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.
Methotrexate (MTX) is a folate antagonist widely used in the treatment of neoplastic diseases; its biotransformation in the liver produced active metabolites that promote hepatotoxicity. The present study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of Camellia sinensis (Green tea) against MTX-induced liver damage in rats. A model of liver injury in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 20mg/kg MTX as a single dose followed by saline and 1.25% and 2.5% aqueous extract of green tea (GTE) were orally administered 7 days prior and 5 days after MTX-intoxication as a sole source of drinking water. After killing the animals, blood samples were obtained for evaluation of serum levels of alanine and
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Cyclophosphamide which acts as cytotoxic alkylating agent can induce a renal damage through the toxic metabolites which result from metabolic activation of Cyclophosphamide by cytochrome P-450 inside hepatocyte and develop renal toxicity by direct binding with cellular organelles in the urinary tract cells. Guggulsterone is a sterol derived from plant has ability to bind to farsenoid X receptor, mineral corticosteroid receptor, androgen receptor, glucocorticoid receptor and estrogen receptor.
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact two doses of Menaquinones-7 on hepatotoxicity induced by doxorubicin in rats. Sixty adult rats of both sexes were used in this study; the animals were randomly enrolled into six groups of 10 animals each. Group I: negative control (rats administered distilled water); Group II: Menaquinones-7 at a dose of 16 µg/kg; Group III: Menaquinones-7 at a dose of 48 µg/kg; Group IV: positive control (Doxorubicin 15 mg/kg); Group V: Menaquinones-7 at a dose of 16 µg/kg administered prior to a single dose of Doxorubicin 15 mg/kg; Group VI: Menaquinones-7 at a dose of 48 µg/kg administered prior to a single dose of Doxorubicin 15 mg/kg. On day twelve of the study, blood was
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Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a traditional plant that is widely used as a spice or folk medicine. Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) is a synthetic pyrethroid that is widely used to control insecticide. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential protective effect of ginger ethanolic extract (GEE) on liver toxicity experimentally induced by LCT in albino rats. The experiment involved thirty adult male rats (Rattus norvegicus), randomly allocated to one of three groups (n=10/group: control group, administered distilled water orally for 12 weeks; LCT-treated group, received 5.43 mg/kg BW (1/15 LD50 dose calculated in this study as 81.5 mg/kg BW) orally, for 12 weeks; LCT-GEE-treated group, received t
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Background: Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that is effective against a broad spectrum of tumors, with nephrotoxicity as a side effect. Irigenin is a natural isoflavonoid isolated from the rhizome of Belamcanda chinensis that has been reported to exert antioxidant activities. Objective: Evaluating the possible protective effects of irigenin on cyclophosphamide-induced nephrotoxicity in male rats. Methods: Fifty apparently healthy male albino rats were divided into five groups: (control, induction, irigenin, irigenin with cyclophosphamide, and vitamin E with cyclophosphamide. At the end of the experiment (day 29), all rats were sacrificed. Different parameters were evaluated, including urea and creatinine serum concentration,
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Abstract
To evaluate the effectiveness of Phenolic Compound of Salvia Frigida on induced atopic dermatitis (AD) of mice. Forty mice were included in the study, divided in to four groups (10 mice/group): apparently healthy, induced AD without treatment, induced AD treated with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment, and induced AD treated with Phenolic Compound of Salvia Frigida cream 5%. Examination of histopathology was done and skin homogenates levels also measured. Levels of WBC, Eosinophil, skin tissue homogenate of IL-13 and IL-4, serum IgE, and histopathological scores were significantly increased among induced non treated AD group in comparison with control group. Comparisons of non-treated induced AD
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Retainers have the potential to detrimentally impact periodontal health and contribute to tooth decay.
To investigate periodontal health and bacterial biofilm related to Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) fixed retainers as compared to Dead-soft coaxial fixed retainer (DSC).
A two-arm parallel groups single-centre randomized c
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Biofilms formation by pathogens microbial Control considered important in medical research because it is the hazarded virulence factor leading to becoming difficult to treat because of its high resistance to antimicrobials. Glycopeptide antibiotic a (Vancomycin) and the commercial bacteriocin (Nisin A) were used to comparative with purification bacteriocin (MRSAcin) against MRSA biofilm. One hundred food samples were collected from Baghdad markets from July 2016 to September 2016, including (cheese, yogurt, raw milk, fried meat, grilled meat, and beef burger). All samples were cultures; S. aureus was confirmation by macroscopic culture and microscopic examination, in addition to biochemical tests. Methicillin resistance S. asureus (
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Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease highly prevalent worldwide. Recent studies have suggested a role for microbiome-associated gut–lung axis in asthma development. In the current study, we investigated if Resveratrol (RES), a plant-based polyphenol, can attenuate ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine allergic asthma, and if so, the role of microbiome in the gut–lung axis in this process. We found that RES attenuated allergic asthma with significant improvements in pulmonary functions in OVA-exposed mice when tested using plethysmography for frequency (F), mean volume (MV), specific airway resistance (sRaw), and delay time(dT). RES treatment also suppressed inflammatory cytokines in the lungs. RES modulated lung microbiota and cause
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