Abstract Background: The absence of antibodies specific for the 19 kDa C-terminal domain of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP119) has been associated with high-density malaria parasitaemia in African populations. The hypothesis that a high prevalence and/or level of anti-MSP119 antibodies that may inhibit erythrocyte invasion would be present in apparently healthy individuals who harbour a sub-microscopic malaria infection was tested in this study. Methods: Plasma samples were collected from...
ABSTRACT The importance of sand bed filters has gained more ground in on- site water treatment facilities. The performance of which depends on the design of the sand bed. A laboratory column experiment was designed to quantitatively determine the best kind of sand layered arrangement for maximal bacteria attenuation. Porosity was taken as media parameter to further examine the relationship between the layers that will yield a better performance. Porosity was determined using volumetric appro...
Abstract Sand bodies deposited across normal growth faults and associated rollover anticlines are critical reservoirs for the accumulation of oil and gas. This paper addresses aspects of structures and depositional environments of some sand bodies within the Tomboy field, offshore western Niger Delta. Structural interpretation was undertaken to identify and assign faults found in the 3-D seismic volume. Time and depth structure maps in combination with well logs were used to produce for five...
ABSTRACT Macrophytes such as Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes are known bioaccumulators found in the Ologe Lagoon which receives effluents mainly from Agbara Industrial Estate. However, the mechanism of heavy metal bioaccumulation by these macrophytes has not been fully understood. This study was designed to determine the mechanism of heavy metal bioaccumulation and model the phytoremediation capabilities of the macrophytes. Five sampling stations: Owo (before the point of dis...
ABSTRACT Background: Hypertension is a public health challenge due to its high prevalence, and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study was designed to determine the frequency of the I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and its association with hypertension in a sample population of Calabar and Uyo, South-South Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A population-based case control design consisting of total of 1224 participants, 612 each of patients and co...
ABSTRACT Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of human amoebiasis. It is one of the most common parasitic infections worldwide, third only to malaria and schistosomiasis. Amoebiasis infects approximately 50 million people causing 40,000 to100,000 deaths per annum. In Africa, infection varies in different countries depending on their social economic factors. Clinical manifestation of amoebiasis is due to existence of two morphologically identical species but have different biochemical...
ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to establish whether Mursik, a Kenyan traditional fermented milk product, contained Exopolysaccharides (EPS) and EPS producing Lactic acid Bacteria (LAB). It also sought to establish the optimum conditions for their production in Mursik. Samples of Mursik were collected from 39 randomly selected homesteads in Njoro District, Nakuru County, Kenya, and transported to Egerton University for analysis. Their EPS levels were determined by isolating them and qu...
ABSTRACT Tea is one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages worlwide, and a leading foreign exchange earner and source of livelihood to over three million people in Kenya. Tea growing areas in Kenya often experience drought periods which cause accumulated soil water deficits. Tea plants respond to water deficit through poorly understood physiological, cellular/biochemical and molecular processes. Development of tea cultivars adapted to waterdeficit stress greatly relies on an understandi...
ABSTRACT Late stage Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is manifested by brain degeneration following infection by Trypanasoma brucei rhodensiense and Trypanasoma brucei gambiense parasites. This stage can only be treated with melarsoprol (Mel B) which inadvertently induces Post Treatment Reactive Encephalopathy (PTRE) and a mortality of 5% among HAT infected patients. This is an unacceptable mortality for a modern human drug. Investigations were conducted to establish the protective role of...
ABSTRACT Coprophilous fungi are abundant species found in dung of most wild animals, and an easily available and abundant tool for studying and monitoring ecosystem changes. The focus of this study was to characterize two genera of coprophilous fungi, Pilobolus and Ascobolus. These fungi are important in decomposing and recycling of nutrients from animal waste. Ascobolus fungi are important in genetic studies and have been identified as a source of enzymes and antibiotics. Pilobolus fungi pl...
ABSTRACT Agrochemicals have been used extensively all over the world for improved food security, industrial development, and poverty reduction. In Western Kenya, herbicides are used to clear weeds in sugarcane growing plantations. Uncontrolled and unregulated use of these herbicides results in contamination of both soils and the associated drainage systems. Their use may have adverse effects such as disruption of microbial, animal and plant diversity in addition to serious effects to human h...
ABSTRACT Mycotoxin and Brucella abortus contamination of milk along the dairy value chain is of public health concern and contributes to food insecurity. Animal feeds that are contaminated with mycotoxin causing fungi pass the contaminationtion to the milk. Inhygienic handling of milk can lead to Brucella contamination of milk. This study aimed at determining the on-farm risk factors associated with Mycotoxins and B. abortus occurrence and their prevalence on smallholder farms at rural and p...
ABSTRACT Shortage of capital is a major constraint in the development of microenterprises (MEs) among entrepreneurs who are members of self-help groups (SHGs) in Butere, Mumias, Matungu and Khwisero Sub-Counties of Kakamega County. Shortage of capital is occasioned by inability of entrepreneurs in the informal sector to access credit from mainstream financial institutions. Thus, a number of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the study area provide credit to members of SHGs operating MEs so ...
ABSTRACT Mangrove forests are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth. Some of these forests transverse national boundaries complicating their management due to differences in governance structures between countries. In order to improve the management of transboundary mangroves and associated biodiversity, regular monitoring of status and conditions of these forests is essential. The aim of the study was to create a better understanding of transboundary mangrove cover/ change and the c...