Characterization of Immunogenic Soluble Crude Proteins from Biomphalaria Pfeifferi Against Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent tropical disease in the world after malaria. Chemotherapy and molluscicides which are the main methods of control do not give lasting protection as the disease continues to spread to other new regions. Previous studies have demonstrated the immunogenic properties of the digestive gland (DG), foot parts (FT) and the rest of body tissue (RT) soluble protein of Biomphalaria pfeifferi against Schistosoma parasite and therefore possible candidates for vaccine development against the parasite. However, information about the chemical composition of the soluble proteins is scanty. The objective of this study was to characterize and determine chemical composition of the DG and FT soluble proteins from Biomphalaria pfeifferi. A total of twelve compounds were identified using GC-MS. N-tert-butyl methylamine and penicillamine were present in both DG and FT soluble proteins. Butylamine S, valine, amino heptanoic acid, 1,1-dimethylamino-1 butane and valienamine were present in the DG soluble protein but were missing in the FT extracts. Tert-butylamine, heptylamine, cycloheptane methylamine, erythro-O-methylthreonine and leucine were present in the FT soluble protein but missing in the DG extracts. FTIR analysis showed N-H stretch at 3100 cm-1, C=O stretch at 1700cm-1, N-H bending at 1600cm-1 and O-H peak at 3500 cm-1 while UV absorption occurred at 240-300 nm thus confirmed the presence of amino acids in the soluble protein extracts. Results from this study justifies medicinal activity of Biomphalaria pfeifferi soluble crude protein extracts. Further studies involving isolation of individual constituents in the crude soluble proteins and subjecting them to bioassay is highly recommended. Keywords: Schistosomiasis; Biomphalaria pfeifferi; Protein extracts; Chemical compounds DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-12-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

Characterization of Immunogenic Soluble Crude Proteins from Biomphalaria Pfeifferi Against Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent tropical disease in the world after malaria. Chemotherapy and molluscicides which are the main methods of control do not give lasting protection as the disease continues to spread to other new regions. Previous studies have demonstrated the immunogenic properties of the digestive gland (DG), foot parts (FT) and the rest of body tissue (RT) soluble protein of Biomphalaria pfeifferi against Schistosoma parasite and therefore possible candidates for vaccine development against the parasite. However, information about the chemical composition of the soluble proteins is scanty. The objective of this study was to characterize and determine chemical composition of the DG and FT soluble proteins from Biomphalaria pfeifferi. A total of twelve compounds were identified using GC-MS. N-tert-butyl methylamine and penicillamine were present in both DG and FT soluble proteins. Butylamine S, valine, amino heptanoic acid, 1,1-dimethylamino-1 butane and valienamine were present in the DG soluble protein but were missing in the FT extracts. Tert-butylamine, heptylamine, cycloheptane methylamine, erythro-O-methylthreonine and leucine were present in the FT soluble protein but missing in the DG extracts. FTIR analysis showed N-H stretch at 3100 cm-1, C=O stretch at 1700cm-1, N-H bending at 1600cm-1 and O-H peak at 3500 cm-1 while UV absorption occurred at 240-300 nm thus confirmed the presence of amino acids in the soluble protein extracts. Results from this study justifies medicinal activity of Biomphalaria pfeifferi soluble crude protein extracts. Further studies involving isolation of individual constituents in the crude soluble proteins and subjecting them to bioassay is highly recommended. Keywords: Schistosomiasis; Biomphalaria pfeifferi; Protein extracts; Chemical compounds DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-12-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

Effect of nutrient solution concentrations on the growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties grown from apical rooted cutting in a hydroponic system

This study evaluated the effects of nutrient stock solution concentrations on the growth and yield of potato varieties grown from apical rooted cuttings (ARCs). A greenhouse experiment was conducted at the Climate and Water Smart Agriculture Center at Egerton University, Kenya. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot arrangement in randomized complete block design, where the main plot comprised three nutrient concentrations, i.e., 75% (N75), 100% (N100) and 125% (N125) of the ADC-Molo’ nutrient formulation. The subplots were allocated to four potato varieties (Shangi, Wanjiku, Nyota and Unica). The results showed that there were no significant (p<0.05) interaction effects of the nutrient stock solution concentrations application rates on the growth attributes of ARCs. The main effects of N125 gave the tallest plants (32.29cm) at 60 days after planting (DAP), highest normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) (0.60) at 75 DAP, plant survival rate (82.15%) at 75 DAP, and fresh weight (79.04g) and dry matter (31.26%) of aboveground biomass (AGB). Nyota variety produced taller plants (26.90cm) at 60 DAP, gave higher NDVI values (0.53) at 75 DAP, and higher fresh weight (64.87g) and dry matter (27.60%) of the AGB. Significant (p<0.05) interactions were observed in the yield parameters. The interaction between N125 and Nyota (11.33) and Wanjiku (10.67) gave the highest number of minitubers, the highest yields were obtained between the interaction of N125 and Unica (16.38t/ha). Therefore, to achieve high growth and yields of ARCs under hydroponic system, seed potato producers should use 125% of the ADC Molo nutrient formulation

The Effect of Firm’s Market Share Performance on Inclusion in NSE 20 Share Index: A Case Study of Mumias Sugar Company Ltd

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of firm’s share performance on inclusion in NSE 20 share index. The study adopted an event study research design. Purposive sampling method was used to select Mumias Sugar Company Ltd for analysis from the target population of NSE 20 share index constituent companies. The study found out that stocks in the NSE markets do not exhibit significant positive abnormal returns but exhibit significance change in trading volume following inclusion into index

Households’ perceptions on impact of drought on water resources in Makindu sub-county, Kenya

Drought is a major threat to water sources in the world. It causes variation in volumes of water flow. Once compounded with other factors, water scarcity arises. However, perceptions of households on the impact of drought on water sources vary from region to region. Understanding the perceptions of households is critical in ensuring people cope with water shortages. Thus, this paper sought to examine household’s perception on the impact of drought on water resources in Makindu Sub-County, Kenya. The study employed descriptive survey research design. A total of 370 households were sampled using simple random sampling. Purposive sampling was used to select the key informants. Questionnaires and key informants’ interview schedules were used to collect primary data. Data from questionnaires was coded and analyzed using SPSS Version 20. As perceived by the households’ drought led to drying up of water sources and further its impact varied from one drought intensity to another. The study also established that overuse by households, high rates of evaporation and encroachment of people to water sources were also affecting water sources. It was concluded that households should embrace adaptation and coping strategies to minimize water shortages. It is recommended that sensitization is required to equip individuals with knowledge to conserve water sources. The study provides new knowledge that is beneficial for water resource saving policy making, governance as well as for education at community and institutional levels.Keywords: Perceptions, drought, household

Drought Adaptation and Coping Strategies Among the Turkana Pastoralists of Northern Kenya

This study highlights drought characteristics and the many responses to drought stresses employed by Turkana pastoralists of northwestern Kenya. Multiple data sources, including socioeconomic interviews with 302 households, focus group discussions, and informal interviews with pastoralists were used to capture various aspects of drought and drought adaptation and coping practices. Standardized precipitation index derived from long-term rainfall data obtained from the Kenya Meteorological Service was used to quantify different degrees of drought intensity between 1950 and 2012. Results revealed that extreme drought events were increasingly frequent, and have impacted negatively on pastoral livelihoods. In order to adapt to or cope with climatic anomalies, households are using a variety of strategies. In addition to the traditional short-term coping mechanisms, the long-term adaptation strategies used include diversification of livelihood sources; livestock mobility to track forage and water resources; diversification of herd composition to benefit from the varied drought and disease tolerance, as well as fecundity of diverse livestock species; and sending children to school for formal education as a long term investment expected to pay back through income from employment. Policies and development interventions that reduce risks, diminish livelihood constraints, and expand opportunities for increased household resilience to drought are critical complements to the existing pastoral strategies

Effect of Acid Treatment on the Chemical Properties of Clays from Selected Sites in Murang’a and Nyeri counties, Kenya

Assessing improvement on the quality of clay has been conducted by treatment with different concentrations of hydrochloric and oxalic acid. This project intended to assess the effect of acid treatment on the elemental composition of clays from selected sites. The clays were leached using hydrochloric and oxalic acid separately at a concentration of 0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2M. The elemental composition of raw and acid-treated clays was determined using AAS. Elemental composition of the acid-treated clays, in oxide form were in the ranges of 40.80-65.16 % SiO2, 7.16 -30.33 % Al2O3, 0.33-7.62 %TiO2, 0.24-2.65 % K2O, 0.01-1.82 % MgO. The findings of this study showed that the quality of clays could be improved by acid treatment hence the clays can be used as a source of raw materials for industrial applications. Keywords: Acid-treatment, Elemental, raw materials DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-22-05 Publication date: November 30th 202