Resveratrol, (RES), a phytoalexin, is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. SEB, a superantigen, is known to trigger ALI and cause mortality. In the current study, we tested the effect of RES in a dual-dose model of SEB exposure that triggers ALI and causes 100% mortality in C3H/HeJ-mice. The data revealed RES attenuated SEB-induced ALI and prevented mortality. Forty eight hours post-SEB exposure, lung-infiltrating mononuclear cells were tested for microRNA expression profile to determine the epigenetic regulation by resveratrol. SEB-activated splenocytes were pre-treated with 50 μM of RES or vehicle for metabolic profile analysis by measuring oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). We also noted significant decline in miR-193a in the lungs of RES-treated SEB group, which targeted and caused an increase in TGFβ2 and TGFβR3, potent inhibitors of T-cell proliferation, by using RT-PCR and validation by transfection studies. RES-induced downregulation of miR-193a also influenced the activity of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) as well as pyruvate kinase muscle isozyme2 (PKM2) genes, and caused RES-treated SEB-activated T cells to be quiescent metabolically in comparison to the energetic vehicle-treated SEB-activated T cells. Together, RES caused inhibition in the proliferation of SEB-activated T-cells by alterations in miR expression and metabolic profiles. (Supported by NIH grants P01AT003961, R01AT006888, R01ES019313, R01MH094755, P20GM103641 and R01AI129788).
The red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier, 1790), which belongs to the family Curculionidae, order Coleoptera, is one of the most important palm pests, which leads to heavy losses in date palms. In the last few years, it has been recorded in Iraq, from Safwan city south of Iraq, where it was detected on date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L, Arecales: Arecaceae). In the current study, specimens of adult weevils were collected from infested date palms (Phoenix dactylifera), that showed signs of infection in Safwan district, south of Basra province. The results of the investigation showed the presence of phoretic mites associated with the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier,
... Show MoreIdentifying phenolic compounds in some genera belonging in the Amaranthaceae family by HPLC technique
The artificial silk (Rayon) was produced from the fronds of date palms which was taken from date palm trees (type Al-Zahdi) from the Iraqi gardens. Two main parts of the frond, namely leaves and stalks were used in this study to produce rayon. The palm fronds were converted into a powder of 90-180 micrometers. Major steps were used to produce rayon; delignification, bleaching and finally dissolution. Modified organosolv method which uses organic solvent method was applied to remove high lignin content. Three variables were studied in the delignification process: temperature, the ratio of ethanol to water and digestion time. The results showed that the best percent of lignin removal was (97%) which occured at; digestion time (80 minutes), te
... Show MoreThe 4-(?-bromo acetyl)-4?-toluene sulfonanilide (2) was used as key intermediate to synthesize new heterocyclic compounds. This bromo compound was synthesized via sulfonation of amino group of p-amino acetophenone using Hinsburg method with 4-toluene sulfonyl chloride to form 4-acetyl-4?-toluene sulfonanilide (1) which is used as a starting material in this work. This compound was brominated to yield compound (2) which is used as a precursor to synthesize new five and seven membered heterocyclic compounds such as substituted 1,3-oxazoles (3,4), 1,3-thiazole derivatives (5-7), thiourea compounds (8a,b), 1,3-Thiazoline-2-thione compounds (9a-f) and 1,2,5-triazepine compounds (11a-d). The synthesized compounds were identified depending u
... Show MoreIn this work, production of silicon metal at high purity of 99% by using Iraqi–starting materials (Iraqi sand and plant coal)was reported, electric arc–furnaces assembly was manufactured inside, the graphite electrodes were made from graphite scrap, this system is operate to produce about 800 gm /6hr of silicon metal to meet the need for manufacturing silicon oils, resins, solar cells, and electronic parts. The procedure, equipments and analysis data were described as well.
The current research was conducted to report the synthesis of alumina powder from Iraqi kaolin. The kaolin was transformed to metakaolin by calcinations at temperature 800 °C for three hours. Then the calcined kaolin was treated with (1.5 M) from H2SO4 for 6 hours to form Al2(SO4)3.12H2O solution. The precipitate was dried at 80oC for 10 hours and calcinations at different temperatures for two hours. The samples which result was characterized by X–Ray diffraction (XRD) and X–Ray fluorescence (XRF). The results indicate to the crystalline hydrate aluminum sulfate for the sample that be as – synthesis and when calcinations at 600 oC transformed into aluminum sulfate phase. The phases of alumina which we obtain consisted of a gamma a
... Show MoreProtease enzyme production was studied and optimized as a first step to collect information about solid state fermenter) to produce protease enzyme. A local isolated Aspergillus niger was used for this study with constant spores feeding in every experiment at (105/g). Experiments carried out in conical flasks with (250 ml) containing (10 g) of wheat straw as a substrate with different conditions included temperature, pH, hydration ratio, and fermentation time, the results comprised by measuring protease activity (u). The results showed that the best activity can be obtained at (T = 32°C, t= 100 hrs, pH= 2.5 and hydration ratio is 1:3). On the other hand the results is courage to p
... Show MoreThe aim of this study was the discrimination of Salmonella isolated from chicken and their feed and drinking water for the epidemiological control of salmonellosis. Totally, 289 samples, including 217 chicken cloaca swabs, 46 water, and 26 feed samples were collected from five different farms in Karbala governorate, Iraq. Conventional bacteriology tests, API 20E, Vitek 2, and serology were used for bacterial identification. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to analyze the genetic relationships among Salmonella isolates. The isolation rate of Salmonella spp. was 21.1% (61/289). While the water samples constituted the highest rate (30.4%), a rate of
... Show MoreAqueous root extract has been used to examine the green production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by reducing the Ag+ ions in a silver nitrate solution. UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to analyze the produced AgNPs. The AgNPs that were created had a maximum absorbance at 416 nm, were spherical in form, polydispersed in nature, and were 685 nm in size.The AgNPs demonstrated antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus. The dengue vector Aedes aegypti's second instar larvae were very susceptible to the AgNPs' powerful larvicidal action.