University of Nairobi

About: University of Nairobi is a education organization based out in Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 6702 authors who have published 10777 publications receiving 231294 citations. The organization is also known as: UoN & IAU-020319.

The Relationship between Electronic Banking and Financial Performance among Commercial Banks in Kenya

Abstract: Banking industry has been in a process of significant transformation. The force behind this transformation of the banking industry is innovation in information technologies. Information and communication technology is at the centre of this global change curve of electronic banking system in Kenya today. It is against this background, this study investigated the relationship between e-banking and performance of Kenya banking system. Specifically, the study established whether there is relationship between the dependent variable i.e., performance measured by return on assets and the independent variables: investments in e-banking, number of ATMS and number of debits cards issued to customers as proxy for e-banking. The study used secondary data. The data was collected from annual report of target banks and Central Bank of Kenya. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistics in analyzing the data. In general the study revealed that e-banking has strong and significance marginal effects on returns on asset in the Kenyan banking industry. Thus, there exists positive relationship between e-banking and bank performance. In general conclusion the electronic banking has made banking transaction to be easier by bringing services closer to its customers hence improving banking industry performance.

“Friendships” between new mothers and adult males: adaptive benefits and determinants in wild baboons (Papio cynocephalus)

Abstract: Close associations between adult males and lactating females and their dependent infants are not commonly described in non-monogamous mammals. However, such associations [sometimes called “friendships” (Smuts 1985)] are regularly observed in several primate species in which females mate with multiple males during the fertile period. The absence of mating exclusivity among “friends” suggests that males should invest little in infant care, raising questions about the adaptive significance of friendship bonds. Using data from genetic paternity analyses, patterns of behavior, and long-term demographic and reproductive records, we evaluated the extent to which friendships in four multi-male, multi-female yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus) groups in Amboseli, Kenya represent joint parental care of offspring or male mating effort. We found evidence that mothers and infants benefited directly from friendships; friendships provided mother–infant dyads protection from harassment from other adult and immature females. In addition, nearly half of all male friends were the genetic fathers of offspring and had been observed mating with mothers during the days of most likely conception for those offspring. In contrast, nearly all friends who were not fathers were also not observed to consort with the mother during the days of most likely conception, suggesting that friendships between mothers and non-fathers did not result from paternity confusion. Finally, we found no evidence that prior friendship increased a male’s chances of mating with a female in future reproductive cycles. Our results suggest that, for many male–female pairs at Amboseli, friendships represented a form of biparental care of offspring. Males in the remaining friendship dyads may be trading protection of infants in exchange for some resources or services not yet identified. Our study is the first to find evidence that female primates gain social benefits from their early associations with adult males.

Functional properties of Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from Maasai traditional fermented milk products in Kenya.

Abstract: Lactobacillus plantarum was the major species among the lactic acid bacterial strains isolated from traditional fermented milk of the Maasai in Kenya. Selected strains were characterized for their functional properties using in vitro standard procedures. All strains expressed acid tolerance at pH 2.0 after 2-h exposure of values that ranged from 1% to 100%, while bile tolerance of acid-stressed cells at 0.3% oxgal varied from 30% to 80%. In vitro adhesion to the mucus-secreting cell line HT 29 MTX and binding capacity to extracellular protein matrices was demonstrated for several strains. The four strains tested in a simulated stomach duodenum passage survived with recovery rates ranging from 17% to 100%. Strains were intrinsically resistant to several antibiotics tested. From these in vitro studies, a number of Lb. plantarum strains isolated from the Maasai traditional fermented milk showed probiotic potential. The strains are good candidates for multifunctional starter culture development.

Salivary Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor Is Associated with Reduced Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 through Breast Milk

Abstract: Approximately 2 million infants are born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1–infected mothers each year [1]. Despite exposure to HIV-1 in utero, during delivery, and through breast-feeding, only an estimated 30% of these infants (~600,000) will become HIV-1 infected [1]. Escape from HIV-1 infection may be due to viral factors and maternal or infant immunity against HIV-1 [2, 3]. Endogenous immune mechanisms present at the site of exposure, predominantly the oral and gastrointestinal mucosa in the fetus and infant, may also contribute to an infant’s resistance to HIV-1 infection. Mucins and thombospondins present in infant saliva can inactivate HIV-1 by physically entrapping and sequestering virus particles [4]. In addition, several soluble components of saliva have activity against HIV-1, including lysozyme, cystatins, lactoferrin, and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) [5]. Among these, only SLPI, a 12-kDa nonglycosylated protein secreted in serous secretions by acinar cells of submucosal glands, is capable of inhibiting HIV-1 replication in vitro at physiologic concentrations [4, 5]. Although SLPI is found in highest concentrations in saliva, it is also found in semen, cervical secretions, breast milk, tears, synovial fluid, and cerebral spinal fluid [4]. To date, 2 studies have evaluated the role of nonsalivary SLPI in mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission. A study in the Central African Republic [6] measured SLPI levels in breast milk of HIV-1–seropositive women and found no association between subsequent infant HIV-1 infection and SLPI levels in either colostrum or breast milk. A second study in South Africa determined that there was a significantly lower rate of mother-to-infant HIV-1 transmission among pregnant HIV-1–seropositive women who had elevated SLPI levels in cervicovaginal secretions at week 32 of gestation [7]. In both of these studies, maternal SLPI levels were evaluated to determine whether elevated SLPI within virus-containing secretions might affect the risk of HIV-1 infection in the exposed infant. Neither study evaluated whether elevated levels in infant saliva may inhibit HIV-1 within the infant oropharynx. In this study, we evaluated infant salivary SLPI levels in a cohort of HIV-1–exposed infants to characterize SLPI production and to determine whether infant salivary SLPI levels affect the risk of mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission.