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Biomedical subjects

J Meli

Publications and source records attributed to J Meli.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Field trials of low dose Bayluscide on snail hosts of schistosome and selected non-target organisms in sahelian Cameroon.

More than 85% of all cases of schistosomiasis in Cameroon occur in the northern sahelian half of the country representing 20% of the population. Several workers have advocated the integrated approach to schistosomiasis control, including snail control, but the death and decay of aquatic organisms, and fish kill that often follows Bayluscide application at the dose of 1 g/m3 decrease its acceptability. The present study was designed to assess the effect of lower Bayluscide doses on snail host and non-target fish, frog, the tadpole kill. Bayluscide was applied to study ponds at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/m3 (ppm). Pre and post application assessment of snails hosts of schistosomes, fish, frog, and tadpole kill were carried out. All 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/m3 Bayluscide concentrations reduced snail population significantly. Bayluscide concentration of 0.50 g/m3 applied in two rounds of 0.25 g/m3 resulted in high snail mortality and low lethality to fish, frogs, and tadpoles. Further studies are needed to assess the cost-effectiveness of Bayluscide in the control of schistosomiasis following the simplified approach.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

1995 survey of physics teaching efforts in radiation oncology residency programs.

A physics teaching survey was constructed and sent to the 83 radiation oncologist training programs. The survey requested program information regarding size, staffing, curriculum, lab/rotation programs, organization, requirements, instructor makeup, teaching materials, and board certification examination results. The surveys were sent to the physicist responsible for the physics program. Forty-nine (59%) institutions returned completed surveys, of which 43 (88%) were university-associated programs, and 27 (55%) were 4-year programs. On average, there were two residents/year. Most programs (39) taught physics exclusively during the first year (PG2). Some programs taught different subjects (or levels) to different year residents. Radiation dosimetry, treatment planning, and brachytherapy constituted nearly half of the teaching hours. On average the total classroom time expended by physicists was 61.4 h/year with a range of 24-118 h. The mean for laboratory/demonstration time was 27 h/year with 18 programs providing none. Physics orientation/rotations ranged from 1 to 480 h with a mean of 170 h for a physics rotation taking place in year 2 (PG3). Mandatory attendance was 80% for first-year residents and decreased in later years. Homework was assigned in 76% of the programs, and 65% of the programs were graded. The primary instructors averaged 18.2 years of experience, and the majority were ABR/ABMP certified. Khan's textbook was the most prevalent resource for most subjects. No correlation could be made between teaching hours and ABR physics percentile scoring. The survey results reveal enormous differences in national teaching efforts.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1993

[Effects of iodized salt in the treatment of endemic goiter in school children in a rural environment in Cameroon].

The efficiency of iodized salt in Cameroon has been tested during 7 months in school children living in an endemic goitrous area. The salt contained 150 mg of iodine per kilogramme of salt when it left the production site. The regression rate of goiter was 84.0% and was not different from that obtained with a single oral administration of 240 mg of iodized oil to an age and sex matched population. Excretion of iodine in urine increased significantly (P < 0.05). Eight biochemical cases of thyroid dysfunction (7 cases of hypothyroidism and 1 case of hyperthyroidism) were observed. However these observations do not preclude the use of iodized salt in the prevention and the treatment of goiter in endemic areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1972

The role of mitochondria in modifying calcium-sensitive cytoplasmic metabolic activities. Modification of pyruvate kinase activity.

1. The modification of pyruvate kinase activity in vitro was examined by altering the environmental [Mg(2+)]/[Ca(2+)] ratio with EDTA on the one hand and isolated rat liver mitochondria on the other. 2. Controlled additions of Ca(2+) and EDTA caused pyruvate kinase activity to be alternately and rapidly switched on and off. 3. By being able to accumulate Ca(2+) in preference to Mg(2+) rat liver mitochondria were able to alter the [Mg(2+)]/[Ca(2+)] ratio in the vicinity of pyruvate kinase and thereby modify the activity of this enzyme. 4. The possible role of mitochondria in modifying pyruvate kinase and other ion-sensitive cytoplasmic enzyme activities is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in two Cameroonian villages: Simbok and Etoa.

In support of ongoing immunologic studies on immunity to Plasmodium falciparum, demographic, entomologic, parasitologic, and clinical studies were conducted in two Cameroonian villages located 3 km apart. Simbok (population = 907) has pools of water present year round that provide breeding sites for Anopheles gambiae, whereas Etoa (population = 485) has swampy areas that dry up annually in which A. funestus breed. Results showed that individuals in Simbok receive an estimated 1.9 and 1.2 infectious bites per night in the wet and dry season, respectively, whereas individuals in Etoa receive 2.4 and 0.4 infectious bites per night, respectively. Although transmission patterns differ, the rate of acquisition of immunity to malaria appears to be similar in both villages. A prevalence of 50-75% was found in children < 10 years old, variable levels in children 11-15 years old, and 31% in adults. Thus, as reported in other parts of Africa, individuals exposed to continuous transmission of P. falciparum slowly acquired significant, but not complete, immunity.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal health services--the developing world.

Women in developing nations run 100 to 200 times the risk of dying in pregnancy and childbirth compared to women in affluent countries. The vast majority of these deaths are preventable. We examine 3 models of health development for their potential impact on maternal mortality. Although universal primary maternal health care would be ideal, resource limitations render its implementation impractical in many regions. The nonavailability of transport and referral services limits the impact of community-based programs. Selective primary health interventions have some role, but more costly and complex services are required to deal with hemorrhage, the complications of illegal abortion and to provide operative deliveries. Public health workers should focus on intersectoral programs at the community level which mobilize women around health issues. Sustainable development has the greatest potential to produce lasting changes in the risks of childbearing.

Developing Countries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Resistant hypertension in Yaounde.

Sixty six consecutive patients with resistant hypertension were studied over a period of 12 months. During that same period 565 patients were seen in all for hypertension given an average prevalence of 11.7% of resistant hypertension. Men were more frequently affected, however mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were higher in women. Past history of poor compliance, overweight, renal impairment and cardiac abnormalities were important predictors of poor response to therapy. Resistance to therapy was not related to the class or the type of medication taken. Side effects were more numerous in the resistant group. Biochemically, apart from abnormal renal function tests, the other baseline tests were similar in both groups of resistant and non resistant hypertensives.

Adult↗