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Biomedical subjects

B Becker

Publications and source records attributed to B Becker.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Home humidifier thermophilic actinomycete isolates.

Twenty-seven thermophilic actinomycete isolates obtained from humidification systems or living-bedroom areas of individuals with suspected but unproved home environment-related respiratory disease were characterized morphologically and biochemically. All isolates were demonstrated to be members of the Thermoactinomyces genus. Two previously misidentified isolates were reclassified as a Thermoacetinomyces sp. Thus, all of our thermophilic actinomycete humidifier isolates studied to date have been identified as either Thermoactinomyces vulgaris or Thermoactinomyces sp. Large numbers of unidentified thermotolerant bacteria have also been isolated from virtually all residual humidifier water samples and their possible role in production of "humidifier-associated" respiratory disease is unknown.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed1976

Differential sensitivity at the cellular level in primary open-angle glaucoma: prednisolone and ouabain.

The concentration of drug necessary to inhibit lymphocyte transformation by 50 per cent (I50 value) was determined for the glucocorticoid prednisolone-21-phosphate, and for the sodium-potassium adenosinetriphosphatase inhibitor ouabain, in 37 persons representing the full range of ocular and cellular glucocorticoid sensitivity. The lymphocytes of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, and of high ocular responders to glucocorticoids, were more sensitive to prednisolone-21-phosphate than were those of ocular low and intermediate responders. By contrast, there was no significant difference in sensitivity to ouabain. There was also no significant correlation of lymphocyte sensitivity to prednisolone-21-phosphate with that to ouabain. These results provide indirect evidence that the increased cellular sensitivity to glucocorticoids in primary open-angle glaucoma is a specific effect, and not merely representative of a general vulnerability of "sick cells."

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Comparison of ocular prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors.

A comparative study was carried out of the inhibitory effect of 14 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds, administered topically, on the intraocular pressure and aqueous humor protein elevation induced by arachidonic acid in rabbits. The most effective agents were flurbiprofen solution and suspensions of indoxole (polysorbate-dispersed), meclofenamic acid, indomethacin, and clonixin.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Quenching curves: solutions by second-order polynomial regression.

This paper describes an inexpensive practical approach for the automated computation of quench corrections in beta-scintillation experiments, using a table-top calculator. This approach applies a second-order fit, ax2 + bx + c = y, where x is the channel A/B ratio for known quench standards and y describes efficiency. There is excellent agreement between measured values and the polynomial expression for most experimental A/B ratios.

Electronic Data Processing↗
PubMed1976

Pilocarpine ocular inserts.

Pilocarpine was administered to a selected group of ocular hypertensive subjects in the form of a synthetic biosoluble matrix inserted into the conjunctival cul-de-sac. Satisfactory lowering of the intraocular pressure resulted, with a minimum of subject intolerance. The decreased pressure response was significant in some cases for greater than 24 hours. Drug delivery by soluble inserts offers promise as a convenient and effective mode of therapy.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1975

The reproducibility of the intraocular pressure response to dexamethasone.

The reproducibility of the intraocular pressure response to topical dexamethasone was investigated in 162 persons previously classified as low (NN), intermediate (NG), or high (GG) responders. The concordance of first and second test results was 71% for NN, 74% for NG, and 79% for GG responders, exceeding chance significantly for the NG and GG categories. Quantitative assessment revealed significant correlation of final pressure achieved on first and second tests (r equals .747, P LESS THAN .001). In the course of the study applications of dexamethasone to one eye were noted to have no effect on the intraocular pressure in the contralateral untreated eye, nor did testing of one eye influence the response of the contralateral eye in simultaneous bilateral testing. Using our data to estimate the reproducibility of topical testing in a general population, a value of 73% was obtained. That value was similar to the 65% concordance reported in an identical twin study, suggesting that the limited precision of topical testing accounts for the relatively low concordance found in that study.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1975

Comparison of in vitro corticosteroid response in pigmentary glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma.

We used an in vitro assay utilizing corticosteroids to inhibit transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes to evaluate a group of 20 patients with pigmentary glaucoma. The pigmentary glaucoma patient group did not manifest the markedly increased cellular sensitivity to corticosteroids associated with primary open-angle glaucoma. If increased sensitivity to corticosteroids plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma, then pigmentary glaucoma appears to be etiologically, as well as clinically, a separate entity.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

In vitro determination of relative corticosteroid potency.

The corticosteroid concentration required to inhibit phytohemagglutinin stimulated human lymphocyte transformation by 50% was determined for three corticosteroids. The relative potency of hydrocortisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone determined in 16 patients was 1.00, 2.43, and 24.7 respectively. This assay is proposed as an objective tool for comparison of relative corticosteroid potency in man.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1975

Modification by imidazoles of ocular inflammatory and pressure responses.

Imidazole, given intraperitoneally to rabbits, inhibited the prostaglandin E1-induced (PGE1) elevation of intraocular pressure. The maximum imidaz-le effect occurred at three to six hours after intraperitoneal infection. The prostaglandin E1-induced aqueous humor protein elevation was reduced markedly in the imidazole-pretreated rabbits. Intravenous administration of imidazole also was effective in reducing the intraocular pressure elevation produced by prostaglandin E1. Imidazole pretreatment by subconjunctival, subdermal, or topical routes had no such effect. Imidazole derivatives, 1-methylimidazole and 2-methylimidazole, given intraperitoneally, blocked the effect of PGE1 on intraocular pressure and aqueous humor protein. Imidazole pretreatment also inhibited the elevation of intraocular pressure produced by topical nitrogen mustard, 1 per cent.

Administration, Topical↗