Malnutrition among children in Southern Ethiopia: Levels and risk factors

Using data collected in the Community and Family Survey of the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region, this study estimates the level of child malnutrition and identifies the factors associated with chronic malnutrition among children in the five densely populated zones of the Region. A total of 850 children aged 3 - 36 months were included in the present study. Both bivariate and multivariate techniques were employed in order to identify risk factors of child malnutrition. The results indicate that about 45% of children are stunted, 42% underweight, and 12% wasted. The search for the factors affecting long-term nutritional status point to both socio-economic and demographic factors. Among the socio-economic factors, household economic status and women's education were important in explaining the variation in long-term nutritional status of children. From the demographic variables included in the analysis, age, preceding birth interval and number of under-five children were associated with stunting. Moreover, number of antenatal care visits the mother had during the pregnancy of the child and age at weaning are linked to chronic malnutrition. The study recommended the need for programs related to income-generating activities for poor households and family life education, including appropriate child care for women in reproductive age groups. (Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2000, 14(3): 283-292

Somatic Embryogenesis and Massive Shoot Regeneration from Immature Embryo Explants of Tef

Tef (Eragrostis tef) provides a major source of human nutrition in the Horn of Africa, but biotechnology has had little impact on its improvement to date. Here, we report the elaboration of an in vitro regeneration protocol, based on the use of immature zygotic embryos as explant. Explant size was an important determinant of in vitro regeneration efficiency, as was the formulation of the culture medium. Optimal results were obtained by culturing 0.2–0.35 mm embryo explants on a medium containing KBP minerals, 9.2–13.8 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 6 mM glutamine, and 0.5% Phytagel. Although this protocol was effective for both the improved cultivar “DZ-01-196” and the landrace “Fesho”, the former produced consistently more embryogenic tissue and a higher number of regenerants. An average of more than 2,800 shoots could be obtained from each “DZ-01-196” explant after 12 weeks of in vitro culture. These shoots readily formed roots, and plantlets transferred to soil were able to develop into morphologically normal, fertile plants. This regeneration and multiplication system should allow for the application of a range of biotechnological methods to tef

Embryogenic callus induction and regeneration in anther culture of noug (Guizotia abyssinica (L.F) Cass.)

Two released noug varieties, Shambu and Fogera, were used for this experiment. Initially, two experiments were conducted to identify the appropriate morphological stage of capitula (buds) for harvesting maximum number of responsive anthers and to study the optimum cold pretreatment duration for callus induction from the anthers. Three culture media, MS, B5 and NN, were employed for callus induction. MS medium, with nine different combinations of KN and IAA, was used for shoot regeneration study. Three different concentrations of IBA and growth regulator-free MS medium were used for the rooting experiment. The results showed that capitula, fully or slightly covered by sepal having whitish-green or greenish-yellow anthers, were the optimum stages of harvesting capitula; callus was efficiently induced when the capitula were pre-treated at 4°C for 24 hours. The types of calli induced significantly (P≤0.05) varied among the three media. Embryogenic calli were mainly produced in NN and B5 media, while varying in texture and colour. High percentage of embryogenic calli (80%) was induced on NN medium from the variety Shambu, followed by b5 medium showing 40% inductions for both varieties. Among nine different KN and IAA combinations, 2 mg/l KN combined with 1 mg/l IAA, was the most efficient for shoot regeneration. It was also found that 0.5 mg/l IBA was optimum for root induction. In the growth room as well as in the glasshouse, the survival rate of regenerants was generally better for the variety Shambu than for Fogera

Regeneration of plantlets from unpollinated ovary cultures of Ethiopian wheat (Triticum turgidum and Triticum aestivum)

An in vitro culture protocol was established for direct regeneration of plantlets from unpollinated ovary cultures of four Ethiopian wheat varieties. Unpollinated ovaries were excised from durum wheat (Yerer and Ude varieties) and bread wheat (Simba and Galama varieties). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has shown that genotypes, types of media, concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin (KIN) and durations of cold pretreatment at 4°C significantly (P≤0.05) affected direct formation of embryonic tissues independently. Stage II of wheat spikes, MS medium containing 1 mg/l of each of 2,4-D and KIN and 15 days of cold pretreatment were found to be the best conditions for direct formation of embryonic tissues. The highest frequency of shoots were regenerated from the cultured embryonic tissues of Yerer (41.6% ) and Simba (41.3%) on medium containing 0.1 mg/l 2,4-D. From a total of 14,524 cultured unpollinated ovaries, 1,100 embryonic tissues (7.6 %) and 75 regenerants were obtained. The average percentage of embryonic tissues and regenerants were 9.0 and 1.1% from 3,444; 9.8 and 0.55% from 4,732; 5.6 and 0.17% from 2,988; 4.7 and 0.12% from 3,360 cultured unpollinated ovaries for varieties Yerer, Simba, Ude and Galama, respectively.Keywords: Embryonic tissues, Unpollinated ovaries, regenerants, wheat varietiesAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(39), pp. 5754-576

The Impact of an In-service Educational Program on Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Pain Management in an Ethiopian University Hospital

Background: Although pain control for hospitalized patients is a central issue for all health care providers, nurses' knowledge, and attitudes are the major barriers. Educational program is a strategy to improve nurses' knowledge and attitudes on pain management. However, there is paucity of information on how in-service education program influences nurses' knowledge and attitudes score for pain management in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was therefore, to investigate the influence of an in-service educational program on nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management in an Ethiopian university hospital.Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted between 1 October and 15 November 2016. Totally 111 nurses working at Jimma University Medical Center participated in the study. We provided 2 consecutive days of intensive pain management education with a follow-up training session after 1 month. Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP) was used as a tool for measuring the impact of educational program. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and results were considered significant at p < 0.05.Result: Of the 111 nurses, who participated in the study, 39.5% were female, 46.8% had a baccalaureate degree, and 67.6% had worked in nursing for 6–10 years. The mean age of respondents was 26.9 (SD ± 5.6) years. On average, participants answered 41.4% of the survey items correctly before the intervention and 63.0% after the intervention. The mean rank score of nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pain significantly improved following participation in the educational program (Z = −9.08, p < 0.001).Conclusion: The educational program improved nurses' scores for pain management knowledge and attitudes. This may lead to more effective pain management by nurses

Perceived Sleep Quality of Heart Failure Patients at Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH) Chronic Follow up Clinic South West Ethiopia, 2015

Background: Chronic heart failure is an important health problem associated with changes in sleep pattern and quality among patients with heart failure. Besides having negative effect on the patients' quality of life, it is one of the most disturbing problems. Poor sleep compromise cognition and one's self-care practice. Though factors affecting sleep among heart failure patients have been investigated in developed world this is not well understood in developing countries like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was therefore, to assess the level of sleep quality and associated factors among heart failure patients. Methods: - A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1 to November 15, 2014 at Jimma University Specialized Hospital chronic illness follow up clinic. Data was collected by using standardized structured interviewer administrated questionnaires. Sleep quality was rated by participants using Pittsburg sleep quality scale. Convenient sampling technique was employed. Data analysis was done by SPSS windows version 20.0 statistical package. Statistical association was declared at p-value of <0.05 and results were presented using tables, figures and narratives. Result: A total of 278 patients participated in the study. On the Pittsburg sleep quality scale 42(15.1%) of the participants rated their perceived sleep quality as very bad with the mean score of 9.23 (SD = 4.05).  Overall, 81.65% of participants had poor sleep quality. Patients who were farmers 166(59.7%) had poor sleep quality than others.  Conclusion and recommendation: Majority of the study participants have poor sleep quality having Pittsburgh sleep quality scale score of greater than five whereas only few of them had good sleep quality. Therefore, Health education and symptom management should be focused in this population to improve their sleep quality. Keywords: Sleep quality, heart failure, Jimma University Specialized Hospital

Short Communication: Thoraco-pericardiotomy in two bovines under field condition

The present paper deals with two typical cases of traumatic pericarditis,in a crossbred pregnant cow and a bullock. The patients had a history of brisket edema, anorexia, and wasting condition for a period of 15 days. The physical and clinical examination for both cases revealed jugular pulsation, marked edema of brisket extending back up to udder, rise in rectal temp., heart rate and respiratory rate with muffled cardiac sounds audible over a wide area in chest. Based on the history and clinical examination data the cases were diagnosed as traumatic pericarditis. Thoraco-pericardiotomy was performed through resection of left fifth rib under sedation with xylazine and local infiltration anesthesia. Small quantity of fluid from thoracic cavity was removed; however, the foreign body was not detected. The thoracotomy wound was closed in routine manner. Post operatively both animals were given parenteral antibiotic and wound dressing was carried out. The skin sutures were removed on 10th post operative day. Both the cases survived and recovered well within a period of one month. The pregnant cow delivered and was yielding 10 liters of milk daily. Keywords: Thoraco-pericardiotomy, Traumatic pericarditis, Bovin

Einfluss der Prozessführung zur Trockenmüllerischen Aufarbeitung und zur Extrusion ausgewählter äthiopischer Sorghumsorten

Die Arbeit untersucht den Einfluss der Prozessführung auf das Schälen, auf das Vermahlen mit Walzenstuhl und Prallmühle sowie auf die Extrusion von drei unterschiedlichen Sorghumsorten. Zielstellung war vor allem das Erreichen niedriger Tannin- und Fettgehalte bei gleichzeitig hoher Ausbeute sowie hohen Stärke- und Proteingehalten der Produkte. Die Versuche wurden nach der Statistischen Versuchsplanung (BN-PLAN) durchgeführt, um mittels Mehrfachoptimierung Prozessparameter zu ermitteln, die es ermöglichen qualitativ gute Produkte bei maximaler Ausbeute herzustellen. Durch das Schälen konnte der Tannin- und Fettgehalt der Sorghumkörner vermindert und dadurch die Qualität der Körner verbessert werden. Die Schälzeit war der entscheidende Einflussparameter. Für das Schälen sind sortenabhängige unterschiedliche Feuchtegehalte, Abstehzeiten und Schälzeiten anzuwenden. Die Prallzerkleinerung zeichnet sich im Vergleich zur Walzenstuhlzerkleinerung aufgrund einer höheren Zerkleinerungsintensität durch einen höheren Feinanteil im Mahlprodukt aus. Mit ihrer Steigerung erhöhte sich die Zerkleinerungsintensität und damit auch der Feingutanteil in den Zerkleinerungsprodukten. Um ein tannin-, fett- und mineralstoffarmes Endprodukt mit höher Ausbeute zu erhalten, sind sortenabhängige Umfangsgeschwindigkeiten zu wählen. Bei der Vermahlung mittels Walzenstuhl war der Mahlspalt der entscheidende Einflussparameter. Mit kleiner werdendem Mahlspalt konnte eine Zunahme der Ausbeute bei der Korngrößenklasse < 710 µm festgestellt werden. Bei der Extrusion stieg die spezifische mechanische Energieeinleitung mit steigender Drehzahl linear an. Diese Steigerung führte zur Steigerung der Produkttemperatur, die positiv auf die Extrudateigenschaften wirkte. Auch bei Extrusion sind sortenabhängige Prozessparameter für das Erreichen optimaler Produkteigenschaften anzuwenden. Aus den Untersuchungen sind Prozessschemata für eine trockenmüllerische Verarbeitung des Sorghums erarbeitet worden

Estudo de células solares híbridas de Si-NC/P3HT

Mestrado em Ciência e Engenharia dos MateriaisNeste trabalho são estudadas células solares híbridas formadas por poli(3- hexiltiofeno-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) como condutor orgânico de buracos e nanocristais de silício (Si-NCs) como conductor de electrões inorgânico. Células solares híbridas têm atraído muita atenção nos últimos anos devido ao facto de serem potencialmente fabricadas a baixo custo, a sua flexibilidade e baixo peso. As possibilidades de processamento em solução e ajuste da região espectral de absorção, a baixa toxicidade, e a abundância fazem dos Si-NCs um material atractivo para aplicação em células solares. Si-NCs de elevada qualidade podem hoje em dia ser produzidos em larga escala a partir da fase gasosa através da decomposição de silano num plasma. Embora a superfícies destes Si-NCs seja terminada com ligações Si-H durante a sua síntese, estes desenvolvem uma camada de óxido na superfície quando são expostos ao ar. Até agora, células híbridas de Si-NC/P3HT foram fabricadas com Si- NCs que não foram expostos ao ar após a sua síntese e foram posteriormente estudadas em condições de atmosfera inerte, devido à expectativa de que a exposição ao ar resulta na sua degradação. No entanto, o processamento de dispositivos em atmosfera inerte impõe limitações em termos técnicos e custo. Nesta tese estudamos o efeito do processamento em atmosfera de ar na performance e degradação de células solares híbridas de Si-NC/P3HT. As células foram fabricadas em ar e em atmosfera de azoto e caracterizadas à temperatura ambiente e condições de exposição ao ar. Para produzir a células solares foram usados Si-NCs que foram expostos ao ar após a síntese e que por isso contêm uma camada de óxido na sua superfície. Para remover esta camada, nós usamos um método de erosão química com uma solução diluída de ácido hidroflurico (HF). Células solares fabricadas com uma mistura de 1:1 em percentagem de peso (wt.%) de Si-NC:P3HT não revelaram qualquer efeito fotovoltaico. Dispositivos fabricados com uma mistura de 2:1 wt.% de Si-NC:P3HT mostraram efeito fotovoltaico, devido à formação de uma rede interpenetrara de Si-NC e P3HT em toda a extensão do filme foto activo, tal como revelado em imagens de microscopia electrónica de varrimento. Dispositivos fabricados em atmosfera inerte não revelaram uma performance melhorada em relação aos dispositivos produzido em atmosfera de ar, indicando que a fabricação das células solares em ar não é o factor determinante da performance das nossas células solares. Células solares que mostraram um efeitos fotovoltaico degradaram-se rapidamente por exposição ao ar. Em contrate, filmes de P3HT e de misturas Si-NC/P3HT, estudados em experiências separadas, não revelaram uma degradação significativa por exposição ao ar. Estes resultados indicma que a degradação das células solares não deve resultar da degradação da camada foto activa de Si-NC/P3HT, mas poderá resultar da degradação de interfaces entre as varias camadas que compõem as células. Medidas de ressonância paramagnética electrónica (RPE) foram levadas a cabo com os Si-NCs usados nas nossas células e com Si-NCs usados para fabricar as células estudadas em trabalhos publicados anteriormente por outros grupos. Estas medidas revelaram que o número de defeitos superficiais por nanocristal nos nossos Si-NCs é cerca de três ordens de grandeza superior ao número encontrado nos Si- NCs usados anteriormente. Este facto poderá explicar a baixa performance fotovoltaica os nossos dispositivos.We study-air-processed organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells, which incorporate poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) as organic hole conductor and silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) as inorganic electron conductor. Hybrid solar cells have received a lot of attention in recent years due to their low cost, flexibility and lightweight. Solution processability, nontoxicity, abundance and tunable absorption spectral range of Si-NCs make them attractive materials for application in solar cells. High quality Si-NCs can now a days be produced in large amounts from the gas phase decomposition of silane in a plasma. Although the surface of these Si-NCs is terminated with Si-H bonds immediately after synthesis, they develop an insulating native oxide shell after being exposed to air. So far, Si-NC/P3HT hybrid solar cells have only been fabricated using Si-NCs that have not been exposed to air after synthesis and afterwards characterized under inert atmosphere conditions due to the expectation that air exposure of the devices leads to their degradation. However, inert atmosphere processing has some technical and cost efficiency limitations. In this thesis, we study the effect of air-processing on the performance and degradation of solar cells based on Si-NC/P3HT. Hybrid solar cells were fabricated in air and under nitrogen ambient and characterized at room temperature under atmospheric air. To produce our solar cells we use Si-NCs that have been stored in air after plasma synthesis and, therefore, contain a native oxide at their surface. To remove this oxide layer we apply wet etching with a dilute hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution. Solar cells made from 1:1 wt.% (HF-etched Si-NC:P3HT) composition did not show detectable photovoltaic effect. A very small photovoltaic effect has been observed for devices made from 2:1 wt.% (HF-etched Si-NC:P3HT) composition as a result of the formation of an interpenetrated network throughout the photoactive film at higher NC concentration as seen from scanning electron microscopy. Device fabrication under inert atmosphere did not result in improved solar cell performance. This shows that fabrication of the devices in air was not the main reason for the poor performance of the hybrid solar cells. Moreover, solar cells that exhibited a photovoltaic effect were found to degrade within one day of air exposure. In contrast to this, the conductivity of P3HT, (unetched Si-NC)/P3HT and (HF-etched Si-NC)/P3HT films, studied in separate experiments, did not show significant degradation upon air exposure. These results indicate that the degradation of the solar cells is not due to degradation of individual photoactive layers, but could rather originate from degradation of interfaces between the different layers. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements carried out with our Si- NCs and with Si-NCs used in previous investigations of Si-NC/P3HT solar cells revealed that the number of surface defects per NC is about three orders of magnitude larger in our NCs than in those used in the previous investigations. This could be a reason for the poor performance of our Si- NC/P3HT hybrid solar cells

Short communication: Surgical Management of Urethral Obstruction in three Bullocks

Three typical cases of urolithiasis were reported for treatment at college of veterinary medicine, Mekelle clinics. All cases were of adult male bovine between 5-10 years of age group. The first and third case was of necrosis of penis and subcutaneous accumulation of urine in the prepuce and scrotal area, while the second case was of rupture of urinary bladder and subsequent uroperitoneam and uremia. The first and third case was operated for amputation of penis and drainage of urine from subcutaneous region and the second case was operated for post-scrotal urethrotomy and repair of ruptured urinary bladder through posterior left flank. The operative procedure for these cases including treatment of uremia is described in detail. All cases made an uneventful recovery. Keywords: Amputation of penis, necrosis of penis, obstructive urolithiasis, rupture of urinary bladder, uroperitoneam