Al-Nahrain Journal of Science

Betathalassemia is an inherited blood disorder caused by inadequate or absence synthesis of β-globin chains. It is classified into three subgroups: β-thalassemia minor, β-thalassemia intermedia, and β-thalassemia major. Beta thalassemia patients suffer from chronic hemolytic anemia and consequently, require frequent blood transfusions, which however can cause iron overload in tissues and organs. The accumulation of iron can cause severe complications such as endocrine dysfunction and chronic liver diseases. Leptin, a polypeptide hormone secreted by adipose tissue and plays an important role in maintaining body weight. This study aimed to evaluate serum leptin and ferritin levels in females with beta thalassemia major. The study included 35 splenectomized thalassemia patients and 35 healthy controls. Anthropometric profile, hematological profile, and serum ferritin and leptin levels were determined for all participants. The results showed a significant decrease in body mass index (BMI), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and leptin in thalassemia patients compared to the healthy controls. In contrast, there was a significant increase in serum ferritin in thalassemia patients compared to the healthy controls. It is concluded that patients with beta thalassemia major had considerably lower serum leptin levels. The increased blood ferritin levels in these patients suggest that the malfunction of adipose tissue brought on by iron overload is probably linked to this drop in leptin.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the prevailing endocrine condition among females in their reproductive age. Clinically, it is characterized by irregular or delayed ovulation, excessive androgen levels, and the appearance of polycystic in ovaries. It is linked to a greater incidence of metabolic syndrome. Although it is related to various hereditary and environmental factors, insulin resistance is an essential factor in its development. The objective of our conducted research was to observe the impacts of the ketogenic diet on the reproductive and metabolic indicators in females who have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Eighty females of reproductive age have participated in the current investigation. During three months of adhering to the ketogenic diet, high statistical reductions (P=<0.0001) were investigated in body mass index (-5.4 Kg/m2), fasting blood sugar (-39.7 mg/dL), hemoglobin A1C (-1.03 %), insulin (-4.9 mIU/L), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (-0.97), total testosterone (-0.29 ng/mL), luteinizing hormone(-6.9 mIU/ml),and LH/FSH ratio (-1.1). Conversely, highly statistical rises (P=<0.0001) were investigated in estradiol (29 pg/mL) and follicle-stimulating hormone (0.8 mIU/ml). The ketogenic diet and its advantageous impacts can serve as a supplementary treatment for polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Ovulatory abnormalities are a prevalent cause of infertility in women, and they can result in PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome. This study aimed to evaluate and compare fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, insulin resistance (IR-OMO), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and follicular, in addition to vitamin D3, stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (TT), estrogen (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and the incidence of PCOS, associated with primary infertility in sera samples of Iraqi women. A totalof 70 primary infertility women, and 30 apparently healthy controls were included in this study, their ages were ranged between 19 -40 years. Blood samples were collected from patient in addition of healthy controls as (C group). The levels of FSH, LH, prolactin, TT, E2, IR-HOMO, and FBS were higher significantly (p˂0.001) in patient groups than C group. Results showed that serum levels of SHBG in patient (3.014±0.26 ng/ml) were decreased significantly in comparison with its levels (9.975 ±0.72 ng/ml) in sera sample of C group. On the other hand, vit. D3 levels of patients (11.78 ±1.41ng/ml) were also significantly decreased in comparison with C group (18.13 ±4.07ng/ml). Furthermore, it was found that there was non-significant positive correlation between serum levels of SHBG and LH, TT, E2, insulin, IR-HOMO, VITD3, and negatively associated with FSH, PRL and FSB in patients. Thus, it can be stated that the decreases of level SHBG were associated PCOS with primary infertility.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have garnered significant interest in recent years because of their comparatively affordable production expenses and the potential to utilize flexible and transparent substrates. A widely used approach to enhance the efficiency of DSSCs is the optimization of the photoanode components by the introduction of metal or metal oxide doping in TiO2 nanostructures. In this work, the exclusive gel technique is used to produce nanoparticles of TiO2, ZnO, and ZnS. Additionally, we prepared a ZnO/ZnS nanocomposite by mixing these materials in specific weights in an ethanolic solution. All prepared materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and high-resolution X-raydiffraction (XRD). The doctor blade approach was used to prepare three kinds of photoanode in DSSC. These photoanodes were made by adding a co-dopant, ZnO/ZnS, in different weights(2%, 4%, and 6%) into TiO2 nanoparticles. The 6% wt of ZnO/ZnS doped TiO2 resulted in an enhancement in power conversion efficiency (PCE), reaching 4.92 %. This may be attributed to an increase in the short-circuit current density (Jsc) to 9.60 mA/cm2 and the open-circuit voltage (Voc) to 0.81 V, which represents a 20% enhancement compared to the undoped photoanode.

Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. We developed an amoxicillin drug via modification with different aldehyde compounds. Evaluation of the bioactivity of synthesized derivatives against Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The derivatives A1–A4exhibited more excellent biological activity than the parent drug, and derivative A2 had the most significant biological activity by higher zone inhibition. Derivative 2 tested as against prostate cancer PC3,and the IC50 rates of derivative A2 give (5.75–100) at 24 hours and (2.45 –100) at 48 hours. The ligand showed multiple interactions with the enzyme's active site amino acids with residues (ASP49, HIS116, and PHE104), where a hydrophobic interaction was observed with residues (ALA53 and ILE78) and other amino acids in the target's pocket forms.

Techniques of green production of zinc oxide nanoparticles, also called ZnO-NPs utilizing extracts of plants have drawn study interest in sustainable innovation due to its low cost, ease of use, and benefits for the natural world. This review presents a sustainable method for synthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles, also known as ZnO-NP from plant extracts, and the features of zinc oxide nanoparticles are examined. These physical features attest to zinc oxide form, structure, crystal formation, and proportions. The dimensions form and dimensions significantly influence the zinc oxide nanoparticle's interface reactivity. A further benefit of capping compounds as stabilizing agents that limit nanoparticle growth, and avert the accumulation and disintegration in colloid synthesizing, is presented in the article review. The capping ligands maintain the connection between nanoparticles and their formation medium. Ultimately, zinc oxide has become one of the most favored options for the use of sunlight because of its spectral properties. The mechanism and its application in different fields have been summarized.

This review focuses on star-shaped liquid crystals that possess a highly organized and elongated molecular design, which enables them to exhibit favorable ferroelectric and ionic conductivity functions due to the electron delocalization resulting from π-π stacking conjugation and the electrostatic attraction of ions. The motivation for creating an ionic liquid crystal with a nematic phase is due to its potential engineering uses. The nematic phase is recognized for having the highest fluidity among all liquid crystalline phases. This makes it possible to position the nematic phase by applying an external electric or magnetic field widely utilized in electro-optical electronics. The chemistry of liquid crystals, specifically the state chemistry of matter, involves compounds of chemicals containing features of liquid crystals. Biological sensors made from liquid crystal materials enable monitoring biological phenomena without labels. Liquid crystalline polymers are employed to replicate color-generating structures. Liquid crystal compounds are commonly known as a distinct state; however, their impact on contemporary procedures has been significant. Derived from cholesterol, liquid crystals are molecules often studied and handled by biologists and biomedical engineers.

Due to the increase of microbial resistant to antibiotics in addition to recurrent fungal infections, the attentions in medicinal plants and herbs are increased.52 samples of oral swabs were gathered from patients (male and female) with age average equal to 25.5 with different levels of clinical improvement (thrashing= 18, thalassemia = 15, orthodontics= 19). The samples were obtained from Diyala General Hospital and some health centers in Diyala province\Iraq. Candida albicans was the most predominant spp. among different specimens’ groups fallowed by C. trupicalis, C. glabrata and lastly C. krusei. Candidaspp are most prevalence in thalassemia patients fallowed by premature babies and orthodontics oral swabs, C. albicans were the most affected by Clutrimazole, C. trupicalis and krusei were resistant to Fluconazole C. krusei was the least affected by antifungals were used in this study. The culture results on media contain plant extracts showed a difference in the shape of the colonies growing on the media contained plant extracts, which indicates the effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of saffron, cloves, black seed and miswak on the growth of Candida species.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy characterized by varying genetic and immuno phenotypic profiles. This study includes 120 participants classified into 40 healthy subjects, 40 newly diagnosed AML, and 40 treated AML patients analyzed demographic characteristics, hematological parameters, and immunological biomarkers in newly diagnosed and treated AML patients in a Baghdad teaching hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. From the period of December 2023 and March 2024. The results revealed statistically significant differences (P value <0.05). CD marker analysis revealed high positivity rates for CD33, CD13, CD117, MPO, and CD64 in AML patients, with CD33 being the most frequent marker. No statistically significant differences were found in HB, monocytes, and PLT counts across the in both groups (P Value >0.05). The study underscores the significance of regular assessment of parameters for effective diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the potential of CD33 and CD13 as therapeutic targetsin AML.

Klebsiella is an important human pathogen that may lead to both community-acquired infections and nosocomial infection. A major threat to public health is the increasing frequency of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains that are resistant to drugs. This study aimed to determine the frequency of K. pneumoniae in sputum samples obtained from patients at the Azadi Teaching Hospitalin Duhok City, Iraq, as well as the 16S rRNA and rpoB genes for molecular analysis of K. pneumoniae. Eighty-three sputum samples were collected from patients at the Azadi Teaching Hospital in Duhok, Iraq, between January and May of 2024. Through morphologic and biochemical investigations, the isolates were identified. Klebsiell apneumoniae isolates were isolated from 37/83 (44.6%) sputum samples. Upon molecular examination, every isolate in our investigation displayed a PCR result of 108 bp using the K. pneumonia specific primer (rpoB), and they were able to generate a 16S rRNA gene of 1500 bp amply. Finding out how often K. pneumonia infections are among patients at Azadi Teaching Hospital in Duhok City, Iraq, is a crucial goal of this study.

Several studies have been carried out on mitochondrial DNA mutation in human diseases. Mitochondria are self-contained organelles with their DNA. The primary function of mitochondria is oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which is how the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) provides energy to the cell. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can oxidative destroy DNA, proteins, and macromolecules like lipids, are one of the process's potentially hazardous byproducts. Compared to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), nuclear DNA is better protective and has more repair mechanisms, making it more susceptible to oxidative damage that might result in mutations. This review focuses on the illnesses caused by mtDNA mutations known as "mitochondrial diseases. Numerous characteristics of (mtDNA), mainly those related to matrilineal heredity, a high duplicate number, and the absence of recombination, are advantageous for forensic study. Old bones, teeth, and hair are used as forensic samples for analysis, along with other biological samples with low levels of DNA. Different mtDNA haplo
groups can affect longevity and risk of infection, in addition to being used to determine a person's geographic origin.

Plant tissue culture methods have greatly improved the process of producing hybrid plants. These techniques, which include callusculture, somatic embryogenesis, Anther and Pollen Culture to Production of Haploid Plants, somatic hybridization by protoplast fusion and Fertilization conducted in a test tube, hairy roots provide reliable means of creating a large number of consistent, superior hybrids. With the use of micropropagation, hybrid plants can be quickly multiplied from a small tissue sample, guaranteeing excellent yield and genetic consistency. The Somatic embryogenesis process aidsin the formation of embryos from somatic cells, making the manufacturing of hybrid plantlets scalable and effective. Embryo rescue gets around obstacles to hybridization by promoting the development of embryos from crossings that might not otherwise mature. In order to produce hybrids with desired features, callus culture aids in the regeneration of plants from undifferentiated cell masses. When combined, these methods improve hybrid plant production's efficiency, homogeneity, and viability while removing historical barriers and raising the bar for creative crop breeding and conservation. This abstract emphasizes the main techniques and advantages of using plant tissue culture to produce hybrid plants, highlighting the significance of this practice for contemporary horticulture and agriculture.

The collective octupole states found in 150,152Sm and 148,150Gd isotopes are explained inside the structure of the sdf-interacting boson model-1 (sdf-IBM1). The specifications of the IBM Hamiltonian are fitted with the experimental energy levels. By diagonalizing the IBM Hamiltonian, For positive as well as negative parity states, excitation energies and electric transition rates can be obtained. We then compare these resulting spectroscopic features with the currently available experimental data. Furthermore, the framework of excited 0+states is investigated along with its relationship to double octupole phonons. The sdf-IBM-1 model demonstrates a high level of accuracy in portraying the observed trends in low-energy quadrupole states.

This research includes use epoxy and polyurethane resins to form a blend of Epoxy/Polyurethane with different ratios of (90–10)%, (80–20)%, (70–30)%, and (60–40)% to find the best ratio for impact strength as a function of material toughness; and strengthened with micro and nano silicon carbide at weight fractions of 2, 4, 6 and 8%. The impact test was studied in natural conditions and after exposure to UV irradiation for 24h. Results showed that the “polymer blend/nano silicon carbide” composite has better properties compared with the micro-silicon carbide containing composite. The values of impact strength decrease with increasing the weight ratio for all samples. Values in the case of UV radiation are generally higher than values in natural conditions.

A comprehensive assessment of lung cancer risk resulting from radon gas exposure originating from the Majnoon oil fields in Basra in 2021 was conducted. Previous studies indicate a notable surge in the incidence of lung cancer in 1991, with reported cases reaching 5720. In 2019, this number escalated significantly to 35864, underscoring a substantial increase in the number of cases over the years. A detailed evaluation of lung cancer risk associated with both indoor and outdoor exposure to naturally occurring ²²²Rn gas was performed. The study employed CR-39 detectors to measure radon concentrations both within and surrounding the oil field. Notably, the highest concentration was detected in the sample taken at a depth of 1350 m and was 11.80Bq/m3, while the lowest concentration was observed in a sample taken at a depth of 1450 m was 2.18 Bq/m3. The calculated average cancer risk attributable to radon exposure was determined to be 4 deaths per million people. This underscores the potential health impact of radon gas in the Majnoon oil fields and emphasizes the need for further studies and interventions to mitigate the associated risks.

In this study, we present a technique for chest X-ray image classification by integrating Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) probability density functions (PDFs) with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). The traditional method is related to our proposed method, and the results show significant enhancements in key performance metrics. The proposed method reaches an accuracy of 91.95%, higher than the traditional method's 89.85%, typically enhanced capabilities in accurate classification. Precision is higher in the proposed method at 91.13%, emphasizing its proficiency in correctly identifying positive cases. Specificity is improved in the proposed method (67.22%) compared to the traditional method (61.20%), which represents a lower risk of false positives. The F1-score of 95.01% in the proposed method indicates a consistent balance between precision and recall, underlining its effectiveness in minimizing both false positives and false negatives. These findings suggest that the integration of GEV PDFs and CNNs holds potential for progressing chest X-ray image classification accuracy and reliability, with possible suggestions for improving diagnostic procedures in clinical settings.

This article aims to address and solve the oxygen diffusion problem which involves oxygen diffraction into a medium that absorbs and immobilizes the oxygen concentration at a constant rate. Such types of problems are difficult to solve analytically since it is a type of moving boundary value problem or one-phase Stefan problem, and such problems require us to determine the domain boundary as a part of the solution that is unknown or may vary with respect to time. The main governing equation as a partial differential equation used to approximately govern the oxygen diffusion in an absorbing medium is the heat equation with a moving boundary that varies with respect to time. Also, the presence of a moving boundary that indicates the farthest point where oxygen enters the medium, as well as, the initial distribution of oxygen across the medium will raise fundamental mathematical challenges in the solution. The approach followed for solving this problem is asemi-analytical method, which is a hybrid approach between the variational iteration method and the least squares method. These two methods are used to derive an efficient iterative approximate solution of the considered problem of this paper, because of their simplicity, efficiency and reliability in computational applications.