A purification scheme for the cytoplasmic form of malate dehydrogenase (s-MDH) of Drosophila melanogaster is presented which is superior to any previously reported method. In addition, this scheme can also be used to obtain alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and FDP aldolase. Gel filtration experiments reveal an oligomeric molecular weight of 69,000 for s-MDH, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate indicates subunit molcular weights of 32,100 for s-MDH, 24,600 for ADH and 34,000 for FDP aldolase. The amino acid composition of Drosophila melanogaster s-MDH and FDP aldolase are reported. © 1984.

A simplified system for the preparation of cytoplasmic MDH from honey bee larvae is presented. The study shows the enzyme to be a dimer with a subunit molecular weight of 34,000. The enzyme was found to have a lower specific activity than that found in Drosophila melanogaster. © 1979.

Starch and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to ascertain the substrate specificities of alcohol-oxidizing enzymes in 13 Drosophila species. The substrates used were a variety of long- and short-chain aliphatic alcohols, one aromatic alcohol, and benzaldehyde. Only one enzyme (product of a single-gene locus) showed significant NAD+-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase activity with short-chain aliphatic alcohols. The 13 species, belonging to four different Drosophila groups, all showed a similar complement of alcohol-oxidizing enzymes, although differences in electrophoretic mobility and in levels of activity existed from species to species. These findings are relevant to the adaptation of Drosophila to alcohol environments.

Purpose

To describe fluocinolone acetonide implant dissociations in the Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment (MUST) Trial.

Design

Randomized clinical trial with extended follow-up.

Methods

Review of data collected on the first implant in the eye(s) of participants. Dissociation was defined as the drug pellet no longer being affixed to the strut and categorized as spontaneous or surgically related.

Results

A total of 250 eyes (146 patients) had at least 1 implant placed. Median follow-up time after implant placement was 6 years (range 0.5-9.2 years). Thirty-four dissociations were reported in 30 participants. There were 22 spontaneous events in 22 participants; 6-year cumulative risk of a spontaneous dissociation was 4.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4%-9.1%). The earliest event occurred 4.8 years after placement. Nine of 22 eyes with data had a decline in visual acuity ≥5 letters temporally related to the dissociation. Thirty-nine implant removal surgeries were performed, 33 with replacement. Twelve dissociations were noted during implant removal surgeries in 10 participants (26%, 95% CI 15%-48%); 5 of these eyes had a decline in visual acuity ≥5 letters after surgery. The time from implant placement to removal surgery was longer for the surgeries at which dissociated implants were identified than for those without one (5.7 vs 3.7 years, P < .001). Overall, visual acuity declined 15 or more letters from pre-implant values in 22% of affected eyes; declines were frequently associated with complications of uveitis or its treatment.

Conclusion

There is an increasing risk of dissociation of Retisert implants during follow-up; the risk is greater with removal/exchange surgeries, but the risk of both spontaneous and surgically related events increases with longevity of the implants. In 22% of affected eyes visual acuity declined by 15 letters. In the context of eyes with moderate to severe uveitis for years, this rate is not unexpected.

Purpose

To identify factors associated with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) presentation and 2-year outcome in 479 intermediate, posterior, and panuveitic eyes.

Design

Cohort study using randomized controlled trial data.

Methods

Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment (MUST) Trial masked BCVA measurements at baseline and at 2 years follow-up used gold-standard methods. Twenty-three clinical centers documented characteristics per protocol, which were evaluated as potential predictive factors for baseline BCVA and 2-year change in BCVA.

Results

Baseline factors significantly associated with reduced BCVA included age ≥50 vs <50 years; posterior vs intermediate uveitis; uveitis duration >10 vs <6 years; anterior chamber (AC) flare >grade 0; cataract; macular thickening; and exudative retinal detachment. Over 2 years, eyes better than 20/50 and 20/50 or worse at baseline improved, on average, by 1 letter (P = .52) and 10 letters (P < .001), respectively. Both treatment groups and all sites of uveitis improved similarly. Factors associated with improved BCVA included resolution of active AC cells, resolution of macular thickening, and cataract surgery in an initially cataractous eye. Factors associated with worsening BCVA included longer duration of uveitis (6-10 or >10 vs <6 years), incident AC flare, cataract at both baseline and follow-up, pseudophakia at baseline, persistence or incidence of vitreous haze, and incidence of macular thickening.

Conclusions

Intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis have a similarly favorable prognosis with both systemic and fluocinolone acetonide implant treatment. Eyes with more prolonged/severe inflammatory damage and/or inflammatory findings initially or during follow-up have a worse visual acuity prognosis. The results indicate the value of implementing best practices in managing inflammation.