<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD JATS (Z39.96) Journal Publishing DTD v1.2 20190208//EN" "http://jats.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/1.2/JATS-journalpublishing1.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" article-type="research-article" dtd-version="1.2" xml:lang="en">
    <front>
        <journal-meta>
            <journal-id journal-id-type="pmc">F1000Research</journal-id>
            <journal-title-group>
                <journal-title>F1000Research</journal-title>
            </journal-title-group>
            <issn pub-type="epub">2046-1402</issn>
            <publisher>
                <publisher-name>F1000 Research Limited</publisher-name>
                <publisher-loc>London, UK</publisher-loc>
            </publisher>
        </journal-meta>
        <article-meta>
            <article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.12688/f1000research.174948.1</article-id>
            <article-categories>
                <subj-group subj-group-type="heading">
                    <subject>Research Article</subject>
                </subj-group>
                <subj-group>
                    <subject>Articles</subject>
                </subj-group>
            </article-categories>
            <title-group>
                <article-title>Effect of Cranberry Plant Extract on Gene Expression in Antibiotic-Resistant and Biofilm-Forming 
                    <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> and 
                    <italic>Streptococcus agalactiae</italic> Isolated from Vaginal Infections</article-title>
                <fn-group content-type="pub-status">
                    <fn>
                        <p>[version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]</p>
                    </fn>
                </fn-group>
            </title-group>
            <contrib-group>
                <contrib contrib-type="author" corresp="yes">
                    <name>
                        <surname>Mohammed  Turki</surname>
                        <given-names>Ahmed</given-names>
                    </name>
                    <role content-type="http://credit.niso.org/">Conceptualization</role>
                    <uri content-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5114-1397</uri>
                    <xref ref-type="corresp" rid="c1">a</xref>
                    <xref ref-type="aff" rid="a1">1</xref>
                </contrib>
                <contrib contrib-type="author" corresp="no">
                    <name>
                        <surname>Abdulkareem</surname>
                        <given-names>Noor Hazim</given-names>
                    </name>
                    <role content-type="http://credit.niso.org/">Conceptualization</role>
                    <role content-type="http://credit.niso.org/">Data Curation</role>
                    <xref ref-type="aff" rid="a1">1</xref>
                </contrib>
                <contrib contrib-type="author" corresp="no">
                    <name>
                        <surname>Abed</surname>
                        <given-names>Tamara Adnan</given-names>
                    </name>
                    <role content-type="http://credit.niso.org/">Funding Acquisition</role>
                    <xref ref-type="aff" rid="a1">1</xref>
                </contrib>
                <contrib contrib-type="author" corresp="no">
                    <name>
                        <surname>Abdulkareem</surname>
                        <given-names>Ali Hazim</given-names>
                    </name>
                    <role content-type="http://credit.niso.org/">Formal Analysis</role>
                    <role content-type="http://credit.niso.org/">Funding Acquisition</role>
                    <xref ref-type="aff" rid="a1">1</xref>
                </contrib>
                <contrib contrib-type="author" corresp="no">
                    <name>
                        <surname>Al-Shaabani</surname>
                        <given-names>Duraid M. Ismail</given-names>
                    </name>
                    <role content-type="http://credit.niso.org/">Methodology</role>
                    <role content-type="http://credit.niso.org/">Project Administration</role>
                    <xref ref-type="aff" rid="a1">1</xref>
                </contrib>
                <aff id="a1">
                    <label>1</label>University of Anbar, Ramadi, Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq</aff>
            </contrib-group>
            <author-notes>
                <corresp id="c1">
                    <label>a</label>
                    <email xlink:href="mailto:amturke@uoanbar.edu.iq">amturke@uoanbar.edu.iq</email>
                </corresp>
                <fn fn-type="conflict">
                    <p>No competing interests were disclosed.</p>
                </fn>
            </author-notes>
            <pub-date pub-type="epub">
                <day>18</day>
                <month>5</month>
                <year>2026</year>
            </pub-date>
            <pub-date pub-type="collection">
                <year>2026</year>
            </pub-date>
            <volume>15</volume>
            <elocation-id>744</elocation-id>
            <history>
                <date date-type="accepted">
                    <day>30</day>
                    <month>4</month>
                    <year>2026</year>
                </date>
            </history>
            <permissions>
                <copyright-statement>Copyright: &#x00a9; 2026 Mohammed  Turki A et al.</copyright-statement>
                <copyright-year>2026</copyright-year>
                <license xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">
                    <license-p>This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.</license-p>
                </license>
                <license>
                    <license-p>The author(s) is/are employees of the US Government and therefore domestic copyright protection in USA does not apply to this work. The work may be protected under the copyright laws of other jurisdictions when used in those jurisdictions.</license-p>
                </license>
            </permissions>
            <self-uri content-type="pdf" xlink:href="https://f1000research.com/articles/15-744/pdf"/>
            <abstract>
                <sec>
                    <title>Background</title>
                    <p>Bacterial vaginal infections are associated with gynecological diseases, contributing to miscarriages and leading to various vaginal health issues in women.</p>
                </sec>
                <sec>
                    <title>Objective</title>
                    <p>This study aims to identify bacterial infections in the female vagina, evaluate antibiotic-resistant species, and explore the potential of Cranberry extract to reduce such resistance.</p>
                </sec>
                <sec>
                    <title>Materials and Methods</title>
                    <p>The bacteria 
                        <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus. aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae</italic> were isolated from the vaginal samples of women. Several tests were conducted, including Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), antibiotic susceptibility testing, and biofilm formation assays. Additionally, the gene expression of specific genes in these isolates was measured for the 
                        <italic toggle="yes">rgg2</italic> gene and 
                        <italic toggle="yes">the tetM gene for S. agalactiae</italic> bacteria and 
                        <italic toggle="yes">the norA</italic> gene 
                        <italic toggle="yes">and the fnpB</italic> gene 
                        <italic toggle="yes">for S. aureus</italic> bacteria.</p>
                </sec>
                <sec>
                    <title>Results</title>
                    <p>A total of 28 
                        <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus. aureus, 15 Streptococcus agalactiae</italic> isolates were collected. The bacterial isolates demonstrated resistance to some antibiotics such as Cefixime and Levofloxacin. Most bacterial isolates exhibited varying levels of biofilm formation, categorised as strong, moderate, or weak. Gene expression analysis results for 
                        <italic toggle="yes">rgg2</italic> gene and 
                        <italic toggle="yes">tetM gene for S. agalactiae</italic> bacteria and 
                        <italic toggle="yes">norA</italic> gene and 
                        <italic toggle="yes">fnp B</italic> gene 
                        <italic toggle="yes">for S. aureus</italic> bacteria show that &#x00bd;MIC of Cefixime, Levofloxacin increase gene expression, but &#x00bd;MIC of cranberry, mix the (Cranberry + Cefixime), and (Cranberry+ Levofloxacin) reduce gene expression.</p>
                </sec>
                <sec>
                    <title>Conclusions</title>
                    <p>It is possible to rely on the use of alternative therapeutic options such as the clove plant? extract to reduce the effectiveness of under study antibiotic-resistant bacteria.</p>
                </sec>
            </abstract>
            <kwd-group kwd-group-type="author">
                <kwd>Bacterial infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Antibiotic-Resistant; Biofilm-Forming; Streptococcus agalactiae;  Cranberry extract; gene expression; Vaginal Infections</kwd>
            </kwd-group>
            <funding-group>
                <funding-statement>The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work.</funding-statement>
            </funding-group>
        </article-meta>
    </front>
    <body>
        <sec id="sec6" sec-type="intro">
            <title>Introduction</title>
            <p>The most frequent cause of vaginitis in women of childbearing age is bacterial vaginosis (BV). Its prevalence is estimated to be between 17%-19% in family planning clinics and 4% to 10% in student health clinics, with the prevalence rising to 24% to 40% in sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics, depending on the population under study. 16&#x2013;29% of pregnant women have been found to have BV, and 30% of women who visit infertility clinics have the disease. Although it can happen without sexual activity, it primarily affects young, sexually active girls (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref15">Hillier and Holmes, 1999</xref>). Numerous facets of fetal development, physiological function, immunology at mucosal surfaces, disease susceptibility, and nutritional absorption are influenced by commensal microbiota associated with the human body (Forney et al., 2012). Therefore, commensals in the lower female reproductive tract play a crucial role in both preventing infections and preserving vaginal health (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref28">Stojanovic et al., 2012</xref>). Women who have human vaginal infections are far more likely to give birth before their due dates (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref22">Mulu et al., 2015</xref>). Pelvic inflammatory disorders (PID), which can result in tubal infertility, ectopic pregnancy, reproductive dysfunction, and unfavorable pregnancy outcomes (such as low birth weight and preterm delivery), can arise if they are left untreated (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref16">Kaambo and Africa, 2017</xref>). The development of cervical dysplasia, an elevated risk of postpartum infections, HIV, and the acquisition and spread of herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) can all be attributed to vaginal infections (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref24">Ravel et al., 2011</xref>). Aerobic vaginitis (AV) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) infections in prenatal health services among asymptomatic pregnant women, however, are associated with a high rate of unexpected pregnancy outcomes and premature birth in Africa and around the world (Krauss et al., 2017). Due to increased estrogen levels following puberty, sexually mature women have a lower reproductive tract that favors lactobacilli colonization. Estrogen results in thicker stratified epithelia and increased glycogen concentrations with Lactobacillus species contributing to a lower pH of &#x2264;4.5 in the vagina (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref11">Danielsson et al., 2011</xref>), due to lactic acid and H2O2 generation. Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus) are frequent commensal microorganisms found in the lower reproductive tract, alongside Lactobacillus species. Overgrowth of these might lead to discharge alterations, and it can cause vaginitis (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref25">Sangeetha et al., 2015</xref>). Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus) is a commensal microbiota found in the human intestine and genitourinary systems. It is also a major pathogen in AV and other diseases (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref27">S&#x00f8;rensen et al., 2010</xref>). GBS can cause complications in the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing illnesses (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref6">Brigtsen et al., 2015</xref>). Neonatal sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia are linked to maternal colonization with GBS in pregnant women at delivery, It is believed that the microbiota found in the vagina differs greatly from that seen in other parts of the human body (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref13">Fredricks, 2011</xref>). GBS is currently thought to be the primary cause of early-onset sepsis globally (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref10">Cools et al., 2016</xref>). Furthermore, preterm birth, extremely low birth weight delivery, and puerperal sepsis&#x2014;all of which contribute significantly to morbidity and death in sub-Saharan Africa&#x2014;are linked to GBS and E. faecalis (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref17">Kim et al., 2014</xref>). The majority of pregnant women experience asymptomatic bacteriuria, despite the fact that GBS can also result in lower urinary tract infections, acute pyelonephritis, and silent bacteriuria (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref12">Edwards and Gonik, 2013</xref>). Women with untreated GBS bacteriuria are more likely to experience chorioamnionitis, early-onset newborn illness, and intrauterine fetal loss (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">Anderson et al., 2007</xref>). Although 
                <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus. aureus</italic> infects women&#x2019;s lower female genital tracts, newborns are exposed to this organism directly in the vaginal canal and perineum. The mouth, skin, and umbilical stump may get colonized by the transmitted 
                <italic toggle="yes">S. aureus</italic> (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref8">Chan 
                    <italic toggle="yes">et al</italic>., 2013</xref>). Neonatal illnesses such cellulitis, umbilical stump infection (Omphalitis), arthritis, and 
                <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcal</italic> Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS) may arise from this. Sepsis, meningitis, and newborn bacteremia are some of the most serious side effects of these 
                <italic toggle="yes">S.aureus</italic> infections. Vascular injury, extracellular fluid loss, hypotension, multiple organ failure, and death are the causes of sepsis. Infant sepsis alone accounts for 225,000 fatalities annually, making it the third most prevalent cause of infant mortality worldwide in sub Saharan Africa (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref30">Tumuhamye 
                    <italic toggle="yes">et al</italic>., 2020</xref>). The vaccinium macrocarpon (Cranberry) has been found to have many beneficial effects on human health, ranging from prevention of cancers and cardiovascular diseases to the ability to modify bacterial behaviour, interfering with virulence factors and leading to prevention of common bacterial infections.</p>
        </sec>
        <sec id="sec7">
            <title>Materials and methods</title>
            <sec id="sec8">
                <title>Sample collection</title>
                <p>A disposable cotton swab was used to collect 100 specimens from pregnant and non-pregnant women who had bacterial vaginosis. In October 2023, the samples were collected at a private clinic. As soon as samples were taken from the patient for diagnosis, they were cultured, and the patient&#x2019;s information was documented.</p>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec9">
                <title>Isolates identification</title>
                <p>Every sample was grown on MacConkey agar, chocolate agar, and human blood agar. After that, it was incubated for 24&#x00a0;hours at 37&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C in an aerobic environment. To determine the type of bacteria, it was then subjected to a battery of tests. First, their size, shape, color, pigments, and hemolytic activity were evaluated. They were then subjected to gram staining and microscopic analysis. They next went through biochemical testing like Voges-Proskauer, indole, and methyl red. Lastly, VITEK2 was used to confirm each isolate&#x2019;s diagnosis.</p>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec10">
                <title>Antibiotic susceptibility test</title>
                <p>In accordance with CLSI 2023, the antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the disc diffusion method (
                    <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref7">Campbell, 2013</xref>). The effectiveness of antibiotics, which were produced by (Bioanalyse Company in Turkey) (Cefixime, Ciprofloxacin, Amikacin, Chloramphenicol, Levofloxacin, Gentamycin, Azithromycin, Tobramycin) against S
                    <italic toggle="yes">taphylococcus. aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae.</italic>
                </p>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec11">
                <title>Determination of minimum inhibitor concentration</title>
                <p>Using the Resazurin Microtitre-plate Assay (REMA) with a few changes, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the solutions Levofloxacin, Cefixime, Cranberry and mix (Levofloxacin + Cranberry) and (Cefixime + Cranberry) was found. Each well of the microtiter plate received 100&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of Brain Heart Broth (BHI) under aseptic conditions. Next, the first row of the 96-well plates was filled with 100&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of the test sample, which included (gentamicin, clove extract, and GCE). 100&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of the test material was pipetted at descending concentrations (1/2,1/4,1/8,1/16,1/32,1/64, and 1/128) from one well to the next in order to perform serial dilutions. A 10&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l bacterial suspension containing 1.5&#x00a0;&#x00d7;&#x00a0;10
                    <sup>8</sup>&#x00a0;CFU/ml was added to each well. For 18 to 24&#x00a0;hours, the plates were incubated at 35&#x00a0;&#x00b1;&#x00a0;2&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C with loose wraps of Parafilm. Each well received 10&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of resazurin solution (Alamar blue) after incubation. To see if the colour changed, the plate was incubated again for four hours. Resazurin&#x2019;s hue was observed to determine the outcome visually; transitions from purple to pink, red, or colourless were considered positive (
                    <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref26">Sarker et al., 2007</xref>).</p>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec12">
                <title>Biofilm production</title>
                <p>The micro-titer plate method was used to determine bacteria&#x2019;s ability to create biofilm. Microtiter wells with 180&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of Tryptone soya broth were injected with a 20&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l bacterial suspension from an overnight culture (similar to McFarland standard No. 0.5). A control set of microtiter wells had 200&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of sterile Tryptone soya broth. All microtiter plates were then incubated at 37&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C for the entire day. After that, the wells were washed three times with phosphate-buffered saline (pH&#x00a0;7.2) and dried at room temperature. Each well was treated with 200&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of methanol for 15&#x00a0;minutes. Next, the plates were dried at room temperature. Each well received 200&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of 0.1% crystal violet solution for 15&#x00a0;minutes. Following that, the crystal violet solution was withdrawn and washed three times with phosphate-buffered saline (pH&#x00a0;7.2) to remove any remaining dye. Wells were dried at room temperature for 15&#x00a0;minutes. A microplate reader (Biotek ELX 800, UK) measured absorbance at 600&#x00a0;nm after adding 200&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of 33% glacial acetic acid to each well. The cutoff value was calculated as the control&#x2019;s mean OD
                    <sub>600</sub> plus three standard deviations. Any isolate with an OD above the cut-off value was designated a biofilm producer (
                    <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref3">Al-Shaabani et al., 2020</xref>).</p>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec13">
                <title>Extraction of cranberry material</title>
                <p>The cranberry fruit was obtained from the local market. Air-dried at room temperature after being washed several times with distilled water (DW), then it was converted into powder form by using a sterile electric grinder. Then the active components of cranberry fruit were extracted by using an organic solvent (methanol). Where a quantity of 25&#x00a0;g of air-dried powder was extracted with 200&#x00a0;ml of methanol, by using the Soxhlet apparatus for 5&#x00a0;h at 60&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C. Thereafter, the methanol was evaporated by using the rotary evaporator at 40&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C. The final extract was kept at 4&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C before using (
                    <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref2">Akroum et al., 2009</xref>).</p>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec14">
                <title>Ethical considerations</title>
                <p>Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. As shown in Form 1 and Form 2, which are examples and part of these approvals.</p>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec15">
                <title>Gene expression</title>
                <p>

                    <bold>RNA extraction</bold>
                </p>
                <p>The gene expression was tested at &#x00bd;MIC for three treatments for each isolate (Levofloxacin, Cefixime, Cranberry and mix (Levofloxacin + Cranberry) and (Cefixime + Cranberry), as well as a control without treatment (only bacteria growing in the broth). After growing the bacteria at &#x00bd;MIC of each treatment solution, the RNA was extracted using the Trizol technique (
                    <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref29">Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2016</xref>).</p>
                <p>

                    <bold>Convert RNA to cDNA</bold>
                </p>
                <p>The RNA is extracted and converted into cDNA using the Luna Universal qPCR&amp;RT-qPCR kit&#x2019;s instructions (10&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of master mix, 1&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of random primer, 1&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of RT enzyme, 2&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of nucleas-free water, and finally 6&#x2013;8&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of RNA) in a PCR machine (verity, Applied Biosystems). The PCR conditions were 25&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C for 5&#x00a0;minutes, 42&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C for 15&#x00a0;minutes, 85&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C for 15&#x00a0;seconds, and 4&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C hold (
                    <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref14">Jaafar &amp; Shareef, 2023</xref>).</p>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec16">
                <title>Real-time PCR amplification</title>
                <p>Two different genes were selected to each bacteria according to the bacteria the 
                    <italic toggle="yes">rgg2</italic> gene was amplified used the forward primer (5&#x2032;- GCGCCTTAGAATGAATCGACAC-3&#x2032;) and reverse primer (5&#x2032;- GCAGATGAGCACCTATCCAAGT-3&#x2032;) and 
                    <italic toggle="yes">tetM</italic> gene with forward primer (5&#x2032;-GCTTCCGTTGGGAAGTGGAA&#x2010;3&#x2032;) and reverse primer (5&#x2032;- CCTTGTTCGCAACCATAGCG-3&#x2032;) for bacteria 
                    <italic toggle="yes">S. agalactiae.</italic> and for bacteria 
                    <italic toggle="yes">S. aureus</italic> the 
                    <italic toggle="yes">fnpB</italic> gene was amplified used forward primer (5&#x2032;- TGGTGCCACTGCTTTAACCT-3&#x2032;) and revers primer (5&#x2032;- ACCAGTACCACCTGCCAAAG-3&#x2032;) and also 
                    <italic toggle="yes">norA</italic> gene amplified used forward primer (5&#x2032;- CCAGGTAAATTAGCCGATTGC-3&#x2032;) and reverse primer (5&#x2032;- AAATCGCCTGCGTTCTAGAG&#x2010;3&#x2032;). Thereafter, a two-step gene expression was initiated by putting the cDNA samples into the real-time PCR instrument and making the additions according to the kit manufacturer&#x2019;s instructions. (Luna Universal qPCR/RT-qPCR) The RT-PCR was performed using 10&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of master mix, 3&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of nuclease-free water, 1&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of forward and reverse gene primers, and 5&#x00a0;&#x03bc;l of cDNA material. The thermal cycling conditions were as follows: 95&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C for 60&#x00a0;seconds (initial denaturation 1&#x00a0;cycle); 95&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C for 15&#x00a0;seconds (denaturation 40&#x2013;45&#x00a0;cycles); and 60&#x00a0;&#x00b0;C for 30&#x00a0;seconds (extension 40&#x2013;45&#x00a0;cycles) (Al-Taee et al., 2018).</p>
            </sec>
        </sec>
        <sec id="sec17" sec-type="results">
            <title>Results</title>
            <sec id="sec18">
                <title>Isolate identification</title>
                <p>After samples were collected from 100 patients cultivated on three culture mediums diagnosed microscopically and used the ViteK-2 system and biochemical tests. The following 
                    <xref ref-type="table" rid="T1">Table 1</xref> displays the results achieved.</p>
                <table-wrap id="T1" orientation="portrait" position="float">
                    <label>
Table 1. </label>
                    <caption>
                        <title>Number of bacterial species isolated from the patient.</title>
                    </caption>
                    <table content-type="article-table" frame="hsides">
                        <thead>
                            <tr>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">Bacteria</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">Number of bacterial isolates</th>
                            </tr>
                        </thead>
                        <tbody>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>

                                        <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</italic>
</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">28</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>

                                        <italic toggle="yes">Streptococcus agalactiae</italic>
</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">15</td>
                            </tr>
                        </tbody>
                    </table>
                </table-wrap>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec19">
                <title>Antibiotic susceptibility test</title>
                <p>The disk diffusion method was used to determine antibiotic susceptibility. The susceptibility of bacteria varied based on the antibiotic used and species. The result shows the. 
                    <xref ref-type="fig" rid="f1">
Figure 1</xref>: the 
                    <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus. aureus</italic> isolates were sensitive to most antibiotics and resistant to Amikacin 53.5%, Levofloxacin 53.5%, Gentamycin 57,1% and Cefixime 74.8%. In 
                    <xref ref-type="fig" rid="f2">Figure 2</xref>, the 
                    <italic toggle="yes">Streptococcus agalactiae is</italic> also sensitive to most antibiotics, but resistant to Cefixime 64.2%, Levofloxacin 53%, Gentamycin 60%, Tobramycin 47% Amikacin 60%.</p>
                <fig fig-type="figure" id="f1" orientation="portrait" position="float">
                    <label>
Figure 1. </label>
                    <caption>
                        <title>The antibiotic susceptibility test of 
                            <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus. R: resistant, I: intermediate, s: sensitive.</italic>
</title>
                    </caption>
                    <graphic id="gr1" orientation="portrait" position="float" xlink:href="https://f1000research-files.f1000.com/manuscripts/192893/2ec6b3c8-19fb-454a-bd1a-fad7511a3f98_figure1.gif"/>
                </fig>
                <fig fig-type="figure" id="f2" orientation="portrait" position="float">
                    <label>
Figure 2. </label>
                    <caption>
                        <title>The Antibiotic susceptibility test of 
                            <italic toggle="yes">Streptococcus agalactiae.</italic> S: Sensitive, I: Intermediate, R: Resistant.</title>
                    </caption>
                    <graphic id="gr2" orientation="portrait" position="float" xlink:href="https://f1000research-files.f1000.com/manuscripts/192893/2ec6b3c8-19fb-454a-bd1a-fad7511a3f98_figure2.gif"/>
                </fig>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec20">
                <title>Biofilm formation</title>
                <p>In 
                    <xref ref-type="fig" rid="f3">
Figure 3</xref> the 
                    <italic toggle="yes">Streptococcus agalactiae</italic> (86.66%)(13/15) of isolates were biofilm producers out of 13 biofilm producing isolates 3 (23.07%), 9(69.23%), and 1(7.69%) were weak, moderate, strong, respectively. 
                    <xref ref-type="fig" rid="f4">Figure 4</xref> demonstrated that (89%) (25/28) of 
                    <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus. aureus</italic> isolates were considered biofilm producers out of 25 biofilm-producing isolates; 10(40%), 12(48%), and 3(12%) were weak, moderate, and strong, respectively.</p>
                <fig fig-type="figure" id="f3" orientation="portrait" position="float">
                    <label>
Figure 3. </label>
                    <caption>
                        <title>Biofilm result of 
                            <italic toggle="yes">Streptococcus agalactiae.</italic>
</title>
                        <p>A: weak biofilm; B: moderate biofilm, C: strong biofilm, D: Non- biofilm.</p>
                    </caption>
                    <graphic id="gr3" orientation="portrait" position="float" xlink:href="https://f1000research-files.f1000.com/manuscripts/192893/2ec6b3c8-19fb-454a-bd1a-fad7511a3f98_figure3.gif"/>
                </fig>
                <fig fig-type="figure" id="f4" orientation="portrait" position="float">
                    <label>
Figure 4. </label>
                    <caption>
                        <title>Biofilm result of 
                            <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus. aureus</italic>
</title>
                        <p>A: weak, B: moderate, C: strong, D: non.</p>
                        <p>The images were designed using the PowerRender software and were designed at a resolution of 600 dpi.</p>
                    </caption>
                    <graphic id="gr4" orientation="portrait" position="float" xlink:href="https://f1000research-files.f1000.com/manuscripts/192893/2ec6b3c8-19fb-454a-bd1a-fad7511a3f98_figure4.gif"/>
                </fig>
            </sec>
            <sec id="sec21">
                <title>Gene expression</title>
                <p>After the MIC was detect the gene expression results for 
                    <italic toggle="yes">rgg2</italic> gene and 
                    <italic toggle="yes">tetM gene for S. agalactiae</italic> bacteria and 
                    <italic toggle="yes">norA</italic> gene 
                    <italic toggle="yes">and fnpB</italic> gene 
                    <italic toggle="yes">for S. aureus</italic> bacteria show &#x00bd;MIC of Cefixime, Levofloxacin increase gene expression but &#x00bd;MIC of cranberry, mix the (Cranberry + Cefixime), (Cranberry+ Levofloxacin) reduce gene expression (
                    <xref ref-type="table" rid="T2">Table 2</xref>), (
                    <xref ref-type="table" rid="T3">Table 3</xref>) and (
                    <xref ref-type="table" rid="T4">Table 4</xref>), (
                    <xref ref-type="table" rid="T5">Table 5</xref>).</p>
                <table-wrap id="T2" orientation="portrait" position="float">
                    <label>
Table 2. </label>
                    <caption>
                        <title>Gene expression for 
                            <italic toggle="yes">S. agalactiae</italic> (
                            <italic toggle="yes">rgg2</italic> gene).</title>
                    </caption>
                    <table content-type="article-table" frame="hsides">
                        <thead>
                            <tr>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">Treatment</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">FOLD CHANGE</th>
                            </tr>
                        </thead>
                        <tbody>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Control</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">3.21</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">3.21</td>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.00</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">1.00</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Cranberry</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">3.21</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">4.21</td>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">1</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.5</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Cefixime</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">3.21</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.91</td>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x2212;2.3</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">4.924577653</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Levofloxacin</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">3.21</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.66</td>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x2212;2.55</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">5.856342784</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Cranberry&#x00a0;+&#x00a0;Cefixime</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">3.21</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">5.27</td>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">2.06</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.23981603</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Cranberry&#x00a0;+&#x00a0;Levofloxacin</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">3.21</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">4.42</td>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">1.21</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.432268616</td>
                            </tr>
                        </tbody>
                    </table>
                </table-wrap>
                <table-wrap id="T3" orientation="portrait" position="float">
                    <label>
Table 3. </label>
                    <caption>
                        <title>Gene expression for 
                            <italic toggle="yes">S. agalactiae</italic> (
                            <italic toggle="yes">tetM</italic> gene).</title>
                    </caption>
                    <table content-type="article-table" frame="hsides">
                        <thead>
                            <tr>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">Treatment</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">FOLD CHANGE</th>
                            </tr>
                        </thead>
                        <tbody>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Control</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">21.66</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">21.66</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">0.00</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">1.00</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Cranberry</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">21.66</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">21.71</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">0.05</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">0.965936329</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Cefixime</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">21.66</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">19.39</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">&#x2212;2.27</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">4.823231311</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Levofloxacin</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">21.66</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">18.92</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">&#x2212;2.74</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">6.680703355</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Cranberry&#x00a0;+&#x00a0;Cefixime</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">21.66</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">2.58</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">1.87</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">0.273573425</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Cranberry&#x00a0;+&#x00a0;Levofloxacin</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">21.66</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">1.58</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">0.87</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">0.547146851</td>
                            </tr>
                        </tbody>
                    </table>
                </table-wrap>
                <table-wrap id="T4" orientation="portrait" position="float">
                    <label>
Table 4. </label>
                    <caption>
                        <title>Gene expression for 
                            <italic toggle="yes">S. aureus</italic> (
                            <italic toggle="yes">norA</italic> gene).</title>
                    </caption>
                    <table content-type="article-table" frame="hsides">
                        <thead>
                            <tr>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">Treatment</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">FOLD CHANGE</th>
                            </tr>
                        </thead>
                        <tbody>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Control</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">7.13</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">7.13</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.00</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">1.00</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Cranberry</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">7.13</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">7.26</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.13</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.91383145</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Cefixime</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">7.13</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">5.58</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x2212;1.55</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">2.928171392</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Levofloxacin</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">7.13</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">5.1</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x2212;2.03</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">4.084048503</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Cranberry&#x00a0;+&#x00a0;Cefixime</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">7.13</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">7.34</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.21</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.864537231</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
                                    <bold>Cranberry&#x00a0;+&#x00a0;Levofloxacin</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">7.13</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">7.95</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.82</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.566441943</td>
                            </tr>
                        </tbody>
                    </table>
                </table-wrap>
                <table-wrap id="T5" orientation="portrait" position="float">
                    <label>
Table 5. </label>
                    <caption>
                        <title>Gene expression for 
                            <italic toggle="yes">S. aureus</italic> (
                            <italic toggle="yes">fnpB</italic> gene).</title>
                    </caption>
                    <table content-type="article-table" frame="hsides">
                        <thead>
                            <tr>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">Treatment</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x0394;&#x0394;Ct</th>
                                <th align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">FOLD CHANGE</th>
                            </tr>
                        </thead>
                        <tbody>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Control</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">9.38</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">9.38</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.00</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">1.00</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Cranberry</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="bottom">9.38</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">9.54</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.16</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.895025071</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Cefixime</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="bottom">9.38</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">8.23</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x2212;1.15</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">2.219138944</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Levofloxacin</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="bottom">9.38</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">8.65</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">&#x2212;0.73</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">1.658639092</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Cranberry&#x00a0;+&#x00a0;Cefixime</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="bottom">9.38</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">11.33</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">1.95</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.258816231</td>
                            </tr>
                            <tr>
                                <td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                                    <bold>Cranberry&#x00a0;+&#x00a0;Levofloxacin</bold>
</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="bottom">9.38</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">11.64</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">2.26</td>
                                <td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">0.20877198</td>
                            </tr>
                        </tbody>
                    </table>
                </table-wrap>
            </sec>
        </sec>
        <sec id="sec22" sec-type="discussion">
            <title>Discussion</title>
            <p>The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria continues to challenge the pharmaceutical sector (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1">Abed et al., 2024</xref>). Antibiotics are considered the first choice of treatment the infections; however, their effectiveness is often reduced due to multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus spp and other bacteria (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref20">Mahal et al., 2023</xref>). With the increasing spread of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria, it has become essential to search for effective alternative treatments. The use of natural compounds, such as medicinal herbs, is considered one of the most promising options in this field. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of medicinal herbs on various types of bacteria, including 
                <italic toggle="yes">Staphylococcus aureus</italic>, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and others. The findings of these studies have shown that certain medicinal compounds possess the ability to affect the bacterial cell wall, contributing to the weakening and inhibition of bacterial resistance (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref5">Baghini et al., 2018</xref>). 
                <italic toggle="yes">S. aureus</italic> isolates that showed resistance to many antibiotics led to difficulty in limiting their spread and reducing infection with them. Therefore, there was a need to work on obtaining a therapeutic alternative to contribute to limiting the spread of 
                <italic toggle="yes">S.aureus</italic> isolates due to their ability to resist antibiotics. Treatment of isolates with plant extracts proved the high ability of the extract to inhibit bacterial growth. When detecting gene expression and synergy between the antibiotic and the plant extract, it showed a great possibility in reducing gene expression and that the synergy between them helps in increasing the effectiveness of the antibiotic. The effect of the plant extract was also determined on many other bacterial isolates, for example, 
                <italic toggle="yes">E.coli, S.agalactiae, and Enterococcus spp.</italic> These results are somewhat consistent with the results of our study (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref21">Mitchell et al., 2012</xref>). When a bacterial infection occurs, there must be a sufficient number of bacteria and a pathogenic capacity to help them overcome the immune system (
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref23">Rajab and Turki, 2021</xref>). 
                <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref9">Chovanov&#x00e1; et al., 2013</xref>, has been indicated that the plant extracts can directly affect bacterial isolates and have a synergistic effect with antibiotics in reducing the gene expression of many genes responsible for antibiotic resistance and biofilm production, which contributes to increasing the virulence and pathogenicity of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial isolates (
                <italic toggle="yes">S. aureus, S. agalactiae</italic>).</p>
        </sec>
        <sec id="sec23" sec-type="conclusions">
            <title>Conclusions</title>
            <p>Plant extracts can be relied upon as an alternative treatment option when antibiotic resistance occurs due to the random and incorrect use of these antibiotics, as the extracts have proven their ability to directly or synergistically affect the gene expression of many genes responsible for the virulence of bacteria.</p>
        </sec>
        <sec id="sec24">
            <title>Ethical approval</title>
            <p>Ethical approval was received from the research committee of the Al-Anbar Directorate of Health Authorities of Al-Anbar hospitals under decision Ref.7 on 18-4-2024. The Ethics Committee of the University of Anbar granted ethical permission. All participants were told about the study.</p>
        </sec>
    </body>
    <back>
        <sec id="sec27" sec-type="data-availability">
            <title>Data availability</title>
            <p>No additional underlying data are associated with this article. All relevant data supporting the findings of this study are included within the manuscript.</p>
        </sec>
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