Mycofloral Diversity and Molecular Characterization of Species Isolated from Farmer-Saved Rice Seeds in the Irrigated Rice Production Districts of the Coastal Savannah Zones of Ghana

Irrigated rice production is the major type of rice production in the Coastal Savannah Zone of Ghana, where farmers rely on their saved seeds for production. A study was carried out to determine the types of storage fungi resident on farmer saved seeds and their distribution in five major rice production areas of the Coastal Savannah Zone. The blotter method was used to isolate fungal species after which they were identified using cultural and morphological features complemented by sequence analysis of the entire Internal Transcribed Spacer (18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) region of isolates. Eleven fungal species namely, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Curvularia lunata, Curvularia geniculata, Fusarium equiseti, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma sp. belonging to 8 different genera were isolated and identified on the rice seeds. Curvularia lunata, with a percentage occurrence of 63.9% was the most prevalent fungal species, while Trichoderma sp. (1.3%) was the least prevalent fungal species from the study area. The high infection rate of seeds by Curvularia species may lead to high incidence and severity of Curvularia leaf spot disease in the study area. &nbsp

Characterisation and control of Curvularia lunata infecting farmer-saved rice seeds in Ghana

Curvularia species are increasingly important seed-borne fungi, whose identification has been done based solely on cultural and morphological features in Ghana. To confirm the identity of the fungus in Ghana, isolates of the fungus obtained from farmer-saved rice seeds were identified using cultural and morphological features, complemented with phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer regions of isolates. The susceptibility of isolates to three plant based fungicides, Levo, Kobe and Ex-icute was determined with in-vitro and in-vivo. All isolates produced curved shaped spores with several septations. In the phylogram, they all clustered in the C. lunata clade, confirming their C. lunata species status. All isolates were susceptible to the three organic fungicides and seeds treated with the three fungicides reduced fungal infection percentage. For safer environmental practices, these plant based fungicides are recommended for rice seed treatment

Subacute Oral Toxicity Assessment of Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach and Thonn) Müll Arg (Euphorbiaceae) Extract in Rats

Purpose: To assess Alchornea cordifolia, a medicinal plant with numerous biological actions and uses in traditional medicine, for possible toxicity in rats.Methods: The probable effect of the ethanol extract of Alchornea cordifolia (250 - 2000 mg/kg, p.o.) by gavage was evaluated on blood cellular elements and chemistry, as well as on the weight and histology of vital organs of male adult Spraque-Dawley rats.Results: Daily administration of the extract for two weeks did not cause significant changes in most haematological indices and blood chemistry. However, a dose-dependent increase (p < 0.01) in neutrophils was observed. Relative organ weights were comparable in control and treated groups. Histopathological assessment of liver sections of treated-rats showed normal architecture at doses < 1000 mg/kg. However, in animals treated with 1000 and 2000 mg/kg, cloudy swelling of hepatocytes with vacuolar and hydropic degeneration were evident. Kidney architecture at all dose levels was normal.Conclusion: The results of the study show that administration of the ethanol extract of Alchornea cordifolia to male adult rats by gavage evoked histopathologic changes in the liver at doses > 1000 mg/kg. These findings call for caution in the use of Alchornea cordifolia especially in high doses.Keywords: Alchornea cordifolia, Rats, Subacute oral toxicity, Neutrophils, Hepatocytes, Hydropic denegeratio

Containerisation, Portable Architecture and the Image of Ghanaian Cities

The gains of the urban development strategies have served as pull factors of rural dwellers to the urban centres with negative consequent effect on urban open spaces and corridors in most Ghanaian cities. Owing to the lack of formal employment opportunities, any available space in the cities of Ghana has been taken over by emigrants and residents who hawk around the urban spatial corridors and eventually build Container structures (container architecture) to carry out their commercial activities in more permanent manner. Through a mixed methods and strategies, seven major cities and eight other settlements were explored to better understand and appreciate the spatial and regulatory requirements for planning and design of Container  for use in a city/built environment and the design of Containers in Ghanaian socio-cultural and socio-economic milieu. Amongst the key findings is that Ghanaian city-authorities have commoditised the container structures through official registrations for daily collection of fees/taxes without making containerization processes as part of the overall regional/national planning and physical development strategies. Keywords: Architecture, Containerisation, Ephemeralization, Container structures, Commoditisation, Ghanaian cities

Inguinal Hernia Repair is Safe in Africa

Background: Inguinal hernias are a major problem in the developing world. Many patients do not have access to safe elective surgery. They therefore present with the complications of hernia. Those who do have access to elective surgery mostly have non-mesh repairs because of lack of knowledge of Lichtenstein repair, cost of mesh and fear of placing a foreign body in an African setting. This exposes the patient to a high recurrence rate due to the fact that mesh has not been used.Methods: .Operation hernia is a charitable organization that has been working in Africa since 2005. We have analyzed patients operated on between 2005 until December 2010 in Ghana, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. Hernias have been operated on electively in a variety of setting, ranging from well-equipped hernia centre to more rural clinics with a makeshift operating room.Results: A total of 1748 patients with inguinal hernias have been repaired in Africa using mesh as part of the work done by Operation Hernia. In all, 52.3% were performed using local anaesthetic only. The complication rate was less than 1%. Recommendations: We recommend that it is safe to use mesh in Africa provided the level of sterility during the procedure is high and the surgeon has adequate experience of the procedure.Key words: Hernia. Inguinal, Repair, Safety, Afric