Browsing by Author "Arko-Boham, B."
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Item Circulating cell-free DNA integrity as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for breast and prostate cancers(Cancer Genetics, 2019-04) Arko-Boham, B.; Aryee, N.A.; Blay, R.M.; Owusu, E.D.A.; Tagoe, E.A.; Doris Shackie, E.S.; Debrah, A.B.; Adu-Aryee, N.A.Background Cancer incidence and its related mortality is rising and is currently the second leading cause of death globally. In Africa, breast and prostate cancer in females and males, respectively, are the worst globally. However, biomarkers for their early detection and prognosis are not well developed. This study sought to investigate circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) integrity and its potential utility as diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker. Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) is degraded DNA fragments released into the blood plasma. In healthy individuals, the source of ccfDNA is solely apoptosis, producing evenly sized shorter DNA fragments. In cancer patients, however, necrosis produces uneven longer cell-free DNA fragments in addition to the shorter fragments originating from apoptosis. DNA integrity, expressed as the ratio of longer fragments to total DNA, may be clinically useful for the detection of breast and prostate cancer progression. Methods Sixty-four (64) females, consisting of 32 breast cancer patients and 32 controls, and 61 males (31 prostate cancer patients and 30 controls) were included in the study. Each participant donated 5 ml peripheral blood from which sera were separated. Real-time qPCR was performed on the sera to quantify ALU 115 and 247 levels, and DNA integrity (ALU247/ALU115) determined. Results & Conclusion ALU species 115 and 247 levels in serum were elevated in breast and prostate cancer patients compared to their counterpart healthy controls. DNA integrity was higher in prostate cancer patients than in the control, but in breast cancer patients was lower compared to their controls. In prostate but not in breast cancers, DNA integrity increased with disease severity and higher staging.Item Digital-palmar dermatoglyphics characteristics of patients living with schizophrenia in Ghana(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2023) Majeed, N.S.; Arko-Boham, B.; Fiagbe, D.K.; et al.ABSTRACT The World Health Organization has acknowledged the gap in schizophrenia diagnoses and recommended further research to identify tools and biomarkers for the disease’s early detection. Because the skin and brain have a common ectodermal origin, dermatoglyphics are hypothesized to serve as a potential mirror for the identification of risks and characteristics of neuropsychiatric diseases. This study aimed to determine the digito-palmar dermatoglyphic patterns of schizophrenia patients in Ghana. Digito-palmar dermatoglyphics were obtained using a digital scanner, and the details studied. Individuals living with schizophrenia in Ghana were significantly characterized by low odds of vestige pattern in the hypothenar region, low odds of palmar creases 300, and high and low odds of radial loop (RL) and plain arch (PA) respectively at the finger patterns relative to the control group [OR (95% CI): vestige, 0.2 (0.06–0.69), P = 0.01; palmar creases 300, 0.1 (0.01–0.99), P = 0.049; PA, 0.4 (0.3–0.7), P < 0.001; RL, 1.9 (1.0–3.7), P = 0.044]. Individuals with schizophrenia were also characterized by low mean left-hand a-b ridge count and mean right hand atd angle compared to controls. These differences could be explored as a potential biomarker in diagnosing and early detection of schizophrenia in Ghanaians.Item A model for height and sex prediction from percutaneous lengths of forearm bones(Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2019) Okai, I.; Pianim, A.A.; Arko-Boham, B.; Acheampong, E.Estimating the probable height, sex and age of unknown human remains is not uncommon to forensic experts. Applying mathematical formula derived from metric data of a population is accepted as an alternative when anatomical methods are not feasible during this process of identification. Although each population has to generate their own formulae because of differences in the genetic, environmental and racial attributes of populations, little is known of Ghanaians. Thus, we attempted to derive equations for height and sex prediction, by measuring the ulna and radial lengths of 300 Ghanaian subjects, composed of 160 males and 140 females, with a spreading calliper and a tape measure, and their heights with a stadiometer. Regressions and discriminant function analysis were applied to the variables in SPSS to generate formulae for height and sex prediction respectively. The mean height, ulna length and radial length for sampled individuals were 167.4, 28.6 and 25.9 cm respectively. Height exhibited a strong and significant positive correlation with ulna length (r = 0.720, p < 0.0001) and radial length (r = 0.664, p < 0.0001). However, for our data, ulna length is a better predictor of height and sex than radial length. Overall accuracy of sex determination based on radial or ulna length alone was 75.3% and 82.3% respectively. © 2018, © 2018 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences.Item A model for height and sex prediction from percutaneous lengths of forearm bones(Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2018-03) Okai, I.; Pianim, A.A.; Arko-Boham, B.; Acheampong, E.Estimating the probable height, sex and age of unknown human remains is not uncommon to forensic experts. Applying mathematical formula derived from metric data of a population is accepted as an alternative when anatomical methods are not feasible during this process of identification. Although each population has to generate their own formulae because of differences in the genetic, environmental and racial attributes of populations, little is known of Ghanaians. Thus, we attempted to derive equations for height and sex prediction, by measuring the ulna and radial lengths of 300 Ghanaian subjects, composed of 160 males and 140 females, with a spreading calliper and a tape measure, and their heights with a stadiometer. Regressions and discriminant function analysis were applied to the variables in SPSS to generate formulae for height and sex prediction respectively. The mean height, ulna length and radial length for sampled individuals were 167.4, 28.6 and 25.9 cm respectively. Height exhibited a strong and significant positive correlation with ulna length (r = 0.720, p < 0.0001) and radial length (r = 0.664, p < 0.0001). However, for our data, ulna length is a better predictor of height and sex than radial length. Overall accuracy of sex determination based on radial or ulna length alone was 75.3% and 82.3% respectively.Item Natural cocoa improves birth weight and viability of rabbit pups born to hypercholesterolemic mothers(Scientific African, 2020-02-21) Blay, R.M.; Arko-Boham, B.; Addai, F.K.Background: Maternal nutrition affects f etal growth and development in humans and ani- mals. Low birth weight can be caused by maternal hypercholesterolemia and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and other metabolic diseases later in adult life. Cocoa powder is rich in flavonoids and reduces plasma cholesterol levels. The study investigated the effect of hypercholesterolemia and natural cocoa intake during pregnancy on the birth weight and viability of rabbit pups. Methods: Hypercholesterolemic female New Zealand White rabbits were crossed with nor- mocholesterolemic males and randomly grouped into 2 ( n = 4 each). One group (HCC) received natural cocoa powder in their water in addition to high cholesterol diet during pregnancy, whereas the other (HC) received only water and high cholesterol diet. Litter size, birth weight and viability of pups were assessed and compared to a control group (NC) fed normal rabbit chow ( n = 2). Results: Average litter sizes of hypercholesterolemic rabbits (HC and HCC groups) were 3, whereas that of control group, NC was 5. Mean birth weight of pups was significantly lower in offspring of HC (42.73 g, SD 8.47) and HCC (50.0 g, SD 3.54) as compared to NC (73.0 g, SD 5.37). Mortality of offspring was highest in HC group (58.3%) as compared to 50% in HCC. Conclusions: Maternal hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy reduces litter size, birth weight and viability of offspring in rabbits and these deleterious effects may be minimized by regular intake of natural cocoa. Although further studies in humans need to be con- ducted, the results of this study suggest the need to monitor maternal cholesterol levels during pregnancy and the effects on pregnancy outcomes and health of offspring later in life.Item Natural cocoa inhibits maternal hypercholesterolaemia-induced atherogenesis in rabbit pups.(Cardiovascular journal of Africa, 2019-04-16) Blay, R.M.; Adjenti, S.K.; Adutwum-Ofosu, K.K.; Hottor, B.A.; Ahenkorah, J.; Arko-Boham, B.; Addai, F.K.Atherosclerosis begins during foetal development and is enhanced by maternal hypercholesterolaemia during pregnancy. This study assessed the effect of natural cocoa on atherosclerosis in offspring conceived in maternal hypercholesterolaemia. Female rabbits were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet for two weeks and hypercholesterolaemia was confirmed, after which they were crossed with normocholesterolaemic males. One group of hypercholesterolaemic mothers (HCC) received natural cocoa powder (NCP) in their drinking water, whereas the other group (HC) received only water. Histological analysis of three segments of the aorta (arch, thoracic and abdominal) from offspring of both groups was compared with a control group (NC). Intima-media thickness of the aortic arch in offspring born to hypercholesterolaemic rabbits (HC: 146 µm) was higher compared to HCC (99 µm) and control rabbits (58.5 µm). All the sections from the aortic arch of the HC group had atherosclerotic lesions while none of the sections of the aortic arch from the NC and HCC groups had lesions present. Inferentially, regular and voluntary consumption of NCP during pregnancy may inhibit aortic atherogenesis in offspring of hypercholesterolaemic mothers.Item Safety and effectiveness of antimalarial therapy in sickle cell disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis(BMC Infectious Diseases, 2018-12) Frimpong, A.; Thiam, L.G.; Arko-Boham, B.; Owusu, E.D.A.; Adjei, G.O.Background About 80% of all reported sickle cell disease (SCD) cases in children anually are recorded in Africa. Although malaria is considered a major cause of death in SCD children, there is limited data on the safety and effectiveness of the available antimalarial drugs used for prophylaxis. Also, previous systematic reviews have not provided quantitative measures of preventive effectiveness. The purpose of this research was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature to determine the safety and effectiveness of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis used in SCD patients. Methods We searched in PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, POPLine and Cochrane library, for the period spanning January 1990 to April 2018. We considered randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing any antimalarial chemoprophylaxis to, 1) other antimalarial chemoprophylaxis, 2) placebo or 3) no intervention, in SCD patients. Studies comparing at least two treatment arms, for a minimum duration of three months, with no restriction on the number of patients per arm were reviewed. The data were extracted and expressed as odds ratios. Direct pairwise comparisons were performed using fixed effect models and the heterogeneity assessed using the I-square. Results Six qualified studies that highlighted the importance of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis in SCD children were identified. In total, seven different interventions (Chloroquine, Mefloquine, Mefloquine artesunate, Proguanil, Pyrimethamine, Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine amodiaquine) were evaluated in 912 children with SCD. Overall, the meta-analysis showed that antimalarial chemoprophylaxis provided protection against parasitemia and clinical malaria episodes in children with SCD. Nevertheless, the risk of hospitalization (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.267–1.959; I2 = 0.0%), blood transfusion (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.542–1.280; I2 = 29.733%), vaso-occlusive crisis (OR = 19, 95% CI = 1.713–2.792; I2 = 93.637%), and mortality (OR = 0.511, 95% CI = 0.189–1.384; I2 = 0.0%) did not differ between the intervention and placebo groups. Conclusion The data shows that antimalarial prophylaxis reduces the incidence of clinical malaria in children with SCD. However, there was no difference between the occurrence of adverse events in children who received placebo and those who received prophylaxis. This creates an urgent need to assess the efficacy of new antimalarial drug regimens as potential prophylactic agents in SCD patients.Item Thyroid hormone status in Ghanaian patients with chronic kidney disease(Pan African Medical Journal, 2018-03) Aryee, N.A.; Tagoe, E.A.; Anomah, V.; Arko-Boham, B.; Adjei, D.N.Introduction There is limited data on the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in Ghanaian individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies exploring the effect of thyroid hormones on renal function decline are also scanty. Unrecognized thyroid dysfunction in CKD may increase the burden of adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine thyroid hormone status and lipid profiles in patients with CKD attending the Renal Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Methods 60 clinically euthyroid patients with CKD, and 65 clinically euthyroid subjects without CKD were recruited for this study. Estimation of effective glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was done using the 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula with subsequent staging of CKD (stages 2-4). Collected venous blood samples from all study participants were analyzed for creatinine, free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (TG). Results Levels of TC, HDL, LDL, and TSH levels did not differ significantly between the two study groups. However, TG, VLDL, FT3 and FT4 levels were significantly higher in CKD patients than in the control group. TC, TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL and TSH levels were not significantly different between stages of CKD in study subjects, although FT4 and FT3 levels were significantly different between all stages of CKD. Conclusion Higher levels of FT3 and FT4 but not TSH, are associated with the incidence of CKD and eGFR decline in Ghanaian CKD patients.