Iraqi Journal of Science

The synthesis and structural characterization of new dithiocarbamate (DTC) ligand and some of its dinuclear transition metal complexes are described. The free dithiocarbamate ligand was prepared through several synthetic routes, including Schiff-base formation. The reaction of 2-aminopropane with terephthaldehyde leads to the formation of Schiff_base which is reduced by methanolic NaBH4 to the corresponding secondary diamine. Diamine( N,N'_ (1,4 phenylenebis (methylene)) bis(propan-2 amine)) reacts with (CS2) in a basic solution of (KOH) to provide the corresponding bis(dithiocarbamate) free_ligand, which undergoes complexation with the appropriate metal (II) chloride to constitute macrocyclic complexes. Characterization of the ligand and its complexes was achieved by FTIR, UV-Vis, melting points, conductance, magnetic susceptibility, and 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy. The analytical and spectroscopic data were employed to obtain the suggested geometries around metal centres. These studies revealed the formation of dinuclear macrocyclic complexes of the general formula [M(L)]2 (where M= Mn(II) , Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)), with tetrahedral. geometries for Mn(II) , Fe(II), Co(II) and Zn(II), and square. planar geometry with Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes.

The composition of fish assemblages in Iraqi marine water was assessed. 91 species belonging to 71 genes and 47 families of Osteichthyes and 13 species of Conderchthyes were collected during the study period from January to December 2018, using trawl net fishing. Three stations were selected, where two new species (Siganus javus and Gobiopsis sp.) and reclassification of Torpedo panthera where identified and two species of freshwater fish (Oreochromis niloticus and Oreochromis aureus) were first recorded in marine waters. The highest numbers of species were 32 and 42 for the first and second stations, respectively, recorded in October , while 55 species were recorded in the third station during August. Leiognathus bindus was the dominant species in the first and second stations, while Ilisha compressa dominated the third station. Carangidae and Sciaenidae were the dominant families in number of species (7 and 5, respectively), whereas 4 species were recorded for Clupeidae, Sparidae, Mugilidae and Gobidiae.

Background: Cataract is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness around the world. This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and anti-cataract activities of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves extract and fractions. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), total reducing power, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. Anti-cataract potential was evaluated in vitro using goat lenses divided into eight groups of different treatments and incubated in artificial aqueous humor at 37 °C for 72 hours. Glucose-induced opacity in the lenses was observed and biochemical indices quantified (catalase, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total protein in the lens homogenate).
Results: The crude extract and its fractions possess substantial antioxidant activities. The aqueous fraction exhibited the best DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 value 78.599 μg/ml); while the dichloromethane fraction exhibited the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity with IC50 66.68 μg/ml. The anti-cataract evaluation of crude and fractions at 250 μg/ml showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the total protein and catalase activity compared to the cataract control group. The malonaldehyde level decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all the treated groups.
Conclusion: These results suggest that Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves extract possesses protective actions against oxidative damage and cataract caused by oxidative stress.

Demodex species are external parasites; they are transmitted via direct contact, and when present in elevated numbers it may induce several ocular diseases. However, the symptoms are very similar to other diseases; hence, its’ role is often neglected. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is important in order to avoid mistreatment. In this study, infestation rates in both blepharitis and chalazia were compared to an asymptomatic group, with relation to gender, age, personal hygiene, time of year, and residency. All specimens were examined immediately after collection. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Demodex mites and ocular diseases. These mites were predominantly found in patients with chalazia (62.50%) followed by blepharitis (58.91%), while they were only observed in (22.64%) of asymptomatic patients, statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between infestation and both ocular diseases (P<0.01). The infestation rates increased significantly with age reaching (100%) in patients above 70 years old, and especially during cold months with high humidity. These mites were also found in rural areas (57.59%), followed by urban areas (44.09%) and a significant relationship was found between residency and infestation rate (P≤0.05). However, no significant relationship was found according to gender nor personal hygiene.

This study focused on waste to energy technology that utilized mono- and co-digestion of cow dung (CD), chicken dropping (ChD), and rice husk (RH). The fabricated digesters were assessed for the influence of temperature and pH on biogas production from the materials used. The total aerobic bacteria and fungi counts for the mono- and co-digestion of cow dung with chicken droppings had highest number on day zero (1.5x107cfu/ml, 1.6x105cfu/ml and 1.4x108cfu/ml, 1.2x105, respectively), while the lowest counts were recorded on the 35th day (1.3x101cfu/ml, 1.0x101cfu/ml and 1.1x101cfu/ml, 1.0x101cfu/ml, respectively). The highest count of the acetogenic organisms was 1.8x105cfu/ml on the 18th day whereas no count was observed on the 35th day. Methanogenic bacteria had a count ranging from 1.0x 101 cfu/ml to 3.4x104cfu/ml on the 18th day. pH was within the range of 5.3 – 8.5 in the digesters. Cow dung (100% CD) showed the highest cumulative gas production of 41.65m3 compared with chicken droppings (100% ChD) and rice husk (100% RH) which showed values of 8.91 m3 and 0 m3, respectively, within temperature. Furthermore, the co-digestion of 75% CD + 25% ChD, 50% CD + 50% ChD, 25% CD + 75% ChD, 50% CD + 50% RH, and 50% ChD + 50% RH produced biogas values of 20.1m3, 15.13m3, 7.51m3, 5.1m3, and 2.09m3, respectively, at the same temperature range of 36.2OC - 41.7OC.
The assay for nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), potassium (K) and sulphate (S) to find the major plant nutrient from the digestate showed that 100% CD was richer in N (1.8mg/l), P (0.5mg/l), and S (0.5mg/l) than the other biomass types, whereas 50% CD 50% ChD had the highest content of P. The present study suggests that the digestion of cow dung, chicken droppings, and rice husk can be an effective means of waste management, pollution control, and generation of renewable energy (biogas) and fertilizers, thereby further strengthening the role of agriculture in the area of food security.

Foodborne diseases are a major risk for human health. Millions of people become sick as a result of eating contaminated food with microorganisms that cause diseases. S. aureus is considered as one of the most important pathogenic bacteria, having the ability to activate certain genes that encode for heat stable enterotoxins and cause Staphylococcal food poisoning. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of multi resistant Staphylococcus aureus that produce enterotoxins in different sources of food . Forty nine isolates were identified as S.aureus, according to morphological and biochemical tests. They were isolated from 387 different food samples from several randomly covered restaurants and supermarkets in different regions of Baghdad. Molecular diagnosis of S. aureus using specific primers for the 16S rRNA gene was carried out by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR ) technique . Susceptibility of 43 isolates of S.aureus was tested against 15 antimicrobial agents. The results revealed that all the isolates were resistant (100%) to mecillinam, highly resistant to vancomycine and meropenemin (74.4 %) and moderately resistant to Oxacillin, Erythromycin Cefotaxime, and Cefiximein (67.4, 60.4, 62.8, , 60.5 %, respectively), while they showed low resistance to Gentamicin (34.8%). In addition, all of these isolates were susceptible to Tigecycline and Amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid and Cefoxitin-Cloxacilin. High percentages of oxicillin resistant S. aureus were isolated from cooked food samples, followed by meat products, and with less percentage from pastry products. Molecular detection of enterotoxins A and B of Staphylococcus aureus isolates was performed using specific primers based on PCR. The results revealed that S. aureus isolated from cooked food had the highest percentage of the isolates producing the enterotoxins A and B. Type A enterotoxin gene showed a higher prevalence than type B gene among cooked food , dairy products and pastry. In conclusion, the results revealed a high prevalence of some classical enterotoxin genes in multi-drug resistant S.aureus isolated from different sources of food, which can cause food-poisoning and, consequently, a potential serious problem for public health.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes a number of infections in immunocompromised patients. This organism appears to improve resistance to many antimicrobial agents and a high percentage of clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa exhibit multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype . The purpose of this study is to screen the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and the prevalence of qacE delta1 gene among bacterial isolates. Accordingly, 145 samples were collected from different clinical sources from patients who admitted to different hospitals in Baghdad city in a period ranged 23/8/2018-1/1/2019. The isolates were diagnosed as P. aeruginosa based on routine bacteriological methods and confirmed by a molecular method using 16SrRNA gene. The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed to all identified isolates by Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion method using ten types of antibiotics. The results of antibiotics susceptibility test revealed high levels of resistance toward Piperacillin (72.22%), Trimethoprim (68%), Ceftazidime (68%), Colistin (40.28%), and Levofloxacin (33.33%). And , the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cetrimide was tested using different concentrations (2.048 to 0.004μg/100μl) and the results showed that MIC values ranged between 2.048 and 0.016) μg/100μL, and the concentration of 0.256 μg/100μl was more frequent . Finally, the prevalence of qacE delta1 gene among bacterial isolates was detected in percentage 63.88% among bacterial isolates .

Miscarriage is one of the fundamental complications occurring in pregnant women. Many fastidious and uncultivated bacterial species are related to miscarriage and have a significant role in the infection. The association between inverse pregnancy outcomes and infections of abnormal bacteria has been rarely investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to determine Leptotrichia amnionii and Atopobium vaginae as a risk factor for miscarriage states. A total of 80 cervical swabs and blood samples were obtained from females (34 non-pregnant with recurrent spontaneous miscarriage, 11 pregnant who had previous miscarriage, and 35 without miscarriage as control) who were referred to a hospital in Baghdad city. The relationship between demographic characteristics and miscarriage groups indicates a positive association between the age of 30 years and >45 years and miscarriage states, while no significant association (p>0.05) was found for the other parameters compared with the control. Also, no association was observed between the levels of TORCH IgM , antiphospholipid (APL) IgM, and anticardiolipidin (ACL) IgM antibodies and spontaneous miscarriage. The findings of RT-PCR detection revealed that, out of 45 samples of recurrent spontaneous miscarriage, 17 were detected with high-risk of L. aminonia compared with two samples from the control group. Also, 7 samples of recurrent spontaneous miscarriage were shown to be infected with A. vaginae compared with five samples from the control group. The adjusted odd ratios (ORs) of L. anmionii for spontaneous miscarriage and pregnancy states were 7.89 (CI 95%, 1.60 - 39.00) and 9.43 (CI 95%, 1.43 - 61.9), respectively, with highly significant difference between the study groups compared with the control. While no significant result was recorded between the adjusted ORs of A. vaginae for spontaneous miscarriage and pregnancy states, which were 1.23 (CI 95%, 0.416 - 3.67) and 0.636 (CI 95%, 0.083 - 4.88), respectively, compared with the control.

Human Herpes Virus-8 (HHV-8) is a sexually transmitted viral infection that can infect the prostate epithelium in immunocompromised adults. Recently, HHV-8 was related to the development and progression of several human malignancies like prostatic adenocarcinoma. This retrospective research was designed to analyze the distribution and possible impact of HHV-8 infection on prostatic adenocarcinogenesis. A total number of one hundred formalin-fixed prostatic tissues were enrolled in this research; forty Prostate Adenocarcinoma (PAC) biopsies, forty biopsies from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), and twenty Apparently Normal Prostatic Tissues (ANPT) as a control group. Detection of HHV -8 DNA was achieved by a highly-sensitive variant of Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization (CISH) technique. In this study, the mean age of PAC patients was 64.08±7.54years. Detection of CISH reactions for HHV 8- DNA was observed in tissues of 70% (28 out of 40) of PAC patients and 30% (12 out of 40) of BPH tissues, whereas no positive reactions were detected in the ANPT group. Detection of CISH reactions for HHV 8- DNA was observed in 55.6% of tissues of PAC patients with well grade histopathological examination, 87.5% of moderate grade, and 69.6% of poorly differentiated grade. It can be concluded that HHV-8 infection might contribute in prostate oncogenesis, together with other essential oncogenic viruses.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between GRIN2A rs387906637 polymorphism and susceptibility to epilepsy. Blood samples were collected from 85 volunteers, dividing into 60 epilepsy patients (34 males and 26 females) and 25 healthy subjects (19 males and 6 females).The DNA was extracted and GRIN2A rs387906637 polymorphism was analyzed by Real-time PCR using two probes and primers. The results showed no significant differences between patients and control samples; therefore, there are no allelic and genotypic correlations of this SNP with epilepsy. This study indicated that GRIN2A rs387906637 polymorphism is not a risk factor for epilepsy in the studied set of patients.

The nuclear structure of 40Ar, 112Cd, 133Cs, 151Eu, 154Sm, and 226Ra target nuclei used in nuclear battery technology was investigated. These nuclei are widely used for the radioisotope thermo-electric generator space studies and for betavoltaic battery microelectronic systems. For this purpose, some nuclear static properties were calculated. In particular, the single particle radial nuclear density distribution, the corresponding root mean square radii, neutron skin thicknesses, and binding energies were calculated within the framework of Hartree-Fock approximation with Skyrme interaction. The bremsstrahlung spectra produced by the absorption of beta particles through the betavoltaic process and backscattered photons spectrum were also studied. All the obtained results were compared with available experimental data.

This work investigates the structural, optical, and surface properties of ZnO thin films prepared by sol-gel method. The effect on waveguide sensor was examined at different irradiation durations of alpha particles. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements revealed that the crystalline phase of ZnO thin films does not change after irradiation and showed a hexagonal structure of wurtzite type with an orientation toward (002). Moreover, ZnO thin films absorbance was increased with increasing irradiation time, whereas the transmittance was decreased. Additionally, increasing the irradiation time of alpha particles caused an increase in the extinction coefficient and the imaginary part, while the optical energy gap of the ZnO samples was decreased. Finally, the maximum value of sensitivity was 42%, found at 6 min of irradiation duration.