Soil-Transmitted Helminthes (STH) infection is a major public health problem among school-aged children in developing countries. In Ethiopia, school aged children have been identified as high risk group of population to be infected with Soil Transmitted Helminthes. Effective prevention and control of STH infection requires identification of risk factors among high risk groups. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of Soil Transmitted Helminthes infection among primary school children in Gena Bossa Woreda, Ethiopia

Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) apparent in vulval, vaginal and/or cervical areas has been reported from endemic areas. Studies have shown common manifestation in S. haematobium infection, with prevalence rate ranging from 30% to 75% (Steinmann, 2006). Pregnant or lactating women infected may be complicated further by malnutrition, anaemia and low immunity (Olds, 2003) resulting in more pathophysiological changes. This was a cross sectional study where a total of 394 Women of reproductive age (16 – 45 years) were recruited in the study. Urine was examined using nucleopore filtration method to diagnose S. haematobium. Blood was analysed using automated haematology analyzer. Malaria slides were examined to rule out infection. Pregnant women had higher prevalence and intensity of infection with urinary schistosomiasis than non-pregnant women. Presence of anaemia was 65.2% in pregnant women and 22.2% in non-pregnant women (Z=8.46, P<0.001) while RBC count, 52.3% in pregnant women and 14.1% in non-pregnant women (Z=6.39, P<0.001). Levels of Eosinophilia were slightly higher in infected pregnant women than infected non-pregnant women, the same was observed for thrombocytosis. In conclusion, female genital schistosomiasis causes anemia among pregnant women, as well as blood patho-physiological and this could be associated with the subtle disease progression.

In the recent past, India has seen outbreaks of eight organisms of emerging and re-emerging diseases in various parts of the country, six of these are of zoonotic origin and five of viral origin. A Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) outbreak was reported in Gujarat, a state located in western India, in 2011. Thereafter, few cases were reported from the same state in August 2019.  We report a community-based investigation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in a factory of a district located in Gujarat.  Methodology: A Rapid Response Team conducted a community-based investigation of an outbreak following a suspected CCHF death in a factory in August 2019 to identify epidemiological determinants, mode of transmission and suggest remedial measures for early action. They undertook: interviews of workers, supervisor and possible contacts of dead person; inspected working place and surrounding environment for vectors and their breeding places. Results: Out of the 38 workers (22 males and 16 females) 18 (47.34%) were having one or more symptoms viz: respiratory infection (88.9%), followed by fever (44.4%) and headache (33.3%) indicating acute viral infection. Out of the 49 workers investigated, 34 were found to having thrombocytopenia. An open drainage tank near the quarters of workers was the suspected breeding place of Culex mosquitos. Two buffaloes in a farm adjacent to factory were having ticks on breast whose samples were collected. A comprehensive strategy comprising of; daily surveillance of factory workers, stopping migration, contact tracing, intensified tick control measures and health awareness program controlled the outbreak.

Hepatic metabolism and elimination of endobiotics (e.g., steroids, bile acids) and xenobiotics (e.g., drugs, toxins) is essential for health. While the enzymatic (termed phase I-II) and transport machinery (termed phase III) controlling endobiotic and xenobiotic metabolism (EXM) is known, our understanding of molecular nodal points that coordinate EXM function in physiology and disease remains incompletely understood. Here we show that the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) regulates all three phases of the EXM system by direct and indirect pathways. Unbiased transcriptomic analyses coupled with validation studies in cells, human tissues, and animals, support direct transcriptional control of the EXM machinery by KLF15. Liver-specific deficiency of KLF15 (Li-KO) results in altered expression of numerous phase I-III targets, and renders animals resistant to the pathologic effect of bile acid and acetaminophen toxicity. Furthermore, Li-KO mice demonstrate enhanced degradation and elimination of endogenous steroid hormones, such as testosterone and glucocorticoid, resulting in reduced male fertility and blood glucose level, respectively. Viral reconstitution of hepatic KLF15 expression in Li-KO mice reverses these phenotypes. Our observations identify a previously unappreciated transcriptional pathway regulating metabolism and elimination of endobiotics and xenobiotics. 

There is increasing evidences that favor the prenatal beginning of schizophrenia. These evidences point toward intra-uterine environmental factors that act specifically during the second pregnancy trimester producing a direct damage of the brain of the fetus. The current available technology doesn't allow observing what is happening at cellular level since the human brain is not exposed  to a direct analysis in that stage of the life in subjects at high risk of developing schizophrenia. Methods. In 1977 we began a direct electron microscopic research of the brain of fetuses at high risk from schizophrenic mothers in order to finding differences at cellular level in relation to controls. Results. In these studies we have observed within the nuclei of neurons the presence of complete and incomplete viral particles that reacted in positive form with antibodies to herpes simplex hominis type I [HSV1] virus, and mitochondria alterations. Conclusion. The importance of these findings can have practical applications in the prevention of the illness keeping in mind its direct relation to the aetiology and physiopathology of schizophrenia. A study of amniotic fluid cells in women at risk of having a schizophrenic offspring is considered. Of being observed the same alterations that those observed previously in the cells of the brain of the studied foetuses, it would intend to these women in risk of having a schizophrenia descendant, previous information of the results, the voluntary medical interruption of the pregnancy or an early anti HSV1 viral treatment as preventive measure of the later development of the illness.

Recently, Ciprofloxacin (CIP) has raised serious environmental concerns due to its high resistance to traditional wastewater treatments methods. Heterogeneous photocatalysis as an advanced oxidation process (AOP) is a promising alternative to conventional water treatments. In this work, as a straightforward efficient approach, direct Z-type WO₃/g-C₃N₄ (WCN) nanocomposite was synthesized through a facile one step hydrothermal method. Structural, morphological and surface properties of the samples were comprehensively characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TEM, FESEM, EIS, TGA, EDX, DRS, BET. The promotion effect and excellent photocatalytic properties of this nanocomposite can be attributed to synergistic effect between the interface of WO₃ NPs and g-C₃N₄ nanosheets , including the enlarged specific surface areas and enhanced absorption of visible light. The effect of operational parameters such as g-C₃N₄ content, pH, catalyst dosage, initial CPF concentration was studied. After 60 min photocatalytic treatment, complete degradation of CPF achieved. According to kinetic studies, photocatalytic degradation process followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. In addition, the anion addition effect, mineralization, degradation mechanism, and pathway were also investigated. In the end, Moreover, system ability was assessed to treat a real pharmaceutical wastewater under optimized conditions. The biodegradability and toxicity of treated wastewater were examined by proper methods.