Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Namibia”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

The composition of plasma and interstitial fluid of sheep with the 'wet carcass' syndrome.

Carcasses of sheep from various areas in South Africa and South West Africa (Namibia) show a wet glistening appearance immediately after slaughter. The subcutaneous interstitial fluid of these sheep has a significantly lower protein concentration and colloid osmotic pressure and a significantly higher albumin/globulin ratio than that of normal sheep. These results imply the presence of an oedema and an increased capillary permeability to protein. They suggest that histamine, or an histamine-like substance, mediates the changes.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1994

Suspected cardiac glycoside poisoning in elephants (Loxodonta africana).

Two young (< 2 years old) elephants (Loxodonta africana) died suddenly and simultaneously at Ongava Game Reserve bordering on the Etosha National Park, Namibia. Both elephants showed lung congestion, epi- and endocardial haemorrhages and hyperaemic areas in the mucosa of the stomach and small intestine. Histopathology of the myocardium showed multifocal degeneration and necrosis of muscle fibres accompanied by haemorrhages. Parts of the leaves of the alien plant Cryptostegia grandiflora (Asclepiadaceae) were found in the intestinal tracts of the elephants. These findings suggested that the elephants died from heart failure after ingesting this plant which contains cardiac glycosides.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Expectations of the professional nurse concerning the preceptor's role].

In a study completed in 1991, the focus was on the role fulfillment of the preceptor in staff development in training hospitals in Namibia. An instrument was developed to determine how the nurse experiences this role. After completion of the data gathering process, a factor analysis was done, which proved the construct validity of this instrument. Based on this factor analysis, a conceptual framework for staff development in training hospitals was constructed that could be used as a point of departure in a future study.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1994

Authorship in the East African Medical Journal.

Between 1978 and 1987, Kenyan authors contributed an average of 47% of papers published in the East African Medical Journal (EAMJ), in comparison to 24% originating from Nigeria and 29% from other countries, mainly those in the eastern and central African region. From January 1988 to December 1993, 44.1% of the papers published in EAMJ originated from Kenyan authors as compared to 26.7% from Nigerian authors and 29.2% from authors in other countries. During this six year period, there has been a steady increase in authorship from Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Tanzania, whereas authorship from Uganda and Zambia has declined. Many authors from Saudi Arabia are individuals originally from Nigeria now working in Saudi Arabia. These data indicate that Kenyan authorship has dropped by 3% over the last six years compared to the 1978-1987 period, while that of Nigeria has increased by at least 3% over the same period. During the period under review, EAMJ has attracted papers from as far as China, Turkey, Malaysia, Canada, USA, France, Sweden and Hungary. Similarly, papers have been received from other African countries not previously contributing to the journal; these include: Gabon, Mozambique, RSA, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Burundi, Namibia, Liberia, Egypt, Somalia and Zaire. Possible factors influencing authorship in the EAMJ are discussed.

Africa, Eastern↗
PubMed1993

Canid and viverrid rabies viruses in South Africa.

Historical records suggest that in South Africa rabies was present in viverrids in the early 1800s. In the early 1950s a wave of canine rabies spread from Namibia through Botswana into the northern Transvaal and by 1961 a second front had penetrated south from Mozambique into Swaziland and northern Natal. Today, rabies is regularly confirmed in a number of canid and viverrid species in most regions of South Africa. A panel of anti-nucleoprotein monoclonal antibodies was used to examine 83 virus isolates from these species. Two major reaction patterns, one chiefly confined to viruses from canids and the other to viruses from viverrids, were obtained. In addition, some variation in the reaction patterns of viverrid viruses was observed and spill-over of viverrid virus into canids and vice versa was recorded. Rabies in South Africa appears to behave as two distinct disease entities.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The Expanded Program on Immunization in the WHO African region: current situation and implementation constraints].

The expanded Programme on Immunization in the African region was launched in 1978 and by the mid-eighties, all countries had established national immunization programmes. A mid decade evaluation, conducted in 1985, indicates that the regional immunization coverage was still under 20% for all antigens. For this reason, member states agreed to accelerate the programme. They adopted a resolution declaring 1986 the "African Immunization Year" and pursued implementation of various accelerated efforts until 1990. During the acceleration phase, the political commitment was strong, with the involvement of top national officials and First Ladies in launching the immunization campaign in many countries. The resources required were supplied mainly from external funding agencies. As a result, sixteen countries reached the 80% immunization coverage rates for antigens administered to the infants and remarkable progress has been achieved in the control of the EPI priority diseases. Concerning polio eradication, at least fourteen countries, representing 20% of the regional population have reported zero incidence of poliomyelitis for two consecutive years, during the period 1991-1993. In five of these countries independent teams of international and national experts assessed the quality of the epidemiological surveillance and confirmed that polio cases may have been eliminated. This suggests that a polio-free zone has emerged in the southern part of Africa, where most of these countries are located. In the meantime, an outbreak of poliomyelitis (with 28 cases confirmed by isolation of type 1 poliovirus) was reported from one country (Namibia) where no cases had been reported for the last few years. It is still unclear whether poliovirus was imported or the virus continued to circulate without causing paralytic cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Africa↗
PubMed1994

Emerging polio-free zone--southern Africa, 1990-1994.

A key component of the global strategy to eradicate poliomyelitis by the year 2000 is surveillance for all cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), ensuring the detection of cases of paralytic polio. During the 1990s, most of the countries of southern Africa (Table 1) have reported high (i.e., 70%-90%) levels of vaccination coverage among children aged < 1 year with three doses of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV3). In addition, with the exception of Namibia, all of these countries have reported very low or zero incidence of polio (Table 1, Figure 1). To determine whether the low number of reported polio cases reflects the true incidence or underreporting, during 1992 and 1993 assessments of polio incidence and the quality of surveillance of suspected polio were conducted by teams consisting of national health officials, World Health Organization (WHO) staff and consultants, and representatives from Rotary International, using a standard protocol (1). This report summarizes the findings of assessments in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Academic nurse leaders' interpretation of concepts and priorities related to the examination of scientific short papers, dissertations and theses--Part 1.

The purpose of this study was to establish whether there is agreement among academic nurse leaders in their interpretation of aspects and criteria related to the examination of scientific short papers, dissertations and theses. The Delphi technique was selected as the most appropriate method of data-collection for this type of study. The target population identified for this study consisted of the Heads of Nursing Departments or their delegates from the 18 universities of the four provinces of the RSA, self-governing and independent states of Southern Africa and Namibia, which offer nursing degrees. Three rounds of questionnaires were sent to all heads of the 18 identified nursing departments. Participation was poor (nine participated in first round, nine in second the third round, no further rounds of questionnaires were sent due to the waning interest and poor participation. Many divergent responses were received to most of the aspects included in the study. This indicates that with a few exceptions there is little or no agreement among academic nurse leaders in their interpretation of aspects and criteria relating to the examination of post-graduate scientific or academic treatises.

Academic Dissertations as Topic↗
PubMed1993

Paediatric surgery in the RSA--practice and training.

A survey of the current practice of general paediatric surgery in South Africa and Namibia was conducted by means of a postal questionnaire. One hundred and eighty-one replies were obtained (52%). Analysis showed that although surgeons are located predominantly in the major cities, 18% practised in the larger towns or rural areas. Although paediatric surgery represents a small volume of their work, most surgeons do attend to the surgical needs of children. The majority of surgeons have received some paediatric surgical training but this was considered inadequate by nearly half of all surgeons and by 60% of those who qualified in the last 10 years. Current postgraduate training at most of our universities involves a 3-6-month rotation, but from our survey this is considered insufficient in practice and there appears to have been some deterioration in paediatric surgical training in recent years. Steps needed to maintain paediatric surgical standards are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Characterisation of penA and tetM resistance genes of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in southern Africa--epidemiological monitoring and resistance development.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate penA and tetM resistance gene variation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in order to define gene types for epidemiological monitoring and resistance development. DESIGN: Isolates of N. gonorrhoeae which were susceptible and resistant to penicillin and/or tetracycline were selected. Strains comprised South African isolates (22 from Bloemfontein, 13 from Transvaal, 20 from the Cape) and 15 Botswana and 4 Namibia isolates. The penA genes (2 kb) of all strains and tetM genes (765 bp) of 11 high-level tetracycline-resistant strains were amplified and restricted with HpaII. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Twelve different HpaII fingerprint patterns were obtained from the 74 isolates analysed for penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 2 gene (penA) alterations. Focusing on the transpeptidase domain, 25 isolates (3 whole gene patterns, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) < or = 0.03-0.125 micrograms/ml) had restriction sites equivalent to those previously described for a susceptible strain. Of the remaining 9 PBP 2 gene groups, 25 strains fell into a designated group E. Penicillin/ penicillin + clavulanic acid MICs determined on these group E isolates gave a range of 0.125-2.0 micrograms/ml, although MICs against 4 strains were < or = 0.03 micrograms/ml. MICs of penicillin/penicillin + clavulanic acid for the 24 isolates that contained altered PBP 2 transpeptidase gene regions not designated group E were only < or = 0.03-0.125 micrograms/ml. The lack of a HpaII restriction site at nucleotide 1934 in the PBP 2 gene of group E strains was indicative of a small terminal region of N. cinerea DNA. This gene block, which was found in all the southern African areas studied, appears to predispose isolates to increased penicillin resistance. The 25.2 MDa conjugative plasmid carrying the tetM resistance determinant was readily demonstrated in 11 Botswana/Namibia isolates exhibiting high-level resistance to tetracycline (MICs > or = 16 micrograms/ml). The tetM gene was shown to be of the American type.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗
PubMed1996

Criteria for fitness to stand criminal trial.

OBJECTIVE: To identify criteria whereby triability can be determined. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey. The final rating was decided on the basis of a structured psychiatric interview. SETTING: Oranje Hospital, Bloemfonteln. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 736 questionnaires was sent to 176 judges of the Supreme Court, 480 magistrates and 32 attorneys-general and state advocates in South Africa and Namibia, and 33 psychiatrists and 15 clinical psychologists working in forensic psychiatric units in South Africa. With the information from the completed questionnaires, rating criteria were compiled. The rating criteria were applied by means of a structured interview to 100 persons referred in terms of section 77(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. A multiprofessional psychiatric team was requested to evaluate the same 100 observandi independently. RESULTS: A total of 298 (40.5%) of the questionnaires were returned. From the data of the completed questionnaires, 19 legal items, 17 psychiatric items, 2 special laboratory tests and 2 psychosocial items were identified as the most important and clear diagnostic indications for the evaluation of triability. The similarity between the findings of the researchers and those of the multiprofessional psychiatric team was meaningful to 1% of significance. For the proper application of the criteria a cut-off point of 31 was determined. A score of 31 or higher therefore indicates that a patient is unfit to stand trial, while a score of less than 31 indicates triability. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the proposed final rating criteria as a single method of rating is at the very least just as reliable as the multiprofessional team in evaluating fitness to stand trial. The proposed criteria, used as a single rating instrument, are cost-effective in terms of time and staff, avoid unnecessary hospitalisation and ensure that mentally ill accused will have a fair trial.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Parafilariosis in African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer).

This is the first report on the occurrence of Parafilaria bassoni in the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Previously this parasite has been recorded only in springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) in Namibia. Haemorrhagic perforations (bleeding points), the usual lesions seen in infected animals, were caused by gravid female parasites ovipositing embryonated eggs. These lesions occurred mainly on the dorsal and lateral sides of buffaloes. Complications of these lesions developed in a small number of buffaloes because of secondary bacterial infection [subcutaneous abscesses (3/178)] and as a consequence of a localized Type 1 hypersensitivity [large cutaneous ulcers (7/178)]. Red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorynchus) appeared to play an important role in the epidemiology of this parasite as well as in the pathogenesis of the lesions. They reduced the likelihood of spread by ingesting blood containing embryonated eggs, and caused the development of large ulcers by feeding on superficial necrotic skin. From the results of an ELISA test it was determined that P. bassoni-infected buffaloes occur throughout the Kruger National Park complex, with a seroprevalence of approximately 34%.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Molecular biological screening of viruses important to transfusion medicine].

The usefulness of the direct virus detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) for blood donor screening was investigated, including the following viruses: cytomegalovirus (CMV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV1). Hepatitis C viraemia was detected by RT PCR in 97% of anti-HCV-positive haemophiliacs, in 48% of anti-HCV-positive hepatitis patients, in only 21% of anti-HCV-positive blood donors from North-West Germany, and not at all in 945 blood donors with elevated serum ALT. In order to compare HIV1 detection by PCR and by p24 antigen determination, we tested 34 anti-HIV1-positive AIDS patients for p24 antigen, HIV1 RNA and HIV1 provirus DNA. 97% had HIV1 provirus DNA, 35% had HIV RNA, but only 30% had p24 antigen. A multiplex PCR specific for HBV, HCV and HIV1 (RNA and DNA) was developed for the investigation of a blood donor population from Namibia, where HBV and HIV1 infections occur more frequently than in German blood donors. The prevalence of anti-HIV1 antibodies in this population was 0.6%. HIV1 RNA was never detected in the plasma of 2,569 anti-HIV1-negative donors. HIV1 provirus DNA was present in 75% of the 16 anti-HIV1-positive individuals. None of these anti-HIV1-positive blood donors was also positive for p24 antigen. CMV infections and reactivations in 130 immunocompromised heart transplant patients and in 420 healthy anti-CMV-positive blood donors were monitored using cytochemical detection of CMV early antigen, and PCR. CMV DNA was neither detected in the plasma nor in the leucocytes of any anti-CMV-positive blood donor. During the course of CMV reactivation in immunocompromised heart transplant patients, CMV DNA was always detectable first in granulocytes and afterwards in the plasma. The cytochemical demonstration of CMV early antigen was typically delayed by several days and was observed in only 11% of those blood samples which contained CMV DNA in leucocytes. The determination of CMV DNA in leucocytes proved to be the most sensitive method to detect viraemia. Thus, CMV detection in leucocytes is the method of choice for the monitoring of transplant patients. This method is also promising for blood donor screening. The sensitive routine monitoring of blood donations for virus infections by multiplex PCR is practicable. However, nucleic acid must be extracted both from the plasma and from the cellular compartments of blood in order to detect HIV and CMV provirus DNA. Lysate from EDTA blood is a suitable material for this purpose. The determination of the surrogate marker serum ALT activity is of no use in hepatitis C screening, and determination of p24 antigen is not required in HIV1 screening.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antiquity of postreproductive life: are there modern impacts on hunter-gatherer postreproductive life spans?

Female postreproductive life is a striking feature of human life history and there have been several recent attempts to account for its evolution. But archaeologists estimate that in the past, few individuals lived many postreproductive years. Is postreproductive life a phenotypic outcome of modern conditions, needing no evolutionary account? This article assesses effects of the modern world on hunter-gatherer adult mortality, with special reference to the Hadza. Evidence suggests that such effects are not sufficient to deny the existence of substantial life expectancy at the end of the childbearing career. Data from contemporary hunter-gatherers (Ache, !Kung, Hadza) match longevity extrapolated from regressions of lifespan on body and brain weight. Twenty or so vigorous years between the end of reproduction and the onset of significant senescence does require an explanation.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CYP1A2 polymorphism (C > A at position -163) in Ovambos, Koreans and Mongolians.

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) plays an important role in metabolizing drugs and xenobiotics, and is a possible participant in the development of several human diseases. Recent studies have shown that genetic polymorphism of -163 C > A single nucleotide mutation of CYP1A2 increases the risk of myocardial infarction and modulates CYP1A2 activity. In this study, we investigated the frequency of the -163 C > A mutation in Ovambos (n = 177), Koreans (n = 250) and Mongolians (n = 153) and compared our results with other studies. Detection of this single nucleotide polymorphism was by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP). The frequencies of mutation (CYP1A2*-163A) in the Ovambos, Koreans and Mongolians were 0.46, 0.32 and 0.21, respectively. Ovambos showed a relatively higher frequency of mutation, similar to that of Tanzanians, while the Mongolians showed the lowest frequency of all study groups, including those from previous studies. This study is the first to investigate the distribution of the CYP1A2 (-163 C > A single nucleotide polymorphism) mutant allele in Ovambo, Korean and Mongolian populations.

Adenine↗