Biofabrication of functional bone tissue: defining tissue-engineered scaffolds from nature.

Damage to bone leads to pain and loss of movement in the musculoskeletal system. Although bone can regenerate, sometimes it is damaged beyond its innate capacity. Research interest is increasingly turning to tissue engineering (TE) processes to provide a clinical solution for bone defects. Despite the increasing biomimicry of tissue-engineered scaffolds, significant gaps remain in creating the complex bone substitutes, which include the biochemical and physical conditions required to recapitulate bone cells' natural growth, differentiation and maturation. Combining advanced biomaterials with new additive manufacturing technologies allows the development of 3D tissue, capable of forming cell aggregates and organoids based on natural and stimulated cues. Here, we provide an overview of the structure and mechanical properties of natural bone, the role of bone cells, the remodelling process, cytokines and signalling pathways, causes of bone defects and typical treatments and new TE strategies. We highlight processes of selecting biomaterials, cells and growth factors. Finally, we discuss innovative tissue-engineered models that have physiological and anatomical relevance for cancer treatments, injectable stimuli gels, and other therapeutic drug delivery systems. We also review current challenges and prospects of bone TE. Overall, this review serves as guide to understand and develop better tissue-engineered bone designs

Neonatal outcomes of preterm neonates and its predictors in Ethiopian public hospitals: Multicenter prospective follow-up study

Introduction Preterm birth remains the most significant clinical and public health encounter Preterm infant outcomes pose key evidence for clinicians and policymakers and are extensively used to set clinical and policy verdicts to improve services It is necessary to conduct the outcomes of neonates frequently as it varies from place to place and even from time to time in a similar place There is limited literature in Ethiopia about preterm neonates outcomes and their predictors Objective This study aimed to assess the neonatal outcomes of preterm neonates and their predictors in South Gondar zone public hospitals Northwest Ethiopia 2021 Methods A prospective observational study was employed on 462 preterm neonates in South Gondar Zone Public Hospitals The data were entered into Epidata 4 6 and analyzed using STATA version 16 MP software A parametric log normal survival model was used to identify possible predictors for preterm neonate death Statistical significance was declared at a i P i value less than 0 05 Result The overall preterm survival rate was 71 1 95 CI 66 7 75 1 Thirty six percent of preterm neonates were diagnosed with sepsis One fourth of the neonates had respiratory distress syndrome Gestational age greater than 34 weeks 1 04 95 CI 0 53 1 56 respiratory distress syndrome 0 85 95 CI 0 49 1 22 body mass index 1 34 95 CI 1 87 0 80 non union marital status 0 71 95 CI 1 34 0 09 multiple pregnancies 0 66 95 CI 0 99 0 32 multiparous 0 35 95 CI 0 01 0 69 hypothermia 1 19 95 CI 1 76 0 62 Kangaroo Mother Care 1 9 95 CI 2 34 1 41 and non cephalic presentation 1 23 95 CI 1 99 0 46 were significant predictors Conclusion In this study the preterm survival rate was low Gestational age greater than 34 weeks no respiratory distress syndrome and multiparous mothers were positively associated with the survival of preterm neonates Though high pre pregnancy maternal body mass index non union marital status of mothers multiple pregnancies hypothermia Kangaroo mother care

Developing and piloting location-specific fertilizer recommendation for wheat in Ethiopia

This report covers the progress of developing and piloting location-specific fertilizer and agroclimate advisory service for Wheat in Ethiopia. The report highlights the major activities implemented during the 2022 cropping season including (1) review of organic fertilizer recommendations for wheat; (2) generation of location-specific fertilizer rate (LSFR) for piloting; (3) developing kebele map for LSFR recommendation; (4) video preparation for demo training; (5) trainings organized on piloting LSFR advisory and map reading; (6) LSFR advisory reach and adoption; (7) Alliance and partners pilot trial field visits during the main wheat season; (8) field days organized ; and (9) certificate of appreciation awarded to Alliance and its partners. The main purpose of the report is to narrative the processes associated with the development of agroadvisory and its piloting in the highlands of Ethiopia

Urban malaria and associated risk factors in Jimma town, south-west Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria kills millions around the world. Until recently it was believed to be a disease of rural areas, since the <it>Anopheles </it>mosquito, which transmits <it>Plasmodium </it>species breeds in rural areas. Urban malaria is emerging as a potential, but "avertable" crisis, in Africa. In view of the rapidly growing number of small and medium-sized towns in Ethiopia there is a pressing need to improve the understanding of the epidemiology of malaria. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine malaria prevalence and associated risk factors in Jimma town.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was carried out in Jimma town from April 1 to May 28, 2010. 804 study participants were included from 291 households for microscopic examination of malaria parasites. Socio-demography data and risk factors were collected using structured questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was done using SPSS 15.0 statistical software.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From a total of 804 study participants in current survey only 42 (5.2%) were positive for malaria parasites. <it>Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum </it>and mixed infection accounted 71.4%, 26.2% and 2.4%, respectively. Higher malaria prevalence rate was observed among under-five children (11%). Those who do not use insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) were more likely to be infected with malaria (OR = 13.6; 95% CI 4.9-37.2, p < 0.001) compared with those who use the ITN. Living in areas where stagnant water existed (OR = 2.1; 95% CI 1.00-4.2, p = 0.047) and its distance of existence <1 km from the house(OR = 2.1; 95% CI 2.0-15.8, p = 0.001) were more likely to be infected with malaria parasite compared with those who live away from stagnant at a distance greater than 1 km.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Malaria is a major health problem with <it>P. vivax </it>becoming a predominant species in the town. The prevalence was strongly associated with proximity of residence to potential mosquito breeding sites. Malaria is affecting significant proportions of the urban settlers and human activities nevertheless play an important role in bringing the mosquito breeding sites closer to residences.</p

Information, Externalities and Socioeconomics of Malaria in Honduras: A Preliminary Analysis

This paper explores how different levels of knowledge correlate with desirable preventive and curative practices against malaria in Honduras. The paper additionally analyzes 'information externalities' associated with non-specific malaria health services, communicational campaigns and organized community networks. Using the 2004 ENSEMAH survey, the analysis tests for statistical differences in the means of behavioral variables and an index of household malaria knowledge, finding that the adoption of desirable prevention and treatment behaviors correlates with proficient levels of knowledge. Differences in behavior across groups with distinctive levels of proficiency were found statistically significant. Also, while information externalities exist, they nonetheless do not deliver adequate levels of knowledge proficiency to induce desirable anti-malaria behavior

Global estimates on the number of people blind or visually impaired by Uncorrected Refractive Error: a meta-analysis from 2000 to 2020

Background: Uncorrected refractive error (URE) is a readily treatable cause of visual impairment (VI). This study provides updated estimates of global and regional vision loss due to URE, presenting temporal change for VISION 2020 Methods: Data from population-based eye disease surveys from 1980–2018 were collected. Hierarchical models estimated prevalence (95% uncertainty intervals [UI]) of blindness (presenting visual acuity (VA) < 3/60) and moderate-to-severe vision impairment (MSVI; 3/60 ≤ presenting VA < 6/18) caused by URE, stratified by age, sex, region, and year. Near VI prevalence from uncorrected presbyopia was defined as presenting near VA < N6/N8 at 40 cm when best-corrected distance (VA ≥ 6/12). Results: In 2020, 3.7 million people (95%UI 3.10–4.29) were blind and 157 million (140–176) had MSVI due to URE, a 21.8% increase in blindness and 72.0% increase in MSVI since 2000. Age-standardised prevalence of URE blindness and MSVI decreased by 30.5% (30.7–30.3) and 2.4% (2.6–2.2) respectively during this time. In 2020, South Asia GBD super-region had the highest 50+ years age-standardised URE blindness (0.33% (0.26–0.40%)) and MSVI (10.3% (8.82–12.10%)) rates. The age-standardized ratio of women to men for URE blindness was 1.05:1.00 in 2020 and 1.03:1.00 in 2000. An estimated 419 million (295–562) people 50+ had near VI from uncorrected presbyopia, a +75.3% (74.6–76.0) increase from 2000 Conclusions: The number of cases of VI from URE substantively grew, even as age-standardised prevalence fell, since 2000, with a continued disproportionate burden by region and sex. Global population ageing will increase this burden, highlighting urgent need for novel approaches to refractive service delivery.publishedVersio