ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Metabolic fecal nitrogen and digestibility estimates in the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)

The metabolic fecal nitrogen and digestibility estimates in the grasscutter were determined using 12 captive-bred adult animals fed with four experimental diets differing primarily in crude protein content using nitrogen balance trial approach. Grasscutters required 343.5 mg N kg -0.75 d -1 of nitrogen to meet maintenance requirements, which were met on diets containing 7.4% crude protein. The true digestibility of nitrogen was moderate (52%) but within the range for eutherians. Dry matter intake increased with decreasing dietary nitrogen content, suggesting that animals on nitrogen-deficient diets displayed appreciable compensatory intake. Metabolic fecal nitrogen was 3.5 g N kg -1 dry matter intake, and endogenous urinary nitrogen was 257.5 mg N kg -0.75 d -1. The low value of metabolic fecal nitrogen found for grasscutters affected the dry matter intake required for nitrogen balance, and it may allow grasscutters to exploit nitrogen poor diets. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Source: UG
Metabolic profiles of corydaline in rats by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

1. Corydaline, an isoquinoline alkaloid obtained from the rhizomes of Corydalis yanhusuo, exhibits anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-angiogenic, anti-allergic and gastric-emptying activities. In this study, a rapid and reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) method was developed and employed for the comprehensive study of the metabolites of corydaline in rats. 2. Altogether, 43 metabolites were identified in the plasma (11), bile (9), urine (34) and feces (21) of rats after oral administration of corydaline at a dose of 4.5mg/kg. 3. It was demonstrated that demethylation, hydroxylation, sulfation and glucuronidation were the major metabolic transformation pathways. Among these, two metabolites were identified as tetrahydropalmatine and isocorybulbine, and 33 phase I and phase II products were inferred to be new metabolites arising from the in vivo metabolism of corydaline. 4. Importantly, this research provides scientific and reliable support for full understanding of the metabolic profiles of corydaline and the results could help to elucidate its safety and efficacy.

Source: UG
Metabolic Resistance To Pyrethroids With Possible Involvement Of Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acids In Anopheles Funestus, The Major Malaria Vector In Western Kenya.

Background The resurgence of Anopheles funestus, a dominant vector of human malaria in western Kenya was partly attributed to insecticide resistance. However, evidence on the molecular basis of pyrethroid resistance in western Kenya is limited. Here, we reported metabolic resistance mechanisms and demonstrated that multiple non-coding Ribonucleic Acids (ncRNAs) could play a potential role in An. funestus resistance to pyrethroid in western Kenya. Anopheles funestus mosquitoes were sampled using aspiration methods in Bungoma, Teso, Siaya, Port Victoria and Kombewa in western Kenya. The F1 progenies were exposed to deltamethrin (0.05%), permethrin (0.75%), DDT (4%) and pirimiphos-methyl (0.25%) following WHO test guidelines. A synergist assay using piperonyl butoxide (PBO) (4%) was conducted to determine cytochrome P450s’ role in pyrethroid resistance. RNA-seq was conducted on a combined pool of specimens that were resistant and unexposed, and the results were compared with those of the FANG susceptible reference strain. This approach aimed to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed phenotypic pyrethroid resistance. Results Pyrethroid resistance was observed in all sites with an average mortality rate (MR) of 57.6%. Port Victoria had the highest level of pyrethroid resistance to permethrin (MR=53%) and deltamethrin (MR=11%. Teso had the lowest level of resistance to permethrin (MR=70%) and deltamethrin (MR=87%). Resistance to DDT was observed only in Kombewa (MR=89%) and Port Victoria (MR=85%). A full susceptibility to P-methyl (0.25%) was observed in all sites. PBO synergist assay revealed high susceptibility (>98%) to pyrethroids in all the sites except for Port Victoria (MR=96%). Whole transcriptomic analysis showed that most gene families associated with pyrethroid resistance.

Source: UG
Metabolite profiling, antifungal, biofilm formation prevention and disruption of mature biofilm activities of Erythrina senegalensis stem bark extract against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata

The antifungal activity of the 70% ethanol stem bark extract of Erythrina senegalensis (ESB) against different strains and drug resistant clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were evaluated in the study. The effect of ESB on biofilms as well as its activity in combination with fluconazole, nystatin or caspofungin against the Candida strains were also evaluated. We then evaluated the antifungal activity of a microemulsion formulation of ESB against planktonic and biofilms of the Candida species. UPLC-QTOF-MS2 analysis was then undertaken to identify the phytoconstituents of the extract and UPLC fingerprints developed for the routine authentication as part of quality control measures. ESB exerted strong antifungal activities against C. albicans ATCC 10231 and SC5314 strains, and C. glabrata ATCC 2001 strain with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from 3.91 to 31.25 μg/mL and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) that ranged from 62.5 to 250 μg/mL. It also exhibited potent antifungal activities (MIC = 4–64 μg/mL) against a collection of C. albicans and C. glabrata clinical isolates that were resistant to either nystatin or azole antifungals. The formulated ESB demonstrated higher antifungal potency against the C. albicans and C. glabrata strains with MIC values of 3.91–31.25 μg/mL which was the same as the MFC values. The extract and its microemulsion formulation were active against biofilms of the strains of the Candida species inhibiting their biofilm formations (SMIC50 = 16–64 μg/mL) and their preformed biofilms (SMIC50 = 128 –>512 μg/mL). ESB also exhibited synergistic antifungal action with fluconazole and nystatin against C. albicans ATCC 10231 and C. glabrata ATCC 2001 strains in the checkerboard assay. Chemical characterization of the extract revealed the presence of phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and their prenylated derivatives, anthracene glycosides and alkaloids. UPLC Fingerprints of the extract was also developed and validated for routine identification and authentication of the stem bark of E. senegalensis. The study findings have demonstrated that the stem bark of E. senegalensis is as a potential source of bioactive compounds that could be developed as novel antifungal agents.

Source: UG
Metagenomic study of the viruses of African straw-coloured fruit bats: Detection of a chiropteran poxvirus and isolation of a novel adenovirus

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
Metal Distribution and Fractionation in Surface Sediments of Coastal Tema Harbour (Ghana) and its Ecological Implications

This study investigated the distribution and fractionation of metals (Mn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Sn) in surface sediments of Tema Harbour (Greater Accra, Ghana) as well as its ecological implications. Significant differences in sediment concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, As and Sn were observed across the Tema Harbour. Geochemical indices indicate that Cd, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, As and Sn in the Tema Harbour sediments derived mainly from anthropogenic sources, while Mn, Ni and Cr were mainly of lithogenic origin. Metal fractionation revealed a predominance of Al, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cu, As and Sn in the residual phase. In contrast, Cd and Hg were mainly present in the exchangeable phase, while Zn was mainly associated with the reducible phase. Based on the metal fractionation in the Tema Harbour sediments, the potential risks of metal bioavailability were high for Cd and Hg, low–medium for Mn, Ni, Zn, As and Sn and low for Pb, Cr and Cu. A screening-level ecotoxicological assessment revealed high potential toxicity of Hg and moderate potential toxicities of Pb, Cu, Zn, As and Cd in the Tema Harbour sediments. The potential influence of the buffer intensity, silt–clay, total organic carbon and carbonate content on the metal distribution in the Tema Harbour sediments was also inferred from their correlations. Comparison with previous studies did not reveal a progressive increase in metal contamination at the Tema Harbour since the year 2000.

Source: UG
Metaphorical euphemisms in death-discourse among the Nzema

This article seeks to deepen our understanding of the cognitive processes involved in death euphemisms in Nzema, a Kwa language of Ghana. The article highlights the metaphorical “mappings” across conceptual domains, where the concept of death (target domain) is well understood in terms of more physical events such as journey, departure, return, invitation, continuous sleep, losing a fight, etc. (source domain). It is demonstrated that the Nzema conceptualise death also as retirement, subtraction, and bereavement, as living in darkness, being missing at the crossroads, burial as hiding/preserving, burying as sowing a seed, coffin as house for an individual, cemetery/grave as better place, place of rest, and corpse as a thing among others.

Source: UG
The metaphysical and the imaginative: Asare’s play The Choice in performance.

The manifestation of the metaphysical in artistic expressions is as old as the relationship between art and religion; drama and its theatre is no exception. In the works of most Ghanaian playwrights and dramatists, one identifies a transition from a cultural/folk lore and history into contemporary plays. This evolution becomes the vehicle for the artists’ creative process and it usually gives the work a grounding in the Ghanaian culture; the artist’s thought is then communicated in context. In an interview in 1994 in his office at the Ghana National Theatre, Yaw Asare, a Ghanaian playwright confirms that his works are inspired by Ghanaian folktales and other folk genres. In Asare’s play, The Choice, the said transition comes across in the form of the history and folklore of the people of Nkonya and Alavanyo in the Volta Region of Ghana. These genres are replete with metaphysical and supernatural characters and philosophical thoughts which he recreates in The Choice in the form of supernatural characters and more. This paper discusses the transposition of the metaphysical in The Choice, from text to the performance of the play at the E. T. Sutherland Drama Studio

Source: UG
The metasedimentary rocks from the eastern margin of the Tarim Craton: petrology, geochemistry, zircon U-Pb dating, Hf isotopes and tectonic implications.

The Dunhuang Block, located in the eastern Tarim Craton, widely exposes Precambrian TTG gneisses and metamorphosed supracrustal rocks. A suite of metasedimentary rocks of the Dunhuang Group in the Hongliuxia area on the easternmargin of the TarimCraton are characterized bymoderate contents of quartz, plagioclase, and biotite, with minor amounts of garnet or kyanite, most of which have experienced strong deformation, resulting in well-developed amphibolite-facies foliations. The examined samples are characterized by moderate Fe2O3+MgOand TiO2 contents, and Al2O3/SiO2 and K2O/Na2O ratios with low Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and high Index of Compositional Variability (ICV) values, suggesting that the protolith sediments originated from continental island arc environment. The U–Pb ages of magmatic-type detrital zircons from the Hongliuxia metasedimentary rocks range between 2476 Ma and 1950 Ma, with a peak at 2417 Ma. Detrital zircons of metamorphic origin yielded an age peak at 1832 Ma, which may represent a tectono-thermal event in the Paleoproterozoic. Considering that the main age populations of the analyzed samples are consistent with the tectono-thermal events in the Tarim Craton during the early Paleoproterozoic, we propose that the Tarim Craton was possibly the major source for the protolith sediments of the metasedimentary rocks in the Hongliuxia area. Zircon Hf isotopic compositions (εHf(t) =−5.8 to +2.9) suggest voluminous addition of juvenile materials to the crust and minor reworking of old materials in the eastern Tarim Craton during the Mesoarchean (TDM C = 2.8–2.9 Ga). The metasedimentary rocks of the Hongliuxia area provide clear constraints to the evolution of the Tarim Craton. A possible tectonic model is that multiple thermal events (~2.4 Ga, 2.2 Ga, 2.0 Ga and 1.8 Ga) occurred in the study area, and the time period of Mesoarchean was important for crustal growth in the eastern Tarim Craton, whereas the ~1.83 Ga metamorphism might represent a thermal event associated with the Tarim Craton within the supercontinent Columbia.

Source: UG
Metformin versus insulin in the management of pre-gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital:A randomized clinical trial

Objective: To determine if metformin monotherapy or metformin in combination with insulin is equally effective as insulin monotherapy at glycemic control in diabetes mellitus in pregnancy among Ghanaians. Methods: This was a study involving 104 pregnant women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at 20-30 weeks gestation. Participants were randomized into metformin and insulin treatment groups. Starting dose of metformin was 500 mg once a day and increased gradually over two (2) weeks, to meet glycemic targets. Insulin was added if targets could not be reached on metformin alone at maximum doses. Total daily dose of premixed insulin at initiation was calculated as 0.3 IU/kg body weight and titrated upwards to achieve glycemic control. Glycemic profile monitoring was done every two weeks. Results: The two hour post prandial blood glucose (2HPG) levels were significantly lower in the metformin group than the insulin group (p= 0.004). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that metformin monotherapy is effective in achieving glycemic targets in the management of diabetes in pregnancy. It is more effective than insulin in lowering the 2HPG level. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12614000942651.

Source: UG
Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and extended spectrum betalactamase producing enterobacteriaceae: A Therapeutic Challenge in the 21st Century

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest global threats to human health in recent times and it limits the achievement of several of the Sustainable Development Goals. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae are among the most important multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens. MRSA and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae have evolved significantly over the last few decades with important clinical and epidemiological implications. Given the slow progress of development of new antibiotics in recent times, it is likely that these multidrug resistant pathogens will have a greater impact on public health in the 21st Century, unless other effective control measures are instituted. Effective infection control strategies coupled with antibiotic stewardship programs are required to limit the spread and burden of MRSA and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriacae.

Source: UG
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from Ghana include USA300

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
Method project on the teaching of Science in the primary and middles school

Of old it has been the usual order that the study of nature in Ghanaian schools has been in the form of the modern teacher regarding the child as a Passive recipient of imparted knowledge and therefore dumping on him his acquired knowledge from books and of which, in most cases he the teacher lacks any practical knowledge. This promotes rote learning and apart from sealing off the child's exploratory, discovering and developing mind, it does the child the greatest harm to swallowing with pleasure and delight every written information especially in books or imparted knowledge ~ especially from his elders and seniors without thinking about its validity or possibility. The result is failure on the part of students to give correct answers to such simple questions as "How does the aeroplane fly?" or "How is the gramophone able to give out music?" and attributing the phenomena to magic.

Source: UG
Methodological development of tools to measure how women are treated during facility-based childbirth in four countries: labor observation and community survey

Background Efforts to improve maternal health are increasingly focused on improving the quality of care provided to women at health facilities, including the promotion of respectful care and eliminating mistreatment of women during childbirth. A WHO-led multi-country research project aims to develop and validate two tools (labor observation and community survey) to measure how women are treated during facility-based childbirth. This paper describes the development process for these measurement tools, and how they were implemented in a multi-country study (Ghana, Guinea, Myanmar and Nigeria). Methods An iterative mixed-methods approach was used to develop two measurement tools. Methodological development was conducted in four steps: (1) initial tool development; (2) validity testing, item adjustment and piloting of paper-based tools; (3) conversion to digital, tablet-based tools; and (4) data collection and analysis. These steps included systematic reviews, primary qualitative research, mapping of existing tools, item consolidation, peer review by key stakeholders and piloting. Results The development, structure, administration format, and implementation of the labor observation and community survey tools are described. For the labor observations, a total of 2016 women participated: 408 in Nigeria, 682 in Guinea, and 926 in Ghana. For the community survey, a total of 2672 women participated: 561 in Nigeria, 644 in Guinea, 836 in Ghana, and 631 in Myanmar. Of the 2016 women who participated in the labor observations, 1536 women (76.2%) also participated in the community survey and have linked data: 779 in Ghana, 425 in Guinea, and 332 in Nigeria. Conclusions An important step to improve the quality of maternity care is to understand the magnitude and burden of mistreatment across contexts. Researchers and healthcare providers in maternal health are encouraged to use and implement these tools, to inform the development of more women-centered, respectful maternity healthcare services. By measuring the prevalence of mistreatment of women during childbirth, we will be able to design and implement programs and policies to transform maternity services.

Source: UG
Methodologically Thinking: Doing Disability Research in Ghanaian Cultural Communities

This article discusses methodological challenges encountered during a collaborative North-South research project. Based on fieldwork on the oral history of disability rights in Ghana, we argue that conducting research in the global South requires adapting international research methodologies to Southern socio-cultural contexts. Adaptations are needed in all stages, including ethics (where trust-building and culturally informed consent are vitally important), recruitment (which must consider local socio-cultural factors), and data collection and analysis (where flexibility and adaptiveness are essential in response to the lived reality of participants with different disability types). We conclude that flexible, collaborative methods can produce results that reflect the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in the global South, while following international methodological norms.

Source: UG
A methodology for stochastic analysis of share prices as Markov chains with finite states

Price volatilities make stock investments risky, leaving investors in critical position when uncertain decision is made. To improve investor evaluation confidence on exchange markets, while not using time series methodology, we specify equity price change as a stochastic process assumed to possess Markov dependency with respective state transition probabilities matrices following the identified state pace (i.e. decrease, stable or increase). We established that identified states communicate, and that the chains are aperiodic and ergodic thus possessing limiting distributions. We developed a methodology for determining expected mean return time for stock price increases and also establish criteria for improving investment decision based on highest transition probabilities, lowest mean return time and highest limiting distributions. We further developed an R algorithm for running the methodology introduced. The established methodology is applied to selected equities from Ghana Stock Exchange weekly trading data. © 2014, Mettle et al.; licensee Springer.

Source: UG
Methods used in preclinical assessment of anti-Buruli ulcer agents: A global perspective

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Methylmercury Measurements in Dried Blood Spots from Electronic Waste Workers Sampled from Agbogbloshie, Ghana

Biomonitoring methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is problematic in resource‐limited settings and with difficult‐to‐ access populations where traditional biomarker approaches present logistical, economic, and ethical issues. The present study aimed to validate the use of dried blood spots (DBS) to assess MeHg exposure in a real‐world contaminated field setting. Whole‐blood and DBS samples were collected from electronic waste workers (n = 20) from Agbogbloshie (Ghana) in 2017, and DBS were also artificially created in the laboratory using the field‐collected blood. Whole‐blood MeHg concen trations averaged 0.84 µg/L, which was not different from levels measured in the corresponding DBS samples (field‐collected or artificially created). Whole‐blood MeHg comprised 61% of the blood total Hg concentrations. Linear regression analysis revealed no differences in MeHg concentrations between whole‐blood samples and field‐collected DBS (slope 0.89, R2 = 0.94) and between field and laboratory DBS (slope 0.89, R2 = 0.96). The MeHg content in DBS punch blanks averaged 0.86 pg and thus was not of concern. These findings indicate that DBS are a suitable tool for assessing MeHg exposure in real‐world environmental settings that may be heavily contaminated.

Source: UG