Vessel-Fibre Ratio, Specific Gravity And Durability Of Four Ghanaian Hardwoods

Several factors affect wood durability but the influence of anatomy is scarcely studied. Vessels and fibres sampled across and along stems of Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C. C. Berg) (odum), En-tandrophragma cylindricum (Sprague) Sprague (sapele), Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev. (emire) and Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. (kyenkyen) were studied to understand the relationship between their vessel-fibre (V-F) ratios, specific gravities (SGs) and durabilities. Vessels, fibres and their proportions were examined from macerates and T.S. of prepared slides. While the timbers ex-hibit major hardwood cell-types (e.g. vessels, fibres and parenchyma), intra-stem variability ex-ists with more vessels and greater V-F ratios at the crowns and in sapwoods than at the butts and in heartwoods, unlike for fibres. Inter-specific variation also shows A. toxicaria has the greatest vessel content then T. ivorensis, E. cylindricum and M. excelsa, a contrary pattern for fibre con-tents. V-F ratio ranks as: A. toxicaria > E. cylindricum > T. ivorensis > M. excelsa, while SGs are higher in E. cylindricum (667) and M. excelsa (635) than in T. ivorensis (507) and A. toxi-caria (505), which hardly differ from published data. Except for E. cylindricum, butts have the greatest SGs. Correlations between their V-F ratios and SGs are R2 = 34%, 84%, 32% and 1% respectively. Timbers with greatest vessels and V-F ratios but least fibres and SGs have weak relationship and very low durabilities, as in A. toxicaria (R2 = 1%). However, M. excelsa, which has the strongest V-F ratio and SG relationship (R2 = 84%), is very durable.Keywords: Cell type, durability class, macerates, paratracheal parenchyma, vessel- fibre rati

Quantification of surface and groundwater resources in the Anyari watershed of the Upper East Region in Ghana

United States Agency for International Developmen

CHROMOBIOTICS: The Silent Neglect of a Salient Need

Colour has been one of the multi-faceted means of human development interwoven in the social structure and institutions which practically, psychologically and physiologically reveal the beauty and benefits of nature. This paper focuses on the subject of colour with particular emphasis on its often nuanced involvement in human well-being as regards health, and the vital edification of social life. It looks at the roles colour play in the life of humanity, dwelling on its functionalities. The study combines historical and discourse analysis methods based upon the qualitative research approach. How does colour draw on human inbuilt capacities to rejuvenate and restore the entire system to enliven and delight the senses? This inquiry is to incline human-kind to identify more with colour and be responsible and respectful in its application, to appreciate the intrinsic importance of the power of colour to life and to understand its contingent potential for maximum employment. The study provides exciting opportunity and inspiration to advance the reader’s knowledge and experience of colour in an overarching manner. Keywords: hue, chromatics, physio-psychological, colour sensibilities, holistic, chromo-therapy

Sickle cell disease: reappraisal of the role of foetal haemoglobin levels in the frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis

Background: Foetal haemoglobin has been implicated in the modulation of sickle cell crisis. Its level is generally inversely proportional to the severity of sickle cell disease (SCD) for a given sickle cell phenotypes. The main aim of therapy for vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), which is the hallmark of SCD, is to reduce the chances of sickling through the prevention of polymerization of HbS. One way of preventing this polymerization is by increasing foetal haemoglobin levels.Objectives: To determine the relationship between HbF levels and the frequency of crisis in SCD patients in Ghana.Method: A longitudinal retrospective survey covering a period of 30 months was carried out on adult SCD patients at the Sickle Cell Clinic of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.Results: Eighty-three adults aged 15 to 65 years made up of 40 males and 43 femalea were studied. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) gave significant results in Hb and HbF levels. Higher HbF levels were positively related to less frequent crisis and were significantly high in SCD patients than in controls. HbF effects on the clinical manifestations on SCD were variable.Conclusion: Threshold values of HbF play a role in reducing the frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis in SCD patients and this finding contributes to the body of available literature on SCD severity. However our work does not give the apparent threshold level of helpful HBF Level in SCD.Keywords: Haemoglobin F, Frequency of crisis, sickle cell disease

Topical Ocular Anesthetics Harbour Clinically Important Microbes

Purpose: The study was to determine clinically important microbial contaminants of topical ocular anesthetic medications used in eye centers in Ghana. Methods: A cross-section of eye clinics was sampled for the topical ocular anesthetic agents. Standard laboratory procedures and protocols were observed in culturing the samples on different Agars. Microscopy and various biochemical tests were performed to identify microbial species. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were also performed to ascertain the clinical importance of the isolated microbes. Results: A total of 27 anesthetic agent were obtained (which consisted 15 Proparacaine and 12 Amethocaine), from which 87 bacteria were isolated which included Bacilli spp. 26(29.89%), Coagulase Negative Staphylococci spp. 17(19.54%), Moraxella spp. 17(19.54%), Staphylococcus aureus 8(9.19%), Streptococcus spp. 3(3.45%), Klebsiella spp. 3(3.45%), Pseudomonas spp. 1(1.15%), Proteus spp. 7(8.05%), Escherichia coli. 2(2.30%), and Shigella spp. 3(3.45%). There were 22 isolated fungal contaminants mainly Penicillium spp. 7(31.82%), Cephalosporium spp. 5(22.73%), Aspergillus spp 4(18.18%), Cercospora spp. 2(9.09%), and Cladosporium spp. 4(18.18%). The anesthetic agent with the most bacterial contamination was Proparacaine 44(50.57%) followed by Amethocaine 43(49.43%). Also, both agents were equally contaminated with fungus 11(50.0%) in each. Gentamicin was the only antibiotics that showed 100% activity against all the bacterial isolates. Fungal contaminants were more susceptible to Ketoconazole as compared to Fluconazole (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Topical ocular anesthetic preparations used in clinical setings in Ghana are contaminated with clinically important microbes as the isolated bacteria were susceptible only to Gentamicin and fungi to Ketoconazole and Fluconazole.Keywords: Anesthetics, Ocular infections, Amethocaine, Proparacain

Pain, range of motion and activity level as correlates of dynamic balance among elderly people with musculoskeletal disorder

Background: Assessment of impairment and disability measures on dynamic balance status of elderly patients is well documented in the rehabilitation of neuromuscular disorders. Few studies however considered similar evaluation in musculoskeletal disorders.Objective: To determine the influence of pain, hip range of motion and level of activity on dynamic balance among elderly people with hip osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: Elderly patients with hip OA participated in the cross-sectional survey. The impairment measures were assessed using the visual  analogue scale and double-arm universal goniometer whilst their levels ofactivity were assessed with the Barthel Index. Participants performed Turn-180 on two trials by taking steps clockwise and anti-clockwise round a sturdy arm chair. The total number of steps taken to complete each Turn-180 was determined. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data whilst Pearson moment correlation coefficient determined the correlations of the variables at 95% confidence interval.Results: The study involved 87 participants comprising 40(46%) males and 47(54%) females. The age of the participants ranged from 60 to 74years with a mean of 65.8±4.5years. There was a positive and significant correlation (r=0.596; p<0.001) between the participants’ pain and steps taken to complete Turn-180. The participants’ hip flexibility and the level of activity were also significantly and inversely correlated with the performance of Turn-180.Conclusion: The dynamic balance of the sampled elderly patients was considerably influenced by pain, hip flexibility and level of activity, thereby putting premium on the assessment of the variables during  musculoskeletal rehabilitation of elderly patients.Keywords: Pain, Hip flexibility, Activity level, Turn-180, Dynamic balanc

Water availability for dry season irrigation in the Anayari watershed in Ghana

United States Agency for International Developmen

Surveillance of bacterial pathogens of diarrhoea in two selected sub metros within the Accra metropolis

Background: In recent years, many localities within the Greater Accra Region (GAR) have witnessed several episodes of cholera outbreaks, with some deaths.Compared to previous epidemics, which usually followed heavy rains, recent outbreaks show no seasonality.Objectives: To investigate infective bacterial diseases in selected sub metros within the GAR.Methods: We used existing disease surveillance systems in Ghana, and investigated all reported cases of diarrhoea that met our case-definition. A three-daytraining workshop was done prior to the start of study, to sensitize prescribers at the Korle-Bu Polyclinic and Maamobi General hospital. A case-based investigationform was completed per patient, and two rectal swabs were taken for culture at the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory. Serotyping and antibiogramprofiles of identified bacteria were determined. Potential risk factors were also assessed using a questionnaire.Results: Between January and June 2012, a total of 361 diarrhoeal cases with 5 deaths were recorded. Out of a total of 218 rectal swabs cultured, 71 (32.6%) Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa serotypes, and 1 (0.5%) Salmonella (O group B) were laboratory confirmed. No Shigella was isolated. The Vibrio cholerae isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. Greater than 80% of patients reported having drank sachet water 24 h prior to diarrhoea onset, and many (144/361) young adults (20-29 years) reported with diarrhoea.Conclusion: Enhanced surveillance of diarrhoeal diseases (enteric pathogens) within cholera endemic regions, will serve as an early warning signal, and reduce fatalities associated with infective diarrhoea.Keywords: Diarrhoeal disease surveillance, enteric pathogens, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonell

Germplasm collection and ethnobotany of taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) from nineteen districts in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions of Ghana

Germplasm collection and ethnobotanical documentation are necessary for effective conservation and management of plant genetic resources. Taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) is one of the staple root and tuber crops in Ghana. The study reports the germplasm and ethnobotanical information of taro collected from 19 districts in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions of Ghana. A germplasm collection expedition was undertaken in 58 towns in the districts. Fifty donors were interviewed on the ethnobotany of taro, using a questionnaire based on International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) descriptors for taro. Sixty taro accessions were collected from fields (34), home gardens (23), roadside stalls (2) and the wild (1). Respondents comprised of 27 males and 23 females. (62%). According to respondents of the survey, taro is used for food (100%), animal feed (44%) and folk medicine (4%). The corms (100%) and leaves (64%) are the parts of the plant used. The crop is grown mainly on a small scale for subsistent use by 70 percent of the respondents. Taro leaf blight (TLB) and lack of planting materials were the main constraints to large scale production. Respondents perceived the outbreak of TLB was due to the use of agrochemicals in farming practices in recent times (80%), irradiation (26%) and mythical reasons (10%). There is the need to educate taro growers on the causes and management of taro leaf blight