College of Health and Sport Sciences

Background: To better understand muscle remodelling in dynamic conditions after an Achilles tendon rupture, this study examined the length of medial gastrocnemius muscle fascicles during a heel-rise at 6-and 12-months after non-operative ATR treatment.Methods: Participants (15 M, 3F) were diagnosed with acute Achilles tendon rupture. Medial gastrocnemius subtendon length, fascicle length and pennation angle were assessed in resting conditions, and fascicle short-ening during bi-and unilateral heel-rises.Findings: Fascicle shortening was smaller on the injured side (mean difference [95% CI]:-9.7 mm [-14.7 to-4.7 mm];-11.1 mm [-16.5 to-5.8 mm]) and increased from 6-to 12 months (4.5 mm [2.8-6.3 mm]; 3.2 mm [1.4-4.9 mm]) in bi-and unilateral heel-rise, respectively. The injured tendon was longer compared to contralateral limb (2.16 cm [0.54-3.79 cm]) and the length decreased over time (-0.78 cm [-1.28 to-0.29 cm]). Tendon length correlated with fascicle shortening in bilateral (r =-0.671, p = 0.002; r =-0.666, p = 0.003) and unilateral (r = -0.773, p <= 0.001; r =-0.616, p = 0.006) heel-rise, at 6-and 12-months, respectively. In the injured limb, the change over time in fascicle shortening correlated with change in subtendon length in unilateral heel-rise (r = 0.544, p = 0.02).Interpretation: This study showed that the lengths of the injured tendon and associated muscle can adapt throughout the first year after rupture when patients continue physiotherapy and physical exercises. For muscle, measures of resting length may not be very informative about adaptations, which manifest themselves during functional tasks such as unilateral heel-rise.

Objective : Dried Carica papaya (Caricaceae) leaves have been used in traditional medicine as a contraceptive. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety of the aqueous leaf extract of Carica papaya and study its effects on fertility in rats. Methods : The aqueous extract of Carica papaya was administered as single doses to Sprague Dawley rats in an acute study. Animals were observed over a 24 h period for various signs of toxicity. In a separate experiment, the extract was administered to different groups of rats daily for 14 d in a sub-acute study. Animals were observed each day and sacrificed on the 15 th day. Organs were then harvested for histopathology. Reproductive studies were also carried out in both male and female rats by administration of the extract at different doses. Markers for fertility were assessed in the rats by determination of fertility indices in the female and sperm analysis in the males. Hormonal assays were also performed. Results : In the acute toxicity study, the LD 50 (lethal dose) of the aqueous extract was above 5000 mg/kg with no signs of autonomic or other symptoms of toxicity. In the sub-acute study, treatment of rats with extract (10-500 mg/kg; p. o ) for 14 d had no effect on the formed elements of blood or haemoglobin. However, the levels of alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and bilirubin (BIL) increased dose-dependently, suggesting a possible damage to the hepato-billiary system. In the reproductive studies in adult male and female rats, administration of the aqueous leaf extract (10-500 mg/kg; p. o) for 14 d to male rats resulted in significant reduction in sperm count, sperm motility, sperm viability and testosterone. Transverse sections of testes exhibited mild to moderate atrophy. Treatment of female rats with the extract also showed reduction in fertility and increases in maternal mortality and embryolethality. Conclusion : The study shows that the aqueous extract of Carica papaya has the potential to cause liver injury and adversely affect reproduction in rats. Keywords ; Carica papaya , Fertility, Toxicity, Sperm count, Testosterone

Background: Malaria in the Western Kenya highlands is unpredictable sometimes leading to epidemics that result in dramatic emergencies in terms of severe morbidity and mortality. This places enormous strain on health facilities disrupting fragile health care services culminating into crises. This underlies the need for a better understanding of the disease dynamics and determinants to formulate specific and focused intervention strategies. Aim: One year study was undertaken in Kipsamoite and Kapsisiywa in Nandi County to evaluate Plasmodium species prevalence and transmission risk in the general population and specific age groups. Subjects and Methods: Positive blood smears were used to determine monthly malaria prevalence, age-group prevalence. Malaria risk in population was worked out using adult to child ratio (ACR). Results: ACR results indicated a less immune population in which all age groups and sexes were equally susceptible to malaria. Plasmodium falciparum was most prevalent (90%, n = 264) while Plasmodium malariae (10%, n = 30). There was significant difference in the malaria parasite species prevalence (χ2,P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in parasite species prevalence between the study sites (χ2, P > 0.05). Conclusions: Malaria transmission dynamics were similar in both sites, largely driven by seasonality, had an even age distribution implying that the threat of epidemics was real should all age-groups become exposed to parasites and conditions of disease transmission become favorable.

BACKGROUND:Selection of medical students at South African (SA) medical schools must promote equitable and fair access to students from all population groups, while ensuring optimal student throughput and success, and training future healthcare practitioners who will fulfil the needs of the local society. In keeping with international practices, a variety of academic and non-academic measures are used to select applicants for medical training programmes in SA medical schools.OBJECTIVES:To provide an overview of the selection procedures used by all eight medical schools in SA, and the student demographics (race and gender) at these medical schools, and to determine to what extent collective practices are achieving the goals of student diversity and inclusivity.METHODS:A retrospective, quantitative, descriptive study design was used. All eight medical schools in SA provided information regarding selection criteria, selection procedures, and student demographics (race and gender). Descriptive analysis of data was done by calculating frequencies and percentages of the variables measured.RESULTS:Medical schools in SA make use of academic and non-academic criteria in their selection processes. The latter include indices of socioeconomic disadvantage. Most undergraduate medical students in SA are black (38.7%), followed by white (33.0%), coloured (13.4%) and Indian/Asian (13.6%). The majority of students are female (62.2%). The number of black students is still proportionately lower than in the general population, while other groups are overrepresented.CONCLUSION:Selection policies for undergraduate medical programmes aimed at redress should be continued and further refined, along with the provision of support to ensure student success.

This report drew on a larger study which was to describe and understand the sources of senior high school students’ English language speaking anxiety at senior high schools in Jambi, Indonesia. The purpose of this paper was to report some of findings from the qualitative interview data on the sources of senior high school students’ English language speaking anxiety at one senior high school in Jambi, Indonesia. Data were collected through demographic profiles and semi-structured interview with senior high school students. The demographic data were analysed descriptively while the interview data were transcribed and analysed line by line to generate and develop codes and themes. An analysis of the interview data revealed that five major themes were related to students’ English language speaking anxiety, including (1) low speaking skill due to lack of vocabulary and grammar, (2) fear of negative responses from others, (3) low self-esteem to speak in English, (4) fear of being evaluated by teachers, and (5) cultural influences to speak English due to a more teacher-centred style. Suggestions and policy implications are also discussed.