In Vitro Propagation of Citrus Rootstocks

Present investigation was conducted to standardize a protocol for in-vitro propagation of citrus rootstocks viz. Rough lemon, Cleopatra mandarin Pectinifera and Troyer citrange. The shoot tip explant was found better for callus induction of these rootstocks than the nodal segment. Maximum callus formation (40.0% and 23.3%) of shoot tip explants was obtained in Cleopatra mandarin, Pectinifera, and Rough lemon and Troyer citrange, respectively in treatment MS basal media + 0.5mg/l Kin, 2.0mg/l NAA, and 2.0mg/l 2, 4-D. Furthermore, the maximum number of shoots per explant was obtained through the callus in Pectinifera, Rough lemon and Cleopatra mandarin in MS basal media + BAP 1mg/l. Maximum rooting of shoots (1.11%) was noted in rootstock Rough lemon followed by Cleopatra mandarin for the ½ MS media supplemented with 10mg/l IBA. Although the callus development and bud proliferation was recorded in rootstock Troyer citrange however, shoot and root formation did not occur. The potting media consisting of soil, sand and FYM in the ratio of 1:1:1 by volume was better with maximum survival rate of hardened plants six weeks after transferring to the pots under greenhouse for Rough lemon followed by Pectinifera and Cleopatra mandarin rootstock

RECENT ADVANCES INPHARMACOTHERAPY OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

The management of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been a long-standing challenge and area of interest. Advances in knowledge of the pathogenesis of disease and an increase in disease burden have prompted investigation into innovative therapeutics over the last two decades. Current approved therapies are symptomatic treatments having some effect on cognitive function. Therapies that target β-amyloid (Aβ) have been the focus of efforts to develop a disease modification treatment for AD but these approaches have failed to show any clinical benefit so far. Beyond the 'Aβ hypothesis', there are a number of newer approaches to treat AD. This short review will summarize approved drug therapies, recent clinical trials and new approaches for the treatment of AD

Jaundice in adult patients above 50 years of age: a comparative study of liver function tests

Background: Diagnosis of jaundice involves a range of tests. The liver function tests are done in all to arrive at a diagnosis and then manage the case appropriately. With advancing age, the incidence of liver disease increases. Understanding these changes is important for the management of liver diseases in the elderly. We conducted this study to find the difference in mean levels of Liver enzymes in younger and older age group of patients suffering with jaundice.Methods: It was a prospective observational study. All patients admitted with jaundice in the medicine ward satisfying inclusion/exclusion criteria were enrolled. The results of liver function tests in younger age and older age participants were then compared.Results: Total 100 participants were enrolled during the study period. 53 were enrolled in group one and the rest in group two. Anorexia (90%) was the most common symptom followed by abdominal distension (54%). The total bilirubin (8.8±4.7) as well as conjugated bilirubin (3.4±2.8) were higher in group one though they were not significant statistically (p=0.10 and 0.25 respectively). Mean AST and ALT levels were much higher in group 1 and statistically significant (p values <0.004 and 0.002 respectively). Conversely the mean PT values were higher in group two (p=0.02).Conclusions: Although the symptom severity may be more in elderly, the LFTs are not deranged proportionately. So there is a need to devise separate cut offs and these have to be lower for the older age group patients with jaundice. More studies with larger sample size are required to confirm the results

Efficacy and Safety Comparison Between Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid and Mitomycin C in Reducing the Risk of Corneal Haze After PRK Treatment In Vivo

PURPOSE: This study compared the efficacy and safety of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and mitomycin C (MMC) up to 4 months in the prevention of corneal haze induced by photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in rabbits in vivo. METHODS: Corneal haze in rabbits was produced with −9.00 diopter PRK. A single application of SAHA (25 μM) or MMC (0.02%) was applied topically immediately after PRK. Effects of the two drugs were analyzed by slit-lamp microscope, specular microscope, TUNEL assay, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Single topical adjunct use of SAHA (25 μM) or MMC (0.02%) after PRK attenuated more than 95% corneal haze and myofibroblast formation (P \u3c .001). SAHA did not reduce keratocyte density, cause keratocyte apoptosis, or increase immune cell infiltration compared to MMC (P \u3c .01 or .001). Furthermore, SAHA dosing did not compromise corneal endothelial phenotype, density, or function in rabbit eyes, whereas MMC application did (P \u3c .01 or .001). CONCLUSIONS: SAHA and MMC significantly decreased corneal haze after PRK in rabbits in vivo. SAHA exhibited significantly reduced short- and long-term damage to the corneal endothelium compared to MMC in rabbits. SAHA is an effective and potentially safer alternative to MMC for the prevention of corneal haze after PRK. Clinical trials are warranted

Targeted AAV5-Smad7 Gene Therapy Inhibits Corneal Scarring \u3cem\u3ein vivo\u3c/em\u3e

Corneal scarring is due to aberrant activity of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway following traumatic, mechanical, infectious, or surgical injury. Altered TGFβ signaling cascade leads to downstream Smad (Suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic) protein-mediated signaling events that regulate expression of extracellular matrix and myogenic proteins. These events lead to transdifferentiation of keratocytes into myofibroblasts through fibroblasts and often results in permanent corneal scarring. Hence, therapeutic targets that reduce transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts may provide a clinically relevant approach to treat corneal fibrosis and improve long-term visual outcomes. Smad7 protein regulates the functional effects of TGFβ signaling during corneal wound healing. We tested that targeted delivery of Smad7 using recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV5-Smad7) delivered to the corneal stroma can inhibit corneal haze post photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in vivo in a rabbit corneal injury model. We demonstrate that a single topical application of AAV5-Smad7 in rabbit cornea post-PRK led to a significant decrease in corneal haze and corneal fibrosis. Further, histopathology revealed lack of immune cell infiltration following AAV5-Smad7 gene transfer into the corneal stroma. Our data demonstrates that AAV5-Smad7 gene therapy is relatively safe with significant potential for the treatment of corneal disease currently resulting in fibrosis and impaired vision

Epigenetic Modification Prevents Excessive Wound Healing and Scar Formation After Glaucoma Filtration Surgery

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), in prevention of excessive wound healing and scar formation in a rabbit model of glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS). METHODS. A rabbit model of GFS was used. Rabbits that underwent GFS received balanced salt solution, or SAHA (50 lM), or mitomycin C (0.02%). Clinical scores of IOP, bleb vascularity, and slit-lamp examination were performed. On postoperative day 14, rabbits were killed and the bleb tissues were collected for evaluation of tissue fibrosis with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome, a-smooth muscle actin (aSMA), and F-actin staining. Furthermore, SAHA-mediated acetylation of histones in corneal fibroblasts and conjunctiva were determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS. Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid treatment after GFS showed no signs of edema, corneal opacity, endophthalmitis, or cataract formation. Morphometric analysis of SAHA-treated eyes showed higher bleb length (P \u3c 0.001), bleb area (P \u3c 0.05), lower IOP (P \u3c 0.01), and decreased vascularity compared to control. Furthermore, SAHA treatment showed significantly reduced levels of aSMA (P \u3c 0.001), F-actin (P \u3c 0.01), and collagen deposition (P \u3c 0.05) at the sclerotomy site. In addition, SAHA treatment increased the acetylation status of H3 and H4 histones in corneal fibroblasts and conjunctiva. CONCLUSIONS. This study demonstrates that HDAC inhibition is an attractive pharmacologic target to modulate GFS wound healing, and SAHA, an HDACi, can be a useful adjunct to improve the GFS outcome

Targeted AAV5-Smad7 gene therapy inhibits corneal scarring in vivo.

Corneal scarring is due to aberrant activity of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway following traumatic, mechanical, infectious, or surgical injury. Altered TGFβ signaling cascade leads to downstream Smad (Suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic) protein-mediated signaling events that regulate expression of extracellular matrix and myogenic proteins. These events lead to transdifferentiation of keratocytes into myofibroblasts through fibroblasts and often results in permanent corneal scarring. Hence, therapeutic targets that reduce transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts may provide a clinically relevant approach to treat corneal fibrosis and improve long-term visual outcomes. Smad7 protein regulates the functional effects of TGFβ signaling during corneal wound healing. We tested that targeted delivery of Smad7 using recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV5-Smad7) delivered to the corneal stroma can inhibit corneal haze post photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in vivo in a rabbit corneal injury model. We demonstrate that a single topical application of AAV5-Smad7 in rabbit cornea post-PRK led to a significant decrease in corneal haze and corneal fibrosis. Further, histopathology revealed lack of immune cell infiltration following AAV5-Smad7 gene transfer into the corneal stroma. Our data demonstrates that AAV5-Smad7 gene therapy is relatively safe with significant potential for the treatment of corneal disease currently resulting in fibrosis and impaired vision

Novel Combination BMP7 and HGF Gene Therapy Instigates Selective Myofibroblast Apoptosis and Reduces Corneal Haze In Vivo.

PurposeWe tested the potential of bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) combination gene therapy to treat preformed corneal fibrosis using established rabbit in vivo and human in vitro models.MethodsEighteen New Zealand White rabbits were used. Corneal fibrosis was produced by alkali injury. Twenty-four hours after scar formation, cornea received topically either balanced salt solution (BSS; n = 6), polyethylenimine-conjugated gold nanoparticle (PEI2-GNP)-naked plasmid (n = 6) or PEI2-GNP plasmids expressing BMP7 and HGF genes (n = 6). Donor human corneas were used to obtain primary human corneal fibroblasts and myofibroblasts for mechanistic studies. Gene therapy effects on corneal fibrosis and ocular safety were evaluated by slit-lamp microscope, stereo microscopes, quantitative real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, TUNEL, modified MacDonald-Shadduck scoring system, and Draize tests.ResultsPEI2-GNP-mediated BMP7+HGF gene therapy significantly decreased corneal fibrosis in live rabbits in vivo (Fantes scale was 0.6 in BMP7+HGF-treated eyes compared to 3.3 in -therapy group; P 104 gene copies per microgram DNA of BMP7 and HGF genes. The recombinant HGF rendered apoptosis in corneal myofibroblasts but not in fibroblasts. Localized topical BMP7+HGF therapy showed no ocular toxicity.ConclusionsLocalized topical BMP7+HGF gene therapy treats corneal fibrosis and restores transparency in vivo mitigating excessive healing and rendering selective apoptosis in myofibroblasts

Understanding our seas: National Institute of Oceanography, Goa

The present article summarizes the research done at the CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography in 2014 in ocean science, resources and technology. Significant research has been conducted on air–sea interactions and coastal circulation, biogeochemistry, biology, marine geophysics, palaeoceanography, marine fishery, gas hydrates and wave energy. Technological advances covered topics like oceanographic tools. Major strides have been made in marine resources research and evaluation