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Bilayer electrospun fibers aimed to be used for skin tissue engineering applications were fabricated for enhanced cell attachment and proliferation. Different ratios of PHBV-PLLA (70:30, 80:20, and 90:10 w/w) blends were electrospun on previously formed electrospun PHBV membranes to produce their bilayers. The fabricated electrospun membranes were characterized with FTIR, which conformed to the characteristic peaks assigned for both PHBV and PLLA. The surface morphology was evaluated using SEM analysis that showed random fibers with porous morphology. The fiber diameter and pore size were measured in the range of 0.7 ± 0.1 µm and 1.9 ± 0.2 µm, respectively. The tensile properties of the bilayers were determined using an electrodynamic testing system. Bilayers had higher elongation at break (44.45%) compared to the monolayers (28.41%) and improved ultimate tensile strength (7.940 MPa) compared to the PHBV monolayer (2.450 MPa). In vitro cytotoxicity of each of the scaffolds was determined via culturing MC3T3 (pre-osteoblastic cell line) on the membranes. Proliferation was evaluated using the Alamar Blue assay on days 3, 7, and 14, respectively. SEM images of cells cultured on membranes were taken in addition to bright field imaging to visually show cell attachment. Fluorescent nuclear staining performed with DAPI was imaged with an inverted fluorescent microscope. The fabricated bilayer shows high mechanical strength as well as biocompatibility with good cell proliferation and cell attachment, showing potential for skin substitute applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral clefts are divided into cleft lip, cleft palate and cleft lip along with cleft palate. Cleft palate is defined as an inability of palatal shelves to approximate and close during the first months of embryogenic period thus leaving an opening in the roof of the mouth and forming communication between the nasal and oral cavities. Objective: To determine the relationship of risk of oral clefts with parental health and social support. Study Design: Case Control Study. Study Setting and Duration: Various hospitals in Lahore and 3 month duration. Materials and Methods: A Case Control Study was conducted. A total of 100 subjects (50 cases, 50 controls) were included. Sampling was done by purposive method. Data was collected with the help of Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire and Social Support Questionnaire after taking their informed consent. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0. Mean and standard deviation were used to describe quantitative variables like age. Test of significance were applied. Results: 56% of cases were females and 44% were males. Mean age of mothers was 27 and fathers was 31. Most mothers were uneducated (36%) while most fathers were educated till matric (34%). Income of most parents was in the range of 10,000-20,000 PKR (44%). 24% of controls were females and 76% were males. The associations of oral cleft was found significant with parental respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, skin-related, genitourinary health, easy fatigability, health habits, anxiety, anger, paternal nervous system health, sensitivity, and maternal frequency of illness, depression and feeling of inadequacy (p < 0.05). Maternal social support categories indicated that cases were less supported than controls: number of persons available and level of satisfaction (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Oral clefts have a multi-factorial etiology. Hence, an effective preventive program should take into account parental health and social support factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]