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.
Back ground; Selective re-absorption and secretion are the functions of the collecting tubules and ducts, in addition to concentrate urine through ADH-regulated and ADH-independent water channels.Method; twenty four male rats were used, they were divided into two groups of animals: Group (A) included twelve rats of five weeks old age (before puberty) that were divided into three subgroups, four rats in each subgroup. Subgroup I was control one, subgroups II and III were treated orally with melatonin in a dose of 250 & 500 µg/kg body weights subsequently. Group (B) included twelve rats of seventeen weeks old age (after puberty) that were divided into the same subgroups and treated with the doses of melatonin as in the rats of group (
... Show MoreIn the present study, the effects of brake pad particles of lung and liver histological sections were evaluated for (60) adult male mice. The animals were divided into three groups ( A,B,C) according to the periods of exposure (4, 8, and 12) weeks respectively exposed to brake pad particles in addition to the control groups (F) exposed to fresh air only. A special inhalation chamber designed locally has been used to expose the animals. The exposure to brake pad particles was (2.228) µg/m³ for 30 min/day, 5 days/week for (4,8and12) weeks respectively.
The examination in group (A) of the histological sections of the lung showed the thickness of interalveolar septa. Also, a congestion of alveolar capillary was marked indicat
... Show MoreThere are numerous bidirectional interactions between the reproductive system and the liver. Sex steroids regulate metabolic health through signaling effects in both peripheral and central metabolic tissues, including adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, and brain, and have a role in the etiology of structural and functional liver diseases. Blood samples were obtained from 90 healthy women (control group) and 90 women that have hormonal changes (patients’ group). The levels of reproductive hormones (follicle stimulation hormone/FSH, luteinizing hormone/LH, estradiol/E2, progesterone/P4) were measured by using fully automated Cobas E411, whereas those of liver enzymes (alanine transaminase /ALT, aspartate aminotransferase/AST, a
... Show MoreBackground. Handball is a team sport that demands quick reflexes and precise motor skills, particularly in shooting. Players' ability to shoot accurately and swiftly while stationary makes upper limb reaction time crucial for success. Objectives. The research objective is to study the relationship between the motor time of the muscles of the arms and the index of accuracy of shooting from constancy in fourth-stage students in handball. Methods. The researchers used the descriptive method because it is one of the methods used in the research on a sample of students of the fourth stage of the college of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, where the sample consisted of 29 male students from the community of origin, 43 students. Results. Th
... Show MoreThe international system that established the United Nations after the end of the Second World War witnessed many changes. These changes overshadowed the nature of the work of the international organization, especially its first and most important executive organ (the Security Council). This has sometimes weakened and dulled the Security Council's role in performing the tasks stipulated in the Charter of the Organization, which has led the Organization itself to work on reforms within it in general and to seek reforms in the Security Council in particular. Academic and advisory efforts were made to submit proposals for amendment to be reflected on the Council's performance effectiveness.
Quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) has become a valuable molecular technique in biomedical research. The selection of suitable endogenous reference genes is necessary for normalization of target gene expression in RT-qPCR experiments. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of each 18S rRNA and ACTB as internal control genes for normalization of RT-qPCR data in some human cell lines transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA). Four cancer cell lines including MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-231 and Hela cells along with HEK293 representing an embryonic cell line were depleted of E2F6 using siRNA specific for E2F6 compared to negative control cells, which were transfected with siRNA not specific for any gene. Us
... Show MoreBackground: Common and persistent isolate ina the teeth following failed therapy of the root canal is the gram-positive facultative bacterium Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli, which develop biofilm through a complicated process that results in the formation of a biofilm. Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli are significant factors that cause chronic periradicular lesions after root canal therapy. Aim: This study aimed to treat the root canal tooth infected with Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis Methods: In this study biofilm formation was done for Escherichia coli in growth phase cultured in a brain heart broth Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli cultured in Luria-Bertani (LB) infusion medium for 18 hrs. Then
... Show MoreThe aim of this study to conduct the effects of fimbrial and lipopolysacchride (LPS) immunization is on the pathohistological changes in rabbits, Fifteen rabbits of both sexes (Weight 1500-2000 gm) divided into three groups (5 animals of each group). The first group was immunized by 1ml (200µg /animal) of fimbrial subcutaneously the second group gave 1 ml ( 200 µg /animal) LPS while the third group was left as negative control group that injected 1 ml phosphate buffer control subcutaneously. First and second groups recived the same dose after two weeks give as booster dose. All animals challenged after 5 weeks of immunization by5X107CFU/ml Proteus vulgaris intra peritoneally .After 7 days from challenge all the animals, sacrificed for hi
... Show MoreProteus mirabilis is considered as a third common cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, with urease production, the potency of catheter blockage due to the formation of biofilm formation is significantly enhanced. Biofilms are major virulence factors expressed by pathogenic bacteria to resist antibiotics; in this concern the need for providing new alternatives for antibiotics is getting urgent need, This study aimed to explore whether green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) can function as an anti-biofilm agent produced by P.mirabilis. Bacterial cells were capable of catalyzing the biosynthesis process by producing reductive enzymes. The nanoparticles were synthesized from cell free
... Show MoreAim: To find any association between specific ABO blood groups and FUT2 secretory status and COVID-19 in a sample of Iraqi dentists. Materials and Methods: For each participant, a questionnaire including demography, COVID-19 status, blood grouping, and RH factor, with chemo-sensitive symptoms was recorded. The saliva samples were collected and DNA was extracted from leukocytes. Sequencing of molecular detection of the FUT2 gene by real-time PCR and the data was done, whilst drawing the phylogenetic tree. Results: Out of 133, most of the dentists were female 61%, most were just under 35 years of age. The most participants in this study were predominantly with blood group O (40%), followed by B, A, and AB, with (90%) of them were RH+.
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