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T A Ciulla

Publications and source records attributed to T A Ciulla.

64 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Photosensitization of single-strand breaks in pBR322 DNA by rose bengal.

Rose bengal photosensitized the formation of frank single-strand breaks (SSBs) in double-stranded, supercoiled pBR322 DNA as measured by neutral agarose electrophoresis. The yield of SSBs followed first order kinetics with respect to light fluence and dye concentration. The efficiency of cleavage was more than 20 times greater in an argon atmosphere than in an oxygen atmosphere. The quantum yield in an air atmosphere was 1.7 (+/- 0.3) X 10(-8). Sodium azide quenched the cleavage more efficiently in an oxygen atmosphere than when the oxygen concentration was reduced. Isopropanol and mannitol were poor quenchers; ribose-5-phosphate and guanosine-5'-monophosphate did not quench the cleavage. Substituting D2O for H2O increased the yield of SSBs in both oxygen and oxygen-depleted atmospheres. The results are consistent with initiation of cleavage by reaction of the triplet state of rose bengal (or a radical derived from it) with DNA. In the presence of oxygen, an additional mechanism is introduced.

DNA Damage↗
PubMed1988

A simple method for DNA purification from peripheral blood.

A new, simple, and inexpensive method for the rapid isolation of DNA from whole blood is described. Cell nuclei are prepared by lysis of cytoplasmic membranes and DNA within the nuclear pellet is dispersed with guanidine isothiocyanate and precipitated with isopropanol. DNA prepared in this way restricts completely and results in low backgrounds of nonspecific hybridization after Southern analysis. The yields of DNA are similar to those obtained by more tedious traditional procedures. Numerous genomic DNA samples can be prepared from whole blood in 2 h, thus facilitating gene linkage or other molecular studies in which large numbers of individuals are required.

1-Propanol↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vitreous amyloidosis in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. Report of a case with the Val30Met transthyretin mutation.

We present a clinical pathological review of vitreous amyloidosis in a case of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, type I. Vitreous opacification was the first manifestation of disease in the proband, who was successfully treated with vitrectomy. The eyes were obtained at autopsy after the patient died from an unrelated cause, and the histopathology is presented here. Analysis of DNA from the pathology specimen revealed the most commonly reported transthyretin mutation, Val30Met. The classification of systemic and ocular amyloidosis as well as the genetics of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy are briefly reviewed.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Uveal lymphoid neoplasia: a clinical-pathologic correlation and review of the early form.

We report three cases of uveal lymphoid neoplasia that were diagnosed early in their course. One case exhibited a posterior form, presenting with progressive hyperopia from a serous-macular detachment and choroidal involvement along with retrobulbar involvement. This patient was treated with proton beam irradiation. Two cases displayed an anterior form, with fixed fleshy epibulbar masses resembling salmon patches, and choroidal involvement. The histologic findings from biopsy of these anterior masses are presented. One of these patients was treated with complete excision of the mass and double freeze-thaw cryotherapy of the scleral bed, and the other patient was treated with conventional photon beam irradiation. The clinical features of uveal lymphoid neoplasia in its early form are discussed. Evaluation and treatment strategies for these early forms of uveal lymphoid neoplasia are reviewed.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Age-related macular degeneration: a review of experimental treatments.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss in the USA. Laser photocoagulation of choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) in exudative AMD is currently the only well-studied and widely accepted treatment modality. It is beneficial for only a small minority of patients who show well-demarcated "classic" CNVMs, and it destroys normal retinal tissue, creates a scotoma, and is associated with an unacceptably high CNVM persistence and recurrence rate. Consequently, investigators have attempted to develop new modalities for treatment of CNVMs. These treatment modalities can be grouped into four major categories: photodynamic therapy; pharmacologic inhibition of CNVM formation with antiangiogenic agents; surgical intervention, including excision of subfoveal CNVMs; and radiation therapy. All of these experimental treatment modalities are directed toward destroyiing CNVMs, the end result of the exudative process, and all have limitations. The ideal treatment of the future must be based on the pathogenesis of the disease at a stage well before CNVMs develop. Investigations in nonexudative AMD are currently focusing on several major areas. Epidemiologic factors, such as genetics, sunlight, and nutrition, are being evaluated in several large studies, including the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, with the possibility of ultimately limiting the risk of AMD through behavior modification. Laser treatment of drusen is being evaluated as a means of limiting the risk of CNVM formation, although mixed results have been reported in the small number of studies to date. Choroidal perfusion abnormalities have been described in AMD, and some investigators postulate that altering blood flow may limit the risk of CNVM formation. No perfusion-treatment trials have been completed to date.

Choroidal Neovascularization↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bilateral infantile cataractogenesis in a patient with deficiency of complex I, a mitochondrial electron transport chain enzyme.

Progressive bilateral cataracts developed in infancy in a 5-month-old girl with deficiency of complex I, a mitochondrial electron transport chain enzyme. In the newborn period, she had severe lactic acidosis and the diagnosis of complex I deficiency was confirmed by mitochondrial respiratory chain assay on muscle biopsy. By 5 months, she had completely opaque nuclear sclerotic cataracts, with loss of fixation and the red reflex. She underwent bilateral, sequential cataract extraction. The lens aspirate was submitted for cytologic analysis and electron microscopy, which revealed increased intracellular glycogen and swollen mitochondria. To our knowledge the association of complex I deficiency with cataracts in infancy has not been reported previously. The diagnosis of a respiratory chain enzyme defect in infancy is an indication for early ophthalmic evaluation to identify cataracts that may result in visual loss. Conversely, the recognition of cataracts in infants with unexplained neurologic disease or metabolic acidosis may necessitate further evaluation for metabolic etiologies, including mitochondrial disorders.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nonsmall cell lung adenocarcinoma metastatic to the vitreous without fundus lesions.

A 76-year-old man presented with vitritis in the absence of visible fundus lesions. Vitreal cytologic analysis revealed adenocarcinoma; immunostaining was consistent with a pulmonary origin. This case highlights the need to exclude metastasis to the vitreous in a patient with an oncologic history, even in the absence of visible posterior segment lesions. It also illustrates the utility of immunostaining to better determine the tissue of origin when a metastatic lesion is encountered.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nocardia endophthalmitis following uncomplicated phacoemulsification and implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens.

A patient developed endophthalmitis 15 days after uncomplicated cataract extraction. Excised infectious material sequestered in the capsular bag revealed Nocardia on culture. She required multiple intravitreal injections of Amikacin and dexamethasone, pars plana vitrectomies with explantation of the lens, and chronic topical and oral sulfonamide antibiotics to control the infection. Clinicians should also consider Nocardia when the suspicion of fungal endophthalmitis is entertained, as Nocardia are resistant to antifungals, but respond to intravitreal amikacin and chronic topical and oral sulfonamides.

Aged↗