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要旨 本研究の目的は，40 代と50 代の中年期の男女を対象にして，理想自己と現実自己の差異と困難な目標への対処との関連を量的と質的の両方のアプローチから検討することであった。まず，研究1 で1200 名を対象としたWeb 調査を実施した。その結果，困難な目標への対処は「粘り強さ」「諦めの早さ」「肯定的解釈」の3 因子構造であることが示された。その中の「肯定的解釈」は現実の自己評価と関連しており，「肯定的解釈」が高いほど，理想自己と現実自己との差異が小さくなることが示された。研究２では，調査協力者の内，理想自己と現実自己の差異が大きいあるいは小さい者10 名を対象に半構造化面接を実施した。その結果，差異の小さい者からの語りから，研究１と一致する結果が見出され，「たとえ失敗してもそれをポジティブに捉える」等の語りのように，困難な目標に対して肯定的解釈をすることの重要さが示唆された。, The present study used quantitative and qualitative approaches and examined correlations in discrepancies between the ideal and actual selves and methods of managing challenging goals. Participants were middle-aged men and women in their 40s and 50s. Study 1 conducted an Internet survey of 1200 participants. The results indicated that coping strategies for challenging goals had a three-factor structure; “persistence,” “giving up speed,” and “positive interpretations.” Moreover, positive interpretations were correlated with actual self-assessment. The discrepancies between the ideal and the actual self decreased with increased positive interpretations. Study 2 conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 participants having large and small discrepancies between their ideal and actual selves. Narratives of participants with a small difference showed consistent results with Study 1, suggesting the significance of making positive interpretations of challenging goals, including not dwelling on things that do not go well.

要旨 思春期に入ったばかりの中学生は，自分の将来への夢は未だ不確かであり，「志向する生き方」についても非現実的で，漠然としたイメージを描いていることが考えられる。本研究では，その中学生に焦点をあて，中学生が自分の将来についてどのような夢や希望を持ちどのような生き方を志向しているのか，性差及び小学生と比較した学校段階の差に着目して，中学生の将来志向性の特徴を明らかにすることを目的とする。性差と小・中の学校段階の差を検討するために，性別と学校段階を独立変数，将来志向性の良識・向上志向，家庭志向，金持ち志向の各得点を従属変数とした２要因分散分析を行った結果，将来志向性の性差については，家庭志向は男子に比べて女子が，金持ち志向は女子に比べて男子の得点が有意に高いことが明らかにされた。また，将来志向性の小・中学校の学校段階による差については，良識・向上志向，家庭志向，金持ち志向のいずれにおいても，中学生に比べて小学生の得点が有意に高く，小学生の方が自分の将来を意欲的・肯定的にとらえていることが示された。, Junior high school students in early adolescence usually have uncertain dreams about their future. Their images of “ life orientation” are vague and unrealistic. The present study examined junior high school students’ dreams and hopes for their future and the types of life they intend to live by focusing on gender differences and differences between elementary school and junior high school students. We conducted a two-way analysis of variance with gender differences and developmental stages as independent variables and three types of future orientation scores (improving good sense orientation, family orientation, and rich-person orientation) as dependent variables. The results indicated that elementary school students had significantly higher scores than junior high school students for the three orientation types, suggesting that elementary school students might perceive their future more positively and ambitiously than junior high school students. Moreover, girls had significantly more family orientation than boys. In contrast, boys showed significantly more rich-person orientation than girls.

Nozomi Kinoshita, Ayumi Ota, Fumihiko Toyoda, Hiroko Yamagami, Akihiro KakehashiDepartment of Ophthalmology, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, JapanPurpose: To report on pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with pars plana lensectomy (PPL) with a preserved anterior capsule, panretinal endophotocoagulation (EPC) throughout the pars plana, and silicon oil (SO) tamponade (PPV + PPL + EPC + SO tamponade) for neovascular glaucoma (NVG).Methods: Thirteen eyes with NVG were treated. Ten eyes also underwent SO removal and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (SO removal + IOL). Intraocular pressure (IOP), number of medications, and visual acuity were evaluated at the first visit, immediately before and 3 months after the procedure, 3 months after SO removal + IOL, and 1 year after the procedure.Results: At the first visit, immediately before and 3 months after the procedure, 3 months after SO removal + IOL, and 1 year after the procedure, the IOPs were 29 ± 19, 23 ± 12, 13 ± 5, 17 ± 10, and 17 ± 6 mmHg; numbers of medications, 0.7 ± 1.4, 2.1 ± 2.0, 0.6 ± 0.7, 1.2 ± 1.2, and 1.6 ± 1.6; and best-corrected visual acuities converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (BCVA logMAR), 0.96 ± 0.96, 1.27 ± 0.80, 1.67 ± 0.91, 1.37 ± 0.89, and 1.90 ± 1.44, respectively. No severe hypotony or phthisis bulbi developed within 1 year after the procedure. The success rates (IOP ≤ 21 mmHg and sustained light perception) were 92.3% after 3 months and 69.2% after 1 year.Conclusion: PPV + PPL + EPC + SO tamponade might have prevented acute increases of vascular endothelial growth factor and inflammatory cytokine production postoperatively and resulted in good vision in patients with NVG.Keywords: pars plana vitrectomy, pars plana lensectomy, panretinal endophotocoagulation, silicon oil, neovascular glaucoma

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play important roles in the development of ocular complications in diabetes mellitus. Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rats have marked hyperglycemia and severe ocular complications. We evaluated the effect of anti-AGE agents, aminoguanidine and pyridoxamine, and an antioxidant, probucol, on the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and cataract in SDT rats. Experiment 1 included five SDT rats treated with aminoguanidine, four SDT rats treated with probucol, and four untreated control SDT rats. After age 55 weeks, we evaluated DR by fluorescein angiomicroscopy and pathological study and cataract by biomicroscopy. Experiment 2 included six SDT rats treated with pyridoxamine, and six SDT rats and 10 non-diabetic normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats not treated with pyridoxamine. Retinopathy and cataract were evaluated as in experiment 1. Urinary pentosidine and Maillard reaction product X (MRX) levels were measured for 40 weeks in each group. Experiment 1: Mature cataracts and DR developed in all untreated SDT rats; aminoguanidine prevented cataracts and DR (p

We evaluated the effect of an aldose reductase inhibitor, fidarestat, on diabetic retinopathy (DR) and cataract in spontaneously diabetic Torii (SDT) rats. Four rat groups were included: untreated, low- and high-dose (8 and 32 mg/kg/day) fidarestat-treated SDT rats, and nondiabetic control Sprague-Dawley rats. DR and cataract were evaluated and retinal and lens sorbitol, reduced glutathione (GSH), ocular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was measured. The incidence rates of DR and cataract were significantly lower in the low- and high-dose fidarestat groups vs the untreated group (p

Background/Aims: The Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rat develops advanced diabetic retinopathy (DR). The aim of this study was to identify advanced glycation end products (AGEs) related to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, a cause of DR in SDT rats. Methods: One eye was obtained from six SDT rats (blood glucose, >250 mg/dl) and 10 nondiabetic normal Sprague- Dawley (SD) rats and prepared for immunohistochemical study of VEGF and AGEs (pyrraline, pentosidine, carboxy methyl lysine (CML)). Immunostaining was described as minimal, moderate, and severe. Results: In diabetic rats, for CML, five eyes had severe and one moderate immunostaining. For pyrraline, one eye had moderate and five eyes minimal immunostaining. For pentosidine, one eye had moderate and five eyes minimal immunostaining. For VEGF, three eyes each had moderate and severe immunostaining. In nondiabetic rats, for CML one eye had minimal, seven had moderate, and two had severe immunostaining. For pyrraline, four eyes had moderate and six eyes minimal immunostaining. For pentosidine, 10 eyes had minimal immunostaining. For VEGF, one eye had moderate and nine had minimal immunostaining. The prevalence rates of CML and VEGF were significantly (P

Only some carriers of human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1) develop adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) after a long latency period, and an association has been reported between chronic refractory eczema, known as infective dermatitis, and young-onset ATLL. A 25-year-old female developed ATLL and underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in non-remission. She had chronic refractory eczema and corneal injury at the onset of ATLL. Remission of ATLL was achieved, and the HTLV-1 proviral load decreased after HSCT. In addition, her pre-existing eczema and corneal injuries almost disappeared. More than a year has passed since the transplantation was performed, and she has had no recurrence of either ATLL or lesions in the skin and eye. Her clinical course suggests a possible association between skin and eye lesions and HTLV-1 infection. Changes in the immunological condition after HSCT might play a key role. Special attention is needed when HTLV-1 carriers develop eye or skin lesions.

Background.Cytokine profile is a key in understanding the mechanisms of allograft rejection. Cytokine expression in the aqueous humor and the correlation between the aqueous humor cells and corneal infiltrating cells are not fully understood in corneal transplantation.Methods.Orthotopic mouse cornea

Background. The expression of Fas ligand (FasL) in the eye has been proposed to be an important component of ocular immune privilege. Since the unusually favorable outcome of corneal transplantation is thought to result from the immune privilege of the eye, examination of the function of FasL on corneal allografts would be a test of that hypothesis. Methods. To investigate the role of Fas-FasL interaction in corneal allografts, orthotopic corneal transplantation was performed using C57BL/6 (B6, FasL + ) and B6-gld (FasL - ) mice as cornea donors and BALB/c mice as recipients. The rejection rate of B6-gld grafts (FasL - group) was compared with that of normal B6 control corneas. Results. The rejection rate at the final observation (8 weeks) in the FasL - group (89%) was significantly higher than in the FasL + control group (47%). FasL expression was found on the corneal endothelium by staining with anti-FasL monoclonal antibodies. The TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay revealed that apoptotic cells were attached to the endothelium in the control group but not in the FasL - groups. Conclusions. Apoptosis of infiltrating cells on the corneal endothelium resulting from Fas-FasL interaction plays an important role in the high success rate of corneal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms of corneal xenogeneic immunoreaction, as well as the potential role of immunosuppressive therapy in the suppression of corneal xenograft rejection, have not been thoroughly explored. METHODS: BALB/c mice who received orthotopic corneal transplants (Lewis rats donors) were administered intraperitoneally anti-leukocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) or FK506 (3 mg/kg/day) or both of these immunosuppressants during a 12-day postoperative period. Histological (hematoxylin-eosin stain) and immunohistochemical evaluations of enucleated eyes were performed. Humoral immune response and delayed-type hypersensitivity (ear-swelling assay) were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) graft survival time in the untreated control, FK506-treated, anti-LFA-1 mAb-treated, and combined-treatment groups was 5.8+/-0.8, 9.4+/-4.0, 8.7+/-5.0, and 67.7+/-16.4 days, respectively. In the untreated control group, mouse IgG, IgM, and C3 were expressed on the rat corneal grafts during the early postoperative phase. Flow cytometry studies revealed high titers of xenoreactive IgG and IgM antibodies. T helper 1 cytokines were expressed on xenografted corneal beds, and delayed-type hypersensitivity was induced. However, local expression of IgM, C3 and T helper 1 cytokines, serum antibodies of IgG and IgM, and delayed-type hypersensitivity were suppressed in the anti-LFA-1 mAb- plus FK506-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: Both humoral and cell-mediated immune reaction play an important role in the initial rejection in rat-to-mouse corneal xenotransplantation. The treatment with anti-LFA-1 mAb in combination with FK506 synergistically suppresses concordant corneal xenogeneic reaction.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of visual loss and blindness in adults in developed and developing countries (Friedman et al., 2011). Clinical trials have shown that intensive glycemic control reduces the incidence and progression of DR (Reichard et al., 1993; Stratton et al., 2001; DCCT, 2002 ). Other metabolic factors also affect the progression and development of DR. The UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group reported that tight blood pressure control is effective for reducing the incidence of DR (UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group, 1998a, 1998b). The EUCLID study group reported that inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme drugs decreased the progression of retinopathy in patients without hypertension who had type 1 diabetes with little or no nephropathy (Chaturvedi et al., 1998). Lipid-lowering therapy with fenofibrate also might reduce the progression of DR (Chew et al., 2010; Keech et al., 2007). Among the metabolic factors, although glycemic control seems to be the most important, achieving acceptable glucose homeostasis is difficult, even when patients are highly compliant. Furthermore, DR continues to develop and progress even in patients who are treated intensively to achieve better glycemic control. Therefore, it is important to find medical options other than glycemic control to prevent diabetic ocular complications. The metabolic changes that accompany hyperglycemia, such as activation of the polyol pathway (Gabbay, 1973; Lorenzi, 2007; Robison et al., 1988; 1989), activation of protein kinase C (PKC) (Frank, 2002; Liang et al., 2005; Shiba et al., 1993), increased oxidative stress (Gurler et al., 2000; Jennings et al., 1991; Pan et al., 2008; Pinto et al., 2007), leukocyte adhesion to the endothelial cells (McLeod et al., 1995; Miyamoto et al., 1996; Schroder et al., 1991), and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs)

Mikiko Takezawa, Fumihiko Toyoda, Chiho Kambara, Hiroko Yamagami, Akihiro KakehashiDepartment of Ophthalmology, Jichi Medical University, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, JapanBackground: To clarify the mechanism of idiopathic macular hole development, we evaluated the vitreoretinal relationship in fellow eyes of those with a macular hole and normal eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Thirty-one fellow eyes and 34 normal volunteer eyes without a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) were included.Results: We classified six vitreomacular relationships: type 1, no PVD, five fellow eyes (16.1%) and nine control eyes (26.5%); type 2, shallow PVD with perifoveal vitreous attachment, seven fellow eyes (22.6%) and 19 control eyes (55.9%); type 3, shallow PVD with pinpoint foveal vitreous traction, seven fellow eyes (22.6%) and no control eyes (0%), type 4a; shallow PVD with a round defect in the posterior vitreous cortex over the perifoveal area with vitreous attachment to the perifoveal area, two fellow eyes (6.5%) and one control eye (2.9%); type 4b, shallow PVD with a round defect in the posterior vitreous cortex over the perifoveal area without vitreous attachment to the perifoveal area, no fellow eyes (0%) and one control eye (2.9%); type 5a, shallow PVD with no pseudo-operculum, no fellow eyes (0%) and four control eyes (11.8%); type 5b, shallow PVD with a pseudo-operculum, four fellow eyes (12.9%) and no control eyes (0%); and type 6, biomicroscopically relevant PVD, six fellow eyes (19.4%).Conclusion: Types 3 and 5b developed only in fellow eyes. Type 2 developed most often in normal eyes and seemed to cause less foveal stress. Type 3 may show the basic pathogenesis of macular holes. Progression of type 5b after type 3 induces abortion of developing macular holes.Keywords: idiopathic macular hole, optical coherence tomography, posterior vitreous detachment, fellow eye

Background We previously reported a new diabetic strain of the Sprague-Dawley rat, named the Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rat. The purpose of the present study was to report the histologic and ultrastructural characteristics of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a new animal model, the SDT rat. Methods Fifty-three eyes of 43 SDT rats of various ages (35–82 weeks) were examined, of which 33 underwent histopathologic examination, 15 eyes fluorescein-dextran microscopy, and five eyes the trypsin digestion method. Results Of the 33 eyes examined histopathologically, DR was identified in 20 eyes (61%). Large retinal folds mimicking diabetic tractional retinal detachment were observed in 20 eyes (61%). Retinal hemorrhages were seen in four eyes (12%). A neovascular fibrous membrane around the iris developed in five eyes (15%), of which two eyes had a massive anterior chamber hemorrhage. Of the 15 eyes examined by fluorescein-dextran microscopy, an area of nonperfusion and/or extensive hyperfluorescence was observed in 12 eyes (80%). Of the five eyes examined using the trypsin digestion method, acellular capillaries and pericyte loss were observed in four eyes (80%). Of the 53 eyes, the previously mentioned retinal changes of DR were observed in 36 eyes (68%). The rats with DR (49–82 weeks; mean, 60 weeks) were older than the rats without DR (35–55 weeks; mean, 40 weeks) (p < 0.001). Conclusion Large retinal folds mimicking tractional retinal detachment with extensive leakage of fluorescein around the optic disk was the most prominent finding of DR in SDT rats. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

To characterize dendritic cells (DC) in normal human corneal epithelium.Normal human donor corneal epithelium was examined by fluorescence microscopy with single and double staining for multiple markers. Morphologic studies were also performed by confocal microscopy. HLA-DRa, CD1c, and CD16 mRNA expression in the corneal epithelium was examined by RT-PCR. CD45+ cells were separated from the corneal epithelium with magnetic beads and then were stimulated with TNF-alpha and lipopolysaccharide in vitro.CD45+ cells were mainly located in the basal-cell layer of the corneal epithelium and partly in the wing/surface layers. CD45-positive cell numbers were significantly higher in the peripheral cornea (3-6 mm from the center) than in the central cornea (0-3 mm from the center). All these cells expressed HLA-DR and CD11c but not CD3, CD11b, CD14, CD19, CD56, or CD66, suggesting that these were bone marrow-derived myeloid DC. Some DR+CD11c+ DCs from the periphery expressed CD1c and CD16. HLA-DRa, CD1c, and CD16 mRNAs were detected in normal corneal epithelium. These CD11c+ DCs did not express CD123, CD1a, DC marker (CMRF56), CD40, CD80, or CD86. When CD45+ cells were isolated from the corneal epithelium by magnetic cell sorting, CD40 and CD86 expression were detected after in vitro stimulation with TNF-alpha and lipopolysaccharide.These findings demonstrate that normal human corneal epithelium contains at least three DC phenotypes, with HLA-DR+ myeloid lineage CD11c+CD16- DCs as the main population plus a small number of CD11c+CD16+ DCs and CD11c+CD1c+ DCs. These cells can be discriminated from bone marrow-derived cells in the human corneal stroma.

Purpose: To study the relation between posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR), based on our observation that proliferative DR is rare in patients with complete PVD. Methods: The medical records of 403 patients with diabetes were reviewed for the relation between progressive DR and the status of PVD and HbA1c over 3 years. PVD was classified into none, complete PVD with collapse, complete PVD without collapse, partial PVD with a thickened posterior vitreous cortex, and partial PVD without a thickened posterior vitreous cortex. DR was classified into none, simple, preproliferative, or proliferative. When it became more extensive or when laser treatment or vitreous surgery was performed, the DR was considered progressive. Results: Progression of DR over 3 years occurred in 128/292 (43.8%) eyes with no PVD, 0/14 (0%) eyes with complete PVD with collapse, 2/8 (25%) eyes with complete PVD without collapse, 15/15 (100%) eyes with partial PVD with a thickened posterior vitreous cortex, and 19/74 (25.7%) eyes with partial PVD without a thickened posterior vitreous cortex. Progression of DR occurred significantly more frequently in eyes with partial PVD with a thickened posterior vitreous cortex compared to eyes with complete PVD with collapse (p

Aim: To report a new form of retinopathy that was observed in patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Serial ophthalmological examinations were conducted in 40 patients who underwent PCI. Thirty patients were diagnosed with AMI, and another 10 had stable angina pectoris. Results: Cotton wool spots developed in 17 (57%) patients from the group with AMI undergoing PCI (n = 30) within 2 months. Of these, 41% (seven patients) also developed superficial haemorrhages. Retinopathy was most prominent 1–2 months after AMI and then tended to become quiescent afterwards, without treatment. Conclusion: We have identified a new form of retinopathy in patients with AMI that spontaneously subsides without treatment.

We hypothesize that androgen deficiency is a critical etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). We investigated whether women with SS have a deficiency in total androgens. We also examined whether these patients have elevated serum concentrations of estrogens.Blood was drawn from women with primary and secondary SS and age matched controls, and analyzed for steroid concentrations by gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Our results show that women with SS are androgen-deficient. Concentrations of 5-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol (5-diol), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androsterone-glucuronide (ADT-G), and androstane-3a,17beta-diol-G (3alpha-diol-G) were all significantly reduced in SS sera relative to controls. In contrast, SS was not associated with significant alterations in the serum concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione, estrone, or 17beta-estradiol. These overall findings could not be attributed to the use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, because the concentrations of 5-diol, DHEA, DHT, ADT-G and 3a-diol-G were also decreased in patients with SS compared to levels in control women who were not taking exogenous estrogens.Our results show that women with SS are androgen-deficient.

PURPOSE To determine the effects of proinflammatory cytokines on differential gene expression profiles in the human corneal endothelium (HCE), by using a cDNA expression array. METHODS A human cDNA expression array technology was used to study the simultaneous expression of HCE incubated with interleukin (IL)-1alpha and tumor necrosis factor-(TNF)-alpha. Gene-specific semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to examine the gene and protein expression patterns revealed by the cDNA expression array, in the presence and absence of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the expression of these genes was studied in ex vivo HCE of donor cornea by RT-PCR. RESULTS IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha upregulated the expression of 46 of 268 genes for cytokines, chemokines, and their receptors in stimulated HCE. The most upregulated genes in the cDNA expression array, those of monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 (CCL2), IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-6, and growth-related beta (GRObeta, CXCL2), were studied. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and ELISA analyses revealed the proinflammatory cytokine-mediated changes in the respective gene transcription and protein expression levels. The mRNAs were detected in ex vivo HCE of donor cornea stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSIONS HCE can abundantly express cytokines and chemokines through the stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines. The detected genes, those of CCL2, CXCL8, IL-6, and CXCL2, in HCE could facilitate understanding of the inflammatory responses, including the production of keratic precipitates and the correlation between CE and an inflamed cornea or aqueous humor.

We developed a method to measure wound temperature during phacoemulsification with a thermometer and compared the temperature between pulse and nonpulse modes. In cases with partial or complete obstruction of the aspiration port, wound temperature was significantly lower in the pulse mode versus the nonpulse mode. It was ascertained that pulse mode phacoemulsification prevents thermal burn of the wound in the hard nucleus during cataract surgery. This method is useful to evaluate wound temperature during phacoemulsification under various conditions.

Nozomi Kinoshita, Ayumi Ota, Fumihiko Toyoda, Hiroko Yamagami, Akihiro KakehashiDepartment of Ophthalmology, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, JapanPurpose: To report a new technique of blunt needle revision with viscoelastic materials via the anterior chamber for the treatment of early failed filtering blebs and elevated intraocular pressure after trabeculectomy, in which digital ocular massage and laser suture lysis have been ineffective.Methods: A 27-gauge blunt needle attached to a syringe containing viscoelastic material was inserted into the anterior chamber from the inferior paracentesis. The needle tip was inserted into the subscleral flap space from the filtering fistula at the anterior chamber side, and the scleral flap was lifted bluntly. The needle tip was then inserted into the subconjunctival space where the viscoelastic agent was injected and the adhesion between the sclera and conjunctiva was separated bluntly. Blunt needle revision via the anterior chamber was performed 14 times in six eyes of six patients at Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University from January 2007 to May 2009. All procedures were performed within 1 month after trabeculectomy.Results: The intraocular pressure remained 21 mmHg or lower for more than 6 months in three of six eyes. Slight bleeding from the iris occurred in one of the 14 procedures, and hypotony (intraocular pressure below 5 mmHg) occurred in one of the 14 procedures. No serious complications developed.Conclusion: Blunt needle revision via the anterior chamber for early failed filtering blebs is a new, simple, and safe procedure.Keywords: glaucoma, trabeculectomy, filtering bleb, needle revision, blunt needle

PURPOSE To characterize dendritic cells (DC) in normal human corneal epithelium. METHODS Normal human donor corneal epithelium was examined by fluorescence microscopy with single and double staining for multiple markers. Morphologic studies were also performed by confocal microscopy. HLA-DRa, CD1c, and CD16 mRNA expression in the corneal epithelium was examined by RT-PCR. CD45+ cells were separated from the corneal epithelium with magnetic beads and then were stimulated with TNF-alpha and lipopolysaccharide in vitro. RESULTS CD45+ cells were mainly located in the basal-cell layer of the corneal epithelium and partly in the wing/surface layers. CD45-positive cell numbers were significantly higher in the peripheral cornea (3-6 mm from the center) than in the central cornea (0-3 mm from the center). All these cells expressed HLA-DR and CD11c but not CD3, CD11b, CD14, CD19, CD56, or CD66, suggesting that these were bone marrow-derived myeloid DC. Some DR+CD11c+ DCs from the periphery expressed CD1c and CD16. HLA-DRa, CD1c, and CD16 mRNAs were detected in normal corneal epithelium. These CD11c+ DCs did not express CD123, CD1a, DC marker (CMRF56), CD40, CD80, or CD86. When CD45+ cells were isolated from the corneal epithelium by magnetic cell sorting, CD40 and CD86 expression were detected after in vitro stimulation with TNF-alpha and lipopolysaccharide. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that normal human corneal epithelium contains at least three DC phenotypes, with HLA-DR+ myeloid lineage CD11c+CD16- DCs as the main population plus a small number of CD11c+CD16+ DCs and CD11c+CD1c+ DCs. These cells can be discriminated from bone marrow-derived cells in the human corneal stroma.

The mechanism of the renaturation of DNA molecules is examined on the basis of the bimolecular interaction of Gaussian chain polymers. In the nucleus formation by hydrogen bonding in segment–segment interaction, two types of interchain interaction, that is, one between complementary chains and one between noncomplementary chains, and one noncomplementary intrachain interaction are considered to be, in competition. Several previously observed characteristics of the renaturation process are displayed by this simple model. In particular it accounts for the dependence of the extent of renaturation on the heterogeneity, molecular weight, and radius of gyration of DNA, and of the ratios of the reaction rates between complementary and noncomplementary segments. Among these variables the ratio of reaction rates has shown to have a quite specific value, as high as the order of 104, which favors the complementary-strand interaction. This very great bias in favor of complementary strand interaction emphasizes that the renaturation phenomena displays the same character of biological specificity that is associated with enzyme–substrate interaction or antigen–antibody interaction. Moreover, since DNA is a good example of a one-dimensional system, it seems to provide a suitable clue for pursuing the analysis of pattern recognition at the macromolecular level.

CONCERNING the transcription of genetic information by DNA, recent investigations, using systems of the transformation of D. pneumoniae1 and infection with some bacteriophages2–4, have demonstrated that the DNA molecule consists of an informational and a non-informational strand. Guild and Robinson1 succeeded in obtaining fractions of denatured transforming DNA in CsCl density-gradient centrifugation which seemed to correspond to each polynucleotide chain, and they examined the time course of the appearance of cells possessing the new phenotype. It was observed that the expression of the new phenotype by one fraction was retarded for about one generation period compared with the other fraction. The messenger RNA synthesized after infection with bacteriophages2,3, or the RNA synthesized enzymatically in an in vivo system2,4, were examined for hybrid formation with polynucleotide chains separated in CsCl density-gradient centrifugation. The data suggested that the messenger RNA produced in vivo can form a ribonuclease-resistant hybrid with the unique polynucleotide chain of the primer DNA.