Endothelial Activation in Infection Is Mediated by Cytokine Secretion From Infected Monocytes.

Scrub typhus, caused by , is a common systemic infection in Asia. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to vasculitis in the visceral organs and other complications. The mechanisms that drive endothelial activation and the inflammatory response in infection remain unknown.

Efficacy and outcome of simple limbal epithelial transplantation for limbal stem cell deficiency verified by epithelial phenotypes integrated with clinical evaluation.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and outcome of simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) using epithelial phenotype detection integrated with clinical manifestation.

Methods: This prospective multicenter study included patients with LSCD who underwent autologous SLET (autoSLET) and living-related allogenic SLET (Lr-alloSLET). All patients were assessed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), and impression cytology with immunofluorescence staining (ICIF) before and after surgery.

Successful Ocular Surface Reconstruction in Complete Ankyloblepharon With the Simple Oral Mucosal Epithelial Transplantation Technique: A Case Report.

Purpose: To report an outcome of a patient with complete ankyloblepharon successfully managed with simple oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (SOMET).

Methods: A 55-year-old woman presented with complete adhesion of both lids to the ocular surface as a complication from Stevens-Johnson syndrome. We performed 2-staged reconstructive surgeries: the first stage was to perform ankyloblepharon lysis and surface reconstruction with a mucosal graft on the palpebral area and an amniotic membrane on the bulbar area, and the second stage was to reconstruct the bulbar area with a transplantation of small pieces of oral mucosa (SOMET technique).

Phenotypic Characterization of Corneal Epithelium in Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Post-Autologous Cultivated Oral Mucosal Epithelial Transplantation.

Purpose: To analyze the phenotype of the corneal epithelium in patients with long-term follow-up who underwent autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (COMET) using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and impression cytology with immunofluorescence staining (ICIF).

Methods: Thirteen eyes from patients with severe limbal stem cell deficiency, who underwent COMET at least 48 months before, were recruited in this noncomparative cohort study. After eye examination, IVCM and ICIF were performed.

Toll-like receptor 2-mediated induction of human beta-defensin 2 expression by Leptospira interrogans in human kidney cells.

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira interrogans. Severe leptospirosis is often accompanied by kidney dysfunction caused by chronic infection. The kidney pathology involves bacterial invasion and inflammation caused by pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Anti-Mycoplasma Activity of Daptomycin and Its Use for Mycoplasma Elimination in Cell Cultures of Rickettsiae.

Mycoplasma contamination detrimentally affects cellular functions and the growth of intracellular pathogens in cell cultures. Although several mycoplasmacidal agents are commercially available for sterile cell cultures, they are not applicable to rickettsia-infected cells. In our attempt to find an anti-mycoplasma drug for contaminated rickettsial cultures, we determined the susceptibilities of three common species to daptomycin.