Covid-19 is a respiratory disease similar to pneumonia that results from an infection with SARS-CoV-2, a recently identified virus that became a global pandemic in 2020. The severe cases of the disease show a cytokine storm, which is excessive, uncontrolled production of pro inflammatory cytokines. MicroRNA-155 is an epigenetic microRNA that has the ability to control pro-inflammatory responses in many diseases. We aim to determine the relationship between microRNA-155 expression and some cytokines (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interleukin-1β) in severe covid-19 cases. A case-control study of 235 samples was collected from 120 patients with severe covid-19 and 115 of mild covid-19 cases and healthy individuals of different sexes and ages. After RNA extraction and conversion to cDNA, RT-PCR was performed on both studied groups. The levels of studied interleukins were determined for 50 severe covid-19 patients and 40 control individuals (mild and healthy). A substantial elevation in the expression of microRNA-155 was seen in severe COVID-19 patients compared to its expression in the control group consisting of mild cases and healthy individuals. Interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interleukin-1β also show elevated levels in severe covid-19 serum than control individuals. This investigation revealed a strong and statistically significant correlation between the expression of microRNA-155 and interleukin-6, as well as a substantial correlation between the expression of microRNA-155 and interleukin-1β. MicroRNA-155 might have a role in inducing some pro-inflammatory interleukins that leads to cytokine storm.
Sheep are considered as an important part of livestock in the worldwide, particularly in Iraq, as they provide meat, milk, leather, wool, and manure. The present study aim is isolation and identification of staphylococci, enteric bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. Totally, 115 samples were collected from sheep (100 samples were collected from the nasal cavity of local sheep suffering from respiratory infections, and 15 samples were collected from apparently healthy local sheep). All the samples were collected from seven flocks located in Abu Ghraib and Al-Radwaniyah, Baghdad governorate, Iraq. The samples were taken during the period from October 2020 to February 2021. Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., and enteric bacteria were detected fi
... Show MoreUnder atmospheric pressure, an argon plasma stream was sustained and its plasma characteristics were examined. The emission spectra of plasma created in a plasma jet system using argon gas were observed for three metals (Ag, Zn, and Cu) for the anode and varied flow rates ranging from 1–4 L/min. at constant voltage, and normal atmospheric pressure. The spectral lines of excited Ar, Ag, Zn, and Cu species were identified at a wavelength of (650–900) nm .The Debye length, sphere, and temperature of an electron are all measured. Optical emission spectrometer (OES) equipment was used to capture the spectrum produced by the plasma at various argon gas flow rates.The temperature and density of the electron (Te) and (n
... Show MoreThe present study aims to investigate the effects of duration and complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus on diabetic related parameters, adipocytokines and calcium regulating hormones. This study was conducted on eighty diabetic patients (41 male and 39 female) in Iraq, with an age range of 20-60 years and a disease duration range of 1-180 months. Blood samples were collected from the patients to determine three main types of biomarkers: diabetic-related parameters [Fasting blood sugar is FBS glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, and insulin resistance (IR)], adipocytokines [adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and calcium regulating hormones [parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, and vitamin D].
 
... Show MoreThis paper investigates a new approach to the rapid control of an upper limb exoskeleton actuator. We used a mathematical model and motion measurements of a human arm to estimate joint torque as a means to control the exoskeleton’s actuator. The proposed arm model is based on a two-pendulum configuration and is used to obtain instantaneous joint torques which are then passed into control law to regulate the actuator torque. Nine subjects volunteered to take part in the experimental protocol, in which inertial measurement units (IMUs) and a digital goniometer were used to measure and estimate the torque profiles. To validate the control law, a Simscape model was developed to simulate the arm model and control law in which measurem
... Show MoreThis paper is concerned with the study of the T-norms and the quantum logic functions on BL-algebra, respectively, along with their association with the classical probability space. The proposed constructions depend on demonstrating each type of the T-norms with respect to the basic probability of binary operation. On the other hand, we showed each quantum logic function with respect to some binary operations in probability space, such as intersection, union, and symmetric difference. Finally, we demonstrated the main results that explain the relationships among the T-norms and quantum logic functions. In order to show those relations and their related properties, different examples were built.
This article aims to identify the views of media elites on citizen journalism, a new media genre that strays away from the foundations and ethics of professional journalism, thus calling for in-depth exploration and scrutiny into the genre and its commitment to the professional standards of journalism.
For this purpose, the researcher opted for the survey method by distributing a questionnaire to a purposive sample consisting of 407 media elites. The research is also based on Habermas' public sphere theory.
Initially-produced isotopes during the course of the