Full‐thickness skin wounds, associated with deep burns or chronic wounds pose a major clinical problem. Herein, the development of in situ forming hydrogel using a natural silk fibroin (SF) biomaterial for treating burn wounds is reported. Blends of SF solutions isolated from Bombyx mori and Antheraea assama show inherent self‐assembly between silk proteins and lead to irreversible gelation at body temperature. Investigation of the gelation mechanism reveals crosslinking due to formation of β‐sheet structures as examined by X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The SF hydrogel supports proliferation of primary human dermal fibroblasts and migration of keratinocytes comparable to collagen gel (Col) as examined under in vitro conditions. The SF hydrogel also provides an instructive and supportive matrix to the full‐thickness third‐degree burn wounds in vivo. A 3‐week comparative study with Col indicates that SF hydrogel not only promotes wound healing but also shows transitions from inflammation to proliferation stage as observed through the expression of TNF‐α and CD163 genes. Further, deposition and remodeling of collagen type I and III fibers suggests an enhanced overall tissue regeneration. Comparable results with Col demonstrate the SF hydrogel as an effective and inexpensive formulation toward a potential therapeutic approach for burn wound treatment.

SARS-CoV-2, a newly emerged pathogen in December 2019, marked as one of the highly pathogenic Coronavirus, and altogether this is the third coronavirus attack that crossed the species barrier. As of 1 st July 2020, it is spreading around 216 countries, areas or territories, and a total of 10,185,374 and 503,862 confirmed cases and death reports, respectively. The SARS-CoV-2 virus entered into the target cells by binding with the hACE2 receptors. Spike glycoprotein promotes the entry of the virus into host target cells. Literature reported a significant mutation in receptor binding sites and membrane proteins of the previous SARS-CoV to turned as SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for most dreadful pandemic COVID-19. These modifications may be the probable reason for the extreme transmission and pathogenicity of the virus. A hasty spread of COVID-19 throughout the world is highly threatening, but still, scientists do not have a proper therapeutic measure to fight with it. Scientists are endeavoring across the world to find effective therapy to combat COVID 19. Several drugs such as Remdesivir, Hydroxychloroquine, Chloroquine, Ribavirin, Ritonavir, Lopinavir, Favipiravir, Interferons, Bevacizumab, Azithromycin, etc. are currently under clinical trials. Vaccine development from various pharmaceutical companies and research institutes is under progress, and more than ten vaccine candidates are in the various phases of clinical trials. This review work highlighted the origin, emergence, structural features, pathogenesis, and clinical features of COVID-19. We have also discussed the in-line treatment strategies, preventive measures, and vaccines to combat the emergence of COVID-19.

Objective:The main objective of the present study was to explore the antitumor activity of the ethyl acetate extract of the Alternanthera brasiliana (EAAB) and its antioxidant status against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice.Materials and Methods:Based on the preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity studies, EAAB was selected for anti-tumor and antioxidant effects. Anticancer activity of EAAB was evaluated against EAC in Swiss albino mice at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. EAAB was administered for 14 consecutive days after induction of cancer. After 24 h of the last dose and 18 h of fasting, half of the mice were sacrificed and rest were kept alive for assessing any increase in life span. The antitumor effect of EAAB was assessed by evaluating tumor volume, viable and nonviable tumor cell count, tumor weight, hematological and biochemical parameters of EAC bearing host. Furthermore, the antioxidant and histopathological parameters were evaluated.Results:EAAB treatment has shown significant decrease in tumor volume, viable cell count, tumor weight and elevated the life span of EAC tumor bearing mice in a dose dependent manner. In hematological profile count of RBC, hemoglobin, and WBC were found reverted to normal. EAAB also significantly decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation and significantly increased the levels of GSH, SOD and Catalase.Conclusion:From the above results it may be concluded that EAAB has potent dose dependent antitumor activity and is comparable to that of 5-flourouracil.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is estimated to impose maximum debilitating effects on the society by 2030, with its critical effects on health, functioning, quality of life and concomitant high levels of morbidity and mortality. Yet, the disease is inadequately understood, diagnosed and treated. Moreover, with the recent drastic rise in the pace of life, stress has materialized as one of the most potent environmental factors for depression. In this scenario, it is important to understand the modern pathogenetic hypotheses and mechanisms, and possibly try to shift from the traditional approaches in depression therapy. These include the elaboration of pathophysiological changes in heterogeneous systems such as genetic, epigenetic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, gammaaminobutyric acid, glutamatergic and endocannabinoid systems, neurotrophic factors, HPA axis, immune system as well as cellular stress mechanisms. These components interact with each other in a complex matrix and further elucidation of their mechanism and cascade pathways are needed. This might aid in the identification of MDD subtypes as well as the development of sophisticated biomarkers. Further, characterization might also aid in developing multitargeted therapies that hold much promise as compared to the conventional monoamine based treatment. New candidate pharmacons, refined psychotherapeutic modalities, advanced neuro-surgical and imaging techniques as well as the implementation of pharmacokinetic, pharmacogenetic prescribing guidelines constitute the emerging expanses of MDD treatment.

Background:North East India is a rich source of medicinal plants and a number of plant extracts are used by tribal peoples living in this area for various disorders. L.aspera is such a plant, traditionally used as an antitumor agent.Aim:In the present study, aerial parts of L.aspera were investigated for antitumor activity in Dalton's lymphoma (DAL) bearing mice. The ability of plant extract in free radical scavenging, neoangiogenesis inhibition and macrophage stimulation were also checked.Materials and Methods:Based on the preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity studies ethyl acetate fraction of L.aspera (EALA) was selected for the detailed study. DAL ascites tumor model was performed to check the antitumor activity of EALA (200 and 400mg/kg of body weight). Hematological and histopathological parameters were estimated. Antioxidant levels, neoangiogenesis and peritoneal macrophage count were also determined.Results:In vitro MTT and Trypan blue assay results showed the cytotoxic effect of EALA in DAL cells lines. EALA treatment resulted in significant decrease in ascites tumor volume and viable cell count. Hematological and liver antioxidant parameters were normalised by EALA treatment. It was also found that EALA treatment inhibits neovascularisation and produce macrophage stimulation in treated mice.Conclusion:The results showed that EALA is a promising anticancer agent and its activity is comparable to the standard drug 5-Flouro uracil (5-FU).

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug; however, it induces damage on kidney and liver at clinically effective higher doses. Morin hydrate possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of morin hydrate (50 and 100 mg/kg, orally) against the renohepatic toxicity induced by a high dose of cisplatin (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Renal and hepatic function, oxidative/nitrosative stress, and inflammatory markers along with histopathology were evaluated. Morin hydrate ameliorated cisplatin-induced renohepatic toxicity significantly at 100 mg/kg as evidenced from the significant reversal of cisplatin-induced body weight loss, mortality, functional and structural alterations of kidney, and liver. The protective role offered by morin hydrate against cisplatin-induced renohepatic toxicity is by virtue of its free radical scavenging property, thereby abating the depletion of cellular antioxidant defense components and through modulation of inflammatory cytokines. We speculate morin hydrate as a protective candidate against renohepatic toxicity of cisplatin.

Fabrication of high index contrast waveguide stacks for biosensing and other applications require nanometer scale thickness control. Nanoscale dielectric films from electron-beam evaporation can be difficult to obtain due to the resulting porosity and poor stoichiometry of the films. An alternative approach is the reactive deposition of the film from a metal source in the presence of oxygen ions. Using spectroscopic ellipsometry, we have shown that greater control over thickness and index of refraction of silicon dioxide depositions can be obtained through reactive depositions as compared to depositions from SiO2 dielectric source material itself. Through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), the Si-O in-phase stretching peak at 1078 cm-1 can be traced, allowing us to determine the stoichiometry of the film.The effects of performing depositions of aluminum oxide dielectric source material in the presence of oxygen ions has also been investigated. Through the use of the oxygen ion source, greater control over index of refraction and optical losses has been observed. By controlling ion source parameters, the aluminum oxide films’ index of refraction can be engineered within a range of 1.58 to 1.64, and waveguide losses can be reduced to as low as 2.0 dB/cm.

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