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Biomedical subjects

D Bernstein

Publications and source records attributed to D Bernstein.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Noradrenergic responses to clonidine in acute and remitted depressed male patients.

To investigate noradrenergic function in depression, plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), plasma norepinephrine (NE), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate responses to intravenous clonidine (2 micrograms/kg), an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, were measured in 27 acutely depressed patients, 18 remitted depressed patients, and 27 normal control subjects; a placebo infusion was administered to a subgroup. Clonidine compared with placebo, over a 150-minute time course, decreased plasma NE, MAP, and heart rate, but not plasma MHPG, in the control subjects. Plasma MHPG, plasma NE, MAP, and heart rate at baseline or in response to clonidine and placebo over 150 minutes did not indicate any group differences. The only significant plasma MHPG response to clonidine in the normal control subjects occurred 60 minutes after the infusion. A significantly diminished plasma MHPG response to clonidine at 60 minutes was found in the acutely depressed group compared with the normal control subjects. These results suggest that peripheral inhibitory noradrenergic responses to clonidine are normal in depressed patients, while plasma MHPG responses to clonidine, which have a limited central contribution, appear to be a weak reflection of central noradrenergic function and appear insufficiently robust for a meaningful evaluation of hypothetical group differences in central inhibitory alpha 2-adrenergic activity in this population.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Transcriptional regulation of left ventricular beta-adrenergic receptors during chronic hypoxia.

beta-Adrenergic receptor downregulation is the end result of cellular adaptation to prolonged agonist exposure. The factors mediating receptor downregulation include receptor phosphorylation, receptor movement from the plasma membrane to intracellular sites, and alterations in nascent receptor synthesis. We have previously demonstrated a downregulation of the left ventricular beta-receptor during chronic hypoxia in vivo. To determine the mechanism of this downregulation, we produced chronic hypoxia in seven newborn lambs by creating right ventricular outflow obstruction and an atrial septal defect. Oxygen saturation was reduced to 65-74% for 2 weeks. Six lambs served as normoxic controls. Sarcolemmal membrane and cytosolic fractions were prepared from left ventricular free wall samples. beta-Receptor density in each fraction was determined with the radioligand [125I]iodocyanopindolol. Steady-state levels of beta-receptor mRNA were determined by Northern blot analysis using a beta 1-adrenergic receptor cDNA probe. During chronic hypoxia, left ventricular membrane beta-adrenergic receptor density decreased by 55% (153 +/- 28 fmol/mg for hypoxic lambs versus 342 +/- 79 fmol/mg for control lambs, p < 0.05). There was no corresponding increase in beta-receptor density in the cytosolic fraction (23 +/- 3 fmol/mg for hypoxic lambs versus 33 +/- 9 fmol/mg for control lambs, p = NS), nor was there a significant change in the ratio of beta 1-receptor/beta 2-receptor subtypes as assessed by radioligand binding (beta 1 subtype, 84.1 +/- 10.1% for hypoxic lambs versus 93.2 +/- 8.8% for control lambs; p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Detection of antibodies in human sera to streptococcal groups A and C carbohydrates by a radioimmunoassay.

Human antibodies to streptococcal groups A and C carbohydrates were measured quantitatively with a radioimmunoassay using tyrosylated 125I carbohydrate. Analysis of acute and convalescent sera from people with groups A or C streptococcal pharyngeal infection or persistent carriage revealed a significant rise in antibodies. Inhibition reactions with the cold carbohydrate indicated the specificity of the elicited antibodies. In some instances, group C as well as group A antibodies occurred after group A pharyngeal infections. Further clinical and epidemiological studies are required to determine the significance of group-specific antibodies. Antistreptolysin-O (ASO) rises were observed in individuals with group C antibody responses after persistent group C pharyngeal carriage. For this reason, epidemiological surveys that rely primarily on ASO surveys to determine the incidence of group A streptococcal infections must be interpreted with caution, at least in the developing countries, where group C pharyngeal carriage is common.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1979

Is conception in infertile couples treatment-related? A survey of 309 pregnancies.

309 couples with infertility of 1 to 11 years duration in whom pregnancies occurred during examination or treatment were evaluated. The couples were classified into diagnostic groups according to the main cause of their infertility; anovulatory, mechanical, male, cervical, unexplained, combined. Pregnancies were divided into treatment-related and nontreatment-related. Analysis of results revealed that whereas in infertile patients with a defined cause of infertility, the treatment-related pregnancy rate was 73.1%, in the unexplained infertility group the incidence of treatment-related pregnancies was only 6.6%. We concluded that a meticulous fertility survey should be carried out in each infertile couple in order to detect a specific cause impeding fertility, but if such a cause cannot be found, reassuring of patients and decreasing their anxiety is more effective in inducing pregnancy than nonspecific therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Asherman's syndrome--a self-limiting disease?

Intrauterine adhesions (Asherman's syndrome) may follow curettage in a recently pregnant uterus. Treatment consisting of dilatation and curettage and possibly the insertion of an intrauterine device usually is started early. The success rate is high. Very few cases of spontaneous recurring menstruation have been reported, and none of them have been based on hysterosalpingographic evidence of adhesions. The pregnancy outcome is generally poor in those cases of assumed spontaneous resolution. We present a case of spontaneous restitution of a functional uterine cavity and normal menstruation following Asherman's syndrome. Subsequent pregnancy was uneventful. A short review of the literature is presented, and the possible self-limiting character of the disease is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

The value of urinary pregnanediol estimation for monitoring early pregnancies.

Urine samples from 76 pregnant women were tested for pregnanediol content during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnanediol was measured by gas chromatography in 24-hour urine samples obtained once weekly from 76 randomly selected pregnant women 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after the last menstrual period. Pregnancy was ascertained by a positive hemagglutination inhibition test for human chorionic gonadotropin. In patients in whom the urinary pregnanediol content was less than 3 mg/24 hours the abortion rate was 81.5%, and 18.5% had normal pregnancies and births In patients whose pregnanediol content was greater than 3 mg/24 hours the abortion rate was 8.3%, and 91.7% had normal pregnancies and births. The 24-hour urinary pregnanediol excretion rate reflects corpus luteum function and can be considered as a means of monitoring pregnancy in its initial stage.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1978

Effects of acute alcohol administration on reproductive endocrinology in the male rat.

The results of the current studies further document that acute alcohol administration markedly disrupts the function of the HPG in the male. Our results indicate that alcohol depresses serum testosterone levels and, thereby, produces clinical symptoms associated with hypoandrogenization. Moreover, our studies suggest that acute alcohol administration also affects the hypothalamic-pituitary axis by reducing serum LH levels--an effect that may represent the primary action of alcohol on the HPG.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Lateral ventral (spigelian) hernias in infants and children.

Lateral ventral hernias are found in the spigelian fascia lateral to the junction of the arcuate and semilunar lines and below the level of the umbilicus. Three cases are reported in infants and children. Diagnosis depends on finding an unusual mass on the anterior abdominal wall and palpation of the rim of the hernia defect upon reduction of the mass. A spigelian hernia may be misdiagnosed easily if the examiner is unaware that it can occur in childhood. The edge of the defect must be outlined while the child is straining, prior to induction of anesthesia, as the rim may be difficult to find when the patient is asleep.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1975

Use of radioimmunoassays to determine the concentration of streptococcal group-specific antibodies in rabbit antisera.

A radioimmunoassay was developed for the quantitation of antibodies to the Group A, A-variant, and C carbohydrates in rabbit streptococcal antisera. The assay employs radiolabeled purified Group carbohydrate which has been tyrosylated to allow for incorporation of 125-I. This assay has an advantage over the intitative precipitin test because it measures non-precipitating antibody in addition to precipitating antibody. Furthermore, 7S anti-IgG in rabbit antisera give a falsely elevated value for the antibody concentration in the quantitative precipitin test. This did not occur with the radioimmunoassay. The assay described is reproducible, sensitive, and uses little antisera.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1975

A radioactive hapten-binding assay for measuring antibodies to the pentapeptide determinant of peptidoglycan.

A major portion of the humoral immune response to peptidoglycans is directed against the non-cross-linked pentapeptide side chains of these ubiquitous bacterial antigens. At present, no specific and sensitive assay for pentapeptide antibody determination is available. Therefore, a radioimmunoassay has been developed which employs the synthetic pentapeptide hapten L-Ala-gamma-D-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala, labeled by the active ester method of Bolton and Hunter to high specific activities (6.74 to 18.18 muCi/mug) with 125I, and used as a reagent for measuring pentapeptide antibody. A-variant streptococcal antisera, known to contain pentapeptide antibodies as shown by quantitative precipitation, would bind more than 95% of the radiolabeled hapten in contrast to 2 to 3% by preimmune rabbit sera. Specificity of the binding reaction was demonstrated by inhibition experiments imploying various synthetic oligopeptides related or unrelated to the pentapeptide in the radioimmunoassay. Binding curves established with serial dilutions of peptidoglycan antiserum were linear from 15 to 500 mug/ml of antibody permitting pentapeptide antibody measurement within this range. Comparative data on pentapeptide antibody determinations by quantitative precipitation and radioimmunoassay are given and the time course of the production of this antibody in 14 rabbits hyperimmunized with A-variant streptococcal vaccine is reported.

Ammonium Sulfate↗
PubMed1975

Measurement of peptidoglycan antibodies by a radioimmunoassay.

Staphylococcus epidermidis peptidoglycans solubilized by sonication or lysozyme digestion, and synthetic peptidoglycan analogs such as HSA-carboxymethyl-Gly-L-Ala-L-Ala-D-Ala-D-Ala (HSA-pentapeptide) or L-Ala-gamma-D-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala (pentapeptide) have been labeled with 125I and tested for their applicability in the radioactive antigen binding assay. Use of radioiodinated Staph. epidermidis peptidoglycans was found to be considerably impeded by the presence of at least 2 different antigenic sites on such molecules, the pentapeptide and the glycan determinant. Application of labeled HSA-pentapeptide was limited by the necessity to use PEG for precipitation of Ag-Ab-complexes and by short linear potions of binding curves. However, the synthetic pentapeptide hapten, radioiodinated by the active ester method of BOLTON and HUNTER, proved to be a most useful regent for the selective measurement of pentapeptide antibody. Inhibition studies indicated that the immunological specificity of the labeled hapten was retained. Pentapeptide binding curves were linear from 15-500 g/ml of antibody. Generally, there was good agreement between pentapeptide antibody concentrations measured by radioimmunoassay and quantitative precipitation.

Antibodies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reifenstein's syndrome--a target cell failure.

The features of Reifenstein's Syndrome comprise hypospadias, microtestes, gynecomastia, azoospermia and elevated gonadotropins. The disease is inherited as either a male limited autosomal dominant or as a X-linked recessive trait and affects only genetic males. A case is reported suffering from this condition. Pituitary function was evaluated using the GnRH-test and appeared to be normal. Prolactin and testosterone values were in the normal range. The patient was a phenotype male and sexual function was satisfactory. Primary tubular failure resulting in hypergonadotropic hypogonadism was diagnosed. No other relatives were found to be affected. The syndrome seems to be due to relative insensitivity of Leydig cells to androgens.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rhinophyma in tuberous sclerosis.

Search of the literature thus far indicates no prior description of rhinophyma occuring in tuberous sclerosis. There have been numerous reports of the usual skin lesion, adenoma sebaceum, together with the associated manifestations of severe mental retardation and convulsive seizures. In a 27-year-old woman, full-blown, severely deforming rhinophyma had its onset one year prior to her hospital admission. The family, horrified by her appearance, desired surgical intervention. The report includes a review of the literature and a description of the patient and of the surgical technique employed. The question of the desirability and difficulty involved in skin grafting is discussed, as are the microscopic findings and postoperative course. Particular attention is directed toward differential diagnosis and associated findings.

Adult↗