The short wavelength-sensitive (S-) cone electroretinogram (ERG) is selectively reduced in diabetic patients both with and without retinopathy, but the exact mechanism of the vulnerability of the S-cone system is still unclear. This study examined relationships of the S-cone ERG to systemic factors in diabetes. Cone ERGs to different color flash stimuli were examined in the presence of bright white background illumination in 17 diabetic patients without retinopathy and in 17 diabetics with background retinopathy. Relationships of the amplitude and implicit time of the S-cone ERG to the following systemic factors were statistically analyzed: patients' age, hemoglobin A1 level, method of diabetic control, presence of retinopathy, and presence of nephropathy. The amplitude of the S-cone ERG b-wave was significantly reduced in diabetics treated with insulin and in those associated with nephropathy. No significant correlation was found between the S-cone ERG and patient's age, hemoglobin A1 level and presence or absence of retinopathy. A selective reduction of the S-cone ERG is observed in patients whose metabolic control has been poor for a longer period, suggesting that microvascular changes may play a role in the S-cone ERG impairment.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

HLA expression by trophoblast of invasive moles.

HLA expression by the trophoblast in invasive hydatidiform mole was analysed by immunoperoxidase staining. In the invading villi of an invasive mole, villous trophoblast, both syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast, failed to show a positive reaction for HLA-A, -B and -C and HLA-DR. By contrast, extravillous trophoblast showed an intense reaction for HLA-A, -B and -C. The distribution of HLA antigens in the invading villi was the same as in the non-invading villi, and the antigens were also indistinguishable from those noted in non-invasive hydatidiform moles. The histopathology of invasive mole may suggest that it is a malignant neoplasm. This immunohistochemical study, however, lends support to the current view that invasive mole is a variant of a benign hydatidiform mole rather than a form of malignant trophoblastic disease.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of HLA-DR molecules in human gestational choriocarcinoma cell lines and malignant cell lines.

In order to determine whether trophoblast (or gestational choriocarcinoma) expresses the HLA-DR antigen or not, it was analysed using human gestational choriocarcinoma cell lines (GCH-1, GCH-1(m) and TAK-N) by the Northern hybridization method. TYK-nu (human undifferentiated ovarian carcinoma cell line), M-14 (human malignant melanoma cell line), L-14 (human B lymphocyte cell line), and KKNS-1, KKNS-2 and KKNS-3 (three human endometrial carcinoma cell lines) were also examined. Messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) were prepared from 2 X 10(7) cells in each cell line and hybridized by HLA-DR alpha-chain complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) probe (pDR alpha-1) and beta-chain cDNA probe (DK-10). Northern hybridization analysis revealed that GCH-1 transcribed at least two kinds of alpha-chain (16s and 23s) and beta-chain mRNA (15s and 23s). TYK-nu transcribed alpha- and beta-chain mRNA, L-14 transcribed only alpha-chain mRNA, and TAK-N appeared to transcribe only a little alpha-chain mRNA. The HLA-DR molecules were not, however, expressed in the other cell lines (GCH-1(m), M-14, KKNS-1, -2 and -3). These results are compared with those obtained by immunocytochemical methods in our laboratory.

Cell Line↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical localization of HLA antigens and placental proteins (alpha hCG, beta hCG CTP, hPL and SP1 in villous and extravillous trophoblast in normal human pregnancy: a distinctive pathway of differentiation of extravillous trophoblast.

Immunohistochemical localization of HLA antigens and placental proteins (alpha hCG, beta hCG CTP, hPL and SP1) in villous and extravillous trophoblast at various stages of normal human gestation were studied, using hysterectomy specimens. In the chorionic villi, the capacity for synthesizing placental proteins seemed to develop in parallel with the morphological change from mononuclear cells to multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast and no villous trophoblast expressed HLA antigens. In contrast, extravillous trophoblast, including the multinucleated trophoblastic cells at the deciduomuscular junction, expressed HLA-A, -B, and -C, and their capacity for synthesizing placental proteins did not seem to correspond with the degree of morphological change: the location of alpha hCG, beta hCG CTP and SP1 was restricted to mononuclear trophoblast in the superficial decidua, while hPL was present extensively in extravillous trophoblast. These findings strongly suggest that extravillous trophoblast possesses many distinctive biological features and differentiates in an independent manner. Mononuclear trophoblast forming the cell columns was also positive for HLA-A, -B, and -C, and no placental protein was demonstrated in these cells; this, together with previous morphological observations, may indicate the germinative nature of these cells.

Cell Differentiation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical studies of fetal trophoblast and maternal decidua in hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma.

Immunohistochemical techniques have been used to investigate the expression of fetal trophoblast antigens and the maternal leucocytic response in molar pregnancy and choriocarcinoma. The antigenic phenotype of morphologically defined trophoblast populations in complete, partial and invasive moles was analogous to that in normal pregnancy. All trophoblast phenotypes described in normal pregnancy were also identified in choriocarcinoma, suggesting that extensive differentiation into heterogeneous subgroups occurs in malignant trophoblast. The maternal leucocytic infiltrate in molar pregnancy consisted of T lymphocytes and class II MHC-positive macrophages. CD2-positive, CD3-negative lymphocytes were identified in molar decidua but not in uterine tissue in choriocarcinoma. Similarly, endometrial granulocytes were present in molar decidua but not in choriocarcinoma; these cells were associated with decidualization rather than with fetal trophoblast.

Choriocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Interstitial fluid pressure in the facial nerve: relationship between facial nerve pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

The possibility of measuring interstitial pressure in the facial nerve using a servo-nulling system was investigated. As a pilot study, interstitial fluid pressure in the extirpated medulla oblongata was measured using this system, and was found to be proportional to the pressure applied to the surrounding tissue block. Interstitial fluid pressure of the facial nerve in guinea pigs was also measurable with this system. The pressure in the facial nerve fluctuated with respiration and/or heart beat, as did CSF pressure. Respiratory fluctuations in facial nerve and CSF pressures ceased when the respirator was stopped. Facial nerve pressure appeared to be closely related to CSF pressure; the injection of saline into the CSF space resulted in an increase in facial nerve pressure. Measurement of facial nerve pressure by a servo-nulling system should be useful in evaluating the pathogenesis underlying facial palsy.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Trace elements and mineral requirements for very low birth weight infants in rickets of prematurity.

To establish mineral and trace element requirements for very low birth it is important to prevent bone mineral disorder. Those infants fed mother's milk only are thought to be at higher risk of this disorder. Both calcium and phosphorus supplementation were thought to be needed to prevent it. Copper and zinc are important as cofactors of major enzymes involved in the synthesis of collagen. These trace elements especially zinc may not be enough for very low birth weight infants fed mother's milk. At present however the relationship between these trace elements and minerals, and bone metabolic disease in preterm infants is not completely clear.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Surgical outcomes in juvenile retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively clinical features and surgical outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in juvenile patients. METHODS: Between 1991 and 1996, 28 patients younger than 15 years of age with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (32 eyes) underwent the first surgical procedure, scleral buckling and/or pars plana vitrectomy, at our hospital. RESULTS: The major types of juvenile detachment, in order of frequency, were idiopathic, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, trauma, and high myopia. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) of grade C or D was involved in 12 cases (37.5%). Among the 12 eyes with PVR, 7 attained retinal reattachment after the first surgery with scleral buckling. The overall reattachment rate was 28/32 (87.5%) after the first operation and 30/32 (93.8%) after the second operation. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the reattachment rate and visual prognosis can be as good in juvenile retinal detachment as in adult cases, when appropriate surgical procedures are used.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cone electroretinograms in response to color stimuli after successful retinal detachment surgery.

Cone electroretinograms (ERGs) in response to different color flashes were examined using a Ganzfeld stimulus in 19 eyes after successful retinal detachment surgery. In the operated eyes, the short wavelength sensitive (S-) cone b-wave was reduced more than the mixed long (L-) and middle (M-) wavelength sensitive cone b-waves. The ratio of the S-cone ERG b-wave amplitude between operated eyes and fellow eyes was significantly lower than the L- and M-cone ERG b-waves (P < .01). These ERG results indicated that the S-cone system is more impaired than the L- and M-cone systems after retinal detachment surgery.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Electroretinograms and visual evoked potentials elicited by spectral stimuli in a patient with enhanced S-cone syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the properties of the retina of a Japanese patient with enhanced S-cone syndrome by analyzing electroretinograms (ERGs) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) elicited by different spectral stimuli. METHODS: Ganzfeld spectral flashes in the presence of strong white adapting background illumination were used to elicit cone ERGs and VEPs. RESULTS: The cone ERG elicited in the patient by short wavelength stimuli was distinctly different from the normal S-cone ERG. The action spectrum of the cone ERG confirmed its relative hypersensitivity to short wavelengths. The action spectrum of the VEP for the patient showed a similar relative hypersensitivity to short wavelengths. The response of the VEPs to short wavelength stimuli was different in waveform from the VEP response to longer wavelength stimuli observed in a normal subject. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the hypersensitivity to short wavelengths is transmitted to the central nervous system and that there is a short wavelength transducing photopigment in many of the photoreceptors, either abnormal S-cones or photopic rods.

Adaptation, Ocular↗

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Episcleritis as the primary clinical manifestation in a patient with polyarteritis nodosa.

PURPOSE: To alert ophthalmologists to ocular manifestations that could indicate polyarteritis nodosa. CASE: A 71-year-old man exhibited unilateral episcleritis as the primary clinical manifestation of polyarteritis nodosa. OBSERVATIONS: The patient's ocular symptoms did not respond well to either topical betamethasone eye drops or low-dose oral prednisone. Five months after the onset of ocular symptoms, the patient progressively developed fever, pneumonia, and renal dysfunction. Positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody indicated polyarteritis nodosa as the underlying systemic disease. Intravenous methylprednisolone (1 g/day) was started; however, the patient succumbed 10 days later after intracranial hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists should be aware that such a common ocular manifestation as episcleritis can be the initial manifestation of polyarteritis nodosa and that its early diagnosis can reduce mortality from this disease.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression and possible roles of activin A in proliferative vitreoretinal diseases.

PURPOSE: To examine the expression of activin A in eyes and to determine the possible functions of activin A in proliferative vitreoretinal diseases. METHODS: The activin A concentration in vitreous specimens obtained from eyes with or without retinal ischemia was measured by a bioassay using erythroid differentiation factor effects of activin A. The expression of activin A and activin receptors in the preretinal membranes was observed by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The mean concentration of activin A in the eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 1. 50 +/- 1.27 ng/mL (mean +/- SD; n = 10), and that in the nondiabetic eyes without retinal ischemia (macular hole and epiretinal membrane) was 0.90 +/- 0.55 ng/mL (n = 5). Neither difference was significant. Activin A and its receptors were detected in the vascular endothelial cells, fibroblast-like cells and round-shaped macrophage-like cells in preretinal proliferative membranes by immunohistochemical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Activin A is involved in the proliferative membrane formation in both ischemic and nonischemic vitreoretinal proliferative diseases. Activin A, a member of TGF-beta superfamily, regulates angiogenesis and tissue fibrosis in the wound healing process.

Activin Receptors↗