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Background Ready-To-Eat-Street-Foods (RTESF) have food safety concerns, since they are prepared with less-structured food safety guidelines in small and roadside outlets.  Klebsiella pneumoniae has become a dangerous foodborne-pathogen worldwide due to its virulence and resistance profile. Objective This study aimed at evaluating the potential burden of antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae contaminating RTESF and assessing the microbiological quality of RTESF in Egypt. Methods A total of 242 RTESF (green salad) samples was collected, different media were used for isolation of different bacterial species.  Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were identified biochemically and by Gram and capsular staining then isolates were assessed for antimicrobial resistance phenotypically. The ability of biofilm formation was assessed using crystal violet and molecular characterization of ESBLs and virulence genes was done using PCR. Results A total of 77/242(31.8%) of the recovered isolates was identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae  and the resistance percentages were as follow: cefuroxime and cephradine (100%, 77/77), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (98.7%, 76/77), while (27.3%, 21/77) of the isolates were MDR. Biofilm assay revealed that (31/77, 41/77 and 5/77) isolates were strong, moderate, and weak biofilm-producers, respectively. Among ESBLs-encoding-genes, bla SHV was the most prevalent (71.4%) while  bla TEM  and bla CTX−M−2 were equally-present (55.8%).The most prevalent virulence genes were mrkD (92.2%) followed by K2 ( 63.3%). Conclusion The contaminated RTESF could be a reservoir for Klebsiella pneumoniae , therefore much care must be taken during preparation and consumption to avoid dissemination of MDR  Klebsiella pneumoniae leading to subsequent treatment challenges. Our finding indicating that RTESF, if not prepared under hygienic conditions, could be a source of serious Klebsiella pneumoniae infection.

The increasing antibiotic resistance towards a panel of microorganisms is one of the public health concerns. For this reason, the search for alternatives to the widely used antibiotic has been undertaken. In the era of sustainable chemistry, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as promising antimicrobial agents. These solvents possess several advantages such as low volatility, low flammability, ease of preparation, and typically low cost of production. These properties make DES suitable for various applications, including extraction of biomolecules and preparation of cosmetics. Natural DESs (NADESs) are special category of DESs prepared from natural sources, which matched the recent trends of leaning back to nature, and decreasing dependence on synthetic precursors. NADES can be prepared by heating and stirring, freeze-drying, evaporation, grinding, and ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted synthesis. Utilizing NADESs as an alternative to traditional antibiotics, which become ineffective over time due to bacterial resistance, holds great promise for these reasons. This review aims to discuss the antimicrobial properties of multiple NADESs, including antibacterial and antifungal activities. To the best of our knowledge, this review is the first literature survey of the antimicrobial activities of NADESs. Key points • Natural deep eutectic solvents are promising antimicrobial alternative to antibiotics • NADES holds high potential for their activity against bacterial resistance • NADES have also substantial antifungal activities

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens is a critical public health issue, necessitating the development of alternative antibacterial agents. Examples of these pathogens are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the emergence of “pan-resistant” Gram-negative strains, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii , which occurred more recently. This review examines various emerging materials with significant antibacterial activities. Among these are nanomaterials such as quantum dots, carbon quantum dots, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and layered double hydroxides, all of which demonstrate excellent antibacterial properties. Interestingly, including antibacterial agents within the structure of these materials can help avoid bacterial resistance and improve the long-term efficacy of the materials. Additionally, the antibacterial potential of liquid solvents, including ionic liquids and both deep eutectic solvents and natural deep eutectic solvents, is explored. The review discusses the synthesis methods, advantages, and antibacterial efficacy of these new materials. By providing a comprehensive overview of these innovative materials, this review aims to contribute to the ongoing search for effective solutions to combat antibiotic resistance. Key studies demonstrating antibacterial effects against pathogens like Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , and multidrug-resistant strains are summarized. MOFs have exhibited antibacterial properties through controlled ion release and surface interactions. COFs have enhanced the efficacy of encapsulated antibiotics and displayed intrinsic antibacterial activity. Other nanomaterials, such as quantum dots, have generated reactive oxygen species, leading to microbial inactivation. This review aims to provide insights into these new classes of antibacterial materials and highlight them for addressing the global crisis of antibiotic resistance. Key points • Nanomaterials show strong antibacterial effects against drug-resistant bacteria • Emerging solvents like ionic liquids offer novel solutions for bacterial resistance • MOFs and COFs enhance antibiotic efficacy, showing promise in combating resistance

Objectives: This study was designed to optimize a ceftazidime (CTZ)-loaded nanocarrier that could efficiently permeate across corneal tissues. Moreover, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was combined with an optimized CTZ-loaded formula to augment the antimicrobial activity and facilitate the efficient healing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced keratitis. Methods: Different CTZ-loaded invasomes (INVs) and CTZ-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were fabricated and fully characterized via the determination of the entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size (PS), surface charge, and percentage of CTZ release. Next, NAC was added to the optimized formulae from each nanocarrier, which were further assessed through ex vivo corneal permeation and in vitro antimicrobial activity studies. Finally, an in vivo evaluation of the optimal nanocarrier in the presence of NAC was performed. Results: Both nanocarriers showed nanoscale PS with sufficient surface charges. CTZ-loaded NLC formulae showed a higher EE% range with a sustained drug release profile. Both optimized formulae showed a spherical shape and excellent stability. Moreover, the antibacterial activity and biofilm inhibition assessments confirmed the synergistic effects of NAC when combined with different CTZ-loaded nanocarriers. However, the optimized CTZ-loaded INV formula achieved higher corneal permeation and deposition compared to the optimized CTZ-loaded NLC formula. Finally, the in vivo assessment confirmed the dominance of the optimized CTZ-loaded INV formula combined with NAC, where the microbiological, histopathological, and immunohistopathological examinations showed the rapid eradication of keratitis. Conclusions: Recent strategies for the incorporation of antibiotics into nanocarriers, combined with mucolytic agents, can offer a promising platform to boost the therapeutic efficiency of antibiotics and prevent antimicrobial resistance.

The necessity to engineer sustainable nanomaterials for the environment and human health has recently increased. Due to their abundance, fast growth, easy cultivation, biocompatibility and richness of secondary metabolites, algae are valuable biological source for the green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs). The aim of this review is to demonstrate the feasibility of using algal-based NPs for cancer treatment. Blue-green, brown, red and green micro- and macro-algae are the most commonly participating algae in the green synthesis of NPs. In this process, many algal bioactive compounds, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenols, can catalyze the reduction of metal ions to NPs. In addition, many driving factors, including pH, temperature, duration, static conditions and substrate concentration, are involved to facilitate the green synthesis of algal-based NPs. Here, the biosynthesis, mechanisms and applications of algal-synthesized NPs in cancer therapy have been critically discussed. We also reviewed the effective role of algal synthesized NPs as anticancer treatment against human breast, colon and lung cancers and carcinoma.

Africa is the second largest continent after Asia, having a larger than 30 million km 2 area. Doubtlessly, one of the biggest ecological and societal problems of the twenty-first century is climate change. Since the early 1970s, it has been clear that Africa is already experiencing the effects of climate change, and it has given rise to a wide range of new and unusual phenomena, such as rising temperatures, poor agricultural output, extreme different weather scenarios, and the spread of disease, among other things. Therefore, the current review aims at screening the impact of climate change on agricultural sector, human health and food security in Africa compared to the other continents, evaluating the change projections in future and highlighting the role of African leaders in mitigating and adapting to these effects. Artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and high-tech algorithms were applied to analyze these effects. Historical data were downloaded in near real-time from January 2009 to the present from the FAO Water Productivity Open-access portal WaPOR and Terra Climate datasets on Earth Engine platform. Assessment process was performed using Google Earth Engine, whereas future data were downloaded from WorldClim 2.1. We used 2021–2040 timelines and two scenarios: SSP245 and SSP585. For the SSP and timeline, we downloaded four versions, based on four different global circulation models (GCMs): IPSL-CM6A-LR (France), MRI-ESM2-0 (Japan), CanESM5 (Canadian), and BCC-CSM2-MR (China), to reflect the uncertainty among GCMs. We averaged future projection of each variable and SSP across four GCMs to decrease the uncertainty connected with a particular GCM. We presented the averaged results as maps. Annual precipitation totals were significantly above average in Central and East Africa, while under SSP 245 scenario, Madagascar would experience high rainfall. The highest temperature anomalies were seen in parts of the Greater Horn of Africa, western equatorial regions, and the north-western part of the continent. Minimum and Maximum temperature predictions showed that Africa would experience harsh temperatures than previously recorded in the historical years. A high average maximum temperature is predicted across the sub-Sahara Africa, South Africa, Somalia, and Madagascar under SSP 245 and SSP 585. The MCD64A1 dataset tagged in Earth Engine was used to classify forest fire risk in Africa. Analysis revealed that the highest fire risk was recorded in Savannah in tropical and subtropical Africa. Further, changes in rainfall and increased temperature leading to increased evaporation would directly reduce runoff levels and recharge groundwater which in turn will have negative effects on biodiversity, agriculture, and food security. Notably, African leaders have played positive role in the recent climate negotiations and bright climate initiatives have been emerged. Hopefully they will solve the climate crisis across the continent. Article Highlights Africa contributes by two and three percent of global emissions. Over 1 °C of warming has already occurred across parts of Africa. Sahara desert has been expanding at a rate of more than 11,000 Km 2 /year between 1950 and 2022. Less precipitation is predicted to occur over North Africa and the south-western regions of South Africa by 2040. COP27 has been a great turning point for the developing African countries.