Browsing by Author "Hiss, Donavon"
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Item Criteria to facilitate the implementation of woman-centred care in childbirth units of Limpopo Province, South Africa (Part 2)(OASIS OpenJournals, 2013) Maputle, Maria S.; Hiss, DonavonBackground: Facilitation of mutual participation, respectful and egalitarian relationship between the mother and the midwife during childbirth is a critical aspect. This article delineated the criteria that would facilitate the implementation of woman-centred care in childbirth units of the Limpopo Province in South Africa, following a concept analysis described in Part 1. Empirical referents or indicators were used to measure the concept woman-centred care and to validate its existence in reality. These empirical referents were referred to as measurable properties that further verified the concept. Objective: The objective of this article was to formulate criteria that would facilitate implementation of woman-centred care in childbirth units of Limpopo Province in South Africa. Method: Criteria to facilitate the implementation of woman-centred care were formulated by the gathering of information about the topic under review and the use of resources to define the key elements of the criteria which were integrated into the Batho Pele principles. The criteria were then validated by selecting with a vested interest in the successful development and implementation of the criteria. Results: Criteria were formulated to facilitate the implementation of woman-centred care that was integrated within the framework of Batho Pele principles. Conclusion: These formulated criteria for woman-centred care will be used as an institutional self-evaluation tool to enhance implementation of the Batho Pele principles in childbirth units. These criteria will give direction and provide guidelines for the performance of midwifery staff and will also help supervisors to guide staff to improve performance.Item Genomic instability in South African breast cancer patients(2013) Langa, Bridget Cebisile; Abdul-Rasool, Sahar; Hiss, DonavonBreast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignancies in women. Death results from treatment failure and metastatic disease. Thousands of lives might be saved if it was possible to detect and eliminate occult metastatic cells before they become clinically evident. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify new markers to improve treatment options for these patients. Genomic instability is the earliest indication of breast cancer and the use of genomic methodologies is a progress towards early detection and treatment, through the identification of biomarkers that can be translated into novel therapy targets. The interferon regulatory factor-1(IRF-1) gene, localized on chromosome 5q31.1, is believed to act as a tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer. The IRF-1 was found to be inactivated by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in breast cancer suggesting that the loss of its function might be critical to the development of the disease. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK3) signaling pathway mediates key cellular functions and alterations of genes in this pathway, including PIK3CA, serine-threonine protein kinases (AKT1and AKT2), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) and ERBB2, whose expression have been demonstrated to be altered in breast cancer patients. In addition, these genes are linked to treatment resistance. vi In this study, we have investigated allelic loss of IRF-1 gene in primary tumors obtained from patients undergoing mastectomy at Groote Schuur hospital (Cape Town, South Africa). These samples were then further analyzed for the DNA copy number changes of specific genes involved in the PIK3/AKT signaling pathway. Statistical analysis has been performed in order to correlate genomic findings with clinical-histopathological and follow up information from the patients and to establish whether these genes can predict prognosis. Our data analysis has indicated that 46 cases (45.5%) out of 101 cases were informative for the IRF-1 dinucleotide marker used for LOH analysis (Figure 3.1). LOH was detected in 23 of these informative cases (23/46; 50%). No statistical significance was found between LOH at the IRF-1 locus and age (≤50 years or >50 years) (P value = 1.0000) and earlier stage (Stages I and II) (P value= 0.4982) based on Fisher’s exact test. Patients presented a high level of DNA copy number changes in genes involved in the PIK3/AKT pathway. The most frequent changes were observed in the PIK3CA and PTEN genes. PIK3CA presented high copy number in 36.8% of the cases. PTEN was observed with low copy number in 47.5% of the cases. This dissertation shows the effectiveness of genomic methodologies as means for the detection of early breast cancer progression in South African women. The PIK 3/AKT genes can validate the usefulness of breast cancer therapies.Item Platelet - Rich Fibrin (PRF) - The effect of storage time on platelet concentration(South African Dental Association, 2015) Peck, Mogammad T.; Hiss, Donavon; Stephen, L.; Satti, A.; Majeed, AbdulThe aim of this study was to determine whether storage time had a significant effect on the platelet concentration of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). Three blood samples were drawn from each participant into a sterile blood sampling tube. Two of the blood samples were centrifuged to form PRF. The third non-centrifuged sample was used to measure the baseline blood platelet concentration. After PRF had formed, it was removed from the respective test tubes at different time intervals i.e. immediately after centrifugation (Group A) and after 60 min of storage time in the blood collecting tube (Group B). The residual blood from each group was tested for platelet concentration and compared with the baseline reading (as an indirect measure of the platelet concentrate of PRF). The PRF produced in Group A (PRF A) had a mean platelet concentration of 274 + - 57.8 X 109/L, whereas the PRF of Group B (PRF B) was 278 + - 58.2 X 109/L. A statistically significant difference was seen between the groups (p < 0.001).Item Will the new Consumer Protection Act prevent harm to nutritional supplement users?(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2011) Gabriels, Gary; Lambert, Mike; Smith, Pete; Hiss, DonavonBACKGROUND. There is no clear distinction between the regulation of food, supplements and medicines in South Africa. Consequently, grey areas exist in implementing the legislation, particularly in the supplement industry. The increase in supplement sales in South Africa can be attributed to aggressive marketing by manufacturers whose claims are not always supported by published peer-reviewed evidence. Such claims often go unchecked, resulting in consumers being mislead about the role of supplements. As a result of poor regulation, contaminants or adulterants in supplements may also cause insidious effects unrelated to the listed ingredients. AIM. To assess the regulations, legislation, and claims associated with nutritional supplement products in South Africa. METHOD. Peer-reviewed literature and the relevant South African statutes were consulted. RESULTS. The National Health Act incorporates the Medicine Control Council, which is charged with ensuring the safety, quality and effectiveness of medicines, and related matters, including complementary/alternative medicines. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport and Amendment Act provides for testing athletes for using banned substances, but currently does not concern itself with monitoring nutritional supplements for contaminants or adulterants that may cause a positive drug test, which has implications for sports participants and also the health of the general population. The implementation of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) could protect consumer rights if it is administered and resourced appropriately. CONCLUSION. The CPA should promote greater levels of policy development, regulatory enforcement, and consumer education of South Africa's supplement industry.Item Woman-centred care in childbirth: a concept analysis (Part 1)(AOSIS OpenJournals, 2013) Maputle, Maria S.; Hiss, Donavon'Woman-centred care' in childbirth is a process in which a woman makes choices and is involved in and has control over her care and relationship with her midwife. The aim of this paper is to study the concept of woman-centred care through analysis in the context of childbirth. The attributes, antecedents and consequences of this concept are identified, and a model case, a borderline case and a contrary case constructed to achieve conceptual clarity. A concept analysis was undertaken as described by Walker and Avant (2011), with an extensive exploration of domain-specific literature and evidence from various disciplines. It was established from the concept analysis that 'woman-centred care' was complex and experienced individualistically. The analysis indicated that mothers' participation is supposed to be based on a more collaborative relationship and partnership. Participation is exhibited by open communication and the mother's involvement in decision-making, consultation and collaboration with the attending midwife, further characterised by mutual respect and the midwife listening to the mother's views. There is also an exchange of complete and unbiased information, recognition and honouring of cultural diversity and making of informed choices. Through an inductive discovery approach and drawing on inferences, attributes were clustered in an attempt to identify the apparent essence of the concept. From the results of the concept analysis described in this study, the researchers recommend the formulation of criteria that could facilitate implementation and evaluation of woman-centred care and its empirical referents in the context of the Batho Pele principles (Part 2).Item Young South African adults perceptions of parent psychological control and antisocial behaviour(Society for Personality Research (Inc.), 2012) Roman, Nicolette V.; Human, Anja; Hiss, DonavonWe extended prior research by investigating perceptions of parental psychological control as a contributor to young adults’ antisocial behavior in a sample of 382 South African university students aged between 18 and 25 years. Barber’s (1996) measure of parental psychological control and the Youth Self-Report (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1987) questionnaires were administered for data collection. A positive relationship was found between parental psychological control and the antisocial behavior of young adults. Additionally, the results of the hierarchical regression analysis suggest that maternal psychological control, compared to paternal psychological control, was a stronger predictor of antisocial behavior.