Role of nitric oxide in resveratrol-induced renal protective effects of ischemic preconditioning

BackgroundResveratrol, a natural antioxidant and polyphenol found in red wine and grapes, has been found to pharmacologically precondition the heart through upregulation of nitric oxide (NO). This study was designed to explore the involvement of NO in the renoprotective effect of resveratrol in renal ischemic preconditioning in rat kidney.MethodsIschemic preconditioning was induced by three cycles 2-minutes of ischemia followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion before 45 minutes of prolonged ischemia. Resveratrol was given 1 hour before the surgical procedures.ResultsIschemic preconditioning and resveratrol treatment significantly improved the renal dysfunction, decrease in total NO levels, and oxidative stress induced by 45 minutes of ischemia followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Histopatholgic examination of the kidneys of ischemic/reperfusion rats revealed severe renal damage, which was attenuated in both preconditioned and resveratrol-treated animals. Preconditioning and resveratrol administration led to a marked increase in NO levels in kidney. Renoprotective effects of resveratrol were abolished when animals were pretreated with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, a nonspecific NO synthase inhibitor.ConclusionsThese findngs demonstrate an important contributory role of NO in the protection afforded by resveratrol in renal ischemic preconditioning.Clinical RelevanceIt is now well established that brief periods of ischemia followed by reperfusion render a variety of tissues tolerant to subsequent ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury. This phenomenon, referred to as ischemic preconditioning, was first demonstrated in the dog myocardium. The potential for clinical application of such a powerful protective phenomenon has generated enormous interest in identifying the underlying intracellular signaling pathways, with the ultimate aim of pharmacologically exploiting these mechanisms to develop therapeutic strategies that can enhance tolerance to ischemia/reperfusion injury in patients. This study explored the possible involvement of nitric oxide in renal ischemic preconditioning

Female Renal Donors: Impact of Donation on Anxiety, Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life

Introduction: Donating one’s kidney can be a complicated psychological experience. This study was designed to evaluate and compare anxiety, depression and quality of life of married female renal donors during the pre and post donation phase. Methods: In this prospective longitudinal observational study, 39 consecutive female renal donors were assessed using PHQ-9, HAM-A and the WHO QoL-Bref Questionnaire 2 weeks before and 3 months after kidney donation. Results: The mean age of female kidney donors was 41.74 ± 8.85. After donation, prevalence of depression increased from 43.59 % (n = 17) to 53.84 % (n = 21), (t(38) = -2.089, p = 0.04) while prevalence of anxiety in donors increased from 58.97 (n = 23) to 69.23 % (n = 27) and the difference was found to be statistically significant (t(38) = 2.47, p = 0.01). Kidney transplantation resulted in a significant decrease in overall perception score of WHOQOL-Bref Questionnaire. (t(38) = 3.504, p = 0.001), overall perception score of health (t(38) = 3.504, p = 0.001), physical domain (t(38) = 4.180, p = 0.000) and psychological domain (t(38) = 2.469, p = 0.018) after donation. There were no significant changes in the social relationship (t(38) = -0.80, p = 0.936) and environmental health domain scores (t(38) = 0.991, p = 0.328). On multiple regression analysis, presence of pre-transplant depression was independently associated with overall score of WHOQOL-Bref Questionnaire (β = -0.14, p = 0.002), perception of health (β = -0.08, p = 0.001), physical health (β = -1.91, p = 0.08) and psychological health (β = -2.57, p = 0.02). Pre-transplant anxiety was negatively related to overall perception of health (β = -0.08, p = 0.01), physical health (β = -2.05, p = 0.01) and psychological health (β = -1.94, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Significant reduction in quality of life, perception of health, physical health and psychological domain of female renal donors was observed after donation

Allelic diversity of butyrophilin (BTN1A1) gene in Indian bovines

Indian milch bovines comprises of 58.56% of total livestock population (512.05 million) in the country and primarily includes native and crossbred cattle (37.28%) and water buffaloes (21.28%). Milk and milk products are essential food items of Indian diet especially in children, old and senile. Milk fat is an important constituent of milk and has an economic value and its percentage in milk varies betweem species and breeds within species. Butyrophilin (BTN1A1) a membrane protein regulates secretion of lipids and size of a fat globule in milk. Present study was conducted in 538 bovines of 11 breeds/populations adapted to different parts of India, with an aim to screen and determine the major allele of BTN1A1 gene using PCR-RFLP based test. Results indicate that exon 8 of BTN1A1 gene is polymorphic in Tharparkar, Sahiwal, Jhari and Belahi populations of native cattle and Holstein Friesian and Jersey crossbreds where as the same exon was monomorphic in Murrah, Chilika, Gojri, Chhattisgarhi and Bargur populations of water buffalo. We conclude that variations in BTN1A1 gene can serve as an excellent genetic marker while selecting cows for higher milk fat and can be applied while formulating their breeding plans

Assessment of Anterior Segment Measurements with Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography before and after Ab Interno Trabeculotomy (Trabectome) Surgery

Purpose. To compare the changes of anterior segment parameters, assessed by swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) after combined Trabectome-cataract surgery and Trabectome-only surgery in open angle glaucoma patients. Methods. Thirty-eight eyes of 24 patients with open angle glaucoma were scanned with swept source AS-OCT before and 4 weeks after combined Trabectome-cataract or Trabectome-only surgery. Intraocular pressure, number of medications, and AS-OCT parameters, such as angle opening distance at 500 and 750 μm from the scleral spur (AOD500 and AOD750), trabecular-iris space area at 500 and 750 mm2 (TISA500, TISA750), angle recess area at 500 and 750 mm2 (ARA500, ARA750), trabecular iris angle (TIA), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber width (ACW), and anterior chamber volume (ACV), were obtained before the surgery. These parameters were compared to evaluate whether the outcome of the surgery differed among the patients after the surgery. The width of the trabecular cleft was also measured for both groups. Results. The reduction of IOP and number of medications was found to be statistically significant in both groups (p<0.001). ACD, ACV, and angle parameters such as AOD 500/750, TISA 500/750, ARA 500/750, and TIA500 showed significantly greater changes from the preoperative values to postoperative 1st month values in combined Trabectome-cataract surgery group (p<0.05), whereas Trabectome-only group did not show statistically significant difference (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between two groups for the width of the trabecular cleft (p=0.7). Conclusion. Anterior chamber angle parameters measured with swept source AS-OCT may be useful for evaluating glaucoma patients before and after Trabectome surgery with or without cataract surgery

An Insight into Application of Land Use Land Cover Analysis towards Sustainable Agriculture within Jhajjar District, Haryana

The increasing population, depletion of natural resources, semi-arid climatic and poor soil health conditions in Jhajjar district of Haryana have drawn major attention towards the changes in Land Use/Land Cover (LULC). The region's increasing population is mainly dependent upon the agrarian economy; thus, sustainable agricultural production is a major thrust area of research. The present study analyses the LULC changes in the area during two decades 2000 – 2020, using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS). Landsat satellite images (Landsat-7 and Landsat-8 satellites) for 2000 and 2020 were analyzed for mixed classification based on unsupervised classification followed by supervised classification. The study area has experienced an increase in agricultural land, surface water bodies and built-up land by 16.89%, 79.73% and 56.41%, respectively. There is a decrease in barren land and fallow land by 48.53% and 36.97%, respectively, as per the five major LULC classes. The LULC analysis indicates an increase in built-up land, which is responsible for controlling agricultural productivity and unsustainable agricultural activities. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the land use trajectory in a specific region in two decades and associated unsustainable changes in the agrarian economy through pressure on the increase in agricultural production and conversion of land mass into croplands. It also signifies climate-resilient agriculture and the management of sustainable agriculture

Phenotypic characterization, management and performance of Belahi cattle

Belahi cattle are medium sized dual utility migratory breed maintained and primarily conserved by Gujjar community in India. The average first lactation milk yield recorded was about 1,071 kg with average daily milk yield and peak yield of 3.45 and 5.5 kg, respectively which is higher than the national average of indigenous cattle. Milk constitutes traits were estimated in pooled milk as 14.38% total solids, 5.25% fat, 3.45% protein and 5.20% lactose, indicating good quality of the milk. However, planned efforts for their genetic improvement are needed to improve gains. Our findings suggests that Belahi cattle has a good milk potential on low input, dual purpose utility, has high socioeconomic relevance and can immensely contribute to the livelihood security of Gujjar pastoralists of the sub Himalayan region. We recommend that these herds should be associated with Progeny Testing program/Open Nucleus Breeding System to explore their full milking potential. Further we recommend, long pending, strong policy support for such migratory groups, as they immensely contribute in economy of the state and in conservation of indigenous cattle genetic resources

Comparison of Physiologic versus Pharmacologic Mydriasis on Anterior Chamber Angle Measurements Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose. To compare the effects of physiologic versus pharmacologic pupil dilation on anterior chamber angle (ACA) measurements obtained with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods. Forty eyes from 20 healthy, phakic individuals with open angles underwent anterior segment OCT imaging under 3 pupillary states: (1) pupil constricted under standard room lighting, (2) physiologic mydriasis in a darkened room, and (3) postpharmacologic mydriasis. Inferior angle Schwalbe’s line-angle opening distance (SL-AOD) and SL-trabecular-iris-space area (SL-TISA) were computed for each eye and pupillary condition by masked, certified Reading Center graders using customized grading software. Results. SL-AOD and SL-TISA under pupillary constriction to room light were 0.87±0.31 mm and 0.33±0.14 mm2, respectively; decreased to 0.75±0.29 mm P<0.01 and 0.29±0.13 mm2  P<0.01, respectively, under physiologic mydriasis; and increased to 0.90±0.38 mm P<0.01 and 0.34±0.17 mm2  P=0.06 under pharmacologic mydriasis compared to baseline. Conclusions. Using SD-OCT imaging, pharmacologic mydriasis yielded the widest angle opening, whereas physiologic mydriasis yielded the most angle narrowing in normal individuals with open iridocorneal angles. Accounting for the state of the pupil and standardizing the lighting condition would appear to be of importance for future studies of the angle

Postoperative Complications in the Ahmed Baerveldt Comparison Study During Five Years of Follow-up

To compare the late complications in the Ahmed Baerveldt Comparison Study during 5 years of follow-up

THE QUANTUM HAPPINESS: MERAIH KEBAHAGIAAN DENGANPSIKOLOGI KESADARAN

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Unusual Presentations of Low-Tension Glaucoma

Low-tension glaucoma can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, particularly if patients do not have a classic presentation. This case series shows the value of Humphrey visual field (HVF) 10-2 tests to identify deficits in central vision. Case 1 describes a female in her mid-60s who presented complaining of a “blind spot” in her right eye. While a HVF 24-2 suggested her test was “within normal limits,” an HVF 10-2 showed an unusually shaped scotoma in her right eye that matched her visual complaint. Case 2 describes a male in his mid-60s who was referred to the glaucoma service by a retina specialist. He complained of a “blind spot” in his left eye and was revealed to have a focal central scotoma on his HVF 10-2 test. Both patients presented with normal intraocular pressures, and both had been cleared by retina specialists and neuro-ophthalmologists. Both patients were then diagnosed with low-tension glaucoma, and treatment to date has been successful in slowing vision loss