Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative aging disease, with idiopathic PD being most common. Gastrointestinal tract disorders (GITD) and microbiota changes may trigger idiopathic PD. Neurotoxins from microbiota can travel from the gut to the brain via the brain-gut axis (BGA), leading to α-syn protein misfolding and dopaminergic neuron death. Methods: The aim of the current study was to investigate the link between PD and GITD by measuring several biochemical and immunological markers in 142 patients. The biochemical markers measured were vitamins B6, B12, and D, calcium, serotonin, ghrelin, dopamine, and α-syn protein. The immunological markers included transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). All markers were measured using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Results: PD patients were significantly older (63.76±12.29 years) compared to GITD and control groups (41.00±15.54 and 41.25±18.30 years, respectively). Males predominated in the PD group (74.5%), while females were more common in the GITD and control groups. PD and GITD patients showed significantly lower levels of vitamins and neurotransmitters but higher calcium and α synuclein compared to controls. Immunological markers were elevated in PD and GITD groups, with significant differences between them (P-value < 0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that certain biochemical and immunological markers provide strong evidence of the brain-gut axis's involvement in the initiation of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
In recent years, nano-modified asphalt has gained significant attraction from researchers in the design of asphalt pavement fields. The recently discovered Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) are among the most exciting and promising nanomaterials. This study examines the effect of 1, 3, 5, and 7% of nano-TiO2 by weight of asphalt on some of its rheological and hardened properties. The experimental study included physical and rheological properties. The asphalt penetration, softening point, ductility, and rotational viscometer tests indicate that 5% nano-TiO2 is the ideal amount to be added to bitumen as a modifier. The
The aim of this work was directed to measure the cosmic ray (CR)
flux and the background (BG) absorbed dose rate for districts of
Baghdad city. The maximum values of CR flux was 2.01
(particle/cm2.s) registered for several Baghdad districts and the
minimum was 0.403 (particle/cm2.s) belonging to Al-kadhimiya
district, whereas the overall average value was 1.24 (particle/cm2.s).
The BG measurements showed that the maximum absorbed dose was
25 nSv/h belonging to Noab AL-Dhbat district and the minimum
absorbed was 19.01 nSv/h observed in Al-Ghadeer district, while
the overall average was 22.56 nSv/h, and this value is small than the
Iraqi permissible limit, which is restricted by Iraqi Center of
Radiation Pr
This research investigates the pre- and post-cracking resistance of steel fiber-reinforced concrete specimens with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars subjected to flexural loading. The purpose is to modify the ductility and cracking resistance of GFRP-reinforced beams, which are prone to early cracking and excessive deflections instigated by the low modulus of elasticity of GFRP. Six self-compacting concrete specimens (1500×240×200 mm), incorporating steel fibers of two lengths (25 mm and 40 mm) with varying distribution depths, were tested to assess their structural performance. The results indicate significant enhancements in cracking resistance, stiffness, energy absorption, ductility, and flexural strength. Tested beam
... Show MoreBackground: The effect of garlic extracton fungal
growth and keratinolytic activity was studied in
Trichophytonmentagrophytes as one of the major
etiologic agents of human and animal dermatophytosis
in Baghdad and other parts of the World.
Objective: To investigated an alternative
antidermatophyte with minimum side effects which is
plant based and biodegradable natural product
Methods: Culture conditions for 30 isolates of T.
mentagrophytes isolated from human dermatophytosis
from both sexes with ages of 5-63 years in Central
Medical city for the period July 2009 to October 2009
were cultured on specific solid medium.
Results: The aqueous extract of garlic at various
concentrations inhibited the
Among the undesirable effects of soil compaction is a measurable reduction in plant growth and crop yield. The prevailing belief is that compacted tillage pans are caused by repetitive farming practices, heavy tractors, tillage tools, and field traffic. This experiment was conducted to determine and map the hardpan layers across an agricultural field through advanced technologies of precision agriculture. These valuable techniques such as data logger, yield map, and data analysis of performance indicators were linked with accurate global positioning systems (GPS) datasets. These important technologies provided the farmers and helped them to identify and manage areas of the fields with higher compacted layers. Three ground speeds 4.3
... Show MoreThe adsorption of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution by spent tea leaves (STL) was studied at different initial Cr (VI) concentrations, adsorbent dose, pH and contact time under batch isotherm experiments The adsorption experiments were carried out at 30°C and the effects of the four parameters on chromium uptake to establish a mathematical model description percentage removal of Cr (VI). The
analysis results showed that the experimental data were adequately fitted to second order polynomial model with correlation coefficients for this model was (R2 = 0.9891). The optimum operating parameters of initial Cr (VI) concentrations, adsorbent dose, pH and contact time were 50 mg/l, 0.7625 g, 3 and 100 min, respectively. At these conditions, th
Objective(s): This study aims to assess health related quality of life among Iraqi patients with chronic viral hepatitis
B and C also to find out the relationship between health related quality of life and patients demographic
characteristic and to design a new measurement scale for assessing QoL among viral hepatitis B and C patients
which can be suitable to be adopted for Iraqi patients
Methodology: A descriptive quantitative study is carried out at Gastroenterology and Hepatology Teaching
Hospital from February, 1st, 2011 to August 30th 2011, Anon probability (purposive sample) of (100) chronic viral
hepatitis B and C persons , who were clients of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Teaching Hospital / outpatient
clin
In this paper, a new class of non-convex functions called semi strongly (