BACKGROUND: CRC is one of the most common cancers in the world. K-ras is proto-oncogene with GTPase activity that is lost when the gene is mutated. Analysis of K-ras mutational status is very important for CRC treatment, being the most important predictors of resistance to targeted therapy. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the frequency and spectrum of K-ras mutation among Iraqi patients with sporadic CRC. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 35 cases with sporadic CRC; their clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. The FFPE blocks were used for DNA extraction; PCR amplification of K-ras gene and hybridization of allele-specific oligoprobes were performed. The assay covers 29 mutations in the K-ras gene (codons 12, 13, 59, 60, 61, 117 and 146). RESULTS: The majority of cases have left colonic tumours (57%), without LN involvement (57.1%), of non-mucinous adenocarcinoma histology (85.7%), grade II (82.9%) and stage III (37.1%) tumours. Fourteen mutations were detected in 13 (37%) patients with K-ras mutations; 10 (71.4%) mutations were in codon 12 while 4(28.6%) were in codon 13. The most frequent mutation was the G>T transversions [9 (64.4%)] and the most frequent mutation type was GGT>TGT (GLY>CYS) at codon 12. CONCLUSION: The incidence of K-ras mutations lies in the middle of the reported figures worldwide; the majority of mutations occurred at codon 12 followed by codon 13; predominantly of G>T transversion and Gly12Cys type that has a poorer prognosis.
In this paper, Pentacene based-organic field effect transistors (OFETs) by using different layers (monolayer, bilayer and trilayer) for three different gate insulators (ZrO2, PVA and CYEPL) were studied its current–voltage (I-V) characteristics by using the gradual-channel approximation model. The device exhibits a typical output curve of a field-effect transistor (FET). Source-drain voltage (Vds) was also investigated to study the effects of gate dielectric on electrical performance for OFET. The effect of capacitance semiconductor in performance OFETs was considered. The values of current and transconductance which calculated using MATLAB simulation. It exhibited a value of current increase with increasing source-drain voltage.
This study investigates the potential of biogas recovery from used engine oil (UEO) by co-digestion with animals’ manure, including cow dung (CD), poultry manure (PM), and cattle manure (CM). The experimental work was carried out in anaerobic biodigesters at mesophilic conditions (37°C). Two groups of biodigesters were prepared. Each group consisted of 4 digesters. UEO was the main component in the first group of biodigesters with and without inoculum, whereby a mix of UEO and petroleum refinery oily sludge (ROS) was the component in the second group of biodigesters. The results revealed that for UEO-based biodigesters, maximum biogas production was 0.98, 1.23, 1.93, and 0 ml/g VS from UEO±CD, UEO±CM, UEO±PM, and U
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Absence or hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare congenital anomaly that is mostly unilateral and highly associated with other intracranial vascular anomalies, of which saccular aneurysm is the most common. Blood flow to the circulation of the affected side is maintained by collateral pathways, some of which include the anterior communicating artery (Acom) as part of their anatomy. Therefore, temporary clipping during microsurgery on Acom aneurysms in patients with unilateral ICA anomalies could jeopardize these collaterals and place the patient at risk of ischemic damage. In this paper, we review the literature on cases with a unilaterally absent ICA associa
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the biostimulation effect of 532 nm CW laser on the metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Cells were irradiated by 532 nm Nd:YAG laser using 0.153 W/cm2 power density at 30, 45, 60,180 and 300 seconds exposure times in their respective orders. Intrafluorescence parameters were measured by detection the autofluorescence intensity, proliferation rate and Imaging the fluorescent mitochondria using confocal laser scanning microscope. The results showed that the 30 and 45 second exposure times seem to have stimulated changes in the cells that led to increase proliferation, viability and mitochondrial activity. Autofluorescence of cells increased after 45 and 60 seconds exposure time. After 3
... Show MoreA single step extraction-cleanup procedure using porous membrane-protected micro-solid phase extraction (μ-SPE) in conjunction with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the extraction and determination of aflatoxins (AFs) B1, B2, G1 and G2 from food was successfully developed. After the extraction, AFs were desorbed from the μ-SPE device by ultrasonication using acetonitrile. The optimum extraction conditions were: sorbent material, C8; sorbent mass, 20 mg; extraction time, 90 min; stirring speed, 1000 rpm; sample volume, 10 mL; desorption solvent, acetonitrile; solvent volume, 350 μL and ultrasonication period, 25 min without salt addition. Under the optimum conditions, enrichment factor of 11, 9, 9 and 10 for AFG2, AFG1
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A twisted-fin array as an innovative structure for intensifying the charging response of a phase-change material (PCM) within a shell-and-tube storage system is introduced in this work. A three-dimensional model describing the thermal management with charging phase change process in PCM was developed and numerically analyzed by the enthalpy-porosity method using commercial CFD software. Efficacy of the proposed structure of fins for performing better heat communication between the active heating surface and the adjacent layers of PCM was verified via comparing with conventional longitudinal fins within the same design limitations of fin material and volume usage. Optimization of the fin geometric parameters including the pitch, numb
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The current study was conducted in Baghdad governorate (Karkh and Al-Rasafa regions) which included collecting 50 samples of freshly slaughtered sheep meat randomly collected from local slaughter areas and approved governmental slaughterhouses (25 liver and 25 ulna muscles). The results of the aflatoxin B1 detection showed that all samples were contaminated with this toxin at different concentrations ranging from 25–422 ppb and 65–492 ppb for each ulna muscles and liver, respectively. The histopathological and immunological study was conducted in meat samples containing higher and lower concentrations of the toxin. The results of the pathological study in the liver revealed that the concentration (492 ppb) caused thickening of t
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Police play an important role in any society. Where they maintain public order by stopping and deterring crime and bringing criminals to justice. In order to achieve these objectives, they have certain means of law (search, arrest, use of force that may be lethal in some cases). However, such means may be misused in a way that harms members of society such as (Exceeding the Scope of a search warrant, violation of privacy of individuals, False Imprisonment, Excessive use of force, Sudden Deaths in custody, Sexual Assault and Harassment, Failure to respond for Domestic violence calls), which raises the civil liability of police officers and their agencies for such damage. Police officers may even abuse their characteristics even outside offic
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