Malaysian Journal of Medical and Biological Research
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TEF [Eragrostis TEF (ZUCC.) Trotter] Seed Quality Variation in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia
Get PDFEast Gojjam is one of the major tef seed growing areas of Ethiopia. The main themes of this study were to assess the physical, physiological and health quality of seed in Gozzamin and Enarji Enawga districts, Amhara Regional state, in 2009/2010 cropping season. Data were done by employing SAS (9.0) softwares to analyse the physical, physiological and health quality of seed samples. There was a significat difference in physical purity among seed samples. The analytical purity of the tef seed grown in all PAs was above the national standards for commercial seed. The most abundant seeds of other species in purity analysis were Vitgroe, Sitaria spp, Trampgrass samples which appeared in 31% (4), 23% (3) and 15% (2), respectively. The overall average mean germination percentage was 88.2% with the range of 76.6% to 93.0% and the highest value was recorded for seed obtained from Enarji Enawga F8 (93.0%) followed by F1 (92.3) from Gozzamin. The lowest vigor index 1 was recorded for F7 from Enarji Enawga because of short root length (199.99cm). The highest vigor index II was recorded for samples collected from ESE with 1.68mg mean because of higher seedling dry weight. There was a positive and highly significant correlation (r = 0.603**, p < 0.001) between germination percent and seedling emergence percent. These indicated that as the germination percent increased and seedling emergence percent also increased. Seed storage facilities at farmers are inferior to those at the Ethiopian Seed Enterprise but during shipments should therefore be timed so that seeds can be sown with the minimum delay after receipt. So, shipment of sensitive seeds by air is desirable. Other, wise in conclusion, to enhance tef productivity in east Gojjam zone through supply of improved varieties and quality seed it is important to integrate formal and farmer (informal) seed system.
 
Health Hazards of Garments Sector in Bangladesh: The Case Studies of Rana Plaza
Get PDFReadymade garments are the most important export item from Bangladesh, yet the working conditions and fire safety records in the factories are often not up to the standard. The sector draws global attention to its quality production and women workers are employed. Worker deaths are not new in Bangladesh, and while they have led to recriminations and some vital changes, fires, and other tragic accidents continue. The safety record of the Bangladesh garment industry is one of the worst in the world. The study analyzed the types and extent of occupational health hazards of the garment workers. This study aims to give an overview of what action needs to be taken by the different actors involved in order to improve the safety of garment factories in Bangladesh, what has been achieved so far both in preventing future tragedies and compensating the victims of previous incidents. Study finding shows that participants in the study reported a lack of consciousness about occupational safety and health issues. They are unaware of their fundamental rights at workplaces.
 
Study on Coppice Management of Acacia Nilotica Tree for better Woody Biomass Production
Get PDFOver 90% of the energy consumed in the country depends on woody biomass. The rising demand for tree products and expanding population pressure resulted in decline of forest cover and consequently the demand for tree products exceeded the supply. This study was conducted at Armania Kebele with the aim of to evaluate different cutting time and management practices yielding more wood biomass volume. One indigenous tree species, preferable by the farmers, namely Acacia nilotica was selected and the experiment design in 3x4 factorial experiment with randomized complete block design arrangement and replicated three wise. Eight trees per plot were planted in two rows with 2 meter spacing. The result shows that, Acacia nilotica could be coppiced well with 13 to 29 numbers of coppices per stump at all stages of cutting time. Root collar diameter and plant height were highly correlated with growth period. Hence, Leaving of two and three number of coppices could give higher woody biomass volumes as compare to leaving one and all number of coppices and control (uncut). Therefore, it is necessary that farmers should allow two and three number coppice per stump to get high woody biomass volume for fuel-wood consumption.
 
Assessment of Weed Flora Composition in Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) Infested Area of East Shewa Zone, Ethiopia
Get PDFField survey on parthenium was conducted at East shewa Zone of Oromiya Regional State, Ethiopia during 2008 cropping season. The objectives of the study was to assess the weed flora composition and plant species that are growing in copetation with parthenium to use those plants as potential biological management options under field condition. Assessment of weed flora composition was carried out in five Kebeles (Farmers Association) of Boset District East Shewa Zone of Oromiya Regional State, Ethiopia. Data on the species composition were recorded and samples of weed flora compositions were collected. The result showed a total of eighty five different herbaceous plant species that were collected and recorded in 63 genera and 24 families. Poaceae (21), Asteraceae (11), Fabaceae (7) and Convolvulaceae (7) were by far the richest taxa and accounted together (55 %) of the entire flora of the study area. The major plant species having higher dominance value were Parthenium hysterophorus (25.6), Cassia tora (6.07), Argemone mexicana (5.83), Xanthium strumarium (4.53), Digitaria abyssinica (3.02) and Cyperus rotundus (2.86). Similarity index values of the species composition among different kebeles ranged from 65% to 78% which indicating that weed species compositions in these locations were similar. The diversity and evenness of species declined with increasing spread of parthenium which suggests negative influence that parthenium had on the status of species diversity in the studied area. In conclusion the selected plant species that were found competitive with parthenium based on their abundance and dominance values were Argemone mexicana, Cassia tora, and Xanthium strumarium which were suggested for detailed competition experiment in order to determine their competitiveness with P. hysterophorus and will be used for biological management of it.
 
Emperical Study about Fears and Misconceptions of Aids and Hepatitis among Medical Students
Get PDFBackground: A number of evaluations regarding awareness among people about modes of transmission, sources of transmission and vaccination against HBV, HCV and HIV have been carried out but very few of them have specifically focused medical students. This study reflects the degree of awareness of 3rd year MBBS students on these issues and their vaccination status. It also depicts whether medical students are afraid of examining patients afflicted with these diseases or not.
Objectives: To determine the knowledge of medical students about various aspects of HBV, HCV and HIV.
Methodology: This is an observational cross-sectional study with prospective data, done through a questionnaire survey on 130 3rd year M.B.B.S students.
Results: Knowledge of students about modes of transmission of HBV, HCV and HIV: 28.4% complete/70.7% incomplete/ 0.007% no knowledge
Fear among students for examination of patients with HBV, HIV and HCV: 40% afraid/60% not afraid
Knowledge of students about availability of vaccination against HBV, HCV and HIV: HBV : 7% HCV: 42.3% HIV: 16.9%
Vaccination status of students against HBV: 81.5% vaccinated/19.5% not vaccinated
Conclusion: The percentage of students having complete knowledge about these diseases is lower than that is expected
Investigation of Coffee Seed Physical Purity, Seed Health and Effect of Storage Time on Viability
No full textHigh seed quality is essential for optimum stand establishment in Coffee. As a result, it is necessary to have seed physical, germination percent, physiological and health tests that permit rapid, objective and accurate evaluation of seed quality. This study evaluated the effect of storage time on physical, physiological, germination percent and health quality of seed lots of five coffee varieties obtained from research and commercial company. This test is conducted under ideal laboratory conditions and in the nursery site. After sample collected pure, pea-beery, cracked and shriveled seeds were measured before determining standard germination and vigor. The highest pea berry was recorded at JARC on the variety 75227(18.63), and the lowest was at LCP on the variety 74165 (8.81). In parchment coffee seed, the percentage of physical defects during seed processing affects germination and seedling viability. The standard germination test in the moisten-soft paper continues to be the most common measure of seed quality in coffee. In addition, this test requires more than two weeks before a determination of seed germination was possible. Ideally, seed quality tests efficiently differentiate between poor and good seed lots in a short period. There was high germination percent in the first planting time were recorded after one month storage than other two consecutive storage time. Normal germinated seedling reduced with in increases seed storage time and the incidence of seed/ soil -born pathogenic fungi. The germination test of seeds from laboratory under petri-dish with moist soft paper and at the nursery site also had low vigour and did not produce suitable seedlings for planting evaluated after three month storage. If after one month storage time of coffee seeds germinated more than older seeds (as our study indicates), then seedlings derived from younger may have a competitive advantage over seedlings derived from older one. In the present study, pre-emergence seedling mortality (Rotten) was greater in third month storage than in first month old seeds. This mortality partially accounted for the lower germination percentage in three month old seeds because only seeds that emerged above the soil surface were considered to have germinated is an indication of reduced vigor. In my study, in coffee seeds, seedlings from relatively low stored seeds were generally better able to withstand environmental stress than those from old seeds. Coffee seed sample from two sources stored safely to optimize coffee seedling production at the appropriate time and season with ideal climatic conditions for planting in the field. 
CT scan Positive Finding Pattern of Head Injury at the University of Gondar Hospital; North West Ethiopia
Get PDFBackground: Head injuries rank high among morbidities due to trauma. Computerized tomography is an important modality in the investigation of these cases. However, there is no literature on the importance of computerized tomography in the diagnosis of head injury in Ethiopia. This study therefore is aimed to document the computerized tomographic features of patients with head injury managed at the University of Gondar Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study involving 96 patients with head injury who had CT scan of the head in the UOG hospital over a 12-month period. Results: Most of the patients were male (74%). Majority (58%) were in the age range of 20 to 40 years with a mean age of 31yrs. The most common abnormal findings were skull fracture (52%) and intracerebral hemorrhage and contusions (51%). It is followed by subdural hemorrhage (33%) soft tissue swelling 32% and epidural hemorrhage 10%. Conclusion: Skull fracture and intra cerebral hemorrhage were the most common abnormal findings. This study has demonstrated the importance of CT scan in the evaluation of head injury by giving visibility of intracranial post traumatic injuries in a high proportion of patients which would be difficult to reach in to diagnosis clinically or using skull radiography alone. This obviously will have a significant role in improving patient management. Taking this in to account expansion of CT scan service for moderate to severe head injury patients is recommended in Ethiopia.
 
Patterns of Chest Radiographic Findings in Neonates with Respiratory Distress Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital
Get PDFBackground: Neonatal respiratory distress accounts for most admissions to intensive care units in the immediate newborn period. Chest radiograph is the primary and most important imaging modality in the evaluation of causes of respiratory distress (RD) and its complications. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2011 to August 2012 in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH). A convenient sampling method was used and 150 neonates who had chest radiographs with different causes of RD from the neonatal ICU admissions were included in the study period. Result: Of the 150 neonates with RD, chest radiographs showed 66(44%) neonates had abnormal chest radiographic findings. Pneumonia 24(36.4%) and HMD 23(34.8%) accounting the majority of causes of RD. Neonates with congenital pneumonia presented with lobar or multi lobar asymmetric consolidation in 18(75%) neonates followed by fine diffuse, bilateral, symmetrical reticulogranular and reticulonodular infiltrates with normal lung volume in 6(25%) neonates. All 23 neonates with HMD presented with fine, diffuse, bilateral reticular or reticulogranular infiltrates with decreased lung volume. There is no significant association between independent variables like maturity of neonates, premature rupture of membrane (PROM), prolonged labor or route of delivery with either clinical or radiological diagnosis of causes of RD in neonates. all 23 neonates with HMD presented with fine diffuse bilateral reticular or reticulogranular infiltrates with decreased lung volumes. There is no significant association between independent variables like maturity of neonates, premature rupture of membrane (PROM), prolonged labor or route of delivery with either clinical or radiological diagnosis of causes of RD in neonates. Conclusion: The study showed HMD and infections (EONS, pneumonia) were the most common causes of RD in neonates and most other researches also show comparable results of causes and radiographic findings of RD in neonates. 
Core Decompression by Laser Osteoperforation: A Preliminary Report of New and Minimally Invasive Modality for the Treatment of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head
Get PDFIntroduction: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a devastating disease that often leads to the destruction of the hip. Core decompression of femoral head is the commonest of all conservative surgical treatments where an 8-10 mm cylindrical core of bone is removed from antero-lateral segment of the femoral head. But it is employed only in early stages of the disease and its results are still of controversial efficacy and most of patients ultimately require total hip arthroplasty. Laser irradiation stimulates the reparative process in the bone and marrow while local hyperthermia produced by the laser vaporizes some of necrotic areas leading to a reduction of the intraosseous pressure which is the fulcrum of AVN regardless of the cause.
Objectives: The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the outcome of core decompression by laser osteoperforation for AVN of the femoral head.
Subjects and methods: The study was carried out at the Institute of Laser Surgery and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh which included 62 hips with AVN in 40 patients. Preoperative and Postoperative Clinical assessment and Radiological staging were done using ‘Harris Hip Score (HHS)’ and ‘Ficat and Arlet staging’ respectively. Under spinal anesthesia and Fluoroscopic guidance all hips were subjected to ‘Core decompression by Laser Osteo-perforation’ using 970 nm Diode laser through 18G spinal needle via trans-trochanteric and trans-capital approach.
Results: All patients were followed up at intervals of three weeks, three months, six months and then yearly (cases with minimum 3 follow ups were included in this study). According to HHS our results are as : 40.3% - excellent; 21.0% - good; 29.0% - fair; 9.7% - poor. No significant side effects or complications were observed so far.
Conclusion: Core decompression by laser osteoperforation has been proven so far to be an effective, safe and minimally invasive treatment modality for AVN of the femoral head
Ten years tuberculosis trend in Gambella Regional Hospital, South Western Ethiopia
Get PDFBackground: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease mainly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTBC). It is one of the major health problems in Ethiopia, across the nation. According to World Health Organization 2009 report the status of TB in Gambella Region was the highest from all the Ethiopian Regions, with the notification rate of (new and relapse) 261-421/100, 000. We, therefore, carried out this study to investigate the trend of TB in Gambella Regional Hospital Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: The study was conducted at the Gambella Regional Hospital, South Western Ethiopia. Retrospectively the medical records of all TB patients registered from 1st January 2003 to 14th November 2012 were assessed.
Results: The results of the study revealed that there were 4300 TB cases registered in the ten years duration in Gambella Regional Hospital. Males consist the highest percentage 2430 (56.51%). Out of 4300 TB cases registered 1045 (24.30%) had Extra pulmonary TB (EPTB) and 3255 (75.70%) suffered from pulmonary TB (PTB) (χ2=31. 14; p<0.001). From 3255 registered PTB cases, smear positive PTB accounted for 1368 (31.81%) of the cases. The age groups 15-44took the highest percentage among the patients 2918 (67.86%). Only 1444 patients were knew their HIV status out of these 423 (29.29%) were HIV positives. The trend in TB registered cases of all forms of TB was gradually declining in the ten years.
Conclusion: The retrospective study showed that TB problem in the study area was not at the level to be undermined. Hence, TB control program should give attention to the control of TB in Gambella Region.