353 results match your criteria: "Central University of Technology[Affiliation]"

End of life tires (ELTs) are a pressing environmental concern due to their non-biodegradable nature and potential release of toxic chemicals, as confirmed by human health exposure studies. The expanding transport sector, driven by the automotive industry, has led to inadequate attention to safe tire disposal. This review extracted papers using keywords such as "waste tire rubber," "waste tire pollution," and "waste tire applications" from 2012 to 2023.

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Contemporary risk factors associated with ischaemic heart disease in central South Africa: a single-centre study.

Cardiovasc J Afr

November 2023

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; Robert WM Frater Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Background: Deaths from non-communicable diseases have increased in sub-Saharan Africa over the years, with limited data on coronary artery disease (CAD) and the risk factors thereof. The objective of this study was to investigate modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in central South Africa in patients with CAD.

Methods: Patients with angiographically confirmed CAD who were evaluated in the catheterisation laboratory for the first time over a two-year period (2016 - 2017) were included.

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A South African Perspective on the Microbiological and Chemical Quality of Meat: Plausible Public Health Implications.

Microorganisms

October 2023

Centre of Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa.

Meat comprises proteins, fats, vitamins, and trace elements, essential nutrients for the growth and development of the body. The increased demand for meat necessitates the use of antibiotics in intensive farming to sustain and raise productivity. However, the high water activity, the neutral pH, and the high protein content of meat create a favourable milieu for the growth and the persistence of bacteria.

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Bovine mastitis is an inflammation of the udder tissue of the mammary gland brought on by microbial infections or physical damage. It is characterised by physical, chemical, and biological changes in the udder and milk. While several different bacterial species have been identified as causative agents of mastitis, many subclinical mastitis (SCM) cases remain culture-negative.

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The effect of monomeric glutaraldehyde fixation and amino acid detoxification on biocompatibility and tissue-guided regenerative potential of decellularized bovine pericardium was evaluated. The degree of cross-linking, porosity, enzymatic degradation, alpha-galactosyl content, the efficacy of detoxification, and cytotoxicity towards human epithelial cells were assessed. Tissue was subcutaneously implanted for eight weeks in male juvenile Sprague-Dawley rats, and mechanical properties, host cell infiltration, and calcification were evaluated.

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Potential distribution of selected invasive alien plants under current and future climate change scenarios in South Africa.

Heliyon

September 2023

University of the Free State, Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Park West, Bloemfontein 9300, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Invasive alien plants are one of the main causes for the decline of native biodiversity worldwide. Hence, it is crucial to understand the dynamics of invasive plants in the context of a changing climate. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the potential distribution of two major invasive alien plants, spp and , under current and future climate change scenarios across South Africa.

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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl. are among the common medicinal plants employed in traditional medicine for treating diabetes and its complications.

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Background: The Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) bacterial isolates that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) contribute to global life-threatening infections.

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Background: South Africa (SA), in 2021, experienced a wave of civil unrest following political events that led to mass looting and the destruction of property. Civil unrests, among other disruptions, have been seen to cause ripple effects on healthcare education, particularly for radiography students who undergo work integrated learning within hospitals and universities, even during these times of unrest.

Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the undergraduate diagnostic radiography students' experience of the civil unrest that occurred in SA in 2021.

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Outcomes of single-ventricle physiology in central South Africa.

Cardiovasc J Afr

August 2023

Division Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. Email:

Introduction: Single-ventricle physiology is a critical cardiac condition requiring early diagnosis and intervention. The objectives of this study were to report on the management and outcomes of patients diagnosed with single-ventricle physiology in central South Africa.

Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational analysis of patients presenting with single-ventricle physiology at the Universitas Academic Hospital in central South Africa between November 1997 and June 2021.

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The development of eco-friendly products to protect the environment has become a topical subject in the research and industrial communities. This is a result of strict environmental regulations necessitating the development of novel strategies to reduce our reliance on petroleum-based products, which exert a negative effect on our ecosystem. Bast-fibre-based hybrids have been extensively studied for various applications due to their eco-friendliness and cost effectiveness.

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The harmful effects following the ingestion of mycotoxin-contaminated food include the induction of cancers, mutagenicity, immune suppression, and toxicities that target organs of the digestive, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. Synthetic fungicides are generally associated with a high toxic residue in food and the development of excessive fungal resistance. This study aimed to determine the antifungal activities against mycotoxigenic fungi of selected South African plant leaves and potentially develop plant-derived bio-fungicides, and, furthermore, to explore the in vitro antioxidant activity and the phytochemical spectra of the compounds of the selected medicinal plant extracts.

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Objectives: Poor prognostic factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated with a more severe form of the disease. Nuclear medicine functional imaging has shown remarkable merit at identifying active disease in patients with RA and is increasingly being used in this regard. However, its prognostic value has not been evaluated thoroughly.

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Background: Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is one of the most economically important diseases affecting the dairy industry. The SCM does not cause visible changes in the udder or physical changes of the milk as compared to clinical mastitis, and a clear overview of the prevalence and risk factors in the different regions of Africa is still lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SCM and assess the associated risk factors and dominant bacterial pathogens among cattle in Africa.

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Size based dependence of patient dose metrics, and image quality metrics for clinical indicator-based imaging protocols in abdominal CT procedures.

Radiography (Lond)

October 2023

Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; Medical Imaging Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia.

Introduction: Diagnostic reference level (DRL) values for computed tomography (CT) based on clinical indication are warranted since imaging protocols are indication-dependent. This study proposes clinical DRL values using the CT dose metrics and five patient size-related parameters while considering image quality.

Methods: The volumetric CT dose index (CTDI), dose-length product (DLP) and five size-related parameters of size-specific dose estimates (SSDE), namely the anterior-posterior (AP) dimension, lateral (LAT) dimension, sum dimension, effective diameter, and the body mass index (BMI), were used to calculate DRL values for CT chest-abdomen-pelvis (CAP) and abdomen-pelvis (AbP) protocols.

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What social determinants will cause ethical challenges in geriatric care? Comments from South Africa.

J Public Health Afr

April 2023

Department of Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Background: Social determinants are defined as those nonmedical factors that influence health. Their influence is especially evident in vulnerable communities, such as the geriatric one. However, which social determinants will cause ethical challenges in geriatric healthcare in South Africa are not yet confirmed.

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(Hua ex Pobég) is used in folk medicine to treat oxidative-stress related diseases, thereby warranting the investigation of its anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. In our previous study, the leaf extract of induced significant cytotoxic effect against several cancerous cells with high selectivity indexes towards non-cancerous cells. The current study aims to isolate natural compounds from , and to evaluate their cytotoxicity, selectivity and anti-inflammatory effects as well as searching for potential target proteins of bioactive compounds.

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Background: The spectrum and outcome of colorectal cancer (CRC) presenting with obstruction is not well studied in low- to middle-income countries (LMIC) and could have implications for health policy. This study aimed to address this deficit in an LMIC setting.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with large bowel obstruction, during the period 2000-2019 from the prospective Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) CRC registry data.

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Houseflies are alleged reservoirs as well as vectors of human and animal pathogens, including bacteria, because they frequently have contact with animal excreta and decaying organic substances. The rapid adaptation process of ingested microbes in the insect gut may involve gene transfer, including antibiotic resistance determinants among different bacterial strains. Six hundred and fifty-seven (n = 657) houseflies were collected from hospices and were identified morphologically and genetically using the , , and barcoding genes.

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Pesticides are an important tool for maintaining and improving the global population's standard of living. However, their presence in water resources is concerning due to their potential consequences. Twelve water samples from rivers, dams/reservoirs, and treated drinking water were collected from Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa.

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Background: Occupational exposure to wood dust may cause respiratory illnesses, while prolonged exposure to loud noise may cause noise-induced hearing loss.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of hearing loss and respiratory symptoms among large-scale sawmill workers within the Gert Sibande Municipality in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study consisting of 137 exposed and 20 unexposed randomly selected workers was undertaken from January to March 2021.

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Introduction: Empirical and anecdotal evidence show that construction projects are delivered on work sites where unsafe acts and conditions abound. Researchers have investigated the strategies that can be adopted to effectively implement health and safety (H&S) in projects so as to reduce the high rates of accidents, injuries and fatalities. However, the effectiveness of these strategies have not been marginally established.

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Background: Theatre personnel can spread healthcare-associated infections through contaminated surgical scrubs. Decontamination of surgical scrubs through optimal methods is important to minimise transmission of microorganisms from theatre personnel's clothing to different areas in the hospital and their homes.

Aim: This study aimed to review the literature on the optimal home and hospital laundering methods for the decontamination of reusable surgical scrubs worn by theatre personnel.

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The present study investigated the ability of leaves infusion (CSI) to modulate major metabolisms implicated in cancer cells survival, as well as to induce cell death in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. MCF-7 cell lines were treated with CSI for 48 h, doxorubicin served as the standard anticancer drug, while untreated MCF-7 cells served as the control. CSI caused 21.

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