Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections: Negligent and Emerging Pathogens

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a heterogeneous group of microorganisms other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) complex and Mycobacterium leprae. NTM infections have increased globally and are now considered an emerging infection as they are often encountered in developed countries. NTMs require extended treatment adding considerably to the economic burden. The increasing number of patients with immunocompromised disorders, increasing usage of immunosuppressive agents, general awareness of the NTM diseases due to the advancement in molecular diagnostic techniques and aging of the population increase the prevalence rate of NTM infections. However, several barriers such as the requirement of better diagnostic techniques, settled treatment guidelines, clinician awareness and knowledge of pathogenesis are limiting and NTM infections are often not treated promptly. Etiology and epidemiology of NTM infections [Mmycobacterium avium complex (slowly growing mycobacteria, SGM) and rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM)] are discussed in this chapter. Clinical features, diagnosis and currently available treatment guidelines for these infections in skin, eye and lung are summarized. Suggestions for future research directions are suggested particularly for the better understanding of host-pathogen crosstalk and new therapeutic strategies

Two models of experimental myopia in the mouse

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to test the response of the mouse eye to two methods for the induction of experimental myopia.MethodsGrowth patterns of eyes were determined by axial length measurements from birth to adult in eyes of both sexes of normal mice examined on post-natal day 1 to 6 months and at 1 year. For the induction of experimental myopia, Balb/cJ mice were prepared with either unilateral lid suture or by a −10D spectacle lens placed over one eye at post-natal day 10. Other mice received a plano lens as a control for lens wear. Refraction was carried out at post-natal days of 28, 42 and 56 in lid suture and spectacle lens wear group by streak retinoscopy. Axial length was measured by a combination of video image photography, digital caliper, or Optical Low Coherence Interferometry (OLCI). Corroborative optical modeling of the mouse eye was carried out using ZEMAX ray tracing software.ResultsAxial length (AL) increased linearly between post-natal day 1 to day 56, plateauing at about 140 days. After 18 days of unilateral lid suture initiated 10 days after birth, the AL of experimental eyes was 3.032±0.003mm, while AL in contra-lateral control eyes was 2.981±0.005mm (mean±sem, p<0.05, n=40), after 32 days, the AL of experimental eyes was 3.290±0.004mm, and the AL of control eyes was 3.104±0.002mm (p<0.001, n=60). After 46 days of lid closure AL of experimental eyes was 3.592±0.003mm, while AL of control eyes was 3.363±0.003mm (p<0.001, n=80). Spectacle lens wear of 46 days duration increased AL in experimental eyes to 3.721±0.002mm, while AL in control eyes was 3.354±0.003mm (p<0.001, n=100). Refraction and ray tracing analysis substantiated the dimensional changes to be consistent with increased AL.ConclusionsTwo procedures to induce experimental myopia, initiated at eye opening, produced significant myopic shifts corresponding to increases in axial lengths after 32 and 46 days of lid suture and after 46 days wearing a −10D spectacle lens

Tafazzin regulates human conjunctiva epithelial cell proliferation via inhibiting TGFβ signaling pathway

Molecular Vision181402-1410MVEP

Evaluation of gene expression profiles and pathways underlying postnatal development in mouse sclera

Molecular Vision181436-1448MVEP

Strategies in Translating the Therapeutic Potentials of Host Defense Peptides

The golden era of antibiotics, heralded by the discovery of penicillin, has long been challenged by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Host defense peptides (HDPs), previously known as antimicrobial peptides, are emerging as a group of promising antimicrobial candidates for combatting AMR due to their rapid and unique antimicrobial action. Decades of research have advanced our understanding of the relationship between the physicochemical properties of HDPs and their underlying antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial functions, including immunomodulatory, anti-biofilm, and wound healing properties. However, the mission of translating novel HDP-derived molecules from bench to bedside has yet to be fully accomplished, primarily attributed to their intricate structure-activity relationship, toxicity, instability in host and microbial environment, lack of correlation between in vitro and in vivo efficacies, and dwindling interest from large pharmaceutical companies. Based on our previous experience and the expanding knowledge gleaned from the literature, this review aims to summarize the novel strategies that have been employed to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy, proteolytic stability, and cell selectivity, which are all crucial factors for bench-to-bedside translation of HDP-based treatment. Strategies such as residues substitution with natural and/or unnatural amino acids, hybridization, L-to-D heterochiral isomerization, C- and N-terminal modification, cyclization, incorporation with nanoparticles, and “smart design” using artificial intelligence technology, will be discussed. We also provide an overview of HDP-based treatment that are currently in the development pipeline

Effect of intracameral injection of fibrin tissue sealant on the rabbit anterior segment

Molecular Vision161087-1097MVEP