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Biomedical subjects

D A van Staden

Publications and source records attributed to D A van Staden.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

The prevalence of homocysteinemia and hypercholesterolemia in angiographically defined coronary heart disease.

Total serum homocysteine and cholesterol levels were determined in 163 male patients with typical angina who were subjected to coronary angiography. The prevalence of homocysteinemia in coronary heart disease (CHD) was 41.9%. Serum homocysteine levels were significantly elevated (p less than 0.05) in patients with major occlusion in two or three coronary arteries. Furthermore, the prevalence of homocysteinemia correlated positively (p less than 0.05) with the number of coronary vessels that were occluded. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 34.9%, but, in contrast to homocysteinemia, no graded strength of association with the number of stenotic coronary arteries could be demonstrated. The results suggest that homocysteinemia may contribute significantly to the development of coronary heart disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Delayed skin hypersensitivity as indicator of T-cell function in three population groups.

Immunological differences between a rural under-developed black population with a low incidence of rheumatoid arthritis, and living according to old traditional ways have been compared with an urban black and urban Caucasian population with a high incidence of the disease. A delayed skin hypersensitivity test for cell-mediated immunity with seven antigens and control was used. The rural group showed a statistically significant inhibition of cell-mediated immunity with 37% showing an anergic response. A matched Caucasian group showed a more marked response while an urban black group occupied an intermediate position. The 37% anergic response in our rural group was seen despite the fact that they were very healthy and their immune systems resisted multiple parasitic and infective onslaughts. From this data interpretation of an anergic response to multiple skin antigen tests in peoples from under-developed populations must be approached with great caution. Whether this altered cell-mediated immunity plays a role in the low incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in under-developed peoples is still speculative.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1985

Antipyrine metabolism in African villagers.

Antipyrine clearance has been measured from serial serum samples in 49 healthy black Africans from a village in Southern Africa. The subjects follow a lifestyle which minimally exposes them to environmental inducing or inhibiting agents. Food is mainly maize cereal with a protein content of only about 8.8%, together with greens. Antipyrine clearance, half-life and apparent volume of distribution (mean +/- SD) were, respectively, 0.538 +/- 0.163 ml min-1, kg-1, 14.81 +/- 6.5 h and 0.626 +/- 0.075 litre/kg. These results do not differ significantly from the mean values found in a group of lactovegetarian Indo-Pakistani immigrants to Britain. This would suggest that the major environmental determinant influencing hepatic mixed-function oxidase activity is the presence or absence of meat in the diet. However, the relative contributions of environment and heredity will be difficult to determine.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Paracetamol metabolism in African villagers.

Paracetamol clearance has been measured from serial serum samples in 49 healthy black Africans from a village in Southern Africa. The subjects are minimally exposed to known environmental inducing or inhibiting agents and the staple diet consists of maize cereal and greens. The mean clearance (+/- SD) was 4.98 +/- 1.61 ml min-1 kg-1, which is significantly faster than the values found in previous investigations with paracetamol in whites and Asian immigrants in London. The mean half-lives were fairly similar but the apparent volumes of distribution were also found to be larger in the present study. The ethnic difference in paracetamol kinetics identified in this study is possibly genetically controlled.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1984

[Ainhum].

Ainhum is an ancient disease described in 1821 by Messum and its origin is still unknown. It is a tropical or semitropical disease seen in Blacks, Whites and Indians which affects the 5th and sometimes the 4th toe and causes spontaneous amputation. Females are more often affected than males, and there is a tendency to geographical clustering of cases and familial occurrence.

Ainhum↗
PubMed1983

[The incidence pattern of certain cancers in the RSA].

The numbers of patients treated for seven types of carcinoma during 1977 at 10 hospitals in South Africa have been reviewed. The total number of patients admitted to the 10 hospitals in 1977 was 286 373. Slightly more than 1%, namely 3 409, of these patients suffered from carcinoma of the cervix, oesophagus, breast, lung, liver, stomach or colon. Carcinoma of the cervix was commonest among Black patients and carcinoma of the colon among Whites. The relative incidence of the different types of carcinoma among Whites was almost the opposite of the sequence among Blacks.

Black People↗
PubMed1982

[Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in a traditional black community].

Throat swabs taken from a group of traditionally living people in a remote area of Venda, with no symptoms of sore throat, revealed the presence of Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci in 1,62% of subjects in the 5 - 25-year age group. This is significantly different from the picture in an urban population in Pretoria where the carrier rate was found to be 16,8%. The incidence is apparently not influenced by the low economic level in the rural area. The organisms in the rural area were found to be less sensitive to sulphafurazole than those in the urban area.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗
PubMed1981

[Beta-hemolytic streptococci as a cause of sore throat in the Pretoria area].

A study was performed in Pretoria on 232 unselected patients who presented with the complaint of sore throat. A throat swab was positive for Lancefield group A beta-haemolytic streptococci in 33,2% of these patients. The incidence was significantly higher in Black patients (45,5%) than in White patients (23,2%) and 12,1% of healthy controls showed a positive culture. No seasonal variation was detected. Throat swabs kept overnight at room temperature were falsely negative for beta-haemolytic streptococci in 43,2% of cases. A correlation was found with certain clinical signs.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1981

[Basic principles in the design of consulting rooms].

The basic principles of the placing and planning of consulting rooms are discussed. Emphasis is placed on optimal use of expensive floorspace by using walls for shelves, and having compact furniture and sliding doors. The effective circulation of doctors and patients in the complex should be a prime consideration. Communication appliances should be planned from the outset. Certain pitfalls are mentioned. Different practices have varying needs but certain basic principles apply to all. Doctors should give careful personal attention to the planning of their consulting rooms and not merely leave it to supposed experts in this field.

Facility Design and Construction↗
PubMed1981

[Primary health care by the hospital physician].

The doctor rendering primary care in a hospital is the key to the whole realm of medical science to the patient. Primary evaluation and emergency care must be accurate, efficient and comprehensive. The traditionally unpopular work in a casualty department and polyclinic can be interesting and provide work satisfaction to family practice trainees if these are well organized. Delegation of routine work to ancillary staff is an important time-saver.

Emergency Service, Hospital↗
PubMed1980

[Ischemic heart disease--a cause of unexpected sudden death in black people].

Myocardial infarction has been found to be a significantly frequent cause of unexpected sudden death in Black males in Pretoria and its vicinity. A study of 758 autopsies performed for unexplained sudden death in Blacks revealed 39 fatal infarcts in 511 males but only 1 in 247 females. The condition became evident in the third decade, rose sharply in the fourth and declined gradually thereafter.

Adult↗