ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Moderating Role of Psychological Flexibility on the Relationship Between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) and Health Functioning of Victims of Defilement

The objective of the study was to examine the moderating effect of psychological flexibility in the relationship between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Health functioning of victims of defilement in the greater Accra region. A cross-sectional study design was adopted to select samples of victims of defilement aged 8-15years, who reported at the greater Accra regional DOVVSU unit and Accra police hospital. The data collection was conducted using the Child PTSD Scale (CPSS), Child Psychological Versatility Questionnaire (CPFQ) and the World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Scale (WHODAS) 2.0 version. There were 87 participants who took part in the study with a mean age of 12.48±2.29 years. Analysis discovered that majority (78.1%) of the participants experience moderate to extremely severe PTSD. A large portion (93.3%) had moderate level of psychological flexibility with 48.3% of the participants experiencing moderate level of health functioning. In addition, it was observed that psychological flexibility was not a major moderator of the PTSD and health functioning. Based on the results, it was concluded that victims of defilement suffer from PTSD that influences their health functioning, although the interaction was not moderated by psychological flexibility. The study proposed psychosocial treatment that target Psychological flexibility as a way of enhancing coping to increase the outcomes for victims of defilement.

Source: UCC
Moderating role of students’ academic self-concept on gender, ethnic stereotypes and academic performance of senior high school students in Tema

The study examined the moderating role of students‘ self-concept on gender, ethnic stereotypes and academic performance in Tema. The study was guided by five (5) research questions. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. Through multistage sampling, the research sample was drawn from three (3) public Senior High Schools out of seven (7) in the Tema Metropolis. A total of 354 Senior High School students made up the sample of the study. Data was collected through a 21-item self-concept questionnaire adapted from Cambra and Silvestre (2003), a 30-item ethnic and gender stereotypes questionnaire and an adapted standardized mathematics and English language test items. In analysing the data, mean and standard deviation, frequency counts and percentages, Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression were used to analyse data collected from the field. The findings of the study revealed that, participants of this study were aware of the complexity of ethnic and gender differences in stereotypes and academic performance. A statistically significant negative relationship between stereotype and academic performance of students was established. The study also revealed that, selfconcept played a minimal role in moderating the influence of gender and ethnic stereotypes on the academic performance of students. Considering the implicit message conveyed by negative stereotypes on students‘ academic performance, it was recommended that, teachers as well as parents should encourage positive mind-set among students to accept diversity in gender and ethnicity.

Source: UCC
Modern contraceptive use among women living with HIV/AIDS at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana

Objective: To examine factors influencing contraceptive use among women living with HIV/AIDS. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included a randomly selected sample of sexually active females aged 15–60 years who were living with HIV/AIDS and receiving care at the HIV Clinic, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, between September 1 and November 31, 2016. Data were collected via a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: Among 202 women who completed the survey, 50 (24.7%) were using contraceptives. Of the women using contraception, 39 (78%) were married and 6 (12%) were cohabiting. Twenty-eight (56%) reported that their primary sexual partners were HIV-positive, 14 (28%) had HIV-negative partners, and 8 (16%) did not know their partner’s HIV status. Condoms were used by 42 (84%) women and the majority (41 [82%]) wanted to have more children; almost all (47 [94%]) had received counseling on contraceptive use. Overall, 133 (65.8%) and 45 (22.3%) women reported that they would prefer to share their family planning concerns with a doctor and nurse, respectively, at the HIV clinic. Conclusion: Women living with HIV/AIDS desired more children but preferred to share their family planning concerns with their clinician at the HIV clinic. Integrating HIV care and reproductive health services could help these women achieve childbearing goals safely.

Source: UCC
Modern Contraceptives Use Among Immediate Postpartum Women In Sunyani Municipal Area Of Bono Region, Ghana

The study aimed to investigate modern contraception use among postpartum women in the immediate postpartum period within the Sunyani municipal area of Bono Region, Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used to sample 903 postpartum women in their immediate postpartum period. Data were analysed with SPSS software version 22.0, and results were presented as frequencies, Pearson Chi-square test and binary logistic regression model. The results showed that 75%(n=678) of the women‘s knowledge level on the appropriateness of modern contraceptives use in the immediate postpartum period was low, with male condoms and injectables being the most commonly known compared to other methods. Though there was a positive attitude towards modern contraception, its utilisation among postpartum women was also low at 6%(n=52). All postpartum women attended the antenatal clinic (ANC) and postnatal clinic (PNC), but only 32%(n=292) and 26%(n=231) received counselling on family planning, respectively. Those who received education on possible side-effects of using modern contraception were 30%(n=157). The use of modern contraceptives after delivery was significantly associated with receiving counselling on family planning methods at both ANC and PNC, provision of education on possible side-effects of using modern contraceptive methods, postpartum women within the ages of 26-35 years, obtaining a tertiary level of education and having five or more living children. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and other health agencies introduce Mothercraft Schools in all healthcare institutions to promote higher knowledge on modern contraception usage after delivery.

Source: UCC
Modified DNA Extraction Technique for Use in Resource-Limited Settings: Comparison of Salting Out Methods versus QIAamp Blood Mini Kit

Background: It is essential that methods for genomic DNA extraction techniques produce high yield and purified DNA. Commercially available DNA extraction kits have taken over the traditional DNA extraction techniques. However, to meet the demands of cost-effectiveness, ready availability, safety, reliability and purity in resource-limited settings, an improved traditional DNA extraction method which meet the above criteria is required. Aim: We therefore evaluated the modified salting out and double salt precipitation method, against QIAamp Blood Mini Kit. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, DNA was extracted from venous blood of 60 suspected typhoid fever patients who visited the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital diagnostics department to do laboratory investigations that required blood collection. Their DNA was extracted using the three different methods. Spectrophotometric measurement of the yields (ng/µl) and purities (260/280 nm) of the extracted DNA was done. PCR analysis was performed on the DNA extracts to evaluate suitability for downstream analysis. We employed the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Bland-Altman plots for statistical comparisons. Results: The modified double salt precipitation and enzymatic salt precipitation methods produced a higher yield than the QIAamp Blood Mini Kit method (P<0.01 each). The yield from the double salt precipitation method was higher than that of the enzymatic salt precipitation method (P=0.04). The level of purity of DNA extracted from all three methods were comparable (P=0.24). Conclusion: Our modified double salt and enzymatic salt precipitation techniques offer higher DNA yields than the commercially available QIAamp Blood Mini Kit and with comparable purity. We recommend the use of these modified techniques in resource-limited settings.

Source: UCC
A modified guanosine phosphoramidite for click functionalization of RNA on the sugar edge

A propargyl containing guanosine phosphonamidite was synthesized and incorporated into siRNA, enabling click-ligation with an azido fluorophore onto the nucleobase sugar edge. Duplex stability was not affected by labeling at this new site, which allowed deconvolution of the effects of label, structure and attachment site on RNAi activity

Source: UCC
Modified Iterative Method for Computing the Approximate Solutions of Nonlinear Equations

This thesis concentrates on developing a Modi ed Iterative Method for computing the approximate solutions of nonlinear equations. We discus the concept of Error Analysis, Errors in Numerical Methods, Approximation and Convergence. Newton's method is discussed and proved. This study is set out to construct or develop a Modi ed Iterative Method for computing the approximate solutions of nonlinear equations by using Taylor Series expansion and Adomian Decomposition Method (ADM). The Taylor series is used in this study due to its higher possibility of convergence since it is a power series. In the same vain, the Adomian Decomposition method is a semi analytical method which decomposes the nonlinear equations into a series of functions thereby making the convergence of these functions much easier. The convergence of this method is proved to be of order 2. The Modi eld Iterative Method is a modi cation based on Newton - Raphson's method. Matlab R2020a is used to compute the solutions of some numerical examples with the proposed modi ed method. The computation of the approximated solutions of the method are compared with some existing iterative methods in literature such as Newton's method, Karthikeyan's method and External Touch Algorithm method. Then we discussed the accuracy of the proposed modi ed iterative method when applied to single variable nonlinear equations. The study pointed out that, the modi ed method is comparable with the existing methods. Finally we concluded that the modi ed iterative method is more accurate than the Newton's method, the External Touch Algorithm method and even to some extent, the Karthikeyen's method.

Source: UCC
Modified Sulfonamides as Alternative Antibacterials: Acitivity of Novel Pyrazole Sulfonamides and their Corresponding Palladium Complexes

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a global health emergency, necessitating the need for the development of novel drugs. This study evaluated antibacterial activity of pyrazolyl sulfonamide compounds and their palladium complexes. All compounds were coded. Broth microdilution method was utilized to determine minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC). Whereas the compounds demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Corynebacterium striatum, no activity was observed against Staphylococcus cohnii and Enterococcus faecalis. Compound CA11B, a derivative of N, N-tetramethyl sulfonamide, demonstrated the strongest antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S. hominis, and S.haemolyticus (MIC = 0.5 – 8 μg/mL). Although most of the test compounds were active against at least two organisms, the sulfamoyl-phenyl derivatives (CA45A/B), dichloro-palladium (CA50A/B/D), and dimethyl-phenyl sulfonamides (CA-032) derivatives were narrow spectrum in activity. When CA11B was combined with the positive control antibiotic (tetracycline), an antagonistic effect was observed in S. haemolyticus and S. hominis. Interestingly, all other compounds were synergistic with tetracycline when combined in the tested organism, except CA50B and CA45A, which were indifferent and antagonistic, respectively. The time-kill assays performed on synergistic combinations showed that CA45B, CA-O32, CA47, CO-3, CA48A at concentrations ≥ MIC, achieved 3 log10 CFU/mL colony reduction of S. haemolyticus. Similar trend was observed for CA50A, and CA50D in S. hominis. The time-kill kinetics results in this study showed the potent inhibitory and bactericidal activity of the tested compounds. In conclusion, the compounds showed promising potency against the different resistant strains tested. It is recommended that these compounds be further assessed for their toxicological effects and tested against a diverse array of bacteria to further ascertain their efficacy.

Source: UCC
Modulation of Adriamycin-induced Hepatotoxicity and Genotoxicity by Selective Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase-5 with Sildenafil in Wistar Rats

This study investigated the effect of selective inhibition of phosphodiesterase-5 on hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by adriamycin in rats. Thirty male Wistar rats (150 – 250 g) were randomly assigned into six groups of 5 rats/group. Negative, positive and sildenafil controls received physiological saline (10 ml/kg, p.o.), adriamycin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and sildenafil (20 mg/kg, p.o.) respectively. Three separate groups were pretreated with sildenafil (5, 10 and 20 mg/kgrespectively) prior to adriamycin injection. Adriamycin increased activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). This was associated with degeneration and severe central venous congestion in hepatic cells and marked micronuclei formation in erythrocytes. Sildenafil (5 mg/kg) reduced AST and ALP activities by 18.7 % (p<0.001) and 14.1 % (p<0.01) respectively in the adriamycin-treated rats without any significant change in ALT and GGT activities even at 10 mg/kg. Although, sildenafil (20 mg/kg) raised GGT activity by 77.4% and 51.6% in normal and adriamycin-treated rats respectively, these effects were not significant when compared with control. Similarly, total protein and albumin did not change significantly across the various treatment groups. However, sildenafil significantly (p<0.05) increased glutathione levels at all doses and significantly reduced micronuclei formation by 65.5% and ameliorated morphological damage associated with adriamycin toxicity. Our data suggest that low doses of the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, sildenafil, may protect against adriamycin-induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity.

Source: UCC
Modulation of cyptosporidiosis by CD4 levels in chronic diarrhoea HIV/AIDS individuals visiting Tarkwa Municipal hospital, Ghana

Objective: To investigate the role CD4+ levels play in controlling diarrhea conditions caused by intestinal coccidian infections among HIV/AIDS infected individuals visiting Tarkwa Municipal Hospital. Methods: Fifty HIV/AIDS infected subjects with diarrhea conditions were enrolled into the study. Stool and blood samples were collected from each in two or three consecutive times to examine intestinal coccidian and microsporidian infections using microscopy and also estimate CD4+ cells using BD FACSCount TM. Results: Fourteen of the participants had intestinal coccidian or microsporidian representing 28% while 72% of the participants had diarrhea of unknown origin. Cryptosporidium recorded the highest prevalence of 42.86% whilst Cyclospora and Microsporidia equally recorded a prevalence of 28.57%. A significant protection against cryptosporidiosis was observed for CD4+ count above 200 cells/µL (χ2 = 6.522, P = 0.038), but not cyclosporiasis (P = 0.233) or microsporidiosis (P = 0.060). Conclusions: This study has shown that CD4+ cells above 200 cell/µL of blood protect HIV infected patients from cryptosporidiosis. Standardization of the association between CD4+ cells and diarrhea condition caused by Cryptosporidium species is therefore suggested to serve as an indicator for prompt diagnosis and treatment of HIV-infected individuals with cryptosporidiosis.

Source: UCC
Modulation of cyptosporidiosis by CD4 levels in chronic diarrhoea HIV/AIDS individuals visiting Tarkwa Municipal hospital, Ghana

Objective: To investigate the role CD4+ levels play in controlling diarrhea conditions caused by intestinal coccidian infections among HIV/AIDS infected individuals visiting Tarkwa Municipal Hospital. Methods: Fifty HIV/AIDS infected subjects with diarrhea conditions were enrolled into the study. Stool and blood samples were collected from each in two or three consecutive times to examine intestinal coccidian and microsporidian infections using microscopy and also estimate + CD4 cells using BD FACSCount TM. Results: Fourteen of the participants had intestinal coccidian or microsporidian representing 28% while 72% of the participants had diarrhea of unknown origin. Cryptosporidium recorded the highest prevalence of 42.86% whilst Cyclospora and Microsporidia equally recorded a prevalence of 28.57%. A significant protection against cryptosporidiosis was observed for + 2 CD4 count above 200 cells/µL (χ = 6.522, P = 0.038), but not cyclosporiasis (P = 0.233) or microsporidiosis (P = 0.060). Conclusions: This study has shown that CD4+ cells above 200 cell/µL of blood protect HIV- infected patients from cryptosporidiosis. Standardization of the association between CD4+ cells and diarrhea condition caused by Cryptosporidium species is therefore suggested to serve as an indicator for prompt diagnosis and treatment of HIV-infected individuals with cryptosporidiosis.

Source: UCC
Modulation of Cyptosporidiosis by Cd4 Levels in Chronic Diarrhoea HIV/AIDS Individuals Visiting Tarkwa Municipal Hospital, Ghana

Objective: To investigate the role CD4+ levels play in controlling diarrhea conditions caused by intestinal coccidian infections among HIV/AIDS infected individuals visiting Tarkwa Municipal Hospital. Methods: Fifty HIV/AIDS infected subjects with diarrhea conditions were enrolled into the study. Stool and blood samples were collected from each in two or three consecutive times to examine intestinal coccidian and microsporidian infections using microscopy and also estimate CD4+ cells using BD FACSCount TM. Results: Fourteen of the participants had intestinal coccidian or microsporidian representing 28% while 72% of the participants had diarrhea of unknown origin. Cryptosporidium recorded the highest prevalence of 42.86% whilst Cyclospora and Microsporidia equally recorded a prevalence of 28.57%. A significant protection against cryptosporidiosis was observed for CD4+ count above 200 cells/μL (χ2 = 6.522, P = 0.038), but not cyclosporiasis (P = 0.233) or microsporidiosis (P = 0.060). Conclusions: This study has shown that CD4+ cells above 200 cell/μL of blood protect HIVinfected patients from cryptosporidiosis. Standardization of the association between CD4+ cells and diarrhea condition caused by Cryptosporidium species is therefore suggested to serve as an indicator for prompt diagnosis and treatment of HIV-infected individuals with cryptosporidiosis.

Source: UCC
Modulation of gentamicin-induced renal dysfunction and injury by the phenolic extract of soybean (Glycine max)

Gentamicin (GM) is one of the most important of the aminoglycoside antibiotics used widely for the treatment of serious and life-threatening infections and whose clinical use is limited by its nephrotoxicity. As the pathogenesis of GM-induced renal dysfunction and injury involves reactive oxygen species, the polyphenolic constituents of soybean with antioxidant property may protect against GM-induced renal toxicity. We therefore tested this hypothesis using phenolic extract of soybean (PESB) on GM-induced nephrotoxicity rat model. Administration of GM (80 mg/kg, s.c.) for 12 days to rats induced marked renal failure, characterized by a significantly increased plasma creatinine, urea and Na+ ions levels, with K+ depletion. This was also associated with decreases in the activity of the renal antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST)] measured and depletion of both blood and renal reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. The activities of membrane-bound glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and 51-nucleotidase (51-NTD) enzymes as well as c-glutamyltransferase (c-GT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (enzymes that are located in the proximal tubule) were decreased. Renal histology examination further confirmed the damage to the kidney as it reveals severe necrosis of the proximal renal tubules with deposition of colloid casts. These alterations were ameliorated in rats pretreated with PESB. The decrease in the activities of SOD, CAT, GST as well as GSH depletion observed in GM-treated rats was prevented in the rats pretreated with PESB. The activities of c-GT, AST and G6Pase were also increased in the kidney. These protective effects were dose dependent except for G6Pase activity and GSH levels that were preserved only at 500 mg/kg dose of PESB, and 5¢-NTD activity that was dose dependently decreased. Furthermore, the extent of tubular damage induced by GM was reduced in rats that also received PESB. The lower dose (500 mg/kg) of the extract, however, appeared to provide better histological protection. These results suggest that the PESB has protective effects on GM-mediated nephropathy and this may be related to the action of the antioxidant polyphenolic content of the soybean.

Source: UCC
Modulation of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity by phosphodiesterase isozyme inhibition in rats: a preliminary study

Background: Altered regulation of nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) is present in liver cirrhosis. Several experimental studies have shown that selective modulation of NO metabolism in the liver reduces intrahepatic resistance and portal pressure in cirrhosis. This preliminary study investigated whether selective inhibition of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), which prevents the conversion of cGMP to 5 ′ -GMP, as well as non-selective inhibition of PDE isozymes could ameliorate hepatic toxicity induced by paracetamol (PCM). Methods: PCM (250 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to induce hepatotoxicity. Control rats received physiological saline (10 mL/kg, p.o.), while sildenafil (a selective PDE-5 inhibitor) and aminophylline (a non-selective PDE inhibitor) were administered separately at 10 mg/kg p.o. to PCMtreated rats. Results: PCM hepatotoxicity, characterized by elevation of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, hepatic degeneration, and centrilobular necrosis, was attenuated by both PDE inhibitors. Sildenafil and aminophylline significantly (p0.05) reduced plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity by 49.6 % and 39.8% , respectively, with moderate increase in alanine aminotransferase activity by 26.1 % and 20.4 % , respectively, in PCM-treated rats. Decreases in total protein and albumin induced by PCM were significantly (p0.05) prevented by 30.0 % and 22.2% , respectively, following sildenafil administration, while aminophylline decreased these proteins by 14.0 % and 25.9 % , respectively. Sildenafil and aminophylline significantly (p0.05) reduced lipid peroxidation by 30.7 % and 19.7% , respectively, while moderately increasing glutathione (GSH) in the PCM-treated rats. Both drugs did not significantly alter the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that pharmacological inhibition of PDE isozymes may be a useful strategy in protecting against PCM hepatic toxicity.

Source: UCC