Infrapatellar fat pad adipose-derived stem cells co-cultured with articular chondrocytes from osteoarthritis patients exhibit increased chondrogenic gene expression.

AIM: The variable results in clinical trials of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) for chondral defects may be due to the different ex vivo culture conditions of the ASCs which are implanted to treat the lesions. We sought to determine the optimal in vitro chondrocyte co-culture condition that promotes infrapatellar fat pad-derived (IFPD) ASC chondrogenic gene expression in a novel co-culture combination. METHODS: In our study, we utilized an in vitro autologous co-culture of IFPD ASCs and articular chondrocytes derived from Kellgren-Lawrence Grade III/IV osteoarthritic human knee joints at ASC-to-chondrocyte seeding log ratios of 1:1, 10:1, and 100:1. Gene expression following in vitro co-culture was quantified by RT-qPCR with a panel comprising COL1A1, COL2A1, COL10A1, L-SOX5, SOX6, SOX9, ACAN, HSPG2, and COMP for chondrogenic gene expression. RESULTS: The chondrogenic gene expression profiles from co-cultures were greater than would be expected from an expression profile modeled from chondrocyte and ASC-only monocultures. Additionally, chondrogenic gene expression decreased with increasing ASC-to-chondrocyte seeding ratios. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying clinical ASC therapies and signifies that IFPD ASCs pre-conditioned by chondrocyte co-culture may have improved chondrogenic potential for cartilage repair. This model can help further understand IFPD ASCs in chondral and osteochondral repair and the chondrogenic pathways involved. Video Abstract

Tunable gigahertz dynamics of low-temperature skyrmion lattice in a chiral magnet

Recently, it has been shown that the chiral magnetic insulator Cu2OSeO3hosts skyrmions in two separated pockets in temperature and magnetic field phase space. It has also been shown that the predominant stabilization mechanism for the low-temperature skyrmion (LTS) phase is via the crystalline anisotropy, opposed to temperature fluctuations that stabilize the well-established high-temperature skyrmion (HTS) phase. Here, we report on a detailed study of LTS generation by field cycling, probed by GHz spin dynamics in Cu2OSeO3. LTSs are populated via a field cycling protocol with the static magnetic field applied parallel to the ⟨100⟩ crystalline direction of plate and cuboid-shaped bulk crystals. By analyzing temperature-dependent broadband spectroscopy data, clear evidence of LTS excitations with clockwise (CW), counterclockwise (CCW), and breathing mode (BR) character at temperatures belowT= 40 K are shown. We find that the mode intensities can be tuned with the number of field-cycles below the saturation field. By tracking the resonance frequencies, we are able to map out the field-cycle-generated LTS phase diagram, from which we conclude that the LTS phase is distinctly separated from the high-temperature counterpart. We also study the mode hybridization between the dark CW and the BR modes as a function of temperature. By using two Cu2OSeO3crystals with different shapes and therefore different demagnetization factors, together with numerical calculations, we unambiguously show that the magnetocrystalline anisotropy plays a central role for the mode hybridization

Nuclear structure calculations with a separable approximation for Skyrme interactions

A finite rank separable approximation for the quasiparticle RPA calculations with Skyrme interactions that was proposed in our previous work is extended to take into account the coupling between one- and two-phonon terms in the wave functions of excited states. It is shown that characteristics calculated within the suggested approach are in a good agreement with available experimental data.Comment: 6 pages, proceedings of the International Symposium on Physics of Unstable Nuclei (ISPUN02), Halong Bay, Vietnam, November 20-25, 200

Quasiparticle RPA with finite rank approximation for Skyrme interactions

A finite rank separable approximation for the particle-hole RPA calculations with Skyrme interactions is extended to take into account the pairing. As an illustration of the method energies and transition probabilities for the quadrupole and octupole excitations in some O, Ar, Sn and Pb isotopes are calculated. The values obtained within our approach are very close to those that were calculated within QRPA with the full Skyrme interaction. They are in reasonable agreement with experimental data.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure, submitted to Phys.Rev.

Neuroinflammatory Triangle Presenting Novel Pharmacological Targets for Ischemic Brain Injury

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Hundreds of clinical trials have proven ineffective in bringing forth a definitive and effective treatment for ischemic stroke, except a myopic class of thrombolytic drugs. That, too, has little to do with treating long-term post-stroke disabilities. These studies proposed diverse options to treat stroke, ranging from neurotropic interpolation to venting antioxidant activity, from blocking specific receptors to obstructing functional capacity of ion channels, and more recently the utilization of neuroprotective substances. However, state of the art knowledge suggests that more pragmatic focus in finding effective therapeutic remedy for stroke might be targeting intricate intracellular signaling pathways of the 'neuroinflammatory triangle': ROS burst, inflammatory cytokines, and BBB disruption. Experimental evidence reviewed here supports the notion that allowing neuroprotective mechanisms to advance, while limiting neuroinflammatory cascades, will help confine post-stroke damage and disabilities.Peer reviewe

DNA profiling of commercial chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

In the present study, genetic variability in 10 commercial chilli pepper varieties viz. Gemini, G-334, Agnirekha, Pusa jwala, Mangala, Black diamond, Sindura, Pusa jyothi, Badiga-2 and Teja (branch), cultivated in the local area of Andhra Pradesh State, India, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers was examined. Out of thee RAPD markers used for screening 10 chilli pepper genotypes, DNA amplification was observed only with OPAB02; this primer produced monomorphic band in Gemini,G-334, Black diamond and Sindura and polymorphic bands in Agnirekha, Pusa jwala, Mangala, Pusa jyothi, Badiga-2 and Teja (Branch). Genetic variabilty in terms of DNA pattern produced in the above varieties could be used as a marker to distinguish between them. Dendrogram generated by OPAB02 primer showed that the 10 chilli pepper varieties could be grouped into four clusters. Average genetic similarity index revealed 100% similarity between varieties of first cluster, 50% similarity between varieties of second and fourth clusters and 32% genetic similarity between varieties of third cluster. UPGMA cluster analysis will be useful in chilli pepper breeding programmes and germplasm conservation. Since the commercial value of chilli pepper is based on pungency level, future studies are aimed at molecular marker based pungency phenotyping.Keywords: Capsicum annuum, Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA, Dendrogram, Polymerase Chain Reaction.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(30), pp. 4730-473

A comparative analysis of machine learning approaches for plant disease identification

Background: The problems to leaf in plants are very severe and they usually shorten the lifespan of plants. Leaf diseases are mainly caused due to three types of attacks including viral, bacterial or fungal. Diseased leaves reduce the crop production and affect the agricultural economy. Since agriculture plays a vital role in the economy, thus effective mechanism is required to detect the problem in early stages.Methods: Traditional approaches used for the identification of diseased plants are based on field visits which is time consuming and tedious. In this paper a comparative analysis of machine learning approaches has been presented for the identification of healthy and non-healthy plant leaves. For experimental purpose three different types of plant leaves have been selected namely, cabbage, citrus and sorghum. In order to classify healthy and non-healthy plant leaves color based features such as pixels, statistical features such as mean, standard deviation, min, max and descriptors such as Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) have been used.Results:  382 images of cabbage, 539 images of citrus and 262 images of sorghum were used as the primary dataset. The 40% data was utilized for testing and 60% were used for training which consisted of both healthy and damaged leaves. The results showed that random forest classifier is the best machine method for classification of healthy and diseased plant leaves.Conclusion:  From the extensive experimentation it is concluded that features such as color information, statistical distribution and histogram of gradients provides sufficient clue for the classification of healthy and non-healthy plants

Analysis of Primary Surgery and Medical Treatment in the Management of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Background: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of medical and surgical treatment for management of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: Study included a total of 32 patients with 60 eyes, who were divided into two groups. 31 eyes were included in group A and were given medical treatment. 29 eyes were included in group B and were managed with primary surgery (Trabeculectomy). Results: The IOP was controlled in group A with one drug in 62.5% (n=10), with two drugs in 25% (n=4)and with three drugs in 6.25% (n=1). The IOP of group B patients was controlled by surgery alone in 81.25% (n=13) and with surgery and drugs in 18.75% (n=3). P values were found to be constantly less than 0.001. Conclusion: Primary surgery i.e. trabeculectomy is a superior modality of treatment for POAG as compared to medical therapy as it is cost-effective, IOP control is uniform and compliance is not a problem

Protective effect of Berberis asiatica root on biochemical and histopathological changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Berberis asiatica root extract (BAE) against streptozotocin induced elevated blood glucose level and other liver and kidney functions changes in adult male Wistar rats.Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups of six rats in each (Groups I-V). Group I and Group II served as normal control and disease control, respectively. Group III received standard anti-diabetic drug glibenclamide (5mg/kg), while Group IV and Group V received the low dose (250mg/kg) and high dose (500mg/kg) of BAE. Serum blood glucose, SGOT, SGPT, ALP, total bilirubin, BUN, serum creatinine, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL-C were estimated using standard methods. After collection of samples for biochemical evaluation, the pancreas from each animal was isolated and examined for histological changes.Results: BAE and glibenclamide treated disease rats showed significant (p <0.05) decrease in blood glucose concentration. Treatment with BAE at 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg in Group IV and V and standard drug glibenclamide in Group III showed significant (p <0.05) reduction in the level of liver function substances such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP and total bilirubin as compared to disease group, as well as showed significant (p <0.05) decrease in renal panel. Liver function parameters were significantly (p <0.05) improved in groups treated with BAE. Histopathological analysis revealed the protective effect of BAE against streptozotocin induced damage to islets of Langerhans.Conclusions: This study showed the destruction of islets of Langerhans and elevation in blood glucose level as well as alteration in other biochemical parameters were ameliorated by the effect of Berberis asiatica extract

Surgical Outcome of Cerebellopontine (CP) Angle Tumors

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics and surgical outcome of CP angle tumors.Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 10 cases admitted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan during the last 8 years. The predominating symptoms here related to the seventh and eighth cranial nerves and headache.Results: Study included 10 cases of CPA Tumour clinical presentation was hearing loss, tinnitus, abnormal bala-nce, headache, facial numbness and buccal numbness, ataxia and trigeminal neuralgia. We had 10 patients, came with above clinical presentations. All cases were operated through retromastoid sub-occipital craniectomy. VP shunt was inserted in 1 case. Histopathology report was four patients vestibular schwanoma three tentorial meni-ngioma, two epidermoid cyst and one patient had choroid plexuses papilloma.Complications: One patient developed meningitis due to cerebrospinal Fluid leakage at operative site. Lumber drain was placed to control leakage and infection was controlled by aggressive treatment. There was no mortality in our study. One patient developed recurrence of epidermoid cyst at the same site after seven and half years. None of the patients developed further cranial nerve deficit as compare to preoperative deficit. The maximum period of follow-up of one patient was seven and half year.Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that the retrosigmoid corridor is the safe surgical approach for CPA tumors. In case of CP angle epidermoid, there was no recurrence symptoms on the immediate follow-up. At ope-ration, the root entry zone of TN should be examined for evidence of additional vascular compressio