Role of µ-Opioid Receptor Polymorphism in Patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis and their Correlation with Severity of Disease.

Introduction: With 1 billion tobacco users worldwide, nicotine dependence has a major impact on global health. Advances in medication development for nicotine dependence require an improved understanding of the neurobiology of this complex, relapsing brain disorder.

Aims: To study association of µ Opioid Receptor polymorphism in patients of rheumatoid arthritis and its correlation with severity of disease and prevalent alleles of the OPRM1 genes.

Microscopic evaluation, molecular identification, antifungal susceptibility, and clinical outcomes in fusarium, Aspergillus and, dematiaceous keratitis.

Purpose: Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Dematiaceous are the most common fungal species causing keratitis in tropical countries. Herein we report a prospective study on fungal keratitis caused by these three fungal species.

Methodology: A prospective investigation was undertaken to evaluate eyes with presumed fungal keratitis.

DOPA and DHN pathway orchestrate melanin synthesis in Aspergillus species.

Melanins are high molecular weight hydrophobic pigments that have been studied for their role in the virulence of fungal pathogens. We investigated the amount and type of melanin in 20 isolates of Aspergillus spp.; A.

Estrogen mediated protection of cytoskeleton against oxidative stress.

Background & Objectives: Cytoskeletal proteins are deregulated during oxidative stress and cataract formation. However, estrogen which protects against cataract formation and harmful effects of oxidative stress has not been tested on the cytoskeleton of lens epithelial cells (LECs). The current study was undertaken to assess if the protection rendered to LECs by estrogen was mediated by preserving the cytoskeletal proteins.

Triphala and its constituents ameliorate visceral adiposity from a high-fat diet in mice with diet-induced obesity.

Context: In India, vaidyas (Ayurvedic physicians) traditionally administer triphala and its constituents as therapeutic agents for promoting digestion and satiety.

Objective: The research team performed the present study to investigate the effects of triphala and its constituents (T bellirica [bibhitaki], T chebula [haritaki], and E officinalis [amalaki]) on the dietary induction of obesity (diet-induced obesity [DIO]), and other symptoms of visceral obesity syndrome, in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Design: The research team obtained 42 fertile, male, Swiss albino mice, weighing 20 g each, and housed them individually in an approved small-animal facility, in a pathogen-free environment.

Cx43, ZO-1, alpha-catenin and beta-catenin in cataractous lens epithelial cells.

Specimens of the anterior lens capsule with an attached monolayer of lens epithelial cells (LECs) were obtained from patients (n=52) undergoing cataract surgery. Specimens were divided into three groups based on the type of cataract: nuclear cataract, cortical cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC). Clear lenses (n=11) obtained from donor eyes were used as controls.

Alterations in intestinal permeability and endotoxemia in severe acute pancreatitis.

Background: Intestinal permeability increases early in the course of acute pancreatitis and is associated with sepsis and organ failure.

Aim: To evaluate the intestinal permeability (IP) and anti-endotoxin antibodies immunoglobulin G and A (AEA IgG and A) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) as compared to healthy controls and determine their significance in relation to various complications of SAP.

Methods: IP was measured by urinary lactulose/mannitol (LM) excretion ratio and anti-endotoxin antibodies by Endocab ELISA kit at days one and seven of admission (D1 and D7).

Fungal scleral keratitis caused by Phomopsis phoenicicola.

We report a case of scleral keratitis caused by Phomopsis phoenicicola. Pterygium surgery was a predisposing factor, and the patient was treated with natamycin and fluconazole eye drops and oral fluconazole. The fungus was identified by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungal ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus and confirmed on the basis of its typical pycnidia and conidia.