Restoration of the rabbit corneal surface after total epithelial debridement and complete limbal excision

How is the corneal epithelium restored when all of it plus the limbus have been eliminated? This investigation explored the possibility that this may be achieved through the conjunctival epithelium. The corneal epithelium of the right eye of 12 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was totally scraped followed by surgical excision of the limbus plus 1.0-1.5 mm of the adjacent conjunctiva. Antibiotics and corticosteroids were applied for 1 week after surgery. Histological and immunohistochemical techniques were used to monitor the events taking place on the eye surface 2 weeks and 1, 3 and 6 months thereafter. Initially, the corneal surface was covered by conjunctival-like epithelium. After 1 month and more prominently at 3 and 6 months an epithelium displaying the morphological features of the cornea and reacting with the AE5 antibody was covering the central region. It is likely that the corneal epithelium originated from undifferentiated cells of the conjunctiva interacting with the corneal stroma.

Rabbit rubeosis iridis induced by intravitreal latex-derived angiogenic fraction

PURPOSE

To describe the presence of iris neovascularization in a rabbit-model of retinal neovascularization induced by the intravitreal injection of latex-derived angiogenic fraction microspheres (LAF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight New Zealand rabbits received one intravitreal injection of PLGA (L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres with 50 ug of LAF in the right eye (Group A). Microspheres without the LAF (0.1 ml) were injected in controls (Group B; n = 8). Follow-up with clinical evaluation and iris fluorescein angiography was performed after 4 weeks when eyes were processed for light microscopy.

RESULTS

All eyes from Group A showed significant vascular dilation, conjunctival hyperemia and neovascularization on the iris surface, after LAF injection. No vascular changes were observed in Group B.

CONCLUSIONS

The intravitreal injection of microspheres containing the LAF can induce rubeosis iridis in rabbits and could be used as a simple experimental model for iris neovascularization.

[New criteria and quality of health care services in the governorate of Monastir, Tunisia]

In 2005 new quality criteria (7 items) were introduced for services provided to mother and child under the national perinatality programme. We evaluated this new version in a descriptive study conducted among a random sample of 400 parturient women from Monastir governorate. Mean age was 29.3 (SD 5) years and 42% were primipara. Although prenatal care was adequate in terms of number of antenatal visits for 82.5% of women, for only 21% were all 7 quality criteria fulfilled. The rates of caesarean section and premature birth were significantly higher in women who received quality care (P < 0.05). In logistic regression analysis, age and parity were the only factors independently associated with the quality of care. Additional efforts are needed to ensure good maternal and infant quality of care.

Safety and Pharmacokinetics of an Intravitreal Biodegradable Implant of Dexamethasone Acetate in Rabbit Eyes

The treatment of vitreoretinal diseases is limited and, nowadays, new drug delivery approaches have been reported in order to increase drug bioavailability. The objective of the current study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of a biodegradable dexamethasone acetate implant inserted into the vitreous of rabbits and to evaluate its potential signs of toxicity to the rabbits' eyes. The results showed that the intravitreous drug concentration remained within the therapeutic range along the 8-week period of evaluation. The system under study was not toxic to the normal rabbit retina, and no significant increase in intraocular pressure was observed.

Cancer mucoépidermoïde des glandes salivaires: signification pronostique des marqueurs tumoraux

INTRODUCTION

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignant lesions of salivary glands. The treatment is based on clinical, paraclinical and histological data. Several studies on the prognostic value of molecular markers for these cancers were made with contradictory results. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the prognostic value of molecular markers of salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixteen patients were treated for mucoepidermoid carcinoma of principal and/or accessory salivary glands between 1994 and 2003. An immunohistochemical study of archive specimen was performed. Nine markers were specifically studied: 4 proteins/oncoproteins (p53, bcl2, c-erb-B2 and cd117), 2 markers of proliferation (PCNA and Ki67), 1 growing factor receptor (EGFR), 1 epithelial adhesion molecule (E-cadherin), and 1 angiogenic cytokine (PDGF).

RESULTS

Nine men and 7 women were included, with a mean age of 43.7 years (14-80). The mean diameter of tumors was 3.1 mm (1-14), and the parotid gland was the most frequent location. The mean global survival rate was 57.3 months with a median of 55 months. The 2 to 5 years survival expectation rate were 82.5% and 46.4% respectively. The mean survival rate for women was superior to that of men (P=0.043). The expression of p53 and the high expression rate of EFGR were bad prognostic factors (respectively P=0.049 and P=0.012). The expression of PCNA was linked to the location (mainly the salivary gland) and to the diameter of the tumor (respectively P=0.037 and P=0.029). The degree of EFGR positivity and the histological grade were linked (P=0.027).

DISCUSSION

The strong expression of EGFR was statistically linked to the histological tumor grade. The degree of PCNA positivity seemed to be associated to the preferential location in the main salivary glands and to the diameter of the tumor. The strong expression of p53 and EGFR were bad prognostic factors. These retrospective results need to be confirmed by prospective randomized and larger studies. EGFR and p53 were significant negative prognostic factors. EGFR was highly correlated to the histological grade, making it an interesting target for further investigation.

Synthesis and secretion of transferrin by a bovine trabecular meshwork cell line

The trabecular meshwork (TM) is the main outflow pathway in the mammalian eye. Oxidative damage to TM cells has been suggested to be an important cause of impairment of TM functions, leading to deficient drainage of aqueous humor, with deleterious consequences to the eye. Transferrin, a metalloprotein involved in iron transport, has been characterized as an intrinsic eye protein. Since transferrin is implicated in the control of oxidative stress, the objective of the present study was to determine if a bovine TM cell line (CTOB) synthesizes and secretes transferrin. The CTOB cell line was cultured in the presence of 35S-methionine and the incubation medium was submitted to immunoprecipitation. Total RNAs from CTOB and isolated bovine TM (freshly isolated, incubated or not) were subjected to the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and the amplification products were sequenced. Also, both CTOB and histological TM preparations were processed for transferrin immunolocalization. A labeled peptide of about 80 kDa, the expected size for transferrin, was immunopurified from CTOB samples obtained from the incubation assays. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing experiments detected the presence of transferrin mRNA in CTOB and isolated bovine TM. Reactivity to antibodies against transferrin was observed both in CTOB and TM. The results obtained in all of these experiments indicated that the TM is capable of synthesizing and secreting transferrin. The possible implications for the physiology of the eye are discussed.

Positron emission tomography using 18-fluorodeoxyglucose in pre- and post-transplantation in lymphoma patients treated with autologous stem cell transplantation: Impact

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Background: The pre-transplant evaluation of lymphoma with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning using 18- FluoroDeoxyGlucose may ease a decision making. The impact on patient outcome of post-transplant assessment is unknown. Methods: Between July 04 and December 05, patients (pts) who achieved tumor response and received high-dose chemotherapy plus autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) were explored with PET, prior and 100 days after ASCT, without knowledge of conventional imaging nor clinical history. PET results (negative or positive) were related to event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: 60 pts were included. 50 had Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (26 aggressive) and 10 Hodgkins Lymphoma. Median age was 52 [19-68]. 22 pts received front-line ASCT mainly after ACVBP (n=14) or CHOP. Platinum-based salvage chemotherapy was the most used (n=38), and most of the pts received rituximab (n=40). Prior ASCT,by clinical staging, there were 31 complete remission (CR), 23 uncertain CR and 6 partial remission. Conditioning regimen was BEAM in 39 pts; Zevalin BEAM in 11, Total Body Irradiation in 10. 75% were pre-ASCT-PET negative and 80% post-ASCT-PET negative. 6 pts (10%) converted from pre-ASCT-PET positive to post-ASCT-PET negative and 2 pts from negative to post-ASCT-PET positive. Median follow-up was 1.25 years [0.5–2]. 12 pts died (OS 80%) and 19 relapsed (EFS 68%). OS and EFS was better in pre-ASCT-PET-negative pts than in PET-positive (92% vs 53% (p=0.0009), 77% vs 35%, (p=0.0002) respectively). OS was estimated to 90% in post-ASCT-PET-negative pts vs 50% in PET-positive (p<0.0001), EFS was 79% vs 25%, respectively (p<0.0001). In multivariate analysis,including analysis by histology subtypes, the only adverse prognostic factor was PET positive either pre-ASCT (Relative Risk(RR)=4) or post-ASCT (RR=12). Conclusions: A positive PET after induction chemotherapy indicates a high risk of ASCT failure which is increased by a positive PET after ASCT. In pre-ASCT-PET-positive pts, more experimental approaches are required. In pre-ASCT-PET-negative patients, post-ASCT-PET assessment may be omitted.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Le « de Sèze » magnétique

The authors propose that a coronal STIR sequence with large FOV, similar to the de Sèze projection, including lumbar spine, sacrum, pelvis and hips should be obtained in all patients as part of the lumbar spine MRI protocol. For an additional few minutes of scanning time, this additional sequence could demonstrate the presence of lesions (hips, pelvis, sacrum, SI joints, retroperitoneum...) that would otherwise go undetected on standard sagittal and axial MRI images of the lumbar spine.

[Maternal nutrition as a determinant of fetal weight: role of trace elements and vitamins]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate maternal trace elements and vitamins food intake in the last month of pregnancy and assess their effect on fetal weight.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It is a food intake survey led near 350 pregnant women. All women participated in a nutritional survey and were at term. To examine dietary intakes, food frequency questionnaires were completed before delivery on the diet during the last 24 hours. Authors compared the maternal intakes to the recommended allowance and analyzed the correlation between these intakes and fetal weight.

RESULTS

This study confirmed the influence of factors such as parity, maternal BMI and term of pregnancy on the fetal weight. The mean daily intakes of iron (10.7 mg/day), calcium (553 mg/day), zinc (6.2 mg/day), magnesium (284.3 mg/day) were lower than recommended. The mean daily intakes of vitamins C and E did not differ from recommended allowance. Only calcium intakes were significantly correlated to birth weight.

CONCLUSION

We noted a deficiency of most of these intakes compared to the recommended dietary allowance. Trace elements and vitamins C, E maternal-food intakes in the end of pregnancy don't seem to be a significant determinant of foetal weight.