Multivariate diversity, heritability and genetic advance in Tef Landraces in Ethiopia

Characterisation of exiting genetic variability is a prerequisite for further crop improvement activity. This study was designed to assess genetic variability among randomly selected Eragrostis tef, Zucc.Trotter (Tef) genotypes from five administrative zones in the Amhara region in Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted in 2010 main cropping season at Adet Agricultural Research Center. All traits, except first inter-node length showed highly significant differences among the 37 lines. Number of productive tillers per plant, grain yield per plant, and biomass yield per plant showed high phenotypic coefficients of variation; 18.9, 17.5 and 16.9% in that order. Harvest index (15.1%) showed the highest genotypic coefficient of variation while the lowest (3.5%) was for days to maturity. Heritability in broad sense was highest for days to heading (80.7%), followed by culm length (72.4%). Grain yield and shoot biomass yield showed heritability values of 54.6 and 57.3%, and GAM values of 18.9 and 20.6%, respectively. The first three principal components (PCs) with eigenvalues greater than one explained 75% of the observed variation. Four PCs were effective in explaining 93% of the variation among zones. Cluster analysis grouped the 37 lines into five real clusters, while zones of collection were grouped into three major clusters. These data are useful for future tef breeding/crop improvement programmes and undertakings

Supplementary data for the article: Habtamu, H. B.; Sentic, M.; Silvestrini, M.; De Leo, L.; Not, T.; Arbault, S.; Manojlovic, D.; Sojic, N.; Ugo, P. A Sensitive Electrochemiluminescence Immunosensor for Celiac Disease Diagnosis Based on Nanoelectrode Ensembles. Analytical Chemistry 2015, 87 (24), 12080–12087. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5b02801

Supporting information for: [https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5b02801]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2014

Supplementary data for the article: Habtamu, H. B.; Sentic, M.; Silvestrini, M.; De Leo, L.; Not, T.; Arbault, S.; Manojlovic, D.; Sojic, N.; Ugo, P. A Sensitive Electrochemiluminescence Immunosensor for Celiac Disease Diagnosis Based on Nanoelectrode Ensembles. Analytical Chemistry 2015, 87 (24), 12080–12087. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5b02801

Supporting information for: [https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5b02801]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2014

Predictors of Trachomatous Trichiasis Surgery Outcome.

PURPOSE: Unfavorable outcomes after trachomatous trichiasis (TT) surgery are undermining the global trachoma elimination effort. This analysis investigates predictors of postoperative TT (PTT), eyelid contour abnormalities (ECAs), and granuloma in the 2 most common TT surgery procedures: posterior lamellar tarsal rotation (PLTR) and bilamellar tarsal rotation (BLTR). DESIGN: Secondary data analysis from a randomized, controlled, single-masked clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1000 patients with TT, with lashes touching the eye or evidence of epilation, in association with tarsal conjunctival scarring. METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated and received BLTR (n = 501) or PLTR (n = 499) surgery. Disease severity at baseline, surgical incisions, sutures, and corrections were graded during and immediately after surgery. Participants were examined at 6 and 12 months by assessors masked to allocation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Predictors of PTT, ECA, and granuloma. RESULTS: Data were available for 992 (99.2%) trial participants (496 in each arm). There was strong evidence that performing more peripheral dissection with scissors in PLTR (odd ratio [OR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.91; P = 0.008) and BLTR (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.96; P = 0.01) independently protected against PTT. Baseline major trichiasis and mixed location lashes and immediate postoperative central undercorrection independently predicted PTT in both surgical procedures. Peripheral lashes in PLTR (OR, 5.91; 95% CI, 1.48-23.5; P = 0.01) and external central incision height ≥4 mm in BLTR (OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.55-5.41; P = 0.001) were independently associated with PTT. Suture interval asymmetry of >2 mm (OR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.31-7.70; P = 0.01) in PLTR and baseline conjunctival scarring in BLTR (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.06-2.81; P = 0.03) were independently associated with ECA. Older age was independently associated with ECA in both PLTR (P value for trend < 0.0001) and BLTR (P value for trend = 0.03). There was substantial intersurgeon variability in ECA rates for both PLTR (range, 19.0%-36.2%) and BLTR (range, 6.1%-28.7%) procedures. In PLTR surgery, irregular posterior lamellar incision at the center of the eyelid (OR, 6.72; 95% CI, 1.55-29.04; P = 0.01) and ECA (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.37-6.94; P = 0.007) resulted in granuloma formation. CONCLUSIONS: Poor postoperative outcomes in TT surgery were associated with inadequate peripheral dissection, irregular incision, asymmetric suture position and tension, inadequate correction, and lash location. Addressing these will improve TT surgical outcomes

Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology functional impairment among people with severe and enduring mental disorder in rural Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: Evidence regarding functional impairment in people with severe mental disorders (SMD) is sparse in low and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with functional impairment in people with enduring SMD in a rural African setting. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the baseline of a health service intervention trial. A total of 324 participants were recruited from an existing communityascertained cohort of people with SMD (n= 218), and attendees at the Butajira General Hospital psychiatric clinic (n= 106). Inclusion criteria defined people with SMD who had ongoing need for care: those who were on psychotropic medication, currently symptomatic or had a relapse in the preceding two years. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment schedule (WHODAS-2.0) and the Butajira Functioning Scale (BFS), were used to assess functional impairment. Multivariable negative binomial regression models were fitted to investigate the association between demographic, socio-economic and clinical characteristics, and functional impairment. Results: Increasing age, being unmarried, rural residence, poorer socio-economic status, symptom severity, continuous course of illness, medication side effects and internalized stigma were associated with functional impairment across self reported and caregiver responses for both the WHODAS and the BFS. Diagnosis per se was not associated consistently with functional impairment. Conclusion: To optimize functioning in people with chronic SMD in this setting, services need to target residual symptoms, poverty, medication side effects and internalized stigma. Testing the impact of community interventions to promote recovery will be useful. Advocacy for more tolerable treatment options is warranted

Characterizing and evaluating the impacts of national land restoration initiatives on ecosystem services in Ethiopia

Land restoration is considered to be the remedy for 21st century global challenges of land degradation. As a result, various land restoration and conservation efforts are underway at different scales. Ethiopia is one of the countries with huge investments in land restoration. Tremendous land management practices have been implemented across the country since the 1970s. However, the spatial distribution of the interventions has not been documented, and there is no systematic, quantitative evidence on whether land restoration efforts have achieved the restoration of desired ecosystem services. Therefore, we carried out a meta‐analysis of peer‐reviewed scientific literature related to land restoration efforts and their impacts in Ethiopia. Results show that most of the large‐scale projects have been implemented in the highlands, specifically in Tigray and Amhara regions covering about 24 agro‐ecological zones, and land restoration impact studies are mostly focused in the highlands but restricted in about 11 agro‐ecological zones. The highest mean effect on agricultural productivity is obtained from the combination of bunds and biological interventions followed by conservation agriculture practices with 170 % and 18% increases, respectively. However, bunds alone, biological intervention alone, and terracing (Fanya Juu) reveal negative effects on productivity. The mean effect of all land restoration interventions on soil organic carbon is positive, the highest effect being from “bunds + biological” (139%) followed by exclosure (90%). Reduced soil erosion and runoff are the dominant impacts of all interventions. The results can be used to improve existing guidelines to better match land restoration options with specific desired ecosystem functions and services. While the focus of this study was on the evaluation of the impacts of land restoration efforts on selected ecosystem services, impacts on livelihood and national socio‐economy have not been examined. Thus, strengthening socio‐economic studies at national scale to assess the sustainability of land restoration initiatives are an essential next step

Investigation of the high rates of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Ethiopia reveals no single driving factor and minimal evidence for zoonotic transmission of Mycobacterium bovis infection

Ethiopia, a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country, reports one of the highest incidence rates of extra-pulmonary TB dominated by cervical lymphadenitis (TBLN). Infection with Mycobacterium bovis has previously been excluded as the main reason for the high rate of extrapulmonary TB in Ethiopia.; Here we examined demographic and clinical characteristics of 953 pulmonary (PTB) and 1198 TBLN patients visiting 11 health facilities in distinct geographic areas of Ethiopia. Clinical characteristics were also correlated with genotypes of the causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.; No major patient or bacterial strain factor could be identified as being responsible for the high rate of TBLN, and there was no association with HIV infection. However, analysis of the demographic data of involved patients showed that having regular and direct contact with live animals was more associated with TBLN than with PTB, although no M. bovis was isolated from patients with TBLN. Among PTB patients, those infected with Lineage 4 reported "contact with other TB patient" more often than patients infected with Lineage 3 did (OR = 1.6, CI 95% 1.0-2.7; p = 0.064). High fever, in contrast to low and moderate fever, was significantly associated with Lineage 4 (OR = 2.3; p = 0.024). On the other hand, TBLN cases infected with Lineage 4 tended to get milder symptoms overall for the constitutional symptoms than those infected with Lineage 3.; The study suggests a complex role for multiple interacting factors in the epidemiology of extrapulmonary TB in Ethiopia, including factors that can only be derived from population-based studies, which may prove to be significant for TB control in Ethiopia

Assessment of pesticide residues in vegetables produced in central and eastern Ethiopia

Background: In Ethiopia, pesticides are widely used in vegetable production. However, if used incorrectly they may harm consumers of vegetables contaminated with pesticide residues, as well as producers handling the pesticides and lead to ecological damage. We performed a cross-sectional survey to assess pesticide residues in vegetables produced in central and eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 232 vegetable samples (91 tomatoes, 106 cabbages and 35 Swiss chard) were collected from fields and retail markets, and were screened for 35 pesticides (16 organochlorine, 11 organophosphate, 3 pyrethroids, 2 carbamates and 3 other agrochemicals) using GC–MS analysis. Results: Pesticides residues were detected in 60% of Swiss chard, 47% of cabbage and 45% of tomato samples. Two or more pesticides were detected in 20% of cabbages, 13% of tomatoes and over half of Swiss chard samples. Bendiocarb, diazinon, endrin, piperonyl butoxide, profenofos and propargite were detected, but only diazinon, propargite and profenofos had residual values above EU Maximum Residue Level (MRL), with diazinon commonly detected at relatively high levels. About 15% of the total analyzed samples, 10% of cabbages and tomatoes, and nearly half of Swiss chard samples had pesticide concentration exceeding EU MRL. However, none of the tested samples had residues exceeding Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) MRLs. Conclusion: This study showed widespread contamination of vegetables with pesticides, mainly organophosphates. We recommend monitoring and regulation of pesticides usage, with promotion of good agricultural practices