Interplay of SHH, WNT and BMP4 signaling regulates the development of the lamina propria in the murine ureter.

In the mammalian ureters, the lamina propria presents as a prominent layer of connective tissue underneath the urothelium. Despite its important structural and signaling functions, little is known how the lamina propria develops. Here, we show that in the murine ureter, the lamina propria arises at late fetal stages and massively increases by fibrocyte proliferation and collagen deposition after birth.

Incidence of associated anomalies in children with anorectal malformation: A 1-year prospective observational study in a low-income setting.

Anorectal malformations (ARMs) consist of a range of anomalies that are often associated with other anomalies The purpose of the study is to assess the incidence of associated congenital anomalies that are seen in patients with ARMs. An observational prospective study was conducted on 162 cases with ARM from February 2019 to January 2020, and data were collected on patient demographics, type of ARM, and associated anomalies using a prestructured questionnaire and analysis done using SPSS (IBM), version 23, software. Relevant statistical analysis was done, and the results are presented in tables and charts.

Low-Cost Hourly Ambient Black Carbon Measurements at Multiple Cities in Africa.

There is a notable lack of continuous monitoring of air pollutants in the Global South, especially for measuring chemical composition, due to the high cost of regulatory monitors. Using our previously developed low-cost method to quantify black carbon (BC) in fine particulate matter (PM) by analyzing reflected red light from ambient particle deposits on glass fiber filters, we estimated hourly ambient BC concentrations with filter tapes from beta attenuation monitors (BAMs). BC measurements obtained through this method were validated against a reference aethalometer between August 2 and 23, 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, demonstrating a very strong agreement ( = 0.

Elemental Characterization of Ambient Particulate Matter for a Globally Distributed Monitoring Network: Methodology and Implications.

Global ground-level measurements of elements in ambient particulate matter (PM) can provide valuable information to understand the distribution of dust and trace elements, assess health impacts, and investigate emission sources. We use X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to characterize the elemental composition of PM samples collected from 27 globally distributed sites in the Surface PARTiculate mAtter Network (SPARTAN) over 2019-2023. Consistent protocols are applied to collect all samples and analyze them at one central laboratory, which facilitates comparison across different sites.

Emerging Biomarkers for Monitoring Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized treatment of hematologic malignancies and holds promise for solid tumors. While responses to CAR T-cell therapy have surpassed other available options for patients with refractory malignancies, not all patients respond the same way. The reason for this variability is not currently understood.

Barriers to appropriate complementary feeding and the use of ultra-processed foods: A formative qualitative study from rural Oromia, Ethiopia.

Children's consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is increasing in Ethiopia, but relatively little is known about the specific feeding practices that underlie this pattern. The objective of this study was to explore patterns of consumption of UPF by infants and young children within a broader context of inappropriate complementary feeding practices in extremely poor households in rural Oromia, Eastern Ethiopia. A formative qualitative study was conducted using semistructured interview questionnaires developed drawing on a socioecological model.

Determinants of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Among Adults Patients Attending Debre Berhan University Hakim Gizaw Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia among adults remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in both industrialized and developing countries, including Ethiopia. Moreover, despite the availability of the best clinical standards, morbidity and mortality from community-acquired pneumonia have not improved over the last few decades. Therefore, prompt assessment and correction of modifiable risk factors are crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Effect of chemical and biological additives on production of biogas from coffee pulp silage.

Energy is the foundation of the global economy and is essential to human survival. Nevertheless, more than 60% of it comes from fossil fuels. That is not a replenished and scarce source.

Agricultural lime value chain efficiency for reducing soil acidity in Ethiopia.

Soil acidity is challenging agricultural production in Ethiopia. Above 43% of the farmland is under soil acidity problem and it leads to low crop yields and production losses. Ag-lime is widely considered as an effective remedy for amending soil acidity.

Harvest Quality, Nucleated Cell Dose and Clinical Outcomes in Bone Marrow Transplantation: A Retrospective Study.

Higher doses of infused nucleated cells (NCs) are associated with improved clinical outcomes in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) recipients. Most clinicians recommend infusing at least 2.0 × 10 NCs/kg.

Spoligotype analysis of isolates from cattle and assessment of zoonotic TB transmission among individuals working in bovine TB-infected dairy farms in Ethiopia.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a disease with impact on dairy productivity, as well as having the potential for zoonotic transmission. Understanding the genetic diversity of the disease agent is important for identifying its routes of transmission. Here we investigated the level of genetic diversity of isolates and assessed the zoonotic potential in risk groups of people working in bTB-infected dairy farms in central Ethiopia.

Bifurcation analysis of hepatitis B virus with non-cytolytic cure process on infected liver and blood cells.

The phenomenon of bifurcation in disease transmission models has been observed in a number of epidemiological models. The consequence of bifurcation is that the classical requirement of the reproduction number being less than unity becomes only a necessary, but not sufficient, for disease elimination. This paper addresses the problem of finding the causes of bifurcation in standard deterministic models for the spread of HBV diseases with non-Cytolytic cure processes on infected liver and blood cells.

Perioperative mortality and its predictors among patients undergoing emergency laparotomy at selected southern Ethiopian governmental hospitals, 2022: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Unlabelled: Globally, emergency laparotomy is a frequently performed type of surgery with high morbidity and mortality rates, even in the best healthcare systems. There is limited knowledge regarding the outcome of emergency laparotomy performed in Ethiopia.

Objective: To assess perioperative mortality and its predictors among patients undergoing emergency laparotomy at selected southern Ethiopian governmental hospitals.

Balancing WNT signalling in early forebrain development: The role of LRP4 as a modulator of LRP6 function.

The specification of the forebrain relies on the precise regulation of WNT/ß-catenin signalling to support neuronal progenitor cell expansion, patterning, and morphogenesis. Imbalances in WNT signalling activity in the early neuroepithelium lead to congenital disorders, such as neural tube defects (NTDs). LDL receptor-related protein (LRP) family members, including the well-studied receptors LRP5 and LRP6, play critical roles in modulating WNT signalling capacity through tightly regulated interactions with their co-receptor Frizzled, WNT ligands, inhibitors and intracellular WNT pathway components.

Institutionalization of limited obstetric ultrasound leading to increased antenatal, skilled delivery, and postnatal service utilization in three regions of Ethiopia: A pre-post study.

Background: A minimum of one ultrasound scan is recommended for all pregnant women before the 24th week of gestation. In Ethiopia, there is a shortage of skilled manpower to provide these services. Currently, trained mid-level providers are providing the services at the primary healthcare level.

Identifying geographical inequalities of maternal care utilization in Ethiopia: a Spatio-temporal analysis from 2005 to 2019.

Introduction: Inequalities in maternal care utilization pose a significant threat to maternal health programs. This study aimed to describe and explain the spatial variation in maternal care utilization among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Accordingly, this study focuses on identifying hotspots of underutilization and mapping maternal care utilization, as well as identifying predictors of spatial clustering in maternal care utilization.

Predictors of Mental Health Literacy and Information Seeking Behavior Toward Mental Health Among University Students in Resource-Limited Settings.

Background: This paper investigated mental health literacy level and information seeking behavior, and mental health-related information sources in limited-resource settings, in the case of Ethiopian university students.

Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered web-based survey was conducted among Dilla University students, from 1 January to 29 February 2022, with a total of 780 respondents. We presented descriptive statistics using mean, standard deviations, and proportions.

Prevalence and associated factors of medication-related problems among epileptic patients at ambulatory clinic of Mettu Karl Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Despite appropriate treatment of epilepsy, the treatment outcome is poor in developing country. Therefore, the study was aimed to identify the magnitude and associated factors of epileptic patients at ambulatory clinic of south western Ethiopian hospital.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on epileptic patients who had follow-up at Mettu Karl Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (MKCSH).

Prevalence and Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among the Ethiopian Population: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Although vaccination is the most effective way to end the COVID-19 pandemic, there are growing concerns that vaccine hesitancy may undermine its effectiveness. In Ethiopia, vaccine hesitancy forms a major challenge to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. This systematic review examined the prevalence and determinants of the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the Ethiopian population.

Spatial trends and projections of chronic malnutrition among children under 5 years of age in Ethiopia from 2011 to 2019: a geographically weighted regression analysis.

Introduction: Undernutrition is a serious global health issue, and stunting is a key indicator of children's nutritional status which results from long-term deprivation of basic needs. Ethiopia, the largest and most populous country in Sub-Saharan Africa, has the greatest rate of stunting among children under the age of five, yet the problem is unevenly distributed across the country. Thus, we investigate spatial heterogeneity and explore spatial projection of stunting among under-five children.

Neuron-Specific Deletion of in Mice Leads to Neuroanatomical and Locomotor Deficits.

Scribble (Scrib) is a conserved polarity protein acting as a scaffold involved in multiple cellular and developmental processes. Recent evidence from our group indicates that is also essential for brain development as early global deletion of in the dorsal telencephalon induced cortical thickness reduction and alteration of interhemispheric connectivity. In addition, conditional knockout (cKO) mice have behavioral deficits such as locomotor activity impairment and memory alterations.