Albert Schweitzer Hospital

About: Albert Schweitzer Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in Lambaréné, Gabon. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Plasmodium falciparum. The organization has 1029 authors who have published 1568 publications receiving 43581 citations.

Phase I randomized dose-ascending placebo-controlled trials of ferroquine - a candidate anti-malarial drug - in adults with asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection

Abstract: Background: The development and spread of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains is a major concern and novel anti-malarial drugs are, therefore, needed. Ferroquine is a ferrocenic derivative of chloroquine with proven anti-malarial activity against chloroquine-resistant and -sensitive P. falciparum laboratory strains. Methods: Adult young male aged 18 to 45 years, asymptomatic carriers of P. falciparum, were included in twodose escalation, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase I trials, a single dose study and a multiple dose study aiming to evaluate oral doses of ferroquine from 400 to 1,600 mg. Results: Overall, 54/66 patients (40 and 26 treated in the single and multiple dose studies, respectively) experienced at least one adverse event, 15 were under placebo. Adverse events were mainly gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain (16), diarrhoea (5), nausea (13), and vomiting (9), but also headache (11), and dizziness (5). A few patients had slightly elevated liver parameters (10/66) including two patients under placebo. Moderate changes in QTc and morphological changes in T waves were observed in the course of the study. However, no adverse cardiac effects with clinical relevance were observed. Conclusions: These phase I trials showed that clinically, ferroquine was generally well-tolerated up to 1,600 mg as single dose and up to 800 mg as repeated dose in asymptomatic young male with P. falciparum infection. Further clinical development of ferroquine, either alone or in combination with another anti-malarial, is highly warranted and currently underway.

Site-independent prognostic value of chromosome 9q loss in primary gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Abstract: Although the significance of tumour site for estimating malignant potential in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) has recently been recognized, site-specific genetic patterns have not to date been defined. This study examined 52 c-kit-positive primary GISTs (with a mean follow-up of 42.3 months in 51 cases) from three different locations (35 gastric, 12 small intestinal, and five colorectal) using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). In general, tumour site correlated with key prognostic factors, including tumour size, mitotic rate, proliferative activity, and probable malignant potential. Furthermore, several DNA copy number changes showed a site-dependent pattern. These included losses at 14q (gastric 83%, intestinal 35%; p = 0.001), losses at 22q (gastric 46%, intestinal 82%; p = 0.02), losses at 1p (gastric 23%, intestinal 88%; p = 1 × 10−5), losses at 15q (gastric 14%, intestinal 59%; p = 0.002), losses at 9q (gastric 14%, intestinal 53%; p = 0.006), and gains at 5p (gastric 11%, intestinal 53%; p = 0.002). These data demonstrate strong site-dependent genetic heterogeneity in GISTs that may form a basis for subclassification. Prognostic evaluation of DNA copy number changes identified losses at 9q as a site-independent prognostic marker associated with shorter disease-free survival (p = 0.03) and overall survival (p = 0.002). Furthermore, 9q loss also appeared to carry prognostic value in predicting overall survival for patients with advanced or progressive GISTs (p = 0.003). Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Gallstone formation after weight loss following gastric banding in morbidly obese Dutch patients.

Abstract: Background: Obesity is a risk factor for the development of gallstones. Rapid weight loss may be an even stronger risk factor. We retrospectively assessed the prevalence and risk factors of gallstone formation after adjustable gastric banding (AGB) in a Dutch population. Methods: All patients who underwent AGB between Jan 1992 and Dec 2000 for morbid obesity were invited to take part in this study. Transabdominal ultrasonography of the gallbladder was performed in those patients without a prior history of cholecystectomy (Group A). Additionally, 45 morbidly obese patients underwent ultrasonography of the gallbladder before weight reduction surgery (Group B). Results: 120 patients were enrolled in the study (Group A). Prior history of cholecystectomy was present in 21 patients: 16 before and 5 after AGB. Ultrasonography was performed in 98 patients: gallstones were present in 26 (26.5%). On multivariate analysis, neither preoperative weight, nor maximum weight loss, nor the interval between operation and the postoperative ultrasonography were determinants of the risk for developing gallstone disease. Prevalence of gallstones was significantly lower in the morbidly obese patients who had not yet undergone weight reduction surgery (Group B). Conclusions: Rapid weight loss induced by AGB, is an important risk factor for the development of gallstones. No additional determinants were found. Every morbidly obese patient undergoing bariatric surgery must be considered at risk for developing gallstone disease.