From animal experimentation, and studies using in vitro models, there was evidence in the literature to suggest that dietary fibre may influence contractility and motility of the gastrointestinal tract and long chain (LC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from marine sources may influence contractility of smooth muscle cells in blood vessels. The hypothesis of this thesis was that dietary fish oil and/or fibre influence the contractility of isolated intact sections of gut smooth muscle tissue from small animal models. Methodology was established to measure in vitro contractility of intact pieces of guinea pig ileum with the serosal side isolated from the lumen. It was demonstrated that four amino acid peptides from κ-casein (casoxins) applied to the lumen overcame morphine-induced inhibition of contraction. Using this established technology, the guinea pig was used to investigate the effects of dietary fibre and fish oil supplementation on gut in vitro contractility. In separate experiments, changes in sensitivity to electrically-driven and 8-iso-prostanglandin (PG)E₂-induced contractility were demonstrated for dietary fibre and fish oil. A modified, isolated gut super-perfusion system was then established for the rat to validate these findings. It was subsequently shown that LC n-3 PUFA from dietary fish oil significantly increased maximal contraction in response to the G-protein coupled receptor modulators, acetylcholine and the eicosanoids PGE₂, PGF₂α, 8-iso-PGE₂ and U-46619 in ileum but not colon, without changes in sensitivity (EC₅₀), when n-3 PUFA as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) had been incorporated to a similar degree into the gut total phospholipid membrane pool. It was further established that the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) had a depressed prostanoid (PGE₂and PGF₂α) response in the gut that could be restored by dietary fish oil supplementation (5% w/w of total diet) in the ileum but not the colon. Importantly, the muscarinic response in the colon of the SHR was increased by fish oil supplementation with DHA likely to be the active agent. Dietary fish oil dose experiments deduced differential increases in response occurred at fish oil concentrations of 1% for muscarinic and 2.5% (w/w) for prostanoid stimulators of the ileum with no difference in receptor-independent KCl-induced depolarization-driven contractility. Studies combining high amylose resistant starch (HAMS, 10% w/w) and fish oil (10% w/w) fed to young rats demonstrated a low prostanoid response that was enhanced by dietary fish oil but not resistant starch. There was however, an interactive effect of the HAMS and fish oil noted for the muscarinic-mimetic, carbachol. Generally, resistant starch increased the large bowel short chain fatty acid pool with a subsequent lower pH. Binding studies determined that while the total muscarinic receptor binding properties of an isolated ileal membrane fraction were not affected in mature rats by dietary fish oil, young rats had a different order of muscarinic receptor subtype response with a rank order potency of M₃ > M₁ > M₂ compared to mature animals of M₃ > M₂ > M₁ with fish oil altering the sensitivity of the M₁ receptor subtype in isolated carbachol-precontracted ileal tissue. In conclusion, experiments using the guinea pig and rat gut models demonstrated that dietary fish oil supplementation, and to a lesser degree fibre, increased receptor-driven contractility in normal and compromised SHR ileum and colon. Further, changes in responsiveness were demonstrated in the developing rat gut prostanoid and muscarinic receptor populations that could be altered by dietary fish oil. Preliminary evidence suggested that fish oil as DHA may alter receptor-driven gut contractility by mechanisms involving smooth muscle calcium modulation. Defining the role that dietary fibre and fish oil, and other nutrients, play in normal and diseased states of bowel health such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where contractility is compromised, are among the ongoing challenges. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1316907 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2008

Nanotoxicology is a nascent field of study concerned with the potential for nanotechnology to adversely impact human health or result in ecological damage. Nanomaterials can display unique physicochemical properties not present in the parent bulk material and it is these properties that may be a potential source of toxicity. There are a growing number of examples of nanomaterials functioning differently in biosystems compared to the parent bulk material. With the rapid growth of nanotechnology and increasing exposure of people to novel nanomaterials there is an urgent need to evaluate the toxicity of nanomaterials. In this study the toxicities of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles were assessed. The effects of size and surface coating on the cytotoxicity and immunogenicity of silver nanoparticles were investigated, with cytotoxicity found to be inversely proportional to nanoparticle size. The subcutaneous penetration of zinc oxide nanoparticles was assessed to determine whether this material can be safely used as a UV filter in sunscreens and cosmetics. No dermal penetration was detected using a porcine in vitro model. Zinc oxide nanoparticles were also used as a model material to investigate nano-specific toxicity by comparing cytotoxicity and changes to gene expression with bulk scale zinc oxide. In both cases cytotoxicity and changes to gene expression were greater for zinc oxide nanoparticles. Methods and techniques to test the toxicity of nanomaterials in vitro and the implication for in vivo toxicity are only beginning to be elucidated. The methods and techniques used in this study, particularly nanomaterial stabilization in biofluids and toxicity testing using blood cell cultures, may assist the establishment of standard in vitro testing protocols for nanomaterials.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2006 116 leaves / The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of hand and wrist pain, as well as the relationships between occupational overuse syndromes in the hands and wrists of chiropractors in South Africa as a result of their daily use of manual therapy techniques while at work. There are very few statistics available that disclose the nature and incidence of work related injuries. However those statistics that do exist suggest that hands on patient activities place physical therapists at greater risk of injury in comparison to other health care workers (Lunne et al., 2000). A study conducted by Bork et al.(1996) determined the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries sustained by physical therapists. Hand pain (29.6%) and back pain (45%) where the leading cause of pain in physical therapists (Bork et al., 1996.) Chiropractic and physiotherapy are both health care professions that specialize in the treatment of disorders pertaining to the neuro-musculo-skeletal system (Hunter, 2004). Physical therapists use manual therapy techniques as part of their daily working activities, so it can be assumed that chiropractors too will have a high prevalence of hand and wrist pain as they utilize similar therapeutic techniques to physical therapists. Cromie et al.(2000) evaluated the prevalence, severity, risks, and responses of disorders in physical therapists. He identified 4 categories of major risk factors commonly associated with workers musculo-skeletal disorders in physical therapists 1. Risk factors related to specific activities. 2. Postural risk factors. 3. Risk factors with regard to work load issues 4. Risk factors in regard of work capacity and health of the participant (Cromie et al., 2000). Physical risk factors found to be associated with neck, shoulder, or hand and wrist disorders in cross sectional studies are heavy lifting, monotonous work, static work postures, vibrations and repetitive jobs, and a high work pace (Alfredsson et al., 1999). Other factors that have been associated with musculoskeletal pain are higher age and female gender (de Zwart et al., 2001; Wahlstedt et al., 2001; Feveile et al., 2002).

Submitted in fulfillment of the Master of Technology : Biomedical and Clinical Technology, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / INTRODUCTION End stage renal disease (ESRD) occurs once 90 % of the kidney function is lost. Patients with ESRD must either undergo medical treatments, like haemodialysis, that substitute the function of the kidney, or they must have a kidney transplant. In the 1970s, haemodialysis treatment took 8 to 12 hours, three times per week. As technology advanced, dialyzers were able to handle more dialysate and higher blood flow rates hence treatment times were shortened to between three and five hours per treatment which has remained the norm until present day. One clinic in Tassin, France remained on the longer dialysis program and noticed advantages for patients who were on extended dialysis times. One of the major problems with dialysis done in the traditional sense is that it tries to provide a lot of therapy in a short period of time, and it is difficult to clear toxins and fluid in that time, Nocturnal dialysis provides a greater amount of toxin removal over a long period of time. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The main aim of this study was to determine if nocturnal dialysis resulted in improved dialysis clearance, better overall patient health and a better quality of life. The primary objective of this study was to compare the clearance of small molecules (for example, urea, phosphate, creatinine and potassium) and large retention products (for example Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and 2-Microglobulin) between the two haemodialysis procedures. The secondary objective was to compare the quality of life and survival of patients on both nocturnal and daytime dialysis. METHODOLOGY Thirty patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) presenting to the Sunninghill Hospital Dialysis Unit for treatment, who met the inclusion criteria, were recruited to participate in this study. Blood samples were taken for each participant at a baseline, 3 month and 6 month interval. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life Survey Questionnaire (KDQOL: SF- 36TM) was also given to each participant to complete. This survey consisted of three parts: 1) Physical Component Summary 2) Mental Component Summary and 3) Burden of Kidney Disease. This survey helped to predict the quality of life of the patients in each group. RESULTS In this study, non-significant effects of treatment were found for all small solutes individually. This study showed that there was a statistically significant increase in both dialysis adequacy and the clearance of large molecules (Parathyroid Hormone and Beta-2-Microglobulin) in the nocturnal haemodialysis group. The results of the KDQOL: SF-36 survey showed that the nocturnal dialysis patients scored higher in both the Physical Component Summary and the Mental Component Summary which means that they felt they were in better physical and mental health. The survey also showed that the nocturnal dialysis patients felt the burden of kidney disease less than those patients dialyzing during the day. CONCLUSION Firstly, dialysis adequacy as defined by the formula Kt/V, increased in the nocturnal group while it levelled off in the diurnal group. Secondly, both the Parathyroid Hormone levels and Beta-2-Microglobulin levels decreased more in the nocturnal group therefore resulting in statistically significant effects of treatment. The third and final conclusion drawn was that nocturnal haemodialysis resulted in better physical health, better mental health and a lower burden of kidney disease was felt by patients undergoing nocturnal haemodialysis.

Thesis (M. Sc.Voedselwet.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Phenolic compounds in wine, due to their antioxidant activity, are reportedly responsible for the health-promoting properties of wines. The effect of cultivar and in-bottle ageing on the antioxidant activity of South African wines in different types of antioxidant assays was, therefore, investigated. The antioxidant activity of commercial South African red (Cabernet Sauvignon, Ruby Cabernet, Pinotage, Shiraz, Merlot) and white (Sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay, Colombard) cultivar wines was compared using the 2,2’-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothialozine-sulphonic acid) radical cation (ABTS·+) scavenging, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·) scavenging and microsomal lipid peroxidation (MLP) assays. The red wines was more effective than the white wines on an “as-is” and an equal total phenol content. The total antioxidant activity (TAAABTS and TAADPPH) of Ruby Cabernet was the lowest of the red wines, but the antioxidant potency (APABTS and APDPPH) of red wine phenolic fractions did not differ (P ³ 0.05). Ruby Cabernet and Pinotage were the least effective inhibitors of MLP, while Merlot was the most effective of the red wines. Pinotage phenolic fractions had lower (P < 0.05) APMLP than that of other red wines. Of the white wines, Chardonnay and Chenin blanc had the highest and lowest effectivity respectively according to all antioxidant parameters. Ascorbic acid present in some wines increased and decreased their TAA and % MLP inhibition respectively. TAA and % MLP inhibition correlated well (r ³ 0.7, P < 0.001) with total phenol content of red and white wines, as well as with flavanol content of red wines and tartaric acid ester content of white wines. The % MLP inhibition also correlated well with flavanol content of white wines. No correlation (P > 0.01) was obtained between TAA or % MLP inhibition and monomeric anthocyanin content of red wines. In the deoxyribose assay, red wines were more pro-oxidant and exhibited lower hydroxyl radical scavenging and metal chelating abilities than white wines. The effect of in-bottle ageing on antioxidant activity of wines was determined using the ABTS·+ and DPPH· scavenging assays. The TAA and total phenol content of experimental red (Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon)and white (Chardonnay and Chenin blanc) cultivar wines, decreased (P < 0.05) during 12 months of storage at 0, 15 and 30 ºC. The TAAABTS of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, stored at 30 ºC were lower (P < 0.05) than at 0 ºC. The APABTS and APDPPH of most wines also decreased during storage. The monomeric anthocyanin content of red wines decreased (P < 0.05) rapidly at 15 and 30 ºC. The flavanol content of wines (except Chenin blanc) increased during the first 9 months, decreasing again after 12 months, while minor changes in the flavonol and tartaric acid ester content of both red and white wines were observed. The TAAABTS exhibited a good correlation (r ³ 0.7, P < 0.001) with total phenol content of red and white wines, as well as with flavonol and tartaric acid ester content of red and white wines and flavanol content of white wines. The monomeric anthocyanin content of red wines correlated (r = 0.50, P < 0.001) weakly with TAAABTS. The decrease in the TAAABTS of wines could thus be mainly attributed to a decrease in their total phenol content. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die antioksidant aktiwiteit van fenoliese komponente in wyn is waarskynlik verantwoordelik vir die gesondheidsvoordele daarvan. Die studie het dus gepoog om effek van kultivar en veroudering na bottelering op die antioksidant aktiwiteit van Suid-Afrikaanse wyne te ondersoek. Die antioksidant aktiwiteit van kommersiële Suid-Afrikaanse rooi (Cabernet Sauvignon, Ruby Cabernet, Pinotage, Shiraz, Merlot) en wit (Sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay, Colombard) kultivarwyne is vergelyk deur middel van die 2,2’-azino-di-(3-etielbensotialosien-sulfoon suur)-radikaal katioon (ABTS·+) vernietigingstoets, 2,2-difeniel-1-pikrielhidrasielradikaal (DPPH·) vernietigingstoets en mikrosomale lipiedperoksidasietoets (MLP). Die antioksidant aktiwiteit en die antioksidant kragtigheid (AK) van die rooiwyne was beter as dié van witwyne in al drie antioksidant toetse. Die totale antioksidant aktiwiteit (TAAABTS en TAADPPH) van Ruby Cabernet was die laagste van die rooiwyne, terwyl die AKABTS en AKDPPH van rooiwyn fenoliese fraksies nie van mekaar verskil (P ³ 0.05) het nie. Van die rooiwyne, het Ruby Cabernet en Pinotage die laagste en Merlot die hoogste effektiwiteit in die MLP toets getoon. Die AKMLP van Pinotage se fenoliese fraksies was die laagste van die rooiwyne. Die witwyne, Chardonnay en Chenin blanc, het onderskeidelik die beste en swakste antioksidant aktiwiteit en AK van die witwyne getoon in al drie antioksidant toetse. Askorbiensuur wat in sommige witwyne voorgekom het, het die TAA van hierdie wyne verhoog, maar hul % MLP inhibisie verlaag. Die TAA en % MLP inhibisie het goed gekorreleer (r ³ 0.7, P < 0.001) met die totale fenolinhoud van rooi- en witwyne, asook die flavanolinhoud van rooiwyne en die wynsteensuur-esterinhoud van witwyne. Die % MLP inhibisie het ook goed gekorreleer met die flavanolinhoud van witwyne. Geen korrelasie (P > 0.1) is waargeneem tussen antioksidant aktiwiteit van rooiwyne en hul monomeriese antosianien-inhoud. Rooiwyn was meer pro-oksidatief in die deoksieribose toets as witwyne, maar was die swakste hidroksieradikaalvernietigers en metaalcheleerders.Die effek van veroudering na bottelering op die antioksidant aktiwiteit van wyne soos bepaal met die ABTS·+ en DPPH· vernietigingstoetse, is ondersoek. Die TAA en die totale fenolinhoud van eksperimentele rooi- (Pinotage en Cabernet Sauvignon) en witwyne (Chardonnay en Chenin blanc) het afgeneem (P < 0.05) tydens opberging na bottelering by 0, 15 en 30 ºC oor 12 maande. Opberging by 30 ºC het ‘n groter vermindering (P < 0.05) in die TAAABTS waarde vir Cabernet Sauvignon en Chardonnay veroorsaak as by 0 ºC. Die meeste wyne se APABTS en APDPPH waardes het ook verminder (P < 0.05) na 12 maande. Drastiese vermindering (P < 0.05) in die monomeriese antosianieninhoud van rooiwyne is opgemerk tydens opberging by 15 en 30 ºC. Tydens die eerste 9 maande se opberging het die flavanolinhoud van wyne toegeneem (P < 0.05) en daarna afgeneem (P < 0.05) tot by 12 maande, terwyl flavonol- en wynsteensuuresterinhoud van beide rooi- en witwyne min verandering ondergaan het. Die totale fenolinhoud van rooi- en witwyne, asook die flavonol en wynsteensuur-esterinhoud van rooi-en witwyne en die flavanolinhoud van witwyne, het goed gekorreleer (r ³ 0.7, P < 0.001) met die TAAABTS. In teenstelling met die resultate vir kommersiële kultivarwyne, was die TAAABTS van rooiwyne swak gekorreleer (r = 0.5, P < 0.001) met hul monomeriese antosianieninhoud. Die afname in TAAABTS van wyne tydens veroudering kon dus meestal toegeskryf word aan die afname in hul totale fenolinhoud.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Meat processing industries in South Africa are faced with the challenge to produce a variety of white meats. This is due to the fact that consumers tend to consume less red meat and more chicken and pork that are perceived to be healthier due to the negative publicity surrounding red meat and health. The nutritional emphasis is on leaner carcasses and an increase in the consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids while reducing the ratio of n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fats in the diet. Another way in which this can be achieved is through introducing rabbit meat which has low fat, low cholesterol content and high protein content, while displaying a positive fatty acid profile. Carcass quality and meat quality in rabbits may to a large extent be affected by age of slaughter and type of breed. This study had a dual purpose. Firstly it aimed at quantifying the effects of breed and age on parameters pertaining to carcass quality and meat quality of commercial rabbits, namely California breed and hybrid (California x Dutch red). Secondly, to determine the differences between ethnic groups on their perceptions towards rabbit meat, thereby providing information on its marketing potential. To accomplish the first objective 50 rabbits from the two breeds were housed in individual cages, weighed on weekly basis and fed ad libitum. The rabbits were slaughtered at 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 weeks of age (n=5 from each breed). For the second objective the perceptions of three ethnic groups on factors affecting consumers' choice of rabbit meat were determined through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was tested for validity beforehand. There was no significant difference between the two breeds regarding body weight, feed intake, carcass weight and drip loss. The California breed had a higher dressing percentage (53.7%) and meat yield (29.2%) compared to the hybrid (52.5% and 27.5% respectively). Age treatments showed a highly significant difference on all parameters investigated. Increasing the age proportionately increased the amount of fat, while the moisture content decreased. The California breed exhibited higher percentages of fat compared to the hybrid at all ages of treatment. California breed contained more phosphorus, magnesium and zinc as opposed to the hybrid, the only exception being copper, where the hybrid had higher concentrations. The total fatty acid (169.2 mg/100 g) of the California breed was higher than that of the hybrid (133.5 mg/100 g). As a result there were more saturated fatty acids (55.4 mg/100 g) and monounsaturated fatty acids (62.3 mg/100 g) in the California breed than in the hybrid (44.2 and 45.6 mg/100 g respectively). Both breeds had 67% unsaturated fatty acids. Although there was no significant difference between the P:S ratio of the two rabbit breeds, the values obtained were higher (+0.9) than the value of 0.7. This is an indication that the rabbit meat contains a P:S ratio that could be considered very desirable. The n-6:n-3 ratio for both breeds were high (11.6 for California and 12.7 for hybrid). The cholesterol and amino acid profile of the two breeds were not affected by the type of breed. The consumer survey indicated that 52% (n=158) of respondents had never eaten rabbit meat before due to reasons such as scarcity, lack of knowledge about the meat, associating rabbits with pets and cultural constraints. Nevertheless, 57% of these people were optimistic about eating rabbit meat. In addition, having eaten rabbit meat before seemed to contribute positively towards acceptance of rabbit meat. Generally, respondents preferred purchasing rabbit meat in portions as opposed to live or whole carcasses. Their decision to purchase rabbit meat was firstly driven by price, thereafter freshness, leanness and tenderness of meat. The respondents expect to buy rabbit meat at a price lower than that of chicken. Rabbit meat contained low sodium and high proportion polyunsaturated fatty acids-some of the most important food attributes required to maintain and improve health. However, most of the respondents in this study were not familiar with the positive attributes of rabbit meat and need to be taught the benefits of this product. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In Suid Afrika is daar 'n uitdaging vir die vleisproduserende voedselindustrieë om 'n verskeidenheid witvleis te bemark. Dit word toegeskryf aan die feit dat verbruikers minder rooi vleis as hoender en vark eet wat as meer gesond beskou word weens die negatiewe publisiteit wat geassosieer word met rooivleis en gesondheid. Die voedingsfokus is op maerder karkasse, groter inname van polionversadigde vetsure, en 'n vermindering in die verhouding n-6:n-3 poli-onversadigde vetsure in die dieet. Een van die maniere waarop dit gedoen kan word, is die bekendstelling van konynvleis wat gekenmerk word deur lae vetinhoud, lae cholesterolinhoud en 'n hoë proteïninhoud, en 'n positiewe vetsuurprofiel. Karkas- en vleiskwaliteit van konyne word tot 'n groot mate geaffekteer deur ouderdom van slagting en die ras. Hierdie studie het 'n tweeledige doel. Eerstens mik dit na die kwantifisering van die effek van ras en ouderdom op die parameters wat met karkas- en vleiskwaliteit van die Kaliforniese ras en die kruisgeteëlde ras (Kaliforniese X Hollandse rooi) verband hou. Tweedens, om die verskille in etniese groepe vas te stel met betrekking tot hulle persepsies van die faktore wat hulle keuse van konynvleis beïnvloed, en op dié wyse inligting te verkry t.o.v die bemarkingspotensiaal daarvan. Om in die eerste doelwit te slaag is 50 konyne van die twee rasse in individuele hokke gehuisves, op 'n weeklikse basis geweeg en ad libitum gevoer. Die konyne was geslag op 9, 11, 13, 15 en 17 weke (n=5 vir elke ras). Vir die tweede doelwit, is die persepsies van drie etniese groepe oor die faktore wat die verbruikerskeuse van konynvleis kan bepaal, m.b.v. 'n gestruktureerde vraelys bepaal. Die vraelys is vooraf vir geldigheid evalueer. Daar was geen beduidende verskil tussen die twee rasse wat betref liggaamsmassa, voedselinname, karkasgewig en dripverlies nie. Die Kaliforniese ras het 'n hoër uitslag-persentasie (53.7%) en vleisopbrengs (29,2%) in vergelyking met die kruisgeteëlde ras (52.5% en 27.5% respektiewelik) gehad. Ouderdom het hoogsbeduidende verskille op al die parameters wat ondersoek was, getoon. Die toename in ouderdom was gepaardgaande met proporsionele toename in karkasvet en afname in vog. Die Kaliforniese ras het, by alle ouderdomsbehandelings, in vergelyking met die kruisgeteëlde ras, 'n hoër persentasie vet opgelewer. Die Kaliforniese ras het teenoor die kruisgeteëlde ras hoër fosfor, magnesium en sink bevat. Die uitsondering was koper waar die kruisgeteëlde ras 'n hoër waarde gehad het. Die totale vetsure vir die Kaliforniese ras (169.2 mg/100 g) was hoër as vir die kruisgeteëlde ras (133.5 mg/100 g). Om dié rede was daar in die Kaliforniese ras meer versadigde vetsure (55.4 mg/100 g) en monoonversadigde vetsure (62.3 mg/100 g) as vir die kruisgeteëlde ras (44.2 mg/100 g en 45.6 mg/100g onderskeidelik). Beide rasse het 67% onversadigde vetsure gehad. Hoewel daar geen beduidende verskille was in die polionversadigde:versadigde (P:V) verhouding nie, was die waardes hoër (+0.9) as die 0.7 wat aanbeveel word. Die n-6:n-3 verhouding vir beide rasse was hoog (11.6 vir die Kaliforniese ras en 12.7 vir die kruisgeteëlde ras). Die cholesterol- en die aminosuurprofiel was nie deur die ras beïnvloed nie. Die verbruikersnavorsing het getoon dat 52% (n=158) van die respondente om verskeie redes nog nie konynvleis geëet het nie, weens redes soos onverkrygbaarheid, gebrekkige kennis van die vleis, die assosiasie van konyne met troeteldiere en kulturele beperkinge. Desnieteenstaande is daar 57% van die respondente wat optimisties is oor die eet van konynvleis. Die eet van konynvleis by vorige geleenthede het bygedra tot die positiewe aanvaarding van konynvleis. Oor die algemeen het die respondente verkies om konynvleis in porsies te koop, in plaas van lewendig of heel karkasse. Die besluit om konynvleis te koop, is hoofsaaklik gedryf deur prys, daarna deur varsheid, maerheid en sagtheid van die vleis. Die respondente verwag dat die prys vir konynvleis laer sal wees as vir hoender. Konynvleis bevat lae natrium en 'n hoë verhouding poli-onversadigde vetsure - van die mees belangrike voedingeienskappe om gesondheid te handhaaf en te verbeter. Ongelukkig was meeste van die respondente in hierdie studie nie vertroud met die positiewe eienskappe van konynvleis nie, en moet hulle geleer word deur middel van omvattende bemarkingsaksies van die voordele van hierdie produk.

Health related quality of life (HRQoL) refers to the impact of disease and treatment on disability and daily living. Living with a venous leg ulcer (VLU) has a negative impact on HRQoL. The aim of the present study was to investigate the aspects of HRQoL affected by VLUs in a local SA sample. A post hoc research design was utilised comparing 30 VLU patients and 30 non-VLU participants. Four hypotheses were investigated: (1) the experience of having a VLU on HRQoL, (2) the relation between gender and HRQoL of VLU patients, (3) the relation between age and HRQoL of VLU patients and (4) the interrelation between the underlying constructs of HRQoL of VLU patients. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic variables and HRQoL using the SF-36 questionnaire. Interviews were conducted to obtain qualitative data to complete the investigation. Correlation analysis and t-tests confirmed that having a VLU negatively affected HRQoL and that interrelations existed among the constructs of HRQoL. There were no significant relations between gender, age and HRQoL of VLU patients. In line with the social constructivist approach, social support and restructuring a sense of meaning in life to increase HRQoL, are important goals in the management of VLUs. / Psychology / M.Sc. (Psychology)

Internal labour migration is an important livelihood strategy for poor groups worldwide. <b>Aims and objectives</b> This research aims to answer the question "What is appropriate policy framework to address the health needs of the Indian urban migrants?" The research analyses existing policies and compares policies in arrange of countries that have developed mechanisms to address migrant's health needs. Transferable lessons will be drawn to develop a policy framework to address health needs of Indian migrants. Recommendations to improve the health of urban migrants will be made. <b>Methods</b> The research involves a mixed methods approach - literature review, questionnaire survey, qualitative interviews and site visits to understand successes and challenges in the implementation of migration and health policies in India and other countries. A literature review was conducted to understand the impact of migration - its health outcomes and policies in India and abroad. A pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire survey was conducted using random sampling with 4000 migrants in Nashik to understand their access to health care. In-depth interviews were conducted with policy makers in ministries including health and labour, migrant's organizations and international agencies in India, China, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam to understand the successes and challenges in the implementation of migration and health policies and learn from their experiences. <b>Conclusions</b> Internal migration is rising in India mainly from the scheduled tribes and castes. Lack of migration specific data, state specific programmes/policies linked with state citizenship and lack of federal structures are key challenges to meet the unique needs of Indian migrants. Lessons for India were learnt from other countries included initiating a migration census, introducing a national portable health insurance and a comprehensive 'whole government approach'. Recommendations were made to enable the government to facilitate appropriate policy to improve the health and status of the migrants.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Technology: Tourism Management Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / There are 11 thermal springs in the Western Cape, seven of which have been developed into eight resorts. Only one of these resorts has a focus on health and wellness, with appropriate facilities, with the others functioning primarily as family leisure resorts. Internationally there has been a move by traditional thermal spring resorts to begin offering a combination of health (medical and wellness) services in combination with leisure activities. In light of current international trends, as well as perceived domestic needs, it appears that the Western Cape‟s thermal spring resources are not being optimally utilized as tourist attractions, neither for domestic nor for international tourist markets. This research sets out to evaluate the potential for health tourism development of thermal springs in the Western Cape. It analyses relevant aspects of both the supply and demand sides of thermal spring tourism in the Western Cape. A database is compiled of thermal spring resorts and undeveloped thermal springs in the Western Cape, which includes facilities and services, and relative locations with respect to tourist attractions and tourism routes. The mineral and radon gas contents of the respective thermal waters are measured and discussed in relation to known medicinal properties. A questionnaire-based survey was undertaken, involving 383 respondents at six resorts, and activity-based market segmentation was carried out using k-means cluster analysis. A four-segment user profile (typology) of current visitors, based on activity preferences, was compiled. It was found that there is considerable potential for the development of thermal spring health (medical and wellness) tourism products in the Western Cape, based on available resources. A framework for thermal spring health tourism product development in the Western Cape is proposed, and recommendations are made for future development and marketing. Key recommendations include the development of balneological treatments, and radon therapies, at certain resorts, and investigating of the availability of local resources that could be incorporated into medical or wellness tourism products.

M.A. (Social Work) / Accountability and competence are two important attributes needed by medical social workers in the changing social, political, economic and organizational situation in South Africa, In order -to be accountable and competent, medical social workers must be in possession of scientific knowledge, skills and the correct attitude regarding assessment, intervention and evaluation. The change in emphasis from long-term to short-term hospitalization and the importance of primary health care, means that within the limitations of the present organization structure, assessment is often the most important and sometimes the only, aspect in the helping process. The knowledge and skills of the medical social workers need to be extended; this study therefore focuses on effective assessment that will equip the medical social worker to render an effective service through linking resources within the patient, hospital and within the community. The aim of this study is the development of a training programme for medical social workers to extend their knowledge and skills in assessment.