Peptides are fragments of proteins that carry out biological functions. They act as signaling entities via all domains of life and interfere with protein-protein interactions, which are indispensable in bio-processes. Short peptides include fundamental molecular information for a prelude to the symphony of life. They have aroused considerable interest due to their unique features and great promise in innovative bio-therapies. This work focusing on the current state-of-the-art short peptide-based therapeutical developments is the first global review written by researchers from all continents, as a celebration of 100 years of peptide therapeutics since the commencement of insulin therapy in the 1920s. Peptide “drugs” initially played only the role of hormone analogs to balance disorders. Nowadays, they achieve numerous biomedical tasks, can cross membranes, or reach intracellular targets. The role of peptides in bio-processes can hardly be mimicked by other chemical substances. The article is divided into independent sections, which are related to either the progress in short peptide-based theranostics or the problems posing challenge to bio-medicine. In particular, the SWOT analysis of short peptides, their relevance in therapies of diverse diseases, improvements in (bio)synthesis platforms, advanced nano-supramolecular technologies, aptamers, altered peptide ligands and in silico methodologies to overcome peptide limitations, modern smart bio-functional materials, vaccines, and drug/gene-targeted delivery systems are discussed.

Cyclic dipeptides, also know as diketopiperazines (DKP), the simplest cyclic forms of peptides widespread in nature, are unsurpassed in their structural and bio-functional diversity. DKPs, especially those containing proline, due to their unique features such as, inter alia, extra-rigid conformation, high resistance to enzyme degradation, increased cell permeability, and expandable ability to bind a diverse of targets with better affinity, have emerged in the last years as biologically pre-validated platforms for the drug discovery. Recent advances have revealed their enormous potential in the development of next-generation theranostics, smart delivery systems, and biomaterials. Here, we present an updated review on the biological and structural profile of these appealing biomolecules, with a particular emphasis on those with anticancer properties, since cancers are the main cause of death all over the world. Additionally, we provide a consideration on supramolecular structuring and synthons, based on the proline-based DKP privileged scaffold, for inspiration in the design of compound libraries in search of ideal ligands, innovative self-assembled nanomaterials, and bio-functional architectures.

The accumulation of xenobiotic compounds in different environments interrupts the natural ecosystem and induces high toxicity in non-target organisms. Diclofenac is one of the commonly used pharmaceutical drugs that persist in the environment due to its low natural degradation rate and high toxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate potential diclofenac-degrading bacteria, detect the intermediate metabolites formed, and determine the enzyme involved in the degradation process. Four bacterial isolates were selected based on their ability to utilize a high concentration of diclofenac (40 mg/L) as the sole carbon source. The growth conditions for diclofenac degradation were optimized, and bacteria were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (S1), Alcaligenes aquatilis (S2), Achromobacter spanius (S11), and Achromobacter piechaudii (S18). The highest percentage of degradation was recorded (97.79 ± 0.84) after six days of incubation for A. spanius S11, as analyzed by HPLC. To detect and identify biodegradation metabolites, the GC-MS technique was conducted for the most efficient bacterial strains. In all tested isolates, the initial hydroxylation of diclofenac was detected. The cleavage step of the NH bridge between the aromatic rings and the subsequent cleavage of the ring adjacent to or in between the two hydroxyl groups of polyhydroxylated derivatives might be a key step that enables the complete biodegradation of diclofenac by A. piechaudii S18, as well as P. aeruginosa S1. Additionally, the laccase, peroxidase, and dioxygenase enzyme activities of the two Achromobacter strains, as well as P. aeruginosa S1, were tested in the presence and absence of diclofenac. The obtained results from this work are expected to be a useful reference for the development of effective detoxification bioprocesses utilizing bacterial cells as biocatalysts. The complete removal of pharmaceuticals from polluted water will stimulate water reuse, meeting the growing worldwide demand for clean and safe freshwater.

Introduction: Serratia marcescens is a significant hospital-acquired pathogen, and many outbreaks of S. marcescens infection have been reported in neonates. We report a sudden breakout of S. marcescens harboring the bla_IMP-4 and bla_VIM-2 metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes that occurred from March to August 2015 in the neonatal intensive care unit of Cairo University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Methods: During the study period, 40 nonduplicate clinical isolates of S. marcescens were collected from blood culture samples. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify each isolate. Then, minimum inhibitory concentrations of different antibiotics were assessed by the Vitek 2 compact system. Screening of the MBL genes bla_IMP, bla_VIM, bla_SIM-1, bla_SPM-1, and bla_GIM-1 as well as the carbapenemase genes KPC, NDM, OXA-48, SME-1, and SME-2 were evaluated. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was preformed to detect the genetic relationship of the isolates. Results: Analysis showed that 37.5% of the S. marcescens clinical isolates were resistant to meropenem (minimum inhibitory concentrations ≥ 2 µg/mL), and bla_IMP-4 and bla_VIM-2 were the most prevalent MBL genes (42.5% and 37.5%, respectively). None of the other investigated genes were observed. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis typing revealed two discrete clones; 33/40 (82.5%) were pulsotype A and 7/40 (17.5%) were pulsotype B. Conclusion: Here, we report for the first time the detection of MBL-producing S. marcescens isolates, particularly IMP-4 and VIM-2 recovered from inpatients with bacteremias from the intensive care unit at Cairo University Hospital.