ABSTRACT Aflasafe KE01 is a biological control product comprising of four atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus which are native in Kenya. This study determined the efficacy of Aflasafe KE01 on the population of aflatoxin producing fungi and aflatoxin contamination of maize in alternate seasons. Field efficacy trials were carried out in aflatoxin hot spots in Kathiani and Wote sub Counties in lower Eastern Kenya. Twenty four maize fields were selected at random in each Sub County where 12 ...
ABSTRACT Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), is the most important legume in pulses category of Kenya’s agricultural commodities and is second only to maize in importance as a food crop. Among the bean diseases angular leaf spot (ALS) caused by Phaeoisariopsis griseola is a major constraint to production in the tropics and subtropics, and causes considerable yield losses. The effectiveness of the available methods for control of angular leafspot, which include cultural practices, use ...
ABSTRACT Armillaria root rot has been documented as one of the major diseases of tea (Camellia sinensis) that hinders successful establishment of tea when planted shortly after deforestation. Effective methods for managing the disease have not been fully developed. Trichoderma harzianum, a soil-borne fungus, has been demonstrated to be an effective antagonist to several species of Armillaria. In this study, formulation, stability in storage and viabilit y of T. harzianum in selected substrate...
ABSTRACT Maize (Zea mays) is a staple food grown in almost all agro-ecological zones in Kenya. The production output is very low (2.4 million tons annually) nationally. Nyanza region contributes about 5 million bags. This is not enough to feed its population of 5 million people. Maize ear rot disease contributes to low maize productivity in Nyanza, with annual lossess due to aar rot estimated at 18 percent. These pathogens are reported to lower the quality of the maize crop and produce mycoto...
ABSTRACT Benign hyperplasia and Carcinoma of prostate are pro static disorders commonly found in aging sales. These disorders are reported to be less common amongst Nigerians, though there has been no concrete pathophysiological evidence to support this observation. The exact aetiology of these disorders has not been resolved, but some factors have been identified as being contributory to their development. Amongst these factors are androgenic hormonal control and the influence of some trace-...
ABSTRACT The probability of developing tuberculosis (TB) disease is higher in immune compromised subjects such as HIV/AIDS patients. Conventional methods of diagnosing TB which include sputum smear microscopy, culture and chest X-ray have drawbacks and established limitations. The limitations are pronounced in immunocompromised subjects. The consequence of poor diagnosis of TB especially in resources limited environment like Nigeria contributes to the rising incidence of TB. Introducing immu...
ABSTRACT Background: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a newly found hormone that promotes renal phosphate excretion. It is secreted by osteocytes. In progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD), FGF23 levels increase in parallel with the deterioration of renal function, thus serves as a novel risk marker for progression of chronic kidney disease. The physiologic stimulus for FGF23 secretion is linked to hyperphosphatemia caused by phosphate load. Elevated FGF23 levels have spurious effect...
ABSTRACT Oophorectomy is a management modality for Pre-Menopausal women with Breast Cancer (PMBC) resulting in reduced oestrogen levels and artificial menopause. Metabolic alterations occur during natural menopause while reduced levels of oestrogen (a known cardioprotective factor) may alter plasma lipids, lipoproteins and other cardiovascular risk factors. The effects of low estrogen levels, which occur in oophorectomised women are not known. This study was therefore designed to investigate ...
ABSTRACT: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is global disease affecting about one third of the world’s population with its attendant mortality and morbidity. Acute phase proteins have been used in monitoring the progression of infections but not in relation to PTB in this environment. The levels of total protein, albumin, α-2-macroglobulin, transferrin, and haptoglobulin were determined in 23 patients with PTB and 17- age / sex matched PTB-free controls using spectrophotometric and immunodiffus...
ABSTRACT Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary disorder prevalent in malaria endemic areas, in which there is state of chronic vasculopathy characterized by endothelial dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress. SCD patients with malaria may experience worse outcomes because malaria infection in SCD leads to depletion of antioxidants which may complicate the disease. Few studies, however, have evaluated the antioxidant status of SCD patients with discrete clinical syndromes. ...
ABSTRACT The major objective o f this work was to establish serum testosterone levels in Ghanaian males, for use at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital and to find out the variation with age, and at what age in an individual would hormonal supplementation be needed. The study was carried out using serum collected from a cross section of the children and adult population in Accra. The analysis was done using an EIA method with an assay sensitivity o f 0.05nmol/L. The results o f serum testosterone ...
ABSTRACT The prevalence of obesity is increasing in Ghana. Obesity is associated with increased risk of many chronic diseases especially type 2 diabetes mellitus. Researching into diagnostic markers is very important. Leptin and C-reactive protein have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes related disorders such as obesity. The aim of this study was to compare serum leptin and C-reactive proteins concentration in obese Ghanaians with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eighty (80)...
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) is well noted for its nutritional and therapeutic uses. The seeds and mesocarp of the fruit, which were of interest in this study are rich sources of phytochemicals including flavonoids and phenols. These bestow upon the fruit its medicinal properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-hypertensive activities. Cancer has been a public health menace for long and it currently stands as the world’s second killer disea...
ABSTRACT Current methods of assessing the viability of adult Onchocerca volvulus in drug evaluations are mainly based on in-vitro and histological techniques. The in-vitro method is efficient in detecting live and dead worms while the histological method is more efficient in determining the number of worms in the nodules. Despite their capabilities in some areas, these techniques have certain methodical deficiencies which often lead to inaccurate interpretation of results or marked variations...
ABSTRACT Adipokines are bioactive mediators that communicate between adipose tissue and other biological systems. Adipokines have strongly been linked to adiposity and obesity. The body’s balance of adipokines is fundamental to prevent obesity and other noncommunicable disease. However, their levels in the aetiogenesis of obesity or otherwise have not been studied in Ghana.. The aim of the study was to investigate the levels of plasma Leptin, Adiponectin, Resistin (major adipokines) among...