Differences in the fine specificities of monoclonal (Class A) antibodies to human myeloid cells.

Among 13 monoclonal antibodies to human myelomonocytic cells, six could be assigned to a group designated Class A with the following properties: (a) they react almost exclusively with granulocytes among cells of the peripheral blood, (b) they resemble the previously described anti-granulocyte antibodies, VEP8 and VEP9, and the anti-mouse embryo, anti-SSEA-1, in their strong reactions with human meconium glycoproteins and ovarian cyst mucins of non-secretor type and (c) they recognize the carbohydrate antigen 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (alpha 1----3fucosylated Type 2 blood group chains). The binding of these anti-myeloid antibodies is more strongly inhibited by lacto-N-fucopentaose III than by the trisaccharide-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine, in contrast to anti-SSEA-1 which is more strongly inhibited by the trisaccharide. These observations suggest that the myeloid Class A antibodies recognize additional determinants on the neolacto (Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4) backbone of the pentasaccharide which occurs on the glycoproteins and glycolipids of myeloid cells. However, no two of the anti-myeloid antibodies were identical in their inhibition patterns with the glycoproteins and the two oligosaccharides. They also differed in their cellular reactivities, for example, the proportion of cells in the K-562 cell line reacting with each antibody ranged from 15-57%.     

Distribution of the anterior,posterior, and total corneal astigmatism in healthy eyes

Purpose

To evaluate the magnitude and axis orientation of the anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism in normal healthy eyes of an Iranian population.

Methods

In a prospective cross-sectional study, ophthalmic and anterior segment parameters of 153 healthy eyes of 153 subjects were evaluated by Galilei dual Scheimpflug analyzer. The magnitude and axis orientation [with-the-rule (WTR), against-the-rule (ATR), and oblique] of the anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism measurements (ACA, PCA, and TCA) were compared according to the age, sex, and other ophthalmic parameters.

Results

The mean ± SD age of the study population was 30 ± 5.9 years. The mean magnitude was 1.09 ± 0.76 diopters (D) for ACA, 0.30 ± 0.13 D for PCA, and 1.08 ± 0.77 D for TCA. Males had a significantly higher magnitude of PCA than females (p = 0.041). Most eyes had a WTR anterior astigmatism and an ATR posterior astigmatism. The WTR astigmatism had a higher mean magnitude compared to the ATR and oblique astigmatism in all the astigmatism groups, with a significant difference in the ACA and TCA groups (p < 0.05). PCA magnitude exceeded 0.50 D in only 7.8% of the subjects. ACA, PCA, and TCA were significantly correlated with each other and also had a significant correlation with the anterior and posterior maximum corneal elevation measurements (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The results of this study although are limited due to the small number of participants and confined to our demographics, provided information regarding a population that was not described before and may be helpful in obtaining optimum results in astigmatism correction in refractive surgery or designing new intraocular lenses.

     

Protection by Anti-β-Glucan Antibodies Is Associated with Restricted β-1,3 Glucan Binding Specificity and Inhibition of Fungal Growth and Adherence

Anti-β-glucan antibodies elicited by a laminarin-conjugate vaccine confer cross-protection to mice challenged with major fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans. To gain insights into protective β-glucan epitope(s) and protection mechanisms, we studied two anti-β-glucan monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with identical complementarity-determining regions but different isotypes (mAb 2G8, IgG2b and mAb 1E12, IgM). C. albicans, the most relevant fungal pathogen for humans, was used as a model.     

Corneal interface contamination during laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To measure the rate of corneal interface contamination during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), determine probable sources of the contamination, and evaluate how the cornea reacts to the contamination. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Baqyatallah Hospital, Baqyatallah University, Tehran, Iran. METHODS: In this case series, 200 eyes were evaluated for the corneal interface contamination at the end of LASIK. Cultures were taken from the upper and lower eyelid margins and the inferior fornices before surgery and from the corneal interface and the instrument at the end of surgery. Media were cultured at 37 degrees C for 14 days under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Bacteria from positive cultures were isolated and identified by biochemical procedures to determine the species of the organisms. RESULTS: The rate of contamination was 24.5%. The most common retrieved organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis (43 cases, 87.7%). None of the contaminated or noncontaminated cases developed corneal ulcers; however, 2 eyes developed diffuse lamellar keratitis. CONCLUSION: The corneal stroma has the ability to clear introduced microorganisms during LASIK.