Better potato for a better life: Reducing food insecurity and dependence on cereals in Amhara Oromia, Tigray and SNNP regions of Ethiopia

This flyer outlines the work done to achieve the goal of enhanced rural incomes, food security and nutrition in four regions of Ethiopia through resilient and profitable potato and sweetpotato value chains. It describes the successes of the first phase of the project (2010-2014) which led to the implementation of the second phase (2015-2016), as well as the progress made between June 2014 and July 2015 in implementing activities that are geared towards increasing access to quality disease-free seed, increasing productivity and revenue, and dietary diversity

Response of Teff ((Eragrostis tef (zucc.) Trotter) to nitrogen and phosphorus applications on different landscapes in eastern Amhara

The dynamic nature of soil fertility status across different landscapes attracted research attention in Ethiopia and the globe. Teff [Eragrotis tef] is a major staple cereal crop in Ethiopia but yields are low due to inadequate nutrient supply and other constraints. A field study was conducted in 2020 and 2021 in the Habru district of Amhara Region to determine teff yield response to fertilizer-N and -P at hillslope, midslope, and footslope positions with slopes of >15%, 5–15%, and 0–5%, respectively. N and P fertilizer rates were factorially combined in randomized complete block design with three replications in each farmer’s field. A linear mixed modeling framework was used to determine effects on grain yield due to N rate, P rate, slope, study sites, and years. Model fit was examined using Akaike’s Information Criterion and Bayesian Information Criterion. Economic analysis was done with a quadratic response function to determine the economics of fertilizer. Yield response to fertilizer-P was affected by slope but the response to fertilizer-N was not affected. Teff yield increase with fertilizer-N application up to 92 kg ha-1 the economic optimum rate based on the yield response function for nitrogen fertilizer was 85.4 kg ha-1 to obtain maximum profit (86878.8 birr ha-1). Similarly, the optimum phosphorus fertilizer rate at the hill slope was 39.7 kg ha-1 to obtain a maximum profit of (96847.8 birr ha-1). But there was not a profitable response at the midslope and foot slope positions. Therefore, for Habru district and similar agroecologies85.4 kg ha-1 N and 39.7 kg ha-1 P in hillslopes and only 85.4 N kg ha-1 for midslopes and foot slopes are expected to give the most profitable returns to fertilizer applied for tef production

Infection, colonization and shedding of Campylobacter and Salmonella in animals and their contribution to human disease: A review

Livestock meat and offal contribute significantly to human nutrition as sources of high‐quality protein and micronutrients. Livestock products are increasingly in demand, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income settings where economies are growing and meat is increasingly seen as an affordable and desirable food item. Demand is also driving intensification of livestock keeping and processing. An unintended consequence of intensification is increased exposure to zoonotic agents, and a contemporary emerging problem is infection with Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. from livestock (avian and mammalian), which can lead to disease, malabsorption and undernutrition through acute and chronic diarrhoea. This can occur at the farm, in households or through the food chain. Direct infection occurs when handling livestock and through bacteria shed into the environment, on food preparation surfaces or around the house and surroundings. This manuscript critically reviews Campylobacter and Salmonella infections in animals, examines the factors affecting colonization and faecal shedding of bacteria of these two genera as well as risk factors for human acquisition of the infection from infected animals or environment and analyses priority areas for preventive actions with a focus on resource‐poor settings

Effects of anthelmintics and supplementation on productivity of Menz and Menz-Awassi crossbred sheep with sub-clinical helminthosis

A total of 108 weaned Menz (n=39), 50% Awassi X Menz (n=38) and 75% Awassi X Menz (n=31) sheep genotypes of two sexes were randomly allocated into two nutrition levels (supplemented and non-supplemented) and two anthelmintic treatments (treated and untreated) to investigate their differential response to natural sub-clinical helminthosis on-station at Debre Berhan, Ethiopia. Data were collected on feed intake, live weight (LWT), eggs per gram of faeces (EPG), packed cell volume (PCV), fleece weight (FWT), slaughter weight (SLWT), carcass weight (CWT), dressing percentage (DP), and adult worm burden counts (WB) with worm identification. Anthelmintic treatment reduced EPG and WB and this was consistent with the higher PCV (31.6 vs. 27.4%; p<0.0001) for treated than for non-treated sheeThis, in turn, was reflected on higher (p<0.05) LWT, SLWT, and CWT in treated than for non-treated sheeEPG of Strongyle and egg prevalence of Fasciola and Trichuris as well as WB of F. hepatica and Trichostrongylus colubriformis for treated sheep was significantly lower (p<0.05) than for non-treated sheeSupplementation had no significant effect on TPG and WB counts. However, supplemented lambs enormously improved (p<0.0001) ADG, SLWT, CWT, and DBreed difference (p<0.0001) was observed in dry matter intake (DMI); the intake of 75% Awassi X Menz sheep being highest compared with 50% Awassi X Menz and indigenous Menz sheeMenz rind its 50% cross with Awassi were able to maintain their PCV and had higher DP in spite of their relatively higher parasite load than the 75% AwassixMenz genotype. Significant interactions were treatment by nutrition for LWT and SLWT, breed by treatment for PCV, LWT and ADG, and breed by nutrition for LWT and total DMI. Supplementation and strategic anthelmintic treatment could be used to maintain high-grade sheep genotypes under sub-clinical parasitism in the highlands of Ethiopia

Characterization of In Vitro Resistance to Linezolid in Mycobacterium abscessus

ABSTRACT Single-step selection of Mycobacterium abscessus mutants resistant to linezolid yielded high-level resistance at a low frequency that was associated with mutations in 23S rRNA or the ribosomal protein L3. Surprisingly, linezolid-resistant rRNA mutations conferred cross-resistance to several unrelated antibiotics. Low-level linezolid-resistant mutants were isolated at a higher frequency and were due to loss-of-function mutations in the transcriptional regulator MAB_4384, the repressor of the drug efflux pump MmpL5-MmpS5. IMPORTANCE The protein synthesis inhibitor linezolid is used for the treatment of lung disease caused by Mycobacterium abscessus. However, many strains of the bacterium show poor susceptibility to the antibiotic. For most clinical isolates, resistance is not due to mutations in the target of the drug, the ribosome. The mechanism responsible for non-target-related, indirect linezolid resistance is unknown. Here, we analyzed the development of linezolid resistance in the M. abscessus reference strain in vitro. We found, as expected, resistance mutations in the ribosome. In addition, we identified mutations in a system that involves a drug pump, suggesting drug efflux as a mechanism of resistance to linezolid. This finding may inform the analysis of clinical resistance to linezolid. Surprisingly, a subset of linezolid-resistant ribosome mutations conferred cross-resistance to several structurally and mechanistically unrelated drugs, uncovering a novel multidrug resistance mechanism

Medication-related problems among hospitalized pregnant women in a tertiary teaching hospital in Ethiopia: a prospective observational study

Background Studies on medication-related problems (MRPs) among pregnant women are scarce, despite the potential consequences for both mother and child. This study aimed to describe the prevalence, clinical significance, and risk factors for MRPs among hospitalized pregnant or postpartum women at Jimma University Medical Centre (JUMC) in Ethiopia. Methods A prospective follow-up and clinical audit of 1117 hospitalized pregnant or postpartum women in the maternity and gynaecology wards at JUMC was carried out between February and June 2017. Patients were followed throughout their stay in the hospital to assess the presence and development of MRPs. Pre-tested data extraction form and an interview-guided structured questionnaire were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to describe MRPs. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with MRPs. Results One or more MRPs occurred among 323 (28.9%) study participants, mostly in relation to lack of iron supplementation. A total of 278 (70.6%) of all MRPs were considered to be of moderate to high clinical significance. When excluding MRPs due to iron from the analysis, chronic disease (adjusted OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.02, 3.58), medication use prior to admission (adjusted OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.24, 4.56), nulliparity (adjusted OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.22, 3.24) and multiparity (adjusted OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.17, 3.12) were significantly associated with experiencing an MRP. Conclusions Nearly 3 out of 10 hospitalized pregnant women at JUMC had one or more MRPs. The need for additional iron therapy was by far the most common type of MRP. Improved adherence to guidelines on iron supplementation are required. Multidisciplinary approaches including physicians, nurses, anesthesia professionals and clinical pharmacists in the maternity and gynaecology wards could possibly prevent MRPs and promote patient safety for women and children