Anti-bacterial potential of (Acacia nilotica, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Punica granatum and Commiphora myrrha) crude extracts against diverse drug sensitive and resistant bacterial species

The alarming increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics caused some authors to state that we are approaching a post-antibiotic era and medical catastrophe, the study aimed to assess the antimicrobial effects of selected plant extracts against several sensitive and resistant bacterial isolates. Experimental cross-sectional study was conducted, 70% ethanol crude Acaccia nilotica, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Punica granatum and Commiphora myrrha extract was prepared and several commercial antimicrobials agent tested, the antibacterial activity was investigated using the disc diffusion method. The inhibition zones' diameters (mm) were calculated and interpreted by Zone Diameter Interpretative Standards. Data were analyzed by using (SPSS) software version 22. About 200% of A. nilotica and T. foenum-graecum showed bactericidal effects against Enterococcus faecalis, means ±SD (12.3 ± 2.8 and 12.5 ± 2.1). The activity of 200% C. myrrha extract was highest against all diverse bacterial. Despite a relatively high inhibition zone among all plant ethanol extracts, the findings demonstrate that there is no statistical significance in the inhibitory activity impact of varying concentrations of 70% ethanol extracts of all plants extract against bacterial isolates (P. value ? 0.05). The outcomes of the ethanol extracts of the used plant under study demonstrated that the herbal extract can be a superior antimicrobial potential than the result of the commercial broad spectrum antimicrobial agent utilized. C. myrrha extract was potent antimicrobial activity against all diverse bacterial species

Environmental Impact Assessment for Brick Factory in Baghdad, Iraq

The environmental and social impacts of bricks factory based on the information's collected from old brick factories in Al-Nahrawan. This information includes water, air and soil sample analysis, community questionnaire, climate and topography of the region and standards to create model for modern brick factory. Practically the results of the analysis of soil pH, exceed the determinants of the WHO, while some cations such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Cr3+, Ni2+ , carbon content, and TDS were within the limit. High values for volatile organic compounds, PMs, TSP, NO2 and SO2 resulting from the combustion of the fuel used in the manufacturing process during the four months were the outside the Iraqi determinants. The results of the questionnaire analysis devolve toward the creation of bricks factories with a modern and environment friendly technology. The study presented numbers of recommendations for modern brick factories and showed the extent of the community's awareness contaminants posed by traditional brick plants. Alternatives and environmental monitoring plan for the project so as to ensure the protection of the surrounding environment

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Oregano and Lavender Essential Oils

Folk medicine uses wild herbs, especially from the Lamiaceae family, such as oregano and lavender, in the treatment of many diseases. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of the essential oils of Origanum glandulosum Desf. and Lavandula dentata L. against multidrug- resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. The chemical composition of essential oils and their effect on the ultrastructure of the tested bacteria and on the release of cellular components that absorb at 260 nm were studied. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity and the production of reactive oxygen species in human lymphocytes treated with essential oils were evaluated. Thymol (33.2%) was the major constituent in O. glandulosum, and β-pinene (17.3%) was the major constituent in L. dentata. We observed ultrastructural damage in bacteria and increased release of cellular material. Furthermore, ROS production in human lymphocytes treated with essential oils was lower than in untreated lymphocytes and no cytotoxicity was observed. Therefore, the essential oils of lavender and oregano could be used as a source of natural antibacterial and antioxidant agents with potential pharmacological applications

Chemical composition and biological activities of oregano and lavender essential oils

Folk medicine uses wild herbs, especially from the Lamiaceae family, such as oregano and lavender, in the treatment of many diseases. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of the essential oils of Origanum glandulosum Desf. and Lavandula dentata L. against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. The chemical composition of essential oils and their effect on the ultrastructure of the tested bacteria and on the release of cellular components that absorb at 260 nm were studied. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity and the production of reactive oxygen species in human lymphocytes treated with essential oils were evaluated. Thymol (33.2%) was the major constituent in O. glandulosum, and β-pinene (17.3%) was the major constituent in L. dentata. We observed ultrastructural damage in bacteria and increased release of cellular material. Furthermore, ROS production in human lymphocytes treated with essential oils was lower than in untreated lymphocytes and no cytotoxicity was observed. Therefore, the essential oils of lavender and oregano could be used as a source of natural antibacterial and antioxidant agents with potential pharmacological applications

The Association between Zinc and Copper and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adults

Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In Qatar, 24% of the total deaths are attributed to CVDs. Several nutritional disturbances have been linked to high risk of CVD. Many studies have discussed the effects of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) on CMR factors; however, evidence has been controversial. This investigated the association between CMR factors and the status of Zn, Cu, and Zn/Cu ratio. A total of 575 Qatari adults (?18 years) were obtained from Qatar Biobank. Plasma levels of Zn and Cu were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Anthropometric data and CMR factors were determined using standard methods. Adjusted associations between minerals and CMR were estimated by logistic regression. The associations' strength was tested using partial correlation. Zn was not strongly correlated (p-value?0.01) or significantly associated with CMR factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Cu levels correlated positively with body mass index (BMI) (0.23; p?0.001), pulse rate (PR) (0.18; p?0.001), total cholesterol (0.13; p=0.01), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) (0.27; p?0.001); and negatively with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (?0.13; p=0.01). High Cu significantly decreased the risk of MetS (0.121; p?0.001). Furthermore, Zn/Cu ratio positively correlated with waist circumference (0.13; p=0.01), systolic blood pressure (0.13; p?0.01), and DBP (0.14; p?0.01); and negatively with BMI (?0.19; p?0.001), PR (?0.17; p?0.001), and HDL (?0.27; p?0.001). High Zn/Cu ratio increased the prevalence of low HDL (4.508; p?0.001) and MetS (5.570; p?0.01). These findings suggest that high Cu levels are associated with a protective effect on DBP, HDL, and MetS and that high plasma Zn/Cu ratio is associated with the risk of low HDL and MetS. We recommend future studies to focus on minerals status among abdominally obese and prediabetic subjects because of the probable link between low serum Zn and Cu and insulin resistance and CVD

Validation of Half-Reaction Volumes of the Promega PowerPlex® Forensic Amplification Kits (PowerPlex® 18D Systems, PowerPlex ® 21System, PowerPlex® Fusion System and PowerPlex® Y23 System) in STR Analysis

DNA amplification is known to be the most expensive step during forensic DNA analysis. This study evaluated the half-reaction amplification protocol (12.5 µL PCR product) using DNA amplification kits from Promega PowerPlex® (PowerPlex® 18D System, PowerPlex ®21System, PowerPlex® Fusion System and PowerPlex® Y23 System), which might aid in reducing sample analysis cost by half and allow the analysis of more samples. A sensitivity study (15 samples) along with testing of various blood stain samples (n=100) that were submitted to the Medico-Legal Directorate laboratory for DNA testing was accomplished to compare the DNA profiles resulting from half-reaction volume procedure to those with full-reaction volume procedure, using three differed methods along with standard protocol to evaluate the effect of half reaction volume with some variables. Results demonstrated the use of half-reaction amplification protocol preceded by washing step for all aforementioned DNA amplification kits gave a robust and reliable amplification result that aid to increase the number of samples analyzed and decreased the test cost for each kit without compromising the quality of 3DNA profiles obtained