Pathway to Achieving Sustainable Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Agricultural Mechanization

According to the World Health Organization (2020), many parts of the world have demonstrated potentials for acute hunger and famine. Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) actively feature in this category due to geopolitical crises and other humanitarian challenges. Despite efforts by SSA governments, agricultural productivity continues to be inadequate in meeting nutritional needs across Africa. Thus, in the presence of economic expansion, vast land and labour resources, this study investigates the role of mechanization as an important factor for increased agricultural productivity in SSA. Data on 25 SSA countries over 17 years is used. Empirical results from System Generalized Method of Moments show that among other variables, mechanization is a significant factor influencing agricultural productivity. Consequently, in light of the bid for higher agricultural productivity, government investment in mechanization becomes a priority. Also, apart from the fact that many African countries are at the point where more land must be brought under development to satisfy expanded market needs, larger investments in mechanization appear imperative

Chemerin as a novel crevicular fluid marker of patients with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: The objectives of the present study are to: 1) determine whether gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) chemerin is a novel predictive marker for patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); 2) analyze the relationship between chemerin and interleukin (IL)-6 in periodontally healthy individuals and in patients with CP and with and without T2DM; and 3) evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on GCF chemerin levels. Methods: Eighty individuals were split into four groups: 20 who were systemically and periodontally healthy (CTRL), 20 with T2DM and periodontally healthy (DM-CTRL), 20 systemically healthy with CP (CP), and 20 with CP and T2DM (DM-CP). Individuals with periodontitis were treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy. GCF sampling procedures and clinical periodontal measures were performed before and 6 weeks after treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure chemerin and IL-6 levels. Results: Greater values for GCF chemerin and IL-6 levels were found in CP groups than in periodontally healthy groups, inDM-CP than inCP, and in DM-CTRL than inCTRL (P <0.008). GCF chemerin and IL-6 levels decreased following therapy in CP groups (P <0.02). A comprehensive overview of all groups showed a statistically significant positive correlation of chemerin with IL-6, glycated hemoglobin, sampled-site clinical attachment level, and gingival index (P <0.05). Conclusions: In this study, periodontitis and T2DM induced aberrant secretion of chemerin, and non-surgical periodontal therapy influenced the decrease of GCF chemerin levels in patients with CP with and without T2DM. Furthermore, it suggests GCF chemerin levels may be considered a potential proinflammatory marker for diabetes, periodontal disease, and treatment outcomes