In recent years, stimuli-responsive nanogels that can undergo suitable transitions under endogenous (e.g., pH, enzymes and reduction) or exogenous stimuli (e.g., temperature, light, and magnetic fields) for on-demand drug delivery, have received significant interest in biomedical fields, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, and gene therapy due to their unique environment-sensitive properties. Furthermore, these nanogels have become very popular due to some of their special properties such as good hydrophilicity, high drug loading efficiency, flexibility, and excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this article, the authors discuss current developments in the synthesis, properties, and biomedical applications of stimulus-responsive nanogels. In addition, the opportunities and challenges of nanogels for biomedical applications are also briefly predicted.

Background: Telomeres and telomerase are considered cardinal biomarkers of cellular aging. Shorter telomeres and low telomerase activity have been associated with obesity and accelerated aging. Objective: To compare the effects of a yoga-based lifestyle intervention (YBLI) with the standard of care (SOC) on cellular aging by estimating telomere length (TL) and telomerase activity in obesity. Design and setting: A parallel, two-arm, randomized-controlled trial was conducted at the Integral Health Clinic, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, from March 2017 to October 2019. Participants: Obese (n = 72), body mass index (BMI), 25–35 kg/m², aged 20–45 years, male (21), and female (51). Intervention: Seventy-two obese participants were randomized to receive either a 12-week SOC (n = 36) or YBLI (n = 36). SOC included management of obesity as per Indian guidelines including a hypocaloric individualized diet and physical activity. The pretested YBLI included asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation. Methods: Blood samples were collected from both the groups at baseline, 2, 4, and 12 weeks. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. TL was measured by quantitative PCR, and serum telomerase levels by immunoassay. Outcome measures: Primary outcome measures were the changes in the TL and telomerase levels between the two groups at week 12. Secondary outcome measures were the changes in TL and telomerase, and anthropometric parameters (body weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio) at 2, 4, and 12 weeks of intervention in both SOC and YBLI groups. Results: There were no significant changes in TL and telomerase levels between the groups at week 12. The TL was significantly greater in the YBLI group versus the SOC group (p < 0.0001) at 2 weeks. The anthropometric and physiological parameters were influenced positively by both SOC and YBLI. Conclusion: The study did not meet the primary objective, although the results are suggestive of a positive impact of YBLI on aging in obesity as noted within the YBLI group. However, the results should be interpreted carefully, and in the light of other published data. Larger studies to better understand the possible positive benefits of YBLI on cellular aging are recommended. Clinical Trail Registration No. CTRI/2016/08/007136.

The main physiological function of the excretory system of an animal is associated with removing various toxic and other harmful substances. Any excretory system is involved in the removal of waste products of metabolism, to maintain a constant chemical composition of the body fluids even when the external environment changes. Kidneys in vertebrates and Malpighian tubules (MTs) in Drosophila are the main excretory organs that are intricate in the process of excretion. The kidney serves as an excellent model to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying organogenesis. MTs are functionally equivalent to vertebrate kidney’s renal tubule. The main function of MT is to regulate the secretion of fluids and are characterized by two types of cells Principal Cells and Stellate Cells. Principal cells are mainly associated with the movement of potassium ions whereas stellate cells regulate the secretion and movement of Chloride ions. Drosophila melanogaster consists of three globin genes (glob1, glob2, glob3) which are mainly associated with oxygen binding function. Apart from the main function, the present study is focused on exploring the role of the glob1 gene in the development and function of Malpighian tubules in Drosophila. The main findings of the study show the abnormal cellular and physiological architecture of the Malpighian tubule after loss of glob1 gene expression in the principal cells and stellate cells of MTs. Other findings include the defects in embryonic development as larval lethality and apoptosis are also prominent. It is interesting to see that the downregulation of the glob1 gene in MTs also affects the locomotory functions in Drosophila.