A Major Shell Protein of 1,2-Propanediol Utilization Microcompartment Conserves the Activity of Its Signature Enzyme at Higher Temperatures.

A classic example of an all-protein natural nano-bioreactor, the bacterial microcompartment is a prokaryotic organelle that confines enzymes in a small volume enveloped by an outer protein shell. These protein compartments metabolize specific organic molecules, allowing bacteria to survive in restricted nutrient environments. In this work, 1,2-propanediol utilization microcompartment (PduMCP) was used as a model to study the effect of molecular confinement on the stability and catalytic activity of native enzymes in the microcompartment.

Reticular-Chemistry-Inspired Supramolecule Design as a Tool to Achieve Efficient Photocatalysts for CO Reduction.

Photocatalytic CO reduction into C1 products is one of the most trending research subjects of current times as sustainable energy generation is the utmost need of the hour. In this review, we have tried to comprehensively summarize the potential of supramolecule-based photocatalysts for CO reduction into C1 compounds. At the outset, we have thrown light on the inert nature of gaseous CO and the various challenges researchers are facing in its reduction.

Fabrication of carbon and silver nanomaterials incorporated hydroxyapatite nanocomposites: Enhanced biological and mechanical performances for biomedical applications.

Hydroxyapatite is widely utilized for different biomedical applications because of its outstanding biocompatibility and bioactivity. Cuttlefish bones, which are available aplenty, are both inexpensive and eco-friendly sources for calcium carbonate. In the present study, cuttlefish bones-derived HAp nanorods have been utilized to fabricate HAp nanocomposites incorporating 1, 3 and 5 wt% each of GO, MWCNTs, GONRs and Ag NPs.

Microbe defines the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drug: a complete paradigm.

The human body harbors a diverse microbiome that regulates host physiology and disease development. Several studies have also been reported where the human microbiome interferes with the efficacy of chemotherapeutics. Reports have also suggested the use of microbes in specific targeting and drug delivery.

Differential Antimycotic and Antioxidant Potentials of Chemically Synthesized Zinc-Based Nanoparticles Derived from Different Reducing/Complexing Agents against Pathogenic Fungi of Maize Crop.

The present study aimed for the synthesis, characterization, and comparative evaluation of anti-oxidant and anti-fungal potentials of zinc-based nanoparticles (ZnNPs) by using different reducing or organic complexing-capping agents. The synthesized ZnNPs exhibited quasi-spherical to hexagonal shapes with average particle sizes ranging from 8 to 210 nm. The UV-Vis spectroscopy of the prepared ZnNPs showed variation in the appearance of characteristic absorption peak(s) for the various reducing/complexing agents i.

SARS-CoV-2 and tissue damage: current insights and biomaterial-based therapeutic strategies.

The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on humanity has gained worldwide attention and importance due to the rapid transmission, lack of treatment options and high mortality rate of the virus. While scientists across the world are searching for vaccines/drugs that can control the spread of the virus and/or reduce the risks associated with infection, patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported to have tissue/organ damage. With most tissues/organs having limited regenerative potential, interventions that prevent further damage or facilitate healing would be helpful.

Recent advances in nanotherapeutic strategies that target nitric oxide pathway for preventing cartilage degeneration.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important inflammatory mediator involved in the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Increased production of NO in the affected joints promote cartilage damage. As NO synthesis is catalysed by the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) enzyme, iNOS inhibition serves as an attractive therapeutic target to prevent NO release.

A bioinspired, ice-templated multifunctional 3D cryogel composite crosslinked through in situ reduction of GO displayed improved mechanical, osteogenic and antimicrobial properties.

3D biopolymeric scaffolds often lack the biochemical cues and mechanical strength to encourage bone tissue regeneration. Chemical crosslinkers have been extensively used to impart strength, but have been found to be toxic at the site of implantation and possess a lacuna in physical strength. We attempted to address this by engineering a self-crosslinked polymer through the in-situ reduction of Graphene oxide (GO) in a gelatin cryogel (Gel-RGO) using ice as a template to create pores.

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Zinc Eluting rGO/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite Optimized for Bone Augmentation.

Repair of critical size bone defects is a clinical challenge that usually necessitates the use of bone substitutes. For successful bone repair, the substitute should possess osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and vascularization potential, with the ability to control post-implantation infection serving as an additional advantage. With an aim to develop one such substitute, we optimized a zinc-doped hydroxyapatite (HZ) nanocomposite decorated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), termed as GHZ, and demonstrated its potential to augment the bone repair.

Molecular docking and molecular dynamics to identify collagenase inhibitors as lead compounds to address osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease which affects a large number of individuals. Collagenases, which belong to a class of metalloproteases (MMPs), are responsible for the degradation of cartilage manifested in OA. Inhibition of the catalytic domains of these MMPs is one of the important therapeutic strategies proposed for the prevention of OA.

Preclinical Evidence for the Pharmacological Actions of Glycyrrhizic Acid: A Comprehensive Review.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Family: Fabaceae) is one of the important traditional medicinal plant used extensively in folk medicine. It is known for its ethnopharmacological value in curing a wide variety of ailments.

Targeted Delivery of Recombinant Heat Shock Protein 27 to Cardiomyocytes Promotes Recovery from Myocardial Infarction.

Ischemic heart disease, especially myocardial infarction (MI), is the leading cause of death worldwide. Apoptotic mechanisms are thought to play a significant role in cardiomyocyte death after MI. Increased production of heat shock proteins (Hsps) in cardiomyocytes is a normal response to promote tolerance and to reduce cell damage.

Nose-to-Brain Delivery of Cancer-Targeting Paclitaxel-Loaded Nanoparticles Potentiates Antitumor Effects in Malignant Glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive tumor with no curative treatment. The tumor recurrence after resection often requires chemotherapy or radiation to delay the infiltration of tumor remnants. Intracerebral chemotherapies are preferentially being used to prevent tumor regrowth, but treatments remain unsuccessful because of the poor drug distribution in the brain.

Intranasal delivery of cancer-targeting doxorubicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles arrests glioblastoma growth.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain tumour and treatment is very challenging. Despite the recent advances in drug delivery systems, various approaches that allow sufficient deposition of anti-cancer drugs within the brain remain unsuccessful due to limited drug delivery throughout the brain. In this study, we utilised an intranasal (IN) approach to allow delivery of anti-cancer drug, encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles (NPs).

Designing a Tenascin-C-Inspired Short Bioactive Peptide Scaffold to Direct and Control Cellular Behavior.

Over the last decade, synthetically designed scaffolds are emerging as promising biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. In this context, peptide hydrogels are gaining wide attention, owing to their ability to mimic structural and functional complexity of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM). To this end, exploration of minimalistic bioactive peptide sequences for the fabrication of tissue engineering scaffolds provides a competitive edge over the conventional design principles where complex sequences were mainly explored for scaffold formation.

Grain-Controlled Gadolinia-Doped Ceria (GDC) Functional Layer for Interface Reaction Enhanced Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

In this Research Article, gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC), which is a highly catalyzed oxide ionic conductor, was explored to further improve oxygen surface reaction rates using a grain-controlled layer (GCL) concept. Typically, GDC materials have been used as a cathode functional layer by coating the GDC between the electrode and electrolyte to accelerate the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). To further improve the oxygen surface kinetics of the GDC cathodic layer, we modified the grain boundary density and crystallinity developed in the GDC layer by adjusting RF power conditions during the sputtering process.

A Positioning Device for the Placement of Mice During Intranasal siRNA Delivery to the Central Nervous System.

Intranasal (IN) drug delivery to the brain has emerged as a promising method to bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for the delivery of drugs into the central nervous system (CNS). Recent studies demonstrate the use of a peptide, RVG9R, incorporating the minimal receptor-binding domain of the Rabies virus glycoprotein, in eliciting the delivery of siRNA into neurons in the brain. In this protocol, the peptide-siRNA formulation is delivered intranasally with a pipette in the dominant hand, while the anesthetized mouse is restrained by the scruff with the nondominant hand in a "head down-and-forward position" to avoid drainage into the lung and stomach upon inhalation.

Multifunctionality in Two Families of Dinuclear Lanthanide(III) Complexes with a Tridentate Schiff-Base Ligand.

The employment of -(2-carboxyphenyl)salicylideneimine in 4f metal chemistry has led to two families of dinuclear complexes depending on the lanthanide(III) used. Representative members exhibit interesting magnetic, optical, and catalytic properties.

Inducing Differential Self-Assembling Behavior in Ultrashort Peptide Hydrogelators Using Simple Metal Salts.

Controlling the self-assembly pathways can be an effective means to create complex multifunctional structures based on a single gelator design. To this direction, an ion mediated approach to control and direct supramolecular structure of the low molecular weight peptide hydrogelator would be an excellent methodology for bottom-up nanofabrication of these advanced functional materials. Our work primarily aims to understand the role of different metal ions as well as anions in modulating the self-assembly of the peptide amphiphiles.

Plasmodium falciparum protein 'PfJ23' hosts distinct binding sites for major virulence factor 'PfEMP1' and Maurer's cleft marker 'PfSBP1'.

Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) proteins exported to infected erythrocytes are key effectors of malaria pathogenesis. These include the PfEMP1 (Pf erythrocyte membrane protein 1) protein family that affects malaria-related mortality through cytoadhesion and parasite immune evasion. Parasites also induce membranous structures called Maurer's clefts (MC) in infected erythrocytes to compensate the lack of host protein synthetic and export machinery.

Intranasal delivery of a Fas-blocking peptide attenuates Fas-mediated apoptosis in brain ischemia.

Ischemic stroke-induced neuronal cell death results in the permanent disabling of brain function. Apoptotic mechanisms are thought to play a prominent role in neuronal injury and ample evidence implicates Fas signaling in mediating cell death. In this study, we describe the neuroprotective effects of a Fas-blocking peptide (FBP) that by obstructing Fas signaling in cerebral ischemia inhibits apoptosis.

Aptamer functionalized MoS-rGO nanocomposite based biosensor for the detection of Vi antigen.

We report a novel aptamer functionalized MoS-rGO based electrochemical method for Vi polysaccharide antigen mediated detection of enteric fever. Herein, highly selective anti-Vi aptamers were screened from a pool of oligonucleotides using a microtitre based SELEX approach and characterized for its specificity and stability. The MoS-rGO nanocomposite was synthesized using a liquid assisted exfoliation by taking optimum ratio of MoS and rGO.

Small Interfering RNA-Mediated Control of Virus Replication in the CNS Is Therapeutic and Enables Natural Immunity to West Nile Virus.

No vaccines or therapeutics are licensed for West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-transmitted neuroencephalitic flavivirus. The small interfering RNA siFvE targets a conserved sequence within the WNV E protein and limits virus infection. Using a rabies virus-derived neuron-targeting peptide (RVG9R) and an intranasal route for delivering siFvE to the CNS, we demonstrate that treatment of WNV-infected mice at late stages of neuroinvasive disease results in recovery.

Role of P-Glycoprotein Inhibitors in the Bioavailability Enhancement of Solid Dispersion of Darunavir.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to improve bioavailability of an important antiretroviral drug, Darunavir (DRV), which has low water solubility and poor intestinal absorption through solid dispersion (SD) approach incorporating polymer with P-glycoprotein inhibitory potential.

Methods: A statistical approach where design of experiment (DoE) was used to prepare SD of DRV with incorporation of P-glycoprotein inhibitors. Using DoE, different methods of preparation, like melt, solvent evaporation, and spray drying method, utilizing carriers like Kolliphor TPGS and Soluplus were evaluated.