Anti-Toxoplasma gondii seropositive status among obese and diabetic patients has recently attracted substantial attention. The objective of this study was to assess the seropositive rate of T. gondii and its relation to high body mass index (BMI), diabetes, and metabolic syndrome among participants (n=100) who attended Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital, Baghdad-Iraq. An observational analytical study was conducted from October 2019 to March 2020. Participants were divided into three groups based on their BMI; obese (n=38), overweight (n=32) and normal (n=30). In addition, they were divided into diabetic (n=45) and non-diabetic (n=55) based on clinical examination, laboratory examination, and medical interview. Another classification was considered: Obese-diabetic (n=24), obese- non-diabetic (n=14), overweight-diabetic (n=13), overweight non-diabetic (n=19), normal-diabetic (n=8) and normal-nondiabetic (n=28). Finally, participants were divided into metabolic syndrome-positive (n=64) and metabolic syndrome negative (n=36). Serum samples were taken from all participants and examined for the detection of anti-T.gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. The anti T.gondii IgG positive rate was higher in the “overweight” compared to the “obese” and “normal BMI” groups. No significant differences (P=0.22) in seropositive rate were indicated among groups. The results also showed that there was no significant difference (P=0.84) in anti-T. gondii IgG positive rate between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. While the anti T.gondii IgG was significantly (P=0.03) higher in patients with metabolic syndrome as opposed to those with no metabolic syndrome. The results also showed that normal-diabetic and overweigh-diabetic patients had the highest anti-T.gondii IgG positive rate, although no significant differences were noticed among groups. Some other parameters were also examined for the participants, including abdominal obesity, cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), glucose and glycated haemoglobin. Significant differences were noticed only for abdominal obesity and HDL (P˂0.05) between anti T.gondii IgG positive cases and anti T.gondii IgG negative cases. Other factors did not show significant differences between these two groups. Finally, this study showed that T. gondii seropositive status played a significant role in changing only HDL level while other parameters of lipid profile were not influenced by T.gondii seropositivity among obese, diabetic patients and metabolic syndrome patients.
A new, simple and sensitive method was used forevaluation of propranolol withphosphotungstic acidto prove the efficiency, reliability and repeatability of the long distance chasing photometer (NAG-ADF-300-2) using continuous flow injection analysis. The method is based on reaction between propranolol and phosphotungstic acid in an aqueous medium to obtain a yellow precipitate. Optimum parameters was studied to increase the sensitivity for developed method. A linear range for calibration graph was 0.007-13 mmol/L for cell A and 5-15 mmol/L for cell B, and LOD 207.4792 ng/160 µL and 1.2449 µg/160 µL respectively to cell A and cell B with correlation coefficient (r) 0.9988 for cell A, 0.9996 for cell B, RSD% was lower than 1%, (n=8) for the
... Show MoreLead-free 0.88(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3–0.084(K0.5Bi0.5)TiO3–0.036BaTiO3 (BNT–BKT–BT) piezoelectric ceramics were prepared using the conventional mixed-oxide method with a sintering temperature range of 1120–1200 °C. The effect of the sintering temperature on the crystal structure, microstructure, and densification, as well as the dielectrics, piezoelectrics, and the pyroelectric properties of BNT–BKT–BT ceramics were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to study the microstructures of the sintered samples. The results showed that the increase in sintering temperature was very effective in improving both the density and electrical properties. However, the samples deteriorated when the sintering te
... Show MoreDuring the period from September 1999 till August 2000, a
tota l of 194 catfish Silurus triostegus were collected from Garmat Ali river, orth of Basrah city. Heavy infestation with Ergasilus ogawai was recorded on the gills of S. triostegus with an incidence of infection approaching 98.9% while the average intensity of infection was 417. The highest intensity recorded was 1985.
The size of parasites and the shape of its cephalothorax and ovaries changed according to the age. The monthly observations on egg production indicated multibree
... Show MoreThe change in the optical band gap and optical activation energy have been investigated for pure Poly (vinyl alcohol)and Poly (vinyl alcohol) doped with Aluminum sulphate to proper films from their optical absorption spectra. The absorption spectra were measured in the wave range from (200-700) nm at temperature range (25-140) 0C. The optical band gap (Eg) for allowed direct transition decrease with increase the concentration of Aluminum sulphate. The optical activation energy for allowed direct transition band gap was evaluated using Urbach- edges method. It was found that ?E increases with increasing the concentration of Al2 (SO4)3 and decreases when temperature increases.
The performance of a synergistic combination of electrocoagulation (EC) and electro-oxidation (EO) for oilfield wastewater treatment has been studied. The effect of operative variables such as current density, pH, and electrolyte concentration on the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was studied and optimized based on Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results showed that the current density had the highest impact on the COD removal with a contribution of 64.07% while pH, NaCl addition and other interactions affects account for only 34.67%. The optimized operating parameters were a current density of 26.77 mA/cm2 and a pH of 7.6 with no addition of NaCl which results in a COD removal efficiency of 93.43% and a specific energy c
... Show MoreIn this article four samples of HgBa2Ca2Cu2.4Ag0.6O8+δ were prepared and irradiated with different doses of gamma radiation 6, 8 and 10 Mrad. The effects of gamma irradiation on structure of HgBa2Ca2Cu2.4Ag0.6O8+δ samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction. It was concluded that there effect on structure by gamma irradiation. Scherrer, crystallization, and Williamson equations were applied based on the X-ray diffraction diagram and for all gamma doses, to calculate crystal size, strain, and degree of crystallinity. I
... Show MoreToxoplasmosis is an infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii that leads to abortion or hydrocephalus during pregnancy.One hundered and twenty two aborted women were selected for this study. Serum samples were collected form Al-Kadhmia and Kamal Al-Samari Hospitals,and laboratories around Baghdad, and tested for specific IgG and IgM anti-toxoplasma antibodies to confirm toxoplasmosis in those women by using ELISA test.The result recorded that 51(41.8%) women had antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, 25(59.5%) women were positive for IgG, and 17(40.5%) women were positive forIgM, while 9(17.6%)women were positive for both.