OBJECTIVEDeveloping countries are undergoing an epidemiologic transition accompanied by increasing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) linked to urbanization and lifestyle modifications. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of CVD risk factors whose extent in Kenya remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and factors associated with its occurrence among an urban population in Kenya.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis was a household cross-sectional survey comprising 539 adults (aged ≥18 years) living in Nairobi, drawn from 30 clusters across five socioeconomic classes. Measurements included waist circumference, HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerides (TAGs), fasting glucose, and blood pressure.RESULTSThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 34.6% and was higher in women than in men (40.2 vs. 29%; P < 0.001). The most frequently observed features were raised blood pressure, a higher waist circumference, and low HDL cholesterol (men: 96.2, 80.8, and 80%; women: 89.8, 97.2, and 96.3%, respectively), whereas raised fasting glucose and TAGs were observed less frequently (men: 26.9 and 63.3%; women: 26.9 and 30.6%, respectively). The main factors associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome were increasing age, socioeconomic status, and education.CONCLUSIONSMetabolic syndrome is prevalent in this urban population, especially among women, but the incidence of individual factors suggests that poor glycemic control is not the major contributor. Longitudinal studies are required to establish true causes of metabolic syndrome in Kenya. The Kenyan government needs to create awareness, develop prevention strategies, and strengthen the health care system to accommodate screening and management of CVDs.

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In Kenya, tea is grown in highlands east and west of the Rift Valley at altitudes ranging from 1300 m to 2700 m above mean sea level. These areas vary widely in seasonal and locational environmental factors leading to differences in responses in growth, productivity and quality of tea genotypes. Despite these differences, tea husbandry practices are uniform across tea growing regions in the country. Understanding modes of variations in tea growth parameters and yields to varying environments is crucial for optimization of husbandry practices for tea productivity improvements. Responses in clonal tea growth and yield parameters to season and locations of production effects and their contribution to yields were evaluated, using 20 cultivars in a genotype × environment trial conducted in three locations (Kipkebe, Timbilil and Kangaita). There were yield variations (pd”0.05) between clones, locations and seasons. Tea yield components responses to weather parameters varied with location and season. Shoot growth rates in Kangaita and shoot density in Timbilil linearly correlated (pd”0.05) with yields but varied with season. Yield components and weather parameters contribution to the yield also varied with location and seasons causing significant (pd”0.05) interactions effects. Drought reduced yields while rainfall distribution influenced seasonal yield distribution. Seasonal yield variations were due to shoot growth rate, and shoot dry weight changes but not shoot density. The variations were due to seasonal environmental factors that limited yields rather than factors that increased yields.

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Extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation was performed in a 75-year-old man. Eight months later PE syndrome had developed with a distinct peripheral band on the anterior surface of the pseudophacos. This case clearly shows that the peripheral band is added to the lens surface from outside, and is not derived from the lens epithelium.