Department of Anatomy
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Item Radiation therapist education and the changing landscape in Africa(Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 2024-07-19) Kyei, A. K.; Engel-Hills, P.In the changing global landscape, education programs for radiation therapists (RTTs), also known as therapeutic radiographers or radiation therapy technologists, at higher education institutions (HEIs) are non-existent in many African countries. In countries with local RTT education programs, there is evidence of a wide variety of qualification types, including in-house training, diploma and degree offerings. However, what is consistent is the integrated curriculum approach to classroom theory and clinical work-based learning that across the continent follows the general structure of a work-integrated learning (WIL) approach, to enhance clinical competence and meet the needs of the health sector. This study used a qualitative approach with thematic analysis of publicly available documents and reflective writings followed by further analysis through application of the Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to explore the changing landscape of oncology in Africa and the impact of this on the education of RTTs. The study was guided by the reflective research question: How can the systemic understanding of RTT training in a changing landscape enable competent and caring practice? The study extends prior research on RTT education in Africa and contributes to debates on the changing role of RTTs in a rapidly changing environment.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.