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Kuzhunellil Raghavanpillai Sabu,1 Sujith Sugathan,2 Akbar Idhayadhulla,3 Melat Woldemariam,4 Addis Aklilu,4 Gelila Biresaw,4 Behailu Tsegaye,5 Aseer Manilal4 1Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 2Department of Botany, Sree Narayana College, Kollam, Kerala, India; 3Research Department of Chemistry, Nehru Memorial College (affiliated with Bharathidasan University), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India; 4Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 5Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Science, School of Medicine, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Aseer Manilal Email aseermanilal@gmail.comBackground: Mangroves contain several bioactive compounds, some of which have been used for centuries as remedies for several ailments.Methods: Foliar parts of Excoecaria agallocha were extracted in organic solvents and in water using a Soxhlet apparatus and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against nine type-culture pathogens, six clinical isolates, and two fungal pathogens with agar well diffusion assays. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by broth dilution and extracts further subjected to brine-shrimp cytotoxic assays using Artemia salina. Chemical constituents were analyzed with thin-layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).Results and Discussion: Ethyl acetate extract displayed the broadest antimicrobial activity. Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were found to be the most susceptible among the clinical and type-culture groups corresponding to inhibition zones: 17.3± 1.1 and 23.5± 1.3 mm in diameter, respectively. Anticandidal activity was found to be lower against Candida albicans and C. tropicalis (10.3± 0.6 and 11.9± 0.85 mm diameter). Also, this extract was found to be bactericidal for S. aureus and Micrococcus luteus (MBC:MIC ≤ 2). C cytotoxic activity LD50 was 521 μg/mL. On GC-MS, squalene [(6E, 10E, 4E, 18E)-2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosa-2,6,10,14,18,22-hexaene] was the major compound. Bioassay-guided (antibacterial) TLC revealed the presence of one major active fraction, F2, with an Rf value of 1.21. FT-IR analysis of this fraction also implied that it was squalene, which might have a functional role in the mechanism of chemical defense.Keywords: mangrove, plant extract, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, bioactive compounds, squalene

Yisiak Oumer,1 Belayneh Regasa Dadi,1 Mohamed Seid,1 Gelila Biresaw,2 Aseer Manilal1 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 2Department of Hematology and Immunohematology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Belayneh Regasa Dadi Email belayjanimen@gmail.comIntroduction: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most common nosocomial infection and a leading cause of morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, associated factors and antibiogram of the bacterial isolates among CAUTIs patients.Methods: A facility-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from March to December 2019 at Arba Minch General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Clinical and socio-demographic data were obtained using a questionnaire. Clean catch midstream urine samples were collected and inoculated onto blood agar, MacConkey agar, and cysteine lactose electrolyte deficient agar (CLED). The inoculated culture media were incubated in an aerobic atmosphere at 37°C for 24 h. After overnight incubation, the bacterial growth on the respective media was inspected visually and graded for the presence of significant bacteriuria. A significant bacteriuria was considered, if pure culture at a concentration of ≥ 105 colony forming unit (CFU)/mL. All isolates were further identified using colony morphology and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial sensitivity was determined by modified Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. P-value less than 0.05 was used as statistical significance.Results: The overall incidence of symptomatic CAUTIs was 39/231 (16.8%). Independent predictors of CAUTIs were prolonged (≥ 7 days) catheterization (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.0– 12.2), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 5.3, 95% CI = 1.4– 19.6) and insertion of catheter in surgical ward (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.08– 12.28). The most common bacterial isolates were E. coli 17/42 (40.5%), Klebsiella species 9/42 (21.4%) and Enterococcus species 5/42 (11.9%). High (> 80%) drug resistance was observed against cotrimoxazole, cefoxitin and tetracycline. Ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin were the most active drugs. The overall prevalence of MDR among isolates was 37/42 (88.1%). Most bacterial isolates 30/42 (71.4%) were biofilm producers.Conclusion: High levels of drug resistance were observed to commonly used antibiotics. In our study, biofilm-producing bacterial isolates were the predominant cause of CAUTIs. Therefore, continuous surveillance of antimicrobial resistance patterns is necessary to help physicians in treatment and management of CAUTIs.Keywords: catheter-associated urinary tract infections, uropathogens, antimicrobial susceptibility, risk factors

Asaye Mitiku,1 Addis Aklilu,2 Gelila Biresaw,2 Addisu Gize3 1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia; 2Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 3Department of Microbiology, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Addisu Gize 1271, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaEmail addisu.gize@sphmmc.edu.etBackground: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a very frequent infection both in the community and hospital patients, and the emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the community setting and infections with this pathogen become a prevalent problem among UTI patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine prevalence and associated factors of methicillin resistance staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among urinary tract infection suspected patients attending at Arba Minch General Hospital.Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study was done at Arba Minch General Hospital from July to October 2020. Midstream urine specimen was collected from outpatients, cultured and biochemical tests were performed to identify the intended pathogen, finally the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of MRSA was done and possible associated factors were determined. The cleaned data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21.Results: Four hundred and twenty two (422) adult outpatients were enrolled in this study, of which males accounted for 238 (56.4%) of the participants. The mean and standard deviation age of the participants was 27.4 (SD 27.4 ± 15.6) years. A total of 54 S. aureus isolates were recovered from urine specimen. The prevalence of MRSA among the isolated S. aureus was 23/54 (42.59% (95% CI (35.0, 47.0)). Participants who had previous exposure to UTI (p < 0.002), presence of chronic disease (p < 0.029), and hospitalization (p < 0.006) were statically associated with the prevalence of MRSA. From all the MRSA isolates, 53.7% were resistant against Nitrofurantoin.Conclusion: This study revealed that MRSA could be prevalent in isolates from patients suspected of urinary tract infection and exhibiting different resistance pattern for antibiotics commonly used for treatment of staphylococcal infections.Keywords: methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus, urinary tract infection, Arba Minch General Hospital Southern Ethiopia

Melkam Birru, Matusal Mengistu, Munira Siraj, Addis Aklilu, Kalicha Boru, Melat Woldemariam, Gelila Biresaw, Mohammed Seid, Aseer Manilal Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Aseer ManilalDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaTel +251-91-990-4201Email aseermanilal@gmail.comIntoduction: Patient-care equipment and inanimate objects contaminated with bacteria are a persistent problem in countries like Ethiopia, and remain overlooked. This study aimed to elucidate the magnitude of contaminations, diversity, and antimicrobial-susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates from selected wards of Arba Minch General Hospital, Ethiopia.Methods: Samples were inoculated into bacteriological media and identified by biochemical characterization, followed by antimicrobial-susceptibility tests.Results: Of the 99 inanimate objects and items of patient-care equipment examined, 71 (71.7%) showed contamination: 26 (76.4%) from the surgical ward and 22 (66.6%) and 23 (71.8%), respectively, from the pediatric ward and neonatal intensive care unit. In the case of Gram-positive bacteria, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS; 52.2%) were predominant, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (47.7%), whereas common Gram-negative counterparts were Acinetobacter spp. (28.5%) and Klebsiella spp. (23.8%). Antibiograms of S. aureus and CoNS showed 100% and 78% resistance, respectively, against penicillin. Isolates of Acinetobacter spp. showed 100% resistance to ceftriaxone and ampicillin, whereas those of Klebsiella spp. displayed complete resistance against ampicillin and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. All isolates of Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Serratia spp. exhibited 100% resistance to amoxicillin, ampicillin, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. Overall prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria was 57.7%.Conclusion: A stringent infection-vigilance program comprising routine sampling from equipment and inanimate objects combined with antimicrobial-resistance surveillance and decontamination efforts must be instituted promptly.Keywords: bacterial contamination, patient-care equipment, inanimate objects, Arba Minch General Hospital, multidrug resistance

Gemechu Ameya,1 Gelila Biresaw,2 Hayat Mohammed,3 Abebayehu Chebud,4 Melese Meskele,5 Mohammed Hussein,6 Muktar Endris7 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Kotebe Metropolitan University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; 4Melka Oda Primary Hospital, West Guji, Melka Sodo, Ethiopia; 5Worabe Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Worabe, Ethiopia; 6Dessie Selam General Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia; 7Galikoma Health Center, Afar Region, Galikoma, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Gemechu AmeyaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Kotebe Metropolitan University, P.O. Box: 3268, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaTel +251-91-783-7681Email gemechuameya@gmail.comBackground: Epistaxis is one of the most common otorhinolaryngological emergencies affecting the majority of the population in their lifetime, with some of them requiring serious medical attention. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of epistaxis among pre-college students in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. The study participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique. A logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the presence and strength of association factors with epistaxis. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to determine the presence and strength of the association at 0.05 level of significance.Results: Of 387 participants, 57.1% of them were male, and the mean age of all participant was 18.05± 1.401 SD years. The overall epistaxis prevalence was 108 (27.9%). Blood group O, which accounted for about 43.4% was more prevalent. Blood group O (AOR=3.96, 95% CI=1.5– 10.4), participants who drink coffee daily (AOR=2.75, 95% CI=1.0– 7.4), and participants who took a bath frequently with both hot and cold-water (AOR=4.55, 95% CI=1.1– 18.6) were significantly associated with epistaxis.Conclusion: The type of blood group, interval of coffee drinking, and type of bathing were significantly associated with epistaxis. Working on the identified associated factor and increased awareness about epistaxis for the students with effective first aid training is mandatory.Keywords: epistaxis, blood group, southern Ethiopia, pre-college students

This paper presents a set of experimental results of the EHL film thickness with oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions in a wide range of rolling speed for different oil concentrations and pH values. The O/W emulsions have wide applications in metalforming and machining processes as well as hydraulic systems. However, their lubrication mechanisms are very complex and have not been fully understood. A newly developed high speed optical EHL rig was used to measure the film thickness and observe the two-phase flow around the EHL point and line contacts. Experimental observations indicate that phase inversion/oil pool formation mechanism around the inlet zone takes place only at very low speeds, which are most likely far below practical speed ranges for major industrial applications. When the speed is low, the lubricant film thickness is dominated by the bulk properties of oil phase, and can be estimated by the conventional EHL theory together with the consideration of starvation effect. After the speed exceeds a certain limit, called first critical speed, there is a transition region, where no stable oil pool is observed and the film thickness starts to decrease, or increases slightly then decreases. It is believed that in this transition region there is still a considerable amount of oil concentrated in the inlet zone, and this local oil concentration decreases as the speed increases. The film thickness appears to be dominated by the entrainment of oil-enriched two-phase lubricant in the inlet zone. The increase of film thickness is due to entraining effect and the decrease due to the increased oil phase starvation. If the speed is further increased exceeding a second critical speed, the film thickness will stop decreasing and start to increase again. In this high speed region the local oil concentration of entrained lubricant in the inlet zone is believed to become quite constant and close to that of the bulk lubricant supply. The film thickness, therefore, continuously increases for all of the tested line and point contact cases as the speed goes up, and is always significantly smaller than that of neat oil but larger than that of pure water. The destabilized emulsions with lower pH values can form more stable oil pools and considerably thicker films. This is because the oil droplets in these low pH emulsions can be more easily trapped and brought into the contact by the solid surfaces. However, for the tested emulsions, the oil pools still cannot survive reasonably high speeds.

The article discusses a study of the combination of wheat gluten (WG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) as a filler to form a biodegradable polymer composite. Pilot-scale extrusion processing and injection molding were employed to form polymer composite materials in the study. Sigma Chemical Co. of Missouri has provided the WG. Results show that an increase in WG content has led to a decline in the tensile strength of the composite.

This article discusses a study which examined the surface properties of polymeric soaps (PESO) obtained through the polymerization of epoxidized soybean oil. The study used Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to characterize PESO products. It revealed the effectiveness of the polysoaps to lower the surface tension of water and the interfacial tension of water-hexadecane.

The surface energy parameters of polycaprolactone (PCL) were determined at 160 and 180°C from its interfacial tensions with probe polymers. The probe polymers were polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). This method is based on the well-known relationship between blend interfacial tension and polymer surface energy parameters, and requires the use of at least two probe polymers, whose surface energy parameters at the temperature of interest have been independently determined. It also requires direct measurement of blend interfacial tension at the high temperatures of interest. The interfacial tensions were obtained from direct measurements by the imbedded fiber retraction method. The following results were obtained: (a) γP (polar component) values for PCL was within the range reported using other methods, (b) γD (dispersion component) values for PCL decreased with increasing temperature, consistent with expectations and (c) γD values for PCL were on the high end, but still within the rather broad range of reported values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]