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Biomedical subjects

B Berkowitz

Publications and source records attributed to B Berkowitz.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

19F NMR quantitation of lens aldose reductase activity using 3-deoxy-3-fluoro-D-glucose.

In the present study we have determined the kinetics of 3-deoxy-3-fluoro-D-glucose (3-FG) as a substrate for the aldose reductase reaction in vitro. In addition, we compared the 3-deoxy-3-fluoro-sorbitol (3-FS) production rates from 3-FG in the intact lens using 19F NMR with conventional aldose reductase determinations in extracts from the same lenses. The affinity of in vitro aldose reductase for 3-FG was approximately 20 times greater (9.3 mM) than that for glucose (188 mM). An excellent correlation between the rate of 3-FS production in the intact canine lens, determined with 19F NMR, and extracted aldose reductase activity was observed. The relatively high affinity of aldose reductase for 3-FG and the correlation of 3-FS production with enzyme activity in the intact lens suggests that 3-FS production from 3-FG detected by 19F NMR could provide an accurate noninvasive determination of aldose reductase activity in the eye lens.

Aldehyde Reductase↗
PubMed1989

Nail changes associated with scleroderma: a case report.

A case report and literature review on the association of nail changes and scleroderma was presented. The exact etiology of these nail changes seen in scleroderma and of the disease entity itself, has not yet been determined. The current treatment regimen, which is at best supportive, was discussed. Proper treatment of the nail changes depends on a good understanding of what to expect as the disease or condition progresses to its later stages. The extent and severity of the onychodystrophy can be correlated with the duration of the disease. Nonetheless, there are still questions that remain to be answered regarding the nail changes associated with scleroderma. For example, are these nail changes the result of Raynaud's phenomenon and its associated arterial insufficiency, or are they a normal sequelae of the integumentary degeneration so characteristic of scleroderma? Whatever the answer may be, it should be recognized that these changes are a source of clinical concern. Practitioners should take note of this clinical entity and record their findings so that these perplexing questions, as well as many others, may be discussed in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Hypnotic treatment of smoking: the single-treatment method revisited.

The authors replicated Spiegel's single-treatment method by treating 40 self-referred patients in a one-hour hypnosis session for smoking. Their results, a 6-month total abstinence rate of about 25%, were comparable with Spiegel's experience. They recommend future studies that include nontreatment control groups to validate the effects of the hypnotic treatment method of smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

The effect of guanethidine and hydrochlorothiazide on blood pressure and vascular tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

The present study examined the effects of antihypertensive drugs (hydrochlorothiazide and guanethidine) on blood pressure and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg/kg X 4 days) lowered blood pressure in the SHR to a degree equivalent to that produced by reserpine (0.3 mg/kg X 3 days). However, while reserpine increased vascular and adrenal TH activity, hydrochlorothiazide had no effect. Guanethidine (30 mg/kg X 2 days) reduced blood pressure in the SHR and also depleted cardiac, vascular and adrenal gland catecholamines; However, guanethidine administration did not increase TH activity in the mesenteric vasculature or adrenal glands. These studies indicate that at equieffective blood pressure lowering doses, different antihypertensive drugs have different effects on TH activity in the SHR. Neither blood pressure reduction nor catecholamine depletion in peripheral tissues are sufficient prerequisties for increasing TH activity. The data support the suggestion, however, that amine depletion in the central nervous system or ganglia may be an important factor in the regulation of TH.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1972

Evidence for active immunity to morphine in mice.

The serum from mice actively immunized with a morphine immunogen contained antibodies that could bind dihydromorphine. Morphine effects were diminished in these "immunized" mice, and the concentration of morphine in their plasma was altered.

Analgesia↗