RNA-Seq Provides Novel Genomic Resources for Noug (Guizotia abyssinica) and Reveals Microsatellite Frequency and Distribution in Its Transcriptome

Genomic resources and tools are essential for improving crops and conserving their genetic resources. Guizotia abyssinica (noug), an outcrossing edible oilseed crop, has highly limited genomic resources. Hence, RNA-Seq based transcriptome sequencing of 30 noug genotypes was performed to generate novel genomic resources and assess their usefulness. The genotypes include self-compatible and self-incompatible types, which differ in maturity time, photoperiod sensitivity, or oil content and quality. RNA-Seq was performed on Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform, and the transcript was reconstructed de novo, resulting in 409,309 unigenes. The unigenes were characterized for simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and served as a reference for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling. In total, 40,776 SSRs were identified in 35,639 of the 409,309 unigenes. Of these, mono, di, tri, tetra, penta and hexanucleotide repeats accounted for 55.4, 20.8, 21.1, 2.3, 0.2, and 0.2%, respectively. The average G+C content of the unigenes and their SSRs were 40 and 22.1%, respectively. The vast majority of mononucleotide repeat SSRs (97%) were of the A/T type. AG/CT and CCA/TGG were the most frequent di and trinucleotide repeat SSRs. A different number of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci were discovered in each genotype, of which 1,687 were common to all 30 genotypes and 5,531 to 28 of them. The mean observed heterozygosity of the 5,531 SNPs was 0.22; 19.4% of them had polymorphism information content above 0.30 while 17.2% deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.05). In both cluster and principal coordinate analyses, the genotypes were grouped into four major clusters. In terms of population structure, the genotypes are best represented by three genetic populations, with significant admixture within each. Genetic similarity between self-compatible genotypes was higher, due to the narrow genetic basis, than that between self-incompatible genotypes. The genotypes that shared desirable characteristics, such as early maturity, and high oil content were found to be genetically diverse, and hence superior cultivars with multiple desirable traits can be developed through crossbreeding. The genomic resources developed in this study are vital for advancing research in noug, such as genetic linkage mapping and genome-wide association studies, which could lead to genomic-led breeding

Characterization of oilseed crop noug (Guizotia abyssinica) using agro-morphological traits

Noug (Guizotia abyssinica) is an outcrossing oilseed crop that serves as a source of edible oil and other nutrients although its seed yield is generally low. The analysis of agro-morphological traits in relation to seed and oil yields is important for improving the productivity of this crop. The present study aimed at assessing the variation and heritability of quantitative (10) and qualitative (6) traits in noug based on 60 landrace accessions collected from wide geographic area in Ethiopia. The field trial was conducted at two sites in Ethiopia using a square lattice design. The analysis of variance revealed significant variation (p < 0.05) among these accessions. The highest broad-sense heritability (H2) was recorded for days to 10% flowering (DTF10; 85.4%), whereas number of capitula per plant (NCPP) and number of seeds per capitulum (NSPC) showed medium heritability (H2 = 38.5% and 31.6%, respectively). NCPP and NSPC showed a highly significant (p < 0.01) positive and negative genotypic correlation with days to flowering, respectively. These three traits showed very low genotypic coefficient of variation (<1%). In the case of qualitative traits, small capitulum, large flower, green leaf, green stem and course leaf margin showed significant association with higher number of seeds per plant (NSPP). Euclidean distance-based cluster analysis revealed that the clustering pattern of the accessions poorly correlates with the geographic distance between sample collecting sites. Similarly, no clear clustering pattern of accessions was revealed by principal component analysis (PCA) that explained 66.3% and 53.6% of the total variation of quantitative traits and qualitative traits, respectively. The oil content of these accessions was previously investigated and accessions with high oil content show large differences in terms of days to flowering, NSPP and thousand seed weight (TSW). Among the accessions included in this research, Hr_B21; Gj_C17, Sh_I4 and Gr_F15 Gj_G18 and Tg-R13 are top ranking, as they have at least one the following highly desirable traits: early maturity, high oil content, NSPP and TSW. Hence, crossbreeding of their selected genotypes would lead to the development of new cultivars that combine early maturity and both high seed and oil yields

Evidence-based practice utilization and associated factors among nurses working in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia.

BackgroundApplying evidence-based practice during care provision is essential because it improves the quality of care, reduces health care costs, and increases patient and family satisfaction. However, information on evidence-based nursing practice and associated factors were not well studied and documented in the study area. Hence, this study aimed to assess utilization and associated factors of evidence-based practice among nurses working in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 18 to April 16, 2019, in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 684 respondents. Data were collected using a pretested and self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7.1.2.0 and exported to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. The bivariable analysis was used primarily and variables with p-value ResultsFrom 684 proposed nurses, 671 of them completed the questionnaire giving 98.1% response rate. Of these, 55% (95% CI: 51.2, 58.9) of them had good evidence-based practice utilization. Variables including single (AOR = 1.662: 95% CI: 1.089-2.536), fewer work experience (AOR = 1.849: 95% CI: 1.049-3.257), good knowledge (AOR = 2.044: 95% CI: 1.406-2.972), effective communication skill (AOR = 2.537: 95% CI: 1.744-3.689), EBP training (AOR = 3.224 95% CI: 1.957-5.311), internet access (AOR = 1.655: 95% CI: 1.119-2.448) and evidence-based guideline availability (AOR = 1.827: 95% CI: 1.249-2.673) were found to be predictors of evidence-based practice utilization.ConclusionsThe study revealed that evidence-based practice utilization among nurses is low. Availing evidence-based guidelines in the work area, improving facilities' internet access, and building nurses' evidence-based practice competencies through either by giving separate training or incorporating as part of the curriculum would improve its utilization

Prevalence and associated factors of post-partum depression in Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundGlobally, post-partum depression is a major public health problem and is associated with a harmful effect on the infant, child, and mothers' mental, physical, and social health. Although a few post-partum depression studies have been published, we still lack an accurate estimated pooled prevalence of national PPD and associated factors.ObjectivesThis study aims to show the estimated pooled prevalence of PPD and associated factors in Ethiopia.MethodsWe conduct the extensive search of articles as indicated in the guideline (PRISMA), reporting systematic review and meta-analysis. Databases like MEDLINE, PubMed, psych INFO, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library. All publications and grey literature were addressed by using MeSH terms and keywords. The pooled estimated effect of post-partum depression and associated factors was analyzed using the random effect model meta-analysis, and 95% CI was also considered.Protocol and registrationPROSPERO 2020 CRD42020176769 Available from https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020176769.ResultA total of 11 studies with 7,582 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The estimated pooled prevalence of post-partum depression (PPD) was 22.08%, with a 95% CI (17.66%, 26.49). For factors associated with post-partum depression, a random effect size model was used during meta-analysis; unplanned pregnancy [(OR = 2.84; 95% CI (2.04, 3.97)], domestic violence [OR = 3.14; 95% CI (2.59, 3.80)], and poor social support [OR = 3.57;95% CI (2.29,5.54) were positively associated factors with post-partum depression.Conclusion and recommendationThe estimated pooled prevalence of post-partum depression was high in Ethiopia. Unplanned pregnancy, poor social support, and domestic violence were factors affecting PPD. Therefore, the Ethiopian policymakers and health personnel better give more emphasis to mothers who had a history of unplanned pregnancy, domestic violence, and poor social support

Time to immunologic recovery and determinant factors among adults who initiated ART in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, northwest Ethiopia

Abstract Background CD4 cells are the major targets for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and treatment with Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) influences the CD4 cell count of HIV patients. In addition to ART, the time required to reach normal range of CD4 counts (500 cells/mm3) can be affected by clinical, socio-demographic, and behavioral factors. This retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine the incidence of having the normal range of CD4 cell counts and factors that affect the time required to reach this normal range among adult HIV patients who initiated into ART. Methods Data of 4 years were retrospectively retrieved from routinely registered characteristics of 937 ART users enrolled in 2010. Survival time until immunologic recovery and its determinant factors were examined using the frailty model with different parametric distributions alternatively. Results Most (80.8%) of the ART attendants had CD4 cell count of 200 cells/mm3 or less at initiation. The overall incidence rate of immunologic recovery was 12.67 persons per 1000 person-months (95% CI 11.30, 14.20). The dependency of frailties of immunologic recovery by residence was statistically significant (Theta = 0.05, p value = 0.006). Baseline age (Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) = 0.98, 95% CI 0.97, 0.99), baseline CD4 count (AHR = 1.006, 95% CI 1.005, 1.008), and female sex (AHR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.03, 1.73) were significantly associated with shorter survival time for immunologic recovery. Conclusion Higher baseline CD4 count, lower baseline age, and female sex were positively associated with the time to immunologic recovery, which also dependent on proximity/residence of ART users. Therefore, further scale up of ART services with due emphasis to patients with low CD4 count at baseline particularly for male and older ART users are recommended to reach the normal range of CD4 count in a shorter time of treatment

Reliability and validity of an interviewer-administered adaptation of the Youth Self-Report for mental health screening of vulnerable young people in Ethiopia

Objective: Evaluate the reliability and validity of the Youth Self-Report (YSR) as a screening tool for mental health problems among young people vulnerable to HIV in Ethiopia. Design: A cross-sectional assessment of young people currently receiving social services. Methods: Young people age 15–18 participated in a study where a translated and adapted version of the YSR was administered by trained nurses, followed by an assessment by Ethiopian psychiatrists. Internal reliability of YSR syndrome scales were assessed using Chronbach\u27s alpha. Test-retest reliability was assessed through repeating the YSR one month later. To assess validity, analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of the YSR compared to the psychiatrist assessment was conducted. Results: Across the eight syndrome scales, the YSR best measured the diagnosis of anxiety/depression and social problems among young women, and attention problems among young men. Among individual YSR syndrome scales, internal reliability ranged from unacceptable (Chronback’s alpha = 0.11, rule-breaking behavior among young women) to good (α ≥ 0.71, anxiety/depression among young women). Anxiety/depression scores of ≥ 8.5 among young women also had good sensitivity (0.833) and specificity (0.754) to predict a true diagnosis. The YSR syndrome scales for social problems among young women and attention problems among young men also had fair consistency and validity measurements. Most YSR scores had significant positive correlations between baseline and post-one month administration. Measures of reliability and validity for most other YSR syndrome scales were fair to poor. Conclusions: The adapted, personally administered, Amharic version of the YSR has sufficient reliability and validity in identifying young vulnerable women with anxiety/depression and/or social problems, and young men with attention problems; which were the most common mental health disorders observed by psychiatrists among the migrant populations in this study. Further assessment of the applicability of the YSR among vulnerable young people for less common disorders in Ethiopia is needed

Reducing amount and frequency of meal as a major coping strategy for food insecurity

Abstract Background Food insecurity is a global problem affecting many people worldwide, including approximately 220 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopia is among the countries severely affected by hunger. However, evidence on how populations within Ethiopia cope with hunger and food insecurity is limited. This study aimed to identify household coping mechanisms in response to food insecurity at a Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System site. Methods This study used data from a re-census collected between October 2014 and December 2014.15,159 household members in thirteen kebeles of the Dabat Health and Demographic surveillance system were included. The outcome variables of the study were food insecurity and coping strategies. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to assess food insecurity. If food insecurity was found, families were asked about coping mechanisms used. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to identify socio-demographic determinants of reducing amount and frequency of meal as a coping mechanism in response to food insecurity. Result Of the 15,159 households surveyed, 6671 (44.01%) reported the presence of a food insecurity in their household. Decreasing meal frequency and portions (3733 (55.96%)), borrowing money and food (2542 (38.11%)), and receiving food and money aid (1779 (26.67%)) were among the major coping strategies used by the households. Urban dwellers (AOR 2.07: 95% CI 1.74, 2.46), mid-altitude (weyina-dega) and high-land (dega) dwellers (AOR 2.46: 95% CI 2.08, 2.92 and AOR 1.22 95% CI 1.08, 1.38 respectively), and not married persons (AOR 1.60: 95% CI 1.07, 2.39) were more likely to consume less when faced with a food insecurity (using reducing amount and frequency of meal as a coping strategy). Conclusion Households in the study area experienced a very high rate of food insecurity. Decreasing meal frequency and portions was the primary coping mechanism used by the households. Due to the severe insecurity of food in their household, many people chose to reduce the amount and frequency of their meal in order to prolong the small amount of food in their house. This finding indicates a high risk for undernourishment which can exacerbate the burden of malnutrition and related diseases in the region