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.
Aquatic macrophyte communities and environmental factors were studied at four Al-Hawizeh marsh sites from December 2017 until November 2018. Quantitative data from thirty species of aquatic plants were collected to investigate density, vegetation cover, biomass and their relationship to the environmental factors. For emerging plants, relative abundance reached the highest values (36%) than submerged and wet species, while free-floating plants produced the lowest value (17%).Physical and chemical properties have been studied including water temperature ranging from 11.3 ° C in January to 31.4 ° C in August, dissolved oxygen (DO)ranging from 1.88 mg/L in September to 10.5 mg / L in Ap
A field experiment was carried out during winter season of 2019-2020 at Al-Mhanawyah Research Station - Agriculture Research Directorate - Babylon Governorate / Iraqi, to study the gene expression of Sgr gene responsible for controlling the duration of staying green in varieties of wheat under effect of plant growth regulator during the two growth stages (vegetative and reproductive) by using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) technique and achieving the highest grain yield for a number of wheat varieties. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) arranged according to split plots used with three replicates. The experiment included twelve wheat varieties (Saberbic, Al-Rasheed, Iraq, Tamoz-3, Al-Adnaniya, Babel, IPA-99, Al-Latife
... Show MoreBackground: Restoration of root canal treated teeth with a permanent restoration affect in the success of endodontically treated teeth. This in vitro study was performed to evaluate and compare the fracture strength of endodontically treated teeth restored by using custom made zirconium posts and cores, prefabricated carbon fiber, glass fiber and zirconium ceramic posts. Materials and method: Forty intact human mandibular second premolars were collected for this study and were divided into five groups. Each group contains 8 specimens: Group1: Teeth restored with Carbon Fiber Posts; Group2: Teeth restored with Glass Fiber Posts; Group3: Teeth restored with Zirconium Ceramic prefabricated Posts; Group4: Teeth restored with Zirconium Posts
... Show MoreThe river water salinity is a major concern in many countries, and salinity can be expressed as total dissolved solids. So, the water salinity impact of the river is one of the major factors effects of water quality. Tigris river water salinity increase with streamline and time due to the decrease in the river flow and dam construction from neighboring countries. The major objective of this research to developed salinity model to study the change of salinity and its impact on the Al-Karkh, Sharq Dijla, Al-Karama, Al-Wathba, Al-Dora, and Al-Wihda water treatment plant along Tigris River in Baghdad city using artificial neural network model (ANN). The parameter used in a model built is (Turbidity, Ec, T.s, S.s, and TDS in)
... Show MoreThe effect of compound machine on wheat "Tamuz cultivar" was studied based on some technical indicators which were tested under three practical speed (PS) of 2.015, 3.143, and 4.216 km.hr-1 and three tillage depth (TD) of 11, 13, and 15cm. The split-split plot arrangement in RCBD with three replications was used. The results showed that the PS of 2.015km.hr-1 was major best than other two speed in all studied conditions, physical properties (SBD and TSP), mechanical parameters (FD, (DP and LAS), and yield and growth parameters (PVI, BY and HI). The TD of 11cm was major effect to the other two levels TD of 13 and TD of 15cm in all studied conditions. All interactions were significant,
The effect of compound machine on wheat "Tamuz cultivar" was studied based on some technical indicators which were tested under three practical speed (PS) of 2.015, 3.143, and 4.216 km.hr-1 and three tillage depth (TD) of 11, 13, and 15cm. The split-split plot arrangement in RCBD with three replications was used. The results showed that the PS of 2.015km.hr-1 was major best than other two speed in all studied conditions, physical properties (SBD and TSP), mechanical parameters (FD, (DP and LAS), and yield and growth parameters (PVI, BY and HI). The TD of 11cm was major effect to the other two levels TD of 13 and TD of 15cm in all studied conditions. All interactions were significant,
As the reservoir conditions are in continuous changing during its life, well production rateand its performance will change and it needs to re-model according to the current situationsand to keep the production rate as high as possible.Well productivity is affected by changing in reservoir pressure, water cut, tubing size andwellhead pressure. For electrical submersible pump (ESP), it will also affected by numberof stages and operating frequency.In general, the production rate increases when reservoir pressure increases and/or water cutdecreases. Also the flow rate increase when tubing size increases and/or wellhead pressuredecreases. For ESP well, production rate increases when number of stages is increasedand/or pump frequency is
... Show MoreThe research dealt with the subject of measuring the competitive performance of the National Insurance Company and some of its branches (Basra, Ninwa, Kirkuk and Babil), Depending on the Revenue Growth Index at the activity level, and the Revealed Comparative Advantage Index RCAIAt the branch level,To measure the competitiveness of the company And some branches, As the problem of research in the lack of adoption by some companies in the insurance service sector on scientific indicators to measure their competitive performance, The aims of the research is to measure the competitiveness of the National Insurance Company, as well as the competitiveness of its branches according to the scientific method, One of the main Conclusions of the re
... Show MoreIn this study, the investigation of Local natural Iraqi rocks kaolin with the addition of different proportions of bauxite and its effect on the physical and mechanical properties of the produced refractories was conducted. Kaolin/bauxite mixture was milled and classified into various size fractions, the kaolin (less than 105 μm) and the bauxite (less than 70μm). The specimens were mixed from kaolin and bauxite in ranges B1 (95+5)%, B2 (90+10)%, B3(85+15)%, and B4 (80+20)% respectively. The green specimens were shaped by the semi-dry method using a hydraulic press and a molding pressure of 7 MPa with the addition of (9-12) %wt. of PVA ratio. After molding and drying, the specimens were fired at (1100, 1200 and 13
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