College of Basic and Applied Sciences
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Item Synthesis and Biological Properties of Ferrocenyl and Organic Methotrexate Derivatives(ACS Omega, 2024) Rózga, K.; Błauz, A.; Ayine-Tora, D.M.; et al.Synthesis and biological activity of two series of modified side chain methotrexate (MTX) derivatives are presented, one with a ferrocenyl moiety inserted between the pteroyl and glutamate portions of the molecule and the other with glutamate substituted for short chain amino acids. Ferrocenyl derivatives of MTX turned out to be rather moderate inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) although molecular modeling suggested more effective interactions between these compounds and the target enzyme. More interestingly, ferrocene-decorated MTX derivatives were able to impede the proliferation of four murine and human cell lines as well as their methotrexate-resistant counterparts, overcoming the multidrug resistance (MDR) barrier. They were also able to directly interact with Abcc1, an MDR protein. Of the amino acid pteroyl conjugates, the γ-aminobutyric acid derivative was an efficient inhibitor of DHFR but had no effect on cell proliferation in the concentration range studied while a taurine conjugate was a poor DHFR inhibitor but able to affect cell viability. We postulate that modification of the methotrexate side chain may be an efficient strategy to overcome efflux-dependent methotrexate resistance.Item Digital Platforms in Climate Information Service Delivery for Farming in Ghana(African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation, 2021) Sarku, R.; Adiku, P.; Appiah, D.O.; et al.Phone-based applications, Internet connectivity, and big data are enabling climate change adaptations. From ICT for development and agriculture perspectives, great interest exists in how digital platforms support climate information provision for smallholder farmers in Africa. The vast majority of these platforms both private and public are for delivering climate information services and for data collection. The sheer number of digital platforms in the climate information sector has created a complex information landscape for potential information users, with platforms differing in information type, technology, geographic coverage, financing structures, and infrastructure. This chapter mapped the existing climate information services and examined their impact on policy and practices in smallholder farming development in Africa, with a focus on Ghana. Specifically, the chapter provides highlights of digital platforms available to smallholder farmers and agricultural extension agents, analyzes the public and/or private governance arrangements that underpin the implementation of digital climate information delivery, and assesses the potential of these platforms in scaling up the use of climate information. The chapter contributes to understanding the dynamics of climate information delivery with digital tools in Africa and suggests a future research agenda.Item Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of cyberbullying on the academic lives of Ghanaian university students. It also establishes whether cyberbullying victims, perpetrators, victim-perpetrators and bystanders differed in their thoughts on the effects of cyberbullying on students’ academic lives. Design/methodology/approach This study is anchored on Bandura’s theory of triadic reciprocal determinism and Abraham Maslow’s theory of needs. This study uses a cross-sectional survey design and quantitative approach to collect the data from 1,374 students from three public universities. The authors use descriptive statistics and ANOVA techniques to analyse the data. Findings The results show that the effects of cyberbullying on academic life are difficulty concentrating on studies, difficulty studying in groups and difficulty assessing important academic information online. There is also a statistically significant difference among cyberbullying victims, perpetrators, victim-perpetrators and bystanders in their thoughts on the effects of cyberbullying on students’ academic lives.(Journal of Molecular Structure, 2024) Abbasi, M.A.; Siddiqui, S.S.; Ayine-Tora, D.M.; et al.In the research delineate herein, an innovative sequence of new series of multi-functional target molecules (9a-i) having indole-N-phenyltriazole bi-heterocyclic hybrids unified with N-arylated butanamides was synthesized as alkaline phosphatase inhibitor. The structural validation of all the formulated compounds was accomplished through IR, EI-MS, 1 H NMR, 13C NMR and CHN analysis data. The in vitro enzyme inhibitory investigation revealed the efficacy of these bi-heterocyclic derivatives, 9a–i, as potent inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase relative to the standard used. The compound 9h was found to be the most active compound (IC50 = 0.062 ± 0.017 μM), and its inhibitory activity is about 10 times higher than potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) (IC50 = 5.251 ± 0.468 μM). The kinetics mechanism was attributed by evaluating the Lineweaver–Burk plots, which revealed that compound 9h inhibited the alkaline phosphatase non-competitively to form an enzyme –inhibitor complex. The inhibition constant Ki determined from Dixon plots for this compound was 0.045 μM. The computational study was in full agreement with the experimental records and these ligands exhibited good interactions and binding energy values. These molecules also demonstrated mild cytotoxicity toward red blood cell membranes when analyzed through hemolysis. So, based on the presented results, these molecules, being the promising inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase, might be deliberated as suitable medicinal scaffolds to render normal calcification of bones and teeth.Item Differential Impact of Land Use Types on Soil Productivity Components in Two Agro-ecological Zones of Southern Ghana(African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation, 2021) Owoade, F.M.; Adiku, S.G.K.; MacCarthy, D.S.; et al.The maintenance of soil productivity is important for sustained crop yield in low-input systems in the tropics. This study investigated the impact of four different land use types, namely, maize and cassava cropping, woodlot/plantations, and natural forests on soil productivity components, especially soil carbon accretion, at six sites within two agro-ecological zones of southern Ghana. Soil properties were significantly different between sites and ecological zones. The coastal savanna zone, which is a low rainfall zone had relatively lower soil carbon storage than the high rainfall forest-savanna transition zone. Soil productivity conditions in the latter zone were much more favorable for cropping than the former. Land use types significantly affected the soil carbon (SOC) storage within the two ecological zones. In the low rainfall zone, soil carbon accretion by maize cropping, cassava cropping, and plantations was 48%, 54%, and 60%, respectively, of the forest carbon stock (47,617 kg/ha). In the transition zone, the soil carbon accretion was over 90% of the forest value (48,216 kg/ha) for all land use types. In effect, the use of land use types in maintaining soil productivity must consider the conditions in a given ecological zone.Item A rare case of intusscusception in a 6-month-old baby(Radiology Case Reports 19, 2024) Fiagbedzi, E.; Arkorful, J.; Appiah, E.; et al.This case report discusses the clinical presentation, imaging findings, and successful management of a rare case of intussusception in a 6-month-old female infant referred to a regional hospital in Ghana. The patient presented with vomiting, lethargy, fever, and currant jelly stool. Differential diagnoses considered included Merkel diverticulum, volvulus, lymphadenopathy, and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Ultrasound imaging revealed a concentric lesion with characteristic signs of intussusception. Ileo-caeco coli intussusception was con firmed as the diagnosis. Surgical management was used for this patient. The postsurgery phase was without any complications. The patient recovered well and was discharged with a switch to oral medications. Infant intussusception is still a disease with a low morbidity rateItem Seasonal Variability of Sea Surface Salinity in the NW Gulf of Guinea from SMAP Satellite(Remote Sensing in Earth Systems Sciences, 2022) Nyadjro, E.S.; Foli, B.A.K.; Agyekum, K.A.; et al.The advent of satellite-derived sea surface salinity (SSS) measurements has boosted scientific study in less-sampled ocean regions such as the northwestern Gulf of Guinea (NWGoG). In this study, we examine the seasonal variability of SSS in the NWGoG from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite and show that it is well-suited for such regional studies as it is able to reproduce the observed SSS features in the study region. SMAP SSS bias, relative to in-situ data comparisons reflects the differences between skin layer measurements and bulk-surface measurements that have been reported by previous studies. The study results reveal three broad anomalous SSS features: a basin-wide salinification during boreal summer, a basin-wide freshening during winter and a meridionally-oriented frontal system during other seasons. A salt budget estimation suggests that seasonal SSS variability is dominated by changes in freshwater flux, zonal circulation and upwelling. Freshwater flux, primarily driven by the seasonally varying Intertropical Convergence Zone is a dominant contributor to salt budget in all seasons except during fall. Regionally, SSS is most variable off southwestern Nigeria and controlled primarily by westward extensions of the Niger River. Anomalous salty SSS off the coasts of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, especially during the summer, is driven mainly by coastal upwelling and horizontal advection.Item Assessment of Neonatal Mortality and Associated Hospital-Related Factors in Healthcare Facilities Within Sunyani and Sunyani West Municipal Assemblies in Bono Region, Ghana(Health Services Insights, 2024) Tawiah, K.; Asosega, K.A.; Iddi, S.; et al.Objectives: Ghana’s quest to reduce neonatal mortality, in hospital facilities and communities, continues to be a nightmare. The pursuit of achieving healthy lives and well-being for neonates as enshrined in Sustainable Development Goal three lingered in challenging hospital facilities and communities. Notwithstanding that, there have been increasing efforts in that direction. This study examines the contributing factors that hinder the fight against neonatal mortality in all hospital facilities in the Sunyani and Sunyani West Municipal Assemblies in Bono Region, Ghana. Methods: The study utilized neonatal mortality data consisting of neonatal deaths, structural facility related variables, medical human resources, types of hospital facilities and natal care. The data was collected longitudinally from 2014 to 2019. These variables were analysed using the negative binomial hurdle regression (NBH) model to determine factors that contribute to this menace at the facility level. Cause-specific deaths were obtained to determine the leading causes of neonatal deaths within health facilities in the two municipal assemblies. Results: The study established that the leading causes of neonatal mortality in these districts are birth asphyxia (46%), premature birth (33%), neonatal sepsis (11%) and neonatal jaundice (7%). The NBH showed that neonatal mortality in hospital facilities depend on the num ber of incubators, monitoring equipment, hand washing facilities, CPAPb machines, radiant warmers, physiotherapy machines, midwives, paediatric doctors and paediatric nurses in the hospital facility. Conclusions: Early management of neonatal sepsis, birth asphyxia, premature birth and neonatal infections is required to reduce neonatal deaths. The government and all stakeholders in the health sector should provide all hospital facilities with the essential equipment and the medical human resources necessary to eradicate the menace. This will make the realization of Sustainable Development Goal three, which calls for healthy lives and well-being for all, a reality.Item Direct and Indirect Infection Effects of Four Potent Fungal Isolates on the Survival and Performance of Fall Armyworm Larval Parasitoid Cotesia icipe(Sustainability, 2023) Chepkemoi, J.; Fening, K.O.; Ambele, F.C.; et al.Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, has recently invaded Africa, where it is seriously threatening food security. Current management methods rely heavily on synthetic insecticides which are harmful to humans, the environment, and non-target beneficial insects. Cotesia icipe was recently identified as a major FAW-associated indigenous parasitoid causing a high parasitism rate on the pest in Kenya. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 7, ICIPE 41, ICIPE 78, and Beauveria bassiana ICIPE 621 against FAW. However, limited information is available on the interactions between these potent isolates and C. icipe. This study, therefore, assessed direct and indirect infection effects of these fungal isolates on C. icipe, induced 2nd instar FAW mortality, and parasitism rates of the infected C. icipe. Results showed that when C. icipe were directly exposed to dry conidia of the fungal isolates, ICIPE 7 and ICIPE 41 caused the highest (100%) C. icipe adult mortality seven days post-exposure. Both isolates also induced the highest FAW larval mortality of 55% and 53%, respectively. ICIPE 78 recorded the highest parasitism rates after direct infection. In the indirect exposure (fungal-infected FAW larvae exposed to the parasitoid), 1 × 109 conidia mL−1 recorded high C. icipe adult and FAW 2nd instar mortalities for all fungal isolates. This study provides: an important baseline for effective fungal-based biopesticide development that could also be used in augmentative biological control. However, further studies are warranted to assess the performance of C. icipe in combination with these potent biopesticides in the field.Item Accounting for Weather Variability in Farm Management Resource Allocation in Northern Ghana: An Integrated Modeling Approach(Sustainability, 2023) Adelesi, O.O.; MacCarthy, D.S.; Adiku, G.K.; et al.Smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana face challenges due to weather variability and market volatility, hindering their ability to invest in sustainable intensification options. Modeling can help understand the relationships between productivity, environmental, and economic aspects, but few models have explored the effects of weather variability on crop management and resource allocation. This study introduces an integrated modeling approach to optimize resource allocation for smallholder mixed crop and livestock farming systems in Northern Ghana. The model combines a process-based crop model, farm simulation model, and annual optimization model. Crop model Simulations are driven by a large ensemble of weather time series for two scenarios: good and bad weather. The model accounts for the effects of climate risks on farm management decisions, which can help in supporting investments in sustainable intensification practices, thereby bringing smallholder farmers out of poverty traps. The model was simulated for three different farm types, represented in the region. The results suggest that farmers could increase their income by allocating more than 80% of their land to cash crops such as rice, groundnut, and soybeans. The optimized cropping patterns have an over 50% probability of increasing farm income, particularly under bad weather scenarios, compared with current cropping systems.Item Impact of the citizen science project Collect on ocean literacy and well-being within a north/west African and south-east Asian context(Frontiers in Psychology, 2023) Severin, M.I.; Mahu, E.; Akpetou, L.K.; et al.Plastic pollution is both a societal and environmental problem and citizen science has proven to be a useful tool to engage both the public and professionals in addressing it. However, knowledge on the educational and behavioral impacts of citizen science projects focusing on marine litter remains limited. Our preregistered study investigates the impact of the citizen science project Citizen Observation of Local Litter in coastal ECosysTems (COLLECT) on the participants’ ocean literacy, pro-environmental intentions and attitudes, well-being, and nature connectedness, using a pretest-posttest design. A total of 410 secondary school students from seven countries in Africa (Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, and Asia (Malaysia) were trained to sample plastics on sandy beaches and to analyze their collection in the classroom. Non-parametric statistical tests (n = 239 matched participants) demonstrate that the COLLECT project positively impacted ocean literacy (i.e., awareness and knowledge of marine litter, self-reported litter-reducing behaviors, attitudes towards beach litter removal). The COLLECT project also led to higher pro-environmental behavioral intentions for students in Benin and Ghana (implying a positive spillover effect) and higher well-being and nature connectedness for students in Benin. Results are interpreted in consideration of a high baseline in awareness and attitudes towards marine litter, a low internal consistency of pro-environmental attitudes, the cultural context of the participating countries, and the unique settings of the project’s implementation. Our study highlights the benefits and challenges of understanding how citizen science impacts perceptions and behaviors towards marine litter in youth from the respective regions.