Afamin, which is a human plasma glycoprotein, a putative multifunctional transporter of hydrophobic molecules and a marker for metabolic syndrome. Afamin concentration have been proposed to have a significant role as a predictor of metabolic disorders. Since NAFLD is associated with metabolic risk factors, e.g., dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and visceral obesity, it is considered as the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study is to determine Afamin levels in hypothyroid patients with and without fatty liver disease and compare the results with controls. Also to study the relationship of Afamin level with the Anthropometric and Clinical Features (Age, Gender, BMI and Duration of Hypothyroidism) , Serum Thyroid Hormones (T3, T4 and TSH ), Lipid profile(Serum Cholesterol, TG and HDL), Liver Enzymes (GOT , GPT and ALP ) Levels , Renal Function Tests (blood Urea and serum Creatinine), Glycemic Parameters (F.B.S and HbA1c levels), Serum Hematological Parameters (PCV, MCV and WBC) and Serum Protein Parameters (Total Protein, serum albumin and serum Ferritin). Ninety individuals participated in this study and classified into three groups: G1: Hypothyroidism with fatty liver disease patients, G2: Hypothyroidism without fatty liver disease patients and G3: control subjects. All study cases were chosen from the Specialized Center in Endocrinology and Diabetes in alrisafa side / Baghdad. The age ranges of G1, G2 and G3 were (32-64), (23-67) and (24-40) years, respectively. Gender distribution shows increase in female to male ratio in all the studied groups. Results demonstrated the mean values of serum Afamin in G1 (277.688±157.725 ng/ml) and G2 (337.020±231.095 ng/ml) were very significantly higher (P=0.0001) than the mean serum Afamin in G3 (4.030±2.796 ng/ml), While the mean value of serum Afamin in G1 (277.688±157.725 ng/ml) was slightly lower than in G2 (337.020±231.095 ng/ml). The Receiving Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves analysis for serum Afamin used as a test to diagnose subjects into cases and control groups was done, and a determination of the “cut-off value” which have optimum sensitivity and specificity to diagnose disease was performed.
The beet armyworm (BAW), Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a highly destructive pest of vegetables and field crops. Management of beet armyworm primarily relies on synthetic pesticides, which is threatening the beneficial community and environment. Most importantly, the BAW developed resistance to synthetic pesticides with making it difficult to manage. Therefore, alternative and environment-friendly pest management tactics are urgently required. The use of pesticidal plant extracts provides an effective way for a sustainable pest management program. To evaluate the use of pesticidal plant extracts against BAW, we selected six plant species (Lantana camara, Aloe vera, Azadirachta indica, Cymbopogon citratus, Nicotiana tabacum ,
... Show MoreGFRP was employed in constructions as an alternative to steel, which has many advantages like lightweight, large tensile strength and resist corrosion. Existing researches are insufficient in studying the influence of hybrid reinforced concrete composite columns encased by GFRP I-section (RCCCEG) and I-section steel (RCCCES). In this study twenty one (RC) specimens of a cross-section of 130 mm × 160 mm, with different length (long 1600 mm and short 750 mm) were encased by using I-section (steel and GFRP) and tested under various loading (concentric, eccentric and flexural loads). The test was focused on the influence of many parameters; load-carrying capacity, mode of failure, deformation and drawing an interaction diagram (N-
... Show MoreActivated carbon derived from Ficus Binjamina agro-waste synthesized by pyro carbonic acid microwave method and treated with silicon oxide (SiO2) was used to enhance the adsorption capability of the malachite green (MG) dye. Three factors of concentration of dye, time of mixing, and the amount of activated carbon with four levels were used to investigate their effect on the MG removal efficiency. The results show that 0.4 g/L dosage, 80 mg/L dye concentration, and 40 min adsorption duration were found as an optimum conditions for 99.13% removal efficiency. The results also reveal that Freundlich isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic models were the best models to describe the equilibrium adsorption data.
When dye is present in wastewater, it is considered a hazardous organic pollutant and must be eliminated. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the elimination of Malachite green (MG) and Methyl violet (MV) dyes using Ni foam (NiF) as an anode, along with stainless steel mesh electrodes as cathodes, and alum sludge (AS) as a third particle electrode in a three-dimensional electrocoagulation-flotation system (3DECF). With an electrolysis period of 30 minutes and pH = 7, response surface method was used to estimate the optimum conditions of studied parameters. These parameters were current density within the range of 1–5 mA/cm², concentration of NaCl within the range of 0.4 –1 g/L, and air flow rate within a range of 1–5 L/min.
... Show MoreABSTRACT. A new three metal complexes of La(III), Ce(IV) and UO2(II) ions have been synthesized based on a Schiff base derived from the condensation of L-histidine and anisaldehyde. All prepared compounds were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques and Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. The complexes were proposed to have an octahedral structure based on the investigated results. The optimized shape, numbering system, and dipole moment vector of Ligand and La, Ce, and UO2 (1:1) chelates were investigated. The Schiff base ligand and complexes exhibit moderate action against all of the bacteria tested, with P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp., and E. faecalis respectively being the order of inhibition.
... Show MoreAs the prices of the fuel and power had fluctuated many times in the last decade and new policies appeared and signed by most of the world countries to eliminate global warming and environmental impact on the earth surface and humanity exciting, an urgent need appeared to develop the renewable energy harnessing technologies on the short-term and long-term and one of these promising technologies are the vertical axis wind turbines, and mostly the combined types. The purpose of the present work is to combine a cavity type Savonius with straight bladed Darrieus to eliminate the poor self-starting ability for Darrieus type and low performance for Savonius type and for this purpose, a three-bladed Darrieus type with symmetric
... Show MoreGreen synthesis is depending on preparation of nano composited SiO2/V2O5 by using the modified sol-gel method depending on rice husk ash as a source for the extraction of silica gel and the product powder of nano composited SiO2/V2O5 characterization by many techniques such as X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and N2 adsorptions/desorption isotherms (BET). This study also includs the biological effectiveness of SiO2/V2O5 and its effect on inhibiting bacterial growth after the prepared nanomaterial was applied to wound dressings, which gave a promising result for its use as
... Show MoreIn this study, a low-cost biosorbent, dead mushroom biomass (DMB) granules, was used for investigating the optimum conditions of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) biosorption from aqueous solutions. Various physicochemical parameters, such as initial metal ion concentration, equilibrium time, pH value, agitation speed, particles diameter, and adsorbent dosage, were studied. Five mathematical models describing the biosorption equilibrium and isotherm constants were tested to find the maximum uptake capacities: Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, Sips, and Khan models. The best fit to the Pb(II) and Ni(II) biosorption results was obtained by Langmuir model with maximum uptake capacities of 44.67 and 29.17 mg/g for these two ions, respectively, w
... Show MoreIn this research, the performance of asphalt mixtures modified with polyethylene polymer (PE) by adding 2%, 4%, and 6% percentages was evaluated. Two kinds of PE are employed: Low-Density PE (LDPE) and High-Density PE (HDPE). The semi-wet mixing technique (SWM) was conducted to avoid stability issue for PE-modified binder during storage condition. Many experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the ability of these mixtures to withstand the effects of loads and moisture. The hardness index of these mixtures was also measured to determine their resistance to the effects of high temperatures without causing permanent deformations. The results showed that adding PE led to a remarkable enhancement in the performance of PE-modified mixtures.
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