Quorum sensing (QS) is a perfectly orchestrated molecular communication system. It is a boon for Klebsiella pneumoniae, and bane for the host. This system is believed to make K. pneumoniae a leading cause of multidrug-resistant (MDR) nosocomial infections. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and anti-biofilm potential of medicinal plant extracts through interfering with QS of K. pneumoniae. The effect of different concentrations of ethanolic extracts of cinnamon and clove on K. pneumoniae was determined by analyzing the growth curve, survival assay (MTT), Qualitative and quantitative biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, along with studying gene expression of the genes encoding the above traits, using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The low concentrations of the plant extracts did not affect neither on the bacterial growth, nor on the viability of K. pneumoniae, supported with growth curves. Additionally, the biofilm production was inhibited even by lower plant concentrations, and both cinnamon and clove extracts were able to render the MDR bacteria to be more susceptible to antibiotics. At the molecular levels, the bacterium treated with either clove or cinnamon or in combination showed under expression of the biofilm formation regulation gene (bssS), the carbapenem resistance gene (bla), as well as the QS target gene (LuxS). Both clove and cinnamon ethanolic extracts exerted potent impacts on reducing pathogenic traits regulated by QS in K. pneumoniae. Finally, the study recommends further exploration of clove and cinnamon extracts separately or in combination to develop alternative therapies against MDR K. pneumoniae infections.
The technology of subsurface soil water retention (SWRT) uses a polyethylene trough that is fixed under the root zone of the plant. It is a modern technology to increase the values of water use efficiency, plant productivity and saving irrigation water by applying as little irrigation water as possible. This study work aims at improving the crop yield and water use efficiency of a cucumber plant with less applied irrigation water by installing membrane trough below the soil surface. The field experiment was conducted in the Hawr Rajab District of Baghdad Governorate in Winter 2018 for testing various trickle irrigation systems. Two agricultural treatment plots were utilized in a greenhouse for the comparison. Plot T1 has used a subsurface t
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The technology of subsurface soil water retention (SWRT) uses a polyethylene trough that is fixed under the root zone of the plant. It is a modern technology to increase the values of water use efficiency, plant productivity and saving irrigation water by applying as little irrigation water as possible. This study work aims at improving the crop yield and water use efficiency of a cucumber plant with less applied irrigation water by installing membrane trough below the soil surface. The field experiment was conducted in the Hawr Rajab District of Baghdad Governorate in Winter 2018 for testing various trickle irrigation systems. Two agricultural treatment plots were utilized in a greenhouse for the compa
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The action of high repeated trucks load associated with dramatically elevated ambient temperatures leads to the most harmful distress in asphalt pavements occurred in Iraq known as rutting. Essentially, it is produced from the accumulation of irrecoverable strains, which mainly occurred in the asphalt layers. That visually demonstrated as a longitudinal depression in the wheel paths as well as small upheavals to the sides. Poly Phosphoric Acid (PPA) has been used as a means of producing modified asphalt binders and the interest to use it has increased in recent years. The PPA provides modified asphalt binder, which is relatively cheaply produced compared to polymer-modified asphalt. In this paper, PPA was used by three-percentages 1
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Abstract:Porous Silicon (PSi) has been produced in this work by using Photochemical (PC) etching process by using a hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution. The irradiation has been achieved using quartz- tungsten halogen lamp. The influence of various irradiation times on the properties of PSi اmaterial such as layer thickness, etching rate and porosity was investigated in this work too. The XRD has been studied to determine the crystal structure and the crystalline size of PSi material
Background:No previous Iraqi study was done on the estimation of post mortem interval (PMI) from the medico-legal point of view; depending on the biochemical changes of vitreous humor.Objectives:To find out the relationship between some biochemical changes in vitreous humor and post mortem interval.To find out a new formula for estimation of PMI from some biochemical changes in vitreous humor.Method:The study was conducted on one hundred twenty two cases referred to the medico-legal institute in Sulaimani province during the period between 1st of February and 30th of July 2012.Complete classical autopsy was performed for each case and vitreous humor was collected at autopsy from the posterior chamber of the eye and the samples after coll
... Show MorePorous Silicon (PSi) has been produced in this work by using Photochemical (PC) etching process by using a hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution. The irradiation has been achieved using quartz- tungsten halogen lamp. The influence of various irradiation times on the properties of PSi اmaterial such as layer thickness, etching rate and porosity was investigated in this work too.
The XRD has been studied to determine the crystal structure and the crystalline size of PSi material
A new heterocyclic Schiff bases ligand (HL) derived from condensation of 2-Amino-4-methylbenzothiazole with 4-Diethylaminosalicylaldehyde have been synthesized and characterized by (FTIR & UV.Vis) spectroscopies, (1H & 13C)NMR spectra, mass spectrum, elemental microanalysis (C,H,N,S). Metal complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions have been also synthesized and characterized by (FTIR & UV.Vis) spectroscopies, flame atomic absorption, molar conductivity measurements and magnetic susceptibility. These studies indicate that the mole ratio (L:M) is (2:1) for Co(II) complex and (1:1) for other complexes. The spectral results indicate that the ligand coordinates with met
... Show MoreDrought is one of the most natural hazards that may harm human life and property under different weather and environmental conditions. This study used remote sensing data to monitor agricultural and meteorological drought in Babel Governorate. Drought maps were drawn using Landsat 8 images based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for 2015, 2018, and 2021. The meteorological drought was assessed using a standardized precipitation index (SPI 12) for the same years. The results showed that the SPI-12 indicated near-normal drought types in 2015 and 2018, whereas SPI values showed a lower value in 2021. Two drought categories were identified which were moderate drought and severe drought. The NDVI results showed tha
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Source, sedimentation, coagulation, flocculation, filter, and tank are parts of a water treatment plant. As a result, some issues threaten the process and affect the drinking water quality, which is required to provide clean drinking water according to special standards and international and local specifications, determined by laboratory results from physical, chemical, and biological tests. In order to keep the water safe for drinking, it is necessary to analyze the risks and assess the pollution that occurs in every part of the plant. The method is carried out in a common way, which is monitoring through laboratory tests, and it is among the standards of the global and local health regulators