Porcine amino peptidase N domain VII has critical role in binding and entry of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

Kamau, Anthony Ndirangu,Park, Jung-Eun,Park, Eui-Soon,Yu, Jung-Eun,Rho, Jaerang,Shin, Hyun-Jin ELSEVIER 2017 VIRUS RESEARCH Vol.227 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infects swine intestinal cells causing enteric disease. Research has shown that the entry into these cells is through porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) receptor. To gain insights into mechanisms of PEDV-pAPN interactions, the present study aimed at identifying the domain that is critical for PEDV binding. To this end, NIH3T3 cell lines constitutively expressing pAPN or pAPN mutants were generated. The mutants were; domain VII deletion mutant and domains IV–VI deletion mutant. In the latter, domain VII was linked to the transmembrane segment through domain III. Results showed PEDV infection was restricted to pAPN and pAPN domain VII expressing NIH3T3 cells. Further, reducing PEDV titre 10 fold resulted in 37.8% decrease in foci indicating positive correlation. A time course test at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60h showed that foci increased 6 fold in the overall time range. Also, PEDV harvested from pAPN or domain VII expressing NIH3T3 cells was induced indirect plaques in Vero cells confirming successful entry and replication. Collectively, our results demonstrate that PEDV recognizes pAPN and that the main interactive point is lodged within domain VII of the pAPN. These findings are important for therapeutic development as well as creating a platform for future studies on PEDV.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> To gain insights into mechanisms of PEDV-pAPN interactions, the present study aimed at identifying the domain that is critical for PEDV binding. </LI> <LI> Results showed PEDV infection was restricted to pAPN domain VII expressing NIH3T3 cells. </LI> <LI> PEDV harvested from pAPN or domain VII expressing NIH3T3 cells was induced indirect plaques in Vero cells. </LI> <LI> Our results demonstrate that PEDV recognizes pAPN and that the main interactive point is lodged within domain VII of the pAPN. </LI> </UL> </P>

Effect of Irrigation and Mulch on the Incidence of Erwinia Soft Rot, Flower and Tuber Production of Zantedeschia ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Florex Gold’

Kamau Ngamau,Beatrice Njoki Ng"ayu,Elisha Njue Mugai 한국원예학회 2006 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

Effect of Vac-Pac Plus on the viability of a live infectious bronchitis vaccine

Kamau, N.A.,Lee, D.W.,Kheong, C.K.,Park, J.E.,Shin, H.J. Elsevier 2010 The Journal of applied poultry research Vol.19 No.2

<P><B>SUMMARY</B></P> <P>In the absence of stabilizers, vaccines administered in water are likely to be inactivated by free chlorine or other metals. Vac-Pac Plus, developed by Animal Science Products Inc. (Nacogdoches, TX), is a powdered stabilizer for vaccines administered via drinking water. The efficacy of this product was demonstrated in this study by its ability to preserve the viability of live infectious bronchitis vaccine reconstituted in water containing free chlorine. Maintenance of viable vaccine during administration is requisite for effective immune stimulation and response after vaccination.</P>

Medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes by traditional healers of Narok County, Kenya

Kamau, Loice Njeri,Mbaabu, Peter Mathiu,Karuri, Peter Gathumbi,Mbaria, James Mucunu,Kiama, Stephen Gitahi Cellmed Orthocellular Medicine and Pharmaceutical 2017 TANG Vol.7 No.2

The Maasai community from Kenya is highly esteemed for their strong adherence to traditional cultures and ethno medicine. This is attributed to their age-old traditional mechanisms of passing down knowledge to the younger generation. Adoption to new socio-economic lifestyle and urbanization has been associated with development of diabetes, which has been reported among some indigenous pastoral communities in Kenya. Documentation of traditional methods of treatment and management of diabetes by the Maasai has not yet been reported, yet it is noteworthy. Thirty traditional healers from Narok County were purposively selected and interviewed about traditional knowledge of antidiabetic medicinal plants, parts used, preparation dosage and administration. A total of 14 antidiabetic plant species distributed within 13 genera and 12 families were identified and documented as herbal medicine used in the management of diabetes. The most highly cited plant species was Dovyalis abyssinica (20%), the plant family Flacourtiaceae and Rhamnaceae (2 plant species each) recorded the highest number of plant species while the most frequently used plant part was the roots (46%). Literature review revealed that some of the cited plants have known phytochemicals with antidiabetic activity; the study recommends further scientific investigation to validate their efficacy and safety.

Use of in-vitro Selection for the Development of Early Flowering and Salt Tolerant Clones of Zantedeschia ‘Green Goddess’

Kamau Ngamau 한국원예학회 2006 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

Ethnobotanical survey and threats to medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of human diseases in Nyeri County, Kenya

Loice Njeri Kamau,Peter Mathiu Mbaabu,James Mucunu Mbaria,Peter Karuri Gathumbi,Stephen Gitahi Kiama 셀메드 세포교정의약학회 2016 TANG Vol.6 No.3

In Kenya, traditional knowledge on herbal medicine has remained a mainstream source of maintaining wellbeing for generations in many communities. However, the knowledge has been eroded in the course of time due to sociocultural dynamics virtually advanced by Christianity and formal education especially in the Kikuyu community. The study documented current ethnobotanical knowledge and threat to the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants among the Kikuyu community. A survey was carried out in Mathira, Tetu, Kieni, Othaya, Mukurweini, and Nyeri Town constituencies. Thirty practicing herbalists were purposively sampled; 5 per constituency. Data was obtained through semi - structured questionnaires and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 80 ailments treated using 111 medicinal plant species distributed within 98 genera and 56 families were documented. Prevalent communicable diseases treated using herbal medicine included; gonorrhea (17.5%), malaria (15%), respiratory infections (12%), colds (10%) and amoebiasis (10%). Non-communicable diseases were; joint pains (11.1%), ulcers/hyperacidity (8.7%), high blood pressure (8.7%), intestinal worms (11.1%) and arthritis/gout (10%). Frequently harvested plant materials were; roots, barks and leaves. The study concluded that, traditional medicine practitioners in Nyeri County possessed wide knowledge of herbal medicine but this knowledge was on the verge of disappearing as it was largely a preserve of the aged generation. The study recommended massive campaign about the benefits of using herbal medicine in the study area. Further pharmacological studies are recommended on the mentioned plant species aimed at establishing their efficacy and safety as well as standardization as potential drugs.

Anti-Oxidant and Hepatoprotective Activities of Ziziphus mucronata Fruit Extract Against Dimethoate-Induced Toxicity

Kwape, Tebogo Elvis,Chaturvedi, Padmaja,Kamau, Macharia,Majinda, Runner KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2013 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.16 No.1

Objective: The study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of Ziziphus mucronata (ZM) fruit extract. Methods: The different types of fruit extract were prepared by soaking the dry powdered fruit in different solvents followed by rotary evaporation. Each extract was tested for its phenol content and antioxidant activities. An in vivo study was performed in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Thirty adult male SD rats (aged 21 weeks) were divided into six groups of five rats each and treated as follows: The normal control (NC) received distilled water while the dimethoate control (DC) received 6 mg/kg.bw.day-1 dimethoate dissolved in distilled water. The experimental groups E1, E2, E3, and E0 received dimethoate (6 mg/kg.bw) + ZMFM (100 mg/kg.bw-1), dimethoate (6 mg/kg.bw) + ZMFM (200 mg/kg.bw-1), dimethoate (6 mg/kg.bw) + ZMFM (300 mg/kg.bw-1), and ZMFM (300 mg/kg.bw-1) only. Both the normal control and the dimethoate control groups were used to compare the results. After 90 days, rats were sacrificed, blood was collected for biochemical assays, and livers were harvested for histological study. Results: High phenol content was estimated, and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) spectrophotometric, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and 2, 2-Azobis-3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays showed a high antioxidant activity among the extracts. The preventive effects observed in the E1, E2 and E3 groups proved that the extract could prevent dimethoate toxicity by maintaining normal reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and E, superoxide dismutase, catalase, cholineasterase and lipid profiles. The preventive effect was observed to be dose dependent. The EO group showed no extract-induced toxicity. Histological observations agreed with the results obtained in the biochemical studies. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that ZM methanol fruit extract is capable of attenuating dimethoate-induced toxicity because of its high antioxidant activity.

Anti-Oxidant and Hepatoprotective Activities of Ziziphus mucronata Fruit Extract Against Dimethoate-Induced Toxicity

Tebogo Elvis Kwape,Padmaja Chaturvedi,Macharia Kamau,Runner Majinda 대한약침학회 2013 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.16 No.1

Objective: The study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of Ziziphus mucronata (ZM) fruit extract. Methods: The different types of fruit extract were prepared by soaking the dry powdered fruit in different solvents followed by rotary evaporation. Each extract was tested for its phenol content and antioxidant activities. An in vivo study was performed in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Thirty adult male SD rats (aged 21weeks) were divided into six groups of five rats each and treated as follows: The normal control (NC) received distilled water while the dimethoate control (DC)received 6 mg/kg.bw.day-1 dimethoate dissolved in distilled water. The experimental groups E1, E2, E3, and E0 received dimethoate (6 mg/kg.bw) + ZMFM (100mg/kg.bw-1), dimethoate (6 mg/kg.bw) + ZMFM (200mg/kg.bw-1), dimethoate (6 mg/kg.bw) + ZMFM (300mg/kg.bw-1), and ZMFM (300 mg/kg.bw-1) only. Both the normal control and the dimethoate control groups were used to compare the results. After 90 days, rats were sacrificed, blood was collected for biochemical assays, and livers were harvested for histological study. Results: High phenol content was estimated, and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH)spectrophotometric, thin layer chromatography (TLC)and 2, 2-Azobis-3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays showed a high antioxidant activity among the extracts. The preventive effects observed in the E1, E2 and E3 groups proved that the extract could prevent dimethoate toxicity by maintaining normal reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and E,superoxide dismutase, catalase, cholineasterase and lipid profiles. The preventive effect was observed to be dose dependent. The EO group showed no extractinduced toxicity. Histological observations agreed with the results obtained in the biochemical studies. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that ZM methanol fruit extract is capable of attenuating dimethoate-induced toxicity because of its high antioxidant activity.

Slide Session : OS-ONC-12 ; Oncology : The Prevalence of Depression among Family Caregivers of Children with Intellectual Disability on a Rural Settingin Kenya

( Njeri Rahab Mbugua ),( Judy W Kamau ),( Muthoni Mathai ),( Wangari Kuria ),( Elizabeth Ann Bukusi ) 대한내과학회 2014 대한내과학회 추계학술대회 Vol.2014 No.1

Background: The objective of the study was to determine the risk of depression in caregivers ofchildren with intellectua ldisability. Caregivers of children with intellectual disability have a great responsibility that may be stressful. The psychological well-being of the care giver may a ect the quality of care given to children with intellectual disability. Methods: The study was conducted at Gachie Catholic Parish, Archdiocese of Nairobi (Kenya). Design. Cross sectional, descriptive study.The study was conducted among 114 caregivers registered at the Gachie Parish program (in Kenya) for the intellectual disabled children. A researcher-designed social demographic questionnaire and the Beck depression inventory were administered to those that met the inclusion criteria Results: Seventy-nine percent (79%) of the caregivers were at risk of clinical depression. Conclusions: Majority of the caregivers of children with intellectual disability were at risk of developing clinical depression.

Histomorphological changes in the common carotid artery of the male rat in induced hypogonadism

Isaac Cheruiyot,Beda Olabu,Martin Kamau,Kevin Ongeti,Pamela Mandela 대한해부학회 2018 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.51 No.4

The role of androgens in the development of cardiovascular diseases remains controversial. The current study therefore sought to determine the changes in the histomorphology of the common carotid artery of the male rat in orchidectomy-induced hypogonadism. Twenty-two Rattus norvegicus male rats aged 2 months were used. The rats were randomly assigned into baseline (n=4), experimental (n=9), and control (n=9) groups. Hypogonadism was surgically induced in the experimental group by bilateral orchiectomy under local anesthesia. At experiment weeks 3, 6, and 9, three rats from each group (experimental and control) were euthanized, their common carotid artery harvested, and routine processing was done for paraffin embedding, sectioning, and staining. The photomicrographs were taken using a digital photomicroscope for morphometric analysis. Orchidectomy resulted in the development of vascular fibrosis, with a significant increase in collagen fiber density and decrease in smooth muscle and elastic fiber density. Moreover, there was development of intimal hyperplasia, with fragmentation of medial elastic lamellae in the common carotid artery of the castrated rats. Orchidectomy induces adverse changes in structure of the common carotid artery of the male rat. These changes may impair vascular function, therefore constituting a possible structural basis for the higher incidences of cardiovascular diseases observed in hypogonadism.