Interleukin-4 suppresses IL-1-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 in human gingival fibroblasts.

Background: In periodontitis, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3, stromelysin 1) is present at increased levels in active disease sites compared to inactive or healthy sites, and the levels are correlated with clinical parameters and associated with progression of the disease. Interleukin (IL)-4 has been shown in human skin and synovial fibroblasts and articular chondrocytes to suppress IL-1-induced expression of MMP-3, but this has not been shown in human gingival fibroblasts. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of IL-4 on the IL-1-induced expression of MMP-3 in human gingival fibroblasts isolated from patients with periodontitis.

NF-kappaB binds to a polymorphic repressor element in the MMP-3 promoter.

A 5T/6T polymorphic site in the matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) promoter has been identified as a repressor element involved in inhibiting induction of MMP-3 transcription by interleukin 1; and the 6T allele has been associated with decreased expression of MMP-3 as compared to the 5T allele. Zinc-binding protein-89 (ZBP-89) was cloned from a yeast one-hybrid assay via its ability to interact with this site, but when the protein was over-expressed, it resulted in activation of the MMP-3 promoter rather than repression. Here we show that in nuclear extracts isolated from human gingival fibroblasts stimulated with IL-1, this site is bound by p50 and p65 components of NF-kappaB in addition to ZBP-89, and that recombinant p50 binds preferentially to the 6T binding site.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acids as free fatty acids and triacylglycerols similarly affect body composition and energy balance in mice.

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as triacylglycerols (TAG) or free fatty acids (FFA) on body composition and energy balance in mice. We fed four groups of 5-wk-old Balb-C mice (n = 9) semipurified diets containing either CLA (0.5 g CLA/100 g of diet) or high oleic sunflower oil (HOSF) in the form of FFA or TAG for 42 d.

Penetrating keratoplasty in young children with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy.

Purpose: To report the visual results and success rate of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in a series of young children with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED).

Methods: This is a retrospective study on twenty-four eyes of 15 patients (seven male and eight female) operated on for CHED. Children less than 12 years of age at the time of surgery who were followed for at least 6 months were recalled.

Laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma in a child: a case report.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a malignant tumor of the major and minor salivary glands. Because it grows very slowly, it is often diagnosed at a late stage. The combination of a delayed diagnosis and the tumor's propensity for early perineural and hematologic spread increases the risk of local recurrence and systemic metastasis, often many years after the primary tumor has been diagnosed and treated.

Intra-ocular lens implantation in children.

Intra-ocular lens (IOL) implantation in a growing eye of a young child brings several problems unique to this age group. Better understanding of the rate of refractive growth in children's pseudophakic eyes may help predicting future refractions in these eyes more accurately. Opacification of the posterior capsule, if remained intact, interferes with visual rehabilitation in children.

Cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation in anterior megalophthalmos.

Six eyes of 4 patients with anterior megalophthalmos, 2 men and 2 women ranging in age from 32 to 47 years, had extracapsular cataract extraction or phacoemulsification and standard posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. All had a family history of anterior megalophthalmos. Follow-up was from 6 to 30 months.

The fruit essential oil of Pimpinella anisum exerts anticonvulsant effects in mice.

This study investigates anticonvulsant effects of an essential oil of the fruits of Pimpinella anisum (Umbelliferae), a folkloric remedy in the Iranian traditional medicine, against seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) or maximal electroshock (MES) in male mice. The essential oil suppressed tonic convulsions induced by PTZ or MES. It also elevated the threshold of PTZ-induced clonic convulsions in mice.

Primary capsulectomy, anterior vitrectomy, lensectomy, and posterior chamber lens implantation in children: limbal versus pars plana.

Purpose: To compare the results of a limbal versus a pars plana approach for primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy in the management of childhood cataract.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran, Iran.

Methods: A randomized, controlled, double-masked clinical trial of 45 eyes was conducted.

Evaluation of the anticonvulsant activity of the essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata in male mice.

In this study, the effect of an essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata (Myrtaceae), an antiepileptic remedy in Iranian folk medicine, against seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES) or pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in male mice was studied. The essential oil exhibited anticonvulsant activity against tonic seizures induced by MES. Although it was not effective against clonic convulsions induced by intraperitoneal administration of PTZ, the seizure threshold which was determined by an increase in the dose of intravenously infused PTZ required to induce clonus, was elevated by the essential oil.

Surgical management of cataract and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis.

Background: To determine the inflammatory course and level of visual rehabilitation after cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis complicated by cataract.

Methods: In a clinical trial, 32 eyes (visual acuity of 20/160 or worse) of 30 patients underwent extracapsular cataract extraction (19 eyes) or lensectomy (13 eyes) accompanied by posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed intraoperatively prior to intraocular lens implantation and the extent of vitreous haze was assessed.

Transmission of rabies by corneal graft.

Viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and rabies can be transmitted to the recipient by corneal transplantation. Very few cases of rabies have been reported. Here we report two cases of rabies transmitted by the same donor.

Results of penetrating keratoplasty in CHED. Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy.

Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy is characterized by a diffuse bilateral corneal opacity (edema). Its inheritance has been reported to be both autosomal recessive and dominant. All our cases seemed to be autosomal recessive.

A comparison between donor-recipient corneal size and its effect on the ultimate refractive error induced in keratoconus.

A prospective randomized clinical study was performed to see the effect of donor-recipient corneal size on the ultimate refractive error induced in keratoconus at our facility. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, A and B. In Group A, the difference in size between the donor and the recipient cornea was 0.

Superficial juvenile granular dystrophy.

Seventeen cases of a superficial corneal dystrophy are presented. The lesions are subepithelial, limited mainly to Bowman's layer. This dystrophy, although clinically different from classic granular dystrophy, is pathologically similar to it.