Involvement of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium in the Development of Retinal Lattice Degeneration

Lattice degeneration involves thinning of the retina that occurs over time. Here we performed an immunohistological study of tissue sections of human peripheral retinal lattice degeneration to investigate if retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells are involved in the pathogenesis of this condition. In two cases of retinal detachment with a large tear that underwent vitreous surgery, retinal lattice degeneration tissue specimens were collected during surgery. In the obtained specimens, both whole mounts and horizontal section slices were prepared, and immunostaining was then performed with hematoxylin and antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), RPE-specific protein 65 kDa (RPE65), pan-cytokeratin (pan-CK), and CK18. Hematoxylin staining showed no nuclei in the center of the degenerative lesion, thus suggesting the possibility of the occurrence of apoptosis. In the degenerative lesion specimens, GFAP staining was observed in the center, RPE65 staining was observed in the slightly peripheral region, and pan-CK staining was observed in all areas. However, no obvious CK18 staining was observed. In a monkey retina used as the control specimen of a normal healthy retina, no RPE65 or pan-CK staining was observed in the neural retina. Our findings suggest that migration, proliferation, and differentiation of RPE cells might be involved in the repair of retinal lattice degeneration.

Diaphragmatic lesions and fatal haemorrhage in Texel sheep

Twelve Texel sheep were found to have diaphragmatic lesions, with or without thoracic haemorrhage, at postmortem examination over a period of two-and-a-half years. Presenting clinical signs ranged from general malaise or mild respiratory stertor, to severe acute respiratory distress or sudden death. Gross postmortem findings included focal areas of diaphragmatic haemorrhage, diaphragmatic musculature necrosis or diaphragmatic rupture with herniation of abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity. In some cases, acute severe fatal haemorrhage from either thoracic vessels or the diaphragmatic lesions was observed. Histopathology confirmed an acute event leading to the sudden death of affected animals, but also suggested a pre-existing chronic degenerative lesion of unknown aetiology affecting the diaphragmatic muscle. This case report suggests diaphragmatic lesions, with or without fatal thoracic haemorrhage, as a differential for respiratory distress or sudden death in young Texel sheep.

Subpubic Cartilaginous Pseudocyst: Orthopedic Feature with Urological Consequences

Introduction. Masses arising from structures adjacent to the female urethra can cause obstructive urinary symptoms. Subpubic cartilaginous pseudocyst is a rare degenerative lesion of pubic symphysis that may cause these symptoms.Materials and Methods. A 61-year- and 57-year-old women presented with symptoms of difficult micturition and dyspareunia. Physical examination revealed a painless smooth, rounded, firm, and cystic mass, at the anterior vaginal wall of about 4 cm width. The mass caused inward deviation of the external urethral meatus. Cystoscopy and MRI were done.Results. Cystoscopy of case 1 (61 y) demonstrated anterior external urethral compression with normal urethral mucosa. Cystoscopy was not possible in case 2 (57 y) because the urethra could not be entered under local anesthesia. MRI showed almost the same findings in both cases: midline, rounded, and cystic mass~3×3×4 cm, anterosuperior to the urethra, and posteroinferior to the pubic symphysis, with normal features of the urinary bladder. Open surgical excision of theses lesions was performed in both patients. Histopathologic assessment of the specimen obtained from both patients showed degenerated hyaline with areas of fibrinous and mucoid degeneration, a picture suggestive of cartilaginous subpubic pseudocyst. After 11-month and 4-month followup of patients numbers 1 and 2, respectively, there is no evidence of local recurrence of the lesion, either clinically or radiologically and both patients void empty.Conclusions. Subpubic cartilaginous pseudocysts are rare benign lesions with only 13 cases were reported in the literature. Patients present with a spectrum of gynecological and/or urological manifestations. Sizable lesions severely compressing the urethra need surgical excision to restore the voiding function.

Determination the therapeutiction of Datura metel leaves extract for some urinary system bacteria in rabbits (in vitro and in vivo )

This study was designed to evaluate the effects the watery and alcoholic extracts from leaves of Datura metel in vitro to ten of pathogenic bacteria and study the watery extract toward Candida on the urinary system in rabbits. The results showed the watery and alcoholic extracts from leaves of Datura metel have antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus. aureus – Streptococcus .agylactiae ) And Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella. pneumonia –Proteus. vulgarities – E.coli – Pseudomonas – Vibrio – Salmonella – Enterobacter ) and Candida. albicans, however, the watery extract of Datura metel were more potent than alcoholic extract against pathogenic bacteria (80%) . According to results , Candida pathogen that more sensitive toward Datura metel watery extract was choosing to injected intraperitoneally as experimental infection in laboratory animals (vivo) which cause morphological and histopathological degenerative lesion of kidney cortex and medulla tissue in addition to change of renal profile test that include blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, creatinine kinase, uric acid, in addition to Potassium. but after watery extract of Datura metel injected in these laboratory animals cause significant improvement (p≤0.01) in the value of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, creatinine kinase, and uric acid. Potassium concentration, histopathological studies confirm these results which include regeneration of degenerative lesion for medulla and kidney cortex with convoluted tubules tissue.

Dose-Dependent Effects of Interleukin-1Alpha on Functional Degradation of Lateral and Medial Menisci

Despite a growing recognition that meniscal degeneration often precedes cartilage degeneration in the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA), little is known about the role of meniscal degeneration in the onset and progression of knee OA. Even a mild degenerative lesion increases meniscal extrusion, implying changes in biomechanical function. Understanding the mechanisms of meniscal degeneration may enable the diagnosis and disease-modifying treatment of early knee OA, potentially preventing or slowing the progression of the disease. The roles of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) in promoting cartilage matrix degradation and mediating inflammation in the progression of OA have been widely demonstrated [1,2]. Recent results from our group indicated that 20ng/ml hrIL-1α produced similar cell-mediated degradation and loss of mechanical properties in immature cartilage and meniscus, but progresses more rapidly in meniscus explants [3]. This study further explored the effects of IL-1α dosage and medial-lateral differences on the functional degradation of meniscal explants.

Timing of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructive Surgery and Risk of Cartilage Lesions and Meniscal Tears

Background There is inadequate evidence to determine when to perform surgery on anterior cruciate ligament—deficient knees. Purpose To study the association between timing of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and the risk of having meniscal tears and cartilage lesions. Study Design Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods All patients registered in the Norwegian National Knee Ligament Registry who had undergone primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction from 2004 and throughout 2006 were reviewed. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the relationship between time from injury until anterior cruciate ligament surgery and the risk of meniscal tears or cartilage lesions. Results Of a total of 3475 patients, there were 909 patients (26%) with cartilage lesions, 1638 patients (47%) with meniscal tears, and 527 patients (15%) with both cartilage and meniscal lesions. The odds of a cartilage lesion in the adult knee (>16 years) increased by 1.006 (95% confidence interval, 1.003-1.010) for each month that elapsed from injury to surgery. The cartilage in young adults (17-40 years) deteriorated further with an increase in odds of 1.03 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.05) related to the aging in years of the patient. The odds for meniscal tears in young adults increased by 1.004 (95% confidence interval, 1.002-1.006) for each month that elapsed since injury. The presence of 1 degenerative lesion increased the odds of having the other degenerative lesion by between 1.6 and 2.0 in all patient groups. Conclusion The odds of a cartilage lesion in the adult knee increased by nearly 1% for each month that elapsed from the injury date until the surgery date and that of cartilage lesions were nearly twice as frequent if there was a meniscal tear, and vice versa.