In summary, multiple experimental investigations have been successful in suggesting the role of heat shock protein as a clinical biomarker and therapeutic target in cancer. HSPs are associated with a number of cancer hallmarks such as cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Inhibition of HSPs has resulted in successful therapeutic outcome in cancer. It has served as a novel anti-cancer therapy for the treatment of several cancer forms. However, more experimental studies are required to elucidate the reliability and efficacy of heat shock proteins in combination with other conventional markers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Novel and effective interventions through HSP inhibition are expected to decrease the burden of cancer in the near future.
Antimicrobial peptides in recent years have gained increased interest among scientists,
health professionals and the pharmaceutical companies owing to their therapeutic potential. These
are low molecular weight proteins with broad range antimicrobial and immuno modulatory
activities against infectious bacteria (Gram positive and Gram negative), viruses and fungi. Inability
of micro-organisms to develop resistance against most of the antimicrobial peptide has made them
as an efficient product which can greatly impact the new era of antimicrobials. In addition to this
these peptides also demonstrates increased efficacy, high specificity, decreased drug interaction,
low toxicity, biological diversity and direct attacking properties. Pharmaceutical industries are
therefore conducting appropriate clinical trials to develop these peptides as potential therapeutic
drugs. More than 60 peptide drugs have already reached the market and several hundreds of novel
therapeutic peptides are in preclinical and clinical development. Rational designing can be used
further to modify the chemical and physical properties of existing peptides. This mini review will
discuss the sources, mechanism and recent therapeutic applications of antimicrobial peptides in
treatment of infectious diseases.
The polyionic nature of gelatin (G), derived from partial hydrolysis of collagen, is utilized to prepare ionogels (IGs) in conjunction with aqueous mixtures of a polar ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, [C 2 mim][C 2 OSO 3 ]. The highly polar nature of IL−H 2 O mixture (50/50 v/v %) supported the high solubility of G, where the IGs are prepared by dissolving equal amount of G to IL−H 2 O mixture (50/50 v/v %) in a stepwise manner at 45 °C while stirring. The combination of IGs with Ag 2 O nanoparticles (NPs) prepared in situ, via photoreduction of AgNO 3 led to induction of antimicrobial activity in IGs, while enhancing the mechanical properties. The prepared IGs show fast self-healing (<1 min) and multiadhesive nature along with reversible stretching efficiency and high conductivity. The conductivity (2 mS cm −1 ) of prepared IG is highest among all biopolymer-based IGs reported, until date. The multiadhesive and highly conducting nature, transparency, inherent shapememory effect, and mechanical stability of the prepared the IGs are expected to be utilized in various electrical and bioelectronic applications. Moreover, these properties can be controlled by tuning the morphology of Ag 2 O NPs and water content in IGs. The method used for preparation of IGs provides a new way for easy, green, and economical preparation of antimicrobial IGs at a reduced temperature, where no harmful reducing agent or UV light is used for in situ preparation of Ag 2 O NPs.
An improved method for purification of intact metagenomic DNA from soil has been developed using Q-Sepharose, which purified the DNA from phenolic and humic acid contaminants in a single step. The entire procedure for purification took only 45 min. A total of 81% of DNA was recovered after purification and there was 84% reduction in humic acid contents. The purified DNA was readily digested with restriction enzymes and can be further used for molecular applications.
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