Deposition of Nanometric Polymer-Surfactant Complexes Formed by Cationic Dextran: A Path to Sustainable Formulations.

The home and personal care industry is evolving toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly ingredients. Rinse-off personal care products rely on formation of polymer-surfactant complexes to drive deposition of benefit agents (e.g., conditioning oils, fragrances, etc.) onto the skin or hair. The most used natural polymers for this purpose are cationic guar (catGuar) and cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (catHEC), and the complexation of these polymers with surfactants has been rigorously characterized. Various gaps still exist with these polymers, specifically low biodegradation and undesirable aquatic toxicity profiles. Modified dextran offers an exciting solution as a biodegradable polysaccharide with a high natural origin content. This paper aims to compare the morphology of polymer-surfactant complexes formed between a cationic dextran (catDex) polymer with mixtures of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) and cocamidopropyl betaine (CapB) to the morphologies of complexes formed between catGuar or catHEC and the same surfactants. Solutions were designed to mimic industrially relevant shampoos. Through a suite of complementary techniques, unique nanometric sized complexes were observed to form between catDex-SLES/CapB compared to the widely reported micrometer-sized coacervates (liquid-liquid phase separation) or precipitates (liquid-solid) formed in catHEC or catGuar-SLES systems. Using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, the adsorption behavior of the catDex-SLES/CapB is characterized on a silica-coated sensor. The results show deposition throughout the dilution regime for catDex-SLES/CapB where the highest deposition is recorded with the undiluted rinsing formulation. This contrasts with catHEC-SLES/CapB and catGuar-SLES/CapB where the highest deposition is recorded in phase-separated regimes. This result was extended to performance testing on hair, confirming that the unique complexes formed by catDex can drive remarkably high levels of silicone deposition from rinse-off personal care products. This innovative approach of utilizing catDex-SLES/CapB complexes could enable design of more sustainable formulations that rely on polycation-surfactant nanocarriers.

Impact of Degree of Ethoxylation on Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate Surfactant Adsorption onto Silicone-in-Water Emulsion Droplets.

Silicone-in-water emulsions have found widespread use as lubricants, water repellants, softeners, binders, antiblocking agents, antislip agents, and defoamers across a diverse range of markets including textiles, coatings, pharmaceuticals, and home and personal care. Stable incorporation of silicone emulsions into formulated products for these applications can be a challenge. This study seeks to enable formulation by investigating the impact of the degree of ethoxylation of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) surfactants on their ability to displace surfactant stabilizer at the silicone-water interfaces of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-in-water emulsion droplets. Building this understanding will greatly enable the manufacture of home and personal care products prepared by introducing silicone emulsions into SLES-rich formulations. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements reveal that SLES can displace the triethanolamine dodecylbenzenesulfonate stabilizer at the droplet surfaces. Both capillary electrophoresis (CE) measurements and molecular dynamics simulations of the interfacial tension (IFT) between silicone and water measurements suggest that SLES mixtures with a higher average degree of ethoxylation are more surface active at the silicone─water interface. The molecular dynamics simulations predict a systematic decrease in PDMS-water IFT with increase in degree of ethoxylation (simulations predict a decrease of 1.3 mN/m per mole of ethylene oxide). Optical microscopy reveals that the presence of SLES at the droplet surfaces promotes the formation of loose flocs of droplets that break up upon dilution. Overall, these fundamental insights will aid in formulating silicone emulsions into products to achieve optimal performance.

Type II diabetes and oral health: perceptions among adults with diabetes and oral/health care providers in Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine oral health beliefs and attitudes, and utilisation of oral health care services among individuals with diabetes and health professionals who serve them in Ghana. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: A qualitative study using grounded theory was conducted. CLINICAL SETTING: University of Ghana Dental School at Korle Bu, University of Ghana School of Public Health, National Diabetes Research and Management Centre at Korle Bu, and New York University College of Dentistry. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 59 patients comprised 7 focus groups conducted in either Twi or English. Seven key informant interviews with healthcare professionals and one spiritual leader were completed. RESULTS: Data from the focus groups and interviews reveal: 1, half of the participants with diabetes have oral manifestations (e.g., bleeding gums) and participants are generally unaware of interrelationship between diabetes and oral health; 2, dental treatment utilisation is minimal and associated almost exclusively with reparative and emergency care; and 3, medical health providers do not acknowledge the interrelationship between oral health and diabetes nor do they incorporate oral health issues into diabetes screening/treatment. CONCLUSION: Oral health knowledge and practices are limited among patients with diabetes in Accra, Ghana. Collaborative efforts for in-service education and training for oral health and medical professionals may be beneficial in serving the oral and general health care needs as well as improving the oral health-related quality of life of Ghanaians with diabetes.

Challenges in Management of Ovotesticular Differences in Sex Development in Resource-Limited Settings.

Differences in sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical. Ovotesticular DSD is the rarest variant of DSD where both ovarian and testicular tissues co-exist in an individual. Ambiguous genitalia may be a glaring indicator of DSD, but multiple genital anomalies should also raise a suspicion of DSD. This is a case report of a 15-year-6-month-old boy who presented during infancy with multiple genital anomalies requiring surgery. The diagnosis of ovotesticular DSD was missed until later in adolescence when he presented with progressive bilateral breast enlargement. Work-up revealed a 46, XX karyotype and dysgenetic testes, but functional ovarian tissue. The patient wanted to consider switching to a female gender but was constrained by psychosocial factors. Maintenance of a masculine phenotype was done using testosterone injections due to the relatively high cost of testosterone patches. Conclusion. Multiple genital anomalies should raise the suspicion of DSD, and prompt referral to an endocrinologist should be done before urogenital surgery and gender assignment are carried out.

Epidemiology of intussusception in infants less than one year of age in Ghana, 2012-2016.

INTRODUCTION: we examined the epidemiology, clinical and demographic characteristics of intussusception in Ghanaian infants. METHODS: active sentinel surveillance for pediatric intussusception was conducted at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. From March 2012 to December 2016, infants < 1 year of age who met the Brighton Collaboration level 1 diagnostic criteria for intussusception were enrolled. Data were collected through parental interviews and medical records abstraction. RESULTS: a total of 378 children < 1 year of age were enrolled. Median age at onset of intussusception was 27 weeks; only 12 cases (1%) occurred in infants < 12 weeks while most occurred in infants aged 22-34 weeks. Median time from symptom onset until referral to a tertiary hospital was 2 days (IQR: 1-4 days). Overall, 35% of infants were treated by enema, 33% had surgical reduction and 32% required surgical reduction and bowel resection. Median length of hospital stay was 5 days (IQR: 3-8 days) with most patients (95%) discharged home. Eleven (3%) infants died. Infants undergoing enema reduction were more likely than those treated surgically to present for treatment sooner after symptom onset (median 1 vs 3 days; p < 0.0001) and have shorter hospital stays (median 3 vs 7 days; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ghanaian infants had a relatively low case fatality rate due to intussusception, with a substantial proportion of cases treated non-surgically. Early presentation for treatment, possibly enhanced by community-based health education programs and health information from various media platforms during the study period might contribute to both the low fatality rate and high number of successful non-surgical treatments in this population.

Developing and implementing an interventional bundle to reduce mortality from gastroschisis in low-resource settings.

Background: Gastroschisis is associated with less than 4% mortality in high-income countries and over 90% mortality in many tertiary paediatric surgery centres across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The aim of this trial is to develop, implement and prospectively evaluate an interventional bundle to reduce mortality from gastroschisis in seven tertiary paediatric surgery centres across SSA. Methods: A hybrid type-2 effectiveness-implementation, pre-post study design will be utilised. Using current literature an evidence-based, low-technology interventional bundle has been developed. A systematic review, qualitative study and Delphi process will provide further evidence to optimise the interventional bundle and implementation strategy. The interventional bundle has core components, which will remain consistent across all sites, and adaptable components, which will be determined through in-country co-development meetings. Pre- and post-intervention data will be collected on clinical, service delivery and implementation outcomes for 2-years at each site. The primary clinical outcome will be all-cause, in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes include the occurrence of a major complication, length of hospital stay and time to full enteral feeds. Service delivery outcomes include time to hospital and primary intervention, and adherence to the pre-hospital and in-hospital protocols.  Implementation outcomes are acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, fidelity, coverage, cost and sustainability. Pre- and post-intervention clinical outcomes will be compared using Chi-squared analysis, unpaired t-test and/or Mann-Whitney U test. Time-series analysis will be undertaken using Statistical Process Control to identify significant trends and shifts in outcome overtime. Multivariate logistic regression analysis will be used to identify clinical and implementation factors affecting outcome with adjustment for confounders. Outcome: This will be the first multi-centre interventional study to our knowledge aimed at reducing mortality from gastroschisis in low-resource settings. If successful, detailed evaluation of both the clinical and implementation components of the study will allow sustainability in the study sites and further scale-up. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03724214.

Malformations: A 5-year review of the presentation and management in a Teaching Hospital in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are congenital defects affecting the distal gastrointestinal tract and anus with frequent fistulous connections to the genitourinary system. The spectrum of the disease is considerably wide, and thus, an individualised approach to its management is required. There are few recent publications about the burden of this malformation in Africa and the outcome of surgical intervention. We present our experiences with the management of ARM, peculiar challenges and the outcome at a tertiary hospital catering for the Northern and Central parts of Ghana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective folder review of children with ARM at the Paediatric Surgical Unit of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, from 2011 to 2015. The data extracted included diagnosis, associated features, initial and definitive surgical treatment and post-operative complications. RESULTS: Of the 53 records that were conclusively retrieved, the sex ratio was 1:1. The median age of presentation was 4.5 days (neonates), 4.5 months (infants) and 1.6 years (older children). There were 12 (44%) rectoperineal and 18 (69%) rectovestibular fistulas, representing the most common types of ARM in boys and girls, respectively. Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty and abdominoperineal pull-through were the corrective procedures performed. The overall complication rate was <10%. CONCLUSION: Our patients generally presented later than their Western counterparts, making a single-stage correction rare. The types of ARM documented in our study suggest the existence of a geographical variation.

Factors affecting dental diseases presenting at the University of Ghana Hospital.

Dental diseases are common in man and range from a toothache to cancers of the head and neck. Dental conditions can affect our capacity to function effectively in areas such as smiling, chewing and speaking. The objective of this study was to describe the main types of dental conditions presenting at the University Hospital between January 2006 and December 2011 and to determine factors associated with the top five diagnosed conditions as well as the acute and chronic conditions. A retrospective review of all 5012 clinical records of dental patients visiting the dental unit within the period stated was carried out. A total of 4196 records which passed the inclusion/exclusion criteria were analysed. Most of the patients who presented were adults. The top 5 dental conditions were apical periodontitis (50.4 %), reversible pulpitis (23.3 %), Gingivitis (11.4 %), Periodontitis (6.2 %) and Halitosis/bad breadth (8.8 %). The top 5 conditions constituted over 75 % of the cases seen. About 84 % of the presentation was acute whilst 16 % was chronic. For the entire dataset and also the top five conditions, approximately 53.0 % were males and 47.0 %. Males outnumbered females on all occasions except for halitosis and most patients presented within 1 month of experiencing symptoms of dental disease. Some significant association was found between the presence of multiple chronic conditions and reversible/irreversible pulpitis. The main dental conditions presenting at the University Hospital during the stated period (i.e. between January 2006 and December 2011) were: apical periodontitis (50.4 %), reversible pulpitis (23.3 %), gingivitis (11.4 %), periodontitis (6.2 %) and halitosis/bad breadth (8.8 %).