Excess alcohol consumption is associated with numerous metabolic changes and homeostasis disturbances of many macro- and micro-elements in the body. It has been associated with multiple pathologies at all levels. In the digestive apparatus, alcohol has generally been related to its toxic effects upon the liver. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (α-1 AT or AAT) plays an important role in controlling inflammation, coagulation and repair mechanisms in the body and most α-1 AT in the body is produced by the liver; from the other hand, Intrinsic factor (IF), which is a glycoprotein produced by the parietal cells of the stomach is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine. This study was designed to assess serum levels of α-1 AT and anti-IF Abs (IgG) among heavy alcoholics to clarify the relationship between alcohol addiction and such liver and/or stomach disorders. Fifty-four consecutive alcohol-dependent males were enrolled as a target group and 30 age matched males were considerate as a control group. The level of alpha-1 antitrypsin (α-1 AT) and anti-intrinsic factor (IF) antibodies were investigated by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. We found from a total of 54 alcoholic patients that the mean age of patients is 37.5 years with a progressive increase in cases at third decade of age. They reported an average addiction period of more than 18 years. Most patients (93%) were currently smoking; and 18.5% were psychiatric; about 9% of them used to have co-addictions like heroin, valium and artin; another 9% had multiple sclerosis. We observed a non significant decrease of α-1 AT levels in alcoholics compared to control group (p>0.05), while there was a high significant increase in the level of anti-IF Abs in alcoholics, sera compared with control group (p<0.05). Furthermore; the serum level of α-1 AT and anti-IF Abs in alcoholic group are not related to age of starting consumption of alcohol. Specifically, we found no significant differences in the levels of α-1 AT and anti-IF Abs between those who start drinking prior to age 18 years (N=32), and after age 18 years (N=22) p>0.05. On the other hand; there is a statistically significant correlation between α-1 AT levels and the duration of alcohol consumption (p<0.05); similarly; theere was a highly significant correlation between the levels of anti-IF Abs and the duration of alcohol consumption was observed (p<0.05).The results suggest that Excess alcohol consumption is associated with numerous metabolic changes and homeostasis disturbancesof many macro- and micro-elements in the body. It has been associated with multiple pathologies at all levels.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a public health problem and many studies support the link between kidney dysfunction and cardiovascular events. Aldosterone has been shown for decades that a plasma aldosterone concentration is elevated in CKD. Whilst, Osteoprotegerin (OPG), after its capacity to protect bone, also osteoprotegerin is elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), where it could predict the deterioration of kidney function, cardiovascular, vascular events and all-cause mortality. On the other hand, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), in patients with CKD, its levels seem to increase progressively as kidney function worsens. The aim of the present study is to assess the correlations between serum osteoprotegerin
... Show More
(3)
Integrating Renewable Energy (RE) into Distribution Power Networks (DPNs) is a choice for efficient and sustainable electricity. Controlling the power factor of these sources is one of the techniques employed to manage the power loss of the grid. Capacitor banks have been employed to control phantom power, improving voltage and reducing power losses for several decades. The voltage sag and the significant power losses in the Iraqi DPN make it good evidence to be a case study proving the efficiency enhancement by adjusting the RE power factor. Therefore, this paper studies a part of the Iraqi network in a windy and sunny region, the Badra-Zurbatya-11 kV feeder, in the Wasit governorate. A substation of hybrid RE sources is connected to this
... Show More
(4)
(1)
Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) is among the most serious conditions characterized by an exacerbation of inflammatory response that can result from a persistent lung infection. Carvone is chiral monoterpenoid ketone present in the essential oils of dill, caraway, and spearmint. It shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects among others. In this study, the lung anti-inflammatory and protective effects and potential mechanism of action of carvone were investigated in ALI induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
(6)
(4)
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of major surgery on thyroid hormones and thyrotropin in patient undergoing major lower abdominal surgery. The study included fifty patients scheduled for elective major lower abdominal surgery, the serum levels of T3, T4 and TSH were determined one day preoperatively, intraoperative, one day postoperatively, two days postoperatively, and rT3 was determined one day preoperatively, and one day postoperatively. We observed that the levels of (T3, T4, TSH) increased significantly (P<0.05) intraoperatively, one day postoperatively the levels of T3 and T4 reduced significantly (P<0.05), while TSH reduced not significantly (P>0.05), and two days postoperatively T4 and TSH returned to increase si
... Show More
Background: Periodontal diseases are inflammatory diseases affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth. One of the leading environmental factors that are closely related not only to the risk but also to the prognosis of periodontitis is smoking. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of smoking on periodontal health status and to measure the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in smokers and nonsmokers chronic periodontitis patients, also it aimed to test the correlation between the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and the clinical periodontal parameters. Materials and Methods: Five milliliters samples of un-stimulated whole saliva and full-mouth clinical periodontal recordings (plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing,
... Show More
This study was conducted during the period 1/9/2014 – 1/2/2015 and aimed to identify the polymorphisms of IGF-1 gene in broiler chickens and their effects on some biochemical traits. A total of 300 one-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb500, n=150; Hubbard F-15, n=150) were evaluated in this study. Blood samples were individually collected from all birds for DNA extraction. PCR-RFLP method being used for determination the genotypes of IGF-1 gene which then correlated with biochemical traits studied. Cobb500 broilers with TT genotype had significantly (p˂0.05) higher serum triglycerides values than those of TC and CC genotypes. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly (p˂0.05) higher in Hubbard F-15 broilers with TT genotype than those
... Show MoreINFLUENCE OF SOME FACTOR ON SOMATIC EMBRYOS INDUCTION AND GERMINATION OF DATE PALM CV BARHI BY USING CELL SUSPENSION CULTURE TECHNIQUEe
INFLUENCE OF SOME FACTOR ON SOMATIC EMBRYOS INDUCTION AND GERMINATION OF DATE PALM BARHI C.V BY USING CELL SUSPENSION CULTURE TECHNIQUE