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J J Taljaard

Publications and source records attributed to J J Taljaard.

149 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Aspects of the hyoid-larynx complex in forensic pathology.

Post-mortem radiological studies of the hyoid-larynx complex on excised specimens were undertaken. The post-mortem specimens were fixed to polysterene boards by ratio-translucent plastic pins. Radiological examinations revealed a fracture of the left greater cornu of the hyoid bone in a case of suicidal hanging; a fracture through the calcified right superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage in a case of blunt trauma to the left side of the head and neck; and a fracture artefact through the middle of the left greater cornu of the hyoid bone through compression of the structure by manipulation during the process of removal of the neck structures. In each instance the fracture sites were exposed and photographed. The use of a technique which permits a radiological examination of free dissected specimens of the hyoid-larynx complex has many advantages in the medicolegal investigations of injuries of the neck.

Forensic Medicine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Atherosclerosis. Chronic effects of fish oil and a therapeutic diet in nonhuman primates.

Prolonged testing of marine fish oil (FO) as a dietary supplement is necessary because of widespread claims that it is antiatherogenic. The basis for such claims is inadequate because atherogenesis is chronic and may not respond to short-term changes induced by dietary treatments. A proven (vervet) model of atherosclerosis promoted by an atherogenic diet (AD) was used to test dietary supplementation with Atlantic pilchard FO for 20 months in 47 omnivorous nonhuman primates. Responses were controlled against known favorable effects of changing from the AD to a therapeutic diet (TD). Compliance was achieved, and tissue responses to the FO dose were confirmed. Compromise of reflex vasoconstriction by atherosclerosis was demonstrated for the first time in the model. Aortic, peripheral, coronary, and cerebral atherosclerosis were assessed by light microscopy and computerized image analysis. No component of atherosclerosis regressed after dietary FO, and several deteriorated. After a change to the TD, stainable lipid was cleared from aortas and there were few lipophages, but advanced atherosclerosis was not reduced. Male vervets developed more severe atherosclerosis than did females, and the association among aortic, peripheral, and coronary atherosclerosis was positive in males. Females were resistant to coronary atherosclerosis. Only mild cerebral atherosclerosis was detected. In conclusion, the FO used was not antiatherogenic in the model, and there is a need for caution. The TD regresses some components of atherosclerosis, but it was not effective against fibrosis, mineralization, and cholesterol crystals within 20 months.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prosthetic valve obstruction at Tygerberg Hospital between January 1991 and February 2001.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic valve obstruction is a relatively rare, but potentially fatal complication in patients with prosthetic heart valves. The diagnosis and appropriate management of these patients present a challenge to both the cardiologist and the cardiac surgeon. Despite efforts over the last 30 years to prevent this complication, it remains a lifelong risk. Obstruction is caused by pannus formation, thrombus formation or a combination of pannus and thrombus. Valve replacement has traditionally been the treatment of choice. METHODS: Patients were selected from echocardiography and surgical reports between January 1991 and February 2001. All patients were analysed with regard to demographic information, clinical features, imaging results, treatment and outcome data. INR values on presentation were obtained from hematology archives. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients presented on 34 occasions. There were 25 women and seven men. Obstruction occurred in the mitral position in 56% of cases and in the aortic position in 44% of cases. All but two valves were St Jude bileaflet valves. Patients generally presented with sever dyspnoea (NYHA class IV in 64.7%) and poor anticoagulation control (INR < 2.5 in 75.8% ). The initial imaging modality used in all cases was transthoracic echocardiography. Fluoroscopy was used in five cases transesophageal echocardiography in only two cases. Valve replacement was performed on 20 patients, six patients received thrombolysis and the remaining eight patients did not receive any treatment. Outcome was poor with an overall mortality of 643.7%. CONCLUSION: Given the extremely high mortality rate with current management, the treatment of prosthetic valve obstruction with thrombolysis in selected patients deserves consideration in a prospective study.

Adolescent↗