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Air pollution is among the world's greatest environmental health threats. Still, little strategic communication research has addressed it. We report two pre-registered experiments examining narrative and statistical message effects. Study 1 (N = 1,282, U.S.) showed little effect for either. Study 2 (N = 754, California), which accounted for potentially problematic design features of Study 1, found effects for both types across a range of attitudinal outcomes (emotional response, efficacy, risk). Narrative messaging also had a small effect on mitigation intention. Carefully designed messages may produce positive changes on this issue, but success depends on alignment between message construction, recommended behaviors, and audience relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iraqi Journal of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: The main aim of this subject is to determine the oxidative status of Iraqi sickle cell anemic patients and then correlated with various biomarkers. Methods: In this study, blood samples from 100 sickle cell anemic subjects were analyzed, and then compared with control group which consisting of 50 individuals without sickle cell anemia was established. Various biochemical techniques were employed to measure different oxidative stress markers and inflammatory mediators. Serum samples were collected from blood to determine the levels of antioxidants such as catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (G-Px), reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid-peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: The results revealed that the levels of serum antioxidant activity (CAT), GSH, and G-Px were significantly reduced with (P < 0.05) in sickle cell anemic patients as compared with apparently control group. In contrast, the MDA level was significantly higher in sickle cell anemic patients than that found in the apparently control group. Conclusion: In this work, there is an increased oxidative stress in sickle cell anemic patients, which is accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant activity and a rise in lipid peroxidation, leading to the intensification of sickle cell anemic symptoms in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetic foot infection (DFI) is an infection in soft tissue or bone in patient with diabetes mellitus, treatment of DFIs requires appropriate antibiotic selection, continuous updates of the microorganisms that are responsible of infection and their resistance pattern, the aim of this study to determine the frequency of antimicrobial resistance patterns, ESBLs, and MBLs produced carbapenem resistant Escherichia coli isolated from patients with DFI. Methods: about 111 swabs specimen were collection from patient suspected with DFI during the period of study, determinethe antibiotic susceptibility of E coli isolatesby using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method to 23 antimicrobial agents. ESBL production was screened by two tests initial method by the disk diffusion method of ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and aztreonam (30µg/disk each), accordingto the CLSI (2021) and confirmatory method by Double disk diffusion test, MBL production by the diskdiffusion method of imipenem and meropenem. Molecular detection for ESBL genes by monoplex PCR and MBL genes by multiplex PCR. Results: from 111 swabs specimen E.coli isolates had represented in 19 (27.5%) among Gram-negative bacteria. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that10 carbapenem resistant E.coli isolates, and the highest resistant to ß-lactam class and cephalosporin, results indicated also 100% of isolates were MDR and 63.1 XDR. PCR assay to ESBL genes revealed that blaCTX-M was found in 3 (30%) and blaOXA was noticed in 4 (40%). The PCR data of MBL genes revealed that, the frequency of MBL genes among isolates as following blaVIM1 (50%), blaNDM2 (100%), and blaSIM 2 (100%). Conclusion: the study show high frequency of antibiotic resistant pattern and the presence of ESBL and MBL genes among carbapenem resistant E.coli isolated from DFI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research aims to identify the effect of the logical intelligence strategy (mathematical) on the achievement of the fourth preparatory students in physics, and in light of this, the researcher formulated the following null hypothesis: - There is no statistically significant difference at the level (0.05) between the average grades of the experimental group students who study physics according to the logical intelligence strategy (mathematical) and the average grades of the control group students who study the same subject in the usual way in the achievement test. The study sample, which was chosen by the intentional method, consisted of (30) students of the fourth scientific grade, and they were randomly distributed into an experimental group consisting of (15) students, and a control group consisting of (15) students, the two research groups were rewarded with the variables (chronological age calculated in months, intelligence test (Raven), previous information test, previous achievement in physics). In his study, the researcher used a tool, which is the achievement test in physics of the type of multiple-choice component (40) items, the validity and reliability of the test were verified, the researcher used the following statistical methods (Mann-Whitney test for two independent samples, difficulty coefficient equation, discrimination coefficient equation, efficacy equation of wrong alternatives, chisquare (ch2), Keuder-Richard 20 equation, Cooper agreement equation, impact size equation (X2)) through the (SPSS) program, and after the end of the experiment, the research tool was applied and the data were treated statistically using Mann Whitney for two independent samples, and the study concluded: - There are statistically significant differences at the level (0.05) between the mean scores of the students of the experimental group that studied according to the logical intelligence strategy (mathematical) and the control group that studied according to the usual method in the achievement test and in favor of the experimental group. In light of the results, the researcher presented a number of recommendations and suggestions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of Nigella sativa oil on some of the virulence factors of staphylococcus bacteria was considered. Study of the effect of Nigella sativa oil on two enzymes of Staphylococcus aureus, proteases, coagulase attended three concentrations of Nigella sativa oil 15, 30, and 45% were observed through the study. Great for reducing the effectiveness of this enzyme By comparison with control, the concentration of 45% was one of the best concentrations which gave a big difference in reducing the effectiveness of this enzyme, coagulase, for the second enzyme, significant differences were observed to decrease the effectiveness of this enzyme and the concentration was 45%. It was better to reduce the concentration of this enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of the plasmid-borne colistin resistance gene mcr-1 in bacteria poses a potential threat to patient treatment, particularly when hospitalized spreading of this gene causes great concern as it can transmit between different bacteria species. The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of the mcr-1 gene among carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) isolates from different clinical specimens and determine the clonal origin of strains carrying the mcr-1 gene using Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) method. Method: In this study, 22 CRKP isolates from clinical specimens collected from the major four hospitals in Najaf/Iraq were examined. All isolates were identified by a standard biochemical test and confirmed by an automated Vitek®2 system. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done on 12 antibiotics by the disk diffusion method. All isolates tested to detect the presence of the mcr-1 gene using the PCR method. Determine the sequence typing by MLST for all mcr-1-positive CRKP isolates. Results: Out of 147 K.pneumoniae, 22 carbapenem resistance isolates from different clinical specimens were detected. Antibiotic sensitivity test results revealed that all isolates (100 %) were resistant to ampicillin, Cefepime, Cefoxitin, Ceftazidime, and Ceftriaxone; however, most of the CRKP isolates (86.4 %) are sensitive to colistin. The mcr-1 gene was found in three (13.6%) of the 22 isolates of CRKP. These three isolates are resistant to all classes of antibiotics. The MLST results revealed that three mcr-1-positive CRKP isolates were related to three different sequence types: ST147, ST1, and ST11. Conclusion: The spread of CRKP isolates containing plasmid-borne mcr-1gene is worth our attention due to the consider of colistin as the last resort treatment against drug-resistant pathogens that increasingly identified in Najaf Hospitals/Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Photobiomodulation-based therapy, a process that causes biological changes in organisms due to interaction with atoms or molecules by photons. Viscum album is often prescribed to improve many health issues. white-berry mistletoe extracts have been used in complementary and alternative cancer therapy in Europe. The aim of this in vitro study was to analyze the effect of a green laser (?= 532nm, Power= 286mW), Viscum album, and their combination on the viability (cytotoxic or enhancement) of colorectal cancer HCT-116 cell line after 24, 48 and 72 hours of incubation periods. Materials and Methods: Colorectal cell plates (HCT-116 cell line) grown in culture medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) were irradiated with a green laser, treated with the Viscum album extract, and treated with the combination of them and plates incubated for 24,48, and 72 hours respectively. Crystal violet assay used to determine the viability of the cells in all the experiments, and the intensity of color was measured by plate reader. Results: Green laser results showed a considerable decrease (P=0.001) after 48 and 72 hours incubation time in the viability percent, Viscum album extract appeared a considerable decrease in the viability percent (P=0.001) for all concentrations and the most effective concentration was 1000 µg/ml, and the combination results showed a significant decrease in cell viability percent (p=0.001) for all concentrations as compared with the control group. Conclusion: It was concluded that the higher concentration (1000µg/ml) of V. album had a better anticancer effect on HCT-116 cell line for 24,48 and 72 hours. The laser had a better anticancer effect after 48 and 72 hours. The combination results had a synergism effect by reducing the cell number more than using the Viscum album or a green laser separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uropathogenic E coli is the most frequently causes of UTIs in humans, accountable 75- 95 % of UTIs. PMQR have been identified in family Enterobacteriaceae worldwide. The purpose of this study to examine the dissemination of aac(6')-Ib-cr and PMQR genes in isolates of UPEC. Method : A cross sectional study of mid-stream urine of the participate patients their approval for direction usage their specimen. The susceptibility test by disk diffusion for UPEC were isolated from urine and screening of quinolone resistant by multiplex PCR for qnrA, qnrB and qnrS genes and monoplex PCR for qunD, qepA and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes. Results : A total of 1072 mid-stream urine were collected randomly, overall 132 were identified E. coli, among these 60 aminoglycoside resistant UPEC isolates were screened to the five quinolone antibiotics. The resistance proportion to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin were 75.0%, as well as to lomefloxacin, norfloxacin and levofloxacin were 76.7%, 73.3% and 71.7%, respectively. The susceptibility test for antibiotics showed a high incidence of the resistance to the majority of antibiotics class. It was found that 73.3%, 38.3%, and 20.0% of the isolates harbored aac(6')-Ib-cr, qnrS and qnrB genes, respectively either alone or in combination, while the qnrA. qunD, qepA genes were not detected. Conclusion : All isolates were identified as multiple antibiotic resistances, only one isolate can be considered as possible PDR and high prevalence of aac(6')-Ib-cr, qnrS and qnrB genes among isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total contact casts are the gold standard offloading option in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, but they are underutilised in practice and other modalities have been developed to improve the use of offloading in this patient group. This literature review assessed the efficacy of all casting modalities and their place within standards and guidelines. Data were collected from 64 eligible papers. Data extraction revealed five common topics that formed the basis of data analysis. All topics/categories (efficacy; complications; application processes and healthcare professionals; global utilisation; and guidelines and reviews on casting) were interlinked. Randomised controlled trials support the use of total contact casts and, thus, they are recommended in best practice guidelines, while only observational studies support the use of alternative casting methods. High-quality and head-to-head studies are needed to validate alternative modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Al-Qadisiah Medical Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Total contact casting is the 'gold standard' form of pressure offloading in people with diabetic foot ulcers. Hybrid versions of total contact casts, also known as wound healing casts, are increasingly being used in practice. A Böhler's iron can be used in conjunction with a cast to provide axial offloading where appropriate. Studies have proven the efficacy of both interventions but there is a lack of studies comparing the benefits and drawbacks of different cast systems. Currently cast use is limited as many staff lack the biomechanical knowledge and skills to correctly apply and manage cast systems. As a result, despite proven benefits, casting is rarely used in practice. This article reviews the current forms of casting, its indications and contraindications and the basic biomechanics involved in offloading to encourage healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the occurrence of serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes , an important food-borne pathogen, in gallbladder samples from cattle and sheep., Materials and Methods: Three hundred samples were collected and screened for the presence of L. monocytogenes . The identification of the isolates was confirmed by API- Listeria system and by the presence of hemolysin ( hyl ) gene. The isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction-based serotype identification with d1 (division 1), d2 (division 2), glt, mama (mismatch amplification mutation assay), and flaA (flagellin protein) genes., Results: A total of 8 (2.7%) L. monocytogenes were recovered from 6 (4.0%) samples of sheep and 2 (1.3%) samples of cattle. All isolates showed positive results with Hly primers. Four isolates carried d1 gene, did not possess glt gene and harbored mama gene. The serotypes of these isolates were identified as 4a or 4c. The other 4 isolates carried d2 gene, 3 of them were positive with the FlaA primers, and hence, determined to be a 1/2a or 3a serotype, and 1 isolate was determined to be 1/2c or 3c serotype., Conclusion: This study concluded that the presence of 1/2a serotype in gallbladder samples indicates public health risk through cross-contamination of meat at slaughterhouses.