This study included the isolation and identification of Citrobacter freundii from 220 samples collected from inpatients and outpatients suffering from urinary tract infection (UTI) and identified at the laboratory of the General Samarra Hospital in Samarra City, Iraq. The study was conducted to investigate some of the virulence factors produced by C. freundii. The results showed that 67 isolates were belonging to the C. freundii, with a rate of 30.45%. Twenty eight samples were from inpatients (41.8%) and 39 samples were from outpatients. The bacterial identification was based on cultural and biochemical tests and confirmed by using VITEK2 compact system. Virulence factor results showed that all isolates were not blood hydrolyzing whereas they produced protease. Seven isolates (10.4%) produced biofilm, five from inpatients and two from outpatients, at rates of 17.8% and 5.1%, respectively. The results showed that 17 (25.4%) of the pathogenic isolates were β-lactamase producers, as determined by the iodometric method, twelve of them (17.9%) were from inpatients and 5 (7.5%) from outpatients. Four isolates of C. freundii produced Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESβL) enzymes, three from inpatients and one from outpatients, with ratios of 4.5% and 1.4%, respectively. Also, the via B gene, which is responsible for virulence factors, was investigated using PCR. The results showed that 12 isolates from inpatients and 4 isolates from outpatients were harboring this gene. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer’s method showed that all isolates that produced β-lactamase were resistant to antibiotics.
Liposomal amphotericin B (Amph B) has been used effectively to treat leishmaniosis, in spite of its high toxicity appeared in some patients. In our study, Amph B was administered in Leishmania donovani that infected BALB/c male mice using different concentrations to evaluate its efficacy challenge against infection as well as its effect in modulating immunity of the host. We observed that low doses with short duration of Amph B as a therapy regime significantly enhanced the induction of Th1 cytokine (INF-γ), but suppressed Th2 cytokine (IL-10) production. Groups of mice infected with L. donovani and treated with Amph B showed clearly increasing in INF-γ level and reduction in IL-10 level in concentration (3, 4, 5 mg/ml/kg) with best resul
... Show MoreAbstractThe objective of the present study was measured of several oxidative stresses and liver function parameters in workers occupationally exposed to cement dust in Kufa Cement Factory, in order to test the hypothesis that cement dust exposure may perturb these parameters. Assessment of oxidative stress and liver function parameters were performed in 63 workers occupationally, in different departments of Kufa Cement Factory, exposed to cement dust (range of the exposure time was 5-38 years) and 36 matched unexposed controls. The study results illustrated an increasing in the oxidative stress parameters, moreover; liver function parameters showed abnormal results in the exposed workers compared to the unexposed. An increase in theses para
... Show MoreOver the years, the issue of inclusion of students with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream schools is controversial worldwide. Evidence from research argues that without a positive teachers’ attitude towards the inclusion of students with SEN in mainstream schools, the successful implementation of inclusion is most likely doubtable. The aim of this paper is to understand teachers’ attitudes towards the inclusion of students with SEN in mainstream schools from different perspectives and from different contexts. The conclusion drawn in this review can be that teachers’ attitude is the most important key towards the appropriate inclusion implementation in mainstream schools. The disparity of teachers’ attitudes towards th
... Show MoreCredit risk assessment has become an important topic in financial risk administration. Fuzzy clustering analysis has been applied in credit scoring. Gustafson-Kessel (GK) algorithm has been utilised to cluster creditworthy customers as against non-creditworthy ones. A good clustering analysis implemented by good Initial Centres of clusters should be selected. To overcome this problem of Gustafson-Kessel (GK) algorithm, we proposed a modified version of Kohonen Network (KN) algorithm to select the initial centres. Utilising similar degree between points to get similarity density, and then by means of maximum density points selecting; the modified Kohonen Network method generate clustering initial centres to get more reasonable clustering res
... Show MoreThe research dealt with the effect of Kut Barrage on the geomorphological processes and the natural environment system in the course of the Tigris between the cities of Al-Ahrar and Kut in central Iraq. It was clear from the research the contribution of Kut Barrage in changing the surface runoff system between the front and back of the barrage, as well as changing the type of processes and the prevailing geomorphic forms, as the sedimentation activates the front of the barrage and erosion at its back, which affected the change in the morphology of the river, sediment retention at the front of the barrage, the burial of the bottom and reducing the validity of the stream. This also affects the efficiency of the barrage’s work and coastal er
... Show MoreIn this paper, we established a mathematical model of an SI1I2R epidemic disease with saturated incidence and general recovery functions of the first disease I1. Considering the basic reproduction number, we obtained conditions for both disease-free and co-existing cases. The equilibrium points local stability is verified by using the Routh-Hurwitz criterion, while for the global stability, we used a suitable Lyapunov function to analyze the endemic spread of the positive equilibrium point. Moreover, we carried out the local bifurcation around both equilibrium points (disease-free and co-existing), where we obtained that the disease-free equilibrium point undergoes a transcritical bifurcation. We conduct numerical simulations that suppo
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