A new species of cellular slime mold from southern Portugal based on morphology, ITS and SSU sequences.

Sampling soils to look for dictyostelids in southern Portugal we found an isolate that has a morphology that differed from any previously described species of the group. We sequenced the internally transcribed spacer (ITS) and small subunit (SSU) genes of the nuclear ribosomal RNA and found that both sequences are distinct from all previously described sequences. Phylogenetic analyses place the new species in dictyostelid Group 3 (Rhizostelids) together with D. potamoides, with which it shares 65.8% identity for ITS and 96.6% for SSU. In this paper we describe a new species of cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium ibericum, based on morphological and molecular characters. It is a small species with polar granules in its spores.

Fibrous histiocytoma metastatic to the orbit.

The term fibrous histiocytoma encompasses a heterogenous group of tumors believed to have a common origin in the histiocyte. These tumors demonstrate a wide histopathologic spectrum ranging from a predominantly cellular to a predominantly fibrous pattern. No clinical or histological criteria have been identified that can predict malignant behavior. Although generally characterized by local recurrence, a metastatic potential does exist. Fibrous histiocytoma of the thigh metastasized to the orbit.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy of globes from young adult pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine anterior chamber ocular measurements of adult porcine globes without histologic fixation by use of ultrasound biomicroscopy scanning. SAMPLE POPULATION: 25 porcine globes obtained at an abattoir. PROCEDURE: Globes were packed on ice for transport. In the laboratory, globes were trimmed, rinsed with antibiotic solution, secured on a single gauze-fold in a latex holder, then were ultrasonogrammed unreformed. Ultrasound biomicroscopy scanning was done, using a 50-MHz transducer, 17-mm cup, and 2% methyl cellulose. RESULTS: Average young adult pig external ocular measurements were: nasal-temporal corneal diameter, 16.61 mm; superior-inferior corneal diameter, 14.00 mm; nasal-temporal globe diameter, 25.48 mm; superior-inferior globe diameter, 24.48 mm; and axial length 21.64 mm. Ultrasound biomicroscopy anterior chamber measurements were: iris sulcus, 30.45 degrees; ciliary sulcus, 18.89 degrees; central corneal thickness, 0.98 mm; corneal thickness at limbus, 1.19 mm; central iris thickness, 0.58 mm; iris tip to ciliary apex, 1.73 mm; iris tip to iris sulcus origin, 3.83 mm; iris tip to ciliary sulcus origin, 2.98 mm; anterior chamber depth from iris tip to cornea, 2.21 mm; central anterior chamber depth, 2.47 mm; ciliary process mid-thickness, 0.65 mm; ciliary process apex to origin of iris sulcus, 2.32 mm; ciliary process apex to origin of ciliary sulcus, 1.34 mm; zonular bundle diameter, 0.10 mm; and interzonular bundle space, 0.11 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic anterior chamber measurements and relations in porcine globes can be used to describe trauma, confirm existence of lesions, and help explain theory. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a clinical decision aid facilitating noninvasive anatomic or pathologic description without histologic fixation.

Tumors of the eye in Saudi Arabia.

The geographic incidence of tumors usually uncovers the influence that environment, race and culture exert upon the prevalence of cancer. Therefore this study of tumors of the eye is presented as a baseline for Saudi Arabia between the years 1982G and 1989G. The most common malignant tumors, in decreasing order of frequency, are retinoblastoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva, basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid, and malignant melanoma. The most common benign tumors, in the same order, are nevi, epithelial cysts, hemangiomas and dermoid cysts. There are, in Saudi Arabia, certain unique features for retinoblastoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Furthermore, these conditions have distinctive incidence rates when compared with cancer incidence in Western countries.

Atypical presentation of Coats disease.

PURPOSE: To highlight the possibility of intraocular calcification in Coats disease and evaluate the ultrasound and computed tomographic findings. METHOD: A 7.5-year-old boy had a 2-week history of unilateral glaucoma and leukocoria with retinal detachment, suggestive of Coats disease. The possibility of retinoblastoma, however, could not be excluded by ultrasound or computed tomographic examination, which revealed a retinal detachment overlying a subretinal mass with calcification. The blind, painful eye was subsequently enucleated. RESULTS: Histopathologically, there were telangiectatic retinal vessels in a fold of the detached retina peripherally and proteinaceous exudate in the subretinal space containing cholesterol clefts and foamy histiocytes, characteristic of Coats disease. There was also a fibro-osseous nodule in the macular area that correlated with intraocular calcification clinically. CONCLUSION: This case provides the first documentation of ancillary corroboration of intraocular bone formation in Coats disease, which, although rare, is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma.

Limbal vernal keratoconjunctivitis with a hypertrophic limbal mass lesion.

A case of limbal vernal keratoconjunctivitis associated with a hypertrophic mass lesion measuring 8 X 5 X 3 mm is reported. The histopathology of this mass, which consisted of hyperplastic epithelium with eosinophilic infiltration and thickened subepithelial stroma of irregular hyperplastic collagenous connective tissue interspersed with numerous eosinophils and inflammatory cells, is presented. A large limbal-mass lesion such as this has not been previously described in association with limbal vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Early color vision changes in age-related maculopathy.

Little is known about the early natural history (prior to visual acuity loss) of age-related maculopathy (ARM). We report here results from noninvasive psychophysical tests designed to evaluate aspects of chromatic and achromatic visual processing in patients with ARM known to be at increased visual risk. These tests results indicate that prior to a visual acuity loss the sensitivity of the B-Y chromatic pathway and the achromatic system is reduced. This reduction increases over time and accelerates at or near the time of clinically manifest signs. At that time it also includes sensitivity loss in the R-G chromatic pathway.

The effect of calcium dobesilate on nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy: a controlled study.

Two independent, double-masked, controlled studies were made to evaluate the efficacy of calcium dobesilate for the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Forty-two patients underwent a six-month crossover evaluation while receiving calcium dobesilate (750 mg per day) and placebo in random order. Thirty-six patients received calcium dobesilate (1,000 mg per day) or placebo for one year. Evaluation by clinical examination, fluorescein angiography, angiography, and fundus photography failed to demonstrate any beneficial effect of calcium dobesilate.

Fundus albipunctatus and retinitis punctata albescens in a pedigree with an R150Q mutation in RLBP1.

Fundus albipunctatus (FA; OMIM 136880) is a rare form of apparently stationary night blindness characterized by the presence of myriad symmetrical round white dots in the fundus with a greater concentration in the midperiphery. A distantly similar but distinct clinical entity, retinitis punctata albescens (RPA), is also characterized by aggregation of irregular white flecks but is progressive and evolves to generalized atrophy of the retina. We studied 4 consanguineous kindreds diagnosed with FA from Saudi Arabia. Given the substantial phenotypic variation and overlap between different flecked retinal dystrophies, we evaluated all known genes associated with such conditions by both genetic analysis and direct sequencing. In one kindred, KKESH-099, we identified a homozygous R150Q alteration in RLBP1, the gene encoding the cellular retinaldehyde binding protein, associated previously with both recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) and RPA. Examination of several patients aged 3-20 years over a 9-year period presented no evidence for either RP or RPA. In contrast, clinical examination of individuals with the same mutation in their fourth and fifth decade revealed signs consistent with RPA. The data suggest that the R150Q mutation in RLBP1 may result in RPA with slow progression. More importantly, younger individuals diagnosed with the milder disorder FA thought to be stationary may evolve to a more devastating and progressive phenotype.