Salahaddin University-Erbil

The hormone melatonin (MEL), primarily acknowledged for its role in regulating circadian rhythms, has demonstrated itself to be a complicated molecule with significant implications for vascular physiology. Melatonin exerts extensive physiological effects directly via the MEL receptor type 1 (MT1R) and the MEL receptor type 2 (MT2R), as well as indirectly through the improvement of antioxidant vascular tone. This review aims to analyse the intricate relationships between MEL and the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in the vascular attenuation of non-diabetic (non-DM) and diabetic (DM) contexts. Alterations in the expression of RAS components and their dysregulation are prevalent in diabetes. Melatonin exhibits vasoprotective advantages in non-diabetic conditions. In the context of DM, vascular problrms such as vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED), hypertension, and atherosclerosis result from the dysregulation of MEL-RAS interactions. Comprehending the actions of MEL on RAS components in diabetes vasculature is essential for formulating tailored pharmaceutical therapy methods. This review consolidates existing knowledge regarding the vascular effects of MEL in relation to RAS activation, emphasising its potential role as a modulating factor for angiotensin 1–8 (Ang 1–8), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and angiotensin 1–7 (Ang 1–7) in the management of vascular complications associated with DM.

Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO) were produced using the sol-gel dip-coating method to create NiO/glass and silicon thin film. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the film’s structural and optical properties. The nonlinear optical characteristics of the nickel oxide thin film were examined using the open aperture and close aperture Z-scan methods at wavelengths of 532 and 635 nm. Manipulating the laser optical intensities and wavelengths altered the refractive index of the samples in that increasing the laser intensities and wavelengths led to a decrease in the nonlinear refractive index. The nonlinear absorption coefficient exhibited a negative correlation with laser intensity and a small decreasing relationship with the wavelength.

This study aimed to examine the mediating roles of resilience and meaning-centered coping in the relationships between life satisfaction and posttraumatic growth and depreciation. The sample consisted of 255 participants (70% females, M age = 23.35), who directly experienced the earthquakes that occurred in Turkey on February 6, 2023. Using an online survey, participants answered self-reported questions about their perceived life satisfaction, posttraumatic growth, depreciation, resilience, and meaning-centered coping. Findings showed that life satisfaction significantly predicted resilience, meaning-centered coping, and posttraumatic depreciation. Resilience and meaning-centered coping significantly predicted both posttraumatic growth and depreciation. Importantly, resilience and meaning-centered coping significantly mediated the association of life satisfaction with posttraumatic growth and depreciation. In conclusion, the findings of this study have important implications for customizing interventions designed to enhance the resilience and coping mechanisms of individuals dealing with traumas, including those with posttraumatic stress disorder.

A new systematics was developed that predicted the (n,f) nuclear reaction cross sections for thorium isotopes in the mass number range 228 ≤ A ≤ 234. The TALYS-1.95 and EMPIRE-3.2.3 nuclear computer codes were used to do calculations that validated the results. Semi-empirical formulas are used for a variety of thorium isotopes that divide to the third fission level. The excitation functions of the ²²⁸ Th (n,f), ²²⁹ Th (n,f), ²³⁰ Th (n,f), ²³¹ Th (n,f), ²³² Th (n,f), ²³³ Th (n,f), and ²³⁴ Th (n,f) nuclear reactions have been calculated at incident neutron energy ranging between 1 and 20 MeV. In addition to evaluated nuclear data files, such as JENDL 3.3, TENDL-2021, ENDF (B-VII.1), JENDL-4, BROND-3.1, EAF-2010, and ROSFOND-2010, experimental data from the EXFOR library were compared with our calculation. Overall, there is good agreement between the new semi-empirical formula, computer codes, evaluated files and experimental data fission cross sections.

Delayed marriage has become an increasingly common phenomenon globally, with various social, economic, and cultural factors contributing to this trend. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the key factors influencing delayed marriage in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1st, 2023, to September 13th, 2024, in the four major cities of Kurdistan, using convenience sampling method. The questionnaire contained sociodemographic information and the factors influencing delayed marriage using the Factors Influencing the Delay in Marriage Scale (FIDMS), a self-structured tool containing 24 items. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 28. A total of 1,176 participants were included in the study. The most significant factors contributing to delayed marriage were low level of mutual trust between men and women, such as concerns about loyalty or reliability in relationships, and restricted ability to independently select a life partner due to family or societal pressures. Additionally, financial barriers and sociocultural pressures, such as demands for large dowries, also played key roles in delaying marriage. On the other hand, the least significant factors included romantic relationships before marriage and insufficient monitoring or regulation of media content, indicating that these factors had a lower impact on the decision to delay marriage. Trust issues and the inability to freely choose a spouse were the most significant factors influencing delayed marriage. Healthcare providers and policymakers should focus on addressing these social and cultural challenges to promote healthier relationships and mitigate the impact of delayed marriage in the region.

Background and Aim: Wound healing is a complex biological process often hindered by bacterial infections, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Conventional antibiotic treatments face challenges due to antimicrobial resistance, necessitating alternative approaches. This study evaluates the efficacy of blue laser-activated silver nanoparticles synthesized from grape seed extract (GSE-AgNPs) in promoting wound healing and reducing bacterial load in Wistar mice. Materials and Methods: GSE-AgNPs were synthesized and characterized before application. Wistar mice were divided into three experimental groups: (1) blue laser therapy alone, (2) GSE-AgNPs alone, and (3) combined treatment. A 2.5 cm incision was created on the dorsal side of each mouse, and treatments were administered on days 1, 3, and 5 post-incision. Wound healing progression was assessed through histopathology, bacterial colony counts, and immune response markers (lymphocyte and monocyte levels). Statistical analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: Compared with individual treatments, the combination of GSE-AgNPs and blue laser therapy significantly improved wound healing outcomes. The combined therapy led to a 60% reduction in wound size and an 88.73% decrease in S. aureus bacterial load. Immune response markers showed enhanced activity, with lymphocyte levels increasing by 75% and monocyte levels rising by 50%, indicating a stronger immune response. Histopathological analysis confirmed accelerated re-epithelialization and increased fibroblast activity in the combination therapy group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that blue laser-activated GSE-AgNPs provide a promising alternative for enhancing wound healing and bacterial infection control, particularly against MRSA. The synergistic effect of nanoparticles and laser activation promotes immune modulation and tissue regeneration. Future research should explore clinical applications and dosage optimization for human use. Keywords: blue laser, grape seed extract, green synthesis, silver nanoparticles, Staphylococcus aureus, wound healing.

Pistacia atlantica (Bene) is a native Mediterranean plant that exudates a resinous therapeutic oleoresin gum used for many inflammatory‐related diseases. Therefore, the present study evaluates the acute toxicity and the gastroprotective effects of Pistacia atlantica gum (PAG) on ethanol‐mediated gastric ulcers in rats. Sprague Dawley rats (30) were placed in 5 cages: Group A received 10% tween 20; Group B, ulcer control, received 10% tween 20; reference rats (C, received 20 mg/kg omeprazole), groups D and E received 250 and 500 mg/kg of PAG, respectively. After 60 min, Groups B–E rats received absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg). The acute toxicity results showed a lack of any physiological alterations in rats supplemented with up to 5 g/kg of PAG. In the gastroprotective trial, the ulcer controls exhibited extensive gastric mucosal injuries, reduced stomach mucus secretion, a highly acidic stomach, and increased lesion areas. Ethanol ingestion caused significant inflammatory cell infiltration and oxidative stress indicators in their gastric tissues. The ulcer controls revealed reduced HSP 70, elevated Bax protein expressions, and lowered antioxidant enzymes and up‐regulated MDA contents. PAG treatment restored these negative effects of ethanol, which could be because of its terpenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids potentials that positively modulated the gastric defense barriers (mucopolysaccharides), gastric antioxidants, mucus secretion, and significantly increased gastric pH and reduced inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α and IL‐6). The gastro‐prophylactic potentials are validated by its modulatory actions of gastric defense mechanisms, providing scientific evidence for future biochemical characterizations.

This study assesses two techniques for generating point clouds based on dense image matching (DIM): semiglobal matching (SGM) implemented in Trimble INPHO MATCH-3DX software, and a deep-learning algorithm Pyramid Stereo Matching Network (PSMNet). The PSMNet was trained using three datasets with both automated driving and aerial scenes. Two other distinctive sites were selected to assess the accuracy against LiDAR data. The study found inaccuracies in the PSMNet point clouds and suggested that SGM could potentially result in a better outcome. However, for flat slab or ground surface, its root-mean-square error is better than SGM. The analysis showed that the SGM analyses favorably remove points on vertical surfaces due to occlusion, while PSMNet incorrectly extrapolate them with slopes. Furthermore, the assessment identified the potential to improve PSMNet by using more or in-distribution training dataset for test (unseen) areas.

Background Light is essential for producing high-quality plants. The advancement of light-emitting diode technology has unlocked new opportunities for growing plants in controlled settings. In this study, the effects of light-emitting diodes priming and drought stress on some physiological and biochemical parameters were studied in two Melissa officinalis genotypes (Ilam and Isfahan) one and three weeks after drought stress. The experiments were conducted in a factorial arrangement within a completely randomized design with three replications. Results Drought stress reduced growth indicators such as fresh and dry weights of aerial parts, leaf number, and relative water content. Light-emitting diode priming relieved such reductions in both genotypes. The accumulation of phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, and levels of proline, along with the activity of the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, increased under drought stress, with the maximum increase achieved under red + blue and blue light-emitting diode light-primed plants. Especially in the Ilam genotype, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme activities and the accumulation of phenolic compounds were remarkably enhanced by the use of red + blue light-emitting diode light. Also, abscisic acid showed higher values under drought stress and the highest in pre-treatments with red + blue and red light-emitting diodes. Conclusion The effects of different treatments on the physiological indices showed that drought tolerance in Melissa officinalis was improved due to the priming of red + blue light-emitting diode in both genotypes. Thus, our results emphasized the use of light-emitting diode priming as a useful method to enhance the drought resistance of medicinal plants.

The purpose of the study was to compare the levels of Heavy metals and some elements in the dust and soil close to the Lanaz oil refinery and the steel industry in Erbil-Iraq, as indicators of environmental contamination. Accordingly, ten different sites were investigated based on their distances from the pollution sources. Results of the study showed that dust was significantly more contaminated with elements than urban soil, particularly Pb, As, Hg, and Sb with t values (p < 0.01) of 2.170**, 2.104**, -0.985**, and -3.187** respectively. Significant variations between all of the distances under study were found via statistical analysis. The order of heavy metals and elements abundance was the same in both soil and dust as: Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > As > Co > V > Sb > Se > Hg > Cd. Ni, Cr, and Zn concentrations in soil exceeded WHO limits. The contamination factor of dust and soil’s Pb, As, Co, Cr, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ni, V, Se, and Sb contents showed very high pollution (CF > 6). Ni was the main contributor to soil pollution 250–1500 m away from pollution sources. The pollution load index (PLI) for dust and soils indicated deterioration of the site’s quality in the distances from 250–750 and 250-500m respectively. Dust posed very strong Pb, As, and Zn health risks (RI ≥ 440) in 250 m from pollution sources, whereas, only Sb showed powerful health risks in soils from 250–1250 m.

Theileria spp. are a group of hemoprotozoal parasites pose a significant threat to small ruminants in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Because of that and due to the limited data on the genetic diversity of Theileria species in Erbil Governorate, northern Iraq, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Theileria spp. in sheep and goats using both Giemsa-stained blood smears and PCR methods as a diagnostic criterion. The overall infection rate detected by blood smears was 26.2% in sheep and 18.3% in goats, while PCR showed higher infection rates, 47.7% in sheep and 38.3% in goats. PCR analysis identified various Theileria species, including T. ovis, T. lestoquardi, T. uilenbergi, and T. annulata, each displaying different prevalence rates. Significantly, T. lestoquardi had the highest rate of single infections, especially in goats, with an infection rate of 34.8%. Mixed infections were prevalent, occurring in 22.6% of sheep and 26.1% of goats, primarily involving T. ovis and T. lestoquardi. An assessment of factors influencing infection rates revealed that tick infestation and irregular use of acaricides were significant risk factors. Sheep with tick infestations exhibited a 59% infection rate, while goats had an infection rate of 44.25%. Regular use of acaricides was associated with a reduction in prevalence in both species. Additionally, animals with a history of tick infestations and those in communal grazing systems demonstrated higher infection rates. The sequence analysis of isolates from sheep and goats, based on the 18S rRNA gene, identified several species. The identified species have been deposited in the NCBI with the following accession numbers: T. ovis (PQ325696, PQ325698), T. lestoquardi (PQ325701, PQ325702), T. uilenbergi (PQ325706, PQ325707), and T. annulata (PQ325699, PQ325700). The findings from this investigation offer valuable insights into the genetic diversity and epidemiology of Theileria species in sheep and goats. It can be concluded that periodically controlling vector ticks and arthropods is an important factor in controlling and reducing the spread of theileriosis in targeted domestic animals.

This article presents a performance analysis of fiber optical-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) employing silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) for the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). The proposed sensor is composed of a Kretschmann configuration. This study employed the wavelength interrogation technique to analyze the sensor’s performance in terms of sensitivity, figure of merit (FoM), and limit of detection (LoD). Initially, the thickness optimisation of the considered is executed by observing better sensitivity and FoM. Furthermore, we demonstrate the impact of the proposed structure by comparing its performance with that of the conventional sensor. Subsequently, we explore the sensing parameters using the proposed structure for different concentrations of H. pylori bacteria, achieving a maximum sensitivity of 6812.50 nm.RIU− 1, a QF of 84.507 RIU− 1, and a LoD of $\:1.667\times\:1{0}^{-7}$ RIU. Finally, a comparative study shows that the proposed sensor significantly outperforms the existing sensor.

The current work presented the application of gold nanoparticles in a fluorescent system to determine nicotine in tobacco products. In this system, the fluorescence emission of fluorescein was reduced due to energy transfer to the gold nanoparticles. The nicotine adding caused the aggregation of gold nanoparticles, thereby decreasing the quenching effect of nanoparticles on fluorescein fluorescence, which led to a recovery in fluorescence intensity proportional to the nicotine concentration. Main experimental parameters including pH, concentration of Au NPs and fluorescein, and incubation time were optimized using a one-variable-at-a-time approach, and the method was partially validated by established guidelines. The validated method demonstrated strong analytical performance for detecting nicotine within the range of 0.01 to 0.8 μg.mL⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.002 μg.mL⁻¹ and a quantification limit of 0.01 µg.mL⁻¹. The intra-day and inter-day RSDs % were reported to be 2.8% and 6.1%, respectively. Finally, the validated sensor was used to measure the nicotine levels in various tobacco products. The standard addition method was employed for this analysis and the results showed a concentrations range of 0.83 to 1.21 µg.mL⁻¹ for nicotine in real samples.

Salvia indica L. is a traditional therapeutic herb used for numerous health purposes, including intestinal and stomach disorders. The current investigation includes the phytochemical profiling, acute toxicity, and gastroprotective roles of Salvia indica leave extracts (SILE) in combination with selenium (known to facilitate mucosal regeneration, reduce lipid peroxidation, and increase antioxidant activity) in the gastric ulcer animal model. The phytochemical content of SILE was determined through Folin Ciocalteu/10% AlCl3 using a spectrophotometer. Thirty Sprague male rats were divided into five cages: groups A and B administered orally 10% Tween 20; group C was treated with 100 µg/kg selenium; groups D and E were treated daily with 500 mg/kg SILE and SILE + 100 µg/kg selenium, respectively, for 2 weeks. After ethanol delivery for gastric ulceration, all rats were anesthetized and sacrificed, and the stomach was analyzed using histological and biochemical assays. SILE showed higher total phenolic (246 mg GAE/g) than flavonoid (38 mg EQ/g extract). The toxicity test elucidated the safety of SILE supplementation in rats administered with up to 5 g/kg. Ethanol oral delivery provoked significant gastric mucosal injury, reduced mucin, and glycoprotein formation, upregulated HSP 70 proteins, and lowered Bax protein appearance in gastric tissues. Co-administration of SILE and selenium showed significant resistance against ethanol-mediated ulceration and restored stomach immune barriers. Furthermore, selenium or SILE ingestion positively modulated endogenous antioxidant enzymes and lowered inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and interleukin-6) and upregulated interleukin-10 cytokines. The combination of SILE + selenium therapy revealed significant synergistic gastroprotective potentials via different molecular mechanisms. This study tends to advocate that SILE with selenium supplementation can be used in formulation development and might be exploited as a nutraceutical with therapeutic approaches to manage gastric mucosal injuries.

Using of Aloe vera showed as alternative feed a positive influence on the ruminant’s animals production, health and well-being. In addition, its corporation in animal feed enhanced animal performance and reproduction, as well as the nutritional quality of produced food such as meat and milk. This trial was carried out to introduce Aloe vera gel (AV gel) in dairy cows ration and determine its effects on intake, digestibility in vivo, and on quantity and quality of produced milk. The experimental animals were12 cows (mean age = 4.4 years and mean weight = 669.68 kg). They were assigned into two groups: control (C), animals were fed a basic ration and a concentrate and AV gel group (AV); the cows received the same C feed with addition of 10 g of AV gel. The dry matter intake, feed digestibility, milk yield, (feed/diet) chemical composition, and the fatty acids profile were determined. The incorporation of AV gel did not influence (P > 0.05) both feed dry matter intake and digestibility. However, the milk yield was (3.05 l/d) higher in AV lot (18.99 l/d) compared to C group (15.94 l/d) (P < 0.05). Similarly, value of protein, lactose, and fat were higher (P < 0.05) in AV group in comparison with C group. Concentration of saturated fatty acids and Omega ω − 3 and Omega ω − 6 were similar (P > 0.05) in both groups. The ω − 3 /ω − 6 ratio was lower (P < 0.05) in the AV group compared to C group (2.12 and 4.87, respectively). In addition, the concentrations of linoleic acid were (P < 0.05) greater in the AV group in comparison with C group. Use of alternative resources in cow feeding, such as Aloe vera can increase the milk product and improve the disease quality of milk specially the beneficial fatty acid and decrease the costs of animal feed.

Rhamnetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid compound found in many wild plant species and indigenous fruits. Despite its numerous biological potentials, such as anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, there is a lack of literature elucidating its gastroprotective action and anticipating molecular mechanism. Natural products can be a good alternative to overcome the side effects and relapses associated with anti‐ulcer drugs. This study aims to elucidate rhamnetin's acute toxicity and gastroprotective effects using the indomethacin ulceration model. Animals were arbitrarily divided into five groups: a negative control group (A) and a positive control group (B), both treated with 1% carboxymethyl cellulose; a reference group (C) receiving 20 mg/kg omeprazole; and low‐dose (D) and high‐dose (E) rhamnetin groups receiving 30 and 60 mg/kg, respectively. After 1 h, rats in Groups B–E were subjected to indomethacin‐induced ulceration. Toxicity evaluations indicated the safety of rhamnetin at doses of up to 400 mg/kg in rats, without any noticeable physiological alterations. Rhamnetin (30 and 60 mg/kg) administered orally 1 h before indomethacin‐induced gastric ulcer ameliorated the stomach lesions and lowered the ulcer index area by 73.81% and 77.87%, respectively. Rhamnetin supplementation ameliorated histopathological alterations and restored gastric barriers, including gastric pH and mucin secretion. Moreover, rhamnetin‐treated rats exhibited increased anti‐apoptotic heat shock protein 70 and decreased Bax protein in stomach tissues. These findings were in line with lowered accumulated MDA, increased superoxide dismutase, catalase and prostaglandin E2 levels, reduced serum inflammatory mediators (TNF‐α and interleukin‐6) and elevated interleukin‐10 cytokines. The outcomes indicate rhamnetin's cicatrising and gastroprotective effects against indomethacin‐mediated ulceration, possibly due to its modulatory actions on oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptotic pathways.