Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a pathogenic bacterium that causes life-threatening outbreaks such as community-onset and nosocomial infections as emerging ‘superbug’. Time and motion study of its virulent property developed resistance against most of the antibiotics such as Vancomycin. Thereby, to curb this problem entails the development of new therapeutic agents. Plant-derived antimicrobial agents have recently piqued people's interest, so in this research, 186 flavonoids compound selected to unmask the best candidates that can act as potent inhibitors against the Penicillin Binding Protein-2a (PBP-2a) of MRSA. Molecular docking performed using PyRx and GOLD suite to determine the binding affinities and interactions between the phytochemicals and the PBP-2a. The selected candidates strongly interact with the different amino acid residues. The 30 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with five top-ranked compounds such as Naringin, Hesperidin, Neohesperidin, Didymin and Icariin validated the docking interactions. These findings are also strongly supported by root-mean-square deviation, root-mean-square fluctuation and the radius of gyration. ADME/T analysis demonstrates that these candidates appear to be safer inhibitors. Our findings point to natural flavonoids as a promising and readily available source of adjuvant antimicrobial therapy against resistant strains in the future. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Objectives: In this study, we targeted enzymes (Erg11, Erg5, Erg3), transporters (CDR1, CDR2), and cytochrome 450 (CaALK8) involved in MDR of Candida albicans, which caused fungal disease. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and some other major facilitator superfamilies (MFS) of transporters are responsible for MDR in Candida Albicans. Material and methods: The compounds present in Parthenium hysterophorus L. were docked against the proteins involved in MDR of Candida Albicans. PyRx-Python prescription 0.8. was used to identify binding affinities of compounds against the proteins. Result and Discussion: Erg11, Erg5, Erg3, CDR1, CDR2 and CaALK8 proteins docked with β-Sitosterol (-10.6, -9.6, -9.6, -9.6, -9.6, and -8.5) ç-Sitosterol (-9.9, -9.2, -9.3, -9.4, -9.6, and -8.5). Piperine (-10.0, -8.3, -9.3, -8.4, -8.5, and -8.4) Kcal/mol respectively and found to show good hydrophobic interactions. Conclusion: In this study, we may conclude that compounds isolated from parthenium hysterophorus might be effective against the fungal disease caused by Candida Albicans.

COVID-19’s ongoing, protracted visitation has prevented due acknowledgement of efforts to control it, particularly those of the medical workers who volunteered to serve on the frontlines, disregarding uncertainty and personal risk, in the early days when the consequences of exposure were unknown. This artwork seeks to memorialise the diligence, selflessness, and professional commitment of the medical community in a time of extraordinary difficulty. Referencing historical patterns of iconography, this graphic imagery proposes a modernised representation of bravery by interweaving narratives of equality, inclusivity, humour and optimism, to recognise the unnamed many who helped make the world a safer place.

SGK1 (Serum and Glucocorticoid Regulated Kinase 1), a serine/threonine kinase that is activated by various stimuli, including serum and glucocorticoids. It controls inflammation, apoptosis, hormone release, neuro-excitability and cell proliferation, all of which play an important role in cancer progression and metastasis. SGK1 was recently proposed as a potential drug target for cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, molecular docking, physiochemical, toxicological properties and molecular dynamic simulation of the Bis-[1-N,7-N, Pyrazolo tetraethoxyphthalimido{-4-(3,5-Dimethyl-4-(spiro-3-methylpyazolo)-1,7-dihydro-1H-dipyrazolo[3,4-b;4',3'-e]pyridin-8-yl)}]p-disubstituted phenyl compoundsand reference EMD638683 against new SGK1 target protein. Compared to the reference inhibitor EMD638683, we choose the best compounds (series 2-6) based on the binding energy (in the range from −11.0 to −10.6 kcal/mol). With the exception of compounds 2 and 6, none of the compounds posed a risk for AMES toxicity or carcinogenicity due to their toxicological properties. 100 ns MD simulation accompanied by MM/PBSA energy calculations and PCA. According to MD simulation results, the binding of compounds 3, 4 and 5 stabilizes the SGK1 structure and causes febrile conformational changes compared to EMD638683. As a result of this research, the final selected compounds 3, 4 and 5 can be used as scaffolds to develop promising SGK1 inhibitors for the treatment of related diseases such as cancer. Graphical Abstract Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma