Background: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) leads to activation of T-helper cells (Th-1 and Th-2) which are involved in the synthesis and release of different cytokines which may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Objectives: To evaluate the endothelial function in patients with acute toxoplasmosis. Methods: This case-control study involved 31 patients with toxoplasmosis aged 19 - 47 years matched with 20 healthy subjects. Anti-T. gondii antibody (IgG, IgM, IgA) was determined by direct antigen-antibody reaction. Interleukin-6(IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and human malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were measured. Results: IgM, IgG and IgA levels were high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, IL-6 serum level was high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). In addition, ET-1 level was high in acute toxoplasmosis (7.29 ± 4.59 pg/mL) compared with controls (3.11 ± 1.69 pg/mL) (P < 0.01). In addition, MDA serum level was high (9.34 ± 4.17 nmol/mL) compared with controls (2.87 ± 1.13 nmol/mL), (P < 0.01). In acute toxoplasmosis IgM serum level was significantly correlated with IgG (r = 0.55, P = 0.001), IgA (r = 0.57, P = 0.0008), IL-6 (r = 0.45, P = 0.01), ET-1 (r = 0.51, P = 0.003) and MDA (r = 0.85, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Acute toxoplasmosis is associated with significant oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory changes which contribute to development of endothelial dysfunction
In this work, the plasma parameters (electron temperature and
electron density) were determined by optical emission spectroscopy
(OES) produced by the RF magnetron Zn plasma produced by
oxygen and argon at different working pressure. The spectrum was
recorded by spectrometer supplied with CCD camera, computer and
NIST standard of neutral and ionic lines of Zn, argon and oxygen.
The effects of pressure on plasma parameters were studied and a
comparison between the two gasses was made.
ABSTRACT Background: According to Branemark’s protocol, the waiting period between tooth extraction and implant placement is 6–8 months; this is the late placement technique. Achieving and maintaining implant stability are prerequisites for a dental implant to be successful. Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) is a noninvasive diagnostic method that measures implant stability. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of treatment protocol and implant dimensions on primary implant stability utilizing RFA. Materials and methods: This study included 63 Iraqi patients (37 male, 26 female; ranging 22-66 years). According to treatment protocol, the sample was divided into 2 groups; A (delayed) & B (immediate). Dental im
... Show MoreThe study was carried out by reinforcing the resin matrix material
which was (Epoxy- Ep828) by useing Kevlar fibers and glass fibers type (E-gl ass) both or them in the form of woven roving and poly propylene tlbcrs in the form chopped strand mats. wi th (30%) volume fraction. Some mechan i cal properties of the were prepared composite specimens U ltraviolet radiation were stuied after being subjected to different weathering conditi ons i ncluded. Compression and hardness testing were carried out using Briel! method so as to compare between composite behavior i n the environments previously mentioned .
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... Show MoreThe flavonoglycone hesperidin is recognized as a potent anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant agent. However, its poor bioavailability is a crucial bottleneck regarding its therapeutic activity. Gold nanoparticles are widely used in drug delivery because of its unique properties that differ from bulk metal. Hesperidin loaded gold nanoparticles were successfully prepared to enhance its stability and bioactive potential, as well as to minimize the problems associated with its absorption. The free radical scavenging activities of hesperidin, gold nanoparticles, and hesperidin loaded gold nanoparticles were compared with that of Vitamin C and subsequently evaluated in vitro using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. The antioxi
... Show MoreIn recent years and decades, there is a great need for developing new alternative energy sources or renewable sustainable energy. On the other hand, new technology approaches are growing . towards benefits from the valuable nutrients in wastewater which are unrecoverable by traditional wastewater treatment processes. In the current study, a novel integrated system of microbial fuel cell and anoxic bioreactor (MFC-ANB) was designed and constructed to investigate its potential for slaughterhouses wastewater treatment, nitrogen recovery, and power generation. The system consisted of a double-chamber tubular type MFC with biocathode inoculated with freshly collected activated sludge. The MFC-ANB system was continuously fed with real-fi
... Show MoreIn this work, A new strategy for enhancing the efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) by doping foreign ion and co- doping TiO2 / Fe and Cu (38 nm ) was prepared by sol-gel method and successfully used as a photoanode for (DSSC). The samples were characterized by using X-ray diffraction ( XRD) is used to calculate grain size, before and after Fe, Cu- doping and co- doping. Glass coating process with a thin layer on (Fluorine doped tin oxide) FTO glass by using doctor Blade technique .The optimum thickness utilized for TiO2 paste is (15μm) on a conductive glass. The best experimental results for doping and co- doping TiO2 with additive Copper (II) nitrate Cu (NO3)2 as improved it was VOC=0.6 V, ISC=1.92 mA, Imax=1.8 mA and Vmax=
... Show MoreEarly diagnosis of sepsis is a very critical matter especially for soldiers in battle field; on the other hand, Procalcitonin is a new promising biomarker for fast and accurate diagnosis of sepsis. The aim of this study is to investigate the ability of Procalcitonin (PCT) to indicate sepsis earlier than blood culture and other traditional biomarkers and then get use of this in early diagnosis of sepsis.Procalcitonin concentration was measured in 44 sera of Iraqi wounded soldiers who were admitted to GHAZI AL-HARIRI Hospital for surgery, using ELISA kit of BioRay/USA, along with blood culture and other infection biomarker like C-reactive protein, ESR, W.B.C. count. Six patients had elevated PCT and 3 of them
... Show MoreTwo different composite materials were prepared by stir casting method of AA 6061 alloy as a matrix reinforced with two addition different ceramic materials Al2O3 and B4C of grain size 20 µm by 2.5, 5, 7.5 and10% in weight. The composite material with aluminum alloy as a matrix possesses a unique mechanical properties such as: high specific strength and hardness, low density, and high resistance to corrosion and friction wear. This composite is widely used in automotive parts space and marine applications.
Pin-on-disc technique was used to calculate the wear rate for each addition of Al2O3 and B4C particles. Rockwell hardness test and
... Show MoreBackground: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has gained more popularity as an independent bariatric procedure because laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was reported to be an effective, safe, and time-savingprocedure, leading to adequate weight loss for morbidly obese patients and becoming one of the most common procedures performed for the treatment of morbidly obese patients in the last few years until now.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare two different techniques of the reinforcement of staple line during LSG in the reduction of major complications (bleeding and leak).
Patients and methods: prospective randomized study of a consecutive series of 126 patients that underwent LSG between April 20
The effect of heat treatment on the optical properties of the bulk heterojunction blend nickel (II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt and Tris (8-hydroxyquinolinato) Aluminum (NiPcTs/Alq3) thin films which prepared by spin coating was described in this study. The films coated on a glass substrate with speed of 1500 rpm for 1.5 min and treated with different annealing temperature (373, 423 and 473) K. The samples characterized using UV-Vis, X ray diffraction and Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra, XRD patterns indicated the presence of amorphous and polycrystalline blend (NiPcTs/Alq3). The results of UV visible shows that the band gap increase with increasing the annealing temperature up to 373 K and decreases with
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