UWCScholar

This repository serves as a digital archive for the preservation of research outputs from the University of the Western Cape

Communities in UWCScholar

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 11

Recent Submissions

A retrospective analysis of post-operative opioid prescribing in a private hospital in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2026) Watt, Erin; van Heerden, Yasmine; Keuler, Nicole
Background: Opioid analgesics remain central to post-operative pain management; however, inappropriate prescribing may contribute to the development of opioid use disorder (OUD). While opioid stewardship is increasingly emphasised globally, there is limited data available describing opioid prescribing practices in South Africa’s private healthcare sector.
The preparation and evaluation of non hygroscopic beads and powders of freeze dried artemisia afra- potential solid dosage forms
(University of the Western Cape, 2011) Egieyeh, Samuel A Yo Dele
The preparation and evaluation of non hygroscopic beads and powders of freeze dried Artemisia afra-potential solid dosage forms Samuel Ayodele Egieyeb M Pharm. Thesis: School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa. Traditional use of herbals is mostly by ingestion of a water decoction of plant partes). This is however not a pharmaceutically acceptable dosage form due to variability during extraction (e.g. quantity of water, temperature of water). Process of freeze drying has however been used to convert aqueous extracts to solid mass that can be formulated into solid dosage forms with uniformity of dose and content assured. A major drawback of this process is that freeze dried extract of most herbal preparations are hygroscopic which makes handling during production difficult and storage expensive. The aim of this study was to prepare non-hygroscopic beads and powders of freeze dried extract of Artemisia afra using alginate. Freeze dried extract of Artemisia afra (FDEA) was prepared and characterised. The FDEA was then incorporated into a matrix of sodium alginate solution (4% w/v) and formed into beads by ionic gelation in 2% w/v calcium chloride. Other modified form of the FDEA-alginate beads were prepared by coating the beads with polyvinyl pyrollidone and forming beads from oil in water emulsion of the FDEA. Freeze dried polymer coated FDEA-alginate beads and FDEA-polymer mix powders were also prepared. The physical characteristics, rate of moisture sorption, moisture isotherm, chemical interactions, crystallinity and release study were assessed for the formulated beads and powder ofFDEA.
Exploring official perceptions of the constraints in providing water services to, peri-urban settlements in Uganda: A case-study of policy formulation in contemporary Bwaise III Parish.
(University of the Western Cape, 2014) Faridah, Mirembe
This study focuses on the contradictory ways officials frame the problem of providing water services in Kampala with specific emphasis on the debates about framing of key factors that constrain delivery. Perceptions about and framing of policy issues implicitly suggest the causes of problems. Policy scholars acknowledge that formulating policy is "messy" and that it is about values, and not as "evidence-based" as is often assumed. Using a social constructionist perspective that stresses that perceptions tell one how people define situations, this study demonstrates the often contradictory ways that state officials see public problems. Drawing on debates about rational and muddling-through approaches, the study uses thirty structured questionnaires and several semi-structured in-depth interviews to explore the narratives of government officials regarding policy formulation in water delivery. The thesis found that almost all officials see rapid growth in population density in informal areas coupled with unplanned settlements as the single biggest combined issue inhibiting progress. Officials favoured market-related solutions even though their diagnosis of the problem suggested more concerted and comprehensive public planning of urban development.
Characterization of potential source rocks of the Prince Albert, Whitehill and Collingham Formations in the Laingsburg sub-basin, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2014) Ferreira, Janine Connie
The present research deals with the characterization of the Lower Ecca Group in terms of sedimentology, mineralogy and organic geochemistry. A field study was conducted in order to characterize the sedimentology and thereby determine the environments of deposition of the Prince Albert, Whitehill and Collingham Formations. In addition, shale samples were subjected to geochemical and mineralogical analyses so as to ascertain its source rock properties. The study utilized X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock-Eval pyrolysis to determine the mineralogy and organic geochemistry of shale from the formationsunder investigation. The sedimentological investigation revealed that the upper Prince Albert Formation is dominated by shale with thin beds of carbonate. These shales are interpreted to have been deposited by suspension settling in a marine environment which was occasionally interrupted by deposition of carbonates that form in a shallow marine environment. The overlying Whitehill Formation consists predominantly of carbonaceous shale with relatively more resistant shale beds also present. The fine sediments are interpreted to have been deposited from suspension settling under anoxic bottom coriditions which would favor the preservation \ " of organic rich material. Deposition of the Whitehill Formation was followed by the Collingham Formation which is dominated by rhythmic deposits of shale and sandstone that are occasionally interrupted by tuff layers. The clay size sediments are interpreted to have been deposited from suspension settling which are interbedded with low density turbidite current deposits in a marine environment. Based on the findings of the field study, it is apparent that the Prince Albert and Collingham Formations were deposited in marine environments, with the Whitehill Formation being deposited in an anoxic environment.
Andrographis paniculata, metformin attenuate hyperglycaemia-induced neuroendocrine toxicity via antioxidant and cholinergic modulation
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2026) Azu, Onyemaechi Okpara; Onanuga, Ismail Olasile; Muniru, Elijah Taiwo
Hyperglycemia is associated with neuroendocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and reproductive dysfunction, often accompanied by cholinergic imbalance and structural tissue damage. This study investigated the comparative effects of Andrographis paniculata (AP), metformin, and their combination on biochemical, hormonal, and histological alterations induced by hyperglycemia in the Wistar rats. Hyperglycemia significantly disrupted hormone profiles, increased oxidative stress and cholinesterase activities and caused degenerative changes in brain and testicles. AP and metformin each restored several parameters, but the combination therapy produced the most substantial improvements. Notably, the combination group exhibited the highest antioxidant levels, lowest cholinesterase activity, restored testosterone, and well-preserved histoarchitecture. Induced neuroendocrine and oxidative alterations. However, the metformin and AP combination therapy demonstrated superior efficacy, suggesting a synergistic interaction in mitigating neuroendocrine toxicity and oxidative stress.Metformin exerted beneficial effects on hyperglycemia-induced neuroendocrine and oxidative alterations. However, the metformin and AP combination therapy demonstrated superior efficacy, suggesting a synergistic interaction in mitigating neuroendocrine toxicity and oxidative stress.