Networks and narratives: An exploration of their relationship and potential for understanding the actual experiences of women with HIV/AIDS

This study set out to examine literature relating to social network theory and narrative theory in order to explore how their potential connection could be used in future to understand and improve the actual life-experiences of women infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The thesis was done entirely by library research using secondary sources but is original in its intent. It includes a critical examination of some of the work of earlier researchers, including Lockhart\u27s (2000) anthropological study of the social construction of `risk\u27 of AIDS in urban Tanzania. Much previous research studied the problem of HIV and AIDS among women in different parts of the world and the factors that increase their vulnerability to the epidemic. However there has been a tendency to ignore women\u27s own narratives, even though it is only through these that we can best understand their situation and help design and implement preventative and intervention programs culturally tailored to their needs

Site-specific analysis of glycosylated proteins using mass spectrometry

Among the numerous post-translational modifications that a protein can undergo, glycosylation is by far the most common, having the most profound influence on the structural and functional properties of the protein. Therefore, profiling glycosylation patterns in glycosylated proteins and defining the structures and locations of these glycans is important in understanding the structure-function relationship of glycans in glycosylated proteins. The work presented herein focuses on applying different mass-spectrometric methods to profile glycosylation patterns in glycoprotein hormones and HIV envelope proteins. To determine the structures and locations of the glycans on these proteins, a glycopeptide-based mass mapping approach was employed. Glycoprotein hormones mainly contain acidic glycans that are highly sulfated and/or sialylated. These acidic functional groups affect the biological clearance of these proteins. To characterize the glycan structures on glycoprotein hormones, we used a non-specific enzyme to generate small glycopeptides that are easier to separate and analyze. However, analysis of these glycopeptides can be challenging since it involves simultaneous analysis of two unknowns; the peptide and the glycan portions. To facilitate identification of the peptide portion, we developed a web-based tool (GlycoPep ID) that utilizes a characteristic product ion observed in (-)MS/MS data of these glycopeptides. To identify the glycan portion, since (-) MS/MS analysis gives very minimal glycan structural information; we developed an ion-pairing approach, which provides a wealth of structural information on the glycan portion of these glycopeptides. Finally, an HIV envelope protein, CON-S gp140∆CFI, a potential vaccine candidate for HIV/AIDS, was characterized. This protein is extensively glycosylated with over 50% of its mass constituting of glycans. Although these glycans play a major role in viral defense mechanism against the host immune system, the structures and locations of these glycans are still not yet known. To develop an efficacious vaccine against this virus, a complete characterization of these glycans is required. A full glycosylation site-specific analysis of glycans in this protein was performed. This information provided biological insights into why CON-S gp140∆CFI is a good immunogen, thus a potential candidate for an HIV vaccine

Relationship between crown like structures and body mass index in breast cancer

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women worldwide, including Kenya. Globally, increasing incidences of BC have paralleled those of obesity. The mechanism by which obesity contributes to BC is still an active area of research but white adipose tissue inflammation characterized by crown-like structures (CLS), which are macrophages surrounding dying adipocytes, is considered an important contributor. Objectives: The primary objective was to determine the association between CLS and body mass index (BMI) in BC patients. The secondary objectives were to determine the association of CLS with BC risk factors specifically, age, menopausal status, subtypes of BC, and overall survival among BC patients. Methodology: Surrounding non-tumor breast tissue from 180 BC surgical specimens was selected and stained immunohistochemically with CD68 to detect CLS. Demographic and clinical data was collected from medical records. Comparison between CLS presence and BMI categories with the other variables was determined based on the Fisher Exact test and Kruskal Wallis test. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to test the association between CLS presence and BMI categories. Models were adjusted for age, ER status, and menopause as potential confounders. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In multivariable models, obese patients were approximately two-fold more likely to have CLS in their tissues than normal-weight patients (Odds ratio (95% CI) = 2.03 (0.68-6.02)) but differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.204). BC risk factors specifically, age, menopausal status, subtypes of BC, and overall survival among BC patients were also not associated with CLS presence. Conclusion: The findings were suggestive of higher CLS prevalence in surrounding non-tumor breast adipose tissue of obese than normal-weight women. Observed differences were, however, not statistically significant, which could be due to the low prevalence of CLS in this population, the relatively small sample size, or due to inherent tumor characteristics within this population. Recommendations: Due to its low prevalence, CLS may not be the most ideal marker for white adipose tissue inflammation, and further studies looking into macrophage density and different types of macrophages within surrounding breast tissue are recommended

Plasma ACTH concentration and pituitary gland histo-pathology in rats infected with

Background: Human African trypanosomiasis is one of the neglected and re-emerging infectious diseases in Africa with over 60 million people being at risk of contracting the disease.Objective: To investigate the effects of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection on secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and histology of the pituitary gland and paraventricular nucleus in rats.Methods: Rats were randomly divided into two groups, control and experimental. Experimental rats were injected intraperitonially with 0.2ml of blood containing 1.0 x 104 live T.b.brucei parasites. Tail blood samples were collected weekly for the determination of plasma concentration of ACTH. The pituitary gland and coronal section of brain were processed histologically and observed microscopically.Results: There was a significant difference (p = 0.0190) in plasma ACTH concentration between the control and experimental rats. Histological alterations were observed in both the pituitary and paraventricular nucleus of experimental rats.Conclusion: T.b.brucei infection causes histological changes in both the paraventricular nucleus and pituitary gland in rats. These histological changes could account for the decrease in corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and ACTH production in the infected rats.Keywords: Trypanosomiasis, paraventricular nucleus, pituitary gland, ACT

The impact of Bioversity International’s African leafy vegetables programme in Kenya

An effort by Bioversity and several partners in Kenya increased production, consumption and marketing of a wide range of African leafy vegetables (ALVs) and improved household welfare. Between 1996 and 2004, Bioversity International worked with partners in Kenya to revive the interest of researchers and ordinary people in these valuable foods. An impact assessment study showed that nearly two-thirds of households growing ALVs increased their income from ALVs, while nearly half had increased their consumption of ALVs. Bioversity was ranked as the most influential partner in promoting production and use of ALVs and in raising awareness of the value of ALVs

Effect of Youth Enterprise Development Fund on Growth of New Enterprises in Kenya: A Survey of Selected Youth Enterprises in Mathioya District

There has been concerted effort to stem wide unemployment that was worsened by the global financial crisis of 2008. Various government efforts has been focused towards alleviating unemployment especially among individuals aged between 18-35 years. One such effort by the government was the establishment of the Youth Enterprise Development Fund aimed at facilitating youths start income generating activities by advancing loans with least collateral requirements. This research aimed at finding out the effects that Youth Enterprise Development Fund has had on growth of new enterprises in Kenya with a special reference to Mathioya District. It aimed at finding out how financial support, entrepreneurial training and networking impacted on growth of new enterprises at a district level. The research used questionnaires and structured interview as data collection instruments. The population of the study was 276 respondents from which a sample size of 123 respondents comprising 120 youth group officials from 40 youth groups, 2 YEDF officials and 1 DYO were selected. The data collected was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative data was analysed by deductive approach. Quantitative data was analyzed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) and presented using frequency tables, histograms and pie charts. Out of 120 questionnaires given to youth group officials 115 were returned representing 96% response rate. All the 3 structured interviews were carried out with 2 YEDF officials and 1 DYO. The study found that 46% of the youth groups received less than 50,000 shillings annually from YEDF whereas 43% received between Ksh. 50,000 and Ksh. 1000, 000 from YEDF annually. Data collected through interviews indicated that trainings were conducted every quarter (4 times a year). Financial management (48%) and bookkeeping (40%) were the issues addressed in training. Majority (64%) of the participants indicated that the rate of networking was high among youth groups. Findings showed that financial support (p=0.000) and training (p=0.032) were statistically significant at 95% confidence level while entrepreneurial training (p=0.315) was not. The researcher concluded that Youth Enterprise Development Fund has had a positive effect on growth of new enterprises in Kenya; however, the YEDF goals are limited by the amount of funds disbursed and failure of youths to attend trade fairs/exhibitions organised by YEDF. The researcher recommends that the government should increase the budget allocation to Youth Enterprise Development fund to enable increased start-up loans. In addition, YEDF should adopt funding of individual projects and disbursement be done at district level. Keywords; youth enterprise development fund, micro and small enterprises, networking, training, youth, financial support, growth

An Assessment of Management Commitment to Application of Green Practices in 4 – 5 Star Hotels in Mombasa, Kenya

Hotel businesses consume significant amounts of natural resources, discharge large amounts of raw and solid waste which consequently affects the sustainability of the natural environment. Environmental management and sustainability have been recent important issues in hospitality industry. The hotels, as a main sector of the hospitality industry, have benefited from environmental initiatives through improving corporate image and increasing resource and energy efficiency. In Kenya greening in hotels is a new concept that managers are yearning to embrace. This study therefore sought to establish the current state of green practices in four to five star hotels in Mombasa, Kenya. Further, this study also sought to determine the relationship between management environmental commitment and organizational involvement in green practices. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and observation checklists. The results indicated that 88.9 percent of the managers were not satisfied with their current issues while 81.5 percent were focusing on improving the green concepts. The study concluded that hotel managers should embrace regular environmental audits where environmental performance is constantly monitored and recorded. Environmental education and training were also considered valuable in developing awareness, knowledge, positive attitude, skills and participation in green practices. Keywords: Kenya, hotel industry, managers, commitmen

Factors Influencing Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing firm competitiveness among the Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically the study set out to examine the influence of strategic leadership, technology, resources and organization culture on competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study population comprised of SMEs in Nairobi which fall within the top 100 SMEs in Kenya. There are 79 SMEs from Nairobi County in the Top 100 SMEs in Kenya. A sample size of 25 SMEs which represented 30% of the target population was selected through stratified random sampling. The stratification was based on five business sector categories (real estate, supplies, services, distribution and manufacturing). The study utilized primary data which was collected from top management employees through the use of questionnaire. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Correlation analysis was employed to aid in establishing the nature and strength of the relationships between variables of interest. Correlation analysis results indicate that strategic leadership, adoption of relevant technology, resources availability and organization culture has a positive and significant relationship with firm competitiveness. The study concludes that sustainable competitive advantage of the firm stems from effective strategic leadership, adoption of technology, resources availability and effective organization culture. The study recommends that SMEs should embrace various competitive strategies to remain relevant in the market and achieve the required competitiveness. The SMEs managers should embrace strategic leadership practices, benchmark on best practices to ensure constant touch with their customers, embrace adoption of appropriate technology towards realizing higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness, ensure optimal utilization of resources, and cultivate a good balance between the organization culture and the organization processes so as to enhance competitive advantage. This study was confined to factors influencing organizational competitiveness of small and medium enterprises within Nairobi County. Other studies could be pursued in terms of expanding the geographical setting and taking recognition of other variables that could intervene and or moderate the investigated relationship

Social Protection and Agricultural Development in Kenya

This paper focuses on social protection programs in Kenya’s agriculture. A case study approach was used where three cases were examined: (a) emergency seed distribution in the arid and semi-arid lands and remote areas which are inadequately served by the formal seed sector, (b) hunger and safety net programme in northern Kenya, and (c) Njaa Marufuku Kenya. The study found that while social protection programs/strategies are necessary to cushion vulnerable groups from covariate risk, these have not been properly domesticated in the Kenyan policy and legal frameworks. In fact, the national response to shocks and stresses among the vulnerable groups has largely been ad hoc. Emergency interventions have been implemented in rather haphazard and knee-jerk approach with minimal strategic policy focus. And even where social safety nets have been implemented, these have largely been untargeted, uncoordinated and humanitarian in nature. Hence, although some efforts have been made in the past to entrench social protection in the Kenyan society (e.g., the Equity Bill, the Affirmative Action Bill and the Constitutional Review), these initiatives have suffered from lack of political goodwill, ethnic and class chauvinism and political patronage. There is therefore need to for the Kenyan society as a whole to re-define its strategic direction with regard to empowering poor households to enable them cope with shocks. The starting point would be to design a comprehensive social protection policy which is now in progress.DfI