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tion that might benefit from additional or more targeted information. The health agencies should attempt to provide better information about heatwaves to those vulnerable (elderly, those at risk living in London, low income earners) or identify any barriers that might be preventing them from undertaking protective behaviour.Spermatogenesis is the cellular process by which spermatogonia develop into mature spermatids within seminiferous tubules, the functional unit of the mammalian testis, under the structural and nutritional support of Sertoli cells and the precise regulation of endocrine factors. As germ cells develop, they traverse the seminiferous epithelium, a process that involves restructuring of Sertoli-germ cell junctions, as well as Sertoli-Sertoli cell junctions at the blood-testis barrier. The blood-testis barrier, one of the tightest tissue barriers in the mammalian body, divides the seminiferous epithelium into 2 compartments, basal and adluminal. The blood-testis barrier is different from most other tissue barriers in that it is not only comprised of tight junctions. Instead, tight junctions coexist and cofunction with ectoplasmic specializations, desmosomes, and gap junctions to create a unique microenvironment for the completion of meiosis and the subsequent development of spermatids into spermatozoa via spermiogenesis. Studies from the past decade or so have identified the key structural, scaffolding, and signaling proteins of the blood-testis barrier. More recent studies have defined the regulatory mechanisms that underlie blood-testis barrier function. We review here the biology and regulation of the mammalian blood-testis barrier and highlight research areas that should be expanded in future studies.
Social support provided to caregivers of children has been shown to be protective for caregiver health, parenting and child psychosocial outcomes. However, little work in Southern Africa provides insight on the relationship between caregiver social support and child wellbeing. This report discusses exploratory qualitative findings from a larger mixed methods study, on caregivers' perceptions of the pathways through which received support affects their children's lives.
In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 adult primary caregivers of children (aged 10-17 years) living in an HIV-endemic resource-constrained urban South African community. Thematic analysis of the data was supported by NVivo.
Caregivers perceived the social support they received to positively affect their children's health and behaviour, both directly and through a positive influence on their (the caregivers') mental health, parenting and decision making. Information, advice and encouragement emerged as key types of support explaining perceived effects.
Future research should continue to explore pathways explaining the relationship between caregiver social support and child psychosocial wellbeing with similar populations, and quantitatively investigate direct and indirect effects of potential mediating factors. Findings speak both to the importance of psychosocial support for parenting interventions and the potential to strengthen child-focused interventions through the broader family social network.
Future research should continue to explore pathways explaining the relationship between caregiver social support and child psychosocial wellbeing with similar populations, and quantitatively investigate direct and indirect effects of potential mediating factors. Findings speak both to the importance of psychosocial support for parenting interventions and the potential to strengthen child-focused interventions through the broader family social network.
In a context of disturbing rates of violent crime, this pilot study initiated examination of the association between empathy and aggressive behaviour in young Western Cape children. Establishing which empathy measures are appropriate for our context was a primary concern.
To capture various aspects of empathy in young children we adopted a multi-method approach. We examined empathy scores in 65 lower middle socio-economic status (SES) English-speaking Grade 1 pupils (6.0-8.0 years old) and their association with aggressive externalising behaviour.
Parent report measures of callous-unemotional traits and aggression performed well, however, the Griffith Empathy Measure, a well-established parent report scale, proved problematic. Tivozanib in vivo Empathy scores, particularly those for callous-unemotional traits, were associated with aggression. We also found several associations between aspects of empathy, consistent with the international literature. Cognitive empathy, as measured by first-order false belief reasoning, was not well established, suggesting that other more complex social cognitive tasks were inappropriate for this age group in our context.
The association between empathy and aggression warrants further investigation in this context. Appropriate measures for the South African context must be utilised.
The association between empathy and aggression warrants further investigation in this context. Appropriate measures for the South African context must be utilised.
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hazardous, harmful and dependent drinking among hostel-dwelling students on the main campus of the University of the Free State (UFS), and the influence of sex and academic year on the habit.
A quarter of all hostel-dwelling students of UFS were selected by systematic random sampling. Willing participants completed a questionnaire comprising a demographic section and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).
Of the 339 participants with total AUDIT scores, 15.6% exhibited hazardous drinking, 4.1% harmful drinking and 5.6% alcohol dependence. Male students had a statistically significant higher prevalence (32.8%) of hazardous, harmful or dependent drinking than female students (18.9%). Women, however, are biologically more vulnerable to the ill effects of alcohol due to altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of alcohol. In addition, intoxicated women suffer more biological and social risks. When the cut-off point for hazardous drinking was adapted to account for the increased biological vulnerability of women, the difference between female and male participants was no longer significant. First year male students were less likely to engage in unsafe drinking than senior students. Female students in the alcohol dependent category showed an increasing trend over advancing academic year.
Follow-up studies are needed to confirm whether a significant difference in hazardous drinking of first year male students compared to seniors reflects the influence of university policy or merely precedes drinking acculturation.
Follow-up studies are needed to confirm whether a significant difference in hazardous drinking of first year male students compared to seniors reflects the influence of university policy or merely precedes drinking acculturation.
To describe clinical presentation and service requirements for those under six years of age referred to a specialised child and adolescent psychiatry unit.
This study used a retrospective review of preschoolers, six years and younger, assessed at a child, family and adolescent psychiatric unit (January 2006 to 31 December 2010). Data analysis established predominant diagnoses (prevalence percentages) and correlations and associations (diagnoses and a range of clinical variables - Fischer's exact test and chi-square test).
The sample comprised 149 subjects. Males predominated (77.2%; N = 115). Mean age of presentation was 54 months (SD=12.59). Children were referred predominantly by health professionals (36.9%; N = 55) and schools (20.8%; N = 31). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was the most common diagnosis (52.8%; N = 70), and was not over-represented amongst boys. Girls mostly presented with anxiety disorders (44.1%; 15/34) and reactive attachment disorder (RAD) (35.3%; 12/34), and boys mostly with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) (26%; 30/115). Psychometric testing was frequent (68.5%; N = 102). Pharmacological intervention was common (46.3%; N = 69). The defaulting rate after initial assessment was high (42.1%; 48/114).
The study demonstrates the existence of psychiatric illness in this sample, highlighting service needs. Vulnerability of this age group and limited sub-specialist resources emphasise the need for the development of community services leading to early recognition and intervention.
The study demonstrates the existence of psychiatric illness in this sample, highlighting service needs. Vulnerability of this age group and limited sub-specialist resources emphasise the need for the development of community services leading to early recognition and intervention.
The study of first episode early onset psychosis can yield many clues to understanding the early development of psychosis and guide interventions to decrease psychosis risk and improve outcome. The aim of the study was to investigate the socio-demographic profile and clinical correlates in early onset psychosis.
Forty-five adolescents with first episode early onset psychosis were assessed by a clinical interview, socio-demographic questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Symptom Onset in Schizophrenia (SOS) score, the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (WHO ASSIST) questionnaire for substance misuse and a urine cannabis level.
The mean age of the respondents was 15.9 years (SD 1.8, range 10-18 years). Thirty-one (69%) were male. There was a poor recognition of the prodromal period in 22 (49%) patients and caregivers. The mean duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) was 27.2 weeks (SD 56.7). There was a negative correlation between DUation (marginal) and substance use (highly significant) suggests that there may be different environmental risk factors for males and females in early onset psychosis or that early onset psychosis is more genetically homogenous and less dependent on environmental triggers.With increasing numbers of juveniles accused of serious crimes international concern is growing around the procedural consequences for affected individuals within the context of the law and criminal justice. Issues of culpability in children and adolescents are often raised, with much deliberation and insufficient agreement among legal and child development experts. Exactly when and to what extent juveniles can be held responsible for their action is a matter requiring careful consideration to avoid substantial erring in either direction. Although some international guiding standards and principles have been established, these are rather broad and unable to provide specific prescriptions. In addition, the assessment of criminal capacity in juveniles is a complex task, and one that is not wholly without reliability and validity problems. As in the case of South Africa and a few other countries, mental health specialists are often tasked with conducting developmental assessments to provide courts with expert evidence regarding criminal capacity. This paper examines the concept of criminal capacity in the context of the theory, controversies and challenges that affect this area of psychological focus.
