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Smart biocompatible materials that respond to a variety of external stimuli have a lot of potential in the creation of low-cost diagnostic biosensors. The present work describes the creation of core–shell nanoparticles as a biosensor for smart enzyme detection of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA). A chitosan-tripolyphosphate core was generated via ionic gelation and was coated with a starch–iodine shell to create biocompatible core–shell nanoparticles. The starch–iodine shell was ruptured in the presence of certain amounts of amylase, exposing the core. This application explains a noticeable color change from blue to white that can be used to identify sAA at the point of care. Synthesized nanoparticles were examined for scanning electron microscopy analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). An EDX report reveals that the nanoparticles have higher carbon content at 55% followed by an oxygen atom of 35%. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed that the core–shell nanoparticles have carbonyl (C═O) functional groups present. A confirmatory test of amylase reaction on nanoparticle-impregnated paper turns blue to white indicating that the nanoparticle reacts with amylase as an indicator. This paper-based method can be used in future applications in forensic and medical applications.

The aim of the present study was the synthesis of hydrogel incorporated with chitosan blend with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) from red cabbage Brassica oleracea and its application in wound healing and antibacterial activity. The chitosan/PVA hydrogel was synthesized by the combination of chitosan and PVA treated with acetic acid. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized from the B. oleracea extract and its antibacterial efficacy was examined. The synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized using UV-spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. The synthesized NPs were purified and combined with the hydrogel. This combined hydrogel and AgNP mixture was then subjected to Fourier transform infrared analysis, and the results were observed to conclude the effectiveness of the hydrogel. This hydrogel would differ in the part of dressing the wound, that is it can last on the wound for a longer period, thus reducing the pain and frequency of dressing and in turn naturally healing the wound in less time.

School counselors play a critical role in the identification and management of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In order for the counselors to effectively help students with this condition, it is important that they have knowledge about this disorder. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge that elementary school counselors on the Northern Border of Saudi Arabia have (ADHD). The Knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (KADDS) was used to evaluate the counselors. The KADDS scale has three sub-scales that test general knowledge, diagnosis and symptoms, and treatment of ADHD. The study sampled 89 of approximately 200 school counselors working at elementary schools across the Region. The study data was analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences. The counselors got 31% of the questions in the general knowledge sub-scale correct while 43% were answered incorrectly, and 26% answered, "don't know." In the diagnosis/symptoms sub-scale 63% of the questions were answered correctly, 21% were answered incorrectly, while 16% answered: "don't know." In the treatment sub-scale, 38% of questions were answered correctly, 26% were answered incorrectly while 36% answered: "don't know." Overall, 41% of the questions were answered correctly, 32% were answered incorrectly, while 27% answered: "don't know." Based on these findings, the researcher concluded that the school counselors in the Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia do not have sufficient knowledge of ADHD. This lack of knowledge invariably inhibits their ability to help children with ADHD.

Bacterial infections emerge as a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity worldwide. Emerging extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL) Escherichia coli strains provide a greater risk of bacteremia and mortality, are increasingly resistant to antibiotics, and are a major producer of ESBLs. E. coli bacteremialinked mastitis is one of the most common bacterial diseases in animals, which can affect the quality of the milk and damage organ functions. There is an elevated menace of treatment failure and recurrence of E. coli bacteremia necessitating the adoption of rigorous alternative treatment approaches. In this study, Se-Boil-CuO multimetallic nanoparticles (MMNPs) were synthesized as an alternate treatment from Talaromyces haitouensis extract, and their efficiency in treating ESBL E. coli was confirmed using standard antimicrobial assays. Scanning electronmicroscopy, UV--visible spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering were used to validate and characterize themycosynthesized Se-BiO-CuOMMNPs. UV--visible spectra of Se- BiO-CuO MMNPs showed absorption peak bands at 570, 376, and 290 nm, respectively. The average diameters of the amorphous-shaped Se-BiO-CuO MMNPs synthesized by T. haitouensis extract were approximately 66--80 nm, respectively. Se-BiO-CuO MMNPs (100 mg/mL) showed a maximal inhibition zone of 18.33 ± 0.57 mm against E. coli. Se-BiO-CuO MMNPs also exhibited a deleterious impact on E. coli killing kinetics, biofilm formation, swimming motility, efflux of cellular components, and membrane integrity. The hemolysis assay also confirms the biocompatibility of Se-BiO-CuO MMNPs at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range. Our findings suggest that Se-BiO-CuO MMNPs may serve as a potential substitute for ESBL E. coli bacteremia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Hail Desert Plant Database serves as an extensive repository that has been created to consolidate and systematize information concerning medicinal plants that are native to the arid Hail region in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: By conducting thorough literature mining from credible sources such as scientific articles and online databases, we systematically collected and organized data on more than 200 desert plant species. This comprehensive dataset includes botanical characteristics, phytochemical compositions, traditional applications, habitat preferences, documented medicinal uses, and the active compounds associated with these plants. In addition, we utilized molecular docking methodologies to perform computational investigations that aimed to elucidate the molecular interactions occurring between phytochemical compounds and target proteins that are known to be associated with the specific diseases traditionally treated by these plants. Results: The database, which has been meticulously crafted to feature a user-friendly interface, offers an indispensable resource for researchers and clinicians who are captivated by the therapeutic possibilities presented by these arid florae. The inclusion of three-dimensional structures of docked complexes in the database significantly enhances its research capabilities, enabling comprehensive investigations and assisting in the development of potential drug candidates derived from natural sources. Conclusion: The Hail Desert Plant Database serves as a crucial tool, facilitating progress in the field of drug discovery, investigations into structural biology, and the examination of alternative therapeutic agents derived from the diverse array of desert plants. The Hail Desert Plant Database is freely accessible at http://haildesertplants.com/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have garnered considerable interest in biomedical research primarily owing to their prospective therapeutic implications in combatting pathogenic diseases and microbial infections. The primary objective of this study was to examine the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanowhiskers (ZnO-NWs) using chicken egg white (albumin) as a bio-template. Furthermore, this study aimed to explore the potential biomedical applications of ZnO NWs in the context of infectious diseases. Methods: The NWs synthesized through biological processes were observed using electron microscopy, which allowed for detailed examination of their characteristics. The results of these investigations indicated that the NWs exhibited a size distribution ranging from approximately 10 to 100 nm. Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopyenergy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) mapping analyses successfully corroborated the size, dimensions, and presence of biological constituents during their formation. In this study, XTT assay and confocal imaging were employed to provide evidence of the efficacy of ZnO-NWs in the eradication of bacterial biofilms. The target bacterial strains were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, we sought to address pertinent concerns regarding the biocompatibility of the ZnO-NWs. This was achieved through comprehensive evaluation of the absence of cytotoxicity in normal HEK-293T and erythrocytes. Results: The findings of this investigation unequivocally confirmed the biocompatibility of the ZnO-NWs. The biosynthesized ZnO-NWs demonstrated a noteworthy capacity to mitigate the dermatitis-induced consequences induced by Staphylococcus aureus in murine models after a therapeutic intervention lasting for one week. Discussion: This study presents a comprehensive examination of the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanowhiskers (ZnO-NWs) derived from chicken egg whites. These findings highlight the considerable potential of biosynthesized ZnO-NWs as a viable option for the development of therapeutic agents targeting infectious diseases. The antibacterial efficacy of ZnO-NWs against both susceptible and antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, as well as their ability to eradicate biofilms, suggests their promising role in combating infectious diseases. Furthermore, the confirmed biocompatibility of ZnO-NWs opens avenues for their safe use in biomedical applications. Overall, this research underscores the therapeutic promise of ZnO-NWs and their potential significance in future biomedical advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase 7 (MAPK7) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that belongs to the MAPK family and plays a vital role in various cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, gene transcription, apoptosis, metabolism, and cell survival. The elevated expression of MAPK7 has been associated with the onset and progression of multiple aggressive tumors in humans, underscoring the potential of targeting MAPK7 pathways in therapeutic research. This pursuit holds promise for the advancement of anticancer drug development by developing potential MAPK7 inhibitors. To look for potential MAPK7 inhibitors, we exploited structure‐based virtual screening of natural products from the ZINC database. First, the Lipinski rule of five criteria was used to filter a large library of ~90,000 natural compounds, followed by ADMET and pan‐assay interference compounds (PAINS) filters. Then, top hits were chosen based on their strong binding affinity as determined by molecular docking. Further, interaction analysis was performed to find effective and specific compounds that can precisely bind to the binding pocket of MAPK7. Consequently, two compounds, ZINC12296700 and ZINC02123081, exhibited significant binding affinity and demonstrated excellent drug‐like properties. All‐atom molecular dynamics simulations for 200 ns confirmed the stability of MAPK7‐ZINC12296700 and MAPK7‐ZINC02123081 docked complexes. According to the molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area investigation, the binding affinities of both complexes were considerable. Overall, the result suggests that ZINC12296700 and ZINC02123081 might be used as promising leads to develop novel MAPK7 inhibitors. Since these compounds would interfere with the kinase activity of MAPK7, therefore, may be implemented to control cell growth and proliferation in cancer after required validations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]