The cyanobacterial neurotoxinβ-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is considered to be an “excitotoxin,” and its suggested mechanism of action is killing neurons. Long-term exposure to L-BMAA is believed to lead to neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Objectives of this study were to determine the presumptive median lethal dose (LD₅₀), the Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (LOAEL), and histopathologic lesions caused by the naturally occurring BMAA isomer, L-BMAA, in mice. Seventy NIH Swiss Outbred mice (35 male and 35 female) were used. Treatment group mice

Molar conductance (Λ) of ionizable side chains amino acids, lysine (Lys) and arginine (Arg) with dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) in water and in NaCl solutions was measured at temperatures range 298 K to 313 K. The limited molar conductance (Λo) and the constant of the ions association (KA) are calculated using the Shedlovsky techniques. The dynamic radius of the concerned ion (R) is calculated by used Stokes–Einstein relation. The heat of association, the Gibbs free energy, the change of entropy and activation energy (ΔHo/ kJ mol-1, ΔGo/ kJ mol-1, ΔSo/J K-1 mol-1, and ΔES/ kJ mol-1) respectively), also calculated. The data show increases the molar conductance with increas

Leucine amino peptidases (LAP; EC 3.4.11.1) constitute a diverse set of exopeptidases that catalyze the hydrolysis of leucine residues from the amino-terminal of protein or peptide substrates, (LAP) are present in animals, plants, and microbes. In this study, leucine amino peptidase was purified partial from Arachis hypogaea seeds by using gel filtration chromatography Sephadex G-100. The enzyme was purified 3.965 fold with a recovery of 29.4%. Its pH and temperature optimum were(8.7) and (37oC), respectively. The results show novel properties of LAP from Arachis hypogaea L. or peanut. The Km value for LAP (77 mM), with V max (1538 m mole min-1). We recommend a separate isoenzymeof the enzyme (LAP) from Arachis hypogaea on L. peanut seeds a

The Nahr Umr Formation, one of the most important Cretaceous formations and one of the main generating reservoirs in southern Iraq and neighboring regions, was chosen to study and estimate its petrophysical properties using core plugs, lithofacies, and well logs from five wells in the Noor oilfield. Reservoir properties and facies analyses are used to divide the Nahr Umr formation into two-member (limestone in the upper part and main sandstone in the lower). Limestone members are characterized by low reservoir properties related to low effective porosity and permeability while the main sandstone member is considered as a reservoir. Four lithofacies were recognized in the main sandstone member of the Nahr Umr Formation according to petrog

Background:No previous Iraqi study was done on the estimation of post mortem interval (PMI) from the medico-legal point of view; depending on the biochemical changes of vitreous humor.Objectives:To find out the relationship between some biochemical changes in vitreous humor and post mortem interval.To find out a new formula for estimation of PMI from some biochemical changes in vitreous humor.Method:The study was conducted on one hundred twenty two cases referred to the medico-legal institute in Sulaimani province during the period between 1st of February and 30th of July 2012.Complete classical autopsy was performed for each case and vitreous humor was collected at autopsy from the posterior chamber of the eye and the samples after coll

     This paper proposed several approaches for estimating the optical turbulence of the Earth’s atmosphere and their effect on solar images’ resolution using ground-based telescopes based on von Kárman, Kolmogorov, and modified von Kárman PSDs models. The results showed a strong correlation coefficient for the modified von Kármán model of atmospheric representation. As can be seen in the case where solar adaptive optics have been properly designed, they typically decrease aberration considerably and provide greatly improved imagery.

Electricity consumption for household purposes in urban areas widely affects the general urban consumption compared to other commercial and industrial uses, as household electricity consumption is affected by many factors related to the physical aspects of the residential area such as temperature, housing unit area, and coverage ratio, as well as social and economic factors such as family size and income, to reach the extent of the influence of each of the above factors on the amount of electricity consumed for residential uses, a selected sample of a residential area in the city of Baghdad was studied and a field survey conducted of the characteristics of that sample and the results analyzed and modeled statistically in relation to the amo

Visceral leishmaniasis(VL) or kala-azar is one of the world most neglected tropical diseases in mortality and fourth in morbidity, rK39 dipstick was used to diagnose the suspected infected patients as easiest and rapid technique for VL diagnostic, the disease out-coming required to the differentiation of cell mediated immunity either T-helper 1(Th-1) or (Th-2). One of main pointers that may be considered as one of immune evasion strategy in the host-parasite interplay is HLA-G level alteration. HLA-G Known as a special proteins (non-classical HLA class I) molecules which can suppress the immune system by T-cell functions impaired in the aid with target receptors as LILRB4. The development of the cell mediated immunity initiated with Interle