Blood immune profiling of Ethiopian patients with breast cancer highlights different forms of immune escape.

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of death worldwide, particularly also among African woman. In order to better stratify patients for the most effective (immuno-) therapy, an in depth characterization of the immune status of BC patients is required. In this study, a cohort of 65 Ethiopian patients with primary BC underwent immune profiling by multicolor flow cytometry on peripheral blood samples collected prior to surgery and to any other therapy.

Immune landscape of the tumour microenvironment in Ethiopian breast cancer patients.

Background: The clinical management of breast cancer (BC) is mainly based on the assessment of receptor expression by tumour cells. However, there is still an unmet need for novel biomarkers important for prognosis and therapy. The tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) is thought to play a key role in prognosis and therapy selection, therefore this study aimed to describe the TIME in Ethiopian BC patients.

The impact of chewing khat during pregnancy on selected pregnancy outcomes in eastern Ethiopia: A cohort study with a generalized structural equation modeling analysis approach.

Introduction: Little is known about the fetal and pregnancy effects of khat chewing during pregnancy. The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of chewing khat during pregnancy on selected pregnancy outcomes in Ethiopia, 2022: A Cohort Study with a Generalized Structural Equation Modeling Analysis Approach.

Methods: An institution-based prospective cohort study was employed in selected hospitals in eastern Ethiopia.

Magnitude and associated factors of chewing khat during pregnancy in Eastern Ethiopia, 2022: a mixed method cross-sectional study.

Introduction: khat (Catha edulis Forsk), is an evergreen flowering tree or shrub widely produced and consumed in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In Ethiopia, it is largely produced, freely marketed and consumed by almost all segments of the population. This is more pronounced in the Eastern part of the country.

The effect of possible mediators on the association between chewing khat during pregnancy and fetal growth and newborn size at birth in Eastern Ethiopia.

Introduction: Restriction in the growth of the fetus is a leading cause of stillbirth, neonatal mortality, and short- and long-term morbidity. Documented existing scientific evidence have shown the effects of maternal drugs use, alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, cocaine use and heroin use on fetal growth restriction. However, data is lacking on the effects of khat chewing during pregnancy on fetal growth status and newborn size at birth.

Evidence for distinct mechanisms of immune suppression in EBV-positive and EBV-negative Hodgkin lymphoma.

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) has been recognized for its ability to transform B lymphocytes and for its association with different types of cancers including Hodgkin lymphoma. In addition, EBV may also modulate the microenvironment of HL. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of EBV among HL cases in Ethiopia and to assess the tissue cellular composition of EBV-related and EBV-unrelated cases.

Primary Tracheobronchial Amyloidosis Presenting with an Upper Airway Obstruction.

This is a case of localized primary tracheobronchial amyloidosis in a patient who presented with upper airway obstruction. Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is a type of localized bronchopulmonary amyloidosis that is frequently overlooked. It involves the deposition of amyloid protein on the tracheal and bronchial tissue, leading to progressive tracheal stenosis and airway obstruction that can be seen on imaging as a tracheal mass.

Toxic effect of ethanolic extract on female reproduction in rats: An evidence from a 10 week repeated-dose toxicity study.

Introduction: It has been reported that some herbal products affect reproduction. To date, reproductive toxicity of has not been investigated although the plant is widely used in treating fertility related problems. Thus, the objective of the current study was to investigate the toxic effects of 70% ethanol extract of leaves on the reproductive function and histopathology of reproductive organs in female rats.

A retrospective review on the histopathological pattern of childhood malignant solid tumors in Ethiopia.

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), malignancies remain underreported due to lack of quality data. This study outlines the histopathological pattern of pediatric solid malignancies in children aged 0-15 years at the largest referral hospital in Ethiopia. A total of 432 solid malignancies were evaluated.

Regional Variation in the Tumor Microenvironment, Immune Escape and Prognostic Factors in Breast Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The low overall survival rates of patients with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are driven by regionally differing tumor biology, advanced tumor stages at diagnosis, and limited access to therapy. However, it is not known whether regional differences in the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) exist and affect patients' prognosis. In this international, multicentre cohort study, 1,237 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast cancer samples, including samples of the "African Breast Cancer-Disparities in Outcomes (ABC-DO) Study," were analyzed.

Intrinsic subtypes in Ethiopian breast cancer patient.

Purpose: The recent development of multi-gene assays for gene expression profiling has contributed significantly to the understanding of the clinically and biologically heterogeneous breast cancer (BC) disease. PAM50 is one of these assays used to stratify BC patients and individualize treatment. The present study was conducted to characterize PAM50-based intrinsic subtypes among Ethiopian BC patients.

Prenatal Developmental Toxicity and Histopathological Changes of the Placenta Induced by Leaf Extract in Rats.

Many of the traditional herbal products are served to the consumer without proper efficacy and safety investigations. A laboratory-based experimental study was employed to investigate the toxic effects of leaf extract on the fetal development and histopathology of the placenta in rats. Fifty pregnant Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into five groups, each consisting of 10 rats.

Toxic Effect of Khat in Rat Embryos and Fetuses.

Khat ( Forsk) is a plant consumed by many people in Eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, and Southern Arabia to be stimulated. There are several human and animal studies on khat that provide information about its toxic effects. However, the potential toxic effects of khat on embryos and fetuses have not been elucidated.

Sub-chronic toxicity of ethanol leaf extract of on the biochemical parameters and histopathology of liver and kidney in the rats.

Background: Wall. leaf is being used as a traditional medicine against hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Unlike its efficacy, the safety profile of this plant upon long-term administration has not been investigated yet.

Teratogenic Effect of High Dose of (Myrtaceae) Leaves on Wistar Albino Rat Embryos and Fetuses.

is an important medicinal plant effective against hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cancer but with no evidence of its teratogenicity. This study was planned to investigate the teratogenic potential of leaves on rat embryos and fetuses. Five groups of Wistar albino rats, each consisting of ten pregnant rats, were used as experimental animals.

Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling in Preterm Deaths: A Validation Study.

Uncertainty about the causes of neonatal deaths impedes achieving global health targets to reduce mortality. Complete diagnostic autopsy (CDA) is the gold standard to determine cause of death. However, it is often difficult to perform in high-burden, low-income settings.

Major causes of death in preterm infants in selected hospitals in Ethiopia (SIP): a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study.

Background: Neonatal deaths now account for 47% of all deaths in children younger than 5 years globally. More than a third of newborn deaths are due to preterm birth complications, which is the leading cause of death. Understanding the causes and factors contributing to neonatal deaths is needed to identify interventions that will reduce mortality.

Endometrial tuberculosis among patients undergoing endometrial biopsy at Tikur Anbesa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background: Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is known to cause severe tubal disease leading to infertility and its incidence closely parallels with the overall prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in a community. Its magnitude is underreported because diagnosis is difficult and requires invasive techniques. In this study we determined the prevalence of endometrial tuberculosis and characterized isolates among women who underwent endometrial biopsy for evaluation of various conditions at a Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TAHS), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Cervical Cancer in Ethiopia: The Effect of Adherence to Radiotherapy on Survival.

Background: Discontinuation of radiotherapy (RT) for cervical cancer (CC) in sub-Saharan Africa is common because of patient- and health service-related reasons. This analysis describes toxicities and the effect of adherence on survival.

Materials And Methods: A total of 788 patients with CC (2008-2012) who received RT at Addis Ababa University Hospital were included.

Toxicological evaluation of methanol leaves extract of Vernonia bipontini Vatke in blood, liver and kidney tissues of mice.

Background: Various medicinal plants have been studied using modern scientific approaches. These plants have a variety of properties and various biological components that can be used to treat various diseases. However, harmful effects of plants are common clinical occurrence.

Tuberculosis of the cervix mimicking cervical cancer.

Tuberculosis of the cervix is a rare disease and accounts for 0.1-0.65% of all cases of tuberculosis.

The prevalence of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer in Ethiopia.

Background: In contrast with breast cancers (BCs) in other parts of the world, most previous studies reported that the majority of BCs in sub-Saharan Africa are estrogen-receptor (ER) negative. However, a recent study using the US SEER database showed that the proportion of ER-negative BC is comparable between US-born blacks and West-African born blacks but substantially lower in East African-born blacks, with over 74% of patients Ethiopians or Eritreans. In this paper, we provide the first report on the proportion of ER-negative BC in Ethiopia, and the relation to progesterone-receptor (PgR) status.

Cervical cancer in Ethiopia: survival of 1,059 patients who received oncologic therapy.

Background: Almost 500,000 women are newly diagnosed with cervical cancer (CC) every year, the majority from developing countries. There is little information on the survival of these patients. Our primary objective was to evaluate consecutive CC patients presenting over 4 years at the only radiotherapy center in Ethiopia.

Heterotopic pregnancy in a young adult: a case report.

Heterotopic gestation, although fairly common with assisted reproductive techniques, is very rare in natural conception. Here we are reporting a case of heterotopic pregnancy in a 27-year-old woman who presented with sign and symptoms of acute abdomen from aborting tubal pregnancy with intrauterine gestation at 7 weeks of amenorrhea.