Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae shows varying degrees of resistance to antibiotic treatment; this resistance arises from multiple mechanisms, including the increased expression of multidrug (MDR) efflux pumps. An efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) is required to overcome this challenge and restore the effectiveness of antibiotics against the present MDR K. pneumoniae. Objective: To investigate the synergistic effect of the EPI Phenylalanine-Arginine β-Naphthylamide (PaβN) and Ciprofloxacin (CIP) on the expression of efflux pump genes AcrAB-TolC, isolated from CIP-resistant K. pneumoniae. Methods: 50 isolates of K. pneumoniae were collected from five different hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined for the CIP and CIP and PaßN combination using the broth micro-dilution method conducted on ten isolates resistant to CIP. Moreover, the expression level of AcrA, AcrB, and TolC genes from four selected isolates of K. pneumoniae were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: K. pneumoniae isolates showed that 40/50 (80%) were multidrug-resistant, and 54% of isolates were resistant to CIP. The MIC was reduced significantly from 2–8-fold in the isolates treated with PaβN and CIP compared to the CIP-treated group. The gene expression levels varied among the four selected isolates, with a slight decrease in AcrAB-TolC gene expression in some isolates treated with the CIP and PaβN combination compared to those treated with CIP alone. Conclusions: The promising finding is the effectiveness of synergistic combinations between the antibiotic and efflux pump inhibitors in eliminating resistance of MDR bacteria.
Iraq hosts a diverse range of native species inhabiting its mountains, marshes, steppes, and deserts. Nevertheless, schoolchildren in Iraq know little about their native biodiversity. This is because biology lessons at schools usually concentrate on generic examples rather than local flora and fauna. This essay considers the importance of incorporating the local Iraqi biodiversity into the biology lesson plans. The learning process related to biodiversity should involve more than scientific information. Students need to be made to feel responsible for the environment and to become familiar with the natural history of their homeland. This work illustrates the benefits of using examples of native species and ecosystems in the learning process
... Show MoreBackground: The bond strength of root canal sealers to dentin and gutta-percha seems to be an important property for maintaining the stability of root canal filling, which potentially influences both leakage and root strength. The objective of this, in vitro, study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of three different endodontic sealers (Gutta-Flow, AH Plus, Apexit Plus) to dentin, in the presence and absence of the smear layer and gutta percha. Material and Methods: After slicing off the occlusal 2mm of 60 extracted human maxillary premolar teeth, the exposed dentin served as the tested surfaces; the teeth were fixed with cold cure acrylic, and were divided into two groups according to the smear layer presence, group A without smear
... Show MoreABSTRACT Background: One of the challenges to use chlorhexidine is its effect on the amount of microleakage after restoration; however, use of the materials with antibacterial properties after tooth preparation and before restoration has been widespread. The objective of this, in-vitro, study was to evaluate the influence of consepsis (chlorhexidine gloconate disinfectant) application on microleakage in class II cavities restored with light cured composite using universal adhesive system; etch and rinse technique –self etch technique. Materials and Methods: Forty class II cavities were prepared on mesial and distal surfaces of 20 non-carious mandibular third molars. The cavities were divided into four groups; (n =10 for each group).
... Show MoreABSTRACT : Diabetes mellitus stands for a set of metabolic diseases that if they are not managed, they can initiate threatening life problems. This study hypothesizes that insulin-like growth factor-1 level can be used as a biomarker for early diagnosing renal problems in patients with type 2 diabetic disease. This study included 30 recently identified type 2 diabetic patients with acute renal malfunction who had an entrance in National Diabetic Center,AL-Mustansiriyah University.They have beenin the Center from October 2018 up to end of April 2019. Their age range has been (40-62) years. Comprehensive clinical investigationhas beencompleted for each patient to discount other diabetic complications like cardiac, neurologic and eye complicat
... Show MoreThis study compared and classified of land use and land cover changes by using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) on two cities (Al-Saydiya city and Al-Hurriya) in Baghdad province, capital of Iraq. In this study, Landsat satellite image for 2020 were used for (Land Use/Land Cover) classification. The change in the size of the surface area of each class in the Al-Saydiya city and Al-Hurriya cities was also calculated to estimate their effect on environment. The major change identified, in the study, was in agricultural area in Al-Saydiya city compare with Al-Hurriya city in Baghdad province. The results of the research showed that the percentage of the green