University Of Cape Town Research Articles

Investigating Empirical evidence on the Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Bibliometric analysis of the 100 topmost cited publications on Tuberculosis Disease

Tuberculosis (TB) disease remains a growing threat in public health globally. This study explored the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and bibliometric analysis of the top 100 most cited articles on TB. The study adopted a narrative review and bibliometric analysis to explore publications on TB disease. Publications in the Web of Science were retrieved to provide extensive selection process. The present study of top 100 articles which are mostly cited are reported between 1969 to 2018. Reported documents were published in 37 journals, and a total of 1058 authors contributed with 10.5 authors per document, and 12 countries contributed, with most of TB research originating from the US (N=51) articles. We found 1058 occasional authors, and of these, 971 authors (0.003%) presented only three articles, followed by 11 authors (0.010%) and 18 authors (0.017%), respectively. About (n=34) research was published in General & Internal Medicine and Science & Technology. New England Journal of Medicine with 14 was top journal. The lead research institution was the University of Cape Town. The significant correlations were found between the number of citations and documents per year (r=0.9579, p<0.0001), countries (r=0.9570, p<0.0001), article per journal (r=0.8721, p<0.0001), and authors (r=0.4601, p<0.0001), and documents per Institution (r=0.6159, p<0.0001). A new insight into TB scientific production was through social network. The evidence from this study provides a template for understanding the epidemiology of TB and the trends in research. It also exposes the hotspot of research along with research gaps for future studies.

Exploring university staff experiences gained during COVID-19 in the provision of digital mental health services through e-health tools: A case of a selected South African University

The recent COVID-19 pandemic significantly exacerbated mental health issues worldwide, with South African university staff facing unique stressors that led to the adoption of e-health tools for digital mental health services. This study explores the university staff experiences gained during COVID-19 pandemic in the provision of digital mental health services through e-health tools. We conducted a case study at a public university in Cape Town, South Africa complemented by a survey using quantitative methods. Data from 348 respondents were collected via voluntary response sampling and analysed with Statistical Software Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28, employing exploratory factor analysis. High factor loadings above 0.4 confirmed significant contributions from seven items: perceived usefulness of e-health tools, perceived usefulness of social media, user experience and satisfaction, university commitment, variety of digital mental health services, post-COVID-19 delivery mode preference and ethical considerations. These seven items revealed that during COVID-19, e-health tools provided significant benefits to university staff including increased access to digital mental services. However, the study findings revealed that university staff were concerned about the lack of a legal framework during COVID-19, and the role of AI-powered mental health applications did not significantly influence their experiences during the pandemic. Our study provides theoretical insights into the effectiveness and perceived usefulness of e-health tools for digital mental health services during COVID-19, reinforcing their significance in reducing anxiety, stress, and depression while enhancing emotional resilience. Practically, our study findings suggest that universities should integrate e-health tools into the provision of digital mental health services given that these tools proved effective during COVID-19.

Exploring the effects of time-restricted eating on body weight and associated cardiometabolic outcomes in South African women living with HIV (TESSA): protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionWe codesigned an intervention with a low-resourced community with the aim to investigate the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) on changes in body weight and associated cardiometabolic outcomes in South...

Study on the Implementation of Capstone Projects in Various Countries

This study examines the implementation of capstone projects at ten leading universities from various countries, namely the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Cambridge, University of Tokyo, University of Sydney, University of Cape Town (UCT), University of Toronto, ÉcoleNormaleSupérieure (ENS) Paris, Peking University, University of Melbourne, and Cairo University. The study explores how each institution designs and executes its capstone projects, along with the challenges and opportunities they encounter. The key findings indicate that all universities integrate cutting-edge technology and emphasize practical testing, although there are variations in project focus that reflect local contexts. Common challenges include technology integration and change management, while opportunities for improvement encompass enhanced infrastructure, additional training, and industry partnerships. The study provides recommendations for educational institutions and policymakers on how to improve the execution of capstone projects and strengthen graduate relevance. Suggestions for future research include exploring the long-term impacts of capstone projects and the role of industry partnerships in enhancing project outcomes. This study offers insights into best practices and strategies to enhance the quality and effectiveness of capstone projects globally.

Transforming Higher Education in Sierra Leone – A Path to Sustainable Development

This paper examines the critical role of higher education in driving sustainable development in Sierra Leone, guided by Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) and Sustainable Development Theory (SDT). The study investigates challenges within the higher education system, such as inadequate funding, outdated curricula, and limited research capacity, and presents a comprehensive framework for transformation. These obstacles hinder the effectiveness of higher education institutions (HEIs) in contributing to national development. The paper highlights innovative teaching methods, such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and experiential education, as strategies to foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and leadership capabilities among students. By aligning academic programs with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasizing interdisciplinary research and industry collaboration, HEIs can play a pivotal role in Sierra Leone’s socio-economic progress. Drawing on successful models from universities such as Aalborg, the University of Malaya, and the University of Cape Town, the study demonstrates how interdisciplinary research and industry partnerships can drive innovation and development. The findings underscore the need for coordinated efforts from academia, industry, government, and international partners to transform Sierra Leone’s higher education system into a driver of sustainable development. The paper concludes that, while challenges persist, the integration of transformative learning and sustainable development principles can enable HEIs to equip graduates with the skills necessary to address the country’s most pressing socio-economic and environmental issues.

Transitions in development - an interview with Dorit Hockman.

Dorit Hockman is a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Her group studies the dynamics of gene regulation in the developing nervous system. We chatted with Dorit over a video call to find out more about her career path, her return to South Africa to establish her independent research group, and the importance of having supportive colleagues and mentors.

Knowledge and perceptions of South African blood donors towards biobanking and stool donation.

The complexity of contexts and varied purposes for which biome donation are requested are unknown in South Africa. The aim of this study was to provide strategic data towards actualisation of whether a stool donor bank may be established as a collaborative between Western Cape Blood Services (WCBS) and the University of Cape Town (UCT). We designed a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey to determine willingness of WCBS blood donors to donate stool specimens for microbiome biobanking. The study was conducted between 01 June 2022 and 01 July 2022 at three WCBS donation centres in Cape Town, South Africa. Anonymous blood donors who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Anonymised demographic and interview data were analysed statistically. Analysis of responses from 209/231 blood donors demonstrated in a logistic regression model that compensation (p < 0.001) and 'societal benefit outweighs inconvenience' beliefs (p = 7.751e-05) were covariates significantly associated with willingness to donate stool. Age was borderline significant at a 5% level (p = 0.0556). Most willing stool donors indicated that donating stool samples would not affect blood donations (140/157, 90%). Factors decreasing willingness to donate were stool collection being unpleasant or embarrassing. The survey provides strategic data for the establishment of a stool bank and provided an understanding of the underlying determinants regarding becoming potential donors. This is the first report on the perspectives of potential participants in donating samples towards a stool microbiome biobank in South Africa, a necessity for faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

Morphological variations of fissures, lobes, and hilar pattern of the lung in a select South African sample

IntroductionThe lungs are essential respiratory organs divided into lobes by the horizontal and oblique fissures. The hilum, located on the mediastinal surface of each lung, is where the bronchus, pulmonary veins, and pulmonary arteries enter and exit. This study aims to investigate and record the variations in the morphology of lung fissures, lobes, and hilar patterns observed in a South African sample.Methods and MaterialsThis cross-sectional observational study employed descriptive analysis. A total of 48 formalin-fixed bodies, comprising 24 females and 24 males from the Department of Human Biology at the University of Cape Town were studied were examined. Fissures were classified according to the Craig and Walker criteria.Results and DiscussionIncomplete oblique fissures were found in 25 right lungs and 30 left lungs. Incomplete horizontal fissures were observed in 39 right lungs, and one right lung exhibited the absence of both horizontal and oblique fissures. Accessory fissures were present in five right and seven left lungs. Variations in the hilar pattern were noted, including differences in the number and arrangement of structures in both right and left lungs.ConclusionVariations were observed in the lobes, fissures and the hilar patterns of several lungs. Awareness of these morphological variations is crucial for surgeons and radiologist to avoid misdiagnosis and complications during surgical procedures.

Multilevel Proteomics Reveals Epigenetic Signatures in BCG-Mediated Macrophage Activation

The bacillus Calmette-Guérin BCG vaccine (Mycobacterium bovis) is primarily used to prevent tuberculosis (TB) infections but has wide-ranging immunogenic effects. One of its most notable properties is its ability to induce trained immunity, a memory-like response in innate immune cells such as macrophages. Through targeted analyses of well-established histone marks, prior research has shown that these changes are generated through epigenetic modification. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches provide a way to globally profile various aspects of the proteome, providing data to further identify unexplored mechanisms of BCG-mediated immunomodulation. Here we use multi-level proteomics (total, histone, and phospho to identify networks and potential mechanisms that mediate BCG-induced immunomodulation in macrophages. Histone-focused proteomics and total proteomics were performed at the University of Cape Town (data available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD051187), while phosphoproteomics data was retrieved from the ProteomeXchange Repository (identifier PXD013171). We identify several epigenetic mechanisms that may drive BCG-induced training phenotypes. Evidence across the proteomics and histone-focused proteomics data set pair 6 epigenetic effectors (NuA4, NuRD, NSL, Sin3A, SIRT2, SIRT6) and their substrates.

Translanguaging as a decolonial pedagogic strategy for South African universities

This article explores the persistent challenges posed by colonial pedagogies in South African universities, with a specific focus on the University of Cape Town (UCT). The imposition of colonial languages such as English and Afrikaans in South African universities has perpetuated a linguistic hierarchy wherein these two languages dominate, sidelining the indigenous African languages. Despite democratic changes in 1994, the continued dominance of the two colonial languages in teaching and learning reinforces a coloniality of language, knowledge, and power. In response to this, the article advocates for translanguaging as a decolonial pedagogy to disrupt existing power dynamics and promote linguistic inclusivity and justice in teaching and learning. The concept of translanguaging is introduced, and its potential as a transformative pedagogy for leveraging multilingual competence among students is explored. The article contends that translanguaging introduces a decolonial framework for learning and teaching for multilingual and multicultural students. An example from the University of Cape Town (UCT) is provided to demonstrate how translanguaging pedagogy can serve as a decolonial pedagogic strategy in the classroom. Methodologically, the study employed linguistic ethnography techniques to gather data. The data analysis illustrates the strategies employed by multilingual students to challenge and navigate the dominance of English academic language through the practice of translanguaging.

Racial discourses and colonial education policy: The discursive construction of education development at a historically white South African university

Motivated by critiques from black students during the protests (2015-2016), I trace continuities between the racialised discourses and knowledge regimes that justified colonial education policies and that of Education Development at a historically white South African university. First, I show how the University of Cape Town’s Humanities Education Development Programme racialised and misrecognised black students, despite attempted reforms. Secondly, I trace the discursive formation of the ED project - from the assimilationist discourse of missionary education; the adapted model of trusteeship; the production of race science during apartheid; to a return to assimilationist discourse via the Cape Liberal tradition during apartheid’s demise. However, after a generation of inferior Banu Education, the attempt to assimilate black students into historically white universities’ curricula was not feasible. Instead, an adapted, remedial model was proposed that became entrenched post-apartheid by a state and HE system that failed to transform its inherited Eurocentric curriculum.

Progress in Pharmacometrics Implementation and Regulatory Integration in Africa: A Systematic Review.

The availability of clinical trial data, advocacy, and increased funding has facilitated the implementation of pharmacometrics in Africa, resulting in the establishment of additional training programs for pharmacometricians. This study conducted a systematic review to evaluate the progress made from the implementation of pharmacometrics in clinical drug development and its adoption into drug approval by regulatory authorities in Africa. We performed a comprehensive literature search using major databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. The study included articles published until 2024, with no lower cutoff. Articles were excluded if not addressing the research question or of pharmacometrics studies done outside Africa with no collaboration with African researchers (study setting). For the review, a total of 121 articles were included for analysis. Among the reported pharmacometrics approaches, Population pharmacokinetics modeling approaches are the most used (95 (78.5%)). South Africa and Uganda researchers have the most research output in pharmacometrics in Africa (82 (89.1%) and 7(7.61%), respectively), with the University of Cape Town (South Africa) producing the highest (71 (78.8%)) of all article in Africa. The most studied conditions are TB (43 (35.5%)), HIV (33 (27.3%), TB and HIV (22 (18.2%)), and malaria (12 (9.92%). Pharmacometrics is gaining momentum in Africa, and the progress made since inception will significantly improve the safety and efficacy of therapeutic agents used to treat HIV, TB, and other emerging conditions.

Survive or suffer: sustainability of addiction care curriculum/training in South African Universities

ABSTRACT South Africa is grappling with a significant challenge of high harmful substance use rates, a shortage of addiction care professionals, and an expanding treatment gap. In response, the Department of the Premier initiated a project in 2010 to revamp its approach to substance use treatment in the Western Cape. This endeavor led to the establishment of a postgraduate diploma in addictions (PGDIP) in collaboration with the Universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch. The PGDIP aimed to enhance the expertise of healthcare professionals in evidence-based practices for substance use prevention and treatment. Despite the initial success of the program in upskilling professionals and improving addiction care quality, financial constraints threaten its continuity, hindering the upskilling of the addiction treatment workforce. The cessation of bursaries and the self-funding requirements pose challenges to training professionals in evidence-based approaches. The growing prevalence of substance use disorders in South Africa underscores the urgency of investing in addiction specialists to address the escalating demand for treatment services and the complex needs of individuals struggling with addiction. To avert a potential public health crisis, it is imperative for the country to prioritize the training of addiction practitioners and ensure standardized academic training to professionalize the addiction workforce.

Challenges with measures used for assessing research impact in higher education institutions

Internationally, there has been a push for the prioritisation of research impact beyond its scholarly contribution. Traditionally, research impact assessments have focused on academic impact and quantitative measures, at the expense of researchers for whom research impact cannot be quantified. Bibliometric indicators and other quantitative measures are still the most widely used method for evaluating research impact because these measures are easy to use and provide a quick solution for evaluators. Conversely, metric indicators fail to capture important dimensions of high-quality research. Hence, in this study, we explored challenges with metric indicators. We adopted a case study of the University of Cape Town and used document analysis, a questionnaire survey to collect data from academics and researchers, as well as semi-structured interviews with a sample of academic and research staff. The findings highlight common challenges with quantitative measures, such as bias and discipline coverage, and the ability of measures to drive researchers’ behaviour in another direction. We propose the adoption of responsible research metrics and assessment in South African higher education institutions for more inclusive and equitable research impact assessments.

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following exposure to acute psychological trauma in children aged 8–16 years in South Africa: protocol for the Sinethemba longitudinal study

IntroductionChildren exposed to trauma are vulnerable to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other adverse mental health outcomes. In low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), children are at increased risk of exposure...

Evolution of antimicrobial stewardship in pneumonia management: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis

AbstractObjectivesThis comprehensive bibliometric analysis explores the evolving trends in antimicrobial stewardship programs for enhancing treatment and diagnostics of pneumonia from 2006 to 2023.Materials and methodsThis research included a performance analysis and science mapping using RStudio v.4.3.1 and the bibliometric R‐package, with a data analysis conducted using Biblioshiny and Scopus. The study identified publication trends, prolific journals, leading institutions and authors, collaboration patterns, and keyword frequencies.ResultsThe study, based on 789 relevant studies from 287 sources, reveals a substantial increase in publications, collaborative authorship, and citations, with an average of 14.37 citations per document. The Annual Growth Rate for this research domain exhibits a steady increase of 30.13%, emphasizing the expanding scope of research output. Twelve key journals are identified using Bradford's Law with “Antibiotics” being the most prolific, contributing 6.5% of the total articles during the study period. Leading institutions in this research domain include the All‐India Institute of Medical Sciences and the University of Cape Town, each with 21 articles, reflecting their commitment. Dr. S.E. Cosgrove emerges as a key author with eight contributions, followed by other influential contributors. The United States leads in the number of publications, with Italy and Spain following closely. The analysis reveals a concentration of research output in high‐income countries, raising questions about accessibility and research capabilities in lower‐income nations. Addressing these disparities is crucial for comprehensive global strategies in pneumonia management. The study acknowledges limitations, such as database selection and language bias.ConclusionThe research trends in antimicrobial stewardship for pneumonia treatment and diagnostics demonstrate a global increase in scholarly output. These findings provide valuable insights into collaborative networks, influential authors, leading institutions, and emerging topics.

Ongoing Implementation and Prospective Validation of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Tools at an African Drug Discovery Center.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are anticipated to accelerate drug discovery programs. Following our development of an end-to-end virtual screening cascade at the University of Cape Town (UCT) Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Center, we report the ongoing implementation of open-source AI/ML tools for use in resource-constrained settings.

LGG-42. TWENTY YEARS OF PROGRESS IN MANAGING LOW GRADE GLIOMA: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN’S COMBINED PAEDIATRIC NEURO-ONCOLOGY SERVICE FROM 2001 TO 2022

Abstract BACKGROUND This study aimed to review the management of childhood low grade gliomas (WHO I and II) by the University of Cape Town’s combined neuro-oncology service at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s and Groote Schuur Hospitals. METHODS All patients diagnosed with low grade glioma between 2001 and 2022 were included in this retrospective study. Real time decision-making during the study period was achieved via a weekly neuroimaging meeting, and surveillance by a combined monthly clinic attended by paediatric endocrinology and educational psychology. Despite state of the art surgical and radiotherapy facilities, molecular diagnostics, monoclonal antibodies and small molecules were only available to selected patients. RESULTS Among 129 children, aged 0.38 to 14.58 years [median 5.36], six had Tuberous Sclerosis and 11 had Neurofibromatosis-1. The commonest sites were cerebellum (26%), hypothalamus (17%) and optic pathway (16%), and 12 patients (9%) had metastatic disease, mostly grade I supratentorial tumours. Twenty-three patients were diagnosed on imaging without histology, six of whom were biopsied subsequently, yielding a total of 96 grade I and 16 grade II tumours. Initial management was expectant in 16% (including 8 of the 11 Nf-1 tumours), surgery in the form of debulking or total resection in 53%, chemotherapy in 24% and radiotherapy in 8%. Ultimately 36% received chemotherapy and 29% radiotherapy (almost all of them focal RT), and only 16% of those treated with radiotherapy progressed. Estimated 5-year Overall Survival (OS) and Progression Free Survival (PFS) was 90.5% and 52.6% for the whole group. Patients treated with chemotherapy had an OS of 87.2% and a PFS of 39.2%. PFS and OS were inferior for metastatic disease but not for grade II tumours. CONCLUSIONS Low grade glioma can be managed effectively in a middle-income country setting. Multidisciplinary team management is crucial to achieving positive outcomes regardless of context.

Linda-Gail Bekker: Mentorship is critical for anyone in STEM.

Linda-Gail Bekker is a professor, chief executive officer of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, and director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Her research interests include HIV treatment and prevention and tuberculosis, and she is active in developing community projects to promote education and research. We talked to Linda-Gail about her career, the importance of mentorship, and how rewarding it is to collaborate, mentor, and uplift other scientists.

Universities and Artificial Intelligence

The general objective of the research was to determine the advances related to the universities and artificial intelligence. The specific objectives of the research are to identify the universities that invest the most in artificial intelligence and the best global universities for artificial intelligence. Methodology, in this research, 42 documents have been selected, carried out in the period 2018 – 2024; including: scientific articles, review articles and information from websites of recognized organizations. Results, AI is becoming increasingly important in all areas of human activity, which is why standards are being established for its proper use. Education is an important aspect in the development of people, which is why it must be invested at an international level. Innovation is very important for any type of organization and especially for universities. Conclusions, artificial intelligence is gaining more followers in university higher education, due to its important contribution. In addition, some principles have been formulated to guide its development. The top global university is the MIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (The United States of America); the top university in Latin America and the Caribbean is the Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil); the top university in Europe is the University of Oxford (United Kingdom); the best university in Asia is the Tsinghua University (China); the top university in Africa is the University of Cape Town (South Africa); the top university in Oceania is the University of Melbourne (Australia). The university that invests the most in artificial intelligence was Johns Hopkins University. The best global universities for artificial intelligence were Tsinghua University, Nanyang Technological University, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Stanford University, University of California – Berkeley and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.