Structure and synthesis of the first procassinidin dimers based on epicatechin, and gallo- and epigallo-catechin.

The range of natural dimeric procassinidins is extended by identification of cassiaflavan-(4alpha-->8)-epicatechin, cassiaflavan-(4alpha 8)-epigallocatechin, cassiaflavan-(4beta-->8)-epicatechin, cassiaflavan-(4beta-->8)-epigallocatechin, cassiaflavan-(4beta-->8)-gallocatechin, ent-cassiaflavan-(4beta-->8)-epicatechin and cassiaflavan-(4alpha-->6)-epicatechin in the bark of Cassia petersiana. Their structures and absolute configuration were confirmed by synthesis.

Structure and synthesis of ether-linked proteracacinidin and promelacacinidin proanthocyanidins from Acacia caffra.

Two new ether-linked proanthocyanidins, epioritin-(4beta-->3)-epioritin-4beta-ol and epimesquitol-(4beta-->4)-epioritin-4beta-ol, were isolated from the heartwood of Acacia caffra. Their structures and absolute configurations were established by spectroscopic methods and syntheses.

Structure and stereochemistry of triflavanoids containing both ether and carbon-carbon interflavanyl bonds.

The first triflavanoids with both C-C and C-O-C interflavanyl bonds, epioritin-(4beta-->6)-epioritin-(4alpha-->4)-epioritin-4beta-ol, epioritin-(4beta-->3)-epioritin-(4beta-->6)-epioritin-4beta-ol and epioritin-(4beta-->3)-epioritin-(4beta-->6)-epimesquitol-4alpha-ol, were identified in the heartwood of Acacia caffra. The ethereal interflavanyl bond is readily susceptible to reductive cleavage with sodium cyanoborohydride in trifluoroacetic acid/dichloromethane which hence permits the unequivocal assignment of the absolute configuration of constituent flavanyl units.

Tyrosinase catalysed biphenyl construction from flavan-3-ol substrates.

Mushroom tyrosinase catalysed oxidation of three flavan-3-ols, viz. catechin, fisetinidol and mesquitol, was conducted to construct biphenyl bonds. Exposure of the flavan-3-ols to tyrosinase and subsequent trapping of the o-quinone intermediates resulted in the formation of novel flavan-3-ol derivatives, the structures of which were elucidated by mono- and two-dimensional 1H-NMR experiments. Application of the methodology resulted in the improved synthesis of the natural flavan-3-ol dimer, mesquitol-[5-->8]-catechin, previously isolated from Prosopis glandulosa.

IgG subclass values from normal children in Cape Town.

Sensitive and reproducible enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays (ELISA) have been developed to quantitate IgG subclass levels using monoclonal antibodies. Normal values for serum IgG subclass levels were determined in 300 healthy children between 6 months and 14 years of age and in 80 adults. High levels of IgG1 and delayed maturational development of IgG2 in children from Cape Town are different to results reported from developed countries. Genetic differences may account for this.

Use of homologous vein grafts for chronic hemodialysis.

The Authors propose using of homologous saphenous vein grafts, coming from a normal saphenectomy by stripping in patients affected by primary varicose veins. The graft is preserved in a particular solution at 4 degrees C in a normal refrigerator and transplanted in uremic patients, which have no more vessels suitable for creating a conventional arteriovenous fistula.

[Sequela of hand burns in children: 32 cases followed and treated in the Plastic Surgery and Reconstruction department of the University Hospital Center of Treichville, Abidjan]. / Les sequelles de brûlures de la main chez l'enfant: a propos de 32 cas suivis et traités à la Consultation de Chirurgie Plastique et Reconstructrice du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville-Abidjan.

An investigation on the effects of hand burns has been undertaken about 32 children admitted in the plastic surgery outpatients Department. Accident occurs among the lower class population and heat is the major factor pointed out. The most frequent effects are hand palmar contracture. The surgical treatment completed with the functional re-education has given very good results in 79% cases. However the cheloid contractures are the most difficult to cure. Indeed the authors insist or the prevention and the creation of a center of burned patients and a plastic surgery Service to take care of patients whose life prognostic is optimistic.

[Intra-keloid excision and deferred corticoid infiltration in the treatment of keloids. University Hospital Center of Treichville-Abidjan]. / Exérèse intra-chéloïdienne et infiltration différée de corticoïdes dans le traitement des chéloïdes. (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville-Abidjan).

On a series of 38 keloid surgery patients the authors noted a strong female predominance and the frequency of ear lobule keloid. After some rather unsuccessful excision-suture of the keloid they recommend the intra- keloid excision to be followed by a late corticoid infiltration but deferred until the 15th day. The results obtained were encouraging but some researches have to be made with regard to the etiology of this affection which might probably resolve the therapeutic problem.

[Dupuytren's contracture: review of the literature. Case report of a black African]. / La maladie de Dupuytren: revue de la litterature. A propos d'un cas chez l'Africain noir.

In one case of Dupuytren's contracture the authors make an important literature review. The affection is rare with the black man but frequent in caucasian population. Its origin is therefore european. They point out alcoholism and microtrauma due to the patient's antecedents and job.

[Function analysis of the job responsibilities of head nurses]. / 'n Funksieverrekening van die hoofverpleegkundige se posverantwoordelikhede.

There are many internal and external factors impacting on the utilisation of the Chief Professional Nurse in South African State hospitals. The aim with this research is to undertake a functional analysis of the post responsibilities of the Chief Professional Nurse in South African State hospitals. This objective is justified by means of an exploratory, descriptive and qualitative research strategy. The existing job descriptions of the Chief Professional Nurse are explored and described, followed by an analysis of the expectations of various role-players (the Senior Nursing Service Manager, Chief Professional Nurse, Senior Registered Nurse, as well as the provincial policy makers in health care) regarding the post responsibilities of the Chief Professional Nurse. A content analysis of existing job descriptions is performed, followed by focus group interviews with the Nursing Service Managers and Chief Professional Nurses, work shops with the Senior Registered Nurses, and written inputs by the provincial policy makers in health care services. The results reveal misutilization of the Chief Professional Nurse in South African State hospitals. The expectations of the different role players focus on the traditional generic functions of the Chief Professional Nurse, viz. patient care, administration, education and research. New insights are added to ensure that the Chief Professional Nurse is utilised as a clinical nurse specialist.

[Guidelines for professional responsibilities of the head nurse in South African state hospitals]. / Riglyne vir die hoofverpleegkundige se posverantwoordelikhede in Suid-Afrikaanse staatshospitale.

This is a follow-up article on a functional analysis of the post responsibilities of the Chief Professional Nurse in South African State hospitals. The purpose of this study is to formulate guidelines for the Chief Professional Nurse's post responsibilities in State hospitals. The final statements, on which the conceptual framework is based, are inferred from the previous justified objectives: the exploration and description of the existing job/post descriptions of the Chief Professional Nurse, an exploration and description of the different role-players' expectations regarding the post/job responsibilities of the Chief Professional Nurse, followed by a literature control. The guidelines are formulated and it is recommended that they be implemented, followed by the testing of various hypotheses to confirm the value of these guidelines.