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In the current study, prickly pear peel waste (PPPW) extract was used for the biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles through a green and eco-friendly method for the first time. The biosynthesized SeNPs were characterized using UV-Vis, XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM, EDX, and mapping. Characterization results revealed that biosynthesized SeNPs were spherical, polydisperse, highly crystalline, and had sizes in the range of 10–87.4 nm. Antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal activities of biosynthesized SeNPs were evaluated. Results revealed that SeNPs exhibited promising antibacterial against Gram negative (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) and Gram positive (B. subtilis and S. aureus) bacteria where MICs were 125, 125, 62.5, and 15.62 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, SeNPs showed potential antifungal activity toward Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans where MICs were 3.9 and 7.81 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, tested crud extract and SeNPs severely induced larvicidal activity for tested mosquitoes with LC50 and LC90 of 219.841, 950.087 mg/L and 75.411, 208.289 mg/L, respectively. The fecundity and hatchability of C. pipiens mosquito were significantly decreased as applied concentrations increased either for the crude or the fabricated SeNPs extracts. In conclusion, the biosynthesized SeNPs using prickly pear peel waste have antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal activities, which can be used in biomedical and environmental applications.

The unregulated administration of currently available antimicrobial agents resulted in overspreading of resistant microbial phenotypes. In this study, Mucor racemosus was used for biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) through fungi-based ecofriendly approach. The biosynthesized of ZnO NPs was initially considered based on analytical practices including UV–vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, their cytotoxicity and anticancer activity were analyzed using suitable cell lines and their antioxidant effect was also assessed. Microbiologically, their inhibitory activity was comparatively evaluated against various methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillinsensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Characterization of ZnO NPs displayed a distinct maximum absorption peak at 320 nm appeared in the UV–vis. Also, TEM revealed predominantly spherical ZnO NPs with particle size distribution ranging from 15 to 55 nm (mean size ≃ 40 nm). The normal cell line (Wi-38) illustrated the biosafety of ZnO NPs, where results showed IC 50 of 197.2 µg/mL. Furthermore, ZnO NPs exhibited promising suppressive activity on Hep-G2 cancerous cell with IC 50 of 51.4 µg/mL. Besides, ZnO NPs displayed antioxidant activity where IC 50 was 69.2 µg/mL. As well, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of ecofriendly ZnO NPs against the tested MRSA and MSSA isolates were ranged from 32 to 512 µg/mL. Also, their minimum bactericidal concentrations against the tested MSSA was in lower range, 32–1024 µg/mL, than the recorded range, 128–1024 µg/mL, against the MSSA. Also, the crystal violet (CV) assay showed an eradication potential of the biosynthesized ZnO NPs on MRSA and MSSA biofilm in a range of 23.24–73.96% and 6.63–74.1%, respectively. In conclusion, the ecofriendly synthesized ZnO NPs with antioxidant and anticancer activities demonstrated promising inhibitory effect on planktonic growth form of MRSA and MSSA clinical isolates with capability to eradicate their preformed biofilm. To achieve their full potential, future research needs to enhance the synthesis process to make ZnO NPs more uniform and scalable, as well as investigate their action mechanisms at the molecular level.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are increasingly recognized for their potential in biology due to their excellent drug delivery capabilities and ease of synthesis. To create AuNPs using marine sponge Amphimedon compressa , we used several techniques, including ultraviolet–visible (UV–visible) spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The UV–visible spectroscopy results demonstrated the formation of stable AuNPs at a pH of 7, with a peak absorption at 564 nm. FTIR spectroscopy indicated that secondary metabolites featuring –OH functional groups acted as reducing agents in the production of AuNPs. Morphological analysis showed that the AuNPs were spherical, consistently shaped particles averaging 10–40 nm in diameter, with proven stability over time. The inhibition zones for the bacteria tested with the synthesized AuNPs varied from 26 to 31 mm. Both the AuNPs and the A. compressa extract displayed significant antioxidant activity, achieving DPPH radical scavenging percentages of 70.73% and 85.62%, respectively. In terms of anti-inflammatory activity, the AuNPs showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity, with hemolytic inhibition percentages of 4.8%, 10.2%, 12.8%, 14.9%, 19.5%, and 22.4% at increasing concentrations. Furthermore, both the crude extract and the synthesized AuNPs exhibited adulticidal activity against the house fly ( Musca domestica ) and the mosquito ( Culex pipiens ). The LC 50 and LC 90 values for the crude extract were 34.988 and 62.836 ppm for M. domestica , and 9.258 and 17.399 ppm for C. pipiens . For the AuNPs, the corresponding values were 8.545 and 15.157 ppm for M. domestica , and 7.573 and 14.074 ppm for C. pipiens . Adult mortality caused by the AuNPs extract reached 100.00% for both Musca domestica and Culex pipiens at a concentration of 6 ppm. Overall, M. domestica and C. pipiens were more sensitive to AuNPs than to the crude extract. Both the synthesized AuNPs and the crude extract caused a significant, dose-dependent reduction in fecundity and hatchability in M. domestica and C. pipiens . In conclusion, the marine sponge A. compressa serves as an effective biological source for the synthesis of AuNPs, which demonstrate significant antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-biofilm, and insecticidal activities, highlighting their potential in biomedical and environmental fields.

In this study, the crude extract and its isolated compounds from the stem bark of Annickia chlorantha were tested for their larvicidal, developmental, and repellent activity against the mosquito vector, Culex pipiens, besides their toxicity to the non-target aquatic organism, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). The acute larvicidal activity of isolated compounds; namely, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, β-sitosterol, and Annickia chlorantha methanolic extract (AC), was observed. Developmentally, the larval duration was significantly prolonged when palmatine and β-sitosterol were applied, whereas the pupal duration was significantly prolonged for almost all treatments except palmatine and jatrorrhizine, where it shortened from those in the control. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme showed different activity patterns, where it significantly increased in columbamine and β-sitosterol, and decreased in (AC), palmatine, and jatrorrhizine treatments, whereas glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme was significantly increased when AC methanolic extract/isolated compounds were applied, compared to the control. The adult emergence percentages were significantly decreased in all treatments, whereas tested compounds revealed non-significant (p > 0.05) changes in the sex ratio percentages, with a slight female-to-male preference presented in the AC-treated group. Additionally, the tested materials revealed repellence action; interestingly, palmatine and jatrorrhizine recorded higher levels of protection, followed by AC, columbamine, and β-sitosterol for 7 consecutive hours compared to the negative and positive control groups. The non-target assay confirms that the tested materials have very low toxic activity compared to the reported toxicity against mosquito larvae. A docking simulation was employed to better understand the interaction of the isolated compounds with the enzymes, AChE and GST. Additionally, DFT calculations revealed that the reported larvicidal activity may be due to the differing electron distributions among tested compounds. Overall, this study highlights the potential of A. chlorantha extract and its isolated compounds as effective mosquitocidal agents with a very low toxic effect on non-target organisms.

The presence of mosquitoes in a certain area is sufficient evidence of the transmission of diseases, in addition to the inconvenience and harassment they cause to the population. In order for mosquito control to be successful, there must be sufficient reports and information about the extent of the distribution and spread of the mosquito in this area. This study was conducted seasonally to calculate the distribution and abundance of mosquitoes and to initially detect hepatitis C virus in the most abundant species collected in some localities: Kafr Saqr (Hanot, El-Kodah, Abo Shokok, El-Hagarsa); Abo Kebeer (Manshat Radwan, Bane Aiat, Al-Rahmania, Horbat); Diarb Negm (Safor, El-Asaied, Karmot Sahbara, Saft Zreka); and El-Zakazik (Om El-Zein, Bany Amer, Al-Zankalon, Shanbrt El-Mimona) along Sharkia Governorate. According to the results, 12 mosquito species belonging to two genera were recorded in four stations (16 sites). The species Culex pipiens was found to be the most abundant across the majority of locations. It is reaching its peak in Al-Zankalon with a maximum count of 139 ± 7.61 individuals. C. antennatus exhibited a significant level of abundance (p < 0.001), especially in Al-Rahmania (82.5 ± 4.3). Species such as C. perexiguus and An. pharoensis were found in moderate-to-low numbers. The prevailing species is C. pipiens in all locations and seasons, especially during the summer. Other species like C. antennatus and An. pharoensis are also important, although their significance is somewhat less pronounced. Clusters of sites with similar features indicate that specific locations or species exhibit consistent patterns of activity or abundance throughout several seasons. These clusters represent groups of locations that share similar characteristics, as determined by the principal components. The findings of detecting hepatitis C virus in C. pipiens (the most abundant species) collected samples showed negative results for the presence of HCV during the summer season in Sharkia Governorate.

Background The possibility of considering Culex pipiens ( Cx . pipiens ) as a vector for transmitting the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is controversial and needs further investigation. This work aimed to detect the possibility of transmission of the hepatitis C virus by Cx. pipiens and the role of the bacterial microbiota in their midgut. Main body Two groups of symbiotic and aposymbiotic of female Cx. pipiens were infected with the hepatitis C virus using an artificial feeding membrane technique. The viral load was detected in the head region for up to 60 min in the infected symbiotic group and 90 min in the aposymbiotic group. The midgut region can harbor the virus for 5 days after feeding. The absence of gut microbiota increases the potentiality of ten females to carry high titer of infective dose (1.2 × 10 6  IU/ml) of HCV genotype 4a for 6 days. The bacterial midgut microbiota appears to play a significant role in the transmission of HCV. On the other hand, HCV was not detected in the salivary glands of either symbiotic or aposymbiotic mosquitoes during the detection period. Cx . pipiens can transmit HCV from infected female adult mosquitoes to HCV-negative human blood in vitro. The biological parameters were survival rate, blood feeding, oviposition, hatchability rates, and mean digestion period of Cx . pipiens after infection with HCV showed significant changes. Moreover, an ex vivo assay demonstrated that HCV-infected mosquitoes could transmit the virus RNA into healthy blood. Conclusion The results suggested that the mosquitoes’ mechanical transmission of HCV was reasonable. In addition, the mosquito microbiome played a significant role in determining the potentiality of mosquitoes as a vector for disseminating HCV infections. Graphic abstract

Due to the medical importance of flies as mechanical vectors of numerous pathogens, accurate information on their distribution, abundance, and associated bacterial communities is essential. This study investigated the diversity, preliminary seasonal observations, and bacterial associations of medically important flies in Sharkia Governorate through field surveys conducted from 2022 to 2023. A total of twelve fly species belonging to five families Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Piophilidae, and Phoridae were identified. Chrysomya megacephala exhibited marked seasonal variation, whereas Sarcophaga carnaria showed relatively stable activity. Chrysomya albiceps , Lucilia sericata , and Piophila casei were absent during winter despite their presence in summer. Musca domestica was the most abundant species across all seasons, with Muscidae representing the dominant family (p < 0.001), followed by Calliphoridae (p < 0.05), while other families were significantly less abundant. Biodiversity indices, including Shannon and Simpson metrics, indicated high species diversity throughout the year with a slight decline during winter. Evenness values reflected balanced species distribution, and the highest Fisher’s alpha and Margalef richness indices were recorded during summer, highlighting the influence of temperature on community structure. Bacterial analysis of M. domestica body surfaces revealed that 80% of isolates were pathogenic species, while 20% were classified as non-pathogenic. These findings emphasize the ecological and public health significance of flies and highlight their potential role in pathogen transmission within the study area.

The potential range and distribution of insects are greatly impacted by climate change. This study evaluates the potential global shifts in the range of Gryllus bimaculatus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) under several climate change scenarios. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility provided the location data for G. bimaculatus, which included nineteen bioclimatic layers (bio01–bio19), elevation data from the WorldClim database, and land cover data. For the near future (2021–2040) and far future (2081–2100) under low (SSP1-2.6) and high (SSP5-8.5) emission scenarios, the Beijing Climate Center Climate System Model (BCC-CSM2-MR) and the Institute Pierre-Simon Laplace Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (IPSL-CM6A-LR) were used. Assessing habitat gain, loss, and stability for G. bimaculatus under potential scenarios was part of the evaluation analysis. The results showed that the main environmental parameters affecting the distribution of G. bimaculatus were mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean diurnal temperature range, isothermality, and seasonal precipitation. Since birds, small mammals, and other insectivorous insects rely on G. bimaculatus and other cricket species as their primary food supply, habitat loss necessitates management attention to the effects on the food web. The spread of G. bimaculatus as a sentinel species in the food chain and its use in animal feeds are both impacted by habitat loss and gain.

Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) is a disease vector for the West Nile virus (WNV). Climate change impacts the disease transmission carried by mosquitoes, and it is partly to blame for the resurgence of mosquitoes as important disease vector insects. This study assessed the geographic range of Culex pipiens in the United States under both present and projected climatic scenarios, identifying the primary environmental factors influencing its distribution. Employing species distribution modeling (MaxEnt, Version 3.4.1) and occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, we examined the effects of key variables, including altitude, temperature seasonality (bio4), and annual precipitation (bio12), on habitat suitability for C. pipiens. The analysis revealed that altitude accounted for 60.3% of the model’s explanatory power, followed by temperature seasonality (31%) and annual precipitation (8.7%). Areas having low elevation and moderate temperature fluctuations were the most favorable for C. pipiens, with a predicted range extending across the Midwest and southeastern United States under present variables. Future projections for 2050 and 2070 under Representative Concentration Pathway (climatic change) scenarios suggest possible northward expansion in response to rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns. The study highlights some shifts in C. pipiens distribution and the potential for increased disease transmission into new areas. This study serves as a catalyst for decision-makers to coordinate their management reaction and create more resilient and comprehensive strategies to safeguard human health.