INNATE IMMUNITY AND MICROBIAL INVASION

Aim of Review: Studies have been published in the field of innate system and microbial invasion but much is not know on the mechanisms involved. This review is organized into areas of components and function of the immune system, microbial detection, cells of the innate immune system and homeostasis.

Findings: The innate immune system activates and instructs adaptive immune responses, regulates inflammation, and mediates immune homeostasis which is the balance between opposing pro inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes. The cells of the innate immune system use pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on microorganisms, and communicate through cytokines. Activation of the innate immune system begins with resident cells such as the macrophages, epithelial cells and mast cells in the tissues at the site of the infection. If the threat of infection accelerates, these cells recruit other cells such as the neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, monocytes and platelets from the circulation into the inflamed tissues. Many of the same cells and mechanisms used to recognize and attack microbes and initiate inflammatory reactions are also used to clear away damaged and dying cells and down regulate inflammation to maintain homeostasis within the host.

Conclusion: The innate immune system refers to germline defense mechanisms that are directed against molecular components found only in microorganisms. These mechanisms are not learned, adapted, or permanently heightened as a result of exposure to microorganisms, although they are refined by evolution over generations.

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WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN KENYAN POLITICS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The constitution of Kenya promulgated in August 2010 acknowledged the historical marginalization of women in elective and appointive positions by expanding their representation, space and role in governance. This was aimed at creating a country a country anchored on the principles of equality and equity. However, ten years down the line, there is no legislative framework to operationalize the two thirds principle. Bridging the gender inequality gap in Kenya requires much more than a comprehensive legal framework. The first election Kenya held under the new constitution in March 2013 did not result in the required constitutional requirements that would have helped bridge the gender gap that had persisted since independence in 1963. Kenya is a bicameral system of governance. In the 2013 elections no single female Senator or Governor was elected. In the 2017 General elections, the country elected three female Governors and Four female senators. However, in as much as this was an improvement, it did not meet the required constitutional threshold. In the Global Gender Gap Report 2018 Kenya was ranked position 76 globally in closing the gender gap whereas regionally in the East Africa community it still lags behind in bridging the gender gap. Addressing gender marginalization in Kenya requires a holistic approach involving both state and non-state actors for its realization. Efforts geared towards addressing patriarchy domination are essential.

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“PRIMITIVE KNOWLEDGE”? REFLECTIONS ON UBUNTU AND DAOISM ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE ZAMBEZI RIVER BASIN

Plato lamented nearly 2500 years ago that land degradation in the city of Athens had stripped it off the lush hills of Greece. Among the key forms of degradation are deforestation, drought, siltation of rivers, destruction of water catchment areas, soil erosion, poaching and pollution due to industrialization. This destruction has been going on unabated despite awareness creation through education and also legislations. The greed of humanity for exploitation of the environment for profits has exposed the soft underbelly of human civilization giving rise to phenomena like global warming, floods, drought and now diseases associated with environmental degradation are a threat to the survival of mankind.

Ubuntu is a philosophy that recognizes the humanness of Africans whereby the sense of collectiveness imbues the collective responsibility to others. “We are, therefore I am”. However, this restriction of ubuntu to humanity only is problematic since it negates the special relationship homo sapiens have towards the flora and fauna. Traditional African knowledge systems utilizes proverbs, cultural beliefs, taboos, totems, shrines as ways of promoting man’s tolerance towards the environment whereby mankind is just but a mere caretaker. African philosophy encourages a collective sense of responsibility to conservation. In most African communities, the practice of meshing environmental seasons and animal identities with that of clan names, family lineage names, environment seasons creates a sense of human/animal similitudes which encourages a communal commitment to conservation of flora and fauna.  Majority of the communities living in the Zambezi river basin are grappling with challenges posed by climate change. These communities had and still have their own indigenous knowledge systems that enabled them to live harmoniously with the environment.

On the other hand, according to the earliest Daoist texts, when human nature is aligned with the rest of nature, order and harmony are inherent. Thus, according to Daoism we should therefore aspire to being simple and unadorned, with no illusions about our own significance in the cosmos. Here, Daoism treats humanity simply as a part of nature and not as a master of nature. This paper examines how, since time immemorial, ubuntu and Daoism has been used to conserve the ‘natural’ environment in the process making its use sustainable which could come in handy especially in addressing the challenges posed by environmental degradation in the Zambezi river basin.

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ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN SURFICIAL WATER OF SILVER RIVER, SOUTHERN IJAW, BAYELSA STATE, NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA

Water samples were collected from three different locations along the Silver River, Bayelsa State and were analyzed for the concentrations of selected heavy metals. This was done with the aim to determine if the concentrations of the metals exceeded the minimum requirement for drinking water by WHO. The result showed that the examined metals; cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), nickel (N), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and mercury (Hg) concentrations were between 0.714±0.131-2.414±0.648, 1.742±0.214-3.812±1.136, 1.694±0.331-3.725±1.203, 0.443±0.06-2.717±0.782, 2.171±0.520-3.691±0.669, 5.167±2.063-8.239±2.411, 2.891±0.897-4.489±1.093, 0.349±0.062-2.891±1.033 and 0.0011±0.00-0.0024±0.00 mg/L respectively. All the values observed for the individual heavy metals except Hg were higher than the WHO value for domestic water. The contamination factor index analyzed from the concentrations of the heavy metals showed different degrees or levels of contamination – pollution of the water by the individual metals examined. Therefore, the water is not good for human consumption. The government should make practicable efforts to stop the input sources of these metals into the Silver River water body.

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SOLITON SOLUTIONS OF ONE-DIMENSIONAL GENERALIZED GROSS-PITAEVSKII EQUATIONS WITH CUBIC-QUINTIC-SEPTIC NONLINEARITY

Based on the cubic-quintic-septic nonlinear formulation for typical physical systems with higher-order nonlinearity, we solve the one-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii equation, and simulate the higher-order nonlinear effects of such systems under certain experimental conditions. Through F-expansion method and modulus-phase transformation, we reach the analytical solutions of the model, and the single and double soliton solutions are identified, and the septic-order nonlinearity is shown with the special nonlinear characteristics of the system.

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MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF POWDER MILK AT DHAKA METROPOLITAN AREA

Milk and milk powder are very rich in several nutrients and relished by everybody throughout the world. This study reports on the microbiological status of Powder milk samples belonging to seven different markets of Dhaka Metropolitan Area. The samples were tested for the Total Coliform Count (TCC), pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella spp count. The number of Coliform organisms varied from 20±2.83 to 450±2 (MPN/g).  The Coliform counts of the powder milk samples were exceeded the 100 per gram limit for dried milk powder recommended by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) and Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). The number of E. coli varied from 3±0.00 to 44±2.83 (MPN/g). The presence of E. coli in most of the samples indicates pre and post-processing contamination of the milk. No Salmonella spp. could be isolated from the samples. Since the international agencies have not fixed any limit for E. coli count in dry milk, the hygienic quality of those samples must be improved considerably. These results highlighted the necessity to maintain appropriate sanitary and hygienic measures at each critical point to safeguard consumers from foodborne pathogens.

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