PUBLICATIONS
Papers
1. Akhtar S, Kerr BC, Hayes T, Salvi SM, Caterson B, Meek KM. Investigation of keratan sulphate distribution in central keratoconus corneal extracellular matrix, away from scar region by using keratanase generated neoepitope monoclonal antibody BKS-1 and conventional monoclonal antibody 5-D-4. (In progress)
2. Akhtar S, Bron AJ, Kerr B, Caterson B, Meek KM. Role of Collagen-associated leucine-rich proteoglycans lumican and keratocan in remodelling of central keratoconus corneal extracellular matrix (In progress).
3. Akhtar S, Bron AJ, Yusif MHM, Benter IF, Akhtar S (2008) Effect of EGFR in corneal remodelling in diabetes ( Acta Ophthalmologic; Under review).
4. Akhtar S, Schonthaler HB, Bron AJ and Dahm R. (2008) The ultrastructural organization of stromal collagen and proteoglycan in the zebrafish cornea during development Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2008; [Epub ahead of print]
5. Akhtar S, Kerr BC, Hayes AJ, Caterson B, Meek KM. (2008) Immunochemical localisation of keratan sulphate proteoglycans in cornea, sclera and limbus using a keratanase generated neoepitope monoclonal antibody (Accepted, in Press IOVS).
6. Akhtar S, Bron AJ , Salvi SM, Hawksworth NR, Tuft SJ and Meek KM. (2006) Collagen fibrils and proteoglycans in keratoconus - a quantitative ultra-structural analysis (Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2008; [Epub ahead of print] ).
7. Albon J, Farrant S, Akhtar S, Young R, Boulton ME, Smith G, Taylor M, Guggenheim J, Morgan JE. (2007) Connective tissue structure of the tree shrew optic nerve and associated ageing changes. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 48:2134-44.
8. Salvi SM, Akhtar S, Currie Z (2006) Aging changes in Eye. Post graduate Journal. 2006;82:581-587.
9. Akhtar S, Bron Voon L-W (2006) The Ultrastructure of Hypertrophic Dendriform Epitheliopathy Post Keratoplasty. Cornea 25:623-627.
10. Akhtar S, Davies JR, Caterson B (2005) Ultrastructural localisation of proteoglycans in normal and scoliotic lumbar disc. Spine 30:1762-9.
11. Akhtar S, Davies JR, Caterson B (2005) Ultrastructural immunolocalization of α-elastin and keratan sulfate proteoglycan in normal and scoliotic lumbar disc. Spine ;30:1303-9.
12. Akhtar S, Bron AJ, Qin X, Creer RC, Guggenheim JA, Meek KM. (2005) Gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy in a child with developmental delay: clinicopathological features and exclusion of the M1S1 gene. Eye 2005;19:198-204.
13. Davies N, Akhtar S, Wigham CG and Guggenheim JA (2004) Chloride channel gene expression in the rabbit cornea. Molecular Vision 10:1028-37.
14. Akhtar S, Bron AJ, Meek KM, Voon LW (2004). Clinical and ultrastructural findings in mare's tail lines of the corneal epithelium. Br J Ophthalmol. 88(7):864-7.
15. Omidi Y, Campbell L, Barar J, Connell D, Akhtar S, Gumbleton M (2003). Evaluation of the immortalised mouse brain capillary endothelial cell line, b.End3, as an in vitro blood-brain barrier model for drug uptake and transport studies. Brain Res. 14;990(1-2):95-112.
16. Akhtar S, Tullo A, Caterson B, Davies J R, Bennett K, Meek KM (2002) Clinical and morphological features including expression of big-h3 and keratan sulfate proteoglycans in Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome type B and in normal cornea. British J. Ophthalmology 86:147-151.
17. Akhtar S, Tullo A, Bonshek RE, Meek KM (2001) Ultrastructural morphology and expression of proteoglycans, big-h3, tenascin, fibrillin-1 and fibronectin in bullous keratopathy. British J. Ophthalmology 85:720-731.
18. Jones LA, Akhtar S, Wann KT (2001). Introduction of Alzheimer phenotype in mouse fibroblast. Pro. West. Pharmacol. Soc. 44: 177-180.
19. Coomber SJ, Taracewice E, Akhtar S, deHann A, Elliott GF (2001) Ion-dependence of Z-line and M-line response to calcium in striated muscle fibres in rigor. Cell Calcium 30(5):297-309.
20. Akhtar S, Tullo A, Bonshek RE, Meek KM (2001) Ultrastructural morphology and expression of proteoglycans, big-h3, tenascin, fibrillin-1 and fibronectin in bullous keratopathy. British J. Ophthalmology 85:720-731.
21. Akhtar S, Ursell P, McDonald B, Bonshek RE, Meek KM, and Bron AJ (2001) Bilateral corneal endothelial failure and band keratopathy in an infant with corpus callosum agenesis. Cornea 20(5):547-552.
22. Ridgeway AEA, Akhtar S, et al (2000) An ultrastructural and molecular evaluation of Bowman’s layer corneal dystrophies types I and II. Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision science 41:3286-3292.
23. Albon J, Tullo AB, Akhtar S, Boulton M (2000) Apoptosis in the endothelium of human corneas for transplantation. Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision science 41:2887-28897.
24. Boubriak O, Akhtar S, Urban JPG, Meek KM, Bron AJ (2000) The effect of hydration and matrix composition on solute diffusion in Rabbit sclera. Experimental Eye Research 71 (5):503-514.
25. Akhtar S, Meek KM, Ridgway AEA, Bonshek R.E, Bron AJ (1999) Deposits and proteoglycan changes in primary and recurrent granular dystrophy. Archives of Ophthalmology 117: 310-321.
26. Akhtar S, Meek KM, James V. (1999) Ultrastructure abnormalities in Proteoglycans, collagen fibrils and elastic fibres in normal and myxomatous mitral heart valve chordae tendineae. Cardiovascular Pathology 8: 191-201.
27. Akhtar S, Meek KM, James V (1999) Immunolocalization of elastin, collagen type I and type III, fibronectin and vitronectin in extracellular matrix components of normal and myxomatous mitral heart valve chordae tendineae. Cardiovascular Pathology 8: 203 -211
28. Akhtar S, van Emden HF (1996) The effect of the systemic fungicide benomyl on the symbionts and mycetocytes of bird cherry aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) reared on wheat cv. Hobbit. Bulletin of Entomological Research 86: 513-522.
29. Akhtar S, et al. (1995) Coatings for the prevention of fouling of biofiltration membrane (Journal of Membrane Science, 107: 209 - 218.
30. Akhtar S, van Emden HF (1994) The ultrastructural studies of the symbionts and mycetocytes of bird cherry aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) reared on wheat cv. Hobbit. Tissue & Cell 26:4: 513-522.
31. Akhtar S, van Emden HF (1992) The effect of the systemic fungicide benomyl on the performance of bird cherry aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) reared on wheat cv. Hobbit Annals of Applied Biology 120: 245-255).
32. Dudley L, Stratford P, Akhtar S, et al., (1993) Coating for the prevention of fouling of microfiltration membranes Chemical Engineering Research & Design 71: 327-328).
Conference Presentations
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1. Akhtar S, Bron AJ, Yusif MHM, Benter IF, Akhtar S. Role of EGFR in corneal remodelling in diabetes EVER meeting 2007
2. Akhtar S, Schonthaler HB, Bron AJ and Dahm R. remodelling of collagen fibrils and proteoglycans in the zebrafish cornea during development, EVER meeting 2007
3. Akhtar S, Bron AJ, Kerr BC, Caterson B, Hughes C and Meek KM. Expression of neoepitope bks-1 and distribution of collagen fibrils diameter in normal and keratoconus cornea. Free paper in EVER meeting 2006.
4. Akhtar S, Bron AJ, Kerr BC, Caterson B, Hughes C and Meek KM. Expression of lumican and keratocan in normal and keratoconus cornea. EVER meeting 2006.
5. Akhtar S, Kerr BC, Hughes CS, Caterson B, Bron AJ, Hayes A, and Meek KM. Distribution of neoepitope BKS-1 in normal and keratoconus cornea ARVO meeting. ARVO meeting 2006.
6. Albon J, Farrant S, Akhtar S, Young R, Taylor M, Boulton ME, Morgan J. Morphology of the Tree Shrew Optic Nerve: A Model for Glaucoma? Free paper ARVO meeting 2005.
7. Akhtar S, Bron AJ, Salvi SM, Tuft S, Hawksworth NR, Meek KM. Alteration of keratan sulphate (sulphated poly-n-acetyllactoseamine repeats) in keratoconus cornea: biochemical, histochemical and ultrastructural analysis. Free paper in EVER meeting 2005.
8. Akhtar S, Kerr BC, Hayes T, Caterson B, Meek KM. Localisation of a novel keratan sulphate stub neoepitope monoclonal antibody bks1 in normal human cornea, sclera and limbus. EVER meeting 2005
9. Akhtar S, Kerr B, Salvi SM, Hawksworth NR, Bron AJ, Caterson B, Meek KM. Immunogold localization of keratan sulfate (sulfated poly -n-acetyllactoseamine repeats) in keratoconus cornea. Cornea World Conference 2005.
10. Akhtar S, Datta AV, Farrant S, Taylor M, Albon J, Erichsen JT, Boulton M1, Morgan JE. Ultrastructural analysis of optic nerve axons in experimental glaucoma: evidence for axon shrinkage. ARVO meeting 2005.
11. Farrant SY, Albon J, Erichsen JT, Akhtar S, Boulton ME, Taylor MA, Morgan JE. Optic nerve degeneration in experimental glaucoma is associated with microglial activation. ARVO meeting 2004.
12. Akhtar S, Talbot K., Bron AJ, Donaghy M. Ultrastructural findings and big-h3 expression in a new syndrome of corneal lattice dystrophy with myelopathy. EVER meeting 2004.
13. S. Akhtar, A.J. Bron, S.M Salvi, S. Tuft, N.R. Hawksworth, Llantrisant UK; K.M Meek Ultrastructural features and quantitative analysis of proteoglycans and collagen fibres in keratoconus corneal stroma Free paper in EVER meeting 2004.
14. Salvi SM, Akhtar S, Turner M , Hawksworth NR Ultrastructural microanalysis of opacified Hyroview Intraocular Lenses. SWOS Bristol meeting 2004.
15. S. Akhtar, A.J. Bron, L-W Voon and K.M. Meek The Ultrastructure of Hypertrophic Dendriform Epitheliopathy Post Keratoplasty. EVER meeting 2003
16. Meek KM, Quantock AJ, Akhtar S, Liu CY, Kao W. Collagen Fibril Disorganisation in the Corneas of Keratocan-deficient Mice as Revealed by Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction. ARVO meeting 2003.
17. Akhtar S, Meek KM and Bron AJ. Clinical and Ultrastructural Findings in Mare’s Tail Lines of the Corneal Epithelium EVER meeting 2002
18. Akhtar S, Roberts S, Davies JR, Caterson B. Ultrastructural localisation of keratan sulfate proteoglycans in annulus of normal and scoliotic intervertebral disc British Orthopaedic Research Society meeting 2001.
19. Jones LA, Akhtar S. & Wann KT. Blockade of hyperpolarization-dependent channel in mouse in mouse skin fibroblast by β amyloid peptied Pharmacology Vancouver meeting 2001.
20. Akhtar S, Bron A J, Mc Donald B, Meek K. M. Gelatinous Drop-like corneal dystrophy in a Child with Developmental Delay EVER meeting 2000.
21. Meek KM, Akhtar S, Bennett K, Tullo A.Clinicopathological study of a maroteaux-lamy syndrome type b cornea. ARVO meeting 2000.
22. Akhtar S, Bron AJ, Meek KM, Hawksworth NR., Maseruka H, Bonshek RE, Bennett K. Localization of protoglycans, big-h3 and tenascin in bullous keratopathy. ARVO meeting 2000.
23. Akhtar S, Ursell P, McDonald B, Bonshek RE, Meek KM and Bron AJ. Bilateral corneal endothelial failure and band keratopathy in an infant with corpus callosum agenesis. ARVO meeting 1999.
24. Odenthal M, Akhtar S, Meek KM, Ridgway AEA, Bonshek RE. Evidence of epithelial origin of recurrent dominant stromal corneal dystrophy, granular corneal type IV (Reis-Bücklers). ARVO meeting 1999.
Research Projects
· Ultrastructural changes in chondrocytes and extracellular matrix of Osteochondritis dessecans (Dr. S. Hammadi, Heath Hospital, Cardiff)
· Remodelling of collagen fibrils and proteoglycans in IDET treated intervertebral disc (Dr. S. Ahuja, Heath Hospital, Cardiff)
· Alteration of Proteoglycans and collagen fibrils in concave and convex intervertebral disc of scoliotic patients (Dr. S. Ahuja, Heath Hospital, Cardiff)
· Ultrastructural changes proteoglycans and cell structure of agarose culture of pig articulate cartilage treated with IL-1 (Prof. Bruce Caterson, Bioscience, Cardiff.).
· Localisation of aggrecanase and MMP-generated aggrecan neoepitopes in an in vitro model of cartilage proteoglycan depletion (Prof. Bruce Caterson, Bioscience, Cardiff).
· Ultrastructural Localization of surface zone protein (SZP) in articulate cartilage and tendon (Prof. Bruce Caterson, Bioscience, Cardiff.).
· Ultra- structural studies of epithelium, keratocytes and connective tissue in lattice corneal dystrophy in infant (Open University and Oxford University).
· X-diffraction and ultrastructural studies studies of combined lattice and granular corneal dystrophy (Open University and Manchester University).
· Alteration in proteoglycan and other connective tissue in intervertebral cartilage of scoliotic patients with electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (Open University and Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street)
· Microanalysis of retinal cell (Prof. AJ Bron, Ophthalmology, Oxford University and Open University).
· Ultrastructural studies of alpha particles of lens protein (Ophthalmology, Oxford University and Open University).
· Immunocytochemical studies of cytoskeleton of caterpillar cell (Estigmene acrea) infested with entompox virus (Amsacta moori) with light and electron microscopy (Oxford Brookes University)
· Scanning electron microscopic studies of artificial arteries embedded in animals fouled with blood cell and fibrin (Biocompatibles Ltd and Oxford Brookes University Project).
· Assesment of the efficiency of lipid coating on contact lens (Biocompatibles Ltd and Oxford Brookes University Project).
· Scanning electron microscopic studies of synthetic membrane fouled with blood cell and fibrin (Biocompatibles Ltd and Oxford Brookes University Project).
· Ultrastructural and Affinity Probe studies of plant cuticle treated with enzymes and chemicals (Dow Elanca Ltd and Oxford Brookes University Project).
· Electron microscopic and Affinity Probe studies of Micro-filtration Synthetic Membranes (Polysulphone and Cellulose Acetate) fouled with proteins (SERC/DTI Link project between Oxford Brookes University, AEA Harwell and Biocompatibles Ltd (Oxford Brookes University).
· Structural identification of microorganisms attached to cement rocks and plastics used in building constructions (AEA Harwell and Oxford Brookes University).
· Electron microscopic studies of lipid coated PVC tubes fouled with blood cell and fibrin (Biocompatibles Ltd and Oxford Brookes University Project).
· The Effect of the Systemic fungicide Benomyl on Bird Cherry Aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) and on the Symbionts and Mycetocytes (Ph.D. Project at Reading University).
· Effect of Systemic Fungicides on Bird Cherry Aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi) (MSc. Project at Reading University)
· Development of a technique to study nematicidal efficacy on agar with Globodera rostochiensis (MSc. Project at Rothamsted Experimental Station).