The Growth Differentiation Factor -15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily. İt represents an example of the stress response cytokines. It's mostly found in cardiac myocytes, adipocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, and vascular endothelial cells, whether they're generated normally or not. GDF-15 levels have increased and are associated with cardiovascular risk. Aim of the study: To investigate the correlation between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) with the level of plasma GDF-15 in a group of hypertensive patients. Materials and methods: A case-control study involved 90 individuals, 60 hypertensive patients (36 on ACE inhibitors and 24 on ARBs)

This study estimated seven heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Cr) in water (dissolved and particulate phase), sediments and some aquatic organisms including two species from aquatic plants (Ceratophyllum demersum&Phragmites australis); one species of clam (Psedontopeses euphratics) and two species from fish (Oreochromis aureus& Leuciscus vorax)in four sites within Mashroo AL- Musayyib channel project/ branch  of Euphrates river, Babylon , medial of Iraq . This aims to show the concentration of these elements, their fate and the mechanisms of their transmission through the food chain in this lotic aquatic system ; also in addition to examining  some physicochemical properties of ri

The impact of exposure to different sizes of particulate matter (PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₇, and PM₁₀) was evaluated in  Babylon concrete plant workers who had been exposed to concrete dust for at least 10 years.  The effects of  these particles on the hematological parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and  antioxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathione peroxidase ) were examined. The results exhibited that the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 were higher than the acceptable limits approved by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The blood parameters, namely white blood cells (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and platelets counts, demonstrated non-significant differences between w

     Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles (CeO₂ NPs) and β-carotene are natural-source products that have recently gained an increased interest as pharmaceutical additives because of their effectiveness in living systems, but the behavior of these substances varies according to factors and conditions. The above mentioned materials were evaluated in breast normal (HBL-100) and cancer cell lines (CAL-51 and MCF-7 ) by  different techniques ; MTT assay for studying cytotoxic effects, morphological changes, sqPCR, including gene expression of caspases 8 and 9, and P53. All experiments were conducted on cell lines by the use of the materials alone as well as their combination.                              

The present study was directed to determine the effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on the weights of the testes and epididymides and the characteristics of sperm in male albino mice. Animals were orally dosed with 200 mg/kg of Ag NPs for 5,10,15 days and then during the day following the end of dosage period all animals were sacrificed, then the testes and epididymes (head and tail) were isolated and after their weights measured. Then we studied the percentage of vitality and sperm abnormalities and calculate the concentration of sperm in the testes and epididymides. The results of this study after comparing it with the control showed a statistical decrease (P<0.05) in the weights of testes and tunica albuginea for the three peri

Background: There are many congenital anomalies associated with cleft lip and/or palate. This research is to study the prevalence of congenitally missing teeth and supernumerary teeth in this population group. Materials and Method: One hundred eight cleft lip and/or palate Iraqi patients had participated in this study (57 male, 51 female), 3-12 years of age. 26 of them had orthopantomogram were within (6-12) years of age were inspected for congenitally missing teeth and supernumerary teeth. Patients whom age range 3-5 years were checked for the congenitally missing teeth by clinical examination with strongly insisting the teeth were not missed due to caries or trauma. Results: There were 19(73.076%) patients with 41 congenitally missing tee