Effects of intervention with the SAFE strategy on trachoma across Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The impact of the SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, face washing, environmental hygiene), recommended to eliminate blinding trachoma, is not well explored. We determined the operational effectiveness of the whole SAFE intervention package. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional trachoma surveys were conducted in four program areas across Ethiopia before and after 3 years of intervention with the SAFE strategy. A total of 8358 children 1-9 years, 4684 people above 14 and 3572 households were assessed in the follow-up evaluations using methodologies recommended by the WHO. Effects were measured by comparing follow-up proportions with baseline estimates of four key indicators. RESULTS: Coverage was 36% for trichiasis surgery, 59% for antibiotic and 57% for health-promotion services. Prevalence of trachoma trichiasis (TT) decreased from 4.6% (95% CI: 3.6% to 5.8%) down to 2.9% (CI: 2.1% to 3.9%). Prevalence of trachoma inflammation-follicular (TF) dropped from 36.7% (33.9% to 39.6%) to 18.4% (CI: 15.4% to 21.8%). The proportion of unclean faces and households not using latrines fell from 72.8% (68.9% to 76.4%) and 74.5% (69.9% to 78.7%) down to 47.0% (CI: 43% to 51%) and 51.7% (47.2% to 56.2%), respectively. All the reductions related with antibiotic (TF), face washing (clean face) and environmental (latrine) components were statistically significant except for Surgery (TT). CONCLUSIONS: Considerable decline in the magnitude of trachoma and its risk factors was observed in areas where the SAFE strategy was implemented. The coverage of services should be maintained or improved in order to eliminate blinding trachoma by the year 2020

THE PRINCIPLES GOVERNING ARBITRATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE LITIGATIONS

The institution of the international commercial arbitration is continuously expanding, preferred by the majority of the business parteners worldwide as a way of resolving their ongoing issues. Although arbitration is characterized by flexibility, certain fundamental principles which ought to be respected, are provided by most legislations and statutes of the arbitration institutions. The purpose of the study is to analyze these principles, as provided by internal and international regulations.international commercial arbitration; the principle of contradictoriality; the principle of confidentiality.

The Islamic world in The Holy League by Lope de Vega

La Santa Liga es una obra de teatro de Lope de Vega cuya acción recrea la derrota del Imperio Otomano en la batalla naval de Lepanto (1571). La obra refleja la imagen del mundo islámico que existía en España a finales del siglo XVI y principios del XVII. Lope de Vega transmite al público de su tiempo una concepción religiosa y política basada en la oposición al Islam.The Holy League is a play by Lope de Vega whose action recreates the Ottoman Empire’s defeat in the naval battle of Lepanto (1571). The play reflects the image of the Islamic World between 16th and 17th century Spain. Lope de Vega transmits to the audience of the time religious and political conception based on the opposition to Islam

Evaluating the Effects of Bisphenols F and S with Respect to Bisphenol A on Primordial Germ Cell Migration in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos Using Immunofluorescence Microscopy

Primordial Germ Cell (PGC) migration occurs in early embryonic development and is highly conserved across taxa. PGC migration occurs within the first 24 hours post fertilization (hpf) in zebrafish, making the organism an efficient model for observing the migration pathway. Proper PGC migration is necessary for normal gonad development and, in some species, sex determination. Disruption of this process leads to defects in gonad formation and abnormal sex determination and differentiation. Studies show that endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) disrupt PGC migration in zebrafish. BPA is an estrogenic compound that has been linked to a variety of human diseases, including various cancers, diabetes, reproductive disorders, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. It is one of the most widely used synthetic compounds worldwide, as it is used to make polycarbonate plastics. Many studies provide evidence of the harmful effects of BPA on living organisms. In response, manufacturers have started to use replacements such as bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS). However, due to their structural similarity, it is likely that BPF and BPS are just as harmful to organisms as BPA. In this study, we use antibody staining and immunofluorescence microscopy to confirm that BPA exposure results in abnormal PGC migration in zebrafish embryos, as previously studied, and to illustrate that BPF and BPS exposure results in similar PGC migration defects

Transcription of nanos-1 in Zebrafish Embryos is not Affected by Bisphenol A: Evaluated Using Quantitative Real-Time PCR

The presence of primordial germ cells (PGCs) is crucial for proper gonad formation in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The many aspects of PGC migration that allow these cells to reach the proper location at the gonadal ridge include receptors, ligands, germ plasm components, and internal maintenance of PGCs. Any one of these factors could be affected by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which have been shown to alter the directed migration of these cells during early embryonic development. Based on recent research wherein the EDC bisphenol A (BPA) inhibited normal PGC migration, we have used the same dose of BPA to determine the impact of BPA on a gene central to proper germ cell migration. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to BPA, and the levels of the target gene nanos-1 were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR). The target gene nanos-1 is a critically important germplasm component that allows for survival and proper migration of PGCs. The q-PCR results showed that BPA did not affect the transcription level of nanos-1 in zebrafish embryos

WATER QUALITY INDEX FOR ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER SOURCES FROM MEDIAŞ TOWN, SIBIU COUNTY

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the drinking water sources quality from Mediaş Town, Sibiu County. In November 2013, 6 water samples were taken from different drinking water sources and each water sample was analysed to determinate physico-chemical parameters (using a portable multiparameter WTW 320i major ions (using DIONEX ICS1500 ion chromatograph and heavy metals (using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer model ZENIT 700 Analytik Jena). The investigated physico-chemical parameters were: temperature, salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS) and redox potential (ORP). The analysed major ions were: lithium (Li+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), fluoride( F-), chloride (Cl-), bromide (Br-), nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), phosphate (PO43- ) and sulphate (SO42-). The investigated heavy metals were: lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cooper (Cu), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As). The Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated using the analysed water quality parameters and it ranged from 76 (very poor water quality) to 375 (unsuitable for drinking)

EVALUATION OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT FIELDS CULTURE, CAPABILITY, INFORMATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES OF YOUTH AND SPORT OFFICES OF WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE

Management has a significant importance in sport organizations, specially, if it is accompanied with a strategic and program-oriented approach. Now in this progressing and developing world sport is not an exception, and many sport organizations are in rapid progress and in most cases the strategic approach of these organizations is the top priority. This study aims at evaluating the fields of strategic management in West Azarbaijan province offices of sport and youth. The subjects of the study are 47 managers and their assistants of W.Azarbaijan youth and sport offices. The tool of gathering data is a standard questionnaire which is made by Vic Gilgeous (improving strategic concerns).The method of descriptive research is a kind of analysis that, it is performed in a field study. For data analyzing, some parameters of descriptive and inferential statistics such as standard deviation, mean, frequency and some other like one sample t-test were used. The results show that the amount of realization of the culture, information and the strategic management resources in offices of youth and sports of W. Azerbaijan, are not in an appropriate condition (p < 0.05).So according to the results of the study we can deduce that the culture, information and strategic management resources in W. Azerbaijan offices of youth and sports, are significantly different with the society average and these fields need to be improved and strengthened

Variations between post- and pre-harvest seasons in stunting, wasting, and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices among children 6-23 months of age in lowland and midland agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia

Introduction: Food availability and access are strongly affected by seasonality in Ethiopia. However, there are little data on seasonal variation in Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices and malnutrition among 6-23 months old children in different agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia. Methods: Socio-demographic, anthropometry and IYCF indicators were assessed in post- and pre-harvest seasons among children aged 6–23 months of age randomly selected from rural villages of lowland and midland agro-ecological zones. Results: Child stunting and underweight increased from prevalence of 39.8% and 26.9% in post-harvest to 46.0% and 31.8% in pre-harvest seasons, respectively. The biggest increase in prevalence of stunting and underweight between post- and pre-harvest seasons was noted in the midland zone. Wasting decreased from 11.6% post-harvest to 8.5% pre-harvest, with the biggest decline recorded in the lowland zone. Minimum meal frequency, minimum acceptable diet and poor dietary diversity increased considerably in pre-harvest compared to post-harvest season in the lowland zone. Feeding practices and maternal age were predictors of wasting, while women’s dietary diversity and children age was predictor of child dietary diversity in both seasons. Conclusion: There is seasonal variation in malnutrition and IYCF practices among children 6-23 months of age with more pronounced effect in midland agro-ecological zone. A major contributing factor for child malnutrition may be poor feeding practices. Health information strategies focused on both IYCF practices and dietary diversity of mothers could be a sensible approach to reduce the burden of child malnutrition in rural Ethiopia

Maternal nutritional status mediates the association between maternal age and birth outcomes

Young maternal age during pregnancy is linked with adverse birth outcomes. This study examined the role of maternal nutritional status in the association between maternal age and small for gestational age (SGA) delivery and birth length. We used data from a birth cohort study in Ethiopia, involving women who were 15-24 years of age and their newborns. A mediation analysis was fitted in a sample of 1,422 mother infant dyads for whom data on birth length were available, and 777 dyads for whom gestational age and birth weight was measured. We used commands, medeff for the mediation analysis and medsens for sensitivity analysis in STATA 14. Maternal nutritional status, measured by mid-upper arm circumference, mediated 21% of the association between maternal age and birth length and 14% of the association with SGA delivery. The average direct effect (ADE) of maternal age on birth length was (beta = 0.45, 95% CI [0.17, 0.99]) and the average causal mediated effect (ACME) was (beta = 0.12, 95% CI [0.02, 0.15]). We also found an ADE (beta = 0.31, 95% CI [0.09, 0.47]) and an ACME of (beta = 0.05, 95% CI [0.003, 0.205]) of maternal age on SGA delivery. The sensitivity analysis suggests an unmeasured confounder with a positive correlation of 0.15 and 0.20 between the mediator and the outcome could explain the observed ACME for birth length and SGA, respectively. We cannot make strong causal assertions as the findings suggest the mediator partly explained the total effect of maternal age on both outcomes