Growth and form of provenances of Eucalyptus saligna at Wondo Genet,southern Ethiopia

A trial testing 10 provenances from across the natural range of Eucalyptus saligna and a local land race was established at Wondo Genet, southern Ethiopia. Eight years after planting, survival, tree height, diameter at breast height over bark, stem form, number of forks, height to the first fork, number of branches, branch diameter and branch angle were assessed. Volume per hectare was also calculated. Survival ranged between 36% (a provenance from 87 km north of Windsor, NSW) and 79% (Consuelo Tableland, Queensland), and differences were significant (P < 0.05). Among morphological characteristics, only the number of branches showed significant variation (P < 0.05), with the greatest number (12.4) being recorded for the Bulahdelah, NSW, provenance and the least (8.5) for the Clyde River, NSW, provenance. Major growth and morphological parameters (tree height, diameter, volume and stem form) did not differ significantly. The overall volume production (mean annual increment 26.4 m³ ha^?1) was well above the minimum acceptable growth observed on good sites elsewhere. Differences between provenances were small and mostly not significant, and no pattern of geographic variation was detected. Given the acceptable mean annual increment, those provenances represented by an adequate number of parent trees could be maintained for further selection and breeding, and to maintain genetic diversity of the species in Ethiopia.     

Assessment of outpatient therapeutic programme for severe acute malnutrition in three regions of Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE: To document the experiences and lessons for rolling out of the OTP service at the wider scale with the aim of assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the project and suggest recommendations for future programming. DESIGN: Qualitative methods of data collection including focus group discussion, observation and in-depth interview of key informants were employed to get relevant data. Review of health facility, reports and programme documents were done to capture further- information. SETTING: Out Patient Programme (OTP) pilot programme implemented by CONCERN/ VALID in three administrative regions of Ethiopia namely: South Nations and Nationalities Peoples Regions (SPNNR), Addis Ababa and Oromia regions. A total of thirteen health centres which had started OTP service from the three regions were included in the study. SUBJECTS: Thirty six key informants and 30 focus group discussants were involved in the study conducted from 16th to 25th November 2006. RESULTS: Out Patient Programme (OTP) has enhanced community's understanding of malnutrition as a health problem through an excellent entry point it created for behaviour change communication (BCC) on optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF). It has also enhanced utilisation of the existing equipments of the respective health services to promote nutrition and increased mental satisfaction of the providers who observed rapid recovery of malnourished children taking the plumpy nut. It also resulted in increased awareness of the community about malnutrition and its treatment, which resulted in increased need-based demand for the OTP and self-referral of children to health facilities. Shift in the thinking of the providers on the fact that malnutrition can be treated without admitting the child and reduction in the burden of malnutrition and associated mortality are other positive findings of the study. CONCLUSION: While it was observed that the programme was very effective in treating case of severe acute malnutrition and is highly acceptable by planners, health care providers and beneficiaries, there were different operational issues that needed to be strengthened. The irregularity and incompleteness of supply availability, high attrition of trained human power, inadequate supportive supervision especially from local ministry of health, inadequate community mobilisations are some of the shortcomings identified. Based of these findings recommendations were forwarded.     

Selective synthesis of visible light active γ-bismuth molybdate nanoparticles for efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue,reduction of 4-nitrophenol,and antimicrobial activity

In this study, we have reported selective synthesis of bismuth molybdate (γ-Bi₂M₂O₆) nanoparticles (NPs) under different pH conditions for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB), reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) and antimicrobial activities. The synthesis of pure phase γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ at pH = 3 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman analysis. A single hexagonal morphology was obtained at pH = 3 which shows the formation of the pure phase γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ NPs. The mixed morphologies (hexagonal and spherical) were observed at different pH values other than pH = 3. The bandgap energy of all the synthesized Bi₂M₂O₆ NPs is found in the visible region (2.48–2.59 eV). The photocatalytic activity of bismuth molybdate (BM) NPs was examined by the degradation of MB under visible light irradiation. Results show that 95.44% degradation efficiency was achieved by pure γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ NPs compared to mixed phases (γ-Bi₂M₂O₆, α-Bi₂M₂O₆ and β-Bi₂M₂O₆) synthesized at pH = 1.5 and 5. Moreover, the degradation efficiency of γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ was enhanced to 98.89% by the addition of H₂O₂. The effective catalytic activity of γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ was observed during the reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP by NaBH₄. Potential antibacterial and antifungal activity of γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ was observed, which gives a basis for further study in the development of antibiotics.

In this study, we have reported selective synthesis of γ-Bi₂M₂O₆ NPs under different pH conditions for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB), reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) and antimicrobial activities.     

Natalizumab induces a rapid improvement of disability status and ambulation after failure of previous therapy in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis

Background: Natalizumab (Tysabri) is a monoclonal antibody that was recently approved for the treatment of relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Our primary objective was to analyse the efficacy of natalizumab on disability status and ambulation after switching patients with RRMS from other disease‐modifying treatments (DMTs). Methods: A retrospective, observational study was carried out. All patients (n = 45) initiated natalizumab after experiencing at least 1 relapse in the previous year under interferon‐beta (IFNB) or glatiramer acetate (GA) treatments. The patients also had at least 1 gadolinium‐enhancing (Gd+) lesion on their baseline brain MRI. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and performance on the Timed 25‐Foot Walk Test and on the Timed 100‐Metre Walk Test were prospectively collected every 4 weeks during 44 weeks of natalizumab treatment. Brain MRI scans were performed after 20 and 44 weeks of treatment. Results: Sixty‐two per cent of patients showed no clinical and no radiological signs of disease activity, and 29% showed a rapid and confirmed EDSS improvement over 44 weeks of natalizumab therapy. Patients with improvement on the EDSS showed similar levels of baseline EDSS and active T1 lesions, but had a significantly higher number of relapses, and 92% of them had experienced relapse‐mediated sustained EDSS worsening in the previous year. A clinically meaningful improvement in ambulation speed was observed in approximately 30% of patients. Conclusions: These results indicate that natalizumab silences disease activity and rapidly improves disability status and walking performance, possibly through delayed relapse recovery in patients with RRMS who had shown a high level of disease activity under other DMTs.     

Objective computerized versus subjective analysis of facial synkinesis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To compare the sensitivity of an objective, computerized approach to measurement of facial synkinesis with that for a subjective approach and to examine the test-retest reliability of these approaches. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, and blinded. METHODS: Remote facial motion at the upper eyelids and oral commissures during a closed-lip smile and eyelid closure were measured using a commercially available computerized motion analysis system. Thirty healthy adults with normal facial nerve function were enrolled to establish normative data and a threshold value for synkinesis. Thirty consecutive patients were analyzed based on the synkinesis threshold value. Blinded subjective evaluations by two observers were also performed independently on the same patients. RESULTS: Facial synkinesis was detected significantly more frequently with objective than subjective analysis for eyelid closure; no significant differences between approaches were shown for the closed-lip smile. Interestingly, five (17%) patients developed early synkinesis within 3 months from the onset of the facial nerve injury. The test-retest reliability of all objective measures was excellent for both expressions. Close agreement in percent of patients with synkinesis between test and retest subjective evaluations was obtained for both observers for both expressions. CONCLUSIONS: The objective, computerized approach to detection of facial synkinesis has excellent reliability and is more sensitive than the subjective approach to assessment to the presence of facial synkinesis associated with eyelid closure. The finding of early synkinesis suggests that central nervous reorganization plays a role in regeneration of the facial nerve.     

Tuberculosis defaulters from the "dots" regimen in Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with tuberculosis on the DOTS regimen in the four teaching health centers of Jimma zone to determine rate of defaulting and factors associated with it. All tuberculosis patients registered and treated using DOTS regimen in the 4 teaching health centers (THC's) from the second half of 1999 to December 30, 2000 were included in the study. A sub-sample of one hundred and fourteen 114 (56.2%) defaulters were traced at their homes and interviewed to elicit their reasons for defaulting. The study showed that overall rate of defaulting was 6.7%. The default rate from the DOTS regimen was found to be quite low when compared to the rate of defaulting from the standard regimen in Jimma zone. Socio-economic factors including distance of patients' residence from the health institution, lack of money for paying transportation and poor awareness about the disease were the major reasons contributing to poor compliance and defaulting. Designing community based strategies for DOTS regimen in order to make the drug available within the vicinity of the grass root community and strong information education and communication activities need to be employed in order to reduce the defaulter rate and improve the quality of treatment of tuberculosis cases by the DOTS regimen.     

Synaptic and extrasynaptic neurotransmitter receptors in glial precursors' quest for identity

It is widely established that neurotransmitter receptors are expressed in non-neuronal cells, and particularly in neural progenitor cells in the postnatal central nervous system. The functional role of these receptors during development is unclear, but it needs to be revisited now that cells previously considered restricted to glial lineages have been shown to generate neurons. The present review integrates recent advances, to shed new light on how neurotransmitter receptors may, alternatively, serve as excitable mediators of neuron-glia and neuron-neuroblast interactions.     

The utility of pallor detecting anemia in under five years old children

The diagnosis and management of anemia, which affects a significant proportion of young children in developing countries, largely depends on the clinical assessment for pallor. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the utility of pallor in detecting anemia. Children aged 2 to 60 months who visited the pediatric outpatient department of Jimma Hospital over 3 months period were assessed for the presence and degree of pallor in 4 anatomic sites (conjunctivae, tongue and buccal mucosa, nailbeds, palm) by trained nurses. Hemoglobin was then determined using the HemoCue method. Individuals involved in clinical examination did not have access to the laboratory results before documenting their findings. The mean hemoglobin in the 574 children examined was 11.03 gm/dl, and about 46% had anemia. Children younger than 2 years were found to have a higher prevalence of anemia as compared to older children (p < 0.001). Palmar pallor, with a sensitivity of 58%, had the highest sensitivity to detect moderate anemia as compared to other anatomic sites. The presence of either palmar or conjunctival pallor increased the sensitivity to 73%. The inter-observer agreement was highest for conjunctival pallor (kappa value = 0.81). The findings of the study suggest that pallor of a single anatomic site does not have adequate sensitivity to detect moderate anemia. We recommend further studies to look at the performance of severe pallor in correctly identifying severe anemia. Furthermore, the magnitude and causes of anemia need to be studied in a community setting.     

Comparative in vitro metabolism of indinavir in primates--a unique stereoselective hydroxylation in monkey

1. The in vitro metabolism of indinavir (CRIXIVAN, MK-0639, L-735,524), an HIV protease inhibitor, was evaluated using liver microsomes from cynomolgus monkey, rhesus monkey, chimpanzee and human. Indinavir exhibited marked species differences in metabolism. The overall rate of indinavir metabolism varied > 4-fold among primates (84 pmol/min/mg protein in cynomolgus monkey versus 20.4 pmol/min/mg protein in human) and followed the rank order: cynomolgus monkey > rhesus monkey > chimpanzee > human. 2. The cis-(indan)hydroxylated metabolite of indinavir was formed only in cynomolgus and rhesus monkey livers, whereas trans-(indan)hydroxylation and N-dealkylation were observed as the major metabolites in all primates tested. Inhibition studies with P450-selective inhibitors (ketoconazole, quinine, quinidine) and monoclonal antibodies (against CYP2D6 or CYP3A4) indicated that a cytochrome P450 isoform of the CYP2D subfamily is involved in the formation of the unique cis-(indan) hydroxylated metabolite in monkey, whereas all other oxidative metabolites, including the trans-(indan)hydroxylated metabolite, are formed by CYP3A isoform(s). 3. The present study has demonstrated that monkeys were unique in their abilities to form the stereoselective metabolite and were not appropriate surrogates for the qualitative prediction of indinavir metabolism in human.