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Current Trend and Future Perspectives of Paratuberculosis in Tanzania
Get PDFThis research article was published by Journal of Advanced Veterinary Research in Volume 12, Issue 3, 2022Paratuberculosis prevalence, economic and public health significance in animal populations is well docu-
mented in most of the developed countries. In African countries however, information on paratuberculosis
is sparse mainly due to lack of surveillance and research on the disease. In Tanzania, the disease was first
reported in Kilimanjaro in year 1960 and up until year 2014, different cases have been reported in almost all
agro ecological zones of the country, but there is no epidemiological information to link the cases. This creates
an impression that the disease is absent in Tanzania. However, it is recently realized that in any African country
that has done some surveillance, the disease has been confirmed to be present. The aim of the present review
is to revisit the trend of paratuberculosis in Tanzania from 1960 when the disease was first reported to the
current situation in year 2022. Attempt is made to highlight the possible link between the cases and suggest
future strategies to enable the country grips with the disease. It is anticipated that this review is going to raise
awareness on paratuberculosis in Tanzania and catalyze the institution of paratuberculosis surveillance and
control programs in Tanzania
Structural characterization of cassava linamarase-linamarin enzyme complex: an integrated computational approach
Get PDFCassava linamarase is a hydrolyzing enzyme that belongs to a glycoside hydrolase family 1 (GH1). It is responsible for breaking down linamarin to toxic cyanide. The enzyme provides a defensive mechanism for plants against herbivores and has various applications in many fields. Understanding the structure of linamarase at the molecular level is a key to avail its reaction mechanism. In this study, the three-dimensional (3D) structure of linamarase was built for the first time using homology modelling and used to study its interaction with linamarin. Molecular docking calculations established the binding and orientation nature of linamarin, while molecular dynamics (MD) simulation established protein-ligand complexes' stability. Binding-free energy based on MM/PBSA was further used to rescore the docking results. An ensemble structure was found to be relatively stable compared to the modelled structure. This study sheds light on the exploration of linamarase towards understanding its reaction mechanisms
Effect of drying methods on the nutritional and anti-nutritional quality of African nightshade (Solanum sp.)
Get PDFThis research article was published in International Journal of Biosciences, Vol. 21, 2022.African nightshade (ANS) is a luminary food plant, considered a cheap and potential dietary source for
micronutrients and bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the effects of drying techniques on nutritional
(minerals & vitamin C) and anti-nutritional (oxalates & phytate) contents of Solanum scabrum (SS) and S.
villosum (SV). The study employed three methods of drying; indirect solar drying (ISD), mixed solar drying
(MSD), and open sun drying (OSD). Furthermore, blanching (85 °C, 2 min) with and without 3% NaCl were used
as pre-treatments. Results showed that the ISD method retained more vitamin C in a range of 14.76% - 19.2% in
both SS and SV leaves. The ISD was the most effective method in Ca (92.90%, 96.57%), Fe (77.88%, 71.54%), and
Zn (86.94%, 90.09%) retention for both SS and SV leaves, respectively. On the other hand, all drying methods
significantly reduced the oxalate and phytate content. The effect of pre-treatment methods on nutrient retention
and anti-nutrients remaoval was also recorded. Results showed that ISD to be the best method for vitamin C and
minerals retention and anti-nutrient reduction. Therefore, ISD can be a suitable method for preserving ANS
while retaining nutrients and reducing anti-nutrients
Vigna Legumes: Exploring Some Biochemical Constituents of the Wild Species for Potential Neo-Domestication Candidates
Get PDFThis research article was published in the Research Square, 2022Due to the foresight of food system collapse, the search for alternative food and feed sources for human and animal nutrition becomes a daunting task. In addition, achieving Zero Hunger target by the year 2030 as set by the FAO is challenging. Re-exploring the less explored foods, coupled to refining less refined traits, cultivating the uncultivated, and popularizing the unpopular food crops are steps to achieve the domestication of wild plants for food and nutrition security. In that line of thought, this study explored the proximate composition of 87 accessions of four wild unexplored Vigna species in order to reveal information leading to their future domestication and utilization. Standard procedures and methods approved by AOAC were used in carrying out the proximate composition of the wild Vigna legumes. The study revealed that the wild Vigna species possess a large variation range of nutrient characteristics which could be exploited in the improvement of domesticated species or guide their domestication. It was also found that some individual wild accessions have higher nutrient, content as compared with domesticated ones which could be advantageous for bio-fortification or domestication. Indications relating to the candidate accessions favorable for domestication, based on the nutrient characteristics were revealed
Factors influencing the sustainability of homestead vegetable production intervention in Rufiji, Tanzania: A cross-sectional mixed methods study
Get PDFThis research article was published in the PLOS Global Public Health, September 20, 2022There is growing evidence that home vegetable gardening interventions improve food security and nutrition outcomes at the family level. Sustainability of many of these community interventions remain a challenge. This study assessed factors influencing the sustainability of homestead vegetable production intervention in Rufiji district, Tanzania, one year after the cessation of external support. This was a community based cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A total of 247 randomly selected women from households who participated in the homestead vegetable intervention were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The study held four focus group discussions with women from households that participated in the intervention, and four In-Depth interviews with two extension workers, one community health worker, and one agriculture district officer. Multiple logistic regression for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data was conducted. About 20.24% (50/247) of households sustained homestead vegetable production for one year after the intervention phased out. Shortage of seeds (adjusted odds ratio = 0.65: CI = 0.46–0.93, p-value 0.018) and either manure or fertilizers (adjusted odds ratio = 1.62: CI = 1.04–2.46, p-value 0.031) were significant factors influencing the sustainability of homesteads vegetable production. In the Focus Group discussions (FGDs) and In-Depth Interview (IDIs), all participating women and extension workers reported high cost of water, destruction from free-grazing animals, agriculture pests and diseases, poor soil fertility, shortage of seeds, and lack of capital affected homestead vegetable production sustainability. Existing individual, community, and system challenges influence the sustainability of external-funded agriculture and nutrition interventions. The study findings underscore the importance of community authorities, scientists, and policymakers in having a well-thought sustainability plan in all promising external-funded interventions
The extended scope of neuroimaging and prospects in brain atrophy mitigation: A systematic review
Get PDFThis research article was published by Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery Volume 23, March 2021Brain atrophy is a condition associated with a reduction of brain volume. It is a common manifestation of aging even though it occurs in some childhood conditions and carried forward to pre-senile middle age.
There are several causes of brain atrophy resulting in different patterns of brain volume loss which spans from focal, global, central, cortical, and hemiatrophy. These conditions are commonly associated with other neurodegenerative changes that lead to different dysfunctions.
Neuroimaging is critical for the diagnosis, evaluation of lesions and quantification of the atrophy. However, radiological quantification of brain volume is done by both automated and manual methods to study brains basing a wide variation of cranial sizes and shapes. A multidisciplinary approach is the future of brain atrophy management. An extended scope of knowledge beyond image interpretation is inevitable
Farmer-led feeding and breeding approaches for overcoming seasonality-driven milk fluctuations in smallholder dairy farms in Kenya and Tanzania
Get PDFA Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy in Life Sciences and Bioengineering of the Nelson Mandela African Institution
of Science and TechnologySeasonality-driven changes in farmer-led feeding and breeding approaches are increasingly
captured as contributing to fluctuations in milk yield and reproductive performance of dairy
cows in smallholder dairy farms in Eastern Africa. This study aimed to assess the effects of
location, agro-ecology, production systems, breed types and seasonal changes on milk yield and
reproductive performance of dairy cows; and to propose potential modifiable farmer-led
interventions for overcoming fluctuations in dairy production. A cross-sectional household
survey from 400 smallholder dairy farming households in highlands and lowlands of Kenya and
Tanzania, followed by an observational monitoring study for a period of one year, were used to
establish the effects of seasonality on milk yield and reproductive performance. Questionnaire
and Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and
regression analysis using multivariate/multinomial analysis of variance (MANOVA) were
employed to display variable seasonal differences in performance. Mean separation was carried
out using least significant difference (LSD) at P ≤ 0.05 significance level. Results revealed that
year round rainfall seasonality and differences in location, agro-ecology, breeds and production
systems, significantly (P < 0.05) resulted into changes in reproductive performance and milk
yield. Mean values for AFS, AFC and CI were higher in the dry season than in wet season (32.34
SEM = 0.90 v‟s 29.14 SEM 0.90 months; 38.05 SEM = 0.61 v‟s 36.23 SEM 0.62 months; and
469.60 SEM = 8.78 v‟s 445.49 SEM 8.94 days), respectively. Wet and dry season variation (%)
in calving interval was +/-6.30%, ranging from +/-5.00-15.00% between breeds within agro ecologies. Similarly, daily milk yield per cow (L) was lower in the dry season than in wet season
(8.44 SEM = 0.27 v‟s 9.01 SEM 0.30). Season variation (%) in daily milk yield, between wet
and dry seasons was +/-6.22%, which was lower for local zebu (+/-3.96%) and highest for
improved breeds (+/-14.50%). There was significant (P < 0.05) year round variation in feeds and
fodder sources (quality and quantity) and usage, with the exception of concentrate feeding. In
vitro culture of crop residues pre-treated with urea and urea plus molasses, and further
comprehensive in vitro culture of maize stover, showed positive effects (P < 0.05) on chemical
and nutritional composition in terms of total gas production (GP), dry matter digestibility
(DMD), crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME), amongst all other parameters. This
study concludes that iinterventions for increasing farmers‟ experience and knowledge in
overcoming seasonality driven milk fluctuations, must be holistic, in due consideration of
seasonality and environment effects, in order to improve milk yield and reproductive efficiency
sustainably over time. It is recommended that the new knowledge gained with this research can
be incorporated into a holistic model of optimization of cow performance and thereby be one
among other tools for optimizing production economy of smallholder dairy farmers in Eastern
Afric
Invasion status and potential management options for the invasive tree species maesopsis eminii in amani nature forest reserve, Tanzania
Get PDFA Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of
the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences of the Nelson Mandela African
Institution of Science and TechnologyInvasion of Maesopsis eminii in Amani Nature Forest Reserve was considered an ecological
disaster in the 1980s. After more than 50 years have elapsed since its introduction, there is
little information available on its invasion progress, germination and earlier growth
behavior. The present study resurveyed 60 (20 m × 50 m) sample plots previously surveyed
in 1998 and collected remote sensing data for 1997 and 2018. The effect of four shade levels
(0%, 50%, 65% and 85%) on seed germination and early growth of M. eminii seeds were
studies. Also information on the distribution of M. eminii species in household farms were
gathered through interviews and observation. Out of 30 control plots, M. eminii had invaded
seven new sample plots (23%) which were not invaded in 1998. Change detection analysis
indicated 1108 ha of non-forest vegetation had regrown into forest over the last 20 years,
particularly in the south - western region of the reserve. The study found that the average
germination rate across the four different shade levels differed significantly during the dry
season (F
(3,12) =
48.74, P < 0.001) but not during wet season (F
(3,12)
= 3.49, P = 0.051).
During the dry season, leaf chlorophyll contents were three times higher at 65% and 85%
shade than at 0% shade level. Also this study found that 58% of household farms had M
eminii. There was significant negative association (ρ = -0.49, P = <0.001) between
population size of M. eminii in household farms and the distance from the forest reserve
boundary. Majority of respondents (68%) demonstrated good understanding of M. eminii
while it was further found positive correlation between respondents‟ age and knowledge on
M. eminii invasion. (ρ = 0.49, P = <0.001). The study concludes that there is 4% increase in
spatial distribution of M. eminii between 1998 and 2018, with higher M. eminii density in
invaded plots than control plots. Based on this study, it is recommended that potential
management options to take into account light and water availability regimes to predict
susceptible forest niches and prevent further spread of Maesopsis eminii
Factors affecting applicability of community health workers trainings in maternal and neonatal health in Tanzania
Get PDFA dissertation submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science in Public Health Research of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of
Science and TechnologyMaternal and neonatal mortalities are global public health of concern and are estimated to cause
about 830 women deaths every day, of which 99% are from sub-Saharan African countries. In
Tanzania maternal and neonatal mortality rate is still alarming. The National health strategic plan
for 2008-2015 of Tanzania directed the deployment and trainings of community health workers
(CHWs) in provision of maternal, neonatal and child health services. Despite such trainings, yet
there is limited evidence of the applicability of the knowledge acquired during trainings when
performing their duties. Therefore, this study aimed at determining whether trained CHWs apply
learned knowledge when performing their duties so as to improve maternal and neonatal health
status. This study, further explored challenges facing community health workers in applying
learned knowledge. Under this study both quantitative and qualitative methods were used.
Qualitative method used primary data from 30 in-depth interviews with CHWs. Quantitative data
were secondary obtained from a cross-sectional survey done to evaluate UNICEF/GoT
interventions conducted in thirteen districts of Tanzania in 2007-2010. This study found
significant association between age and applicability of learned knowledge among trained
CHWs. Community health workers aged above 40 years were more likely to apply the learned
knowledge in maternal and child health than those aged below 40 years. Furthermore, this study
found several challenges reported to hinder knowledge applicability among CHWs. These
include; little participation from community members and local government, shortage of
refresher training in maternal and neonatal care, irregular working schedules, unclear roles and
responsibilities on neonatal health, heavy workload as well as becoming older and less effective
in visiting households, little community member’s participation resulted by jealousy among
CHWs and male household heads, mistrust between CHWs and community members as well as
social cultural beliefs
Strategies to improve anaerobic digestion and environ-economic analysis of municipal solid wastes management options
Get PDFA Thesis Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy in Environmental Sciences and Engineering of the Nelson Mandela African
Institution of Science and TechnologyDifferent strategies have widely been applied for improving the anaerobic digestion of the
organic fraction of municipal solid wastes. However, because of the heterogeneous compositions
of organic fraction of municipal solid wastes, studies on different strategies are still required.
This thesis focused on examining methods to improve anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of
municipal solid wastes and environ-economic analysis of municipal solid wastes management
options. Firstly, the study examined the effects of fungal (Pleurotus ostreatus) treatment of the
banana leaves wastes towards edible mushrooms and biogas recovery. Secondly, the study
assessed the effectiveness of banana winery wastewater in digesting the banana leaves wastes to
improve methane yield. Thirdly, the study examined the potential of edible clay soils towards
improving the anaerobic digestion of food wastes for biogas recovery. Next, the study analyzed
and compared the environmental impacts of anaerobic digestion and other municipal solid waste
management scenarios in the Arusha City of Tanzania. Finally, the study assessed the economic
feasibility of the biogas plants for treating food and banana leaves wastes in the Arusha City of
Tanzania. All the anaerobic digestion experiments were carried out in batch reactors. The
environmental impact was analyzed using a life cycle analysis methodology. Fungal treatment of
banana leaves wastes prior to anaerobic digestion process resulted in the biogas yield of 282 mL
g
-1
VS
-1
and production of 181 ± 19 g of edible mushrooms per 2 kg of banana leaves wastes.
The cost analysis revealed that mushroom cultivation has a higher economic value and therefore
favoured before the anaerobic digestion process. Banana winery wastewater pre-treatment of
banana leaves waste resulted in increased methane yield by 193% compared to non-pretreated
banana leaves waste. The edible clay soils supplementation in the anaerobic digestion process
resulted in an increase of 26.9% methane yield in a reactor with edible clay soils supplementation.
Evaluations on environmental impacts revealed that the anaerobic digestion process outranked
the current management option (Landfill) with the least environmental burdens. The study also
revealed it is economically viable to invests the biogas plants for treating food and banana leaves
wastes in Arusha City of Tanzania