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Protein and Peptide Letters 2020Antimicrobial peptides in recent years have gained increased interest among scientists, health professionals and the pharmaceutical companies owing to their therapeutic... (Review)
Review
Antimicrobial peptides in recent years have gained increased interest among scientists, health professionals and the pharmaceutical companies owing to their therapeutic potential. These are low molecular weight proteins with broad range antimicrobial and immuno modulatory activities against infectious bacteria (Gram positive and Gram negative), viruses and fungi. Inability of micro-organisms to develop resistance against most of the antimicrobial peptide has made them as an efficient product which can greatly impact the new era of antimicrobials. In addition to this these peptides also demonstrates increased efficacy, high specificity, decreased drug interaction, low toxicity, biological diversity and direct attacking properties. Pharmaceutical industries are therefore conducting appropriate clinical trials to develop these peptides as potential therapeutic drugs. More than 60 peptide drugs have already reached the market and several hundreds of novel therapeutic peptides are in preclinical and clinical development. Rational designing can be used further to modify the chemical and physical properties of existing peptides. This mini review will discuss the sources, mechanism and recent therapeutic applications of antimicrobial peptides in treatment of infectious diseases.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Bacteria; Drug Interactions; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Fungi; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Weight; Treatment Outcome; Viruses
PubMed: 31438824
DOI: 10.2174/0929866526666190822165812 -
Clinical Journal of the American... Sep 2020Therapeutic plasma exchange is a blood purification technique designed for the removal of large molecular weight toxins such as pathogenic antibodies and lipoproteins.... (Review)
Review
Therapeutic plasma exchange is a blood purification technique designed for the removal of large molecular weight toxins such as pathogenic antibodies and lipoproteins. Plasma exchange can be performed either by membrane separation or centrifugation. Centrifugal plasma exchange is more common in the United States, while membrane separation is more popular in Germany and Japan. The membrane separation technique is similar to the ultrafiltration procedures performed with a standard dialysis machine but in which the membrane's pores are large enough to allow removal of all circulating molecules while retaining the cellular components. The current availability of plasma separation membranes compatible with CRRT systems has dramatically increased the potential for almost all nephrologists to perform these treatments. This review describes the membrane separation techniques available in the United States, the practical aspects of ordering and operating a membrane separation plasma exchange procedure, and its possible complications.
Topics: Blood Proteins; Equipment Design; Humans; Membranes, Artificial; Molecular Weight; Plasma Exchange; Treatment Outcome; United States
PubMed: 32312791
DOI: 10.2215/CJN.12501019 -
Cell Nov 2022Low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols are small-molecule antioxidants required for the maintenance of intracellular redox homeostasis. However, many host-associated...
Low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols are small-molecule antioxidants required for the maintenance of intracellular redox homeostasis. However, many host-associated microbes, including the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori, unexpectedly lack LMW-thiol biosynthetic pathways. Using reactivity-guided metabolomics, we identified the unusual LMW thiol ergothioneine (EGT) in H. pylori. Dietary EGT accumulates to millimolar levels in human tissues and has been broadly implicated in mitigating disease risk. Although certain microorganisms synthesize EGT, we discovered that H. pylori acquires this LMW thiol from the host environment using a highly selective ATP-binding cassette transporter-EgtUV. EgtUV confers a competitive colonization advantage in vivo and is widely conserved in gastrointestinal microbes. Furthermore, we found that human fecal bacteria metabolize EGT, which may contribute to production of the disease-associated metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide. Collectively, our findings illustrate a previously unappreciated mechanism of microbial redox regulation in the gut and suggest that inter-kingdom competition for dietary EGT may broadly impact human health.
Topics: Humans; Ergothioneine; Antioxidants; Oxidation-Reduction; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Molecular Weight
PubMed: 36347253
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.10.008 -
Molecular Cell May 2022Circular RNAs are garnering increasing interest as potential regulatory RNAs and a format for gene expression. The characterization of circular RNA using analytical...
Circular RNAs are garnering increasing interest as potential regulatory RNAs and a format for gene expression. The characterization of circular RNA using analytical techniques commonly employed in the literature, such as gel electrophoresis, can, under differing conditions, yield different results when attempting to distinguish circular RNA from linear RNA of similar molecular weights. Here, we describe circular RNA migration in different conditions, analyzed by gel electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We characterize key parameters that affect the migration pattern of circular RNA in gel electrophoresis systems, which include gel type, electrophoresis time, sample buffer composition, and voltage. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of orthogonal analytical tests for circular RNA that take advantage of its covalently closed structure to further distinguish circular RNA from linear RNA following in vitro synthesis.
Topics: Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; Molecular Weight; RNA; RNA, Circular
PubMed: 35358469
DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.03.008 -
International Journal of Cosmetic... Aug 2021Cosmetic emulsions containing hyaluronic acid are ubiquitous in the cosmetic industry. However, the addition of (different molecular weight) hyaluronic acid can affect...
OBJECTIVE
Cosmetic emulsions containing hyaluronic acid are ubiquitous in the cosmetic industry. However, the addition of (different molecular weight) hyaluronic acid can affect the filament stretching properties of concentrated emulsions. This property is often related to the "stringiness" of an emulsion, which can affect the consumer's choice for a product. It is thus very important to investigate and predict the effect of hyaluronic acid on the filament stretching properties of cosmetic emulsions.
METHODS
Model emulsions and emulsions with low and high molecular weights are prepared and their filament stretching properties are studied by the use of an extensional rheometer. Two different stretching speeds are employed during the stretching of the emulsions, a low speed at 10 µm/s and a high speed at 10 mm/s. The shear rheology of the samples is measured by rotational rheology.
RESULTS
We find that filament formation only occurs at high stretching speeds when the emulsion contains high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. The formation of this filament, which happens at intermediate states of the break-up, coincides with an exponential decay in the break-up dynamics. The beginning and end of the break-up of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid emulsions show a power law behaviour, where the exponent depends on the initial stretching rate. At a lower stretching speed, no filament is observed for both high molecular weight and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid emulsions and the model emulsion. The emulsions show a power law behaviour over the whole break-up range, where the exponent also depends on the stretching rate. No significant difference is observed between the shear flow properties of the emulsions containing different molecular weights hyaluronic acid.
CONCLUSION
In this work, we underline the importance of the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid on the elongational properties of concentrated emulsions. The filament formation properties, for example the stringiness, of an emulsion is a key determinant of a product liking and repeat purchase. Here, we find that high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and a high stretching speed are the control parameters affecting the filament formation of an emulsion.
Topics: Cosmetics; Emulsions; Hyaluronic Acid; Molecular Weight; Rheology
PubMed: 34008867
DOI: 10.1111/ics.12711 -
Polimery W Medycynie 2021Fucoidans represent the sulfated heteropolysaccharides that possess a wide range of important pharmacological properties. The properties of a fucoidan depend on several... (Review)
Review
Fucoidans represent the sulfated heteropolysaccharides that possess a wide range of important pharmacological properties. The properties of a fucoidan depend on several factors, including the molecular weight and the way of extraction. However, the selection of an optimal depolymerization method is necessary to enhance its therapeutic applications. Reducing the molecular weight of fucoidans will make it possible to use them in creating nanoparticles and nanocarriers for, among others, the targeted drug delivery. The molecular mass of the polymer can be changed by means of various methods of depolymerization. In this work, the possibility of application of ultrasonic destruction for decrease in the size of fucoidan molecules for the purpose of expansion of opportunities and spheres of their therapeutic application is considered. This is one of the simple and effective methods of depolymerization of fucoidan, which leads to a decrease in molecular weight without significant structural changes in macromolecules. In addition, methods and potential applications of the ultrasonic extraction of fucoidan from seaweed and the possibilities of their combination are discussed, as well as other physical or chemical methods of extraction.
Topics: Molecular Weight; Nanoparticles; Polysaccharides; Ultrasonics
PubMed: 34910386
DOI: 10.17219/pim/143961 -
Marine Drugs Jul 2023Microalgae are abundant components of the biosphere rich in low molecular weight carbohydrate-containing natural products (glycoconjugates). Glycoconjugates take part in... (Review)
Review
Microalgae are abundant components of the biosphere rich in low molecular weight carbohydrate-containing natural products (glycoconjugates). Glycoconjugates take part in the processes of photosynthesis, provide producers with important biological molecules, influence other organisms and are known by their biological activities. Some of them, for example, glycosylated toxins and arsenicals, are detrimental and can be transferred via food chains into higher organisms, including humans. So far, the studies on a series of particular groups of microalgal glycoconjugates were not comprehensively discussed in special reviews. In this review, a special focus is given to glycoconjugates' isolation, structure determination, properties and approaches to search for new bioactive metabolites. Analysis of literature data concerning structures, functions and biological activities of ribosylated arsenicals, galactosylated and sulfoquinovosylated lipids, phosphoglycolipids, glycoside derivatives of toxins, and other groups of glycoconjugates was carried out and discussed. Recent studies were fundamental in the discovery of a great variety of new carbohydrate-containing metabolites and their biological activities in defining the role of microalgal viral infections in regulating microalgal blooms as well as in the detection of glycoconjugates with potent immunomodulatory properties. Those discoveries support growing interest in these molecules.
Topics: Humans; Microalgae; Molecular Weight; Glycosides; Photosynthesis; Arsenicals
PubMed: 37623708
DOI: 10.3390/md21080427 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022
Topics: Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Molecular Weight; Neoplasms
PubMed: 35663988
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.920442 -
Communications Biology Sep 2023Biofilms have conventionally been perceived as dense bacterial masses on surfaces, following the five-step model of development. Initial biofilm research focused on... (Review)
Review
Biofilms have conventionally been perceived as dense bacterial masses on surfaces, following the five-step model of development. Initial biofilm research focused on surface-attached formations, but detached aggregates have received increasing attention in the past decade due to their pivotal role in chronic infections. Understanding their nature sparked fervent discussions in biofilm conferences and scientific literature. This review consolidates current insights on non-attached aggregates, offering examples of their occurrence in nature and diseases. We discuss their formation and dispersion mechanisms, resilience to antibiotics and immune-responses, drawing parallels to surface-attached biofilms. Moreover, we outline available in vitro models for studying non-attached aggregates.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Molecular Weight
PubMed: 37658117
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05281-4 -
Topics in Current Chemistry (Cham) Aug 2022Glycopolymer materials have emerged as a significant biopolymer class that has piqued the scientific community's attention due to their potential applications. Recently,... (Review)
Review
Glycopolymer materials have emerged as a significant biopolymer class that has piqued the scientific community's attention due to their potential applications. Recently, they have been found to be a unique synthetic biomaterial; glycopolymer materials have also been used for various applications, including direct therapeutic methods, medical adhesives, drug/gene delivery systems, and biosensor applications. Therefore, for the next stage of biomaterial research, it is essential to understand current breakthroughs in glycopolymer-based materials research. This review discusses the most widely utilized synthetic methodologies for glycopolymer-based materials, their properties based on structure-function interactions, and the significance of these materials in biosensing applications, among other topics. When creating glycopolymer materials, contemporary polymerization methods allow precise control over molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, chemical activity, and polymer architecture. This review concludes with a discussion of the challenges and complexities of glycopolymer-based biosensors, in addition to their potential applications in the future.
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Biosensing Techniques; Molecular Weight; Polymerization; Polymers
PubMed: 35951265
DOI: 10.1007/s41061-022-00395-5