Background: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) leads to activation of T-helper cells (Th-1 and Th-2) which are involved in the synthesis and release of different cytokines which may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Objectives: To evaluate the endothelial function in patients with acute toxoplasmosis. Methods: This case-control study involved 31 patients with toxoplasmosis aged 19 - 47 years matched with 20 healthy subjects. Anti-T. gondii antibody (IgG, IgM, IgA) was determined by direct antigen-antibody reaction. Interleukin-6(IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and human malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were measured. Results: IgM, IgG and IgA levels were high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, IL-

Biotreatment using immobilized cells (IC) technology has proved to be the most promising and most economical approach for the removal of many toxic organic pollutants found in petroleum-refinery wastewater (PRW) such as phenol. This study was undertaken to evaluate the degradation of phenol by Pseudomonas cells individually immobilized in two different bio-carrier matrices including polyvinyl alcohol-guar gum (PVA-GG) and polyvinyl alcohol-agar agar (PVA-AA). Results of batch experiments revealed that complete removal of phenol was attained in the first cycle after 150 min using immobilized cells (IC) in both PVA-GG and PVA-AA. Additional cycles were confirmed to evaluate the validity of recycling beads of immob

Human cerebral cortex is the outer folded neuronal layer and represents major part of the cerebrum with enormous functions. It is a laminar structure, easily visualized grossly. Previous studies showed that the Superior Temporal gyrus is one of the thickest cerebral cortex regions, reaching (about 4 mm). The Electron microscope study was made on 6 samples taken to measure the neuronal soma dimension of the large pyramidal cells present in the internal pyramidal cortical layer V in different age groups and gender. Aging process was obvious on the large pyramidal cells of the cerebral cortex, in which their neuronal soma dimensions showed shrinkage with age progression. But statistically there was no differences in the values between males an

The problem of poverty and deprivation constitute a humanitarian tragedy and its continuation may threaten the political achievements reached by the State. Iraq, in particular, and although he is one of the very rich countries due to availability of huge economic wealth, poverty indicators are still high. In addition, the main factor in the decline in the standard of living due to the weakness of the government's performance in the delivery of public services of water, electricity and sanitation. Thus, the guide for human development has been addressed which express the achievements that the state can be achieved both on a physical level or on the human level, so in order to put appropriate strategies and policies aimed at elimin

Background: The post-operative acute abdominal complication is one of the most difficult clinical problems facing the surgeon, and it represents a unique challenge for him not only because of the difficulty in making a precise diagnosis but also in the decision for further management . Objective: discuss the post-operative acute abdominal complications requiring re-interventionType of the study: Cross sectional study. Methods : Patients with early post-operative Acute Abdominal complications ( within 30 days from the initial operation ) who required re-intervention were studied prospectively Results :The study included 82 patients 47 of them were females, their age ranging 7-87,Different types of the initial operation were reported,51 %

Background: periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease causing destruction of the tooth supporting structures, initiated by dental plaque and modified by environmental and genetic risk factors. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme is responsible for the production of prostaglandin E2, an important mediator in the chronic periodontitis (CP) pathogenesis. Polymorphisms in COX-2 gene have linked to CP in different populations. Aim: To study the association between Cyclooxygenase-2 single nucleotide polymorphism rs689466 (-1195A/G SNP) and chronic periodontitis in a sample of Iraqi population. Methods: One hundred Iraqi subjects divided into two groups: case group consisted of 70 CP patient (35 males and 35 females) with age range 30-55 year

In this research, a modified artificial hand with direct control has been designed using electrical artificial muscle wires that receive direct sensory impulses through human hand instead of using the mechanical action to open and close this artificial hand. Each finger is designed as a chain and its movements achieved through the conventional arrangement control of the electrical muscles wires. The results indicate that it is possible to design an artificial hand using electrical muscle wire for control it with high accuracy.

Object tracking is one of the most important topics in the fields of image processing and computer vision. Object tracking is the process of finding interesting moving objects and following them from frame to frame. In this research, Active models–based object tracking algorithm is introduced. Active models are curves placed in an image domain and can evolve to segment the object of interest. Adaptive Diffusion Flow Active Model (ADFAM) is one the most famous types of Active Models. It overcomes the drawbacks of all previous versions of the Active Models specially the leakage problem, noise sensitivity, and long narrow hols or concavities. The ADFAM is well known for its very good capabilities in the segmentation process. In this