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In 2009, the Government of Kenya adopted a mandatory iodine standard for all edible salt of 30-50 mg/kg with potassium iodate as a required fortificant. To assess the new standard, iodine nutrition measurements were included in the Kenya National Micronutrient Survey (KNMS) in 2011. Spot urine samples were obtained from 951 school-age children (SAC, 5 - 14y of age) and 623 non-pregnant women (NPW, 15 49y), together with 625 salt samples from their households. Because salt is the major dietary source of iodine as well as sodium in Kenya, sodium concentrations were measured in the same urine samples. Using the iodine and sodium data, the report introduces a novel regression technique to apportion the urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) in both survey groups to the key sources of iodine intake, namely, naturally present (native) iodine content, iodized salt in processed foods and iodized household salt. The salt iodine (SI) content in Kenya's households (mean 40.3 mg/kg, SD 19.4 mg/kg) showed high-quality iodized salt supply. The SI content in 94.9% of households was [greater than or equal to]15 mg/kg. Median UIC findings in SAC (208 [micro]g/L) and NPW (167 [micro]g/L) indicated adequate iodine nutrition. Although variations in UIC values existed by age, gender (only in SAC), residence type, household wealth index, and region, median UIC findings were within the accepted optimum range in virtually all sub-categories. The findings do not suggest the need for change in Kenya's universal salt iodization (USI) strategy or adjustment of the current salt iodine standard. Partitioning of UIC values by dietary sources of iodine intake in each survey group attributed [+ or -] 35% to native dietary iodine content, [+ or -] 45% to processed food and [+ or -] 20% to household salt. The UIC levels from native iodine intake alone (60.8 [micro]g/L and 65.3 [micro]g/L in SAC and NPW, respectively) fell below the threshold for iodine deficiency, which supports the inference that the current USI strategy in Kenya is effective in preventing iodine deficiency. The results from regression analysis indicate that the iodine intakes of SAC and NPW can be explained mainly, and in the same way, by their urinary sodium concentrations (UNaC) and the SI contents in salt from their households. The spot UNaC data do not accurately represent salt intake estimates but the mean UNaC findings may be useful for analyzing future changes in salt supply and use from efforts to reduce the salt intake of Kenya's population. Key words: Universal Salt Iodization, Dietary Iodine Sources, Population Iodine Status, Kenya, INTRODUCTION Iodine is required for biosynthesis of thyroid hormones in the thyroid gland. Since thyroid hormones regulate the metabolism and functions of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids during all stages of [...]

The right to adequate nutrition in children is essential for the attainment of high standards of health. The health and nutritional status of orphans and vulnerable children is important as it affects their growth, health and mental development. However, these children suffer from malnutrition as they have limited access to adequate food and proper health care. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of an integrated nutrition care intervention in improving the nutritional status of children aged 6-14 years orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS in Kilifi District, Kenya. A longitudinal quasi-experimental study was carried out in selected households of two divisions of Kilifi District. Two-stage sampling was used to identify the target households. Random sampling was used to identify the study subjects. A sample of 276 children was included in the study for experimental (138) and control (138) groups drawn from 153 households. The data collected included anthropometry measurements, dietary intake and socio-demographic characteristics of the study children. The intervention measures of the study were food rations, health and nutrition education, Vitamin A supplementation and de-worming. The experimental group was put on all the intervention measures, whereas the control group was given Vitamin A supplements and de-worming tablets, given in all the three phases. Epi-Info Anthro' software package was used to analyze anthropometry data. Nutri- survey package was used to compute the nutrient content of the children's meals. In both study areas, 26.1% of the children were underweight and 17.8% were wasted at baseline. In the control group at baseline, underweight was 29.7% and 18.8% were wasted, whereas in the experimental group, underweight was 22.5% and wasting was 16.7%. At endline evaluation, the proportion of underweight children in the control group reduced insignificantly (p=0.203) from 29.7% to 22.6% and wasting reduced insignificantly (p=0.295) from 18.8% to 13.9%. Among the experimental group, there was significant reduction (p=0.007) of underweight children from 22.5% to 9.4%, and wasting reduced significantly (p=0.031) from 16.7% to 7.7%. There was significant reduction (p0.05) in the control group. There is need for food rations and nutrition education among orphans and vulnerable children to improve their nutritional status. These results can be used by policy makers to modify programmes targeting orphans and vulnerable children to assure their nutrition security and improve their quality of life. Key words: Nutritional status, orphans, vulnerable, under-nutrition, INTRODUCTION The HIV and AIDS pandemic is of global concern as it has affected all nations and communities of the world. A significant number of families have been affected by [...]

The prevalence of HIV in Rakai district is estimated at 12.7%, which is approximately double the national prevalence. It is well established that HIV and AIDS affect nutritional status and food security of populations. The aim of this study was to assess the food and nutrition security of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and the potential of banana nutrient enhancement to improve nutrient intake. A total of 173 PLHIV registered with Rakai Health Science Project were chosen and interviewed using structured questionnaires to determine the current contribution of banana to the household food security. Nutrient intake data were collected using Gibson's 24-hour recall method and food frequency questionnaires. Key informants' interviews with agricultural extension staff and focus group discussions with PLHIV and support group personnel were used to collect qualitative and quantitative information. Experiments were conducted to determine the suitability of banana as a food vehicle to boost the energy and nutrient intake of PLHIV. A product was made by blending banana flour with soybean flour and multi-nutrient fortificant premix. The formulation was reached using the Pearson's square method, with a target protein content of 15%. To pilot test the product, the nutrient-enhanced banana powder was distributed to 15 PLHIV and data on acceptability and the contribution of the product to nutrient intake were assessed. It was found that the majority of PLHIV (88%) in Rakai district consumed banana at least 3 times a week. The baseline daily intake was found to be 1676.2 kcal, 0.8mg, 0.8 mg, 249.6 mcg, 259.4 mg and 12.9 mg for energy, vitamin [B.sub.1], vitamin [B.sub.2], folate, calcium and iron respectively, which was below the recommended daily allowances (RDA) for PLHIV. The formulated banana product was found to supply 459.7 kcal and contained 15% protein. The product was well accepted by the PLHIV and its average level of consumption was 67 g per day. At this intake level of the product, study households intake of energy, vitamin [B.sub.2], folate and calcium increased to 1732.89kcal, 1.09mg, 277.8mcg and 300.79mg respectively while iron and vitamin [B.sub.1] intakes were not significantly different from the baseline values. It can be concluded that supplementation of diet of PLHIV in Rakai with nutrient-enhanced flour can raise nutrient intake of PLHIV to recommended levels for improved nutritional and health status. Key words: Matooke, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, energy intake, INTRODUCTION The HIV/AIDS pandemic is one of the most serious health problems in Uganda and it has had an unparalleled negative impact on nutrition, food security, agricultural production and livelihoods [...]

Fusarium species cause various diseases of tomato, the most common being vascular wilt and cortical rots. A study was carried out to characterize Fusarium spp. found in the stems of wilted tomato plants from farms in Mwea West Sub-county, Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Isolates were collected from tomato stems showing vascular discolouration. One hundred and one isolates of Fusarium spp. were obtained and classified based on their pathogenicity on the tomato cultivar 'Money Maker'. The 10 most virulent isolates were identified by PCR amplification and sequencing of the TEF-1α gene as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium verticillioides. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici causes vascular wilt in tomato, while F. verticillioides is known to infect maize, causing ear rot. The infection of tomato plants by F. verticillioides may reflect the rotation of tomato with maize in some fields, resulting in the accumulation of inoculum of this fungus and the subsequent infection of the tomato crop. The presence of vascular wilt caused by F. oxysporum and F. verticillioides suggests that strategies must be put in place to manage this disease. There is a need for surveillance by all agricultural stakeholders in order to check the progress of F. verticillioides that can infect tomato and other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Simultaneous infestation with root-knot nematodes (RKN) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) leads to formation of a disease complex that increases crop losses than effect of either RKN or FOL. In this study a management programme involving plant resistance, biological control agents, and neem was carried out to manage RKN and fusarium wilt disease complex. The biological control agents were Purpureocillium lilacinum (PL) and Trichoderma harzianum (TH) while the RKN was Meloidogyne javanica. In vitro dual culture plates were set up to test the interaction of biological control agents and FOL. Greenhouse experiments were conducted using two tomato cultivars Rambo F1 and Prostar F1. The treatments were; PL, TH, PL-TH, neem, PL neem, TH neem, and PL-TH neem. Each treatment was replicated four times and the treatments set up in a randomised complete block design in the greenhouse. Inhibition of FOL mycelial growth by TH and PL was 51.9%, and 44% respectively by the ninth day in vitro culture plates. In the cultivar, Prostar F1, the treatments PL-TH, PL, and TH in the presence or absence of neem had a FOL disease severity score significantly lower than the untreated control. Host resistance sufficed to prevent infection of Rambo F1 with FOL. The treatments PL-TH, PL and TH reduced FOL propagules and M. javanica juveniles in the roots and performed even better when combined with neem in both tomato cultivars. Therefore, a host that is resistant combined with biological control agents and organic amendments can be used in the management of RKN and FOL in tomato production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium resonance-fluorescence lidar is an established technique for measuring atmospheric composition and dynamics in the mesopause region. A large-power-aperture product (6.6-W [m.sup.2]) sodium resonance-fluorescence lidar has been built as a part of the Purple Crow Lidar (PCL) at The University of Western Ontario. This sodium resonance-fluorescence lidar measures, with high optical efficiency, both sodium density and temperature profiles in the 83-100-km region. The sodium lidar operates simultaneously with a powerful Rayleigh- and Raman-scatter lidar (66 W [m.sup.2]). The PCL is thus capable of simultaneous measurement of temperature from the tropopause to the lower thermosphere. The sodium resonance-fluorescence lidar is shown to be able to measure temperature to an absolute precision of 1.5 K and a statistical accuracy of 1 K with a spatial-temporal resolution of 72 (km s) at an altitude of 92 km. We present results from three nights of measurements taken with the sodium lidar and compare these with coincident Rayleigh-scatter lidar measurements. These measurements show significant differences between the temperature profiles derived by the two techniques, which we attribute to variations in the ratio of molecular nitrogen to molecular oxygen that are not accounted for in the standard Rayleigh-scatter temperature analysis. OCIS codes: 010.0010, 010.3640.

Death due to accidental choking is commonly observed in children below 4 years of age being the common victims1. The children will choke from common items that the children play with including tiny toys, balloons and coins placed in the mouth and inhaled by accident2'3. In adult's aspiration is common to gastric contents especially in individuals with lowered level of consciousness e.g. in drug intoxication4, 5. Mechanism of death in aspiration is due to respiratory failure resulting from asystole due to hypoxia induced dysfunction in the respiratory centers in the brain stem5. We hereby report two cases of sudden death due to choking from stomach contents which were brought to our mortuary for autopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major challenges in the application of biological control agents into the soil is their inability to withstand competition from natural microflora. In this study a management programme involving fungal biological control agents Trichoderma harzianum (TH) and Purpureocillium lilacinium (PL), and the organic amendment neem was carried out for the control of Meloidogyne javanica and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL). The experiment was carried out in sterile and non-sterile soil in order to test the efficacy of biological control in natural soil conditions. This experiment was repeated twice. A Wilcoxon's Signed-Rank test indicated there were no significant (P < 0.05) differences in fusarium wilt control in sterile and non sterile soils in the treatments PL neem and TH neem, but there was significantly (P < 0.05) higher control of M. javanica in the same treatments in sterile soils compared to non sterile soils. The combinations of fungal antagonists and neem were effective in non sterile as in sterile soils in the control of fusarium wilt, while being less effective in the control of M. javanica. Thus the biological control agents can be very effective in the control of fusarium wilt in natural conditions where the soil is not sterilised, but be less effective in the control of M. javanica in the same conditions. There is therefore potential of integrated management of fusarium wilt and root-knot nematodes (RKN) by these biological control agents in natural soil field conditions as an alternative to using chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]