PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B J Goldberg

Publications and source records attributed to B J Goldberg.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Non-asthmatic respiratory symptomatology.

Because of the common nature of asthma and the attention this disease has been given in recent years, it is important to consider the possibility of other disorders that may present in a similar manner to asthma. Failure to consider alternative diagnoses often leads to inappropriate treatment with medications such as systemic corticosteroids that result in untoward morbidity. This review will discuss several diseases originating not only in the tracheobronchial tree but also in extrapulmonary sites, such as the gastrointestinal tract, that may be mistakenly diagnosed as asthma. Newly described entities such as irritant vocal cord dysfunction and exercise-induced hyperventilation syndrome are discussed in this article, as is new information pertaining to well-established diseases such as Churg-Strauss syndrome and sarcoidosis.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Effects of histamine on alpha adrenergic receptor expression on the lymphocytes of normal and asthmatic subjects.

Low levels of [3H]-dihydroergocryptine (DHE) (alpha adrenergic receptor) binding to peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes from asthmatic subjects were significantly increased following incubation with histamine. In contrast, [3H]-DHE binding was undetectable both before and after histamine incubation using cells from nonasthmatic subjects. The change in binding showed a biphasic dose dependence on histamine and was not associated with changes in DHA (beta-2 receptor) or yohimbine (alpha-2 receptor) binding. The induction of alpha adrenergic receptors by the ubiquitous inflammatory mediator histamine may help explain the alpha adrenergic hyperresponsiveness seen in asthmatic patients.

Asthma↗

Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow: results of medial epicondylectomy.

Retrospective analysis of 48 medial epicondylectomy procedures in 46 patients demonstrated that symptomatic and objective improvement was usual. Most patients experienced improvement of symptoms (98%) and moving two-point discrimination (87%), and many demonstrated improved motor strength (54%). By use of the McGowan scheme for grading ulnar neuropathy, 92% of the patients with grade I neuropathy had a return to normal function. Subdividing patients with grade II neuropathy into grade IIA and IIB on the basis of the extent of motor compromise was useful in predicting postoperative outcome. Forty-five percent of the patients with grade IIA neuropathy had a return to normal ulnar nerve function and only 11% (one patient) in the IIB group had a full recovery. In the group with grade III neuropathy, one patient had improvement to grade II level and the other five remained grade III. No patient in this study demonstrated deterioration of his McGown grade. Medial epicondylectomy is a safe and predictable procedure for the treatment of symptomatic cubital tunnel syndrome.

Adult↗

A method for the preparation of mononuclear cells devoid of platelet contamination and its application to the evaluation of putative alpha-receptors in normal and asthmatic subjects.

Receptor studies of human mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs) are complicated by the presence of contaminating platelets which have common receptors. A method was devised to produce MNLs free of platelets (less than 1%) and consists of sequential Ficoll-Hypaque gradients, a BSA gradient and a washing step. Lack of platelet contamination was confirmed by the following criteria: (a) microscopic evaluation using fluorescent dyes showed less than 1% platelets; (b) PGE1 stimulation of the leukocyte membrane adenylate cyclase required addition of exogenous GTP while the platelet cyclase did not; (c) immunoblots of the cells and membranes using antibodies strongly reactive against platelet membranes showed no reactivity against MNL membranes; (d) [3H]yohimbine showed no binding in MNL membranes under conditions where substantial binding to platelets was detected. MNLs were viable as judged by dye exclusion. PHA stimulation of lymphocytes was unimpaired. Plasma membranes of MNLs were prepared by brief sonication and fractionation on a sucrose step gradient. Binding studies using 3H-DHE, an alpha-receptor ligand, revealed no binding in MNLs from normal subjects (n = 6). By contrast, studies on cells from subjects with mild asthma with medication appropriately withheld (n = 8) showed low levels of binding (60-300 fmol/10(6) cells). The subtype and functionality of the putative alpha-receptors are being further evaluated.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Systemic anaphylaxis due to an oxidation product of p-phenylenediamine in a hair dye.

An anaphylactic reaction to a hair dye is reported. Skin testing with the dye and its individual components demonstrated a wheal and flare response to an oxidation product of p-phenylenediamine. This product is N'N'-bis-(4-aminophenyl)-2,5-diamino-1,4-quinonediimine. Passive transfer of this sensitivity by the patient's serum to a normal control implicated an IgE-mediated reaction.

Anaphylaxis↗

Receptor-specific threshold effects of cyclic AMP are involved in the regulation of enzyme release and superoxide production from human neutrophils.

We have investigated the sequence of events leading from the activation of adenylate cyclase and increases in intracellular cyclic AMP to the modulation of enzyme release and superoxide production in human neutrophils. In the isolated plasma membrane, adenylate cyclase is activated by both prostaglandin E1 and isoproterenol. In the whole cell only a small increase in cyclic AMP is observed, though in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, methylisobutylxanthine a substantial amplification in intracellular cyclic AMP is observed with both isoproterenol and prostaglandin E1. These conditions are relevant to the regulation of cell function, since fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated superoxide production is inhibited by either prostaglandin E1 or isoproterenol in the absence of methylisobutylxanthine, while enzyme release is inhibited only via the prostaglandin E1 receptor and then only in the presence of methylisobutylxanthine. For enzyme release and superoxide production, the order of potency for three prostaglandins tested was prostaglandin E1 greater than prostaglandin D2 much greater than prostaglandin F2 alpha. Our results suggest that (a) superoxide production is more sensitive to regulation by cyclic AMP than enzyme release, (b) the type of receptor occupied as well as the threshold level of cyclic AMP attained are important to the regulation of enzyme release, and (c) although elevation in cyclic AMP is inhibitory to neutrophil function, phosphodiesterase inhibition is required in addition to adenylate cyclase activation to effect maximal inhibition.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Arthroscopic transglenoid suture capsulolabral repairs: preliminary results.

The arthroscopic transglenoid suture technique was performed on 38 shoulders for anterior capsulolabral repair or reconstruction. The primary complaint was instability in 34 shoulders (89%) and pain in 4 shoulders (11%). In the instability subgroup, 3 (9%) experienced instability in their sleep, 17 (50%) with activities of daily living, and 14 (41%) with athletic activities. Arthroscopic examination revealed labral detachment in 35 shoulders (92%) with additional capsular abnormalities noted in 17 (45%). The remaining 3 shoulders (8%) demonstrated capsular laxity and thinning without labral detachment. Twenty-nine shoulders had complete relief of instability. There were no redislocations. Four shoulders (10%) had recurrence of instability. Twenty shoulders (53%) obtained full range of motion, 15 (39%) had minor (< 10 degrees) loss of external rotation, 2 (5%) experienced greater (> 10 degrees) loss of external rotation, and 1 improved over a restricted preoperative range of motion. Fifteen of the 20 competitive athletes and 11 of the 15 recreational athletes returned to the same level and same type of athletic activity. Five patients did not resume their preinjury athletics because of unrelated life-style changes; they reported no shoulder problems. Four patients significantly reduced their athletic participation because of postoperative instability or residual pain. In conclusion, relief of apprehension, reestablishment of shoulder stability and return to athletic activity, including contact and throwing activities, can be achieved safely and effectively in appropriately selected patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗