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Biomedical subjects

J Boyce

Publications and source records attributed to J Boyce.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Barely auditable?

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Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

A paramedic based emergency domiciliary obstetric service: the South Glamorgan experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential benefits of using extended trained ambulance personnel (paramedics) as primary responders for domiciliary obstetric and gynecological emergencies. DESIGN: An observational study of performance and analysis of operational data in a newly established service. SETTING: A mixed urban and rural population served by South Glamorgan Health Authority. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Work load, response times, management and transfer of patients, efficiency of communications and appropriateness of training. RESULTS: There was an initial increase in requests above that when a hospital-based service operated. Targets for response times were met. The mean response time for providing appropriate skilled help was halved compared with the previous arrangements and a safe and efficient service was provided. Prompt transport and advance notice and preparation for reception in the delivery unit contributed to optimal management. Medical staff depletion in the delivery unit was minimised. CONCLUSION: An Emergency Domiciliary Obstetric Service based on primary response by specially trained ambulance service paramedics can beneficially replace traditional hospital-based Obstetric Flying Squads.

Allied Health Personnel↗

North of the border.

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Community Health Nursing↗

Laparoscopic excision of ovarian neoplasms subsequently found to be malignant.

One hundred fifty-six members and candidate members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists responded to a survey concerning the "laparoscopic management of ovarian neoplasms subsequently found to be malignant." Twenty-nine responders (19%) reported a total of 42 cases of ovarian malignancy. The laparoscopic procedure was aborted or the cyst was aspirated in 38% of the cases, and partial or complete excisions were attempted in 33 and 29%, respectively. The characteristics of the masses were as follows: less than 8 cm 67%, cystic 62%, unilocular 48%, and unilateral 81%. All four "benign" characteristics were present in 31% of the cases found to be malignant, and three of four characteristics were present in 24%. Laparotomy was performed at the time of laparoscopy in 17% of cases, after laparoscopy in 71% with an average interval of 4.8 weeks, and not at all in 12%. Fifty-seven percent of the cases were invasive epithelial malignancies, whereas 29% were tumors of low malignant potential. At least 50% of the patients had stages II-IV. We conclude that attempted laparoscopic excisions of adnexal masses that are subsequently found to be malignant are not uncommon, and that the presence of so-called "benign" characteristics does not preclude malignancy. Attempts at partial or complete excision are common, as are delays in subsequent definitive surgery. The stage of disease is often advanced, and all histologic types of malignancy are encountered. We advocate careful evaluation of this practice, with development of strict guidelines to ensure optimal patient care.

Female↗

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and cervical neoplasia.

To determine the relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and cervical neoplasia, the characteristics of invasive and preinvasive cervical disease in 114 patients of known HIV status were assessed. Seven of thirty-seven patients (19%) under age 50 with invasive cervical carcinoma were HIV-positive, including a 16-year-old with stage IIIB disease. HIV-positive patients had more advanced invasive cancer than HIV-negative patients. Disease persisted or recurred in all HIV-positive patients compared to 37% of HIV-negative patients. In HIV-positive patients, the median times to recurrence and death were 1 and 10 months, respectively. No HIV-positive patient had HIV-related symptoms. The mean T4:T8 cell ratio in HIV-positive patients was 0.49, compared to 1.86 in HIV-negative patients. The mean T4 cell count was 362/mm3 in HIV-positive and 775/mm3 in HIV-negative patients. Colposcopic evaluations of the lower genital tract of 77 patients with abnormal smears revealed higher-grade cytology and histology in 25 HIV-positive than in 52 HIV-negative patients. HIV-positive patients had significantly more multifocal/extensive lesions, multisite involvement, perianal involvement, evidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and associated gynecologic infections than HIV-negative patients. In areas at high risk for HIV infection, we must anticipate a high prevalence of HIV seropositivity in women with invasive cervical cancer. In the HIV-infected, cervical cancer is of advanced stage and responds poorly to therapy. Intraepithelial neoplasia in HIV-positive patients may be of higher grade than in HIV-negative patients, with more extensive involvement of the lower genital tract.

Adolescent↗

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of uterine cervix stage IB. Long-term follow-up, histochemical and immunohistochemical study.

Twelve women with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the cervix uteri were followed for 2-15 years after diagnosis. Three patients died within 14 months. All had lymph node metastases and/or vascular involvement and exhibited tumor invasion to a depth of 1.2-3.2 cm. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is defined as a tumor with the appearance of squamous cell carcinoma without any glandular pattern and with demonstrable intracellular mucin. The mucin is best demonstrated by alcian blue and periodic acid-Schiff-diastase. In 265 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, stage IB, lymph node metastases were present in 14%. In the cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, the prevalence of nodal metastases was 33%. Because mucoepidermoid carcinomas appear to be more aggressive lesions than squamous cell carcinomas are, it may be advisable to stain all cervical squamous carcinomas for mucin if they demonstrate finely vacuolated cytoplasm and lack peripheral palisading. Immunohistochemical studies for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), keratin, and epithelial membrane antigen were positive in all tumors to varying degrees. The detection of CEA may be of additional help in establishing a diagnosis.

Adult↗

Value of squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels in invasive cervical carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen (Ag) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 64 patients with invasive squamous cell cervical carcinoma and 9 patients with nonsquamous carcinoma before the initiation of treatment. The mean antigen level in the squamous group was 10.5 ng/ml compared with 1.3 ng/ml in the nonsquamous group. In the patients with squamous cell carcinoma, mean SCC Ag level correlated well with stage, except for bulky stage IB tumors (P less than 0.05), where mean level was much higher than expected. Patients with exophytic tumors had significantly higher SCC Ag levels than those with nonexophytic tumors. Follow-up on 62 evaluable patients ranged from 20 to 40 months. The mean pretreatment SCC Ag level for patients free of disease at last contact was 5.6 ng/ml, in contrast to 16.1 ng/ml for those with recurrent disease. Only 32% of patients free of disease had pretreatment levels of 4.0 ng/ml or greater, while 86% of those with recurrent disease had such values (P less than 0.05). Forty patients had follow-up samples drawn 1 to 14 months after treatment. Mean post-treatment SCC Ag levels dropped to 1.8 ng/ml in 21 patients free of disease (73% decrease), but remained elevated at 13.4 ng/ml (17% decrease) in 19 patients with recurrences. The specificity of follow-up SCC Ag levels as a predictive test for outcome was 90%, with a sensitivity of 63%. We conclude that pretreatment SCC Ag levels correlate well with tumor stage, lesion morphology, and extent of disease. SCC antigen levels may be used to follow patients to determine effectiveness of treatment.

Adult↗