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Analyzing free fatty acids in seminal plasma from asthenozoospermia patients undergoing antioxidant therapy
(SBRA - Associação Brasileira de Reprodução Assistida (Brazilian Society of Assisted Reproduction), 2025) Henkel, Ralf; Amirjannati, Naser; Asl, Mahdieh Aghabalazadeh
Objective: Different aspects of the functions of free fatty acid (FFA) in seminal plasma and their implications on male fertility are known. However, the profile of FFA in seminal plasma in asthenozoospermic patients following antioxidant therapy has not been studied. Methods: In this case-control study, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and FFA profile of the seminal plasma were determined in 80 patients (29 normozoospermic volunteers and 51 asthenozoospermic men) who were treated with antioxidants for three months. Results: The TAC level in normozoospermic men was significantly higher than in asthenozoospermic men before and after antioxidant therapy with even lower values after the treatment (p=0.0001). The most abundant identified FFAs in seminal plasma were palmitic acid, vaccenic acid, eicosatrienoic acid, stearic acid, and myristoleic acid. Palmitic acid was lower in asthenozoospermic patients (p=0.0001), and antioxidant treatment restored its level to near-control levels. Compared to normozoospermic controls, the level of eicosatrienoic acid is significantly lower in asthenozoospermia patients before (p=0.01) and after treatment (p=0.0001). Additionally, following oral antioxidant supplementation, the FFA pattern in asthenozoospermic patients changes to the pattern observed in normozoospermic men. However, these changes are not statistically significant. Conclusions: The TAC level in asthenozoospermic patients after antioxidant treatment did not change to the levels in the control group; it even dropped to a lower level following three months of treatment. Antioxidant treatment can change the level of the FFA compositions of seminal plasma
Mapping the transition of adolescents to adult HIV care: a mixed-methods perspective from the Cape Town Metropole, South Africa
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Petinger, Charné; van Wyk, Brian; Crowley, Talitha
(1) Background: Globally, an estimated 1.7 million adolescents (aged 10–19 years) were living with HIV in 2023, with 82% residing in sub-Saharan Africa. For ALHIV, transitioning to adult care involves assuming responsibility for their own health and disease management, posing significant challenges to persistent engagement in care. There is a paucity in health policies guiding this transition in many sub-Saharan African countries. Overburdened and poorly functioning health systems struggle to provide optimal care for ALHIV amidst the rising HIV pandemic in this priority population. (2) Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods design, comprising a descriptive qualitative study with healthcare workers and managers and a cross-sectional survey to examine the practices and pathways in which the transition to adult HIV care occurs in the Cape Town Metropole, South Africa. (3) Results: We delineate three distinct ways in which transition occurs (transfer-only, adolescent-friendly, and supportive transition). A successful transition involves a sufficient level of self-management of their chronic condition and healthcare journey, which is preceded by adequate preparation pre-transition, and the monitoring of engagement post-transition. This ideally requires developing relevant health policies and implementing guidelines signaling political will and providing the impetus and agency of implementation at the service level in South Africa.
Meaning of place: a case study of congolese male migrants creating a sense of belonging through barbershops in Wesbank township
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Siletile, Bernize; Holland-Muter, Susan
This research study is set to focus on the everyday living experiences of male Congolese migrants who are living in a South African township called Wesbank. The study explores how African transnational migrants, such as the Congolese, create a sense of belonging through barbershop spaces to integrate into the broad community of Wesbank. Undoubtedly, helpful research studies have been conducted in the area (Blommaert et al., 2005; Velghe, 2012; Dyers, 2018). However, no in-depth research focuses on African transnational migrants and how they interpret the meaning of place based on their everyday living experiences. As a result, this research fills that gap by conducting a study on selected male Congolese barbershops in the Wesbank township, with the participants being Congolese barbers and Congolese clients who are the target. The argument of this study posits that male Congolese migrants residing in Wesbank, in their position as African transnational migrants, use barbershop spaces for community-building, to integrate and create a sense of belonging, and to engage in cultural exchange. In summation, Wesbank has become a place that has significant meaning to the Congolese community, and this research study helps us to understand that by exploring their everyday living experiences.
Drawing upon the theoretical framework of belonging as a foundation for this research, the study explores the experiences of Congolese migrants and their relationship with notions of belonging, identity, and place. Through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, the study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of Congolese migrants in Wesbank and the use of barbershops to create connections and meanings they ascribe to their location, sense of self, and belonging. The data for this research was collected at the barbershops. The methodological approach that was undertaken by this study was a qualitative approach, given that the research looked at the experiences of male Congolese migrants and their establishment of belonging through barbershops.
A fragmented history: visual sites of trauma in Zoë Wicomb's works of fiction
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Petersen, Charlise Wall; Wittenberg, Hermann
Words cannot express my gratitude towards my supervisor, Dr Hermann Wittenberg, whose patience, words of encouragement, and outstanding feedback challenged my growth, and gave me the confidence to complete this thesis. I am also grateful for The University of the Western Cape which has always been a welcoming space to conduct my research, and for the Arts Faculty and English Department staff members whose professionalism and passion for learning helped to shape the academic I am today. I am indebted to the generosity of the A.W. Mellon Foundation which allowed me academic freedom, and without which I would not have accomplished this goal. I also wish to offer sincere thanks to my supportive friends and family, both nationally and internationally. Their prayers, texts and words of encouragement truly kept me going. In addition, I would be remiss not to offer a special word of thanks to my amazing mother who is unwavering in kindness and love, and whose support and enthusiasm carried me through the tough times. I hope this achievement makes her proud. I am also grateful for the support of my wonderful husband. He kept me smiling and motivated, carrying the load with me. I am thankful for his loving patience which made this task less daunting. Most chiefly, I owe this achievement to my God whose faithfulness I lean on, and who gave me this passion for academia and writing. All glory belongs to Him.
Community giving among the !xun san group in Platfontein, Northern Cape, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Nogqaza, Bonelwa; Makhetha, Trevor
The present study deploys the Social Capital theory as a framework to explore the practices of Community Giving among the !Xun San community in Platfontein in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The principal aim of the study was to understand the practices of Community Giving and their meaning to the givers and the recipients in a specific community. The motivations of both giving and receiving were of interest to this study. As a theory, Social Capital is invested in the importance of social relations, human networks in society, social connections and trust as a social ideal. Giving and receiving happen in a social and communal context that can be examined and understood. The proponents of Social Capital theory as it is used in this study are Pierre Bourdieu, Robert Putman, and James Coleman. The qualitative methodological approach was employed in this study to collect the relevant data. Semi structured focus group interviews and semi-structured interviews of individual research participants were utilised as the data collection tools of the study. Key amongst the findings of the study is the importance of human relations, and social networks in the practices of giving and receiving in a specific community. This highlights that the practices of giving and receiving that are pursuant to them vary according to contexts and cultures. The relevance of various factors that influence giving and receiving, including the politics involved, is fleshed out in this study. This study notes that, primarily, the acts of giving may be understood from the values and ethos of the philosophy and practice of Ubuntu, however, a deeper observation reveals the presence and impact of power dynamics and relations that come into play on the ground where giving and receiving take place. Also notable in this study is that the acts and practices of Community Giving are not static but are influenced by changes in the environment, culture, and other socio-geographic factors. A notable and significant limitation of this study is that the research was conducted within a particular group of Xunthali speakers in Platfontein, as such the findings may not be simplistically generalised to the other parts of Platfontein, especially where the Khwe community is located. Over and above the notable limitation, this study, in its limited way, contributes to the literature and scholarship in the discipline and profession of Sociology.