Biofilms not only protect bacteria and Candida species from antibiotics, but they also promote the emergence of drug-resistant strains, making eradication more challenging. As a result, novel antimicrobial agents to counteract biofilm formation are desperately needed. In this study, Terminalia catappa leaf extract (TCE) was used to optimize the TCE-capped silver nanoparticles (TCE-AgNPs) via a one-pot single-step method. Varied concentrations of TCE have yielded different sized AgNPs. The physico-chemical characterization of TCE-AgNPs using UV-Vis, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy have confirmed the formation of nanostructures, their shape and size and plausible role of TCE bio-active compounds, most likely involved in the synthesis as well as stabilization of NPs, respectively. TCE-AgNPs have been tested for antibiofilm and antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Candida albicans using various microbiological protocols. TCE-Ag-NPs−3 significantly inhibits biofilm formation of MDR-PA, MRSA, and C. albicans by 73.7, 69.56, and 63.63%, respectively, at a concentration of 7.8 µg/mL, as determined by crystal violet microtiter assay. Furthermore, SEM micrograph shows that TCE-AgNPs significantly inhibit the colonization and adherence of biofilm forming cells; individual cells with loss of cell wall and membrane integrity were also observed, suggesting that the biofilm architecture and EPS matrix were severely damaged. Moreover, TEM and SEM images showed that TCE-AgNPs brutally damaged the cell wall and membranes of MDR-PA, MRSA, and C. albicans. Additionally, extreme ultrastructural changes such as deformation, disintegration, and separation of cell wall and membrane from the cells, have also been observed, indicating significant loss of membrane and cell wall integrity, which eventually led to cell death. Overall, the research revealed a simple, environmentally friendly, and low-cost method for producing colloidal TCE-AgNPs with promising applications in advanced clinical settings against broad-spectrum biofilm-forming antibiotic-resistant bacteria and candida strains.

The growing interest in health-promoting food options has highlighted the need to explore new sources with unique nutritional compositions. Plants are rich sources of bioactive compounds with biological effects. Urelytrum giganteum Pilg is a perennial wild tufted grass that grows in dry tropical African countries. Traditionally, it has been used to treat several diseases, however, up to date, no study has been done on this plant. This study analyzed the solvent extraction of Urelytrum giganteum Pilg, a perennial wild tufted grass in dry tropical African countries, to determine its proximate analysis, antioxidant potential, chemical composition, antimicrobial efficacy, and molecular docking. The Soxhlet extraction method was employed, and the obtained extracts were subjected to phytochemical evaluation, DPPH radical scavenging activity, a scavenging assay of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), disk diffusion evaluation and molecular docking studies. The phytochemicals identified included alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenolic substances, tannins, carbohydrates, terpenes, and C-glycosides. The ethanol extract showed the highest activity in terms of DPPH (70.2 μg/mL), H2O2 (60.7 μg/mL), and alpha glycosidase (72.3 μg/mL) activities and antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (17 mm). Most of the phytochemicals demonstrated notable inhibitory activity, with Stigmasterol showing the highest inhibition score. This underscores the potential of U. giganteum as a promising nominee for the pharmaceutical industry. The identified phytochemical and antioxidant compounds could be promising nutraceuticals or food additives for overall well-being.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become an increasingly valuable biologic approach for personalized regenerative medicine because of its potent anti-inflammatory/healing effects. It is thought to be an excellent source of growth factors that can promote tissue healing and lessen fibrosis. Although this treatment has demonstrated effectiveness in numerous disease areas, its impact on pulmonary fibrosis (PF) caused by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) via its antiapoptotic effects remains to be explored. AgNPs were synthesized biologically by Bacillus megaterium ATCC 55000. AgNP characterization was carried out via UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging to reveal monodispersed spheres with a mean diameter of 45.17 nm. A total of 48 male Wistar rats divided into six groups, with 8 rats per group, were used in the current study on the basis of sample size and power. The groups used were the PRP donor, control, AgNP, AgNP + PRP, AgNP + dexamethasone (Dexa) rat groups, and a recovery group. Body weights, hydroxyproline (HP) levels, and CASP3 and TWIST1 gene expression levels were assessed. H&E and Sirius Red staining were performed. Immunohistochemical studies for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68) with histomorphometry were conducted. A significant reduction in body weight (BWt) was noted in the AgNP group compared with the AgNP + PRP group (p < 0.001). HP, CASP3, and TWIST1 expression levels were significantly increased by AgNPs but decreased upon PRP (p < 0.001) treatment. Compared with those in the control group, the adverse effects of AgNPs included PF, lung alveolar collapse, thickening of the interalveolar septa, widespread lymphocytic infiltration, increased alveolar macrophage CD68 expression, and iNOS positivity in the cells lining the alveoli. This work revealed that PRP treatment markedly improved the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings observed in the AgNP group in a manner comparable to that of the Dexa. In conclusion, these results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of PRP in a PF rat model induced via AgNPs. This study revealed that PRP treatment significantly improved the histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations observed in the AgNP-induced group, with effects comparable to those of the Dexa. In conclusion, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of PRP in a rat model of AgNP-induced PF.

The current research aimed at developing 21st century skills among science teacher students in University College in Qunfudah, Umm Al Qura University in KSA, through suggesting a new program. The research consisted of two basic components, the diagnostic study, and the experimental study. The diagnostic study of the current state of the 21st century skills was carried out by determining its level, and the students` self – concept of these skills among a group of (200) students. The experimental study was conducted on (54) students. Results showed the lack of 21st century skills among prospected science teachers, and also the lack of self- concepts of it. Results showed the effectiveness of the suggested program in developing 21st century skills and supporting the self – concept of it among science teacher students. The research applies important applications for developing science education in general and enhancing the 21st century skills in particular.

The Saudi Arabian Red Sea has been a focus of ongoing scientific exploration due to its extensive, largely untapped marine biodiversity, particularly marine sponges. Marine sponges have long been recognised as a valuable source of unique compounds. In this study, we isolated a new brominated compound (1) from the marine sponge Aiolochroia crassa, collected from the Saudi Arabian Sea, using chromatographic analyses. Molecular networking analysis revealed the presence of brominated molecules in the extract. The identified compound belongs to a class of phosphatidylcholine derivatives. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution ESI-Q-TOF mass spectrometry. Further structure confirmation studies were performed using MS/MS fragmentation analysis and DFT calculations for the ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts. This is the first report of 1 from this species of marine sponges.