Core–shell PVA/gelatin nanofibrous scaffolds using co-solvent, aqueous electrospinning: Toward a green approach

© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electrospinning (ES) of gelatin often requires cytotoxic organic solvents or acidic environments, which deteriorate cell recognition sites. In this study, aqueous, non-toxic, co-solvent ES was performed to obtain core–shell poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/gelatin nanofiber scaffolds. Effects of the core/shell feed rate ratio (FRR) were investigated on a morphological and mechanical basis. PVA:gelatin ratio of 1:4 was the limiting ratio for specific voltage and electrode distance parameters to obtain uniform fibers. Core–shell bead-free structures were obtained at 8% PVA and gelatin aqueous solutions. A mean diameter of 280 nm was obtained for 1:1 FRR at 15 kV and 15 cm of electrode distance. Crosslinking resulted in slight improvement in tensile strengths and severe decrease in ductility. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed retention and improvement of stable secondary structures of gelatin after ES. The scaffolds almost degraded more than 60% in 14 days. Based on the results, present scaffolds hold great promise as suitable candidates for biomedical applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46582

Maternal HIV infection and preeclampsia increased risk of low birth weight among newborns delivered at University of Gondar specialized referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017

Abstract Introduction Globally, more than 20 million infants are born with low birth weight. The risk of neonatal mortality among low birth weight infants is 25 to 30 times greater than neonates with birth weight ≥ 2500 g. Low birth weight infants are at increased risk of infection, difficulty of feeding, and neurologic problems following birth. So far, the prevalence and factors associated with low birth weight have not been studied in the study area after completion of the time set for millennium development goals. Therefore, the study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight among newborns delivered at University of Gondar specialized referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017. Methods Institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to May 28, 2017. A total of 240 newborns were included in the study. Systematic random sampling technique was used for selecting study participant’s medical record charts from delivery registration log book. Data were collected using data extraction tool. Binary logistic regression followed by multivariable regression model was fitted and interpretation was made based on the adjusted odds ratio and p-value of less than 0.05 with corresponding 95% CI. Results The prevalence of low birth weight was 12.9% (95%CI: 8.94, 17.83%). No history of preeclampsia (AOR = 0.193, 95%CI: 0.0516, 0.723), negative maternal HIV infection (AOR = 0.015, 95%CI: 0.001, 0.277), and being preterm (AOR = 17.6, 95%CI: 5.18, 60.17) were significantly associated with low birth weight. Conclusion and recommendations The result of this study highlighted that the burden of low birth weight is a public health concern among babies delivered in University of Gondar specialized referral Hospital. Maternal HIV infection, preeclampsia, and prematurity were associated with low birth weight. Prevention and treatment of Human immunodeficiency virus infection during pregnancy, tackling prematurity and prevention of preeclampsia through strengthening of antenatal care service and other comprehensive strategies are strongly recommended

Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma and associated factors among adults: a cross sectional study in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract Background Raising public awareness and knowledge about glaucoma is a key for early case identification and prevention of blindness. However, awareness and knowledge about glaucoma is unknown at community level, making provision of interventions difficult. This study was intended to assess the awareness and knowledge of adults about glaucoma and the factors affecting it in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods Community based cross - sectional study was conducted on 701 adults 35 and above years in Gondar from April 12–30, 2016. Multistage sampling technique was used to select study participants. Interviewer administered pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data after verbal informed consent. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models and Odds ratio with 95% interval were used to identify factors. P–value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Seven hundred one adults age 35 and above years were participated with a response rate of 99.3%. The male to female ratio was 1:1.6 with median age of 48 years with interqurtile range of 20. The proportion of awareness was 35.1% (95% CI: 31.5%, 38.6%). Good knowledge was demonstrated in 49.6% (95%CI: 43.3%, 55%) of glaucoma aware participants. Education (primary [AOR: 3.21; 1.73, 5.95], secondary [AOR: 4.34; 2.30, 8.22]; college and above [AOR: 9.82; 4.27, 22.60]) and having eye examination [AOR: 2.78; 1.86, 4.15] were positively associated with awareness of glaucoma whereas older age (65 –74 years [AOR: 0.31(0.21, 0.76]) was inversely related. Level of Education (primary[AOR:2.83;1.04,7.71],secondary[AOR:3.45;1.33,9.41],college and above [AOR: 4.86;1.82,12,99] and having eye examination [AOR: 2.61;1.53,4.45] were significantly associated with knowledge. Conclusion The study has indicated higher level of awareness and knowledge about glaucoma in urban communities than previous studies. It has also identified educational status, eye examination at least once in life are related with better awareness and knowledge. The present awareness and knowledge should be enhanced through public oriented glaucoma education via mass media and incorporating eye check up as a routine in older people

On the β->β' Transformation in Cu-Sn Alloy

The x-ray powder diffraction pattern of β' Cn-Sn alloy phaso has been interpreted on the basis of a tetragonal unit cell with a 3.726 A and c= 3.642 A. The probable space groups are P4/n and P4/nmn. There are four atoms in the unit coll

Additional file 1: of Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma and associated factors among adults: a cross sectional study in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Sample size determination using the single population formula for awareness and knowledge (DOCX 13 kb

Factors Associated with Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia in Case Files of All Admitted Inborn and Outborn Neonates in Northwest Ethiopia in 2019

Background: Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes caused by hyperbilirubinemia. Jaundice usually becomes visible on the sclera at a level of 2 to 3 mg/dL. Each year, about 1.1 million neonates develop hyperbilirubinemia in the world the vast majority of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In 2016, neonatal jaundice was estimated to account for about 8 under-5 mortalities per 100,000 live births worldwide. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of hyperbilirubinemia among all the inborn and outborn neonates at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Gondar, Ethiopia. Methods: The current institutional-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 399 case files of all the admitted inborn and outborn neonates at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital within March 2017 to March 2019. The extracted data were entered into Epi Info software (version 7.0) and exported and analyzed using SPSS software (version 21.0). Variables with a p-value of less than 0.2 in the bivariate analysis were included in the final model, and the statistical significance was declared at less than 0.05. Both the size and statistically associated factors affecting the results of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were the main outcome measures in this study. Results: Overall, 31.6% (n=126) of the admitted neonates developed hyperbilirubinemia. Maternal and neonatal Rhesus (RH) incompatibility, ABO incompatibility, low birth weight, hypoglycemia, and birth trauma were the main statistically significant factors associated with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Conclusion: The prevalence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in this study was high in comparison to that reported for other studies carried out on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in some parts of Ethiopia. The major factors causing hyperbilirubinemia in neonates were RH incompatibility, low birth weight, birth trauma, and hypoglycemia. Therefore, by the early prevention and prompt treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates, it is important to prevent or reduce both short-term and long-term complications related to this condition

Visual Impairment among Primary School Children in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Background. An impairment of the visual system at or shortly after birth adversely affects educational performance of children which typically occurs through vision. Limited evidence on the magnitude and causes of visual impairment is one of the reasons for the low priority given to eye care in low-income countries. Objectives. To estimate the prevalence and determine the causes of visual impairment in primary school children in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Materials and Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1289 children aged 5–15 years who were randomly selected in 9 primary schools (government and private) from May to June 2016. Visual acuity was measured at 6 m using Snellen’s chart, and children with an acuity of less than 6/18 in the better eye underwent refraction and a detailed eye examination. A cause of their impairment was determined. Data were recorded using pretested tools. . Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16 was used to enter and analyze the data using 95% confidence intervals. Results. The prevalence of visual impairment was 1.8%. Refractive errors (nearly 70%) followed by strabismus and cataract, each contributing 4.3%, were the most frequent causes of visual impairment in the study population. Majority (87%) of the children had moderate degree of vision impairment, and 10–15-year age groups are the more affected ones. Children of age fifteen and above showed statistically significant association with visual impairment (p=0.005). Conclusion. The magnitude of visual impairment in primary school children in the study area is significant. School screening programme is recommended to minimize the burden of visual impairment in the study area

Glutaraldehyde Vapor Cross-linked Nanofibrous PVA Mat with in Situ Formed Silver Nanoparticles

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous mat can be easily prepared via electrospinning its aqueous solution. However, the obtained nanofibrous mat is instantaneously dissolved in water. Therefore, rendering the environmentally friendly nanofibrous mat water insoluble by cross-linking mechanism is of great interest. The electrospun PVA nanofibrous mat with an average fiber diameter of ca. 400 nm could be effectively cross-linked by glutaraldehyde vapor at room temperature. The cross-linking not only resulted in a water-insoluble nanofibrous mat but also generated an excess amount of unreacted aldehyde functional groups that could reduce silver salts into silver nanoparticles. The in situ formed silver nanoparticles along the fibrous surface showed excellent antimicrobial activity against <i>Escherichia coli</i>. The vapor cross-linked nanofibrous mat shows a high potential to be used for efficiently capturing and killing pathogenic bacteria

Vision-Related Quality of Life among Adult Patients with Visual Impairment at University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to assess vision-related quality of life and associated factors among adult patients with visual impairment at the University of Gondar Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. The institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 24 to May 12, 2017, at the University of Gondar Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center among 484 patients with visual impairment. Pretested, structured National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 was used to collect data by interviewing. Data were entered using EPI-INFO version 3.5.1 and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with vision-related quality of life. Variables with p value 75 years (AOR = 1.87 (95% CI: 1.02–3.40)), rural residency (AOR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.13–2.60)), severe visual impairment/blindness (AOR = 2.76 (95% CI: 1.80–4.23)), and history of visual impairment longer than 3 years (AOR = 2.85 (95% CI: 1.61–5.04)) had statistically significant association with poor vision-related quality of life. Conclusion. Almost half of the patients with visual impairment had poor vision-related quality of life. Severe visual impairment/blindness, long duration of visual impairment, older age, and rural residency had a statistically significant association with poor vision-related quality of life