Thesis (M.Ag.Sc. 1978) from the Department of Animal Physiology, University of Adelaide.

Two-dimensional (2-D) motion sensors are activity motion sensors that use electronic accelerometers to record the lying, standing and walking behaviour of animals. They were used in this study with the aim of monitoring and quantifying the movement behaviour of traditionally managed cattle in the context of improving animal health and production in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Improvements in animal health and production could be made if data can be automatically collected on large numbers of animals and over prolonged periods of time. This data can then be used by stakeholders in making management and disease control decisions. This study was designed to assess whether the 2-D motion sensors were suitable for use on traditionally managed cattle in Kasero and Makale, two veterinary camps in Petauke District, Eastern Province of Zambia. It further aimed to provide a baseline for future research on traditional cattle movement behaviour. The study was carried out in a region where trypanosomiasis and tick-borne diseases are endemic and low haemoglobin values are often associated with these and other parasitic infections. An assessment was made on the effect on cattle movement behaviour of a treatment directed against tsetse-transmitted (trypanosoma congolense (Savannah type), trypanosoma vivax and trypanosoma brucei), tick-transmitted (theileria parva, anaplasma spp. and babesia spp.) and pasture-transmitted pathogens of African cattle. A structured questionnaire on livestock ownership and management practices showed that cattle owners considered trypanosomiasis and theileriosis the main constraints to improved cattle health and production in their traditional crop-livestock mixed farming system. A baseline study was conducted in which haemoglobin values were measured in 432 cattle in the two areas. In each area, ten pairs of co-grazing cattle were selected on the basis of one high and one low haemoglobin value in each pair. The co-grazing pairs were age and sex matched. Each animal had a motion sensor placed on its hind leg, to continuously measure and record its activity for two weeks. There were significant differences in haemoglobin levels between the two camps with Makale having lower levels than Kasero. Baseline data indicated that a larger proportion of sampled animals in Makale had trypanosomiasis while those in Kasero had theileriosis. Molecular parasitological results showed that the proportion of animals sampled in Makale that had trypanosomiasis was greater (21.4% [95%CI: 16.4 – 27.1]) than that in Kasero (1.4% [95%CI: 0.5 – 4.1]). However, Kasero had a greater proportion of animals positive for theileriosis (25.6% [95%CI: 20.2 – 31.9]) than Makale (2.4% [95%CI: 1.0 – 5.2]). A total of 204 cattle were screened for a three week treatment study in Makale. From this number, 40 animals with low circulating haemoglobin levels (<8g/dl) were paired and investigated for differences in movement behaviour patterns between treated and non- treated cattle. Analysing the sensor data using principal components analysis (PCA) revealed that the treated animals (which had higher mean haemoglobin values at the end of the study) were clustered more closely on the score plots than the control animals (which had lower mean haemoglobin values). The numbers of steps taken by high haemoglobin cattle in both studies were significantly higher than the low haemoglobin cattle. This, coupled with the PCA results suggests an association between cattle haemoglobin levels and their movement patterns.

Haemoglobin and its functions in various organisms is well known; it increases the ability to obtain precious oxygen and it is crucial in aerobic performance. However, if high values of haemoglobin are always beneficial, why is there a large natural variation? This study investigated the effects of varying concentrations of haemoglobin on several stages in the lifespan of Red Junglefowl: egg production and hatching, chicken growth, haemoglobin and summit metabolism. Red Junglefowl were tested for fertility in both eggs laid and eggs hatched. The offspring were individually measured for whole blood haemoglobin concentration and tested for growth and summit metabolism. The results show that there is a difference in haemoglobin after two weeks of age and that growth differs at the same time. High Hb animals do not lay smaller nor fewer eggs than low line birds but their offspring are smaller at the same time as there is a difference in haemoglobin levels. There was also a difference in the summit metabolism between the lines, where the high line animals performed better. Importantly the increase in haemoglobin did effect the growth of the animals negatively, and this would imply that higher levels of haemoglobin is not detrimental to growth.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Introduction: The control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is pivoted on adherence to a healthy lifestyle (healthy diet, physical activity and non-smoking). Zimbabwe reports a high burden of T2DM related complications suggesting an increased inability by patients to control their blood glucose levels. This study, therefore, sought to describe the healthy lifestyle practices of T2DM patients in Harare, Zimbabwe and associate these practices with their glycated haemoglobin (HBA1C) levels, a marker for the control of diabetes. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done. Participants were T2DM patients who were 18 years and older from two tertiary hospital diabetes clinics in Harare. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire which was interviewer-administered along with height, weight and HBA1C measurements. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study populations. Chi square test was used to calculate statistically significant associations between healthy lifestyle behaviours and demographics or HBA1C levels at the significant level of 0.05%.

New Zealand's five endemic mudfish (Neochanna spp.) species have distributions that differ both geographically and by habitat type. Differences in habitat preferences between species have led to the proposal of an evolutionary series within the group. A morphological cline can be observed from the galaxiform Chatham Island and Canterbury species inhabiting lakes and streams, respectively, to the anguilliform Northland and brown mudfishes of ephemeral wetlands. Morphological specializations proposed for wetland dwelling include loss of pelvic fins, reduced eyes, enlarged nostrils, development of caudal flanges, and elongation of dorsal and anal fin bases to become almost confluent with the caudal fin. Another expectation of adaptation to wetland dwelling is specializations in respiratory physiology to obtain oxygen from highly hypoxic or acidic waters, and the ability to cope with seasonal exposure to air during the drought season. Expected respiratory specializations to wetland dwelling include high oxygen affinity haemoglobins, high levels of cooperative oxygen binding, the presence of multiple haemoglobins and the ability to aestivate and survive long periods of emersion. The four mainland Neochanna species were examined to determine if differences in haemoglobin expression as well as differences in haemoglobin oxygen binding correlated with differing habitats and treatments. Whole blood oxygen affinity was determined at several pH levels (6.5, 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0) and temperatures (10'C, 15'C and 20'C), as well as different treatments (aestivating, fasting and control) using a Hemox analyzer. The presence of multiple haemoglobins was determined by isoelectric focusing. All four species displayed high oxygen affinities (p50 = 6.5 to 9.5 mm Hg at pH 7.5 15'C), moderate levels of cooperativity (Hill coefficients = 1.75 to 2.00 at pH 7.5 15'C), pH sensitivity (Bohr coefficients = -0.62 to -0.94 between pH 7.5 and 7.0 at 15'C), temperature sensitivity (ΔH = -2.20 to -15.78 k cal mol-1 between 10'C and 15'C) and the presence of multiple haemoglobins. Black, brown and Northland mudfish were able to survive aestivation for six weeks but there were no changes between air-breathing and water-breathing individuals with respect to oxygen binding characteristics. Although there is evidence of habitat specialization in haemoglobin physiology between mudfish species, differences between species did not correlate with the evolutionary series proposed for specialization to dwelling in ephemeral wetlands and latitudinal distributions of mudfish species appear to strongly dictate oxygen binding properties of mudfish whole blood.

Anaemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) mostly results from a decrease in the production of erythropoietin (EPO) by the failing kidney. CKD progression requires treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and iron supplementation to ensure sufficient erythrocyte production. Best clinical practice guidelines should be adhered to in managing CKD to reduce morbidity and mortality related to anaemia associated cardiovascular disease. Likewise, guideline deviations create an increased strain on the resources of the treatment facility. It is uncertain to which extent these guidelines are followed by Nephrology Units in the public healthcare sector, or whether the documented international trends are prevalent locally due to the paucity of local data, and therefore further investigation is warranted. This study aimed to assess treatment trends in managing anaemia in CKD patients at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH). Files of patients receiving treatment at the SBAH Nephrology Unit between 2 January 2018 - 31 August 2018 were reviewed. Only individuals with stage 5 CKD receiving either haemodialysis, or peritoneal dialysis were included, while those with less than three months’ treatment were excluded. Measured variables included demographical information, current EPO treatment and/or iron supplementation regimens versus serum haemoglobin/iron levels and quantity of administered blood products. Ninety-seven patients met the inclusion criteria. Haemodialysis accounted for 43% (n = 42), and peritoneal dialysis 57% (n = 55). Intergroup comparison between the number of results where both haemoglobin and iron were within the target range versus the number of results where both parameters fell outside the target range yielded a significant difference (p = 0.0031). Patients receiving peritoneal dialysis reached serum haemoglobin and iron levels closer to normal target values compared to those receiving haemodialysis. Managing anaemia in CKD is a complex process. More stringent iron control, especially for patients receiving haemodialysis, including the administration of long-acting EPO preparations once a month, is proposed. The latter will contribute to the improvement of clinical outcomes of patients with CKD. Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, anaemia, erythropoiesis stimulating agent, haemoglobin, iron / Dissertation (MSc (Pharmacology))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Pharmacology / MSc (Pharmacology) / Unrestricted

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(社会健康医学) / 甲第21033号 / 社医博第87号 / 新制||社医||10(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科社会健康医学系専攻 / (主査)教授 中山 健夫, 教授 木原 正博, 教授 西渕 光昭 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Public Health / Kyoto University / DFAM

Abstract In plants, there are at least three types of haemoglobins (Hbs): symbiotic, non-symbiotic and truncated. Symbiotic Hbs are known to participate in nitrogen fixation, but the roles of the latter two groups are more obscure. Previous reports have connected both plant non-symbiotic and truncated Hbs to the scavenging of an important signal molecule, nitric oxide (NO). The aim of the present thesis was to study the effects of a bacterial Hb of Vitreoscilla sp. (VHb) on a woody model organism, hybrid aspen (Populus tremula x tremuloides), and the role of endogenous hybrid aspen Hbs. To store the produced hybrid aspen lines, the suitability of different cryopreservation methods was also tested. VHb-expressing hybrid aspens were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. The effects of VHb expression were examined in standard greenhouse conditions, under elevated UV-B light as well as during culture with ectomycorrhizal fungi. Both slow cooling and vitrification methods were applied in cryostoring samples of the different genetic backgrounds. Hybrid aspen non-symbiotic and truncated Hb genes PttHb1 and PttTrHb, respectively, were also isolated. The function of the genes and corresponding proteins PttHb1 and PttTrHb were studied using non-transgenic and VHb hybrid aspen lines as well as a mutant yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) defective in NO resistance. VHb expression did not improve the general growth of hybrid aspen but resulted in enhanced starch accumulation in chloroplasts, pointing to changes in energy metabolism. Of the studied cryopreservation protocols, the slow cooling of dormant in vivo buds proved to be the most feasible way of cryostoring hybrid aspen lines. The culture with the ectomycorrhizal fungus was shown to increase the expression of both PttHb1 and PttTrHb in the roots of non-transgenic lines. However, the fungi did not up-regulate the hybrid aspen Hb genes in the VHb lines. Therefore, it is hypothesized that endogenous Hbs may contribute to the growth of roots and that VHb may compensate this function. When expressed alone in the mutant yeast, the recombinant PttHb1 and PttTrHb did not protect cells against the toxicity of NO. Subsequently, a novel mRNA transcript of the heterotrophic ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase gene PtthFNR was found. The absence of a plastid presequence in the transcript suggests targeting of the encoded protein into cytosol. The coexpression of PttHb1 and cytosolic PtthFNR partially rescued the mutant yeast during NO treatment, demonstrating for the first time that plant Hb1 with an applicable reductase scavenges NO in vivo at a physiologically relevant rate. This thesis extends current knowledge about plant Hbs and the effects of VHb on a phenotype of a tree. It also provides new information about plant ferredoxin reductase genes. / Tiivistelmä Kasvihemoglobiinit jaetaan symbioottisiin, ei-symbioottisiin sekä ns. katkaistuihin eli truncated-hemoglobiineihin. Symbioottisten hemoglobiinien tiedetään osallistuvan typen sitomiseen, kun taas kahden muun ryhmän toiminta tunnetaan heikosti. Aiemmissa tutkimuksissa ei-symbioottiset ja truncated-hemoglobiinit on yhdistetty tärkeän signaalimolekyylin, typpimonoksidin (NO), haitallisuuden vähentämiseen. Tämän työn tarkoituksena oli tutkia Vitreoscilla sp. -bakteerin VHb-hemoglobiinin vaikutuksia puuvartiseen mallikasviin, hybridihaapaan (Populus tremula x tremuloides), sekä hybridihaavan omien hemoglobiinien merkitystä. Lisäksi työssä kokeiltiin eri nestetyppisäilytysmenetelmiä hybridihaapalinjojen varastoimiseksi. VHb:tä ilmentävät hybridihaavat tuotettiin Agrobacterium-välitteisellä geeninsiirrolla. VHb:n vaikutuksia tutkittiin kasvihuoneolosuhteissa, kohotetussa UV-B-säteilyssä sekä sienijuurikasvatuksen aikana. Eri linjojen nestetyppisäilytykseen sovellettiin sekä hidasta että nopeaa jäähdytystä. Tutkimuksissa myös eristettiin hybridihaavan PttHb1- ja PttTrHb-hemoglobiinigeenit. Näiden geenien sekä niiden koodaamien PttHb1- ja PttTrHb-proteiinien toimintaa tutkittiin siirtogeenittömien ja VHb-hybridihaapalinjojen sekä NO-herkän hiivamutantin (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) avulla. VHb-ilmennys ei parantanut hybridihaavan kasvua, mutta lisäsi tärkkelyksen kertymistä viherhiukkasiin, mikä viittaa muutoksiin energia-aineenvaihdunnassa. Tutkituista menetelmistä parhaiten hybridihaapalinjojen nestetyppisäilytykseen soveltui lepovaiheessa olevien in vivo -silmujen hidas jäähdytys. Toisin kuin VHb-kasveissa, sienijuurikasvatus voimisti sekä PttHb1:n että PttTrHb:n ilmenemistä siirtogeenittömien hybridihaapojen juurissa. Tästä johtuen esitettiin, että hybridihaavan hemoglobiinit voivat vaikuttaa juurien kasvuun ja VHb pystyy korvaamaan tämän toiminnon. Kun PttHb1 ja PttTrHb ilmennettiin yksin mutanttihiivassa, proteiinit eivät suojanneet soluja NO:n myrkyllisyydeltä. Tämän jälkeen työssä kuvattiin heterotrofisen ferredoksiini-NADP+-oksidoreduktaasi-geenin PtthFNR:n uusi mRNA-muoto. Plastidiin ohjaavan sekvenssin puuttuminen geenituotteesta viittaa siihen, että mRNA:n koodaama proteiini sijoittuu solulimaan. PttHb1:n ja PtthFNR:n yhtäaikainen ilmentäminen mutanttihiivassa paransi solujen elossa säilymistä NO-käsittelyn aikana, mikä osoittaa ensimmäistä kertaa, että kasvin Hb1 pystyy sopivan reduktaasin kanssa vähentämään NO-pitoisuutta elävässä eliössä. Tämä työ laajentaa tietämystä kasvihemoglobiineista sekä VHb:n vaikutuksesta puiden ilmiasuun. Työ myös lisää tietoa kasvien ferredoksiinireduktaasi-geeneistä.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Background: Clinical studies have shown that tea consumption leads to decreased iron absorption. This finding is however, not supported by epidemiological studies, where no relationship between an increased tea consumption and a lower iron status in a population at risk of iron depletion has been found. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to compare the effects of black tea and Rooibos consumption on the iron status of primary school children in a rural setting in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Methods: One hundred and seventy five children, aged six to fifteen years, participated in this single blind, randomised, parallel intervention trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive two 200ml servings of either black tea or Rooibos with milk and sugar. These beverages were consumed during breaks and at the same time as the food h m the school-feeding scheme. The trial proceeded for sixteen weeks. The children received antihelminthic treatment (500mg mebendazole) at baseline. Haemoglobii haematocrit, serum iron, ferritin and transferfin were measured and total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation were calculated. Trained fieldworkers measured dietary intakes by means of 24-hour dietary recalls and anthropometrists took anthropometric measurements. All the above mentioned data were gathered at the beginning and at the end of the intervention period. Results: Measurements indicated a study population that is malnourished in terms of anthropometrical indices and nutrient intakes. Biochemical markers of iron status also indicated that the population could be at risk of iron depletion. Changes in red blood cell count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), serum iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation, ferritin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Mean red blood cell count, haematocrit, MCV, transferrin and TIBC increased significantly h m baseline to end in both groups (all p<0.0001) and MCH decreased significantly (p<.0001). Mean haemoglobin increased significantly with black tea consumption (p=0.002), although not with the consumption of Rooibos (p=0.073). Conclusion: Black tea or Rooibos consumption has similar effects on the iron status of primary school children. Iron status was not compromised by black tea in comparison with Rooibos. This questions the proposed limitation of black tea consumption as a public health strategy in order to combat iron deficiency in a population with marginal iron status. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.