Iraqi Journal of Bioscience and Biomedical

Streptococcus mutans is a critical bacterium predominantly found in dental plaque biofilms and is considered one of the primary causative agents of dental caries in humans. S. mutans is known for producing acids that lower the pH and lead to the demineralization of teeth when it metabolizes dietary carbohydrates into organic acid. This study was designed for the isolate, identify, and characterize of multidrug-resistant S. mutans from dental sources. A total of 120 samples, including dental caries, saliva, and smooth tooth surface plaque were collected from different dental clinics and hospitals in Baghdad. The bacteria were isolated and identified using Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin Agar (MSBA), biochemical tests, confirmed by VITEK2 system and molecular detection. Antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance profile for the identified isolates were assessed using two methods. Test disk diffusion against 10 antibiotics was carried as an initial screening method, and the results were confirmed by VITEK2 system. The finding demonstrated that the isolated S. mutans strain exhibited resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, highlighting the emerging concern of multidrug resistance among oral streptococci.

When Acinetobacter baumannii infections become multidrug-resistant, there is an urgent need to restore the effectiveness of existing antibiotics work again. One promising approach is using efflux pump inhibitors. These inhibitors are compounds that restore bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics by blocking the efflux pumps. The discovery of probiotics as beneficial bacteria, has expanded worldwide as a preventative and therapeutic agent to eliminate potential pathogens, particularly where the need for new treatments is critical due to increasing antibiotic resistance. The study aims to evaluate the synergistic effect of probiotics on adeB efflux pump gene expression in A. baumannii as a treatment. This study was conducted in the Department of Biotechnology at Al-Nahrain University. Samples were collected from October 2024 to January 2025 from clinical settings, including patients of both sexes and all age groups. A total of 180 clinical samples were obtained. All collected samples were cultured on MacConkey and blood agar. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method against 12 antimicrobial agents representing 8 categories, and further confirmed using the AST card on the automated Vitek-2 compact system. Biofilm formation by A. baumannii isolates was quantified using the microtiter plate assay (96-well format). RNA was successfully extracted from two clinical isolates of A. baumannii using a commercial RNA extraction Kit. These two isolates were strong biofilm production and extremely high rates of multidrug resistance. Quantitative Real – Time PCR was performed before and after treating them with probiotics, antibiotics, and probiotic-antibiotic combinations, to estimate the gene expression of the Efflux pump gene (adeB) with a housekeeping gene (rpoB). A total of 50 A. baumannii isolates were identified. An extremely high rate of multidrug resistance was observed. The probiotic agent, used alone or in combination, consistently caused a downregulation (Fold Change < 1) of the adeB efflux pump gene in both A. baumannii isolates. This direct suppression of major resistance machinery is the molecular mechanism by which the probiotic re-sensitizes the bacteria, as it allows the sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of the antibiotics to remain inside the cell.

Salmonella Gastroenteritis among infants, specifically because they are normally susceptible to invasive diseases, often comes from infections. Non-typhoidal Salmonella is a major public health challenge around the world, primarily from the intake of contaminated food or water and from poor hygiene practices. The goal of this study is to conduct a narrative literature review of non-typhoidal Salmonella gastroenteritis in infants and examine the current main themes in the literature (epidemiology, clinical presentation, risk factors, complications, and therapeutic management) to provide an appraisal. To accomplish this, a literature search was held in multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and continued until June 2025. Included in the long list of inclusion criteria was the study of clinical and/or epidemiological reasons for non-typhoidal Salmonella gastroenteritis, so the search was extensive. Although the majority of Salmonella infections are self-limiting, younger children have a greater risk of developing serious complications (bacteremia and sepsis). Clinical symptoms range from mild and self-limiting diarrhea to systemic invasive disease. The above-listed identified risk factors (i.e., formula feeding, lack of cleanliness/poor hygiene, and immature immunity) significantly contribute to the development and severity of the disease. Therefore, early diagnosis, proper risk stratification, and tailored management strategies for infants are all necessary to have desirable outcomes. As the emergence of antibiotic-resistance bacteria increases; therefore, proper use of antibiotics rationally and implementing public health measures to prevent infection should be reinforced.

Non-Obstructive azoospermia is a common multifactorial disease. Many genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have discovered genetic variants that are associated with increased risk of NOA in HLA class II region. HLA class II region have been reported to be associated with reproduction efficiency in males, however the effect of HLA region variants on NOA remain largely unspecified. Moreover, the majority of GWAS studies were done using Asian populations of China and Japan with no replication in different ethnic groups. Therefore, in this study we will investigate the presence and association of two HLA-DRA variants (rs3129878 and rs9268651) with NOA risk and their potential effect on sperm production and on fertility hormonal level in a sample of Iraqi infertile men. Study based on case-control design with genotyping for both variants and semen analysis was done by using blood and semen samples for 91 Iraqi males. The results show no individual association of SNPs with NOA risk, yet deviation from HWE (p=0.031) in patients only for the variant rs3129878 suggested for association trend. The combined effect of specific haplotype C-G reached significance level (p= 0.021) with linkage Disequilibrium analysis showed a D' value=0.99 and R²=0.046 between the two SNPs, additionally the variants rs3129878 show significant association (p=0.0178) with deceased sperm concentration in fertile men. Finally, the two variants appear to have different correlation association patterns with fertility hormones in NOA and controls. In conclusion, NOA is heterogeneous disorder influenced by several genetic, hormonal, environmental and idiopathic factors. Individual variants like (rs3129878 and rs9268651) with modest effect size might be diluted in case-control study yet the combined effect of the two SNPs in HLA region haplotype on NOA risk remain valuable.

Endometritis is an inflammation of uterine endometrium which is clinically relevant but insufficiently recognized disorder, this study aimed to evaluate serum AMH levels of healthy and diagnosed women with endometritis. This study comprised 80 women blood samples, including 40 endometritis diagnosed women from different hospitals in Baghdad, and 40 healthy controls. 5 ml blood samples were collected from each participant via venipuncture, 10 minutes centrifugation were used to separate the blood serum which was then stored at -20°C for biochemical analysis, serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels were measured by using ELISA kits. The mean value of AMH levels were [0.9583 ± 0.132] and [0.0123 ± 0.00166], for controls and patients’ groups respectively. Results showed a significant decrease in the mean of AMH levels among patient group [P ≤ 0.01] in addition, Endometritis patients with concomitant cancer showed a significant decrease in AMH levels in comparison with non-cancer diagnosed patients [p = 0.01]. According to this study, AMH levels were affected by endometritis since the hormone released by granulosa cells in antral follicles; moreover, AMH levels were associated with age, malignancy, medical history and chemotherapy. Granulosa cells are influenced by oxidative stress, endocrine disorders, inflammatory cytokines, reduced oocyte quality, and changes to the follicular environment. Furthermore, Uterine inflammation may adversely affect on granulosa cells in antral follicles leading to impair their function, decrease hormone secretion, which consequently reduced women fertility.

Coeliac disease (CD) is one of the autoimmune illnesses caused by ingestion of diets including gluten. The immune cell activation and tolerance regulated via Janus kinase2 and the single transducer and activator of transcription3 (JAK-STAT signaling pathway) While HLA-DQ8 and HLA-DQ2 are well established genetic risk factors for coeliac disease, non-HLA polymorphisms may contribute to disease susceptibility in different populations. This study examined the relationship between genetic variation within STAT3 (rs744166) and JAK2 (rs10758669) with the susceptibility of coeliac disease. forty sample were collected from Peripheral blood 20 samples were collected from patients with biopsy-confirmed coeliac disease and 20 blood samples from healthy controls (age and sex matched). The extraction of Genomic DNA and performance of SNP genotyping by using a real-time PCR kit provided by Thermo-Fisher Scientific. Allelic and genotypic frequencies were compared between patients and controls to assess potential associations. The first human SNP of JAK2 rs10758669 is part of the JAK–STAT signaling pathway, which represented three genotypes (CC, AC, and CC), The CC genotype indicated significant differences (P-Value 0.006), while other genotypes showed no significant differences. The second human SNP of STAT3 rs744166 also showed three genotypes (AA, GG, and AG). The AG genotype represented a significant difference (p- value 0.025), while other genotypes (AA, AG) showed no significant differences. The study finds that STAT3 (rs744166) and JAK2 (rs10758669) are significantly associated with coeliac disease and these SNPs could be used as a biomarker.

Chronic wound and burn infection remains an imminent public health problem, especially in developing countries, due to delayed wounds healing associated with prolonged inflammation, microbial infection, impaired vascularization, and inadequate treatment approaches. Recent advances in understanding gene regulation and mechanotransduction have improved insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying wound healing. These molecular insights are essential for identifying therapeutic targets, improving tissue regeneration, and developing effective treatment strategies for chronic wounds and burn injuries. Among the molecular regulators involved in these processes, talin-2 (TLN2) and Zinc Finger Protein 521 (ZNF521) have been shown to regulate cell adhesion, migration, and transcriptional regulation, which play essential roles in cellular regulatory mechanisms. TLN2 is critical for integrin activation and focal adhesion formation resulting in functional cell migration and mechanical signaling during tissue repair. Variation in expression of TLN2 can affect extracellular matrix-cell interaction and thereby impairing wound healing. On the other hand, ZNF521 functions as a transcriptional regulator of stem cell maintenance, differentiation and inflammatory downstream pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin and BMP signaling. These functions can determine a possible important role of ZNF521 in wound regeneration and immune responses in chronic wounds. In this review, we aim to describe the biological role of TLN2 and ZNF521 in the pathophysiology of wound and burn infection. Additionally, these findings show promising applications in identifying biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improving wound healing outcomes. More accurate and comprehensive study of these molecular mechanisms may yield targets for the successful clinical management.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent bacterial infections worldwide, representing a major healthcare burden due to their high recurrence rate and increasing antimicrobial resistance. Although bacterial virulence factors play a central role in infection establishment, host immune responses are equally critical in determining disease progression and clinical outcomes. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in early immune activation; however, its dysregulation contributes to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs), particularly miR-155 and miR-125, have emerged as crucial regulators of inflammatory signaling pathways. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between TNF-α and miRNA regulatory networks in UTIs. Evidence indicates that miR-155 enhances inflammatory responses through NF-κB activation, whereas miR-125 acts as a negative regulator to maintain immune balance. Disruption of this regulatory axis contributes to disease severity, recurrence, and renal complications. Furthermore, circulating miRNAs have shown promising potential as non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. Despite significant advances, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying cytokine–miRNA interactions remain incompletely understood. Future research should focus on targeted therapeutic strategies aimed to modulating this axis and improve patient outcomes.

The increasing incidence of Staphylococcus aureus infections in athletes has attracted a great deal of attention, as these populations are at higher risk for skin trauma, shared equipment and intense physical contact that favor bacterial colonization and person-to-person transmission. Specifically, the major virulence factor for S. aureus is alpha-hemolysin which is encoded by hla gene and a pore forming toxin that leads to tissue damage and an enhanced capability to cause disease. Concurrently, an upcoming utilized processing method of green-synthesized nanoparticles especially iron nanoparticles derived from clove (Syzygium aromaticum) extract have been displayed as a sustainable antimicrobial alternative. The molecular effect of iron nanoparticles synthesized from clove extract on hla gene expression reported S. aureus isolates among athletes. The plant phytochemicals cap and stabilize iron nanoparticles during clove-mediated synthesis which is believed to result in stronger antibacterial and anti-virulence activity. Current evidence suggests that such nanoparticles interfere with cell membrane integrity, they induce oxidative stress, disrupt the regulatory signaling pathways and may modulate hla expression. This inhibition of alpha-hemolysin represents a non-antibiotic approach to controlling virulence expression in athletic environment, which may further reduce the potential spread of infection. Standardization of nanoparticle synthesis, mechanisms for long-term molecular interactions and clinical applications require further research.

In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the serum level of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and its relation with body mass index (BMI) and age have become a subject of debate in many studies, and the results data were conflicting. Recent clinical guidelines underscore the increasing importance of AMH in the diagnosis of PCOS, proposing its inclusion as a formal diagnostic criterion. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of age and BMI on the serum level of AMH in PCOS patients. The bioethics committee approved the conduct of the study. The study included 108 infertile women diagnosed with PCOS and 63 infertile women without PCOS based on the Rotterdam criteria. The serum was isolated from the blood samples, and then the enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) technique was used to measure the serum level of AMH. Age and BMI information were recorded at the time the blood samples were taken. The mean of AMH level in women with PCOS was (8.1 ± 3.55 SD) ng/ml, which showed a significant difference (p<0.05) from (1.66 ± 1.59 SD) ng/ml in women without PCOS. The BMI was not significantly difference among the two groups, and it showed no significant correlation with AMH. The age of the PCOS group was younger (27.4 ± 4.7 SD) years than that of the non-PCOS control group (29.15 ± 6.22 SD) years. In addition, the age does not correlate with AMH significantly. The ROC curve highlights AMH as a highly reliable biomarker for PCOS diagnosis, whereas BMI and Age alone provide limited diagnostic value. PCOS is a disorder of younger reproductive-age women, with diagnosis clustering in the 20–29 age group. Women with PCOS, in general, tend to have higher values of BMI. AMH emerges as the most appropriate biomarker, which remains elevated in PCOS regardless of BMI or age, as they can be considered as contextual factors for management and prognosis of PCOS.

Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) is a very toxic and biologically active decorative plant. Nerium oleander leaf extracts extracted in the presence of active ingredients: A focus study. Analytically, these compounds were analyzed through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Analysis of the ethanolic extract by a GC-MS showed various bioactive compounds, specifically phytol, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, N-hexadecanoic acid, squalene, and vitamin E. Phytol was the major constituent of this extract as represented by 27.44% of the total volume. In comparison, the aqueous extract contained predominantly N-hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, and octadecanoic acid. HPLC characterization of the third extract showed three key excitations at retention times of 3.90, 5.11, and 6.08 min. Relation to standard samples also provided evidence of cardiac glycosides, especially oleandrin and nerlin. In the case of oleander leaf extracts, the study demonstrates that the extraction strategy plays a major role in determining their phytochemical composition. In addition the results have shown that the in-depth and precise characterization of bioactive compounds of the plant is obtained based on GC-MS together with HPLC techniques.

L-leucine oxidase is an amino acid oxidase with potential biotechnological importance. Its production and biochemical properties depend on the producing microorganism and culture conditions. This work aimed to evaluate the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to produce L-leucine oxidase, optimize enzyme production, characterize the purified enzyme and assess its cytotoxic activity. Clinical isolates were identified by cultural and biochemical characteristics and confirmed by the Vitek 2 Compact system. L-leucine oxidase production was screened quantitatively and culture conditions were optimized by testing different carbon and nitrogen sources, pH values, temperatures and incubation periods. The enzyme was purified by DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography and Sephadex G-150 gel filtration chromatography. Characterization included the pH and temperature effects on enzyme activity and stability, effectors/inhibitors analysis and kinetic study. Finally, the cytotoxic activity of the purified L-leucine oxidase was evaluated against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and normal human dermal fibroblasts neonatal (HdFn) cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay kit. Twenty isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were recovered from 130 clinical samples. All isolates produced L-leucine oxidase, with isolate P13 showing the highest enzyme activity (3.125 U/mL) and specific activity (21.853 U/mg protein). Maximum enzyme production was obtained with glucose, yeast extract, pH 7 and 24 h incubation. After optimization, the crude enzyme extract from isolate P13 showed an activity of 5.6 U/mL and a specific activity of 28 U/mg protein and was subsequently used for purification. The purification procedure increased the specific activity of L-leucine oxidase from 28 to 111.1 U/mg, with a 3.9-fold purification and a 57.1% yield. Maximum activity was observed at pH 7 and 37ºC, while the enzyme remained most stable at pH 6-7 and 32-37ºC. MnCl2 enhanced enzyme stability, whereas CaCl2, CuSO4 and EDTA reduced it. Kinetic analysis gave a km of 18.63 mM and a Vmax of 1.303 mM/min. The purified L-leucine oxidase showed concentration-dependent cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 112 µg/mL, while exhibited low cytotoxic activity against normal HdFn cells. Pseudomonas aeruginosa P13 is a promising producer of L-leucine oxidase and the purified enzyme showed favorable biochemical, kinetic and preliminary cytotoxic properties that support its possible biotechnological and biomedical applications.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant opportunistic pathogen characterized by high antibiotic resistance, often linked to efflux pump systems. P. aeruginosa can acquire antimicrobial resistance via efflux pumps, which are specialized transport proteins that expel diverse substrates from the interior of the bacterial cell to its exterior. This study aimed to investigate the expression of the oprM efflux pump gene and its association with antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Out of 160 clinical specimens collected from patients suffering from various infections, 107 isolates (66.87%) were identified as P. aeruginosa. Molecular detection confirmed the presence of the oprM gene in 96% (24 out of 25) of the selected isolates. Furthermore, gene expression analysis via RT-qPCR demonstrated an increased expression of the oprM gene in two extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa isolates following treatment with sub-inhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) of ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin. These findings highlight the role of the oprM efflux pump in the adaptive resistance mechanisms of P. aeruginosa. During this study, a total of 160 clinical specimens were collected from patients aged 5–65 years who were suffering from burns, wounds, otitis media, or urinary tract infections. Specimens were obtained from four hospitals in Iraq between 11/9/2025 and 30/12/2025. The isolates were initially identified through microscopic examination and cultural characteristics on selective and differential media, followed by confirmation using the VITEK-II system. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of various antibiotics were determined for all P. aeruginosa isolates. Detection of the efflux pump gene oprM was carried out using PCR amplification with specific primers. Two P. aeruginosa isolates that carried the oprM gene and exhibited an extensively drug resistant (XDR) profile were selected to assess the effect of highly resistant antibiotics specifically the β-lactam ceftazidime and the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin on oprM gene expression after determining the sub-MIC values for each antibiotic. The results showed that, out of 160 collected specimens, 107 isolates (66.87%) exhibited characteristic morphological features and biochemical reactions consistent with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Molecular detection of the oprM efflux pump gene revealed its presence in 24 out of 25 isolates (96%) obtained from burn, wound, otitis media, and urinary tract infections. Gene expression analysis demonstrated an increased expression of the oprM gene in the two XDR P. aeruginosa isolates following treatment with sub-MIC concentrations of the antibiotics ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a significant health issue in the global community, with Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) as its primary cause. The increasing issue of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in multidrug-resistant (MDR) UPEC strains, has necessitated a search to find alternative methods of treating infections other than normal medicines. The promising approach has been taken to anti-virulence therapy which focuses on the mechanisms by which bacteria cause disease but not on the bacteria directly, imposing no direct selective pressure on them. Simultaneously nanotechnology offers new methods of making natural products more functional by increasing their bio availability and delivering it to the appropriate location. This comprehensive review unites all our current understanding of the pathogenesis of UPEC and emphasizes the molecular pathways of type 1 fimbriae (FimH) and curli (CsgD-regulated) in adhesion and biofilm formation. We comprehensively study the phytochemical structure and the antibacterial properties of Cinnamomum bark with a special focus on its anti-virulence activity against UPEC. We also examine how we can green manufacture the iron oxide nanoparticle using plant extracts and the reason as to why we want to make Cinnamomum nanoformulated. Phytochemicals from cassia. Anti-virulence practices, bioactive plants, and nanotechnology should be combined to provide a new approach towards managing MDR UPEC infections. This discussion outlines knowledge gaps, and provides potential future research directions in the development of effective, resistance-preventive treatment regimens.

Stevia rebaudiana, a significant medicinal plant in the Asteraceae family, has attracted global interest for its ability to produce natural, low-calorie sweet compounds, primarily stevioside and rebaudioside A. This study aimed to investigate the effects of benzyl adenine (BA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on vegetative growth and steviol glycoside accumulation in Stevia rebaudiana under tissue culture conditions. The experiment was carried out in the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, College of Biotechnology, Al-Nahrain University, during the period from 2025 to 2026. Surface-sterilized seeds were initially cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, and the resulting seedlings were then transferred to MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BA (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg/L) and IAA (0.0, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 mg/L). To evaluate the treatments, we measured the fresh and dry weight of the aerial parts and determined the levels of stevioside and rebaudioside A using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Our results revealed clear differences between the tested treatments. Biomass production peaked when 2.0 mg/L of benzyl adenine was combined with 0.50 mg/L of indoleacetic acid, resulting in the highest fresh weight (734.60 mg) and dry weight (61.20 mg), while the control group recorded the lowest growth rate. Although HPLC analysis revealed the presence of both stevioside and rebaudioside A in all tested samples, their accumulation was largely driven by high benzyl adenine levels. Specifically, treatment with 3.0 mg/L of benzyl adenine achieved the highest concentrations of stevioside (310.6 mg/g) and Rebaudioside A (186.3 mg/g). Overall, these effects indicate that moderate levels of BA promote plant biomass; however, higher concentrations are required to initiate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in Stevia rebaudiana.

This study aims to green synthesis gold nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Heliotropium europaeum (family Boraginaceae) from Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, and characterize their physicochemical properties. A comparative approach was employed using crude extract, AuNPs synthesized from crude extract, and AuNPs synthesized from purified flavonoid. Aqueous extract was prepared from shade-dried plant. AuNPs were synthesized by reacting 100 ml extract with 20 mL of 1 mM HAuCl₄ solution (45°C, 3 hours). Characterization employed UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, AFM, and SEM-EDX. FTIR confirmed the presence of hydroxyl, aliphatic, and aromatic groups in the crude extract, while flavonoid‑AuNPs showed metal‑O bonds, indicating successful nanoparticle capping. UV‑Vis revealed phenolic absorption at 278 nm in the crude extract and characteristic flavonoid bands (520 and 550 nm) in the flavonoid‑AuNP sample, confirming their role in bioreduction. SEM showed only large aggregates without nanoparticles for the crude extract, whereas flavonoid‑AuNPs displayed aggregated structures of smaller nanoparticles with elemental gold confirmed by EDX. AFM demonstrated that purified flavonoids yielded gold nanoparticles with mean diameters as low as 74.45 nm and a predominance of sub‑100 nm particles, unlike the nanoparticles from the crude extract, which formed larger structures with mean diameters of 119.4 nm. The crude extract achieved the larger diameter of 136.3 nm. The results indicate that purified flavonoids from Heliotropium europaeum are effective reducing and capping agents, producing smaller and more uniform AuNPs compared to the crude extract.

Overweight and obesity in adolescents is a severe global public health concern, characterized mainly by continuous low-grade inflammation and metabolic alterations. The current study aimed to analyze the lipid profile, anthropometric markers and specific chemokines to study the physiological and immunometabolism changes in this population. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 90 male adolescents aged 12–18 years, recruited and categorized into three groups based on BMI (WHO guidelines): Group 1 (Controls, BMI<25 n=40), Group 2 (Class I Obesity, BMI<34, n=32), and Group 3 (Class II Obesity, BMI ≥ 35 n=18). Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) and concentrations of various lipid fractions, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), CXCL2, CXCR4, Serum levels of CXCL2 and CXCR4 were measured by ELISA, while Enzymatic method for estimating lipid profile .Statistical analysis showed that age did not differ between the groups; however, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were significantly higher in the obese groups compared to the control group, with significant differences(P<0.001), Furthermore, an abnormality in lipid levels was observed, represented by an increase in triglycerides (TG) from 74.13±8.13 mg/dL in healthy individuals (G1) to 135.19±29.04 in (G2) and 148.3±25.5 mg/dL in (G3), and LDL, from 113.68±10.70 to 111.9±8.29 in(G2,G3), respectively, While cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased significantly from 54.53±5.82 mg/dL in (G1) to 33.44±4.37 in (G2) and 30.78±5.00 mg/dL in (G3) at a significant level (P<0.001). The results showed a significant increase in serum interleukin-6 levels in obese individuals, with the highest increase in the third group (22.65 ± 5.009). CXCL2 expression also increased significantly, reaching 175.7 ± 5.103 in severe obesity, while CXCR4 levels decreased significantly in the second group (101.6 ± 18.91) and increased only slightly in extreme obesity (133.01 ± 10.68).In conclusion, obesity in adolescence causes extensive metabolic and immune disturbance and markers of inflammation and chemokines could be useful candidates as early predictors of monitoring immune and metabolic health

Dodonaea viscosa is a commonly occurring medicinal plant that has been used in the treatment of inflammation, wounds and infectious diseases in various ethnomedicinal traditions. This review critically analyses the existing scientific evidences for its pharmacological activities, phytochemical composition and biotechnological potential especially with regard to its translational relevance. The plant has been reported to have a variety of bioactive metabolites, such as flavonoids, saponins, and clerodane diterpenoids, which have been linked to anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, wound healing and cytotoxic properties. Of these, anti-inflammatory activity is the most important pharmacological activity. Wound healing applications from bioassays have advanced to formulation-based studies. In vivo studies in the context of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties have shown promising anti-virulence effects, such as inhibiting germ-tubes in Candida albicans and the development of biofilms; however, these effects are mainly confined to in vitro studies. Initial anticancer studies indicate cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity in colorectal cancer cell lines; mechanistic and selectivity information is lacking to make clinical conclusions. In vitro propagation systems as well as the ability to transform metabolites and enhance production of flavonoids by using nanoparticles have been successfully developed in biotechnology, but hairy root cultures have not been studied. Although there are also positive pharmacologic findings, there are still many limitations, such as phytochemical variability, poor standardization, and the lack of sufficient long-term toxicity assessments. In conclusion, D. viscosa is a potential medicinal plant that requires careful standardization, optimization of various formulation parameters, mechanistic studies, and translational research for effective development.

Drought and Stress are one of the most important environmental factors that affect the effectiveness of natural microbes in the soil. Twenty local bacterial strains were obtained from thirty soils experiencing drought. The isolates were identified morphologically and microscopically into 10 isolates as Azotobacter spp. and 10 are Bacillus spp. All isolates were tested for the ability to produce exopolysaccharide EPS. It was found that every isolate was productive, with EPS yields ranging from 1.19 to 1.95 for Bacillus spp. and 1.14 to 2.25 for Azotobacter spp. The isolates that produced the most EPS, Ba1, Ba5, and Ba7 from Bacillus spp., and Aoz4 and Aoz8 from Azotobacter spp., were selected and subjected to five different doses of polyethyleneglycol (PEG-6000) (0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%) to test their ability to withstand drought. Ba1 and Ba7 significantly outperformed and were more tolerant than the Ba5 isolate and the most EPS-producing isolates Aoz4 and Aoz8 from Azotobacter spp. were selected and exposed to drought tolerance by exposing them to five successive concentrations of polyethyleneglycol (PEG-600) (0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%). Biological and chemical tests were performed on the five isolates selected in the study, and the following were diagnosed as 3 isolates of Bacillus subtillis, while the other two were Azotobacter chroococcum. The isolates showed resistance to induced drought when exposed to double concentrations of (PEG-6000) with stable production of EPS. EPS appeared to have antioxidant activity in the extract, reaching 79% at a concentration of 200 μg/mL, with an IC50 of 11.735 μg/mL.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes serious infections and exhibits resistance to many antibiotics due to its ability to form biofilms and regulate virulence through quorum sensing (QS). This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on biofilm formation by multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and on the expression of the QS-related lasI gene. Out of 150 clinical specimens, 23 MDR biofilm-producing P. aeruginosa isolates were identified. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using clove (Syzygium aromaticum) extract as a green reducing and stabilizing agent. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs was evaluated using a resazurin-based broth microdilution assay, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined as 3.125 mg/mL. Biofilm formation was assessed using the microtiter plate method. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and an independent-samples t-test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed a significant decrease in lasI expression in AgNP-treated samples (0.0216-fold change; p < 0.05) compared with untreated controls. This downregulation indicates inhibition of QS signaling, which may contribute to biofilm suppression and reduced virulence. The findings suggest that green-synthesized AgNPs may have antibacterial and potential anti-virulence effects against MDR P. aeruginosa under in vitro conditions. However, further direct biofilm inhibition assays, in vivo experiments, and clinical studies are required to confirm their therapeutic potential.

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide and are increasingly associated with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae. This study aimed to isolate and characterize bacterial pathogens from urine samples of female patients clinically suspected of having UTIs and to investigate sequence variations in the aadA aminoglycoside resistance gene of MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae using whole-genome sequencing (WGS). A total of 200 midstream urine samples were collected and examined using culture, microscopy, biochemical tests, and the VITEK 2 automated identification system. Among the recovered bacterial isolates, Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen, while K. pneumoniae represented 22 isolates (17.9%) of the identified urinary pathogens. Among the recovered bacterial isolates, Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen, while K. pneumoniae represented 22 isolates (17.9%) of the identified urinary pathogens. Among the 22 K. pneumoniae isolates, one isolate (4.5%) was classified as multidrug-resistant according to CLSI-based antimicrobial susceptibility interpretation. This confirmed MDR K. pneumoniae isolate was selected for WGS analysis to characterize aadA-associated genetic variations. The confirmed MDR K. pneumoniae isolate was selected for WGS analysis to characterize aadA-associated genetic variations. Sequencing analysis revealed approximately 70 sequence variants within the aadA gene region, including missense, synonymous, upstream, and downstream variants. Several coding-region substitutions, including p.Ile6Thr, p.Val7Ile, and p.Pro9Leu, were detected, suggesting possible structural or functional effects on the encoded aminoglycoside adenylyltransferase enzyme. These findings indicate considerable genetic variability within the aadA resistance gene and highlight the usefulness of WGS for molecular characterization and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in clinically important K. pneumoniae isolates.

Chronic wound and burn infections are associated with persistent inflammation, impaired tissue healing, and increased susceptibility to microbial colonization. Genetic polymorphisms within regulatory genes may influence host inflammatory responses and tissue repair mechanisms. ZNF521 is a transcriptional regulatory gene involved in cellular differentiation, regeneration, and immune modulation.
A case–control study was conducted in Baghdad, Iraq, including 50 patients with wound and burn infections and 50 healthy controls. Hematological and inflammatory parameters, including complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP), were evaluated. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples, and the ZNF521 rs7236481 polymorphism was analyzed using conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing. Genotype distribution, dominant and recessive genetic models, and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) were statistically assessed.
Hematological analysis revealed significantly elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts (12.92 ± 4.55 vs. 7.52 ± 0.89 ×10³/µL, p < 0.001) and neutrophil counts (8.04 ± 2.67 vs. 4.87 ± 0.82 ×10³/µL, p < 0.001) in patients compared with controls. ESR and CRP levels were also significantly increased in patients (60.41 ± 39.74 mm/hr and 63.19 ± 59.91 mg/L, respectively) compared with controls (14.65 ± 3.12 mm/hr and 2.15 ± 0.41 mg/L, respectively; p < 0.001), indicating a pronounced inflammatory response. No significant differences were observed in lymphocyte, platelet, or RBC counts. Genotyping analysis demonstrated that the TT genotype was more frequent in patients (52.1%) than in controls (30.0%), whereas the GG genotype was less frequent in patients (8.3%) than in controls (28.0%). A significant difference in genotype distribution was observed between groups (P = 0.02). In the dominant model (GT+TT vs. GG), variant carriers exhibited increased susceptibility to wound and burn infections (OR = 4.28, P = 0.01). Similarly, the recessive model (TT vs. GG+GT) demonstrated a significant association with disease susceptibility (OR = 2.54, P = 0.03). HWE analysis showed no significant deviation in controls, whereas deviation was observed in patients. The ZNF521 rs7236481 polymorphism may represent a potential genetic susceptibility marker for wound and burn infections among Iraqi patients. Elevated WBC, neutrophil, ESR, and CRP levels further reflect the significant inflammatory response associated with these infections. Further studies with larger sample sizes and functional validation are recommended to clarify the biological role of this polymorphism in wound and burn pathogenesis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterium that is usually linked with wound and burn infections. The rising incidence of antibiotic resistant isolates has necessitated the search for new antimicrobial agents, including bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria. The current investigation was aiming to investigate the antibacterial activity of concentrated partly purified bacteriocin from Lactobacillus fermentum against antibiotic resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 200 clinical samples were obtained from patients with wound and burn infections from three hospitals in Iraq. Bacterial isolates were cultivated on nutrient agar , MacConkey agar and cetrimide agar and probable P. aeruginosa isolates were verified using VITEK 2 Compact system. Antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted using Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique on Mueller–Hinton agar as per CLSI standards. Bacteriocin from L. fermentum was concentrated and partly purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis and DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography. Ten MDR P. aeruginosa isolates were chosen for screening the antibacterial activity of the active bacteriocin containing fraction utilizing agar well diffusion technique. Wells with a diameter of 8 mm were filled with 100 µL of bacteriocin fraction and the inhibition zones were measured in mm. Data were evaluated using one way ANOVA. P. aeruginosa was found in 83/200 (41.5%) clinical samples. The greatest rates of resistance were to Aztreonam 69 (83.1%) and Ceftazidime 53 (63.9%). The active bacteriocin fraction after DEAE cellulose chromatography has an activity of 320 AU/mL, protein concentration of 0.006 mg/mL, specific activity of 53,333 AU/mg protein, purification fold of 4.7 and yield of 81.6%. The bacteriocin showed varying levels of antibacterial activity against the chosen MDR isolates with inhibition zones ranging from 0.00±1.00 mm to 17.00±1.00 mm. The maximum susceptibility was against isolate P53 and no zone of inhibition was seen against isolates P52 and P71. One way ANOVA analysis showed substantial variation in bacteriocin activity among the tested isolates (F = 121.08, p < 0.001). The partly purified bacteriocin of Lactobacillus fermentum showed antibacterial activity against several of the MDR clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. The results of the present study show that the purified bacteriocin fraction might be a suitable alternative or complementary antibacterial treatment for resistant P. aeruginosa isolates.

Bacteriocins are a new way to treat infections caused by bacteria through the use of narrow-spectrum antimicrobial agents that provide a biological alternative to standard antibiotics. The focus of this review article is to describe the modes of action, classifications, and applications for bacteriocins against uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), primarily as a result of the global epidemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As of now, AMR was associated with an estimated 4.95 million deaths in 2021 alone, according to the 2024 Lancet global burden analysis due to bacterial pathogens that have become resistant to antibiotics. Yet the development of new antibiotics is very limited. Bacteriocins are ribosomally produced antimicrobial peptides derived from bacteria that provide narrow-spectrum antimicrobial action; this enables the targeted treatment of specific pathogens while preserving the normal functioning of the host commensal microbiota. This review selectively details the structure (Classes I–IV), mechanism(s) of action, and bacteriocin species (e.g., Class IIb microcins, which utilize a multifaceted and complex "Trojan horse" mechanism via siderophore receptors) utilized against UPEC. This report gives detailed attention to UPEC-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs) that are the most common bacterial infections on the planet, and how microcins can use UPEC iron-acquisition siderophore receptors as points of entry, while at the same time inhibit the production of siderophores and biofilms in UTIs. The ten areas of comparison for assessing the comparative advantages of bacteriocins over traditional antibiotics have been evaluated, including specificity of target organisms, compatibility with the microbiome, risk of resistance development, and inhibition of biofilm formation. Possible new translational approaches, such as engineered live biotherapeutics products (eLBP) and nanoencapsulation, have also been discussed. The body of evidence presented in this report demonstrates the scientific validity, biological complexity, and potential for bacteriocins to serve as transformational antimicrobial platforms for the future of therapeutics in the post-antibiotic era.

Green synthesis nanoparticles using Anastatica hierochuntica the whole-plant extract was used as a capping and stabilizing agent for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. A hydrothermal process carried out between a plant extract and a one millimolar gold chloride precursor at a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius resulted in a fast color change to deep reddish-brown within 3 hours, indicating the kinetic reduction of trivalent gold ions. A strong Surface Plasmon Resonance absorption band at 490 nm was observed, confirming the formation of near-spherical nanostructures. Atomic Force Microscopy showed a marked topographical transformation, compressing the aggregates of the raw extract from an average diameter of 64.74 nm to about 42.23 nm in uniform nanoparticles. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) has further supported this by showing distinct spherical structures of sizes 20.46-48.29 nm strongly immobilized in the porous organic template. The EDX spectra confirmed the presence of a carbonaceous matrix and indicated a three-fold increase in the chlorine concentration. Instrumental peak overlap at 2.12 keV further confirmed the encapsulation of macromolecular capping. From a mechanistic point of view, HPLC validated quantitatively the bioreduction pathway, showing a substantial post-synthesis reduction in all seven bioactive indices monitored. Gallic acid, for instance, reduced from 142.6 to 95.0 ppm, Rutin from 120.1 to 71.4 ppm, Luteolin, and p-coumaric acid by more than 50% of their initial values; these chromatographic reductions observed further confirm the role of native polyphenols and flavonoids as sacrificial electron donors in the reduction of gold ions. The rest of the fractions helped to create a stable steric barrier that hindered uncontrolled crystal growth and stopped particle agglomeration, leading to highly stable nanoparticles that can be used for advanced biomedical applications.

The present work deals with the phytochemical studies and in vitro antioxidant activities of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Ficus carica (fig) leaves, a known medicinal plant. Leaves were collected for the study and methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared for biological evaluation. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids, which are important therapeutic compounds. In quantitative assays, it was found that flavonoids in the methanolic extract were 241.51 ± 5.22 μg (as rutin equivalent) and in the aqueous extract, it was 198.24 ± 4.10 μg. The total phenolic content was 345.71 ± 2.33 mg and 284.89 ± 4.33 mg in the methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH and FRAP assays for both extracts. The methanolic extract showed scavenging percentages of 88.342 ± 0.051, 79.971 ± 0.098, 64.331 ± 0.214, and 55.854 ± 0.099% at concentrations of 0.5000, 0.2500, 0.1250, and 0.0625 mg/mL, respectively, in comparison to vitamin C in the DPPH assay. The aqueous extract displayed lower percentages: 75.311 ± 0.095, 62.351 ± 0.084, 42.121 ± 0.105, and 35.314 ± 0.059% at the same concentrations. Both extracts showed ferric reducing capacity in the FRAP assay, with the methanolic extract reaching 1.221 ± 0.145 at 0.64 mg/mL relative to Trolox. These results may further justify the use of Ficus carica leaves in the management of conditions associated with oxidative stress, thus giving credence to their traditional use in contemporary medicine.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant bacterium commonly linked to chronic wound and burn infections, recognized for its capacity to produce biofilms that impede wound healing. Vitamin D possesses immunomodulatory characteristics that may augment host defensive mechanisms. This in vitro study examined the influence of vitamin D on the secretions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and their immunological and antibacterial efficacy against Acinetobacter baumannii. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted from 5 donors and cultivated under controlled laboratory conditions. A total of 100 chronic wound samples were collected, resulting in the identification of 40 A. baumannii isolates. Cytokine concentrations (IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ) were quantified via ELISA prior to and after to vitamin D intervention. The antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of PBMC secretions were assessed. Vitamin D therapy decreased IL-6 levels from 585 to 410 pg/mL (29.9%), IL-1β levels from 185 to 135 pg/mL (27.0%), and IFN-γ levels from 440 to 280 pg/mL (36.4%). PBMC secretions suppressed the proliferation of A. baumannii and diminished biofilm development. Secretions generated from monocytes demonstrated increased antibacterial efficacy after vitamin D administration. Vitamin D regulates PBMC function by diminishing pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis and augmenting antibacterial efficacy against A. baumannii. The findings indicate that vitamin D-treated PBMC secretions may serve as a promising supplementary strategy for addressing persistent wound infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.