Cissus quadrangularis augments IGF system components in human osteoblast like SaOS-2 cells

Osteoporosis is a public health problem which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Growth factors are produced locally in the bone and control cellular events such as induction of bone growth. Signaling through the Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I receptor (IGF-IR) by locally synthesized IGF - I or IGF-II in osteoblast is considered crucial for normal development and for bone remodeling. Traditional use of Cissus quadrangularis (C. quadrangularis) in the treatment of bone disorders have been documented, however its regulatory effects on IGF system components remain largely unknown. The present study is employed to delineate the effects of ethanolic extract of C. quadrangularis on the regulation of IGF system components in human osteoblast like SaOS-2 cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed an increase in the mRNA expression of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-IR in cells treated with C. quadrangularis when compared with control cells. The mRNA expression of IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) did not differ significantly between control and C. quadrangularis treated cells. Immunoradiometric analysis revealed increased levels of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 in the conditioned medium of C. quadrangularis treated cultures when compared with control. Western blotting analysis revealed increase in protein levels of IGF-IR in cells treated with C. quadrangularis. These results indicate positive regulation of C. quadrangularis on the IGF system components of human osteoblast like SaOS-2 cells.     

Synthesis, antileukemic and antiplatelet activities of 2,3-diaryl-6,7-dihydro-5H-1,4-diazepines

The synthesis, antileukemic and antiplatelet activity evaluation of 2,3-diaryl-6,7-dihydro-5H-1,4-diazepines are described. In general, it was found that compound 17o showed moderate antileukemic activity against MOLT3 human leukemic cancer cell lines. An arachidonic acid induced platelet aggregation effect on washed rat platelets was studied. Compound 17i was found to be the most potent. The antiplatelet properties may be mediated by interference with the arachidonic acid pathway.     

Association of Disease Severity with IL‐1 levels in Methotrexate‐treated Psoriasis Patients

Interleukin‐1 plays a key role in inflammation and keratinocyte activation. It is an important mediator in the initiation and maintenance of psoriatic plaques and may represent an attractive therapeutic target. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Methotrexate (MTX) on IL‐1 α and IL‐1 β levels in both plasma and skin biopsy of patients with psoriasis and to investigate their association with clinical disease activity. Forty‐five control subjects and 58 patients with psoriasis were recruited for this study. The patients were treated with 7.5 mg of MTX per week for 12 weeks. Folic acid was given at 5 mg once daily except on the day of MTX for 12 weeks. Blood samples and lesional skin biopsy were taken. Disease severity was assessed by Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score. IL‐1 levels in plasma and skin biopsy were analysed using ELISA. PASI score declined significantly (P < 0.001) from day 0 to 12 weeks of MTX treatment. IL‐1 α level in plasma and skin biopsy was reduced at day 0 sample and elevated significantly (P < 0.001) after MTX treatment. IL‐1β level in plasma and skin biopsy was higher at day 0 sample and reduced significantly (P < 0.001) after MTX treatment. IL‐1α levels and PASI score showed inverse correlation score before and after treatment with MTX. Whereas IL‐1β levels showed positive correlation before and after treatment with MTX. Decreasing IL‐1β levels by MTXs in psoriasis may block the Th17 differentiation. This shows the therapeutic effect of MTX in controlling the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis.     

Comparison of refractive errors and factors associated with spectacle use in a rural and urban South Indian population

Purpose: To compare the prevalence of refractive errors and factors associated with spectacle use in a rural and urban south Indian population. Materials and Methods: Four thousand eight hundred subjects (age> 39 years) each from rural and urban Tamil Nadu were enumerated for a population-based study. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmic evaluation including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), objective and subjective refraction. Out of 3924 rural responders 63.91% and out of 3850 urban responders 81.64% were phakic in the right eye with BCVA of 20/40 or better and were included in the study. Association of spectacle use and refractive errors with different parameters were analysed using logistic regression. Statistical Analysis: Chi square, t test, Chi square for trend and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used for analysis. Results: Spectacle use was significantly higher and positively associated with literacy and employment in the urban population. The age and gender-adjusted prevalence of emmetropia, myopia of spherical equivalent (SE) 0.50DS) and astigmatism ≤ 0.50 diopter cylinder (DC) were 46.8%, 31.0%, 4.3%, 17.9% and 60.4% respectively in the rural population and 29.0%, 17.6%, 1.5%, 51.9%, 59.1% respectively in the urban population. The prevalence of emmetropia decreased with age ( p p = 0.001) and were associated with nuclear sclerosis ( p = 0.001) in both populations. Hyperopia was commoner among women than men ( p = 0.001); was positively associated with diabetes mellitus ( p = 0.008) in the rural population and negatively with nuclear sclerosis ( p = 0.001) in both populations. Conclusion: Spectacle use was found to be significantly lower in the rural population. The pattern of refractive errors was significantly different between both populations.     

Recent progress in tumour vaccine development

Immunotherapy offers an exciting opportunity to treat human cancer. Analysis of tumour-associated antigens is progressing. Assisted by animal models, such knowledge can be used to design tumour vaccines. By including adjuvants to increase immunogenicity, several tumours previously thought to be non-immunogenic are now considered targets for tumour vaccines. Newly acquired knowledge regarding dendritic cell physiology is incorporated in newly designed vaccines that are currently in Phase I and II trials. Such assessment provides the overall conclusion that tumour vaccines are safe and deserve a more prominent place in the sequel of treatments for human cancer.     

Prevalence of open-angle glaucoma in a rural south Indian population

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and the associated risk factors in a rural population in southern India. METHODS: Subjects aged 40 years or more (n = 3934) underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Glaucoma was diagnosed according to the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiologic Ophthalmology classification. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 3924 subjects (response rate, 81.75%). In eyes with normal suprathreshold visual fields, the mean intraocular pressure was 14.29 +/- 3.32 mm Hg (97.5th and 99.5th percentiles, 21 and 25 mm Hg, respectively). The mean vertical cup-to-disc ratio was 0.39 +/- 0.17 (97.5th and 99.5th percentiles, 0.7 and 0.8, respectively). Sixty-four subjects had definite POAG (1.62%, 9.5% CI 1.42-1.82); 30 were men and 34 were women. Subjects with POAG (59.85 +/- 10.43 years) were older (P < 0.001) than the study population (53.78 +/- 10.71 years). In only one (1.5%) person was POAG diagnosed before the study. Two (3.12%) subjects were blind due to POAG; 21 (32.81%) subjects had a presenting IOP >21 mm Hg, and 43 (67.19%) had an IOP <21 mm Hg. The mean central corneal thickness in subjects with POAG (502.82 +/- 35.29 microm) was not different from that of the normal study population (505.93 +/- 31.11 microm). No association was found with diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension, gender, and myopia. Increasing IOP (per mm Hg) was associated with the disease (OR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08-1.16). The odds for POAG increased with advancing age after adjustment for gender. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of POAG in this population was 1.62%. The prevalence increased with age, and 98.5% were not aware of the disease.     

Comparison of Humphrey MATRIX and Swedish interactive threshold algorithm standard strategy in detecting early glaucomatous visual field loss

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to compare the Humphrey MATRIX visual field (frequency doubling technology threshold) and Swedish interactive threshold algorithm (SITA) standard strategy white on white perimetry in detecting glaucomatous visual field loss.

Material and Methods:

Twenty-eight adult subjects, diagnosed to have glaucoma at a tertiary eye care hospital, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were included in this prospective study. All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Subjects with glaucomatous optic disc changes underwent repeat perimetric examination on the same day with the Humphrey visual field analyzer (HFA II) and Humphrey MATRIX, the order of testing being random. Only reliable fields, where the HFA results corresponded to the disc changes were considered for analysis. A cumulative defect depth in each hemifield in both HFA and MATRIX reports was calculated.

Results:

Thirty-seven eyes of 24 subjects had reliable fields corresponding to optic disc changes. The mean age of the subjects was 56 ± 12 years. There were 12 males and 12 females. The test duration was significantly less on the MATRIX, mean difference in test duration was −81 ± 81.3 sec (p < 0.001). The mean deviation and the pattern standard deviation between the two instruments showed no significant difference (p = 0.55, p = 0.64 respectively) and a positive correlation coefficient of 0.63 and 0.72 respectively. Poor agreement was found with the glaucoma hemifield test.

Conclusion:

The Humphrey MATRIX takes less time in performing the test than SITA Standard and shows good correlation for mean deviation and pattern standard deviation. However, the glaucoma hemifield test showed poor agreement. The Humphrey MATRIX diagnoses were similar to established perimetric standards.     

Determinants of glaucoma awareness and knowledge in urban Chennai

Aim:

To assess the awareness and knowledge levels about glaucoma and its determinants in an urban population of Chennai in south India.

Materials and Methods:

Chennai glaucoma study (CGS) was a population based prevalence study to estimate the prevalence of glaucoma in a rural and urban south Indian population. A total of 3850 subjects aged 40 years or above participated in the urban arm of CGS. A systematic random sample of 1926 (50.0%) subjects completed a questionnaire that assesses their awareness and knowledge level of glaucoma. Respondents “having heard of glaucoma” even before they were contacted/recruited for the study were defined as “aware” and respondents having some understanding of the eye disease were defined as “knowledgeable”.

Results:

Overall 13.5% were aware of glaucoma, the age-gender adjusted rate for awareness was 13.3% (95% CI: 11.57 to 15.03). Two clinicians graded knowledge on glaucoma, based on the subject''s knowledge of risk factors, definitions and treatment aspects of glaucoma. Overall 8.7% had some knowledge about glaucoma. Among those who had knowledge 0.5% had good knowledge about glaucoma, 4% had fair knowledge and 4.2% had poor knowledge. We observed a very good agreement between the clinicians in grading knowledge (k =0.92). Determinants of glaucoma awareness and knowledge were higher levels of education, females, age, religion and family history of glaucoma.

Conclusion:

Awareness and knowledge about glaucoma was very low among the urban population of Chennai. We have found that younger subjects and men were less aware of glaucoma. Subjects with lower levels of education were less aware and knew less about glaucoma than their counterparts. The study findings stress the need for health education for effective prevention of blindness due to glaucoma.