ObjectiveTo characterize anemia and evaluate hematological responses to universal iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation in Ethiopian pregnant women.MethodA hospital- based prospective follow up study was done between December 2016 and June 2017. Hematological profiles were measured in pregnant women before and after a minimum of one-month IFA supplementation. Mean values and abnormal proportions of hematological profiles were compared before and after supplementation using paired t-test and McNemar test, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the association between independent variables and poor treatment responses.ResultLack of adequate hemoglobin response was found in 48.5%(95/196) of the participants. Prevalence of anemia and low hematocrit value were decreased significantly after IFA supplementation (p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively). Normocytic hypochromic anemia was the commonest form of anemia found in this study followed by normocytic normochromic anemia. There was no statistically significant association between poor hemoglobin responses and all studied factors such as educational level, household size, parity, recent illness, stage of pregnancy, coffee consumption, and duration of iron treatment.ConclusionOur study revealed poor hemoglobin responses in nearly half of the study participants and a high proportion of anemias morphologically atypical of iron deficiency anemia. There is a need to consider anemia attributable to etiologies other than an iron deficiency in anemia intervention programs.

Background: The aortic arch (AA) is a key anatomical vascular structure through which blood is distributed to the body’s organs. Knowledge of its branching patterns is important for surgical procedures. This study aimed to describe anatomical variations in the branching patterns of human AAs in patients who underwent chest contrastenhanced computed tomography. Methods: A retrospective study involving 630 chest contrastenhanced computed tomography scans from July 2018 to July 2019 was carried out at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia. These images were reviewed for AA branching patterns and classified accordingly. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Of the 630 patients (364 males and 266 females), AA branching pattern variations were found in 35.2%: type II, 26%; type III, 6.5%; type V, 2.7%; the rest, 64.8%, had a normal (type I) AA branching pattern. The left vertebral artery and the aberrant right subclavian artery were also observed to originate directly from the AA. Conclusions: AA branching pattern variation types II, III, and V were found in our study. These findings could be vital during aortic instrumentation and surgical procedures of the head and neck in Ethiopia and globally.

Introduction:Aloe megalacanthaBaker is an endemic plant growing in Ethiopia. It is commonly used by traditional healers in the eastern and northern parts of the country to treat various ailments. Aim: The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of Aloe megalacanthaBaker leaf latex on testicular histopathology and hormonal profiles of adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Methodology:Adult male Sprague Dawleyrats were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each. GroupI received 0.5ml distilled water. Groups II, III, and IV were treated with doses of 200mg, 400mg,and 600mg per kilogram body weight per dayofAloemegalacanthaleaf latex orally using gavage for 28 days(sub-acute treatment). Assessments of testicular histopathology, sperm analysis, and hormonal assays were performed to evaluate the contraceptive effect of the leaf latex. Results: Thisstudy revealed thatAloe megalacanthaBaker leaf latex induces vascular, cellular, and structural changes in the testesat all doses. The mean values of testosterone and luteinizing hormones weresignificantly decreased in rats treated at 400mg/kg and 600mg/kgof leaf latex compared with the control group. The concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone levels also decreased significantly at 600mg/kg/daydosing of the leaf latex when compared with the control group. Increased morphological abnormality of sperm cells accompanied by a dose-dependent significant reduction of sperm count and motility were also observed in the study. Conclusions:Aloe megalacanthaBaker could affect male rats by altering histoarchitecture of the testes, lowering hormone levels, increasing abnormal sperm morphology, reducing sperm concentration, and decreasing sperm motility. It could, therefore, act asa contraceptive or antifertility agent.