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Biomedical subjects

R S Berger

Publications and source records attributed to R S Berger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Defining the susceptibility of acne-prone and sensitive skin populations to extrinsic factors.

Acne-Prone Skin. Acne-prone skin appears to be more susceptible to certain extrinsic factors that can either exacerbate existing disease or generate new lesions. Awareness of the factors that could worsen or interfere with therapy is important. In addition, identification of patients with minimal acne who are prone to outbreaks from extrinsic factors and provision of relevant advice could prove beneficial to significant numbers of patients. Sensitive Skin. From the perspective of our research, the definition of sensitive skin is still evolving. Certain individuals may view sensitive skin as fashionable; however, clinicians and the people who work in the personal-care industry know that when certain materials are applied to the skin, some individuals report symptoms (burning, stinging, itching, a tight feeling) and sometimes show traditional signs of irritation. The reasons for sensitive skin in these individuals may be obvious, but many times the complaints and signs of irritation occur in individuals who appear to be normal. Using our ongoing work we would like to suggest that the label "sensitive skin" apply to the following four categories: 1. Those individuals with obvious skin disease. 2. Those individuals with subclinical (mild) or atypical clinical signs of disease. 3. Those individuals who have experienced past insults to the skin. 4. Those individuals who do not fit into one of the above three categories and appear to be "normal". To define sensitive skin fully we may need to perform full profiles of the skin of these patients. In addition to history and examination, a battery of noninvasive tests may be helpful.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1990

Locus of control and perceived alcohol ingestion in performance of a fine motor skill.

To investigate the influence of locus of control on a fine motor corrdination task where subjects had ingested or believed that they had ingested alcohol, 60 men who were enrolled in introductory psychology and scored in the upper or lower thirds of the population on Rotter's I-E Scale (30 external and 30 internal scorers) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: a control group (no alcohol expected/no alcohol received), an alcohol group (alcohol expected/alcohol received), and a placebo group (alcohol expected/no alcohol received). Pretest and posttest measures of performance on the Purdue Pegboard Test were obtained from all subjects. Subjects in the control groups were given three 6-oz. (177.4-ml) glasses of fruit punch over a 35-min. waiting period between pretest and posttest on the Purdue Pegboard. The alcohol groups drank a sufficient number of similar glasses (usually three) to produce a 0.1% measure on a breathalyzer before completing the posttest on the Purdue. Pegboard. The placebo groups were told that they were drinking an alcohol-based drink but were served three glasses of a nonalcoholic, rum-flavored fruit drink. These groups were also told that they measured 0.1% on a breathalyzer. Control groups, both internal and external scorers, showed essentially no change from pre- to posttest on the Purdue Pegboard. The alcohol groups, on the other hand, both internal and external scorers, showed a significant decrement in performance. The internal-placebo group did not differ from the two control groups and showed no decrement in performance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Whirlpool folliculitis: a review of its cause, treatment, and prevention.

Folliculitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been increasing due to the popularity of hot tubs, swimming pools, and whirlpools. The follicular pustules and inflammatory papules usually occur after an incubation period of two to four days and improve spontaneously in seven to ten days. Despite the discomforts of the condition, treatment is usually not necessary and may even prolong the infection. Since it is difficult to control the growth of Pseudomonas in hot tubs and whirlpools, attention to water conditions is the best way to prevent this irritating skin condition.

Folliculitis↗
PubMed1989

Fulminant transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease in a premature infant.

A fatal case of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease developed in a premature infant after receiving several blood products, including nonirradiated white blood cells. Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease can be prevented. Irradiation of blood products is the least controversial and most effective method. Treatment was unsuccessful in most reported cases of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease. Therefore irradiation of blood products before transfusing to patients susceptible to transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease is strongly recommended.

Blood↗
PubMed1989

Erythema dyschromicum perstans and lichen planus: are they related?

A 53-year-old woman initially had lichen planus primarily on her extremities. Approximately 1 year later, lesions consistent with erythema dyschromicum perstans were observed. Both diseases cleared with griseofulvin therapy but returned after discontinuation of the drug. Retreatment with griseofulvin again resulted in clearing.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1989

Sun protection and skin cancer.

Sun exposure causes the majority of skin cancers. Ultraviolet radiation is important in the initiation and promotion of these cancers. Basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and many melanomas can be prevented by the proper use of sun protection. Sun defense methods can reduce morbidity and death from skin cancer.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

A double-blind, multiple-dose, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to compare the incidence of gastrointestinal complaints in healthy subjects given Doryx R and Vibramycin R.

Ninety-eight healthy subjects completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose cross-over study to compare the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects of Doryx (Parke-Davis, Morris Plains, NJ) capsules (enteric-coated doxycycline hyclate pellets) and Vibramycin (Pfizer, New York, NY) capsules (doxycycline hyclate powder). Doryx produced statistically significantly fewer episodes of nausea, vomiting, stomach of abdominal discomfort, and decreased appetite than did Vibramycin. For every symptom, Vibramycin produced statistically significantly more symptom reports than did placebo. Although Doryx produced significantly more reports of nausea than did placebo, there was no significant difference for the other symptoms. Based on these results, Doryx is superior to Vibramycin when considering the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Cutaneous manifestations of early human immunodeficiency virus exposure.

After demonstrating antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two hundred patients were interviewed and given a complete cutaneous and mucous membrane examination. By means of the Walter Reed Staging Classification System for HIV infection, 155 patients were classified as having Walter Reed stage 1A-2A (WR1A-WR2A) infection. The prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis in this group was 36%. There were no other significant cutaneous findings in the WR1A-WR2A patient population.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Leishmaniasis: the touch preparation as a rapid means of diagnosis.

A 31-year-old man from Yemen presented with a 6-month history of a nonhealing ulcerated plaque on his right elbow. Initial evaluation included hematoxylin-and-eosin and Giemsa stains of a skin biopsy specimen. These preparations were interpreted as consistent with leishmaniasis, but no organisms were seen. A second biopsy specimen was obtained for culture on special media. A touch preparation demonstrated amastigotes, and cultures demonstrated leishmanial organisms at 2 weeks. The touch preparation as a rapid means of diagnosing leishmaniasis is discussed in detail, and a review of leishmanial disease and treatment is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Calcium enhances the sensitivity of immunofluorescence for pemphigus antibodies.

Indirect immunofluorescence (IF) to detect pemphigus and pemphigoid autoantibodies is commonly performed with monkey esophagus (ME) as substrate and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as a diluent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate comparative IF titers using human skin (HS) as substrate with variations in the buffers employed. Substrates (ME or HS) were incubated in PBS, Tris-acetate-buffered saline (TAS), TAS with 5 mM CaCl+2 (TAS-Ca+2), and PBS or TAS with 1 mM EDTA, prior to incubation with pemphigus or pemphigoid sera for indirect IF. We examined sera from 11 patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), 10 patients with Brazilian pemphigus foliaceus (BPF), and 4 patients with bullous pemphigoid. In 20 of 21 pemphigus sera, endpoint indirect IF titers were highest on normal skin with TAS-Ca+2. Six sera (2 PV and 4 BPF) had endpoints that were 5 double dilutions higher than the endpoints obtained with ME and PBS. Six sera (3 PV and 3 BPF) were 4 double dilutions higher, 7 sera (3 PV and 4 BPF) were 2-3 double dilutions higher, and 2 PV sera were equivalent with both substrate/buffers. Preincubation of either tissue with EDTA prior to indirect IF abolished PV and BPF antibody binding completely. Exposure to EDTA after the tissue was incubated with PV or BPF sera did not affect indirect IF titers. In the presence of Ca+2, the antigen was resistant to trypsin in concentrations of 0.001%; however, in the absence of added Ca+2 it was destroyed by 0.0001% trypsin. These differences were not observed with bullous pemphigoid sera; all 4 sera had similar endpoint indirect IF titers. This study shows a significant increase in the sensitivity of indirect IF assays for pemphigus autoantibodies by the use of Ca+2-supplemented buffers on human skin. This finding may also have implications for procedures designed to purify and/or detect pemphigus antigens.

Adult↗