De novo lipogenesis, a hallmark for cancers is required for cellular transformation. Further it is believed that resistance to apoptosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition(EMT) facilitates ...metastasis via over-expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Previously we demonstrated that hsa-miR-195 targets BCL2, induces apoptosis and augmented the effect of etoposide in breast cancer cells. However, the mechanism behind its function remains elusive. Herein gene expression profiling was done in presence/absence of hsa-miR-195 in Breast cancer cells. IPA revealed mitochondrial dysfunction, fatty acid metabolism and xenobiotic metabolism signalling among the top processes being affected. For the first time we herein identified ACACA, FASN (the key enzymes of de novo fatty acid synthesis), HMGCR (the key enzyme of de novo cholesterol synthesis) and CYP27B1 as direct targets of hsa-miR-195. We further showed that ectopic expression of hsa-miR-195 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells not only altered cellular cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly but also resulted in reduced proliferation, invasion and migration. We further demonstrated that over expression of hsa-miR-195 decreased the Mesenchymal markers expression and enhanced Epithelial markers. In conclusion we say that hsa-miR-195 targets the genes of de novo lipogenesis, inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion which potentially opens new avenues for the treatment of breast cancer.
Optoelectronic properties of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocubes (NCs) depend strongly on the interaction of the organic passivating molecules with the inorganic crystal. To understand this interaction, we ...employed a combination of synchrotron-based X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and first-principles density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations. Variable energy XPS elucidated the internal structure of the inorganic part in a layer-by-layer fashion, whereas NMR characterized the organic ligands. Our experimental results confirm that oleylammonium ions act as capping ligands by substituting Cs+ ions from the surface of CsPbBr3 NCs. DFT calculations shows that the substitution mechanism does not require much energy for surface reconstruction and, in contrast, stabilizes the nanocrystal by the formation of three hydrogen bonds between the −NH3 + moiety of oleylammonium and surrounding Br– on the surface of NCs. This substitution mechanism and its origin are in stark contrast to the usual adsorption of organic ligands on the surface of typical NCs.
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder due to increased level of glucose in blood that affects millions of individuals. If not managed properly, it can lead to life threatening complications, ...organ failure and mortality. Research has recognized that diabetes can be prevented and managed by following proper lifestyle which includes diet and exercise. Though a number of synthetic drugs are available for managing this condition, their long-term use is associated with many side effects. This has shifted the research towards medicinal plants and herbs which are considered to be comparatively safe. Edible mushrooms belong to the class of potential anti-diabetic phytotherapy. They are rich in natural compounds such as fibers, polysaccharides, phenolics and alkaloids and known for providing antidiabetic, antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effects from ancient times. Moreover, mushroom polysaccharides also act as prebiotics and modulate the composition of gut microflora; and thus, can reduce insulin resistance. The present review discusses the pathophysiology of diabetes and, elaborates some potential mushroom species that are known to have antihyperglycemic activities. Different mushroom polysaccharides modulating the composition of gut microflora in diabetic animal models have also been discussed.
•Mushrooms are well known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.•Mushrooms contain numerous bioactive constituents such as polysaccharides and fiber.•The polysaccharides from mushroom (PM) are effective against T2DM by reducing oxidative stress.•PM also act as prebiotics and reduce gut dysbiosis thereby help in managing insulin resistance and T2DM.
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► This paper reviews the chemical recycling of HDPE with special reference to Cracking. ► The world demand and production of HDPE. ► Different methods of recycling of plastics. ► The ...results of thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of HDPE carried out by different researchers. ► A suitable mechanism and kinetics of the pyrolysis of the HDPE.
Plastics have become an indispensable ingredient of human life. They are non-biodegradable polymers of mostly containing carbon, hydrogen, and few other elements such as chlorine, nitrogen etc. Rapid growth of the world population led to increased demand of commodity plastics. High density poly ethylene is one of the largest used commodity plastics due to its vast applications in many fields. Due to its non bio degradability and low life, HDPE contributes significantly to the problem of Municipal Waste Management. To avert environment pollution of HDPE wastes, they must be recycled and recovered. On the other hand, steady depletion of fossil fuel and increased energy demand, motivated the researchers and technologists to search and develop different energy sources. Waste to energy has been a significant way to utilize the waste sustainably, simultaneously add to meet the energy demand. Plastics being petrochemical origin have inherently high calorific value. Thus they can be converted back to useful energy. Many researches have been carried out to convert the waste plastics into liquid fuel by thermal and catalytic pyrolysis and this has led to establishment of a number of successful firms converting waste plastics to liquid fuels. This paper reviews the production and consumption HDPE, different methods of recycling of plastic with special reference to chemical degradation of HDPE to fuel. This also focuses on different factors that affect these degradations, the kinetics and mechanism of this reaction.
The success story of liposomes in the treatment of systemic infectious diseases and various carcinomas lead the scientists to the innovation of elastic vesicles to achieve similar success through ...transdermal route. In this direction, ethosomes and transfersomes were developed with the objective to design the vesicles that could pass through the skin. However, there is a lack of systematic review outlining the principles, method of preparation, latest advancement and applications of ethosomes and transfersomes. This review covers various aspects that would be helpful to scientists in understanding advantages of these vesicular systems and designing a unique nano vesicular delivery system.
Structured search of bibliographic databases for previously published peer-reviewed research papers was explored and data was culminated in terms of principle of these vesicular delivery systems, composition, mechanism of actions, preparation techniques, methods for their characterization and their application.
A total of 182 papers including both, research and review articles, were included in this review in order to make the article comprehensive and readily understandable. The mechanism of action and composition of ethosomes and transfersomes was extensively discussed. Various methods of preparation such as, rotary film evaporation method, reverse phase evaporation method, vortex/ sonication method, ethanol injection method, freeze thaw methods, along with their advantages has been discussed. It was also discussed that both these elastic nanocarriers offer unique advantages of ferrying the drug across membranes, sustaining drug release as well as protecting the encapsulated bio actives from external environment. The enhanced bioavailability and skin penetration of ethosomes as compared to conventional vesicular delivery systems is attributed to the presence of ethanol in the bilayers while that for transfersomes accrues due to their elasticity along with their ability to retain their shape because of the presence of edge activators. Successful delivery of synthetic drugs as well as phytomedicines has been extensively reported through these vesicles.
Though these vesicular systems offer a good potential for rational drug delivery, a thoughtfully designed process is required to optimize the process variables involved. Industrial scale production of efficacious, safe, cost effective and stable formulations of both these delivery systems appears to be a pre-requisite to ensure their utility as the trans-dermal vehicles.
The current advancements in nanotechnology are as an outcome of the development of engineered nanoparticles. Various metallic nanoparticles have been extensively explored for various biomedical ...applications. They attract lot of attention in biomedical field due to their significant inert nature, and nanoscale structures, with size similar to many biological molecules. Their intrinsic characteristics which include electronic, optical, physicochemical and, surface plasmon resonance, that can be changed by altering certain particle characteristics such as size, shape, environment, aspect ratio, ease of synthesis and functionalization properties have led to numerous applications in various fields of biomedicine. These include targeted drug delivery, sensing, photothermal and photodynamic therapy, imaging, as well as the modulation of two or three applications. The current article also discusses about the various properties of metallic nanoparticles and their applications in cancer imaging and therapeutics. The associated bottlenecks related to their clinical translation are also discussed.
•Functionalization of metallic nanoparticles have led to their multifaceted applications in various fields of biomedicine.•Metallic nanoparticles are used for various biomedical applications such as cancer imaging and therapeutics.•Role of metallic nanoparticles in cancer management and bottlenecks related to their clinical translation are discussed.
Despite tremendous advancement, cancer still remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Inefficiency of current drug delivery regimens is one important factor that limits the therapeutic ...efficacy of existing drugs, thus contributing to cancer mortality. To address this limitation, synthetic nanotechnology-based delivery systems have been developed; however, they raise concern of inducing adverse immunogenic reactions. Exosomes (Exos) are nonimmunogenic nanosized vesicles that have received significant attention as efficient drug delivery system.
Drug loading in Exos were achieved by incubating different cell types viz pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs), pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), and macrophages (MØs) with Doxorubicin (DOX). Differential ultracentrifugation was performed to isolate exosome and their size was determined by dynamic light scattering analysis. The efficacy of drug packaging into Exos was evaluated by HPLC. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the apoptosis. Cell viability was determined using the WST-1 assay.
PCCs shed the most Exos and were the most efficient in drug loading followed by MØs and PSCs as examined by HPLC quantification. However, when compared for antitumor efficacy, MØ-derived Exos loaded with DOX (MØ-Exo-DOX) showed highest activity followed by PSCs and PCCs.
These varying antitumor activities likely resulted from nondrug contents of Exos since we did not observe any significant differences in their uptake by the cancer cells. Altogether, our data suggest that donor cell-specific differences exist in Exos, which could influence their utility as drug carrier for therapeutic purposes.
Glipizide nanosuspensions were prepared by both liquid antisolvent precipitation and media milling technique using bead mill. From this study it was concluded that ratio of polymer to drug, milling ...time and milling speed played significant role in controlling the zeta potential of nanosuspension prepared by media milling whereas, milling time and milling speed were considered to be significant factors for controlling particle size distribution d (90) of nanosuspension. In the bottom up process ratio of surfactant to drug and speed of mixing played a significant role in controlling the zeta potential of glipizide whereas ratio of polymer to drug and speed of mixing were considered to be the significant factors that affect the particle size distribution d (90) of nanosuspension. An increase in particle size distribution was observed with the optimized nanosuspension prepared by liquid antisolvent precipitation method when tested under accelerated conditions (40°C at 75% RH for 6months) as compared to media milling method. The X-ray diffraction data shows no form conversion of the drug due to processing parameters involved in the production of nanosuspension. The formulated nanosuspension has shown a faster dissolution profile (98.97 using bottom up and 96.44% using top down method in 10min), relative to that of pure glipizide (20.17% in 10min), mainly due to the formation of nanosized particles.
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•Glipizide nanoparticles were prepared using liquid antisolvent precipitation technique and media milling technique.•Box Behnken Design was applied for batch optimization.•Nanosuspension prepared by both techniques has shown a faster dissolution profile relative to that of pure glipizide.
•This paper presents an in-depth statistical analysis of literature on technological interventions for sustainable social business showcasing the development of the scholarship, major themes and ...possible future trajectories.•The study exhibits that most of the work in social business has been done by the scholars based in developed countries, with limited contributions emanating from developing countries.•The study proposes a framework for the use of technology in sustainable social businesses with focus areas of research such as social innovation, digital technology, information systems and decision making for sustainability.•The results show that digital technologies are increasingly being accepted as tools for sustainability and scalability of social business.
Social businesses, despite having a huge potential to generate substantial and sustainable value, are often structurally and financially fragile. Technological interventions, such as social media analytics, big data, Internet of Things, and blockchain can help social businesses by leveraging the practices towards financial and operational sustainability. This study is the first of its kind in that it analyses existing scholarly works on social businesses using bibliometric analysis. In so doing, this paper presents an in-depth statistical analysis of the literature on technological interventions in sustainable social business, showcasing the development of the scholarship, major themes, and possible future research trajectories. The SCOPUS database is used to identify a large section of articles. The study shows that most of the work in social business has been done by scholars based in developed countries, with limited contributions emanating from developing countries. The study proposes a framework for the use of technology in sustainable social businesses with focus areas of research such as social innovation, digital technology, information systems, and decision making for sustainability. The results show that digital technologies are increasingly being accepted as tools for the sustainability and scalability of social businesses. The paper offers useful recommendations for future research in relevant fields.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae) is commonly found in Asia, Africa, and Europe and has a long history of being used as food and traditional medicine. Recently, this plant is gaining ...attention as a highly nutritious food, where fresh leaves are dried and used as powder or in other forms. Leaves are rich in many bioactive compounds. This review aims to cover the traditional uses in food and medicine, as well as its nutritional composition, including its bioactive chemical constituents and reported food functional activities. Various bioactive chemical constituents have been isolated from stinging nettle to date, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, amino acid, carotenoids, and fatty acids. Stinging nettle extracts and its compounds, such as rutin, kaempferol, and vitamin A, are also used for their nutritional properties and as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Future studies should focus on the proper formulation and stability testing of the functional foods containing stinging nettle and their detailed activities in clinical studies.
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