This study evaluated the functional response of the larva of the predator Chrysoperla carnea by offering varying densities of cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) . Results showed conformity with type–II functional response, where the number of prey killed approaches asymptote hyperbolically as prey density increases (declining proportion of prey killed or the inverse density dependent) till it reached the stability stage determined by handling time and predator satiation. Also, the values of attack rate and handling time changed with age progress for both predator and prey. It has been observed an increase in the attack rate and reduction in handling time with the progress of the predator age when feeding on a particular nymphal in

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common disease especially among young children (before school age) and it is one of the common causes of acquired hearing loss in childhood. Pediatric patients with OME are usually undernourished. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the serum levels of trace elements (zinc, copper, magnesium, iron) have a role in the development of OME in children. This study carried out on 55 children and subdivided them into two groups. Group 1 (patient group) consist of 30 children suffering from OME and group 2 (control group) included 25 apparently healthy children. Serum levels of zinc, copper, magnesium and iron were measured for both groups. Comparison the results between the two groups showed t

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) also known under local names like (tropical sore, oriental sore and Baghdad sore) is the most common form of leishmaniasis. It is a public health and a social problem in many developing countries. The Old World disease primarily is caused by Leishmania major in dry desert areas and Leishmania tropica in urban areas. Recently, metal oxide nanoparticales have been versatile platforms for biomedical applications and therapeutic interventions. There is an urgent need to develop new types of antileishmanial agents instead of classical drug (pentostam), especially, when its efficacy showed a decline towards some strains of Leishmania. Therefore, the present work was aimed to evaluating antileishmanial activity of z

Background: The potential use of zinc oxide and other metal oxide nanoparticles in biomedical are gaining interest in the scientific and medical communities, largely due to the physical and chemical properties of these nanomaterials. The present work revealed the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on the total salivary peroxidase enzyme activity of human saliva in comparison to de-ionized water. Materials and methods: Forty eight unstimulated saliva samples were collected from dental students/University of Baghdad 18-22 years. Then measure the total salivary peroxidase activity first without any addition to human saliva as a control, second with dilution the saliva with de-ionized water, and third with zinc oxide nanoparticles in c

     A widespread variety of toxicants modify miRNAs profiles in target tissues. Five rat treatment groups were selected for this study, each consisting of five animals and an additional one left untreated used as a control. Administration of the carcinogen 4-Nitroquinoline (4-NQO) lasted for 5 months with four weeks intervals separating the successive groups. When the carcinogen intake period ended, the animals were euthanized and renal tissue was collected for both histopathological and molecular investigations. The results showed no significant difference (p=0.65) between the animal groups that showed kidney tissue toxicity and those that did not. Conversely, a statistically significant difference emerged if the m

The current study was conducted to find out the effect of zinc (Zn) on the liver tissue of adult male white mouse, Mus musculus at concentrations (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) and for (30) days.(30) mice were used, divided into three groups of (10) mice, represented by control group, group of (50) mg/kg/day and (100) mg/kg/day. Histopathological changes appeared in the liver of male mice treated with zinc in concentration (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) for 30 days, including deformation and damage to Glisson's capsule, epithelial separation of capsule, in addition to cellular changes represented by hypertrophy of hepatocytes, as seen a swelling necrosis, hypertrophy of nuclei, thickening and degeneration in some hepatocytes, as well as the observed scatte

The experiment field was carried out during spring season of 2006 on experimental farm of Field Crop Science Department College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad, to study the effect of foliar applications of Ethephon, Boron and Zinc on the number of vascular bundles in stem and some characteristics of xylem- in sunflower hybrid (ZahratilIraq).
By using the Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Eight treatment were used: control treatment (with water spray only), Ethephon (0.480 kg.a.i/ha), Boron (200 g/L), Zinc (50 mg/L) and the interaction between them. The results revealed significant anatomical changes in disc peduncles of plants caused by the foliar applications of Ethephon, Boron, and Zinc treatments. Bor