Rafidain journal of science

This work was conducted to evaluate the effect of probiotic (BIOMIN)® on lead acetate absorption and it is toxic action on certain physiological and biochemical parameters: body weight gain, Hb concentration, PCV%, serum total protein and serum lead level in chicks. One-day-old forty Ross broiler chicks were used. The probiotic was used in recommended dose (1.5g/kg diet). Lead acetate was used in two doses; full dose of 320 mg/kg diet and half dose of 160 mg/kg diet. The results show that probiotic significantly (P≤0.05) decreased serum lead level, enhanced body weight gain, while it has no direct significant effect on serum total protein, Hb concentration, and PCV%. On the other hand, lead acetate alone (in both doses) was caused sever anemia, depression in the level of both Hb concentration and PCV%, while half dose (160 mg) of lead acetate was caused no effect on both body weight gain and serum total protein, but death of some chicks, and decreased serum total protein were occurred with full dose of lead acetate.

ABSTRACT
The enriched methanolic extracts of seeds of Melia azedarach and leaves of Ailanthus altissima have had the same effect on the valves of the cardiac sphinector of Agrotis ipsilon larvae. At the low concentrations, the sphinector was expanded, and the valves degenerated at the high concentrations. M. azedarach extract was separated the peritrophic membrane and muscles of the midgut, while the extract of A. altissima was thicked the peritrophic membrane only. The application of extracts were effected on developed pupae and adults of treated larvae, this effect was represented by failure of adults emergence and degrees of wings malformations. Also, the extracts were significantly reduced the weight of A. ipsilon larvae fed on treated diets. For treated larvae, Lc50¬ of black cutworm larvae were 2.5 and 3.5 ppm for M. azedarach and A. altissima respectively.

Long time exposure to cement industry pollution leads to several health problems. This study was designed to investigate the effects on 55 workers which were divided into groups according to the departments of Hamam AL-Alil Cement Factory-Iraq. The biochemical parameters included in the study are: calcium, zinc, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutathione and malonaldehyde.
The results showed that there was a significant increase in calcium, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and malonaldehyde in workers serum which increased with increasing exposure time. The results also showed a significant decrease in glutathione and zinc in workers serum which increased with increasing exposure time in all factory department

The aim of the study was to investigate the histological changes caused by lead in the lung of albino mice . Twenty five mice were divided into 5 equal groups, . The first group was given distilled water and used as a control group. The second and third groups were orally administered (2 and 4 mg/kg of body weight) lead acetate respectively for two weeks. The fourth and fifth groups were orally administered ( 2 and 4 mg/kg of body weight ) lead acetate for four weeks. Animals were anesthetized and the lungs were extracted for histological studies. The histological changes were observed in the lungs are emphysema, infiltration of mononuclear cells in the interalveolar septa, sloughing of epithelial cells of bronchiole, congestion of blood vessels and blood cells in some bronchi and bronchioles. The lesions were more severe in animals exposed to the high dose. In conclusion the severity of the lesions of lead toxicity depends on the dose of lead and period of exposure

The aim of this Study was to investigate the effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on levels of zinc and copper in seropositive toxoplasmosis women in Mosul city. Serum zinc and copper levels were measured in (77) women whose –Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were Positive , in addition to (30) sero – negative healthy women , as control group. The average zinc concentration in serum from sero – positive women was significantly ( P < 0.05) lower than control group. Howevor compared to the healthy women , the copper concentration in serum of sero-positive women were significantly ( P <0.05) higher.

The present study was performed to investigate the histological effects caused by lead in the liver and kidney of male albino mice Mus musculus. The study was conducted on 25 mice, the animals were divided into 5 equal groups. The first group was given distilled water and used as a control group. The second and third groups were orally administered (2 and 4 mg lead acetate /kg of body weight) for two weeks. The fourth and fifth groups were orally administered (2 and 4 mg lead acetate/kg of body weight) for four weeks.
The animals were anesthetized, the (liver and kidneys) were extracted for histological studies. Histological changes which observed in the liver were, vacuolation, fatty degeneration, necrosis in some hepatocytes, congestion within central veins, hemorrhage between hepatic cords and infiltration of inflammatory cells. In the kidney the changes noted were hemorrhage in the interstitial tissue with enlargement of epithelial layer lining renal tubules, necrosis of some tubules with hyalinization and focal inflammatory cells infiltration. In this study deleterious toxic effects observed in liver and kidney

Chemical composition, physical properties and structural characterization of natural Ninivite silica rocks have been studied. The study approach is based on using X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, differential and gravimetric thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, instrumental and classical chemical analysis techniques.
The results were compared with those obtained from a locally prepared and purified amorphous silica gel. Both samples were doped by selenato and oxalato chromium complexes in order to be a more active and selective adsorbent materials. Chromatographic columns were set for all the above types of adsorbents using four eluants gradually increased in polarity. The fractionation results showed significant variations in the fractions isolated according to their polarities as indicated by percentage results.

Effect of fatty acids such as Myristic and Palmatic acids, on the rheological properties of sago starch during heating and cooling were studied using a dynamic rheometer, Haake Rotovisco RT20. Fatty acids were applied at 0.5% and 0.1% levels on the starch weight basis( 20% w/w). The gelatinization temperature ( TG' ) of sago starch dispersion was determined at 68.4 o C. The addition of both fatty acids inhibited the swelling of the starch and then caused an increase in TG' compared to the native starch. The storage modulus (G') increased to a maximum value and dropped during heating of the starch. The reduction of peak G' value was 737 900 Pa. The extent of breakdown in G' during heating was high without addition of fatty acids. Hence the G' values of sago starch increased on cooling as well with the addition of fatty acids. The peak loss tangent (tan ) reached a maximum value at 2.728 and then dropped on heating. In contrast, during cooling the loss tangent values decreased. Swelling behaviour of sago starch granules with and without fatty acids was studied. As a result, the addition of Myristic acid to the sago starch decreased the swelling power values (SP) rather than the Palmatic acid

A sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method for the determination of zirconium(IV) in various samples has been developed. In this method trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) is used for the extraction of zirconium. The colour of the complex is developed in the organic phase by the addition of eriochrome cyanine R reagent (ECR) and ethanol as a diluent. The calibration plot is linear in the concentration range 0.08–10 μg ml-1 with a molar absorptivity (ε) of 2.0x104 l.mol-1 cm-1 at 564 nm The stoichiometric composition of the chelate is 1:2 ( Zr : ECR ). The extraction of zirconium (IV) was carried out in the presence of various ions to ascertain the tolerance limit of individual ions. The proposed method was successfully used for the determination of zirconium in various samples such as, natural waters and ores .

The present work includes a detailed investigation of a new spectrophotometric method for the determination of 1-naphthylamine. The method is based on oxidative coupling reaction of the compound with catechol in the presence of potassium chromate as oxidant in acidic medium to form a stable purple–red coloured product which shows maximum absorption at 530 nm. The molar absorptivity is 3685 l.mol-1.cm-1. Beer's law is obeyed over the range of (1- 60) ppm. The method is applied to the recovery of 1-naphthylamine from sea and river water

Compounds of 4-phenyl-3-butene-2-one (1) and 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-butene-2-one (2) were prepared by reaction of benzaldehyde or 4-chlorobenzaldehyde with acetone. Also 1,3-diphenyl-2-chloropropene-1-one (3) was synthesized from the reaction of benzaldehyde with 2-chloroacetophenone through Claisen-Shmidt condensation. The substituted Δ1(9)-octalone-2 (4,5) was prepared by reaction of the compounds (1and2) with cyclohexanone through Michael addition followed by aldol condensation. Compounds (4,5) were reacted with alkyl halide, as 2-chloroacetophenone or 1,3-diphenyl-2-chloropropene-1-one (3), via enamines formation which then hydrolyzed to give compounds (6-9). Compounds (6,7) were reacted with hydrazine , urea and thiourea to afford compounds (10-15) .The structures of all synthesized compounds were confirmed by available physical and spectral means .

The aim of the research is to understand the mechanism of process of substitution of the ion instead of La+3 in the superconductor . Calculations of electrostatic potential( E. P.) for two probable positions is done to determine the site of minimum energy, the site of La around Cu ion is the minimum in energy on all the range of concentrations of the Sr ion. The changes in E. P. by substitution helps in understanding some aspects of the complex synthesis procedure of compound and especially the high and the long period preparation temperature which gives full action of electrostatic forces.

In order to study the hypersensitivity phenomena in single strand cells, E-Coli bacteria cultures were irradiated by alpha particles emitted from Am241 point source. The cells showed hypersensitivity at 0.05 Gy. Survival curves models were fitted to the data. The recent hypersensitivity models fitted the data much better than the old conventional models

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of watery extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum (on semen quality of healthy groups of local breed rabbits using two doses (650 mg and1300mg/kg of B.W./daily/rabbit, orally for sixty days), on semen quality (sperm concentration, sperm progressive and individual motility, dead and malformation sperm percentages) at the end of the treatments.
Results of the present study demonstrated that the watery extract of fenugreek have a different significant effect (P<0.05) on some of semen quality (sperm concentration, dead and malformation sperm percentages) as it increased in the 1st dose at local healthy males rabbits after sixty days of the treatment, and the effects dissimilar depending on the dose used.
It could be concluded that watery extract of fenugreek by the doses used in this study had a significant effect on semen quality and the effect dissimilar by dose difference. It is preferred to take care when it used by those doses for long periods.

The study investigated the presence of bacteria in stone constituents in addition to chemical analysis of struvite stone components, removed by surgical intervention form (50) patients having renal stones and urinary tract infections ( UTIs).
The results showed the isolation of Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonass aeruginosa from most of 8 struvite stones from the center and subsurface layers, Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli were also isolated from one of the 32 calcium stones, while 10 uric acid stone, were germ-free.

The chemical analysis results showed that struvite stone components, contain calcium, magenisium and phosphate.

The study was conducted to investigate the allergic reaction among the workers of Hamam Alalil Cement Factory in Nenivah . 55 blood samples were collected from workers at different department of the factory . ELISA for IgE and Eosinophil count were performed. The results indicated that 60% of the workers were suffering from one or more allergic reaction ( Respiratory , Dermatological or Eyes sensitivity ). The heighest reaction sensitivity was Dermatological 38.2% , The results revealed that the more the exposure time to cement pollutants the more the percentage of allergy , also that the percentage of allergic reaction was different at different departments . The general level of IgE in workers was found to be 120.9 IU/ml which differed with the type of reaction , the heighest was 215.8 IU/ml in workers with more than one reaction , the lowest 44.1 IU/ml in workers with no reaction . The results also indicated that the IgE concentration in 41.5% of workers was more than 100 IU/ml , and the heighest 142 IU/ml was in the kiln department while the lowest 56.6 IU/ml was at the administration department . The average eosinophil count was 7.6% , the heighest was 9.8% among workers with more than one reaction .

The study was conducted by using several factors to control leaf spot disease of Vicia faba caused by Alternaria alternata. The bio control agent Trichoderma harzianum proved to have a high antagonistic ability against the pathogen (invitro). All three fungicides, benomyl captan and metalaxyl gave a significant inhibitions to the growth of A.alternata, Benomyl was the best since it caused 100% inhibition at the concentration of 200 mg a.i / Liter, Also Plant extracts of Datura innoxia, Olea europaea and ocimum basilicum Inhibited the growth of the fungus, with the maximum inhibition 85.55% caused by Datura at 25mg/ml followed by Olive then Ocimum. In greenhouse experiments, all individual treatments caused significant reduction of infection and severity of the disease as compared to control. Seed treatment with benomyl was the best treat and gave 20.4% and 0.15 respectively. The incorporation of different control measures together using plant extract of Datura, benomyl and T.harzianum gave a high synergistic effect in decreasing infection in cidence and severity of the disease to 10.5% and 0.06 respectvely Moreover, it gave a significant increase in plant length and fresh weight by 41.57cm and 43.80g respectively.

Seven fungal genera were isolated from imported nuts seeds of sunflower,
watermelon and peanuts which were roasted and prepared for human consumption. The fungus Rhizopus spp. had the highest percentage among the isolated fungi (29%)
then, A. niger (16%) , Penicillium spp. and Rhizoctonia spp. as well as Chaetomium spp. and Fusarium spp. which had the lowest percentage. Seed health test of stored seeds of the samples mentioned above, in addition to squash seeds showed that six genera of fungi were present. The genus Rhizopus spp. was also isolated with highest percentage (41%) followed by Aspergillus spp.(8.5%) then, Altrenaria spp., Chaetomium spp. lastly Rhizoctonia spp. and Pythium spp. which isolated with lowest percentage. Aspergillus isolates were clearly identified using the differential media, two perfect phases (Teleomorphs) of this genus were found, the first was Emercilla spp. Isolated from stored squash seeds, two fungi were also found in the same sample they were A. parasiticus and A. terreus .The second teleomorphs was Neosartorya spp. which was found in stored peanut seeds as well as A. sydowii. All the identified Aspergillus spp. were found to be non-aflatoxigenic fungi after performing selective media test

The research included isolation of glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase from normal & tumor human kidney’s tissue using different biological techniques, These included ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis, gel filtration chromatography on sephadex G-75 and sephadex G-200 .
It was shown that, the comparative molecular weight of the second proteinous peak (produced from sephadex G-200 colum, also it contain glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase activity) for normal & tumor kidney’s tissue was found to be (304,000 ± 3,000 Da) and (297,000 ± 3,000 Da) respectively, And the purification of glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase in this peak was (42.48 fold) and (42.29 fold) respectively for normal kidney’s tissue, (92.23 fold) and (86.13 fold) respectively for tumor kidney’s tissue.
Further more, the comparative molecular weight of the subunit of glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis techniques for normal and tumor kidney’s tissue and found to be (42,600 Da) and (53,900 Da) respectively .
The results also showed that the optimum conditions of glutamine synthetase were obtained using imidazole-HCl (100 mM) as a buffer at pH (7.2), (45 C°) and (15 mM) of glutamate as a substrate. Using Linweaver-Burk plot, it was found that Vmax and Km have the values of (0.0818 U/ml), (11.97 mM) respectively. The effect of ammonium chloride and adenosine-5́-triphosphate concentration on the enzyme activity were also preformed. The optimum concentration of ammonium chloride is (1 mM) with Vmax (0.065 U/ml)and Km (0.419 mM). On the other hand, the optimum concentration of adenosine-5́-triphosphate is (4 mM) with Vmax (0.0609 U/ml) and Km (1.64 mM) .
Finally, The optimum conditions of glutamate dehydrogenase were obtained using Tris-HCl (100 mM) as a buffer at pH (8.8), (40 C°) and (50 mM) of glutamate as a substrate. Using Linweaver-Burk plot, it was found that Vmax and Km have the values of (0.6916 U/ml), (29.5 mM) respectively. The effect of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide concentration on the enzyme activity was also preformed. The optimum concentration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is (4 mM) with Vmax (0.424 U/ml) and Km (0.91 mM) .