The cellular and molecular processes that underlie the drives and functions of sleep have been the topic of many studies in the last few decades. Discovery-based techniques, such as cDNA microarrays, have increasingly been utilized in conjunction with sleep deprivation paradigms to examine the molecular mechanisms and functions of sleep. These studies have helped to validate and expand existing hypotheses, such as those on the roles of sleep in synaptic plasticity and in energy metabolism. The mechanisms underlying the highly prevalent changes in sleep architecture with age are not known, but likely reflect fundamental changes in the molecular basis of circadian timing and sleep homeostatic processes. We decided to explore the effects and interactions of sleep deprivation and aging utilizing the proteomic technique of difference in gel electrophoresis (DIGE). DIGE, which utilizes cyanine dye labeling of samples, allows for the comparison of multiple experimental groups within and across gels. In this study, we compared cerebral cortex tissue from young (2.5 months) and old (24 months) mice that had been sleep deprived for 6 h to tissue from undisturbed young and old control animals. Following DIGE, automatic image matching and spot identification, and statistical analysis, 43 unique proteins were identified. The proteins were grouped into seven functional classes based on published characteristics: cell signaling, cytoskeletal, energy metabolism, exocytosis, heat shock proteins, mRNA processing/trafficking, and serum proteins. The identity and characteristics of these proteins relevant to sleep and aging are discussed.

Purpose: To identify the predictors of final visual outcome in cases with post fever retinitis (PFR).Methods : This is a retrospective study of cases with diagnosis of post fever retinitis. Color fundus photograph and optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters at presentation and final visit were analysed. Various factors at presentation [age, systemic illness, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), area of retinitis and hard exudates, OCT parameters], at final visit (optic disc pallor, OCT parameters) and the treatment modalities used were correlated with BCVA at final visit.Results : Twenty four eyes of 16 patients with PFR were included in the study. Median BCVA at presentation was 6/60 and at final visit was 6/9. By multiple linear regression after adjusting for other variables, for every 1 unit increase in height of SRF at fovea at presentation, the value of final BCVA decreased by 0.001 unit. For every 1 unit increase in extent of EZ loss and subfoveal deposit height, the value of final BCVA decreased by 0.0001unit and 0.004 unit respectively.Conclusion: Height of SRF at presentation, extent of EZ loss and subfoveal deposit height at final visit were associated with poor final BCVA in PFR.

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Introduction: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and recently a vascular mechanism has been postulated in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic nerve damage but the relationship of the various hemodynamic factors and open angle glaucoma is still controversial. Aim: To compare the intraocular pressure and the different vascular indices among cases and controls; to determine their relationship with primary open angle glaucoma. Settings and Design: Hospital based case control study. Methods and Material: The study was undertaken from November 2014 to October 2015 in a tertiary care centre with 200 participants above 40 years comprising of 100 cases of primary open angle glaucoma and a similar number of randomly selected age and sex matched healthy controls. All underwent a detailed comprehensive ocular examination. The blood pressure was measured in each and the variables like systolic-diastolic perfusion pressures, mean arterial and mean ocular perfusion pressures were calculated using the formulas.Results: Amongst all vascular factors studied, diastolic blood pressure, mean ocular perfusion pressure and intraocular pressure were extremely significant among cases as compared to controls. Those having higher intraocular pressure had higher values of systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures and intraocular pressure had a positive correlation with these pressures. Conclusion: The mean ocular perfusion pressure was very much lower in cases than in controls and thedifference too was highly significant and hence we conclude that along with high intraocular pressure, a vascular mechanism is there behind the occurrence of primary open angle glaucoma.

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