Optimization of EDM Process Factors for Machining Al-Si Alloy Using Response Surface Methodology

        يقدم هذا البحث نهجا متكاملا لنمذجة العملية والأمثلية متعددة الاهداف لمتغيرات التشغيل بالشرارة الكهربائية لسبيكة الالمنيوم سيليكون (Al-Si) اعتمادا على نمط استجابة السطح (RSM) إلى جانب تكنيك دالة الرغبة (DF). أختيرت ثلاث متغيرات منفصلة كمدخلات وهي تيار النبضة (Ip)، فترة إفراغ النبضة (Ton) وفترة توقف النبضة (Toff) للتأكد من تأثير المتغيرات الثلاث سابقة الذكر على المخرجات المتمثلة بمعدل إزالة المادة (MRR)، معدل بلى القطب (EWR) وخشونة السطح (Ra). تحليل عام للتفاوت (ANOVA) عند درجة من الأهمية مقدارها 5% لتعيين المعاملات الأكثر تأثيرا، وأنجز اختبار مدى كفاءة كافة النماذج. ولفهم السلوك الشامل لقابلية تشغيل لسبيكة الالمنيوم سيليكون (Al-Si) تحت أوضاع التشغيل المتفاوتة، تم إجراء تحليل التأثير الأساسي. بينت النتائج ان معدل الازالة المعدنية يزداد مع رفع تيار النبضة وفترة إفراغ النبضة. يمكن الاستحصال ايضا على نقصان في كل من معدل بلى القطب وخشونة السطح عن طريق خفض تيار النبضة ووقت إفراغ النبضة. ومع ذلك، فإن تيار النبضة هو العامل المتحكم (الاكثر تأثيرا) على معدل الازالة المعدنية وخشونة السطح متبوعا زمن تفريغ النبضة وزمن توقف النبضة، في حين أن في معدل بلى القطب فان تيار النبضة هو العامل الاكثر تأثيرا يليه زمن توقف النبضة وزمن إفراغ النبضة. أخيرا استعملت أسلوب الامثلية متعددة الاهداف بالاعتماد على نظرية دالة الرغبة للاستحصال على المقدار الامثل لمتغيرات التشغيل بحيث يمكن الاستحصال من خلالها على اعلى مقدار لمعدل الازالة المعدنية وأدنى مقدار لكل من متوسط بلى القطب وخشونة السطح مع المتغيرات المؤثرة.This work exhibits an incorporated way to deal with the procedure demonstrating and multi-target improvement of EDM parameters of Al-Si based on response surface methodology (RSM) combined with desirability function (DF) method. The’ effect’ of’ process’ parameters   for’ example, pulse current (Ip), pulse’ on’ time’ (Ton) as well as pulse’ off’ time’ (Toff) on’ metal removal’ rate’ (MRR), electrode’ wear’ rate’ (EWR) and’ surface’ roughness’ (Ra), were analyzed. An extensive investigation of difference (ANOVA) at fixed indicative level of 5%, was done to completely distinguish the most persuasive parameters, and the sufficiency of all fitted relapse models were checked. To completely comprehend the trademark machinability conduct under various EDM conditions, fundamental effect investigation. The results indicate that MRR increases with the rising Ip and Ton. Low EWR and Ra can be acquired by diminishing Ip and Ton. Be that as it may, the Ip is the most commanding parameter pursued by Ton and Toff for MRR and Ra whereas in the EWR, the Ip is the foremost factor, followed by the Toff and Ton. Lastly, a multi-optimization way dependent upon the desirability function (DF) idea was used to discover ideal blends of machining parameters so that it was capable to produce the the most extreme estimation of MRR and least estimations of EWR and Ra, inside the noteworthy information parameters

Immunoglobulins assessment (IgE,G,A,M) in some Iraqi patients with acute and chronic urticaria

60 patients diagnosed as having urticaria were included in the study ; 30 patients were effected with acute urticaria and 30 patients were affected with chronic urticaria. In addition, 30 healthy adult volunteers were selected as control group .The patients and control groups sera were examined with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) to detect total level IgE and radial immunodiffusion (RID) to detect levels of IgG , IgA and IgM . The total level of IgE in acute urticaria ( 1.45±0.13) IU/mL and chronic urticaria (2.12 ± 0.10) IU/mL patients were significantly higher than the control groups ( 0.85 ± 0.10)IU/mL (

Immunomodulatory and anticancer activities of hyacinthus orientalis l.: An in vitro and in vivo study

Hyacinthus orientalis L. (family Hyacinthaceae) is traditionally used to treat different diseases including cancer. In this study, the anticancer and immunomodulatory effects of this plant were evaluated. Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared, and different solvent fractions were obtained using solvent–solvent extraction. In the anticancer part, MTT assay and caspase-3 ELISA kits were used to measure the antiproliferative and apoptosis induction ability for each extract, respectively. In the immunomodulatory part, lymphocyte proliferation assay and cytokines detection kit were used to measure the effect of extracts of acquired immunity. Phagocytosis and pinocytosis induction were used to evaluate the effect of extracts on the innate immunity. GC–MS, LC–MS, and Foline–Ciocalteu assays were used to identify the chemical composition of the plant. Balb/C mice were inoculated with breast cancer and treated with hydroalcoholic extract of H. orientalis L. Results showed that hydroalcoholic extract and n-hexane fraction were highly effective in apoptosis induction. Both extract and fraction were also effective in stimulating lymphocytes proliferation and phagocytosis. Significant reduction in tumor size was achieved after treating tumor-bearing mice with hydroalcoholic extract. Additionally, high cure percentages (50%) were obtained in treated mice. Results of this study showed that H. orientalis L. has promising anticancer and immunomodulatory activities. However, further studies are needed to explore more details of apoptosis induction ability and other mechanisms of action and to measure different signaling pathways responsible for the anticancer and immunomodulatory response

Environmental Study of Some Water Characteristics at Um-Al-Naaj Marsh, South of Iraq.

Um-Al-Naaj region in Al-Hawiezah Marsh, Southern Iraq was chosen to study the environmental variations of some water characteristics during 2008, seasonally. The results showed clear seasonal changes in values of some environmental variables (temperature, depth, light penetration, turbidity, total suspended solids, pH, dissolved oxygen, reactive phosphate, reactive nitrite, and reactive nitrate), while there were no clear seasonal changes in electrical conductivity and salinity values. In addition, high nutrients concentrations and light penetration were noted. Statistical analysis showed significant positive relationship between air and water temperature; electrical conductivity and salinity. Water turbidity was significantly affected by total suspended solids. On the other hand, some of the studied variables had significant negative effects (relative relationships) to each other, when water pH and dissolved oxygen were affected by temperature; total suspended solids and turbidity affected also light penetration

Combination of Thymoquinone and Intermittent Fasting as a Treatment for Breast Cancer Implanted in Mice

Breast cancer stands out as a particularly challenging form of cancer to treat among various types. Traditional treatment methods have been longstanding approaches, yet their efficacy has diminished over time owing to heightened toxicity, adverse effects, and the emergence of multi-drug resistance. Nevertheless, a viable solution has emerged through the adoption of a complementary treatment strategy utilizing natural substances and the incorporation of intermittent fasting to enhance therapeutic outcomes. This study aimed to assess the anticancer activity of thymoquinone (TQ), intermittent fasting, and their combination using in vivo and in vitro methods. The anti-proliferative activity of TQ and fasting (glucose/serum restriction) were evaluated against the T47D, MDA-MB-231, and EMT6 cell lines and compared to normal cell lines (Vero) using the MTT colorimetric assay method. Additionally, this study aimed to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of TQ. For the in vivo experiment, the antitumor activity of TQ and intermittent fasting (IF) was assessed by measuring the tumor sizes using a digital caliper to determine the change in the tumor size and survival rates. At the molecular level, the serum levels of glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), leptin, and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured using standard kits. Additionally, the aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and creatinine serum levels were measured. The inhibition of the breast cancer cell lines was achieved by TQ. TQ and intermittent fasting both had an additional anticancer effect against breast tumors inoculated in mice. The combination therapy was evaluated and found to significantly reduce the tumor size, with a change in tumor size of −57.7%. Additionally, the combination of TQ and IF led to a decrease in the serum levels of glucose, IGF-1 (24.49 ng/mL) and leptin (1.77 ng/mL) while increasing β-hydroxybutyrate in the mice given combination therapy (200.86 nM) with no toxicity on the liver or kidneys. In the mice receiving combination therapy, TQ and IF treated breast cancer in an additive way without causing liver or kidney toxicity due to decreased levels of glucose, IGF-1, and leptin and increased levels of β-hydroxybutyrate. Further investigation is required to optimize the doses and determine the other possible mechanisms exhibited by the novel combination

Terfezia boudieri: A Desert Truffle With Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Activities

© Copyright © 2020 Al Obaydi, Hamed, Al Kury and Talib. Desert truffles have high nutritional value and grow wild in the Mediterranean basin and Western Asia. Although, many studies were performed to evaluate truffles nutritious values and phytochemical composition, studies are limited to evaluate their anticancer and/ or immunomodulatory effects. Our study was conducted to evaluate the anticancer and immunomodulatory effects of Terfezia boudieri (desert truffle). Different solvent extracts were prepared from the truffle and MTT assay was used to measure their anticancer activity against cancer cell lines (T47D, MCF-7, MDA-MB231, HCT-116, and Hela). Total phenolic content in each extract was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and qualitative phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods. The degree of apoptosis induction (using caspase 3 assay) and vascular endothelial growth factor expression were detected using standard kits. Also, ELISA was used to measure levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 secreted by splenocytes after treatment with the extracts. The effect of the extracts on splenocytes proliferation was measured using MTT assay. Macrophage function was evaluated using nitro blue tetrazolium assay and pinocytosis function was evaluated using neutral red method. Terpenoids, phytosterols, and carbohydrates were present in all the solvent extracts, while tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids were detected only in aqueous/methanol and aqueous extracts. The highest total phenolic content was observed in aqueous and aqueous methanol extracts. The growth of cancer cell lines was inhibited by T. boudieri extracts in a dose dependent manner. N-hexane extract was the most potent against most cell lines. Aqueous/methanol extract showed high apoptosis induction and angiogenesis suppression effects. An increase in TH1 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2) level and a decrease in TH2 cytokine (IL-4) level were evident after lymphocytes stimulation by aqueous/methanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of T. boudieri. Ethyl acetate extract of T. boudieri were the most potent extracts to stimulate lymphocytes proliferation while all other extracts showed moderate stimulation. Aqueous/methanol extract was the most active extract to stimulate phagocytosis. Ethyl acetate extract was the most active extract to stimulate pinocytosis. The use of T. boudieri provides variable health benefits. N-hexane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous/methanol extracts exhibited anticancer activities and are potent stimulators of innate and acquired immunity. Further testing is needed to identify the biologically active compounds and detect them quantitatively using GC-MS analysis

Resveratrol and tumor microenvironment: mechanistic basis and therapeutic targets

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Resveratrol (3,40,5 trihydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring non-flavonoid polyphenol. It has various pharmacological effects including antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. Many studies have given special attention to different aspects of resveratrol anti-cancer properties and proved its high efficiency in targeting multiple cancer hallmarks. Tumor microenvironment has a critical role in cancer development and progression. Tumor cells coordinate with a cast of normal cells to aid the malignant behavior of cancer. Many cancer supporting players were detected in tumor microenvironment. These players include blood and lymphatic vessels, infiltrating immune cells, stromal fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix. Targeting tumor microenvironment components is a promising strategy in cancer therapy. Resveratrol with its diverse biological activities has the capacity to target tumor microenvironment by manipulating the function of many components surrounding cancer cells. This review summarizes the targets of resveratrol in tumor microenvironment and the mechanisms involved in this targeting. Studies discussed in this review will participate in building a solid ground for researchers to have more insight into the mechanism of action of resveratrol in tumor microenvironment

Xanthium spinosum L. Extracts Inhibit Breast Cancer in Mice by Apoptosis Induction and Immune System Modulation

Plants have been considered for many years as an important source of medicine to treat different diseases. Xanthium spinosum L. (Asteraceae, Compositae) is known for its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects. It is also used in the treatment of several ailments, such as cancer. In order to evaluate the anticancer and immunomodulatory activities, crude ethanol extract was prepared from the aerial part of X. spinosum and then fractionated using solvents with different polarities. As well, the chemical composition of X. spinosum extract and fractions were identified using LC-MS analysis. The antitumor effect of X. spinosum was assessed in both in vitro and in vivo models. Apoptosis induction was measured in vitro using a caspase-3 activity kit. Lymphocyte proliferation and phagocytosis and pinocytosis induction were used to quantify the effect of the plant extract and fractions on acquired and innate immunity, respectively. The effect of X. spinosum extract, and fractions on the levels of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10) in murine lymphocytes was determined using a mouse-uncoated TH1/TH2 ELISA kit. Results showed that ethanol extract had the highest antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀ = 2.5 mg mL−1) against EMT6/P cell lines, while the aqueous and chloroform fractions had the highest apoptotic activity with 2.2 and 1.7 folds, respectively. On the other hand, the n-hexane fraction was the most effective in stimulating lymphocyte proliferation, whereas ethanol extract, aq. Methanol and aqueous fractions exhibited the highest phagocytic activity. As well, X. spinosum extract and fractions were able to modulate the expression of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ. A remarkable decrease in tumor size was accomplished following the treatment of tumor-bearing mice with X. spinosum extract and fractions. Both aq. Methanol and chloroform fractions showed the highest percentage change in tumor size with -58 and -55%, respectively. As well, tumor-bearing mice treated with chloroform fraction demonstrated a high curable percentage with a value of 57.1%. Anyway, X. spinosum extract and fractions exhibited no toxic impact on the liver or kidney functions of the mice-treated groups. These findings may confirm that X. spinosum has favorable anticancer and immunomodulatory effects. However, additional studies are required to fully understand the mechanisms of action of this plant and the signaling pathways involved in its effects. Moreover, more testing is needed to have better insight into the apoptotic pathway and to know the exact concentration of active compounds

Phytoplankton primary production in southern Iraqi marshes after restoration

Primary productivity and chlorophyll-a were used in this study to monitor the restoration process of southern Iraqi marshes (Al-Hewaizeh, central marshes, and Al-Hammar). The phytoplankton primary productivity was based on oxygen light/dark bottle method. Two different depths samples were taken monthly from six studied marshes stations (two stations for each marsh) during November 2005 to October 2006, while chlorophyll-a samples taken from surface water. The phytoplankton primary productivity values ranged 9.38 – 249.79 mg C/m3.hr for all marshes, its values for surface water sample ranged 11.71 – 256.24 mg C/m3.hr, while for 1m depth ranged 9.38 – 142.5 mg C/m3.hr. Chlorophyll-a values ranged between (1.1 – 21.26) µg/l indicating high values of productivity in the studied marshes comparing with other aquatic Iraqi ecosystems. Also, dissolved oxygen and oxygen saturation rate were measured in this study