Biosynthesis of stromal matrix proteoglycans and basement membrane components by human corneal fibroblasts.

The proteoglycans produced by intact human corneas and corneal cells in culture were compared by characterizing the biosynthetically radiolabeled proteoglycans and by using antibodies to detect their core proteins. Organ cultures of corneas primarily produce a keratan sulfate proteoglycan (KSPG) and a chondroitin and dermatan sulfate proteoglycan (decorin). Immunostaining with antibodies specific for the core proteins of KSPG and decorin showed that these proteoglycans are localized to the corneal stroma. The stroma also contained trace amounts of matrix that stained with antibodies to basement membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan (perlecan) and laminin. Corneal fibroblasts in culture produced decorin, but the synthesis of KSPG appeared to be blocked at the level of core protein synthesis. Corneal fibroblasts in culture, however, produced perlecan in greater amounts than they did in organ cultures, and they synthesized both perlecan and laminin in greater amounts than did corneal epithelial cells in culture. These results indicate that the synthesis of proteoglycans by human corneal fibroblasts in culture is altered, resulting in increased production of basement membrane-associated proteoglycans and decreased synthesis of corneal stroma-associated proteoglycans.

[Our experience in the correction of a short frenulum labialis by Z-plasty]. / La nostra esperienza nella correzione della brevità del frenulo labiale mediante plastica a "z".

The authors report their experience of the reconstruction by z-plasty in cases of shortness of the lip frenum. Amongst several techniques they used for this correction they got best results utilizing a z-plasty, with wide flaps, planned so that after the transposition of the flaps the medial branch of the z-plasty falls horizontally into the deeper vestibular fornix. In all cases treated by that z-plasty the A. obtained a widening of the adherent part of the gingiva, deepening of the vestibulum, no recurrence of the shortness was observed.

Growth of acanthamoeba on human corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes in vitro.

Acanthamoebic keratitis, a potentially devastating infection usually associated with contact lens wear, has been recognized with increasing frequency in recent years. Once the Acanthamoeba organisms gain access to the human cornea, it is not clear which constituents of the corneal milieu provide a substrate for their growth. The growth of Acanthamoeba polyphaga was investigated on cultured monolayers of human corneal epithelial cells, stromal keratocytes, and stromal homogenate suspensions. Growth was determined through organism counts and observation of cytopathic effects on tissue culture dishes. Compared with tissue culture media controls, acanthamoebic growth was supported by cultured epithelial cells and keratocytes but not stromal homogenates. These results suggest that in acanthamoebic keratitis the organisms depend on the cellular components of the cornea as substrates for growth. This in vitro model may also provide further information on the pathogenesis of keratitis and a system for drug sensitivity testing.

[A proposal for a protocol for the registration of data on cases of cleft lip and jaw]. / Proposta di un protocollo per il rilevamento dei dati inerenti i casi di cheilognatoschisi.

The Authors describe a standardized registration system applied to gnathoplasty and its follow-up. That allows both longitudinal growth study and clinical evaluations on the surgical method. If similar standardized registration systems could be adopted by several clinical teams, a comparison between different gnathoplasty methods should be possible and obviously useful.

[Hypertrophy of the concha of the auricle. Details of the technic]. / Ipertrofia della conca del padiglione auricolare. Un dettaglio di tecnica.

Ear concha hypertrophy corrected by elliptical conchal excision often resulted in deformity due to lateral deviation of the anterior part of the concha. A modification of the method allows to avoid that deviation: the conchal ellipse is left connected to the conchal floor, is weakened by half thickness incisions parallel to the edge; the conchal floor thus flattened is sutured to the lateral side of the head by non absorbable suture.

[A simple method for proposing several profiles to patients undergoing rhinoplasty or profileplasty]. / Semplice metodo per proporre vari profili ai pazienti da sottoporre a rinoplastica o profiloplastica.

The authors describe a simple mean to visualize the several profiles which is possible to perform in the patient who is undergoing rhinoplasty or profiloplasty procedure. Failure in giving a clear opportunity of choice of a profile may lead to misunderstanding between surgeon and patient.

Hyperproliferation of conjunctival fibroblasts from patients with cicatricial pemphigoid.

The characteristic conjunctival scarring in cicatricial pemphigoid is a consequence of subepithelial fibrosis. The fibroblast is the cellular element responsible for fibrosis. To increase the understanding of the pathogenesis of abnormal fibrosis in cicatricial pemphigoid, the growth characteristics of conjunctival fibroblasts, from untreated patients with cicatricial pemphigoid (n = 9) and normal controls (n = 6), were studied in tissue culture. The latent period until fibroblast outgrowth began from the conjunctival explant was determined, as were the plating efficiency and doubling time of cells from first-passage cultures. Outgrowths of fibroblasts from patients with cicatricial pemphigoid appeared significantly sooner than from controls, 8.1 +/- 3.8 vs 19.3 +/- 6.4 (mean +/- SD) days. While there was no significant difference in the plating efficiency between fibroblasts from cicatricial pemphigoid (mean +/- SD, 116.4% +/- 44.6%) and those from controls (71.0% +/- 39.4%), the doubling time was significantly faster for cicatricial pemphigoid than for controls, 26.5 +/- 8.5 vs 50.7 +/- 7.8 hours. Thus, conjunctival fibroblasts from patients with cicatricial pemphigoid are hyperproliferative in tissue culture when compared with normal controls. Therefore, scarring, which characterizes cicatricial pemphigoid, may be due, in part, to excessive fibroblast proliferation.