Pterygium surgery combined with the removal of a missed occult iris foreign body detected incidentally during pterygium examination: a case report.

BACKGROUND: An occult foreign body may be retained in patient with small self-sealing wound and no decreased visual acuity without complete examination. Here we report a case of a retained occult ferrous iris foreign body detected incidentally during pterygium examination. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old man presented to our ophthalmology department because of foreign body sensation and persistent redness in both eyes for 2 years. In the left eye, a pterygium, paracentral corneal opacity and a vertically oval pupil were observed. Ultrasound biomicroscopy and gonioscopy revealed a retained metallic-like foreign body partially embedded in the inferior peripheral iris. Pterygium surgery and the removal of the retained iris foreign body were performed simultaneously. No recurrent pterygium or residual foreign body was found during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A thorough history should be obtained and complete physical examination should be performed in patients with ocular self-sealing wounds to prevent missed intraocular foreign bodies, which may result in potential sight-threatening ocular complications.

Immunoregulatory effects of ethyl-acetate fraction of extracts from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et. Gilg on immune functions of ICR mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) of extracts from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et. Gilg (TDG) on immune functions of ICR mice. METHODS: ICR mice were exposed to different doses of EAF for 15 or 30 days and then their immune functions were analyzed, including ConA-induced splenic lymphocyte transformation, SRBC-induced delayed type hypersensitivity response, serum hemolysin analysis, antibody-producing cells, peritoneal macrophage phagocytized chicken red blood cells, natural killer cell activity, and serum level of cytokines. RESULTS: EAF of extracts from TDG at different doses had various effects on immune functions of ICR mice. As compared with the controls, it increased the mouse spleen lymphocyte transformation induced by ConA, the left-hind voix pedis thickness and the number of plague forming cells (PFCs) at the dose of 1.82 mg/mL, 5.48 mg/mL, and 9.12 mg/mL, respectively; increased the ink clearance ability at the dose of 0.91 mg/mL, 1.82 mg/mL, 5.48 mg/mL, and 9.12 mg/mL, respectively; increased the phagocytosis index of mononuclear-macrophages and production of serum interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) at the dose of 5.48 mg/mL; and could promote the production of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) at the dose of 9.12 mg/mL. CONCLUSION: EAF of extracts from TDG can regulate mouse immune functions in vivo.

Antimutagenicity of propolis against some mutagens in vivo and in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antimutagenicity of propolis in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 were used as a test model in vitro against a direct mutagen DMC and an indirect mutagen 2AF with or without S9 mix, and MN formation of mice bone marrow cell and CAs induction of mice testicle cell were applied as a test model in vivo against two mutagens CP and MMC. RESULTS: The present study clearly demonstrated that propolis could inhibit mutagenicity of both DMC and 2AF directly in a dose-dependent manner, and significant antimutagenic effects (P < 0.05) were obtained in TA98 strain at 2000 and 3000 microg/plate. It also could inhibit mutagenicity of both DMC and 2AF to TA98 strain in a dose-dependent manner, with significant antimutagenic effects (P < 0.05) appeared at 1000, 2000, and 3000 microg/plate. The results of antimutagenicity test in vivo revealed that propolis could inhibit MN formation significantly (P < 0.05) at the doses of 45.0 and 135.0 mg/kg b. w., and decrease the frequency of chromosome aberrants and chromosome aberrant cells significantly (P < 0.05) only at the dose of 135.0 mg/kg b. w. CONCLUSION: The propolis is a good inhibitor for mutagencity of DMC and 2AF in vitro, as well as for CP and MMC in vivo.

[Prophylaxis of acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation by mycophenolate mofetil in a murine model].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of mycophenolate mofetile (MMF) on acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) prophylaxis after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) in a murine model. METHODS: Acute GVHD was induced in male BALB/c mice by total-body irradiation (TBI) followed by female allogeneic (C57BL/6J) bone marrow and spleen cells transplantation. Acute GVHD was assessed both physically and histologically. Severe aGVHD was developed in the recipients and the mean survival time (MST) of untreated BM recipients was 6 days. After allo-BMT, animals were divided into 6 groups. Group 1 was given MMF (30 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)), group 2 CsA (1.5 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) and MTX (0.4 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)), group 3 MMF (30 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) in combination with CsA and MTX, group 4 MMF (60 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) in combination with CsA and MTX, group 5 MMF (10 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) in combination with CsA and MTX, and group 6 no agents for aGVHD prophylaxis. The physical signs, MST, peripheral blood counts, and aGVHD histopathologic examination were observed in all recipients. RESULTS: Animals in control group developed typical aGVHD and 100% of mortality, with a MST of 6 days. The MSTs of group 1 approximately 5 were significantly longer than that of control, being 3.4, 8.4, 9.0, 6.1 and 8.8 days longer, respectively (P < 0.05). The MSTs of groups 2 approximately 5 were longer than that of group 1 (P < 0.05), but there was no statistical significance between groups 3 approximately 5 and 2. There was no statistical difference in peripheral blood count among groups 1 approximately 5. Histopathological examination of skin, liver, and gastrointestinal tract showed typical signs of aGVHD. Animals received immunosuppressive agents (MMF, CsA, MTX) showed the less severe signs. CONCLUSIONS: MMF markedly prolonged MST of allo-BMT recipients, delayed the onset of aGVHD signs. The prophylaxis effect of CsA + MTX with or without MMF was better than that of MMF alone, synergism between MMF of 10 or 30 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) and CsA + MTX was better than that of MMF of 60 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) and CsA + MTX.