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Recent Submissions
Phytochemical Composition of Kalanchoe pinnata and Bidens pilosa Leaves Associated with Management of Diabetes
(©Science and Education Publishing, 2018-11-21) Kenneth Waititu, Caroline Jerono, Denis Kituku, Mary Nzuve, Fidelis Mambo, Paul Ngugi, Peter Mwethera
Diabetes is responsible for rapidly increasing morbidity globally such that it has been
listed among the four priority non-communicable diseases. Global prevalence of diabetes was 8.5% of the adult
population by 2014 but is steadily rising. It is estimated that global prevalence of diabetes will be 472 million by
2030 with diabetic neuropathy affecting up to 236 million people. Newer interventions based on natural compounds
are required since the available options are marred with diverse side effects. Plants’ natural bioactive compounds are
capable of preventing development of diabetic complications via different mechanisms making them potential
alternatives for its management. Kalanchoe pinnata and Bidens pilosa have been used in folkloric medicine to treat
diseases including diabetes. Objective: Our study aimed at determining phytochemicals present in these two plants
and their potential for use in management of diabetes. Material and Methods: Extracts from the two plants were
prepared by maceration in different solvents followed by determination of presence of ten phytochemicals. Results
and Discussion: Different polyphenolic compounds, glycosides and saponins were detected in aqueous extracts of
both plants. Higher concentrations of flavonoids and phenolic acids were detected in aqueous extracts from B. pilosa
(30.11±0.2 mg of QE/100 g and 92.7±0.1 mg of GAE/100 g) compared to K. pinnata. Conclusion: The presence of
these phytochemicals qualify these two plants as candidates for development of interventions for managing type 2
diabetes.
Seroprevalence and spatial distribution of livestock brucellosis using three serological tests in Kajiado County, Kenya
(Open Veterinary Journal, 2023-12-31) Mahacla O. Odongo, Lilly C. Bebora, James K. Gathumbi, Gabriel O. Aboge, Lillian
Background: Brucellosis is a serious zoonotic infection with a global socioeconomic impact on both the livestock
industry and human health. In Kenya, brucellosis is endemic but there is limited information on the true burden of the
disease due to weak or peace-meal surveillance. The true burden and spread of animal brucellosis in Kajiado County
is not known.
Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the current seroprevalence and spatial distribution of livestock brucellosis
in Kajiado County and also to compare the three serological tests, namely; Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), indirect
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA), and competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) in the detection of seropositive
animals.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 5 sub-counties and 13 wards, where a total of 782 serum samples
from unvaccinated bovine (n = 278; 34 herds), ovine (n = 256; 25 flocks), and caprine (n = 248; 28 flocks), were
screened for anti-Brucella antibodies using RBPT, i-ELISA, and c-ELISA tests, in parallel.
Results: Overall animal seroprevalence was 6.91% (54/782); while that for bovine, ovine, and caprine was 18.35%
(51/278), 0.78% (2/256), and 0.4% (1/248), respectively. Bovine seroprevalence was 2.2% (6/278), 14.4% (40/278),
and 4.7% (13/278) in RBPT, i-ELISA, and c-ELISA tests, respectively; while ovine 0.78% (2/256) and caprine 0.4%
(1/248) were positive only in c-ELISA. Bovine herd seropositivity was 67.65% (23/34), whereas ovine and caprine
flock seropositivities were 8% (2/25) and 3.6% (1/28), respectively.
Conclusion: The findings indicate a moderate seroprevalence of brucellosis in bovine, while that of ovine and caprine
was low in Kajiado County. Indirect ELISA was found superior to both c-ELISA and RBPT in detecting bovine
seropositive animals, while c-ELISA was superior to both RBPT and i-ELISA in detecting seropositive ovines and
caprines. These results will contribute to baseline data for further study of Brucella infection and a starting point for
the formulation of a strategy for the control of brucellosis in Kajiado County.
Application of phytoplankton community structure for ranking the major riverine catchments influencing the pollution status of a lake basin
(2020 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd, 2020-01-24) Christopher Mulanda Aura1 | Cyprian Odoli2 | Chrisphine S. Nyamweya1 | James M. Njiru3 | Safina Musa, Jared Babu Miruka, Monica Ochieng Owili, Reuben Omondi, Phillip Raburu, Julius Manyala, Job Mwamburi, Zachary Ogari, Emmanuel K. Mbaru
The present study demonstrates the application of a multi-metric Phytoplankton
Index of Biotic Integrity (PIBI) approach for ranking of major river catchments in the
Kenyan part of Lake Victoria on the basis of their pollution status. The index utilizes water quality and zooplankton data, phytoplankton diversity, abundance and
attributes, as well as literature information. The rivers were sampled from 2016 to
2018 during the wet season (March) and dry season (July). The separation power of
the Mann–Whitney U test (p < .05) qualified eight discriminant metrics for phytoplankton samples into a scoring system of 1, 3 and 5, based on high, fair and slight
deviation from the best site, respectively, in development of the final PIBI. The Kuja
and Sondu-Miriu rivers had the highest PIBI, signifying least pollution influence on
the lake. In contrast, the Yala and Nzoia rivers exhibited the lowest PIBI, representing the catchments with a higher pollution influence on the lake. The fair to poor
integrity classes for the major river catchments in the region signified a deteriorating
lakescape. The present study presents the preliminary results of using phytoplankton
metrics for development of the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) approach in the region
as a decision-making support tool for the effective management and sustainable use
of water resources in the lake basin
Land and Water Resources Planning and Management Options in Floodplain Wetlands in Nyando Basin, Kenya
(Scientific Research Publishing Inc, 2021-12-17) Job Rotich Kosgei, Serena Adhiambo Nasongo, Julius Kipkemboi, Nzula Kitaka, Joash Barack Owuor-Okeyo
The functions of and services from wetlands are seriously compromised due
land and water scarcity coupled with the inability of poor people to adopt
sound management strategies. The expansion of rice irrigation into the Ombeyi wetland ecosystem is likely to reduce their long-term ecological functionality. Using field observations and measurements, stakeholder analysis framework and consultative fora, this study investigated the growth in irrigated
agriculture, irrigation practices and existing and potential trade-offs between
the various uses of the wetland and their ecological functions. The objective
was to identify the equilibrium between expansion of area under rice and
restoration of the Ombeyi wetland ecosystem. Issues affecting wetland use
and management were identified and used to derive possible solutions that
could lead to sustainable use of the wetlands. The study showed that the area
under rice cultivation increased by up to 760% as compared to the 1970s,
most of it into the wetlands. There was a huge dependency on irrigation for
food and income generation. However, there was observed low efficiency in
water use and management. Recent emerging crops, especially arrow roots,
would pose more threats to the wetland ecosystem because of their tolerance
to waterlogged soils, low labour input, continuous harvesting and fewer pests
and diseases. The fast exhaustion of soil fertility by arrow roots is also likely
to motivate expansion into new areas, predominantly the wetlands. It was established that transplanting rice by mid May as opposed to the current practice in which farmers transplant in mid July saves water. The impact could
further be reduced if the farmers adopted an optimized seasonal calendar.
The study concluded that the solutions to wetland encroachment and over
exploitation of resources lie in capacity building of farmers, improving efficiency in resource use and seeking for alternative livelihood options.
Hemoglobinopathies, merozoite surface protein-2 gene polymorphisms, and acquisition of Epstein Barr virus among infants in Western Kenya
(BMC Cancer, 2023) Perez K. Olewe, Shehu Shagari Awandu, Elly O. Munde, Samuel B. Anyona, Evans Raballah, Asito S. Amolo, Sidney Ogola, Erick Ndenga, Clinton O. Onyango, Rosemary Rochford, Douglas J. Perkins and Collins Ouma
Background Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-associated endemic Burkitt’s Lymphoma pediatric cancer is associated with
morbidity and mortality among children resident in holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum regions in western Kenya. P.
falciparum exerts strong selection pressure on sickle cell trait (SCT), alpha thalassemia (-α3.7/αα), glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G6PD), and merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP-2) variants (FC27, 3D7) that confer reduced malarial
disease severity. The current study tested the hypothesis that SCT, (-α3.7/αα), G6PD mutation and (MSP-2) variants
(FC27, 3D7) are associated with an early age of EBV acquisition.
Methods Data on infant EBV infection status (<6 and ≥6–12 months of age) was abstracted from a previous
longitudinal study. Archived infant DNA (n=81) and mothers DNA (n=70) samples were used for genotyping
hemoglobinopathies and MSP-2. The presence of MSP-2 genotypes in maternal DNA samples was used to indicate
infant in-utero malarial exposure. Genetic variants were determined by TaqMan assays or standard PCR. Group
differences were determined by Chi-square or Fisher’s analysis. Bivariate regression modeling was used to determine
the relationship between the carriage of genetic variants and EBV acquisition.
Results EBV acquisition for infants<6 months was not associated with -α3.7/αα (OR=1.824, P=0.354), SCT
(OR=0.897, P=0.881), or G6PD [Viangchan (871G>A)/Chinese (1024 C>T) (OR=2.614, P=0.212)] and [Union
(1360 C>T)/Kaiping (1388G>A) (OR=0.321, P=0.295)]. There was no relationship between EBV acquisition and
in-utero exposure to either FC27 (OR=0.922, P=0.914) or 3D7 (OR=0.933, P=0.921). In addition, EBV acquisition in
infants≥6–12 months also showed no association with -α3.7/αα (OR=0.681, P=0.442), SCT (OR=0.513, P=0.305),
G6PD [(Viangchan (871G>A)/Chinese (1024 C>T) (OR=0.640, P=0.677)], [Mahidol (487G>A)/Coimbra (592 C>T)
(OR=0.948, P=0.940)], [(Union (1360 C>T)/Kaiping (1388G>A) (OR=1.221, P=0.768)], African A (OR=0.278,
P=0.257)], or in utero exposure to either FC27 (OR=0.780, P=0.662) or 3D7 (OR=0.549, P=0.241)
Conclusion Although hemoglobinopathies (-α3.7/αα, SCT, and G6PD mutations) and in-utero exposure to MSP-2 were
not associated with EBV acquisition in infants 0–12 months, novel G6PD variants were discovered in the population
from western Kenya. To establish that the known and novel hemoglobinopathies, and in utero MSP-2 exposure do not
confer susceptibility to EBV, future studies with larger sample sizes from multiple sites adopting genome-wide analysis
are required.
