Immune response to controlled release of immunomodulating peptides in a murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model

The effects of controlled release on immune response to an immunomodulating peptide were evaluated in a murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis (MS). The peptide, Ac-PLP-BPI-NH2-2 (Ac-HSLGKWLGHPDKF-(AcpGAcpGAcp)2-ITDGEATDSG-NH2; Ac = acetyl, Acp = aminocaproic acid) was designed to suppress T-cell activation in response to PLP139–151, an antigenic peptide in MS. Poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microparticles containing Ac-PLP-BPI-NH2-2 (8±4 μm, 1.4±0.2% (w/w)) were prepared by a powder-in oil-in water emulsion-solvent evaporation method, sterilized and administered subcutaneously (s.c.) to SJL/J (H-2s) mice in which EAE had been induced by immunization with PLP139–151. Treatment groups received Ac-PLP-BPI-NH2-2: (i) in solution by repeated i.v. or s.c. injection, (ii) in solution co-administered with blank PLGA microparticles, (iii) in solution co-administered with Ac-PLP-BPI-NH2-2 loaded microparticles, and (iv) as Ac-PLP-BPI-NH2-2 loaded microparticles. Administration of Ac-PLP-BPI-NH2-2 as an s.c. solution produced clinical scores and maintenance of body weight comparable to i.v. solution, but with reduced overall survival, presumably due to anaphylaxis. Administration as s.c. microparticles provided a somewhat less effective reduction in symptoms but with no toxicity during treatment. Thus, the results suggest that s.c. administration of Ac-PLP-BPI-NH2-2 microparticles can provide pharmacological efficacy and reduction in dosing frequency without increased toxicity

In vitro determination of Sun Protection Factor on Clays Used for Cosmetic Purposes in Kenya

Ultraviolet radiation is a real problem to human health and it’s said to cause skin cancer and related skin ailments. These diseases are of economic burden in terms of diagnosis, treatment and prevention in low and middle level countries. Commercial sunscreens are considered as the most effective way of preventing the incidences of skin cancer, however they are costly, unavailable and they contain toxic ingredients, which can in the end be cancerous. Sunscreens from natural sources like plants and clay are currently being explored as cheap, reliable, and available and may offer simple alternative health benefits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the amount of sun protection factor (SPF) offered by cosmetic clays used in Kenya by different communities. The SPF was determined in vitro using 3 M transpore adhesive tapes on twelve clay samples collected randomly from sites used in three counties namely Narok, Bomet and Bungoma. Using a spreading protocol of 2 µg/cm2 transmittances between 280 to 400 nm were measured using a UV 1800 Shimadzu, Japan spectrophotometer. A commercial sunscreen with known SPF was incorporated in the study as a positive control. The SPF values of the clays were found to be between 1.46 and 40.98. The SPF value obtained for the commercial sunscreen differed from the SPF cited by the manufacturer. A second method was used on the commercial sunscreen and values obtained were in close agreement with those used in the first method. This study revealed that clays used for cosmetic purposes offer some form of sun protection to its users. Determination of SPF using Transpore tape is cheap, easy to handle, readily available and rapid. Keywords: Sun Protection factor, Clay

A clustered randomized control trial to assess feasibility, acceptability, and impact of implementing the birth companion intervention package in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria: study protocol

BACKGROUND: A birth companion is a simple and low-cost intervention that can improve both maternal and newborn health outcomes. The evidence that birth companionship improves labor outcomes and experiences of care has been available for many years. Global and national policies exist in support of birth companions. Many countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria have not yet incorporated birth companions into routine practice in health facilities. This paper presents the protocol for a trial that aims to assess if a package of interventions that addresses known barriers can increase the coverage of birth companions. METHODS: This two parallel arm cluster randomized controlled trial will evaluate the impact of a targeted intervention package on scale-up of birth companionship at public sector health facilities in Ethiopia (five study sites encompassing 12 facilities), Kenya (two sites encompassing 12 facilities in Murang'a and 12 facilities in Machakos counties), and Nigeria (two sites encompassing 12 facilities in Kano and 12 facilities in Nasarawa states). Baseline and endline assessments at each site will include 744 women who have recently given birth in the quantitative component. We will interview a maximum of 16 birth companions, 48 health care providers, and eight unit managers quarterly for the qualitative component in each country. DISCUSSION: Ample evidence supports the contribution of birth companions to positive health outcomes for mothers and newborns. However, limited data are available on effective strategies to improve birth companion coverage and inform scale-up efforts. This trial tests a birth companion intervention package in diverse clinical settings and cultures to identify possible barriers and considerations to increasing uptake of birth companions. Findings from this study may provide valuable evidence for scaling up birth companionship in similar settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov with identifier: NCT05565196, first posted 04/10/ 2022

Landscape dynamics (landDX) an open-access spatial-temporal database for the Kenya-Tanzania borderlands

The savannas of the Kenya-Tanzania borderland cover >100,000 km2 and is one of the most important regions globally for biodiversity conservation, particularly large mammals. The region also supports >1 million pastoralists and their livestock. In these systems, resources for both large mammals and pastoralists are highly variable in space and time and thus require connected landscapes. However, ongoing fragmentation of (semi-)natural vegetation by smallholder fencing and expansion of agriculture threatens this social-ecological system. Spatial data on fences and agricultural expansion are localized and dispersed among data owners and databases. Here, we synthesized data from several research groups and conservation NGOs and present the first release of the Landscape Dynamics (landDX) spatial-temporal database, covering ~30,000 km2 of southern Kenya. The data includes 31,000 livestock enclosures, nearly 40,000 kilometres of fencing, and 1,500 km2 of agricultural land. We provide caveats and interpretation of the different methodologies used. These data are useful to answer fundamental ecological questions, to quantify the rate of change of ecosystem function and wildlife populations, for conservation and livestock management, and for local and governmental spatial planning.The South Rift Association of Land Owners (specifically grants from the European Union and the Lion Recovery Fund), BigLife Foundation, Esri Conservation Program, Mara Elephant Project, Microsoft AI4Earth programme, the Carlsberg Foundation Semper Ardens project MegaPast2Future, and the VILLUM Investigator project “Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World” funded by VILLUM FONDEN, the European Research Council (ERC) project ANTHEA.http://www.nature.com/scientificdataam2023Mammal Research InstituteZoology and Entomolog

Prevalence and Incidence of HIV Infection among Fishermen along Lake Victoria Beaches in Kisumu County, Kenya

Viette Pierre. Position systématique et appareil stridulant de Pemphigostola synemonistis Strand, de Madagascar [Lep. Noctuidae]. In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 60 (9-10), Novembre-décembre 1955. pp. 176-179