Q fever is an infectious disease of animals and humans, caused by globally distributed C. burnetii. In Iraq, there are no previous studies associated with the detection of the organism in cattle. An overall of 130 lactating cows were submitted to direct collection of milk samples. Initially, the samples of milk were tested using the molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting three genes (16S rRNA, IS1111a transposase, and htpB). However, positive results (18.46%; 24/130) were detected only with the 16s rRNA gene. Concerning risk factors, the highest prevalence of C. burnetii was showed in the district of Badra (42.86%), whereas the lowest - in Al-Numaniyah and Al-Suwaira districts (P=0.025). There was no significant variation in positivity between the months of sampling period (P=0.082) and between age groups (P=0.076). Crossbred cows (20.69%) showed a higher positivity than local and pure breeds (P=0.043). Milk of positive samples (n=24) was used for cultivation of C. burnetii into specific pathogen free-embryonated chicken eggs (SPF-ECEs). After three passages into SPF-ECEs, contents of yolk sac were collected, subjected for DNA extraction, and re-tested by PCR assay using the primer of 16s rRNA gene only. Of 24 cultivated milk samples, 12.5% (3/24) were positive for C. burnetii. Finally, the positive local isolates were analysed phylogenetically and reported in NCBI-Genbank under the accession numbers of MN121700.1, MN121701.1, and MN121702.1. In conclusion, this is a unique study as it detected C. burnetii in Iraqi lactating cows, and confirmed that organism was shed actively through milk, suggesting that these animals can play a role as a reservoir for organism with potential risk for transmission of infection from these animals to humans as well as to other animal species.
In this work the fabrication and characterization of poly(3-hexylthiophene) P3HT-metallic nanoparticles (Ag, Al). Pulsed Laser Ablation (PLA) technique was used to synthesis the nanoparticles in liquid. The Fourier Transformer Infrared (FTIR) for all samples indicate the chemical interaction between the polymer and the nanoparticles. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) analysis showed the particle size for P3HT-AgNps samples between 44.50 nanometers as well the spherical structure. While for P3HT-AlNps samples was flakes shape. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra show the existing of amount of metallic nanoparticles.
The research aims to identify the effect of applying administrative decentralization to an educational performance by assessing educational performance before and after the process of transferring powers from the federal government (the Iraqi Ministry of Education) to local governments (governorates) as well as identifying the appropriate central or decentralized administrative system to advance the educational reality and performance. To achieve the goal of the research, educational data was collected and analyzed, as well as the measurement of educational performance indicators and analysis during two phases, the first represents the stage of applying the central system and spanned between the academic year (2011-2012) and the
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Gold nanoparticles AuNPs have proven to be powerful tools in various nanomedicine applications, because of their photo-optical distinctiveness and biocompatibility. Noble metal gold nanoparticles was prepared by pulsed laser ablation method (1064-Nd: YAG with various Laser power from 200 to 800 mJ and 1 Hz frequency) in distil water. The process was characterized using UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy. Morphology and average size of nanoparticles were estimated using AFM and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis which show the nature of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Antibacterial activity of gold nanoparticles as a function of particles concentration against gram negative bacterium Escherichia coli and gram positive bacterial Staphylococcus aureu
... Show MoreThe aim of the present study was to characterize the Iraqi Tribulus terrestris for the presence of biologically active phyto-chemicals using methanolic extracts of the plant (aerial parts) by Gas Chromatography –Mass spectrometry (GC/MS), while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extract was matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library , in addition to study the antioxidant activity of plant extract , results confirmed the presence of therapeutically potent compounds in the Iraqi Tribulus terrestris extract predominantly alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids. Antioxidant potential of Iraqi Tribulus terrestris
... Show MoreAnise and thyme crude extract were used to prepare a lotion for topical application due to their antimicrobial, germicidal and antifungal effects. Two formulas were prepared using the mentioned natural plants, formula 2 (selected lotion) was the most acceptable one which contained veegum and xanthan gum as suspending agents in addition to other exceipients providing it good properties with high physical stability because of its flocculating, pouring, resuspending easily with sedimentation volume (F) 0.96. In addition to unchangeable odor and color with expiration date of one year. While the Preliminary clinical study was done using this lotion on 10 patients with infecious viral skin diseases, it was found that this lotion was successful
... Show MoreAnimal fats are a good, promising and ethical alternative source for biodiesel production, but they need more complex treatments than vegetable oils. Iraqi butchery plants waste fats (sheep fat) which are suggested as feedstock to produce biodiesel. This type of fat contains a large quantity of free fatty acids (FFAs) (acid number 49.13 mg KOH/g of fat). The direct transesterification of such fats produce high amount of soap instead of desired biodiesel, so a pre-treatment step (to reduce FFAs) is necessary before transesterification. This step was done by esterification of the free fatty acids in the fat by adding ethanol and using 1% acid catalyst (H2SO4) for 30 minutes. The results showed that the acid number of sheep fat after pre-tr
... Show MoreIn this research work, the novel polymer base on acrylamide N-methylene lactic and glycolic acid was synthesized and its structural performances were identified by the IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic investigations. The influencing factors and kinetics of polymerization, viscosity performance were studied and quantum chemical calculations were used to identify the correlation between the structure and properties. It was determined that the polymerization rate of the examined monomers in an aqueous solution, in the presence of DAA, adheres to the standard rules for radical polymerization of acrylamide monomers in solution. An investigation into the pH solution's impact on the kinetics of radical polymerization of acrylamido-N-methyle
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