Epidemiology and likelihood of asymptomatic malaria among community dwellers in the Fanteakwa south district of Ghana.

Background: Data on the asymptomatic burden of malaria in endemic areas is essential for Ghana's malaria elimination efforts. Consequently, the situation of asymptomatic malaria in the Fanteakwa South District (FSD) is determined in this study. The FSD is predominantly forested with more rural than peri-urban communities.

The use of the WHO criteria to detect severe malaria among patients clinically diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria.

The World Health Organization (WHO) strict defining criteria were used to identify severe malaria among Ghanaian patients clinically diagnosed as uncomplicated malaria. From each study participant, blood haemoglobin (Hb) and plasma bilirubin levels were estimated using automated analyzers. According to the WHO, the criteria for diagnosing severe malaria among children (< 12 years) was assessed using Hb < 5 g/dL and among other patients ≥ 12 years, Hb < 7 g/dL with parasitemia > 10,000/μL, plasma bilirubin > 50 μmol/L amidst parasitemia > 100,000/μL and P.

Point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen positivity and associated factors in school children one year after mass praziquantel administration in an endemic district in Ghana.

Background: Mass drug administration of praziquantel is expected to reduce carriage in treated children in endemic communities. However, the effectiveness of this annual exercise has not been assessed in Ghana. Therefore, this study aimed to detect viable infection using point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) positivity as proxy and associated factors in children previously treated with praziquantel in an endemic municipality in Ghana.

Molecular speciation of Plasmodium and multiplicity of P. falciparum infection in the Central region of Ghana.

Malaria is endemic in the Central region of Ghana, however, the ecological and the seasonal variations of Plasmodium population structure and the intensity of malaria transmission in multiple sites in the region have not been explored. In this cross-sectional study, five districts in the region were involved. The districts were Agona Swedru, Assin Central and Gomoa East (representing the forest zone) and Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese and Cape Coast representing the coastal zone.

Pf7: an open dataset of genome variation in 20,000 worldwide samples.

We describe the MalariaGEN Pf7 data resource, the seventh release of genome variation data from the MalariaGEN network.  It comprises over 20,000 samples from 82 partner studies in 33 countries, including several malaria endemic regions that were previously underrepresented.  For the first time we include dried blood spot samples that were sequenced after selective whole genome amplification, necessitating new methods to genotype copy number variations.

Zero malaria: a mirage or reality for populations of sub-Saharan Africa in health transition.

The global burden of malaria continues to be a significant public health concern. Despite advances made in therapeutics for malaria, there continues to be high morbidity and mortality associated with this infectious disease. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most affected by the disease, but unfortunately the region is burdened with indigent health systems.

Safety and Efficacy of Novasil Clay (Calcium Montmorillonite) in Children Exposed to Aflatoxin in Ejura-Sekyedumase District in Ghana.

. Aflatoxin levels are very high in animals and humans in places where cereals are poorly stored. In this study, Novasil was evaluated for safety and efficacy in children.

Oxidative stress and associated clinical manifestations in malaria and sickle cell (HbSS) comorbidity.

In Ghana, uncomplicated malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD) is common, hence comorbidity is not farfetched. However, the extent of oxidative stress and the array of clinical manifestations in this comorbidity (presence of both malaria and SCD) has not been fully explored. This study highlights the impact of uncomplicated malaria on SCD.

Ecological and seasonal variations and other factors associated with clinical malaria in the Central Region of Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Background: This study investigated malaria transmission under various contrasting settings in the Central Region, a malaria endemic region in Ghana.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in five randomly selected districts in the Central Region of Ghana. Three of the districts were forested, while the rest was coastal.

Immunochromatographic and microscopic detection of Plasmodium falciparum in recipients of P. falciparum-infected donor blood.

Blood transfusion practice is an essential medical intervention; however, it poses problems of transmissibility of infectious diseases including malaria. This study was designed to determine the potential of transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) by detecting malaria antigens and parasites in recipients of infected donor blood. After successful blood transfusion, remnants of transfused blood were screened for Plasmodium falciparum HRP2 antigen and parasitemia using CareStart malaria RDT and 10% Giemsa stain microscopy respectively according to established protocols.

Effect of Asymptomatic Parasitaemia on Platelets Thrombogenicity in Blood Donors.

Currently, blood donors in Ghana are not screened for malaria parasites. Therefore, this study assessed platelet thrombogenicity in blood donors infected asymptomatically with and the relationship between tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α oxidative stress biomarker (8-iso-PG2α), C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and D-dimer, and platelet thrombogenes levels. Haematology analyser was used to enumerate platelet count and platelet indices in 80 infected blood donors and 160 matched non-infected controls.

Sterilizing Immunity against COVID-19: Developing Helper T cells I and II activating vaccines is imperative.

Six months after the publication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequence, a record number of vaccine candidates were listed, and quite a number of them have since been approved for emergency use against the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This unprecedented pharmaceutical feat did not only show commitment, creativity and collaboration of the scientific community, but also provided a swift solution that prevented global healthcare system breakdown. Notwithstanding, the available data show that most of the approved COVID-19 vaccines protect only a proportion of recipients against severe disease but do not prevent clinical manifestation of COVID-19.

Immunological, haematological, and clinical attributes of rural and urban malaria: a case-control study in Ghana.

To compare clinical presentations, haematological and immunological parameters in urban and rural malaria patients. Clinically suspected malaria patients, resident in either rural or urban communities, were selected from seven health facilities in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. For each suspected malaria patient, parasites were detected microscopically and quantified subsequently.

Alkaloidal extract from seeds ameliorates CCl-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cause of cancer-related mortality globally. However, available treatments are expensive and are associated with adverse effects or poor treatment outcomes in advanced disease. Meanwhile, plants like have demonstrated various biological activities that further studies may lead to the identification of newer and safer treatment options for HCC.

The Use of Screening Algorithm to Defer Blood Donors with Subclinical Malaria.

infection in blood donors is common in malaria endemic countries, including Ghana. To date, there are no established exclusion criteria to defer a donor carrying malaria parasites. Therefore, based on significant independent variables identified in this study, donor malaria screening algorithm was developed to be used by blood banks to screen blood donors for subclinical malaria.

Alkaloidal Extract Improves CCl-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Like Phenotypes in Rats.

Background: Despite the enrollment of new small molecules such as Sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC still remains a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally. is long suspected of possessing anticancer bioactive compounds that may hold the prospect of adjunctive therapy against inflammation-related cancers such as HCC.

Objective: This study assessed the effects of an alkaloidal extract of the leaves of on CCl/olive oil (1 : 1 v/v)-induced HCC-like phenotypes in rats.

Leaf Extract Reverses Alloxan/Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats through Hormonal (Insulin, GLP-1, and Glucagon) and Enzymatic (-Amylase/-Glucosidase) Modulation.

Background: is used in folk medicine across Afro-Asian regions of the world. Earlier, glucose lowering and pancreato-protective effects of leaf extract (APLE) was confirmed experimentally in STZ/nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats; however, the underlying mechanism of antidiabetic effect and pancreato-protection remained unknown.

Objective: This study elucidated antidiabetic mechanisms and pancreato-protective effects of APLE in diabetic rats.

Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Effects and Subacute Toxicity of the Aerial Parts of J.B.Hall (Rubiaceae) in Murine Models.

Background: The present study aimed at validating the traditional use and toxicity profile of a methanolic extract of the aerial parts of in alleviating depression and anxiety disorders.

Method: The antidepressant effect of methanolic extract of (PAE 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, .) was assessed in mice using the forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST).

Alkaloidal extract from stimulates insulin secretion in normoglycemic and nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Introduction: Increase in the prevalence of type-2 diabetes in Sub-Sahara Africa has created the need for robust treatment and management programs. However, an effective diabetes management program requires a high annual budget that most countries in this region cannot afford. That said, various plants and plant products in this region have either been confirmed and/or ethnopharmacologically used for the management of type-2 diabetes.

Molecular detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in blood stained sputum samples using GeneXpert PCR assay.

This study investigated the possibility of detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in blood-stained sputa with GeneXpert assay (Xpert MTB/Rif G4 v.5) using appropriate blood lysing (distilled water and distilled water/carbon tetrachloride) and protein denaturing (guanidinium chloride and heat) agents. Blood free sputa were collected from individuals infected with MTB.

Prospect of reprogramming replication licensing for cancer drug development.

Eukaryotic chromosomal DNA replication is preceded by replication licensing which involves the identification of the origin of replication by origin recognition complex (ORC). The ORC loads pre-replication complexes (pre-RCs) through a series of tightly regulated mechanisms where the ORC interacts with Cdc6 to recruit cdt1-MCM2-7 complexes to the origin of replication. In eukaryotes, adherence to regulatory mechanisms of the replication program is required to ensure that all daughter cells carry the exact copy of genetic material as the parent cell.

Elevated IL-12, TNF-, and TNF-/IL-10 Ratios in Stored -Infected Whole Blood: Implications for Safe Haemotransfusion.

Although infections in blood donors have been reported, the impact of parasitaemia on cytokine levels in stored whole blood has not been explored. This study evaluated the effect of parasitaemia on circulating cytokines and their relationship with haematological parameters in banked blood. In this case-control study, two groups of donor whole blood were recruited: -infected donors (parasitaemia: 515-1877 parasites/L) and noninfected blood donors (control).

Efficacy of Artemether-Lumefantrine on various and genes isolated in Ghana.

Introduction: Artemether-Lumefantrine (A-L) remains the drug of choice for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. However, the pharmaco-activity of A-L has not been assessed on various and genes. Therefore, this study sought to determine the therapeutic efficacy of A-L on parasites isolated from Ghana.

Male predisposition to severe COVID-19: Review of evidence and potential therapeutic prospects.

The severe form of COVID-19 has significant sex disparities, with high fatalities commonly reported among males than females. The incidence of COVID-19 has also been higher in males compared with their female counterparts. This trend could be attributed to a better responsive and robust immune system in females.