4,359 results match your criteria: "University of the Western[Affiliation]"

A Disposable Diaper Collection Project in Langa, Cape Town, South Africa: A Pilot Study.

Int J Environ Res Public Health

September 2024

Department of Geography, Environmental Studies and Tourism, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, Western Cape, South Africa.

In developing countries, there is currently no established waste management plan that includes resource recovery from used disposable diapers (DDs) apart from incineration and landfilling. In low-income areas with limited storage space, the complex composition and odour of used DDs make it impossible to manage properly if not supported by effective waste management systems. In the absence of effective waste management, DDs are dumped in open spaces, burned or buried.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzed global, regional, and national trends in injury burden and identified risk factors contributing to injuries using data from the GBD 2019.
  • In 2019, there were approximately 713.9 million injury incidents and 4.3 million injury-related deaths globally, with low bone mineral density emerging as the leading risk factor.
  • The findings emphasize the need for effective global injury prevention policies by highlighting the persistent impact of injuries on global health.
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Clinical assessment strategies for competency-based education in prosthetic dentistry.

J Dent Educ

October 2024

Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.

Reflective practice is viewed as a theoretical and pedagogical concept in higher education having several diverse approaches and interpretations. The most important aspect of reflective practice is that it is a necessary quality assurance aspect of higher education which should occur recurrently and at different stages of the program. It usually entails an evaluation of advanced instructions which has become the norm in an educational setting, in order to improve the learning outcomes.

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Objective: This study aimed to determine differences in food consumption by the NOVA food categories in South Africa and Ghana and how they relate to poverty and food supply systems.

Design: This study used a cross-sectional design to assess household food acquisition and lived poverty index.

Setting: The study was conducted in Khayelitsha and Mount Frere, urban and rural communities in South Africa, respectively, and Ahodwo and Ejuratia, urban and rural communities in Ghana, respectively.

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Background: Aging results in changes in resting state functional connectivity within key networks associated with cognition. Cardiovascular function, physical activity, sleep, and body composition may influence these age-related changes in the brain. Better understanding these associations may help clarify mechanisms related to brain aging and guide interventional strategies to reduce these changes.

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Aim: The existence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is extremely widespread, causing serious diseases in patients with low immune function. The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy and mechanism of Corilagin in the control of CMV infection, in order to provide scientific basis for the control of CMV infection.

Methods: Our study employed an animal model in Balb/c mice, infected with MCMV, alongside cellular models in HFF cells and THP-1 cells, stimulated with HCMV.

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  • The study explores the use of polymer-drug conjugates to enhance the efficacy of zidovudine, an anti-HIV drug, both alone and with other drugs.
  • Researchers prepared these conjugates using a specific polymerization method and analyzed their characteristics and potential.
  • Results indicated that some conjugates showed strong effectiveness against pseudo-HIV-1, highlighting their promise as future anti-HIV treatments that warrant further investigation.
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Microencapsulation Techniques in HIV Pediatric Formulations: Advances and Future Outlook.

Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci

October 2024

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Drive, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa.

The treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in children has persistently been complex and tedious on a global scale. This is because adult and pediatric HIV treatments follow a similar therapeutic approach. Due to the dearth of clinically licensed pediatric antiretroviral drug (ARVD) therapy, children with HIV worldwide are prescribed unlicensed drugs each year.

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Introduction: Access to essential medicines is a critical element of health systems and an important measure of their performance. Migrants may face barriers in accessing healthcare, including essential medicines, throughout the migration cycle, which includes the stages of departure from home or residence countries, transit through non-European or European countries, reception and settlement in a country in Europe and deportation. We aim to provide an overview of research and grey literature concerning access to essential medicines for asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented migrants in or heading to Europe (European Union, European Economic Area, Switzerland and the UK).

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  • The study aimed to explore factors linked to acute traumatic cycling injuries (ATCIs) among entrants of a 109 km cycling race, focusing on incidents within the previous year.
  • It analyzed data from 60,941 participants from 2016 to 2020, collecting information through medical screening questionnaires about cycling history, demographics, and health conditions.
  • Results highlighted that longer participation in distance cycling, higher weekly cycling distances, and certain health issues (like chronic diseases and history of collapse or cramping) significantly increased the risk of sustaining ATCIs.
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Cytopathology of a Newly Described Salivary Gland Neoplasm: A Case Report of Microsecretory Adenocarcinoma Presenting in the Parotid Gland.

Acta Cytol

December 2024

Division of Anatomical Pathology, Tygerberg Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.

Article Synopsis
  • * The first reported case of MSA in the parotid gland involved a 48-year-old man whose fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) showed unique cellular patterns, including multinucleated giant cells and secretory features, alongside supportive histological evidence.
  • * MSA should be included in the differential diagnosis for low-grade salivary gland tumors, and accurate diagnosis can be confirmed through cellular analysis, immunohistochemistry
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Climate change is of great concern to all age groups but in particular to children. "Simple" climate models have been in place for a long time and can be used effectively with post-16 students. For younger children, modifications are required, and we describe in this paper the development and use of two such models.

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Electromimetic molecularly imprinted Polymersensor for wastewater emtricitabine.

Anal Chim Acta

November 2024

SensorLab (University of the Western Cape Sensor Laboratories), Chemical Sciences Building, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, 7535, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) Chair for NanoElectrochemistry & Sensor Technology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, 7535, Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address:

Background: Emtricitabine (FTC) is a commonly prescribed anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug that has been classified as an emerging environmental pharmaceutical micropollutant due to its poor metabolism, refractory nature to wastewater treatment, continuous discharge with wastewater effluent and accumulation in the aquatic environment. Although there are no reported limits and toxicity of the drug in the environment yet, it is crucial to develop onsite, rapid, selective and ultrasensitive water sensing systems for FTC to ensure efficient risk management and environmental sustainability.

Results: Herein, a molecularly imprinted poly(para-aminobenzoic acid) (MIP) was electrochemically prepared on iron oxide nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (MIP/FeO NPs/GCE) for selective detection of FTC using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

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[Psychopathology of Lewy body disease: the clinical benefits of early detection].

Rev Infirm

October 2024

Centres Experts, CMP B, CHU Gabriel Montpied, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Psychologie-criminologie-victimologie (PCV), 33000 Bordeaux, France; Statistics and Population Studies Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, 7535 Cape-Town, South-Africa. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • - Lewy body disease (LBD), also known as Lewy body dementia, is a common but often misdiagnosed neurodegenerative disease due to its similarities with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
  • - Improving the identification of LBD is crucial for enhancing care and support for both individuals with the condition and their caregivers.
  • - Addressing the diagnostic challenges of LBD is a key health goal, as better recognition can lead to more effective treatment and management.
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  • Root canal failure is a common issue in dentistry, often caused by bacteria like Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus; researchers are exploring alternative antimicrobial root canal sealers using nanomaterials for better effectiveness.
  • The systematic review aims to compare the antimicrobial properties of traditional root canal sealers and newer ones that incorporate green synthesized nanoparticles, focusing on studies published from 2010 to 2024.
  • A comprehensive protocol for the review has been registered, with ethical approval obtained, and the methodology follows strict guidelines to ensure valid and reliable results, including using several scientific databases for data collection.
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Selection bias in clinical trials is a form of systematic error and may be detected using the I² test with a 0/>0% threshold (bias: I² > 0%, no bias: I² = 0%). The test operates on the premise that effective randomisation eliminates in-between study heterogeneity beyond the play of chance in a baseline variable meta-analysis of all the trial's baseline variables. Since the I² statistic was originally designed to measure in-between study heterogeneity in meta-analyses, the test requires the generation of at least two simulated comparator trials (SCTs).

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To evaluate the diagnostic capability of 5th-year students using digital imaging, conventional bitewing (BW) radiographs, and printed film on paper to detect interproximal caries lesions. A cross-sectional study was conducted with senior dental students. Three different radiographs: digital, BW, and printed films on paper were used; thus, nine radiographs, each with a 2-min viewing time, were considered by students along with a questionnaire.

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  • There's increasing awareness of obstetric violence in healthcare settings globally, particularly affecting women living with HIV in South Africa, where incidences of such violence may be influenced by their HIV status.* -
  • Data was gathered from 26 interviews with HIV-positive women shortly after childbirth, focusing on their labor experiences, adherence to treatment, and broader social contexts, analyzed through thematic methods.* -
  • Women reported various factors impacting their birthing experiences, including resource shortages and negative healthcare interactions, with many feeling empowered despite experiencing obstetric violence, leading to shifts in family planning and attitudes towards healthcare facilities.*
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Apparent Parity Violation in the Observed Galaxy Trispectrum.

Phys Rev Lett

September 2024

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa.

Recent measurements of the four-point correlation function in large-scale galaxy surveys have found apparent evidence of parity violation in the distribution of galaxies. This cannot happen via dynamical gravitational effects in general relativity. If such a violation arose from physics in the early Universe it could indicate important new physics beyond the standard model, and would be at odds with most models of inflation.

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  • * Recent efforts to stop smoking haven't been put into action yet, and it’s important to see what could happen if smoking rates stay the same or improve.
  • * Researchers used models to predict health outcomes by 2050 based on different scenarios of smoking rates, showing that cutting smoking could greatly improve health and life expectancy.
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Surrogate Immunohistochemical Markers of Proliferation and Embryonic Stem Cells in Distinguishing Ameloblastoma from Ameloblastic Carcinoma.

Head Neck Pathol

October 2024

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria Oral Health Care Centre, Office 6-11, Corner of Steve Biko and Dr Savage Roads, Pretoria, 0084, South Africa.

Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate the use of surrogate immunohistochemical (IHC) markers of proliferation and stem cells to distinguish ameloblastoma (AB) from ameloblastic carcinoma (AC).

Methods: The study assessed a total of 29 ACs, 6 ABs that transformed into ACs, and a control cohort of 20 ABs. The demographics and clinicopathologic details of the included cases of AC were recorded.

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Background: Pain attributed to musculoskeletal disorders are a significant hinderance to work ability and economic growth, especially in developing countries. Quality of life and lived experience of workers with musculoskeletal disorders have not been explored enough to determine whether person-centred care is provided. There is a wealth of evidence for using the biomedical approach in the management of workers with musculoskeletal disorders, which has proved ineffective in reducing absenteeism and symptoms experienced by workers.

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Despite concerted attempts by colonial governments to stamp out traditional healing practices, the Korekore-speaking Shona people have continued to seek healing for mental illness from traditional healers in present-day Zimbabwe. In this article, I discuss the health-seeking trajectories of Korekore people when confronted with mental illness, particularly when and why they seek out traditional healing, and the role that traditional healers play in the quest for therapy.

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Article Synopsis
  • Community health is really important for helping mothers, babies, and kids in six French-speaking countries in West Africa, but not much research has been done on it.
  • The study looked at how these countries, like Burkina Faso and Senegal, use money to support community health workers who help provide health services.
  • Although there are some efforts to train these workers, there are still big challenges like lack of support and resources, which make it hard for them to do their jobs well.
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