Brian Berman

Regulation of the Proliferation and Biosynthetic Activities of Cultured Human Peyronie's Disease Fibroblasts by Interferons-Alpha, -Beta and -Gamma

To determine the therapeutic potential of interferon (IFN) treatment for Peyronies disease, we investigated the effect of human recombinant (hu-r) IFNs on cultured fibroblasts derived from a Peyronies disease penile plaque. Treatment of cultured fibroblasts with hu-r-IFN-alpha2b, hu-r-IFN-beta-ser17 and hu-r-IFN gamma caused a concentration dependent inhibition of both fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, as well as an increase in collagenase production. Hu-r-IFN-alpha and beta had no effect on fibroblast glycosaminoglycan (GAG) or fibronectin production, while hu-r-IFN-gamma markedly increased both GAG and fibronectin production. These results demonstrate that IFNs, especially IFNs-alpha and beta, exhibit antifibrotic activity on Peyronies disease fibroblasts and suggest a rationale for using IFNs to treat Peyronies disease.

Urinary cytokines following photodynamic therapy for bladder cancer a preliminary report

This preliminary study was undertaken to test for the presence of urinary cytokines whose detection would provide evidence in support of the theory that photodynamic therapy (PDT) produces an immunologic response in patients treated for bladder cancer. Gamma interferon, interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were assayed for in the urine of 4 patients treated with photodynamic therapy for bladder cancer, in 7 control patients undergoing transurethral surgical procedures, and in 5 healthy control subjects. Quantifiable concentrations of all cytokines, except gamma interferon, were measured in urine samples from the PDT patients with the highest light energies, while no urinary cytokines were found in the PDT patient who received the lowest light energy nor in any of the control subjects. These findings suggest that a local immunologic response may occur following PDT for bladder cancer.

Efficacy of a 1-week, twice-daily regimen of terbinafine 1 % cream in the treatment of interdigital tinea pedis: Results of placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trials

BACKGROUNDnPatients with tinea pedis often discontinue treatment before eradication of the fungus when their symptoms improve. The result is an incomplete cure/recurrence.nnnOBJECTIVEnTerbinafine, a topical fungicidal agent, was evaluated in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (159 patients) for its ability to achieve cure and relief of symptoms in the same time frame, that is, before compliance wanes.nnnMETHODSnMycologic characteristics (with potassium hydroxide examination and culture) and clinical signs and symptoms were assessed at baseline, at the end of a 1-week, twice-daily treatment and at 1, 3, and 5 weeks after the completion of therapy.nnnRESULTSnBoth terbinafine and vehicle provided early relief of symptoms. However, only terbinafine gave progressive mycologic improvement such that at 5 weeks after treatment, 88% of the patients receiving terbinafine had converted from positive to negative mycology compared with 23% of the patients treated with vehicle.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe rapid and potent fungicidal action of terbinafine results in a high cure rate in interdigital tinea pedis with 1 week of treatment and may avoid failures caused by non-compliance.

Fatal pancreatitis presenting with subcutaneous fat necrosis: Evidence that lipase and amylase alone do not induce lipocyte necrosis

We report a case of fatal pancreatitis heralded by the presence of cutaneous panniculitis without abdominal pain or other stigmata of the disease. Although cutaneous fat necrosis has been associated with pancreatitis, it is unusual as the presenting complaint of this relatively common disease. In vitro evidence suggests that human pancreatic amylase or lipase alone is not responsible for the observed panniculitis.

Epidemiology of dermatitis among California farm workers

To estimate the prevalence of dermatitis and risk factors for skin disease in California farm workers, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among grape, citrus, and tomato workers. The prevalence of contact dermatitis was 2% and lichenified hand dermatitis was 13%. Grape workers were more likely to report rashes in the last 12 months than were tomato workers or citrus workers. Grape workers were more likely to have contact dermatitis and lichenified hand dermatitis than were citrus or tomato workers. Increasing hours per week in agriculture, male sex, and not wearing gloves were associated with more lichenified hand dermatitis. We conclude that skin disease in agricultural workers may be causally associated with crop-specific exposures and lack of protective equipment.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-α (IFN-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) receptors on human normal and scleroderma dermal fibroblasts in vitro

Interferons alpha and gamma (IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) exert different regulatory effects on the proliferation and biosynthetic activities of human dermal fibroblasts. Inasmuch as these cytokines bind to specific receptors in order to exert their activities, the expression of IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha receptors on fibroblasts from human adult normal and scleroderma skin cultured in vitro were quantitated. Adsorption was detected by incubating confluent normal and scleroderma fibroblasts with various concentrations of [125I]cytokine. Replicate experiments revealed 19,742 +/- 2057 (Kd = 1.15 x 10(-9) M) TNF-alpha receptors per normal dermal fibroblast and 15,006 +/- 75 (Kd = 6.75 x 10(-10) M) TNF-alpha receptors per scleroderma fibroblast. Cross-linking 125I-TNF-alpha to its receptor on normal and scleroderma fibroblasts revealed 130- and 100-kDa TNF-receptor complexes. Although no quantitative or qualitative differences were detected between these two cell types with regard to receptor numbers, TNF-alpha affinity or receptor protein as detected by radiolabelled TNF-alpha, differences were detected in levels of mRNA specific for TNF-alpha receptors. Northern blot analysis revealed normal fibroblasts to constitutively contain mainly mRNA specific for the 55-kDa TNF receptor and indicate that they are capable of responding to TNF-alpha-induced up-regulation of mRNA specific for the 75 kDa TNF receptor. Scleroderma fibroblasts, however, constitutively contain mRNA for both TNF receptors and fail to respond to TNF-alpha up-regulation of the message for the 75-kDa receptor for TNF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)