Implications of Urban Development-Induced Resettlement on Poor Households in Addis Ababa

This article examines the outcomes of recent slum resettlement projects on the socio-economic well-being of the relocated people in Addis Ababa. Drawing on qualitative methods involving observation, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the paper examines the benefits and challenges of urban development projects on the lives of poor relocated households. The empirical findings demonstrate that although relocated household benefited in terms of an improved quality of new houses, the city upgrading projects have negatively affected these families. Differential quality of housing and increasing costs of rent, income loss, changing schools for children, health problems and loss of savings were experienced. The study concludes that urban redevelopment and resettlement plans need to include the implications of relocation on the lives and livelihood opportunities of poor households.Keywords: Urban development; resettlement; poor households; livelihoods; social networks,Addis Abab

Intermittent Urinary Retention Secondary to a Cervical Leiomyoma

A rare case of intemittent acute urinary retention secondary to impacted posteriorly sited cervical fibroid in a 34 year old nulliparous woman is deescribed. She presented with a two year history of progressive lower abdominal swelling and a one year history of recurrent urinary retention. She had a preoperative diagnosis of impacted posteriorly sited uterine leiomyoma with anterior displacement of the cervix. At laparotomy however, a huge intramural cervical fibroid was found in the posterior part of the cervix measuring 14cm? 12cm extending superiorly to the lower uterine segment and inferiorly into the pouch of Douglas. It completely filled the pelvis and displaced the cervix anteriorly. The uterus was of normal size. A myomectomy with excision of the fibroid was performed. Urinary retention completelyresolved after surgery

Comparative clinico-haematological analysis in young Zebu cattle experimentally infected with Trypanosoma vivax isolates from tsetse infested and non-tsetse infested areas of Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Ethiopia, particularly in the Northwest region, is affected by both tsetse and non-tsetse fly transmitted trypanosomosis, with significant impact on livestock productivity. The aim of this study was to determine and compare clinical findings and haematological values between experimental infections induced by Trypanosoma vivax isolates from areas of either transmission mode. Sixteen young (aged between 6 and 12 months) Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), purchased from a trypanosome-free area and confirmed to be trypanosome-negative, were randomly assigned into four groups of four animals. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were infected with an isolate from a tsetse infested or one of two isolates from a non-tsetse infested area, and group 4 was a non-infected control. All animals in the infected groups were inoculated intravenously with 2 × 106 trypanosomes from donor animals. The experimental animals were monitored for eight consecutive weeks post infection for clinical signs, parasitaemia and haematological changes in packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hgb), total red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, differential WBC count and blood indices (mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration).<p></p> Results: Infection was characterized by reduced feed intake, weakness, pyrexia, parasitaemia, rough hair coat, enlarged prescapular lymph nodes, lacrimation, weight loss, pallor mucus membrane and dehydration. Body weight loss in all infected groups was significantly higher than in the non-infected control. Similarly, body weight loss was higher (P < 0.001) in animals infected with the tsetse infested isolate than with the non-tsetse infested isolates. The mean PCV, Hgb, total RBC and WBC counts were lower (P < 0.001), and mean MCV was higher (P = 0.01) in all infected groups than in non-infected control animals at different time points during the study period. Except for minor variations in haematological values, the overall changes were similar in all infected groups.<p></p> Conclusion: Clinical signs and significant reduction in haematological values in the infected groups indicated the pathogenicity of the T. vivax parasites. Pathogenicity of T. vivax from the non-tsetse infested area can be considered as nearly as important as that of its counterpart derived from the tsetse infested area

Genome sequence and comparative analysis of a putative entomopathogenic Serratia isolated from Caenorhabditis briggsae

Background: Entomopathogenic associations between nematodes in the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabdus with their cognate bacteria from the bacterial genera Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, respectively, are extensively studied for their potential as biological control agents against invasive insect species. These two highly coevolved associations were results of convergent evolution. Given the natural abundance of bacteria, nematodes and insects, it is surprising that only these two associations with no intermediate forms are widely studied in the entomopathogenic context. Discovering analogous systems involving novel bacterial and nematode species would shed light on the evolutionary processes involved in the transition from free living organisms to obligatory partners in entomopathogenicity. Results: We report the complete genome sequence of a new member of the enterobacterial genus Serratia that forms a putative entomopathogenic complex with Caenorhabditis briggsae. Analysis of the 5.04 MB chromosomal genome predicts 4599 protein coding genes, seven sets of ribosomal RNA genes, 84 tRNA genes and a 64.8 KB plasmid encoding 74 genes. Comparative genomic analysis with three of the previously sequenced Serratia species, S. marcescens DB11 and S. proteamaculans 568, and Serratia sp. AS12, revealed that these four representatives of the genus share a core set of ~3100 genes and extensive structural conservation. The newly identified species shares a more recent common ancestor with S. marcescens with 99 % sequence identity in rDNA sequence and orthology across 85.6 % of predicted genes. Of the 39 genes/operons implicated in the virulence, symbiosis, recolonization, immune evasion and bioconversion, 21 (53.8 %) were present in Serratia while 33 (84.6 %) and 35 (89 %) were present in Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus EPN bacteria respectively. Conclusion: The majority of unique sequences in Serratia sp. SCBI (South African Caenorhabditis briggsae Isolate) are found in ~29 genomic islands of 5 to 65 genes and are enriched in putative functions that are biologically relevant to an entomopathogenic lifestyle, including non-ribosomal peptide synthetases, bacteriocins, fimbrial biogenesis, ushering proteins, toxins, secondary metabolite secretion and multiple drug resistance/efflux systems. By revealing the early stages of adaptation to this lifestyle, the Serratia sp. SCBI genome underscores the fact that in EPN formation the composite end result – killing, bioconversion, cadaver protection and recolonization- can be achieved by dissimilar mechanisms. This genome sequence will enable further study of the evolution of entomopathogenic nematode-bacteria complexes

N-nitrosation of N-methylaniline and nitrosamine toxicology in the wistar rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the urinary excretion of nitrosamine ions in rats, to investigate the effect of precursors of N-nitrosamine on serum enzymes activities and to evaluate the toxicity on liver on exposure to N- nitrosamine precursors. Forty two male wistar rats were divided into six groups and each group was admininistered with varying doses of sodium nitrite and N-methylaniline. The following methods were used; spectrophotometry, thin layer chromatography, cell fractionation, centrifugation, dialysis, histopathology, enzymatic and colorimetry. The RF values of the test samples were similar to those of the test standard, signifying the presence of N-nitrosamine in the urine of the rat. Liver function test, showed significant elevations (P < 0.05) in the AST, ALT, ALP and GGT activities in all the test groups compared with the control. Histological evaluation showed severe haemorrhage within the sinusoid, the portal triad was infiltrated by inflammatory cells in both NaNO2 induced group and NMA combined with NaNO2 group, thus showing acute damage compared with the control group which showed no lesion. The present study showed the urinary excretion of nitrosamine formed from N-methylaniline and sodium nitrite, the effect of N-methylaniline and sodium nitrite on serum enzymes and their toxicity on the liver of wistar rats

Metabolism of precursors of N-nitrosamine in vitro and nitrosamine toxicology in wistar rat

The aim of this study was to determine the level of nitrite in post mitochondrial fraction of liver and the toxicity in liver and kidney of wistar rat. Forty two male wistar rats were divided into six groups and each group was with varying doses of sodium nitrite and N-methylaniline. The following methods were employed, spectrophotometric, cell fractionation, centrifugation, dialysis, histopathology and ultra violet irradiation. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the level of nitrite in the post mitochondrial fraction of liver in all the experimental groups compared to the control. After exposure to UV-light there was a decrease in the level of nitrite in all the groups, which indicates that the UV-light has degraded the precursors of N-nitrosamine. The histopathology study showed severe haemorrhage within sinusoid, the portal triad was infiltrated by inflammatory cells within the sinusoid of the liver and kidney. The present study showed that the concentration of nitrite in the post mitochondrial fraction of the liver of the rat depends on the dose of the toxins. The study also showed UV degradation of precursors of Nnitrosamine and the effect of the toxins on both liver and kidney

Usability and feasibility of consumer-facing technology to reduce unsafe medication use by older adults

Background Mobile health technology can improve medication safety for older adults, for instance, by educating patients about the risks associated with anticholinergic medication use. Objective This study's objective was to test the usability and feasibility of Brain Buddy, a consumer-facing mobile health technology designed to inform and empower older adults to consider the risks and benefits of anticholinergics. Methods Twenty-three primary care patients aged ≥60 years and using anticholinergic medications participated in summative, task-based usability testing of Brain Buddy. Self-report usability was assessed by the System Usability Scale and performance-based usability data were collected for each task through observation. A subset of 17 participants contributed data on feasibility, assessed by self-reported attitudes (feeling informed) and behaviors (speaking to a physician), with confirmation following a physician visit. Results Overall usability was acceptable or better, with 100% of participants completing each Brain Buddy task and a mean System Usability Scale score of 78.8, corresponding to “Good” to “Excellent” usability. Observed usability issues included higher rates of errors, hesitations, and need for assistance on three tasks, particularly those requiring data entry. Among participants contributing to feasibility data, 100% felt better informed after using Brain Buddy and 94% planned to speak to their physician about their anticholinergic related risk. On follow-up, 82% reported having spoken to their physician, a rate independently confirmed by physicians. Conclusion Consumer-facing technology can be a low-cost, scalable intervention to improve older adults’ medication safety, by informing and empowering patients. User-centered design and evaluation with demographically heterogeneous clinical samples uncovers correctable usability issues and confirms the value of interventions targeting consumers as agents in shared decision making and behavior change

A High-Density Linkage Map of the Ancestral Diploid Strawberry, Fragaria iinumae, Constructed with Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Markers from the IStraw90 Array and Genotyping by Sequencing

Fragaria iinumae Makino is recognized as an ancestor of the octoploid strawberry species, which includes the cultivated strawberry, Fragaria ×ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier. Here we report the construction of the first high-density linkage map for F. iinumae. The F. iinumae linkage map (Fii map) is based on two high-throughput techniques of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping: the IStraw90 Array (hereafter “Array”), and genotyping by sequencing (GBS). The F2 generation mapping population was derived by selfing F. iinumae hybrid F1D, the product of a cross between two divergent F. iinumae accessions collected from Hokkaido, Japan. The Fii map consists of seven linkage groups (LGs) and has an overall length of 451.7 cM as defined by 496 loci populated by 4173 markers: 3280 from the Array and 893 from GBS. Comparisons with two versions of the Fragaria vesca ssp. vesca L. ‘Hawaii 4’ pseudo-chromosome (PC) assemblies reveal substantial conservation of synteny and colinearity, yet identified differences that point to possible genomic divergences between F. iinumae and F. vesca, and/or to F. vesca genomic assembly errors. The Fii map provides a basis for anchoring a F. iinumae genome assembly as a prerequisite for constructing a second diploid reference genome for Fragaria

Nutritive value and sensory acceptability of corn- and kocho- based foods supplemented with legumes for infant feeding in Southern Ethiopia

In most developing countries, complementary foods are based on staple cereal or root crops. Imported or commercially developed foods generally are not used by low-income rural households due to high cost and poor availability. To improve the quality of children's diets in Southern Ethiopia, two complementary foods were formulated based on corn, or on an indigenous root crop (Enset ventricosum) product called kocho. Kidney beans and pumpkin pulp were used to improve the protein and vitamin A values, respectively. Kidney beans and corn were soaked, germinated and lightly roasted before grinding. Four formulations of complementary foods were prepared. Two of them were traditional corn- or kocho-based, and served as controls. The other two were supplemented formulations, and contained either corn:kidney bean:pumpkin (CBP) or kocho:kidney bean:pumpkin (KBP). Crude protein and fat, amino acid profile, and carotene content of the corn, kocho, kidney bean, and pumpkin were determined by standard AOAC methods. The four formulations were evaluated for sensory acceptability in Southern Ethiopia by mother and child pairs. The CBP and KBP formulations had crude protein contents of 14.07 g/100 g and 13.81 g/100 g, respectively, while the traditional corn and kocho had only 8.82 g/100 g and 1.46 g/100 g, on a dry weight basis. Adding kidney beans to both mixtures improved their essential amino acid profiles, but the need to serve the foods as thin porridge for infants created low energy density products. The pumpkin in CBP and KBP provided 54 µg RAE per 100 kcal, increasing the Vitamin A value of the mixes by 25- and 180-fold, respectively. Sensory evaluation of CBP by 30 mother and child pairs, and KBP by 28 pairs indicated high acceptability (4.7 - 4.9 on a 5-pt Hedonic scales) of the complementary foods. Acceptability scores of CBP and KBP were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from those of the traditional corn and kocho formulations. Thus, addition of kidney beans and pumpkin is a potential way to increase the nutritive value of traditional Ethiopian complementary foods prepared from corn or kocho. Keywords: amino acid profile, legume, nutrient density, complementary foods, vitamin A African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development Vol. 6(1) 200