ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Paediatric emergencies in sub-Saharan Africa

Every health worker who cares for children has to deal with medical emergencies. They are common and can start with alarming rapidity, yet if treated quickly and effectively will often have a good, or at least better than expected outcome. No one can deny the importance of medical emergencies, yet many health workers who need to manage emergencies do not have access to the necessary training. Some are working in isolation, in remote facilities and without equipment conducive to excellent care. In most district hospitals, emergency medicine, outpatients and immunisation clinics are combined and run by the same staff. In a survey of African emergency care, Obermeyer, et al. found that of 192 facilities only 11 (6%) were in rural areas and only 36 (19%) were designated for children.1 A great deal of effort has gone into improving the situation; for example interactive, scenario-based courses such as ETAT (Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment) and ETAT+, teach emergency care over a 5-day period.2., 3. Despite this many health workers do not have access to the training and practice that they need and desire. The situation is not helped by the frequent transfer between departments of health staff in many public hospitals. In 2013 a one-day African consensus conference was held in Cape Town to determine what ‘signal’ conditions an emergency centre should be able to manage. Signal conditions were defined as shock, respiratory failure, dangerous fevers, altered consciousness, severe pain, trauma and burns. All of these conditions are potentially life threatening and managing them requires infrastructure, equipment, consumables, laboratory service support and trained staff. Lists of what are required to manage each condition are categorised as essential or desirable.4 All of these conditions are important in children but health workers caring for children also need to be alert to possible maltreatment. Good outcomes depend on doing the right thing at the right time, every time. This requires not only know-how, but also having the right tools (equipment, drugs), space and staff who work efficiently and well. Medical successes come with teamwork, multi-tasking, mutual respect, clear guidelines and pride in each other’s skills. Parents and guardians are our strongest allies and their acceptance and cooperation is essential. Their trust and dignity in the face of possible disaster is humbling. This special issue of the African Journal of Emergency Medicine, include a resource-tiered review of five paediatric emergencies along with a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing weight guestimates instruments. The authors all work in Africa and have extensive practical experience in the topics they review. Topics covered are the management of respiratory support, shock, acute convulsions, burns and child abuse. The aim is to be practical, applicable and evidence based. By sharing their experience with us they expand our horizons, demonstrate best practice and give options for care.

Source: UG
Paenidigyamycin A, Potent Antiparasitic Imidazole Alkaloid from the Ghanaian Paenibacillus sp. DE2SH

A new alkaloid paenidigyamycin A (1) was obtained from the novel Ghanaian Paenibacillus sp. isolated from the mangrove rhizosphere soils of the Pterocarpus santalinoides tree growing in the wetlands of the Digya National Park, Ghana. Compound 1 was isolated on HPLC at tR = 37.0 min and its structure determined by MS, 1D, and 2D-NMR data. When tested against L. major, 1 (IC50 0.75 µM) was just as effective as amphotericin B (IC50 0.31 µM). Against L. donovani, 1 (IC50 7.02 µM) was twenty-two times less active than amphotericin B (IC50 0.32 µM), reinforcing the unique effectiveness of 1 against L. major. For T. brucei brucei, 1 (IC50 0.78 µM) was ten times more active than the laboratory standard Coptis japonica (IC50 8.20 µM). The IC50 of 9.08 µM for 1 against P. falciparum 3d7 compared to artesunate (IC50 36 nM) was not strong, but this result suggests the possibility of using the paenidigyamycin scaffold for the development of potent antimalarial drugs. Against cercariae, 1 showed high anticercaricidal activity compared to artesunate. The minimal lethal concentration (MLC) and minimal effective concentration (MEC) of the compound were 25 and 6.25 µM, respectively, while artesunate was needed in higher quantities to produce such results. However, 1 (IC50 > 100 µM) was not active against T. mobilensis.

Source: UG
Paenidigyamycin G: 1-Acetyl-2,4-dimethyl-3-phenethyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium

The Ghanaian Paenibacillus sp. DE2SH (GenBank Accession Number: MH091697) is a prolific producer of potent antiparasitic alkaloids. Further detailed study of the culture broth of this strain produced the compound Paenidigyamycin G (1), which is a derivative of the known antiparasitic compound PaenidigyamycinA(2). Compound (1) was isolated on HPLC at tR 37.5 min and its structure determined by IR, UV, MS, 1D, and 2D-NMR data. Compound 1 produced weak to moderate antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activity when tested against Leishmania donovani (Laveran and Mesnil) Ross (D10) and Trypanosoma brucei subsp. brucei strain GUTat 3.1 with IC50 = 115.41 and 28.75 M, respectively. This result is interesting since the parent compound 2 is known to possess consistent and potent antiparasitic activity. However, 1 displayed a promising selectivity profile towards T. brucei subsp. brucei due to its relatively low toxicity against normal mouse macrophages RAW 264.7 cells (SI = 8.70). Given that compound 1 is also the main metabolite found in the hexane fraction of all extracts produced by Paenibacillus sp. DE2SH when it is co-cultured with other bacteria strains, it must possess some unique biological functions which should make it an excellent candidate for further biological activity screening in other bioassays.

Source: UG
PAH exposure in a Ghanaian population at high risk for aflatoxicosis

It was postulated that a population in sub-Saharan Africa, known to be at high risk for aflatoxicosis due to frequent ingestion of aflatoxin (AF)-contaminated foods could also be exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from a variety of environmental sources. Previously, participants in this population were shown to be highly exposed to AFs, and this exposure was significantly reduced by intervention with NovaSil clay (NS). Objectives of this study were 1) to assess PAH exposure in participants from the AF study using urinary biomarker 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP); 2) examine the effect of NS clay and placebo (cellulose) treatment on 1-OHP levels; and 3) determine potential association(s) between AF and PAH exposures. A clinical trial was conducted in 177 Ghanaians who received either NS capsules as high dose or low dose, or placebo (cellulose) for a period of 3 months. At the start and end of the study, urine samples were analyzed for 1-OHP. Of the 279 total samples, 98.9% had detectable levels of 1-OHP. Median 1-OHP excretion in nonsmokers was 0.64 micromol/mol creatinine at baseline and 0.69 micromol/mol creatinine after 3 months. Samples collected at both time points did not show significant differences between placebo and NS-treated groups. There was no linear correlation between 1-OHP and AF-albumin adduct levels. Results show that this population is highly exposed to PAHs (and AFs), that NS and cellulose treatment had no statistically significant effect on 1-OHP levels, and that this urinary biomarker was not linearly related with AF exposure.

Source: UG
Pain distribution pattern in gluteal-related low back pain: A proposed patho-anatomical approach using gluteal triangle.

Purpose: Different assessment strategies for radiating low back pain (LBP) abound across and within primary-contact disciplines yet physical diagnosis of the involved faulty anatomical structures remain difficult. This study investigated pattern of pain distribution in patients with gluteal-related low back pain. Methods: The study involved forty (40) participants with radiating low back pain who were referred for physiotherapy from two major referral clinical settings in Ghana. They were recruited into the cross-sectional survey through consecutive sampling technique. Using marker and transparent tracing sheet, gluteal triangle was outlined from the lumbar region, the involved gluteal region and the posterior part of the involved thigh. Pattern of pain distribution was noted and physically correlated with stereotype patterns of pressure points as gold standard. Data analysis involved mean, frequency distribution, percentage distributions and z-score. Alpha value was considered significant at p < 0.05. Results: The mean ages, year (SD) were 52.0 years (12.0) and 48 years (15) for male and female, respectively. Myofascial and piriformis syndromes were the most predominant presentations among the patients recording 13 (32.5%) and 10 (25%), respectively. Male group recorded 9 (22.5%) of pain originating from myofascial syndrome compared to 4 (10%) assessed in their female counterparts. There was no gender difference in the proportion of pattern of pain distribution among the participants. Conclusion: This study demonstrated different patterns of pain distribution and was found to be consistent with gold standard pressure point in the assessment of patients with radiating LBP, thus it can be included as complimentary diagnostic tool in clinical practice.

Source: UG
Pain relief in early rehabilitation of rotator cuff tendinitis: Any role for indirect suprascapular nerve block?

AIM: The purpose of the trial was to evaluate the efficacy of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) to relieve the shoulder pain, ameliorate recovery after physiotherapy and reduce disability due to a rotator cuff tendinitis (RCT). A prospective, randomized, comparison cross over investigation was performed in the setting of a large inpatient rehabilitation unit with more than 200 admissions annually. METHODS: A total of 40 potential study subjects, who complained of shoulder pain from a RCT, were enrolled and randomly assigned to standard rehabilitation treatment plus SSNB (Group A) or to standard rehabilitation treatment alone (Group B). The UCLA shoulder rating scale was used to assess the shoulder mobility on admission and discharge, and to calculate the percentage of potential improvement achieved during rehabilitation (effectiveness). A pain visual analogic scale was used to serially assess pain. At the end of the trial, a self-report questionnaire evaluated whether patients could sleep and achieve activity of day life carry out everyday activities better than they could before treatment. RESULTS: Forty patients suffering from RCT entered the study. Those receiving nerve block from the beginning of the treatment in addition to standard rehabilitation therapy reported significantly less pain during physiotherapy and better final outcomes. During treatment with SSNBs, patients reported a more significant reduction in the intensity of pain and a better reduction of pain during sleep and rehabilitation exercises in comparison to with the standard therapy alone. A statistically significant inverse correlation was found between shoulder pain and mobility. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that combining nerve block with standard rehabilitative therapy may improve the final outcome of painful RCT. It decreased the severity and frequency of the perceived pain, improved the compliance with physiotherapy, restored more normal sleep patterns, and increased compliance with the rehabilitation program. This result proves to be an effective, safe and inexpensive therapeutic option for patients suffering from painful disabling shoulder tendinitis.

Source: UG
Pain, range of motion and activity level as correlates of dynamic balance among elderly people with musculoskeletal disorder

BACKGROUND: Assessment of impairment and disability measures on dynamic balance status of elderly patients is well documented in the rehabilitation of neuromuscular disorders. Few studies however considered similar evaluation in musculoskeletal disorders.OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of pain, hip range of motion and level of activity on dynamic balance among elderly people with hip osteoarthritis (OA).METHODS: Elderly patients with hip OA participated in the cross-sectional survey. The impairment measures were assessed using the visual analogue scale and double-arm universal goniometer whilst their levels of activity were assessed with the Barthel Index. Participants performed Turn-180 on two trials by taking steps clockwise and anti-clockwise round a sturdy arm chair. The total number of steps taken to complete each Turn- 180 was determined. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data whilst Pearson moment correlation coefficient determined the correlations of the variables at 95% confidence interval.RESULTS: The study involved 87 participants comprising 40(46%) males and 47(54%) females. The age of the participants ranged from 60 to 74 years with a mean of 65.8±4.5 years. There was a positive and significant correlation (r=0.596; p<0.001) between the participants' pain and steps taken to complete Turn-180. The participants' hip flexibility and the level of activity were also significantly and inversely correlated with the performance of Turn-180.CONCLUSION: The dynamic balance of the sampled elderly patients was considerably influenced by pain, hip flexibility and level of activity, thereby putting premium on the assessment of the variables during musculoskeletal rehabilitation of elderly patients.

Source: UG
Paleoweathering, Provenance and tectonic setting of gold-bearing neoproterozoic rocks from the Atacora Structural Unit, Pan-African Dahomeyide belt, northwestern B´enin

The Atacora Structural Unit (ASU) is part of the Pan-African belt located in Northwestern B´enin Republic. It consists of metasedimentary rocks of greenschist facies and composed of quartzites, mica schists and chloritesericite- quartz schists. A petrochemical study of these rock types was undertaken, geared at inferring their paleoweathering, provenance and tectonic setting. Texturally, the rocks are, medium to coarse-grained with angular to rounded clasts. Detrital component statistics classified them as sublitharenite/quartzarenite. Geochemically, they can be classified as arkose/subarkose and sublitharenite rocks. The average values for PIA, CIA, and CIW for the quartzites, mica schists and schists range from 75% to 98%, reflecting an intensive degree of chemical weathering. The LREE enrichment (LaN/YbN = 9.56), negative europium anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.77), and fractionated HREE patterns of chondrite-normalized, are comparable to melts generated from crustal continental materials. The geochemical studies show that the studied rocks were sourced from ancient quartzose sedimentary rocks. Trace element ratios Cr/Th, Zr/Sc, Th/Sc, Th/Co and La/Th and rare earth elements of the source components indicate that these mature materials were chiefly derived from felsic rocks, though the involvement of basic rocks (basalts) cannot be ruled out. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns indicate that the metasedimentary rocks are sourced from pre-existing sedimentary rocks in the ASU, which rocks were mainly derived from the Dahomeyide basement and probably from the Amazonia craton. The major and trace elements discriminant diagrams suggest these metasediments were deposited in a passive-margin setting, though continental island arc setting signature was also identified.

Source: UG
Palynofacies, organic geochemical analyses and hydrocarbon potential of the takoradi 11-1 well, saltpond basin, Ghana

Hydrocarbon potential of the rocks in Takoradi 11-1 well in the Saltpond Basin have been investigated. Palynological and organic geochemical analysis were carried out on 49 cutting samples and 18 core samples respectively. Palynofacies analysis of the Albian - Cenomanian sediments reveal three palynofacies associations: PA-1 reflects deposition in distal mud-dominated oxic shelf conditions, PA-2 and PA-3 depo-sition under distal dysoxic - anoxic outer and inner shelf respectively. Palynofloral association which is indicative of the Albian - Cenomanian elaterate province, has pteridophytic and xerophytic forms that reflect a palaeoenvironment which was moist and humid in a warm coastal plain under arid/semi-arid climatic condition. Geochemical analysis shows low to moderate total organic content (TOC). It varies between 0.53 - 2.73 (ave 0.83 wt% TOC) and S2 values 0.33 - 8.36 (ave. 1.32 mg HC/g rock) which implies a poor to fair source rock. Rock- Eval pyrolysis indicates mainly kerogen type III (gas prone) of hydrogen index (HI) values 53 - 387 (ave 135 mg HC/g TOC). The thermal maturation parameters, Tmax of values between 427 - 441 (ave 436.5 °C) and production index (PI) 0.02 - 0.15 (ave 0.06 mg HC/g rock) indi-cate that the rocks in the well are at immature to early mature stage oil window.

Source: UG
Palynology, palynofacies and paleoenvironmental studies of the Late Devonian sediments of the Atiavi-1 well, Keta Basin, southeastern Ghana

Palynomorph and palynofacies analysis have been performed on 34 cutting samples from the Late Devonian sediments of the Atiavi-1 well in the Keta Basin. Five (5) palynofacies associations linked to different depositional environments have been identified based on the kerogen content in the samples. Palynofacies types Pf A, Pf B and Pf E reflect deposition under mud-dominated oxic shelf conditions (distal shelf), characterized by kerogen type III > IV which is gas prone. Palynofacies type C (Pf C) and D (Pf D) reflect heterolithic oxic shelf (proximal) conditions and are also characterized by type III or IV kerogen. The palynomorph associations (miospores, acritarchs and chitinozoans) indicate an offshore distal or outer shelf environment for the lower section (1490 m–1244 m) with the upper sections (1244 m–936 m) showing intermixing of land - derived elements (miospores, phytoclasts and cuticles) with minor amounts of acritarchs, which strongly suggests deposition in shallow marine/fluvio-deltaic environment. The abundance and diversity of spores is an indication of humid climatic condition which existed at the time of deposition. Palynomorphs with marker species based mainly on miospores assemblages and some diagnostic chitinozoans and acritarchs association from the Atiavi-1 well indicate an age of upper lower Devonian (Emsian) to latest Devonian (Strunian). © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Source: UG
The Pan African Vivax and Ovale Network (PAVON): Refocusing on Plasmodium vivax, ovale and asymptomatic malaria in sub-Saharan Africa

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Pan-Africanism, Inter-African Migration and the Crisis of National Integration in the African Novel

The Pan-African ideal of one continent was premised on the invented tradition of shared ancestry, communitarian values, common heritage and vision. The unity thesis notwithstanding, Africans — either within national borders or across borders — have subjected other Africans to xenophobic wars and genocidal conflicts. Mindful of the benefits of Pan-Africanism and the systemic fragility of the African nation-state, African writers have often inscribed themes of integration, violence, disintegration and same/other tension in their works. The paper seeks to examine images of Pan-Africanism and inter-African migration in African fiction by revisiting the pitfalls of nationhood and ethnic identity.

Source: UG
Pancreatic deletion of insulin receptor substrate 2 reduces beta and alpha cell mass and impairs glucose homeostasis in mice

: Insulin signalling pathways regulate pancreatic beta cell function. Conditional gene targeting using the Cre/loxP system has demonstrated that mice lacking insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) in the beta cell have reduced beta cell mass. However, these studies have been complicated by hypothalamic deletion when the RIPCre (B6.Cg-tg(Ins2-cre)25Mgn/J) transgenic mouse (expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the rat insulin II promoter) is used to delete floxed alleles in insulin-expressing cells. These features have led to marked insulin resistance making the beta cell-autonomous role of IRS2 difficult to determine. To establish the effect of deleting Irs2 only in the pancreas, we generated PIrs2KO mice in which Cre recombinase expression was driven by the promoter of the pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (Pdx1, also known as Ipf1) gene.

Source: UG
Pandemic democracy: the nexus of covid-19, shrinking civic space for civil society organizations and the 2020 elections in Ghana

In Ghana, civil society organizations (CSOs) play significant roles in promoting democratic development. However, the space within which they operate is increasingly becoming restricted. Coupled with this, COVID-19 inspired legislations are disrupting civil society, increasing existing threats to civic space, and creating uncertainties for Ghana’s 2020 elections. Yet, our understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic influences civic space and elections remains limited. Drawing on media reviews and 22 semi-structured interviews with CSO representatives and key informants, we find that the pandemic poses threats to civic space in terms of curtailment of freedoms of expression, movement and peaceful assembly. We also demonstrate that while the COVID-19 pandemic created uncertainties with the processes leading to the 2020 general elections, it had minimal effects on the elections due in part to the proactiveness and preparedness of the Electoral Commission in election administration. Notwithstanding, our findings show that the pandemic heightened and created opportunities for promoting polarized online campaigns characterized by hate speech and the propagation of fake news as political parties resorted to the use of social media in reaching out to voters. This undermines efforts for promoting democratic development and open civic space. Implications of the research findings are discussed.

Source: UG