Irreversible immune reactions following keratoplasty. Retrospective clinical and histological evaluation of graft failure in a material of 206 consecutive eyes.

A total of 16/206 eyes in 14/186 patients developed irreversible immune reactions. 15 of the rejected eyes belonged to the 'classical' risk groups, i.e.

Immunohistochemical characterization of intraepidermal in vivo IgG deposits in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

68% of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome have previously been found to have intra-epidermal in vivo IgG deposits in clinically unaffected skin. In this investigation, we examined immunohistologically skin biopsies from 5 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and from 5 normal controls in order to characterize further the intra-epidermal IgG deposits. Employing direct immunofluorescence and peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) techniques, IgG was localized to epidermal cell surfaces.

Characterization of an intraocular retinoblastoma-like tumour.

A transplantable intraocular retinoblastoma-like tumour growing in F 344 rat eyes and tissue cultures suitable for therapeutic experiments is characterized. The tumours grew in the vitreous and infiltrated the internal layers of the retina. Feeder vessels from the retina supplied the tumours.

Tear fluid electrolytes and albumin in persons under environmental stress.

Sixty-two subjects selected among 287 persons with indoor air complaints were exposed to a standard mixture of 22 different organic gases and vapors normally found in Danish houses. Persons were randomly assigned to one of four exposure groups, and each subject stayed during the test day from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM under standardized conditions in a climate chamber. During exposure the blink frequency was recorded, and after exposure the tear fluid contents of serum albumin, potassium, and sodium were measured.

Relation between blink frequency and break-up time?

A possible correlation between break-up time (BUT) and blink frequency was investigated in 32 healthy persons (17 females and 15 males) and in 29 patients suffering from primary Sjögren's syndrome (27 females and 2 males). A significant negative correlation, was found between BUT and blink frequency. In persons with high BUT, the blink frequency is low, probably just sufficient to prevent spontaneous tear breaks.

Trilateral malignant lymphoma: primary malignant B-cell lymphoma of the eyes and brain. Diagnosis by transvitreal retinochoroidal biopsy.

A 59-year-old woman with therapy-resistant bilateral involvement of posterior uvea and retina of some months' duration was examined. Diagnostic vitrectomy was inconclusive, but subsequent transvitreal retinochoroidal biopsy gave ample material for the immunohistopathological diagnosis of a malignant B cell lymphoma. Despite systemic and intrathecal cytostatics and ocular X-ray therapy, central nervous system involvement was observed 2 months later.

Structure and composition of the inner limiting membrane of the retina. SEM on frozen resin-cracked and enzyme-digested retinas of Macaca mulatta.

After a historical introduction describing previous observations and views on the structure and composition of the internal limiting membrane of the retina (MLI), it is concluded that no definite unifying concept exists concerning the MLI structure. The authors applied frozen resin cracking with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) desiccation on normal and enzyme-digested specimens of monkey retinas. Distinct differences were observed between equatorial, macular, and optic disc regions.

Hexamethyldisilazane in preparation of retinal tissue for scanning electron microscopy.

A new rapid procedure for desiccating frozen resin-cracked retinal tissue for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which permits air-drying was found to compare favorably with tissues prepared by critical-point drying: Retinal tissue was fixed in 4% phosphate-buffered neutral formaldehyde, dehydrated by means of graded ethanol, embedded in Epon, cracked and washed in propylene oxide. For desiccation, the specimens were immersed in hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), air-dried and finally sputter-coated. The method is time-saving, gives extended information in SEM, and the number of good specimens is increased.

Patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome treated for two months with evening primrose oil.

Twenty-four female and 4 male patients, all fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria for primary Sjögren's syndrome (primary SS), were treated for 8 weeks with evening primrose oil (Efamol). Efamol is a seed oil which consists primarily of the n-6 essential fatty acids (EFA): cis-linoleic acid and gammalinolenic acid (GLA). The investigation was carried out as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial in order to determine whether long-term treatment of patients with primary SS with Efamol would improve the ocular and oral clinical status, and whether the levels of EFA in plasma and erythrocytes increase during Efamol treatment.

Comparing diagnostic criteria for the salivary component of Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is defined by the presence of at least two out of three clinical features: keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), xerostomia and another connective tissue disease (CTD). Various criteria have been used to diagnose the oral component of SS (xerostomia) including the presence of at least two out of the following three: lowered unstimulated whole saliva secretion rate, abnormal salivary scintigraphy and sialadenitis in a labial salivary gland biopsy (LSG) ("Copenhagen criteria"), or the solitary criterion of a focus score (FS) value greater than 1 in a LSG biopsy. We compared the application of these two diagnostic criteria on 52 patients suspected of having SS, and evaluated the interexaminer variation of LSG biopsy FS determination.

Editorial comments to the four sets of criteria for Sjögren's syndrome.

The four most frequently used criteria for definition of Sjögren's syndrome--the Copenhagen, the Japanese, the Greek and the Californian criteria--are critically evaluated. The article focuses on the similarities and the dissimilarities as well as the advantages and the disadvantages between the various sets of criteria.

The effect of bromhexine on the kidney lesions in NZB-NZW-F1 mice.

The NZB-NZW-F1 mice develop a clinical picture resembling SLE and an exocrinopathy resembling Sjögren's syndrome. Three groups of hybrids were treated from their 20th week of age for 10, 17 and 20 weeks (groups 1, 2, 3) with Bromhexine in two different concentrations--6 & 60 mg/kg and placebo. NMRJ mice treated with placebo acted as healthy controls.

Differences between glycoprotein profiles of normal tear fluid and of tear fluid from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

We present a method for tear glycoprotein characterization using lectins as probes. SDS-page of samples is followed by electrophoretic transfer of proteins from gels onto nitrocellulose paper. Biotinylated lectin is overlayed and visualized with avidin-conjugated horseradish-peroxidase.

Treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca with Lacrisert.

A double-blind cross-over comparative study on the effect of Lacrisert versus oculoguttae viscosae and saline has been conducted. Lacrisert is a soluble solid tear substitute which is applied once-a-day. The object was to compare the safety and patient acceptability of Lacrisert and oculoguttae viscosae, and to compare the efficacy of Lacrisert to oculoguttae viscosae and saline.

Treatment of Sjögren's syndrome: an overview.

This review focus on the double-blind clinical investigations in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and describe the historical developments. It is divided into two passages--systemic and topically treatment.

Characterization of intraepidermal IgG deposits in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

In order to characterize the pathomechanisms behind intraepidermal in vivo deposits of IgG, which are found in 68% of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (primary SS), skin biopsies and serum from patients with epidermal IgG deposits were examined and compared to normal controls. Double-labelling experiments on skin biopsies, from 5 patients and 5 normal controls, showed that IgG deposits were predominantly located to surface membranes of OKT6 positive Langerhans cells. Only IgG1 and IgG3 were found deposited.

Treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca with Elmiron.

Ten women with primary Sjögren's syndrome were treated with sodium pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron) 150 mg X 2 daily for 4 months in an open investigation. No subjective or objective improvement was recorded.

Cholecalciferol metabolites in polycythemic newborns.

Metabolites of cholecalciferol were measured in the sera of healthy and polycythemic newborns at 15.5 and 10.5 h of age (median), respectively.

Effect of bromhexine, ambroxol, and placebo on clinical and histopathological changes in "Sjögren" mice.

Hybrids of New Zealand black and New Zealand white mice were used in an animal model for Sjögren's syndrome. The animals were treated with bromhexine (Bisolvon), ambroxol (Mucosolvan), or placebo from their 20th week of life for 10-17 weeks. The parotic glands were examined in a masked fashion by light and transmission electron microscopy after treatment.

Lewis blood type frequency in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. A prospective study including analyses for A1A2BO, Secretor, MNSs, P, Duffy, Kell, Lutheran and rhesus blood groups.

Seventy-five patients in two randomly selected groups (N = 40 plus 35) with primary Sjögren's syndrome were tested for Lewis, A1A2BO, secretor, MNSs, P, Duffy, Kell, Lutheran and rhesus blood group antigens. The results were compared with the frequencies in a control group and in the general population. The Lewis blood group frequency differed (p less than 0.