Performance analysis of different wavelet feature vectors in quantification of oral precancerous condition

This paper presents an automatic method for classification of progressive stages of oral precancerous conditions like oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). The classifier used is a three-layered feed-forward neural network and the feature vector, is formed by calculating the wavelet coefficients. Four wavelet decomposition functions, namely GABOR, HAAR, DB2 and DB4 have been used to extract the feature vector set and their performance has been compared. The samples used are transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images of collagen fibers from oral subepithelial region of normal and OSF patients. The trained network could classify normal fibers from less advanced and advanced stages of OSF successfully.     

Cadmium-induced Oxidative Stress and Evaluation of Embilica Officinalis and Stressroak in Broilers

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity was studied in broilers, and efficacy of Emblica officinalis (500 ppm in feed), vitamin E (300 ppm in feed), and stressroak (1 g/kg feed) were evaluated for prophylactic and therapeutic management of Cd toxicity. One-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly divided into eight groups consisting of 10 chicks in each. Groups 1 and 2 were maintained as plain control and Cd (100 ppm in feed) toxic control (for six weeks). Groups 3, 4, and 5 were maintained on a combination of Cd (100 ppm in feed) and Emblica officinalis, vitamin E, and stressroak for six weeks. Groups 6, 7, and 8 were maintained with Cd for the first four weeks and on Emblica officinalis, vitamin E, and stressroak during the subsequent two weeks without Cd. Body weights, feed consumed, Feed conversion ratio (FCR), and glulathione (GSH) were significantly (P<0.05) decreased, whereas the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and Superoxide dismutase (SOD)) and concentration of Thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) were significantly (P<0.05) increased in toxic control group. After treatment with Emblica officinalis, vitamin E, and stressroak in groups 6, 7, and 8 during last two weeks and discontinuation of Cd, the parameters revealed improvement. From this study, it is concluded that Cd induces toxicity by oxidative stress, and supplementing Emblica officinalis, vitamin E, and stressroak in feed is useful in preventing and treating the toxicity.     

Correcting myogenic ptosis accompanying extraocular muscle weakness: The “Bobby Pin” procedure

This article evaluates the “Bobby Pin” procedure in the correction of myogenic ptosis accompanying extraocular muscle weakness. We retrospectively reviewed 26 eyelids of 13 patients who underwent “Bobby Pin” procedure for myogenic ptosis accompanying extraocular muscle weakness. We evaluated the patients’ clinical features such as age, etiology of ptosis, symptoms, standard ptosis measurements, associated systemic diseases, additional ophthalmic conditions, complications, and recurrence. Etiology of myogenic ptosis and extraocular muscle weakness was oculopharyngeal dystrophy in 4 (31%) patients, chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia in 4 (31%) patients, myotonic dystrophy in 2 (23%) patients, and idiopathic in 3 (15%) patients. The mean levator function was approximately 5 mm pre- and post-operatively (range 1 to 12 mm). The mean margin-to-reflex distance 1 increased from –1.1 mm (below the light reflex) pre-operatively to +0.4 mm (above the light reflex) post-operatively. After a mean follow-up of 40 months, only 1 (8%) patient experienced ptosis recurrence. Upper eyelids were symmetric in both contour and height in all patients. Mild superficial keratopathy involving less than 10% of cornea was observed in 4 (31%) patients. The “Bobby Pin” procedure is an effective and long-lasting treatment option for correcting acquired ptosis accompanying extraocular muscle weakness. The procedure is safe, simple, easily learned, time- and cost-effective, and does not require any expensive equipment.     

Dicer-substrate siRNA inhibits tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion in Kupffer cells in vitro: in vivo targeting of Kupffer cells by siRNA-liposomes

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. Neutralizing TNF-α by antibodies or antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, alleviate disease symptoms. In this study, we introduce the new generation of gene-silencing molecules, namely the small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to reduce TNF-α. Although siRNAs of 19-21bp are commonly used, it is reported that longer siRNAs have much higher efficacies. Here, we report the identification of a 27-mer Dicer-substrate siRNA (DsiRNA) against TNF-α mRNA. Primary cells of rat Kupffer cells were transfected with five 27-mer siRNA constructs (si27-1, si27-2 si27-3, si27-4 and si27-5) for 24h, following which, TNF-α secretion was induced by exposure to LPS (0.1μg/ml) for 2h. TNF-α released to the medium was measured by ELISA. Of the five si27 constructs, si27-3 had the highest inhibitory effect on TNF-α secretion. At 10nM, si27-3 inhibited TNF-α secretion by 80% compared to a 60% inhibition by a 21-mer (SSL3). Following encapsulation in anionic liposomes, si27-3 at 100μg/kg body weight, on two successive days by intravenous administration, inhibited the secretion of TNF-α by 50%. These data demonstrate the identification of a highly efficacious siRNA formulation, which can be used in the treatment of TNF-α mediated diseases.     

Therapeutic profile of T11TS vs. T11TS+MiADMSA: a hunt for a more effective therapeutic regimen for arsenic exposure

Arsenic exposure is a serious health hazard worldwide. We have previously established that it may result in immune suppression by upregulating Th2 cytokines while downregulating Th1 cytokines and causing lymphocytic death. Treatment modalities for arsenic poisoning have mainly been restricted to the use of chelating agents in the past. Only recently have combination therapies using a chelating agent in conjunction with other compounds such as anti-oxidants, micronutrients and various plant products, been introduced. In the present study, we used T11TS, a novel immune potentiating glycopeptide alone and in combination with the sulfhydryl-containing chelator, mono-iso-amyl-dimarcaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA) as a therapeutic regimen to combat arsenic toxicity in a mouse model. Results indicated that Th1 cytokines such as TNF-α, IFNγ, IL12 and the Th2 cytokines such as IL4, IL6, IL10 which were respectively downregulated and upregulated following arsenic induction were more efficiently restored to their near normal levels by T11TS alone in comparison with the combined regimen. Similar results were obtained with the apoptotic proteins studied, FasL, BAX, BCL2 and the caspases 3, 8 and 9, where again T11TS proved more potent than in combination with MiADMSA in preventing lymphocyte death. The results thus indicate that T11TS alone is more efficient in immune re-establishment after arsenic exposureas compared to combination therapy with T11TS+MiADMSA.