The draft genome sequences of two Sphingobium strains that are hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) degraders are presented. The strains were isolated from HCH-contaminated soil in Kitengela, Kenya. Both genomes possess the lin genes responsible for HCH degradation and gene clusters for degradation of other xenobiotic compounds.

We present the draft genome sequence of Fusarium equiseti strain K3, a fungus isolated from a hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-contaminated soil (Kitengela, Kenya). The 37.88-Mb draft genome sequence consists of 206 contigs, 12,311 predicted protein-coding sequences, and 261 tRNA sequences.

BackgroundIn forensic investigation of alleged sexual crimes, presumptive semen detection test methods are commonly used to reach preliminary identification of seminal fluid in questioned samples. These methods are based on the detection of components of semen such as enzyme acid phosphatase (AP). Of these methods, the acid phosphatase identification method still remains the most reliable and widely used presumptive test due to high activity of the AP in seminal fluid. In standard AP test, Bretamine Fast Blue B (FBB) reagent is used. However FBB has been explicitly classified as carcinogenic. Although FBB has been handled safely over time, there is a need at the moment to develop a simple, readily available, reliable and efficient method for screening the presence of semen in any material collected as evidence in a sexual assault crime.Given the improved sensitivity of DNA profiling tests that have been introduced in to routine forensic casework over recent years, the need for improved sensitivity at this first stage of detection has never been higher. FindingsHere we highlight a simple method using readily available reagents in standard biochemical laboratory as a substitute for the standard AP test for seminal fluid identification from a crime scene. This method is based on the hydrolysis of sodium–p-nitrophenyl phosphate at pH 5.5 by the acid phosphatase to produce an intense yellow coloured complex in 15 seconds. ConclusionsThe method presented is sensitive, reliable, efficient and routinely used in standard biochemical and pathology laboratories for spectrophotometric analysis of alkaline phosphatase. It can be easily and readily applied as a preliminary test for identification of semen at a crime scene that involves sexual assault.

Foot and Mouth Disease Virus has seven distinct, geographically localized, serotypes and a vaccination targeting one serotype does not confer immunity against another serotype. The use of inactivated vaccines is not safe and confers an immunity with a relatively shorter time. Using the VP1 sequences isolated in East Africa, we have predicted epitopes able to induce humoral and cell-mediated immunity in cattle. The Wu-Kabat variability index calculated in this study reflects the variable, including the known GH loop, and conserved regions, with the latter being good candidates for region-tailored vaccine design. Furthermore, we modelled the identified epitopes on a 3D model (PDB ID:5aca) to represent the epitopes structurally. This study can be used for in vitro and in vivo experiments.