Forty-eight aborted women (Iraqi Arab Muslims) at the first trimester with a serological evidence of toxoplasmosis were investigated. Two age- and ethnic-matched control groups were included: 40 aborted women due to accidental events (Control I), and 40 unmarried (virgin) women (Control II). The subjects were evaluated for the following parameters: HLA-class I antigens (A, B and Cw), blood groups, total and differential counts of leukocytes, lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3+, CD4+ and CD20+ cells), phagocytosis of heat-killed yeast (phagocytic index and NBT index), and total serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) and complement components (C3 and C4). The HLA-A2 and -Cw8 antigens were significantly increased in the patients, while A3 antigen was significantly decreased. Blood group phenotypes in patients and controls also showed significant variations. The total and differential counts of leukocytes showed no significant differences between patients and controls, with the exception of lymphocytes, which showed a significant decreased count in the patients compared to control II. However, the lymphocyte subpopulations showed a significant increased percentage in patients. The phagocytic index was approximated in patients and controls, while NBT index was significantly decreased. Total serum level of IgG was significantly increased in the patients, while IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 levels did not maintain such variation.
Rice (Oryza sativa) is a fundamental food for the majority of world population. Cyclin Dependent Kinase -A (CDKA) accelerates transition through different stages of cell cycle and contributes in gametes formation. In the present investigation, a CDKA encoding gene along with the corresponding protein were characterized in O. sativa Indica Group, O. glaberrima, O. barthii, O. brachyantha, O. glumipatula, O. longistaminata, O. meridionalis, O. nivara, O. punctata and O. rufipogon using in silico analyses. The results reflected little variation in most species except O. longistaminata and O. brachyantha. Compared with the remaining species, O. longistaminata
... Show MoreA study was carried out to analysis of some heavy metals in nine different types of vinegar, belong to Grape, Apple, Synthetic White, Date, Hawthorn, Garlic, Cactus, Pomegranate and Ginger vinegar, which are locally available in Iraqi folk medicine markets. The concentrations of heavy metals in the studied samples including, Cr, Mg, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cd, Ni, Pb and Ag, were determining by using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. All data were subjected to statistical analysis by calculating accuracy, precision and correlation coefficient for each concentrations level. The results indicate that Ni was recorded the highest concentration in all studied samples except, Ginger and cactus vinegar, each one receded the highest concentration valu
... Show MoreDetergent is one of the pollutants that poses significant threats to ecological systems. Detergents can also dissolve in wastewater and negatively impact the efficiency of wastewater treatment facilities. They are used for a variety of functions, most notably hygiene, and are an integral aspect of human life. This means that there are a variety of routes by which detergent components can reach the environment. In this Study, twenty-three detergent samples from local markets in Baghdad. The aim of this study is to investigate the concentration of heavy metals Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr),Lead (Pb),Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) and Cadmium (Cd) in some detergents using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results of the concentration of heavy elemen
... Show MoreThe effect of the aqueous extract of fig (Ficus carica) fruit was studied by using different concentrations of this fruit (15, 20 and 25 mg/kg of body weight) on some hematological parameters (hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, white blood cell count and platelets count) in female rabbits. Twenty female rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (five animals in each group). Three groups were dosed with the concentrations mentioned above, while the last was administered with distilled water and considered as control group. These animals were orally dosed by aqueous extract using a micropipette. The results showed that there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume means for all
... Show MoreAn extensive survey of citrus leaf miner (CLM) , Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton parasites
and predators was conducted during 1998 and 1999 in citrus orchards and nursuries in
Baghdad, Diyala and Wasit .Five eulophid parasites were recorded for the first time on citrus
leaf miner larvae , prepupae and pupae viz. Cirrospilus sp, Pnigalio sp ., Ratzburgiola
incompleta , Tetrasticus sp. and, Neochrysocharis formosa . Parasitism rate was ranged from
15% to 63% Chrysopa carnea , Orius albidipennis , Amblyseius sp . Were observed as
predators on CLM .
This study aimed to evaluate good manufacturing practices in food safety of ten different restaurants in the Al-Karkh area of Baghdad, Iraq. Forty samples collected from were collected from knives, food cutting boards, tables, hands and nails workers in restaurants. In addition. 70 food handlers were selected. Through structured interviews, information on the checklist for Good Manufacturing Practices in Food Safety, Food handlers’ general checklist for good hygiene, and Personal Hygiene Checklist were collected. The overall viable bacterial count before Good Hygiene Practices was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the total bacterial counts after Good Hygiene Practices. The highest viable bacterial counts before Good Hygiene P
... Show MoreThe aim of this research to show the role of some enzymes in pathological mechanism of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease. Sixty patients with RA and matched number of apparently healthy volunteers were included in the study. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine Peroxy nitrite (ONOO), Nitric oxide (NO), Nitric oxide synthase activity (NOS) cycloxygenase-2 activity (COX-2), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum of both groups. Colorimetric assay kits were used to determine Iron. Rheumatoid factor (RF) was determined using Imuno-Latex kit. ONOO, NO levels, and NOS activity were significantly higher in the patients compared to the control group. Conversely, Iron level, SOD
... Show MoreAdenosine deaminase (ADA; Ec: 3.5.4.4), 5´- Nucleotidase (5´– NT; Ec: 3.1.3.5), and AMP – amino hydrolase (AMP – deaminase AMPDA; Ec: 3.5.4.6) activities were measured in sera of ovarian cancer patients before surgery, and after chemotherapy. The results indicated that ADA specific activity increased significantly (P<0.05), while 5´-NT and AMPDA specific activity decreased significantly (P<0.05) in ovarian cancer patients before surgery in comparison with those of their corresponding control women and benign tumors groups. When the activities of these enzymes were measured after chemotherapy, a significant decrease (P<0.05) in ADA activity, and a significant increase (P<0.05) in 5´- NT and AMPDA activities w
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