Background: Recently, green nanotechnology has emerged as a sustainable approach for producing metallic nanoparticles using phytochemicals. Objective: This study investigates the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using extracts from roots of Angelica glauca and Paeonia suffruticosa plants, and evaluates their structural properties, antimicrobial activity, and anticancer potential. Methodology: The silver nanoparticles were synthesized via plant-based reduction of silver nitrate and characterized by using several technologies. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar-well diffusion assay, anticancer activity against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) was also evaluated. Results: GC–MS analysis of Paeonia suffruticosa extract revealed several bioactive phytochemicals. The results showed a color change from light yellow to dark brown, indicating the formation of silver nanoparticles. The absorption peak at approximately 420-440 nm, obtained from spectrophotometric analysis, confirmed the synthesis of these nanoparticles. The presence of strong, broad (FTIR) peaks also indicated the presence of hydroxyl (OH) groups. SEM & TEM results showed that most of the synthesized nanoparticles had an angular spherical structure and ranged in size from 30 to 98 nm. Bioactivity assays have shown that plant-derived silver nanoparticles exhibit significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, outperforming crude extracts alone. Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles synthesized using Angelica glauca and Paeonia suffruticosa root extracts represent versatile nanomaterials with potent antimicrobial and anticancer capabilities. Their properties point to promising prospects for future biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

The present cross-sectional study addresses the molecular epidemiology of Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strains isolated from pneumonia patients, recruited from Al-Diwaniyah teaching hospital from January 2025 to May 2025, regarding the presence of some carbapenemase and extended spectrum β -lactamase (ESBL) resistance genes using conventional polymerase chain reaction. Biochemical profile (VITEK2 system) and molecular identification (16S rRNA gene sequence analysis) of the isolated clinical strains confirmed their affiliation to K. pneumoniae sensu stricto with 20% prevalence among the cohort study patients. ESBL resistant genes showed frequency of occurrence 55, 70, and 75% for blaCTX-M8, blaTEM, and blaSHV, respectively. Serine Carbapenemase (Class A) exhibited 5 and 50% frequency of occurrence for blaKPC and blaIMI, respectively. MBL (Metallo-β-lactamase, Class B) – Carbapenemase displayed 5, 5, 10, and 50% for blaIMP, blaGIM, blaVIM, and blaNDM, respectively. Class D Carbapenemases showed 60% frequency of occurrence for blaOXA-48. Finally, the rCSA carbapenemase exhibited 90% frequency of occurrence. The current findings evidence an alarming increase regarding the circulation of ESBL and carbapenemase resistant genes harbored by K. pneumoniae sensu stricto clinical strains in the Al-Diwaniyah region. These findings underline a crucial obligation to re-evaluate the practical antimicrobial therapy approaches targeting pulmonary diseases caused by K. pneumoniae clinical strains in the Al-Diwaniyah region, to fight the growing circulation of ESBL and carbapenemase producing K. pneumoniae clinical strains.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, sickle cell anemia management heavily relies on blood transfusions, exposing patients to transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) such as HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis. As patients transition into adolescence, they face severe behavioral risks and a potential cognitive "knowledge-do gap." This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of TTIs and evaluate Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) dynamics among sickle cell children and adolescents in Mbujimayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Mbujimayi. Biological screening for HBsAg, anti-HCV, HIV-1/2, and syphilis antibodies was performed using immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Concurrently, a standardized KAP questionnaire was administered to adolescents to assess viral risk awareness, vaccination misconceptions, and behavioral exposure factors. Results: The study revealed a high seroprevalence of TTIs among sickle cell patients in Mbujimayi. Unlike recent data from Kinshasa, a statistically significant linear correlation was established between cumulative transfusion load and viral seropositivity (p < 0.05), highlighting peripheral blood safety vulnerabilities. The KAP assessment unveiled a severe information asymmetry: over 90% awareness regarding HIV/AIDS contrasted with a critical knowledge deficit and vaccine misconceptions regarding HBV and HCV. While general schooling did not influence TTI awareness, targeted clinical education delivered by physicians significantly reduced diagnostic refusal and enhanced peer-education readiness. However, a persistent "knowledge-do gap" was identified, as many adolescents maintained high-risk community and sexual practices despite having theoretical knowledge. Conclusion: Sickle cell patients in Mbujimayi bear a heavy dual burden of genetic illness and iatrogenic viral risk. Addressing this requires upgrading peripheral blood screening technologies, integrating systematic viral testing into clinical guidelines, and deploying clinician-led peer-education strategies to bridge the cognitive-behavioral gap during adolescent transition.

This study identified isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, obtained the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of MRSA isolates and also determined the prevalence of MRSA strains from various wound samples collected from patients in Kano central, Kano State. Identification of Staphylococcus species in the present study was based on Gram staining, cultural characteristics and biochemical characterization. The isolates were positive for catalase, coagulase and DNase test. The findings revealed that out of 217 total samples tested, S. aureus was detected in 77 (35.48%), while Methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was present in only 4 (1.84%) of the cases. Among the hospitals, S. aureus prevalence was highest at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (38.89%), followed by National Orthopedic Hospital Dala (42.59%), and lowest at Dawakin Kudu General Hospital (26.03%). Further investigation into antibiotic resistance patterns showed varying levels of resistance among the tested isolates showed highest resistance was observed against Amoxicillin (50.65%), Chloramphenicol (46.75%), and Ciprofloxacin (44.16%), while Oxacillin and Cefoxitin (5.19%) had the lowest resistance, which aligns with their role in MRSA screening. Molecular analysis for methicillin resistance genes (mecA and mecC) in the present study revealed that 50% of tested isolates carried the mecA gene, while 25% harbored mecC, and no isolates contained both genes simultaneously.