Research Papers/Topics in Biomedical Science

Exploring Maternal Biomarkers and Risk Factors in Preeclampsia: Insights from a Ghanaian Case-control Study

Aims: The involvement of maternal sociodemographic, obstetric, clinical, anthropometric and biochemical variables in preeclampsia has been demonstrated in previous studies. However, there are intra- and inter-population variabilities in study findings due to differences in genetic and environmental factors. This requires population-specific studies to aid the formulation of local protocols for the early detection and management of preeclampsia. Study Design: This was a case-control study Pl...

Larvicidal activity of Neem oil and three plant essential oils from Senegal against Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper, 1789)

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the insecticide, larvicidal and repellent activity of the essential oils from Callistemon viminalis, Melaleuca leucadendron, and Hyptis suaveolens against Chrysodeixis chalcites and to compare it with neem oil (Azadirachta indica). Methods: The essential oils of the leaves of these aromatiques plants were extracted by steam distillation and contacts tests were carried out. Results: Essential oils in ethanol from Callistemon viminalis showed a higher biologica...

Community based integrated vector management for malaria control: lessons from three years’ experience (2016–2018) in Botor-Tolay district, southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract: Background: Integrated vector management (IVM) remains a key strategy in the fight against vector-borne diseases including malaria. However, impacts of the strategy should be regularly monitored based on feedback obtained through research. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of IVM for malaria control in BotorTolay district, southwestern Ethiopia after three years (2016–2018) of IVM implementation. Method: Prior to the implementation of IVM, a survey of socio-dem...

A comparative study of glycaemic variability using four different Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) devices

Background: Blood glucose measurement is a way of monitoring changes in glycaemia. Different point-of-care testing (POCT) glucose meters are on the market and hence there is an increase in variability of the results given by these meters. This study sought to measure the glycaemic variability using four different point-of-care glucose meters Methods: Four point of care glucometers namely; Accu-chek performer nano, OneTouch select plus flex, OneTouch Ultra 2 and Easy Check were used test blood...

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and Endothelin-1 as markers for the onset and severity of preeclampsia

Background: The onset of preeclampsia (PE) may be early (EOPE), or late (LOPE). Preeclampsia may also be characterized by severe features (PS) or without severe features (PNS). This study aimed to predict the onset and severity of PE using biomarkers including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (sNGAL) and endothelin-1 (ET-1). Method: This was a case-control study from January to June 2020. The study involved 270 pregnant women (control=135, PE=135), aged between 18-37 years. The case...

Sexual Dimorphism and Sex-2D:4D Interactions on Fasting Lipid Variables in an Adult Ghanaian Population

Prenatal hormone exposure has been suggested as a correlate of adult circulating estrogen and testosterone. If this observation is true, then prenatal hormone exposure may have an association with lipid homeostasis in adulthood. The study sought to investigate sexual dimorphism and the interactions between the putative marker of prenatal hormone exposure (2D : 4D) and sex on adult fasting plasma lipid variables. The study was cross-sectional from June to December 2021 at the University for De...

Does sex interact with the 2D:4D ratio or adult circulating hormones on the estimated glomerular filtration rate? A cross-sectional study in Ghana

The 2D:4D ratio is the putative marker of prenatal hormone exposure and has been suggested as a correlate of adult circulating testosterone and estrogen. The study aimed to determine whether sexual dimorphism in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can be partly explained by the 2D:4D ratio or adult circulating testosterone or estrogen. The study was cross-sectional from June to December 2021 at the University for Development Studies. The study involved 206 healthy adults (Female ...

Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Fertility Regulating Hormones in Men

Aims: Tobacco smoking is having a far more serious effect on reproductive health than previously thought and is responsible for many thousands of cases of impotence, miscarriages, and infertility each year. Among those experiencing difficulty with conception, a male fertility problem partly resulting from fertility hormone derangements is considered important. This study assessed the effect of cigarette smoking on fertility hormone levels in males. Study Design: This is a cross sectional stud...

Assessing Haemoglobin Concentration and Red Cell Morphology in Stored Blood Units

Aims: This study assessed and compared the haemoglobin concentration and red cell morphological changes in stored blood units at the Tamale Teaching Hospital located in the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods: This is experimental research conducted from November, 2019 to June, 2020. Thirty blood samples were collected (450ml) from voluntary donors at the blood bank unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital for this study. The samples were collected into blood bags that contained CPDA-1 preservativ...

Understanding the Systemic Effects of COVID-19: Possible Clues to Potential Therapeutic Approaches

Abstract The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is an acute respiratory disease that causes life-threatening symptoms. This virus directly or indirectly affects the various systems of the body. In the respiratory system, it causes pulmonary edema, impaired oxygen diffusing capacity, difficulty in breathing, etc. In the nervous system, it causes encephalitis, thrombo-embolitic ...

Characterizing the Effect of Static Magnetic Fields on Worm Parasites

  This study uses the model organism, C. elegans, to investigate its sensitivity and response to static magnetic fields. Wild-type C. elegans are put into microfluidic channels and exposed to permanent magnets for five cycles of thirty-second time intervals at field strengths ranging from 5 milli Tesla to 120 milli Tesla. Recorded and analyzed with custom software, the results of the worm's movement - the average velocity, turning and curling percentage - were compared to control experiments...

Ion Channel Fluctuations in transmembrane proteins within cell membranes

The transmembrane proteins known as ion channels play a role in controlling and preserving the ionic concentrations across the cell membrane. Modeling the flux of ions in and out of these channels on an atomic level is essential for understanding several neurological diseases and related pharmaceutical discoveries. Recent experimental research has provided information on the channel's physical structure which can be used to create realistic ion transport models. Different trajectories exist f...

Ion Channel Fluctuations in Cell Membranes

The transmembrane proteins known as ion channels play a role in controlling and preserving the ionic concentrations across the cell membrane. Modeling the flux of ions in and out of these channels on an atomic level is essential for understanding several neurological diseases and related pharmaceutical discoveries. Recent experimental research has provided information on the channel's physical structure which can be used to create realistic ion transport models. Different trajectories exist f...

Platform for Bacteria Growth using CRISPR technique

By utilizing a low-cost engineering tool, we have created a microfluidic platform to study bacteria at the single cell level, allowing us to unlock insights into microbial physiology and genetics that would otherwise not be possible. The platform is composed of 3D devices made of adhesive tapes, an agarose membrane as the resting substrate, a temperature-controlled environmental chamber, and an autofocusing module. With this technology, we have been able to observe Escherichia coli morphologi...

Flexible Agar Devices for Imaging and Testing Worm Parasites

In this paper, we explore the use of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (lPADs) to study the behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans. We show how these devices can be fabricated on paper and plastic substrates, as well as how to load, visualize, and transfer single and multiple nematodes. We also demonstrate the use of anthelmintic drug, levamisole, to perform chemical testing on C. elegans. Furthermore, we provide a custom program that is able to recognize individual worms on the lPADs i...


1 - 15 Of 76 Results