ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
FURTHER STUDIES ON THE PHARMACOLOGICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE OF CRUDE EXTRACTS OF H ELI OTR OP I UM I N DI CUM LINN

Heliotropium indicum Linn has various medicinal uses in the treatment of disease conditions such as abdominal pains, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, skin rashes, wounds, hypertension, ocular infections, convulsion, dizziness and also used as a component of ‘’abemuduro’’ (a local herbal preparation used mostly by Asante women to manage post - labour inflammatory reactions). The purpose of this work was to evaluate the pharmacological activity of crude extracts of Heliotropium indicum on isolated smooth muscle preparations, the cardiovascular system of the anaesthetised cat, isolated rabbit and frog hearts and also the analgesic and some toxicological effects in in vivo and in vitro studies to explain some of its reported local uses. In vitro studies of the effects of the crude extracts on smooth muscle preparations ( Isolated guinea – pig ileum, isolated rabbit jejunum, and isolated rat uterus) showed contractile activity which was possibly mediated by stimulating muscarinic and nicotinic receptors, since the contractions were readily inhibited by atropine and hexamethonium. Two prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors indomethacin and diclofenac sodium could not modify the effects of the crude extracts and oxytocin on the isolated pregnant and non – pregnant rat uterus preparations. The crude extracts of Heliotropium indicum showed significant (P < 0.05) stability to plasma cholinesterase comparable to those of methylcholine and carbamylcholine. In vivo and in vitro studies of the effects of crude extracts on the cardiovascular system of the anaesthetized cat showed negative inotropic and chronotropic effects. The cardiovascular effects of the crude extracts could be mediated through M2 – receptor stimulation or by direct action on the heart muscle. Crude extracts of Heliotropium indicum (30 - 300 mg/kg-1) insignificantly [F 3,8 = 2.633, P = 0.5391, F 3, 8 = 8.633, p = 0.3321] inhibited both the first and second phases of formalin induced pain as compared to those of morphine and diclofenac sodium (1 – 10 mg/kg-1) [F3,8 = 2.699, P = 0.3926 and F3, 8 = 1.442, p = 0.9923; F3, 8 = 1.678, P = 0.9234, and F3, 8 = 2.344, p = 0.4121] respectively. Oral doses of 3 g/kg in mice and 5 g/kg in rats of the crude extracts were tolerated, however, in crude extract treated rats histopathological damages were observed in the liver, kidney, lungs, and heart.

Source: UCC
Ga imperatives and richness of the base

This paper proposes a solution to a Richness of the Base problem that is inherent in the morpho-tonology of Gã verbs to which the imperative morpheme i.e. a floating high tone (plus sometimes, a segmental -m´) suffix is attached. Generally, this morphophonological process suggests that there is an asymmetry between surface low toned monosyllabic stems but not bisyllabic stems, in the language. A rule-based account by Paster (2000) leads to a verb inventory that excludes the existence of underlying low-toned bisyllabic verb stems in Gã contra earlier observations e.g. Wentum (1997). However given the Richness of the Base hypothesis in Optimality Theory, this is a problem. I argue and show that the missing bisyllabic verb stem contrast can be derived via a constraint ranking schema which forces both underlyingly low-toned and toneless bisyllabic stems to behave in a similar manner on the surface although it preserves the contrast in monosyllablic stems of similar tonal shapes

Source: UCC
The Gap between the Academia and Industry: Perspectives of University Graduates in Ghana

Training students in Africa to acquire the competencies needed to fit the 21st century’s job market has been a great burden on universities. It appears that universities are finding it difficult in training students to be creative, thoughtful and proficient with their areas of study. The aim of this study is to examine the perception of graduate university students on the gap between academia and industry in Ghana. A survey was conducted and questionnaires were conveniently administered to 2,200 university graduate in Ghana. Only university graduates who were engaged in permanent employment and had worked for a year or more were targeted for the study. A scale was developed and validated using Structural Equation Modelling with 5,000 bootstrap samples. The study revealed that universities did not equip students with practical skills in their area because they (graduates) were not exposed to frequent experiential training. It was found that the university system encourages memorisation of facts and focused on passing examinations. It is recommended that the Management of Ghanaian Universities should quickly put in place mechanisms in the reformation of assessment and the curriculum as a whole. University curriculum/course designers should ensure that there is consistency in all the elements of the curriculum such that programme objectives can be achieved.

Source: UCC
Gaps in Knowledge Levels of Health Workers on Recommended Child Feeding Practices and Growth Monitoring and Promotion Actions

Background: Mothers rely greatly on the advice given by Health Workers (HWs) on appropriate Infants and Young Children Feeding (IYCF) practices. Therefore, the knowledge levels of HWs play an important role in the effective promotion of recommended IYCF practices. However, evidence in literature highlights that HWs do not have adequate knowledge on recommended child feeding practices Objective: This study aims at assessing the nutritional knowledge levels of HWs who work in child health facilities in two predominately rural districts in Ghana. Methods: The study is a descriptive cross-sectional. Responses from 192 HWs working at Child Welfare Clinic (CWC) departments of 21 health facilities to a selfadministered questionnaire is used for analysis. In all, respondents responded to 31 questions which assess their knowledge levels on recommended daily feeding practices for various age groups of young children and the recommended age of introducing water and other foods. Some of the questions also evaluate their ability to interpret growth curves of children and carry out the required action(s) thereafter. Their knowledge levels are also assessed with respect to body-building, body-protective, energy-giving, calcium, iron and vitamin A rich food sources. Results: Some of the HWs (14.1%) did not know the appropriate age for introducing dairy foods to infants and few (7.8%) wrongly indicated that water should be introduced before 6 months of age. Only a small percentage of the HWs (6.8%) knew that non-breastfeeding children aged between 6 and 23 months should be fed 4 or more times daily. More than 80% of the HWs were unable to identify all the actions that should be targeted at each of the 5 growth patterns of children. Only 22.9%, 25.0% and 10.9% were able to mention at least three iron, vitamin A and calcium rich food sources respectively. About 83.9% and 90.6% of the HWs did not know absorption enhancers and inhibitors of iron-rich foods. Overall, a higher proportion (52.4%) of the surveyed HWs had an average score ranging between 50% and 69% whereas, only 6.5% had a good score of > 70%. Conclusion: The surveyed HWs demonstrated low knowledge on recommended child feeding practices, actions that should be targeted at the various growth patterns of children and the majority of the HWs did not know food sources of iron, vitamin A and calcium. This low level of knowledge jeopardizes the provision of high quality nutritional support by caregivers. It is recommended that the nutritional knowledge of HWs working in CWCs should be enhanced and updated accordingly, either by the regular participation in refresher or continuing education programmes that also focus on complementary feeding of children. The findings also suggest that HWs require more education on recommended growth promotion actions.

Source: UCC
Gastroprotective activity of Annona muricata leaves against ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats via hsp70/Bax involvement

The popular fruit tree of Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae), known as soursop and graviola, is a widely distributed plant in Central and South America and tropical countries. Leaves of A. muricata have been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the gastroprotective effects of ethyl acetate extract of A. muricata leaves (EEAM) were investigated against ethanol-induced gastric injury models in rats. The acute toxicity test of EEAM in rats, carried out in two doses of 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg, showed the safety of this plant, even at the highest dose of 2 g/kg. The antiulcer study in rats (five groups, n=6) was performed with two doses of EEAM (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) and with omeprazole (20 mg/kg), as a standard antiulcer drug. Gross and histological features showed the antiulcerogenic characterizations of EEAM. There was significant suppression on the ulcer lesion index of rats pretreated with EEAM, which was comparable to the omeprazole effect in the omeprazole control group. Oral administration of EEAM to rats caused a significant increase in the level of nitric oxide and antioxidant activities, including catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase associated with attenuation in gastric acidity, and compensatory effect on the loss of gastric wall mucus. In addition, pretreatment of rats with EEAM caused significant reduction in the level of malondialdehyde, as a marker for oxidative stress, associated with an increase in prostaglandin E2 activity. Immunohistochemical staining also demonstrated that EEAM induced the downregulation of Bax and upregulation of Hsp70 proteins after pretreatment. Collectively, the present results suggest that EEAM has a promising antiulcer potential, which could be attributed to its suppressive effect against oxidative damage and preservative effect toward gastric wall mucus.

Source: UCC
Gastroprotective effect and safety assessment of zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (lam) waterm root bark extract

Problem statement: Gastrointestinal ulcers account significantly for morbidity and mortality in Ghana. The study therefore investigated the gastroprotective effect of an ethanolic root bark extract of Zanthoxylum zanthxyloides and its safety for us. Approach: Gastric ulceration was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats with Indomethacin (25 mg kg −1, p.o) and was treated with 150, 250, or 500 mg kg −1 of the extract, or 20 mg kg −1 Esomeprazole. The number of ulcers per stomach, Ulcerative Index and Curative Ratio were determined. A histological study of the gastric mucosa was also performed. The extract’s effect on an isolated guinea-pig ileum preparation was investigated to elucidate its possible mechanism of action. Safety assessments involving, organ weight to body weight ratio determination, hematological analysis and liver function tests were performed. Results: The extract significantly decreased (p≤0.001) the number of ulcers per stomach and the Ulcerative Index (similar to Esomeprazole) and significantly increased (p≤0.001) the Curative Ratio in a dose-dependent manner. It completely corrected the architectural distortions caused by gastric ulceration and inhibited significantly (p≤0.001) the contractile responses of the isolated guinea-pig ileum to Acetylcholine, Nicotine and Histamine in a manner comparable to reference antagonists. The extract had no significant effect (p>0.05) on organ weight to body ratio and hematological profile. Plasma levels of Alanine transaminase and Alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly (p≤0.001) in extract and Esomeprazole-treated ulcerated rats. Levels of Gamma-glutamyl transferase, Total bilirubin (direct and indirect) however increased significantly (p≤0.01-0.001). Conclusion/Recommendations: Per the findings, the ethanolic root bark extract of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides has gastroprotective effect in Sprague-Dawley rats working possibly via antimuscarinic or antihistaminic mechanism. It however has a potential of causing cholestasis hence liver function should be monitored

Source: UCC
Gastroprotective Effect and Safety Assessment of Zanthoxylum Zanthoxyloides (Lam) Waterm Root Bark Extract

Problem statement: Gastrointestinal ulcers account significantly for morbidity and mortality in Ghana. The study therefore investigated the gastroprotective effect of an ethanolic root bark extract of Zanthoxylum zanthxyloides and its safety for us. Approach: Gastric ulceration was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats with Indomethacin (25 mg kg−1, p.o) and was treated with 150, 250, or 500 mg kg−1 of the extract, or 20 mg kg−1 Esomeprazole. The number of ulcers per stomach, Ulcerative Index and Curative Ratio were determined. A histological study of the gastric mucosa was also performed. The extract’s effect on an isolated guinea-pig ileum preparation was investigated to elucidate its possible mechanism of action. Safety assessments involving, organ weight to body weight ratio determination, hematological analysis and liver function tests were performed. Results: The extract significantly decreased (p≤0.001) the number of ulcers per stomach and the Ulcerative Index (similar to Esomeprazole) and significantly increased (p≤0.001) the Curative Ratio in a dose-dependent manner. It completely corrected the architectural distortions caused by gastric ulceration and inhibited significantly (p≤0.001) the contractile responses of the isolated guinea-pig ileum to Acetylcholine, Nicotine and Histamine in a manner comparable to reference antagonists. The extract had no significant effect (p>0.05) on organ weight to body ratio and hematological profile. Plasma levels of Alanine transaminase and Alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly (p≤0.001) in extract and Esomeprazole-treated ulcerated rats. Levels of Gamma-glutamyl transferase, Total bilirubin (direct and indirect) however increased significantly (p≤0.01-0.001). Conclusion/Recommendations: Per the findings, the ethanolic root bark extract of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides has gastroprotective effect in Sprague-Dawley rats working possibly via antimuscarinic or antihistaminic mechanism. It however has a potential of causing cholestasis hence liver function should be monitored.

Source: UCC
Gender and Paragraph Writing Skills Among Students at The Komenda College of Education

ABSTRACT This study sought to assess how paragraph unity and coherence in writing are achieved among students of the Komenda College of Education, with respect to gender. Lakoff’s Theory, Difference Theory and the Performativity Theory underpinned the study. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed, and the descriptive design was used. The sample size comprised 60 (40 males and 20 females) Level 200 students from the Department of English of the Komenda College of Education, selected using the census techniques. Paragraphs written by the students were analysed using narratives, and quantitative data analysed using mean, standard deviation and the independent samples t-test. The results revealed that both male and female students introduce a topic sentence positioned at the beginning of the paragraph, followed by supporting sentences, then illustrations, all on one idea, in achieving paragraph unity; however, males frequently used firstly, secondly, etc.; therefore; however, and though whilst females used because, for example and again to achieve the same purpose of paragraph unity. It was also found that both males and females used repetitions and transitional words to achieve coherence; however, males frequently used coordinating conjunctions as females used synonyms frequently. Finally, it was revealed that there is no significant difference between males and females, with respect to achieving unity and coherence. It was concluded that gender has no influence on paragraph writing. It was then recommended that colleges employ the same methods of paragraph writing in training both gender groups. The researcher made suggestions for future studies.

Source: UCC
Gender as a Moderator between Work-Family Conflict, Job and Family Satisfaction

The study examined the effect of work-family conflict on job and family satisfaction among university junior staff in Ghana. It further tested the moderating role of gender on the relationship between work-family conflict dimensions and job and family satisfaction. A quantitative approach was adopted. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 339 respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results revealed a negative effect of work-family conflict on both job satisfaction and family satisfaction. Further analysis showed that gender moderates the relationship between work-family conflict (FIW) and family satisfaction. Recommendations are made to the University authorities and employees on how to minimize the negative effects of work-family which can lead to better job and family satisfaction in this paper.

Source: UCC
Gender difference and farm level efficiency: metafrontier production function approach

Gender mainstreaming has, for some time now, been identified as a paramount issue in development of resource-poor societies, and particularly, the women whose access to productive resources is limited due to tradition, culture and other socio-economic constraints. This research paper investigates the influence of Gender in management on the level of efficiency of food crop farms in Ghana. The study specifically: compares the technical efficiency scores of farms with male entrepreneurs and those with female entrepreneurs; examines the determinants of technical efficiency of food crop farmers; and compares technological gaps of farms with male entrepreneurs and those with female entrepreneur. The study involved 90 male food crop farmers and 90 female food crop farmers in the Juaboso District in the Western Region of Ghana. The respondents interviewed were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Stochastic metafrontier production function was used to estimate the efficiency scores in each group and multiple regression models was estimated to verify the determinants of technical efficiency. Survey was conducted with structured interview schedules to collect data. The estimated technical efficiencies indicate that food crop farmers in the Juaboso District of Ghana are, in general, less efficient in their production. Although farms under male farmers management had higher mean value of production figures relative to the female farmers’ farms, the farms under female farmers management were found to be more efficient and also nearer to the potential output defined by the metafrontier production function compared to the farms owned by males. We also found technical efficiency to be influenced significantly by gender, age, household size, years of farming experience, access to credit, education and consultation with extension staff

Source: UCC
Gender Difference in Information and Communication Technology Use among University Students

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the information and communication technologies (ICT) skills of students in the University of Cape Coast. Methods: Design: Cross sectional study. Participants: First year students (n = 84) attending University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. Main outcome measures: Self‐reported assessment of competence on ICT‐related topics and ability to perform specific ICT tasks. Further information related to frequency of computer use (per week, month), years of computer use, reasons for use and access to computers. Results: The highest levels of competence in generic ICT areas were for email, Internet and file management. For other skills such as word processing most respondents reported average levels of competence. The abilities to perform specific ICT skills were average – more than 60% of the participants were able to perform the core specific skills assessed. Conclusion: This study has found an average level of ability to use ICT facilities among first year students in a leading university in sub‐Saharan Africa. Attention is required to develop interventions that can improve ICT skills, as well as computer access, in order to bridge the digital divide.

Source: UCC
Gender Difference in Information and Communication Technology Use among University Students

Abstract Background: The aim of this study is to assess the information and communication technologies (ICT) skills of students in the University of Cape Coast. Methods: Design: Cross sectional study. Participants: First year students (n = 84) attending University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. Main outcome measures: Self‐reported assessment of competence on ICT‐related topics and ability to perform specific ICT tasks. Further information related to frequency of computer use (per week, month), years of computer use, reasons for use and access to computers. Results: The highest levels of competence in generic ICT areas were for email, Internet and file management. For other skills such as word processing most respondents reported average levels of competence. The abilities to perform specific ICT skills were average – more than 60% of the participants were able to perform the core specific skills assessed. Conclusion: This study has found an average level of ability to use ICT facilities among first year students in a leading university in sub‐Saharan Africa. Attention is required to develop interventions that can improve ICT skills, as well as computer access, in order to bridge the digital divide.

Source: UCC
Gender Differences and Mathematics Achievement of Senior High School Students: A Case of Ghana National College

A quasi-experimental research was conducted to find out differences in mathematics performance of students using performance assessme[nt-driven instructions at the senior high school level at Ghana National College in Cape Coast. Two Form 1 science classes were used for the study and were assigned as experimental and control groups. These two classes were randomly chosen for the study. The experimental group consisted of forty-two students and the control group forty students. Data was collected through the use of an open ended test in mathematics. The independent sample t-test and paired sample t-test were used to find the differences between the groups. The experimental group differed significantly on the post-test scores from the control group. This study identified that PA-driven instruction improved students’ problem-solving abilities and showed no bias among gender. It is recommended that mathematics teachers use PA-driven instructions and performance assessment task in their mathematics lessons.

Source: UCC