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Biomedical subjects

G Mola

Publications and source records attributed to G Mola.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Rarity of JC virus DNA sequences and early proteins in human gliomas and medulloblastomas: the controversial role of JC virus in human neurooncogenesis.

JC virus (JCV), the agent of progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML), exerts an oncogenic effect in several laboratory animal models. Moreover, JCV genomic DNA and early viral protein T-antigen have been detected in various types of human central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms. To further explore this association we have studied paraffin-embedded brain biopsy tissue from 60 neoplasms (55 gliomas and five medulloblastomas) and 15 reactive gliosis cases for the presence of JCV DNA sequences and proteins. Four post mortem cases of HIV-associated PML were used as positive controls. Samples were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of early (large T antigen) and late (virion protein 3) sequences and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with both PAb 2024 and anti-SV40 large T antigen monoclonal antibodies. Five cases (three neoplasms and two reactive gliosis instances) showed low viral DNA levels when PCR-tested for VP3 or large T, while no case was immunoreactive for any of the two antibodies used. The four PML cases yielded positive results with both PCR and IHC. Additionally, IHC with both antibodies was applied to a tissue micro-array including 109 CNS tumours and 21 reactive gliosis samples. No immunoreactivity was detected in any of these tissue micro-array samples. The rarity of JCV DNA sequences and early proteins in our brain tumours enriches the controversy over the role of JCV in human neurooncogenesis, whose clarification is in need of further molecular and epidemiologic studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Anaemia and perinatal outcome in Port Moresby.

In 1987, a computerized obstetric database was set up at the Port Moresby General Hospital. Between 1987 and 1992, 27,117 births took place. The mean haemoglobin value amongst the 83% of women in whom a haemoglobin value was tested was 10.0 +/- 1.7 g/dL. High stillbirth rates (94 per 1,000) were associated with a haemoglobin value < 6 g/dL. The stillbirth rate was slightly lower (14 per 1,000) in woman whose lowest haemoglobin value was in the range 10.0-10.9 g/dL than in those with a haemoglobin value > or = 11 g/dL (18 per 1,000). The stillbirth rate was increased in women with haemoglobin values > or = 14.0 g/dL. With respect to low birth-weight (< 2,500 g), the rates were also higher when the haemoglobin value was above 14.0 g/dL. The reason for these findings is not apparent and may be due to the impact of an uncharacterized confounding variable rather than the haemoglobin value.

Anemia↗
PubMed1997

A survey of under-18 year old and 20-29 year old primigravidae delivered at the Port Moresby General Hospital: a comparative study of their sociodemographic and sexuality characteristics and contraceptive knowledge and experience.

From July 1992 to August 1993, 330 under-18 year old primigravidae (cases) and 330 randomly selected 20-29 year old primigravidae (controls) who were delivered at the Port Moresby General Hospital were sequentially studied, using a standardized, pretested, precoded questionnaire. In stepwise logistic regression analysis, significantly more of the cases had menarche at less than 15 years of age, learned before menarche that sex causes pregnancy, were of highland origin, were unemployed, or had partners who were unemployed; significantly fewer of the cases thought that one sexual act could cause pregnancy, had knowledge of or had ever used a family planning method, or had planned this pregnancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Simplified care of women with prolonged or persistent retention of the placenta: the use of paracervical block.

Thirty patients with prolonged or persistent retention of the placenta were randomized to either paracervical block or intravenous cocktail of pethidine and diazepam. When paracervical block worked, the analgesia produced was better than that usually achieved with intravenous cocktail of pethidine and diazepam. From a cost-benefit point of view paracervical block is preferable to intravenous cocktail. No significant side-effects occurred during the trial.

Analgesia, Obstetrical↗
PubMed1996

Sclerosing stromal tumour of the ovary.

Two cases of sclerosing stromal tumour of the ovary in young Melanesian females are described and the differential diagnosis is discussed. Sclerosing stromal tumour of the ovary is a rare benign tumour of ovarian stromal origin which is associated with endocrine activity in a few cases. One of the patients presented with signs of precocious puberty and the tumour in this patient was considered as a functioning lesion.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

HIV infections in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Thirteen women were discovered to be positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection during pregnancy at the Port Moresby General Hospital from 1988 to 1995; of these, eight were diagnosed in the first half of 1995. Risk testing for HIV status is unlikely to discover more than 20% of HIV-positive antenatal patients because risk factors target intravenous drug users and the sexual behaviour of men. Pregnancy does not seem to have a major impact on the progress of HIV disease, but could be detrimental particularly in the later stages of the disease. Especially in developing countries, where HIV-positive patients are more likely to be of poor nutritional status and burdened with a number of other infections, there is a higher risk of preterm labour, small-for-dates babies and chorioamnionitis in pregnancy. The risk of vertical transmission is increased when viral loads are high, the general maternal condition is poor and delivery is preterm. Rates in Papua New Guinea appear to be following the higher rates which have been reported from Africa. Gynaecological conditions found in association with HIV infection, including pelvic inflammatory disease, vulvovaginal candidiasis and cervical neoplasia, may be resistant to treatment and tend to recur. Contraception for HIV-positive women may be more important to them than prevention of viral transmission; Depo-Provera and tubal ligation have special benefits in this regard. HIV infection in association with psychiatric disturbance might be an indication for termination of pregnancy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Gestational diabetes in Papua New Guinea.

Pacific populations have some of the highest prevalences for diabetes in the world. Whilst universal screening for diabetes in pregnancy does yield the best pick-up rate it is not economically feasible in developing countries. Traditional risk factors have increasingly been shown to miss most gestational diabetes, particularly in populations for whom family history is unknown and obstetrical history not recorded. This study shows genetic origin to be a potent marker for gestational diabetes in a Pacific Island population. It is recommended that in Port Moresby 'at-risk ethnicity' (urban Motuan or Marshall Lagoon origin) be added to the list of indications for antenatal glucose tolerance testing in Papua New Guinean women.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed1990

Augmentation of labour by a standard protocol in Papua New Guinea.

A study to investigate a policy of routine augmentation of dystocic labour by standard protocol encompassing definitions of delay in the first and second stages, dosage and administration of oxytocin, specific contra-indications and monitoring progress of augmented labour. During the 5 months of the study 3,261 women were confined at Port Moresby General Hospital. In 329 of these labour was augmented by a standard regime. Amongst the 161 primigravidae thus augmented there were 8 (5%) caesarean sections and 34 (21.1%) assisted deliveries. Of the 166 multigravidae augmented there were 4 (2.4%) caesarean sections and 20 (12.1%) assisted deliveries. These figures can be compared against a total caesarean rate of 2.4% and an assisted delivery rate of 3% in 1988. Analysis of case controls did not show a significant difference in perinatal outcome for those who were augmented. We conclude that a standard management protocol for augmentation of labour in all cases of delay in the first and second stages of labour, excluding those with specific contra-indications is safe and substantiates further the ascertion that active management of labour is a reasonable alternative to caesarean section for dystocia.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1989

Maternal death in Papua New Guinea, 1984-1986.

The life-time risk of maternal death in the developing world is about 500 times that for women in developed countries. This disparity is wider than for any other public health statistic. The causes of 304 maternal deaths occurring in the period 1984-1986 are reported; this most likely represents only 10% of the total occurring in Papua New Guinea. The maternal mortality rate is estimated at 7/1000 for the period. Figures for Simbu Province are given in more detail than are available for other parts of Papua New Guinea.

Female↗
PubMed1985

Maternal health services and maternal mortality in Papua New Guinea.

Surveys of maternal mortality rates in rural areas of Papua New Guinea over the past thirty years report 2-18 deaths per 1000 live births. The national maternal mortality register commenced in 1970 and reports rates of 2-7/1000 deaths for urban areas and 7-20/1000 deaths for rural areas. However, less than a quarter of maternal deaths are believed to be reported to the register: most of the unreported deaths are unsupervised confinements. Nevertheless obstetrical causes now account for 20% of total admissions to hospital and health centres in Papua New Guinea, and are the commonest causes of admission. The great majority of obstetrical admissions come from urban and periurban areas. Most rural women continue to confine at home where only a small fraction of maternal deaths are reported. It is as yet unclear whether modern health services have made any impact on rural maternal mortality rates. A plea is made for more complete reporting of maternal deaths to the national register of both supervised and unsupervised confinements.

Female↗
PubMed1982

Epidemiology of gynaecological and female breast neoplasms in Papua New Guinea.

The incidences of gynaecological and female breast neoplasms in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and in various other developing and developed countries for the period 1958 - 1980 are analysed and compared. In PNG gynaecological and breast carcinomas constituted 24.5 and 9% respectively of all neoplasms registered in females. The commonest gynaecological neoplasms registered were cervical carcinoma (62%) followed by carcinoma of the ovary (20.3%), carcinoma of corpus uteri (6.5%), carcinoma of the vulva (5%), choriocarcinoma (4.7%) and carcinoma of the vagina (1.2%). The mean annual incidence rates for carcinoma of the cervix was 3/100,000, for carcinoma of the ovary 1/100,000 and for carcinoma of the corpus uteri 0.32/100,000 females respectively; for carcinoma of the breast it was 1.26/100,000. The mean age of patients with these neoplasms was less than in developed countries and in most developing countries. Possible reasons for the low incidence rates are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

A retrospective study of matched symphysiotomies and caesarian sections at Port Moresby General Hospital.

The caesarian section rate at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) is 26.7/1000 and the symphysiotomy rate 2.5/1000 deliveries respectively. 40% of the caesarian sections are for cephalopelvic disproportion and in 50% of these cases the diagnosis is made late in labour; it is this group that is compared with the symphysiotomy group. The morbidities of each group are similar, 64% and 62% respectively. The maternal mortality rate in the caesarian section group was 11.6/1000 and the perinatal mortality 160/1000. There were no maternal deaths in the symphysiotomy group and the perinatal mortality rate was 82/1000. It is recommended that symphysiotomy should be more widely accepted as a safe alternative to caesarian section from both the maternal and foetal point of view.

Adult↗