WAQAS AHMAD

Mr. WAQAS AHMAD

pharmacy, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
1 December 2023 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JAJawad Ali
Jawad Ali
AKAmjad Khan
Amjad Khan
JPJun Sung Park
Jun Sung Park
MTMuhammad Tahir
Muhammad Tahir
WAWAQAS AHMAD
WAQAS AHMAD
MKMyeng Ok Kim
Myeng Ok Kim
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that involves the deposition of β-amyloid plaques and the clinical symptoms of confusion, memory loss, and cognitive dysfunction. Despite enormous progress in the field, no curative treatment is available. Therefore, the current study was designed to determine the neuroprotective effects of N-methyl-(2S, 4R)-Trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (NMP) obtained from Sideroxylon obtusifolium, a Brazilian folk medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Here, for the first time, we explored the neuroprotective role of NMP in the Aβ1–42-injected mouse model of AD. After acclimatization, a single intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ1–42 (5 µL/5 min/mouse) in C57BL/6N mice induced significant amyloidogenesis, reactive gliosis, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and synaptic and memory deficits. However, an intraperitoneal injection of NMP at a dose of (50 mg/kg/day) for three consecutive weeks remarkably decreased beta secretase1 (BACE-1) and Aβ, activated the astrocyte and microglia expression level as well as downstream inflammatory mediators such as pNF-ĸB, TNF-α, and IL-1β. NPM also strongly attenuated oxidative stress, as evaluated by the expression level of NRF2/HO-1, and synaptic failure, by improving the level of both the presynaptic (SNAP-25 and SYN) and postsynaptic (PSD-95 and SNAP-23) regions of the synapses in the cortexes and hippocampi of the Aβ1–42-injected mice, contributing to cognitive improvement in AD and improving the behavioral deficits displayed in the Morris water maze and Y-maze. Overall, our data suggest that NMP provides potent multifactorial effects, including the inhibition of amyloid plaques, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and cognitive deficits.

14 November 2022 in Microorganisms
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DBDongryeoul Bae
Dongryeoul Bae
DMDonah Mary Macoy
Donah Mary Macoy
WAWAQAS AHMAD
WAQAS AHMAD
SPSon Peseth
Son Peseth
BKBinn Kim
Binn Kim
MKMin Gab Kim
Min Gab Kim
The emergence of antibiotic resistance in foodborne pathogens isolated from meat pro-ducts and their producing environment has been an increasing and leading threat to public health. The aim of the study was to identify pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance isolated from pig production to pork meat distribution phases. Through this study, food spoilage and foodborne or clinical pathogenic bacteria were isolated and identified from pork (belly and neck) meat product and its related environmental samples that include pig swabs, diets, feces, liquid manure, workers’ gloves, dust fan swabs, carcass swabs, floor swabs, and drain water in the affiliated farm, slaughterhouse, meat processing plant, and in retail stores. All carcasses at the slaughterhouse and meat products at the meat processing plant were tracked from pigs at a targeted farm. Nine different selective media agars were used to effectively isolate various pathogenic bacteria. A total of 283 presumptive pathogenic bacteria isolated from 126 samples were selected and identified using MALDI-ToF MS. Twenty-three important foodborne pathogens were identified, and some of them, Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Yersinia enterocolitica, were further confirmed using PCR. The PFGE patterns of 12 STEC isolates were grouped by sample source or site. All the foodborne pathogens used in the study were not resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanate, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin, whereas some of the STEC, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus isolates were resistant to various antibiotics, including ampicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and vancomycin. The most common antimicrobial resistance pattern in the pathogenic STEC isolates was AMP-KAN-STR-SXT-TET. Consequently, this study provides valuable information for the distribution of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens along the pork meat production chain and can assist farmers and stakeholders to develop a systematic strategy for reducing the current emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in the different phases of pig production and distribution.