Background: The discriminative power of the classical WHO parameters in relation to male fertility is quite low, because they only address few aspects of sperm quality and function. This has led investigators to focus their attention on the male gamete and in particular its genome.Objective: To explore which of the sperm DNA damage parameters measured by comet assay are more reliable, and their relations with the standard semen parameters.Methods: Study was done on 40 infertile men selected from couples attending the Institute of Embryo Reasearch and Infertility Treatment at Al-Kadhimiya City/ Baghdad in the period between February 2009 and May 2009, with a history of infertility of ≥1 years; and 15 healthy volunteers of proven fertility serving as control. Samples were allowed to liquefy for at least 30 minutes at 37°C and then evaluated according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization, 1999. The single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay was studied in the ejaculated spermatozoa. The exclusion criteria were the presence of azoospermia and severe oligospermia. Results were compared with the standard semen characteristics (concentration, motility and morphology).Results: Compared to healthy volunteers, infertile patients had highly significantly higher values of comet parameters (P = 0.00001). In all infertile patients, comet extent did not correlate with any of the classical semen parameters; whereas, tail length (μm), % DNA in tail, tail moment and olive moment had all significant negative correlations with the standard parameters. Significant positive correlations were observed between the studied comet parameters, except for the comet extent which was not significantly correlated with tail length and % DNA in tail (P = 0.06, P = 0.7; respectively).Conclusion: Comet assay is a very useful technique in assessing sperm DNA damage. Comet tail parameters and comet extent, may clarify different aspects of DNA damage, and together give a better insight to the integrity of the male genome.Keywards: sperm, comet extent, % DNA in tail, tail moment and olive moment
The importance of the construction sector and its Great role in the provision of services and infrastructure, reduce poverty, improve living conditions and improve the economic situation in the country, impose attention to the way in which the projects implemented for its improvement and to get successful projects. The objective of this research was to determine the criteria for success as well as critical success and failure factors that have a significant impact on project success. A selected 75 engineer (department managers, project managers and engineers) are asked to fill the questionnaire form, Sixty-seven valid questionnaire forms were analyzed statistically to get search results, which were as follows : Twe
... Show MoreMulti-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized by hexylamine (HA) in a promising, cost-effective, rapid and microwave-assisted approach. In order to decrease defects and remove acid-treatment stage, functionalization of MWCNTs with HA was carried out in the presence of diazonium reaction. Surface functionality groups and morphology of chemically-functionalized MWCNTS were characterized by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (DTG), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To reach a promising dispersibility in oil media, MWCNTs were functionalized with HA. While the cylindrical structures of MWCNTs were remained reasonably intact, characterization results consistently confirmed the sidewall-functionalization o
... Show MoreExperimental research was carried out on eight reinforced concrete beams to study the embedded length of the longitudinal reinforcement. Six beams were casted using self compacted concrete, and the two other beams were casted using normal concrete. The test was carried out on beams subjected to two point loads. The strain and the slip of the main reinforcement have been measured by using grooves placed during casting the beams at certain places. The measured strain used to calculate the longitudinal stresses (bond stress) surrounding the bar reinforcement, The study was investigated the using of self compacted concrete SCC on the embedded length of reinforcing bars, and comparing the results with normal concrete. The test results show th
... Show MoreOne of the main aims of Metrical Phonology Theory (MTT) is to provide the stress of poetry on the syllable, the foot, and the phonological word levels. Analyzing poetry embodies one of the most prominent and controversial metrical issues as the subsumed number and types of syllables, feet, and meters are balanced compared to other literary texts. The MTT saw the light during the late seventies (1975) and (1977) by Liberman and Prince, who produced it as part of non-linear phonology. Its roots originated in prosody, which studies poetic meter and versification. The basis of the metrical analysis is the prosodic analysis developed in London by Firth and his students in 1950. This study aims to identify the values of five metri
... Show MoreSolid waste generation and composition in Baghdad is typically affected by population growth, urbanization, improved economic conditions, changes in lifestyles and social and cultural habits.
A burning chamber was installed to burn cellulosic waste only. It was found that combustion reduced the original volume and weight of cellulosic waste by 97.4% and 85% respectively.
A batch composting study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of co-composting organic food waste with the cellulosic bottom ash in three different weight ratios (w/w) [95/5, 75/25, 50/50].
The composters were kept in controlled aerobic conditions for 7 days. Temperature, moisture, and pH were measured hourly as process succe
... Show MoreThis study's objective is to assess how well UV spectrophotometry can be used in conjunction with multivariate calibration based on partial least squares (PLS) regression for concurrent quantitative analysis of antibacterial mixture (Levofloxacin (LIV), Metronidazole (MET), Rifampicin (RIF) and Sulfamethoxazole (SUL)) in their artificial mixtures and pharmaceutical formulations. The experimental calibration and validation matrixes were created using 42 and 39 samples, respectively. The concentration range taken into account was 0-17 μg/mL for all components. The calibration standards' absorbance measurements were made between 210 and 350 nm, with intervals of 0.2 nm. The associated parameters were examined in order to develop the optimal c
... Show MoreThe residual limb within the prosthesis, is often subjected to tensile or fatigue stress with varying temperatures. The fatigue stress and temperatures difference which faced by amputee during his daily activities will produces an environmental media for growth of fungi and bacteria in addition to the damage that occurs in the prosthesis which minimizingthe life of the prosthetic limb and causing disconfirm feeling for the amputee.
In this paper, a mechanical and thermal properties of composite materials prosthetic socket made of different lamination for perlon/fiber glass/perlon, are calculated by using tesile test device under varying temperatures ( from 20oC to 60oC), also in this paper a device for measuring rotational bendin
... Show Moreهدفت الدراسة الى التعرف على مستوى استخدام إدارة المعرفة و تكنولوجيا المعلومات لدى القيادات الإدارية تُعدّ لعبة الإسكواش من الألعاب الفردية، وواحدة من ألعاب المضرب، والتي تمتاز بالسرعة والحركة الدائمة في داخل القاعة، ولعل أهم ما يميز هذه اللعبة المتعة التي يشعر بها اللاعبون الممارسون لها، لأنها تجبر ممارسيها على الحركة المستمرة عن طريق تبادل لعب الكرة، وتتميز بالتحدي المباشر، وتتطلب اليقظة والحرص وال
... Show MoreAlmost all thermal systems utilize some type of heat exchanger. In a lot of cases, evaporators are important for systems like organic Rankine cycle systems. Evaporators give a share in a large portion of the capital cost, and their cost is significantly attached to their size or transfer area. Open-cell metal foams with high porosity are taken into consideration to enhance thermal performance without increase the size of heat exchangers. Numerous researchers have tried to find a representation of the temperature distribution closer to reality due to the different properties between the liquid and solid phases. Evaporation heat transfer in an annular pipe of double pipe heat exchanger (DPHEX) filled with cooper foam is investigated numerical
... Show MoreProviding stress of poetry on the syllable-, the foot-, and the phonological word- levels is one of the essential objectives of Metrical Phonology Theory. The subsumed number and types of syllables, feet, and meters are steady in poetry compared to other literary texts that is why its analysis demonstrates one of the most outstanding and debatable metrical issues. The roots of Metrical Phonology Theory are derived from prosody which studies poetic meters and versification. In Arabic, the starting point of metrical analysis is prosodic analysis which can be attributed to يديهارفلا in the second half of the eighth century (A.D.). This study aims at pinpointing the values of two metrical parameters in modern Arabic poetry. To
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