Human β-defensin (HBD), a member of the antimicrobial peptides, is essential for respiratory epithelial cells’ microbial defense, and is affected by cigarette smoking (CS). Its expression is upregulated by stimulation from microbes or inflammation. Genetic polymorphisms in the HBD-1 gene have been implicated in the development of various smoking-related diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Thus, we sought to analyze possible associations between HBD-1 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in HBD-1 gene and CS in ethnic Saudi Arabian subjects.

An in vitro study was conducted to assess the impact of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) on cellular growth, morphology, cell viability, biofilm-formation activity, and growth-regulating substances of a soil bacterium. Phosphate-solubilizing EAM 35 isolated from rhizosphere soil was molecularly identified as Enterobacter cloacae (accession number MT672578.1). Strain EAM 35 tolerated varying levels of OCPs, viz., benzene hexachloride (BHC), chlorpyrifos (CP), dieldrin (DE), and endosulfan (ES).

Usage of cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes (cVMSs) in the industrial process is unavoidable due to their superior properties; however, it is hazardous to human health. Photocatalytic zinc oxide coated aluminum anode is used to degrade the cVMSs in wastewater. In this work, we investigated the relationship among degradation process parameters such as current density (4–20 mA/cm2), initial pH (5–9), plate distance (8–24 cm), UV intensity (0–120 W), and reaction time (30–100 min) vis-a-vis cVMSs removal efficiency by using data-driven artificial neural networks(ANN) model.

The formation of bacterial biofilms is a severely encountered problem in clinical and industrial settings. Most of the naturally occurring bacterial strains are capable of forming mono or mixed biofilms. In this study, we evaluated the potentiality of three clinically relevant species in forming mono and mixed biofilms over glass surface. In addition, we also appraised the efficiency of bacteriophages in alleviating preformed mono and mixed biofilm.

The tumor suppressor gene TP53 and its downstream genes P21 and MDM2 play crucial roles in combating DNA damage at the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint. Polymorphisms in these genes can lead to the development of various diseases. This study was conducted to examine a potential association between tobacco substance usage (TSU) and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the exon regions of the P53, P21, and MDM2 genes by comparing populations of smokers and non-smokers from Saudi Arabia.

The photocatalytic dye degradation of pure α-Fe2O3 and different concentration of Co doped α-Fe2O3 is explored. Facile hydrothermal method were employed to prepare pristine, 2% and 4% Co–Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Further, synthesized product confirmation studies were employed from X-ray diffraction, UV–vis spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared, Raman, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope studies. The rhombohedral nanoparticles developed were enhanced photocatalytic action.

Fusarium oxysporum, a fungal plant pathogen, causes severe wilting and heavy losses in cotton. Present research was planned to appraise the weed extracts of Parthenium hysterophorus, Chenopodium album, Canada thistle and Phalaris minor against F. oxysporum. Morphological identification of F. oxysporum was done by observing white cottony mycelium with dark-purple undersurface on growth media and oval to ellipsoid/kidney shaped oval tapering and three septate spores.

In this present work, we report the green synthesis of mixed bimetal oxides (CuO/NiO) for the efficient reduction of toxic nitrophenols (NP, DNP and TNP) in aqueous medium. The CuO/NiO NPs were synthesized by green hydrothermal method combined calcination process. The physiochemical properties of the synthesized CuO/NiO NPs were systematically characterized by using XRD, XPS, FTIR, SEM, and HR-TEM techniques. The calcinated CuO/NiO NPs XRD pattern and SEM morphology show the high crystalline nature than the non-calcinated.

Elimination of heavy metals from wastewater has been a significant process to improve the aquatic source's quality. Various materials act as very effective adsorbents to remove heavy metals, which cause toxicity to plants and all other living organisms. Thus, the present work focuses on removing heavy metals chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu) ions containing wastewater using biodegradable and cost-effective chitosan-based hydrogel composite.

Coronaviruses M proteins are well-represented in the major protein component of the viral envelope. During the viral assembly, they play an important role by association with all other viral structural proteins. Despite their crucial functions, very little information regarding the structures and functions of M proteins is available. Here we utilize bioinformatic tools from available sequences and 3D structures of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV2, and MERS-CoV M proteins in order to predict potential B-cell epitopes and assessing antibody binding affinity.