Determinants for male involvement in family planning and contraception in Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda; An urban slum qualitative study.

Current evidence shows that male involvement in family planning (FP) is crucial to women's contraceptive use decisions. This study explored the reasons for male involvement in FP and contraception in slum areas in Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda. A qualitative study was conducted among sexually active males in a slum area in Nakawa Division, Kampala.

Anti bacterial function of secreted human FABP3.

FABP3 belongs to a large family of cytoplasmic fatty acid binding proteins that are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. It is predominantly expressed in breast, muscle and heart. During our exploratory studies on the role of FABP3 in tumorigenesis and our consequent attempts to study the molecular mechanism responsible for the oncogenic potential of FABP3, we came across an unexpected role of FABP3 as an anti-bacterial protein.

Facilitators and Barriers to National COVID 19 Guideline Adherence among Healthcare Providers in Ethiopia.

Background: Evidence-base practice needs to be supported by guidelines and decision-making protocols. This study aimed to look into the barriers and facilitators of adherence to national protocols in Ethiopia.

Methods: Exploratory qualitative method was implemented to explore adherence to protocol.

Incidence and Predictors of Pressure Ulcers among Adult Patients in Intensive Care Units at Arba Minch and Jinka Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia.

Introduction: The incidence of a pressure ulcer in intensive care units (ICU) is significantly higher than in noncritical care settings. The patients in the ICU are the most vulnerable group to disruption of the skin's integrity. Prior studies in Ethiopia failed to evaluate pressure ulcers in intensive care units and were limited to general wards.

Establishment of a three‑dimensional triculture model on the novel AXTEX‑4D™ platform.

Cancer can be fatal if it is not treated in a timely manner; therefore, there is a high demand for more specific oncology drugs. Unfortunately, drugs showing positive responses on a two‑dimensional (2D) culture platform do not often show the same effect in clinical trials. Therefore, three‑dimensional (3D) culture platforms are garnering attention since they more closely mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Characteristics and Outcomes of Mechanically Ventilated Patients at Adult ICU of Selected Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Mechanical ventilation is the primary method of supporting organ function for patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU). The information on the characteristics and outcomes of patients requiring mechanical ventilation is essential to understanding the causes of mortality among mechanically ventilated patients. However, the available literature in developing countries, including Ethiopia, is limited.

Factors Associated with the Extent of Coronary Artery Disease and the Attained Outcome of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention at Gesund Cardiac and Medical Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: In Ethiopia, objective evidences showing pathologic features and clinical characteristics predicting the extent of coronary artery disease are scanty. The present study is aimed at assessing factors associated with the extent of coronary artery disease and the attained outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: A retrospective observational study of 197 patients that have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention was undertaken.

Recapitulating Tumor Microenvironment Using AXTEX-4DTM for Accelerating Cancer Research and Drug Screening.

Objective: The formation of three-dimensional spheroid tumor model using the scaffold-based platforms has been demonstrated over many years now. 3D tumor models are generated mainly in non-scalable culture systems, using synthetic and biological scaffolds. Many of these models fail to reflect the complex tumor microenvironment and do not allow long-term monitoring of tumor progression.

The status of prehospital care delivery for COVID-19 patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The study emphasizing adverse events occurring in prehospital transport and associated factors.

Background: COVID-19 patients may require emergency medical services for emergent treatment and/or transport to a hospital for further treatment. However, it is common for the patients to experience adverse events during transport, even the shortest transport may cause life-threatening conditions. Most of the studies that have been done on prehospital care of COVID-19 patients were conducted in developed countries.

Intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending antenatal care services in the rural Gambia.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to any behavior by either a current or ex-intimate partner or would-be rejected lover that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm. It is the most common form of violence in women's lives. According to a World Health Organization report, about 1 in 3 women worldwide experience at least one form of IPV from an intimate partner at some point in her life.

AXTEX-4D: A Three-Dimensional Platform for Preclinical Investigations of Immunotherapy Agents.

The latest advancements in oncology are majorly focused on immuno-oncology (I-O) therapies. However, only ∼7% of drugs are being approved from the preclinical discovery phase to phase 1. The most challenging issues in I-O are the development of active and efficient drugs in an economically feasible way and in a comparatively short time for testing and validation.

"I was raped by the broker on the first day of my arrival in the town." Exploring reasons for risky sexual behavior among sexually-active unmarried young female internal migrants in Ethiopia: A qualitative study.

Background: Studies revealed that internal migrants are one of the most vulnerable groups for poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services. Risky sexual behavior (RSB) is a threat to public health and might lead to serious health problems such as unintended pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS. The reported prevalence of RSB among young female internal migrants in Ethiopia was as high as 70.

Risky sexual behavior and associated factors among sexually-active unmarried young female internal migrants working in Burayu Town, Ethiopia.

Background: Young female internal migrants are highly vulnerable to risky sexual behaviors (RSB) which may result in serious health problems such as unintended pregnancy, abortion and sexually transmitted infections including HIV. RSB includes early sexual debut (before 18 years), having multiple sexual partners, sex without a condom or inconsistent use of condom and sex under the influence of substance use. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and the factors associated with RSB among sexually-active unmarried young female internal migrants in Burayu Town, Ethiopia.

A survey of physician experience and treatment satisfaction using fast-acting insulin aspart in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Aims: This survey aimed to explore real-world physician experiences and treatment satisfaction with fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) in clinical practice across Europe and Canada.

Materials And Methods: An online web-based survey was used for physicians treating people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. General practitioners and specialists, with experience using faster aspart, were interviewed.

Characteristics and outcome of traumatic chest injury patients visited a specialized hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A one-year retrospective study.

Purpose: Injury continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. Globally, it is responsible for approximately 5.8 million deaths per year and 91% of these deaths occur in developing countries.

Levels of option B+ ART drugs adherence and associated factors among pregnant women following ART services at public health facilities of East Shawa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Background: Anti-retroviral therapy has led to a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality related to HIV/AIDS. However, this cannot be fully realized without addressing the barriers related to retention in care and medication adherence.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was implemented to select 293 pregnant women on option B+ anti-retroviral treatment (ART).

Injury severity levels and associated factors among road traffic collision victims referred to emergency departments of selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: the study based on the Haddon matrix.

Background: Globally, about 1.25 million people die annually from road trafficcollisions. Evidence from global safety report shows a decreasing trend of road traffic injury indeveloped countries while there is an increasing trend in many developing countriesincluding Ethiopia.

Physicians' real-world experience with IDegLira: results of a European survey.

Objective: This study aimed to build on the current clinical findings and investigate physicians' experiences and level of satisfaction in using insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) to treat patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Research Design And Methods: This multicountry, European online survey included respondents from primary (n=132) and secondary (n=103) care and examined physicians' use, confidence and satisfaction with IDegLira. To standardize responses, 24 of 28 questions pertained to an 'average patient' with T2D who has no major comorbidities, aged 35-70 years, with average cognitive ability/normal mental status and body mass index ≥25 kg/m.

Belatacept conversion in an HIV-positive kidney transplant recipient following anti-thymocyte globulin induction.

Herein, we describe a case of early belatacept conversion in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive kidney transplant recipient in an effort to improve suboptimal graft function and avoid drug interactions following anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) administration. We observed improvement in renal function without HIV disease progression or opportunistic infections. Donor-specific antibodies appeared shortly after conversion but cleared without intervention.

Iron-regulatory proteins secure iron availability in cardiomyocytes to prevent heart failure.

Aims: Iron deficiency (ID) is associated with adverse outcomes in heart failure (HF) but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Intracellular iron availability is secured by two mRNA-binding iron-regulatory proteins (IRPs), IRP1 and IRP2. We generated mice with a cardiomyocyte-targeted deletion of Irp1 and Irp2 to explore the functional implications of ID in the heart independent of systemic ID and anaemia.

Superior Suppressive Capacity of Skin Tregs Compared with Lung Tregs in a Model of Epicutaneous Priming.

We have previously shown that T helper type 2 (Th2)-polarized airway inflammation can facilitate priming to new antigens in the lungs, which we called "collateral priming". To investigate whether allergic skin inflammation can also facilitate priming toward new antigens, we developed an allergic skin inflammation model based on an allergic lung inflammation model. Mice were sensitized intraperitoneally toward the primary antigen, ovalbumin.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection-induced CD11b+ Gr1+ cells ameliorate allergic airway inflammation.

Allergies are mainly characterized as an unrestrained Th2-biased immune response. Epidemiological data associate protection from allergic diseases with the exposure to certain infectious agents during early stages of life. Modulation of the immune response by pathogens has been considered to be a major factor influencing this protection.

A reversible cause of 'end-stage renal disease': discrepant findings in serial duplex ultrasonograms in a suspected occlusion of a renal arterial bypass graft.

Duplex ultrasonography may be inaccurate due to a number of variables in operator and patient characteristics. We describe a 40-year-old woman who presented with acute kidney injury after prior complex abdominal aortic surgery that had left her with an essentially solitary functional kidney. On the basis of normal Doppler findings, she was started on dialysis.

In vivo targeting of human DC-SIGN drastically enhances CD8⁺ T-cell-mediated protective immunity.

Vaccination is one of the oldest yet still most effective methods to prevent infectious diseases. However, eradication of intracellular pathogens and treatment of certain diseases like cancer requiring efficient cytotoxic immune responses remain a medical challenge. In mice, a successful approach to induce strong cytotoxic CD8⁺ T-cell (CTL) reactions is to target antigens to DCs using specific antibodies against surface receptors in combination with adjuvants.

Absence of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells during allergen provocation does not exacerbate murine allergic airway inflammation.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a non-redundant role in maintenance of immune homeostasis. This is achieved by suppressing both, priming of naïve cells and effector cell functions. Although Tregs have been implicated in modulating allergic immune responses, their influence on distinct phases of development of allergies remains unclear.