Comparative Analysis of V-Akt Murine Thymoma Viral Oncogene Homolog 3 (AKT3) Gene between Cow and Buffalo Reveals Substantial Differences for Mastitis

AKT3 gene is a constituent of the serine/threonine protein kinase family and plays a crucial role in synthesis of milk fats and cholesterol by regulating activity of the sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP). AKT3 is highly conserved in mammals and its expression levels during the lactation periods of cattle are markedly increased. AKT3 is highly expressed in the intestine followed by mammary gland and it is also expressed in immune cells. It is involved in the TLR pathways as effectively as proinflammatory cytokines. The aims of this study were to investigate the sequences differences between buffalo and cow. Our results showed that there were substantial differences between buffalo and cow in some exons and noteworthy differences of the gene size in different regions. We also identified the important consensus sequence motifs, variation in 2000 upstream of ATG, substantial difference in the “3′UTR” region, and miRNA association in the buffalo sequences compared with the cow. In addition, genetic analyses, such as gene structure, phylogenetic tree, position of different motifs, and functional domains, were performed to establish their correlation with other species. This may indicate that a buffalo breed has potential resistance to disease, environment changes, and airborne microorganisms and some good production and reproductive traits

Effect of mass media intervention on HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination in Ethiopia.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of the Betegna radio (diary-show) programme in mitigating the tide of HIV related stigma and discrimination which are considered a prominent factor that worsens the impact of the epidemic in Ethiopia. The study employed qualitative Individual In-depth Interviews and Focus Group Discussions to generate relevant qualitative data whose analysis revealed that the programme played a significant role in empowering many members of the programme’s target audience with the necessary coping mechanisms against stigma and discriminations associated with HIV and AIDS. However, its effect was rather lower than expected because the programme was broadcast at an awkward time for some members of its target audience and it lacked the entertainment aspect.Key words: Behaviour Change, Denial, Discrimination, HIV and AIDS, Media, Stigma

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

Metabolic syndrome among children and adolescents in low and middle income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors, which is rising in the low and middle income countries (LMICs). There are various studies with inconsistent findings that are inconclusive for policy makers and program planners. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at estimating the pooled prevalence of MetS and its components in LMICs.MethodsElectronic searches were conducted in international databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE (Elsevier), Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Science direct (Elsevier), Food Science and Technology Abstracts (FSTA), Global Health and Medline, and other sources (World Cat, Google Scholar, and Google). The pooled estimates were computed in the random effect model. The pooled prevalence was computed using the three diagnostic methods (IDF, ATP III and de Ferranti). Publication bias was verified using funnel plot and Egger's regression test. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were performed to identify the possible sources of heterogeneity among the included studies.ResultIn this study, 142,142 children and adolescents from 76 eligible articles were included to compute the pooled prevalence of MetS and its components in LMCIs. MeTs among overweight and obese population was computed from 20 articles with the pooled prevalence of 24.09%, 36.5%, and 56.32% in IDF, ATP III and de Ferranti criteria, respectively. Similarly, a total of 56 articles were eligible to compute the pooled prevalence of MetS in the general population of children and adolescents. Hence, Mets was found in 3.98% (IDF), 6.71% (ATP III) and 8.91% (de Ferranti) of study subjects. Regarding the components of MetS, abdominal obesity was the major component in overweight and obese population and low HDL-C was the most common component in the general population. This study also revealed that males were highly affected by MetS than females.ConclusionThis study illustrates that MetS among children and adolescents is an emerging public health challenge in LMICs, where the prevalence of obesity is on the move. Preventive strategies such as community and school based intervention need to be designed. Promoting physical activities and healthy eating behaviors could avert this problem

Factors contributing to poor service delivery in South African rural communities

Journal article published in The 5th Annual International Conference on Public Administration and Development Alternatives 07 - 09 October 2020, Virtual ConferenceThe lives of the South Africans citizens in most rural communities are currently being impacted by the poor level of services delivery. South Africa has been a democratic country since 1994, however, after 26 years of freedom, citizens are still struggling to meet the basic needs, such as water and sanitation, transport, good roads and technological infrastructures and education. The level of service delivery in rural communities is less than compared to urban areas and furthermore, there is no sign of improvement. There is a need to improve the level of service delivery in rural areas as the pace of service delivery has been slow and poor. Though the local municipalities are mandated to provide good quality services to the rural areas, however, most municipalities also face infrastructure challenges. The paper aims to analyse the factors contributing to poor service delivery in South African rural communities

Technology generation to dissemination:lessons learned from the tef improvement project

Indigenous crops also known as orphan crops are key contributors to food security, which is becoming increasingly vulnerable with the current trend of population growth and climate change. They have the major advantage that they fit well into the general socio-economic and ecological context of developing world agriculture. However, most indigenous crops did not benefit from the Green Revolution, which dramatically increased the yield of major crops such as wheat and rice. Here, we describe the Tef Improvement Project, which employs both conventional- and molecular-breeding techniques to improve tef\u2014an orphan crop important to the food security in the Horn of Africa, a region of the world with recurring devastating famines. We have established an efficient pipeline to bring improved tef lines from the laboratory to the farmers of Ethiopia. Of critical importance to the long-term success of this project is the cooperation among participants in Ethiopia and Switzerland, including donors, policy makers, research institutions, and farmers. Together, European and African scientists have developed a pipeline using breeding and genomic tools to improve the orphan crop tef and bring new cultivars to the farmers in Ethiopia. We highlight a new variety, Tesfa, developed in this pipeline and possessing a novel and desirable combination of traits. Tesfa\u2019s recent approval for release illustrates the success of the project and marks a milestone as it is the first variety (of many in the pipeline) to be released

Burden of disease attributable to suboptimal diet, metabolic risks, and low physical activity in Ethiopia and comparison with Eastern sub-Saharan African countries, 1990-2015: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background: Twelve of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are related to malnutrition (both under- and overnutrition), other behavioral, and metabolic risk factors. However, comparative evidence on the impact of behavioral and metabolic risk factors on disease burden is limited in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Ethiopia. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, we assessed mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to child and maternal undernutrition (CMU), dietary risks, metabolic risks and low physical activity for Ethiopia. The results were compared with 14 other Eastern SSA countries. Methods: Databases from GBD 2015, that consist of data from 1990 to 2015, were used. A comparative risk assessment approach was utilized to estimate the burden of disease attributable to CMU, dietary risks, metabolic risks and low physical activity. Exposure levels of the risk factors were estimated using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) and Bayesian meta-regression models. Results: In 2015, there were 58,783 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 43,653-76,020] or 8.9% [95% UI: 6.1-12.5] estimated all-cause deaths attributable to CMU, 66,269 [95% UI: 39,367-106,512] or 9.7% [95% UI: 7.4-12.3] to dietary risks, 105,057 [95% UI: 66,167-157,071] or 15.4% [95% UI: 12.8-17.6] to metabolic risks and 5808 [95% UI: 3449-9359] or 0.9% [95% UI: 0.6-1.1]to low physical activity in Ethiopia. While the age-adjusted proportion of all-cause mortality attributable to CMU decreased significantly between 1990 and 2015, it increased from 10.8% [95% UI: 8.8-13.3] to 14.5% [95% UI: 11.7-18.0] for dietary risks and from 17.0% [95% UI: 15.4-18.7] to 24.2% [95% UI: 22.2-26.1] for metabolic risks. In 2015, Ethiopia ranked among the top four countries (of 15 Eastern SSA countries) in terms of mortality and DALYs based on the age-standardized proportion of disease attributable to dietary risks and metabolic risks. Conclusions: In Ethiopia, while there was a decline in mortality and DALYs attributable to CMU over the last two and half decades, the burden attributable to dietary and metabolic risks have increased during the same period. Lifestyle and metabolic risks of NCDs require more attention by the primary health care system of in the country

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Children and Adolescents in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Introduction. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an assemblage of interconnected cardiovascular risk factors that are prevalent among children and adolescents in high-income countries (HICs). Despite the presence of several studies on the issue, the study findings are incongruent due to the absence of a gold standard diagnostic method of MetS in children. Thus, the findings of the original studies are inconclusive for policy makers and other stakeholders. This systematic review and meta-analysis is aimed at giving conclusive evidence about MetS among children and adolescents in HICs. Methods. We conducted searches using electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), EMBASE (Elsevier), and Medline (EBSCOhost)) and other sources (Google Scholar and Google) up to September 2020. Observational studies reporting the prevalence of MetS were eligible in this study. The pooled estimates were computed in fixed and random effect models using six diagnostic methods (IDF, ATP III, de Ferranti et al., WHO, Weiss et al., and Cruz and Goran). Publication bias was verified using funnel plots and Egger’s regression tests. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were performed in case of higher heterogeneities among the included studies. Result. In this study, 77 studies with a total population of 125,445 children and adolescents were used in the final analysis. Metabolic syndrome among the overweight and obese population was computed from 28 studies with the pooled prevalence of 25.25%, 24.47%, 39.41%, 29.52%, and 33.36% in IDF, ATP III, de Ferranti et al., WHO, and Weiss et al. criteria, respectively. Likewise, 49 studies were eligible to compute the pooled prevalence of MetS in the general population of children and adolescents. Hence, MetS was found in 3.70% (IDF), 5.40% (ATP III), 14.78% (de Ferranti et al.), 3.90% (WHO), and, 4.66% (Cruz and Goran) of study participants. Regarding the components of MetS, abdominal obesity in the overweight and obese population, and low HDL-C in the general population were the most common components. Besides, the prevalence of Mets among males was higher than females. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that MetS among children and adolescents is undoubtedly high in HICs. The prevalence of MetS is higher among males than females. Community-based social and behavioral change communications need to be designed to promote healthy eating behaviors and physical activities. Prospective cohort studies could also help to explore all possible risk factors of MetS and to design specific interventions accordingly

DEVELOPMENT OF WHEAT GERMPLASM FOR STEM RUST RESISTANCE IN EASTERN AFRICA

Wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) rust outbreak is the primary production constraint in Eastern Africa. Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are hot spots for the epidemic of rusts, due to higher rates of evolution of new pathogen races, especially of the virulent stem rust (Puccinia graminis) race, Ug99. The objective of this study was to identify sources of resistance to the major pathotypes of stem rust prevalent in some countries of Eastern Africa. Three hundred and six elite breeding lines, selected and advanced at the Wheat Regional Centre of Excellence (WRCoE) in Ethiopia, were planted in stem rust hot spot areas of the country (Arsi-Robe) and Kenya (Njoro) under natural infections. Stem rust scores of 18, 25.8 and 56.2% of lines at Arsi-Robe; and 35, 49 and 16.7% of lines at Njoro were resistant to moderately resistant, intermediate and moderately susceptible to susceptible category, respectively. Overall coefficient of infection (ACI) at Arsi-Robe (24) was greater than that of Njoro (13), indicating higher disease pressure in Ethiopia than Kenya. Among the lines, 67% at Njoro and 49% at Arsi Robe showed good levels of resistance, with a severity less than 20%. However, only 32% of the lines showed a good level of resistance (<20% severity) in both locations. These lines could have combined resistance to the multiple stem rust races prevailing at both locations. Generally, most of the lines, which showed better resistance at Njoro were susceptible at Arsi-Robe.La rouille de la tige chez le bl\ue9 ( Triticum aestivum ) est l\u2019un des plus importants probl\ue8mes rencontres dans la production du bl\ue9 en Afrique de l\u2019Est. L\u2019Ethiopie, le Kenya et l\u2019Ouganda sont des pays \ue0 fort taux d\u2019\ue9pid\ue9mie de rouille de la tige. Ceci \ue0 cause du taux \ue9lev\ue9 de d\u2019agents pathog\ue8nes, ainsi que l\u2019apparition de nouveaux pathog\ue8nes, dont le plus redoutable (Puccinia graminis) race Ug99. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019identifier des sources de r\ue9sistance aux pathotypes majeurs de la rouille de tige qui sevit dans certains pays de l\u2019Afrique de l\u2019Est. Trois cent six lign\ue9es \ue9lites, s\ue9lectionn\ue9es au centre r\ue9gionale d\u2019excellence du bl\ue9 (WRCoE) en Ethiopie, ont \ue9t\ue9 plant\ue9es dans des zones a fort taux de pr\ue9valence de la rouille de tige en Ethiopie (Arsi-Robe) au Kenya (Njoro). Respectivement, 18, 25.8 et 56.2% des lign\ue9es a Arsi-Robe; et 35, 49 et 16.7% des lign\ue9es a Njoro se sont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9es r\ue9sistantes ou mod\ue9r\ue9ment r\ue9sistantes, interm\ue9diaires, mod\ue9r\ue9ment susceptibles a susceptibles. En somme, le coefficient d\u2019infection (ACI) \ue0 Arsi-Robe (24) \ue9tait plus \ue9lev\ue9 qu\u2019\ue0 Njoro (13), ceci indique que la pression de la rouille de tige est plus \ue9lev\ue9e en Ethiopie qu\u2019au Kenya. Parmi les lign\ue9es \ue9valu\ue9es, 67% \ue0 Njoro et 49% a Arsi Robe sont exhibe des bons niveaux de r\ue9sistance, avec 20% de s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9. N\ue9anmoins, seul 32% des lign\ue9es ont exhibe une bonne r\ue9sistance (<20% s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9) dans les deux localit\ue9s. Ces lign\ue9es porteraient surement des g\ue8nes de r\ue9sistance multiple contre les diff\ue9rentes races de champignon pr\ue9sents dans les deux localit\ue9s. G\ue9n\ue9ralement, la plupart des lign\ue9es ayant exhibe une bonne r\ue9sistance a Njoro \ue9taient susceptible a Arsi-Robe