Evaluation of a new disposable silicon limbal relaxing incision knife by experienced users.

Background: Previous research has suggested that the silicon BD Atomic Edge knife has superior performance characteristics when compared to a metal knife and performance similar to diamond knife when making various incisions. This study was designed to determine whether a silicon accurate depth knife has equivalent performance characteristics when compared to a diamond limbal relaxing incision (LRI) knife and superior performance characteristics when compared to a steel accurate depth knife when creating limbal relaxing incision.

Methods: Sixty-five ophthalmic surgeons with limbal relaxing incision experience created limbal relaxing incisions in ex-vivo porcine eyes with silicon and steel accurate depth knives and diamond LRI knives.

Immunohistochemical studies of atypical conjunctival melanocytic nevi.

Objective: To evaluate with immunohistochemical methods 5 atypical melanocytic conjunctival lesions.

Methods: This was a retrospective clinicoimmunopathologic study. Routine histochemical staining was performed with multiparametric immunohistochemical analysis with monoclonal antibodies immunoreacted on paraffin sections to identify the following cell antigens: S-100, MART-1, HMB-45, CD45, CD68, CD1a, lysozyme, and Ki-67 (nuclear proliferation protein).

Characterization of the serum antibody response induced by Haemophilus influenzae type b tetanus protein-conjugate vaccine in infants receiving a DTP-combined vaccine from 2 months of age.

The serum antibody response induced by Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide (CPS)-tetanus protein conjugate vaccine combined to DTP vaccine was characterized in infants receiving three injections from 2 months of age. Sixty-five per cent and 94% of infants had anti-CPS antibody levels > or = 1 micrograms ml-1 after the second and third dose, respectively. The antibody response was mostly made up of IgG with a marked IgG1 predominance.

Immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide and its tetanus toxoid conjugate in patients with recurrent infections or humoral immunodeficiency.

The antibody response to the capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b was evaluated after vaccination with the capsular polysaccharide or its tetanus toxoid conjugate in 41 randomized patients with recurrent infections, IgA deficiency, common variable immunodeficiency, or the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. Serum antibodies were measured using a Farr assay for total antibodies and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies of the three main immunoglobulin classes and of each IgG subclass. Antibody levels reached concentrations generally considered as protective in the majority of cases, the best response being observed after two injections of the conjugate vaccine with a 1-month interval.