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Biomedical subjects

George Youngberg

Publications and source records attributed to George Youngberg.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia as a manifestation of AIDS: case report and literature review.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a disease of the small airways characterized by intraluminal polyps of myxoid connective tissue. Although various infectious and non-infectious agents have been implicated as possible precipitants of BOOP, the concomitant occurrence of BOOP with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has rarely been described. We describe a unique case in which BOOP was a presenting feature in a patient with newly diagnosed AIDS, and we review the literature of BOOP occurring in the setting of HIV infection.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Intestinal spirochetosis: a poorly understood infection causing chronic diarrhea.

A young man with chronic diarrhea for many years underwent extensive evaluation. Finally, based on multiple colonic mucosal biopsies from near-normal appearing mucosa, the cause was elucidated to be spirochetosis. This is an enigmatic condition where the spirochetes seem to attach to the epithelial lining of the small and large bowel, without significant underlying inflammation. Because of this reason, there is controversy whether it is a true diarrheal pathogen. Suggested treatments are discussed.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Regulation of eosinophil-active cytokine production from human cord blood-derived mast cells.

Human mast cells are multifunctional tissue-dwelling cells that play a crucial role in eosinophil-dependent disorders, such as asthma and parasitic diseases, by the secretion of eosinophil-active mediators. Mast cell-derived cytokines, generated in response to cross-linking of the high-affinity IgE receptor, can regulate eosinophil activation, survival, and chemotaxis. In this study, mast cells generated from human cord blood progenitors (stem cells) were studied for eosinophil-active inflammatory cytokine expression. Cord blood-derived mast cells (CBDMC) expressed typical intracellular scroll granules and microvilli-like structures on their cell surfaces, demonstrated the presence of tryptase, and elaborated prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) after cross-linkage of the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRI). CBDMC expressed tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and the eosinophil-active growth factors, interleukin-5 (IL-5) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) after activation. (IL-1beta greatly enhanced IgE-dependent production of these cytokines in response to FcepsilonRI cross-linkage, suggesting a role for bystander/phagocytic cells in modulating mast cell function. In contrast, interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) inhibited IL-5 and GM-CSF generation, and the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (Dex), inhibited production of IL-5 and GM-CSF from CBDMC. A macrophage-mast cell-eosinophil axis may exist in vivo that may be susceptible to pharmacologic manipulation.

Cells, Cultured↗

Urticaria and urticarial vasculitis.

Urticaria and urticarial vasculitis may be triggered by allergens, infection, autoimmunity and other immunological conditions. Careful evaluation, skin biopsy and specific laboratory tests can assist in diagnosis. The appropriate use of antihistamines, glucocorticoids, and other immunomodulators are discussed.

Angioedema↗