BCG inoculation and corticosteroid sensitivity.

Purpose: This study was conducted to clarify the relationship between Bacille de Calmette-Guérin (BCG) inoculation and corticosteroid sensitivity.

Methods: Lewis and WKAH rats were inoculated with BCG vaccine weekly beginning at six weeks of age. At 15 weeks, spleen cells were cultured with PHA and betamethasone for 24 hours.

The role of costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2 in mice with experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.

Background: Onset of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) is believed to involve a CD4-positive type 1 T helper cell (Th1) immune response, with inhibition involving a Th2 immune response. Development of Th1 and Th2 responses involves the participation of the costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2, respectively. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of B7-1 and B7-2 in the EAU model in mice.

Evaluation of antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus immediate early gene product ZEBRA by a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

For the serodiagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections, we have developed a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to the ZEBRA product of EBV immediate early gene BZLF1. ZEBRA protein fused with glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography with glutathione-Sepharose 4B. An ELISA sandwich capture system was constructed with the GST-ZEBRA immobilized on plastic microtiter plates which had been coated with a mouse monoclonal antibody to GST.

Immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and molecular study of well differentiated adenocarcinomas of the lung predominantly composed of goblet cells.

In order to clarify the morphological and biological characteristics of well differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung predominantly composed of goblet cells (WDAG), histopathological examinations, including some molecular biological procedures, were carried out using 42 surgical specimens of primary lung carcinoma which were predominantly (>50% of the total cell population) or totally composed of goblet cells. The subjects included 19 men and 21 women, ranging in age from 41 to 81 (mean 60 years old) with predominantly nodular, peripherally located lesions. Ultrastructural examination revealed characteristic apical microvillous filamentous core rootless (AFCR) in some, but not all, cases.

Selective targeting and photodynamic destruction of intimal hyperplasia by scavenger-receptor mediated protein-chlorin e6 conjugates.

Background: Photosensitizers, such as Photofrin II or Chloroaluminum-sulfonated phthalocyanine accumulate at sites of arterial injury. We have exploited this property to develop a model of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for intimal hyperplasia. The fluorescent probe [maleylated-bovine serum albumin (mal-BSA) conjugated with Texas-red] can be selectively targeted to intimal macrophages and smooth muscle cells recruited during formation of hyperplasia via a receptor-mediated mechanism.

Effect of type I interferon on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in rats.

In order to establish a scientific basis for the potential use of type I interferons (IFNs) in clinical uveitis, we examined the effect of a preparation of IFN-alpha/beta on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Lewis rats were immunized with bovine interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) and given daily intramuscular injections of 10(5) IU mouse natural IFN-alpha/beta. Intraocular inflammation was assessed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and histopathological examination.

Videofunduscopy and videoangiography using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome.

Aim: To observe pathophysiological changes in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) to perform videofunduscopy, and indocyanine green (ICG) and fluorescein videoangiography.

Methods: 18 patients diagnosed with VKH syndrome were studied. 15 patients were examined in both acute and convalescent phases, and three patients were examined in the convalescent phase only.

Kinetics of intraocular cytokines in the suppression of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by type I IFN.

The systemic administration of IFN-alpha/beta was previously found to suppress inflammation in rats with experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU); however, an effect on the systemic immune response was not identified. In order to investigate an immunological basis for suppression at the intraocular level, rats immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) were administered daily intramuscular injections of 10(5) IU IFN-alpha/beta and cytokines were measured by ELISA in intraocular extracts prepared by ultrasonification at various timepoints throughout the course of EAU. In control EAU, intraocular concentrations of IFN-gamma were found to be non-detectable on day 8 before the onset of inflammation, significantly elevated on day 12 at peak inflammation (182+/-106 pg/ml), then non-detectable again on day 16 after inflammation had begun to subside.

Spontaneous calcaneal fracture after deep heel burns with diabetes.

Two patients with diabetes mellitus sustained spontaneous calcaneus fracture after deep heel burns. Both cases had avulsion type fracture of the os calcis. The authors discuss the incidence and possible etiology with literature review.

New variant translocation (8;20)(q22;q13) in acute myelocytic leukemia.

A new variant translocation, (8;20)(q22;q13) in a patient with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) M2 is reported. As far as we know, this is the second case of the t(8;20) in de novo AML. Further studies are required to clarify the key event leading to the development of AML-M2.

Angiography of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis with ultrastructural correlation.

Background: Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography has been used to evaluate posterior uveitis in the clinical setting, despite the shortage of data on possible pathological correlates of observed findings.

Methods: We used both ICG angiography and fluorescein angiography to examine rats that developed a mild form of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) induced by immunization with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). Angiography was performed on days 9, 10, 11 and 23 after IRBP immunization, and freshly enucleated eyes obtained on the same days were examined histopathologically by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Liposome drug delivery system for murine neuroblastoma.

Purpose: The effects of liposome-infused doxorubicin on C-1300 murine neuroblastoma were studied. The liposome surface was covered with polyethylene glycol to avoid migration toward the reticuloendothelial system and to prolong its presence in the bloodstream. Liposome-infused doxorubicin hydrochloride (DXR), an anthracycline was used as an anticancer antibiotic substance.

Goldenhar syndrome associated with various cardiovascular malformations.

This report presents a 54-year-old woman with Goldenhar syndrome featuring an epibulbar dermoid, left microtia and a left preauricular appendage, and synostosis of the vertebrae. Multiple cardiovascular malformations including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection, patent ductus arteriosus, an anomalous origin of the coronary arteries, and a right-sided descending aorta were revealed by electrocardiography, echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Goldenhar syndrome is very rare, but the frequency of cardiovascular malformations in this syndrome is 5-58%.

Outcome of patients with early stage lung cancer.

A study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of 79 patients with early stage lung cancer diagnosed according to the following criteria. Central tumors were located in the segmental bronchi, or more proximally, and tumor invasion was limited to the bronchial wall without lymph node or distant metastases. Peripheral tumors were located distal to the subsegmental bronchi and were less than 2 cm in greatest dimension, and invasion was limited to the visceral pleura, with no lymph node or distant metastases.

Intraocular cytokine quantification of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in rats.

Elevations of inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats, although such analysis has relied on indirect methods of assessment such as measurement of mRNA content. In this study, we examined the feasibility of directly measuring cytokine concentrations in intraocular extracts prepared by ultrasonic disruption. Cytokines were measured by ELISA in eyes from EAU-induced Lewis rats immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), and compared to eyes from rats immunized with adjuvant only and from normal rats.

Alpha-fetoprotein producing pulmonary blastoma in a patient with systemic sclerosis: pathogenetic analysis.

We describe a rare case of pulmonary blastoma complicated with systemic sclerosis. The serum alpha-fetoprotein level was elevated at presentation and the biopsied tumour stained positively against anti-alpha-fetoprotein antibody. The alpha-fetoprotein produced autonomously by tumour cells was of yolk-sac origin.

Malignancy associated changes in bronchial epithelial cells and clinical application as a biomarker.

A total of 74 bronchial brushing specimens, 24 from patients with advanced stage cancer, eight from patients with CIS, 31 from patients with atypical metaplasia and 11 from normal subjects were examined for the existence of malignancy associated changes (MAC). Conventional fiberoptic bronchoscopy and fluorescence endoscopy was carried out on every case. Each case was classified according to the highest grade of abnormality diagnosed by bronchial biopsy of the suspect areas.

Cyclic thrombocytopenia in a patient treated with cyclosporine for refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Cyclic thrombocytopenia (CT) is a rare disorder with cyclic changes of the platelet counts. Though the pathogenesis of this disorder has not been clarified, recent reports suggest that periodic destruction and/or ineffective production of platelets may be important causes of the disease. We report a case of a patient with refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in whom CT developed after cyclosporine A (CyA) therapy.

Histological study of intraocular changes in rabbits after intravitreal gas injection.

To study the effects of different intravitreal gases on intraocular tissues, adult pigmented rabbits were given 0.4 mL intravitreal injections of air, 50% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and air, 100% SF6, 50% perfluoropropane (C3F8), or 100% C3F8. On postinjection days 1, 4, 7, and 14, the eyes were removed and the iris, ciliary body and retina processed for light and electron microscopy.

Relationship between postoperative intraocular pressure elevation and residual sodium hyaluronate following phacoemulsification and aspiration.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and the amount and viscosity of sodium hyaluronate remaining in the anterior chamber after phacoemulsification and aspiration (PEA).

Setting: Hachioji Medical Center and Tokyo Medical College Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Methods: In 107 eyes, washout (irrigation and aspiration [I/A]) of sodium hyaluronate was performed for randomly assigned durations of 5, 10, or 20 seconds following PEA and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Prevention of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by monoclonal antibody to interleukin-12.

Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) induced by immunization with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), a retinal self antigen, has been regarded to be a typical T helper type 1 (Th1)-mediated inflammatory disease. In this study, we examined the effect of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) to interleukin-12 (IL-12), which has been known to play a critical role in the Th1 differentiation, on the development of EAU. While 9 of 13 control mice developed EAU by the immunization with IRBP, none of 12 mice developed EAU when given anti-IL-12 mAb 1 day before immunization.

Early localization of bronchogenic cancerous/precancerous lesions with lung imaging fluorescence endoscope.

The result of the clinical trial using the lung imaging fluorescence endoscope (LIFE) was reported. A total of 77 biopsy confirmed sites from 30 patients were evaluated. The sensitivity for metaplasia detection by the LIFE system was 96% compared to 28% by conventional bronchoscopy.

Surgical extraction of traumatic orbital mercury.

Initial clinical observation of a 2-year-old boy whose right eyelid had been pierced by a glass thermometer 3 days earlier showed a scab-covered cicatrix and slight swelling in the eyelid. X-ray examination showed the broken thermometer tip, fine glass fragments, and mercury droplets beneath the eyelid and extending along the superior orbital margin. On surgical incision, glass fragments and the thermometer tip were found and extracted from the eyelid and orbital fatty tissue with forceps, and 70.