Antecedents of marketing climate change adaption construction materials: Evidence from Ghana

Purpose: Climate Change affects all countries in the world. It impacts negatively on the living conditions of humankind, especially livelihood, temperature change, rainfall regime, and rise in tidal waves. Design/Methodology/Approach: The population in the real estate industry. A descriptive design was used, including questionnaires, to gather data. Since the study sought to examine the willingness to purchase accordingly, a logit regression model was used to predict the likelihood that the dependent variable willingness to pay (WTP) equals 1 (rather than 0). Findings: Income level, price of the products, respondent’s age, gender, and availability of policies concerning eco-friendly products and identified associated health risks positively influence respondents’ WTP. The study reveals that in the real estate sector of the Ghanaian economy, there is a positive WTP eco-friendly roofing product; hence, entrepreneurs and investors should take advantage of the urgency to reduce the impact of climate change in Ghana by investing in eco-friendly products for both the real estate and construction sectors of the economy. Recommendations: The results show that any eco-friendly roof material must raise consumer awareness about the effects of climate change and shape consumer perceptions

Authentication and quality control of Uapaca heudelotii Baill. - An investigation of pharmacognostic, phytochemical and physicochemical properties of its leaves and stem bark

Uapaca heudelotii Baill. is well known in various African cultures for its application in the treatment of infections and inflammatory conditions. This study was focused on providing standard identification parameters for authentication and quality assurance of U. heudelotii through morphological observations, screening of phytochemical constituents, fluorescence, spectroscopic and physicochemical analysis. U. heudelotii leaves are simple, elliptic and arranged in whorls. The bark is greyish-brown with longitudinal striations on the outer surface and pale red on the inner surface. Leaf lamina microscopy displayed anticlinal polygonal straight-walled epidermal cells, with anisocytic stomata found only on the abaxial surface. Leaf surface constants were determined. Microscopy of powdered leaves and barks revealed the presence of epidermal cells, starch grains, calcium oxalate, sclereids and pitted vessels. Alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, saponins, triterpenoids, phytosterols and tannins were identified in both stem bark and leaves. The total phenolic content for the leaf and bark were 219.2 ± 10.013 and 153.9 ± 1.602 mg/g gallic acid equivalent respectively. The total ?avonoid contents were recorded as 1036 ± 33.37 and 310.2 ± 79.00 mg/g quercetin equivalent for the leaf and bark respectively. The total ash for the leaf and bark was 6.41 ± 0.208 and 5.01 ±0.258 respectively. The pH values for the aqueous and alcoholic extracts were slightly acidic (3-5). In elemental analysis, lead (Pb) was detected within the acceptable limit (0.0019-0.0025 mg/kg). In conclusion, the current results have provided standard parameters for the correct identification and quality assessment of U. heudelotii

A Faunistic Description of Endemic Arthropods Associated with Sesame

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Pedaliaceae is produced mainly in developing countries where abundant and inexpensive labour is available and usually by small holders. It is cultivated for its edible seeds which is high in nutritious fatty acids. In Africa sesame has in recent years been promoted to diversify agricultural production especially in the Sahel region. It has the potential to become an important field crop in Ghana especially in the drier regions. Unavailable field data on constraints to sesame production including its insect pests may be the reason for its non-commercial cultivation in Ghana. A preliminary survey of arthropods associated with sesame, was conducted in the transitional zone of Ghana during the 2009 growing season. In order to achieve maximum natural infestation, no conscious control measure was adopted. A wide spectrum of arthropods including chewers, suckers, pollinators, scavengers and predators were found. In all 60 insect species and 11 spiders were collected and identified at least to family level. It appears that, Araneae, Coleopterans, Hemipterans, Hymenopterans, Lepidopterans and Orthopterans may be important. These arthropods recorded on sesame in Ghana have several implications for the future. This includes several scenarios where these endemic insects will prefer sesame in a host shift situation; the beneficial populations could be exploited and incorporated as field banker crops in local farming systems, sesame could be used as a trap crop or it could be adopted as an attractor for insect pollinators in tree crop plantations. The description, incidence and dynamics of these important insects and spiders of sesame are discussed

Investigating Ghanaian Allium species for anti-infective and resistance-reversal natural product leads to mitigate multidrug-resistance in tuberculosis

The bulbs of Allium species are a known source of antibacterial phytochemicals. Anti-infective, efflux pump and biofilm inhibitory activities of bulb extracts of selected Ghanaian shallots Allium cepa var aggregatum were evaluated using the HT-SPOTi assay and other whole-cell phenotypic screening techniques to determine their possible mechanisms of action. Ethanol and aqueous extracts of white A. cepa inhibited the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155 and Escherichia coli, respectively. The majority of the Allium extracts significantly (p < 0.05) exhibited efflux pump inhibitory activity against all the acid-fast, Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains used. Hexane and chloroform extract of the pink A. cepa and the aqueous extract of the white A. cepa significantly inhibited M. smegmatis biofilm formation. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the inhibition was observed at 250 µg/mL for the aqueous extract (~77.34%) and 125 µg/mL for the hexane extract (~76.51%). The results suggest that Ghanaian shallots could potentially be useful when further developed to tackle antimicrobial resistance, particularly in tuberculosis (TB)

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Biopsy proven lupus nephritis in a black male patient in West Africa with systemic lupus erythematosus: case report

Lupus nephritis&nbsp;(LN) is a complication of systematic&nbsp;lupus erythematosus&nbsp;(SLE) with significant impact on morbidity and mortality. It is known commonly to affect females but has worse prognosis when males or blacks are affected. In a setting with deficiency in health care delivery, the diagnosis and adequate management of SLE patients becomes difficult and hence less cases of&nbsp;lupus nephritis&nbsp;in black males have been reported. We present a case of a male black patient with SLE who presented with&nbsp;neurolupus, serositis, skin manifestations and Class IV/V&nbsp;lupus nephritis&nbsp;on histology. Our case highlights the challenges in the management of&nbsp;lupus nephritis&nbsp;and the complications with immunosuppression in an attempt to induce remission. There is the need for high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of&nbsp;lupus nephritis&nbsp;especially in black males for prompt management to get the best outcome

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Motivations and challenges of a Multinational Enterprise (MNE) subsidiary's engagement with host communities in Ghana

This paper aims to explore the motivations and challenges of engaging host communities in CSR practices within the context of Newmont Ahafo Mines (NAM), a subsidiary of a Multinational Mining Enterprise (MNE) operating in Ghana's mining sector. This paper draws insights from stakeholder theory and interviews conducted with internal stakeholders (management and employees) and stakeholders in host communities (traditional rulers and community members). The findings indicate that effective decision-making, gaining legitimacy, cost savings, management of risks, and accountability are some of the perceived motivations of NAM's stakeholder engagement in CSR. Nonetheless, the most critical challenges to NAM in improving stakeholder engagement in CSR practices are the lack of community members' support in CSR projects, communities' high expectations of NAM on development projects and over-dependency on NAM on the part of host communities. Therefore, it is reasonable for MNEs in emerging economies to attune engagement practices to the host community's context. This will enable CSR practices and policies to fully exploit the latent benefits of CSR in the mining sector