Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / The primary aim of this thesis was to identify probiotics and/or prebiotics with the potential to reduce the severity of experimental colitis. The specific aims were to i) screen a range of candidate pro biotic strains for capacity to reduce symptoms of DSS-colitis, ii) characterize the effects of DSS within the small intestine, iii) assess, in vitro, the effect of probiotics on intestinal epithelial cell integrity, iv) assess the potential for the prebiotic, fructooligosaccharide, to reduce the severity of DSS-colitis alone, and in synbiotic combination with a probiotic strain. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1280844 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, 2007

No description available.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Environmental Health)-Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 1 v. : ill. ; 30 cm / South Durban is in the province of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa and is home to two international petro-chemical refineries, a paper mill, sewage works, an international airport, a chemical tank farm with approximately 970 tanks, a number of landfill sites, an airport, various processing and manufacturing industries which are all in close proximity to residential and recreational areas. This area is known as the South Durban Industrial Basin (SDIB). Serious concerns have arisen about the potential health impacts that could arise from ambient air pollution from these industries. Learners and staff at the Settlers Primary School situated in Merebank, a suburb in the SDIB, perceived themselves to be at risk for air pollutant related health effects owing to the schools’ geographic location. The aims of this study was a) to determine the prevalence of asthma among learners from Grades 3 and 6 and staff at Settlers Primary School and b) To investigate whether outdoor air pollutant concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O3), total reduced sulphur (TRS), carbon monoxide (CO) and respirable particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) were associated with increased signs and symptoms of asthma in the study population.

Thesis (MNutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) is a common medical condition. Due to possible harmful side-effects that conventional medicine may pose to the fetus, many mothers choose not to use it, and are left helpless against NVP. There is a need for alternative treatment to relieve NVP symptoms. Objectives: This systematic review (SR) investigated current evidence regarding ginger for the treatment of NVP. The primary objective was to assess the effectiveness of ginger in treating NVP. The secondary objective was to assess the safety of ginger during pregnancy, by identifying adverse events or side-effects. Search strategy: Electronic search of bibliographic databases (1966-February 2011). Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the efficacy of ginger by any route, as treatment for NVP in pregnant women regardless of their age or stage of pregnancy. Data collection and analysis: The principal investigator and independent reviewer individually identified relevant studies, extracted data and assessed trial quality. Data analysis was performed using the RevMan5 software. Differences at the level of p<0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: Eleven RCTs involving 1176 pregnant women were included. The quality of evidence was low, hence the high risk of bias and imprecision of results. Ginger significantly improved the symptoms of nausea when compared to placebo, when comparing the results of this SR to past SRs, and taking into account a meta-analysis performed on two relatively large included studies (mean difference (MD) 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-1.84, p=0.0002, I2=0%). However, another meta-analysis on two smaller studies indicated no significant improvement in nausea. Ginger did not significantly improve nausea when compared to vitamin B6 (MD 0.34, 95% CI -1.52-2.20, p=0.7, I2=91%). Similarly, ginger did not significantly reduce the number of vomiting episodes during NVP, when compared to placebo, although there was a trend towards improvement (MD 0.72, 95% CI -0.03-1.46, p=0.06, I2=71%). Subgroup analyses performed seemed to favor the lower daily dosage of <1500mg ginger to possibly be more effective for the relief of nausea. Ginger did not pose a significant risk for spontaneous abortion when compared to placebo (RR 3.14, 95% CI 0.65-15.11, p=0.15; I2=0%), or to vitamin B6 (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.17-1.42, p=0.19, I2=40%). Similarly, ginger did not pose a significant risk for the side effects of heartburn or drowsiness when compared to placebo or vitamin B6. When compared to dimenhydrinate, ginger posed a smaller risk for drowsiness (RR 0.08, 95% CI 0.03-0.18) and no increased risk for heartburn. Conclusions: This review suggests potential benefits of ginger in reducing nausea symptoms in pregnancy (bearing in mind the limited number of studies, variable outcome reporting and quality of evidence). Ginger did not have a significant impact on vomiting episodes, nor pose a risk for side effects or adverse events during pregnancy. Based on evidence from this SR, ginger could be considered a harmless and possibly effective alternative option for women suffering from the symptoms of NVP. Large RCTs are necessary to confirm the possible benefit of ginger as treatment for NVP. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Naarheid en vomering tydens swangerskap (NVS) is ‘n algemene mediese toestand. As gevolg van moontlike skadelike newe-effekte wat konvensionele medikasie kan veroorsaak vir die fetus, vermy baie moeders dit en word hulpeloos gelaat teen NVS. Dus is daar behoefte aan alternatiewe behandeling vir NVS. Doelwitte: Hierdie sistematiese literatuuroorsig (SO) het huidige literatuur ondersoek wat verband hou met gemmer vir behandeling van NVS. Die primêre doelwit was om effektiwiteit van gemmer as behandeling vir NVS te assesseer. Die sekondêre doelwit was om veiligheid van gemmer tydens swangerskap te assesseer, deur ongunstige gebeure en newe-effekte te identifiseer. Soektogstrategie: Elektroniese soektog van bibliografiese databasisse (1966-Februarie 2011). Seleksiekriteria: Verewekansigde gekontrolleerde proewe (RCTs) van gemmer deur enige roete as behandeling van NVS, in swanger vroue ongeag ouderdom of stadium van swangerskap. Dataversameling en –analise: Die hoof navorser en ‘n onafhanklike hersiener het individueel relevante studies geidentifiseer, data ekstraksie onderneem en studie-kwaliteit geassesseer. Data-analise is uitgevoer deur die RevMan5 sagteware te gebruik. Verskille by die vlak van p<0.05 was beskou as statisties betekenisvol. Hoof resultate: Elf RCTs waarby 1176 swanger vroue betrokke was, is ingesluit. Die studie-kwaliteit was swak, dus die hoë risiko vir sydigheid en onakkuraatheid van resultate. Gemmer het beduidend die simptome van naarheid verbeter in vergelyking met plasebo, wanneer die resultate van hierdie SO met vorige SO’s vergelyk word, en die meta-analise in ag geneem word wat op twee relatiewe groot ingeslote studies uitgevoer is (gemiddelde verskil (MD) 1.20, 95% vertrouens interval (VI) 0.56-1.84, p=0.0002,I2=0%). Kontrasterend, het ‘n ander meta-analise van twee kleiner studies geen beduidende verbetering in naarheid aangedui nie. Gemmer het nie beduidend naarheid verbeter wanneer dit met vitamien B6 vergelyk word nie (MD 0.34, 95% VI -1.52-2.20, p=0.7, I2=91%). Soortgelyk, het gemmer nie die aantal vomerings-episodes verminder, in verglyking met plasebo nie, maar daar was wel ‘n neiging na verbetering (MD 0.72, 95% VI -0.03-1.46, p=0.06, I2=71%). Die subgroup-analise blyk ten gunste te wees van die laer daaglikse dosis van <1500mg gemmer om meer effektief te wees vir die behandeling van naarheid. Gemmer het nie ‘n beduidende risiko ingehou vir spontane aborsie, wanneer dit vergelyk word met plasebo (relatiewe risiko (RR) 3.14, 95% VI 0.65-15.11,p=0.15;I2=0%), of vitamien B6 nie (RR 0.49, 95% VI 0.17-1.42,p=0.19;I2=40%). Soortgelyk, het gemmer nie ‘n beduidende risiko ingehou vir newe-effekte van sooibrand of duiseligheid, wanneer dit vergelyk word met plasebo of vitamien B6 nie. Wanneer dit vergelyk word met dimenhidrinaat, het gemmer ‘n kleiner risiko ingehou vir duiseligheid (RR 0.08, 95% VI 0.03-0.18) en geen verhoogde risiko vir sooibrand nie. Gevolgtrekkings: Hierdie SO dui ‘n potensiële voordeel van gemmer aan in vermindering van naarheid tydens swangerskap (inagnemend van die klein hoeveelheid studies, wisselende uitkomste-rapportering en studie-kwaliteit). Gemmer het nie ‘n beduidnede impak gehad op vomerings-episodes nie, en ook nie ‘n risiko ingehou vir newe-efekte of ongunstige gebeure tydens swangerskap nie. Volgens bewyse uit hierdie SO, kan gemmer beskou word as ‘n skadelose en moontlike effektiewe alternatiewe opsie vir vroue wat lei aan NVP. Grootskaalse RCTs is nodig om die moontlike voordeel van gemmer as behandeling vir NVS te bevestig.

No description available.

Background: Clothing and protective gear worn during intermittent exercise has shown to increase physiological and perceptual responses, and negatively impact performance capacities, due to increased heat strain, suggested to hasten the onset of fatigue. However, the mechanisms of fatigue experienced in rugby remain unclear. Objectives: The aim of this study was establish whether clothing and protective gear worn during a simulated rugby protocol impacts players‘ biophysical, physiological, perceptual and performance responses. Methods: 15 registered university and school first XV rugby players with a mean (± SD) age of 20.9 years (± 1.9) volunteered to participate in the study. Testing was performed in a controlled laboratory setting, with temperatures having to be within the range of 16º C-22º C. The mean (± SD) ambient temperature was 17.6º C (± 1.6) for the control condition and 17.3º C (1.5) for the experimental condition. The mean (± SD) relative humidity was 65.2 % (± 9.5) for the control condition and 66.3 % (± 10.0) for the experimental condition. Player‘s performed two protocols of 80-minutes; a control condition (minimal clothing and protective gear) and an experimental condition (full clothing and protective gear). Physiological, perceptual and performance responses were measured at set intervals during the protocol, while biophysical responses were measured pre-, at half-time and post-protocol during a 3-minute EMG treadmill protocol. Results: Muscle activity significantly (p< 0.05) increased with increasing running speeds. There were no significant (p> 0.05) differences for muscle activity between conditions, except for the semitendinosus muscle, which was significantly (p< 0.05) higher during the control condition while running at high speeds. Players‘ heart rates, core temperatures and perceptual responses were significantly (p< 0.05) higher during the experimental condition, compared to the control condition. Performance responses were significantly (p< 0.05) lower during the experimental condition. Conclusion: The main driver of physiological and perceptual responses was the exercise itself. However, the additional clothing and protective gear exacerbated the responses, particularly towards the end stages of the protocol. This negatively impacted players‘ performance. Muscle activity appeared to be unaffected by increased body temperatures. However, core temperatures never reached critically high levels during either condition.

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / Human and experimental animal studies have shown that biomarkers of oxidative damage are elevated in subjects with certain diseases or risk factors. Consequently, it is hypothesized that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases and that dietary intake of, or supplementation with antioxidants may be protective or be useful therapeutic targets. This study was designed to investigate the modulatory effect of Camellia sinensis (Chinese green tea), Aspalathus linearis (rooibos herbal tea) and the two commercial supplements on the antioxidant status of the liver and kidney of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress male Wistar rats. Rooibos and green tea are beverages well-known for their antioxidant content. Based on the specific beverage consumed, sixty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups, i.e. fermented rooibos (FRT), unfermented rooibos (URT), Chinese green tea (CGT), rooibos supplement (RTS), Chinese green tea supplement (GTS) and control (CTL). The animals had free access to the respective beverages and standard diet for 10 weeks, while oxidative stress was induced during the last 2 weeks via intraperitoneal injection of 30 μM of t-BHP per 100 g body weight. Among all the beverage and/or supplement preparations, the commercial rooibos supplement had the highest total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity while fermented rooibos, as previously shown, had a lower antioxidant content and potency when compared to its unfermented counterpart. The ability of these beverages and/or supplements to modulate the antioxidant status in tissues was organ specific and varied according to the assessment method. When considering the liver, the intake of unfermented rooibos, Chinese green tea and the commercial rooibos supplement significantly (P<0.05) restored the t-BHP-induced reduction and increased the antioxidant status with regards to oxygen radical absorbance capacity and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) levels. All the beverages and/or supplements also significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the renal antioxidant capacity as assessed by the TEAC assay. In what may be an indication of decreased oxidative stress, all the beverages were associated with a general decline in activities of the antioxidant enzymes which reached significant levels in renal superoxidase dismutase activity. Generally, the beverages did not impact significantly on lipid peroxidation (LPO) although there were differing trends in the two LPO markers assessed. While thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels showed a declining trend in both tissues, the conjugated dienes were generally elevated. In conclusion, this study confirms Camellia sinensis and Aspalathus linearis as well as their two supplements as good sources of dietary antioxidants and results demonstrated that rooibos and green tea improved the liver and kidney antioxidant capacity of oxidative stress-induced rats. Their impact on antioxidant status in rats was shown to vary between organs and according to the method of assessment. Hence multi-method, multi-organ assessment may be a more informative approach in in vivo antioxidant studies.

Thesis (DTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Technikon, 2001 / Ionising radiation has the ability to induce, inter alia, DNA damage and is well established as a causative agent of carcinogenesis and mutagenesis. The effects of high doses of short duration have been well documented, whereas the effects of continuous exposure to low doses of ionising radiation have not, nor are they as clearly understood and current risk estimates are largely extrapolated from high-dose data of atomic bomb survivors. This study evaluated the clastogenic effects of low dose ionising radiation on a population of bats (Chiroptera) residing in an abandoned monazite mine. Bats were sampled from two areas in the mine, with external radiation levels measuring around 20 µSv/h (low dose) and 100 µSv/h (high dose). A control group of bats was collected from a cave with no detectable radiation above normal background levels. The most frequently encountered genetic event in human malignancy is the alteration of the p53 gene. Mutant p53 proteins have a longer half-life than the wild-type variant and accumulate to high levels in the nucleus of tumour cells. The study showed that not only was there a significant increase in p53 positive cells of radiation exposed bats, but also in the degree of positivity, especially in the cells lining the bronchioles of the lungs. Although experimental studies have shown that exposure to radiation may lead to the onset of fibrosis and an inflammatory response in the lung and other tissues, the magnitude of the dose exposure was not comparable to this study and histological examination of bat lung and liver tissues showed no morphological changes in radiation exposed bats when compared to the control group. It has been documented that chronic radiation exposures may give rise to a number of specific haematological defects which are collectively termed "preleukemia" or myelodysplastic syndrome. Full blood counts on bat samples showed a significant decrease in the MCV indicating microcytic erythrocytes from the radiation exposed bats. Differential counts performed on the peripheral blood of the bats showed a marked neutropenia. Neutrophils also showed marked dysplasia including psuedo-Pelger Huet cells in radiation-exposed bats. Cytochemical analysis using DAB myeIoperoxidase showed that control bats had hypogranular neutrophils andradiation-exposedbats had largely '1granularneutrophils. Bonemarrow biopsies were taken from both control and radiation-exposed bats and evaluated for ceIlularity, granulocyte: lymphocyte: erythrocyte (GLE) ratio and megakaryocyte morphology. A hypocelIular bone marrow, a decreased granulocytic haematopoeisis and dysplastic megakaryocyte morphology were observed in radiation-exposed bats. Mineralisation of bone osteoid was determined using image analysis and showed a highly significant decrease in the bone matrix from radiation-exposed bats. All haematological features observed are congruent with current literature describing secondary (radiation-induced) myelodysplastic syndrome.

Thesis (MTech (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010. / This research investigates the influence of a 12 week holistic fitness programme on learner attitudes in three multi-grade schools in the Wellington area of the Western Cape. A sample of 38 (N= 21 males and N=17 females), grade 4 multi-grade learners participated in the study. The study also tests whether an evaluation model as applied in this research: a) Can give insight into how to develop a fitness programme and assist to refine and improve such a program; b) Assists, through evaluation and attitudinal evaluation questionnaires to identify the various components of a fitness programme that can be modified to optimise the outcomes of the programme. It was found that the structure provided by the holistic fitness programme encouraged in significant positive attitudes toward all seven sub-domains of the CATPA inventory. It is concluded that the participation in a structured fitness programme is confidently associated with the development of more positive attitudes.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2014. / Over the past few decades, it has been shown that various critical diseases including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes associated with free radical generation and low endogenous antioxidant capacity, lead to oxidative stress and cell injury. In recent years, numerous studies have also reported that antioxidants, present in various beverages, vegetables and some foods have attracted a significant research interest due to their potential benefits to human health. However, epidemiological evidence shows a correlation between the intake of food rich in antioxidants and the reduced incidence of some mortality of chronic diseases, certain cancers and coronary heart disease. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of rooibos teas (fermented and unfermented) and green tea as a comparison on the biochemical parameters and the trace element absorption in a rat model. In this study 4 groups of experimental animals were used. All groups had ad libitum access to standard rat chow. Group A, the controls (11 animals), were fed with tap water; group B (11 animals) were fed with the liquid extract of fermented rooibos tea; group C (9 animals) were fed with the liquid extracts of unfermented rooibos and group 0 (9 animals) were fed with the liquid extract of green tea. All groups were fed for a period of 10 weeks. After the feeding period, the animals were sacrificed by euthanization with intraperitoneal injections of pentobarbital. Blood was sampled by cardiac puncture and centrifuged to obtain the serum. Some elemental analyses were performed with X-ray emission and backscattering. ICP-OES was used to determine the magnesium content. For X-ray emission, backscattering and ICP-OES analyses, 100 µL of each serum sample in a group were added to 2 ml freeze-drying tube. Of the combined specimen, 100 µL was used for the magnesium determination by ICP-OES. The remainder of the combined serum specimens for each group were freeze-dried at -80°C and then pressed into a pellet. The pellet was coated with carbon and analyzed using X-ray emission and backscattering. The elemental X-rays of P, S, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, Mo, Ca and Se emitted were quantified to obtain the respective concentrations. Biochemical chemistry analyses were performed on each serum sample of each animal. The biochemical parameters tested for were total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase and creatinine.