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Cholera in Zambia: Explanatory Factors and Mid-term Impact of the Sustainable Development Goals
(AJRID, 2024) Siamalube, Beenzu; Ehinmitan,Emmanuel; Ngotho,Maina; Onguso, Justus; Runo, Steven
Cholera, a highly contagious disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, poses a severe public health
threat, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to clean water and
adequate sanitation. Symptoms such as acute watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and muscle cramps
can lead to rapid dehydration, and without timely treatment, cholera can be fatal. Globally, cholera
incidence has increased significantly, with World Health Organisation data showing a rise from
223,370 cases in 2021 to 472,697 in 2022, with the number of affected countries growing from 35 to
47. In Zambia, cholera outbreaks are recurrent, particularly during the rainy season, with 30
outbreaks recorded between 1977 and 2018. Fishing camps in rural areas and densely populated
peri-urban areas, particularly in the Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces, report the highest
incidences, attributed to inadequate waste management and poor drainage. This study investigates
the factors influencing cholera dynamics in Zambia, focusing on climate variability, population
density, and water and sanitation infrastructure. This study employs a mixed-methods approach,
analysing historical cholera records, climate data, and socioeconomic factors since 1977. The
article seeks to identify correlations between environmental and socioeconomic variables and
cholera incidence, to guide effective public health strategies. The findings aim to support Zambia’s
efforts to eliminate cholera within its borders by 2025, aligned with the Multisectoral Cholera
Elimination Plan and Vision 2030
Evaluation of Granular Formulated Strigolactone Analogs for Striga Suicidal Germination
(John Wiley & Sons, 2024) Jamil,Muhammad; Margueritte,Ouedraogo; Yonli,Djibril; Jian You Wang; Navangi,Lynet; Mudavadi,Patrick; Patil,Rohit H.; Bhoge,Satish Ekanath; Traore,Hamidou; Runo,Steven; Al-Babili,Salim
BACKGROUND: Striga hermonthica, an obligate root parasitic weed, poses a significant threat to cereal production in subSaharan Africa. Lowering Striga seed bank in infested soils is a promising strategy to mitigate infestation levels. The dependency of Striga seed germination on strigolactones opens up the possibility of a ‘suicidal germination’ approach, where
synthetic germination stimulants induce lethal germination in the absence of a host. Implementing this approach requires
active germination stimulants with a suitable formulation for field application. Here, we describe the development of slowreleasing granular formulation of two potent germination stimulants ‘Methyl Phenlactonoate 3’ and ‘Nijmegen-1’ and the
assessment of their activity under Laboratory, greenhouse, mini-field, and field conditions.
RESULTS: Under laboratory conditions, the granular formulation of either of the two germination stimulants (1.25 mg per plate,
corresponding to 0.09 mg a.i.) induced Striga seed germination at a rate of up to 43%. With 10 mg granular product (0.75 mg a.
i.) per pot, we observed 77–83% reduction in Striga emergence under greenhouse pot conditions. Application of the formulated
stimulants under artificially or naturally infested fields resulted in approximately 56%, 60%, and 72% reduction in Striga emergence in maize, sorghum, and millet fields in Kenya and Burkina Faso, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Our findings on the newly designed granular formulation of Methyl Phenlactonoate 3 and Nijmegen-1 reveal
encouraging prospects for addressing the Striga problem in Africa. These findings underscore several significant advantages
of the formulated stimulants, including suitability for the African agricultural context, and, most importantly, their effectiveness in reducing Striga infection
Skin reflectance changes in Kenyan neonates during the first month of life: an observational study
(Nature, 2025-05) Bokser, Seth; Koech, Priscillah; Bosuben, Hillary; Gaichiumia, Anne; Miwa, Atsushi; Wanyoro, Anthony
Cell Wall Dynamics in the Parasitic Plant (Striga) and Rice Pathosystem
(MPMI, 2025) Barminga Damaris; Mutinda Sylvia; Mobegi Fredrick M.; Kibet Willy; Hale Brett; Anami Sylvester; Wijeratne Asela; Bellis Emily S.; Runo Steven
In the plant-plant pathosystem of rice (Oryza sativa) and the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica, cell walls from either plant are
important defensive and offensive structures. Here, we reveal
the cell wall dynamics in both Striga and rice using simultaneous RNA sequencing. We used weighted gene co-expression
network analysis to home in on cell wall modification processes
occurring in interactions with a resistant rice cultivar (Nipponbare) compared with a susceptible one (IAC 165). Likewise, we
compared the cell wall dynamics in Striga infecting resistant and
susceptible rice. Our study revealed an intense battlement at the
Striga-rice cell walls involving both parasite (offense) and host
(defense) factors, the outcome of which makes the difference
between successful or failed parasitism. Striga activates genes
encoding cell wall-degrading enzymes to gain access to the host,
expansins to allow for cell elongation, and pectin methyl esterase
inhibitors for rigidity during infection. In the susceptible host,
immune response processes are not induced, and Striga-derived
cell wall-degrading enzymes easily breach the host cell wall, resulting in successful parasitism. In contrast, the resistant host
invokes immune responses modulated by phytohormones to fortify the cell wall through polysaccharides and lignin deposition.
Through these processes, the cell wall of the resistant host successfully obstructs parasite entry. We discuss the implications
of these findings in the context of practical agriculture in which
cell wall modification can be used to manage parasitic plants.
Effect of Job Rotation Training Technique on Employee Poductivity at East African Portland Cement Company, Kenya
(International Journal of Management Studies and Social Science Research, 2025-04) Wambua, Rukia; Wambua, Peter Philip
With the unpredictable business environment and intense business competition, organizations are required to reach certain standards by improving their performance to align with such great demands and an abundance of resources such as infrastructures or physical facilities are made meaningless without the support of qualified human resources that directly disrupt the continuity of the business operations. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of job rotation training technique on employee productivity at East Africa Portland Cement PLC at Athi River Kenya. Herzberg two-factor theory anchored the study. The target population of study comprised employees at East Africa Portland Cement PLC at Athi River Kenya and targeted 457 employees who had taken part in a form of training and development. Purposive and random sampling were used in selection of the 137 respondents who formed the sample size. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Descriptive statistics results showed that the respondents agreed that job rotation training technique had an effect on employee productivity in EAPCC. The regression results showed a positive and significant effect of job rotation training technique (β = 0.256, Sig. = 0.026) on employee productivity. The study concludes that job rotation is a powerful training technique that offers numerous benefits for both employees and organizations since it enhances skills, knowledge, and adaptability while promoting employee engagement and retention. The study recommends adoption of adaptability-focused job rotation in EAPCC since is a strategic initiative that contributes significantly to an organization's agility, innovation, and overall success.