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Item Microscopic CharacteristicsOf Scalp Hair Subjected To Cultural Styling Methods In Ghanaian African Females(Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019-11-18) Essel, E.A.; Ahenkorah, J.; Blay, R.M.; Adjenti, S.K.; Adutwum- Ofosu, K.K.; Hottor, B.A.; Addai, F.K.Purpose: To provide data for forensic use and provoke ideas to preserve shaft integrity, we studied microstructural alterations of female scalp hair subjected to Ghanaian cultural styling methods. Hence, topographical features of female hairs styled by braiding/weaving, and chemical relaxation sampled from five different scalp regions were assessed and compared with natural (Afro) hair. Subjects and methods: Ninety-six indigenous Ghanaian females volunteered 480 hairs, which were analyzed by light microscopy.Hairs were plucked using a pair of cosmetologist’s tweezers from frontal, left temporal, right temporal, vertex, and occipital regions of the scalp. Hairs were categorized by their grooming styles as Afro (natural-unstyled), natural-styled (weaved/braided), and chemically relaxed. These were studied according to shaft/medulla dimensions and conventional cuticular scale features, and comparisons were made between styling procedures and scalp regions. Results: Chemically styled hair had the widest shaft diameter, but the lowest incidence of continuous medullation. Medullary diameter and index increased from chemically relaxed, natural-styled, to Afro hair. A positive but modest correlation between shaft and medullary diameters existed for Afro (r = 0.320, p = 0.011) and natural-styled hairs (r = 0.235, p = 0.022) but not chemically relaxed hair (r = 0.122, p = 0.2). Scale margins were predominantly smooth in Afro hair, crenate in natural-styled hair, and rippled in chemically relaxed hair. With respect to scalp regions, hair shaft diameter was widest in vertex hair and smallest in right temporal hair in all styling methods. Conclusion: Medulla was thickest in Afro hair, which also exhibited a correlation with shaft diameter in conformity with the published data. Chemically relaxed hairs did not exhibit these characteristics, which affirm altered morphology. Research on how chemicals affect these changes should help find antidote. The dimensional variations of hairs from different scalp regions are instructive for both cosmetic and forensic examination of hairs.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 Evaluation of the international standardized 24-h dietary recall methodology (GloboDiet) for potential application in research and surveillance within African settings(Globalization and Health, 2017) Aglago, E.K.; Landais, E.; Nicolas, G.; Margetts, B.; Annor, G.A.; El Ati, J.; Coates, J.; Colaiezzi, B.; Compaore, E.; Delisle, H.; Faber, M.; Fungo, R.; El Hamdouchi, A.; Hounkpatin, W.A.; Konan, A.G.; Labzizi, S.; Ledo, J.; Mahachi, C.; Maruapula, S.D.; Mathe, N.; Mbabazi, M.; Mirembe, M.W.; Mizéhoun-Adissoda, C.; Nzi, C.D.; Pisa, P.T.; El Rhazi, K.; Zotor, F.; Slimani, N.Background: Collection of reliable and comparable individual food consumption data is of primary importance to better understand, control and monitor malnutrition and its related comorbidities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including in Africa. The lack of standardised dietary tools and their related research support infrastructure remains a major obstacle to implement concerted and region-specific research and action plans worldwide. Citing the magnitude and importance of this challenge, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO) launched the "Global Nutrition Surveillance initiative" to pilot test the use of a standardized 24-h dietary recall research tool (GloboDiet), validated in Europe, in other regions. In this regard, the development of the GloboDiet-Africa can be optimised by better understanding of the local specific methodological needs, barriers and opportunities. The study aimed to evaluate the standardized 24-h dietary recall research tool (GloboDiet) as a possible common methodology for research and surveillance across Africa. Methods: A consultative panel of African and international experts in dietary assessment participated in six e-workshop sessions. They completed an in-depth e-questionnaire to evaluate the GloboDiet dietary methodology before and after participating in the e-workshop. Results: The 29 experts expressed their satisfaction on the potential of the software to address local specific needs when evaluating the main structure of the software, the stepwise approach for data collection and standardisation concept. Nevertheless, additional information to better describe local foods and recipes, as well as particular culinary patterns (e.g. mortar pounding), were proposed. Furthermore, food quantification in shared-plates and -bowls eating situations and interviewing of populations with low literacy skills, especially in rural settings, were acknowledged as requiring further specific considerations and appropriate solutions. Conclusions: An overall positive evaluation of the GloboDiet methodology by both African and international experts, supports the flexibility and potential applicability of this tool in diverse African settings and sets a positive platform for improved dietary monitoring and surveillance. Following this evaluation, prerequisite for future implementation and/or adaptation of GloboDiet in Africa, rigorous and robust capacity building as well as knowledge transfer will be required to roadmap a stepwise approach to implement this methodology across pilot African countries/regions. © 2017 The Author(s).Item Ultrastructural revelation of the nature of pennation in the abdominal muscles of children with spastic type cerebral palsy (stcp): Implications for force generation(Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, 2018-12) Adjenti, S.; Louw, G.; Jelsma, J.; Unger, M.Purpose: To investigate whether the pennation angle (PA) in the abdominal muscles of individuals with spastic type cerebral palsy (STCP) has undergone any change when compared with those of typically developing (TD) individuals. To determine whether PA of abdominal muscles in individuals with STCP impacts differently on the force generating capacity, from those of TD peers. Materials & methods: Ultrasound images of the four abdominal muscles namely; rectus abdominis (RA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO) and transversus abdominis (TrA), were obtained during the resting and active stages. ImageJ software package (version 2012) was used to measure the PA of the sonographic images. Sixty-three individuals with STCP and eighty-two typically developing (TD) individuals took part in the study. The participants were between the ages of 7 and 16 years. Results: The PA for three out of the four abdominal muscles was less than 3∘ while the RA muscle in both groups showed a pennation angle of zero degrees during the resting and active stages. Conclusion: Excluding the rectus abdominis muscle, PA appeared to be altered in individuals with STCP when compared to their TD counterparts. The characterization of PA in abdominal muscles in both groups is, however, unclear. The PA as a muscle parameter may not be an important variable for differentiating the force generating capacity between individuals with STCP and their TD peers. Further investigation is required on MAP and the overall implication of each component on abdominal muscle function, especially in the maintenance of balance and posture.Item Light Microscopic Morphology of Indigenous Ghanaian African Hair from Scalp, Eyebrow, Axilla, and Pubic Regions(International Journal of Trichology, 2019-01) Kalmoni, Y.; Addai, F.K.; Adjenti, S.; Adutwum-Ofosu, K.K.; Ahenkorah, J.; Hottor, B.A.; Blay, R.M.Context Relatively scanty literature on autochthonic African Negroid hair morphology provokes research interest for anthropological, forensic, and cosmetic purposes. Aims This study aimed to contribute basic morphological information on Ghanaian African hairs. Settings and Design The study was done in selected second-cycle schools in Accra, Ghana, using convenient sampling. Subjects and Methods Hairs were obtained by pluck method, from 30 males and 30 females aged 15–20 years. Ghanaian African autochthony was established if individuals had two generations of indigenous Ghanaian parentage. Scalp, eyebrow, axilla, and pubic hairs were image captured using a digital light microscope eyepiece connected to a computer. Diameters of hair strands were measured; types of the medulla and the form and shape of the hair roots were studied. Statistical Analysis Used ANOVA test (SPSS Version 17.0) was used to compare the means of quantitative hair features among the sexes and the four regions of the body studied. Results Pubic hair shaft was thickest (respective male and female diameters were 100.21 μm, 88.40 μm) and eyebrow hair was thinnest (53.97 and 46.69-μm diameters in males and females, respectively). Axillary and scalp hairs were the closest in diameters with 76.21 and 72.02 μm, respectively, in males and 73.07 and 71.15 μm, respectively, in females. Continuous type medulla was predominant in all hairs, with a trend of percentage occurrence in descending order from the pubic, axilla, eyebrow, and scalp in both sexes. Conclusions Bodily regional differences in diameter of hair shaft and medullary presence were affirmed.Item The Impact of Plasmodium Infection on Placental Histomorphology: A Stereological Preliminary Study(Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2019-03) Ahenkorah, J.; Tetteh-Quarcoo, P.B.; Nuamah, M.A.; Kwansa-Bentum, B.; Nuamah, H.G.; Hottor, B.; Korankye, E.; Torto, M.; Ntumy, M.; Addai, F.K.Background: Malaria during pregnancy may threaten the mother's health and cause serious structural damage to the internal architecture of the placenta, which subsequently affects the pregnancy outcome. A better understanding of the impact of malaria parasites on the placenta morphology is crucial for better management of pregnant women and their babies. Aim: To assess by stereology the histomorphology of selected placental structures in placenta malaria compared with normal placentae at term. Method: A total of 10 placentae comprising 5 controls and 5 cases were selected from 50 placentae that were collected at term (38 weeks ± 2 weeks) from the maternal delivery suit of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Blood from the placentae was collected for both rapid diagnostic test and microscopic examinations. Samples collected were examined for Plasmodium parasites, after which they were classified as study group (Plasmodium positive) or control (Plasmodium negative). Stereological quantification using systematic uniform random sampling technique with test point and intersection counting of photomicrographs were employed to estimate the mean volume densities of syncytial knots, syncytial necrosis, foetal capillaries, and intervillous spaces of the placentae on a total of 1,600 photomicrographs. Results: Out of the fifty placental samples from the maternal side tested for Plasmodium, six representing 12% were found to be infected with the parasite by both rapid diagnostic test and microscopy. On stereological assessment, the mean volume density of syncytial knots was significantly higher in the placental malaria group compared with the control placentae at term (P = 0.0080), but foetal capillaries (P = 0.7813), intervillous spaces (P = 0.8078), and syncytial necrosis (P = 0.8249) were not significantly different. Conclusion: This preliminary result indicates that placental malaria may cause significant increase in the syncytial knots but not foetal capillaries, intervillous spaces, or syncytial necrosis. This finding signifies early maturation of the placenta and may be crucial in understanding perinatal outcomes.Item A Low-Cost Method for Performing a Curriculum Gap-Analysis in Developing Countries: Medical School Competencies in Ghana(Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 2012-07) Rominski, S.; Donkor, P.A.; Lawson, A.; Danso, K.; Stern, D.Background: In this study, we undertook a comparison of the international, national, and local curricula of Ghanaian medical schools in order to identify any gaps. Purpose: To identify gaps in the Ghanaian medical school curriculum. Methods: The Ministry of Health and the two major sites for medical education in Ghana (UGMS, KNUST) participated using the only internationally accepted and validated set of outcome standards for medical education, the Global Minimum Essential Requirements. The competencies were reviewed by two U.S. consultants (DS, SR) and then edited, revised, and validated by individuals who are deeply involved in medical education in Ghana. Results: The KNUST team validated 6 gaps in their curriculum, and the team from UGMS identified 5. The standards were found by the U.S.-based consultants and validated by the Ghanaian team to have 6 gaps, many of which overlapped with those found in the Ghanaian medical school curricula. Conclusions: This analysis is a first step to determining physician training competency and an inexpensive method for identifying agreed-upon gaps in the current national requirements and local curriculum. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.Item Africa(Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: Part B: Regional Aspects: Working Group II Contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2015-01) Niang, I.; Ruppel, O.C.; Abdrabo, M.A.; Essel, A.; Lennard, C.; Padgham, J.; Urquhart, P.Africa as a whole is one of the most vulnerable continents due to its high exposure and low adaptive capacity. Given that climatic and ecological regions transcend national political boundaries, we have used the divisions of Africa's Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to structure the assessment within this chapter. 22.1.1. Structure of the Regions. The African continent (including Madagascar) is the world's second largest and most populous continent (1,031,084,000 in 2010) behind Asia (UN DESA Population Division, 2013). The continent is organized at the regional level under the African Union (AU). The AU's Assembly of Heads of State and Government has officially recognized eight RECs (Ruppel, 2009). Except for the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, all AU member states are affiliated with one or more of these RECs. These RECs include the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), with 5 countries in Northern Africa; the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), grouping 27 countries; the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), grouping 19 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa; the East African Community (EAC), with 5 countries; the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), with 10 countries; the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with 15 countries; the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) with 8 countries; and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with 15 countries. The regional subdivision of African countries into RECs is a structure used by the AU and the New Partnership for Africa (NEPAD). 22.1.2. Major Conclusions from Previous Assessments 22.1.2.1. Regional Special Report and Assessment Reports Major concluions related to Africa from previous assessments are summarized in Table 22-1. 22.1.2.2. Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation The IPCC Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX; IPCC, 2012) is of particular relevance to the African continent. © Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2014.Item Improved method of producing satisfactory sections of whole eyeball by routine histology(Microscopy Research and Technique, 2014) Benjamin, A.-B.; Ahenkorah, J.; Hottor, B.A.; Dennis, E.; Frederick, K.A.To overcome the loss of structural integrity when eyeball sections are prepared by wax embedding, we experimentally modified the routine histological procedure and report satisfactorily well-preserved antero-posterior sections of whole eyeballs for teaching/learning purposes. Presently histological sections of whole eyeballs are not readily available because substantial structural distortions attributable to variable consistency of tissue components (and their undesired differential shrinkage) result from routine processing. Notably, at the dehydration stage of processing, the soft, gel-like vitreous humor considerably shrinks relative to the tough fibrous sclera causing collapse of the ocular globe. Additionally, the combined effects of fixation, dehydration, and embedding at 60°C renders the eye lens too hard for microtome slicing at thicknesses suitable for light microscopy. We satisfactorily preserved intact antero-posterior sections of eyeballs via routine paraffin wax processing procedure entailing two main modifications; (i) careful needle aspiration of vitreous humor and replacement with molten wax prior to wax infiltration; (ii) softening of lens in trimmed wax block by placing a drop of concentrated liquid phenol on it for 3 h during microtomy. These variations of the routine histological method produced intact whole eyeball sections with retinal detachment as the only structural distortion. Intact sections of the eyeball obtained compares well with the laborious, expensive, and 8-week long celloidin method. Our method has wider potential usability than costly freeze drying method which requires special skills and equipment (cryotome) and does not produce whole eyeball sections. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:138-142, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Item The molecular and cellular signatures of the mouse eminentia thalami support its role as a signalling centre in the developing forebrain(Springerlink.com, 2015-10-12) Adutwum-Ofosu, K.K.; Magnani, D.; Theil, T.; Price, D.J.; Fotaki, V.The mammalian eminentia thalami (EmT) (or thalamic eminence) is an embryonic forebrain structure of unknown function. Here, we examined the molecular and cellular properties of the mouse EmT. We first studied mRNA expression of signalling molecules and found that the EmT is a structure, rich in expression of secreted factors, with Wnts being the most abundantly detected. We then examined whether EmT tissue could induce cell fate changes when grafted ectopically. For this, we transplanted EmT tissue from a tau-GFP mouse to the ventral telencephalon of a wild type host, a telencephalic region where Wnt signalling is not normally active but which we showed in culture experiments is competent to respond to Wnts. We observed that the EmT was able to induce in adjacent ventral telencephalic cells ectopic expression of Lef1, a transcriptional activator and a target gene of the Wnt/bcatenin pathway. These Lef1-positive;GFP-negative cells expressed the telencephalic marker Foxg1 but not Ascl1, which is normally expressed by ventral telencephalic cells. These results suggest that the EmT has the capacity to activate Wnt/b-catenin signalling in the ventral telencephalon and to suppress ventral telencephalic gene expression. Altogether, our data support a role of the EmT as a signalling centre in the developing mouse forebrain.Item Trends of reported foodborne diseases at the Ridge Hospital, Accra, Ghana: a retrospective review of routine data from 2009-2013(2016-03-24) Osei-Tutu, B.; Anto, F.Abstract Background There are over 250 foodborne diseases and are of growing public health concern worldwide. The distribution of these diseases varies from one locality to the other. Foodborne diseases come about as a result of ingestion of food contaminated with microorganisms or chemicals. The most common clinical presentation of foodborne disease takes the form of gastrointestinal symptoms; although other systems of the body can also be affected and represents a considerable burden of disability as well as mortality. The current study was carried out with the aim of describing the trends and patterns of foodborne diseases reported at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, Ghana to serve as the first step towards understanding the profile of foodborne diseases in Accra. The study could then serve as a guide in the establishment of a sentinel site or surveillance system for foodborne diseases. Methods A retrospective review of routine data kept on patients who visited the Ridge Hospital from January 2009 to December 2013 was conducted to describe the trends and patterns of foodborne diseases reported at the facility. All available health records were reviewed and data on foodborne diseases extracted and analysed by age group, sex, season and geographical location within the catchment area of the hospital. Results The review showed significant variation in the annual reported cases of foodborne diseases [2009 = 11.5 % (118/1058); 2010 = 2.30 % (22/956); 2011 = 17.45 % (608/3485); 2012 = 7.98 % (498/6315) and 2013 = 2.56 % (345/13458)] p < 0.05. Significant seasonal variations were also observed [early dry season = 10.2 % (322/3142); late dry season = 24.4 % (909/3728); early wet season = 4.3 % (107/2494); late wet season = 6.3 % (256/4094). There were monthly variations also during the period (p < 0.001) except for the year 2010 (p = 0.428). The highest prevalence was reported during the late dry season (February–April). The most affected age group was those aged between 15 and 34 years who had significantly more infections in 2012 and 2013 than the other age groups (p < 0.001). Overall many more males than females reported of food borne diseases (p < 0.001). Conclusion The commonly reported foodborne diseases at the Ridge Hospital were: typhoid fever, dysentery, cholera and viral hepatitis. These diseases were found to be very seasonal with peaks at the onset of the rainy season.Item Pain distribution pattern in gluteal-related low back pain: A proposed patho-anatomical approach using gluteal triangle.(2011-10-24) Bello, A.I.; Foli, M.A.; Adegoke, B.O.A.Purpose: Different assessment strategies for radiating low back pain (LBP) abound across and within primary-contact disciplines yet physical diagnosis of the involved faulty anatomical structures remain difficult. This study investigated pattern of pain distribution in patients with gluteal-related low back pain. Methods: The study involved forty (40) participants with radiating low back pain who were referred for physiotherapy from two major referral clinical settings in Ghana. They were recruited into the cross-sectional survey through consecutive sampling technique. Using marker and transparent tracing sheet, gluteal triangle was outlined from the lumbar region, the involved gluteal region and the posterior part of the involved thigh. Pattern of pain distribution was noted and physically correlated with stereotype patterns of pressure points as gold standard. Data analysis involved mean, frequency distribution, percentage distributions and z-score. Alpha value was considered significant at p < 0.05. Results: The mean ages, year (SD) were 52.0 years (12.0) and 48 years (15) for male and female, respectively. Myofascial and piriformis syndromes were the most predominant presentations among the patients recording 13 (32.5%) and 10 (25%), respectively. Male group recorded 9 (22.5%) of pain originating from myofascial syndrome compared to 4 (10%) assessed in their female counterparts. There was no gender difference in the proportion of pattern of pain distribution among the participants. Conclusion: This study demonstrated different patterns of pain distribution and was found to be consistent with gold standard pressure point in the assessment of patients with radiating LBP, thus it can be included as complimentary diagnostic tool in clinical practice.Item Rotavirus G and P genotypes in rural Ghana.(2001-05) Asmah, R.H.; Green, J.; Armah, G.E.; Gallimore, C.I.; Iturriza-Gomara, M.; Gray, J.J.; Anto, F.; Binka, F.N.; Anto, F.; Brown, D.W.; Oduro, A.R.An epidemiological study of rotavirus infection was conducted on specimens collected from patients with gastroenteritis and domiciled in the rural Upper Eastern Region of Ghana during 1998. Fifty isolates, randomly selected from 165 human group A rotavirus-positive samples, were G and P characterized by a reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay using a seminested multiplex method. Rotaviruses of the G3 genotype were found to be the predominant strain (78%), followed by G2 (14%) and G1 (2%). Mixed infections, as shown by combinations of G3 and G2 (4%) and G3 and G1 (2%), were also observed. P typing showed P[4] (72.34%) to be the prevalent strain, followed by P[6] (21.3%), P[8] (2.13%), and a combination of P[4] and P[6] (4.3%).Item Changing patterns of rotavirus genotypes in Ghana: Emergence of human rotavirus G9 as a major cause of diarrhea in children.(2003) Armah, G.E.; Steele, A.D.; Binka, F.N.; Esona, M.D.; Asmah, R.H.; Anto, F; Brown, D.; Cutts, F.; Green, J.; Hall, A.Genotyping of human rotaviruses was performed on 312 rotavirus-positive samples collected from 2,205 young children with diarrhea in the Upper East District of Ghana, a rural community. Of the 271 (86.9%) rotavirus strains that could be VP7 (G) or VP4 (P) characterized, 73 (26.9%) were of G9 specificity. The predominant G9 genotype was G9P[8], which constituted 79.5% of all G9 strains detected, followed by G9P[6] (12.3%), G9P[10] (2.7%), and G9P[4] (1.3%). G9 strains with mixed P types constituted 2.7% of all G9 strains found in the study. All the G9P[8] strains had a long RNA electrophoretic pattern with VP6 subgroup II specificity. Four G9 isolates, GH1319, GH1416, GH3550, and GH3574, which were selected based on the abundance of stool material and were representative of the three electropherotypes observed, were cloned and sequenced. The Ghanaian isolates shared more than 98% sequence nucleotide homology with other G9 strains from the United States (US1205), Malawi (MW69), Brazil (R160), Japan (95H115), and Nigeria (Bulumkutu). However, they showed only 95% nucleotide homology with the Thai G9 strain Mc345. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleic acid sequence revealed the existence of at least three clusters, with Ghanaian strains forming one cluster, Nigerian and Brazilian strains forming a second cluster, and U.S., Malawian, and Japanese strains forming a third.Item Iron-free neoplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma without cirrhosis in wistar rats fed a diet high in iron.(2006) Asare, G.A.; Paterson, A.C.; Kew, M.C.; Khan, S.; Mossanda, K.S.Although excess hepatic iron in hereditary haemochromatosis and dietary iron overload in the African causes hepatocellular carcinoma, it usually does so in the presence of cirrhosis. A direct hepatocarcinogenic effect of iron has not been proved. Moreover, an animal model of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by iron overload has not been available. The aim of this study was to develop such a model and to use it to ascertain whether excess hepatic iron is directly hepatocarcinogenic. Sixty Wistar albino rats were fed a chow diet and 60 the same diet supplemented initially with 2% carbonyl iron for 12 months, followed by 0.5% ferrocene for 20 months. Five rats from each group were sacrificed every 4 months for 24 months for histological and biochemical monitoring. By 16 months, hepatocytes in all the rats receiving the iron-supplemented diet showed grade 4 iron overload, comparable in degree with that seen in patients with advanced hereditary haemochromatosis and dietary iron overload. Altered hepatic foci and pre-neoplastic nodules were first seen at 16 months. These increased in size and number with time, were iron-free, stained positively with placental glutathione sulphydryl transferase, and showed the same histological features as the iron-free foci described in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma complicating hereditary haemochromatosis. At 32 months the eight surviving rats in the iron overloaded group were sacrificed. The livers of five of these rats contained pre-neoplastic nodules and one showed, in addition, an iron-free, well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumour stained positively for placental glutathione sulphydryl transferase. Neither cirrhosis nor portal fibrosis was present in this or any iron-loaded animal. We conclude that hepatocellular carcinoma may complicate dietary hepatic iron overload in Wistar albino rats in the absence of fibrosis or cirrhosis, confirming an aetiological association between dietary iron overload and the tumour and suggesting that iron may be directly hepatocarcinogenic.Item Immunofluorescence Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and immuno-electron microscopic identification of keratins in human maternofetal interaction zone.(2009) Ahenkorah, J.; Hottor, B.; Byrne, S.; Bosio, P.; Ockleford, C.D.We show here that at least 5 keratin proteins are present in villous trophoblast and the same 5 in extravillous trophoblast. A further 14 tested were undetectable in these tissues. In contrast, 10 of the 19 keratins tested were present in amniotic epithelium. The marking of amniotic epithelium on the one hand, as distinct from villous and extravillous trophoblast on the other, can be achieved using 5 keratins (K4, 6, 13, 14 and 17) with a mixture of positive and negative discrimination that is expected, in combination, to be highly sensitive. All the specific keratins identified in trophoblast were apparently up-regulated on the pathway to extravillous trophoblast. Co-ordinated differentiation at the molecular expression level is indicated by this finding. The relevant keratins are K5, 7, 8, 18 and 19. Specific keratins have been identified that are down-regulated in villous trophoblast in pre-eclamptic pregnancy. This difference between healthy and pre-eclamptic chorionic villous trophoblast keratin expression was statistically significant in 4 out of the 5 keratins. This was not the case for the extravillous trophoblast at the immunofluorescence confocal level but significant differences were obtained using immunogold electron microscopy. We suggest that the villous trophoblast in pre-eclamptic placentae is cytoskeletally weaker with respect to the filaments made from these specific proteins and that this is one reason why, in pre-eclampsia, trophoblast is deported in greater quantity than in healthy placentae.Item Variations in composition of the intervillous space lining in term placentas of mothers with pre-eclampsia.(2010) Hottor, B.; Bosio, P.; Waugh, J.; Diggle, P.J.; Byrne, S.; Ahenkorah, J.; Ockleford, C.D.Objective(s): To define composition of chorionic plate and test effects of pre-eclampsia on basal plate composition. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study where distinct area fractions were measured in: healthy term chorionic plate (CP: n = 11), healthy placental basal plate (n = 11), mild pre-eclamptic basal plate (n = 10) and severe pre-eclamptic basal plate (n = 11). Results: CP lining is partly endothelial. Mean anchoring villus (AV)/acellular (NS) basal plate area ratio decreased in pre-eclampsia (p = 0.048). There was a decreasing trend with increasing disease severity. Basal plate endothelial cell proportion was not significantly lower in severe pre-eclampsia than in healthy or mild pre-eclamptics. Conclusion(s): An inverse relationship between the proportions of fibrin and anchoring villi indicates that increased basal plate fibrin deposition and reduced basal plate materno-fetal anchoring area are part of pre-eclamptic disease progression. Endothelium lining intervillous surfaces may originate from circulating maternal endothelial progenitor cellsItem Voluntary ingestion of natural cocoa extenuated damage in rat with experimentally induced chronic alcoholic toxicity.(2012) Godwin, S.; Addai, F.K.; Gyasi, R.K.; Bugyei, K.A.; Ahenkorah, J.; Hottor, B.Background: Chronic ethanol ingestion causes hepatic damage imputable to an increased oxidative stress engendered by alcoholic toxicity. Polyphenols in cocoa have antioxidant properties, and natural cocoa powder (NCP) contains the highest levels of total antioxidant capacity when compared to all other kinds of edible cocoa products. This study tested the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with NCP mitigates hepatic injury resulting from chronic ethanol consumption. Three groups of eight randomized Sprague-Dawley rats were fed standard rat food and treated daily for 12 weeks as follows: (i) the Ethanol-water group was given unrestricted access to 40% (v/v) ethanol for 12 hours (at night) followed by water for the remaining 12 hours (daytime), (ii) the Ethanol-cocoa group had similarly unrestricted access to 40% ethanol for 12 hours followed by 2% (w/v) NCP for 12 hours, and (iii) the control group was not given alcohol and had unrestricted access to only water which was synchronously replenished every 12 hours as it was for the ethanol treated animalsItem Characteristics of hepatitis B virus in Ghana: Full length genome sequences indicate the endemicity of genotype E in West Africa.(2006) Huy, T.T.T.; Ishikawa, K.; Ampofo, W.; Izumi, T.; Nakajima, A.; Ansah, J.; Tetteh, J.O.; Nii-Trebi, N.; Aidoo, S.; Ofori-Adjei, D.; Sata, T; Ushijima, H.; Abe, K.Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes from A to H have distinct geographical distributions and have been shown to affect the clinical features as well as the course of the HBV infection. HBV genotype E has been found only in Africa. However, the complete genomes of this genotype, which were isolated mainly from West Africa, were available only for a few samples. In this study, five full-length genomes and seven other small S genes of HBV strains from Ghanaian blood donors were sequenced and investigated. Following phylogenetic analysis, all of the Ghanaian HBV strains were clustered closely in genotype E. All of the 12 small S genes showed the same characteristic of subtype ayw4. The complete genomes of the five Ghanaian strains showed marked similarity with each other and with the reported genotype E strains (96.7%-99.1%). Genotype E strains showed low intra-genotypic diversity (1.8%) and carried the conserved signature pattern in pre-S1 as well as in the full genome sequence. Of note, the finding of the G145R escape mutant in an unvaccinated Ghanaian blood donor might raise concern as to the ongoing nation-wide hepatitis B vaccination program in Ghana.Item Prolonged ingestion of dietary cocoa attenuates hemoglobin glycation associated with diabetes mellitus in rats.(IDOSI Publications, 2012) Amoah, S.K.; Osonuga, A.; Djankpa, F.T.; Osonuga, O.A.; Addai, F.K.; Affram, K.O.; Dennis, E.E.; Ayettey, A.S.Cocoa contains numerous polyphenols with laudable antioxidant activity. Glycation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of complications of diabetes mellitus. We investigate the effect of coca on hemoglobin glycation in rats experimentally induced with diabetes. 21 female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 21 weeks were randomly divided into control "C" and diabetic - diabetics fed cocoa "DC" and diabetics not fed cocoa "D" - groups of 6, 8 and 7 rats respectively. All rats were fed rat chow; C and D groups were fed tap water while the DC group were fed 2% w/v natural cocoa powder in tap water ad libitum. Diabetes was induced by a single intravenous shot of streptozotocin (53 mg/kg body weight). Ten weeks post-diabetes, 1ml of blood aspirated from the left ventricle and stored in a plastic tube containing ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid and used to determine the glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration of each rat using a DCA 2000 plasma 1c analyzer. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and posthoc Bonferroni's Multiple Comparison Test of GraphPad Prism (3.0). Percentage hemoglobin glycation significantly reduced (p < 0.0001) reduced from 12.8±0.50 to 7.8±0.27 in D and DC groups respectively but did not attain levels observed in the controls (3.90±0.10). Cocoa powder and other cocoa products can be administered alongside current diabetes management protocols to improve patients' outcome.