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.
Green synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles of Fe/Ni (G-Fe/Ni-NPs) and zeolite-5A supported (G-Z-Fe/Ni-NPs) as heterogeneous Fenton-like oxidation for the decolourisation of reactive red 120-dye (RR120) from the aqueous medium using green tea extract as a reducing agent. Zeolite-5A from local kaolin is prepared and characterised using the hydrothermal method and is used as a supporting material for Fe/Ni-NPs. (SEM), (EDX), (AFM), (XRD), (FT-IR), (BET). Its zeta potential were used to characterise G-Fe/Ni-NPs and G-Z-Fe/Ni-NPs. The decolourisation efficiency (Ed) of the RR120-dye using a heterogeneous Fenton-like for G-Fe/Ni-NPs and G-Z-Fe/Ni-NPs is 99.8% and 99.9%, respectively, under the optimum conditions: [H2O2] = 20 and 1 mmol/L
... Show MoreThis study examines patterns of exposure of Iraqi university students to selective daily Iraqi newspapers and the motives of this exposure, as well as its associated factors that affect the average exposure. It tries to answer several questions, including those related to the levels of exposure of Iraqi university students to daily Iraqi newspapers and classification of patterns of selective exposure to daily Iraqi newspapers and the most prominent Iraqi daily newspapers that are selectively exposed by Iraqi university students. It also examines the motives of this selective exposure and factors that increase the degree of exposure to the daily Iraqi newspapers, and the most prominent stages in which Iraqi university students find their
... Show MoreFocusing of Gaussian laser beam through nonlinear media can induce spatial self- phase modulation which forms a far field intensity pattern of concentric rings. The nonlinear refractive index change of material depends on the number of pattern rings. In this paper, a formation of tunable nonlinear refractive index change of hybrid functionalized carbon nanotubes/silver nanoparticles acetone suspensions (F-MWCNTs/Ag-NPs) at weight mixing ratio of 1:3 and volume fraction of 6x10-6 , 9x10-6 , and 18x10-6 using laser beam at wavelength of 473nm was investigated experimentally. The results showed that tunable nonlinear refractive indices were obtained and increasing of incident laser power density led to increase the nonlinear refractive inde
... Show MoreThere are many techniques that can be used to estimate the spray quality traits such as the spray coverage, droplet density, droplet count, and droplet diameter. One of the most common techniques is to use water sensitive papers (WSP) as a spray collector on field conditions and analyzing them using several software. However, possible merger of some droplets could occur after they deposit on WSP, and this could affect the accuracy of the results. In this research, image processing technique was used for better estimation of the spray traits, and to overcome the problem of droplet merger. The droplets were classified as non-merged and merged droplets based on their roundness, then the merged droplets were separated based on the average non-m
... Show MoreThis study aimed to fabricate a curcumin@platinum nanohybrid (CUR@Pt NPs) through a green tea–based synthesis method and to evaluate its various functions, including antioxidant, burn-healing, and selective anticancer activities against PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells. Green tea polyphenols served as natural reducing and stabilizing agents, facilitating an eco-friendly, single-step manufacturing process. Physicochemical characterization confirmed successful nanohybrid formation: a CUR@Pt band appeared at 457 nm in the UV–Vis spectrum, XRD displayed crystalline platinum peaks at 2θ = 46.9°, and 67.0°, matching the (200), and (220) planes, respectively, and TEM images showed well-dispersed spherical nanoparticles with an average siz
... Show MoreObjectives: To evaluate the effect of vitamin D3 local injections on apical root resorption, alveolar bone integrity, and chair-side time following three and six months of canine retraction. Subjects and Methods: Seventeen adult patients (18-35 years old) of class I and II malocclusions were recruited, who required bilateral maxillary 1st premolars extraction before starting maxillary canines retraction. The experimental side received 25 pg dose of vitamin D3 injected locally into the distal periodontal sulcus of the canine (before force application) every three weeks, while the control side received retraction force only. Periapical radiographic evaluation was conducted after 3 and 6 months of the start of canines' retraction. Results: At
... Show MoreCancer stay to be one of the leading causes of death throughout the world due to a limited success to use treatments. The new synthesized metal complexes with formula: [Ni L2 (H2O)2]. 2.5 E t OH and [Cd L2]. ½ H2O Where L = Bis [ 5 – ( P – nitrophenyl ) - 4 – phenyl 1 , 2 , 4 – trazol – 3 – dithiocarbamato hydrazide ] and the aqueous extract of Teucrium polium L.(TP) plant (Ja,adahin Arabic) were examined against growth cells of hepatocellular Carcinoma cell Line ( HeP2 ). The cytotoxicity assay of cancer cell line was used for determination of inhibition rate with three concentrations; (62.5, 105 and 250 µg /200µl). The aqueous extract of TP plant induced death of cancer cells by significant elevation of the inhib
... Show MoreA new Mannich base ligand was prepared by reacting the 2-chloro.-N-(5-mercapto-1, 3, 4-thiadazol -2-yl) acetamide and Piperidine in the presence (formaldehyde) (L) ligand. A series of ligand complexes were prepared from (L) with the metal ion Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Pd (II), Pt (IV), and Au (III). Various spectroscopic techniques such as C.H.N.S, FTIR, UV-VIS, , 1HNMR, 13CNMR, Magnetic moment, and molar conductivity successfully characterize the obtained compounds. The M: L ratio was determined using the molar ratio method in solution. All prepared compounds' antibacterial and antifungal activity was studied against two types of bacteria and one type of fungi at a rate of 0.02M. The standard ΔH° f and ΔEb of the ligands an
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