ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Angiogenesis by Recombinant VEGF Receptor Fragments

Background: Blocking vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) is a successful approach for inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. Small molecules impairing the interaction of VEGF with VEGF receptors have been synthesized and evaluated in this research. Methods: In this study, we amplified and cloned the cDNA of VEGFR fragments. After expression of the fragments in Escherichia coli (E. coli), they were purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). The biological activity of recombinant KDR fragments was evaluated by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) proliferation assay. Results: The sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PSGE) and immune-blotting results confirmed the production and purification of recombinant VEGFR fragments. The purified VEGFR2-III domain, VEGFR2-II-III domains, and VEGFR1-II domain showed 24%, 36%, and 27% inhibition effect in HUVEC proliferation assay, respectively. The recombinant VEGFR2-IIIII domains strongly inhibited formation of capillary-like structures (CLS). Conclusions: The produced recombinant proteins will serve as small soluble molecules with an inhibitory effect against VEGF in antiangiogenesis researches.

Source: UCC
Inhibition of Angiogenesis by Recombinant VEGF Receptor Fragments

Background: Blocking vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) is a successful approach for inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. Small molecules impairing the interaction of VEGF with VEGF receptors have been synthesized and evaluated in this research. Methods: In this study, we amplified and cloned the cDNA of VEGFR fragments. After expression of the fragments in Escherichia coli (E. coli), they were purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). The biological activity of recombinant KDR fragments was evaluated by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) proliferation assay. Results: The sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PSGE) and immune-blotting results confirmed the production and purification of recombinant VEGFR fragments. The purified VEGFR2-III domain, VEGFR2-II-III domains, and VEGFR1-II domain showed 24%, 36%, and 27% inhibition effect in HUVEC proliferation assay, respectively. The recombinant VEGFR2-II- III domains strongly inhibited formation of capillary-like structures (CLS). Conclusions: The produced recombinant proteins will serve as small soluble molecules with an inhibitory effect against VEGF in anti- angiogenesis researches.

Source: UCC
Inhibition of CYP2B6 by Medicinal Plant Extracts: Implication for Use of Efavirenz and Nevirapine-Based Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) in Resource-Limited Settings

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has greatly improved health parameters of HIV infected individuals. However, there are several challenges associated with the chronic nature of HAART administration. For populations in health transition, dual use of medicinal plant extracts and conventional medicine poses a significant challenge. There is need to evaluate interactions between commonly used medicinal plant extracts and antiretroviral drugs used against HIV/AIDS. Efavirenz (EFV) and nevirapine (NVP) are the major components of HAART both metabolized by CYP2B6, an enzyme that can potentially be inhibited or induced by compounds found in medicinal plant extracts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of extracts of selected commonly used medicinal plants on CYP2B6 enzyme activity. Recombinant human CYP2B6 was used to evaluate inhibition, allowing the assessment of herb-drug interactions (HDI) of medicinal plants Hyptis suaveolens, Myrothamnus flabellifolius, Launaea taraxacifolia, Boerhavia diffusa and Newbouldia laevis. The potential of these medicinal extracts to cause HDI was ranked accordingly for reversible inhibition and also classified as potential time-dependent inhibitor (TDI) candidates. The most potent inhibitor for CYP2B6 was Hyptis suaveolens extract (IC50 = 19.09 ˘ 1.16 µg/mL), followed by Myrothamnus flabellifolius extract (IC50 = 23.66 ˘ 4.86 µg/mL), Launaea taraxacifolia extract (IC50 = 33.87 ˘ 1.54 µg/mL), and Boerhavia diffusa extract (IC50 = 34.93 ˘ 1.06 µg/mL). Newbouldia laevis extract, however, exhibited weak inhibitory effects (IC50 = 100 ˘ 8.71 µg/mL) on CYP2B6. Launaea taraxacifolia exhibited a TDI (3.17) effect on CYP2B6 and showed a high concentration of known CYP450 inhibitory phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. The implication for these observations is that drugs that are metabolized by CYP2B6 when co-administered with these herbal medicines and when adequate amounts of the extracts reach the liver, there is a high likelihood of standard doses affecting drug plasma concentrations which could lead to toxicity.

Source: UCC
Inhibitory effects of Launaea taraxacifolia and Strychnos spinosa leaves extract on an isolated digestive enzyme linked to type -2 -diabetes mellitus

Background: The most prevalent type of diabetes mellitus (Type-2), is managed using many approaches, including the lowering of postprandial hyperglycaemia. Inhibition of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate breakdown such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase has been reported as a novel strategy to delay the absorption of glucose after meals. This study sought to determine the in vitro inhibitory potential of Launaea taraxacifolia and Strychnos spinosa leaf extracts on α-glucosidase enzyme and also determine their modes of inhibiting the enzyme. Materials and Methods: Plant extracts were prepared using soxhlet apparatus. Inhibitory effect of extracts at different concentrations and mode of inhibition were carried out using α-glucosidase enzyme isolated from the small intestine of a guinea pig. Results: Extracts of Launaea taraxacifolia (LTE) and Strychnos spinosa (SSE) leaves showed α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of approximately 69 % and 79 % respectively as compared to 73 % for standard drug-acarbose at a maximum concentration of 1000 μg/mL. The IC50 values recorded were 205.2±0.044 μg/mL, 129.4±0.094 μg/mL and 196.9±0.036 μg/mL for LTE, SSE and acarbose respectively. The Lineweaver Burk plot showed an uncompetitive mode of inhibition for both LTE and SSE as depicted by the lower Km and Vmax of enzyme inhibited by extracts compared to control. Conclusion: Extracts of Launaea taraxacifolia and Strychnos spinosa leaves showed significant inhibitory effect on an isolated intestinal α-glucosidase enzyme in an uncompetitive mode

Source: UCC
Innovation Among Small-Scale Firms in Shea Butter Production in the Northern Region of Ghana

This study delves into the innovative practices of shea butter production enterprises in Ghana's Northern Region. Its primary objectives are to investigate the impact of geographic location on innovation capacity, identify obstacles hindering innovation, assess the accessibility of innovation support services, and analyze the factors influencing access to these services. To achieve these aims, a cross-sectional research design was implemented, involving 181 small-scale shea butter producers. The findings reveal a strong correlation between proximity to urban centers and the likelihood of product and process innovation. Significant barriers to innovation include financial limitations, elevated input costs, and market access challenges. While many producers rely on internal support mechanisms, access to external innovation support services remains constrained. The logistic regression analysis revealed that factors such as social networks, access to finance, prior innovation experience, and gender were crucial for accessing ISS. The study concludes that financial limitations and geographic isolation impede innovation capacity among small-scale producers, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve financial access, enhance social networking, and foster collaborations among stakeholders.

Source: UCC
Innovation Capability and Performance of Small Agrofood Processing Businesses in Ghana: The Mediating Role of Organisational Capability Irene

Innovation capability is well established as a key process and the ability to continuously transform resource capabilities in creating value for growth and performance. As part of the quest to resolve the decline in performance of small businesses, the study prioritised the effects of innovation capability and organisational capability for performance of small agro-food processing businesses located in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana. The study also considered the mediating role of organisational capability. It followed the sequential mixed methods research approach and a descriptive-causal research design. It involved a non-probability sampling technique for a population of 800 which resulted in the selection of 260 small agro-food processing businesses with a response rate of 80.8%. Through convenience sampling interviews were conducted with 11 Managers of the small agro-food processing businesses. Inferential analysis through structural equation modeling showed that innovation capability positively and significantly influenced the performance of small agro-food processing businesses in Ghana. The facets of innovation capability made up of knowledge management, organisational learning and organisational culture capabilities were evident in the operations of the businesses. However, there was a minimal level of training and development activities, a systematic means for searching, receiving, and sharing information on new ideas. The mediating role of organisational capability was positive in relation to contribution to performance. A key outcome of this study was that, intentionally building systems to increase innovation capability through operational structures of organisational capability would result in high performance and development of small agro-food processing businesses in Ghana. The study recommended that national growth strategies should be embedded in innovation capability and organisational capability technical support management systems for small businesses in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Innovations in Bɔbɔɔbɔ of the Eʋe of Ghana

In the 1950s, Bɔbɔɔbɔ, a pan-ethnic dance-music genre emerged in Ghana and performed predominantly among the northern Eʋe in Ghana. Its development has been characterized by socio-political and religious nuances that influenced its stylistic essence. Over the years, cultural transformations and individuals acting as agents of change continue to influence the performance tradition of Bɔbɔɔbɔ thereby making it one of the most popular indigenous dance-music genres in the country. This study examines innovations in Bɔbɔɔbɔ performances since its emergence by focusing on ensembles drawn from across the Volta and Greater Accra regions of Ghana, as well as three famous exponents of the tradition. It offers insight into the practices as characterised in the general transformation that reflects the performance tradition today. The study also examines the socio-cultural and religious significance of themes and drum text of Bɔbɔɔbɔ thus providing a context to explore key factors that continue to enhance and or threaten its sustenance. It adopts qualitative mode of enquiry that embraces ethnographic fieldwork to examine the sociohistorical, political, religious and cultural dimensions of Bɔbɔɔbɔ performances. It also explores the use of Bɔbɔɔbɔ song texts as a medium and repository for cultural knowledge and history of the people. The research is framed within the theoritical lenses of social “reconstructionism”, interpretative innovation and the “five-domain framework” for music sustainability. It concludes that within the current socio-cultural environment, the dance-music tradition continues to experience innovations as performance dynamics are reframed to suit contemporary essence. The study contributes to literature in ethnomusicology within the context of innovation and sustainability of Bɔbɔɔbɔ performance.

Source: UCC
Innovative Applications of Handheld Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Technology for Quality Assessment of Fruits and Fruit Products in Ghana

Handheld near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is emerging as a key technology for food analysis in Africa. This study explores its effectiveness, combined with chemometric techniques, for rapid and non-destructive evaluation of mango fruits and products. It focuses on developing predictive models for variety differentiation, classification of organic and inorganic samples, and assessing quality attributes such as total soluble solids (TSS) and pH. Additionally, it identifies ethephon residues and categorizes organic and inorganic pineapple juice. The study also examines the physicochemical and microbial changes in expired and unexpired commercial fruit juices using conventional laboratory methods. For mango variety identification, NIRS combined with multivariate algorithms achieved 97.44% accuracy. The synergy partial least squares model yielded r² values of 0.63 and 0.81 for TSS and pH predictions, with RMSEP values of 1.83 and 0.49, respectively. In detecting ethephon residues, the neural network model with multiplicative scatter correction reached 100% classification accuracy, while the partial least squares model demonstrated strong predictive performance (r² = 0.996, RMSEP = 0.068). The random forest algorithm classified organic and inorganic mango products with varying accuracy levels. When preprocessed using the second derivative, it achieved 88.76% accuracy for fresh fruit, 77.98% for chips, and 87.53% for juice without preprocessing. The combination of dual NIR spectrometers effectively distinguished organic and inorganic pineapple juice with 100% accuracy. Furthermore, a comparative assessment of expired and unexpired commercial fruit juices showed notable declines in titratable acidity (apple juice decreased from 0.60% to 0.12%) and vitamin C (a 57.6% reduction in pineapple juice), alongside an increase in microbial load. These findings highlight the potential of handheld NIRS as a reliable tool for quality control, product authentication, and food safety assurance. Its application could improve postharvest monitoring, mitigate food fraud, and enhance regulatory compliance within the fruit industry.

Source: UCC
An inquiry into the Availability, Use and Impact of HIV Policy at Workplaces in Contemporary Ghana

The workplace is significant for the implementation of HIV prevention programs. For this reason, the Ghana AIDS Commission and the National Tripartite Committee have so far formulated two workplace HIV policies, one in 2005 and another in 2012 with the aim of ensuring that institutions adopt the policy and implement same for their staff. This study sought to investigate the availability, utilization and impact of workplace HIV policy in Ghana. The study employed a mixed method cross sectional design, drawing samples from the security services, MMDAs and senior high schools. In this study only 6.06% of the 330 participants (representing their institutions) had a policy and these were practically all senior high schools. The main reason cited for the absence of a policy was the lack of awareness which accounted for 65.76% of the reasons. Other reasons included that some participants felt it was unnecessary (19.09%) to have a stand-alone policy on HIV at the workplace; others did not know how to get the policy in place (11.52%) and the perception that policies are expensive to formulate and implement was the least reason given (3.64%). Availability of workplace HIV policy marginally affected the presence of HIV related stigma and discrimination, staff retrenchment and AIDS related deaths at the workplaces studied. While no report of these problems were found among the 6.06% of institutions that had a policy, almost 5% of the remaining 93.04% of the institutions without a policy experienced these challenges at the workplace, and this obviously affected staff wellbeing and productivity. GAC as the coordinator of the national HIV response should advocate strongly for public sector institutions to adopt and implement the policy to help reduce new infections, to protect the rights of workers and promote national development. Legislation of the policy is recommended,

Source: UCC
The insect taxa on cashew (ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE L.) plants during the flowering and fruiting periods in the Northern Region, Ghana

There have been debates whether insects that visit cashew during the flowering and fruiting periods are the same. The main problem arises as whether the insects that visit the plant during the flowering are the same that visit during the fruiting period. Field survey was conducted in ten farms in the Northern Region from December 2014 to April 2015 to identify and assess insects taxa on cashew in farms close to natural forest and farms away from natural forest, during cashew flowering and fruiting periods. Total insect species enumerated in farms close to the forest during the flowering period was 6161, with a mean number of 1232.2 (SD = 250.7) and diversity of 3.34. In farms greater than 5km away from the forest, the total number of insect species enumerated was 2745, with a mean of 549 (SD = 103.2) and diversity of 3.56. During the fruiting period, total insect species collected in farms close to the forest was 4665, with a mean number of 933 (SD = 143.5) and diversity of 3.13. In farms away from the forest, total insect species enumerated was 2056, mean 411.2 (SD = 52.1) and diversity 3.14. Insect diversity was greater during the flowering period in farms close to the forest than the fruiting period. Also, no significant difference was found between the diversity of insects on cashew plant in farms close and away from the forest during both the flowering and the fruiting periods. Most of the species that occurred during the flowering period were not the same as those that occurred during the fruiting period though some shared the same family. The result also shows that insect composition was not influenced by closeness to forest

Source: UCC
Insight into management practice and teacher performance in Wesley Girls'High School in Cape Coast.

The purpose of the research was to conduct a survey of the perceptions of the teachers who teach in Wesley Girls' High School so as to get some insights into the management practices in the school vis-a-vis the performance of the teachers. The whole population of 70 was used as the sample and onIy 65 teachers participated. A descriptive survey was the design used. A questionnaire was used to elicit the perceptions of the teachers. The responses were organized into frequencies and percentages by way of analysis. The main findings were that the teachers received supervision from their managers in the execution of their duties. Another finding was that the performance of the teachers was assessed and discussed with them. Rewards and incentives had been instituted by the management of the school to motivate them. It was also revealed that in-service training was organized in the form of workshops for them. They were encouraged to do further studies to update and build their capacity to perform their duties efficiently. They were given adequate teaching ·and learning materials for the execution of their work. Although there were forms of support for the teachers they felt that there was communication gap between them and the head; and also they were not involved much in the decision-making process. The major recommendation was that the head must involve the teachers in decision making and that staff meeting should be more of interaction and mass participation rather than information-giving. Finally, the incentives-giving must be maintained to continue motivating the teachers to perform their duties.

Source: UCC
Institutional arrangements for managing solid waste in the Shama-Ahanta-east metropolis, Ghana

Ghana has almost all the institutions, agencies and policies for waste management at all levels of government. It is, however, a paradox to find that all the major cities in Ghana are still grappling with waste management problems, which threatens the health of residents and for that matter the sustainable development of the nation. This study therefore examines the institutional linkages and responses to the solid waste management problem in the Shama-Ahanta-East Metropolis, Ghana. The study employed a qualitative research approach in the collection and analysis of data. Data for the study were gathered through in-depth interviews from purposively selected officials of the waste management institutions and other stakeholders in the management of solid waste. It was found out that weak institutional capacity, coupled with poor coordination amongst stakeholders, has translated into inadequate solid waste management service delivery in the metropolis. The study recommends a stronger institutional capacity building and coordination between the relevant institutions for effective waste management

Source: UCC
Institutional arrangements for managing watersheds in Ghana: A study of the Inchaban watershed

The onset of the post-independence era opened the way for the establishment of agencies and institutions responsible for watershed management in every District in Ghana. This was done to address the diffused state of functions of institutions in charge of watershed management. It is, however a paradox to find that most of the watersheds in Ghana are still undergoing degradation which has socio-economic and ecological implications. This paper examined the institutional arrangements and challenges in managing watersheds using the Inchaban Watershed in the Western Region of Ghana as a case study. The study employed a qualitative research approach in the collection of data and analysis. Data for the study were gathered through in-depth interviews with purposively selected officials of the Inchaban watershed management institutions and other key informants in the Shama District. It was found out that weak institutional capacity, coupled with poor coordination amongst the major stakeholders led to an increased rate of degradation within and around the Inchaban Watershed. The study recommends stronger institutional capacity building and an active consultation and coordination among the relevant institutions for effective management of the watershed

Source: UCC
Institutional Arrangements For Preventing Child Labour In Rice Production In Bodi District

Child labour is still prominent in Ghana, particularly in the rice growing district of Bodi. This study sought to investigate the institutional arrangements for preventing child labour in the Bodi district. Using the structural functionalism theory and a qualitative research approach, the study employed the exploratory design. Purposive and convenient sampling techniques were used to select participants for the study. Data were gathered using an interview guide and observation checklist. A total of thirty-two participants were identified. They included six formal institution key informants, sixteen child labourers and 10 parents. The interview data were recorded, categorised, and subjected to a thematic analysis. The study found that Ghana's 1992 constitution mandates numerous agencies to defend children's right. Three government agencies operate at the district level. These were the Social Welfare Department, the NCCE and CHRAJ. In addition, the Assemblyman and traditional authority operate at the district level. The data also showed that three NGOs operate in the district by partnering with the three government agencies/organisation to combat child labour. However, their impact is limited due to a number of constraints including inadequate funding and resources. These organisations' efforts have not produced the anticipated results of decreasing or eliminating with child labour. The study concluded that children living in the Bodi district are highly involved in child labour which affect their development. The study recommended to government to consider timely budget for agencies mandated to eliminate child labour in the Bodi district.

Source: UCC