An update on human bartonelloses.

The data available on Bartonella species has increased rapidly in the last decade with 12 new species and subspecies being described and bartonellas being found to be associated with an increasing spectrum of clinical syndromes in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. In addition B. weissii is found in cats.

A prospective clinical and urodynamic study of bladder function during and after pregnancy.

The aim of the study was to determine whether clinical and/or urodynamic changes in bladder function occur during pregnancy. Assessment consisted of a urinary symptom questionnaire, urogynecological examination and urodynamic investigations, which were repeated 6 weeks after pregnancy. Sixty-six patients had the initial and 40 the follow-up assessments.

Resolution and absolute configuration of naturally occurring auronols.

Resolution of racemic 2-benzyl-2-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-3(2H)-ones (auronols) and CD data of the ensuing enantiomers permit assessment of the absolute configuration at the single stereocenter.

The diagnosis of skeletal tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction.

Objective: To determine the potential of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in skeletal samples by comparing results obtained by 1) Ziehl Neelsen staining, Lowenstein-Jensen and Bactec culture, 2) histopathology and clinical findings at the level of agreement, sensitivity and specificity.

Design: Cross sectional study.

Setting: Department of Medical Microbiology, Orthopaedics and Anatomical pathology, University of the Orange Free State Bloemfontein, South Africa.

BTEX catabolism interactions in a toluene-acclimatized biofilter.

BTEX substrate interactions for a toluene-acclimatized biofilter consortium were investigated. Benzene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene removal efficiencies were determined at a loading rate of 18.07 g m(-3) h(-1) and retention times of 0.

Control of immature stages of the flea Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché) in carpets exposed to cats treated with imidacloprid.

Fleas cause allergic dermatitis in cats and dogs and therefore warrant control. It has been demonstrated previously that there is marked inhibition of the development of the immature stages of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis on fleece blankets exposed to cats treated with imidacloprid. This study reports on the efficacy of imidacloprid in suppressing adult flea emergence in carpet exposed to treated cats.

Simultaneous determination of cefotaxime and desacetylcefotaxime in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A simple and sensitive HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of cefotaxime (I) and desacetylcefotaxime (II) in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is described. The assay involves deproteinisation and subsequent separation on a reversed-phase HPLC column, with ultraviolet detection at 262 nm. Retention times were 6.

Screening for cervical neoplasia in a developing country utilizing cytology, cervicography and the acetic acid test.

Objective: To compare three screening tests for cervical neoplasia.

Method: Women (6301) were screened simultaneously with cytology, cervicography and the acetic acid test (AAT). Biopsies were taken from the acetowhite lesions and every fifth seemingly normal cervix.

The influence of long-term exposure of mice to randomly varied power frequency magnetic fields on their nocturnal melatonin secretion patterns.

Disruption of the normal melatonin rhythm has many implications in health and disease. Exposure to magnetic fields is alleged to suppress nocturnal melatonin production, which could implicate magnetic fields in the development of, for example, breast cancer. Magnetic fields of overhead powerlines allegedly pose a risk in the development of childhood leukemia, and the question arises whether changed pineal function could play a role here.

Ethics in South Africa: new challenges.

One of the reasons why ethics is so much spoken about nowadays is that the moral certainties of previous times no longer exist. Recent events in South Africa have called into question many of the values and principles formerly adhered to. Formerly, we had confidence in the moral consensus that was shared by our families, religious organizations, educational institutions, professional associations and judicial system.

Kohlberg's theory of moral development: insights into rights reasoning.

Kohlberg's theory of moral development was based on extensive research done on the reactions of people of all ages to specific moral situational dilemmas. Kohlberg was specifically interested in reasoning processes involved in decision-making. The way in which children perceive their rights is also based on reasoning processes that are inextricably linked to their level of development and more specifically to their level of moral development since the area of human rights can be considered essentially moral.

A community partnership programme addresses the needs of three partners in a unique way.

The process for the establishment of a community development programme between three partners, namely the community of Mangaung, the University of the Orange Free State and the Health Department of the Free State is discussed from the beginning. The phases of the process, the related stumbling blocks, the reasons for success, the scope of the programme, as well as the extent to which the three partners benefited from it, are discussed.

Improving eye care in the primary health care setting.

One of the challenges facing primary health care in South Africa is the delivery of quality eye care to all South Africans. In this regard the role of the primary health care worker, as the first point of contact, is crucial. This paper reports on the problems primary health care workers experience in providing quality eye care in Region B of the Free State.

Keloids in rural black South Africans. Part 3: a lipid model for the prevention and treatment of keloid formations.

In the third part of this study a basic lipid model (regarding phospholipids, triglycerides, cholesterol esters and free fatty acids) for keloids (n=20), compared with normal skin of keloid prone and non-keloid prone patients (n=20 of each), was constructed according to standard methods, to serve as a sound foundation for essential fatty acid supplementation strategies in the prevention and treatment of keloid formations. Essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) of the omega-6 series (linoleic acid (LA), g-linolenic acid (GLA), and dihomo-g-linolenic acid (DGLA)) and the omega-3 series (a-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)), but enhanced arachidonic acid (AA) levels, were prevalent in keloid formations. Enhanced AA, but a deficiency of AA precursors (LA, GLA and DGLA) and inflammatory competitors (DGLA and EPA), are inevitably responsible for the overproduction of pro-inflammatory metabolites (prostaglandin E(2)(PGE(2))) participating in the pathogenesis of inflammation.

Keloids in rural black South Africans. Part 2: dietary fatty acid intake and total phospholipid fatty acid profile in the blood of keloid patients.

In the second part of this study, emphasis is placed on nutritional intakes (fatty acids and micronutrients) and fatty acid intake and metabolism in the blood, respectively, according to a combined 24 h recall and standardized food frequency questionnaire analyses of keloid prone patients (n=10), compared with normal black South Africans (n=80), and total phospholipid blood (plasma and red blood cell ) analyses of keloid patients (n=20), compared with normal individuals (n=20). Lipid extraction and fractionation by standard procedures, total phospholipid (TPL) separation with thin layer chromatography, and fatty acid methyl ester analyses with gas liquid chromatography techniques were used. Since nutrition may play a role in several disease disorders, the purpose of this study was to confirm or refute a role for essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the hypothesis of keloid formations stated in part 1 of this study.

Keloids in rural black South Africans. Part 1: general overview and essential fatty acid hypotheses for keloid formation and prevention.

In the first part of this study a general overview on the hypertrophic scar and keloid phenomena regarding history, epidemiology, histopathology and aetiology, in general, together with an essential fatty acid approach as basis for hypotheses of keloid formation and prevention are given. Upon reviewing the literature in planning a strategy for prevention and treatment of keloids, one encounters an overwhelming amount of hypotheses on this topic. Based on a preliminary study on total fatty acid compositions in keloids, compared with normal skin of keloid prone and non-keloid prone patients, there can be argued as follows: an essential fatty acid deficiency of precursors and inflammatory competitors for arachidonic acid may be a factor in the multifactorial aetiology of keloid formations, and apart from a local essential fatty acid deficiency in the wound area, nutrition may also be a contributing factor in rural black South Africans.

Physical properties of acetic acid vital in evaluating the cervix for neoplastic changes.

Introduction: In a "developing country" the need exists for an inexpensive, simplistic yet sensitive screening procedure which furthermore, allows for the immediate referral of patients. Research has indicated that the acetic acid test is a most viable option. Screening, however, often occurs in less than ideal conditions thus implying the exposure of the acetic acid to various fluctuating elements.

Perspectives of health workers regarding primary health care delivery to the rural population in the Bothaville district.

This article reports on the views of public health workers regarding recent changes in the delivery of primary health care to people living and working in the Bothaville rural area. These changes in mobile health care form part of the Initiative for Sub-District Support's programme to provide sustained, concerted support to sub-districts to bring about improvements in health care management and health care delivery. Main shortcomings of the recent changes were identified as inadequate transportation facilities in rural areas, insufficient information dissemination to rural dwellers and lack of farmers' participation in rural health matters.

Health needs assessment of the elderly people of Mangaung.

The health needs of the elderly people of Mangaung were assessed through a survey. Three hundred and forty respondents were interviewed. Health needs were clustered around physical, social and psychological aspects.

The living conditions of elderly black people in a typical rural area in the Free State.

The proposed policy in respect of the care of older persons places much emphasis on the involvement and responsibility of the community. Majwemasweu is a typical rural black community in the Free State where an active Committee for the care of older persons is already in place and has already largely taken the responsibility for caring for its older persons on itself. This research scrutinizes the living conditions of this community's older persons and, wherever possible, compares it with those of black urban and rural research groups in the Multidimensional Survey of Elderly South Africans, 1990-1991.

A comparison of a manual and a computer system in a primary health care clinic.

Previous research has shown that nurses providing primary health care in local clinics are burdened with extensive administrative duties. These administrative tasks are so time consuming that less time can be devoted to direct patient care, their primary function. Certain assertions have been made with regard to computerising the total environment of patient records, capturing statistical indicators, stock control, etc.

(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.

Mapping the distribution of 3-hydroxylipins in the Mucorales using immunofluorescence microscopy.

The distribution of endogenous 3-hydroxylipins (3-OH oxylipins) in representatives of the Mucorales was mapped using immunofluorescence microscopy. Strains of each of the following genera were examined: Absidia, Actinomucor, Cunninghamella, Mortierella (subgenus Micromucor), Mortierella (subgenus Mortierella), Mucor and Rhizomucor. Immunofluorescence microscopy was carried out using an antibody that was raised against 3R-hydroxy-5Z,8Z, 11 Z, 14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (3R-HETE), which cross-reacts with other 3-OH oxylipins.

Children's rights: a review of children's and adults' perceptions.

The way in which children perceive their rights along with the type of rights they feel they should be afforded, is affected by a variety of factors. The studies reviewed in this article show that aspects such as level of development, culture, socio-economic status, age, gender, environment, religious affiliation and contextualization all play an important role in children's rights reasoning. The deduction hence made is that the field of children's perceptions of their rights is a complex one, calling for many considerations to be addressed before any legislation pertaining to these rights can be made.

A South African perspective on children's rights: pertinent issues in remedial and protection interventions.

This article focuses on specific issues that pose a threat to the application of children's rights in South Africa. Under remedial interventions survival, development and the standard of living and health will be discussed; while issues pertaining to children's right to education and parental care are also addressed. As far as protection interventions are concerned attention will be paid to abuse and neglect, child labour and children in difficult situations such as violence, disabilities, juvenile justice and street children.