Survivin and p53 expression in primary and recurrent pterygium in Chinese patients.

AIM: To assess the expression of anti-apoptotic protein survivin and tumor suppressor p53 protein in primary and recurrent pterygium and to investigate the relationship between them. METHODS: Survivin was assessed immunohistochemically using rabbit polyclonal antibody and p53 using mouse monoclonal antibody in a study sample of 20 cases of primary pterygium, 10 cases of recurrent pterygium and 10 cases of normal conjunctiva. RESLULTS: In our study, 35% of primary (7 of 20) and 40% of recurrent (4 of 10) pterygium specimens were positive for survivin staining; 45% of primary (9 of 20) and 50% of recurrent (5 of 10) pterygium specimens were positive for p53 expression; and all normal conjunctiva showed no staining of either survivin or p53. The p53 and survivin immunoreactivity in primary and recurrent pterygium groups was greater than those in normal conjunctiva group (P<0.05). There were no differences in p53 and survivin immunoreactivity between groups of primary and recurrent pterygium (P>0.05). The expression of survivin clearly segregated with p53-positive pterygium as compared with p53-negative cases [8 of 14 cases (57.1%) vs 3 of 16 cases (15.2%)]. The Fisher's exact test analysis confirmed a highly statistically significant correlation between survivin and p53 expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The survivin and p53 are overexpressed with correlation between them in primary and recurrent pterygium.

[Splicing site mutation of D19S418 in PRPF-31 gene and its phenotypic characters with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the disease-causing gene and phenotypic characters of a large family with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). METHODS: Disease status and associated ocular abnormalities of eight patients and six unaffected members who represent different generations of this family were assessed by measurement of visual psychophysics, full-field and multifocal electrophysiology (ERG and mfERG) and funds fluorescent angiography (FFA). The DNA samples of nineteen patients and fifteen unaffected individuals in this family were examined by Genome scanning, linkage analysis and mutation detection to identify coding sequence changes. RESULTS: A case with variable, early onset night blindness before 10 years and visual field loss in their teens was found. Macular dystrophy, progressing to a retinitis pigmentosa phenotype was demonstrated in most adult cases. Both a-wave and b-wave amplitudes of photopic and scotopic full-field ERG were marked reduced and nearly non-detectable, demonstrating severe damage of photoreceptor systems. There were two obligate gene carriers in the family which remained asymptomatic in the clinical. But one of them was found with a minimal RP characteristic and the other was normal by examination of fundus and ERG. An unreported splicing site mutation (IVS5-1G > A) was identified in intron 5- acceptor site of PRPF-31 gene on chromosome 19. ERG and molecular genetic findings were consistent with the reclassification of this disease as an autosomal dominant RP. CONCLUSION: It is a novel splicing site mutation that IVS5-1G > A of D19S418 site in PRFP31, the relative phenotypes by which main displayed type I/diffuse has variable expressivity and complex phenotype.

[Transplantation of amniotic membrane and amniotic membrane combined with limbal autograft for patients with complicated pterygium].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the curative effects of amniotic membrane transplantation and amniotic membrane combined with limbal autograft on patients of complicated pterygium. METHODS: Forty-two cases (48 eyes) of recurrent pterygium or pseudopterygium were operated on with human amniotic membrane transplantation (20 cases 22 eyes) and amniotic membrane combined with limbal autograft (22 cases 26 eyes). All cases were followed up for 6-12 months. RESULTS: In 2 week postoperation, corneal wound recovered quickly and cured by epithelium except two eyes in amniotic membrane combined with limbal autograft group, but 8 eyes were not cured in amniotic membrane transplantation group. There was significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). In the terms of follow-up, no rejection or recurrence were found in amniotic membrane with limbal autograft group, but 3 eyes recurred a relapse in amniotic membrane transplantation group. CONCLUSION: Amniotic membrane combined with limbal autograft is more effective in the treatment of recurrence or pseudopterygium than amniotic membrane transplantation, and is able to inhibit fibrosis, reconstruct the ocular surface and promote the epithelial recovery, so as to improve the curative effect and decrease the recurrence.

[Exclusive gene mapping on retinitis pigmentosa with markers on chromosomes 3 in a Chinese kindred].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between the rhodopsin gene on chromosome 3 and autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP) in a Chinese kindred. METHODS: Sixteen normal persons and 18 RP patients in a ADRP family were recruited. Genome scan method based on fluorescence labeled (using 3 different labels: 6-FAM, HEX, and NED) microsatellite markers with multiplex PCR system was used to identify loci influencing susceptibility to ADRP. Fourteen microsatellites (D3S1297, D3S1263, D3S1266, D3S1289, D3S1300, D3S3681, D3S1271, D3S1292, D3S1569, D3S1279, D3S1614, D3S1262, D3S1580 and D3S1311) on chromosome 3 were used as genetic markers. Linkage analysis (using Genescan3.0, GeneScan Analysis 2.1, Genotyper 2.1 and Designer sofe system) was performed using these markers. RESULTS: The LOD value was

[Cyclosporin A combined with dexamethasone in preventing and treating immune rejection after penetrating keratoplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of topical 1% cyclosporin A (CsA), 0.1% dexamethasone or 1% CsA combined with 0.1% dexamethasone in preventing and treating immune rejection after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). METHODS: Eighty-six eyes from 86 PKP patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) Thirty-one eyes were treated with 1% CsA and dexamethasone for 3 months. (2) Twenty-nine eyes were treated with 1% CsA for 3 months; (3) Twenty-six eyes were treated with 0.1% dexamethasone for 3 months. The rejected eyes of postoperation were given with the dexamethasone injection under conjunctiva and increased the frequency of CsA and dexamethasone eye drops. All patients were followed up for 1 to approximately 2 years. RESULTS: There was a statistical difference in the 3 groups in the postoperative immune rejection which occurred in 5 out of 29 (17.3% ) eyes treated with 1% CsA, 7 out of 26 (26.9%) treated with 0.1% dexamathasone, and 3 out of 31 (9.7%) with 1% CsA and dexamethasone. The immune rejection after PKP occurred in 15 eyes and 13 eyes were cured by sub-conjunctiva injection of dexamethasone combined with eye drops of 1% CsA and 0. 1% dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of CsA combined with dexamethasone topically is better than that of 1% CsA or 0.1% dexamethasone alone in preventing rejection episodes. It is effective to cure the graft rejection after PKP with sub-conjunctiva injection of dexamethasone combined with the eye drop of 1% CsA and 0.1% dexamethasone.