[Clinical research of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) associated with SARS-CoV-2 in China, and to improve the understanding of MIS-C among pediatricians. Methods: Case series study.Collect the clinical characteristics, auxiliary examinations, treatment decisions, and prognosis of 64 patients with MIS-C from 9 hospitals in China from December 2022 to June 2023. Results: Among the 64 MIS-C patients, 36 were boys and 28 were girls, with an onset age being 2.8 (0.3, 14.0) years. All patients suffered from fever, elevated inflammatory indicators, and multiple system involvement. Forty-three patients (67%) were involved in more than 3 systems simultaneously, including skin mucosa 60 cases (94%), blood system 52 cases (89%), circulatory system 54 cases (84%), digestive system 48 cases (75%), and nervous system 24 cases (37%). Common mucocutaneous lesions included rash 54 cases (84%) and conjunctival congestion and (or) lip flushing 45 cases (70%). Hematological abnormalities consisted of coagulation dysfunction 48 cases (75%), thrombocytopenia 9 cases (14%), and lymphopenia 8 cases (13%). Cardiovascular lesions mainly affected cardiac function, of which 11 patients (17%) were accompanied by hypotension or shock, and 7 patients (12%) had coronary artery dilatation.Thirty-six patients (56%) had gastrointestinal symptoms, 23 patients (36%) had neurological symptoms. Forty-five patients (70%) received the initial treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin in combination with glucocorticoids, 5 patients (8%) received the methylprednisolone pulse therapy and 2 patients (3%) treated with biological agents, 7 patients with coronary artery dilation all returned to normal within 6 months. Conclusions: MIS-C patients are mainly characterized by fever, high inflammatory response, and multiple organ damage. The preferred initial treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin combined with glucocorticoids. All patients have a good prognosis.

Cataract Surgery Practice in the Republic of Korea: A Survey of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2020

PURPOSE

To describe current cataract surgery practice patterns and trends among Korean ophthalmologists.

METHODS

A survey was conducted among members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery in October 2020. Of the 998 questionnaires, 262 (26.3%) were received for analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with those of previous surveys.

RESULTS

The largest percentage of respondents (39%) had <5 years of practical experience, and 40% had >11 years of practical experience. The average, median, and mode monthly volumes of cataract surgeries performed by the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery members were 31, 20, and 10 cases, respectively. Topical anesthesia was administered by 85% of the respondents. For intraocular lens (IOL) calculations, 96% of the respondents used optical biometry. The proportion of surgeons providing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery increased significantly from 5% in 2018 to 29% in 2020. This increase was accompanied by an increase in the multifocal IOLs. Those who implant multifocal IOL for >10% of their cases increased from 16% (2018) to 29% (2020). Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed postoperatively by 76% of the respondents. Most respondents (70%) prescribed these anti-inflammatory drugs for 4 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey provided a comprehensive update on current cataract surgery practice in the Republic of Korea. The results highlighted the increasing use of premium IOLs, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, optical biometry, and topical anesthesia to better meet the patients' needs.

Application of thermoreversible hydrogel (poloxamer 407) to protect the corneal endothelium during phacoemulsification in porcine and rabbit eyes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of thermoreversible (poloxamer) hydrogels as a substitute for ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) during phacoemulsification in porcine and rabbit eyes and compare their endothelial protective effect with that of hyaluronic acid-based OVDs.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.

DESIGN

Experimental study.

METHODS

Fluorescein-stained poloxamer hydrogels (20%, 22%, 24%, and 26% [weight/weight%]) and cohesive (sodium hyaluronate 1.0% [Provisc]) and dispersive (sodium hyaluronate 3.0%-chondroitin sulfate 4.0% [Viscoat]) OVDs were injected into the anterior chamber of porcine eyes incubated at 32°C. In the in vitro study, the retention time was measured in 3 groups of 45 porcine eyes during continuous phacoemulsification. In the in vivo study, the endothelial cell count (ECC) was measured before and 3 days after intermittent phacoemulsification in 12 rabbit eyes randomized to a poloxamer hydrogel or a dispersive OVD group.

RESULTS

The optimum concentration of thermosensitive hydrogel was 26%, at which no gel-to-sol phase transition occurred in the anterior chamber, with a 21°C irrigation solution. In the in vitro study, the mean retention times were 5.53 seconds ± 1.77 (SD), 125.00 ± 29.34 seconds, and 221.53 ± 42.48 seconds in the cohesive OVD, dispersive OVD, and 26% poloxamer hydrogel groups, respectively (P < .001). Throughout the 5-minute intermittent phacoemulsification, the 26% poloxamer hydrogel remained in the anterior chamber as a semisolid gel. In the in vivo study, the mean decrease in ECC was significantly lower in the 26% poloxamer hydrogel group than in the dispersive OVD group (P = .029).

CONCLUSION

Thermoreversible hydrogels might be suitable substitutes for hyaluronic acid-based OVDs for corneal endothelial protection during phacoemulsification.

In-and-out technique for intraocular lens scleral fixation

We describe a modified scleral fixation method to facilitate the good centration and adequate tension of sutures at both ends with addition of an internal fixation knot that reduces decentering of the IOL in a patient with postsurgical aphakia. Using an ab externo suture technique to fixate the haptics to the scleral wall, an additional loop knot is tied 1 mm next to the fixation knot at the haptic. In the technique, an internalized suture and an additional suture knot is tied while holding it close to the fixation knot at the haptic using a needle holder or McPherson forceps. The externalized sutures are secured by taking a bite of transclera and tying the suture to itself. This technique is simple and easy, and adds an internal check valve to prevent excessive pull and decentering of the intraocular lens at one side. The internal check valve also serves as a criterion for the point of fixation at each end.

Comparison of two Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy: cruciate pattern vs circular pattern with vitreous strand cutting

AIM

To investigate the effects and safety of neodymium: yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy with vitreous strand cutting.

METHODS

A total of 40 eyes of 37 patients with symptomatic posterior capsular opacity (PCO) were included in this prospective randomized study and were randomly subjected to either cruciate pattern or round pattern Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy with vitreous strand cutting (modified round pattern). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive error, endothelial cell count (ECC), anterior segment parameters, including anterior chamber depth (ACD) and anterior chamber angle (ACA) were measured before and 1mo after the laser posterior capsulotomy.

RESULTS

In both groups, the BCVA improved significantly (P<0.001 for the modified round pattern group, P=0.001 for the cruciate pattern group); the IOP and ECC did not significantly change. The ACD significantly decreased (P<0.001 for both) and the ACA significantly increased (P=0.001 for the modified round pattern group and P=0.034 for the cruciate group). The extent of changes in these parameters was not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Modified round pattern Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is an effective and safe method for the treatment of PCO. This method significantly changes the ACD and ACA, but the change in refraction is not significant. Modified round pattern Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy can be considered a good alternative procedure in patients with symptomatic PCO.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Sinomenium Acutum Extract On Endotoxin-induced Uveitis in Lewis Rats

PURPOSE

Recent studies have reported the anti-inflammatory effect of Sinomenium acutum. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of sinomenine on endotoxin-induced uveitis in a rat model.

METHODS

Endotoxin-induced uveitis was induced in rat by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immunization. Sinomenine (50mg/kg and 100mg/kg) was administered at 30 minutes before, 6 hours and 12 hours after LPS immunization. Clinical and histological severity was evaluated. Protein concentration and levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and prostaglandin (PG)-E2 in aqueous humor were measured. Expression of activated Nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 in ciliary body was also observed.

RESULTS

Clinical and histological severities were significantly milder in sinomenine-treated rat than in controls (P < 0.001). Sinomenine suppressed protein leakage and down-regulated the production of TNF-α and PG-E2 in a dose-dependent manner. Sinomenine treatment suppressed the translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit into the nuclei.

CONCLUSION

Systemic administration of sinomenine suppressed the inflammation of ocular tissues. These findings suggest that sinomenine could be a novel therapeutic agent for the control of endogenous ocular inflammatory disease.

Recurrent late-onset fibrotic capsular block syndrome after neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser anterior capsulotomy: a case report

Background

Capsular block syndrome is an uncommon complication that occurs after cataract surgery. It is characterized by capsular distension, anterior intraocular lens displacement, anterior chamber shallowing, and unexpected myopic shifts. We report a case of recurrent fibrotic capsular block syndrome with Elschnig’s pearl-type posterior capsule opacification 10 months after neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser anterior capsulotomy.

Case presentation

A 72-year-old Asian man complained of decreased visual acuity 5 years after undergoing phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation. Under slit-lamp examination, late postoperative capsular block syndrome was diagnosed and Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy was performed. Ten months after anterior capsulotomy, the patient returned with decreased visual acuity and was diagnosed with recurrent fibrotic capsular block syndrome. Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was performed.

Conclusions

We found that fibrotic capsular block syndrome could recur with Elschnig’s pearl-type posterior capsule opacification after Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy for late postoperative capsular block syndrome without posterior capsule opacification.

Comparison of Optical Coherence Tomography Measurement Reproducibility between Children and Adults

PURPOSE

To compare the reproducibility of SD-OCT (spectral-domain optical coherence tomography) measurements of RNFL (retinal nerve fiber layer) and macular thickness between children and adults.

METHODS

Seventy-one eyes of 71 children and 71 eyes of 71 adults were prospectively enrolled. RNFL and macular thicknesses were measured by one operator, with a brief rest between measurements. The two measurements were obtained using the eye tracking and retest function of Spectralis SD-OCT. Reproducibility was evaluated with reference to COVs (coefficients of variation) and ICCs (intraclass correlation coefficients). The ICC values of the RNFL and macular thicknesses were compared, respectively between the two groups, by Fisher's z-test.

RESULTS

The RNFL and macular thicknesses did not differ between the two groups. The COVs of the RNFL measurements ranged from 0.945 to 4.531% in the children group and from 0.496 to 1.391% in the adults group. In most of the RNFL sectors, the ICCs of the children group (range: 0.731-0.987) were significantly lower than those of the adults group (range: 0.986-0.993). The COVs of the macular measurements ranged from 0.496 to 1.157% in the children group and from 0.275 to 0.656% in the adults group. The ICCs (range: 0.860-0.974) in the children group, significantly lower than for the adults (range: 0.989-0.995), in all of the macular sectors.

CONCLUSIONS

The reproducibility of SD-OCT RNFL and macular measurements for children was excellent, albeit statistically lower than that for adults.

Anterior chamber depth and refractive change in late postoperative capsular bag distension syndrome: a retrospective analysis

Purpose

To assess the characteristic findings and effects of laser capsulotomy in patients with late postoperative capsular bag distension syndrome (CBDS).

Methods

Twenty patients diagnosed with late postoperative CBDS between July 2010 and August 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Before and 1 week after capsulotomy, changes in the anterior chamber depth (ACD) were assessed using ultrasound biomicroscopy. Changes in the refractive status and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) were also measured 1 week and 1 month after capsulotomy. For patients who received bilateral cataract surgery, preoperative ACD and axial length measured by IOLMaster were compared between the two eyes.

Results

Twenty-two eyes from 20 patients who had undergone laser capsulotomy showed a mean UCVA improvement of 0.27 ± 0.24 logMAR (range, 0.00–0.90). ACD was increased by an average of +0.04 mm (95% confidence interval, +0.01 to +0.06 mm, p = 0.034), equivalent to predicted refractive change of +0.10 D. The discrepancy between actual (+1.33 D) and predicted refractive change after capsulotomy suggests that refractive change may not be generated from IOL displacement in late postoperative CBDS. Preoperative ACD was deeper in the eye with late postoperative CBDS in all bilaterally pseudophakic patients (mean, 3.68 mm vs. 3.44 mm in the fellow eye, p = 0.068).

Conclusions

Late postoperative CBDS showed refractive changes that were resolved successfully after laser capsulotomy. The convex lens effects of opalescent material in the distended capsular bag may play a major role in myopic shift. A larger preoperative ACD is possibly associated with the development of late postoperative CBDS.

Thermal imaging comparison of Signature, Infiniti, and Stellaris phacoemulsification systems

Background

To compare the heat production of 3 different phacoemulsification machines under strict laboratory test conditions. More specifically, the thermal behavior was analyzed between the torsional modality of the Infiniti system and longitudinal modalities of the Abbot WhiteStar Signature Phacoemulsification system and Bausch and Lomb Stellaris system.

Methods

Experiments were performed under in-vitro conditions in this study.

Three phacoemulsification handpieces (Infiniti, Signature, and Stellaris) were inserted into balanced salt solution-filled silicone test chambers and were imaged side-by-side by using a thermal camera. Incision compression was simulated by suspending 30.66-gram weights from the silicone chambers. The irrigation flow rate was set at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cc/min and the phacoemulsification power on the instrument consoles was set at 40, 60, 80, and 100%. The highest temperatures generated from each handpiece around the point of compression were measured at 0, 10, 30, and 60 seconds.

Results

Under the same displayed phacoemulsification power settings, the peak temperatures measured when using the Infiniti were lower than when using the other two machines, and the Signature was cooler than the Stellaris. At 10 seconds, torsional phacoemulsification with Infiniti at 100% power showed data comparable to that of the Signature at 80% and the Stellaris at 60%. At 30 seconds, the temperature from the Infiniti at 100% power was lower than the Signature at 60% and the Stellaris at 40%.

Conclusions

Torsional phacoemulsification with the Infiniti generates less heat than longitudinal phacoemulsification with the Signature and the Stellaris. Lower operating temperatures indicate lower heat generation within the same fluid volume, which may provide additional thermal protection during cataract surgery.

Satisfaction level of physicians who have undergone corneal refractive surgery

Purpose

To evaluate the levels of satisfaction among physicians who have undergone corneal refractive surgery.

Methods

This study included 212 eyes of 107 consecutive patients who underwent laser in situ keratomileusis or laser sub-epithelial keratomileusis surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: one group of physicians and one group of other healthcare workers (HCWs). The physicians' group was also subdivided into two different groups: surgeons or doctors using microscopes and medical physicians. The main outcome measures were scale scores obtained by using the Visual Function Index-14 questionnaires; uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), residual spherical equivalent (SE), optical zone diameter, and residual corneal thickness were also compared between the groups.

Results

No significant differences in preoperative parameters, with the exception of the ratio of types of refractive surgery, were noted between the physicians and the HCWs group. Additionally, no differences between the groups were noted in the postoperative UDVA, residual SE, optical zone diameter, residual corneal thickness, and level of satisfaction. When comparing the two subgroups of physicians, the differences in satisfaction rates were not statistically significant, even in terms of the performance of delicate manual work.

Conclusions

No statistically significant differences in the clinical outcomes and satisfaction scores were detected after surgery between the physicians and HCWs groups, nor were any significant differences detected between the surgeons and medical physicians groups. Corneal refractive surgery can conceivably be recommended even for physicians who perform intensive near vision-dependent activities and delicate operations.

Cosmetic improvement of nevus of Ota by scleral allograft overlay

OBJECTIVE

To report surgical outcome of a new therapeutic technique for nevus of Ota by scleral allograft overlay.

DESIGN

Noncomparative clinical interventional study.

PARTICIPANTS

Eight eyes of 7 patients with scleral nevus of Ota.

METHODS

Patients underwent subconjunctival scleral allograft overlay between September 2005 and June 2007 at Seoul National University Hospital. Preoperative neval extent, postoperative cosmesis, complications, and visual acuity change were evaluated.

RESULTS

Most of the patients showed satisfying cosmetic improvement. There were no significant complications in a follow-up period of more than 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Scleral allograft overlay is a safe and effective procedure for cosmetic improvement of nevus of Ota.

Intraocular lens power calculation using IOLMaster and various formulas in short eyes

Purpose

To evaluate the predictability of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculations using the IOLMaster and four different IOL power calculation formulas (Haigis, Hoffer Q, SRK II, and SRK/T) for cataract surgery in eyes with a short axial length (AL).

Methods

The present study was a retrospective comparative analysis which included 25 eyes with an AL shorter than 22.0 mm that underwent uneventful phacoemulsification with IOL implantation from July 2007 to December 2008 at Seoul National University Boramae Hospital. Preoperative AL and keratometric power were measured by the IOLMaster, and power of the implanted IOL was determined using Haigis, Hoffer Q, SRK II, and SRK/T formulas. Postoperative refractive errors two months after surgery were measured using automatic refracto-keratometry (Nidek) and were compared with the predicted postoperative power. The mean absolute error (MAE) was defined as the average of the absolute value of the difference between actual and predicted spherical equivalences of postoperative refractive error.

Results

The MAE was smallest with the Haigis formula (0.37 ± 0.26 diopter [D]), followed by those of SRK/T (0.53 ± 0.25 D), SRK II (0.56 ± 0.20 D), and Hoffer Q (0.62 ± 0.16 D) in 25 eyes with an AL shorter than 22.0 mm. The proportion with an absolute error (AE) of less than 1 D was greatest in the Haigis formula (96%), followed by those in the SRK II (88%), SRK-T (84%), and Hoffer Q (80%).

Conclusions

The MAE was less than 0.7 D and the proportion of AE less than 1 D was more than 80% in all formulas. The IOL power calculation using the Haigis formula showed the best results for postoperative power prediction in short eyes.

The epidemiology of cosmetic treatments for corneal opacities in a Korean population

Purpose

To describe etiologies and clinical characteristics of corneal opacities leading patients to seek cosmetic treatments.

Methods

The medical records of 401 patients who presented for cosmetic improvement in corneal opacities between May 2004 and July 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. The following parameters were analyzed: age, gender, cause of corneal opacity, time course of the corneal disease, associated diseases, prior and current cosmetic treatments, visual acuity, location and depth of the corneal opacity, and the presence of either corneal neovascularization or band keratopathy. A single practitioner examined all patients.

Results

The most common causes of corneal opacity were ocular trauma (203 eyes, 50.6%), retinal disease (62 eyes, 15.5%), measles (38 eyes, 9.5%), and congenital etiologies (22 eyes, 5.5%). Prior treatments included iris colored contact lenses (125 eyes, 31.1%) and corneal tattooing (34 eyes, 8.46%). A total of 321 of 401 eyes underwent cosmetic treatment for corneal opacities. The most common treatment performed after the primary visit was corneal tattooing (261 eyes, 64.92%).

Conclusions

This is the first study to investigate the causes and clinical characteristics of patients presenting for cosmetic treatment of corneal opacities rather than for functional improvement. Various cosmetic interventions are available for patients with corneal opacities, and these should be individualized for the needs of each patient.

Heat production: Longitudinal versus torsional phacoemulsification

PURPOSE

To compare the heat production of longitudinal versus torsional phacoemulsification under strict laboratory test conditions.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA.

METHODS

Two Infiniti phacoemulsification handpieces were inserted into silicone test chambers filled with a balanced salt solution and imaged serially using a thermal camera. Incision compression was simulated by suspending 25.3 g weights from the silicone chambers. To simulate occlusion of the phacoemulsification tip, the aspiration line was clamped. Peak temperatures were measured 0, 10, 30, 60, and 120 seconds after the commencement of continuous ultrasound power. The 2 handpieces, operating exclusively in longitudinal or torsional modes, were compared 3 ways: (1) using the same power displayed on the instrument console, (2) using identical stroke lengths, and (3) using the same applied energy, a product of stroke length and frequency.

RESULTS

For all 3 comparisons, torsional phacoemulsification resulted in lower temperatures at each time point. At the same displayed power setting, the scenario most familiar to cataract surgeons, longitudinal phacoemulsification elevated temperatures up to 41.5 degrees C more than torsional phacoemulsification.

CONCLUSIONS

Torsional phacoemulsification generated less heat than longitudinal phacoemulsification in all 3 comparison tests. Lower operating temperatures indicate lower heat generation within the same volume of fluid, and this may provide additional thermal protection during cataract surgery.

Biocompatibility of poloxamer hydrogel as an injectable intraocular lens: a pilot study

PURPOSE

To induce irreversible gelation of poloxamer, a thermosensitive polymer hydrogel, by using a photoinitiator and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and to verify the biocompatibility and use of poloxamer as an injectable intraocular lens (IOL) material.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

METHODS

In 10 rabbits, endocapsular phacoemulsification was performed and a poloxamer-photoinitiator mixture was injected into the capsular bag through a small capsulorhexis site. In 1 eye, the capsulorhexis site was closed with a small plug and the entire eye was irradiated with UV light for 5 minutes. Postoperatively, poloxamer transparency and effect on the conjunctiva, cornea, iris, vitreous, and retina were observed.

RESULTS

A mixture comprising 25% poloxamer and 0.01% photoinitiator produced a poloxamer that remained transparent in the lens capsule for up to 6 months. No inflammatory response or toxicity was observed in the conjunctiva, cornea, iris, vitreous, or retina.

CONCLUSION

Poloxamer is a potentially suitable material for an injectable IOL. Further study is needed.

In vitro and in vivo study of lens refilling with poloxamer hydrogel

AIM

To evaluate the compatibility of poloxamer hydrogel as a material for an injectable intraocular lens, in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

The appropriate concentration of poloxamer hydrogel was determined for injection by examining the transparency and gelling temperature of this material, assessing the lens capsule refilling technique, and studying the postoperative findings in a rabbit model.

RESULTS

Poloxamer hydrogel showed excellent transparency and 25% was identified as an appropriate concentration for the lens refilling material. The authors developed a technique for injecting the material in vivo and obtained excellent short term results.

CONCLUSIONS

Poloxamer hydrogel was identified as an appropriate material for direct lens refilling, and the developed injection technique produced excellent short term results.

Effect of immune RNA on NK activity of infants born to mothers with cytomegalovirus infection

The effect of specific immune RNA (i-RNA) on the activity of natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood of 27 newborn infants was studied by lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were used as effector cells with K-562 tumour cells as target cells. The results showed that in the therapeutic group (n = 17) the average activity of NK cells after therapy (24.13 +/- 4.62%) was 13.67 +/- 5.79% higher than before therapy (10.47 +/- 3.57%). In the control group (n = 10) these were only 10.78 +/- 3.94% and 11.58 +/- 3.37%, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, NK activity in the therapeutic group and control group was markedly different (P < 0.01). The data indicate that specific i-RNA can enhance the activity of NK cells in the peripheral blood of newborn infants. Therefore, we believe that specific i-RNA may play an important role in defence against CMV infection. The mechanism of i-RNA augmenting NK cellular activity is also discussed.

Rapid serodiagnosis of human mycobacteriosis by ELISA using cord factor (trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate) purified from Mycobacterium tuberculosis as antigen

IgG antibodies against purified cord factor (trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate, TDM) in sera of 99 patients infected with mycobacteria (42 patients with tuberculosis excreting tubercle bacilli in the sputum, 11 patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis excreting acid-fast bacilli in the sputum, and 46 patients without bacilli in the sputum but diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis by chest X-ray films and physical examination), five patients with lung cancer, and 100 healthy controls which included subjects positive and negative for the tuberculin test were tested by the ELISA with TDM purified from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv as the antigen. Of the 99 cases of mycobacteriosis, 83 patients (83.8%) had positive results (48 samples from 53 patients, or 90.5%, with bacilli in the sputum, and 35 samples from 46 patients (76%) with tuberculosis diagnosed clinically). The sera of the five patients with lung cancer and the 100 controls all gave negative results. Thus, the sensitivity and specificity were 83.8% and 100%, respectively. ELISA with TDM as the antigen is simple, reproducible, and useful for the rapid serodiagnosis of general mycobacterial infections including tuberculosis, because it does not involve the cultivation of bacteria.

Time-dependent recovery from electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia

To examine time-dependent recovery from ECS-induced amnesia, 44 hooded rats were trained to leverpress for food. On treatment day the first leverpress was followed by footshock and ECS or sham ECS (SECS). Animals in both treatment conditions then experienced a 10-min extinction session either 1 or 3 days following treatment. For both the 1-day and 3-day delay ECS groups, the latencies to the first response during extinction were lower than the latencies of the corresponding SECS groups. When extinction followed treatment by 1 day, the ECS rats also made more responses during the test than the SECS rats; however, when tested 3 days after treatment, the ECS and SECS groups did not differ on extinction response rate. In this operant setting, therefore, time-dependent recovery from amnesia can be demonstrated with response rate as the amnesia measure. In addition, since both groups of SECS animals exhibited significant interrelationships of measures following treatment and the same measures were not associated in the ECS groups, it was hypothesized that the proactive effects of ECS include a reduction in the stability of performance.