Search Results (10)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, debilitating condition that affects the lungs and airways. It is characterized by persistent bronchitis, a condition exemplified by the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the hypersecretion of mucus, emphysema, and the destruction of the airway parenchyma. The combination of these conditions leads to persistent tissue damage, pulmonary fibrosis, and ongoing inflammation of the airways. The inflammatory response in COPD is a complex process that is orchestrated by a wide range of immune cells. These include lung epithelial cells, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and T and B lymphocytes, among others. These cells work together to produce a wide range of inflammatory biomarkers that are involved in the pathogenesis of COPD. Some of the key inflammatory biomarkers that have been identified in COPD include a variety of cytokines, the C-reactive protein/serum albumin ratio, fibrinogen, soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts, club/clara cells in the lungs with a molecular weight of 16 kDa, surfactant protein D, adiponectin, reactive oxygen species, and proteases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of immune cells and key inflammatory biomarkers in the development and progression of COPD. It will delve into the intricacies of the inflammatory response in COPD, exploring the various cell types and biomarkers that are involved in this process. By understanding the underlying mechanisms that drive COPD, we can better develop targeted treatments that can help to alleviate the symptoms of COPD. Full article

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) technologies have attracted substantial interest due to their advantages over traditional biological nitrogen removal processes, including high efficiency and low energy demand. Currently, multiple side-stream applications of the anammox coupling process have been developed, including one-stage, two-stage, and three-stage systems such as completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite, denitrifying ammonium oxidation, simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal, partial denitrification-anammox, and partial nitrification and integrated fermentation denitritation. The one-stage system includes completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite, oxygen-limited autotrophic nitrification/denitrification, aerobic de-ammonification, single-stage nitrogen removal using anammox, and partial nitritation. Two-stage systems, such as the single reactor system for high-activity ammonium removal over nitrite, integrated fixed-film activated sludge, and simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal, have also been developed. Three-stage systems comprise partial nitrification anammox, partial denitrification anammox, simultaneous ammonium oxidation denitrification, and partial nitrification and integrated fermentation denitritation. The performance of these systems is highly dependent on interactions between functional microbial communities, physiochemical parameters, and environmental factors. Mainstream applications are not well developed and require further research and development. Mainstream applications demand a high carbon/nitrogen ratio to maintain levels of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, high concentrations of ammonium and nitrite in wastewater, and retention of anammox bacteria biomass. To summarize various aspects of the anammox processes, this review provides information regarding the microbial diversity of different genera of anammox bacteria and the engineering aspects of various side streams and mainstream anammox processes for wastewater treatment. Additionally, this review offers detailed insights into the challenges related to anammox technology and delivers solutions for future sustainable research. Full article

Cancer is a significant challenge for effective treatment due to its complex mechanism, different progressing stages, and lack of adequate procedures for screening and identification. Pancreatic cancer is typically identified in its advanced progression phase with a low survival of ~5 years. Among cancers, pancreatic cancer is also considered a high mortality-causing casualty over other accidental or disease-based mortality, and it is ranked seventh among all mortality-associated cancers globally. Henceforth, developing diagnostic procedures for its early detection, understanding pancreatic cancer-linked mechanisms, and various therapeutic strategies are crucial. This review describes the recent development in pancreatic cancer progression, mechanisms, and therapeutic approaches, including molecular techniques and biomedicines for effectively treating cancer. Full article

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by an uncontrolled inflammatory response to an infectious agent and its antigens. Immune cell activation against the antigens causes severe distress that mediates a strong inflammatory response in vital organs. Sepsis is responsible for a high rate of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients. Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapeutic strategies are now being explored as a viable therapy option for severe sepsis and septic shock. Monoclonal antibodies may provide benefits through two major strategies: (a) monoclonal antibodies targeting the pathogen and its components, and (b) mAbs targeting inflammatory signaling may directly suppress the production of inflammatory mediators. The major focus of mAb therapies has been bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide), although other surface antigens are also being investigated for mAb therapy. Several promising candidates for mAbs are undergoing clinical trials at present. Despite several failures and the investigation of novel targets, mAb therapy provides a glimmer of hope for the treatment of severe bacterial sepsis and septic shock. In this review, mAb candidates, their efficacy against controlling infection, with special emphasis on potential roadblocks, and prospects are discussed. Full article

The lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) infects cattle and buffalo and causes lumpy skin disease (LSD). It affects the lymph nodes of the sick animals, causing them to enlarge and appear as lumps (cutaneous nodules) that are 2–5 cm in diameter on their heads, necks, limbs, udders, genitalia, and perinea. A high temperature, a sharp drop in milk supply, discharge from the eyes and nose, salivation, a loss of appetite, depression, damaged hides, and emaciation are further warning signs and symptoms. As per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the incubation period, or the time between an infection and symptoms, is approximately 28 days. Infected animals can transfer the virus by direct contact with the vectors, direct virus secretion from mouth or nose, shared feeding and watering troughs, and even artificial insemination. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the FAO both warn that the spread of illnesses could lead to serious economic losses. This illness reduces cow’s milk production because oral ulcers make the animal weak and lead them to lose their appetite. There are many diagnostics available for LSDV. However, very few tests yield accurate findings. The best methods for preventing and controlling the lumpy skin condition include vaccination and movement restrictions. As a specific cure is not available, the only available treatment for this illness is supportive care for cattle. Recently, India has developed a homologous, live-attenuated vaccine, Lumpi-ProVacInd, which is specifically intended to protect animals against the LSD virus. This study’s primary goal is to accumulate data on symptoms, the most accurate method of diagnosis, treatments, and controls to stop infections from spreading as well as to explore future possibilities for the management of LSDV. Full article

In the energy sector, bioenergy has been utilized as a replacement for non-renewable resources. Due to the depletion of resources, mankind may face adversities in the future. To overcome these challenges, sustainable and reliable bioenergy-based alternatives are to be used. Bioenergy sources are bio-based alternatives that have become acceptable in society for their renewability, sustainability, and environmentally friendly characteristics, but they still lag in the energy market due to their less cost-effective output of upstream and downstream processing in comparison with age-old fossil fuels. This review provides a detailed overview of their techno-economic and life cycle assessment, their positioning and competition in the energy market, and the strategies that might assist them in overcoming the market challenges. Microalgal bioenergy products have been lifting their market positioning at a slower rate that is almost unnoticeable, but their assistance in becoming a better solution against adversities of energy resource depletion in the future makes them quite promising. The new research alternatives for microalgal biomass conversion in biorefinery products for bioenergy production, which are based on combating pollution and reuse of waste products, along with the strategic application for combating the energy market competition, have also been highlighted. Full article

Combustion is an essential process for humanity, but it has created turbulence in society due to the pollutant emissions from the partial completion of its process and its byproducts. The regular population is unaware of the repercussions being faced in terms of health deterioration, product quality degradation, biodiversity loss, and environmental harm. Although strategic planning against the effects is being applied sideways by the authorities to the local population and industrial facilities, the awareness in the local population is still minimal. The indicators for bioremediation being required, observed through increased sales of pharmaceutical medicines and supplements, air filters, and new techniques, include smog, elevation in respiratory disease, health immune system deterioration, decreasing life span, increasing mortality rate, and degradation in the food and water quality. This article gives a brief overview of the problems being faced due to uncontrolled combustion activities, the sources of pollutants, their creation, emission, and dispersal process, along with the mitigation techniques developed to overcome the after-effects on human health and environment. Full article

Microbial biodiversity includes biotic and abiotic components that support all life forms by adapting to environmental conditions. Climate change, pollution, human activity, and natural calamities affect microbial biodiversity. Microbes have diverse growth conditions, physiology, and metabolism. Bacteria use signaling systems such as quorum sensing (QS) to regulate cellular interactions via small chemical signaling molecules which also help with adaptation under undesirable survival conditions. Proteobacteria use acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules as autoinducers to sense population density and modulate gene expression. The LuxI-type enzymes synthesize AHL molecules, while the LuxR-type proteins (AHL transcriptional regulators) bind to AHLs to regulate QS-dependent gene expression. Diverse AHLs have been identified, and the diversity extends to AHL synthases and AHL receptors. This review comprehensively explains the molecular diversity of AHL signaling components of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Chromobacterium violaceum, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and Escherichia coli. The regulatory mechanism of AHL signaling is also highlighted in this review, which adds to the current understanding of AHL signaling in Gram-negative bacteria. We summarize molecular diversity among well-studied QS systems and recent advances in the role of QS proteins in bacterial cellular signaling pathways. This review describes AHL-dependent QS details in bacteria that can be employed to understand their features, improve environmental adaptation, and develop broad biomolecule-based biotechnological applications. Full article

Musculoskeletal disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sarcopenia, injury, stiffness, and bone loss. The prevalence of these conditions is frequent among elderly populations with significant mobility and mortality rates. This may lead to extreme discomfort and detrimental effect on the patient’s health and socioeconomic situation. Muscles, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissue are vital for body function and movement. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are regulatory proteases involved in synthesizing, degrading, and remodeling extracellular matrix (ECM) components. By modulating ECM reconstruction, cellular migration, and differentiation, MMPs preserve myofiber integrity and homeostasis. In this review, the role of MMPs in skeletal muscle function, muscle injury and repair, skeletal muscle inflammation, and muscular dystrophy and future approaches for MMP-based therapies in musculoskeletal disorders are discussed at the cellular and molecule level. Full article

The indiscriminate usage and overuse of antimicrobials in pets or companion animals are underlying causes of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Despite the multi-faceted global challenge presented by antimicrobial resistance, very few studies have appraised pet practitioners’ factors, such as written policy on antimicrobials, dose rate prescribed, use of critically important antimicrobials, and antimicrobial prescription in clean surgical procedures, which can contribute to AMR. In the present study, an online cross-sectional survey among randomly selected pet practitioners (n = 104) of various Indian provinces and union territories was conducted using a questionnaire comprising 33 closed-ended questions on different parameters, viz., the dosage regimen and level of compliance towards guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), other relevant veterinary associations, and their opinion while prescribing antimicrobials. Almost every practitioner of the 104 respondents had revealed the difficulties with owner compliance; i.e., incomplete course of the antibiotics, inappropriate follow-ups, and improper care of the sick animals. The majority of practitioners (95%) reported self-prescription of antimicrobials by the owner before presenting the pet(s) to the veterinary clinic, whereas more than half of the respondents (64%) revealed unavailability of antibiogram facilities. Furthermore, a large number (76%) of practitioners stated empirical treatment based on their experience as the main criteria for antimicrobial choice in the absence of timely results from the laboratory. Although non-necessitated use of antimicrobials in clean surgical procedures has been claimed, surprisingly, the majority of pet practitioners (97%) reported their use to reduce the post-operative complications. The use of the highest priority, critically important antimicrobials (HPCIA) listed by the WHO for humans, particularly quinolones and third-generation cephalosporin, also has been reported for different infections. The treatment durations were nearly as per the recommended guidelines issued by the Danish Small Animal Veterinary Association (DSAVA) for different ailments. Analysis using chi-square tests exhibited a significant correlation between less experienced veterinarians (less than 5 years) and prescription of antimicrobials restricted for critically important infections in human medicine. However, there seems to be no association between the experience of the practitioner and the further studied parameters, namely, antimicrobial regimen prescription, weighing the animals before prescription, dose rate calculation, and antimicrobial selection and use after clean surgical operations. The findings suggest periodic awareness campaigns among practitioners regarding the implementation of the official guidelines, the need for systematic surveillance of AMR, awareness among pet owners about antimicrobial resistance, and the importance of rational use of antimicrobials on their pets. Full article