Electron microscopy of the epithelial flap created by ethanol treatment in the rabbit corneal epithelium

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of corneal debridement with 25% ethanol on rabbit corneal epithelium by electron microscopy. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. METHODS: Rabbit corneas were deepithelialized by applying 25% ethanol for 3 minutes, and a hinged epithelial flap was created and repositioned. Ten corneas were evaluated immediately after the epithelial debridement procedure and at 1, 3, and 7 days. Histological changes were evaluated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Corneas treated with ethanol showed a decrease in microvilli, breaks in intercellular junctions, epithelial cell edema, and damage in basement membrane hemidesmosomes. These toxic changes recovered to an almost normal appearance after 24 hours and rapidly improved over the following week. An increase in desquamated cells was observed after debridement; this returned to normal after 1 week according to the normal cellular cycle. Wing cells showed no damage at any stage. CONCLUSIONS: Although ethanol appeared to have a toxic effect on rabbit epithelial cells, the effect did not persist over time. The first signs of recovery were observed 24 hours after debridement, and full recovery was observed over the following week. The ethanol path to the central basement membrane appeared to be centripetally from a round cut through the basement membrane, leaving the wing cells intact.     

Predictive model for assessing cognitive impairment by quantitative electroencephalography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of quantitative electroencephalographic analysis as an indicator of cognitive impairment, we examined the correlation between Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) power values in elderly patients and constructed a regression model to predict MMSE scores. BACKGROUND: Because of the growing number of elderly individuals with cognitive deficits, there is an increasing need for simple and objective methods with which to evaluate cognitive function. Although QEEG is reportedly a useful method for this purpose, few researchers have constructed a QEEG-based model for predicting the degree of cognitive impairment in clinical settings. METHOD: We evaluated brain function using QEEG in 44 elderly patients with memory complaints and compared the results with their MMSE scores. RESULTS: In the correlation analysis, no significant correlation was found between MMSE scores and QEEG power values. However, a regression model created using relative QEEG and gender for predicting MMSE scores had an adjusted R2 of 0.471. CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that QEEG analysis may be a useful indicator of cognitive decline in patients with memory complaints.     

A new mouse model of genetically transmitted polycystic kidney disease

The clinical and pathologic characteristics of the murine polycystic kidney were examined in a mutant cy/cy mouse found in the KK strain, which is known to be a diabetic strain. This cy/cy mutant appeared to resemble human adult polycystic kidney disease in clinical course and morphology although inheritance was an autosomal recessive trait. Histologic studies of early postnatal animals suggested that cystic alterations might occur in any part of a collecting tubule or nephron. The cy/cy mutant might be a useful model animal for further investigation of early morphologic alterations and progression of cystic disease.     

Clinical and histological features in pediatric and adolescent/young adult patients with renal disease: a cross-sectional analysis of the Japan Renal Biopsy Registry (J-RBR)

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology - Only a few studies have investigated epidemiological and clinicopathological information regarding pediatric and adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients...     

Surgical therapies for Acanthamoeba keratitis by phototherapeutic keratectomy and deep lamellar keratoplasty

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) and deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLKP) in the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis. METHODS: Two patients with delayed diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis failed to respond to multiple systemic and topic antiamoebic agents supplemented by twice-weekly corneal scraping. Three weeks into such therapy, one developed a ring-shaped subepithelial infiltration and PTK was performed. The other was treated with DLKP for progressive keratitis that had invaded the midstromal layer after 50 days of medical therapy. RESULTS: Improvements were observed immediately after the operations and medical therapy was gradually discontinued. Best-corrected visual acuity improved to 20/20 for both patients. CONCLUSIONS: PTK and DLKP were found to be effective surgical procedures, especially for advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis that fails to respond to medical therapy and corneal debridement.