Background: Previous studies about the correlation of genetic polymorphisms in the multigene family of cyto- chrome P450 (CYPs), the effect of tobacco smoking, and the risk of developing cancer have been well in- vestigated in different populations, but not in Iraq. Furthermore, the studies of malignance occurrence re- lationship with cigarette tobacco smoking revealed the presence of strong association, however, little is known about the risk of Waterpipe (WP) tobacco smoking. Thus, determination two important genetic polymorphisms in CYP1A1, a main member of CYPs, among Iraqi men was our first aim. This is the first study that highlights the correlation of CYP1A1 polymorphisms with the risk of lung cancer in Iraq. The second aim was to evaluate the combined association of WP tobacco smoking and CYP1A1-Ile462Val and -MspI polymorphisms in lung cancer risk. Methods: This study included 123 lung cancer patients and 129 controls. To determine the variant genotypes, the techniques of Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing were carried out. Results: The data revealed the possible associations of variant (G) allele of CYP1A1-Ile462Val (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1–2.4; P = 0.01) and variant (C) allele of CYP1A1-MspI (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.3–2.7; P < 0.01) with the risk of lung cancer. The variant genotypes of CYP1A1 polymorphisms were significantly correlated in the case of squamous cell carcinoma and synergistically associated in the case of combined effect with WP tobacco smoking (ORIleVal = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.0–4.1; P = 0.04, and ORMspI = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.3–5.5; P ≤ 0.01). Conclusion: The results suggest that WP tobacco smoking and genetic polymorphisms in CYP1A1 are most likely important risk factors for lung cancer in the Iraqi population.
This paper presents a study to investigate the behavior of post-tensioned segmental concrete beams that exposed to high-temperature. The experimental program included fabricating and testing twelve simply supported beams that divided into three groups depending on the number of precasting concrete segments. All specimens were prepared with an identical length of 3150 mm and differed in the number of the incorporated segments of the beam (9, 7, or 5 segments). To simulate the genuine fire disasters, nine out of twelve beams were exposed to a high-temperature flame for one hour. Based on the standard fire curve (ASTM – E119), the temperatures of 300◦C (572◦F), 500◦C (932◦F), and 700◦C (1292◦F) were adopted. Consequently,
... Show MoreAkaike’s Information Criterion (AIC) is a popular method for estimation the number of sources impinging on an array of sensors, which is a problem of great interest in several applications. The performance of AIC degrades under low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). This paper is concerned with the development and application of quadrature mirror filters (QMF) for improving the performance of AIC. A new system is proposed to estimate the number of sources by applying AIC to the outputs of filter bank consisting quadrature mirror filters (QMF). The proposed system can estimate the number of sources under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
This study intends to examine the efficiency of student-centered learning (SCL) through Google classroom in enhancing the readiness of fourth stage females’ pre-service teachers. The research employs a quasi-experimental design with a control and experimental group to compare the teaching readiness of participants before and after the intervention. The participants were 30 of fourth stage students at the University of Baghdad - College of Education for Women/the department of English and data were collected through observation checklist to assess their teaching experience and questionnaires to assess their perceptions towards using Google Classroom. Two sections were selected, C as a control group and D as the experimental one each with (
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The aim of this paper is to investigate and discuss the mechanisms of corrosion of epoxy coatings used for potable water tanks. Two distinct types of Jotun epoxy coatings: Tankguard 412 contained polyamine cured epoxy and Penguard HB contained polyamide cured epoxy, were tested and studied using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) method. The porosity of epoxy coatings was determined using EIS method. The obtained results showed that the two epoxy coatings have excellent behavior when applied and tested in potable water of Basrah city. Polyamine is more resistance to water corrosion compared to polyamide curing epoxy and has high impedance values. Microscopic inspection after te
... Show MoreConstruction of artificial higher order protein complexes allows sampling of structural architectures and functional features not accessible by classical monomeric proteins. Here, we combine in silico modelling with expanded genetic code facilitated strain promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition to construct artificial complexes that are structurally integrated protein dimers and demonstrate functional synergy. Using fluorescent proteins sfGFP and Venus as models, homodimers and heterodimers are constructed that switched ON once assembled and display enhanced spectral properties. Symmetrical crosslinks are found to be important for functional enhancement. The determined molecular structure of one artific
Experimental tests were conducted to study the behavior of skirted foundations rested on dry medium sandy soil subjected to vertical and inclined loads. To achieve this goal, a small-scale physical model was designed and performed which contained an aluminum circular footing (100 mm) in diameter and (10 mm) in thickness and skirts with different heights, local medium poorly graded dry sand is placed in a steel soil container (2 mm) thick with internal dimensions (1000 mm x 1000 mm in cross section and 800 mm in height). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the response of skirt attached to the foundation at different skirt (L/D) ratios (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5) and is subjected to point load at different angles of inclinat
... Show MoreThis paper presents an experimental study of cooling photovoltaic (PV) panels using evaporative cooling. Underground (geothermal energy) water used to extract heat from it during cooling and cleaning of PV panels. An experimental test rig was constructed and tested under hot and dusty climate conditions in Baghdad. An active cooling system was used with auxiliary an underground water tank to provide cold water as a coolant over both PV surfaces to reduce its temperature. The cellulose pad has been arranged on the back surface and sprays cooling on the front side. Two identical PV panels modules used: without cooling and evaporative water cooling. The experiments are comprised of four cases: Case (I): backside cooling, Ca
... Show MoreLight isotopes, especially closed shell nuclei, have significance in thermonuclear reactions of the Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen (CNO) cycle in stars. In this research, 12C(p, γ) 13N and 14N(p, γ) 15O reactions have been calculated by means of Matlab codes to find the reaction rate across a temperature range of 0.006 to 10 GK using non-resonant parts, as well as the astrophysical S- factor S(E) at low energies. It was concluded that the high binding energy of 12C and 14N nuclei make the reaction less probable thus enabling other competitive processes to develop, which enhances the probability of other competitive proton reactions in the CNO cycle.