Yasir Anwar

Fluorene poses ecological and health hazards that originate from biomass combustion and petroleum. However, some microorganisms can counter fluorene through complex enzymatic degradation pathways. This research aimed to explore the catalytic efficiency of enzymes on metabolites and their toxicity levels throughout the fluorene biodegradation pathway. Several web servers and software were used to characterize them and analyse molecular dockings between ligands and proteins. Fluorene and its metabolites have mild toxicities to the brain, lung, neurons, and kidneys, and consequent endpoints cause mutations, cancer, and ecotoxicity at different levels. The catalytic enzymes are well-folded, single-chained, medium-sized proteins that are acidic, thermostable, and with few exceptions, hydrophilic, cytoplasmic, non-allergenic, and nonvirulent, possessing multiple active sites. The ERRAT, PROCHECK, and VERIFY 3D tools successfully validated the SWISS-modelled 3D structures of proteins. Molecular docking results showed moderate binding affinities between proteins and ligands, ranging from −9.4 to −6.1 kcal/mol, indicating potential activities of the enzymes. This computational study supports the conventional fluorene degradation pathway and may provide a new avenue for further research.

In nature, dibenzofurans are usually found in chlorinated form, which poses a risk to human health and endangers flora and fauna. Bioremediation is recognized as an effective method for addressing contamination in polluted soils. This study aims to identify native bacterial species that degrade dibenzofuran in soils of the Makkah region. Samples were collected from different areas in the region to isolate bacteria that degrade hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Based on the spectrophotometer and DCPIP assay, thirteen strains were selected. The degradation efficiency of DF9 is the most efficient among them. It was determined that DF9 was Brevibacillus parabrevis. The strain showed the highest absorbance in optical density at 600 nm when measured with a UV spectrophotometer. The selected strain exhibited a notable colorimetric change from blue to white when exposed to 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol dye. Furthermore, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis of strain DF9 substantiated its capacity for degradation, effectively breaking down almost 60% of dibenzofuran. Based on our studies, it can be concluded that Brevibacillus parabrevis YA is an effective strain to clean the environment of hazardous chemicals.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds, composed of two or more fused benzene rings sourced from unburned fossil fuels and petroleum, recognized for their wide presence in the environment and harmful impacts on human health and ecosystems. PAHs pose remarkable challenges to living habitats due to their mutagenic properties. Fluorene is a low-molecular-weight heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with multiple industrial applications, for example, pigments, fluorescents, and pharmaceuticals. Its xenobiotic activities on living cells may lead to severe health concerns including cancer and organ damage. The degradation of PAHs through several physicochemical reactions is costly, labor-intensive, time-consuming, and detrimental to the environment. However, biodegradation of PAHs using microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae leads to a sustainable and cost-effective method. Despite ongoing research, finding potent microbial strains capable of degrading PAHs comprehensively is a significant challenge. This review highlights the toxicity of PAHs (especially fluorene) on the environment and summarizes effective microorganisms and their approaches for meaningful PAH bioremediation.

An important target in cancer treatment is Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), and small-molecule inhibitors that bind to its active site can greatly reduce its activity. This study investigated the potential of drug conjugation for targeted cancer therapy by analyzing the EGFR network. It evaluates the interaction of Doxorubicin and Gemcitabine with EGFR, and conducts a similarity search using FDA-approved conjugate drugs. After initial screening through deduplication, which reduced an initial set of 89 compounds to 46 unique candidates, molecular docking and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed. Based on binding affinity and DFT energy values, four compounds (PubChem IDs 422288, 434871, 44458986 and 166149926) were identified as promising EGFR inhibitors. These compounds demonstrated strong binding potential (−8.9 kcal to −9.4 kcal/mol) and stable electronic properties (−2861.60 atomic units to −2732.72 atomic units), making them viable candidates for further investigation in EGFR-targeted therapies. Docking was further validated by re-docking the compounds with the protein which showed a similar range of docking scores. Further EGFR-ligand complexes were analyzed using molecular dynamics simulations for 500 ns and energy decomposition to determine their binding stability and key interactions. The ligand 434871 showed stable binding in RMSD, RMSF and SASA studies. However, ligand 434871 showed slightly more conformational flexibility. The most favorable binding free energy (−36.89 kcal/mol) was observed for ligand 434871 through MM/GBSA calculations. Overall, these findings demonstrate the ability of these compounds to inhibit EGFR protein, which plays a major role in cancer growth and progression. These intriguing in silico results highlight the necessity for additional in vitro and in vivo studies to confirm the usefulness of these drugs in real biological systems.

Background/Objectives:Maerua crassifolia, a threatened medicinal species endemic to drylands, exhibits a pronounced drought sensitivity. Despite the critical role of microorganisms, particularly bacteria and fungi, the microbial consortia in M. crassifolia’s rhizosphere remain underexplored. Methods: Metagenomic whole genome shotgun sequencing (WGS) was employed to elucidate the taxonomic composition of bacterial and fungal communities inhabiting the soil rhizosphere of M. crassifolia. Results: The data revealed a marked predominance of bacterial genomes relative to fungal communities, as evidenced by non-redundant gene analysis. Notably, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), specifically Rhizophagus clarus, Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis geosporum, are key rhizosphere colonizers. This study confirmed the presence of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), such as Sphingomonas spp., Cyanobacteria and Pseudomonadota, underscoring the critical role of these microorganisms in the phosphorus cycle. Additionally, the study uncovered the presence of previously uncharacterized species within the phylum Actinobacteria, as well as unidentified taxa from the Betaproteobacteria, Gemmatimonadota and Chloroflexota phyla, which may represent novel microbial taxa with potential plant growth-promoting properties. Conclusions: Findings suggest a complex, symbiotic network where AMF facilitate phosphorus uptake through plant–root interactions. In a tripartite symbiosis, PSB enhance inorganic phosphorus solubilization, increasing bioavailability, which AMF assimilate and deliver to plant roots, optimizing nutrition. This bacterial–fungal interplay is essential for plant resilience in arid environments. Future investigations should prioritize the isolation and characterization of underexplored microbial taxa residing in the rhizosphere of M. crassifolia, with particular emphasis on members of the Actinobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gemmatimonadota and Chloroflexota phyla to uncover their roles in nutrient acquisition and sustainability.

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that have powerful anticancer properties. Despite this, they are not suitable for treating cancer due to low solubility, instability, and bioavailability. To enhance their durability and bioavailability, it has been suggested that using delivery methods that include flavonoids to enhance their bioavailability may be a promising solution. Our analysis will focus on the most promising flavonoid-based delivery methods developed for anticancer medicines, particularly for cervical cancer. In addition to flavonoids' enormous therapeutic potential, delivery methods are critical to achieving positive results in cancer therapy. In addition to their anticancer properties, flavonoids are also polyphenolic compounds that occur naturally. However, these compounds are not suitable for treating cancer due to their insolubility, stability, and bioavailability. By adding flavonoids to delivery systems, the properties of flavonoids can be enhanced, resulting in higher bioavailability and durability Data obtained highlights flavonoids' great therapeutic potential as well as the importance of constructing good delivery mechanisms for cancer patients to achieve good outcomes. In conclusion, flavonoids may provide more efficient and individualized cancer treatment when incorporated into delivery systems. The adoption of flavonoid-based cervical cancer treatment methods could significantly improve the quality of life of millions of women. By encapsulating flavonoids in delivery systems, chemotherapy's adverse effects can be reduced, and patient outcomes may improve.

The Middle Eastern prevalence of sickle cell anemia, a genetic disorder that affects red blood cells, necessitates additional research. On a molecular level, we sought to identify and sort the oral microbiota of healthy individuals and those with sickle cell anemia. Furthermore, it is crucial to comprehend how changes in the genetic makeup of the oral microbiota impact the state of sickle cell anemia. Using next-generation sequencing, the 16S rRNA amplicon was examined using saliva samples from 36 individuals with sickle cell anemia and healthy individuals. These samples were obtained from sickle cell anemia patients (18 samples) and healthy control participants (controls, 18 samples). Various analyses are conducted using bioinformatic techniques to identify distinct species and their relative abundance. Streptococcus, followed by Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella, and Veillonella were the most prevalent genera of bacteria in the saliva of the SCA and non-SCA individuals according to our findings. Rothia mucilaginosa, Prevotella scoposa, and Veillonella dispar species were the dominant species in both sickle cell anemia and non-sickle cell anemia subjects. Streptococcus salivarius, Actinomyces graevenitzii, Actinomyces odontolyticus, and Actinomyces georgiae spp. were the most prevalent bacterial spp. in the studied SCA cases. The sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene yielded relative abundance values that were visualized through a heatmap analysis. Alterations in the oral microflora’s constitution can significantly affect the susceptibility of sickle cell anemia patients to develop more severe health complications. Salivary diagnosis is a potential tool for predicting and preventing oral microbiome-related diseases in the future.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a significant and pressing public health concern, posing serious challenges to effectively preventing and treating persistent diseases. Despite various efforts made in recent years to address this problem, the global trends of AMR continue to escalate without any indication of decline. As AMR is well-known for antibiotics, developing new materials such as metal containing compounds with different mechanisms of action is crucial to effectively address this challenge. Copper, silver, and chitosan in various forms have demonstrated significant biological activities and hold promise for applications in medicine and biotechnology. Exploring the biological properties of these nanoparticles is essential for innovative therapeutic approaches in treating bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, and other diseases. To this end, the present study aimed to synthesize silver@copper oxide (Ag@CuO) nanoparticles and its chitosan nanocomposite (Chi-Ag@CuO) to investigate their antimicrobial efficacy. Various established spectroscopic and microscopic methods were employed for characterization purposes, encompassing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Subsequently, the antimicrobial activity of the nanoparticles was assessed through MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration), MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration), and well-disk diffusion assays against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans. The size of the CuO-NPs, Ag@CuO, and Chi-Ag@CuO NPs was found to be 70–120 nm with a spherical shape and an almost uniform distribution. The nanocomposites were found to possess a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5 μg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 250 μg/mL. Moreover, these nanocomposites generated varying clear inhibition zones, with diameters ranging from a minimum of 9 ± 0.5 mm to a maximum of 25 ± 0.5 mm. Consequently, it is evident that the amalgamation of copper–silver–chitosan nanoparticles has exhibited noteworthy antimicrobial properties in the controlled laboratory environment, surpassing the performance of other types of nanoparticles.