The current study aims to investigate the relationship between lipid peroxidation, represented by seminal malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and integrity of sperm plasma membrane, represented by the hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test score, in infertile men. One hundred and twenty Iraqi men (20 fertile and 100 infertile) shared in this study during their attendance to the High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies/Al- Nahrain University. The mean age of the fertile men was (30.46±0.78) years while the mean age of infertile men was (32.58±0.64) years with the duration of infertility (5.36±0.33) years. Semen samples were collected and the parameters of seminal fluid analysis were assessed; also, the HOS test score and seminal MDA level were determined. The results showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm grade activity (progressive sperm motility and non-progressive sperm motility), total progressive sperm and normal sperm morphology with a significant (P<0.05) increase in sperm agglutination and round cells count in the infertile group compared with the fertile group. The percentage of sperm HOS test score in the infertile men was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that in the fertile men while seminal MDA level in the infertile men was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the fertile men. Also, the results revealed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.48, P<0.05) between HOS test score and seminal MDA level in the infertile men. In conclusion, increased seminal MDA levels together with poor response of spermatozoa to hypo-osmotic stress in infertile men could represent the pathological impact of lipid peroxidation on the spermatozoa membrane and consequently on sperm function and quality. Lipid peroxidation may alter sperm membrane functional intergrity adversely and contribute to abnormal sperm function.
To maintain a sustained competitive position in the contemporary environment of knowledge economy, organizations as an open social systems must have an ability to learn and know how to adapt to rapid changes in a proper fashion so that organizational objectives will be achieved efficiently and effectively. A multilevel approach is adopted proposing that organizational learning suffers from the lack of interest about the strategic competitive performance of the organization. This remains implicit almost in all models of organizational learning and there is little focus on how learning organizations achieve sustainable competitive advantage . A dynamic model that captures t
... Show MoreAround fifty isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi were isolated from blood specimens of patients referring to several hospitals in Kirkuk province, Iraq. The results revealed that all isolates developed resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol. However, neither sul2 nor tem genes were detected. Moreover, only ten isolates were positive for catP. Our data suggested participation of other genes or mechanisms allow these multidrug isolates to resist the antibiotics in question.
This study aims at describing the identity crisis of Diaspora people (Arab -American) in "Laila Halaby's" novel "Once in A promise Land". Halaby tackles the issues of racism, exclusion, and instability of identity that affect the Arab American community after the terrorist event of eleventh of September. She sheds light on the experiences of her significant characters Salwa and Jassim in America, clarifying how this event weakened their social position and turns their presence in America questionable. "Halaby" describes the bitterness of her characters who are induced into a dream of belonging to a land that transcends their original culture and religious values as well as their language. "Halaby" explains the subsistence in America involvi
... Show MoreMuseum education is of great importance to an appropriate representation of museums’ collections and exhibits, including traditional fashion. Therefore, museum educators/curators need to be equipped with the most essential skills in their profession in order to adequately present the museum’s history and holdings. This could be achieved through specialized training programs. However, Arab countries are still behind in terms of museum education. Therefore, this article aims to shed light on this issue by assessing the knowledge and skills possessed by museum educators/curators and how training programs could affect them
This study was carried out to determine the heavy metal accumulation of Juncus rigidus Desfontaines, 1798 from three different regions of the Basrah Province in Southern of Iraq. Specifically, the concentrations of lead, nickel, and cadmium were determined in the roots, culms and leaves of the plant. The results indicated that the highest accumulation of the heavy metal was recorded in lead (Pb) 12.50± 3.58 mg kg-1and then in nickel (< 0.30). The lowest value was recorded for cadmium (< 0.05). As well, lead concentrations in J. rigidus varied in different locations and parts of the plant from undetectable in control to 12.66, 19.33, and 9.80 mg kg-1 in leaves, culm, and roots respective
... Show MoreStandards play a vital role in documenting the values of new test results in the form of tables. They are one of the basic requirements that the standardization process aims for as a complement to standardizing test procedures, and contribute to knowing the current reality of the student. The degree of readiness and level as a result of practicing different exercises for sports activities, in addition to the possibility of adopting it for comparison with his group or similar groups, classification, prediction and selection. Developing the skill of handling the football in the educational field is an important matter for achieving distinguished performance among students. This skill requires a level of accuracy, speed and control, and
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