Publications by authors named "Noor Akbar"

A zoonotic disease unique to South Asia, brucellosis causes major public health and financial problems, notably in Pakistan. This research aimed to ascertain the molecular frequency of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis in humans and cattle and to pinpoint related risk factors in the Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, districts. A total of 800 blood samples, 600 from cattle and 200 from humans, were gathered and examined using traditional PCR targeting the IS711 locus.

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Article Synopsis
  • Brucellosis, caused by Brucella melitensis, is a zoonotic disease affecting humans and cattle, particularly in south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • A study evaluated the molecular rate of B. melitensis in 800 participants (600 cattle and 200 humans) using blood samples and advanced PCR methods, revealing a prevalence of 3.1% in cattle and 9% in humans.
  • The research highlights the importance of understanding zoonotic transmission and emphasizes the need for a coordinated management approach for brucellosis in both animals and humans, supported by statistically robust data.
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Herein, we investigated the anti-amoebic activity of phosphonium-chloride-based deep eutectic solvents against pathogenic Acanthamoeba castellanii of the T4 genotype. Deep eutectic solvents are ionic fluids composed of two or three substances, capable of self-association to form a eutectic mixture with a melting point lower than each substance. In this study, three distinct hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents were formulated, employing trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride as the hydrogen bond acceptor and aspirin, dodecanoic acid, and 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid as the hydrogen bond donors.

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Managing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, induced by Naegleria fowleri poses a complex medical challenge. There is currently no specific anti-amoebic drug that has proven effectiveness against N. fowleri infection.

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is an opportunistic pathogen with public health implications, largely due to its invasive nature and non-specific symptoms. Our study focuses on the potential of azole compounds, particularly those with triazole scaffolds, as anti-amoebic agents. Out of 10 compounds, compounds T1 and T8 exhibited effective anti- activity with MIC values of 125.

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Article Synopsis
  • A new series of thiadiazine thiones was synthesized using a one-pot reaction, and their structures were confirmed through NMR and mass spectrometry.
  • Testing for anti-nociceptive (pain relief) activity in BALB/C mice showed that certain compounds produced significant effects at different dosages and time intervals.
  • Molecular docking studies suggest that the compounds may effectively target μ-opioid receptors, with additional findings indicating antibacterial activity against specific strains and favorable drug-like properties for some of the synthesized molecules.
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With the emergence of drug-resistance, there is a need for novel anti-bacterials or to enhance the efficacy of existing drugs. In this study, Patuletin (PA), a flavanoid was loaded onto Gallic acid modified Zinc oxide nanoparticles (PA-GA-ZnO), and evaluated for antibacterial properties against Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus pneumoniae) and Gram-negative (Samonella enterica and Escherichia coli) bacteria. Characterization of PA, GA-ZnO and PA-GA-ZnO' nanoparticles was accomplished utilizing fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, efficiency of drug entrapment, polydispersity index, zeta potential, size, and surface morphology analysis through atomic force microscopy.

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Introduction: () is a blood-feeding nematode causing infectious disease haemonchosis in small ruminants of tropical and subtropical regions around the world. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and phylogeny of in small ruminants using the internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2) gene. In addition, a comprehensive review of the available literature on the status of in Pakistan was conducted.

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Background: In this study, we have identified multiple mutations in the IL-12R1 gene among Pakistani patients who have inherited them through consanguineous marriages. These patients have experienced severe Bacille-Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection as well as recurrent tuberculosis. We will demonstrate the pivotal role of interleukin (IL)-12/interferon (IFN)-γ axis in the regulation of mycobacterial diseases.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers evaluated various sulfamate derivatives to see how well they could kill or inhibit the growth and adhesion of Acanthamoeba castellanii.
  • * The most promising compounds, 1j & 1k, significantly reduced amoeba viability with minimal toxicity to human cells, suggesting they could be potential new drugs for treating Acanthamoeba infections.
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The development of antibiotic alternatives that entail distinctive chemistry and modes of action is necessary due to the threat posed by drug resistance. Nanotechnology has gained increasing attention in recent years, as a vehicle to enhance the efficacy of existing antimicrobials. In this study, Chitosan copper oxide nanoparticles (CHI-CuO) were synthesized and were further loaded with Quercetagetin (QTG) to achieve the desired (CHI-CuO-QTG).

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Crocodiles are renowned for their resilience and capacity to withstand environmental stressors, likely influenced by their unique gut microbiome. In this study, we determined whether selected gut bacteria of Crocodylus porosus exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in response to stress, by measuring nitric oxide release, interleukin 1-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and prostaglandin E2 in cerebrovascular endothelial cells. Using the Griess assay, the findings revealed that among several C.

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Naegleria fowleri is a free-living thermophilic flagellate amoeba that causes a rare but life-threatening infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), with a very high fatality rate. Herein, the anti-amoebic potential of carboxamide derivatives possessing sulfonyl or sulfamoyl moiety was assessed against pathogenic N. fowleri using amoebicidal, cytotoxicity and cytopathogenicity assays.

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Background: Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency that causes susceptibility to recurrent fungal and bacterial infections. The CYBB gene encodes gp91 component of the Phagocytic Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and specifically, X-linked CGD is caused by mutations in the CYBB gene, located on the X chromosome. The aim of the study was to characterize functional and genetic mutations in X-linked CGD.

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Aim: To determine whether selected gut bacteria of crocodile exhibit antibacterial properties.

Materials & Methods: Two bacteria isolated from gut were used, namely: and . Conditioned media were tested against pathogenic bacteria and metabolites were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

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Water monitor lizards (WMLs) reside in unhygienic and challenging ecological surroundings and are routinely exposed to various pathogenic microorganisms. It is possible that their gut microbiota produces substances to counter microbial infections. Here we determine whether selected gut bacteria of water monitor lizards (WMLs) possess anti-amoebic properties using of the T4 genotype.

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The emergence of drug-resistant bacterial strains that reduce the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents has become a major ongoing health concern in recent years. It is therefore necessary to find new antibacterials with broad-spectrum activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and/or to use nanotechnology to boost the potency of already available medications. In this research, we examined the antibacterial efficacy of sulfamethoxazole and ethacridine lactate loaded two-dimensional glucosamine functionalized graphene-based nanocarriers against a range of bacterial isolates.

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Aim: Herein, the anti-parasitic activity of azoles (fluconazole and itraconazole) and 5-nitroimdazole (metronidazole) against the brain-eating amoebae: Naegleria fowleri and Balamuthia mandrillaris was elucidated.

Methods And Results: Azoles and 5-nitroimidazole based nanoformulations were synthesized and characterized using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, atomic force microscopy, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. H1-NMR, EI-MS, and ESI-MS were performed to determine their molecular mass and elucidate their structures.

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Acanthamoeba castellanii causes granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, an uncommon but severe brain infection and sight-threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis. Most of the currently used anti-amoebic treatments are not always effective, due to persistence of the cyst stage, and recurrence can occur. Here in this study we synthesize cinnamic acid and lactobionic acid-based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) using co-precipitation technique.

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Aims: To determine the anti-amoebic activity of benzofuran/benzothiophene-possessing compounds against Acanthamoeba castellanii of the T4 genotype.

Method And Results: A series of benzofuran/benzothiophene-possessing compounds were tested for their anti-amoebic activities, in particular, to block encystation and excystation processes in amoebae. Cytotoxicity of the compounds were evaluated using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays.

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is a ubiquitous free-living amoeba capable of instigating keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis in humans. Treatment remains limited and inconsistent. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for novel compounds.

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and are opportunistic protists, responsible for fatal central nervous system infections such as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) with mortality rates higher than 90%. Threatening a rise in cases is the increase in temperature due to global warming. No effective treatment is currently available.

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Purpose: This aim of this study was to assess anti-parasitic properties of deep eutectic solvents against eye pathogen, Acanthamoeba, often associated with the use of contact lens.

Methods: Assays were performed to investigate the effects of various Methyltrioctylammonium chloride-based deep eutectic solvents on Acanthamoeba castellanii, comprising amoebicidal assays, encystment assays, excystment assays, cytotoxicity assays by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release from human cells, and cytopathogenicity assays to determine parasite-mediated host cell death.

Results: In a 2 h incubation period, DES-B, DES-C, DES-D, and DES-E exhibited up to 85 % amoebicidal activity at micromolar doses, which was enhanced further following 24 h incubation.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigated the effectiveness of various imidazothiazole derivatives against the T4 genotype of amoebae, revealing significant reductions in trophozoite proliferation using tryptan blue exclusion assays and cell counting methods.
  • - Two compounds demonstrated the strongest antiamoebic effects, eliminating 70% and 67% of trophozoites, while also inhibiting important lifecycle processes of the amoebae.
  • - These compounds showed low toxicity to human HeLa cells and reduced amoeba-induced cell death, highlighting their potential for developing new antiamoebic treatments, warranting further research into their clinical applications.
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() can cause keratitis, a sight-threatening infection, as well as a fatal brain infection termed granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, mostly in immunocompromised individuals. In contrast, () causes a deadly infection involving the central nervous system, recognized as primary amoebic encephalitis, mainly in individuals partaking in recreational water activities or those with nasal exposure to contaminated water. Worryingly, mortality rates due to these infections are more than 90%, suggesting the need to find alternative therapies.

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