ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
IgG Responses to the Plasmodium falciparum Antigen VAR2CSA in Colombia Are Restricted to Pregnancy and Are Not Induced by Exposure to Plasmodium vivax

Clinical immunity to malaria is associated with the acquisition of IgG speciﬁc for members of the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family of clonally variant antigens on the surface of infected erythrocytes (IEs). The VAR2CSA subtype of PfEMP1 mediates IE binding in the placenta. VAR2CSA-speciﬁc IgG is normally acquired only after exposure to placental parasites. However, it was recently reported that men and children from Colombia often have high levels of functional VAR2CSA-speciﬁc IgG. This potentially undermines the cur- rent understanding of malaria immunity in pregnant women, and we thus con- ducted a study to assess further the levels of VAR2CSA-speciﬁc IgG in pregnant and nonpregnant Colombians. Plasma IgG against two full-length recombinant PfEMP1 proteins (one of the VAR2CSA type and one not) produced in baculovirus- transfected insect cells was detected frequently among Colombian men, children, and pregnant women with acute or previous malaria exposure. In contrast, IgG reac- tivity to a homologous full-length VAR2CSA-type protein expressed in Chinese ham- ster ovary (CHO) cells was low and infrequent among the Colombian plasma sam- ples, as was reactivity to both corresponding native PfEMP1 proteins. Moreover, human and rabbit antibodies speciﬁc for Plasmodium vivax Duffy-binding protein (PvDBP), a protein with some homology to PfEMP1, did not react with VAR2CSA- type recombinant or native proteins, although the mouse monoclonal and PvDBP- speciﬁc antibody 3D10 was weakly reactive with recombinant proteins expressed in baculovirus-transfected insect cells. Our data indicate that the previously reported Colombian IgG reactivity to recombinant VAR2CSA is not malaria speciﬁc and that the acquisition of VAR2CSA-speciﬁc IgG is restricted to pregnancy, in Colombia and elsewhere

Source: UCC
IHP-PING—generating integrated human protein–protein interaction networks on-the-fly

Advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies have resulted in an exponential growth of publicly accessible biological datasets. In the ‘big data’ driven ‘post-genomic’ context, much work is being done to explore human protein–protein interactions (PPIs) for a systems level based analysis to uncover useful signals and gain more insights to advance current knowledge and answer specific biological and health questions. These PPIs are experimentally or computationally predicted, stored in different online databases and some of PPI resources are updated regularly. As with many biological datasets, such regular updates continuously render older PPI datasets potentially outdated. Moreover, while many of these interactions are shared between these online resources, each resource includes its own identified PPIs and none of these databases exhaustively contains all existing human PPI maps. In this context, it is essential to enable the integration of or combining interaction datasets from different resources, to generate a PPI map with increased coverage and confidence. To allow researchers to produce an integrated human PPI datasets in real-time, we introduce the integrated human protein–protein interaction network generator (IHP-PING) tool. IHP-PING is a f lexible python package which generates a human PPI network from freely available online resources. This tool extracts and integrates heterogeneous PPI datasets to generate a unified PPI network, which is stored locally for further applications.

Source: UCC
IL-17 producing innate lymphoid cells 3 (ILC3) but not Th17 cells might be the potential danger factor for preeclampsia and other pregnancy associated diseases

In pregnancy, the immunologic system plays an important role that ensures normal pregnancy development and can as well promote the development of complications. Pregnancy success appears to rely on a discrete balance between the Th cytokines, which are involved in fetal growth and development. Preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are known complications associated with pregnancy. However, the source of the increased IL-17 cytokine in preeclampsia and other pregnancy associated diseases still remains unclear amidst numerous inconsistencies. The recent identification of innate lymphoid cells (ILC) has raised more doubts about the sources of most of the Th associated cytokines. We investigated the source of peripheral IL-17 levels in preeclamptic, gestational diabetics and chronic diabetics compared to healthy pregnancy subjects. To evaluate the source of the increased IL-17 cytokine among preeclampsia, chronic diabetic and gestational diabetic patients we investigated the proportion of Th17 cell populations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using flow cytometry as well as analyzing levels of IFN-γ, IL-17,IL-1β and HMGB1. This study found that the Th17 cell populations in peripheral blood of preeclamptic, gestational nor chronic diabetes during pregnancy did not correlate with the increased IL-17. We report that the increased IL-17 levels observed in patients with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and chronic diabetes are associated with innate lymphoid cells 3 (ILC3) and may pose threats to the fetus if disregulated

Source: UCC
IL-17B activated mesenchymal stem cells enhance proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells

Mesenchymal stem cells are important cells in tumor microenvironment. We have previously demonstrated that IL-17B/IL-17RB signal promoted progression of gastric cancer. In this study, we further explored the effect of IL-17B on mesenchymal stem cells in tumor microenvironment and its impact on the tumor progression. The results showed that IL-17B induced the expression of stemness-related genes Nanog, Sox2, and Oct4 in mesenchymal stem cells and enhanced its tumor-promoting effect. The supernatant from cultured mesenchymal stem cells after treating with exogenous rIL-17B promoted the proliferation and migration of MGC-803, therefor suggesting that rIL-17B might promote mesenchymal stem cells to produce soluble factors. In addition, rIL-17B also activated the NF-κΒ, STAT3, β-catenin pathway in mesenchymal stem cells. Our data revealed a new mechanism that IL-17B enhanced the progression of gastric cancer by activating mesenchymal stem cells

Source: UCC
IL-4 Can Inhibit IL-17 Production in Collagen Induced Arthritis

Background: IL-4 is a cytokine that induces differentiation of naive helper T cells into Th2 cells. Once activated by IL-4, Th2 cells subsequently produce additional IL-4. Objective: To examine the effect of IL-4 on IL-17 production and its effect in Colla- gen-Induced Arthritis (CIA) mice. Method: In this study, a chicken collagen-II-induced experimental arthritis (CIA) model was used in DBA/1 mice to investigate the rela- tionship between IL-4 and IL-17 as well as other inflammatory factors. On the 38th day after the mice were induced with CIA, the expression of IL-17 and IL-4 as well as IFN-γ and IL-13 in sera of the mice was measured by QRT-PCR and ELISA. Result: The result of QRT-PCR analysis of IL-17 and IL-4 mRNA levels in the spleen showed that IL-17 is increased significantly at the onset of CIA in the spleen (p<0.01). Mean- while, IL-17 is generally reduced at the peak of CIA but IL-4 is increased significantly at this peak in the spleen (p<0.05) when the weight of the animal was taken into consid- eration. Conclusion: IL-4 can be involved in the production of IL-17 at especially the peak of CIA. These results imply that the inhibition of IL-17 may decrease the expres- sion of IL-1β and IL-6 production which will result in the aggravation of arthritis.

Source: UCC
Illegal Sand Mining: A Study of the Cape Coast- Komenda Coastline, Ghana.

In most countries across the globe, sand is an essential resource for economic developmental activities. Despite the huge costs of processing and recovering materials from glacier deposits, flood plains, and river channels, it is vital to the construction and industrial sectors. The study assessed illegal sand mining along the Cape Coast – Komenda, Ghana. Mixed methods which included quantitative and qualitative methods such as interview schedule survey, interviews, observation and focus group discussions were used to obtain data from three communities along the coastline of the Central Region of Ghana (Bantuma Mbofra-Akyinim, Ankwanda and Ola). The multi-stage sampling technique was used to select these communities while convenience sampling was used to select respondents (388) which included tipper truck drivers, tricycle riders, masons, fishmongers, fishermen and residents who have stayed in these communities for more than five years. Purposive sampling was used to select officials who were knowledgeable in sand mining issues from regulatory bodies such as NADMO, KEEA Municipal, CCMA, MC and the EPA. The study found out that the respondents gave reasons for which they engage in sand mining activities. Some of these reasons included the source of income, free gift of nature, urbanization and population increase. The respondents also admitted that these activities come with some repercussions such as retreat of the shoreline, pollution, introduction to health hazards and the destruction of roads and bridges by heavy duty vehicles. Government agencies also face numerous setbacks such as the limited resources for management, unclear responsibilities among stakeholders, weak coordination against local authorities, inadequate legal framework and interference from high-ranking government officials. This research concludes that illegal sand mining in its present condition is unsustainable and the government agencies are losing their firm grip on the issue.

Source: UCC
Illness perception and religiosity on diabetic patients’ Mental health in Cape Coast metropolis

In contemporary Ghana, several medical problems are being reported at the general hospitals and clinics for treatment. Most of these medical problems are accompanied by mental health problems. However, the mental health elements of the medical conditions are usually neglected though researches have demonstrated that the associated mental health problems can influence the prognosis and the course of such illnesses. This study sought to explore the relationships that exist between patients’ illness perception, religiosity and their mental health. The target population of the study was all diabetic patients attending a health facility numbering 250, seeking treatment for diabetes in the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana. A sample size of 103 diabetic patients from 250 patients was selected through the convenience sampling technique from the population. Descriptive survey design involving the quantitative approach was used in the study. Quantitative data were gathered through questionnaires and were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages, means and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and independent sample t-test). The study revealed that, generally, diabetic patients’ in the metropolis have a high level of religiosity. Again, result indicated that there was a negative correlation between diabetic patients’ religiosity and their mental health (r=-.286**, n=103, p<0.05, p=0.003, 2-tailed). Results also indicated that there was a weak positive relationship between illness perception of diabetic patients and their mental health(r=.080, n=103, p<0.05, p=0.421, 2-tailed). Based on the findings, a holistic and comprehensive model of healthcare such as the Biopsychosocial model should be incorporated at the various health centres across the nation.

Source: UCC
Illness Perceptions and Medication Adherence in Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease in Two Selected Hospitals in Greater Accra

Some previous researches in the West and Europe have indicated how illness perceptions relate to medication adherence in adolescents with various chronic diseases. There is however a gap in the literature on how the various illness perception dimensions are associated with medication adherence in Ghana among adolescents with chronic diseases like sickle cell. The aim of this study was to investigate how the various illness perception dimensions are associated with medication adherence in adolescents with sickle cell disease. A total of 120 adolescents’ sickle cell patients receiving treatments at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Tema General Hospital were conveniently sampled to be part of the study. They completed self-report questionnaires about their demographic and medical data, their illness perception using the Illness Perception Questionnaire- Revised (IPQ-R) and their medication adherence using the Medication Adherence Report Scale-5 (MARS5). The outcome of the analysis using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient indicated a significant positive relationship between the following illness perception dimensions (consequences, emotional representation, treatment control, timeline cyclical, timeline-acute/chronic and illness coherence) and medication adherence. The multiple regression analysis indicated that timeline cyclical significantly predicted medication adherence the most compared to the other dimensions. The findings of this study provided evidence that illness perception of adolescents with sickle cell disease is significantly related to medication adherence. Health care providers such as nurses and doctors should consider having a discussion about the perception adolescents with sickle cell disease have about their condition as this is related to medication adherence. Also, when treatment is been planned, it should be tailored to meet the individual needs.

Source: UCC
ILLNESS PERCEPTIONS AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN ADOLESCENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN TWO SELECTED HOSPITALS IN GREATER ACCRA

Ghana among adolescents with chronic diseases like sickle cell. The aim of this study was to investigate how the various illness perception dimensions are associated with medication adherence in adolescents with sickle cell disease. A total of 120 adolescents’ sickle cell patients receiving treatments at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Tema General Hospital were conveniently sampled to be part of the study. They completed self-report questionnaires about their demographic and medical data, their illness perception using the Illness Perception Questionnaire Revised (IPQ-R) and their medication adherence using the Medication Adherence Report Scale-5 (MARS5). The outcome of the analysis using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient indicated a significant positive relationship between the following illness perception dimensions (consequences, emotional representation, treatment control, timeline cyclical, timeline-acute/chronic and illness coherence) and medication adherence. The multiple regression analysis indicated that timeline cyclical significantly predicted medication adherence the most compared to the other dimensions. The findings of this study provided evidence that illness perception of adolescents with sickle cell disease is significantly related to medication adherence. Health care providers such as nurses and doctors should consider having a discussion about the perception adolescents with sickle cell disease have about their condition as this is related to medication adherence. Also, when treatment is been planned, it should be tailored to meet the individual needs.

Source: UCC
The image of Pre-Colonial Africa in European circles

Cultural relativism denotes the suspension of personal and moral or value judgments about other peoples and their ways. This is very essential for a successful and objective study of the past. It also enhances successful living in the modern, multi-cultural or racial world. It teaches that before forming an opinion, one should critically examine and understand the situation. It does not emphasize any requirement of embracing the beliefs or value systems of foreigners or giving up one’s own values. Contrarily, it preaches the granting of respect to a society, people, or country, trying to see their world and behaviour from their own perspectives, rather than simply rejecting all viewpoints but one’s own. European scholars who attempted to reconstruct the past of Africa did not take into consideration the tenets of the historical profession and wrote about Africa from their point of view. The result was that a whole lot of wrong impressions were created about Africa and its peoples. This study, using the multi-disciplinary approach, examines some of the wrong impressions Eurocentric scholars have created about Africa and Africans

Source: UCC
Immigration control in Ghana under Kwame Nkrumah, 1957–1966

Independent African governments inherited the division of Africa into nation-states and the introduction of immigration regulations to control movements in Africa from the erstwhile European imperialist governments. These African governments also introduced several measures to control immigration in their respective countries. When it assumed power, Nkrumah’s government designed a number of immigration measures, some of which defined the legal or political status of immigrants and regulated their movements and economic undertakings in the country. Therefore, this study, using both primary and secondary documents, examines the immigration legislations or policies which the Nkrumah administration devised to control the entry of immigrants into Ghana as well as their stay in and exit from the country. It investigates and analyses the specific attitude of the government towards immigration and examines the relative effectiveness of the execution of immigration control measures. It maintains that on the whole, the Nkrumah administration had been generally liberal towards immigrants in Ghana so that most of the immigration policies the government formulated remained dormant in the statute books. This phenomenon contributed in a way to Ghana having a relatively large immigrant community in Ghana in the late 1960s. The study concludes that the manner in which immigration control had been handled under Nkrumah was partly influenced by the politics of the colonial period, partly by Nkrumah’s pursuit of the policy of African brotherhood, and partly by Nkrumah’s need of the labour of immigrants to contribute towards building the economy of the country

Source: UCC
Immigration into Ghana, 1880s–1960s: An examination of the underlying factors

By the 1960s, the size of Ghana’s immigrant population had increased, in spite of the numerous immigration regulations devised by all the governments that came to power before the Progress Party government in an attempt to control the frequent influx of migrants into Ghana. If such was the situation, the implication is that Ghana offered favourable conditions to migrants, particularly those from neighbouring West African countries. Circumstances in the origins of the migrants also played considerable roles in the emigration of people who eventually found themselves in Ghana. This paper situates immigration into Ghana during the 1880s–1960s period in a historical context and, with the employment of the pull-and-push, or internal-external, approach, examines the circumstances under which population movements into Ghana occurred. The thrust of the paper seeks to offer a theoretical explanation, consequent on factual evidence, for the growth of Ghana’s immigrant population during the stipulated period

Source: UCC
Immobilized laccase mediator-catalyzed oxidation of aqueous mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Although terrestrial and aquatic environments are polluted with mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), much of the research efforts toward bioremediation of these toxic, mutagenic and/or carcinogenic pollutants have focused on individual compounds. The potential of laccase (E.C. 1.10.3.2) from Trametes versicolor immobilized on soil and kaolinite for in vitro oxidation of equimolar concentration of anthracene (AnT), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benz[a]anthracene (BaA) and pyrene (PyR) in sole, binary, ternary and quaternary substrate systems, in the presence of 2, 2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonicacid)(ABTS)and1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) as mediator compounds was investigated. Results indicated that HBT was a better mediator compared to ABTS due to favorable redox potential difference ( Eo) between laccase-HBT and PAH couples. The amount of each PAH oxidized depends on the type and number of PAHs present in the mixture. Due to its low molecular weight and high Eo, AnT inhibited the oxidative transformation of the other PAHs, and appeared to be competing for the same active site of the enzyme with BaP. Except for AnT, the oxidation of all the PAHs decreased with complexity of the mixture, with PyR oxidation inhibited by the presence of BaA. The oxidation of the PAHs was significantly low in the quaternary substrate system, probably due to enzyme inhibition from substrate overload. The results indicated that competitive effect may arise when more than one PAH is present in the reaction solution to interact with the enzyme and offer the possibility of the use of immobilized LMS for remediating complex PAH mixtures in the environment

Source: UCC
Immuno-epidemiology of Urinary Schistosomiasis Infection Among Individuals in Adansi South District, Ghana

Schistosoma haematobium infections are well established and endemic in Ghana. The endemicity of the disease also shows a focal distribution, with communities along fresh surface water bodies being the most affected. The impact of these water bodies in communities with respect to the problem of urinary schistosomiasis infection and its effect on immunoepidemiological parameters has not been explored. This study therefore seeks to profile the immunohaematological epidemiology of S. haematobium in the Adansi South District. The study employed a cross-sectional study design and recruited 406 participants from five communities in the district. Urine and stool samples were collected from participants for microscopy, immunological and haematological analysis. A questionnaire was also administered to participants to determine the sociodemographic and risk factors for urinary schistosomiasis. The study showed an overall prevalence of 16.3% of S. haematobium infections. Owusukrom had the highest prevalence of 37.0%, while Menang had the lowest prevalence of 1.1%. There was no significant difference in either IgG or IgM levels nor in haematological paramters in either the infected or uninfected controls. Major risk factors associated with infection included contact with freshwater bodies, poor hand and personal hygiene, history of infection, farming activities in waterlogged areas and the use of river/surface water sources for domestic activities. Conclusively, the prevalence of S. haematobium infections in the Adansi South District is high and the immunohaematological parameters associated with it are widely varied across individuals.

Source: UCC