Toxoplasma gondii is a unique intracellular parasite, which infect a large proportion of the world population, but uncommonly causes clinically significant disease. The present study was performed to estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in 400 apparently healthy blood donor males, their ages were between 18 and 57 years using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and to examine the effects of infection on total testosterone, free testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in their sera. Seroprevalence showed 10 (2.5 %) and 121 (30 %) of them had IgM and IgG antibodies respectively. Both acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in males recorded higher significant (P < 0.05) mean concentration for total and free testosterone hormone,

Background: Ulcerative colitis disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract. In regulation of this inflammatory process, Interleukin-6, C-reactive proteins and albumin have a major role. Overproduction of IL-6 by immunocompetent cells contributes to activate the liver to produce CRP, transudation of plasma albumin and development of the inflammatory condition. Elevated levels of IL-6 in saliva could be expected, because the saliva-producing cells are part of the digestive system. The purpose of this study was to assess salivary IL-6, CRP and albumin in ulcerative colitis patients in relation to oral findings. Materials and methods: Forty eight saliva specimens collected from three groups of subjects (s

Abstract Twenty Bacillus isolated were obtained from different sample food and water. Bacillus B1 isolated was the highest asparaginase producer, it was identified as a strain of B. subtilis. The highest production of asparaginase was observed when mineral salt medium containing 0.3% asparagen, pH 8 and incubated at 40°c for 24 hrs. B. subtilis B1 cells were immobilized by entrapment methods (calcium alginate and agar), and by adsorption on solid surface such as sawdust and cotton. The result showed that the immobilized cells by adsorption on sawdust was the best, the immobilized cell retained 88% of asparginase activity after 48h while free cell retained 65%. Cells immobilized by adsorption on sawdust was incubated at different temperatu

In this study, a platinum(II) complex ([Pt(H2L)(PPh3)] complex) containing a thiocarbohydrazone as the ligand was tested as an anti-proliferative agent against ovarian adenocarcinoma (Caov-3) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) through MTT assays. Apoptotic markers were tested by the AO/PI double staining assay and DNA fragmentation test. Flow cytometry was conducted to measure cell cycle distribution, while the p53 and caspase-8 pathways were tested via immunofluorescence assay. Results demonstrated that the cytotoxic effect of the Pt(II)- thiocarbohydrazone complexes against Caov-3 and HT-29 cells was highly significant, and this effect triggered the activation of the p53 and caspase-8 pathways. Besides, apoptosis stimulated by th

Poly [2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1, 4-phenylenevinyl] (MEH-PPV) thin films were created in this study using both spin coating and drop casting processes. MEH-PPV thin films generated by Ferric Chloride (FeCl3) doping (0.03, 0.06, 0.09, and 0.12 wt%) were studied for some physical features using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). An FTIR test showed that there was no chemical reaction that occurred between Ferric Chloride (FeCl3) and MEH-PPV, but rather a physical one, that is, an organic material composite occurred. As for FE-SEM, the pure sample MEH-PPV formed uniformly, but when FeCl3 was added by weight, we have differ

In this work, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/ Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites were prepared with two concentrations of MWCNTs by casting method. Morphological, structural characteristics and electrical properties were investigated. The state of MWCNTs dispersion in a PVP matrix was indicated by Field Effect-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) which showed a uniform dispersion of MWCNTs within the PVP matrix. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) indicate strong bonding of carbonyl groups of PVP composite chains with MWCNTs. Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) studies shows characteristics of various stretching and bending vibration bands, as well as shifts in some band locations and intensity changes in others. Hall effect was stu

In this work, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/ Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites were prepared with two concentrations of MWCNTs by casting method. Morphological, structural characteristics and electrical properties were investigated. The state of MWCNTs dispersion in a PVP matrix was indicated by Field Effect-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) which showed a uniform dispersion of MWCNTs within the PVP matrix. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) indicate strong bonding of carbonyl groups of PVP composite chains with MWCNTs. Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) studies shows characteristics of various stretching and bending vibration bands, as well as shifts in some band locations and intensity changes in others. Hall effect was studied