Saleh Al-Ghamdi

The green production of metal oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts has received the attention of researchers. In this work, we produced aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al₂O₃-NPs) using Aloe vera leaf extract to stabilize and reduce them. UV–Vis spectroscopy showed a substantial absorption peak at about 300–320 nanometers, confirming nanoparticle production. The developed material had a nanocrystalline structure, as seen based on several sharp XRD peaks that matched crystalline aluminum oxide material. Functional groups such as C=O, O–H, and Al–O were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Zeta potential analysis of an Al₂O₃ nanoparticle solution exhibited a continuous, low-frequency signal. The particle size distribution was narrow, with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 1000–1200 nanometers, according to DLS tests. Uneven nanoparticles formed platelet-like agglomerations in SEM pictures. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed aluminum and oxygen nanoparticles. SAED patterns indicated polycrystalline nanoparticles, whereas TEM exhibited uneven layers and mesoporousness. A GC-MS analysis of the Aloe vera extract revealed various bioactive chemicals that are known to have the ability of reduction and potential for stabilizing nanoparticles. The biosynthesized Al₂O₃-NPs exhibited antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 20.12 µg/mL for DPPH, 20.34 µg/mL for ABTS, and 45.99 µg/mL for H₂O₂ scavenging. However, the relatively higher IC₅₀ value of 96.06 µg/mL observed in normal WI-38 lung fibroblast cells indicates comparatively lower cytotoxicity toward normal cells, while further studies are needed to optimize and confirm the selectivity of the nanoparticles. Cytotoxicity assays revealed strong anticancer activity against A549 lung carcinoma cells (12.24 µg/mL) and HepG2 liver cancer cells (15.65 µg/mL). The nanoparticles exhibited substantial suppression against Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae ATCC 43816) and multidrug-resistant Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris ATCC 6380), but moderate to no action against P. aeruginosa, L. monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus. In-silico molecular docking showed that 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester, the main Aloe vera phytoconstituent, may interact with heme oxygenase, contributing to its antioxidant effect.

Human–wildlife conflicts arise from increasing human populations and the growing demand for land for agriculture and urban development. In Saudi Arabia, these dynamics have increased the impact of baboons on human communities, as expanding settlements encroach upon the natural habitats of baboons, while rising baboon populations increasingly invade urban areas in search of food, shelter, and water. We aimed to assess the effects of human–baboon coexistence on residents in the Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. From October 2021 to April 2022, we administered a 43-item semi-structured online questionnaire addressing emotional, social, environmental and financial impacts of nearby baboons. A total of 318 residents of the Al-Baha region completed the survey and shared their experiences regarding interactions with hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) near human properties. In addition, three semi-structured life interviews with residents aged over 70 explored historical perceptions. Respondents attributed increased baboon presence to urban expansion, accessible waste, and intentional feeding and strongly supported government-led mitigation plans. Human–baboon interactions in Al Baha produce emotional stress, social disruption, and economic burdens for residents. Findings support integrated management combining public education, improved waste management, non-lethal deterrents, and carefully planned population control measures, developed with community consultation. Limitations of the study include convenience online sampling and reliance on self-reported impacts; future work should quantify baboon abundance and objectively measure economic losses.

This study focused on the design and stractural characterization of two new transition metal complexes derived from Tryptophan (Trp) and 2,2'-bipyridine (Bip), coordinated with Iron(III) (FeTrpBip) and Cobalt(II) (CoTrpBip) ions. Structural elucidation of these complexes was achieved using a range of advanced analytical techniques. Thermal analysis revealed the stability and decomposition behaviors of the complexes. The data indicated that both FeTrpBip and CoTrpBip exhibit octahedral coordination geometries, with the structural formulas identified as [Fe(Trp)(Bip)(Cl)₂] and [Co(Trp)(Bip)(Cl)(H₂O)], respectively. To support the experimental data, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations had been performed. These calculations confirmed the proposed structures and provided a detailed analysis of quantum chemical parameters, including HOMO–LUMO energies, molecular orbitals, and electronic distributions, which are important for understanding the complexes' reactivity. Further, extensive in vitro biological evaluations assessed the antifungal and antibacterial evaluation of the synthesized metal complexes. The bioassays demonstrated that both FeTrpBip and CoTrpBip displayed significantly enhanced bioactivity compared to the free ligands, indicating a synergistic effect of metal coordination on the biological efficacy of the ligands. Molecular docking studies were subsequently conducted to explore the mechanisms of action of these complexes at the molecular level, specifically targeting the E. coli FabH–CoA (PDB ID: 1HNJ). The FabH receptor, essential for fatty acid biosynthesis, was chosen to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of the complexes. Docking simulations provided valuable insights into binding affinities, interaction energies, and key amino acid residues involved in the binding process. The results from these extensive studies highlight the significant therapeutic potential of FeTrpBip and CoTrpBip complexes, positioning them as promising reagents for further development in medical science. The observed synergistic effects due to metal coordination underscore the potential for these complexes to advance antimicrobial therapies and address challenges associated with resistant strains.

Gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in various health challenges, particularly in mitigating diabetes-induced renal damage. Numerous studies have highlighted that modifying gut microbiota is a promising therapeutic strategy for preserving kidney function and mitigating diabetes-related complications. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 supplementations on kidney health in a rat model of diabetes-induced renal damage. Four groups were studied: control, probiotic supplementation, diabetic, and diabetic with probiotic supplementation. Diabetes was induced using a single streptozotocin (STZ) injection after a 12 h fast, and probiotic supplementation (1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg daily) was administered two weeks prior to diabetes induction and continued throughout the experimental period. Weekly assessments included fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycation markers, and kidney function tests. Glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity were analyzed through oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin sensitivity test (IST). The microbiome was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to evaluate changes in diversity and composition. Probiotic supplementation significantly enhanced microbial diversity and composition. Alpha diversity indices such as Shannon and Chao1 demonstrated higher values in the probiotic-treated diabetic group compared to untreated diabetic rats. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, a key indicator of gut health, was also restored in the probiotic-treated diabetic group. Results: Probiotic supplementation significantly improved glycemic control, reduced fasting blood glucose levels, and enhanced insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats. Antioxidant enzyme levels, depleted in untreated diabetic rats, were restored, reflecting reduced oxidative stress. Histological analysis showed better kidney structure, reduced inflammation, and decreased fibrosis. Furthermore, the Comet assay results confirmed a reduction in DNA damage in probiotic-treated diabetic rats. Conclusion: Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 supplementation demonstrated significant protective effects against diabetes-induced renal damage by restoring gut microbiota diversity, improving glycemic control, and reducing oxidative stress. These findings highlight the potential of targeting the gut microbiota and its systemic effects on kidney health as a therapeutic approach for managing diabetes-related complications. Further research is needed to optimize probiotic treatments and assess their long-term benefits in diabetes management and kidney health.

This research focused on the design and characterization of two new transition metal complexes, NiMetPhe and CuMetPhe, derived from methionine (Met) and 1,10‐phenanthroline (Phe), coordinated with Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. Structural elucidation through analytical techniques, conductivity, elemental analysis, FTIR spectra, electronic spectra, magnetic moment, mass spectra, and thermal degradation, confirmed their octahedral geometries with the formulas [Ni(Met)(Phe)(Cl)(H₂O)] and [Cu(Met)(Phe)(Cl)(H₂O)]. Thermal analysis revealed their stability and decomposition patterns, whereas density functional theory (DFT) calculations validated the structures and provided insights into quantum chemical parameters, such as highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO‐LUMO) energies, molecular orbitals, and electronic distributions. In vitro antibacterial and anti‐fungal assays showed significantly enhanced bioactivity for both complexes compared to the free ligands, indicating that metal coordination boosts biological efficacy. Molecular docking studies targeting the Escherichia coli FabH–CoA complex (PDB ID: 1HNJ), a key enzyme in fatty acid biosynthesis, revealed strong binding affinities, interaction energies, and involvement of critical amino acid residues. These findings highlight NiMetPhe and CuMetPhe as promising candidates for antimicrobial therapies, particularly against resistant strains, underscoring their potential for future medical applications.

The development of genome amplification assays has made it possible to describe new foamy viruses (FV) and re-evaluate the part that assists them in transmission to humans causing co-infection. To shed light on the prevalence of simian foamy virus (SFV) in hosts due to the presence of other non-human primates or cattle in nearby regions, this systematic review and meta-analysis was started. Through the databases of Pubmed and Global Index Medicus, we conducted an electronic search. We included observational studies that indicate the presence of zoonotic infection in human population settings related to SFV via cross-species transmission only. The quality of the included articles was evaluated after data extraction. Using a random effect model, we performed analyses on sensitivity, subgroups, publication bias, and heterogeneity. Out of a total of 417 studies retrieved, 12 articles were included in the systematic review. A meta-analysis, performed on 10 studies, revealed a significantly increased risk of SFV transmission in humans due to the bite, scratches, and saliva transmission from non-human primates. Through its analysis of the most recent literature, this study has the advantage of providing public health authorities with useful information about the effectiveness of current precautions against SFV.

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, manifests with a wide range of clinical symptoms that vary from mild respiratory issues to severe respiratory distress. To effectively manage and predict the outcomes of the disease, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying its severity. This study focuses on analyzing and comparing the expression patterns of microRNAs (miRNAs) in serum, urine, and nasopharyngeal samples from patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19. The aim is to identify potential associations with disease progression and discover suitable markers for diagnosis and prognosis. Our findings indicate the consistent upregulation of miR-21, miR-146a, and miR-155 in urine, serum, and nasopharyngeal samples from patients with mild COVID-19. In moderate cases, there were more significant changes in miRNA expression compared to mild cases. Specifically, miR-let-7 demonstrated upregulation, while miR-146b exhibited downregulation. The most notable alterations in miRNA expression profiles were observed in severe COVID-19 cases, with a significant upregulation of miR-223. Moreover, our analysis using Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated that miR-155, miR-let-7, and miR-223 exhibited high sensitivity and specificity, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for distinguishing COVID-19 patients from healthy individuals. Overall, this comparative analysis revealed distinct patterns in miRNA expression. The overlapping expression patterns of miRNAs in urine, serum, and nasopharyngeal samples suggest their potential utility in discriminating disease status.

In recent decades, conflicts between hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) and the rapidly growing human population in the mountainous areas of Western, Southwestern, and Southern Saudi Arabia have accelerated. This conflict, historically occurring mainly between farmers and baboons, has now moved to the urbanized areas in the baboon range and is mainly caused by the common use of spatial and other resources by baboons and humans. The goal of this study was to describe the spatial distribution of baboon groups and to estimate the population size of baboons in the Al-Baha region. The results indicate that baboons are present in all administrative areas of the Al-Baha region with a concentration along the mountain chain running from northwest to southeast and the western part of the region. As expected, rubbish dumps constitute baboon hotspots due to the large amounts of human-derived food. However, the baboons also travel into towns for foraging. The prevention of baboon accessibility to human-derived food would be an important step to reduce causes of conflicts between humans and baboons.