Stem cells: A potential regenerative future in dentistry

In recent years, the field of dentistry has embossed its presence by taking major leaps in research and further bringing it into practice. The most valuable ongoing research in regenerative dentistry is the study on stem cells. It was instituted that stem cells grow rapidly and have the potential to form specialized dentin, bone, and neuronal cells. These neuronal cells can be used for dental therapies and can provide better treatment options for patients. The stem cells based therapies could help in new advances in treating damaged teeth, inducing bone regeneration and treating neural injury as well.     

Karyotypic variation in susceptibility to hemolytic anemia and idiopathic eosinophilia of owl monkeys,Aotus trivirgatus

Hematologic data gathered over a period of 4.8 years from 196 owl monkeys,Aotus trivirgatus, were analyzed to find if karyotypic differences existed. It was found that none of 30 animals of karyotypes K-I and K-VI developed hemolytic anemia, whereas 46 of 99 animals of K-II, K-III and K-IV did (p<0.005). Analysis of hemograms of normal owl monkeys showed that mean percent eosinophils varied markedly, K-I monkeys having lowest counts, 3.2%, and K-VI animals having the highest, 33%. These results establish that idiopathic eosinophilia and hemolytic anemia in this species are probably unrelated but susceptibility to both has a strong genetic component.     

Purification of Oxalyl CoA Synthetase Enzyme from Lathyrus sativus and Raising of Antibodies

Oxalyl CoA synthetase, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of β-oxalyl CoA synthetase, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of days old seedlings of Lathyrus sativus using affinity chromatography and electroelution. The enzyme existed in three forms. They were designated as OCS-1, OCS-2 and OCS-3 and their molecular weights were found to be 63.1, 39.9 and 17.7 kDa, respectively. The antibodies were raised against all the three enzymes. The monospecificity of the antiserum was checked by immunoblotting. OCS-1 and OCS-2 did not share any common epltopes as no cross-reaction was seen.     

Transcriptional programming drives Ibrutinib-resistance evolution in mantle cell lymphoma

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Utilization of alkali-treated and neutralized wheat straw-based rations for growing goat kids

Six groups of six goat kids were fed individually for 168 days with wheat straw given various treatments: (1) control; (2) 33 g NaOH/kg straw; (3) 80 g NaOH/kg, partly neutralized with mineral acids; (4) mineral control for 80 g NaOH/kg; (5) 120 g NaOH/kg, partly neutralized with mineral acids, and (6) mineral control for 120 g NaOH/kg straw. The average weight gain was significantly superior (P< 0.05) and the efficiency of dry matter (DM) and energy utilization was the highest with the 80 g NaOH/kg straw treatment. This treatment also gave significantly higher (P<0.05) digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), nitrogen-free extract (NFE) and hemicellulose than the control and 33 g NaOH/kg straw treatments. Increasing levels of alkali decreased (P<0.05) the digestibility of crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE). Digestible energy and nitrogen-corrected metabolisable energy (ME_n) (as a percentage of gross energy (GE)) were maximal with 80 g NaOH/kg. The pH value of rumen liquor was the same for the control and the 33 g NaOH/kg and 80 g NaOH/kg treatments, but significantly increased (P<0.05) with the 120 g NaOH/kg straw treatment. The mean values for rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH₃ -N) were the same for the control, the 33 g NaOH/kg, and mineral controls for 80 and 120 g NaOH/kg treatments, but 80 g NaOH and 120 g NaOH/kg straw gave significantly lower values. It is suggested that by partially neutralizing the residual alkali, 80 g NaOH/kg straw can give higher efficiency of energy utilization for growth and digestibility of nutrients compared with 33 g NaOH/kg or the untreated control group, and the extensive use of treated straw in the diets of animals of which a rapid rate of production is not demanded, may be advantageous.     

Pollination biology of Indotristicha ramosissima (Podostemaceae: Tristichoideae)

Floral morphology, phenology and mode of pollination have been studied in Indotristicha ramosissima (Wt.) van Royen. Although the plants are submerged, self-pollination (autogamy) occurs above water. This is aided by considerable elongation of the pedicel (20 mm) prior to pollination. The filaments of the stamens also elongate rapidly (∼6.5 mm/h) before and after pollination. The flowers are typically trimerous. Each anther contains 1743 ± 187 pollen grains. These are spherical, multiporate, 3-celled and ∼97% fertile at the time of shedding. Germination of pollen on the stigma and the growth of pollen tubes have been traced in both naturally and manually (self- as well as cross-) pollinated pistils. The pollen:ovule ratio is ∼72:1 and the ovule: seed ratio is ∼2:1. Mature fruits are 8 or 9 ribbed and open by 2 or 3 longitudinal slits that release ∼32 seeds.     

Sex steroid receptor expression and localization in benign prostatic hyperplasia varies with tissue compartment

Androgens and estrogens, acting via their respective receptors, are important in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The goals of this study were to quantitatively characterize the tissue distribution and staining intensity of androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα), and assess cells expressing both AR and ERα, in human BPH compared to normal prostate. A tissue microarray composed of normal prostate and BPH tissue was used and multiplexed immunohistochemistry was performed to detect AR and ERα. We used a multispectral imaging platform for automated scanning, tissue and cell segmentation and marker quantification. BPH specimens had an increased number of epithelial and stromal cells and increased percentage of epithelium. In both stroma and epithelium, the mean nuclear area was decreased in BPH relative to normal prostate. AR expression and staining intensity in epithelial and stromal cells was significantly increased in BPH compared to normal prostate. ERα expression was increased in BPH epithelium. However, stromal ERα expression and staining intensity was decreased in BPH compared to normal prostate. Double positive (AR and ERα) epithelial cells were more prevalent in BPH, and fewer double negative (AR and ERα) stromal and epithelial negative cells were observed in BPH. These data underscore the importance of tissue layer localization and expression of steroid hormone receptors in the prostate. Understanding the tissue-specific hormone action of androgens and estrogens will lead to a better understanding of mechanisms of pathogenesis in the prostate and may lead to better treatment for BPH.