ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Estrogens has traditionally been known as the female hormone, but this idea has been challenged in early 1990’s and an essential physiological role for estrogen in male fertility was identified. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring non-steroidal plant chemicals that can act like the female hormone estrogen. The herbs ( anise alfalfa and vervain ) chosen in this study contain phytoestrogens. OBJECTIVE: Previous studies demonstrated controversy of the effects of phytoestrogens on the rat testes .Hence, the present investigation was undertaken to investigate the influence of typical dose of herbs containing phytoestrogen on the rat testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four apparently normal mature male rats were divided into four groups of 6 animals each. The first "control" group received only 4ml of distilled water as a placebo. The second group received 40mg/kg of anise seed; the third group received 53.3 mg/kg of dried herb of vervain and the fourth group received 400 mg /kg of alfalfa seeds. All experimental groups received the doses through orogastric tube daily for fourteen days. Testicular histology was evaluated by light and enzyme histochemistry. Plasma FSH and testosterone concentrations were taken to support our results. RESULTS: Histological examination of anise, alfalfa and vervain – treated groups showed an increase in the height of germinal epithelia. There was marked lipoprotein lipase activity in the whole of the interstitial tissue which is more in amount in experimental groups than that in control group. Acid phosphatase granules were infiltered the seminiferous epithelia mildly in control group , moderately in anise and vervain groups and markedly in alfalfa group. The number of interstitial cells showing marked acid phosphatase activity was higher in all experimental groups than that in control group. Alkaline phosphatase exhibited intense activity in the boundary tissue of the seminiferous tubules in testes of control and experimental groups but it appeared thicker in the latter. CONCLUSION: The low dose and short duration of treatment used in our study made these phytoestrogen – containing herbs to have a stimulatory effect on leydig cell steroidogenesis. This study also demonstrated that aniseed being the most potent of the three herbs followed by alfalfa in stimulating testosterone synthesis. This is possibly attributed to the coumarin constituent of aniseed and alfalfa. KEY WORDS: phytoestrogen-containing herbs, testis, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lipoprotein lipase
The high mobility group A1 gene (HMGA1) rs139876191 variant has been related to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, but data are lacking in Middle Eastern populations. The study aimed to assess whether the HMGA1 rs139876191 variant is associated with metabolic syndrome risk and whether this variant predicts the risk of insulin resistance. This case-control study was carried out at single center in Kirkuk city/ Iraq from February to August 2022. Polymorphisms in HMGA1 and genotyping were identified by Sanger sequencing of genomic DNA obtained from 91 Iraqi participants (61 patients with metabolic syndrome and 30 control). Lipid profile, serum (glucose and insulin), glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure, body mass index, and waist circumfer
... Show More
(1)
The aim of this work is to study the effect of diesel fuel percentage on the combustion processes in compression ignition engine using dual – fuel (diesel and LPG).
The brake thermal efficiency increased with the increase of diesel fuel rate at low loads, and decreased when load increased. To get sufficient operation in engine fueled with dual fuel, it required sufficient flow rate of diesel fuel, if the engine fueled with insufficient diesel fuel erratic operation with miss fire cycles presented.
Dual-fuel operation at part load showed higher specific fuel consumption than straight diesl operation. At full loads, brake specific fuel consumption of duel fuel engine approaches that for diesel fuel values.
Introduction: We aimed to assess the impact of adhesive and wires types on the tensile bond strength of fixed lingual retainers. Methods: A total of 160 intact bovine teeth were collected, cleaned, stored in 25% sodium hypochlorite, and randomly assigned to two groups based on the adhesive type: a two-step adhesive and a one-step adhesive. Each group was further divided into four subgroups based on the type of lingual retainer wire, which included (A) 8-strand braided stainless steel wire, (B) three-strand titanium retainer wire, (C) stainless steel chain, and (D) fiber-reinforced retainer. A tensile bond strength test was conducted using a universal testing machine at a controlled speed of 10 mm/min. Result: The 8-strand braided stainles
... Show More
(1)
The aim of this research is to introduce agricultural insurance, to define financing in the form of salam and the role of agricultural insurance in the prevention of risks to agricultural finance operations in the form of salam by verifying the hypotheses through which to reach the results, including the imposition of risks for agricultural finance in the form of salam, The study of agricultural finance in the form of salm, the deductive approach to the development of the problem of research and hypotheses, and the inductive method to extrapolate the results through analysis and brother The researcher concluded that agricultural insurance works to bridge the risks facing agricultural finance in the form of the ladder in cases of
... Show MoreThe primary aim of this study was to find out the effect of a training program on the development of physical abilities in football goalkeepers. The current study was conducted on goalkeepers of the Academy of Espanyol Sports Club in the premises of Haifa Sports Club Stadium. The study was completed by the researchers within the timeline of May 2021 to August 2021. A total of 7 goalkeepers falling within the age group of 15-17 years were recruited as the sample participants for the study. Out of 7 goalkeepers, 5 goalkeepers were included in the primary experiment and 2 of them were excluded. The training program applied had a positive effect on the development of physical abilities in the football goalkeepers of the sa
... Show More
(9)
(3)
This review sums up the developments in the biological activity of tetrazole active derivatives in recent days. Some of the deliberated derivatives of tetrazole are at present actively scientifically studied; some of them have biological activity that enables them to be studied further in the future as a drug for various biological activities. This review seeks to offer a comprehensive analysis of the efficacy and clinical advantage of biological activity for tetrazole derivatives.
Enhancing fatigue resistance in asphalt binders and mixtures is crucial for prolonging pavement lifespan and improving road performance. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have introduced various nanomaterials such as alumina (NA), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and silica (NS) as potential asphalt modifiers. These materials possess unique properties that address challenges related to asphalt fatigue. However, their effectiveness depends on proper dispersion and mixing techniques. This review examines the mixing methods used for each nanomaterial to ensure uniform distribution within the asphalt matrix and maximize performance benefits. Recent research findings are synthesized to elucidate how these nanomaterials and their mixing proce
... Show More
Background: Computerized tomography scan can show the detailed anatomy of the nose and paranasal sinuses. The sphenoid sinus is a very important corridor for the skull base because of its central position. This sinus has a great range of variation and can put structures around at risk during surgery. This study aims to examine the variation of the sphenoid sinus, and its relation to other structures around it, in this sample of Iraqi patients. Materials and Methods: CT scans of 122 patients, were obtained, and submitted for examination and measurements, during the period between September 2020 and September 2021. Observation of The sphenoid sinus pneumatization pattern, clival extension, Onodi cell, and lateral pneumatization of SS.
... Show More
(1)
The title takes its realistic connotations with its symbols, slogans and historical extensions in Iraq, also, the repercussions of the organic crisis that afflicted it for almost half a century, especially after the abortion of the July 14 Revolution and the spread of the culture of weapons, violence and death that we are living in Iraq nowadays.
The topic is suitable for critical analytical studies carried out by specialists in scientific and academic research centers and cultural institutions because they have an important feasibility at the strategic cultural level in Iraq, the Middle East and the world.
Research in Iraq has fallen to the extreme and is no longer effective, to the extent that it represents a severe cri
... Show More