121 research outputs found
Recommended from our members
Keloid pathophysiology: fibroblast or inflammatory disorders?
BackgroundKeloids are defined as a benign dermal fibroproliferative disorder with no malignant potential. They tend to occur following trivial trauma or any form of trauma in genetically predisposed individuals. Keloids are known to grow beyond the margins of the wound and are common in certain body parts. The pathophysiology of keloid remains unclear, and fibroblasts have been presumed to be the main cells involved in keloid formation. Understanding the mechanism(s) of keloid formation could be critical in the identification of novel therapeutic regimen for the treatment of the keloids.ObjectiveTo review the pertinent literature and provide updated information on keloid pathophysiology.Data sourceA Medline PubMed literature search was performed for relevant publications.ResultsA total of 66 publications were retrieved, with relevant publications on the etiology and pathogenesis as well as experimental studies on keloids. All articles were critically analyzed, and all the findings were edited and summarized.ConclusionThere is still no consensus as on what is the main driving cell to keloid formation. One may, however, hypothesize that keloid formation could be a result of an abnormal response to tissue injury, hence resulting in an exaggerated inflammatory state characterized by entry of excessive inflammatory cells into the wound, including macrophages, lymphocytes, and mast cells. These cells seem to release cytokines including transforming growth factor β1 that stimulate fibroblasts to synthesize excess collagen, which is a hallmark of keloid disease
Relationship Between Personality Types and Career Choice Among Undergraduate Students of Maseno University, Kenya
Training institutions in most parts of the world place high premium on those who excel in examinations based on scholastic intelligence. In Kenya, students are admitted into available undergraduate degree programmes in public universities based on their performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). Yet, the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree programmes offered in the School of Education at Maseno University have a strong bearing on personality types and not all the students admitted can fit in them. Academic qualification remains a challenge to a majority of students (79.4%) in choosing a career; hence a significant number (94%) of students end up settling for what is available rather than their choice. Apparently, limited attention has been given to exploring the relationship between students’ unique personality-occupational interests hence the current low (7%) college career satisfaction level. The purpose of the study therefore, was to establish the types of personality and their relationship with career choice among first-year B.Ed students of Maseno University, Kenya. The objectives of the study was to establish Holland personality types across gender; to determine the level of relationship between personality types and career choice in the B.Ed programmmes of Maseno University The study was guided by the Holland Code Theory (1997). Correlation and descriptive survey designs were adopted for the study. The target population consisted of the 490 first-year B.Ed students admitted in the Academic year 2011/2012 in the School of Education. The study sample consisted of 220 first-years B.Ed students drawn using proportionate stratified sampling. Data was collected by use of Questionnaire and document analysis guides. The questionnaire was piloted using 10% (n = 49) of the study population Pearson Product Moment correlation was used to determine reliability at alpha level 0.05. The questionnaire had an acceptable reliability index of 0.84. Quantitative data was coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mode, frequency counts and percentages. Gender difference in personality types was examined using percentages and mean gender differences across personality types. Further, the degree of relationship between personality types and career choice was established using cross tabulation with chi-square test and Likelihood Ratio test. Qualitative data was transcribed into text form of emerging themes and reported. Gender was found to be strongly correlated to personality types (X = 34.962, df= 5, p= .000) with more males classified as realistic and investigative and more females as social type. The results of the of the chi square test likelihood ratio test show very high (p<.000) level of relationship between personality types and career choice. The study concludes that students at Maseno University can be classified into the six Holland personality types which correlate significantly with gender. The study further concludes that there is also a significant relationship (p<.000) between personality types and career choice. The study recommended that the need to investigate factors at the university environment which influences the development of personality types among female and male students. Significantly, the study provides a useful guide to students, education policymakers and university staff for career choice, training and retention efforts and placement. Keywords: Personality, Gender, Career choice, degree program DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-14-14 Publication date:May 31st 202
Effect of Foreign Exchange Rate on Maritime Sector Performance in Enhancing Economic Growth in Kenya
Maritime transport remains backbone of globalized trade and manufacturing supply chain as more than 80 of world merchandise trade by volume is carried by sea Maritime transport in Kenya takes care of 90 of Kenya s international trade by volume The objective of this study was to establish effect of labor productivity on maritime sector performance in enhancing economic growth in Kenya Target population was Kenya Ports Authority and Kenya Ferry Services while Kenya Maritime Authority coordinated implementation of policies relating to maritime affairs The study was guided by the Solow growth model and the production theory The study adopted explanatory research design employing panel data using data on annual basis over the period 2000-2019 Simple Linear Regression and GMM Models were utilized Using STATA 13 0 and applying Simple Regression model results indicated that coefficient of foreign exchange rate was 3 5694 which was positive and significant at 5 level implying every one percent increase in coefficient of foreign exchange rate output increased by 3 569
Impact of Discipline on Academic Performance of Pupils in Public Primary Schools in Muhoroni Sub-County, Kenya
In Muhoroni Sub-County, Kenya, pupils’ academic performance has received little attention in relation to discipline. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of discipline and extent of impact of discipline on academic performance among class eight pupils in the sub-county’s public primary schools. The study adopted descriptive survey and correlational research designs. The study population comprised 2,450 class eight pupils in the sub-county’s public primary schools. From 34 randomly selected schools, 817 pupils were selected by stratified random sampling. Questionnaires were used to collect data on discipline and academic performance of the pupils. Reliability coefficients of the questionnaires were determined by test-retest method and found to be 0.83 and 0.97 for questionnaire on discipline and academic performance respectively. The questionnaires’ face and content validity was ascertained by experts. Results indicated that 46 (5.6%), 214 (26.2%), 413(50.6%) and 144 (17.6%) of the pupils had low, moderate, high, and very high discipline respectively. Also, discipline related positively with, and accounted for 23% of variance in the pupils’ academic performance (R = .480, β = .480, R2 = .230, p < .05). The study recommended enhancement of discipline among the pupils for improvement of their academic performance. Keywords: Academic Performance, Discipline, Impact, Pupils, Primary Schools.
Disciplinary Problems and Modes of Punishment used against Transgressions of upper Primary Learners in Schools for the Hearing Impaired in Vihiga County, Kenya.
Academic achievement largely depends on the students’ discipline among other factors in any institution of learning. Studies show that indiscipline students perform poorly in both internal and external examinations including KCPE performance. Hearing impaired students, studies suggest, perform poorly because they display more behavior problems. For instance, there were poor examination results in both internal and national KCPE exams results for the year’s 2007and 2008 in primary schools for the hearing impaired in Vihiga County. This was attributed to high indiscipline cases (over 60%) as reflected in the school internal discipline records. The present study investigated disciplinary problems that existed and modes of punishment used to manage discipline problems in schools for the hearing impaired in Vihiga County. The main objective and research question of this study was to find out the common disciplinary problems that existed and modes of punishment used in schools for the hearing impaired. It was assumed that hearing impaired learners had similar discipline problems to the hearing learners. Descriptive survey design method was used and four schools for the hearing impaired were selected with a study population of 215 learners and 45 teachers to participate in the study. Saturated sampling technique was used to select the study population cited. Six learners and 4 teachers participated in the pilot study while 60 learners and 41 teachers participated in the main study. Questionnaires for teachers and learners were used to collect data which was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study established that the most commonly displayed behavior problems included fighting, stealing, bullying, truancy among others while modes of punishment used included cleaning of rooms, withdrawal of privileges, digging, canning, reprimands and time-outs. The study concluded that teachers used both friendly and non physical punitive methods of punishment as well as non punitive strategies such as guidance, counseling and reinforcement to maintain discipline. These findings may be useful to the area of special Needs Education and the Ministry of Education in revising school discipline procedures. The researcher recommended that teachers should use those modes of punishment that are friendly and non punitive strategies. Alsothis study recommended that a study to be carried out to find out the impact of hearing impairments on behavior problems and poor academic performance among hearing impaired learners in Kenya. Key words: Behavior problems, Hearing impairments, Transgressions, special needs education
The Relationship Between Coping Style and School Adjustment Amongst Secondary School Students in Kisumu East Subcounty, Kenya
The objectives of the study were to: establish gender differences in coping style; to establish differences amongst high and low achievers in their use of coping style and to determine the relationship between coping style and school adjustment. The study was guided, by Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional theory, and Utretcht Work Engagement theory by Schaufeli and Bakker A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The study population consisted of 4500 students. A sample size of 450 was selected using Stratified random sampling technique. Questionnaires and document analysis guide were used for data collection. Reliability was computed using Cronbach’s alpha and the results were as follows:- 0.6 for coping style 0.8 for school engagement and 0.7 for satisfaction with school. Content validity was ascertained in literature by the author. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics. It was found that there were no gender differences in coping style used. Low achievers reported more use of problem focused coping style. There were significant positive correlations between problem focused coping style and absorption as well as engagement. There were significant negative correlations between emotion focused coping and school adjustment among high achievers. The study may be useful to teachers, counselors, administrators and parents who will be able to assist students use appropriate coping styles
Longitudinal analyses of immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum derived peptides corresponding to novel blood stage antigens in coastal Kenya.
We have recently described 95 predicted alpha-helical coiled-coil peptides derived from putative Plasmodium falciparum erythrocytic stage proteins. Seventy peptides recognized with the highest level of prevalence by sera from three endemic areas were selected for further studies. In this study, we sequentially examined antibody responses to these synthetic peptides in two cohorts of children at risk of clinical malaria in Kilifi district in coastal Kenya, in order to characterize the level of peptide recognition by age, and the role of anti-peptide antibodies in protection from clinical malaria. Antibody levels from 268 children in the first cohort (Chonyi) were assayed against 70 peptides. Thirty-nine peptides were selected for further study in a second cohort (Junju). The rationale for the second cohort was to confirm those peptides identified as protective in the first cohort. The Junju cohort comprised of children aged 1-6 years old (inclusive). Children were actively followed up to identify episodes of febrile malaria in both cohorts. Of the 70 peptides examined, 32 showed significantly (p<0.05) increased antibody recognition in older children and 40 showed significantly increased antibody recognition in parasitaemic children. Ten peptides were associated with a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR) for an episode of clinical malaria in the first cohort of children and two of these peptides (LR146 and AS202.11) were associated with a significantly reduced OR in both cohorts. LR146 is derived from hypothetical protein PFB0145c in PlasmoDB. Previous work has identified this protein as a target of antibodies effective in antibody dependent cellular inhibition (ADCI). The current study substantiates further the potential of protein PFB0145c and also identifies protein PF11_0424 as another likely target of protective antibodies against P. falciparum malaria
Recommended from our members
Determinants of Keloid recurrence: The Nairobi keloid recurrence scoring system; A cohort, prospective study
Recommended from our members
Propionibacterium acnes Induces an IL-17 Response in Acne Vulgaris that Is Regulated by Vitamin A and Vitamin D.
Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder affecting millions of people worldwide and inflammation resulting from the immune response targeting Propionibacterium acnes has a significant role in its pathogenesis. In this study, we have demonstrated that P. acnes is a potent inducer of T helper 17 (Th17) and Th1, but not Th2 responses in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). P. acnes stimulated expression of key Th17-related genes, including IL-17A, RORα, RORc, IL-17RA, and IL-17RC, and triggered IL-17 secretion from CD4(+), but not from CD8(+) T cells. Supernatants from P. acnes-stimulated PBMCs were sufficient to promote the differentiation of naive CD4(+)CD45RA T cells into Th17 cells. Furthermore, we found that the combination of IL-1β, IL-6, and transforming growth factor-β-neutralizing antibodies completely inhibited P. acnes-induced IL-17 production. Importantly, we showed that IL-17-expressing cells were present in skin biopsies from acne patients but not from normal donors. Finally, vitamin A (all-trans retinoic acid) and vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) inhibited P. acnes-induced Th17 differentiation. Together, our data demonstrate that IL-17 is induced by P. acnes and expressed in acne lesions and that both vitamin A and D could be effective tools to modulate Th17-mediated diseases such as acne
- …