ntroduction. Finding a safe innate immune response stimulator is one of the greatest challenges facing immunologists and vaccine manufacturers. Gap statement. The role of sterile bacterial secretions (SBSs) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in stimulating the innate immune response was not investigated previously. Aim. The comparative effect of SBSs and bacterial cells of P. aeruginosa isolates isolated from freshwater (PAE) and infected wounds (PAC) on the respiratory tract innate immune response. Methodology. Four test mice groups were instilled intranasally (i.n.) with 106 c.f.u of PAC, 106 c.f.u of PAE, SBS of PAC, and SBS of PAE. Two control groups were given i.n. either LB broth or PBS. Time-course changes in IL-1 beta mRNA, TNF-alpha mRNA, IL-1β and TNF-α, leukocyte count, bacterial uptake, and intracellular bacterial killing by mouse alveolar macrophages (AMs) and histological changes were examined. Lung bacterial burdens were counted in first and second test groups. Results. The maximum level of IL-1β was seen as early as 2 h (1360±180 pg ml−1) post-instillation (i.n.) with SBS of PAC and 1 h (1910±244 pgml−1) post-instillation with SBS of PAE. The maximum level of TNF-α was seen as early as 4 h (953±192 pg ml−1) post-instillation with SBS of PAC and (1197±298 pg ml−1) post-instillation with SBS of PAE. These values were almost in line with IL-1β and TNF-α gene expression. Moderate infiltration of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung sections and moderate activity of AMs (bacterial uptake and bacterial killing) were observed. The above innate immune response parameters in mice instilled i.n. with PAC and PAE were higher (P<0.05) than in the mice groups instilled i.n. with SBSs. The PAC was persistent in the lungs of mice for up to 72 h (3.5±0.22 log10 of c.f.u. g−1) and up to 48 h (2.05±0.21 log10 of c.f.u. g−1) for PAE. Conclusion. The administration of mice with SBS i.n. stimulates cellular and molecular arms of the innate immune response in the respiratory tract, opening the door to the possibility of using SBS of P. aeruginosa as an adjuvant.
In order to study the dynamic response of historical masonry structures, a scaled down brick masonry model constructed in civil engineering department at Baghdad University to simulate a part of a real case study, which is Alkifil historic minaret. Most of the previous researches about masonry structures try to understand the behavior of the masonry under seismic loading by experimental and numerical methods. In this paper, the masonry units (bricks) simulated in scale (S= 1/6) with the exact shape of the prototype bricks. Cementitious tile adhesive was selected to be the mortar for the modeling. The height of the model designed to be 1.5 m with a 0.5 m diameter. Detailed construction steps were presented in this paper. Experts buil
... Show MoreThe present work evaluated the differences in mechanical properties of two athletic prosthetic feet samples when subjected to impact while running. Two feet samples designated as design A and B were manufactured using layers of different orientations of woven glass fiber reinforced with unsaturated polyester resin as bonding epoxy. The samples’ layers were fabricated with hand lay-up method. A theoretical study was carried out to calculate the mechanical properties of the composite material used in feet manufacturing, then experimental load-deflection test was applied at 0 degree position and 25 degree dorsiflexion feet position and impact test were applied for both feet designs to observe the behavior
... Show MoreThe gas sensing properties of undoped Co3O4 and doped with Y2O3 nanostructures were investigated. The films were synthesized using the hydrothermal method on a seeded layer. The XRD, SEM analysis and gas sensing properties were investigated for the prepared thin films. XRD analysis showed that all films were polycrystalline, of a cubic structure with crystallite size of (12.6) nm for cobalt oxide and (12.3) nm for the Co3O4:6% Y2O3. The SEM analysis of thin films indicated that all films undoped Co3O4 and doped possessed a nanosphere-like structure.
The sensi
... Show MoreMicrofinance Institutions (MFIs) offers small loans with easy repayment system and till now these institutions have served millions of needy people around the globe. This study highlights the hurdles influence the smooth working and growth of Microfinance institution in Egypt. The structured interviews were conducted from the top and mid-level managers of MFI's. This study revealed that interest rate, political and economic conditions, corruption, customer outreach, competition and technology are the important elements for MFI's success. It is evident that lack of use of technology and less importance drawn on customer outreach programs are the main challenges of MFI's in Egypt. This study provides a roadmap for practitioners and strategic
... Show MoreThe toxicity effect of some heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Copper, and Zinc) on the growth of alga Scenedesmus dimorphus which belongs to the Division of Chlorophyta was studied and depended on the total cell number . The growth rate and doubling time were also calculated accordingly in present of absent of the the heavy metals . There were differences in toxic effects of the metals (p<0.05) . The growth was decreased gradually with alga when exposured to Lead at 15,20 and 25 mg/l in comparison with the control , mean while 30 mg/l caused an acute decrease in growth . Treating the alga with 0.05,0.1,0.5 mg/l concentration of Cadmium the number of cells decreased while at 1 mg/l the effect was more pronounced . As for Copper the conc
... Show MoreAn isolate of Leishmania major was grown on the semisolid medium and incubated at 26ºC. The isolate was irradiated by He: Ne laser (632.8 nm, 10 mW) at exposure times (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30) minutes in their respective order. The unirradiated groups represent control group. Growth rate and percentage of viability were examined during six days after irradiation. The change in these two parameters reflects the effect of irradiation on the parasite. The results refers that the general growth effected by irradiation in comparison with un irradiation group, The growth rate of parasite decrease with increasing the exposure time in comparison with control group. Parasite viability decrease with irradiation and the percentage of living cell dec
... Show MoreThe objective of the present work was to estimate water requirements and water use efficiency for Broccoli under normal irrigation conditions and sewage irrigation. Field experiment was carried out during the season 2018 at station/Sulaimni agricultural station/Bakrajo –College of Agricultural Sciences. The experiment included three treatments: River water irrigation in all season growth (I1), Sewage water irrigation in all season growth (I2), Alternate irrigation (one river irrigation followed by two sewage water irrigation) in all season growth (I3). The experimental Design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) w
In order to achieve optimal plant growth and production, essential nutrients must be readily available in adequate quantities and in a balanced proportion to give a good yield, especially broccoli which has health benefits that may not be found in many other plants. For this purpose, this experiment was carried out during the seasons 2019/2020 in the botanical garden of the Department of Biology, College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, to study the effects of nitrogen and sulphur and their interaction on eight parameters reflecting the overall traits of vegetative growth, yield, and chlorophyll content of broccoli Brassica oleracea L. (var. italic JASSMINE F1 Hybrid). A factorial design with three replicates was use
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