A critical overview of the following developments of NMR spectroscopy will be summarized:
(a) rapid ‘in situ’ monitoring of enzymatic reaction products [1], and enriching the biological space of natural products, through real time biotransformation monitoring in the
NMR tube. Investigation of interactions with the intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein which is abundant in the human brain and a relevant target for neurodegenerative
diseases [2].
(b) The combined use of saturation transfer difference (STD), Tr-NOESY and INPHARMA (Interligand Noes for PHArmacophore MApping) NMR techniques for mapping
interactions, specific binding sites and structure elucidation of lipids with non-labelled serum albumin and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 [3,4].
(c) Application of in-cell NMR analytical methodology in the monitoring of the interaction of ligands with Bcl-2 inside living human cancer cells without requiring prior isotopic
labeling of the target protein. STD and Tr-NOESY NMR were employed to evaluate the direct binding of the ligand to the nonlabelled Bcl-2 protein intracellularly [5], which
was further validated in vitro. This approach has proved a very promising strategy for the real-time screening of the interaction profiling of drugs with their therapeutic targets
in their native cellular environment in living eukaryotic cells, paving the way to the new field of intracellular rational drug design.

Despite its poor bioavailability, curcumin is a promising natural polyphenol targeting NF-κβ. NFκβ is a target for new therapeutics because it plays a pivotal role in the
pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease (AD). In contrast, ambrsoin which is a potent NF-κβnhibitor, is scarcely studied in AD models. The current work aims to assess
the efficacy of ambrosin as a possible remedy for AD. In silico studies showed that bioavailability and BBB permeability could be favorable for ambrosin over curcumin.
Ambrosin was isolated and purified from extract of the traditional herb Ambrosia maritima. Memory impairment was induced in mice by single intraperitoneal injection of LPS
(0.4 mg/kg). Treated groups received curcumin (100 mg/kg) or ambrosin at doses (5 or 10 mg/kg) for 7 days. Mice in treated groups showed a significant improvement in
memory functions during Morris water maze and object recognition tests. Curcumin and ambrosin (10 mg/kg) inhibited the upsurge of NF-κβ65 transcript and protein levels.
Consequently, downstream pro-inflammatory and nitrosative mediators were inhibited, namely, TNFα IL-1βCOX-2 and iNOS. BACE1 was inhibited, thereby reducing
amyloid plaques (Aβ) deposition and eventually reducing inflammation and apoptosis of neurons as revealed by immunohistopathological examination. In conclusion,
ambrosin can be repurposed as AD remedy after further pharmacokinetic/pharamacodynamic assessments. It could serve as an additional lead drug for AD therapeutics.

As farmers’ markets have increased in size, scope and complexity, so have the food-safety challenges and implications. Most products sold at farmers’ markets receive minimal
to no treatment, which increase their potential microbial risks. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characterization of foodborne pathogens on select fresh
produce procured from farmers’ markets in Central Virginia. A total of 138 samples produced by 15 farms and sold at 9 registered farmers’ markets were obtained between March
and November 2017. The highest level of coliforms was found in cilantro with 5.8 log MPN/g. Prevalence of Campylobacter, E. coli, and Listeria were observed. A total of 46
bacterial isolates consisted of Campylobacter, E. coli, and Listeria were tested for their susceptibility to 12 antimicrobials. Ampicillin showed the highest frequency of resistance
among Campylobacter (100%) and E. coli (47.8%) isolates while nalidixic acid showed the highest resistance in Listeria isolates (72.7%). At least 17% of each Campylobacter,
E. coli, and Listeria isolates exhibited resistance to three or more categories of antimicrobials, meeting criteria for multidrug resistance (MDR). No isolates had matching pulsedfield
gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles demonstrating that the isolated pathogens had a high degree of genomic diversity. This study demonstrated a potential health hazard
arising from farmers’ market-acquired fresh produce and emphasizes the importance of good agricultural and handling practices to prevent foodborne illness. Continued
research is needed to determine and intervene the cause(s) of the observed prevalence and to support the healthy development of food products sold at farmers’ markets.

Natural products are an invaluable source of new drugs as they constitute more than two-thirds of clinically used antibiotics and 50% of anticancer drugs. Fungi
produce many secondary metabolites which display high bioactivity. For example, toxic ergot alkaloids produced by filamentous fungi growing on rye poisoned
thousands of people and livestock throughout the Middle Ages. However, their later medicinal applications, followed by the discovery of the first class of antibiotics,
penicillins and other drugs of fungal origin, such as peptidic natural products, terpenoids or polyketides, have altered the historically negative reputation of fungal
“toxins”. The development of new antimicrobial drugs is currently a major global challenge, mainly due to antimicrobial resistance phenomena. Therefore, the
structures, biosynthesis and antimicrobial activity of selected fungal natural products will be presented.

Statement of the Problem: Hijama the traditional Arabic name for wet cupping therapy means “to return to the normal size”, is a form of alternative medicine that
has been in practice for thousands of years and was adopted by many different cultures. Hijama being a bloodletting technique involves cupping, puncturing and
cupping (CPC) method. Cups are applied through vacuum, skin is lacerated, the cups are repositioned and the blood is drawn so that the morbid substances are
evacuated. Arabic medical literature has reported Hijama being effective in treating many diseases differing in etiology and pathogenesis. The purpose of this study
is to determine the knowledge, attitude, practices and effectiveness of Hijama among the population practicing Hijama, in Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: 201 participants practicing Hijama were enrolled in the study. Data was collected using a self-administered online questionnaire in Arabic and
analyzed using statistical software EpiInfo7.
Findings: Most of the study participants were female 70%. 33.8% were in the age group of 21 to 30 years. About 39% of them have a bachelor’s degree. Hijama as
modality of treatment was used for: back or shoulder or neck pain 46.7% (p=.014), headache and migraine 29.3%, joint pain 22.9% (p=.02), hypersomnia 16.4%.
Hijama was performed by traditional healers in 14% of the participants and at Hijama centers in 64% of the participants. About 72% of the participants notice
effectiveness. The effectiveness increased with increase in frequency of Hijama (p=.009). 7% of them had suffered complications.
Conclusion and Significance: The study reveals Hijama as a simple, effective, economic alternative medicine to treat chronic aches and pains with minimal side effects
and can be more beneficial when compared to the present use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with relatively higher side-effects. Future research is needed to
support its therapeutic benefits.