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- Cluver, C. A., et al.
(author)
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The association of prenatal alcohol exposure on the cognitive abilities and behaviour profiles of 4-year-old children: a prospective cohort study
- 2019
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In: Bjog-an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. - : Wiley. - 1470-0328 .- 1471-0528. ; 126:13, s. 1588-1597
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectiveTo examine the association of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on cognitive abilities and behaviour profiles of 4-year-old children. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingCape Town, South Africa. PopulationA cohort of 500 children. MethodsChildren from the Safe Passage Study, which prospectively collected PAE, were included. Cognition and behavioural profiles were assessed. Children with and without PAE were compared. Mean scores were compared, with P <= 0.05 considered significant. Results were adjusted for confounding factors. Main outcome measuresThe Kaufman Assessment Battery for children measured intellectual and mental ability; the NEPSY-II instrument assessed neurocognitive performance. The caregiver completed the Preschool Child Behaviour checklist to rate the child's problem behaviours and competencies. ResultsTwo hundred children had no PAE, 117 children had mild to moderate PAE (with no binge episodes), 113 children had heavy PAE (with one or two binge episodes), and 70 children had very heavy PAE (with three or more binge episodes). Women who binge drank had significantly higher rates of smoking, marijuana use, and methamphetamine use. Low to moderate PAE had no effect on cognitive ability and behaviour. Very heavy PAE was associated with problems performing simultaneous as well as sequential functions, lower scores in the language and sensorimotor domain, and more attention and pervasive developmental problems. ConclusionsLow to moderate PAE was not associated with cognitive processing or developmental problems. Women who had many binge drinking episodes during pregnancy were the most at risk for cognitive processing, neurocognitive, and behaviour problems in their children at 4 years of age. Tweetable abstractLow to moderate prenatal alcohol use was not associated with cognitive or behavioural problems in 4-year-olds. Tweetable abstract Low to moderate prenatal alcohol use was not associated with cognitive or behavioural problems in 4-year-olds.
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| 3. |
- Hamann, M., et al.
(author)
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Scenarios of Good Anthropocenes in southern Africa
- 2020
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In: Futures. - : Elsevier BV. - 0016-3287 .- 1873-6378. ; 118
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the rapidly changing and uncertain world of the Anthropocene, positive visions of the future could play a crucial role in catalysing deep social-ecological transformations to help guide humanity towards more sustainable and equitable futures. This paper presents the outcomes from a novel visioning process designed to elicit creative and inspirational future scenarios for southern Africa. The approach based scenario development on seeds of good Anthropocenes, i.e. existing initiatives or technologies that represent current, local-scale innovations for sustainability. A selection of seeds was used to create four distinct, positive visions in a participatory workshop process. Common themes that independently emerged in all four visions were i) decentralized governance and decision-making; ii) a strong emphasis on equity and empathy; iii) high levels of connectedness between people; and iv) a reinforced, respectful relationship with nature. The visions mainly differ in the extent of fusion between people and technology in everyday life, and how much nature plays a role in defining the human experience. The narratives presented here describe worlds that have undergone a more significant paradigm shift towards shared human values and stewardship of resources than is explored in most other ambient narratives for the region. These Good Anthropocene scenarios therefore demonstrate more radical, previously unimagined ways of thinking about sustainability futures on the African continent and beyond.
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| 4. |
- Ismail, Naadhira O, et al.
(author)
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Antimicrobial function of short amidated peptide fragments from the tick-derived OsDef2 defensin.
- 2019
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In: Journal of Peptide Science. - : Wiley. - 1075-2617 .- 1099-1387. ; 25:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Previously Os, a 22 amino acid sequence of a defensin from the soft tick Ornithodoros savignyi, was found to kill Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at low micromolar concentrations. In this study, we evaluated synthetic peptide analogues of Os for antibacterial activity with an aim to identify minimalized active peptide sequences and in so doing obtain a better understanding of the structural requirements for activity. Out of eight partially overlapping sequences of 10 to 12 residues, only Os(3-12) and Os(11-22) exhibit activity when screened against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Carboxyamidation of both peptides increased membrane-mediated activity, although carboxyamidation of Os(11-22) negatively impacted on activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The amidated peptides, Os(3-12)NH2 and Os(11-22)NH2 , have minimum bactericidal concentrations of 3.3 μM against Escherichia coli. Killing was reached within 10 minutes for Os(3-12)NH2 and only during the second hour for Os(11-22)NH2 . In an E. coli membrane liposome system, both Os and Os(3-12)NH2 were identified as membrane disrupting while Os(11-22)NH2 was less active, indicating that in addition to membrane permeabilization, other targets may be involved in bacterial killing. In contrast to Os, the membrane disruptive effect of Os(3-12)NH2 did not diminish in the presence of salt. Neither Os nor its amidated derivatives caused human erythrocyte haemolysis. The contrasting killing kinetics and effects of amidation together with structural and liposome leakage data suggest that the 3-12 fragment relies on a membrane disruptive mechanism while the 11-22 fragment involves additional target mechanisms. The salt-resistant potency of Os(3-12)NH2 identifies it as a promising candidate for further development.
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