Correlation between frequency doubling technology perimetry and scanning laser polarimetry in glaucoma suspects and glaucomatous eyes.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the frequency doubling technology (FDT) screening algorithm and parapapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in the eyes of glaucoma suspects and patients with open angle glaucoma. FDT C20-1 screening program and a scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) system (GDx-NFA) was used to assess 53 glaucomatous eyes, 53 glaucoma suspects and 36 normal control eyes. In glaucomatous eyes, there were correlations between the FDT the screening algorithm and RNFL retardation values in several polarimetric indices, most significantly "inferior thickness" (r = -0.

Ceramide-induced apoptosis in rabbit corneal fibroblasts.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of various ceramides on the apoptosis of corneal fibroblasts and to determine the pathway on which they act.

Method: Corneal fibroblasts isolated and cultured from New Zealand white rabbits were exposed to various concentrations of ceramide types II and VI and phytoceramide types II and VI, and their apoptotic response was evaluated using an LDH assay and Hoechst and Annexin V staining. Corneal fibroblasts were preincubated with various concentrations of the CPP32-like protease inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, the caspase-8 inhibitor IETD-CHO, and the caspase-9 inhibitor Z-LEHD-FMK before treatment with ceramide, and apoptotic response was assayed by LDH assay.

Simple one-step purification of nisin Z from unclarified culture broth of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis A164 using expanded bed ion exchange chromatography.

A simple one-step purification method, using expanded bed, ion-exchange chromatography, for the fractionation of nisin Z produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis A164 was developed. The highest dynamic binding capacity (0.

An immunohistochemical study of the expression of cell-cycle-regulated proteins p53, cyclin D1, RB, p27, Ki67 and MSH2 in gallbladder carcinoma and its precursor lesions.

Gallbladder carcinomas are rare but highly lethal neoplasms. We examined the expression of five cell-cycle-related molecules (p53, RB, cyclin D1, p27, Ki-67), and MSH2, in 46 carcinomas, 14 adenomas, 15 low-grade dysplasias, 9 intestinal metaplasias and 20 normal gallbladder epithelia. The expression of these molecules was altered in gallbladder carcinomas and adenomas.

Evaluation of antigen retrieval buffer systems.

The introduction of antigen retrieval (AR) techniques has dramatically improved the sensitivity of immunohistochemical detection of various antigens in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. The microwave-heating and pressure-cooking procedures are the most effective AR methods reported to date. Although extensive efforts have been made to optimize AR procedures using these two methods, previous studies have not led to a standard protocol applicable to all antibodies derived from different clones.

Optimal conditions for the retrieval of CD4 and CD8 antigens in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.

The effects of buffer, NaCl, EDTA, and urea on the retrieval of CD4 and CD8 antigens in formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues with a microwave pressure-cooker were evaluated. The optimal retrieval conditions were found to be borate buffer at pH 8 containing 1 mM NaCl and 1 mM EDTA. Urea was found to be less effective.

Ability of scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) to discriminate among early glaucomatous, ocular hypertensive and normal eyes in the Korean population.

We investigated the ability of the GDx-Nerve Fiber Analyzer (NFA) to discriminate between normal and early glaucomatous eyes among Korean individuals by reviewing the medical records of 217 consecutive subjects: 61 early glaucoma patients, 68 ocular hypertensive patients, and 88 normal subjects. GDx parameters were compared using ANOVA. The Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve for each GDx-NFA variable was used to diagnose each parameter, and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the association between GDx-NFA parameters and visual field indices in early glaucoma.

Effect of cataract extraction on frequency doubling technology perimetry.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of cataract extraction on the results of frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry in healthy subjects.

Design: Single-center, prospective, case series.

Methods: We performed FDT threshold C20-1 and Humphrey Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm (SITA)-fast programs within 1 month before and 2 months after phacoemulsification in 52 consecutive nonglaucomatous patients.

An immunohistochemical study of the expression of adhesion molecules in gallbladder lesions.

We investigated the expression of 10 adhesion molecules (alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, gamma-catenin, CD44, CD44v6, ICAM-1, CD56, CEA, E-cadherin, and CD99) in 46 gallbladder carcinomas, 14 adenomas, 15 low-grade dysplasias, nine intestinal metaplasias, and 20 samples of normal gallbladder epithelium by immunohistochemistry. The expression of adhesion molecules was altered in gallbladder carcinomas and adenomas. In gallbladder carcinomas, increased expression of ICAM-1, CEA, and CD44v6 was observed, together with decreased expression of alpha/beta/gamma-catenin and CD99.

Presence of human mycoplasma DNA in gastric tissue samples from Korean chronic gastritis patients.

We aimed to determine whether mycoplasmas are present in Korean chronic gastritis, and to understand their roles in gastric cancer tumorigenesis, because mycoplasmas resemble Helicobacter pylori in terms of ammonia production and induction of inflammatory cytokines in immune and non-immune cells. The presence and identity of mycoplasmas were assessed by semi-nested PCR and sequencing, and the results were compared with pathologic data. Fifty-six samples collected from Korean chronic gastritis patients were used for this study.

TCR-independent and caspase-independent apoptosis of murine thymocytes by CD24 cross-linking.

CD24, also referred to as the heat-stable Ag, is a T cell differentiation Ag that is highly expressed on both CD4-CD8- double negative and CD4+CD8+ double positive thymocytes. Here, we report that CD24 ligation by a new anti-CD24 Ab, mT-20, induced the apoptosis of both double negative and double positive thymocytes, as well as the Scid.adh thymic lymphoma cell line, in the absence of TCR/CD3 engagement.

Evaluation for safety of cultured corneal fibroblasts with cotreatment of alcohol and mitomycin C.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of alcohol and mitomycin C (MMC) on cultured corneal fibroblast of the rabbit to determine the safety of this compound for clinical use.

Method: Corneal fibroblasts of New Zealand rabbits were cultured. Various concentrations (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 60%) of ethanol were applied for 10, 20, 30, and 40 seconds to estimate dose- and time-dependent responses of cultured corneal fibroblasts.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel trans-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropyl nucleosides.

Novel trans-2,2-dimethylcyclopropyl nucleosides were synthesized as potential antiviral agents. The key intermediate, 3, was synthesized via five steps from ethyl chrysanthemate and condensed with purine bases using the Mitsunobu reaction to give six cyclopropyl nucleosides. These synthesized nucleosides did not show any significant antiviral activity against HSV-1, HSV-2, EMCV, Cox B3, or VSV, at concentrations up to 100 microM.

Production and the characterization of monoclonal antibody against CD43, K06.

A monoclonal antibody against human CD43 has been developed and designated as K06. Its reactivity in the lymphoid organs was different from that of known anti-CD43 monoclonal antibodies suggesting that this may recognize a novel epitope of human CD43 molecule. The CD43 epitope detected by anti-K06 monoclonal antibody was highly expressed in cortical thymocytes, platelets, and myeloid cells of normal peripheral blood, and its reactivity was comparable to that of known anti-CD43 monoclonal antibodies.

Targeted cytotoxic effect of anti-JL1 immunotoxin against a human leukemic cell line and its clinical implications.

We have previously reported the identification of a unique thymocyte-specific surface molecule, JL1, which was detected using the monoclonal antibody (mAb), anti-JL1. Interestingly, JL1 was shown to be expressed in most leukemias, irrespective of their immunophenotype, and subpopulations of normal bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells (MNCs). Here we investigated the potential usefulness of the anti-JL1 mAb as a therapeutic tool for leukemia.

Apoptosis in keratocytes caused by mitomycin C.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of mitomycin C on rabbit keratocytes, with a view to determining its potential in modulating corneal stromal wound healing. In addition, the pathway by which this regulation occurs was investigated.

Methods: Keratocytes were isolated from New Zealand White rabbits and cultured.

Cloning, genomic organization, alternative transcripts and expression analysis of CD99L2, a novel paralog of human CD99, and identification of evolutionary conserved motifs.

Human CD99 (MIC2) is a 32 kDa cell surface protein and its encoding gene is localized to the pseudoautosomal regions of both Xp and Yp chromosomes. Although sequences of several genes such as human PBDX and MIC2R are known to be related to that of CD99, the murine counterpart of CD99 has not been reported. Here we have identified a novel CD99 mouse paralog, named as CD99L2 (CD99 antigen-like 2), and its human, rat and zebrafish genes.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel exomethylene cyclopropyl pyrimidine nucleosides.

A series of novel exomethylene cyclopropyl nucleosides have been synthesized starting from Feist's acid. Classical nucleophilic substitution conditions (K2CO3, 18-crown-6) of the tosylate 2 as well as Mitsunobu reaction (DEAD, PPh3) of alcohol 1 with pyrimidine bases afforded a series of novel cyclopropyl nucleosides. Compound 4b displayed moderate anti-HBV activity without any cytotoxicity up to 100 microM.

Interocular comparison of nerve fiber layer thickness and its relation with optic disc size in normal subjects.

We conducted an investigation of the relation between RNFL thickness and optic disc size along with an interocular comparison of optic disc size, RNFL thickness, and RNFL density in healthy subjects. A total of 64 normal eyes from 32 Korean volunteers were enrolled in this study. A GDx Nerve Fiber Analyzer with software version 2.

Pattern of retinal nerve fiber layer damage in Korean eyes with normal-tension glaucoma and hemifield visual field defect.

Purpose: To evaluate quantitatively the pattern of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) damage in eyes with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) with hemifield dominant visual field defects using scanning laser polarimetry.

Methods: Prospectively, 40 consecutive eyes from 40 patients with NTG and hemifield defect based on the findings of examination using the Humphrey Field Analyzer underwent RNFL thickness measurements. Twenty normal eyes from 20 subjects matched in age and refractive error formed a control group.

Influence of growth conditions on the production of a nisin-like bacteriocin by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis A164 isolated from kimchi.

The influence of growth parameters on the fermentative production of a nisin-like bacteriocin by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis A164 isolated from kimchi was studied. The bacteriocin production was greatly affected by carbon and nitrogen sources.

Effect of laser in situ keratomileusis on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements by scanning laser polarimetry.

Purpose: To determine the effect of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on retinal nerve fiber layer measurements by scanning laser polarimetry in a large clinical trial.

Setting: Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul, Korea.

Methods: Scanning laser polarimetry measurements were performed in 59 eyes of 59 consecutive patients who had LASIK.

Study of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in eyes with high tension glaucoma and hemifield defect.

Aim: To quantitatively evaluate retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) difference in areas of apparently normal appearing visual field in eyes with high tension glaucoma (HTG) and hemifield defects using scanning laser polarimetry.

Methods: 40 eyes from 40 patients with HTG with superior or inferior hemifield defects based on the Humphrey field analyser (HFA) underwent RNFL thickness measurements. 20 normal eyes from 20 subjects matched in age and refractive error were selected as a control group.

Reproducibility of scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in normal subjects.

Purpose: To assess the reproducibility of measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness among subjects using the GDx Nerve Fiber Analyzer (NFA).

Methods: One eye of each of five young and healthy volunteers was imaged by three newly trained technicians (R.-H.

Short-term effect of mitomycin-C augmented trabeculectomy on axial length and corneal astigmatism.

Purpose: To evaluate the short-term effect of trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin-C (MMC) on corneal astigmatism and axial length.

Setting: Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul, Korea.

Methods: Eighteen consecutive eyes of 16 patients having trabeculectomy with adjunctive MMC were prospectively analyzed.