010, an LI model was created in a rural primary care practice and spread with few resources to four other rural practices. A retrospective chart review evaluated changes in health indicators in two practice environments by following 372 participants, mainly women (mean age 52 years).

Establishment of baseline haematology and biochemistry parameters in wild adult African penguins (Spheniscus demersus).

There are few publications on the clinical haematology and biochemistry of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and these are based on captive populations. Baseline haematology and serum biochemistry parameters were analysed from 108 blood samples from wild, adult African penguins. Samples were collected from the breeding range of the African penguin in South Africa and the results were compared between breeding region and sex.

The extent to which common health-related quality of life indices capture constructs beyond symptoms and function.

Purpose: This study proposes to identify for 5 widely used generic HRQL and QOL measures the extent to which function and global feelings of well-being are represented in their content.

Methods: The 5 indices were the EQ-5D, the HUI, the SF-36, SF-12, and the WHOQOL-Bref. A total of 15 raters with a variety of health and research backgrounds mapped the items.

Cholangiography and endoscopic sphincterotomy in the management of severe acute gallstone pancreatitis discovered at diagnostic laparotomy.

Seven patients with gallstone pancreatitis discovered at diagnostic laparotomy did not undergo definitive biliary surgery because it was considered hazardous in the presence of severe acute pancreatitis. The procedures carried out at operation in these cases included cholecystectomy and T-tube drainage (2 patients) cholecystostomy drainage (3 patients), and closure of the abdomen without drainage (2 patients). Direct cholangiography was carried out postoperatively in all cases.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic sphincterotomy in the management of suspected gallstone pancreatitis.

An approach to suspected gallstone pancreatitis based on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) was adopted in 1976 and was followed in 29 patients. ERCP became the routine method of early biliary tract assessment when gallstone pancreatitis was suspected on clinical and biochemical grounds, and further management was based on ERCP findings. If calculi were detected in the common bile duct (13 cases) ES was performed; when calculi were confined to the gallbladder (12 cases) cholecystectomy was advised; and if no calculi were detected on ERCP (4 cases) investigations were continued.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy in the management of gallstone pancreatitis.

The presence of pancreatitis does not constitute a contraindication to endoscopic sphincterotomy in the management of common duct calculi. On the contrary, experience with 10 cases of gallstone pancreatitis suggests that endoscopic sphincterotomy can be carried out safely with little disturbance to the patient, and that it greatly simplifies the management of these cases. In the frail and elderly patient little further may be required.

Cimetidine in the treatment of herpesvirus infections.

In August 1977 a patient developed herpes zoster just before she commenced a course of cimetidine (Tagamet; Smith, Kline & French) for a chronic gastric ulcer. She experienced both rapid relief of the ulcer symptoms and, rather unexpectedly, dramatic relief of the herpetic pain and rapid disappearance of the eruption. On the basis of this observation cimetidine was prescribed to 21 patients with herpes zoster.

The relationship between juxtapapillary diverticula and biliary calculi. An endoscopic study.

A systematic prospective endoscopic study of the incidence of juxtapapillary diverticula in a variety of digestive disorders was undertaken in the Surgical Clinic at the Provincial Hospital, Port Elizabeth. The findings were related to conditions commonly encountered. The following frequency distribution was found: 33 diverticula out of 164 patients associated with gallstones (20.

Peritoneoscopy in the management of breast cancer.

Peritoneoscopy has been recommended by the Combined Breast Clinic at the Provincial Hospital, Port Elizabeth, since 1975, mainly to confirm or exclude metastatic involvement of the liver. Experience with 27 procedures is reviewed. Peritoneoscopy is shown to be a useful aid in the staging and management of selected cases of breast cancer.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in children.

ERCP was successfully carried out 6 times in 4 children with suspected round worm infestation of the biliary tree. A general anaesthetic was given in all cases, and an adult duodenofibrescope was used. Early experience indicates that the procedure is feasible and of value even in small children weighing 12 kg.

Isolated gastric varices -- a separate entity. Report of two cases.

Gastric varices may develop in the absence of oesophageal varices and in the absence of portal hypertension. Isolated gastric varices have only recently emerged as a separate entity. The condition is usually due to underlying pancreatic lesions.

Biliary ascariasis--endoscopic aspects. Report of 4 cases.

Retrograde cholangiography was carried out in 4 small children with suspected roundworm infestation of the biliary tree. An adult-sized side-viewing fibre-optic duodenoscope was employed, and a general anaesthetic was given in each case. Roundworms were frequently seen protruding from the papillary orifice when biliary infestation was present.

The role of mastectomy in locally advanced breast cancer.

The role of mastectomy in locally advanced breast cancer remains to be established. Experience at the Breast Clinic at the Provincial Hospital, Port Elizabeth, strongly suggests that mastectomy improves local control. The addition of mastectomy to a basic regimen of radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy now forms the basis of a prospective clinical trial.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy. A preliminary report.

Early experience with endoscopic sphincterotomy in 13 patients is recorded. Sphincterotomy was successfully carried out in 11 patients. The only complication noted was a haemorrhage in 1 case, for which the patient required 1 unit of blood.