ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Search for Putative Hits in Combating Leishmaniasis: The Contributions of Natural Products Over the Last Decade

Despite advancements in the areas of omics and chemoinformatics, potent novel biotherapeutic molecules with new modes of actions are needed for leishmaniasis. The socioeconomic burden of leishmaniasis remains alarming in endemic regions. Currently, reports from existing endemic areas such as Nepal, Iran, Brazil, India, Sudan and Afghanistan, as well as newly affected countries such as Peru, Bolivia and Somalia indicate concerns of chemoresistance to the classical antimonial treatment. As a result, effective antileishmanial agents which are safe and affordable are urgently needed. Natural products from both flora and fauna have contributed immensely to chemotherapeutics and serve as vital sources of new chemical agents. This review focuses on a systematic cross-sectional view of all characterized anti-leishmanial compounds from natural sources over the last decade. Furthermore, IC50/ EC50, cytotoxicity and suggested mechanisms of action of some of these natural products are provided. The natural product classification includes alkaloids, terpenes, terpenoids, and phenolics. The plethora of reported mechanisms involve calcium channel inhibition, immunomodulation and apoptosis. Making available enriched data pertaining to bioactivity and mechanisms of natural products complement current efforts geared towards unraveling potent leishmanicides of therapeutic relevance.

Source: UG
Search for QTL affecting the shape of the egg laying curve of the Japanese quail

Abstract Background Egg production is of critical importance in birds not only for their reproduction but also for human consumption as the egg is a highly nutritive and balanced food. Consequently, laying in poultry has been improved through selection to increase the total number of eggs laid per hen. This number is the cumulative result of the oviposition, a cyclic and repeated process which leads to a pattern over time (the egg laying curve) which can be modelled and described individually. Unlike the total egg number which compounds all variations, the shape of the curve gives information on the different phases of egg laying, and its genetic analysis using molecular markers might contribute to understand better the underlying mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to perform the first QTL search for traits involved in shaping the egg laying curve, in an F2 experiment with 359 female Japanese quail. Results Eight QTL were found on five autosomes, and six of them could be directly associated with egg production traits, although none was significant at the genome-wide level. One of them (on CJA13) had an effect on the first part of the laying curve, before the production peak. Another one (on CJA06) was related to the central part of the curve when laying is maintained at a high level, and the four others (on CJA05, CJA10 and CJA14) acted on the last part of the curve where persistency is determinant. The QTL for the central part of the curve was mapped at the same position on CJA06 than a genome-wide significant QTL for total egg number detected previously in the same F2. Conclusion Despite its limited scope (number of microsatellites, size of the phenotypic data set), this work has shown that it was possible to use the individual egg laying data collected daily to find new QTL which affect the shape of the egg laying curve. Beyond the present results, this new approach could also be applied to longitudinal traits in other species, like growth and lactation in ruminants, for which good marker coverage of the genome and theoretical models with a biological significance are available.

Source: UG
Searching for the everyday in African childhoods introduction

Much attention on childhoods and children’s lives in sub–Saharan Africa has focused on marginalised childhoods or children living in difficult circumstances. While the focus of these studies is valid, they have arguably contributed to portraying African childhoods in a rather negative and pessimistic light. Such an overwhelming focus on the challenges that much of the continent and its peoples face is problematic not least because it becomes the focus of many of the publications that are produced about the continent which are, then, in turn, consumed not only by academic colleagues, but also by students and other members of the public. The resulting outcome, then, is that the knowledge that is produced and then consumed about childhoods in sub–Saharan Africa by those living elsewhere is one which is characterised by lacks. Therefore, this special issue on African childhoods seeks to counter such dominant narratives that exist relating to childhoods and children’s lives in sub–Saharan Africa and instead, foreground the mundane and everyday existence of a range of children’s lives. By adopting such an approach this special issue contributes to illustrating the multiplicity of childhoods that exist on the continent. It is our hope that this will, in turn, highlight the pluralities of contemporary African childhoods and facilitate the process of moving beyond a one-dimensional understanding of childhoods and children’s lives in the region.

Source: UG
Seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine: Demand, supply and vaccine availability

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
Seasonal Changes in Chemical Composition, Preference and In Sacco Degradation of Eight Different Fodder Tree leaves

Livestock farmers in the Coastal Savannah of Ghana cut and feed leaves of various naturally occurring fodder tree species to supplement livestock diets, especially in the dry season. The aim of this study was to determine the seasonal changes in chemical composition, rumen degradation characteristics and preference of sheep for eight common indigenous fodder tree leaves, and ascertain their contribution to livestock production. Fodder leaves from Albizzia lebbek (AL), Baphia nitida (BN), Blighia sapida (BS), Ficus exasperata (FE), Ficus polita (FP), Morinda lucida (ML), Moringa oleifera (MO) and Spondias mombin (SM) were used. Fresh leaves were sampled in the wet and dry seasons to determine changes in seasonal chemical composition. Four Djallonke sheep (two males and two females) of average weight of 27.3 kg ±0.22 were offered fresh fodder leaves in a cafeteria system to determine preference. In sacco dry matter (DM) degradation was determined using four fistulated sheep in a repeated 4x4 Latin square design. Seasonal DM, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and lignin content of the fodder leaves ranged from 319.7 to 862.7 g kg-1, 150.0 to 359.2 g kg -1 DM, 181.1 to 491.5 g kg -1 DM , 277.5 to 718.3 g kg -1 DM and 50.5 to 242.0 g kg-1 DM respectively. Crude protein content of AL and FP were higher for the wet season than dry season but BS had similar trend for both seasons. The soluble and potentially degradable fractions of DM ranged from 113.3-216.8 and 142.9-627.7 g kg-1. It is concluded that the four most preferred fodder species were AL, FE, SM and MO. Their CP contents regardless of the season were higher than the minimum level considered as adequate for moderate ruminant production. It is expected that, these fodder leaves will contribute to by-pass protein and nitrogen retention and subsequently lead to weight gain when fed to sheep.

Source: UG
Seasonal Changes in the Plant Growth-Inhibitory Effects of Rosemary Leaves on Lettuce Seedlings

Plant biodiversity has been studied to explore allelopathic species for the sustainable management of weeds to reduce the reliance on synthetic herbicides. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L., syn Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.), was found to have plant growth-inhibitory effects, and carnosic acid was reported as an allelochemical in the plant. In this study, the effects of seasonal variation (2011–2012) on the carnosic acid concentration and phytotoxicity of rosemary leaves from two locations in Tunisia (Fahs and Matmata) were investigated. The carnosic acid concentration in rosemary leaves was determined by HPLC, and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was used as the receptor plant in the phytotoxicity bioassay. The highest carnosic acid concentration was found in rosemary samples collected in June 2011, which also had the highest inhibitory activity. Furthermore, a significant inverse correlation (r = 0.529; p < 0.01) was found between the inhibitory activity on lettuce hypocotyl and the carnosic acid concentration in rosemary leaves. Both temperature and elevation had a significant positive correlation with carnosic acid concentration, while rainfall showed a negative correlation. The results showed that the inhibitory effects of rosemary leaf samples collected in summer was highest due to their high carnosic acid concentration. The phytotoxicity of rosemary needs to be studied over time to determine if it varies by season under field conditions.

Source: UG
Seasonal characteristics of malaria infection in under-five children of a rural community in southern Ghana

In a quarterly survey of malaria infection in the under-five children conducted at Gomoa Onyadze/Otsew Jukwa, a rural community in the Central Region of Ghana from December, 1986 to September, 1987, crude parasite rates ranged from 19.6 to 33.5 per cent in the dry season (December and March) and 33.0 to 44.0 per cent in the wet season (June and September). P. falciparum was the predominant parasite species by parasite formula analysis with higher rates in the rainy season (94.2 to 95.8 per cent) compared to that of the dry season (51.4 to 78.8 per cent). P. malariae (20.4 per cent), P. ovale (2.7 per cent) and mixed infection rates were higher in the dry season (December and March). As high as 30.4 to 44.8 per cent of positive parasite slides had parasite density of above 3200 per microliter of blood (above class 6 degree of parasitaemia). Depending on the season 7.2-27.3 per cent of children had parasite density above 25,600 per microliter of blood (above class 10 degree of parasitaemia).

Source: UG
The seasonal cycle of cloud radiative effects over Congo Basin based on CERES observation and comparison to CMIP6 models

ABSTRACT This study investigates the seasonal variability of the cloud radiative effects (CREs) over Congo Basin (CB) using 15-year observations from Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) Energy Budget and Filled (EBAF) Ed4.1 level 3b dataset involving CERES and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments on board Terra and Aqua satellites. The relationships between CREs and cloud properties such as total cloud fraction (TCF), cloud top height (CTH), cloud top temperature (CTT) and cloud optical thickness (COT) are checked. An evaluation of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) Phase 6 in capturing the seasonal cycle of CREs as well as the magnitudes of the CREs along the seasonal cycle is also performed. This study shows a net cloud cooling effect of − 8.4 W/m2 and − 43.9 W/m2 respectively at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) and at the surface, leading to a net warming effect of 35.67 W/m2 in the atmosphere. This value implies a large energy source over the Central Africa (CA) atmospheric column. The associated relationships between CREs and cloud properties show that the shortwave CRE is more sensitive to TCF and optical thickness whereas its longwave counterparts is more sensitive to CTH, CTT and COT at the TOA and in the atmosphere. All of the four CMIP6 models used in this study can capture the spatial pattern of CREs as well as their seasonal cycle but misrepresent intensity of CREs. Results also show that a better-simulated TCF considerably reduces the intensity of the annual mean underestimation in both longwave and shortwave CRE for some CMIP6 models, but not for models with overestimated shortwave CRE.

Source: UG
Seasonal Dynamics of N, P, and K in an Organic and Inorganic Fertilized Willow Biomass System

The seasonal variations in soil nutrient supply and bioavailability were assessed in a willow biomass crop (Salix miyabeana, SX64) treated with 150 and 200 kg available N ha-1 of commercial fertilizer (CF), biosolid compost (BC), dairy manure (DM), and control (CT0) at Delhi, NY. Plant root simulator probes were used to measure nutrient supply (inside) and bioavailability (outside) of root exclusion cylinders. Measurements were made in September 2008 and May, August, and October of 2009. Soil moisture content (θd) and foliar nutrient concentrations were also determined. The BC treatments increased soil P supply more than CF and CT0. The supply of NH<inf>4</inf>+ and K in the soil increased in August but their bioavailability increased in May and October. Soil NO<inf>3</inf>- and P supply and bioavailability were both high in May. Foliar N and K concentrations were significantly high in May and low in August which could be due to dilution effect caused by increased soil moisture foliar dry weight. Foliar P concentrations increased in September and October. The observed higher soil NO<inf>3</inf>- mineralization and plant uptake in May suggest that in high soil NO<inf>3</inf>- conditions willow biomass crops can level and minimize leaching out of the root zone into groundwater. Copyright © 2015 Amos K. Quaye et al.

Source: UG
Seasonal effect on rumen function in sheep on range in the Accra Plains of Ghana

This study aimed at investigating the effect of the seasonal decline in quality and availability of feed on rumen function in sheep grazing without supplementation. Effects of season on rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen concentration and rumen degradation of urea-treated rice straw in grazing sheep were determined. Four fistulated Djallonké sheep were added to a group of grazing sheep and used for this study. Rumen contents were sampled for pH and ammonia in the rainy season and in the dry season. Ammoniated rice straw was incubated in the rumen to determine its degradation characteristics. Rumen pH was higher (p < 0.1) in the dry season than in the rainy season. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentrations on the other hand were similar (p > 0.05) in the two seasons. In sacco dry matter degradation parameters of urea-ammoniated rice straw showed seasonal differences in the soluble (a) and the insoluble but degradable (b) fractions as well as lag time before the start of degradation. It was concluded that despite higher pH in the dry season and similar ammonia nitrogen concentration in the two seasons, rumen degradability of dry matter of urea-treated rice straw in sheep was higher in the rainy season than that in the dry season.

Source: UG
Seasonal Factors Are Associated with Activities of Enzymes Involved in High-Density Lipoprotein Metabolism among Pregnant Females in Ghana

Background: Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) during pregnancy and postnatally were previously shown to improve high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) and length in the children of supplemented mothers at 18 mo of age in the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS) DYAD trial in Ghana. However, the effects of SQ-LNS on maternal HDL functionality during pregnancy are unknown. Objective: The goal of this cross-sectional, secondary outcome analysis was to compare HDL function in mothers supplemented with SQ LNS vs. iron and folic acid (IFA) during gestation. Methods: HDL CEC and the activities of 3 HDL-associated enzymes were analyzed in archived plasma samples (N ¼ 197) from a subsample of females at 36 weeks of gestation enrolled in the iLiNS-DYAD trial in Ghana. Correlations between HDL function and birth outcomes, inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and the effects of season were explored to determine the influence of these factors on HDL function in this cohort of pregnant females. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in HDL CEC, plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, cho lesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity, or phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity between mothers supplemented with SQ-LNS compared with IFA control, and no statistically significant relationships between maternal HDL function and childbirth outcomes. LCAT activity was negatively correlated with plasma AGP (R ¼ -0.19, P ¼ 0.007) and CRP (R ¼ -0.28, P < 0.001), CETP and LCAT activity were higher during the dry season compared to the wet season, and PLTP activity was higher in the wet season compared to the dry season. Conclusions: Mothers in Ghana supplemented with SQ-LNS compared with IFA during gestation did not have measurable differences in HDL functionality, and maternal HDL function was not associated with childbirth outcomes. However, seasonal factors and markers of inflammation were associated with HDL function, indicating that these factors had a stronger influence on HDL functionality than SQ-LNS supplementation during pregnancy

Source: UG
Seasonal intermittent preventive treatment for the prevention of anaemia and malaria in Ghanaian children: A randomized, placebo controlled trial

Background: Malaria and anaemia are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children in sub-Saharan Africa. We have investigated the effect of intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine or artesunate plus amodiaquine on anaemia and malaria in children in an area of intense, prolonged, seasonal malaria transmission in Ghana. Methods: 2451 children aged 3-59 months from 30 villages were individually randomised to receive placebo or artesunate plus amodiaquine (AS+AQ) monthly or bimonthly, or sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) bimonthly over a period of six months. The primary outcome measures were episodes of anaemia (Hb<8.0 g/dl) or malaria detected through passive surveillance. Findings: Monthly artesunate plus amodiaquine reduced the incidence of malaria by 69% (95% CI: 63%, 74%) and anaemia by 45% (95% CI: 25%,60%), bimonthly sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine reduced the incidence of malaria by 24% (95% CI: 14%,33%) and anaemia by 30% (95% CI: 6%, 49%) and bimonthly artesunate plus amodiaquine reduced the incidence of malaria by 17% (95% CI: 6%, 27%) and anaemia by 32% (95% CI: 7%, 50%) compared to placebo. There were no statistically significant reductions in the episodes of all cause or malaria specific hospital admissions in any of the intervention groups compared to the placebo group. There was no significant increase in the incidence of clinical malaria in the post intervention period in children who were >1 year old when they received IPTc compared to the placebo group. However the incidence of malaria in the post intervention period was higher in children who were <1 year old when they received AS+AQ monthly compared to the placebo group. Interpretation: IPTc is safe and efficacious in reducing the burden of malaria in an area of Ghana with a prolonged, intense malaria transmission season.

Source: UG
Seasonal intermittent preventive treatment for the prevention of anaemia and malaria in ghanaian children: A randomized, placebo controlled trial.

Background: Malaria and anaemia are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children in sub-Saharan Africa. We have investigated the effect of intermittent preventive treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine or artesunate plus amodiaquine on anaemia and malaria in children in an area of intense, prolonged, seasonal malaria transmission in Ghana. Methods: 2451 children aged 3-59 months from 30 villages were individually randomised to receive placebo or artesunate plus amodiaquine (AS+AQ) monthly or bimonthly, or sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) bimonthly over a period of six months. The primary outcome measures were episodes of anaemia (Hb<8.0 g/dl) or malaria detected through passive surveillance. Findings: Monthly artesunate plus amodiaquine reduced the incidence of malaria by 69% (95% CI: 63%, 74%) and anaemia by 45% (95% CI: 25%,60%), bimonthly sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine reduced the incidence of malaria by 24% (95% CI: 14%,33%) and anaemia by 30% (95% CI: 6%, 49%) and bimonthly artesunate plus amodiaquine reduced the incidence of malaria by 17% (95% CI: 6%, 27%) and anaemia by 32% (95% CI: 7%, 50%) compared to placebo. There were no statistically significant reductions in the episodes of all cause or malaria specific hospital admissions in any of the intervention groups compared to the placebo group. There was no significant increase in the incidence of clinical malaria in the post intervention period in children who were >1 year old when they received IPTc compared to the placebo group. However the incidence of malaria in the post intervention period was higher in children who were <1 year old when they received AS+AQ monthly compared to the placebo group. Interpretation: IPTc is safe and efficacious in reducing the burden of malaria in an area of Ghana with a prolonged, intense malaria transmission season.

Source: UG
Seasonal Pattern of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the Causative Agent of Buruli Ulcer, in the Environment in Ghana

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
Seasonal Predictions of Holopelagic Sargassum Across the Tropical Atlantic Accounting for Uncertainty in Drivers and Processes: The SARTRAC Ensemble Forecast System

The holopelagic macroalgae sargassum has proliferated across the tropical Atlantic since 2011, of consequence for coastal populations from West Africa to the Caribbean with limited early warning of major beaching events. As part of an interdisciplinary project, ‘Teleconnected SARgassum risks across the Atlantic: building capacity for TRansformational Adaptation in the Caribbean and West Africa’ (SARTRAC), an ensemble forecast system, SARTRAC-EFS, is providing seasonal predictions of sargassum drift. An eddy-resolving ocean model hindcast provides the winds and currents necessary to generate ensemble members. Ensemble forecasts are then obtained for different combinations of ‘windage’, the fractional influence of winds on sargassum mats, and in situ rates of growth, mortality, and sinking. Forecasts for north and south of Jamaica are evaluated with satellite-observed distributions, associated with beaching events in specific years of heavy inundation, 2015 and 2018-20. These seasonal forecasts are evaluated, on lead times of up to 180 days. Forecasts are subject to leading modes of tropical climate variability, in particular the Atlantic Meridional Mode (AMM). More accurate forecasts for a given year are obtained with ensemble members from hindcast years with a similar spring AMM-index. This is most clearly evident during negative AMM phases in spring of 2015 and 2018, when positive sea surface temperature anomalies and anomalously weak trade winds were established across the northern tropics. On this evidence, SARTRAC-EFS is potentially useful in providing early warning of high sargassum prevalence. Extended to sargassum drift off West Africa, extensive cloud cover limits availability of the satellite data needed for full application and evaluation of SARTRAC-EFS in this region, although experimental forecasts off the coast of Ghana are found highly sensitive to the windage that is associated with strong onshore winds during boreal summer. Alongside other forecast systems, SARTRAC-EFS is providing useful early warnings of sargassum inundation at seasonal timescale.

Source: UG