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Biomedical subjects

R R Berger

Publications and source records attributed to R R Berger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Estrogen modulates HNF-3beta mRNA levels in the developing chick oviduct.

Steroid hormones are involved in many physiological processes, including tissue-specific gene expression, homeostasis, and development. The chick oviduct represents an excellent system in which to study many of these events, as it is highly steroid responsive. Here, we report the cloning of chick HNF-3beta from an oviduct cDNA library and its expression pattern in adult tissues and in the developing oviduct in response to estrogen treatment. Overall, cHNF-3beta was expressed at high levels in the immature chick oviduct and lung and, to a lesser extent, in the liver, kidney, and muscle. This expression pattern is divergent from that of mammalian HNF-3beta, which is not expressed in kidney or muscle. Furthermore, several lengths of cHNF-3beta mRNA transcripts were detected that were expressed tissue specifically. Interestingly, cHNF-3beta mRNA levels were differentially influenced by estrogen as a result of a post-transcriptional effect on the cHNF-3beta message in some tissues. Finally, a role for cHNF-3beta is proposed in the estrogen-stimulated differentiation and development of the oviduct, as cHNF-3beta mRNA expression is induced in the early stages of oviduct development and declines as the animal becomes sexually mature.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Suspected ciliary block associated with Viscoat use.

Ciliary block or malignant glaucoma is thought to be caused by the misdirection of aqueous into the vitreous. It is refractory to medical treatment and often requires vitreous aspiration. We present a case of ciliary block glaucoma caused by sodium chondroitin sulfate-sodium hyaluronate (Viscoat) gaining access to the vitreous through an unsuspected, small zonular dialysis. Vitrectomy performed through a peripheral iridectomy resolved this severe condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A winged-helix family member is involved in a steroid hormone-triggered regulatory circuit.

A common theme emerging in eukaryotic gene regulation is that maximal gene induction requires several transcription factors acting in concert to regulate the activation of critical genes. Increasingly, nuclear receptors play key roles in orchestrating this regulation, often by integrating additional signaling pathways, through complex regulatory elements known as hormone response units. The ovalbumin gene contains one such unit, known as the steroid-dependent regulatory element. The binding of the chicken ovalbumin induced regulatory protein-I (Chirp-I) to this element occurs only in response to treatment with estrogen and glucocorticoid. Evidence presented herein demonstrates that Chirp-I has many features in common with the winged-helix (W-H) family of transcription factors. The binding sites for Chirp-I and for the W-H proteins have similar sequence recognition requirements. Northern blots establish that members of the W-H family are expressed in oviduct. Most convincing, the Chirp-I complex interacts with two different antibodies specific to W-H family members. The culmination of this work supports the hypothesis that Chirp-I is a member of the W-H family, and it lends credence to the idea that W-H proteins are essential components of some steroid hormone regulatory circuits.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Diffuse corneal pigmentation--a new sign in neurofibromatosis].

Neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant disease affecting many organs. It is known for the characteristic pigmented skin spots and various neurofibromas. We present a 79-year old man who underwent elective cataract extraction. The surgery was complicated by the presence of diffuse, deep, intracorneal pigmentation. To our knowledge, this sign has not as yet been described in neurofibromatosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Eye trauma in southern Africa].

The population of southern Africa living in South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique is 50 million. Because of intertribal hostility, the particular family structure, and the widespread use of alcohol and cannabinoid drugs, violence is very common. Trauma results mainly from "cold" weapons, which are an essential part of the traditional accoutrements of the African male. 202 patients (31.86% of those who underwent eye surgery in 2 years) needed surgery for severe ocular trauma in Mbabane, Swaziland. In a similar period, 100 patients (19.49%) required similar surgery in Boksburg, South Africa.

Civil Disorders↗
PubMed1993

[Cobra bite: ophthalmic manifestations].

The venom of the cobra snake contains a mixture of several toxic enzymes and proteins. It has a direct action on the respiratory centers, as well as curariform interference at the neuromuscular junction, resulting in death from respiratory paralysis. It can injure the visual system by damaging the retinal cells, causing bilateral optic neuritis and cortical blindness. Due to a particular configuration of its venom ducts, the African cobra is capable of poisoning both by biting or by spitting its venom. We present an 18-year-old woman with severely impaired visual function which resulted from a cobra bite in childhood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Implantation of a "pan-cameral" intraocular lens in Africa].

In modern medicine, extraction of the cataractous lens is followed by implantation of an artificial intraocular lens. The 2 main types of intraocular lenses, the anterior and the posterior chamber types, are essentially different in design. We present here 11 cases in which, due to lack of facilities, we were compelled to implant posterior chamber intraocular lenses in the anterior chamber of the eye. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved in 82% of the operated eyes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The "lock-and-valve" incision: truce in the "suture wars".

We describe a variation of the "classical" cataract incision that uses midsize incisions and standard instrumentation. Perpendicular entrance and oblique cut create an acute angle with the iris plane, generating an intracorneal valve. This results in better apposition of the wound's lips and less responsiveness to variations in intraocular pressure; thus, fewer stitches are required. We have achieved favorable results in 16 patients using this type of incision.

Cataract Extraction↗