ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Association of MYH9-rs3752462 polymorphisms with chronic kidney disease among clinically diagnosed hypertensive patients: a case-control study in a Ghanaian population

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant comorbidity among hypertensive patients. Polymorphisms in the non-muscle myosin heavy chain 9 gene (MYH9) have been demonstrated to be significantly associated with CKD, among African- and European-derived populations. We investigated the spectrum of MYH9- associated CKD among Ghanaian hypertensive patients. Methods: The study constituted a total of 264 hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients with glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 (CKD-EPI formula) or clinically diagnosed were defined as case subjects (n = 132) while those with eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73m2 were classified as control subjects (n = 132). Demographic data were obtained with a questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken. Five (5) millilitres (ml) of venous blood was drawn from study subjects into gel and EDTA vacutainer tubes. Two (2) mL of EDTA anticoagulated blood was used for genomic DNA extraction while three (3) mL of blood was processed to obtain serum for biochemical measurements. Genotyping of MYH9 polymorphisms (rs3752462) was done employing Tetra primer Amplification Refractory Mutation System (T-ARMS) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Spot urine samples were also collected for urinalysis. Hardy-Weinberg population was assessed. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms and CKD. Results: The cases and control participants differed in terms of age, sex, family history, and duration of CKD (pvalue < 0.001). The minor allele frequencies of rs3752462 SNP were 0.820 and 0.567 respectively among the control and case subjects. Patients with the heterozygote genotype of rs3752462 (CT) were more likely to develop CKD [aOR = 7.82 (3.81–16.04)] whereas those with homozygote recessive variant (TT) were protective [aOR = 0.12 (0.06– 0.25)]. Single nucleotide polymorphism of rs3752462 (CT genotype) was associated with increased proteinuria, albuminuria, and reduced eGFR.Conclusions: We have demonstrated that MYH9 polymorphisms exist among Ghanaian hypertensive patients and rs3752462 polymorphism of MYH9 is associated with CKD. This baseline indicates that further longitudinal and multi-institutional studies in larger cohorts in Ghana are warranted to evaluate MYH9 SNP as an independent predictor of CKD among hypertensive patients in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Association of Sunlight Exposure and Consumption of Vitamin D-Rich Foods During Pregnancy with Adverse Birth Outcomes in an African Population

Background: Our objective was to assess whether dietary vitamin D (vitD) intake and sunlight ex- posure during pregnancy is associated with birth outcomes in a healthy Ghanaian population. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study that included 703 mother-infant pairs accessing postnatal services at the ﬁve main health facilities in Cape Coast, Ghana was conducted in 2016. Information on sunlight exposure practices and consumption of vitD-rich foods during pregnancy was collected. Results: A 1 mg increase in vitD intake resulted in a statistically signiﬁcant 0.00505 weeks increase in gestational age (95% conﬁdence interval [CI]: 0.00005, 0.01004). Mothers classiﬁed in the ﬁrst quartile of vitD intake had 37% (prevalence ratio ¼ 1.37, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.69) increased risk of pre- term birth (PTB) compared to their counterparts classiﬁed in the fourth quartile. Decreased vitD in- take was also associated with low-to-moderate Apgar score. Conclusion: Nutrition education of mothers on the importance of screening for vitD deﬁciency during early months of pregnancy is recommended.

Source: UCC
Association of the quality of antenatal care with neonatal mortality:meta-analysis of individual participant data from 60 low- and middle-income countries

We investigated the quality of antenatal care (ANC) and its effect on neonatal mortality in 60 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: We used pooled comparable cross-sectional surveys from 60 LMICs (n=651 681). Cox proportional hazards multivariable regression models and meta-regression analysis were used to assess the effect of the quality of ANC on the risk of neonatal mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to describe the time to-event patterns of neonatal survival in each region. Results: Pooled estimates from meta-analysis showed a 34% lower risk of neonatal mortality for children of women who were attended to at ANC by skilled personnel. Sufficient ANC advice lowered the risk of neonatal mortality by 20%. Similarly, children of women who had adequate ANC had a 39% lower risk of neonatal mortality. The pooled multivariable model showed an association of neonatal mortality with the ANC quality index (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.93). Conclusions: Improvement in the quality of ANC can reduce the risk of neonatal mortality substantially. Pursuing sustainable development goal 3, which aims to reduce neonatal mortality to 12 per 1000 live births by 2030, should improve the quality of ANC women receive in LMICs

Source: UCC
Associations between polymorphisms within interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor genes and toxoplasma retinochoroiditis in Ghanaian patients

Purpose: To evaluate associations etween IFN-γ +874T/A and TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism with the development of Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis. Methods: By ARMS–PCR, a cross-sectional genetic study involving 30 patients with Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis and 87 controls was carried out. Results: IFN-γ +874: y comparing with the AA genotype, individuals with the TT genotype had a 3.4 odds ratio(OR); AT had a 1.6 OR; and the T allele had a higher OR (1.6), indicating a likely susceptibility of IFN-γ +874T to the infection, though the overall distribution was not significant (p = 0.259). For TNF-α-308G/A, individuals with other GA and AA genotypes had lower ORs when compared with the GG genotype, implying the A allele could confer protection against Toxoplasma ocular lesions. Conclusions: IFN-γ +874T allele may increase the risk of ocular lesions in Toxoplasma infection. The principle of natural selection seems to also play a role. The less common TNF-308A allelic form could e protective against the development of Toxoplasma ocular infection

Source: UCC
Associations between Polymorphisms within Interferon Gamma and Tumor Necrosis Factor Genes and Toxoplasma Retinochoroiditis in Ghanaian Patients

Purpose: To evaluate associations between IFN-γ +874T/A and TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism with the devel- opment of Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis. Methods: By ARMS–PCR, a cross-sectional genetic study involving 30 patients with Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis and 87 controls was carried out. Results: IFN-γ +874: by comparing with the AA genotype, individuals with the TT genotype had a 3.4 odds ratio (OR); AT had a 1.6 OR; and the T allele had a higher OR (1.6), indicating a likely susceptibility of IFN-γ +874T to the infection, though the overall distribution was not signiﬁcant (p = 0.259). For TNF-α-308G/A, individuals with both GA and AA genotypes had lower ORs when compared with the GG genotype, implying the A allele could confer protection against Toxoplasma ocular lesions. Conclusions: IFN-γ +874T allele may increase the risk of ocular lesions in Toxoplasma infection. The principle of natural selection seems to also play a role. The less common TNF-308A allelic form could be protective against the development of Toxoplasma ocular infection.

Source: UCC
Associations between red cell polymorphisms and plasmodium falciparum infection in the middle belt of Ghana

Red blood cell (RBC) polymorphisms are common in malaria endemic regions and are known to protect against severe forms of the disease. Therefore, it is important to screen for these polymorphisms in drugs or vaccines efficacy trials. This study was undertaken to evaluate associations between clinical malaria and RBC polymorphisms to assess biological interactions that may be necessary for consideration when designing clinical trials. Method: In a cross-sectional study of 341 febrile children less than five years of age, associations between clinical malaria and common RBC polymorphisms including the sickle cell gene and G6PD deficiency was evaluated between November 2008 and June 2009 in the middle belt of Ghana, Kintampo. G6PD deficiency was determined by quantitative methods whiles haemoglobin variants were determined by haemoglobin titan gel electrophoresis. Blood smears were stained with Giemsa and parasite densities were determined microscopically. Results: The prevalence of clinical malarial among the enrolled children was 31.9%. The frequency of G6PD deficiency was 19.0% and that for the haemoglobin variants were 74.7%, 14.7%, 9.1%, 0.9% respectively for HbAA, HbAC, HbAS and HbSS. In Multivariate regression analysis, children with the HbAS genotype had 79% lower risk of malaria infection compared to those with the HbAA genotypes (OR50.21, 95% CI: 0.06–0.73, p50.01). HbAC genotype was not significantly associated with malaria infection relative to the HbAA genotype (OR50.70, 95% CI: 0.35–1.42, p50.33). G6PD deficient subgroup had a marginally increased risk of malaria infection compared to the G6PD normal subgroup (OR51.76, 95% CI: 0.98–3.16, p50.06). Conclusion: These results confirm previous findings showing a protective effect of sickle cell trait on clinical malaria infection. However, G6PD deficiency was associated with a marginal increase in susceptibility to clinical malaria compared to children without G6PD deficiency

Source: UCC
Associations of women’s empowerment with neonatal, infant and under-5 mortality in low- and /middle-income countries: meta-analysis of individual participant data from 59 countries

Child survival and women’s empowerment are global public health concerns and important sustainable development goals (SDGs). Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have the largest burden of both phenomena. The aim of this study is to investigate a measure of women’s empowerment at individual and population levels and its potential associations with neonatal, infant and under-5 mortality at national and regional levels in 59 LMIC. Methods We used pooled population-based cross sectional surveys from 59 LMICs (n=6 12 529) conducted from 2000 to 2015 using standardized protocols. We constructed individual-level women’s empowerment index (ILWEI) and population-level women’s empowerment index (PLWEI) for LMICs and investigated the potential associations of these measures with neonatal, infant and under-5 mortality using two-stage random-effect individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis. Results The pooled neonatal mortality rate was 24 per 1000 live births. Infant and under-5 mortality rates were 43 and 55/1000 live births, respectively. In the pooled sample, 61.6% and 19.9% of women had autonomy regarding their healthcare and household decision-making, respectively, whereas 56.0% rejected domestic violence against women for any reason. IPD meta-analysis showed that children of women with low ILWEI had a higher risk of neonatal (OR: 1.18, 95%CI 1.14 to 1.22), infant (OR: 1.12, 95%CI 1.08 to 1.17) and under-5 (OR: 1.12, 95%CI 1.07 to 1.18) mortality compared with children of high ILWEI. Similar relationships were found across most of the regions as well as between PLWEI and all the three outcomes. Conclusions Women’s empowerment at individual and population levels is associated with neonatal, infant and under-5 mortality in LMICs. Our study underscores the importance of women’s empowerment in accelerating progress towards the attainment of the SDG targets for child survival in LMICs. Multi-sectoral and concerted efforts are necessary to eliminate preventable child mortality in these countries

Source: UCC
Asylum Seeking in International Politics: Ghana as a Safe Haven in West Africa

Asylum seeking have had an impact on every country on the planet in some fashion. States that do not produce asylum seekers are affected by the refugee crisis whether or not they provide relief to refugees. The term refugee applies to any individual who has escaped persecution and have gained the legal right to stay in the country of protection while an asylum seeker is an individual who have escaped persecution and whose claim for protection in the asylum country is yet to be determined. The West have been associated with being a safe haven for refugees with the highest intake of refugees. However, African countries including Ghana have contributed to tackling refugee crises in the world today but the literature pays less attention to them. Using the rational choice theory, the macro and the meso migration theory, this thesis argued that Ghana is a safe haven for asylum seekers and as such enhances the state’s relation with the home countries of the displaced persons. Using case study under the qualitative research approach, the study discovered that family ties, geographical factors, and language are some of the pull factors of asylum seekers to Ghana. It also revealed that despite challenges such as discrimination faced by refugees, Ghana satisfies the major indicators of a safe haven which includes provision of health, security, shelter, livelihood support and training and educational needs that ensure continuity of life for refugees in West African. The study, recommends that there should be policy improvement that should include labour law for refugees that is void of discrimination. In all, the study provides information for the recognition and contributions of Ghana to global refugee issues.

Source: UCC
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria among Type 2 Diabetics in the Sekondi-takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with several overt and covert complications. The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (ASB), Antimicrobial Sensitivity pattern of the bacterial isolates and associated confmmding factors leading to ASB m the Sekondi-takoradi metropolis. A cross-sectional, non-probability sampling technique was used to recruit 102 confirmed Type 2 diabetes mellitus and 23 healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were collected from both study and control participants for blood sugar analysis, midstream urine for microscopy, culture and Autibiotic Sensitivity Testing (AST). Total prevalence of ASB in this study was 26.4 with 41.9% of the total prevalence fmmd in participants with 6-10 years of diabetic history yielding a comparative significant difference in ASB in patients with longer diabetic duration. E. coli was the most prevalent bacterial isolate (15.6%) and the most resistant (62.5-100%). Tetracycline and cotrimoxazole were the least effective drugs (0%) whilst nitrofurantoin, nalidixic and gentamicin were more effective. The peak incidence of ASB in T2DM occms within age group 50-59 years and more frequently in female diabetics. T2DM patients significantly have abnormal Body Mass Index (BMI) (p 0.0022). Age, sex and BMI predispose T2DM patients to prevalence of ASB with highly resistant isolates in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. These must be factored in the treatment of T2DM complications.

Source: UCC
Asymptomatic Incisional Endometrioma Presenting as Abdominal Wall Mass: A case report

Asymptomatic incisional endometrioma of the anterior abdominal wall is rare. Clinical diagnosis may be difficult. We present a 26 year old woman with incisional abdominal wall endometrioma discovered 5 years after caeserian section. It was painless and there was no change in size with menstruation. The patient's body size was average with a palpable lump at the edge of the caeserian section scar. Clinically desmoid tumour was suspected. The patient underwent surgical excision. Histopathology confirmed endometrioma. There was no recurrence on three months follow-up.

Source: UCC
Asymptomatic malaria and its effect on parturients who received intermittent preventive treatment, a cross sectional study of the Bekwai District Ghana

Malaria is preventable but has contributed significantly to maternal morbidity and mortality in our environment. Malaria parasitaemia during pregnancy is mostly asymptomatic, untreated but with complications such as low birth weight. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and its effects among parturients who had received intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy. One hundred (100) parturient who had received sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (SP) for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) were conveniently recruited from the Bekwai Municipal Hospital and Akomaa Memorial SDA Hospital onto the study. Blood sample was collected from each participant for the detection of malaria parasitaemia, and estimation of haemoglobin concentration. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic and clinical data of participants. The prevalence of malaria among pregnant women in this study was 19% when both RDT and microscopy were used. Anaemia was present in 27% of the participants, with 14% giving birth to children with low birth weight. Most of the participants with malaria parasitaemia were primiparous, primigravida and not using insecticide treated nets (ITN). Half (50%) of participants with severe parasitaemia gave birth to children with low birth weight. Birth weight was associated with severity of parasitaemia (P=0.029). Multigravida were more likely to give birth to children with low birth weight. The prevalence of malaria among parturient who had received IPTp is still high, and severe malaria was associated with low birth weight. Pregnant women should be educated on the need to use ITN since they are more prone to malaria infection.

Source: UCC
Asymptomatic missing Intrauterine Contra-ceptive Device found incidentally at Laparatomy

The aim of this presentation is to report an asymptomatic missing intrauterine contraceptive (IUD) found in the omentum at surgery for cholecystectomy. Patient presented with clinical features of chronic calculus cholecystitis. Missing IUD was found at exploratory laparatomy for cholecystectomy. Excision of omentum was done and the patient did well.IUD providers should not only screen potential users and insert IUD correctly, but also ensure adequate follow-up.

Source: UCC
Asymptomatic urinary tract infections in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Cape Coast, Ghana

Urinary tract infections culminating from poor diagnosis during pregnancy puts pregnant women at high risk of serious complications. This study investigated the incidence of urinary tract infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the Cape Coast Metropolis of the Central Region of Ghana. Physical, chemical, microscopic, and microbial analysis were performed on urine samples obtained from 200 pregnant women aged 15 - 45 years attending the University of Cape Coast Hospital, Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital and Ewim Urban Health Centre. The prevalence of urinary tract infections in the three trimesters was determined together with sensitivity testing of the bacteria isolates to antimicrobial drugs. Overall prevalence stood at 56.5 %, although comparatively high in pregnant women in the second trimester (50.4 %). Escherichia coli were the most implicated organism (48.7 %). Pregnant women aged between 15 – 32 years were the most affected and gentamycin was the most effective antimicrobial against the bacteria isolates. Results indicated that the incidence of urinary tract infections was high among pregnant women in the study area; therefore, urine microbial screening should be included in the routine antenatal checkups for pregnant women to detect the asymptomatic infections to reduce its risk to pregnancies.

Source: UCC
Asymptotic behaviour of boundary condition functions for a fourth-order boundary value problem

In this paper, we prove that the Boundary Condition Constants for the Boundary Value Problem π : ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 4 (1) 3 (2) 2 (4) Lφ ≡ φ x + P x φ x + P x φ x + P x φ x = λφ x { ( ) ( )} 0 4 1 ( 1) ( 1) ≡ ∑ + = = − − s s rs s Urφ mrsφ a n φ b (1≤ r,s ≤ 4) can be replaced by Boundary Condition Functions and that the Boundary Condition Functions are asymptotically equivalent for large values of λ , to the Boundary Condition Functions for the corresponding Fourier problem �, given by π F : ( ) ( ) (4) x = λφ x { ( ) ( )} 0 4 ( 1) ( 1) ≡ ∑ + = − − s rs s Urφ mrsφ a n φ b (1≤ r,s ≤ 4)

Source: UCC
Asymptotic behaviour of the wronskian of boundary condition functions for a fourth order boundary value problem (a special case)

In this paper, we prove that the Wronskian W (λ) of the boundary condition functions for the following boundary value problem π: π : Lφ ≡ φ (4) ( x) + P2 (x) φ (2) ( x) + P3 (x) φ (1) ( x) + P4 (x) φ (x) = λφ (x) φ (a) = φ / (a) = φ (b) = φ / (b) = 0 is asymptotically equivalent for large values of |λ|, to the Wronskian of the boundary condition functions of the corresponding Fourier problem πF given by πF : φ (4) ( x) = λφ (x), φ (a) = φ / (a) = φ (b) = φ / (b) = 0. AMS Subject Classifcation: 35B40, 34B05

Source: UCC
Asymptotic stability of solutions of a system of Difference equations with finite delay

This thesis is concerned with the stability of solutions of a system of dif- ference equations with nite delay. Fixed point theory is used in this thesis to investigate the stability of solu- tions of a system of di erence equations with nite delay. In particular, the Banach xed point theorem is used in the thesis. In the process the system of equations are inverted to obtain an equivalent summation equations. The result of the inversion is used to de ne a suitable mapping which is then used to discuss the stability properties of solutions of the system of di erence equations with nite delay. Su cient conditions that guarantee that the zero solution of a system of di erence equations with nite delay are asymptotically stable are obtained.

Source: UCC
ateral vibrations measurement of powdery clay sample using speckle photography

We report the use of lateral vibration of speckle patterns in studying the particle sizing of bulk powdery clay sample. A two- exposure recording was made on a high -resolution holographic plate placed in the observation plane. The first exposure was taken when the laser -speckles without the sample vibrated laterally and the second when the laser -speckles and the sample vibrated laterally together. The plate was photographically processed to obtain a specklegram. The analysis of the fringe pattern from the decoded specklegram gave the particle sizes in the sample. We report the use oflateral vibration of speckle patterns in studying the particle sizing of bulk powdery clay sample. A two-exposure recording was made on a high-resolution holographic plate placed in the observation plane. The first exposure was taken when the laser-speckles without the sample vibrated laterally and the second when the laser-speckles and the sample vibrated laterally together. The plate was photographically processed to obtain a specklegram. The analysis of the fringe pattern from the decoded specklegram gave the particle sizes in the sample

Source: UCC