Clinical index is needed to predict the outcome of pregnancy after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) for infertile patients. Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), also known as myostatin, is one of transforming growth factor-â superfamily localized in antral follicles in normal and PCOS ovaries but its function in female reproductive system is still unknown. Aim of the study is to assess the correlation between levels of GDF8 in follicular fluid (FF) with outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF/ICSI) in women with and without PCOS. A prospective case control study was performed enrolling (40) patients with PCOS and (40) non-PCOS women (male infertility) undergoing IVF/ICSI. The collection of follicular fluid was at the day of oocyte pick up. Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was used to measure the levels of FF. GDF-8. A significant higher GDF8 level was found in PCOS group compared to non-PCOS group. Also, significant higher antral follicle count (AFC) in PCOS group in comparison tonon-PCOS group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the mean of follicle diameter, endometrium thickness, aspirated oocytes, metaphase II (M II) oocyte, fertilized oocytes, embryo at 2pro nucleus (2PN), transferred embryo, grade1 (G1) embryo, maturity rate, cleavage rate, fertilization rate and pregnancy outcomes. There was a significant positive correlation between GDF8 and G1 embryo in non-PCOS group. In non-PCOS group, mean GDF8 level was significantly higher in pregnant group than nonpregnant group. In PCOS group, mean GDF8 level was significantly.
The study aims to investigate the degree of student teachers at Sultan Qaboos University acquired skills in teaching Arabic via a virtual micro-teaching lab, as well as to reveal the difficulties they faced and their development proposals. To do this, the researchers developed a questionnaire divided into four dimensions: planning, implementation, evaluation, and
ethical values for the teaching profession, in addition to two open-ended questions to identify difficulties and suggestions. It was administered to (30) student teachers. The results revealed that the average degree of student-teacher acquisition of skills was high in its four dimensions. It ranged between (39.2) to (82.2), while the overall average was (56.2).
... Show MoreIn this work we present a technique to extract the heart contours from noisy echocardiograph images. Our technique is based on improving the image before applying contours detection to reduce heavy noise and get better image quality. To perform that, we combine many pre-processing techniques (filtering, morphological operations, and contrast adjustment) to avoid unclear edges and enhance low contrast of echocardiograph images, after implementing these techniques we can get legible detection for heart boundaries and valves movement by traditional edge detection methods.
This Investigation aims to study the effect of adding Steel fibers with different volume fractions Vf (o.5, 0.75, and 1% by volume of concrete) with aspect ratio 100 on mechanical properties of concrete, and also
finding the influence of petroleum products (Kerosene and Diesel) on mechanical properties of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC).
The experimental work consists of two groups: group one consists of specimens (cubes and prisms) plain and concrete reinforced with steel fiber exposed to continuous curing with water. Group two consists of
specimens (cubes and prisms) plain and concrete reinforced with steel fiber exposed to kerosene and diesel after curing them in water for 28 days before exposure. The results of all te
This paper investigates the concept (α, β) derivation on semiring and extend a few results of this map on prime semiring. We establish the commutativity of prime semiring and investigate when (α, β) derivation becomes zero.
In this work, silver (Ag) self-metallization on a polyimide (PI) film was prepared through autocatalytic plating. PI films were prepared through the solution casting method, followed by etching with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, sensitization with tin chloride (SnCl2), and the use of palladium chloride (PdCl2) to activate the surface of PI. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) showed the highest peak in the (Ag) region and confirmed the presence of AgNPs. The diffraction peaks at 2θ = 38.2°, 44.5°, 64.6°, and 78.2° represented the 111, 200, 220, and 311 planes of Ag, respectively. The FT–IR an
... Show MoreThe study aims to investigate the antimicrobial activity of propolis obtained from different regions of Iraq compared with that of propolis obtained from Iran. Samples were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Eschericha coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus , Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans using standard antimicrobial assays. Marked variations in the antimicrobial activity of the different propolis samples were observed, the method of extraction selected gives the highest antimicrobial activity and the best alcohol concentration using in the extraction of propolis , then the crude extract of propolis showed synergistic effect with some antibiotics in
... Show MoreSelf-compacting concrete (SCC) is an innovative concrete that does not require vibration for placing and compaction. It is able to flow under its own weight, completely filling formwork and achieving full compaction, even in the presence of congested reinforcement. The effect of external sulfate attack was studied-Es (very sever exposure SO4>10000ppm) according to ACI 318-11. The mix design method of SCC used is according to EFNARC 2002, and then must satisfy the criteria of filling ability, passing ability and segregation resistance. The experimental program focuses to study two different chemical composition of sulfate resistance Portland cement with different percentage of silica fume replacement by weight of cement and W/cm (0.3 and 0.3
... Show MoreObjectives: Teenage pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) offers a real challenge to the health system and needs a special care. We aimed to evaluate possible obstetrical and neonatal adverse events of different treatment protocols in adolescent GDM including lifestyle, metformin (MTF), and insulin. Methods: All teen pregnant women ≤ 19 years old visiting Baghdad Teaching Hospital throughout four years (from June 1, 2016 till May 31, 2020) diagnosed with GDM were included in this cohort study and followed-up closely throughout pregnancy and after delivery. Included adolescents were put on lifestyle alone during the first week of presentation. Adolescents who reached target glucose measurements were categorized i
... Show MoreThe concept of Assemblage appeared obviously in Postdramatic works, where a character or a text may stand as an assemblage of potentialities in the sense that it signifies unidentified subjectivity. Assemblages are constituted essentially of heterogeneous elements yet fused without specific demarcations. In order to enjoy the desired productivity at a "smooth pace," the regularities of political and societal institutionalization are disseminated. To achieve this dissemination, Deleuze-Guattari suggest an unsatiated platform of a "Body without Organs' (BwO), where desire escapes identification. Martin Crimp (b. 1956) defines his off-stage characters in Attempts on Her Life (1997), Anne, or whatever the name is, as a 'BwO', upon which
... Show MoreLeishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by Leishmania parasite, this disease considers a major health problem among worldwide. Treatments available are expensive or with cytotoxic side effect. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of an herbal new compound, called artemisinin, derived from a Chinese plant called Artemisia annua. Various concentrations were studied in vitro against L. tropica amastigotes by chamber counting to investigate its effect on the proliferation of promastigotes. Three incubation periods were adopted (24, 48, 72) hours. The results showed a significant decrease in surviving promastigotes, in parallel with the normal parasite count of untreated promastigotes, along the periods studied. This stu
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