Post-Transcriptional Regulatory Crosstalk between MicroRNAs and Canonical TGF-ß/BMP Signalling Cascades on Osteoblast Lineage: A Comprehensive Review.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small, single-stranded, and non-protein coding RNAs about 19 to 22 nucleotides in length, that have been reported to have important roles in the control of bone development. MiRNAs have a strong influence on osteoblast differentiation through stages of lineage commitment and maturation, as well as via controlling the activities of osteogenic signal transduction pathways. Generally, miRNAs may modulate cell stemness, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis by binding the 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of the target genes, which then can subsequently undergo messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation or protein translational repression. MiRNAs manage the gene expression in osteogenic differentiation by regulating multiple signalling cascades and essential transcription factors, including the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß)/bone morphogenic protein (BMP), Wingless/Int-1(Wnt)/ß-catenin, Notch, and Hedgehog signalling pathways; the Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2); and osterix (Osx). This shows that miRNAs are essential in regulating diverse osteoblast cell functions. TGF-ßs and BMPs transduce signals and exert diverse functions in osteoblastogenesis, skeletal development and bone formation, bone homeostasis, and diseases. Herein, we highlighted the current state of in vitro and in vivo research describing miRNA regulation on the canonical TGF-ß/BMP signalling, their effects on osteoblast linage, and understand their mechanism of action for the development of possible therapeutics. In this review, particular attention and comprehensive database searches are focused on related works published between the years 2000 to 2022, using the resources from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Calcium lignosulfonate modulates physiological and biochemical responses to enhance shoot multiplication in Vanilla planifolia Andrews.

Utilisation of calcium lignosulfonate (CaLS) in Vanilla planifolia has been reported to improve shoot multiplication. However, mechanisms responsible for such observation remain unknown. Here, we elucidated the underlying mechanisms of CaLS in promoting shoot multiplication of V. planifolia via comparative proteomics, biochemical assays, and nutrient analysis. The proteome profile of CaLS-treated plants showed enhancement of several important cellular metabolisms such as photosynthesis, protein synthesis, Krebs cycle, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and carbohydrate synthesis. Further biochemical analysis recorded that CaLS increased Rubisco activity, hexokinase activity, isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, total carbohydrate content, glutamate synthase activity and total protein content in plant shoot, suggesting the role of CaLS in enhancing shoot growth via upregulation of cellular metabolism. Subsequent nutrient analysis showed that CaLS treatment elevated the contents of several nutrient ions especially calcium and sodium ions. In addition, our study also revealed that CaLS successfully maintained the cellular homeostasis level through the regulation of signalling molecules such as reactive oxygen species and calcium ions. These results demonstrated that the CaLS treatment can enhance shoot multiplication in V. planifolia Andrews by stimulating nutrient uptake, inducing cell metabolism, and regulating cell homeostasis. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01293-w.

Identification of NRAS Diagnostic Biomarkers and Drug Targets for Endometrial Cancer-An Integrated in Silico Approach.

The diagnosis of endometrial cancer involves sequential, invasive tests to assess the thickness of the endometrium by a transvaginal ultrasound scan. In 6−33% of cases, endometrial biopsy results in inadequate tissue for a conclusive pathological diagnosis and 6% of postmenopausal women with non-diagnostic specimens are later discovered to have severe endometrial lesions. Thus, identifying diagnostic biomarkers could offer a non-invasive diagnosis for community or home-based triage of symptomatic or asymptomatic women. Herein, this study identified high-risk pathogenic nsSNPs in the NRAS gene. The nsSNPs of NRAS were retrieved from the NCBI database. PROVEAN, SIFT, PolyPhen-2, SNPs&GO, PhD-SNP and PANTHER were used to predict the pathogenicity of the nsSNPs. Eleven nsSNPs were identified as "damaging", and further stability analysis using I-Mutant 2.0 and MutPred 2 indicated eight nsSNPs to cause decreased stability (DDG scores < −0.5). Post-translational modification and protein−protein interactions (PPI) analysis showed putative phosphorylation sites. The PPI network indicated a GFR-MAPK signalling pathway with higher node degrees that were further evaluated for drug targets. The P34L, G12C and Y64D showed significantly lower binding affinity towards GTP than wild-type. Furthermore, the Kaplan−Meier bioinformatics analyses indicated that the NRAS gene deregulation affected the overall survival rate of patients with endometrial cancer, leading to prognostic significance. Findings from this could be considered novel diagnostic and therapeutic markers.

Contribution of Aldehydes and Their Derivatives to Antimicrobial and Immunomodulatory Activities.

Essential oils (EOs) are intricate combinations of evaporative compounds produced by aromatic plants and extracted by distillation or expression. EOs are natural secondary metabolites derived from plants and have been found to be useful in food and nutraceutical manufacturing, perfumery and cosmetics; they have also been found to alleviate the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in addition to functioning as antibacterial and antifungal agents, balancing menstrual cycles and being efficacious as an immune system booster. Several main aldehyde constituents can be found in different types of EOs, and thus, aldehydes and their derivatives will be the main focus of this study with regard to their antimicrobial, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. This brief study also explores the activity of aldehydes and their derivatives against pathogenic bacteria for future use in the clinical setting.

Spectrum of COVID-19 induced liver injury: A review report.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused changes in the global health system, causing significant setbacks in healthcare systems worldwide. This pandemic has also shown resilience, flexibility, and creativity in reacting to the tragedy. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection targets most of the respiratory tract, resulting in a severe sickness called acute respiratory distress syndrome that may be fatal in some individuals. Although the lung is the primary organ targeted by COVID-19 viruses, the clinical aspect of the disease is varied and ranges from asymptomatic to respiratory failure. However, due to an unorganized immune response and several affected mechanisms, the liver may also experience liver cell injury, ischemic liver dysfunction, and drug-induced liver injury, which can result in respiratory failure because of the immune system's disordered response and other compromised processes that can end in multisystem organ failure. Patients with liver cirrhosis or those who have impaired immune systems may be more likely than other groups to experience worse results from the SARS-CoV-2 infection. We thus intend to examine the pathogenesis, current therapy, and consequences of liver damage concerning COVID-19.

Phytoremediation as a viable ecological and socioeconomic management strategy.

Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional remediation technologies, notably for soil restoration and agricultural sustainability. This strategy makes use of marginal areas, incorporates biofortification processes, and expands crop alternatives. The ecological and economic benefits of phytoremediation are highlighted in this review. Native plant species provide cost-effective advantages and lower risks, while using invasive species to purify pollutants might be a potential solution to the dilemma of not removing them from the new habitat. Thus, strict management measures should be used to prevent the overgrowth of invasive species. The superior advantages of phytoremediation, including psychological and social improvements, make it a powerful tool for both successful cleanup and community well-being. Its ability to generate renewable biomass and adapt to a variety of uses strengthens its position in developing the bio-based economy. However, phytoremediation faces severe difficulties such as complex site circumstances and stakeholder doubts. Overcoming these challenges necessitates a comprehensive approach that balances economic viability, environmental protection, and community welfare. Incorporating regulatory standards such as ASTM and ISO demonstrates a commitment to long-term environmental sustainability, while also providing advice for unique nation-specific requirements. Finally, phytoremediation may contribute to a pleasant coexistence of human activity and the environment by navigating hurdles and embracing innovation.

Microbial nanotechnology for agriculture, food, and environmental sustainability: Current status and future perspective.

The field of nanotechnology has the mysterious capacity to reform every subject it touches. Nanotechnology advancements have already altered a variety of scientific and industrial fields. Nanoparticles (NPs) with sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nm (nm) are of great scientific and commercial interest. Their functions and characteristics differ significantly from those of bulk metal. Commercial quantities of NPs are synthesized using chemical or physical methods. The use of the physical and chemical approaches remained popular for many years; however, the recognition of their hazardous effects on human well-being and conditions influenced serious world perspectives for the researchers. There is a growing need in this field for simple, non-toxic, clean, and environmentally safe nanoparticle production methods to reduce environmental impact and waste and increase energy productivity. Microbial nanotechnology is relatively a new field. Using various microorganisms, a wide range of nanoparticles with well-defined chemical composition, morphology, and size have been synthesized, and their applications in a wide range of cutting-edge technological areas have been investigated. Green synthesis of the nanoparticles is cost-efficient and requires low maintenance. The present review highlights the synthesis of the nanoparticles by different microbes, their characterization, and their biotechnological potential. It further deals with the applications in biomedical, food, and textile industries as well as its role in biosensing, waste recycling, and biofuel production.

Microbial Genomics: Innovative Targets and Mechanisms.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) has become an increasing threat to global health because bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics over time. Scientists worldwide are searching for new approaches that go beyond traditional antibiotic discovery and development pipelines. Advances in genomics, however, opened up an unexplored therapeutic opportunity for the discovery of new antibacterial agents. Genomic approaches have been used to discover several novel antibiotics that target critical processes for bacterial growth and survival, including histidine kinases (HKs), LpxC, FabI, peptide deformylase (PDF), and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AaRS). In this review, we will discuss the use of microbial genomics in the search for innovative and promising drug targets as well as the mechanisms of action for novel antimicrobial agents. We will also discuss future directions on how the utilization of the microbial genomics approach could improve the odds of antibiotic development having a more successful outcome.

Aflatoxin Contamination: An Overview on Health Issues, Detection and Management Strategies.

Aflatoxins (AFs) represent one of the main mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, with the most prevalent and lethal subtypes being AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2. AFs are responsible for causing significant public health issues and economic concerns that affect consumers and farmers globally. Chronic exposure to AFs has been linked to liver cancer, oxidative stress, and fetal growth abnormalities among other health-related risks. Although there are various technologies, such as physical, chemical, and biological controls that have been employed to alleviate the toxic effects of AF, there is still no clearly elucidated universal method available to reduce AF levels in food and feed; the only mitigation is early detection of the toxin in the management of AF contamination. Numerous detection methods, including cultures, molecular techniques, immunochemical, electrochemical immunosensor, chromatographic, and spectroscopic means, are used to determine AF contamination in agricultural products. Recent research has shown that incorporating crops with higher resistance, such as sorghum, into animal feed can reduce the risk of AF contamination in milk and cheese. This review provides a current overview of the health-related risks of chronic dietary AF exposure, recent detection techniques, and management strategies to guide future researchers in developing better detection and management strategies for this toxin.

Promoter Cis-Element Analyses Reveal the Function of αVPE in Drought Stress Response of Arabidopsis.

Vacuolar processing enzyme (VPE) is a cysteine protease responsible for vacuolar proteins' maturation and regulation of programmed cell death (PCD). Four isoforms of Arabidopsis thaliana VPEs were identified previously, but only the functions of ßVPE, γVPE, and δVPE were determined. The specific function of a gene is linked to the cis-acting elements in the promoter region. A promoter analysis found repetitive drought-related cis-elements in αVPE, which highlight its potential involvement in drought regulation in A. thaliana. The further co-expression network portraying genes interacting with αVPE substantiated its drought-regulation-related function. Expression of αVPE was upregulated after drought treatment in A. thaliana. To confirm the role of αVPE, a loss of function study revealed that αVPE knockout mutants remained green compared with WT after drought treatment. The mutants had reduced proline activity, decreased sucrose content, and lower MDA content, but increased photosynthetic pigments, indicating that αVPE negatively regulates drought tolerance in A. thaliana. Taken together, our findings serve as important evidence of the involvement of αVPE in modulating drought tolerance in A. thaliana.