Performance of Rehabilitated Cocoa Farms in the Assin North Municipality of Ghana

Although Ghana is a highly recognised country in the global cocoa industry, average production per ha is described among the lowest in the world; a situation which is blamed on aging tree stocks and other factors. Through sector policy reforms, government instituted and supported activities including gradual rehabilitation of over-aged cocoa farms with improved variety with the aim of boosting productivity and overall cocoa production. Although the rehabilitation of the cocoa farms is ongoing, research has not covered much on the performance of the rehabilitated cocoa farms.  The study assessed the yield performance of rehabilitated cocoa farms in the Assin North municipality. The study involved a descriptive survey in which data was obtained with questionnaires and administered by interviewers. A total of 115 farmers were purposively drawn from 5 communities in the district. It was found that the rehabilitated cocoa farms (RCFs) were planted with hybrid varieties and starts yielding in the 3rd year. Recorded average yield of 533kg/ha in the 4th year and 742kg/ha in the 5th year are 33% and 85% higher than the national average of 400kg/ha. Productivity was positively correlated with age of trees and tree survival rate but negatively correlated to farm size. Farmers described growth rate, general appearing (vigour), pest and disease resistance, and yield to be significantly better than the old crop. KEY WORKS: performance, rehabilitated, cocoa, productivity, hybri

Holographic optical trapping Raman micro-spectroscopy for non-invasive measurement and manipulation of live cells

We present a new approach for combining holographic optical tweezers with confocal Raman spectroscopy. Multiple laser foci, generated using a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator, are individually used for both optical trapping and excitation of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy from trapped objects. Raman scattering from each laser focus is spatially filtered using reflective apertures on a digital micro-mirror device, which can be reconfigured with flexible patterns at video rate. We discuss operation of the instrument, and performance and viability considerations for biological measurements. We then demonstrate the capability of the instrument for fast, flexible, and interactive manipulation with molecular measurement of interacting live cell systems

The role of mir-511-3p in modulating human dendritic cell function

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are functional, non-coding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression by repressing target mRNAs. Recently, microRNA-511-3p (miR-511-3p) has emerged as a key player in regulating the function of human DCs and in controlling TLR4-mediated signalling. Previously, our group showed that c-type lectin receptors on DCs such as the mannose receptor (MR) is involved in uptake of allergens and downstream events leading to Th2 allergic responses. Interestingly, miR-511-3p is embedded within the MRC1 gene that encodes MR. Therefore, in this study, it was hypothesised that miR-511-3p maybe a key player in regulating MR expression on DCs and downstream events affecting Th polarisation. Additionally, miR-511-3p is highlighted to putatively target PPARγ, a potent suppressor of immune responses; however the link between miR-511-3p and PPARγ and its influence on DC function within the context of LPS-induced inflammatory responses is unknown. Using a selection of miR-511-3p inhibitors and mimics, this study has shown for the first time that up or down-regulation of miR-511-3p has opposing effects on mRNA and protein levels of MR and another CLR (DC-SIGN) on human DCs. In addition, knockdown of miR-511-3p induced 1) an increase in IDO enzyme activity (after treatment with mannan and LPS); 2) upregulation of the PDL-1 surface marker and 3) an increase in IL-10 production, thereby promoting an anti-inflammatory DC phenotype and generation of T cells with increased IL-4 and decreased IL-17/IFN-γ production. This was in contrast to observations with miR-511-3p mimics, which promoted a pro-inflammatory DC phenotype. Furthermore, LPS stimulation of DCs, following knockdown of miR-511-3p was also able to upregulate RelB and A20 protein levels, which are key repressors of NF-κB activation, compared to their overexpressed counterparts, further highlighting the impact of miR-511-3p expression on human DCs. Lastly, this study has demonstrated that changes in miR-511-3p expression inversely correlate with PPARγ expression and transcriptional activity following PPARγ activation with rosiglitazone (RSG), in the presence or absence of LPS. Interestingly, inhibition of miR-511-3p was also able to promote an anti-inflammatory DC characterised by increased IL-10 production following stimulation with RSG and LPS, whereas overexpression of miR-511-3p promoted IL-6 pro-inflammatory cytokine production. This suggests miR-511-3p targets PPARγ to inhibit its suppressive role. Taken together, these observations highlight the complexity of miR-511-3p induced regulation of human DC phenotype and function and could ultimately pave way for rational design of therapies against a range of inflammatory disorders

The role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway in the TLR4-induced tolerogenic phenotype in human DCs

A controlled inflammatory response is required for protection against infection, but persistent inflammation causes tissue damage. Dendritic cells (DCs) have a unique capacity to promote both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes. One key mechanism involved in DC-mediated immunosuppression is the expression of tryptophan-metabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). IDO has been implicated in diverse processes in health and disease but its role in endotoxin tolerance in human DCs is still controversial. Here we investigated the role of IDO in shaping DCs phenotype and function under endotoxin tolerance conditions. Our data show that TLR4 ligation in LPS-primed DCs, induced higher levels of both IDO isoforms together with the transcription factor aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), compared to unprimed controls. Additionally, LPS conditioning induced an anti-inflammatory phenotype in DCs - with an increase in IL-10 and higher expression of programmed death ligand (PD-L)1 and PD-L2 - which were partially dependent on IDO. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the AhR-IDO pathway was responsible for the preferential activation of noncanonical NF-κB pathway in LPS-conditioned DCs. These data provide new insight into the mechanisms of the TLR4-induced tolerogenic phenotype in human DCs, which can help the better understanding of processes involved in induction and resolution of chronic inflammation and tolerance

An evolutionary study of production of electricity in Ghana (1900–1960s)

The literature on the history of electricity production have studied the evolution of electricity in both developed and developing countries and its impact on their economies. Some have laid foundations upon which other works are carried out. A close examination of historiography and multidisciplinary research on electricity production in Ghana shows that more efforts are required to improve the electric power landscape in Ghana. From the colonial era, the increasing demand for electricity has been the biggest challenge plaguing the energy sector. Respective governments have made significant strides in ensuring reliable and universal access to electricity throughout Ghana, yet such efforts have been accompanied by different levels of challenges. The study uses a qualitative and exploratory research approach to trace the activities that helped, in many other ways to the creation of a sustainable electric power provision to household and industry in Ghana, particularly in two of Ghana’s cities; Accra and Kumasi, within the period 1900 to the1960s. The work focused mainly on archival sources in its quest to arrive at how indigenous Ghanaians provided power for industrial activities and for household purposes. Results from the study show that local and cottage industries relied predominantly on wood, fuel, and biomass for their operations even before the introduction of the more sophisticated means of power generation. Also, the study revealed that in finding solutions to the challenges of electricity production, policymakers have focused more on current issues with little or no effort to trace the historical foundation of electricity production. This notwithstanding, the little efforts that have been made examined the history of energy production, with a limited focus on the immediate post-independence era

Women and Medicine: A Historical and Contemporary Study on Ghana

Women have always been central concerning the provision of healthcare. The transitions into the modern world have been very slow for women because of how societies classify women. Starting from lay care, women provided healthcare for their family and sometimes to the members of the community in which they lived. With no formal education, women served as midwives and served in other specialised fields in medicine. They usually treated their fellow women because they saw ‘women’s medicine’ as women’s business. They were discriminated against by the opposite sex and by the church, which regarded it as a taboo to allow women to practice medicine. This study points to a Ghanaian context on how the charismas of women have made them excel in their efforts to provide healthcare for their people. The study also focused on the role of indigenous practitioners who are mostly found in the rural areas and modern practitioners who are mostly found in the peri-urban, urban areas and larger cities in Ghana

MicroRNA-511-3p Mediated Modulation of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR?) Controls LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Human Monocyte Derived DCs

Abstract: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor expressed in dendritic cells (DCs), where it exerts anti-inflammatory responses against TLR4-induced inflammation. Recently, microRNA-511 (miR 511) has also emerged as a key player in controlling TLR4-mediated signalling and in regulating the function of DCs. Interestingly, PPAR has been previously highlighted as a putative target of miR-511 activity; however, the link between miR-511 and PPAR and its influence on human DC function within the context of LPS-inducedinflammatory responses is unknown. Using a selection of miR-511-3p-specific inhibitors and mimics, we demonstrate for the first time that knockdown or overexpression of miR-511-3p inversely correlates with PPAR mRNA levels and affects its transcriptional activity following treatment with rosiglitazone (RSG; PPAR agonist), in the presence or absence of LPS. Additionally, we show that PPAR-mediated suppression of DC activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in miR-511-3p knockdown DCs is abrogated following overexpression of miR-511-3p. Lastly, PPARactivation suppressed LPS-mediated induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity in DCs, most likely due to changes in miR-511-3p expression. Our data thus suggests that PPAR-induced modulation of DC phenotype and function is influenced by miR-511 3p expression, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target against inflammatory diseases

An evolutionary study of production of electricity in Ghana (1900 – 1960)

The literature on the history of electricity production have studied the evolution of electricity in both developed and developing countries and its impact on their economies. Some have laid foundations upon which other works are carried out. A close examination of historiography and multidisciplinary research on electricity production in Ghana shows that more efforts are required to improve the electric power landscape in Ghana. From the colonial era, the increasing demand for electricity has been the biggest challenge plaguing the energy sector. Respective governments have made significant strides in ensuring reliable and universal access to electricity throughout Ghana, yet such efforts have been accompanied by different levels of challenges. The study uses a qualitative and exploratory research approach to trace the activities that helped, in many other ways to the creation of a sustainable electric power provision to household and industry in Ghana, particularly in two of Ghana’s cities; Accra and Kumasi, within the period 1900 to the1960s. The work focused mainly on archival sources in its quest to arrive at how indigenous Ghanaians provided power for industrial activities and for household purposes. Results from the study show that local and cottage industries relied predominantly on wood, fuel, and biomass for their operations even before the introduction of the more sophisticated means of power generation. Also, the study revealed that in finding solutions to the challenges of electricity production, policymakers have focused more on current issues with little or no effort to trace the historical foundation of electricity production. This notwithstanding, the little efforts that have been made examined the history of energy production, with a limited focus on the immediate post-independence era

Holographic optical trapping Raman micro-spectroscopy for non-invasive measurement and manipulation of live cells

We present a new approach for combining holographic optical tweezers with confocal Raman spectroscopy. Multiple laser foci, generated using a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator, are individually used for both optical trapping and excitation of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy from trapped objects. Raman scattering from each laser focus is spatially filtered using reflective apertures on a digital micro-mirror device, which can be reconfigured with flexible patterns at video rate. We discuss operation of the instrument, and performance and viability considerations for biological measurements. We then demonstrate the capability of the instrument for fast, flexible, and interactive manipulation with molecular measurement of interacting live cell systems

Unbiased analysis of the impact of micropatterned biomaterials on macrophage behaviour provides insights beyond pre-defined polarisation states

Macrophages are master regulators of immune responses towards implanted biomaterials. The activation state adopted by macrophages in response to biomaterials determines their own phenotype and function as well as those of other resident and infiltrating immune and non-immune cells in the area. A wide spectrum of macrophage activation states exists, with M1 (pro-inflammatory) and M2 (anti-inflammatory) representing either ends of the spectrum. In biomaterials research, cellinstructive surfaces that favour or induce M2 macrophages have been considered as beneficial due to the anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative properties of these cells. In this study, we used a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel platform to determine whether micropatterned surfaces can modulate the phenotype and function of human macrophages. The effect of microgrooves/ridges and micropillars on macrophage phenotype, function, and gene expression profile were assessed using conventional methods (morphology, cytokine profile, surface marker expression, phagocytosis) and gene microarrays. Our results demonstrated that micropatterns did induce distinct gene expression profiles in human macrophages cultured on microgrooves/ridges and micropillars. Significant changes were observed in genes related to primary metabolic processes such as transcription, translation, protein trafficking, DNA repair and cell survival. However, interestingly conventional phenotyping methods, relying on surface marker expression and cytokine profile, were not able to distinguish between the different conditions, and indicated no clear shift in cell activation towards an M1 or M2 phenotypes. This highlights the limitations of studying the effect of different physicochemical conditions on macrophages by solely relying on conventional markers that are primarily developed to differentiate between cytokine polarised M1 and M2 macrophages. We therefore, propose the adoption of unbiased screening methods in determining macrophage responses to biomaterials. Our data clearly shows that the exclusive use of conventional markers and methods for determining macrophage activation status could lead to missed opportunities for understanding and exploiting macrophage responses to biomaterials