Understanding multilevel barriers to childhood vaccination uptake among Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) in Mogadishu, Somalia: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Disparities in vaccination coverage exist in Somalia with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) being among the groups with the lowest coverage. We implemented an adapted Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) intervention, which focused on routine vaccinations among displaced populations living in Mogadishu IDP camps. The intervention was successful in improving maternal knowledge and vaccination coverage but unsuccessful in improving timely vaccination. We conducted a qualitative study to understand this result and analyze the multi-level barriers to routine childhood immunization uptake. METHOD: In this qualitative study we used observation data from 40 PLA group discussions with female caregivers and purposively sampled nine vaccination service providers and six policy makers for interview. We also reviewed national-level vaccine policy documents and assessed the quality of health facilities in the study area. We used the socioecological framework to structure our analysis and analyzed the data in NVivo. RESULTS: The barriers to childhood vaccination among IDPs at the individual level were fear due to lack of knowledge, mistrust of vaccines, concerns about side effects and misinformation; opportunity costs; and costs of transportation. At the interpersonal level, family members played an important role as did the extent of decision-making autonomy. Community factors such as cultural practices, gender roles, and household evictions influenced vaccination. Organizational issues at health facilities such as waiting times, vaccine stock-outs, distance to the facility, language differences, and hesitancy of health workers to open multi-dose vials affected vaccination. At the policy level, confusion about the eligible age for routine vaccination and age restrictions for catch-up vaccination and certain antigens such as BCG were important barriers. CONCLUSION: Complex and interrelated factors affect childhood vaccination uptake among IDPs in Somalia. Interventions that address multiple barriers simultaneously will have the greatest impact given the complex nature of vulnerabilities in this population. There is a need to strengthen the health system and connect it with existing community structures to increase demand for services. Our research highlights the importance of formative research before implementing interventions. Further research on the integration of health service strengthening with PLA to improve childhood vaccination among IDPs is recommended. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN-83,172,390. Date of registration: 03/08/2021.

Enhancement of the Functional Performance of Cotton and Polyester Fabrics upon Treatment with Polymeric Materials Having Different Functional Groups in the Presence of Different Metal Nanoparticles.

This work examined the functional properties of three different treated fabrics, cotton, polyester, and cotton/polyester, with different polymeric materials (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), or chitosan) in the presence and absence of two synthesized metal nanoparticles to impart and enhance fabric properties. Both metal nanoparticles (silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) and Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs)) were synthesized using Psidium guajava Leaves and characterized using different techniques. The different treated fabrics were dyed with Reactive Dye (Syozol red k-3BS) and evaluated for their color strength, fastness properties, ultraviolet protection, antimicrobial activity, and mechanical properties. Results showed that treatment with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), or chitosan enhances the functionality of all fabrics, with improved color strength, UV protection, and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, mechanical properties were slightly increased due to the creation of a thin film on the fabric surface. All dyed treated fabrics showed good ultraviolet protection and antimicrobial properties. The K/S of all treated textiles including nanoparticles and polymers was marginally greater than that of the treated materials without polymers. The UPF values demonstrate that the three investigated polymers and both metal nanoparticles enhance the fabrics' ability to block UV radiation and shield people's skin from its damaging effects. All treated textiles had UPF values that are higher than those of untreated textiles. Further research demonstrates that ZnONP-treated textiles exhibited greater UPF values than AgNP-treated textiles when the polymer component was present. Antibacterial examination demonstrated that treated materials had robust microbial resistance. This resistance is diminished by washing, but still prevents bacterial growth more effectively than untreated textiles.

Preparation of cellulose gel extracted from rice straw and its application for metal ion removal from aqueous solutions.

Rice straw waste was used to extract natural cellulose fibers, which was then chemically converted to cellulose gel. Both extracted cellulose and modified cellulose (gel) were characterized using different techniques and used for biosorption of b+arium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, and cadmium. Both celluloses' chemical compositions were investigated. The FT-IR, XRD, TEM, and SEM results all support the success of the proposed chemical modification. Because of the increase in pore size within the gel composition, the metal sorption capability of the final chelating material (gel) was greater than that of extracted cellulose. The experimental data were fit to the sorption isotherm models of Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin. This new modified biopolymer's behaviour suggested that it could be used as a promising sorbent for cation removal from polluted dye baths and waste water. Furthermore, this modified cellulose was prepared as cheap material extracted from the rise waste which helping in protection of the environment and it was confirm excellent behaviour in the removal heavy metals from their aqueous solution compared to the previous materials reported before.

Genetic Diversity Assessment of Spanish and Some Endangered Tunisian Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Accessions Based on Microsatellite Markers (SSRs).

In the current investigation, 28 accessions of Spanish and Tunisian peas were characterized by eight SSR polymorphic markers to assess their genetic diversity. Many methods have been applied to evaluate these relationships including diversity indices, analysis of molecular variance, cluster analysis, and population structure. The means of diversity indices, the polymorphism information content (PIC), the allelic richness, and the Shannon information index were 0.51, 3.87, and 0.9, respectively. These results revealed a large polymorphism (84.15 %) which produced a higher degree of genetic distance amongst the accessions. The unweighted pair group approach with arithmetic mean divided the collection of these accessions into three major genetic clusters. Therefore, this article has clearly demonstrated the usefulness of the SSR markers that can significantly contribute to the management and conservation of pea germplasm in these countries, as well as to future reproduction.

Rapid evolution of diet choice in an introduced population of Trinidadian guppies.

Eco-evolutionary theory has brought an interest in the rapid evolution of functional traits. Among them, diet is an important determinant of ecosystem structure, affecting food web dynamics and nutrient cycling. However, it is largely unknown whether diet, or diet preference, has a hereditary basis and can evolve on contemporary timescales. Here, we study the diet preferences of Trinidadian guppies Poecilia reticulata collected from directly below an introduction site of fish transplanted from a high-predation environment into a low predation site where their densities and competition increased. Behavioural assays on F2 common garden descendants of the ancestral and derived populations showed that diet preference has rapidly evolved in the introduced population in only 12 years (approx. 36 generations). Specifically, we show that the preference for high-quality food generally found in high-predation guppies is lost in the newly derived low-predation population, who show an inertia toward the first encountered food. This result is predicted by theory stating that organisms should evolve less selective diets under higher competition. Demonstrating that diet preference can show rapid and adaptive evolution is important to our understanding of eco-evolutionary feedbacks and the role of evolution in ecosystem dynamics.

Biochemical Characterization of Rare and Threatened Local Populations of Peas (Pisum sativum L.) Cultivated in the Arid Region of Southern Tunisia.

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important legume for human and animal consumption, cultivated in many temperate regions of the world. In the present investigation, the seeds of twelve pea accessions collected from the arid regions of southern Tunisia, characterized by different colors of flowers and seed coats, were evaluated for their proteins, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities. The protein content determined by the Bradford method ranged from 46.91 to 151.08 mg/g DW. The content of total phenol, total flavonoid and condensed tannin, ranging from 36.85 to 102.52 mg GAE/100 g DW, 6.95 to 48.11 mg QE/100 g DW, and 12.37 to 70.43 mg CE/100 g DW, respectively. These parameters were characterized respectively by the following three methods, the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, the aluminum chloride and the vanillin assay. The LC-ESI/MS analysis identified the presence of 8 phenolic acids and 9 flavonoids which quinic acid, protocatechuic acid, hyperoside, and quercetin-3-O-rhamnosidewere detected as the most abundant compounds. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of pea seeds was evaluated by the ABTS+and DPPH tests. Indeed, DPPH and ABTS anti-free radical activity values ranged from 1.92 to 14.11 µmoL TEAC/g DW and 2.3 to 14.95 µmoL TEAC/g DW, respectively. The variability across the assessed traits revealed significant differences as computed by ANOVA tests. Else, the results showed significant correlations between seed coat color, seed shape, flower color and phenolic compounds. Therefore, genotypes characterized by a purple flower, brown seed coat, and wrinkled form had the highest levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Correlation analysis revealed that phenolic compounds presented a strong positive correlation with antioxidant activities, while being negatively correlated with protein content. UPGMA cluster and Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed two main groups. This work highlights the nutritional value of P. sativum seeds as a good source of natural antioxidant compounds that may be useful in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Maternal Risk Factors Associated with Preterm Births among Pregnant Women in Mogadishu, Somalia.

BACKGROUND: Premature birth impacts millions of newborns annually. Sixty percent of the world's preterm births occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Somalia's premature birth rates and maternal risk factors are poorly studied; hence, this study aims to identify maternal risk factors related to premature births in Mogadishu, Somalia. METHODS: This unmatched case-control study was conducted at four maternity hospitals in Mogadishu, Somalia. The cases were newborns with gestational ages of less than 37 weeks; controls were newborns with gestational ages of 37 to 42 weeks. All were live singletons. Cross-tabulation and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data; a p-value of 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. RESULT: Of the total of 499 newborns, 70 were cases, and 429 were controls. Adequate prenatal care, maternal urine analysis, tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccination, hemoglobin (Hb) measurement, ultrasound monitoring, intake of iron + folic acid (IFA) supplement, blood pressure (BP) measurement during the current pregnancy, as well as partograph usage during labor all significantly decreased risk of having premature births. A prior history of preterm delivery and preeclampsia, obstetric complications, and female genital mutilation (FGM) significantly increased the risk of preterm births. CONCLUSION: The utilization of antenatal care services, use of a partograph, obstetric complications, and prior history of premature birth and preeclampsia had a substantial effect on preterm birth rates. This study identifies female genital mutilation (FGM) as a previously unidentified risk factor for preterm birth that needs additional investigation.

Sodium benzoate induced toxicities in albino male rats: mitigating effects of Ficus carica and Cymbopogon citratus leave extract.

Herbal products have become widely used in managing and treating a wide range of illnesses. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and protective effects of Cymbopogon citratus ethyl acetate and Ficus carica hexane leave extract (200 mg/kg b.w for both) on sodium benzoate (SB) (200 mg/kg b.w) toxicity in rats. For 6 weeks, four groups of five rats each (control, SB, F. carica + SB, and C. citrates + SB). Blood sample (liver, kidney) tissue and histological examination were used at the end of the experiment. According to the findings, the extracts have significant concentrations of total flavonoids, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity. Oxidative stress caused by SB exposure induced an increase in ALT, AST, ALP, glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid, TG, TC, LDL, and MDA, while insulin and SOD were decreased. Furthermore, the biochemical alterations generated by SB in the blood serum, homogenate, liver, and kidney tissue were significantly reduced by C. citratus ethyl acetate and F. carica hexane leave extracts (P < 0.05). The leaf extracts of the examined plants had significant curative and preventive effects in SB-induced liver and kidney damage, resulting in diminished liver and kidney biomarker enzymes, an improved antioxidant defense system, and lipid peroxidation inhibition.

Malaria hospitalisation in East Africa: age, phenotype and transmission intensity.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the age patterns of disease is necessary to target interventions to maximise cost-effective impact. New malaria chemoprevention and vaccine initiatives target young children attending routine immunisation services. Here we explore the relationships between age and severity of malaria hospitalisation versus malaria transmission intensity. METHODS: Clinical data from 21 surveillance hospitals in East Africa were reviewed. Malaria admissions aged 1 month to 14 years from discrete administrative areas since 2006 were identified. Each site-time period was matched to a model estimated community-based age-corrected parasite prevalence to provide predictions of prevalence in childhood (PfPR2-10). Admission with all-cause malaria, severe malaria anaemia (SMA), respiratory distress (RD) and cerebral malaria (CM) were analysed as means and predicted probabilities from Bayesian generalised mixed models. RESULTS: 52,684 malaria admissions aged 1 month to 14 years were described at 21 hospitals from 49 site-time locations where PfPR2-10 varied from < 1 to 48.7%. Twelve site-time periods were described as low transmission (PfPR2-10 < 5%), five low-moderate transmission (PfPR2-10 5-9%), 20 moderate transmission (PfPR2-10 10-29%) and 12 high transmission (PfPR2-10 ≥ 30%). The majority of malaria admissions were below 5 years of age (69-85%) and rare among children aged 10-14 years (0.7-5.4%) across all transmission settings. The mean age of all-cause malaria hospitalisation was 49.5 months (95% CI 45.1, 55.4) under low transmission compared with 34.1 months (95% CI 30.4, 38.3) at high transmission, with similar trends for each severe malaria phenotype. CM presented among older children at a mean of 48.7 months compared with 39.0 months and 33.7 months for SMA and RD, respectively. In moderate and high transmission settings, 34% and 42% of the children were aged between 2 and 23 months and so within the age range targeted by chemoprevention or vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting chemoprevention or vaccination programmes to areas where community-based parasite prevalence is ≥10% is likely to match the age ranges covered by interventions (e.g. intermittent presumptive treatment in infancy to children aged 2-23 months and current vaccine age eligibility and duration of efficacy) and the age ranges of highest disease burden.

Pattern of cesarean deliveries among women in an urban and rural district in Egypt.

Aim: to compare patterns of delivery at an urban and a rural district in Egypt over 3 years. Methods: This retrospective study included 500 women and 50 obstetricians from each district from January, 2013 till December, 2015. Women answered a questionnaire about their deliveries. Obstetricians answered a questionnaire about their practice of CS. Results: CS rate in the rural district was 57.2% compared to 54.8% in the urban district in 2013. In 2014 and 2015, CS rates increased to 65.3% and 69%, respectively in the rural district compared to 56% and 57.7%, respectively in the urban district. 66% of obstetricians in the rural district performed CS for more than 50% of their patients compared to 76% of obstetricians in the urban district. 52% and 4% of obstetricians in the rural and urban districts, respectively, performed CS upon maternal request. 70.3% of women in the rural district who delivered by CS preferred to deliver vaginally. 51.4% of urban women who delivered by CS preferred to deliver vaginally. Level of education was the only factor showing statistical significance. Conclusion: CS rates increased over time with higher rates in the rural area. Level of women's education was the only factor affecting delivery choice.

Preparation of cellulose-based electrospun fluorescent nanofibres doped with perylene encapsulated in silica nanoparticles for potential flexible electronics.

Novel fluorescent nanofibres were developed via the electrospinning of chromophore-doped cellulose. Two different perylene-doped cellulose fluorescent fibres were fabricated using cellulose as a host material and perylene dye derivatives as active dopants. Fluorescent cellulose nanofibres were prepared via the electrospinning technique using two different perylene dyes, including perylene diimide and perylene mono-imide sodium/potassium salts. The generated fluorescent silica nanoparticles exhibited diameters varying in the range 80-180 nm. The generated electrospun fluorescent nanofibrous structures displayed smooth surfaces with average diameters of 200-300 nm for cellulose comprising perylene diimide and sodium/potassium salts of perylene mono-imide dyes, respectively, dispersed uniformly in the cellulose matrix. The generated fluorescent nanoparticles and nanofibres were characterized by different standard methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fluorescent optical microscope (FOM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR). The fluorescence properties of the fabricated cellulose nanofibres were explored. Those fluorescent nanofibres pave the way for the development of promising textile fluorescence materials, such as flexible displays, photonics, and optical devices.

Controllable Release of Povidone-Iodine from Networked Pectin@Carboxymethyl Pullulan Hydrogel.

Povidone-iodine (PI) is a common antiseptic reagent which is used for skin infections and wound healing. The control release of PI is quite important to heal the deep and intense wounds. Herein, the preparation of biodegradable pectin@carboxymethyl pullulan (Pe@CMP) hydrogel was carried out and applied for controllable release of PI. CMP was synthesized by interaction of monochloroacetic acid with pullulan at different ratios. The Pe@CMP hydrogel was then prepared by crosslinking of pectin with CMP in presence of glutaraldehyde as cross linker. After carboxymethylation, COOH contents were enlarged to be 24.2-51.2 mmol/kg and degree of substitution was 0.44-0.93. The rheological properties of Pe@CMP hydrogel were enlarged by increment of pectin ratio. Swelling ratio in water (16.0-18.0%) was higher than that of artificial sweat (11.7-13.2%). Pe@CMP hydrogel containing 20% pectin, exhibited the lowest release and 57.7% from PI was released within 360 min. The biological activity of the released PI was monitored to be highly efficient. The kinetic of release was fitted well to the first ordered reaction and Higuchi models. The mechanism of release was explained by the swelling of hydrogel. The networked structure of hydrogel was opened by swelling and PI was released from the outer pores followed by inner pores, achieving the controllable release.

Malaria infection and severe disease risks in Africa.

The relationship between community prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and the burden of severe, life-threatening disease remains poorly defined. To examine the three most common severe malaria phenotypes from catchment populations across East Africa, we assembled a dataset of 6506 hospital admissions for malaria in children aged 3 months to 9 years from 2006 to 2020. Admissions were paired with data from community parasite infection surveys. A Bayesian procedure was used to calibrate uncertainties in exposure (parasite prevalence) and outcomes (severe malaria phenotypes). Each 25% increase in prevalence conferred a doubling of severe malaria admission rates. Severe malaria remains a burden predominantly among young children (3 to 59 months) across a wide range of community prevalence typical of East Africa. This study offers a quantitative framework for linking malaria parasite prevalence and severe disease outcomes in children.

Testing the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted physical activity intervention for adult Somali women.

Despite growing numbers in the USA, immigrant populations are underrepresented in existing physical activity (PA) research, in particular Muslim immigrant women. The current study is a pilot evaluation of a culturally adapted evidence-based PA intervention for adult Somali women. Stratified randomization was used to assign participants from a sample of 27 Somali women, aged 18 to 65, to a PA group or a waitlist control group. Bicultural Somali community research team members delivered a 12-week culturally adapted intervention available in English and Somali in a community-based setting. Process and outcome evaluation assessed changes in PA, self-efficacy for PA, access to PA resources, and wellbeing as well as feasibility and satisfaction with the program. Participants in the PA group increased their moderate to vigorous PA significantly more than those from the waitlist group from baseline to post-intervention (2 (SD = 15) to 100 (SD = 53) vs 12 (SD = 21) to 32 (SD = 44) minutes per week). Participants in the PA group had significantly greater scores in wellbeing at post-intervention compared to the waitlist group though there was no significant change from pre- to post-intervention for either group. Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the program and preliminary evidence supports the general feasibility and acceptability of the program. Findings show that a culturally adapted intervention increased engagement in PA and was feasible and acceptable within a pilot sample of Somali women.

Cellulosic fabric treated with hyperbranched polyethyleneimine derivatives for improving antibacterial, dyeing, pH and thermo-responsive performance.

Having cotton fabrics with multifunctional properties is of the most research focused on using either different processes or new and different materials. Improving thermo - responsive and antibacterial properties of cotton fabrics decorated with silver nanoparticles and nanogel has been investigated. During this research silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been in situ prepared using poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)/polyethyleneimine microgel. Prepared particles have been characterized, visualized their morphological structure and their particle through microscopic analysis, which proved that their particle size was in range of (6-10 nm). The decorated gel with silver nanoparticles has been functionalized with silicone compounds to produce hybrid material. The produced gel has been characterized for its pH, temperature, textural, rheological, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, and conductivity properties. The functional properties of the treated and untreated fabrics have been investigated, and the results proved that treated fabric has conductivity, antibacterial, pH and thermo-responsive properties.

Multifarious cellulosic through innovation of highly sustainable composites based on Moringa and other natural precursors.

Innovative composites processed using sorted out and characterized precursors from nature were formulated, synthesized then applied to cotton cellulose in the fabric form to confer on the cellulose multifunctional performance properties. Precursors embrace Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous and alcoholic extracts, chitosan, clay known as Kaolin and, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The latter were prepared under the reducing and stabilization actions of Moringa extracts. These Precursors are mixed to form binary or tertiary mixture formulations under variable formation conditions of the required composites. The composites and fabrics treated thereof were submitted to characterization, analysis and testing using traditional tools as well as state-of-the-art facilities including FT-IR, UV, Particle size analyser, TEM, SEM and EDX. Aqueous and alcoholic Moringa extracts exhibit different chemical attributes meanwhile both extracts fail to induce formation of AgNPs at up to pH 6. Intensive formation of AgNPs occurs only with the alcoholic extract provided that pH 8 or higher was employed. The particle size of AgNPs decreases by increasing the pH indicating chemical combination of Moringa extract and chitosan Moringa aqueous or alcoholic extract exhibit larger particle size than those containing chitosan and AgNPs. AgNPs were characterized by spherical shape with precise distribution of the particles. The nitrogen content, the physical properties and the mechanical properties of the treated fabrics were taken to demonstrate the magnitudes of intercalation and interactions of Moringa aqueous and alcoholic extracts individually and in composite with the cellulosic fabric. It was as well to emphasize the high antimicrobial activity imparted by current composites to the cellulosic fabrics. Equal emphasis was placed on UPF and easy-care properties of the treated fabrics. To this end, current research brings into focus novel cellulosic products with multifunctional performance as a direct impact of multifarious attributes caused by chemical combination of the composite in question and cellulosic fabrics.

Colchicine mesoporous silica nanoparticles/hydrogel composite loaded cotton patches as a new encapsulator system for transdermal osteoarthritis management.

Colchicine is a drug from the past with a bright shining future. It has gained much attention nowadays due to the newly explored therapeutic avenues that were opened by its application in serious ailments. Colchicine has been recently observed as a potential treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a widespread joint degenerative disease that causes extensive pain and disability. Colchicine has been discovered to affect bone turnover and to reduce different cytokines like interleukin 6 (IL6). Colchicine oral administration has several limitations including extensive first-pass effect, poor bioavailability, and severe GIT side effects. The transdermal route circumvents these limitations. However, colchicine transdermal delivery is challenging owing to its high aqueous solubility and hence poor skin permeation. In this study, novel colchicine transdermal delivery systems were developed to conquer such obstacles. Cellulose-based patches were primed, where mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared and used as colchicine encapsulators. The free colchicine or the encapsulated drug was embedded into self-healing hydrogel. The hydrogel was prepared by reacting carboxyethyl chitosan and oxidized pullulan. These composites were used to treat cotton fabric to produce easily applicable and extended-release transdermal patches. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, DLS, TEM, and SEM were used to estimate surface area, pore-volume, size, zeta potential, and morphology of MSNs. The hydrogel was characterized using FTIR and TEM. The prepared cotton patch was tested for fabric stiffness. Ex vivo drug permeation study through isolated rat skin was conducted. In comparison to free drug aqueous solution, the patches revealed enhanced drug flux and amplified permeated drug levels which were sustained all over 24 h. Skin permeation was further validated via confocal laser microscopy using fluorescein. The therapeutic investigation of colchicine formulated patches in mono-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced rat osteoarthritis model depicted improved locomotor activity, glutathione blood level, and remarkable decline in levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, TNF-α, and COX-2. Histopathology of rats knee joint supported the OA protective effect of the developed patches, The obtained results revealed significant potentiality of the developed colchicine mesoporous silica nanoparticles/hydrogel patches in the offering, efficient safe and patient convenient formulation for OA management.

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders at Moi teaching and referral hospital, Eldoret, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection causes a myriad of neurological complications including cognitive deficits referred to as HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND). With the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy, there has been an epidemiological shift in cognitive disorders with a decline in the more severe HIV-Associated Dementia (HAD) to an increase in the less severe HAND: Asymptomatic Neurocognitive Impairment (ANI) and HIV-associated Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND). Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement in HIV interferes with cognitively demanding activities of daily living and hence a worse quality of life. Early diagnosis is delayed until symptoms are overt. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional analytical study of HIV infected persons on antiretroviral therapy attending HIV clinic. A systematic random sampling was done to select 360 patients. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data while the CD4 count and viral load were retrieved from the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) database. Pearson's Chi Square test was used to compare proportions while independent sample t- test was used to compare continuous variables between the patients diagnosed with HAND and those without HAND. Logistic regression model was used to assess the factors associated with HAND. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 40.2 years. The overall prevalence of HAND was (81.1%) N = 292. Mild HAND (ANI and MND) was present (78.6%) N = 283, Severe HAND (HAD) (2.5%) N = 9. The factors associated with HAND were older age OR: 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.10), male gender OR: 0.48 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.97), Advanced WHO clinical staging OR: 2.45 (95% CI: 1.20, 5.01) and a higher level of education; secondary/tertiary OR: 0.16 (95% CI: 0.07, 0.38); 0.11 (95% CI: 0.04, 0.35). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HAND in this study population was found to be high (81.1%). Older age and advanced WHO clinical staging were associated with an increased risk of hand while higher level of education and male gender were protective.

Hydrogel bioink based on clickable cellulose derivatives: Synthesis, characterization and in vitro assessment.

Hydrogel is considered as a promising candidate for bioink in terms of biocompatibility, biodegradability, printability and supporting cellular behavior. Recently, carbohydrates derivatives containing alkyne and azide pendant functional groups have been used in medical applications due to their improved chemical, biological, functional properties, and their amenability for chemical reactions under mild conditions. In this work, a novel bioink was developed based on azide and alkyne of cellulose derivatives. Azido-hydroxyethyl cellulose (D.Sazido = 0.04) was synthesized via open-ring reaction of 1-azido-2,3-epoxypropane and characterized spectroscopically and titrimetrically. Alkyne derivative, propargyl carboxymethyl cellulose (D.Spropargyl = 1.72) was synthesized through coupling reaction with propargylamine in the presence of EDC and NHS. The click-gel scaffold was obtained by mixing the two novel candidates in the presence of copper (I) catalyst. Extrusion bio-plotting experiment was successfully conducted of the two solutions into coagulant Cu (I)/DMSO solutions and demonstrated the possibility of using the clickable cellulose derivatives as bioink precursors. Chemical and physical properties of the click-gel were demonstrated. The biocompatibility assay of the prepared click-gels showed high level of viability in the human skin fibroblast cells (HFB4) at concentration 100 µg/mL.

Development of multifunctional modified cotton fabric with tri-component nanoparticles of silver, copper and zinc oxide.

A facile method, cost-effective and highly efficient with shortened-time operation was devised for unprecedented modification of cotton fabrics. This modification induced the formation of metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles within cotton fabrics in such a way that cotton samples loaded with AgNPs- or AgNPs/ZnONPs or AgNPs/ZnONPs/CuNPs respectively. Presence of the trimetallic nanoparticles concomitantly within microstructural features of cotton imparts durable antibacterial, UV protection and conductivity properties to yield ultimately cotton fabrics with multifunctional performance. The nanoparticles were formed and stabilized independently by Polymethylol compound (PMC) and functionalized polyethyleneimine (FPEI) as per one bath. The results obtained proved that the solution of these metal compounds are turned from colourless to yellow and black green colour up on addition of PMC or FPEI compound. It was found that UV-vis spectra display maximum surface plasmon peak of around 410-415 confirming the successful synthesis of AgNPs stabilized by PMC or FPEI chains. In addition, the results obtained indicated that the as formed nanoparticles are successfully deposited into the surface of cellulose fabrics and reveal changes in crystalline structure. Fabrics underwent structural changes during their treatments as per the designed practice exhibit multifunctional properties and manifold performance. The resultant treated cotton fabric gives good antibacterial properties event after 20 washing cycles additionally to the excellent ultra-violet properties and excellent electrical conductivity.