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The increasing concentration of antidepressants in wastewater due to economic hardship and pressures correlated to the global pandemic is an environmental threat. Therefore, new and efficient methods for their removal need to be developed. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are potent adsorbents for wastewater but there are limited reports on the adsorption potentials of an emerging class of dicarboxylate MOFs. Herein, we synthesised two aluminium-based dicarboxylate MOFs containing terephthalic (Al-MIL-53) and biphenyl (Al-Biphen) linkers for the adsorption of nortriptyline antidepressants from contaminated water. The MOFs were characterised by the TGA, SEM, PXRD, BET and FTIR and exhibited desirable surface properties for potent adsorption of nortriptyline. BET surface areas of 1024 m2 g−1 and 624 m2 g−1 were obtained for Al-Biphen and Al-MIL-53, respectively, which resulted in a maximum nortriptyline uptake capacity of 284.9 mg g−1 and 246.3 mg g−1. Optimum adsorption of nortriptyline was obtained at pH of 7.0, adsorbate concentration of 50 mg/L, contact time of 40 min and a temperature of 300 K. The Langmuir model was well correlated with the adsorption onto Al-Biphen, while both the Langmuir and Freundlich models were more suited for Al-MIL-53. The drug adsorption kinetics was well interpreted by the pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion models. For both materials, the adsorption processes are exothermic and spontaneous with decreasing randomness. Moreover, less than 10.9% of the initial efficiency of the MOFs was lost after four cycles of reuse, which showed that the dicarboxylate MOFs are highly efficient, fast, and reusable for nortriptyline adsorption from aqueous phase.

Background: Diabetes self-management education (DSME), a prerequisite for diabetes care, is mostly unstructured and inaccessible in the public health sector in South Africa (SA). Patient education is often delivered by healthcare professionals (HCPs) with limited time and proficiency, resulting in preventable errors with insulin administration. A study was undertaken to assess the knowledge of HCPs on the practical aspects of insulin administration and it was hypothesised that their expertise was insufficient. The unmet needs of DSME often transpire when preventable errors with insulin administration become clinically evident at higher levels of care.Methods: A prospective, descriptive study of HCPs’ knowledge before and after attending a ‘Diabetes 101’ workshop was performed. Four workshops at Tygerberg Hospital (TH) and Worcester Provincial Hospital (WPH) were assessed between 2016 and 2019. A total of 146 participants completed a questionnaire before and after the workshops. Knowledge was scored on the correct responses per question and overall. The mean pre- and post-test scores were compared using two sample t-tests. Chi-square tests were used to analyse differences between pre- and post-training responses.Results: Of 146 participants, the majority were medical doctors (n = 116; 80%), mostly junior (n = 75; 65%) with 21% nursing practitioners. Before training there were significant deficiencies identified with only 3 of the 19 question items answered correctly by more than 50% of HCPs. The greatest knowledge deficits were with regard to insulin re-suspension and the injection technique and priming of the insulin pen. Following training there was a significant improvement between the pre-test mean percentage score of 36.0% (15) and post-test mean percentage score of 68% (16) (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Knowledge on the practical aspects of insulin administration is insufficient amongst HCPs but improved after structured education. Further research is needed to assess the long-term retention of knowledge and the impact of knowledge translation into clinical care.

In a bid to develop efficient biochars, we prepared new biochar by the pyrolysis of Ipomoea batatas feedstock for the ultrasonic-aided adsorption of eriochrome black T (EBT) and celestine blue (CB)...

Increased bone resorption is a well-described consequence of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). In South Africa, little is known about the impact of PHPT on skeletal health. To determine the preva...

The association between hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and abnormal thyroid function is well known. The prevalence, aetiology and course of thyrotoxicosis in women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) wer...

Metastasis of a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) to the orbit is a rare occurrence, with published data limited to a few case reports. Orbital involvement usually presents with proptosis and decreased o...

Background: Pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperglycaemia and obesity emerged as prognostic factors in severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, no published South African studies report on the incidence, presentation and outcomes of DM and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Objective: To reflect on the diagnosis, management, obstacles to care and outcome of four patients who were admitted to Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. The outcome of these cases that presented consecutively with DKA and COVID-19 between May and July 2020 are discussed, the presentation, management and long-term considerations with specific reference to DKA and COVID-19 are reviewed.Results: Three of the four patients had newly diagnosed DM. These patients presented with non-specific symptoms and signs leading to a diagnosis of both DKA and COVID-19. The single surviving patient in this series was known to have pre-existing DM but discontinued his insulin upon becoming unwell. One patient required insulin therapy at the time of initial presentation a week or two prior to the current admission but received metformin instead. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 after having poor glycaemic control for over one week, after which insulin was initiated. Ultimately she died as a result of severe hypokalaemia. One patient primarily had respiratory complaints, severe COVID-19 pneumonia and received concomitant dexamethasone. Glycaemic control in this patient was complicated by both hypo- and hyperglycaemia.Conclusion: These cases highlight the management challenges faced by many developing countries, and identify the missed opportunities in persons presenting with COVID-19 and hyperglycaemic emergencies.

This study presents the fabrication of nanocomposite for the sequestering of Cr(VI) from solution. The nanocomposites were obtained from the molecular sieve and functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes and further modified with Pentaclethra macrophylla (oil bean tree) stem bark extract. The pristine molecular sieve (MS) and the modified nanocomposite [Pentaclethra macrophylla stem bark extract anchored on molecular sieve (SMP)] adsorbent were characterized by the FTIR, FESEM, XRD, BET, and TGA techniques. The batch adsorption experiment revealed an agitation time of 120 min, 0.02 g dosage, and sorbate pH of 2.0 as optimum conditions for effective use of MS and SMP. Under these conditions a maximum monolayer capacity (qmax) of 135.5 mg g���1 was obtained for SMP, a value that is better compared to many other related absorbent materials. The uptake of Cr(VI) onto MS and SMP was best described by pseudo-first-order and Elovich kinetic models respectively. Meanwhile, the Freundlich model was noticed to sufficiently describe the isotherm data obtained for MS and SMP. The adsorption of Cr(VI) onto MS and SMP was spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy-driven. The reusability of the nanocomposite and its efficient Cr(VI) removal, present SMP as a potent adsorbent for the sequestration Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. nsufficient innovative research on the sequestration of Cr(VI) from the aquatic ecosystem has made Cr(VI) a recalcitrant water contaminant that often affects water sources. In this work, a novel plant anchor-nanocomposite was fabricated from the spent molecular sieve, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and the extract from the stem bark of Pentaclethra macrophylla. It was envisaged that due to the phytochemical constituent of the modifier, this nanocomposite could also act as potent adsorbents for the treatment of Cr(VI) polluted water. To the best of our knowledge, the application of Pentaclethra macrophylla stem bark extract as a modifier for the green fabrication of nanocomposite has not been reported. The resulting composites showed good uptake capacity for Cr(VI) as well as efficient reusability.

The prominent benefit of granite is owned to its physicochemical property and ubiquitous nature. Vast application of granite which also includes its use as an adsorbent in environmental remediation practice, can also be enhanced. To further enhanced the uptake capacity of granite, nanocomposite consisting of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and granite was fabricated and further modified using Dialiumguineensestem bark extract. The structure and composition of pristine granite (PG) and modified nanocomposite granite (G) based material were examined and confirmed by the FTIR, Raman, TGA, SEM and XRD. Meanwhile, the specific surface areasof PG (1.268 m2/g) and G (16.57 m2/g) were obtained using the BET surface area analyser. The optimization step revealed that the uptake capacities of PG and G were dependent on solution pH, sorbent dose and contact time. Meanwhile, pseudo-second-order and Elovich kinetic models were noticed to best describe the data for the removal of Cr (VI) by PG and G. Equilibrium isotherm study revealed that Freundlich and Langmuir models fitted well to the experimental data obtained for the uptake of Cr(VI) onto PG and G respectively. Furthermore, electrostaticattraction betweentheDialiumguineense stem bark extract on the surface of G and Cr(VI) influenced the uptake of Cr(VI). On the other hand, the interaction between the plant extract and Cr(VI) may result in the attenuation of Cr(VI) via reduction to Cr(III). Finally, the thermodynamically favoured adsorptive process demonstrated high adsorbent reusability with good stability for Cr(VI) uptake.

In premenopausal women, bone mineral density measurement by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry should not be used as the sole guide for diagnosis or treatment of osteoporosis, universal screening with bone mineral density is not advised and the World Health Organization classification of bone status should not be applied. A diagnosis of premenopausal osteoporosis is reserved for those with evidence of fragility and may also be considered in women with low bone mass and an ongoing secondary cause of osteoporosis. Idiopathic osteoporosis in young women is rare. A thorough evaluation of secondary causes is indicated in all patients, with glucocorticoid treatment a common secondary cause of low bone mass and osteoporosis. Hypoestrogenism may be the primary cause of low bone mass and contribute to excessive bone loss in many conditions associated with premenopausal osteoporosis, and should be treated unless contra-indicated. The mainstay of treatment in premenopausal females with low bone mass includes risk factor reduction, advocating a healthy, active lifestyle and optimal treatment of secondary causes of bone loss. The safety of bone-specific therapy, especially long term and during pregnancy, remains uncertain. Bisphosphonates, teriparatide, denosumab and estrogen treatment increase bone density in premenopausal women with osteoporosis, but there are no study data confirming short-term fracture prevention with use of these agents.

A low-cost adsorbent (Detarium senegalense stem bark extract coated shale (DSMS)) comprising pristine shale (PSH) coated with D. senegalense stem bark extract was prepared and utilized for the adso...

An earlier study of district-level agricultural total factor productivity in the Western Cape province of South Africa Conradie et al. (2009a, b) is extended to include eleven Northern Cape distric...

MSI2 is a homolog 2 of the Musashi RNA binding proteins (MSI) and is known to contribute to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and expressed up to 70% in AML patients. High expression of MSI2 has been found to lead to the lower overall survival of patients with AML. This study proposed the potential antagonists of MSI2 RNA-recognition motifs (MSI2 RRM1) derived from the LC-MS analysis of three traditional herbal samples. The LC-MS analysis of the three traditional herbs concoctions yields a total of 271 unique molecules of which 262 were screened against MSI2 RRM1 protein. After the dynamic study of the selected 8 top molecules from the virtual screening, the five most promising ligands emerged as potential MSI2 antagonists compare to the reference experimental molecule. The results show that the dynamic of MSI2 RRM1 protein is accompanied by a rare even of protein chain dissociation and re-association as evident in both the bound and unbound state of the protein. The unbound protein experience earlier chain dissociation compare to ligand-bound protein indicating that ligand binding to the protein slows down the dissociation time but thereafter increases the frequency of alternation between the protein chain association and dissociation after the first experience. Interestingly, the re-association of the protein chain is also accompanied by full restoration of the ligands to the binding site. The drug candidate Methotrexate (M3) and rescinnamine (M9) are listed among the promising antagonist of MSI2 with unique properties compared to a less promising molecule Ergotamine (M6).Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

This study presents a preliminary analysis of the productivity performance of a small group of mixed winter rainfall farms over the past decade. Results indicate that there has been no technical pr...

This research evaluated the adsorption of celestine blue (CB) onto a novel Solanum tuberosum waste-magnetite nanocomposite (Mt@STB), prepared by an ecofriendly impregnation of magnetite (Mt) nanopa...

An integrative taxonomic review of the genus Boaedon in Angola is provided. A molecular phylogeny, based on 99 genetic samples for which the mitochondrial markers 16S rRNA have been sequenced, reveals 23 monophyletic species-level groups in Africa and indicates the presence of nine species in Angola. Based on both phylogenetic and morphological data, we revalidate and designate a neotype for B. angolensis, describe three new species for Angola (e.g. B. bocagei sp. nov., B. branchi sp. nov., and B. fradei sp. nov.), revalidate B. variegatus from its synonymy with B. lineatus and designate a lectotype for this taxon, and identify B. lineatus var. lineolatus as a junior synonym of B. variegatus. The taxonomic status of the recently described B. paralineatus from Central Africa is discussed with respect to the more inclusive B. lineatus group. Moreover, we report on a new country record for Angola, namely B. mentalis, which we elevate here to full species and discuss the taxonomic status of this species in southern Africa. Finally, we provide an identification key and updated distribution maps for all Boaedon species occurring in Angola, including the Cabinda enclave.

The African natricine genus Limnophis is represented by two species: Limnophis bicolor Gunther, 1865 and Limnophis bangweolicus (Mertens, 1936). They are stout-bodied, semi-aquatic snakes that most...

Behavioural trade-offs between foraging and thermoregulation result in negative relationships between diurnal body mass (M b) gain and daily maximum air temperature (T max) in arid-zone birds. Howe...

Ovarian neoplasms are rare tumours of steroid cell origin. These tumours present clinically due to the associated excess production of either androgenic or oestrogenic gonadal steroid hormones. The...