Infectious scleritis: Report of four cases

While systemic autoimmune diseases are the main possibilities in the differential diagnosis of scleritis, other less common etiologies such as infections must also be considered. The authors report four cases of infectious scleritis to review predisposing factors, clinical characteristics, methods of diagnostic approach, and response to therapy. Two patients had primary scleritis and two patients had secondary scleritis following extension of primary corneal infection (corneoscleritis). Diagnoses included three local infections (one each withStaphylococcus. Acanthamoeba, and herpes simplex) and one systemic infection (Lyme disease). Stains, cultures, or immunologic studies from scleral, conjunctival, and/or corneal tissues, and serologic tests were used to make the diagnosis. Medical therapy, including antimicrobial agents, was instituted in all patients, and surgical procedures were additionally required in two patients (scleral grafting in one and two penetrating keratoplasties in another); the patient who required two penetrating keratoplasties had corneoscleritis and underwent eventual enucleation. Infectious agents should be considered in the differential diagnosis of scleritis.     

Alpha 2U-globulin: measurement in rat kidney and relationship to hyaline droplets

The concentration of renal alpha 2U-globulin increased in a dose-dependent manner in adult male but not female rats which received a single dose of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (TMP). After administration of a single dose of 12 mmol TMP/kg to adult male rats, the renal concentration of alpha 2U-globulin reached a peak at 48 hours and returned to near background level after 7 days. These changes in renal alpha 2U-globulin concentration were closely paralleled by changes in renal hyaline droplet formation. Renal alpha 2U-globulin and hyaline droplets were absent in normal pre-puberty male rats, and neither could be stimulated by a single dose of TMP. alpha 2U-Globulin was localised in the renal cortex of adult male rats, in particular the S2 segment of the proximal tubule. A greater staining intensity due to alpha 2U-globulin was seen in the S2 and adjacent segments after a single dose of TMP. A strong association is suggested between the presence of renal hyaline droplets and the occurrence of alpha 2U-globulin.     

HRAS1-selected, chromosome-mediated transformants vary in phenotype in vitro and tumorigenic potential in vivo

Transfection of mouse C127 cells with mitotic chromosomes isolated from a human EJ bladder carcinoma cell line gave rise, at high frequency, to foci of transformed cells. Independent, HRAS1-selected chromosome-mediated transformants displayed distinctive cellular morphologies in monolayer culture and colony-forming abilities in low-melting-point agarose. Subcutaneous inoculation of neonatally thymectomized, Ara-C-protected, total-body-irradiated CBA mice was used to compare the tumorigenic potential of each transformant. Significant quantitative and qualitative differences in tumorigenicity were found between transformants which correlated with differences in malignant phenotype observed in vitro. The sensitivity of the tumorigenicity assay is such that rare transformation events can be selected directly in vivo.     

Laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy: also a simple technique

Summary Placement of feeding tubes is a common procedure for general surgeons. While the advent of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy has changed and improved surgical practice, this technique is contraindicated in many circumstances. In some patients placement of feeding tubes in the stomach may be contraindicated due to the risks of aspiration, gastric paresis, or gastric dysmotility. We describe a technique of laparoscopic jejunostomy tube placement which is easy and effective. It is noteworthy that this method may be used in patients who have had previous abdominal operations, and it has the added advantage of a direct peritoneal view of the viscera. We suggest that qualified laparoscopic surgeons learn the technique of laparoscopic jejunostomy.