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Biomedical subjects

K Tsubota

Publications and source records attributed to K Tsubota.

263 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Augmented expression of CD44 splice variants in lymphoproliferative disorder of the lacrimal gland in Sjögren's syndrome.

We explored the involvement of CD44 isoforms in lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) of the lacrimal gland of a Sjögren's syndrome patient with unilateral LPD. The CD44 variant with the v6 exon was selectively detected from infiltrating lymphocytes in the gland with LPD, but not from infiltrating lymphocytes in the normal lacrimal gland, suggesting that the CD44 v6 variant exon may be closely associated with the development of LPD in Sjögren's syndrome.

DNA Primers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ocular surface management in corneal transplantation, a review.

PURPOSE: To discuss the importance of ocular surface management in corneal transplantation, especially in limbal transplantation. METHODS: Since the corneal epithelium is not completely recovered after corneal transplantation, meticulous attention should be paid to the ocular surface to prevent infection and rejection, which are the major causes of corneal transplantation failure. Preoperative evaluations of the ocular surface should be carried out, followed by appropriate surgical procedures, depending on the condition of each patient. Vigorous immunosuppressive measures should be taken after surgery. RESULTS: In both case reports presented in this study, each patient underwent successful surgery and his condition was controlled by medication suited to his needs. CONCLUSIONS: For those patients with stem cell deficiency, limbal transplantation, possibly with the use of autologous serum drops, should be considered to reconstruct and maintain the ocular surface. Ocular surface management is necessary for the success of corneal transplantation, especially for limbal transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Formation of dioxins (PCDDs/PCDFs) by dioxin-free fly ash as a catalyst and relation with several chlorine-sources.

Simplified thermal formation experiments have been conducted using dioxin-free fly ash as a catalyst with many kinds of combustible samples such as newspaper, kerosene, paraffin, PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene) and PVC. Chlorine sources were PVC, NaCl and HCl. The combustion of samples containing chlorine in the absence of dioxin-free fly ash produced dioxins at a low level although HCl was present in the gas stream. On the other hand, the combustion of samples without chlorine with dioxin-free fly ash increased dioxins formation to a level around 10 times higher than that upon heating dioxin-free fly ash alone. This result is considered to be due to the presence of metal chloride in the fly ash and hydrocarbons in the gas stream. The combustion of samples containing either an organic or inorganic chlorine source or using a HCl stream with dioxin-free fly ash increased dioxin level dramatically.

Benzofurans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pterygium and dry eye.

PURPOSE: To assess the correlation between dry eye and pterygium. METHODS: Tear breakup time (BUT), Schirmer test with/without anesthesia and tear function index were evaluated in both eyes of patients with unilateral pterygium. RESULTS: Tear BUT, was shortened significantly in the eye with pterygium. The Schirmer test with anesthesia was shortened and the tear function index was decreased in the eye with pterygium with marginal significance. CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between pterygium formation and shortened BUT. Unstable tear film may contribute to the initiation of pterygium.

Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bar-shaped nuclear chromatin in conjunctival samples: with cytologic features and ultrastructural correlation.

OBJECTIVE: To study the cytomorphologic features of bar-shaped chromatin in conjunctival samples and assess whether there are morphologic similarities between nuclear grooves seen in thyroid papillary carcinoma and bar-shaped chromatin. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 10 conjunctival samples from five volunteers were studied cytologically. Of the 10 samples, 2 showed barshaped chromatin. This chromatin was studied using a light microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). RESULTS: On SEM, bar-shaped chromatin was observed as a fissure or shallow cracks. On TEM the barshaped chromatin existed both in the center of the nuclei and in the nuclear membrane and cytoplasm. It was surrounded by outer and inner membranes. CONCLUSION: It seems that bar-shaped chromatin is formed by the nuclear membrane and that these changes are essentially the same configuration as cytoplasmic invaginations commonly present in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical application of Er:YAG laser for the treatment of pterygium.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical application of Er:YAG laser for the treatment of pterygium. METHOD: Five patients (5 eyes) with pterygium, 2 primary cases and 3 retreatment cases, whose ages ranged from 44 to 68 years (mean 54.4 years), were treated with the Er:YAG laser. The optical system consisted of a fluorozirco-aluminate glass fiber and a handpiece tip made of quartz glass. The tip of the guiding probe was applied to the surface of the pterygium, where the laser beam was emitted. The radiant energy was set at 10 mJ with water spray. RESULT: The removal of pterygium was accomplished under topical anesthesia with a laser output approximate range from 50 to 100 shots. Complications such as corneal erosion or thinning of the sclera were not observed. However, recurrence was seen in the 3 retreatment cases. CONCLUSION: The Er:YAG laser system may be a clinically useful tool as a laser surgical knife for ocular tissue.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Presence of bar-shaped nuclear chromatin in cell samples from the conjunctiva.

A study was performed on 60 patients, of whom 20 had the dry eye syndrome, 20 had had cataract surgery and 20 belonged to a control group. Twenty percent of the dry eye group and 45% of the post-cataract surgery group had cells with so-called bar-shaped nuclear chromatin (bar-chromatin cells) with a morphology basically akin to those of Anitschkow nuclear changes found in cardiac tissue. Bar-chromatin cells were found in scrapings from different parts of the conjunctiva, mostly in intermediate squamous cells and rarely in goblet cells. However, these nuclear changes were infrequent in the control group. Since the bar-chromatin cells were much more frequent in patients with diseased eyes, we concluded that the findings were possibly of a regenerative nature.

Cataract Extraction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Conjunctival brush cytology.

In order to collect conjunctival cells efficiently, we developed a special brush that is a modification of the Cytobrush used in cervical cytology. The conjunctival brush is small and made of nylon bristles. Cells collected by these brushes were rinsed into a buffered solution, from which filter preparations were made. This technique produced adequately cellular samples from temporal bulbar conjunctiva; these preparations stained well with the Papanicolaou stain. Under normal conditions, three cell types were observed in the brushing samples; one was the polygonal epithelial cell, the second type was a small rounded cell, and the third type was a mucus-secreting goblet cell. Samples from dry-eyed patients contained keratinized cells with or without a decrease in goblet cells. Elongated cells were seen in samples from postirradiation and postoperative patients. Irritation caused by the brushing was of the same intensity as irritation caused by collecting cytologic specimens by impression or by the use of cotton swabs. These findings suggest that brushing cytology of the conjunctiva is a relatively noninvasive technique and can provide valuable information for evaluation of conjunctival conditions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vivo observation of the corneal epithelium.

Specular microscopy is an important addition to the ophthalmologist's diagnostic armamentarium. Using this technique, it has been found that normal corneal epithelial cells are polygonal, with no abnormal specular reflex. There are no spindle-shaped, large or small cells, as may be observed in a variety of pathologic conditions. Spindle-shaped cells are characteristic of the wound-healing process with cell migration. Large cells were observed not only in wound healing, but also in aphakic diabetic patients, extended-wear soft contact lens wearers, and individuals with keratoconus. These changes may result from depressed mitosis or inhibited sloughing of superficial cells. Morphometric analysis adds a quantitative dimension to epithelial cell analysis.

Adult↗