Review on Proteomics Technologies and Its Application for Crop Improvement

Proteomics is the study of proteins and their interactions in a cell. Within the wide field of functional OMICS, proteomics has become a useful tool and the emphasis is shifting from genomics to the protein compliment of the human organism. Because proteome reflects more accurately on the dynamic state of a cell, tissue, or organism, much is expected from proteomics to yield better disease markers for diagnosis and therapy monitoring. Hence the present review was to review proteomics technologies and their applications for crop improvement. The advent of proteomics technologies for global detection and quantitation of proteins creates new opportunities and challenges for those seeking to gain greater understanding of diseases. High-throughput proteomics technologies combining with advanced bioinformatics are extensively used to identify molecular signatures of diseases based on protein pathways and signalling cascades. Mass spectrometry plays a vital role in proteomics and has become an indispensable tool for molecular and cellular biology. However, future developments may enable faster and more sensitive proteomics studies and Proteomics alone cannot provide all the information required for understanding cellular processes. Therefore Complementary approaches in genomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics will have to be used together with proteomics to permits a more holistic view of biological systems and their alterations in disease, so that the maximum benefit can be realized. Keywords: Bioinformatics, mass spectrometry, proteomics, Two-dimensional electrophoresi

Agro-Industrial use of Cactus, a Review

The cactus pear has become an important fruit in many semi-arid lands of the world. The fruit and the young cladodes (nopalitos) have commonly been consumed fresh, but the last decade’s research studies on cactus pear processing have produced another alternative which prevents damage to the fruit and in spite of technological characteristics that make processing a challenge (high soluble solids content, low acidity and high pH), adds value to this fruit. The cladodes of the plant are a good source of fiber, an important element for the human diet and of considerable potential for medical use. The result of several of these research studies involving the production of juices, marmalades, liquid sweeteners, dehydrated foods and other products have discussed. Keywords: Canned Food, Medicines, Industrial Additives, Dehydration Product, Nutraceuticals, Food and Food Derivative

An Experimental Study of the Effect of Dissolved Acetate ion on Calcite Precipitation Kinetics and its Implications for Subsurface CO2 Storage

Abstract The influence of acetate ion on the calcite precipitation kinetics has been studied using a continuously stirred mixed flow reactor supplied with calcium carbonate supersaturated solution seeded by Iceland spar calcite at pH of 9.0. Two types of liquid solutions were injected into the reactor with similar flow rates to induce calcite precipitation: 1) a mixture of sodium carbonate/sodium bicarbonate solution, and 2) calcium chloride solution. 0-20 mM acetate was added to the second solution. The saturation state and the composition of each sample were calculated using the computer code PHREEQC. Findings reveal that the addition of small amount of acetate significantly reduces the crystal growth rate of calcite. When all other experimental conditions were kept constant, 0.015 mol/kg concentration of acetate reduced the steady state calcite precipitation rate by half. Presumably, the measured inhibition could be explained by the adsorption of acetate ions at the active growth sites of calcite. Acetate ion did not decrease the degree of supersaturation of the solution in the reactor by the complex formation with calcium ion in the solution phase. Rather, the inhibition effect was explained by a Langmuir type adsorption kinetic model. This model was used to fit the calcite precipitation data obtained from the steady state calcite precipitation rate measurements in a linear fashion. Furthermore, SEM observations showed that the presence of acetate ion disturbs the crystal growth of calcite and results in the discontinuous appearance onto the seed surface. TEM investigation of the calcium carbonate precipitates showed that both calcite and aragonite had formed. In the base case, without acetate, the matrix crystal and the precipitate had different crystallographic orientations in the TEM SAED pattern. This implies that the calcite crystal growth did not take place layer by layer. The acetate ion reduces calcite precipitation rate; it might also affect the mineral carbonation process by slowing down the uptake of CO2 to form calcite in basaltic aquifers. The calcite precipitation growth rate data obtained in the presence of acetate can probably be extended to simulate the inhibitory effect of acetate to the calcite group minerals such as rhodochrosite, siderite, magnesite, and smithsonite since all have the same crystal structure as calcite

Technology validation and transfer

As farming in Ethiopia is heavily dependent on animal traction, technologies that are based on this power source were envisaged to be appropriate for better management of Vertisols. Hence, the Joint Vertisol Project (JVP) began research on improved Vertisol technology that included 1) the use of an animal-drawn broadbed maker (BBM) to facilitate surface drainage and 2) the use of appropriate seeds, fertiliser and early planting. The aim of the technology verification and transfer were to verify the economic viability and acceptability of the BBM/Vertisol technology package and to popularies the technology so as to encourage large-scale adoption. A comparison of economic returns from crop grown with Vertisol technology package and traditional methods in selected Ethiopian highlands

PRELIMINARY BASELINE SURVEY OF AVIFAUNAL DIVERSITY IN JIMMA ZONE, SOUTH-WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Multidimensional poverty, which is deeply-rooted within least-developed African countries like Ethiopia, is forcing local people to heavily rely on natural resources for their subsistent livelihoods. As a result, remaining wilderness areas in tropical Africa which support huge but little known biological diversity, are subject to extensive habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation in turn causing loss of plant and animal species and ecosystem services provided by them. Coffee forest fragment within the Jimma Zone of Ethiopia cannot be expected to be an exception to such scenario. Taking this persistent problem into consideration, we carried out a preliminary survey of bird biodiversity in selected areas of Jimma Zone during a short term bird ringing training held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 20, 2008. The main objective of the survey was to identify and document bird species of Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia, for further in-debth ornithological studies. Survey data were collected through exhaustive observations in and around 10 coffee forest fragments in Garuke, one fragment in Eladale, one urban area site in Jimma town and in scrubland vegetation around Gilgel Ghibe hydropower reservoir, Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia. In addition, five mist-nets were employed to capture understory forest birds in two purposively selected coffee forest fragments. Mist nets were opened at 5:50 A.M. and checked every 30 minutes until they were closed at 12:00 A.M. Over 196 bird species were identified during this survey and of these, 41 individuals belonging to 20 species were captured in Garuke and 23 individuals of 9 bird species in Eladale. Montane white-eye (Zosterops poliogastrus) followed by Olive sunbird (Nectarinia olivacea), Abyssinian slaty-flycatcher (Melaenornis chocolatinus) and Rupell’s robinchat (Cossypha semirufa) were the most frequently captured bird species. Of the sites surveyed, Gilgel Ghibe hydropower reservoir had strikingly highest bird species diversity. We approached the reservoir almost in a constant site near Bulbul Kebele (the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia) and recorded over 115 bird species within about 300 meters distance! We learnt that this area was an important and most appropriate site to see a number of migrant and resident species as well as to undertake future bird ringing activities. We believe that the result of this survey will contribute much for the preparation of a comprehensive bird species checklist for Jimma Zone that could serve as important baseline information for more focused future ornithological investigations in the area so as to promote bird conservation through ecotourism activities and improve the livelihood of local people

Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in beef cattle at slaughter and beef carcasses at retail shops in Ethiopia

Background: There is paucity of information regarding the epidemiology of Escherichia coli O157: H7 in developing countries. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of E. coli O157: H7 associated with beef cattle at processing plants and at retail shops in Ethiopia. Methods: Various samples were collected from beef cattle at slaughter/processing plants, carcass at retail shops and humans at health centers. E. coli O157: H7 was isolated, identified and characterized for antimicrobial resistance, using standard microbiological methods. Results: At the processing plants E. coli O157: H7 was detected in 1.89% of fecal, 0.81% of intestinal mucosal swab, 0.54% of skin swab and 0.54% of carcass internal swab samples. At retail shops it was detected in 0.8% of carcass and 0.8% of cutting board swab samples, while all samples from utensils, hands from workers, and fecal and stool samples were negative. All isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin, moderately resistant to Cefoxitine and Nitrofurantoins but susceptible to other antimicrobials tested. Conclusions: E. coli O157: H7 occurs at low prevalence in beef cattle, and the current sanitary dressing procedures in the processing plants and storage conditions in the retail shops are effective against E. coli O157: H7

Insights into past tectonism from authigenic quartz

Authigenic quartz grains carry information that is diagnostic for the thermal history and thereby the burial depth and uplift of sediments. Recycled quartz grains with embayed or rounded authigenic remnants have been observed globally, but the value of these grains in unravelling past tectonism is presently underexplored. In this study, we launch a new method to demonstrate that cathodoluminescence (CL) in combination with fluid inclusion data and textural characteristics of authigenic quartz can provide important information about past tectonic activity. Vital in the method is the realisation that recycled quartz grains can be distinguished from other quartz grains by their geochemical CL fingerprint, allowing tracking of uplifted source terrains in a direction towards higher fractions of the recycled grains. Furthermore, regional mapping can reveal both intra-basinal recycling as well as recycled grains transported into the basin from external sources. The new proposed method is simple and does not require more than a standard Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with a CL detector, available at many geoscientific institutions worldwide. This innovative approach applies to a wide section of geoscientific disciplines, and complement and supplement other conventional methods used for unravelling past tectonism.publishedVersio

The magnitude of gender-based violence, health consequences, and associated factors among women living in post-war woredas of North Shewa zone, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2022

BackgroundGender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive global public health concern and a violation of human rights, particularly pronounced in conflict settings where it is often used as a tool of warfare to instill fear and control populations.ObjectiveAssessment of Magnitude, Associated Factors, and Health Consequences of GBV among women living in war-affected woredas of North Shewa zone, Ethiopia, 2022MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 845 randomly selected women living in conflict zones. Data on GBV experiences over the previous 3 months were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires developed from literature review. The collected data underwent validation, entry into EPI data, and analysis using SPSS. Findings are summarized using descriptive statistics, AOR and 95% confidence interval.ResultThe magnitude of GBV in this study was (490, 58.0%) where, (466, 55.0%) psychological violence, (254, 30.1%) physical violence, and (135, 16.0%) reported sexual violence. A majority of the physical violence, (161, 63.4%), occurred during conflict period, with (143, 56.3%) of these cases involving armed forces, and (161, 63.4%) women experiencing physical violence in their homes. Urban Residence AOR = 2.65, CI, (1.82–3.89), Educational status of Secondary education AOR = 0.33, CI, (0.19–0.57, and ≥College AOR = 0.17, CI, (0.09–0.35), Occupation of Housewife AOR = 1.88, CI, (1.20–2.94), Private employee AOR = 6.95, CI, (3.70–13.04), Gov't employee AOR = 5.80, CI, (2.92–11.50), and others (Students) AOR = 3.46, CI, (1.98–6.01), Ever had sexual intercourse AOR = 0.46, CI, (0.25–0.83), Have heard about SRH AOR = 0.59, CI, (0.40–0.89), Have had previous GBV exposure AOR = 0.24, CI, (0.15–0.38), having a previous history of sexual violence AOR = 0.30, CI, (0.16–0.57), and Number of sexual partner AOR = 1.84, CI, (1.13–2.99) were identified to be associated factors of GBV in our study area. The most commonly reported consequences of GBV were Anxiety, depression, physical injuries, self-blame, women had school dropout, and abortion.ConclusionThe study reveals a higher prevalence of GBV, resulting in profound physical, social, mental, and reproductive health challenges for survivors. To address this, multi-sectoral cooperation is advised to enhance women's empowerment, access to information, and psycho-social support in affected areas. Furthermore, national policymakers are urged to implement preventive measures during conflict and establish legal mechanisms to ensure accountability for perpetrators

Patterns of help-seeking behavior among people with mental illness in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundDespite the availability of evidence-based and effective treatments, significant numbers of people living with mental illness do not receive treatment or do not seek help from providers of formal modern treatment. Although numerous primary studies have been conducted on patterns of help-seeking behavior among individuals with mental illness with respect to modern therapy, the evidence has not been aggregated nationwide. Therefore, the aim of this review was to investigate pooled data on patterns of help-seeking behavior among individuals with mental illness in Ethiopia.MethodsAll available primary studies were searched via the Google Scholar, HINARI, and PubMed databases from June 22 to December 20, 2023; 912 articles were identified. Sixteen articles were included in the final review; data from them were extracted to an Excel spreadsheet and exported to Stata version 17 for analysis. The search terms used were: “Pattern of help-seeking behavior’’ OR “Pattern of treatment-seeking behavior” OR “Health care-seeking behavior” OR “Help-seeking intention” OR “Help-seeking preferences” OR “Perceived need” OR “Pathways to psychiatric care”, AND “Common mental disorders” OR “Mental illness” OR “Mental health problems” OR “Depression”, AND “Predictors” OR “Determinate factors” OR “Associated factors”, AND “Ethiopia”. The quality of the studies included was critically appraised using the modified The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool, adapted for observational studies. During critical appraisal, disagreements between the two authors conducting the assessment were resolved by the involvement of a third author. Effect sizes were pooled using the random effects model, and the presence of publication bias was detected based on asymmetry of the funnel plot and a statistically significant result of Egger’s test (p<0.05).ResultsThe pooled rate of positive help-seeking behavior with respect to modern treatment among people living with mental illness was 42.21% (95% CI: 29.29, 55.12; I2 = 99.37%, P=0.00). Factors significantly associated with a positive pattern of help-seeking behavior were: having a secondary education or above (AOR=5.47, 95% CI: 2.33, 12.86); believing that mental illness requires treatment (AOR=2.76, 95% CI: 2.02, 3.78); having strong social support (AOR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.64, 2.44); having a family history of mental illness (AOR=2.68, 95% CI: 1.38, 3.97); having awareness of the availability of treatment (AOR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.56, 5.46); having previously engaged in positive help-seeking behavior (AOR=3.28, 95% CI: 1.63, 6.60); having comorbid disorders (AOR=4.25, 95% CI: 1.69, 10.66); not using alcohol (AOR=3.29, 95% CI: 1.73, 6.27); and the perceived severity of mental illness (AOR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.490, 4.33).ConclusionsThe majority of people with mental illness in Ethiopia exhibited a poor pattern of help-seeking behavior with respect to modern treatment. Therefore, mobilization of the community should be encouraged via regular public awareness campaigns regarding mental illness and the availability of evidence-based and effective modern treatment in Ethiopia. Moreover, the design of effective community-based mental health interventions is recommended in order to improve public attitudes and rates of help-seeking behavior in relation to mental health problems

Inter-connection between land use/land cover change and herders’/farmers’ livestock feed resource management strategies: a case study from three Ethiopian eco-environments

AbstractWe assessed land use/land cover changes from remotely sensed satellite imagery and compared this with community perceptions on availability/use of livestock feed resources and feed deficit management strategies since the 1973s in three districts representing the pastoral, agro-pastoral and mixed crop-livestock eco-environments of Ethiopia. We found that land use/land cover changes are proceeding in all eco-environments and that transitions are from grasslands, and forest lands to bush/shrub lands and crop lands in the pastoral site (Liben), from bush/shrub lands and grasslands to crop lands in agro-pastoral site (Mieso) and from bush/shrub lands, forest lands and grasslands to crop lands in the mixed crop-livestock site (Tiyo). The changes significantly affected livestock feed resources and feed deficit management strategies available to households. Over the last 30–40 years, grazing resources available to livestock keepers have been declining with resultant increase in the contribution of crop residues and other feeds from crop lands (weeds and crop thinnings) as compared to feeds from grasslands. The feed deficit management strategies of households are also changing significantly from mobility to herd management and feed conservation in the pastoral areas; from mobility to feed conservation and purchasing of feed in the agro-pastoral areas and from transhumance to feed conservation and purchase of feed in the mixed crop-livestock areas. Hence feed resources and their availability vary with time and eco-environments indicating the need for the development of eco-environment/site specific feed management strategies in order to support productive stock in the study areas and similar eco-environments