A simple field based method for rapid wood density estimation for selected tree species in Western Kenya

Wood density is an important variable for accurate quantification of woody biomass and carbon stocks. Conventional destructive methods for wood density estimation are resource intensive, prohibiting their use, limiting the application of approaches that would minimize uncertainties in tree biomass estimates. We tested an alternative method involving tree coring with a carpenter's auger to estimate wood density of seven tropical tree species in Western Kenya. We used conventional water immersion method to validate results from the auger core method. The mean densities (and 95% confidence intervals) ranged from 0.36 g cm−3 (0.25–0.47) to 0.67 g cm−3 (0.61–0.73) for the auger core method, and 0.46 g cm−3 (0.42–0.50) to 0.67 g cm−3 (0.61–0.73) for the water immersion method. The auger core and water immersion methods were not significantly different for four out of seven tree species namely; Acacia mearnsii, Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus grandis and Grevillea robusta. However, wood densities estimated from the auger core method were lower (t (61) = 7.992, P = <0.001). The ease of the auger core method application, as a non-destructive method in acquiring wood density data, is a worthy alternative in biomass and carbon stocks quantification. This method could protect trees outside forests found in most parts of Africa

A new isoflavone from stem bark of Millettia dura

A new isoflavone (7,3’-dimethoxy-4’,5’-methylenedioxyisoflavone) and three known isoflavones [isoerythrinin A 4’-(3-methylbut-2-enyl) ether, isojamaicin and nordurlettone] were isolated from the stem bark of Millettia dura (Leguminosae). The structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. KEY WORDS: Millettia dura, Leguminosae, Isoflavone, 7,3’-Dimethoxy-4’,5’-methylenedioxyisoflavone, Isoerythrinin A 4’-(3-methylbut-2-enyl) ether, Isojamaicin,Nordurlettone_Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2003, 17(1), 113-115

Burden of injury along the development spectrum : associations between the Socio-demographic Index and disability-adjusted life year estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background The epidemiological transition of non-communicable diseases replacing infectious diseases as the main contributors to disease burden has been well documented in global health literature. Less focus, however, has been given to the relationship between sociodemographic changes and injury. The aim of this study was to examine the association between disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from injury for 195 countries and territories at different levels along the development spectrum between 1990 and 2017 based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 estimates. Methods Injury mortality was estimated using the GBD mortality database, corrections for garbage coding and CODEm-the cause of death ensemble modelling tool. Morbidity estimation was based on surveys and inpatient and outpatient data sets for 30 cause-of-injury with 47 nature-of-injury categories each. The Socio-demographic Index (SDI) is a composite indicator that includes lagged income per capita, average educational attainment over age 15 years and total fertility rate. Results For many causes of injury, age-standardised DALY rates declined with increasing SDI, although road injury, interpersonal violence and self-harm did not follow this pattern. Particularly for self-harm opposing patterns were observed in regions with similar SDI levels. For road injuries, this effect was less pronounced. Conclusions The overall global pattern is that of declining injury burden with increasing SDI. However, not all injuries follow this pattern, which suggests multiple underlying mechanisms influencing injury DALYs. There is a need for a detailed understanding of these patterns to help to inform national and global efforts to address injury-related health outcomes across the development spectrum.Peer reviewe

Isoflavonoids from taverniera abyssinica

Bu11.Chem.Soc.Ethiop. ,1(1), 36-41 (1987)

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ABSTRACT Background: Plants and plant products are by far the most utilized by humans as source of medicine. They are used by various cultures in various ways. Although the beginning of the usage was by trial and error, accessibility may have also contributed to some potentially medicinal plants not being accessed and utilized, hence lack of ethnomedicinal usage in history. Gladiolus watsonoides Baker (iridaceae) is one such plant with high antifungal and cytotoxic activities yet no previous reports have been recorded on its usage, biological activities and phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal activity, cytotoxicity and the phytochemical components in this plant. Method: Organic and aqueous extracts were tested for antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Cryptococcus neoformans by disc diffusion method. Toxicity tests were done using brine shrimp larvae -nauplii and phytochemical screening for the presence of selected classes of compounds conducted by standard chemical procedures. Results: Corms from Organic extracts showed moderate to high antifungal activity against the three test opportunistic fungi. The aerial extracts were not active against Aspergillus niger and Cryptococcus neoformans. Varied toxicity levels were noted against the nauplii. Amongst the classes of compounds screened, only steroids were absent in corms while glycosides, anthraquinones and steroids were absent in the aerials. Conclusion: Further analysis need to be undertaken before more conclusions can be made on the potential significance of this plant as lead to antifungal drug development

Praecansone A: Evidence for the existence of 8,9-(E) and 8,9-(Z) isomers in extracts from tephrosia pumila

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop., 4(2) 141-145 (1990)

Flavones and phenylpropenoids in the surface exudate of Psiadia punctulata

Three flavones, 5,7-dihydroxy-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetramethoxyflavone, 5,4′-dihydroxy-7,2′,3′,5′-tetramethoxyflavone, and 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-2′,3′,5′ -trimethoxyflavone were isolated from the leaf exudate of Psiadia punctulata, together with the previously reported 5-hydroxy-7,2′,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone and 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-2′,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavone. The two phenylpropenoids, Z-docosyl-p-coumarate and E-docosyl-p-coumarate were also isolated. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence