Physicochemical Properties of Pumpkin Fruit Pulp and Sensory Evaluation of Pumpkin-Pineapple Juice Blends

Abstract Pumpkin pulp has rich source of vitamins and mineral salts for human consumption. However, there is limited utilization in terms of it commercial acceptability. The aim of this study was to determine some physicochemical properties of pumpkin pulp and the sensory properties of pumpkin-MD2 pineapple juice blends. The pulp of round and cylindrical pumpkin fruits containing white seeds were analyzed for some physicochemical properties such as protein, ash, titratable acidity (TA), pH and minerals (Ca, Na, Zn, K, Mg and Fe). The pulps of the fruit were peeled, cut, grated, fermented and the juices extracted were blended with MD2-pineapple juice in different formulation ratios. Sensory evaluation of the juice blend was carried out using the nine-point hedonic scale. Preference ranking test was also carried out on the formulated juices. The result showed moisture content of (95.03 and 95.66%), ash (0.66 and 0.83%), crude protein (2.58 and 2.42), pH (4.39 and 4.13), titratable acidity (0.38 and 0.34% as citric acid), for round and cylindrical pulp, respectively. Significant differences (p<0.05) existed in TA, ash, pH and moisture contents of the pulps from the round and cylindrical fruits. The predominant minerals in the pulps were potassium and calcium which were 266.30 and 13.18 mg/100g for the round and 363.05 and 9.63mg/ 100g for the cylindrical, respectively. The results showed that the most accepted blend was (55:45) pumpkin (round)-MD2 pineapple juice. In the case of the cylindrical fruit, the 100 % pineapple juice was the most accepted. The 100 % pumpkin juice had the lowest acceptability. Thus, the (55:45) pumpkin-MD2 pineapple juice blend with the pulp from both round and cylindrical fruits has the potential to compete with single strength pineapple juice on the market

Respiratory syncytial virus genotypes circulating in urban Ghana: february to november 2006

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract  infection (ALRI) in young children. RSV strains have been divided into 2 major antigenic groups (A and B), which are further divided into several genotypes, but very little is known about its circulating genotypes in Ghana. This study characterized RSV genotypes detected in children with ALRI in Accra between  February and November 2006. Methods: Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were obtained from children diagnosed with ALRI between  February and November 2006. The NPA were screened for RSV using a nested multiplex reverse  transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for genotyping RSV. Viral RNA was extracted from the NPA using guanidinium isothiocyanate method and purified with an RNAID commercial kit.  Care-givers gave their consent prior to specimen collection. Administered questionnaires captured  information on patient demographic and clinical history. Results: A total of 53 children were enrolled in the study with a male to female ratio of 3:1. Of the 53 NPA  analyzed, 60.4% (32/53) were positive for RSV. Subsequent genotypic analysis showed that 72% (23/32) of the 60.4% RSV infections were RSV B only and 28% (9/32) were co-infections of both RSV A and B. Children between the ages of 2 - 12 months were the most affected age group per an RSV infection rate of 37.5% (12/32). No significant difference was detected in the recovery rate of ALRI (98.1%) and RSV (96.9%) positive patients from the infection. One patient died resulting in a mortality rate of 3.1%. Bronchopneumonia (20 out of 32 cases) was the major diagnosis on admission. RSV infection was  seasonal dependent, described by 2 peaks in October and April-May.Conclusion: Both RSV A and RSV B genotypes co-circulated during the study period with RSV B  predominating. RSV may possibly be the main pathogen of lower respiratory tract illness during  epidemics in the wet seasons. Genotyping by the multiplex RT-PCR is one of the first attempts at  molecular diagnosis of RSV infection in Ghana.Key words: Respiratory syncytial viruses, lower respiratory tract infections, multiplex RT-PC

Correlates of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections among prison inmates and officers in Ghana: A national multicenter study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prisons are known to be high-risk environments for the spread of bloodborne and sexually transmitted infections. Prison officers are considered to have an intermittent exposure potential to bloodborne infectious diseases on the job, however there has been no studies on the prevalence of these infections in prison officers in Ghana.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A national multicenter cross-sectional study was undertaken on correlates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis infections in sample of prison inmates and officers from eight of ten regional central prisons in Ghana. A total of 1366 inmates and 445 officers were enrolled between May 2004 and December 2005. Subjects completed personal risk-factor questionnaire and provided blood specimens for unlinked anonymous testing for presence of antibodies to HIV, HCV and <it>Treponema pallidum</it>; and surface antigen of HBV (HBsAg). These data were analyzed using both univariate and multivariate techniques.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Almost 18% (1336) of 7652 eligible inmates and 21% (445) of 2139 eligible officers in eight study prisons took part. Median ages of inmates and officers were 36.5 years (range 16–84) and 38.1 years (range 25–59), respectively. Among inmates, HIV seroprevalence was 5.9%, syphilis seroprevalence was 16.5%, and 25.5% had HBsAg. Among officers tested, HIV seroprevalence was 4.9%, HCV seroprevalence was 18.7%, syphilis seroprevalence was 7.9%, and 11.7% had HBsAg. Independent determinants for HIV, HBV and syphilis infections among inmates were age between 17–46, being unmarried, being illiterate, female gender, being incarcerated for longer than median time served of 36 months, history of homosexuality, history of intravenous drug use, history of sharing syringes and drug paraphernalia, history of participation in paid sexual activity, and history of sexually transmitted diseases. Independent determinants for HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections among officers were age between 25–46, fale gender, being unmarried, being employed in prison service for longer than median duration of employment of 10 years, and history of sexually transmitted diseases.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The comparably higher prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis in prison inmates and officers in Ghana suggests probable occupational related transmission. The implementation of infection control practices and risk reduction programs targeted at prison inmates and officers in Ghana is urgently required to address this substantial exposure risk.</p

Severe odontogenic infections: a 5-year review of a major referral hospital in Ghana

Introduction:&nbsp;odontogenic infections are fairly common in healthcare settings. However, late presentations such as Ludwig's angina, facial cellulitis, necrotizing cervical fasciitis (NCF), among others could lead to mortality. In view of suggestions that the occurrence of severe, near-fatal odontogenic infections is declining, this study set out to determine the incidence of such severe odontogenic infections over the past 5 years at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, a major referral centre in Ghana. Methods:&nbsp;a retrospective review was done, involving all patients with severe odontogenic infection, thereby requiring admission, per stated criteria at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Dental clinic), Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, in the period between July 2012 and July 2017. The cumulative incidence for the respective years were then computed for the years of review. Results:&nbsp;a total of 243 patients were included in the study. This consisted of 121 males and 122 females, with an average age of 42.9 years (SD = 16.6), ranging from 18 months to 91 years. Incidence proportions for the years of the review were 8.2, 8.9, 17.7, 17.9 and 27.7 people per 1000 cases of tooth-related infections for the respective years. With a fatality rate of 5.8%, the incidence of odontogenic infections among patients attending the outpatient Dental clinic of the hospital is 40.3%, while that of dentoalveolar abscess is 6.2%. Ludwig's angina was the commonest (52%) form of presentation of spreading odontogenic infection. Conclusion:&nbsp;this study highlights the importance of persisting severe, near-fatal odontogenic infections in Ghana. Not only is there a need to assess the public, professional and institutional strategies to management, but for more evidence-based studies in our local setting to aid in management

Respiratory syncytial virus genotypes circulating in urban Ghana: february to

Abstract Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) in young children. RSV strain

Impact of exercise intensity on oxidative stress and selected metabolic markers in young adults in Ghana

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of exercise on markers of oxidative stress and selected metabolic parameters in Ghanaian young adults. Results Significant increases in a marker of oxidative stress malondialdehyde and antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and uric acid were observed in the exercisers compared with the inactive group (p < 0.05). Total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein levels were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the two groups. Positive associations between exercise intensity, antioxidant concentration and malondialdehyde were observed within the exercise group for vigorous exercise with regards to uric acid, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde (r = 0.512, p = 0.004; r = 0.810, p = 0.001; r = 0.715, p = 0.001) respectively and moderate exercise vs malondialdehyde (r = 0.841, p = 0.001) compared to the inactive group. Exercise participants performed more vigorous exercise (p < 0.001), moderate exercise (p < 0.001) and more walking (p < 0.001) compared with the inactive group while the inactive group exhibited more sitting (p < 0.001). The study provides a first report on the risk associated with increase in oxidative stress and the importance of walking as a health promotion intervention among young Ghanaian adults

Drug discovery research in Ghana, challenges, current efforts, and the way forward

We have a long-term vision to develop drug discovery research capacity within Ghana, to tackle unmet medical needs in Ghana and the wider West African region. However, there are several issues and challenges that need to be overcome to enable this vision, including training, human resource, equipment, infrastructure, procurement, and logistics. We discuss these challenges from the context of Ghana in this review. An important development is the universities and research centres within Ghana working together to address some of these challenges. Therefore, while there is a long way to go to fully accomplish our vision, there are encouraging signs

Seroprevalence of HHV-8, CMV, and EBV among the general population in Ghana, West Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are prevalent in Africa, but less common elsewhere and the modes of transmission are still subject to debate. Generally, they rarely cause disease in the immunocompetent host but are highly oncogenic when associated with immunosuppression. Although the high prevalence of HHV-8, CMV and EBV has been well documented in Africa, such data are sparse from Ghana.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Serum samples from 3275 HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors and 250 HIV-AIDS patients were tested for antibodies specific for HHV-8, CMV and EBV by IgG ELISA assays. Differences in seropositivity rates by gender and age were evaluated using the Chi-square test with Yates correction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 3275 HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors tested, 2573 (78.6%) were males and 702 (21.4%) were females, with ages ranging from 18 to 65 years (median 32.6; mean 31.2; mode 30). Of the 250 HIV-AIDS patients tested, 140 (56%) were males and 110 (44%) were females, with ages ranging from 17 to 64 years (median 30.8; mean 30.3; mode 28). Among the HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors, overall seroprevalence of HHV-8, CMV and EBV was 23.7%, 77.6% and 20.0%, respectively. Among the HIV-AIDS patients, overall seroprevalence of HHV-8, CMV and EBV was 65.6%, 59.2% and 87.2%, respectively. The seroprevalence of HHV-8 (p < 0.005) and EBV (p < 0.001) was statistically significantly higher in HIV-AIDS patients compared to HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.24) between CMV seroprevalence in HIV-AIDS patients and HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors. Age and gender were not independent determinants (p > 0.05) for all three infections among HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors and HIV-AIDS patients in Ghana.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results presented herein indicate that HHV-8, CMV and EBV infections are hyperendemic in both HIV-seronegative and HIV-seropositive Ghanaians, and suggest primarily a horizontal route of transmission of these three viral infections in Ghana.</p