Abstract Background: Multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR) often contaminate hospital environment and cause serious illnesses. Quorum Sensing (QS) regulates a variety of downstream cellular processes, including antibiotics resistance mechanisms and biofilm formation, and causes harm to the host. This study investigates antibacterial susceptibility and biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria in hospital environment. Methods: Hundred bacterial isolates were collected from various environments in the Medical City hospital. The antimicrobial susceptibility technique was evaluated through disk diffusion method. Next, biofilms formation was detected by the microliter plate assay. Finally, PCR was used to analyze the frequency of QS system genes. Results: Current findings showed that the predominant isolates were Acinetobacter baumannii (34%), Escherichia coli (30%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19%), and Klebsiella pneumonia (17%). In general, significant resistance was found related to trimethoprim (88%), Augmentin (88%), and cefotaxime (72%). Among all isolates, 62% of sensitivity was related to ciprofloxacin. Biofilm had been formed by 39% of isolates. PCR results showed that the frequency of lasI and rhlI gene was 70% and 61%, respectively. Conclusion: Current findings revealed that the hospital environment is a potential reservoir of MDR gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Thus, we suggest that the health policymakers in Iraq must critically apply the guidelines and recommendations for monitoring the environments in the health sector. Keywords: Antibiotics Footprint, Acinetobacter baumannii, Antibiotics Resistance, Quorum-Sensing, PCR.
Soil-structure frictional resistance is an important parameter in the design of many foundation systems. The soil-structure interface area is responsible for load transferring from the structure to the surrounding soil. The mobilized shaft resistance of axially loaded, long slender pile embedded in dense, dry sand is experimentally and numerically analyzed when subjected to pullout force. Experimental setup including an instrumented model pile while the finite element method is used as a numerical analysis tool. The hypoplasticity model is used to model the soil adjacent to and surrounding the pile by using ABAQUS FEA (6.17.1). The soil-structure interface behavior depends on many factors, but mainly on the interface soi
... Show MoreBy- products of corn starch industry were used to prepare media for propagation the lactic acid bacteria as a natural auxotroph. The by- products used were the corn steep water (S) and gluten extract (G) after a proper treatment to get them ready for media preparation. The results showed that it was possible to replace the peptone and meat extract by gluten extract in MRS medium. The growth was approximately similar to that obtained in standard MRS media. Corn steep water (S) was used as well and the growth enhanced by including Tween – 80 at 1% level. The later media named MZ, which was superior for growing standard and local strains and starters. The MZ medium modified by adding acetate and glacial acetic acid similarly to
... Show MoreNowadays nanoparticles are used in many fields of life all over the world, and there are numerous ways to obtain them: chemical, physical and biological processes. In recent times, the biological method for the synthesis of nanoparticles associated with using plant extract is widely spread. Optimal conditions for synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous seeds extract of Myristica fragrance were highlighted in this research, such as type of plant extract, weight of extracted plant material, volume ratio of plant extract to AgNO3 and temperature of reaction. The study proved that the optimal status for AgNPs synthesis by using 10 g of M. fragrance seeds powder were added to 100 mL boiled distilled water, then homogenized and f
... Show MoreABSTRACTBackground: In Iraq smoking is a common habit in both the urban and rural areas. There are many respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis, bronchial carcinoma and emphysema which are related to chronic tobacco smoking.Objectives: To study the effect of tobacco smoking on the respiratory system, to establish a correlation between chronic tobacco smoking and its effects on the parameters which were studied and to create awareness in tobacco smokers about the effects of tobacco on their healthMethod: In this study 100 male subjects, 50 chronic smokers and 50 non- smokers were assessed for their pulmonary function tests by using a computerized spirometer.Results: Almost all their respiratory parameters were significantly reduced.
... Show MoreThe ability of microorganisms to attach to living and non-living surfaces and create a biofilm is the cause of numerous long-lasting illnesses, as well as their strong resistance to drugs. Bacterial biofilms consist of intricate assemblies of immobile bacteria. These are located in an extracellular matrix and adhere to various surfaces for a long period. The present study evaluated the antibacterial effectiveness of Plantago major extract against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm. The specimens analyzed in this investigation were skin infections of clinical origin. The current study was not previously studied, particularly in terms of S. aureus biofilm breakdown and inhibition. The disc diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial activi
... Show Moret: - Sports training in itself is a means, not an end. It is the core process that involves using exercises to provide an opportunity for athletes to perform their duties with the highest level of efficiency by developing and enhancing their capabilities and potential, using them to gain the greatest benefit for themselves and, consequently, for their team. This requires the selection of various methods and different means of training, focusing on specific physical and skill-related aspects. Therefore, training plans should take into account individual differences between players. Many researchers and experts in the field of sports in general, and combat sports in particular, emphasize the importance of having a holistic approach in the tra
... Show MoreIn this study, a new adsorbent derived from sunflower husk powder and coated in CuO nanoparticles (CSFH) was investigated to evaluate the simultaneous adsorption of Levofloxacin (LEV), Meropenem (MER), and Tetracycline (TEC) from an aqueous solution. Significant improvements in the adsorption capacity of the sunflower husk were identified after the powder particles had been coated in CuO nanoparticles. Kinetic data were correlated using a pseudo-second-order model, and was successful for the three antibiotics. Moreover, high compatibility was identified between the LEV, MER, and TEC, isotherm data, and the Langmuir model, which produced a better fit to suit the isotherm curves. In addition, the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adso
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