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)

BACKGROUND: Genetic skeletal abnormalities are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders frequently presenting with disproportionate short stature. AIM OF THE STUDY: To give an idea about the frequency of genetic skeletal abnormalities, and to find out whether these disorders are really increasing in the last 16 years or not. METHODS: During the period extending from (Jan, 1st 2003-April, 1st 2007), all cases of genetic skeletal disorders referred to the Genetic Counseling Clinic, Medical City – Baghdad who were born after 1991 were included in this study as the post-war group; the pre-war group, included all cases of skeletal disorders referred prior to 1991 (Jan., 1st 1987-Jan., 1st 1990). The demographic parameters, family history of

Background: The gene encoding a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 33 (ADAM33) is known to be associated with asthma in different ethnic groups. In Iraq, among the Arab ethnic background, this association has not yet been highlighted. Methods: One hundred and ninety-two asthmatics were examined; 118 males and 74 females (mean age 38.23 ± 9.13 years). The control group was 183; 110 males and the rest were females. The SNP of rs2280091 A/G (T1) was studied here to determine adam33 genotyping status using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). The level of total IgE was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Significant differences (p = 0.004) in the frequencies of

The issue of insurance against unlawful risks raises a jurisprudential and judicial debate between two opposing trends: the first considers coverage of these risks invalid due to their impact on public order or morals, while the second—which this research analyses—calls for the possibility of covering these risks in specific circumstances, based on contractual considerations in accordance with the principle that the contract is the law of the contracting parties, and based on the obligation to compensate the harmed third party—the victim—who has no connection to the unlawful act. In this context, our research highlights that contractual considerations can justify coverage of some unlawful risks, provided that the goal is to achieve

Mosquitoes play a serious role on public health transmitting several dangerous diseases such as malaria, filariasis and Encephalitis. So it consider as a vector diseases. Therefor it is important to control its spread using ecology friend’s factors like bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis and fungi Beauveria bassiana. Results revealed that the direct effect of Bacillus thuringiensis on the larvae led to the high mortality (100%) during 3 days while Beauveria bassiana have a cumulative effect on the Mosquito stage lifecycle; 7.3 X 104 more significant effect in the first day but there was no significant in the other days of treatment. In the end period of lifecycle there was no adult emergence and the adult which emergence up

There is no doubt that the field of education and teaching (in any country and whatever its ruling system varies “d”) is considered one of the most specific and sensitive field, because it is related to the building of human. And as the human is a purpose (aim) and the means in the same time and he is the strategist capital, so he way of his rearing, education, choosing the educator, methods of working and the aims are considered serious matters.

     The educational process has aim determined by the society for him self through its working establishments in this field and these are the official and public establishments. And as he feels that the establishments have failed to achieve its d

rhabditid Mesorhabditis franseni Fuchs, 1933 (Family, Mesorhabditidae) and pratylenchid nematode Pratylenchus goodeyi Sher and Allen, 1953 (Family, Pratylenchidae). They were illustrated by molecular aspects. All specimens of both genera were cultured and reproduced for DNA extraction. M. franseni (IRQ.ZAh2 PP528819.1 isolate) was characterized. P. goodeyi (IRQ.ZAh5 PP535537 isolate) was also characterized. Selected specimens of these two species were molecularly characterized using the partial ITS-rRNA gene sequences. The ITS-rRNA sequence of IRQ.ZAh2 PP528819.1 isolate had a range of (98.62%-100%) sequence homology with ITS-rRNA sequence of M. franseni available in NCBI database. While, the ITS-rRNA sequence of IRQ.ZAh5 PP535537 isolate h

Background: Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) is the most common painful oral mucosal disease, affecting approximately 20% of the population. RAS presents with a wide spectrum of severity ranging from a minor nuisance to complete debility. Many of factors thought to have been involved in its etiology; that might have at the same time a direct or indirect impact upon oxidant/antioxidant system and trigger free radicals production. The aim of this study was to determine the possible association of oxidant/total antioxidant status and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Subjects, materials and methods: The study consisted of thirty patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and thirty healthy controls from which saliva and blood samples we

The analytical results of the failure types of six limestone islands in the Ha Long bay of Vietnam have been identified. The calculated results of safety factor for 03 plane failure blocks lie within 0.9 and 2, have high potential failure. The analytical results have been also simulated these islands in three-dimensional space and have been also analyzed their potential failure on the fracture surfaces. The results obtained in this paper have important significance for planning and development of the Ha Long bay area, as World Natural Heritage, Quang Ninh province of Vietnam.