Recruitment of stem cells into the injured retina after laser injury

Genotyping of Clinical Parameters in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Integrative Approach to COVID-19: An Indian Facebook Recipe for Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has given the world a big blow and has forced the entire world to develop a new thought process. To cope with the stress of lockdown, it was important for people to indulge in educational and health activities to save them from the threats being caused by the news and social media. A Facebook page named Yoga scholars Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) was created where three sessions were held per day for 225 days regularly. This activity resulted in people adopting an integrative approach towards alternative medicine. This also made possible a trial of Ashwagandha for COVID-19 treatment by the Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) ministry.

Diabetic yoga protocol improves glycemic, anthropometric and lipid levels in high risk individuals for diabetes: a randomized controlled trial from Northern India

PURPOSE

To study the effectiveness of diabetic yoga protocol (DYP) against management of cardiovascular risk profile in a high-risk community for diabetes, from Chandigarh, India.

METHODS

The study was a randomized controlled trial, conducted as a sub study of the Pan India trial Niyantrita Madhumeha Bharath (NMB). The cohort was identified through the Indian Diabetes Risk Scoring (IDRS) (≥ 60) and a total of 184 individuals were randomized into intervention (n = 91) and control groups (n = 93). The DYP group underwent the specific DYP training whereas the control group followed their daily regimen. The study outcomes included changes in glycemic and lipid profile. Analysis was done under intent-to-treat principle.

RESULTS

The 3 months DYP practice showed diverse results showing glycemic and lipid profile of the high risk individuals. Three months of DYP intervention was found to significantly reduce the levels of post-prandial glucose levels (p = 0.035) and LDL-c levels (p = 0.014) and waist circumference (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that the DYP intervention could improve the metabolic status of the high-diabetes-risk individuals with respect to their glucose tolerance and lipid levels, partially explained by the reduction in abdominal obesity. The study highlights the potential role of yoga intervention in real time improvement of cardiovascular profile in a high diabetes risk cohort.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CTRI, CTRI/2018/03/012804. Registered 01 March 2018-Retrospectively registered, http://www.ctri.nic.in/ CTRI/2018/03/012804.

Effect of Retinal Injury Induced by Laser Photocoagulation on Visuospatial Memory in Mouse Model

Visual pathway reveals the connection between neuronal activity of the brain and eye. The neural networks of brain amplify the retinal signals resulting in the formation of visual image. The laser injury in the retina may affect the visual pathway and may lead to disruption of neuronal signals/activity. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of retinal injury induced by laser on cognitive abilities in laser-induced mouse model. We have established laser model to understand the relation between retina and brain by disrupting retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layer and evaluate the effect of laser-induced retinal injury on visuospatial memory. Age- and sex-matched C57BL/6J male mice were taken for conducting the experiments. The laser model was established by using laser photocoagulator to disrupt the RPE layer of the retina. After defined irradiation of laser onto mouse retina, the fundus fluorescein angiography was performed to confirm the laser spots. The visuospatial and short-term memory was performed using neurobehavioral test, that is, Morris water maze (MWM), and passive avoidance, respectively. In MWM experiment, results showed that escape latency time, which was taken by healthy and laser-injured mice was comparable. This was further validated by another neurobehavioral analysis, that is, passive avoidance that showed nonsignificant difference between these two groups using independent t -test. Visuospatial memory may not be affected by retinal injury induced by laser photocoagulation. It may depend on the power of the laser and duration of the laser. The severe injury in the retina such as optic nerve damage may cause dysfunctioning of visual pathway.

Sleeping pattern and activities of daily living modulate protein expression in AMD

Degeneration of macular photoreceptors is a prominent characteristic of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which leads to devastating and irreversible vision loss in the elderly population. In this exploratory study, the contribution of environmental factors on the progression of AMD pathology by probing the expression of candidate proteins was analyzed. Four hundred and sixty four participants were recruited in the study comprising of AMD (n = 277) and controls (n = 187). Genetics related data was analyzed to demonstrate the activities of daily living (ADL) by using regression analysis and statistical modeling, including contrast estimate, multinomial regression analysis in AMD progression. Regression analysis revealed contribution of smoking, alcohol, and sleeping hours on AMD by altered expression of IER-3, HTRA1, B3GALTL, LIPC and TIMP3 as compared to normal levels. Contrast estimate supports the gender polarization phenomenon in AMD by significant decreased expression of SLC16A8 and LIPC in control population which was found to be unaltered in AMD patients. The smoking, food habits and duration of night sleeping hours also contributed in AMD progression as evident from multinomial regression analysis. Predicted model (prediction estimate = 86.7%) also indicated the crucial role of night sleeping hours along with the decreased expression of TIMP-3, IER3 and SLC16A8. Results revealed an unambiguous role of environmental factors in AMD progression mediated by various regulatory proteins which might result in intermittent AMD phenotypes and possibly influence the outcome of anti-VEGF treatment.

Sleep Disorders in Individuals With High Risk for Diabetes in Indian Population

Background:

Sleep restores physiology and neurochemical components of our body and is essential for physical and mental health. Sleep disorders (SDs) are associated with insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. The association between SDs and diabetes needs to be understood in the Indian population.

Purpose:

The purpose was to investigate the association between SD and diabetes in the Indian population.

Methods:

As a part of nationwide Niyantrita Madhumeha Bharata Abhiyaan-2017 (NMB-2017), a cross-sectional study was conducted and data was collected from seven zones of India, after screening through the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS). The sleep quality was assessed on a scale of 1 to 4 (very good = 1, very bad = 4). The time taken to fall asleep (sleep latency) was assessed on a scale of 0 to 5 (“0” = nil and “5” = >1.5 h). Stress was assessed by the perceived stress scale.

Results:

Bad sleep quality was positively (odds ratio 1.055, CI [1.001, 1.113], and P < .01) associated with self-reported known diabetes. Increased time taken to fall in sleep (sleep latency) was associated significantly with IDRS high risk (odds ratio 1.085, CI [1.008, 1.168], and P = .01), with an average sleep latency /time takes to fall in sleep (maximum range 5 [>1.5 h], mode 2 [10 to 30 min]) minutes. Moderate stress was significantly associated with bad sleep quality (odds ratio 1.659).

Conclusion:

A positive association of bad sleep quality and stress with diabetes, and an increased sleep latency in the IDRS high-risk population point to the role of modifiable risk factors. Behavioral modification and stress reduction by using yoga may be beneficial in the better management of diabetes.

Trends of Hypertension and Neurological Diseases in India: A Nationwide Survey Reporting the Distribution Across Geographical Areas

BACKGROUND

Hypertension has remained an imperative risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, increasing the national burden of premature deaths over the decades.

PURPOSE

There is limited data on the prevalence of hypertension and its distribution across all geographic regions in India. This nationwide survey was conducted in 2017 to assess the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension among the Indian adults.

METHODS

A multilevel stratified cluster sampling technique, with a random selection among the urban and rural populations, was adopted to achieve a sample of 70,031 adults from 24 states and 4 union territories. Blood pressure was measured twice using automated oscillometric machines with a minimum of 3-min gap, and the average was recorded. This was later categorized into prehypertension (elevated blood pressure) and hypertension subgroups as defined by the new 2017 American Heart Association guidelines.

RESULTS

The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in our study population across all ages was found to be 18.2% and 24%, respectively. Prehypertension was common at a younger age, whereas the prevalence of hypertension was higher in the older age groups. The urban population (24.4%) and males (24.7%) were positively associated with prehypertension and hypertension. The western zone had the highest prevalence of hypertension, whereas the eastern population had the lowest.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed an alarmingly high prevalence of hypertension, accounting up to one hypertensive in every four adults in India. There is a need for more robust national strategies for identifying and treating hypertension to reduce the national and the global burden of hypertension by 25% before 2025.

The Spectrum of Congenital Central Nervous System Anomalies Among Stillborn: An Autopsy Based Study

Background:

Congenital central nervous system (CNS) anomalies are the structural or functional abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord that occur during the intrauterine developmental process.

Purpose:

The present study aims to detect the prevalence of congenital CNS anomalies among stillborn fetuses, the association between congenital anomalies and maternal factors, and also the association between autopsy and ultrasound findings.

Methods:

This study was conducted on 50 stillborn fetuses, obtained from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at JSS Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru. The fetuses were fixed in 10% formalin and autopsies were performed as per the standard fetal autopsy protocol. The congenital CNS anomalies were studied in detail.

Results:

CNS anomalies were the most common congenital anomalies observed. Out of the total 50 stillborn fetuses studied, CNS anomalies were found in 17 fetuses and their occurrence was more common among male stillborn than females. Meningomyelocele was the most common anomaly, followed by anencephaly. The other anomalies documented were meningocele, encephalocele, meningoencephalocele, agenesis of the corpus callosum, craniorachischisis, bifid cerebellum with hypoplastic vermis, holoprosencephaly, and sirenomelia.

Fisher’s exact test showed a significant association between maternal hypothyroidism and congenital CNS anomalies (P < .05). The autopsy confirmed the ultrasound findings in 40 (80%) fetuses. There were significant additional findings observed in seven (14%) fetal autopsies and ultrasound diagnosis completely changed in three (6%) cases, after the final autopsy procedure.

Conclusion:

The fetal autopsy is the single most directly evident investigation, which gives information that changes or significantly improves the clinical diagnosis. A multidisciplinary holistic approach toward pregnancy will help to detect any kind of abnormality in the fetus and thus to take a timely decision toward the management.

Prevalence of Obesity in India and Its Neurological Implications: A Multifactor Analysis of a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

India is undergoing a rapid epidemiological transition, from underweight to overweight/obese population. Obesity is a major risk factor in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and is also implicated as a factor in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. A robust, pan-Indian estimate of obesity is not yet available.

PURPOSE

This study estimates the pan-Indian prevalence of obesity, stratified across nonmodifiable (age and gender) and modifiable (education and physical activity levels) factors, and across zones and urban/rural.

METHODOLOGY

Data for 1,00,531 adults from a nationwide randomized cluster sample survey (Niyantrita Madhumeha Bharata 2017, phase 1) were analyzed. Obesity was determined using body mass index, and cross-tabulations were calculated across zones, age, gender, education, physical activity, and area. To determine statistical significance, t-tests were used. The odds of obesity within each category of the various factors were calculated using binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Prevalence of obesity in India is 40.3%. Zonal variations were seen as follows: south highest at 46.51% and east lowest at 32.96%. Obesity was higher among women than men (41.88% vs. 38.67%), urban than rural (44.17% vs. 36.08%), and over 40 than under 40 (45.81% vs. 34.58%). More education implied a higher obesity (44.6% college vs. 38% uneducated), as did lowered physical activity (43.71% inactive vs. 32.56% vigorously active). The odds ratio for physical activity was 3.83, stronger than age (1.58), education (1.4), urban (1.3), and gender (1.2).

CONCLUSION

Obesity levels in India are very high, across all zones. The odds of being obese increases with age, and is higher among women and among urban dwellers. Obesity is the highest among aging urban men and women who are college educated and are sedentary. Physical activity and aging are the strongest determinants of obesity. Given the high cost of obesity in terms of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer's disease, urgent public health measures are necessary to reduce its impact.

Depression in High-Risk Type 2 Diabetes Adults

BACKGROUND

Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus are two to three times more vulnerable to develop depressive symptomatology.

PURPOSE

To report the association between depression and high-risk diabetes in India.

METHODS

A total of 1,606 adults were recruited for the study. A patient health questionnaire was used to determine the depression on the basis of score. A statistical analysis was done using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and binary logistic regression to determine the association between diabetes categories and four degrees of depression.

RESULTS

Out of 1,606 participants, 52.6% were males and 47.4% were females, 56.4% belonged to the urban area and 43.6% to the rural area. However, 19.5% (314) had diabetes; 29.1% of diabetes individuals had minimal depression, 38.7% had mild, 17.2% moderate, 12.0% moderately severe, and 3.1% had severe depression. In the self-reported diabetic participant group (N = 142), there was a significantly higher degree of severe depression (3.3%) in the uncontrolled group (HbA1c >7%) as compared to the well-controlled diabetes group (HbA1c <7%). ANCOVA in gender differences in the uncontrolled diabetes group showed that male gender had significantly (P = -.02) higher mean scores of depression.

CONCLUSION

This study found that there is a positive association between depression and uncontrolled diabetes in male gender.

Management of Type II Diabetes by Modulating the Modifiable Risk Factors: A Future Roadmap for Prevention of Cerebrovascular Complications

Background:

Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) is a screening tool for quantifying the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) development in the Indian population. The present study has evaluated the level of risk of developing DM in Chandigarh and Panchkula based on the IDRS score.

Methods:

As a part of a national diabetes control trial funded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, 1,916 participants from the Chandigarh and Panchkula regions were assessed for the risk of developing DM. Risk assessment was done on the basis of the IDRS score which includes age, family history, waist circumference, and physical activity as its contributing factors. Participants with an IDRS score <30 were in the low-risk category, those with 30 to 50 were in the moderate-risk category, and those with >60 were in the high-risk category for DM.

Results:

Out of the 1,916 screened respondents (59.86% females and 40.14% males), 894 participants (46.65%) were at a high risk for DM (IDRS >60), 764 (39.87%) were at a moderate risk (IDRS = 30–60), and 258 (13.46%) were at a low risk (IDRS <30). Waist circumference contributed to 35.90% of the high-risk category followed by age (19.67%) and physical activity (11.67%). Age and waist circumference also showed a strong correlation with the total IDRS score.

Conclusion:

The Chandigarh and Panchkula population showed a high tendency to develop DM based on the IDRS score. Modifiable risk factors such as waist circumference and physical activity were the major contributing factors. Apart from the modifiable risk factors, age was also another major contributing risk factor. Based on these outcomes, lifestyle modifications like yoga and exercise can be proposed for this population as a preventive approach to reduce the risk of developing DM and other associated cerebrovascular complications.

Alpha lipoic acid attenuates the long-term effects of lead exposure in retinal ischemic injury mouse model

Lead (Pb) exposure is reported to be unsafe for humans. There have been several studies documenting acute and chronic Pb toxicity on the organ systems. New studies suggest that early-life exposure to such environmental toxins may increase the susceptibility to late-onset degenerative disorders. We aimed to examine the long-term effects of early-life postnatal exposure of Pb on retinal degeneration. Pb exposure (200 ppm) was provided either at postnatal day 1 through lactation (early-life exposure) or at 7th week of age (adulthood exposure) directly through drinking water for 20 days. The Pb-treated mice were followed till 20 weeks of age. At 20th week, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was induced in these mice by pterygopalatine artery ligation. Further, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) was administered to examine its neuroprotective effects against retinal damage. Histological and molecular analysis revealed that Pb-treated mice had greater retinal damage after I/R injury as compared to untreated or ALA treated mice, suggesting that ALA protects the early-life Pb exposure and its consequent impact on later life. The elevated levels of glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and reduced levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) upon ALA pre-treatment suggest that it probably exerts anti-inflammatory effects via upregulation of neurotrophic factors.

Transplantation of lineage-negative stem cells in pterygopalatine artery ligation induced retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice

Retinal ischemia is a condition associated with retinal degenerative diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other optic neuropathies, leading to visual impairment and blindness worldwide. Currently, there is no therapy available for ischemic retinopathies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test a murine model of pterygopalatine artery ligation-induced retinal injury for transplantation of mouse bone marrow-derived lineage-negative (lin-ve) stem cells. The mouse external carotid artery and pterygopalatine artery were ligated for 3.5 h followed by reperfusion. The model was validated through fundus fluorescein angiography, laser Doppler and FITC dextran perfusion in whole-mounts. Lin-ve stem cells isolated from mouse bone marrow were transplanted through tail-vein, which showed migration to retina leading to decrease in GFAP expression. The neurotrophic factors such as BDNF and FGF2 showed enhanced expression in the retina. The functional analysis with electroretinogram did not demonstrate any significant changes before or after injury or stem cell transplantation. This study shows a neuroprotective potential in lin-ve stem cells in the retinal ischemia induced by pterygopalatine artery ligation and presents a practical model for validating therapies for ischemic disorders of the retina in future.

Effect of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells administered by intravenous or intravitreal routes on cryo-induced retinal injury

Traumatic optic neuropathy is an important cause of severe vision loss. So, many attempts were performed to transplant stem cells systemically or locally to regenerate the injured retina. In this study, we investigated the effect of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUBMSCs) on histological structure, apoptotic, antiapoptotic, oxidant and antioxidant markers in an experimental model of cryo-induced retinal damage in mice. Forty-eight mice were included with 4 major groups; group I contained 18 mice as controls. The others included 30 mice exposed to cryo-induced retinal injury and were subdivided into three equal groups: group II received no treatment after injury. Group III was intravenously injected with hUCBMSCs after injury and group IV received an intravitreal injection with hUCBMSCs into both eyes. Retinal tissues were used for histopathological, immunological and gene expression studies. Real time-PCR was performed to assess B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl2), Bcl2-associated X protein (bax), heme oxygenase-1 (hmox-1) and thioredoxin-2 (tnx-2) expression and to assess the differentiation of the stem cells into the retinal tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assess caspase-3, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Disturbed retinal structure was seen in cryo-injured mice while hUCBMSCs treated groups showed nearly normal structure. By real time-PCR, significantly reduced mRNA expressions of Bax and notably enhanced mRNA expression of Bcl-2, hmox-1 and txn-2 were demonstrated in retinal injured mice with hUCBMSCs treatment compared to those without. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis confirmed downregulation of 3-NT and caspase-3 and upregulation of bFGF after hUCBMSCs injection in injured retina. Furthermore, there was no differentiation of transplanted stem cells into the retinal tissue. In conclusions, hUCBMSCs could improve the morphological retinal structure in cryo-induced retinal damage model by modulation of the oxidant-apoptotic status and by increased the expression of bFGF. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(3):188-201, 2017.

Alteration of Neurotrophic Factors After Transplantation of Bone Marrow Derived Lin-ve Stem Cell in NMDA-Induced Mouse Model of Retinal Degeneration

Retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCs) is one of the important layers of retina, depleted in Glaucoma. Loss of RGC neurons is a major cellular mechanism involved in its pathogenesis resulting in severe vision loss. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a potential strategy to arrest the apoptotic loss of RGCs and also replace the degenerative cells in damaged retina. Here, we have investigated the incorporation and survival of mouse bone marrow derived Lin-ve stem cells in N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced mouse model of retinal degeneration. Two days after intravitreal injection of NMDA (100 mM) showed significant decrease in ganglion cell number and increase in TUNEL positive apoptotic cells in retinal layers. The injury was further characterized by immunohistochemical expression of Brn3b, GFAP, Bcl2, pCREB, CNTF, GDNF, and BDNF in retinal layers. Lin-ve cells (100,000 dose) were intravitreally transplanted after 2 days of injury and evaluated after 7, 14, and 21 days of transplantation. Transplanted cells were found to have migrated from intravitreal space and incorporated into injured retina at 7, 14, and 21 days post-transplantation. At 21 days Brn3b, CNTF, and BDNF expression was found to be upregulated whereas GDNF was downregulated when compared to respective injury time points. Molecular data showed decrease in the expression of Brn3b, BDNF, CNTF, and GDNF post transplantation when compared with injury groups. This study reveals that Lin-ve stem cells may exert neuroprotective effect in damaged retina mediated by participation of neurotrophic factors induced by stem cell transplantation at the site of injury. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1699-1711, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of human umbilical cord blood derived lineage negative stem cells transplanted in amyloid-β induced cognitive impaired mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by extracellular deposition of insoluble amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and intracellular tangles made up of phosphorylated tau in brain. Several therapeutic approaches are being carried out in animal AD models for testing their safety and efficacy in altering disease pathology and behavioral deficits. Very few studies have examined the effect of human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) derived stem cells in degenerative disease models despite growing number of cord blood banks worldwide. Here we have examined the therapeutic efficacy of hUCB derived lineage negative (Lin -ve) stem cells in alleviating behavioral and neuropathological deficits in a mouse model of cognitive impairment induced by bilateral intrahippocampal injection of Aβ-42. Lin -ve cells were transplanted at two doses (50,000 and 100,000) at the site of injury and examined at 10 and 60 days post transplantation for rescue of memory deficits. These cells were found to ameliorate cognitive impairment in 50,000-60 days and 100,000-10 days groups whereas, 50,000-10 days and 100,000-60 days groups could not exert any significant improvement. Further, mice showing spatial memory improvement were mediated by up-regulation of BDNF, CREB and also by concomitant down regulation of Fas-L in their brain. The transplanted cells were found in the host tissue and survived up to 60 days without expressing markers of neuronal differentiation or reducing Aβ burden in mouse brain. We suggest that these undifferentiated cells could exert neuroprotective effects either through inhibiting apoptosis and/or trophic effects in the brain.

Stem cell treatment of degenerative eye disease

Stem cell therapies are being explored extensively as treatments for degenerative eye disease, either for replacing lost neurons, restoring neural circuits or, based on more recent evidence, as paracrine-mediated therapies in which stem cell-derived trophic factors protect compromised endogenous retinal neurons from death and induce the growth of new connections. Retinal progenitor phenotypes induced from embryonic stem cells/induced pluripotent stem cells (ESCs/iPSCs) and endogenous retinal stem cells may replace lost photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and restore vision in the diseased eye, whereas treatment of injured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) has so far been reliant on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Here, we review the properties of non-retinal-derived adult stem cells, in particular neural stem cells (NSCs), MSC derived from bone marrow (BMSC), adipose tissues (ADSC) and dental pulp (DPSC), together with ESC/iPSC and discuss and compare their potential advantages as therapies designed to provide trophic support, repair and replacement of retinal neurons, RPE and glia in degenerative retinal diseases. We conclude that ESCs/iPSCs have the potential to replace lost retinal cells, whereas MSC may be a useful source of paracrine factors that protect RGC and stimulate regeneration of their axons in the optic nerve in degenerate eye disease. NSC may have potential as both a source of replacement cells and also as mediators of paracrine treatment.

Neuroprotective and antiapoptotic activity of lineage-negative bone marrow cells after intravitreal injection in a mouse model of acute retinal injury

We investigated effects of bone marrow-derived, lineage-negative cell (Lin(-)BMC) transplantation in acute retinal injury. Lin(-)BMCs were intravitreally injected into murine eyes at 24 h after NaIO3-induced injury. Morphology, function, and expression of apoptosis-related genes, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, were assessed in retinas at 7 days, 28 days, and 3 months after transplantation. Moreover, global gene expression at day 7 was analyzed by RNA arrays. We observed that Lin(-)BMCs integrated into outer retinal layers improving morphological retinal structure and induced molecular changes such as downregulation of proapoptotic caspase-3 gene, a decrease in BAX/BCL-2 gene ratio, and significant elevation of BDNF expression. Furthermore, transplanted Lin(-)BMCs differentiated locally into cells with a macrophage-like phenotype. Finally, Lin(-)BMCs treatment was associated with generation of two distinct transcriptomic patterns. The first relates to downregulated genes associated with regulation of neuron cell death and apoptosis, response to oxidative stress/hypoxia and external stimuli, and negative regulation of cell proliferation. The second relates to upregulated genes associated with neurological system processes and sensory perception. Collectively, our data demonstrate that transplanted Lin(-)BMCs exert neuroprotective function against acute retinal injury and this effect may be associated with their antiapoptotic properties and ability to express neurotrophic factors.

Biologically inspired circuit model for simulation of glutamate gated ion channels of the postsynaptic membrane at synaptic cleft

Background

Enzyme modified field effect transistor (ENFET) may be used to represent the variable conductance of transmitter-gated ion channels in the postsynaptic region of the neuron.

Purpose

The objective of this work is to develop a simple analog circuit model that can simulate the function of neurotransmitter glutamate gated ion channels of postsynaptic membrane at the synaptic cleft.

Method

In this paper, Glutamate sensitive ENFET is incorporated into the Hodgkin-Huxley (H-H) circuit model of the postsynaptic membrane at the synaptic cleft.

Result

Simulation of the circuit model yields an output representing the membrane potential of the synaptic region. Simulation is performed in MATLAB environment for excitatory action of synapses.

Conclusion

This model can be used in neuro-bioengineering programs for simulation of binding activity and electrical activity of the postsynaptic region.

Cell based therapies in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. It is characterized by bradykinesia, hypokinesia/ akinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability, caused by dopaminergic (DA) striatal denervation. The prevalence of PD increases from 50 years of age with steep rise after age 60 years. Current treatment of PD relies heavily on replacing lost dopamine either with its precursor L-dopa or dopamine agonists (ropinirole, pramipexole, bromocriptine, lisuride etc). Other pharmacological measures like catechol-O-methyltrasferase (COMT) inhibitors like entacopone, telcapone and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors like selegiline and rasagiline are also useful, while L-dopa remains the gold standard in the treatment of PD. Emerging therapies are focusing on cell based therapeutics derived from various sources.

The emerging role of stem cells in ocular neurodegeneration: hype or hope?

Affecting over a hundred million individuals worldwide, retinal diseases are among the leading causes of irreversible visual impairment and blindness. Thus, an appropriate study models, especially animal models, are essential to furthering our understanding of the etiology, pathology, and progression of these diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of retinal disorders in the context of biotherapeutic approaches in these disorders.

Pathophysiology of stroke and stroke-induced retinal ischemia: emerging role of stem cells

The current review focuses on pathophysiology, animal models and molecular analysis of stroke and retinal ischemia, and the role of stem cells in recovery of these disease conditions. Research findings associated with ischemic stroke and retinal ischemia have been discussed, and efforts towards prevention and limiting the recurrence of ischemic diseases, as well as emerging treatment possibilities with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in ischemic diseases, are presented. Although most neurological diseases are still not completely understood and reliable treatment is lacking, animal models provide a major step in validating novel therapies. Stem cell approaches constitute an emerging form of cell-based therapy to treat ischemic diseases since it is an attractive source for regenerative therapy in the ischemic diseases. In this review, we highlight the advantages and limitations of this approach with a focus on key observations from preclinical animal studies and clinical trials. Further research, especially on treatment with EPCs is warranted.

Perspectives on mesenchymal stem cells: tissue repair, immune modulation, and tumor homing

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or MSC-like cells have been identified in a variety of different tissues that share molecular expression profiles and biological functions but also retain a unique differentiation preference depending on their tissue origins. MSCs play beneficial roles in the healing of damaged tissue by directly differentiating to many different resident cell types and/or by secreting several trophic factors that aid tissue repair. Aside from MSCs' reparative stem cell function, they drive immune responses toward immunosuppression and anti-inflammation. This novel function of MSCs opens up new avenues for clinical development of MSC immune-therapeutics to treat uncontrollable, life threatening, severe, chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease. Unexpectedly high rates of MSCs' tumor homing capacity and their tumor supporting capability have also been noted in tumor-bearing animal models. In this review, we will discuss MSCs' basic cell biology and perspectives on MSCs in terms of tissue repair, immune modulation, and tumor homing.

Primitive stem cells derived from bone marrow express glial and neuronal markers and support revascularization in injured retina exposed to ischemic and mechanical damage

Ischemic or mechanical injury to the optic nerve is an irreversible cause of vision loss, associated with limited regeneration and poor response to neuroprotective agents. The aim of this study was to assess the capacity of adult bone marrow cells to participate in retinal regeneration following the induction of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) and optic nerve crush (ONC) in a rodent model. The small-sized subset of cells isolated by elutriation and lineage depletion (Fr25lin(-)) was found to be negative for the neuroglial markers nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Syngeneic donor cells, identified by genomic marker in sex-mismatched transplants and green fluorescent protein, incorporated into the injured retina (AION and ONC) at a frequency of 0.35%-0.45% after intravenous infusion and 1.8%-2% after intravitreous implantation. Perivascular cells with astrocytic morphology expressing GFAP and vimentin were of the predominant lineage that engrafted after AION injury; 10%-18% of the donor cells incorporated in the retinal ganglion cell layer and expressed NeuN, Thy-1, neurofilament, and beta-tubulin III. The Fr25lin(-) cells displayed an excellent capacity to migrate to sites of tissue disruption and developed coordinated site-specific morphological and phenotypic neural and glial markers. In addition to cellular reconstitution of the injured retinal layers, these cells contributed to endothelial revascularization and apparently supported remodeling by secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1. These results suggest that elutriated autologous adult bone marrow-derived stem cells may serve as an accessible source for cellular reconstitution of the retina following injury.