Yumi Sato

Neuroprotective effect of nipradilol on axotomized rat retinal ganglion cells

Purpose. To determine whether nipradilol, a new antiglaucoma drug, can protect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from secondary cell death caused by transection of the optic nerve (ON). Methods. The ON was transected 0.7mm from its exit from the eye in Sprague Dawley rats. Nipradilol (1 × 10 -8 – 10 -3 M), timolol, prazosin, or sodium nitroprusside (SNP)(1 × 10 -6 - 10 -4 M) was injected intravitreally fifteen-minutes before the ON transection. Control eyes received the same amount of phosphate buffered (PB). The RGCs were labeled retrogradely by placing gelfoam soaked in fluoro-gold (FG) on the stump of ON. RGCs density was determined by counting the FG-labeled RGCs in flat-mounted retinas 3 to 14 days post-transection. To determine whether the neuroprotective action of nipradilol was due to its NO-donor property, carboxy-PTIO, a NO-scavenger, or KT5832, a protein kinase G inhibitor, was injected with the nipradilol. Results. After ON transection, the number of surviving RGCs after intravitreal injection of 1 × 10 -4 M nipradilol was significantly higher than that following PB injection. This protective activity was dose-dependent. Neither timolol nor prazosin had a neuroprotective effect but SNP protected RGCs in a dose-dependent manner. Carboxy-PTIO and KT5832 decreased the neuroprotective effect of nipradilol. Conclusions. These results indicate that nipradilol has a possibility of neuroprotective effect on axotomized RGCs, and the effect depended mainly on its NO-donor property.

Preferential X-chromosome inactivation in women with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss ☆

OBJECTIVE To determine whether preferential X-chromosome inactivation (P-XCI) relates to idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss. DESIGN A retrospective study. SETTING Infertility clinics and laboratory. PATIENT(S) Women with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (group I), women who had given birth to children but with no history of spontaneous abortion (group II), and women without a history of pregnancy (group III). INTERVENTION(S) DNA samples from the heterozygotes for the (CAG)n polymorphism within the androgen receptor gene were modified with sodium bisulfite, PCR-amplified with primer pairs for methylated androgen receptor alleles (M-PCR) and unmethylated alleles (U-PCR), and subjected to electrophoresis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Band peak patterns and peak area sizes. RESULT(S) In group I, 7 (16.7%) of 42 heterozygotes exhibited P-XCI; four possessed single-peak patterns in the M-PCR and U-PCR products, and three had two-peak patterns in which the peak sizes differed considerably. In group II, 2 (5.6%) of 36 heterozygotes exhibited P-XCI as determined by the two-peak patterns. In group III, none of the 47 heterozygotes exhibited P-XCI. CONCLUSION(S) The incidence of P-XCI was statistically higher in group I than in the other groups. As P-XCI characterized by single-peak patterns was observed only in group I, such patterns, which may result from undiscovered cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities of the X-chromosome, likely correlate with pregnancy loss.

Extensive intra-alveolar haemorrhage caused by disseminated strongyloidiasis

We describe here four cases of disseminated strongyloidiasis. In Okinawa, it has been reported that about 10% of the residents are infected with Strongyloides stercoralis, but disseminated cases are rare. Detailed histopathological examination revealed that the present four cases could clearly be separated into two groups, two acute cases and two subacute cases. The acute cases died rapidly due to extensive diffuse intra-alveolar haemorrhage in both lungs. However, there were no inflammatory infiltrates, abscesses or granulomas in the lungs. Worms were demonstrated in the alveolar spaces. No extensive bleeding was observed in any organs except the lungs. The acute cases could be diagnosed as severe diffuse intra-alveolar haemorrhage syndrome, but deposition of immune complex (parasite antigen and immunoglobulins) and complement C3c was not demonstrated in the alveolar wall and small vessels of the lung. The subacute cases exhibited no such extensive haemorrhage, but scattered microabscesses were found with sepsis. During the migration of the worms from the colon, enteric bacteria entered the circulation in the two subacute cases. The acute cases received steroid therapy before the dissemination of the worms, but the two subacute cases did not. Steroids might have influenced the Strongyloides stercoralis dissemination and/or the course of the disease.

Evaluation of Indocyanine Green Toxicity to Rat Retinas

Purpose: To investigate the toxicity of indocyanine green (ICG) on retinal cells using cultured retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and the effects of intravitreous injection of ICG into rat eyes. Methods: Cultured RPE cells were exposed to various concentrations of ICG for 2 min, a viability assay was performed 1 day after exposure. For an in vivo study, 5 µl of ICG (5 or 25 mg/ml) were injected into the vitreous cavity of rat eyes, which were examined 1, 3 and 7 days after the injection by histological and glutamine synthetase (GS) immunohistological evaluation. Results: Viabilities of RPE cells were decreased dependent on the ICG dose. In the histological evaluation, we observed differences of effects of ICG between the central retinal area and the peripheral area. ICG injection caused degeneration of all retinal layers in the central retinal area. GS immunoreactivities decreased by ICG injection, which corresponded to an area of severe destruction. Conclusion: A high concentration of ICG may cause toxic effects on retinal cells. Mueller cell dysfunction may play some role in the retinal toxicity caused by ICG.

A remnant tubal pregnancy after cloacal malformation repair

OBJECTIVE Report of a remnant tubal pregnancy after cloacal malformation repair. DESIGN Case report. SETTING A university hospital. PATIENT A woman with cloacal malformation repair. INTERVENTION Laparoscopic surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Remnant tubal pregnancy. RESULT Laparoscopic right salpingectomy. CONCLUSION(S) In this patient, ectopic pregnancy was caused by contralateral sperm transmigration to the remnant right tube, which was not connected with the left uterus.

Synchrony of the first division as an index of the blastocyst formation rate during embryonic development

To devise an uninvasive selection system for human embryos with high developmental potential after a single oocyte retrieval cycle by comparing the in vitro and in vivo effectiveness of first division synchrony against subsequent embryonic developmental stages.