The visual field-testing maze and vision maze: Feasible techniques to evaluate visual field loss in animals.

Visual field loss due to glaucoma is a severe and concerning problem, leading to limited visual range and poor quality vision. The progression of this loss begins with a para-central arcuate scotoma which eventually advances to a ring scotoma and constricted visual fields in later stages. Currently, no animal model is available for screening this pattern of vision loss. However, we have successfully developed two mazes to evaluate visual field loss - the visual field-testing maze (VFTZ) for peripheral vision loss and the vision maze (VM) for central vision loss. Our studies involved inducing glaucoma in Wistar and Sprague Dawley rats using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and testing them in VFTZ and VM. We used Latanoprost and dorzolamide eye drops as standard drug candidates during the study. We evaluated the animals for intraocular pressure, retinal vasculature imaging, and anxiety using tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, and light and dark model techniques. Furthermore, we quantified the antioxidant parameters of the retina using UV spectroscopy. Our findings showed that animals with peripheral visual field loss in VFTZ took significantly more time to reach the goal and spent more time within the maze compared to normal or drug-treated animals (P < 0.001). Additionally, animals with compromised central visual field in VM spent more time in a particular arm and changed arms less frequently (P < 0.001) compared to normal or drug-treated animals. Moreover, we observed that glaucomatous rats exhibited elevated anxiety levels and impaired performance in the mazes, emphasizing the impact of vision loss on anxiety. Finally, the antioxidant and ATPase alterations in the retinal layers verified the glaucomatous changes in the experimental animals. Based on our remarkable findings, we strongly recommend the use of VFTZ and VM to evaluate visual field loss in animals.

Intermittent Fasting and Vitamin E Supplementation Attenuates Hypothyroidism-Associated Ophthalmopathy.

Visualization is a complex-integrated procedure of the eyes and brain that allows to see this colorful world. Hypothyroidism-associated ophthalmopathy (HAO), often known as dry eyes, swelling around the eyes, blurred vision, glaucoma, and cataracts, are some eye-related issues caused by hypothyroidism. Yet there is no permanent cure for hypothyroidism; taking medicine throughout life is the only solution to keep its harmful effects under control. This study used intermittent fasting (IF) and vitamin E (Vit.E) supplementation to prevent hypothyroidism-associated ophthalmopathy. This study hypothesized that intermittent fasting-like diet regimens and vitamin supplementation should reduce the propagation of HAO by its antioxidant potential. In the present study, experimental animals are divided into five groups: normal, hypothyroidism control, dual, Vit. E, and IF. Hypothyroidism is generated in the experimental groups by taking propylthiouracil (PTU) for 24 days while also taking IF and Vit. E supplements. The hypothyroid-induced experimental animals demonstrated an increase in IOP and lipid peroxidation while thyroid hormone levels depicted a massive decline which is a clear denotation of the effects of the thyroid on eyes and lifestyle. Ancient Ayurveda inspires these proposed therapies and has successfully reduced all the damage to the thyroid gland and the eye.

Oxymatrine impedes the progression of endotoxin-induced glaucoma via redox system modulations.

This study aimed to provide irrefutable evidence of the preventive effects of oxymatine (OMT) on a model of endotoxin induced glaucoma in Wistar rats which can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and TNF-α antagonistic properties. To assess the impact of OMT on uveitic glaucoma, the normal group received 100 µL distilled water topically for 15 days, while the glaucoma control group was induced with uveitic glaucoma by applying 10 µL of 10 µg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) topically for 3 consecutive days. The treatment groups were then given OMT solution at a volume of 50 µL with varying doses of 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% once a day via topical administration for 15 days. In addition, as a standard, the animals were also given 100 µL of 1% dorzolamide topically for 15 days. All ophthalmic dosing was carried out by pulling the lower eye-lid of the experimental animals and administration of the respective solutions. The study uses cutting-edge real-time imaging of the retinal vasculature in anesthetized animals, postsacrifice lenticular picturization and biochemical evidence to support the changes in the retinal layers. LPS induced animals demonstrated increased IOP, disrupted antioxidant systems, massive lipid damage, enhanced TNF-α activity and changes in intracellular ATPase and ionic activities. The damaged retinal vasculature and lenticular opacification further supported the biochemical evidence. However, using OMT at a 1% dosage effectively enhanced the antioxidant levels, regulated intracellular ion concentration and ATPases, decreased TNF-α activity, and counteracted mechanobiological changes in the visual front and retina. Moreover, OMT can successfully normalize intraocular pressure, making it a highly beneficial treatment option for glaucoma.

Role of modeling and artificial intelligence in process parameter optimization of biochar: A review.

Enhancement of crop yield, conservation and quality upgradation of soil, and efficient water management are the main objectives of sustainable agriculture and mitigating climate change's impact on agriculture. In recent days, biochar, obtained via thermochemical alteration of biomass is becoming a powerful agent for soil and water quality improvement, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and heavy metal adsorption. The present study predominantly focuses on various process parameters related to biochar preparation through pyrolysis, their impact on biochar production as well as physicochemical characteristics, and the optimization of such process parameters. Different designs of the experiment (DOE) and optimization techniques including traditional and non-traditional optimizations are discussed in the current review, along with their applicability and shortcomings. Since the biochar preparation process is tedious and energy-consuming, the present review will help to understand the importance of optimization in preparing biochar, thereby leading to a better way to prepare biochar.

Utilization of fleshing waste of leather processing for the growth of zygomycetes: A new substrate for economical production of bio-polymer chitosan.

A simple scalable method has been developed to obtain protein hydrolysate from fleshing waste generated during leather processing. UV-Vis, FTIR and Solid State C13 NMR analyses identified that prepared protein hydrolysate is basically collagen hydrolysate. DLS and MALDI-TOF-MS spectra indicated that the prepared protein hydrolysate is mostly comprised of di- and tri-peptides and less poly-dispersed than the standard commercial product. A combination of 0.3% Yeast extract, 1% Protein Hydrolysate (PHz) and 2% Glucose is found to be the most efficient nutrient composition for the fermentative growth of three well-known chitosan producing zygomycetes group of fungi. Mucor sp. showed highest yield of biomass (2.74 g/L) as well as chitosan (335 mg/L). Biomass and chitosan yield for Rhizopus oryzae were found 1.53 g/L; 239 mg/L. Same for Absidia coerulea were 2.05 g/L and 212 mg/L, respectively. This work shows promising prospect of utilization of fleshing waste of leather processing for the low-cost production of industrially important biopolymer chitosan.

A Review on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Its Role in Natural Resources Management: North East India, a Cultural Paradise.

Sustainable management of natural resources plays a critical role in poverty alleviation and overall socio-economic development. North East (NE) India is blessed as a biodiversity hotspot, being also home to around 150 ethnic tribes with diverse ethical, cultural and traditional beliefs, endorsing the region as a cultural paradise rich in natural resources and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Conversely, the severely constrained nature of TEK, has juxtaposed TEK practices and sustainable natural resources management (NRM) in this review. Deliberating on the broader perspectives of TEK and ensuing practices, we have identified twelve sustainable development goals (SDGs) which are directly correlated to the TEK and practices of NE region. This review has meticulously detailed TEK and practices that can help in achieving various sustainable development targets of different SDGs in a more comprehensive and eco-friendly manner. Houde's manifestation to differentiate each element of TEK and practices present in the NE region of the country, such as traditional farming and irrigation systems, sacred groves, and cultural belief systems of different tribes, have been systematically analyzed and documented for each of the eight states of this region. The benefits accrued modern practices related to NRM are correlated with TEK, or adaptive empirical knowledge system. Indigenous agricultural systems, watershed management, biodiversity conservation, and ethnomedicinal therapeutic systems in NE India formed a vital part of the review. However, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and deforestation warrant an urgent need to systematically collate, document, analyze, and conserve the TEK of the indigenous communities of NE India.

Oxymatrine Protects TGFß1-Induced Retinal Fibrosis in an Animal Model of Glaucoma.

Glaucoma has engulfed a huge population of the world into its claws of blindness as it remains asymptomatic until nearly 40% of the neurons are lost and the only option left is for patients to be subjected to symptomatic treatments or surgical methods, neither of which is completely effective in curing the disease as they do not restore the physiological dimensions at the neuronal level. Among the several factors that drive the pathophysiology of glaucoma, one is the involvement of fibrogenic factors, such as transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) which remodels the extracellular matrix (ECM) and, thus, the deposition of fibrotic material in the retina, resulting in the progression of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the protective effects of oxymatrine (OMT) in the steroid-induced glaucoma model in experimental rats and to determine the role of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGFß1) in the pathogenesis of glaucoma and its consequent inhibition due to the antioxidant and the antiinflammatory, and also the TGFß1 antagonistic, behavior of OMT. To that end, we experimentally elucidated the role of OMT, a TGFß1 antagonist, that is known to play antiinflammatory and antioxidant roles in the steroid-induced glaucoma model in experimental rats, and using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we observed a direct inhibitory effect of OMT on the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The antioxidant and the antiinflammatory potentials of OMT were determined using several biochemical methods to determine the major antioxidants in the retinal layers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH), along with the nitrite and the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration levels. As a result, OMT was found to reduce the total protein content in the retinal layers, a correlation that has not been previously reported. Moreover, the impacts of OMT on the major governing ATPases, namely Na+/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ATPase, along with its impacts on the intracellular ionic concentrations of Na+, K+, and Ca2+, were determined and were found to point toward OMT, restoring homeostasis in glaucomatous animals. A clearer picture of the changes during the treatment was obtained using retinal images of the live animals and of the lenticular changes in the sacrificed animal; these images provided data on the pathological pathways leading to glaucoma inception and its consequent inhibition by OMT. The data reported in this study clearly indicate that OMT has a possible role in inhibiting the pathogenesis of glaucoma, and the data also permit the quantification of several biochemical parameters of concern.

Potential of metabolic engineering in bacterial nanosilver synthesis.

The widespread applications of silver nanoparticles in present days demand an industrial-scale production process. The ability of bacteria to synthesise silver nanoparticles can be exploited to overcome many shortcomings associated with conventional production processes, such as high cost and nanoparticle toxicity. However, lack of a standardised protocol and suboptimal yield remain a major obstacle for bacterial synthesis route. A potential, yet unexplored, solution to this problem could be envisioned through rewiring of the metabolic network to direct cellular resources towards the product of interest. Mathematical modelling of metabolic pathway is the key to understand and manipulate the cellular metabolism for enhanced production of desired metabolite(s). The present study provides a perspective on the scope of metabolic engineering approaches to enhance bacterial synthesis of silver nanoparticles.