This study was conducted to use the local Ephedra alata plant as a model for extracting and detecting alkaloids in the stem of plant (alkaloids-rich extract and crude extract). Different extraction procedures were adopted for qualitative as well as the quantitative examination of the alkaloid extracts, as well as plant crude extract, the best methods for the extraction of the plant materials were applied. Simple, fast and accurate methods like TLC (thin layer chromatography) and HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography), were used for the identification of the alkaloids (ephedrine) in different extracts of stems E. alata stems. Ephedrine alkaloid was detected in each alkaloids-rich and crude extrac

    Currently, there is a growing interest in medicinal plants extracts as some plants have shown antitumor potential. The goal of this study was to test the anticancer activity of methanol extract of Conocarpous erectus leaves in breast cancer cells.  Cytotoxicity was tested in vitro on breast cancer cell lines, MCF₇ [Estrogen receptor + (ER+)] and MDA-MB₂₃₁ [Estrogen receptor - (ER-)], in addition to normal fibroblast cells (REF). MTT assay was utilized to measure the growth inhibitory effects after 48 hours exposure to extracts.  Viability results indicated  that MDA-MB231 were sensitive (GI50 = 56.1µg/ml).However, no sensitivity was seen in both MCF7 and REF cells (GI50>100 µg/ml). I

     Aeromonas hydrophila is widely distributed throughout the world and causes diseases to animals and human exposed to contaminated environments such as water and soil. This study aimed to compare between isolates of A. hydrophila collected from clinical and environmental samples, through investigating the phenotype of some virulence factors in vitro, including hemolysin, protease, lipase, nuclease and biofilm formation ability. Also, the antimicrobial susceptibility for different antibiotics was determined using disc diffusion method. For genotypic identification of isolates and phylogenetic tree construction, 16S rDNA target gene was amplified and sequenced. The phenoty

The relationship between infertility and Helicobacter pylori infection was investigated; samples from thirty-five infertile patients (aged 20-49 years) were collected from Kamal Al-Samaraei hospital , Baghdad, Iraq during the period from the first of February until April 2018. These patients were compared with 10 apparently fertile individuals who served as a control. The study was carried out to detect the DNA of H.pylori in both serum and seminal fluid of male infertile patients and for the control group by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technique. The results revealed that there was a significant difference (P<0.01) in the detection of DNA of H.pylori between pa

The Lamiaceae L. family grows and widely distributed in Iraq. The study aimed to enumerate the species that has been preserved in several botanical herbariums: National Herbarium of Iraq- Ministry of Agriculture (BAG), University of Baghdad Herbarium (BUH), Iraq Natural History Research Center& Museum- University of Baghdad Herbarium (BUNH), College of Agricultural Engineering- University of Baghdad Herbarium (BUG), College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences- Duhok Province University Herbarium (DPUH) and College of Science - Salahddin University Herbarium (SUH). This family has not yet been registered in the Flora of Iraq. After examining more than 1000 herbarium specimens, the study found 139 species belonging to 33 genera h

Results of the current study demonstratedthat out of eighty-three isolatesof Pseudomonas aeruginosa,only twenty-five isolateswere resistant to five different antibiotics (of different classes) that were consequentlyconsideredmultidrug resistant isolates.These isolates developed variable susceptibility toward Eucalyptuscamaldulensisleavesoil (ECO). GC-MS analysis of ECOrevealed that the aromatic oil eugenol is the major constituent.However, the most frequent MIC was 0.39 µg/ml, while the lowest frequent MIC was 3.125 µg/ml.Moreover, this oil at ½ MIC (0.195µg/ml) increased the gene expression of exoU. Itis concluded from the outcomes of the studythat ECOmay cause severe damagewhen used to treat infections caused by P. aeruginosa.

The MTX was converted to MTX  nanoparticles  by the modified method based on changing the pH gradually . For the first time MTX NPs+Meropenem complex were prepared and evaluated as a potential tool to overcome antimicrobial resistance and to improve pharmacokinetics of the drug, the results showed that the antibacterial activity of complex (MTX NPs plus MEM) has increased (from 1( µg/ml) to >0.5( µg/ml) for p1 , from 2( µg/ml) to 1( µg/ml) for p10 and from 8( µg/ml) to 4( µg/ml) for p48).

       Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the commonest hematological malignancies affecting children and adults. Recent evidence suggests an involvement of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in ALL pathogenicity. Epigenetic aberration, especially altered DNA methylation marks, is a key event of cancer development. The present study aims to investigate how the ALL epimethylome reacts to viral infection through the assessment of the total 5-methylcytosine (5mC) levels in ALL patients, according to EBV infection. The 5mC global DNA methylation levels in 50 diagnosed ALL patients (age mean 26.23 yrs; age range 10-60 yrs) and 25 age-matched healthy controls were assessed using MethylFlash™ Methylated DNA Quantification Kit. Acute pri

Uropathogenic specific protein is a genotoxic protein targeting the DNA, leading to mutations and modifications in the normal cell's DNA and subsequently, cancer development. This study aims to determine the prevalence of the usp gene in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from females with urinary tract infections and study its correlation with biofilm formation. One hundred and five urine specimens were collected from female patients (20 to 55 years old) with urinary tract infections attending hospitals. Traditional laboratory methods using selective and differential culture media were used for initial bacterial isolation and identification, and molecular techniques that targeted a segment of the 16SrRNA gene with a specific primer pa

The anatomic characteristics of the leaves of 22 taxa of Stachys L. representing seven of the currently recognized sections distributed in northern Iraq, were examined. The study did not found any variations in the characteristics of the stomata system of the leaves.Therewere variations with a good taxonomic value in other anatomic characteristics.Thevariations in characters of the mesophyll tissue in S.kurdica var.brevidens Bom ex Bhattacharjeewas bifacial but in S.kurdica var.kurdica Boiss. & Hohen.was unifacial .The study also found that the taxa S.benthamiana Bioss., S.lanigera (Bornm.) Rech.f. andS.kotscyi Bioss. with 3 vascular bundles in the middle vein while the taxa S.ballotiformis Vatke., S.megalodonta Hausskn. &Bo

Detergent is one of the pollutants that poses significant threats to ecological systems. Detergents can also dissolve in wastewater and negatively impact the efficiency of wastewater treatment facilities. They are used for a variety of functions, most notably hygiene, and are an integral aspect of human life. This means that there are a variety of routes by which detergent components can reach the environment. In this Study, twenty-three detergent samples from local markets in Baghdad. The aim of this study is to investigate the concentration of heavy metals Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr),Lead (Pb),Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) and Cadmium (Cd) in some detergents using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results of the concentration of heavy elemen

In this paper, two new simple, fast and efficient block matching algorithms are introduced, both methods begins blocks matching process from the image center block and moves across the blocks toward image boundaries. With each block, its motion vector is initialized using linear prediction that depending on the motion vectors of its neighbor blocks that are already scanned and their motion vectors are assessed. Also, a hybrid mechanism is introduced, it depends on mixing the proposed two predictive mechanisms with Exhaustive Search (ES) mechanism in order to gain matching accuracy near or similar to ES but with Search Time ST less than 80% of the ES. Also, it offers more control capability to reduce the search errors. The experimental tests

The influence of Toxoplasma gondii on some biochemical parameters has lately gained an increasing attention. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of some biochemical parameters in Toxoplasma positive and negative subjects. An analytical case–control study was achieved in Baghdad for the period from October 2018 until March 2019. Forty nine females participated in this study, with an age range of 18-55 years. The participants were separated into two groups, namely Toxoplasma positive subjects (n=21) and Toxoplasma negative subjects (n=28), based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Blood and serum samples were collected from all subjects to evaluate the serum levels of cholesterol,

 This study was aimed to displayed effect of this nanoparticles on pregnant mother and embryos. All females administration of AgNPs suspension orally during the gestational period (for 21day) in two doses low 2mg and high dose 20 mg /Kg body weight and the control group received D.W only. The pregnant females (60 females) include the control group and the treated group  was subdivided in to two groups, pre and post implantation and all the mothers weighted along the study. The embryos and their brains after retrieved weighted and the crow-rump length (CRL) measurement also. The results showed that the active form of Ag can be transport the placental barrier and blood brain barrier (BBB). This nanoparticles showed advers

This research was aimed to study the pollen morphology for the genus Pterocephalus(Vaill)  from Dipsacaceae family in Iraq, and to utilize these feathers in isolating the species as valuable taxonomic traits for enriching Iraqi flora. The study included characteristics of the type, shape, size, sculpturing and apertures, as well as determining the full dimensions using light microscopy as well as numerical analysis of this species and draw polygonal shapes and denderogram  convergence between species. The results of the study of pollen and polygonal forms showed significant differences in the characteristics at the level of each species, which helps to identifi

Carbon monoxide (CO) contamination represents a major global concern. This study aimed to detect the concentration of CO, emitted from various vehicles exhausters which are important contributors in deteriorating air quality. The data was collected throughout the heavy parking period at Al- Jadyria campus in Baghdad University. The vehicles were classified into two main groups according to the type of gasoline they are filled with; including premium leaded and leaded free gasoline (PLG and LFG respectively), as well as engine size, odometer, brand and model. Seven low duty vehicles for each engine size (<1.6 to >2.0) liter were selected randomly. A portable gas detector type (Altair® 4X) was used to measure exhausted emiss

The objective of this study was to evaluate a natural bio-insecticide manufacturing from Eucalyptus sp. volatile oil. The use of Eucalyptus sp. against the Backswimmer insect Anisops sardea Herrich-Schaeffer, 1849 predatory of larvae of common carp fish, Cyprinus carpio L., in artificial closed ponds in Babylon province represented a new idea in Iraq. The volatile oil of the Eucalyptus sp. was extracted by hot water method using the Clevenger, three concentrations of 250000, 450000 and 650000 ppm with benzyl benzoate a

 Four aphid species belonging to the Tribe Fordini (Homoptera, Aphididae,  Eriosomatinae) induce galls on Pistacia trees in North Iraq (Kurdistan) were recorded in this study. Molecular phylogeny of Iraq Fordini species was constructed for These species (Forda riccobonii, Paracletus  cimiciformis, Baizongia pistaciae and Forda marginata), based on sequences of mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI)  gene of these aphid species to detect  the relationship and taxonomy of  Iraqi species for tribe Fordini. Our results confirmed that each of Forda and Paracletus are a sister genus, or monophyletic group by designing in same clade, while B. pistaciae

This study was aimed to extract the effective material from the dry nests of termites and detect its antibacterial activity against some pathogenic bacterial isolates and inhibit synthesis of its biofilm. Termites dry nests were collected and the effective material was extracted then the antibacterial activity was detected using the disc diffusion assay. Results were showed that the extract have antibacterial material from the Termites dry nests, this extract showed antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) at (21.5mm) and Gram negative bacteria ( Enterobacter sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) at (26 mm and 20 mm) respectively by inhibiting their growth, as well as its

This study was aimed to investigate the antiproliferative effect of lemongrass essential oil (LEO) from Cymbopogon citratus on A549 cell line and their effect on the expression of p53 gene in lung cancer cells. The LEO was extracted and anlaysed using GC-MS analysis, the cytotoxicity of LEO against lung cancer cells was examined using MMT assay and finally the expression of p53 was determined via qRT-PCR. The chromatogram of GC-MS exhibited 14 compounds in ELO, the major one is citral (56.4%). The cytotoxicity of LEO was dose dependent which proliferation of the lung cells were significantly inhibited with increased concentration of essential oil (P≤ 0.01) as well as the IC50 was 29.13 ppm. Furthermore

This study was aimed description of morphological features of fruits and seeds of eight species related to Brassicaceae family in Iraq, the study showed number of taxonomic differences as the silique was long in all studied except the species Rorippa amphibian (L.)b Besser was short, however the  fruits varied in dimensions where the species Turritis laxa L. recorded the highest average length with (160 mm) while the species  R .amphibia was record  the shortest length (5 mm), in addition the colors ranged from green to brown. This study showed that all of the species was glabrous except Arabis caucasia Willd. was lanute-woolly.  The configuration shapes were linear with exc

This study was aimed to chemical analysis of new recorded species Acalypha australis L. Plant samples collected from cultivated gardens and fields as well as road sides. This plant is annual herbs or weed, with wiry stem and simple lanceolate green leaves, and unisexual flowers with special cordate bracts, male flower characterized by separated anther sacs, fruits schizocarpic with 2 or 3 mericarps, pollen grains are 3-4-zonocolporate with irregular granulated sculpturing. Extract revealed a variable gropes of an important bioactive compounds as benzuquinones and its derivatives 2,6-dimethoxy – 1,4- benzoquinones which has an important roles as antioxidants compounds, From anthraquinones group the plant has trihydroxya

This study was concentrated for isolation and identification of 60 (35.2%) Proteus mirabilis isolates out of 170 urine samples from patients suffering from urinary tract infection  from different hospitals in Baghdad city during a period from September 2020 to January 2021. The isolates were cultivated on selective media and biochemical reactions were used to identify them confirmatory APi 20 E tests. The sixty selected isolates were tested for resistance against four antibiotics. The results shown that there were differences in the antibiotic resistance of isolates. High resistance to nalidixic acid and ampicillin were found among isolates as (75%) and (51%) respectively while the resistance of Proteus mirabili

This study was aimed to investigate the resistance of S. aureus  to different antiseptics.This research indicate that the resistance of S.aureus to antiseptics  is  due to possessing  either the smr gene or the qacA/B genes that  associated with decreased susceptibility to antiseptics there for this study amid to determine the frequencies of S. aureus chloroxylenol resistant isolates and the presence of the  previous genes in these isolates as well as the effect of chloroxylenol on the expression of these genes.189 clinical isolates isolated from skin infections  identified as S. aureus in Baghdad by microscopical and biochemical tests. The chloroxylenol resistance S. aureus isolates was identified and

 This study was aimed to investigate cytogenetic effects of the crude saponinsof Yucca elephantipes leaves on mitosis. The root tips of Allium cepa L. were used as plant test system in vivo. Root tips of A. cepa were tested for four hours with four concentrations of the crude saponins (0.00, 6.25, 12.5, 25 or 50 mg/ml). This study were included some cytogenetic diagnosis included mitotic index, phase index, and chromosomal aberration. Results showed that saponins reduced the mitotic index (MI) to less than 50%, specifically when treated with 12.5,25 or 50 mg/ ml mitotic index reached 25.48, 17.98, 18.81% respectively, this reduction was considered tox

تهدف الدراسة إلى تحديد فعالية النياسين A و الزيت الطيار لأكليل الجبل في الجسم الحي لفئران التجارب على بكتريا B. cereus المعزولة من اللحوم المعلبة في المختبر. أظهرت النتائج فعالية اكليل الجبل بتركيز (2000 ميكروغرام / مل) والنياسين A (350 ميكروغرام / مل) اذ بلغت  27 و 19 ملم قطر المنطقة المثبطة على التوالي بأستخدام طريقة الانتشا

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is an annual herbaceous flowering plant, its widely used as spices, flavoring agent and fragrance. Anise seeds and its essential oils (EOs) has been used widely in the recipes of folk medicine in the Arab region, including Iraq. Therefore, the goal of this work was to extract and define the chemical compositions of aniseeds EOs, and study its antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm potentials. Aniseed EOs were extracted by hydro-distillation technique using Clevenger apparatus. Twenty-five distinct compounds have been recognized by Gas chromatographic–Mass spectral (GC-Mas) analysis, the major constituents were anisole (87

The current study was aimed to investigate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of ethanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyx against locally isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at different concentrations were started from 0.078 to 40 mg/ml. The extract was prepared by soaked calyces powder of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. with 80% ethanol in the Soxhlet extraction unit, and then it was aseptically filtered. The antibacterial activity was tested by agar diffusion method and broth microdilution method, this method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of extract, while the antibiofilm activity was determined by using 96-well polystyrene microtiter plate

The research was aimed to identify fruits morphological characteristics of 33 taxa belonging to the Lepidieae tribe from Brassicaceae. The characteristics of the fruit's general shape, apex shape, dimensions, colors, surface ornamentation, and beak were determined, the results indicated the importance of each of those characters in isolated species, In general, all the tribe's fruits were open capsule and short silicula. According to the dimensions of fruit, three species can be distinguished as a group with dimensions greater than 20mm, as in Brossardia, Coluteocarpus, and Didymophysa, and depending on the shape, it was possible to differentiate the species within this group, while the other species were less t