A review of nanotechnology in enzyme cascade to address challenges in pre-treating biomass.

Nanotechnology has become a revolutionary technique for improving the preliminary treatment of lignocellulosic biomass in the production of biofuels. Traditional methods of pre-treatment have encountered difficulties in effectively degrading the intricate lignocellulosic composition, thereby impeding the conversion of biomass into fermentable sugars. Nanotechnology has enabled the development of enzyme cascade processes that present a potential solution for addressing the limitations. The focus of this review article is to delve into the utilization of nanotechnology in the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass through enzyme cascade processes. The review commences with an analysis of the composition and structure of lignocellulosic biomass, followed by a discussion on the drawbacks associated with conventional pre-treatment techniques. The subsequent analysis explores the importance of efficient pre-treatment methods in the context of biofuel production. We thoroughly investigate the utilization of nanotechnology in the pre-treatment of enzyme cascades across three distinct sections. Nanomaterials for enzyme immobilization, enhanced enzyme stability and activity through nanotechnology, and nanocarriers for controlled enzyme delivery. Moreover, the techniques used to analyse nanomaterials and the interactions between enzymes and nanomaterials are introduced. This review emphasizes the significance of comprehending the mechanisms underlying the synergy between nanotechnology and enzymes establishing sustainable and environmentally friendly nanotechnology applications.

Toxin-Antitoxin system of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Roles beyond stress sensor and growth regulator.

The advent of effective drug regimen and BCG vaccine has significantly decreased the rate of morbidity and mortality of TB. However, lengthy treatment and slower recovery rate, as well as reactivation of the disease with the emergence of multi-drug, extensively-drug, and totally-drug resistance strains, pose a serious concern. The complexities associated are due to the highly evolved and complex nature of the bacterium itself. One of the unique features of Mycobacterium tuberculosis [M.tb] is that it has undergone reductive evolution while maintaining and amplified a few gene families. One of the critical gene family involved in the virulence and pathogenesis is the Toxin-Antitoxin system. These families are believed to harbor virulence signature and are strongly associated with various stress adaptations and pathogenesis. The M.tb TA systems are linked with growth regulation machinery during various environmental stresses. The genes of TA systems are differentially expressed in the host during an active infection, oxidative stress, low pH stress, and starvation, which essentially indicate their role beyond growth regulators. Here in this review, we have discussed different roles of TA gene families in various stresses and their prospective role at the host-pathogen interface, which could be exploited to understand the M.tb associated pathomechanisms better and further designing the new strategies against the pathogen.

Current status of metabolic engineering of microorganisms for bioethanol production by effective utilization of pentose sugars of lignocellulosic biomass.

Lignocellulosic biomass, consisting of homo- and heteropolymeric sugars, acts as a substrate for the generation of valuable biochemicals and biomaterials. The readily available hexoses are easily utilized by microbes due to the presence of transporters and native metabolic pathways. But, utilization of pentose sugar viz., xylose and arabinose are still challenging due to several reasons including (i) the absence of the particular native pathways and transporters, (ii) the presence of inhibitors, and (iii) lower uptake of pentose sugars. These challenges can be overcome by manipulating metabolic pathways/glycosidic enzymes cascade by using genetic engineering tools involving inverse-metabolic engineering, ex-vivo isomerization, Adaptive Laboratory Evolution, Directed Metabolic Engineering, etc. Metabolic engineering of bacteria and fungi for the utilization of pentose sugars for bioethanol production is the focus area of research in the current decade. This review outlines current approaches to biofuel development and strategies involved in the metabolic engineering of different microbes that can uptake pentose for bioethanol production.

Ethanolic extract of Coleus aromaticus leaves impedes the proliferation and instigates apoptotic cell death in liver cancer HepG2 cells through repressing JAK/STAT cascade.

Liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become a leading cause for cancer burden across the globe, and incidences have tripled since the last two decades. Poor diagnosis of primary liver cancer and limited treatment strategies aggravate the challenges. Researchers globally have shown a steep inclination toward the exploration of plant-based compounds for their nutraceutical and anticancer potential to fit into the role of novel chemotherapeutics. Coleus aromaticus is a well-known culinary herb that earlier has been reported for several medicinal attributes. The current investigation deals with exploring the anticancer potential of ethanolic leaf extract of C. aromaticus (CoL-EtOH) against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line. The observations made it evident that CoL-EtOH extract impeded the viability of HepG2 at 400 µg/ml (p < .01). Additionally, the extract also succeeded in escalating ROS production (p < .01) which aided dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential and disruption of nuclear morphology. CoL-EtOH further activated caspase-8, -9, and -3 which was reaffirmed by increase in apoptosis at 400 µg/ml (p < .01). Moreover, post treatment with CaLEt-OH extract significantly reduced the expression of JAK-1 & STAT-3 genes (p < .01) along with regulated expression of Mcl1, Bcl-2, cyclinD1, p21, and p27 within HepG2 cells. This evidence portrays the promising anticancer potential of CoL-EtOH projecting it as a novel chemotherapeutic agent against HCC. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The herb Coleus aromaticus belonging to Lamiaceae family and Coleus genus is known by various names in different regions of the world and several language-specific vernacular names. The herb has been used in therapeutic and medicinal applications as well as in culinary preparations. Various attributes of the nutritional strength and functional characteristics of the leaves in terms of carotenoids, minerals, phenols, dietary fiber, and antioxidant activity have been reported by several researchers. Carvacrol and thymol are majorly found in the plant, while chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid etc. as the phenolic components. The herb has been used in therapeutic and medicinal implications as well as in culinary preparations.

Optimization of pretreatment and fermentation conditions for production of extracellular cellulase complex using sugarcane bagasse.

Sugarcane bagasse (SCB), a lignocellulosic byproduct of juice extraction from sugarcane, is rich in cellulose (40-42%). This could be used as a substrate for the production of cellulase complex. Fermentation conditions were optimized for production of cellulase complex (CMCase, Cellulobiase and FPase) by wild type Trichoderma sp. using sugarcane bagasse as sole carbon source. Alkaline treatment (2% NaOH) of bagasse (AlSCB) was found suitable for the production of reducing sugar over the acidic pretreatment method. After 5 days of incubation period, 5% substrate concentration at pH 5.0 and 400C resulted in maximum production of CMCase (0.622 U), while maximum (3.388 U) production of cellulobiase was obtained at 300C. The CMCase was precipitated and purified to the extent of 59.06 fold by affinity chromatography with 49.09% recovery. On 12% SDS-PAGE, a single band corresponding to 33 kDa was observed. The Km and Vmax for CMCase from Trichoderma was found 507.04 mg/ml and 65.32 mM/min, respectively. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at 300C at pH-5.0 (0.363 U) and was stable over range of 20-60°C and pH 5.0-7.5.

Embelin reduces cutaneous TNF-α level and ameliorates skin edema in acute and chronic model of skin inflammation in mice.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of embelin on lipopolysachharide induced TNF-α production in mice and in human keratinocytes in vitro and also to study the effect of embelin on acute and chronic skin inflammation in mice. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß), activation of myeloperoxidase and histological assessment were examined in acute and chronic skin inflammation using 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema. Embelin inhibited topical edema in the mouse ear, leading to substantial reductions in skin thickness and tissue weight, inflammatory cytokine production, neutrophil-mediated myeloperoxidase activity, and various histopathological indicators. Furthermore, embelin was effective at reducing inflammatory damage induced by chronic TPA exposure. Our data indicate that embelin has anti-inflammatory activities in both acute and chronic irritant contact dermatitis in vivo and this effect of embelin may be due, at least in part, to the inhibition of IL-1ß and TNF-α and to the subsequent blockade of leukocyte accumulation.

Mentally-ill patients charged with homicide.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, social and demographic features of mentally ill patients charged with homicide. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was based on the review of case notes of the patients who were charged with homicide and referred to the mental hospital, Peshawar, between 1988 and 1998 for psychiatric evaluation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The case notes of all the patients referred for psychiatric assessment between 1988 and 1998 were retrieved. Fifty cases with complete essential information were selected for the study. The details of patients, demographic, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, events leading to the homicide, opinion of the medical board, details of the victim and possible provoking factors were recorded on a performa designed for this purpose. RESULTS: Out of 50 patients referred for psychiatric assessment with homicide, majority (49) were males, while only one was female. The mean age of the sample was 32.4 years and 30 patients (60%) were educated. Schizophrenia was the most frequent diagnosis (72%). Duration of illness in 96% of the patients was more than one year. Only 12 patients had received some form of treatment before the index crime. Thirty-eight (76%) patients were involved in single murder, while 12 patients were involved in multiple homicides. Majority of the victims (39 out of 64) were close relatives of the patients. CONCLUSION: Young male patients are mostly referred for psychiatric assessment after homicide. Close relatives are major victims. Lack of adequate psychiatric treatment is one of the contributing factors. Lack of adequate forensic psychiatric services are also highlighted by this study.