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.
Folic acid and multivitamin tablets containing Aspergillus flavus Penicillia spp. and Cladosporia spores were prepared at a compression pressure of 148 MN/m2 and stored at 35°C under different relative humidifies (75,85, and 95)% within air tight containers, to study the effect of storage condition on them, as well as ,the estimation of the microbial level of the raw materials intended to be used in the two kinds of tablets . Result showed that some raw materials derived from natural origin were heavily contaminated with microorganism compared to that of synthetic origin ,the results also indicated the effect of relative humidity , types of fungal spore , and the hygroscopic nature of exicpient upon survival. Multivit
... Show MoreCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most prevalent cutaneous parasitic protozoan infections in Iraq; characterized by a chronic infection and granulomatous disease that invades the skin. Type 1 immune was predominates in CL patients with exacerbated production of pro-inflammatory cytokine, therefore this study aimed to evaluate serum level of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and monokine induce by interferon gamma (MIG/CXCl9) as a useful markers of disease development in patients during different stage of infection (<1 month .. early , 1-6 month.. chronic and >6 months.. late). The result showed that there was an early effort to eliminate the parasite proliferation which illustrated by a high significant increase of both IFN-γ
... Show MoreThe present study include a new developed method of analysis for determination of drug Spironolaction (SP) in some Pharmaceuticals by Spectrofluorometric method. Spironolaction was determined under optimal experimental condition that follows :- The excitation spectrum was (l=351 nm), the emmetion spectrum was (l=518 nm), pH=1, the suitable temperature for reaction 60oC and the optimal time less than (3) minute. The analysis and rang statistical data was:-Linear dynamic rang (1-10) ?g.ml-1, the detection limit (D.L = 0.023 ?g.ml-1), Molar absorptivity (? = 29875 liter mole-1 cm-1), Relative standard deviation (%RSD = 0.78), (%Erel = 3.3) and recovery (Rec = 96.6) percentage. Determination of Spironolactone was accomplished by two methods
... Show MoreBackground: Fetal macrosomia is usually distressing to obstetricians and neonatologists. In the current study, involved mothers had poor social and medical circumstances, as they were migrated forcefully within the country borders due to war, from their original homeland to safer camps which had miserable situations. Objectives: To study rate, risk factors, and complications of macrosomia in people with low socio-economic living conditions and missed medical follow up. Methods: All internally displaced pregnant women who gave birth to neonates weighed ≥4000 g were involved in the study. All required history, examination, care, and investigations were practiced by the attending obstetrician and neonatologist. Cases of normal birth weight n
... Show MoreObjectives This work presents laser coating of grade 1 pure titanium (Ti) dental implant surface with sintered biological apatite beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), which has a chemical composition close to bone. Materials and methods Pulsed Nd:YAG laser of single pulse capability up to 70 J/10 ms and pulse peak power of 8 kW was used to implement the task. Laser pulse peak power, pulse duration, repetition rate and scanning speed were modulated to achieve the most homogenous, cohesive and highly adherent coat layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray microscopy (EDX), optical microscopy and nanoindentation analyses were conducted to characterise and evaluate the microstructure, phases, modulus of elasticity
... Show MoreA simple, fast and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been applied for the determination of tetracycline hydrochloride in its pure form and in pharmaceutical preparations. The method based on coupling reaction of the antibiotic with diazotized anthranilic acid to form a stable yellow azo dye which shows a maximum absorption at 419 nm. Uni- and multivariate approaches were followed in optimizing the experimental conditions. Under optimum experimental conditions obtained via multivariate (Central Composite Design), the linearity of the constructed calibration curve was in the range of 0.560 μg.mL-1 with molar absorptivity of 14619 L.mol-1.cm-1 and the value of detection limit was 0.2813μg.mL-1. The capability of the metho
... Show MoreIn this study, a new adsorbent derived from sunflower husk powder and coated in CuO nanoparticles (CSFH) was investigated to evaluate the simultaneous adsorption of Levofloxacin (LEV), Meropenem (MER), and Tetracycline (TEC) from an aqueous solution. Significant improvements in the adsorption capacity of the sunflower husk were identified after the powder particles had been coated in CuO nanoparticles. Kinetic data were correlated using a pseudo-second-order model, and was successful for the three antibiotics. Moreover, high compatibility was identified between the LEV, MER, and TEC, isotherm data, and the Langmuir model, which produced a better fit to suit the isotherm curves. In addition, the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adso
... Show MoreIn this study, a new adsorbent derived from sunflower husk powder and coated in CuO nanoparticles (CSFH) was investigated to evaluate the simultaneous adsorption of Levofloxacin (LEV), Meropenem (MER), and Tetracycline (TEC) from an aqueous solution. Significant improvements in the adsorption capacity of the sunflower husk were identified after the powder particles had been coated in CuO nanoparticles. Kinetic data were correlated using a pseudo-second-order model, and was successful for the three antibiotics. Moreover, high compatibility was identified between the LEV, MER, and TEC, isotherm data, and the Langmuir model, which produced a better fit to suit the isotherm curves. In addition, the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adsor
... Show MoreThe 3D electro-Fenton technique is, due to its high efficiency, one of the technologies suggested to eliminate organic pollutants in wastewater. The type of particle electrode used in the 3D electro-Fenton process is one of the most crucial variables because of its effect on the formation of reactive species and the source of iron ions. The electrolytic cell in the current study consisted of graphite as an anode, carbon fiber (CF) modified with graphene as a cathode, and iron foam particles as a third electrode. A response surface methodology (RSM) approach was used to optimize the 3D electro-Fenton process. The RSM results revealed that the quadratic model has a high R2 of 99.05 %. At 4 g L-1 iron foam particles, time of 5 h, and
... Show MoreThe outcrop sections of Ora Formation (late Devonian-Early Carboniferous) in the Nazdor and Ora localities at the Northern Thrust Zone of Iraq were selected for this study. Lithologically the Ora Formation composed of clastic and carbonate rocks. The lower part in the Nazdor section cosists of crossbedded quartz arenite sandstone interbedded with successive laminated siltstone and shale. The lithology of the upper part in the Nazdor section and the upper part in Ora section, are composed of mixed silicalcastic (shale, siltstone and sandstone) and carbonate interbedded lithology. The petrographic study shows that the carbonate rocks consist of micrite and sparite groundmass. The skeletal grains include shallow water brachiopods, bryozoans
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