Burden of puerperal sepsis and its associated factors in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Puerperal sepsis is a genital tract infection that can occur from amniotic fluid rupture to six weeks after birth. Maternal complication associated with puerperal sepsis includes prolonged hospital stay, septicemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and death. Even though, puerperal sepsis is the fourth leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia the overall prevalence of puerperal sepsis and its associated factors are not studied at the national stage. As a result, this systematic review and meta-analysis bring out the pooled prevalence of puerperal sepsis and its associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods A variety of data sources such as Pub Med, Web of Science, Science Direct, Embase, Google Scholar, HINARI, and Ethiopian universities online repositories were searched to identify the primary studies which were used for this systematic review and meta-analysis. The article search was conducted from February10/2021-March 10/2021. The quality of the selected primary studies was assessed using the Newcastle - Ottawa quality assessment Scale (NOS). Data extraction was done with Microsoft Excel and then exported to STATA 11 version statistical software for analysis. The Cochran (Q-test) and I2 test statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies. Publication bias was evaluated by the eggers regression test. Subgroup analysis was performed with region and sample size category. Result In this review, a total of 2222 respondents were involved from seven studies. The pooled prevalence of puerperal sepsis was 14.811% (95%CI; 8.46: 21.16; I2 = 94.2, P ≤ 0.001). Cesarean section delivery (CSD) (OR = 3.26, 95%CI: 1.90, 5.61), membrane rupture≥24 h (OR = 4.04, 95%CI: 2.54, 6.42), being multiparous mother (OR = 3.99, 95%CI: 1.82, 8.78), vaginal examination≥5 times (OR = 3.15, 95%CI: 1.17, 8.52), and anemia (OR = 5.68, 95%CI: 4.38, 7.36) were factors significantly associated with puerperal sepsis. Conclusion The prevalence of puerperal sepsis was high in Ethiopia. CSD, membrane rupture≥24 h, being multiparous mother, vaginal examination≥5, and anemia were factors associated with puerperal sepsis. Appropriate standard infection prevention techniques during CSD shall be practiced to reduce the maternal burden of puerperal sepsis. The unnecessary vaginal examination should be discouraged during the intrapartum period. Besides this, routine Iron sulfate supplementation and counsel on iron reach foods during ante partum and postpartum shall be considered for all mothers.

Iron Supplement-Enhanced Growth and Development of Hydrangea macrophylla In Vitro under Normal and High pH

Hydrangea macrophylla is a popular perennial ornamental shrub commercially grown as potted plants, landscape plants, and cut flowers. In the process of reproduction and production of ornamental plants, the absorption of nutrients directly determines the value of the ornamental plants. Hydrangea macrophylla is very sensitive to the content and absorption of the micronutrient iron (Fe) that affects growth of its shoots. However, the physiological activity of Fe as affected by deficiency or supplementation is unknown. This work aimed at preliminary exploring the relationship between Fe and photosynthesis, and also to find the most favorable iron source and level of pH for the growth of H. macrophylla. Two Fe sources, non-chelated iron sulfate (FeSO4) and iron ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Fe-EDTA), were supplemented to the multipurpose medium with a final Fe concentration of 2.78 mg·L−1. The medium without any Fe supplementation was used as the control. The pH of the agar-solidified medium was adjusted to either 4.70, 5.70, or 6.70, before autoclaving. The experiment was conducted in a culture room for 60 days with 25/18 °C day and night temperatures, and a 16-hour photoperiod provided at a light intensity of 50 mmol·m−2·s−1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) from white light-emitting diodes. Supplementary Fe increased the tissue Fe content, and leaves were greener with the medium pH of 4.70, regardless of the Fe source. Compared to the control, the number of leaves for plantlets treated with FeSO4 and Fe-EDTA were 2.0 and 1.5 times greater, respectively. The chlorophyll, macronutrient, and micronutrient contents were the greatest with Fe-EDTA at pH 4.70. Furthermore, the Fe in the leaf affected the photosynthesis by regulating stomata development, pigment content, and antioxidant system, and also by adjusting the expression of genes related to Fe absorption, transport, and redistribution. Supplementation of Fe in a form chelated with EDTA along with a medium pH of 4.70 was found to be the best for the growth and development of H. macrophylla plantlets cultured in vitro.

Biologically synthesized iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) from Phoenix dactylifera have anti-bacterial activities

Nanotechnology is a vast field of science with the most vibrant and conspicuous applications. The green synthesis approach is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and produces the most stable metal-based nanoparticles without the use of toxic chemicals. This study presents the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs). For biosynthesis of FeNPs, Phoenix dactylifera extract was used as a reducing agent and iron sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO4·7H2O) was used as a substrate. FeNPs were characterized by different techniques including UV–Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nano zeta-sizer analysis. The antimicrobial activity of FeNPs synthesized by using an aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus leutus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. A notable color change from yellow to black confirmed the synthesis of FeNPs. The sharp peak at 450 nm UV–Visible spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of FeNPs. FTIR showed the presence of O–H and C=C stretching due to the presence of phenol and alkene functional groups. The average size of FeNPs was 6092 d.nm. The results of antimicrobial activity showed that FeNPs exhibit different potential against different bacterial strains with a maximum 25 ± 0.360 zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli. Thus, green synthesized FeNPs could be used as potential antimicrobial agents.

Persulfate Process Activated by Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts for Synthetic Olive Mill Wastewater Treatment

Wastewaters from the olive oil industry are a regional environmental problem. Their phenolic content provides inherent toxicity, which reduces the treatment potential of conventional biological systems. In this study, Sulfate Radical based Advanced Oxidation Processes (SRbAOPs) are compared with advanced oxidation processes (namely Fenton’s peroxidation) as a depuration alternative. Synthetic olive mill wastewaters were submitted to homogeneous and heterogeneous SRbAOPs using iron sulfate and solid catalysts (red mud and Fe-Ce-O) as the source of iron (II). The homogenous process was optimized by testing different pH values, as well as iron and persulfate loads. At the best conditions (pH 5, 300 mg/L of iron and 600 mg/L of persulfate), it was possible to achieve 39%, 63% and 37% COD, phenolic compounds and TOC removal, respectively. The catalytic potential of a waste (red mud) and a laboratory material (Fe-Ce-O) was tested using heterogenous SRbAOPs. The best performance was achieved by Fe-Ce-O, with an optimal load of 1600 mg/L. At these conditions, 27%, 55% and 5% COD, phenolic compounds and TOC removal were obtained, respectively. Toxicity tests on A. fischeri and L. sativum showed no improvements in toxicity from the treated solutions when compared with the original one. Thus, SRbAOPs use a suitable technology for synthetic OMW.

Does the Combined Effect of Resistance Training with EPO and Iron Sulfate Improve Iron Metabolism in Older Individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease?

We sought to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) combined with erythropoietin (EPO) and iron sulfate on the hemoglobin, hepcidin, ferritin, iron status, and inflammatory profile in older individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD patients (n: 157; age: 66.8 ± 3.6; body mass: 73 ± 15; body mass index: 27 ± 3), were assigned to control (CTL; n: 76) and exercise groups (RT; n: 81). The CTL group was divided according to the iron treatment received: without iron treatment (CTL—none; n = 19), treated only with iron sulfate or EPO (CTL—EPO or IRON; n = 19), and treated with both iron sulfate and EPO (CTL—EPO + IRON; n = 76). The RT group followed the same pattern: (RT—none; n = 20), (RT—EPO or IRON; n = 18), and (RT—EPO + IRON; n = 86). RT consisted of 24 weeks/3 days per week at moderate intensity of full-body resistance exercises prior to the hemodialysis section. The RT group, regardless of the iron treatment, improved iron metabolism in older individuals with ESRD. These results provide some clues on the effects of RT and its combination with EPO and iron sulfate in this population, highlighting RT as an important coadjutant in ESRD-iron deficiency.

Framboid Mineralogy

Framboids are dominantly made of pyrite. The limiting factors for other minerals forming framboids include the requirements of crystal habit, solubility, and natural abundances of the constituent elements for framboid formation. Detailed examination of reports of non-pyritic framboids reveal microcrystalline material within and associated with framboids (e.g., greigite) and sub-spherical crystalline aggregates (e.g., marcasite, chalcocite-digenite, magnetite). Framboids are sometimes observed replaced by other minerals. Pyrite framboids are often formed during the earliest stages of sedimentation or mineralization and therefore are subject to further reactions with later fluids. Minerals such as copper, cobalt, zinc, and lead sulfides often display framboidal forms that have replaced original pyrite framboids. Likewise, oxidation of pyrite under some conditions can produce iron (oxyhydr)oxide and iron sulfate framboids.

Aqueous chemistry in the clouds of Venus

<p>Droplet chemistry in the clouds of Venus may play a role in regulating the depletion of sulfur dioxide and water vapor in and above the clouds. The specific nature of this chemistry is unknown. In this talk, I present three different scenarios for aqueous chemistry in the cloud droplets:</p><ul><li>Hydroxide salts</li> <li>Reduced sulfites</li> <li>Iron sulfates</li> </ul><p>I will discuss the effects of these three different aqueous chemistries, some of which may be accessible via remote observation. The iron sulfate chemistry in particular provides a candidate for the unknown UV absorber.</p>

Characterization of Iron Removal Process Products from Atmospheric Lateritic Ore Leaching Solution by using 20 and 25% of Calcium Carbonate

Electric vehicles become the alternative to solve the climate change and global warming problems by providing a more eco-friendly and sustainable source of energy. As the demand for sustainable vehicles increased, the functionality of batteries become crucial. One of the important aspects inside the batteries is nickel. Nickel plays a big role in lithium-ion batteries by delivering greater amounts of energy density with a higher storage capacity, which means it provides bigger efficiency to the batteries. Yet, the attempt of optimizing nickel extraction remains a challenge. Therfore, nickel extraction process of lateritic ore with high efficiency is investigated by using hydrometellurgy process, specifically the iron removal process in atmospheric condition in mixed hydroxide precipitates (MHP) route.The reagent solution of (20% w/w and 25% w/w) calcium carbonate (CaCO3) at pH (1, 2, 3) were utilized as additive in this process. The precipitates resulted from PLS were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM–EDS), while the filtrates were investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Analysis based on precipitates demonstrates that the acid neutralization process took place with a sufficient amount of iron in the precipitates with the least amount of nickel. In addition, all pH and concentration of precipitates qualitatively illustrate the same neutralization process involving calcium and sulfur. From the results of filtrate through ICP testing in this study, pH 1 for both 20% and 25% concentration provides the lowest recovery rate alongside the smallest ppm compare to pH 2 and 3; thus, the iron precipitates in the formation of iron sulfide and/or iron sulfate. Overall, the optimum parameter is 25% of calcium carbonate, pH 1, 90oC for 2 hours of agitation to reduce the amount of iron in the solution.