Olfactory Responses to Natal Stream Water in Sockeye Salmon by BOLD fMRI

Many studies have shown that juvenile salmon imprint olfactory memory of natal stream odors during downstream migration, and adults recall this stream-specific odor information to discriminate their natal stream during upstream migration for spawning. The odor information processing of the natal stream in the salmon brain, however, has not been clarified. We applied blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the odor information processing of the natal stream in the olfactory bulb and telencephalon of lacustrine sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). The strong responses to the natal stream water were mainly observed in the lateral area of dorsal telencephalon (Dl), which are homologous to the medial pallium (hippocampus) in terrestrial vertebrates. Although the concentration of L-serine (1 mM) in the control water was 20,000-times higher than that of total amino acid in the natal stream water (47.5 nM), the BOLD signals resulting from the natal stream water were stronger than those by L-serine in the Dl. We concluded that sockeye salmon could process the odor information of the natal stream by integrating information in the Dl area of the telencephalon

Conservation and Natural Resource Management in the Ankasa Resource Reserve, Ghana

Community-based natural resource management has been introduced in Ghana as an instrument to assist nature conservation and natural resource management, as opposed to the fences and fines approach of the protectionist model. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of natural resource exploitation by the local communities in and around the Ankasa Resource Reserve after the introduction of the Amokwawsuazo Community Resource Management (ACREMA) programme. Particularly, the study sought to understand whether the implementation of ACREMA has helped to achieve nature conservation and natural resource management inside and outside the Reserve. The specific study objectives were as follows. First, the study seeks to assess the socio-demographic characteristics and economic activities of ACREMA community members. Second, the impact of ACREMA community members’ activities on natural resources of the Reserve was assessed. Third, the extent of natural resource exploitation after ACREMA was evaluated. Fourth, examine the measures undertaken to minimise natural resource exploitation in the Ankasa Resource Reserve after ACREMA was introduced. Fifth, the research assessed the ACREMA community members’ willingness to support nature conservation and other alternative livelihood programmes such as tourism. Finally, the research sought to provide guidelines and recommendations for policy makers, park management and other parties interested in the implementation of any development project in the Ankasa region. The study was justified because very little has been documented about the effectiveness of this approach in promoting nature conservation in Africa. Therefore, this study could contribute to understanding of the effectiveness of community-based resource management programmes in achieving nature conservation in Ghana. In order to achieve the objectives set, the study developed a conceptual framework based on social exchange theory. Social exchange theory conceptualises human behaviour as an exchange of goods and services, both tangible and intangible, and based on rewards for services rendered. The study combined both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Hence, the main modes of data capture were survey, focus group interviews and in-depth interview. While quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 14, qualitative data obtained were transcribed and analysed according to emerging themes. The results showed that natural resource exploitation declined following the introduction of ACREMA. This was as a result of the more effective collaboration and partnership developed between park management and local community members. Where exploitation existed, the study showed that this was primarily due to poverty and a lack of alternative resources. Secondly, the research demonstrated that ACREMA community members were willing to support nature conservation and as a result have undertaken several measures to minimise natural resource exploitation within the Ankasa region. The high level of enthusiasm to support nature conservation and tourism development was largely attributed to benefits already received for undertaken conservation measures as well as benefits perceived to result from the development of tourism in the future. Due to lack of alternative livelihoods, household heads also expressed interest in providing tourism-related services such as accommodation, catering services, working as drivers and tour guides if and when tourism becomes available in the region. This case study confirms that community-based natural resource management has been successful in achieving nature conservation and natural resource management in the Ankasa Resource Reserve and area. The study also provided several policy implications and pointed out areas for further study

Are risk factors for non-communicable diseases in adolescents a problem in senior high schools in Accra?

Background: We assessed risk factors of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among adolescents in a senior high schoolDesign: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2016Setting: Senior High School in AccraParticipants: Adolescents in senior high schoolInterventions: Adolescents were interviewed with a structured questionnaire designed using the WHO STEPS framework. Data on tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical activity and physical measurements of respondents were taken.Main outcome measures: risk factors of noncommunicable diseases among adolescentsResults: A total of 360 adolescents in the school were assessed. Mean age was (17±1.21) years with minimum age being 13 and maximum 19 years. Females were 51% (184/360). About 75% (271/360) reported low physical activity, 15% (55/360) were overweight or obese (95%CI: 0.0317-0.078), 7.0% (25/360) consumed alcohol (95%CI: 0.054-0.111) and 2.5% (9/360) smoked tobacco (95%CI: 0.013- 0.048). Majority of the respondents (346/360) were exposed or at risk of developing at least one risk factor. However, no one was found to be at risk of all five risk factors assessed. Females were three times more likely to be overweight or obese compared to their male counterparts (OR:3,95%CI:1.581-5.624)Conclusion: We found that majority of the children had low physical activity and more than 90% of the respondents had at least one NCD risk factor.Keywords: noncommunicable diseases, risk factors, physical activity, tobacco use, consumption of alcoholFunding: This work was funded by the author

Conservation and Natural Resource Management in the Ankasa Resource Reserve, Ghana

Community-based natural resource management has been introduced in Ghana as an instrument to assist nature conservation and natural resource management, as opposed to the fences and fines approach of the protectionist model. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of natural resource exploitation by the local communities in and around the Ankasa Resource Reserve after the introduction of the Amokwawsuazo Community Resource Management (ACREMA) programme. Particularly, the study sought to understand whether the implementation of ACREMA has helped to achieve nature conservation and natural resource management inside and outside the Reserve. The specific study objectives were as follows. First, the study seeks to assess the socio-demographic characteristics and economic activities of ACREMA community members. Second, the impact of ACREMA community members’ activities on natural resources of the Reserve was assessed. Third, the extent of natural resource exploitation after ACREMA was evaluated. Fourth, examine the measures undertaken to minimise natural resource exploitation in the Ankasa Resource Reserve after ACREMA was introduced. Fifth, the research assessed the ACREMA community members’ willingness to support nature conservation and other alternative livelihood programmes such as tourism. Finally, the research sought to provide guidelines and recommendations for policy makers, park management and other parties interested in the implementation of any development project in the Ankasa region. The study was justified because very little has been documented about the effectiveness of this approach in promoting nature conservation in Africa. Therefore, this study could contribute to understanding of the effectiveness of community-based resource management programmes in achieving nature conservation in Ghana. In order to achieve the objectives set, the study developed a conceptual framework based on social exchange theory. Social exchange theory conceptualises human behaviour as an exchange of goods and services, both tangible and intangible, and based on rewards for services rendered. The study combined both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Hence, the main modes of data capture were survey, focus group interviews and in-depth interview. While quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 14, qualitative data obtained were transcribed and analysed according to emerging themes. The results showed that natural resource exploitation declined following the introduction of ACREMA. This was as a result of the more effective collaboration and partnership developed between park management and local community members. Where exploitation existed, the study showed that this was primarily due to poverty and a lack of alternative resources. Secondly, the research demonstrated that ACREMA community members were willing to support nature conservation and as a result have undertaken several measures to minimise natural resource exploitation within the Ankasa region. The high level of enthusiasm to support nature conservation and tourism development was largely attributed to benefits already received for undertaken conservation measures as well as benefits perceived to result from the development of tourism in the future. Due to lack of alternative livelihoods, household heads also expressed interest in providing tourism-related services such as accommodation, catering services, working as drivers and tour guides if and when tourism becomes available in the region. This case study confirms that community-based natural resource management has been successful in achieving nature conservation and natural resource management in the Ankasa Resource Reserve and area. The study also provided several policy implications and pointed out areas for further study

Building the required skillsets for a resilient public health workforce: A decade of field epidemiology training in Ghana

The emergence and re-emergence of infectious and non-infectious diseases is a major issue of public health concern. The outbreak of Ebola, Lassa Fever, Meningitis and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to have a multisectoral public health workforce with the requisite skillsets to effectively address these situations.As part of the strategies to build these skillsets for public health professionals, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) has assisted countries and territories to establish Field Epidemiology Training Programs. The aim of the FETP training is to provide the public health workforces with the ability to prevent, early detect and respond to threats with the skills to collect, analyse and interrupt disease information so that prompt action can be taken to save live

Factors contributing to road crashes among commercial vehicle drivers in the Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana in 2017

Objective: The study assessed driver, vehicular and road-related factors associated with road crashes (RC) in the Kintampo North Municipality.Design: Cross-sectional studySetting: Kintampo North MunicipalityData source: Demographics, vehicular and road usage information on registered drivers at Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) and Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) in Kintampo North MunicipalityMain outcome: involvement in road crashes and related factorsResult: A total of 227 drivers were approached for this study. None of them declined participation. They were all males. Most were between 28-37 years (30%). The proportion of drivers that reported RC ever involvement in at least one RC was 55.5% (95% CI: 8.0%, 62.1%). In the bivariate analysis, drink and drive changed lane without signalling, ever bribed police officer, drove beyond the maximum speed limit, paid a bribe at DVLA for driving license, violation of traffic signals were found to be associated with RC involvement (p<0.05). Drivers who violated traffic signals had 2.84 odds of being involved in road crashes compared to those who did not [aOR; 2.84 (95%CI:1.06,7.63)]Conclusion: The proportion of drivers ever involved in road crashes was high. The major factor that is associated with RC involvement was a violation of the traffic light signals. Continuous driver education and enforcement of road traffic regulations by the appropriate authorities could curb the road crash menace in the Municipality.Keywords: commercial drivers, road crashes, vehicle, road signs, traffic light signalFunding: The authors funded this work

Changes in intracellular content of glutathione and thiols associated with γ-glutamyl cycle during sperm penetration and pronuclear formation in rat oocytes

The content of glutathione and other thiols in rat eggs was examined during sperm penetration and pronuclear formation by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Reduced glutathione (GSH) content was higher in unfertilised oocytes (8.50 ± 0.29 pmol/egg) and penetrated eggs with a decondensed sperm nucleus (DSH eggs; 7.72 ± 0.56 pmol/egg) than eggs at the pronuclear stage (PN eggs; 5.93 ± 0.10 pmol/egg). The content of oxidised glutathione (GSSG) was not different among experimental groups (152.6 ± 74.1 nmol/egg in unfertilised eggs, 146.0 ± 50.0 nmol/egg in DSH eggs and 39.7 ± 17.3 nmol/egg in PN eggs). The GSSG/GSH ratio did not change during fertilisation. Although the reduced cysteinylglycine content of eggs did not change among experimental groups, the oxidised form of cysteinylglycine increased (p &#60; 0.025) between sperm decondensation (6.9 ± 1.5 nmol/egg in unfertilised oocytes and 10.1 ± 2.1 nmol/egg in DSH eggs) and pronuclear formation (40.5 ± 11.5 nmol/egg in PN eggs). Low contents of cystine were detected during fertilisation but cysteine and &#947;-glutamylcysteine were not detected in any treatment groups. These results demonstrate that GSH content in rat eggs decreases between sperm decondensation and pronuclear formation, probably due to the increased activity of &#947;-glutamyl transpeptidase.</p

Compliance with the WHO strategy of test, treat and track for malaria control at Bosomtwi District in Ghana

Background: We reviewed malaria morbidity data to assess compliance to malaria T3 strategy in Bosomtwi District, Ashanti Region, Ghana.Design: The study was descriptive secondary data analysisSetting: Bosomtwi DistrictData source: District Health Information Management Systems (DHIMS2)Main outcome: Proportion of recorded cases tested, proportion of tested cases treated and proportion of cases trackedResults: Data for suspected and tested malaria cases was complete for only 3 years (2014-2016). Malaria testing reduced from 84.4% in 2015 to 76.8% in 2016 (national average 77.3%; regional average 70%). The proportion of untested but treated malaria cases declined from 46.3% in 2015 to 4.9% in 2016. Proportion of confirmed malaria cases put on antimalarial drugs was highest in 2016 at 63.9%. Pramso sub-district although home to largest facility in the district, under prescribed antimalarial drugs. Reports generated on malaria showed information on only confirmed suspected cases, under five, and above five malaria mortalities. The district did not determine their malaria thresholds.Conclusion: The malaria-testing rate in the Bosomtwi District is higher than the regional average and close to the national average. About a third of confirmed malaria cases missed getting appropriate antimalarial drugs. Limited analysis on malaria data reduced the information required to inform policy.Keywords: Malaria, Test, Treat and Track (T3), DHIMS2, Bosomtwi, Ghana.Funding: Author GO was fully sponsored by President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI)-CDC CoAg 6NU2GGH00187

The distribution and number of Leu-7 (CD57) positive cells in lung tissue from patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Leu-7 positive lymphocytes, including natural killer cells, play an important role in the immune system's surveillance function to prevent the development of cancer. The incidence of lung cancer is significantly high in patients with end-stage pulmonary fibrosis. We hypothesized that the number of Leu-7 positive cells may be decreased in areas of severe pulmonary fibrosis. To demonstrate this, Leu-7 positive cells were immunohistochemically stained in 41 lung specimens obtained from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen vascular disorders. The number of Leu-7 positive cells was evaluated according to the pathological findings. In pathologically normal lung, Leu-7 positive cells were mostly found within the capillaries of the septa and rarely in the alveolar space or the stroma. The number of Leu-7 positive cells was 0.69 +/- 0.15 in areas of advanced fibrosis (n = 41), 2.39 +/- 0.60 in areas that had newly developeing fibrosis (n = 41), 1.14 +/- 0.57 in bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (n = 9), and 1.35 +/- 0.87 in diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) (n = 11). The number of Leu-7 positive cells in areas of newly developing fibrosis (2.39 +/- 0.60) was significantly higher than that in areas of established fibrosis (0.69 +/- 0.15, P &#60; 0.05). Our present study demonstrates a significant decrease in the number of Leu-7 positive cells in areas of advanced fibrosis. This evidence may partly explain the high incidence of lung cancer associated with pulmonary fibrosis.</p

Descriptive data analysis of tuberculosis surveillance data, Sene East District, Ghana, 2020

Introduction: On 20th February 2017, health officials in Nadowli-Kaleo District (NKD) of Ghana's Upper West Region received reports of an upsurge in the number of meningitis case-patients reporting to the district's health facilities. The number of cases had exceeded the alert but not epidemic threshold for meningitis for the district. We investigated to identify the aetiologic agent, determine the risk factors and implement control measures. Methods: We conducted an unmatched case-control study. A meningitis case-patient was any NKD resident with any of the following signs and symptoms: neck stiffness, convulsion, bulging fontanelle (infants), altered consciousness or other meningeal signs with or without fever, from 1st January to 30th March 2017. For each case-patient, 2 controls (neighbours of case-patients without meningitis signs and symptoms) were identified. Demographic and clinical data were obtained through records review and case-patient interviews. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected for laboratory investigation. Significant risk factors were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Results: In all 67 case-patients comprising 35 (52.2%) males and two (3%) children aged &lt; 5 years were identified. The median age of case-patients was 24 years (interquartile range: 15–46 years). Ten deaths were recorded (case fatality rate: 14.9%). Most affected age group was 15-24 years with 18 (26.9%) case-patients and an age-specific attack rate of 170.8/100000 population. Nadowli Central sub-district, the epicenter, recorded 14 (22.4%) cases. Dominant aetiologic agent was Neisseria meningitidis isolated from 17 (58.6%) of 29 culture-positive CSF samples. Compared to controls, meningitis case-patients had higher odds of living in single window rooms (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) =5.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.35-11.66), or in rooms inhabited by more than two people (aOR=3.28, CI=1.57-7.73). Conclusion: Neisseria meningitidis caused the upsurge in meningitis cases in NKD, with the youth being the most affected age group. Living in poorly ventilated rooms and overcrowded rooms were risk factors. Prompt casemanagement and health education helped control the occurrence and prevented an outbreak