bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
WZS‐pig is a potential donor alternative in corneal xenotransplantation
Authors: Zhiqiang Pan , Cun Sun , Ying Jie , Ningli Wang , Li Wang 
Published: November 2007

Abstract:  Purpose:  To explore the characteristics of rejection of Wuzhishan (WZS) pig‐to‐rhesus monkey corneal transplants and to evaluate WZS pig corneas as potential donor material for a clinical setting.Methods:  Wuzhishan pigs were used as donors and rhesus monkeys as recipients for corneal xenotransplantation. Eighteen rhesus monkeys were divided into three groups. Groups 1 and 2 underwent penetrating corneal xenotransplantation, while group 3 underwent lamellar corneal xenotransplantation. Only group 2 received subconjunctival injections with betamethasone for 3 months. All xenografts were evaluated by slit‐lamp microscopy. Two recipients in each group were killed for corneal histopathological staining at 30 days after surgery. The concentrations of cytokines in the aqueous humor were detected by cytometric bead array.Results:  Rejection of the xenografts occurred at approximately 15 days after surgery in group 1. Rejection was delayed for more than 4 months by conjunctival injection with betamethasone (group 2). Use of lamellar corneal xenografts (group 3) maintained corneal transparency for more than 3 months. Histopathological examination in group 1 showed that the xenografts were infiltrated with inflammatory cells. The corneal endothelia were destroyed and exudative membranes were formed in the anterior chamber. However, in the betamethasone‐treated group, the corneal xenografts showed only minimal edema and almost no inflammatory cell infiltrate. The corneal endothelia were intact and there was no exudative membrane formation. The concentration of interleukin (IL)4, IL5 and IL10 showed an increased shift 3 weeks after surgery in group 1 and 2, but no change of cytokine’s concentration was found in group 3.Conclusion:  Rejection of pig‐rhesus xenografts occurred early in penetrating corneal transplantation, but not in lamellar corneal transplantation. The endothelium of the xenograft might be a primary target of immune attack. Corticosteroid treatment inhibited rejection of the corneal xenografts.
Successful Induction of Antisera Against Rabbit Embryos for Isolation of the ICM and Putative Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Chiang S‐K , Chang H‐H , Ou Y‐W , Intawicha P , Cheng S‐P , Chen L‐R , Lee K‐H , Giles J , Ju J‐C 
Published: November 2007

ContentsIn Expt 1, goat antisera against rabbit blastocysts were induced using spleen cell injection and skin‐graft for immunosurgical isolation of ICM cells. Goats received rabbit spleen cell suspension (4 × 108 cells/ml) intravenously once a week for three consecutive weeks, plus an additional dose (boost injection) 10 days after the third injection, or a piece of rabbit skin (3 × 3 cm) transplantation. Blood samples were collected starting from the day after the last cell injection for 21 days. Serum was separated, heat inactivated and stored in frozen condition before titre analysis. Results showed that the antisera/antibodies derived by spleen cell injection reached their peak titre 7 days after the last cell injection, compared with 5 days by the skin‐grafted group. In Expt 2, morphologically normal blastocysts were collected for isolating ICMs immunosurgically or for direct culture of zona‐free whole blastocysts. In both methods, ICM cells started attaching to the feeder layer and outgrowing from the centre portion of the cells on day 3 after the onset of culture. ICM outgrowths increased in size during days 4–5, and most cells differentiated morphologically after day 6. One colony derived from isolated ICM developed into morphologically ES‐like cells expressing alkaline phosphatase activity. Our results indicated that both skin‐grafting and spleen cell injection were effective inducing antisera against rabbit embryonic cells. More studies are required to optimize the culture system for rabbit ES cells.
Blood Lymphocyte Subpopulations, Neutrophil Phagocytosis and Proteinogram During Late Pregnancy and Postpartum in Mares
Authors: Agrícola R , Carvalho H , Barbosa M , Pereira M , Medeiros JAS , Ferreira‐Dias G 
Published: November 2007

ContentsThe aim of this study was to evaluate peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, neutrophil phagocytic capacity and proteinogram characteristics in mares, during the last trimester of pregnancy and in postpartum. Measurement of phagocytosis and quantification of T‐lymphocyte subsets were done by flow cytometry. Quantification of T‐lymphocyte subsets was performed with monoclonal antibodies specific for CD2, CD3, CD4 and CD8 cell markers. Natural killer and B‐cell counts were estimated mathematically. Serum proteinogram was obtained by electrophoresis. No significant differences were observed between gestation and postpartum on CD4+, CD8+ and NK+ lymphocyte subsets, CD4 : CD8 ratio and phagocytosis. The percentage of cells expressing CD3 (64.2 ± 1.8) and CD2 (68.4 ± 1.7) (Mean ± SEM) was reduced during gestation vs postpartum (69.7 ± 1.5 and 73.8 ± 1.4 respectively) (p < 0.05). During pregnancy, CD19+ (31.6 ± 1.7) was higher than in postpartum (26.2 ± 1.4) (p < 0.05). Total T cells (2911 ± 227 cells/μl), T helper cells (2144 ± 169 cells/μl) and T‐cytotoxic cells (767 ± 68 cells/μl) were depressed in pregnancy, when compared with postpartum (4093 ± 337 cells/μl; 3004 ± 276 cells/μl; 1089 ± 94 cells/μl respectively) (p < 0.01). Total white blood cell count was reduced during pregnancy (8815 ± 427 cells/μl) with respect to postpartum (10742 ± 446 cells/μl) (p < 0.01), while neutrophil count did not change. Total proteins, albumin, α1,α2,β1, β2, γ globulins and albumin : globulin did not differ. Our results suggest that the physiological immune depression occurring in mares, during gestation might be due to T‐helper and T‐cytotoxic lymphocytes reduction.
Evolution of pollinator generalization in bumblebee‐pollinated plants
Authors: SUZUKI KAZUO , DOHZONO IKUMI , HIEI KAYAKO 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTo understand the relationships between floral morphologies and the reproductive strategies of plants, the contributions of multiple pollinators to plant reproductive success need to be examined. To outline recent advances on this topic, we review studies of five bumblebee‐pollinated plants in Japan. These plant species are pollinated by one to three bumblebee species differing in proboscis length: Bombus consobrinus, Bombus diversus and Bombus honshuensis. These pollination systems allow us to compare the reproductive strategies of plants pollinated by single and multiple bumblebee species. First, we address the effects of morphological correspondence between flowers and pollinators on the reproductive success of plants. In plants with narrow tubular flowers, Isodon umbrosus and Clematis stans, pollination effectiveness depended on the morphological correspondence between floral tube length and pollinator mouthparts. These flowers are subject to varied directions and intensities of selection by multiple bumblebee species, resulting in the maintenance of large variation in floral morphology within and between populations, and even within individuals. In contrast, pollination effectiveness in plants having flowers with a wide entrance, Melampyrum roseum and Hosta sieboldiana, did not differ among bumblebee species because of good correspondence between floral morphology and bumblebee body size, resulting in small morphological variations among flowers. Thus, generalized pollination systems with multiple pollinator species favor floral traits that enable the use of various pollinators. Second, we address the quantity and quality of the pollination service in bumblebee‐pollinated plants. Isodon umbrosus, with its generalized pollination system, suffered from pollen limitation because of low pollination quality. In contrast, Isodon effusus, which has a specialized pollination system, suffered from pollen limitation because of low pollination quantity. Isodon umbrosus produced large numbers of short tubular flowers to improve pollination quantity, whereas I. effusus produced small numbers of long tubular flowers to improve pollination quality, resulting in a clear trade‐off between the size and number of flowers within plants. In M. roseum, which has a generalized pollination system, three bumblebee species achieved sufficient pollination, but seed production was limited by an increased rate of self‐pollination. This is because this species invests more resources in cross‐pollinated seeds by selective abortion of selfed seeds. Our results demonstrate that the strategy of generalized plants is to improve pollination quantity, whereas the strategy of specialized plants is to improve pollination quality.
Flower orientation on slopes in the myco‐heterotrophic species Monotropastrum globosum
Authors: IMAMURA AKIO , USHIMARU ATUSHI 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe investigated the factors that determine the flower orientation of Monotropastrum globosum on a slope, and their effects on reproductive success. A previous study revealed that flowers on a slope faced the open space, which was presumed to increase pollinator attraction, and that orientation affected the reproductive success of individual flowers. When a plant has many inflorescences, interference among flowers may occur. We conducted a shading experiment to examine whether flower orientation changes in response to light conditions based on the angular distance between the slope and the flower direction (ADSF), and we analyzed the correlations between the position of individual flowers within plants, flower angle and ADSF, and the relationships between pollination and fruiting success and flower orientation. The shading experiment revealed that the flower orientation of M. globosum was affected by light, slope angle and flower position within a plant. The ADSF of the front flowers was smaller than that of the back flowers. However, flower orientation did not significantly affect either pollination or fruiting success, although the petal size of each flower did affect reproductive success. In M. globosum with multi‐inflorescences, individual flowers may face the open space to reduce interference among flowers within an individual.
Matrix models using fine size classes and their application to the population dynamics of tree species: Bayesian non‐parametric estimation
Authors: SHIMATANI ICHIRO K. , KUBOTA YASUHIRO , ARAKI KIWAKO , AIKAWA SHIN‐ICHI , MANABE TOHRU 
Published: November 2007

AbstractMatrix models have been widely used to investigate the population dynamics of plant species. To make use of this method, we first divide individuals into groups and estimate transition probabilities per pair of groups. When a continuous variable, such as plant size, is used for grouping, there is often a trade‐off: if the class intervals are narrow each group will only include a small number of samples, but if the intervals are wider, this may obscure some changes. This paper introduces a new matrix model in which we no longer have to divide individuals into arbitrarily defined size classes. The methodology is based on the Bayesian non‐parametric binary regression. We first divide the data into ‘very fine’ intervals. For estimating transition probabilities in a ‘large’ matrix, we do not use the observed transition rate per class directly, but we smooth neighboring observed rates and select the most appropriate degree of smoothing using an information criterion called the Akaike Bayesian Information Criterion (ABIC). Our approach is illustrated using long‐term forest monitoring data from an old‐growth, warm‐temperate evergreen forest, in which we examined the population dynamics of four evergreen subcanopy tree species. Transition probabilities allowed us to represent d.b.h.‐related growth and mortality patterns graphically, and matrix analysis provided stable size distributions, reproductive values and elasticity that vary smoothly for trees of different sizes. The quantitative approach makes it possible to determine characteristic patterns of population dynamics for qualitatively similar species.
Basic seed germination characteristics of the endemic species Nepeta rtanjensis (Lamiaceae)
Authors: TODOROVIĆ SLAÐANA , ŽIVKOVIĆ SUZANA , GIBA ZLATKO , GRUBIŠIĆ DRAGOLJUB , MIŠIĆ DANIJELA 
Published: November 2007

Abstract Nepeta rtanjensis is an endemic plant species that was first recorded in 1974 in the eastern part of Serbia. Because of the small number of discovered specimens and low seed viability, it has been difficult to determine the seed germination characteristics of this species. Using in vitro culture techniques, we obtained sufficient plants for successful reintroduction. In the first year approximately 500 000 seeds were collected and subjected to various seed germination tests. The seeds were positive photoblastic and germination was under the control of the phytochrome pigment system. The requirement for light could be substituted by gibberellins. The seeds were nitrate insensitive, but responded to treatment with liquid smoke.
Common Errors in the Use of the Operating Microscope*
Authors: Ming Lim Siew , Yew Khoo Chong , Chong Ang Beng 
Published: November 2007

SummaryThe operating microscope enables accurate surgery with minimal surgical trauma and the prevention of complications due to poor wound closure.Despite these advantages, only 30% of ophthalmic surgeons in developed countries are using the operating microscope. The main reason is adjustment difficulty. Three common errors associated with this are: first, high magnification; second, changing techniques; third, lack of practice. Based on these common errors, three main principles in the use of the operating microscopes are recommended as guidelines for surgeons who are adjusting to the operating microscope.Ophthalmic surgery under the microscope improves the quality of conventional anterior segment surgery and should be available to all ophthalmic surgeons. To achieve this, microscopes and microinstruments should be kept simple and inexpensive.
MICROSURGERY OF CHOROIDAL MELANOMA—SURGICAL TECHNIQUES OF LOCAL EXCISION
Authors: FRACO FRANK A. BILLSON 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSix cases of malignant choroidal melanoma were treated by microsurgical excision under hypotensive anaesthesia with follow‐up periods varying from four months to four years. This paper presents the case for local excision of malignant choroidal melanoma in the light of the current controversy surrounding the management and natural history of choroidal melanoma. The indications for surgery, techniques, and results are described. Vision was preserved best in tumours with diameters of less than 10mm. No deaths and no evidence of extraocular recurrence occurred.
OPHTHALMIC FINDINGS AMONG ONE THOUSAND INHABITANTS OF RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS
Authors: HERIOT W. J. , CROCK G. W. , TAYLOR R. , ZIMMET P. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA survey of 986 Polynesians was conducted in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, for the complications of diabetes. The ophthalmologists in the team made a general assessment of eye health. Trauma was a major cause of blindness. Diabetic retinopathy, trachoma, cataract and macular degeneration were not common findings.The initial criteria of nuclear cataract were pigmentation or opacification with loss of fetal suture detail. This was invalidated by the finding in young adults of enhanced pigmentation without any visual handicap. This finding supports current concepts of cataractogenesis. Pigmentation may augment the intrinsic filter of near ultraviolet light.Of the 118 people with chorioretinal scars, 25 shared features with cases reported from the Pacific region attributed to filariasis. The majority, however, were typical of toxoplasmosis.Cases of pseudoexfoliation were rare. This is surprising in view of the high prevalence reported among Australian Aborigines at a comparable latitude.
PHACOEMULSIFICATION OF CATARACT WITH POSTERIOR CHAMBER LENS IMPLANTATION AND OPERATIVE POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMY
Authors: FRACO J. PETERS 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAn initial series of 500 eyes with cataract was managed with phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantation, with operative capsulotomy. The operative technique, complications and visual results are presented. Complications reported with other lens implant techniques are discussed and reviewed. It was found that the complication rate associated with this technique was lower than that associated with routine intracapsular surgery, and that visual rehabilitation was far superior. Key words: phacoemulsification, posterior chamber lens implantation, A‐scan.
EXPERIENCE WITH DIPIVALYL EPINEPHRINE: ITS EFFECTIVENESS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, AND ITS SIDE EFFECTS
Authors: CEBON L. , WEST R. H. , GILLIES W. E. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractDipivalyl epinephrine was as effective as adrenaline as an eyedrop for glaucoma. It was responsible for fewer side effects, though side effects did occur. It had an additive effect when used with timolol maleate and. in 12 of 14 patients on long‐term medication with both drugs, a rise of pressure of 3 mmHg or more occurred when dipivalyl epinephrine was stopped. As sole therapy dipivalyl epinephrine was effective in chronic simple open‐angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, and may be useful on its own in the latter two conditions. In low‐tension glaucoma it seemed the best therapy when combined with timolol. Headache and ocular pain were uncommon but prominent side effects.
LASER TRABECULOPLASTY: EARLY EXPERIENCE WITH A NEW PROCEDURE
Authors: FRACO RALPH A. HIGGINS 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTwenty‐live laser trabeculoplasty procedures were performed on 20 patients. All patients were treated as inpatients so that early changes in intraocular pressure could be monitored. The range of fall was recorded: in four cases there was a significant rise in intraocular pressure in the first four hours which, if sustained, could have lead to a further visual field loss in patients with advanced chronic simple open‐angle glaucoma. Patients with a high initial intraocular pressure had the greatest fall in intraocular pressure. Those patients with a more pigmented trabecular meshwork with wide open angles were the easiest to treat and gave the best signs of effective laser endpoint reaction. Gonioplasty was performed in many patients with narrow angles, which gave much better access to the posterior trabecular meshwork.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY IN A NATURAL POPULATION
Authors: MB W. J. HERIOT , FRACO J. P. BORGER , FRACP P. ZIMMET , MBBS H. KING , MRCP R. TAYLOR , RAPER L R. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractMost epidemiological studies of diabetic retinopathy have been based on clinic populations. This produces a bias for the more severe cases and later stages of the disease. To avoid this bias, 1567 Micronesian adults of Nauru (82% of total adult population) were examined. Diabetic retinopathy was classified by both the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and the Airlie House reference photographs. Results were subject to multiple logistic regression model analysis.Diabetic retinopathy was present in 7% of the general population and in 24% of diabetics. Of the signs, microaneurysms and microhaemorrhages were the most important, being present alone in 19.5%; and in 68.1% when associated with exudates. Proliferative retinopathy was present in 4.5% of cases. Exudates alone were found in two cases (2.2%). Duration of diabetes was the strongest predictor variable and increasing two‐hour plasma glucose levels significantly increased the risk of developing retinopathy.
SUPERIOR OBLIQUE TUCK FOR SUPERIOR OBLIQUE PALSY
Authors: MD EUGENE M. HELVESTON , MD FORREST D. ELLIS 
Published: November 2007

AbstractFifty‐nine patients with a superior oblique palsy had a superior oblique tuck as part of their surgical treatment. The average size of the tuck was 12.0 mm. All cases had a decrease in the hyperdeviation in the primary position and some decrease in elevation in adduction in the operated eye (Brown's syndrome). Seventeen per cent of the patients required take‐down of the tuck three to 24 months after surgery (average time for reoperation, 9.1 months). Symptoms forming indications for take‐down of the tuck were head tilt, vertical diplopia, torsional diplopia, and a tight feeling on elevation in adduction. No patient who had a tuck alone required take‐down. Brown's syndrome was more likely to occur in cases with weakening of the antagonist inferior oblique and when a bilateral tuck of the superior oblique had been done. Taking down of the tucked tendon relieved the symptoms of Brown's syndrome in seven of 10 patients, without a recurrence of superior oblique underaction. After superior oblique tuck in all patients, a residual vertical deviation could be measured and in nearly every case a Brown's syndrome could be found.
THE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BASAL CELL NAEVUS SYNDROME
Authors: FRACO PETER A. ROGERS 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTen cases of the basal cell naevus syndrome (BCNS) are reported. The study is based on clinical findings with no investigations beyond two skull radiographs. The diagnosis is made on some or all of the following findings: family history, jaw cysts, progressive development of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), pitting of the palms and soles, frontal bossing, abnormality of the skeletal system and ectopic calcification.Eight of the cases are in one family covering three generations. With the exception of a one‐year‐old child in the third generation (not included) all of this group have the syndrome. The dominant trait is demonstrated, as is the high degree of expressivity and penetrance. Genetic counselling is essential where applicable. Sympathetic regular clinical examination over a lifetime is recommended to avoid disastrous complications.
EVOKED RESPONSES TO DISTINCT AND NEBULOUS STEREOSCOPIC STIMULI
Authors: DUNLOP DONALD B. , DUNLOP PATRICIA DBO (D) , FENELON BERNARD , NEILL ROGER A. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWhen geometric or contoured shapes are generated as disparity regions in dynamic random‐dot stereograms, the question of whether the subject's response is evoked largely by boundaries and corners of the disparate region arises. To examine this question a disparate square was shifted randomly within a focal region at one millisecond intervals, resulting in a nebulous stimulus which “welled up” in the centre of the field of view. The technique may be regarded as an analogue of the defocusing technique used to resolve similar questions about evoked potentials to patterned stimuli.Average visual evoked potentials (VEP) were recorded from homolateral pairs of occipital and posterior temporal electrodes referred to a common midline prefrontal site. The latencies and amplitudes of VEP to distinct and nebulous stimuli were compared in a group of young normal adults, of whom 14 succeeded in perceiving and 14 failed to perceive the presented stimuli.Latencies of maximal response to distinct and nebulous stimuli were closely similar in the two groups (range N242‐N252). Mean amplitudes of the peak response differed between perceivers and non‐perceivers. The responses to nebulous stimuli were smaller than those to distinct stimuli in site‐for‐site comparisons in both groups. Even in short averaging runs a substantial VEP (about 3 microvolt) was recorded to nebulous stimuli in the perceiver group.It is suggested that both disparity and boundary features contribute to the VEP when this particular display system is used.
AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY IN AUSTRALIA
Authors: MD RONALD F. LOWE 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe first ophthalmologists came to Australia from Great Britain in the early 1860s and founded charitable eye hospitals on the British pattern. For many years, during which Australian States remained colonies of Great Britain, all specialist medical training was obtained overseas. World War II greatly accelerated Australian independence and stimulated Australian technology, science, education, culture and economics. Australian ophthalmologists met the challenge with tight organization, home‐based training, academic responsibilities and research.