In this work, ZnO, CrZnO, RuZnO, and BaZnO nanomaterials were synthesized and characterized in order to study their antibacterial activity. The agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays were used to determine the antibacterial activity of the fabricated nanomaterials against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Escherichia coli ATCC35218, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 7000603, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 278533. The well-diffusion test revealed significant antibacterial activity against all investigated bacteria when compared to vancomycin at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. The most susceptible bacteria to BaZnO, RuZnO, and CrZnO were Staphylococcus aureus (15.5 ± 0.5 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.2 ± 0.5 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.7 ± 0.5), respectively. The MIC values indicated that they were in the range of 0.02 to 0.2 mg/mL. The MBC values showed that the tested bacteria’s growth could be inhibited at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 mg/mL. According to the MBC/MIC ratio, BaZnO, RuZnO, and CrZnO exhibit bacteriostatic effects and may target bacterial protein synthesis based on the results of the tolerance test. This study shows the efficacy of the above-mentioned nanoparticles on bacterial growth. Further biotechnological and toxicological studies on the nanoparticles fabricated here are recommended to benefit from these findings.

Nucleotide sequences of the C . roseus SRA database were assembled and translated in order to detect putative universal stress proteins (USPs). Based on the known conserved USPA domain, 24 Pfam putative USPA proteins in C . roseus were detected and arranged in six architectures. The USPA-like domain was detected in all architectures, while the protein kinase-like (or PK-like), ^tyr PK-like and/or U-box domains are shown downstream it. Three other domains were also shown to coexist with the USPA domain in C . roseus putative USPA sequences. These domains are tetratricopeptide repeat (or TPR), apolipophorin III (or apoLp-III) and Hsp90 co-chaperone Cdc37. Subsequent analysis divided USPA-like domains based on the ability to bind ATP. The multiple sequence alignment indicated the occurrence of eight C . roseus residues of known features of the bacterial 1MJH secondary structure. The data of the phylogenetic tree indicated several distinct groups of USPA-like domains confirming the presence of high level of sequence conservation between the plant and bacterial USPA-like sequences.

The safety of meat has been at the forefront of societal concerns in recent years, and indications exist that challenges to meat safety will continue in the future. Major meat safety issues and related challenges include the need to control traditional and emerging pathogenic microorganisms, such as increased virulence and low infectious doses or resistance to antibiotics or food-related stresses. This study aimed to recognize microbial contamination and heavy metals content. Thirty-eight frozen and freshly prepared burger (local and imported) samples were collected from randomly selected supermarkets and fast-food restaurants in Jeddah. Yeasts/Molds had the highest count (204.3 CFU/mL) followed by total aerobic mesophiles (69.5 CFU/mL), total coliforms (16.2 CFU/mL) and Escherichia coli (10.0 CFU/mL). Salmonella species were positive in 39.5% of samples. Fresh burgers had more counts of TVC, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus. Amoxicillin-clavulanate and Ampicillin had a high frequency of resistance in the studied sample. None of the studied samples had detectable traces of heavy metals’ elements. This research provides valid data to protect consumers from different health risks related to burgers in Saudi Arabia.

Background/Objectives: Loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) activity is a frequent feature of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and epigenetic repression may contribute to its reduced expression. This study investigated the effects of 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) on PTEN, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), PTEN promoter methylation-specific amplification patterns, and miR-148a-3p expression in NSCLC models. Methods: Publicly available cancer-genomics datasets were analyzed to compare PTEN and DNMT1 transcript abundance and to assess the association between PTEN methylation and transcript abundance in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). A549 and H460 cells were exposed to 2.5 or 5 µM 5-aza-dC for 72 h. Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, methylation-specific PCR (MSP-PCR), and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were used to evaluate RNA expression, protein abundance, methylation-specific amplification, and metabolic activity, respectively. Results: Bioinformatic analyses showed lower PTEN and higher DNMT1 expression in both NSCLC subtypes, together with inverse associations between PTEN methylation and transcript abundance. In both cell lines, 5-aza-dC reduced MTT metabolic activity and DNMT1 expression. PTEN mRNA and protein abundance increased significantly at 5 µM, whereas no significant changes were detected at 2.5 µM. MSP-PCR revealed persistent heterogeneous PTEN methylation-specific amplification patterns without clear evidence of progressive promoter demethylation. miR-148a-3p exhibited a biphasic response in A549 cells but remained unchanged in H460 cells. Conclusions: These findings support an association between 5-aza-dC exposure, increased PTEN expression, and reduced DNMT1 expression in NSCLC cells. Quantitative methylation analysis and mechanistic validation are required to clarify the contribution of miR-148a-3p to this regulatory association.

Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that affect liver and kidneys. Newer treatments for MS were developed such as drug Ibudilast (IBD) and natural plants such as 6-Shogaols (Ginger components). The current study investigates the protective effects of IBD, 6-Shogaols, and their combination on the liver and kidneys of MS mice model. Methods: Thirty-five mice were used. The study duration was 9 weeks; 5 weeks for demyelination induction by Cuprizone (CPZ) followed by 4 weeks for remyelination. At demyelination, mice were assigned into; Control group (n = 10) and CPZ group (n = 25). The control group was fed a standard diet, while the CPZ group was fed 0.3% CPZ- mixed chow. At 5th weekend, 5 mice from control and CPZ euthanized. At remyelination, CPZ group is subdivided into: CPZ, IBD (10mg/kg/day), 6-Shogaol (25mg/kg/day), 6-Shogaol and IBD. Sera used for determined liver and kidney functions. Liver and kidneys examined under light microscopy. Same procedure follows at 9th weekend. Results: At 5th week, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), LDL-C increased, while albumin, proteins and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased in CPZ versus control. At 9th week, ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, VLDL-C decreased, while albumin, proteins, HDL-C increased in IBD, 6-Shogaols and their combination groups versus CPZ but were significantly changed versus control. CPZ induces histological changes in liver and kidney that improved partially after treatment. Conclusions: Cuprizone-induced liver and kidney injuries in MS mice. IBD, 6-Shogaols and their combination had partial protective effects against damage induced by CPZ.

The journal retracts the article, “Safety of Commercially Available Beef Burger in Saudi Arabia