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Plectranthus barbatus Andr. grows in Kenya, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, Brazil and Asia and is one of the most important species of the Lamiaceae family. The plant is widely mentioned in traditional medicine in Africa and Asia. Some of the compounds previously isolated from the plant include diterpenoids, phenolic acids and essential oils. The objective of the study was to evaluate and determine the presence of chemical compounds in Plectranthus barbatus Andr. leaves extract of tannin nature that can be beneficial ingredients in processing clean leather and at the same time reduce environmental pollution. The Plant’s leaves were collected from Nyamira County then dried and ground to desired mesh before extraction was done with water and 80 % methanol in water. The methanolic solid extract that was recovered after freeze drying was subjected to column chromatography. The pure fractions were analyzed using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and compared to those previously analyzed using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography. Some of the compounds isolated include phenolics e.g. Para-Hydroxybenzoic acid and Diterpenes. Water solid extract was used in pre-tanning and re-tanning applications followed by analysis of Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, pH and total chrome content of respective wastewaters. Tannery liquor from re-tanning and pre-tanning combinations with Plecranthus barbatus leaves extract showed reduced toxicity to the environment with pH of 7.97 and 2.96 respectively as compared to chrome tannage liquor that recorded a relatively more acidic pH of 2.30. Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand and chrome content levels were 230.00 mg/l, 4520.00 mg/l and 9.69 ppm respectively for effluent from Plectranthus barbatus retannage against 320.10 mg/l, 2331.20 and 5.03 ppm respectively from pretannage of the same extract. Permissible limits for pH, Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand and total chrome in discharged tannery wastewater are 5.5 – 10.0, 125 mg/l – 1000 mg/l, 300 mg/l – 3000 mg/l, and 1.0 ppm – 10.0 ppm respectively. Pretanning with Plectranthus barbatus leaves extract during leather processing was more effective is reduction of tannery wastewater toxicity although, the use of pretanning and retanning in a single tannage might yield more promising results.

Due to the high levels of pollution load produced in the leather industry, many studies are being conducted to replace most of the hazardous chemicals used. One of the options is to use enzymes which are biodegradable and considered environmentally friendly. Hides and skins contain many non-collagenous substances that require specific enzymes to remove. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different enzyme formulations in the unhairing process of goatskins. To achieve this, four types of enzymes were purchased from Jian Grace Industries which include amylase (100,000 U/g), protease (200,000 U/g), keratinase (200,000 U/g), and lipase (100,000 U/g). All possible combinations of one, two, three and four enzymes per formulation were prepared by mixing equal amounts per formulation. Parameters such as total solids, dissolved solids and protein content were determined on the affluent by standard procedures. In addition, the percentage weight gain, residual fat content and organoleptic test of the pelt were evaluated. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical packages version 21. ANOVA and t-test was used to test the level of significance (p≤ 0.05). Although several formulations gave complete unhairing, a formulation of keratinase, protease, and lipase (KPL) was selected as the best formulation. This formulation gave a completely unhaired pelt with a residual fat content of 6.4%. The organoleptic tests of all the unhaired pelts had a rating of 7-9. In conclusion, application of more than one enzyme can be a better option in removing non-collagenous components and in the replacement of the use of sodium sulphide in unhairing process.

Summary Background Children account for a substantial proportion of cases and deaths from Ebola virus disease. We aimed to assess the safety and immunogenicity of a two-dose heterologous vaccine regimen, comprising the adenovirus type 26 vector-based vaccine encoding the Ebola virus glycoprotein (Ad26.ZEBOV) and the modified vaccinia Ankara vector-based vaccine, encoding glycoproteins from the Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Marburg virus, and the nucleoprotein from the Tai Forest virus (MVA-BN-Filo), in a paediatric population in Sierra Leone. Methods This randomised, double-blind, controlled trial was done at three clinics in Kambia district, Sierra Leone. Healthy children and adolescents aged 1–17 years were enrolled in three age cohorts (12–17 years, 4–11 years, and 1–3 years) and randomly assigned (3:1), via computer-generated block randomisation (block size of eight), to receive an intramuscular injection of either Ad26.ZEBOV (5 × 1010 viral particles; first dose) followed by MVA-BN-Filo (1 × 108 infectious units; second dose) on day 57 (Ebola vaccine group), or a single dose of meningococcal quadrivalent (serogroups A, C, W135, and Y) conjugate vaccine (MenACWY; first dose) followed by placebo (second dose) on day 57 (control group). Study team personnel (except for those with primary responsibility for study vaccine preparation), participants, and their parents or guardians were masked to study vaccine allocation. The primary outcome was safety, measured as the occurrence of solicited local and systemic adverse symptoms during 7 days after each vaccination, unsolicited systemic adverse events during 28 days after each vaccination, abnormal laboratory results during the study period, and serious adverse events or immediate reportable events throughout the study period. The secondary outcome was immunogenicity (humoral immune response), measured as the concentration of Ebola virus glycoprotein-specific binding antibodies at 21 days after the second dose. The primary outcome was assessed in all participants who had received at least one dose of study vaccine and had available reactogenicity data, and immunogenicity was assessed in all participants who had received both vaccinations within the protocol-defined time window, had at least one evaluable post-vaccination sample, and had no major protocol deviations that could have influenced the immune response. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02509494 . Findings From April 4, 2017, to July 5, 2018, 576 eligible children or adolescents (192 in each of the three age cohorts) were enrolled and randomly assigned. The most common solicited local adverse event during the 7 days after the first and second dose was injection-site pain in all age groups, with frequencies ranging from 0% (none of 48) of children aged 1–3 years after placebo injection to 21% (30 of 144) of children aged 4–11 years after Ad26.ZEBOV vaccination. The most frequently observed solicited systemic adverse event during the 7 days was headache in the 12–17 years and 4–11 years age cohorts after the first and second dose, and pyrexia in the 1–3 years age cohort after the first and second dose. The most frequent unsolicited adverse event after the first and second dose vaccinations was malaria in all age cohorts, irrespective of the vaccine types. Following vaccination with MenACWY, severe thrombocytopaenia was observed in one participant aged 3 years. No other clinically significant laboratory abnormalities were observed in other study participants, and no serious adverse events related to the Ebola vaccine regimen were reported. There were no treatment-related deaths. Ebola virus glycoprotein-specific binding antibody responses at 21 days after the second dose of the Ebola virus vaccine regimen were observed in 131 (98%) of 134 children aged 12–17 years (9929 ELISA units [EU]/mL [95% CI 8172–12 064]), in 119 (99%) of 120 aged 4–11 years (10 212 EU/mL [8419–12 388]), and in 118 (98%) of 121 aged 1–3 years (22 568 EU/mL [18 426–27 642]). Interpretation The Ad26.ZEBOV and MVA-BN-Filo Ebola vaccine regimen was well tolerated with no safety concerns in children aged 1–17 years, and induced robust humoral immune responses, suggesting suitability of this regimen for Ebola virus disease prophylaxis in children. Funding Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking and Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV.

With the current on-going organizational transformation, the psychological contract between the University employer and the support staff is open to violation. Several University employees consider their psychological contract as effective compared to those considered normative and continuance. The psychological contract is a determinant of organizational commitment among non-academic staffs and in the case of public Universities along the lake region, there is an organizational commitment failure attributed to staff attitude and psychological rewards, thus causing a psychological contract breach. This paper discussed the employees’ organizational commitment among the none-academic staffs of public universities along the Lake Region in Kenya. The study was premised on Contract as a Mental Model by Rousseau (1995) theory adopting quantitative method approach with a cross-sectional research design. The reliability of the research instruments was determined using Cronbach’s Alpha and a coefficient of r˃.6 was reported in all the sub scales in the questionnaires. The data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) windows version 22 computer programme. Statistical tests, Pearson Product-Moment of Correlation and Regression were used to investigate the relationship between the variables. The study established that the employees’ organizational commitment in general accounted for 57.3% as signified by Adjusted coefficient of R2=.573, of the variation in organizational commitment among non-academic staffs. The study recommends that employees’ organizational commitment have a significant effect on the employees work output and so the institutions should ensure enabling work environment to workers, support and give motivational offers to employees and fulfil labour related promises. The contractual agreements should therefore be built and maintained in a stable, well-adjusted motivational force between the university non-academic staffs to enhance organizational commitments. Keywords: Organizational Commitment, None-Academic Staffs, Public Universities. Title: Employees’ Organizational Commitment among the None-Academic Staffs of Public Universities along the Lake Region, Kenya Author: Lazarus Millan Okello, Fredrick Ochieng Onyuka, Teresa Akinyi Otieno, Hezekiah Otieno Omollo International Journal of Novel Research in Humanity and Social Sciences ISSN 2394-9694 Vol. 9, Issue 6, November 2022 - December 2022 Page No: 37-46 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 13-December-2022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7432058 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/Employees’%20Organizational%20Commitment-13122022-2.pdf, International Journal of Novel Research in Humanity and Social Sciences, ISSN 2394-9694, Novelty Journals, Website: www.noveltyjournals.com

This study was designed to assess the potential use of Plectranthus barbatus Andrews, a plant growing locally in Kenya as a vegetable tanning agent. The aim was a deliberate attempt to adopt green chemistry and provide cheap locally available eco-friendly tanning materials. Anova statistical test (α

BackgroundWhile the biomarkers of COVID-19 severity have been thoroughly investigated, the key biological dynamics associated with COVID-19 resolution are still insufficiently understood.Main bodyWe report a case of full resolution of severe COVID-19 due to convalescent plasma transfusion in a patient with underlying multiple autoimmune syndrome. Following transfusion, the patient showed fever remission, improved respiratory status, and rapidly decreased viral burden in respiratory fluids and SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia. Longitudinal unbiased proteomic analysis of plasma and single-cell transcriptomics of peripheral blood cells conducted prior to and at multiple times after convalescent plasma transfusion identified the key biological processes associated with the transition from severe disease to disease-free state. These included (i) temporally ordered upward and downward changes in plasma proteins reestablishing homeostasis and (ii) post-transfusion disappearance of a particular subset of dysfunctional monocytes characterized by hyperactivated Interferon responses and decreased TNF-α signaling.ConclusionsMonitoring specific subsets of innate immune cells in peripheral blood may provide prognostic keys in severe COVID-19. Moreover, understanding disease resolution at the molecular and cellular level should contribute to identify targets of therapeutic interventions against severe COVID-19.

Background Protection from severe disease and hospitalization by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has been amply demonstrated by real-world data. However, the rapidly evolving pandemic raises new concerns. One pertains efficacy of adenoviral vector-based vaccines, particularly the single-dose Ad26.COV2.S, relative to mRNA vaccines. Main body We investigated the immunogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S and mRNA vaccines in 33 subjects vaccinated with either vaccine class 5 months earlier on average. After controlling for the time since vaccination, Spike-binding antibody and neutralizing antibody levels were higher in the mRNA-vaccinated subjects, while no significant differences in antigen-specific B cell and T cell responses were observed between the two groups. Conclusions A dichotomy exists between the humoral and cellular responses elicited by the two vaccine classes. Testing only for humoral responses to compare the durability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced responses, as typically performed for public health and research purposes, is insufficient.

Monitoring the burden and spread of infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, whether within small communities or in large geographical settings, is of paramount importance for public health purposes. Serology, which detects the host antibody response to the infection, is the most appropriate tool for this task, since virus-derived markers are most reliably detected during the acute phase of infection. Here we show that our ELISA protocol, which is based on antibody binding to the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the S1 subunit of the viral Spike protein expressed as a novel fusion protein, detects antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination.We also show that our ELISA is accurate and versatile. It compares favorably with commercial assays widely used in clinical practice to determine exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, our protocol accommodates use of various blood- and non-blood-derived biospecimens, such as breast milk, as well as dried blood obtained with microsampling cartridges that are appropriate for remote collection. As a result, our RBD-based ELISA protocols are well suited for seroepidemiology and other large-scale studies requiring parsimonious sample collection outside of healthcare settings.

Leather tanning technology impacts negatively on the environment as a result of chemicals in the tannery effluents that increases the concentrations of chemical oxygen demand, Biological oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, total Kjeldahl Nitrogen and formation of Cr(VI) among others in the environment. This has led to the profiling of the industry by legislative bodies as a major source of pollution and hence urgent cleaner and eco-friendly innovative technologies are required that will mitigate the environmental pollution. Many studies have recommended green chemistry tanning protocols and systems involving plants since are non-carcinogenic, non-toxic, biodegradable, agro-renewable, sustainable and economical. Numerous studies have evaluated the potential of phytochemistry in leather tanning processes. However, these studies only focused on individual processes or individual plant phytochemicals. Hence this review compiles the selected plants, their phytochemical screening results, their applications in tanning process and their potential for leather tanning. The review has shown enormous capacity of plants and their phytochemicals that can replace synthetic inorganic materials in leather processing and guarantee quality. Plants have a greater applicability in this industry since they have multiple beneficial actions during processing and the final processed leather. Some plants can be used at all tanning processes due to wide variety of important phytochemicals and the final leather is more superior quality to the conventionally processed leather. Other studies have alluded to the possibility of some plant products that have the potential in the industry but yet to be utilized. Further studies have been recommended.

Several studies have alluded to the possibility and importance of utilizing Aloe barbadensis Miller and Carrageenan to increase leather functionalities without impacting on the environment negatively and retaining the mechanical performance of the final leather. In order to understand the actual effect of A. barbadensis Miller and Carrageenan on the mechanical effect, there is need to understand the mechanism of reinforcement or weakening. This will enhance the scientific understanding of the processes of deformation and mechanical failure of the leather materials, and the connections between the structure, processing and their underlying mechanisms. This study presents the results of using the existing empirical models and semi-empirical equations to both predict the strength properties of leather treated with A. barbadensis Miller mixed with Carrageenan and determine their mechanism of strengthening/weakening in the leather matrix. Prediction using the existing empirical models and equations shows reasonable agreement with experimental data and can be used to explain the strengthening/weakening mechanism. Results clearly indicate that adhesion is strong in fatliquored leather, and it significantly influences the strength properties. Fatliquoring agents act as coupling agents that improve wetting and hence adhesion. The study recommends at most 3.784% of the A. barbadensis Miller and Carrageenan by weight of crust and incorporation be done after fatliquoring process. Although parameters concerning leather matrix irregularities and particle sizes were not accounted for, the study suggests any processes that can increase surface free energy of the fillers to increase the work of adhesion at the interface such as filler sulphiting and surfactants.

Given the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the recent implementation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, we have much to learn about the duration of immune protection and the interface between the immune responses to infection and to vaccination. To address these questions, we monitored immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in convalescent individuals over seven months and following mRNA vaccination. Spike Receptor-Binding-Domain (RBD)-specific circulating antibodies and plasma neutralizing activity generally decreased over time, whereas RBD-specific memory B cells persisted. Additionally, using antibody depletion techniques, we showed that the neutralizing activity of plasma specifically resides in the anti-RBD antibodies. More vigorous antibody and B cell responses to vaccination were observed in previously infected subjects relative to uninfected comparators, presumably due to immune priming by infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection also led to increased numbers of double negative B memory cells, which are described as a dysfunctional B cell subset. This effect was reversed by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, providing a potential mechanistic explanation for the vaccination-induced reduction in symptoms in patients with "Long-COVID".