Genome sequence data from 17 accessions of , a staple food crop for millions in Ethiopia.

We present raw sequence reads and genome assemblies derived from 17 accessions of the Ethiopian orphan crop plant enset ( (Welw.) Cheesman) using the Illumina HiSeq and MiSeq platforms. Also presented is a catalogue of single-nucleotide polymorphisms inferred from the sequence data at an average density of approximately one per kilobase of genomic DNA.

A systematic review of effect of prenatal zinc supplementation on birthweight: meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials.

The effect of prenatal zinc supplementation on birthweight is controversial as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) report conflicting conclusions. A systematic review which includes meta-analysis was done on 17 RCTs conducted worldwide since 1984 to assess the effect of prenatal zinc supplementation on birthweight. The studies were identified through web-based search.

Iodine status and cognitive function of women and their five year-old children in rural Sidama, southern Ethiopia.

Objective: Iodine deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies worldwide and is a major cause of preventable mental retardation. The purpose of this study was to assess the iodine status and cognitive function of women of childbearing age and their five-year-old children.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural village in southern Ethiopia.

The characterization of Salmonella serovars isolated from apparently healthy slaughtered pigs at Addis Ababa abattoir, Ethiopia.

We looked for Salmonella in all 278 apparently healthy pigs slaughtered between September 2004 and May 2005 at the only pig-slaughtering slaughterhouse in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We used standard methods and tested caecal contents, mesenteric lymph nodes, and carcass swabs from each pig (missing only one carcass swab). Of the 278 pigs, 120 (43%) were positive; of the 833 samples 173 (21%) were positive.

The effect of dietary crude protein level on intake, growth, protein retention and utilization of growing male Saanen kids.

The effects of increasing dietary levels of crude protein on growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and composition of gain in male Saanen kids were studied. Four groups of four kids each initially weighing 12.1+/-0.

Isolates of fungi from symptomatic carthorses in Awassa, Ethiopia.

Samples were collected from clinically infected carthorses in Awassa. Fungus species affecting the carthorses were identified. Eight genera of fungal groups were isolated from swabs and skin scrapes taken from symptomatic horses.

Effect of "siljo" fermentation on growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes.

The fate of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria monocytogenes in control gruel and fermenting "siljo" was assessed. S. aureus reached levels of 10(8) cfu/ml within 48 h in the control gruel.

Bacterial causes of bovine mastitis in Wondogenet, Ethiopia.

A survey of selected causative organisms of bacterial mastitis in Zebu-Holstein dairy cows was carried out on four herds in Wondogenet. Pathogens were found in 39% of udder quarters and mastitis in 16% of quarters. The main mastitis causing organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (47%), Streptococcus agalactiae (15%) and Streptococcus uberis (31%).

Bacteriological profile and holding temperatures of ready-to-serve food items in an open market in Awassa, Ethiopia.

Various types of ready-to-serve food items purchased at the Awassa open market were evaluated for their bacteriological profile and holding temperatures. The food items included roasted offals, fish soup, cooked and sauced macaroni and spaghetti, and shiro sauce. Spaghetti and macaroni were held at ambient temperatures (20-30 degrees C) and had high aerobic mesophilic count (> 10(6) cfu/g) and Enterobacteriaceae count (> 10(5) cfu/g).

Fate of Listeria monocytogenes during the souring of Ergo, a traditional Ethiopian fermented milk.

The growth potential of three strains of Listeria monocytogenes during the natural souring of raw milk into Ergo was studied to determine the effect of souring and container smoking on their inactivation. All three strains of L. monocytogenes grew well in sterile milk in unsmoked containers, reaching counts > 10(7) cfu/ml within 24 h at ambient temperature.

Microbiological evaluation of tofu and tempeh during processing and storage.

Tofu samples consisting of 'Fresh Tofu', 'Herb Tofu', 'Tofu Paste', 'Fried Tofu', 'Tofu Burger', 'Smoked Tofu' and different types of herbs used for making 'Herb Tofu' were analysed for their microbiological load. Tempeh samples consisted of cook water, inoculated beans and fresh tempeh. 'Fresh Tofu' and 'Herb Tofu' had high bacterial counts (> or = 10(5) cfu/g).

The microflora of soak water during tempeh production from various beans.

The microflora of soak water was studied during the soaking of horsebean, pea, chickpea and soybean for tempeh production. Lactic streptococci dominated the flora in both unacidified and acidified soak water. Coliforms and yeast were found only in unacidified soak water.

Growth of Bacillus cereus in fermenting tempeh made from various beans and its inhibition by Lactobacillus plantarum.

Counts of Bacillus cereus reached ca 10(8) cfu/g within 40 h in fermenting unacidified horsebean tempeh and resulted in complete spoilage of the product. In fermenting unacidified pea, chickpea and soybean tempeh, B. cereus counts reached 10(6)-10(7) cfu/g, although the products were not spoiled.

Effect of curd-cooking temperatures on the microbiological quality ofayib, a traditional Ethiopian cottage cheese.

Ayib was made following traditional methods of curd cooking at 40°, 50°, 60° and 70°C requiring 10 h, 7 h, 145 min and 55 min, respectively. During the natural fermentation of raw milk into sour milk (curd), the count of all groups of microorganisms increased by at least a 100-fold. When the curd was subsequently cooked at 40°C, counts of enterococci and members of Enterobacteriaceae decreased by a 100-fold and lactic acid bacteria and staphylococci by a 100-fold.

Microbiological quality of ayib, a traditional Ethiopian cottage cheese.

One-hundred samples of ayib, a traditional Ethiopian cottage cheese, were purchased from Awassa market and analysed for their aerobic mesophilic counts, psychrotrophic counts, yeasts and molds, coliforms, spore-formers, enterococci, lactic acid bacteria. Listeria monocytogenes, staphylococci and Bacillus cereus. The majority of the samples showed counts of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, yeasts and enterococci of 10(8), 10(7) and 10(7) cfu/g.