Bioactive compounds extracted from marine organisms showed several biological activities. The present study is an extension of our earlier studies where we assessed the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of ethanol, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, acetone, and chloroform crude extracts of sponges: Negombata magnifica (NmE) and Callyspongia siphonella (CsE) against cancer cells. Herein, we are extending our previous findings on both sponge species depending on an alternative methanol extraction method with more advanced molecular biochemical insights as additional proof for anticancer and antimicrobial activity of N. magnifica and C. siphonella. Therefore, sponge specimens were collected during winter 2020 from the Dahab region at the Gulf of Aqaba. Each sponge was macerated with methanol to obtain the crude extracts; NmE and CsE. GC–MS analysis presented a total of 117 chemical compounds; 37 bioactive, 11 represented previously as constituents for a natural organism, and 69 had no biological activities. NmE dose-dependently inhibited the growth of HepG2, MCF-7, and Caco-2 carcinoma cell lines compared to CsE, which unfortunately has no antiproliferative activity against the same cancer cells. NmE was found to induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells with its inhibition for CDK6, Cyclins D1, and E1 in HepG2, MCF-7, and Caco-2 cells. NmE also activated ROS production in HepG2 cells and induced apoptosis in HepG2, MCF-7, and Caco-2 cells via an increase in pro-apoptotic protein Bax, caspase-3, and cleavage PARP, and a decrease in anti-apoptotic protein BCL2. Unlike its anticancer potential, CsE exhibited clear superior results as an antimicrobial agent with a wider range against six microbial strains, whereas NmE showed a positive antibacterial activity against only two strains.

Excess glutamate in the central nervous system may be a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases with gradual loss and dysfunction of neurons. Primary or secondary metabolites from medicinal plants and algae show potential for treatment of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Three plant extracts were evaluated for impact on glutamate excitotoxicity-induced in primary cultures of retinal ganglion cells (RGC). These cells were treated separately in seven groups: control; Plicosepalus. curviflorus treated; Saussurea lappa treated; Cladophora glomerate treated. Cells were treated independently with 5, 10, 50, or 100 µg/ml of extracts of plant or alga material, respectively, for 2 h. Glutamate-treated cells (48 h with 5, 10, 50, or 100 µM glutamate); and P. curviflorus/glutamate; S. lappa/glutamate; C. glomerata/glutamate [pretreatment with extract for 2 h (50 and 100 µg/ml) before glutamate treatment with 100 µM for 48 h]. Comet and MTT assays were used to assess cell damage and cell viability. The number of viable cells fell significantly after glutamate exposure. Exposure to plant extracts caused no notable effect of viability. All tested plants extracts showed a protective effect against glutamate excitotoxicity-induced RGC death. Use of these extracts for neurological conditions related to excitotoxicity and oxidative stress might prove beneficial.

The telecommunications sector in Saudi Arabia is continuously seeking to a close relationship with their customers. Most telecom companies have Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. However, implementing CRM systems have a low success rate. This paper aims to propose a model that helps the telecom companies to increase the level of implementing successful CRM system. A model is drawn to identify the critical success factors that contribute to successful CRM system in Saudi telecommunication sector. Seven basic hypotheses were tested, as parts of a theoretical model of successful CRM system. Data was collected through a questionnaire. The empirical analysis was carried out using a structural equation model and regression. In addition, follow-up interviews were conducted with a small number of top managers. Data obtained from the questionnaire was triangulated with data gathered from follow-up interviews. The findings revealed that the seven hypotheses were supported and lead to CRM success.

Excess glutamate in the central nervous system may be a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases with gradual loss and dysfunction of neurons. Primary or secondary metabolites from medicinal plants and algae show potential for treatment of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Three plant extracts were evaluated for impact on glutamate excitotoxicity-induced in primary cultures of retinal ganglion cells. These cells were treated separately in seven groups: control; Plicosepalus. curviflorus treated; Saussurea lappa treated; Cladophora glomerate treated. Cells were treated independently with 5, 10, 50, or 100 µg/ml of extracts of plant or alga material, respectively, for 2 h. Glutamate-treated cells (48 h with 5, 10, 50, or 100 µM glutamate); and P. curviflorus/glutamate; S. lappa/glutamate; C. glomerata/glutamate [pretreatment with extract for 2 h (50 and 100 µg/ml) before glutamate treatment with 100 µM for 48 h]. Comet and MTT assays were used to assess cell damage and cell viability. The number of viable cells fell significantly after glutamate exposure. Exposure to plant extracts caused no notable effect of viability. All tested plants extracts showed a protective effect against glutamate excitotoxicity-induced RGC death. Use of these extracts for neurological conditions related to excitotoxicity and oxidative stress might prove beneficial.

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