Khalid Omer Abdalla Abosalif

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) plays an essential role in the innate immune system, being a first-line defense against a variety of pathogens. As a pattern recognition molecule, MBL binds to specific carbohydrate structures on the surface of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. This binding activates the lectin complement pathway, resulting in pathogen opsonization, inflammation, and direct lysis. Additionally, MBL stimulates phagocytosis by promoting microbe recognition and uptake by immune cells. Low levels or variant alleles of MBL are associated with enhanced risk of infection, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory pathologies. In this review, we investigate MBL’s molecular mechanisms and physiological role, as well as its clinical relevance and therapeutic opportunities. Based on updated knowledge on immunology and genetics, we analyze how deficiencies in MBL affect immune responses and diseases. We speculate on the possibility of MBL-based therapies to cure immune-related diseases. Despite MBL’s important role in immunity, we are far from a comprehensive understanding of its interactions in the larger network of innate immunity. Generating therapeutic strategies that boost MBL function in immunocompromised hosts would be of interest.

We sincerely thank the authors of the comment for their interest in our study and for highlighting the issue of author name ambiguity in bibliometric research

Plasmodium parasites, transmitted to human blood via the bite of the Anopheles mosquito, cause malaria, an acute and severe disease that can potentially be fatal. These parasites and their mosquito vectors proliferate in warmer climates and, therefore, are more prevalent in certain regions. In 2021, fifty percent of the global population was at risk of malaria. Although this disease can affect any individual, specific demographic groups, including young children, pregnant women, neonates, and immunocompromised individuals, are more susceptible to infection and are at higher risk of mortality. Among Plasmodium species, only P. falciparum causes cerebral malaria and is behind the most severe symptoms and fatalities. The pathogenesis of Plasmodium malaria is associated with the downstream signaling pathways and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) of innate immunity. Owing to the potential role of TLRs in the pathophysiology of malaria, TLR gene polymorphisms may be subject to selection pressure in communities where the disease is endemic. This review paper summarizes the prevailing knowledge of the fundamental characteristics of TLRs and their role in malaria disease. In addition, it throws light on the potential role of the TLR signaling system in malaria pathogenesis.

Multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a global challenge due to its high virulence and resistance mechanisms, which lead to persistent infections. This study explored the efficacy of active compounds of Aloe vera as alternative treatments against MDR P. aeruginosa isolates. A total of 283 P. aeruginosa isolates were obtained from sputum and throat samples. The antibiotic resistance of these isolates was evaluated against several antibiotic classes. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of A. vera –derived phytochemicals was individually assessed; lupeol was found to be a potent phytochemical with the lowest MIC (125 μ g/mL). The physicochemical properties and toxicity of the phytochemicals were further evaluated using SwissADME, StopTox, and Protox 3.0. Genetic analysis identified mutations in the AmpC protein as a key factor of antibiotic resistance; consequently, molecular docking studies examined interactions between A. vera phytochemicals and AmpC. Most P. aeruginosa isolates exhibited pronounced antibiotic resistance, while the phytochemicals demonstrated favorable pharmacological properties and strong binding interactions with key amino acids in AmpC. Of these phytochemicals, aloe‐emodin showed the most promising antibacterial activity. These findings underscore the potential of A. vera –derived phytochemicals for clinical application as alternative treatments for combating drug‐resistant bacterial infections.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have wide applicability as antimicrobial, biomedical, and anti-cancer drug delivery systems. This study aimed to synthesize Ag-NPs using green methodology to assess their antimicrobial properties and toxicity. Ag-NPs were prepared using doxycycline, an antibiotic serving as a reducing and capping agent. The synthesized Ag-NPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry. The antimicrobial efficacy of doxycycline-mediated Ag-NPs was assessed on Candida species in vitro and for toxicity in male albino mice in vivo. The Ag-NPs showed a surface plasmon resonance at 411 nm, indicating a 90 nm average size and spherical shape. Toxicity was tested on mouse organs (liver, kidney, spleen, heart and stomach) using three Ag-NP doses (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) over 14 days. The synthesized Ag-NPs produced large inhibition zones against two well-known fungal species, C. albicans and C. tropicalis, demonstrating their antimicrobial potential. The Ag-NPs showed varying degrees of toxicity in different mouse organs, depending on the administered dose, with more pronounced adverse effects observed at higher concentrations. Periodic administration of Ag-NPs at low-dose volumes holds promise as a safe approach to their use as antimicrobial agents. Low-dose Ag-NPs are minimally toxic and show strong antimicrobial efficacy.

Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is a prominent component of the human flora; however, it can cause various pathological conditions. The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MR-SA) has been significantly influenced by the overuse and inappropriate administration of antibiotics. The frequency of MR-SA nasal colonization among healthcare workers (HCWs) is increasing, and MR-SA is not restricted to hospital settings, with a notable rise in infections among individuals unrelated to HCWs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage among students at Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), a Government School (GS), and a Private School (PS) to characterize the phenotypic traits of isolates and evaluate antimicrobial resistance profiles. Materials and Methods: A total of 1200 nasal swabs were inoculated on blood and mannitol salt agar, followed by phenotypic identification of S. aureus and MR-SA using biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted via the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination was performed using the broth dilution method. Additionally, nuc and mecA gene amplification through PCR aided in isolate identification. Results: The results revealed that 14% (168) of students harbored S. aureus in their nasal cavities, with 8.5% (102) carrying methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and 5.5% (66) carrying MR-SA. Male students exhibited higher S. aureus (57.7%) and MR-SA (21.4%) prevalence compared to females (42.3% and 17.9%, respectively). Urban students showed a higher S. aureus prevalence (54.2%), while rural students exhibited a higher MR-SA rate (22%). Overall, 80.3% of S. aureus isolates displayed resistance to erythromycin followed by fluoroquinolones (47.6%) and clindamycin (42.2%). All the S. aureus isolates, including MR-SA, remained susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid. PCR results revealed that 95.5% (63) of MR-SA isolates carried the mecA gene. Conclusions: The high prevalence of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) S. aureus raises significant public health concerns, with educational institutions potentially serving as reservoirs for bacterial transmission. The improper use of antibiotics contributes to bacterial resistance and increased infection rates. It is crucial to implement measures to prevent antibiotic misuse and develop comprehensive strategies within educational settings to effectively combat S. aureus and MR-SA prevalence.

The human microbiome is a complex ecosystem of bacteria residing in the body. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding the overall well-being of individuals while also making them more vulnerable to various diseases. The human microbiota, genetics, and health have a complex connection, which is significant for maintaining health and preventing infections. The microbiome has a role in several gastrointestinal, skin, dental, and systemic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Genetic variation and lifestyle and dietary choices modify the microbiome composition, thereby influencing the risk of developing severe infections. The microbiome impacts host gene expression and acts as a biomarker for several diseases. The gut microbiome and genes are linked in the pathogenesis of obesity and inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, this review focuses on the relationship between the microbiome and genetics and elucidation of the complexity of this connection. Future research-based microbiome interventions to prevent diseases could lead to strategies for personalized medicine that enhance treatment efficacy and health outcomes.

This investigation was carried out to examine the safety and microbiological quality of products made from meat, dairy and vegetables. Samples of frozen food were examined for the presence of Gram-negative bacteria. A total of 49 frozen food samples were collected, including chicken nuggets, chicken fillets, chicken sticks, breaded breast chicken, fish, beef burger and minced beef roll, white cheese, camembert cheese, and vegetables (okra and green peas). Standard methods were used to determine the diversity of bacterial isolates in various food samples. About 182 isolates of Escherichia coli, 63 isolates of Salmonella typhi, 51 isolates of Pseudomonas, and 63 isolates of Klebsiella were recovered from the various frozen food samples. Meat samples showed a high prevalence of E. coli and Pseudomonas. The antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolated bacterial strains were also examined. Out of 12 antibiotics, only ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin showed a high level of susceptibility. According to the study’s findings, the majority of the frozen meat product samples contained a significant number of bacteria and were therefore unsafe for human consumption. These microorganisms can cause infection and are therefore associated with a high risk to the consumers. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to health and education issues in relation to food safety.

Human respiratory infections caused by coronaviruses can range from mild to deadly. Although there are numerous studies on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), few have been published on its Omicron variant. In order to remedy this deficiency, this study undertook a bibliometric analysis of the publishing patterns of studies on the Omicron variant and identified hotspots. Automated transportation, environmental protection, improved healthcare, innovation in banking, and smart homes are just a few areas where machine learning has found use in tackling complicated problems. The sophisticated Scopus database was queried for papers with the term “Omicron” in the title published between January 2020 and June 2022. Microsoft Excel 365, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Biblioshiny from R were used for a statistical analysis of the publications. Over the study period, 1917 relevant publications were found in the Scopus database. Viruses was the most popular in publications for Omicron variant research, with 150 papers published, while Cell was the most cited source. The bibliometric analysis determined the most productive nations, with USA leading the list with the highest number of publications (344) and the highest level of international collaboration on the Omicron variant. This study highlights scientific advances and scholarly collaboration trends and serves as a model for demonstrating global trends in Omicron variant research. It can aid policymakers and medical researchers to fully grasp the current status of research on the Omicron variant. It also provides normative data on the Omicron variant for visualization, study, and application.