Combining Statistical Tools and Ecological Assessments in the Study of Biodeterioration Patterns of Stone Temples in Angkor (Cambodia).

Biodeterioration is a major problem for the conservation of cultural heritage materials. We provide a new and original approach to analyzing changes in patterns of colonization (Biodeterioration patterns, BPs) by biological agents responsible for the deterioration of outdoor stone materials. Here we analyzed BPs of four Khmer temples in Angkor (Cambodia) exposed to variable environmental conditions, using qualitative ecological assessments and statistical approaches.

Clinical characteristics of Japanese dyspeptic patients: is the Rome III classification applicable?

Objective: While the Rome III classification seems logical, some aspects need further evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of Japanese dyspeptic patients and to determine whether this classification could be applied to them.

Material And Methods: A total of 364 consecutive patients with a mean age of 54.

Human retinal pigment epithelium-induced CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells suppress activation of intraocular effector T cells.

Murine retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells suppress T-cell activation by releasing soluble inhibitory factors and promote the generation of regulatory T cells in vitro. These T cells exposed to RPE supernatants (RPE-induced Treg cells) can suppress the activation of bystander effector T cells via the production of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta). In the present study, we showed that human RPE-induced Treg cells are also able to acquire regulatory function when human RPE cell lines were pretreated with recombinant TGF beta 2.

Human iris pigment epithelium suppresses activation of bystander T cells via TGFbeta-TGFbeta receptor interaction.

Iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells from the anterior segment in the eye are able to suppress activation of bystander responder T cells in vitro. The cultured IPE cells fully suppress proliferation and cytokine production by responder T cells via direct cell-to-cell contact. We have now investigated whether primary cultured human iris pigment epithelial (h-IPE) cells that were established from fresh iris tissues can also inhibit the activation of T cells in vitro.

Bilateral anterior granulomatous keratouveitis with sunset glow fundus in a patient with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome.

Aim: To report the case of a patient with bilateral anterior granulomatous keratouveitis and sunset glow fundus.

Method: Review of case record.

Results: A 15-year-old patient had bilateral anterior granulomatous keratouveitis and sunset glow fundus similar to findings in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH).

T-cell suppression by programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 on retinal pigment epithelium during inflammatory conditions.

Purpose: To determine whether retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells can inhibit in vitro T-cell activation during inflammatory conditions.

Methods: Primary cultured RPE cells were established from normal C57BL/6 mice. Target bystander T cells were established from normal splenic T cells with anti-CD3 antibodies.

Retinal pigment epithelium-derived CTLA-2alpha induces TGFbeta-producing T regulatory cells.

T cells that encounter ocular pigment epithelium in vitro are inhibited from undergoing TCR-triggered activation, and instead acquire the capacity to suppress the activation of bystander T cells. Because retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells suppress T cell activation by releasing soluble inhibitory factors, we studied whether soluble factors also promote the generation of T regulatory (Treg) cells. We found that RPE converted CD4(+) T cells into Treg cells by producing and secreting CTLA-2alpha, a cathepsin L (CathL) inhibitor.

Human corneal endothelial cells expressing programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) suppress PD-1+ T helper 1 cells by a contact-dependent mechanism.

Purpose: This study was designed to determine whether human corneal endothelial (HCE) cells could regulate the activation of bystander T cells in vitro.

Methods: HCE cell lines were established from primary HCE cells. Target-activated T cells were used allogeneic T cells and Jurkat T-cell lines.

[Detection of herpesvirus genome by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR in ocular fluids of patients with acute retinal necrosis].

Purpose: The human herpesvirus (HHV) family consists of types 1 to 8 (HHV1-8). The purpose of this study was to investigate the detection of HHV DNA, especially HSV1 (herpes simplex virus 1, HHV1), HSV2 (herpes simplex virus 2, HHV2), and VZV (varicella-zoster virus, HHV3) in ocular fluids of patients with acute retinal necrosis(ARN).

Methods: The intraocular genome for HHV1-8 was determined in 19 ocular fluid samples (12 vitreous fluid and 7 aqueous humor samples) taken from ARN patients (n=14).

[Murine ciliary body pigment epithelial cells inhibit activation of T cells].

Purpose: Pigment epithelial(PE) cells cultured from the eye possess the novel property of suppressing T cells in vitro. Although cultured iris PE (IPE) and retinal PE (RPE) achieve suppression, the function of ciliary body PE (CBPE) is still unknown. We investigated whether CBPE can suppress the activation of T cells in vitro.

Transforming growth factor beta-producing Foxp3(+)CD8(+)CD25(+) T cells induced by iris pigment epithelial cells display regulatory phenotype and acquire regulatory functions.

The ocular pigment epithelial (PE) cells convert T cells into T regulators (Tregs) in vitro. The PE-induced Tregs fully suppress activation of bystander responder T cells. Iris PE (IPE) cells from anterior segment in the eye produce costimulatory molecules and transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) that is delivered to CD8(+) Tregs.

Role of thrombospondin-1 in T cell response to ocular pigment epithelial cells.

Ocular pigment epithelium (PE) cells promote the generation of T regulators (PE-induced Treg cells). Moreover, T cells exposed to PE acquire the capacity to suppress the activation of bystander T cells via TGFbeta. Membrane-bound TGFbeta on iris PE cells interacts with TGFbeta receptors on T cells, leading to the conversion of T cells to CD8(+) Treg cells via a cell contact-dependent mechanism.

B7+ iris pigment epithelial cells convert T cells into CTLA-4+, B7-expressing CD8+ regulatory T cells.

Purpose: To determine whether iris PE (IPE) promotes the generation of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) with cell contact via B7-2/CTLA-4 interactions.

Methods: T cells were cocultured with IPE cells obtained from eyes of normal and B7-deficient mice, x-irradiated, and used as regulators. IPE T regulator cells (IPE Tregs) of normal and CD28- or CTLA-4-deficient mice were established.

Retinal and ciliary body pigment epithelium suppress activation of T lymphocytes via transforming growth factor beta.

The ocular microenvironment is immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory. Pigment epithelial (PE) cells isolated from the eye possess a new property of suppressing T cell receptor-dependent activation of T cells in vitro. This property depends on their capacity to produce cell-surface and soluble inhibitory molecules.

Ocular infiltrating CD4+ T cells from patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease recognize human melanocyte antigens.

Purpose: To determine whether patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease have immune responses specific to the melanocyte antigens tyrosinase and gp100.

Methods: T-cell clones (TCCs) were established from cells infiltrating the aqueous humor and from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with VKH. The target cells were LDR4-transfected cells (HLA-DRB1*0405).

Cytokine profile in aqueous humor and sera of patients with infectious or noninfectious uveitis.

Purpose: To determine the cytokine expression profile at the protein level in aqueous humor (AqH) and sera of patients with uveitis.

Methods: Patients with various clinical entities of strictly diagnosed infectious or noninfectious uveitis were tested. AqH and sera were collected from patients with uveitis.

Development and validation of an ultrasonographic activity index of Crohn's disease.

Objectives: We developed and validated an ultrasonographic index of intestinal inflammatory activity for patients with Crohn's disease.

Methods: Fifty-five patients with Crohn's disease were examined by transabdominal ultrasonography. The pathological findings were classified into three types (A-C) on the basis of wall thickness and wall stratification.

Simple approach to optically active drimane sesquiterpenes based on enzymatic resolution.

When the beta-acyloxy esters (+/-)-10 and (+/-)-11 were exposed to the lipase OF-360 from Candida rugosa or immobilized lipase OF-360 in a water-saturated organic solvent, the hydrolyzed product (8aS)-6 was obtained in high chemical (40%) and optical (> 99% ee) yields. The absolute structure of (8aS)-6 was confirmed by the fact that (8aS)-6 was converted into an authentic sample gamma-keto nitrile (8aS)-17. Treatment of the diol (+/-)-12 with isopropenyl acetate in the presence of the lipase Godo E-4 from Pseudomonas sp.

Exercise-induced coronary spasm: comparison of treadmill and bicycle exercise in patients with vasospastic angina.

Background: We investigated whether exercise-induced coronary spasms are influenced by the different exercise modes.

Methods: We compared ischaemic ECG responses in 67 patients with vasospastic angina who underwent both treadmill and bicycle ergometer exercise and also coronary angiography.

Results: ECG ST-segment elevation was provoked more frequently during treadmill exercise than it was during bicycle exercise (19 versus 9%, P < 0.

Isolated congenital left ventricular diverticulum in an adult. A case report.

A sixty-three-year-old man presented himself with atrial flutter and congestive heart failure. Cardiac catheterization revealed that left ventricular diverticulum was located on the anterobasal wall with narrow connection to the left ventricular cavity. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries.

An autopsy case of intracranial hemorrhage during tissue plasminogen activator infusion.

We describe an autopsy case of severe intracranial hemorrhage which occurred during the infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) for acute myocardial infarction. A 75-year-old man was admitted with substernal chest pain of 3-h duration and electrocardiographic changes consistent with an acute inferior myocardial infarction. Physical examination was unremarkable, except for an initial blood pressure reading of 160/96 mmHg.