It was aimed to understand the interleukin-4 (IL-4) role in etio-pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Two approaches were adopted. In the first one, a quantitative expression of IL4 gene was assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and such findings were correlated with some demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters, which included gender, duration of disease, disease activity score (DAS-28), rheumatoid factors (RFs), C-reactive protein (CRP) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP) antibodies. In the second approach, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IL4 gene (rs2243250) was inspected by DNA sequencing using specific primers. Fifty-one Iraqi RA patients (22 males and 29 fem

The current study aimed to detect the effect of gentamicin stress on the expression of hla (encodes hemolysin) and nuc (encodes nuclease) genes of Staphylococcus aureus. Fifty-eight isolates identified as S. aureus were isolated locally from different clinical specimens. Disk diffusion method was used to detect the resistance to S. aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of gentamicin was estimated by broth microdilution method. hla and nuc genes were determined by polymerase chain reaction technique. The biofilm was evaluated using the microtiter plate method in the presence and absence of gentamicin at sub-MIC. The results showed that 18 (31%) and 40 (69%) S. aureus isolates were sensitive and resistant to gentamicin, respectiv

Fifteen local isolates of Pseudomonas were obtained from several sources such as soil, water and some high-fat foods (Meat, olives, coconuts, etc.). The ability of isolates to produce lipase was measured by the size of clear zone on Tween 20 solid medium and by measuring the enzymatic activity and specific activity. Isolate M3 (as named in this study) was found to be the most efficient for the production of the lipase with enzymatic activity reached 56.6 U/ml and specific activity of 305.94 U/mg. This isolate was identified through genetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. and it was shown that the isolate M3 belongs to Pseudomonas aeruginosa with 99% similarity. The DNA of isolate M3 was extracted and lipase gene was amplified through PCR tec

     Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces an extracellular biofilm matrix that consists of nucleic acids, exopolysaccharides, lipid vesicles, and proteins. Alginate, Psl and Pel are three exopolysaccharides that constitute the main components in biofilm matrix, with many biological functions attributed to them, especially concerning the protection of the bacterial cell from antimicrobial agents and immune responses. A total of 25 gentamicin-resistant P. aeruginosa selected isolates were enrolled in this study. Biofilm development was observed in 96% of the isolates. In addition, the present results clarified the presence of pelA and pslA in all the studied isolates. The expression of these genes was very low. Even though all biof

Two years field experiment was carried out at Agricultural Fields, College of Agriculture, Baghdad University, Al-Jadriya during 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 to determine the effect of salinity of irrigation water on growth and grain yield of three oat cultivars. The experiments were laid out according to randomized complete blocks design having split plot arrangements with two factors; first factor included three oat cultivars (Shifaa, Hamel and Pimula) while the second factor included three levels of salinity of irrigation water (3, 6 and 9 dS.m-1 ) in addition to the control (river water with salinity level of 1.164 dS.m-1 ) with three replicates. Results revealed a significant effect of salinity of irrigation water on all studied traits. Mea

Spray pyrolysis technique was used to make Carbon60-Zinc oxide (C60-ZnO) thin films, and chemical, structural, antibacterial, and optical characterizations regarding such nanocomposite have been done prior to and following treatment. Fullerene peaks in C60-ZnO thin films are identical and appear at the same angles. Following the treatment of the plasma, the existence regarding fullerene peaks in the thin films investigated suggests that the crystallographic quality related to C60-ZnO thin films has enhanced. Following plasma treatment, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images regarding a C60-ZnO thin film indicate that both zinc oxide and fullerene particles had shrunk in the size and have an even distribution. In addition

Background: preparation of root canals is an important step in root canal treatment. Mechanical instrumentation of root canals cause an irregular layer of debris, known as the smear layer. As a result, several studies reported that preferring the removal of the smear layer. Objective: To study the influence of the energy (100 mJ) of Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser at short pulse duration (60 μs)  on smear layer removal of apical third after using Photon induced photoacoustic streaming technique. Materials and methods: Eighteen straight single-rooted mandibular premolars were used. The roots length were uniform to 14mm from the anatomic apex and

The present work intends to study of dc glow discharge were generated between pin (cathode) and a plate (anode) in Ar gas is performed using COMSOL were used to study electric field distribution along the axis of the discharge and also the distribution of electron density and electron temperature at constant pressure (P=.0.0mbar) and inter electrode distance (d=4 cm) at different applied voltage for both pin cathode system and plate anode and comparison with experimental results.

This study has been performed to study the inhibitory effects of crude plant extracts of Bay (laurus nobilis) leaves against some bacterial isolates represented by Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermids, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa in vitro. The results showed that percentages of essential chemical of laurus nobilis leaves which represented by moisture, total oil, total ash, crude protein, crude fibers, carbohydrites and caloric values in dry weight are 5.96, 4.28, 14.2, 8.75, 24.8, 76.99%, and 284.92 kcal/100g respectively, the percentages of some major and minor mineral elements of laurus nobilis leaves powder which represented by Mg, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cd and As, are: 0.211, 0.1