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Biomedical subjects

S Sall

Publications and source records attributed to S Sall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Oxamniquine cures Schistosoma mansoni infection in a focus in which cure rates with praziquantel are unusually low.

An outbreak of Schistosoma mansoni in northern Senegal was observed in 1988, and chemotherapy with praziquantel in this recently established focus resulted in very low parasitologic cure rates. Among other explanations, the emergence of a praziquantel-tolerant parasite strain was feared. To study this hypothesis further, 138 persons with endemic S. mansoni infection were randomly allocated to treatment with either 20 mg/kg oxamniquine or 40 mg/kg praziquantel. Parasitologic cure rates at 6 weeks were significantly higher in the oxamniquine group (79%) compared with those in the praziquantel group (36%; P = .0043). The reduction in egg counts was generally good, but 12% less reduced in the praziquantel group. These results confirm that cure rates with praziquantel were abnormally low, whereas oxamniquine performed satisfactorily, as in other areas in which S. mansoni is endemic. The possibility of a praziquantel-tolerant S. mansoni strain must therefore be studied carefully.

Adolescent↗

A comparison of medroxyprogesterone serum concentrations by the oral or intramuscular route in patients with persistent or recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

A randomized study, comparing serum medroxyprogesterone concentrations by the oral and intramuscular routes, was performed on 22 patients with persistent or recurrent endometrial adenocarcinoma by six institutions of the Gynecologic Oncology Group. The oral group (11 patients) received cutaneous Provera (medroxyprogesterone), 50 mg three times a day, and the intramuscular group (11 patients) received 300 mg of Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone) weekly for at least 2 months. Serum levels were evaluated at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours after administration and every day for the first week and weekly thereafter for 8 weeks. The mean serum levels (nanograms per milliliter) of medroxyprogesterone in the oral group were consistently higher than the corresponding mean levels of the intramuscular group. In addition, from the first through eighth weeks, the measurements (medians) for the oral group were statistically higher than those for the intramuscular group. Although the study indicates a significant increase in serum levels achieved by the oral route, the follow-up period of patients under study is too early to evaluate its clinical effectiveness as compared to the intramuscular route.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Surgical treatment of stages IB and IIA invasive carcinoma of the cervix by radical abdominal hysterectomy.

From 1963 to 1977, 349 radical abdominal hysterectomies with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed for Stage IB (331 patients) and Stage IIA (18 patients) cervical cancer at the New York Medical College, with no operative deaths. Definitive diagnosis was obtained from the biopsy specimen in 281 patients. Twenty-nine patients were pregnant when the diagnosis was established. The average operating time was 4 hours and 48 minutes with an average blood loss of 900 ml. Eleven fistulas were noted: ureterovaginal, 7; vesicovaginal, 3; rectovaginal, 1. Since 1972, there have been no fistulas in 130 radical hysterectomies. Metastatic carcinoma of the regional lymph nodes was discovered in 27 patients for an incidence of 7.7%. Postoperative total pelvic external irradiation was utilized in 40 patients (27 with positive nodes, 10 with microscopic carcinoma in vascular channels, and an additional three patients with an inadequate vaginal extirpation margin). A total of 62% of those patients with poor prognostic criteria receiving postoperative irradiation are alive and well. Two hundred nineteen patients have been followed up for at least 5 years and the survival rate was 90%. Our data support the view that radical abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with Stages IB and IIA cervical cancer in the nonpregnant state, unless there are major medical contraindications.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Metastasis to the vagina from carcinoma of the breast.

Carcinoma of the breast, metastatic to the ovary, is encountered frequently. The potential routes of dissemination include transcoelomic spread, lymphatic spread and vascular (arterial or venous) transportation. A case report of vaginal metastasis secondary to bilateral breast carcinoma is cited and the potential mechanisms for dissemination described.

Breast↗

Androstenedione metabolism in patients with endometrial cancer.

The plasma concentration of androstenedione and the instantaneous conversion of androstenedione to estrone was increased in patients with endometrial cancer as compared to postmenopausal control subjects. Moreover, the per cent of estrone derived from androstenedione was increased in the cancer group.

Androstenedione↗

Improvement of faculty teaching performance in a department of obstetrics and gynecology by student evaluation.

The primary purpose of a faculty evaluation program is to upgrade the over-all quality of teaching and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the individual teacher. Effective medical educators can thereby be suitably identified by objective and subjective criteria. Improvement of faculty teaching performance enhances student learning and can improve recruitment into our discipline.

Education, Medical↗

Testosterone metabolism in endometrial cancer.

Plasma testosterone (PCT), metabolic clearance (MCRT), and production rates (PRT) of testosterone and conversion ratio of testosterone to androstenedione (CRppTA) were performed on 11 patients with endometrial cancer and on a control group of five postmenopausal women. The PCT, MCRT, and PRT of patients with endometrial cancer are in the normal postmenopausal range. The conversion of testosterone to androstenedione in patients with endometrial cancer was significantly decreased.

Aged↗

The pill and the breast.

Estrogen and progesterone, although of a synthetic type in contraceptive pills, play a major role in the development, growth and function of the breasts. There is no statistically valid evidence to indicate that the widespread use of estrogens for contraceptive purposes and for the menopausal syndrome has increased the incidence of benign, premalignant or malignant breast lesions. However, if a cancer is present in a woman's breast, estrogen can increase its rate of growth. Furthermore, while the effect of exogenous estrogen administration to the population as a whole may be null, there may be a subgroup in which their use may have different effects, with a possible increase in breast cancer incidence in nulliparous or late parous women and a decrease in those with early parity. Patients with a dominant lump, suspicious diagnostic aid changes, serous, serosanguineous, bloody or watery nipple discharge or other adverse breast changes should not receive exogenous estrogens unless the lesion is found to be completely benign on biopsy. Even then, patients with gross cystic disease will continue to have these changes as long as estrogens are administered, and so they should avoid the use of estrogens. Patients in the high rist group for developing breast cancer should be cautioned about the potential dangers of the use of estrogens, whether in birth control pills or in other preparations for the menopause, and if they use them, these patients should be followed carefully by breast self-examinations, periodic examinations by physicians and diagnostic aids. Finally, serious consideration should be given to the inclusion of estriol in all estrogen preparations for its impeding or blocking effect against the potential carcinogenic properties of estradiol and estrone and to the addition of progesterone for its estrogen-antagonistic effect.

Contraceptives, Oral↗