The avian esophagus shows structural and functional differences related to feeding habits and habitat, with mucous secretions and amino acids playing key roles in protection and metabolism. The present study aimed to comparatively investigate the histological, histochemical, and amino acid profile characteristics of the cervical esophagus in the Iraqi pin-tailed sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) and the red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus). A total of eight adult individuals from each bird species (sandgrouse and lapwing) were collected from the Al-Samawah Desert, Al-Muthanna Province, and AlYusufiyah District, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq, respectively, between October 2025 and January 2026. Histological examination was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson’s trichrome, periodic acid–Schiff (PAS), and Alcian blue (AB, pH 2.5) stains. Amino acid profiles of cervical esophageal tissues were analyzed using highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The histological results demonstrated that the cervical esophagus in both bird species consisted of three main layers: tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis, and tunica adventitia, while the tunica submucosa and muscularis mucosae were absent. The mucosa was lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium supported by a collagen-rich lamina propria. In the Iraqi pin-tailed sandgrouse, the esophageal glands were located mainly within the lamina propria, whereas in the red-wattled lapwing, they appeared as intraepithelial glands. Histochemical staining revealed strong PAS reactivity and moderate AB reactivity in the mucous secretions of both bird species, indicating the presence of neutral and acidic mucopolysaccharide. The HPLC analysis identified 18 amino acids in the cervical esophageal tissues of both species. Glutamine showed the highest concentration, whereas methionine exhibited the lowest concentration in both birds. Most amino acids did not differ significantly between the two species (p > 0.05). However, glutamic acid showed a significant increase in the Iraqi pin-tailed sandgrouse compared with the red-wattled lapwing (p ≤ 0.05). The present findings suggest that the cervical esophagi of both bird species may exhibit structural and biochemical adaptations associated with feeding habits and ecological conditions
Endophytic fungi live inside plants or any part of them without creating any visible pathogenic signs. Endophytic fungi are found within medicinal plants and have shown strong biologic activity, such as anticancer and antioxidant activities, as well as producing extracellular enzymes. In this study, different fungal strains were isolated from the leaves of the medicinal plant Ziziphus spina, including Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sp., Rhizopus sp., and Mucor sp. Extracellular enzymes have been quantified using agar plate-based methods in which fungi were grown in specified growth media to detect the enzymes produced. The results showed that A. niger has the highest ability to produce amy
... Show MoreA new modified differential evolution algorithm DE-BEA, is proposed to improve the reliability of the standard DE/current-to-rand/1/bin by implementing a new mutation scheme inspired by the bacterial evolutionary algorithm (BEA). The crossover and the selection schemes of the DE method are also modified to fit the new DE-BEA mechanism. The new scheme diversifies the population by applying to all the individuals a segment based scheme that generates multiple copies (clones) from each individual one-by-one and applies the BEA segment-wise mechanism. These new steps are embedded in the DE/current-to-rand/bin scheme. The performance of the new algorithm has been compared with several DE variants over eighteen benchmark functions including sever
... Show MoreThe incorporation of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) into asphalt concrete supports circular economy goals by reducing reliance on virgin materials and minimizing construction waste. However, RCA’s inherent limitations, such as high porosity, microcracking, and poor interfacial bonding, compromise the structural integrity and durability of asphalt mixtures. This study introduces sugarcane molasses (SCM), a naturally derived, carbohydrate-rich byproduct of sugarcane refining, as a novel and eco-friendly surface treatment for RCA aimed at enhancing its compatibility with asphalt binders. SCM was applied at 5-6% by weight of RCA replacing coarse aggregate at varying levels (0-100%) to assess its effect on asphalt mixture performance. A com
... Show MoreColorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal malignancy and one of the top ten common cancers worldwide with approximately 2 million cases. There are multiple risk factors that could lead to CRC emergence; of which are genetic polymorphisms. Excision repair cross-complementing group 2 (ERCC2) gene encodes for ERCC2 enzyme which plays a crucial role in maintaining genomic integrity by removing DNA adducts. Several studies suggested that there could be a link between genetic polymorphisms of ERCC2 gene and the risk of CRC development. Hence the present study aims to validate the relationship between the following ERCC2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs13181, rs149943175, rs530662943, and rs1799790) and CRC susceptibility. A t
... Show MoreFinite Element Approach is employed in this research work to solve the governing differential equations related to seepage via its foundation's dam structure. The primary focus for this reason is the discretization of domain into finite elements through the placement of imaginary nodal points and the discretization of governing equations into an equation system; An equation for each nodal point or part, and unknown variables are solved. The SEEP / W software (program) is a sub-program of the Geo-Studio software, which is used by porous soil media to compensate for the problems of seepage. To achieve the research goals, a study was carried out on Hemrin dam, which located in the Diyala River 100 km northeast of Baghdad, Iraq. Thus, o
... Show MoreObjective: The aim of the study to evaluate the nursing care management for diabetes mellitus patient
with total hip replacement after fractured hip.
Methodology: A field study carried out on patients with diabetes mellitus and have total hip
replacement after fractured hip in orthopedic ward at the hospital of surgical specialization (malefemale)during
January 2002 to January 2003.Physical and psychological nursing
assessment
immediately after the surgery was done for the both subjects (control and experimental) and then a
scientific management with daily nursing care were provided to the experimental subject with daily
nursing care to the patient condition by using a scientific and practical methods and leave th