Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Doyle

Publications and source records attributed to M Doyle.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Phase I trial of recombinant interleukin-2 and recombinant beta-interferon in refractory neoplastic diseases.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and beta-interferon (beta-IFN) are cytokines with profound immunobiological effects on T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell activity; IL-2 also induces lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell cytotoxicity in humans. Both lymphokines induce antineoplastic activity against several refractory tumors. This Phase I study of 50 patients assessed the toxicities, maximally tolerated dose (MTD), effects on certain immune effector cells, pharmacokinetics of IL-2, and development of antibodies to the combination of subcutaneously administered IL-2 and intravenously administered beta-IFN. Fever was common. Indomethacin reduced the incidence and severity of fever and was necessary to prevent it from becoming dose-limiting. Hypotension occurred but never required pressors or produced complications. Constitutional symptoms, local skin toxicity at the site of IL-2 injection, generalized desquamation, eosinophilia, nausea, and vomiting were also observed. One patient had reversible renal dysfunction. Two patients experienced drug-related dyspnea without evidence of capillary leak syndrome; neither required intubation. Fluid retention and cardiotoxicity were not observed. The MTD was 5 x 10(6) U/m2 s.c. of IL-2 and 2 x 10(6) U/m2 i.v. of beta-IFN when given in combination. Enhancement of in vivo NK cell cytotoxicity and proliferation of T4+, T8+, and NK cells occurred. In vivo induction of LAK cell cytotoxicity was observed in three patients. Four patients developed nonneutralizing anti-IL-2 IgG antibodies, but none developed antibodies to beta-IFN. Peak IL-2 serum levels typically occurred 4 h following drug administration. Serum levels were within a factor of 3 of the peak level in the period studied, 1-6 h postinjection. No complete responses occurred. One patient with rectal cancer and one with transitional cell carcinoma each had a partial response, and 13 other patients (5 with renal cell, 4 with colorectal, and 4 other cancers) had stable disease. Induction of NK cell cytotoxicity was seen more commonly in patients with stable disease than in those with progressive disease. Combined administration of these agents is feasible with acceptable toxicity, and Phase II trials are warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Skin porphyrin and photosensitivity in the porphyric rat.

Skin porphyrin assays and photobiological studies in normal and porphyric rats suggest that in the latter, skin photosensitivity to 400 nm radiation is associated with raised uroporphyrin and 7-carboxylic porphyrin in the skin.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fetal and neonatal cerebral oxygen monitoring with NIRS: theory and practice.

Near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) is a comparatively new method for monitoring the oxygenation in blood and tissue in the brain of the fetus and the neonate. Absorption of light in the wavelength range 700-1000 nm through such tissue is measured, which is then used to calculate changes in the concentration of cerebral oxygenated and de-oxygenated haemoglobin (HbO2 and Hb) and hence cerebral blood volume (CBV). Studies carried out on several groups of newborn babies have shown clear changes in HbO, Hb and CBV with hypoxia and bradycardia. These changes may well have implications in the occurrence of hypoxic/ischaemic brain injury. Intra partum NIR measurements on the fetal brain have demonstrated clear changes in HbO2, Hb and CBVm, coinciding with the onset of contractions.

Brain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nurses' perceptions of their health educator role.

A questionnaire was designed to describe and understand the role of the registered nurse in patient teaching as perceived by nurses. The questionnaire was distributed to 1355 nurses working in an acute care tertiary teaching hospital. The data indicated most nurses expressed strong agreement with the majority of items relating to their skill and educational preparation to teach patients. Selected questions relating to the nurse's role as a patient educator showed nurses viewed their patient education role as satisfying and expected by their patients. Needs relating to their patient education role included: additional time to teach patients, more educational materials, peer feedback regarding teaching effectiveness, and sufficient medical information. Additionally, the majority of nurses perceived that patients did not have sufficient knowledge to care for themselves after leaving the hospital and that too much information about their condition was withheld from them. Summary scales showed significant differences in area of work and position with the nurse's perception of the health educator role.

Clinical Competence↗