The effects of fetal growth on maternal body weight and visceral organ mass in the grasscutter, Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck

SUMMARY During pregnancy, maternal metabolism changes to support the gravid uterus and the timing of these changes are a function of both gestational length and fetal number. In order to predict the nutrient requirements throughout pregnancy, it is necessary to know the changes which occur in both the reproductive and maternal tissues. Fifty-seven (57) wild grasscutters were used to investigate the increased nutrient requirement of fetal growth on reproductive and maternal tissues in the grasscutter. The animals were categorized into non-pregnant, early pregnancy (d 1 -50), mid pregnancy (d 51 -100), and late pregnancy (> d 100) status. Maternal organ weights were reported as fresh weight (g), scaled to empty body weight (EBW; g/g), and maternal body weight (MBW; g/g). Carcass weight declined with advancing pregnancy (P = 0.029), as were the lungs, small and large intestines whilst the weights of the kidneys, liver and remaining viscera increased. The total internal organ mass, due mainly to the significant increases in the 'remaining viscera' mass, which is made up of mainly adipose tissues, also increased with advancing pregnancy. From mid pregnancy to late pregnancy, uterine weight increased by 675. 3% (52.33±6.525 v. 353.37±26.580). This suggests that pregnancy imposes a huge metabolic demand on the grasscutter, but the animals appear to mobilize maternal nutrient stores, as well as slow down metabolic rate (as indicated by the increases in the fat component of the remaining viscera mass) to meet requirements of the growing fetus and developing mammary glands

Health Risk Assessment of Organochlorine Pesticides Contaminations in Dairy Products from Selected Farms in Greater Accra Region-Ghana

The study was geared towards ascertaining the levels of synthetic pyrethroids and organochlorine pesticides residues in dairy products(milk, cheese and yoghurt) from selected farms in Greater Accra Region of Ghana. In all fifty (50) samples of dairy products (25 fresh cow milk, 9 cheese and 16 yoghurt) were analyzed. Detectable levels of organochlorine pesticides,OCPs(β-HCH, endrin, endosulfan, p’p’-DDT, heptachlor and methoxychlor) and Synthetic pyrethroids(permethrin, allethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and cyfluthrin). Ultrasonic extraction was employed and extract clean-up was done using silica gel and analyzed using a gas chromatograph (Agilent Model 6890 Gas Chromatograph) equipped with Ni-63 electron capture detector (ECD). . Milk samples were found to be the most contaminated with respect to the OCPs and the levels ranged between 0.0001μg/ml and 0.0407μg/ml. β-HCH was the highest OCP with concentration of 0.0407μg/ml while Cyfluthrin was the highest synthetic pyrethroids recorded in yoghurt sample (0.0318μg/ml).The levels of organochlorine pesticide residues detected in all the tissues were below the accepted Maximum Residue Limits (MRL), as adopted by the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2005). Keywords: dairy products, organochlorine pesticides, synthetic pyrethroid, health risk, Ghana, gas chromatograph

Recent Advances in the Design and Application of Shoulder Arthroplasty Implant Systems and Their Impact on Clinical Outcomes: A Comprehensive Review

John Twomey-Kozak, Kwabena Adu-Kwarteng,* Kiera Lunn,* Damon Vernon Briggs, Eoghan Hurley, Oke A Anakwenze, Christopher S Klifto Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: John Twomey-Kozak, Duke University Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Durham, NC, USA, Email [email protected] of Review: This narrative review comprehensively aims to analyze recent advancements in shoulder arthroplasty, focusing on implant systems and their impact on patient outcomes. The purpose is to provide a nuanced understanding of the evolving landscape in shoulder arthroplasty, incorporating scientific, regulatory, and ethical dimensions.Recent Findings: The review synthesizes recent literature on stemless implants, augmented glenoid components, inlay vs onlay configurations, convertible stems, and associated complications. Notable findings include improved patient-reported outcomes with stemless implants, variations in outcomes between inlay and onlay configurations, and the potential advantages of convertible stems. Additionally, the regulatory landscape, particularly the FDA’s 510(k) pathway, is explored alongside ethical considerations, emphasizing the need for standardized international regulations.Summary: Recent innovations in shoulder arthroplasty showcase promising advancements, with stemless implants demonstrating improved patient outcomes. The review underscores the necessity for ongoing research to address unresolved aspects and highlights the importance of a standardized regulatory framework to ensure patient safety globally. The synthesis of recent findings contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the current state of shoulder arthroplasty, guiding future research and clinical practices.Keywords: shoulder arthroplasty, rTSA, stemless implants, glenoid components, patient outcomes, innovations in arthroplast

Seed quality affects postharvest characteristics of tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum)

The use of quality tomato seeds does not only ensure good germination, optimum crop establishment and yield but also guarantee good postharvest characteristics such as fruit uniformity and enhanced shelf life. The present study sought to establish the relationship between poor seed quality and some postharvest fruit quality characteristics such as fruit shapes and fruit shelf life. The percentage mean occurrence of varied fruit shapes harvested from the same farmer's field ranged from 2.4% to 47.6% in the Forest zone and from 3.3 to 21.6% in the Forest- Transition zone of Ghana. Generally, four to nine different fruit shape categories were identified across farmers' fields in both the Forest and Forest-Transition zones. The percentage weight loss after 15 days of storage under ambient condition for the flattened fruit shape was as high as 90% while the oblong shape fruit recorded 56% within the same duration. Smallholder tomato farmers are encouraged to use high quality seeds for uniform fruitKeywords: tomato, seed quality, postharvest, water retentio

Quality Characteristics of Native Starch from Selected Improved Varieties of Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas)

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a starchy root crop with a wide range of diversity in physical and compositional characteristics. Links between starch properties and processing characteristics are known to have an impact in utilization. Starches were extracted from six (6) improved varieties of sweetpotato harvested at 3, 4 and 5 months after planting. Starch granule morphologies were characterized at 4 months using Light Microscopy, and starch pasting properties were determined at all harvest times by Rapid Visco Analyzer. Granular shapes were generally heterogeneous and approximate size distributions varied from 2 to 15m to 8  to 40m. peak viscosity ranged from 4077 to 5260 centipoise, pasting temperature ranged from 77.95 to 82.45oC, setback ratio ranged from 1.25 to 1.61 and stability ratio ranged from 0.52 to 0.73. Starches with smaller granules had relatively low peak viscosities and high  stability or resistance to breakdown while those with larger granule size ranges had lower setback ratio, indicating less retrogradation and better long-term cold paste stability. The influence of both variety and harvest maturity on all RVA pasting properties were  significant at p<0.001. Small starch granule size varieties harvested at 4 and 5 months had the lowest peak viscosities and highest  setback ratio; larger granule size varieties harvested at 4 months had the highest peak viscosities and lowest setback ratio. These  results are relevant in understanding the processing and utilization quality of the varieties studied, and also in identifying potential niche applications for sweetpotato starch as food ingredients or in other applications. Keywords: Starch quality, RVA pasting properties, Harvest maturity, Granule morphology, Ipomoea batatas.  Caractéristiques De La Qualité De L'amidon Locale À Partir De Variétés Améliorées De Patate Douce (Ipomoea batatas)La patate douce (Ipomoea batatas L.) est une culture racinaire fétide avec une large diversité de caractéristiques physiques et de  composition. Les liens entre les propriétés de l'amidon et les caractéristiques de formation sont connus pour avoir une incidence sur l'utilisation. Les amidons ont été extraits de six (6) variétés améliorées de patates douces récoltées à 3, 4 et 5 mois après la  cultivation. Les morphologies des granulés d'amidon ont été caractérisées à 4 mois à l'aide d'une Microscopie légère, et les propriétés de collage d'amidon ont été déterminées à toutes les heures de récolte par la machine'Rapid Visco Analyzer'. Les formes granulaires étaient généralement hétérogènes et les distributions approximatives des tailles variaient entre 2 et 15 μm à 8 à 40m. La viscosité maximale variait de 4077 à 5260 centipois- es, la température de collage variait de 77,95 à 82,45°C, le rapport de retrait variait de 1,25 à 1,61 et le rapport de stabilité variait de 0,52 à 0,73. Les amidons avec des granulés plus petits avaient des viscosités de  pointe relativement faibles et une stabilité élevée ou une résistance à la panne tandis que ceux avec des gammes de granulométrie  plus grandes avaient un rapport de retrait inférieur, ce qui indique une rétrogradation moins élevée et une meilleure stabilité à la pâte froid à long terme. L'influence de la variété et de la maturité des récoltes sur toutes les propriétés de collage de RVA était significative à p <0,001. Les petites variétés de gran- ules d'amidon récoltées à 4 et 5 mois présentaient les viscosités maximales les plus faibles et le taux de retrait le plus élevé; Les grandes variétés granulométriques récoltées à 4 mois avaient les viscosités maximales les plus élevées et le rapport de retrait le plus bas. Ces résultats sont pertinents pour comprendre la transformation et la qualité d'utilisation des variétés étudiées, et aussi pour identifier les applications de marché potentiel pour l'amidon de la patate douce comme  ingrédients alimentaires ou dans d'autres applications. Mots-clés: la qualité de l'amidon, propriétés de collage de RVA, maturité de la récolte, morphologie des granulés, Ipomoea batatas

Expanding industrial uses of sweetpotato for food security and poverty alleviation

Sweetpotato breeding over the years solely depended on sensory evaluation for domestic uses, thereby downplaying the need for adjustment of breeding objectives and selection procedures to cater for industrial potential. This study was conducted to evaluate ten elite genotypes of sweetpotato for diversified utilization and commercialization. These genotypes had been selected over the years for high dry matter and starch content according to the preference of Ghanaian consumers. Analyses were carried out on key nutrient components, pasting properties, and starch granule morphology using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy, rapid viscosity analysis, and light microscopy, respectively. Sensory evaluation was carried out using a focus group approach. Based on functional diversity and unique combinations of quality traits identified, the genotypes were found to have several potential applications in the food industry. These include fufu flour, bread, pastries, French fries, gluten-free noodles, yogurt filler, baby food, juices, and raw material for brewery and other industries. These elite genotypes, when released as new varieties, can immensely contribute to a more diversified use of sweetpotato in Ghana and ultimately contribute to the enhancement of food and job security

Competitiveness of Root Crops for Accelerating Africa’s Economic Growth, 12th Triennial Symposium of International Society for Tropical Root Crops Africa Branch (ISTRCAB), Accra, Ghana, 30 September- 5 October 2013

Book of Abstracts and Programm

Competitiveness of Root Crops for Accelerating Africa’s Economic Growth, 12th Triennial Symposium of International Society for Tropical Root Crops Africa Branch (ISTRCAB), Accra, Ghana, 30 September- 5 October 2013

Book of Abstracts and Programm