Cimicifugoside H-2 as an Inhibitor of IKK1/Alpha: A Molecular Docking and Dynamic Simulation Study.

One of the most challenging issues scientists face is finding a suitable non-invasive treatment for cancer, as it is widespread around the world. The efficacy of phytochemicals that target oncogenic pathways appears to be quite promising and has gained attention over the past few years. We investigated the effect of docking phytochemicals isolated from the rhizomes of the Cimicifuga foetida plant on different domains of the IκB kinase alpha (IKK1/alpha) protein.

Computational Applications: Beauvericin from a Mycotoxin into a Humanized Drug.

Drug discovery was initially attributed to coincidence or experimental research. Historically, the traditional approaches were complex, lengthy, and expensive, entailing costly random screening of synthesized compounds or natural products coupled with in vivo validation largely depending on the availability of appropriate animal models. Currently, in silico modeling has become a vital tool for drug discovery and repurposing.

ABC transporter inhibition by beauvericin partially overcomes drug resistance in .

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease infecting the world's poorest populations. Miltefosine (ML) remains the primary oral drug against the cutaneous form of leishmaniasis. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are key players in the xenobiotic efflux, and their inhibition could enhance the therapeutic index.

Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants during the 2023 flu season and beyond in Lebanon.

Background: Early SARS-CoV-2 variant detection relies on testing and genomic surveillance. The Omicron variant (B.1.

Absolute quantification of gene expression in drug discovery using RT-qPCR: Case of a drug used in the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease and a public health concern. Chemotherapeutic agents available for the treatment of parasitic infections, including leishmaniasis, have several limitations. For that, we designed a highly sensitive assay using RT-aqPCR to evaluate the efficacy of antileishmanial drugs using SYBR Green to quantify the expression of marker genes.

SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology: data and sequencing infrastructure.

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 is critical in monitoring viral lineages. Available data reveal a significant gap between low- and middle-income countries and the rest of the world. The SARS-CoV-2 sequencing costs using the Oxford Nanopore MinION device and hardware prices for data computation in Lebanon were estimated and compared with those in developed countries.

Interleukin-37: A Link Between COVID-19, Diabetes, and the Black Fungus.

The COVID-19 pandemic involved millions of people and diabetes was identified as an associated comorbidity. Initiation of systemic corticosteroids in patients suffering from severe COVID-19 was associated with lower mortality. A surge of invasive fungal infections of the maxillofacial region, namely mucormycosis, was linked to a deadly infection known as black fungus.

In silico evidence of beauvericin antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Scientists are still battling severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic so human lives can be saved worldwide. Secondary fungal metabolites are of intense interest due to their broad range of pharmaceutical properties. Beauvericin (BEA) is a secondary metabolite produced by the fungus Beauveria bassiana.

Bioexploration and Phylogenetic Placement of Entomopathogenic Fungi of the Genus in Soils of Lebanon Cedar Forests.

The cedar forests of Lebanon have been threatened by the outbreak caused by climate change of a web-spinning sawfly, (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), which negatively impacted the survival of one of the oldest tree species on earth. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of naturally soil-inhabiting entomopathogenic fungi for their role in containing the massive outbreak of this insect. We used a combination of fungal bioexploration methods, including insect bait and selective media.

Can colonization by an endophytic fungus transform a plant into a challenging host for insect herbivores?

Endophytic growth of arthropod pathogenic fungi can parasitize insect herbivores without causing damage to the crop. However, studies addressing this tritrophic interaction are absent. Here, the endophytic arthropod pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Cordyciptaceae), the polyphagous two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae), and its preferred plant host Phaseolus vulgaris L.

First evidence of the activity of an entomopathogenic fungus against the eggs of Sarcoptes scabiei.

The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has been successfully used for the control of phytopathogenic arthropods and there are a growing number of studies suggesting that this kind of fungus could also be used for the control of ectoparasites in mammals. This study evaluated for the first time the efficacy of different Beauveria strains against the eggs of Sarcoptes scabiei collected from experimentally infected pigs. Eggs were exposed to fungal conidia and monitored for hatching over 10 days.

Beauvericin potentiates the activity of pesticides by neutralizing the ATP-binding cassette transporters in arthropods.

Multi-drug resistance is posing major challenges in suppressing the population of pests. Many herbivores develop resistance, causing a prolonged survival after exposure to a previously effective pesticide. Consequently, resistant pests reduce the yield of agricultural production, causing significant economic losses and reducing food security.

Of fungi and ticks: Morphological and molecular characterization of fungal contaminants of a laboratory-reared Ixodes ricinus colony.

Establishing and maintaining tick colonies in the laboratory is essential for studying their biology and pathogen transmission, or for the development of new tick control methods. Due to their requirement for very high humidity, these laboratory-bred colonies are frequently subject to fungal contamination. In the present study, we aimed to identify the fungal species that contaminated a laboratory-reared colony of Ixodes ricinus through microscopic observation and molecular identification.

Molecular insight into the endophytic growth of Beauveria bassiana within Phaseolus vulgaris in the presence or absence of Tetranychus urticae.

Entomopathogenic fungi are an important factor in the natural regulation of arthropod populations. Moreover, some can exist as an endophyte in many plant species and establish a mutualistic relationship. In this study, we have investigated the endophytic growth of Beauveria bassiana within different tissues of Phaseolus vulgaris in the presence and absence of Tetranuychus urticae.

Activity of Beauvericin against All Developmental Stages of .

Scabies is a frequent cutaneous infection caused by the mite in a large number of mammals, including humans. As the resistance of against several chemical acaricides has been previously documented, the establishment of alternative and effective control molecules is required. In this study, the potential acaricidal activity of beauvericin was assessed against different life stages of var.