Colonization of Serratia fonticola on phylloplane of tomato and its impact on leaf cytoplasmic protein profile

Aim: The aim of the present study was to understand the impact of human enteric pathogen (Serratia fonticola) colonization on cytoplasmic protein profile of tomato leaves. Methodology: Aseptically grown plants were inoculated with S. fonticola and sampled at different interval of time. Colonization pattern was studied by leaf impression technique. Changes in cytoplasmic protein profile were studied by protein-protein crosslinking method followed by separation through SDS PAGE. Results: The colonization pattern study revealed that maximum colonies were found at 24 hr post inoculation which gradually decreased with time, showing the survival of the pathogen on phylloplane. Electrophoretic separation of cytoplasmic proteins showed crosslinking of some proteins in treated samples at 48, 72 and 96 hr post inoculation. Interpretation: This study will help in understanding the molecular changes in cytoplasmic protein profile and survival of pathogen on phylloplane, thus limiting the growth of bacteria, Serratia fonticola on phyllosphere.

Glaucoma: role of neuroprotective agents.

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy, considered as the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Glaucoma is characterized by selective death of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and a progressive loss of vision. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the most important risk factors for developing glaucoma and hence we mainly focus on lowering IOP to arrest the progression of glaucoma. However, many patients continue to demonstrate a clinically downhill course despite the control of initially raised IOP. In fact, some patients develop what is called normal tension glaucoma, not associated to an increased IOP. This emphasizes that several pressure-independent mechanisms are responsible for the development and progression of glaucomatous neuropathy and that high IOP and vascular insufficiency in the optic nerve head are only risk factors for the development of glaucoma, and are not the only target for the treatment of glaucoma. The reason is that the process of RGC death is thought to be biphasic, and the primary injury is followed by a slower secondary degeneration related to a noxious environment surrounding the apoptotic cells. This environment is characterized by changes in the extra-cellular ionic concentrations, increased amounts of free radicals, neurotrophins (NT) depletion and increased glutamate-induced excitotoxicity due to high extra-cellular glutamate levels, which binds to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors leading to an abnormally high intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Neuroprotection is a process that attempts to preserve the remaining cells that are still vulnerable to damage, and the main aim of neuroprotective therapy is to employ pharmacologic or other means to attenuate the hostility of the environment surrounding the degenerating cells, or to supply the cells with the tools to deal with this aggression, providing resilience to the insult. Several agents have been reported neuroprotective in glaucoma, both in clinical assays, such as Ca2+ channel blockers, and in experimental studies, such as betaxolol, brimonidine, NMDA antagonists, nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, NT and Ginkgo biloba extract. Most neuroprotective agents for glaucoma have proved beneficial effects over RGC, not showing effects over IOP. However, when analyzing classically used medications for glaucoma, it becomes difficult to understand if its effect over the progression of glaucoma is due to neuroprotective pathways or by means of lowering IOP. The ideal anti-glaucoma drug would be one that when applied topically, reduces IOP, but also probes to reach the retina in appropriate amounts, and activates specific receptors in the retina to attenuate RGC death. In this review, we will examine currently advocated neuroprotective drug-based strategies in the potential management of glaucoma.

Hemiplegia as a manifestation of acute mountain sickness.

A young mountaineer who developed right sided hemiplegia with aphasia at high altitude is reported. This is an uncommon nervous system manifestation in acute mountain sickness.

Falciparum malaria.

We analysed cases of hematologically proved cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria encountered from July 1984 to Dec 1985 in a military hospital. The age range was 3 days to 10 years. Majority presented with classical symptom of fever (92.7%). Others presented with gastrointestinal (7.3%), hepatic (4.5%), central nervous system (7.3%) and respiratory (3.6%) symptoms. Anemia was found in 36.4%. Hepatosplenomegaly was present in majority of the cases. The rare findings were polyarthritis, rash, urticaria and cerebellar features. All cases responded to chloroquine or quinine. No resistance to drugs was found and there was no mortality.