Neurons Specialize in Presynaptic Autophagy: A Perspective to Ameliorate Neurodegeneration.

The efficient and prolonged neurotransmission is reliant on the coordinated action of numerous synaptic proteins in the presynaptic compartment that remodels synaptic vesicles for neurotransmitter packaging and facilitates their exocytosis. Once a cycle of neurotransmission is completed, membranes and associated proteins are endocytosed into the cytoplasm for recycling or degradation. Both exocytosis and endocytosis are closely regulated in a timely and spatially constrained manner.

Genotypic variations for tuber nutrient content, dry matter and agronomic traits in tetraploid potato germplasm.

Unlabelled: Nutrient deficiencies lead to various health issues and are common worldwide. Potato germplasm is a rich source of natural variations and genetic variability present in it can be exploited for developing nutrient-rich high-yielding potato varieties. In this study, variations in the yield, dry matter (DM) and mineral nutrients concentrations were evaluated in both peeled and unpeeled tubers of 243 highly diverse tetraploid potato accessions.

Neurological Manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 Induced Inflammation and Possible Therapeutic Strategies Against COVID-19.

There are regular reports of extrapulmonary infections and manifestations related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Coronaviruses are potentially neurotropic, which renders neuronal tissue vulnerable to infection, especially in elderly individuals or in those with neuro-comorbid conditions. Complaints of ageusia, anosmia, myalgia, and headache; reports of diseases such as stroke, encephalopathy, seizure, and encephalitis; and loss of consciousness in patients with COVID-19 confirm the neuropathophysiological aspect of this disease.

The Potential Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Derived Exosomes as Immunomodulatory Agents for COVID-19 Patients.

A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causing lethal acute respiratory disease emerged in December 2019. The World Health Organization named this disease "COVID-19" and declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Many studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their exosomes (MSCs-Exo), which are isolated from allogenic bone marrow stem cells, significantly lower the risk of alveolar inflammation and other pathological conditions associated with distinct lung injuries.

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease in an Immunocompromised Patient.

In this article, we discuss the nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease in a 40-year-old HIV-seropositive female patient. The patient has a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, experienced two years ago. At the time, she was treated successfully with anti-tuberculous therapy.

Discovery of Novel Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors as Potent Vasodilators.

In view of the role of sEH (soluble epoxide hydrolase) in hypertension, we have developed a rigorously validated pharmacophore model containing one HBA (Hydrogen Bond Acceptor), two HY (Hydrophobic) and one RA (Ring Aromatic) features. The model was used as a query to search the NCI (National Cancer Institute) and Maybridge database leading to retrieval of many compounds which were sorted on the basis of predicted activity, fit value and Lipinski's violation. The selected compounds were docked into the active site of enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase.

Therapeutic Targeting of NLRP3 Inflammasomes by Natural Products and Pharmaceuticals: A Novel Mechanistic Approach for Inflammatory Diseases.

Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes having nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat consisting members along with pyrin and HIN domain family. An inflammasome mainly consists of cytoplasmic sensor molecule, such as NLRP3, the adaptor apoptosisassociated speck-like protein containing caspase recruitment domain) protein along with effector procaspase-1. The inflammasome regulates caspase-1 activation, resulting in secretion of interleukin- 1β and interleukin-18.

Neurotrophic factor mediated neuronal differentiation of human cord blood mesenchymal stem cells and their applicability to assess the developmental neurotoxicity.

Plasticity and developmental capacity of stem cells have now been established as a promising tool to restore the degenerative disorders. The linearity differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into adipogenic, chondrogenic, osteogenic and even in neuronal subtypes has been demonstrated. The number of xenobiotics such as dexamethasone, insulin, isobutyl 1-methyle xanthine and retinoic acid has been reported for the potential to differentiate hMSCs into neuronal subtypes.

Advances in Stem Cell Research- A Ray of Hope in Better Diagnosis and Prognosis in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegeneration and neurodegenerative disorders have been a global health issue affecting the aging population worldwide. Recent advances in stem cell biology have changed the current face of neurodegenerative disease modeling, diagnosis, and transplantation therapeutics. Stem cells also serve the purpose of a simple tool for screening therapeutic drugs and chemicals.

Differential responses of Trans-Resveratrol on proliferation of neural progenitor cells and aged rat hippocampal neurogenesis.

The plethora of literature has supported the potential benefits of Resveratrol (RV) as a life-extending as well as an anticancer compound. However, these two functional discrepancies resulted at different concentration ranges. Likewise, the role of Resveratrol on adult neurogenesis still remains controversial and less understood despite its well documented health benefits.

Differences in the expression and sensitivity of cultured rat brain neuronal and glial cells toward the monocrotophos.

Inducible expressions cytochrome P450s (CYPs) against environmental chemicals in brain tissues of experimental animals is well-documented. However, the precise role of specific brain cell type in the metabolism of different class of xenobiotics has not been explored adequately. We study the expression of selected CYPs (1A1/1A2, 2B1/2B2, 2E1) in primary cultures of rat brain neuronal and glial cell exposed to an organophosphate pesticide-monocrotophos (MCP), a known neurotoxicant.

Causes, outcome and prevention of abandonment in retinoblastoma in India.

Background: The high-cure rates of 90% in retinoblastoma are not replicated in developing countries due to late presentation and poor compliance to treatment. The present study takes a closer look at causes of abandonment of therapy and effectiveness of counselling in reducing abandonment.

Procedure: A retrospective study of children with retinoblastoma registered at our centre from March 2008 through August 2011.

Topical bevacizumab for corneal neovascularization after penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of topical bevacizumab for corneal neovascularization in graft rejection.

Methods: A 55-year-old man presented with corneal neovascularization and graft rejection 6 months following penetrating keratoplasty (triple procedure) in the left eye. His best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was counting fingers at 1 meter.

Effect of continuous infusion of asialoerythropoietin on short-term changes in infarct volume, penumbra apoptosis and behaviour following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.

1. Asialoerythropoietin (aEPO), a derivative of cytokine erythropoietin, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects without haematological complications when administered in single or repeated doses. The present study examines our hypothesis that aEPO may provide neuroprotection against programmed apoptotic cell death when administered in a continuous low dose.

Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha: novel targets for immunotherapy in Eales disease.

Background: Eales disease is an idiopathic obliterative vasculopathy that primarily affects the peripheral retina of young adults. The authors evaluated interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the serum of patients with Eales disease stages for the first time.

Methods: The study group consisted of 45 consecutive patients of Eales disease [inflammatory stage (n = 15) and proliferative stage (n = 30)] and 28 healthy controls.

New classification system-based visual outcome in Eales' disease.

Purpose: A retrospective tertiary care center-based study was undertaken to evaluate the visual outcome in Eales' disease, based on a new classification system, for the first time.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and fifty-nine consecutive cases of Eales' disease were included. All the eyes were staged according to the new classification: Stage 1: periphlebitis of small (1a) and large (1b) caliber vessels with superficial retinal hemorrhages; Stage 2a: capillary non-perfusion, 2b: neovascularization elsewhere/of the disc; Stage 3a: fibrovascular proliferation, 3b: vitreous hemorrhage; Stage 4a: traction/combined rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and 4b: rubeosis iridis, neovascular glaucoma, complicated cataract and optic atrophy.

Decreased platelet membrane fluidity in retinal periphlebitis in Eales' disease.

Purpose: Oxidative damage to cellular membranes plays an important role in the pathobiology of tissue injury. Free radical-induced peroxidation of membrane lipid and protein is associated with alterations in cellular, morphological, biochemical, and physical dynamics, which are related to the mobility of lipid molecules. Retinal photoreceptors and platelets have been shown to be an easy target of oxidants because of their high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Genetic homogeneity for inherited congenital microcoria loci in an Asian Indian pedigree.

Purpose: Congenital microcoria is a rare autosomal dominant developmental disorder of the iris associated with myopia and juvenile open angle glaucoma. Linkage to the chromosomal locus 13q31-q32 has previously been reported in a large French family. In the current study, a three generation Asian Indian family with 15 congenital microcoria (pupils with a diameter <2 mm) affected members was studied for linkage to candidate microsatellite markers at the 13q31-q32 locus.