ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy Outcomes: A Comparison of Women with Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Cape Coast, Ghana

Bacteriuria, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, has been found to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes for the mother and the baby. This comparative study compared the maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancy between mothers with symptomatic and those with asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy. The results showed that maternal outcomes (presence of foul smelling liquor, premature rupture of membranes, history of pregnancy-induced hypertension and previous abortion) were comparable between the groups. These outcomes did not exclusively depend on whether the pregnant women had asymptomatic or symptomatic bacteriuria. A positive association existed between symptomatic bacteriuria and gestational age (possibility of preterm or full term birth) while women with symptomatic bacteriuria were 7.3 times more likely to have preterm birth than women who were asymptomatic. Moreover, the Apgar scores at one minute and at five minutes were significantly associated with a presence of symptoms of bacteriuria in the mother. It is concluded that bacteriuria in pregnancy causes adverse obstetric outcomes and should be screened for and adequately treated.

Source: UCC
Preliminary assessment of heavy metal distribution in the soils of the university of cape coast nature reserve, Ghana

Soil habitats are complex and heterogeneous, resulting in the formation of habitats that can support high microorganism abundance and diversity. A characteristic feature of soil habitats is their wide range of steep physicochemical gradients (e.g., of substrate concentrations, redox potential, pH, available water), which depend upon the size of the soil aggregate. Heavy metal contamination of soils could potentially counteract this steep gradient. The aim of the study was to determine the levels and distribution of heavy metals in the topsoil and subsoil of the University of Cape Coast Nature Reserve and also to assess the extent of anthropogenic impact using three indices-contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and metal pollution index (MPI). The results indicate a wide variability in heavy metal concentrations. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Fe, As and Cu in the top soil in mg/kg are as follows: 16.1 ± 12.42; 16.6± 1.21; 4650 ± 433.49; 17.9 ± 1.03; and 68.8± 1.37 respectively. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Fe, As and Cu in the sub soil in mg/kg are as follows: 5.29 ± 0.59; 17.6 ± 1.80; 6780 ± 481.30; 6780 ± 481.30; and 10.3± 1.63 respectively. In the top soil, the order of magnitude of heavy metal concentration is as follows: As >Cu>Fe>Zn>Pb whereas in the subsoil the order is as follows: As > Fe > Cu >Zn>Pb. Heavy metal concentrations were found to be dependent on soil pH. The topsoil and subsoil are practically uncontaminated by Pb (Igeo = -0.76 and -1.88 respectively). Again, they are uncontaminated to moderately contaminated by Zn (Igeo=0.14 and 0.2 respectively). Also, the topsoil and subsoil are moderately contaminated by Fe (Igeo=1.13 and 1.5 respectively). Both the topsoil and subsoil are heavily contaminated by As (Igeo=3.53 and 3.75 respectively). The topsoil is moderately to heavily contaminated by Cu (Igeo=2.52) unlike the subsoil which is uncontaminated to moderately contaminated by Cu (Igeo=0.62). This study serves as the baseline for future monitoring of heavy metal deposition in the nature reserve

Source: UCC
Preliminary Investigation into some aspects of the ecology of coastal savannah forest soils in Ghana: A case study of the University of Cape Coast Nature Reserve

The study was conducted in the University of Cape Coast Nature Reserve to investigate the levels of urease in the soils and to relate these levels to soil organic matter (SOM) content, soil moisture (SM) content, pH, temperature, particle size distribution and bulk density. The stratified random sampling method was employed to collect data within three 10 × 200 m belt transects. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 15 cm depth in different zones of the nature reserve between January and April, 2005. The mean soil urease levels ranged from 80.91 ± 4.72 to 132.36 ± 10.80 NH4 + -N mg kg-1. Monthly variations in soil urease levels were highly significant (p < 0.01). The enzyme level varied significantly (p < 0.001) with topography. Multiple regression analysis showed that urease activity depended on SOM, SM, pH and soil temperature (p < 0.05). Soil texture and bulk density were similar in all the zones. SOM, SM, time and topography were the main factors which affected urease levels in the soils of the University of Cape Coast Nature Reserve

Source: UCC
Preliminary Phytochemical Screening, Antimicrobial Examination and Wound Healing Potential of the Root Extract of Amaranthus Spinosus

Amaranthus spinosus is traditionally acclaimed to be effective in treating infectious wounds in man and animals. It is also used medicinally in the treatment of menstrual disorders in women, eczema, burns, earache, haemorroids, lactogogue and a specific treatment for colic. In spite of all these extensive medicinal uses of A. Spinosus, not much scientific studies have been done, in particular on its wound healing effects and phytochemical composition. A preliminary phytochemical screening, antimicrobial properties and wound healing potential of the root extract were determined. Additionally, the unsaponifiable matter and the total fatty acid content of the seed oil were determined. Exhaustive soxhlet extraction using petroleum-ether (40-60 0C) yielded 4.45g of fixed oil which was found to contain 2.82g (73.06%) unsaponifiable matter and 1.04g (26.94%) total fatty acids. Preliminary phytochemical screening on the unsaponifiable matter gave positive results for steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids whiles both methanol and aqueous extract were additionally positive for cyanogenic glycosides, tannins, reducing sugar phenolics and saponins. Column chromatography on the unsaponified matter using MeOH/CHCl3 (1:2) and 100% MeOH followed by TLC (Benzene-Ethyl acetate (9:1) yielded four and three possible components respectively with distinct colours when viewed under UV light. Anti-microbial sensitivity effect of the fixed oil against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus produced minimal anti-microbial activity compared to the reference anti-biotics (Chloroamphenicol and Tetracycline). The results from excision wound model showed that the A. spinosus extract has wound healing capacity, as evident from better wound closure and improved tissue regeneration at the wound sites. The effect of treatment on microbial load on wounds saw a decrease in the bacteria on the surface of the wounds corresponding to the activity of the extracts and the other preparations.

Source: UCC
PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIMICROBIAL EXAMINATION AND WOUND HEALING POTENTIAL OF THE ROOT EXTRACT OF AMARANTHUS SPINOSUS.

Amaranthus spinosus is traditionally acclaimed to be effective in treating infectious wounds in man and animals. It is also used medicinally in the treatment of menstrual disorders in women, eczema, burns, earache, haemorroids, lactogogue and a specific treatment for colic. In spite of all these extensive medicinal uses of A. Spinosus, not much scientific studies have been done, in particular on its wound healing effects and phytochemical composition. A preliminary phytochemical screening, antimicrobial properties and wound healing potential of the root extract were determined. Additionally, the unsaponifiable matter and the total fatty acid content of the seed oil were determined. Exhaustive soxhlet extraction using petroleum-ether (40-60 0C) yielded 4.45g of fixed oil which was found to contain 2.82g (73.06%) unsaponifiable matter and 1.04g (26.94%) total fatty acids. Preliminary phytochemical screening on the unsaponifiable matter gave positive results for steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids whiles both methanol and aqueous extract were additionally positive for cyanogenic glycosides, tannins, reducing sugar phenolics and saponins. Column chromatography on the unsaponified matter using MeOH/CHCl3 (1:2) and 100% MeOH followed by TLC (Benzene-Ethyl acetate (9:1) yielded four and three possible components respectively with distinct colours when viewed under UV light. Anti-microbial sensitivity effect of the fixed oil against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus produced minimal anti-microbial activity compared to the reference anti-biotics (Chloroamphenicol and Tetracycline). The results from excision wound model showed that the A. spinosus extract has wound healing capacity, as evident from better wound closure and improved tissue regeneration at the wound sites. The effect of treatment on microbial load on wounds saw a decrease in the bacteria on the surface of the wounds corresponding to the activity of the extracts and the other preparations.

Source: UCC
A preliminary report on first year University students’ knowledge of basic grammar: The Case of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Although current research in English for Specific Purposes places premium on sharpening learners’ skills in order to enable them to maximally function in the academic world and beyond, it is still felt that students are bereft of basic language concepts. This paper, therefore, reports a preliminary investigation of first year Communicative Skills students’ knowledge of parts of speech at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana in November, 2010. Three hundred and fifty (350) students were selected based on a multi-staged sampling method and were asked to respond to a two-pronged instrument. Using an action-driven research design, we examined whether students’ gender and programmes of study have an influence on their performance in parts of speech. Key results showed that students who offer Communicative Skills have an abysmal knowledge of parts of speech, and that there was no significant difference among students’ programmes of study and their performance in identifying parts of speech. We also found that there was no statistically significant difference between students’ gender and their performance on the test. Given these findings, we recommend that a second look be given to the Communicative Skills curriculum of the University of Cape Coast, while encouraging similar studies in other Universities

Source: UCC
Preliminary studies on copepod infestation of the garfish (Ablennes hians) landed at Elmina harbour, Ghana

A study was conducted to investigate the degree and effect of copepod infestation of the buccal cavity of the gar fish landed at the Elmina harbour in Central Region of Ghana, on some body parameters and sex ratio of the fish. The results indicate that the degree of infestation was significantly high (64.19%) compared to non-infestation (35.81%). The highest infestation (21.30%) occurred in animals with standard length class interval of 75.0-79.9 cm and the least (3.40%) was in 80.0–84.9 cm. The highest infestation was recorded in the breadth class interval of 60.0-6.9 cm. The least (5.70%) was in 5.0-5.9 cm. The mean standard length of the infested animal was 74.45 ± 6.50 cm, while that of the non-infested was slightly higher (77.45 ± 6.36 cm). Mean body depth of the infested was slightly lower (6.94 ± 0.86 cm) than that of the non-infested (7.08 ± 0.94 cm). Mean condition indices of infested and non-infested garfishes were similar (about 1.42 x 10-1) for each group. Sex ratios of infested (1:1.02) and non-infested (1:1.36) did not differ significantly. Similarly, the standard length-gill length and gill volume of infested and non-infested garfishes were close to each other, but slightly more positive for the non-infested animals. Finally, the results of biochemical composition indicate that the various components did not differ significantly between infested and non-infested. Protein content was high (20.30%), but fat content was rather low (8.50%) for both infested and non-infested garfishes. It is concluded that infestation had no significantly negative effect on the garfish

Source: UCC
A Preliminary Study of Association of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate with Malaria Specific Immunoglobulin G and Malaria-Induced Anaemia

Evidence-based practice in medicine requires clinical signs and symptoms of malaria to be con-firmed by microscopic detection of the parasite in blood sample of patients. In some cases, how-ever, such signs and symptoms persist without microscopic detection of the parasite in blood smears, making it difficult for treatment decision to be made by medics. To help solve the above problem and to ensure that antimalarial drugs are given to patients who actually suffer from malaria infection, we designed this cross-sectional study to measure ESR, mIgG, Hb and parasi-taemia levels in 78 clinically diagnosed malaria patients attending the Elmina Urban Health Centre, in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipal Assembly in the Central Region of Ghana, with the view to finding alternative biomarkers for malaria infection. Apart from the Hb levels which differed significantly (P=0.001) between the sexes, the levels of all the other meas-ured indicators of malaria infection were comparable between the various groups. ESR corre-lated positively with mIgG (r = 0.242, P =0.033) but negatively with Hb (r = -0.348, P = 0.002) irrespective of age, sex or percentage parasitaemia. Our results appear to suggest that an ESR level of twice the upper reference value of an individual may be diagnostic of malaria infection in the presence of the appropriate recognized signs and symptoms of malaria without micro-scopically detectable parasitaemia in the blood sample of patients. We propose that ESR and mIgG be considered as complementary markers of malaria infection in cases of unsuccessful microscopic detection of the malaria parasite in blood smears.

Source: UCC
A Preliminary Study Of Association Of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate With Malaria-Specific Immu- Noglobulin G And Malaria-Induced Anaemia

Evidence-based practice in medicine requires clinical signs and symptoms of malaria to be con- firmed by microscopic detection of the parasite in blood sample of patients. In some cases, how- ever, such signs and symptoms persist without microscopic detection of the parasite in blood smears, making it difficult for treatment decision to be made by medics. To help solve the above problem and to ensure that antimalarial drugs are given to patients who actually suffer from malaria infection, we designed this cross-sectional study to measure ESR, mIgG, Hb and parasi- taemia levels in 78 clinically diagnosed malaria patients attending the Elmina Urban Health Centre, in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipal Assembly in the Central Region of Ghana, with the view to finding alternative biomarkers for malaria infection. Apart from the Hb levels which differed significantly (P=0.001) between the sexes, the levels of all the other meas- ured indicators of malaria infection were comparable between the various groups. ESR corre- lated positively with mIgG (r = 0.242, P =0.033) but negatively with Hb (r = -0.348, P = 0.002) irrespective of age, sex or percentage parasitaemia. Our results appear to suggest that an ESR level of twice the upper reference value of an individual may be diagnostic of malaria infection in the presence of the appropriate recognized signs and symptoms of malaria without micro- scopically detectable parasitaemia in the blood sample of patients. We propose that ESR and mIgG be considered as complementary markers of malaria infection in cases of unsuccessful microscopic detection of the malaria parasite in blood smears.

Source: UCC
Prenatal ambient air pollution exposure and the risk of stillbirth: systematic review and meta-analysis of the empirical evidence

Background Individual studies on the relations between ambient air pollution and the risk of stillbirth have provided contradictory results. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarise the existing evidence. Methods We conducted a systematic search of three databases: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, from their time of inception to mid-April, 2015. Original studies of any epidemiological design were included. Data from eligible studies were extracted by two investigators. To calculate the summary effect estimates (EE), the random effects model was used with their corresponding 95% CI. Results 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Although not reaching statistical signiﬁcance, all the summary effect estimates for the risk of stillbirth were systematically elevated in relation to mean prenatal exposure to NO2 per 10 ppb (EE=1.066, 95% CI 0.965 to 1.178, n=3), CO per 0.4 ppm (EE=1.025, 95% CI 0.985 to 1.066, n=3), SO2 per 3 ppb (EE=1.022, 95% CI 0.984 to 1.062, n=3,), PM2.5 per 4 μg/m3 (EE=1.021, 95% CI 0.996 to 1.046, n=2) and PM10 per 10 μg/m3 (EE=1.014, 95% CI 0.948 to 1.085, n=2). The effect estimates for SO2, CO, PM10 and O3 were highest for the third trimester exposure. Two time series studies used a lag term of not more than 6 days preceding stillbirth, and both found increased effect estimates for some pollutants. Conclusions The body of evidence suggests that exposure to ambient air pollution increases the risk of stillbirth. Further studies are needed to strengthen the evidence.

Source: UCC
Preoperative Anaemia and Associated Postoperative Outcomes in Noncardiac Surgery Patients in Central Region of Ghana

Introduction. Several studies suggest that preoperative anaemia (PA) is associated with adverse postoperative outcomes, but little is known about these outcomes in the Central Region of Ghana. *is study aims to determine the prevalence of PA among noncardiac surgical patients and its implications for their postoperative outcomes. Methods. *is study was designed as an observational study; data including demographics and clinical and laboratory results were collected from the patients’ records and through interviews. Results. A total of 893 inpatient surgical cases undergoing elective and emergency operations, aged 15 years and above with mean age of 44.2±17.0 yrs, were enrolled. *e prevalence of PA was 54.3%, mostly microcytic with or without hypochromia (57.2%). *e prevalence was higher in females than males (p≤0.001). Preoperative anaemia was signi7cantly associated with prolonged length of hospital stay (OR: 2.12 (95% CI: 1.49–3.10)). Allogeneic blood transfusion signi7cantly prolonged the length of hospital stay (OR 4.48 (95% CI: 2.67–7.51)). 15.5% of the anaemic patients received oral iron supplements compared to 2.2% of nonanaemic patients (p≤0.001). Conclusion. Preoperative anaemia is common among noncardiac surgical patients. It is independently and signi7cantly associated with prolonged hospital stay leading to the use of increased healthcare resources. It is also the main predictor for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions and the use of haematinics.

Source: UCC
Preparation And Characterisation Of Aspirin Loaded Ethylcellulose Nanoparticles By Solvent Evaporation Technique

Aim:-In the present study Aspirin loaded Ethyl cellulose nanoparticles were prepared by solvent evaporation method in the presence of Tween 20 as emulsifying agent and ethyl acetate as organic solvent. Three formulations were prepared by varying the concentration of polymer stirring has been examined. All the three formulations are evaluated for drug content, product yield, particle size, entrapment efficiency and loading capacity. Entrapment efficiency and loading capacity were determined by ELTEK NP 400 Ultracentrifuge. The particle size and stability of the formulations were determined by HORIBA SZ-100 series particle size analyzer. Entrapment efficiencies were found to be 93.4%, 96.2% and 98.6% and the loading capacities were found to be 32.22%, 34.6% and 35.77% respectively for F1, F2 and F3 formulations. Comparative study was performed to determine the best method for the preparation of Aspirin loaded ethyl cellulose nanoparticles. From the evaluation studies it was observed that F2 formulation was giving promising results. The average particle size of the best formulation, F2 was found to be 444.5nm and zeta potential was found to be 41.5mV. Invitro drug release studies were performed to determine the sustain release nature of the formulation and drug release was sustained up to 12hrs for nanoparticles prepared by F2 formulation.

Source: UCC
Preparation and Characterisation of Aspirin Loaded Ethylcellulose Nanoparticles by Solvent Evaporation Technique

In the present study Aspirin loaded Ethyl cellulose nanoparticles were prepared by solvent evaporation method in the presence of Tween 20 as emulsifying agent and ethyl acetate as organic solvent. Three formulations were prepared by varying the concentration of polymer and the influence of process parameters such as solvent mixture, composition, concentration of the emulsifying agent and speed of stirring has been examined. All the three formulations are evaluated for drug content, product yield, particle size, entrapment efficiency and loading capacity. Entrapment efficiency and loading capacity were determined by ELTEK NP 400 Ultracentrifuge. The particle size and stability of the formulations were determined by HORIBA SZ-100 series particle size analyzer. Entrapment efficiencies were found to be 93.4%, 96.2% and 98.6% and the loading capacities were found to be 32.22%, 34.6% and 35.77% respectively for F1, F2 and F3 formulations. Comparative study was performed to determine the best method for the preparation of Aspirin loaded ethyl cellulose nanoparticles. From the evaluation studies it was observed that F2 formulation was giving promising results. The average particle size of the best formulation, F2 was found to be 444.5nm and zeta potential was found to be 41.5mV. Invitro drug release studies were performed to determine the sustain release nature of the formulation and drug release was sustained up to 12hrs for nanoparticles prepared by F2 formulation.

Source: UCC