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 plant Abrus precatorius, which belong to Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family and known as Crab’s eyes, Rosary pea with characteristic red and black seeds. It was used in folk medicine in India, China and East Asian countries for treatment of various diseases.
The plant was extracted by '' general method of extraction'' (Harborne, 1973) using 80% aqueous ethanol as a solvent of extraction by soxhlet apparatus. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening were performed on the crude ethanolic extract and revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids ,terpenoids and phytosterols in Iraqi Abrus pr
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Warm mix asphalt (WMA) is relatively a new technology which enables the production and compaction of asphalt concrete mixtures at temperatures 15-40 °C lower than that of traditional hot mix asphalt HMA. In the present work, six asphalt concrete mixtures were produced in the mix plant (1 ton each) in six different batches. Half of these mixes were WMA and the other half were HMA. Three types of fillers (limestone dust, Portland cement and hydrated lime) were used for each type of mix. Samples were then taken from these patches and transferred to lab for performance testing which includes: Marshall characteristics, moisture susceptibility (indirect tension test), resilient modulus, permanent deformation (axial repeated load test)
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Warm mix asphalt (WMA) is relatively a new technology which enables the production and compaction of asphalt concrete mixtures at temperatures 15-40 °C lower than that of traditional hot mix asphalt HMA. In the present work, six asphalt concrete mixtures were produced in the mix plant (1 ton each) in six different batches. Half of these mixes were WMA and the other half were HMA. Three types of fillers (limestone dust, Portland cement and hydrated lime) were used for each type of mix. Samples were then taken from these patches and transferred to lab for performance testing which includes: Marshall characteristics, moisture susceptibility (indirect tension test), resilient modulus, permanent deformation (axial repe
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An optical spectroscopic study is reported in this article to study the correlation between the supermassive black hole (SMBH) and the star formation rate (SFR) for a sample of Seyfert galaxies type (I and II). The study focused on 45 galaxy of Seyfert 1, in addition to 45 galaxy of Seyfert 2, where these samples have been selected form different survey of Salon Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). The redshift (z) of these objects were between (0.02 – 0.26). The results of Seyfert 1 galaxies shows that there good correlation between the SMBH and the SFR depending on statistical analysis parameter named Spearman’s Rank Correlation in a factor of (ρ=0.609), as well as the Seyfert 2 galaxies results show a good correlation between the SMBH
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An optical spectroscopic study is reported in this article to study the correlation between the supermassive black hole (SMBH) and the star formation rate (SFR) for a sample of Seyfert galaxies type (I and II). The study focused on 45 galaxy of Seyfert 1, in addition to 45 galaxy of Seyfert 2, where these samples have been selected form different survey of Salon Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). The redshift (z) of these objects were between (0.02 – 0.26). The results of Seyfert 1 galaxies shows that there good correlation between the SMBH and the SFR depending on statistical analysis parameter named Spearman’s Rank Correlation in a factor of (ρ=0.609), as well as the Seyfert 2 galaxies results show a good correlation between the SMBH and
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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 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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A 2D geological model for Mauddud Formation in the Badra oil field is built using Rockworks 16 software. Mauddud Formation produces oil from limestone units; it represents the main reservoir in the Badra oil field. Six wells (BD-1, BD-2, BD-4, BD-5, P-15, and P-19) are selected to build facies and petrophysical (Porosity and Water saturation) models. Wells data are taken from the core and cutting samples and studied through the microscopic. The petrophysical data (effective porosity and water saturation) are derived from computer processes interpretation results that are calculated by using Interactive Petrophysics software. The 2D models are built to illustrate the vertical and horizontal distribution of petrophysical properties between we
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Background: Imprelon® Biostar foils are new alternative tray material that has become increasingly popular because oftheir several advantages. Also, (Duran®) is another type of Biostar foils which is used in splint therapy. This study assessed some mechanical properties of these two types Biostar sheets in comparison with some types of acrylic resins used for construction of trays and splints. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 specimens were prepared, 30 specimens for each test, 10 for each group material in order to assess some mechanical properties of the Imprelon® Biostar foil (dimension stability, surface roughness and shear bond strength of Imprelon® materialto zinc oxide impression material) and compare them to that of the oth
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