Rafidain journal of science

Present study succeeded in induced the callus from hypocotyledon stem segments of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings and produced its cultures then differentiated to vegetative shoot. The extraction and estimation of the lycopene and beta-carotene contents of these tissues were followed. The results indicated that callus was inducible from these segments on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L-1 2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) after 7 days at 100%, with aggregate formed on the segments and then it\\'s become large in size after 12 days, its separated and transferred to a medium with the same components above producing callus cultures due to the rapid and continuous division of cells. What distinguished in study was the spontaneous differentiation of vegetative shoot from callus after the second subculture at a rate of 85%. The methods of preparing the extracts proved successful and the quantities of lycopene and beta-carotene were estimated. The best tissue in their produced was the callus, which reached 3.615 mg100 g-1 and 1.301 mg 100 g-1 at the third hour of extraction, respectively.

The study aimed to clarify the effect of using some nutritional supplements (NS) and testosterone hormone on blood parameters added to HbA1C% in the blood serum of male rats, and the change in these parameters upon exercise training. 80 male albino rats were used, divided into 8 groups, each group 10 rats. The 1st group get standard feeding only (control); the 2nd group subjected to special exercise program using a treadmill; the 3rd group administrated NS+ standard feeding; the 4th group injected IM. with testosterone Blend; the 5th group administrated NS and injected with testosterone; the 6th group administrated NS and subjected to exercise program; the 7th group was injected with testosterone and exercise the 8th group administrated NS and injected with testosterone and subjected to exercise program. Our results showed a significant decrease in the number of RBCS, WBCs, Hb concentration and PCV% in the group of rats treated with the NS and testosterone, with a significant increase in platelets and HbA1C% compared to the rest groups at a significant level P≤(0.01), while exercise led to a significant increase in the values of (RBCs, WBCs Hb, PCV%) with a significant decrease in the numbers of platelets and HbA1C% compared to the treated and non-exercise groups. In conclusion, the study revealed that treatment with the NS and testosterone hormone, those usually used in sports training centers showed to cause negative effects on various blood parameters and HbA1C%, while doing exercise resulted in a positive improvement in the studied parameters as well as HbA1C%, i.e. the rat group that practicing exercise have better control over the studied parameters

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant proliferation of immature lymphocytes known as lymphoblast that causes them to build up in several organs, including the bone marrow and blood. Cancer cells use Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) as a key component of their immune evasion strategies. The goal of the study is to estimate NETs levels in pediatric patients with ALL, as it is a promising immunological marker for tumor diagnosis and disease progression. A total of 80 children aged 1 to 14 years diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were selected, alongside 40 healthy children served as the control group. The samples from ALL patients were split into three groups based on the duration of the disease. Serum levels of NETs were ascertained using the ELISA technique. The results showed a significant increase in the levels of NETs among ALL patients (Mean ±SD 1125.400 ± 739.165 ng/ml) compared to the control group (Mean±SD 622.363 ± 127.983 ng/ml) with P≤0.05.
Additionally, no significant differences in NETs were observed among the three disease groups, as the p-value associated with Duncan test was 0.33. However, both the Less than 1 year and more than 2 years showed a significant increase in NETs levels compared with the control group, according to Duncan’s test. The findings suggest that NETs were able to reverse the progression of the tumor during the treatment stages

ABSTRACT
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent gynecological disease characterized by vaginal wall inflammation that is caused by Candida species. VVC impacts almost three-quarters of all women throughout their reproductive years. This study was aimed to assess the incidence and species distribution of Candida in Duhok women presenting with vaginal Candidiasis. Using selective media Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), germ tube test (GTT), chlamydospore formation, and CHROMagar Candida. A total of 200 samples of high vaginal infection were collected from patients in Azadi teaching hospital/Duhok city. A total of 71 samples Candida species, 114 with normal flora, 14 with bacterial infection, and 1 with parasite infection. These isolates were subjected to GTT, chlamydospore formation, and inoculation on CHROMagar Candida.
Candida albicans was the main species isolated (67.6%), followed by C. glabrata (23.9%), C. krusei (7.0%), and C. tropicalis (1.4%) based on colony color. Following this, species confirmation and antifungal susceptibility testing are performed using the VITEK 2 system.
Regarding antifungal sensitivity, micafungin and voriconazole have proven to be the most effective, exhibiting the lowest MIC values. These are followed by caspofungin, fluconazole, amphotericin B, and flucytosine, indicating their relative efficacy in treating Candida infections. This comprehensive approach ensures accurate identification and optimal treatment strategies for Candida species

This study demonstrated the positive effect of the magnetic field (MF) on the germination of thyme Thymus vulgaris L. seeds, seedlings growth and initiated the callus from its stem parts. The results showed the success of cultured seedling stem pieces on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supported by Kinetin (K) and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) with 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L respectively in high percentage of callus initiation, reaching 80%.
Exposure of thyme seeds to a magnetic field led to a high germination rate and seedlings growth, Also, when exposed its stem pieces to MF for different periods led to an increase in the callus initiation percentage, reaching its highest 95% at a period of 60 minutes. The study also proved the effective role of the MF in stimulating the growth of callus cells to grow reaching to produce the secondary metabolic compounds by increasing the callus cells, oil content, accompanied by an increase in the percentage of thymol (the main component of thyme oil, which has medicinal benefits) recording the highest oil content of 3.49% and thymol content of 42.01% for callus cells exposed to MF at 60 minutes compared to the unexposed callus group (control) with 1.94% callus oil content and 38.98% of thymol content

Bacteremia is a life-threatening and a critical infection. In this study, 250 blood samples were collected from patients and directly cultured in brain-heart infusion broth and incubated aerobically, which was considered the primary culture. After observing any changes in the medium in the following day, a secondary culture was performed on basal blood agar and MacConkey agar. The colonies and cells morphologies were examined. Molecular diagnosis was then carried out based on the 16S rRNA gene, Following by nucleotide sequencing. 19 Gram-negative and 16 Gram-positive bacterial strains were identified. The isolated bacteria were as follows: Klebsiella pneumoniae (6), Shigella sonnei (5), Serratia surfactantfacie2) ), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2), Burkholderia paludis (1), Escherichia coli (2), Enterobacter spp. (1), Staphylococcus aureus (2), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (2), Staphylococcus epidermidis (11), and Micrococcus yunnanensis (1).
Bacterial subspecies of Klebsiella pneumoniae was identified through the use of the Voges-Proskauer test and malonate consumption test. It was found that the dominant subspecies was K. pneumoniae subsp. ozaenae, with 5 strains out of 6 showing negative results for both tests. Only one strain belonged to K. pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae, which was positive for both tests.The correlation between bacteremia and kidney function was investigated, as well as the effect of gender. The levels of urea and creatinine were measured in patients diagnosed with bacteremia and compared to healthy controls. Statistical analysis revealed neither significant differences in kidney function between patients and healthy individuals, nor significant differences between male and female patients or between healthy controls.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria in drinking water supplied to different areas of Mosul city and to evaluate their resistance to chlorine and selected antibiotics. Drinking water samples were collected from 17 locations representing both sides of the city. Residual chlorine concentrations were measured, and bacterial contamination was determined using the membrane filtration method. The results revealed that all samples were contaminated with Gram-negative bacteria at varying levels depending on the sampling site. The highest level of contamination was recorded in the Nahrawan area (240 CFU/100 mL), while the lowest was observed in the Sumer area (3 CFU/100 mL). Residual chlorine concentrations in the analyzed samples ranged from 0 to 1.0 mg/L. Bacterial isolates identified using the VITEK® 2 Compact system included Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae (Enterobacteriaceae), Aeromonas hydrophila (Aeromonadaceae), and Acinetobacter baumannii (Moraxellaceae). All isolated bacteria exhibited resistance to chlorine concentrations up to 0.8 mg/L, whereas complete sensitivity was observed at a concentration of 1.0 mg/L, with increased susceptibility at higher concentrations. Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that all isolates were sensitive to seven antibiotics but showed resistance to penicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, and amoxicillin-clavulanate

The increased rate of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in immunocompromised patients such as those with diabetes mellitus has become a major international health issue in developing countries. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the differences in the prevalence of etiological agents between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals, to study the influence of diabetes mellitus on the antibiogram patterns, and to demonstrate extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing bacteria. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 non-duplicated diagnosed diabetic and 60 non-diabetic patients. Midstream urine sample were collected and cultured for the diagnosis of bacteriuria. All Gram-negative uropathogens were phenotypically studied for β-lactamase production. Among all 120 patients, the incidence rate of bacteriuria in diabetic and non-diabetic female participants (76.7%, 80%) was significantly higher than in males (23.3%, 20%), respectively. The most frequent isolated uropathogens in patients with and without diabetes mellitus were Escherichia coli (53.3%, 46.7%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (23.3%, 16.7%), respectively. Antibiogram patterns revealed that most bacterial isolates were highly susceptible to Imipenem, Meropenem, Ertapenem, Nitrofurantoin, and Vancomycin. Moreover, multi-drug resistance was observed among 70% of UTI patients. The overall prevalence of ESBL in the non-diabetic group was significantly higher than diabetic (68.8%,35.3%). E. coli was the predominant b-lactamase producer in diabetic (37.5%) and non-diabetic (64.3%) individuals. ESBL producers showed a higher resistance level against 20 used antibiotics than non-ESBL producers. This study has shown a significant relationship between the proportion of bacterial isolates and urinary tract infections in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

This research aims to synthesis of γ-Al2O3 catalyst from a local clay and studying the effect of calcination time and calcination temperature on the surface area of gamma alumina, to be employed as a catalyst in the thermal cracking of the atmospheric residue (ATR) taken from a local refinery in Mosul city, North of Iraq. The XRD, BET surface area and pore size, FESEM, and EDX for the resulting γ-Al2O3 were diagnosed. Using a 2.0 wt.% of γ-Al2O3 catalyst, the optimally upgraded liquid oil was produced at 400 °C for 1h, with an output of 79 % and a 40.55° API gravity. Fundamentally, the resulting liquid fuel was also analyzed using the resulting liquid fuel was also analyzed using Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and H-NMR.
The results showed that the fuel consists of aromatics, n-alkanes, olefins, and iso-alkanes. Moreover, it’s gasoline content was 20 vol.%, with an octane-value of 82 In addition, the flash point and the kinematics viscosity of the resulting fuel were low. Eventually, the as-synthesized γ-Al2O3 could be recommended as a potential catalyst for the catalytic thermal cracking processes of heavy residue and oils.

For the synthesis of the new N-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl) benzamide ligand, 4-phenylthiazol-2-amine, and benzoyl chloride in a 1:1 molar ratio was condensed in ethanol with ammonium acetate. For creating the Zn (II), Ni (II), Mn (II), and Co (II) complexes, the above-mentioned ligand was directly reacted with metal chlorides in an ethanolic medium at a molar ratio 1:1 and 2:1 (Ligand: Metal). Determination of the elemental composition of a substance, spectral studies. The produced complexes were characterized using (FTIR, UV/visible), Proton-NMR and conductivity. The findings demonstrated octahedral and tetrahedral geometric availability linked to the central ion, along with an inhibitory effect on the growth of various bacterial strains, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aurous, Bacillus, and Klebsiella pneumonia. Complex (9) with the structure [Cu(L)2Cl2] has a higher effect on different bacterial species than the other complexes, which had a lower effectiveness rate, according to the results.

The characteristics of copper oxide (CuO) thin films deposited by thermal spray method on moving substrates at various distances from the nozzle to the substrate were investigated using XRD, SEM, and UV-Vis methods. The most significant characteristic in all the deposited films, according X-ray diffraction (XRD) study, was the (111) peak. Stable crystalline structure of the films was demonstrated by varying d-spacing values ranging from 0.245 Å to 0.246 Å at varied distances. Moreover, the Scherrer equation was used to determine the crystallite size; it was found that the size dropped as the distance separating the nozzle from the substrate rose. Particle size and porosity varied between films deposited at 15 cm and 30 cm according to SEM investigation. Whereas the films produced at 30 cm revealed bigger particles (10 nm), those deposited at 15 cm showed reduced particle sizes (20nm). The UV-Vis data revealed that light transmittance rose while light absorption dropped as the distance separating the nozzle from the substrate increased. The energy band gap (Eg) was deducing using the Tauc equation A larger energy band gap (2.35 eV) was found in the films deposited at 30 cm than in those formed at 15 cm (2.04 eV). Furthermore, noted was a rise in the absorption coefficient and refractive index with increasing distance, suggesting improved film absorption and conversion capability of course

Zinc Selenide thin films were deposited on a glass substrate by chemical bath deposition. The optical properties and annealing temperature at 250°C for 1 hour were observed, the results showed an increase in transmittance and an increase in the band gap after annealing. They were analyzed by XRD and revealed a polycrystalline structure; the results indicated that the samples exhibited a mixture of cubic and hexagonal structures. After annealing at 250°C, observed an increase in the intensity of the plans, a slight shift in the diffraction angles, and a decrease in the average crystal size. The elemental composition of the Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) films using EDX revealed the presence of other elements such as C, O, Si, S, Ca, Cl, Mg and Na in varying percentage which they indicate the presence of impurities during the preparation process. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope observations were performed at different magnifications (15,000, 30,000, 60,000, and 120,000X). Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) nanoparticles were distributed in various sizes (21–35 nm) and exhibited a spherical shape.

The Friedmann-model was proposed as a solution to Einstein\\'s formulae, so as to get multiple sets of equations specifying cosmological parameters. The time and temperature evolution of a number of cosmological parameters, including scale factor, energy density, pressure, Hubble parameter, and deceleration parameter, which describe the macro world, have been studied in the context of radiation, matter, and dark energy. To describe the micro universe, Fridmann models require to be modified by going back in time to get a new definition for the cosmological parameters. A way that describes Friedmann as a micro universe considered that the strong force (short rang) operates by an equation like that of Einstein equations. The Einstein field equations, which concentrate on the large space-time structure of the universe, will be modified accordingly to take into consideration the small range scale. The cosmological parameter for the macro and micro universes was displayed against temperature and time going back to the end of radiation dominated to matter dominated eras, representing that the universe exhibits a shift from an accelerated expansion of macro universe to a decelerated expansion of micro universe

fuels targeting to replace fossil-based diesel particularly when derived from waste cooking oil (WCO) which is cheap and non-food feedstock. Generally, homogeneous catalysts are used for biodiesel synthesis, which can lead to various difficulties such as separation issues and wastewater generation as well as saponification at sin higher free fatty acids (FFA) concentration.
Heterogeneous magnetic nanocatalysts have gained considerable attention due to their high catalytic efficiency, ease of separation via magnetic fields, and reusability. This review explores the progress in the use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) metal oxides, spinel\\'s, and bio-derived nanocatalysts in biodiesel synthesis via transesterification and esterification reactions. Emphasis is placed on catalysts prepared with iron-based cores (Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄) doped or functionalized with metals such as Ca, Cu, Ni, and Co, or immobilized enzymes such as lipases. Recent studies from 2020 to 2025 are critically evaluated to catalyst composition, synthesis methods, and performance metrics (yield, reaction conditions, reusability). This approach can contribute to waste recycling and potentially reduce carbon emissions, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

In view of the great importance in the field of public health in the treatment of parasitic diseases, as they are considered as a great danger to humans in general. The research aims to conduct an epidemiological study to update the information about the epidemiology of intestinal parasites in the city of Mosul in patients attending Al-Salam, Ibn Al-Atheer, and General Mosul hospitals, during the period from July 2022 to February 2023. Furthermore, the examined samples amounted to 371 samples, and the percentages of parasites were: (78%) for the Entamoeba parasite and (22%) for the Giardia parasite.
The percentage of infection with Entamoeba parasite in children was (78.57%) and in adults about (77.19%). As for the Giardia parasite, the infection rate in children was (21.43%), and in adults (22.81%).
The infection rates according to the months of the year, the highest level of infection in August, where it reached (18.10%), while in July it reached (22.16%), then it began to decrease slightly in September, where it reached (17.30%). More, In February and January were the lowest, where it reached (11.89%).
As for the injuries according to the age category, the infection was the highest in the age category (1 year to 10 years), where the infection rate reached (28.30%), followed by the age category (21 years to 30 years), which reached (25.00%). The rest of the injuries were (14.62%) in the category (less than a year). As well as, in the age category (from 31 years to 40 years) the infection rate was (13.20%). While the least injuries were in the elder category (from 41 years to 50 years) where the percentage was (5.66%), (from 51 years to 60 years) was (4.71%), (from 61 to 70 years) was (1.88%) and (more than 70 years) was (1.41%). Finally, the percentage of injuries according to gender was higher in males at (59%), while the percentage of injuries in females was (41%).

Five imported potato cultivars of the E class (Arizona, Fajah, Paradiso, Riviera, and Vogue) were studied for the nature of inheritance of certain growth and yield traits under the effects of a treatment period with gamma rays. It included four treatments: Not treated, treatment for 30 minutes, treatment for 45 minutes, and treatment for 60 minutes. The study was conducted out within the Nineveh Governorate in Iraq. Twenty treatments were used in a factorial experiment with three replicates and a fully randomized block design in the agricultural research field, College of Agriculture and Forestry, Tourist Forest Area, Mosul City, through the spring growing season of 2024–2025. With the exception of the percentage carbohydrates found in tubers, the mean squares values of five cultivar compositions were significant for each characteristic under investigation, according to the analysis of variance results. In the meantime, the attributes of the number of marketable tubers per plant, average marketable tuber weight, marketable yield per plant, and marketable tuber yield showed significant mean squares of the irradiation coefficients. the proportion of starch and dry matter in tubers. For all characteristics within the study, the genetic and environmental variance values were significantly above zero. The characteristics of plant height, the amount of chlorophyll in leaves, number of marketable tubers per plant, marketable yield per plant, marketable tuber yield, and percentage of both potassium and phosphorus in tubers had higher genetic variance values than environmental variance values, while the other traits had lower genetic variance values. Plant height, the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves, and the levels of phosphorus and potassium content in the tubers all had high broad sense heritability values. Any trait that has high heritability allows breeders an excellent chance to enhance these features through direct selection. For the characteristics number of marketable tubers per plant, marketable yield per plant, and marketable tuber yield, the expected genetic improvement values as a percentage of the trait mean were high.

Smart polymers (also stimulus-responsive polymers) are an advanced class regarding materials which can undergo reversible chemical or physical transitions within broad spectrum of internal and external triggers, such as pH, temperature, light, magnetic or electric field, biologically derived cue. New innovations especially point at the integration of bio-responsive, photo-responsive and field-responsive polymers, which have distinctive operational benefits. Bio-responsive systems are highly physiologically specific and the light-activated polymers allow highly specific spatiotemporal control, and magnetic or electric field-responsive platforms enable non-invasive and remotely controlled drug delivery. The latest trends in research focus more on the development of multi-responsive systems, a combination of two or more stimuli, to improve the ability to be more adaptable and provide a further fine-tuning of the drug-release profiles. The merging hybrids have more selectivity, therapeutic precision, and responsiveness compared to the previous single-trigger methods. But they also bring about new problems with structural complexity, long-term biocompatibility, and scalable manufacturability, which distinguishes them as compared to their predecessors and will affect their clinical readiness. Comparatively, pH- and thermo-responsive polymers are relatively mature and closer to clinical translation, whereas photo-responsive and field-responsive systems are more versatile, but still have impediments linked to tissue penetration, stimulus delivery, and safety validation. The latest generation is multi-responsive and bio-integrated platforms that has the best potential