Interleukin-18 is an essential element in host resistance to experimental group B streptococcal disease in neonates.

Previous studies demonstrated that interleukin-12 (IL-12)-dependent gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) responses have a major role in restricting in vivo bacterial growth during infection of mice with group B streptococci (GBS), important human pathogens. Like IL-12, IL-18 is a potent IFN-gamma inducer. The role of IL-18 in experimental GBS infection was investigated here.

Biosynthesis of stromal matrix proteoglycans and basement membrane components by human corneal fibroblasts.

The proteoglycans produced by intact human corneas and corneal cells in culture were compared by characterizing the biosynthetically radiolabeled proteoglycans and by using antibodies to detect their core proteins. Organ cultures of corneas primarily produce a keratan sulfate proteoglycan (KSPG) and a chondroitin and dermatan sulfate proteoglycan (decorin). Immunostaining with antibodies specific for the core proteins of KSPG and decorin showed that these proteoglycans are localized to the corneal stroma.

[Our experience in the correction of a short frenulum labialis by Z-plasty].

The authors report their experience of the reconstruction by z-plasty in cases of shortness of the lip frenum. Amongst several techniques they used for this correction they got best results utilizing a z-plasty, with wide flaps, planned so that after the transposition of the flaps the medial branch of the z-plasty falls horizontally into the deeper vestibular fornix. In all cases treated by that z-plasty the A.

Growth of acanthamoeba on human corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes in vitro.

Acanthamoebic keratitis, a potentially devastating infection usually associated with contact lens wear, has been recognized with increasing frequency in recent years. Once the Acanthamoeba organisms gain access to the human cornea, it is not clear which constituents of the corneal milieu provide a substrate for their growth. The growth of Acanthamoeba polyphaga was investigated on cultured monolayers of human corneal epithelial cells, stromal keratocytes, and stromal homogenate suspensions.

[A proposal for a protocol for the registration of data on cases of cleft lip and jaw].

The Authors describe a standardized registration system applied to gnathoplasty and its follow-up. That allows both longitudinal growth study and clinical evaluations on the surgical method. If similar standardized registration systems could be adopted by several clinical teams, a comparison between different gnathoplasty methods should be possible and obviously useful.