ABSTRACT HIV-1 infection is mediated by the interaction between the host cellular CD4 receptor and co-receptors with HIV Envelope protein (Env). Inhibition of HIV entry into host cell presents a biological target for therapeutic intervention. Broadly neutralizing antibody (bNabs) are potent in neutralizing a broad range of HIV strains by binding to the Env and preventing entry into the host cell. VRC01 is a CD4 binding-site class bNabs that binds to the conserved CD4 binding region of Env. Ho...
Abstract Background As malaria transmission continues to decline, a better understanding of how transmission intensity and patterns influence clinical presentation of disease and the acquisition of immunity to malaria is important for our understanding of the pathophysiology of malaria and the changes in immune responses. Erythrocyte invasion is a crucial step in the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum. However, the targets of naturally acquired invasion inhibitory antibodies remain unclear. ...
ABSTRACT Background Buruli ulcer (BU) is a skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. BU is the third most common mycobacterial disease after tuberculosis and leprosy, but in Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire, it is the second. M. ulcerans produces mycolactone, an immunosuppressant macrolide toxin which makes the infection painless. However, some patients have complained of painful lesions and delay healing. Painful ulcers and delay healing experienced by some patients may be due to secondary ba...
ABSTRACT Some traditional medical practitioners use decoctions of the plants Tridax procumbens and Phyllanthus amarus, separately, to treat malaria in Ghana. These plants have however, not been investigated scientifically to establish their antimalarial activities. In this study, inhibition of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum uptake o f 3H-hypoxanthine was used as an in vitro assay to assess the antiplasmodial activities of aqueous, ethanolic, chloroform and ethyl acetate extr...
ABSTRACT As reported malaria cases continue to decline, heterogeneity in transmission will become more pronounced and thus more sensitive tools would be required to identify micro-geographic areas of higher risk for targeted interventions. Sero-positivity against antigens expressed at different stages of the parasite life cycle and proteins in the mosquito saliva cocktail have gained relevance as transmission monitoring tool. However, the persistent nature of blood stage antigens and the poss...
ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to estimate computed tomography (CT) dose levels for common CT examinations in North-Central Nigeria. Dose parameters and scan parameters for the most commonly performed CT examinations (head, chest and abdominal CT scans) were surveyed during a four month period in 4 CT centres with Multislice scanning capabilities (4- 64 slices). Data on CT volume index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) displayed on scanner console was recorded for a minimum of 10 ave...
ABSTRACT Particle accelerators are often used for both ion implantation and ion beam analysis, therefore the accurate and precise knowledge of the energies of the accelerated ions is essential. From the analytical point of view, the energy of the accelerated ion needs to be known with high precision which can only be achieved through calibration. Ghana Atomic Energy Commission hosts a 1.7 MV tandem accelerator, at the Accelerator Research Centre (ARC). This facility uses ion beam techniques s...
ABSTRACT Background: Health-Related Quality of Life is a multidimensional construct referring to patient’s perception of the impact of disease and treatment on their physical, psychological, social function and wellbeing. HIV and Tuberculosis are two diseases of public health importance and there is paucity of data on the quality of life of patients who suffer from these diseases in Nigeria. This study was carried out to measure, compare and identify factors affecting health-related quality...
ABSTRACT The radiological impact of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) from the usage of phosphate and organic fertilizers in the New Juaben Municipality of Ghana was investigated. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were measured in seven (7) widely used phosphate and organic fertilizers using gamma spectroscopy. The activity concentrations were found to be 32.10±2.60 Bq/kg, 12.20±1.60 Bq/kg and 3005.50±68.80 Bq/kg respectively. The radioactivity level index...
ABSTRACT Iodine-125 brachytherapy (BT) sources have gained a wide application in the treatment of prostate and intraocular cancers. Determination of the source strength of I-125 seeds is, therefore, mandatory to ensure accurate and optimal dose delivery to a patient undergoing BT treatment. There is the need to verify source strength stated or provided by a manufacturer of any BT source prior to clinical use of the source in fulfillment of American Association of Physicists in Medicine and Eu...
ABSTRACT Fish sauce is a fermented fish product. It is a liquid extract of fish tissues produced by fermenting fish and/or fish processing by-products, sometimes mixed with a carbohydrate source, under a salt-saturated condition. It is typical of the oriental countries where it is consumed as a condiment. Analysis of a typical fish sauce suggests varying degree of hydrolysis of the proteins and other macromolecules of the fish, which are typical of microbial and enzymatic actions, although th...
ABSTRACT The starches of corms and cormels of red and white cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) varieties, cassava (Manihot esculenta), sweet potato (Ipomea batata), bitter yam (Dioscorea dumentorum) and water yam (Dioscorea alata) were extracted. Their proximate compositions, physicochemical properties, mineral compositions and antinutrient contents were analyzed. The results of the proximate analysis (pWCCM (corms of white cocoyam)>WYAM>SPOTA>WCCL >RCCL (cormels of red cocoyam)>CASS. The darkest ...
ABSTRACT The native starches of white and red cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta), white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) and yellow yam (Dioscorea cayenensis), and seeds of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) and jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) were isolated and modified to obtain their hydroxypropyl and ozone-oxidized derivatives. The nanocrystals of the starches were prepared by mild acid hydrolysis at 40oC with continuous stirring for five (5) days. The native starches were eval...
ABSTRACT The soils and leaves of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), African spinach, "Green" (Amaranthus hybridus) and water leaf (Talinum triangulare) were collected as randomly composite samples from four (4) different study locations of two (2) each from Owo Local Government Area and Etsako-West Local Government Area. The samples were examined for heavy metal concentrations, using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. Chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), ...
Abstract Eighteen trace heavy metals were quantitatively analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy; five samples of petroleum products were collected from Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company. Three different preparation methods were adopted for the determination of trace and heavy metals present in the various petroleum products viz: Direct sample aspiration into the flame after solvent dilution, Total acid (wet) digestion of the sample, Ashing of the sample and dissolution wi...