Background Several studies have addressed the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), among Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in different countries, and the potential association between the infection and PD; the results of these studies were conflicting. The study aims to investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection among sample of Iraqi PD patients. Also, to examine the potential association of age, PD duration, gender, smoking habit, zone of residence and family history of PD, with the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in PD patients.

Patients and Methods Seventy-four PD patients attaining Dr. Saad Al-Witry Neuroscience Hospital in Baghdad/ Ir

Background: Swine influenza (also Called pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu) is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus (SIV) or S-OIV (Swine-Origin influenza virus) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs. Patients and Methods:- Ninety patients with there families suspected of swine flu who were admitted to Central Teaching Hospital of Pediatric in Baghdad seventy one from Baghdad Al-Kerkh, twelve from Baghdad Al-Rasafa and seven other Iraqi Governorate (1 in Suleimaniya, 2 in Baquba, 4 in Anbar) they were included in a prospective study started from the 1st October till the 30 th of November 2009. Results:- The study revealed from )90( suspected cases the H1N1 Virus Pos

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread infection usually caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) parasite. It occurs in humans and other warm blooded animals, causing severe problems. It was found that there is an alteration in the trace elements concentrations levels associated with some human diseases. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the concentrations of some trace elements (Mg, Fe , Zn, and Cu) in the sera of 60 immunocompetent patients with chronic toxoplasmosis and 82 healthy individuals as a control group. Measuring the serum level of seropositivity rate of anti-T. gondii antibodies was done by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Kit, while the concentrations of trace elements were measured by absorption spectrophotometry

The world seen rapid developments in the field of information technology within all life fields, particularly the educational field. Usually, we find the traditional educational methods lack a sense of realism and interaction. Solving this problem is by utilizing virtual reality technology to make actual practice present in the classroom. As an interactive technology, it provides students with an accessible, reliable environment that was previously unavailable and offered an opportunity for learning by practicing instead of teacher-centered learning and within a vision that does not look at the past but looks to the future. Virtual reality technology will change the nature of the relationship between the teacher and the student. Thus, the c

Background: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular disease characterized by bilateral stenosis starting at the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA), with the development of a collateral network of vessels. It is an established cause of stroke in the pediatric age group. Despite its increasing prevalence in various parts of the world, it remains largely underrecognized in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq. This is the first case of MMD in an Iraqi patient undergoing surgery. Case description: A 12-year-old boy presents with a 3-months history of progressive behavioural changes. MRI revealed diffuse infarcts of different ages. MRA and CT angiography revealed extensive asymmetrical steno-occlusive changes of t

Efficient cuttings transport and hole cleaning are very important factors for obtaining an effective drilling operation. In an inclined and horizontal drilling, hole cleaning issue is a common and complex problem.

   The scope of this research is to study the drilling parameters which affect hole cleaning in Iraqi directional wells through studying and analyzing some drilled wells ( vertical , directional (30 degree) , directional (60 degree) and horizontal ).An excel sheet is prepared to calculate carrying capacity index which represents an indicator for good hole cleaning in different sections. The study indicated through the field investigations, practical experiences and theoretical calculations tha

This research is a pragmatic study of political blame in British and Iraqi Parliaments. It aims to unfold the similarities and/or differences in terms of the pragmatic and pragma-rhetorical strategies used by British and Iraqi politicians when they exchange blame in both offensive and defensive situations. A statistical analysis is conducted to quantitatively support the findings of the pragmatic analysis. The analyses conducted have yielded different results among blame is a process composed of two stages. Each stage is distinct for its pragmatic components and pragma-rhetorical strategies. British and Iraqi MPs at the blame stage tend to utilize impoliteness as their main strategy. However, British and Iraqi MPs perform differently at the

The work in this research presents an experimental and a theoretical study to obtain the effect of using a low permeability geosynthetic material on the longitudinal and lateral coefficients of dispersion. This would have its effect on the contaminants migration through an isotropic, homogenous and saturated soil. The first stage of this research involves the study of the geosynthetic material and in calculating the longitudinal and lateral coefficients of dispersion for an Iraqi sandy soil by using an experimental set-up to simulate the processes. To investigate the effect of using a geosynethtic material on the dispersion coefficients, the test was conducted for each velocity that was used in the experimental work and as follows:  with

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 patien

Primary productivity and chlorophyll-a were used in this study to monitor the restoration process of southern Iraqi marshes (Al-Hewaizeh, central marshes, and Al-Hammar). The phytoplankton primary productivity was based on oxygen light/dark bottle method. Two different depths samples were taken monthly from six studied marshes stations (two stations for each marsh) during November 2005 to October 2006, while chlorophyll-a samples taken from surface water. The phytoplankton primary productivity values ranged 9.38 – 249.79 mg C/m3.hr for all marshes, its values for surface water sample ranged 11.71 – 256.24 mg C/m3.hr, while for 1m depth ranged 9.38 – 142.5 mg C/m3.hr. Chlorophyll-a values ranged between (1.1 – 21.26) µg/l indicating