Organophosphorus insecticide and growth regulator namely Ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) are widely used as a ripening process accelerator and a cultivation duration inhibitor. Pomegranate extract (PPE) has recently been taken into consideration due to its pharmacological effects especially those associated with renal diseases. Thus, this study aims to investigate the possible protective effect of PPE against ethephon-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. In this study four groups of adult male rats were divided into control group, PPE 400 mg/kg group, Ethephon 250 mg/kg group, and finally, PPE + Ethephon group (treated with the same dose of PPE group and Ethephon group). In the current study, kidney function parameters (KIM-1, creatinine, and urea) along with oxidative stress markers, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione (GSH) and its correlated enzymes, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) were estimated. Additionally, mediators of renal inflammation: interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were measured. Apoptotic biomarkers (Bax, caspase 3, and Bcl2) in addition to renal histopathological data were also investigated. Results revealed that Ethephon elicited a significant increase in oxidation markers and reduced antioxidant levels, accompanied by oxidative renal tissue injury. Consequently, administration of Ethephon was reported to provoke secretion of the pro-inflammatory mediators. Moreover, histopathological results showed that deformities in the renal tissues were noticed which is attributed to Ethephon exposure. Interestingly, co-administration of PPE and Ethephon resulted in significantly ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological alterations produced by Ethephon. Current results propose the potential effect of PPE in the protection of renal tissue from Ethephon induced nephrotoxicity in rats.
The use of composite materials has vastly increased in recent years. Great interest is therefore developed in the damage detection of composites using non- destructive test methods. Several approaches have been applied to obtain information about the existence and location of the faults. This paper used the vibration response of a composite plate to detect and localize delamination defect based on the modal analysis. Experiments are conducted to validate the developed model. A two-dimensional finite element model for multi-layered composites with internal delamination is established. FEM program are built for plates under different boundary conditions. Natural frequencies and modal displacements of the intact and damaged
... Show MoreDirect measurements of drag force on two interacting particles arranged in the longitudinal direction for particle Reynolds numbers varying from J O to 103 are conducted using a micro-force measurement system. The effect of the interparticle distance and Reynolds number on the drag forces is examined. An empirical equation is obtained to describe the effect of the interparticle distance (l/d) on the dimensionless drag.
In this paper, we study, in details the derivation of the variational formulation corresponding to functional with deviating arguments corresponding to movable boundaries. Natural or transversility conditions are also derived, as well as, the Eulers equation. Example has been taken to explain how to apply natural boundary conditions to find extremal of this functional.
Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have been prepared using the electro-chemical
method. The experimental setup of this technique consist of two electrodes of pure
silver (99.2 %), the applied voltage on the electrodes is 20 V and the current through
the colloidal was about 0.4 Amp. The silver nanoparticles crystallization has been
studied; the crystalline structure appears Face center Cubic. The optical properties of
silver nanoparticles are strongly affected by the Local Surface Plasmon Resonance
(LSPR). The wavelength of maximum absorption band for an Ag NPs have a range
(~350nm-550nm).
The challenge in studying fusion reaction when the projectile is neutron or proton rich halo nuclei is the coupling mechanism between the elastic and the breakup channel, therefore the motivation from the present calculations is to estimate the best coupling parameter to introduce the effect of coupled-channels for the calculations of the total cross section of the fusion , the barrier distribution of the fusion and the average angular momentum 〈L〉 for the systems 6He+206Pb, 8B+28Si, 11Be+209Bi, 17F+208Pb, 6He+238U, 8He+197Au and 15C+232Th using quantum mechanical approach. A
... Show MoreMost below-knee prostheses are manufactured in Iraq without considering the fast progress in smart prostheses, which can offer movements in the desired directions according to the type of control system designed for this purpose. The proposed design appears to have the advantages of simplicity, affordability, better load distribution, suitability for subjects with transtibial amputation, and viability in countries with people having low socio-economic status. The designed prosthetics consisted of foot, ball, and socket joints, two stepper motors, a linkage system, and an EMG shield. All these materials were available in the local markets in Iraq. The experimental results showed t
... Show MoreThere are several methods that are used to solve the traditional transportation problems whose units of supply, demand quantities, and cost transportation are known exactly. These methods obtain basic solution, and develop it to the best solution through a series of consecutive calculations to obtain the optimal solution.
The steps are more complex with fuzzy variables, so this paper presents the disadvantages of solutions of the traditional ways with existence of variables in the fuzzy form.
This paper also presents a comparison between the results that emerged after using different conversion ranking formulas to convert from fuzzy form to crisp form on the same numerical example with a full fuzz
A morphotectonic analysis is conducted on Shatt Al-Arab drainage basin. This study aims to analysis of the river patterns of Shatt Al-Arab channel and their relationship with the development of subsurface geological structures and the neotectonic activity, as well as an attempt to determine the relative amount to this activity.
Transverse river profile analysis is derived quantifiable and comparable parameters such as neotectonic index (Eh*Ln), Eh, Ch, and Bs. These parameters are useful to detect the morphotectonic indicators of Shatt Al-Arab basin. The analysis showed the role of the subsurface structures that affecting the river cross sections shape, through channel incision, as in (Dair and NuhrUmr) cross sections, while in the ot