ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Short-term administration of an aqueous extract of kalanchoe integra var. crenata (Andr.) Cuf leaves produces no major organ damage in Sprague-Dawley rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance Kalanchoe intergra (Ki) leaf extract is an orally administered multipurpose plant medicine in Ghana and other parts of the world for the treatment of ulcers, pain and adenoma of the prostate gland. There is paucity of information concerning its short-term usage. The present study is aimed at conducting histopathological and biochemical studies in a 14-day sub-acute toxicity studies using female Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and methods Crude extract of Ki leaves was prepared and freeze-dried. A 14-day sub-acute toxicity studies was conducted using 2 week old nulliparous and non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats (120-150 g). Reconstituted Ki was administered at a dosage of 900 mg kg-1 (high dose), 300 mg kg -1 with a control group receiving an equivalent volume of distilled water (as vehicle) by gastric lavage. Histopathological studies of major organs and blood chemistry analysis were performed on blood obtained via cardiac puncture into EDTA tubes after euthanisation. Results There was a significant decrease in urea (p&lt;0.016) and creatinine levels (p&lt;0.001) in both the high and low dose groups. There was an increase in ALP levels (P=0.01) in both the high and low dose groups. ALT and AST rather decreased significantly in both the high and low dose groups (p&lt;0.0001). Histopathological results did not show any abnormalities in all the H&amp;E stained paraffin sections. Thus the photomicrographs of the liver, kidney and heart were within histopathological limits. Conclusion Ki leaf extract is non-toxic when administered by the oral route over a time period of 14 days at the above doses. © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Source: UG
Short-Term Effect of Biochar on Microbial Biomass, Respiration and Enzymatic Activities in Wastewater Irrigated Soils in Urban Agroecosystems of the West African Savannah

Irrigated urban agriculture (UA) supports the economy and health of urban inhabitants in low-income countries. This system is often characterized by high nutrient inputs and mostly utilizes wastewater for irrigation. Biochar has been proposed to increase crop yields and improve soil properties. In this study, we assessed the transient effect of rice husk biochar (20 t ha−1 ) and/or fertilizer (NPK: 15-15-15) on microbial respiration, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities of irrigated (wastewater and tap water) soil from an UA field experiment in the Guinea savannah zones of Ghana. Our results showed an increase by up to 123% in soil organic carbon (SOC) after a year of biochar application, while hot water extractable carbon (HWEC) was increased by only 11 to 26% and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) by 34%. Basal respiration was significantly increased in mineral fertilized soil by up to 46% but decreased by 12–45% under wastewater irrigation. Overall, the metabolic quotient (qCO2 ) indicated less stress for the microbial community and increased carbon use efficiency with biochar application and wastewater irrigation. Total enzymes activity was increased under wastewater irrigation and biochar treated soils exhibit a more diverse composition of C-cycling enzymes and a higher activity of aminopeptidases. Biochar and wastewater showed positive effects on biological soil properties and contributed to soil fertility. Our results suggest beneficial effects of biochar on non-biochar SOC stocks in the long term.

Source: UG
Short-Term Effect of Grazing Exclusion and Uncontrolled Grazing on Species Abundance, Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Value in an Invaded Area by Euryops floribundus in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Grazing exclusion (GE) is the most effective rangeland restoration technique which facilitates species diversity and forage quality. This study aimed at assessing short-term impact of GE and continuously grazed rangeland on relative frequency, dry matter yield and nutritive value of dominant grasses in an area invaded by Euryops floribundus . A plot of 2.5 ha was measured and the boundaries demarcated using tape measure and steal pins, the plot was further divided into two subplots of 1ha each which were 5 m apart. One subplot was fenced and protected from grazing livestock, while one subplot was grazed continuously and not fenced. Three parallel belt transects of 100 m × 2 m with 3 m apart were laid out in both subplots. Woody plants occurring within the transects were identified and recorded to determine density. In each subplot, a 0.25 m2 quadrant measuring was thrown randomly to take detailed records on plant species, relative frequency of species and herbage biomass. Four dominant species at the two sites were harvested to determine the nutritive value. Results indicate that grazing exclusion (GE) facilitates grass species diversity, subsequently sixteen and thirteen grasses species were recorded in the GE and uncontrolled grazed (UG) sites, respectively. Eragros-tis chloromelas (21.7%), and Themeda triandra (13.2%) had high relative frequencies in the GE site. Highest biomass production was recorded in the GE site (1400 kg·ha−1) compared to UG site (1102 kg·ha−1). Crude protein content was relatively lower at UG site (5.4% - 5.8%) as compared to GE site (7.2% - 7.8%). It was concluded that, GE showed a positive impact on a relative frequency (%), dry matter yield and crude protein content. UG creates a conducive environment for Euryops recruitment. Further studies are required to examine the impact of GE in long-term trial setup.

Source: UG
Short-term effects of human urine fertiliser and wood ash on soil pH and electrical conductivity

The fertiliser value of human urine has been examined on several crops,yet little is known about its effects on key soil properties of agronomic significance. This study investigated temporal soil salinization potential of human urine fertiliser (HUF). It further looked at combined effects of human urine and wood ash (WA) on soil pH, urine-NH3 volatilisation, soil electrical conductivity (EC), and basic cation contents of two Acrisols (Adenta and Toje series) from the coastal savannah zone of Ghana. The experiment was a factorial design conducted in the laboratory for 12 weeks. The results indicated an increase in soil pH by 1.2 units for Adenta series and 1 unit for Toje series after one week of HUF application followed by a decline by about 2 pH units for both soil types after twelve weeks. This was attributed to nitrification of ammonium to nitrate leading to acidification. The EC otherwise increased with HUF application creating slightly saline conditions in Toje series and non-saline conditions in Adenta series. When WA was applied with HUF, both soil pH and EC increased. In contrast, the HUF alone slightly salinized Toje series, but both soils remained non-saline whenWA and HUF were applied together. The application ofWA resulted in two-fold increase in Ca, Mg, K, and Na content compared to HUF alone. Hence, WA is a promising amendment of acid soils and could reduce the effect of soluble salts in human urine fertilizer,which is likely to cause soil salinity.

Source: UG
Short-term safety and efficacy of calcium montmorillonite clay (UPSN) in children

The overall goal of the department is to conduct research and provide solutions to nutritional problems in Ghana. In pursuance of this goal, the Nutrition Department since its inception has focused its research in the areas of maternal, infant and young child nutrition, food consumption and food security and micronutrient deficiency and interventions. These are priority food and nutrition problems in Ghana.

Source: UG
Short-term treatment outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 and hepatitis B virus co-infections

Abstract Background Co-infection of HIV with HBV is common in West Africa but little information is available on the effects of HBV on short-term therapy for HIV patients. A 28 day longitudinal study was conducted to examine short-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) outcomes in HIV infected individuals with HBV co-infection. Methods Plasma from 18 HIV infected individuals co-infected with HBV and matched controls with only HIV infection were obtained at initiation, and 7 and 28 days after ART. HIV-1 viral load changes were monitored. Clinical and demographic data were also obtained from patient folders, and HIV-1 drug resistance mutation and subtype analysis performed. Results The presence of HBV co-infection did not significantly affect HIV-1 viral load changes within 7 or 28 days. The CD4+ counts on the other hand of patients significantly affected the magnitude of HIV-1 viral load decline after 7 days (ρ = −0.441, p = 0.040), while the pre-ART HIV-1 VL (ρ = 0.844, p = <0.001) and sex (U = 19.0, p = 0.020) also determined HIV-1 viral load outcomes after 28 days of ART. Even though the geometric sensitivity score of HIV-1 strains were influenced by the HIV-1 subtypes (U = 56.00; p = 0.036), it was not a confounder for ART outcomes. Conclusions There may be the need to consider the confounder effects of sex, pre-ART CD4+, and pre-ART HIV-1 viral load in the discourse on HIV and HBV co-infection.

Source: UG
Should I Accept or Refute? Understanding the Socio-Organizational Factors Influencing Corruption in Ghana’s Public Service

Corruption remains endemic despite intensified global anti-corruption efforts, indicating a need to reassess current strategies. This study focused on how context-specific socio-organizational factors influence employees’ engagement in corrupt activities in Ghana’s public service. The sample for the study consists of 48 public service workers. This includes 26 middle level management staff who participated in the focus group discussions and 22 directors who were interviewed individually. Additionally, 8 expert interviews were conducted to enhance comprehension and discussion of the findings. Key socio-organizational factors, including “opportunistic staffing,” “reciprocal appreciation,” “praise singing,” and “order from above” were identified. Formal rules and sanctions alone were found to be inad equate in addressing corruption due to the complex contextual nature of the socio-organizational factors. These factors could serve as a foundation for designing training programs and nudges that promote ethical behavior. Moreover, they offer valuable insights for developing anti-corruption inter ventions that align with the practical realities of ethical decision-making in Ghana’s public service.

Source: UG
Should it be omanhenes, amanhenes or amanhene? - Or are they in free variation?

This article will look at the varying plural noun forms found in Akan. The focus will be on Akan nouns referring to persons, and the paper will discuss how these forms appear in Ghanaian English. It argues that in an intense language contact situation, such as pertains in (urban) Ghana, the question as to what is a code-switched item and what is a lexical borrowing is not clear, as many transferred items exhibit either Akan or English plurals and at times a confounding of the two. Some lexical items of obvious ethno-cultural significance cannot easily be classified as of either transfer category, and so code-switching and lexical borrowing might not be as clearly distinguishable as suggested by, for instance, Poplack and Sankoff (1984). It will be argued that the varying plural forms might be best explained in terms of a style-shift using Bell's (1999; 2001) Audience Design framework. © University of South Africa Press.

Source: UG
‘The show must go on!’: Hustling through the compounded precarity of Covid-19 in the creative industries

The article offers a qualitative examination of compounded precarity in creative work during COVID-19. pandemic. Drawing on repeated in-depth interviews with twelve creative workers operating in the creative industries in Ghana, we examine one of the most prevalent practices for navigating, coping with, and managing compounded precarity: that of hustling. We empirically identify and discuss three interrelated practices of hustling in creative work: digitalization, diversification, and social engagement. We present a new way of conceptualizing creative work in precarious geographies by theorizing hustling and the associated worker resourcefulness, improvisation, savviness, hopefulness, and caring, not merely as an individualized survival strategy, but rather as an agentic and ethical effort to turn the vicissitudes of life into situated advantages and opportunities, and even social change.

Source: UG
Shrinkage of prostate and improved quality of life: Management of BPH patients with croton membranaceus ethanolic root extract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate. The study aimed at validating the use of freeze-dried Croton membranaceus ethanolic root extract for BPH management. Thirty-three patients were observed before and after 3-month administration of 20 mg t.i.d orally. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires were used. Total/free PSA (tPSA, fPSA), renal, liver function, lipid tests, and ultrasonographic imaging were performed. Thirty (30) patients (66 ± 11 years) completed the study. IPSS results showed 37% had severe, 40% moderate, and 23% mild symptoms before; 57% and 43% had moderate and mild symptoms, respectively, after treatment. IIED of patients' results showed 30% with severe, 40% moderate, 24% mild-moderate, 3% mild, and 3% no erectile dysfunction before treatment and 20% severe, 43% moderate, and 37% mild-moderate dysfunction, after treatment. Quality of life (QoL) improved (P = 0.001). Significant but non-pathological increases in total and indirect bilirubin as well as apolipoprotein A occurred. Mean tPSA reduced from 27.9 ± 19.0 to 16.2 ± 11.8 ng/mL (P = 0.002); fPSA from 6.1 ± 4.8 to 3.9 ± 2.9 ng/mL (P = 0.045); and prostate volume from 101.8 ± 41.3 to 54.5 ± 24.8 cm3 (P = 0.023). C. membranaceus shrinks the prostate and improves QoL. © 2015 George Awuku Asare et al.

Source: UG
Sibling Gender Dynamics And Childhood Stunting In Ghana

Background: Stunting remains a public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the evolving awareness of the effect of family composition on child health outcomes, the influence of sibling gender on stunting has seldom been consistent. The current study investigated the association between sibling composition and stunting among children under five years in Ghana. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the most recent Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS 2022), focusing on 5416 mother-child dyads. Stunting prevalence was assessed through descriptive analysis, while logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the association between sibling composition and identify other risk factors associated with stunting. Results: The prevalence of stunting among children under five years of age was 18%. It was observed from the male sex-stratified model that having male siblings and having a combination of male and female siblings increased male children’s odds of being stunted. In contrast, having siblings of either gender or having a combination of male and female siblings may not pose any stunting threats to female children as observed in the female sex-stratified model. Furthermore, being a male child (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.90) and never being breastfed (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.31, 3.21) increased children’s likelihood of stunting. Conclusion: This study concludes that the extra nutrients boys require for healthy growth and development may increase their competition for nutrients, especially in households with limited resource. Parents and guardians are advised to be consciously aware of the subtle and apparent competition between male children and take appropriate measures to prevent children’s deprivation of nutrition by their male siblings.

Source: UG
Sickle cell disease: New opportunities and challenges in Africa

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic causes of illness and death in the world. This is a review of SCD in Africa, which bears the highest burden of disease. The first section provides an introduction to the molecular basis of SCD and the pathophysiological mechanism of selected clinical events. The second section discusses the epidemiology of the disease (prevalence, morbidity, and mortality), at global level and within Africa. The third section discusses the laboratory diagnosis and management of SCD, emphasizing strategies that been have proven to be effective in areas with limited resources. Throughout the review, specific activities that require evidence to guide healthcare in Africa, as well as strategic areas for further research, will be highlighted. © 2013 J. Makani et al.

Source: UG
Sickle Cell Hemoglobin Genotypes Affect Malaria Parasite Growth and Correlate with Exosomal miR-451a and let-7i-5p Levels

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Sickle cell trait is associated with controlled levels of haem and mild proinflammatory response during acute malaria infection

The controlled induction of haemoxygenase-1 (HO-1), an enzyme that catabolizes haem, has been shown to reduce haem, preventing pathologies associated with haem toxicity. The hemoglobin genotype HbAS confers reduced susceptibility to severe complications of malaria by a mechanism that is not well understood. Using a longitudinal approach, we investigated the effect of baseline concentrations of HO-1 on the accumulation of haem during acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria in HbAS and HbAA genotypes. Plasma concentrations of haem, HO-1 and cytokines were quantified in venous blood obtained from children (9 months–5 years of age) during malaria infection, and at convalescence (baseline levels). Parasitaemia was determined during malaria infection. In patients with the HbAA genotype, there was a significant elevation in the plasma concentration of haem (P50.002), and a consequent increased induction of HO-1 (P<0.001) during falciparum malaria compared with levels at convalescence. Contrary to HbAA, plasma concentration of haem did not change in the HbAS genotypical group (P50 110), and the induction of HO-1 was reduced during malaria compared with levels at convalescence (P50 006). Higher plasma levels of haem were observed in HbAS compared with HbAA at convalescence (P50 010), but this difference did not affect the levels of HO-1 within each genotype (P50 450). Relatively milder proinflammatory responses were observed in HbAS children during malaria infection compared to HbAA children. Our findings suggest that a mechanism of reduced susceptibility to severe malaria pathologies by the HbAS genotype may involve the control of haem, leading to controlled levels of HO-1 and milder proinflammatory responses during acute malaria.

Source: UG
Sickle cell trait, hemoglobin C trait, and Burkitt's lymphoma.

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
SickleInAfrica

Over the past 20 years, organised efforts in Africa have described and addressed the burden of sickle cell disease, with commendable achievements. However, there have been four limiting factors. First, there have been few multisite, well described cohort studies of sickle cell disease in Africa. Second, there is no evidence yet that consistent standards of care are applied across Africa. Third, there are insufficient human resources, both in numbers and skills. Finally, there are few programmes exploring pertinent research questions related to sickle cell disease in Africa to guide locally appropriate interventions. This situation is compounded by inadequate collaboration within Africa that would otherwise allow sharing of experience and reduce duplication of efforts. SickleInAfrica is a consortium set up to address these factors by shaping health policy in countries that bear the greatest burden of sickle cell disease worldwide. The countries selected are characterised by high sickle cell disease prevalence, mortality and morbidity, and suboptimal use of interventions that could reduce mortality in children younger than 5 years. The time for this initiative is optimal, as there has been considerable progress in developing genomic research in Africa, specifically in sickle cell disease. These advances will not only improve our understanding of genetic diversity in Africa, but will also clarify how a monogenic disease can have such heterogeneous manifestations. It is imperative that Africa contributes to genomics research to improve health and introduce curative treatments of sickle cell disease.

Source: UG
Signal Propagation Models in Soil Medium for the Study of Wireless Underground Sensor Networks: A Review of Current Trends

Radio signal propagation modeling plays an important role in the design of wireless communication systems. Various models have been developed, over the past few decades, to predict signal propagation and behavior for wireless communication systems in different operating environments. Recently, there has been an interest in the deployment of wireless sensors in soil. To fully exploit the capabilities of sensor networks deployed in soil requires an understanding of the propagation characteristics within this environment. This paper reviews the cutting-edge developments of signal propagation in the subterranean environment. The most important modeling techniques for modeling include electromagnetic waves, propagation loss, magnetic induction, and acoustic wave. These are discussed vis-a-vis modeling complexity and key parameters of the environment including electric and magnetic properties of soil. An equation to model propagation in the soil is derived from the free space model. Results are presented to show propagation losses and at different frequencies and volumetric water content. The channel capacity and the operating frequency are also analyzed against soil moisture at different soil types and antenna sizes.

Source: UG
Signalling and Bioactive Metabolites from Streptomyces sp. RK44

Streptomyces remains one of the prolific sources of structural diversity, and a reservoir to mine for novel natural products. Continued screening for new Streptomyces strains in our laboratory led to the isolation of Streptomyces sp. RK44 from the underexplored areas of Kintampo waterfalls, Ghana, Africa. Preliminary screening of the metabolites from this strain resulted in the characterization of a new 2-alkyl-4-hydroxymethylfuran carboxamide (AHFA) 1 together with five known compounds, cyclo-(L-Pro-Gly) 2, cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Phe) 3, cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Val) 4, cyclo-(L-Leu-Hyp) 5, and deferoxamine E 6. AHFA 1, a methylenomycin (MMF) homolog, exhibited anti-proliferative activity (EC50 = 89.6 M) against melanoma A2058 cell lines. This activity, albeit weak is the first report amongst MMFs. Furthermore, the putative biosynthetic gene cluster (ahfa) was identified for the biosynthesis of AHFA 1. DFO-E 6 displayed potent anti-plasmodial activity (IC50 = 1.08 M) against P. falciparum 3D7. High-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR ESIMS) and molecular network assisted the targeted-isolation process, and tentatively identified six AHFA analogues, 7–12 and six siderophores 13–18.

Source: UG