Insights into the function of Rim protein in photoreceptors and etiology of Stargardt's disease from the phenotype in abcr knockout mice

Rim protein (RmP) is an ABC transporter of unknown function in rod outer segment discs. The human gene for RmP (ABCR) is affected in several recessive retinal degenerations. Here, we characterize the ocular phenotype in abcr knockout mice. Mice lacking RmP show delayed dark adaptation, increased all-trans-retinaldehyde (all-trans-RAL) following light exposure, elevated phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in outer segments, accumulation of the protonated Schiff base complex of all-trans-RAL and PE (N-retinylidene-PE), and striking deposition of a major lipofuscin fluorophore (A2-E) in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). These data suggest that RmP functions as an outwardly directed flippase for N-retinylidene-PE. Delayed dark adaptation is likely due to accumulation in discs of the noncovalent complex between opsin and all-trans-RAL. Finally, ABCR-mediated retinal degeneration may result from "poisoning" of the RPE due to A2-E accumulation, with secondary photoreceptor degeneration due to loss of the RPE support role.

Epithelial injury induces keratocyte apoptosis: hypothesized role for the interleukin-1 system in the modulation of corneal tissue organization and wound healing

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the disappearance of keratocytes beneath an epithelial debridement wound in the cornea and to investigate a potential role of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in induction of apoptosis in stromal fibroblasts in vitro and keratocytes in vivo. Keratocyte and stromal fibroblast cell morphology was examined in wounded and unwounded mouse corneas using transmission electron microscopy. Nuclear DNA fragmentation was detected with the TUNEL assay for 3'-hydroxyl DNA ends. The effect of IL-1 on keratocytes in vivo was determined by microinjection of IL-1 alpha into the central corneal stroma via a limbal entry site. The in vitro effects of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) were determined with primary cultures of human corneal stromal and dermal fibroblasts. Cell shrinkage, blebbing with formation of membrane bound bodies, condensation and fragmentation of the chromatin, and DNA fragmentation, consistent with apoptosis were detected in anterior stromal keratocytes after epithelial scrape wounds. Thus, disappearance of keratocytes from the underlying stroma following epithelial debridement is mediated by apoptosis. Microinjection of IL-1 alpha into the central stroma of the mouse cornea caused a redistribution of keratocytes in the stroma via apoptosis and, possibly, negative chemotaxis. IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta induced apoptosis in corneal stromal and dermal fibroblasts in vitro. The epithelial/endothelial-stromal IL-1 system may mediate corneal tissue organization and responses to mechanical- and pathogen-induced injury through induction of keratocyte apoptosis. Keratocyte apoptosis is likely an initiating event in wound healing following corneal surgery. We hypothesize that derangement's in this system may have a role in the pathogenesis of keratoconus and other diseases of the cornea.

Biosynthesis of a major lipofuscin fluorophore in mice and humans with ABCR-mediated retinal and macular degeneration

Increased accumulation of lipofuscin in cells of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is seen in several forms of macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness in humans. A major fluorophore of lipofuscin is the toxic bis-retinoid, N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E). Previously, we generated mice with a knockout mutation in the abcr gene. This gene encodes rim protein (RmP), an ATP-binding cassette transporter in rod outer segments. Mice lacking RmP accumulate A2E in RPE cells at a greatly increased rate over controls. Here, we identify three precursors of A2E in ocular tissues from abcr-/- mice and humans with ABCR-mediated recessive macular degenerations. Our results corroborate the scheme proposed by C. A. Parish, M. Hashimoto, K. Nakanishi, J. Dillon & J. Sparrow [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1998) 95, 14609-14613], for the biosynthesis of A2E: (i) condensation of all-trans-retinaldehyde (all-trans-RAL) with phosphatidylethanolamine to form a Schiff base; (ii) condensation of the amine product with a second all-trans-RAL to form a bis-retinoid; (iii) oxidation to yield a pyridinium salt; and (iv) hydrolysis of the phosphate ester to yield A2E. The latter two reactions probably occur within RPE phagolysosomes. As predicted by this model, formation of A2E was completely inhibited when abcr-/- mice were raised in total darkness. Also, once formed, A2E was not eliminated by the RPE. These data suggest that humans with retinal or macular degeneration caused by loss of RmP function may slow progression of their disease by limiting exposure to light. The precursors of A2E identified in this study may represent pharmacological targets for the treatment of ABCR-mediated macular degeneration.

Characterization of surface oxide films on titanium and adhesion of osteoblast

The relationship between surface characteristics of titanium and initial interactions of titanium-osteoblasts was investigated. Titanium plates were heat-treated in different oxidation atmospheres. The third passage rabbit osteoblasts were cultured on the titanium plates for 24h. After the heat-treatment, the crystal structure of the surface oxide films on titanium was identified using X-ray diffractometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface roughness of titanium was measured with a profilometer. The surface energy was obtained by measurement of contact angles and calculation with Owens-Wendt-Kaeble's equation. The amount of surface hydroxyl (OH)(s) groups was examined using XPS. The change of binding energy of the some elements on the substrate surface suggested that the interactions between the cells and the titanium involved chemical reactions. The greater surface roughness, higher surface energy and more surface hydroxyl groups resulted in greater numbers of adhered osteoblasts and higher cell activity. Compared to the acidic hydroxyl (OH)(a) groups in (OH)(s) groups and the dispersion component of the total surface energy, the basic hydroxyl (OH)(b) groups and the polar component play more important roles in the osteoblast-titanium interaction.

Effect of epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and keratinocyte growth factor, on proliferation, motility and differentiation of human corneal epithelial cells

We sought to determine the effects of exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF), heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), single-chain precursor hepatocyte growth factor (SC-HGF), double-chain mature HGF (DC-HGF), and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) on proliferation, motility, and differentiation of first passage cultures of human corneal epithelial cells in serum-free chemically defined medium. The effect of EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha, SC-HGF, DC-HGF, KGF or combinations of the growth factors on proliferation was measured by counting cells present after 3 weeks of culture and by immunostaining for the cell-cycle-specific nuclear proliferation antigen Ki-67. The effect of the factors on epithelial cell motility was assessed by morphometric analysis of photographs of cells migrating from confluent islands of cells. The effect of growth factors on differentiation of epithelial cells were determined by immunostaining epithelial cell islands for the keratin K3 and by Western blotting for keratin K3. EGF, alone or in combination with KGF and SC-HGF, significantly stimulated motility of epithelial cells at the periphery of confluent islands of cells and induced an elongated cell morphology. TGF-alpha, HB-EGF and DC-HGF produced motility effects similar to EGF. There was diminished proliferation of the migrating cells in response to EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha or DC-HGF, while non-migrating epithelial cells in the center of confluent islands continued to proliferate in response to the growth factors. EGF, HB-EGF, TGF alpha or DC-HGF inhibited expression of the differentiation-related marker keratin K3 in epithelial cells, both at the edge and at the center of the islands. KGF stimulated proliferation of corneal epithelial cells at low density and in confluent islands of cells. KGF did not affect expression of keratin K3 or migration of epithelial cells. SC-HGF had no effect on corneal epithelial cells. These results indicate that the effects of EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha and DC-HGF on corneal epithelial cell proliferation, motility and differentiation vary from those of KGF and SC-HGF. EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha and DC-HGF induced changes in epithelial cell morphology and motility in cells plated at low cell density or in cells located at the edge of a confluent island. Thus, these effects appear to be dependent on the extent of cell-cell contact. The inhibitory effect of EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha or DC-HGF on corneal epithelial cell differentiation, however, is independent of cell density.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Regulation of bone formation and remodeling by G-protein-coupled receptor 48

G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) 48 (Gpr48; Lgr4), a newly discovered member of the glycoprotein hormone receptor subfamily of GPCRs, is an orphan GPCR of unknown function. Using a knockout mouse model, we have characterized the essential roles of Gpr48 in bone formation and remodeling. Deletion of Gpr48 in mice results in a dramatic delay in osteoblast differentiation and mineralization, but not in chondrocyte proliferation and maturation, during embryonic bone formation. Postnatal bone remodeling is also significantly affected in Gpr48(-/-) mice, including the kinetic indices of bone formation rate, bone mineral density and osteoid formation, whereas the activity and number of osteoclasts are increased as assessed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. Examination of the molecular mechanism of Gpr48 action in bone formation revealed that Gpr48 can activate the cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway to regulate the expression level of Atf4 in osteoblasts. Furthermore, we show that Gpr48 significantly downregulates the expression levels of Atf4 target genes/proteins, such as osteocalcin (Ocn; Bglap2), bone sialoprotein (Bsp; Ibsp) and collagen. Together, our data demonstrate that Gpr48 regulates bone formation and remodeling through the cAMP-PKA-Atf4 signaling pathway.

Epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha, transforming growth factor beta, acidic fibroblast growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and interleukin-1 proteins in the cornea

The purpose of this study was to determine whether epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF receptor, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), acidic fibroblast growth factor (acidic-FGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (basic-FGF), and interleukin-1-alpha (IL-1-alpha) proteins were present in cultures of human corneal cells and/or in sections of human corneal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was performed on human corneal sections. Immunofluorescent cell staining was used to evaluate corneal epithelial, stromal fibroblast, and endothelial cells in primary culture. Basic-FGF production was evaluated in culture cells using immunoprecipitation. EGF, TGF-alpha, TGF-beta-1, and IL-1-alpha were detected by immunohistochemistry in cells in all three layers of the cornea. EGF receptor and acidic FGF were detected by immunohistochemistry in epithelial and endothelial cells, but not in stromal fibroblast cells. Differences in distribution of the growth factors were noted within individual layers of the cornea. EGF and basic-FGF proteins were detected in all three predominant cell types of the cornea using immunocytology. IL-1-alpha protein was detected by immunocytology in corneal epithelial and endothelial cells, but not stromal fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitation confirmed the production of basic-FGF in all three cell types. IL-1-alpha protein detection in the corneal stroma by immunohistology, but not by immunocytology in first passage stromal fibroblasts, suggests that IL-1-alpha may localize to the corneal stroma after production by corneal epithelial and/or endothelial cells.

Formation and characteristics of the apatite layer on plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings in simulated body fluid

Plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings were incubated in simulated body fluids (SBFs) for different periods of time to investigate the nucleation and growth of apatite on their surface. The layer that formed was recognized as having similarities to bone apatite because it is poorly crystallized, non-stoichiometric or calcium deficient, and contains carbonate and magnesium. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) were employed to investigate the morphological changes of the coating surface and the structure of the grown layer respectively. In the first few hours, calcium and phosphate ions dissolved from the coatings so as to increase their local supersaturation to a higher degree, thereafter followed by the nucleation and growth of apatite. The nucleation occurred firstly on the recessed regions, inside pores and cracks where the higher supersaturation was readily maintained. Only after 24 h incubation was a complete layer formed on the surface of the coating. There is no obvious interface between the grown layer and the underlying coating. Heat treatment in the air made the apatite transform into biphasic calcium phosphate of HA and tricalcium phosphate, with a blue colour because of trace manganese ions. The heat-treated HA coating showed no dissolution by SEM observation. This resulted in no precipitation on the surface. When SBF was used with two-fold higher ion concentrations, the apatite layer formed slowly in 72 h without dissolution of the coating surface. This may mean that the microenvironment with a sufficiently high degree of supersaturation of calcium and phosphate ions is crucial for apatite to nucleate and grow in SBF, while the HA crystalline structure is not critical in the nucleation process, as expected.

Deletion of G protein-coupled receptor 48 leads to ocular anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) through down-regulation of Pitx2

The development of the anterior segment of the mammalian eye is critical for normal ocular function, whereas abnormal development can cause glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in the world. We report that orphan G protein-coupled receptor 48 (Gpr48/LGR4) plays an important role in the development of the anterior segment structure. Disruption of Gpr48 causes a wide spectrum of anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD), including microphthalmia, iris hypoplasia, irdiocorneal angle malformation, cornea dysgenesis, and cataract. Detailed analyses reveal that defective iris myogenesis and ocular extracellular matrix homeostasis are detected at early postnatal stages of eye development, whereas ganglion cell loss, inner nuclear layer thinness, and early onset of glaucoma were detected in 6-month-old Gpr48(-/-) mice. To determine the molecular mechanism of ASD caused by the deletion of Gpr48, we performed gene expression analyses and revealed dramatic down-regulation of Pitx2 in homozygous knockout mice. In vitro studies with the constitutively active Gpr48 mutant receptor demonstrate that Pitx2 is a direct target of the Gpr48-mediated cAMP-CREB signaling pathway in regulating anterior segment development, suggesting a role of Gpr48 as a potential therapeutic target of ASD.

Studies of the neutralizing activity and avidity of anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env antibody elicited by DNA priming and protein boosting

DNA vaccination is an effective means of eliciting strong antibody responses to a number of viral antigens. However, DNA immunization alone has not generated persistent, high-titer antibody and neutralizing antibody responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env). We have previously reported that DNA-primed anti-Env antibody responses can be augmented by boosting with Env-expressing recombinant vaccinia viruses. We report here that recombinant Env protein provides a more effective boost of DNA-initiated antibody responses. In rabbits primed with Env-expressing plasmids, protein boosting increased titer, persistence, neutralizing activity, and avidity of anti-Env responses. While titers increased rapidly after boosting, avidity and neutralizing activity matured more slowly over a 6-month period following protein boosting. DNA priming and protein immunization with HIV-1 HXB-2 Env elicited neutralizing antibody for T cell line-adapted, but not primary isolate, viruses. The most effective neutralizing antibody responses were observed after priming with plasmids which expressed noninfectious virus-like particles. In contrast to immunizations with HIV-1 Env, DNA immunizations with the influenza virus hemagglutinin glycoprotein did not require a protein boost to achieve high-titer antibody with good avidity and persistence.

Targeting cancers through TCR-peptide/MHC interactions

Adoptive T cell therapy has achieved dramatic success in a clinic, and the Food and Drug Administration approved two chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cell (CAR-T) therapies that target hematological cancers in 2018. A significant issue faced by CAR-T therapies is the lack of tumor-specific biomarkers on the surfaces of solid tumor cells, which hampers the application of CAR-T therapies to solid tumors. Intracellular tumor-related antigens can be presented as peptides in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the cell surface, which interact with the T cell receptors (TCR) on antigen-specific T cells to stimulate an anti-tumor response. Multiple immunotherapy strategies have been developed to eradicate tumor cells through targeting the TCR-peptide/MHC interactions. Here, we summarize the current status of TCR-based immunotherapy strategies, with particular focus on the TCR structure, activated signaling pathways, the effects and toxicity associated with TCR-based therapies in clinical trials, preclinical studies examining immune-mobilizing monoclonal TCRs against cancer (ImmTACs), and TCR-fusion molecules. We propose several TCR-based therapeutic strategies to achieve optimal clinical responses without the induction of autoimmune diseases.

High frequency of mutations in MODY and mitochondrial genes in Scandinavian patients with familial early-onset diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

To investigate the contribution of mutations in maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and mitochondrial genes to early-onset diabetes with a strong family history of diabetes in a cohort with a high prevalence of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Screening for sequence variants in the hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-4alpha (MODY1), glucokinase (MODY2), HNF-1alpha (MODY3) genes and mitochondrial DNA was carried out in 115 Finnish and Swedish patients with early-onset ( </= 40 years) diabetes using the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique and direct sequencing. Allele frequencies were compared with 118 patients with onset of diabetes Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus after the age of 40 and 92 non-diabetic control subjects without a family history of diabetes.

RESULTS

In total 52 sequence variants were found in the HNF-1alpha, HNF-4alpha and glucokinase genes, 12 of which were considered as MODY mutations. Three families had the A3243G mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA(Leu) gene, which resulted in an overall prevalence of these mutations of 13 %.

CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION

Among 115 Scandinavian families, mutations in the HNF-1alpha gene represented the most common cause of familial early-onset ( </= 40 years) diabetes: MODY3 (5.2 %) more than MODY2 (3.5 %) more than MIDD (2.6 %) more than MODY1 (1.7 %).

Characterization of titanium surfaces with calcium and phosphate and osteoblast adhesion

The titanium surfaces containing calcium, phosphate ions and the carbonate apatite were characterized. The effect of surface chemistry on the initial rabbit osteoblast response on these surfaces was investigated. The cell count and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) specific activity assay were used for biochemical analyses. Scanning electron microscopy was used for morphology observation and in particular X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for surface chemistry characterization. The number of cells adhering to the apatite coating surface was the maximum, the number of cells on the surface containing calcium without phosphate ions was higher than that containing phosphate without calcium, and the number on the unmodified titanium surface was the least. The osteoblasts cultured on the apatite surface exhibited the highest ALP specific activity, next were the ones on the surface containing solely calcium, the lowest were on the unmodified titanium surface. On the substrate surfaces removed of adhered cells, the order of nitrogen amounts detected by XPS was consistent with ones of ALP specific activity and cell number, except for the unmodified titanium surface. For the substrate surfaces removed of adhered osteoblasts, XPS analysis showed that calcium and phosphorous amounts decreased during cell adhesion. After cell culture the Ca2p binding energy (BE) values for apatite coating and the surface containing solely calcium were similar to those of the two surfaces adsorbed bovine serum albumin (BSA). The P2p BE values for the surfaces containing phosphate ions, including the apatite coating and the surface containing solely phosphate ions, showed the same change. But after cell culture the decrease of the P2p BE value for the coating surface was larger than the one for the surface containing solely phosphate ions. Considering the bovine serum albumin adsorption on the same samples, these results indicated that calcium ions on titanium surfaces play a more important role than phosphate ions in initial interactions among culture medium, osteoblasts and titanium surfaces. On the apatite coating surface, calcium ions are active sites for osteoblast adhesion, while calcium and phosphate ions co-exist on titanium surfaces, the former promotes the osteoblast adhesion onto the phosphate sites on titanium surfaces. The cell adhesion was a complicated biological and chemical process relating to surface several elements similar to protein adsorption.

Toll-like receptor 2 costimulation potentiates the antitumor efficacy of CAR T Cells

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapies have shown unprecedented success in treating leukemia but limited clinical efficacy in solid tumors. Here, we generated 1928zT2 and m28zT2, targeting CD19 and mesothelin, respectively, by introducing the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) to 1928z and m28z. T cells expressing 1928zT2 or m28zT2 showed improved expansion, persistency and effector function against CD19⁺ leukemia or mesothelin⁺ solid tumors respectively in vitro and in vivo. In a patient with relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a single dose of 5 × 10⁴/kg 1928zT2 T cells resulted in robust expansion and leukemia eradication and led to complete remission. Hence, our results demonstrate that TLR2 signaling can contribute to the efficacy of CAR T cells. Further clinical trials are warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of this approach.

Highly sensitive object location in tissue models with linear in-phase and anti-phase multi-element optical arrays in one and two dimensions

Based upon previous observations of low-frequency photon diffusion waves within highly scattering tissue, this paper explores the "near-field" phenomena of such waves of approximately 10-cm wavelength with 200-MHz phase modulation equipment. Multiple-element source arrays consist of laser diode sources modulated at 180 degrees out of phase with respect to the other sources. The diffusing waves originating from the out-of-phase sources give, in the midplane, an amplitude null and a sharp phase transition. These may be observed in a highly scattering intralipid medium simulating the breast or brain (0.5% intralipid), 3-5 cm from the transmitting laser diodes. In the plane containing the array, there is a high sensitivity for a small volume of a hidden absorber (indocyanine green) deep within a highly scattering medium; 20 pmol in a volume of 70 microliters can be detected. Two-dimensional arrays consisting of four or more elements in two orthogonal planes give sensitivity on both axes similar to the one-dimensional array. Measurements show that in the presence of a light-absorbing object, the amplitude null and the interference plane becomes a curved surface which is deflected toward the heterogeneity. The degree of deflection is related to the volume and the absorption characteristics of the heterogeneity and provides detection of the heterogeneity, and thereby may provide localization information for the detection of small tumors within the human breast, or stroke volumes, aneurysms, and tumors in the human brain.

Amorphous phase and morphological structure of hydroxyapatite plasma coatings

It is shown that under standard conditions of plasma spraying hydroxyapatite powder reaches the substrate in the form of molten drops. On striking the surface, the molten drop splatters, cools rapidly and solidifies. Consequently, a pancake particle surrounded by tiny spherical or differently shaped particles is formed on the substrate. The solidified particles are partly crystallized. Besides the crystalline hydroxyapatite, they contain some supercooled molten hydroxyapatite, i.e. amorphous hydroxyapatite. Build-up of these particles during coating gives a porous pancake-globular structure. During a brief vacuum heating at 630 degrees C, the amorphous phase is crystallized and completely crystalline hydroxyapatite coatings are obtained.

The order of calcium and phosphate ion deposition on chemically treated titanium surfaces soaked in aqueous solution

The mechanism of apatite deposition on chemically treated Ti surfaces still is being studied. In this study, simulated body fluid, calcium aqueous solution, phosphate aqueous solution, and accelerated calcification solution are used as media to investigate the order of calcium and phosphate ion deposition on chemically treated Ti surfaces. The results of inductively coupled plasma spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis show that calcium deposition is the prerequisite for phosphate ion deposition.

Transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions of charged hadrons in pp collisions at square root of s = 7 TeV

Charged-hadron transverse-momentum and pseudorapidity distributions in proton-proton collisions at square root of s = 7  TeV are measured with the inner tracking system of the CMS detector at the LHC. The charged-hadron yield is obtained by counting the number of reconstructed hits, hit pairs, and fully reconstructed charged-particle tracks. The combination of the three methods gives a charged-particle multiplicity per unit of pseudorapidity dN(ch)/dη|(|η|<0.5) = 5.78 ± 0.01(stat) ± 0.23(syst) for non-single-diffractive events, higher than predicted by commonly used models. The relative increase in charged-particle multiplicity from square root of s = 0.9 to 7 TeV is [66.1 ± 1.0(stat) ± 4.2(syst)]%. The mean transverse momentum is measured to be 0.545 ± 0.005(stat) ± 0.015(syst)  GeV/c. The results are compared with similar measurements at lower energies.

Phase and structural changes in hydroxyapatite coatings under heat treatment

Hydroxyapatite (HA) crystallites of smaller size than those formed during the spraying process are found in HA coatings on titanium as a result of the crystallization of the amorphous phase (approximately 630 degrees C) when the coatings are vacuum-heat-treated in the temperature interval 100-1000 degrees C. As the annealing temperature increases within the 630-1000 degrees C range, the size of the crystallites increases, and at 1000 degrees C reaches the size of those formed during the process of spraying. At the same time, at 800 degrees C and above, HA transforms into other calcium phosphate phases (alpha-tricalcium phosphate, beta-tricalcium phosphate, tetracalcium monoxide diphosphate). These phase transformations lead to the increase of coating roughness.

Mooren-type hepatitis C virus-associated corneal ulceration

BACKGROUND

Two patients with bilateral Mooren-type ulcers had underlying chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Both patients also had chronic, pruritic dermatitis, which in one patient was diagnosed as hidradenitis suppurativa.

METHODS

Serum from the first patient and serum, conjunctiva, and liver from the second patient were analyzed for HCV genomic RNA using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Serum anti-HCV antibodies were monitored with a commercially available second-generation test. Liver and conjunctival biopsies were evaluated histopathologically.

RESULTS

Liver biopsy showed severe hepatitis in the first patient, but normal liver tissue in the second. Hepatitis C virus genomic RNA was detected in the serum of both patients. In the first patient, the virus was detected 4 months after completion of interferon alfa-2b treatment for chronic active hepatitis. In the second patient, HCV genomic RNA was detected in serum, but not in conjunctiva or liver tissue. Hepatitis C virus could not be detected in the serum of the second patient after 2 weeks of interferon alfa-2b treatment. Both patients had serum anti-HCV antibodies. In case 1, there was a marked improvement in the corneal disease during and after 6 months of interferon alfa-2b treatment for chronic active hepatitis that paralleled a return of serum liver enzyme levels to the normal range. In the second patient, the corneal disease improved after 6 weeks of interferon alfa-2b treatment, but abruptly worsened when the patient discontinued therapy. The corneal disease improved again after interferon alfa-2b was reinstituted.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic HCV virus infection is associated with Mooren-type peripheral ulcerative keratitis. All patients with Mooren-type ulcers should be tested for evidence of HCV infection in consultation with a liver specialist. Even when improvement is obtained with interferon alfa-2b treatment, however, continued follow-up is important because relapse is common and repeat treatment may be effective.

Biological evaluation of biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic vertebral laminae

An artificial vertebral lamina with a dense inside surface and porous outside part, fabricated with a biphasic calcium phosphate (70% hydroxyapatite/30% tricalcium phosphate) (HA-TCP) ceramic (abbr. CVL), was evaluated by animal experiments. The animal experiments showed that at half a month postoperation, no bone formation occurred on the macropore surfaces of the implants, however, fibrous connective tissues and blood vessels had grown into the macropores, contributing to the early fixation of the CVLs. The degradation of TCP phase was detected through X-ray diffraction (XRD); in the meanwhile, needle-like and plate-like crystals were found in the materials through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and infrared spectroscopy (IR) observations showed that the carbonate apatites similar to bone apatites began to occur in the materials. At one month postoperation, the degradation of the TCP phase became moderate, new bone began to grow into the porous structures of the implants, and further degradation of the implants provided rich Ca and P ions for new bone formation. The newly formed bone in the macropores of the implants increased with implantation time. At one year postoperation, the implant was completely fused with natural bone on the interfaces between them, new bone had grown into most of the porous structures of the implants, and a natural bone tissue layer formed on the inside surface of the artificial vertebral lamina. The new bone tissue layer played a more effective role in protecting the spinal cord and improving the spinal stability in the later implantation time.