Mosquito larvicidal activity of some common spices and vegetable waste on Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi

Objective:To investigate the larvicidal activities of crude and chlor of orm:methanol(1:1 v/ v) extracts of some common spices(Cuminum cyminum,Allium sativum,Zingiber offinale, Curcuma longa) and vegetable waste(Solanum tuberosum germinated tuber) against Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae.Methods:Larval mortality of above mosquito species were observed after 24,48 and 72 h of exposure to five concentrations of aqueous extract(0.1%,0.2%,0.3%,0.4%and 0.5%) and four concentrations(25,50,75 ppm) of chlor of orm:methanol(1:1 v/v) extract.The lethal concentration of individual spices or vegetable waste was determined by log-probit analysis(at 95%confidence level) and effect of crude and chlor of orm:methanol(1:1 v/v) extracts were recorded on non target organisms.Results: Relative mortality rate of both larval mosquito species were recorded in the following sequences: Cuminum cyminum】 Allium sativum】Zingiber offinale,Curcuma longa 】 Solanum tuberosum germinated tuber for crude extract,and efficacy of chlor of orm:methanol(1:1 v/v) extract were as follows:Curcuma longa 】 Zingiber offinale 】 Solanum tuberosum germinated tuber 】 Cuminum cyminum】 Allium sativum.Conclusions:Crude and chlor of orm:methanol(1:1 v/v) extract of Cuminum cyminum,Allium sativum,Zingiber offinale,Curcuma longa and Solanum tuberosum germinated tuber can be recommended effectively in mosquito control programmes at very low concentrations.No mortality and other abnormalities were noticed on non target organisms and further studies are needed to investigate the chemical structure of active principal which are responsible for larvicidal activity.

Evaluation of larvicidal activity of Pongamia pinnata extracts against three mosquito vectors

Objective:To evaluate the mosquito larvicidal activity of Pongamia pinnata(P.pinnata)extracts against three mosquito vectors.Methods:The methanol and hydroalcohol extracts of bark part of P.pinnata L were tested against fourth instar larvae of Culex quinqnefasciatus,Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi.The mortality was observed 24 h and 48 h after treatment,data was subjected to probit analysis to determine lethal concentration(LC_(50)and LC_(90))to kill 50 and 90 percent of treated larvae of tested species.Results:The larval mortality was found in both methanol and hydroalcohol extracts of P.pinnata against Culex quinquefascialus,Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi with LC_(50)values of 84.8,118.2 and 151.7 ppm;97.7,128.3 and 513 ppm.The highest larval mortality was found in methanol extract of P.pinnala when comparable to the hydroalcohol extract.Conclusions:These results suggest that both methanol and hyrdoalcohol extracts have the potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of disease vectors.This could lead to isolation of novel natural larvicidal compounds.

Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of leaf essential oil from Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook.f.ex Benth (Rutaceae) against three mosquito species

Objective:To determine the mosquito larvicidal activity of leaf essential oil and their chemical constituents from Clausena anisata（C.anisata）（Willd.） Hook.f.ex Benth.against Culex quinquefasciatus,Aedes aegypti and Anopheles Stephensi.Methods:Essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation and the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil was analyzed using gas chromatography—mass spectrometry.The mosquitoes were reared in the vector control laboratory and twenty lateⅢinstar larvae of three mosquito species were exposed to based on the wide range and narrow range tests,essential oil was tested at 50.100.150,200 and 250 ppm and each compound was tested at various concentration（5-75 ppm） and were assayed in the laboratory by using the protocol of WHO 2005:the 24 h LC50 values of the C.anisata leaf essential oil and their major compounds were determined following Probit analysis.Results:The oil contained were mainlyβ-pinene（32.8%）,sabinene（28.3%）,germacrene-D（12.7%）,estragole （6.4%） and linalool（5.9%）.The essential oil from the leaves of C.anisata exhibited significant larvicidal activity,with 24 h LC50 values of 140.96,130.19 and 119.59 ppm.respectively.The five pure constituents extracted from the C.anisata leaf essential oil were also tested individually against three mosquito larvae.The LC50 values ofβ-pinene,sabinene,germacrene-D,estragole and linalool appeared to be most effective against Anopheles stephensi(LC50-23.17,19.67,16.95. 11.01,35.17 ppm) followed by Aedes aegypti(LC50-27.69,21.20,18.76,12.70,38.64 ppm) and Culex quinquefasciatus(LC50-32.23,25.01.21.28,14.01,42.28).Conclusions:The essential oil of C. anisata contains five major compounds and has remarkable larvicidal properties,which may be considered as a potent source for the production of natural larvicides.

Evaluation of larvicidal activity of medicinal plant extracts against three mosquito vectors

Objective:To evaluate the mosquito larvicidal activity of plant extracts.Methods:The hexane,chloroform,ethyl acetate,acetone,and methanol leaf,flower and seed extracts of Abrus precatorius（A.precatorius）,Croton bonplandianum（C.bonplandianum）,Cynodon dactylon （C.dactylon）,Musa paradisiaca（M.paradisiaca） and Syzygium aromaticum（S.aromaticum） were tested against fourth instar larvae of Anopheles vagus（An.vagus）,Armigeres subalbatus （Ar.subalbatus） and Culex vishnui（Cx.vishnui）.Results:The highest larval mortality was found in seed ethyl acetate extracts of A.precatorius and leaf extracts of C.bonplandianum, flower chloroform and methanol extracts of M.paradisiaca,and flower bud hexane extract of S. aromaticum against An.vagus with LC50 values of 19.31,39.96,35.18,79.90 and 85.90μg/mL;leaf ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of C.dactylon,flower methanol extract of M.paradisiaca, flower bud methanol extract of S.aromaticum against Ar.subalbatus with LC50 values of 21.67, 32.62,48.90 and 78.28μg/mL,and seed methanol of A.precatorius,flower methanol extract of M.paradisiaca,flower bud hexane extract of S.aromaticum against Cx.vishnui with LC50 values of 136.84,103.36 and 149.56μg/mL,respectively.Conclusions:These results suggest that the effective plant crude extracts have the potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of disease vectors.This study provides the first report on the larvicidal activity of crude solvent extracts of different mosquitoes.

Larvicidal activity of essential oil and methanol extract of Nepeta menthoides against malaria vector Anopheles stephensi

Objective:To investigate the larvicidai activity of essential oil and methanol extract of the Nepeta menthoides（N.menthoides） against main malaria vector,Anopheles stephensi（An. stephensi）.Methods:The essential oil of planl was obtained by Clevenger type apparatus and the methanol extract was supplied with Percolation method,larvicidai activity was tested by WHO method.Twenty five fourth-instar larvae of An.stephensi were used in the larvicidai assay and four replicates were tested for each concentration.Five different concentrations of the oil and extract were tested for calculation of LC50 and LC50 values.Results:The LC50 and LC90 values were determined by probit analysis.IC50 was 69.5 and 234.3 ppm and LC50 was 175.5 and 419.9 ppm for the extract and essential oil respectively.Conclusions:According to the results of this study methanolic extract of plant exhibited more larvicidai activity than essential oil.This could be useful for investigation of new natural larvicidai compounds.

Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of essential oil of Origanum majorana(Lamiaceae) cultivated in Morocco against Culex pipiens(Diptera:Culicidae)

Objective:To evaluate the larvicidal activity of essential oil of Origanum mtijoruna(Lamiaceae)cultivated in Morocco against Culex pipiens(Diptera:Culicidae).Methods:The analysis and the identification of the various constituents of essential oil were carried out by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.Biological test was performed according to a standard methodology inspired by the World Health Organization protocol with slight modification.Results:This oil mainly consisted of monoterpene and sesquiterpenes.The majority compounds are 4-terpinene(28.96%),y-terpinene(18.57%),α-terpinene(12.72%) and sabinene(8.02%).The lethal concentrations(LC_(50) and LC_(90)) measured for the essential oil Origanum majorana,were respectively of the order of 258.71 mg/L and 580.49 mg/L.Conclusions:The results could be useful in search for newer,safer,and more effective natural larvicidal agents.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticle with Colocasia esculenta(L.) stem and its larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus and Chironomus sp

Objective:To synthesize silver nanoparticles with Colocasia esculenta as a reducing agent and to evaluate their effect against Culex quinquefasciatus and Chironomus sp.Methods:The aqueous extract of Colocasia esculenta stem was used for nanosynthesis.The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry,Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy,scanning electron microscope,transmission electron microscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction and Zeta potential studies.The toxicity of Colocasia esculenta stem extract and the synthesized silver nanoparticles was evaluated against the larval stages of target human filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus and non-target Chironomus sp.Results:Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed almost spherical shape of the synthesized silver nanoparticles with size ranging from 13-50 nm.After 24 hours of exposure,the LC50 and LC90 of the plant extract against 4th instars larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were 745.56 mg/L and 1258.28 mg/L,respectively,which were higher than those of synthesized silver nanoparticles(5.17 mg/L and 17.32 mg/L after 24 h;1.58 mg/L and 13.01 mg/L after 48 h).In addition,the LC50 and LC90 of silver nanoparticles against Chironomus sp.were 9.71 mg/L and 23.15 mg/L after 24 h as well as 2.38 mg/L and 19.49 mg/L after 48 h,respectively.Conclusions:The aqueous stem extract of Colocasia esculenta is a good agent for synthesis of silver nanoparticles,which are almost spherical with size less than 30 nm.The synthesized nanoparticles show good larvicidal activity without any harmful effect on non-target species.

Larvicidal activity of Dregea volubilis and Bombax malabaricum leaf extracts against the filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus

Objective:To analyze the larvicidal activity of two plant leaf powder and leaf-extracts, Dregea volubilis and Bombax malabaricum against Culex quinquefasciatus.Methods:The larvicidal bioassay was done for powdered leaves of Dregea volubilis and Bombax malabaricum individually and their methanol extracts against first-,second-,third- and fourth-instar larval forms of Culex quinquefasciatus.Mortality rate was recorded after 24,48 and 72 h of postexposure. LC50 and LG90 values were calculated at different time intervals for third instar larvae. Results:All the graded concentration（0.1%,0.2%,0.3%,0.4%,0.5%） of powdered leaves showed significant（P 【0.05） larval mortality.The mortality rate was higher in 50 ppm doses of methanolic extracts of both the plants against Culex quinquefaciatus.The corresponding 【C50 values were 56.97 ppm and 48.85 ppm,respectively after 24 h of exposure.There is no mortality of non-target organism such as Chironomous circumdatus,Oreochromis niloticus niloticus and Diplonichus annulatum within 72 h of post exposure to 0.1%,0.2%,0.3%crude powdered leaves and methanolic extracts of both the two individual plants under the laboratory condition.The results of preliminary qualitative phytochemical analysis of both the plants revealed the presence of many bioactive principles such as steroids,tannins,flavonoids,triterpenoids,saponins,etc. that may be responsible for their bio-control potentiality.Conclusions:The results have shown potential and eco-friendly use of both plant extracts against larva of Culex quinquefasciatus for the first time.

Larvicidal activity of Cyclamen(Myrsinaceae) extracts against the larvae of West Nile virus vector Culex pipiens L.(Diptera:Culicidae)

Objeclive:To evaluate the larvicidal activity of the tuber extracts isolated from two species of Cyclamen（Cyxltimen mimbile Hildebr.and Cyclamen alpinum Dammann ex.Sprcnger） against Culex pipiens L.（Diptera:Culicidae）.Methods:Twenty young（first-second） or older（third- fourth） instars of tile Culex pipiens were exposed to various concentrations（100 to I 000 ppm） of the extracts.Mortality was recorded after 12-,24-,48-.72- and 96-h of exposure.Results:We determined that the young larval stages were more susceptible to the extracts in comparison with the older larval stages.A comparison of LC90 and LC90 values has shown that Cyclamen mimbile was more active than Cyclamen alpinum.Conclusions:This study is the first to report on the larvicidal activity of the extracts of Cyclamen species against Culex pipiens.More studies are needed to isolate and identify the active components involved,their mode of action,and effects on other mosquito and pest species.

Phytochemistry and larvicidal activity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis against malaria vector,Anopheles stephensi

Objective:To determine phytochemistry and larvicidal activity of Eucalyptus eamaldulensis against Anopheles stephensi.Methods:The chemical compositions of the leaf essential oils were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry（GC/MS）.The larvicidal activity of essential oils and extract of leaf were tested against 4th instar larvae of laboratory-reared Anopheles stephensi.Results:GC/MS analyses identified the presence of 28 compounds corresponding to 99.60%of the total oil.The main constituents in the leaf essential oil were 1,8-cineole（69.46%）,γ-Terpinene（15.10%）,α-Pinene（5.47%） and Globulol（2%）.The leaf extract and volatile oil exerted significant larvicidal activity with LC50 values of 89.85 and 397.75 ppm,respectively.Clear dose-response relationships were established with the highest dose of 320 ppm essential oil extract resulted almost 100%mortality in the population.Conclusions:The larvicidal properties suggest that the essential oil of plant is a potential source of valuable larvicidal compounds against malaria vector and can be used as an alternative to synthetic insecticides.

Larvicidal activity,inhibition effect on development,histopathological alteration and morphological aberration induced by seaweed extracts in Aedes aegypti(Diptera:Culicidae)

Objective:To investigate the larvicidal activity,inhibition effect on development,histopathological alteration and morphological aberration induced by the extracts derived from seaweeds Bryopsis pennuta(B.pennata),Sargassum binderi(S.binderi) and Padina australis in Aedes aegypti(Ae.aegypti) larvae and to characterize the phytochetnical components of the three seaweeds.Methods:Larvicidal activity of the seaweeds towards the larvae of Ae.aegypti was determined according to WHO.The inhibition effect of seaweeds was assessed by determining the mortality,adult emergence rate,larval and pupa duration of the treated larvae.Histopathological effect on midgut epithelium of larvae and morphological aberration induced by the methanol extracts were examined.Phytochemical analysis was done to determine the presence of alkaloids,saponins,steroids and terpenoids in the seaweeds.Results:Chloroform partition of B.pennata extract exhibited the strongest larvicidal activity(LC_(50) = 82.55 μg/mL).followed by methanol extract of B.pennata(LC_(50) = 160.07 μg/mL) and chloroform partition of S.binderi extract(LC_(50) = 192.43 μg/mL).The methanol extract of S.bituleri exhibited the strongest effect on prolongation of larval period(1.5-fold longer as compared to control) and resulted in strongest inhibition effect in adult emergence(98.67%).The histopathological study showed that larvae treated with seaweed extracts had cytopathological alteration of the midgut epithelium.The morphological observation revealed that the anal papillae and terminal spiracles of larvae were the common sites of aberrations.Conclusions:The study provided information on various effects of seaweed extracts on Ae.aegypti.Further investigation on identifying the active compounds and their mechanisms of action is recommended.

Phytochemical and anti-bacterial activity of epidermal glands extract of Christella parasitica (L.) H. Lev.

Objective:To study the morphology,biochemistry and bioactivity of the epidermal glands of the glandular morphotype of Christella parasitica(C.parasitica)(L.) H.Lev.Methods: Morphological studies on epidermal glands were earned out by using light microscope and scanning electron microscope.To prepare the extract,the shade-dried fronds of glandular morphotype were soaked in acetone.For antibacterial studies paper disc method was followed by using various pathogenic bacteria.Results:Detailed micromorphological,phytochemical and bioactivity studies on a medicinal fern C.parasitica(L.) H.Lev.showed its inlraspecific variation in antibacterial activity.The presence or absence of the epidermal glands was the key factor for antibacterial activity in the morphovariants of this species.The epidermal glands were orange-coloured,stalked and elongated ones of about 84.2μm×45μm,and distributed on the undersurface of cosla,coslules and veins in croziers,young and mature leaves.Frequency of glands varied from 15/cm on costa in mature leaves to 140/cm on costules in croziers.The acetone extract of the glands showed antibacterial activities and also toxic effect against mosquito larvae and tadpoles of frog.Preliminary phytochemical analysis and HPLC studies of the gland extract showed the presence of various kinds of terpenoids,alkaloids,tannins,saponins and flavonoids in it.Conclusions:The present study shows that epidermal glands of the glandular morphotype of C. parasitica(L.) H.Lev.have several bioactive compounds and such rare moiphovariant should be conserved in nature.The next step is to isolate the pure compounds and to screen the bioactivity of individual compounds of the epidermal glands.

Mosquito larvicidal activity of Rauvolfia serpentina L.seeds against Culex quinquefasciatus Say

Objective:To establish the larvicidal activities,if any of solvent extracts of Rauvolfia serpentina (R.serpentina) L.seeds against Culex quinquefasciatus(Cx.quinquefasciatus) Say.1823 as target species.Methods:Seeds of R.serpentina were extracted with five solvents graded according to the polarity[viz.petroleum ether.benzene,ethyl acetate,acetone and absolute alcohol] continuing one after another with the same seeds.Results:Mortality rate with petroleum ether extract was significantly higher than other extracts.The mortality rates of late 3rd instar larvae wore 50.33±5.51.10.00±1.00.0.00±0.00.21.33±1.53 and 0.00±0.00 in 100 ppm concentration of petroleum ether,benzene,ethyl acetate,acetone and absolute alcohol respectively,after 24 h of exposure period.Conclusions:Results of this study show that petroleum ether extract of R. serpentina seed may be considered as a potent source of mosquito larvicidal agent.

Enzymatic Activity of Renal H-K-ATPase in the Outer Medullary Collecting Duct of Transgenic Mice

The H-K-ATPase (HKA), a potassium-dependent proton transporter in the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) plays an important role in acid-base homeostasis. The OMCD contains two HKA isoforms;gastric (HKAα1), dominant under normal dietary conditions (ND), and colonic (HKAα2), induced under a K-free diet (KD). The enzymatic activity (EA) of HKA in the OMCD is incompletely understood. The focus of the present study is elucidating the EA of the HKA in HKAα1 and HKAα2 knockout (KO) mice under ND and KD. KO mice were subjected to ND or KD for 10 days. Ten OMCD tubules were extracted, half placed in potassium-free media (Solution 2), half in potassium-containing media (Solution 3). Fluorescence measurements are based on the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP, coupled with the oxidation of NADH. ADP is determined by a decrease in NADH fluorescence. In K presence, NADH fluorescence of HKAα1 KO mice read 13.5 ± 0.7 ppm for ND and 10.3 ± 0.2 ppm for KD, indicating stimulation of the colonic isoform. HKAα2 KO mice averaged 6.8 ± 0.3 ppm for ND and 5.4 ± 0.3 ppm for KD in solution 2 (p p α2 isoform. A significant difference in ATP production in HKAα2 KO mice is likely due to enhanced EA of H-ATPase under potassium depletion.

Mosquito larvicidal and pupicidal activity of Euphorbia hirta Linn.(Family:Euphorbiaceae) and Bacillus sphaericus against Anopheles stephensi Liston.(Diptera:Culicidae)

Objective:To explore the larvicidal and pupicidal activity of Euphorbia hirta（E.hirta） leaf extract and Bacillus sphaericus（B.sphaericus） against the malarial vector.Anopheles siephensi（An. stephensi）.Methods:The larvicidal and pupicidal activity was assayed against An.stephensi at various concentrations ranging from（75-375 ppm） under the laboratory as well as field conditions. The LC50 and LC90 value of the E.hirta leaf extract was determined by probit analysis.Results: The plant extract showed larvicidal effects after 24 h of exposure;however,the highest larval mortality was found in the methanol extract of E.hirta against the first to fourth instars larvae and pupae of values LC50=137.40,172.65,217.81,269.37 and 332.39 ppm;B.sphaericus against the first to fourth instars larvae and pupae of values LC50= 44.29,55.83,68.51,82.19 and 95.55 ppm, respectively.Moreover,combined treatment of values of LC50= 79.13,80.42,86.01,93.00 and 98.12 ppm,respectively.No mortality was observed in the control.Conclusions:These results suggest methanol leaf extracts of E.hirta and B.sphaericus have potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of the malarial vector.An.stephensi as target species of vector control programs.This study provides the first report on the combined mosquito larvicidal and pupicidal activity of this plant crude extract and bacterial toxin against An.stephensi mosquitoes.

Glutamatergic CYLD deletion leads to aberrant excitatory activity in the basolateral amygdala:association with enhanced cued fear expression

Neuronal activity,synaptic transmission,and molecular changes in the basolateral amygdala play critical roles in fear memory.Cylindromatosis(CYLD)is a deubiquitinase that negatively regulates the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway.CYLD is well studied in non-neuronal cells,yet underinvestigated in the brain,where it is highly expressed.Emerging studies have shown involvement of CYLD in the remodeling of glutamatergic synapses,neuroinflammation,fear memory,and anxiety-and autism-like behaviors.However,the precise role of CYLD in glutamatergic neurons is largely unknown.Here,we first proposed involvement of CYLD in cued fear expression.We next constructed transgenic model mice with specific deletion of Cyld from glutamatergic neurons.Our results show that glutamatergic CYLD deficiency exaggerated the expression of cued fear in only male mice.Further,loss of CYLD in glutamatergic neurons resulted in enhanced neuronal activation,impaired excitatory synaptic transmission,and altered levels of glutamate receptors accompanied by over-activation of microglia in the basolateral amygdala of male mice.Altogether,our study suggests a critical role of glutamatergic CYLD in maintaining normal neuronal,synaptic,and microglial activation.This may contribute,at least in part,to cued fear expression.

Larvicidal activity of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacteria against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of symbiotic bacteria, Xenorhabdus indica, Xenorhabdus stockiae, Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. akhurstii and Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. hainanensis as a larvicide against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Methods: Larvae(L3-L4) of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus were given 2 m L of a suspension 107-108 CFU/m L of each symbiotic bacterium. Distilled water and Escherichia coli ATCC襅25922 were used as the control. The mortality rate of the larval mosquitoes was observed at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The experiment was performed in triplicates. Results: The larvae of both Aedes species started to die at 24 h exposure. Aedes aegypti showed the highest mortality rate(87%-99%), 96 h after exposure to Xenorhabdus stockiae(b NBP22.2_TH). The mortality rate of Aedes albopictus was between 82% and 96% at 96 h after exposure to Xenorhabdus indica(b KK26.2_TH). Low effectiveness of distilled water and Escherichia coli ATCC襅25922 were observed in both Aedes larvae, with a mortality rate of 2% to 12%. Conclusions: The study confirms the oral toxicity of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacteria against Aedes spp. Xenorhabdus stockiae and Xenorhabdus indica may be an alternative agent for control Aedes spp. This is basic information for further study on the mechanism of action on Aedes larvae or application to control mosquito larvae in the community.

Machine Learning Technology for Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis, Inflammation Activity and Steatosis (LIVERFASt^TM)

Using the latest available artificial intelligence (AI) technology, an advanced algorithm LIVERFAStTM has been used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of machine learning (ML) biomarker algorithms to assess liver damage. Prevalence of NAFLD (Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) and resulting NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) are constantly increasing worldwide, creating challenges for screening as the diagnosis for NASH requires invasive liver biopsy. Key issues in NAFLD patients are the differentiation of NASH from simple steatosis and identification of advanced hepatic fibrosis. In this prospective study, the staging of three different lesions of the liver to diagnose fatty liver was analyzed using a proprietary ML algorithm LIVERFAStTM developed with a database of 2862 unique medical assessments of biomarkers, where 1027 assessments were used to train the algorithm and 1835 constituted the validation set. Data of 13,068 patients who underwent the LIVERFAStTM test for evaluation of fatty liver disease were analysed. Data evaluation revealed 11% of the patients exhibited significant fibrosis with fibrosis scores 0.6 - 1.00. Approximately 7% of the population had severe hepatic inflammation. Steatosis was observed in most patients, 63%, whereas severe steatosis S3 was observed in 20%. Using modified SAF (Steatosis, Activity and Fibrosis) scores obtained using the LIVERFAStTM algorithm, NAFLD was detected in 13.41% of the patients (Sx > 0, Ay 0). Approximately 1.91% (Sx > 0, Ay = 2, Fz > 0) of the patients showed NAFLD or NASH scorings while 1.08% had confirmed NASH (Sx > 0, Ay > 2, Fz = 1 - 2) and 1.49% had advanced NASH (Sx > 0, Ay > 2, Fz = 3 - 4). The modified SAF scoring system generated by LIVERFAStTM provides a simple and convenient evaluation of NAFLD and NASH in a cohort of Southeast Asians. This system may lead to the use of noninvasive liver tests in extended populations for more accurate diagnosis of liver pathology, prediction of clinical path of individuals at all stages of liver diseases, and provision of an efficient system for therapeutic interventions.

Gene editing for corneal disease management

Gene editing has recently emerged as a promising technology to engineer genetic modifications precisely in the genome to achieve long-term relief from corneal disorders.Recent advances in the molecular biology leading to the development of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated systems,zinc finger nucleases and transcription activator like effector nucleases have ushered in a new era for high throughput in vitro and in vivo genome engineering.Genome editing can be successfully used to decipher complex molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathophysiology,develop innovative next generation gene therapy,stem cell-based regenerative therapy,and personalized medicine for corneal and other ocular diseases.In this review we describe latest developments in the field of genome editing,current challenges,and future prospects for the development of personalized genebased medicine for corneal diseases.The gene editing approach is expected to revolutionize current diagnostic and treatment practices for curing blindness.

Passive activity enhances residual control ability in patients with complete spinal cord injury

Patients with complete spinal cord injury retain the potential for volitional muscle activity in muscles located below the spinal injury level.However,because of prolonged inactivity,initial attempts to activate these muscles may not effectively engage any of the remaining neurons in the descending pathway.A previous study unexpectedly found that a brief clinical round of passive activity significantly increased volitional muscle activation,as measured by surface electromyography.In this study,we further explored the effect of passive activity on surface electromyographic signals during volitional control tasks among individuals with complete spinal cord injury.Eleven patients with chronic complete thoracic spinal cord injury were recruited.Surface electromyography data from eight major leg muscles were acquired and compared before and after the passive activity protocol.The results indicated that the passive activity led to an increased number of activated volitional muscles and an increased frequency of activation.Although the cumulative root mean square of surface electromyography amplitude for volitional control of movement showed a slight increase after passive activity,the difference was not statistically significant.These findings suggest that brief passive activity may enhance the ability to initiate volitional muscle activity during surface electromyography tasks and underscore the potential of passive activity for improving residual motor control among patients with motor complete spinal cord injury.