ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The effect of prostate tissue inflammation in benign prostatic hyperplasia on enhancer of zeste homolog 2 ribonucleic acid expression

Background and objectives: Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been recently found to regulate several genes involved in immunoresponse and autocrine inflammation network. The aim of the study was to quantitate EZH2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression, evaluate its relation to conditions of prostatitis associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and correlate it with the levels of the inflammatory marker interlukin 6 (IL-6). DESIGN AND SETING: Cross-sectional study in Middle Eastern men with BPH and prostatitis or BPH only. Patients and methods: Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies were collected from 106 patients suspected of having prostate cancer; however, the histology revealed BPH. Upon further pathological examination, 56 of these cases were identified as BPH with prostatitis and classified as: acute prostatitis (n=13); active chronic prostatitis (n=32); and, chronic inactive prostatitis (n=12). Serum IL-6 levels and EZH2 mRNA expression were measured and compared between patient groups. Results: EZH2 mRNA was overexpressed in BPH with prostatitis patients compared to BPH only patients (P<.0001). BPH with active chronic prostatitis had higher EZH2 expression than BPH with acute or chronic inactive prostatitis compared to BPH only (P=.05 and .73, respectively). EZH2 mRNA expression showed a negative correlation with IL-6 concentrations in BPH with prostatitis patients (r s=-0.31, P=.02). EZH2 overexpression was associated with an increased risk of having BPH with prostatitis (crude odds ratio 0.20, 95% CI 0.06-0.65, P=.0076). Conclusions: EZH2 mRNA expression correlates positively with prostatitis conditions associated with BPH and negatively with serum IL-6 levels. This supports the possible involvement of EZH2 mRNA overexpression in the development of prostate inflammation, and its new regulatory role in suppressing the expression of some inflammatory network genes.

Source: UG
Effect of Public Education Expenditure on Selected Primary Education Outcomes in Sub-Saharan African

This paper investigates the effect of public education spending on primary education outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We use two primary education outcomes, namely: the net enrolment rate (NER) and persistence to the last grade of primary education (PLG). Employing the random effects estimation method for a panel of 18 Sub-Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2012, we find that public education expenditure exerts positive significant effects on both the NER and the PLG. The results suggest that schooling for all is attainable if governments in SSA are willing to give public expenditures on primary education a priority

Source: UG
Effect of pulp preconditioning on acidification, proteolysis, sugars and free fatty acids concentration during fermentation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) beans

Changes in acidification, proteolysis, sugars and free fatty acids (FFAs) concentrations of Ghanaian cocoa beans as affected by pulp preconditioning (pod storage or PS) and fermentation were investigated. Non-volatile acidity, pH, proteolysis, sugars (total, reducing and non-reducing) and FFAs concentrations were analysed using standard methods. Increasing PS consistently decreased the non-volatile acidity with concomitant increase in pH during fermentation of the beans. Fermentation decreased the pH of the unstored beans from 6.7 to 4.9 within the first 4 days and then increased slightly again to 5.3 by the sixth day. Protein, total sugars and non-reducing sugars decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during fermentation, whereas reducing sugars and FFA increased. PS increased the FFA levels, reduced the protein content but did not have any effect on the sugars. The rate of total and non-reducing sugars degeneration with concomitant generation of reducing sugars in the cocoa beans was largely affected by fermentation than by PS. © 2011 Informa UK, Ltd.

Source: UG
Effect of removing direct payment for health care on utilisation and health outcomes in Ghanaian children:

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Effect of removing direct payment for health care on utilisation and health outcomes in Ghanaian children: a randomised controlled trial

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Effect of rice straw biochar and irrigation on growth, dry matter yield and radiation-use efficiency of maize grown on an Acrisol in Ghana

In order to determine whether the current low productivity associated with rainfed cultivation on degraded soils in Ghana can be improved by biochar amendment and irrigation, field experiments with maize were conducted over two seasons in 2017 and 2018. Rice straw biochar at rates of 0 t/ha (B0), 15 t/ha (B15) and 30 t/ha (B30) was combined with irrigation regimes of full irrigation (I100), deficit irrigation (I60) and no irrigation (I0). The I100 treatment was irrigated to field capacity every 3–4 days according to time domain reflectometry measurements while the I60 treatment received 60% of the irrigation amount given to I100 but with the same irrigation frequency. The I0 treatment was not irrigated. In both seasons, the B30 treatment recorded the highest total dry matter yield (TDMY), intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR) and radiation-use efficiency (RUE) and these were significantly (p ≤ .05) higher than B0 except for RUE in 2017. Irrigation regimes did not significantly affect TDMY, IPAR and RUE in 2017 but compared to I100, I0 significantly reduced TDMY, IPAR and RUE in the relatively dryer 2018 season. Measured ratio vegetation indices differentiated biochar treatments earlier in the 2018 season than during 2017 and increase of leaf chlorophyll content indices with biochar rate in both seasons indicated that biochar amendment improved nitrogen uptake. Our study demonstrated that rice straw biochar is capable of increasing TDMY, IPAR and RUE of maize grown on degraded soils in Ghana. The study further showed that TDMY, IPAR and RUE of deficit irrigated maize for two seasons were similar to the counterpart fully irrigated maize and may be a viable water management option for farmers in Ghana to save irrigation water resources

Source: UG
Effect Of Roasting On Flavonoids, Phenolics, And Antioxidant Activity Of Industrial-Pulped And Fermented Cocoa Beans.

The extent to which roasting of depulped cocoa beans at varied roasting intensities influences the total poly phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and DPPH scavenging capacity of cocoa liquor remains underexplored. This study investigated the effect of mechanical depulping and roasting intensities on these parameters in Ghanaian cocoa beans. A 3 × 3 full factorial design was employed, with depulping levels (0 %, 50 %, and 100 %) and roasting conditions (110 ◦C for 60 min, 120 ◦C for 30 min, and 135 ◦C for 10 min) as the principal factors. Cocoa beans were depulped mechanically, fermented for six days, dried at 55 ◦C to a moisture content of 7, 8 %, roasted, deshelled, and milled into cocoa liquor. The results showed that roasting intensity and mechanical depulping significantly influenced the studied parameters. Cocoa liquor obtained from mechanically depulped beans exhibited a higher total polyphenol content but lower flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity. Mod erate roasting (120 ◦C for 30 min) and low-temperature, long-time (110 ◦C for 60 min) roasting processes preserved more flavonoids and antioxidant activity than high-temperature, short-time (135 ◦C for 10 min) roasting. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing depulping and roasting conditions to balance the retention of bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties in cocoa liquor.

Source: UG
Effect Of Roasting On Flavonoids, Phenolics, And Antioxidant Activity Of Industrial-Pulped And Fermented Cocoa Beans.

The extent to which roasting of depulped cocoa beans at varied roasting intensities influences the total polyphenolic content, total flavonoid content, and DPPH scavenging capacity of cocoa liquor remains underexplored. This study investigated the effect of mechanical depulping and roasting intensities on these parameters in Ghanaian cocoa beans. A 3 × 3 full factorial design was employed, with depulping levels (0 %, 50 %, and 100 %) and roasting conditions (110 ◦C for 60 min, 120 ◦C for 30 min, and 135 ◦C for 10 min) as the principal factors. Cocoa beans were depulped mechanically, fermented for six days, dried at 55 ◦C to a moisture content of 7, 8 %, roasted, deshelled, and milled into cocoa liquor. The results showed that roasting intensity and mechanical depulping significantly influenced the studied parameters. Cocoa liquor obtained from mechanically depulped beans exhibited a higher total polyphenol content but lower flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity. Moderate roasting (120 ◦C for 30 min) and low-temperature, long-time (110 ◦C for 60 min) roasting processes preserved more flavonoids and antioxidant activity than high-temperature, short-time (135 ◦C for 10 min) roasting. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing depulping and roasting conditions to balance the retention of bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties in cocoa liquor.

Source: UG
Effect of Root Restriction on the Performance of Three-Truss Cultivated Tomato in the Low-Node Pinching Order at High-Density Cultivation System

The low-node pinching order at a high-density plant cultivation system (LN&HD) is now widely adopted for increasing tomato yield and fruit quality. The LN&HD cultivation period spans 70–120 days, employs the use of a small amount of substrate (low substrate volume), and plants are usually topped between the first and the fourth truss. Using a small amount of substrate in cultivation induces root restriction. Increasing the extent of root restriction in small pots has been adopted for increasing the fruit quality of tomato in some advanced countries. However, improving fruit quality at the expense of yield becomes a major drawback for adopting the LN&HD in Ghana. The LN&HD was introduced into Ghana mainly to increase tomato yield sustainably at a cost-effective level. This study aimed to manipulate or reduce the extent of root restriction to increase tomato yield. Information related to manipulating or reducing the extent of root restriction has not been extensively reported. Thus, an experiment was conducted (between 21 April 2019 and 11 August 2019) in the greenhouse of the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Research Centre, Kade-Ghana. Plants of two tomato cultivars (Jaguar and Momotaro York) were subjected to four root restriction conditions. The extent of root restriction were (1) complete root restriction in a 1.0 L volume capacity pot, (2) complete root restriction in a 1.5 L volume capacity pot, (3) partial root restriction in Rockwool-like cultivation, otherwise referred to as Cocowool, and (4) No root restriction in a trough containing 1.5 L of the substrate. The experiment was laid out in a 2 x 4 factorial in a randomized complete block. Results showed that partial root restriction in Cocowool and unrestricted roots in the trough produced the highest tomato yield and total dry matter compared to the plants that received complete root restrictions in the 1.0 and 1.5 L pots. However, the tomato’s total soluble solids increased with a complete root restriction in the 1.0 L pot. Reducing the extent of root restriction increased the yield and total dry matter of tomato. With the LN&HD, a small amount of substrate could be used (at a reduced cost) with a partial root restriction to increase the yield of tropical tomato cultivars grown in Ghana.

Source: UG
Effect of rootstock on growth, yield and fruit quality of late Valencia sweet orange

The citrus rootstock determines several characteristics of the commercial planting material such as tree size, fruit yield, juice quality, maturity date and tolerance to disease like tristeza. The performance of late Valencia budded into four rootstocks; rough lemon, (C. jambhiri); volkameriana (C. volkameriana); Cleopatra mandarin (C. reticulate, Blanco), and Swingle citumelo (C. paradise macf. X P. trifoliate) was evaluated under the tropical himid forest conditions. Parameters such as tree size, yield, juice content, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS: TA ratio were evaluated after seven years. Results showed that the mean canopy volume of late velencia was significantly influenced by the rootstocks as follows: Rough lemon (Rl) 83.4m1, Cleopatra mandarian (Cleo) 54.5m3, Volkameriana (Volk) 53.5 m3, and Swingle citromelo (Swin) 51.2m1, Fruit size of trees grown on Swin was smallest (195g), while those on Volk recorded the biggest (247)g). RL induced the highest yield (7.21 tonnes/ha) while those on Swin recorded the lowest 5.51 tonnes/ha. The juice content (ww) of fruits ranged between 32% in Volk and 40% in Swin. RL induced the lowest TSS (brix) (10%), while Swin induced the highest (11.8%) among the rootstocks examined. Fruit juice of Late Valencia on RL recorded the highest TA (0.94%) while the TA of juice of trees on Swin, recorded the lowest (0.8%). Fruits of trees budded on Cleo and Swin attained nearly maturity as expressed by (TSS: TA) than those on rough lemon or Volk. The TSS value of fruits grown on RL was consistently lower than trees grown on Swin. Volk induced the highest peel thickness and lowest juice content than fruits grown on the other rootstocks. By planting Late Valencia budded onto these rootstocks, the harvesting period can be spread over a longer period, since the minimum TSS: TA for the different rootstocks is attained at different times during the harvesting season. Based on the difference is the mean canopy sizes, the pant spacing of Late Valencia budded onto Swin or Volk should be closer than that on RL and Cleo to achieve higher yield.

Source: UG
Effect of School electrification on learning outcomes: A Subnational level analysis of students' pass rate in English and Mathematics in Ghana.

The paper used district level students’ pass rate in a nationally conducted basic education certification examination to assess the effect of school electrification on learning outcomes. The results show that school electrification in addition to the traditional school-level inputs, such as class size, pupil–teacher ratio, ratio of core textbook to students, and sanitation, help to explain a significant portion of the variation in performance across districts. The analysis further showed that in districts classified as deprived, electrification of schools is a mediating factor for improving pass rate in English and mathematics. In a spatially differentiated developing country like Ghana, this finding is indicative of the need for policy congruence. Ghana has achieved substantial progress in extending electricity to many communities across the country. However, distribution and consumption of electricity is still skewed in favour of urban and affluent communities over rural deprived communities. Students’ performance in the standard national examinations follow similar skewed pattern. The results of this study suggest that electrification of schools could boost students’ performance, and the gain is more significant in deprived districts.

Source: UG
Effect of season on the quality of forages selected by sheep in citrus plantations in Ghana

The study aimed at assessing the effects of season on chemical composition of forages selected by sheep grazing in a citrus plantation. Forage species growing in a sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) plantation were identified and sampled monthly for 2 years. Samples were bulked on monthly basis for chemical analysis. The average dry matter content of the forages increased from the rainy to the dry season but effects of season on the chemical components were inconsistent. Some species, such as Asystasia gangetica, had a higher crude protein concentration in the dry season, whereas for others, such as Panicum repens, the reverse occurred. However, average concentrations of crude protein, detergent fiber and components of fiber for all species for the rainy season were not significantly different from the dry season values. It was concluded that there were differences among forage species in their responses to changing seasons, such that grazing ruminants may select a diet to enable them to meet their nutritional requirements, provided forage biomass is adequate. © 2014.

Source: UG
Effect of seasonality on testicular blood flow as determined by color Doppler ultrasonography and hormonal profiles in Shiba goats

The objectives of this study were to determine if there is a seasonal pattern of testicular blood flow in male Shiba goats, and ascertaining whether or not there is a relationship among changes in testicular hemodynamics and circulating testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2). Twelve sexually mature male Shiba goats (Capra hircus), aged 19.5 ± 2.5 months were used in this study. Monitoring of the changes in testicular blood flow was performed once a week for 1 year, using color spectral Doppler ultrasonography. Plasma concentrations of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) were determined by radioimmunoassay. Among the four seasons, the greatest increases (P ≤ 0. 001) in the values for the resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the testicular artery were recorded in the summer. Also, PI and RI values recorded in spring were greater than those recorded in autumn, while for winter there were the least values for these indices. Likewise, concentrations of T and E2 showed seasonal changes. Concentrations of T and E2 were greater during the autumn and winter compared to those in spring and summer. Interestingly, E2 concentrations were negatively associated with Doppler indices of the testicular artery. In conclusion, although Shiba goats are considered to be non-seasonal breeding animals, there were distinct seasonal patterns of testicular blood flow as measured by color Doppler ultrasonography, especially in Doppler indices. These changes were coincident with the changes in the circulating E2 and may be attributable to the seasonal changes in ambient temperature or daylight length.

Source: UG
Effect of slaughter age and post-mortem days on meat quality of longissimus and semimembranosus muscles of Boer goats

This study investigated the effects of age of animal and days post-mortem (PM) on meat quality of Boer goats. Twenty-four (24) wether Boer goats of two age groups (2YO group: 2 years old and 9MO: 6–9 months, with 12 animals/group) were slaughtered in a commercial processing plant. The pH@Temp18 was estimated to be above 6 in both age groups with higher (P < 0.01) values in 2YO goats. The PM storage for 14 days reduced the shear force in both age groups (P < 0.01). 2YO goat muscles (longissimus and semimembranosus) exhibited higher (P < 0.01) Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values (TBARS), indicating increased lipid oxidation. Glycogen (P < 0.01) and lactate content (20 min post-slaughter) in longissimus of 9MO were lower compared to 2YO, and total muscle glycogen concentration was lower (P < 0.01) in both age groups below the threshold levels. Hence, as hypothesized, age and days PM proved to play crucial roles on Boer meat quality.

Source: UG
Effect of smoking and gamma irradiation on the nutritional and sensory quality of Atlantic chub mackerel in Ghana

A B S T R A C T This study investigated the nutritional, color and sensory quality of smoked and irradiated Atlantic chub mackerel. Smoking significantly decreased the moisture but increased the protein contents. The total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were significantly increased (p < 0.05) while the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) by smoking. The lipid quality indices, atherogenic index (AI) and index of thrombogenicity (TI) were below 1.0, indicating potential reduced risks of atherosclerosis and coronary thrombosis from consuming these products. The polyene index (PI) was greater than 1.0, implying a high retention of PUFAs in the products. All amino acids, significantly increased after smoking. The ratio of essential amino acid (EAA) to non-essential amino acid (NEAA), in all cases, was all greater than 1. Irradiation at 1.5 and 3 kGy had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the nutritional (except in EAA of 3 kGy samples relative to smoked samples), color and sensory quality of the smoked fish.

Source: UG
Effect of Social Media on Academic Performance of Students in Ghanaian Universities: A Case Study of University of Ghana, Legon

This research work was conducted to investigate the effects of social media on academic performance of students in university of Ghana. The type of research adopted was descriptive survey and the instrument for data collection was the questionnaire. A total sample size of two hundred (200) using cluster sampling technique of probability sampling was used to acquire the relevant data from the population. The findings of the study showed that a number of students are addicted to social media and this was found to be detrimental to their academic life despite its importance on students’ academic life such as disseminating knowledge, group discussions and building relationships through these sites. To this end, the researchers recommended that faculties or schools in various universities organize public lectures on this topic to enlighten students more on the possible implications of these sites when they are not surfed judiciously; lecturers should direct works and assignments through these sites to encourage their use for academic purposes and also the school authorities should restrict access to certain networking sites that may distract students during learning

Source: UG