Basrah Journal of Science

The current study focused on the diagnosis of species related to gastropoda and
pelecypoda classes, mostly in the planktonic larval stage, to be used as evidence of
marine transgression in mid-Holocene. Of these, twenty of them have been recognized
for the first time in Iraq. Three bio-facies were distinguished using these species as well
as statistical grain size parameters. They are; the first bio-facies (B1) reflects the
marine transgression that occurred in the middle of the Holocene, while the second
bio-facies (B2) shows the marine regression. The third bio-facies (B3) indicates the sea
level fluctuation at the end of the Holocene.

Staphylococci spp. were isolated from 163 stool samples collected from patients in
the period from January through August 2007. The isolates included 52 (31.9%)
Staphylococcus aureus and 111 (68.1%) coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) were
subjected to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test against vancomycin and teicoplanin.
Only four S. aureus strains were resistant to vancomycin (MIC = 16-64 mg/ml) and teicoplanin
(MIC = 32-128 mg/ml). No CoNS isolate exhibited resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin. Disc
diffusion test for vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates showed high
resistance (100%) to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, oxacillin, penicillin, tetracycline,
teicoplanin and vancomycin; they were resistance to clindamycin and streptomycin (75%), and
resistance to chloramphenicol and gentamicin (50%). Multiplex PCR assay for the vanA and vanB
genes showed that only 4 isolates with the VanA phenotype produced the expected molecular size
1030 bp product corresponding for the vanA gene. None of the remain isolates produced positive
results with the vanA or vanB primers.

Several studies have been carried out to find a candidate biomarkers linked to the development of
autism disorder. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the various biomarkers and discuss it
is roles in the pathogenesis of autism. Because of, early analysis may lead to early estimation and
prevention for the autistic neurodevelopment disorders rather than only to a symptom category. This study
investigates some blood standers and concentrations of trace elements and toxic metals as bio marker for
autism disorder indicators.
The study was involved 95 autistic children aged 1–14 years, included 77 males (81%) and
18(19%) females. The results were showed the age group of 3-5 years recorded the highest
percentage (41.05%). Blood analysis results showed blood groups that were RH+ recorded the
highest percentage for B+, A+, O+ and AB+ with 30%, 28%, 26% , and 5% respectively. While
that were RH_ noted the lower percentage for O_ (7%), A_ (4%), AB_ and B_ didn’t record any
percentage. Blood cell counts (CBC) of WBC in autistic children were not significantly different
from those of the control group, with the sole exception of a significant trend for neutrophil and
lymphocyte, slightly lower in the autistic group (p≤0.05). While, RBC variables showed
significant differences regarding HGB, HCT, MCV and MCH in autistic children compare with
control group(p≤0.05).
The study included measurements of trace elements (Copper and Zinc) in whole blood and toxic
element (Lead) in serum. The results were showed elevation in level of this elements in all age groups
with significand deference between patients and control (p≤0.05). These result could be correlated with
the severity of autism.
These findings suggest that biomarkers for neurodevelopment may be critical and improve early
diagnosis and probably for therapy. More biochemical investigation, or any other test that helps diagnose
the abnormality disorder in children.

A total of 30 birds of Caspin Gull ( Larus cachinnans ) were examined and
found that all which were infected with Trematode parasites ( prevalence 100 %
) : Apophallus crami , Heterotestphyes sobolevi , Diplostomum spathaceum , D.
pseudospathaceum and Stephanopropora denticulate . Three of which are
recorded for the first time in Iraq (A. crami , H. sobolevi and D.
pseudospathaceum ). All there parasites were taxonomically described .