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.
A reinforced concrete frame is referred as "RIGID FRAMES". However, researches indicate that the Beam-Column joint (BCJ) is definitely not rigid. In addition, extensive research shows that failure may occur at the joint instead of in the beam or the column. Joint failure is known to be a catastrophic type which is difficult to repair.
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of hoops and column axial load on the shear strength of high-strength fiber reinforced Beam-Column Joints by using a numerical model based on finite element method using computer program ANSYS (Version 11.0). The variables are: diameter of hoops and magnitude of column axial load.
The theoretical results obtained from ANSYS program are in a good a
Dynamic machine foundations can be considered as a necessary component of the industrial infrastructure. Design of the dynamic equipment foundations has, however, traditionally been grounded on a rule of thumb that is inaccurate and rigid to use at the discretion of the engineers. The conventional rule of thumb, which includes minimum weight ratios and resonance avoidance criteria, has been used singularly with two poles, which can be either conservatively designed systems that are too heavy, or systems that are going to experience too much vibration and fatigue. This paper presents a novel, analytical framework for the reinterpretation of traditional design practices, using a physics-based approach, and results in a single, unified overall
... Show MoreFreshwater scarcity poses a global challenge, particularly in regions where conventional water resources are limited. Solar stills offer an economical, sustainable solution; however, their yield is limited. This study aims to evaluate a new tracking concentrated tilted tubular solar still equipped with a heat‐pipe TTSS‐HP. The novelty of the present work lies in four aspects: a novel trough U‐channel design that improves the interception of reflected solar radiation, a novel hexagonal glass cover design. A receiver formed of four‐sections, combined with a heat‐pipe and dual trough concentrators. Outdoor experiments are carried out in Baghdad, Iraq (33.27° N, 44.37° E),
The study involved the synthesis of new complexes with tetradentate ligand (LH). The general formula of complexes was [M(LH)(H2O)2] with M of Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+, and Zn+. The ligand was synthesized by treating the 2-hydroxybenzohydrazide with salicylaldehyde. The structural characteristics of ligands and complexes were analyzed using various techniques, including elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity, infrared, ultraviolet absorption, mass, and NMR spectroscopy studies. The physical measurements indicated that the prepared complexes are non-electrolyte and showed that the ligand is tetradentate when coordinated with metal ions through the nitrogen of azomethine (–C=N–), two oxygen atoms of O–H phenolic,
... Show MoreUropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) is problematic and still the leading cause of urinary tract infections worldwide. It is developed resistance against most antibiotics. The investigation, surveillance system, and efficient strategy will facilitate selecting an appropriate treatment that could control the bacterial distribution. The present study aims to investigate the epidemiology and associated risk factors of uropathogenic E. coli and to study their antibiotic resistance patterns. 1585 midstream urine specimens were collected from symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) patients (225 males and 1360 females) admitted to Zakho emergency hospital, Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq from January 2016 until the end of December 2
... Show More