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- ItemEffects of COVID-19 disease on PAI-1 antigen and haematological parameters during disease management: A prospective cross-sectional study in a regional Hospital in Ghana(PLOS Glob Public Health, 2023) Nkansah, Charles; Owusu, Michael; Appiah, Samuel Kwasi; Mensah, Kofi; Bani, Simon Bannison; Osei-Boakye, Felix; Agyemang, Lawrence Duah; Ackah, Ezekiel Bonwin; Abbam, Gabriel; Daud, Samira; Quansah, Yeduah; et.al...; 0000-0001-6986-9976; 0000-0001-5066-150X; 0000-0002-2238-2797Background Individuals with COVID-19 experience thrombotic events probably due to the associated hypofibrinolysis resulting from the upregulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen. This study evaluated plasma PAI-1 antigen levels and haematological parameters before treatment and after recovery from severe COVID-19 in Ghana. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sunyani Regional Hospital, and recruited 51 patients who had RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2. Participants’ sociodemographic data and clinical characteristics were taken from the hospital records. Venous blood was taken before COVID-19 treatment commenced for FBC, PAI-1 and ferritin assays. FBC was assessed using an automated haematology analyzer, whilst plasma PAI-1 Ag and serum ferritin levels were assessed with sandwich ELISA. All the tests were repeated immediately after participants recovered from COVID-19. Results Of the 51 participants recruited into the study, 78.4% (40) had non-severe COVID-19 whiles 21.6% (11) experienced a severe form of the disease. Severe COVID-19 participants had significantly lower haemoglobin (g/dL): 8.1 (7.3–8.4) vs 11.8 (11.0–12.5), p<0.001; RBC x 1012/L: 2.9 (2.6–3.1) vs 3.4 (3.1–4.3), p = 0.001; HCT%: 24.8 ± 2.6 vs 35.3 ± 6.7, p<0.001 and platelet x 109 /L: 86.4 (62.2–91.8) vs 165.5 (115.1–210.3), p<0.001, compared with the non-severe COVID-19 group. But WBC x 109 /L: 11.6 (9.9–14.2) vs 5.4 (3.7–6.6), p<0.001 and ferritin (ng/mL): 473.1 (428.3–496.0) vs 336.2 (249.9–386.5), p<0.001, were relatively higher in the participants with severe COVID-19 than the non-severe COVID-19 counter parts. Also, the severely ill SARS-CoV-2-infected participants had relatively higher plasma PAI-1 Ag levels (ng/mL): 131.1 (128.7–131.9) vs 101.3 (92.0–116.8), p<0.001, than those with the non-severe form of the disease. Participants had lower haemoglobin (g/dL): 11.4 (8.8–12.3 vs 12.4 (11.5–13.6), p<0.001; RBC x 1012/L: 3.3 (2.9–4.0) vs 4.3 (3.4–4.6), p = 0.001; absolute granulocyte count x 109 /L: 2.3 ± 1.0 vs 4.6 ± 1.8, p<0.001, and platelet x 109 /L: 135.0 (107.0–193.0) vs 229.0 (166.0–270.0), p<0.001 values at admission before treatment commenced, compared to when they recovered from the disease. Additionally, the median PAI-1 Ag (ng/mL): 89.6 (74.9–100.8) vs 103.1 (93.2–128.7), p<0.001 and ferritin (ng/mL): 242.2 (197.1–302.1) vs 362.3 (273.1–399.9), p<0.001 levels were reduced after a successful recovery from COVID-19 compared to the values at admission. Conclusion Plasma PAI-1 Ag level was higher among severe COVID-19 participants. The COVID-19- associated inflammation could affect red blood cell parameters and platelets. Successful recovery from COVID-19, with reduced inflammatory response as observed in the decline of serum ferritin levels restores the haematological parameters. Plasma levels of PAI-1 should be assessed during the management of severe COVID-19 in Ghana. This will enhance the early detection of probable thrombotic events and prompts Physicians to provide interventions to prevent thrombotic complications associated with COVID-19.
- ItemEffects of COVID-19 disease on PAI-1 antigen and haematological parameters during disease management: A prospective cross-sectional study in a regional Hospital in Ghana(PLOS Glob Public Health, 2023) Nkansah, Charles; Owusu, Michael; Appiah, Samuel Kwasi; Mensah, Kofi; Bani, Simon Bannison; Osei-Boakye, Felix; Agyemang, Lawrence Duah; Ackah, Ezekiel Bonwin; Abbam, Gabriel; Daud, Samira; et.al...; 0000-0001-6986-9976; 0000-0001-5066-150X
- ItemSero-prevalence, cross-species infection and serological determinants of prevalence of Bovine Coronavirus in Cattle, Sheep and Goats in Ghana(Veterinary Microbiology, 2020) Burimuaha, Vitus; Sylverken, Augustina; Owusu, Michael; El-Duah, Philip; Yeboah, Richmond; Lamptey, Jones; Frimpong, Yaw Oppong; Agbenyegah, Olivia; Folitse, Raphael; Tasiame, William; Emikpe, Benjamin; et.al...; 0000-0002-7691-914X; 0000-0001-5066-150X; 0000-0003-1671-0755; 0000-0002-2765-6179; 0000-0002-7050-1674Cattle, goats and sheep are dominant livestock species in sub-Saharan Africa, with sometimes limited in formation on the prevalence of major infectious diseases. Restrictions due to notifiable epizootics complicate the exchange of samples in surveillance studies and suggest that laboratory capacities should be established domestically. Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) causes mainly enteric disease in cattle. Spillover to small ruminants is possible. Here we established BCoV serology based on a recombinant immunofluorescence assay for cattle, goats and sheep, and studied the seroprevalence of BCoV in these species in four different locations in the Greater Accra, Volta, Upper East, and Northern provinces of Ghana. The whole sampling and testing was organized and conducted by a veterinary school in Kumasi, Ashanti Region of Ghana. Among sampled sheep (n = 102), goats (n = 66), and cattle (n = 1495), the seroprevalence rates were 25.8 %, 43.1 % and 55.8 %. For cattle, seroprevalence was significantly higher on larger farms (82.2 % vs 17.8 %, comparing farms with > 50 or < 50 animals; p = 0.027). Highest prevalence was seen in the Northern province with dry climate, but no significant trend following the north-south gradient of sampling sites was detected. Our study identifies a considerable seroprevalence for BCoV in Ghana and provides further support for the spillover of BCoV to small ruminants in settings with mixed husbandry and limited separation between species.
- ItemShared genetic risk between major orofacial cleft phenotypes in an African population(Genetic Epidemiology, 2024) Alade, Azeez; Tabitha, Peter; Busch, Tamara; Awotoye, Waheed; Anand, Deepti; Gowans, Lord J. J.; et.al...; 0000-0003-0080-9101Nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) represent a large proportion (70%–80%) of all OFCs. They can be broadly categorized into nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) and nonsyndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO). Although NSCL/P and NSCPO are considered etiologically distinct, recent evidence suggests the presence of shared genetic risks. Thus, we investigated the genetic overlap between NSCL/P and NSCPO using African genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data on NSOFCs. These data consist of 814 NSCL/P, 205 NSCPO cases, and 2159 unrelated controls. We generated common single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) association summary statistics separately for each phenotype (NSCL/P and NSCPO) under an additive genetic model. Subsequently, we employed the pleiotropic analysis under the composite null (PLACO) method to test for genetic overlap. Our analysis identified two loci with genome‐wide significance (rs181737795 [p = 2.58E−08] and rs2221169 [p = 4.5E−08]) and one locus with marginal significance (rs187523265 [p = 5.22E−08]). Using mouse transcriptomics data and information from genetic phenotype databases, we identified MDN1, MAP3k7, KMT2A, ARCN1, and VADC2 as top candidate genes for the associated SNVs. These findings enhance our understanding of genetic variants associated with NSOFCs and identify potential candidate genes for further exploration.
- ItemWhy Patients Visit Dentists – A Study in all World Health Organization Regions(Journal of Evidence Based Dental Practice, 2020-09) John, Mike T.; ,Sekulic, Stella; Bekes, Katrin; Al-Harthy, Mohammad H.; Michelotti, Ambra; Reissmann, Daniel R.; Amuasi, Ama Agyeibea; et.al...; 0000-0002-7482-4817Objective The dimensions of oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact are the major areas where patients are impacted by oral diseases and dental interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether dental patients' reasons to visit the dentist fit the 4 OHRQoL dimensions. Methods Dentists (N = 1580) from 32 countries participated in a web-based survey. For their patients with current oral health problems, dentists were asked whether these problems were related to teeth, mouth, and jaws' function, pain, appearance, or psychosocial impact or whether they do not fit the aforementioned 4 categories. Dentists were also asked about their patients who intended to prevent future oral health problems. For both patient groups, the proportions of oral health problems falling into the 4 OHRQoL dimensions were calculated. Results For every 100 dental patients with current oral health problems, 96 had problems related to teeth, mouth, and jaws' function, pain, appearance, or psychosocial impact. For every 100 dental patients who wanted to prevent future oral health problems, 92 wanted to prevent problems related to these 4 OHRQoL dimensions. Both numbers increased to at least 98 of 100 patients when experts analyzed dentists' explanations of why some oral health problems would not fit the four dimension. For the remaining 2 of 100 patients, none of the dentist-provided explanations suggested evidence against the OHRQoL dimensions as the concepts that capture dental patients' suffering. Conclusion Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact capture dental patients' oral health problems worldwide. These 4 OHRQoL dimensions offer a psychometrically sound and practical framework for patient care and research, identifying what is important to dental patients.