Dietary aflatoxins exposure, environmental enteropathy, and their relation with childhood stunting.

Childhood stunting is a global phenomenon affecting more than 149 million children under the age of 5 worldwide. Exposure to aflatoxins (AFs) in utero, during breastfeeding, and consumption of contaminated food affect the gut microbiome, resulting in intestinal dysfunction and potentially contributing to stunting. This review explores the potential relationship between AF exposure, environmental enteropathy and childhood stunting. AFs bind to DNA, disrupt protein synthesis and elicit environmental enteropathy (EE). An EE alters the structure of intestinal epithelial cells, impairs nutrient uptake and leads to malabsorption. This article proposes possible intervention strategies for researchers and policymakers to reduce AF exposure, EE and childhood stunting, such as exposure reduction, the implementation of good agricultural practices, dietary diversification and improving environmental water sanitation and hygiene.

Effects of solar tunnel drying zones and slice thickness on the drying characteristics of taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) slice.

This study aims to investigate the effects of slice thicknesses (2, 4, and 6 mm) and solar tunnel drying zones (zone I, zone II, and zone III) on the drying characteristics and thermal properties of taro slices, which were dried using solar tunnel drying (STD). To assess the drying characteristics of taro slices, the data from the drying kinetics were fitted with five different models. The adequacy of fit for the proposed models was evaluated using the reduced chi-square (χ 2), determination of coefficient (R 2), mean relative percent error (P), and root means square error (RMSE). The results showed that, among the five drying models, the drying characteristics of taro are better expressed by the logarithmic model. The thinnest slices dried in zone III had the highest diffusivity (6.57 × 10-09 m2/s), lowest specific heat capacity (1.761 kJ/kg °C), and maximum thermal conductivity (0.268 W/m °C). It was also dried within a short period of time (5.5 h). The findings of this study provide evidence that STD zones and slice thickness have significant impact on the drying characteristics of dried taro slices.

Design, construction, and testing of passive type solar tunnel for maize grain disinfestations.

In this study, a solar tunnel of passive-type designed, constructed and tested for storage insect pest disinfestation. The designed solar tunnel was 1.9 m wide and 3 m long with the maize grain holding capacity of 150 kg, 300 kg, and 450 kg with 5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm layer thickness respectively. To evaluate the performance of the solar tunnel, maize grain infested with storage pests was kept in the solar tunnel with 5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm layer thickness for 4 consecutive days. During the study, the temperature and relative humidity profile of the air in the tunnel and the temperature in maize grain was recorded. Germination percentage and number of live insects were evaluated after each day of disinfestations. The highest temperature recorded in the solar tunnel was in the range of 64.6-67.6 °C during the study period. Complete disinfestations of the grain were obtained on the first day for 5 cm layer thickness and the second day for 10 and 15 cm layer thickness. The higher germination percentage was recorded for 15 cm layer thickness in all experimental days. Of all the treatments the combination of the layer thickness of 15 cm and two day disinfestations time were found to be the best combination for using the tunnel for maize grain disinfestations in terms of achieving complete disinfestations; maintaining germination capacity of the grain and time required to disinfect a large amount of grain.

Palm Oil Processing and Controversies over Its Health Effect: Overview of Positive and Negative Consequences.

Palm oil is the world's most commonly used vegetable oil and extracted both from fruit and seed of palm tree. However, its high saturated fatty acid content raised controversies over consumption of the oil. Few scientific findings suggest it as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and increased consumer's awareness over healthy diet raised claim over it. So that, this article aimed to review literatures on palm oil extraction process and its positive and negative health consequences and besides suggest strategies for healthy diet. Literature search of relevant articles was conducted by using Google scholar, PubMed, Web of science, MEDLINE, World Health Organization library online catalogue, UNICEF library, Open access thesis and dissertations published between 2009 and 2021 explored. Study reports recommend that palmitic acid from vegetable source has less effect on blood total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol level as compared to palmitic acid from animal source. In contrary tocotrienols of palm oil lowers blood bad cholesterol level by 7-38%. Moreover, palm oil triacylglycerol arrangement does not have a cardiovascular risk and evidences from available in vitro and in vivo studies are not sufficient enough to conclude palm oil as a causative agent for cardiovascular disease. For healthy diet consumers should avoid trans fatty acids, solid and semi solid oils. Finally, further studies recommended on mitigation strategies to minimize process induced toxicants of palm oil to acceptable level.

Establishing reference intervals for electrolytes in newborns and infants using direct ISE analyzer.

BACKGROUND: To generate clinically applicable reference intervals (RIs) for commonly requested electrolytes in Ethiopian newborns and infants that can help in early detection, close monitoring and correction of electrolyte abnormalities. Cord blood (from newborns, n = 60) and venous blood samples (from infants, n = 57) were collected and analyzed using direct ISE analyzer, AVL (9181). MedCalc® software was applied to determine the robust upper and lower end points covering 95% of the reference values of each electrolyte with respective 90% CIs. FINDINGS: This is an extension report of our recent study; and hence is resulted from the same data source. The level of Na+ and K+ showed difference in newborns and infants even though combined RIs were suggested by the Haris and Boyd rule as 126-143 mmol/l and 4.0-7.9 mmol/l respectively. However, Cl- values failed to show such a difference and thus a combined RI was determined to be 100-111 mmol/l. Almost all maternal, neonatal and infantile factors were not able to affect the values of the electrolytes. CONCLUSION: Combined RIs are suggested for the interpretation of electrolyte values in newborns and infants without taking the effect of maternal, neonatal and infantile factors into account. Since the RIs were different from previously reported values, it will be appropriate to apply such RIs for the interpretation of electrolyte values in Ethiopian pediatric population.

Robust reference intervals for liver function test (LFT) analytes in newborns and infants.

BACKGROUND: Reference intervals (RIs) are ranges of upper and lower limits of a given analyte which are used for a laboratory test to determine whether a disease is present or absent or to know if the patient is at risk for future disease states. In Ethiopia, a country with highly diversified population groups and geographical sites, there are no established RIs to metabolic analytes including the liver function test (LFT) analytes for the pediatric population though it has been known that liver function assessment in this population is vital as a result of varied vulnerability to both endogenous and xenobiotic substances. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) and Teklehaymanot Health Center (THC) from November 2010 to April 2011. 117 cord blood (from newborns) and venous blood samples (from infants) were collected and analyzed using HumaStar 300. All pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical aspects were thoroughly controlled. A robust, CLSI/ IFCC recommended, method was used for the determination of upper and lower end points covering 95% of the reference values of each analyte with respective 90% CIs using MedCalc® software. RESULTS: Combined RIs for newborns and infants were established for albumin, AST, ALP, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin to be 3.88-5.82 g/dl, 16.1-55.4U/l, 130-831U/l, <0.41 mg/dl and <1.37 mg/dl respectively. But, separated RIs were indicated for ALT and GGT as 1.2-23.1U/l and 6.94-24.8U/l ALT; and 30.6-160.7U/L and 10-28.2U/l GGT for newborns and infants respectively. Some maternal and infantile factors were identified to affect the values of analytes. CONCLUSION: Almost all analytes were different from previously reported values for other target population of similar age group, kit insert values and adult values. So, interpretation of values of these analytes in newborns and infants of Ethiopian population sounds better to be performed by using such RIs taking the effect of some maternal and infantile factors in to account.

Is the difference in neonatal blood glucose concentration of caesarian and vaginally delivered term infants requiring separated reference intervals?

BACKGROUND: Mode of delivery has been reported to affect the cord blood glucose level of newborns. Vaginally delivered (VD) newborns were found to have relatively increased concentration of cord blood glucose than those delivered by cesarean section (CS). The aim of this study is thus to determine whether the difference in cord blood glucose concentration among VD and CS newborns is necessitating partitioned reference intervals (RIs) for the laboratory diagnosis of neonatal hypoglycemia. METHODS: A total of 60 newborns were included from Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH). Cord blood samples were collected and analyzed for glucose by Glucose-oxidase (GOD-PAP) method in TASH laboratory using HumaStar 300 from November 2010 to April 2011. All pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical aspects were thoroughly controlled. A robust method was used for the determination of reference intervals using MedCalc® software Version 11.6.1. RESULTS: VD newborns accounted for 71.7% (n = 43) while the CS newborns accounted for 28.3% (n = 17). No statistically significant difference was noted in the studied demographic variables among VD and CS newborns except for blood glucose level. The RIs were then determined to be 2.46-6.85 mmol/l and 2.46-5.04 mmol/l for VD and CS newborns respectively. The combined RI was 2.24-6.48 mmol/l. CONCLUSION: Combined RI better be used for the interpretation of cord blood glucose values in VD and CS newborns. Cord blood glucose concentrations of 2.24 mmol/l can be used as statistical estimates of cut off points for neonatal hypoglycemia in newborns irrespective of their mode of deliveries.

Evaluation of standards of informed consent formats in research proposals approved by Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University.

BACKGROUND: Medical research involves the voluntary participation of human subjects. Potential participants need information upon which they can make their decision. This review aims to evaluate standard of informed consent and information to human participants in researches conducted at Faculty of Medicine (FoM), Addis Ababa University (AAU). DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective cross sectional analysis was conducted to evaluate the medical research protocols submitted and approved by the Faculty Research Review Committee between 2000 and 2007 at the Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University. The data were analyzed using computer based statistical software SPSS version 11.0. RESULTS: Of 105 research protocols submitted and approved by the Faculty Research Review Committee, 40 (38.1%) were epidemiological and 28 (26.7%) clinical types of studies by design. The remaining 21 (20%) and 16 (15.2%) belong to behavioral and biomedical categories respectively. Informed consent sheets (ICS), 56 (53.3%) were written, and 15 (14.3%) verbal. The proportion of written ICS sheet was significantly higher than verbal type (p<0.0001). ICS and Study Information Sheet (SIS) were included in the research protocols in 71 (74.7%) and 57 (60.0%) of the cases respectively. Inclusion of statements describing potential risks in 45 (63.4%) protocols was significantly lower (p<0.0001) compared to benefits to the subjects in 58 (81.7%). Statements describing extent of confidentiality and voluntary participation were stated in 55 (77.9%) and 63 (88.7%) of the protocols, respectively, whereas, disclosure of refusal to participate without penalty and consent was found in 42 (45.9%). CONCLUSION: During the initial years, the proportion of written ICS as well as complete ICS and SIS were very low. Nevertheless, the research protocols evaluated in this study had shown encouraging improvement in the proportion of written ICS (p<0. 0001) and completeness of ICS as well as SIS over time.

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in paediatric diarrhoeal and no-diarrhoeal patients in Addis Ababa hospitals; with special emphasis on opportunistic parasitic infections and with insight into the demographic and socio-economic factors

Background: Opportunistic intestinal parasitic infections cause severe diarrhoea specially in infants and in immunocompromised people world wide Objective: The objective of this study was to assess and determine the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasites in paediatric patients with and without diarrhoea in selected hospitals in Addis Ababa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 222 children under five years of age who had diarrhoea and on 74 children who had no diarrhoea in selected Hospitals in Addis Ababa. Single stool specimens were collected and screened for intestinal parasitic infections by using direct and concentrated methods. The Modified Ziehl-Neelsen Staining and Modified Water-Ether Sendimentaion methods were used for detecting Coccidial parasites.Results: Of the 222 paediatric diarrhoeal patients, 61(27.5%) were found to be infected with a variety of intestinal parasites and out of 74 children without diarrhoea 11(14.9%) were found to be infected. Among the emerging opportunistic parasites detected in diarrhoeal children were Cryptosporidium parvum (8.1%), Isospora belli (2.3%) and Enterocytozoon bieneusi/ Encephalitozoon intestinalis (0.5%). Other common intestinal parasites detected were Ascaris lumbricoides (0.5%), Trichuris trichiura (0.9%), Giardia lamblia (6.3%), Entamoeba histolytica/ E. dispar (1.4%), Blastocystis hominis (5.9%) and Hymnolepis nana (0.5%). Opportunistic parasites were found to be significantly associated with diarrhoeal and non-breastfed children (p<0.001). C. parvum and I. belli respectively were isolated from 83.3% and 80% of diarrhoeal children aged less than 12 months. C. paravum and I. belli infections were also higher in male children, with a prevalence of 72.2% for C. paravum and 80% for I. belli.Conclusion: This study re-affirms and confirms the previously held view that opportunistic parasites can cause diarrhoea in paediatric patients and that it is more prevalent in male, non-breastfed children. The cause of diarrhoea in paediatrics in the absence of identifiable parasitic infections suggests that other infectious agents might be responsible for the diarrhoea