All Articles

Bilateral Radial Club Hands at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana: A Case Report.

Abstract:

Radial Club Hand (RCH) is a rare and complex congenital disorder of the pre-axial border of the upper extremity. It is a congenital longitudinal radial ray deficiency which presents as radial deviation of the hand and distal forearm in the shape of a golf club 12. Radial ray deficiency (the most common type of longitudinal failure of formation) is a spectrum of malformations affecting the structures of the radial side of the forearm, including hypoplasia of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels. The thumb dysfunction, wrist instability and short upper extremity that accompany this condition can cause significant functional impairment particularly in patients with bilateral involvement. Thus, the performance of activities of daily living such as accomplishing personal hygiene, fastening buttons and zippers becomes challenging Read Article

Non-Enzymatic Methylglyoxal Formation From glucose Metabolites and Generation of Superoxide Anion Radical During Methylglyoxal-Dependent Cross-Links Reaction

Abstract:

The paper explores the formation of a-oxoaldehydes during the interaction of glucose metabolites with hydroxyl or alkoxyl radicals. Hydroxyl radicals were generated under radiolysis of aqueous solutions, and alkoxyl radicals (t-BuO^) were obtained in the model system tert-butyl hydroperoxide/Fe²⁺. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that methylglyoxal was one of the organic products resulting from t-BuO^-induced transformations of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate under hypoxic conditions. The interaction of lysine and methylglyoxal one of the main targets of a-oxoaldehydes in proteins was also studied. As chemiluminescence and EPR spectroscopy demonstrated, this reaction generates a methylglyoxal anion radical, a cation-radical of methylglyoxal dialkylamine and a superoxide anion radical. EPR signal of methylglyoxal-derived free radicals was observed in hypoxia, whereas o...

Conservation, Creation, and Evolution: Revising the Darwinian Project

Abstract:

There is hardly anything more central to our universe than conservation. Many scientific fields and disciplines view the law of conservation as one of the most fundamental universal laws. The Darwinian model pivots the process of evolution on variability, reproduction, and natural selection. Conservation plays a marginal role in this model and is not really universal, as the model allows exceptions to conservation, i.e. non-conservation, to play an equally important role in evolution. This anomalous role of conservation in the Darwinian model raises questions: What is the reason for this anomaly? Is conservation really universal, as we tend to believe or is it not, as the Darwinian model suggests? This contribution proposes a new model of evolution that focuses on levels of organization, rather than of species, organisms, or populations. It argues that conservation is central to evolution. Not only does this new model restores the u...

Comparison of Dipper and Non-Dipper Hypertension Patterns According to Chronic Kidney Disease Stage

Abstract:

Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor. There is a strong relationship between blood pressure (BP) elevation and stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure and mortality due to kidney disease. It is known that the loss of the dipping pattern in hypertension is associated with increased target organ damage. In our study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of dipper hypertension (DHT) and nondipper hypertension (NDHT) and related factors in patients with stage 1 and 2 chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Branching Pattern of the Medial Calcaneal Neurovascular Bundle in Porta Pedis of the Human Foot

Abstract:

The medial calcaneal nerve (MCN) is the first branch of the posterior tibial nerve (PTN) in the porta pedis, enervates the skin of the heel and medial side of the foot. Heel pain is a common condition encountered by physicians, and this may have a significant clinical association with the MCN’s branching pattern. This study was to identify branching pattern variations in the medial calcaneal neurovascular bundle. This study was carried out using 60lower limbs of formalin-embalmed cadavers, using the tarsal tunnel dissection method for 30right and 30 left lower limbs. The medial calcaneal neurovascular bundle course was identified by exposing the PTN and its branches from the distal end of the leg toward the plantar surface beyond its bifurcation and resecting the skin and flexor retinaculum. Many MCN branching pattern variations (specifically concerning origins, numbers, and levels of branching) were observed. In the ...

Interdisciplinary Orthodontic and Surgical Management of Class III Malocclusion in Adult Patients

Abstract:

The treatment of class III malocclusion differs depending on the age of the patient. In adult patients, alternatives include either orthodontic dentoalveolar compensation treatment or a combined ortho-surgical approach. The aim of this paper is to present the orthodontic and surgical treatment of a 24 year old adult patient with increased anterior face height, a class III skeletal pattern and mandibular asymetry. Previous orthodontic treatment with removable appliances obtained a 1 mm overbite and overjet. Intraorally, class III molar relationship was observed, proclined upper incisors, retroclined lower incisors and a deviated lower midline. The main complaint was facial esthetics which required surgical intevention. After pre-surgical orthodontic preparation the maxilla was repositioned by a Le Fort I osteotomy and the mandible was set back using the Obwegeser-Dal Pont method. Final as...

Type-2 Diabetes and Gene Therapy: The Promise of CRISPR Gene Therapy in type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract:

Gene therapy has entered a new era with the dawn of CRISPR/Cas9 technology which though were always available in nature but rediscovered to tame into a real-tlife genome editing tool. With the modernization upsurge and changes in ways the “homo sapiens” survived on this planet from hunger to current era of exuberance has led to multiple metabolic issues like type-2 diabetes. Notwithstanding the rapid emergence of medication to suppress the hyperglycemia and insulin resistance associated with this menace, need has definitely emerge to find more personalized and curative dimensions to therapeutics of type-2 diabetes mellitus. Gene therapy is one more addition to Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) therapy, where multiple options have emerged in the shape of microRNA, direct knocking out of cellular structures like proteins and enzymes and very recently the precision nucleases associated with CRISPR technologies. This mini-review attempt to summarize some of the rec...

Severe Infantile Blount’s Disease in Kumasi, Ghana: A Case Report

Abstract:

Blount’s disease, also known as tibia vara, is a developmental disorder involving the posteromedial proximal tibial physis resulting in progressive varus, procurvatum and internal torsion of the affected tibia 1. The condition was first published by Blount in 1973 2. The aetiology of this disease is unkown. However, associations exist between blount’s disease and the Afro-Caribbean race, early age of walking and obesity 34. Furthermore, genetic predisposition has been postulated as well as mechanical loading of the physis 456. Affected children are usually overweight and start walking early. It is bilateral in 80% of...

Changes in Adult Rats’ Testis structure Induced by Hypothyroidism and Alleviating Role of L-Carnitine

Abstract:

Hypothyroidism is a metabolic disorder affecting the functions of many tissues in the body including the testis. Testis is rich in the polyunsaturated fatty acids content and lacks strong intrinsic antioxidant system making it prone to such oxidative stress. L-carnitine (LC) regulates long chain fatty acids metabolism; and is considered a valuable antioxidant factor.

Quantum Dots- Tiny Semiconductor Nanodots

Abstract:

Quantum dots can be defined as semiconductor nanostructures which are artificial in nature and ranges from 2-10 nm in size. These tiny nanocrystals become excited under illumination and emits colors of different wavelength. Quantum dots possess unique properties determined by their structure (hollow or solid), size, shape and composition. Fabrication of Quantum dots is achieved by several methods such as electron beam lithography, epitaxy or by means of colloidal synthesis.