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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth May 2022Mothers in rural Ethiopian communities prefer giving birth at home. In developing countries, traditional birth attendants play an important role in reducing the maternal...
BACKGROUND
Mothers in rural Ethiopian communities prefer giving birth at home. In developing countries, traditional birth attendants play an important role in reducing the maternal mortality rate. In Ethiopia, however, their role during pregnancy, childbirth, the postnatal period, and their integration with health professionals is not clearly defined. This study aimed to explore the role of traditional birth attendants in feto-maternal care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period, and integration with health professionals in the West Omo Zone, southern Ethiopia.
METHODS
A qualitative descriptive design was used with triangulation of methods and data sources. We conducted in-depth interviews with traditional birth attendants, key informant interviews with health care professionals and community or religious leaders, and two focus group discussions with multiparous pregnant women. Each interview and focus group discussion was tape-recorded and the data obtained were transcribed and translated into English for analysis. The analysis was done based on thematic analysis framework.
RESULTS
Traditional birth attendants stated that they used herbal remedies to treat nausea and vomiting, decrease pain during labor, and increase pregnant women's desire to push. The absence of incentives for their work, shortage of logistics, and lack of training was mentioned as challenges to the continuity of their roles. All study participants explained the importance of training traditional birth attendants on maternal and child health in rural communities. However, health care professionals reported that few traditional birth attendants advised mothers about traditional practices such as milk tooth extraction and uvulectomy.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Traditional birth attendants continued their roles despite the existing challenges. There was no integration between TBA and the formal health care system. The need for training traditional birth attendants has been emphasized by all study participants and its impact on reducing feto-maternal death was recognized by health care professionals. Therefore, the federal ministry of health should works better for the development of TBAs to scale up their skills across all regions in the country.
Topics: Child; Female; Health Facilities; Home Childbirth; Humans; Maternal Health Services; Midwifery; Pregnancy; Qualitative Research; Rural Population
PubMed: 35596165
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04753-5 -
Journal of the American Chemical Society Oct 2021Employing DNA as a high-density data storage medium has paved the way for next-generation digital storage and biosensing technologies. However, the multipart...
Employing DNA as a high-density data storage medium has paved the way for next-generation digital storage and biosensing technologies. However, the multipart architecture of current DNA-based recording techniques renders them inherently slow and incapable of recording fluctuating signals with subhour frequencies. To address this limitation, we developed a simplified system employing a single enzyme, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), to transduce environmental signals into DNA. TdT adds nucleotides to the 3'-ends of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in a template-independent manner, selecting bases according to inherent preferences and environmental conditions. By characterizing TdT nucleotide selectivity under different conditions, we show that TdT can encode various physiologically relevant signals such as Co, Ca, and Zn concentrations and temperature changes . Further, by considering the average rate of nucleotide incorporation, we show that the resulting ssDNA functions as a molecular ticker tape. With this method we accurately encode a temporal record of fluctuations in Co concentration to within 1 min over a 60 min period. Finally, we engineer TdT to allosterically turn off in the presence of a physiologically relevant concentration of calcium. We use this engineered TdT in concert with a reference TdT to develop a two-polymerase system capable of recording a single-step change in the Ca signal to within 1 min over a 60 min period. This work expands the repertoire of DNA-based recording techniques by developing a novel DNA synthesis-based system that can record temporal environmental signals into DNA with a resolution of minutes.
Topics: DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase
PubMed: 34591459
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c07331 -
Biosensors & Bioelectronics Oct 2023Glucose is the primary energy source of human cells. Therefore, monitoring glucose inside microphysiological systems (MPS) provides valuable information on the viability...
Glucose is the primary energy source of human cells. Therefore, monitoring glucose inside microphysiological systems (MPS) provides valuable information on the viability and metabolic state of the cultured cells. However, continuous glucose monitoring inside MPS is challenging due to a lack of suitable miniaturized sensors. Here we present an enzymatic, optical glucose sensor element for measurement inside microfluidic systems. The miniaturized glucose sensor (Ø 1 mm) is fabricated together with a reference oxygen sensor onto biocompatible, pressure-sensitive adhesive tape for easy integration inside microfluidic systems. Furthermore, the proposed microfluidic system can be used as plug and play sensor system with existing MPS. It was characterized under cell culture conditions (37 °C and pH 7.4) for five days, exhibiting minor drift (3% day). The influence of further cell culture parameters like oxygen concentration, pH, flow rate, and sterilization methods was investigated. The plug-and-play system was used for at-line measurements of glucose levels in (static) cell culture and achieved good agreement with a commercially available glucose sensor. In conclusion, we developed an optical glucose sensor element that can be easily integrated in microfluidic systems and is able to perform stable glucose measurements under cell culture conditions.
Topics: Humans; Microfluidics; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; Biosensing Techniques; Blood Glucose; Cell Culture Techniques; Glucose; Oxygen
PubMed: 37413826
DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115491 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2021Successful control of massive hemorrhage in deep wounds with irregular shape and low elasticity still remains great challenges in the clinic. As the wound sites are...
Successful control of massive hemorrhage in deep wounds with irregular shape and low elasticity still remains great challenges in the clinic. As the wound sites are usually at risk of bacterial infection, it is necessary to design an ideal hemostatic agent with rapid hemostasis and excellent antibacterial activity. In this study, we developed a light responsive hemostatic film for effective handling of liver bleeding with promising photodynamic therapy against onnear infrared (NIR) irradiation. Based on silk fibroin, the film exhibited desirable biocompatibility and mechanical property as a hemostat tape. Significantly, the film tape achieved excellent tissue adhesion and hemostasis within 2 min of UV exposure, which would have a great potential as a multifunctional biomedical material in the field of tissue repair such as wound healing, bone repair, and nerve regeneration.
PubMed: 35087810
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.820434 -
Journal of Vibration and Acoustics Jun 2021In this study, we propose a new mounting method to improve accelerometer sensing performance in the 50 Hz-10 kHz frequency band for knee sound measurement. The proposed...
In this study, we propose a new mounting method to improve accelerometer sensing performance in the 50 Hz-10 kHz frequency band for knee sound measurement. The proposed method includes a thin double-sided adhesive tape for mounting and a 3D-printed custom-designed backing prototype. In our mechanical setup with an electrodynamic shaker, the measurements showed a 13 dB increase in the accelerometer's sensing performance in the 1-10 kHz frequency band when it is mounted with the craft tape under 2 N backing force applied through low-friction tape. As a proof-of-concept study, knee sounds of healthy subjects (n = 10) were recorded. When the backing force was applied, we observed statistically significant (p < 0.01) incremental changes in spectral centroid, spectral roll-off frequencies, and high-frequency (1-10 kHz) root-mean-square (RMS) acceleration, while low-frequency (50 Hz-1 kHz) RMS acceleration remained unchanged. The mean spectral centroid and spectral roll-off frequencies increased from 0.8 kHz and 4.15 kHz to 1.35 kHz and 5.9 kHz, respectively. The mean high-frequency acceleration increased from 0.45 mg to 0.9 mg with backing. We showed that the backing force improves the sensing performance of the accelerometer when mounted with the craft tape and the proposed backing prototype. This new method has the potential to be implemented in today's wearable systems to improve the sensing performance of accelerometers in knee sound measurements.
PubMed: 34168416
DOI: 10.1115/1.4048554 -
Journal of ISAKOS : Joint Disorders &... Dec 2023Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair for proximal tears, where the ligament is re-attached and augmented with suture tape, can negate the need for graft harvest,...
OBJECTIVES
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair for proximal tears, where the ligament is re-attached and augmented with suture tape, can negate the need for graft harvest, thereby maintaining native anatomy. Autograft harvest has been associated with persistent deficits in lower limb muscle strength after recovery from ACL reconstruction. The aim of this study is to compare lower limb muscle strength following ACL repair and reconstruction.
METHODS
Nineteen ACL repair patients augmented with suture tape and nineteen ipsilateral semitendinosus-gracilis autograft ACL reconstruction patients (both mean 4 years postoperatively) were recruited, along with twenty healthy volunteers. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were obtained using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm, and Tegner scores. Maximal isometric quadriceps and hamstring strength at 90° knee flexion were measured using a fixed Myometer after a warm-up and three maximal-effort contractions.
RESULTS
Mean hamstring strength of the reconstructed legs was lower than that of healthy volunteers by 0.29 Nm/kg. The hamstring strength ratio of the operated side to the uninjured side was greater in the repair (95% ± 13) than in the reconstruction (81% ± 18) group. There were no statistically significant differences between sides for quadriceps peak torque or for hamstrings in the volunteer or repair group. PROMs scores for the reconstruction group were significantly lower than volunteers across all domains and lower than repair for KOOS activities of daily living and Lysholm scores.
CONCLUSION
Hamstring weakness seen following ACL reconstruction is not evident following ACL repair with suture tape augmentation. Strength asymmetry could contribute to re-injury risk and influence functional performance, while altered loads affect knee biomechanics and may lead to osteoarthritis progression. The absence of these deficits in the repair group demonstrates a potential benefit of this technique when used in appropriate patients.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
II.
Topics: Humans; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Activities of Daily Living; Anterior Cruciate Ligament; Osteoarthritis; Muscle Strength
PubMed: 37775044
DOI: 10.1016/j.jisako.2023.09.008 -
Ophthalmology Aug 2021
Topics: Adult; Air Microbiology; Air Movements; Bacteria; Bacteriological Techniques; Colony Count, Microbial; Endophthalmitis; Eye Infections, Bacterial; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Masks; Young Adult
PubMed: 33444660
DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.01.007 -
Bioactive Materials May 2021Stainless steel implants are suitable candidates for bone replacement due to their cytocompatibility and mechanical resistance, but they suffer from lack of bioactivity...
Stainless steel implants are suitable candidates for bone replacement due to their cytocompatibility and mechanical resistance, but they suffer from lack of bioactivity and are prone to bacterial infections. Accordingly, to overcome those limitations, in this study we developed by electrophoretic deposition (EPD), an innovative surface coating made of (i) , a natural fibroblast-friendly polymer, (ii) , a pro-osteogenic inorganic material and (iii) , an antibacterial and pro-angiogenic material. FESEM images confirmed that porous, uniform and free of cracks coatings were obtained by EPD; moreover, coatings were resistant to mechanical stress as demonstrated by the tape test, resulting in a 4B classification of adhesion to the substrate. The coatings were cytocompatible as indicated by metabolism evaluation of human fibroblasts, endothelial cells and mature or progenitor osteoblasts cultivated in direct contact with the specimens. They also maintained pro-osteogenic properties towards undifferentiated progenitor cells that expressed osteogenic genes after 15 days of direct cultivation. Copper conferred antibacterial properties as biofilm formation of the joint pathogens was significantly reduced in comparison with copper-free coatings (p < 0.05). Moreover, this anti-infective activity resulted as targeted towards bacteria while the cells viability was preserved when cells and bacteria were cultivated in the same environment by a co-culture assay. Finally, copper ability to recruit blood vessels and to inhibit bacterial infection was confirmed where the growth of biofilm was inhibited and the formation of new (<50 μm diameter spread) blood vessels was observed.
PubMed: 33251384
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.11.001 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2021An experimental and analytical approach to the relaxation problem of wood-based materials-OSB (Oriented Strand Boards-pressed wood-based composite panels) beams,...
An experimental and analytical approach to the relaxation problem of wood-based materials-OSB (Oriented Strand Boards-pressed wood-based composite panels) beams, including beams with CFRP (Carbon fiber reinforced polymer) tape composite reinforcement, is presented. It is a relevant engineering and scientific problem due to the fact that wood and wood-based materials, as well as composite reinforcements, are widely used in building constructions. Their rheological properties are very important and complicated to estimate. A 10 day long relaxation test of thick OSB beams without reinforcement and with CFRP tape was performed. A four-point bending test with five different bending levels was performed, during which the reduction of the loading force was measured. A five-parameter rheological model was used to describe the rheology of the beams. The equations of this model were calculated with the use of Laplace transform, whereas the values of the parameters were calculated based on the experimental relaxation curves. A high correlation between experimental and theoretical results was obtained. A beam reinforced with CFRP tape was treated as a system with a viscoelastic element (OSB) and an elastic element (CFRP), joined together without the possibility of slipping. The equations of the mathematical model were calculated based on the assumptions of the linear theory of viscoelasticity and the convolution integral. A good correlation between experimental and theoretical results was obtained. A significant redistribution of stresses was observed during the relaxation of the reinforced beam. The reinforced beams show a higher stiffness of approximately 63% and carry proportionally higher loads than unreinforced beams at the same deflection values.
PubMed: 34947135
DOI: 10.3390/ma14247527 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery (Hong... 2020To compare the biomechanical properties of a high-tensile strength suture and high-tensile strength tape in tendon graft fixation using two needleless suture wrapping... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
PURPOSE
To compare the biomechanical properties of a high-tensile strength suture and high-tensile strength tape in tendon graft fixation using two needleless suture wrapping techniques, the modified Prusik knot and modified rolling hitch.
METHODS
Two needleless suture wrapping techniques, the modified rolling hitch (MR) and modified Prusik knot (MP), were utilized. Meanwhile, two kinds of suture materials, a No. 2 braided nonabsorbable high-strength suture (S) and a 1.3 mm high-tensile strength tape (T), were used. A total of 40 porcine tendons were used, which were randomly divided into four groups. Each group was assigned to one of the following groups: MRS, MRT, MPS, and MPT. Each specimen was pretensioned to 100 N for three cycles, cyclically loaded from 50 to 200 N for 200 cycles, and finally loaded to failure.
RESULTS
The MRT group (34.1 ± 3.5%) had a significantly higher value compared with the MRS (29.7 ± 2.3%), MPS (27.1 ± 3.6%) and MPT (29.5 ± 4.0%) groups in term of elongation after cyclic loadings ( = 0.002). In terms of ultimate failure load, there were no significant differences in the MRS (401 ± 27 N), MRT (380 ± 27 N), MPS (398 ± 44 N) and MPT (406 ± 49 N) values ( = 0.539). All specimens failed due to suture breakage at the knots.
CONCLUSION
Compared with the high-tensile strength suture, using the high-tensile strength tape lead to greater elongation after cyclic loading when the modified rolling hitch was used. No differences in terms of elongation after cyclic loading and load to failure were found between the high-tensile strength suture and tape using the modified Prusik knot.
Topics: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Models, Animal; Orthopedic Procedures; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Suture Techniques; Sutures; Swine; Tendons; Tensile Strength
PubMed: 33225808
DOI: 10.1177/2309499020971865