Department of Oral Biology
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Item Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen-G Expression In Pregnancy Success and Early Pregnancy Loss in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital(University of Ghana, 2014-07) Blebu, S. I.; Adjei, A. A.; Ofori, M.Background: Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) -G is a non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I protein which has been described as being selectively expressed on the invasive trophoblast at the materno-foetal interface at the beginning of pregnancy. HLA-G has the potential role of protecting the trophoblast from cytotoxicity and enhancing maternal acceptance of the semi-allogeneic foetus by modulating the maternal immune system. HLA-G exerts several immunomodulatory effects, being beneficially implicated in embryo implantation and foetal survival. HLA-G inhibits the activation of the immune cells, and primes them into cytokine secretion profiles to control trophoblast invasion and maintain a local immunosuppressive environment for successful implantation and pregnancy survival. HLA-G has the ability to modulate the release of cytokines from human allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and generate allogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) response in a concentration-dependent manner. Soluble isoforms of HLA-G has also been demonstrated to inhibit trophoblast invasion of the maternal decidua. Setting/Location: The study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is a leading teaching hospital and a major referral centre in Ghana. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the role of soluble HLA-G in pregnancy success and early pregnancy loss in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Methods: This study involved eighty participants made up of twenty eight (28) normal pregnant women who had normal delivery, thirty two (32) women who had spontaneous or recurrent abortion, ten non-pregnant women and ten healthy men. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to each consented participant to document their sociodemographic characteristics, and the history of pregnancy was obtained from the clinic folders. 5ml of venous blood samples were collected from each consented participant and the plasma used to determine sHLA-G levels by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The median sHLA-G levels were higher among women who had spontaneous abortions (66.5 U/ml) as compared to pregnant women who had normal delivery (49.53 U/ml), this was statistically significant. The first and second trimester sHLA-G levels of women who had spontaneous abortion are 66.53U/ml and 74.08U/ml respectively and was not statistically significant. The first and second trimester sHLA-G levels of pregnant women who had normal delivery are 39.73U/ml and 69.06U/ml respectively and were also not statistically significant. Healthy males had sHLA-G level (79.11 U/ml) as compared to healthy non-pregnant women (58.28 U/ml) but the difference was not statistically significant. Maternal sHLA-G levels was not statistically significant (P=0.26) in relation to maternal age and birth weight (P=0.38). Conclusion: The results indicate that high levels of sHLA-G may adversely affect pregnancy outcome whilst reduced sHLA-G expressions may enhance pregnancy survival. There was not a significance difference between gestation and sHLA-G levels of women who had spontaneous abortion and normal pregnancy in pregnant women who had normal delivery. The sHLA-G levels were not affected by gender; healthy males had higher sHLA-G level as compared to healthy non-pregnant women, who were all in normal conditions of health but the difference was not statistically significant. This suggests that high sHLA-G levels in healthy individual may play a role in immunosurveilance. The history of contraceptive use had no effect on sHLA-G levels of women who had spontaneous abortion. Finally, there was no relationship between maternal age and corresponding sHLA-G levels, which had no effect on infant birth weight.Item Studies on River Water Factors Influencing the Efficacy of Vectobacr (Bacillus Thuringiensis (Serotype H-14) Formulation) against the Larvae of Simuuum Damnosum (Theobald) Species Complex(University of Ghana, 2000-06) Akpabey, F. JThe principal goal of this work was to identify specific conditions of river water in West Africa, that influence the efficacy of the microbial insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 formulation (VectoBac®) against Simulium damnosum sensu lato larvae for onchocerciasis control. One hundred and thirty assays of a standard formulation using the mini-gutter system were carried out over a period of 15 months at a field station situated near Pra River in southern Ghana. To identify the river conditions influencing the performance of the VectoBac®, both univariate and multivariate statistical procedures were applied to the dataset of lethal concentrations (LC) values, river temperature, conductivity, turbidity and pH measured over the study period. River temperature, conductivity and turb.dity (in that order) were the factors identified as having direct effect on the efficacy of VectoBac®. Water temperature and conductivity were negatively correlated, whilst turbidity and pH were positively correlated to LC values Analysis of representative water samples from the field revealed that, total solids, sodium and potassium cations and chloride concentrations differed significantly between wet and dry season and these were thought to be responsible for the observed variations in turbidity and conductivity of the River Pra. A simple method for rearing S. damnosum was adopted tc study the effect of conductivity on potency of VectoBac® in the laboratory This showed that increasing the conductivity of either water or the insecticide, up to 3,000|iS both improved potency by about a maximum of 42% and 36.7% respectively. The implications of these findings for the operational use of VectoBac® in blackfly control in West Africa, for the development of laboratory based assay system and improved formulations were discussed. Furthermore, the study provides the basis of determining the real potency of products tested under vagary conditions in the field.Item Oral Health Status of Young Adults in the Ga District.(University of Ghana, 2002-11) Onuoha, E.; Binka, F.; Bruce, I.; University of Ghana, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology.An oral health survey was carried out among young adults in the Ga district to assess the oral health status of young adults in and out of school and to recommend types of treatment needed. A stratified random sample of young adults 1 5 -3 2 years old was selected from rural and urban Senior Secondary Schools and the communities. Questionnaires were administered by Community Health Nurses after which oral examinations and recording of data was carried out by the principal investigator assisted by eight final year dental students. A calibration exercise was undertaken in order to assess the reliability of the results obtained. A mean DMFT of 0.63 was obtained with a caries free prevalence of 73.3%. The decayed component accounted for most of the DMFT. The proportion of young adults with healthy periodontal condition was low i.e. 13%. Eighty-six percent (86%) had poor oral hygiene/calculus deposits. The tooth-brush was found to be the most common cleaning implement. The prevalence of mal-occlusion was low i.e. 7.8%, and the perception of badly arranged teeth was even lower - 1.6%. Fractured anterior teeth were few - 2.7%. This study clearly shows the Ga district as disadvantaged in terms of availability of oral health care. It serves as a reliable basis of information on which oral health care services may be provided in the district. Recommendations are made for the institution of intensive oral health education and promotion at the community level. A dental clinic is recommended for fillings, prosthesis and other forms of secondary treatment, in the medium term.