Debashmita Mandal

Diabetes-related sores and ulcers are quite common around the world and can cause complicated disruptions to both patient compliance and socioeconomic structure. Diabetic wounds take longer to heal due to pathophysiological causes, persistent infections, and increasingly severe medical problems. Nanoparticles (NPs) derived from nanotechnology have drawn interest due to their revolutionary potential in understanding the biological milieu and offering therapeutic strategies for wound healing. In this regard, the potential of yttrium oxide nanoparticles (YNPs) has been studied extensively to understand their efficacy in diabetic wound healing. Yttrium oxide nanoparticles having size in the range of 2-10 nm were prepared and incorporated into nanofibrous mats consisting of polyurethane as the matrix polymer, and leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and clindamycin hydrochloride as additive conventional antidiabetic and antibacterial agents to form S3. Physicochemical characterization tests confirmed the formation of nanofibers having average diameters in the range of 320-470 nm, respectively. The study demonstrated that S3 shows an enhanced zone of inhibition against E. coli (29 mm), S. aureus (32 mm), and P. aeruginosa (30 mm). Moreover, the nanofibrous mats also prevented microbial penetration and biofilm formation, as observed from MTT, CV, and confocal microscopy images. In vivo wound healing study conducted on diabetic mice revealed that S3 exhibited high wound contraction after 9 days of treatment. Additionally, the fabricated mat lowered plasma glucose levels, hepatotoxicity, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Therefore, it can be concluded that YNP-loaded nanofibrous composite mats have a strong potential in alleviating diabetic wounds.

The intricate healing mechanism of chronic wounds and their multitude of healing-related obstacles, such as infections, compromised cellular processes, and impediments to the healing process, pose a significant healthcare problem. Exploration of metal oxide nanoparticles, such as yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) nanoparticles, can lead to innovative discoveries in the field of chronic wound healing by offering cues that promote cell proliferation in the scaffolds. To achieve this, Y₂O₃ nanoparticles were synthesized and incorporated within poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibrous scaffolds. Moreover, lysine was infused in the nanofibrous scaffolds to tune its cell adhesion and antimicrobial property. The structure and morphology of the synthesized nanofibers were confirmed through various physicochemical characterizations. Notably, all the fabricated scaffolds have remarkably tuned WVTR values within the range of 2000-2500 g/m²/day, favorable for removing the wound exudate, which facilitate the healing process. The scaffolds exhibited substantial antimicrobial property of approximately 68% and 72.2% against both E. coli and S. aureus at optimized Y₂O₃ loading. They further prevented the formation of biofilm by 68.6% for S. aureus and 51.2% for P. aeruginosa, suggesting the inhibition of recurrent wound infection. The scaffolds illustrated good blood biocompatibility, cytocompatibility, and cell adhesion capabilities. In vitro ROS inhibition study also corroborated the antioxidant property of the scaffold. Similarly, the wound scratching experiment showed high proliferative capability of a yttria-loaded PVA/lysine (S3) sample through the development of an extracellular matrix support. Molecular insight of wound healing was also validated through flow cytometry analysis and immunocytochemistry imaging studies. The findings revealed increased collagen I (Col-I) expression of approximately 19.48% in cultured fibrocytes. The findings are validated from immunocytochemistry imaging. In summary, the results furnish a captivating paradigm for the use of these scaffolds as a therapeutic biomaterial and to foster their potential efficacy toward wound care management.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive type of cancer that has led to the death of a large population. The traditional approach fails to develop a solution for GBM's suffering life. Extensive research into tumor microenvironments (TME) indicates that TME extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a vital role in cancer development and progression. EVs are classified into microvacuoles, apoptotic bodies, and exosomes. Exosomes are the most highlighted domains in cancer research. GBM cell-derived exosomes participate in multiple cancer progression events such as immune suppression, angiogenesis, premetastatic niche formation (PMN), ECM (extracellular matrix), EMT (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition), metastasis, cancer stem cell development and therapeutic and drug resistance. GBM exosomes also carry the signature of a glioblastoma-related status. The exosome-based GBM examination is part of the new generation of liquid biopsy. It also solved early diagnostic limitations in GBM. Traditional therapeutic approaches do not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Exosomes are a game changer in GBM treatment and it is emerging as a potential platform for effective, efficient, and specific therapeutic development. In this review, we have explored the exosome-GBM interlink, the clinical impact of exosomes on GBM biomarkers, the therapeutics signature of exosomes in GBM, exosome-based research challenges, and future directions in GBM. Therefore, the GBM-derived exosomes offer unique therapeutic opportunities, which are currently under preclinical and clinical testing.

Every day, millions of tons of plastic waste are produced by humans which causes severe impacts on our ecosystem and biodiversity. Nowadays plastic is the main anthropogenic waste material globally due to irrational production, inappropriate and unscientific disposal, and inadequate recycling management of plastic. As a result, the fauna of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems both are in danger of plastic pollution. Birds are an important part of our biodiversity and they are affected by plastic pollution. Nowadays, birds use plastic debris for different purposes which ultimately causes the death of birds. Plastic waste occupies the global landscape and has parallel impacts on different species of insects. Bees have started to use plastics as brood material. Marine and land mammals both are severely affected by plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is an emergency danger for coral reefs and all food webs do exist at coral reefs. Every day many fish lose their life by suffocation from entering plastic bags and eating or entangling plastic debris. Plastic pollution has many harmful effects on amphibians and reptiles such as habitat disruption, disease transmission, reproductive and physical health problems, etc. In this book chapter, we have discussed the effect of plastic pollution on different types of faunal survival as well as diversity and also probable sustainable solutions to save our mother earth and its fauna from plastic pollution.