Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the cause of the major world health issue, tuberculosis (TB). The cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) has been implicated in protection against TB in the early stages of the disease. TNF-α is an effective cytokine in the killing of intracellular M. tuberculosis. This study inducted to investigate whether there is any relationship between levels of TNF-α in sera of TB patients and their recovery, and is there any difference in the level of this cytokine in sera of female and male TB patients. This study included 29 patients with pulmonary TB (18 female and 11 male), their ages ranging from 37 to 59 years. All of them received first line TB therapy. They were consulted at Pasture Center during September 2012, at Baghdad city, Iraq. TNF-α level in sera was estimated by ELISA. Data were analyzed using Two sample T test for measuring the differences between the groups., no significant difference (p= 0.198) was found in serum TNF-α concentration between TB patients (mean= 8.09 pg/ml) and in control group (mean= 5.62 pg/ml). On the other hand no significant difference was found between serum TNF-α concentration in male TB patients (mean= 8.42 pg/ml, p= 0.71) and female TB patients (mean= 7.89 pg/ml). As a conclusion, TNF-α level in TB patients may associate with recover of the patient after treatment. On the other hand no relationship was found between the levels of TNF-α in TB patients’ sera and their gender.
Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the occupational health hazards that face health care providers in Sulaimani City.
Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted utilizing quantitative data collection methods. It involved 159 respondents including Physicians, Pharmacists, Medical assistants, Laboratory Instructors and Nurses who worked in 8 major health facilities in Sulaimani city, Kurdistan region, Iraq.
Results: Nurses were the most susceptible group to sharp related injuries 13.84%, cuts and wounds 10.69% than the others and they were more experiencing verbal abuse in the workplace 15%. Laboratory instructors represent the most exposed group
... Show MoreThe study of biomechanical indicators in the arc of the run and the upgrading stage is one of the important variables that affect the nature of the upgrading and thus affect the result of the race due to the importance of these stages and the consequent variables during the last steps. That’s why, the jump-trainings based on assistant means or body weight positively affect the step-time for each of the three steps in the acceleration arc. As well as, it focuses on the momentary strength of each step at this stage. It also significantly affects the speed of motor performance to suit the activity in which the runner needs to perform perfect steps with high flow in order to convert the horizontal speed to a vertical one. This is achieved thr
... Show MoreMetoclopramide (MCP) ion selective electrodes based on metoclopramide-phosphotungstic acid (MCP-PT) ion pair complex in PVC matrix membrane were constructed. The plasticizers used were tri-butyl phosphate (TBP), di-octyl phenyl phosphonate (DOPP), di-butyl phthalate (DBPH), di-octyl phthalate (DOP), di-butyl phosphate (DBP), bis 2-ethyl hexyl phosphate (BEHP). The sensors based on TBP, DOPP, DBPH and DOP display a fast, stable and linear response with slopes 59.9, 57.7, 57.4, 55.3 mV/decade respectively at pH ranged 2-6. The linear concentration range between 1.0×10-5 – 1.0×10-2 M with detection limit 3.0×10-6 and 4.0×10-6 M for electrodes using TBP, DOPP and DBPH while e
... Show MoreSmall and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq have experienced low performance due to the limited usage of accounting information systems (AIS) and the inability to exploit knowledge of management capabilities (KMC). These deficiencies have led to competitive pressures in the marketplace that have adversely affected their sales and production. This study investigates the role of AIS in terms of operation support, knowledge support, regulatory support, and the role of KMC, including knowledge acquisition, knowledge transfer, and knowledge utilized to enhance organizational performance in Iraqi SMEs. The target population was managers and owners in SMEs using AIS in Iraq’s cities. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was use
... Show MoreMoisture-induced damage is a serious problem that severely impairs asphaltic pavement and affects road serviceability. This study examined numerous variables in asphalt concrete mixtures to assess their impact on moisture damage resistance. Mix design parameters such as the asphalt content (AC) and aggregate passing sieve No. 4 (PNo. 4) were considered as variables during this study. Additionally, hydrated lime (HL) was utilized as a partial substitute for limestone dust (LS) filler at 1.5% by weight of the aggregate in asphalt concrete mixtures for the surface layer. This study also investigated the potential enhancement of traditional asphalt binders and mixtures by adding nano-additives, specifically nano-silica oxide (NS) and na
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