Multigene cell-free DNA assay.

Existing TB diagnostic tests rely on sputum samples, which can be difficult to collect from all patients. This study examines plasma cell-free DNA (Mtb cfDNA) based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB (PTB).The qPCR assay targeted insertion sequence (IS), and R genes on plasma samples from 106 PTB patients and 60 controls.

Bacterial isolates and drug susceptibility patterns in infected lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis patients at ALERT hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Bacterial infections commonly complicate cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), worsening the disease and delaying healing. Despite this, there is a gap in research concerning the characteristics of pathogenic microorganisms associated in CL patients. This study aims to identify bacterial isolates and drug susceptibility patterns in CL patients.

Application of response surface methodology (RSM) for experimental optimization in biogenic silica extraction from rice husk and straw ash.

This work aimed to extract silica from combination of rice husk (RH and Rice straw (RS) by optimizing the ash digesting process parameters with the aid of response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of three independent ash digestion process factors like sodium hydroxide concentration (1-3 M), temperature (60-120 °C) and time (1-3 h), for silica production from the mixture of rice husk (RH) and rice straw (RS) were studied. A quadratic model was used to correlate the interaction effects of the independent variables for maximum silica production at the optimum process parameters by employing central composite design (CCD) with RSM.

Evaluating antibacterial and antioxidant properties of sericin recovered from cocoons of Bombyx mori, Gonometa postica and Samia ricini in Kenya.

Microbial infections and excessive reactive oxygen species are the primary contributors to delays in wound healing with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as the common wound infection causing bacteria. In fact, wound management has become more challenging since most of these microbes have developed resistance against commonly used conventional antibiotics thus making it necessary to develop natural products with both antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Increasing attention has been paid to silk sericin in the last decade, with limited research focus in Africa.

Prediction of mung bean production using machine learning algorithms.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy. It plays a significant role in the growth of the national economy. Among these, mung bean production takes the highest level of income for most smallholder farmers in all regions of Ethiopia who cultivate mung bean crops.

Magnitude of infection and associated factors in open tibial fracture treated operatively, in Addis Ababa burn emergency and trauma center.

Background: Due to the specific anatomical features of the tibia (limited soft tissue coverage), more than a quarter of its fractures are classified as open, representing the most common open long-bone injuries. Open tibial fractures frequently cause significant bone comminution, periosteal stripping, soft tissue loss, contamination and are prone to bacterial entry with biofilm formation, which increases the risk of deep bone infection. The main objective of this study was to determine prevalence of infection and its associated factors in surgically treated open tibial fracture, at Addis Ababa Burn Emergency and Trauma (AaBET) hospital.

Ontogeny and function of the intestinal epithelial and innate immune cells during early development of chicks: to explore in ovo immunomodulatory nutrition.

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and innate immune cells in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of chickens play crucial roles in pathogens defense and maintaining gut health. However, their effectiveness influenced with their developmental and functional stages during pre and post hatch periods of chick. During embryonic development, differentiation and migration of these innate immune systems are tightly regulated by diverse cellular and molecular factors.

Genotypes and drug resistance pattern of complex among clinically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Background: Clinically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) (CDPTB) patients account for a huge proportion of TB. However, little is known about the genetic diversity and drug resistance profile of Complex (MTBC) strains in this group of patients.

Method: Unmatched case-control study was conducted among 313 PTB patients to compare the genetic diversity of MTBC and their drug resistance profiles among CDPTB ( = 173) and bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB (BCPTB) ( = 140) patients.

Treatment outcomes and associated factors in severe malaria patients at University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A retrospective study (2020-2023).

Background: Malaria continues to be the most prevalent life-threatening parasitic illness in Ethiopia. Its clinical spectrum ranges from mild to severe, with a propensity for death. In Ethiopia, it accounts for 10% of hospital admission.

Multivariate skew-normal distribution for modelling skewed spatial data.

Multivariate spatial data are commonly modelled using the shared spatial component and multivariate intrinsic conditional autoregressive (MICAR) models where the spatial random variables are assumed to be normally distributed. However, the normality assumption may not be always right as the spatially structured component may show non-normal distributions. We present, multivariate skew-normal spatial distribution in the modelling of multivariate conditional autoregressive models.

Candidate serum protein biomarkers for active pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis in tuberculosis endemic settings.

Background: Identification of non-sputum diagnostic markers for tuberculosis (TB) is urgently needed. This exploratory study aimed to discover potential serum protein biomarkers for the diagnosis of active pulmonary TB (PTB).

Method: We employed Proximity Extension Assay (PEA) to measure levels of 92 protein biomarkers related to inflammation in serum samples from three patient groups: 30 patients with active PTB, 29 patients with other respiratory diseases with latent TB (ORD with LTBI+), and 29 patients with other respiratory diseases without latent TB (ORD with LTBI-).

Mothers' health-seeking practices and associated factors towards neonatal danger signs in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: A decrease in obtaining quality healthcare is a major cause of maternal and newborn deaths in low-income and middle-income countries. Ethiopia has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates. Increasing mothers' health-seeking practices related to neonatal danger signs is an essential strategy for reducing the death rate of newborns.

Timely initiation of breastfeeding and its associated factors among immediate postpartum mother-newborn pairs in Debre Tabor comprehensive specialized hospital, South Gondar Zone, North West, Ethiopia.

Background: Initiation of breast feeding within one hour of birth is the easiest and most cost-effective intervention to reduce the risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Conducting studies immediately after an hour of birth for the timely initiation of breastfeeding has the significance of initiating breastfeeding and acting immediately. However, there was a paucity of information in the region as well as in the country at large.

Mortality due to Sepsis and Its Associated Factors Among Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units of Southern Amhara Public Hospitals, Ethiopia.

Although intensive care units (ICUs) are where severe and complicated cases are managed, there is limited evidence on treatment outcomes in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the magnitude and associated factors of mortality among patients with sepsis admitted to ICUs at southern Amhara public hospitals, Ethiopia. A total of 547 medical records of patients with sepsis admitted to the ICUs at Injibara, Debre Markos, and Debre Tabor hospitals in the past 3 years were retrieved from August 10-31, 2022.

Adenocarcinoma of unknown primary presenting with congestive heart failure in a middle-aged Ethiopian woman: a case report.

Background: Heart failure is a rare manifestation of metastatic disease of the carcinoma of an unknown primary, malignancy that requires extensive work-up to identify the primary site. Initial consideration of rare etiologies in patients presented with a common clinical syndrome is challenging.

Case Presentation: A 35-year-old Black woman presented with shortness of breath at rest, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, chest pain, a blood-tinged productive cough, and fever for 2 weeks.

Methionine and vitamin E supplementation improve production performance, antioxidant potential, and liver health in aged laying hens.

Sulfur metabolites of methionine (Met) and vitamin E (VE) have antioxidant potential and can maintain liver health in chickens. This study explored the underlying mechanisms of Met sources, the ratio of total sulfur amino acids to lysine (TSAA: Lys), and VE levels on production performances, antioxidant potential, and hepatic oxidation in aged laying hens. Eight hundred and sixty-four, Hy-Line Brown laying hens (70-week age) were divided into 12 treatment groups, each having 6 repeats and 12 birds/each repeat.

Dairy Farmers' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Towards Aflatoxin Contamination in Milk and Feeds in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Aflatoxins, primary foodborne mycotoxins, come from and fungi. They pose significant health risks to humans and animals, creating a major challenge in the dairy sector. The objective of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dairy farmers regarding aflatoxin contamination in milk and feeds.

Gallbladder perforation due to biliary ascariasis: A case report.

Introduction: Biliary ascariasis is a rare complication of Ascaris lumbricoides infestation, often leading to biliary obstruction and cholangitis. Gallbladder perforation secondary to biliary ascariasis is exceedingly uncommon.

Case Presentation: A 28-year-old female farmer from a rural area presented with a one-year history of intermittent right upper quadrant pain, worsened by fatty meals.

Platelet counts to spleen diameter ratio: A promising noninvasive tool for predicting esophageal varices in cirrhosis patients.

Background: Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of progressive liver fibrosis as a consequence of chronic liver inflammation, wherein the standard hepatic architecture is replaced by regenerative hepatic nodules, which eventually lead to liver failure. Cirrhosis without any symptoms is referred to as compensated cirrhosis. Complications such as ascites, variceal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy indicate the onset of decompensated cirrhosis.