Decrease in lipid levels of syncytiotrophoblast micro-particles reduced their potential to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation.

Background: Preeclampsia is characterized by damage to the maternal endothelium that has been suggested to be mediated in part by elevated shedding of inflammatory placental syncytiotrophoblast micro-particles (STBM) into the maternal circulation. Previously, we have shown that STBM, prepared by three different methods: mechanical dissection, in vitro placental explants culture and perfusion of placenta, can inhibit endothelial cell proliferation. Only mechanically prepared STBM induced apoptosis in the endothelial cells.

Neutrophil NETs: a novel contributor to preeclampsia-associated placental hypoxia?

Recent studies have suggested that the innate immune system is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Its pathogenesis involves neutrophil activation and increased levels of cell-free DNA in the maternal plasma. Activation of neutrophils has recently been shown to induce DNA containing neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) which trap and kill bacteria.

Risk for eye splash injury during administration of intraocular injections: a study of retina specialists and fellows.

Objective: To evaluate the use of eye protection and frequency of eye splash events during intraocular injections as well as infection risk awareness among retina specialists and fellows in training.

Methods: In a prospective survey of practicing retina specialists and retina fellows, frequency of use and type of eye protection employed during intraocular injections, frequency of eye splash occurrences, description of the eye splash event, number of procedures performed, and awareness of transconjunctival infection risk were investigated.

Results: Sixty-four ophthalmologists responded to the questionnaire: 40 retina fellows and 24 retina specialists.

The slower the better: on the instability of gas jets in a model of pneumatic retinopexy.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of injection technique parameters on the formation of multiple gas bubbles in a porcine eye model for pneumatic retinopexy.

Methods: Three hundred twenty-four adult porcine eyes were injected with 0.4 mL of C3F8 with variations in the depth of injection, speed of injection, and size of needle bore.

Bleeding disorders of importance in dental care and related patient management.

Oral care providers must be aware of the impact of bleeding disorders on the management of dental patients. Initial recognition of a bleeding disorder, which may indicate the presence of a systemic pathologic process, may occur in dental practice. Furthermore, prophylactic, restorative and surgical dental care of patients with bleeding disorders is best accomplished by practitioners who are knowledgeable about the pathology, complications and treatment options associated with these conditions.

A survey of National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers' oral health supportive care practices and resources in the USA.

Background: The oral complications and morbidity resulting from overall cancer therapy utilizing radiation, chemotherapy, and/or stem cell transplantation can have significant impact on a patient's health, quality of life, cost of care, and cancer management. There has been minimal health services research focusing on the status of medically necessary, oral supportive services at US cancer centers.

Methods: A pre-tested, survey questionnaire was distributed to the directors of National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers to assess each institution's resource availability and clinical practices, as it relates to the prevention and management of oral complications during cancer treatment.

Hyposalivation in elderly patients.

Saliva is a key element in oral homeostasis, oral function and maintenance of oral health. Dry mouth has multiple oral health consequences and affects quality of life. The incidence of dry mouth and its public health impact are increasing due to the aging population, the effects of some systemic diseases, and medical management and commonly prescribed medications that reduce saliva production.

Occurrence of neutrophil extracellular DNA traps (NETs) in pre-eclampsia: a link with elevated levels of cell-free DNA?

Manifest pre-eclampsia is associated with activation of peripheral neutrophils as well as elevations in maternal cell-free DNA. For this reason, we were very intrigued by recent reports indicating that activated circulatory neutrophils secrete nuclear DNA to generate extracellular DNA lattices, termed NETs (neutrophil extracellular traps). Our preliminary data indicate that placental syncytiotrophoblast microparticles, which are released in elevated amounts in pre-eclampsia, can induce NETs in isolated neutrophils.

Ophthalmic cyclosporine use in ocular GVHD.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical ophthalmic cyclosporine in patients with dry eyes secondary to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Methods: Records of consecutive patients with ocular GVHD treated with topical cyclosporine were reviewed.

Results: Thirty-two eyes of 16 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 90 days.

Absolute quantification of gene expression in biomaterials research using real-time PCR.

One major measurement of tissue-engineered constructs efficacy and performance is determining expression levels of genes of interest at the molecular level. This measurement is commonly carried out with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In this study, we described a novel method in achieving absolute quantification of gene expression using real-time PCR (aqPCR).

Outcomes of vitrectomy with inferior retinectomy in patients with recurrent rhegmatogenous retinal detachments and proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: To report the anatomic and functional outcomes of patients treated with vitrectomy and inferior retinectomy for recurrent, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Design: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

Participants: Fifty-six patients with recurrent, rhegmatogenous retinal detachments complicated by PVR who underwent an inferior retinectomy for repair.

Disturbances in placental immunology: ready for therapeutic interventions?

Recent studies have provided new insight into aberrations in the immunological interplay between mother and fetus and their potential role in the development of recurrent fetal loss and preeclampsia. The action of anti-phospholipid antibodies in recurrent fetal loss is now proposed to involve the complement system, neutrophil activation and the production of TNFalpha by immune bystander cells. A clear involvement of the immune system is emerging in preeclampsia, involving mainly the innate arm, especially neutrophils.

Minimal alteration in the ratio of circulatory fetal DNA to fetal corticotropin-releasing hormone mRNA level in preeclampsia.

Objectives: We have recently observed that fetal DNA and fetal corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA are associated with in vitro generated syncytiotrophoblast-derived microparticles, and that the ratio of fetal DNA to mRNA (CRH) varied according to whether the particles were derived by predominantly apoptotic, apo-necrotic or necrotic pathways. Hence, we examined whether these ratios varied in maternal plasma samples taken from normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies in vivo.

Methods: Maternal plasma samples were collected from 18 cases with preeclampsia and 29 normotensive term controls.

Induction of neutrophil extracellular DNA lattices by placental microparticles and IL-8 and their presence in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia, a severe pregnancy-related disorder, involves an overt activation of the maternal innate immune system, proposed to result from the elevated release of inflammatory syncytiotrophoblast microparticles (STBM) and cytokines from underlying placental anomaly involving abnormal trophoblast differentiation. Activation of circulating neutrophils has recently been shown to lead to the generation of fibrous extracellular lattices containing DNA, termed NETs (neutrophil extracellular traps). Therefore, we examined whether placentally derived factors activated peripheral neutrophils to generate NETs, and whether NETs formation was increased in preeclamptic placenta.

Application of cytology and molecular biology in diagnosing premalignant or malignant oral lesions.

Early detection of a premalignant or cancerous oral lesion promises to improve the survival and the morbidity of patients suffering from these conditions. Cytological study of oral cells is a non-aggressive technique that is well accepted by the patient, and is therefore an attractive option for the early diagnosis of oral cancer, including epithelial atypia and squamous cell carcinoma. However its usage has been limited so far due to poor sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing oral malignancies.

Adenoviral vector-delivered pigment epithelium-derived factor for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: results of a phase I clinical trial.

Twenty-eight patients with advanced neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were given a single intravitreous injection of an E1-, partial E3-, E4-deleted adenoviral vector expressing human pigment epithelium- derived factor (AdPEDF.11). Doses ranging from 10(6) to 10(9.

Microparticle-free placentally derived soluble factors downmodulate the response of activated T cells.

Soluble placental factors may have immunoregulatory properties and have been demonstrated to inhibit T-lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. On the other hand, placentally derived syncytiotrophoblast microparticles and crude placental homogenates have been demonstrated to inhibit proliferation of mixed lymphocytes in vitro. Because previous studies on placentally derived soluble factors may have been contaminated by the presence of trophoblast-derived microparticles, we prepared microparticle-free placental supernatants.

Intravenous foscarnet in the management of acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 2 in acute retinal necrosis in children.

Background: Diagnosis and management of Acute Retinal Necrosis (ARN) in children that does not respond to systemic acyclovir treatment can be challenging. We report two cases of ARN secondary to herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 that was resistant to acyclovir but was treated successfully with intravenous foscarnet.

Case Report: Two children diagnosed with ARN failed to show clinical response to systemic acyclovir treatment.

Analysis of plasma elastase levels in early and late onset preeclampsia.

Background: Circulatory neutrophils have been reported to be activated in preeclampsia. It has been suggested that maternal plasma levels of elastase may serve as a possible cell-free marker to quantify such activation. Although plasma elastase levels have been found to be elevated in cases with manifest preeclampsia and eclampsia, this has not yet been examined in cases with early and late onset preeclampsia.

Syncytiotrophoblast micro-particles do not induce apoptosis in peripheral T lymphocytes, but differ in their activity depending on the mode of preparation.

Recent studies have suggested that pre-eclampsia may result from endothelial cell damage and overt immune activity triggered by the elevated release of syncytiotrophoblast-derived micro-particles (STBM). In this context, STBM have been reported to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation and induce Jurkat T cell apoptosis. In this study, STBM were prepared by three different in vitro methods (mechanical dissection, villous explant culture, and placental perfusion) and their functional properties were tested on T lymphocytes enriched from peripheral blood samples.

Soluble factors released by placental villous tissue: Interleukin-1 is a potential mediator of endothelial dysfunction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the potential of placental-conditioned medium to activate endothelial cells in vitro and to identify the placental factors that mediate this effect.

Study Design: Placental-conditioned medium was generated by the culturing of normal term placental villous explants for up to 48 hours. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to the conditioned media, and cellular proliferation, viability, and activation were investigated.

An instrument to measure skeletal burden and predict functional outcome in fibrous dysplasia of bone.

Unlabelled: An instrument to measure skeletal burden in fibrous dysplasia was developed. Biological and clinical relevance was shown by correlating skeletal burden scores with bone markers, quality of life, and ambulatory status. Childhood scores predict adult ambulatory status, and scores were unaffected when bone markers decreased with bisphosphonate treatment or aging.