Sequential epiretinal membrane removal with internal limiting membrane peeling in brilliant blue G-assisted macular surgery

Purpose To assess the selectivity of brilliant blue G (BBG) staining by analysing the morphological components of unstained and stained tissue obtained during epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in BBG-assisted macular surgery. Methods Twenty-six surgical specimens were removed from 13 eyes with epiretinal gliosis during vitrectomy using BBG for ERM and ILM peeling. We included eyes with idiopathic macular pucker, idiopathic macular hole and vitreomacular traction syndrome. The dye was injected into the fluid-filled globe. Unstained and stained epiretinal tissue was harvested consecutively and placed into separate containers. All specimens were processed for conventional transmission electron microscopy. Results The first surgical specimen of all eyes showed no intraoperative staining with BBG and corresponded to masses of cells and collagen. The second surgical specimen demonstrated good staining characteristics and corresponded to the ILM in all patients included. In seven eyes, the ILM specimens were seen with minor cell proliferations such as single cells or a monolayer of cells. Myofibroblasts, fibroblasts and astrocytes were present. In five cases, native vitreous collagen fibrils were found at the ILM. In six of the eyes, ILM specimens were blank. Conclusion Our clinicopathological correlation underlines the selective staining properties of BBG. The residual ILM is selectively stained by BBG even when a small amount of cells and collagen adheres to its vitreal side. To reduce the retinal exposure to the dye, the surgeon might choose to remove the ERM without using the dye, followed by a BBG injection to identify residual ILM

Trobriander (Ost-Neuguinea, Trobriand Inseln, Kaile'una) Fadenspiele 'ninikula'

Sammelband 1, 1985-198

Trobriander (Ost-Neuguinea, Trobriand Inseln, Kaile'una) Fadenspiele 'ninikula'

Sammelband 1, 1985-198

Radiological anatomy of the ambient cistern in children

Ambient cistern (AC) is a thin extension of the subarachnoid space surrounding the brainstem at the level of the mesencephalon and pons. Despite various definitions, it constitutes an important landmark in clinical assessment of intracranial volume reserve. Although it is indisputably useful, there exists no defined standard for radiological examination for the dimensions and ranges in specific age groups. This paper aims to describe the ambient cistern anatomically and give the ranges of dimensions for proper radiological interpretation. The study was performed on 160 axial computed tomography (CT) examinations of Polish children of both sexes, aged 1-18 years, admitted to the hospital because of mild brain concussion. Pictures were made using a Siemens 8-row CT scanner, without contrast administration. We estimated distances at the level of the pons and midbrain, based on axial cross-sections, according to standard radiological protocol. The parameters included the width of the AC in its anterior and posterior part, the width of the tentorial notch, and the distance from the pons and sella. All measurements were analyzed statistically with StatSoft Statistica 8.0 software. The average width of the AC differs between age groups. It is greatest at 1-3 years (2.8 ± 0.6 mm) and lowest at 4-10 years (2.4 ± 0.6 mm). AC is more likely to be greater in its anterior part in boys. The distance from the sella to the pons is greatest in 1-3-year-old girls (6.9 ± 1.3 mm), and the tentorial notch is widest in the 15-18-year-old group (24.6 ± 2.4 mm). Dimensions of the AC correlate with intracranial reserve volume. This is particularly visible in the youngest children. Thin and narrow AC is not always a sign of raised intracranial pressure. It may be specific for the child’s age. (Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 2: 78-83

Hypomorphic Mutations in the BCR Signalosome Lead to Selective Immunoglobulin M Deficiency and Impaired B-cell Homeostasis

B cell activation via the B cell receptor (BCR) signalosome involves participation of signaling molecules such as BTK and BLNK. Genetic defects in these molecules are known to impair B cell differentiation and subsequently lead to agammaglobulinemia. Here we identified novel mutations in BTK and BLNK in two unrelated patients that perturb the intrinsic B-cell receptor signaling pathway and lead to selective IgM deficiency, whereas production of other immunoglobulin isotypes and IgG antibody response remain intact. Currently it is unknown how BCR signaling strength affects mature B cell development in humans. Both patients show reduced levels of BCR signalosome phosphorylation as well as impaired BCR-dependent Ca2+ influx, which was accompanied by a marked decrease in IgD+IgM+CD27+ MZ-like B-cells. We further describe reduced expression of essential B cell differentiation factors such as BAFF-R and T-Bet in the patients' B-cells, which might contribute to the observed deficiency of MZ-like B cells. MZ-like B cells are known to produce natural IgM antibodies that play an essential role in immune homeostasis. By using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology and a synthetic blood group A trisaccharide as antigen we were able to show that both patients lack the presence of anti-blood group A IgM considered to be prototypical natural antibodies whereas IgG levels were normal. Antibody binding dynamics and binding affinity of anti-blood group A IgG were comparable between patients and healthy controls. These results indicate that human IgM deficiency can be associated with signaling defects in the BCR signalosome, defective production of natural IgM antibodies in the blood group A/B/0 system and abnormalities in B cell development

Strong subadditivity inequality for quantum entropies and four-particle entanglement

Strong subadditivity inequality for a three-particle composite system is an important inequality in quantum information theory which can be studied via a four-particle entangled state. We use two three-level atoms in $\Lambda$ configuration interacting with a two-mode cavity and the Raman adiabatic passage technique for the production of the four-particle entangled state. Using this four-particle entanglement, we study for the first time various aspects of the strong subadditivity inequality.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, RevTeX4, submitted to PR