My work investigates both the objective and the subjective nature of my intimate relationship with nature. I explore my embrace of both art and science, the realistic and the abstract in my search for the immanence of goodness in creation. From a grain of pollen to a beautiful blossom to a decaying pod, the natural world celebrates life’s insistence on recreating itself. All around me, nature is quietly dancing to a peaceful song of restoration and balance that offers me hope of a continuance and beauty in spite of the neglect I sometimes offer in return. My recent work, in paintings, prints, and mixed media, features the unassuming forms of plants from backyard gardens and neighborhood walks, both those that are cultivated and those that spring up as weeds.

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Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Wound healing is a complex process that involves several overlapping and interacting biological pathways. The consequences of delayed or abnormal wound healing may result in tissue formation that has impaired function or structural abnormalities. As a result, clinicians have sought ways to enhance this process. Recently, the use of autologous platelet concentrates have become popular in the management of wound healing sites. However, controversy exists as to how these biomaterials should be prepared and applied. We therefore sought to investigate whether a biologically viable and clinically effective platelet concentrate could be prepared using standard laboratory equipment. The findings are presented in a series of articles that have been published in peer-reviewed journals. The results suggest that the experimental platelet concentrate produced, has a morphological structure that consists of a dense fibrin network intermingled with platelets, has the ability to accelerate cellular growth in-vitro, has no adverse effects on cells in-vitro, can concentrate and release a systemically ingested antibiotic over a period of 24 hours in-vitro, can be stored for at least 60 minutes without showing signs of deterioration, and has shown clinical evidence of accelerating wound healing in sinus augmentation and alveolar ridge preservation procedures. The reduced cost of producing such a biomaterial allows it to be available to resource poor settings and to wider range of healthcare providers as compared to standard platelet concentration techniques. Further studies are required to investigate the clinical potential of this promising biomaterial.

The development of bone regeneration materials to support new bone formation is an active field of research. This report describes the development and characterization of a novel composite scaffold made of a chitosan-alginate co-polymer hydrogel matrix and eggshell (ES) particles. Scaffolds with ES particles or with nanotextured ES (NTES) particles following treatment with phosphoric acid were compared to scaffolds without particles. The scaffolds with particles exhibited a higher porosity and a larger median pore size. Their mechanical strength remained low, but both scaffold types were more resistant to deformation following compression than the scaffolds without particles. The osteogenic potential of the scaffolds was then evaluated with human bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from four different donors. Results showed that the inclusion of ES or NTES particles significantly increased MSC adherence and viability, as well as alkaline phosphatase activity in the scaffolds. A change of cell morphology and a small, although not statistically significant, increase of osteogenic protein expression (RUNX2 and osteopontin) were also observed at later time points (days 14 and 21). Overall, this research highlights the potential of ES for bone regeneration applications, opening the door for a high-value repurposing of a current industrial waste product.

Faculty of Health sciences School of Medicine 0420338r juneteare@yahoo.co.uk / This study, in non-human primates (Papio ursinus), evaluated the healing potential of recombinant human transforming growth factor-3 (rhTGF-3) when implanted in exposed periodontal furcation defects either by direct application to the defect or by transplantation of rhTGF-3-instigated heterotopic bone as source of autogenous bone. Class II furcation defects were surgically created bilaterally in the first and second molars of both the mandible and the maxilla of four clinically healthy adult baboons. Simultaneously, autogenous bone was induced bilaterally within the rectus abdominis muscle of the baboons using rhTGF-3. Forty days later, the periodontal defects were implanted with rhTGF-3 in Matrigel® as delivery system, or rhTGF-3 plus muscle tissue in Matrigel®, or with the harvested rhTGF-3-induced autogenous bone. Sixty days after periodontal implantation, the animals were euthanased and the molars harvested together with the surrounding tissue. Histological analysis was performed by light microscopy and digital imaging computer software. The extent of regeneration was assessed by measuring area and volume of new alveolar bone, height of new alveolar bone and height of new cementum. The results, compared to controls, showed pronounced periodontal tissue regeneration in experimental defects. The most noteworthy healing was observed in defects implanted with heterotopically induced autogenous bone as well as those implanted with rhTGF-3 plus muscle tissue. The findings of this study suggest that rhTGF-3 applied directly to a defect, or rhTGF-3-induced autogenous bone, transplanted to a defect, have significant regenerative capabilities in periodontal tissue regeneration of nonhuman primates Papio ursinus.

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Student Number : 9805976V - MSc research report - School of Architecture and Planning - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / This report explores the link between social housing and urban regeneration in Johannesburg. Social housing emerged to provide housing for people earning between R1 500 and R3 500, while regenerating and integrating the inner city. In Johannesburg social housing institutions operate in the context of the municipality’s Vision 2030, implemented through the Inner City Urban Regeneration Strategy whose focus is on renovating buildings in the inner city, with the increase property prices and attract investment. From this it is hypothesized that the objectives of social housing and urban regeneration are in conflict with one another because social housing is meant for low income a specific income group which will not be able to afford rent when property prices increase. The case study focus is the contribution that Johannesburg Housing Company as a social housing institution makes to property –led urban regeneration of the City of Johannesburg and the eKhaya Neighbourhood Programme it initiated in the Pietersen Street, Hillbrow. The report flags out the issues of who the beneficiaries of social housing are, whether the objectives of social housing and urban regeneration are in conflict or in synergy with each other, the implications of urban regeneration o property prices and the impact of this on the ability of social housing to accommodate low income earners in the inner city. This report is looked at from the theoretical angle, which acknowledges multiculturalism, communication and power struggles and conflicting rationalities.

This work investigated the combined technology of adsorption on hydrophobic molecular sieves (zeolites) and direct UV (254 nm) photolysis for removing estrone (E1) from water. The target compound estrone belongs to the group of endocrine-disruptor compounds (EDCs) that are raising more and more concern due to increasing evidence of their adverse estrogenic effects on aquatic organisms and humans. Current wastewater treatment processes remove less than 80% of estrone on average. However, because of its strong biological potency, small amounts are still able to exert adverse estrogenic effects on aquatic systems. Consequently, advanced treatment technologies have been investigated in the hope of reaching higher removal efficiency. Adsorption of estrogens on hydrophobic zeolites in this work is a potential new alternative. Based on the hydrophobic nature of estrogens including E1, two types of zeolites, dealuminated Y (DAY) and silicalite-1, and a type of granular activated carbon Centaur® activated carbon (GAC) were evaluated for adsorption capacity. The results demonstrated that DAY is the best adsorbent for E1 in that 99% E1 can be removed by DAY. Silicalite-1 was the least effective. Moreover, adsorption of E1 to DAY is much faster. Estrone reached adsorption equilibrium in 4 hours on DAY versus 8 days for GAC. The adsorption data of DAY for E1 were fit to the Freundlich and Langmuir equations and the maximum adsorption capacity is estimated as 74 mg E1/g DAY. Direct UV photolysis of E1 in solution was also evaluated. Short-wave UV (ë = 254 nm) degraded E1 in solution much more effectively than long-wave UV-light (ë = 365 nm). No significant increase in degradation of E1 in UV photolysis was found with the addition of hydrogen peroxide. The regeneration of E1-contaminated DAY was investigated by a series of adsorption/direct UV (ë = 254nm) irradiation cycles. No significant deterioration of adsorption capacity of DAY was observed over nine adsorption/regeneration cycles.

Chronic liver disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Transplantation is the only effective treatment for end-stage disease but is limited by organ availability, surgical complications and risks of long term immunosuppression. Novel therapies for advanced disease are therefore required. The liver has a remarkable capacity to regenerate through division of mature hepatocytes, however in chronic or severe disease hepatocyte replication fails, senescence occurs and liver failure ensues. Ductular reactions (DRs), containing hepatic progenitor cells capable of repopulating the parenchyma, arise in chronic liver injury when hepatocyte regeneration is impaired. Enhancing this endogenous repair mechanism is a key therapeutic goal. Notch and Wnt are key signals required for liver regeneration, however to date they have principally been characterised in end-point disease and the temporal kinetics of these signalling pathways not known. I sought to identify if these signals control expansion of DRs after hepatocyte injury and whether they can be therapeutically manipulated. I examined the dynamics of Notch and Wnt activity using a genetic model of hepatocellular injury and ductular-mediated regeneration whereby induction of injury could be timed, synchronising the regenerative response. Using lineage tracing, small molecules, blocking antibodies and genetic loss of function experiments I defined distinct time-sensitive Notch and Wnt signatures where early regeneration is driven by Notch and the later response by Wnt. I demonstrated that inhibition of Notch1 and Notch3 but not Notch2 reduces the generation of DRs. I identified that DRs were a source of potent growth hormone IGF1 and this production was Wnt driven. Notch driven expression of IGF1-receptor within DRs identified this axis as a node for cooperation between Notch and Wnt signals. Blocking the IGF1 axis prevented DR expansion, which conversely could be enhanced by administration of recombinant IGF1. Here, I functionally defined complex temporal dynamics controlling of DRs and identified therapeutic pathways to enhance liver regeneration.

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