University of Health and Allied Sciences

About: University of Health and Allied Sciences is a education organization based out in Ho, Ghana. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 637 authors who have published 1063 publications receiving 9380 citations. The organization is also known as: UHAS & IAU-024335.

Effect of multi-frequency countercurrent ultrasound treatment on extraction optimization, functional and structural properties of protein isolates from Walnut (Juglans regia L.) meal.

Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of ultrasound treatment on walnut meal protein (WMP) extraction and techno-functional properties. The Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was adopted for the optimization of the traditional and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) processes. Standard protocols were used to assay the techno-functional characteristics. The extraction models' statistical results exhibited adequacy with the least desirability index of 95.8%. The UAE enhanced the WMP extraction yield, purity, and chemical score by 30.15%, 16.27%, and 9.74%, respectively, while reducing the extraction time by 25% over the control. The emulsion and foam stabilities and bulk density increased by 34.5%, 39.8%, and 6.1%, respectively, over the control. The α-helix decreased while β-sheet, β-turns and random coil secondary structure components increased significantly (p < .05) by 95.76%, 101.3%, 105.1%, and 85.7% correspondingly. The dual-frequency combination (20/40 kHz/kHz) was the best frequency mode. WMP could serve as a functional additive in manufactured foods as texture and flavor enhancer. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Walnut meal protein (WMP) has a well-balanced amino acid profile and its economic use could be practically increased as a food ingredient by ultrasound-assisted extraction. By this technique, WMP could be employed for the development of enhanced food ingredients rather than being discarded as animal feed. This study showed a positive effect of ultrasonic-assisted alkaline pretreatment on WMP extraction, functionality and structure characteristics. In addition to process improvement, ultrasound is energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Therefore, the applicability of this technique to improve the functionality of plant proteins from industrial by-products to be included in food products is promising.

Women's autonomy in household decision-making and safer sex negotiation in sub-Saharan Africa: An analysis of data from 27 Demographic and Health Surveys.

Abstract: Women's ability to negotiate the conditions and timing of sex is key to several reproductive health outcomes including family planning and prevention of sexually transmitted infections. We investigated the association between women's autonomy in household decision-making and safer sex negotiation (SSN) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of 27 countries in SSA. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16.0 using descriptive statistics, chi square test, and logistic regression models. Statistical significance was set at p

Malnutrition and associated factors in children: a comparative study between public and private schools in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana

Abstract: Due to vulnerabilities resulting from disparities in socio-economic status (SES), most nutrition and health interventions are targeted at children in public schools This study was conducted to investigate the determinants of malnutrition among pupils attending public and private schools in the Hohoe municipality, Ghana School-based cross-sectional survey, which used a multi-stage random sampling technique to select 633 pupils, aged 3–12 years enrolled in 14 public and seven private schools Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaire Type of school attended was used as proxy of SES of the pupils Weight, height and mid upper-arm circumference were measured and used to generate underweight, stunting, thinness and obesity levels using WHO Antroplus and STATA 121 Mutually adjusted simple and multinomial logistic regressions were performed to determine associations between explanatory and dependent variables Underweight (13 % vs 2 %, p = <00001), stunting (12 % vs 3 %, p = <00001) and thinness (8 % vs 14 %, p < 00001) were higher among pupils attending public schools compared to their private schools counterparts Public school pupils had increased likelihood for underweight (AOR = 75; 95 % CI = 24–23; p = 0001) and an increase risk for thinness (RR = 47; 95 % CI = 15–212; p = 0028) but had decrease risk for overweight (RR = 03; 95 % CI = 01–1; p = 0043) Overweight (9 %) was higher among private schools pupils compared to public schools (3 %) Underweight (14 % vs 6 %), stunting (14 % vs 4 %) and thinness (8 % vs 4 %) were higher among pupils in rural schools compared to urban dwellers Rural schools children were twice likely to become stunted (AOR = 26; 95 % CI = 10–64; p = 0043) However among pupils attending schools in urban areas, the prevalence of overweight was 7 % compare to 1 % in rural areas Pupils who consumed only two meals per day were more likely to be underweight (AOR = 68; 95 % CI = 14–322; p = 0016), stunted (AOR = 72; 95 % CI = 12–437; p = 0033) and thin (RR = 94; 95 % CI = 20–478; p = 0007) compared to those who had at least three square meals daily Both under nutrition and over-nutrition were common among the school pupils but overweight appeared largely driven by high SES and urbanization while under nutrition was associated with low SES and rural residency Interventions targeting school children should aim at reducing poverty and hunger as these factors remain as underlying causes of malnutrition in childhood

Dose-dependent effect of cannabinoid WIN-55,212-2 on myelin repair following a demyelinating insult.

Abstract: Dysfunctions in the endocannabinoid system have been associated with experimental animal models and multiple sclerosis patients. Interestingly, the endocannabinoid system has been reported to confer neuroprotection against demyelination. The present study aims to assess the effects of the cannabinoid agonist WIN-55,212-2 in cuprizone fed animals on myelin repair capacity. Animals exposed to cuprizone were simultaneously treated withWIN-55,212-2, behaviorally tested and finally the corpus callosum was exhaustively studied by Western blotting, qRT-PCR and a myelin staining procedure. We report that the long-term administration of WIN-55,212-2 reduced the global amount of CB1 protein. Histological analysis revealed clear demyelination after being fed cuprizone for three weeks. However, cuprizone-fed mice subjected to 0.5 mg/Kg of WIN-55,212-2 displayed no differences when compared to controls during demyelination, although there was a robust increase in the myelinated axons during the remyelination phase. These animals displayed better performance on contextual fear conditioning which was in turn non-attributable to an antinociceptive effect. In contrast, a 1 mg/Kg dosage caused a remarkable demyelination accompanied by limited potential for myelin repair. Upon drug administration while mice ongoing demyeliniation, the expression of Aif1 (microglia) and Gfap (astrocytes) followed a dose-dependent manner whereas the expression of both markers was apparently attenuated during remyelination. Treatment with vehicle or 0.5 mg/Kg of the drug during demyelination increased the expression of Pdgfra (oligodendrocyte precursor cells) but this did not occur when 1 mg/Kg was administered. In conclusion, the drug at 0.5 mg/Kg did not alter myelin architecture while 1 mg/Kg had a deleterious effect in this model.

Antiinflammatory properties of betulinic acid and xylopic acid in the carrageenan-induced pleurisy model of lung inflammation in mice.

Abstract: This study investigated the antiinflammatory properties of betulinic acid (BA) and xylopic acid (XA) extracted from Margaritaria discoidea and Xylopia aethiopica, respectively. M. discoidea and X. aethiopica are plants native in Ghana and the West-African region and used traditionally to treat different pathologies including inflammatory conditions. The antiinflammatory effect of BA and XA was established by an in vivo assay using the carrageenan-induced pleural inflammation model in mice. Also, the ability of BA and XA to increase catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione levels and decrease lipid peroxidation level in reactive oxidative assays was assessed. In addition, the ability of XA and BA to prevent potential lung tissue damage was quantified. Pretreatment with BA and XA reduced significantly, signs of inflammation: neutrophil infiltration, oedema, and alveoli septal thickening in carrageenan-treated lung tissue. Additionally, BA or XA pretreatment lowered the degree of lipid peroxidation in the lung tissue while increasing the levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione in vivo. Comparatively, XA was more efficacious than BA in the prevention of lung tissue damage. BA and XA derived from X. aethiopica and M. discoidea possess antiinflammatory and in vivo antioxidant activities in mice pleurisy model. The effect of these compounds gives credence to the traditional use in the management of inflammatory conditions of the airway.