GLUT and HK: Two primary and essential key players in tumor glycolysis.

Cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to become "glycolysis-dominant," which enables them to meet their energy and macromolecule needs and enhancing their rate of survival. This glycolytic-dominancy is known as the "Warburg effect", a significant factor in the growth and invasion of malignant tumors. Many studies confirmed that members of the GLUT family, specifically HK-II from the HK family play a pivotal role in the Warburg effect, and are closely associated with glucose transportation followed by glucose metabolism in cancer cells. Overexpression of GLUTs and HK-II correlates with aggressive tumor behaviour and tumor microenvironment making them attractive therapeutic targets. Several studies have proven that the regulation of GLUTs and HK-II expression improves the treatment outcome for various tumors. Therefore, small molecule inhibitors targeting GLUT and HK-II show promise in sensitizing cancer cells to treatment, either alone or in combination with existing therapies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. Despite existing therapies, viable methods to target the glycolysis of cancer cells are currently lacking to increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment. This review explores the current understanding of GLUT and HK-II in cancer metabolism, recent inhibitor developments, and strategies for future drug development, offering insights into improving cancer treatment efficacy.

Deciphering drug discovery and microbial pathogenesis research in tuberculosis during the two decades of postgenomic era using entity mining approach.

We examined literature on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) subsequent to its genome release, spanning years 1999-2020. We employed scientometric mapping, entity mining, visualization techniques, and PubMed and PubTator databases. Most popular keywords, most active research groups, and growth in quantity of publications were determined. By gathering annotations from the PubTator, we determined direction of research in the areas of drug hypersensitivity, drug resistance (AMR), and drug-related side effects. Additionally, we examined the patterns in research on Mtb metabolism and various forms of tuberculosis, including skin, brain, pulmonary, extrapulmonary, and latent tuberculosis. We discovered that 2011 had the highest annual growth rate of publications, at 19.94%. The USA leads the world in publications with 18,038, followed by China with 14,441, and India with 12,158 publications. Studies on isoniazid and rifampicin resistance showed an enormous increase. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria also been the subject of more research in effort to better understand Mtb physiology and as model organisms. Researchers also looked at co-infections like leprosy, hepatitis, plasmodium, HIV, and other opportunistic infections. Host perspectives like immune response, hypoxia, and reactive oxygen species, as well as comorbidities like arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease etc. were also looked at. Symptomatic aspects like fever, coughing, and weight loss were also investigated. Vitamin D has gained popularity as a supplement during illness recovery, however, the interest of researchers declined off late. We delineated dominant researchers, journals, institutions, and leading nations globally, which is crucial for aligning ongoing and evolving landscape of TB research efforts. Recognising the dominant patterns offers important information about the areas of focus for current research, allowing biomedical scientists, clinicians, and organizations to strategically coordinate their efforts with the changing priorities in the field of tuberculosis research.

Targeting Fks1 proteins for novel antifungal drug discovery.

Fungal infections are a major threat to human health. The limited availability of antifungal drugs, the emergence of drug resistance, and a growing susceptible population highlight the critical need for novel antifungal agents. The enzymes involved in fungal cell wall synthesis offer potential targets for antifungal drug development. Recent studies have enhanced our focus on the enzyme Fks1, which synthesizes ß-1,3-glucan, a critical component of the cell wall. These studies provide a deeper understanding of Fks1's function in cell wall biosynthesis, pathogenicity, structural biology, evolutionary conservation across fungi, and interaction with current antifungal drugs. Here, we discuss the role of Fks1 in the survival and adaptation of fungi, guided by insights from evolutionary and structural analyses. Furthermore, we delve into the dynamics of Fks1 modulation with novel antifungal strategies and assess its potential as an antifungal drug target.

Tailored Engineering of Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts for Biomass Valorization: A Way Towards Waste to Wealth.

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) have significant attention in recent times due to their unique characteristic properties, including layered structure, variable compositions, tunable acidity and basicity, memory effect, and their ability to transform into various kinds of catalysts, which make them desirable for various types of catalytic applications, such as electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and thermocatalysis. In addition, the upcycling of lignocellulose biomass and its derived compounds has emerged as a promising strategy for the synthesis of valuable products and fine chemicals. The current review focuses on recent advancements in LDH-based catalysts for biomass conversion reactions. Specifically, this review highlights the structural features and advantages of LDH and LDH-derived catalysts for biomass conversion reactions, followed by a detailed summary of the different synthesis methods and different strategies used to tailor their properties. Subsequently, LDH-based catalysts for hydrogenation, oxidation, coupling, and isomerization reactions of biomass-derived molecules are critically summarized in a very detailed manner. The review concludes with a discussion on future research directions in this field which anticipates that further exploration of LDH-based catalysts and integration of cutting-edge technologies into biomass conversion reactions hold promise for addressing future energy challenges, potentially leading to a carbon-neutral or carbon-positive future.

Taking cues from machine learning, compartmental and time series models for SARS-CoV-2 omicron infection in Indian provinces.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, posed a significant threat to the world. We analyzed COVID-19 dissemination data in the top ten Indian provinces by infection incidences using the Susceptible-Infectious-Removed (SIR) model, an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) time series model, a machine learning model based on the Random Forest, and distribution fitting. Outbreaks are expected to continue if the Basic Reproduction Number (R0) > 1, and infection waves are anticipated to end if the R0 < 1, as determined by the SIR model. Different parametric probability distributions are also fitted. Data collected from December 12, 2021, to March 31, 2022, encompassing data from both before and during the implementation of strict control measures. Based on the estimates of the model parameters, health agencies and government policymakers can develop strategies to combat the spread of the disease in the future, and the most effective technique can be recommended for real-world application for other outbreaks of COVID-19. The best method out of these could be also implemented further on the epidemiological data of other similar infectious agents.

A bis-quinoline ruthenium(II) arene complex with submicromolar cytotoxicity in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells.

A new Ru(II) arene chlorido organometallic complex [(η6-p-cymene)(L)RuCl]PF6 (named as pCYRuL) using 2-bis(quinolin-2-ylmethylene) hydrazine (L) was developed that exhibits potent anticancer activity against castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) (IC50 = 0.71 µM), and it is 45 times more effective than the standard drug cisplatin (IC50 = 31.3 µM) in a castration-resistant human prostatic adenocarcinoma cell line (PC-3) but non-toxic in normal human kidney cells (HK2) as well as normal breast cells (MCF10A) and found that pCYRuL exerted anticancer activity via apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase of PC-3 cells.