Introduction: The stringent response is a bacterial adaptation mechanism triggered by stress conditions, including nutrient limitation. This response helps bacteria survive under harsh conditions, such as those encountered during infection. A key feature of the stringent response is the synthesis of the alarmone (p)ppGpp, which influences various bacterial phenotypes. In several bacterial species, stringent response activation significantly affects biofilm formation and maintenance. Methods: Clinical specimens were collected from multiple hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq. Staphylococcus aureus was identified using conventional biochemical tests. The PCR technique was applied to detect mecA, icaA, and icaD genes, while the Vitek 2 compact system confirmed Methicillin sensitivity in mecA-negative isolates. Biofilm intensity of all S. aureus isolates was assessed under normal and starved conditions. Additionally, the gene expression levels of icaA and icaD were measured in five MRSA and five MSSA strains under both conditions. Results: The mecA, icaA, and icaD genes were detected in 94%, 96.3%, and 100% of S. aureus isolates, respectively. Biofilm production analysis showed that 24% of isolates were strong producers, 49% were moderate producers, and 9% were weak producers. Statistical analysis indicated that biofilm intensity significantly decreased under nutrient limitation (p < 0.0001) compared to normal conditions across all isolates. Furthermore, icaA and icaD genes were upregulated under stringent response conditions, regardless of Methicillin resistance status. Conclusion: The stringent response influences S. aureus biofilm formation, with biofilm intensity decreasing under nutrient-limited conditions. However, the upregulation of icaA and icaD genes suggests a regulatory role of the stringent response in biofilm-related gene expression. These findings highlight the potential impact of stress adaptation mechanisms on bacterial persistence and pathogenicity.
The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of Radish (Raphanus sativus) seed alcoholic extract 70% against oxidative stress induced by sodium nitrite NaNO2 Twenty five adult male rabbits were devided into five groups of (five rabbits in each group) and treated daily for 30 days. Group T1: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2, Group T2: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2 + 50 mg/kg of alcoholic extract from Raphanus sativus seeds, Group T3: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2 + 100 mg/kg of alcoholic extract from Raphanus sativus seeds, Group T4: intubated orally 20 mg/kg NaNO2 + 200 mg/kg of alcoholic extract from Raphanus sativus seed as well as Group C: control intubated orally distilled water. In comparison with normal ra
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Obesity-related deaths continue to rise, and thus losing weight in overweight and obese patients is critical to prevent complications. Anredera cordifolia (Ten,) Steenis, species of succulent plant of the genus Basellaceae, is widely used in herbal medicine to decrease body weight. This study evaluated the potential benefits of Anredera cordifolia ethanol extract to reduce body weight in high-fat diet-induced obesity rat model. This was an experimental with post-test only control group design study involving 36 obese rats. They were divided into two groups: three control groups (K1, K2, K3) and three treatment groups (P1, P2, P3). All the groups were induced with high-fat diet, except K1 control group that received a standard di
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The study was carried out to determine the cytotoxic, antioxidant and gastro-protective effect of ethyl-4-[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylid ene)amino] benzoate (ETHAB) in rats.
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Background: The surgical extraction of impacted third molar usually results in postoperative inflammation manifested as pain, facial swelling and trismus which may cause deterioration in the patient’s quality of life. Methods: This randomized controlled study included 56 patients indicated for surgical extraction of IMTM under local anesthesia. These patients were randomly assigned into two groups: a study group that included patients who received Tibrolin® postoperatively and a control group that did not. The predictor variable was whether to use SET or not. Pain measured by the pain numerical rating scale (NRS), facial swelling, and the degree of trismus were the outcome variables. The Arabic version of the Oral Health Impact P
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This research aims to identify the effect of numbered heads strategy on developing oral expression skills among fifth-grade primary students in Bisha Province. To achieve this, the researcher prepared a research tool represented in the observation card which consists of (27) statements distributed in four axes. The tool was sent to (5) experts in the field to verify their validity. In light of their corrections, the tool was developed to be valid for gathering field information. To verify the validity of the content and the reliability of the tool, the researcher applied it to a sample consists of (20) students from outside the research group. The overall coefficient of correlation between the statements of the tool is as follows: (.95,
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An innovative desalination method called electrosorption or capacitive deionization (CDI) has significant benefits for wastewater treatment. This process is performed by using a carbon fiber electrode as a working electrode to remove hexavalent chromium ions from an aqueous solution. The pH, NaCl concentration, and cell voltage were optimized using the Box-Behnken experimental design (BDD) in response surface methodology (RSM) to study the effects and interactions of selected variables. To attain the relationship between the process variables and chromium removal, the experimental data were subjected to an analysis of variance and fitted with a quadratic model. The optimum conditions to remove Cr(VI) ions were: pH of 2, a cell voltage of 4.
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