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Biomedical subjects

V Levy

Publications and source records attributed to V Levy.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Paclitaxel (Taxol) in relapsed and refractory ovarian cancer: the UK and Eire experience.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel in patients with relapsed or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer in the context of a large multicentre study performed in the UK and Eire. Patients with previously treated epithelial carcinoma of the ovary or fallopian tube who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were entered in the study. Eligibility criteria included: measurable or evaluable disease; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2; up to three prior chemotherapy regimens, one of which had to contain a platinum agent; adequate haematological, renal and hepatic function; and no significant cardiac history. Patients received either 175 mg m-2 or 135 mg m-2 paclitaxel. The lower dose was administered to patients who had received more than two prior chemotherapy regimens. Paclitaxel was given by i.v. infusion over 3 h every 21 days. Response was assessed at three-cycle intervals or earlier if required. A total of 155 patients were registered for the study in the UK of whom 140 were eligible for response and toxicity evaluation, and 12 patients were assessed for toxicity only. Hair loss was the most frequently reported toxicity, with 74% (119/152) of patients reporting grade 3 alopecia. The most frequently reported serious toxicity was neutropenia, with 49% (74/152) of patients experiencing neutropenia grade 3 or 4. The response rate was 16% [two complete responders (CR), 20 partial responders (PR)], the median duration of response was 275 days and median survival was 244 days. Paclitaxel is active in relapsed and platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer. It is well tolerated and can be given in an out-patient setting. The UK and Eire experience is very similar to that of US investigators in this group of patients. Further work is required to assess the optimal use of the drug in both first- and second-line therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Ganglioneuroma of the mediastinum. Apropos of a case].

The authors report a case of a large ganglioneurinoma located in the mediastinum. The clinical course of this rare benign neurogenic tumour of the posterior mediastinum includes a low risk of medullary compression. The treatment is surgical resection.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Interleukin-2 therapy for refractory and relapsing lymphomas.

Recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) has been reported to be active in metastatic renal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. The purpose of this trial was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of rIL-2 administered in continuous infusion in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). 21 patients with HD (4 patients), diffuse large-cell NHL (7) or low-grade NHL (10) in failure or relapse after multiple-conventional treatments were included in this trial. rIL-2 therapy consisted of an induction period of two cycles separated by 3 weeks of rest, and, in the absence of progressive disease or undue toxicity, a maintenance period of 4 monthly cycles. Each induction cycle comprised the continuous infusion of rIL-2: 18 x 10(6) IU/m2 per day on days 1-5 and days 12-16. Each maintenance cycle comprised the continuous infusion of rIL-2: 18 x 10(6) IU/m2 per day on days 1-5. Among the 21 treated patients, 5 (all of those with low-grade NHL) responded to the induction phase (1 complete response, 4 partial responses) and 2 patients had a mixed response. Conversely, no response was observed in patients with HD or large-cell NHL. The median duration of response was 4 months. rIL-2 administered as a continuous infusion was well tolerated and most patients received the full dosage, and management did not require intensive care. During the induction period, 2 patients experienced grade III cardiovascular or renal toxicity. During the maintenance period, rIL-2 had to be interrupted in 1 patient because of a myocardial infarction. This trial confirms the inefficacy of rIL-2 for the treatment of large-cell NHL and HD. Conversely, in low-grade NHL, rIL-2 activity needs to be explored by further studies. rIL-2 may have a place in the early phase of the disease, when the immune system is not compromised, as an adjuvant treatment in residual disease in order to improve the duration of response.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

"What upsets me most about AIDS is ...": a survey of children and adolescents.

While AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes have been studied in different populations, little attention has been given to emotional reactions to the epidemic or to the validity of frequently employed forced-choice questionnaires. Spontaneous emotional reactions to the AIDS crisis were assessed in 441 fifth, seventh, and tenth graders from one school district. Students responded to one open-ended question, "What upsets me most about AIDS is...." Loglinear analysis revealed grade as a significant variable: fifth graders were most upset by AIDS' lethality, while tenth graders felt helpless. Cognitive and emotional factors were postulated to account for these differences. Students who correctly responded to knowledge-related, open-ended questions were likely to correctly answer comparable forced-choice questions. AIDS education strategies that consider grade-specific anxieties are suggested.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

A novel monoclonal antibody, 1B3.1, binds to a new epitope of the VLA-1 molecule.

A monoclonal antibody, 1B3.1, was raised against a cloned IL-2-dependent T cell line that expresses the T gamma delta T cell receptor. MoAb 1B3.1 reacted with long-term cultured T cell lines of both T gamma delta and T alpha beta lineage, and with in vivo-stimulated T cells, derived from synovial fluid, but not with resting or short-term activated T cells, B cells, or macrophages. Immunoprecipitation of the 1B3.1 target antigens showed that 1B3.1 recognizes a 200/110 kDa molecule that is identical to the VLA-1 heterodimer precipitated by MoAb TS2/7. 1B3.1, however, binds to an epitope of VLA-1 that is distinct from the TS2/7 binding site. This new MoAb could be useful in further studies of the functions of VLA-1, and of the cells that express this molecule.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1988

Survival time in gunshot and stab wound victims.

Forensic pathologists are often asked to estimate postinjury survival time and to render an opinion on the probable extent of physical activity following fatal injury. To study this question, the case files of the Dade County Medical Examiner's Office were reviewed. The year 1983 was chosen arbitrarily for this study and all the autopsy reports of gunshot or stab wound victims whose survival period satisfied criteria established for this study were reviewed. The data were compared to those from a similar study done in 1961. In addition, this study noted the presence and influence of drugs or alcohol on the cause of death and the postinjury survival time.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The maternity blues in post-partum and post-operative women.

In order to establish whether the maternity blues is peculiar to the puerperium a self-rating blues questionnaire was administered to women after childbirth and after surgery. A period of dysphoria, similar in many respects to the maternity blues, was experienced by women post-operatively. The main difference between maternity and post-operative patterns of dysphoria seemed to lie in the timing of the blues, but on closer analysis many post-operative dysphoric symptoms peaked in a similar way to those in the maternity group. In the search for the cause of the maternity blues it may be helpful to study the same parameters in post-operative dysphoria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Seasonal fertility cycles in rural Egypt: behavioral and biological linkages.

The annual birth cycle in rural Egypt peaks in December and has two distinguishable minima in June and September. This pattern bears a striking inverse resemblance to the seasonal movements of employment and wages. Infant and child mortality and marriage also display stable, though different seasonal patterns. The paper explores whether the correlation between labor demand, mortality events and fertility reflect some causal behavioral relationship. It is shown that the probability of a birth is lower in months with high opportunity cost of time. Direct replacement is a significant phenomenon in rural Egypt and it occurs fairly quickly.

Birth Rate↗
PubMed1981

[Evaluation of a long-acting neuroleptic: penfluridol. Clinical and psychosocial evolution at a year follow-up].

Twenty schizophrenic patients were treated for a year with long term neuroleptic Penfluridol to test its antipsychotic and re-socializing effect. They underwent a clinical follow up and an evaluation of psychosocial aspects was also performed by a psychiatric social worker. Their social behaviour and reinsertion to work and family were studied by the use of specially designed scales. Clinical improvement and significant changes in all of the studied aspects of social behaviour were observed after a year of treatment. Also a reduction of treatment abandonment and of frequency of relapse through family handling was detected. Finally a number of preliminary observations on family structure and dynamics as well as changes determined on it by the treatment of the psychotic patient are summarized.

Adolescent↗