ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Association of Arsenic and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes/Infant Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background Exposure to arsenic is one of the major global health problems, affecting > 300 million people worldwide, but arsenic’s effects on human reproduction are uncertain. Objectives We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between arsenic and adverse pregnancy outcomes/infant mortality. Methods We searched PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE (from 1946 through July 2013) and EMBASE (from 1988 through July 2013) databases and the reference lists of reviews and relevant articles. Studies satisfying our a priori eligibility criteria were evaluated independently by two authors. Results Our systematic search yielded 888 articles; of these, 23 were included in the systematic review. Sixteen provided sufficient data for our quantitative analysis. Arsenic in groundwater (≥ 50 μg/L) was associated with increased risk of spontaneous abortion (6 studies: OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.27, 3.10), stillbirth (9 studies: OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.32, 2.36), moderate risk of neonatal mortality (5 studies: OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.78), and infant mortality (7 studies: OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.62). Exposure to environmental arsenic was associated with a significant reduction in birth weight (4 studies: β = –53.2 g; 95% CI: –94.9, –11.4). There was paucity of evidence for low-to-moderate arsenic dose. Conclusions Arsenic is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and infant mortality. The interpretation of the causal association is hampered by methodological challenges and limited number of studies on dose response. Exposure to arsenic continues to be a major global health issue, and we therefore advocate for high-quality prospective studies that include individual-level data to quantify the impact of arsenic on adverse pregnancy outcomes/infant mortality.

Source: UG
Association of biomarkers of enteric dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and growth hormone resistance with seroconversion to oral rotavirus vaccine: A lasso for inference approach

Background Rotavirus gastroenteritis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality despite the introduction of vaccines. Research shows there are several factors contributing to the reduced efficacy of rotavirus vaccines in low- and middle-income settings. Proposed factors include environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), malnutrition, and immune dysfunction. This study aimed to assess the effect of these factors on vaccine responses using a machine learning lasso approach. Methods Serum samples from two rotavirus clinical trials (CVIA 066 n = 99 and CVIA 061 n = 124) were assessed for 11 analytes using the novel Micronutrient and EED Assessment Tool (MEEDAT) multiplex ELISA. Immune responses to oral rotavirus vaccines (Rotarix, Rota vac, and Rotavac 5D) as well as a parenteral rotavirus vaccine (trivalent P2-VP8) were also measured and machine learning using the lasso approach was then applied to investigate any associations between immune responses and environmental enteric dysfunction, sys temic inflammation, and growth hormone resistance biomarkers. Results Both oral and parenteral rotavirus vaccine responses were negatively associated with retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), albeit only weakly for oral vaccines. The parenteral vaccine responses were positively associated with thyroglobulin (Tg) and histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) for all three serotypes (P8, P6 and P4), whilst intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I FABP) was negatively associated with P6 and P4, but not P8, and soluble transferrin recep tor (sTfR) was positively associated with P6 only. Conclusion MEEDAT successfully measured biomarkers of growth, systemic inflammation, and EED in infants undergoing vaccination, with RBP4 being the only analyte associated with both oral and parenteral rotavirus vaccine responses. Tg and HRP2 were associated with responses to all three serotypes in the parenteral vaccine, while I-FABP and sTfR results indicated pos sible strain specific immune responses to parenteral immunization.

Source: UG
The association of early linear growth and haemoglobin concentration with later cognitive, motor, and social–emotional development at preschool age in Ghana

It is important to identify the periods during childhood when exposure to environmental risk factors results in long‐term neurodevelopmental deficits. Stunting and anaemia may be sensitive indicators of exposure to such risks. In a prospective cohort enrolled before birth, we investigated the association of developmental scores at 4– 6 years with (a) birth length and linear growth during three postnatal periods and (2) haemoglobin (Hb) concentration at three time points. Children were participants in a follow‐up study of a randomized controlled trial of nutritional supplementation in Ghana. At 4–6 years, cognitive, motor, and social–emotional developments were assessed using standard tests adapted for this population. We estimated the associations of length‐for‐age z‐score (LAZ) at birth and postnatal linear growth (n = 710) and Hb (n = 617) with developmental scores in regression models, using multistage least squares analysis to calculate uncorrelated residuals for postnatal growth. Cognitive development at 4–6 years was significantly associated with LAZ at birth (β = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.19), ΔLAZ from 6 to 18 months (β = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.28), and Hb at 18 months (β = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.20), but not with ΔLAZ during 0– 6 months, ΔLAZ from 18 months to 4–6 years, Hb at 6 months, or Hb at 4– 6 years. No evidence of associations with motor or social–emotional development were found. These results suggest that in similar contexts, the earlier periods prior to birth and up to 18 months are more sensitive to risk factors for long‐term cognitive development associated with LAZ and Hb compared with later childhood. This may inform the optimal timing of interventions targeting improved cognitive development.

Source: UG
Association of Endothelial Protein C Receptor (EPCR) rs867186 Gene Polymorphism With Increased Levels of Soluble EPCR and High Risk of Severe Malaria and Fatality in Beninese Children

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Association of killer cell immunoglobulin‑like receptors with endemic Burkitt lymphoma in Kenyan children

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Association of Phenotypic Markers of Heat Tolerance with Australian Genomic Estimated Breeding Values and Dairy Cattle Selection Indices

Dairy cattle predicted by genomic breeding values to be heat tolerant are known to have less milk production decline and lower core body temperature increases in response to elevated temperatures. In a study conducted at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Robotic Dairy Farm during summer, we identified the 20 most heat-susceptible and heat-tolerant cows in a herd of 150 Holstein Friesian lactating cows based on their phenotypic responses (changes in respiration rate, surface body temperature, panting score, and milk production). Hair samples were collected from the tip of the cows’ tails following standard genotyping protocols. The results indicated variation in feed saved and HT genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) (p ≤ 0.05) across age, indicating a potential for their selection. As expected, the thermotolerant group had higher GEBVs for HT and feed saved but lower values for milk production. In general, younger cows had superior GEBVs for the Balanced Performance Index (BPI) and Australian Selection Index (ASI), whilst older cows were superior in fertility, feed saved (FS), and HT. This study demonstrated highly significant (p ≤ 0.001) negative correlations (−0.28 to −0.74) between HT and GEBVs for current Australian dairy cattle selection indices (BPI, ASI, HWI) and significant (p ≤ 0.05) positive correlations between HT and GEBVs for traits like FS (0.45) and fertility (0.25). Genomic selection for HT will help improve cow efficiency and sustainability of dairy production under hot summer conditions. However, a more extensive study involving more lactating cows across multiple farms is recommended to confirm the associations between the phenotypic predictors of HT and GEBVs.

Source: UG
The association of physical activity, body mass index and the blood pressure levels among urban poor youth in Accra, Ghana

Background: Globally, there is an increasing prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) among adults and youth. However, the mechanisms of how the risk factors (physical inactivity and obesity) relate with blood pressure (BP) are not well known especially among the urban poor youth in low and middle income countries. Meanwhile childhood and adolescent physical inactivity and obesity, particularly in conditions of poverty, predispose individuals to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in later life. The aim of this study was to assess the BP levels and to examine its associations with physical activity (PA) and body mass index (BMI) amongst urban poor youth in Accra, Ghana. Methods: We studied 201 youth aged 15-24 years in three urban poor communities in Accra, Ghana. Height, weight and BP were measured in all subjects. PA levels were assessed using the Edulink Urban Health and Poverty project questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the factors influencing BP levels. Results: The proportion of pre-hypertension and hypertension among the youth was 32.3% and 4%, respectively. The rates of pre-hypertension (42.0 vs. 24.8) and hypertension (6.8 vs. 1.8) were higher in males than in females. More than three-quarters (84.1%) of the youth were not physically active. Females were more physically inactive compared to the males (94.7% vs. 70.5%). The average BMI was 22.8 kg/m2. For overweight (17.7 vs. 6.8) and obesity (13.3 vs. 2.3), females had higher rates than males. BMI was positively related to systolic BP, and significantly associated with systolic BP (β∈=∈1.4, p∈&lt;∈0.000 and β∈=∈0.8, p∈&lt;∈0.000; respectively for male and female youth) compared to diastolic BP. Youth with low PA had raised BP. Conclusion: The positive association of BMI and BP in the study communities suggests the need for health measures to tackle their increase and related public health consequences. Further studies on BP and other risk factors among the youth of rural populations and other developing countries will be important to stall the rising prevalence and implications for adult morbidity and mortality. © 2015 Afrifa-Anane et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

Source: UG
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with dyslipidemia in antiretroviral exposed HIV patients in a Ghanaian population: A case-control study

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Association of TNF-Alpha, MBL2, NOS2, and G6PD with Malaria Outcomes in People in Southern Ghana

Background. One major issue that has set back the gains of the numerous malaria control interventions that national malaria control programs have implemented is asymptomatic malaria. Certain host genetic factors are known to influence symptomatic malaria; however, not much is known about how host genetics influences the acquisition of asymptomatic malaria. Methods. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood collected from 60 symptomatic and 149 nonfebrile (asymptomatic, N 109, and uninfected, N 40) volunteers aged between 2 and 69 years from a high (Obom) and a low (Asutsuare) malaria transmission setting in Southern Ghana. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to determine polymorphisms at the MBL2 54, TNF-α 308, NOS2 954, and G6PD 202/376 gene loci. Results. Polymorphisms at the MBL2 54 and TNF-α 308 loci were significantly different amongst the three categories of volunteers in both Asutsuare (p 0.006) and Obom (p 0.05). I Asutsuare, a low malaria transmission area, the allele G has significantly higher odds (3.15) of supporting asymptomatic malaria as against symptomatic malaria. )ere were significantly higher odds of TNF-α genotype GA being associated with symptomatic malaria as against asymptomatic malaria in both sites, Obom (p 0.027) and Asutsuare (p 0.027). )e allele B of the G6PD gene was more prevalent in symptomatic rather than asymptomatic parasite-infected individuals in both Obom (p 0.001) and Asutsuare (p 0.003). Conclusion. Individuals in Southern Ghana carrying the TNF-α 308 GA genotype are more likely to exhibit symptoms of malaria when infected with the malaria parasite as opposed to harboring an asymptomatic infection. Also, the B allele of the G6PD gene is likely to prevent a P. falciparum-infected person from exhibiting symptoms and thereby promote asymptomatic parasite carriage.

Source: UG
Association of Whole Blood Fatty Acids and Growth in Southern Ghanaian Children 2–6 Years of Age

In Ghana, stunting rates in children below 5 years of age vary regionally. Dietary fatty acids (FAs) are crucial for linear growth. The objective of this study was to determine the association between blood FAs and growth parameters in southern Ghanaian children 2–6 years of age. A drop of blood was collected on an antioxidant treated card and analyzed for FA composition. Weight and height were measured and z-scores calculated. Relationships between FAs and growth were analyzed by linear regressions and factor analysis. Of the 209 subjects, 22% were stunted and 10.6% were essential FA deficient (triene/tetraene ratio > 0.02). Essential FA did not differ between stunted and non-stunted children and was not associated with height-for-age z-score or weight-for-age z-score. Similarly, no relationships between other blood fatty acids and growth parameters were observed in this population. However, when blood fatty acid levels in these children were compared to previously reported values from northern Ghana, the analysis showed that blood omega-3 FA levels were significantly higher and omega-6 FA levels lower in the southern Ghanaian children (p < 0.001). Fish and seafood consumption in this southern cohort was high and could account for the lower stunting rates observed in these children compared to other regions.

Source: UG
Association rules mining for job seekers' profiles based on Personality traits and Facebook usage

Personality traits play a significant role in many organizational parameters, such as job satisfaction, performance, employability, and leadership for employers. One of the major social networks, the unemployed people derive satisfaction from Facebook. The focus of this article is to introduce association rules mining, and demonstrate how it may be applied by employers to unravel the characteristic profiles. of the unemployed Facebook users in the recruitment process by employers, for example, recruitment of public relations officers, marketers, and advertisers. data for this study comprised 3000 unemployed Facebook users in Nigeria. This study employs association rule mining for mining that is hidden but interesting and unusual relationships among unemployed Facebook users. The fundamental finding of this study is that employers of labour can adopt association rules mining to unravel job-relevant attributes suitable for specific organisational tasks by examining Facebook activities of potential employees. Other managerial and theoretical implications are discussed.

Source: UG
Associational taxation: a pathway into the informal sector?

The informal sector is large in most developing countries. It typically comprises most of the labour force. Equally typically, governments obtain little tax revenue from this sector and even less direct tax revenue. Those are statements of the obvious: exclusion from the tax net is a defining characteristic of informality. Is this a problem? Should governments be putting more emphasis on expanding their tax take from the informal sector? There is no consensus on the answer to those questions. Most professional tax specialists tend to be skeptical on pragmatic grounds. Why chase after a sector where the direct costs of collection will be high in relation to the revenue raised, and where the costs of compliance might weigh heavily on the taxpayers themselves? These and other important questions are what this article seeks to explain

Source: UG
Associations between education and ideal cardiovascular health metrics across 36 low and middle-income countries

Background The relationship between education and cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics in low- and middle income countries (LMICs) remains unclear. This study explores the associations between education and ideal cardio vascular health score (CVHS), as well as seven CVH metrics. Methods This cross-sectional study extracted data from the STEPwise approach to surveillance surveys in 36 LMICs between 2010 and 2020. We assessed CVHS using the sum score in seven metrics defned by American Heart Asso ciation: (1)≥150 min/week of moderate, or 75 min/week of vigorous activity, or an equivalent combination; (2) BMI<25 kg/m2 for non-Asians (<23 kg/m2 for Asians); (3) fruit and vegetable intake≥4.5 servings per day; (4) non smoking; (5) blood pressure<120/80 mmHg (untreated); (6) total cholesterol<200 mg/dL (untreated); and (7) fasting blood glucose<100 mg/dL (untreated). The ideal CVHS score ranged from 5 to 7. We disaggregated prevalence of ideal CVHS and seven metrics by education, and constructed Poisson regression models to adjust for other socio economic factors. Results Among 81,327 adult participants, the overall ideal CVHS prevalence for the studied countries was highest among individuals with primary education (52.9%, 95% CI: 51.0–54.9), surpassing those of other education lev els−48.0% (95% CI: 44.6–51.3, P=0.003) for those with no education and 39.1% (95% CI: 36.5–41.8, P<0.001) for those with tertiary education. Five (ideal physical activity, BMI, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and blood glucose) in seven CVH metrics peaked among participants with primary or secondary education. For instance, the prevalence of ideal blood pressure among individuals with primary education was 34.4% (95% CI: 32.7–36.1), higher than the prevalence in other education levels, ranging from 28.6% to 32.3%. These patterns were concentrated in low-income countries and lower-middle-income countries, while in upper-middle-income countries, the prevalence of ideal CVHS increased with higher education levels, ranging from 15.4% for individuals with no education to 33.1% for those with tertiary education. Conclusions In LMICs, the association between education and ideal CVHS, along with several CVH metrics, exhibited un inverted U-shape, which may be closely related to the diferent stages of epidemiologic transition.

Source: UG
Associations between frequencies of a susceptible TNF-α promoter allele and protective α-thalassaemias and malaria parasite incidence in vanuatu.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is one of the key cytokines that influence the pathology of microbial infections. The genetic susceptibility to severe forms of falciparum malaria is differentially associated with TNF-α promoter gene polymorphisms (TNFP alleles). In a previous study, we identified a TNFP-allele characterized by a C to T transition at position −857 (TNFP-D allele) as a marker for susceptibility to cerebral malaria in Myanmar. The frequencies of TNFP alleles on six islands of Vanuatu, Melanesia (South-west Pacific) were estimated to investigate whether malaria selection pressure on this susceptibility marker has influenced its prevalence. Within the archipelago of Vanuatu there is a decreasing cline of parasite incidence from North to South. Of the four alleles of the TNFP gene detected in Vanuatu, the TNFP-D allele frequencies were inversely correlated with the parasite incidence of islands; TNFP-D varied from 0.55 on the island with the lowest parasite incidence to 0.26 on the island with the highest parasite incidence (r = −0.855, P = 0.03). We also observed a significant correlation between the frequencies of α-thalassaemia alleles, thought to protect against malaria and parasite incidence in the same populations. These data are consistent with a previously reported correspondence between the frequencies of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and parasite incidences on the islands of Vanuatu (Kaneko et al. 1998) and indicate that the degree of malaria endemicity has influenced the allele frequencies of at least three loci that confer both susceptibility (TNFP-D) and protection (α-thalassaemias and G6PD deficiency).

Source: UG
Associations between livestock ownership and lower odds of anaemia among children 6–59 months old are not mediated by animal-source food consumption in Ghana

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
Associations between mycobacterium ulcerans and aquatic plant communities of West Africa: Implications for Buruli ulcer disease

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