Search

Cervical cancer is defined as a cancer arising in the cells of cervix that causes unusual vaginal bleeding, discharges, pain in the pelvic region, or pain during sexual activity. Cervical cancer is currently reported to be the fourth most prevalent malignancy among women globally. Surgery includes pelvic lymphadenectomy as well as radical hysterectomy, radiotherapy, as well as chemotherapy are the most common therapies for treating cervical cancer. Another approach includes targeted medication which affects the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) for the curing cervical cancer. However, these therapies have the potential for risks and complications: surgery can result in bleeding and may cause organ damage surrounding the surgery, and clots may also start to form in the deep veins of the legs; radiotherapy can result in menopause, infertility, discomfort, or pain during intercourse; and chemotherapy can actually impact rapidly dividing cells along with cancer cells in the human body system. In this review, we will discuss about the use of several Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for treating malnutrition in various oncology patients. In this review, we will discuss about the various therapeutic effects of natural products isolated from different microorganisms in treating cervical cancer.

Cellulose is considered to be one of the most underutilized biomass available on earth. These cellulosic resources, if utilized as the precursor of food, feed and biofuel can meet up the ever-increasing demands for food and energy. Since cellulase is an enzyme complex, fermentation of cellulose from agro-wastes and industrial effluents is a complex event. The physicochemical parameters are generally optimized in "one at a time" mode in fed-batch culture. But with the advent of time, statistical and mathematical modelling is used, like response surface methodology (RSM), artificial neural network (ANN), machine learning algorithm, and genetic algorithm to improve enzyme production. In bioreactor-based cellulase production, a LabVIEW-based intelligent system for monitoring bio-processing is used for the optimization of the target parameters. RSM and ANN are high-quality prediction mathematical models but ANN shows its superiority in context to the fitting of data as well as its estimation capabilities. The difference of ANN concerning RSM is its requirement of a large number of trained data. This review provides a comprehensive study of literature in context to various advanced mechanisms for optimization of cellulase production.

The novel COVID-19 Pandemic has affected the World terribly causing death of more than 500,000 people, affecting over 200 countries and demolishing the World Economy. As prior studies and researches suggest, cancer patients are generally considered more prone to the viral infections owing to various relevant reasons. Therefore, a systematic analysis of cancer patients affected by COVID-19 is highly required. In this paper, data from several performed experiments in many multi-centred studies are included and evaluated to draw conclusions, specifically focusing on the age-matched non-cancer patients confirmed with COVID-19. The results suggests that COVID-19 patients with cancer had higher risks in all severe outcomes [1]. Patients with hematologic cancer, lung cancer, or with metastatic cancer (stage IV) had minimum survival chances. Patients with non-metastatic cancer also showed similar results to those observed in patients without cancer. Patients who received surgery had low mortality rates. Again, patients undergoing radiotherapy did not possess any differences which is significant [2]. These results clearly suggest that patients with cancer are more prone to SARS-CoV-2 viral infection.

Leonurus sibiricus (Red verticilla, honeyweed) is a type of herbaceous plant predominantly found in Asian subcontinents as weed in crop fields and is widely used for treating diabetes, bronchitis, and menstrual irregularities. However, there is a dearth of study in the application of the plant phytocompounds for treating biofilm-associated chronic infections. The bioactive compounds mainly comprise of tri-terpenes, di-terpenes, phenolic acid, and flavonoids which may have potential role as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents. Acute and chronic infection causing microbes usually form biofilm and develop virulence factors and antibiotic resistance through quorum sensing (QS). In this study, the bioactive compounds leosibirin, sibiricinone A, leosibirone A, leonotin, quercetin, lavandulifolioside, and myricetin were identified using GC-MS analysis. These were used for analyzing the antibiofilm and anti-quorum sensing activities (rhamnolipid, AHL assay, swarming motility assay) against the biofilm formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most significant nosocomial disease-causing bacteria. The compounds were able to bring about maximum inhibition in biofilm formation and QS. Although the antibiofilm activity of the phytoextract was found to be higher than that of individual phytocompounds at a concentration of 250 µg/mL, quercetin and myricetin showed highest antibiofilm activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, at MIC values of 135 µg/mL and 150 µg/mL against P aeruginosa. FT-IR study also revealed that the active ingredients were able to bring about the destruction of exopolysaccharides (EPS). These observations were further validated by molecular docking interactions that showed the active ingredients inhibit the functioning of QS sensing proteins by binding with them. It was observed that myricetin showed better interactions with the QS proteins of P. aeruginosa. Myricetin and quercetin show considerable inhibition of biofilm in comparison to the phytocompounds. Thus, the present study suggests that the active compounds from L. sibiricus can be used as an alternate strategy in inhibiting the biofilm formed by pathogenic organisms.

AIMS The aim of this study is to determine the ability of two bioactive compounds, namely, eugenol and linalool, purified from leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum for eradication of biofilm produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS AND RESULTS The phytoextract of O. tenuiflorum (KT), a common ethno-botanical plant of India, was purified through high-performance liquid chromatography and was analysed using ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Eugenol and linalool were found to be the most active amongst all phytocompounds present in phytoextract and showed a significant reduction in the viability of sessile cells of P. aeruginosa and the minimum revival after withdrawal of phyto-challenge. They could bring about notable reduction in the protein and carbohydrate content of exopolysaccharide of biofilm. Eugenol and linalool could affect the synthesis of quorum sensing (QS) proteins like LasA and LasB as well as virulence factors such as pyocyanin, and rhamnolipids, which seriously hamper the formation of biofilm. The biofilm framework was extremely affected by the phytocompounds through the reduction of protein and carbohydrate content of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). Another interesting found out was that they brought about maximum inhibition to the genomic DNA and RNA content. The studies were supported by in silico interaction between eugenol and linalool with the QS proteins. The antibiofilm efficacies of eugenol, linalool and phytoextract (KT) were further confirmed by microscopic studies with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy and fluorescence confocal microscopy microscopic studies. CONCLUSIONS The phytocompounds are proved to be more effective than conventional antibiotics in inhibiting the biofilm forming sessile cells and can be used as a replacement for antibiotic. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Pure eugenol extracted from common basil leaves can be used as a safe substitute for common antibiotic for treatment of chronic infections caused by P. aeruginosa. It will be cost effective, devoid of notable side effects and will not generate antibiotic resistance in host body.

Bacterial cells form a consortium, which can adhere to the surface and can develop biofilm. The biofilm can be distinguished from their suspended counterparts or the other normal microbial cells by the presence of an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix. The biofilm formation process is a complex process and generally is regulated by a combination of different variables present in nature. It is dependent on the growth medium, the substratum, and the cell surface. There are several bacterial biofilms, which are mainly pathogenic in nature and can cause the development of nosocomial diseases. The National Institutes of Health revealed that most of the chronic and microbial infections are associated with the formation of the biofilm. The bacterial biofilms develop resistance against the host immune system along with antibiotics. This has resulted in the development of health-related concerns as they potentially cause various device- and non-device-associated infections. This chapter provides a detailed view of biofilms and various biofilm-associated acute infections.

An antimicrobial is an agent that destroys microorganisms or hinders their growth. They can be grouped according to the microorganisms they act primarily against. Microbes, mainly bacteria, develop a number of ways to check the action of these antimicrobials, which is often genetically controlled. One of such way is achievement of biofilm-mediated antimicrobial resistance. Biofilms are the sessile groups of organism that possess the property of adhering to the biotic and abiotic surfaces by synthesizing extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that not only provide nourishment to the developing microcolonies but also render resistance against antibiotics and antimicrobial agents. Varieties of molecular mechanisms are responsible for the development of high-degree recalcitrance that determines the characteristics of biofilm. The mechanisms that are involved in these processes are various types of interactions between the antimicrobials and the biofilm matrix that reduces the rate of growth, and various gene expressions result in the formation of antibiotic resistance.

Biofilm-forming microbes are the root cause of various almost incurable chronic, nosocomial, and medical device-associated infections that are of serious concern in present-day condition. With the advent of science, a number of diseases, disorders, and abnormalities can be effectively managed by the use of various medical devices including pacemakers, vascular catheters, chronic hemodialysis catheters, prosthetic heart valves, and prosthetic joints. But the effectiveness of these medical devices is seriously hampered by the biofilm grown aggressively on these devices. The interactions existing between the microbial cells, host, and the biomaterials result in the development, persistence, and failure in treating these device-associated infections. The present chapter would focus on various medical devices-associated biofilm infections that are affecting the host immune system leading to chronic infections and failure of the objective of this implant operation.

Bacterial biofilm plays a major role in causing diseases as the indwelling bacteria within the biofilm are resilient to host immune system and various types of antibiotics. Various chronic infections of clinical origin such as cystic fibrosis (CF), urinary tract infections (UTI), pertussis, otitis media (OM), bacterial prostatitis (BP), mastitis, etc. are the types of biofilm-associated chronic infections. It is observed that the microorganisms involved in the abovementioned diseases can also cause acute infections in biological environments. Thus deciphering the transition from acute to chronic infections by understanding the bacterial strategy, mode of growth and spread within host will serve the purpose of solving the unanswered question: how the same microbe can cause acute infections in some environmental setting while chronic in others. This chapter tries to bridge the gap by understanding the host responses towards acute and chronic infections, recurrence of infections and development of various treatment strategies.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the various types of the metallic nanoparticles considered to possess antimicrobial potential. The use of biogenic sources as a potential reducing agent for synthesis nanoparticle is promptly increasing in comparison to physical and chemical methods. Amongst the biogenic sources, fungi are more preferred microorganisms to use for AgNPs synthesis as they are easy to culture and can control the size and morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles and help in low-cost large-scale production. The use of fungi for AgNPs synthesis is a rapid, environmentally safe, and cost-effective approach for vector control strategies in the future. Fungi can act as an effective agent in comparison to other microorganisms as it has the ability of producing higher amount of enzymes and proteins with the potential for synthesizing nanoparticles. Fungi-mediated synthesized nanoparticles possess coatings of biomolecules, which increases their activity. Organisms like Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus sp., and Fusarium oxysporum were reported to possess extracellular material or biomass, which helps in the reduction of silver ions to AgNPs. This chapter focusses solely on fungi-mediated AgNPs synthesis, with their preferred physico-chemical parameters, their mode of action, and their applications in various modern aspects.

Legumes are the group of predominant nitrogen fixers that act as a source of wide variety of secondary metabolites that act as a line of defence against various bacterial, fungal, parasitic and predatory species. The symbiotic bacterial species establishes a syntopic interaction by quorum sensing and develop a biofilm that help is building up of the symbiotic relation with the plant. This association not only helps in the mode of nitrogen fixation but also helps in increasing the bioactive contents along with various types of abiotic components found in soil. These bioactive compounds have wide therapeutic potential, as significantly used as anti-aging, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective agents. The compounds also act as antiangiogenic agent and prevent the proliferation of disease causing pathogens. Hence, legumes not only help in sustainable development of plant and agriculture, but also possess significant therapeutic potential to promote human health. The present article thus reviews the contribution of legumes towards nitrogen fixation to facilitate plant growth and discusses their bioactive compounds having beneficial role in regulating human health.

The biggest challenge in the present-day healthcare scenario is the rapid emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance due to the rampant use of antibiotics in daily therapeutics. Such drug resistance is associated with the enhancement of microbial virulence and the acquisition of the ability to evade the host’s immune response under the shelter of a biofilm. Quorum sensing (QS) is the mechanism by which the microbial colonies in a biofilm modulate and intercept communication without direct interaction. Hence, the eradication of biofilms through hindering this communication will lead to the successful management of drug resistance and may be a novel target for antimicrobial chemotherapy. Chitosan shows microbicidal activities by acting electrostatically with its positively charged amino groups, which interact with anionic moieties on microbial species, causing enhanced membrane permeability and eventual cell death. Therefore, nanoparticles (NPs) prepared with chitosan possess a positive surface charge and mucoadhesive properties that can adhere to microbial mucus membranes and release their drug load in a constant release manner. As the success in therapeutics depends on the targeted delivery of drugs, chitosan nanomaterial, which displays low toxicity, can be safely used for eradicating a biofilm through attenuating the quorum sensing (QS). Since the anti-biofilm potential of chitosan and its nano-derivatives are reported for various microorganisms, these can be used as attractive tools for combating chronic infections and for the preparation of functionalized nanomaterials for different medical devices, such as orthodontic appliances. This mini-review focuses on the mechanism of the downregulation of quorum sensing using functionalized chitosan nanomaterials and the future prospects of its applications.