Nanotechnology is a fast-evolving field focused on fabricating nanoscale objects for industrial, cosmetic, and therapeutic applications. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembled nanoparticles whose intrinsic properties, such as heterogeneity, and highly ordered structural organization are exploited to prepare vaccines; imaging agents; construct nanobioreactors; cancer treatment approaches; or deliver drugs, genes, and enzymes. However, depending upon the intrinsic features of the native virus from which they are produced, the therapeutic performance of VLPs can vary. This review compiles the recent scientific literature about the fundamentals of VLPs with biomedical applications. We consulted different databases to present a general scenario about viruses and how VLPs are produced in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell lines to entrap therapeutic cargo. Moreover, the structural classification, morphology, and methods to functionalize the surface of VLPs are discussed. Finally, different characterization techniques required to examine the size, charge, aggregation, and composition of VLPs are described.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/15/8579/pdf?version=1659436696

Virus-like Particles: Fundamentals and Biomedical Applications

Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging arthropod-borne flavivirus, was first isolated in Uganda in 1947 from monkeys and first detected in humans in Nigeria in 1952; it has been associated with a dramatic burden worldwide. Since then, interventions to reduce the burden of ZIKV infection have been mainly restricted to mosquito control, which in the end proved to be insufficient by itself. Hence, the situation prompted scientists to increase research on antivirals and vaccines against the virus. These efforts are still ongoing as the pathogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms of ZIKV have not yet been fully elucidated. Understanding the viral disease mechanism will provide a better landscape to develop prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against ZIKV. Currently, no specific vaccines or drugs have been approved for ZIKV. However, some are undergoing clinical trials. Notably, different platforms have been evaluated for the design of vaccines, including DNA, mRNA, viral vectors, virus-like particles (VLPs), inactivated virus, live attenuated virus, peptide and protein-based vaccines, passive immunizations by using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and vaccines that target vector-derived antigens. These vaccines have been shown to induce specific humoral and cellular immune responses and reduce viremia and viral RNA titers, both in vitro and in vivo. This review provides a comprehensive summary of current advancements in the development of vaccines against Zika virus.

/pdf/current-advances-in-zika-vaccine-development-3vq3bpor.pdf

Current Advances in Zika Vaccine Development

Viral infectious diseases threaten human health and global stability. Several vaccine platforms, such as DNA, mRNA, recombinant viral vectors, and virus-like particle-based vaccines have been developed to counter these viral infectious diseases. Virus-like particles (VLP) are considered real, present, licensed and successful vaccines against prevalent and emergent diseases due to their non-infectious nature, structural similarity with viruses, and high immunogenicity. However, only a few VLP-based vaccines have been commercialized, and the others are either in the clinical or preclinical phases. Notably, despite success in the preclinical phase, many vaccines are still struggling with small-scale fundamental research owing to technical difficulties. Successful production of VLP-based vaccines on a commercial scale requires a suitable platform and culture mode for large-scale production, optimization of transduction-related parameters, upstream and downstream processing, and monitoring of product quality at each step. In this review article, we focus on the advantages and disadvantages of various VLP-producing platforms, recent advances and technical challenges in VLP production, and the current status of VLP-based vaccine candidates at commercial, preclinical, and clinical levels.

/pdf/platforms-advances-and-technical-challenges-in-virus-like-213koo9h.pdf

Platforms, advances, and technical challenges in virus-like particles-based vaccines

Clinical Delivery of Circular RNA: Lessons Learned from RNA Drug Development.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is a prevalent global infectious disease and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Currently, the only available vaccine for TB prevention is Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG). However, BCG demonstrates limited efficacy, particularly in adults. Efforts to develop effective TB vaccines have been ongoing for nearly a century. In this review, we have examined the current obstacles in TB vaccine research and emphasized the significance of understanding the interaction mechanism between MTB and hosts in order to provide new avenues for research and establish a solid foundation for the development of novel vaccines. We have also assessed various TB vaccine candidates, including inactivated vaccines, attenuated live vaccines, subunit vaccines, viral vector vaccines, DNA vaccines, and the emerging mRNA vaccines as well as virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines, which are currently in preclinical stages or clinical trials. Furthermore, we have discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with developing different types of TB vaccines and outlined future directions for TB vaccine research, aiming to expedite the development of effective vaccines. This comprehensive review offers a summary of the progress made in the field of novel TB vaccines. 

Next-Generation TB Vaccines: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanostructures that possess diverse applications in therapeutics, immunization, and diagnostics. With the recent advancements in biomedical engineering technologies, commercially available VLP-based vaccines are being extensively used to combat infectious diseases, whereas many more are in different stages of development in clinical studies. Because of their desired characteristics in terms of efficacy, safety, and diversity, VLP-based approaches might become more recurrent in the years to come. However, some production and fabrication challenges must be addressed before VLP-based approaches can be widely used in therapeutics. This review offers insight into the recent VLP-based vaccines development, with an emphasis on their characteristics, expression systems, and potential applicability as ideal candidates to combat emerging virulent pathogens. Finally, the potential of VLP-based vaccine as viable and efficient immunizing agents to induce immunity against virulent infectious agents, including, SARS-CoV-2 and protein nanoparticle-based vaccines has been elaborated. Thus, VLP vaccines may serve as an effective alternative to conventional vaccine strategies in combating emerging infectious diseases.

Virus-Like Particles: Revolutionary Platforms for Developing Vaccines Against Emerging Infectious Diseases

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) causes many sensory and motor deficits in children which may lead to deterioration of their functional activities and daily life. Effective interventions are required to be worked on, which can improve the movement status of such subjects. Objective: To determine the effects of sensory integration therapy (SIT) in addition with virtual reality (VR) and Conventional Physical Therapy in subjects with cerebral palsy. Methods: A Pilot randomized control trial (RCT) was conducted at Pakistan Railway Hospital Rawalpindi from July to December 2019. The n=26 subjects were recruited after fulfilment of inclusion criteria; male and female diagnosed spastic CP subjectswith age 5-12 years, gross motor function classification system (GMFC) level I-II, can independently walk ≥ 5 meters, spasticity of lower limb <3 on Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), able to understand commands and play gamesThe subjects were randomly divided into group A, receiving sensory integration therapy (SIT) in addition to virtual reality (VR) and conventional physical therapy CPT), while group B received only virtual reality (VR) and conventional physical therapy CPT). The interventions were given for 6 weeks with assessments at baseline, 3rd and 6th weeks. The outcome measures were gross motor function measurement (GMFM) for assessment of gross motor functions, pediatric balance scale (PBS) for assessment of balance in children and 2-minute walk test (2MWT) for mobility. The analysis was done via SPSS 21 and ANOVA test was applied. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 7.52±2.25 years. The balance Scale and 2-minute walk test showed significant interaction (p<0.001) between intervention and time. Between group analyses done by one way ANOVA, the assessment at 3rd and 6 weeks has shown significant difference (p<0.001) for GMFM standing, walking/running and total along with PBS and 2 MWT. Conclusion: Augmentation of sensory integration therapy with virtual reality has significant effects on improving gross motor functions, balance and mobility in cerebral palsy as compared to virtual reality. Keywords: Balance, cerebral palsy, gross motor functions, virtual reality, sensory integration therapy

Augmented effects of sensory integration therapy and virtual reality on movement and balance issues in cerebral palsy: a pilot study

Background: Balance and functional mobility is greatly affected in stroke patients. Balance training integrated with sensory input is more beneficial for improving balance and mobility in stroke patients. Objective: To determine the effects of task-oriented balance training with and without sensory integration on balance, postural stability, and mobility in post-stroke patients. Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted at RHS Rehabilitation Centre, Islamabad. A total of n=60 post-stroke patients were included in the study through a non-probability purposive sampling technique. Male and female stroke patients above 40 years of age, having the ability to maintain a standing position without aid for at least 5 minutes, and patients on Grades II, III, IV on the Functional Mobility Scale were included in this study. They were randomly allocated into Group A (n=30) and Group B (n=30). Both groups received Task oriented balance training while group B was treated with additional sensory integration. The Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale, and Balance Error Scoring system were used for balance assessment. The assessment was done at baseline and after 6th week. Results: The mean age of the participants was 54.47 years. After 6 weeks of intervention, a significant difference was found in group A as compared to group B for Dynamic mobility measured by Dynamic gait index with p-value (p=0.06) and for balance measured by BBS with p-value (p=0.05). Conclusion: The task-oriented balance training with sensory integration is effective in improving dynamic balance and mobility in stroke patients. Keywords: balance training; Sensory Integration; stroke rehabilitation; task-oriented balance exercises.

Effects of task-oriented balance training with sensory integration in post stroke patients

Feasible Biosynthesis of Biologically Active Metabolites In In Vitro Culture of Macrotyloma uniflorum

Exogenous applications of humic acid and salicylic acid differentially affect biomass accumulation and production of rare pharmacologically active withanolides in
 in vitro
 cultures of
 Withania coagulans

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Virus-Like Particles: Revolutionary Platforms for Developing Vaccines Against Emerging Infectious Diseases

Augmented effects of sensory integration therapy and virtual reality on movement and balance issues in cerebral palsy: a pilot study

Effects of task-oriented balance training with sensory integration in post stroke patients

Feasible Biosynthesis of Biologically Active Metabolites In In Vitro Culture of Macrotyloma uniflorum

Exogenous applications of humic acid and salicylic acid differentially affect biomass accumulation and production of rare pharmacologically active withanolides in in vitro cultures of Withania coagulans