Proteus mirabilis isolates have been intensively researched for their capacity to cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and their swarming motility, although little is known about this phenomenon. Probiotic Lactobacillus species, which are beneficial bacteria, are being studied worldwide as therapeutic and preventative agents against bacterial infections. This study investigated Lactobacillus supernatants as a potential new treatment against Proteus mirabilis. In addition to testing their antimicrobial and anti-swarming activities, the research also aimed to understand the genetic mechanisms behind the observed phenotypic changes. Methods. A total of 150 urine specimens were collected from UTI patients at various hospitals in Baghdad. Direct culture was performed by streaking the specimens on differential media. RNA was extracted and purified from the bacterial isolates, and then reverse transcription and quantitative PCR were used to evaluate swarming-related gene expression. Gene expression was assessed relative to a reference gene to reveal how probiotics regulate swarming behavior at the genetic level. Gene expression patterns varied, indicating complex genomic responses to Lactobacillus exposure. Results. UTIs affected 50 males (33.33%) and 100 females (66.66%) of various ages. Proteus mirabilis was identified in 30 (20%) of the 150 samples. Resistance was observed in 25 (83.33%) isolates for azithromycin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and in 22 (73.33%) isolates for meropenem. Real-time PCR showed significant alterations in the expression of four swarming-related genes (rsbA, umoD, ZapA, and FliL). The rsbA gene showed a notable increase in expression, while another sample displayed a decrease. The umoD gene exhibited the largest change, with expression doubling in some cases. ZapA showed the greatest increase, nearly tripling in expression in one sample. FliL expression also rose in multiple isolates. Swarming activity was positively correlated with gene expression levels for rsbA (r = 0.8, p = 0.009), umoD (r = 0.635, p = 0.045), ZapA (r = 0.942, p = 0.001), and FliL (r = 0.894, p = 0.001). Conclusions. The study reveals a complex gene network regulating the swarming motility of Proteus mirabilis. It suggests that Lactobacillus acidophilus supernatants can modify gene expression and bacterial motility, potentially aiding in the treatment of UTIs.
The present work aims to fabricate n-i-p forward perovskite solar cell (PSC) withئ structure (FTO/ compact TiO2/ compact TiO2/ MAPbI3 Perovskite/ hole transport layer/ Au). P3HT, CuI and Spiro-OMeTAD were used as hole transport layers. A nano film of 25 nm gold layer was deposited once between the electron transport layer and the perovskite layer, then between the hole transport layer and the perovskite layer. The performance of the forward-perovskite solar cell was studied. Also, the role of each electron transport layer and the hole transport layer in the perovskite solar cell was presented. The structural, morphological and electrical properties were studied with X-ray diffractometer, field emission s
... Show MoreThe goal of the current study was to research the changes in hematological parameters: WBC count, RBCs count, Hb, PCV, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte in albino mice infected with Aspergillus fumigatus by intraperitoneal injection after induced immunosuppression by intraperitoneal injection of cortisone. The current research also examined an attempt to reduce the infection load by treating Solanum aculeastrum. The result shows higher decreased significance (P≤0. 05) in RBCs, Hb, and PCV after being infected with A. fumigatus 7. 1 ± 0. 8, 11. 3 ± 0. 5 and 41. 5 ± 2. 4, respectively, while the total WBC count, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocytes were increased significantly (P≤0. 05) after treatment with S. aculeastrum i
... Show MoreTo investigate the effect of spraying some plant extraction and anti-oxidants on growth and yield of two cultivars of sunflower, a field experiment was conducted during fall season of 2009 and spring season of 2010 at the Experimental Farm, Department of Field Crop Science, College of Agriculture/ University of Baghdad. RCBD with three replications as factorial at two factors was used. First factor was cultivars Akmar and Shmoss, second was spraying with extraction of karkade at 25%, liquorices at 50%, vitamin C at concentration 1.5 mg.l-1 and nutrient which content 15 elements at concentration 15 % in addition to control treatment which sprayed with distilled water only. The result showed no significant differences between the two cultivar
... Show MoreThis experiment was performed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with flax seed on the egg quality of laying quail. A total of 320 Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) wk old were allocated to 4 treatment groups with 4 replicates containing 20 quail each. Birds were fed a commercial diet containing 0% (C), 2% (T1), 4% (T2), or 6% (T3) flax seed. Birds received water and diet ad libitum during the total period of the experiment. Egg quality characteristics were monitored over 3 consecutive 21-day periods. Egg quality criteria involved in this experiment involved egg weight, yolk diameter, yolk height, yolk weight, albumen height, albumen weight, shell weight, shell thickness, Haugh unit, albumen percentage, yolk perc
... Show MoreIn this study, Laser Shock Peening (LSP) effect on the polymeric composite materials has been investigated experimentally. Polymeric composite materials are widely used because they are easy to fabricate and have many attractive features. Unsaturated polyester resin as a matrix was selected and Aluminum powder with micro particles as a reinforcement material was used with different volume fraction (2.5%, 5% and 7.5%). Hand lay-up process was used for preparation the composites. Fatigue test with constant amplitude with stress ratio (R =-1) was carried out before and after LSP process with two levels of energy (1Joule and 2Joule). The result showed an increase in the endurance strength of 25.448% at 7.5% volume fraction when peened is 1J
... Show MoreThe optical properties for the components CuIn(SexTe1-x)2 thin films with both values of selenium content (x) [0.4 and 0.6] are studied. The films have been prepared by the vacuum thermal evaporation method with thickness of (250±5nm) on glass substrates. From the transmittance and absorbance spectra within the range of wavelength (400-900)nm, we determined the forbidden optical energy gap (Egopt) and the constant (B). From the studyingthe relation between absorption coefficient (α) photon energy, we determined the tails width inside the energy gap.
The results showed that the optical transition is direct; we also found that the optical energy gap increases with annealing temperature and selenium content (x). However, the width of l
In this work a hybrid composite materials were prepared containing matrix of polymer (polyethylene PE) reinforced by different reinforcing materials (Alumina powder + Carbon black powder CB + Silica powder). The hybrid composite materials prepared are: • H1 = PE + Al2O3 + CB • H2 = PE + CB + SiO2 • H3 = PE + Al2O3 + CB + SiO2 All samples related to electrical tests were prepared by injection molding process. Mechanical tests include compression with different temperatures and different chemical solutions at different immersion times The mechanical experimentations results were in favour of the samples (H3) with an obvious weakness of the samples (H1) and a decrease of these properties with a rise in temperature and the increasing
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