Effect of C7-3-Peptide-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Against Multi-Drug-Resistant .

Introduction: The emergence of -resistant strains represents one of the most urgent global threats. In this regard, C7-3 peptide is one of the anti-virulence therapies that has demonstrated promising anti-gonococcal activity. Accordingly, this research aimed to formulate C7-3 peptide and its derivatives in chitosan nanoparticles.

Chitosan loaded RNA polymerase inhibitor nanoparticles increased attenuation in toxin release from .

Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have become an emerging health concern around the world. Antibiotics resistance among  strains increased recently contributing to increase in incidence of pneumococcal infection. This necessitates the discovery of novel antipnemococcal such as compound C3-005 which target the interaction between RNA polymerase and σ factors.

Synthesis, Cytotoxic Evaluation, and Structure-Activity Relationship of Substituted Quinazolinones as Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9 Inhibitors.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) plays a critical role in transcriptional elongation, through which short-lived antiapoptotic proteins are overexpressed and make cancer cells resistant to apoptosis. Therefore, CDK9 inhibition depletes antiapoptotic proteins, which in turn leads to the reinstatement of apoptosis in cancer cells. Twenty-seven compounds were synthesized, and their CDK9 inhibitory and cytotoxic activities were evaluated.

Knowledge and behaviors of using vitamin D to boost immunity against COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia.

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has globally impacted all aspects of life since its emergence and spread. There is a strong biological assumption and progressing epidemiological data supporting the role of vitamin D (VD) in COVID-19 infection. This study aims to determine the knowledge about VD supplements to boost immunity against COVID-19 and if participation in specific behaviors has increased the consumption of VD supplements during social distance restriction in Saudi Arabia (SA) in May 2021.

Evaluation of the Clinical Outcome and Cost Analysis of Antibiotics in the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in the Emergency Department in Saudi Arabia.

This study aims to assess the prevalence and antibiotic-treatment patterns of respiratory tract infections (RTIs), prevalence and types of antibiotic-prescribing errors, and the cost of inappropriate antibiotic use among emergency department (ED) patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the ED in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patient characteristics (age, sex, weight, allergies, diagnostic tests (CX-Ray), cultures, microorganism types, and prescription characteristics) were studied.

Attenuation of Quorum Sensing Virulence of Biofilm and Pyocyanin by mBTL-Loaded Calcium Alginate Nanoparticles.

contributes to many chronic infections and has been found to be resistant to multiple antibiotics. Pseudomonas use a quorum sensing system (QS) to control biofilm establishment and virulence factors, and, thus, quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs), such as meta-bromo-thiolactone (mBTL), are promising anti-infective agents. Accordingly, this study intended to investigate the antibacterial and anti-virulence activity of mBTL-loaded calcium alginate nanoparticles (CANPs) against and different QS mutants.

Preparation and characterization of Meta-bromo-thiolactone calcium alginate nanoparticles.

Recently, the focus has been shifting toward Quorum sensing inhibitors which reduce Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors, alleviating infections. In this work, me-ta-bromo-thiolactone (mBTL), a potent quorum and virulence inhibitor for the strains, were formulated in calcium alginate nanoparticles (CANPs). Alginate is used as nutrients and as backbone virulence aspect for Pseudomonas and therefore was chosen.

MicroRNA-219 loaded chitosan nanoparticles for treatment of glioblastoma.

Recent evidence has implicated microRNA-219 (miR-219) in regulation of gene contributed in glioblastoma (GBM) pathogenesis. This study aimed to prepare miR-219 in chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs), characterize and investigate their efficacy on human GBM cell line (U87 MG). NPs were prepared using ionic gelation method.

Risk management and infection control preparedness of Saudi healthcare facilities to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To evaluate the preparedness of Saudi healthcare facilities to handle the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: Between April and June 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi hospitals using an online-administered English-language questionnaire by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. The questionnaire evaluates all aspects of risk management, infection control and preventative programmes that should be known and practised by all healthcare workers (HCWs).

Association Between Obesity and COVID-19 Disease Severity in Saudi Population.

Background: The persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has placed a significant burden on the scientific and medical professions. The study examined the association between body mass index (BMI), stratified by category, and severe form of COVID-19, and to explore the influence of demographic characteristics and other known risk factors.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis based on COVID-19 data from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health.

Formulation and and evaluation of surfactant-stabilized mucoadhesive nanogels for vaginal delivery of fluconazole.

Surfactant-stabilized mucoadhesive nanogels (NGs) for vaginal delivery of fluconazole (FLZ) were studied and evaluated in this work. FLZ-NG formulations were prepared using two different types of mucoadhesive polymers, Carbopol 934 (Ca934) and Pluronic F-127 (PF127). A rheology study revealed a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic flow behavior (shear thinning) in the prepared NGs.

MicroRNA-539-5p-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles Grafted with iRGD as a Targeting Treatment for Choroidal Neovascularization.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a major cause of visual impairment that results from excessive growth of blood vessels in the eye's choroid. The limited clinical efficacy of the current therapy for this condition requires the emergence of new treatment modalities such as microRNA (miRNAs). A recent study identified microRNA-539-5p (miR-539) as an angiogenic suppressor in a CNV animal model; however, its therapeutic delivery is limited.

Molecular Pathogenesis of Colorectal Cancer with an Emphasis on Recent Advances in Biomarkers, as Well as Nanotechnology-Based Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious disease that affects millions of people throughout the world, despite considerable advances in therapy. The formation of colorectal adenomas and invasive adenocarcinomas is the consequence of a succession of genetic and epigenetic changes in the normal colonic epithelium. Genetic and epigenetic processes associated with the onset, development, and metastasis of sporadic CRC have been studied in depth, resulting in identifying biomarkers that might be used to predict behaviour and prognosis beyond staging and influence therapeutic options.

Bacteria from Infectious Particles to Cell Based Anticancer Targeted Drug Delivery Systems.

Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty cell envelopes of nonliving evacuated bacterial cells. They are free from their cytoplasmic contents; however, they sustain their cellular 3D morphology and antigenic structures, counting on bioadhesive properties. Lately, they have been tested as an advanced drug delivery system (DDS) for different materials like DNA, peptides, or drugs, either single components or combinations.

Outcomes associated with tocilizumab with or without corticosteroid versus dexamethasone for treatment of patients with severe to critical COVID-19 pneumonia.

Introduction: Immunomodulators, including dexamethasone (DEX), have been recommended by the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) to treat moderate, severe, and critical COVID-19. Tocilizumab (TCZ) was added to the treatment recommendations based on recent data from two large randomized controlled trials and its potential synergistic effect with DEX.

Method: We included adult patients admitted from June until October 2020 with a PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Fluconazole nanoparticles prepared by antisolvent precipitation technique: Physicochemical, , and ocular evaluation.

The goal of this research was to prepare and characterize nanonized particles of the antifungal drug, fluconazole (FLZ) using antisolvent precipitation nanonization technique to improve its ocular permeation. The impact of various concentrations of different stabilizers, namely Pluronic F-127 (PL F 127), Kollicoat IR (KL), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E3 (HPMC), xanthan gum (XG), polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30 (PVP), and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) upon the resulting nanoparticles was investigated. Additionally, the release of the FLZ nanonized particles from ophthalmic gel bases was studied by using goat cornea, and the ocular pharmacokinetics of appropriate ophthalmic gel base containing optimized drug nanoparticle formula compared to the untreated drug were studied in rabbits.

Improved delivery of miR-1296 loaded cationic nanoliposomes for effective suppression of triple negative breast cancer.

Nowadays, microRNA is considered an attractive strategy for the effective treatment of cancer. A significant delivery of microRNA for cancer therapy remains a significant obstacle to target cancer cells. The restoring microRNA-1296 (miR-1296) has immense therapeutic efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 infection control precautions and waste management among healthcare workers: Saudi cross-sectional study.

Healthcare workers (HWs) perform a critical role not only in the clinical management of patients but also in providing adequate infection control and prevention measures and waste management procedures to be implemented in healthcare facilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 infection control precautions and waste management procedures among HWs in Saudi Arabian hospitals.This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study.

Preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the emergency department by implementing a separate pathway for patients with respiratory conditions.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the development and implementation of a separated pathway to check and treat patients with a suspected/confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the emergency department (ED) at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive longitudinal study from March to July 2020 by analyzing data of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 among ED visitors and healthcare workers in King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital.

Results: During the study period, a total of 1,182 swab samples were collected for testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), of which 285 (24.

Efficacy of clotrimazole for the management of oral candidiasis: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of topical application of clotrimazole versus others in the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC).

Method: Four electronic databases, registries of ongoing trials, and manual search were used to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy of clotrimazole to other antifungal agents in patients who were clinically diagnosed with oral candidiasis up to November 1st, 2019. Primary outcomes were clinical response and mycological cure rates.

Impact of Rapid Identification of Species in Positive Blood Culture Using GeneXpert Methicillin-Resistant / Blood Culture Assay Combined with Antibiotic Stewardship.

bacteremia is a life-threatening condition associated with a substantial financial burden on the health care system. The use of the GeneXpert methicillin-resistant (MRSA)/ blood culture (BC) test for the identification of may influence antibiotic stewardship and clinical outcomes. This study assessed the clinical and financial impact of utilizing GeneXpert MRSA/SA in combination with criterion-based testing.

Evaluating the effect of antibiotics sub-inhibitory dose on quorum sensing dependent virulence and its phenotypes.

The opportunistic virulence controlled by quorum sensing (QS) also identified as, cell-cell communication. QS system is organized by the LasI-LasR and the RhlI-RhlR components. Provided that QS tends to perform a key role in virulence gene expression and host defence function, QS inhibitors have been proposed as potential antipseudomonal therapies.

First record of West Nile Virus detection inside wild mosquitoes in Khartoum capital of Sudan using PCR.

This study aimed to explore the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) inside four species of mosquitoes: (Theobald), (Say) (Bigot) and (Meigen). Adult wild mosquitoes were collected from different sites: Soba West, Hellat Kuku, Shambat, and Khartoum North Central Live Stock Market (KCLM). Surveys were carried out at Khartoum State during two phases: pre to the rainy season and post to the rainy season.

Influence of the minimum inhibitory concentration of daptomycin on the outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia.

Objectives: Recent studies have shown that methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia with vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) >1 μg/mL is associated with a higher rate of treatment failure and a higher mortality rate. Daptomycin is an alternative to vancomycin but has not been as well studied. The aim of this literature review was to evaluate the effect of daptomycin MIC on the outcomes of S.

Trastuzumab Targeted Neratinib Loaded Poly-Amidoamine Dendrimer Nanocapsules for Breast Cancer Therapy.

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor2 (Her2) positive breast cancer represents 25% of breast cancer cases. Targeted therapy with Her2 monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab (TZ), represents the first-line treatment for this type of breast cancer. In addition, neratinib, an irreversible inhibitor of the HER-2 receptor tyrosine kinase, has recently been approved as adjuvant therapy to TZ.