Kimberley Hospital

As a basis for conservation planning, a first comprehensive vascular plant species checklist for the core Richtersveld National Park was compiled, based on the collection of more than 3000 new herbarium vouchers and in total studying over 8000 specimens and more than 4000 iNaturalist observations. By the end of April 2024, a total of 1077 indigenous taxa were recorded. The documented indigenous flora included 14 pteridophytes, 3 paleodicots, 246 monocotyledons and 815 dicotyledons. A total of 99 indigenous families and 392 genera were recorded. The largest family was the Asteraceae, and the second largest family was the Aizoaceae. In addition, 44 taxa were identified as invasive or alien flora. Seven species were regarded as extinct; of these, four species disappeared in a context of diamond mining, and three species were no longer found after the recent drought 2014 to 2022. The role of the peculiar biogeographical position and the high diversity of unique habitats within extreme environmental gradients were discussed in a review of published evidence. Reference to distribution and habitat was presented for each species in the appendices.Conservation implications: The article offers a complete checklist of vascular plants that forms a baseline for monitoring, and which facilitates the identification of additional taxa. In addition, a total of 125 taxa listed on the SANBI Red List and 15 taxa on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List were recorded, as well as a total of 170 taxa of conservation concern. Twenty-nine taxa are listed as endangered, and 21 taxa were listed as critically endangered on the South African red list. A total of 38 taxa were regarded as endemic and 101 taxa as near endemic. The identification of these taxa in combination with the information on their habitat preferences and distribution will allow targeted conservation planning.

ABSTRACTThe black‐footed cat, a small felid endemic to southern Africa, is particularly vulnerable to killing by larger carnivores while also being prone to developing renal diseases. Here, we investigated the effect of predator control on black‐footed cat populations by comparing adult annual survival between two sites, a nature reserve with little predator management and a sheep and game farm where jackals and caracals were lethally controlled. Although relatively low, survival rates were similar for both sites, suggesting that intraguild killing did not have an additive effect on black‐footed cat mortality. Disease was however prevalent and weakened individuals might have a reduced ability to evade predators.

Introduction: Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) requires stable primary fixation of the acetabular implant. The main objective of this study was to evaluate, in a geriatric population, the radiological results and the medium-term survival of a Dual Mobility Cup (DMC) with hydroxyapatite coating and tripod fixation augmented by 2 pegs and a screw. Hypothesis: In a geriatric population prone to osteoporosis, this type of implant offers medium-term survival >95% and a complication rate similar to the data from the literature. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 45 patients (30 women and 15 men) with a mean age of 79.3±5.4 years. Patients included were over 70 years old, with this type of implant for any indication for a first-line THA (30 cases) or revision (15 cases), the initial indication was a proximal femoral fracture in 71% of cases. For each patient, X-rays, clinical scores (Oxford Hip Score, EQ-5D-5L, Parker score) and implant survival were evaluated at the last follow-up. Results: The mean radiological follow-up was 25.4±16 months. Clinical follow-up was 39.9±14 months for 30 patients. For 15 patients (4 lost to follow-up and 11 deceased), clinical data were not available. For 3 patients, periprosthetic osteolysis was observed in zones I and II, as per the DeLee and Charnley system. The Oxford Hip Score was 41.1±8.8 (range: 16-48). The mean VAS was 0.9±1.6 and the mean EQ-5D-5L was 0.6±0.3. Discussion: The use of DMC with fixation augmented by pegs and screws is safe and effective in the short and medium term for THA in a geriatric population.

Background: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are at increased risk of contracting hepatitis B due to frequent exposure to patients with the disease. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can effectively manage this risk. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of hepatitis B PEP among healthcare workers in the Quetta district. Methodology: Conducted from November 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022, this cross-sectional study targeted healthcare professionals in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. Data were collected from three main public tertiary care institutions and various private hospitals using simple random sampling. A structured questionnaire covering demographic information, immunization status, and hepatitis B PEP was administered. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 19, summarizing data with frequencies and percentages. Odds ratio analysis was conducted to identify associations between awareness of hepatitis B PEP and other variables. Results: Of the 263 participants, 181 (68.8%) were female, and 167 (63.5%) were aged 31-40 years. Most participants (88.5%) were doctors, followed by nurses and pharmacists. While 87.1% had heard of hepatitis B PEP, only 11.8% received formal training on it. Awareness of PEP components was lacking, despite familiarity with its existence. Factors associated with awareness included previous PEP knowledge, hepatitis B screening, and perceived job-related risk. Conclusion: Although many healthcare providers were aware of hepatitis B PEP, knowledge regarding its components was insufficient. Training and education initiatives are crucial to improving awareness and understanding among healthcare professionals.

No absract available.

In response to the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity resilience among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) amidst the rapid digitisation of business operations, this research paper presents the Entrepreneurial Cyber Resilience Framework. Employing a qualitative methodology, the framework emerges from synthesising insights garnered through an extensive literature review and qualitative interviews with SME entrepreneurs and cybersecurity experts. The qualitative approach, which included purposive sampling of SME entrepreneurs representing diverse industries, semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis, allowed for a comprehensive exploration of factors shaping cyber resilience within SMEs. By drawing on the experiences, opinions, and practices of SME entrepreneurs and the scholarly perspectives documented in the literature, the framework provides a structured approach to cultivating a cybersecurity-conscious culture. It emphasizes the pivotal role of leadership, knowledge dissemination, risk management strategies, and technological integration in fortifying cyber resilience. The actionable framework proposed in this study was validated by cybersecurity experts. Ultimately the framework aims to empower SMEs in bolstering their cybersecurity posture and navigating the dynamic threat landscape effectively.

BackgroundPollen monitoring has been discontinuously undertaken in South Africa, a country with high biodiversity, a seasonal rainfall gradient, and nine biomes from arid to subtropical. The South African Pollen Monitoring Network was set up in 2019 to conduct the first long‐term national aerospora monitoring across multiple biomes, providing weekly reports to allergy sufferers and healthcare providers.MethodsDaily airborne pollen concentrations were measured from August 2019 to August 2021 in seven cities across South Africa. Updated pollen calendars were created for the major pollen types (>3%), the average Annual Pollen Index over 12 months was calculated, and the results were compared to available historical data.ResultsThe main pollen types were from exotic vegetation. The most abundant taxa were Poaceae, Cupressaceae, Moraceae and Buddleja. The pollen season start, peak and end varied widely according to the biome and suite of pollen taxa. The main tree season started in the last week of August, peaked in September and ended in early December. Grass seasons followed rainfall patterns: September–January and January–April for summer and winter rainfall areas, respectively. Major urban centres, for example, Johannesburg and Pretoria in the same biome with similar rainfall, showed substantive differences in pollen taxa and abundance. Some major differences in pollen spectra were detected compared with historical data. However, we are cognisant that we are describing only 2 years of data that may be skewed by short‐term weather patterns.ConclusionsDifferences in pollen spectra and concentrations were noted across biomes and between geographically close urban centres. Comparison with historical data suggests pollen spectra and seasons may be changing due to anthropogenic climate change and landscaping. These data stress the importance of regional and continuous pollen monitoring for informed care of pollinosis.

Pediatric Critical Care Medicine 23(Supplement 1 11S):, November 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/01.pcc.0000900720.20139.51

The efficacy, safety, physiologic effects, and reversibility of butorphanol-medetomidine-midazolam (BMM) immobilization were evaluated in black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) and compared between captive and wild animals. Nine captive and 14 wild black-footed cats were hand injected into an accessible hind limb muscle group with the BMM combination. The captive cats (captive group) received a lower dose of the combination (butorphanol, 0.25 ± 0.03 mg/kg; medetomidine, 0.06 ± 0.01 mg/kg; midazolam, 0.13 ± 0.02 mg/kg), whereas the wild cats received a higher dose (butorphanol, 0.53 ± 0.11 mg/kg, medetomidine, 0.13 ± 0.03 mg/kg, midazolam, 0.27 ± 0.05 mg/kg). Two capture methods were required to restrain the wild cats; previously collared cats were tracked and excavated out of their burrows during daylight hours (excavated group), whereas uncollared cats were randomly located using spotlights and pursued by a vehicle at night (pursued group). Inductions were rapid and no spontaneous arousals occurred. Mean arterial blood pressure in all cats was within normal limits for domestic cats. Initial rectal temperatures varied greatly among the groups, but decreased in all groups as the immobilization progressed. In the pursued animals, heart rates and respiratory rates were initially elevated. All cats had moderate hypoxemia, hypocapnia, and metabolic acidosis. Intramuscular administration of naltrexone, atipamezole, and flumazenil resulted in rapid, uncomplicated recoveries. BMM is thus a safe, effective immobilizing drug combination for both captive and wild black-footed cats, but higher doses are required in wild animals. The capture methods exerted a greater influence on the physiology of the immobilized animals than did the doses of the drugs used. Although this drug combination can be used safely to immobilize black-footed cats, supplemental oxygen should always be available for use, especially in pursued animals due to hypoxia.