Immunohistochemical study of cellular response on the intraocular lens surface

This immunohistochemical study was conducted to observe the cellular proliferation on the surface of an intraocular lens (IOL) implanted in the rabbit eye. One week after extracapsular lens extraction followed by posterior chamber lens implantation, the IOL was removed and examined by an indirect immunohistochemical method using anti-macrophage antiserum. Macrophage immunoreactivities were observed on the small round cells, the middle-sized oval cells, the foreign-body giant cells and the fibroblast-like cells attached to the surface of the IOL. Most of the cellular components on the implanted IOL seemed to be macrophages.     

Comparison of the cellular response on intraocular lenses implanted in rabbit eyes with and without extracapsular lens extraction

Three-piece poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses (IOLs) were implanted in rabbit eyes with and without lens extraction to examine the cellular response on the IOL surface without the effects of the residual lens cortex. Each rabbit had extracapsular lens extraction (ECCE) with IOL implantation in the posterior chamber of one eye. In the second eye, the IOL was implanted in the anterior chamber without lens extraction. The lenses were removed and studied with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy one week after surgery. Light microscopic findings revealed a similar cellular response on the surface of the IOLs in both groups. Scanning electron microscopy suggested that the cellular adhesiveness on the IOL surface in the eyes without lens extraction was weaker than in the eyes that had ECCE. Cells on the IOLs in the eyes without lens extraction were flatter and had membranous pseudopodia. It appears that the cells on the IOL surface were caused by a foreign body reaction and that their adhesiveness to the IOL was affected by residual lens cortex.     

Intraoperative blood pressure control by ATP in pheochromocytoma

Three cases of pheochromocytoma which were successfully treated with the use of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during the operation are reported. The mechanism of the hypotensive effect of ATP has been proved due to the antagonizing action of the agent to the vasoconstriction by noradrenaline and/or sympathetic nerve stimulation. In these 3 cases, ATP has been safely and effectively applied to control blood pressure in pheochromocytoma. ATP could be used as the first-choice drug to keep the circulatory state stable during surgery for pheochromocytoma.     

Tetrazomine, a new antibiotic produced by an actinomycete strain. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and characterization

A new antibacterial antibiotic tetrazomine was found from the fermentation broth of an actinomycete strain which was isolated from beach sand collected at Chichijima, Ogasawara Islands, Tokyo, Japan. The strain Y-09194L, was identified as Saccharothrix mutabilis subsp. chichijimaensis subsp. nov. The antibiotic exhibited broad antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. It also exhibited strong cytotoxic activity against P388 leukemia cells and showed antitumor activity against P388 leukemia. The apparent molecular formula of tetrazomine was determined as C24H34N4O5. It has a rare structure which consists of six rings including piperidine, piperadine, oxazole, and pyrrolidine.     

Low concentration of reserpine accelerates actin polymerization via interaction with G-actin

The effect of reserpine on actin polymerization was examined by measurement of the changes in high shear viscosity and by electron microscopic observation of the actin solution. In the presence of low concentrations of reserpine, the time course of actin polymerization was accelerated dose dependently (up to approximately 0.5 nM), without affecting the final level of viscosity. The effect of reserpine rather decreased with dosages over this concentration. The binding of reserpine to actin was tested by developing the mixture of G- or F-actin and [3H]reserpine through a Sephadex G-50 column. A portion of the reserpine coeluted with G-actin, but little reserpine did with F-actin. This means that reserpine bound to G-actin but scarcely to F-actin. The binding of reserpine to G-actin was also confirmed using the method of photoaffinity labeling. After the irradiation of the mixed G-actin and [3H]reserpine by ultraviolet light, they were subjected to SDS-PAGE followed by fluorography. It was demonstrated that reserpine was bound to G-actin covalently by the ultraviolet light irradiation. This indicated the close interaction of reserpine with G-actin. Thus, the effect of reserpine on actin polymerization seemed to be exerted via interaction with G-actin.     

Successful management of left main bronchial stenosis as a rare complication of pericardiectomy

We present a rare complication of pericardiectomy and the effective management thereof. A 67-year-old female with dyspnea and upper abdominal pain was received at our department upon referral. Chest roentgenogram and cardiac catheterization preceded a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. Pericardiectomy was performed subordinate to median sternotomy and left anterolateral thoracotomy. Extubation was carried out on day 2 but reintubation was necessitated on the same day as a result of progressive dyspnea. Chest roentgenogram revealed an atelectasis of the left lung. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed left main bronchial stenosis resulting from a pulsating external structure. A postoperative computed tomogram substantiated the stenotic left main bronchus between the dilated left pulmonary artery and the thoracic descending aorta. An expandable metallic stent for the treatment of this complication was selected over other invasive procedures. Two years of follow-up reveal no complications. Accordingly, an expandable metallic stent has demonstrated its effectiveness not only on bronchial stenosis due to malignancy or tuberculosis but on benign cases such as this as well.     

Changes in Immunological Parameters after Combination Adjuvant Therapy with Intravenous DTIC,ACNU, and VCR,and Local Injection of IFN-β (DAV + IFN-β Therapy) into Malignant Melanoma

Combination adjuvant therapy with intravenous dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide (DTIC), 1-[4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl]-methyl-3-[2-chloroethyl]-3-nitrosourea hydrochloride (ACNU) and vincristine (VCR) and local injection of interferon-β (IFN-β) (DAV + IFN-β therapy) has been widely applied to treat malignant melanoma, and its therapeutic effect is accepted in Japan. Natural killer (NK) activity, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts, CD4/CD8 ratio, and white blood cell counts were analyzed before and after DAV + IFN-β therapy in order to validate its efficacy. After DAV + IFN-β therapy, the CD4/CD8 ratio was elevated; however, numbers of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and NK activity were consecutively depressed. Peripheral lymphocytes were also decreased, possibly by myelosuppression due to the DAV therapy. The posttreatment suppression of NK activity appeared in spite of the administration of IFN-β. It is suggested that a more effective adjuvant immunomodulator should be introduced to improve the therapeutic effect of the combination adjuvant chemotherapy in malignant melanoma.     

Fatal pulmonary haemorrhage and crescentic glomerulonephritis without autoantibodies: a paediatric case report

The case of an 8-year-old girl who had a fatal pulmonary haemorrhage and crescentic glomerulonephritis without autoantibodies is presented. Circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies, circulating immune complexes and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies were not detected. To our knowledge this is the youngest reported case of the disease.