Vitamin A stability during storage of fortified gari produced using different fortification strategies.

Food fortification is an effective strategy to combat vitamin A deficiency. Gari, a cassava-based West African food product, is an interesting product to fortify with vitamin A, but the low stability of vitamin A poses a challenge. We showed that toasted wheat bran can stabilise vitamin A as retinyl palmitate (RP) during storage of RP-fortified gari to a limited extent.

Quality Assessment of Tomato Paste Products on the Ghanaian Market: An Insight Into Their Possible Adulteration.

Tomato paste is the most consumed tomato product on the Ghanaian market, the majority of which are imported into the country. This food product is easily adulterated, and thus, routine quality checks are necessary. Therefore, the current study is aimed at assessing the quality of eight tomato paste products on the Ghanaian market and checking for the presence of starch and artificial colourant erythrosine as possible adulterants.

Marine-Derived Furanones Targeting Quorum-Sensing Receptors in : Molecular Insights and Potential Mechanisms of Inhibition.

The quorum-sensing (QS) machinery in disease-causing microorganisms is critical in developing antibiotic resistance. In , QS is involved in biofilm formation, virulence factors production, and general tolerance to antimicrobials. Owing to the major role QS plays, interference in the process is probably a facile route to overcome antimicrobial resistance.

T cells exhaustion, inflammatory and cellular activity markers in PBMCs predict treatment outcome in pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a well-known disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its pathogenesis is premised on evasion of the immune system and dampened immune cells activity.

Methods: Here, the transcription pattern of immune cells exhaustion, inflammatory, and cellular activity markers were examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PTB patients at various stages of treatment.

Perspectives of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Readiness for Advance Care Planning at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

This study examined the impact of advance care planning (ACP) on the quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. It specifically investigated patients' perspectives on their readiness for ACP. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive design, one-on-one interviews were conducted with CKD patients at the renal clinic, employing a semi-structured interview guide for thematic analysis of audio data.

Repellent and larvicidal properties of selected indigenous plants in the control of Anopheles mosquitoes.

Background Objectives: Widespread pyrethroid resistance and plastic-feeding behaviour of most malaria vectors across Africa threaten the efficacy of current insecticide-based vector control interventions like Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). This study examined the larvicidal activity ofMorinda citrifolia against Anopheles gambiae larvae and the repellent properties of Morinda citrifolia (Noni), Moringa oleifera (Moringa), and Ocimum basilicum (Basil) as complementary vector control tools against Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pain crisis and acute chest syndrome in patients with sickle cell anemia: A retrospective multi-cohort study based on US national data from 2020 to 2022.

COVID-19 infection has been a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality, especially among those patients with chronic diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have classified sickle cell disease (SCD) as a condition that increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 infection. A retrospective study was conducted using the TRiNetX health research network database to identify SCA patients ( HbSS, Sbeta-thalassemia zero) who had SARS-CoV-2 infection over 2 years; these were compared with similar patients who did not have the infection in terms of demographics, pain control, and laboratory parameters COVID-19 illness impacts [ain crises and ACS, and prior vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 may represent a protective factor for developing pain crises.

Prevalence and risk factors of obesity among undergraduate student population in Ghana: an evaluation study of body composition indices.

Background: Obesity is a classified risk factor for several of the world's leading causes of death. In this study, we combined information contained in body mass index (BMI), total percentage body fat (TPBF) and relative fat mass (RFM) to estimate obesity prevalence and examine the risk factors associated with obesity.

Methods: The study recruited 1027 undergraduate students aged between 16 and 25 years using a cross-sectional study design and two-stage stratified random sampling between January and April 2019 from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Development of yoghurt incorporated with beetroot puree and its effect on the physicochemical properties and consumer acceptance.

Background: Yoghurt is one of the most popularly consumed fermented products which provides several nutritional benefits. Yoghurt products often include flavour and colour additives however, growing awareness of the risks associated with synthetic food additives has necessitated the need to explore more natural colour and flavour as food additives.

Methods: This study evaluated the effect of beetroot puree as flavouring and colourant in yoghurt production and quality.

Two-Dimensional Nickel Porphyrinic Metal-Organic Framework-Modified Electrode for Electrochemical Sensing.

Due to their highly exposed active sites and high aspect ratio caused by their substantial lateral dimension and thin thickness, two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets are currently considered a potential hybrid material for electrochemical sensing. Herein, we present a nickel-based porphyrinic MOF nanosheet as a versatile and robust platform with an enhanced electrochemical detection performance. It is important to note that the nickel porphyrin ligand reacted with Cu(NO)·3HO in a solvothermal process, with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) acting as the surfactant to control the anisotropic development of creating a 2D Cu-TCPP(Ni) MOF nanosheet structure.

Molecular insights into the differential membrane targeting of maximin 1 in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global health concern, underscoring the need for alternative treatments. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown promise in this regard, with maximin 1 being a cationic, amphipathic AMP possessing antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities with low hemolytic activity. In this study, we used molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the molecular basis for membrane selectivity of Maximin 1.

Non-adherence to ivermectin in onchocerciasis-endemic communities with persistent infection in the Bono Region of Ghana: a mixed-methods study.

Background: The World Health Organization has proposed that onchocerciasis elimination (interruption) of transmission be verified in 12 (approximately a third) endemic countries by 2030. The strategy to reach this goal is based on ivermectin Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with high geographical and therapeutic coverage. In addition to coverage, high levels of treatment adherence are paramount.

Evidence-based complementary feeding recipe book for Kenyan caregivers: A novel approach.

The Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH) and a consortium of nutritionists, researchers and communication, and design specialists developed a novel approach to create an evidence-based recipe book promoting complementary feeding (CF) in Kenya. The ADAPT approach includes five steps: applied research (A), dialogue with stakeholders (D), adapted behaviour change communication (BCC) theories (A), purpose-driven visual communication (P), and tailoring to priority audiences (T). Through this approach, the recipe book addresses key knowledge gaps using behaviour change theories and visual communication best practice to increase accessibility, acceptability, retention and motivation for behaviour change.

Facilitators of tertiary students' entrepreneurial intentions: Insights for Lesotho's national entrepreneurship policy.

This study provides insightful information to guide the Lesotho government's drive to address rising youth unemployment. Through quota sampling technique, this study selected 930 students from 31 departments at National University of Lesotho. Grounded in the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the study examined the facilitators of students' entrepreneurial intentions using mean, standard deviation, mean rank, correlation, and Mann-Whitney test.

Computational studies on potential small molecule inhibitors of pteridine reductase 1.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease of major public health concern. Challenges with current therapeutics have led to the exploration of plant medicine for potential antileishmanial agents. Despite the promising activity of some antileishmanial natural products, their protein targets have not been explored.

Exposure assessment and cancer risk characterization of aflatoxin M (AFM) through ingestion of raw cow milk in southern Ghana.

Milk and dairy products are the most important nutritional foods among all age groups. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM) contaminates milk and makes its consumption potentially dangerous. Infants are mostly at risk because they are typically fed as many as six and more times per day, which is indeed a disquieting concern.

Corrigendum: Recent advances in metal-organic framework- based electrochemical biosensing applications.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.

Wearable and Flexible Multifunctional Sensor Based on Laser-Induced Graphene for the Sports Monitoring System.

The conversion of diverse polymeric substrates into laser-induced graphene (LIG) has recently emerged as a single-step method for the fabrication of patterned graphene-based wearable electronics with a wide range of applications in sensing, actuation, and energy storage. Laser-induced pyrolysis technology has many advantages over traditional graphene design: eco-friendly, designable patterning, roll-to-roll production, and controllable morphology. In this work, we designed wearable and flexible graphene-based strain and pressure sensors by laminating LIG from a commercial polyimide (PI) film.

Utilization of 18s ribosomal RNA LAMP for detecting Plasmodium falciparum in microscopy and rapid diagnostic test negative patients.

In this study, Plasmodium falciparum was detected in patients that were declared negative for malaria microscopy and rapid diagnostic test kit (mRDT), using Plasmodium 18s rRNA loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique. The main aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of LAMP assay for detecting pre-clinical malaria, when microscopy and mRDT were less sensitive. DNA was obtained from 100 μL of whole blood using the boil and spin method.

A Portable Electrochemical Sensor Based on Manganese Porphyrin-Functionalized Carbon Cloth for Highly Sensitive Detection of Nitroaromatics and Gaseous Phenol.

Organic pollutants (OPs) have garnered a considerable amount of attention in recent times due to their extreme toxicity toward humans and the ecosystem. The need for an inexpensive yet robust, sensitive, selective, and easy-to-operate method for detecting OPs remains a challenge. Herein, a portable electrochemical sensor is proposed based on manganese porphyrin-functionalized carbon cloth (CC).

Hematologic manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 in children: Case-series report and a review.

On 11 March 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). As the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged worldwide, children have not been unaffected. Information gleaned from adult experience with the disease has aided in disease detection and treatment strategies in children.

Aflatoxin M exposure in a fermented millet-based milk beverage 'brukina' and its cancer risk characterization in Greater Accra, Ghana.

Brukina is a millet based fermented milk product which is consumed as a beverage in Ghana. It is however prone to aflatoxin M (AFM) contamination, which is a serious health challenge for low and middle-income countries in subtropical regions. This study aimed at evaluating AFM levels and cancer risks associated with brukina (n = 150) sampled from different locations of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.