Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Some Infected and Healthy Ruminants in Basrah, Iraq.

Although P. aeruginosa is an environmental organism, it is infrequently found on the skin, mucous membranes, and in the feces of some healthy animals (wild, companion, or farm animals). P. aeruginosa produces a variety of toxins and enzymes which promote tissue invasion and damage. P. aeruginosa demonstrated resistance to several antimicrobial agents. It is of significant importance in both animal and human medicine. The present study aimed to isolate and diagnose P. aeruginosa isolates from some ruminants, cow and sheep, from different regions of Basrah, Iraq. A total of 200 samples were taken from infected and healthy ruminants, as well as the environment surrounding the animal in Basrah, Iraq. The identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was performed by conventional and molecular methods using the 16S rRNA gene and aroE gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The recorded data pointed out that P. aeruginosa was successfully isolated from infected animals (cows and sheep) with total percentages of 46% and 22%, respectively. These percentages were obtained at 8% and 4% from healthy cows and sheep, respectively. The percentages of isolation of the environment surrounding cows and sheep were 40% and 32%, respectively. A higher percentage of infection was observed in the eye, skin, and wound swabs of cows. Healthy cows and sheep gave only three isolates of P. aeruginosa, while the environmental swabs recorded 18 isolates. Bacterial isolates were identified by culture methods and Vitek- 2. To confirm the diagnosis more accurately at the level of the species, the molecular confirmation was performed by PCR amplification of genus and species with 16S rRNA gene sequences. The results pointed out that all 10 selected isolates gave positive results, and the gene size was ≈ 1500 bp. New strains were recorded in GenBank/NCBI, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed. The isolates fall in three clads. Molecular confirmation of other isolates in this study (42 isolates) was carried out by PCR amplification of aroE gene. All PCR products of these isolates were amplified≈ 495 pb on agarose gel electrophoresis.

Effect of Long-Term Treatment with Dexamethasone on the Liver and Kidney Histopathology, as well as Blood Biochemistry in Male Rabbits (Lepus Cuniculus).

Glucocorticoids have a wide range of pharmacological activities. Generally speaking, the steroid drugs, such as dexamethasone (DEX) can have severe side effects on the histology of different organs. In fact, glucocorticoids have been known as powerful medicines which can cure inflammation and work with the immune system to treat a wide range of health problems. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of DEX on the histological changes of the liver and kidney, as well as blood biochemical parameters. In total, 13 specific pathogen-free male Lepus Cuniculus rabbits aged 8-10 months old, with a mean weight of 1.12±0.13 kg were randomly divided into three groups. Group I (n=3) did not receive DEX, and they only received saline solution as a placebo (control). In Group II (n=5), the animals received 0.25 mg DEX/kg body weight/day for a period of 56 days, and the animals in Group III (n=5) received 0.5 mg DEX/kg body weight/day for 56 days. Blood was aspirated from the rabbit's marginal ear vein. All blood samples were centrifuged at 3000×g for 10 min to separate serum samples. Blood lipids and trace elements (zinc, copper, calcium, and iron) were measured. The microscopical analyses of the liver and kidney tissues were performed through the observation of the histological changes in the tissues. The results showed a significant (P≤0.05) decrease in the body and organ weight, as well as serum concentrations for the trace elements. On the other hand, lipid profile showed a significant increase (P≤0.05) in cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein. However, a significant decrease was recorded in high-density lipoprotein in both treated groups with DEX, compared to the control group. The results of the histological evaluation showed some degrees of degeneration, necrosis, cell vacuolation, and lymphocyte infiltration in the kidney and liver tissues in the treatment groups.

Effect of Eggshell Nanoparticles on Healing Bone Fracture.

Eggshell waste is considered the most abundant waste material from food processing technologies. Despite the freakish features that its components possess, it is very often discarded without further application. Nowadays, most researchers are focusing their research on pollution-free environment, biodegradable character, and balanced ecological aspects while fabricating the composite materials rather than mechanical strengths, costs, and processing methodologies. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the eggshell nanoparticles on the enhanced treatment of a bone fracture. The samples included 10 healthy female New Zealand white rabbits with an average body weight of 3 kg and age of 4 months years old. The animals were kept in an open place. All these ten rabbits had a fracture by making a surgical operation conducted by opening and excluding the muscle and anther tissue, followed by cutting the bone using a special small saw. After the operational step, the animals were divided into two groups (n=5). The fractures were checked by X-ray. The negative control group was left without treatment, however, was given 0.2 mL intraperitoneal saline injection weekly. The experimental group underwent treatment with 200 mg/kg of calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO3-NPs) for 4 weeks. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the study period to collect organs for histological studies. Considering the results of the radiographic examination before and after treatment with CaCO3-NPs, the recorded data showed the speed of healing in the experimental group, compared to the control group. Regarding the histological study that was carried out on the vital organs, such as the liver, kidneys, heart, and lung, no side effects appeared when comparing the treatment group with the control group, except for some slight changes. In conclusion, the recorded data in the current study demonstrated that CaCO3-NPs had a beneficial effect on the pace of fracture recovery.

Study on Anticancer Activity of 4, 4'-[1,4-phenylenebis(1,3,4-thiadiazole-5,2-diyl)] bis (azaneylylidene) bis (methaneylylidene) diphenolon Breast Cancer Cells.

New medicinal compounds are being evaluated due to the increasing prevalence of cancer in human societies and the necessity to produce new medications for treatment. The new Schiff base compound 4,4'-[1,4-phenylenebis(1,3,4-thiadiazole-5,2-diyl)] bis (azaneylylidene) bis (methaneylylidene) diphenol, which was previously produced from the reaction of 5,5' [(1,4-Phenelene) bis (1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine)] and the para-hydroxy ben aldehyde was synthesized and different concentrations (250 and 300 mg/mL) of this new compound were exposed to breast cancer (MCF-7) cells to examine its cytotoxicity effect. Cell line viability, acridine orange/propidium iodide staining, and DNA fragmentation were assessed in evaluating the antitumor effect of the new composition. Obtained data from cell viability assays demonstrated cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. No fragmentation was observed in DNA fragmentation of the novel compound base with MCF-7 and Vero cell line. The new Schiff base compound indicated well-defined anti-cancer activity when treated with breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The compound blocked the proliferation of cancer cells without apoptosis. As a consequence of the findings, it was recommended to use this compound in treating breast cancer.

Gallionella spp. in trickling filtration of subsurface aerated and natural groundwater.

The growth of iron-oxidizing bacteria, generally regarded as obligate microaerophilic at neutral pH conditions, has been reported in a wide range of environments, including engineered systems for drinking water production. This research focused on intensively aerated trickling filters treating deep anaerobic and subsurface aerated groundwater. The two systems, each comprising groundwater abstraction and trickling filtration, were monitored over a period of 9 months. Gallionella spp. were quantified by qPCR with specifically designed 16S rRNA primers and identified directly in the environmental samples using clone libraries with the same primers. In addition, enrichments in gradient tubes were evaluated after DGGE separation with general bacterial primers. No other iron-oxidizing bacteria than Gallionella spp. were found in the gradient tubes. qPCR provided an effective method to evaluate the growth of Gallionella spp. in these filter systems. The growth of Gallionella spp. was stimulated by subsurface aeration, but these bacteria hardly grew in the trickling filter. In the uninfluenced, natural anaerobic groundwater, Gallionella spp. were only present in low numbers, but they grew extensively in the trickling filter. Identification revealed that Gallionella spp., growing in the trickling filter were phylogenetically distinct from the species found growing during subsurface aeration, indicating that the different conditions in both systems selected for niche organisms, while inhibiting other groups. The results suggest a minor direct significance for inoculation of Gallionella spp. during filtration of subsurface aerated groundwater.