Citric Acid Catalyst-Assisted Bioactive Glass with Hydrogen Peroxide for In Vitro Bioactivity and Biodegradability Using Sol-Gel Method.

In this study, carbon-free and completely soluble hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was utilized in place of conventional surfactants as a pore-forming agent. Citric acid was also used in low concentration for the hydrolysis reaction. A sol-gel method was used to prepare bioactive glass (BG) specimens of H2O2-untreated BG, 1M, 2M, and 3M H2O2-treated BGs. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm with the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method were used for analyzing the samples' phase, surface morphology, chemical composition, constituent composition, pore size, and specific surface area respectively. In vitro bioactivity, as well as biodegradability tests, was performed on samples by immersing them in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. According to the results, BG particles treated with 2 M H2O2 exhibited higher specific surface area (SSA), which is 189.55 cc/g, and better in vitro bioactivity and biodegradability.

Predictors of poor glycemic control and level of glycemic control among diabetic patients in west Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care and patient self-management education to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Diabetes care is complex and requires that many issues, beyond glycemic control, be addressed. This study aims to assess the level of glycemic control and factors contributing to uncontrolled glycemia among diabetic patients at the Nekemte Referral Hospital, West Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on diabetic patients attending the diabetes clinic of Nekemte Referral Hospital. A total of 252 study participants were included in the study. Data were collected by interviewing patients during hospital visits and reviewing respective databases. The association between dependent and independent variables was assessed using bivariable and stepwise multivariable logistic regression. A variable with a p-value < 0.05 was considered as an independent predictor. A patient's written informed consent was obtained after explaining the purpose and procedures of the study. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 41.7 ± 17.6 years. The majority of the participants (67.1%) had poor knowledge about diabetes. The glycemic rate control was 40.5%; while more than half of the participants (59.5%) had poor glycemic control. On multivariable logistic analysis poor glycemic control was more likely to occur among unemployed (p < 0.001), patients with no family/social support (p = 0.024), duration of diabetes >10 years (p = 0.005), poor knowledge about diabetes (p = 0.012), taking insulin (p = 0.004) and taking metformin plus glibenclamide (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A finding of this study revealed that a glycemic control of study participants was poor. Thus greater effort is needed to improve glycemic control. Health care professionals should work on improving the adherence to anti-diabetic medications of diabetic patients and knowledge of diabetic patients on diabetes by providing education to the patients during follow up to improve glycemic control.

Self-care practices regarding diabetes among diabetic patients in West Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the self-care practices and associated factors among diabetic patients in West Ethiopia. RESULTS: A total of 252 study participants were included in the study, of this 54.8% were male. Of the participants more than half 150 (59.5%) had poor glycemic control and 153 (60.7%) of the participants had good self-care. Majority of the study participants 209 (82.9%) had adequate foot care and more than half 175 (69.4%) and 160 (63.5%) had adequate dietary plan and exercise management respectively. However of the total diabetic patients only 38 (15.1%) had adequate blood glucose testing practices. On multivariable logistic analysis poor self-care practices were more likely to occur among male patients (AOR = 5.551, 95% CI = 2.055-14.997, p = 0.001), patients living in rural area (AOR = 5.517, 95% CI = 2.184-13.938, p < 0.001), patients with duration of diabetes < 6 years (AOR = 41.023, 95% CI = 7.373-228.257, p < 0.001), patients with no access for self-monitoring blood glucose (AOR = 9.448, 95% CI = 2.198-40.617, p = 0.003), patients with poor knowledge about diabetes (AOR = 67.917, 95% CI = 8.212-561.686, p < 0.001) and patients with comorbidities (AOR = 18.621, 95% CI = 4.415-78.540, p < 0.001).

Treatment Outcomes of Tuberculosis Retreatment Case and Its Determinants in West Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern in the developing world. World Health Organization's (WHO's) list of 30 high TB burden countries accounted for 87% of the world's cases. The annual infection rate in developing countries reached 2% or more; where as in developed countries this figure is 0.5%. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess treatment outcomes of tuberculosis retreatment case and its determinants at Nekemte Referral Hospital (NRH), West Ethiopia. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. All registered adult TB patients under retreatment regimen who were treated at NRH TB clinics from January 2014 to December 2017 were included in this study. A multiple logistic regression was used to assess the significance and strength of association. A P-value <0.05 was used as statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of retreatment case was 12.12%. Of 219 study participants 159(72.6%) were patients with relapse, 43(19.6%) were with retreatment after failure and 17(7.8%) were patients who return after loss to follow-up. On multivariable logistic analysis poor treatment outcome was more likely to occur among patients with positive Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) result at 5th month (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR =4.3, 95%, (1.8-10.0) p=0.001) and patients taking category 1 (2ERHZ/4RH) drugs (AOR=2.1, 95% CI= (1.1-4.5) p=0.048). CONCLUSION: This study showed that treatment outcomes of TB retreatment case were below standard set by the WHO. Factors that were significantly associated with poor treatment outcome were positive AFB resulting at 5th month and patients on category 1(2ERHZ/4RH).