Predictors of child stunting in Fitche town, North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Stunting is a well-known child health indicator for chronic malnutrition. The nutritional status of children is a good gauge for the nutritional well- being of the population, and it is, nowadays, one of the key issues in interrupting generational poverty transmissions as they bear the brunt of poverty. There has been scarcity of disaggregated survey to explore covariates of child stunting. This study attempted to identify socio-economic,demographic and other proximate factors associated with stunting of children under the age of five in Fitche town. The survey was cross- sectional, conducted using multistage sampling procedures to collect information from 160 children and caregivers. The anthropometric, descriptive and logistic analyses to determine the prevalence and identify covariates of child stunting were applied using Epi info and STATA software. Logistic analysis of the effects of selected child and maternal characteristics, child caring practices, and environmental health conditions on child stunting was done. Therefore, birth order, family size, maternal education, remittances, farm income, income from women employment and size of cultivated land were found to be the strongest predictors. However, the estimated coefficients of vaccine status of the child, Low Birth Weight, latrine facility in the house, morbidity status of the child, child birth interval, distance to  the nearest health center, antenatal care visit of the mother and household’s source of water indicated theoretically inconsistent and statistically insignificant effect on the likelihood of child stunting. The prevalence of child stunting was 45%, which is significantly higher than the regional and national averages. Among children who were stunted, 11.9 % were moderately stunted compared to 33.1% who were severely stunted. The proportion of stunted children for male was greater than female. There is a need to increase maternity care and education as this would make them amenable to health interventions that help improve not only their nutritional status and that of their child but also improve their income earning potential and food purchasing power. Addressing poverty may lead to improvements in the nutrition status of children as household economic status significantly determines nutritional status in the town. Key words: child stunting, anthropometry, Epi info, logistic, Fitche, Ethiopi

Evaluation of static and dynamic land use data for watershed hydrologic process simulation: A case study in Gummara watershed, Ethiopia

Land Use Land Cover (LULC) change significantly affects hydrological processes. Several studies attempted to understand the effect of LULC change on biophysical processes; however, limited studies accounted dynamic nature of land use change. In this study, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT 2012) hydrological model and statistical analysis were applied to assess the impacts of land use change on hydrological responses such as surface runoff, evapotranspiration, and peak flow in Gummara watershed, Ethiopia. Moreover, the effects of static and dynamic land use data application on the SWAT model performance were evaluated. Two model setups, Static Land Use (SLU) and Dynamic Land Use (DLU), were studied to investigate the effects of accounting dynamic land use on hydrological responses. Both SLU and DLU model setups used the same meteorological, soil, and DEM data, but different land use. The SLU setup used the 1985 land use layer, whereas the DLU setup used 1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015 land use data. The calibration (validation) results showed that the model satisfactorily predicts temporal variation and peak streamflow with Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.75 (0.71) and 0.73 (0.71) in the DLU and SLU setups, respectively. However, the DLU model setup simulated the detailed biophysical processes better during the calibration period. Both model setups equally predicted daily streamflow during the validation period. Better performance was obtained while applying the DLU model setup because of improved representation of the dynamic watershed characteristics such as curve number (CN2), overland Manning's (OV_N), and canopy storage (CANMX). Expansion of agricultural land use by 11.1% and the reduction of forest cover by 2.3% during the period from 1985 to 2015 increased the average annual surface runoff and peak flow by 11.6 mm and 2.4 m3/s, respectively and decreased the evapotranspiration by 5.3 mm. On the other hand, expansion of shrubland by 1% decreased the surface runoff by 1.2 mm and increased the evapotranspiration by 1.1 mm. The results showed that accounting DLU into the SWAT model simulation leads to a more realistic representation of temporal land use changes, thereby improving the accuracy of temporal and spatial hydrological processes estimation

Photoelectrochemical and theoretical investigations of spinel type ferrites (MxFe3-xO4) for water splitting: A mini-review

Solar-assisted water splitting using photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) is one of the promising pathways for the production of hydrogen for renewable energy storage. The nature of the semiconductor material is the primary factor that controls the overall energy conversion efficiency. Finding semiconductor materials with appropriate semiconducting properties (stability, efficient charge separation and transport, abundant, visible light absorption) is still a challenge for developing materials for solar water splitting. Owing to the suitable bandgap for visible light harvesting and the abundance of iron-based oxide semiconductors, they are promising candidates for PECs and have received much research attention. Spinel ferrites are subclasses of iron oxides derived from the classical magnetite (FeIIFe2 IIIO4) in which the FeII is replaced by one (some cases two) additional divalent metals. They are generally denoted as MxFe3-xO4 (M=Ca, Mg, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, and so on) and mostly crystallize in spinel or inverse spinel structures. In this mini review, we present the current state of research in spinel ferrites as photoelectrode materials for PECs application. Strategies to improve energy conversion efficiency (nanostructuring, surface modification, and heterostructuring) will be presented. Furthermore, theoretical findings related to the electronic structure, bandgap, and magnetic properties will be presented and compared with experimental results

Quantifying the socio-economic impact of leg lymphoedema on patient caregivers in a lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis co-endemic district of Ethiopia

Background Lymphoedema caused by lymphatic filariasis (LF) or podoconiosis can result in physical dis-ability and social exclusion, which is exacerbated by painful acute dermatolymphangioadenitis (ADLA) episodes. These conditions have a significant impact on patients, however, little is known about the indirect effects on their caregivers. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the impact on caregivers for patients with leg lymphoedema in a co-endemic district of Ethiopia. Methodology/Principal findings A cross-sectional survey of lymphoedema patients and their caregivers was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires in the Southern Nation Nationalities Peoples Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia. Lymphoedema patient information on clinical severity (mild, moderate, severe), frequency of ADLAs, their socio-demographic characteristics and the identity of main caregiver(s) was collected. Caregiver information on socio-demographic characteristics, types of care provided, their quality of life (QoL) measured across nine domains, and productivity was collected, with key indicators compared in the presence and absence of patients’ ADLAs. A total of 73 patients and 76 caregivers were included. Patients were grouped by mild/moderate (n = 42, 57.5%) or severe (n = 31, 42.5%) lymphoedema, and reported an average of 6.1 (CI± 2.18) and 9.8 (CI± 3.17) ADLAs respectively in the last six months. A total of 48 (65.8%) female and 25 (34.2%) male patients were interviewed. Caregivers were predominately male (n = 45, 59.2%), and spouses formed the largest caregiving group for both female and male patients. In the absence of an ADLA, most caregivers (n = 42, 55.2%) did not provide care, but only one caregiver did not provide care during an ADLA. In the absence of an ADLA, the average time (hour:minute) spent by mild/moderate (00:17, CI: ± 00:08) and severe (00:10, CI: ± 00:07) patient caregiver per task was minimal. The time mild/moderate (00:47, CI: ± 00:11) and severe (00:51, CI: ± 00:16) patient caregivers spent per task significantly increased in the presence of an ADLA. In addition, caregivers’ QoL was negatively impacted when patients experienced an ALDA, and they had to forfeit an average of 6 to 7 work/ school days per month. Conclusion/Significance Lymphoedema and ADLAs impact negatively on patients’ and their caregivers’ lives. This emphasises the importance of increasing access to effective morbidity management and disability prevention services to reduce the burden and help to address the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, target 5.4, which seeks to recognise and value unpaid care and domestic work

Expanding the Repertoire of Carbapenem-Hydrolyzing Metallo-ß-Lactamases by Functional Metagenomic Analysis of Soil Microbiota

Carbapenemases are bacterial enzymes that hydrolyze carbapenems, a group of last-resort β-lactam antibiotics used for treatment of severe bacterial infections. They belong to three β-lactamase classes based amino acid sequence (A, B, and D). The aim of this study was to elucidate occurrence, diversity and functionality of carbapenemase-encoding genes in soil microbiota by functional metagenomics. Ten plasmid libraries were generated by cloning metagenomic DNA from agricultural (n = 6) and grassland (n = 4) soil into Escherichia coli. The libraries were cultured on amoxicillin-containing agar and up to 100 colonies per library were screened for carbapenemase production by CarbaNP test. Presumptive carbapenemases were characterized with regard to DNA sequence, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of β-lactams, and imipenem hydrolysis. Nine distinct class B carbapenemases, also known as metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs), were identified in six soil samples, including two subclass B1 (GRD23-1 and SPN79-1) and seven subclass B3 (CRD3-1, PEDO-1, GRD33-1, ESP-2, ALG6-1, ALG11-1, and DHT2-1). Except PEDO-1 and ESP-2, these enzymes were distantly related to any previously described MBLs (33 to 59% identity). RAIphy analysis indicated that six enzymes (CRD3-1, GRD23-1, DHT2-1, SPN79-1, ALG6-1, and ALG11-1) originated from Proteobacteria, two (PEDO-1 and ESP-2) from Bacteroidetes and one (GRD33-1) from Gemmatimonadetes. All MBLs detected in soil microbiota were functional when expressed in E. coli, resulting in detectable imipenem-hydrolyzing activity and significantly increased MICs of clinically relevant β-lactams. Interestingly, the MBLs yielded by functional metagenomics generally differed from those detected in the same soil samples by antibiotic selective culture, showing that the two approaches targeted different subpopulations in soil microbiota. © 2016 Gudeta, Bortolaia, Pollini, Docquier, Rossolini, Amos, Wellington and Guardabassi.Grant HEALTH-F3-2011-282004(EvoTAR

Electrochemical deposition of Fe2O3 in the presence of organic additives: a route to enhanced photoactivity

The photoelectrochemical activity of hematite films prepared by electrochemical deposition (ED) in the presence of organic additives is discussed. The studies focus on the role of small organic additive molecules in the tuning of the morphology of the films and their influence on the photoelectrochemical oxidation of water. The organic additives, namely, coumarin 343 (C343), γ-glucuronic acid (GA) and sodium dodecyl sulfonate (Sds), possess functional moieties to interact with iron ions in the ED bath electrostatically or through metal–ligand complexation reactions. XPS measurements prove that the organic additives are incorporated, and the oxidation state of Fe3+ rules out the presence of mixed valences in the films. SEM and XRD measurements present morphological and structural evidence, respectively. The photoelectrochemical study shows that organically modified hematite films exhibit enhanced photoactivity; the photocurrent density at 1.4 V vs. RHE on a GA-modified electrode is up to 5–6 times higher than on the unmodified electrode. Electrochemical impedance results reveal the role of the organic additives in reducing the charge transfer resistance from the hematite surface to the solution. In addition, a simple Ti post treatment greatly enhances the photoactivity of all electrodes under investigation.DFG/WA 1116/23-

An epigenome-wide association study of child appetitive traits and DNA methylation

The etiology of childhood appetitive traits is poorly understood. Early-life epigenetic processes may be involved in the developmental programming of appetite regulation in childhood. One such process is DNA methylation (DNAm), whereby a methyl group is added to a specific part of DNA, where a cytosine base is next to a guanine base, a CpG site. We meta-analyzed epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs) of cord blood DNAm and early-childhood appetitive traits. Data were from two independent cohorts: the Generation R Study (n = 1,086, Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and the Healthy Start study (n = 236, Colorado, USA). DNAm at autosomal methylation sites in cord blood was measured using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Parents reported on their child's food responsiveness, emotional undereating, satiety responsiveness and food fussiness using the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire at age 4–5 years. Multiple regression models were used to examine the association of DNAm (predictor) at the individual site- and regional-level (using DMRff) with each appetitive trait (outcome), adjusting for covariates. Bonferroni-correction was applied to adjust for multiple testing. There were no associations of DNAm and any appetitive trait when examining individual CpG-sites. However, when examining multiple CpGs jointly in so-called differentially methylated regions, we identified 45 associations of DNAm with food responsiveness, 7 associations of DNAm with emotional undereating, 13 associations of DNAm with satiety responsiveness, and 9 associations of DNAm with food fussiness. This study shows that DNAm in the newborn may partially explain variation in appetitive traits expressed in early childhood and provides preliminary support for early programming of child appetitive traits through DNAm. Investigating differential DNAm associated with appetitive traits could be an important first step in identifying biological pathways underlying the development of these behaviors.</p

Metabolic control and determinants among HIV- infected Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending a tertiary clinic in Botswana

Purpose: We primarily aimed at determining the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and abnormal individual metabolic control variables in HIV-infected participants as compared to HIV-uninfected participants given current concerns. Our secondary objective was to determine the predictors of metabolic syndrome and individual metabolic control variables among the study participants to guide future management. Patients and methods: A descriptive, case-matched cross sectional study for four months from 15th June 2019 to 15th October 2019 at Block 6 Diabetes Reference clinic in Gaborone, Botswana. We compared the proportions of metabolic syndrome and individual metabolic control variables based on gender and HIV status by means of bivariate analysis (Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test) to determine factors associated with metabolic control. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, 86% of the study participants were found to have metabolic syndrome by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria with 79.8% among HIV-infected and 89.1% among HIV-negative participants (p-value = 0.018). Older age was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome (p-value = 0.008). Female gender was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome as compared to male gender (P-value < 0.001), and with a statistically significant higher proportion of low HDL-C compared to males (P-value < 0.001). Female participants were significantly more likely to be obese as compared to males (P-value < 0.001). High trigerylcerides were more common in HIV-infected compared to HIV-negative participants (P-value = 0.004). HIV-negative participants were more likely to be obese as compared to HIV-infected participants (P-value = 0.003). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is an appreciable problem in this tertiary clinic in Botswana for both HIV-infected and HIV-negative participants. Future prospective studies are warranted in our setting and similar sub-Saharan settings to enhance understanding of the role played by HAART in causing the metabolic syndrome, and the implications for future patient management