scholarly journals Drug Discovery against Acanthamoeba Infections: Present Knowledge and Unmet Needs

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hany M. Elsheikha ◽  
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui ◽  
Naveed Ahmed Khan
Keyword(s):  
Recent Progress ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Present Knowledge ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Therapeutic Landscape ◽  
Pharmacological Targets ◽  
Health Complications ◽  
Interfering Rna ◽  
Made In

Although major strides have been made in developing and testing various anti-acanthamoebic drugs, recurrent infections, inadequate treatment outcomes, health complications, and side effects associated with the use of currently available drugs necessitate the development of more effective and safe therapeutic regimens. For any new anti-acanthamoebic drugs to be more effective, they must have either superior potency and safety or at least comparable potency and an improved safety profile compared to the existing drugs. The development of the so-called ‘next-generation’ anti-acanthamoebic agents to address this challenge is an active area of research. Here, we review the current status of anti-acanthamoebic drugs and discuss recent progress in identifying novel pharmacological targets and new approaches, such as drug repurposing, development of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapies and testing natural products and their derivatives. Some of the discussed approaches have the potential to change the therapeutic landscape of Acanthamoeba infections.

Pharmacological Targeting of Neuronal Kv7.2/3 Channels: A Focus on Chemotypes and Receptor Sites

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (23) ◽  
pp. 2637-2660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Miceli ◽  
Maria V. Soldovieri ◽  
Paolo Ambrosino ◽  
Laura Manocchio ◽  
Ilaria Mosca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Functional Heterogeneity ◽  
Molecular Scaffolds ◽  
Kv7 Channels ◽  
Receptor Sites ◽  
Pharmacological Targets ◽  
Pharmacological Potential

Background: The Kv7 (KCNQ) subfamily of voltage-gated potassium channels consists of 5 members (Kv7.1-5) each showing characteristic tissue distribution and physiological roles. Given their functional heterogeneity, Kv7 channels represent important pharmacological targets for the development of new drugs for neuronal, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. <p> Objective: In the present manuscript, we focus on describing the pharmacological relevance and potential therapeutic applications of drugs acting on neuronally-expressed Kv7.2/3 channels, placing particular emphasis on the different chemotypes, and highlighting their pharmacodynamic and, whenever possible, pharmacokinetic peculiarities. <p> Methods: The present work is based on an in-depth search of the currently available scientific literature, and on our own experience and knowledge in the field of neuronal Kv7 channel pharmacology. Space limitations impeded to describe the full pharmacological potential of Kv7 channels; thus, we have chosen to focus on neuronal channels composed of Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 subunits, and to mainly concentrate on their involvement in epilepsy. <p> Results: An astonishing heterogeneity in the molecular scaffolds exploitable to develop Kv7.2/3 modulators is evident, with important structural/functional peculiarities of distinct compound classes. <p> Conclusion: In the present work we have attempted to show the current status and growing potential of the Kv7 pharmacology field. We anticipate a bright future for the field, and express our hopes that the efforts herein reviewed will result in an improved treatment of hyperexcitability (or any other) diseases.

Potential of Nanoparticles in Combating Candida Infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 478-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faizan Abul Qais ◽  
Mohd Sajjad Ahmad Khan ◽  
Iqbal Ahmad ◽  
Abdullah Safar Althubiani
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Low Toxicity ◽  
Candida Infections ◽  
Made In

Aims: The aim of this review is to survey the recent progress made in developing the nanoparticles as antifungal agents especially the nano-based formulations being exploited for the management of Candida infections. Discussion: In the last few decades, there has been many-fold increase in fungal infections including candidiasis due to the increased number of immunocompromised patients worldwide. The efficacy of available antifungal drugs is limited due to its associated toxicity and drug resistance in clinical strains. The recent advancements in nanobiotechnology have opened a new hope for the development of novel formulations with enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved drug delivery and low toxicity. Conclusion: Metal nanoparticles have shown to possess promising in vitro antifungal activities and could be effectively used for enhanced and targeted delivery of conventionally used drugs. The synergistic interaction between nanoparticles and various antifungal agents have also been reported with enhanced antifungal activity.

scholarly journals Principles of Different X-ray Phase-Contrast Imaging: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2971
Author(s):  
Siwei Tao ◽  
Congxiao He ◽  
Xiang Hao ◽  
Cuifang Kuang ◽  
Xu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Biological Samples ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Phase Contrast Imaging ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Internal Structures ◽  
X Ray Absorption ◽  
Made In

Numerous advances have been made in X-ray technology in recent years. X-ray imaging plays an important role in the nondestructive exploration of the internal structures of objects. However, the contrast of X-ray absorption images remains low, especially for materials with low atomic numbers, such as biological samples. X-ray phase-contrast images have an intrinsically higher contrast than absorption images. In this review, the principles, milestones, and recent progress of X-ray phase-contrast imaging methods are demonstrated. In addition, prospective applications are presented.

scholarly journals Recent progress in materials development for CO2 conversion: issues and challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sourav Ghosh ◽  
Arindam Modak ◽  
Arnab Samanta ◽  
Kanika Kole ◽  
Subhra Jana
Keyword(s):  
Recent Progress ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Advanced Materials ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Co2 Conversion ◽  
Technical Feasibility ◽  
Materials Development

A comprehensive and critical in-depth discussion on the development and prospect of several advanced materials for conversion of CO2 to value added chemicals is provided, together with their current status, technical feasibility and future opportunities.

scholarly journals Bimetallic Ni-Based Catalysts for CO2 Methanation: A Review

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Anastasios I. Tsiotsias ◽  
Nikolaos D. Charisiou ◽  
Ioannis V. Yentekakis ◽  
Maria A. Goula
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Noble Metals ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Alloy Formation ◽  
Co2 Methanation ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Mobile Sources ◽  
Low Dispersion ◽  
Made In

CO2 methanation has recently emerged as a process that targets the reduction in anthropogenic CO2 emissions, via the conversion of CO2 captured from point and mobile sources, as well as H2 produced from renewables into CH4. Ni, among the early transition metals, as well as Ru and Rh, among the noble metals, have been known to be among the most active methanation catalysts, with Ni being favoured due to its low cost and high natural abundance. However, insufficient low-temperature activity, low dispersion and reducibility, as well as nanoparticle sintering are some of the main drawbacks when using Ni-based catalysts. Such problems can be partly overcome via the introduction of a second transition metal (e.g., Fe, Co) or a noble metal (e.g., Ru, Rh, Pt, Pd and Re) in Ni-based catalysts. Through Ni-M alloy formation, or the intricate synergy between two adjacent metallic phases, new high-performing and low-cost methanation catalysts can be obtained. This review summarizes and critically discusses recent progress made in the field of bimetallic Ni-M (M = Fe, Co, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pt, Pd, Re)-based catalyst development for the CO2 methanation reaction.

scholarly journals NOD: a web server to predict New use of Old Drugs to facilitate drug repurposing

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarun Jairaj Narwani ◽  
Narayanaswamy Srinivasan ◽  
Sohini Chakraborti
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Space ◽  
Web Server ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Evolutionary Information ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Similarity Searches ◽  
Old Drugs ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Made In

AbstractComputational methods accelerate the drug repurposing pipelines that are a quicker and cost-effective alternative to discovering new molecules. However, there is a paucity of web servers to conduct fast, focussed, and customized investigations for identifying new uses of old drugs. We present the NOD web server, which has the mentioned characteristics. NOD uses a sensitive sequence-guided approach to identify close and distant homologs of a protein of interest. NOD then exploits this evolutionary information to suggest potential compounds from the DrugBank database that can be repurposed against the input protein. NOD also allows expansion of the chemical space of the potential candidates through similarity searches. We have validated the performance of NOD against available experimental and/or clinical reports. In 65.6% of the investigated cases in a control study, NOD is able to identify drugs more effectively than the searches made in DrugBank. NOD is freely-available at http://pauling.mbu.iisc.ac.in/NOD/NOD/.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in the Development of Nano-Sculpted Films by Magnetron Sputtering for Energy-Related Applications

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Panepinto ◽  
Rony Snyders
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Magnetron Sputtering ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Recent Experimental Work ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Theoretical Results ◽  
Made In

In this paper, we overview the recent progress we made in the magnetron sputtering-based developments of nano-sculpted thin films intended for energy-related applications such as energy conversion. This paper summarizes our recent experimental work often supported by simulation and theoretical results. Specifically, the development of a new generation of nano-sculpted photo-anodes based on TiO2 for application in dye-sensitized solar cells is discussed.

scholarly journals Narrative review of EHDI in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selvarani Moodley ◽  
Claudine Storbeck
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
National Priority ◽  
Newborn Hearing ◽  
Made In

Background: With 17 babies born with hearing loss every day in South Africa, there is a pressing need for systematic Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) services. Progress is being made in offering newborn hearing screening and studies have been conducted to document these processes within South Africa. However, due to the lack of a national and holistic overview of EHDI services to date, an accurate picture of the current status of EHDI within the South African context is required. Objective: To document and profile what has been published within the field of EHDI in South Africa over the last two decades (Jan 1995–Sept 2014) in order to gain a comprehensive overview of the current status and practice of screening and diagnosis in the field of paediatric hearing loss. Method: A narrative review of peer-reviewed articles related to EHDI in South Africa was conducted by searching the EBSCOHOST, SCOPUS and JSTOR databases for the period January 1995 to September 2014. Results: Results indicate that over the last two decades research and publications in the field of EHDI have increased considerably. These publications have revealed extensive knowledge related to paediatric hearing screening and intervention services in South Africa; however, this knowledge seems to be limited primarily to the provinces of Gauteng and the Western Cape. Furthermore, studies pertaining to diagnosis have revealed that, although much has been written on the scientific aspects on tools for diagnosis of hearing loss, there is a lack of comprehensive information on diagnostic protocols and procedures. Conclusion: Despite the clear progress being made in South Africa in the field of early hearing detection and intervention, there is a need for comprehensive studies on protocols and procedures in diagnosing paediatric hearing loss. Finally, the narrative review revealed a clear need to ensure that development and growth in the field of EHDI is a national priority and extends beyond the two provinces currently showing growth.

Ionic liquids as bioactive chemical tools for use in agriculture and the preservation of agricultural products

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 4764-4789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Zajac ◽  
Rafal Kukawka ◽  
Anna Pawlowska-Zygarowicz ◽  
Olga Stolarska ◽  
Marcin Smiglak
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Liquids ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Bioactive Components ◽  
Chemical Tools ◽  
Made In

The review presents the recent progress made in the field of ionic liquids bearing bioactive components, with a particular emphasis on their use as chemical tools in agriculture and the preservation of agricultural products.

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