A total of 94 Salmonella isolates were collected from three catchments areas in Eritrea. These isolates were recovered from clinical and environmental sources. Biochemical tests using gelatin hydrolysis and tartrate utilization test were employed to differentiate between Salmonellasubspecies. All Salmonellaisolates were identified as Salmonellasubspecies I and were then subjected to molecular characterization. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) were employed to identify and establish possible relationships between the clinical isolates and environmental sources. Two sets of oligonucleotide primers specific for genes from S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis were used for the PCR reaction. Of the 94 Salmonellaisolates characterized only 6 were S. Typhimurium strains. To type the Salmonellaisolates AFLP was used. Clustering the AFLP patterns using the un-weighed pair-group method using arithmetic means (UPGMA) revealed 15 clusters. Of the 94 Salmonellaisolates collected, 48 (51%) strains were serologically identified. These serotypes include, 21 SalmonellaEmek (43.7%), 19 SalmonellaHeidelberg (39.5%), 7 of the 13, 22, 23; z undetermined serotype (14.5%), and 2 SalmonellaTyphimurium strains (4.1%). The AFLP data in the present study indicated a possible relationship between the clinical isolates and those obtained from environmental sources. / Dissertation (MSc (Microbiology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

This study was done in the communal area surrounding Makoko village and in the adjacent conservation area within the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The structure of the woody vegetation within the two areas were compared in terms of species diversity, density, size structure distribution and biomass to determine the impact of fuel wood harvesting within the communal area upon the woody vegetation. There was no difference in woody plant species richness between the conservation and communal areas, but there was a difference between the uplands and lowlands. The conservation area uplands had the highest woody plant density and woody plant biomass. There were differences between areas in terms of the woody size class structure. The socio-economic status of Makoko village was determined by interviewing 100 households within the village. The use of fuels including wood, paraffin, candles and electricity was determined. Community and Kruger National Park issues such as advantages and disadvantages of living adjacent to the Kruger National Park were also noted. The demand for fuel wood within Makoko village was 338.9 kg per person per year, but the supply of fuel wood in the communal area was only 54.6 kg per person per year, if harvested sustainably. A conservation area of equal size could provide 270.0 kg of fuel wood per person per year on a sustainable basis. Management recommendations were made towards achieving sustainability in the use of the woody plant resources. / Dissertation (MSc (Wildlife Management))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Centre for Wildlife Management / unrestricted

Understanding abstract concepts and ideas in mathematics if instruction takes place in the first language of the student is challenging as it is. Yet worldwide students often have to master mathematics via a second or even a third language and this is a recognised problem. The majority of students in South Africa – a country with eleven official languages – have to face this difficulty. What is the extent of the linguistic disadvantage (if any) of South African second language students? With the language challenges that South Africa faces today with respect to education as a backdrop, I report on a quantitative investigation into this problem specifically for the case of tertiary mathematics students, focussing on Afrikaans first language learners. The performance of Afrikaans first language students who attend Afrikaans lectures is compared to that of the Afrikaans first language students who attend English lectures. In a further investigation I explore the influence that second language instruction has on students from African cultures. All the students study at the University of Pretoria. The study shows that in the comparison of the average performances of the two Afrikaans first language groups, there is no significant difference in the first year university calculus performances, but at secondary school level the Afrikaans students who attend English lectures at university level achieve better results. When the means are adjusted by removing the influence of school mathematics achievement, the adjusted average performance of the Afrikaans group that attend English lectures differ significantly from that of the Afrikaans group that attend Afrikaans lectures. As a result both of the analyses suggest that, based on mathematics achievement, Afrikaans students who attend English lectures may be at a disadvantage to Afrikaans students attending English lectures do. The study also indicates that the African students' performances do not differ significantly from that of the Afrikaans students who attend English lectures (both of these groups attend second language lectures). In the comparison of the pooled groups of first language learners and second language learners, there does not seem to be any significant difference between the adjusted mean performances of these groups. / Dissertation (MSc (Mathematics Education))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Mathematics and Applied Mathematics / unrestricted

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women. It remains the leading cause of death in American women from 30 – 70 years of age and approximately 10% of the women living in western countries will develop breast cancer during their life time. Estrogens are a family of female hormones involved in the reproductive function of the human body. Estradiol is the most abundant estrogen in premenopausal woman. Initially it was thought that estradiol itself was responsible for tumourigenesis, but it has since been discovered that the catechol metabolites of estradiol and other estrogens cause carcinogenesis. 4-Hydroxyestradiol (4-HE2) is a potent cell proliferating estrogen whereas 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME2) is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation through the activation of apoptosis. 2-Hydroxyestradiol (2-HE2) also causes increased cell proliferation but it is not as potent as 4-HE2 and it is <font face="symbol">O</font>-methylated rapidly to 2-ME2. Catechol metabolites of estradiol are also involved in producing reactive oxygen species through redox cycling. The reactive oxygen species cause DNA damage and mutations to occur which can lead to carcinogenesis. A significant ratio to consider as a biomarker for breast cancer risk therefore is the 4-HE2/2-ME2 ratio. In this study, an analytical method was developed to measure the concentration levels of E2, 2-ME2, 2-HE2 and 4-HE2 in cell culture medium. The analytical method made use of gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis, since the expected physiological concentrations of these metabolites were very low. Various extraction and derivatisation techniques were applied during the development of the method. The final method made use of protein precipitation with concentrated hydrochloric acid, liquid-liquid extraction using diethyl ether and derivatisation with trimethylsilylimidazole (TMSI). During the validation of this method, it was found that the method did not produce accurate measurements and that it could only be used to determine trends. Since the precise in vitro concentration levels of the metabolites were still unknown, it was decided to proceed with experiments using this method, to provide preliminary results with which further course of action could be planned. Equal numbers (1x106 cells/flask) of MCF-7 and MCF-12A cells were provided with 11 ml medium containing E2/2-HE2/4-HE2/2-ME2 (10-6 M) and medium containing E2/2-HE2/4-HE2/2-ME2 (10-8 M). Of each metabolite and each concentration two flasks were prepared. Each flask represented a specific time interval. At the appropriate time 10 ml of the medium was extracted. The time intervals used for each experiment were 0 hours, 8 hours and 24 hours for incubation with E2, 0 hours, 1 hour and 8 hours for incubation with 2-ME2, 0 hours, 10 minutes and 1 hour for incubation with 2-HE2 and 4-HE2. The time intervals used were according to the expected rate of metabolism. Each experiment was repeated three times. Differences in the metabolism of breast tumour cells and normal cells were found and the concentration of the metabolites present in the cell incubation medium had an influence on the metabolism of the cells. The need to investigate the intracellular concentrations of the metabolites has also been accentuated through the results obtained. / Dissertation (MSc (Physiology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Physiology / unrestricted

Background: It is likely that lower limb ulceration, lower limb amputation, or their absence in diabetic subjects, indicate varying degrees of long-term diabetes and its complications, and that measures of atherosclerosis and neuropathy would reflect these differences. Objectives: To determine feasibility and, based on our results, make sample size estimates for future study: By comparing peripheral and central vasculature between diabetic subjects with lower extremity ulcers, diabetic subjects with lower extremity amputation and a group of diabetics without these complications — through evaluating toe blood pressure (TBP), toe-brachial index (TBI) and pulse wave velocity (PWV); also, by comparing peripheral and autonomic nervous system integrity between these groups — through sensory, nerve conduction, needle-examination and autonomic function assessment. Study design: A cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative pilot study. Setting: Pretoria Academic Hospital. Participants: Three groups of ten patients consecutively selected from diabetes and diabetic foot clinics — ten with chronic lower extremity ulcers, ten with healed lower extremity amputations and ten diabetic controls. Methods: Assessment of peripheral and autonomic neuropathy included evaluation of 5.07/10-g monofilament sensation, vibration perception (using a 128Hz tuning fork), nerve conduction and electromyography, cutaneous autonomic response and heart rate variability (expressed as an Expiration: Inspiration (E:I)-ratio). For evaluation of vascular status, we obtained the photo-plethysmographically-derived TBI and assessed carotid-femoral (CF) and carotid-radial (CR) PWV. Sample sizes for future studies were calculated through a nomogram for three-group comparisons, ANOVA, simulation and log-transformation of non-parametric data. Results: Absence of vibration perception in at least one leg, with significant p-values of 0.000 at toe-, and 0.027 at medial malleolus- level, occurred more frequently in the amputation, than in the control group. For the total bilateral monofilament count a statistically significant difference between groups was demonstrated (p-value 0.043). Peripheral neuropathy based on abnormality of at least one conduction attribute in at least two distinct nerves, the E:I-ratio, assessment of cutaneous autonomic responses and TBI, by worsening across groups, seemed to display a correlation with severity of lower limb complications, but without statistically significant results. For CF- and CR PWV, the lowest values were observed in the amputation group. Sample size calculations based on our TBP, TBI, vibration and monofilament results, lead to a proposed equal group size of between 34 and 103 for future three-group comparisons using these outcomes measures. Should PWV be included, the group size would have to be between 160 and 222. Conclusions: This study confirmed the usefulness of monofilament sensation and vibration perception assessment in identifying diabetic patients with differing degrees of lower extremity risk. Also, due to the large differences between groups, it demonstrated the effectiveness of these measures to display differences between groups, even in the event of very small sample sizes. The tendencies to worsen across the three groups, of the E:I -ratio, peripheral neuropathy based on nerve conduction, and the TBI, will have to be re-examined in a study with larger sample size. In order to demonstrate statistically significant CF- and CR PWV results, a larger sample size may also be required. / Dissertation (MSc (Clinical Epidemiology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Clinical Epidemiology / unrestricted

No abstract available / Dissertation (MEd (CIE))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

Child abuse is a problem that affect Thohoyandou Area, Ha-Tshivhasa in Limpopo Province. The aim of this research is to add value towards unfolding negative techniques regarding child abuse at the initiation schools, especially of those who suffered the consequences of ritual rites and primitive beliefs. The research documents will formulate guideline for the church leaders and social workers rendering services concerning child abuse. In addition to this, the research is aimed at rediscovering a system in which the children can be protected against any element of abuse. The research document wil be used as a guiding tool to the investigators attached to the South African Police Service, who investigates cases of child abuse. The method used in this investigative and evaluative exercise was that of personal interviews with initiates, victims= parents, community leaders, church leaders, christians and the reading of christian education literature. What came out of this investigation is that, indeed, most of the children are abused at the initiation schools. The findings are that, boys are tracked and hijacked to go to the schools for genital circumcission. By way of unpacking the findings, it should be said that there is a little concern from relevant roleplayers, namely; churches, social workers, the police and the entire community, regarding the child abuse that takes place at the initiation schools. Incidents that took place at the initiation schools are, however, not investigated in most of the inatances. Over the years, initiation schools were never guided and channelled by the government. This has led to assault, malicious damage to property and kidnapping. With the implementation of strategies laid down in Chapter 4 and 5 of this research, the situation at Ha-Tshivhasa villages regarding the initiation schools, can be remedied, and effective christian counselling, social worker service and investigation by the police will be embraced. / Dissertation (MA (Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The influence supplementing the micro-elements selenium, zinc and copper during drought feeding on ewe lambs has been studied. Certain parameters of the immune-system were studied at different times during the trial. The accumulation of the elements in the different tissues was investigated with specific emphasis on the accumulation of selenium in blood and plasma. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 30, 60 and 90 to determine the peculiar way in which the selenium levels rise in the whole blood and plasma. Sodium selenite was used as source for selenium, zinc oxide as source of zinc and copper sulphate as source of copper. These three groups of chemical compounds were dosed to two groups of S. A. Mutton Merino lambs (two times a day). A third group of sheep was given only the basic diet which consisted of Smutsvinger hay. Salt and water were given ad lib to all three groups. The supplemented groups (groups 1 and 2) received 1.6 or 3.2 mg selenium/animal/day, 48.1 or 96.2 mg zinc/animal/day and 5 or 10 mg copper/animal/day, respectively. The two supplemented groups showed a tendency to heavier body weights than the control group, but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). This could mean that the supplemented groups were healthier than the control group. The creatine phosphokinase (CK) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities were significantly lower in the supplemented groups than in the control group (CK, P < 0.01 and AST, P < 0.05). This could mean the muscle cell membranes in the supplemented groups were better protected against degradation. There were a tendency for higher primary antibody production against bovine erythrocytes in supplemented groups than in the control group, but with no significant differences (P > 0.05). The selenium levels in tissues and blood (whole blood an plasma) were significantly higher in the supplemented groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). The selenium accumulation in the liver was exceptionally high, even higher than the selenium concentration in the kidneys, which is difficult to explain. Copper levels were significantly higher in group 2 than in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the groups when superoxide dismutase activities were studied (P > 0.05). The conclusion could be drawn that it is necessary to supplement micro-elements which will contribute to the antioxidant status of the animal especially in times of food scarcity and elevated stress in the animals. The supplementation will have a positive economical influence on the production (growth, health and reproduction) of the animal. / Dissertation (MSc (Animal Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

This study sought to investigate how teachers (educators) included Environmental Education in their practice in the context of the new curricula (RNCS) in South Africa. The study goes further to find out how the policy and practice of EE can be understood and explained in some schools and what are the provisions of the new curriculum policy on Environmental Education i.e. what does the new Environmental Education curriculum policy says to teachers about: subject matter, teaching and teaching approaches and teachers conceptions and beliefs in South Africa. A qualitative research study was undertaken where three educators, an HOD and Subject advisor were observed in practice and interviewed. A major finding is that teachers (educators) have begun to prepare their lessons according to the new policy. There is evidence that the teachers are striving to include EE as principle in their daily classroom practice. There is also evidence that the teachers are grappling with the newly introduced approaches that encourage hands-on learning. Although the teachers’ practice seems to be changing in line with the environmental education policy, this study suggests that it is still influenced rather negatively by past experiences, beliefs, policy contradictions and overcrowding in the classrooms. / Dissertation (MEd (Environmental Education))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Curriculum Studies / MEd / unrestricted

The aim of this study was an examination of the patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality in medical law, the causes of actions under which the medical practitioner can be find liable and the grounds of justification or defences and exceptions that the medical practitioner can rely on to rebut the unlawfulness of his or her conduct. The examination was conducted within the framework of the South African, Canadian and American legal systems and particular attention was paid to privacy in the mental health care setting. This analysis necessitated the need to start with an examination of the definitions and concepts of privacy and confidentiality and a discussion of the need and importance thereof in the doctor-patient relationship. This included a discussion of the ethical issues involved. The physician-patient privilege is also examined. In particular the development and protection of the concept of privacy through legislation and constitutional protection is analysed and examined. What is clear is that the right to privacy and confidentiality can never be absolute. The rights of others in society always need to be considered and therefore certain exceptions to maintain confidentiality are allowed, such as the duty to warn an endangered person, and legislation that requires the reporting of notifiable diseases. Likewise, in the modern health care there are many other people, that have a legitimate claim to information, be it for billing purposes, managed care, research purposes, quality assurance or workplace or fraud investigations to name but a few. What is important is that the minimum required information necessary for the purpose for which it is needed, must be given, and that the patient must be informed and give consent to the release of such information. There are also operational difficulties in the modern health care setting that make it difficult to maintain privacy, such as semiprivate rooms and caregiver stations within earshot of waiting rooms. The most important findings are that South Africa is actually in a better position to that of the USA and Canada, in the sense that there is no patchwork of law that protect the right to privacy. We have similar legislation either in place or in the pipeline and not such a confusing array of provincial and national legislation. What still needs to be put into place and what is suggested in the Protection of Personal Information Draft Bill, published by the SALRC, is the office of Information Protection Commissioner. What is also needed is a code of conduct for the health care professional, giving practical guidelines on how to protect health information. Common law privacy jurisprudence will continue to have application in the resolution of privacy disputes. However, in accordance with the principle of constitutional supremacy, a court must test a challenged conduct against all possible relevant provisions of the Bill of Rights, whether the applicant relies on them or not. Any conduct or law that is inconsistent with the Bill of Rights is invalid and the obligations proposed by it must be fulfilled. / Dissertation (LLM (Public Law))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Public Law / LLM / unrestricted