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Objective The use of agarose in nucleic acid electrophoresis is the gold standard. However, agarose is very expensive and not readily available in resource limited developing countries like Ghana. Hence, finding a more affordable and readily available alternative to agarose will be a major boost to molecular research in developing countries. This study was aimed at investigating the use of corn starch as a potential substitute for agarose in DNA gel electrophoresis. Results Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from Plasmodium falciparum and primers were obtained from the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens and amplified using polymerase chain reaction. The amplicon was run on agarose gel to ascertain the molecular weight (as a positive control). When visualized under both blue light and ultraviolet light, the DNA and ladder showed clear and clean bands with the expected molecular weight. Corn starch was then modified with sodium borate buffer, casted into a gel and used to run the same DNA sample. Our findings indicated that similar to agarose, the DNA sample and ladder migrated successfully through the modified starch gel but no bands were visible when visualized under blue and ultra-violet light.

Aim. The study intended to observe the frequency and pattern of distribution of phalangeal hairs on the hands of Ghanaians. Material and Methods. A total of 1040 healthy consenting individuals (529 females and 511 males) aged between 18 and 45 years were randomly selected from the University of Cape Coast Community. Presence or absence of phalangeal hairs was observed with the aid of a pocket lens. Results. Hairs were observed on the proximal phalanges of 98.24% of the males and 96.22% of the females. The most common hair pattern observed on the proximal digits was 2-3-4-5 (65.95% males and 70.32% females). The highest frequency of midphalangeal hairs occurred in the group with hair on the 4th digit alone (3.33% males and 2.27% females) followed by the 3-4-5 group (2.54% males and 1.89% females). Conclusion. Females have lower frequency of phalangeal hairs than males. The outcome of this study may be significant medicolegally and in anthropological racial and gender studies.

Background. Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) affects sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, and trunk. The prevalence of pterygium and myopia in DPN patients in Ghana has not been studied. In this study, we examined the risk and protective factors for pterygium and myopia in DPN patients. Materials and Methods. The study involved 100 participants with facial DPN. A standard ophthalmic exam was performed using a portable slit lamp and a 3.5X magnified loop. Participants completed a closed- ended questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to summarize the level of association between DPN, myopia, and pterygium, as well as demographic factors (gender, age, occupation, family history of lesion and skin complexion). Results. 70% and 84% of participants had pterygium and myopia. Age, gender, complexion, and sun exposure were associated with pterygium and myopia (p < 0.05). Higher grade of pterygium and myopia were prevalent in the aged population. Both univariate and multivariable models highlighted that increasing age and sun exposure (outdoor) were risk factors for developing higher grade of pterygium and myopia in the DPN participants, while light skin color and male gender were respectively identified as protective factors. Conclusions. Our study is the first to examine pterygium and myopia in facial DPN patients. Most Ghanaians with facial DPN are at risk for developing pterygium and myopia.

Background Since its emergence, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected over half a billion people, killed over 6 million others, and ravaged the global economy on a scale that is unprecedented in recent history. In response, a global health emergency was launched that led to further disruptions in the ordinary way of life of people. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of people towards COVID-19 are central to infection control policies and the future course of the pandemic. Methods We employed an interviewer-administered, cross-sectional survey to examine the KAP of salespersons in a local market and sanitation workers of a public institution within the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. Results were analysed by frequencies of responses for each KAP item on the questionnaire. Sociodemographic variables that predicted good knowledge of COVID-19 or preventive practices were determined using adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Results Out of the 206 participants, 123 (59.7%) obtained a knowledge score ≥16.75 out of a total of 21, which was the threshold for good knowledge, while 41.3% were classified as possessing poor knowledge. On good attitudes towards COVID-19 prevention, 141 participants (68.4%) scored ≥10.69 out of 12 to pass the threshold, while 31.6% had poor attitudes. Being female (aOR=6.19, P<0.001) or possessing a high school education (aOR=0.25, P=0.009) significantly predicted high knowledge scores. Being in the 15-30 age group (aOR=6.91, P=0.003) significantly predicted poor attitudes, while possessing a high school education (aOR=0.11, P<0.001) significantly predicted good attitudes. Conclusions The findings of this study underscore the need for intensified, targeted educational campaign on COVID-19 as the world prepares to live with the disease for the long while.