Computational approaches for identifications of altered ion channels in keratoconus.

Background: Keratoconus is an etiologically complex, degenerative corneal disease that eventually leads to loss of corneal integrity. Cells in corneal epithelium and endothelium express various types of ion channels that play important roles in ocular pathology. This emphasizes the need of understanding alterations of ion channels in keratoconus.

Protocol to produce plant-based hybrid nanovesicles from fresh turmeric and pepper using polyethylene glycol.

In addition to proteins, microRNAs, and lipids, plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (ENVs) are also enriched with host plant bioactives. Both curcumin and piperine are water insoluble, lack bioavailability, and are extracted by non-ecofriendly solvents. Herein, we present an eco-friendly protocol for co-isolating both curcumin and piperine in the form of hybrid ENVs.

Identification of dysregulation of sphingolipids in retinoblastoma using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare ocular cancer seen in children that counts for approximately 3% of all childhood cancers. It is found that mutation in RB1, a tumour Suppressor Gene on chromosome 13 as the cause of malignancy. Retinoblastoma protein is the target for ceramide to cause apoptosis.

Removal and identification of a subconjunctival parasite by light and scanning electron microscopy.

Background: Ophthalmic dirofilariasis is an uncommon zoonotic parasitic infection caused by species of Dirofilaria, a dog tapeworm that is transmitted to human by mosquitoes. Man is a dead-end host for the parasite. Ophthalmic involvement is rare and includes periorbital, subconjunctival, subtenon, and intra-ocular involvement.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Peptide Targeting Human Tenon Fibroblast Cells To Modulate Fibrosis: An Integrated Empirical Approach.

Fibrosis is the primary factor influencing the prognosis of glaucoma post-trabeculectomy surgery, an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Despite advancements in surgical procedures and aftercare, it continues to be a serious impediment. During the clinical intervention of scarring, fibrosis is managed by using topical application of combined antifibrotic drugs (mitomycin C).

Elucidating the Therapeutic Potential of Cell-Penetrating Peptides in Human Tenon Fibroblast Cells.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been widely used as vehicles for delivering therapeutic molecules to the site of action. Apart from their delivering potential, the biological effects of CPPs have not been explored in detail. JTS-1 is a CPP that has been reported to have gene delivery functions, although its biological role is yet to be determined.

Understanding the cellular response of human tenon fibroblast on polycaprolactone-Aloe vera blend fiber.

The signalling response is determined by the cell's reaction to different biochemical and biophysical inputs such as stiffness, topological, and structural alignment. The surface patterns at the nano-scale can be an influential factor in cell signalling behaviour. It is important to understand the cellular response to the biophysical cues for biomedical applications.

Graphitic Carbon Nitride Causes Widespread Global Molecular Changes in Epithelial and Fibroblast Cells.

For scaffold and imaging applications, nanomaterials such as graphene and its derivatives have been widely used. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) is among one such derivative of graphenes, which draws strong consideration due to its physicochemical properties and photocatalytic activity. To use g-CN for biological applications, such as molecular imaging or drug delivery, it must interact with the epithelium, cross the epithelial barrier, and then come in contact with the extracellular matrix of the fibroblast cells.

Proteomics-based approach for differentiation of age-related macular degeneration sub-types.

Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of irreversible central vision loss in the elderly population. The current study aims to find non-invasive prognostic biomarkers in the urine specimens of the AMD patients.

Methods: Peripheral blood and urine samples were collected from 23 controls and 61 AMD patients.

Deciphering the mechanoresponsive role of β-catenin in keratoconus epithelium.

Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal dystrophy characterized by progressive ectasia that leads to severe visual impairment and remains one of the leading indications for corneal transplantation. The etiology is believed to be multifactorial and alterations have been documented in the biomechanical, biochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of the cornea. While the exact site of disease origin is still debated, changes in the corneal epithelium are believed to occur even before the disease is clinically manifested.

Correction to: EpCAM aptamer mediated cancer cell specific delivery of EpCAM siRNA using polymeric nanocomplex.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Understanding the Uptake Mechanism and Interaction Potential of the Designed Peptide and Preparation of Composite Fiber Matrix for Fungal Keratitis.

The conventional use of antibiotics for the treatment of infectious keratitis currently faces two major challenges: poor drug penetration and the emergence of antibiotic resistance in microbial strains. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) with antimicrobial properties have the potential to address these challenges. However, their mode of action, mechanism of uptake, and interaction potential have not been explored in detail.

Role of Topical Ethanol in the Treatment of Pythium insidiosum Keratitis-A Proof of Concept.

Purpose: To study the efficacy and safety profile of topical absolute ethanol in the treatment of Pythium insidiosum keratitis.

Method: Microbiological, clinical, and histopathological assessments were performed to study the effects of absolute ethanol on P. insidiosum keratitis.

Probing the effect of matrix stiffness in endocytic signalling pathway of corneal epithelium.

Matrix stiffness regulates the physiology of the cells and plays an important role in maintaining its homeostasis. It has been reported to regulate cell division, proliferation, migration, extracellular uptake and various other physiological processes. The alteration in matrix stiffness has also been well reported in various disease pathologies.

Synthesis of saporin-antibody conjugates for targeting EpCAM positive tumour cells.

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Ribosomal inactivating proteins derived from plants specifically target ribosomes and irreversibly inhibit protein synthesis. EpCAM antibody and saporin were conjugated using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride/-hydroxysuccinimide chemistry.

Designing and enhancing the antifungal activity of corneal specific cell penetrating peptide using gelatin hydrogel delivery system.

Background: Fungal keratitis is a major cause of corneal blindness accounting for more than one-third of microbiologically proven cases. The management of fungal keratitis is through topical or systemic antifungal medications alone or in combination with surgical treatment. Topical medications such as natamycin and voriconazole pose major challenges due to poor penetration across the corneal epithelium.

Neocarzinostatin, Aptamer Conjugates for Targeting EpCAM-positive Tumor Cells.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Neocarzinostatin (NCS) conjugated with epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) aptamer in EpCAM-positive cancer cells. NCS is an antitumor antibiotic protein chromophore that has the ability to cleave double stranded DNA and can be used as a potential drug for the treatment of EpCAM-positive cancers. EpCAM aptamer is an oligonucleotide ligand that binds specifically to EpCAM, a protein overexpressed in tumor cells.

Ethanol Extracts of Selected Cyathea Species Decreased Cell Viability and Inhibited Growth in MCF 7 Cell Line Cultures.

Cancer is the cause of more than 6 million deaths worldwide every year. For centuries, medicinal plants have been used in the treatment of cancer. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and acupuncture point stimulation are also used to treat cancer.

Monitoring of changes in lipid profiles during PLK1 knockdown in cancer cells using DESI MS.

The importance of the polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) gene is increasing substantially both as a biomarker and as a target for highly specific cancer therapy. This is due to its involvement in multiple points of cell progression and carcinogenesis. PLK1 inhibitors' efficacy in treating human cancers has been limited due to the lack of a specific targeting strategy.

Probing the biophysical interaction between Neocarzinostatin toxin and EpCAM RNA aptamer.

Neocarzinostatin (NCS) a potent DNA-damaging, anti-tumor toxin extracted from Streptomyces carzinostaticus that recognizes double-stranded DNA bulge and induces DNA damage. 2 Fluoro (2F) Modified EpCAM RNA aptamer is a 23-mer that targets EpCAM protein, expressed on the surface of epithelial tumor cells. Understanding the interaction between NCS and the ligand is important for carrying out the targeted tumor therapy.

A comparative fluorescent beacon-based method for serum microRNA quantification.

Circulating serum microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis. The quantification of the serum miRNA copy number is a challenge due to the presence of low levels in the serum. Here, we report on a direct measurement of the miRNA copy number from human serum using a locked nucleic acid (LNA) modified beacon probe with a single step using fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy.

EpCAM aptamer mediated cancer cell specific delivery of EpCAM siRNA using polymeric nanocomplex.

Background: Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is overexpressed in solid tumors and regarded as a putative cancer stem cell marker. Here, we report that employing EpCAM aptamer (EpApt) and EpCAM siRNA (SiEp) dual approach, for the targeted delivery of siRNA to EpCAM positive cancer cells, efficiently inhibits cancer cell proliferation.

Results: Targeted delivery of siRNA using polyethyleneimine is one of the efficient methods for gene delivery, and thus, we developed a novel aptamer-PEI-siRNA nanocomplex for EpCAM targeting.

Antioxidant, Larvicidal, and Cytotoxic Studies on Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm. f.) Becherer.

The present study was intended to determine the antioxidant, larvicidal, and cytotoxic potential of various extracts of Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm. f.) Becherer.

Resonance Energy Transfer between protein and rhamnolipid capped ZnS quantum dots: application in in-gel staining of proteins.

The interaction of proteins with quantum dots is an interesting field of research. These interactions occur at the nanoscale. We have probed the interaction of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) with rhamnolipid capped ZnS (RhlZnSQDs) using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy.