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The field of retinal genetics has seen remarkable advancements lately, reshaping our understanding of various retinal conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and inherited retinal dystrophies. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current status of genetics in the retina, covering the progress made, the expected future developments, and the challenges yet to be overcome. We highlight key advancements such as the advent of next-generation sequencing, which has exponentially enhanced the discovery of genetic mutations, thus also enabling personalized medicine/therapeutic approaches. Stem cells, gene augmentation, and gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 are discussed, in which we highlight ongoing research as well as their potential in the targeted treatment of retinal diseases. Despite these promising advancements, the field faces significant challenges, such as the complex interpretation of genetic data, ethical considerations, and the translational gap from bench to bedside. This review serves as a comprehensive guide not only to ophthalmologists but also to other healthcare professionals, scientists, and policymakers, providing insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of retinal genetics. It aims to stimulate further research and collaboration to surmount existing challenges and harness the full potential of genetic advancements for retinal health. more...

Summary: Gene editing of human pluripotent stem cells is a promising approach for developing targeted gene therapies for metabolic diseases. Here, we present a protocol for generating a CRISPR-Cas12a gene knockout of protein tyrosine phosphatases in human embryonic stem cells. We describe steps for differentiating the edited clones into pancreatic islet-like spheroids rich in β-like cells. We then detail procedures for implanting these spheroids under the murine kidney capsule for in vivo maturation. : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics. more...

This opinion piece underscores the critical role of undergraduate academic journals in fostering a comprehensive research experience for students, with a spotlight on Qapsule, an open-access journal at Queen's University led by undergraduates. These journals offer a unique platform for students to engage in the full spectrum of scientific inquiry, from conducting research to writing, peer review, and publication. The paper emphasizes the importance of undergraduate students' involvement in all aspects of research, discussing its crucial role in intellectual growth and professional development. However, these journals often remain under-utilized due to a lack of awareness. The paper discusses the importance of universities actively promoting these journals and providing the necessary resources for students to establish such platforms, thereby nurturing a culture of academic collaboration, creativity, and excellence. It also addresses quality concerns about undergraduate journals, asserting that with appropriate mentorship and guidance, undergraduate students are capable of contributing to the academic community. more...

High mitogenic stimuli have been suggested to promote endothelial cell proliferation and sprouting during angiogenesis. Here Pontes-Quero et al., by interfering with levels of VEGF and Notch signalling in single endothelial cells in vivo, find that high mitogenic stimuli instead arrest angiogenesis due to a bell-shaped dose-response to VEGF and MAPK activity that is counteracted by Notch and p21. more...

Abstract Introduction Even in this modern era of neurosurgery, we could not achieve 0% mortality in operated aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. An analysis of factors affecting outcome was never published in detail, and a recent update of guidelines for management of aneurysm SAH noted deficiency in knowledge about this issue. Objective The study aims to assess the effect of various factors on the outcome of operated aneurysmal SAH patients. Methods: The various factors regarding age, sex, associated chronic diseases, clinical condition of patients, surgery interval, and nature of aneurysm were correlated with outcomes of 345 operated aneurismal SAH patients. Statistical analysis was done by chi-square test and logistic regression. Results As per grade, patients' survival is 80.16% for fair grade and 21.65 % for poor grade, which was statistically significant (p 0.05). On comparing with Hunt and Hess (H-H) grade, all the above-mentioned variables showed significantly better survival in fair grade than in poor grade (p more...

The original version of this Article contained errors in Fig. 8. In panel a, the labels ‘VEGF’, ‘Notch’, ‘p21’, and ‘P-ERK’ were inadvertently omitted. This has been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article. more...