Isolation of non-cytotoxic crotepoxide from the root bark of Croton macrostachyus and the reassignment of its structure

Crotepoxide was isolated for the first time from the root bark of Croton macrostachyus along with other known compounds. This compound along with other compounds was investigated for cytotoxicity and found to be not active against the human cervix carcinoma KB-3-1 cells in micromolar ranges. In addition, the 13C NMR of crotepoxide is reassigned. The structures of the compounds in general were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic (1D and 2D) studies and literature data.               KEY WORDS: Croton macrostachyus, Crotepoxide, Structure revision, Root bark, Cytotoxicity Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2017, 31(3), 465-469.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v31i3.1

Background and objectives of launching The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 1984

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Socio-demographic correlates of mental and behavioural disorders of children in Southern Ethiopia

Objective: To describe the magnitude and socio-demographic correlates of specific mental and behavioural disorders.Design: A cross-sectional survey.Setting: Butajira district, southern Ethiopia.Participants: The Amharic version of the Diagnostic Instrument for Children and Adolescents (DICA) was used to interview parents of 1,477 children.Main outcome measures: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Disruptive behaviour disorders, mood and anxiety disorders.Results: Using a multivariate logistic model, age was significantly associated with ADHD. Children between 10 and 14 years of age had more than three-fold increased risk of ADHD compared to younger children: adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (OR, 95%CI) = 3.17 (1.16, 8.67), p=0.02. Residence in urban area was also significantly associated with ADHD: adjusted OR (95% CI) = 2.84 (1.14-7.07), p=0.03. Disruptive behaviour disorders were significantly associated with increasing age: adjusted OR (95% CI)= 4.24 (1.43, 12.6). Mood and anxiety disorders were not significantly associated with any of the sociodemographic variable studied.Conclusion: The study shows that age and residence in urban areas are significant correlates of behavioural disorders in children

Cytotoxic flavonoids from Erythrina caffra Thunb

Erythrina caffra is an important medicinal plant native to South Africa. Its stem bark was investigated for the flavonoid constituents and biological activity. Some isolated flavonoids, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,  13, 15 and  16  were found to be active against the human cervix carcinoma KB-3-1 cells with IC50 values in the micromolar range. Compounds 8, 9, 11, 13 and 15 also showed weak to moderate antibacterial activity against some organisms using the disc diffusion assay at loadings of 62.5 μg/disc (8, 11) and 125 μg/disc (9, 13, 15). KEY WORDS: Erythrina caffra, Cytotoxicity, Antibacterial, Flavonoids, Fabaceae Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2016, 30(3), 427-435DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v30i3.1

Seleksi Segregan Gandum (Triticum Aestivum L.) pada Dataran Tinggi

Pedigree selection is a method of selection used in segregating populations which takes the expertise of breeders in achieving the desired goal. This method is implemented on the early generations with a high degree of segregation and is generally performed on highly heritable traits. The purpose of this research was to study the performance of F3 generation segregants and to estimate the genetic parameters to be used for identification and selection of wheat segregants under optimum environmental condition. The research was carried out at the experiment field of Research Institute for Ornamental Crops, in Cipanas from May to September 2012. Genetic material used were 58 F3 family and six check varieties, namely Dewata, Selayar, Oasis, Rabe, Basribey, and HP 1744. The experiment used an augmented design. Results of analysis of variance showed that the family effect was significant for days to flowering, days to harvest, percentage of empty florets, number of grains per panicle, grain weight per panicle, number of seeds per plant and seed weight per plant. High heritability estimates were found in days to flowering, days to harvest, seed filling period, percentage of empty florets, number of grains per panicle, grain weight per panicle, number of seeds per plant, and seed weight per plant. These characters are suitable for yield improvement of tropical highland wheat due to its high heritability values. The mean value of F3 generation changes subsequent to selection either based on grain weight per plant, or based on number of productive tillers, number of grain per panicle, and grain weight per plant

Keragaan dan Keragaman Genetik Karakter Agronomi Galur Mutan Putatif Gandum Generasi M5

The cultivation of wheat in Indonesia especially at medium-low altitude faces problems such as high temperatures whicheffect negativelyon the yield. The aims of this research was to obtain informations on performance, genetic variability and heritability of agronomic characters of wheat putative mutant lines on M5 generation. Genotypes evaluated in the study consisted of 98 putative mutant lines of M5 generation and six varieties as checks, namely Dewata, Selayar, Oasis, Rabe, Kasifbey, and Basribey. The research was conducted at Research Station of IOCRI (Indonesian Ornamental Crops Research Institute), Cipanas. Genotypes were arranged in an augmented, randomized block design. Result of the experiment showed that high heritability estimates were observed for plant height (83.03%), tiller number (61.75%), days to flowering (85.41%), days to maturity (67.45%), spike length (70.25%), spikelet number (65.08%), unfilled grain number (71.49%), seed number per spike (75.16%), seed weight per spike (81.69%), and seed weight per plant (74.21%). The estimated genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were high for unfilled grain number(26.35%) and seed weight per plant (18.35%). Based on seed weight per plant, 30 best putative mutant lines were selected

Podoconiosis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs): double burden of neglected tropical diseases in Wolaita zone, rural southern Ethiopia

Background Both podoconiosis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections occur among barefoot people in areas of extreme poverty; however, their co-morbidity has not previously been investigated. We explored the overlap of STH infection and podoconiosis in Southern Ethiopia and quantified their separate and combined effects on prevalent anemia and hemoglobin levels in podoconiosis patients and health controls from the same area. Methods and Principal Findings A two-part comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia. Data were collected from adult patients presenting with clinically confirmed podoconiosis, and unmatched adult neighborhood controls living in the same administrative area. Information on demographic and selected lifestyle factors was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Stool samples were collected and examined qualitatively using the modified formalin-ether sedimentation method. Hemoglobin level was determined using two different methods: hemoglobinometer and automated hematology analyzer. A total of 913 study subjects (677 podoconiosis patients and 236 controls) participated. The prevalence of any STH infection was 47.6% among patients and 33.1% among controls (p<0.001). The prevalence of both hookworm and Trichuris trichiura infections was significantly higher in podoconiosis patients than in controls (AOR 1.74, 95% CI 1.25 to2.42, AOR 6.53, 95% CI 2.34 to 18.22, respectively). Not wearing shoes and being a farmer remained significant independent predictors of infection with any STH. There was a significant interaction between STH infection and podoconiosis on reduction of hemoglobin level (interaction p value = 0.002). Conclusions Prevalence of any STH and hookworm infection was higher among podoconiosis patients than among controls. A significant reduction in hemoglobin level was observed among podoconiosis patients co-infected with hookworm and ‘non-hookworm STH’. Promotion of consistent shoe-wearing practices may have double advantages in controlling both podoconiosis and hookworm infection in the study area

Gene expression profiles of 4‐hydroxy‐N‐desmethyl‐tamoxifen (endoxifen)‐ and 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen (4OHTAM)‐treated human breast cancer cells determined by CDNA microarray analysis

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109798/1/cptclpt2004192.pd

Tamoxifen therapy reduced platelet counts without change in platelet function

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109840/1/cptclpt2005247.pd

Maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity of uterine rupture and its association with prolonged duration of operation in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Uterine rupture is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and it accounts for 36% of the maternal mortality in Ethiopia. The maternal and perinatal outcomes of uterine rupture were inconclusive for the country. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity of uterine rupture and its association with prolonged duration of operation. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist was used for this systematic review and meta-analysis. We systematically used PubMed, Cochrane Library, and African Journals online databases for searching. The Newcastle- Ottawa quality assessment scale was used for critical appraisal. Egger's test and I2 statistic used to assess the check for publication bias and heterogeneity. The random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and odds ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The pooled maternal mortality and morbidity due to uterine rupture in Ethiopia was 7.75% (95% CI: 4.14, 11.36) and 37.1% (95% CI: 8.44, 65.8), respectively. The highest maternal mortality occurred in Southern region (8.91%) and shock was the commonest maternal morbidity (24.43%) due to uterine rupture. The pooled perinatal death associated with uterine rupture was 86.1% (95% CI: 83.4, 89.9). The highest prevalence of perinatal death was observed in Amhara region (91.36%) and the lowest occurred in Tigray region (78.25%). Prolonged duration of operation was a significant predictor of maternal morbidity (OR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.81). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of maternal and perinatal deaths due to uterine rupture was high in Ethiopia. Uterine rupture was associated with maternal morbidity and prolonged duration of the operation was found to be associated with maternal morbidities. Therefore, birth preparedness and complication readiness plan, early referral and improving the duration of operation are recommended to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes of uterine rupture