Mechanisms of assembly and genome packaging in an RNA virus revealed by high-resolution cryo-EM

Cowpea mosaic virus is a plant-infecting member of the Picornavirales and is of major interest in the development of biotechnology applications. Despite the availability of >100 crystal structures of Picornavirales capsids, relatively little is known about the mechanisms of capsid assembly and genome encapsidation. Here we have determined cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions for the wild-type virus and an empty virus-like particle, to 3.4 Å and 3.0 Å resolution, respectively, and built de novo atomic models of their capsids. These new structures reveal the C-terminal region of the small coat protein subunit, which is essential for virus assembly and which was missing from previously determined crystal structures, as well as residues that bind to the viral genome. These observations allow us to develop a new model for genome encapsidation and capsid assembly

Recent Advances in Anticancer Activity of Novel Plant Extracts and Compounds from Curcuma longa in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Among all forms of cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. There are several treatment options for HCC ranging from loco-regional therapy to surgical treatment. Yet, there is high morbidity and mortality. Recent research focus has shifted towards more effective and less toxic cancer treatment options. Curcumin, the active ingredient in the Curcuma longa plant, has gained widespread attention in recent years because of its multifunctional properties as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer agent. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar was performed for studies reporting incidence of HCC, risk factors associated with cirrhosis and experimental use of curcumin as an anti-cancer agent. RESULTS: This review exclusively encompasses the anti-cancer properties of curcumin in HCC globally and it's postulated molecular targets of curcumin when used against liver cancers. CONCLUSIONS: This review is concluded by presenting the current challenges and future perspectives of novel plant extracts derived from C. longa and the treatment options against cancers

Dietary Crocin is Protective in Pancreatic Cancer while Reducing Radiation-Induced Hepatic Oxidative Damage.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the fatal causes of global cancer-related deaths. Although surgery and chemotherapy are standard treatment options, post-treatment outcomes often end in a poor prognosis. In the present study, we investigated anti-pancreatic cancer and amelioration of radiation-induced oxidative damage by crocin. Crocin is a carotenoid isolated from the dietary herb saffron, a prospect for novel leads as an anti-cancer agent. Crocin significantly reduced cell viability of BXPC3 and Capan-2 by triggering caspase signaling via the downregulation of Bcl-2. It modulated the expression of cell cycle signaling proteins P53, P21, P27, CDK2, c-MYC, Cyt-c and P38. Concomitantly, crocin treatment-induced apoptosis by inducing the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol. Microarray analysis of the expression signature of genes induced by crocin showed a substantial number of genes involved in cell signaling pathways and checkpoints (723) are significantly affected by crocin. In mice bearing pancreatic tumors, crocin significantly reduced tumor burden without a change in body weight. Additionally, it showed significant protection against radiation-induced hepatic oxidative damage, reduced the levels of hepatic toxicity and preserved liver morphology. These findings indicate that crocin has a potential role in the treatment, prevention and management of pancreatic cancer

Liquid crystalline polymer-based bio-nanocomposites for spectroscopic applications

Liquid-crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are the focus of many research studies, owing to this interest to their reversible and controllable shape deformities in the environment of soft robotics and artificial muscles. Their high ability to be used. This chapter focuses on recent studies of LCE-based polymers and nanomaterials with different chemistry and morphology to instill new physical characteristics into LCE. The characteristics of an inorganic or organic nanomaterial or mineral at nanoscale depend on their components, such as natural biopolymers and synthetic, biologically-degraded polymers. Research papers and reviews are currently discussing the value of bio-based and synthetic polymers and their difficulty concerning coating surface applications. For every novel synthetic bio-driven material, properties and applications vary, and several such materials were manufactured in recent years. A new collection of advanced materials is classified as bionanocomposites. The Polymer matrix in these materials is known to be the biological base, whether natural or synthetic polymers or biomolecules, while nano-scale products are considered to be added-value materials. The electrical, chemical, and mechanical characteristics of composite materials are more significant than the components they represent

Introduction to Sensor Nanotechnology and Flexible Electronics

The inspiration for miniature, high-quality, lightweight, and intricately linked technologies has come from traditional electric devices made of rigid crystalline semiconductor wafers. A concurrent investigation that progresses quickly for emerging electronics combines functionality and extensibility to produce user-friendly applications. A variety of studies have already been reported on the manufacture of sensors and smart gadgets for stretchable, foldable, and composite materials, such as polyurethane sponge, polyimide, cellulose paper, natural rubber, etc. The nanomaterials are highly suited to producing broadband photodetectors, temperature, pressure, and stress sensor applications in the fields of optoelectronic devices, cameras, drugs, protection, and surveillance. Like consumer electronics, robots, prevention, medical care, security equipment, environmental monitoring, domestic defense, and space travel, modular sensors can also be used as promising components for smart sensing applications. Sensors are typically created with flexible substrates. Wearable smart sensors and technology essentially hold tremendous potential for monitoring a person’s physiological parameters to prevent body malfunctions. This chapter classifies the research according to the materials used to make the device, networking technologies, and various control tasks. Also, throughout the chapter, obstacles for current sensing systems as well as emerging prospects for versatile wearables concerning their market prices are briefly explained