Introduction: Biocides are commonly used for disinfection in a variety of contexts. They are generally used to avoid infection by controlling biofilm on medical equipment. However, the literature lacks information on the effect of biocide on efflux pump gene expression. Objective: To determine the influence of biocide on biofilm development and efflux pump acrA and ramA gene expression. Methodology: The microtiter plate method was used to identify biofilm development in 80 isolates of K. pneumoniae. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of three biocides (quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), chlorohexidine digluconate, and chloroxylenol) were estimated. The effect of QAC on the intensity and viability of biofilms was investigated as well. Its influence on biofilm was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. For each isolate, gene expression of the acrA and ramA was evaluated before and after treatment with the biocide (at ½MIC). Results: The study revealed that 60% of isolates formed moderate biofilms. Biofilms of all isolates were inhibited by QAC at high concentrations. Moreover, QAC at ½MIC downregulated the gene expression of the efflux pump gene (acrA) and its regulator (ramA). Conclusion: Biofilms of all isolates were prevented by QAC at high doses. Furthermore, QAC at ½MIC decreased the expression of the efflux pump gene (acrA) and its regulator (ramA).
The rapid increase in the number of older people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia represents one of the major challenges to the health and social care systems because of a large number of people affected. Early detection of AD makes it possible for patients to access appropriate services and to benefit from new treatments and therapies, as and when they become available, and to plan for the future. The onset of AD starts many years before the clinical symptoms become clear. A biomarker that can measure the brain changes in this period would be useful for early diagnosis of AD. Potentially, the electroencephalogram (EEG) can play a valuable role in early detection of AD. Damage caused to the brain due to AD leads t
... Show MoreThe majority of Arab EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners struggle with speaking English fluency. Iraqi students struggle to speak English confidently due to mispronunciation, grammatical errors, short and long pauses while speaking or feeling confused in normal conversations. Collaborative learning is crucial to enhance student’s speaking skills in the long run. This study aims to state the importance of collaborative learning as a teaching method to EFL learners in the meantime. In this quantitative and qualitative study, specific focus is taken on some of Barros’s views of collaborative learning as a teamwork and some of Pattanpichet’s speaking achievements under four categories: academic benefits, social benefits,
... Show MoreThis study was conducted to examine the anatomical aspects of
The following dilutions -710X46, -610X46, -510X46 of Bacillus thuringiensis were used for bioassay against the different larval instar of the potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella by the spraying method, the results showed that there was no significant influence in the percentage of egg hatching in comparison with the control. The sensitivity of larval stages was reduced with the increasing the age and exposure period. The study also showed that the larvae infected with B.t. stopped feeding, movement and a general paralysis causing the death of larva after (24-48) hours , and the larva color was changed from the natural waxy colour to brown finally to the black after death.
In this study, some attenuation parameters of gamma shields were studied. This shields consisting of composite materials of Unsaturated polyester as a base material and Nano iron oxide (Fe2O3) and, micro iron (Fe) as reinforcement materials at different percentages (1, 3,5,7and 9)wt%, and with different thickness (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5and 4) cm. The results showed that the use of nanoparticles is better than the microparticales in the field of radiation shielding. It has been shown that the values of attenuation parameters of gamma it bitter in the case of nanoparticles than case of the use of micro material.