Optic nerve axon number in mouse is regulated by PAX2.

Background: Papillorenal syndrome is an autosomal-dominant disease caused by mutations in the PAX2 transcription factor gene. Patients often exhibit congenital excavation of the optic nerve and a spectrum of congenital kidney abnormalities. Using a novel mouse model of this syndrome (C57BL/6J PAX2(A220G/+)), we investigated the effect of PAX2 haploinsufficiency on optic nerve axon number.

Results of the veterinary enalapril trial to prove reduction in onset of heart failure in dogs chronically treated with enalapril alone for compensated, naturally occurring mitral valve insufficiency.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of long-term enalapril administration in delaying the onset of congestive heart failure (CHF).

Design: Placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter, randomized trial.

Animals: 124 dogs with compensated mitral valve regurgitation (MR).

Clinical and genetic heterogeneity of crystalline retinopathies: report of two families without bietti crystalline dystrophy.

Purpose: To report variations in the inheritance pattern and clinical presentation of crystalline retinopathies.

Methods: Two different families with crystalline retinopathy were studied with a complete family history and ophthalmologic examination including Goldmann kinetic perimetry and electroretinography. Genetic studies were performed in one of the families.

Analysis of ocular hypopigmentation in Rab38cht/cht mice.

Purpose: To characterize the ocular phenotype resulting from mutation of Rab38, a candidate gene for Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.

Methods: Chocolate mice (cht, Rab38(cht/cht)) and control heterozygous (Rab38(cht/)(+)) and wild-type mice were examined clinically, histologically, ultrastructurally, and electrophysiologically. Mice homozygous for both the Rab38(cht) and the Tyrp1(b) alleles were similarly examined.

Conditional deletion of the mouse Klf4 gene results in corneal epithelial fragility, stromal edema, and loss of conjunctival goblet cells.

The Krüppel-like transcription factor KLF4 is among the most highly expressed transcription factors in the mouse cornea (B. Norman, J. Davis, and J.

Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP)-deficient C57BL/6 mice have enhanced immunological and immunopathogenic responses to IRBP and an altered recognition of IRBP epitopes.

Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) and pinealitis (EAP) can be induced in susceptible mice by immunization with immunologically privileged retinal antigens. In the present study, we analyzed the immunologic and immunopathologic responses of mice deficient in the retinal autoantigen interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). The consequences of IRBP deficiency on the T-cell repertoire were also investigated.

Adaptive differences in the structure and macromolecular compositions of the air and water corneas of the "four-eyed" fish (Anableps anableps).

The water meniscus bisects the eyes of the "four-eyed" fish Anableps anableps, resulting in simultaneous vision in air and water. We compare the structure and macromolecular compositions of the Anableps dorsal (air) and ventral (water) corneas with the fully aquatic zebrafish cornea. The Anableps dorsal corneal epithelium is thicker (>20 cell layers), flatter (approximately 1.

Neuroanatomy of the extraocular muscle tendon enthesis in macaque, normal human, and patients with congenital nystagmus.

Purpose: To search for the presence of, and qualitatively characterize the microscopic anatomy of, nerve terminals in the tendino-scleral (enthesial) area of the extraocular muscle tendon.

Methods: Extraocular rectus muscle tendino-scleralspecimens from a macaque monkey, a normal human, cadavers, and patients with congenital nystagmus were obtained and studied with transmission electron microscopy.

Results: Enthesial neurovascular structures were identified in all specimens.

Effects of long-term administration of enalapril on clinical indicators of renal function in dogs with compensated mitral regurgitation.

Objective: To determine the effect of long-term administration of enalapril on renal function in dogs with severe, compensated mitral regurgitation.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Animals: 139 dogs with mitral regurgitation but without overt signs of heart failure.