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Introduction: Men often have higher decision making power in matters such as sexual relations, family size, and seeking health care than women. On the contrary, women carry a disproportionate amount of responsibility for reproductive health matters including family planning. Even though women receive the bulk of reproductive health services, gender dynamics makes women powerless. Reproductive health matters in its broader sense should be a concern for all not for just that of women; and it needs the attention of men, entire family and the society at large. Despite this, men involvement in family planning utilization is low in Ethiopia. Objective: The main aim of this study is to assess the role of male involvement in family planning utilization and associated factors in Arba minch-town, Gamo Gofa zone, Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Arba-minch town among 406 married men. The data was collected by face-to-face interview using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Sampling units (households that fulfill the inclusion criteria) were selected by using simple random sampling method. Verbal consent was obtained from respondents by explaining the objective of the study. The questioner was developed in English then translated to local language for actual data collection. Data was cleaned, coded and entered into computer and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done at 95% CI and variables with p-value of < 0.05 at multivariable logistic regression were considered as significant predictors of the outcome variable. The findings of the study were presented in text, tables and charts. Result: The result of this study shows that male involvement in modern contraceptive utilization is 68%. Respondents who were knowledgeable on modern family planning methods were 2 times more likely to involve in family planning utilization compared to those who have no knowledge (AOR [95% CI] = 2.0 [1.397, 3.992]). Respondents whose desired number of children is less than or equal to three were five times more likely involve in modern family planning utilization (AOR [95% CI] = 5.0 [0.192, 0.957]). In addition, respondents who are illiterate were 85% less likely to involve in modern family planning utilization compared to those with educational status of diploma and above (AOR [95% CI] = 0.15 [2.299, 17.738]). Conclusion and recommendation: In this study, male involvement in modern contraceptive utilization is slightly high compared to other studies conducted in the country. Male involvement on modern contraceptive utilization is largely influenced by men knowledge on modern contraceptive methods, level of education and desired number of children. Family planning Information, Education and communication should be given for men to increase their involvement in modern contraceptive utilization.

Intimate partner violence is common in rural areas of Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and prevalence of domestic violence among women in Kersa district of Oromia region and identify the types, perpetuators and triggers for violence. A community-based cross-sectional interview-based survey was conducted in 2008 on 858 women of reproductive age. Only 39.7% of women reported that they recognized that violence against women was a problem in their area. Ever experience of violence by an intimate partner was reported by 166 women (19.6%) and 70.3% of the perpetuators were husbands. Ever experience of domestic violence among women was significantly related to Amhara ethnicity and age group 30-49 years. Only 33 (19.9%) women who ever experienced violence had reported it to the legal authorities. Women's reasons for failing to report to the legal system were not wanting to expose the issue and not knowing where to go.

Wondimu Shanko Yirga1,2, Nega Assefa Kassa2, Mengistu Welday Gebremichael2, Arja R Aro31University of Southern Denmark, Faculty of Health Sciences, Esbjerg, Denmark; 2Haramaya University College of Health Sciences, Harar, Ethiopia; 3University of Southern Denmark, Unit for Health Promotion Research, Esbjerg, DenmarkBackground: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is nontherapeutic surgical modification of the female genitalia. It is an ancient tradition in large parts of Africa, including Ethiopia, especially in the eastern part of the country. This study aimed to identify the prevalence, perceptions, perpetuators, reasons for conducting FGM, and factors associated with this practice with regard to women's health.Methods: Community-based cross-sectional house-to-house interviews were conducted during 2008 among 858 females of reproductive age (15–49 years), in Kersa district, East Hararge, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Proportions and Chi-square tests were used to describe the data and logistic regression was used to describe statistical associations. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.Results: FGM was reported to be known by 327 (38.5%) of the interviewees. The majority (n = 249, 76.1%) reported that local healers were the main performers of FGM, and 258 (78.9%) respondents stated that the clitoris was the part removed during circumcision. The main reason for the practice of FGM was reduction of female sexual hyperactivity (reported by 198 women [60.3%]). Circumcision of daughters was reported by 288 (88.1%) respondents, and this showed a statistically significant association with the Christian religion (P = 0.003), illiteracy (P = 0.01), and Amhara ethnicity (P = 0.012). The majority of the respondents (792, 92.3%) were themselves circumcised and 68.8% did not know of any health-related problems associated with FGM.Conclusion: In spite of FGM being a common practice in the study area, only one third of the respondents stated that they knew about it. Local healers were the main performers of FGM. Some of the women knew about the negative reproductive health effects of FGM and some had also experienced these themselves. However, only a few had tried to stop the practice and the majority had taken no steps to do so. This may be attributable to the fear of becoming alienated from the cultural system and fear of isolation.Keywords: female genital mutilation, reasons, health consequences, Ethiopia

The results of clinical and electrophysiologic examination of 116 children aged one year with spastic syndrome are presented. Neurosonographic examination shows the organic changes in brain tissue which manifest themselves as edema and periventricular infiltration in newborns and as ventriculomegalia of different manifestations in infants. The dopplerograms show the descrease of blood flow rate and change of resistance index. The sings of the decrease of the threshold of spastic readiness prevail in children in the second half year of life.

За период с 2001 по 2007 г. совместной бригадой нейрохирургов, онкологов и пластических хирургов оперирован 51 больной по поводу краниофациальных опухолей, в том числе 28 — доброкачественных, 23 — злокачественных. Первичное хирургическое вмешательство произведено 14 (61%) больным, повторные — 9 (39%). Блок-резекция осуществлена у 17 (74%) больных. Проведен сравнительный анализ показателей выживаемости больных с краниофациальными опухолями. В течение 5 лет с рецидивами и без них жили 53% пациентов, 3 лет без рецидивов — 31,2%, 5 лет — 21,8%., За період з 2001 по 2007 р. спільною бригадою нейрохірургів, онкологів та пластичних хірургів оперований 51 хворий з краніофаціальними пухлинами, в тому числі 28 — з доброякісними, 23 — з злоякісними. Первинне хірургічне втручання здійснене у 14 хворих, повторне — у 9. Блок-резекція застосована у 17 хворих. Проведений порівняльний аналіз показників виживання хворих з краніофаціальними пухлинами. Протягом 5 років жили з рецидивами і без таких 53% пацієнтів, 3 років без рецидивів — 31,2%, 5 років — 21,8%., For the period from 2001 till 2007 51 patients with craniofacial tumours were operated by joint brigade of neurosurgeons, oncologists, plastic surgeons; 28 patients had non malignant, 23 — malignant tumours. Primary surgical interventions were performed to 14 (61%) patients, repeated — to 9 (39%). The block-resection was performed at 17 (74%) patients. The comparative analysis of patients’ survival rates at craniofacial tumours was made. Surviving rates for 5 years with and without relapses was 53%, the relapsfree period for 3 years was 31,2%, for 5 years — 21,8%.

Recent penetration of mobile technologies opens exciting potential for e-healthcare in low-income countries - e-healthcare services can now reach the populations of rural and far away locations in a cost effective and timely manner. The final challenge however rests on successful user acceptance of the technologies of e-healthcare, which we investigate in this work. Our research enhance the basic TAM model with two additional context appropriate constructs from extant research to arrive at an extended TAM model that is suitable for understanding e-healthcare adoption in low-income countries. We operationalise the model with the help of a validated survey questionnaire in the health extensions workers of Ethiopia, a Sub-Saharan low-income country. Our result shows that compatibility positively affects adoption intention. These results demonstrate that inclusion of additional constructs of compatibility and network quality enhances the richness of the model and explain adoption intention in a more effective manner.

The spatial pattern of mitotic activity, cell elongation, rate of H+ fluxes, and 14-3-3 protein content were determined in Zea mays roots. We found that the regions along the apical part of the growing root conversely differ in their proton pumping activity. Higher rate of H+ efflux coincides with higher growth rate and correlates with increased 14-3-3 protein content in membrane preparations. The segment consisting of the root cap and the apical part of the meristem exerts net inward proton pumping, which can be inverted under fusicoccin treatment or osmotic stress. In the latter case, this inversion is accompanied by accumulation of 14-3-3 protein in plasma membranes. The results obtained highlight 14-3-3 protein as an obvious candidate for the fine regulation of plasma membrane H+-ATPase in root apex.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) makes up as many as 30% of all primary brain tumors. Despite the employment of multimodal antitumor treatment, the overall survival is less than one year. Between 06/01/1998 and 06/01/2000 17 patients (Group A) with GBM (11 males, 6 females; median age 54.3 years) were administered local chemotherapy with cisplatin incorporated into biodegradable 6-carboxylcellulose polymer (cisplatin-depot (CDDP-D)). After the subtotal removal of GBM, twenty 1.5 x 1.5 cm polymer plates with a total area of 45 cm2 (the density of cisplatin immobilization on 6-carboxylcellulose being 1 mg/cm2, a total cisplatin dose of 45 mg) were implanted into the tumor bed. Group B (21 patients with GBM; 11 males, 10 females; median age 53.2 years) was control: the subtotal tumor ablation without CDDP-D implantation. Two to three weeks after the surgery all the patients of Groups A and B started a course of radiation therapy. A total dose of cranial irradiation was 20 Gy (1 fraction/day, 5 days/week; a daily dose of 2 Gy) followed by a boost tumor bed irradiation (1 fraction/day, 5 days/week; a daily dose of 2 Gy) up to the conventional dose of 60 Gy. Survival data for the patients were processed using the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed by logrank test. All the patients of Group A tolerated surgical ablation of the brain tumor without side effects (brain edema, seizures, etc.). No patient of Group A had a reduction in blood cell counts during six weeks that would indicate systemic exposure to cisplatin. Blood chemistry and urinalysis did not show evidence of renal injury. No side effects of radiotherapy were registered in Group B either, regarding both the psychoneurological status of the patients and the basic values of homeostasis. Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) score of Group A and Group B patients demonstrated no significant differences before and after the surgery. The median overall survivals for patients of Group A and Group B were 427.5 and 211.0 days respectively (p = 0.00001; overall logrank test). Conclusion. Local chemotherapy of GBM with CDDP-D followed by irradiation is well tolerated and effective.

Publisher Summary The new academic programs that require a higher level of knowledge, ability, and skills from school children in grades one to three in areas of the mother tongue have revealed many shortcomings in practices of reading instruction, as well as the inadequacy of a number of important methodological theories. This chapter discusses the weaknesses of the standard textbook that is currently used in the schools of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). It is impossible to find constructive solutions for the problems of reading instruction without dwelling on the negative aspects of current methods and materials. To solve the contemporary problems of teaching literacy, there is an urgent need for deep, multi-faceted and objective historical and critical research that has the aim of revealing all that is rational in the theoretical thought and practice of reading instruction. Nazarova assumes that the methodologists and teachers have a false concept of the essence of sound analysis because the regular method reduces it to separating individual sounds from words. This, she alleges, makes the place of each sound imprecise.

The Slavic branch of the Balto-Slavic sub- family of Indo-European languages underwent rapid divergence as a result of the spatial expansion of its speakers from Central-East Europe, in early medieval times. This expansion–mainly to East Europe and the northern Balkans–resulted in the incorporation of genetic components from numerous autochthonous populations into the Slavic gene pools. Here, we characterize genetic variation in all extant ethnic groups speaking Balto- Slavic languages by analyzing mitochondrial DNA (n = 6, 876), Y-chromosomes (n = 6, 079) and genome-wide SNP profiles (n = 296), within the context of other European populations. We also reassess the phylogeny of Slavic languages within the Balto-Slavic branch of Indo- European. We find that genetic distances among Balto-Slavic populations, based on autosomal and Y-chromosomal loci, show a high correlation (0.9) both with each other and with geography, but a slightly lower correlation (0.7) with mitochondrial DNA and linguistic affiliation. The data suggest that genetic diversity of the present-day Slavs was predominantly shaped in situ, and we detect two different substrata: ‘central-east European’ for West and East Slavs, and ‘south-east European’ for South Slavs. A pattern of distribution of segments identical by descent between groups of East- West and South Slavs suggests shared ancestry or a modest gene flow between those two groups, which might derive from the historic spread of Slavic people.