Determination of color parameters of gamma irradiated fresh and dried mushrooms during storage

The visual appearance of mushrooms is one of the first quality determinants made by the Ghanaian consumer. Color parameters were measured for fresh mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) irradiated at 0, 1, 2 and 3 kGy at a dose rate of 1.7 kGy hr-1 after harvest (0 day) and then measured after storage (5 days). Dried mushrooms were exposed to gamma radiation at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2kGy at the same dose rate and stored in polythene and polypropylene packaging materials and stored for a period of 12 months. The effect of gamma radiation on colour was monitored at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months. The colour parameters for the colour change were quantified by the Hunter L (whiteness/darkness), a (redness/greenness) and b (yellowness/blueness) system. These values were also used for calculation of the total colour change (ΔE), chroma (C), hue angle (H) and browning index (B.I). There were significant differences (P< 0.05) for L*, a*, b*, chroma, hue angle, browning index and overall colour change of fresh and dried mushrooms over the storage periods. There was an increase in a*-values while L*, b*, C and H values decreased. This study investigates the effect of ionizing radiations on the colour quality of oyster mushrooms during storage showing its suitability of usage in food preservation

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo