The prevalence of primary headache disorders in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the epidemiology of primary headache disorders in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains very limited. We performed a population-based survey in rural and urban areas of Ethiopia, using methods similar to those of an earlier study in Zambia and tested in multiple other countries by Lifting The Burden. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey we visited households unannounced in four regions of Ethiopia: the mostly urban populations in Addis Ababa and its environs and rural populations of selected districts in Oromia, Amhara and South Nations Nationalities and People's Regions States (SNNPRS). We used cluster-randomized sampling: within clusters we randomly selected households, and one adult member (18-65 years old) of each household. The HARDSHIP structured questionnaire, translated into the local languages, was administered face-to-face by trained interviewers. Demographic enquiry was followed by diagnostic questions based on ICHD-II criteria. RESULTS: From 2,528 households approached, 2,385 of 2,391 eligible members (1,064 [44.7%] male, 596 [25.0%] urban) consented to interview (participating proportion 99.8%). Headache in the preceding year was reported by 1,071 participants (44.9% [95% CI: 42.4-46.3]; males 37.7%, females 49.9%), and headache yesterday by 170 (7.1% [6.2-8.2]; males 45 [4.1%], females 125 [9.2%]). Adjusted for gender, age and habitation (urban/rural), 1-year prevalence of migraine was 17.7%, of tension-type headache (TTH) 20.6%, of all headache on ≥15 days/month 3.2%, and of probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH) 0.7%. The adjusted prevalence of headache yesterday was 6.4%. Very few cases (1.6%) were unclassifiable. All headache disorders were more common in females. TTH was less common in urban areas (OR: 0.3; p < 0.0001), but pMOH was very strongly associated (OR: 6.1; p < 0.0001) with urban dwelling. Education was negatively associated with migraine (OR: 0.5-0.7; p < 0.05) but (at university level) positively with pMOH (OR: 2.9; p = 0.067). Income above ETB 500/month showed similar associations: negatively with migraine (OR: 0.8; p = 0.035), positively with pMOH (OR: 2.1; p = 0.164). CONCLUSIONS: Findings for migraine and TTH in Ethiopia were quite similar to those from Zambia, another SSA country; pMOH was much less prevalent but, as in Zambia, essentially an urban problem. Primary headache disorders are at least as prevalent in SSA as in high-income western countries

Effect of Effective Microbes (EM) Bokashi Supplementation on Weight Gain Performance of Yearling Bucks of Woito Guji Goat Breeds Fed Natural Hay as Basal Diet

The experiment was conducted in Jinka agricultural research center on-station to determine the effect of different level of effective microbe Bokashi inclusion as supplement on weight gain performance of yearling woito-Guji bucks fed natural grass hay as basal diet. Twenty yearling bucks and with body weight of 13.72 ± 1.74 kg were used in the study. Experimental animals were purchased from local markets namely Qaqo and Benata on two consecutive marketing days and brought to the research center compounded where they stayed in quarantine for two weeks for the purpose of acclimatization. Vaccination and treatment against disease and internal parasite was given for all bucks soon after arrival to quarantine. The experimental design completely randomized block design. Five yearling bucks were randomly assigned to each dietary treatment that consisted of ad libitum local grass hay + no EM-bokashi supplement (T1), and supplementation of effective microbe bokashi at the level of 1% (T2), 3% (T3), and 5% (T4) of total ration as feed basis. Each treatment group has received 200g of wheat bran per day/experimental animal. Highest weight gain was obtained at (P &lt; 0.05) with 5% effective microbe bokashi as compared to 3 %, 1% and that of control. However, live weight gain at 1% effective microbe Bokashi inclusion was not significantly different (P &lt; 0.05) from that of the control. From the result of this study, it can be concluded that using 5 % EM-bokashi supplementation could bring better body weight gain and resistance to disease and parasites of yearling bucks fed on low protein diet. Hence, increase total profit of the enterprise. But, it can be recommended that this study need to be conducted with broad range of level of effective microbe bokashi supplementation to know the optimum profitable inclusion level of effective microbe Bokashi. Keywords: - Effective Microbes, Weight gain, low protein diet, Woito Guji breed

Five Years Experience of Ureterovaginal Fistulae Following Obstetric or Gynecological Intervention in Ethiopia

Objectives: To study the etiology, presentation and outcome of women presenting to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital with an ureterovaginal fistula.Patients and Methods: Women presenting with ureterovaginal fistulae following obstetric or gynecological intervention. The operating register from June 2004 to July 2009 was studied to identify women who had undergone ureteric re-implantation. Patient files were reviewed and onlywomen with fistulae resulting from iatrogenic injury were included.Results: Ureterovaginal fistulae were found in 89 women, 64 after Caesarean section, of which 43 were for a stillborn baby, 12 women have uterine rupture, 6 with instrumental delivery and only 7 with abdominal hysterectomy. The left ureter was most frequently injured (54). The number of patients seen has doubled over the past two years. Using one of four methods of repair, 88 women were continent at discharge from hospital. One died from a suspected pulmonary embolism.Conclusion: The incidence of iatrogenic ureteric injury is increasing in Ethiopia and most result from Caesarean section. The reasons should be studied. Using a variety of repair techniques, all patients can be cured. However, surgeons undertaking this surgery should have a wide range of urological training.Key Words : Ureter, vagina, fistula, latrogenic, caesarean section, hysterectomy, complicatio

Northern leaf blight response of elite maize inbred lines adapted to the mid-altitude sub-humid tropics

Productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) is curtailed by a number of stress factors, predominantly by diseases and insect pests. The Northern leaf blight disease of maize caused by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard and Suggs inflict significant yield losses in the humid tropical regions. The objectives of this study were to determine the leaf blight response of 50 elite maize inbred lines developed for the mid-altitude, sub-humid tropics and to select promising parents for resistance breeding. Inbred lines were evaluated in the field using a 5 × 10 alpha lattice design with three replications. Plants were artificially inoculated at the 4–6 leaf stages during 2011 and 2012. Data on disease severity and incidence, AUDPC and yields were recorded. Inbred lines had significant differences for E. turcicum reactions, and were classified into resistant, intermediate or susceptible categories. The mean disease severity ranged from 2.04% for the inbred line 136-a to 3.25% (Kuleni-C1-101-1-1-1). The upper leaf area infection of inbred lines 143-5-I and 136-a was 3.3%, while the line Kuleni-C1-101-1-1-1 displayed 100% infection. Further, 136-a developed the lowest AUDPC score at 238, whereas Kuleni-C1-101-1-1-1 had the maximum at 700. Overall, inbred lines CML202, 144-7-b, 139-5-j, 136-a, 30H83-7-1-1-1-2-1, ILoo’E-1-9-1-1-1-1-1 and 142-1-e, were identified as promising sources of resistance against E. turcicum. The selected elite inbred lines would be recommended for use in general varietal development, disease management and to enhance maize productivity, in the mid-altitude sub-humid tropics

Malignant melanoma of the gastrointestinal tract: symptoms, diagnosis, and current treatment options.

Malignant melanoma (MM) has become the fifth most frequent cancer in the UK. It is the most common carcinoma to metastasize to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. MM particularly has an affinity to spread to the small bowel, which is followed by the involvement of the stomach and large intestine. Excellent endoscopic options including video capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy are available for a precise diagnosis of GI involvement by a metastatic MM. The complete surgical resection of GI metastatic MM in carefully selected patients not only provides symptom control, but has also been associated with an increase in overall survival. The approval of BRAF-targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors has transformed therapeutic approaches for patients with metastatic MM over the past decade. Currently, the overall survival of patients with advanced metastatic MM who have been treated with a combination of immunotherapeutic agents reaches 52% at five years. The role of surgery for patients with the metastatic involvement of the GI tract with MM is evolving in the era of effective systemic treatments

ECONOMICS OF HERBICIDE WEED MANAGEMENT IN WHEAT IN ETHIOPIA

Effective use of herbicides for the control of annual grass and broadleaf weeds in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) was not a reality in Ethiopia, until in recent years. This study aimed at evaluating different post-emergence herbicides against annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in wheat for selection and incorporation into an integrated weed management (IWM) system. The study was conducted at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Centre main station, Bekoji and Lole farm fields. Treatments included herbicides, namely, Mesosulfron methyl+Idosulfuron methyl sodium (liquid) 1 lit ha-1 a.i. Pyroxsulam (liquid) 0.5 l ha-1 a.i. hand weeding twice (30-35 and 55-60 days after emergence (DAE)); and a weedy check. Among the annual grass weeds, Snowdenia polystachya , Avena fatua , Bromus pectinatus , Phalaris paradoxa and Setaria pumila ; and most broad leaf weeds like Polygonum nepalense , Guizotia scabra , Galinsoga parviflora and Gallium spurium were controlled with herbicide efficacy ranging from 75 to 100%. Mesosulfron methyl +Idosulfron methyl sodium, Pyroxulam and hand weeded twice plots out-yielded the weedy check by 63, 58 and 53%, respectively. Maximum wheat grain yield (5,184 kg ha-1), biomass (12,808 kg ha-1), thousand kernel weight (48.55) and hectoliter weight (74.2) were obtained due to the application of Mesosulfron methyl+Idosulfuron methyl sodium. In addition, the herbicide had a yield advantage over Pyroxsulam, two hand weedings and the weedy check by 12, 21 and 63%, respectively. Application of Mesosulfron methyl + Idosulfuron methyl sodium (US$1,596.31 ha-1) had the highest net field benefit compared to Pyroxsulam (US$1,379.21 ha-1), two hand weeding (US$1,126.7 ha-1) and weedy check (US$574.1 ha-1) by 13.6, 29 and 64%, respectively. Moreover, the herbicide was also economically profitable to farmers, providing a marginal rate of return (MRR) of 1,737%. Sensitivity analysis (aMRR) also remained the most profitable even when the price of herbicide increased by 20%. Hence, Mesosulfron methyl +Idosulfuron methyl sodium at a rate of 1 lit ha-1 is thebest herbicide for the effective control of annual grasses and broad leaf weeds in wheat and can be used as one of the component in Integrated Weed Management Program (IWM) in wheat fields.l\u2019utilisation efficace d\u2019herbicides pour le contr\uf4le d\u2019herbe annuelle et de mauvaises herbes broadleaf dans le bl\ue9 ( Triticum aestivum L.) n\u2019\ue9tait pas une r\ue9alit\ue9 en \ue9thiopie, jusqu\u2019\ue0 au cours des derni\ue8res ann\ue9es. cette \ue9tude visait du fait d\u2019\ue9valuer de diff\ue9rents herbicides de post-\ue9mersion contre les herbes annuelles et les mauvaises herbes broadleaf dans le bl\ue9 pour la s\ue9lection et l\u2019incorporation dans une administration de mauvaise herbe int\ue9gr\ue9e (iwm) le syst\ue8me. l\u2019\ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 accomplie au centre de recherche agricole kulumsa la station principale, Bekoji et les champs de ferme Lole. les traitements ont inclus des herbicides, \ue0 savoir, le m\ue9thyle de mesosulfron le sodium de m\ue9thyle d\u2019idosulfuron 1 (liquide) allum\ue9 ha-1 a.i. pyroxsulam 0.5 l (liquides) ha-1 main d\u2019a.i. d\ue9sherbant deux fois (30-35 et 55-60 jours apr\ue8s l\u2019\ue9mersion (dae)); et un ch\ue8que malingre. Parmi les mauvaises herbes d\u2019herbe annuelles, Snowdenia polystachya , Avena fatua , Bromus pectinatus , Phalaris paradoxa et Setaria pumila ; et les plus larges mauvaises herbes de feuille comme Polygonum nepalense , Guizotia scabra , Galinsoga parviflora et le Gallium spurium ont \ue9t\ue9 contr\uf4l\ue9es avec l\u2019effet d\u2019herbicide aux limites de 75 \ue0 100 %. Le m\ue9thyle de Mesosulfron que le sodium de m\ue9thyle d\u2019Idosulfron, Pyroxulam et la main d\ue9sherb\ue9e complotent deux fois dehors - a produit le ch\ue8que malingre par 63, 58 et 53 %, respectivement. La production de grain de bl\ue9 maximum (5,184 kg ha-1), la biomasse (12,808 kg ha-1), un mille de poids cardinal (48.55) et de poids d\u2019hectolitre (74.2) a \ue9t\ue9 obtenue en raison de l\u2019application de m\ue9thyle Mesosulfron le sodium de m\ue9thyle d\u2019Idosulfuron, Pyroxulam et la main d\ue9sherb\ue9e conspirent deux fois dehors - a produit le ch\ue8que malingre par 63, 58 et 53 %, respectivement. La production de grain de bl\ue9 maximum (5,184 kg ha-1), la biomasse (12,808 kg ha-1), un mille de poids cardinal (48.55) et de poids d\u2019hectolitre (74.2) a \ue9t\ue9 obtenue en raison de l\u2019application de m\ue9thyle Mesosulfron le sodium de m\ue9thyle d\u2019Idosulfuron. En plus, l\u2019herbicide avait un avantage de production sur Pyroxsulam, deux main weedings et le ch\ue8que malingre par 12, 21 et 63 %, respectivement. L\u2019application de m\ue9thyle Mesosulfron le sodium de m\ue9thyle d\u2019Idosulfuron (US1,596.31 ha-1) avait le plus haut avantage net de terrain compar\ue9 \ue0 Pyroxsulam (US1,379.21 ha-1), deux main d\ue9sherbante (US1,126.7 ha-1) et ch\ue8que malingre (US574.1 ha-1) par 13.6, 29 et 64 %, respectivement. e plus, l\u2019herbicide \ue9tait aussi \ue9conomiquement profitable aux fermiers, en fournissant un taux marginal de retour (MRR) de 1,737 %. L\u2019analyse de sensibilit\ue9 (aMRR) est aussi rest\ue9e le plus profitable m\ueame lorsque le prix d\u2019herbicide a augment\ue9 de 20 %. Dor\ue9navant, le m\ue9thyle de Mesosulfron le sodium de m\ue9thyle d\u2019Idosulfuron \ue0 un taux de 1 allum\ue9 ha 1 est l\u2019herbicide thebest pour le contr\uf4le efficace d\u2019herbes annuelles et de larges mauvaises herbes de feuille dans le bl\ue9 et peut \ueatre utilis\ue9 comme une de la composante dans le Programme d\u2019Administration de Mauvaise herbe Int\ue9gr\ue9 (IWM) dans les champs de bl\ue9

Comparative Analysis of V-Akt Murine Thymoma Viral Oncogene Homolog 3 (AKT3) Gene between Cow and Buffalo Reveals Substantial Differences for Mastitis

AKT3 gene is a constituent of the serine/threonine protein kinase family and plays a crucial role in synthesis of milk fats and cholesterol by regulating activity of the sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP). AKT3 is highly conserved in mammals and its expression levels during the lactation periods of cattle are markedly increased. AKT3 is highly expressed in the intestine followed by mammary gland and it is also expressed in immune cells. It is involved in the TLR pathways as effectively as proinflammatory cytokines. The aims of this study were to investigate the sequences differences between buffalo and cow. Our results showed that there were substantial differences between buffalo and cow in some exons and noteworthy differences of the gene size in different regions. We also identified the important consensus sequence motifs, variation in 2000 upstream of ATG, substantial difference in the “3′UTR” region, and miRNA association in the buffalo sequences compared with the cow. In addition, genetic analyses, such as gene structure, phylogenetic tree, position of different motifs, and functional domains, were performed to establish their correlation with other species. This may indicate that a buffalo breed has potential resistance to disease, environment changes, and airborne microorganisms and some good production and reproductive traits

Implementing a one health approach to strengthen the management of zoonoses in Ethiopia

In East Africa, a region with many endemic and emerging zoonoses, and in countries such as Ethiopia in particular, One Health (OH) approaches are increasingly seen as effective ways, to mitigate the risk of zoonoses at the interface between human, animal and the environment. The OH approach promotes interdisciplinary cooperation and collaboration between researchers and practitioners from the disciplines of human, animal and environmental health. Moreover, it advocates for the establishment of a public health sector model which recognises the imperative to holistically address diseases that occur in the human, animal and environmental health arena. Key informant interviews were conducted with human and animal health practitioners and academic researchers in Ethiopia to collect data on the implementation of the OH approach to manage zoonotic diseases at the human and animal health interface. Participants' observations were undertaken within animal and human health clinics and government laboratories to gather additional data. Environmental health was not considered in this study as it is not yet fully integrated into the OH approach in Ethiopia. The results reveal a lack of interdisciplinary cooperation, collaboration, and coordination between animal and human health practitioners in operationalising the OH framework in Ethiopia. Professionals in academic and non-academic institutions and organisations are interested in implementing the OH approach, however, an organisational “silo” culture constrains collaboration between institutions dealing with animal and human health. Understaffing and underfunding of institutions were also cited as major challenges to the implementation of a OH approach. Lack of interdisciplinary training for animal and human health practitioners hinders collaboration in the management of zoonoses. Policymakers need to go beyond the rhetoric to a genuine focus on reform of health management and implement policies that bridge human, animal and environmental health. There is a need for multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary training in human, animal and environmental health and collaborative research for the management of zoonoses

Risk factors of visceral leishmaniasis in East Africa: a case-control study in Pokot territory of Kenya and Uganda

BACKGROUND: In East Africa, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in parts of Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Uganda. It is caused by Leishmania donovani and transmitted by the sandfly vector Phlebotomus martini. In the Pokot focus, reaching from western Kenya into eastern Uganda, formulation of a prevention strategy has been hindered by the lack of knowledge on VL risk factors as well as by lack of support from health sector donors. The present study was conducted to establish the necessary evidence-base and to stimulate interest in supporting the control of this neglected tropical disease in Uganda and Kenya. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out from June to December 2006. Cases were recruited at Amudat hospital, Nakapiripirit district, Uganda, after clinical and parasitological confirmation of symptomatic VL infection. Controls were individuals that tested negative using a rK39 antigen-based dipstick, which were recruited at random from the same communities as the cases. Data were analysed using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Ninety-three cases and 226 controls were recruited into the study. Multivariate analysis identified low socio-economic status and treating livestock with insecticide as risk factors for VL. Sleeping near animals, owning a mosquito net and knowing about VL symptoms were associated with a reduced risk of VL. CONCLUSIONS: VL affects the poorest of the poor of the Pokot tribe. Distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets combined with dissemination of culturally appropriate behaviour-change education is likely to be an effective prevention strategy

Molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis in the Somali region, eastern Ethiopia

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in low-income countries like Ethiopia. However, because of the limited laboratory infrastructure there is a shortage of comprehensive data on the genotypes of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) complex (MTBC) in peripheral regions of Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to characterize MTBC isolates in the Somali region of eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three health institutions between October 2018 and December 2019 in the capital of Somali region. A total of 323 MTBC isolates (249 from pulmonary TB and 74 from extrapulmonary TB) were analyzed using regions of difference 9 (RD 9)-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and spoligotyping. Results: Of the 323 MTBC isolates, 99.7% (95% CI: 99.1-100%) were M. tuberculosis while the remaining one isolate was M. bovis based on RD 9-based PCR. Spoligotyping identified 71 spoligotype patterns; 61 shared types and 10 orphans. A majority of the isolates were grouped in shared types while the remaining grouped in orphans. The M. tuberculosis lineages identified in this study were lineage 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 with the percentages of 7.4, 2.2, 28.2, 60.4, and 0.6%, respectively. Most (87.9%) of the isolates were classified in clustered spoligotypes while the remaining 12.1% isolates were singletons. The predominant clustered spoligotypes identified were SIT 149, SIT 21, SIT 26, SIT 53, and SIT 52, each consisting of 17.6, 13.3, 8.4, 7.4, and 5%, respectively. Lineage 3 and lineage 4, as well as the age group (15-24), were associated significantly with clustering. Conclusion: The MTBC isolated from TB patients in Somali region were highly diverse, with considerable spoligotype clustering which suggests active TB transmission. In addition, the Beijing spoligotype was isolated in relatively higher frequency than the frequencies of its isolation from the other regions of Ethiopia warranting the attention of the TB Control Program of the Somali region