Background: The discriminative power of the classical WHO parameters in relation to male fertility is quite low, because they only address few aspects of sperm quality and function. This has led investigators to focus their attention on the male gamete and in particular its genome.Objective: To explore which of the sperm DNA damage parameters measured by comet assay are more reliable, and their relations with the standard semen parameters.Methods: Study was done on 40 infertile men selected from couples attending the Institute of Embryo Reasearch and Infertility Treatment at Al-Kadhimiya City/ Baghdad in the period between February 2009 and May 2009, with a history of infertility of ≥1 years; and 15 healthy volunteers of proven fertility serving as control. Samples were allowed to liquefy for at least 30 minutes at 37°C and then evaluated according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization, 1999. The single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay was studied in the ejaculated spermatozoa. The exclusion criteria were the presence of azoospermia and severe oligospermia. Results were compared with the standard semen characteristics (concentration, motility and morphology).Results: Compared to healthy volunteers, infertile patients had highly significantly higher values of comet parameters (P = 0.00001). In all infertile patients, comet extent did not correlate with any of the classical semen parameters; whereas, tail length (μm), % DNA in tail, tail moment and olive moment had all significant negative correlations with the standard parameters. Significant positive correlations were observed between the studied comet parameters, except for the comet extent which was not significantly correlated with tail length and % DNA in tail (P = 0.06, P = 0.7; respectively).Conclusion: Comet assay is a very useful technique in assessing sperm DNA damage. Comet tail parameters and comet extent, may clarify different aspects of DNA damage, and together give a better insight to the integrity of the male genome.Keywards: sperm, comet extent, % DNA in tail, tail moment and olive moment
This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practice towards breast cancer and breast self-examination [BSE] among 387 [302 females and 85 males] educated Iraqis affiliated to 2 Iraqi universities. The participants were categorized into 3 occupations: student [71.3%], teaching staff [10.3%] and administrative staff [18.3%]. About half of the participants had a low knowledge score [< 50%]; only 14.3% were graded as [Good] and above. Almost 75% of the participants believed that the best way to control breast cancer was through early detection and other possible preventive measures. Most participants [90.9%] had heard of BSE, the main source of informatio
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Background: All diseases concerning bone destruction such as osteoporosis and periodontal diseases share common pattern in which the osteoclast cells are absolutely responsible for bone resorption that occurred when osteoclast activity exceeds osteoblast activity. Osteoprotegrin (OPG) considered as novel soluble decoy receptor known as “bone protector†since it prevents extreme bone resorption through inhibition of differentiation and activity of osteoclast by competing for binding site. It binds to receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and prevent its interaction with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK), thus inhibits osteoclast formation. TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokines having
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In this study the role of remote sensing and geographic information systems in the planning of some Iraqi cities, including the city of Aziziyah in Kut / Wasit Governorate, was considered. Certain appropriate models (sprawling growth patterns) have been adopted to plan this city, and tables and a future map have been prepared to arrange this city. Land uses for public services will be proposed for adopted case(Aziziyah in Kut / Wasit Governorate). This paper describes a specific application of GIS functionalities for spatial planning analysis, examines the breadth of GIS and attempts to address the analytical part’s limitations in planning studies. The study concluded, through high-resolution visuals, to the possibility of determining th
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Objective This study aims to investigate the impact of integrated training on kinematics variables and defensive accuracy in volleyball, focusing on enhancing balance and muscle tension control through proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises. Methods The sample consisted of 14 male volleyball athletes from the first volleyball league of Al-Jaish Sports Club were divided into experimental (n=7) and control group (n=7). In the pre- and post-intervention periods, dynamic balance, muscle tension control and kinematic variables (during a lateral reaching task) as well as defensive performance accuracy upon fatigue onset of recoil laser strikes were assessed. Exposure the intervention program was carried out for six weeks, and t
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Background: Periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus are both considered as a chronic disease that affect many people and have an interrelationship in their pathogenesis. Objective: The aim is to evaluate the salivary levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and galectin-3 in patients with periodontitis and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: The samples were gathered from 13 healthy (control group) and 75 patients split into 3 groups, 25 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy periodontium (T2DM group), 25 patients with generalized periodontitis (P group), and 25 patients with generalized periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (P-T2DM group). Clinical periodontal parameters were documented. The concentration of IL-17
... Show MoreObjective: The aim of this study is to determine the means and the difficulties faced by students of
nursing maternal and child health nursing / College of Nursing / University of Baghdad in obtaining scientific
information in practical training.
Methodology: A purposive sample of (100) Nursing college student - Maternal and Child Health Nursing
Department were selected. Data were collected through the use of the questionnaire form during the
period from the November 2010 to April 2011. Descriptive statistical procedures were used to analyze the
data.
Results: The results showed that the highest percentage of members of the study sample aged between
(20-21 years), females are the most inhabitants of the city of Ba
Background: The bond strength of root canal sealers to dentin was important for maintaining the integrity of the seal in root canal filling in both static and dynamic situations. In a static situation, it should eliminate any space that allowed the percolation of fluids between the filling and the wall while in a dynamic situation; it was needed to resist dislodgement of the filling during subsequent manipulation. Materials and Methods: Forty mandibular premolars were selected for this study. All canals were instrumented using ProTaper rotary instruments. Instrumentation was done with copious irrigation of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Roots were randomly divided into four groups according to the type of cleaning and method of root canal irrig
... Show MoreEmpirical and statistical methodologies have been established to acquire accurate permeability identification and reservoir characterization, based on the rock type and reservoir performance. The identification of rock facies is usually done by either using core analysis to visually interpret lithofacies or indirectly based on well-log data. The use of well-log data for traditional facies prediction is characterized by uncertainties and can be time-consuming, particularly when working with large datasets. Thus, Machine Learning can be used to predict patterns more efficiently when applied to large data. Taking into account the electrofacies distribution, this work was conducted to predict permeability for the four wells, FH1, FH2, F
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