BACKGROUND: Different methods have been used to inject stem cells into the eye for research. We previously explored the intravitreal route. Here, we investigate the efficacy of intravenous and subretinal-transplanted human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in rescuing the photoreceptors of a sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration model. METHODS: Three groups of Sprague Dawley rats were used: intervention, vehicle group and negative control groups (n = 6 in each). Intravenous injection of 60 mg/kg sodium iodate (day 0) induced retinal degeneration. On day 4 postinjection of sodium iodate, the rats in the intervention group received intravenous DPSC and subretinal DPSC in the right eye; rats in the vehicle group received subretinal Hank’s balance salt solution and intravenous normal saline; while negative control group received nothing. Electroretinogram (ERG) was performed to assess the retinal function at day 0 (baseline), day 4, day 11, day 18, day 26, and day 32. By the end of the study at day 32, the rats were euthanized, and both their enucleated eyes were sent for histology. RESULTS: No significant difference in maximal ERG a-wave (p = 0.107) and b-wave, (p= 0.153) amplitude was seen amongst the experimental groups. However, photopic 30 Hz flicker amplitude of the study eye showed significant differences in the 3 groups (p = 0.032). Within the intervention group, there was an improvement in 30 Hz flicker ERG response of all 6 treated right eyes, which was injected with subretinal DPSC; while the 30 Hz flicker ERG of the nontreated left eyes remained flat. Histology showed improved outer nuclear layer thickness in intervention group; however, findings were not significant compared to the negative and vehicle groups. CONCLUSION Combination of subretinal and intravenous injection of DPSCs may have potential to rescue cone function from a NaIO3 -induced retinal injury model.

BACKGROUND: Different methods have been used to inject stem cells into the eye for research. We previously explored the intravitreal route. Here, we investigate the efficacy of intravenous and subretinal-transplanted human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in rescuing the photoreceptors of a sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration model. METHODS: Three groups of Sprague Dawley rats were used: intervention, vehicle group and negative control groups (n = 6 in each). Intravenous injection of 60 mg/kg sodium iodate (day 0) induced retinal degeneration. On day 4 postinjection of sodium iodate, the rats in the intervention group received intravenous DPSC and subretinal DPSC in the right eye; rats in the vehicle group received subretinal Hank’s balance salt solution and intravenous normal saline; while negative control group received nothing. Electroretinogram (ERG) was performed to assess the retinal function at day 0 (baseline), day 4, day 11, day 18, day 26, and day 32. By the end of the study at day 32, the rats were euthanized, and both their enucleated eyes were sent for histology. RESULTS: No significant difference in maximal ERG a-wave (p = 0.107) and b-wave, (p= 0.153) amplitude was seen amongst the experimental groups. However, photopic 30 Hz flicker amplitude of the study eye showed significant differences in the 3 groups (p = 0.032). Within the intervention group, there was an improvement in 30 Hz flicker ERG response of all 6 treated right eyes, which was injected with subretinal DPSC; while the 30 Hz flicker ERG of the nontreated left eyes remained flat. Histology showed improved outer nuclear layer thickness in intervention group; however, findings were not significant compared to the negative and vehicle groups. CONCLUSION Combination of subretinal and intravenous injection of DPSCs may have potential to rescue cone function from a NaIO3 -induced retinal injury model.

Objective: To identify the bioactive extracts from Alternanthera sessilis and investigate its cytotoxicity potential against colon cancer cells, HT-29. Methods: This study examined the effects of three parts (aerial, leaf, stem) of whole plant on HT-29 colon cancer cell lines. Three different extracts from the plant parts were prepared by maceration technique using 80% ethanol. The anticancer activities were determined using MTT, clonogenic, cell motility and AOPI assay. The chemical composition profiling was analyzed by GC-MS. Results: Among three plant part extracts, leaf extract greatly suppressed the growth of colon cancer cells in time and dosage-dependent manner, followed by aerial and stem. The cytotoxicity results were rationalized with clonogenic, cell motility and AO/PI assay, where extract showed the most active activity compared to aerial and stem extracts. GC-MS analysis of leaf extract showed there were various recognized anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. Conclusions: Amid the screened extracts, the leaf extract exhibits the credible cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity and hence, our findings call for additional research to conclude the active compounds and their mechanisms determining the apoptotic activity.

This work investigates the Musa Paradisiaca plant and its tepal extracts. The research findings show that the tepal extracts of M. Paradisiaca contain high phytochemical activity. Hence we can conclude that these plants have a number of beneficial properties. Phytochemical analysis concludes that the plant is rich in flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, terpenoids, and phytosterol. In the current work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have revealed the antioxidant properties of M. Paradisiaca. The results show that the methanolic extracts of these tepals exhibit antioxidant potential and are also sources of natural antioxidant compounds, though comparatively, AgNPs have shown the best antioxidant activity. This work investigates the link between the ethnopharmacological statements and the bioactive constituents found in M. Paradisiaca toward all probable markers for cervical cancer via in vivo studies and molecular docking, to form a pharmacophore setting for the active target. However, most of the mechanisms of action of herbal medicines are not in total agreement, and the information collected from their traditional remedies over the years must not be neglected. Hence, it is sensible to investigate the options available in herbal medicine for cancer progression. Biosynthesised AgNPs are principally spherical and nanosized. It was also found that tepalmediated AgNPs exhibit excellent antimicrobial efficacy against tested human pathogens. This green method can be used as a better alternative source than the chemical fabrication of nanomaterials and the biosynthesised nanoparticles can be used in antibacterial medicines. The methanolictepal extract of M. Paradisiaca with AgNPs displayed proficient antidiabetic properties in the diabetes rat model and so could have a possible development for medical use in the future

Introduction: Biofilm is one of the important virulence factors that is responsible for the severity and progression of the Streptococcus pyogenes diseases. M-protein is involved in the irreversible attachment of S. pyogenes to surfaces during biofilm development. This study aims to determine the propensity of S. pyogenes to form biofilms and the molecular epidemiology of S. pyogenes isolates by emm typing. Methods: We screened 45 S. pyogenes isolates for the biofilm formation by Congo red agar (CRA) and quantified the biofilms by crystal violet microtiter-plate methods (CVMtP). The emm typing of all isolates was performed by conventional PCR with established primers according to the CDC protocol. Results: Majorities of S. pyogenes were isolated from non-invasive, 27 (60.0%) than invasive sources, 18 (40.0%). Regardless of invasiveness, 40 (88.9%) S. pyogenes isolates formed black colonies on CRA, while 43 (95.6%) of the isolates demonstrated various degrees of biofilm formation by CVMtP method. A total of 30 different emm types and subtypes were identified. No new emm types/subtypes were detected. The predominant emm types/subtypes were emm1, emm63, emm18.21, emm91, and emm97.4 which each gene accounted for 7.0%. All emm types/subtypes of S. pyogenes produced biofilms by CVMtP method except emm17.2 and emm57 which were isolated from non-invasive sources. Conclusions: Biofilm-producing S. pyogenes strains of various sources are genetically diverse and biofilm phenotypes are inherent to individual characteristic rather than specific emm type. Nonetheless, higher propensity of GAS to form biofilms warrants better management strategies to avoid treatment failures in the future.

Knee osteoarthritis is the commonest cause of knee pain in the elderly. It is characterized by unresolved pain, limitation of motion and reduced quality of life. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a safe and effective method in treating chronic knee osteoarthritis. We report a rare case of a seventy-seven-year-old Chinese female with multiple comorbidities and bilateral degenerative osteoarthritis who had sought services of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) for pain relief. The patient experienced unresolved pain and superficial skin scars following the unregulated procedure. This paper aims to outline the importance of awareness among surgeons regarding the unregulated practice of TCM that may exacerbate chronic osteoarthritis, joint synovitis, influence the surgical approach for future procedures with the presence of scars and prosthetic joint infection risk.