Structural Study of the Amran Basin in NW of Yemen and Their Impact on the Recharge of Groundwater

Geological study covers the investigation of the structural elements and some of the hydrogeological conditions of the Amran Basin NW of Yemen. Generally, the water-supply situation in Amran basin is precarious due to more abstraction than recharge is taking place; consequently, groundwater levels continue to fall and the groundwater resource is increasingly being exhausted. The aim of this study is to identify the depth of ground water in Amran basin depending on several techniques such as: field data, remote-sensing images and geographic information system (GIS). The findings revealed that a wide range of depths of the water table, mostly relate to the structural features occur within the area. As a result, the presented study concluded that the maximum depths from the surface to the lowest contact between Kahlan Sandstone and Akbra Shale Formations ranges from 500 to 700m, this represents the lower contact of Amran Aquifer. Keywords: Amran Basin; Structural elements; Groundwater; Recharge

Mouse opsin. Gene structure and molecular basis of multiple transcripts

Journal ArticleThe single copy mouse opsin gene produces five major transcripts, varying in size from 1.7 to 5.1 kilobases. The mRNAs are present at levels that vary over 2 orders of magnitude and can be detected as early as postnatal day 1. Each of the transcripts is polyadenylated and can be identified in polysome-bound RNA, suggesting that each is translated in vivo. To elucidate the molecular basis of this complex transcription pattern, we have characterized genomic fragments covering the entire mouse opsin gene, including several kilobases of 5'- and 3'-flanking regions. Transcription initiates at a single site 97 base pairs upstream of the translation start codon. Northern hybridization with exon- and intron-specific probes demonstrated that the various transcripts are not generated by partial or alternative splicing. Sequence analysis of the 3' end of the gene showed the presence of multiple polyadenylation signals. Analysis by polymerase chain reaction of the 3' end of opsin cDNA demonstrated that the complex transcription pattern originated from the selective use of these polyadenylation sites, generating transcripts that differ only in the length of the 3'-untranslated region. Transcript heterogeneity similar to that observed in mouse was also found in rat and, to a lesser degree, in human and frog opsin mRNAs

Bilateral retinal and brain tumors in transgenic mice expressing simian virus 40 large T antigen under control of the human interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein promoter

Journal ArticleWe have previously shown that postnatal expression of the viral oncoprotein SV40 T antigen in rod photoreceptors (transgene MOT1), at a time when retinal cells have withdrawn from the mitotic cycle, leads to photoreceptor cell death (Al-Ubaidi et al., 1992. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 89:1194-1198). To study the effect of the specificity of the promoter, we replaced the mouse opsin promoter in MOT1 by a 1.3-kb promoter fragment of the human IRBP gene which is expressed in both rod and cone photoreceptors during embryonic development. The resulting construct, termed HIT1, was injected into mouse embryos and five transgenic mice lines were established. Mice heterozygous for HIT1 exhibited early bilateral retinal and brain tumors with varying degrees of incidence. Histopathological examination of the brain and eyes of three of the families showed typical primitive neuroectodermal tumors. In some of the bilateral retinal tumors, peculiar rosettes were observed, which were different from the Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes typically associated with human retinoblastomas. The ocular and cerebral tumors, however, contained Homer-Wright rosettes, and showed varying degrees of immunoreactivity to antibodies against the neuronal specific antigens, synaptophysin and Leu7, but not to antibodies against photoreceptor specific proteins. Taken together, the results indicate that the specificity of the promoter used for T antigen and/or the time of onset of transgene expression determines the fate of photoreceptor cells expressing T antigen

Natural Radionuclides and Hazards in Water and Sediment Samples of Tigris River in Al- Amara city - Maysan - Iraq.

The concentrations of the radionuclides namely 238U, 232Th, and 40K are measured for water and Sediment Tigris River in AL-Amara city- Missan government- Iraq. Using HPGe detector, based on high-resolution gamma spectrometry system and an energy resolution of (≤1.8 keV) for the 133 MeV gamma transition of 60Co. The concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K  were B.D.L. in all water samples except one sample (Hai Al Hassan Alaskary) which has concentrations of 40K(6.818±1.999 Bq/kg). Radium equivalent activity, absorbed gamma dose rate, annual effective dose rate (AED) in and annual effective doses(AED) out, hazard indices(Hin) and (Hex) , and the gamma Index were(0) for all water samples except one sample (Hai Al Hassan Alaskary)  which have (0.524 Bq /kg), ( 0.284 nGy /h), ( 0.0013 mSv/y), ( 0.00034 mSv/y), (0.0014), (0.0014), (0.004) , respectively .The 238U, 232Th, and 40K concentrations in the Sediment Tigris River varies from (15.379±1.999 -24.737±1.269)Bq/kg, (9.930±1.033-16.303±1.437) Bq/kg, and (210.628±12.238-415.215±20.750) Bq/kg with over all mean value of (18.220±1.404Bq/kg), (13.792±1.302 Bq/kg), and (317.343±16.997Bq/kg), respectively. The radium equivalent rate (Raeq) calculated from concentration of 238U, 232Th, and 40K, ranges between(45.798 -72.368) Bq /kg with mean value (63.879 Bq/kg). The absorbed dose Rate(Dγ) for the sediment samples in the study area ranges from (21.886 -35.054) nGy/h with an average value of (29.981nGy/h). The annual effective dose rate (AED)in range(0.107 -0.171 mSv/y) with an average value of (0.146 mSv/y). The annual effective dose rate (AED)out range(0.026 -0.042 mSv/y) with an average value of (0.036 mSv/y). The internal hazard index (Hin) range (0.165-0.252) with an average value of (0.217). The external hazard index (Hex) range (0.123-0.195) with an average value of (0.167). The gamma Index (I) range (0.342-0.553) with an average value of (0.470). The values of the specific activity of (238U, 232Th, and 40K), radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose Rate, indoor and outdoor annual effective dose rates, internal and external hazard indicies, gamma index, all were found to be lower than their corresponding allowed limits. Keywords: AL-Amara city, sediment, Natural radio activity, Radium-equivalent activities, annual effective dose rate (AED), Gamma Index

Preparation of Standard Source as a Petri Dish for Plant by Using 152Eu Element

Observed in the recent period, there is an urgent need to a prepare standard sources can be adopted in the research Iraqi universities and scientific Institutions, whether if these measurements for large sizes samples such as  Marinelli beaker , or small sizes such as a petri dish and the latter was not available as standard sources, which was the purpose of this work to prepare standard source with size of a petri dish for  plants  using 152Eu Isotope , that can be adopted in the experimental measurements.The prepared sample was measured in the first lab ( Department of physics/ college of education for pure science/Ibn Al-Haitham/University of Baghdad) and the second lab (Central Laboratories Directorate / nuclear research center at Tuwaitha) by using Gamma spectroscopy system with a high-purity germanium detector (HPGe). The specific activity of the prepared standard sample was calculated using an efficiency curve , which drawn by using the Monte Carlo Program . The results of the specific activity are equal to (1167.610Bq/kg) in first lab and (1081.94 Bq/kg) in second lab. It was noted there is good agreement between the results in the first and second lab, so the overall average of the specific activity adopted  was equal to (1124.7 Bq / kg)From this work, we can use this source to calculate the radioactivity for other radionuclide in small samples (plants), which is difficult to obtained in large quantities, through a calibration  spectrum for efficiency and energy of this prepared source. Keywords: petri dish, prepare standard source, Gamma spectroscopy, activity, HPGe,  Plant

LIFE QUALITY IN IRAQI CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS LIVING IN AREAS OF ARMED CONFLICT

The aim of the paper was to analyze the quality of life (QL) of Iraqi children and adolescents, and identify which aspects of functioning had the greatest impact on the overall assessment of the well-being in this population group. Participants were healthy children aged 5–18 years (n=150, 50% females) who studied in Baghdad schools. QL was assessed using PedsQL questionnaire by four scales – physical (PF), emotional (EF), social (SF), and school functioning (SchF). Samples were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to understand the structure of QL. The QL of Iraqi children was moderate. The highest level of PF, SF, and SchF had persons aged 13–18 years (p0.05). Females had a higher level of QL (p0.05), regardless of age. It was established that the data was convenient for factor analysis (KMO=0.753, χ2=110.047; p=0.000). The results showed that the varimax method presents the best fit. Factor analysis supported the 2-component model that explained 73.86% of the total variance. 

Identification of PLXDC1 and PLXDC2 as the transmembrane receptors for the multifunctional factor PEDF.

Pigment Epithelium Derived Factor (PEDF) is a secreted factor that has broad biological activities. It was first identified as a neurotrophic factor and later as the most potent natural antiangiogenic factor, a stem cell niche factor, and an inhibitor of cancer cell growth. Numerous animal models demonstrated its therapeutic value in treating blinding diseases and diverse cancer types. A long-standing challenge is to reveal how PEDF acts on its target cells and the identities of the cell-surface receptors responsible for its activities. Here we report the identification of transmembrane proteins PLXDC1 and PLXDC2 as cell-surface receptors for PEDF. Using distinct cellular models, we demonstrate their cell type-specific receptor activities through loss of function and gain of function studies. Our experiments suggest that PEDF receptors form homooligomers under basal conditions, and PEDF dissociates the homooligomer to activate the receptors. Mutations in the intracellular domain can have profound effects on receptor activities

Розвиток футболу в Іраку

The article highlights peculiarities of football development in Iraq as means of physical education and sport. It is determined that football is considered as an important social means in social life of Iraq. It was revealed high level of football development in the country which is proved by considerable achievement at international competitions: group stages of the World Championship (1986), FIFA Confederations Cup (2009), 4th place at XXVIII Olympic Games (2004), victory at Asian Games (1982) and Asia Cup (2007). It is highlighted the key problems of Iraqi football, in particular: complicated socio–economic state of population; low level of security; lack of viewers at football matches; poor cooperation with representatives of different companies and sponsors; discrepancy in existing system of football organization and methodological supply of the kind of sport.У статті висвітлено особливості розвитку футболу в Іраку як засобу фізичного виховання й спорту. Установлено, що футбол розглядається як важливе соціальне явище в суспільному житті Іраку. Виявлено високий рівень розвитку футболу в країні, про що свідчать значні успіхи на міжнародних змаганнях: групових етапах чемпіонату світу (1986), Кубку конфедерацій (2009), 4-те місце на іграх XXVIII Олімпіади (2004), перемоги на Азійських іграх (1982) та Кубку Азії (2007). Узагальнено ключові проблеми іракського футболу, зокрема складне соціально-економічне становище населення; низький рівень безпеки; дефіцит глядачів на футбольних матчах; погана співпраця з представниками різних компаній та спонсорів;невідповідність існуючої системи організації футболу й методичного забезпечення виду спорту

Comparative study of CA19-9 levels as tumor marker in sera and tissues of patients with stomach, colon and rectum cancers

Background: CA19-9 is among a group of mucin glycoprotein sialosyl lewis antigen (SLA) having come to be recognized as a circulating cancer associated antigen for gastrointestinal cancer. Basic research into cancer causation will be a powerful determinant of intervention in the transformation process reinforcing the need for developing effective molecular tumor biomarkers for early detection of malignant evolution in tissues of organs i.e. stomach, colon and rectum. In this study, we make a comparsion between the levels of CA19-9 in sera and tissues of patients with these diseases to see if their levels are proportional and if it is a tumor marker that affect with malignant cells in tissues of these organs. Patients and methods: Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels were measured in sera and tissues’ of 8 patients with stomach cancer (G1), 8 patients with colon cancer(G2), 8 patients with rectum cancer (G3) and 30 healthy subjects (G4), by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: The results of CA19-9 levels in sera were (42.625±33.088; 47.013±0.318 and 10.938±0.979)U/ml for G1, G2 and G3 respectively compared with serum CA19-9 level of G4, which was 7.74±4.92 U/ml. The results were found to be significantly higher than control group (p < 0.005).The results of CA19-9 levels in tissues’ homogenate were (1170.25±8.45; 535.75±263.46 and 483.75±16.37)U/ml for G1, G2 and G3 respectively. The results revealed significantly higher levels of CA19-9 in tissue’s homogenate of each patients group compared with the serum levels of the same patients (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Normal level of CA19-9 were found in sera of rectum cancer patients compare to the cutoff value 37U/ml in literatures 1,2, but it is significantly higher than our control group. , Significant high levels of CA19-9 were found in sera of colon cancer patients. , Sera of stomach cancer patients showed elevation in CA19-9 level in 50% of cases. , Significant high levels of CA19- 9 were found in tissue’s homogenate of rectum, colon and stomach cancer patients compared to its levels there serum