Hydro-political assessment of water governance from the top-down and review of literature on local level institutions and practices in the Volta Basin

Water resource management / Governance / River basin development / Water law / Colonialism / Institutions / Social participation / Women / Water use

Press coverage of Corporate Social Responsibility Performance in Ghana

The work examines the role press reports on corporate social responsibility (CSR) play in the reputation-building of two telecom companies (MTN and Vodafone) in Ghana. Content in 480 editions of Accra-based Daily Graphic and Business and Financial Times were analyzed from January to December, 2015. Findings show that 102 CSR stories were published by the newspapers at 40.2 and 59.8 per cent respectively. Similarly, most of the stories were positive and published on pages inside while not more than two stories existed on the front pages in each case. The insignificant front-page exposure suggests that these telecom companies should upgrade their credential in terms of the impact their CSR activities make on their audiences. Â

Effect of Saw Palmetto Supplements on Androgen-Sensitive LNCaP Human Prostate Cancer Cell Number and Syrian Hamster Flank Organ Growth

Citation: Opoku-Acheampong, A. B., Penugonda, K., & Lindshield, B. L. (2016). Effect of Saw Palmetto Supplements on Androgen-Sensitive LNCaP Human Prostate Cancer Cell Number and Syrian Hamster Flank Organ Growth. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 10. doi:10.1155/2016/8135135Saw palmetto supplements (SPS) are commonly consumed by men with prostate cancer. We investigated whether SPS fatty acids and phytosterols concentrations determine their growth-inhibitory action in androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells and hamster flank organs. High long-chain fatty acids-low phytosterols (HLLP) SPS >= 750 nM with testosterone significantly increased and >= 500 nM with dihydrotestosterone significantly decreased LNCaP cell number. High long-chain fatty acids-high phytosterols (HLHP) SPS >= 500 nM with dihydrotestosterone and high medium-chain fatty acids-low phytosterols (HMLP) SPS >= 750 nM or with androgens significantly decreased LNCaP cell number (n = 3; p < 0.05). Five-to six-week-old, castrated male Syrian hamsters were randomized to control (n = 4), HLLP, HLHP, and HMLP SPS (n = 6) groups. Testosterone or dihydrotestosterone was applied topically daily for 21 days to the right flank organ; the left flank organ was treated with ethanol and served as the control. Thirty minutes later, SPS or ethanol was applied to each flank organ in treatment and control groups, respectively. SPS treatments caused a notable but nonsignificant reduction in the difference between left and right flank organ growth in testosterone-treated SPS groups compared to the control. The same level of inhibition was not seen in dihydrotestosterone-treated SPS groups (p < 0.05). Results may suggest that SPS inhibit 5 alpha-reductase thereby preventing hamster flank organ growth

The expression of SLAMF7 levels in malignant B cells: a novel therapeutic pathway for patients with CLL

Signalling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) F7 is found on the surface of some immune cells including B-lymphocytes. Its activation leads to the proliferation or differentiation of immune cells. The objectives of the study were to measure SLAMF7 expression levels on B-CLL cells, and to upregulate the expression of SLAMF7 with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and Bryostatin. The levels of expression of SLAMF7 receptors of B-CLL cells from patients were measured; using immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effects of treatments with PMA and Bryostatin were determined from different patients. Different levels of SLAMF7 expression were found to be associated with B-CLL cells from different patients. PMA treatment of B-CLL cells showed more positive SLAMF7 staining with the majority of the extracted B-CLL cell cases, while less positive results were associated with Bryostatin treatment. The study has shown that both PMA and Bryostatin could upregulate SLAMF7. Successful modulation of SLAMF7 expression may provide a novel target for the treatment of patients with CLL.Keywords: SLAMF7, RT PCR, Elotuzumab, Bryostatin, PM

Effect of Ficus exasperata leaf meal on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of three-weeks-old Coturnix coturnix japonica (Japanese quails)

five-week experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Ficus exasperata leaf meal (FELM) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of three-weeks-old Japanese quails. Ninety-six (96) Japanese layer quails were randomly allocated to four (4) dietary treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 with 0%, 2%, 4% and 6% of FELM partially replacing similar amounts of soy-bean meal respectively, and with 3 replicates per treatment. T1 served as the control diet (No FELM). Eight (8) quails were allotted to each replicate under completely randomised design. Growth performance were measured during the feeding trial and afterwards, carcass characteris-tics were evaluated. Data collected were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) as de-scribed by Minitab (version 18.1). The means were compared using Tukey’s pairwise comparison with a confidence level of 95%. There were no significant (p&gt;0.05) differences in the mean daily and total feed intakes, initial weights and final live weight among the various treatments. However, there were significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in the daily and total weight gains across the various treatments, with T1 recording the highest weight gain, followed by T2, T3 and T4. There was a significant (p&lt;0.05) difference in the mean feed conversion ratio among the treatments, with T4 being a poor converter of feed to gain. The feed cost per kilogram diet and the feed cost per kilo-gram weight gain decreased as the inclusion levels of FELM increased. There were significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in the live, bled and eviscerated weights across the various treatment, with T2 recording the highest weights, followed by T1, T3 and then T4. Shank, drum stick, thigh and breast muscle weights also recorded significant (p&lt;0.05) differences among the various treatment, with a similar trend as mentioned above, T2 recording the highest weights followed by T1, T3 and T4. The remaining carcass parameters recorded no significant differences across the various treat-ments. The results indicate that FELM may be fed to quail birds up to 4% of the diet without any adverse effects on their growth performance and carcass characteristics

Occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae, heterorhabditidae) as potential biocontrol agents against Spodoptera frugiperda infesting Zea mays

Synthetic insecticides are used worldwide to manage invasive fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in cereals, in spite of the chemical’s prohibitive cost and threats to environmental health. In Ghana, little attention has been given to entomopathogenic nematodes as insect pest biocontrol agents, due to the existence of dismal expertise in the field. This study evaluated maize (Zea mays L.) farms for endemic entomopathogenic nematodes as potential biological control agents against fall armyworms infesting maize in Ghana. Entomopathogenic nematode juveniles were extracted using an insect baiting technique, White traps. These Rhabditid nematodes (Heterorhabditis; Steinernema) were found in 75% of 200 soil samples; and 92.5% of 40 districts targeted by this study. The Greater Accra region recorded the greatest population density (1,820 juveniles per 5 fall armyworm larvae cadavers); while; the Central region recorded the lowest density (81 juveniles per 5 fall armyworm larvae cadavers). There was high presence of entomopathogenic nematodes across the study areas. Therefore, entomopathogenic nematodes offer a promising alternative strategy for managing fall armyworm infestation of maize in Ghana to minimise over-reliance on synthetic insecticides. &nbsp

Insecticidal activities and chemical composition of the essential oil from Tarchonanthus camphoratus (L.), leaves against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, and Sitophilus oryzae (L.)

The essential oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus dry leaves growing in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa was obtained by hydrodistillation and evaluated for its repellent effect, contact and fumigation toxicity against both Sitophilus zeamais and Sarocladium oryzae. Chemical composition of the essential oil was analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The study revealed that the essential oil of T. camphoratus had no contact and fumigation toxicity against stored insect pests, S. zeamais and S. oryzae. The oil, however, showed good repellent activity of over 50% after 24 h for all the concentrations used on both S. zeamais and S. oryzae. A total of 27 compounds accounting for 73% of the total oil composition were identified of which sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, (59.18%), were the most dominant. These results suggest that the essential oil of T. camphoratus could be considered a potential control agent of stored grain pests as a repellent

The bacteria profiles of wounds in diabetic patients hospitalized in northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Diabetic wound infections still remain a health concern such that correct identification of bacteria is essential in monitoring the spread of the infections as well as in the administration of the correct treatment. This study therefore focuses on isolating and identifying bacteria present in diabetic wounds of hospitalized patients in northern KwaZulu-Natal and assessing their distribution.The wound specimen were collected and swabbed onto selective and differential media. The bacteria identities were presumptively ascertained through biochemical characterization (Gram-stain, catalase test, oxidase test and API) and then confirmed through 16S rDNA sequencing.A total of 42 isolates were recovered from 83% of the patients sampled from the three participating hospitals (X, Y, and Z). Gram-negative bacilli from Enterobacteriaceaewere predominant followed by Staphylococci spp and Enterococcus faecaliswith 43% polymicrobial cases from hospital Z and 29% from hospital X. Distribution of some opportunistic pathogens and nosocomially-acquired pathogens were also observed across the patients with five bacterial identities distributed among hospital X and Z. The adverse effects associated with the recovered bacteria in diabetic wounds pose a serious health concern and preventive measure should be taken.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, wounds, bacteria, infectio

Multi-Level Analysis and Spatial Interpolation of Distributions and Predictors of Childhood Diarrhea in Nigeria.

Background: Diarrhea is one of the health problems contributing to Nigeria's under-5 mortality rate, ranked as the eighth highest globally. As our search is concerned, there is limited evidence on the spatial distribution of childhood diarrhea in Nigeria. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the spatial distribution and predictors of diarrhea among under-5 children in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Using data from the child's recode file of the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, a sample of 28 583 children of women of reproductive age was considered as the sample size for this study. The outcome variable used in this study was childhood diarrhea. We employed both multilevel and spatial analyses to ascertain the factors associated with childhood diarrhea as well as its spatial clustering. Results: The regional distribution of the prevalence of diarrhea among children in Nigeria ranged from 0% to 62%. The hotspots for childhood diarrhea were in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Sokoto, Imo, and Taraba. The likelihood of a child having diarrhea in Nigeria was higher among women whose partners have secondary education and above [aOR = 1.18; 95%CI = 1.05-1.33], women currently working [aOR = 1.24; 95%CI = 1.13-1.35], women practicing Islam [aOR = 1.24; 95%CI = 1.04-1.46], and women who were exposed to mass media [aOR = 1.29; 95%CI = 1.18-1.42], compared to women whose partners had no formal education, women not currently working, women practicing Christianity, and those who were not exposed to mass media. Children born to mothers who reside in North East [aOR = 2.55; 95%CI = 2.10-3.10], and communities with medium socioeconomic status [aOR = 1.44; 95%CI = 1.09-1.91] were more likely to experience diarrhea compared to those born to mothers residing in the North Central and in communities with low socioeconomic status. Conclusion: High proportions of childhood diarrhea among under-5 children in Nigeria were located in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Sokoto, Imo, and Taraba. Policies and interventions that seek to reduce or eliminate diarrhea diseases among under-5 children in Nigeria should take a keen interest in the factors identified as predictors of childhood diarrhea in this study as this will help in achieving the aims of WASH, ORT corners, and SDG 3 by the year 2030

Decentralized Solid Waste Management in Rural Ghana: A Case Study of Assin Kushea Community in Assin North Municipality

Management of solid waste continues to be a major developmental challenge for developing countries like Ghana. The current focus and attention have been on the collection and dumping of waste in urban communities where generation rate is high to the detriment of rural communities. In this study, a pilot waste management scheme was undertaken in Assin Kushea, a rural community in the Assin North Municipality, to determine the willingness of the community to sort their waste at source, the quantity of waste generated by the community, and the characteristics of the waste to inform the treatment or disposal options suitable for the community. The results of the study showed that the community generates approximately 20 to 40 kg waste per day which comprises about 77% biological municipal waste (BMW) and 23% of residual waste. Laboratory analysis of the waste showed that the moisture content of the waste was about 68%. The percentage volatile solid was about 85.45%, leaving an ash content of approximately 14.55% all by weight of the waste materials. More than 50% of the sampled population achieved 100% source separation efficiency. Given the composition and characteristics of the waste, and the willingness of the community to sort their waste at source, composting or anaerobic fermentation of the organic waste fraction is recommended as the best waste treatment option for the organic component of the waste for the community