Comparative evaluation of antifungal susceptibility testing methods of invasive Candida species and detection of FKS genes mutations in caspofungin intermediate and resistant isolates.

Background: Fungal invasive infections caused by Candida species pose a substantial public health risk with limited therapeutic options. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) is necessary to optimize the therapy. The study aimed to compare different AFST methods of Candida spp.

Carob fruit extract as naturally products corrosion inhibitor for copper-nickel alloys in brine solutions.

Copper-nickel alloys are the preferred material for desalination facilities and condensers and heat exchangers that use saltwater as a coolant. The eco-friendly compounds especially Carob fruit extract (CFE) has emerged as excessive green corrosion inhibitor for alloys. Cu-Ni alloys are widely used in various industries due to their excellent corrosion resistance.

The cytotoxic activities of the major diterpene extracted from Salvia multicaulis (Bardakosh) are mediated by the regulation of heat-shock response and fatty acid metabolism pathways in human leukemia cells.

Background: Leukemia is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide and represents the sixth-leading cause of cancer deaths. The results of leukemia treatment have not been as positive as desired, and recurrence is common.

Purpose: Thus, there is an urgent requirement for the development of new therapeutic drugs.

Verbena officinalis (VO) leaf extract as an anti-corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in acidic environment.

In the present work, Verbena Officinalis (VO) leaf extract was used as potential corrosion inhibitor for the corrosion of carbon steel (CS) in 0.5 M HSO medium. Further, the corrosion inhibiting nature of VO leaf extract towards the CS was evaluated using mass loss (ML), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and surface morphological analyses using atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques.

Crop bioengineering via gene editing: reshaping the future of agriculture.

Genome-editing technologies have revolutionized research in plant biology, with major implications for agriculture and worldwide food security, particularly in the face of challenges such as climate change and increasing human populations. Among these technologies, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats [CRISPR]-CRISPR-associated protein [Cas] systems are now widely used for editing crop plant genomes. In this review, we provide an overview of CRISPR-Cas technology and its most significant applications for improving crop sustainability.

Argel's stemmoside C as a novel natural remedy for mice with alcohol-induced gastric ulcer based on its molecular mechanistic pathways.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Solenostemma argel is widely distributed in Africa & Asia with traditional usage in alleviating abdominal colic, aches, & cramps. This plant is rich in phytochemicals, which must be explored for its pharmacological effects.

Purpose: Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is the digestion of the digestive tube.

Differential impacts of interactions between Serendipita indica, Chlorella vulgaris, Ulva lactuca and Padina pavonica on Basil (Ocimum basilicumL.).

Plant biostimulants (PBs) are used globally to increase crop yield and productivity. PBs such as (Serendipita indica) or algal extracts stimulate and accelerate plant physiological processes. The physiological, ecological, and biochemical effects of (Serendipita indica) or algal extracts individually and in combination on basil plant (Ocimum basilicum L.

Driving risk cognition of passengers in highly automated driving based on the prefrontal cortex activity via fNIRS.

For high-level automated vehicles, the human being acts as the passenger instead of the driver and does not need to operate vehicles, it makes the brain-computer interface system of high-level automated vehicles depend on the brain state of passengers rather than that of drivers. Particularly when confronting challenging driving situations, how to implement the mental states of passengers into safe driving is a vital choice in the future. Quantifying the cognition of the driving risk of the passenger is a basic step in achieving this goal.

Potential drug candidates as P-glycoprotein inhibitors to reverse multidrug resistance in cancer: an drug discovery study.

The failure of chemotherapy in the treatment of carcinoma is mainly due to the development of multidrug resistance (MDR), which is largely caused by the overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1/MDR1). Until recently, the 3D structure of the P-gp transporter has not been experimentally resolved, which restricted the discovery of prospective P-gp inhibitors utilizing techniques. In this study, the binding energies of 512 drug candidates in clinical or investigational stages were assessed as potential P-gp inhibitors employing methods.

Development of rapid and precise approach for quantification of bacterial taxa correlated with soil health.

The structure and dynamic of soil bacterial community play a crucial role in soil health and plant productivity. However, there is a gap in studying the un-/or reclaimed soil bacteriome and its impact on future plant performance. The 16S metagenomic analysis is expensive and utilize sophisticated pipelines, making it unfavorable for researchers.

A new cembranoid from the Red Sea soft coral .

The Red Sea soft coral ethyl acetate extract has afforded one new cembranoid; sarcacutumolid A (), along with six known metabolites have been isolated from for the first time (). Chemical structures were elucidated by employing several spectroscopic analyses. The cytotoxic potential of the isolated compounds was assessed against four human cancer cell lines; hepatocellular (HepG2), cervical (HeLa), breast (MCF-7) and colorectal cancer (Colo-205).

Reconfigurable Soft Robots by Building Blocks.

Soft robots are of increasing interest as they can cope with challenges that are poorly addressed by conventional rigid-body robots (e.g., limited flexibility).

Anti-androgenic potential of the fruit extracts of certain Egyptian species and their genetic variability studies: a metabolomic-molecular modeling approach.

This work aimed to evaluate the anti-androgenic activity of Glazebrook, (O. F. Cook) Becc, and (Walter) Lodd.

Salt Priming as a Smart Approach to Mitigate Salt Stress in Faba Bean ( L.).

The present investigation aims to highlight the role of salt priming in mitigating salt stress on faba bean. In the absence of priming, the results reflected an increase in H2O2 generation and lipid peroxidation in plants subjected to 200 mM salt shock for one week, accompanied by a decline in growth, photosynthetic pigments, and yield. As a defense, the shocked plants showed enhancements in ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), peroxidase (POX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities.

Two novel oxetane containing lignans and a new megastigmane from and analysis of them as prospective SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.

The chemical characterization of the extract of the aerial parts of afforded two oxetane containing lignans, paronychiarabicine A (1) and B (2), and one new megastigmane, paronychiarabicastigmane A (3), alongside a known lignan (4), eight known phenolic compounds (5-12), one known elemene sesquiterpene (13) and one steroid glycoside (14). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were constructed based upon the HRMS, 1D, and 2D-NMR results. The absolute configurations were established NOESY experiments as well as experimental and TDDFT-calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD).

Plant cell cultures: An enzymatic tool for polyphenolic and flavonoid transformations.

Background: In the pharmaceutical sector, tissue culture techniques for large-scale production of natural chemicals can be a less expensive alternative to large-scale synthesis. Although recent biotransformation research have used plant cell cultures to target a wide range of bioactive compounds, more compiled information and synopses are needed to better understand metabolic pathways and improve biotransformation efficiencies.

Purpose: This report reviews the biochemical transformation of phenolic natural products by plant cell cultures in order to identify potential novel biotechnological approaches for ensuring more homogeneous and stable phenolic production year-round under controlled environmental conditions.

Naturally occurring plant-based anticancerous candidates as prospective ABCG2 inhibitors: an in silico drug discovery study.

ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) is an efflux transporter related to the clinical multidrug resistance (MDR) phenomenon. Identifying ABCG2 inhibitors could help discover extraordinary curative strategies for carcinoma remediation. Hitherto, there is no medication drug inhibiting ABCG2 transporter, notwithstanding that a considerable number of drugs have been submitted to clinical-trial and investigational phases.

Exploring Toxins for Hunting SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors: Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics, Pharmacokinetic Properties, and Reactome Study.

The main protease (M) is a potential druggable target in SARS-CoV-2 replication. Herein, an in silico study was conducted to mine for M inhibitors from toxin sources. A toxin and toxin-target database (T3DB) was virtually screened for inhibitor activity towards the M enzyme utilizing molecular docking calculations.

Nano-insecticides against the black cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Toxicity, development, enzyme activity, and DNA mutagenicity.

Frequent applications of synthetic insecticides might cause environmental pollution due to the high residue. In addition, increasing insecticide resistance in many insect pests requires novel pest control methods. Nanotechnology could be a promising field of modern agriculture, and is receiving considerable attention in the development of novel nano-agrochemicals, such as nanoinsectticides and nanofertilizers.

Roles of Exogenous α-Lipoic Acid and Cysteine in Mitigation of Drought Stress and Restoration of Grain Quality in Wheat.

Cysteine (Cys) and α-lipoic acid (ALA) are naturally occurring antioxidants (sulfur-containing compounds) that can protect plants against a wide spectrum of environmental stresses. However, up to now, there are no conclusive data on their integrative roles in mitigation of drought stress in wheat plants. Here, we studied the influence of ALA at 0.

PlantPathMarks (PPMdb): an interactive hub for pathways-based markers in plant genomes.

ABSTRACT: Over the past decade, the problem of finding an efficient gene-targeting marker set or signature for plant trait characterization has remained challenging. Many databases focusing on pathway mining have been released with one major deficiency, as they lack to develop marker sets that target only genes controlling a specific pathway or certain biological process. Herein, we present the PlantPathMarks database (PPMdb) as a comprehensive, web-based, user-friendly, and interactive hub for pathway-based markers in plant genomes.

Secondary Metabolites (Essential Oils): In Vitro and In Silico Studies on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the greatest cause of cancer-related death in the world. Garden cress () seeds have been proven to possess extraordinary antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypothermic, and analgesic properties. In this study, in vitro cytotoxic efficiency evaluation of fractions was performed against two hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HuH-7 and HEPG-2), and the expression of some apoptotic genes was explored.

In Silico Targeting Human Multidrug Transporter ABCG2 in Breast Cancer: Database Screening, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Study.

ABCG2 is a substantial member of the ABC transporter superfamily that plays a significant role in multidrug resistance in cancer. Until recently, the 3D structure of ABCG2 has not been resolved, which resulted in the limitation of developing potential ABCG2 inhibitors using structure-based drug discovery. Herein, eMolecules, ChEMBL, and ChEBI databases, containing >25 million compounds, were virtually screened against the ABCG2 transporter in homodimer form.

Gastroprotection against Rat Ulcers by Sterol Derivative.

Different species belonging to the genus (Acyonaceae) are a rich resource for bioactive secondary metabolites. The literature reveals that the gastroprotective effects of marine secondary metabolites have not been comprehensively studied in vivo. Hence, the present investigation aimed to examine and determine the anti-ulcer activity of 4,24-dimethyl-5-cholest-8,18-dihydroxy,22-en-3-ol () isolated from samples of a species.

Non--Lactam Allosteric Inhibitors Target Methicillin-Resistant : An Drug Discovery Study.

Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) catalyze the final stages for peptidoglycan cell-wall bio-synthesis. Mutations in the PBP2a subunit can attenuate -lactam antibiotic activity, resulting in unimpeded cell-wall formation and methicillin-resistant (MRSA). A double mutation in PBP2a (i.