Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

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The vision of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is to be a dynamic, people-centred and inclusive environment, internationally recognised for its excellence in research, education and clinical training in medicine and health sciences, and for the contribution it makes to improving health and health care in South Africa, the African continent and beyond.

This faculty was known as the Faculty of Health Sciences until 30 April 2012.

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Browsing Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences by browse.metadata.type "Review"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    C-reactive protein. Properties and biological action with particular reference to systemic lupus erythematosus
    (Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG), 1985) Macfarlane C. M.
    A dramatic increase in serum C-reactive protein levels occurs in response to specific bacterial infection or tissue damage. This protein forms part of the acute-phase response, and it appears to function as an independent but relatively nonspecific part of the immune response. It has many properties in common with specific IgG. Absence of an adequate C-reactive protein response may play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.
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    Cervical spine injury outcome - A review of 101 cases treated in a tertiary referral unit
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2007) Frielingsdorf K.; Dunn R. N.
    Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event for the patient and family. It has a huge impact on society because of the intensive resources required to manage the patient in both the acute and rehabilitation phases. Given the resource-limited setting in South Africa, questions are often raised regarding whether the outcome of this group of patients justifies the expense of their care. However local data have not been available to date. Objective. To evaluate the mortality, morbidity and functional outcome of cervical SCI patients in the South African environment. Material and methods. All cervical SCI patients managed in the acute spinal cord injury unit at Groote Schuur Hospital over a 12-month period were included. Epidemiological data, management, complications, neurological status and change were assessed. Those referred for rehabilitation were followed up in terms of mortality and ambulation status. Results. There were 101 patients, with an average age of 34.7 years. Motor vehicle accidents were the commonest cause of injury, with violence contributing 21%. Fifty-nine patients required referral to a rehabilitation unit. Of these, 18 were functional walkers, and only 6 were care-dependent. By 1 year post injury all but 1 patient had been discharged from the health service. Fourteen patients died; in half of these cases injury was at C5 level and above. Conclusion. Despite cervical SCI being a devastating event, aggressive early intervention yields a better-than-expected 1-year survival rate. Associated problems, such as pressure sores, remain a major problem both for the patient and in terms of health care costs. It is difficult to predict prognosis on presentation because of spinal shock. It is recommended that all patients initially be treated aggressively, with exit strategies in place once all the information is available and a confident assessment of poor prognosis can be made.
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    Combination of radiosensitizers and hyperthermia in tumour radiotherapy
    (1981) Brueckner, V.
    Specific metabolic properties of hypoxic (and therefore radio-resistant) tumour cells are responsible for the selective effect of radiosensitizers (such as misonidazole) and hyperthermia upon these cells in respect of radiosensitization as well as cytotoxicity. Radiosensitizers and hyperthermia should therefore be used to improve the results of tumour radiotherapy; enhancement ratios of 2-4 have already been attained experimentally with this combined treatment. In spite of these good results, certain problems exist, and up to now the combination of radiosensitizers and hyperthermia has not been used to any great extent for tumours in humans.
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    Scapular stress fracture in a professional cricketer and a review of the literature
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2005) De Villiers, R. V. P.; Pritchard, M.; De Beer, J.; Koenig, J.
    [No abstract available]
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    Status and prospects of genetic disease
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1978) Retief, A. E.
    The current status of our knowledge of genetic diseases is reviewed. The incidence of monogenic, multifactorial and chromosomal disorders, according to the literature to date, is given, and the possibilities of mass screening programmes are discussed. The prospects for antenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases are reviewed, with emphasis on the indications for amniocentesis and the safety of the procedure. Finally, speculations are made regarding the possible effects of medical and social practices on the frequency of genetic disorders in future generations.