Mycobacterium abscessus infections tend to respond poorly to macrolide-based chemotherapy, even though the organisms appear to be susceptible to clarithromycin. Circumstantial evidence suggested that at least some M. abscessus isolates might be inducibly resistant to macrolides. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the macrolide phenotype of M. abscessus clinical isolates. Inducib...

The symptoms of idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERM) of the macula are blurred vision caused by the retinal dysfunction including photoreceptor dysfunction and metamorphopsia caused by retinal distortion. Surgical removal of ERM is reportedly associated with few complications, and surgical results are generally good [15]. Furthermore, we reported treating ERM and internal limiting membrane (IL...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether trypan blue staining facilitates epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. METHODS In 10 patients undergoing vitrectomy for proliferative vitreoretinopathy, ERM peeling was performed without staining the tissue, until no additional ERMs were clearly visible. Then, after a fluid-air exchange, 0.06% trypan blue solution was applied onto...

Amphetamine, a synthetic psychostimulant, is transported by the dopamine transporter (DAT) to the cytosol and increases the exchange of extracellular amphetamine by intracellular dopamine. Recently, we reported that the phosphorylation levels of ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) proteins are regulated by psychostimulant drugs in the nucleus accumbens, a brain area important for drug addiction. However...

The epiretinal membrane (ERM) is semitransparent; fibrocellular membrane found on the inner surface of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) at the macula [1]. ERM most commonly take place in the elderly population and can lead to distortion, blurring of vision, and in some patients severe vision loss [13]. ERM formation may lead to visual inconveniences, such as metamorphopsia, photopsia, blurr...

This article reviews general aspects about the epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ERM). The historical and general morphological features of the ERM are briefly described. The embryological derivation of the ERM is presented as an important consideration in understanding the events associated with their origin and possible functional roles within the periodontal ligament. The ultrastructural de...

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of miRNAs in the Vitreous Humor (VH) of patients with Macular Hole (MH) and Epiretinal Membrane (ERM) compared to a control group. METHODS In this prospective, comparative study, 2-ml of VH was extracted from the core of the vitreous chamber in consecutive patients who underwent standard vitrectomy for ERM and MH. RNA was extra...

PURPOSE Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is involved in cell migration and proliferation; therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate its expression in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and epiretinal membranes (ERM). METHODS 19 membranes from PVR and ERM were collected following eye surgery. AQP1 mRNA and protein expressions were determined by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence in the membranes...

Interleukin 12 (IL-12)-induced T helper 1 (Th1) development requires Stat4 activation. However, antigen-activated Th1 cells can produce interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) independently of IL-12 and Stat4 activation. Thus, in differentiated Th1 cells, factors regulated by IL-12 and Stat4 may be involved in IFN-gamma production. Using subtractive cloning, we identified ERM, an Ets transcription factor,...

OBJECTIVES To determine macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin (MLS) resistance determinants in the Capnocytophaga genus and to describe the prevalence of β-lactam resistance genes in human oral Capnocytophaga species. METHODS Forty-eight Capnocytophaga isolates identified by analysis of 16S rRNA sequences were isolated from subgingival samples from 14 haematology patients (HPs), 11 periodontiti...