ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Informational and Practical Needs of Expectant Mothers with Chronic Hepatitis B in Ghana

Hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health problem with disproportionately high endemicity in Africa and Ghana. The current national prevalence of hepatitis B among pregnant women in Ghana stands at 7.44%, highlighting the considerable threat of chronic hepatitis B on pregnant women and their general well-being. The study explored the informational and practical needs of pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B in Ghana. Fourteen pregnant women were selected purposefully using the exploratory descriptive qualitative design. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings showed that pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B lacked knowledge about the infection and were in great need of hepatitis B-related information. The study also revealed significant financial implications for treating the infection, necessitating policy reforms and stakeholder actions. To achieve effective coping, better health-seeking, and health-promoting behaviours for better health outcomes, it is crucial to provide targeted care that comprehensively covers the specific needs of pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B. It is also essential to consider including hepatitis B management in the National Health Insurance package to improve care quality.

Source: UG
Informational sources on pharmaceutical medicines and factors affecting medication prescriptions: Perspectives from Ghanaian physicians

Appropriate prescribing is an essential medical practice of physicians. However, physicians prescribing behaviors are likely to be affected by promotional activities of pharmaceutical industries and their representatives. In this paper, we sought to explore where physicians obtain information on pharmaceutical medicines; factors influencing their medication prescriptions; and experiences of prescribing. Three public hospitals and 28 doctors were purposively sampled. Structured in-depth interviews were conducted and data were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results show that pharmaceutical representatives are the main sources of information on pharmaceutical drugs. Patient factors such as financial status; medical diagnosis and condition; and type of patient influenced physicians' prescribing practices. Physicians' experiences on drug prescription practices were mixed. Requests for prescriptions were mostly for over-the-counter medicines. Majority of physicians reported that patients' noncompliance to prescriptions was due to perceived superiority of alternative plant medicines. There is a need for stricter regulation on marketing nonprescribed pharmaceutical products to avoid fatal health implications through consumption of nonprescribed medicines.

Source: UG
Informed Choices on Marriage, Childlessness and Reproductive Technologies: An African Christian Theological and Ethical Reflection

It is not an overstatement to say that a great value is placed on fertility or childbirth in Africa. Couples who have married for say three years without a child, therefore, face moments of anxiety, as people begin to wonder whether there is not something going wrong somewhere. The Problem of infertility becomes even more heightened in the African context, where some see marriage as being “incomplete without children”. Can an African couple enjoy their marriage even without children? In this presentation, we want to reflect on the concepts as held in Africa about marriage, childlessness and some reproductive technologies that are used to help in overcoming childlessness in marriage. The reflection is intended to help in making informed choices.

Source: UG
Informed consent and clinical trial participation: Perspectives from a Ghanaian community

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
The informed consent process: An evaluation of the challenges and adherence of Ghanaian researchers

This study assessed challenges faced by researchers with the informed consent process (ICP). In‐depth interviews were used to explore challenges encountered by Investigators, Research assistants, Institutional Review Board members and other stakeholders. An electronic questionnaire was also distributed, consisting of Likert‐ scale responses to questions on adherence to the ICP, which were derived from the Helsinki Declaration and an informed consent checklist of the US Department of Health and Human Research (HSS). Responses were weighted numerically and scores calculated for each participant. The median score of the level of adherence to the informed consent process was 93%. Most of the respondents (60%) cited the lack of time for the ICP to be a challenge, with 65% indicating a lengthy consent document to be the main challenge with the informed consent document. Challenges with language and communication were the dominant theme among informants. Despite the high adherence of Ghanaian researchers and research assistants to the ICP, challenges are still prevalent, requiring diligent and continuous efforts in research implementation.

Source: UG
Informed consent: British otolaryngologists surveyed

A repeat postal questionnaire of British otolaryngologists has been carried out to assess changes in their practice of obtaining informed consent. The previously reported high level of good practice is maintained. Currently informed consent is more often obtained in outpatients or the preadmission clinic than it was in 1991. Consultants and specialist registrars are more involved in this process. Although there is little evidence given to support a persistent increase in a defensive approach towards gaining informed consent, there is some change in the reporting of surgical complications that may reflect an increased awareness of the concept of 'material risk'.

Source: UG
Informed selfishness – Practical reflections on building a sustainable ocean economy

In September 2018, a group of 14 Heads of States and Governments from all regions of the world came together to create the High Level Panel (HLP) for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (SOE). The HLP is co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Norway and the President of Palau. Simply put, the HLP seeks to ensure a SOE worldwide. In February 2021, the #VirtualBlueDecade initiative convened a panel of ocean practitioners from both the Global South and Global North to reflect on practical ways to build a SOE. Here, we present a summary of the key issues discussed by the panel, grouped around five topics: (i) words do initiate actions; (ii) goal setting is an important step in achieving a SOE; (iii) unsustainable practices are no longer justifiable as necessary evils for funding or obtaining social license for the transformation to a SOE; (iv) scientists must learn to communicate with policy makers; and (v) support South-South cooperation. We conclude that to achieve a SOE, the concept of “Informed Selfishness” should be considered as a guiding principle for developing policies and implementing sustainability actions.

Source: UG
Infrastructure for Peace and Peaceful Elections in Ghana: 2012–2020

Ghana’s democratic progress in the Fourth Republic is often linked to the management of peaceful elections, successful political alternations, and some public trust in democratic institutions. However, pockets of violence have also marred and derailed some progress. While the capacity to reduce political tensions and resolve elect oral disputes has gained significant scholarly attention, scholars still overlook the role of infrastructure for peace (I4P) in the analysis. Focusing on the Ghanaian National Peace Council, this qualitative study examines the extent to which I4P prevents electoral disputes, what its strengths and challenges are, and how the ongoing challenges might be remedied. Findings on peace accords, election observation, and policy dialogue processes were significant before, during, and after electoral manifestations. A formalized I4P was also productive through institutional partnerships. However, institutionalization within governmental structures and its consequential budgetary limitations necessitate prudent management of its peace fund to facilitate emergent conflict situations.

Source: UG
Infrastructure for Urban Housing in “Ghana Housing Profile”

As with many cities in the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, there are two distinctly different urban infrastructure levels within a Ghanaian city. There is a well serviced area in which most of the occupants are rich, and this is usually quite a small proportion of the built up area. Alongside it, and often wrapping all around it, is a relatively unserviced city, occupied by all income groups but within which the poor are concentrated. In most newly developing areas of Accra, Kumasi and other Ghanaian towns, servicing lags behind building development. Ghanaian cities are unusual in Sub-Saharan Africa, however, in their reliance on public toilet facilities which were outlawed in countries of southern Africa more than half a century ago. Not only are public toilets still in use in Ghana but standards are still being made for them, albeit under the guise of somewhere for people to go when out around town rather than their toilet of first resort daily. Generally, because of communal life in Ghana’s dwellings, most households share water supply and toilets with several others. Very few have exclusive use of all services

Source: UG
Inheritance of Striga hermonthica adaptive traits in an early‐maturing white maize inbred line containing resistance genes from Zea diploperennis

Striga hermonthica can cause as high as 100% yield loss in maize depending on soil fertility level, type of genotype, severity of infestation and climatic conditions. Understanding the mode of inheritance of Striga resistance in maize is crucial for introgression of resistance genes into tropical germplasm and deployment of resistant varieties. This study examined the mode of inheritance of resistance to Striga in early‐maturing inbred line, TZdEI 352 containing resistance genes from Zea diploperennis. Six generations, P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1P1 and BC1P2 derived from a cross between resistant line, TZdEI 352 and susceptible line, TZdEI 425 were screened under artificial Striga infestation at Mokwa and Abuja, Nigeria, 2015. Additive‐dominance model was adequate in describing observed variations in the number of emerged Striga plants among the population; hence, digenic epistatic model was adopted for Striga damage. Dominance effects were higher than the additive effects for the number of emerged Striga plants at both locations signifying that non‐additive gene action conditioned inheritance of Striga resistance. Inbred TZdEI 352 could serve as invaluable parent for hybrid development in Striga endemic agro‐ecologies of sub‐Saharan Africa.

Source: UG
Inherited Pb isotopic records in olivine antecryst-hosted melt inclusions from Hawaiian lavas

Dislocation textures of olivine grains and Pb isotopic compositions ( 207Pb/ 206Pb and 208Pb/ 206Pb) of olivine-hosted melt inclusions in basaltic lavas from three Hawaiian volcanoes (Kilauea, Mauna Loa, and Koolau) were examined. More than 70% of the blocky olivine grains in the studied samples have a regular-shaped dislocation texture with their dislocation densities exceeding 10 6cm -2, and can be considered as deformed olivine. The size distribution of blocky olivine grains shows that more than 99% of blocky olivines coarser than 1.2mm are identified as deformed olivine. These deformed olivine grains are identified as antecrysts, which originally crystallized from previous stages of magmatism in the same shield, followed by plastic deformation prior to entrainment in the erupted host magmas. This study revealed that entrainment of mantle-derived crystallization products by younger batches of magma is an important part of the evolution of magnesium-rich Hawaiian magma. Lead isotopic compositions of melt inclusions hosted in the olivine antecrysts provide information of the evolutionary history of Hawaiian volcanoes which could not have been accessed if only whole rock analyses were carried out. Antecryst-hosted melt inclusions in Kilauea and Koolau lavas demonstrate that the source components in the melting region changed during shield formation. In particular, evidence of interaction of plume-derived melts and upper mantle was observed in the earliest stage of Koolau magmatism. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UG
Inhibiting Leishmania donovani Sterol Methyltransferase to Identify Lead Compounds Using Molecular Modelling

The recent outlook of leishmaniasis as a global public health concern coupled with the reportage of resistance and lack of efficacy of most antileishmanial drugs calls for a concerted effort to find new leads. The study combined In silico and in vitro approaches to identify novel potential synthetic small-molecule inhibitors targeting the Leishmania donovani sterol methyltransferase (LdSMT). The LdSMT enzyme in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway is required for the parasite’s membrane fluidity, distribution of membrane proteins, and control of the cell cycle. The lack of LdSMT homologue in the human host and its conserved nature among all Leishmania parasites makes it a viable target for future antileishmanial drugs. Initially, six known inhibitors of LdSMT with IC50 < 10 µM were used to generate a pharmacophore model with a score of 0.9144 using LigandScout. The validated model was used to screen a synthetic library of 95,630 compounds obtained from InterBioScreen limited. Twenty compounds with pharmacophore fit scores above 50 were docked against the modelled three-dimensional structure of LdSMT using AutoDock Vina. Consequently, nine compounds with binding energies ranging from −7.5 to −8.7 kcal/mol were identified as potential hit molecules. Three compounds comprising STOCK6S-06707, STOCK6S-84928, and STOCK6S-65920 with respective binding energies of −8.7, −8.2, and −8.0 kcal/mol, lower than 22,26-azasterol (−7.6 kcal/mol), a known LdSMT inhibitor, were selected as plausible lead molecules. Molecular dynamics simulation studies and molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area calculations showed that the residues Asp25 and Trp208 were critical for ligand binding. The compounds were also predicted to have antileishmanial activity with reasonable pharmacological and toxicity profiles. When the antileishmanial activity of the three hits was evaluated in vitro against the promastigotes of L. donovani, mean half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 21.9 ± 1.5 µM (STOCK6S-06707), 23.5 ± 1.1 µM (STOCK6S-84928), and 118.3 ± 5.8 µM (STOCK6S-65920) were obtained. Furthermore, STOCK6S-84928 and STOCK6S-65920 inhibited the growth of Trypanosoma brucei, with IC50 of 14.3 ± 2.0 µM and 18.1 ± 1.4 µM, respectively. The identified compounds could be optimised to develop potent antileishmanial therapeutic agents.

Source: UG
Inhibiting plasmid mobility: The effect of isothiocyanates on bacterial conjugation

Bacterial conjugation is the main mechanism for the transfer of multiple antimicrobial resistance genes among pathogenic micro-organisms. This process may be controlled by compounds that inhibit bacterial conjugation. In this study, the effects of allyl isothiocyanate, l-sulforaphane, benzyl isothiocyanate, phenylethyl isothiocyanate and 4-methoxyphenyl isothiocyanate on the conjugation of broad-host-range plasmids harbouring various antimicrobial resistance genes in Escherichia coli were investigated, namely plasmids pKM101 (IncN), TP114 (IncI2), pUB307 (IncP) and the low-copy-number plasmid R7K (IncW). Benzyl isothiocyanate (32 mg/L) significantly reduced conjugal transfer of pKM101, TP114 and pUB307 to 0.3 ± 0.6%, 10.7 ± 3.3% and 6.5 ± 1.0%, respectively. l-sulforaphane (16 mg/L; transfer frequency 21.5 ± 5.1%) and 4-methoxyphenyl isothiocyanate (100 mg/L; transfer frequency 5.2 ± 2.8%) were the only compounds showing anti-conjugal specificity by actively reducing the transfer of R7K and pUB307, respectively.

Source: UG
Inhibition by converting enzyme inhibitors of pig kidney aminopeptidase P

Several inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme were also found to inhibit aminopeptidase P, whereas inhibitors of other mammalian aminopeptidases were ineffective. Aminopeptidase P purified from pig kidney cortex was found to contain one atom of zinc per polypeptide chain, confirming its metalloenzyme nature. The concentrations of converting enzyme inhibitors required to cause 50% inhibition (I50) of aminopeptidase P were in the low micromolar range. The most potent converting enzyme inhibitors toward aminopeptidase P were the carboxylalkyl compounds, cilazaprilat, enalaprilat, and ramiprilat (I50 values of 3-12 /iM). The sulfydryl compounds captopril (l50 110 /iM) and YS980 (I50 20 /iM) were slightly less potent at inhibiting aminopeptidase P. In contrast, the carboxylalkyl compounds benazeprilat, lisinopril, and pentoprilat; the sulfydryl compound rentiapril; and the phosphoryl compounds ceranopril and fosinoprilat had no inhibitory effect against aminopeptidase P. This compares with I50 values in the 1-6 nM range for these inhibitors with angiotensin converting enzyme. Inhibition of aminopeptidase P may account for some of the effects or side effects noted with the clinical use of converting enzyme inhibitors. These results may provide the basis for the design of more selective inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme or mixed inhibitors of aminopeptidase P and angiotensin converting enzyme, or both.

Source: UG
Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by long-term treatment with a chimeric RNA containing shRNA and TAR decoy RNA

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
Inhibition of human glutathione S-transferases by curcumin and analogues

The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Source: UG
Inhibition of human recombinant cytochrome P450s by curcumin and curcumin decomposition products

The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Source: UG
Initial subduction of Neo-Tethyan ocean: Geochemical records in chromite and mineral inclusions in the Pozantı-Karsantı ophiolite, southern Turkey

Chromitites in the Pozantı-Karsantı ophiolite in Turkey mainly occur as podiform chromitites within mantle harzburgite and stratiform-like chromitites in mantle-crust transition zone. Chromites in chromitites have varing Cr# from 62.8 to 80.3 and can be divided into two types, namely; intermediate (Cr#: 62.8 – 69.2) and high-Cr (Cr#: 73.9 – 80.3) types. Major elements of the high-Cr chromitite have an affinity with boninite, whereas the intermediate chromitite shows transitional features between MORB and boninite. The compositional differences in clinopyroxene inclusions between intermediate- and high-Cr chromitite, coupled with the relatively high trace element contents (e.g. V, Ga) in the high-Cr chromitite, indicate distinctive parental magmas. Trace elemental profile analysis of a nodular chromite grain in one nodular chromitite sample PK14-41 demonstrates significant but non-systematic variations from the core to the rim, which also confirmed the compositional heterogeneity of the parental magmas. The presence of primary hydrous mineral inclusions such as amphibole in chromite, together with Ca-rich minerals (e.g. calcite), reflect the water-rich and Ca-rich characteristics of the parental magma. The higher fO2 of high-Cr chromitite evidenced by the lower V/Mn values may be due to more oxidized fluids released from downgoing crustal materials. Thus, we conclude that the parental magmas of the Pozantı- Karsantı chromitite were derived from a proto-forearc mantle and evolved to higher fO2 with the subduction initiation at that time, but were water- and Ca-rich in general.

Source: UG
Injection-site lipoatrophy. Images in Clinical Medicine.

A13-year-old girl with a 20-month history of type 1 diabetes mellitus presented with depressed areas of skin at the sites of insulin injection (Panel A, arrows). The patient had been treated since diagnosis with injections of biphasic insulin lispro (Humalog Mix 25, Eli Lilly) into both thighs. The physical examination and axial magnetic resonance imaging of the right thigh showed a loss of the adipose tissue layer at the injection sites. One injection site is shown in Panel B (arrow). Injection-site lipoatrophy is a recognized complication that is associated with all types of insulin and that has an estimated prevalence of 3.6%. The condition can be unsightly clinically and theoretically could lead to erratic insulin absorption. The precise pathogenesis remains unclear, but possible mechanisms include immune reaction to insulin or excipients of the injection solution, injury from cold insulin, or trauma from repeated local injections. After the discovery of lipoatrophy, the patient discontinued injecting insulin into the right thigh, and the areas of depression gradually diminished over a 10-month period.

Source: UG
Injuries and their related household costs in a tertiary hospital in Ghana

Introduction: Injuries remain a leading cause of death in many developing countries, accounting for more deaths than HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. This study set out to determine the associated patient costs of reported injury cases at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. Method: A cross-sectional retrospective Cost-of-Illness study of 301 sampled patients was undertaken, following a review of injured patients' records from January–December 2016. Direct cost, (consisting of consultation, surgery, medicines, transportation, property damage, food and consumables) was estimated. Indirect cost was calculated using the Human capital approach. Intangible cost was assessed using Likert scale analysis. The overall household cost, average cost of various injuries and intangible costs were determined. Results: The total annual household cost of injuries to patients who attended KBTH was US$11,327,461.96, of which 82% was the direct cost. The average household cost of injuries was US$ 1276.15. All injuries recorded some level of high intangible cost but was exceptional for burns. Conclusion: Injured patients incur high direct treatment cost in all aetiology, with generally high intangible cost as well. It is therefore imperative that injury prevention strategies be prioritized in national health policies, while broader discussions continue on sustainable health financing of injury management.

Source: UG