The Structure of UK Outbound FDI And Environmental Regulation

We study whether the pattern of outbound Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is influenced by host countries’ environmental regulations. We employ a general empirical location model that captures interactions between industry attributes and host country characteristics in determining firm location. We use data on UK-based multinational activity in 64 countries and 23 industries over the period 2002-2006. Our results suggest a significant effect of environmental policy on the pattern of UK outbound FDI – a pollution haven effect. A one standard deviation increase in environmental laxity increases FDI (assets) in industries that are above-average pollution intensive by 28%

Bovine Hydatidosis in Eastern Part of Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted on bovine hydatidosis from November 2010 to March 2011 with the aims of investigating its occurrence, risk factors and economic losses in Dire Dawa municipality abattoir. The study revealed 20.05% occurrence of hydatidosis based on the postmortem examination of1536 cattle. Age related infection was significant as older animals were more infected (P<0.05, x2 = 27.496).Among the lungs, liver, heart, spleen and kidneys examined in each carcass, the cysts were distributed in the lungs and livers only. Out of 1852 cysts, 1340 (72.3%) were found in liver while512 (27.7%) in lungs. Five hundred and twenty (53.94%) of 964 hydatid cysts were small, while268 (27.80%) medium and 176 (18.25%) large. These cysts were further characterized as fertile (80.08.7%), sterile (17.3%) and calcified (2.85%) and 53.7% of fertile cysts were viable. Based on the study, the direct economic loss was estimated to be 23,876 Ethiopian Birrs. Presence of hydatid cysts in edible organs has great public health significance as consumption of undercooked/raw meat is still in practice in many parts of Ethiopia.Keywords: Abattoir, Bovine, Carcass, Cysts, Hydatidosis, Eastern Ethiopia

Magnitude and associated factors of virological failure among children on ART in Bahir Dar Town public health facilities, Northwest Ethiopia: a facility based cross-sectional study

Background Despite the rapid scale-up of antiretroviral therapy, virologic failure has become global public health concern and challenge, especially in developing countries. Viral load monitoring is an important approach to identify treatment failure and develop public health interventions in children receiving antiretroviral therapy. Thus, this study aims to assess the magnitude and associated factors of virological failure among children on antiretroviral therapy. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 399 HIV-positive children on antiretroviral therapy from 2016 to 2019 in Bahir Dar Town public health facilities. Data were extracted from children’s charts using a standardized data extraction tool, adapted from ART intake and follow-up forms. Data were entered using Epi-Data Version 3.1, and analyzed using SPSS Version 25. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models were done to identify factors associated with virological failure. Variables with p-values < 0.25 were fitted into the multivariable analysis. Finally, variables with p-values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant factors. Results The period prevalence of virological failure was found to be 14.8% (95% CI: 11.5–19.3%). Opportunistic infections (AOR = 2.19, CI: 1.13–4.25), history of treatment interruption and restart (AOR = 2.21, CI: 1.09–4.54), younger age (AOR = 2.42, CI: 1.02–5.74), poor/fair ART adherence (AOR = 2.19, CI: 1.05–4.57), and advanced baseline WHO clinical staging (AOR = 2.32, CI: 1.14–4.74) were found to be factors significantly associated with virological failure. Conclusion The magnitude of virological failure among HIV-infected children remained high. Children with poor/fair ART adherence, history of treatment interruption, advanced baseline WHO clinical staging, younger age, and opportunistic infections were significantly associated with virologic failure. Thus, special attention should be given to children who had poor/fair ART adherence and presenting with opportunistic infections

Novel Expressed Sequence Tag-Derived and Other Genomic Simple Sequence Repeat Markers Revealed Genetic Diversity in Ethiopian Finger Millet Landrace Populations and Cultivars

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Geartn.) is a self-pollinating amphidiploid crop cultivated with minimal input for food and feed, as well as a source of income for small-scale farmers. To efficiently assess its genetic diversity for conservation and use in breeding programs, polymorphic DNA markers that represent its complex tetraploid genome have to be developed and used. In this study, 13 new expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers were developed based on publicly available finger millet ESTs. Using 10 polymorphic SSR markers (3 genomic and 7 novel EST-derived), the genetic diversity of 55 landrace accessions and 5 cultivars of finger millet representing its major growing areas in Ethiopia was assessed. In total, 26 alleles were detected across the 10 loci, and the average observed number of alleles per locus was 5.6. The polymorphic information content (PIC) of the loci ranged from 0.045 (Elco-48) to 0.71 (UGEP-66). The level of genetic diversity did not differ much between the accessions with the mean gene diversity estimates ranging only from 0.44 (accession 216054) to 0.68 (accession 237443). Similarly, a narrow range of variation was recorded at the level of regional states ranging from 0.54 (Oromia) to 0.59 (Amhara and Tigray). Interestingly, the average gene diversity of the landrace accessions (0.57) was similar to that of the cultivars (0.58). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed significant genetic variation both within and among accessions. The variation among the accessions accounted for 18.8% of the total variation (FST = 0.19; P < 0.001). Similarly, significant genetic variation was obtained among the geographic regions, accounting for 6.9% of the total variation (P < 0.001). The results of the cluster, principal coordinate, and population structure analyses suggest a poor correlation between the genetic makeups of finger millet landrace populations and their geographic regions of origin, which in turn suggests strong gene flow between populations within and across geographic regions. This study contributed novel EST-SSR markers for their various applications, and those that were monomorphic should be tested in more diverse finger millet genetic resources

The emergence of health inequalities in early adulthood: evidence on timing and mechanisms from a West of Scotland cohort

Background Evidence is inconsistent as to whether or not there are health inequalities in adolescence according to socio-economic position (SEP) and whether or when they emerge in early adulthood. Despite the large health inequalities literature, few studies have simultaneously compared the relative importance of ?health selection? versus ?social causation? at this life-stage. This study followed a cohort through the youth-adult transition to: (1) determine whether, and if so, when, health inequalities became evident according to both class of origin and current SEP; (2) compare the importance of health selection and social causation mechanisms; and (3) investigate whether these phenomena vary by gender. Methods Data are from a West-of-Scotland cohort, surveyed five times between age 15 (in 1987, N=1,515, response=85%) and 36. Self-reported physical and mental health were obtained at each survey. SEP was based on parental occupational class at 15, a combination of own education or occupational status at 18 and own occupational class (with an additional non-employment category) at older ages. In respect of when inequalities emerged, we used the relative index of inequality to examine associations between both parental and own current SEP and health at each age. In respect of mechanisms, path models, including SEP and health at each age, investigated both inter and intra-generational paths from SEP to health (?causation?) and from health to SEP (?selection?). Analyses were conducted separately for physical and mental health, and stratified by gender. Results Associations between both physical and mental health and parental SEP were non-significant at every age. Inequalities according to own SEP emerged for physical health at 24 and for mental health at 30. There was no evidence of selection based on physical health, but some evidence of associations between mental health in early adulthood and later SEP (intra-generational selection). Paths indicated intra-generational (males) and inter-generational (females) social causation of physical health inequalities, and intra-generational (males and females) and inter-generational (females) social causation of mental health inequalities. Conclusions The results suggest complex and reciprocal relationships between SEP and health and highlight adolescence and early adulthood as a sensitive period for this process, impacting on future life-chances and health

Client preferences and acceptability for medical abortion and MVA as early pregnancy termination method in Northwest Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Increasing access to safe abortion services is the most effective way of preventing the burden of unsafe abortion, which is achieved by increasing safe choices for pregnancy termination. Medical abortion for termination of early abortion is said to safe, effective, and acceptable to women in several countries. In Ethiopia, however, medical methods have, until recently, never been used. For this reason it is important to assess women's preferences and the acceptability of medical abortion and manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) in the early first trimester pregnancy termination and factors affecting acceptability of medical and MVA abortion services.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prospective study was conducted in two hospitals and two clinics from March 2009 to November 2009. The study population consisted of 414 subjects over the age of 18 with intrauterine pregnancies of up to 63 days' estimated gestation. Of these 251 subjects received mifepristone and misoprostol and 159 subjects received MVA. Questionnaires regarding expectations and experiences were administered before the abortion and at the 2-week follow-up visit.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The study groups were similar with respect to age, marital status, educational status, religion and ethnicity. Their mean age was about 23, majority in both group completed secondary education and about half were married. Place of residence and duration of pregnancy were associated with method choice. Subjects undergoing medical abortions reported significantly greater satisfaction than those undergoing surgical abortions (91.2% vs 82.4%; <it>P </it>< .001). Of those women who had medical abortion, (83.3%) would choose the method again if needed, and (77.4%) of those who had MVA would also choose the method again. Ninety four percent of women who had medical abortion and 86.8% of those who had MVA would recommend the method to their friends.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Women receiving medical abortion were more satisfied with their method and more likely to choose the same method again than were subjects undergoing surgical abortion. We conclude that medical abortion can be used widely as an alternative method for early pregnancy termination.</p

Pathotype determination of sorghum anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineola) isolates from Ethiopia using sorghum differentials

IntroductionSorghum anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum sublineola, is the most destructive disease of sorghum, which causes up to 80% grain yield loss in susceptible varieties. The use of resistance varieties is an effective, durable, and eco-friendly strategy for anthracnose control. Knowledge of the phenotypic and genetic variation in C. sublineola is vital for designing appropriate anthracnose management strategies.MethodsThe present study examined the morphology and virulence of 25 C. sublineola isolates recovered from various sorghum-producing regions of Ethiopia against 18 known sorghum anthracnose differentials, 6 Ethiopian sorghum landraces, and a variety of Bonsa.ResultsAnalysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences among sorghum genotypes, C. sublineola isolates, and their interactions. There was a significant difference between the isolates in virulence, with each isolate exhibiting virulence in 8–72% of the sorghum genotypes tested. Among the 25 tested isolates, the top four most virulent isolates were from Pawe, suggesting that this area is suitable for pathogen diversity studies and host plant resistance screening. The sorghum genotypes IS_18760, Brandes, and Bonsa showed resistance to all tested isolates. Consequently, they may provide potential sources of resistance genes for sorghum breeding programs to develop cultivars resistant to different C. sublineola pathotypes. However, the resistant check SC748-5 was susceptible to isolates NK73_F37, while another resistant check SC112-14 was susceptible to isolates PW123_F47 and PW122_F47. Cluster analysis grouped 22 isolates into seven clusters based on their morphological characters, whereas 24 pathotypes were identified among 25 isolates that were tested on 25 sorghum genotypes.DiscussionHence, this study revealed high variation in C. sublineola in Ethiopia suggesting the need for broad-spectrum resistance to control the disease. Sorghum genotypes resistant to various C. sublineola isolates were identified in this study, which can be used in sorghum breeding programs aiming to develop resistant cultivars to anthracnose. Highly virulent C. sublineola isolates were also identified which could be used in sorghum germplasm resistance screening. The report is the first to show the existence of C. sublineola pathotypes in Ethiopia

Finger millet RNA-seq reveals differential gene expression associated with tolerance to aluminum toxicity and provides novel genomic resources

Eleusine coracana, finger millet, is a multipurpose crop cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used in this study to obtain valuable genomic resources and identify genes differentially expressed between Al-tolerant and Al-susceptible genotypes. Two groups of finger millet genotypes were used: Al-tolerant (215836, 215845, and 229722) and Al-susceptible (212462, 215804 and 238323). The analysis of the RNA-seq data resulted in 198,546 unigenes, 56.5% of which were annotated with significant hits in one or more of the following six databases: NR (48.8%), GO (29.7%), KEGG (45%), PlantTFDB (19.0%), Uniprot (49.2%), and NT (46.2%). It is noteworthy that only 220 unigenes in the NR database had significant hits against finger millet sequences suggesting that finger millet’s genomic resources are scarce. The gene expression analysis revealed that 322 genes were significantly differentially expressed between the Al-tolerant and Al-susceptible genotypes, of which 40.7% were upregulated while 59.3% were downregulated in Al-tolerant genotypes. Among the significant DEGs, 54.7% were annotated in the GO database with the top hits being ATP binding (GO:0005524) and DNA binding (GO:0003677) in the molecular function, DNA integration (GO:0015074) and cell redox homeostasis in the biological process, as well as cellular anatomical entity and intracellular component in the cellular component GO classes. Several of the annotated DEGs were significantly enriched for their corresponding GO terms. The KEGG pathway analysis resulted in 60 DEGs that were annotated with different pathway classes, of which carbohydrate metabolism and signal transduction were the most prominent. The homologs of a number of significant DEGs have been previously reported as being associated with Al or other abiotic stress responses in various crops, including carboxypeptidase SOL1, HMA3, AP2, bZIP, C3H, and WRKY TF genes. A more detailed investigation of these and other DEGs will enable genomic-led breeding for Al tolerance in finger millet. RNA-seq data analysis also yielded 119,073 SNP markers, the majority of which had PIC values above 0.3, indicating that they are highly informative. Additionally, 3,553 single-copy SSR markers were identified, of which trinucleotide SSRs were the most prevalent. These genomic resources contribute substantially to the enrichment of genomic databases for finger millet, and facilitate future research on this crop

Prophylactic treatment uptake and compliance with recommended follow up among HIV exposed infants: a retrospective study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Children are being infected by HIV/AIDS mainly through mother-to-child transmission. In Ethiopia currently more than 135,000 children are living with HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of ARV uptake after birth, co-trimoxazole prophylaxis and follow up compliance, and to examine which factors are associated with the intervention outcome.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective quantitative study design was used for data collection through two hospitals. All infants who were delivered by HIV infected mothers between October 2008 and August 2009 were included and information regarding treatment adherence during their first 6 months of age was collected.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>118 HIV exposed infant-mother pairs were included in the study. 107 (90.7%) infants received ARV prophylaxis at birth. Sixty six (56%) of the infants were found to be adherent to co-trimoxazole prophylactic treatment. The majority (<it>n </it>= 110(93.2%)) of infants were tested HIV negative with DNA/PCR HIV test at the age of sixth weeks. Infants who took ARV prophylaxis at birth were found to be more likely to adhere with co-trimoxazole treatment: [OR = 9.43(95% CI: 1.22, 72.9)]. Similarly, infants whose mothers had been enrolled for HIV/ART care in the same facility [OR = 14(95% CI: 2.6, 75.4)], and children whose fathers were tested and known to be HIV positive [OR = 3.0(95% CI: 1.0, 9.0)] were more likely to adhere than their counterparts. Infants feeding practice was also significantly associated with adherence <it>χ</it>²-test, <it>p </it>< 0.01.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The proportion of ARV uptake at birth among HIV exposed infants were found to be high compared to other similar settings. Mother-infant pair enrolment in the same facility and the infant's father being tested and knew their HIV result were major predictors of infants adhering to treatment and follow up. However, large numbers of infants were lost to follow up.</p