The Pax6 transcription factor functions early during embryogenesis to control key steps in brain, pancreas, olfactory and ocular system development. A requirement for Pax6 in proper formation of lens, iris and retina is well documented. By examining the corneas of heterozygous Small eye (SEY) mice, this report shows that Pax6 is also necessary for normal corneal morphogenesis. In particular, th...

Packaging multiple small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules into nanostructures at precisely defined ratios is a powerful delivery strategy for effective RNA interference (RNAi) therapy. We present a novel RNA nanotechnology based approach to produce multiple components of polymerized siRNA molecules that are simultaneously self-assembled and densely packaged into composite sponge-like porous mi...

Objective: Purpose of the study to design and formulate Diclofenac sodium (DIC) microsponges. Methods: With varied polymer: drug ratio DIC loaded microsponges were prepared with Eudragit RS100 polymer by quasi solvent diffusion method. Microsponges evaluated for particle size, entrapment efficiency, content, in vitro release, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning...

PURPOSE To study the effect of topical application of mitomycin C on enhancing the efficacy of needling in the management of bleb failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-six eyes of 32 consecutive patients with an intraocular pressure over 21 mmHg, without bleb or with a thick, flat bleb after the second postoperative month after trabeculectomy, were included in the study. Needling with mitomyci...

In this study, xanthan gum-facilitated ethyl cellulose microsponges were prepared by the double emulsification technique and subsequently dispersed in a carbopol gel base for controlled delivery of diclofenac sodium to the skin. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the porous, spherical nature of the microsponges. Increase in the drug/polymer ratio (0.4:1, 0.6:1, 0.8:1, m/m) increased their yi...

      Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a first-line topical treatment in acne vulgaris, and it is superior to antibiotics, because the bacteria do not develop resistance to it. Skin irritation is a common side effect, and it has been shown that controlled release of BPO from a delivery system to the skin could reduce the side effects while reducing percutaneous absorption. Therefore, the purpose of t...

PURPOSE Expression of the K3-K12 keratin pair characterizes the corneal epithelial differentiation. To elucidate the role of keratin 12 in the maintenance of corneal epithelium integrity, the authors bred mice deficient in keratin 12 by gene-targeting techniques. METHODS One allele of murine Krt1.12 gene was ablated in the embryonic stem cell line, E14.1, by homologous recombination with a DN...