Neural system antigens are recognized by autoantibodies from patients affected by a new variant of endemic pemphigus foliaceus in Colombia.

Background: Endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF), is also known as "fogo selvagem" or "wild fire," reflecting the intense burning sensation of the skin reported by patients with this disease. Based on this finding, we tested for neural autoreactivity in patients affected by a new variant of EPF (El Bagre-EPF).

Methods: We tested 20 El Bagre-EPF patients, 20 normal controls from the endemic area, and 20 age- and sex-matched normal controls from outside the endemic area.

Retinoblastoma in a 48-year-old woman.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe an unusual presentation of retinoblastoma in an adult.

Methods: Retrospective case report.

Results: A 48-year-old woman with floaters was found to have an amelanotic intraocular mass with localized vitreous seeds in the superior fundus.

Epstein-barr infection of the retina: case report and review of the literature.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe a presumed case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of the retina in a 65-year-old female with sudden bilateral vision loss.

Methods: Diagnostic vitreous biopsy of the left eye was performed to test for EBV and other known infectious causes of retinitis and evaluate vitreous cells.

Results: Serologic EBV testing was positive.

Effect of intravitreal bevacizumab on vascular endothelial growth factor expression in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, San Francisco, CA, USA) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and inflammation in fibrovascular membranes in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Materials And Methods: Fibrovascular membranes from 19 eyes of 18 patients with PDR were studied using immunohistochemistry and analyzed in the following 3 groups; group 1: 4 inactive PDR eyes, group 2: 10 active PDR eyes treated preoperatively with adjunctive intravitreal bevacizumab, group 3: five active PDR eyes not treated preoperatively with bevacizumab. Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF, CD31 and CD68 were done.

Clinicopathologic findings in Best vitelliform macular dystrophy.

Purpose: To correlate the clinical and histopathologic features of Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD).

Methods: Two eyes were obtained postmortem from a patient with BVMD. The patient's clinical information was reviewed.

Dipyrimidine amines: a novel class of chemokine receptor type 4 antagonists with high specificity.

The C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)/stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1 or CXCL12) interaction and the resulting cell signaling cascade play a key role in metastasis and inflammation. On the basis of the previously published CXCR4 antagonist 5 (WZ811), a series of novel nonpeptidic anti-CXCR4 small molecules have been designed and synthesized to improve potency. Following a structure-activity profile around 5, more advanced compounds in the N,N'-(1, 4-phenylenebis(methylene)) dipyrimidin-2-amines series were discovered and shown to possess higher CXCR4 binding potential and specificity than 5.

Lacrimal gland choristoma in a preterm infant, presenting with spontaneous hyphema and increased intraocular pressure.

We report a case of intraocular lacrimal gland choristoma presenting very early in a preterm infant with hyphema, a mass lesion and raised intraocular pressure. Enucleation of the involved eye, which is the treatment in most cases, was performed and prosthesis was fitted successfully. An interesting additional finding in our patient was a choroidal defect, not reported to date with other cases in the literature.

Giant corneal keloid: case report and review of the literature.

Purpose: To report a patient with a tumor-like corneal keloid.

Methods: Retrospective review of clinical features and histopathologic findings.

Results: A 68-year-old woman with a remote history of an orbital tumor treated with radiation developed a corneal tumor.

Clear cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva.

Purpose: To describe a rare case of primary conjunctival clear cell carcinoma.

Methods: The clinical history and pathologic findings were reviewed.

Results: An 82-year-old white man presented with a lesion on his right conjunctiva for 8 months.

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels correlate with number and location of micrometastases in a murine model of uveal melanoma.

Background: A preliminary animal study was performed to determine if hepatic micrometastases from uveal melanoma secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that is measurable in serum.

Methods: We analysed the serum of a C57Bl/6 mouse model of uveal melanoma (n=10) at days 4, 7, 14 and 21 post-inoculation for VEGF levels. We compared the serum VEGF levels with the number and location of hepatic micrometastases and their respective expression of VEGF mRNA.

Clinicopathologic findings in failed descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical features of and histologic findings from failed Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).

Methods: This retrospective observational case series evaluated 47 consecutive corneal specimens from 42 patients who underwent either penetrating keratoplasty or repeated DSAEK for failed DSAEK. Clinical information was obtained for the cases.

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the eyelid in a patient with AIDS.

A 49-year-old man was evaluated for rapidly enlarging left lower eyelid and left neck masses. Biopsies of the masses showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). He tested positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Pyoderma gangrenosum of the eyelids: recurrence in a skin graft.

A 41-year-old woman presented with pyoderma gangrenosum involving the right eyelids. Over the course of 3 years, she developed progressive scarring of the eyelids with lagophthalmos and corneal exposure. Multiple reconstructive procedures were performed with varying degrees of success.

Ablation of lens epithelial cells with a laser photolysis system: histopathology, ultrastructure, and immunochemistry.

Purpose: To evaluate efficacy of a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser photolysis system in removing lens epithelial cells (LECs) and characterize the effect of the laser on laminin and fibronectin involved in LEC adhesion and migration.

Methods: Cadaver eyes were evaluated using the Miyake technique. The lenses were removed with phacoemulsification.

Animal models of choroidal and retinal neovascularization.

There have been numerous types of animal models of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and retinal neovascularization (RNV). Understanding the pathobiology of CNV and RNV is important when evaluating and utilizing these models. Both CNV and RNV are dynamic processes.

Loss of tubedown expression as a contributing factor in the development of age-related retinopathy.

Purpose: Tubedown (Tbdn), a cortactin-binding acetyltransferase subunit, regulates retinal vascular permeability and homeostasis in adulthood. Here the authors explore whether Tbdn loss during aging might contribute to the mechanisms underlying age-related neovascular retinopathy.

Methods: A conditional endothelial-specific transgenic model of Tbdn loss was compared with aged mouse and human specimens from 5- to 93-year-old individuals.

Donor corneas misidentified with prior laser in situ keratomileusis.

Purpose: To evaluate the rate of donor corneas misidentified as recipients of previous laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery in the eye banks.

Methods: One hundred sixty-one donor corneas identified as having had previous LASIK surgery from 15 eye banks were sent to the Emory Eye Center between January 2002 and August 2005. Determination of the previous LASIK surgery was made from the medical history and/or slit-lamp examination in the contributing eye bank.

Formation and growth of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium cells.

The kinetics of lipofuscin growth in diseased retinal pigment epithelium cells is investigated using Monte Carlo simulations and scaling theory on a cluster aggregation model. The model captures the essential physics of lipofuscin growth in the cells. A remarkable feature is that small particles may be removed from the cells while the larger ones become fixed and grow by aggregation.

Myxofibrosarcoma of the orbit: a clinicopathologic case report.

A 27-year-old woman developed a rapidly progressive left orbital tumor that extended in the cranial fossa. MRI revealed a heterogenous enhancing lesion confined to the left frontal bone and superior orbit. An incisional biopsy was performed, and histopathologic examination of the specimen showed findings diagnostic of a high-grade myxofibrosarcoma.

Mucinous eccrine adenocarcinoma of the eyelid: report of 6 cases.

Objective: To report on patients with mucinous eccrine adenocarcinoma of the eyelid.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Participants: Biopsy specimens of 6 patients with eyelid neoplasm were obtained.

p120-Catenin is required for mouse vascular development.

Rationale: p120-catenin (p120) is an armadillo family protein that binds to the cytoplasmic domain of classical cadherins and prevents cadherin endocytosis. The role of p120 in vascular development is unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the role of p120 in mammalian vascular development by generating a conditionally mutant mouse lacking endothelial p120 and determining the effects of the knockout on vasculogenesis, angiogenic remodeling, and the regulation of endothelial cadherin levels.