Non-carbon benefits for effective implementation of REDD+: The case of Bale Mountains Eco-Region, Southeastern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in four districts, namely Nansebo, Harenna Buluk, Dolo Mena and Dodolla, Southeastern Ethiopia with the following objectives - to: (i) investigate species richness and similarity, diversity, evenness and stand structure of the woody species; (ii) determine the amount of carbon stock stored in the above-ground biomass of woody species; (iii) establish the relationship between the Shannon diversity indices and carbon stock, (iv) identify the most important forest non-carbon benefits obtained by the local communities from the forests; and (v) determine contribution of forest resources to the local economy when compared with other incomes generated from agriculture, including livestock. Data generated by FARM Africa were used to achieve objectives (i) - (iii). To achieve objectives (iv) and (v), a focus group discussion and household survey were conducted. A total of 125 species of woody species, representing at least 45 families and 77 genera, were recorded. The Shannon diversity and evenness indices of the woody species ranged between 2.8 (Dodolla) and 3.5 (Harenna Buluk) and 0.79 (Nansebo) to 0.82 (Dolo Mena), respectively. The woody species had densities ranging from 550 (Dodolla) to 2106 (Harena Buluk) individuals ha-1. The above ground carbon stock stored ranged between 148.88 (Dodolla) and 246.27 (Dolo Mena) tons ha-1. About 10 products and services were mentioned by the respondents as important non carbon benefits from the forests. The non-carbon benefit with the highest contributions in the three districts was fuelwood, while coffee had the highest contribution in Dolo Mena. The contribution of forests to the local economy was significantly compared with other incomes. Forests contributed 40.2% to the household income in Harenna Buluk District and 18.8% in Nansebo District. Considering non-carbon benefits in the design and implementation of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is important to ensure its acceptance by local communities.Keywords: Bale, eco-region, non-carbon benefit, reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+)

Circadian Clocks in Mouse and Human CD4+ T Cells

Though it has been shown that immunological functions of CD4+ T cells are time of day-dependent, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely obscure. To address the question whether T cells themselves harbor a functional clock driving circadian rhythms of immune function, we analyzed clock gene expression by qPCR in unstimulated CD4+ T cells and immune responses of PMA/ionomycin stimulated CD4+ T cells by FACS analysis purified from blood of healthy subjects at different time points throughout the day. Molecular clock as well as immune function was further analyzed in unstimulated T cells which were cultured in serum-free medium with circadian clock reporter systems. We found robust rhythms of clock gene expression as well as, after stimulation, IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ production and CD40L expression in freshly isolated CD4+ T cells. Further analysis of IFN-γ and CD40L in cultivated T cells revealed that these parameters remain rhythmic in vitro. Moreover, circadian luciferase reporter activity in CD4+ T cells and in thymic sections from PER2::LUCIFERASE reporter mice suggest that endogenous T cell clock rhythms are self-sustained under constant culture conditions. Microarray analysis of stimulated CD4+ T cell cultures revealed regulation of the NF-κB pathway as a candidate mechanism mediating circadian immune responses. Collectively, these data demonstrate for the first time that CD4+ T cell responses are regulated by an intrinsic cellular circadian oscillator capable of driving rhythmic CD4+ T cell immune responses

Antimicrobial resistance in Africa: a systematic review

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely acknowledged as a global problem, yet in many parts of the world its magnitude is still not well understood. This review, using a public health focused approach, aimed to understand and describe the current status of AMR in Africa in relation to common causes of infections and drugs recommended in WHO treatment guidelines. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and other relevant databases were searched for recent articles (2013–2016) in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Article retrieval and screening were done using a structured search string and strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median and interquartile ranges of percent resistance were calculated for each antibiotic-bacterium combination. Results: AMR data was not available for 42.6% of the countries in the African continent. A total of 144 articles were included in the final analysis. 13 Gram negative and 5 Gram positive bacteria were tested against 37 different antibiotics. Penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae was reported in 14/144studies (median resistance (MR): 26.7%). Further 18/53 (34.0%) of Haemophilus influenza isolates were resistant to amoxicillin. MR of Escherichia coli to amoxicillin, trimethoprim and gentamicin was 88.1%, 80.7% and 29.8% respectively. Ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella Typhi was rare. No documented ceftriaxone resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae was reported, while the MR for quinolone was 37.5%. Carbapenem resistance was common in Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa but uncommon in Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusion: Our review highlights three important findings. First, recent AMR data is not available for more than 40% of the countries. Second, the level of resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics was significant. Third, the quality of microbiological data is of serious concern. Our findings underline that to conserve our current arsenal of antibiotics it is imperative to address the gaps in AMR diagnostic standardization and reporting and use available information to optimize treatment guidelines.</p