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.
Background: Staphylococcus spp. are widely distributed in nature and can cause nosocomial, skin infections, and foodborne illness, and it may lead to severe financial losses in birds by causing systemic infection in numerous organs. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. in humans and birds in Baghdad city. Methods: Seventy-six oral cavity swabs were collected, including 41 from birds and 35 from breeders. All samples were examined by bacteriological methods and identified by using the VITEK technique, the samples were then further studied to test the ability of biofilm formation, and MDR factors and MAR index were tested with the use of seven antibiotics. Results: Among the 76 oral swa
... Show MoreIn this study, the response and behavior of machine foundations resting on dry and saturated sand was investigated experimentally. In order to investigate the response of soil and footing to steady state dynamic loading, a physical model was manufactured. The manufactured physical model could be used to simulate steady state harmonic load at different operating frequencies. Total of (84) physical models were performed. The parameters that were taken into considerations include loading frequency, size of footing and different soil conditions. The footing parameters were related to the size of the rectangular footing and depth of embedment. Two sizes of rectangular steel model footing were used (100 200 12.5 mm) and (200 400 5.0 mm).
... Show MoreUrban land uses of all kinds are the constituent elements of the urban spatial structure. Because of the influence of economic and social factors, cities in general are characterized by the dynamic state of their elements over time. Urban functions occur in a certain way with different spatial patterns. Hence, urban planners and the relevant urban management teams should understand the future spatial pattern of these changes by resorting to quantitative models in spatial planning. This is to ensure that future predictions are made with a high level of accuracy so that appropriate strategies can be used to address the problems arising from such changes. The Markov chain method is one of the quantitative models used in spatial planning to ana
... Show MoreVarious semantic innovations and expansions have been tackled as factors and sources of neos. A variety of internal (linguistic) and external (extra-linguistic) motives and motifs leads to the appearance of new terms causing such changes in the political language. Some statesmen are productive in introducing new terms and creative in manipulating expressions and meanings.
New words are nonces that get metaphorical expansion for quadrilateral motivations resting on extra meaning innovation, new terms at the semantic expansions to be honed as neos. In tracing the phases of the semantic processes of neos and hulks, lexical and semantic changes might be of widening or narrowing of refe
... Show MoreThe bacterial isolates were obtained from Al-Kindi Hospital were diagnosed by the Vitek-2 system and re confirm by 16srRNA gene as S. aurous, the results were shown 20 isolates (66.7%) out of 30 isolates were positive to protease production. All bacterial isolates (100%) were sensitive to Gentamicin and Levofloxacin. but resistant (100%) to aztreonam. The best temperature for enzyme production from bacteria was 37 °C, and the best pH for enzyme production was 7. Partial purification of the bacterial enzyme (protease) was carried out using short steps included ammonium sulfate 65% saturation, ion exchange using DEAE- cellulose column and then applied on gel filtration chromatography using Sephadex G-200 column. The enzymatic activit
... Show MoreThe genic variation analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa after filtering the spurious variation appeared that 222 variable loci out of 5572 loci were detected. The type of variation analysis revealed that single nucleotide polymorphism was highly significant compared with other types of variation due the fact that the genome variation was achieved on the level of microevolution. Moreover, the proportional effect of functional scheme showed that genes responsible for environmental information were the highest comparable to another scheme. The genes of environmental information processing locate on outer membrane and face the defense strategy of the host therefore change in proteins coded by these genes lead to escape the immune system defense
... Show MorePhosphorus (P) is an element that is potatoes require in large amounts. Soil pH is a crucial factor impacting phosphorus availability in potato production. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of P application rates on the P efficiency for tuber yield, specific gravity, and P uptake. Additionally, the relationship between soil pH and total potato tuber yield was determined. Six rates of P fertilization (0–280 kg P ha−1) were applied at twelve different sites across Northern Maine. Yield parameters were not responsive to P application rates. However, regression analysis showed that soil pH was significantly correlated with total potato tuber yield(R2 = 0.38). Sites with soil pH values < 6 had total tuber yields,
... Show MoreA field experiment was carried out in the Field Crops Department at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences-University of Baghdad for the autumn season 2023, with the goal of evaluating and performance of various genotypes of maize under different sowing dates, and the study included (MgW16, Nad H965, Nad it 706, Nad it 2525) with four single crosses (2 × 1), (3 × 1), (4 ×1), (3× 2) and four three way crosses (3×2 × 1),(4×2 × 1), (4×3 × 1), (Nad it 25 × 3 × 1) and four synthetic varities (Nad H25 × 3 ×2 ×1), (Baghdad), Al-Ezz and Tigris. The genotypes are planted with three agricultural dates (10, 20 and 30 July) and are compared according to the randomized com