Tear α-synuclein as a biomarker for Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Parkinson's disease symptoms mostly manifest after significant and irreversible neuropathology. Hence, there is a need to identify biomarkers that can provide indications of disease before significant neuronal degeneration occurs.

Objective: To estimate the difference in the concentration of α-synuclein protein in tears between individuals with Parkinson's disease and healthy controls.

Empirical exploration of whale optimisation algorithm for heart disease prediction.

Heart Diseases have the highest mortality worldwide, necessitating precise predictive models for early risk assessment. Much existing research has focused on improving model accuracy with single datasets, often neglecting the need for comprehensive evaluation metrics and utilization of different datasets in the same domain (heart disease). This research introduces a heart disease risk prediction approach by harnessing the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) for feature selection and implementing a comprehensive evaluation framework.

Platelet-rich plasma for treating dry eye disease - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Dry eye disease has public health and economic significance. Platelet-rich plasma is rich in anti-inflammatory agents and growth factors, both beneficial for ocular surface repair. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the benefits of platelet-rich plasma for treating dry eye disease and its adverse effects.

Trace metal load of two urban wetlands with varied catchment activities in Ghana.

This study compared Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As) and Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in sediment, water, and biota at Vaughan Dam which receives limited sewage effluent discharge from residential areas, and Korle Lagoon which receives industrial effluents, electronic waste, garages-spill oil and a host of others in addition to residential sewage effluent discharge. Samples were analyzed with Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The results showed that concentrations of trace metals were generally higher in the sediment, water, and plants from the Korle Lagoon but only Cu in the sediment of Korle Lagoon showed a significantly high concentration.

Association between Dyslipidemia and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to use meta-analysis to estimate the association between dyslipidemia and meibomian gland dysfunction.

Methods: The following databases were searched: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Case-control and cohort studies assessing the association between dyslipidemia and meibomian gland dysfunction were included.

Strabismus and amblyopia in Africa - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this review was to estimate the prevalence of strabismus and amblyopia in Africa. A systematic online literature search was conducted for articles on strabismus and amblyopia in Africa. Meta-analysis was performed, using the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation, to estimate the prevalence of strabismus and amblyopia in Africa.

Evaluation of organizational climate factors on tax administration enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

Tax collection is an essential activity to boost the economy of all countries. Larger businesses and governments are increasingly relying on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, which are designed to enhance the collection of revenues among other things. However, the implementation of an ERP system often affects the organizational climate by changing the manner businesses are conducted from the past both internally and externally.

Robust facial expression recognition system in higher poses.

Facial expression recognition (FER) has numerous applications in computer security, neuroscience, psychology, and engineering. Owing to its non-intrusiveness, it is considered a useful technology for combating crime. However, FER is plagued with several challenges, the most serious of which is its poor prediction accuracy in severe head poses.

Identification of a fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)-specific gene and development of a rapid and sensitive loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay.

The fall armyworm [FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith)], a moth native to America, has spread throughout the world since it was first discovered in Africa in 2016. The FAW is a polyphagous migratory pest that can travel over long distances using seasonal winds or typhoons because of its excellent flying ability, causing serious damage to many crops. For effective FAW control, accurate species identification is essential at the beginning of the invasion.

Computer-Aided Diagnostics of Heart Disease Risk Prediction Using Boosting Support Vector Machine.

Heart diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide, and they have sparked a lot of interest in the scientific community. Because of the high number of impulsive deaths associated with it, early detection is critical. This study proposes a boosting Support Vector Machine (SVM) technique as the backbone of computer-aided diagnostic tools for more accurately forecasting heart disease risk levels.

PREVALENCE OF MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION IN AFRICA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES.

Purpose: To review and summarize information on meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) epidemiology in Africa.

Methods: A systematic search of online databases was conducted for literature/studies on MGD in Africa. Meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence of MGD in Africa.

The effect of vinegar and drying (Solar and Open Sun) on the microbiological quality of ginger () rhizomes.

This study evaluated the influence of 10% vinegar and solar drying using two solar dryers and open-sun drying on the microbiological quality of ginger ( Roscoe) rhizome. The rhizomes were analyzed for bacterial, mold, and populations in the raw state, which were water-washed and soaked in 10% vinegar, and in dried form. The fungal population was isolated and identified.

Career aspirations and factors influencing career choices of optometry students in Ghana.

Optometry students in clinical years are usually faced with the challenges of making a career choice in or outside optometry. This cross sectional study was conducted to investigate the career aspirations of optometry students in Ghana. All students in their fourth to sixth year who consented to participate in the study responded to a questionnaire which explored: demographic characteristics, career aspirations, and factors influencing their choices.

Insecticidal activities of cinnamic acid esters isolated from Ocimum gratissimum L. and Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn leaves against Tribolium castaneum Hebst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

Background: Pest management using botanicals has been widely practiced in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world in recent times. The natural compounds present in these botanicals are known to be responsible for the protection they offer against insect pests. Some of these compounds may act as single compounds to produce an effect or they may be synergistically effective.

Native SAG1 in Toxoplasma gondii lysates is superior to recombinant SAG1 for serodiagnosis of T. gondii infections in chickens.

Toxoplasma gondii can infect almost all mammals and birds, including chickens. The aim of this study was to identify an appropriate immunogenic antigen for serodiagnosis of T. gondii infections in chickens.

Weight loss and mortality risk in patients with different adiposity at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes: a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Undiagnosed comorbid diseases that independently lead to weight loss before type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) diagnosis could explain the observed increased mortality risk in T2DM patients with normal weight.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of weight change patterns before the diagnosis of T2DM on the association between body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis and mortality risk.

Methods: This was a longitudinal cohort study using 145,058 patients from UK primary care, with newly diagnosed T2DM from January 2000.

To coil or not to coil: application practices, perception and efficacy of mosquito coils in a malaria-endemic community in Ghana.

Although evidence of mosquito coils' impact on disease epidemiology is limited, they are popularized as mosquito-borne disease prevention devices. Their usage affects the environment, human and mosquito health. This study investigated the perception, usage pattern and efficacy of coils in a predominantly poor malaria-endemic Ghanaian peri-urban area.

Does Increasing Treatment Frequency Address Suboptimal Responses to Ivermectin for the Control and Elimination of River Blindness?

Background: Several African countries have adopted a biannual ivermectin distribution strategy in some foci to control and eliminate onchocerciasis. In 2010, the Ghana Health Service started biannual distribution to combat transmission hotspots and suboptimal responses to treatment. We assessed the epidemiological impact of the first 3 years of this strategy and quantified responses to ivermectin over 2 consecutive rounds of treatment in 10 sentinel communities.