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The incidence of metabolic disorders in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) endemic settings is a prevailing burden in developing countries. Cholesterol homeostasis and fat metabolism are altered by HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART), thereby possibly contributing to complications such as gallstone formation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate established risk factors for the formation of cholesterol gallstones in black South African women living with HIV (WLHIV).

A case series study was conducted of all black South African women undergoing cholecystectomy for gallstone disease over a 1-year period at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa. Age, body mass index (BMI), family history of gallstones, oestrogen exposure and lipograms were compared between WLHIV and uninfected women. Categorical variables were tested using either the Fisher's exact test or Pearson's chi-square test. Means were compared using independent

-tests. For non-normally distributed data, the Mann-Whitney U test was usee role of HIV and ART in cholestatic disease.

The age of occurrence of gallstone disease amongst black South African WLHIV was significantly lower and fewer women were obese compared with the uninfected women with gallstone disease. These findings differ from known gallstone risk factors in other populations and in uninfected black South African women. This could be attributed to the metabolic alterations caused by HIV infection itself and/or to the long-term use of ART. Larger cohort studies are required to elucidate the role of HIV and ART in cholestatic disease.

The proportion of individuals with a history of exposure ('pre-exposure') to antiretrovirals (ARVs) prior to formal initiation into antiretroviral treatment (ART) is unknown.

This study describes the detection of ARVs in plasma and/or hair, of persons who self-reported no pre-exposure to ART at their first-time initiation onto ART in three clinics in the province of Limpopo, South Africa (SA).

Concentrations of tenofovir (TDF), emtricitabine (FTC) and efavirenz (EFV) in the plasma and hair of individuals initiating ART were analysed using a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Next generation sequences of HIV polymerase gene were analysed with Geneious software 11.15, and drug resistance (DR) mutations were determined according to the Stanford HIV Drug-Resistance database. Participants' demographic data were collected on a structured questionnaire. Data that describe prior exposure to ARV were also collected by this self-reporting method.

Paired blood and hair saanation. A larger study at multiple sites and regular DR surveillance of ART-naïve PLWH will be necessary to confirm the generalisability of these findings to the wider South African population.

Antiretroviral levels in the hair of individuals initiating treatment imply prolonged prior-exposure to that ARV. The presence of ARV in plasma and hair of persons living with HIV (PLWH) who deny ARV-use, requires an explanation. A larger study at multiple sites and regular DR surveillance of ART-naïve PLWH will be necessary to confirm the generalisability of these findings to the wider South African population.[This corrects the article DOI 10.4102/sajhivmed.v20i1.1010.].Stimuli-responsive materials that exhibit a mechanical response to specific biological conditions are of considerable interest for responsive, implantable medical devices. Herein, we report the synthesis, processing and characterization of oxidation-responsive liquid crystal elastomers that demonstrate programmable shape changes in response to reactive oxygen species. Direct ink writing (DIW) is used to fabricate Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) with programmed molecular orientation and anisotropic mechanical properties. LCE structures were immersed in different media (oxidative, basic and saline) at body temperature to measure in vitro degradation. Oxidation-sensitive hydrophobic thioether linkages transition to hydrophilic sulfoxide and sulfone groups. The introduction of these polar moieties brings about anisotropic swelling of the polymer network in an aqueous environment, inducing complex shape changes. 3D-printed uniaxial strips exhibit 8% contraction along the nematic director and 16% orthogonal expansion in oxidative media, while printed LCEs azimuthally deform into cones 19 times their original thickness. Ultimately, these LCEs degrade completely. In contrast, LCEs subjected to basic and saline solutions showed no apparent response. These oxidation-responsive LCEs with programmable shape changes may enable a wide range of applications in target specific drug delivery systems and other diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

The role of psychosocial determinants of overweight and obesity is receiving attention in South African literature. South Africans tend to exhibit an inaccurate perception of their body weight.

The purpose of this study was to determine levels of body satisfaction in female staff members working in primary schools in Mangaung, Bloemfontein.

Mangaung is a peri-urban area in Bloemfontein in the Free State province of South Africa.

Female staff members over the age of 18 years were invited to participate in the study. Anthropometric measurements of weight and height were measured using standardised techniques to calculate body mass index (BMI). selleck Waist circumference (WC) was measured as an indicator of risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Weight satisfaction was measured using a structured, self-administered body satisfaction questionnaire.

The majority of the staff members (71.3%) were classified as obese (BMI > 30 kg/m

); similarly a majority of them were at a high risk of NCDs according to WC. A little over a third (34.8%) of the women perceived themselves to have a normal weight. The majority of the women who had no concern with their body image were obese (59.1%) and only 8.7% of the women in this study were markedly concerned with their body image. Of the 60.9% of women who reported having attempted to lose weight, 38.6% reported using exercise and 30.0% used water as a weight loss method.

Women's awareness of a healthy weight should be promoted if efforts to achieve weight loss are to be effective.

Women's awareness of a healthy weight should be promoted if efforts to achieve weight loss are to be effective.