The study was designed to evaluate the phenolic, flavonoid contents and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of onion (Allium cepa), garlic (Allium sativum), mint (Mentha spicata), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), oak (Quercus), aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller), and ginger (Zingiber officinale). All extracts showed a wide range of total phenolic contents, that is, 4.96 to 98.37 mg/100 g gallic acid equivalents, and total flavonoid contents, that is, 0.41 to 17.64 mg/100 g catechin equivalents. Antioxidant activity (AA) was determined by measuring reducing power, inhibition of peroxidation using linoleic acid system, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity. Different extracts inhibited oxidation of linoleic acid by 16.6–84.2% while DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ values) ranged from 17.8% to 79.1 μg/mL. Reducing power at 10 mg/mL extract concentration ranged from 0.11 to 0.84 nm. Furthermore the extracts of these medicinal herbs in 80% methanol, 80% ethanol, 80% acetone, and 100% water were screened for antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion method against selected bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pasteurella multocida, and fungal strains, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus solani, and Alternaria alternata. The extracts show better antimicrobial activity against bacterial strains as compared to fungal strains. Results of various assays were analyzed statistically by applying appropriate statistical methods.

Cardiovascular diseases are considered one of the major causes of human death globally. Myocardial infarction (MI), characterized by a diminished flow of blood to the heart, presents the highest rate of morbidity and mortality among all other cardiovascular diseases. These fatal effects have triggered the need for early diagnosis of appropriate biomarkers so that countermeasures can be taken. Cardiac troponin, the central key element of muscle regulation and contraction, is the most specific biomarker for cardiac injury and is considered the “gold standard”. Due to its high specificity, the measurement of cardiac troponin levels has become the predominant indicator of MI. Various forms of diagnostic methods have been developed so far, including chemiluminescence, fluorescence immunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, surface plasmon resonance, electrical detection, and colorimetric protein assays. However, fluorescence-based immunoassays are considered fast, accurate and most sensitive of all in the determination of cardiac troponins post-MI. This review represents the strategies, methods and levels of detection involved in the reported fluorescence-based immunoassays for the detection of cardiac troponin I.

In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the negative impact of unforeseen contaminants such as metals in commonly consumed food items, which pose a threat to human well-being. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to evaluate the levels of these contaminants to guarantee the safe consumption of these food items. The goal of the current research is to determine the levels of essential (EMs: Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) and potentially toxic metals (PTMs: Al, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb) in various brands of wheat-based sweets. One hundred samples were collected and analysed via flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Also, the current study was to investigate the distribution, correlation, and multivariate analysis of 13 metals (Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Al, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to interpret the metals’ association. The concentration (mg/kg) ranges of EMs were, in order, Mg (12.70–65.67), Ca (24.02–209.12), Mn (1.32–9.61), Fe (4.55–111.23), Co (0.32–8.94), Cu (2.12–8.61), and Zn (2.60–19.36), while the concentration (mg/kg) ranges of PTMs were, in order, Al (0.32–0.87), Cr (0.17–5.74), Ni (0.36–1.54), Cd (0.16–0.56), and Pb (0.14–0.92), and As was not detected in any sample under investigation. The HCA data revealed that Co, Al, and Ni form clusters with other metals. Sweets are prepared at high temperatures, and the elevated temperatures can increase the likelihood of Ni and Al leaching from stainless steel. Tolerable dietary intake (TDI) values for Ni were higher than the values established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The CR value found for the Ni and Cr was at the threshold level of cancer risk, if an amount of 25 g were to be used over a lifetime. In a nutshell, this study highlights the monitoring of EM and PTM levels in wheat-based sweets, and from a food safety perspective, the study is important for consumers of wheat-based sweets.

Amoxicillin, a penicillin derivative was synthesized as ready-to-used single vial kit and radiolabeled with technetium-99m. Various trials have been carried out to optimize the concentration of stannous chloride, amoxicillin, pH and reaction time. Radiochemical purity, in vitro and in vivo stability, partition co-efficient, protein binding and biodistribution in rabbit infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae were studied. The biodistribution studies in rabbit showed that 99mTc-amoxicillin started to accumulate in the infected area at 1-h postadministration. 99mTc-amoxicillin may prove itself as potential novel radiopharmaceutical for imaging infections caused by many bacteria

Background: Cancer is the third leading cause of death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after cardiovascular diseases and accidents. In the UAE, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the first and fourth most common cancer in males and females, respectively. Several treatment modalities have been employed for cancer treatment, such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone replacement therapy, and immunotherapy. These treatment modalities often elicit adverse effects on normal cells, causing toxic side effects. To circumvent these toxicities, there has been an increased impetus towards the identification of alternate treatment strategies. Animal venoms are rich sources of pharmacologically active polypeptides and proteins. Objective: In this proof-of-concept study, we will apply a high-throughput venomics strategy to identify and characterize anticancer bioactive peptides (BAPs) from 20 different animal venoms, specifically targeting CRC. We chose to focus on CRC because it is one of the foremost health issues in the UAE. Methods: In the initial study, we will screen 2500 different peptides derived from 20 different animal venoms for anticancer activity specifically directed against 3 CRC cell lines and two control cell lines employing the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay for cytotoxicity. Of the 20 venoms, 3 that exhibit specific and potent anticancer activity directed against the 3 CRC cell lines will be selected; and from these 3 venoms, the specific peptides with anti-CRC activity will be isolated and characterized. Results: This study is at the protocol development stage only, and as such, no results are available. However, we have initiated the groundwork required to disseminate the proposed study, which includes culturing of colorectal cancer cell lines and preparation of venom screens. Conclusions: In summary, the proposed study will generate therapeutic leads to manage and treat one of the leading health issues in the UAE, namely, CRC. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/31128

Background: Interferon-α2b is FDA approved drug for the treatment of chronic HCV and HBV, melanoma, AIDS-related KS, carcinomas, hairy cell leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia. However, administration of interferon-α2b to patients takes place thrice in a week due to short in vivo circulation half-life. Objective: To extend the circulation half-life of IFN-α2b, it is conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). However, PEGylation may results in reduction of its antiviral and antiproliferative activities but on the other side, it results in prolonged plasma half-life. Method: Human interferon-α2b was PEGylated with linear 20kDa methoxypolyethlene glycol (mPEG) Propionaldehyde (IFN-Ald20K), Y-Shaped 40kDa mPEG-Propionaldehyde (IFNAld40K), linear 20-kDa mPEG-Succinimidyl Succinate (IFN-NHS20K), and Y shaped 40kDa mPEG-Succinimidyl Succinate (IFN-NHS40K). Impact of PEG size, shape and PEGylation site was studied to establish their relationship with antiprolifetaive activities and serum retention time of PEGylated IFN-α2b. Results: RP-HPLC studies showed that larger PEGs (40kDa) increased the hydrodynamic volume and increased the serum retention time while antiproliferative activity in HepG2 cell line was decreased with increase in PEGylated interferon-α2b size. Molecular docking results also dictated the same effect that increase in PEGylated interferon-α2b size results in steric shielding of the receptor-binding site on interferon-α2b. IFN-Ald20K showed highest (45%) biological activity with serum half-life 40 hours while IFN-NHS40K showed least (7%) biological activity with serum halflife 56 hours. Conclusion: Thus, IFN-Ald40K with 12% residual activity and 62 hours of serum half-life proved to be a potent candidate for anticancer and antiviral effect with enhanced serum retention time.