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World’s first gene therapy to stop most common cause of blindness

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7 years ago

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World’s first gene therapy to stop most common cause of blindness

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Oxford researchers claim to have carried out the world’s first gene therapy operation to halt age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of untreatable blindness in the developed world.

Dry AMD is a slow deterioration of the cells of the macula. It affects the central part of a patient’s vision with gaps or ‘smudges’, making everyday activities like reading and recognising faces difficult.

If successful, the treatment could have a beneficial impact of patients’ quality of life and their ability to remain independent.

“A genetic treatment administered early on to preserve the vision in patients who would otherwise lose their sight would be a tremendous breakthrough and certainly something I hope to see in the near future,” said Robert MacLaren, Professor at the University of Oxford in the UK.

The first person to undergo the procedure was Janet Osborne of Oxford, said MacLaren, who carried out the procedure at the John Radcliffe Hospital in the UK.

Like many people with AMD, Osborne has the condition in both eyes, but it is more advanced in her left eye. As is typical with this condition, the central vision in her left eye has deteriorated and is very hazy, although her peripheral vision is better.

The 80-year-old said that her restricted vision makes household tasks like preparing vegetables and sewing difficult, and she cannot read for very long. She finds it hard to recognise faces.

Osborne said her motivation for taking part in the trial was the possibility of helping others with AMD.

“I wasn’t thinking of me. I was thinking of other people. For me, I hope my sight doesn’t get any worse. That would be fantastic. It means I wouldn’t be such a nuisance to my family,” she said.

The operation involves detaching the retina and injecting a solution containing a virus underneath.

The virus contains a modified DNA sequence, which infects cells, called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and corrects a genetic defect that causes AMD.

Ideally if successful, gene therapy would only need to be performed once, as the effects are thought to be long-lasting.

A key factor in AMD is the complement system, a system of proteins in our immune system that fights bacteria.

In macular degeneration, these proteins are over-active and start to attack the retinal cells, in a similar way to how they would attack bacteria.

“We are harnessing the power of the virus, a naturally occurring organism, to deliver the DNA into the patient’s cells,” MacLaren said.

“When the virus opens up inside the retinal cell it releases the DNA of the gene we have cloned, and the cell starts making a protein that we think can modify the disease, correcting the imbalance of the inflammation caused by the complement system,” he said.

“The idea of this gene therapy is to ‘deactivate’ the complement system, but at a very specific point at the back of the eye, so the patient would otherwise be unaffected by it, and we hope that in future it will slow down the progression of macular degeneration,” said McLaren.

“We have a better understanding now on the relationship between the complement system and the AMD disease which lead us to the discovery that restoring the balance of a hyperactive complement system could be a potential therapeutic approach in dry AMD,” said Peter Lachman, the scientist from the University of Cambridge.

The aim of the therapy is to halt the progress of the condition and preserve what vision patients have remaining.

If successful, it is hoped that gene therapy can be used in the future on patients with early AMD and so halt the disease before their vision has started to deteriorate.

(Inputs from media reports)

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Happy Navratri 2025: Wishes, messages, quotes, greetings, images, and whatsApp greetings

Celebrate Navratri 2025 with heartfelt wishes, messages, quotes, and WhatsApp greetings. Share the joy of the nine nights of devotion to Maa Durga, spread positivity, and bless your loved ones with happiness, strength, and prosperity this festive season.

Published

2 months ago

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September 22, 2025

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Navratri Wishes 2025

Navratri 2025, starting on September 22, is a nine-night festival dedicated to Maa Durga, celebrating the victory of good over evil. Across India and around the world, devotees mark the occasion with prayers, fasting, music, dance, and community gatherings. The festival emphasizes devotion, courage, and inner strength, and is a time to share blessings with loved ones through heartfelt Navratri wishes.

Unlike large-scale celebrations in India, many households and communities celebrate in more intimate settings, decorating homes with diyas, offering prayers at temples, and organizing dandiya nights and devotional gatherings. Traditional foods and vrat-friendly recipes are also an integral part of the celebration.

Here’s a collection of Happy Navratri wishes you can share with friends, family, and colleagues:

Wishes to Share During Navratri:

  • Wishing you a Navratri filled with devotion, joy, and prosperity.
  • May the nine nights bring peace to your home and happiness to your heart.
  • Let’s celebrate the spirit of Navratri with prayers, music, and love.
  • May Goddess Durga bless you with strength to face every challenge.
  • Wishing you health, harmony, and happiness this Navratri.
  • May these nine nights light up your life with positivity.
  • Sending warm Navratri wishes from my family to yours.
  • May every dance step and prayer you offer reach Maa Durga’s blessings.
  • Here’s to a Navratri that feels bright, peaceful, and full of grace.
  • May this festive season give you courage and clarity.

Happy Navratri Quotes:

  • May your prayers during these nine nights bring success and harmony.
  • Celebrate the spirit of Navratri with a heart full of gratitude.
  • Wishing you good health, prosperity, and endless joy this Navratri.
  • Let the divine energy of Durga guide your path this festive season.
  • May Goddess Durga empower you with strength, wisdom, and courage this Navratri and always.
  • Let us celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Happy Navratri to you and your loved ones.
  • May the colors of Navratri brighten your life with happiness, health, and prosperity.
  • On this auspicious occasion, may Maa Durga fulfill all your wishes and bless your home with peace.

Messages to Share on WhatsApp and Social Media:

  • Happy Navratri! May Maa Durga guide you toward wisdom and strength.
  • The nine nights remind us that patience and devotion bring results.
  • Celebrate Navratri with faith in your heart and kindness in your actions.
  • May you find joy in the small rituals and blessings in every prayer.
  • Wishing you courage to overcome negativity, just like Durga did.
  • Navratri is not only about fasting — it’s about feeding your soul with positivity.
  • May this Navratri open doors of success and peace for you.
  • Sending warm wishes across the miles this festive season.

Happy Navratri 2025 Greetings:

  • Remember: every night of Navratri is a chance to start fresh.
  • Happy Navratri 2025! Celebrate with love, and let blessings surround you.
  • May Maa Durga fill your home with peace and happiness this Navratri.
  • Wishing you nine nights of devotion, joy, and togetherness.
  • May the blessings of Navratri bring love and light into your life.
  • Happy Navratri! Let every day be a step toward positivity.
  • May this festive season strengthen bonds with family and friends.

Navratri 2025 Quotes and Inspiration:

  • “Navratri is not only a festival, it’s a reminder that good always wins.”
  • “Nine nights, nine forms, infinite blessings.”
  • “Strength is not given, it is awakened — just like the spirit of Durga.”
  • “Dance, devotion, and discipline — the rhythm of Navratri.”
  • “Every prayer during Navratri is a step closer to peace.”

This Navratri, let devotion, love, and positivity fill every home. Share these Navratri wishes, quotes, and messages to spread blessings and joy with friends and family.

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Festivals

Happy Janmashtami 2025 wishes, messages and quotes to share

On Janmashtami 2025, share heartfelt wishes, WhatsApp messages, statuses, and quotes to spread the joy of Lord Krishna’s birth.

Published

4 months ago

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August 16, 2025

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Janmashtami 2025 is being celebrated today, August 16, across India and among devotees worldwide. The festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna and is observed with fasting, devotional songs, dahi handi celebrations, and midnight prayers. On this auspicious occasion, here are some heartfelt wishes, WhatsApp messages, statuses, and greetings that you can share with your loved ones.

WhatsApp Messages for Janmashtami 2025

  • May Lord Krishna bless your home with peace, love, and happiness. Wishing you a divine and joyful Janmashtami!
  • On this auspicious day, let the melodies of Krishna’s flute bring serenity to your heart. Happy Janmashtami 2025!
  • May the blessings of Kanha always be with you and your family, guiding you towards the path of truth and dharma.
  • Celebrate this Janmashtami with love, laughter, and devotion. Jai Shri Krishna!
  • May the divine presence of Krishna fill your life with eternal joy and positivity. Happy Janmashtami!

Janmashtami Status Ideas

  • 🌸 Jai Shri Krishna! Wishing everyone peace, love and divine blessings on this Janmashtami 2025. 🌸
  • 🎶 “Where there is Krishna, there is love, where there is love, there is life.” Happy Janmashtami! 🎶
  • 🌼 This Janmashtami, may Krishna’s flute play the music of happiness in your life. 🌼
  • 🥛✨ Dahi handi, Krishna’s leela, and divine blessings—let’s celebrate Janmashtami with joy! ✨🥛
  • 🙏 On Krishna Janmashtami, may the divine guide you to overcome challenges with courage and grace. 🙏

Short Janmashtami Quotes

  • “Krishna’s words are timeless wisdom; his life, an eternal inspiration.”
  • “Let love, compassion, and truth be your dharma this Janmashtami.”
  • “With devotion in your heart, every day can be Janmashtami.”
  • “Krishna teaches us to live with courage, love with purity, and guide with wisdom.”
  • “On this divine day, may Krishna’s blessings bring light to every corner of your life.”

Greeting Messages for Friends and Family

  • Wishing you and your family a blessed Janmashtami 2025! May the joy of Krishna’s birth fill your life with happiness.
  • Happy Krishna Janmashtami! May the teachings of Lord Krishna inspire you to walk the path of righteousness.
  • Celebrate this day with devotion, joy, and faith. Sending you warm wishes on this Janmashtami.
  • May your heart and home be filled with divine love and bliss of Lord Krishna. Happy Janmashtami!

On this sacred occasion, may Krishna bless you with wisdom, prosperity, and endless happiness.

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Independence Day 2025: Patriotic wishes, quotes and messages to share

India celebrates its 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025. Share these wishes, quotes, and messages to honour the nation’s freedom and diversity.

Published

4 months ago

on

August 15, 2025

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As India celebrates its 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025, citizens across the country are marking the occasion with cultural programmes, rallies, flag processions, marathons and seminars. The day commemorates the historic struggle against British colonial rule and honours the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters who fought for the nation’s liberty.

From heartfelt greetings to inspiring quotes, here are some wishes and messages to share with friends, family and fellow countrymen to keep the spirit of patriotism alive.

Independence Day Wishes and Messages

  • Wishing you and your family a Happy Independence Day. May this day remind us of our nation’s hard-earned freedom.
  • Happy Independence Day 2025. Let’s work towards a stronger, united and prosperous India.
  • On this day, let us come together to celebrate the diversity that is our strength.
  • May the flame of patriotism burn bright in our hearts forever. Happy Independence Day!
  • Saluting the bravery of our freedom fighters and the resilience of our people.

Inspirational Quotes to Mark the Occasion

  • “May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our country!” – Sardar Bhagat Singh
  • “Freedom of mind is real freedom… Freedom of mind is the proof of one’s existence.” – BR Ambedkar
  • “Don’t see others doing better than you, beat your own records every day…” – Chandra Shekhar Azad
  • “Citizenship consists in the service of the country.” – Jawaharlal Nehru
  • “Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life.” – Mahatma Gandhi

20 Emoji-Styled Independence Day 2025 WhatsApp Status Ideas 🇮🇳

  1. 🇮🇳 Proud to be an Indian ✊💚🤍🧡 Jai Hind!
  2. 💚🤍🧡 Freedom in our hearts, flag in the sky 🚩✨
  3. 🙏 Saluting our freedom fighters today & always ❤️🇮🇳
  4. ❤️🤍💚 One Nation • One Heart • One Love – INDIA 🌏
  5. 🎨 Let’s paint the day Saffron, White & Green 🧡🤍💚
  6. 🎶 Vande Mataram… forever & always 🇮🇳🔥
  7. 🕊 Free in spirit, 🌏 United in diversity 🤝
  8. 🎉 79 years of freedom… and counting ⏳🇮🇳
  9. 🛡 India’s pride, India’s power — our unity 💪
  10. 💚 Keep calm & wave the tricolour high 🧡🤍💚
  11. ❤️ Every heart beats for Bharat 🇮🇳
  12. 🕊 True freedom is respecting each other ✨
  13. 🚩 The flag is not just cloth — it’s our identity ❤️🤍💚
  14. 👴 Our ancestors gave us freedom… let’s give our kids a better India 🌏🌱
  15. ⚖ Liberty • Unity • Dignity — My India 🇮🇳
  16. 🕊 Freedom is a feeling, not just a date 📅
  17. 🎇 Today we celebrate the soul of our nation ❤️🤍💚
  18. 📣 Jai Hind, Jai Bharat! 🚩🔥
  19. 🇮🇳 My tricolour, my pride 💚🤍🧡
  20. ✨ Let’s honour the past & build the future 🌟

By sharing these wishes, quotes, and messages, every citizen can play a small part in keeping the spirit of independence alive and paying tribute to the heroes who secured India’s freedom.

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