Perspective Chapter: Emergency COVID-19 Guidelines Impacts on the Human Microbiome and Immune System

There have been over sixty microbiome scientific studies involving populations in Europe, Asia and America which have enabled researchers to be able to map the human microbiome. There have been also over hundred publications on the effects of skin cosmetic conditions on the dynamism of the human microbiome. The human body naturally has its own ecosystem of microbiome population which further studies have shown that they are associated and communicate with the human immune system. Recent studies have shown that there are benefits which are derived from a healthy microbiome which is composed of a balanced microbial diversity. Advances in technologies, and increased WHO guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic are increasingly being found to be impacting this long-standing human-microbiome synergy. The skin surface microbes and their interactions with other organisms have a significant capacity of influencing health by being immune modulators through either their cell components or other cellular metabolites. This Book Chapter shall discuss and propose microbiome targeted therapeutics strategy as a rationale to involve the role of immune system dynamics and human microbiome in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and other pandemics

Habitat fragmentation causes rapid genetic differentiation and homogenization in natural plant populations – A case study in Leymus chinensis

The effects of habitat fragmentations on the forage grass Leymus thinness (Trin.) Tzvel, which has high genetic diversity in northeast China were investigated. Four natural populations of the same ecotype (Grey-green leaf, GGL), namely, BT, ZL, CL and CC (named after location) were collected from different abiotic growing conditions. The CC population has become isolated in a park inside a city by tall buildings though geologically close to CL. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) selected primer combinations were highly efficient in revealing the inter-clonal and inter-populational genetic variation in this species. The genetic diversity indices were higher in BT (H = 0.2305) and ZL (0.2467) populations and the lowest in CC (0.1674) population. Cluster analysis showed that the CC population was becoming isolated from the rest with the least gene flow from BT (1.51) as compared from BT to ZL (2.24). Lowest polymorphism was observed in CC (52.31%) as compared to CL (57.69%), BT (70.00%) and ZL (70.38%); this showed a tendency towards homogenization probably due to increased selfing, and due to reduced gene flow apparently caused by city buildings. These results were supported by multiple statistical analyses including Mantel’s test, PCOORDA and AMOVA. Genetic enrichment and epigenetic variation studies can be included in habitat fragmentation analysis and its implications in inducing homogenization and susceptibility in natural plant populations

Morphological and cytosine DNA methylation changes induced by a combined effect of boron (B) and salt toxicity in Sorghum bicolor inbred line

Boron (B) toxicity is one of the abiotic stresses limiting plant growth in arid and semi arid regions globally. Although studies have been conducted on the combined effect of B and sodium chloride (NaCl) toxicity on overall plant growth revealing an antagonistic relationship, the morphology and epigenetic interactions have not fully been explained. Germinating seeds of an inbred line of Sorghum bicolor (YN267) were subjected to various concentrations of B (10, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mM) in a constant concentration of high NaCl (100 mM). Methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) was used in the assessment of changes in the methylation levels and patterns. Morphological results show that plants at the B concentration range of 10 to 200 mM were adversely affected by the combined stress application than at 300 and 400 mM. In addition, the cytosine methylation status at 300 mM showed an increased overall hypermethylation, while hypomethylation was induced at 400 mM. These results show that not only did the combined treatment induced cytosine DNA methylation changes which was reflected in the plant morphology, but the alleviating effects of the combination at toxic levels are suggested to be due to the epigenetic alterations and expression/repression of stress responsive genes.Keywords: Cytosine DNA methylation, Sorghum bicolor L, boron and sodium chloride toxicity, methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP

Heterotic analysis using AFLP markers reveals moderate correlations between specific combining ability and genetic distance in maize inbred lines

Heterotic breeding strategies in maize (Zea mays L.) can be improved if high specific combining abilities in hybrid performance and a DNA marker-based genetic distance in the inbred lines is correlated, and hence heterosis can reliably be predicted. In this study, the genetic diversity across 9 elite maize inbred lines was evaluated using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker. The genetic distance (GD) between each of all possible inbred pairs and the specific combining ability (SCA) and heterosis in the F1 hybrids were evaluated in a diallel set of crosses (Griffing II). Nineteen AFLP primers produced 1019 reproducible bands of which 691 (67.81%) were polymorphic. This gave an average of 53.6 bands per primer combination. A matrix of Genetic similarity (GS) according to UPGMA clustered the inbred lines into 4 groups with a GD ranging from 0.2442 to 0.4093. The results indicated that GD was moderately correlated with grain yield (0.4096), mid-parent heterosis (MH) (0.3624), better-parent heterosis (BH) (0.3309) and SCA (0.4725). Although the AFLP markers have high polymorphisms and can be used to detect the genetic divergences, place maize inbred lines in different heterotic pools and identify the most positive SCAs and heterosis, they are still limited in fully predicting hybrid performance

Introduction from the Wild and Growth Characterization of Three Provenances of Calotropis procera (Ait) in a Domesticated State in Dry lands of South Eastern Kenya

Calotropis procera is a wild species that is drought-resistant and important in production of wool, fibre, biomass among other uses. There exist high demand of the wool in Asian countries and collection from the wild has been going on in Kenya and other countries. However, this collection does not meet the quantity required. Domestication of the species may be the key in bridging the quality and quantity demands for the wool. A study is being undertaken to evaluate growth, phenology and wool productivity of selected provenances of C. procera in dry lands of S. Eastern Kenya. The research site is situated between 01.313580S, 037.755460 E and 01.314220S, 037.755760E and elevation of 1173m a.s.l in South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), Kitui County, Kenya. The research started in January 2015 with the main focus on monitoring the growth, phenological characteristics and wool productivity of the species in a typical farm setting. This paper focuses on growth characterization of three provenances of C. procera under different spacings (1.5mx1.5m, 2mx2m and 3mx3m). Results indicate that the species can be domesticated, it is hardy and capable of achieving an average field survival of over 97%. The species is multi-stemmed with Tharaka provenance showing highest mean branching of 13.25 followed by Baringo (12.22) then Kibwezi (11.98). Kibwezi recorded a slightly higher DBH growth of 3.90cm followed by Baringo (3.83) then Tharaka (3.82). Tharaka had highest mean height of 187.89cm, Baringo (184.25) and Kibwezi (182.63). Test of homogeneity of variances showed significant statistical differences (P<0.5) with Kibwezi being the least significant (0.043), Baringo (0.01) and Tharaka (0.000). All provenances showed a strong positive correlation (Pearson, P<0.01, n = 12) of branching, DBH and Height with Kibwezi recording rs = 0.975, Baringo (rs = 0.988) and Tharaka (rs = 0.996). Differences in spacing levels started affecting growth parameters from the age of ten months with 3x3 showing highest DBH followed by 2x2 then 1.5x1.5. In terms of height, 1.5x1.5 has the highest (182.85cm), 2x2 (172.42) and 3x3 (168.65). 3x3 was not statistically significant (0.806, P<0.05) while 2x2 and 1.5x1.5 had significance of 0.001 and 0.000 respectively. All spacing levels showed strong positive correlations (Spearman, P<0.01, n = 12) of the study parameters where 1.5x1.5 had rs = 0.614, 2x2 (rs = 0.972) and 3x3 (rs = 0.986) all at P<0.01. The study can authoritatively conclude that the species can establish and grow well in a typical farm setting in dry lands. Spacing affects growth parameters from the age of 10 months. Baringo provenance and 2x2 spacing have performed best. The study recommends analysis of wool productivity to justify the best provenance and spacing. Keywords: Calotropis procera, Domestication, Kibwezi Provenance, Tharaka Provenance, Baringo provenanc

A Comparative Study of the Physiochemical and Bacteriological Parameters of Potable Water from Different Sources in Kitui County, Kenya

Developing nations are experiencing an ever-increasing demand for safe water due to climate change and the ever-increasing human population. Various strategies including construction of shallow wells, boreholes and sand dams along the river are done to make water available to various households. However, availability of water sources near are faced with challenges of pollution from a variety of sources. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of selected bacteriological and physico-chemical parameters in three potable water sources namely Kiembeni borehole, Mwitasyano River and Kalundu Dam in Kitui County.  The quality of this water was compared to the standards for potable water prescribed by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). Representative sampling was conducted during the wet season (October 2019) and the dry season (August 2020) in the three sampling sites. The samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters: pH, color, turbidity, alkalinity, conductivity, iron, calcium, magnesium, hardness, chloride, fluoride, sulphates, ammonia, total dissolved solids and bacteriological parameters: total and fecal coliform. The analysis was performed at the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) laboratory using standard procedures. The values obtained for the different water sources in the wet season and dry season were pooled and mean values calculated to determine the overall quality of drinking water. The results indicated that all the water sources had fecal coliform levels unsuitable for drinking water. Most of the values obtained for pH, color, alkalinity, conductivity, calcium, fluoride and sulphates in all sources of water were within the recommended potable water standards by KEBS. However, turbidity, iron and total coliform obtained values for borehole water samples were not within the recommended KEBS standards. The river and dam water samples were within the recommended standards for magnesium, hardness, chloride, ammonia and total dissolved solids. Although results indicate that some of the physico-chemical parameters were in conformance with the recommended standards, the overall bacteriological parameters render the water unsuitable for drinking.  Thus, public health intervention programmes should be focused on addressing various sources of water pollution including regular disinfection of water. Keywords: Water quality, Physico-chemical, Kitui County, Assessment DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-11-05 Publication date: November 30th 202

Epi-fingerprinting and epi-interventions for improved crop production and food quality

Increasing crop production at a time of rapid climate change represents the greatest challenge facing contemporary agricultural research. Our understanding of the genetic control of yield derives from controlled field experiments designed to minimise environmental variance. In spite of these efforts there is substantial residual variability among plants attributable to Genotype x Environment (GxE) interactions. Recent advances in the field of epigenetics have revealed a plethora of gene control mechanisms that could account for much of this unassigned variation. These systems act as a regulatory interface between the perception of the environment and associated alterations in gene expression. Direct intervention of epigenetic control systems hold the enticing promise of creating new sources of variability that could enhance crop performance. Equally, understanding the relationship between various epigenetic states and responses of the crop to specific aspects of the growing environment (epigenetic fingerprinting) could allow for a more tailored approach to plant agronomy. In this review, we explore the many ways in which epigenetic interventions and epigenetic fingerprinting can be deployed for the improvement of crop production and quality

Triple Helix as a Strategic Tool to Fast-Track Climate Change Adaptation in Rural Kenya: Case Study of Marsabit County

AbstractThe lack of affordable, clean, and reliable energy in Africa's rural areas forces people to resort to poor quality energy source, which is detrimental to the people's health and prevents the economic development of communities. Moreover, access to safe water and food security are concerns closely linked to health issues and children malnourishment. Recent climate change due to global warming has worsened the already critical situation.Electricity is well known to be an enabler of development as it allows the use of modern devices thus enabling the development of not only income-generating activities but also water pumping and food processing and conservation that can promote socioeconomic growth. However, all of this is difficult to achieve due to the lack of investors, local skills, awareness by the community, and often also government regulations.All the above mentioned barriers to the uptake of electricity in rural Kenya could be solved by the coordinated effort of government, private sector, and academia, also referred to as Triple Helix, in which each entity may partially take the other's role. This chapter discretizes the above and shows how a specific county (Marsabit) has benefited from this triple intervention. Existing government policies and actions and programs led by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and international agencies are reviewed, highlighting the current interconnection and gaps in promoting integrated actions toward climate change adaptation and energy access