published_or_final_version / Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

8 pp. / By making several simple horse care changes, you can significantly decrease your horse’s risk of exposure to disease. Using the tips below, you may prevent your horse from being exposed to sick horses while away at a show. If your horse were to bring a virus home, proper Biosecurity practices could result in just one sick horse, as opposed to a whole barn full. The intent of this article is to inject a little humor while providing key common sense tips on Biosecurity. Each tip is accompanied by an easy to remember theme and cartoon. These changes seem small but they can make a big difference in protecting the health of your horse. .

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis is to identity whether condoms are being stigmatized, and to investigate the current perceptions, attitudes and beliefs about condom use in relation to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Through the use of Richard Osmer’s model for research in Practical Theology, the study starts off with a Descriptive-Empirical task to investigate what is going on regarding the impact of society’s perceptions on condom use. The second part of the study commences the Interpretive task investigating why the perceptions about condoms exist, exploring the impact and dynamics of stigmatization; looking at sex, sexuality, sin and taboos relative to stigmatization. The Normative task explores what ought to be the perceptions of condom use by using Louw’s (2008) theory, an integrative Christian spiritual approach to Sexual Ethics, to explore the sacred space of sexuality, evaluating human sexuality and the human body, also looking at marriage and sexuality. Lastly, the Pragmatic task looks at the possible ways that we might respond to stigmatization, recommending certain practical conclusions within a pastoral counselling view to move towards de-stigmatization. These approaches include discussion on relevant HIV education and awareness programmes, pastoral care and counselling methods and programmes for people living with HIV and AIDS, and a pastoral approach with a Jesus as model for pastoral counselling. These collectively and conclusively explain the paradigm shift of letting the theology of the resurrection state a theological critique on stigmatization. In conclusion, the thesis argues that people do hold stigmatized perceptions about condoms and HIV and AIDS and these perceptions are grounded in attitudes and beliefs that are products of cultural and religious societal processes. The study proved that educational interventions need to be adapted to be more contextually relevant in order to be effective as a practical approach to stigmatization, as the study proved that having medical, educational knowledge about HIV and AIDS and prevention interventions do not necessarily result in saver sexual practice. Ultimately, pastoral approaches should be implemented in the hope to offer a movement towards destigmatization, not only of condoms, but HIV and AIDS and people living with HIV and AIDS. Thus, the proposal for a pastoral spiritual approach in process of destigmatization based upon a theological model. In this regard, the theological model is based on the notion of the theologia resurrectionis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is om te identifiseer of kondome gestigmatiseer word en om die huidige persepsies, houdings en oortuigings oor die gebruik van kondome, met betrekking tot die MIV- en VIGS-epidemie, te ondersoek. Deur die gebruik van Richard Osmer se model vir navorsing in Praktiese Teologie, begin die studie begin met 'n beskrywende-empiriese taak om te ondersoek wat die impak van die gemeenskap se persepsies is oor die gebruik van kondome. Die tweede deel van die studie, die interpretatiewe taak, ondersoek waarom die persepsies oor kondome bestaan. Dit ondersoek ook die impak en dinamika van stigmatisering deur te kyk na seks, seksualiteit, sonde en die taboes relatief tot stigmatisering. Die normatiewe taak ondersoek wat die persepsies van kondom gebruik behoort te wees deur Louw se (2008) se teorie, 'n geïntegreerde Christelike geestelike benadering tot seksuele etiek, te raadpleeg. Daardeur kyk die studie na die sakrale ruimte van seksualiteit en evalueer menslike seksualiteit en die menslike liggaam asook die huwelik en sexualiteit daarvolgens. Laastens in die pragmatiese taak kyk die study na die moontlike maniere waarop ons kan reageer op stigmatisering. Die pragmatiese taak beveel sekere praktiese gevolgtrekkings binne 'n pastorale beradings oogpunt aan, as ‘n moontlike kopskuif na ‘de’-stigmatisering. Hierdie benaderings sluit in; bespreking van relevante MIV opvoeding en bewusmaking programme, pastorale sorg en berading metodes en programme vir mense wat lewe met MIV en VIGS en ook 'n pastorale benadering met Jesus as model vir pastorale berading. Gesamentlik verduidelik hierdie moontlike benaderings die paradigmaskuif na die opstandingsteologie en 'n teologiese kritiek op stigmatisering.

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the two most common causes of death worldwide. Angiogenesis plays a critical role tumourigenesis and atherogenesis. As a member of the basic region-leucine zipper protein family, c-Jun, has been linked with cell proliferation, migration and cell survival. However, the relationship between c-Jun and angiogenesis has not been firmly established. In this thesis, strategies targeting c-Jun mRNA such as DNAzyme and siRNA have been designed and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the c-Jun mRNA and c-Jun protein expression in vitro and in vivo. These agents block c-Jun expression and inhibit DNA binding activity of c-Jun. Luciferase assay showed that c-Jun siRNA suppressed c-Jun/AP-1-dependent reporter activity. The processes of cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation were all down-regulated after treatment with c-Jun targeting agents. In vivo, c-Jun DNAzymes and siRNA inhibit angiogenesis in multiple models of angiogenesis in multiple models of angiogenesis, including tumour angiogenesis and growth, matrix angiogenesis, corneal angiogenesis and retinal neovascularization. This is mediated, at least in part, by c-Jun siRNA or DNAzyme inhibition of MMP-2 expression. These findings demonstrate the critical role played by c-Jun in the involvement of neovascularization and suggest that DNAzymes or siRNAs are efficient gene-silencing agents. The ability to identify and control key genes in angiogenesis provides opportunities for developing therapeutic molecular tools to treat cancer or other angiogenesis related diseases.

The purpose of the study was to explore the role of spirituality in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, which was aimed at exploring the different spiritual beliefs held by that group of people and the importance of those beliefs in helping them to live with HIV/AIDS. A qualitative approach, using an exploratory research design was undertaken using twenty-five purposefully selected participants from the support group of people living with HIV/AIDS at Philani Clinic in King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban. Data were collected by utilizing focus-group interviews followed by one-on-one individual interviews. An audio tape recorder was used to record the interviews. Field notes and memos were also kept to strengthen the data and to ensure trustworthiness. The socio-demographic characteristics of participants were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 11.5) for Windows; the results are displayed in the form of tables, graphs, percentages and presented in the methodology section of chapter three. The qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed manually by assembling the transcript from each interview and utilized to form major themes, sub-themes, categories and sub-categories that emerged from the data. In this study spirituality was described as a four-dimensional cognitive (mental) relationship with the transcendent being/higher power/ultimate reality, a relationship of love, forgiveness and connectedness that is reinforced by one's belief system. The result of this relationship is the achievement of inner peace, which produced a general sense of wellness that is usually subjective. General wellness could be physical health, mental health, acceptance of things that one cannot change and quality of life. Common themes identified from the sample included spirituality, defined as a personal relationship with God or a higher power that facilitates love, forgivingness and connectedness; taking precaution, respecting the elders and believing in God for everything. HIV/AIDS was found not to be a curse from God, but an ordinary illness, even though other participants believed that it was God's plan to bring humanity back to Him, while others believed that it was a blessing. The study also found that HIV/AIDS could be prevented through the continuous use of condoms, faithfulness in marriage and abstinence, but some believed that its cure could only come from God after the accomplishment of the purpose for which He allowed the infection. However some study participants believed that the cure would be discovered through research. The benefit of the spiritual belief that helped participants to cope with the infection was the achievement of inner peace, which was achieved through restoration of relationships. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the two most common causes of death worldwide. Angiogenesis plays a critical role tumourigenesis and atherogenesis. As a member of the basic region-leucine zipper protein family, c-Jun, has been linked with cell proliferation, migration and cell survival. However, the relationship between c-Jun and angiogenesis has not been firmly established. In this thesis, strategies targeting c-Jun mRNA such as DNAzyme and siRNA have been designed and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the c-Jun mRNA and c-Jun protein expression in vitro and in vivo. These agents block c-Jun expression and inhibit DNA binding activity of c-Jun. Luciferase assay showed that c-Jun siRNA suppressed c-Jun/AP-1-dependent reporter activity. The processes of cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation were all down-regulated after treatment with c-Jun targeting agents. In vivo, c-Jun DNAzymes and siRNA inhibit angiogenesis in multiple models of angiogenesis in multiple models of angiogenesis, including tumour angiogenesis and growth, matrix angiogenesis, corneal angiogenesis and retinal neovascularization. This is mediated, at least in part, by c-Jun siRNA or DNAzyme inhibition of MMP-2 expression. These findings demonstrate the critical role played by c-Jun in the involvement of neovascularization and suggest that DNAzymes or siRNAs are efficient gene-silencing agents. The ability to identify and control key genes in angiogenesis provides opportunities for developing therapeutic molecular tools to treat cancer or other angiogenesis related diseases.

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the two most common causes of death worldwide. Angiogenesis plays a critical role tumourigenesis and atherogenesis. As a member of the basic region-leucine zipper protein family, c-Jun, has been linked with cell proliferation, migration and cell survival. However, the relationship between c-Jun and angiogenesis has not been firmly established. In this thesis, strategies targeting c-Jun mRNA such as DNAzyme and siRNA have been designed and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the c-Jun mRNA and c-Jun protein expression in vitro and in vivo. These agents block c-Jun expression and inhibit DNA binding activity of c-Jun. Luciferase assay showed that c-Jun siRNA suppressed c-Jun/AP-1-dependent reporter activity. The processes of cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation were all down-regulated after treatment with c-Jun targeting agents. In vivo, c-Jun DNAzymes and siRNA inhibit angiogenesis in multiple models of angiogenesis in multiple models of angiogenesis, including tumour angiogenesis and growth, matrix angiogenesis, corneal angiogenesis and retinal neovascularization. This is mediated, at least in part, by c-Jun siRNA or DNAzyme inhibition of MMP-2 expression. These findings demonstrate the critical role played by c-Jun in the involvement of neovascularization and suggest that DNAzymes or siRNAs are efficient gene-silencing agents. The ability to identify and control key genes in angiogenesis provides opportunities for developing therapeutic molecular tools to treat cancer or other angiogenesis related diseases.

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the two most common causes of death worldwide. Angiogenesis plays a critical role tumourigenesis and atherogenesis. As a member of the basic region-leucine zipper protein family, c-Jun, has been linked with cell proliferation, migration and cell survival. However, the relationship between c-Jun and angiogenesis has not been firmly established. In this thesis, strategies targeting c-Jun mRNA such as DNAzyme and siRNA have been designed and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the c-Jun mRNA and c-Jun protein expression in vitro and in vivo. These agents block c-Jun expression and inhibit DNA binding activity of c-Jun. Luciferase assay showed that c-Jun siRNA suppressed c-Jun/AP-1-dependent reporter activity. The processes of cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation were all down-regulated after treatment with c-Jun targeting agents. In vivo, c-Jun DNAzymes and siRNA inhibit angiogenesis in multiple models of angiogenesis in multiple models of angiogenesis, including tumour angiogenesis and growth, matrix angiogenesis, corneal angiogenesis and retinal neovascularization. This is mediated, at least in part, by c-Jun siRNA or DNAzyme inhibition of MMP-2 expression. These findings demonstrate the critical role played by c-Jun in the involvement of neovascularization and suggest that DNAzymes or siRNAs are efficient gene-silencing agents. The ability to identify and control key genes in angiogenesis provides opportunities for developing therapeutic molecular tools to treat cancer or other angiogenesis related diseases.

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the two most common causes of death worldwide. Angiogenesis plays a critical role tumourigenesis and atherogenesis. As a member of the basic region-leucine zipper protein family, c-Jun, has been linked with cell proliferation, migration and cell survival. However, the relationship between c-Jun and angiogenesis has not been firmly established. In this thesis, strategies targeting c-Jun mRNA such as DNAzyme and siRNA have been designed and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the c-Jun mRNA and c-Jun protein expression in vitro and in vivo. These agents block c-Jun expression and inhibit DNA binding activity of c-Jun. Luciferase assay showed that c-Jun siRNA suppressed c-Jun/AP-1-dependent reporter activity. The processes of cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation were all down-regulated after treatment with c-Jun targeting agents. In vivo, c-Jun DNAzymes and siRNA inhibit angiogenesis in multiple models of angiogenesis in multiple models of angiogenesis, including tumour angiogenesis and growth, matrix angiogenesis, corneal angiogenesis and retinal neovascularization. This is mediated, at least in part, by c-Jun siRNA or DNAzyme inhibition of MMP-2 expression. These findings demonstrate the critical role played by c-Jun in the involvement of neovascularization and suggest that DNAzymes or siRNAs are efficient gene-silencing agents. The ability to identify and control key genes in angiogenesis provides opportunities for developing therapeutic molecular tools to treat cancer or other angiogenesis related diseases.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains one of this country's leading cause of mortality. This study has concentrated on the development of a functional biscuit, which will reduce selected risk factors for heart disease, in particular elevated serum homocysteine. The developed biscuit contains vitamins Be, Bi 2, and folic acid, all of which have been shown to be important in homocysteine metabolism. There were a number of criteria that had to be met for the author to receive the full support of Burton's Foods: (1) The biscuit must remain commercially viable and be accepted by the consumer. (2) Enzymes should not be used in the preparation of the dough. (3) The jam could not be modified in any way. Without exception, these have been successfully achieved. Jammie Dodgers were selected as the control product for a number of reasons. They are one of the UK's best selling biscuits and are consumed by both children and adults. This makes the target number of consumers very large. In addition, the standard product is high in both fat and sugar, its modification into a health promoting biscuit was therefore technically challenging. The product resulting from this project is commercially viable; it is low in fat and sugar, contains the vitamins that will deliver the full RNI on consumption of just two biscuits daily, and is not significantly different to the control product. The product is also palatable. Clinical trials have demonstrated that following consumption of the product, serum homocysteine, an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, has been significantly reduced. In addition, there appears to be a relationship with consumption of the modified biscuit and a fall in serum lipoprotein(a). It is possible to reduce selected mutable risk factors associated with heart disease, simply by the daily consumption of a product that is liked and consumed by a great number of people. As far as the author is aware, there has been no other development of this kind prior to this study, i.e. a biscuit that will reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering serum homocysteine. This biscuit is therefore the first of its kind.