Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a slowly progressing hematologic malignancy associated with a poor outcome. Despite the relatively high incidence of MDS in the elderly, differentiation of MDS from de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) still remains problematic. Identification of genes expressed in an MDS-specific manner would allow the molecular diagnosis of MDS. Toward this goal, AC133 surfac...

Synapses display a stereotyped ultrastructural organization, commonly containing a single electron-dense presynaptic density surrounded by a cluster of synaptic vesicles. The mechanism controlling subsynaptic proportion is not understood. Loss of function in the C. elegans rpm-1 gene, a putative RING finger/E3 ubiquitin ligase, causes disorganized presynaptic cytoarchitecture. RPM-1 is localize...

The PHR (Pam/Highwire/RPM-1) proteins are evolutionarily conserved ubiquitin ligases that regulate axon guidance and synapse formation in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish, and mice. In C. elegans, RPM-1 (Regulator of Presynaptic Morphology-1) functions in synapse formation, axon guidance, axon termination, and postsynaptic GLR-1 trafficking. Acting as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, RPM-1 ...

Previously we showed that the ~2% of fetal liver cells reactive with an anti-CD3epsilon monoclonal antibody support ex vivo expansion of both fetal liver and bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs); these cells express two proteins important for HSC ex vivo expansion, IGF2, and angiopoietin-like 3. Here we show that these cells do not express any CD3 protein and are not T cells; rather, we ...

PURPOSE To report the clinical outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) when sterile gamma-irradiated acellular corneal tissues (VisionGraft) are used in combination with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for intractable ocular surface diseases. METHODS The medical records of fifteen patients who had DALK with AMT were retrospectively reviewed. Indications for surgery incl...

For the purpose of determining the effect of levamisole on cell-mediated immunity of patients with herpetic stromal keratitis, the response of peripheral lymphocytes to three mitogens (PHA, Con A and PWM) was examined in a total of 19 cases of herpetic stromal keratitis (16 effective cases) including 12 patients undergoing levamisole administration. As controls, a similar study was made on 35 h...

UNLABELLED Staphylococcus aureus is the most important and common pathogen that infects patients following cataract surgery, laser in situ keratomileusis, and photorefractive keratectomy. It is reported to be the second most common pathogen causing bacterial keratitis around the world. Of special concern are increasing reports of postoperative methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) infection. Fo...

Exposure of adult rats to 3 ppm ozone for 8 hours results in diffuse alveolar damage with well-defined sequential stages of bronchiolo-alveolar injury and repair. This model is characterized by acute pulmonary edema showing high concentration of lavage fluid protein that is maximally elevated at 24 hours with return to control level at recovery (96 hours). Using techniques that enable optimal p...

PURPOSE To report amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation in a patient with wound dehiscence 5 months after deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLKP) METHODS: The patient was an 84-year-old Japanese man who had undergone right DLKP 5 months earlier for central corneal scarring due to recurrent stromal herpetic keratitis. He developed wound dehiscence with corneal stromal melting due to recurrence of str...