Browsing by Author "Hoffmann, M."

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    Indices of paraoxonase and oxidative status do not enhance the prediction of subclinical cardiovascular disease in mixed-ancestry South Africans
    (Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2014-03-27) Macharia, M.; Kengne, A. P.; Blackhurst, D. M.; Erasmus, R. T.; Hoffmann, M.; Matsha, T. E.
    We evaluated the association of indices of paraoxonase (PON1) and oxidative status with subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) in mixed-ancestry South Africans. Participantswere 491 adults (126 men)whowere stratified by diabetes status and bodymass index (BMI). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was used as a measure of subclinical CVD. Indices of PON1 and oxidative status were determined by measuring levels and activities (paraoxonase and arylesterase) of PON1, antioxidant activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), and lipid peroxidation markers (malondialdehyde and oxidized LDL). Diabetic subjects (28.9%) displayed a significant decrease in PON1 status and antioxidant activity as well as increase in oxidized LDL and malondialdehyde. A similar profile was apparent across increasing BMI categories. CIMT was higher in diabetic than nondiabetic subjects (P < 0.0001) but showed no variation across BMI categories. Overall, CIMT correlated negatively with indices of antioxidant activity and positivelywithmeasures of lipid oxidation. Sex, age, BMI, and diabetes altogether explained 29.2% of CIMT,with no further improvement fromadding PON1 and/or antioxidant status indices.Though indices of PON1 and oxidative status correlate with CIMT, their measurements may not be useful for identifying subjects at high CVD risk in this population.
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    Laboratory tests in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2012-07) Hoffmann, M.; Meyer, W. P.
    Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal recessive disorder among white individuals, and occurs in all South African population groups. Recent evidence suggests a prevalence of 1 in 2 000 among white South Africans and 1 in 12 000 in the coloured population. In black South Africans carrier frequency estimates have been used to project the incidence of 1 in 4 624 live births. Generally, South Africa offers diagnostic services and expertise similar to those available worldwide for CF patients.
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    A revised systematic checklist of the extant mammals of the southern African subregion
    ( Durban Natural Sciences Museum, 2003) Bronner, G. N.; Hoffmann, M.; Taylor, P. J.; Chimimba, C. T.; Best, P. B.; Matthee, C. A.; Robinson, T. J.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The current paper presents a revised, annotated, systematic checklist of 351 extant mammal species, in 190 genera, currently known to occur in southern Africa (south of the Zambezi and Cunene Rivers) and its coastal waters. The checklist includes each species' scientific and English common name, details concerning original description, occurrence or possible occurrence in each o f the seven countries falling within the Subregion, and, where relevant, the IUCN global Category of Threat. Taxonomic notes, together with the relevant literature, are provided to justify the proposed classification adopted at each hierarchical level. The new classification we present is founded on the philosophy of phylogenetic systematics, and represents not only a summary o f new information, but also tremendous advances in the methods and philosophy of mammalian systematics during the past two decades.