Emergency contraception: knowledge and practices of tertiary students in Durban, South Africa.

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, use and attitude to the use of emergency contraception among tertiary students in Durban, South Africa through the use of a self-administered confidential questionnaire. A scoring system was developed to analyse the response of each student. A total of 436 students (56.

Audit of severe acute morbidity in hypertensive pregnancies in a developing country.

The aim of this study was to establish a population-based incidence of severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM) in hypertensive pregnancies and to assess if substandard care was unique to cases of SAMM and mortality or whether it was apparent in uncomplicated pregnancies as well. The population-based incidence of hypertension was 12%. Using defined criteria for SAMM, the incidence of SAMM was 3/1000 deliveries.

Is culture important in the choice of role models? Experiences from a culturally diverse medical school.

In a multicultural student population at a South African medical school, for over one-third of students (Years 1-5) undertaking a traditional curriculum, culture was an important consideration in their choice of a role model. This was particularly so for senior students, perhaps reflecting their relatively recent exposure to patients and their forthcoming internship. Some student comments might, however, be interpreted as reflecting a rigid perception of culture that could translate into a possible lack of respect for other cultures.

The choice of role models by students at a culturally diverse South African medical school.

Role models have long been considered important in training medical students in the professional and ethical values of medicine. This report discusses role models identified by South African medical students in Years 1-5 of their study in a traditional programme. Most students considering having a role model important.

Sometimes we do get it right! Early clinical contact is a rewarding experience.

Objective: Like many other medical education bodies, the Health Professions Council of South Africa has advocated changes in the education and training of medical practitioners. The suggested reform includes early clinical exposure in a range of settings. Early in the design of Curriculum 2001, a problem-based learning programme, health care visits in Year 1 were considered essential.

Immunolocalisation of endothelin-1 in human brain.

The potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) may function as a neuropeptide and be a contributing factor in some neurological disorders, e.g. Alzheimer's dementia.

Disseminated nocardiosis masquerading as abdominal tuberculosis.

A 32-year-old patient was admitted with a community-acquired pneumonia. She had clinical evidence of AIDS and chest X-ray features consistent with pulmonary tuberculosis. While in the ward she developed an acute abdomen necessitating laparotomy, at which a diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis was made.

The knowledge and attitudes of traditional birth attendants towards HIV/AIDS and their beliefs related to perinatal care: a study conducted in KwaZulu Natal.

Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) are still mainly being utilized in the rural areas even in the presence of the formal health care facilities. Studies reveal that the utilization of TBAs is beneficial in some other contexts with some support and supervision from the western health sector. In order to develop further training for TBAs the researchers deemed it necessary to assess their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to HIV/AIDS, prenatal care, delivery and postnatal care.

True hermaphroditism in southern Africa: the clinical picture.

This is an 18-year (1985-2001) retrospective review of 85 patients with true hermaphroditism, with the aim of facilitating early recognition of this condition. Presentation of neonates and infants 6 months or younger, constituting 54% of this cohort, were different from the older children. The presentation, clinical features and investigative results of all patients diagnosed with true hermaphroditism at a single South African paediatric surgical unit were reviewed.

Massive pulmonary haemorrhage as a cause of death in the neonate--a retrospective review.

Objectives: To examine massive pulmonary haemorrhage as an independent factor and as a co-factor in neonatal mortality by analysing the associated factors, with the purpose of identifying predisposing characteristics.

Design: A retrospective study reviewing 32 neonates who died of pulmonary haemorrhage. Data were extracted from the 2001 King Edward VIII Hospital (KEH) neonatal death records.

Primary tumours of the liver in children: an African perspective.

Primary tumours of the liver present diagnostic and management difficulties. In Africa, outcomes reflect limitations imposed by comorbidity and lack of resources, both human and material, for major liver resection. Whilst hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma can be readily distinguished on clinical and biochemical grounds, there is a high incidence of sarcomatous tumours that mandate biopsy.

Combined oral contraceptives and cervical cancer.

Purpose Of Review: The issue of whether there might be an increased risk of cervical cancer associated with the use of oral contraceptives has been debated for decades. Early studies found a modest association with long-term use. A literature review was performed over the past 3 years, to establish whether there is any new evidence linking cervical cancer with the use of oral contraceptives.

Cellular distribution of the endothelin system in the human brain.

The vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) may also act as a neuropeptide. ET-1 is formed by the catalytic action of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) on big ET-1 and its cellular actions are mediated via ET(A) and ET(B) receptors. Although localisation of these components in rodent brain has been extensively investigated, no single study has mapped their distribution in human brain.

Effect of one or two pre-pubertal long days on age at first egg in domestic pullets.

1. Two trials were conducted, using 288 brown-egg hybrid pullets in each, to determine the effect on age at first egg (AFE) of exposure to one or two 'long days' during the rearing period. In the first trial, birds were given a single 'long day' of 10, 12 or 14 h at 75, 89 or 103 d of age, with controls maintained on 8-h photoperiods.

Acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibitory effects of amaryllidaceae alkaloids.

Twenty-three Amaryllidaceae alkaloids having several different ring types were evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibitory activity. The alkaloid 1- O-acetyllycorine (IC50 : 0.96 +/- 0.

Venusol from Gunnera perpensa: structural and activity studies.

From the aqueous extract of the dry rhizomes of Gunnera perpensa the minor components pyrogallol, succinic acid, lactic acid, and the trimethyl ether of ellagic acid glucoside were isolated. The major constituent was identified as Z-venusol, a phenylpropanoid glucoside. Its structure was verified by X-ray diffraction.

Hypertension-related gene polymorphisms in pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and gestational hypertension in Black South African women.

Objective: To examine whether polymorphisms in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are associated with pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders in a black South African population.

Design: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion, angiotensinogen M235T and angiotensin II receptor type 1 1166A<--C polymorphisms were assessed in study groups comprising 204 women with pre-eclampsia, 120 with eclampsia, 67 with early onset pre-eclampsia and 78 with gestational hypertension.

Methods: Using chi analysis, results were compared with those obtained from 338 ethnically matched normotensive pregnant women following normal full term pregnancies.

Irrigation of soil with synthetic landfill leachate--speciation and distribution of selected pollutants.

The fates and toxicities of selected landfill leachate pollutants in a soil with a low attenuation potential were investigated. Soil columns consisting of a loamy sand which had been irrigated with synthetic landfill leachates were dissected and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, copper and zinc species, iron and phenol concentrations and microbial activity. Copper was found to be least mobile and accumulated in the top 4 cm of the soil columns.

Hookworm (Necator americanus) transmission in inland areas of sandy soils in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

This study extended the association between hookworm transmission in KwaZulu-Natal and the sandy coastal plain by investigating the parasite's occurrence in isolated areas of sandy soils further inland. A school-based prevalence survey was carried out in selected inland sandy areas and in surrounding areas dominated by clay soils within a narrow altitudinal range of between 500 and 700 m to reduce the effect of altitude on climate-related factors (rainfall and temperature). Sandy areas situated on the coastal plain were included in the analysis for comparative purposes.

Surgical management of high output enterocutaneous fistulae: a 24-year experience.

Purpose Of Review: Enterocutaneous fistulae are abnormal communications between the small or large bowel and the skin, which may be lined with epithelium or associated with intra-abdominal sepsis. Patients with high fluid and electrolyte losses are best managed in a nutrition unit by a dedicated team of physicians and other healthcare workers. Despite recent advances in the management of these patients, the mortality rate ranges between 10 and 20%.

Minimizing surgery in complicated intussusceptions in the Third World.

When presentation is delayed, intussusceptions may be difficult to reduce using standard enema regimens. Our endeavour to minimize the need for surgery in an environment where failed reductions are common has led to the development of an aggressive, non-operative method of reducing intussusceptions. One hundred and six patients with intussusception were reviewed with the aim of evaluating a new method of reducing intussusceptions suited to our Third World environment.

Clear cell (glycogen-rich) gastric adenocarcinoma.

Clear cells have been described in many tumors of varying differentiation. Although clear cell carcinoma is well-recognized in the lower urinary and female genital tracts, its occurrence in the gastrointestinal tract and related structures is uncommon. There have been only a few case reports and small series reporting this morphologic phenomenon in the stomach, colon, and biliary tract.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms in black South Africans and the association with preeclampsia.

Background: A methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism (1317T --> C) that occurs commonly in black African individuals prompted this study to establish whether this polymorphism, alone or in association with other MTHFR variants, is associated with preeclampsia in black South African women.

Methods: A group of 204 black women with preeclampsia was examined for the 677C --> T, 1298A --> C and 1317T --> C MTHFR polymorphic alleles using standard techniques. Also examined were women with early-onset preeclampsia (n = 67) and gestational hypertension (n = 78).

Interrater reliability in professional psychology student selection.

High interrater reliability was noted among academics selecting students for professional psychology training. Women raters showed higher concordance than men, although all raters showed significant agreement about the male and the female applicants.