Abstract: Laccase (EC 1.10.3.2, benzenediol oxygen, oxidoreductases) is typically extracellular monomeric glycoproteins that belong to the multicopper oxidase family. Laccase is widely distributed in higher plants, bacteria, fungi, and insects. Laccase play an important role in different industrial sectors, soil bioremediation and biodegradation of environmental phenolic pollutant and removal of endocrine disruptors. Laccase has been efficiently applied to nanobiotechnology due to their abil...
Abstract: Bioactive natural compounds isolated from fungal endophytes have been playing a promising role in the search for novel drugs and becoming an inspiring source for researchers due to their enormous structure diversity and complexity. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungi from garlic bulbs and leek leaves. The study involved garlic (Allium sativum) bulb and leek (Alllium Ampeloprasum var. porrum) leaf samples...
Abstract: Production of biogas through anaerobic digestion of organic waste materials provides an alternative eco-friendly renewable energy source. Anaerobic digestion is a technology widely used for the treatment of organic waste for biogas production. Therefore, the study was conducted to investigate the production of biogas from Wild oats co-digested with goat manure through anaerobic digestion with five treatments. The treatments were made into five treatments by mixing substrates in dif...
Abstract: Artificial insemination technology of dairy cattle is a popular technology to improve the performance of new breeds. But, the adoption and utilization of the technology by dairy cattle owners in Ethiopia in general and study area in particular is very low. This study was conducted in Bedele Woreda of Buno Bedele zone of Oromia National Regional State with the aim of assessing determinants of adoption decision and intensity use of artificial insemination technology of dairy cattle. ...
Abstract: Botswana is lagging behind in active participation in stem cell research. The research is yet to take off in the country. In order for stem cell research to be established in Botswana, the people of the country have to accept the research as affording a viable therapy alternative to conventional medicine. This study aimed to evaluate and analyse attitudes of the people of Botswana towards the establishment of stem cell research in Botswana. A survey study was conducted to examine p...
Abstract: A system which comprises intercropping between rows of maize with plants that repel stem borers and attract natural enemies, and which also dramatically reduce the level of striga infestation, combined with a surrounding crop of plants that trap out pests, has been developed for use by resource-poor farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.The intercrop and trap crops provide forage for cattle and goats. The technology is called “push-pull”. It is knowledge-intensive and there are lessons...
Abstract: Genetic strategies for large scale pest or vector control using modified insects are not yet operational in Africa,and currently rely on import of the modified strains to begin preliminary, contained studies. Early involvementof research teams from participating countries is crucial to evaluate candidate field interventions. Following therecommended phased approach for novel strategies, evaluation should begin with studies in containmentfacilities. Experiences to prepare facilities...
Abstract: Tsetse-transmitted trypanosomiasis is a disease unique to Africa, affecting both humans and animals. This disease occurs in about 10 million km2 in 37 sub-Saharan countries corresponding approximately to one-third of Africa's total land area, and threatens an estimated 50 million people and 48 million cattle. The estimated annual losses in cattle production alone are in the range of 1.0-1.2 billion dollars. The diagnosis of trypanosomiasis is notoriously difficult as there are no s...
Abstract: Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are a devastating global health problem. Mosquitoes are amongst the most important vectors of human VBDs. Several measures have been put in place to manage and eliminate these vectors, however they have all faced a variety of setbacks and raising the need to develop other methods of control. The use of bacterial endosymbionts is a highly promising new method to explore for this purpose. This study aimed to identify and characterize Spiroplasma, a matern...
Abstract: Mosquitoes are the primary vectors of arboviral infections. As there are no vaccines or effective therapeutic treatments for these diseases, vector control is an important approach for curbing their circulation or transmission. These vectors spend the first three of their four life stages in aquatic habitats where fitness and efficiency of adult mosquitoes to transmit arboviral infections is greatly influenced. Understanding ecology of mosquitoes in their aquatic habitats is theref...
Abstract: Water is life thus access to safe drinking water is essential to health and a basic human right. Kenya is considered a water scarce country whose water sources are becoming more contaminated through changes in land use and poor solid waste management. This has in turn affected the quantity and quality of portable water available. There are nearly 1.7 billion cases of waterborne diarrheal disease every year with over 760 000 deaths of children under five years. Traditional methods o...
Abstract: Malaria is a strong selective force in the human genome, selecting genes for resistance to disease in human populations living in malaria endemic areas. Selection by malaria has generated genetic variations, providing evolutionary driving force mediating polymorphisms such as Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency and sickle-cell anaemia. Genes encoding erythrocyte receptors of Plasmodium falciparum especially the sialoglycoproteins, glycophorins A, Band C, which are the main...
Abstract: Honeybees, Apis mellifera, are key contributors to the global economy, nutrition, food security and ecological biodiversity. Despite their robust benefits, declines in honeybee populations have been reported owing to a number of factors. Such include pests and diseases, climate change, poor management practices, change in land usage and low ge-netic diversity. High intra-colonial genetic diversity is associated with resilience and re-sistance to pest and diseases as well as increas...
Abstract: Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) is a major pest of maize in East Africa. Its indigenous natural enemies are unable to regulate its densities to a level acceptable to farmers. Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval parasitoid of C. partellus now established in Kenya, was released in 1993 from Pakistan for the control of this pest. A major constraint in evaluating the establishment of C. flavipes, is the great amount of time spent for its field collection and identifi...
Abstract: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) has been in use as an agricultural insecticide and as a disease vector control since 1939. Due to its persistence in the environment, its use has been surrounded by controversies regarding its safety to humans and the environment. There has been no reliable and replicable scientific evidence proving its harmful effects to humans though DDT was banned in many developed nations by 1970s. The DDT ban has seen to the reemergence of malaria and othe...