Ethiopian Population Dermatoglyphic Study Reveals Linguistic Stratification of Diversity

The manifestation of ethnic, blood type, & gender-wise population variations regarding Dermatoglyphic manifestations are of interest to assess intra-group diversity and differentiation. The present study reports on the analysis of qualitaive and quantitative finger Dermatoglyphic traits of 382 individuals cross-sectionally sampled from an administrative region of Ethiopia, consisting of five ethnic cohorts from the Afro-Asiatic & Nilo-Saharan affiliations. These Dermatoglyphic parameters were then applied in the assessment of diversity & differentiation, including Heterozygosity, Fixation, Panmixia, Wahlund’s variance, Nei’s measure of genetic diversity, and thumb & finger pattern genotypes, which were inturn used in homology inferences as summarized by a Neighbour-Joining tree constructed from Nei’s standard genetic distance. Results revealed significant correlation between Dermatoglyphics & population parameters that were further found to be in concordance with the historical accounts of the ethnic groups. Such inductions as the ancient north-eastern presence and subsequent admixure events of the Oromos (PII= 15.01), the high diversity of the Amharas (H= 0.1978, F= 0.6453, and P= 0.4144), and the Nilo-Saharan origin of the Berta group (PII= 10.66) are evidences to this. The study has further tested the possibility of applying Dermatoglyphics in population genetic & anthropologic research, highlighting on the prospect of developing a method to trace back population origins & ancient movement patterns. Additionally, linguistic clustering was deemed significant for the Ethiopian population, coinciding with recent genome wide studies that have ascertained that linguistic clustering as to being more crucial than the geographical patterning in the Ethiopian context. Finally, Dermatoglyphic markers have been proven to be endowed with a strong potential as non-invasive preliminary tools applicable prior to genetic studies to analyze ethnically sub-divided populations and also to reveal the stratification mechanism in play.     

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure isotopomers of 2-phenylpropionic acids

A series of enantiomerically pure [D,(13)C]-labeled isotopomeric 2-phenylpropionic acids were efficiently synthesized using a diastereoselective alkylation and kinetic resolution strategy.     

Interfacial and lipid transfer properties of human phospholipid transfer protein: implications for the transfer mechanism of phospholipids

In circulation the phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) facilitates the transfer of phospholipid-rich surface components from postlipolytic chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) to HDL and thereby regulates plasma HDL levels. To study the molecular mechanisms involved in PLTP-mediated lipid transfer, we studied the interfacial properties of PLTP using Langmuir phospholipid monolayers and asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AsFlFFF) to follow the transfer of 14C-labeled phospholipids and [35S]PLTP between lipid vesicles and HDL particles. The AsFlFFF method was also used to determine the sizes of spherical and discoidal HDL particles and small unilamellar lipid vesicles. In Langmuir monolayer studies high-activity (HA) and low-activity (LA) forms of PLTP associated with fluid phosphatidylcholine monolayers spread at the air/buffer interphase. Both forms also mediated desorption of [14C]dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) from the phospholipid monolayer into the buffer phase, even when it contained no physiological acceptor such as HDL. After the addition of HDL3 to the buffer, HA-PLTP caused enhanced lipid transfer to them. The particle diameter of HA-PLTP was approximately 6 nm and that of HDL3 approximately 8 nm as determined by AsFlFFF analysis. Using this method, it could be demonstrated that in the presence of HA-PLTP, but not LA-PLTP, [14C]DPPC was transferred from small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) to acceptor HDL3 molecules. Concomitantly, [35S]-HA-PLTP was transferred from the donor to acceptor, and this transfer was not observed for its low-activity counterpart. These observations suggest that HA-PLTP is capable of transferring lipids by a shuttle mechanism and that formation of a ternary complex between PLTP, acceptor, and donor particles is not necessary for phospholipid transfer.     

Aboveground dry-matter allocation in ungrazed and grazed stands of Indigofera spinosa in the arid zone of Turkana, Kenya

The dwarf shrub Indigofera spinosa , indigenous to arid and semi-arid rangelands of northeastern Africa, is an important food source for livestock. Proper management of the shrub requires improved understanding of the effects of grazing and climatic variability on aboveground dry-matter allocation. Between 1986 and 1990, we compared the temporal variability of aboveground dry-matter allocation to different plant biomass compartments. We also compared dry-matter transfers between components; total live biomass to litter, standing dead to litter and live biomass to standing dead between continuously grazed and an ungrazed treatments. Partitioning of combined total dry-matter production among different structural organs (called allocation ratio) is influenced by phenological changes, episodic rainfall and her-bivory. Dry-matter production in the grazed treatment responded more markedly to episodic rainfall events more than in the ungrazed treatment. Exclusion of grazers failed to improve the relative growth rate (RGR) of shrub biomass, while grazing improved it. RGR declined in the ungrazed treatment following the accumulation of standing dead dry-matter, while m the grazed treatment it declined following the shedding of leaves. The shrub allocated more to total live biomass than to standing dead. Greater reduction of total live allocation ratio in the grazed than in the ungrazed treatment occurred during a dry year. The ungrazed treatment had higher standing dead allocation ratio than did the grazed treatment. Plants transferred more dry-matter from total live biomass compartment to litter, than from standing dead to or from total live biomass to standing dead independent of treatment. The rates of transfer were higher in the ungrazed than in the grazed treatment. The results suggest that I spinosa has evolved to respond to climatic variability and grazmgbyallocating dry allocating dry-matter differently between various compartments.     

Avian claw morphometry and growth determine the temporal pattern of archived stable isotopes

Detailed knowledge about claw formation and growth rate is a prerequisite for the interpretation of avian claw stable isotopes, as is commonly done with feather stable isotopes to e.g. infer habitat use, dietary specialisations, and spatial occurrence. In this study, we provide basic information about claw formation and empirical evidence about the time scale of archiving isotopic information to develop a reliable assessment of archived isotopic pattern in claws of passerines. Avian claws grow conically from the tip of the bone of the phalanx. The length of the tip of an avian claw, suitable for stable isotope analysis, is about 42 ± 6.8% (SD) of total linear claw length and can also be estimated from the body mass of a given species. Claw growth rate in adult songbirds typically ranged between 0.03 and 0.05 mm d^?1, but differed between front and back toes, and varied seasonally. From the claw growth rate, the archiving period of a given claw length can be estimated. In long‐distance migrant species, δ¹³C of claws matched δ¹³C of feathers grown during the same period (wintering or breeding period). In Palaearctic‐African migrants sampled in the breeding season, δ¹³C of the distal half of the claw tip reflected the African wintering site, while the proximal half reflected a blend of African and European δ¹³C signatures, as expected. Hence there is empirical evidence that entire claw tips mirror the isotopic environments over longer periods (up to months), and over weeks when parts can be analysed. However any part of a claw contains a blend of material formed at different times due to the claw's conical (i.e. longitudinal and lateral) growth. Avian claws provide a complementary isotope archive for investigations, but its applicability may vary according to the ecology of the study species.     

Evaluation of structurally diverse neuronal nicotinic receptor ligands for selectivity at the α61 subtype

Direct comparison of pyridine versus pyrimidine substituents on a small but diverse set of ligands indicates that the pyrimidine substitution has the potential to enhance affinity and/or functional activity at α6 subunit-containing neuronal nicotinic receptors (NNRs) and decrease activation of ganglionic nicotinic receptors, depending on the scaffold. The ramifications of this structure–activity relationship are discussed in the context of the design of small molecules targeting smoking cessation.     

Impact of HIV Status on Treatment Outcome of Tuberculosis Patients Registered at Arsi Negele Health Center,Southern Ethiopia: A Six Year Retrospective Study

BackgroundDespite implementation of different strategies, the burden and mortality of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated tuberculosis (TB) remains a challenge in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of HIV status on treatment outcome of tuberculosis patients registered at Arsi Negele Health Center, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA six-year retrospective data (from September 2008 to August 2014) of tuberculosis patients (n = 1649) registered at the directly observed therapy short-course (DOTS) clinic of Arsi Negele Health Center was reviewed. Treatment outcome and tuberculosis type were categorized according to the national tuberculosis control program guideline. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effect of HIV status separately on default/failure and death in relation to those who were successfully treated. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to check the presence and strength of association between TB treatment outcome and HIV status and other independent variables.ResultsOut of the 1649 TB patients, 94.7% (1562) have been tested for HIV of whom 156(10%) were HIV co-infected. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 28.5(15.5) years. The majority were new TB cases (96.7%), male (53.7%), urban (54.7%), and had smear negative pulmonary TB (44.1%). Overall, the treatment success rate of TB patients with or without HIV was 87.3%. Using cure/completion as reference, patients without known HIV status had significantly higher odds of default /failure [aOR, 4.26; 95%CI, 1.684–10.775] and transfer-out [aOR, 2.92; 95%CI, 1.545–5.521] whereas those who tested positive for HIV had a significantly higher odds of death [aOR, 6.72; 95%CI, 3.704–12.202] and transfer-out [aOR, 2.02; 95%CI, 1.111–3.680].ConclusionOverall, treatment outcome and HIV testing coverage for TB patients is promising to reach the WHO target in the study area. However, default/failure among patients without known HIV status, and higher rate of mortality among HIV positive TB patients and transfer-out cases deserves concern. Therefore further prospective studies on quality of services, socioeconomics and psychology of this group should be conducted.     

Three decades of pastoralist settlement dynamics in the Ethiopian Omo Delta based on remote sensing data

Human Ecology - River deltas provide important livelihoods to local populations, but at the same time are under increasing anthropogenic pressure. The opening of the Gibe III dam on the Omo River...