The 2D:4D ratio is the putative marker of prenatal hormone exposure and has been suggested as a correlate of adult circulating testosterone and estrogen. The study aimed to determine whether sexual dimorphism in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can be partly explained by the 2D:4D ratio or adult circulating testosterone or estrogen. The study was cross-sectional from June to December 2021 at the University for Development Studies. The study involved 206 healthy adults (Female ...
Aims: Tobacco smoking is having a far more serious effect on reproductive health than previously thought and is responsible for many thousands of cases of impotence, miscarriages, and infertility each year. Among those experiencing difficulty with conception, a male fertility problem partly resulting from fertility hormone derangements is considered important. This study assessed the effect of cigarette smoking on fertility hormone levels in males. Study Design: This is a cross sectional stud...
Aims: This study assessed and compared the haemoglobin concentration and red cell morphological changes in stored blood units at the Tamale Teaching Hospital located in the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods: This is experimental research conducted from November, 2019 to June, 2020. Thirty blood samples were collected (450ml) from voluntary donors at the blood bank unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital for this study. The samples were collected into blood bags that contained CPDA-1 preservativ...
This study uses the model organism, C. elegans, to investigate its sensitivity and response to static magnetic fields. Wild-type C. elegans are put into microfluidic channels and exposed to permanent magnets for five cycles of thirty-second time intervals at field strengths ranging from 5 milli Tesla to 120 milli Tesla. Recorded and analyzed with custom software, the results of the worm's movement - the average velocity, turning and curling percentage - were compared to control experiments...
The transmembrane proteins known as ion channels play a role in controlling and preserving the ionic concentrations across the cell membrane. Modeling the flux of ions in and out of these channels on an atomic level is essential for understanding several neurological diseases and related pharmaceutical discoveries. Recent experimental research has provided information on the channel's physical structure which can be used to create realistic ion transport models. Different trajectories exist f...
The transmembrane proteins known as ion channels play a role in controlling and preserving the ionic concentrations across the cell membrane. Modeling the flux of ions in and out of these channels on an atomic level is essential for understanding several neurological diseases and related pharmaceutical discoveries. Recent experimental research has provided information on the channel's physical structure which can be used to create realistic ion transport models. Different trajectories exist f...
By utilizing a low-cost engineering tool, we have created a microfluidic platform to study bacteria at the single cell level, allowing us to unlock insights into microbial physiology and genetics that would otherwise not be possible. The platform is composed of 3D devices made of adhesive tapes, an agarose membrane as the resting substrate, a temperature-controlled environmental chamber, and an autofocusing module. With this technology, we have been able to observe Escherichia coli morphologi...
In this paper, we explore the use of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (lPADs) to study the behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans. We show how these devices can be fabricated on paper and plastic substrates, as well as how to load, visualize, and transfer single and multiple nematodes. We also demonstrate the use of anthelmintic drug, levamisole, to perform chemical testing on C. elegans. Furthermore, we provide a custom program that is able to recognize individual worms on the lPADs i...
We address the current situation of population-wide and speedy testing for SARS-CoV-2 and review different technologies available, such as molecular and rapid antigen tests, serology and antibody tests, and tests for managing COVID-19 patients. We consider products authorized by the FDA to diagnose and detect COVID-19 infections. This review covers pooled testing, screening programs, and surveillance testing to enable quicker screening. We also discuss the potential challenges in terms of det...
Bacterial populations grown in a lab environment are typically seen as homogeneous in terms of growth rate, size, and content. However, recent findings have shown that even during exponential growth phase, these cells can be heterogeneous. This has important consequences for how bacteria respond to stressors such as antibiotics. For example, the concept of antimicrobial persistence is linked to a small subpopulation of cells that enter a dormant state where antibiotics are no longer effective...
A nonmechanical, unidirectional valve, the Nematode Electrotactic-Response Valve (NERV), has been developed to control the motion of Caenorhabditis elegant (C. elegans) in microfluidic devices. By forming a region of lateral electric field, which can be switched or reversed, the NERV prevents worms from advancing through it if the field lines are angled against the movement of the worms. Upon arriving at the boundary of the NERV, the worms penetrate the field area briefly and then retreat and...