Hasil untuk "General. Including alchemy"

Yeni Mulyani, Yuniar Mulyani, Aisyah Aisyah

The rise of antibiotic resistance presents a major challenge, reducing the efficacy of conventional antibacterial treatments and necessitating the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents. The use of natural products has played a pivotal role in the development of antibiotics. Specifically, marine organisms, with a notable emphasis on mangroves of the genus <em>Avicennia</em>, have played a crucial role in this process. <em>Avicennia marina</em>, <em>Avicennia officinalis</em>, <em>Avicennia alba</em>, and <em>Avicennia germinans</em> have been found to contain secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and terpenoids, which exhibit antibacterial properties against drug-resistant pathogens. The review was conducted based on literature published between 2005 and 2025. These compounds act through diverse mechanisms such as disrupting bacterial cell walls, inhibiting protein synthesis, and interfering with quorum sensing and biofilm formation. Evaluations through disk diffusion, microdilution assay, and biofilm inhibition assays have demonstrated the significant antibacterial activity of Avicennia extracts, suggesting their potential as alternative therapeutics in combating resistant bacteria. Future research should focus on enhancing these bioactive compounds’ bioavailability, stability, and large-scale production while addressing potential toxicity and navigating the complex regulatory requirements for drug approval. The continued exploration of Avicennia-derived compounds may contribute to developing novel antibiotics, offering sustainable solutions to antibiotic resistance.

Martin Volk, Ivan Vogt, Marilena Georgiades et al.

Anthropomorphic CT phantoms are essential training tools for interventional radiology. Given the high technical demands and stringent safety requirements in this field, realistic CT phantoms are vital simulation tools that support effective hands-on training, procedural planning, and risk mitigation. However, commercially available phantom geometries are limited in their scope. This study investigates the use of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to fabricate customizable training phantoms. PVA, a non-toxic material, can be processed into PVA cryogels (PVA-C) with tissue-like mechanical properties. We modified PVA-C (10 wt.% PVA) by incorporating various additives to adjust X-ray attenuation and achieve Hounsfield units (HUs) similar to different soft tissues. HU values were measured at X-ray tube voltages of 70, 120, and 150 kV. The inclusion of barium sulfate (e.g., <i>U</i> = 120 kV; 0.1–2 wt.%: 33.29 ± 5.45–323.72 ± 12.64 HU) and iohexol (e.g., <i>U</i> = 120 kV; 0.1–2 wt.%: 26.05 ± 4.74–161.99 ± 5.69 HU) significantly increased HU values. Iohexol produced more homogeneous HU distributions than barium sulfate and cellulose derivatives, with the latter having air gaps and inconsistencies. The tested formulations encompassed a wide range of soft tissue densities, with HU values varying significantly across the energy range (<i>p</i> < 0.001). While cellulose derivatives showed variable HU modulation, their primary role appears to be in modifying phantom texture and morphology rather than precise attenuation control. In conclusion, PVA-C demonstrates strong potential for use in interventional radiology training phantoms. Further studies may enhance phantom realism by replicating tissue textures, for example, through the incorporation of cellulose-based substances.

Theresa P. K. Varughese, Poornima Ramburrun, Nnamdi I. Okafor et al.

Periodontitis is a prevalent oral condition worldwide. Azithromycin, a conventional lipophilic drug for periodontal treatment, often causes systemic side effects when administered orally. To address this, azithromycin-loaded nano-emulgels were developed using olive oil as a carrier within a xanthan gum aqueous gel phase. This oil-in-aqueous gel emulsion was actuated into a foam for localized drug delivery in gingival and periodontal disease. The solubility of azithromycin in various vehicles was tested, with olive oil showing the best solubility (0.347 mg/mL). Thermodynamic stability testing identified viable nano-formulations, with encapsulation efficiencies ranging from 98 to 100%. These formulations exhibited rapid drug release within 2–8 h. Muco-adhesion studies and ex vivo permeability tests on porcine buccal mucosa highlighted the beneficial properties of xanthan gum for local drug retention within the oral cavity. Antimicrobial efficiency was assessed using minimum inhibitory concentrations against various oral pathogens, where the formulation with equal surfactant and co-surfactant ratios showed the most potent antibacterial activity, ranging from 0.390 to 1.56 µg/mL. This was supported by the shear-thinning, muco-adhesive, and drug-retentive properties of the xanthan gel base. The study also examined the influence of the oil phase with xanthan gum gel on foam texture, rheology, and stability, demonstrating a promising prototype for periodontitis treatment.

Fan Ding, Runzhe Hou, Bing Han et al.

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases exhibit high incidence rates, and the blood–brain barrier (BBB) poses a major obstacle to drug delivery. Conventional drug delivery methods not only show limited therapeutic efficacy but also cause significant side effects. Intranasal administration offers a new strategy for CNS therapy by bypassing the BBB through the unique nasal-brain pathway, while nanodrug delivery systems (NDDSs) can improve drug delivery efficiency. On this basis, biomimetic drug delivery systems (BDDSs) based on cell membrane structure have been developed. The combination of nanoparticles modified by cell membranes or cell membrane-derived vesicles with carriers such as hydrogels creates a drug delivery system that utilizes a unique transnasal-to-brain pathway, opening new avenues for treating CNS disorders. This paper systematically reviews the classification, characteristics, and preparation strategies of BDDSs, while analyzing the anatomical pathways and physiological mechanisms of nasal–cerebral delivery. Furthermore, it delves into the biogenesis mechanisms of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs). For CNS disorders, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), ischemic stroke (IS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD), this paper presents diverse applications and challenges of BDDSs in nasal–cerebral delivery.

Solaiman, Tahmina Foyez, Syed Abdul Monim et al.

Bioactive metal and metal oxide-based nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit significant antibacterial properties by interacting with microbial DNA and preventing bacterial replication. They offer potential applications as coating materials for human or animal skin injuries to prevent microbial growth and promote healing. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a chemical reduction method and incorporated into a polymer network to fabricate silver nanocomposite hydrogels (AgNCHGs) through a simple free radical polymerization method. <i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA), which has lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at about body temperature, or acrylamide (AAm) was used as the main monomer, while one or more ionic co-monomers, such as acrylic acid (AAc) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), were incorporated to obtain AgNCHGs. AgNPs were introduced into the hydrogel network via three different approaches. In the first method, the synthesized hydrogel was immersed in a silver nitrate (AgNO₃) solution and reduced in situ using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) as a reducing agent. The second method involved mixing AgNO₃ with gel precursors before reduction with NaBH₄ to form AgNPs within the hydrogel. The final approach synthesized the AgNCHGs directly in a dispersion of pre-fabricated AgNPs. The incorporation of AgNPs in different AgNCHGs was confirmed through various characterization techniques. Varying temperature and pH conditions can trigger the release of bioactive AgNPs from the hydrogels. Furthermore, the antimicrobial and wound-healing properties of the AgNCHGs were evaluated against bacteria and fungi, demonstrating their potential in biomedical applications. In addition, AgNCHGs exhibit excellent electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity of the hydrogels can be finely tuned by adjusting the concentration of AgNPs, making these materials promising candidates for energy, sensor, and stretchable electronics applications. This study presents facile synthesis methods of AgNCHGs, which integrate bioactivity, wound healing, and electrical conductivity in the same matrix, addressing a significant challenge in designing multifunctional hydrogels for next-generation technologies.

Andreea Trifan, Eduard Liciu, Andrei-Silviu Nedelcu et al.

Bone defects remain a significant clinical challenge, creating a severe need for advanced biomaterials for tissue regeneration. This study addresses this issue by developing 3D-printed composite hydrogels containing alginate, gelatine, and resorbable calcium phosphates (monetite and brushite) for bone tissue engineering. The scaffolds were fabricated using extrusion-based 3D printing and evaluated for their morphology, porosity, mechanical strength, swelling, degradation, and in vitro mineralization, while their cytocompatibility was assessed using LIVE/DEAD cell viability assays. The key findings demonstrate that calcium phosphate incorporation enhanced the mechanical stability by 15–25% compared to the controls, and mineral deposition increased significantly in the composite scaffolds. The developed hydrogels are bioactive and represent promising, customizable scaffolds for bone regeneration. These results support their further investigation as viable alternatives to traditional bone grafts for clinical bone tissue engineering applications.

Gabriela Uribe-Cruz, María Antonia Flores-Córdova, Mayra Cristina Soto-Caballero et al.

In this study, the oregano essential oil (OEO) was extracted and physiochemically characterized in order to assess its effect on starch films formed from gel matrices. Ten formulations were proposed, in which the amounts of OEO and the emulsifier Tween^® 80 (Tween80) were varied in order to determine the OEO and Tween80 (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) ratio that would allow us to obtain a stable colloidal dispersion (without the physical perception of OEO) with an adequate incorporation of OEO. The effect of the inclusion of OEO on the rheological, physicochemical (color, thickness, and density), mechanical, water vapor permeability (WVP), and antioxidant properties of the starch-based gel films were evaluated. The formulations indicated that an OEO/Tween80 ratio of 0.0046/0.0010 g g⁻¹ was the appropriate formulation for the formation of starch films from gel matrices with physical and mechanical properties suitable for being applied to food. This ratio could be ideal for obtaining films with greater mechanical properties and lower hydrophilicity (lower WVP) for packaging for foods that do not require high WVP levels.

Milica Martinović, Ivana Nešić, Dragica Bojović et al.

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) were employed for the extraction of bilberry and green tea leaves. This study explored the incorporation of these NaDES extracts into various carrier systems: hydrogels, emulsions, and emulgels stabilized with hydroxyethyl cellulose or xanthan gum. The results demonstrated that, when combined with synthetic UV filters, the NaDES extracts significantly enhanced the SPF and improved the antioxidant properties of the formulation. Although NaDES extracts cannot fully replace synthetic UV filters (homosalate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, and benzophenone-4), they can serve as effective UV boosters, significantly enhancing the SPFs of formulations containing UV filters. Hence, the SPF of the formulation could be improved without increasing the concentrations of synthetic filters. Moreover, NaDES extracts, unlike UV filters, significantly increased the antioxidant potential of the formulations. Among the carriers, hydrogels with xanthan gum and emulgels with hydroxyethyl cellulose achieved the highest SPFs when containing both NaDES extracts and synthetic filters. A texture analysis further revealed that the NaDES extracts positively impacted the mechanical properties of the formulations by increasing their cohesiveness, thus enhancing their physical stability under mechanical pressure. These findings pave the way for further research into NaDES-based formulations, including in vivo testing, to optimize and confirm their efficacy on human skin and validate NaDES extracts as eco-friendly ingredients in cosmetics, with antioxidant and UV boosting potential.

Luis M. Araque, Antonia Infantes-Molina, Enrique Rodríguez-Castellón et al.

In this work, the mechanical properties of hydrogels based on linear polyethyleneimine (PEI) chemically crosslinked with ethyleneglycoldiglycidyl ether (EGDE) were improved by the ionic crosslinking with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). To this end, the quaternization of the nitrogen atoms present in the PEI structure was conducted to render a network with a permanent positive charge to interact with the negative charges of TPP. The co-crosslinking process was studied by ¹H high-resolution magic angle spinning (¹H HRMAS) NMR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in combination with organic elemental analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In addition, the mobility and confinement of water molecules within the co-crosslinked hydrogels were studied by low-field ¹H NMR. The addition of small amounts of TPP, 0.03 to 0.26 mmoles of TPP per gram of material, to the PEI-EGDE hydrogel resulted in an increase in the deformation resistance from 320 to 1080%, respectively. Moreover, the adsorption capacity of the hydrogels towards various emerging contaminants remained high after the TPP crosslinking, with maximum loading capacities (<i>q</i>_max) of 77, 512, and 55 mg g⁻¹ at pH = 4 for penicillin V (antibiotic), methyl orange (azo-dye) and copper(II) ions (metal ion), respectively. A significant decrease in the adsorption capacity was observed at pH = 7 or 10, with <i>q</i>_max of 356 or 64 and 23 or 0.8 mg g⁻¹ for methyl orange and penicillin V, respectively.

Danya E. Estrella-Osuna, Saul Ruiz-Cruz, Francisco Rodríguez-Félix et al.

Gelatin is a promising biopolymer for edible coatings thanks to its low cost and gelling properties. However, its weak mechanical properties limit its use. This study aimed to develop a gelatin coating with tomato extract, analyzing its antioxidant activity and rheological properties for food applications. Gelatin concentrations (2, 5, and 7%) were evaluated, and it was determined that 7% with 7.5% glycerol was the optimal mixture. Three concentrations of tomato extract (0.5, 1, and 1.5%) were added, and antioxidant activity was evaluated using the ABTS technique, as well as the interaction of components through FT-IR and physicochemical analysis. The results showed that there were no significant differences in terms of their physicochemical characterization, maintaining a pH of 5 and a yellowish hue. The FT-IR spectra indicated there were hydrogen bond interactions between gelatin and the extract. The antioxidant capacity was higher with the 1.5% extract, achieving an inhibition of 58.9%. It was found that the combination of the different materials used improved the rheological (specifically the viscosity and stability of the material) and antioxidant properties of the gelatin. These findings suggest that modified gelatin coatings may be effective in extending the shelf life of foods.

Abdo Bou-Sarkis, Etienne Paul, Elisabeth Girbal-Neuhauser et al.

The valorization of biological aggregates through the extraction of hydrogel-forming polymers can enhance the economics and sustainability of various processes in which bacteria are involved in organic waste transformation, such as wastewater treatment. Achieving these goals requires the development of a method capable of detecting the presence of gel-forming polymers in complex mixtures containing biopolymers that are most often unknown and uncharacterized. A miniaturized screening method capable of detecting gelation via ionic crosslinking using only 1 to 3 mg of the tested samples (commercial molecules or extracellular polymeric substances, EPSs) is proposed. The method consists of calculating a percentage of reactivity (%R) through UV-vis spectra and determining the percentage of gel volume (%Vg) formed after the addition of calcium. Both factors were combined to give a gelling factor (GF), and the test was applied to pure commercial molecules (BSA, DNA, alginate (ALV), and a mixture of them), allowing the classification of the following solutions according to their gel-forming capacity: GF_(ALV) > GF_(ALV+DNA) > GF_{(BSA+ALV+DNA)} > GF_(BSA+ALV) > GF_(DNA) > GF_(BSA+DNA) > GF_(BSA). As a relevant tool for screening hydrogel-forming solutions, the method was applied to the EPS extracted from aerobic granular sludge. The EPS (0.5% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i>) had a GF of 0.16 ± 0.03, equivalent to approximately half of the GF of ALV (0.38 ± 0.02 at 0.5% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i>). The developed test pushes the limits of the existing gel-detection techniques because it allows for quicker, less consuming, and more informative gelation detection through the use of simple methods that do not require sophisticated equipment.

Nor Atikah Husna Ahmad Nasir, Mohd Hafis Yuswan, Nor Nadiah Abd Karim Shah et al.

This study introduced a D-optimal design mixture to assess the physicochemical properties of a hydrocolloid-based functional food fortified with <i>C. lentillifera</i>. The combination incorporated vital jelly constituents, including extract (10–15%), sweeteners (20–29%), gelling agents (<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">k</span>-carrageenan and locust bean gum (LBG)), and preservatives (0–0.05%). The dependent variables were pH, Total Soluble Solid (TSS) value, and moisture content (MS). By employing the D-optimal design approach, a quadratic polynomial model was developed, demonstrating strong correlations with the experimental data with coefficient determinations (R²) of 0.9941, 0.9907, and 0.9989 for pH, TSS, and MS, respectively. Based on the D-optimal design, the study identified the optimum combination of significant factors with a desirability of 0.917, comprising 14.35% extract, 23.00% sucrose, 21.70% fructose, 26.00% <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">k</span>-carrageenan, 13.00% LBG, 1.95% CaCl₂, and 0% methylparaben. The percentage of residual standard error (RSE) was less than 5%, indicating the reliability of the developed model. Furthermore, color analysis revealed significant differences among the jellies (<i>p</i> < 0.05). HPLC analysis demonstrated that the total sugar content in the fortified jellies was 28% lower compared to commercial jelly. Meanwhile, the bitterness level according to e-tongue showed a reduction of up to 90.5% when compared to the extract. These findings provide a valuable benchmark for the development of functional food products, ensuring their quality, safety, and extended shelf-life.

Ana Dora Rodrigues Pontinha, Johanna Mäntyneva, Paulo Santos et al.

The reliable characterization of insulation materials in relevant environmental conditions is crucial, since it strongly influences the performance (e.g., thermal) of building elements. In fact, their properties may vary with the moisture content, temperature, ageing degradation, etc. Therefore, in this work, the thermomechanical behaviour of different materials was compared when subjected to accelerated ageing. Insulation materials that use recycled rubber in their composition were studied, along with others for comparison: heat-pressed rubber, rubber_cork composites, aerogel_rubber composite (developed by the authors), silica aerogel, and extruded polystyrene. The ageing cycles comprised dry-heat, humid-heat, and cold conditions as the stages, during cycles of 3 and 6 weeks. The materials’ properties after ageing were compared with the initial values. Aerogel-based materials showed superinsulation behaviour and good flexibility due to their very high porosity and reinforcement with fibres. Extruded polystyrene also had a low thermal conductivity but exhibited permanent deformation under compression. In general, the ageing conditions led to a very slight increase in the thermal conductivity, which vanished after drying of the samples in an oven, and to a decrease in Young’s moduli.

Diana Serbezeanu, Manuela Maria Iftime, Gabriela-Liliana Ailiesei et al.

In recent years, multidrug-resistant bacteria have developed the ability to resist multiple antibiotics, limiting the available options for effective treatment. Raising awareness and providing education on the appropriate use of antibiotics, as well as improving infection control measures in healthcare facilities, are crucial steps to address the healthcare crisis. Further, innovative approaches must be adopted to develop novel drug delivery systems using polymeric matrices as carriers and support to efficiently combat such multidrug-resistant bacteria and thus promote wound healing. In this context, the current work describes the use of two biocompatible and non-toxic polymers, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and xanthan gum (XG), to achieve hydrogel networks through cross-linking by oxalic acid following the freezing/thawing procedure. PVA/XG-80/20 hydrogels were loaded with different quantities of neomycin sulfate to create promising low-class topical antibacterial formulations with enhanced antimicrobial effects. The inclusion of neomycin sulfate in the hydrogels is intended to impart them with powerful antimicrobial properties, thereby facilitating the development of exceptionally efficient topical antibacterial formulations. Thus, incorporating higher quantities of neomycin sulfate in the PVA/XG-80/20-2 and PVA/XG-80/20-3 formulations yielded promising cycling characteristics. These formulations exhibited outstanding removal efficiency, exceeding 80% even after five cycles, indicating remarkable and consistent adsorption performance with repeated use. Furthermore, both PVA/XG-80/20-2 and PVA/XG-80/20-3 formulations outperformed the drug-free sample, PVA/XG-80/20, demonstrating a significant enhancement in maximum compressive stress.

S. La Manna, Daniele Florio, Concetta Di Natale et al.

BACKGROUND Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) protein is a multifunctional nucleolar chaperone and its gene is the most frequently mutated in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). AML mutations cause the unfolding of the C-terminal domain (CTD) and the protein delocalizing in the cytosol (NPM1c+). Marked aggregation endowed with an amyloid character was assessed as consequences of mutations. SCOPE Herein we analyzed the effects of type C mutation on two protein regions: i) a N-terminal extended version of the CTD, named Cterm_mutC and ii) a shorter polypeptide including the sequences of the second and third helices of the CTD, named H2_mutC. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Both demonstrated able to self-assembly with different kinetics and conformational intermediates and to provide fibers presenting large flexible regions. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The present study adds a new piece of knowledge to the effects of AML-mutations on structural biology of Nucleophosmin 1, that could be exploited in therapeutic interventions targeting selectively NPMc+.

Martina Zamparo

Rajendra Patil, Jagdish Chavan, Shivnath Patel et al.

A green and efficient method for the multicomponent synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and -thiones using acetic acid supported on activated charcoal as a mild acid catalyst in ethanol under both conventional as well as microwave irradiation conditions has been developed. The catalyst system found more efficient under microwave irradiation conditions than conventional conditions with shorter reaction times and excellent yields.

Tim B. Mrohs, Oliver Weichold

<i>N</i>,<i>N’</i>-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) is a very popular cross-linker for the radical polymerisation in water. It is highly reactive but prone to alkaline hydrolysis and suffers from a low solubility. This study shows that with slow polymerising systems such as <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-diallyldimethylammonium chloride, only inhomogeneous networks are formed. As a consequence, gels with very low cross-linking densities, i.e., high swelling capacities, disintegrate during the swelling test and firm, coherent gels are not accessible due to the solubility limit. A promising alternative are multivalent tetraallyl-based compounds, of which tetraallylammonium bromide (TAAB), <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>,<i>N</i>’,<i>N</i>’-tetraallylpiperazinium dibromide (TAPB) and <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>,<i>N</i>’,<i>N</i>’-tetraallyltrimethylene dipiperidine dibromide (TAMPB) are the subject of this study. With these, the cross-linking polymerisation appears to be statistical, as gels formed at low monomer conversion have essentially the same swelling properties as those formed at high conversions. This is not observed with BIS. However, gelation with the tetraallyl cross-linkers is much slower than with BIS and follows the order TAPB < TAMPB < TAAB, but the differences become significantly smaller with increasing content. At low contents, all three allow the preparation of gels with high swelling capacities of up to 360 g/g.

Ilse Paulina Verduzco-Navarro, Eduardo Mendizábal, José Antonio Rivera Mayorga et al.

The removal of arsenate ions from aqueous solutions at near-neutral pH was carried out using chitosan-magnetite (ChM) hydrogel beads in batch systems. Equilibrium isotherms and kinetic studies are reported. Obtained equilibrium and kinetic data were fitted to mathematical models, estimating model parameters by non-linear regression analysis. Langmuir model was found to best fit equilibrium data; a maximum adsorption capacity of 66.9 mg As/g was estimated at pH 7.0. Pseudo-first order kinetic model was observed to best fit kinetic data. The pH of the solution was observed to increase with increasing contact time, which is attributed to protonation of amine groups present in the hydrogel. Protonation of functional groups in the ChM sorbent yields a higher number of active sites for arsenate removal, being as this a process that can’t be overlooked in future applications of ChM hydrogel for the removal or arsenate ions. Chitosan-magnetite and ChM-arsenate interactions were determined by XPS. Arsenate removal using fixed-bed column packed with ChM was carried out, reporting a non-ideal behavior attributed to pH increase of the effluent caused by proton transfer to ChM hydrogels.

L. Marzullo, M. Turco, M. De Marco

BACKGROUND BAG3 was identified as a co-chaperone of the heat shock protein (Hsp) 70, which helps, through the binding to the ATPase domain, the ADP release from the chaperone and the nucleotide cycling. By interacting with Hsp70, BAG3 modulates the activities of this chaperone, including the delivery of client proteins to proteasome. BAG3 can also carry out Hsp70- independent functions, through its interactions with other proteins involved in apoptosis, cytoskeleton dynamics and other pathways. SCOPE OF REVIEW Here we provide a summary of the main mechanisms which encompass BAG3 as an intracellular factor involved in different pathways which regulate and modulate the physiological cell response. Furthermore, it has been shown that BAG3 can be secreted by some cell types and is able to activate the monocytes through the binding on a membrane cell receptor, indicating that the protein can act like an alarmin with different functions inside and outside the cell. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Whereas intracellularly BAG3 sustains the levels of anti-apoptotic factors and other molecules, participates in protein quality control, drives the cytoskeleton dynamics, exerts structural and functional roles in myocytes, the discovery of a secreted BAG3 opened a new field of investigation in tumor development and progression, revealing its role in a new signaling pathway, mediated by the BAG3/BAG3R axis, which also includes monocytes and other stromal cells. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE BAG3 is a multifunctional protein that is involved cell stress response through its participation in several regulatory pathways which control cell homeostatic response in physiological and pathological conditions.