Outbreak of Zika virus pathogenesis and quest of its vaccine development: Where do we stand now?

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is a life-threatening tropical infection, mainly caused by mosquito bite. After a very long period of quietness, ZIKV infections have become a problematic issue again. Previously, the virus was limited to Africa and Asia only but later it emerged in Brazil, South America, and other parts of the world in 2015. In 2016, there are emerging new cases of sexually transmitted ZIKV infection as well. At present, there is no proper treatment and available pronounced vaccines for the treatment of ZIKV infection. The prime focal point of this review is not only to provide imperative epidemiological information on ZIKV infection in brief but also the current situation of vaccines testing on animal model as well as in clinical trial phases. Currently there is no human vaccine for this pestiferous viral infection. Therefore, prevention, proper management, and up-to-date recommendation are crucial to mitigate the possible risk of vector and non-vector transmission of ZIKV

Neoteric advancement in TB drugs and an overview on the anti-tubercular role of peptides through computational approaches

Peptides of varied origins such as human immune cells and non-immune cells, bacteria, fungi, and venoms have been widely investigated as anti-tubercular agents for the replacement of existing anti-tubercular drugs in future. In the present review, we spotlighted not only on the mechanisms of action and mode of administration of currently available anti-tubercular drugs but also the recent comprehensive report of World Health Organization (WHO) on TB epidemic, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The major excerpt of the study also inspects the direct contribution of different computational tools during drug designing strategies against M. tuberculosis in order to grasp the interplay between anti-tubercular peptides and targeted bacterial protein. The potentiality of some of these anti-tubercular peptides as therapeutic agents unlocks a new portal for achieving the goal of end TB strategy.Tuberculosis (TB) is a devastating threat to human health whose treatment without the emergence of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is the million-dollar question at present. The pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis has been extensively studied which represents unique defence strategies by infecting macrophages. Several anti-tubercular drugs with varied mode of action and administration from diversified sources have been used for the treatment of TB that later contributed to the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). However, few of potent anti-tubercular drugs are scheduled for clinical trials status in 2017–2018

The effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of Microzist as newly developed probiotics on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and immunological organs of broiler chicks

The current research was conducted to evaluate the influence of newly developed probiotic (Microzist) and commercial probiotic (Primalac) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and immunity of broiler chickens. A total of 225 one-day-old broiler chicks Ross-308 was randomly assigned into 5 groups – control group, group with 0.2, 0.25, and 0.3 g/kg of Microzist, and group constituting Primalac (starter: 0.9 g/kg, grower: 0.454 g/kg, and finisher: 0.225 g/kg). At 42nd day of age, there were no statistically significant differences among treatments on daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio (P > .05), but treatment’s effect on the feed intake was found to be significant (P < .05). Diet supplementation with various concentrations of Microzist showed growth performance of broiler chickens more or less similar to the Primalac additives. There were statistically significant differences (P < .05) among treatments on the carcass characteristics. Microzist (0.2 g/kg) reduced the abdominal fat content in broiler chickens in a comparison with control as well as Primalac (P < .05). Furthermore, Microzist showed no influence on the immunological organ weights. The present investigation indicates that Microzist may be a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters as well as widely used Primalac in broiler industries

The effects of antibiotic, probiotic, organic acid, vitamin C, and Echinacea purpurea extract on performance, carcass characteristics, blood chemistry, microbiota, and immunity of broiler chickens

The present context investigated the comparative study on the supplementation of antibiotic, probiotic, organic acid, vitamin C, and herbal extract after vaccination into drinking water and their effects on performance, carcass quality, blood biochemical parameters, immune system, and intestinal flora in broiler chicks for 42 days. A total of 420 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned into 7 treatments with 3 replicates (pens) per treatment and 20 male chicks for each replicate (pen). The experimental treatments consisted of drinking water (control, without additive); drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet; drinking water + CVet- 50; drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + C-Vet-50; drinking water + probiotic Primalac; drinking water + butyric acid; and drinking water + extract of Echinacea purpurea Moench (coneflower). There were no differences observed among the treatments for feed intake, but during the whole experimental period, the highest body weight gain was found in the chicks fed with drinking water + antibiotic sulfamet + 50 cc vitamin C (P 0.05) observed among the treatments for feed conversion ratio (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were no differences reported among treatments for carcass characteristics at the end of the experiment. Among the treatments, drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea reduced (P < 0.05) the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins. Drinking water + 50 cc vitamin C, drinking water + Primalac, and drinking water + extract of E. purpurea increased (P < 0.05) the lymphocytes count and decreased the heterophils count and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. The highest Escherichia coli count and lowest Lactobacillus count in ileal content of the broilers were observed in the control group (P < 0.05)

Assessment of some browse tree leaves on gas production and sustainable mitigation of CH4 and CO2 emissions in dairy calves at different age

Rumen inoculum was collected by stomach tube from 6 young calves (Holstein, with a live weight of 40e55 kg) at 20, 40 and 60 d of age using stomach tube. Calves were fed daily one time at 11:00 h on a total local formulated mixed ration containing (/kg dry matter (DM)): 200 g canola, 625 g sorghum grains,150 g soybean meal, and 25 g mineral salts. The diet contained (/kg): 200 g crude protein, 230 g neutral detergent fiber, 50.3 g acid detergent fiber and 35.6 g either extract. The diet was formulated to cover their nutrient requirements. Calves were received 2 L of milk at 07:00 h and other 2 L at 16:00 h with a free grazing time from 8:00 to 16:00 h during the day on ryegrass and white clover ad libitum with free access to fresh water at all times during rumen contents collection phaseThe present context was aimed to determine the in vitro gas production (GP), mitigation of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, and ruminal fermentation from nine different tree leaves as suitable alternatives for alfalfa hay. Tree leaves and alfalfa hay were incubated with rumen inoculum from calves at different ages (20, 40, and 60 d). The level of asymptomatic GP [mL/g dry matter (DM)] differed (P 0.05) was not significant by dose and substrate dose interaction. Tree leaves showed lower production of CH4 (mL/g incubated DM) and proportional CH4 emission when compared to alfalfa hay after the required period of incubation at significant level (P 0.05) on CO2 production (mL/g incubated DM and mL/g degraded DM) and proportional CO2 production. The incorporation of tested tree leaves in diet would be a valuable alternative of alfalfa hay with sustainable reduction properties of CH4 and CO2 productions. These potent tree leaves can be used as valuable cleaner product and feeding stuffs for the environment and ruminants respectively due to their in vitro fermentative properties

Chemical composition of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seeds and its supplemental effect on Indian women with metabolic syndrome

his study aimed to investigate the effect of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed supplementation on the anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, and blood pressure (BP) of Indian women with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Initially, in vitro antioxidant activities of pumpkin seeds extract were assessed using standard methods. In vitro alpha-amylase, alphaglucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibition effects, along with glucose uptake assay using 3T3-L1 cell lines were performed to determine the antidiabetic effects of the seeds extract. Fatty acids and phytoconstituents were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Indian women aged 30–50 years, having MetS were assigned either to intervention (n = 21) or control (n = 21) group on a random basis. Participants in the intervention group received 5 g of pumpkin seeds for 60 days. Participants in both intervention and control were advised to follow certain dietary guidelines throughout the study. Pumpkin seeds extract exhibited not only strong reducing power but also scavenged DPPH and ABTSd+ free radicals with low IC 50 values. Pumpkin seeds inhibited alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and DPP-IV enzymes at varying concentrations with IC 50 values of 138, 22, and 246 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, glucose uptake was enhanced by 213% at 300 ng/mL on the 3T3-L1 cell line. GC–MS analysis showed the presence of propyl piperidine, flavone, oleic acid, and methyl esters of fatty acids in the seed extract. On comparing the changes in mean reduction/ increment in the anthropometric measurements as well as biochemical parameters and BP between the groups, significant difference (P = 0.012) was observed only for fasting plasma glucose. Findings of the present study highlight the role of pumpkin seeds as a cost-effective adjunct in treating MetS

Statistical optimization of thermo-alkali stable xylanase production from Bacillus tequilensis strain ARMATI

Background: Xylanase from bacteria finds use in prebleaching process and bioconversion of lignocelluloses into feedstocks. The xylanolytic enzyme brings about the hydrolysis of complex biomolecules into simple monomer units. This study aims to optimize the cellulase-free xylanase production and cell biomass of Bacillus tequilensis strain ARMATI using response surface methodology (RSM). Results: Statistical screening ofmediumconstituents and the physical factors affecting xylanase and biomass yield of the isolate were optimized by RSM using central composite design at N = 30, namely 30 experimental runs with 4 independent variables. The central composite design showed 3.7 fold and 1.5 fold increased xylanase production and biomass yield of the isolate respectively compared to \u2018one factor at a time approach\u2019, in the presence of the basal medium containing birchwood xylan (1.5% w/v) and yeast extract (1% w/v), incubated at 40\ub0C for 24 h. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed high coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9978 and 0.9906 for the respective responses at significant level (p &lt; 0.05). The crude xylanase obtained from the isolate showed stability at high temperature (60\ub0C) and alkaline condition (pH 9) up to 4 h of incubation. Conclusions: The cellulase-free xylanase showed an alkali-tolerant and thermo-stable property with potentially applicable nature at industrial scale. This statistical approach established a major contribution in enzyme production from the isolate by optimizing independent factors and represents a first reference on the enhanced production of thermo-alkali stable cellulase-free xylanase from B. tequilensis

Simulation and modeling of physiological processes of vital organs in organ-on-a-chip biosystem

The limited adequacy of animal cell cultures and models to mimic the complexity of human bodies in laboratory conditions has emphasized researchers to find its quintessential bioelectronic alternative with improved competence. In this regard, tissue engineering has emerged as one of the most precise biomaterial technologies in terms of creating new tissues to model vital organs. An organ-on-a-chip biosystem has shown a plethora of applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. Organ-on-a-chip is a microfluidic device that provides a completely controlled microenvironment, similar to the natural tissues for the cultured cells of an organ, by amalgamating cell biology and biomaterial science. The device contains several microchambers and microchannels embedded in a layer of a biocompatible polymer, such as polydimethylsiloxane. Microchambers house the cells, while microchannels provide nutrients and growth factors. Over the past few years, organ-on-a-chip technology has displayed ample applications in the field of biomedicine, not only by simulating the normal functions of disparate organs, but also by understanding the inter-relation between diversified systems. In this review, we have spotlighted recent advancements and applications of organ-on-a-chip biosystems to construct physiological models for the heart, lung, kidney, liver, and brain. Part of this review is also concentrated on abridging the desperate essentiality as well as future perspectives of organ-on-a-chip technology in biomedicine, disease modeling, and drug development process

Anti-staphylococcal properties of Eichhornia crassipes, Pistacia vera, and Ziziphus amole leaf extracts: Isolates from cattle and rabbits

Eichhornia crassipes (Water hyacinth), belonging to the family Pontideriaceae is one of the most productive aquatic perennial herbs on earth, and it has been known for its unique medicinal importance. The phytoconstituents of this plant have vast biological properties including antiviral, antifungal, antitumor, and antibacterial activities [7]. Additionally, its secondary metabolites have been considered to be involved in the chemical defense of plants against plant pathogensThe desideratum aim of the present context was to assess the biopotency of methanolic extracts of Eichhornia crassipes (E. crassipes), Pistacia vera (P. vera), and Ziziphus amole (Z. amole) leaves against various staphylococcal strains, and to quantify the phenolics as well as saponin content in them. The antibacterial activity of various concentrations (62.5–1000 μg/mL) of plant extracts was tested against control clinical strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus ATCC 29213, and S. aureus ATCC 43300), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA1 and MRSA2), oxacillin sensitive S. aureus (SOSA1 and SOSA2), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis (CoNS1, CoNS2, and CoNS3) using disc diffusion assay. Leaf extracts of the three plants exhibited pronounced growth inhibitory characteristics against staphylococci in a dose dependent manner. E. crassipes extract depicted the highest relative percentage inhibition values against control clinical strains (68.6 ± 0.5%), while P. vera (68.6 ± 0.3%) and Z. amole (74.79 ± 0.3%) extracts showed pronounced relative inhibition values against staphylococcal strains isolated from cattle. Total phenols and saponin content of leaf extracts were investigated by standard in vitro methods. The methanolic extracts of these plants were found to comprise substantial content of phenolics and saponin at varying levels. The highest value of phenolics was estimated in P. vera extract (60.0 ± 1.3 mg gallic acid/g extract), followed by Z. amole (33.6 ± 1.4 mg gallic acid/g extract), and E. crassipes (23.0 ± 1.3 mg gallic acid/g extract). Saponin content for P. vera, Z. amole, and E. crassipes extracts were estimated as 41.0 ± 1.3, 35.8 ± 1.3, and 25.0 ± 1.2 mg diosgenin/g extract, respectively. The outcome of this study suggested the exploitation of methanolic extract of P. vera, Z. amole, and E. crassipes leaves for their possible application in ethnomedicine, particularly as drugs preparation against staphylococcal infections. In conclusion, the study indicates the biopotency of these plants against pathogenic MRSA present in cattle, and SOSA as well as CoNS bacteria present in rabbits, which could be a serious issue for livestock

Antibiotic resistance in microbes: History, mechanisms, therapeutic strategies and future prospects

Antibiotics have been used to cure bacterial infections for more than 70 years, and these low-molecular-weight bioactive agents have also been used for a variety of other medicinal applications. In the battle against microbes, antibiotics have certainly been a blessing to human civilization by saving millions of lives. Globally, infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are on the rise. Antibiotics are being used to combat diversified bacterial infections. Synthetic biology techniques, in combination with molecular, functional genomic, and metagenomic studies of bacteria, plants, and even marine invertebrates are aimed at unlocking the world’s natural products faster than previous methods of antibiotic discovery. There are currently only few viable remedies, potential preventive techniques, and a limited number of antibiotics, thereby necessitating the discovery of innovative medicinal approaches and antimicrobial therapies. MDR is also facilitated by biofilms, which makes infection control more complex. In this review, we have spotlighted comprehensively various aspects of antibiotics viz. overview of antibiotics era, mode of actions of antibiotics, development and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, and future strategies to fight the emerging antimicrobial resistant threat