Estimation of genetic parameters for first-lactation test-day milk yield in Holstein Friesian cows fitting random regression models

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Determination of reference physiological values for working donkeys of Ethiopia

This study was undertaken with the aim of determining reference physiological values for working Ethiopian donkeys in four districts of Oromiya regional state by taking vital signs (body temperature, pulse and respiration rate) and gut sounds from a total of 130 apparently healthy donkeys. The mean values of body temperature obtained in this study for young, adult, and old donkeys were 37.90±0.74oC, 37.80±0.78oC and 37.70±0.63oC, respectively. For female and male donkeys it was 37.88±0.79oC and 37.83±0.73oC, respectively. The mean values of pulse rate per minute for young, adult and old donkeys were 55.40±9.93, 47.60±5.47 and 47.60±5.47, respectively. For female and male donkeys it was 51.62±11.32 and 49.69±8.59, respectively. Pulse rate and heart rate had strong correlation (r=0.824; p0.05) difference in nostril movement, abdominal movement and tracheal sound between daytime (morning Vs noon), age group and sex. However, strong and positive correlation (r=0.80;

Genetic analysis of milk yield in first-lactation Holstein-Friesian in Ethiopia: A lactation average vs random regression test-day model analysis

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Effect of processing method on the Proximate composition, mineral content and antinutritional factors of Taro (Colocasia esculenta, L.) growth in Ethiopia

Although taro is widely grown in Ethiopia, it is an underutilized crop and little is known about its proximate and micro-element composition and the antinutritional factors of the raw, boiled and fermented products. Boiling and fermentation processing techniques are widely used in the country, especially within the rural community of the Southern region where the crop grows widely. A cultivar of taro grown in the country was analyzed for proximate and mineral composition and antinutritional factors. An investigation was also made on the effects of boiling and fermentation on the nutritional contents. Protein, fat, fiber, total ash and utilizable carbohydrates, respectively were found to be 6.43, 0.47, 2.63, 4.82 and 85.65%, while the Gross Energy was 372.55 Kcal/100g. The contents of the micronutrients namely: Fe, Zn, Mg, Ca, Na, P and Mn were 5.86, 43.08, 7.24, 45.23, 13.81, 7.77 and 3.61 mg/100g, respectively. Phytate for the raw product was 115.43 while oxalate and tannin were 243.06 and 47.69 mg/100g, respectively. Cyanide was not detected in all the samples. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the contents of the proximate and mineral composition and antinutritional factors during boiling and fermentation. The protein content was lower by 9.37% and 8.46%, respectively, in the boiled and fermented products, under the sampling and processing conditions used in the study. The crude fat content was significantly different (p < 0.05) from the crude fat content of the boiled product which was 0.87%. On the other hand, analysis of variance conducted showed that the fiber content of raw sample was significantly different from the fermented samples. Fermentation resulted in a lower level of fiber which was 6.44% and phytates of about 84.75%. Boiling of taro resulted in a higher value of oxalate (70.9%). The data presented in this paper provide an evidence of the potential of Boloso I (which is one variety of taro) to serve as a nutrient dense product for the Ethiopian population provided that the techniques of its processing are optimized.Keywords: Ethiopia, Taro, Oxalates, PhytatesAfrican Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Volume 13 No. 2 April 201

Proximate composition, mineral content and antinutritional factors of some capsicum (Capsicum annum) varieties grown in Ethiopia

This study was conducted to generate baseline information on the nutritional composition, mineral content and antinutritional factors of three capsicum varieties (Marako fana, Bako local and Oda haro) grown in Ethiopia. In relation to proximate composition, Marako fana, Bako local and Oda haro contained 9.2, 9.0 and 8.8% moisture; 11.9, 8.8 and 9.2% crude protein; 27.3, 26.0 and 28.6% crude fiber and 11.2, 9.5 and 9.2% fat (oleoresin) on wet weight basis. They also contained 1.7, 1.6 and 1.8 mg/100 g potassium; 27.2, 38.2 and 54.6 mg/100 g calcium and 7.2, 6.9 and 9.6 mg/100 g iron on wet weight basis. Tannin was found to be 0.142, 0.164 and 0.148 mg/100 g, respectively, while phytate was not detected in any of the samples. Analysis of variance and LSD (least significant difference) test revealed that protein and oleoresin of Marako fana were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than Bako local and Oda haro. Potassium, calcium and iron contents of Oda haro were significantly higher (p less than 0.05). Based on these results Marako fana is preferable for large scale production of oleoresin, while Oda haro is nutritionally preferable because it contains high amounts of potassium, calcium and iron.KEY WORDS: Capsicum, Ethiopia, Composition, Mineral, Antinutrients Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2011, 25(3), 451-454

Preparing for and executing a randomised controlled trial of podoconiosis treatment in Northern Ethiopia: the utility of rapid ethical assessment

Background Community-based randomized controlled trials are often complex pieces of research with significant challenges around the approach to the community, information provision, and decision-making, all of which are fundamental to the informed consent process. We conducted a rapid ethical assessment to guide the preparation for and conduct of a randomized controlled trial of podoconiosis treatment in northern Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was carried out in Aneded woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Regional State from August to September, 2013. A total of 14 In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with researchers, experts, and leaders, and 8 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving 80 participants (people of both gender, with and without podoconiosis), were conducted. Interviews were carried out in Amharic. Data analysis was started alongside collection. Final data analysis used a thematic approach based on themes identified a priori and those that emerged during the analysis. Results Respondents made a range of specific suggestions, including that sensitisation meetings were called by woreda or kebele leaders or the police; that Health Extension Workers were asked to accompany the research team to patients’ houses; that detailed trial information was explained by someone with deep local knowledge; that analogies from agriculture and local social organisations be used to explain randomisation; that participants in the ‘delayed’ intervention arm be given small incentives to continue in the trial; and that key community members be asked to quell rumours arising in the course of the trial. Conclusion Many of these recommendations were incorporated into the preparatory phases of the trial, or were used during the course of the trial itself. This demonstrates the utility of rapid ethical assessment preceding a complex piece of research in a relatively research-naive setting

Awake prone positioning for COVID-19 patients at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the benefit of awake prone positioning in COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients with COVID-19 who require supplemental oxygen to maintain oxygen saturation of ≥90% during the month of October 2020 were enrolled. Structured questionnaires were employed to collect data. Admission oxygen saturation was recorded for each patient before and after their first proning session. Analysis of descriptive and comparison statistics was done using SPSS version 25.Results: A total of 61 patients were included in the study. The mean age (+SD) for the cohort was 55.4 (+16.9) years. The average duration of proning was 5+2.5 h/session and 8+6 h/day. The average oxygen saturation before proning was 89% (SD 5.2) and 93% (SD 2.8) 1 h after proning (P < 0.001); supplemental oxygen requirements significantly decreased with prone ventilation, before proning: FiO2 0.33 (+0.14) versus 1 h after prone ventilation: FiO2 0.31 (+0.13) (P < 0.001). Oxygen improvement with prone ventilation was not associated with duration of illness or total prone position hours. When assessed at 28 days after admission, 55.7% (n = 34) had been discharged home, 1.6% (n = 1) had died, and 42.6 (n = 26) were still hospitalized.Conclusion: Awake prone positioning demonstrated improved oxygen saturation in our oxygen requiring COVID-19 patients. Even though further studies are needed to support causality and determine the effect of proning on disease severity and mortality, early institution of prone ventilation in appropriate oxygen requiring COVID-19 patients should be encouraged

MRI robot for prostate focal laser ablation : An ex vivo study in human prostate

Purpose: A novel grid-template-mimicking MR-compatible robot was developed for in-gantry MRI-guided focal laser ablation of prostate cancer. Method: A substantially compact robot was designed and prototyped to meet in-gantry lithotomy ergonomics and allow for accommodation in the perineum. The controller software was reconfigured and integrated with the custom-designed navigation and multi-focal ablation software. Three experiments were conducted: (1) free space accuracy test; (2) phantom study under computed tomography (CT) guidance for image-guided accuracy test and overall workflow; and (3) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided focal laser ablation of an ex vivo prostate. The free space accuracy study included five targets that were selected across the workspace. The robot was then commanded five times to each target. The phantom study used a gel phantom made with color changing thermos-chromic ink, and four spherical metal fiducials were deployed with the robot. Then, laser ablation was applied, and the phantom was sliced for gross observation. For an MR-guided ex vivo test, a prostate from a donor who died of prostate cancer was obtained and multi-focally ablated using the system within the MRI gantry. The tissue was sliced after ablation for validation. Results: free-space accuracy was 0.38 ± 0.27 mm. The overall system targeting accuracy under CT guidance (including robot, registration, and insertion error) was 2.17 ± 0.47 mm. The planned ablation zone was successfully covered in both acrylamide gel phantom and in human prostate tissue. Conclusions: The new robot can accurately facilitate fiber targeting for MR-guided focal laser ablation of targetable prostate cancer

Podoconiosis treatment in northern Ethiopia (GoLBet): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND Podoconiosis is one of the forgotten types of leg swelling (elephantiasis) in the tropics. Unlike the other, better-known types of leg swelling, podoconiosis is not caused by any parasite, virus or bacterium, but by an abnormal reaction to minerals found in the clay soils of some tropical highland areas. Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been responsible for the development of simple treatment methods without systematic evaluation of its effectiveness. It is essential that a large scale, fully controlled, pragmatic trial of the intervention is conducted. We aim to test the hypothesis that community-based treatment of podoconiosis lymphoedema reduces the frequency of acute dermatolymphangioadenitis episodes ('acute attacks') and improves other clinical, social and economic outcomes. METHODS/DESIGN This is a pragmatic, individually randomised controlled trial. We plan to randomly allocate 680 podoconiosis patients from the East Gojjam Zone in northern Ethiopia to one of two groups: 'Standard Treatment' or 'Delayed Treatment'. Those randomised to standard treatment will receive the hygiene and foot-care intervention from May 2015 for one year, whereas those in the control arm will be followed through 2015 and be offered the intervention in 2016. The trial will be preceded by an economic context survey and a Rapid Ethical Assessment to identify optimal methods of conveying information about the trial and the approaches to obtaining informed consent preferred by the community. The primary outcome will be measured by recording patient recall and using a simple, patient-held diary that will be developed to record episodes of acute attacks. Adherence to treatment, clinical stage of disease, quality of life, disability and stigma will be considered secondary outcome measures. Other outcomes will include adverse events and economic productivity. Assessments will be made at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months thereafter. DISCUSSION The evidence is highly likely to inform implementation of the new master plan for integrated control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), in which podoconiosis is identified as one of eight NTDs prioritised for control. Potentially, an estimated 3 million patients in Ethiopia will therefore benefit from the results of this trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number. REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN67805210 . Date of registration: 24 January 2013