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Biomedical subjects

M M Rodrigues

Publications and source records attributed to M M Rodrigues.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Ocular jellyfish stings.

BACKGROUND: Corneal stings from the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) indigenous to the Chesapeake Bay are usually painful but self-limited injuries, with resolution in 24 to 48 hours. METHODS: Five patients who developed unusually severe and prolonged iritis and intraocular pressure elevation after receiving corneal sea nettle stings were followed for 2 to 4 years. RESULTS: Decreased visual acuity, iritis, and increased intraocular pressure (32 to 48 mmHg) were noted in all cases. Iritis responded to topical corticosteroids and resolved within 8 weeks. Elevated intraocular pressure responded to topical beta blockers and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Mydriasis (4 of 5 cases), decreased accommodation (2 of 5 cases), peripheral anterior synechiae (2 of 5 cases), and iris transillumination defects (3 of 5 cases) also were noted. Mydriasis and decreased accommodation persisted for 5 months in 1 case and for more than 2 years in another. One patient has chronic unilateral glaucoma. Visual acuity returned to normal in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The precise relationship between sea nettle venom and the observed clinical responses is not known. Corneal jellyfish stings usually produce a brief and self-limited reaction, but they do have the potential for long-term sequelae.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Panstromal Schnyder's corneal dystrophy. Ultrastructural and histochemical studies.

BACKGROUND: A large cohort comprising four kindreds of patients with Schnyder's dystrophy has been identified in central Massachusetts. All patients were Swede-Finn with ancestry from the southwest Finnish coast on the Bay of Bothnia. METHODS: Of 60 members of this cohort examined by one of the authors (JSW), 18 had evidence of Schnyder's dystrophy. One female with Schnyder's dystrophy from each of three kindreds underwent penetrating keratoplasty for decreased visual acuity. We examined 4 corneal buttons from these unrelated women, aged 47, 63, and 72 years. RESULTS: The fluorescent probe filipin revealed that the majority of the lipid deposits were rich in unesterified cholesterol. Electron microscopy demonstrated abnormal accumulation of lipid and dissolved cholesterol in the epithelium, Bowman's layer, and throughout the stroma. Examination of the kindreds reflected the variable expression of crystals, which were present only in two patients, the 47-year-old and 63-year-old women. CONCLUSION: Ultrastructural and histochemical studies showed the panstromal localization of lipid in Schnyder's corneal dystrophy in three patients with Schnyder's dystrophy who underwent penetrating keratoplasty.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Retinoblastoma: messenger RNA for interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein.

Surgically excised retinoblastomas from 14 patients (age range nine months to two years) were assessed by immunocytochemistry for the expression of photoreceptor-specific proteins and neuronal and glial cell markers. Adjacent tissues were examined for messenger RNA expression of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) using Northern blots. For immunocytochemical stains (ABC method), monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies included S-Ag, rhodopsin, neuron specific enolase (NSE), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), IRBP, neural adhesion molecule (N-CAM), and rod and cone specific transducin (TR alpha and TC alpha). Histopathology revealed mostly poorly differentiated tumors with necrosis and lack of Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes. Immunocytochemical staining showed focal IRBP expression in one of the tumors and S-antigen in two cases. Immunoreactivity with rhodopsin was negative. N-CAM, a neural adhesive protein which appears to be involved in the regulation of adhesive interaction during neuronal differentiation, was positive except in two cases. All tumors showed immunoreactivity with NSE, whereas GFAP staining was limited to the perivascular glial tissue confirming the essential neuronal nature of retinoblastoma cells. TC alpha was detected in all tumors and TR alpha in one case. Messenger RNA for IRBP was detected in tumors in which IRBP immunoreactivity could not be detected.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Eye pathology associated with measles encephalitis in hamsters.

Measles encephalitis was produced in 41 hamsters by intracerebral injection of the hamster-neuroadapted Mantooth HBS viral strain. Group I (n = 10) included 2-day old (newborn) hamsters, each inoculated with 0.02 ml of 1:20 diluted virus. This group was sacrificed 4 days postinoculation (DPI). Group II (n = 31) included 25-day old hamsters, each inoculated with 0.03 ml of 1:10 diluted virus. This group was sacrificed 6, 13, 17, and 31 DPI. Clinical and histological evidence of measles encephalitis was present in all infected hamsters. Retinal lesions varied with the age of the animals at the time of inoculation. Retinal folds were observed in the 2-day old group and represented one form of retinal dysplasia. In the 25-day old group, however, earliest retinal involvement was in the form of hemorrhages, followed by focal retinitis in animals sacrificed 6-17 DPI. Measles keratitis was noted only in animals sacrificed 6 DPI. In 25-day old hamsters, measles keratitis and retinal hemorrhages represented the acute manifestations, whereas retinitis occurred later. However, ocular involvement did not correlate with the degree of severity of measles encephalitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Identification of epitopes within the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium vivax recognized by murine T lymphocytes.

The murine cellular immune response to the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of Plasmodium vivax was characterized using five synthetic peptides, some of which we identified as corresponding to T cell epitopes. The peptides P308-320, P344-355 and P353-364 were immunogenic, inducing a genetically restricted proliferative response, due to the activation of CD4+ T cells. The peptide P308-320 was recognized only by the lymphocytes of B10 (H-2b) mice. The other two peptides were recognized by primed lymphocytes of H-2a and H-2k mice. Of interest was the finding that one of these peptides, P353-364, induced a proliferative response of a large percentage of immune outbred Swiss mice. Our data provide evidence that, at least in mice, there is recognition of multiple T cell epitopes within the major surface antigen of P. vivax sporozoites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

CD8+ cytolytic T cell clones derived against the Plasmodium yoelii circumsporozoite protein protect against malaria.

Immunization of BALB/c mice with radiation-attenuated Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites induces cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for an epitope located within the amino acid sequence 277-288 of the P. yoelii circumsporozoite (CS) protein. Several CD8+ CTL clones were derived from the spleen cells of sporozoite-immunized mice, all displaying an apparently identical epitope specificity. All the clones induced high levels of cytolysis in vitro upon exposure to peptide-incubated MHC-compatible target cells. The adoptive transfer of two of these clones conferred complete protection against sporozoite challenge to naive mice. This protection is species and stage specific. Using P. yoelii specific ribosomal RNA probes to monitor the in vivo effects of the CTL clones, we found that their target was the intrahepatocytic stage of the parasite. The protective clones completely inhibited the development of the liver stages of P. yoelii. Some CTL clones were only partially inhibitory in vivo, while others failed completely to alter liver stage development and to confer any detectable degree of protection. The elucidation of the effector mechanism of this CTL mediated protection against rodent malaria should facilitate the design of an effective malaria vaccine. From a broader perspective this model may provide further insight into the mechanism(s) of CTL mediated killing of intracellular non-viral pathogens in general.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Interpositional polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Conjunctival biocompatibility.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic, woven, nonabsorbable, nonantigenic, Teflon-related material that has been shown to be useful in correcting eyelid retraction and as an implant enveloping material in primary and secondary surgery to correct anophthalmos. Implanted PTFE will extrude if not entirely covered with a layer of conjunctival epithelium. In vitro studies demonstrated that coating PTFE with collagen, fibronectin, gelatin, or laminin promotes epithelial cell and fibroblast migration over and adherence to PTFE. In vivo studies showed that a coating of type 1 collagen is most successful in preventing graft extrusion by promoting conjunctival epithelial attachment and growth over exposed PTFE. Further studies are needed to determine the optimum PTFE coating and pore size needed to ensure the consistent retention of uncovered implanted PTFE grafts.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Posterior corneal crystalline deposits in benign monoclonal gammopathy: a clinicopathologic case report.

A 74-year-old woman had bilateral, deep stromal, patchy crystalline corneal deposits with the greatest density in the midperiphery. Visual acuity was 6/120 in the right eye and finger counting at 1 m in the left eye. Histological examination of the corneal button showed large, irregular amorphous masses in the posterior stroma. The deposits stained red with Masson's trichrome and were positive for protein with the Danielli stain. Stains for amyloid, copper, and lipid were negative. The immunoperoxidase stain was positive for polyvalent IgG and kappa light chains. Transmission electron microscopy disclosed electron-dense deposits with linear and honeycomb profiles. Laboratory investigations disclosed elevated serum and urinary IgG kappa light chain (Bence Jones protein) levels. Urinary amino acids were normal. The serum copper level was elevated. Antinuclear antibody was positive at a titer of 1:80. A bone marrow aspirate was normal, as were roentgenograms of the skull.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Chandler's syndrome as a variant of essential iris atrophy. A clinicopathologic study.

Trabeculectomy and peripheral iridectomy specimens from one male and two female patients with Chandler's syndrome (age, 30 to 42 years) showed that all had unilateral corneal endothelial "dystrophy," corneal edema, mild to moderate iris atrophy without holes, peripheral anterior synechiae, and glaucoma. In one, fluorescein angiography of the iris disclosed a sector filling delay of limbal and conjunctival vessels and pupillary and extrapupillary leakage. Histopathologic examination showed a layer of degenerated corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane extending across the inner uveal trabeculum. Descemet's membrane displayed irregular, nodular, scroll-like excrescences in some cases, and thinner placoid configurations with abnormal widely spaced collagen (100 nm) in others. Corneal endothelial cells exhibited increased microvilli, widened cellular interdigitations, and occasional shrunken cells with enlarged or disrupted cytoplasmic blebs. Peripheral iris specimens displayed mild to moderate stromal atrophy without vascular occlusions. Pigment epithelium was normal.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Posterior keratoconus.

Posterior keratoconus is a rare corneal disorder characterized by a total or localized noninflammatory thinning of the cornea. In front of a conical protrusion of the posterior corneal curvature, there is a thinned stroma and nonprotruding anterior surface. A corneal button from a patient with bilateral posterior keratoconus was studied by light and electron microscopy. Descemet's membrane, particularly in the area of stromal thinning, demonstrated abnormal anterior banding, a multilaminar configuration, and localized posterior excrescences. These alterations suggest an early pathogenetic mechanism, which probably originated prior to the fifth or sixth month of gestation.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Argon laser iridotomy on primary angle closure or pupillary block glaucoma.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were performed on peripheral iridectomy specimens from seven patients with failed pulsed argon laser iridotomies. Four to seven hours after the laser, severe edema, coagulation necrosis, focal vascular occlusion, and hemorrhage were present. Five days after the laser, cell detritus and collapsed cell processes were noted. Forty-two days after the laser, the anterior iris surface appeared considerably thinned and irregular. Eight and one-half months after the laser, the burn site displayed a dense matted appearance. Two years after the laser, the anterior iris showed a depression with pigment dispersion, irregular stroma, and disruption of the dilator muscle. The lack of inflammation could be due to the use of pulsed argon laser heat delivered at very short intervals, with deep penetration and minimal heat dispersion, since the beam is highly collimated.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1978

Argon laser iridotomy in the treatment of patients with primary angle-closure or pupillary block glaucoma: a clinicopathologic study.

A "pulsed" argon laser was successful in 48 of 64 (75%) attempted laser iridotomies. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy performed on specimens taken at varying intervals following laser treatment revealed progressive scarring of iris tissue. The complications appear minimal at this time, but longer follow-up is required before it can be stated that laser and surgical peripheral iridectomies are comparable. However, the laser's simplicity and ease of administration appear to warrant its continued use at this time.

Argon↗
PubMed1978

Congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles.

Congential fibrosis of the extraocular muscles is characterized by the replacement of normal contractile muscle tissue by fibrous tissue or fibrous bands in varying degrees. The clinical entities which result from the fibrous replacement can be classified under the following headings: general fibrosis syndrome, congenital fibrosis of the inferior rectus muscle with blepharoptosis, strabismus fixus, vertical retraction syndrome and congential unilateral fibrosis, enophthalmos and blepharoptosis. Genetic factors may or may not be apparent. One pedigree with general fibrosis syndrome was traced through five generations. Light and electron microscopy demonstrated replacement of normal muscle by collagen and dense fibrous tissue with occasional areas of degenerated skeletal muscle. The surgical mangement attempts to achieve some functional readjustment of the ocular and lid position as well as the abnormal head posture. The surgical results were considered satisfactory when compared with the original position of the eyes and the backward head tilt.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the orbit.

A 31-year-old woman had a mass in the posterior inferior orbit that progressively increased in size for almost two years. Histopathologic examination of an orbital biopsy specimen showed pleomorphic neoplastic cells arranged in a storiform pattern. The tumor cells were composed of hyperchromatic nuclei with prominent nucleoli and admixtures of fibroblasts. Electron microscopy demonstrated histiocyte-like cells with complex infoldings of plasma membrane, prominent mitochondria and golgi, and free ribosomes. Fibroblast-like cells displayed abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and adjacent collagen fibrils. The diagnosis was malignant fibrous histiocytoma. An exenteration was performed and postoperative systemic chemotherapy with doxorubicin hydrochloride and methotrexate sodium sulfate was commenced. There was no evidence of recurrence two years later.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Corneal opacification occurring after phacoemulsification and phacofragmentation.

Four patients developed progressive corneal opacification five to eight months after ultrasonic cataract extraction. Transmission electron microscopy was performed in all patients. Scanning electron microscopy, performed in only one patient, showed radiating folds of Descemet's membrane with pits on its posterior surface as well as focal traumatic disruption probably caused by probe contact. Bullous keratopathy was present in one patient. Two other patients had folds of Descemet's membrane and a thin retrocorneal fibrous layer. All four tumor specimens showed secondary epithelial and stromal changes. The common denominator was the total or partial absence of endothelium or marked alterations of its remnants.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Demonstration of biogenic amines and adrenergic innervation in uveal malignant melanomas by the histoflurometric method.

Clinical and histologic studies were performed on 25 patients with malignant melanomas of the ciliary body and choroid. Portions of fresh tumor were quick frozen and processed by the histofluorometric technique to demonstrate the presence of biogenic amines. Separate portions of each tumor were fixed and processed for routine light microscopy. Specific fluorescence was visible in 21 of 23 pigmented neoplasms. Catecholamine-induced fluorescence of biogenic amines was related to tumor cell type. In two amelanotic tumors no specific fluorescence was seen.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Staphyloma as a late complication of trabeculectomy.

A clinicopathologic study was performed of a scleral staphyloma occurring two years after a trabeculectomy for neovascular glaucoma. In a series of thirteen cases with secondary glaucoma four developed staphylomas in the area of the excision of sclera and trabeculum. A young, black male with atypical pigmentary glaucoma also developed a staphyloma. The possibility of the development of a staphyloma should be considered when selecting an appropriate operative procedure for uncontrolled glaucoma.

Adult↗