Biotechnological intervention in Betelvine(Piper betle L.):A review on recent advances and future prospects

Betelvine(Piper betle L.) is cultivated for its deep green heart shaped leaf for(15-20) million Indian and 2 billion foreign consumers annually. The crop provides Rs(6 000-7 000) million of national income per year and at the same time leaves worth Rs(30-40) million is exported to other countries. The leaves are not only used directly for chewing purposes but also possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-cancer and anti-microbial properties. Besides, the leaves also contain eugenol rich essential oil(1%-3%) which is the source for medicine, stimulant, antiseptic, tonic and other ayurvedic formulations. The essential oil also contains chavibetol, caryophyllene and methyl eugenol which are the potent source for preparation in ayurvedic medicine and herbal products. Cost of betelvine essential oil is 10$ per 5 mL. In spite of its great economical and medicinal importance betelvine is still neglected by the researchers for proper characterization and authentication for selection of elite landraces. Lack of awareness among people, use of same planting material for many generations, existing of many synonyms for a single landraces, no proper characterization of available landraces are some of the significant constraints for its commercialization. Our review endeavours a complete advance in the research on betelvine, existing lacunae for its proper characterization and commercial cultivation. It also attempts to provide a comprehensive account on biotechnological interventions made in betelvine aimed at complementing conventional programmes for improvement of this nutraceutically important cash crop.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome as a nano weapon to target the COVID-19 pandemic

In these times of despair when a nano-sized organism,the SARS-CoV-2,has rendered the human race helpless,made the global health status decline,and drowned the world economy,a ray of hope comes from another nano-sized particle,the exosome.The potential of mesenchymal stem cells has already been established in COVID-19;however,cell-based therapy has its risks.We thereby propose cell-free therapy using stem cells-derived exosomes to fight against COVID-19,as they can be a game-changer owing to their immunomodulatory nature,which combats the cytokine storm characterizing this disease,and their practical efficiency,which will realistically aid large access to therapy worldwide.

Evaluating role of bone marrow-derived stem cells in dry age-related macular degeneration using multifocal electroretinogram and fundus autofluorescence imaging

AIM：To evaluate the role of bone marrow-derived stem cells in the treatment of advanced dry age-related macular degeneration（AMD）using multifocal electroretinogram（mf-ERG）and fundus autofluorescence imaging.METHODS：Thirty patients（60 eyes）with bilateral central geographic atrophy（GA）were recruited.Worse eye of each patient received autologous bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells（BM-HSCs）（group 1）and the fellow eye with better visual acuity served as control（group2）.The effect of stem cell therapy was determined in terms of visual acuity,amplitude and implicit time in mf-ERG and size of GA on fundus autofluorescence imaging.These tests were performed at presentation and first,third and sixth month follow up.Adverse events（if any）were also monitored.RESULTS：At 6mo follow-up there was no statistically significant improvement in median log MAR best corrected visual acuity（BCVA）in either group.Mf-ERG revealed significant improvement in amplitude and implicit time in the intervention group.A significant decrease was also noted in greatest linear dimension（GLD）of GA in the eyes receiving stem cells[6.78±2.60 mm at baseline to 6.56±2.59 mm at 6mo（P=0.021）].However,no such improvement was noted in the control group.CONCLUSION：Electrophysiological and anatomical improvement in the intervention group sheds light on the therapeutic role of BM-HSCs.Further studies are required to determine the stage of disease at which the maximal benefit can be achieved and to standardize the dose andfrequency of stem cell injection.

MSCs derived extracellular vesicles as a therapeutic paragon for neurodegenerative disorders:A viewpoint

Neurodegenerative disorders are a vicious woe to the public health and wellness.Uncertainty in their underlying causes,lack of effective biomarkers for their early detection,existence of only supportive therapy,and their ever rising incidence creates an unmatched need for targeted therapies.Mesenchymal Stem Cells(MSCs)have found to be promising candidates for regenerative and remedial therapy in neurodegenerative disorders,however several biological risks and practical issues impede in their translational utility.Deriving from MSCs are certain Extracellular Vesicles(EVs),which aid in the paracrine action of MSCs and have lately gained the scientific interest for their implacability in diverse set ups.Their cargo is of utmost importance and is being explored in various different diseases like heart diseases,neuronal diseases,respiratory diseases and hepatic diseases.They thereby hold the position of a likely prospective remedial candidate for therapy against neurodegenerative disorders.

Comprehensive management of malocclusion in maxillary fibrous dysplasia:A case report

BACKGROUND Fibrous dysplasia(FD)is a developmental hamartomatous bone disease characterized by a blend of fibrous and osseous entities.Though rarely malignant,the tumor can vary from being small and asymptomatic,to a fairly large sized lesion,progressing gradually,compromising occlusion and facial esthetics.Treatment approach depends on the stage of skeletal maturity.It primarily involves surgical management for stabilizing the disease process.Post-surgical comprehensive dental treatment is necessary for restoring form and function of the jaws and teeth.This article describes comprehensive orthodontic management of severe malocclusion in a surgically operated case of FD maxilla.CASE SUMMARY A 19-year female presented with a chief complaint of excessive gingival display when smiling.Dental history included swelling of gums around the upper right front teeth,diagnosed at the age of 15 as FD of the right anterior maxillary segment and treated with surgical recontouring of the dysplastic bone.The clinical and radiological examinations showed adequate post-surgical healing.The surgically treated dysplastic area presented with right canting of the maxillary anterior occlusal plane.The maxillary teeth were torqued palatally,with the root of the right maxillary canine exposed clinically.We discuss sequential management of the associated malocclusion with comprehensive fixed orthodontics,along with special precautions taken to prevent reactivation of the quiescent and healed lesion.CONCLUSION The adequate healing of fibro-dysplastic bone post-surgery must be allowed before initiating orthodontic tooth movement in the dysplastic bone.Periodic follow-ups are needed to monitor stability of occlusion and any relapse of the lesion.

Odontoma: Case series &report of cases complicated by infection and multiple denticles

Odontoma is a hamartomatous lesion of odontogenic origin involving both epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. Although it is not an uncommon lesion yet in certain conditions it can lead to complications if left untreated. This is a retrospective review of 30 diagnosed odontoma cases from the archives of Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Government Dental College & Hospital, Nagpur, India. Out of these 30 cases, 17 were diagnosed as complex odon toma and 13 cases as compound odontoma. Two of these unusual cases have been described which emphasize the importance of early & appropriate treatment to prevent further morbidity.