Research progress on gut health of farmers teleost fish: a viewpoint concerning the intestinal mucosal barrier and the impact of its damage

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries - The intestinal mucosal barrier plays a critical role in the maintenance of host health. In farmed teleost fish, the intestinal epithelium is challenged by a...     

Household Contact Screening Adherence among Tuberculosis Patients in Northern Ethiopia

BackgroundHousehold contacts of active tuberculosis cases are at high risk of getting tuberculosis disease. Tuberculosis detection rate among contacts of household members is high. Hence, this study investigated household contact screening adherence and associated factors among tuberculosis patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from April 10 - June 30, 2013 in five urban districts of Amhara region, where 418 patients receiving treatment at tuberculosis clinic were interviewed. All patients were interviewed using structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Bringing at least one household contact to TB clinic was regarded as adherent to household contacts screening. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to investigate association.ResultsThe overall adherence to household contact screening in Amhara region was 33.7%. Adherence was higher among Muslims than Christians. Adherence was high if patient took health education from Health Care Worker [AOR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.88 to 5.51] and 2.17 times higher if patient had sufficient knowledge on tuberculosis [AOR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.29 to 3.67] during interview. Relationship with contact was a significant [AOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2 to 0.9] social related factor.ConclusionOne third of tuberculosis patients adhered to household contact screening in health facilities during their treatment course. Promoting knowledge of tuberculosis in the community and continuous health education to tuberculosis patients are recommended.     

Using Qualitative Methods to Explore Lay Explanatory Models,Health-Seeking Behaviours and Self-Care Practices of Podoconiosis Patients in North-West Ethiopia

BackgroundPodoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis) is a chronic, non-infectious disease resulting from exposure of bare feet to red-clay soil in tropical highlands. This study examined lay beliefs about three under-researched aspects of podoconiosis patients’ care: explanatory models, health-seeking behaviours and self-care.MethodsIn-depth interviews and focus group discussions were undertaken with 34 participants (19 male, 15 female) between April-May 2015 at podoconiosis treatment centres across East and West Gojjam regions in north-west Ethiopia.ResultsExplanatory models for podoconiosis included contamination from blood, magic, soil or affected individuals. Belief in heredity or divine punishment often delayed clinic attendance. All participants had tried holy water treatment and some, holy soil. Herbal treatments were considered ineffectual, costly and appeared to promote fluid escape. Motivators for clinic attendance were failure of traditional treatments and severe or disabling symptoms. Patients did not report self-treatment with antibiotics. Self-care was hindered by water being unavailable or expensive and patient fatigue.ConclusionA pluralistic approach to podoconiosis self-treatment was discovered. Holy water is widely valued, though some patients prefer holy soil. Priests and traditional healers could help promote self-care and “signpost” patients to clinics. Change in behaviour and improving water access is key to self-care.     

Carbon sequestration and soil restoration potential of grazing lands under exclosure management in a semi‐arid environment of northern Ethiopia

Exclosures are used to regenerate native vegetation as a way to reduce soil erosion, increase rain water infiltration and provide fodder and woody biomass in degraded grazing lands. Therefore, this study assessed the impact of grazing exclosure on carbon sequestration and soil nutrients under 5 and 10 years of grazing exclosures and freely grazed areas in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Carbon stocks and soil nutrients increased with increasing grazing exclusion. However, open grazing lands and 5 years of grazing exclosure did not differ in above‐ and belowground carbon stocks. Moreover, 10 years of grazing exclosure had a higher (p < 0.01) grass, herb and litter carbon stocks compared to 5 years exclosure and open grazing lands. The total carbon stock was higher for 10 years exclosure (75.65 t C ha^‐1) than the 5 years exclosure (55.06 t C ha^‐1) and in open grazing areas (51.98 t C ha^‐1). Grazing lands closed for 10 years had a higher SOC, organic matter, total N, available P, and exchangeable K + and Na + compared to 5 year's exclosure and open grazing lands. Therefore, establishment of grazing exclosures had a positive effect in restoring degraded grazing lands, thus improving carbon sequestration potentials and soil nutrients.     

Distribution and Availability of Essential Tuberculosis Diagnostic Items in Amhara Region,Ethiopia

Adequate supplies of tuberculosis laboratory reagents and consumables are necessary for tuberculosis diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response. This study assessed the distribution and stock levels of laboratory commodities used in tuberculosis control in health centers of Amhara region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 82 health centers, among 801, providing sputum microscopy services. Stock levels were calculated, and distribution of reagents and consumables assessed. Thirty three (40.2%) health centers were under stocked for at least one of the key items for tuberculosis diagnosis at the time of visit. Fifteen (18.3%) health centers had no stocks of at least one of the key items (methylene blue (11%), carbol fuchsin (11%), acid alcohol (8.5%) and sputum cups (3.7%)). Of the 82 health centers, 77 (93.9%) did not fulfill the criteria for effective distribution of tuberculosis laboratory reagents and consumables. There were many health centers that had no or only low stocks of key tuberculosis laboratory reagents and consumables as a result of ineffective distribution system. It is necessary to strengthen supply chain management to ensure uninterrupted TB diagnostic service.     

基于低场核磁共振T1-T2谱技术定性和定量分析罗非鱼各组织的方法探究

形体指标的检测是鱼类常规营养评定的重要组成部分。目前,分析鱼类组织体重比的方法会对鱼体造成损伤,且取样过程复杂,迫切需要无损快速检测技术分析鱼体组织占比。低场核磁共振技术具有快速无损检测的特点,已有研究利用低场核磁共振T1谱技术检测小鼠内脂肪组织体积,但尚未有研究应用低场核磁共振T1-T2谱技术对鱼类各组织器官进行定性和定量分析。基于此,利用低场核磁共振T1-T2谱技术,将分离后的罗非鱼的肌肉组织、腹腔脂肪组织、肝脏组织、肠道组织单独以及混合后进行扫描分析,结果发现利用低场核磁共振T1-T2谱技术可以分离罗非鱼肌肉组织和腹腔脂肪组织,但是无法区分肝脏组织和肠道组织。进一步对能够实现分离的肌肉组织和脂肪组织建立定量分析的模型,分析罗非鱼组织信号强度与组织重量相关性,结果显示,肌肉组织相关性R2=0.974 3,腹腔脂肪组织相关性R2=0965 0。并利用罗非鱼活体验证了肌肉组织定量分析模型的可靠性,将活体扫描肌肉信号大小转换成肌肉组织重量并分析其与全鱼体重相关性,结果显示肌肉组织重量与体重相关性R2=0.806 9。研究表明,在鱼类营养代谢研究中,可以利用低场核磁共振T1-T2谱技术快速无损地定量分析鱼体内肌肉组织含量。     

Localization of oleuropeyl glucose esters and a flavanone to secretory cavities of myrtaceae

We report the widespread occurrence of structurally diverse oleuropeyl glucose esters, including the new diester eucaglobulin B, localized specifically to the essential oil secretory cavities of myrtaceous species. Clear taxonomic patterns in the composition of cavity extracts within the genus Eucalyptus are shown with species from subgenus Symphyomyrtus dominated by oleuropeyl glucose esters and species from subgenus Eucalyptus dominated instead by the flavanone, pinocembrin. We also examined the intra-species occurrence of oleuropeyl glucose esters by quantifying the abundant constituents cuniloside B and froggattiside A in trees from two populations of Eucalyptus polybractea R.T. Baker. All trees contained both compounds, which were positively correlated with total essential oil concentration. This apparent ubiquity of oleuropeyl glucose esters at both intra- and inter-specific levels in Eucalyptus is indicative of important physiological or ecological functions. The significance of their prevalence and the sequestration of these esters and also pinocembrin to the extracellular domain of secretory cavities is discussed in light of their potential biological activities and our findings that they are spatially segregated to the exterior of cavity lumina. The localization of oleuropeyl glucose esters to a specific and isolatable tissue type has the potential to aid in future elucidation of function and biosynthesis.     

Edge effects and human disturbance influence soil physical and chemical properties in Sacred Church Forests in Ethiopia

Plant and Soil - Tropical forests are increasingly threatened by edge effects as forest degradation and deforestation continues, compromising soil integrity, seedling regeneration capacity, and...