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The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has recently received emergency approval from the US FDA. The mRNA technology was used to manufacture the Pfizer vaccine; however, as a pioneering technology that has never been used in the manufacture of vaccines, many people have concerns about the vaccine's side effects. Thus, the current study aimed to track the short-term side effects of the vaccine. The information in this study was gathered by a Google Form-questionnaire (online survey). The results included the responses of 455 individuals, all of whom are Saudi Arabia inhabitants. Adverse effects of the vaccine were reported after the first and the second doses. The most common symptoms were injection site pain, headaches, flu-like symptoms, fever, and tiredness. Less common side effects were a fast heartbeat, whole body aches, difficulty breathing, joint pain, chills, and drowsiness. Rare side effects include Bell's palsy and lymph nodes swelling and tenderness. Flu-like symptoms were more common among those under 60 years of age, while injection site pain was more frequent among recipients who were 60 years and older. The study revealed a significant increase in the number of females who suffered from the vaccine side effects compared to males. Difficulty of breathing was more reported among recipients who had been previously infected with the coronavirus compared to those who had not been previously infected. Most of the side effects reported in this study were consistent with Pfizer's fact sheet for recipients and caregivers. Further studies are required to determine the long-term side effects.

Accumulation of heavy metals in soil is becoming an increasingly serious eco-environmental problem. Thus, investigating how plants mitigate heavy metal toxicity is necessary to reduce the associated risks. Here, we aimed to assess the bioremediation and stress defense strategies of tolerant plant species grown under complex heavy metals contamination. To this end, a field study was conducted on the vegetation cover of sites with different soil pollution levels. Forty-two plant species that belong to 38 genera and 21 families were identified. The pollution had a significant impact on plant richness in the polluted sites. Out of several screened plants, Amaranthus retroflexus L. was selected because of its high relative density (16.7) and a high frequency (100%) in the most polluted sites. The selected species showed a high biological concentration factor (BCF) and low translocation factor (TF) for Cu, As and Ni. To control the heavy metal-induced oxidative damage, A. retroflexus invested in detoxification (metallothionein and phytochelatins, glutathione and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). At the organ level, oxidase damage (H2O2, lipid and protein peroxidation) was observed, particularly in the roots. To mitigate heavy metal oxidative stress, antioxidant mechanisms (e.g., tocopherols, glutathione, peroxidases, catalase, peroxide dismutase and ASC-GSH cycle) were upregulated, mainly in the roots. Overall, our results suggested the potentiality of A. retroflexus as a promising bioremediatory and stress-tolerant plant at the same time; moreover, defense and detoxification mechanisms were uncovered.

The goal of this study is to investigate the antiulcer effects of betalain-rich extract (BRE). Gastric ulcer was induced by the administration of ethanol by gastric gavage route. This study showed that the supplementation of the BRE from pulp and peel at 800 mg/kg to rats with ethanol-induced gastric-ulcer significantly reduced the volume of gastric secretion (VGS) by 35% (p=0.001) and 34% (p=0.0009), the ulcer index (UI) by 41% (p=0.001) and 68% (p=0.0008), and the curative radio (CR) by 41% and 68%, respectively, as compared to untreated ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. In addition, the administration of pulp and peel BRE to rats at dose 800 mg/kg significantly attenuates the variation in pH of gastric juice (p=0.008 and p=0.001) and its total acidity (TA) (p=0.001 and p=0.001). The antiulcer effect of BRE was confirmed by macroscopic and histological evaluation. Furthermore, pulp and peel BRE attenuated gastric ulcer-induced stress oxidants in rats’ stomachs showed by a significant decrease in the lipid peroxidation rate (p=0.007 and p=0.001) and LDH activity (p=0.01 and p=0.008) and a potential increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p=0.01 and p=0.008), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (p=0.006 and p=0.001), and catalase (CAT) (p=0.001 and p=0.0009). Conclusion. Therefore, this study shows for the first time that BRE, a natural colorant from O. stricta, is efficient in the amelioration of ulcer and stomach inflammation.

One of the most prevalent chronic infectious disorders is tooth decay. Acids produced when plaque bacteria break down sugar in the mouth cause tooth decay. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus are the most prominent species related to dental caries. Innovative biocidal agents that integrate with a biomaterial to prevent bacterial colonization have shown remarkable promise as a result of the rapid advancement of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In this study, Ulva lactuca was used as a cellulose source and reducing agent to synthesize nanocellulose and Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites. The characterizations of nanocellulose and Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites were tested for FT-IR, TEM, SEM, EDS, XRD, and zeta potential. Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites and Ulva/nanocellulose, both blended with fluoride, were tested as an antibacterial against S. mutans ATCC 25175 and L. acidophilus CH-2. The results of the SEM proved that nanocellulose is filament-shaped, and FT-IR proved that the functional groups of Ulva/nanocellulose and Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites and cellulose are relatively similar but present some small diffusion in peaks. The TEM image demonstrated that the more piratical size distribution of Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites ranged from 15 to 20 nm, and Ulva/nanocellulose ranged from 10 to 15 nm. Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites have higher negativity than Ulva/nanocellulose. Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites and Ulva/nanocellulose possess antibacterial activity against S. mutans ATCC 25175 and L. acidophilus CH-2, but Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites are more effective, followed by that blended with fluoride. It is possible to use Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites as an antimicrobial agent when added to toothpaste. It is promising to discover an economic and safe nanocomposite product from a natural source with an antimicrobial agent that might be used against tooth bacteria.

Background Energy drinks prevent fatigue and increase physical and cognitive performance; however, they also inflict toxic effects on the body. Blueberry (BB) possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to assess the possible the therapeutic effects of BB on testicular damage in adult male Wistar albino rats induced by administering the energy drink Code Red. Results Thirty adult rats were used in the study, divided into five groups; Group 1 (Control), where rats were fed on distilled water and basal rodent diet only. The other four groups received different energy drink Code Red doses for 8 weeks and BB supplementation for another 6 weeks. Administration of low and high doses of Code Red induced a decline in serum levels of testosterone and antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH), while malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased relative to controls. A low dose of Code Red led to sporadic and scattered appearance of seminiferous tubules with loss of spermatogenic germ cells and marked degeneration of interstitial cells. A high dose of Cod Red exhibited increased degenerative changes in the tubules with highly congested thick vessels in the interstitial tissue. Also, testis from rats consuming either low or high doses of Code Red showed increased caspase-3 immunostaining in seminiferous tubules with early degeneration features. However, the deleterious effect of the administration of Code Red was remarkably ameliorated with the supplementation of BB. A reversal in the mutilative effect of Code Red was observed where with BB supplementation, the histopathology of the testis displayed recovery of most of the seminiferous tubules to normal structure. BB administration in both groups also showed negative or mild immunostaining for caspase-3. Conclusions Oral exposure of rats to Code Red produced noticeable testicular damage, especially in high doses, probably due to increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Blueberry administration exhibited therapeutic effects through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.

The current study sought to assess the antitumor, anticancer, and antioxidant efficacy of Ulva lactuca-mediated selenium nanoparticles by using an in vitro model of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2 cells) and HAV HM175 strain of hepatitis A virus, with the evaluation of antioxidant activity conducted using DPPH assay. The study showed promising cytotoxicity at the highest concentrations of 250 and 500 µg/mL, with viability rates of 19.43 and 8.75% for cancer cells, and the lowest toxicity with the highest viability rates of 59.41 and 30.64% for normal cells, respectively. These concentrations also exhibited the highest inhibition rates (51.28 and 76.31%, respectively) against the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) enzyme and provide an explanation of the mechanism of such cytotoxicity, as this enzyme is responsible for the degradation of EGFR. Additionally, U. lactuca-mediated selenium nanoparticles (USeNPs) showed promising antiviral activity (+++) (50–<75%) with EC50 = 57.41 μg/mL and 74.13% antiviral rates against HAV HM175 at 100 µg/mL maximum noncytotoxic conc (MNCC). Using MTT assay, its selectivity index was 5.78 ≥ 2, which indicates that USeNPs exhibited antiviral activity that outweighed its toxicity. Therefore, USeNPs is an active antiviral agent and warrants further study. Furthermore, the DPPH scavenging activity of such nanoparticles was moderate as the highest sample concentration (100 µg/mL) recorded 31.64 ± 0.03% DPPH scavenging activity (with IC50 = 158.02 ± 0.07 μg/mL), a percentage which does not exceed that of standard ascorbic acid.

Phlorotannins are phenolic compounds existing in large amounts in Phaeophyta, with this amount differing according to the season and collection area. There are many pharmacological properties of phlorotannins, such as being antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-cancer. In this work, phlorotannins from the Phaeophyta Sargassum linifolium were extracted, characterized, and identified, for use as an antioxidant and an anti-diabetic in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes rat model. Phlorotanins were characterized using ultraviolet (UV) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, dimethoxy benzaldehyde assay (DMBA), and Folin–Ciocalteu assays. Groups of rats were tested as follows: normal control (negative control) (G1), normal rats treated with 60 mg/kg body weight of phlorotannins (G2), positive control diabetic rats injected with one dose of streptozotocin (G3), and a diabetic group treated with phlorotannins at 60 mg kg−1 body weight (G4). The biochemical parameters were determined after 4 weeks of treatment. The results demonstrated that the extracted compound was a phlorotannin, which had antioxidant properties. An in vivo study confirmed that the glucose and insulin levels in G4 were relatively similar to those in the normal control G1. The glucosidase, alpha-amylase, glutathione, and catalase levels were 0.11 ± 0.097, 420.5 ± 13, 11.27 ± 3.3, and 8.01 ± 1.31 µmol/min/g in G1, and 0.04 ± 0.016, 184.75 ± 55.24, 12.78 ± 2.1, and 11.28 ± 1.74 µmol/min/g) in G4, respectively. There were no side effects in the kidney function of both G2 and G4, and the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride were also normal. The results demonstrated that phlorotannins have antioxidant properties in vivo and that the diabetic rats had an activated AMPK expression. According to the histological analysis, phlorotannins improved the islet size and reversed necrotic and fibrotic alterations in the pancreas. The results of the present study suggest the use of phlorotannins derived from Sargassum linifolium as an antioxidant and anti-diabetic for an in vivo study. They could be used in developing medicinal preparations for treating diabetes and its related symptoms.

Because sewage sludge is contaminated with heavy metals, its disposal in the soil may pose risks to the ecosystem. Thus, heavy metal remediation is necessary to reduce the associated risks. The goal of this research is to introduce a heavy metal resistant species and to assess its phytoremediation, oxidative damage markers and stress tolerance mechanisms. To this end, field research was done to compare the vegetation of polluted sites to that of a healthy site. We found 42 plant species identified in the study, Sesuvium portulacastrum L. was chosen because of its high relative density (10.3) and maximum frequency (100 percent) in the most contaminated areas. In particular, S. portulacastrum plants were characterized by strong Cu, Ni, and As uptake. At the organ level, to control growth reduction and oxidase damage, particularly in roots, increased detoxification (e.g., metallothionein, phytochelatins) and antioxidants mechanisms (e.g., tocopherols, glutathione, peroxidases). On the other hand, flavonoids content and the activity of glutathione-S transferase, glutathione reductase and dehydroascorbate reductase were increased manly in the shoots. These biochemical markers can be applied to select tolerance plant species grown under complex heavy metal contamination. Our findings also introduced S. portulacastrum to reduce soil contamination0associated risks, making the land resource available for agricultural production.

Recently, bio-nanofabrication becomes one of the widest methods for synthesizing nanoparticles (NPs); however, there is scanty literature exploring the toxicity of these green NPs against living organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the potential protective role of encapsulated cinnamon oil (ECO) against titanium oxide nanoparticle (TiO 2 NP)–induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, chromosomal aberration, and reproductive disturbances in male mice. Sixty male Balb/c mice were distributed into six groups treated orally for 3 weeks and included control group, TiO 2 NP-treated group (25 mg/kg b.w), ECO at low or high dose–treated groups (50 or 100 mg/kg b.w), and the groups that received TiO 2 NPs plus ECO at a low or high dose. The results of GC-MS revealed the isolation of 21 compounds and the majority was cinnamaldehyde. The average size zeta potential of TiO 2 NPs and ECO were 28.9 and 321 nm and −33.97 and −17.35 mV, respectively. TiO 2 NP administration induced significant changes in liver and kidney function, decreased antioxidant capacity, and increased oxidative stress markers in liver and kidney, DNA damage in the hepatocytes, the number of chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow and germ cells, and sperm abnormalities along with histological changes in the liver, kidney, and testis. Co-administration of TiO 2 NPs and ECO could alleviate these disturbances in a dose-dependent manner. It could be concluded that ECO is a promising and safe candidate for the protection against the health hazards of TiO 2 NPs.

Background Hair dye is commonly used in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Poisoning occurs when someone swallows dye or tint used to color hair and is considered one of the most significant causes of intentional self-harm. Commercial hair dye may contain varying amounts of paraphenylenediamine and even undeclared chemical ingredients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the organ toxicity of commercial hair dye in rats. Acute toxicity study The commercial hair dye X was orally administered to the rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg and was observed for 24 h for mortality or behavioral changes. Sub-chronic toxicity The commercial hair dye X was administered to rats orally for 8 days in doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, then the heart, liver, kidney, and testis were dissected out of the animals and kept in formalin for histopathological examinations using H-E stain. Results In this study, the commercial hair dye X at the dose of 50 mg/kg single dose has not shown any mortality in rats. On the other hand, the commercial hair dye X administered to rats orally for 8 days at doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg caused toxicological effects manifested by some histopathological changes in the heart, liver, kidney, and testis in rats compared to the control group. Conclusion The current study showed that the commercial hair dye X at doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg produced toxic effects on the heart, liver, kidney, and testis in rats. Therefore, it is important to raise the public awareness about the potential toxicity of the hair dyes.