Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a mycotoxin produced in some grains (mainly corn) by Fusarium species. Due to a structural similarity between FB1 and sphinganine, sphingolipids metabolism is inhibited. Such inhibition plays a critical role in cell to cell singling and structure of lipoprotein; therefore FB1 has been suggested to have a relationship with human and animal cancer. This research is planned to study the effect of FB1 on male mice at two doses (20 and 30 µg/ ml) on the expression of TGF-β1 and p16 in liver cells. Three groups of Swiss albino male mice; each group was orally administrated with FB1 toxin as the following: normal saline (control group); 20 and 30 µg/ ml. All groups were sacrificed after two weeks of oral manage

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most challenging tumors because of their relative inaccessibility and that their spread can occur without significant symptoms with few signs, but Radiotherapy (RT) has a role in treatment of it.
Objectives: To show that RT is still the modality of choice in the treatment of NPC, to study modes of presentations, commonest histopathological types and their percentages, to show differences in the sensitivities of these types to RT and to find out a 5 year survival rate(5YSR) and its relation with lymph node involvement.
Methods: This is a retrospective study of 44 patients with NPC who were treated with routine RT from 1988-2007 at the institute of radiology and nuclear medicin

Background: Assessment of function of the right side of the heart in cases of left ventricular dysfunction has been widely studied but the sensitive and specific echocardiographic parameter to be tested is still a matter of controversy. Right ventricular function is related to left ventricular function by ventricular independence so function of both should be assessed carefully. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of left ventricular systolic dysfunction on right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions and pulmonary pressure using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients (39 males and 21 females) with heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Background Type two diabetes (T2DM) is characterized by insufficient insulin production and secretion. Additionally, the body develops insulin resistance which affects 90–95% of diabetics. Complex cytokines, receptors, genetic pathways, and the immune system are involved in T2DM. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is one of the inflammatory cytokines associated with Type 2 diabetes. Environmental and genetic variables, including genetic polymorphisms, can increase T2DM risk and its consequences. Single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) are important risk factors for diabetes that can be used to find the disease early and treat it better. Objective This study aimed to determine the levels of IL-18 in the serum of Iraqi patients with Type 2 diabetes

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive disorder that affects cognitive brain functions and starts many years before its clinical manifestations. A biomarker that provides a quantitative measure of changes in the brain due to AD in the early stages would be useful for early diagnosis of AD, but this would involve dealing with large numbers of people because up to 50% of dementia sufferers do not receive formal diagnosis. Thus, there is a need for accurate, low-cost, and easy to use biomarkers that could be used to detect AD in its early stages. Potentially, electroencephalogram (EEG) based biomarkers can play a vital role in early diagnosis of AD as they can fulfill these needs. This is a cross-sectional study that aims to demon

Many people take protein supplements in an effort to gain muscle. However, there is some controversy as to whether this is really effective. There is evidence suggesting that consuming high level s of protein may in fact have negative side effects for health. The current study included 29 young Iraqi building muscles in two different groups (taken and not protein supplements) (age range=17-31 years), the cases were selected from family, friends, college students, and Gyms), from November 2014 to March 2015. A careful history was obtained from each volunteer including age, duration of sports, type of supplements, and family history of diseases. Some biochemical parameters like (glucose, urea, uric acid, creatinine, bilirubin, serum protei

The objective of this study is to demonstrate the corrosion behavior of dental alloys Co-Cr-Mo, Ni-Cr-Mo and Ti-Al-V in artificial saliva at pH=4 and 37oC enriched with ethyl alcohol at 8% percentage. The linear and cyclic polarizations were investigated by electrochemical measurements. Laser surface modification was achieved for the three dental alloys to improve corrosion resistance. The results show that corrosion resistance of Co-Cr-Mo and Ni-Cr-Mo alloys only were increased after laser treatment due to the fact that laser radiation has caused a smoother surface, in addition to the decrement in corrosion current densities (icorr) for Co-Cr-Mo and Ni-Cr-Mo alloys and the reverse scan in cyclic polarization became in the wider range of

The electrode in the microbial fuel cell has a significant effect on cell performance. The treatment of the electrode is a crucial step to make the electrode surface more habitable for bacteria growth, thus, increases the power production as well as waste treatment. In the current study, two graphite electrodes were treated by a microwave. The first electrode was treated with 100W microwave energy, while the second one was treated with 600W microwave energy. There is a significant enhancement in the surface of the graphite anode after the pretreatment process. The results show an increase in the power density from 10 mW/m² to 15 mW/m² with 100w treatment and to 13.47 mW/m² with 600w treatment. An organic

Evaluation of the Serum Level of Interleukin-6 in Patients Undergoing Surgical Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars, Hussain A Taher*, Salwan Y Bede