47 results on '"BOATENG, G."'
Search Results
2. Commercialisation of African palm weevil larvae for employment creation and nutritional security in rural Ghana: a financial feasibility approach
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Adams, F., primary, Aidoo, R., additional, Mensah, J.O., additional, Mensah, A., additional, Amankwah, K., additional, Kyei, B.K., additional, Gbadago, J.E., additional, Konadu, K.A., additional, Boateng, G., additional, Oduro, A.B., additional, and Attobrah, C.K., additional
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- 2021
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3. Made in Ghana: Chocolate and Cocoa drinks: A study on new forms of value addition in the chocolate value chain
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van Wijk, Jeroen, Boateng, G., de Boer, Diederik, and RS: GSBE MSM
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- 2021
4. Ranking the value of germplasm: new oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) breeding stocks as a case study
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Wening, S., Croxford, A. E., Ford, C. S., Thomas, W. T.B., Forster, B. P., Okyere-Boateng, G., Nelson, S. P.C., Caligari, P. D.S., and Wilkinson, M. J.
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- 2012
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5. Emulsifying ability of exudate gums obtained from three plant species in Ghana
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Owusu, John, primary, Oldham, J. H., additional, Ellis, W. O., additional, and Owusu-Boateng, G., additional
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- 2020
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6. Nutritional composition of shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa, gaertn) byproducts and their digestibility by Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) juvenile
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Agbo, NW, Yeboah-Agyepong, M, and Owusu-Boateng, G
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Nutritional composition, digestibility, nile tilapia, shea nut, by-product - Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the nutritional (proximate and energy) composition of selected shea nut by-products (SNPs) namely; shea nut meal (SNM, solvent extracted), shea nut cake (SNC, mechanically extracted) and shea nut cake (SNCW, water extracted) and their apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) by Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. The ADC was determined using a reference diet with chromic oxide indicator and test diets that contained 70% reference diet and 30% of SNPs being evaluated. Nile tilapia (26.89 ± 3.19 g) was stocked in rearing tanks at 12 per tank and their faeces was collected from two replicate groups of fish by siphoning. Crude protein (CP), crude lipid (CL), crude fibre (CF) and gross energy (GE) of SNM, SNC and SNCW were 159.8, 70.0, 86.6 g.kg-1 and 17.4 kJ.g-1; 145.3, 243.2, 49.3 g.kg-1 and 21.7 kJ.g-1; 125.5, 304.0, 48.8 g.kg-1 and 22.9 kJ.g-1, respectively. The ADC of dry matter (DM), CP, CL and GE of ingredients ranged from 73.0 – 83.8%, 47.3 – 72.0%, 74.7 - 98.9% and 61.2 - 96.3%, respectively. The SNC and SNCW had significantly higher DM, CP, CL and GE digestibility (P < 0.05) compare to SNM. Generally, protein composition and digestibility of the SNPs in this study were low and seem unsuitable as protein sources for Nile tilapia.Keywords: Nutritional composition, digestibility, nile tilapia, shea nut, by-product
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- 2015
7. Surveillance of bacterial pathogens of diarrhoea in two selected sub metros within the Accra metropolis
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Dzotzi, EK, primary, Dongdem, AZ, additional, Boateng, G, additional, Antwi, L, additional, Owsu-Okyere, G, additional, Nartey, DB, additional, Olu-Taiwo, M, additional, Adjabeng, MJ, additional, Amankwa, J, additional, Sarkodie, B, additional, Addo, J, additional, Antwi, E, additional, Aryee, E, additional, and Opintan, JA, additional
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- 2015
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8. Selection of New Standard Crosses for the Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis J.) Third Cycle of Selection
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Agyei-Dwarko, D and Okyere-Boateng, G
- Abstract
Oil palm breeding at the Oil Palm Research Institute, Kusi in Ghana, has gone through the first and second cycles of selection. In the second cycle of selection, the highest yielders in the first cycle of selection were the standard crosses. Eighty-eight (88) Dura x Pisifera, Dura x Tenera and Tenera x Dura crosses were evaluated for yield in ten progeny trials established from 1987 to 1994 as part of the second cycle of selection. The design for these trials was a randomized complete block. The results indicated improved fresh fruit bunch yield over the standard crosses used as controls. The newly selected standard crosses were K1: 3749D x K3.782P, K4. 373D x 851.805P and K4. 621D x 851.805P which had FFB yields of 14.74, 13.24 and 12.82 tonnes per hectare per year respectively. These yields were higher than the previous standard crosses of K1.3747D x K3.880P and K1.3747D x K3. 734T which had FFB yields of 12.29 and 11.69 tonnes per hectare per year respectively. The three crosses from the second cycle of selection were se-lected due to their superior performance over the second cycle standard crosses and will serve as the new standard crosses for the third cycle of selection.
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- 2010
9. A performance trial of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis jacq.) in-vitro materials in Ghana
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Okyere-Boateng, G, Dwarko, DA, and Kaledzi, PD
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No Abstract. Journal of the Ghana Science Association Vol. 2 (2) 1999: pp.114-119
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- 2007
10. Gesichtspflegedermatitis — Erkennung und Behandlung
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Boateng, G. and Nolting, S.
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- 1972
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11. Case Report: Giant Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in a Ghanaian
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Appiah, AA, primary, Amoah, G, additional, Azorliade, R, additional, Gyasi-Sarpong, CK, additional, Aboah, K, additional, Arthur, D, additional, Nyamekye, B, additional, Otu-Boateng, G, additional, Maison, P, additional, Frimpong-Twumasi, B, additional, Antwi, OI, additional, and Yenli, ME, additional
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- 2014
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12. Germination defferences in groups of commercial oil palm seeds
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Okyere-Boateng, G, primary, Nipah, JO, additional, and Dwarko, DA, additional
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- 2007
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13. Relationships between some fruits and bunch traits in tenera oil palm
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Okyere-Boateng, G, primary
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- 2007
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14. SURVEILLANCE OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS OF DIARRHOEA IN TWO SELECTED SUB METROS WITHIN THE ACCRA METROPOLIS.
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DZOTSI, K., DONGDEM, A. Z., BOATENG, G., ANTWI, L., OWUSU-OKYERE, G., NARTEY, D. B., OLU-TAIWO, M., ADJABENG, M. J., AMANKWA, J., SARKODIE, B., ADDO, J., ANTWI, E., ARYEE, E., and OPINTAN, J. A.
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CHOLERA ,BACTERIAL diseases ,PATHOGENIC microorganisms ,SEROTYPING ,SHIGELLA ,VIBRIO cholerae ,SALMONELLA - Abstract
Background: In recent years, many localities within the Greater Accra Region (GAR) have witnessed several episodes of cholera outbreaks, with some deaths. Compared to previous epidemics, which usually followed heavy rains, recent outbreaks show no seasonality. Objectives: To investigate infective bacterial diseases in selected sub metros within the GAR. Methods: We used existing disease surveillance systems in Ghana, and investigated all reported cases of diarrhoea that met our case-definition. A three-day training workshop was done prior to the start of study, to sensitize prescribers at the Korle-Bu Polyclinic and Maamobi General hospital. A case-based investigation form was completed per patient, and two rectal swabs were taken for culture at the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory. Serotyping and antibiogram profiles of identified bacteria were determined. Potential risk factors were also assessed using a questionnaire. Results: Between January and June 2012, a total of 361 diarrhoeal cases with 5 deaths were recorded. Out of a total of 218 rectal swabs cultured, 71 (32.6%) Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa serotypes, and 1 (0.5%) Salmonella (O group B) were laboratory confirmed. No Shigella was isolated. The Vibrio cholerae isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. Greater than 80% of patients reported having drank sachet water 24 h prior to diarrhoea onset, and many (144/361) young adults (20-29 years) reported with diarrhoea. Conclusion: Enhanced surveillance of diarrhoeal diseases (enteric pathogens) within cholera endemic regions, will serve as an early warning signal, and reduce fatalities associated with infective diarrhoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2015
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15. A practical chebyshev collocation method for differential equations.
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Boateng, G. K.
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- 1975
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16. International Burn Disaster Nursing: Care, Commitment, Compassion, and Cost.
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Agyenim-Boateng G, Ridkodim N, Leitch E, Hafer K, Ng N, and Arbour R
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- Humans, United States, Male, Female, Adult, Empathy, Middle Aged, Mass Casualty Incidents, Critical Care Nursing standards, Sierra Leone, Triage, Disaster Planning, Disaster Nursing, Burns nursing
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Background: Burn mass casualty incidents can overwhelm local resources, challenging effective communication, triage, and provision of care. International responders can help by providing education and direct patient care., Local Problem: On November 5, 2021, a fuel tanker truck exploded in Freetown, Sierra Leone, killing or injuring hundreds of people. The needs of the severely burned survivors overwhelmed local resources, requiring an international response. Burn specialist teams from several countries, including the United States, were deployed to provide assistance., Methods: Members of the US burn care team educated local health care practitioners about wound care, physical therapy, and fluid and pain management. Educational content was delivered through lecture and discussion, case studies, clinical application, and bedside teaching. Demonstration of cultural competence and humility, as well as attentiveness to nuances of local communication, helped avoid ethnocentrism and other barriers to collaboration. Public congratulations and formal completion certificates were used to provide meaningful recognition of successful class participation., Results: Before the lecture and discussion intervention, 57 students participating in a pretest assessment had an average score of 53.9% (high, 80%; low, 27.5%). After the intervention, 38 students participating in a posttest assessment had an average score of 79.3% (high, 95%; low, 55%), and local health care providers delivered care with more attention to patient comfort and shared new knowledge with colleagues., Conclusions: Providing optimal burn care and education under austere conditions requires cultural humility and a spirit of inquiry. Attentiveness to communication and cultural nuances promotes collaboration, improves educational effectiveness, and builds local burn care capacity., (©2024 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.)
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- 2024
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17. Implementation of antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ghana using the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy.
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Egyir B, Bortey A, Duedu KO, Boateng G, Bekoe FA, Hedidor G, Adjabeng M, Dayie NTKD, Obeng-Nkrumah N, and Opintan JA
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Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.
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- 2024
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18. Using Wearables to Study Biopsychosocial Dynamics in Couples Who Cope With a Chronic Health Condition: Ambulatory Assessment Study.
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Pauly T, Lüscher J, Wilhelm LO, Amrein MA, Boateng G, Kowatsch T, Fleisch E, Bodenmann G, and Scholz U
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- Humans, Male, Female, Middle Aged, Adult, Chronic Disease psychology, Adaptation, Psychological, Social Support, Self Report, Interpersonal Relations, Heart Rate physiology, Aged, Wearable Electronic Devices psychology, Wearable Electronic Devices standards, Wearable Electronic Devices statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Background: Technology has become an integral part of our everyday life, and its use to manage and study health is no exception. Romantic partners play a critical role in managing chronic health conditions as they tend to be a primary source of support., Objective: This study tests the feasibility of using commercial wearables to monitor couples' unique way of communicating and supporting each other and documents the physiological correlates of interpersonal dynamics (ie, heart rate linkage)., Methods: We analyzed 617 audio recordings of 5-minute duration (384 with concurrent heart rate data) and 527 brief self-reports collected from 11 couples in which 1 partner had type II diabetes during the course of their typical daily lives. Audio data were coded by trained raters for social support. The extent to which heart rate fluctuations were linked among couples was quantified using cross-correlations. Random-intercept multilevel models explored whether cross-correlations might differ by social contexts and exchanges., Results: Sixty percent of audio recordings captured speech between partners and partners reported personal contact with each other in 75% of self-reports. Based on the coding, social support was found in 6% of recordings, whereas at least 1 partner self-reported social support about half the time (53%). Couples, on average, showed small to moderate interconnections in their heart rate fluctuations (r=0.04-0.22). Couples also varied in the extent to which there was lagged linkage, that is, meaning that changes in one partner's heart rate tended to precede changes in the other partner's heart rate. Exploratory analyses showed that heart rate linkage was stronger (1) in rater-coded partner conversations (vs moments of no rater-coded partner conversations: r
diff =0.13; P=.03), (2) when partners self-reported interpersonal contact (vs moments of no self-reported interpersonal contact: rdiff =0.20; P<.001), and (3) when partners self-reported social support exchanges (vs moments of no self-reported social support exchange: rdiff =0.15; P=.004)., Conclusions: Our study provides initial evidence for the utility of using wearables to collect biopsychosocial data in couples managing a chronic health condition in daily life. Specifically, heart rate linkage might play a role in fostering chronic disease management as a couple. Insights from collecting such data could inform future technology interventions to promote healthy lifestyle engagement and adaptive chronic disease management., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): RR2-10.2196/13685., (©Theresa Pauly, Janina Lüscher, Lea Olivia Wilhelm, Melanie Alexandra Amrein, George Boateng, Tobias Kowatsch, Elgar Fleisch, Guy Bodenmann, Urte Scholz. Originally published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (https://mhealth.jmir.org), 05.08.2024.)- Published
- 2024
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19. Determinants of Open Defecation Among Rural Women in Ghana: Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys.
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Appiah-Effah E, Boakye K, Salihu T, Duku GA, Fenteng JO, Boateng G, Appiah F, and Nyarko KB
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Open defecation continuously remains a major global sanitation challenge, contributing to an estimated 1.6 million deaths per year. Ghana ranks second in Africa for open defecation and had the fourth-lowest sanitation coverage in 2010. Evidence indicates that about 32% of the rural Ghanaian population still practice open defecation due to lack of access to basic sanitation facilities, drifting the country from achieving universal access to sanitation by 2030. Women, particularly those in rural areas, are disproportionately affected by open defecation, facing heightened health risks, harassment, and a loss of dignity. Even though previous studies on open defecation in Ghana exist, they lack national representation and neglect women in rural residents who are disproportionally affected by the repercussions of open defecation. Examining that rural women will contribute to heightening their own vulnerability to health risks by practising open defecation is essential to bridging the literature gap on open defecation practices among rural women. The study investigated determinants of open defecation among rural women in Ghana using data from the female files of the 2003, 2008 and 2014 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). A total of 4,284 rural women with complete information on variables of interest were included in the study. The outcome variable was 'open defecation', whilst 14 key explanatory variables (e.g., age, education, wealth status, among others) were used. Two logistic regression models were built, and the outputs were reported in odds ratio. Descriptively, 42 in every 100 women aged 15 to 49 practiced open defecation (n = 1811, 95% CI = 49-52). Open defecation (OD) significantly correlated with educational attainment, wealth status, religion, access to mass media, partner's education, and zone of residence. The likelihood of practicing open defecation reduced among those with formal education [aOR = 0.69, CI = 0.56-0.85], those whose partners had formal education [aOR = 0.64, CI = 0.52-0.80], women in the rich wealth quintile [aOR = 0.12, CI = 0.07-0.20], the traditionalist [aOR = 0.33, CI = 0.19-0.57], and those who had access to mass media [aOR = 0.70, CI = 0.57-0.85]. Residents in the Savannah zone had higher odds of openly defecating [aOR = 21.06, CI = 15.97-27.77]. The prevalence of open defecation is disproportionately pro-poor, which indicates that impoverished rural women are more likely to perform it. Public health initiatives should aim to close the rich-poor divide in OD practice among rural women., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)
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- 2024
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20. Marburg Virus Disease in Ghana.
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Bonney JK, Adu B, Sanders T, Pratt D, Adams P, Asante IA, Bonney EY, Agbodzi B, Kumordjie S, Faye M, Obodai E, Ketorwoley P, Yeboah C, Tublu M, Diagne MM, Diallo A, Ofori M, Laryea D, Asiedu-Bekoe F, Kyei GB, Ohene SA, Boateng G, Chapman R, Faye O, Wiley M, Odoom J, Sall A, Kasolo FC, and Yeboah-Manu D
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- Animals, Humans, Ghana epidemiology, Marburg Virus Disease epidemiology, Marburg Virus Disease prevention & control, Marburgvirus genetics
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- 2023
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21. HBZ upregulates myoferlin expression to facilitate HTLV-1 infection.
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Polakowski N, Sarker MAK, Hoang K, Boateng G, Rushing AW, Kendle W, Pique C, Green PL, Panfil AR, and Lemasson I
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- Humans, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes metabolism, Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors genetics, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 pathogenicity, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 physiology, Retroviridae Proteins metabolism
- Abstract
The complex retrovirus, human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), primarily infects CD4+ T-cells in vivo. Infectious spread within this cell population requires direct contact between virally-infected and target cells. The HTLV-1 accessory protein, HBZ, was recently shown to enhance HTLV-1 infection by activating intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression, which promotes binding of infected cells to target cells and facilitates formation of a virological synapse. In this study we show that HBZ additionally enhances HTLV-1 infection by activating expression of myoferlin (MyoF), which functions in membrane fusion and repair and vesicle transport. Results from ChIP assays and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR indicate that HBZ forms a complex with c-Jun or JunB at two enhancer sites within the MYOF gene and activates transcription through recruitment of the coactivator p300/CBP. In HTLV-1-infected T-cells, specific inhibition of MyoF using the drug, WJ460, or shRNA-mediated knockdown of MyoF reduced infection efficiency. This effect was associated with a decrease in cell adhesion and an intracellular reduction in the abundance of HTLV-1 envelope (Env) surface unit (SU) and transmembrane domain (TM). Lysosomal protease inhibitors partially restored SU levels in WJ460-treated cells, and SU localization to LAMP-2 sites was increased by MyoF knockdown, suggesting that MyoF restricts SU trafficking to lysosomes for degradation. Consistent with these effects, less SU was associated with cell-free virus particles. Together, these data suggest that MyoF contributes to HTLV-1 infection through modulation of Env trafficking and cell adhesion., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Polakowski et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)
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- 2023
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22. Using drones to transport suspected COVID-19 samples; experiences from the second largest testing centre in Ghana, West Africa.
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Sylverken AA, Owusu M, Agbavor B, Kwarteng A, Ayisi-Boateng NK, Ofori P, El-Duah P, Yeboah R, Aryeetey S, Addo Asamoah J, Ekekpi RZ, Oppong M, Gorman R, Brempong KA, Nyarko-Afriyie E, Owusu Bonsu F, Larsen-Reindorf R, Rockson Adjei M, Boateng G, Asiedu-Bekoe F, Sarkodie B, Laryea DO, Tinkorang E, Kumah Aboagye P, Nsiah Asare A, Obiri-Danso K, Owusu-Dabo E, Adu-Sarkodie Y, and Phillips RO
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- Humans, Ghana, Pandemics, Unmanned Aerial Devices, COVID-19
- Abstract
Background: The declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11 2020, by the World Health Organisation prompted the need for a sustained and a rapid international response. In a swift response, the Government of Ghana, in partnership with Zipline company, launched the use of Unmanned Automated Vehicles (UAV) to transport suspected samples from selected districts to two foremost testing centres in the country. Here, we present the experiences of employing this technology and its impact on the transport time to the second largest testing centre, the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) in Kumasi, Ghana., Methods: Swab samples collected from suspected COVID-19 patients were transported to the Zipline office by health workers. Information on the samples were sent to laboratory personnel located at KCCR through a WhatsApp platform to get them ready to receive the suspected COVID-19 samples while Zipline repackaged samples and transported them via drone. Time of take-off was reported as well as time of drop-off., Results: A total of 2537 COVID-19 suspected samples were received via drone transport from 10 districts between April 2020 to June 2021 in 440 deliveries. Ejura-Sekyedumase District Health Directorate delivered the highest number of samples (765; 30%). The farthest district to use the drone was Pru East, located 270 km away from KCCR in Kumasi and 173 km to the Zipline office in Mampong. Here, significantly, it took on the average 39 minutes for drones to deliver samples compared to 117 minutes spent in transporting samples by road (p<0.001)., Conclusion: The use of drones for sample transport during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the travel time taken for samples to be transported by road to the testing site. This has enhanced innovative measures to fight the pandemic using technology., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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- 2022
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23. Refining interpretation of transcutaneous bilirubin measurement in newborns born late preterm.
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Akuamoah-Boateng G, Stetson RC, Karon BS, and Brumbaugh JE
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- Bilirubin, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Premature, Neonatal Screening, Retrospective Studies, Jaundice, Neonatal diagnosis
- Abstract
Background: Transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) monitoring is widely used for jaundice screening in the newborn period. Limited data exists on adjusting TCB for bias in late preterm infants. The objective of this study was to determine the median bias between transcutaneous bilirubin and total serum bilirubin levels in newborns born at 35-36 weeks' gestation., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of late preterm infants born at 35-0/7 to 36-6/7 weeks' gestation who were admitted to a level III neonatal intensive care unit from May 2018 to February 2020. Transcutaneous and total serum bilirubin levels were assessed within 2 h of each other during the first 60 h of life. Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate transcutaneous bilirubin bias. Bilirubin risk stratification based on age (in hours) was done using an adaptation of the Bhutani nomogram for transcutaneous, adjusted transcutaneous, and total serum bilirubin measurements., Results: The median bias between transcutaneous and total serum bilirubin bias was 2.4 mg/dL (IQR 1.7-3.4, 95% CI 2.2-2.7). The kappa statistic demonstrated slight agreement between the unadjusted transcutaneous bilirubin and total serum bilirubin (k = 0.033, p = 0.194. The kappa statistic demonstrated fair agreement between an adjusted transcutaneous bilirubin (subtract 1 mg/dL) and total serum bilirubin (k = 0.298, p < 0.0001) and moderate agreement between another adjusted transcutaneous bilirubin (subtract 2 mg/dL) and total serum bilirubin (k = 0.430, p < 0.0001)., Conclusion: In a single center study of late preterm infants, transcutaneous bilirubin systematically overestimated the total serum bilirubin level. Subtracting 1 mg/dL from the transcutaneous bilirubin identified infants with total serum bilirubin levels in the high or high intermediate risk range. Adjusting the transcutaneous bilirubin prior to risk stratification may reduce unnecessary blood draws for total serum bilirubin. Studies of racially and ethnically diverse newborns using various transcutaneous bilirubin meters are needed prior to broad application of the adjusted transcutaneous bilirubin approach., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2022
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24. A Smartwatch Step-Counting App for Older Adults: Development and Evaluation Study.
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Boateng G, Petersen CL, Kotz D, Fortuna KL, Masutani R, and Batsis JA
- Abstract
Background: Older adults who engage in physical activity can reduce their risk of mobility impairment and disability. Short amounts of walking can improve quality of life, physical function, and cardiovascular health. Various programs have been implemented to encourage older adults to engage in physical activity, but sustaining their motivation continues to be a challenge. Ubiquitous devices, such as mobile phones and smartwatches, coupled with machine-learning algorithms, can potentially encourage older adults to be more physically active. Current algorithms that are deployed in consumer devices (eg, Fitbit) are proprietary, often are not tailored to the movements of older adults, and have been shown to be inaccurate in clinical settings. Step-counting algorithms have been developed for smartwatches, but only using data from younger adults and, often, were only validated in controlled laboratory settings., Objective: We sought to develop and validate a smartwatch step-counting app for older adults and evaluate the algorithm in free-living settings over a long period of time., Methods: We developed and evaluated a step-counting app for older adults on an open-source wrist-worn device (Amulet). The app includes algorithms to infer the level of physical activity and to count steps. We validated the step-counting algorithm in the lab (counting steps from a video recording, n=20) and in free-living conditions-one 2-day field study (n=6) and two 12-week field studies (using the Fitbit as ground truth, n=16). During app system development, we evaluated 4 walking patterns: normal, fast, up and down a staircase, and intermittent speed. For the field studies, we evaluated 5 different cut-off values for the algorithm, using correlation and error rate as the evaluation metrics., Results: The step-counting algorithm performed well. In the lab study, for normal walking (R
2 =0.5), there was a stronger correlation between the Amulet steps and the video-validated steps; for all activities, the Amulet's count was on average 3.2 (2.1%) steps lower (SD 25.9) than the video-validated count. For the 2-day field study, the best parameter settings led to an association between Amulet and Fitbit (R2 =0.989) and 3.1% (SD 25.1) steps lower than Fitbit, respectively. For the 12-week field study, the best parameter setting led to an R2 value of 0.669., Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the importance of an iterative process in algorithm development before field-based deployment. This work highlights various challenges and insights involved in developing and validating monitoring systems in real-world settings. Nonetheless, our step-counting app for older adults had good performance relative to the ground truth (a commercial Fitbit step counter). Our app could potentially be used to help improve physical activity among older adults., (©George Boateng, Curtis L Petersen, David Kotz, Karen L Fortuna, Rebecca Masutani, John A Batsis. Originally published in JMIR Aging (https://aging.jmir.org), 10.08.2022.)- Published
- 2022
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25. A complicated presentation of pediatric COVID-19 with necrotizing pneumonia and pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms.
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Akuamoah Boateng G, Ristagno EH, Levy E, Kahoud R, Thacker PG, Setter DO, Boesch RP, and Demirel N
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- Child, Humans, Pulmonary Artery diagnostic imaging, SARS-CoV-2, Aneurysm, False complications, Aneurysm, False diagnostic imaging, COVID-19, Pneumonia, Necrotizing complications, Pneumonia, Necrotizing diagnostic imaging
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- 2021
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26. Phylogenetic and antimicrobial drug resistance analysis of Vibrio cholerae O1 isolates from Ghana.
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Opintan JA, Will RC, Kuma GK, Osei M, Akumwena A, Boateng G, Owusu-Okyere G, Antwi L, Opare D, Pragasam AK, Vasudevan K, Srivastava SK, Balaji V, Newman MJ, Dougan G, and Mutreja A
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- Benin, Cameroon, Evolution, Molecular, Genome, Bacterial, Ghana, Humans, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Niger, Nigeria, Phylogeny, Phylogeography, Togo, Vibrio cholerae O1 isolation & purification, Cholera microbiology, Drug Resistance, Microbial, Vibrio cholerae O1 classification, Whole Genome Sequencing methods
- Abstract
We investigated the evolution, phylogeny and antimicrobial resistance of Vibrio cholerae O1 isolates (VCO1) from Ghana. Outbreak and environmental sources of VCO1 were characterized, whole-genome sequenced and compared to globally available seventh pandemic (7P) strains of V. cholerae at SNP resolution. Final analyses included 636 isolates. Novel Ghanaian isolates clustered into three distinct clades (clades 1, 2 and 3) in wave 3 of the 7P lineage. The closest relatives of our novel Ghanaian isolates were from Benin, Cameroon, Togo, Niger and Nigeria. All novel Ghanaian isolates were multi-drug resistant. Environmental isolates clustered into clade 2, despite being isolated years later, showing the possibility of persistence and re-emergence of older clades. A lag phase of several years from estimated introduction to reported cases suggests pathogen persistence in the absence of reported cholera cases. These results highlight the importance of deeper surveillance for understanding transmission routes between bordering countries and planning tailored vaccination campaigns in an effort to eradicate cholera.
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- 2021
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27. Detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus circulation by environmental surveillance in the absence of clinical cases.
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Odoom JK, Obodai E, Boateng G, Diamenu S, Attiku K, Avevor P, Duker E, Boahene B, Eshun M, Gberbie E, and Opare JKL
- Subjects
- Child, Environmental Monitoring, Ghana, Humans, Nigeria, Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral, Poliomyelitis epidemiology, Poliomyelitis prevention & control, Poliovirus
- Abstract
Background: On August 25, 2019, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research notified the confirmation of a circulating-vaccine-derived poliovirus type-2 (cVDPV2) from the Agbogbloshie environmental surveillance (AES) site, in the Greater Accra Region. A field investigation of the outbreak was conducted to describe the results of epidemiological and laboratory investigations, and control efforts., Methods: We conducted a descriptive investigation, records review, and active-case-search. Caregivers were interviewed on the vaccination status of their children; knowledge, attitude, and practices on polio prevention; water, sanitation and hygiene practices, and health-seeking behaviors. Stool from healthy children <5 y and sewage samples were taken for laboratory diagnosis., Results: cVDPV2 genetically similar to the cVDPV2 diagnosed recently in the Northern Region of Ghana and Nigeria was identified. 2019 half-year coverage of OPV and IPV was 22%. Fully immunized children were 49% (29/59). Most health workers (70%) had a fair knowledge of polio and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). Forty-six percent of care-givers admitted to using the large drain linked to the site where the cVDPV2 was isolated as their place of convenience and disposing of the fecal matter of their children. No AFP case was identified. Stool samples from 40 healthy children yielded non-polio enteroviruses while 75% (3/4) of the additional sewage samples yielded cVDPV2., Conclusion: cVDPV2 was isolated from the AES site. No AFP or poliovirus was identified from healthy children. There is a need to improve health workers' knowledge on AFP and to address the dire sanitation conditions in the Agbogbloshie market and its environs.
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- 2021
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28. An 11-year trend of rubella incidence cases reported in the measles case-based surveillance system, Ghana.
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Dongdem AZ, Alhassan E, Opare D, Boateng G, Bonsu G, Amponsa-Achiano K, Sarkodie B, Dzotsi E, Adjabeng M, Afagbedzi S, Alhassan Y, Agyabeng K, and Asiedu-Bekoe F
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Age Distribution, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Ghana epidemiology, Humans, Immunization Programs, Immunoglobulin M immunology, Incidence, Male, Population Surveillance, Rubella prevention & control, Seasons, Sex Distribution, Young Adult, Measles epidemiology, Rubella epidemiology, Rubella Vaccine administration & dosage, Vaccination
- Abstract
Introduction: rubella is vaccine-preventable and vaccination is the most cost-effective approach to control the disease and avoid the management of congenital rubella syndrome cases. Ghana introduced the rubella vaccine into the routine immunization program in 2013. Since then there have not been any evaluation of the epidemiology of rubella. We determined the disease trends and the population demographics of rubella cases, in the Ghana national measles case-based surveillance system., Methods: we reviewed the measles case-based surveillance data from 2007 to 2017. Descriptive data statistics was done and expressed as frequencies and proportions. Chi-square test was used to establish associations., Results: a total of 11,483 suspected cases for measles received and tested for measles IgM antibodies and 1,137(12.98%) confirmed positive for the period. Of these 10,077 were negative and 250 indeterminate for measles and tested for rubella and 2,090 (20.23%) confirmed positive for rubella IgM antibodies. More females (21.45%) were affected than males (19.48%). Majority of the confirmed positives were recorded in the urban areas. Children aged 15 years or less were mostly affected. There was a statistical difference between incidence cases and sex (χ2=6.03, p-value = 0.014), or age (χ2=283.56, p-value < 0.001) or area (χ2= 6.17, p-value = 0.013). Most infections occurred during the dry season., Conclusion: children less than 15 years were mostly affected with majority being females. The highest incidence of cases was before the rains and occurred mostly in urban areas. The incidence of cases has declined significantly with the introduction of the rubella vaccine., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Anthony Zunuo Dongdem et al.)
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- 2021
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29. Profound Hypotonia and Respiratory Failure due to Suspected Nemaline Myopathy in a Preterm Infant.
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Akuamoah-Boateng G, Stetson RC, Kaemingk BD, Bieber DA, and Brumbaugh JE
- Abstract
Congenital myopathies, such as nemaline myopathy, may present with hypotonia and respiratory failure in the neonatal period. Respiratory function can be further compromised in affected infants by the development of chylous effusions. We present the case of a preterm male infant born at 32
6/7 weeks' gestation, who was profoundly hypotonic and required intubation at birth. His clinical course progressed from acute to chronic respiratory failure with mechanical ventilation dependence. He developed bilateral chylous pleural effusions during the newborn period. Whole exome sequencing identified an ACTA1 gene mutation leading to the presumed diagnosis of nemaline myopathy. This case highlights the need to include congenital myopathies in the differential for a preterm newborn with hypotonia and respiratory failure., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest None declared., (The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ).)- Published
- 2021
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30. Superior Communication of Positive Emotions Through Nonverbal Vocalisations Compared to Speech Prosody.
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Kamiloğlu RG, Boateng G, Balabanova A, Cao C, and Sauter DA
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The human voice communicates emotion through two different types of vocalizations: nonverbal vocalizations (brief non-linguistic sounds like laughs) and speech prosody (tone of voice). Research examining recognizability of emotions from the voice has mostly focused on either nonverbal vocalizations or speech prosody, and included few categories of positive emotions. In two preregistered experiments, we compare human listeners' (total n = 400) recognition performance for 22 positive emotions from nonverbal vocalizations ( n = 880) to that from speech prosody ( n = 880). The results show that listeners were more accurate in recognizing most positive emotions from nonverbal vocalizations compared to prosodic expressions. Furthermore, acoustic classification experiments with machine learning models demonstrated that positive emotions are expressed with more distinctive acoustic patterns for nonverbal vocalizations as compared to speech prosody. Overall, the results suggest that vocal expressions of positive emotions are communicated more successfully when expressed as nonverbal vocalizations compared to speech prosody., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10919-021-00375-1., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they had no conflicts of interest with respect to their authorship or the publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2021.)
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- 2021
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31. The splice 1 variant of HTLV-1 bZIP factor stabilizes c-Jun.
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Polakowski N, Pearce M, Kuguyo O, Boateng G, Hoang K, and Lemasson I
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- Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors metabolism, Carrier Proteins genetics, Carrier Proteins metabolism, Cell Line, Cell Nucleus metabolism, Cell Nucleus virology, Cullin Proteins genetics, Cullin Proteins metabolism, DNA-Binding Proteins genetics, DNA-Binding Proteins metabolism, HEK293 Cells, HeLa Cells, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 metabolism, Humans, JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases metabolism, Jurkat Cells, Primary Cell Culture, Protein Binding, Protein Stability, Proteolysis, Retroviridae Proteins metabolism, Signal Transduction, T-Lymphocytes metabolism, T-Lymphocytes virology, Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases genetics, Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases metabolism, Alternative Splicing, Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors genetics, Host-Pathogen Interactions genetics, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 genetics, JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases genetics, Retroviridae Proteins genetics
- Abstract
HBZ is expressed by the complex retrovirus, Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1, and implicated in pathological effects associated with viral infection. From the nucleus, HBZ alters gene expression by interacting with a variety of transcriptional regulatory proteins, among which is c-Jun. Previously, one of the three HBZ variants, HBZ
US , was reported to decrease c-Jun expression by promoting its degradation. Here we show that another variant, HBZS1 , produces the opposite effect. In the presence of HBZS1 , c-Jun expression increases due to its stabilization. Our data suggest that this effect requires the ability of HBZS1 to interact with c-Jun. We provide evidence that HBZS1 inhibits the proteosomal degradation of c-Jun initiated by the Cop1-containing ubiquitin ligase complex. HBZS1 is the most abundant variant in HTLV-1-infected T-cells, and our data indicate that levels of c-Jun expression in infected cells are consistent with effects of HBZS1 ., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)- Published
- 2020
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32. Adherence and retention of African Americans in a randomized controlled trial with a yoga-based intervention: the effects of health promoting programs on cardiovascular disease risk study.
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Okhomina VI, Seals SR, Anugu P, Adu-Boateng G, Sims M, and Marshall GD Jr
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- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Male, United States, Walking statistics & numerical data, Black or African American statistics & numerical data, Cardiovascular Diseases prevention & control, Health Education, Health Promotion, Patient Compliance statistics & numerical data, Yoga
- Abstract
Objectives: Sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Few alternative lifestyle interventions, such as yoga practice, focus on African Americans (AA), the population most vulnerable to CVD. Our objective is to compare the retention and adherence rates between yoga, walking, and health education interventions while providing information about the acceptance of various yoga regimens. Design: Three hundred seventy-five AA participants were recruited exclusively from an active cohort study and randomized into a 48-week study (24 weeks intervention, 24 weeks follow-up) with 5 health promotion interventions: high frequency yoga, moderate frequency yoga, low frequency yoga, guided walking, and health education. In addition to examining the separate yoga interventions, a pooled yoga intervention is considered for comparison to guided walking and health education. Participant retention, adherence, and vitals were monitored at each intervention session. Participants were also scheduled for four clinic visits throughout the study where blood panels, health behavior, and medication surveys were administered. Results: Of the 375 participants recruited, 31.7% did not complete the study. At baseline, in both the guided walking group and the high frequency yoga group, there were significant differences between those who completed the study and those who did not. Although intervention retention in the pooled yoga program (78.3%) was higher compared to the walking (60%) and education programs (74.3%) ( p = 0.007), differences in post-intervention retention was not significant. Median adherence rates for the pooled yoga program exceeded rates for guided walking and education with moderate frequency yoga out performing high and low frequency yoga. Conclusion: Study-defined retention success rates were not reached by all health promotion programs. However, retention and adherence rates for the pooled yoga program show that older African Americans are receptive to participating in yoga-based health promotion practices.
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- 2020
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33. Integrating Multiple Biomarkers to Increase Sensitivity for the Detection of Onchocerca volvulus Infection.
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Bennuru S, Oduro-Boateng G, Osigwe C, Del Valle P, Golden A, Ogawa GM, Cama V, Lustigman S, and Nutman TB
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- Animals, Antibodies, Helminth blood, Antibodies, Helminth immunology, Biomarkers, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Humans, Immunoglobulin G blood, Microfilariae immunology, Onchocerca volvulus immunology, Onchocerciasis immunology, Pan troglodytes, Primates immunology, Sensitivity and Specificity, Antigens, Helminth immunology, Onchocerca volvulus isolation & purification, Onchocerciasis diagnosis
- Abstract
Background: Serological assessments for human onchocerciasis are based on IgG4 reactivity against the OV-16 antigen, with sensitivities of 60-80%. We have previously identified 7 novel proteins that could improve serodiagnosis., Methods: IgG4 responses to these 7 proteins were assessed by luciferase immunoprecipitation (LIPS) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) immunoassays., Results: OVOC10469 and OVOC3261 were identified as the most promising candidates by IgG4-based immunoassays with sensitivities of 53% for rOVOC10469 and 78% for rOVOC3261 while specificity for each was >99%. These 2 antigens in combination with OV-16 increased the sensitivity for patent infections to 94%. The kinetics of appearance of these IgG4 responses based on experimentally infected non-human primates indicated that they were microfilarial- driven. Further, the IgG4 responses to both OVOC10469 and OVOC3261 (as well as to OV-16) drop significantly (p<0.05) following successful treatment for onchocerciasis. A prototype lateral flow rapid diagnostic test to detect IgG4 to both Ov-16 and OVOC3261 was developed and tested demonstrating an overall 94% sensitivity., Conclusion: The combined use of rOVOC3261 with OV-16 improved serologic assessment of O. volvulus infection, a current unmet need toward the goal of elimination of transmission of O. volvulus., (Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2019.)
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- 2020
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34. Social Support and Common Dyadic Coping in Couples' Dyadic Management of Type II Diabetes: Protocol for an Ambulatory Assessment Application.
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Lüscher J, Kowatsch T, Boateng G, Santhanam P, Bodenmann G, and Scholz U
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Background: Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common chronic disease. To manage blood glucose levels, patients need to follow medical recommendations for healthy eating, physical activity, and medication adherence in their everyday life. Illness management is mainly shared with partners and involves social support and common dyadic coping (CDC). Social support and CDC have been identified as having implications for people's health behavior and well-being. Visible support, however, may also be negatively related to people's well-being. Thus, the concept of invisible support was introduced. It is unknown which of these concepts (ie, visible support, invisible support, and CDC) displays the most beneficial associations with health behavior and well-being when considered together in the context of illness management in couple's everyday life. Therefore, a novel ambulatory assessment application for the open-source behavioral intervention platform MobileCoach (AAMC) was developed. It uses objective sensor data in combination with self-reports in couple's everyday life., Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the design of the Dyadic Management of Diabetes (DyMand) study, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (CR12I1_166348/1). The study was approved by the cantonal ethics committee of the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (Req-2017_00430)., Methods: This study follows an intensive longitudinal design with 2 phases of data collection. The first phase is a naturalistic observation phase of couples' conversations in combination with experience sampling in their daily lives, with plans to follow 180 T2DM patients and their partners using sensor data from smartwatches, mobile phones, and accelerometers for 7 consecutive days. The second phase is an observational study in the laboratory, where couples discuss topics related to their diabetes management. The second phase complements the first phase by focusing on the assessment of a full discussion about diabetes-related concerns. Participants are heterosexual couples with 1 partner having a diagnosis of T2DM., Results: The AAMC was designed and built until the end of 2018 and internally tested in March 2019. In May 2019, the enrollment of the pilot phase began. The data collection of the DyMand study will begin in September 2019, and analysis and presentation of results will be available in 2021., Conclusions: For further research and practice, it is crucial to identify the impact of social support and CDC on couples' dyadic management of T2DM and their well-being in daily life. Using AAMC will make a key contribution with regard to objective operationalizations of visible and invisible support, CDC, physical activity, and well-being. Findings will provide a sound basis for theory- and evidence-based development of dyadic interventions to change health behavior in the context of couple's dyadic illness management. Challenges to this multimodal sensor approach and its feasibility aspects are discussed., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): PRR1-10.2196/13685., (©Janina Lüscher, Tobias Kowatsch, George Boateng, Prabhakaran Santhanam, Guy Bodenmann, Urte Scholz. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 04.10.2019.)
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- 2019
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35. Experience: Design, Development and Evaluation of a Wearable Device for mHealth Applications.
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Boateng G, Motti VG, Mishra V, Batsis JA, Hester J, and Kotz D
- Abstract
Wrist-worn devices hold great potential as a platform for mobile health (mHealth) applications because they comprise a familiar, convenient form factor and can embed sensors in proximity to the human body. Despite this potential, however, they are severely limited in battery life, storage, band-width, computing power, and screen size. In this paper, we describe the experience of the research and development team designing, implementing and evaluating Amulet - an open-hardware, open-software wrist-worn computing device - and its experience using Amulet to deploy mHealth apps in the field. In the past five years the team conducted 11 studies in the lab and in the field, involving 204 participants and collecting over 77,780 hours of sensor data. We describe the technical issues the team encountered and the lessons they learned, and conclude with a set of recommendations. We anticipate the experience described herein will be useful for the development of other research-oriented computing platforms. It should also be useful for researchers interested in developing and deploying mHealth applications, whether with the Amulet system or with other wearable platforms.
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- 2019
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36. Cohort Description of the Madagascar Health and Environmental Research-Antongil (MAHERY-Antongil) Study in Madagascar.
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Golden CD, Borgerson C, Rice BL, Allen LH, Anjaranirina EJG, Barrett CB, Boateng G, Gephart JA, Hampel D, Hartl DL, Knippenberg E, Myers SS, Ralalason DH, Ramihantaniarivo H, Randriamady H, Shahab-Ferdows S, Vaitla B, Volkman SK, and Vonona MA
- Abstract
The Madagascar Health and Environmental Research-Antongil (MAHERY-Antongil) study cohort was set up in September 2015 to assess the nutritional value of seafood for the coastal Malagasy population living along Antongil Bay in northeastern Madagascar. Over 28 months of surveillance, we aimed to understand the relationships among different marine resource governance models, local people's fish catch, the consumption of seafood, and nutritional status. In the Antongil Bay, fisheries governance takes three general forms: traditional management, marine national parks, and co-management. Traditional management involves little to no involvement by the national government or non-governmental organizations, and focuses on culturally accepted Malagasy community practices. Co-management and marine national parks involve management support from either an non-govermental organization (NGO) or the national government. Five communities of varying governance strategies were enrolled into the study including 225 households and 1031 individuals whose diets, resource acquisition strategies, fisheries and agricultural practices, and other social, demographic and economic indicators were measured over the span of 3 years. Clinical visits with each individual were conducted at two points during the study to measure disease and nutritional status. By analyzing differences in fish catch arising from variation in governance (in addition to intra-annual seasonal changes and minor inter-annual changes), the project will allow us to calculate the public health value of sustainable fisheries management approaches for local populations. There is hope that coastal zones that are managed sustainably can increase the productivity of fisheries, increasing the catch of seafood products for poor, undernourished populations.
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- 2019
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37. Dynamics of genotype-specific HPV clearance and reinfection in rural Ghana may compromise HPV screening approaches.
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Krings A, Boateng G, Dunyo P, Amuah JE, Adams RA, Adunyame L, Nkansah DO, Wormenor CM, Hansen BT, Gedzah I, Asmah RH, Wiredu EK, and Kaufmann AM
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Colposcopy, Female, Genotyping Techniques, Ghana epidemiology, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Middle Aged, Papillomaviridae genetics, Young Adult, Early Detection of Cancer methods, Genotype, Papillomaviridae classification, Papillomaviridae isolation & purification, Papillomavirus Infections epidemiology, Papillomavirus Infections virology, Rural Population
- Abstract
Persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a prerequisite for cervical cancer development. Few studies investigated clearance of high-risk HPV in low-and-middle-income countries. Our study investigated HPV clearance and persistence over four years in women from North Tongu District, Ghana. In 2010/2011, cervical swabs of 500 patients were collected and HPV genotyped (nested multiplex PCR) in Accra, Ghana. In 2014, 104 women who previously tested positive for high-risk HPV and remained untreated were re-tested for HPV. Cytobrush samples were genotyped (GP5+/6+ PCR & Luminex-MPG readout) in Berlin, Germany. Positively tested patients underwent colposcopy and treatment if indicated. Of 104 women, who tested high-risk HPV+ in 2010/2011, seven (6,7%; 95%CI: 2.7-13.4%) had ≥1 persistent high-risk-infection after ~4 years (mean age 39 years). Ninety-seven (93,3%; 95%CI: 86.6-97.3%) had cleared the original infection, while 22 (21.2%; 95%CI: 13.8-30.3%) had acquired new high-risk infections with other genotypes. Persistent types found were HPV 16, 18, 35, 39, 51, 52, 58, and 68. Among those patients, one case of CIN2 (HPV 68) and one micro-invasive cervical cancer (HPV 16) were detected. This longitudinal observational data suggest that single HPV screening rounds may lead to over-referral. Including type-specific HPV re-testing or additional triage methods could help reduce follow-up rates., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
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- 2019
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38. A qualitative assessment of perceived barriers to effective therapeutic communication among nurses and patients.
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Amoah VMK, Anokye R, Boakye DS, Acheampong E, Budu-Ainooson A, Okyere E, Kumi-Boateng G, Yeboah C, and Afriyie JO
- Abstract
Background: Therapeutic communication is essential in the provision of quality healthcare to patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived barriers to effective therapeutic communication among patients and nurses at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital,Kumasi., Methods: An exploratory study design was employed using a qualitative approach. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 13 nurses and patients who were interviewed using an unstructured interview guide. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis., Results: Patient-related characteristics that were identified as barriers to effective therapeutic communication included socio-demographic characteristics, patient-nurse relationship, language, misconception, as well as pain. Nurse-related characteristics such as lack of knowledge, all-knowing attitude, work overload and dissatisfaction were also identified as barriers to effective therapeutic and environmental-related issues such as noisy environment, new to the hospital environment as well as unconducive environment were identified as barriers to effective therapeutic communication among patients and nurses at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital,Kumasi., Conclusion: Nurse-patient communication is an inseparable part of the patients' care in every health setting; it is one of the factors that determine the quality of care. Several patient-related characteristics, nurse- related characteristics and environmental-related issues pose as barriers to effective therapeutic communication at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital,Kumasi and have ultimately; resulted in reducing effective communication at the wards. Therefore, all the barriers must be eradicated to promote effective therapeutic communication., Competing Interests: The study was approved by the Committee on Human Research, Publication and Ethics (CHRPE) at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The participants were reassured that information taking will be confidential. Participation was voluntary and participants were informed of their right to pull out of the study at any point of the research which was not going to affect the care they were receiving. Written consent was obtained from participants before they participated in the study. The study was well explained to the participants and also the recording tape was locked to prevent other people from getting access to it. All the participants were given pseudonyms to protect their anonymity. All authors have agreed to the submission of this manuscript for publication.Not Applicable.The authors declare that they have no competing interests.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
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- 2019
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39. Investigating the virulence genes and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Vibrio cholerae O1 in environmental and clinical isolates in Accra, Ghana.
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Abana D, Gyamfi E, Dogbe M, Opoku G, Opare D, Boateng G, and Mosi L
- Subjects
- Cholera Toxin genetics, Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial genetics, Fimbriae Proteins genetics, Genotype, Ghana, Humans, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Rivers microbiology, Vibrio cholerae O1 genetics, Virulence genetics, Virulence Factors genetics, Water Wells, Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology, Cholera microbiology, Fresh Water microbiology, Vibrio cholerae O1 drug effects, Vibrio cholerae O1 pathogenicity
- Abstract
Background: Cholera has been endemic in Ghana since its detection in 1970. It has been shown that long-term survival of the bacteria may be attained in aquatic environments. Consequently, cholera outbreaks may be triggered predominantly in densely populated urban areas. We investigated clinical and environmental isolates of Vibrio cholerae O1 in Accra to determine their virulence genes, antibiotic susceptibility patterns and environmental factors maintaining their persistence in the environment., Methods: Water samples from various sources were analyzed for the presence of V. cholerae O1 using culture methods. Forty clinical isolates from a previous cholera outbreak were included in the study for comparison. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the bacteria were determined by disc diffusion. Virulence genes were identified by analyzing genes for ctx, tcpA (tcpA
El Tor tcpACl ), zot, ompW, rbfO1 and attRS using PCR. Physicochemical characteristics of water were investigated using standard methods. One-way ANOVA and student t - test were employed to analyze the relationship between physicochemical factors and the occurrence of V. cholerae O1., Results: Eleven V. cholerae O1 strains were successfully isolated from streams, storage tanks and wells during the study period. All isolates were resistant to one or more of the eight antibiotics used. Multidrug resistance was observed in over 97% of the isolates. All isolates had genes for at least one virulence factor. Vibrio cholerae toxin gene was detected in 82.4% of the isolates. Approximately 81.8% of the isolates were positive for tcpAEl Tor gene, but also harbored the tcpAcl gene. Isolates were grouped into thirteen genotypes based on the genes analyzed. High temperature, salinity, total dissolved solids and conductivity was found to significantly correlate positively with isolation of V. cholerae O1. V. cholerae serotype Ogawa biotype El tor is the main biotype circulating in Ghana with the emergence of a hybrid strain., Conclusions: Multidrug resistant V. cholerae O1 with different genotypes and pathogenicity are present in water sources and co-exist with non O1/O139 in the study area.- Published
- 2019
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40. Development and Usability Assessment of a Connected Resistance Exercise Band Application for Strength-Monitoring.
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Batsis JA, Boateng GG, Seo LM, Petersen CL, Fortuna KL, Wechsler EV, Peterson RJ, Cook SB, Pidgeon D, Dokko RS, Halter RJ, and Kotz DF
- Abstract
Resistance exercise bands are a core component of any physical activity strengthening program. Strength training can mitigate the development of sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass or strength and function with aging. Yet, the adherence of such behavioral exercise strategies in a home-based setting are fraught with issues of monitoring and compliance. Our group developed a Bluetooth-enabled resistance exercise band capable of transmitting data to an open-source platform. In this work, we developed an application to capture this information in real-time, and conducted three usability studies in two mixed-aged groups of participants (n=6 each) and a group of older adults with obesity participating in a weight-loss intervention (n=20). The system was favorable, acceptable and provided iterative information that could assist in future deployment on ubiquitous platforms. Our formative work provides the foundation to deliver home-based monitoring interventions in a high-risk, older adult population.
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- 2019
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41. Processing techniques of selected oilseed by-products of potential use in animal feed: Effects on proximate nutrient composition, amino acid profile and antinutrients.
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Duodu CP, Adjei-Boateng D, Edziyie RE, Agbo NW, Owusu-Boateng G, Larsen BK, and Skov PV
- Abstract
The effects of processing by autoclaving (AC), soaking (SK), short-term fermentation (S-TF, 4 d) and long-term fermentation (L-TF, 14 d) on the nutritional composition, amino acid profile and some antinutrients were determined for cottonseed meal (CSM), groundnut meal (GNM) and groundnut husk (GH) in this study. After processing, crude protein content improved by 11% after L-TF, and crude lipid content 25% after SK for CSM; crude protein content improved by 27% after S-TF and L-TF, and crude lipid content 13% after SK for GNM. Soaking and fermentation were shown to significantly increase essential amino acid contents by 44% (SK, methionine) in CSM and 46% in GNM (L-TF, histidine). Phosphorus content was reduced by 59% in CSM and 57% in GNM by L-TF. All processing techniques, with the exception of AC, reduced phytic acid and gossypol contents in CSM and GNM. It was concluded that SK and fermentation were simple, cost-effective, and efficient ways to improve the nutritional value of the selected oilseed by-products.
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- 2018
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42. Ancylostoma ceylanicum Hookworm in Myanmar Refugees, Thailand, 2012-2015.
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O'Connell EM, Mitchell T, Papaiakovou M, Pilotte N, Lee D, Weinberg M, Sakulrak P, Tongsukh D, Oduro-Boateng G, Harrison S, Williams SA, Stauffer WM, and Nutman TB
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Albendazole therapeutic use, Ancylostomiasis drug therapy, Animals, Anthelmintics therapeutic use, Child, Child, Preschool, Feces parasitology, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Middle Aged, Myanmar epidemiology, Thailand epidemiology, Young Adult, Ancylostoma isolation & purification, Ancylostomiasis epidemiology, Ancylostomiasis parasitology, Refugees
- Abstract
During 2012-2015, US-bound refugees living in Myanmar-Thailand border camps (n = 1,839) were surveyed for hookworm infection and treatment response by using quantitative PCR. Samples were collected at 3 time points: after each of 2 treatments with albendazole and after resettlement in the United States. Baseline prevalence of Necator americanus hookworm was 25.4%, Ancylostoma duodenale 0%, and Ancylostoma ceylanicum (a zoonosis) 5.4%. Compared with N. americanus prevalence, A. ceylanicum hookworm prevalence peaked in younger age groups, and blood eosinophil concentrations during A. ceylanicum infection were higher than those for N. americanus infection. Female sex was associated with a lower risk for either hookworm infection. Cure rates after 1 dose of albendazole were greater for A. ceylanicum (93.3%) than N. americanus (65.9%) hookworm (p<0.001). Lower N. americanus hookworm cure rates were unrelated to β-tubulin single-nucleotide polymorphisms at codons 200 or 167. A. ceylanicum hookworm infection might be more common in humans than previously recognized.
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- 2018
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43. GeriActive : Wearable App for Monitoring and Encouraging Physical Activity among Older Adults.
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Boateng G, Batsis JA, Proctor P, Halter R, and Kotz D
- Abstract
The ability to monitor a person's level of daily activity can inform self-management of physical activity and assist in augmenting behavioral interventions. For older adults, the importance of regular physical activity is critical to reduce the risk of long-term disability. In this work, we present GeriActive , an application on the Amulet wrist-worn device that monitors in real time older adults' daily activity levels (low, moderate and vigorous), which we categorized using metabolic equivalents (METs). The app implements an activity-level detection model we developed using a linear Support Vector Machine (SVM). We trained our model using data from volunteer subjects (n=29) who performed common physical activities (sit, stand, lay down, walk and run) and obtained an accuracy of 94.3% with leave-one-subject-out (LOSO) cross-validation. We ran a week-long field study to evaluate the usability and battery life of the GeriActive system where 5 older adults wore the Amulet as it monitored their activity level. Their feedback showed that our system has the potential to be usable and useful. Our evaluation further revealed a battery life of at least 1 week. The results are promising, indicating that the app may be used for activity-level monitoring by individuals or researchers for health delivery interventions that could improve the health of older adults.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Assessment of National Public Health and Reference Laboratory, Accra, Ghana, within Framework of Global Health Security.
- Author
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Ogee-Nwankwo A, Opare D, Boateng G, Nyaku M, Haynes LM, Balajee SA, Conklin L, Icenogle JP, Rota PA, and Waku-Kouomou D
- Subjects
- Communicable Diseases, Emerging etiology, Ghana epidemiology, Humans, Communicable Diseases, Emerging epidemiology, Global Health, Laboratories standards, Public Health Surveillance, Quality Assurance, Health Care
- Abstract
The Second Year of Life project of the Global Health Security Agenda aims to improve immunization systems and strengthen measles and rubella surveillance, including building laboratory capacity. A new laboratory assessment tool was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess the national laboratory in Ghana to improve molecular surveillance for measles and rubella. Results for the tool showed that the laboratory is well organized, has a good capacity for handling specimens, has a good biosafety system, and is proficient for diagnosis of measles and rubella by serologic analysis. However, there was little knowledge about molecular biology and virology activities (i.e., virus isolation on tissue culture was not available). Recommendations included training of technical personnel for molecular techniques and advocacy for funding for laboratory equipment, reagents, and supplies.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. ActivityAware : An App for Real-Time Daily Activity Level Monitoring on the Amulet Wrist-Worn Device.
- Author
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Boateng G, Batsis JA, Halter R, and Kotz D
- Abstract
Physical activity helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and obesity. The ability to monitor a person's daily activity level can inform self-management of physical activity and related interventions. For older adults with obesity, the importance of regular, physical activity is critical to reduce the risk of long-term disability. In this work, we present ActivityAware , an application on the Amulet wrist-worn device that measures daily activity levels (sedentary, moderate and vigorous) of individuals, continuously and in real-time. The app implements an activity-level detection model, continuously collects acceleration data on the Amulet, classifies the current activity level, updates the day's accumulated time spent at that activity level, logs the data for later analysis, and displays the results on the screen. We developed an activity-level detection model using a Support Vector Machine (SVM). We trained our classifiers using data from a user study, where subjects performed the following physical activities: sit, stand, lay down, walk and run. With 10-fold cross validation and leave-one-subject-out (LOSO) cross validation, we obtained preliminary results that suggest accuracies up to 98%, for n=14 subjects. Testing the ActivityAware app revealed a projected battery life of up to 4 weeks before needing to recharge. The results are promising, indicating that the app may be used for activity-level monitoring, and eventually for the development of interventions that could improve the health of individuals.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Effect of preserved and preservative-free timolol eye drops on tear film stability in healthy Africans.
- Author
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Ilechie A, Abokyi S, Boateng G, and Koffuor GA
- Abstract
Background: Preserved versus nonpreserved formulations for ophthalmic use have been well described in the literature although not specifically in the African population where beta blockers are frequently used as the first-line therapy due to economic and availability issues. This study sought to determine the effect of preserved and preservative-free Timolol eye drops on tear film stability in healthy black Africans., Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy nondry eye subjects aged 19-25 years were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 15) and differently treated with eye drops of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), preservative-free timolol (PFT), benzalkonium chloride (BAK) only, and BAK-preserved timolol (BPT). Noninvasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) was measured using the keratometer at baseline and 30, 60, and 90 min after drop application., Results: No significant decline in NITBUT was observed following treatment with PFT and PBS. However, BAK treatment showed a positive time-dependent significant decline in NITBUT (P < 0.001) while a significant decline in the BPT-treated group was only found at 90 min (-3.52 s; P < 0.001). In comparison to the PFT-treated group, treatment with BAK and BPT showed significantly lower NITBUT (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: BPT is associated with a significant decline in tear film stability in black Africans. This finding has implications in the management of glaucoma in patients with high-risk of dry eyes in this population.
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. [Dermatitis due to facial cosmetics--diagnosis and therapy].
- Author
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Boateng G and Nolting S
- Subjects
- Atrophy, Cortisone therapeutic use, Dermatitis, Contact etiology, Drug Eruptions drug therapy, Drug Eruptions etiology, Erythema chemically induced, Female, Humans, Male, Tea, Telangiectasis chemically induced, Tetracycline therapeutic use, Cosmetics adverse effects, Facial Dermatoses etiology
- Published
- 1972
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