Fluconazole was used to test the susceptibility of Candida albicans isolated from different clinical samples, and to detect mutations in ERG11 gene, and their relationship to fluconazole resistance. Forty-eight isolates of Candida albicans were tested for susceptibility using the disc diffusion method (M-44). ERG11 genes of six isolates were amplified (four resistant, two susceptible) and sequenced. The sequenced genes were analyzed to detect the mutations. Out of 48 isolates of Candida albicans, 4 (8%) were resistant to fluconazole. Sixteen-point mutations were detected included 13 silent mutations, and three missense mutations. The mutations of A945C (E266D) and G1609A (V488I) were found only in susceptible Candida albicans isolates, while the mutation of G1456A (V437I) was detected only in resistant Candida albicans isolates. Candida albicans had a high susceptibility against fluconazole. The amino acid substitutions of E266D and V488I have no role in fluconazole resistance, while the substitution of V437I may have a role in developing resistance against fluconazole. Multiple point mutations in ERG11 gene may develop resistance to fluconazole.
In this work, an experimental research on a low voltage DC magnetron plasma sputtering (0-650) volt is used for coating gold on a glass substrate at a constant pressure of argon gas 0.2 mbar and deposition time of 30 seconds. We focused on the effects of operating conditions for the system such as, electrode separation and sputtering current on coated samples under the influence of magnetic flux. Electron temperature and electrons and ions densities are determined by a cylindrical single Langmuir probe. The results show the sensitivity of electrode separation lead to change the plasma parameters. Furthermore, the surface morphology of gold coated samples at different electrode separation and sputtering current were studied by atomic forc
... Show MoreSome feline intestinal parasites such as Toxocara, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium can spread to humans through feces. Therefore, it is important to prevent exposure of family members by screening cat fecal samples twice per year for potential treatment regimes. This study was initiated to compare and identify gastrointestinal parasites of domestic and stray cats (Felis domesticus) in Baghdad City, Iraq. Parasite eggs and oocysts were identified under light microscopy by applying standard laboratory techniques (flotation and sedimentation). Overall, 59 of 121 (48.7%) fecal samples were positive for intestinal parasites. The rate of infection by Toxoplasma gondii was (3.31%), Isospora spp. (6.61%), Cryptosporidium spp. (31.4%), and Toxocara spp
... Show MoreIn this study, gamma-ray spectrometry with an HPGe detector was used to measure the specific activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples collected from IT1 oil reservoirs in Kirkuk city, northeast Iraq. The “spectral line Gp” gamma analysis software package was used to analyze the spectral data. 226Ra specific activity varies from 9 0.34 Bq.kg-1 to 17 0.47 Bq.kg-1. 232Th specific activity varies from 6.2 0.08 Bq.kg-1 to 18 0.2 Bq.kg-1. 40K specific activity varies from 25 0.19 Bq.kg-1 to 118 0.41 Bq.kg-1. The radiological hazard due to the radiation emitted from natural r
... Show MoreObjective: The present work was undertaken to investigate the impact of sub inhibitory concentration of gentamicin on hla gene expression in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Methods: The bacterial isolates used in this study represent 33 MRSA strains, previously isolated form patients visiting several hospitals in Baghdad. Gentamicin, vancomycin, and oxacillin MIC were determined using broth dilution method. Microtiter plate method was adopted to investigate the biofilm forming capacity. Alpha hemolysin was detected by culturing MRSA isolates on rabbit blood agar. Furthermore, hla gene was detected in MRSA isolates using conventional PCR technique; while, qRT-PCR method was performed to assay the hla expression in plank
... Show MoreMany of the proposed methods introduce the perforated fin with the straight direction to improve the thermal performance of the heat sink. The innovative form of the perforated fin (with inclination angles) was considered. Present rectangular pin fins consist of elliptical perforations with two models and two cases. The signum function is used for modeling the opposite and the mutable approach of the heat transfer area. To find the general solution, the degenerate hypergeometric equation was used as a new derivative method and then solved by Kummer's series. Two validation methods (previous work and Ansys 16.0‐Steady State Thermal) are considered. The strong agreement of the validation results (0.3
The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the role of gentamicin in the gene expression of toxA in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from cow mastitis. A total of ten P. aeruginosa strains originally isolated from cows infected with mastitis. Agar dilution methodology was performed to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration of gentamicin, all of which developed resistance toward gentamicin. The findings presented here demonstrated that all these strains harboured toxA depending on PCR-based assay. Nonetheless, RT-PCR technique revealed a wide variation in expression of toxA. Moreover, the cultivation of P. aeruginosa in the presence of gentamicin, significantly (P< 0.05), induced the expression of toxA, in addition to th
... Show MoreNon-thermal or cold plasma create many reactive species and charged particles when brought into contact with plant extracts. The major constituents involve reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species and plasma ultra-violets. These species can be used to synthesize biologically important nanoparticles. The current study addressed the effect of the green method-based preparation approach on the volumetric analysis of Zn nanoparticles. Under different operating conditions, the traditional thermal method and the microwave method as well as the plasma generation in dielectric barrier discharge reactor were adopted as a preparation approach in this study. The results generally show that the type of method used plays an important role in d
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