In situ localization of p53, bcl-2 and bax mRNAs in rat ocular tissue

We mapped p53, bcl-2 and bax mRNAs, which are known to have correlation with apoptotic cell death, in the rat ocular tissue. p53 mRNA signals were present in several layers of retina, optic nerve, corneal epithelium, ciliary process and posterior surface of the iris. While almost the same pattern as p53 was recognized in the case of bcl-2 mRNA, bax signals were not found in ocular tissue except for ganglion cell layer (GCL). These results suggest that in the normal ocular tissue, p53 and bcl-2 genes play opposing parts in the physiological control of cell survival and death. A p53 mediated tumor-suppressing action might occur through the induction of transcriptional targets other than bax because only in GCL were p53 and bax mRNA expression co-localized.

Protopanaxatriol ginsenosides inhibit glucose uptake in primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubular cells by arachidonic acid release

Ginsenosides are involved in protective action against renal dysfunction and the regulation of renal functions. However, the effects of ginsenosides on glucose reabsorption are not yet known in renal proximal tubular cells. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ginsenosides, protopanaxadiol (PD) saponin and protopanaxatriol (PT) saponin, on alpha-methyl-D-glucopyranoside (alpha-MG) uptake and its mechanism of action in primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubular cells (PTCs). The alpha-MG uptake was inhibited by 90% by 0.5mM phloridizin and by removal of Na+ in the PTCs. These are typical characteristics described for the proximal tubule. To determine the time- and dose-dependent effects of PD and PT saponins on alpha-MG uptake, PTCs were incubated with different concentrations of PD and PT saponins (10-100 microg/ml) and for different time periods (from 10 min to 24 h). PT saponin (>/=50 microg/ml) from 30 min inhibited alpha-MG uptake; however, PD saponin did not alter the alpha-MG uptake at any doses and time periods. In the kinetic analysis of alpha-MG uptake, PT saponin produced a significant decrease in Vmax. The PT saponin induced inhibition of alpha-MG uptake was blocked by mepacrine, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor. In addition, PT saponin increased [3H] arachidonic acid release by 218% of that of control, and this effect was also completely blocked by mepacrine. In conclusion, PT saponin inhibited, in part, alpha-MG uptake through the phospholipase A2 signal pathway in primary cultured rabbit renal PTCs.

Mucormycosis of the central airways: CT findings in three patients

Computed tomographic (CT) findings are described in three diabetic patients with central airways mucormycosis. The CT findings of the tracheobronchial mucormycosis include enhancing areas of mural thickening (n = 3), luminal narrowing (n = 3), intramural air (n = 3), low-attenuation nonenhancing bronchial wall thickening (n = 2), and bronchonodal fistula formation (n = 1). These CT features in a diabetic patient should raise a high index of suspicion for tracheobronchial mucormycosis, particularly when typical radiographic features of pulmonary tuberculosis are absent.

Isolation, characterization, and functional analysis of a novel cDNA clone encoding a small rubber particle protein from Hevea brasiliensis

Biochemical evidence reported so far suggests that rubber synthesis takes place on the surface of rubber particles suspended in the latex of Hevea brasiliensis. We have isolated and characterized a cDNA clone that encodes a protein tightly bound on a small rubber particle. We named this protein small rubber particle protein (SRPP). Prior to this study, this protein was known as a latex allergen, and only its partial amino acid sequence was reported. Sequence analysis revealed that this protein is highly homologous to the rubber elongation factor and the Phaseolus vulgaris stress-related protein. Southern and Northern analyses indicate that the protein is encoded by a single gene and highly expressed in latex. An allergenicity test using the recombinant protein confirmed that the cloned cDNA encodes the known 24-kDa latex allergen. Neither ethylene stimulation nor wounding changed the transcript level of the SRPP gene in H. brasiliensis. An in vitro rubber assay showed that the protein plays a positive role in rubber biosynthesis. Therefore, it is likely that SRPP is a part of the rubber biosynthesis machinery, if not the rubber polymerase, along with the rubber elongation factor.

Efficacy of apraclonidine 1% versus pilocarpine 4% for prophylaxis of intraocular pressure spike after argon laser trabeculoplasty

OBJECTIVE

The authors compared the efficacy of apraclonidine 1% versus pilocarpine 4% prophylaxis of post-argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) intraocular pressure (IOP) spike.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized clinical trial.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred twenty-eight eyes of 228 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma undergoing ALT were studied.

INTERVENTION

Patients were given 1 drop of either apraclonidine 1% (n = 114) or pilocarpine 4% (n = 114) 15 minutes before ALT.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Peri-ALT IOPs and incidences of post-ALT IOP spikes at 5 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The two groups were similar in age, race, and medical dependency. Post-ALT mean IOPs at 5 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours were significantly lower than pre-ALT mean IOPs in both apraclonidine (P < 0.001) and pilocarpine (P < 0.001) groups. Incidences of IOP spikes greater than 1, 3, and 5 mmHg at 1 hour post-ALT were 21.1%, 14.9%, and 8.8% for the apraclonidine group and 12.3%, 5.3%, and 4.4% for the pilocarpine group (P = 0.076, 0.015, and 0.18 chi-square test). In the apraclonidine prophylaxis group, patients on long-term apraclonidine showed significantly higher incidence of post-ALT IOP spike than the patients without such long-term apraclonidine use (35.7%, 15 of 42 eyes, vs. 12.5%, 9 of 72 eyes; P = 0.003). In addition, peri-ALT pilocarpine prophylaxis tended to be less effective in patients undergoing long-term pilocarpine therapy but without statistical significance (17.4%, 8 of 46 eyes, vs. 9.4%, 6 of 64 eyes; P = 0.17).

CONCLUSION

Peri-ALT pilocarpine 4% was at least as effective as, if not more effective than, apraclonidine 1% in post-ALT IOP spike prophylaxis. Peri-ALT apraclonidine prophylaxis was not effective in patients on long-term apraclonidine, and peri-ALT pilocarpine prophylaxis tended to be less effective in patients undergoing long-term pilocarpine therapy. Pilocarpine 4% can be considered as a first-choice drug for post-ALT IOP spike prophylaxis, especially in patients under treatment with apraclonidine.

Long-term brimonidine therapy in glaucoma patients with apraclonidine allergy

PURPOSE

To report the use of brimonidine in patients with a documented ocular allergy to apraclonidine.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, open-label study on the use of long-term brimonidine therapy in 57 patients with chronic glaucoma with documented allergy to apraclonidine. The study patients were placed on brimonidine tartrate 0.2%, 1 drop three times daily in one or both eyes, either as additive therapy to a medical regimen devoid of apraclonidine for further lowering of intraocular pressure (25 patients) or as a replacement for apraclonidine at the time of diagnosis of apraclonidine ocular allergy for maintenance of intraocular pressure control (32 patients). Clinical symptoms and signs of ocular allergy to brimonidine were monitored for up to 18 months.

RESULTS

During the treatment period of up to 18 months, six (10.5%) of 57 patients developed slit-lamp biomicroscopic findings and subjective symptoms of an ocular allergic reaction that led to discontinuation of brimonidine treatment. All six patients developed ocular allergy to topical brimonidine 0.2% during the first 4 months of therapy. The addition of brimonidine 0.2% topical medication or the replacement of apraclonidine with brimonidine resulted in a significant decrease in mean intraocular pressure from 20.5+/-5.3 to 16.5+/-4.2 mm Hg (P < .0001) at the mean treatment period of 10.6+/-4.6 months (range, 0.5 to 18.0 months in all 57 patients: 5 to 18 months in the 51 patients without brimonidine allergy and 0.5 to 3.8 months in the six patients who developed brimonidine allergy.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of ocular allergy after the use of brimonidine 0.2% topical medication for up to 18 months was 10.5% in patients with a documented history of apraclonidine allergy. Therefore, it is generally safe as well as efficacious to administer brimonidine to patients with an ocular allergy to apraclonidine.

Intermittent parathyroid hormone treatment can promote linear growth in the ovariectomized growing rat

To compare the effect of intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) treatment with that of estrogen treatment on epiphyseal growth in ovariectomized rats, 46 Sprague-Dawley female rats aged 9-10 weeks (about 200-220 g) were either ovariectomized or sham operated. From 6 weeks after ovariectomy (ovx), rats were daily injected with subcutaneous human recombinant PTH (1-84)-dosed 30 micrograms/kg (the low dose PTH-treated group) or 300 micrograms/kg (the high dose PTH-treated group), 17 beta-estradiol (the 17 beta-estradiol-treated group, 30 micrograms/kg) or vehicle (the ovx-alone group), 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The decalcified sections of the distal femoral epiphyseal plate were analyzed on light microscopy after H&E stain, and the lengths of the zones of proliferation, maturing and hypertrophic chondrocytes were measured. The length of the growth plate, the zone of proliferation and the zone of hypertrophic chondrocyte in the ovx-alone group were significantly shorter than those of the sham-operated group. The treatment of 17 beta-estradiol speeded up the differentiation of cells from proliferating chondrocytes to maturing and hypertrophic chondrocytes even though the length of the growth plate was comparable to that of the sham-operated group. Both low and high dose PTH treatments increased the length of the growth plate, and those lengths were comparable to that of the sham-operated group. The fractions of proliferating, maturing and hypertrophic zone in the low dose PTH-treated group were also comparable to those of the sham-operated group. However, high dose PTH treatment slowed down the differentiation of cells from proliferating chondrocytes to maturing and hypertrophic chondrocytes to a greater extent, and therefore the fraction of proliferating chondrocytes of the high dose PTH-treated group was larger than that of the low dose PTH-treated group (73.8 +/- 1.8 Vs 63.3 +/- 1.3%, p < 0.005). From these results, we showed that intermittent PTH treatment could promote linear growth in the ovariectomized growing rat. We propose that PTH may be an alternative drug candidate for promoting linear growth of long bones without the risk for early closure of the growth plate.

Cytotoxic constituents from the roots of Anthriscus sylvestris

Activity-guided fractionation of the roots of Anthriscus sylvestris resulted in the isolation and characterization of five cytotoxic compounds, deoxypodophyllotoxin (1), falcarindiol (2), and angeloyl podophyllotoxin (5) from the hexane soluble fraction and morelensin (3), bursehernin (4) from the chloroform soluble fraction. It is the first report of the occurrence of compound 5 in nature.

Effects of interleukin-2 transduction on the human hepatoma cell lines using retroviral vector

Gene therapy, using cytokine gene transduction, aims to increase the antigenicity of tumor cells, and to activate the immune effector cells, and thereby inducing tumor regression. With regards to in vitro sensitivity to peripheral blood monocytes and in vivo tumorigenic activity we compared the differences between parent hepatoma cell lines and interleukin-2 (IL-2) transduced hepatoma cell lines using N2A/IL-2 and LNC/IL-2 retrovirus. IL-2 secretion was 186 pg/10(6) cells/24 h in SK-Hep1 cell line and 147 pg/106 cells/24 h in Hep-3B cell line with N2A/IL-2 retroviral vector and was 55,000 pg/10(6) cells/24 h in Hep-3B cell line with LNC/IL-2 retroviral vector. in vitro sensitivity to peripheral blood monocytes was increased by 163.8-254% in IL-2 transduced hepatoma cell lines (Hep-3B/LNC/IL-2, Hep-G2/LNC/IL-2) compared to those of the parent cell lines. The tumor was formed in 1 of 3 BALB/c mice and all 3 nude mice with the injection of 1x107 cells. Simultaneous injection of 1x10(7) cells of the parent cell line (Hep-3B) into the right flank and IL-2 transduced cell line (Hep-3B/LNC/IL-2) into the left flank of the three BALB/c mice and of 5x10(5) cells for the three nude mice resulted in a complete regression of the IL-2 modified tumor cell line (Hep-3B/LNC/IL-2) in 3 weeks and the parent cell line (Hep-3B) in 5 weeks. After injection of 1x10(7) cells into five other nude mice, the tumor of the IL-2 transduced hepatoma cells (Hep-3B/LNC/IL-2) gradually disappeared, however, the tumor of the parent hepatoma cell line initially decreased and then gradually regrew 20 days later. In conclusion, IL-2 transduced hepatoma cell lines secreting IL-2 became more sensitive to peripheral blood monocytes. IL-2 secretion by LNC/IL-2 retrovirus from the hepatoma cell lines was more prominent compared with that by N2A/IL-2 retrovirus. IL-2 transduction into the hepatoma cells resulted in increased antigenicity to the tumors formed by IL-2 transduced hepatoma cell line and parent cell line, which leads the regression of the tumors. However, the higher the tumor burden, the less efficient tumor regression by IL-2 transduction into the hepatoma cell line in nude mice was observed.

Endobronchial metastasis from stomach cancer

A young woman presented with a dry cough present during the previous 4 weeks. A chest radiograph demonstrated diffuse interstitial infiltration in both lower lung fields. Fibreoptic bronchoscopic examination revealed multiple 2-3 mm elevated nodules on the bronchial surface and a mucosal biopsy showed extensive subepithelial infiltration of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma without definite precancerous alteration in the overlying epithelium. Studies for the evaluation of primary tumour focus were performed. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy showed advanced gastric cancer of Borrmann type III, and mucosal biopsy of the stomach showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient was treated three times with systemic chemotherapy, but her condition deteriorated. Three months after diagnosis, she died of complicated pneumonia. This is a rare case of endobronchial metastasis from stomach cancer. The stomach is an unusual site of endobronchial metastasis from extrathoracic primary malignancy.

Are substance P neurons of the paraventricular nucleus related to the osmotic regulation in the Mongolian gerbil?

In recent years, the gerbil has been used as an experimental animal for study osmotic regulation, because of its inherent high degree of water re-uptake in kidney. Many evidences to explain this characteristic accumulated on the kidney level, it do not, however, manifest what concerns on hypothalmo-hypophyseal level. In this study, we have focused on the difference between the colchicine treated gerbil and rat in distributions of substance P (SP), which is known to have antidiuretic property. Unlike rat, in which a few SP+ neuron is present, SP+ neurons were abundantly observed in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the gerbil. Furthermore SP+ cells in PVN were manifested in dehydrated gerbils, in spite of non-colchicine treatment. Therefore, we suggest that the abundant SP+ neurons in PVN may be a clue to address the neuroendocrinal mechanism concerning the high degree of osmotic regulation in this animal.

Rat osteopontin antibody is cross-reactive to a novel myelin-associated protein in chick

Osteopontin (OPN) was initially identified as glycosylated phosphoprotein in bones of vertebrates. Recently, OPN is reported to express in the primitive neuroepithelia of early chick embryonic hindbrain. We have demonstrated that rat OPN is immunohistochemically localized in the white matter of chick CNS. We have further confirmed the specificity of OPN cross-immunoreaction in myelin using demyelinated optic nerve induced by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), where the intensity of immunoreaction was closely related to the degree of demyelination. Immunoblot analyses showed that rat OPN antibody recognized a protein with molecular weights of approximately 47 kDa from chick CNS. Our data suggest that the antigen recognized by rat OPN is a previously undescribed myelin-associated protein in the chick CNS.

Foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in the absence of capsular and zonular support

PURPOSE

To implant foldable posterior chamber intraocular lenses in the absence of capsular and zonular support.

METHODS

Case reports. In two patients, two eyes with aphakia, lack of capsular or zonular support, and contact lens intolerance underwent the implantation of a silicone and an acrylic foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens, respectively.

RESULTS

In the two eyes, final visual acuity was 20/25 and 20/50, respectively. No intraoperative vitreal, retinal, or choroidal complications were noted. The postoperative recovery was rapid, and there was minimal induced astigmatism.

CONCLUSIONS

The implantation of foldable posterior chamber intraocular lenses in aphakic eyes without capsular and zonular support may result in fewer intraoperative complications. It also allows for faster postoperative recovery and less postoperative astigmatism.

The additive effect of latanoprost to maximum-tolerated medications with low-dose, high-dose, or no pilocarpine therapy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of latanoprost additive therapy in patients with intraocular pressure (IOP) out of control while taking maximum-tolerated medications and to determine whether pilocarpine therapy has a dose-dependent adverse effect on the efficacy of latanoprost therapy.

DESIGN

Noncomparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty-one eyes of 61 patients with chronic glaucoma with IOP out of control while receiving maximum-tolerated medications were treated with latanoprost additive therapy on a compassionate basis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Follow-up was up to 22 months with a mean of 13.9 +/- 5.7 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with Mantel-Cox log-rank test was performed to determine the overall success of latanoprost additive therapy and to compare the success rates of high-dose pilocarpine, low-dose pilocarpine, and no pilocarpine therapies. The criterion for success was avoiding glaucoma surgery with IOP decrease of 20% or greater and final IOP less than 22 mmHg. The IOP change and its significance for patients satisfying and failing the criterion for success also were determined to assess the latanoprost additive therapy. In addition, a number of pretreatment variables, including pilocarpine therapy, were analyzed for a significant effect on the efficacy of latanoprost additive therapy using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

Latanoprost additive therapy significantly lowered mean IOP by 3.9 +/- 5.5 mmHg at 3 months and by 3.5 +/- 5.8 mmHg at 12 months. The cumulative success rate of the latanoprost additive therapy was 70% at 1 month, 42% at 3 months, 40% at 6 months, and 30% at 12 months. Of the variables studied, only increased number of previous incisional glaucoma surgeries and IOP greater than 24 mmHg before latanoprost additive therapy were significant prognostic factors for failure of latanoprost additive therapy. Pilocarpine therapy in any dose had no significant effect.

CONCLUSION

This study supports a trial of latanoprost additive therapy before glaucoma surgery in patients with IOP out of control while receiving maximum-tolerated medications irrespective of pilocarpine therapy and the pilocarpine dosage, especially when the number of previous incisional glaucoma surgery is less than three and the IOP is less than 25 mmHg.

Effects of interleukin-2 transduction on the human hepatoma cell lines using retroviral vector

Gene therapy, using cytokine gene transduction, aims to increase the antigenicity of tumor cells, and to activate the immune effector cells, and thereby inducing tumor regression. With regards to in vitro sensitivity to peripheral blood monocytes and in vivo tumorigenic activity we compared the differences between parent hepatoma cell lines and interleukin-2 (IL-2) transduced hepatoma cell lines using N2A/IL-2 and LNC/IL-2 retrovirus. IL-2 secretion was 186 pg/10(6) cells/24 h in SK-Hep1 cell line and 147 pg/106 cells/24 h in Hep-3B cell line with N2A/IL-2 retroviral vector and was 55,000 pg/10(6) cells/24 h in Hep-3B cell line with LNC/IL-2 retroviral vector. in vitro sensitivity to peripheral blood monocytes was increased by 163.8-254% in IL-2 transduced hepatoma cell lines (Hep-3B/LNC/IL-2, Hep-G2/LNC/IL-2) compared to those of the parent cell lines. The tumor was formed in 1 of 3 BALB/c mice and all 3 nude mice with the injection of 1x107 cells. Simultaneous injection of 1x10(7) cells of the parent cell line (Hep-3B) into the right flank and IL-2 transduced cell line (Hep-3B/LNC/IL-2) into the left flank of the three BALB/c mice and of 5x10(5) cells for the three nude mice resulted in a complete regression of the IL-2 modified tumor cell line (Hep-3B/LNC/IL-2) in 3 weeks and the parent cell line (Hep-3B) in 5 weeks. After injection of 1x10(7) cells into five other nude mice, the tumor of the IL-2 transduced hepatoma cells (Hep-3B/LNC/IL-2) gradually disappeared, however, the tumor of the parent hepatoma cell line initially decreased and then gradually regrew 20 days later. In conclusion, IL-2 transduced hepatoma cell lines secreting IL-2 became more sensitive to peripheral blood monocytes. IL-2 secretion by LNC/IL-2 retrovirus from the hepatoma cell lines was more prominent compared with that by N2A/IL-2 retrovirus. IL-2 transduction into the hepatoma cells resulted in increased antigenicity to the tumors formed by IL-2 transduced hepatoma cell line and parent cell line, which leads the regression of the tumors. However, the higher the tumor burden, the less efficient tumor regression by IL-2 transduction into the hepatoma cell line in nude mice was observed.

Topical verapamil and episcleral venous pressure

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of a single-dose and 2-week administration of topical 0.25% verapamil on episcleral venous pressure (EVP) and intraocular pressure (IOP).

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, double-masked, crossover, and placebo-controlled study.

PARTICIPANTS

One eye of each of 20 normal subjects received topical verapamil or placebo.

INTERVENTION

The EVP was measured using a pressure chamber episcleral venomanometer. The IOP, EVP, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) were measured at baseline, 1.5 hours after a single drop, and after 2-week, three-times-a-day topical administration of 0.25% verapamil or placebo to one eye. After a 4-week washout period, the treatment to the study eye was reversed, and measurements of EVP, IOP, HR, and BP were repeated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The EVP, IOP, HR, and BP were measured.

RESULTS

Ninety minutes after a single drop, the EVP in the verapamil-treated eyes was reduced by 4.8% (P = <0.001) and in the untreated fellow eyes by 2.4% (P = 0.032). After 2-week topical administration, the EVP was reduced by 9.5% (P = <0.0001) in the verapamil-treated eyes and by 4.8% (P = 0.001) in the fellow eyes. The EVP was unchanged in the treated and fellow eyes after a single drop or after a 2-week treatment with placebo. Ninety minutes after topical administration of 0.25% verapamil, the IOP decreased by 7.7% (P = <0.0001) in the treated eyes and decreased by 3.6% (P = 0.03) in the fellow eyes. After a 2-week administration of topical verapamil, the IOP decreased by 12% (P = 0.0001) in the treated eyes and by 7.2% (P = 0.0289) in the fellow eyes. The changes of IOP in the placebo-treated and fellow eyes were not statistically significant after a single-dose and 2-week administration. After topical administration of verapamil, a contralateral effect on IOP and EVP was observed in the fellow, untreated eye. No systemic effect on HR or BP was detected after a single-dose administration of topical verapamil. There were, however, significant reductions in HR and BP after a 2-week treatment with topical 0.25% verapamil.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that a single drop and a 2-week administration of topical 0.25% verapamil decrease IOP and EVP significantly, with more pronounced reduction after a 2-week treatment than after a single-dose treatment.

Outcomes of primary phakic trabeculectomies without versus with 0.5- to 1-minute versus 3- to 5-minute mitomycin C

PURPOSE

To compare the intraocular pressure and hypotony outcomes of primary phakic trabeculectomies with no mitomycin C (MMC), shorter MMC, and longer MMC exposure.

METHODS

We evaluated primary phakic trabeculectomies with no MMC (36 eyes of 36 patients), 0.5- to 1-minute MMC (50 eyes of 50 patients), and 3- to 5-minute MMC (38 eyes of 38 patients) at the concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. Successful trabeculectomy was defined as an intraocular pressure of 21 mm Hg or less without development of a marked visual acuity loss associated with prolonged hypotony (intraocular pressure < 6 mm Hg over 3 months) and without the need for additional surgery to control intraocular pressure or treat postoperative complications.

RESULTS

The three groups were similar in demographics, preoperative intraocular pressure, and medical dependency. However, the incidence of hypotony during the postoperative periods of 3 to 12 months was significantly higher in the 3- to 5-minute MMC group (P < .05, chi-square test). Severe visual acuity loss associated with hypotony was also more frequently found in the 3- to 5-minute MMC group than in the 0.5- to 1-minute (P = .009, chi-square test) group or the control group (P = .014, chi-square test). In addition, the success probabilities were significantly different among the three groups (P = .001, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test) and were the highest in the 0.5- to 1-minute MMC group and the lowest in the 3- to 5-minute MMC group.

CONCLUSION

Shorter application (0.5 to 1 minute) of MMC appears to be optimal for the successful outcome of primary phakic trabeculectomy compared with no MMC or longer application of MMC at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml.

Use of autologous Tenon's capsule and scleral patch grafts for repair of excessively draining fistulas with leaking filtering blebs

PURPOSE

To report the use of autologous Tenon's and partial-thickness scleral tissues for patch graft revisions of excessively draining fistulas associated with leaking filtering blebs.

METHODS

Appropriate sized pieces of autologous Tenon's tissue and partial-thickness scleral tissue were dissected near the surgical sites and used as patch grafts to effectively repair excessively draining fistulas with leaking filtering blebs.

RESULTS

Both Tenon's and partial-thickness scleral patch grafts were useful in adequately closing the excessively draining fistulas.

CONCLUSION

Autologous Tenon's and scleral tissue patch grafts appear to be safe and effective for the repair of excessively draining fistulas, and are useful when patch grafts are unexpectedly needed.

Effect of topical anti-inflammatory treatment on the long-term outcome of laser trabeculoplasty. Fluorometholone-Laser Trabeculoplasty Study Group

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of anti-inflammatory treatment on the long-term outcome of argon laser trabeculoplasty, we extended the short-term study of the Fluorometholone-Laser Trabeculoplasty Study Group.

METHODS

Among the chronic open-angle glaucoma patients randomly assigned to the 0.25% fluorometholone or placebo eyedrops four times daily before and after argon laser trabeculoplasty in the Fluorometholone-Laser Trabeculoplasty Study, the long-term records of 27 patients (13 eyes in the fluorometholone group and 14 eyes in the placebo group) were available for our review and analysis.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in the success rate of argon laser trabeculoplasty between the fluorometholone and control groups over the follow-up period of 4.6 +/- 3.4 years.

CONCLUSION

While it decreased ocular inflammation and discomfort during the early postoperative period, peri-argon laser trabeculoplasty use of a topical corticosteroid did not influence the long-term intraocular pressure outcome of argon laser trabeculoplasty.

Q-switched 532-nm Nd:YAG laser trabeculoplasty (selective laser trabeculoplasty): a multicenter, pilot, clinical study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the safety and efficacy of a new laser procedure using a q-switched 532-nm neodymium (Nd):YAG laser, also called "selective laser trabeculoplasty," to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). The laser parameters were set to selectively target pigmented trabecular meshwork (TM) cells without coagulative damage to the TM structure or nonpigmented cells.

DESIGN

Nonrandomized, prospective, clinical trial.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty eyes of 30 patients with uncontrolled OAG (OAG group) and 23 eyes of 23 patients with uncontrolled OAG treated previously with argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT group) were observed for 4 to 26 weeks. Forty-four of the 53 eyes were observed for 26 weeks.

INTERVENTION

Patients were treated with the Coherent Selecta 7000 (Coherent, Inc, Palo Alto, CA) frequency-doubled q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm). A total of approximately 50 nonoverlapping spots were placed over 180 degrees of the TM at energy levels ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 mJ per pulse. After surgery, patients were maintained with the identical drug regimen as that before treatment.

RESULTS

Both the OAG and ALT groups showed similar IOP reductions over time. Seventy percent of patients in each group responded to treatment with an IOP reduction of least 3 mmHg. At 26 weeks of follow-up, mean IOP reduction was 5.8 mmHg (23.5%, P < 0.001) for the OAG group and 6.0 mmHg (24.2%, P < 0.001) for the ALT group. The untreated eye showed a 9.7% (P < 0.001) reduction of IOP at 26 weeks. However, the IOP difference between the treated and untreated eyes was statistically significant at P < 0.003. Transient IOP elevation of 5 mmHg or greater was seen in 24% of patients.

CONCLUSION

The selective laser trabeculoplasty appears to be a safe and effective method to lower IOP in patients with OAG and patients treated previously with ALT. A reduction of IOP can be achieved without coagulation of the TM.

Patterns of status epilepticus-induced neuronal injury during development and long-term consequences

The lithium-pilocarpine model of status epilepticus (SE) was used to study the type and distribution of seizure-induced neuronal injury in the rat and its consequences during development. Cell death was evaluated in hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections and by electron microscopy. Damage to the CA1 neurons was maximal in the 2- and 3-week-old pups and decreased as a function of age. On the other hand, damage to the hilar and CA3 neurons was minimal in the 2-week-old rat pups but reached an adult-like pattern in the 3-week-old animals, and damage to amygdalar neurons increased progressively with age. The 3-week-old animals also demonstrated vulnerability of the dentate granule cells. To evaluate neuronal apoptosis, we used terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) stain, confocal fluorescence microscopy of ethidium bromide-stained sections, electron microscopy, and DNA electrophoresis. Neurons displaying all of those features of apoptotic death in response to SE were seen in the CA1 region of the 2-week-old pups and in the hilar border of the dentate granule cells of the 3-week-old animals. Some (3/11) of the animals that underwent SE at 2 weeks of age and most of the animals that underwent SE at 3 or 4 weeks of age (8/11 and 6/8, respectively) developed spontaneous seizures later in life; the latter showed SE-induced synaptic reorganization as demonstrated by Timm methodology. These results provide strong evidence for the vulnerability of the immature brain to seizure-induced damage, which bears features of both necrotic and apoptotic death and contributes to synaptic reorganization and the development of chronic epilepsy.

Fed-batch production of thermomonospora fusca endoglucanase by recombinant streptomyces lividans

The factors affecting the production of a Thermomonospora fusca endoglucanase by a recombinant Streptomyces lividans strain were studied in a fermentor with glucose addition controlled by a pH-stat. The recombinant plasmid was stable for 35 generations with constant endoglucanase productivity. Glucose and peptone were used as the carbon and nitrogen sources. Addition of Tween-80 increased endoglucanase production twofold. A significant decrease in endoglucanase production was observed at low aeration. During fed-batch cultivation, pulse feeding (6 g/L) of a glucose-ammonium sulfate solution was optimal for endoglucanase production. With higher concentrations of glucose (15 g/L), a significant amount of organic acid, including acetic acid, was produced, which inhibited cell growth and endoglucanase production. Under optimum conditions, 1.7 U/mL of endoglucanase were produced. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Effects of the cys mutations on structure and function of the ATP-dependent HslVU protease in Escherichia coli. The Cys287 to Val mutation in HslU uncouples the ATP-dependent proteolysis by HslvU from ATP hydrolysis

To define the role of the Cys residues in the ATP-dependent HslVU protease, mutagenesis was performed to replace either Cys261 or Cys287 in HslU with Val and Cys159 in HslV with Ser or Ala. Whereas HslU/C261V could hydrolyze ATP and support the ATP-dependent proteolytic activity of HslV as well as the wild-type HslU, HslU/C287V could not hydrolyze ATP. Nevertheless, HslU/C287V could support the HslV-mediated proteolysis by forming the HslVU complex in the presence of ATP but not its absence, indicating that ATP binding but not its hydrolysis is essential for proteolysis. Whereas treatment of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) resulted in dissociation of the oligomeric HslU into monomers, the C261V mutation, but not C287V, prevented the NEM effect. These results suggest that Cys261 is involved in oligomerization and that Cys287 is related to the ATPase function of HslU. NEM also dissociated the dodecameric HslV into monomers, and this effect could be prevented by either the C159S or C159A mutation, suggesting the involvement of Cys159 in oligomerization of HslV. Moreover, either mutation abolished both the basal and HslU-activated proteolytic activity of HslV and its ability to activate the HslU ATPase and to form the HslVU complex, indicating that Cys159 is essential for the proteolytic activity of HslV and its interaction with HslU. These results suggest that the Cys residues play an important role in maintaining the structure and function of the HslVU protease.

Cloning and bacterial expression of sesquiterpene cyclase, a key branch point enzyme for the synthesis of sesquiterpenoid phytoalexin capsidiol in UV-challenged leaves of Capsicum annuum

Sesquiterpene cyclase, a branch point enzyme in the general isoprenoid pathway for the synthesis of phytoalexin capsidiol, was induced in detached leaves of Capsicum annuum (pepper) by UV treatment. The inducibility of cyclase enzyme activities paralleled the absolute amount of cyclase protein(s) of pepper immunodetected by monoclonal antibodies raised against tobacco sesquiterpene cyclase. A cDNA library was constructed with poly(A)+ RNA isolated from 24 h UV-challenged leaves of pepper. A cDNA clone for sesquiterpene cyclase in pepper was isolated by using a tobacco 5-epi aristolochene synthase gene as a heterologous probe. The predicted protein encoded by this cDNA was comprised of 559 amino acids and had a relative molecular mass of 65,095. The primary structural information from the cDNA clone revealed that it shared 77%, 72% and 49% identity with 5-epi aristolochene, vetispiradiene, and cadinene synthase, respectively. The enzymatic product catalyzed by the cDNA clone in bacteria was identified as 5-epi aristolochene, as judged by argentation TLC. RNA blot hybridization demonstrated the induction of an mRNA consistent with the induction of cyclase enzyme activity in UV-treated pepper.