Comparison of direct and precipitation methods for the estimation of major serum lipoproteins

Background: There is increase in use of direct assays for analysis of high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol by clinical laboratories despite differences in performance characteristics with conventional precipitation methods. Calculation of low density lipoprotein cholesterol in precipitation methods is based on total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins, thus may cumulatively carry errors of individual methods. Adoption of direct assays is expected to decrease turnaround time and save on cost.Objectives: To compare direct and precipitation methods for estimation of major serum lipoproteins.Design: Cross sectional study.Setting: Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.Subjects: Three hundred and eighty four (384) participants were recruited for the study.Results: There was no significant difference in high density lipoprotein cholesterol estimated by direct and precipitation methods p=0.091 as well as low density lipoprotein cholesterol estimated by direct method and Friedwald’s formulae p=0.093.Conclusion: Both direct and precipitation methods give similar results. Selection should be based solely on workload, availability and technical expertise

Excise tax changes and their impact on Gadam sorghum demand in Kenya

Gadam sorghum has in the recent past been promoted by various operators through a Public-Private-Partnership. Taking advantage of this, the largest brewing establishment in Kenya developed a beverage targeted for the low-end market in an effort to stem the problems associated with illicit alcoholic beverages while giving farmers a reliable income source. With its promotion, a number of farmers have devoted effort at availing grain to via contract, for the purposes of brewing. However, excise tax changes are destined to impact this arrangement by altering the conditions for different players along this particular chain. Using ARIMA time series modelling, we analyse the imposition of two tax changes—a reduction of tax in 2006 and an increase of tax in 2013—on the demand for the product and therefore demand for Gadam sorghum grain. Data is represented by Results show a relatively large change in demand occasioned by tax increases. The paper argues that the further encouragement of sorghum growing will undoubtedly cushion farmers from climate change impacts while it’s processing can boost manufacturing to meet the targets stated in Vision 2030 while offering farmers a consistent income source

Cryptosporidium species detected in calves and cattle in Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya

A total of 1,734 cattle faecal samples from 296 dairy-keeping households were collected from urban settings in Nairobi, Kenya. Modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining method and an immunofluorescence assay were used to identify those samples with Cryptosporidium oocyst infection. Oocysts from positive faecal samples were isolated by Sheather's sucrose flotation method and picked from the concentrate using cover slips. Genomic DNA was extracted from 124 of the faecal samples that were positive for Cryptosporidium and was used as template for nested PCR of the 18S rRNA gene. Twenty-five samples (20 %) were PCR-positive for Cryptosporidium, and 24 of the PCR products were successfully cloned and sequenced. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis identified 17 samples (68 %) as Cryptosporidium parvum-like, four samples (16 %) as Cryptosporidium ryanae, three samples (12 %) as Cryptosporidium andersoni and one sample (4 %) as Cryptosporidium hominis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first genotyping study to report C. parvum-like, C. andersoni and C. hominis in cattle from Kenya. The results of this study show Cryptosporidium infections in calves and cattle may be potential zoonotic reservoirs of the parasite that infects humans