Gastric Cancer and Viruses: A Fine Line between Friend or Foe

Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant health concern worldwide, with a GLOBOCAN estimate of 1.08 million novel cases in 2020. It is the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years lost to cancer, with the fourth most common cancer in males and the fifth most common cancer in females. Strategies are pursued across the globe to prevent gastric cancer progression as a significant fraction of gastric cancers have been linked to various pathogenic (bacterial and viral) infections. Early diagnosis (in Asian countries), and non-invasive and surgical treatments have helped manage this disease with 5-year survival for stage IA and IB tumors ranging between 60% and 80%. However, the most prevalent aggressive stage III gastric tumors undergoing surgery have a lower 5-year survival rate between 18% and 50%. These figures point to a need for more efficient diagnostic and treatment strategies, for which the oncolytic viruses (OVs) appear to have some promise. OVs form a new therapeutic agent class that induces anti-tumor immune responses by selectively killing tumor cells and inducing systemic anti-tumor immunity. On the contrary, several oncogenic viruses have been shown to play significant roles in malignancy progression in the case of gastric cancer. Therefore, this review evaluates the current state of research and advances in understanding the dual role of viruses in gastric cancer

Gastric Cancer and Viruses: A Fine Line between Friend or Foe

Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant health concern worldwide, with a GLOBOCAN estimate of 1.08 million novel cases in 2020. It is the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years lost to cancer, with the fourth most common cancer in males and the fifth most common cancer in females. Strategies are pursued across the globe to prevent gastric cancer progression as a significant fraction of gastric cancers have been linked to various pathogenic (bacterial and viral) infections. Early diagnosis (in Asian countries), and non-invasive and surgical treatments have helped manage this disease with 5-year survival for stage IA and IB tumors ranging between 60% and 80%. However, the most prevalent aggressive stage III gastric tumors undergoing surgery have a lower 5-year survival rate between 18% and 50%. These figures point to a need for more efficient diagnostic and treatment strategies, for which the oncolytic viruses (OVs) appear to have some promise. OVs form a new therapeutic agent class that induces anti-tumor immune responses by selectively killing tumor cells and inducing systemic anti-tumor immunity. On the contrary, several oncogenic viruses have been shown to play significant roles in malignancy progression in the case of gastric cancer. Therefore, this review evaluates the current state of research and advances in understanding the dual role of viruses in gastric cancer

Comparative studies and identification of camptothecin produced by an endophyte at shake flask and bioreactor

The fungus showing homology with Nodulisporium by 28S ribosomal gene sequencing, which has been discovered as an endophyte on medicinal plant Nothapodytes foetida, was found to produce 45 and 5.5 mg of camptothecin (CPT)per gram of mycelia at bioreactor and at shake flask, respectively, which was further quantified and characterised by various spectroscopic analyses

Synthesis of Mn0.5Zn0.5SmxEuxFe1.8−2xO4 Nanoparticles via the Hydrothermal Approach Induced Anti-Cancer and Anti-Bacterial Activities

Manganese metallic nanoparticles are attractive materials for various biological and medical applications. In the present study, we synthesized unique Mn0.5Zn0.5SmxEuxFe1.8−2xO4 (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) nanoparticles (NPs) by using the hydrothermal approach. The structure and surface morphology of the products were determined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron and scanning electron microcopies (TEM and SEM), along with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). We evaluated the impact of Mn0.5Zn0.5SmxEuxFe1.8−2xO4 NPs on both human embryonic stem cells (HEK-293) (normal cells) and human colon carcinoma cells (HCT-116) (cancerous cells). We found that post-48 h of treatment of all products showed a significant decline in the cancer cell population as revealed by microscopically and the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of the products ranged between 0.75 and 2.25 µg/mL. When tested on normal and healthy cells (HEK-293), we found that the treatment of products did not produce any effects on the normal cells, which suggests that all products selectively targeted the cancerous cells. The anti-bacterial properties of the samples were also evaluated by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) assays, which showed that products also inhibited the bacterial growth

Comparative and molecular analysis of MRSA isolates from infection sites and carrier colonization sites

Abstract Background Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) constitutes a major global health concern causing hospital and community acquired infections. A wide diversity of MRSA genotypes are circulating in geographically related regions. Therefore understanding the molecular epidemiology of MRSA is fundamental to design control and clearance measures. Methods A total of 106 MRSA isolates from infection (51) and carrier colonization sites (55) are characterized genetically based on SCCmec and MLST genotyping methods in addition to detection of PVL, TSST-1 and enterotoxins. Results Sccmec-IV was the most frequently detected genotype (77.3%) followed by genotype V (13.2%) and III (9.4%). SCCmec-IVa was more prevalent among the carrier group (p value 0.002). CC80 was the most commonly identified clonal complex (CC). CC6 and CC22 were significantly more prevalent among the carrier group (p value 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). PVL was highly prevalent among the isolates (58.5%). PVL was detected in 70.6% of isolates from infection sites and 47.3% of isolates from carriers. All strains were sensitive to vancomycin, however, MRSA strains isolated from infection sites had significantly higher MICs compared to strains isolated from carrier colonization sites (p value 0.021). Five new sequence types mainly from the carrier group were identified and described in the study. Conclusions MRSA population is genetically very diverse among carriers and infected individuals. With SCCmec type IV being most prevalent, this suggests a community origin of most MRSA strains. Therefore very well designed surveillance and clearance strategies should be prepared to prevent emergence and control spread of MRSA in the community

In Vitro Antimicrobial and Anticancer Peculiarities of Ytterbium and Cerium Co-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are a promising platform for their use in biomedical research, especially given their anticancer and antimicrobial activities. This work presents the synthesis of ZnO NPs doped with different amounts of rare-earth ions of ytterbium (Yb) and cerium (Ce) and the assessment of their anticancer and antimicrobial activities. The structural investigations indicated a hexagonal wurtzite structure for all prepared NPs. The particle size was reduced by raising the amount of Ce and Yb in ZnO. The anticancer capabilities of the samples were examined by the cell viability MTT assay. Post 48-h treatment showed a reduction in the cancer cell viability, which was x = 0.00 (68%), x = 0.01 (58.70%), x = 0.03 (80.94%) and x = 0.05 (64.91%), respectively. We found that samples doped with x = 0.01 and x = 0.05 of Yb and Ce showed a better inhibitory effect on HCT-116 cancer cells than unadded ZnO (x = 0.00). The IC50 for HCT-116 cells of Ce and Yb co-doped ZnO nanoparticles was calculated and the IC50 values were x = 0.01 (3.50 µg/mL), x = 0.05 (8.25 µg/mL), x = 0.00 (11.75 µg/mL), and x = 0.03 (21.50 µg/mL). The treatment-doped ZnO NPs caused apoptotic cell death in the HCT-116 cells. The nanoparticles showed inhibitory action on both C. albicans and E. coli. It can be concluded that doping ZnO NPs with Yb and Ce improves their apoptotic effects on cancer and microbial cells

Community Structure of Bacteria and Archaea Associated with Geotextile Filters in Anaerobic Bioreactor Landfills

Landfills are an example of an environment that contains highly complex communities of microorganisms. To evaluate the microbial community structure, four stainless steel pilot-scale bioreactor landfills with single- and double-layered geotextile fabric were used. Two reactors (R-1 and R-2) contained municipal solid waste (MSW) and sewage sludge, while the other two reactors (R-3 and R-4) contained only MSW. A single layer of geotextile fabric (R2GT3 and R3GT3) was inserted in the drainage layers of the two reactors (R-2 and R-3), while a double layer of geotextile fabric (R4GT2 and R4GT1) was inserted in one of the reactors (R-4). Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that biomass developed on the geotextile fabrics after 540 days of bioreactor operation. The metagenomics analyses of the geotextile samples by 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that the geotextile bacterial communities were dominated by the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Thermotogeae, while Proteobacteria were detected as the rarest bacterial phylum in all the geotextile samples. Treponema, Caldicoprobacter, and Clostridium were the most dominant anaerobic and fermentative bacterial genera associated with the geotextile fabric in the bioreactors. Euryarchaeota was the predominant archaean phylum detected in all the geotextile samples. In the archaeal communities, Methanosarcina, and Vadin CA11 were identified as the predominant genera. The diversity of microorganisms in landfill bioreactors is addressed to reveal opportunities for landfill process modifications and associated operational optimization. Thus, this study provides insights into the population dynamics of microorganisms in geotextile fabrics used in bioreactor landfills

Anticandidal and In vitro Anti-Proliferative Activity of Sonochemically synthesized Indium Tin Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract The present work demonstrates the synthesis, characterization and biological activities of different concentrations of tin doped indium oxide nanoparticles (Sn doped In2O3 NPs), i.e., (Sn/In = 5%, 10% and 15%). We have synthesized different size (38.11 nm, 18.46 nm and 10.21 nm) of Sn doped In2O3 NPs. by using an ultra-sonication process. The Sn doped In2O3 NPs were characterized by by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) which confirmed the successful doping of tin (Sn) with Indium oxide (In2O3). Anticandidal activity was performed by standard agar dilution method using Candida albicans for the study. The minimum inhibitory/fungicidal concentration (MIC/MFC) values recorded were, 8 & >8 mg/ml for pure In2O3 NPs, 4 & 8 mg/ml for 5%, 2 & 8 mg/ml for 10%, whereas 1 & >4 mg/ml for 15% Sn doped In2O3 NPs, respectively. The topographical alteration caused by Sn doped In2O3 NPs on Candida cells, was clearly observed by SEM examination. A significant enhancement in anticandidal activity was seen, when Candida cells were exposed to (Sn/In = 5%, 10% and 15%). Moreover, we have also evaluated the impact of Sn-In2O3 NPs on human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT-116). The results demonstrated that Sn-In2O3 NPs (Sn/In = 5%, 10% and 15%), caused dose dependent decrease in the cancer cell viability as the low dosage (2.0 mg/mL) showed 62.11% cell viability, while 4.0, 8.0, 16.0, 32.0 mg/mL dosages showed 20.45%, 18.25%, 16.58%, and 15.58% cell viability. In addition, the treatment of Sn-In2O3 NPs also showed significant cellular and anatomical changes in cancer cells as examined by microscopes. We have also examined the impact of Sn-In2O3 NPs (5%, 10%, 15%) on normal cells (HEK-293) and the results demonstrate that Sn-In2O3 NPs did not reduce the cell viability of normal cells

Synthesis of an Activatable Tetra-Substituted Nickel Phthalocyanines-4(3H)-quinazolinone Conjugate and Its Antibacterial Activity

The aim of this study was to synthesize a series of nickel(II)phthalocyanines (NiPcs) bearing four 4(3H)-quinazolinone ring system units, (qz)4NiPcs 4a–d. The electronic factors in the 4(3H)-quinazolinone moiety that attached to the NiPc skeleton had a magnificent effect on the antibacterial activity of the newly synthesized (qz)4NiPcs 4a–d against Escherichia coli. The minimum MICs and MBCs value were recorded for compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, respectively. The results indicated that the studied (qz)4NiPcs 4a–d units possessed a broad spectrum of activity against Escherichia coli. Their antibacterial activities were found in the order of 4d > 4c > 4b > 4a against Escherichia coli, and the strongest antibacterial activity was achieved with compound 4d

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Novel Synthesized Neodymium-Substituted Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles for Biomedical Application

Neodymium (Nd)-substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (NPs), i.e., CoNdxFe2−xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) NPs, were synthesized by the sonochemical method. The compositional characterization was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antistaphylococcal activity was found to be enhanced, i.e., survival rate was 50%, 45%, 40%, and 30% with the increase in the ratio of Nd (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2), whereas anticandidal activity was found efficient, i.e., 9%, 20%, 22%, and 40% survival rate at all the four ratios. The morphogenesis studies indicated that the synthesized metal–ligand, improves the antimicrobial capacity by binding them strongly to the microbial walls. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report which demonstrates the series of CoNdxFe2−xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) NPs being active towards Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans and encourages its potential candidature for pharmaceutical and biomedical purposes