The influence of Toxoplasma gondii on some biochemical parameters has lately gained an increasing attention. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of some biochemical parameters in Toxoplasma positive and negative subjects. An analytical case–control study was achieved in Baghdad for the period from October 2018 until March 2019. Forty nine females participated in this study, with an age range of 18-55 years. The participants were separated into two groups, namely Toxoplasma positive subjects (n=21) and Toxoplasma negative subjects (n=28), based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Blood and serum samples were collected from all subjects to evaluate the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lip

Background: Cardiomyopathy (CM) is a cardiac muscle disorder that can lead to heart failure (HF). It has several phenotypes, including dilated, hypertrophic, and restricted. Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a crucial part in the development and advancement of CM. Objective: This study aimed to measure the concentration of certain cytokines [Interleukin- 1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α)] in the serum of Iraqi patients with CM. Materials and Methods: Sixty CM patients and 30 healthy individuals with age ranged from 40 to 70 years old were enrolled in this study through their presence at Iraqi Center for Heart Diseases, Ghazy Al-Hariri Hospital for Surgical Specialties in the Medical City in Baghdad. The st

The present study addresses adopting the organic and nutritious materials in dairy wastewater as media for cultivation of microalgae, which represent an important source of renewable energy. This study was carried out through cultivation of three types of microalgae; Chlorella sp., Synechococcus, and Anabaena. The results shows the success the cultivation of the Synechococcus and  Chlorella Sp, while the Anabaena microalgae were in low-growth level. The highest growth was in the Synechococcus farm, followed by Chlorella and Anabaena. However, the growth of Synechococcus required 10 days to achieve this increase that re

The current study presents an experimental investigation of heat transfer and flow characteristic for subcooled flow boiling of deionized water in the microchannel heat sink. The test section consisted of a single microchannel having 300μm wide nominal dimensions and 300μm height (hydraulic diameter of 300μm). The test section formed of oxygen-free copper with 72mm length and 12mm width. Experimental operation conditions spanned the heat flux (78-800) kW/m², mass flux (1700 and 2100) kg/m².s at 31˚C subcooled inlet temperature. The boiling heat transfer coefficient is measured and compared with existing correlations. Also, the experimental pressure drop is measured and compared with microscale p

The treatment of migraine headache targets the neurovascular mechanism and involves the use of serotonin receptor antagonists. Some of these drugs are used for the treatment of acute attacks; while others are effective as prophylactic measures to decrease the duration and frequency of attacks. Pizotifen, a 5-HT_A antagonist, is one of the prophylactic drugs for which the clinical use resulted in low outcomes in reducing migraine symptoms. Melatonin, a serotonin derived neurohormone, was reported to exert many functions like sleep induction, anti-inflammatory, neurovascular regulation, cytoprotection and modulation of neurotransmitter release.  In the view of the involvement of serotonin in the pathophysiology of migraine a

Background: Epithelial salivary gland tumours are relatively uncommon and constitute a wide spectrum of variable morphologic and biologic entities. The cell proliferation / death balance is most important in the development of salivary gland tumours. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of PCNA protein immunohistochemically and Bax mRNA gene using in situ hybridization techniques and to correlate between the clinicopathological features of salivary gland tumours with the expressions of PCNA protein and Bax mRNA. Materials and Methods: Forty nine formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of epithelial salivary gland tumours were used in this study. Haematoxylin and Eosin stain was used for reassessment of the histopath

Objectives: The current work aimed to reveal the impact of gentamicin on the fibronectin binding proteins (fnbp) gene expression and its relation to biofilm and agr type in Staphylococcus aureus. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 S. aureus isolates were enrolled in this study previously isolated from different specimens. Identification confirmation and methicillin resistance were achieved by amplification of 16SrRNA and mecA. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assay was employed to evaluate the agr typing. The gene expression of fnbA and fnbB genes was tested by real-time PCR technique. Minimum inhibitory concentration was estimated by micro broth dilution methodology. Microtiter plate method was performed to determine the a