Reference interval is crucial for disease screening, diagnosis, monitoring, progression and treatment efficacy. Due to lack of locally derived reference values for the parameters, clinicians use reference intervals derived from western population. But, studies conducted in different African countries have indicated differences between locally and western derived reference values. Different studies also indicated considerable variation in clinical chemistry reference intervals by several variables such as age, sex, geographical location, environment, lifestyle and genetic variation. This study aimed to determine the reference intervals of common clinical chemistry parameters of the community of Gojjam Zones, Northwest Ethiopia. Population based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to December 2016 in healthy adult populations of Gojjam zone. Data such as, medical history, physical examination and socio-demographic data were collected. In addition, laboratory investigations were undertaken to screen the population. Clinical chemistry parameters were measured using Mindray BS 200 clinical chemistry autoanalyzer as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Descriptive statistics was used to calculate mean, median and 95^th percentiles. Independent sample T-test and one way ANOVA were used to see association between variables. After careful screening of a total of 799 apparently healthy adults who were consented for this study, complete data from 446 (224 females and 222 males) were included for the analysis. The mean age of both the study participants was 28.8 years. Males had high (P0.05). Mean, median, 95% percentile values of AST, ALP, amylase, LDH, creatinine, total protein, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin across all age groups of participants were similar (P>0.05). But, there was a significant difference in the value of ALT (P<0.05). The reference intervals of ALT, total protein and creatinine were significantly (P1500 ETB compared to those with low monthly income. Significant (P<0.05) higher values of the ALT, ALP and total protein were observed in people living in high land compared to low land residences. The study showed that some of the common clinical chemistry parameters reference intervals of healthy adults in Gojjam zones were higher than the reference intervals generated from developed countries. Therefore, strict adherence to the reference values generated in developed countries could lead to inappropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients. There was also variation of reference interval values based on climate, gender, age, monthly income and geographical locations. Therefore, further study is required to establish reference intervals for Ethiopian population.

Background: Anti-retroviral treatment enhances the immune status and reduces unwanted outcomes. However, develop- ment of treatment failure and drug resistance raises concern over lifelong treatments to chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Objectives: This study determined proportion of treatment failure (TF) and identified factors associated with TF among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Facility based cross sectional study was carried out from November, 2017 to April, 2018. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using structured questioner. Blood sample was collected and analyzed for viral load, complete blood count (CBC), liver and kidney function test and CD4 count. A patient is declared as treatment failure when viral load value is higher than 1000 RNA copies/ml in two consecutive viral load analyses within three months interval. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23. To identify factors associated with TF, logistic regressions model was employed. Results: A total of 430 people who had six months and above antiretroviral treatment (ART) follow up were enrolled in the study. Of these, 57.9% were females & the mean age was 38 years. The mean month of ART follow up was 83 months. In the first viral load analysis, 106 (24.7%) of the cohort were virologically failed. These failed people were followed for 3 months with intensive adherence support; then second viral load analysis showed a viralogical failure among 65 people of the second cohort. Thus, the overall viralogical failure or TF was 15.1%. The re-suppression rates were 41(38.7%). Male gender, people with history of drug discontinuation, poor adherence, irregular time of drug intake, multiple sexual practice showed significant association with TF. Moreover, base line and current CD4 counts of <200 cells/ml also demonstrated significant association with TF. Conclusion: Significant proportion of treatment failure was reported in the present study. Moreover, behavioral factors such as drug discontinuation, poor adherence, multiple sexual partner were associated with treatment failure. Hence, to avoid TF, regular patient counseling and monitoring should be in place. To identify the predictors for treatment failure, further follow-up study is desirable. Keywords: HIV; viral load; treatment failure; Ethiopia.

Background. Different types of dietary lipids have been shown to affect lipid metabolism and lipid profile differently. Objective. This study aims to assess the effect of local niger seed oil on serum lipid profile compared to palm oil and sunflower oil in rats. Methods. The effect of the 15% plant oils on serum lipid profile, body weight gain percentage, and feed efficiency ratio was assessed after 8 weeks of experimental period. Results and Conclusion. The 15% niger seed oil showed decrease and increase in the level of lipid profile as compared to rats fed with 15% palm oil and sunflower oil (except Triacylglycerol), respectively. The 15% niger seed oil showed significant decrease and increase in body weight gain percentage as compared to the 15% palm oil and 15% sunflower oil, respectively. The feed efficiency ratio was significantly higher and lower in the 15% niger seed oil compared to rats fed with 15% sunflower oil and control group and the palm oil fed rats, respectively. The current study concluded that consumption of locally manufactured niger seed oil decreased the blood lipid profiles, body weight gain percentage, and feed efficiency ratio as compared to palm oil. Utilization of oils containing more unsaturated fatty acids like niger seed oil is recommended to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by insulin resistance and impaired beta-cell secretory function. Since existing treatments often present side effects based on different mechanisms, alternative therapeutic options are needed. In this scenario, the present study first evaluates the cytotoxicity of decoctions from the leaves, stems, and roots of Cucumis prophetarum L. on HepG2 and L6C5 cells. The extracts were chemically investigated by UV–Vis and ATR-FTIR spectroscopic techniques and by ultra high-performance chromatographic techniques, coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Briefly, decoctions from the leaves and stems were mainly composed of apigenin C-glycosides, while the root decoction was rich in raffinose and cucumegastigmane II. To evaluate the insulin-sensitizing properties of the extracts in insulin-resistant L6 myoblasts, an evaluation by Western blot analysis of the proteins in the insulin signaling pathway was then performed. Particularly, key proteins of insulin signaling were investigated, i.e., insulin receptor substrate (IRS-1), protein kinase B (PKB/AKT), and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3β), which have gained considerable attention from scientists for the treatment of diabetes. Under all conditions tested, the three decoctions showed low cytotoxicity. The stem and root decoction (300 μg/mL) resulted in a significant increase in the levels of p-IRS-1 (Tyr612), GSK3β (Ser9), and p-AMPK (Thr172) compared to those of the palmitic acid-treated group, and the leaf decoction resulted an increase in the level of p-IRS-1 (Tyr612) and p-AMPK (Thr172) and a decrease in p-GSK3β (Ser9) compared to the levels for the palmitic acid-treated group. The root decoction also reduced the level of p-mToR (Ser2448). Overall, the acquired data demonstrate the effect of reducing insulin resistance induced by the investigated decoctions, opening new scenarios for the evaluation of these effects aimed at counteracting diabetes and related diseases in animal models.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can be traditionally treated by edible and medicinal species rich in flavonoids and triterpenoids known for their metabolic benefits. Cucumis prophetarum L. has shown antioxidant and antidiabetic properties in decoction extracts. Since solvent polarity strongly influences the extraction of secondary metabolites, this study investigated the hydroalcoholic extracts of C. prophetarum L. to explore their chemical composition and insulin-sensitizing potential. Hydroalcoholic extracts from the leaf, stem, and root of C. prophetarum L. were analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR, and UHPLC-ESI-QqTOF–MS/MS to profile their secondary metabolites. The insulin-sensitizing potential of each extract was assessed using an in vitro model of palmitic-acid-induced insulin resistance in L6 skeletal muscle cells, followed by Western blot analysis of key insulin-signaling proteins. Flavonoid glycosides such as apigenin-C,O-dihexoside, apigenin-malonylhexoside, and luteolin-C,O-dihexoside were abundant in leaf and stem extracts, while cucurbitacins predominated in the root. MTT assay confirmed that hydroalcoholic stem and root extracts of C. prophetarum L. were non-cytotoxic to L6 myotubes, whereas the leaf extract reduced viability only at higher concentrations. Oil Red O staining revealed a pronounced decrease in lipid accumulation following stem and root extract treatment. Consistently, the stem extract enhanced insulin signaling through the activation of the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt pathway, while the root extract primarily modulated the AMPK–mTOR pathway. Importantly, both extracts promoted GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane, highlighting their complementary mechanisms in restoring insulin sensitivity. Hydroalcoholic extracts of C. prophetarum L. alleviate insulin resistance through multiple molecular mechanisms, with bioactivity and composition differing markedly from previously reported in the decoctions, which highlight a promising source of insulin-sensitizing phytochemicals and underscore the importance of solvent selection in maximizing therapeutic potential.