Characterization of the antigen reactive with anti-Scl-70 antibodies and its application in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The characteristics of the Scl-70 antigen (topoisomerase I) have been analyzed by means of autoantibodies. This antigen is a DNA-binding protein, dissociable from DNA at 0.3M NaCl and bound to a fraction of DNA that is very sensitive to nucleases.

Autoantibodies against the H1(0) subtype of histone H1.

The specificity of antinuclear autoantibodies in a patient with a sensory neuropathy associated with cancer has been analyzed. The autoantibodies recognize the histone H1(0) as shown by its dissociation from DNA, perchloric solubility, electrophoretic mobility in SDS or urea/acid polyacrylamide gels, and by the capacity of purified H1(0) to block the reactivity of these autoantibodies. Almost no reactivity was observed with other subtypes of H1.

Anti-NOR 90. A new autoantibody in scleroderma that recognizes a 90-kDa component of the nucleolus-organizing region of chromatin.

We identified a patient (CAG) with scleroderma whose serum contained a high titer of IgG class antibodies that stained nucleoli in a pattern of independent tiny spots. When tested on isolated chromosomes, these antibodies selectively stained the nucleolus-organizing regions (NOR) of chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22. These staining patterns were not altered when substrate cells and chromosomes were treated with RNase, 0.

Effect of enzymatic treatments on RNP and Sm antigenic reactivities--I. Loss of RNP but increase of Sm antigenic reactivity after RNase treatment of nuclear extract.

Changes of RNP and Sm antigenic reactivities of a nuclear extract after enzymatic treatments were studied and quantified by the ELISA test. After RNase treatment of the nuclear extract, about a 300% increase of the Sm antigenic reactivity and more than a 95% decrease of RNP antigenic reactivity was found. Data from RNP-depleted nuclear extracts and column fractionation show that the increase in Sm antigenic reactivity after RNase treatment mainly comes from the RNP-Sm complex.

Experimental retinal vascular occlusion. III. An ultrastructural study of simultaneous occlusion of central retinal vein and artery.

The retinal changes following the simultaneous occlusion of retinal vessels were examined at an ultrastructural level. The preservation of endothelial cells that prevented leakage of blood and horseradish peroxidase tracer material in the surrounding retinal tissues explained the lack of hemorrhages observed clinically. Mueller cell death resulted in severe structural disorganization of the retina, with disruption of the inner limiting membrane, involvement of the outer retinal layers, and fleurette formation.

Experimental retinal vascular occlusion. II. A clinico-pathologic correlative study of simultaneous occlusion of central retinal vein and artery.

After experimentally occluding the central retinal vein and artery simultaneously at their point of entry into the optic nerve, acute retinal necrosis occurred, but not hemorrhagic retinopathy. In the retinal vasculature, stagnation of blood flow and thrombosis with subsequent recanalization was noted. The necrosis was extensive in the inner retinal layers but focal in the outer retinal layers.

Hypotony and experimental rubeosis iridis in primate eyes. A clinicopathologic study.

Rubeosis iridis was produced in cynomolgus monkeys by subjecting their eyes to severe surgically induced hypotony. New vessels on the iris showed characteristic fenestrations of endothelial cell walls as well as mitotic activity.

Ten years experience with eye wall resection for uveal malignant melanomas.

Thirty-four patients underwent eye wall resection for choroidal malignant melanoma over a period of more than ten years. Of these, 11 eyes were later enucleated for complications. Average mean follow-up has been more than 5.

Resection of uveal melanocytoma: clinicopathological correlation.

Four patients had pigmented lesions in the anterior uveal tract and choroid which presented clinically as malignant melanomas. All the lesions were successfully removed by local excision. Histopathological studies showed the tumours to be melanocytomas, indicating that enucleation or irradiation would have been contraindicated.

Effects of argon and krypton laser on experimentally detached retinas.

Krypton and argon laser photocoagulation on the foveas and blood vessels of experimentally detached monkey retinas were studied clinicopathologically. In this manner heat transmission from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) to the overlying sensory retina was avoided. Krypton lesions bypassed the sensory retina on every occasion to produce major photocoagulative effects at the level of the RPE and choroid.

The effect of the chemical modification in human Fc gamma fragment on protein A and Fc receptor binding.

The role of acidic side-chains on Fc gamma fragment in granulocyte receptor binding and in S. aureus protein A binding has been investigated by means of chemical modification. Alteration of a restricted number of carboxyl groups after 5 min of reaction is sufficient to abrogate the capacity of Fc to inhibit EA rosette formation by human neutrophils.

Secondary pupillary membranes treated by the pars plana/pars plicata approach: long-term results of 108 cases.

One hundred and eight pupillary membranes treated with the vitrophage through a pars plicata or pars plana approach were evaluated for long-term results. The average follow-up was 3.86 years, with a range of 1 to 7 years.

Full-thickness eye-wall biopsy: long-term results in 9 patients.

Nine patients who had an eye-wall biopsy were evaluated for long-term results. The follow-up time ranged from 2 1/2 months to 7 years. Six patients were followed up for more than 2 years.

An ultrastructural study of melanocytomas (magnocellular nevi) of the optic disk and uvea.

We examined by light and electron microscopy five melanocytomas from four patients. Two types of cells were observed in each tumor. The predominant cell type in most of the tumors studied consisted of plump polyhedral nevus cells that contained numerous giant melanosomes.

Massive retinal gliosis simulating choroidal melanoma.

A pigmented fundus lesion in a 47-year-old woman gave a positive 32P test result and angiography showed a separate tumor circulation suggesting a diagnosis of choroidal melanoma. Examination after local resection of the tumor revealed massive retinal gliosis, a rare condition not normally considered in the differential diagnosis of choroidal melanoma. We review the clincial and histologic features that differentiate massive retinal gliosis from choroidal melanoma and astrocytic hamartoma.

Choroidal occlusive disease in sickle cell hemoglobinopathies.

Two distinct episodes of posterior ciliary artery occlusion were studied in a 32-year-old man with hemoglobin SS disease and multiple episodes of amaurosis fugax. Although posterior ciliary artery occlusions have been observed following photocoagulation of sickle cell retinopathy, their spontaneous evolution in patients with sickling hemoglobinopathies has received little attention. The manifestations of posterior ciliar artery occlusion seen in this case and in other clinical and experimental situations are reviewed.