In this paper, the developed sprite allocation method is designed to be coherent with the introduced block-matching method in order to minimize the allocation process time for digital video. The accomplished allocation process of sprite region consists of three main steps. The first step is the detection of sprite area; where the sequence of frames belong to Group of Video sequence are analysed to detect the sprite regions which survive for long time, and to determine the sprite type (i.e., whether it is static or dynamic). Then as a second step, the flagged survived areas are passed through the gaps/islands removal stage to enhance the detected sprite areas using post-processing operations. The third step is partitioning the sprite area in

Inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective controllers of asthma, although asthmatics vary in their response. FKBP51 is a major component of the glucocorticoid receptor which regulates its responses to corticosteroids. Therefore, the present study aims to identify the role of FKBP5 gene polymorphism in asthma susceptibility and corticosteroid resistance.

     This study explored the preservative effects of the alcoholic leaves’ extract of Ficus carica plant on beef refrigerated for 15 days. Phytochemical analysis showed that the plant extract contained terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. Furthermore, the alcoholic extract of plants significantly reduced the total viable counts of psychrotrophic bacteria, pathogenic bacteria (Proteus, Salmonella typhimiurum, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus), and yeasts (Candida kruse, Candida lambica, and Zygosaccharomyces) isolated from meat samples, particularly at 100 and 200 mg/ml concentrations.

The antioxidant activity of the extract was det

The current study looked into heavy metal poisoning of the Euphrates river which runs from Al-Kifl to Kufa in Iraq. One of the goals of this research was to determine the pollution levels and the contamination sources. We looked at six heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Mn) characteristics in sediment, taking samples from six sites along the Euphrates every season from March 2020 to January 2021. To assess pollution levels, three indices were chosen: enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (I-geo) and contamination factor (CF). According to EF, the Cd and Pb elements recorded considerable enrichment, very high enrichment and extremely high pollution at practically all sites in four seasons, while the remainder of the HMs recorde

ntroduction. Finding a safe innate immune response stimulator is one of the greatest challenges facing immunologists and vaccine manufacturers. Gap statement. The role of sterile bacterial secretions (SBSs) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in stimulating the innate immune response was not investigated previously. Aim. The comparative effect of SBSs and bacterial cells of P. aeruginosa isolates isolated from freshwater (PAE) and infected wounds (PAC) on the respiratory tract innate immune response. Methodology. Four test mice groups were instilled intranasally (i.n.) with 106 c.f.u of PAC, 106 c.f.u of PAE, SBS of PAC, and SBS of PAE. Two control groups were given i.n. either LB broth or PBS. Time-course changes in IL-1 beta mRNA, TNF-alpha mRNA, I

Abstract. Al-Abbawy DAH, Al-Thahaibawi BMH, Al-Mayaly IKA, Younis KH. 2021. Assessment of some heavy metals in various aquatic plants of Al-Hawizeh Marsh, southern of Iraq. Biodiversitas 22: 338-345. In order to describe the degree of contamination of aquatic environments in Iraq, heavy metals analysis (Fe, Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb, and Zn) was conducted for six aquatic macrophytes from different locations of Al-Hawizeh Marsh in southern Iraq. The six species were Azolla filiculoides (floating plant), Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton pectinatus, Najas marina (submerged plants), Phragmites australis, and Typha domingensis (emergent plants). The results indicate that cadmium, chromium, and iron concentrations in aquatic plants were above the

Medicinal plants contain bioactive substances that are highly bioavailable in extracts or pure molecules, making them promising for therapeutic applications and precursors for chemo-pharmaceutical semi-synthesis. Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s Claw) is widely recognized as one of the most potent therapeutic herbs. This study aimed to extract seeds from H. procumbens using two types of solvents and to assess both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the extracts. The two extracts were evaluated for antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities using agar well diffusion assays against four bacterial isolates and two yeast isolates. Qualitative analysis identified the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpen

Several toxigenic cyanobacteria produce the cyanotoxin (microcystin). Being a health and environmental hazard, screening of water sources for the presence of microcystin is increasingly becoming a recommended environmental procedure in many countries of the world. This study was conducted to assess the ability of freshwater cyanobacterial species Westiellopsis prolifica to produce microcystins in Iraqi freshwaters via using molecular and immunological tools. The toxigenicity of W. prolifica was compared via laboratory experiments with other dominant bloom-forming cyanobacteria isolated from the Tigris River: Microcystis aeruginosa, Chroococcus turigidus, Nostoc carneum, and Lyngbya sp. signifi

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a ubiquitous environmental organism, is a difficult-to-treat opportunistic pathogen due to its broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance and its ability to form biofilms. In this study, we investigate the link between resistance to a clinically important antibiotic, imipenem, and biofilm formation. First, we observed that the laboratory strain P. aeruginosa PAO1 carrying a mutation in the oprD gene, which confers resistance to imipenem, showed a modest reduction in biofilm formation.We also observed an inverse relationship between imipenem resistance and biofilm formation for imipenem-resistant strains selected in vitro, as well as for clinical isolates.We identified two clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa from the sputum

Leishmaniaspecies are the causative agents of the leishmaniases, a spectrum of neglected tropical diseases. Amastigote stage parasites exist within macrophages and scavenge host factors for survival, for example,Leishmaniaspecies utilise host sphingolipid for synthesis of complex sphingolipid. In this studyL. mexicanaendocytosis was shown to be significantly upregulated in amastigotes, indicating that sphingolipid scavenging may be enhanced. However, inhibition of host sphingolipid biosynthesis had no significant effect on amastigote proliferation within a macrophage cell line. In addition, infection itself did not directly influence host biosynthesis.

Fluconazole was used to test the susceptibility of Candida albicans isolated from different clinical samples, and to detect mutations in ERG11 gene, and their relationship to fluconazole resistance. Forty-eight isolates of Candida albicans were tested for susceptibility using the disc diffusion method (M-44). ERG11 genes of six isolates were amplified (four resistant, two susceptible) and sequenced. The sequenced genes were analyzed to detect the mutations. Out of 48 isolates of Candida albicans, 4 (8%) were resistant to fluconazole. Sixteen-point mutations were detected included 13 silent mutations, and three missense mutations. The mutations of A945C (E266D) and G1609A (V488I) were found only in susceptible Candida albicans isolates, whil

            Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasite in immune-compromised persons. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in psoriasis patients is investigated. In addition, the treatment effect on psoriasis patients infected with toxoplasmosis through evaluating Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) cytokine levels is studied. Blood samples were collected from 130 individuals who involved 60 control samples and 70 samples with psoriasis. They attended Medical City Hospital in Baghdad province from October 2017 - February 2018. Then, the anti- T. gondii antibodies (IgM and IgG) and TNF- α in the sera were determined via the enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay. The highe

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease with chronic nature resulting from a combination of both factors genetic and environmental. The genetic contributors of T1D among Iraqis are unexplored enough. The study aimed to shed a light on the contribution between genetic variation of interleukin2 (IL2) gene to T1D as a risk influencer in a sample of Iraqi patients. The association between IL2−330 polymorphism (rs2069762) was investigated in 322 Iraqis (78 T1D patients and 244 volunteers as controls). Genotyping for the haplotypes using polymerase chain reaction test – specific sequence primer (PCR-SSP) for (GG, GT, and TT) genotypes corresponding to (G and T) alleles were performed. A significant association revealed a decreased freq

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of different concentrations of Maxxthor on some hematological and oxidative stress parameters in male albino rats.Twenty male rats with age of 6-8 weeks and weight of 200-250gm were equally divided into four groups as follow:G1 treated with normal saline as control group,while G2,G3andG4groups were treated with(0.01,0.1,1)mg\kg body weight of Maxxthor respectively for 40 days.The following hematological parameters were measured: red blood cell(RBC),hemoglobin (Hb),white blood cell(WBC), platelets(PLT),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH),catalase and vitamin E. The hematological parameters results revealed highly significant(p<0.01)decreasein RBC and H,while a highly significant(p<0.

The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is a causative agent of amoebiasis, where it causes millions of cases of dysentery and liver abscess each year. Metronidazole is a drug of choice against amoebiasis. The drug is a choice because of its efficacy and low cost, but at the same time it causes several adverse side effects; therefore, it is important to find effective medications to treat amoebiasis without any complications or any side effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of different concentrations (50, 75 and 100 µg/ml) of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) against trophozoites stages of E. histolytica in vitro. The results showed a significant decrease (p ? 0.05) in numbers of trophozoites stages after treated

In Baghdad governorate, samples of dried birds waste were obtained from poultry cages for investigate the of the presence of fungi. There was a high proportion of Candida spp., Rhodotorula spp. and filamentous fungi that obtained from the dry droppings. Al samples gave a positive results included 177 isolates, these isolates includes different Candida species 62 isolates (35.02%), Rhodotorula spp. 28 isolates (15.81%), and the following filamentous genera: Aspergillus spp. 50 isolates (28. 24%), (A. niger 20 isolate, A. flavus 18 isolate, A. fumigatus 12 isolate), Penicillium spp. 11 isolates (6.21%) and Mucor spp. 26 isolate (14.68%). The inhibitory effect of the used detergents (with concentration of 10-1 mg/ml.( was ranged from 35 mm

The Escherichia coli isolated from UTIs, were identified with biochemical tests and vitek test.The ethanolic extracts of Zingiberofficinale(Z.officinale) were tested against E.coli by using the good agar diffusion test, the alcoholic extracts from (25 -100) mg/ml showed antimicrobial activity against tested microorganism. The diameter of inhibition zone increase at high concentrations and rang from (18-20mm) , and these results compared with antibiotics  sensitivity discs were used by discs diffusion method against E.coliisolates, they were resisted to all antibiotics used in this study. It could be concluded that alcoholic extract of Z.officinalehad good antimicrobial effects, and may be able to use for treatment UTIs caused by E.c

Two isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were obtained from contact lenses weares with eye infection. P. aeruginosa isolates were able to produce gelatinase, elastase and protease. The P. aeruginosa isolates serotypes were A:p9 and F:P12 . The sensitivity of the isolates to the antibiotics was tested, the results showed that both isolates were resistant of the used antibiotics except Chloramphenicol and Ciprofloxacin. The ability of P. aeruginosa isolates to adhere to soft contact lenses was tested. The effect of the antibiotics )Chloramphenicol and Ciprofloxacin), soft contact lenses care solution, normal saline and sterilization solutions (drops) like Methadin and Nazordin and enzymes (Papain,Neuraminidase) on production of protease and

In this study blood samples were collected from 150 newborns (NBs), In a period from 20082010, with blood groups A and B from mother’s blood group O positive and those who do not have any other reason for the jaundice..Of 150 NBs, 105 have blood group A and 45 with group B. And the male to female ratio was 1.7:1. The average of NBs age at the onset of jaundice was 19.02 hrs, it was earlier in blood group B and in newborns of first pregnancy. The average of serum bilirubin level at 24 hours was 5.70 mg/dl; there was no statistical value of the blood group and the sex of the NBs in the bilirubin level. Newborns had anemia at delivery in 12 cases, 6 of them were premature. Fifty one NBs were followed for late anemia and found 36 (70%) had

Genotoxic effects of crude bacteriocin extracted from Citrobacter freundii were detected on albino mice bone marrow cells in vivo, using micronucleus (MN) and comet assay. The mice were administered intraperitoneally with 37.5, 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg of the extract for 24 hours. C. freundii was isolated from patients suffering from urinary tract infections (UTI). The bacteriocin producing isolates were determined using cup assayand the most efficient bacteriocin producers were selected. Bacteriocin was extracted from the efficient isolates via the induction with Mitomycin-C (2 mg/ml). Bacteriocin activity (320 U/ml) was determined by well diffusion method, while the protein concentration (2900µg/ml) was estim

In this study we collect 1520 stool samples during the period from September to December 2010 from children whom their ages between 1 month - 12 years. The results showed that the total infection of Entamoeba histolytica was 9.80% , and Giardia lamblia was 1.77%. And the male ratio that infected with Entamoeba histolytica was 9.83% , while the female ratio was 9.74%; and the male infected with Giardia lamblia was 1.51% , while the female ratio was 2.18%. The result showed that the high average of infection with Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia in age group from 1 month to 2 years. And there is no significance difference between gender and infectivity rate of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia under P≤0.05. Also it showe

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease and one of the major health problems in Iraq. Leishmania tropica is known as the causative agent of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Baghdad.The classical serological methods of diagnosing leishmaniasis is a poor sensitivity especially for the sub genus and time consuming Here we have investigated two primer pairs, one specific for Leishmania as genus and the primer specific for the species of L. tropica to be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Samples were collected from (AL-karama Teaching Hospital) and whole genomic DNA was extracted from axenic promastigotes.The extracted DNA was amplified by PCRwith two KDNA primer pairs, for genus specific (13A/13B) and (Lmj4/Uni21) to identify

Trichomonas vaginalis is an eukaryotic parasite that causes the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection, trichomoniasis. This disease is responsible for many serious health problems such as preterm birth. More than half of the infected women do not develop symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose the
disease. In this study, a specific indirect ELISA method was developed to detect anti-Trichomonas vaginalis IgM and IgG immunoglobulins in the sera of infected females. The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of a simple ELISA procedure in comparison to the classical urine examination and vaginal wet mount preparation for the diagnosis of T. vaginalis. The sensitivity of the indirect ELISA was compared