Differentiation of neural stem cells into oligodendrocytes: epigenetic mechanisms & potential applications in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by relapsing-remitting episodes of inflammation and demyelination that result in axonal damage and eventually axonal loss. Current therapies cannot prevent or restore axonal damage since they do not promote rapid remyelination of affected axons. Implantation of myelinating cells could be an efficient strategy for that. Neural stem cells (NSCs) and NSC-derived oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are considered a promising clinically relevant source for such remyelinating cell grafts provided that (a) they can be stably differentiated into oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and (b) maturate into long-term functional oligodendrocytes after implantation. Therefore, our research focused on (a) revealing regulatory mechanisms that underlie the differentiation of NSCs into OPCs and (b) monitoring the survival, migration, and functionality of NSC-derived OPCs after implantation in MS animal models. We showed the indispensable role of the epigenetic regulator polycomb group protein Ezh2 in the stable differentiation of NSCs into OPCs and, by using high throughput DNA sequencing, we were able to pinpoint the specific genes whose expression is controlled by Ezh2 during NSC selfrenewal and OPC-differentiation. Using bioluminescence imaging, validated by immunohistochemical and electron microscopic analysis, we were able to monitor the fate of NSC-derived OPCs after grafting in MS models; we demonstrated their long-term ability to remyelinate axons and their efficacy to reduce clinical symptoms in acute as well as chronic EAE. Our data provide novel insight in the mechanism of oligodendrocyte differentiation and pave the way towards the clinical application of autologous NSC-derived OPCs in MS patients.

Absence of Colossal Magnetoresistance in the Oxypnictide PrMnAsO0.95F0.05

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This research is supported by the EPSRC (Research Grant EP/ L002493/1). We also acknowledge STFC-GB for provision of beamtime at ILL and ESRF.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

An Investigation of Multidimensional Energy Poverty in Pakistan

Poverty is an alarming problem all over the world. It is one of the severe challenges today faced by not only the developing nations but by the developed nations also. However, the problem is worst in developing countries [United Nations and IEA (2010)]. All these countries face poverty in different forms such as food poverty, energy poverty, shortage of natural resources, shortage of agricultural products, lack of shelter and clothing among others. It is persuasive to correlate poverty with lack of energy consumption also. Such a correlation identifies that poor use energy very inadequately [Pachauri, et al. (2004)]. Energy helps societies to move from one development stage to another. Worldwide energy demand is increasing while supply is decreasing due to increase in the world population, emerging economies and economic development. In current day to day life energy has become an essential requirement. For all of us energy is required for lighting, transportation, cooking, health services, and to fulfill many of our basic needs. Electricity access at household level enhances telecommunication, entertainment, and knowledge via radio, television, and computer etc

Economic and Cultural Relations Between Pakistan and the Soviet Union During Ayub Khan’s Period

This article deals with Pakistan and Soviet Union relationship from 1958 to 1969 during Ayub Khan’s regime. It highlights aspects of all events which were main obstacles among both countries relationship at that time. It also covers the following circumstances. What was the Ayub Khan’s policy in his early period and why did he give up soon and why did he make his foreign policy in the direction of Soviet Union? Firstly, from independence of Pakistan many Governments of Pakistan received many offers from Soviet Union for paid visit, but why did Ayub Khan visit Soviet Union three times in the land mark history of Pakistan? It also points out all the pacts which were made between Pakistan and Soviet Union and its role in the war of Indo-Pak 1965

Exploring the Effects of Globalization on Social Development: A Study of Punjab, Pakistan

Globalization is a multidimensional concept that relates to the various aspects of life such as social, cultural, political and economic. The social perspective of globalization means an exchange of cultural values and ideas that contribute to the global culture. However, it is still unclear to decide, whether globalization brings various communities close to each other or creates a gap between them. Although, globalization relates to better living standards of people but also leaves some negative impact on their social life. Therefore, the present research aimed to investigate the relationship between globalization and social developments of Pakistan. A household survey from 480 respondents was conducted from three districts of Punjab, Pakistan by using the multi-stage sampling technique. The analysis shows that globalization has introduced the new trends in the education, health and economic domain. The overall findings show that globalization has a positive correlation with the social development of Pakistan

An Investigation of Multidimensional Energy Poverty in Pakistan: A Province Level Analysis

Present study employs Alkire and Foster’s (2007) methodology to measure Multidimensional Energy Poverty (MEP) at provincial level in Pakistan. MEP Headcount has been calculated using PSLM data. Indoor pollution is found to be the largest contributor to MEP Headcount in all four provinces of Pakistan while cooking fuel is the second largest contributor. Results of MEP Headcount show that 47%, 51%, 69% and 66% of the households residing in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtoon Khaw (KPK) and Baluchistan provinces of Pakistan respectively are energy poor. Households of all the four provinces are most deprived in the dimension of indoor pollution i.e. in the range of 49% to 63% followed by cooking fuel i.e. in the range of 35% to 59%. Deprivation is least in the dimension of home appliances for all provinces except Baluchistan which is least deprived in entertainment appliances dimension.   Keywords: Multidimensional Energy Poverty; poverty measurement; decomposability; deprivation; Pakistan. JEL Classifications: D12; I32; O13; Q4