Phenotypic diversity, major genes and production potential of local chickens and guinea fowl in Tamale, northern Ghana

Brown, Michael Mensah,Alenyorege, Benjamin,Teye, Gabriel Ayum,Roessler, Regina Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.10

Objective: Our study provides information on phenotypes of local chickens and guinea fowl and their body measures as well as on major genes in local chickens in northern Ghana. Methods: Qualitative and morphometric traits were recorded on 788 local chickens and 394 guinea fowl in urban households in Tamale, Ghana. Results: The results showed considerable variation of color traits and numerous major genes in local chickens, while color variations and related genotypes in guinea fowl were limited. In local chickens, white was preferred for plumage, whereas dark colors were preferred for beak and shanks. More than half of the chickens carried at least one major gene, but the contributions of single gene carriers were low. All calculated allele frequencies were significantly lower than their expected Mendelian allele frequencies. We observed higher mean body weight and larger linear body measures in male as compared to female chickens. In female chickens, we detected a small effect of major genes on body weight and chest circumference. In addition, we found some association between feather type and plumage color. In guinea fowl, seven distinct plumage colors were observed, of which pearl grey pied and pearl grey were the most prevalent. Male pearl grey pied guinea fowl were inferior to pearl grey and white guinea fowl in terms of body weight, body length and chest circumference; their shank length was lower than that of pearl grey fowl. Conclusion: Considerable variation in qualitative traits of local chickens may be indicative of genetic diversity within local chicken populations, but major genes were rare. In contrast, phenotypic and genetic diversity in local guinea fowl is limited. Broader genetic diversity studies and evaluation of trait preferences of local poultry producers are required for the design of appropriate breeding programs.

Direct measurements of the light dependence of gross photosynthesis and oxygen consumption in the ocean

Bailleul, Benjamin,Park, Jisoo,Brown, Christopher M.,Bidle, Kay D.,Lee, Sang Hoon,Falkowski, Paul G. John Wiley Sons Ltd 2017 Limnology and oceanography Vol.62 No.3

On Cobb angles, flexibility, and lumbar strength measurements

Jeb McAviney,Benjamin T. Brown 한국운동재활학회 2017 JER Vol.13 No.4

Effectiveness and Complication Rate of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Placement in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Kidder, Molly,Phen, Claudia,Brown, Jerry,Kimsey, Kathryn,Oshrine, Benjamin,Ghazarian, Sharon,Mateus, Jazmine,Amankwah, Ernest,Wilsey, Michael The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology 2021 Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition Vol.24 No.6

Purpose: Malnutrition is a significant issue for pediatric patients with cancer. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and complication rate of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement in pediatric oncology patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 49 pediatric oncology patients undergoing PEG placement at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital between 2000 and 2016. Demographic and clinical characteristics, complications, absolute neutrophil count at time of PEG placement and at time of complications, length of stay, and mortality were identified. Weight-for-age Z-scores were evaluated at time of- and six months post-PEG placement. Results: The overall mean weight-for-age Z-score improved by 0.73 (p<0.0001) from pre- (-1.11) to post- (-0.38) PEG placement. Improvement in Z-score was seen in patients who were malnourished at time of PEG placement (1.14, p<0.0001), but not in those who were not malnourished (0.32, p=0.197). Site infections were seen in 12 (24%), buried bumper syndrome in five (10%), and tube dislodgement in one (2%) patient. One patient (2%) with fever was treated for possible peritonitis. There were no cases of other major complications, including gastric perforation, gastrocolic fistula, clinically significant bleeding, or PEG-related death documented. Conclusion: Consistent with previous studies, our data suggests a relationship between site complications (superficial wound infection, buried bumper syndrome) and neutropenia. Additionally, PEG placement appears to be an effective modality for improving nutritional status in malnourished pediatric oncology patients. However, larger prospective studies with appropriate controls and adjustment for potential confounders are warranted to confirm these findings.

Through Knee Amputation: Technique Modifications and Surgical Outcomes

Frank P Albino,Rachel Seidel,Benjamin J Brown,Charles G Crone,Christopher E Attinger 대한성형외과학회 2014 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.41 No.5

Background: Knee disarticulations (KD) are most commonly employed following trauma ortumor resection but represent less than 2% of all lower extremity amputations performed inthe United States annually. KDs provide enhanced proprioception, a long lever arm, preservationof adductor muscle insertion, decreased metabolic cost of ambulation, and an endweight-bearing stump. The role for KDs in the setting of arterial insufficiency or overwhelminginfection is less clear. The purpose of this study is to describe technique modifications andreport surgical outcomes following KDs at a high-volume Limb Salvage Center. Methods: A retrospective study of medical records for all patients who underwent a throughkneeamputation performed by the senior author (C.E.A.) between 2004 and 2012 wascompleted. Medical records were reviewed to collect demographic, operative, and postoperativeinformation for each of the patients identified. Results: Between 2004 and 2012, 46 through-knee amputations for 41 patients wereperformed. The mean patient age was 68 and indications for surgery included infection (56%),arterial thrombosis (35%), and trauma (9%). Postoperative complications included superficialcellulitis (13%), soft tissue infection (4%), and flap ischemia (4%) necessitating one case ofsurgical debridement (4%) and four trans-femoral amputations (9%). 9 (22%) patients wenton to ambulate. Postoperative ambulation was greatest in the traumatic cohort and forpatients less than 50 years of age, P<0.05. Alternatively, diabetes mellitus and infectionreduced the likelihood of postoperative ambulation, P<0.01. Conclusions: Knee disarticulations are a safe and effective alternative to other lower extremityamputations when clinically feasible. For patient unlikely to ambulate, a through-kneeamputation maximizes ease of transfers, promotes mobility by providing a counterbalance,and eliminates the potential for knee flexion contracture with subsequent skin breakdown.

Through Knee Amputation: Technique Modifications and Surgical Outcomes

Albino, Frank P.,Seidel, Rachel,Brown, Benjamin J.,Crone, Charles G.,Attinger, Christopher E. Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surge 2014 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.41 No.5

Background Knee disarticulations (KD) are most commonly employed following trauma or tumor resection but represent less than 2% of all lower extremity amputations performed in the United States annually. KDs provide enhanced proprioception, a long lever arm, preservation of adductor muscle insertion, decreased metabolic cost of ambulation, and an end weight-bearing stump. The role for KDs in the setting of arterial insufficiency or overwhelming infection is less clear. The purpose of this study is to describe technique modifications and report surgical outcomes following KDs at a high-volume Limb Salvage Center. Methods A retrospective study of medical records for all patients who underwent a through-knee amputation performed by the senior author (C.E.A.) between 2004 and 2012 was completed. Medical records were reviewed to collect demographic, operative, and postoperative information for each of the patients identified. Results Between 2004 and 2012, 46 through-knee amputations for 41 patients were performed. The mean patient age was 68 and indications for surgery included infection (56%), arterial thrombosis (35%), and trauma (9%). Postoperative complications included superficial cellulitis (13%), soft tissue infection (4%), and flap ischemia (4%) necessitating one case of surgical debridement (4%) and four transfemoral amputations (9%). 9 (22%) patients went on to ambulate. Postoperative ambulation was greatest in the traumatic cohort and for patients less than 50 years of age, P<0.05. Alternatively, diabetes mellitus and infection reduced the likelihood of postoperative ambulation, P<0.01. Conclusions Knee disarticulations are a safe and effective alternative to other lower extremity amputations when clinically feasible. For patient unlikely to ambulate, a through-knee amputation maximizes ease of transfers, promotes mobility by providing a counterbalance, and eliminates the potential for knee flexion contracture with subsequent skin breakdown.