Phenotypic and molecular evaluation of maize (Zea may L.) genotypes under field conditions in the Volta region of Ghana

Maize streak disease (MSD) is the most devastating and destructive disease of maize (Zea mays L.) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Field trials were conducted in the 2014 minor and 2015 major cropping seasons to screen 16 and 17 maize genotypes, respectively, for high yield and resistance to maize streak virus (MSV) infections. The plants were scored for disease severity at 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP) based on a 1-5 visual scale (1= No infection and 5= Very severe infection). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was done to detect the presence of MSV in the diseased leaf samples in order to confirm field resistance. Both phenotypic and PCR test revealed that all the maize genotypes tested in the study were infected by MSV. There was a significant varietal effect on the incidence and severity of MSD in both the major and minor seasonal trials. Genotypes ‘Abontem’,’Aburohemaa’, ‘Akposoe’, ‘Dapango’, ‘Dorke’, ‘Etubi’, ‘Honampa’, ‘Mamaba’, ‘Obatanpa’, ‘Omankwa’ and PAN 12 showed mild disease symptoms during both major and minor cropping seasons. On the other hand, genotypes ‘Dormabin’, ‘Dzinu-Eve’, ‘Enibi’, Keta 60 and PAN 53 exhibited moderate to severe symptoms during the two cropping seasons. Incidence and severity of MSD were significantly higher in the minor season than in the major season, indicating a significant seasonal effect of MSV on the maize genotypes. The yield and yield components were observed to vary significantly among the different maize genotypes and between the cropping seasons with mean yields significantly higher in the major season than in the minor season. Genotypes ‘Abontem’, ‘Aburohemaa’, ‘Akposoe’, ‘Dorke’, ‘Etubi’, ‘Honampa’, ‘Omankwa’, ‘Obatanpa’ and PAN 12 (All improved varieties), which exhibited partial resistance to MSV infection gave high seed yields during both seasons. The improved maize genotypes that were high yielding and resistant to MSV infection should be evaluated for uniform yield trials on farmers’ fields towards their release as varieties to farmers

Secondary bacterial infections of buruli ulcer lesions before and after chemotherapy with streptomycin and rifampicin

Buruli ulcer (BU), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans is a chronic necrotizing skin disease. It usually starts with a subcutaneous nodule or plaque containing large clusters of extracellular acid-fast bacilli. Surrounding tissue is destroyed by the cytotoxic macrolide toxin mycolactone produced by microcolonies of M. ulcerans. Skin covering the destroyed subcutaneous fat and soft tissue may eventually break down leading to the formation of large ulcers that progress, if untreated, over months and years. Here we have analyzed the bacterial flora of BU lesions of three different groups of patients before, during and after daily treatment with streptomycin and rifampicin for eight weeks (SR8) and determined drug resistance of the bacteria isolated from the lesions. Before SR8 treatment, more than 60% of the examined BU lesions were infected with other bacteria, with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most prominent ones. During treatment, 65% of all lesions were still infected, mainly with P. aeruginosa. After completion of SR8 treatment, still more than 75% of lesions clinically suspected to be infected were microbiologically confirmed as infected, mainly with P. aeruginosa or Proteus miriabilis. Drug susceptibility tests revealed especially for S. aureus a high frequency of resistance to the first line drugs used in Ghana. Our results show that secondary infection of BU lesions is common. This could lead to delayed healing and should therefore be further investigated

Storage rot of seed yam resulting from speargrass injuries

Postharvest rot due to injury is a major contributing factor to the declining quality of stored seed yams ( Dioscorea spp.). Among the several known injuries, the piercing effect of speargrass rhizomes has become a serious constraint for yam production in Ghana. The objective of this study was to assess injuries on seed yams resulting from piercing of speargrass rhizomes and their effects on postharvest rots in Ghana. Eighty farmer fields from Mem, Watro, Asanteboa and Abour in the Atebubu-Amantin Municipal in the Bono East Region of Ghana were screened for speargrass incidence and injury on harvested tubers, for laboratory analysis of pathogens in 2016 and 2017. The tubers were sorted into four categories of seed yam based on weight. Thirty seed yams each of two selected white yam cultivars (Dente and Kpamyo) with visible speargrass rhizome-pierced-tubers (VSRPT) and non-speargrass rhizome pierced healthy tubers (NSRPHT) were randomly selected and stored in a ban for weekly assessment of rot. The rotten tissues from the localised area of VPSRT were subjected to pathological investigations in the laboratory. The incidence of injury seemingly increased with increasing tuber weight. It was 0% for < 100 g samples and averagely 14% for > 1 kg samples, irrespective of cultivars and locations. Incidence of rot from NSRPHT sample was observed 5 weeks after storage (WAS) for both cultivars; and 2 WAS from the VSRPT sample and 40% higher than NSRPHT at 8 WAS. Eight and six known rot pathogens were isolated from the rotten tissues of VSRPT of Dente and Kpamyo, respectively. Injury from the piercing of speargrass rhizome significantly contributed to hastening of tuber rots; while tuber injury increased with increasing speargrass density. Appropriate management of speargrass is essential for commercial seed yam growers to reduce tuber damage which affects yam quality, storage and marketing.La pourriture post-r\ue9colte due \ue0 une d\ue9chirure est un facteur majeur contribuant \ue0 la baisse de la qualit\ue9 des ignames des semences stock\ue9es ( Dioscorea spp.). Parmi les nombreuses d\ue9chirures connues, l\u2019effet per\ue7ant des rhizomes de la gerbe d\u2019herbe est devenu une contrainte s\ue9rieuse pour la production d\u2019igname au Ghana. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer les d\ue9chirures sur les ignames de semence r\ue9sultant du per\ue7age des rhizomes de gerbe d\u2019herbe et leurs effets sur les pourritures post-r\ue9colte au Ghana. Quatre-vingts champs d\u2019agriculteurs de Mem, Watro, Asanteboa et Abour dans la municipalit\ue9 d\u2019Atebubu-Amantin dans la region de l\u2018 Est de Bono au Ghana ont \ue9t\ue9 examin\ue9s pour d\ue9terminer l\u2019incidence et les dommages de la gerbe d\u2019herbe sur les tubercules r\ue9colt\ue9s, pour une analyse en laboratoire des agents pathog\ue8nes en 2016 et 2017. Les tubercules ont \ue9t\ue9 tri\ue9s en quatre cat\ue9gories d\u2019igname de semence en fonction du poids. Trente ignames de semence de chacun des deux cultivars s\ue9lectionn\ue9s d\u2019igname blanche (Dente et Kpamyo) avec des tubercules perc\ue9s de rhizome de gerbe d\u2019herbe (VSRPT) et des tubercules sains perc\ue9s de rhizome non- gerbe d\u2019herbe (NSRPHT) ont \ue9t\ue9 s\ue9lectionn\ue9s au hasard et stock\ue9s dans une interdiction pour une \ue9valuation hebdomadaire de la pourriture . Les tissus pourris de la zone localis\ue9e de VPSRT ont \ue9t\ue9 soumis \ue0 des investigations pathologiques en laboratoire. L\u2019incidence des d\ue9chirures a apparemment augment\ue9 avec l\u2019augmentation du poids des tubercules. Il \ue9tait de 0% pour les \ue9chantillons <100 g et de 14% en moyenne pour les \ue9chantillons > 1 kg, quels que soient les cultivars et les emplacements. L\u2019incidence de pourriture de l\u2019\ue9chantillon NSRPHT a \ue9t\ue9 observ\ue9e 5 semaines apr\ue8s stockage (WAS) pour les deux cultivars; et 2 WAS de l\u2019\ue9chantillon VSRPT et 40% plus \ue9lev\ue9s que NSRPHT \ue0 8 WAS. Huit et six agents pathog\ue8nes de la pourriture connus ont \ue9t\ue9 isol\ue9s respectivement dans les tissus pourris du VSRPT de Dente et de Kpamyo. Les d\ue9chirures caus\ue9es par le per\ue7age du rhizome de gerbe d\u2019herbe ont consid\ue9rablement contribu\ue9 \ue0 acc\ue9l\ue9rer la pourriture des tubercules; tandis que les dommages aux tubercules augmentaient avec l\u2019augmentation de la densit\ue9 de la gerbe d\u2019herbe. Une gestion appropri\ue9e de la groseille verte est essentielle pour les producteurs commerciaux d\u2019ignames de semence afin de r\ue9duire les dommages aux tubercules qui affectent la qualit\ue9, le stockage et la commercialisation des ignames

Associations of fecal microbial profiles with breast cancer and non-malignant breast disease in the Ghana Breast Health Study

The gut microbiota may play a role in breast cancer etiology by regulating hormonal, metabolic and immunologic pathways. We investigated associations of fecal bacteria with breast cancer and nonmalignant breast disease in a case-control study conducted in Ghana, a country with rising breast cancer incidence and mortality. To do this, we sequenced the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize bacteria in fecal samples collected at the time of breast biopsy (N = 379 breast cancer cases, N = 102 nonmalignant breast disease cases, N = 414 population-based controls). We estimated associations of alpha diversity (observed amplicon sequence variants [ASVs], Shannon index, and Faith's phylogenetic diversity), beta diversity (Bray-Curtis and unweighted/weighted UniFrac distance), and the presence and relative abundance of select taxa with breast cancer and nonmalignant breast disease using multivariable unconditional polytomous logistic regression. All alpha diversity metrics were strongly, inversely associated with odds of breast cancer and for those in the highest relative to lowest tertile of observed ASVs, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 0.21 (0.13-0.36; Ptrend < .001). Alpha diversity associations were similar for nonmalignant breast disease and breast cancer grade/molecular subtype. All beta diversity distance matrices and multiple taxa with possible estrogen-conjugating and immune-related functions were strongly associated with breast cancer (all Ps < .001). There were no statistically significant differences between breast cancer and nonmalignant breast disease cases in any microbiota metric. In conclusion, fecal bacterial characteristics were strongly and similarly associated with breast cancer and nonmalignant breast disease. Our findings provide novel insight into potential microbially-mediated mechanisms of breast disease

High degree of prostate related LUTS in a prospective cross-sectional community study in Ghana (Mamprobi)

BACKGROUND: Changing voiding patterns, volume and frequency, may sometimes be mistaken for anxiety, stress or increase in fluid consumption. In the aging male population, the commencement of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may be silent and perceived as "normal" and unrelated to Benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of apparently "silent LUTS" (perceived asymptomatic LUTS) in men in a Ghanaian Community as well as its underlying risk factors. METHODS: One hundred and eleven (111) men (40-70 years) were recruited from a community in Ghana. The International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) questionnaire (administered in the local language and English) and ultrasonographic imaging of the prostate volume (PV) were utlized to collect data. IPSS score >7 plus PV > 30 cm3 was definitive of lower urinary tract symptoms. Eighty-one (81) participants were classified "LUTS Negative" (LN) and 30, "LUTS Positive" (LP). Risk factors i.e., cholesterol (CHOL), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), coronary risk (CR), BMI and Blood Pressure were also determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of LUTS using only IPSS definition alone was 42.3%. However, IPSS in combination with Prostate Volume gave a prevalence of 27.0%. LN subjects had enlarged prostate (41.98%) and LP, 100%. Quality of life (QoL) was better in the LUTS Negative than LUTS Positive group (p < 0.001). In the univariant analysis coronary risk, triglyceride and VLDL contributed to LUTS (p = 0.023, 0.22, 0.22, respectively). In a multivariant analysis HDL-C (p = 0.027), BMI (p = 0.047) and triglyceride (p = 0.019) significantly contributed to LUTS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LUTS (42.3%) is high. Components of Metabolic Syndrome- HDL-C, BMI, and coronary risk were associated with LUTS. This emphasizes the need for community education

Eosinophilic Enteritis Confined to an Ileostomy Site

Eosinophilic enteritis is a rather rare condition that can manifest anywhere from esophagus to rectum. Its description in the literature is sparse, but associations have been made with collagen vascular disease, malignancy, food allergy, parasitic or viral infections, inflammatory bowel disease, and drug sensitivity. We present the case of a 41-year-old male diagnosed with ulcerative colitis who underwent proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis and loop ileostomy formation utilizing Seprafilm®, who later developed eosinophilic enteritis of the loop ileostomy site. This is the first report of eosinophilic enteritis and its possible link to the use of bioabsorbable adhesion barriers

Circulating tumor DNA is readily detectable among Ghanaian breast cancer patients supporting non-invasive cancer genomic studies in Africa.

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing studies could provide novel insights into the molecular pathology of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. In 15 patient plasma samples collected at the time of diagnosis as part of the Ghana Breast Health Study and unselected for tumor grade and subtype, ctDNA was detected in a majority of patients based on whole- genome sequencing at high (30×) and low (0.1×) depths. Breast cancer driver copy number alterations were observed in the majority of patients

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

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially