Phenotypic and chemotypic characterization of GABA-shunt mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana

Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a four carbon non protein amino acid, and the pathway that involves its production and degradation is called the GABA shunt. The GABA shunt is a short enzymatic pathway that involves three enzymes: glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), GABA transaminase (GABA-T) and succinic semi aldehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH). GABA shunt is conserved almost in all organisms studied so far. The pathway starts in the cytosol and finishes in mitochondria in higher organisms like plants and mammals, whereas, in yeast it is exclusively cytosolic. The presence of GABA in plants has been known since over half a century ago. The induction of its accumulation under biotic and abiotic stresses has been well documented. However, the specificity of the response and the role of GABA and the GABA shunt under stress conditions have been elusive. Several Arabidopsis GABA shunt mutants have been studied and were shown to have defects in vegetative growth, reproductive growth and response to stress. To describe some, gad1 mutant was shown to have a reduced root growth. The pop2-1 mutant, defective in the activity of GABA-T, accumulated a very high level of GABA in the flower and that led to a pollen tube elongation defect. Arabidopsis ssadh mutants exhibited a severe growth phenotype, accumulated high -hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and H2O2, and were sensitive to high-light conditions. In this work, several mutant lines have been generated and investigated to answer a range of questions; these include study on the specificity of the GABA response during abiotic stress, identifying the reasons for severe ssadh growth phenotype and suppression of the ssadh phenotype. Arabidopsis gad1/2 mutant is depleted in GABA and is unable to induce GABA synthesis under drought, salt and osmotic stress. Hence, the mutant plants were oversensitive to these stresses, indicating that GABA accumulation during abiotic stresses was a specific response. In an attempt to identify the cause of ssadh phenotype, exogenous GHB was fed to wild type and ghbdh1/2 mutants. The GHB application, however, did not elicit the severe ssadh-like phenotype. But, treatment of wild type and ghbdh1/2 mutant with SSA re-produced the ssadh phenotype, suggesting that SSA, but not GHB, was the cause of the severe ssadh phenotype. To suppress the ssadh phenotype, the potential accumulation of SSA was blocked by simultaneous mutation of Gad1/2. This, indeed, partially suppressed the ssadh phenotype. Suppression of ssadh phenotype mediated by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) induced mutation was also successful. Based on the range of phenotypes obtained in GABA shunt mutants, further studies on the role of the GABA shunt in plants is important

Human Resource Development Climate of Selected Commercial Banks in Ethiopia

Human resource development climate is a manifestation of overall tone of the organization with respect to employee training, education and development.  The objective of the study is to show the status of human resource development climate of selected commercial banks in Ethiopia.  An analytical survey research approach was employed to assess the HRD climate of the banks.  Employees and managers at head quarters of the selected commercial banks were considered as a sample of the study.  Out of 600 employees at head quarters 150 were made to respond to the questionnaire based on the availability sampling techniques.  The sampling technique was chosen since the employees are homogenous in terms of awareness regarding the issue of the study.  The respondents were requested to fill a questionnaire that was developed by Rao and Abraham (1986).  Accordingly, top management commitments, HRD mechanisms and OCTAPAC culture of the Banks were assessed.  The findings of the study shows that an average management support, an average HRD mechanisms effort and an average OCTAPAC culture are prevailing within the case banks.  Therefore, it can be concluded that the banks are not in a position of exercising conducive HRD climate. In other respect the changes in banking industry is turbulent and which ultimately calls for continuous human resource development. Hence, it was suggested that the managing body of the commercial banks need to support the learning & potential development of employees by introducing changes in HRD policies and practices which ultimately creates conducive HRD climate.

Women in Management: Challenges and Gaps in Public Institutions in Ethiopia

The major purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges and gaps as related to executive women in public institutions in Ethiopia. A survey and analytical study approach was employed to investigate the case. The respondents were selected from all 23 ministerial head offices located in Addis Ababa. A sample of forty-nine executive women was identified to assess the challenges and gaps of women who hold managerial positions in their respective organizations with an availability sampling technique. Results indicate that the executive’s family related issues did not impact women’s career progress; however, the study also revealed that socio-cultural factors did have a significant impact on their career progress. In terms of organizational factors, the results showed that there are no as such discriminatory practices in terms of promotion and assignment of responsibility between men and women. However, it was found that there are policies and regulations that still disfavor women’s progress moving up the organizational ladder. Also, women have more demands placed on them in order to reach executive positions than do men. The study suggests that a more enabling environment is needed to for women executives. Community programs, policies and regulations need to accommodate related factors on gender differences in the work place

Levels and proximate determinants of fertility in Butajira District, South Central Ethiopia

Background: Uncontrolled population growth is evidenced mainly because of the high fertility. Improving maternal and child health services in Ethiopia were one of the main aims of the health extension program. The impediment of early marriage was revised in the national family code which claims assessment of fertility situations.Objectives: This study aimed at measuring levels and fertility inhibition effects of proximate determinants in Butajira district.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on resident women of reproductive age group recruited from the Butajira Demographic Surveillance System database. A total of 9996 women with different characteristics were thus interviewed.Results: Total fertility rate was 5.3 children per woman with high urban-rural gradient. The non-marriage (Cm=0.66) had the highest fertility inhibition effect followed by postpartum infecundability (Ci=0.68), contraception (Cc=0.77) and abortion (Ca=0.96). Main differences were observed across residential environment and educational status. Abortion had a paramount significance among in school women (ca=0.76).Conclusion: Not being married followed by postpartum infecundability and contraception inhibited high fertility. Abortion significantly reduced fertility among students. Keen awareness about negative consequences of high fertility should be attained. Women ought to be advised to marry late and stay in-school for long years. Extended breast feeding should be maintained for birth spacing. There must be sustained effort to increase contraception use rate. In-school women should be educated on problems of abortions. Youth-friendly contraceptive services must also be made available. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev 2011;25(3):184-191

Soil Transmitted Helminths and Associated Factors among Schoolchildren in Government and Private Primary School in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Soil transmitted helminth infections are among the most common human infections. They are distributed throughout the world with high prevalence rates in tropical and sub-tropical countries mainly because of lack of adequate sanitary facilities, inappropriate waste disposal systems, lack of safe water supply, and low socio- economic status.Methods: A comparative cross sectional study was conducted from December 2011 to June 2012 to determine and assess the prevalence of soil transmitted helminths and their associated factors among government and private primary school children. Stool samples were collected from 369 randomly selected children and examined microscopically for eggs of soil transmitted helminth following McMaster techniques. Soil samples were collected from different parts of the school compound and microscopic examination was performed for eggs of the helminths using sodium nitrate flotation technique.Results: The overall prevalence rate of soil transmitted helminth infections in private and government schools was 20.9% and 53.5% respectively. T. trichiura was the most common soil transmitted helminth in both schools while hookworm infections were identified in government school students only. Type of school and sex were significantly associated with soil transmitted helminth. Soil contamination rate of the school compounds was 11.25% with predominant parasites of A. lumbricoides.Conclusion: Higher prevalence of soil transmitted helminth infection was found among government school students. Thus, more focus, on personal hygiene and sanitary facilities, should be given to children going to government schools.Keywords: Soil transmitted helminths, school children, government and private school

Knowledge, risk perception, and condom utilization pattern among female sex workers in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia 2016: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: in 2015, in Dire Dawa administration city, adult HIV prevalence was 3.26 with 9,523 HIV positive population, & 251 annual AIDS deaths. Female sex workers are one of the high-risk groups for contracting HIV. Therefore, this study has assessed the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge, risk perception and condom utilization pattern among female sex workers' in Diredawa city. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted from April 15-June 25, 2016, in Dire Dawa among 156 female sex workers using convenient sampling method. Respondents were interviewed face-to-face using a pretested questionnaire. Training was provided to the data collectors and supervisors. Close supervision was done and double data entry was performed. Then the data were checked for completeness, consistency and entered into Epi Info v3.1 and analyzed using SPSS v20. The descriptive statistical analysis was used to compute frequency, mean, mode and proportion of the findings of this study. The results were presented using tables, charts, graphs, and texts. Results: among the 156 female sex workers (FSWs), 99 (63.5%) had been working on commercial sex for more than one year, 92 (59%) were usually street-based, and 80 (51.3%) had partners between 2-3 per night. Only, 17 (10.9%) respondents mentioned three and above ways of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention methods. Less than two-thirds (64.1%) of FSWs used a condom with all partners. One hundred thirty-eight (88.5%) of participants were engaged in unsafe sexual practice at least once since their engagement in sex work. Majority of FSWs (85.3%)) believed that their occupation is hazardous and 145 (92.9%) reported that they were unhappy being a commercial sex worker. Regarding risk perception, 79 (50.64%) and 37 (23.7%) of respondents perceived their chances of contracting HIV/STIs to be high and moderate respectively. Conclusion: Knowledge about HIV/STIs and magnitude of condom utilization were good. However, a high number of unsafe sex and unsatisfactory risk perception attitudes were observed. Thus, a collaborative effort is needed to create awareness regarding risk perception attitude and increase the level of their practice towards the prevention of unsafe sex

Economic Contribution of Gum and Resin Resources to Household Livelihoods in Selected Regions and the National Economy of Ethiopia

Ethiopia has one of the largest dry forest and woodland resource bases in the Horn of Africa, predominated by diverse Acacia, Boswellia, Commiphora, and Sterculia species, with an estimated annual production potential of over 300,000 tonnes of commercial gums and resins. However, until recently, less than 1% of this potential has been tapped and traded while the resource bases are degrading fast. Shortage of locality-specific case studies typifying the state of gum and resin production and marketing systems and nationwide socio-economic significance of the resources has delayed development of value-added commercialization of the commodities and integrated management of the resource bases. A study aimed at exploring the value chain of traded gums and resins and their contribution to rural livelihood and national economy was conducted in 11 purposively selected localities in five National Regional States within the major gum-belts in Ethiopia. Two major cities, central for product processing and marketing, were also assessed. A questionnaire survey was administered to 135 randomly selected households, and key stakeholder interviews, group discussions, and field observations were carried out following the value chain (from producers to exporters). Results showed that one or more of the seven gums and resins (frankincense, myrrh, opopanax, hagar, gum arabic, gum talha, and gum gumero) were produced and traded at the studied districts. While frankincense marketing dominated the northern part, gum arabic, myrrh, and opopanax are most popular in the south and southeastern part of the country. About 93% of the interviewed households engaged in collecting, marketing, or both activities. Gums and resins contributed up to 14% of the average annual cash income of the households. However, a significant difference (P < 0.001) was found in the amount collected and income generated per household and locality. Strong correlation was observed between cash income from gums and resins and off-farm activities (R = 0.74) and other types of non-timber forest products like honey (R = 0.72, α = 0.01). However, weak correlation was observed between incomes from gums and resins and crop and livestock production. Despite the observed inefficient value chain, the gum and resin resources have considerable contributions to the national economy. For instance, the annual average revenue from three districts in Tigray National Regional State was USD 882,000 in 2010. Between 2002 and 2010, about 2,306 tonnes of different gums and resins were traded and average revenue of USD 3,220,542 was obtained in one district in the same region. At the national level, between 1997 and 2010 about 6,174 tonnes of gum arabic and about 33,865 tonnes of other gums and resins were exported, and more than USD 72 million were generated. Responding to what sort of institutional arrangement governs the value chain and use of gums and resins resources at the present situations, about 41% of the respondents asserted customary and national legal arrangements, while 56% mentioned alternative systems as means of conflict resolution. Key policy and development interventions that could enhance the socio-economic importance of the gum and resin value chain at the local and national levels, while also increasing responsibility and commitment towards long-term management of the resource bases, have been recommended

Drug resistance patterns of bacterial isolates from infected wounds at Bahir Dar Regional Health Research Laboratory Center, Northwest Ethiopia

Background: An increased antibiotic resistance of bacterial isolates from wound infections is a major therapeutic challenge. The aim of this study was to identify bacterial isolates associated with wound infection and to determine their current antimicrobial susceptibility profile.Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study in which we analyzed the records of 380 wound swab culture results that have been processed at Bahir Dar Regional Health Research Laboratory Center in the period of 1 January 2013 to 30 December 2015. Swabs from different wound types were collected aseptically and analyzed using standard bacteriological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using disc diffusion technique as per the standard protocol. Demographic and bacteriological data were collected using a data extraction sheet. The data were cleaned, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22.Results: The overall bacterial isolation rate was at 61.6% (234/380). More than half 123 (52.6%) of the isolates were gram positive and 111 (47.4%) were gram negatives. The predominant isolates were S. aureus at 100 (42.7%) followed by E. coli, 33 (14.1%), P. aeruginosa, 26 (11.1%) and S. pyogenes, at 23 (9.8%). The proportion of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens was at 54.3%. Out of these, 35 (15.1%) of the isolates were resistant to more than five drugs. The highest resistance rate at (85.9%) was documented for ampicillin by gram-negative isolates. Whereas the highest resistance rate among gram positive isolates was against erythromycin (31.1%). The resistance rate of S. aureus for penicillin was at 69.7%.Conclusions: High frequency of mono and multi-drug resistant bacterial pathogens were documented. Thus, an alternative method to the causative agent and antimicrobial susceptibility testing surveillance in areas where there is no culture facility is needed to assist health professionals for the selection of appropriate antibiotics. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2016;30(3):112-117]Keywords: Wound infection, bacterial isolates, and antimicrobial susceptibility profil

Evaluation of the GenoType MTBDRplus assay for detection of rifampicin- and isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in central Ethiopia

AbstractObjective/Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is growing globally and becoming a major challenge for national TB control programs. Therefore, rapid identification of MDR strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and monitoring their transmission could contribute significantly to the control of TB. The GenoType MTBDRplus assay has been recommended by the World Health Organization to identify rifampicin (RIF)- and isoniazid (INH)-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates. This study was carried out to evaluate the performance of the GenoType MTBDRplus assay for the detection of RIF- and INH-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates in central Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 279 M. tuberculosis strains isolated from active TB cases in central Ethiopia were evaluated for their drug sensitivity by the conventional drug-susceptibility test (DST) and compared with data derived from the GenoType MTBDRplus assay. The DST served as the gold standard for evaluating the GenoType MTBDRplus assay. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the GenoType MTBDRplus assay for the detection of RIF-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates were 80.0% and 99.6%, respectively. Its sensitivity and specificity for the detection of INH-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates were 82.7% and 99.6%, respectively, whereas they were 75.0% and 100%, respectively, for the detection of MDR M. tuberculosis strains. The concordances of the GenoType MTBDRplus assay and the conventional DST for the detection of RIF and INH susceptibility were 80% (8/10) and 86.2% (25/29), respectively. Furthermore, the concordance of the two tests for the detection of MDR M. tuberculosis strains was 75%. Specific mutations were detected in 55.6% (5/9) of the RIF-resistant isolates, with the highest mutation rate (33.3%) for the rpoB gene (Codon S531L). For INH-resistant isolates, the highest mutation rate (88.8%) related to a katG mutation (Codon S315T1). Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that the GenoType MTBDRplus assay has high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of RIF and INH resistance. These preliminary data support the notion that the assay should be considered as an alternative to the DST for the characterization of MDR in M. tuberculosis isolates and the control of TB