Risk factors for cerebral aneurysms typically include age, hypertension, smoking, and alcohol usage. However, the possible connection of aneurysms with genetic conditions such as Marfan's syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, and neurofibromatosis raises the question of possible genetic risk factors for aneurysm, and additionally, genetic risk factors for rupture. We conducted a literature revie...

AIMS Components of carotid atherosclerotic plaque such as intraplaque haemorrhage and lipid core are important determinants of plaque progression and destabilization. The association between plaque components and risk factors for cardiovascular disease is not well studied. METHODS AND RESULTS Participants from the population-based Rotterdam Study with carotid wall thickening on ultrasound (n ...

PURPOSE To determine the expression and function of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in human conjunctival, limbal and corneal epithelial cells. METHODS Expression of TLRs was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis in human conjunctival, corneal and limbal epithelial cells and tissues. Ligand-stimulated nuclear factor kappaB activation; inte...

OBJECTIVES To investigate the characteristics and effects of allogenic conjunctiva and conjunctival extracellular matrix (ECM) as the substitute of conjunctival tissues. BACKGROUND The symptoms of the frequently-occurring conjunctival injury not only make people ugly, but also lead to blindness, which seriously endanger the quality of life of the patients. METHODS The bulbar conjunctivas of...

Papillomas of the conjunctival surface in people can be of viral or nonviral origin and are found in high association with human papillomavirus. Canine conjunctival papillomas are seldom described, and published accounts have mostly been associated with canine oral papillomavirus infection. Here, we describe conjunctival squamous papillomas that do not express papillomavirus proteins and compar...

Aims: To describe the results of a study of the incidence of conjunctival ulceration and its pathology as a manifestation of Behçet’s syndrome. Methods: The authors reviewed retrospectively medical charts of 152 patients with Behçet’s syndrome seen at the uveitis service of Okayama University Hospital from January 1995 to December 1999. Criteria used to diagnose Behçet’s syndrome in this study ...

Conjunctival ulceration accompanied with secretion and pain was observed in a 30-year-old male, 3 days after a perforating corneal trauma. Cultures of conjunctival ulcer samples grew Fonsecaea pedrosoi, a major causative agent of chromoblastomycosis that is typically transmitted during trauma. The conjunctival ulcer was successfully treated with amphotericin B, itraconazole, and fluconazole. Th...