Browsing by Author "Brink, A. J."

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    A comparison of stimulation frequency and electro-augmentation on Myocardial function, extensibility, coronary flow rate, oxygen consumption and glucose metabolism
    (Clinics Cardiv Publishing, 2009-02) Brink, A. J.; Bester, A. J.; Lochner, A.; Kotze, J. C. N.
    See full text.
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    Guideline for the management of upper respiratory tract infections
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2004) Brink, A. J.; Cotton, M. F.; Feldman, C.; Geffen, L.; Hendson W.; Hockman, M. H.; Maartens, G.; Madhi, S. A.; Mutua-Mpungu, M.; Swingler G. H.
    Introduction. Inappropriate use of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), many of which are viral, adds to the burden of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is increasing in Streptococcus pneumoniae, responsible for most cases of acute otitis media (AOM) and acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS). Method. The Infectious Diseases Society of Southern Africa held a multidisciplinary meeting to draw up a national guideline for the management of URTIs. Background information reviewed included randomised controlled trials, existing URTI guidelines and local antibiotic susceptibility patterns. The initial document was drafted at the meeting. Subsequent drafts were circulated to members of the working group for modification. The guideline is a consensus document based upon the opinions of the working group. Output. Penicillin remains the drug of choice for tonsillopharyngitis. Single-dose parenteral administration of benzathine penicillin is effective, but many favour oral administration twice daily for 10 days. Amoxycillin remains the drug of choice for both AOM and ABS. A dose of 90 mg/kg/day is recommended in general, which should be effective for pneumococci with high-level penicillin resistance (this is particularly likely in children ≤ 2 years of age, in day-care attendees, in cases with prior AOM within the past 6 months, and in children who have received antibiotics within the last 3 months). Alternative antibiotic choices are given in the guideline with recommendations for their specific indications. These antibiotics include amoxycillin-clavulanate, some cephalosporins, the macrolide/azalide and ketolide groups of agents and the respiratory fluoroquinolones. Conclusion. The guideline should assist rational antibiotic prescribing for URTIs. However, it should be updated when new information becomes available from randomised controlled trials and surveillance studies of local antibiotic susceptibility patterns.
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    Progressive familial heart block (type I) : a follow-up study after 10 years
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1988) Van der Merwe, P.-L.; Weymar, H. W.; Torrington, M.; Brink, A. J.
    A follow-up study was done on 55 patients, all members of families with type I progressive familial heart block (PFHB) examined during 1977. Of the 55 patients 5 had died, 17 had normal ECGs while 7 with previously abnormal ECGs remained unchanged. All the others had progressed to a more severe form of heart block and 8 of them had received permanent pacemakers. These findings again emphasise the importance of regular ECG follow-up examinations of members of PFHB families.
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    Progressive familial heart block: Part I. Extent of the disease
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1986-09) Torrington, Marie; Weymar, H. W.; Van der Merwe, P.-L.; Brink, A. J.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Progressive familial heart block (type I) has been identified in the RSA. Since 1977 many families have been referred for pedigree tracing. The present probands of some 9 pedigrees are the descendants of specific children of an immigrant; other genetic diseases appear in these pedigrees. The necessity of identifying, diagnosing and possibly treating the descendants of carriers is emphasized.
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    Progressive familial heart block: Part II. clinical and ECG confirmation of progression - report on 4 cases
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1986-09) Van der Merwe, P. L.; Weymar, H. W.; Torrington, M.; Brink, A. J.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Two types of progressive familial heart block controlled by a single gene have been described; 4 cases show that type I is progressive and that the pathogenesis is still unknown.
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    The significance of biochemical and structural changes in the development of the myocardiopathy of the Syrian hamster
    (1970) Lochner, A.; Brink, A. J.; Van Der Walt, J. J.
    In order to determine the causal factors in the development of the cardiomyopathy of the Syrian hamster, observations were made of myocardial histology, oxidative phosphorylation, high energy phosphate content, metabolism and mechanical activity of five age groups, ranging from 5 weeks to 10 months. Histological changes as well as biochemical abnormalities were present in the hearts of hamsters 5 weeks of age. With exception of a prolonged t-PH (time to peak height of contraction) period of the myopathic hearts of group I, tension development and contractility were normal up to 3 months of age. However, there was other evidence of disturbed function at 5 weeks of age, as shown by the length-tension curves. The significance and interrelationship of these findings are discussed. © 1970.
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    Women doctors in South Africa : a survey of their experience and opinions
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1991) Brink, A. J.; Bradshaw, D.; Benade, M. M. M.; Heath, S.
    The proportion of women entering medical school has increased at some faculties but remains at around 20% at others. A postal survey of 2626 women on the Medical Register of the South African Medical and Dental Council was conducted to investigate aspects related to their work. Fifty-five per cent responded, with a possible bias towards older doctors and graduates from Afrikaans-language faculties. Although a significant majority (86,5%) are in practice, about one-third (33,4%) are employed part-time and nearly one-third (29,4%) reported that they had experienced an interruption of their careers for periods of more than 5 years. Major factors relating to this wastage of medical resources identified by this study were the women's dual responsibility at home and at work, the one-time joint taxation system and discrimination in the workplace, in particular with regard to housing loans. Few women find their way into specialist practice (18,5%), teaching or research, although 68,2% indicated that they would have liked to specialise. Home responsibilities (48,2%) and the structure of the curriculum (31,5%) were the commonly reported difficulties experienced with further study. In addition, the lack of part-time training and the geographical location of such facilities also played a role.