Introduction: The stringent response is a bacterial adaptation mechanism triggered by stress conditions, including nutrient limitation. This response helps bacteria survive under harsh conditions, such as those encountered during infection. A key feature of the stringent response is the synthesis of the alarmone (p)ppGpp, which influences various bacterial phenotypes. In several bacterial species, stringent response activation significantly affects biofilm formation and maintenance. Methods: Clinical specimens were collected from multiple hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq. Staphylococcus aureus was identified using conventional biochemical tests. The PCR technique was applied to detect mecA, icaA, and icaD genes, while the Vitek 2 compact system confirmed Methicillin sensitivity in mecA-negative isolates. Biofilm intensity of all S. aureus isolates was assessed under normal and starved conditions. Additionally, the gene expression levels of icaA and icaD were measured in five MRSA and five MSSA strains under both conditions. Results: The mecA, icaA, and icaD genes were detected in 94%, 96.3%, and 100% of S. aureus isolates, respectively. Biofilm production analysis showed that 24% of isolates were strong producers, 49% were moderate producers, and 9% were weak producers. Statistical analysis indicated that biofilm intensity significantly decreased under nutrient limitation (p < 0.0001) compared to normal conditions across all isolates. Furthermore, icaA and icaD genes were upregulated under stringent response conditions, regardless of Methicillin resistance status. Conclusion: The stringent response influences S. aureus biofilm formation, with biofilm intensity decreasing under nutrient-limited conditions. However, the upregulation of icaA and icaD genes suggests a regulatory role of the stringent response in biofilm-related gene expression. These findings highlight the potential impact of stress adaptation mechanisms on bacterial persistence and pathogenicity.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disorder that is a serious health concern all over the globe, it is linked to Interleukin-10 (IL-10) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the promoter region. On the other hand, diabetes influences the cellular and humoral immunity predisposing the patient to a variety of opportunistic parasites one of them is Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which may infect any nucleated cell, including pancreatic cells. The purpose of this research was to explore the association of IL-10 genetic polymorphisms with T2DM and latent toxoplasmosis among Iraqi patients with T2DM. Fifty-five and fifty-eight venous blood samples were taken from T2DM patients and age-matched non-diabetic person
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Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an adult leukemia characterized by rapid proliferation of undifferentiated myeloid precursors, leading to bone marrow (BM) failure and impaired erythropoiesis. The p53 tumor suppressor protein regulates cell division and inhibits tumor development by preventing cell proliferation of altered or damaged DNA. It orchestrates various cellular reactions, including cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and antioxidant properties. Objectives: To investigate the relationship of P53 serum level with hematological findings, remission, and survival status in de novo AML patients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 63 newly diagnosed de novo AML patients, and 15 sex- and age-matched healt
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In the present work, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was utilized to optimize process variables and find the best circumstances for indirect electrochemical oxidation of mimicked wastewater to remove phenol contaminants using prepared ternary composite electrode. The electrodeposition process is used for the synthesis of a ternary composite electrode of Mn, Co, and Ni oxides. The selected concentrations of metal salts of these elements were 0.05, 0.1, and 1.5 M, with constant molar ratio, current density, and electrolysis time of 1:1:1, 25 mA/cm2, and 2 h. Interestedly, the gathered Mn-Co-Ni oxides were deposited at both the anode and cathode. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) facilitated the qualitative char
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The study was carried out to determine the cytotoxic, antioxidant and gastro-protective effect of ethyl-4-[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylid ene)amino] benzoate (ETHAB) in rats.
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Obesity-related deaths continue to rise, and thus losing weight in overweight and obese patients is critical to prevent complications. Anredera cordifolia (Ten,) Steenis, species of succulent plant of the genus Basellaceae, is widely used in herbal medicine to decrease body weight. This study evaluated the potential benefits of Anredera cordifolia ethanol extract to reduce body weight in high-fat diet-induced obesity rat model. This was an experimental with post-test only control group design study involving 36 obese rats. They were divided into two groups: three control groups (K1, K2, K3) and three treatment groups (P1, P2, P3). All the groups were induced with high-fat diet, except K1 control group that received a standard di
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The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of Radish (Raphanus sativus) seed alcoholic extract 70% against oxidative stress induced by sodium nitrite NaNO2 Twenty five adult male rabbits were devided into five groups of (five rabbits in each group) and treated daily for 30 days. Group T1: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2, Group T2: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2 + 50 mg/kg of alcoholic extract from Raphanus sativus seeds, Group T3: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2 + 100 mg/kg of alcoholic extract from Raphanus sativus seeds, Group T4: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2 + 200 mg/kg of alcoholic extract from Raphanus sativus seed as well as Group C: control intubated orally distilled water. In comparison with normal ra
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Objectives: the study aims to assess nurses' practices toward chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) for children at the hematology center, and to determine the effectiveness of the health education program on nurses' practices toward CIPN, and to find out the relationships between the effectiveness of Health education program and demographic characteristics of nurses.
Methodology: Use quasi-experimental design in the study (a design that divides the sample into two groups, a study group and a control group, with data collection in three stages). This study was conducted at a hematology center in Baghdad city for the period (from December 16th, 2019 to 8th May 202
... Show MoreAbstract Liver cancer with hepatocellular carcinoma a serious clinical illness that progresses quickly and has a bad prognosis because to increased malignancy. Fibrosis is the precursor of liver cancer, which progresses to cirrhosis and carcinoma Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is a chemical molecule that has been used as a carcinogenic agent to promote cancer in test animals because of its strong carcinogenic potential. Herbal plants have long been used as inexpensive, effective alternatives to pharmaceuticals in various liver-associated complications, since they contain many bioactive compounds useful in liver disorders. Hibiscus tiliaceus L. (Malvaceae) contain various phytochemicals in the plant extracts such as Flavonoids, phe
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The plant Zizyphus spina-christa grows wildly in the middle and southern of Iraq locally named Nabag. In this study the antibacterial activity of several different plant extract (alcoholic hot and cold extract 80%, aqueous hot and cold extract) was tested against some gram negative bacteria that related to Enterobacteriacea as follow; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherchia coli Proteus mirabilis, Serratia mercesence,. Aeromonas sp, Klebsiella pneumoniae ,Shigella sp, Salmonella enteritidis (134), S. typhi(97), S. typhimurium (300) , S. typhi, . The results showed that efficient method of extract was alcoholic hot extract from other extract methods that are used in this study. The detection of active compound in crude extracts of the leaves show
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Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors are widely used as first-line treatments for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, yet clinical responses vary considerably among patients despite their overall safety and efficacy. Genetic factors that influence the effectiveness of biologic therapies may contribute to this variability. This review, conducted between May and ...