Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly population worldwide and is defined as a chronic, progressive disorder characterized by changes occurring within the macula reflective of the ageing process. At present, the prevalence of AMD is currently rising and is estimated to increase by a third by 2020. Although our understanding of the several components underpinning the pathogenesis of this condition has increased significantly, the treatment options for this condition remain substantially limited. In this review, we outline the existing arsenal of therapies available for AMD and discuss the additional role of further novel therapies currently under investigation for this debilitating disease.

Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) are an interesting and promising option for the storage and transport of hydrogen with reasonable energy density via a reversible hydrogenation reaction. The commercially available heat transfer oil dibenzyltoluene emerged as a potential carrier for the LOHC technology due to its availability, thermal stability, and reasonable hydrogen storage capacity. In this work, thermophysical property data (viscosity, density, surface tension, and refractive index) are measured for dibenzyltoluene and its partially and fully hydrogenated derivatives, namely, hexahydro-dibenzyltoluene, dodecahydro-dibenzyltoluene, and octadecahydro-dibenzyltoluene over a wide range of temperatures. Correlations for the temperature dependence are proposed for the measured properties. Moreover, the excess molar volume is reported within the temperature range from 293.15 K to 358.15 K for the binary mixtures of dibenzyltoluene (fully dehydrogenated form) and octadecahydro-dibenzyltoluene (fully hydrogenated form). Positive values for the excess molar volumes are observed over the entire concentration range.

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Objective: Streptococcus equi has been identified to contain the hyaluronan synthase gene (HAS), which could have a role in the cell proliferation activity. The objective of this research was to determine anticancer properties of HAS113 recombinant clone. Methodology: The intracellular and extracellular portions of the expressed gene products of pQE-HAS113 were harvested and evaluate for anticancer properties against prostate cancer cell (PC3) and breast cancer cell (MCF-7). To evaluate anti-proliferative properties of pQE-HAS113, two assays were carried out: MTT assay, which was used for assessing percent cell inhibition and apoptosis assay, through the AO/EB stain of living, apoptotic, as well as necrotic cells. For evaluation of the immunomodulatory properties of pQE-HAS113 on RAW264.7 in terms of IL-6, IFN-γ & IL-8 expression, flow cytometry examination was done. The harvested intracellular and extracellular portions of pQE-HAS113 were tested. Results: The results indicated that the percentage proliferation of both the prostate cancer and breast cancer cells were 2.1% and 7.2% respectively against the intracellular portions of pQE-HAS113. While in case of the extracellular portions of pQE-HAS113 the proliferation rate of both the prostate cancer and breast cancer cells were 6.5% and 6.7% respectively. The PQE-HAS113 intracellular clone gene has shown proinflammatory activity by stimulating the expression of IL-6, INF-γ, & IL-8 in the RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Conclusion: Thus, the results from the present study indicated that the expressed product of recombinant clone of HAS 113, pQE-HAS113 has potential to be used as anti-proliferative and apoptosis inducing substance for prostate and breast cancer. Keywords: Streptococcus equi; breast cancer; cell proliferation; apoptosis ass

Leaves, stem, roots and flowers of this plant were extracted with methanol and fractionated with different solvents i.e., n-Hexane, Chloroform and Ethyl acetate. Screening of the individual extract and fractions showed that Strobilanthes urticifolia Wall.ex Kuntze has significant effects against termite and different insects. The extract and their fractions were evaluated against Odontotermes obesus, the test termite. Between the tested extracts, crude methanolic extract (CME) displayed the highest anti-termite potential (100% mortality on day 2) while aqueous fraction showed the lowest mortality rate (64% on day 3). CME and individual fractions were also tested against various insects. CME showed highest result (80%) in terms of mortality against Tribolium castenum, while n-hexane fraction showed moderate result (60%) in terms of mortality against Callosbrachus analis and all other fractions have no or low activity against tested insects. The results obtained from the experiments suggested the potential of Strobilanthes urticifolia in the control of termite and insects. Keywords: Strobilanthes urticifolia Wall.ex Kuntze, antitermite, insecticidal, CME, Fractions.