Correlation between effector lymphocytes in natural and antibody-mediated cytotoxicity

Human sera enhanced spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity (SCMC), while anti-IgG (Fab') 2 treatment decreased this cytotoxic activity of human lymphocytes for an in vitro growing cell line (K--562). Trypsin treatment of the effector cells considerably decreased the cytotoxic potential. However, a significant cytotoxic activity could always be found in serum-free medium. While these findings suggest the involvement of antibodies in the SCMC, they also reflect the existence of serum-indpendent (sui generis) SCMC activity of lymphocytes. Removal of SCMC of Fc receptor bearing effector cells was performed by target cell adherence (rosetting). Separation of the target cell-bound lymphocytes was done by centrifugation on special Ficoll gradient. The depletion of SCMC effector cells resulted in a 62% reduction of SCMC and in a 39% reduction of ADCC. On the other hand, removal of Fc bearing effector cells showed a similar reduction in both ADCC (66%) and SCMC (78%). Our results suggest that SCMC represents a complex activity, arising partly from the interactions of certain serum-derived or lymphocytes surface-bound antibodies and partly from a spontaneous cytotoxic function of the effector cells. It is possible that the effector cells involved in both SCMC and ADCC derive from the same lymphocyte population and the differences are due mainly to the lower number of SCMC effector cells.

Experiences with the Fox technique for the repair of senile entropion

The author reports on the advantages of Fox's technique in the surgery of senile entropion on the basis of experiences with 30 interventions on 26 patients. In the evolution of senile entropion the structural changes in the orbicularis oculi muscle plays a decisive role, which leads to the malfunction of the muscle. The degenerative changes of the muscle are shown with electron microscopy. The author recommends the Fox technique because this type of intervention aims to abolish the cause of the aging process and not only the consequences of it as other methods do.

Recent experiences on the ophthalmologic complications of oral contraceptives

I have added 16 cases to the preciously reported 4 cases where ophthalmologic complications occurred in connection with oral contraceptives. In some cases, occlusion of the central retinal artery, prethrombosis of the central retinal vein, prolonged narrowing of the retinal arteries, perivasculitis, hemorrhage in the macular region, and inflammations of the anterior segment of the eye, resistance to therapy developed, and in some cases, lesions of the optic nerve causing visual loss of different degree and papillitis occurred. In the background of the different clinical entities, common pathologic origin might be supposed,--the disturbance of the chorooretinal circulation. In patients taking the pill for the longest time interval, delicate lenticular opacities developed.

Metastatic tumor of the orbit

Metastatic tumor occurred in the right orbit of a 50-year-old woman 5 years following bilateral mastectomy. The tumor caused enophthalmus, ptosis and restriction of the ocular movements. The tumor consisted of nondifferentiated cells. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic appearance of the tumor is also reported.