Porcupine bezoars (PBs) are masses of undigested calcareous concretions formed within the gastrointestinal tract. There are undocumented claims that PBs have antioxidant activity and can treat cancers. However, limited scientific study has been carried out to verify these traditional claims. Hence, this study was conducted to characterize the chemical profile and validate the antioxidant and anticancer activity against melanoma cells (A375). PB extract was initially subjected to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GCMS), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) analyses. The bioautography of antioxidant assays, namely 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH), and β-carotene was performed. An in vitro A375 cell viability assay, apoptosis assay, cell cycle arrest assay, and gene expression assay were carried out as well. The experimental finding revealed 5,10-diethoxy-2,3,7,8-tetrahydro-1H,6H-dipyrrolo[1,2-a:1′,2′-d]pyrazine, ursodeoxycholic acid, and cholest-5-en-3-ol (3 beta)-, carbonochloridate are major compounds detected in PB extract. PB extract has low phenolic content, viz. 698.7 ± 0.93 (µg GAE/5 mg dry weight). The bioautography antioxidant assays revealed a potent antioxidant effect (ABTS > DPPH > β-carotene), with free radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, PB extract exhibited dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cancer activity on A375 cells due to the exhibition of apoptosis via an intrinsic pathway.

Dengue fever is caused by four common serotypes of the dengue virus (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). Patients infected with one serotype may develop lifelong serotype-specific protective immunity. However, they remain susceptible to reinfection with the other serotypes, often increasing the risk of severe forms of dengue. This cross-sectional study investigates the prevalence of the four dengue serotypes in patients who presented with dengue fever at Makkah hospitals between April 2023 and May 2024. Data were collected from the medical records of the Regional Laboratory in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The 238 positive dengue samples included 185 samples (77.73%) from male patients. The average age of the patients was 37.65 years (SD = 15.05). Dengue type 2 was the most common serotype, followed by type 1, type 3, and type 4. Most of the dengue patients were Saudi nationals, followed by Egyptians. There were 11 dengue-positive samples that were not diagnosed with any of the four dengue serotypes. Since Makkah receives numerous international travelers, these samples might contain novel dengue serotypes circulating in different parts of the world. This study underscores the need for the continuous monitoring of dengue serotypes to predict potential outbreaks and mitigate the risk of severe dengue in susceptible populations.

Background Both obesity and depression pose significant public health challenges. Understanding the age-gender differences in the BMI-depression associations is crucial, especially in the Saudi context, where cultural norms, lifestyle factors, and socio-economic conditions may significantly influence these associations. We aimed to explore and elucidate these associations in Saudi adults, considering age and gender as crucial factors. Methods The research utilized a cross-sectional web-based survey to examine the impact of age and gender on the associations between BMI and depression. The study included 4,683 Saudi adults aged 18–60 years. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, chronic illnesses, and self-reported height and weight to calculate BMI. Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), a self-reported scale, was used to evaluate depression, categorizing participants into depression and non-depression groups. A snowball convenience sampling was utilized, with clear inclusion and exclusion criteria established to mitigate potential biases. Data analysis was stratified by age and gender, and binary logistic regression was utilized to determine the associations between depression and BMI, incorporating odds ratios (ORs) in both crude and adjusted forms, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The prevalence of depression was found to be 43.3%, while 21% of participants were classified as obese. Notably, individuals in the depression group were significantly older, predominantly female, and more likely to reside in the Western and Southern regions of Saudi Arabia. They had lower family income, were more frequently non-smokers, had a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, and had higher BMI. Moreover, obese individuals had significantly higher depression scores (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, OR for depression was significantly higher among obese individuals (1.92 [1.56–3.36]). Stratified analysis by age and gender revealed higher ORs for depression among obese participants in older age and among women. Conclusion This study highlights a significant association between obesity and increased prevalence of depression, with notable age and gender differences in this association. The findings suggest that older adults and women, particularly those with obesity, are at a higher risk for depression. These insights emphasize the importance of tailoring public health strategies and mental health interventions to address the specific needs of these vulnerable groups in Saudi Arabia.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms, acquire genetic changes resistant to antimicrobial drugs, including antibiotics. Conventional techniques for combating AMR are expensive and time consuming, but Artificial intelligence (AI) is currently being developed that can rapidly scan through extensive chemical libraries and forecast possible antibacterial substances. The use of AI in medical research has significant promise, particularly in addressing multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections to battle AMR. Algorithms of AI monitors antibiotic usage, occurrences of diseases, and trends of resistance, thus influencing the development of novel drugs. Through AI, researchers can rapidly identify potential new drugs that could be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, saving valuable time in the development process. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI algorithms can also help to predict future trends in antibiotic resistance, allowing for proactive measures to be taken. With the ability to analyze data at a rapid pace, AI is revolutionizing the way researchers approach drug development, health risks and disease prevention. As technology continues to advance, the impact of AI in combating antimicrobial resistance becomes more significant. Overall, the integration of AI in medical research shows great potential in the ongoing battle against antimicrobial resistance. This review describes the application of AI to identify AMR markers, diagnosis in AMR, small molecule antibiotic development and also emphasizes emerging research domains, such as AMR detection and novel drug development, that contribute to the management of AMR.

Mobile phones have become part of everyday life with a potential risk for microbial transmission. Makkah is a mass gathering city that may act as hotspots of disease transmission. The contact between public and both visitors and pilgrims to Makkah can't be overlooked, and any small outbreak within the public can be transmitted rapidly to them. We aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of general population towards infection transmission via mobile phones in Makkah and different characteristics relevant to KAP scores. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted on general population in Makkah city using a snowballing sampling method. Participants answered questions about their KAP towards infection transmission via mobile phone. The overall KAP scores were graded as good, fair, and poor and explored against different population characteristics using suitable statistical methods. The study included 385 participants aged 15-64 years. About 88.8% owned personal mobile phone, 3.9% encountering a patient with infections transmitted via mobile phones, and 60.5% know nothing about potential role of mobile phones in infection transmission. Only 16.6% had good knowledge, 64.1% with positive attitudes, and 55.3% reported poor practices. The mean knowledge score was significantly higher among young adults (p = 0.002) and those with higher education (p = 0.005). Their mean attitude and practice scores were significantly higher among older adults (p < 0.001 and p = 0.015), female (p = 0.001 and p = 0.022), and those with higher education (p = 0.036 and p = 0.041) respectively. The overall public knowledge and practices towards the role of mobile phones in infection transmission in Makkah was below average though they have positive attitudes. Raising public awareness is important to decrease the possibility of cross-contamination via mobile phones and to develop adequate preventive strategies in a mass gathering setting like Makkah city.