ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Distribution of FcγR gene polymorphisms among two sympatric populations in Mali: differing allele frequencies, associations with malariometric indices and implications for genetic susceptibility to malaria

Background: Genetic polymorphisms in the complex gene cluster encoding human Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) may influence malaria susceptibility and pathogenesis. Studying genetic susceptibility to malaria is ideal among sym patric populations because the distribution of polymorphic genes among such populations can help in the identifica tion malaria candidate genes. This study determined the distribution of three FcyRs single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (FcγRIIB rs1050519, FcγRIIC rs3933769 and FcγRIIIA rs396991) among sympatric Fulani and Dogon children with uncomplicated malaria. The association of these SNPs with clinical, malariometric and immunological indices was also tested. Methods: This study involved 242 Fulani and Dogon volunteers from Mali age under 15 years. All SNPs were geno typed with predesigned TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assays. Genotypic and allelic distribution of SNPs was com pared across ethnic groups using the Fisher exact test. Variations in clinical, malariometric and immunologic indices between groups were tested with Kruskal–Wallis H, Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher exact test where appropriate. Results: The study confirmed known malariometric and immunologic differences between sympatric Fulani and non Fulani tribes. Parasite density was lower in the Fulani than the Dogon (p < 0.0001). The mutant allele of FcγRIIC (rs3933769) was found more frequently in the Fulani than the Dogon (p < 0.0001) while that of FcγRIIIA (rs396991) occurred less frequently in the Fulani than Dogon (p = 0.0043). The difference in the mutant allele frequency of FcγRIIB (rs1050519) between the two ethnic groups was however not statistically significant (p = 0.064). The mutant allele of rs396991 was associated with high malaria specific IgG1 and IgG3 in the entire study population and Dogon tribe, p = 0.023 and 0.015, respectively. Parasite burden was lower in carriers of the FcγRIIC (rs3933769) mutant allele than non carriers in the entire study population (p < 0.0001). Carriers of this allele harboured less than half the para sites found in non carriers. Conclusion: Differences in the allelic frequencies of rs3933769 and rs396991 among Fulani and Dogon indirectly suggest that these SNPs may influence malaria susceptibility and pathogenesis in the study population. The high fre quency of the FcγRIIC (rs3933769) mutant allele in the Fulani and its subsequent association with low parasite burden in the entire study population is noteworthy.

Source: UCC
Distribution of Hairs on the phalanges of hands among Ghanaians

Aim. Te study intended to observe the frequency and pattern of distribution of phalangeal hairs on the hands of Ghanaians. Material and methods. A total of 1040 healthy consenting individuals (529 females and 511 males) aged between 18 and 45 years were randomly selected from the University of Cape Coast Community. Presence or absence of phalangeal hairs was observed with the aid of a pocket lens. Results. Hairs were observed on the proximal phalanges of 98.24% of the males and 96.22% of the females. The most common hair pattern observed on the proximal digits was 2-3-4-5 (65.95% males and 70.32% females). The highest frequency of midphalangeal hairs occurred in the group with hair on the 4th digit alone (3.33% males and 2.27% females) followed by the 3-4-5 group (2.54% males and 1.89% females).Conclusion. Females have lower frequency of phalangeal hairs than males. The outcome of this study may be significant medicolegally and in anthropological racial and gender studies

Source: UCC
Distribution of Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine Disruptors in Raw and Tap Water from Cape Coast and Takoradi Metropolises

I thank God almighty for his grace, guidance, and ability to undertake this course and research. I thank Mr. Michael lartey Amu for encouraging me to apply for this course and supporting me throughout the duration of the course. I am grateful to my supervisor Prof. David Kofi Essumang for his valuable counsel, keen interest, and patience. I wish to express my profound gratitude to Dr. Joseph Adjei. Sir your contributions were invaluable and the untiring effort you put into this work is very much appreciated. I am thankful to the Quality Managers at Brimsu and Daboase Water Treatment Plants for their assistance and cooperation.Finally, I am very grateful to the personnel of the Instruments Room, Department of Chemistry for their assistance. God bless you all.

Source: UCC
Distribution of quinolone resistance gene (qnr) in ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. in Lomé, Togo

Background: Qnr genes are known to confer a low-level resistance to fluoroquinolone in Enterobacteriaceae. They are often found on the same resistance plasmids as extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and constitute the most common antibiotic resistance mechanism. This study aimed to detect the presence of qnr genes in ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. Methods: From May 2013 to July 2015, 91 E. coli and 64 Klebsiella spp. strains with phenotypic resistance to quinolone were collected from several specimens and analyzed for the detection of qnrA, qnrB, qnrS genes and the β-lactamase resistance genes (blaCTX-M, blaTEM, blaSHV) using simplex and multiplex PCR. Results: In the present study, 107 (69%; 61 E. coli and 46 Klebsiella spp.) of 155 bacterial strains tested were found harboring at least one qnr gene consisting of 74 (47.74%) qnrB, 73 (47.10%) qnrS and 4 (2.58%) qnrA. Of the 107 strains encoding qnr genes, 102, 96 and 52 carried CTX-M1, TEM and SHV type ESBL respectively. Conclusion: This study identified quinolone resistance (qnr) gene in ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. in Togo. These finding which suggest a possible resistance to quinolone are of high interest for better management of patients and control of antimicrobial resistance in Togo.

Source: UCC
Distribution, levels, and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soot of some kitchens in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

The effect of using firewood for cooking, baking, and heating in poorly ventilated kitchens on the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in kitchen soot in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana has been studied. The kitchens in Ghana, especially those in the rural areas, are simple clay hut structures with small doors. The kitchens have little or no openings for ventilation and, as a result, the cook is exposed directly to high doses of smoke containing different compounds including PAH. In this study, a total of 42 soot samples were collected for 6 weeks from seven kitchens and analyzed using gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (GC/FID). The average PAH concentration in the kitchen soot samples ranged from 0.7 to 445mg kg1 The unit risk of PAH associated with the dermal contact/inhalation of the kitchen soot occurred at 7.4 0 3 I in children and at 4.8 0 5 in the adults, showing the impact. However, the high level of PAH measured in this work especially that of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) may cause cancer in the women who are exposed to the smoke. The study was therefore designed to find out the level of PAH in kitchen soot and their contributions as the monitoring tools in the assessment of risks and hazards of PAH in Ghana

Source: UCC
Distribution, Toxicological Effects and Remediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Selected Lagoons in Ghana

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous and persistent organic pollutants. Their dynamics in aquatic environments have been extensively studied, but studies mainly focused on their distribution in single compartment of the aquatic environment. A study on 16 PAHs were analysed in water, sediments, and fish tissues from Benya, Brenu and Fosu Lagoons in Ghana, using GC-MS. The potential application of activated charcoal for the remediation of PAH-contaminated sediment was also investigated. PAHs were extracted using SPE cartridges and QUECHERS, whilst diagnostic ratios were used to determine the sources of the PAHs. The concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 32.37 (fillet) to 2050.47 (visceral) μg/kg/w.w, 20.81 to 24801.38 μg/kg/d.w and 1.17 to 3.39 μg/L for fish tissues, sediment and water respectively. The total PAHs recorded in the sediments demonstrated both spatial and seasonal variations in the distribution of PAHs. Environmental factors such as temperature and pH, as well as the total organic carbon {F (4, 292) = 18.19, p <0.001, R2 = 0.20} were also noted to influence the dynamics of PAHs in these lagoons. Indiscriminate burning of wastes, shipping activity, vehicular emissions and sewage were among the main sources of PAHs. More than 50 % of individual PAHs in the sediments exhibited a moderate level of ecological risk for aquatic life. The calculated ILCR for sediments (varied from 2.5 x 10-6 to 6.0×10-5) and fish tissues (from 2.0×10-5 to 4.6×10-5) were above the USEPA safety limit (1×10-6); an indication of cancer-related effects to humans who are exposed to the sediments and consumption of Sarotherodon melanotheron in these lagoons. Activated charcoal is recommended as an effective carbonaceous material to remediate the sediments of these lagoons.

Source: UCC
Diurnal periodicity in some common flowers

The time of flower opening and closure has been observed in twenty species belonging to nine different families. Increasing light initiates opening in some flowers and different species have different thresholds of response. Other species appear to be unaffected by light intensity. Experiments on the effect of photoperiod on petal movement in Talinum triangulare and Mirabilis jalapa indicate that the photo‐fraction affects the period of the rhythm by altering phase‐timing. A close correlation is suggested between phase‐timing and the automatic self‐pollination mechanism in Talinum possibly also in Mirabilis. Temperature also modifies the period of the rhythm in Tradescantia and Talinum; in the latter, a temperature of 24°C promoted closing. Copyright © 1977, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

Source: UCC
Diversity and distribution of amphibians in three land use types in the Dormaa-Ahenkro District in the Brong-Ahafo Gegion of Ghana

This study investigated the diversity and distribution of amphibians in the Mpameso Forest Reserve and its surrounding cocoa and teak-acacia plantations in the Dormaa-Ahenkro district, in both rainy and dry seasons.Ninety plots (30 plots per study site) were established along transect lines and searched for amphibians. Specimens were found by visual encounter surveys (VES). A total of 1187 individuals of 16 species belonging to six anuran families (Arthroleptidae, Bufonidae, Hyperoliidae, Ranidae, Ptychadenidae and Petropedetidae), were recorded during the survey. The rainy season survey recorded 786 anurans compared to 401 in the dry season, with increased species richness, 518 anurans were observed in the forest, followed by the cocoa farm, 408 individuals and teak plantation had 261 individuals. There was a significant difference in species diversity between the three land use types in both rainy and dry seasons. The 16 species were irregularly distributed in the three land use types. Twelve of the species documented are classified as Least Concern, one as Near Threaten, two are vulnerable and one as data deficient according to IUCN. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that further studies should focus on pesticide use and the effects of constant pesticide application on amphibian species richness and distribution in cocoa growing areas as well as research on specific species to identify the habitat requirements of individual species in all the land use areas.Conservation efforts should consider the status of anurans encountered and also take into consideration the status of amphibians according to the IUCN Red list.

Source: UCC
Diversity Management and Organisational Commitment Among Senior Staff at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between diversity management and organisational commitment among senior staff at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. There were four main specific objectives, among them were; to examine the relationship between Gender and organisational commitment; the relationship between Age and organisational; the relationship between Marital Status and organisational commitment and finally, the relationship between Level of Education and organisational commitment among senior staff at the University of Cape Coast. The study sought to explore the views based on 269 senior administrative staff from the study area, however, only 238 views were deemed usable for the study. It was a quantitative study with self-administered and an online-administered questionnaire as the main research instrument. The results from the survey were processed with the help of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v26.0). The findings of the study revealed that; Gender, Age and the Level of Education of employees which formed the components of diversity management in the organisation, all had a positive and significant relationship with organisational commitment except Marital Status. As a result, it was recommended that the University of Cape Coast's management focus on implementing policies that will assist in bringing diverse people from various groups and categories into the working environment, so that the majority of the staff will be well motivated to carry out their tasks or duties perfectly.

Source: UCC
Diversity of bush yam (dioscorea praehensilis) in Ghana and the prospects of rapid multiplication through yam minisett technique

Bush Yam (Dioscorea praehensilis), a wild type of yam species, is an important food crop in Ghana. It thrives well under artificial secondary forest hence it is able to grow under cocoa plantations in the forest zones. It is suspected that there is great diversity in the gene pool of bush yam but there is limited information on the existing germplasm. This project was undertaken to make a collection of the yam germplasm, characterize and select superior lines for further improvement. A total of ninety accessions were collected from the major production communities in Ghana and they were established in the field at two locations for morphological characterization and assessment for their culinary values. Prospects of planting material production through the minisett technique was assessed. Diversityof both qualitative and quantitative traits were observed. Flowering ability of bush yam were male, female, absent of flowers and haemaphrodite flowers. The leaf shape were cordate long and broad and saggitate long. Purplish green, pale green and dark green leaf colours were also observed. Cluster analysis grouped the accessions into 4 clusters. Sensory analysis suggested that the accessions vary in some sensory attributes. Fracturability was observed not to influence the choice of accession by consumers. Accessions varies in their ability to perform under the minisett technique. Performance of the accessions were better in the mulch and top soil media than in sawdust. The minisett performance of accession were not significantly different from each other except with DJA-067 which performed poorly in all data collected.

Source: UCC
Dividend Policy and Bank Performance in Ghana

The main thrust of this study is to find out the relationship between dividend policy and performance of banks in Ghana. The study used panel data constructed from the financial statements of 16 commercial banks in Ghana for a period of 5 years, from 1999-2003. These financial statements were obtained from the Banking Supervision department of Bank of Ghana. STATA was used for the data analysis. From the results of the study, the average dividend paid by banks over the study period was 24.65%. Also, it is apparent that banks that pay dividend increase their performance. The results also reinforce earlier findings that leverage, size of a bank and bank growth enhance the performance of banks. The age factor presents mixed results. Generally, the result is in tandem with earlier studies that dividend policy has an effect on firm value.

Source: UCC
DNA Damage Protecting Activity and Antioxidant Potential of Launaea taraxacifolia Leaves Extract

Background: The leaf extract of Launaea taraxacifolia commonly known as African Lettuce is used locally to treat dyslipidemia and liver diseases, which are associated with oxidative stress. Methanol extract from L. taraxacifolia leaves was tested for its antioxidant activity and its ability to protect DNA from oxidative damage. Materials and Methods: In vitro antioxidant potential of the leaf extract was evaluated using 1,1‑diphenyl‑2‑picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), and hydroxyl (OH) radical scavenging assays. Ferric reducing power, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), metal chelating, and anti‑lipid peroxidation ability of the extract were also examined using gallic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as standards. Results: L. taraxacifolia leaves extract showed antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 16.18 μg/ml (DPPH), 123.3 μg/ml (NO), 128.2 μg/ml (OH radical), 97.94 μg/ml (metal chelating), 80.28 μg/ml (TAC), and 23 μg/ml (anti‑lipid peroxidation activity). L. taraxacifolia leaves extract exhibited a strong capability for DNA damage protection at 20 mg/ml concentration. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the methanolic leaf extract of L. taraxacifolia could be used as a natural antioxidant and also as a preventive therapy against diseases such as arteriosclerosis associated with DNA damage.

Source: UCC
DNA origami as a tool to design asymmetric gold nanostructures

DNA origami technology provides a versatile approach for the chemical assembly of gold nanostructures. In this study the bottom-up approach of self-assembly using DNA in the origami process has been successfully applied to arrange five AuNPs asymmetrically. The DNA origami templates were modified to have binding sites that were extended with sticky ends to facilitate the attachment of the AuNPs. With the help of thiol chemistry, the AuNPs which were covered with DNA complementary to the sticky ends introduced on the DNA origami surfaces, we were able to attach the nanoparticles to the designed sites. It was realized that there were slight differences in the designed distances and the determined ones which were accounted for potentially by the deposition of the structures on the grids for imaging. The structures were characterized with gel electrophoresis and TEM. This asymmetric arrangement has the potential of exhibiting plasmonic behavior and circular dichroism when light is incident on the structure

Source: UCC
DNA origami site-specific arrangement of gold nanoparticles

Controlling matter at the nanoscale holds a lot of promise in nanotechnology. The DNA origami is promising if used as a template to design and arrange matter at the nanoscale. We have used the DNA origami approach to engineer staple strands at selected sites for attachment of gold nanoparticles. The covalent attachment of thiol-modi¯ed DNA oligomers was used to functionalize gold nanoparticles These oligomers then hybridize with complementary strands extended on selected staple strands on the DNA origami surface with nanometer precision. Gold nanoparticles of 5 nm diameter were arranged across a DNA origami tube to form a C-shape which has potential use in electronics and plasmonics. Agarose gel electrophoresis, AFM, UV-Vis spectroscopy and TEM were used to characterize the structure

Source: UCC
Do Biomass Fuel use and Consumption of Unsafe Water Mediate Educational inequalities in Stillbirth Risk? An Analysis of the 2007 Ghana Maternal Health Survey

Background: Numerous studies have explored the association between educational inequalities and stillbirth but most have failed to elaborate how low educational attainment leads to an increased risk of stillbirth. We hypothesised that use of biomass fuels and consumption of unsafe water related to low educational attainment could explain the stillbirth burden in Ghana attributable to socioeconomic disadvantage. Methods: Data from the 2007 Ghana Maternal Health Survey, a nationally representative population-based survey were analysed for this study. Of the10 370 women aged 15–49 years interviewed via structured questionnaires for the survey, 7183 primiparous and multiparous women qualified for inclusion in the present study. Results: In a logistic regression analysis that adjusted for age, area of residence, marital status and ethnicity of women, lower maternal primary education was associated with a 62% (OR=1.62; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.52) increased lifetime risk of stillbirth. Biomass fuel use and consumption of unsafe water mediated 18% and 8% of the observed effects, respectively. Jointly these two exposures explained 24% of the observed effects. The generalised additive modelling revealed a very flat inverted spoon-shaped smoothed curve which peaked at low levels of schooling (2–3 years) and confirms the findings from the logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Our results show that biomass fuel use and unsafe water consumption could be important pathways through which low maternal educational attainment leads to stillbirths in Ghana and similar developing countries. Addressing educational inequalities in developing countries is thus essential for ensuring household choices that curtail environmental exposures and help improve pregnancy outcomes.

Source: UCC
Do combined applications of crop residues and inorganic fertilizer lower emission of N2O from soil?

Emissions of N2O were measured following addition of 15N-labelled residues of tropical plant species [Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), Mucuna pruriens and Leucaena leucocephala] to a Ferric Luvisol from Ghana at a rate of 100 mg N⁄kg soil under controlled environment conditions. Residues were also applied in different ratio combinations with inorganic N fertilizer, at a total rate of 100 mg N⁄kg soil. N2O emissions were increased after addition of residues, and further increased with combined (ratio) applications of residues and inorganic N fertilizer. However, 15N-N2O production was low and short-lived in all treatments, suggesting that most of the measured N2O-N was derived from the applied fertilizer or native soil mineral N pools. There was no consistent trend in magnitude of emissions with increasing proportion of inorganic fertilizer in the application. The positive interactive effect between residue- and fertilizer-N sources was most pronounced in the 25:75 Leucaena: fertilizer and cowpea: fertilizer treatments where 1082 and 1130 mg N2O-N⁄g residue were emitted over 30 days. N2O (loge) emission from all residue amended treatments was positively correlated with the residue C:N ratio, and negatively correlated with residue polyphenol content, polyphenol ratio and (lignin + polyphenol):N ratio, indicating the role of residue chemical composition in regulating emissions even when combined with inorganic fertilizer. The positive interactive effect in our treatments suggests that it is unlikely that combined applications of residues and inorganic fertilizer can lower N2O emissions unless the residue is of very low quality promoting strong immobilization of soil mineral N

Source: UCC