A Case of Multiple Myeloma Presented With Bilateral Corneal Crystalline Deposition

PURPOSE: Multiple myeloma is characterized by the neoplastic proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells. Multiple myeloma rarely involves the eyeball or the orbital tissues. We report a case of multiple myeloma that presented with corneal crystalline depositions in a patient complaining of decreased vision and irritation of both eyes without any systemic symptoms. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old woman complained of decreased vision and irritation of both eyes that had started suddenly 20 days before. Uncorrected visual acuity was 0.2 in the right eye and 0.3 in the left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.9 in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye. Slit lamp examination showed gray-white crystalline depositions on the epithelium, stroma and Descemet membrane of the cornea extensively, except for the limbus. There were no specific findings on intraocular pressure measurement and fundus examination. The patient did not complain of any systemic symptoms. Multiple myeloma was diagnosed by blood examination and bone marrow biopsy. Two months later, the BCVA decreased to 0.3 in both eyes and artificial tears were prescribed to relieve irritation. CONCLUSIONS: When irritation and decreased vision occur abruptly even without systemic symptoms, there is a possibility of multiple myeloma. Systemic evaluations are needed in these cases.

Variação espacial da perda de solo por erosão em diferentes superfícies geomórficas / Spatial variation of the soil loss for erosion in different geomorphic surfaces

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a influência das superfícies geomórficas na variação espacial da perda de solo por erosão na região de Pereira Barreto, São Paulo (SP). Os solos foram amostrados nos pontos de cruzamento de uma malha, georreferenciados, com intervalos de 350m, na profundidade de 0,0-0,2m, totalizando 67 pontos. Foram feitas determinações da composição granulométrica e do conteúdo de matéria orgânica. Foram avaliados os fatores de erosão locais, tais como erosividade (R), erodibilidade (K), fator topográfico (LS), uso e manejo (C), práticas conservacionistas (P), potencial natural de erosão (PNE), perda de solo com e sem práticas conservacionistas (A e *A), tolerância de perda de solo (T) e risco de erosão (RE). As variáveis A, PNE e RE apresentaram forte correlação espacial com o fator topográfico (LS), indicando a forte relação do relevo sobre os fatores de erosão. As perdas de solo (A e *A) apresentaram comportamento coerente com a conceituação de superfícies geomórficas, evidenciando as relações de dependência do processo erosivo do solo aos ambientes geomórficos.

The objective of this research was to study the influence of the geomorphic surfaces in the spatial variations of the soil loss by erosion in the Pereira Barreto region, São Paulo State, Brazil. Soil samples were collected in 67 points, in a depth of 0.0-0.2m, located in a 350m regular grid to measure the particle size distribution and organic matter content. The local erosion factors were determined: erosivity (R), erodibility (K), topographical factor (LS), use and tillage (C), and conservation tillage (P), natural potential of erosion (PNE), soil loss with and without conservation tillage (A), soil loss tolerance (T) and erosion risk (RE). The variables A, PNE and RE presented great spatial correlation with the topographical factor (LS), indicating the influence of the relief on the erosion factors. The soil losses (A and A *) presented coherent behavior with the concept of geomorphic surfaces, evidencing the dependence relationships of the soil erosion process to the geomorphic environmental.

Calcification-resistant Effect of Surface-modified Biologic Arteries by Sulfonated Polyethyleneoxide / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Calcific degeneration is the major cause of clinical failure of glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinked bioprosthetic tissues implanted in the body and necessitates the reoperation or causes death. Surface modification of biologic tissues using sulfonated polyethyleneoixde (PEO-SO3) has been suggested to significantly enhance blood compatibility, biostability and calcification-resistance by means of the synergistic effect of highly mobile and hydrophilic PEO chains and electrical repulsion of negatively charged sulfonate groups. This study was designed to evaluate the anticalcification effect of surface-modification of biologic arteries by direct coupling of PEO-SO3 after GA fixation and changes of calcification according to the implantation period through the quantitative investigation of the deposited calcium and phosphorous contents of the biologic arterial tissues in the canine circulatory implantation model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Total of 16 fresh canine carotid arteries were harvested from eight adult dogs and divided in to GA group(n =8) and PEO-SO3 group(n=8). Sulfonation of diamino-terminated PEO was performed using propane sultone. Canine carotid arteries were only crosslinked with 0.65% GA solution in GA group and modified by direct coupling 5% PEO-SO3 solution after GA crosslinkage for 2 days and stabilized by NaBH4 solution for 16 hours in PEO-SO3 group. In both groups the resected segment of bilateral carotid arteries were reconstructed. Reconstructed segments of the two groups were analysed the quantities of calcium and phosphorous contents after 3(n=4) and 6(n=4) weeks in vivo. RESULT: After implantation of 3 seeks, PEO-SO3 group showed significantly less depositions.