Carbonized wood is a biofuel from cellulose pyrolysis with frequent smoke and life-threatening carcinogenic emissions. Carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM
2.5
), metalloids and trace ...elements from charcoals from six commonly used tropical timbers for carbonization in Donkorkrom (Ghana) were assessed. During combustion,
Anogeissus leiocarpa
charcoal emitted the least CO (4.28 ± 1.08 ppm) and PM
2.5
(3.83 ± 1.57 μg/m
3
), while particulate matter was greatest for
Erythrophleum ivorense
(28.05 ± 3.08 ppm) and
Azadirachta indica
(27.67 ± 4.17 μg/m
3
) charcoals.
Erythrophleum ivorense
charcoal produced much lead (16.90 ± 0.33 ppm), arsenic (1.97 ± 0.10 ppm) and mercury (0.58 ± 0.003 ppm) but the least chromium (0.11 ± 0.01 ppm) and zinc (2.85 ± 0.05 ppm). Nickel was greatest for
A. indica
charcoal (0.71 ± 0.01 ppm) and least for
Vitellaria paradoxa
(0.07 ± 0.004 ppm). Trace elements ranged from 342.01 ± 2.54 ppm (
A. indica
) to 978.47 ± 1.80 ppm (
V. paradoxa
) for potassium and 1.74 ± 0.02% (
V. paradoxa
) to 2.24 ± 0.10% (
A. indica
) for sulphur. Besides
A. leiocarpa
charcoal, which ranked safest during combustion, the high PM
2.5
and CO emissions make the other biofuels hazardous indoors. Kitchens need air filters to absorb these emissions together with the use of improved cook stoves. These carcinogenic metalloids would necessitate that their ashes be properly discarded without human contact. Yet, the charcoals would be much suitable as soil amendment bio-char for plant growth quality improvement.
Background
Lipid peroxidation plays a very important role in sickle cell pathophysiology. The formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) may lead to endothelial ...dysfunction. Nitric oxide (NO) is a known vasodilator which plays a role in endothelial function. The current study determined the association between MDA and NO metabolites (NOx), trace elements, and antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) in patients with SCD. The ratio of MDA/NOx was also determined as an index of oxidative stress in the study groups.
Methods
This was a cross‐sectional study involving 90 patients with SCD and 50 “healthy” controls. Blood samples (n = 140) were collected from the study groups. The plasma, sera, and red cells were kept at −20°C for biochemical analyses. Hemoglobin (Hb) and NOx levels were determined in the plasma using Labsystem Multiskan MS and Griess reagent system, respectively. Super oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were determined in the red cells using assay kits from Cayman chemicals. Lipid peroxidation biomarker MDA was determined in the sera using the TBARS assay. Levels of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were also determined in the sera using Variant 240FS. MDA and NOx ratio was computed for the study groups and compared.
Results
Levels of Hb, NOx, SOD, CAT, and Zn were significantly lower in the patients with SCD (P < .001). MDA, Fe, and MDA/ NOx ratio were, however, significantly higher in the patients with SCD (P < .001). There was no significant correlation between MDA and NOx, SOD, CAT, Fe, and Zn in the study groups. MDA, however, correlated positively and significantly with Cu in the HbSS patients with vaso‐occlusive crises (VOC). Gender did not affect the levels of oxidative stress markers.
Conclusions
Findings from this study suggest a link between lipid peroxidation and Cu in HbSS patients with VOC. Increased MDA/NOx ratio may contribute to sickle cell pathophysiology by promoting oxidative stress.
Background and Aims
Although the understanding of pre‐eclampsia (PE) has improved, there is still insufficient knowledge on the exact etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms. Dysregulation of ...angiogenic factors has emerged as a significant contributing factor. Among these factors, angiopoietins (Ang‐1 and Ang‐2) have gained considerable attention due to their crucial role in regulating vascular development and endothelial function. This study explored the maternal serum levels of angiopoietins and perinatal outcomes in PE.
Methods
A case‐control study involving women with PE (cases) and normotensive pregnancies (controls) was conducted at the Maternity unit of the Korle‐Bu Teaching Hospital. Descriptive analysis was performed and the Mann–Whitney U test (two‐sided) was used to compare maternal serum levels of angiopoietins between the cases and controls.
Results
We included 188 participants comprising 94 cases (women with PE) and 94 controls (normotensive pregnancies) with an average maternal age of 29.76 ± 5.56 and 28.43 ± 5.57 years, respectively. Maternal serum levels of Ang‐2 were significantly lower among the PE cases compared to the normotensive controls (1.25 0.90, 2.15 vs. 2.14 1.18, 5.73 ng/mL, p = 0.001) but no significant difference in Ang‐1 levels (92.61 80.92, 114.92 vs. 99.26 81.76, 113.12 ng/mL, p = 0.429) was observed between the groups. The Ang‐1/Ang‐2 ratio was significantly elevated among women with PE compared to normotensive controls (74.47 37.69, 110.59 vs. 45.98 16.11, 88.22 ng/mL, p = 0.014). Also, women who delivered vaginally had significantly high maternal serum levels of Ang‐1 compared to women who had cesarean section delivery (107.98 ± 27.79 vs. 89.02 ± 32.62 ng/mL).
Conclusion
Maternal serum levels of Ang‐2 but not Ang‐1 were significantly depressed in women with PE compared to the pregnant normotensive controls. No significant associations were observed between Ang‐1, Ang‐2 levels, or the Ang‐1/Ang‐2 ratio and pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, birth weight, and severity of hypertension.
The dwindling supply of timber in the wood markets in Ghana, demands increasing focus on promoting the utilization of lesser-known species (LKS) or lesser-used species (LUS). Six major wood trading ...markets in Ghana were captured in this study in June 2021. Untreated and thermally modified G. arborea (Rox. ex. Sm) wood was largely unknown and unavailable in all the six major timber markets. Respondents who expressed interest in selling or working with G. arborea wood, based their acceptance on good aesthetics (40.5 %), good weight-to-volume ratio (25.6 %), and high durability (16.4 %) as the most important characteristics. A majority (73.9 %) of respondents in all six markets accepted to sell/buy the timber species of dimension 4 cm x 12 cm x 243.84 cm for US$ 11 – 15. About 73.9 % and 52.8 % of respondents indicated an appreciable affinity for the light color and weight-tovolume ratio of the untreated wood, which were regarded as good wood qualities. In all, 76.1 %, 73.3 %, and 67.7 % of respondents considered darkened color, improved dimensional stability, and improved durability of thermally modified G. arborea wood respectively as significant and preferred properties. The respondents emphasized that reliable market supply and affordable pricing of G. arborea were the major challenges to overcome. Potential patronage for thermally modified G. arborea wood was indicated by 13.6 % and 76.7 % of respondents who significantly agreed and agreed respectively that, a price increase of 15 % for the thermally modified wood compared to the untreated wood, could be well accepted and accommodated by the markets.
Thermal modification of wood is an environmentally friendly method to improve wood durability, mainly against microorganisms. By employing a process similar to the ThermoWood®, various Gmelina ...arborea (gamhar) wood specimens were thermally modified at 180 °C, 200 °C, and 220 °C for 3 hours. The effects of the thermal modification process on the resistance to decay by rot-fungi, and attack by subterranean, arboreal, and dry-wood termites were determined. Generally, the thermal modification improved the resistance of Gmelina arborea (gamhar) to decay by Trametes versicolor with increasing process temperature. However, the effect of the process was null on the resistance to biodeterioration by the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana and the dry-wood termites Cryptotermes brevis. Even so, the visual damage caused by Cryptotermes brevis was slight. Untreated and thermally modified woods recorded higher resistance to Coniophora puteana than Trametes versicolor. Mass loss caused by Nasutitermes corniger also decreased with increasing thermal modification temperature. According to the visual damage rating values, the attack by Nasutitermes corniger was slight. However, the thermal modification inversely impacted Gmelina arborea (gamhar) attack by Macrotermes sp., as its resistance in the field to the termites decreased with increasing modification temperature. Thus, the thermal modification process contributed to improving the decay resistance of the modified wood to white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor and attack by the arboreal termites Nasutitermes corniger exposed indoors. On the other hand, thermally modified Gmelina arborea (gamhar) wood was very susceptible to Macrotermes sp. in the field. This work would provide a reliable reference document to guide wood industry stakeholders in assessing the performance of untreated and thermally modified Gmelina arborea (gamhar) wood in situations exposed to fungi and termite species adopted.
Vasculopathy is a hallmark of sickle cell disease ultimately resulting in chronic end organ damage. Leg ulcer is one of its sequelae, occurring in ~ 5–10% of adult sickle cell patients. The majority ...of leg ulcer publications to date have emanated from single center cohort studies. As such, there are limited studies on the geographic distribution of leg ulcers and associated risk factors worldwide. The Consortium for the Advancement of Sickle Cell Research (CASiRe) was formed to improve the understanding of the different phenotypes of sickle cell disease patients living in different geographic locations around the world (USA, UK, Italy, Ghana). This cross-sectional cohort sub-study of 659 sickle cell patients aimed to determine the geographic distribution and risk factors associated with leg ulcers. The prevalence of leg ulcers was 10.3% and was associated with older age, SS genotype, male gender, and Ghanaian origin. In fact, the highest prevalence (18.6%) was observed in Ghana. Albuminuria, proteinuria, increased markers of hemolysis (lower hemoglobin, higher total bilirubin), lower oxygen saturation, and lower body mass index were also associated with leg ulceration. Overall, our study identified a predominance of leg ulcers within male hemoglobin SS patients living in sub-Saharan Africa with renal dysfunction and increased hemolysis.
Carbonized wood quality varies, being influenced by their physical and combustion properties, which determine their suitability as biofuels. The physico-combustion properties of charcoals from six ...defect-free, regularly-used tropical timbers for carbonization (i.e., Anogeissus leiocarpa, Erythrophleum ivorense, Ficus sur, Berlinia occidentalis, Azadirachta indica and Vitellaria paradoxa) from Donkorkrom, Ghana, were studied. The timbers were randomly selected to avoid bias and the experiments setup in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The carbonized woods’ qualities were ranked 1 (best) to 6 (worst) based on the cumulative average of their properties. Charcoal yield was greatest for E. ivorense (41.49 ± 4.65%), and least for F. sur (22.26 ± 4.71%). Moisture contents (MCs), densities, ash contents for the carbonized woods (i.e., <8%, >130 kg m−3, <8% respectively) met the standards for trade on the International and European markets. E. ivorense charcoal recorded the greatest Water Resistance Capacity (96.333 ± 0.57%), least burning rate (5.104 ± 0.08 g min−1) and Specific Fuel Consumption (127.1443 ± 4.867 g L−1). Their CVs (26939.24 ± 105.91 J g−1 for B. occidentalis to 29177.44 ± 558.77 J g−1 for A. leiocarpa) were also greater than the typical values (19400 J g−1 to 20400 J g−1) by ISO. E. ivorense charcoal ranked best, while B. occidentalis and F. sur charcoals ranked worst. However, all the charcoals would perform well outdoors, suitably for domestic utilization (e.g. cooking and baking). In metallurgy, E. ivorense and A. leiocarpa carbonized woods would be most thermally-efficient.
•Charcoal is a biofuel for domestic and industrial energy needs.•Its properties vary depending on the timber carbonized.•The charcoals were dense with much water resistance, especially Erythrophleum ivorense.•They had great heat, less ash and Specific Fuel Consumption suitable in metallurgy.•Timber plantations with such quality charcoals would increase the raw material base.
The activity of Na+-K+ ATPase is altered in sickle cell disease (SCD), which affects serum electrolyte levels. This alteration is associated with several complications in sickle cell patients. This ...study evaluated the serum levels of sodium, potassium, and chloride in patients with SCD. The study was a case-control cross-sectional study involving 120 SCD patients in the steady state and 48 ‘healthy’ controls. The SCD patients were made up of 69 HbSS patients and 41 HbSC patients. Serum electrolyte levels (Na+, K+, and Cl−) were measured using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Variant 240FS; Varian Australia Pty Ltd). Serum sodium levels were significantly lower in the sickle cell patients, compared with their ‘healthy’ counterparts (P = .0001). Although the study found significantly higher serum levels of potassium in the SCD patients (P = .0001), there was no significant difference in serum chloride levels between patients with SCD and the controls (P = .098). Serum sodium and chloride levels were not significantly different in both HbSS and HbSC patients (P = .197 and P = .553, respectively). The level of serum potassium in the HbSS patients was, however, significantly higher compared with those with the HbSC genotype (P = .0001). There is higher efflux of K+ from the intracellular into the extracellular space in HbSS patients, which may lead to red cell membrane dysfunction and associated complications.
Rosewood (
Pterocarpus erinaceus
Poir.) is valued for flooring, ornaments, musical instruments and furniture-making due to its durability, strength, beauty and acoustic properties. It coppices easily ...which could boost its continual supply. Compression parallel to grain, Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) within coppiced and non-coppiced boles were determined. These properties decreased along both types of boles. Strength values for the heartwood were also greater than those for the sapwood of each type of bole. MOE, MOR and compression for non-coppiced stems were greater than those from the coppiced stems. The differences were significant (
p
< 0.05). Mechanical properties from the coppiced and non-coppiced boles are comparable. Both have strength properties comparable with those of species widely used for railway sleepers, structural supports, flooring, veneer, furniture, cabinetry, truss and mine props. Therefore, coppiced wood could supplement non-coppiced wood for industrial applications which require strength.
Despite having the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD) in the world, no country in Sub-Saharan Africa has a universal screening program for the disease. We sought to capture the diagnosis ...patterns of SCD (age at SCD diagnosis, method of SCD diagnosis, and age of first pain crisis) in Accra, Ghana.
We administered an in-person, voluntary survey to parents of offspring with SCD between 2009 and 2013 in Accra as a part of a larger study and conducted a secondary data analysis to determine diagnosis patterns. This was conducted at a single site: a large academic medical center in the region. Univariate analyses were performed on diagnosis patterns; bivariate analyses were conducted to determine whether patterns differed by participant's age (children: those < 18 years old whose parents completed a survey about them, compared to adults: those > = 18 years old whose parents completed a survey about them), or their disease severity based on SCD genotype. Pearson's chi-squared were calculated.
Data was collected on 354 unique participants from parents. Few were diagnosed via SCD testing in the newborn period. Only 44% were diagnosed with SCD by age four; 46% had experienced a pain crisis by the same age. Most (66%) were diagnosed during pain crisis, either in acute (49%) or primary care (17%) settings. Children were diagnosed with SCD at an earlier age (74% by four years old); among the adults, parents reflected that 30% were diagnosed by four years old (p < 0.001). Half with severe forms of SCD were diagnosed by age four, compared to 31% with mild forms of the disease (p = 0.009).
The lack of a robust newborn screening program for SCD in Accra, Ghana, leaves children at risk for disease complications and death. People in our sample were diagnosed with SCD in the acute care setting, and in their toddler or school-age years or thereafter, meaning they are likely being excluded from important preventive care. Understanding current SCD diagnosis patterns in the region can inform efforts to improve the timeliness of SCD diagnosis, and improve the mortality and morbidity caused by the disease in this high prevalence population.
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