Johan Louw
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View article: The Application of Noble Gases in the Food Industry
The Application of Noble Gases in the Food Industry Open
Noble gases have revolutionised food packaging technology by providing a unique combination of safety and effectiveness in food preservation. These naturally occurring elements - neon (Ne), helium (He), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), radon (Rn)…
View article: Upstream SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance at Breede Valley municipality using wastewater-based epidemiology
Upstream SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance at Breede Valley municipality using wastewater-based epidemiology Open
The COVID-19 pandemic has strained economies and health systems worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where limited resources were further stretched by the crisis. In response, innovative strategies like wastewater-b…
View article: One Year of Wastewater Surveillance in South Africa Supporting COVID-19 Clinical Findings Across Two Waves of Infection
One Year of Wastewater Surveillance in South Africa Supporting COVID-19 Clinical Findings Across Two Waves of Infection Open
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been an important tool for the detection of COVID-19 outbreaks. The retrospective analysis of COVID-19 data is vital to understand the spread and impact of the virus as well as to inform future plann…
View article: Wastewater-based SARS-CoV-2 airport surveillance: key trends at the Cape Town International Airport
Wastewater-based SARS-CoV-2 airport surveillance: key trends at the Cape Town International Airport Open
Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater has revealed the role of mobility in the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and the surveillance of airport wastewater in cities across the world has demonstrated how travel entry poi…
View article: Using Wastewater Surveillance to Compare COVID-19 Outbreaks during the Easter Holidays over a 2-Year Period in Cape Town, South Africa
Using Wastewater Surveillance to Compare COVID-19 Outbreaks during the Easter Holidays over a 2-Year Period in Cape Town, South Africa Open
Wastewater surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has shown to be an important approach to determine early outbreaks of infections. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is regarded as a complementary to…
View article: USING A CACO-2 AND THP-1 CO-CULTURE MODEL TO EVALUATE INTESTINAL BARRIER PROTECTIVE PROPERTIES — EFFECTS OF DEXAMETHASONE
USING A CACO-2 AND THP-1 CO-CULTURE MODEL TO EVALUATE INTESTINAL BARRIER PROTECTIVE PROPERTIES — EFFECTS OF DEXAMETHASONE Open
OBJECTIVES Increased intestinal permeability or so-called “leaky gut,” is considered an early event in the development of obesity and diabetes. It is likely driven by the translocation of bacteria-derived products such as lipopolysaccharid…
View article: ASPALATHIN-RICH GREEN ROIBOS EXTRACT IN COMBINATION WITH GLYBURIDE AND ATORVASTATIN ENHANCES LIPID METABOLISM IN A db/db MOUSE MODEL
ASPALATHIN-RICH GREEN ROIBOS EXTRACT IN COMBINATION WITH GLYBURIDE AND ATORVASTATIN ENHANCES LIPID METABOLISM IN A db/db MOUSE MODEL Open
OBJECTIVESThis study investigated the effects of combining an aspalathin-rich green rooibos extract (GRT) with glyburide and atorvastatin in a type 2 diabetic (db/db) mouse model. METHODOLOGYDb/db mice were treated orally with glyburide an…
View article: Aspalathin-rich green rooibos tea in combination with glyburide and atorvastatin enhances lipid metabolism in a db/db mouse model
Aspalathin-rich green rooibos tea in combination with glyburide and atorvastatin enhances lipid metabolism in a db/db mouse model Open
Rooibos ( Aspalathus linearis ), an indigenous South African plant and its major flavonoid, aspalathin, exhibited positive effects on glycemia and dyslipidemia in animal studies. Limited evidence exists on the effects of rooibos extract ta…
View article: Delineating the Spread and Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Sublineages (BA.1–BA.5) and Deltacron Using Wastewater in the Western Cape, South Africa
Delineating the Spread and Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Sublineages (BA.1–BA.5) and Deltacron Using Wastewater in the Western Cape, South Africa Open
This study was one of the first to detect Omicron sublineages BA.4 and BA.5 in wastewater from South Africa. Spearman rank correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive correlation between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2…
View article: Sewage surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 at student campus residences in the Western Cape, South Africa
Sewage surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 at student campus residences in the Western Cape, South Africa Open
The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnostic capacity is limited in defined communities, posing a challenge in tracking and tracing new infections. Monitoring student residences, which are considered …
View article: Intestinal Barrier Function and Immune Homeostasis Are Missing Links in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Development
Intestinal Barrier Function and Immune Homeostasis Are Missing Links in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Development Open
Noncommunicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), place a burden on healthcare systems worldwide. The rising prevalence of obesity, a major risk factor for T2D, is mainly attributed to the adoption of Westernized diets and lifestyle…
View article: Tracking the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern in South Africa using wastewater-based epidemiology
Tracking the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern in South Africa using wastewater-based epidemiology Open
View article: In vitro and in vivo hepatotoxicity study of Afriplex™ GRT through an inflammatory response
In vitro and in vivo hepatotoxicity study of Afriplex™ GRT through an inflammatory response Open
View article: Spatial and Temporal Trends of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from Wastewater Treatment Plants over 6 Weeks in Cape Town, South Africa
Spatial and Temporal Trends of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from Wastewater Treatment Plants over 6 Weeks in Cape Town, South Africa Open
Recent scientific trends have revealed that the collection and analysis of data on the occurrence and fate of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater may serve as an early warning system for COVID-19. In South Africa, the first COVID-19 epicenter emerged…
View article: COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in South Africa: The added value of wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in South Africa: The added value of wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Open
View article: Non-communicable diseases – a catastrophe for South Africa
Non-communicable diseases – a catastrophe for South Africa Open
Non-communicable diseases contribute significantly to the disease burden within South Africa. In the most unequal of societies in the world, poverty and socio-economic disparity are amongst the greatest obstacles facing South Africans, imp…
View article: Therapeutic effects of an aspalathin-rich green rooibos extract, pioglitazone and atorvastatin combination therapy in diabetic db/db mice
Therapeutic effects of an aspalathin-rich green rooibos extract, pioglitazone and atorvastatin combination therapy in diabetic db/db mice Open
Oral therapeutics used to treat type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease often fail to prevent the progression of disease and their comorbidities. Rooibos ( Aspalathus linearis ), an endemic South African plant used as an herbal tea, has…
View article: Qualitative and quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in untreated wastewater in Western Cape Province, South Africa
Qualitative and quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in untreated wastewater in Western Cape Province, South Africa Open
Recent studies have shown that the detection of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in wastewater may provide the basis for a surveillance system to track the environmental dissemination of this virus in communities. An effective wastewater-based …
View article: Human whole genome sequencing in South Africa
Human whole genome sequencing in South Africa Open
The advent and evolution of next generation sequencing has considerably impacted genomic research. Until recently, South African researchers were unable to access affordable platforms capable of human whole genome sequencing locally and DN…
View article: N-Acetyl Cysteine Targets Hepatic Lipid Accumulation to Curb Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in NAFLD: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Literature
N-Acetyl Cysteine Targets Hepatic Lipid Accumulation to Curb Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in NAFLD: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Literature Open
Impaired adipose tissue function and insulin resistance remain instrumental in promoting hepatic lipid accumulation in conditions of metabolic syndrome. In fact, enhanced lipid accumulation together with oxidative stress and an abnormal in…
View article: A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Resveratrol Supplementation on Markers of Renal Function and Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Hypoglycemic Therapy
A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Resveratrol Supplementation on Markers of Renal Function and Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Hypoglycemic Therapy Open
Evidence on the beneficial effects of resveratrol supplementation on cardiovascular disease-related profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is conflicting, while its impact on renal function and blood pressure measurements remains …
View article: Ethnic and Adipose Depot Specific Associations Between DNA Methylation and Metabolic Risk
Ethnic and Adipose Depot Specific Associations Between DNA Methylation and Metabolic Risk Open
We show small, but significant global and INSR promoter DNA methylation differences in GSAT and ASAT of normal-weight and obese black and white South African women. DNA methylation in ASAT was associated with centralization of body …
View article: DNA methylation of FKBP5 in South African women: associations with obesity and insulin resistance
DNA methylation of FKBP5 in South African women: associations with obesity and insulin resistance Open
Background Disruption of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, a neuroendocrine system associated with the stress response, has been hypothesized to contribute to obesity development. This may be mediated through epigenetic modula…
View article: Identification of potential biomarkers for predicting the early onset of diabetic cardiomyopathy in a mouse model
Identification of potential biomarkers for predicting the early onset of diabetic cardiomyopathy in a mouse model Open
View article: Human Whole Genome Sequencing in South Africa
Human Whole Genome Sequencing in South Africa Open
The advent and evolution of next generation sequencing has considerably impacted genomic research. Until recently, South African researchers were unable to access affordable platforms capable of human whole genome sequencing locally and DN…
View article: Effect of Rooibos (<i>Aspalathus linearis</i>) extract on atorvastatin‐induced toxicity in C3A liver cells
Effect of Rooibos (<i>Aspalathus linearis</i>) extract on atorvastatin‐induced toxicity in C3A liver cells Open
Rooibos ( Aspalathus linearis ) has various health benefits. Two case studies have associated chronic Rooibos consumption with conventional prescription medications, including atorvastatin (ATV), with hepatotoxicity. Statins act by inhibit…
View article: Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Improves Adipokine Levels and Alleviates Inflammation and Lipid Peroxidation in Conditions of Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Improves Adipokine Levels and Alleviates Inflammation and Lipid Peroxidation in Conditions of Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Open
Evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggests that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can regulate adipokine levels to impact inflammation and oxidative stress in conditions of metabolic syndrome. Here, prominent electronic databases such a…
View article: Isoorientin ameliorates lipid accumulation by regulating fat browning in palmitate-exposed 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Isoorientin ameliorates lipid accumulation by regulating fat browning in palmitate-exposed 3T3-L1 adipocytes Open
Stimulation of fat browning using natural bioactive products is regarded as one of the promising approaches to treat obesity and insulin resistance. Here, we investigated the physiological effects of isoorientin on glucose uptake and lipid…
View article: The Combination Effect of Aspalathin and Phenylpyruvic Acid-2-O-β-d-glucoside from Rooibos against Hyperglycemia-Induced Cardiac Damage: An In Vitro Study
The Combination Effect of Aspalathin and Phenylpyruvic Acid-2-O-β-d-glucoside from Rooibos against Hyperglycemia-Induced Cardiac Damage: An In Vitro Study Open
Recent evidence shows that rooibos compounds, aspalathin and phenylpyruvic acid-2-O-β-d-glucoside (PPAG), can independently protect cardiomyocytes from hyperglycemia-related reactive oxygen species (ROS). While aspalathin shows more potenc…
View article: Impact of Isoorientin on Metabolic Activity and Lipid Accumulation in Differentiated Adipocytes
Impact of Isoorientin on Metabolic Activity and Lipid Accumulation in Differentiated Adipocytes Open
The current study explored the effect of isoorientin on the metabolic activity and lipid accumulation in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. To achieve this, the 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were differentiated for eight days and treated with…