Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss, multiple cognitive abnormalities and intellectual impairments. Currently, there are no drugs or ...agents that can delay and/or prevent the progression of disease in elderly individuals, and there are no peripheral biomarkers that can detect AD early in its pathogenesis. Research has focused on identifying biomarkers for AD so that treatment can be begun as soon as possible in order to restrict or prevent intellectual impairments, memory loss, and other cognitive abnormalities that are associated with the disease. One such potential biomarker is microRNAs that are found in circulatory biofluids, such as blood and blood components, serum and plasma. Blood and blood components are primary sources where miRNAs are released in either cell-free form and then bind to protein components, or are in an encapsulated form with microvesicle particles. Exosomal miRNAs are known to be stable in biofluids and can be detected by high throughput techniques, like microarray and RNA sequencing. In AD brain, enriched miRNAs encapsulated with exosomes crosses the blood brain barrier and secreted in the CSF and blood circulations. This review summarizes recent studies that have identified miRNAs in the blood, serum, plasma, exosomes, cerebral spinal fluids, and extracellular fluids as potential biomarkers of AD. Recent research has revealed only six miRNAs – miR-9, miR-125b, miR-146a, miR-181c, let-7g-5p, and miR-191-5p – that were reported by multiple investigators. Some studies analyzed the diagnostic potential of these six miRNAs through receiver operating curve analysis which indicates the significant area-under-curve values in different biofluid samples. miR-191-5p was found to have the maximum area-under-curve value (0.95) only in plasma and serum samples while smaller area-under-curve values were found for miR-125, miR-181c, miR-191-5p, miR-146a, and miR-9. This article shortlisted the promising miRNA candidates and discussed their diagnostic properties and cellular functions in order to search for potential biomarker for AD.
•Micro RNAs play a key role in cellular processes, including development, cell proliferation and replicative senescence.•Circulatory micro RNAs are promising peripheral biomarkers for human diseases and aging.•Circulatory micro RNAs can be found in bodily fluids, including blood products serum/ plasma, CSF, ECF, saliva and urine.•Micro RNAs are strong indicators of disease progression and pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.
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•Nanoscale Kirkendall effect driven hollowing process of CdO nanoparticle results in one pot synthesis of CdS/CdO colloidal nanocomposite for excellent photocatalyst ...material.•Z-Scheme mechanism in electron transfer between CdS, CdO and Au enhance photocalytic H2 generation rate.•Pollutant dye degradation and Cr(VI) reduction in sunlight make it an excellent nanocomposite catalyst.•Minimum presence of Cd in purified water also acceptable for practical purpose.
The design of a facile and scalable method to synthesize solar light driven photocatalyst to generate H2 from water and degradation of toxic dyes from waste water is highly challenging field of research. Here, we are reporting a one pot synthesis of CdS/CdO colloidal nanocomposite with variable amount of CdS thickness and finally CdS nanoring. Different outward diffusion rate of oxygen and inward diffusion rate of sulphur ions generates hollow CdS/CdO nanocomposite based on nanoscale Kirkendall effect. Au nanoparticles (NPs) have been selectively deposited over CdS. Proper band alignment among CdO, CdS and Au results in a Z-type photocatalyst. Efficient spatial charge separation and large surface area lead to high photocatalytic dye degradation and Cr (VI) reduction in water. The amount of Cd in purified water is lesser than 0.003 ppm which maintains world Health Organization (WHO) guideline. The as developed catalyst is also active for generation of H2 from water in presence of solar light irradiation. Our present work may provide a promising way to fabricate an efficient photocatalyst for dye degradation and solar to fuel energy conversion using semiconductor (CdO)-semiconductor (CdS)-metal (Au) nanocomposite.
The purpose of our study was to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) as early detectable peripheral biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To achieve our objective, we assessed miRNAs in serum samples from ...AD patients and Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects relative to healthy controls. We used Affymetrix microarray analysis and validated differentially expressed miRNAs using qRT-PCR. We further validated miRNA data using AD postmortem brains, amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice and AD cell lines. We identified a gradual upregulation of four miRNAs: miR-455-3p, miR-4668-5p, miR-3613-3p and miR-4674. A fifth miRNA, mir-6722, was down-regulated in persons with AD and mild cognitive impairment compared with controls. Validation analysis by qRT-PCR showed significant upregulation of only miR-455-3p (P = 0.007) and miR-4668-5p (P = 0.016) in AD patients compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis of the AD postmortem brains with different Braak stages also showed upregulation of miR-455-3p (P = 0.016). However, receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) curve analysis revealed a significant area under curve (AUC) value only for miR-455-3p in the serum (AUROC = 0.79; P = 0.015) and brains (AUROC = 0.86; P = 0.016) of AD patients. Expression analysis of amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice also revealed high level of mmu-miR-455-3p (P = 0.004) in the cerebral cortex (AD-affected) region of brain and low in the non-affected area, i.e. cerebellum. Furthermore, human and mouse neuroblastoma cells treated with the amyloid-β(1-42) peptide also showed a similarly higher expression of miR-455-3p. Functional analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs via the miR-path indicated that miR-455-3p was associated in the regulation of several biological pathways. Genes associated with these pathways were found to have a crucial role in AD pathogenesis. An increase in miR-455-3p expression found in AD patients and Aβ pathologies unveiled its biomarker characteristics and a precise role in AD pathogenesis.
The utilization of fish scale-derived biosorbent for immobilization of cadmium and lead in polluted sediment was thoroughly investigated in this study. Fish scale (FS) biomass was chemically and ...physically treated. The FS biomass treated with acid (0.1 M HCl), alkali (0.1 M NaOH) and hydrothermally, showed minimum removal capacity. While, FS treated hydrothermally along with acid showed the maximum removal efficiency of metal ions. We used different dosages (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of FS biosorbent in the sediment. Isotherm modelling showed that this biosorbent can hold 89.30 and 92.65 mg/g of Cd and Pb on its surface. This indicated that prepared FS biosorbent has enough potential to adsorb Cd and Pb ions on its surface from the sediment. Compared to the control, sediment treated with 20% FS showed the highest immobilization capacities for Pb (92.9%), and Cd (87.9%). The values of partition coefficient (Kd) increased by 83% for Pb and 78% for Cd, which specified that availability of free ions of Pb and Cd in the aquatic system was successfully decreased. The sediment treated with 20% FS biosorbent showed 70–80% immobilization of Cd and Pb from mobile and exchangeable fractions that ultimately decreased the bioavailability of metal ions to the biota. Inclusively, compared to control, sediment served with 20% FS biosorbent showed higher level of Pb and Cd ions in residual fraction near by 80%. The prepared FS biosorbent had shown its potential in immobilizing the Cd and Pb ions from sediment as a cheap and ecologically feasible method for amendment.
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•Immobilization of Cd and Pb ions through FS biosorbent in sediment was assessed.•Hydrothermal treatment of FS biomass with acid showed maximum removal efficiency.•Immobilization % of Pb and Cd in 20% FS treated sediment was found 92.9 and 87.9%.
The schematic diagram shows the chemical transformations that have been used in the design of respective chemodosimeters for specific analyte. Display omitted
► Chemodosimeter provide analyte ...recognition with irreversible transduction and are relatively less affected by the environment and provide distinct advantage in terms of high selectivity. ► Metal ions primarily Hg2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Ag+, Au3+, Pd2+ etc. and the anions viz. fluoride and cyanide and neutral molecules like thiols have been analysed using respective chemodosimeters. ► Provide simple approach for bioimaging of analytes in living cells and zebra fish. ► Chemical transformations viz. adduct formation, substitution, hydrolysis, oxidation and ring transformation etc. used in the design of chemodosimeters.
In this review, the applications of chemodosimeters in qualitative and quantitative estimation of various metal ions viz. Hg2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Ag+, Pd(0)/Pd2+/Pd4+, Au3+/Au+ and anions viz. fluoride and cyanide and thiols have been discussed. Their use in bioimaging of analytes in living cells and zebra fish has also been presented. Various chemical transformations viz. adduct formation, substitution, hydrolysis, oxidation and ring transformation etc. have been used in the design of respective chemodosimeters for specific analyte. In total review contains 349 references.
•SARS-CoV-2 binds more strongly to ACE2 as compare to SARS-CoV.•The viral Spike protein is most important target for vaccine design.•Antibody dependent enhancement enhances the viral entry and ...replication in the host cell.•Nanobody is alternative to avoid Antibody dependent enhancement.•Different strategies for vaccine development.•Spike protein-based vaccines.
The recent outbreak of the betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has become a significant concern to public health care worldwide. As of August 19, 2020, more than 22,140,472 people are infected, and over 781,135 people have died due to this deadly virus. In the USA alone, over 5,482,602 people are currently infected, and more than 171,823 people have died. SARS-CoV-2 has shown a higher infectivity rate and a more extended incubation period as compared to previous coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 binds much more strongly than SARS-CoV to the same host receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Previously, several methods to develop a vaccine against SARS-CoV or MERS-CoV have been tried with limited success. Since SARS-CoV-2 uses the spike (S) protein for entry to the host cell, it is one of the most preferred targets for making vaccines or therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we have summarised the characteristics of the S protein, as well as the different approaches being used for the development of vaccines and/or therapeutics based on the S protein.
The objective of the present study is to monitor reclamation activity in mining areas. Monitoring of these reclaimed sites in the vicinity of mining areas and on closed Over Burden (OB) dumps is ...critical for improving the overall environmental condition, especially in developing countries where area around the mines are densely populated. The present study evaluated the reclamation success in the Block II area of Jharia coal field, India, using Landsat satellite images for the years 2000 and 2015. Four image processing methods (support vector machine, ratio vegetation index, enhanced vegetation index, and normalized difference vegetation index) were used to quantify the change in vegetation cover between the years 2000 and 2015. The study also evaluated the relationship between vegetation health and moisture content of the study area using remote sensing techniques. Statistical linear regression analysis revealed that Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) coupled with Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) is the best method for vegetation monitoring in the study area when compared to other indices. A strong linear relationship (r2 > 0.86) was found between NDVI and NDMI. An increase of 21% from 213.88 ha in 2000 to 258.9 ha in 2015 was observed in the vegetation cover of the reclaimed sites for an open cast mine, indicating satisfactory reclamation activity. NDVI results indicated that vegetation health also improved over the years.
•RS and GIS were used to monitor reclamation success of coal mine degraded lands.•NDVI, EVI, RVI, and SVM techniques were used to detect the vegetation changes.•Regression analysis was used to compare the accuracy of the vegetation indices.
Small molecule ligands that could stabilize G-quadruplex structure formed at the promoter region of human c-myc oncogene will regulate its expression in cancer cells. Flavonoids, a group of naturally ...available small molecule, have been known for their various promising effects on human health. In present study, we have performed detailed biophysical studies for the interaction of human c-myc G-quadruplex DNA with nine representative flavonoids: Luteolin, Quercetin, Rutin, Genistein, Kaempferol, Puerarin, Hesperidin, Myricetin and Daidzein. We found by using fluorescence titration that Quercetin interacts with c-myc G-quadruplex DNA sequence Pu24T with highest affinity. This interaction was further explored by using NMR spectroscopy and we have derived the first solution structure for the complex formed between Quercetin and biologically significant c-myc promoter DNA sequence forming G-quadruplex structure. In present solution structure, Quercetin stacks at 5' and 3' G-tetrads of Pu24T G-quadruplex structure and stabilize it via π-π stacking interactions. Furthermore, in vitro studies on HeLa cells suggested that Quercetin induces apoptosis-mediated cell death and down-regulated c-myc gene expression. This study emphasizes the potential of flavonoids as a promising candidate for targeting c-myc promoter region and thus, could act as a potential anti-cancer agent.
Nucleic acid G-quadruplex structure (G4) Interacting Proteins DataBase (G4IPDB) is an important database that contains detailed information about proteins interacting with nucleic acids that forms ...G-quadruplex structures. G4IPDB is the first database that provides comprehensive information about this interaction at a single platform. This database contains more than 200 entries with details of interaction such as interacting protein name and their synonyms, their UniProt-ID, source organism, target name and its sequences, ∆T
, binding/dissociation constants, protein gene name, protein FASTA sequence, interacting residue in protein, related PDB entries, interaction ID, graphical view, PMID, author's name and techniques that were used to detect their interactions. G4IPDB also provides an efficient web-based "G-quadruplex predictor tool" that searches putative G-quadruplex forming sequences simultaneously in both sense and anti-sense strands of the query nucleotide sequence and provides the predicted G score. Studying the interaction between proteins and nucleic acids forming G-quadruplex structures could be of therapeutic significance for various diseases including cancer and neurological disease, therefore, having detail information about their interactions on a single platform would be helpful for the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. G4IPDB can be routinely updated (twice in year) and freely available on http://bsbe.iiti.ac.in/bsbe/ipdb/index.php.
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