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This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the unsaponifiable matter (USM) in oils extracted from Pistacia atlantica fruits during prematurity phases (unripe and semiripe stages) from two distinct biogeographical regions in Algeria (Sougaa and Bousdraya). Notably, quantitative analysis revealed substantial variations in bioactive compound concentrations: tocopherols ranged from 3.10 to 17.88 mg αTE/g USM, sterols from 844.45 to 871.36 mg βS/g USM, and carotenoids from 15.22 to 20.76 mg βCE/g USM, demonstrating the significant phytochemical richness of early developmental stages. The USM components were quantified using validated spectrophotometric methods, with parallel evaluation of antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activities. The most remarkable finding was the exceptional antioxidant potency of semiripe fruits from Bousdraya (BRF), showing IC₅₀ = 0.49 mg/mL, representing one of the strongest antioxidant activities reported for Pistacia species unsaponifiable fractions. The unripe sample from Sougaa (SRC) exhibited the highest USM yield (10.45%) along with superior carotenoid and sterol concentrations. Furthermore, semiripe fruits from Sougaa (SRF) demonstrated the strongest α-amylase inhibition (34.58 μmol acarbose Eq/g USM), highlighting their potential for diabetes management applications. Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative relationship between tocopherol content and antioxidant activity (r = -0.92), confirming their role as primary radical scavengers. The results provide crucial insights for developing functional ingredients for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries targeting oxidative stress and glycemic control. Initial stages of Pistacia atlantica fruit development represent an underappreciated source of valuable bioactive compounds. These results clearly indicate that an optimal harvesting strategy must consider both geographic origin and phenological stage, depending on the desired functional profile (e.g., semiripe BRF for strong antioxidant activity, immature SRC for maximum USM, and carotenoid/sterol yield). The key role in this activity was confirmed by a strong, statistically significant, negative correlation between tocopherol content and the IC₅₀ value (r = -0.92). However, the highest alpha-amylase inhibition activity, significantly different from the immature samples (p < 0.05), was achieved by semiripe samples from Sougaa (SRF, 34.58 p.m. 1.33 mµmol AACE/g USM) and BRF, suggesting that other, statistically uncorrelated (r approx. 0.01 for tocopherols) compounds are responsible for this effect. In terms of content, the immature sample from Sougaa (SRC) was statistically superior in terms of carotenoid and sterol content. These findings definitively confirm that the selection of harvest site and time is critical for maximizing the functional quality of the oil.

Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer worldwide, poses a significant public health challenge, especially in the advanced stages. According to the Saudi Health Council (2020), breast cancer is also the leading cancer in Saudi Arabia with recent increases in incidence rates. Over the past two decades, Saudi Arabia has made significant advancements in anti-breast cancer drug discovery driven by increased research funding, improved access to scientific resources, and enhanced education. This study aims to highlight Saudi Arabia's contributions to this field through a bibliometric analysis of anti-breast cancer drug discovery research published between 2019 and 2023. Using a comprehensive search strategy, 943 publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database and analyzed. Bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer and Microsoft Excel were used to highlight trends in publication output, research areas, and collaboration networks. The results reveal a steady increase in Saudi publications, rising from under 100 in 2019 to over 250 in 2023. The primary research areas were Chemistry (43.69%), Pharmacology/Pharmacy (23.65%), and Biochemistry (22.80%). Elsevier and MDPI were the leading publication platforms, while King Saud University was identified as the primary source of research funding (17.60%). Co-authorship networks revealed strong collaborations between Saudi institutions and international partners. The most frequent keywords reflected key research priorities within Saudi institutions, "anticancer", "molecular docking", and "nanoparticles". The most commonly studied therapeutic targets were EGFR, Caspase, and VEGF with a diverse range of therapeutic approaches including pyrimidines, nanoparticles, and natural products. This analysis highlights Saudi Arabia's growing contributions to the field of breast cancer drug discovery and provides a foundation for future research and collaboration.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a complex neurodegenerative disorder, urgently necessitates a multitarget therapeutic approach. This study presents a novel in silico framework targeting a unique combination of four AD-relevant proteins-sortilin, clusterin, tau, and amyloid-beta (Aβ)-not previously explored together in multitarget docking studies. The study leveraged a comprehensive computational strategy integrating ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and ProTox-3.0 analyses with AutoDock Vina molecular docking, binding, and bond interaction via SiteMap/CASTp and PLIP, respectively. Fifteen novel natural ligands and three established AD reference drugs (donepezil, memantine, and rivastigmine) were assessed against four key AD proteins: sortilin, clusterin, Aβ peptide, and tau. Pharmacokinetic and toxicity predictions revealed favorable drug-likeness for many ligands, 4-tert-amylphenol, allicin, apigenin, and resveratrol, which exhibited high gastrointestinal absorption but varied in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeation, solubility, and drug-likeness. Ligands, such as apigenin, cyanidin, and galantamine, demonstrated favorable oral bioavailability and lead-likeness. Nevertheless, predicted toxicity profiles revealed potential hepatotoxicity concerns for ligands like 4-tert-amylphenol and berberine. Comparison with reference drugs highlighted the importance of optimizing ADME properties and minimizing toxicity. Molecular docking results consistently highlighted ginkgolide with multitarget binding to sortilin (-16.29 kcal/mol), clusterin (-13.98 kcal/mol), and tau (-10.63 kcal/mol). Critical interactions were identified, including binding to the aggregation domain of tau via HIS329. Other promising natural ligands, including ginsenosides, berberine, and apigenin, also exhibited strong multitarget interactions. Ginsenosides were a notable lead, demonstrating key molecular contacts with ILE141 on sortilin and directly targeting the Aβ core at ALA4. Apigenin also showed strong binding to the tau repeat domain at ILE328. Notably, memantine displayed significant binding to both sortilin and Aβ, forming a hydrogen bond with the amyloidogenic ILE5 residue. The study identified several potent multitarget binding capabilities compounds, offering compelling avenues for developing novel, more effective therapeutics for AD.

The experiment was conducted using an alpha lattice design with two replications for each genotype, comprising 20 maize hybrids obtained from CIMMYT and NMRP, including two check varieties. The treatment genotypes were assessed during the spring season of 2024 at the agronomy farm of Gokuleshwor College, Baitadi. The tallest plant height of 293.298 cm was recorded in genotype RH-12, while the shortest, 231.598 cm, was observed in RML-95/RML-140. The observed variation among genotypes indicated that selection can be effectively carried out based on traits such as days to 50% anthesis, days to 50% silking, anthesis-silking interval, number of rows per cob, number of grains per row, cob length, cob diameter, and grain yield. Most of the evaluated morphological traits showed a strong correlation with grain yield, depicting that indirect selection could effectively enhance yield potential. Among the hybrids, CAH 1817 stood out with the highest grain yield, followed closely by NH2226 and VH 18567. These varieties show great potential and could be strong candidates for promoting higher-yielding maize hybrids in Nepal.

Antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation are becoming more common in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Hence, the study aims to determine the antibiogram of commonly prescribed antibiotics and assess prodigiosin's antibacterial activity against UPEC. During the study, 175 UPEC isolates were identified biochemically, and their antibiogram was studied by the VITEK 2 system. Prodigiosin was extracted from Serratia marcescens MTCC 97. The MIC of prodigiosin against UPEC strains was detected by the microbroth dilution method. The majority of the UPEC strains (n = 135) had MIC between 15 and 30 mg/mL. No significant association was observed between the MIC of prodigiosin and the antibiogram. Biofilm assay was performed by the microtiter plate method using media with and without added prodigiosin. In media without prodigiosin, most UPEC isolates were nonbiofilm formers (NBF-55.42%), followed by weak (21.14%), moderate (MBF-13.71%) and strong biofilm formers (SBF-9.7%). When the same test was performed in media with added prodigiosin, NBF decreased to 30.28%, while SBF, MBF and WBF increased to 20%, 26.85% and 22.85%, respectively. This change in biofilm production was statistically significant (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The effect of prodigiosin on fimH virulence gene was evaluated using PCR. The fimH gene was present in 159 (90.85%) isolates cultured in medium devoid of prodigiosin, whereas in prodigiosin-containing media, 132 (83.01%) isolates were positive for the fimH gene and 27 (16.98%) were negative (p < 0.05, McNemar's test), suggesting that the fimH-negative isolates had either considerable suppression of the gene's transcription or gene expression pathways. Further, biofilm production increased when prodigiosin inhibited the fimH gene, suggesting a gene-dependent reaction that may have compelled UPEC to adopt a stress-response phenotype that favours nonspecific surface attachment to form biofilm for survival. Therefore, the effect of prodigiosin on biofilms seems to be associated with the expression of fimH, indicating a gene-dependent response.

We conducted this study to evaluate the protective effects of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) against epilepsy in rats, with a specific focus on its potential to mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Epilepsy was induced in rats using pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), followed by treatment with 20 mg/kg of EGCG. The effects of EGCG were assessed on seizure severity and frequency, as well as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Brain sections were stained with cresyl violet and immune-stained with anti-Nrf2 antibody. Furthermore, expressions and concentrations of B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (BCL2), Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor-2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor κB (NFκB), BCL2-associated X (BAX), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and Interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) in brain tissues were analyzed. Rats showed significant behavioral improvement following EGCG treatment. Analysis of the dentate gyrus sections demonstrated a modest increase in the staining intensity of Nissl granules after EGCG. Additionally, EGCG was observed to increase the expression levels of BCL2, Nrf2, and Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1), while concurrently reducing the expression of BAX, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-1β. In conclusion, EGCG demonstrates protective effects against epilepsy. The underlying mechanisms may be attributed to its capacity to increase antioxidant activity by the upregulation of Nrf2 and HO-1. EGCG appears to mitigate inflammation by downregulating NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-1β, thereby decreasing cellular apoptosis through the downregulation of BAX and upregulation of BCL-2.

Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) is an exotic pest from the American continent that has invaded agricultural lands in Indonesia, particularly affecting maize crops. This study aimed to investigate the biological and morphometric characteristics of S. frugiperda larvae fed with baby corn under controlled laboratory conditions. Several biological parameters were observed, including the preoviposition, oviposition, and postoviposition periods, egg production and frequency, and the number of larval instars. The study also monitored the duration of the prepupal and pupal stages, mortality rates, sex ratios, adult lifespan, and body size. Results indicated that S. frugiperda exhibits high reproductive capacity, with females laying an average of 133.25 eggs that hatch within 1-2 days. Larvae underwent six instars over 14-16 days, and the pupal stage lasted 9-11 days before emerging as adults. Male adults lived for 6-8 days, while females survived longer, between 9 and 13 days. The total lifespan from egg to adult death averaged 30 days for males and 35 days for females. High mortality was observed in the pupal stage and the first larval instar. Morphometric data revealed gradual increases in larval length from the first instar (2.25 mm) to the sixth instar (32 mm), with pupae reaching 16 mm in length, and adults measuring 14 and 13 mm for males and females, respectively. The relatively small body size of S. frugiperda contributes to its ability to disperse and invade agricultural areas in Indonesia. This study provides valuable insights into the biology and morphometrics of S. frugiperda, which may serve as a foundation for developing sustainable pest management strategies in the region.

Polypharmacy, commonly defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications, is a pressing public health concern among older adults with cardiovascular disease, given its strong association with adverse drug-drug interactions, medication errors, and increased hospitalization rates. Despite its clinical significance, evidence from low- and middle-income countries, including Iran, remains limited. This study sought to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy and identify its key determinants among elderly cardiovascular patients in Kermanshah, Iran. In this cross-sectional survey of 426 participants, eligible participants were recruited using convenience sampling, and demographic, clinical, and medication-related data were collected using structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression, were employed to examine associations. The findings revealed that 60.1% of participants were taking five to nine medications daily. Polypharmacy was significantly associated with lower educational attainment and income, prolonged treatment duration, hospitalization history, multimorbidity, insufficient pharmacist counseling, and limited knowledge of medications and their potential adverse effects. Multivariate analysis identified the number of chronic conditions (AOR: 5.05, p < 0.001), hospitalization history (AOR: 5.15, p < 0.001), and poor medication knowledge (AOR: 6.48, p = 0.017), as independent predictors. These results highlight the urgent need for targeted, evidence-based interventions, particularly pharmacist-led counseling and patient education programs, to mitigate the burden and adverse clinical outcomes of polypharmacy, especially in resource-constrained healthcare settings.

Plant invasion modifies the aboveground and belowground biota directly or indirectly via allelopathic effect. This study aimed to ascertain if the invasive species Alternanthera philoxeroides impacts plant diversity, plant composition, and soil microbes or not. The soil microbial activity (CO₂ release) and soil pH were also recorded. The plant communities invaded and uninvaded with Alternanthera philoxeroides were examined using the quadrat method. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 10 cm depth, and the culture method was used for soil microbial analysis. The plant species richness and soil fungi were found to be reduced at A. philoxeroides invaded plots than at uninvaded plots. The IVI of all common species such as Cynodon dactylon, Bidens pilosa, and Trifolium repens was highly suppressed in the invaded zone. The parameters like plant diversity indices, colony count of soil microbes, soil microbial activity (CO₂ release), and soil pH were found to be reduced at invaded sites than at uninvaded sites. The results indicated that the invasive A. philoxeroides modifies the plant community composition, and the underlying mechanism for the change is possibly by altering the soil microbiota, microbial respiration, and soil pH with their successful invasion.

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing.) have been widely recognized for their bioactive properties, including antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial potential and chemical composition of shiitake mushroom extracts prepared using different solvents (95% ethanol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform). The highest extraction yield (31.16%) was obtained with 95% ethanol. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated using the paper disc diffusion method against nine pathogenic bacterial isolates, including Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. aureus DMST20654) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, E. coli ATCC25922, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi ATCC16122) bacteria. Plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. All experiments were performed in triplicate. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity, with the largest inhibition zone observed for E. coli ATCC25922 (30.00 ± 0.00 mm), followed by S. enterica serovar Typhi ATCC16122 (28.33 ± 2.00 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays confirmed the superior antibacterial potential of the ethyl acetate extract, particularly against S. aureus DMST20654 (MIC = 1.95 mg/mL, MBC = 31.25 mg/mL). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified key bioactive compounds, including ergosterol (62.38%, %Prob 62.6 in the chloroform extract) and linoleic acid (28.65%, %Prob 56.5 in the ethyl acetate extract), which are known for their antimicrobial properties. The findings highlight the potential of ethyl acetate-extracted shiitake mushroom compounds as natural antibacterial agents, with applications for food preservation, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals.