Mogamat Razeen Davids

Bio: Mogamat Razeen Davids is an academic researcher from Stellenbosch University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Kidney disease & Medicine. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 52 publications receiving 726 citations. Previous affiliations of Mogamat Razeen Davids include University of São Paulo & University of Cape Town.

Acute hyponatraemia and 'ecstasy': insights from a quantitative and integrative analysis.

Abstract: A 20-year-old woman attended a 'rave party' where she took the drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy'). She had used this drug previously without serious adverse effects. On this occasion, while both she and her friends drank a large quantity of water, only she became seriously ill. The initial manifestation was an altered sensorium; several hours later she had a grand mal seizure. In the Emergency Department, the most striking features were the severe degree of hyponatraemia (112 mmol/l) and cerebral oedema. To explain the basis for this life-threatening clinical presentation, an imaginary consultation was sought with Professor McCance. Using both a deductive and a quantitative analysis that involved several medical subspecialties, he illustrated that a simple story of water ingestion and vasopressin release was not sufficient to explain her hyponatraemia. It was only after events in her gastrointestinal tract were analysed that a plausible hypothesis could be constructed.

Hypercalcaemia and metabolic alkalosis with betel nut chewing: emphasis on its integrative pathophysiology

Abstract: Background Events in the gastrointestinal tract that might contribute to a high absorption of calcium were simulated in vitro to evaluate why only a small proportion of individuals who ingest alkaline calcium salts develop hypercalcaemia, hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis. Methods A patient who chewed and swallowed around 40 betel nuts daily developed hypercalcaemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypokalaemia with renal potassium wasting, and renal insufficiency. The quantities of calcium and alkali per betel nut preparation were measured. Factors that might increase intestinal absorption of calcium were evaluated. Results Hypercalcaemia in the index case was accompanied by a high daily calcium excretion (248 mg, 6.2 mmol). Circulating levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and parathyroid hormone were low. Hypokalaemia with a high transtubular K(+) concentration gradient, metabolic alkalosis, a low excretion of phosphate and a very low glomerular filtration rate were prominent features. Conclusions Possible explanations for the pathophysiology of metabolic alkalosis and hypokalaemia are provided. We speculate that a relatively greater availability of ionized calcium than inorganic phosphate in the lumen of the intestinal tract could have enhanced dietary calcium absorption.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Is Africa Different?

Abstract: COVID-19 has now spread to all the continents of the world with the possible exception of Antarctica. However, Africa appears different when compared with all the other continents. The absence of exponential growth and the low mortality rates contrary to that experienced in other continents, and contrary to the projections for Africa by various agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) has been a puzzle to many. Although Africa is the second most populous continent with an estimated 17.2% of the world's population, the continent accounts for only 5% of the total cases and 3% of the mortality. Mortality for the whole of Africa remains at a reported 19,726 as at August 01, 2020. The onset of the pandemic was later, the rate of rise has been slower and the severity of illness and case fatality rates have been lower in comparison to other continents. In addition, contrary to what had been documented in other continents, the occurrence of the renal complications in these patients also appeared to be much lower. This report documents the striking differences between the continents and within the continent of Africa itself and then attempts to explain the reasons for these differences. It is hoped that information presented in this review will help policymakers in the fight to contain the pandemic, particularly within Africa with its resource-constrained health care systems.

An efficient approach to improve the usability of e-learning resources: the role of heuristic evaluation

Abstract: Optimizing the usability of e-learning materials is necessary to maximize their potential educational impact, but this is often neglected when time and other resources are limited, leading to the release of materials that cannot deliver the desired learning outcomes. As clinician-teachers in a resource-constrained environment, we investigated whether heuristic evaluation of our multimedia e-learning resource by a panel of experts would be an effective and efficient alternative to testing with end users. We engaged six inspectors, whose expertise included usability, e-learning, instructional design, medical informatics, and the content area of nephrology. They applied a set of commonly used heuristics to identify usability problems, assigning severity scores to each problem. The identification of serious problems was compared with problems previously found by user testing. The panel completed their evaluations within 1 wk and identified a total of 22 distinct usability problems, 11 of which were considered serious. The problems violated the heuristics of visibility of system status, user control and freedom, match with the real world, intuitive visual layout, consistency and conformity to standards, aesthetic and minimalist design, error prevention and tolerance, and help and documentation. Compared with user testing, heuristic evaluation found most, but not all, of the serious problems. Combining heuristic evaluation and user testing, with each involving a small number of participants, may be an effective and efficient way of improving the usability of e-learning materials. Heuristic evaluation should ideally be used first to identify the most obvious problems and, once these are fixed, should be followed by testing with typical end users.

Development and evaluation of a multimedia e-learning resource for electrolyte and acid-base disorders.

Abstract: This article reports on the development and evaluation of a Web-based application that provides instruction and hands-on practice in managing electrolyte and acid-base disorders. Our teaching appro...

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease

Abstract: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially the early stages, is still not exactly known. This is also true for CKD stage 3, when cardiovascular and other major complications generally appear. The NANHES data have shown a steady increase in the prevalence of CKD 3 up to 7.7% in 2004. Chronic kidney disease and renal failure are underdiagnosed all over the world. In Italy, prevalence estimates for stage 3 to 5 CKD are around 4 million yet, less than 30% of these subjects are believed to be followed at nephrology clinics. This means that in Italy for every dialyzed patient there are about 85 individuals with possibly progressive kidney disease, while fewer than five (mainly stage 4 and 5 patients) are actually followed by a nephrologist.

ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2018: Diabetic ketoacidosis and the hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state.

Abstract: Recommendations concerning fluid management have been modified to reflect recent findings from a randomized controlled clinical trial showing no difference in cerebral injury in patients rehydrated at different rates with either 0.45% or 0.9% saline. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning

Abstract: Durante la ultima decada el campo del aprendizaje multimediado ha emergido como una disciplina coherente basada en la investigacion. El Manual presenta un panorama actualizado y comprensivo de ambos. Este tipo de aprendizaje tiene lugar a traves de palabras (textos orales e impresos) e imagenes (ilustraciones, fotografias, mapas, animaciones, video). El Manual se centra en el modo en que se aprende con estos recursos en contextos mediados por la computadora.

Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state

Abstract: aDivision of Endocrinology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; bBarts Health NHS Trust, Royal London Hospital, London, UK; cInstitute of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead; School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; dOxfordshire Children’s Diabetes Service, Oxford Children’s Hospital, Oxford, UK; eSection of Endocrinology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA; fPediatric Endocrinology Division, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India; gEndocrinology Service, Department of Paediatrics, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore; hDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya ; iDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA; jDivision of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA and kDepartment of Pediatrics, NU Hospital Group, Uddevalla and Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden