The osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP).

The osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), although described over 40 years ago, remains the keratoprosthesis of choice for end-stage corneal blindness not amenable to penetrating keratoplasty. It is particularly resilient to a hostile environment such as the dry keratinized eye resulting from severe Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, trachoma, and chemical injury. Its rigid optical cylinder gives excellent image resolution and quality.

Long-term plasticity mediated by mGluR1 at a retinal reciprocal synapse.

The flow of information across the retina is controlled by reciprocal synapses between bipolar cell terminals and amacrine cells. However, the synaptic delays and properties of plasticity at these synapses are not known. Here we report that glutamate release from goldfish Mb-type bipolar cell terminals can trigger fast (delay of 2-3 ms) and transient GABA(A) IPSCs and a much slower and more sustained GABA(C) feedback.

Sexual reproduction between partners of the same mating type in Cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a globally distributed human fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. It has a defined sexual cycle involving haploid cells of alpha and a mating types, yet the vast majority of environmental and clinical isolates are alpha (ref. 3).

Sex-specific homeodomain proteins Sxi1alpha and Sxi2a coordinately regulate sexual development in Cryptococcus neoformans.

Homeodomain proteins are central regulators of development in eukaryotes. In fungi, homeodomain proteins have been shown to control cell identity and sexual development. Cryptococcus neoformans is a human fungal pathogen with a defined sexual cycle that produces spores, the suspected infectious particles.

Necrolytic acral erythema: a patient from the United States successfully treated with oral zinc.

Background: Recently, necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) has been described as a cutaneous marker for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Only 2 cases have been reported in the United States. Successful remission has been induced only with interferon therapy with or without ribavirin.

Discrepancy between antennal and behavioral responses for enantiomers of alpha-pinene: electrophysiology and behavior of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera).

The ability of adult cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), to distinguish and respond to enantiomers of alpha-pinene was investigated with electrophysiological and behavioral methods. Electroantennogram recordings using mixtures of the enantiomers at saturating dose levels, and single unit electrophysiology, indicated that the two forms were detected by the same receptor neurons. The relative size of the electroantennogram response was higher for the (-) compared to the (+) form, indicating greater affinity for the (-) form at the level of the dendrites.

Fast endocytosis is inhibited by GABA-mediated chloride influx at a presynaptic terminal.

Although multiple kinetic components of synaptic vesicle endocytosis have been identified, it has remained unclear whether neurons can differentially modulate these components. Using membrane capacitance measurements from isolated goldfish bipolar cell terminals, we found that the kinetics of endocytosis in retinal slices (single exponential decay; tau > 10 s) were significantly slower than those in acutely dissociated terminals (double exponential decay; tau(fast) approximately 1-2 s; tau(slow) > 10 s). Surprisingly, GABA(A) and/or GABA(C) receptor antagonists restored the fast component of endocytosis to terminals in retinal slices.

A double-blind comparative study of sodium sulfacetamide lotion 10% versus selenium sulfide lotion 2.5% in the treatment of pityriasis (tinea) versicolor.

Pityriasis (tinea) versicolor, which consists of hyperpigmented and hypopigmented scaly patches, is often difficult to treat. A double-blind comparative study between once-a-day sodium sulfacetamide lotion and selenium sulfide lotion was undertaken. Both treatments were safe and efficacious.

The alpha-specific cell identity factor Sxi1alpha is not required for virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a human fungal pathogen that has two mating types (a and alpha). Experiments have shown that in some backgrounds alpha strains are more virulent than a strains. Our studies reveal that the only known alpha-specific factor, SXI1alpha, is not necessary for virulence.

Quantification of the N-desmethyl metabolite of rosuvastatin in human plasma by automated SPE followed by HPLC with tandem MS detection.

A selective, accurate and precise assay was developed for the quantification in human plasma of the N-desmethyl metabolite of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin. The assay-employing automated SPE followed by HPLC with positive ion electrospray tandem MS (HPLC-MS/MS)-was validated. The standard curve range for N-desmethyl rosuvastatin in human plasma was 0.

Lipopolysaccharide initiates a TRAF6-mediated endothelial survival signal.

Similar to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) elicits parallel apoptotic and antiapoptotic pathways in endothelial cells. The overall result is that there is minimal endothelial cell death in response to LPS without inhibition of the cytoprotective pathway. While the TNF-induced death and survival pathways have been relatively well elucidated, much remains to be learned about LPS signaling events in this regard.

A variant of nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy with osteoclast-like giant cells: a syndrome of dysregulated matrix remodeling?

Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) is a disorder characterized by dramatic thickening and hardening of skin in the extremities and trunk, which occurs in individuals on dialysis for renal disease. The pathophysiology is unknown. Increased transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and collagen deposition have been reported in a small group of patients studied by Jimenez et al.

Synaptic cleft acidification and modulation of short-term depression by exocytosed protons in retinal bipolar cells.

The release of vesicular protons during exocytosis causes a feedback inhibition of Ca2+ channels in photoreceptor terminals; however, the effect of this inhibition on subsequent exocytosis has not been studied. Here we show that a similar L-type Ca2+ channel inhibition occurs in bipolar cell terminals in slices of goldfish retina, and we investigate the effect that this has on subsequent exocytosis with membrane capacitance measurements. We find that transient Ca2+ current inhibition is correlated with exocytosis and modulated by the concentration of extracellular pH buffer.

Pharmacogenetic candidate genes for melanoma.

The incidence of melanoma is rising at an alarming rate and has become an important public health concern. If detected early, melanoma carries an excellent prognosis after appropriate surgical resection. Unfortunately, advanced melanoma has a poor prognosis and is notoriously resistant to radiation and chemotherapy.

Fourier analysis of induced irregular astigmatism. Photorefractive keratectomy versus laser in situ keratomileusis in a bilateral cohort of hyperopic patients.

Purpose: To analyze corneal topographic data by Fourier analysis to determine differences in irregular astigmatism following spherical hyperopic correction by photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Seasonal effect upon excision of acquired melanocytic proliferations.

Background: Acquired melanocytic proliferations (AMPs) are excised throughout the year. Questions exist concerning seasonal variation in these excisions.

Objective: To investigate whether AMPs are removed more often during the spring-summer seasons than in the fall-winter and whether the percentage of benign nevi, dysplastic nevi and melanoma varies according to season.

Disruption of ergosterol biosynthesis confers resistance to amphotericin B in Candida lusitaniae.

Candida lusitaniae is an emerging human pathogen that, unlike other fungal pathogens, frequently develops resistance to the commonly used antifungal agent amphotericin B. Amphotericin B is a member of the polyene class of antifungal drugs, which impair fungal cell membrane integrity. Here we analyzed mechanisms contributing to amphotericin B resistance in C.

Argyria associated with colloidal silver supplementation.

A 65-year-old male presented for skin examination and was incidentally noted to have discoloration of the fingernails. These findings were completely asymptomatic. The patient had been taking colloidal silver supplementation (Silverzone 140 ppm silver Gifts of Nature, St.

Synaptic activation of presynaptic glutamate transporter currents in nerve terminals.

Glutamate uptake by high-affinity transporters is responsible for limiting the activation of postsynaptic receptors and maintaining low levels of ambient glutamate. The reuptake process generates membrane currents, which can be activated by synaptically released glutamate in glial cells and some postsynaptic neurons. However, less is known about presynaptic transporter currents because the small size of synaptic boutons precludes direct recordings.