Movements of selected points on a vocal fold during vibration.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Lambiase.
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An improved fiberoptic laryngoscope is connected to Timcke's stroboscope. The laryngoscope gives a magnified view of 2x and is prefocused from 5 cm to infinity. The combination of the stroboscope and the laryngoscope gives an excellent slow-motion view of the vocal fold movement.
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We report a morphometric study on the effect of 3-palmitoyl-(+)-catechin on phagocytic activity of latex particles by Kupffer cells in guinea pig liver. We found an increase in the density of latex particles in Kupffer cells of animals treated with 3-palmitoyl-(+)-catechin. The volume and density of Kupffer cells of treated animals increased (p less than 0.01); there was no significant difference in surface density of the plasma membrane. None of the parameters measured was altered in endothelial cells. These results show that 3-palmitoyl-(+)-catechin produces morphological and functional changes in Kupffer cells.
The ultrastructural morphology of the early phases of mycelium-yeast transition in Histoplasma capsulatum after a temperature shift from 25 degrees C to only 34 degrees C is described. Under this condition of lower temperature oxidative phosphorylation is not completely uncoupled and maximum production of heat shock proteins (hsp) occurs. 24 h after temperature shift more than 90% of the cells still appear vital. Alterations in the organization of the mitochondrial cristae are the only ultrastructural changes observed in these cells. In contrast, 70% of the cells degenerate 24 h after a temperature shift from 25 degrees C to 37 degrees C and in the remaining cells mitochondria are rarely observed. These observations are discussed in relation to the production of hsp, the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and the virulence of different strains of H. capsulatum.
BACKGROUND: Several studies provide evidence that nerve growth factor (NGF) has an expanding role in neuroimmune interactions. METHODS: We review our data on circulation levels of NGF in allergic diseases as well as on the relationships between this neurotrophin and primary and secondary effector cells of allergic inflammation. RESULTS: In vernal keratoconjunctivitis, a close relationship exists between the increased NGF plasma values and the number of mast cells infiltrating the conjunctiva. NGF serum values are also increased in other allergic diseases and asthma, and are related to the severity of the inflammatory process and disease. Human CD4+ T cell clones (preferentially of activated Th2 type) produce and release NGF, and express high-affinity NGF receptors. NGF is preformed in and can act on human peripheral blood eosinophils to preferentially release inflammatory mediators. Immunoreactivity for high affinity NGF receptors is present both in basal epithelial cells and in the inflamed stroma of the allergic conjunctiva. Topical administration of NGF results in a complete healing of neurotophic corneal ulcers in man, thus suggesting a profound effect of NGF on human fibroblasts and extracellular matrix. CONCLUSION: Data presented suggest that NGF is an important molecule in allergic inflammation and tissue remodelling occurring in allergic diseases.
Clinical studies of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) patients show that total IgE serum levels are increased even in the absence of IgE antibodies to common allergens. Activated eosinophils are also a constant feature of VKC at both the circulation (cytofluorimetry) and tissue (tear cytology and conjunctival scrapings) levels. Moreover, allergen challenge induces a prolonged inflammatory reaction with a prevalent participation of eosinophils, lymphocytes and possibly basophils. Immunohistochemical studies of VKC biopsies show a multicellular inflammatory infiltrate with prevalence of activated eosinophils, mast cells and CD4 lymphocytes in both epithelium and subepithelium. Mediator studies indicate that eosinophil products (eosinophil peroxidase, eosinophinal cationic protein and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin/eosinophil protein X) are increased in both serum and tears, where tryptase and interleukin (IL)-5 are also detectable in higher amounts than in controls. On the basis of these findings, we postulate that VKC can represent a phenotypic model of up-regulation of the cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5q which through its products (IL-3, IL-4, IL-5 and granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor) regulates Th2 prevalence, IgE production as well as mast cell and eosinophil growth and function in VKC.
PURPOSE: To report the association of conjunctival peritomy with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) at the limbus with the exclusion of the central cornea in order to preserve visual function in one case of bilateral Mooren's ulcer. METHODS: A 36-year-old man with bilateral Mooren's ulcer was unresponsive to conventional therapy. Surgical procedure was performed on his right eye, at impending risk of corneal perforation. A 20 x 20 mm piece of amniotic membrane (AM) was prepared by performing a central hole of 7.5 mm diameter with a manual trephine. A 360 degrees conjunctival peritomy was performed and the AM was placed with the epithelium side facing up and the central hole was sutured on the paracentral cornea. RESULTS: Two weeks after surgery, while the right eye showed improvement of signs and symptoms and unchanged best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the left eye showed a peripheral corneal perforation with prolapsed iris that required conjunctival flap. At 7 months of follow-up, the right eye showed no ocular inflammation, a reduction of the lipid-like peripheral corneal infiltrates, an increased stromal thickness, and an unchanged BCVA. The progression of corneal thinning in the left eye led the authors to perform AMT (as described) in the left eye as well. Five months after the AMT in the left eye, neither eye shows signs of disease progression, and neither requires further therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival peritomy associated with AMT may be an alternative surgical approach in the management of Mooren's ulcers to control the inflammation and the progression of disease.
PURPOSE: To correlate conjunctival intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression with cytologic and clinical findings of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). METHODS: Seven patients with chronic GVHD-related keratoconjunctivitis and five age-matched normal controls were recruited for the study. Clinical examination included medical history, visual acuity, evaluation of ocular signs and symptoms (scored from 0 to 3), corneal fluorescein staining (scored from 0 to 5 on the basis of the number of corneal sectors involved), Schirmer test type I, and break-up time (BUT). Impression cytology samples were collected from the nasal and inferior bulbar conjunctiva of patients and controls. Goblet cells were counted in three randomly selected fields and averaged. Immunofluorescent staining for ICAM-1 was carried out and the percentage of cells expressing the marker was evaluated. RESULTS: All patients showed signs and symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Schirmer test type I and BUT were reduced (4.8+/-6.7 mm/5 min and 3.9+/-2.7 seconds, respectively). Goblet cells were significantly reduced in GVHD eyes with respect to normal eyes (65+/-30.5 and 192+/-16.9 cells/field respectively; p<0.001). Goblet cell number was directly related to Schirmer test values (p<0.01, rho=0.817) and inversely related to total sign score (p<0.01, rho=-0.939). ICAM-1 expression was increased in GVHD eyes with respect to normal controls, in which no staining was observed. ICAM-1 expression showed an inverse relation to goblet cell number (p<0.01, rho=-0.852) and Schirmer test values (p<0.01, rho=-0.926), and was directly correlated to total sign score (p<0.01, rho=0.982). CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival ICAM-1 expression is increased in GVHD patients. The severity of the disease is associated with tear parameters, goblet cell decrease, and inflammatory markers, such as ICAM-1.
PURPOSE: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a severe, chronic allergic inflammatory disease of the ocular surface poorly responsive to antiallergic treatments and possibly leading to permanent visual impairment. VKC, because of mast cell, eosinophil, and Th2-type inflammation, polyclonal IgE activation, and tissue remodeling, is considered to be a typical Th2- driven disease. Viral infection stimulates a Th1 type immune response, potentially attenuating allergen-induced inflammation. The purpose of this report is to describe the effect of viral keratoconjunctivitis in a patient with VKC. METHODS: The authors report on a patient with a severe form of VKC, poorly responsive to antiallergic treatments, who developed a viral keratoconjunctivitis. Signs, symptoms, and cytologic findings were recorded during the 5-year follow-up period. RESULTS: The authors observed a prompt and permanent improvement of signs and symptoms of the allergic condition after the viral infection. Conjunctival scraping confirms that the inhibition of the eosinophilic inflammation lasts at least for 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: In this case, the viral infection seemed to induce a clinical recovery of allergic disease, suggesting that an immune deviation induced by Th1-polarizing agents may revert an ongoing Th2 inflammation.
PURPOSE: To report the identification of human papillomavirus types in four cases of conjunctival papillomas and to review the literature regarding human conjunctival papillomavirus (HPV). METHODS: Specimens from conjunctival papillomas of four patients were analyzed for the presence of HPV by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent filter hybridization. HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, and 33 were investigated. Histologic sections were analyzed for the presence of koilocytosis. RESULTS: Histologic examination confirmed HPV infection in all cases. HPV type 11 was detected in all specimens. CONCLUSIONS: HPV is frequently implicated in the pathogenesis of proliferative squamous lesions. HPV type 11 was the most frequently found in benign conjunctival lesion in this study.
The harmonic components in hoarse voice were separated from the noise components by using a small laboratory computer. The ratio of harmonics to noise or S/N ratio, was calculated and compared with the auditory impression for 58 subjects. The calculated results showed a definite correlation to the auditory impression, and it is suggested that this would be a useful method for the quantitative evaluation of hoarseness.