Research Articles (University of Pretoria)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/121

This collection offers open access to the full text of research articles published by staff, students and affiliates of the University of Pretoria. These items are identical in content to their published counterparts. It is linked to the Research Information System and complements the Annual Research Report.

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Shipwrecks of the United Dutch East India Company (VOC) in Table Bay, South Africa during the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
Werz, Bruno E.J.S. (Routledge, 2025-12)
During the nearly two centuries of its existence from 1602 to 1799, the United Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC) used hundreds of vessels for its intercontinental trade. A considerable number of these foundered along South African shores. Table Bay, near the Cape of Good Hope, saw many marine incidents mainly due to its role as a halfway station on the long and dangerous voyages. This article describes the potential of VOC shipwrecks in the bay, which is an important resource for maritime archaeological studies.
Pedal power : female cyclists at 94.7 Ride Joburg face fewer illnesses but more injuries and finishing challenges
Janse van Rensburg, Dina Christina; Swart, Xan; Ramagole, Dimakatso Althea; Du Toit, Francois Christiaan; Viljoen, Carel Thomas; Botha, Tanita; Phalane, Mahlane; Beeton, Ramona; Jansen van Rensburg, Audrey (Edizioni Minerva Medica, 2026-02)
BACKGROUND: Mass participation in amateur cycling events is popular, and ensuring participant safety is crucial. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of medical encounters (MEs), including injury and illness, at mass-participation amateur cycling events and to explore associated risk factors. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory analysis of operational data collected during the 2015-2016 94.7 Ride Joburg cycling race. Outcomes include frequency (N., %), prevalence (%), incidence (injuries/1000 participants), did-not-finish (DNF, %), and Odds Ratio (OR, 95%CI). RESULTS: In total, 44849 individuals, mean age 40.06±11.68, participated in the 94.7 Ride Joburg cycling race during 2015-2016. We report the prevalence for MEs (5.3%) (injury: 1.7%, illness: 3.6%). The incidence of all MEs was 52.71 (50.61-54.88) (injury: 16.79 [15.61-18.03], illness: 35.92 [34.19-37.72]). Most race participants were male (79.0%), aged 31-50 (58.9%). Older age decreased the odds of injury, illness, or not finishing (P<0.001). Females had higher odds of injury (OR:1.43; 1.21-1.67; P<0.001) and for DNF (OR:1.57; 1.46-1.70; P<0.001) but lower odds of illness (OR:0.73; 0.64-0.64; P<0.001), compared to males. Overall, 7.9% of participants DNF, 6.9% had MEs, 3.2% were injured, and 3.8% were ill. Medical point location and distance were not significantly associated with medical encounters. CONCLUSIONS: Older participants have lower odds of injury and illness encounters. Females have higher odds of injury encounters and not finishing the race but lower odds of illness encounters than males. These findings offer insights into injury and illness at mass-participation amateur cycling events.
Partners’ perceptions of aphasia on communication interaction in their relationship
Van der Riet, Sonika; Kruger, Esedra; Pillay, Bhavani S. (University of Toronto Press, 2025-04)
Aphasia impacts relationships by altering communication dynamics, potentially leading to emotional disconnection or, alternatively, bringing partners closer as they support each other through challenges. The study aimed to describe how partners in a relationship perceive the impact of aphasia on their communication interactions. Five couples participated in this qualitative case study design, each comprising a partner with chronic stroke-related aphasia. Initial brief intake surveys were conducted followed by in-depth interviews. Five main themes were constructed through thematic analysis: aphasia alters conversational role dynamics and interactions; couples employ strategies to overcome communication challenges; communication difficulties lead to conflict and hinder resolution; partners of a couple experience diverse emotional reactions to the effects of aphasia; and perceptions of support differ between partners of a couple. Speech-language pathologists play a key role in restoring a more balanced distribution of listener–speaker roles in couples' communication post-aphasia. Understanding both partners' emotional reactions to communication challenges can better equip healthcare professionals to manage these within relationships, ensuring couple-centered care.
Enhancing the hydrothermal and economic efficiency of parabolic solar collectors with innovative semi-corrugated absorber tubes, shell form cone turbulators, and nanofluid
Samad, Sarminah; Saeidlou, Salman; Khan, M. Nadeem; Alamry, Ali; Al-Harbi, Laila M.; Sharifpur, Mohsen; Ghoushchi, S.P. (Elsevier, 2025-11)
This study proposes a performance-enhancing design for parabolic trough solar collectors by integrating a novel semi-corrugated absorber tube with an innovative shell-form cone turbulator, operating with CuO–water nanofluid. Numerical simulations were conducted across a Reynolds number range of 4500–10,930 to evaluate the effects of corrugation radius (0.5–1.5 mm), nanofluid volume fraction (1–3 %), and turbulator geometry. Three turbulator designs—full (FSFCT), semi (SSFCT), and hollow (HSFCT) shell-form cone turbulators—were analyzed to identify optimal configurations. Performance was assessed from both hydrothermal and economic perspectives using the performance evaluation criterion (PEC), levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and payback time. Results indicate that the configuration combining a semi-corrugated tube with a 1.5 mm radius, 3 % CuO nanofluid, and the FSFCT achieved a 369 % increase in Nusselt number, an LCOE of 0.546 $/kWh, and a payback time of 3.6 years, confirming its economic superiority. From a thermal-hydraulic perspective, the highest PEC value of 2.77 was obtained using the HSFCT under the same conditions.
One billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage : where is early childhood caries prevention in the African vision?
Foláyan, Moréniké Oluwátóyìn; Adeniyi, Abiola; Bhayat, Ahmed; El Tantawi, Maha (Springer, 2025-12-24)
BACKGROUND : Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common and preventable childhood conditions, yet it remains systematically excluded from Africa’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. This study identified the systemic barriers to embedding equitable and cost-effective ECC prevention into the continent’s UHC agenda and proposed an actionable, multi-level framework to overcome these barriers. METHODS : We conducted a critical review, guided by a conceptual framework integrating the Tanahashi coverage framework, the Socio-Ecological Model, and the UHC principles. The review synthesized evidence from searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, AJOL, and grey literature. We compared the ECC surveillance capacity of Africa and the World by quantifying data availability. We also developed an implementation framework to facilitate the integration of ECC prevention in UHC. RESULTS : A surveillance gap renders ECC invisible to African health systems, with only 9.3% of countries having any prevalence data for children under 36 months, compared to 33.1% globally. However, feasible integration pathways exist through multi-sectoral collaboration, with platforms like the maternal and child health offering a scalable entry point for task-shifted interventions that can reduce the risk for ECC. Integrating ECC prevention into UHC requires a multi-pronged strategy: generating epidemiologic and local cost-effectiveness evidence, harnessing digital health innovations, embedding prevention within early childhood development programs, and conducting implementation research to secure political commitment for sustainable inclusion in UHC frameworks. CONCLUSION : This review establishes that integrating ECC prevention into Africa’s UHC is an essential yet overlooked opportunity. To bridge this gap, policymakers must prioritize making ECC visible by embedding indicators into national health surveys and surveillance systems and integrating preventive care into child health-focused platforms. In addition, researchers must build a local evidence base with cost-effectiveness and implementation data.
Breastfeeding as a public health investment : a narrative review of evidence on economic value
Ji, Xinyi; Kupolati, Mojisola Deborah; Muchiri, Jane Wanjiku (Springer, 2025-12-28)
BACKGROUND : Breastfeeding improves infant and maternal health, reducing mortality, disease, and healthcare costs. Despite global recommendations, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remains suboptimal due to various factors including formula marketing and maternal employment. Limited economic value evidence hinders policy development. This narrative review examines the economic value of breastfeeding to strengthen the case for promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding initiatives. METHODS : We searched PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for studies from 1999 to February 2025 on the economic value of breastfeeding and breast milk. Eligible studies were screened, extracted, and analysed. All reported costs were adjusted to 2024 U.S. dollars using annual national exchange rates and U.S. inflation rates. RESULTS : We reviewed 26 articles across diverse income settings. Breastfeeding-related cost savings varied widely, with global breast milk valued between US$1.4–64 billion, while formula costs reached up to US$394.5 million annually. EBF saved up to US$90.9 million in lifetime maternal cancer treatment costs and US$1.26–73.5 million annually in paediatric healthcare costs. In Sub-Saharan Africa, improved EBF was linked to US$23.9 billion in non-health gross domestic product gains. Three studies showed high economic returns on breastfeeding promotion, with up to 139% investment return. CONCLUSION : Breastfeeding provides economic benefits in all settings, underscoring the need for prioritising breastfeeding as a public health investment. Stronger policies accompanied by implementation commitments and multi-stakeholder collaboration in breastfeeding promotion initiatives are essential to improve EBF rates, leading to better health outcomes and economic returns. Standardized costing approaches and longitudinal designs, especially in low-income settings, are needed to capture the full economic potential.
Advancements in renal imaging : a comprehensive systematic review of PET probes for enhanced GFR and renal perfusion assessment
Abdulrahman , Marwah; Abdlkadir, Ahmed Saad; Moghrabi, Serin; Alyazjeen, Salem; Al-Qasem, Soud; Sweedat, Deya’ Aldeen Sulaiman; Ruzzeh, Saad; Stanimirovi´c, Dragi; Kreissl, Michael C.; Shi, Hongcheng; Sathekge, Mike Machaba; Al-Ibraheem, Akram (MDPI, 2025-12)
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a key indicator of renal function. Traditional methods for GFR measurement have limitations including invasiveness, low spatial resolution, and lengthy protocols. Positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers have emerged as promising tools for non-invasive, accurate, and dynamic renal function assessment. OBJECTIVES : This systematic literature review evaluates the clinical utility, and current evidence surrounding PET radiotracers used for GFR measurement in humans, emphasizing advances over conventional renal imaging modalities. METHODS : A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, from database inception to November 2024. The search identified studies evaluating PET-based measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal perfusion. Inclusion criteria encompassed human studies using PET radiotracers (e.g., 68Ga, 18F) with comparisons to reference standards (estimated GFR or serum creatinine). Two authors independently screened titles/abstracts, extracted data, and assessed bias using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool (QUADAS-2). Exclusions included animal studies, reviews, and non-English articles. RESULTS : Eleven studies met inclusion criteria, with 68Ga-EDTA showing the highest validation against reference standards such as 51Cr-EDTA plasma clearance, demonstrating strong correlation. PET imaging offered superior spatial–temporal resolution, enabling accurate split renal function assessment and quantitative analysis of both filtration and perfusion. 68Ga-somatostatin analogues exhibited moderate correlations between renal SUV and estimated GFR, with post-PRRT uptake changes indicating early nephrotoxicity. Among novel tracers, 68Ga-FAPI showed a strong inverse SUV–GFR relationship, reflecting renal fibrosis and suggesting potential as a chronic kidney disease (CKD) biomarker but requires further clinical validation. Limitations across studies include small sample sizes, retrospective designs, and variability in reference standards. CONCLUSIONS : PET radiotracers, particularly 68Ga-EDTA, represent a significant advancement for non-invasive, quantitative GFR measurement with improved precision and renal anatomical detail compared to traditional methods. Future prospective, large-scale human studies with standardized protocols are needed to establish these PET tracers as routine clinical tools in nephrology. Integration of hybrid PET/MRI and novel tracer development may further enhance renal diagnostic capabilities.
Characterization of early viral populations in infants acquiring HIV through perinatal and breastmilk transmission : a review of what is currently known and the gaps that need to be addressed to guide passive HIV immunization of breastfeeding infants
Giorgi, Elena E.; Abrahams, Melissa-Rose; Fouda, Genevieve; John-Stewart, Grace; Goga, Ameena Ebrahim; Mullins, James I.; Permar, Sallie R.; Janes, Holly; Martin, Troy M. (Bentham Science Publishers, 2025-09)
Newborns represent only 1% of the population. Yet, HIV vertical transmissions represent 10% of all new infections globally, even though antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been shown to reduce the risk of vertical transmission to less than 2%. While vaccines still represent the most efficient and cost-effective intervention to eradicate new infections, HIV immunogens that can effectively elicit broad-spectrum protection are still at least a decade away. In contrast, passive immunization with broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) combinations has the potential to provide a more immediate pathway to HIV prophylaxis. Early-phase infant trials are underway to establish the safety and pharmacokinetics of bnAb combinations selected for their potency against viruses acquired via adult transmissions. However, the specific characteristics and phenotypic differences of vertically transmitted viruses in infants compared to those in adults remain uncertain, including their susceptibility to known broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). We review the current knowledge of vertically transmitted HIV viruses, including their genetics and phenotypic features. Differences in immunity between adults and infants lead us to hypothesize that distinct selection and evolutionary pressures act on the virus at the time of transmission and during the early phases of infection, and these may in turn affect the choice of bnAb combinations needed for protection against vertical transmission of HIV.
Structures and band gaps of lead-free dabconium-containing hybrid alkali-metal halide perovskites
Van der Poll, Hendrik Johannes; Erasmus, Rudolph; Rademeyer, Melanie (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025-04)
Please read abstract in the article.
Narratives of transformation in South African publishing in the 1990s
Le Roux, Elizabeth (Taylor and Francis, 2025-05-22)
Publishing is a particularly important sector to examine when considering issues of cultural change and reconstruction, because it speaks to and seeks to represent the varied identities of the society in which it operates. This paper examines the state of the South African publishing industry in the 1990s, a time of transition and change, as well as crisis due to declines in textbook and library budgets. At a time when prevalent discourses included terms like transition, transparency, inclusivity, diversity, nation building, redemption and reconciliation, framed as a collective vision for the country, the paper considers the discourse of transformation as it relates to publishing and reading. Using articles in newspapers and journals, government and trade reports, as well as internal planning and mission documents from the publishers themselves, in this paper I assess various kinds of transformation, including the aims of both redressing the inequalities of the past, and developing a shared and more inclusive culture.
The influence of international and regional African law on the Constitutional Court’s jurisprudence concerning the child’s right to basic education
Strohwald, Annemarie (NISC (Pty) Ltd, 2025)
The right to education is viewed as an empowerment right and emphasises that education prepares and enables children to participate in their communities and to be active rights-holders. The right to education also enables the realisation of other human rights. The article examines the Constitutional Court’s jurisprudence and establishes how and to what extent the Court has engaged and relied on international and African regional law in interpreting and providing scope to the right to basic education as recognised in section 29(1)(a) of the Constitution. Central to this analysis will be the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Not only is South Africa a party to both these instruments but, as seen from the Constitution itself, international law is recognised as a valuable interpretative source for the Bill of Rights. From the jurisprudence, it is clear that the courts have played a significant role in interpreting the right to basic education and, as a result, there has been an incremental approach utilised providing meaning and scope to the right to basic education. The article engages with how international and African regional law can advance the jurisprudence on the right to basic education. My analysis of the case law highlights a lack of a systematic methodology as to how to use international law and African regional law. International law, I demonstrate, is generally preferred over African regional law in the Court’s jurisprudence. In my view, this trend fails adequately to root the interpretation of the right to basic education within an African framework. I thus demonstrate the limited use of international and African regional law in the court’s jurisprudence and the opportunities such a usage can have to assist in developing the substantive content of the right as well as addressing practical implementation challenges.
Trends of problems with functioning in everyday life for children post brain tumor treatment : as documented in professional records
Björklund, A.-C.; Coci, A.–I.; Granlund, Mats; Santacroce, S.J.; Darcy, L.; Augustine, L.; Björk, M. (Taylor and Francis, 2025-12)
BACKGROUND : Children who complete brain tumor treatment encounter ongoing problems with functioning that fluctuate over time. Previous studies shows that health care and schools tend to focus more on the child’s cancer-related body symptoms, rather than on existing problems to participate and manage everyday life activities, or moreover of environmental barriers they face. Few studies address how the child’s problems to function on body, activity and participation levels co-occur and are presented over time. Therefore, this study´s purpose is to describe how documented problems with functioning, vary over time in children who have completed brain tumor treatment. METHODS : Medical and school records from seven children were reviewed for up to 5 years after treatment completion, to identify problems and link these to International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) code domains. The coded data were divided into six-month blocks over a 4-year time period, analyzed statistically and illustrated graphically. Code variations on group-levels and patterns of body, activity and environmental codes that tentatively co-occurred with participation were exemplified in a child-case, using a collaborative problem-solving (CPS) approach. RESULTS : Based on median (Md) number of codes within participation, activity, body and environment, the children exhibited ongoing problems with body function over time (Md 11–18). Activity-related problems were most noticeable about 1-year post-treatment completion (Md 6), and participation problems (Md 1–2) persisted throughout the follow-up period. Documentation of environmental problems was limited but increased after 3 years (Md 3). In the child-case example, participation problems with self-care, schooling and peer-relations continued across the years, with plausible explanations related to problems with communication and fine-hand function (activity), fatigue (body function) and with surrounding supportive systems (environment). CONCLUSION : Over time, professionals’ documentation predominantly focused on problems with the child’s body function, while functioning in everyday life and environmental barriers affecting participation, was often neglected. By using the ICF and CPS, service professionals, including nurses, are provided with guidance for comprehensive and systematic approach of addressing patterns of co-occurring problems with functioning, which could lead to improved support to optimize the child’s participation in everyday life.
Diet and traffic : anthropogenic factors that influence stress-related hormone levels in African clawless otters
Burger, Marli; Ganswindt, Andre; Webster, Andrea B.; Scheun, Juan; Majelantle, Tshepiso L. (Oxford University Press, 2025-12)
Environmental and anthropogenic factors significantly drive adrenocortical activity of animals, affecting their behaviour, distribution and survival. Understanding how animals respond to such drivers is essential for effective conservation. Spraint samples from free-ranging African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) and camera trap data were collected from study sites categorized as natural or artificially transformed based on differences in anthropogenic disturbance levels. To determine if there were significant differences in faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations between the Natural (Kalkfontein Nature Reserve) and Transformed (Millstream Farm) sites, we ran a linear model that included sex, season, habitat type and their interaction. fGCM concentrations differed significantly between the sexes (df = 1; F1,106 = 11.180; P = 0.001); with males (n = 32; 0.608 ± 0.367 μg/g DW) having significantly higher fGCM concentrations compared to females (n = 79; 0.414 ± 0.399 μg/g DW, P = 0.006). The fGCM concentrations differed significantly between seasons (df = 1; F1,106 = 45.268; P < 0.001), with those in the dry winter season significantly higher (n = 66; 0.631 ± 0.420 μg/g DW), compared to the wet summer season (n = 45; 0.234 ± 0.199 μg/g DW). The fGCM concentrations differed significantly between habitat type (df = 1; F1,106 = 6.026; P = 0.016) with fGCM concentrations of individuals from the KNR natural site (n = 34; 0.285 ± 0.199 μg/g DW) being significantly lower compared to those measured in individuals at the MF transformed site (n = 77; 0.552 ± 0.436 μg/g DW). Finally, the difference in fGCM concentrations between locations however were not dependent on season (df = 1; F1,106 = 0.369; P = 0.544). Anthropogenic disturbance and alterations to the natural and varied prey-base of African clawless otters in an anthropogenically transformed site significantly affect their adrenocortical activity. Future research should focus on how these animals respond to anthropogenic disturbance, and what effects disturbance has on their behaviour, distribution and fitness. Mitigating human–otter conflict requires incorporating such behavioural responses into management strategies.
Sub-Saharan Africa's oldest shipwreck : historical-archaeological research of an early modern-era Portuguese merchantman on the Namibian coast
Werz, Bruno E.J.S. (Routledge, 2010)
No abstract available.
Wind direction and strength determine the genetic structure of an insect-pollinated plant across heterogeneous landscape
Deng, Jun-Yin; Fu, Rong-Hua; Compton, Stephen G.; Yuan, Chuan; Kling, Matthew M.; Chen, Xiao-Yong; Song, Yao-Bin; Jiang, Kai; Liu, Mei; Greeff, Jacobus Maree; Chen, Yan (Wiley, 2025-06)
AIM : Dispersal of plant propagules and their genes is crucial for plant responses to landscape heterogeneities, yet the mechanisms behind this dispersal remain unclear. Ficus species depend on wind-borne fig wasps for pollination, but research on airflow effects on Ficus genetic structure has produced conflicting results. Our study aims to clarify the role of wind in shaping the genetic structure of such plants with wind-borne insect pollinators by examining how geomorphological complexity interacts with air movements to influence genetic structures. LOCATION : Southwest China: Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi and Guizhou provinces. TAXON : Ficus tikoua Bur., Ficus, Moraceae. METHODS : We sampled 56 F. tikoua sites across southwest China, characterised by high geomorphologic complexity. River basins and predominant winds were visualised across the sampled regions. Wind connectivity between sampled sites during the main pollination season was modelled based on hourly daily wind data. The maternal and biparental genetic structure of sites were reconstructed using chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and nuclear SSR (nuSSR) markers. Links between genetic structure, location, and wind parameters were estimated by Mantel or partial Mantel tests. RESULTS : The plant's maternal genetic structure was defined by river systems, with two distinct cpDNA groups located in the Yangtze and Pearl River basins, respectively. The boundaries for nuclear variation were less clearly delimited geographically. Sites with mixtures of nuSSR groups were concentrated where prevailing winds arrived from several directions. Stronger between-site air flows increased nuSSR geneflow and genetic similarities, while populations receiving more wind flow were also more genetically variable. MAIN CONCLUSIONS : Our study reveals how plant gene dispersal reflects air and water movements that in turn respond to geomorphologic complexity, thereby directly demonstrating the effects of wind on gene flow of plants with wind-borne insect pollinators. Wind data matching pollinator flight times and large sample sizes are crucial for testing wind effects.
In silico and in vitro evaluation of flavonoid derivatives for diabetes management : molecular dynamics, and enzyme kinetics for pancreatic alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase
McMillan, Jamie; Bester, Megan Jean; Apostolides, Zeno (Springer, 2025-11)
Please read abstract in the article.
Maxi Schoeman - an appreciation
Vale, Peter Christopher Julius (Vale, Peter Christopher Julius, 2026)
More than anything else – and certainly, more than anyone else – Maxi Schoeman, who passed away on 14 September 2025 has ensured the longevity of the academic discipline of International Relations in South Africa. This is because Professor Schoeman encouraged scholars to build trust with those who practice the diplomatic craft. She also championed rigorous academic standards, a deep commitment to public service, and called on scholars to frame policies relevant to their work. This is the principal message of this Appreciation of a friend, a colleague, and a confidant, not only of this writer, but of many in the ‘political science’ community beyond African shores.
A public sector reputation management framework for South Africa’s Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Msiya, Mgwebi; De Beer, Estelle (University of the Free State, 2025-12)
Reputation management was synonymous with the private sector until recently when public sector organisations, particularly in Europe and America, adopted the concept. This study's aim is to contribute to the scant body of knowledge on public sector reputation management, specifically in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. The study adopted a qualitative approach to gain an understanding of the public perceptions of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government's reputation. The findings were based on two participant observations and a purposively selected sample of 15 participants who were recruited from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), media institutions, government departments, youth structures, and business organisations. The study utilised semi-structured interviews and participant observations as data collection techniques. The collected data was analysed thematically through categorisation and Leximancer software analysis. The results of the study show that the Eastern Cape Provincial Government lacks the capacity to manage its reputation strategically, resulting in increasingly discontented communities. Furthermore, the findings reveal that the public held negative views of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government's reputation. The Public Sector Reputation Management Framework, which was developed in this study, provides an understanding of how the Eastern Cape Provincial Government's reputation could be strategically and sustainably managed.
An epigenetic perspective on neonatal encephalopathy with suspected hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
Mistry, Priyal; Mellet, Juanita; Durandt, Chrisna; Smuts, Izelle; Pepper, Michael Sean (BioMed Central, 2025-12-08)
Neonatal encephalopathy with suspected hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (NESHIE) is a neurological disorder caused by oxygen deprivation and limited blood flow to a neonate's brain. Although various antenatal and perinatal factors have been identified, their precise role in NESHIE pathogenesis remains unclear. The pathophysiology involves multiple molecular pathways that can be explored using a multi-omics approach, including epigenetics. Epigenetics involves heritable changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, encompassing chemical modifications to DNA and histone proteins, as well as changes mediated by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). These epigenetic changes regulate gene expression and can be influenced by environmental factors, offering crucial insights into gene regulation and disease mechanisms. This review examines the role of epigenetic mechanisms in NESHIE, focusing on the modulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and ncRNA during hypoxic conditions. Additionally, epigenetic-mediated foetal programming may shed light on how maternal and antenatal risk factors contribute to NESHIE susceptibility. Understanding these epigenetic signatures could advance biomarker discovery and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for NESHIE.
Light sensitivity and diel activity rhythms in the Angoni vlei rat (Otomys angoniensis) under natural and artificial conditions
Oosthuizen, Tasha; Pillay, Neville; Oosthuizen, Maria Kathleen (Taylor and Francis, 2025-10-16)
Artificial light at night (ALAN) can disrupt daily rhythms of wildlife, yet little is known about its effects on African rodents. We investigated the diel activity rhythms of the Angoni vlei rat (Otomys angoniensis), a species with an inconclusive temporal niche. We exposed wild-caught vlei rats to three treatments: (1) standard laboratory light–dark cycle; (2) laboratory light–dark cycle with low-intensity ALAN (2 Lux); and (3) natural ambient light and temperature fluctuations. Activity was recorded via infrared sensors, and the activity rhythm was quantified using Cosinor analysis. Activity was predominantly nocturnal across all treatments. However, rhythm amplitude, MESOR and robustness were nearly three-times higher under natural conditions than in both laboratory treatments. ALAN did not significantly suppress activity, suggesting minimal masking effects (unlike strictly nocturnal animals) and possible flexibility in the temporal niche. In nature, O. angoniensis occupies dense grass habitats, and therefore, its predominantly nocturnal activity in captivity could be due to the lack of adequate cover during experiments. Moreover, the greater activity under natural conditions could be a consequence of brighter daytime light and natural temperature cycles. We suggest that although O. angoniensis displays nocturnal activity in the laboratory, it may be more diurnal in its natural habitat. Our findings demonstrate that the temporal activity of O. angoniensis is shaped by environmental context, with implications for contextualising circadian flexibility in species inhabiting human-altered landscapes.

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