Association between Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism and hypertension in a Ghanaian population.

Background: Genetic modifications in the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) have been suggested to play a key role in the pathophysiology of hypertension. The insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene phenomenon and its relationship with essential hypertension has not been explored within the Ghanaian population. This study aims to determine the relationship between the ACE I/D polymorphism and the risk of essential hypertension among patients seeking medical attention.

Accelerating newborn survival in Ghana through a low-dose, high-frequency health worker training approach: a cluster randomized trial.

Background: Newborn deaths comprise nearly half of under-5 deaths in Ghana, despite the fact that skilled birth attendants (SBAs) are present at 68% of births, which implies that evidence-based care during labor, birth and the immediate postnatal period may be deficient. We assessed the effect of a low-dose, high-frequency (LDHF) training approach on long-term evidence-based skill retention among SBAs and impact on adverse birth outcomes.

Methods: From 2014 to 2017, we conducted a cluster-randomized trial in 40 hospitals in Ghana.

Prevalence and pattern of upper limb involvement in cerebral palsy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of upper limb involvement in children with cerebral palsy (CP), how this relates to function and how well these problems are recognised and treated.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with CP attending non-hand-related clinics were assessed. Function was assessed according to the Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS), the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the ABILHAND-Kids system, and correlated to age and pattern of upper limb involvement.

Tonsil tie simulator.

Background: The surgical trainee has to acquire surgical skills in an era of reduced training hours and greater demands for efficient use of operating theatre time. Many surgical specialties are utilising model and simulation-based training to provide safe, low-pressure training opportunities for today’s trainee.

Method And Results: This paper describes a simple, relatively inexpensive tonsillectomy model that enables the practice of tonsil removal and ligation of bleeding vessels.