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This review explores the pivotal role of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications, highlighting the therapeutic potential of various oral hypoglycemic drugs targeting this pathway. NLRP3 inflammasome activation, triggered by metabolic stressors like hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and free fatty acids (FFAs), leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β and interleukin-18, driving insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, and systemic inflammation. These processes contribute to diabetic complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Here we discuss the various transcriptional, epigenetic, and gut microbiome mediated regulation of NLRP3 activation in diabetes. Different classes of oral hypoglycemic drugs modulate NLRP3 inflammasome activity through various mechanisms: sulfonylureas inhibit NLRP3 activation and reduce inflammatory cytokine levels; sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) suppress inflammasome activity by reducing oxidative stress and modulating intracellular signaling pathways; dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors mitigate inflammasome activation, protecting against renal and vascular complications; glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists attenuate NLRP3 activity, reducing inflammation and improving metabolic outcomes; alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and thiazolidinediones exhibit anti-inflammatory properties by directly inhibiting NLRP3 activation. Agents that specifically target NLRP3 and inhibit their activation have been identified recently such as MCC950, Anakinra, CY-09, and many more. Targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome, thus, presents a promising strategy for managing diabetes and its complications, with oral hypoglycemic drugs offering dual benefits of glycemic control and inflammation reduction. Further research into the specific mechanisms and long-term effects of these drugs on NLRP3 inflammasome activity is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bacterial isolates and control strains stocking is an integral part of clinical microbiology laboratories. This is an essential step in maintaining quality. Preserving the strains without altering the character is an essentiality. There are different stock culture preparations studied in past showing varied level of performance. Aim: To evaluate the performance in terms of longevity and phenotypic character preservation of Peptone Glycerol Broth (PGB) in comparison to Brucella Glycerol Broth (BGB) and Skim Milk (SKM). Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective analytical study. Three quality control strains and seven clinical isolates with different types of resistance were stocked in triplicates with cryobead based peptone broth with 15% glycerol, Brucella Broth (BB) with 15% glycerol and 10% SKM and stored at -80°C. Isolates were revived in monthly pattern, quarterly pattern and once after 10 months to assess the variations in viability and loss of phenotypic properties arising out of repeated freeze thaw and contaminations. Viability was assessed by time taken to produce observable confluent growth on revival. Metabolic characters and antibiotic susceptibility testing were compared before and after stock revival at intervals. Results: The phenotypic characters like metabolic features and antibiotic susceptibility were preserved with all three preparations both with repeated freeze thaw and single freeze thaw at the end of 10 months. PGB and BGB had a 100% revival rate of stored isolates with a confluent growth at 24 hours in comparison to 93.56% with SKM. Conclusion: Cryobead preparation of peptone broth-15% glycerol can be used as an effective preparation for stock culture maintenance of non-fastidious bacteria and yeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Limited studies have been performed on the characterization of small size plasmids of Enterococcus faecium with the intention of evaluating the strength of their promoters in Escherichia coli. The complete nucleotide sequence (3.825Kb) and structural organization of E. faecium DJ1 cryptic plasmid pNJAKD is presented. Seven promoter sequences from the pNJAKD plasmid of E. faecium have been identified. The regions coding for the putative promoters were either amplified using PCR based techniques or chemically synthesized as oligonucleotides of different sizes. These were subsequently cloned in the pEGFP vector at the Pvu II site. The efficiency of putative promoter fragments were measured using the intensity of eGFP fluorescence in E. coli JM101, DH5α and BL21(DE3), among which AKD3 exhibited moderate to strongest promoter activity at temperatures of 30, 37, and 42°C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]