Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Biological Control of Vertebrates
Published in Brian D. Fath, Sven E. Jørgensen, Megan Cole, Managing Biological and Ecological Systems, 2020
Biological controls that inhibit reproduction or development are an attractive target for pest control. Virally vectored immunocontraception (VVIC) aimed to use a genetically engineered transmissible agent to deliver an immunocontraceptive antigen to a pest species. Infection with the recombinant organism would stimulate an immune response to the immunocontraceptive antigen which would block fertility. Potential antigens include components of sperm, the zona pellucida surrounding the egg or peptide hormones such as gonadotrophin-releasing hormone. Direct injection of such antigens is already used in some wildlife population control programs (Naz and Saver 2016). However, direct injection is not feasible for control of widespread invasive species such as rabbits, mice and foxes.
Enzyme Nanocapsules for Glucose Sensing and Insulin Delivery
Published in Grunwald Peter, Biocatalysis and Nanotechnology, 2017
Glucose is the basic unit of fuel for our body and cells. Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by beta cells in pancreas for regulation of glucose metabolism (Fig. 16.1 a). In order to maintain the proper levels of blood glucose, insulin circulates through the body to generate signals by binding with insulin receptors. Acting as a messenger, insulin promotes the absorption of glucose from blood to skeletal muscles and fatty tissues, effecting a reduced BGL (Saltiel et al., 2001). Here we list the fate of insulin from its secretion in beta cells to its action on the body.
Enzyme Catalysis
Published in Harvey W. Blanch, Douglas S. Clark, Biochemical Engineering, 1997
Harvey W. Blanch, Douglas S. Clark
The peptide hormone insulin plays a central role in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. Insulin increases the level of glucose uptake by liver, muscle and other tissues, and secretion of insulin from beta cells of the islets of Langerhans is regulated by the blood glucose level. When insulin is not produced, blood glucose levels are elevated, with subsequent increases in fatty acid oxidation, ketone body and urea formation. This disease state is diabetes mellitus, and results in reduced fatty acid and protein production; it is controlled by parenteral administration of insulin.
High molecular weight chitosan based particles for insulin encapsulation obtained via nanospray technology
Published in Drying Technology, 2022
Cecilia Prudkin-Silva, Jimena H Martínez, Florencia Mazzobre, Cinthya Quiroz-Reyes, Erwin San-Juan, Eduardo San-Martín, Oscar E. Pérez
In this work, CS was used as an encapsulating matrix. CS is a biodegradable, biocompatible and nontoxic polymer obtained from chitin. It is known that chitin is a byproduct from fish farms activities that becomes an environmental pollutant. After a chemical modification (deacetylation), chitin is transformed from contaminant to a new product (CS) with added value and new properties. The presence of -NH2 and -OH groups gives CS interesting chemical and biological properties, such as mucoadhesion.[20] Meanwhile, INS is a peptide hormone worldwide used in the treatment of diabetes by INS-dependent patients. In the search for new forms of INS administration, it was reported that oral administration of this hormone has low bioavailability, due mainly to gastric pH and the enzymatic barriers of the intestinal epithelium.[21]
Progress in spray-drying of protein pharmaceuticals: Literature analysis of trends in formulation and process attributes
Published in Drying Technology, 2021
Joana T. Pinto, Eva Faulhammer, Johanna Dieplinger, Michael Dekner, Christian Makert, Marco Nieder, Amrit Paudel
Dextran is composed of α-(1,6)-linked glucan with side chains attached to the C-3 position of the backbone.[151] The side chains vary in length, originating dextran molecules with distinct degree of polymerization (DP) and, hence different physicochemical properties (e.g. molecular weight, solubility, flexibility, etc.). Dextran having various molecular weights, from 1 to 70 kDa, have been applied to the formulation of proteins via spray-drying, with weights between 40 and 70 kDa being preferred. Dextran in combination with mannitol and trehalose have successfully been applied in the stabilization of recombinant viral vaccines[130,131] and bacteriophages formulations.[134] However, dextran with 1 kDa and 60–70 kDa were not so successful, when stabilizing IgG formulations[11] and a tuberculosis vaccine[118] via spray-drying. Used alone, dextran of 20, 40, and 70 kDa have been unsuccessful stabilizing formulations of methionyl human hormone growth[148] and transport proteins.[98] One report describes the successful use of 10 kDa dextran to stabilize an investigational peptide hormone.[152] However, the presence of a larger percentage of reducing groups on smaller molecular weight dextran[150] should be carefully considered when selecting these as excipients.
The effects of subchronic exposure to NeemAzal T/S on zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Published in Chemistry and Ecology, 2018
Lucie Plhalova, Jana Blahova, Lenka Divisova, Vladimira Enevova, Francesca Casuscelli di Tocco, Caterina Faggio, Frantisek Tichy, Vladimir Vecerek, Zdenka Svobodova
In recent years, there has been an effort to replace synthetically produced pesticides with more natural products that degrade more rapidly. Neem-based insecticides are one such alternative. The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) from the family Meliaceae is grown in most tropical and subtropical areas of the world for the production of compounds for natural insecticides and medicines. The main active ingredient responsible for toxic effects in insects is azadirachtin, a complex of tetranortriterpenoid limonoid extracted from neem seeds [6]. The mode of action of azadirachtin lies in: (i) effects on deterrent and other chemoreceptors resulting in antifeedancy (ii) effects on ecdysteroid and juvenile hormone titres through the blockage of morphogenetic peptide hormone release, and (iii) direct effects on most other tissues studied resulting in the overall loss of fitness of the insect [7].