We evaluated the effect of the pregnane X receptor agonist, pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) on the expression levels of plasma monoamine transporter (PMAT) in the intestine. Male C57/BL6 mice were divided into two 2 groups: mice in the PCN group (n=3) were administered PCN once a day for 4 days, while those in the control group (n=3) received the same volume of vehicle once a day for 4 days. After the mice were killed 24 h after administration of the last dose of PCN or vehicle, and the expression levels of PMAT in the intestine tissues were isolated and measured the expression level of PMAT using immunohistochemical and western blotting analyses. The expression level of PMAT expression levels in the small intestine increased after PCN treatment. These results suggest that the induction of PMAT may play a clinically significant role by increasing intestinal absorption of PMAT substrates such as metformin.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Membrane* ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestine, Small ; Intestines ; Male ; Metformin ; Mice ; Plasma ; Pregnenolone Carbonitrile

PURPOSE: The histiogenesis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular malignancy of childhood, has been investigated from the early times. But in spite of this effort, its origin has been controversial. This study was performed to investigated the cell of origin for retinoblastoma using enzyme histomchemistry for carbonic anhydrase. METHODS: We obtained enucleated eye that was diagnosed as retinoblastoma and its section was stained for hematoxylin-eosin for diagnosis of retinoblastoma. We used enzyme histomchemistry for carbonic anhydrase distinguishing Muller's cells, red-and green-sensistive cones from neuro-retinal cells. RESULTS: They were disagnosed as relatively well-differentiated retinoblastoma by hematoxylin-eosin staining and composed of tumor cells with numerous rosette. Neither numeric nor morphologic changes of Muller cells that are suspected of malignant features in enzyme histochemistry for carbonic anhydrase was found. CONCLUSIONS: The cells of retinoblastoma were originated from the two layers, inner nuclear and ganglion cell layer. The enzyme histochemistry for carbonic anhydrase is the one of the useful methods to investigate the origin of retinoblastoma although more cases is needed to assess.
Carbonic Anhydrase I ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Diagnosis ; Ependymoglial Cells ; Ganglion Cysts ; Retinoblastoma*

Carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme catalysing the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide, is present in the Muller cells.Because the enzyme is not present in other uroretinal cells in the retina, it can be used as a marker for Muller cells.Carbonic anhydrase activity was demonstrated bnzymehistochemically in human and rabbit Muller cells to know a relation of metabolic functions and carbonic anhydrase activity.Human retinas were obtained from donor eyes.The eyes were enucleated immediately after death forenzymatic activity. In human retina, heavy staining was found in the inner nuclear layer and nerve fiber layer, moderate staining in the outer nuclear layer and weak or no staining in the plexiform layers.In rabbit retina, heavy staining was found in the nerve fiber layer and nuclear layers and weak reaction in the two plexiform layers. These findings suggest that Muller cells may participate in CO2 homeostasis mechanism of carbonic anhydrase in the retina.
Carbon Dioxide ; Carbon* ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Ependymoglial Cells ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Nerve Fibers ; Retina ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: Vascular cells may not be the only cells affected by diabetes in the retina. In particular, b-wave abnormalities of the electroretinogram in diabetic patients with absentor minimal microangiopathy have suggested to possible dysfunction of Muller cells. METHODS: This study was performed to investigate the morphological changes of Muller cell in human diabetic retinopathy. Thirteen human retinas were obtained from donor eyes. These eyes were enucleated immediately after death. Five eyes were used as normal controls without specific medical history. Eight eyes were obtained from diabetes patients and four eyes of them had diabetic retinopathy in gross finding. RESULTS: In normal control group, Muller cells were observed in nerve fiber layer and inner nuclear layer of the retina. The Muller cells were found to have stained strong positive reaction and polygonal pattern. In the group of diabetic history without diabetic retinopathy, Muller cells had similar pattern with control group. But, in diabetic retinopathy, Muller cells had lightly positive pattern in inner nuclear layer and nuclei were oval, compared with polygonal shape in normal retina. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that Muller cells might have functional and morphological changes in diabetic retinopathy, and these changes can induce the diabetic microvascular abnormalities.
Carbonic Anhydrases ; Diabetic Retinopathy* ; Ependymoglial Cells ; Humans* ; Nerve Fibers ; Retina ; Tissue Donors

Sparganosis is not a common disease, and its rarity makes it difficult to distinguish from other disease. Most cases of sparganosis are found in subcutaneous or adipose tissue of the abdominal, thoracic wall, and inguinal regions, but are rarely found in the breast. We experienced a case of sparganosis in the breast of a 65-year-old female by using an excisional biopsy. A sparganum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign breast disease.
Adipose Tissue ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Breast Diseases ; Breast* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female* ; Humans ; Sparganosis* ; Sparganum ; Thoracic Wall

PURPOSE: Blood vessels within the retina are surrounded by Muller cells, and it is known that Muller cells may be related with the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy based on this histologic structure. Argon laser photocoagulation is routinely performed in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting neovascularization and edema, but its mechanism remains unclear. Muller cell changes were demonstrated utilizing carbonic anhydrase immunohistochemical staining to know a relation between argon laser photocoagulation and the effect of Muller cells in the rabbit retina. METHODS: Author used 16 rabbit retinas which were obtained from 8 rabbits. Exposure time and spot size were kept 0.15 second and 500 microgram. 150~350 mW of power intensity was needed to produce moderate degree coagulation in rabbit retina. RESULTS: We observed retina and its histological changes at 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks after photocoagulation by using carbonic anhydrase staining. The differences in the morphological changes in Muller cells and retina layers were observed between moderate and severe degree coagulation. With severe degree coagulation, the loss of all the retinal layers was observed. On the other hand, with moderate degree coagulation, proliferated pigment epithelial cells and chorioretinal adhesion were observed with loss of photoreceptor and outer nuclear layer. Muller cells were observed by carbonic anhydrase staining with proliferated Muller cells with increased nuclei and proliferated process. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that Muller cells might be important in the scar formation by argon laser photocoagulation and that the proliferaration of Muller cells play a certain role in the therapeutic mechanism.
Argon* ; Blood Vessels ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Cicatrix ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Edema ; Ependymoglial Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Hand ; Light Coagulation* ; Rabbits ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde

PURPOSE: To report a case of focal choroidal excavation associated with central serous chorioretinopathy. CASE SUMMARY: A 48-year-old female presented with a 20-year history of visual disturbance. Focal choroidal excavation with neurosensory retinal detachment was detected in the right eye on optical coherence tomography. Fluorescein angiography showed hyperfluorescene in the area of excavation and multiple focal hyperfluorescences in the perimacular area. Vertically linear hyperfluorescene line was detected in the excavated area caused by retinal pigment epithelial atrophy. Based on the 2 diagnostic findings, we diagnosed a focal choroidal excavation with central serous chorioretinopathy. No progression was detected for 2 months.
Atrophy ; Central Serous Chorioretinopathy* ; Choroid* ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinaldehyde ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: To review the management of posterior segment metallic intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) and to compare the use of an external approach using a large electromagnet and an internal approach using vitrectomy and its tools for their removal. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 49 eyes of 49 patients who underwent surgical removal of metallic IOFBs with either an internal or an external approach at a single institution between January 2003 and December 2006. We divided 49 eyes into two groups based on the type of approach: 26 external (n=26) and 23 internal (n=23). Visual acuity and the presence of any complications occurring with the two approaches were the main outcome measures studied. RESULTS: Thirty of 49 eyes (61%) showed improvements in visual acuity. When we compared patients treated with an external versus an internal approach, we found no statistically significant difference in regard to visual outcome. Preoperative vitreous hemorrhage and endophthalmitis were more common in the internal approach group. A trend toward a higher rate of reoperation was more common in the external approach group, but they were not statistically significant. Postoperative complications found to be significantly different between the two groups were the rate of postoperative endophthalmitis and retinal detachment, which were more common in the external approach group. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical removal of metallic IOFBs results in significant visual improvement regardless of the approach method. The internal approach by vitrectomy is recommended as the first choice in preoperative conditions such as severe cataracts, vitreous hemorrhage and endophthalmitis, as well as in groups at high risk for postoperative endophalmitis and retinal detachment.
Cataract ; Endophthalmitis ; Eye ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Magnets ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Postoperative Complications ; Reoperation ; Retinal Detachment ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of cataract surgery and intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with cataract and diabetic macular edema. METHODS: Patients received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab(1.25 mg) combined with phacoemulsification and implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, LogMAR) and, central macular thickness (CMT) were measured using OCT at baseline and at one week, one, three, and six months after surgery, and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: The mean baseline LogMAR BCVA was 0.84+/-0.50 and mean CMT was 337.1+/-57.50 micrometer. At one week, one, three, and six months after surgery, the mean BCVAs were 0.52+/-0.40, 0.51+/-0.42, 0.52+/-0.34, and 0.46+/-0.37, and the mean CMTs were 356.4+/-86.44 micrometer, 338.8+/-138.4 micrometer, 349.0+/-122.9 micrometer, and 334.2+/-100.4 micrometer, respectively. No adverse events associated with cataract surgery or intravitreal bevacizumab injection were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term results from the present study suggest the combination of cataract surgery and intravitreal bevacizumab injection are safe and effective for the prevention of macular edema aggravation for one month, but has little effect on prevention of macular edema aggravation three months after surgery for diabetic macular edema patients.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Cataract ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Macular Edema ; Phacoemulsification ; Visual Acuity ; Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: To estimate the annual incidence rate, evaluate any changes, analyze the microbiologic spectrum of infecting organisms, antibiotic susceptibility, and factors associated with visual outcomes of postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery over an 8-year period. METHODS: A retrospective investigation of direction, sex, age, culture results, interval duration, and initial visual acuity of 29 patients with endophthalmitis following cataract surgery was conducted from January 2000 to December 2007. The study was divided into two 4-year periods, with patients categorized into either Group 1 or 2. RESULTS: The incidence rate was 0.359%, the major infective organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis, and no significant change was observed during the 8-year period. Vancomycin retained efficacy in all cases, but increased resistance occurred with ciprofloxacin during the 8 years. Increased visual acuity after treatment was greater in Group 2 and the interval from onset of ocular symptoms to ophthalmic consultation was shorter in Group 2, although a statistical significance was not demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Vancomycin remains effective for patients with endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. Patients who initially had good visual acuity showed greater improvement. However, sex, age, or whether or not the patients had a vitrectomy operation, were not statistically significant factors in the improvement of visual acuity.
Cataract ; Ciprofloxacin ; Endophthalmitis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Retrospective Studies ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Vancomycin ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy