Preparation, process optimisation, stability and bacteriostatic assessment of composite nanoemulsion containing corosolic acid.

Corosolic acid (CA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid, exhibits remarkably low hydrophilicity, restricting its application in aqueous systems. To enhance its hydrophilicity, we optimised nanoemulsion preparation conditions, resulting in a stable corosolic acid nanoemulsion system. By screening the oil phase, surfactant, and cosurfactant, along with investigating the mass ratio of surfactant and cosurfactant and the preparation temperature, we achieved an optimal corosolic acid nanoemulsion. We measured the particle size, polydispersity coefficient, and Zeta potential of the optimised formulation. The nanoemulsion's sustained-release effect, stability, and antibacterial activity were subsequently examined. The optimised formulation comprised ethyl oleate, cremophor EL, and Tween 80 (1.5:1), combined with ethanol in a ratio of 1:9:2.25 (w/w/w), and was prepared at 30 °C. This optimised corosolic acid nanoemulsion exhibited uniform particle size distribution, favourable dispersion, and notable slow-release capabilities. Importantly, the nanoemulsion demonstrated exceptional stability. In comparison to the positive control's bacteriostatic zone diameter, it was evident that the CA nanoemulsion (1.06 ± 0.11 mm) and blank nanoemulsion (1.03 ± 0.05 mm) both displayed notable inhibitory activity against S. aureus. Our findings established a solid foundation for the potential application of CA nanoemulsion in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. However, the application of CA nanoemulsion in real food or drug systems has not been explored yet.

A Convenient Synthesis of Short α-/ß-Mixed Peptides as Potential α-Amylase Inhibitors.

Over the last decades, the increased incidence of metabolic disorders, such as type two diabetes and obesity, has motivated researchers to investigate new enzyme inhibitors. Inhibition of the α-amylase enzyme is one therapeutic approach in lowering glucose levels in the blood to manage diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to synthesize short α-/ß-mixed peptides in the solution phase. The Boc-protected α-L-leucine was converted to ß-analogue by using Arndt-Eistert synthesis with the advantage of no racemization and retention of configuration. Three novel short peptides were successfully synthesized: N(Boc)-Gly-ß-Leu-OCH3(14), N(Boc)-O(Bz)α-Ser-ß-Leu-OCH3(16), and N(Boc)-O(Bz)-α-Tyr-α-Gly-ß-Leu-OCH3(17), characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR analysis. The synthesized peptide 16 showed highest inhibitory activity (45.22%) followed by peptide 14 (18.51%) and peptide 17 (17.05%), respectively. Intriguingly, peptide 16 showed higher inhibition on α-amylase compared with other α-/ß-mixed peptides.

The proximate composition of vegetables enriched by incorporation of municipal solid waste into fertilizers and its impacts on environment and human health.

The recent over production of municipal solid waste (MSW) poses a significant threat to both the ecosystem and human health. Utilizing MSW for agricultural purposes has emerged as a promising strategy to reduce solid waste disposal while simultaneously increasing soil fertility. To explore this potential solution further, an experiment was designed to assess the impact of varying concentrations of MSW (25%, 50%, and 75%) on the proximate composition of 15 different vegetable species. The experiment, conducted between 2018 and 2019, involved treating soil with different levels of solid waste and analyzing the proximate components, such as crude protein, dry matter, crude fiber, crude fat, and moisture content, in the 15 selected crops. The results indicate that the application of 25% MSW significantly increased the levels of crude protein, crude fiber, dry matter, and fat in Spinacia oleracea, Solanum tuberosum, Solanum melongena, and Abelmoschus esculentus. Conversely, the addition of 75% MSW notably elevated the moisture and ash content in Cucumis sativus. Correlation and scatter matrix analyses were conducted to elucidate the relationships between the protein, fiber, dry matter, ash, and fat contents. Principal component analysis and clustering confirmed the substantial impact of Treatment_1 (25% MSW) and Treatment_3 (75% MSW) on the proximate composition of the aforementioned vegetables, leading to their categorization into distinct groups. Our study highlights the efficacy of using 25% MSW to enhance the proximate composition and nutritional value of vegetables. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to investigate the mineral, antioxidant, vitamin, and heavy metal contents in the soil over an extended period of MSW application.

FeONPs alleviate cadmium toxicity in Solanum melongena through improved morpho-anatomical and physiological attributes, along with oxidative stress and antioxidant defense regulations.

In this study, various constraints of Cd toxicity on growth, morpho-anatomical characters along with physiological and biochemical metabolic processes of Solanum melongena L. plants were analyzed. Conversely, ameliorative role of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) was examined against Cd stress. For this purpose, the following treatments were applied in completely randomized fashion; 3 mM CdCl2 solution applied with irrigation water, 40 and 80 ppm solutions of FeONPs applied via foliar spray. Regarding the results, Cd caused oxidative damage to plants' photosynthetic machinery, resulting in elevated levels of stress-markers like malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolytic leakage (EL) along with slight increase in antioxidants activities, including glutathione (GsH), ascorbate (AsA), catalases (CAT), peroxidases (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidases (APX). Also, high Cd level in plants disturb ions homeostasis and reduced essential minerals uptake, including Ca and K. This ultimately reduced growth and development of S. melongena plants. In contrast, FeONPs supplementations improved antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic) defenses which in turn limited ROS generation and lowered the oxidative damage to photosynthetic machinery. Furthermore, it maintained ionic balance resulting in enhanced uptake of Ca and K nutrients which are necessary for photosynthesis, hence also improved photosynthesis rate of S. melongena plants. Overall, FeONPs foliar spray effectively mitigated Cd toxicity imposed on S. melongena plants.

Identifying key genes against rutin on human colorectal cancer cells via ROS pathway by integrated bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant global health challenge, characterized by substantial prevalence variations across regions. This study delves into the therapeutic potential of rutin, a polyphenol abundant in fruits, for treating CRC. The primary objectives encompass identifying molecular targets and pathways influenced by rutin through an integrated approach combining bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation. Employing Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), the study focused on identifying potential differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with CRC, specifically those involved in regulating reactive oxygen species, metabolic reprogramming, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. Utilizing diverse databases such as GEO2R, CTD, and Gene Cards, the investigation revealed a set of 16 targets. A pharmacological network analysis was subsequently conducted using STITCH and Cytoscape, pinpointing six highly upregulated genes within the rutin network, including TP53, PCNA, CDK4, CCNEB1, CDKN1A, and LDHA. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis predicted functional categories, shedding light on rutin's potential impact on antioxidant properties. KEGG pathway analysis enriched crucial pathways like metabolic and ROS signaling pathways, HIF1a, and mTOR signaling. Diagnostic assessments were performed using UALCAN and GEPIA databases, evaluating mRNA expression levels and overall survival for the identified targets. Molecular docking studies confirmed robust binding associations between rutin and biomolecules such as TP53, PCNA, CDK4, CCNEB1, CDKN1A, and LDHA. Experimental validation included inhibiting colorectal cell HT-29 growth and promoting cell growth with NAC through MTT assay. Flow cytometric analysis also observed rutin-induced G1 phase arrest and cell death in HT-29 cells. RT-PCR demonstrated reduced expression levels of target biomolecules in HT-29 cells treated with rutin. This comprehensive study underscores rutin's potential as a promising therapeutic avenue for CRC, combining computational insights with robust experimental evidence to provide a holistic understanding of its efficacy.

Foliar application of salicylic acid improved morpho-anatomical features of potato by irrigating with wastewater.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of using drain water as a source of irrigation and its effects along with salicylic acid on morphological, anatomical, physico-chemical as well as yield attributes of potato. For this study, potato tubers were grown in pots and irrigated with different concentrations of drain water. Salicylic acid treatments vis. 0, 0.5 and 1.0 mM were applied foliarly. Pre- and post-harvest analysis was carried out to determine different attributes of soil, water and plants after 60 days. RESULTS: The growth of potato plant was increased as the concentration of SA increased through increasing shoot length, fresh/dry weight and tuber number/plant. In this research work, plant respond to overcome metal stresses by up regulating antioxidant defense system such as, peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) by application of highest treatment of SA when irrigated with 6% drain water. Plants accumulated the highest concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Pb in the leaves when treated with 1 mM of SA, compared to other plant parts. It was observed that photosynthetic pigment enhanced in 6% drain water treated plants when applied with 1mM SA as compared to control. An increase in epidermis and cortical cell thickness, as well as stomatal closure, was observed, helping to maintain water loss under stress conditions. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, it can be suggested that SA is potent signaling molecule can play an essential role in maintaining potato growth when irrigated with drain water containing heavy metals through stimulating metal up take and up regulation of antioxidant enzymes.

Application of CuNPs and AMF alleviates arsenic stress by encompassing reduced arsenic uptake through metabolomics and ionomics alterations in Elymus sibiricus.

Recent studies have exhibited a very promising role of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) in mitigation of abiotic stresses in plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) assisted plants to trigger their defense mechanism against abiotic stresses. Arsenic (As) is a non-essential and injurious heavy-metal contaminant. Current research work was designed to elucidate role of CuNPs (100, 200 and 300 mM) and a commercial inoculum of Glomus species (Clonex® Root Maximizer) either alone or in combination (CuNPs + Clonex) on physiology, growth, and stress alleviation mechanisms of E. sibiricus growing in As spiked soils (0, 50, and 100 mg Kg- 1 soil). Arsenic induced oxidative stress, enhanced biosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and methylglyoxal (MG) in E. sibiricus. Moreover, As-phytotoxicity reduced photosynthetic activities and growth of plants. Results showed that individual and combined treatments, CuNPs (100 mM) as well as soil inoculation of AMF significantly enhanced root growth and shoot growth by declining As content in root tissues and shoot tissues in As polluted soils. E. sibiricus plants treated with CuNPs (100 mM) and/or AMF alleviated As induced phytotoxicity through upregulating the activity of antioxidative enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) besides the biosynthesis of non-enzymatic antioxidants including phytochelatin (PC) and glutathione (GSH). In brief, supplementation of CuNPs (100 mM) alone or in combination with AMF reduced As uptake and alleviated the As-phytotoxicity in E. sibiricus by inducing stress tolerance mechanism resulting in the improvement of the plant growth parameters.

Unveiling the mysteries: Functional insights into hypothetical proteins from Bacteroides fragilis 638R.

Humans benefit from a vast community of microorganisms in their gastrointestinal tract, known as the gut microbiota, numbering in the tens of trillions. An imbalance in the gut microbiota known as dysbiosis, can lead to changes in the metabolite profile, elevating the levels of toxins like Bacteroides fragilis toxin (BFT), colibactin, and cytolethal distending toxin. These toxins are implicated in the process of oncogenesis. However, a significant portion of the Bacteroides fragilis genome consists of functionally uncharacterized and hypothetical proteins. This study delves into the functional characterization of hypothetical proteins (HPs) encoded by the Bacteroides fragilis genome, employing a systematic in silico approach. A total of 379 HPs were subjected to a BlastP homology search against the NCBI non-redundant protein sequence database, resulting in 162 HPs devoid of identity to known proteins. CDD-Blast identified 106 HPs with functional domains, which were then annotated using Pfam, InterPro, SUPERFAMILY, SCANPROSITE, SMART, and CATH. Physicochemical properties, such as molecular weight, isoelectric point, and stability indices, were assessed for 60 HPs whose functional domains were identified by at least three of the aforementioned bioinformatic tools. Subsequently, subcellular localization analysis was examined and the gene ontology analysis revealed diverse biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. Remarkably, E1WPR3 was identified as a virulent and essential gene among the HPs. This study presents a comprehensive exploration of B. fragilis HPs, shedding light on their potential roles and contributing to a deeper understanding of this organism's functional landscape.

Accumulation and translocation of lead in vegetables through intensive use of organic manure and mineral fertilizers with wastewater.

In many countries with wastewater irrigation and intensive use of fertilizers (minerals and organics), heavy metal deposition by crops is regarded as a major environmental concern. A study was conducted to determine the impact of mineral fertilizers, cow manure, poultry manure, leaf litter, and sugarcane bagasse on soil's trace Pb content and edible parts of vegetables. It also evaluated the risk of lead (Pb) contamination in water, soil, and food crops. Six vegetables (Daucus carota, Brassica oleracea, Pisum sativum, Solanum tuberosum, Raphanus sativus, and Spinacia oleracea) were grown in the field under twelve treatments with different nutrient and water inputs. The lead concentrations in soil, vegetables for all treatments and water samples ranged from 1.038-10.478, 0.09346-9.0639 mg/kg and 0.036-0.26448 mg/L, The concentration of lead in soil treated with wastewater in treatment (T6) and vegetable samples was significantly higher, exceeding the WHO's permitted limit. Mineral and organic fertilizers combined with wastewater treatment reduced lead (Pb) concentrations in vegetables compared to wastewater application without organic fertilizers. Health risk indexes for all treatments except wastewater treatment (T6) were less than one. Pb concentrations in mineral fertilizers, cow manure, poultry manure, leaf litter, and sugarcane bagasse treated were determined to pose no possible risk to consumers.

Study of medicinal plants used in ethnoveterinary medical system in riverine areas of Punjab, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: The use of medicinal plants to treat various veterinary illnesses has been practiced for millennia in many civilizations. Punjab is home to a diverse ethnic community, the majority of whom work in dairy farming, agriculture, and allied professions and have indigenous practices of treating animal illnesses using native flora. This study was designed to (1) document and preserve information about the applications of medicinal plant species in ethnoveterinary remedies among inhabitants of Punjab, Pakistan, and (2) identify popular plants for disease treatment by quantitative analysis of the obtained data and to assess the pharmacological relevance of these species. METHODS: To collect data from informants (N = 279), questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used. The ethnoveterinary data were analyzed using principal component analysis, relative frequency citation, fidelity level, relative popularity level, and rank order priority. RESULTS: A total of 114 plant species utilized in the ethnoveterinary medicinal system were found, which were divided into 56 families and used to treat 16 different illnesses. The Poaceae family, with 16 species, was the most common in the region. The most commonly employed growth form in herbal preparation was herb (49%). The most used part in ethnoveterinary remedies was leaves (35%), while powder was the most commonly used way for preparing ethnoveterinary remedies (51 applications). According to principal component analysis, the most typically used species in the research region were grasses. Five grasses (Arundo donax, Desmostachya bipinnata, Eleusine indica, Hordeum vulgare, and Pennisetum glaucum) showed a 100% FL value when used to treat diuretics, helminthiasis, digestive problems, fever, cough, worm infestation, indigestion, galactagogue, oral infections, and genital prolapse. The maximum value of disease cured level (DCL%) was recorded at 87.6% for endo- and ecto-parasitic ailments in the study area. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that medicinal plants play an important part in satisfying farmers' animal healthcare demands, making it a feasible practice. The study also provides a wealth of knowledge regarding ethnoveterinary methods for further planning and application, providing an option for farmers who cannot afford allopathic therapy.

Identification, prioritization, and evaluation of RlpA protein as a target against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

According to the World Health Organization, infectious diseases, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR), are projected to claim the lives of 15 million people by 2050. Septicemia carries a higher morbidity and mortality rate than infections caused by susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and MDR-mediated ocular infections can lead to impaired vision and blindness. To identify and develop a potential drug against MDR P. aeruginosa, we employed in silico reverse genetics-based target mining, drug prioritization, and evaluation. Rare Lipoprotein A (RlpA) was selected as the target protein, and its crystal structure was geometrically optimized. Molecular docking and virtual screening analyses revealed that RlpA exhibits strong binding affinity with 11 compounds. Among these, 3-chlorophthalic acid was evaluated, and subsequent in vitro assays demonstrated significant anti-Pseudomonas activity with negligible cytotoxicity. The compound was further evaluated against both drug-susceptible and MDR P. aeruginosa strains in vitro, with cytotoxicity assessed using an MTT assay. The study demonstrated that 3-chlorophthalic acid exhibits potent anti-Pseudomonas activity with minimal toxicity to host cells. Consequently, this compound emerges as a promising candidate against MDR P. aeruginosa, warranting further investigation.

Unveiling the ocular battlefield: Insights into Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors and their implications for multidrug resistance.

The research investigates the virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a pathogen known for its ability to cause human infections by releasing various exoenzymes and virulence factors. Particularly relevant in ocular infections, where tissue degeneration can occur, even after bacterial growth has ceased due to the potential role of secreted proteins/enzymes. Clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, both ocular (146) and non-ocular (54), were examined to determine the frequency and mechanism of virulence factors. Phenotypic characterization revealed the production of alginate, biofilm, phospholipase C, and alkaline protease, while genotypic testing using internal uniplex PCR identified the presence of Exo U, S, T, Y, and LasB genes. Results showed a significant prevalence of Exo U and Y genes in ocular isolates, a finding unique to Indian studies. Additionally, the study noted that ocular isolates often contained all four secretomes, suggesting a potential link between these factors and ocular infections. These findings contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa infections, particularly in ocular contexts, and highlights the importance of comprehensive virulence factor analysis in clinical settings.

A reaction based carbazole-indolium conjugate probe for the selective detection of environmentally toxic ions.

A nucleophilic addition based chemodosimeter was designed and synthesized with a carbazole donor and an indole acceptor. The addition of a cyanide ion to an electron-deficient indole moiety disrupts the acceptor-donor relationship, resulting in noticeable color shifts and spectrum differences in both the absorption and emission profiles. The design has a D-π-A molecular arrangement. Selectivity was investigated in 90% aqueous DMSO solution of probe CI with various anions such as SCN-, PF6-, NO3-, N3-, I-, HSO4-, CN-, H2PO4-, F-, HS-, ClO4-, Cl-, Br-, and AcO-. An intermolecular charge transfer (ICT) band at 506 nm in the UV-visible spectra vanished and the intensity of emission was quenched at 624 nm upon the addition of CN- ions. These outcomes demonstrate the effective nucleophilic addition of cyanide ions to the electron-deficient indole moiety of the probe, resulting in the formation of a new adduct in which the ICT transition is interrupted when π conjugation is blocked. The Job plot, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and HRMS analysis confirmed the formation of a new product. An outstanding response was shown by paper test strips made using probe molecules for the easy detection of cyanide ions in aqueous solutions. Besides, the probe selectively senses cyanide ions in different water samples.

Ectomycorrhiza and ethylenediurea reduced the impact of high nitrogen and ozone stresses and increased the growth of Cedrus deodara.

Cedrus deodara is the central conifer plant affected by ozone and nitrogen pollutants among forest species worldwide. The growth of C. deodara depends upon the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) association, which is usually disturbed by these factors. This study aims to understand how these factors affect plants at physiological and biochemical levels. Three fungal strain consortiums were inoculated with two-year-old C. deodara seedlings. The stresses of 100 kg N h-1and 100 ppb O3 were applied for six months to study their impact on chlorophyll and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and APX). The results showed that C2 (Consortium of Cedrus deodara) positively impacted the growth of selected plant species. The high photosynthesis rate was determined by enhanced chlorophyll content, and C2-treated plants showed high chlorophyll content. Relatively, chlorophyll a and b contents increased significantly in the seedlings treated with Ethylenediurea (EDU) alone and with ozone stress. In addition, a significant difference was observed between EDU and O3-treated plants (14% EDU400-O3 and 23% EDU600-O3) and the control. Overall, antioxidant activities were higher in the treated samples than in the control. The order of SOD activity was C2 (448 U/gFW) and lowest (354.7 U/gFW) in control. APX also showed higher activity in treated plants in C1 ≥ C2 ≥ C3+O3, whereas CAT activity was the highest in C2 treatments. Ozone and nitrogen-stressed plants showed higher activities than EDU-treated plants compared to non-treated ones. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the signaling effects of numerous precursors. Moreover, an extended investigation of seedlings developing into trees must be conducted to verify the potential of ectomycorrhizal strains associated with C. deodara and comprehend EDU's role as a direct molecular scavenger of reactive toxicants.

Alleviation potential of green-synthesized selenium nanoparticles for cadmium stress in Solanum lycopersicum L: modulation of secondary metabolites and physiochemical attributes.

KEY MESSAGE: Selenium nanoparticles reduce cadmium absorption in tomato roots, mitigating heavy metal effects. SeNPs can efficiently help to enhance growth, yield, and biomolecule markers in cadmium-stressed tomato plants. In the present study, the effects of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were investigated on the tomato plants grown in cadmium-contaminated soil. Nanoparticles were synthesized using water extract of Nigella sativa and were characterized for their size and shape. Two application methods (foliar spray and soil drench) with nanoparticle concentrations of 0, 100, and 300 mg/L were used to observe their effects on cadmium-stressed plants. Growth, yield, biochemical, and stress parameters were studied. Results showed that SeNPs positively affected plant growth, mitigating the negative effects of cadmium stress. Shoot length (SL), root length (RL), number of branches (NB), number of leaves per plant (NL), and leaf area (LA) were significantly reduced by cadmium stress but enhanced by 45, 51, 506, 208, and 82%, respectively, by soil drench treatment of SeNPs. Similarly, SeNPs increased the fruit yield (> 100%) and fruit weight (> 100%), and decreased the days to fruit initiation in tomato plants. Pigments were also positively affected by the SeNPs, particularly in foliar treatment. Lycopene content was also enhanced by the addition of NPs (75%). Furthermore, the addition of SeNPs improved the ascorbic acid, protein, phenolic, flavonoid, and proline contents of the tomato plants under cadmium stress, whereas stress enzymes also showed enhanced activities under cadmium stress. It is concluded from the present study that the addition of selenium nanoparticles enhanced the growth and yield of Cd-stressed plants by reducing the absorption of cadmium and increasing the stress management of plants.

The Glycine soja cytochrome P450 gene GsCYP82C4 confers alkaline tolerance by promoting reactive oxygen species scavenging.

Recent studies have demonstrated the crucial role of Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) in the production of secondary metabolites, phytohormones and antioxidants in plants. However, their functional characterization specifically under alkaline stress remains elusive. CYP82C4 was the key gene screened from a family of wild soybean CYPs in our previous studies. The aim of this present study was to clone the Glycine soja GsCYP82C4 gene and characterize its functions in Arabidopsis and Glycine max. The results showed that the GsCYP82C4 gene displayed a high expression in different plant tissues at mature stages compared to young stages. Further, higher temporal expression of the GsCYP82C4 gene was noted at 6, 12 and 24 h time points after alkali treatment in leaves compared to roots. In addition, overexpression of GsCYP82C4 improved alkaline stress tolerance in Arabidopsis via increased root lengths and fresh biomass and strengthened the antioxidant defense system via a reduction in superoxide radicals in transgenic lines compared to wild type (WT) and atcyp82c4 mutants. Further, the expression levels of stress-related marker genes were up-regulated in GsCYP82C4 OX lines under alkali stress. The functional analysis of GsCYP82C4 overexpression in soybean displayed better hairy root growth, increased fresh weight, higher antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced lipid peroxidation rates in OX lines compared to the soybean WT (K599) line. In total, our study displayed positive roles of GsCYP82C4 overexpression in both Arabidopsis and Glycine max to alleviate alkaline stress via altering expression abundance of stress responsive genes, stronger roots, higher antioxidant enzyme activities as well as reduced rates of lipid peroxidation and superoxide radicals.

Molecular analysis to identify novel potential biomarkers as drug targets in colorectal cancer therapy: an integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease that requires new diagnostic and prognostic markers. Integrated bioinformatics approach to identify novel therapeutic targets associated with CRC. Using GEO2R identified DEGs in CRC, and Funrich software facilitated the visualization of DEGs through Venn diagrams. From a total of 114 enhanced DEGs, potential hub genes were further filtered based on their nodal strength and edges using STRING database. To gain insights into the functional roles of these hub genes, gene ontology and pathway enrichment were conducted thorough g: profiler web server. Subsequently, overall survival plots from GEPIA and oncogenic predictive functions like mRNA expressions for stages and nodal metastasis were employed to identify hub genes in CRC patient samples. Additionally, the cBioPortal and HPA databases also revealed genetic alterations and expression levels in these hub genes in CRC patients, further supporting their involvement in colorectal cancer. Gene expression by RT-PCR shows upregulation of hub genes in HT-29 cells. Finally, our integrated bioinformatic analysis revealed that ABCE1, AURKA, HSPD1, PHKA1, CDK4, and YWHAE as hub genes with potential oncogenic roles in CRC. These genes hold promise as diagnostic and prognostic markers for colorectal tumorigenesis, providing insights into targeted therapies for improved patient outcomes.

Synthesis of a New Series of Anthraquinone-Linked Cyclopentanone Derivatives: Investigating the Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Cytotoxic and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities of the Mushroom Tyrosinase Enzyme Using Molecular Docking.

Purpose: New bioactive anthraquinone derivatives are investigated for antibacterial, tyrosinase inhibitory, antioxidant cytotoxic activity, and molecular docking. Methods: The compounds were produced using the grindstone method, yielding 69 to 89%. These compounds were analyzed using IR, 1H, and 13C NMR and elemental and mass spectral methods. Additionally, the antibacterial, antioxidant, and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of all the synthesised compounds were evaluated. Results: Compound 2 showed remarkable tyrosinase inhibition activity, with an (IC50: 13.45 µg/mL), compared to kojic acid (IC50: 19.40 µg/mL). It also exhibited moderate antioxidant and antibacterial activities with respect to the references BHT and ampicillin, respectively. Kinetic analysis revealed that the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of compound 2 was non-competitive and competitive, whereas that of compound 1 was low. All compounds (1-8) were significantly less active than doxorubicin (LC50: 0.74±0.01µg/mL). However, compound 2 affinity for the 2Y9X protein was lower than kojic acid, with a lower docking score (-8.6 kcal/mol compared to (-4.7 kcal/mol), making it more effective. Conclusion: All synthesized compounds displayed remarkable antibacterial, tyrosinase inhibitory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities, with compound 2 showing exceptional potency as a multitarget agent. Anthraquinone substituent groups may offer the potential for the development of treatments. The derivatives were synthesized using the grindstone method, and their antibacterial, antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitory, and cytotoxic activities were inspected. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed using compound 2 and kojic acid to validate the results and confirm the stability of the compounds.

Gauging the Awareness of Physicians in Saudi Arabia Regarding Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer.

Background The prevalence of obesity and thyroid cancer (TC) is increasing worldwide, and obesity is a risk factor for TC. Objectives This study aimed to elucidate physicians' awareness of obesity as a risk factor for TC. Materials and methods A cross-sectional, self-report online questionnaire was distributed to physicians in all regions of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic data and questions concerning the risk factors for TC, including obesity. Results A total of 310 physicians participated in this study. Of the respondents, 35.8% (n = 111) were aged 30-40 years, 40.6% (n = 126) were board certified, and 52.3% (n = 162) had >10 years of experience. Only 36.8% (n = 114) of respondents were familiar with the relationship between obesity and TC risk (P < 0.001). In terms of knowledge of obesity as a risk factor for TC, a significant difference was observed for the following sociodemographic characteristics: sex, educational attainment, and years of experience. A significant difference was also observed with awareness of other risk factors for TC. Conclusions In light of the limited awareness of the correlation between obesity and TC, the most effective approach to address these misconceptions would be to implement diverse and ongoing medical education initiatives.