Salahaddin University - Erbil

Nanoparticles play a crucial role in modern medicine, spanning diagnostics, treatment modalities, and drug delivery systems. Their significance lies in revolutionizing healthcare, offering precise, and efficient solutions to a wide range of challenges. Estimates indicate that nanoparticles could make substantial contributions to the global economy, underscoring their importance in advancing healthcare practices worldwide. In vaccine development, nanoparticles enhance immune responses, prolong shelf life, and enable multi-antigen delivery while combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery is a rapidly advancing field, with liposomes emerging as versatile carriers for various therapeutic applications. Polymeric nanoparticles offer flexibility with pH-sensitive release for targeting malignant cells, while metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, ceramic nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon-based nanoparticles, and aptamer-based nanoparticles present unique properties for drug delivery and imaging across diseases, notably cancer. Nanoparticles offer promising alternatives in infectious disease treatment, with studies demonstrating efficacy against drug-resistant microbes. Combination therapies involving nanoparticle formulations hold potential for long-term antibacterial treatment. Additionally, nanoparticle-based approaches show promise in managing autoimmune diseases by enabling targeted drug delivery and immune modulation, reducing side effects while enhancing therapeutic outcomes. In conclusion, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems present a diverse and promising approach to improving therapeutic outcomes, particularly in cancer treatment, by enhancing precision, efficacy, and safety. Continued research in this field holds immense potential for addressing healthcare challenges and improving patient care globally.

Lung cancer is the second leading cause of the mortality related to the cancer. So, it is very necessary to explore the novel strategies to eradicate it. Currently, gold based medicinal compounds have emerged as remarkable anticancer agents and expressed strong potential against the lung cancer cell lines. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the history, advancements, and recent state of gold complexes in the treatment of the lung cancer. We discuss the biological evaluation in relation with the chemical structures of numerous gold complexes, including those featuring thiosemicarbazone, N -heterocyclic imine, N -heterocyclic carbenes, steroidyl NHC, CAACs, carbamates, and diphosphanes as ligands. Gold complexes’ cytotoxicity has been assessed and contrasted with that of standard drugs such as auranofin and cisplatin, with a special focus on IC 50 values for evaluating potency. This review targets to deliver a detailed understanding of the potential of the gold complexes in lung cancer therapies, paving way for the future research and clinical applications.

In contemporary times, research in sentiment analysis has taken deeper steps into a finer and more granular analysis, transcending beyond the traditional binary or ternary classification of sentiment/opinion into positive, negative, or neutral. With the increasing complexity and challenging nature of such tasks, large language models inspired by transformer architecture are frequently deployed to address such challenges. Despite recorded improvements, challenges in identifying different levels, strengths or bands of sentiment intensity and the aspect for which the sentiment is expressed remain unresolved. In this article, we propose a banded sentiment analysis system for categorizing texts into 7 meaningful and relatable bands of sentiment for modern applications. It is also capable of performing aspect-based sentiment analysis in the same pipeline. The system architecture is inspired by the transformer language model with a BERT-based encoder and a newly proposed cross-attention, non-autoregressive decoder with augmented inputs. The decoder receives an n-gram-based augmented input sequence embedding that is specifically extracted from the original input, which comprises a list of the subjects, descriptive phrases, and modification phrases that underscore cases of amplification or undertone in a sentence. Rule-based tree parsing was proposed for use with dependency parsing for the extraction of these augmented inputs for the cross-attention decoder. Extensive experiments were conducted under different architecture setups and conditions with popular sentiment analysis datasets (Amazon reviews 2023, IMDB Movies review, SST-5 and SST-2 datasets) to verify the efficacy of the system. Extended labeling was also performed on the SST-5 dataset to generate 7 sentiment classes with the help of GPT4 and Bard. Experiments validate the efficacy of the proposed models.

This study aims to investigate the improvement of ionic conductivity and other electrical parameters of a polyethylene oxide/ sodium bromide (PEO:NaBr) complex electrolyte with the use of glycerol as a plasticizer. The PEO:NaBr electrolyte was modified by insertion of various concentrations (0, 8, 16, 24, and 32 wt.%) of glycerol to boost the ionic conductivity. The structural and electrical properties of the prepared electrolyte films were examined by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the highest ionic conductivity 2.3 × 10 −4 was attained in the sample containing 24 wt.% glycerol synthesized at room temperature. This increased conductivity may be attributed to the plasticizing effect of glycerol, which made the PEO matrix less crystalline, as evidenced by the broader and less defined XRD peaks. The dielectric constant was enhanced relative to the dielectric loss by increasing the glycerol content in the low-frequency applied electric field. Also, the maximum loss tangent shifted to higher frequencies, indicating that the addition of glycerol shortened the dipole relaxation time. The dissociation of the NaBr in the PEO was confirmed by the FTIR spectra. In addition, a shift in the absorption band showed the interaction between the PEO, NaBr, and glycerol, which contributed to the enhanced amorphous nature and ion transport properties. These findings suggest that glycerol can play a crucial role in modifying the structural and electrical properties of PEO-based electrolytes, paving the way for more efficient solid-state electrolytes for future energy storage applications.

Heavy metals are toxic, non-biodegradable pollutants that pose serious risks to human health and the environment, even at trace concentrations. The contamination of drinking water and groundwater by heavy metals requires urgent attention. Nanotechnology has advanced significantly over the past decade, offering innovative solutions for water purification, particularly through the adsorption of heavy metal ions using nanomaterials. This study focuses on the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles, their adsorption capacity, and the desorption process. Additionally, the effects of key experimental parameters – such as contact time, ion concentration, pH, temperature, ionic strength, and adsorbent dose – on the removal efficiency of metal ions are examined. The findings underscore the potential of magnetic nanoparticles for effective heavy metal remediation in water.

This comprehensive review explored the role of geoinformatics in addressing environmental contamination in the MENA region under the influence of climate change. It also discusses the challenges and opportunities for utilizing geoinformatics in environmental management. This chapter highlights the current state of environmental contamination in the MENA region and the role of geoinformatics in addressing this issue. We also discuss the impact of climate change on contamination patterns and the effectiveness of geoinformatics tools in mitigating environmental problems. This comprehensive review provides valuable insights into the role of geoinformatics in addressing environmental contamination caused by climate change in the MENA region. It offers a thorough analysis of the current challenges and opportunities for utilizing geoinformatics for environmental remediation and management. This chapter also discusses the potential impact of climate change on environmental contamination in the MENA region. This chapter also highlights the role of geoinformatics in monitoring and mitigating environmental contamination in the region. Geoinformatics has emerged as a valuable tool for addressing environmental contamination caused by climate change in the MENA region. It allows the integration of various geospatial data to assess and monitor the extent of contamination, identify potential sources, and develop effective remediation strategies. The study concludes by highlighting the potential for further research and the need for continued development of geoinformatics tools in addressing environmental contamination.

Evaluation of Anchusa species of the family Boraginaceae during previous investigations determined numerous therapeutic potentials against inflammatory‐related diseases. The present study evaluates the phytochemical, acute toxicity, and hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extracts of Anchusa limbata (MEAL) against thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced liver injury in rats. The phytochemical profiling of MEAL followed a Folin–Ciocalteu and 10% AlCl3 procedure using a spectrophotometer. Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups: Normal (A) and TAA control rats (B) treated orally with daily 10% tween 20; reference rats (C) received daily oral dose of 50 mg/kg silymarin; (D and E) rats received daily doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg MEAL, respectively. In addition, group B‐E received 3 injections of 200 mg/kg TAA weekly for 60 days. The phytochemical profiling showed increased polyphenolic (129.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) and flavonoid (105.3 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract) contents in MEAL. The TAA intraperitoneal injection caused significant hepatic dysfunctionality (lowered total protein, 54.7 g/L; albumin levels, 7.8 g/L), hepatotoxicity, and necrotized cell proliferation. TAA hepatotoxicity resulted in an increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), TGF‐β1 tissue expression, liver enzymatic leakage, and oxidative stress biomarkers, while it reduced pro‐apoptotic Bcl‐2–associated X protein (Bax) proteins and inflammatory mediators (TNF‐α and IL‐6) and increased IL‐10. Conversely, MEAL treatment ameliorated the TAA‐induced hepatotoxicity and restored liver functions. The present hepatoprotectives of MEAL could be attributed to its increased polyphenolic and flavonoid contents, which require further isolation and identification of molecules underlying such therapeutic actions.

The Govanda Formation is cropped out as a patchy pattern and as high ridges between the Zagros Suture and Imbricated Zones of the Fold and Thrust Belt of Iraq. The present study concerned with the detailed study of biostratigraphy of the Govanda Formation in two representative localities in Kurdistan region of Iraq. 107 samples from both sections were collected and described. The formation is dominantly composed of fossiliferous limestones with conglomerate, sandstone and shale. 32 species of benthic, planktonic foraminifers and other miscellaneous fossils identified that used in the biostratigraphic zonation for determining the age of the Govanda Formation. Some species of benthic and planktonic foraminifers were identified here in the formation have not recorded previously such as Elphidium sp.14, Meanderopsina iranica, Dendritina rangi, Globorotalia archemenardi-Globigerinoides trilobus, Orbulina universa, Quinquiloculina sp., Pyrgo bulloides, Triloculina sp., Ammonia baccari, Austrotrillina howchini, Austrotrillina asmariensis, Miogypsina tani and Miogypsinoides sivasensis. Based on the recognition and distribution of the foraminiferal species in the Govanda Formation, three assemblage zones were identified, they are a) Austrotrillina howchini- Miogypsina-Miogypsinoides-Peneroplis evolutus-Peneroplis farsensis Assemblage Zone of the Aquitanian age. b) Borelis melo melo-Borelis melo curdica-Meanderopsina iranica-Elphidium sp.14 Assemblage Zone of the Burdigalian age. c) new-recognized Assemblage Zone in this study that comprises Globorotalia archemenardi-Globigerinoides trilobus-Orbulina universa Assemblage Zone of the Langhian age. According to the described zones and fossil contents, the biostratigraphic analysis indicates that the age of the Govanda Formation is Early-Middle Miocene (Aquitanian-Langhian).

Melt quenching was utilized to produce Er⁺³-doped lead–bismuth tellurite glasses with the following composition: (75-x) TeO2–15 PbO–10 Bi2O3–xEr2O3, where x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 mol%. The impact of Er³⁺ doping was assessed by analyzing its optical and physical properties. Using XRD, the non-crystalline character of the materials was determined. The density of the samples was increased from 6.387 to 6.528 g.cm⁻³. The absorption spectra show eight transition bands corresponding to the transitions from ⁴I15/2 to ⁴I13/2,⁴I11/2,⁴I9/2,⁴F9/2,⁴S3/2,²H11/2,⁴F7/2 and ⁴F5/2, respectively. Judd–Ofelt theory was utilized to compute both the experimental and calculated oscillator strengths. The trends of the intensity parameters are as follows: Ω2 > Ω6 > Ω4. A total of three emission bands were detected in the spectrum of fluorescence. The green transition ⁴S3/2 → ⁴I15/2 is the strongest among other transitions. To ascertain the color coordinates, the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram was applied. 95.11% was the maximum quantum efficiency for the transition ⁴S3/2 → ⁴I15/2. The findings indicate that TPBE2 glass exhibits considerable potential as a material for photonic applications and the production of laser optical systems.

Non-small-cell lung carcinoma remains a significant health concern due to its high incidence and mortality rates. Traditional medicines play a central role in cancer therapy, with plant-derived bioactive compounds being studied for their potential to offer fewer side effects than conventional treatments. In traditional Kurdish medicine, different Verbascum species are used to treat burns, inflammation, and other conditions. While some species extracts have shown cytotoxic effects against several cancer cell lines like A549, the efficacy and mechanisms of action of the other species like Verbascum ponticum (V. ponticum) remain to be elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of V. ponticum (Stef.) extract, collected from the Kurdistan region of the Iraq mountains, on A549 cells. A comprehensive approach was employed, utilizing immunocytochemical and functional analyses to assess apoptotic morphology, DNA fragmentation, alongside assays for cellular and mitochondrial function, proliferation, and viability. Additionally, the study investigated AIF mitochondrial translocation and evaluated mitochondrial membrane potential using the Rhodamine 123 assay. The results showed that the V. ponticum flower extract induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in A549 cells via disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of AIF, and translocation to the nucleus, independently of the caspase-3-activation pathway. These findings emphasize the potential of V. ponticum in lung cancer strategic treatments, meriting further phytochemical studies to identify the bioactive compounds it contains.

The synthesis of two tin(IV)-carboxylate coordination complexes, 1 and 2, was achieved through the reaction of stannic chloride with anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (HL1), 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (4-bpe), and 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene (4-bpdh) using a branched tube method. The complexes exhibited remarkable luminescent properties and unique structural characteristics. Comprehensive characterization was carried out through 1H NMR, IR, UV spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, while X-ray single-crystal analysis was used to determine their molecular structures. The crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 primarily consist of two components: a complex anion and a cation. In these structures, L1 employs a syn-syn bidentate bridging coordination mode, utilizing two oxygen atoms from the carboxylate group. Optical analysis emphasized the crucial role of auxiliary ligands in fine-tuning the optical properties of complexes 1 and 2. Compound 2 served as the light-emitting layer (LEL) in an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), where its electrical performance was evaluated. The OLED achieved a luminance of 6550 cd/m2 and a maximum power efficiency of 7.2 lm/W, representing the highest efficiency recorded for tin-based OLEDs. The device functioned at a driving voltage of around 7 V. These results indicate that this class of compounds holds potential for OLED production, providing stable quantum efficiency across different voltage ranges.

Climate change and soil degradation represent critical environmental challenges in the MENA region. Geoinformatics provides an essential framework for understanding and addressing these issues by offering vital insights for sustainable land management and conservation efforts. Through the use of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS), it is possible to monitor and assess changes in land cover and soil quality, enabling researchers to identify areas at risk of soil degradation and develop targeted conservation strategies. Geoinformatics is particularly valuable for tracking changes in land use and cover, key factors contributing to soil degradation. The data generated through these methods can inform the development of sustainable land management practices and conservation strategies. For instance, geoinformatics can help pinpoint areas at high risk of soil degradation, allowing for prioritized intervention. Additionally, monitoring changes in soil composition and quality over time through geoinformatics can enhance our understanding of the impacts of climate change on soil health. The application of geoinformatics tools and techniques provides crucial insights into the relationship between environmental factors and soil degradation in the MENA region. By utilizing remote sensing and spatial analysis, it is possible to identify areas most vulnerable to soil degradation, which can inform the implementation of targeted conservation and land management strategies. This chapter contributes significant insights into the role of geoinformatics in addressing soil degradation in the context of climate change in the MENA region and underscores the importance of continued research and innovation in this field.

Premarital screening programs are essential for identifying and providing counseling to couples at risk of transmitting genetic diseases or sexually transmitted infections. Despite their importance, university students’ awareness and knowledge of premarital screening programs remain inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of university students in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq regarding premarital screening programs. A cross-sectional survey involving 960 students was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024. The survey assessed participants’ demographics, knowledge, perception, and attitudes toward PMSP using a structured questionnaire. Findings revealed that a significant portion of participants (39.4%) had poor knowledge of premarital screening programs, 35.9% had fair knowledge, and only 24.7% had good knowledge. Despite limited knowledge, there was strong support for premarital screening programs, with 83.1% agreeing on its importance and 78.8% recognizing the need for premarital awareness. Most participants (65.8%) believed premarital screening programs could reduce genetic diseases, and 65.6% thought it could lower sexually transmitted diseases’ prevalence. Cultural acceptance of marrying relatives was notable, with 59.7% disagreeing with the preference for not marrying relatives. Married participants showed significantly higher knowledge and attitude scores compared to single participants. Gender differences were observed, with males having higher knowledge scores. There were no significant differences in perception and attitude scores based on gender or residential area. The study underscores the need for enhanced educational campaigns to improve premarital screening programs awareness and positively influence attitudes, especially targeting cultural aspects like accepting relative marriages. Comprehensive education and fostering positive attitudes toward premarital screening programs are vital for their broader acceptance and implementation.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) constitute one of the most important breakthroughs in biomedicine due to unique and highly beneficial characteristics that essentially include intrinsic fluorescence, high biocompatibility, cost-effective and scalable synthesis, water solubility, nanoscale size, low toxicity, and easy functional modification. Such features chaperone CQDs toward rather universal applicability in myriad biomedical domains where their performance has been proven across very diverse aspects. Especially, CQDs have been established as excellent nanocarriers for drug delivery applications, antimicrobial agents, carriers of therapeutic genes, and efficient photosensitizers used in photodynamic therapy. The diagnostic potential has been underlined by delivering successful results in applications of cellular and bacterial bioimaging with improved diagnostic precision. CQDs have further played an important role in advancing theragnostic nanomedicine that combines the therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities in one nanoparticle. Modifications, such as the functional group doping, improve specificity and efficiency more toward targeted biomedical applications. In this review, we try to look deeply into the significant role that CQDs play in the field of biomedicine and underline their transformational efficacy and specific potency in therapeutic as well as diagnostic applications.

The antibacterial activity of the acetone (70%) extract from Rhus coriaria was studied using a disk diffusion assay, and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were studied. Additionally, Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) was used for the detection of components, and selected compounds were checked for their antibacterial properties. The tested bacterium was Xanthomonas vesicatoria (KU661975), the causal agent of tomato bacterial leaf spot. R. coriaria extract exhibited superior outcomes against the tested bacterium compared to Streptomycin. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations revealed damage to the bacterial cell wall caused by the crude extract. Based on the GC–MS results, fifty chemical constituents were identified, including four compounds in the high peak region: malic acid (22.02%), 2–5-furandione (7.72%), succinic acid (6.10%), and hepta-2,4-dienoic acid (6.12%). The four selected compounds were purchased and tested for their antibacterial activity, with 2,5-furandione and malic acid found to be the most effective antibacterial components in R. coriaria. The outcomes of this research carry implications not only for the understanding of Rhus coriaria L. as a source of bioactive compounds but also for the development of novel strategies in combatting bacterial diseases in agricultural settings.

Bacteria assume a pivotal role in mitigating environmental issues associated with heavy metals, microplastics, and pesticides. Within the domain of heavy metals, bacteria exhibit a wide range of processes for bioremediation, encompassing biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation. Toxigenic metal ions can be effectively sequestered, transformed, and immobilized, hence reducing their adverse environmental effects. Furthermore, bacteria are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to the process of biodegradation of microplastics, which are becoming increasingly prevalent as contaminants in marine environments. These microbial communities play a crucial role in the colonization, depolymerization, and assimilation processes of microplastic polymers, hence contributing to their eventual mineralization. In the realm of pesticides, bacteria play a significant role in the advancement of environmentally sustainable biopesticides and the biodegradation of synthetic pesticides, thereby mitigating their environmentally persistent nature and associated detrimental effects. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics between bacteria and anthropogenic contaminants is of paramount importance in the pursuit of technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable management approaches.

Solar cell substrates made from high-temperature polymer bases can be applied to various types of thin-film devices. Studying how different substrates impact the properties of semiconductor films is crucial. In this research, chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) was utilized to coat thin layers of cadmium sulfide (CdS) on polyimide (PI) plastic bases. The coating process involved using distinct precursor solutions with molar concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 M. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was applied to assess the crystal structural characteristics. The XRD findings demonstrated the correct phase development in the CdS structure. The outcomes revealed that the crystallite size was directly related to the molarity concentration, with larger crystals forming at higher concentrations. Larger crystallites can lower grain boundary density, which can affect the film’s electrical and mechanical properties. Furthermore, a hexagonal structure was observed in the CdS layers. The optical band gap values of the CdS thin films increased from 2.16 to 2.21 eV as the molarity concentrations were elevated.