Rafidain journal of science

Melia azedarach is one from the most important medicinal plants because it contains many organic and inorganic compounds of medical and economic benefit. Plant trees are widely planted in Iraq, especially in Mosul city on side roads as shade plants in addition to their aesthetic value. The objective of this study, which is a continuation of earlier research on the identification of organic and inorganic compounds in plants, was to determine the total protein content and the proportion and quantity of amino acids in the leaves by using the keldahl method and the amino acid analysis device were employed. The results demonstrated that the protein content in 5 grams leaves was 13.2% also showed the protein contains 12 amino acids and that amino acids with nonpolar side chains were most abundant among all other amino acids, Leucine, on the other hand, was the least abundant amino acid (79.8 μg/g), whereas glutamic acid was the most abundant (1025.4 μg/g) among the identified amino acids.

The study aims to determine the extent of the effect of diabetes on the spread of some Gram-negative bacteria that cause tooth decay by comparing their spread with those without diabetes (as a control group). The oral cavity is home to many different types of microbes (all of whom had dental caries under the age group of 13–70 years), to find out the extent of the effect of diabetes on increasing the frequency of these bacterial isolates. This study was conducted during the period from August 2023 to January 2024 in Samawah, in the Al-Muthanna Governorate. The specimens of tooth lesions were collected from a total of 100 diabetic patients and 50 non-diabetic patients under sterile conditions. Selective and sub culture media were used to culture and isolate the samples, and four bacterial species belonging to these strains were detected: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Citrobacter Freunde. Then bacteriological examination was performed. The frequency of bacterial isolates from the diabetic group was higher than that of non-diabetic patients, and their prevalence in women was higher than in males.

Aerobic vaginitis (AV) manifests as an imbalance in vaginal flora, characterized by aberrant amounts of aerobic and intestinal pathogens, resulting in different degrees of vaginal infection. In this study, 120 vaginal swab samples were collected from diagnosed female patients, confirmed using clinical signs and history. The swabs were inoculated on blood and Chrome agar, The diagnosis depended on classical methods, and further confirmed by the Vitek-2 technique. The incidence of Enterococcus faecalis isolates was 18.33%. The research delved into antibiotic resistance, specifically vancomycin, levofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and bacitracin, determined by Kirby-Bauer method using Mueller Hinton Agar. Results revealed high resistance to tetracycline and erythromycin (93%), contrasting with lower ratios for bacitracin (27%) and levofloxacin. gentamicin resistance was observed in 87%, while minimal resistance to vancomycin and ciprofloxacin (10%) was noted.
The study established a correlation between E. faecalis and AV in pregnant women, identifying it as a sole cause in adverse pregnancy outcomes. For precise diagnosis, 16S rRNA sequencing was employed, and the identified isolate, E. faecalis, was deposited in the Gene Bank database with specific accession number. Sequence similarity searches and phylogenetic analysis indicated 100% compatibility with various isolates globally, including those from Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, South Africa, Russia, Egyptian, India, China, Thailand.

Spatial analysis involves examining global and local spatial autocorrelation using statistical measures such as Moran's I and +Getis-Ord. We used Arc GIS 10.8 to analyze the data. The autocorrelation coefficient results revealed a specific pattern in the tuberculosis (TB) incidence distribution across different provinces in 2019 The Moran's I value is 0.188 with a corresponding p-value of (0.0.52) was statistically significant clustering. In four provinces (Diyala, Baghdad, Babil, and Wasit districts), BT incidence was clustered overall study area. The findings from the spatial examination of tuberculosis prevalence in the northeastern region of the country indicate the presence of four high-prevalence hotspot clusters (H-H) and one low-prevalence spatial outlier (L-H) in the year 2019. In 2020 (Moran’s I: 0.109, P = 0.165), distribution of TB overall country was random. Cluster analysis shows that one is a spatial cluster (H-H) hotspot located in Baghdad and the other randomness overall of the country. In 2021 (Moran's I: 0.237, P = 0.016) spatial analysis of TB for all countries was clustered. The analysis identifies four spatial groupings (H-H) and one spatial anomaly (L-H). The results showed that there are four groups of spatial hotspots located in different regions of Iraq, which can be identified as follows: Diyala, Baghdad, Diwaniyah, and Wasit, while the Karbala region is the least hotspot.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that is commonly linked to hospital-acquired infections. This pathogen is responsible for many life-threatening infections caused worldwide; therefore, it is crucial to isolate and identify A. baumannii rapidly and precisely. This study was carried out to determine the efficiency of HiCrome Acinetobacter Agar in identifying A. baumannii from different clinical specimens. In an attempt to isolate Acinetobacter species, 170 distinct specimens were collected from wounds, burns, sputum, and CSF. Samples were streaked on HiCrome Acinetobacter Agar and the isolation percentage of A. baumannii was determined according to colony color (yellow to light purple). Results showed that this medium was not only selective for Acinetobacter species, but also other genera that were not related to Acinetobacter may also grow and produce other colors that the Himedia company did not mention. Accordingly, the isolation rate for A. baumannii changed from 95.5% to 38.9% when adding the oxidase test and to 14.4% when adding lactose fermentation on MacConkey agar and finally to 13.3% when isolates was further identified using 16S rRNA sequencing. Results showed that 24/35 purple colonies belonged to members of the enterobacteriaceae and 51/90 total colonies were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The higher isolation rate observed for P. aeruginosa suggests that HiCrome Acinetobacter agar could be used as a selective and differential media for isolation of P. aeruginosa from clinical specimens.

Twelve different canned food samples were used to assess the amount of nitrite using two distinct spectroscopic methods. A: Follow the absorbance and B: Follow the peak area; these two methods are predicated on the oxidation of nitrite by iron (III) ion, and the reduced iron ion reacts with the bathophenanthroline (BTN) to form a red soluble complex. The method is sensitive with 676.13 l.mol-1.cm-1 as a molar absorptivity, and Beer's law is followed over the concentration range of 3–45 µg/ml with a maximum wavelength at 534 nm., limit of quantitation (LOQ) value is 0.5956 µg/ml, and limit of detection (LOD) value is 0.1786 µg/ml. Nitrite has been extracted from meat samples by hot distilled water in the presence of mercuric chloride, and from vegetables by hot basic aqueous solution, the validation of the method exhibits good ability for routine examination analysis of nitrite in quality control units of foods. Ferric chloride has been added and optimized to eliminate the effect of ascorbic acid which is already added as an antioxidant through the production of canned meats

Solid phase one-pot multicomponent reaction was used of heterocyclic compounds due to its supreme properties starting from three component mixture of piperonal binzil, p-phenylene diamine and ammonium acetate which was synthesized through reflux for 6 hours to afford 1-N(p-aminophenyl)-2-(piperonyl-5-yl) -5-hydroxy-4,5-diphenyl-2H-imidazole, which then converted to N-(4-(2-(benzo-1,3-dioxol-5-yl)-4,5-diphenyl-2,5-dihydro-1H-idazol-1-yl)phenyl) benzamide through its reaction with benzoyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine as a base catalyst.
Further the Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn (II) complexes were synthesized by direct reaction of the above ligand with metal chlorides in (1:1) or (2:1) (Ligand:metal) molar ratio in ethanolic medium.
The prepared complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, spectral studies (FTIR., UV/vis), 1H-NMR measurement, conductivity measurements, magnetic measurement and electronic spectra values indicate the presence of tetrahedral and octahedral geometric around the metal ions and the study of inhibiting effect on the growth of different types of bacteria which are strains staphylococcus aurous and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results indicate that the compound (4) has a great effect on different types of bacteria compared to the rest of the complexes, which gave a higher effectiveness rate.

A simple, accurate, and efficient cloud point spectrophotometric method, characterized by compatibility and sensitivity, has been described for the estimation of terbutaline sulfate (TbS) in its pure and pharmaceutical formulation as syrup. The procedure was dependent on the reaction of TbS and diazotized 2,4-dinitroaniline (2,4-DNA) in a basic medium, resulting in the formation of an orange azo dye product, which was extracted into Triton x-114 micelles and measured at 448 nm. The conditions of phase separation were studied and optimized. Beer's law was obeyed at concentration ranges of 0.1–13 µg/ml with a molar absorptivity of 1.6×106 L. mol-1. cm-1. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were determined and found to be 0.04 and 1.14 µg/ml, respectively, and the average recovery % is 98.91%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was calculated and found ≤ 1.6%. It was also found, through studying the nature of the product, that the azo dye product is formed in a 1:1 ratio of TbS to 2,4-DNA. The method was applied successfully for the determination of TbS in syrup and was free from interference by excipients. The reaction mechanism has been suggested.

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder that arises when a third chromosome 21 is found in either some or all cells of the body contributing to complex conditions involving intellectual disability and learning inability. Oxidative stress (OS) has been correlated, which plays an important role in rapid aging, how antioxidants utilize in treating cognitive defect, oxidative damage of biomolecules in DS, also disruption of some neurotransmitter levels in the neurons has been observed. This study was conducted to measure in serum of (50) DS individuals against (25) of control group, Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase (MsrA), Senescence Marker Protein-30(SMP-30), Thioredoxin (TRX), glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), Catechol O-Methyl Transferase (COMT), Methionine S-Adenosyl Transferase (MAT), monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) in addition to peroxynitrite (ONOO) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Decreased levels of the activity of MsrA, SMP-30 was observed while GAD67, AANAT, TRX and peroxynitrite show significantly higher levels in DS comparing with control group. There is no alteration COMT, MAT, MAOA and MDA. Significant positive correlation between MsrA, peroxynitrite and MAT, without relation with GAD67, AANAT in which (ONOO) may trigger MsrA that will provide the substrate for MAT. Therefor the higher oxidative stress, represented by lower antioxidants activities related to senescence, may indicate acceleration of aging in patients. Additionally, elevation of TRX may indicate oxidative damage to macromolecules. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) neuron and N-acetyl-serotonin may be affected by the higher concentration of GAD67 and AANAT, respectively.

The pathophysiological relationship of leukemia has been linked to Oxidant compounds, as an imbalance between oxidants and Antioxidants compounds leads to a state of oxidative stress (OS), and this leads to increased activation of different transcription factors in leukemia patients. Leukemia treatment and diagnosis are closely linked to OS, which is an important factor in the appearance and development of the disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate the level of Glutaredoxin-1 (Grx1), Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA), Catalase (Cat), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Lipooxygenase (LOX), Xanthine oxidase (XO), Lactoperoxidase (LP) and Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) in leukemia patients and compared it with the control group, to determine of Grx1 level and some OS Enzymes, effect of age and increasing the period for the occurrence of the disease, as well as the effect of body mass index on patients.
This research included 90 samples, 64 ALL patients and 26 healthy people. Samples were collected from a dedicated pediatric leukemia teaching hospital from Dohuk and Mosul, Iraq from September to December 2023. Depending on this study, Grx1, CAT, XO and GST elevated greatly in ALL patients compared with the control group, but MsrA and MPO levels decreased statistically significantly. Age effect with increases showed that Grx1, CAT, MPO and XO increased significantly in groups of patients, but MsrA declined with increasing age. Grx1 and GST increased in patients with an increased duration of illness. MsrA level from 1 to 24 months has a non-significant difference between the three groups but in 25 to 36 months have increased between the three groups, and MPO level from 1 to 24 months has declined significantly. Finally, the effect of BMI on ALL patients, Grx1, CAT, MPO, XO and GST levels have increased statistically significantly with increased BMI, and MsrA levels have declined significantly in patients. It was noted from our study that the levels of Grx1 and MsrA have a prominent role in determining the extent to which patients are affected by ALL, which can have a role in treating and monitoring the development of the disease

This study examines the impacts of radon exposure on male albino rats' lungs, which is a prominent cause of lung cancer, as well as the defensive roles of melatonin as an antioxidant by examining the activities of superoxide dismutase SOD, malondialdehyde MDA, and hydroxyproline. The study is comprised of two experiments. In the first experiment, in a newly built chamber, rats were exposed to radon from (5µCi) of 226Ra source. Rats were divided into seven groups of eight rats. Unlike the control group, the other six groups were exposed to radon, which was assessed using RAD-7 detector, specifically for 30 minutes (D1), 1 hour (D2), 2 hours (D3), 3 hours (D4), 6 hours (D5), and 9 hours (D6). The concentrations were measured to be (600±0.014, 1210±0.028, 2421±0.057, 3600±0.086, 7260±0.172, and 10875±0.259) Bq.m-3, respectively. The second experiment examined the protective effects of melatonin against radon exposure. The rats were given a low (60 mg/kg diet) and a high (120 mg/kg diet) dose of melatonin and then exposed to radon for six hours. Radon exposure did not significantly alter SOD activity. However, the first and third radon doses lowered SOD activity modestly. After exposure, hydroxyproline levels increased significantly compared to the control group. A statistical result found that radon exposure elevated lung MDA. Melatonin enhanced SOD reductions after radon exposure. However, both MEL doses lowered MDA below the positive control. In conclusion, radon inhalation induces lipid peroxidation. Melatonin reduces MDA and increases SOD activity, making it a good antioxidant against radon exposure.

The fatigue strength of the AISI 321 austenitic steel alloy was investigated in this study using chrome plating at 1000°C. Re-diffusion heat treatment at 1050°C for both coated and uncoated models’ microscopic examination was also performed on the samples obtained from the coating and fatigue tests. Surface analysis of all samples was performed using an X-ray diffraction (XRD) device. We conclude that the fatigue life of chromium plating at 1000°C leads to a reduction in fatigue life. A possible explanation is that the phases of the coating layer consist of compounds that lack plasticity, which is due to the increased chromium content and the reduced area subject to stress. The fatigue life improved after heat treatment at 1050 °C, but the coating phases remained unchanged. The austenite phase, which is characterized by plasticity, tends to increase the fatigue life of alloys heat treated at 1050 °C. This phase can only be obtained if the temperature is higher than 925 °C. Chromium plating causes the austenitic structure to transform into the ferrite phase. The increase in resistance for the uncoated alloy was greater than that for the chromium-plated alloy

In this study, a set of empirical formulae such as the Royer formula, Modified Universal Decay Law (MUDL) formula, and Modified Viola-Seaborg (MVS) formula are used to calculate the half-lives of the heavy and super-heavy nuclei whose numbers of protons Z are in the range 67≤Z≤118. New fitting parameters for these formulas are proposed and perfectly described, corresponding to the Royer, MUDL, and MVS formulas, respectively. The parameters are fitted using the least square fitting method using Python software. The calculated alpha decay half-lives are next compared to the experimental data with a minimal difference. Statistical processes, including standard deviation and comparison of theoretically estimated and experimentally observed half-lives, are used for this purpose. Also, the fitting curve intends to get the accuracy of the experimental and theoretical values of the half-lives

In modern times, there's a significant focus on green synthesis, which involves the environmentally friendly production of nanoparticles without using harmful chemicals or toxic solvents. This approach, popular in biological methods, has gained considerable attention. Leveraging natural sources such as plants and microorganisms is a common method for green synthesis. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) rank as the second most prevalent among metal oxides, largely owing to their affordability, safety, and simple production process. A sustainable method was employed to create these nanoparticles, which entailed extracting them from the (Lepidium sativum L.) plant along with zinc acetate dihydrate. The ZnO NPs underwent thorough characterization techniques to analyze their structure, surface morphology, and optical and chemical properties. The ZnO nanoparticles exhibited an average crystalline size of 26.78 nm, with FE-SEM confirming an average agglomerated nanoparticle size of 64 nm. Subsequently, varying weight percentages of these nanoparticles were incorporated into Sunblock Lotion to investigate their impact on enhancing the sun protection factor (SPF) of the lotion. The results demonstrated a noticeable increase in SPF with the higher concentrations ZnO NPs.

COVID-19 is an infectious illness resulting from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with "Coronavirus Disease 2019" as its abbreviated name. Current research examines alterations in CRP, IL-10, ferritin, iron, zinc, calcium, and sodium levels as biomarkers in individuals with COVID-19, comparing them to a control group comprising healthy individuals. This study included a collection of samples from patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and compared them with healthy individuals (control group). The age of the participants ranged from 40 to 60 years. The samples were Gathered over one year the course of one year from various healthcare facilities, including public health centers and private medical clinics located in Kirkuk city, Iraq Biochemical parameters, particularly C-reactive protein, IL-10, ferritin, iron, zinc, calcium, and sodium, were measured using different methods and techniques. The findings indicated a significant elevation in the levels of CRP, IL-10, and ferritin in the serum of SARS-2 patients compared to the control people, while a notable significant decrease in iron, zinc, and calcium and sodium levels was observed. Conclusions: These biomarkers serve as parameters facilitating the early diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. They also assist in assessing the severity and stage of the infection, and can contribute to the treatment strategies for these patients. The alterations in the studied biomarkers might be associated with tissue damage, modifications in the immune system in COVID-19 infected patients, cytokine storms, liver dysfunction, hemophagocytic lymph histiocytosis (sHLH) and or others, however these changes differ from person to other.

The current study succeeded in biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from tomato fruits extract, based on the reduction reaction resulting from mixing of silver nitrate solution at a concentration of 2 mM and with the aqueous extract, is the occurrence of a color change an indication of the occurrence of reduction and the transformation of elemental silver into silver nanoparticles. The study investigated the positive effect of these nanoparticles on seed germination and the production of seedlings, so the results of culturing them on Murashige and Skoog medium supported with different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (25, 50, 100, 200) mg/ml increase in germination rate compared to MSO medium without of them, with the exceeding of 100 mg/ml concentration of those nanoparticles, in stimulated the germination rate of 95% within 4 days compared to MSO medium alone which stimulated a germination rate of 75% for a period of 7 days. This study was able to initiate clove callus from cutting stems of seedlings grown on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l Benzyl adenine BA and 0.5 mg/l Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid 2,4-D acid in added with the concentrations used, as the results showed that the highest rate of callus initiation was on the standard MS medium supplemented with a concentration of 200 mg/ml and reached with a fresh weight rate of 9.6 g compared to 5.92 g for callus grown on solid standard MS medium alone after 30 days of growth.