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Biomedical subjects

J F Walsh

Publications and source records attributed to J F Walsh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

The vectorial efficiency of Simulium yahense populations in south-eastern Ghana.

Adult female Simulium yahense were identified amongst catches of S. damnosum s. 1. caught at Tsatsadu Falls and Wegbe in south-eastern Ghana. Dissections of stained flies to assess the species' role as a vector of onchocerciasis in the region revealed as many as 357 L3 per 1000 biting flies in a sample from Wegbe. When the data from the two sites were combined 154 L3 per 1000 biting flies and 315 L3 per 1000 parous flies were recorded. The values for wet season samples were about 12% higher than those for the dry season. The results are discussed in relation to other studies of S. yahense populations and regarding the species' recent spread in Ghana and Togo.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The WHO Onchocerciasis Control Programme: retrospect and prospects.

The history of onchocerciasis control in Africa and the genesis of the WHO Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP) are briefly reviewed. The importance of experience gained in anti-locust campaigns in helping to plan the OCP is stressed. Members of the Simulium damnosum species complex are the vectors of onchocerciasis, which OCP is controlling with insecticide treatments on the stretches of rivers where the Simulium breed. Migrations of flies have been responsible for reinfestations of controlled areas and the spread of insecticide resistance. The management of these problems and related research are described, but it is emphasized that despite setbacks OCP is achieving its aims. A strategy for the future is outlined: vector control supplemented by chemotherapy is expected to continue until the year 2004.

Africa, Western↗
PubMed1990

Gastric surgery for morbid obesity. The Adelaide Study.

The efficacy of three gastric restriction operations were compared in a prospective randomized study of 310 morbidly obese subjects. The median patient age was 34 years (range, 18 to 62 years). They were predominantly female (13:1) and had a median pre-operative weight that was 198% of their ideal weight (range, 160% to 318%). There was an equitable dispersion of perceived risk factors between the groups under study and there were no deaths during the perioperative period. Compliance with follow-up at 3 years was 91%. When success was defined as a loss of more than 50% of excess weight or a current pregnancy, the success rates at 3 years were 17% for gastrogastrostomy, 48% for vertical gastroplasty, and 67% for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (p less than 0.001). Although the gastric bypass operation took longer to perform, there were similar outcome patterns for the three groups during the postoperative period. We conclude that the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the preferred procedure for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Psychosocial and physical activity changes after gastric restrictive procedures for morbid obesity.

Gastric restrictive procedures for morbid obesity are frequently performed to reduce problems arising from the physical limitations and social isolation of massive obesity. Numerous reports have described changes in weight after gastric restrictive operations, yet few studies have documented changes in the secondary effects of obesity. This report deals with changes in psychosocial status and physical activity occurring in 240 patients who remained in the study 3 years after surgery. These patients were members of a group of 310 patients who were entered into a prospective randomized trial to assess the relative benefits of three forms of gastric restrictive procedure. Prior to operation, and at yearly intervals after operation, the physical activities and psychosocial status of each patient was assessed by a standardized semi-structured interview. At the time of the three-year interview the median weight loss for these patients was 29.5 kg which represents 53% of excess weight lost. This weight loss was associated with a marked reduction in the amount of food eaten. There was a significant increase in the number of patients smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day and a mild increase in alcohol intake. There were significant improvements in the level of self-image and state of happiness. The social lives and sex lives of the majority of patients were improved and a significantly greater number of patients reported being in a stable emotional relationship at 3 years after operation than did so pre-operatively. There was a marked increase in the number of patients in full-time or part-time employment from 38% prior to surgery to 60% at 3 years after operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Review of vector control prior to the OCP.

It is a little over 60 years since Blacklock, in an elegant study, demonstrated that in Sierra Leone human onchocerciasis was transmitted by a Simulium fly. Amazingly within 6 years of Blacklock's discovery an attempt was made, mainly using environmental management, to control Simulium in the Chiapas focus of Mexico, though this was not successful. Later Buckley was successful in eradicating Simulium neavei from the small Riana focus in Kenya by clearing riverine forest. However, it was not until DDT became widely available that Simulium control entered its heroic phase with campaigns in Kenya, Uganda and Zaire, some of which were highly successful. This led to an interest in controlling the vector in West Africa. The very different pattern of disease with very large foci virtually contiguous across tens of thousands of square kilometers suggested a difficult proposition and early attempts were not very successful. There is much of interest in the East and Central African schemes and in the West African forerunners of the OCP. In this talk an attempt will be made to capture something of the flavour of these pioneering efforts, to give credit to the men involved, and to highlight the successes against both the S. neavei and S. damnosum complex, and the advances which contributed to the successful planning of the OCP.

Africa↗
PubMed1979

Displacements of Simulium damnosum and strategy of control against onchocerciasis.

Regular aerial treatment of 14 000 km of watercourses has achieved and maintained, over an area of 700 000 km2 of West African savannah, a very high degree of control of the larvae of Simulium damnosum sensu stricto and S. sirbanum, the vectors of onchocerciasis in this area. However, particular and relatively restricted parts of this area, mainly in northern Ivory Coast and neighbouring parts of Upper Volta, experience regular and prolonged reinvasions by parous female vectors, which have already taken bloodmeals (and many of them carrying the parasites) and arrive from unknown sources probably hundreds of kilometres away, from directions probably between southwest and north. This reinvasion, now experienced in three successive years, represents the outstanding scientific, epidemiological and logistic problem still facing the WHO Onchocerciasis Control Programme. An outline is presented of the multidisciplinary investigations being undertaken to find a solution.

Africa, Western↗
PubMed1979

Root retention and removable partial denture design.

The position of a retained root for preservation of a ridge requires modification of the design of a distal-extension removable partial denture on the side of the retained root. A model with silicone rubber over the ridges and simulated retained roots was fabricated. A framework with mesial rests, distal proximal plates, and I-bar clasp arms was fitted to it. A pencil lead was attached to the framework to record the arcs of rotation of the I-bar clasp arm. The movements and the fulcrums of the prosthesis were changed by the presence of simulated retained roots posterior to the distal abutment.

Dental Abutments↗
PubMed1979

Entomological aspects of the first five years of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in the Volta River Basin.

The history and structure of the WHO Onchocerciasis Control Programme in the Volta River Basin are described. An outline of the vector control operations is given, and the techniques and organisation of the entomological evaluation network are described in detail. During the course of the evaluation and related studies undertaken between November 1974 and October 1978 almost 1.2 million S. damnosum females have been taken in over 52,000 man days of catching, and 674,000 flies were dissected. An assessment based on this effort using Annual Biting Rates and Annual Transmission Potentials shows that the transmission of O. volvulus has been reduced to below a defined maximum permissible level over most of the central part of the Programme Area. The difficulties encountered in the remainder, and at certain problem sites are outlined and relevant data given. The benefits to be expected from extending the area further southwards and the possibilities of later reductions in control activity are discussed.

Africa, Western↗
PubMed1979

Studies on the reinvasion of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in the Volta River Basin by Simulium damnosum s.I. with emphasis on the south-western areas.

The aerial larvicidng operation of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme of the World Health Organization which began in February 1975 resulted in a sharp reduction in Simulium damnosum numbers. However, at the onset of the rainy season the fly population increased in certain areas. Detailed surveys both on the ground and by helicopter did not reveal any significant failures of treatments that could account for the fly densities observed, and it was concluded that the flies must originate from sources outside the controlled zone. This reinvasion proved to be an annual occurrence which has been studied in detail between 1975 and 1978 in the south-western parts of the control zone. The methods used included full day catches by vector collectors carried out every day throughout the season, cytotaxonomic determination of larvae, detailed morphological examination of reared and biting adults and treatment of suspected source rivers with insecticide. The results indicate that the invasion takes place in a SW-NE direction across country for distances of 300 km or more along the track of the monsoon winds. It involves mainly the savanna cytospecies S. damnosum s. str. and S. sirbanum. The invading populations are composed of older parous flies, many of which carry infective 3rd stage larvae indistinguishable from those of Onchocerca volvulus. These females tend to bite close to the rivers and do not disperse as far as normal populations with a higher proportion of younger flies.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Light trap studies on Simulium damnosum s.l. in Northern Ghana.

The results of light trapping S. damnosum s.l. in northern Ghana during both the wet and dry season are given. It is considered that some flight activity takes place throughtout the night at both seasons. Flies in different physiological states behave differently and gravid females and newly emerged flies appear to be strongly phototactic. There is little evidence to suggest that light trapping is likely to be useful for the capture of blood engorged flies and for the routine monitoring of S. damnosum populations. Further work on the use of light traps in Stimulium studies is required.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

The role of biliary scanning in the investigation of the surgically jaundiced patient.

The diagnostic accuracy of biliary scanning using 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate has been determined in a series of 51 surgically jaundiced patients. This noninvasive technique was found to be safe, reliable and universally applicable in all instances of jaundice, regardless of the serum bilirubin value or prothrombin time. The results were found to compare favorably with those of other investigative procedures. It is suggested that the 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate biliary scan is most advantageously carried out after clinical assessment and full biochemical evaluation of the patient. The scan result will indicate the next logical step in the management of the patient whether it be endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, biopsy of the liver or laparotomy.

Biliary Tract↗
PubMed1976

Muscle-formed complete mandibular dentures.

A method has been presented whereby a patient's musculature is used to indicate the position of the teeth and to develop the shape and thickness of the denture base. Of 30 patients tested, 28 experienced improved stability of their lower dentures.

Denture Bases↗