Biomedical subjects

Boris Perelman

Publications and source records attributed to Boris Perelman.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Blocking low-wavelength light prevents nocturnal melatonin suppression with no adverse effect on performance during simulated shift work.

Decreases in melatonin production in human and animals are known to be caused by environmental lighting, especially short-wavelength lighting (between 470 and 525 nm). We investigated the novel hypothesis that the use of goggles with selective exclusion of all wavelengths less than 530 nm could prevent the suppression of melatonin in bright-light conditions during a simulated shift-work experiment. Salivary melatonin levels were measured under dim (<5 lux), bright (800 lux), and filtered (800 lux) light at hourly intervals between 2000 and 0800 h in 11 healthy young males and eight females (mean age, 24.7 +/- 4.6 yr). The measurements were performed during three nonconsecutive nights over a 2-wk period. Subjective sleepiness was measured by self-report scales, whereas objective performance was assessed with the Continuous Performance Test. All subjects demonstrated preserved melatonin levels in filtered light similar to their dim-light secretion profile. Unfiltered bright light drastically suppressed melatonin production. Normalization of endogenous melatonin production while wearing goggles did not impair measures of performance, subjective sleepiness, or alertness.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Acupuncture increases nocturnal melatonin secretion and reduces insomnia and anxiety: a preliminary report.

The response to acupuncture of 18 anxious adult subjects who complained of insomnia was assessed in an open prepost clinical trial study. Five weeks of acupuncture treatment was associated with a significant (p = 0.002) nocturnal increase in endogenous melatonin secretion (as measured in urine) and significant improvements in polysomnographic measures of sleep onset latency (p = 0.003), arousal index (p = 0.001), total sleep time (p = 0.001), and sleep efficiency (p = 0.002). Significant reductions in state (p = 0.049) and trait (p = 0.004) anxiety scores were also found. These objective findings are consistent with clinical reports of acupuncture's relaxant effects. Acupuncture treatment may be of value for some categories of anxious patients with insomnia.

Acupuncture↗

PubMed2003

Activated charcoal forms non-IgE binding complexes with peanut proteins.

BACKGROUND: Conventional management of peanut-induced anaphylaxis is composed of administration of epinephrine, antihistamine, and steroid and stabilization of airway, ventilatory, and circulatory function. Therapies directed toward slowing or preventing further absorption of peanut protein from the gastrointestinal tract after accidental ingestion have not been a routine part of management. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of activated charcoal to complex with peanut protein, thereby preventing its binding to either peanut-specific IgE or peanut-specific IgG. METHODS: Peanut protein was coincubated with micronized activated charcoal suspension at pH 3.5 or 7.4. Peanut protein complexed with charcoal was removed by centrifugation. Binding of residual peanut protein to peanut-specific IgG was measured by a sandwich ELISA assay. Also, ability of uncomplexed peanut protein to bind to peanut-specific IgE was determined by Western blot and by skin prick testing in subjects with peanut allergy. RESULTS: Activated charcoal (AC) formed complexes with peanut protein, effectively competing for binding with peanut-specific IgG in a sandwich ELISA assay. AC complexed efficiently with peanut protein at both neutral and acidic pH in as little as 60 seconds. AC was also able to remove IgE-binding peanut allergens from solution as determined by Western blot and by skin prick testing in subjects with peanut allergy. A ratio of 200 mg of AC to 1 mg peanut protein was required for complete removal of peanut protein from solution. AC was able to complex with peanut protein within food matrices such as ice cream and chocolate. CONCLUSION: The data presented herein show that AC removes both IgE-binding and IgG-binding peanut proteins from solution rapidly at both neutral and acidic pH. These data suggest that administration of AC may be useful as an adjunct to slow or to prevent further absorption of peanut protein from the gastrointestinal tract after accidental ingestion by individuals with peanut allergy.

Charcoal↗

PubMed2003

Presence of undeclared peanut protein in chocolate bars imported from Europe.

Peanut allergens are both stable and potent and are capable of inducing anaphylactic reactions at low concentrations. Consequently, the consumption of peanuts remains the most common cause of food-induced anaphylactic death. Since accidental exposure to peanuts is a common cause of potentially fatal anaphylaxis in peanut-allergic individuals, we tested for the presence of peanut protein in chocolate bars produced in Europe and North America that did not list peanuts as an ingredient. Ninety-two chocolate bars, of which 32 were manufactured in North America and 60 were imported from Europe, were tested by the Veratox assay. None of the 32 North American chocolate products, including 19 with precautionary labeling, contained detectable peanut protein. In contrast, 30.8% of products from western Europe without precautionary labeling contained detectable levels of peanut protein. Sixty-two percent of products from eastern Europe without precautionary labeling contained detectable peanut protein at levels of up to 245 ppm. The absence of precautionary labeling and the absence of the declaration of "peanut" as an ingredient in chocolate bars made in eastern and central Europe were not found to guarantee that these products were actually free of contaminating peanut protein. In contrast, North American manufacturers have attained a consistent level of safety and reliability for peanut-allergic consumers.

Arachis↗