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Biomedical subjects

R T Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to R T Wilson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Animal health and disease control in the Usangu Wetland of Southwestern Tanzania.

The Usangu Wetland in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania has always been a major livestock production area. This paper describes the physical and social enviroment of these Plains before presenting a short history of the veterinary services in the area. The main part of the paper examines, through historical records and interviews with livestock owners and administrative officials, the history of the major diseases affecting livestock.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Biodiversity of domestic livestock in the Republic of Yemen.

This paper describes the domestic livestock of the Republic of Yemen and aspires to complement earlier sources listing or partially describing 'breeds'. It attempts to cover all species and provide indications of production parameters through a literature review and via field observations made by the author in 1999. Information is provided on livestock numbers and the economic importance of animal production. Most animals are kept in sedentary mixed crop-livestock production systems; transhumant systems have the next greatest number of stock; with nomadic systems being of least and declining importance. Yemen's livestock appear to comprise at least 11 breeds of sheep, 5 breeds of goat, 2 breeds of cattle, 4 breeds of camel, 2 breeds of donkey and 1 breed of horse. There are no data on breeds of poultry but domestic fowl (where clearly considerable diversity exists) and pigeons are kept. There is little formal information on the history and relationships of most breeds. Some appear to be of ancient local origin, whereas others show affinities with those of neighbouring and other countries. None of the identified types is considered endangered, so conservation would be premature. A more formal and detailed genetic characterization, to add to the largely morphological and traditional classification, may, however, reveal such a need.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1999

Linked insurance-tumor registry database for health services research.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer screening and treatment data are often limited to restricted populations, including women older than 65 years old. The goal of this project was to develop procedures to link tumor registry and insurance claims databases on women younger than 65 years old with breast cancer and to assess the accuracy and validity of the linked dataset. METHODS: Iowa Cancer Registry (ICR) and Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Iowa (BC/BS) membership files of women with incident in situ or invasive breast cancer from 1989 to 1996 were linked. An automated deterministic match was followed with visual inspection from three independent reviewers applying a matching protocol. Matched and overall registry data were compared to assess population representativeness. Claims from BC/BS for incident cases during 1994 were examined for coding of a recent breast cancer diagnosis or treatment. RESULTS: The final dataset included 4,397 matched cases of patients aged 21 years and older from 1989 to 1996. The sociodemographic and tumor characteristics of the ICR population younger than 65 years old (n = 7,469) with breast cancer or carcinoma in situ were nearly identical with those of the matched patients younger than 65 years old (n = 3,449). Nearly all (96%) of the 445 matched incident cases in 1994 had claims data (CPT, DRG, or ICD-9 code) indicative of breast cancer. Treatment patterns varied by data source, with agreement ranging from 76% to 82%. CONCLUSIONS: The validity and generalizability of these data demonstrate their potential for further health services research among younger insured women with breast cancer. Additionally, the process outlined may be useful for developing other datasets to study other cancers in the population younger than 65 years old.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Trypanosomes, tsetse and trypanotolerance: coevolution in tropical Africa.

Trypanotolerance reaches varying degrees of stability in wild and domestic animals according to their co-evolutionary contacts with tsetse flies and trypanosomes. In this context, various mechanisms developed by wild and domestic Bovidae to cope with tsetse and trypanosome challenge are discussed.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1993

Identification and isolation of chlorhexidine digluconate impurities.

We report the identification of 11 impurities in variously stressed chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) solutions. The structural assignment of each CHG impurity involved tentative identification from HPLC-MS data followed by synthesis of the appropriate standard, isolation of the impurity from the CHG solution by flash chromatography, and comparison of HPLC-MS, HPLC-UV, and NMR data of the impurity with the standard. Six of the synthetic impurity standards represent new compounds. Degradation studies of CHG solutions systematically stressed by heat, light, and low pH are reported with identification and approximate quantification of resulting impurities. Degradation mechanisms were proposed for each set of stress conditions applied to CHG solutions. Parallels were noted between the way CHG degrades in the thermospray interface of the HPLC-MS and the way CHG degrades with shelf time. Similarities were noted in the synthetic starting materials of CHG and the final degradation products.

Acids↗
PubMed1988

Productivity of the small East African goat and its crosses with the Anglo-Nubian and the Alpine in Rwanda.

Data from a research station in the central African country of Rwanda relating to purebred Small East African (SEA) goats, Anglo-Nubian x SEA and Alpine x SEA goats were analysed. Both SEA (598 days) and Alpine crosses (557 days) were younger at first kidding than the Anglo-Nubian crosses (766 days). There were no differences among genotypes in kidding interval which averaged 343 days nor did they differ in litter size (1.75). Mortality to 150 days (17.8%) was significantly higher in the Anglo-Nubian crosses than in Alpine crosses with the SEA being intermediate and not differing from either. Birth weights of individual kids were significantly lighter for purebred SEA (2.35 kg) than for Anglo-Nubians (2.68 kg) which were significantly lighter than the Alpine crosses (2.89 kg). Total litter weight at 150 days was significantly lower for SEA (14.5 kg) than for Alpine (18.8 kg), the Anglo-Nubian (16.9 kg) not differing significantly from either. Female postpartum weights differed significantly among genotypes, SEA being lightest (37.5 kg), Alpine crosses (42.1 kg) intermediate and Anglo-Nubian crosses (51.4 kg) heaviest. Productivity indices (total weight of live young at 150 days per kg of dam per year) averaged 442 g and did not differ among genotypes.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Livestock production in central Mali: Reproductive performance and reproductive wastage in ruminants in the agro-pastoral system.

Results of a 7-yr field study and a 3-yr slaughterhouse study into reproductive performance and reproductive wastage of ruminants in central Mali are reported. Cattle had delayed age at first puberty (40), long calving intervals (644) and produced few young (3.02) per lifetime. Goats and sheep first conceived at about 11 mo, had shorter parturition intervals (298 and 280 d) but also produced few young (2.64 and 1.92) per lifetime. Conceptions showed a strong seasonality in cattle and mainly occurred during and shortly after the short rainy season. Seasonality was less marked in small ruminants, but most females conceived before the rains. However, maximum litter sizes were associated with late-rain and post-rain conceptions. Early embryonic wastage did not appear to be a major problem but abortions, stillbirths and heavy preweaning mortality were sources of loss of reproductive potential. Additionally at a secondary (government controlled) abattoir, 15.0 % of cows, 31.7 % of goats and 20.0 % of sheep that were slaughtered were found to be pregnant.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

Livestock production in central Mali: reproduction, growth and mortality of domestic fowl under traditional management.

In an 18-month study the domestic fowl in 42 households in three traditional management systems were recorded to determine reproduction, growth and mortality parameters. There were significant differences for all systems combined in the number of clutches started per month with the lowest number being laid in the cool dry season of January and February. Mean number of eggs per clutch was 8.8; the number of eggs increased significantly throughout the career of the hen but there were no significant systems differences. Egg weight was 34.4g there being no significant differences due to age of hen or system. Intervals between clutches were 92 days, annual egg output was 35 per hen (assuming that birds were present in the flock for a year) equivalent to about 118% of mean adult hen body weight: hens actually in the flocks during the study had produced 2.1 clutches on average. Hatchability of eggs was 69.1% there being significant seasonal and systems differences in this parameter, lowest hatchability being in the hot dry season (March to June) and in the rainfed millet system. Mortality rates to eight weeks were 56% of chicks hatched. Growth to 10 weeks averaged 4g/d. Mature cocks weighted 1.60 kg and mature hens 1.02 kg: hen weights were significantly affected by reproductive state, laying hens being heavier than both incubating hens and those rearing chicks, while those rearing chicks were heavier than those incubating. Suggestions for improving productivity are made.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1987

Livestock production in central Mali: factors influencing growth and liveweight in agro-pastoral cattle.

Data on weight and growth of indigenous African cattle under a traditional management system are reported. In semi-arid central Mali (14 degrees N, 6 degrees W) calf birth weight was 16.6 kg, growth rates to weaning at seven months averaged 185 grams per day. Cows did not reach mature weights (230 kg) until after five years of age and work oxen did not achieve a mature weight of 297 kg until after six years. Effects of season of birth were significant on growth throughout life but effects of year of birth only persisted for nine months. Parity of cow, season and year had significant influences on post-partum weight. Seasonal changes in weight were severe for both work oxen (87 to 107% of mean weight) and for cows (88 to 110%). Over a seven year study period the decline in mature weights of oxen was 4% per year equivalent to about 80 kg over the period. For cows the decline was proportionately less severe (2.7%) these animals averaging 40 kg less in 1984 than they did in 1978. The slow growth rates, low mature weights and reduction in adult size is considered to be due to chronic overstocking on already denuded feed resources and to a decline in rainfall over the period. Current research programmes aimed at finding solutions to these problems are outlined.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Milk production characteristics of the Kenana breed of Bos indicus cattle in Sudan.

Data were analyzed on the Kenana, a Bos indicus breed of cattle indigenous to northern Sudan. Cattle were kept at Um Banein in a hot dry tropical environment 13 degrees .04' latitude north at an altitude of 435 m. Analyzed were lactation yield (1597 kg), lactation length (264), calving interval (530), and annual lactation yield (1225 kg). Between 1966 and 1980 all these traits except lactation length were significantly affected by lactation number and year. None was significantly influenced by the season in which lactation started. Kenana have considerable potential in the Sudan environment as a dairy breed, but further selection and an open nucleus system of breeding to introduce additional genetic material is required to express this potential.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Livestock production in central Mali: ownership, management and productivity of poultry in the traditional sector.

A survey of small-scale poultry production in an urban and two agropastoral systems covered 381 households. Less detailed information was also obtained from a small sample in a transhumant pastoral system. More households owned poultry in the rice (89.5%) than in the millet (81.1%) or urban (57.1%) systems. Domestic fowl were commonest in all systems followed by pigeons, Guinea fowl and then ducks, although the last were absent from the millet zone. Most families kept only one species but there was more diversification in the rice system. Flock sizes were largest in the rice system for fowls, Guinea fowl and pigeons while duck flocks averaged more birds in the urban area. Females predominated in all species except pigeons where sex ratios were about equal. Management practices in relation to housing, feeding, health care and consumption and marketing are described. Productivity figures relating to egg production, egg size, hatchability, growth and mortality are provided.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1986

Superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. A study of seven cases in Memphis, Tennessee.

Superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, defined as carcinoma with invasion limited to the mucosa or submucosa regardless of the presence of lymph node metastasis, is being increasingly recognized. We found 7 cases (13%) of this entity among 54 cases of esophageal squamous cancer resected between 1981 and 1984 in Memphis, Tennessee. Three patients presented with dysphagia, 1 with odynophagia, and 3 with nonesophageal symptoms. Barium esophagram demonstrated the tumor in 2 cases. Endoscopically, four lesions were identified as tumor and three were attributed to inflammation. Two tumors were nodules, three were plaques, one was polypoid, and one was grossly inapparent. Two patients died without evidence of disease. One patient with lymph node metastasis died of disease at 17 mo. Four patients have survived from 16 to 52 mo after resection without evidence of disease. Timely diagnosis of this early form of esophageal neoplasia provides the opportunity for curative resection.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Early mortality of lambs in African traditional livestock production systems.

Early mortality of lambs is a major constraint on total productivity. In 6 different environments the early death rate varied from 12 to 30% of all lambs born. Cause of death differed among systems but only a proportion could definitely be ascribed to infectious disease: nutrition, management and other environmental factors also contribute to the mortality rate. Mortality can be reduced by isolating solutions due to any of these factors but best results (lowest death rates) would be obtained by an integrated package containing elements of all these aspects.

Africa↗
PubMed1983

Vaginal absorption of hexachlorophene during labor.

Surgical soap that contains hexachlorophene is used as an antiseptic lubricant for vaginal examinations during labor in some centers. Theoretically, hexachlorophene can be absorbed from the vaginal mucosa and be potentially toxic to the fetus and neonate. To evaluate vaginal absorption and placental transfer of hexachlorophene, we measured levels in mixed arterial/venous cord serum and postpartum maternal serum in 28 women whose vaginal examinations were lubricated with pHisoHex during labor. The serum of 12 women had detectable levels of hexachlorophene, with a high level of 942 ng/ml. Cord serum had detectable levels in nine neonates, with a high level of 617 ng/ml. The conclusion is that hexachlorophene from vaginal lubricants is variably absorbed from the vaginal mucosa, and appreciable amounts can be detected in maternal and cord serum. Because of the potential for neonatal hexachlorophene toxicity, we recommend the use of alternative lubricants for pelvic examinations during labor.

Absorption↗
PubMed1983

Studies on the livestock of Southern Darfur, Sudan. VII. A comparison of productivity indices for goats and sheep.

Data analysed by hand for earlier papers in this series have now been analysed by a least-squares method. Three production indices--liveweight of young weaned per breeding female, per kg of breeding female and per kg metabolic weight of female--are calculated. For different variables parity and type of birth had significant effects on one or more indices for goats while sex, parity and flock had significant effects for sheep. Goats in general had greater indices than sheep and the transhumant system was better than the sedentary but the effects were not significant for these variables.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1983

Livestock production in central Mali. The Macina wool sheep of the Niger inundation zone.

This paper gives a brief outline of the supposed origins, the known history and the distribution of the Macina sheep. A physical description of the breed is provided, population demography is discussed and traditional systems of management are described and explained. Productivity is assessed in two ways--from the results of a questionnaire survey of traditional owners and analyses of four years' data on a small flock owned by ILCA and managed as closely as possible on traditional lines.

Animal Husbandry↗