Characterisation and internalisation of recombinant humanised HMFG-1 antibodies against MUC1

The humanised HMFG-1 immunoglobulin has been extensively developed as a clinical immunotherapeutic agent for MUC1 expressing tumours. We have constructed a single-chain Fv (scFv) and Fab fragment from this antibody and shown that both these species retain their specificity for MUC1. The scFv was less stable and less soluble than the Fab. Detailed analyses of the binding kinetics of the whole IgG and Fab fragment show that the affinity for MUC1 synthetic peptides is low (approximately 100 n for the IgG and 10 μ for the Fab), with particularly low but similar dissociation rate constants (0.031–0.095 s−1). Binding to native antigen on the cell surface is over two orders of magnitude better. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy shows that both the IgG and Fab are internalised rapidly (the IgG is internalised within 15 min) and colocalise to early endosomes. This work provides an appreciation of the binding, internalising and trafficking kinetics, important for the development of future therapeutics based on this antibody

Religious Events and Interpretation of Fluctuations in Stock Markets Evidence from Price Anomalies during the Arbaeen Occasion in the Iraq Stock Exchange

Many studies and research have shown close relationships between seasonal phenomena that are related to religious beliefs and anomalies in returns and stock prices, which paved the way for exploring other anomaly days and wider time series that occur in the second month of the Hijri year, which is the month of Safar in the holy city of Karbala in Iraq, as it will represent an experimental addition to the financial scientific path and aid in providing evidence of those fluctuations and what they produce in influencing prices and returns in the stock market. The study, which conducted an analysis of stock prices in the banking sector and the hotel sector in the market for the period from 2013-2022, shows a low estimate of the price of one share compared to the volume of billion shares, as well as a gradual decline in share prices for the two sectors, the study sample, and the share prices in the month of Safar, which witnessed a remarkable fluctuation in the general average of the periods. The three are divided into ten days each period, at the beginning of the month, during the visit, and at the end of the month, with a slight decrease in the first and middle periods and then a rise again at the end of the month. This supports the general recession that affects various sectors, including the economic and financial ones, and constitutes an opportunity for the investment decision-maker to benefit from these price fluctuations

The Exploitation of Dar-Zarrouk Parameters to Differentiate Between Fresh And Saline Groundwater Aquifers of Sinjar Plain Area. Iraqi Journal of Science. Vol 54.No.2.2013.Pp 358-367

<div>Abstract</div><div>This research discusses the exploitation of Dar-Zarrouk (D-Z) parameters which were deduced from the quantitative interpretation of 80 Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Sounding VES points distributed in six profiles within the Sinjar plain area which bounded by the coordinates:Latitudes :35PoP 22P’P 00P’’P S – 36PoP 22P</div><div>’P 00P’’P N ;longitudes : 41PoP 36P’P 00P’’PW – 43PoP 00P’P 00P’’P E. The VES field data were provided by the</div><div>Iraqi general commission of groundwater. The VES field readings were interpreted manually by applying the (auxiliary point -partial resistivity curve matching)method, then the interpretation enhanced by using sophisticated computer software.</div><div>The VES field data were interpreted and analyzed with an advanced technique through the deduction of D-Z geoelectric parameters which are: Longitudinal unit</div><div>conductance (S) and Transverse resistance (T), then a new geoelectric maps were constructed. The D-Z parameters maps were used to differentiate aquifers of fresh groundwater from those of saline ones. This technique reduced the ambiguity related to interpretation which mainly produced by principles of equivalence and  suppression and cause intermixing in recognizing depth limits for the electrical zones (fresh and saline water bearing formations) during interpretation. The drawing of (D-Z) and other geoelectric parameters maps provided a decipherable vision</div><div>about the occurrence and distribution of saline and fresh groundwater aquifers within the study area.</div><div><br></div

The Role of (Geoelectric and Hydrogeologic) Parameters in the Evaluation of Groundwater reservoir at South of Jabal Sinjar area. Iraqi Journal of Science, 2013, Vol.54, No.3, pp.628-637

<div>Abstract</div><div>In this study the (geoelectric – hydrogeologic) parameters which are obtained by the quantitative interpretation of (80) Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) points distributed in six linear profiles within the study area are used in addition to (6) pumping test locations for the groundwater reservoir located to the south of Jabal Sinjar (Sinjar anticline). The studied area covers about 7920Km2. The (VES) field readings were interpreted manually by using the auxiliary point method-partial resistivity curve matching,then the interpreted results enhanced by using computer software specialized for the 1D- (VES) resistivity curves interpretation. The (VES) results analyzed by using modern techniques in order to construct a new predicted</div><div>hydrogeologic maps through the application of an empirical statistical relations between geoelectric and the Hydraulic parameters. The results of empirical relations represent the predicted hydraulic parameters for the points where no pumping tests achieved. The results represents the predicted hydraulic conductivity (K), Transmissivity(Tr), Specific capacity(Sc) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). A</div><div>computer software used to display the results as maps to display the calculated hydrogeologic parameters variation across the studied area. This result helps to delineate the most productive and good quality groundwater within the study area.</div

Deteriorating Harmful Effects of Drought in Cucumber by Spraying Glycinebetaine

In order to alleviate the shortage of irrigation water in dry regions, refining water use efficiency (WUE) is a key issue in sustainable productivity. Furthermore, glycinebetaine (GlyBet) is a vital osmoprotectant produced in crops for improving drought tolerance; however, little is known about its role in improving plant WUE under field conditions in non-accumulating plants such as cucumber. In order to elucidate the effectiveness of GlyBet concentrations (0, 2000, 4000, and 6000 mg/L) in mitigating the deleterious effects of drought (e.g., well-watered (1250 m3/fed), moderate drought (950 m3/fed), and severe drought (650 m3/fed)), field experiments were conducted at Elmia village, Dakahlia, Egypt in the 2020 and 2021 seasons on vegetative growth, some physiological attributes, as well as yield and quality. Drought considerably decreased vegetative growth, yield and its components, leaf relative water content, and photosynthetic pigment concentrations compared with well-watered plants while increasing electrolyte leakage. The most harmful causes were severe drought. However, exogenous spraying with GlyBet substantially boosted the mentioned attributes, but reduced electrolyte leakage within well-watering. Commonly 6000 mg/L contributed to the maximum growth and productivity, preserving cucumber plant water status above other concentrations or untreated plants. Under extreme drought, the application of 6000 mg/L GlyBet had a beneficial effect on moderating the damage of water deficit on cucumber plant growth and productivity. Overall, using GlyBet as a cost-effective and eco-friendly biostimulant six times (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 days from sowing) has the potential to mitigate drought damage while also increasing yield; however, more research is needed to determine the optimal rate and timing of application

The Efficacies of 1-Methylcyclopropene and Chitosan Nanoparticles in Preserving the Postharvest Quality of Damask Rose and Their Underlying Biochemical and Physiological Mechanisms

Preserving the flower shelf life of damask rose is a crucial matter in promoting its economic viability. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) may potentially decrease the postharvest loss of several horticultural commodities, but no findings on damask rose have been published. Therefore, the aim of this research was to study the effect of 1-MCP (400 mg m−3) and either the pre- or postharvest application of CSNPs (1%) on maintaining the quality of damask rose flowers during storage at 4 or 20 °C. The shelf life of damask rose has been significantly extended, along with a reduction in weight loss due to 1-MCP, CSNPs and pre-CSNP treatments. 1-MCP or CSNP applications have resulted in a higher relative water content, volatile oil, total anthocyanins, total carotenoids, total phenolics and antioxidant activity. Ethylene evolution, H2O2 generation and malondialdehyde content were significantly decreased due to 1-MCP or CSNPs treatment, and hence, the cell membrane functions have been maintained. The 1-MCP or CSNP-treated flowers have shown higher activities of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase and lower activities of polyphenol oxidase and lipoxygenase in comparison to untreated flowers. Our results showed that the postharvest application of 1-MCP or CSNPs is a very promising method to maintain the postharvest quality of damask rose during storage

Nutrient Remediation Efficiency of the Sedge Plant (<i>Cyperus alopecuroides</i> Rottb.) to Restore Eutrophic Freshwater Ecosystems

The current study investigated the nutrients removal efficiency of the sedge macrophyte Cyperus alopecuroides to treat water eutrophication, besides evaluating the recycling possibility of the harvested material. Samples of sediment, water, and plant tissues were taken seasonally from six polluted and three unpolluted locations for this investigation. The growth properties of C. alopecuroides showed remarkable seasonal differences in plant density and biomass, with the maximum values (7.1 individual/m2 and 889.6 g/m2, respectively) obtained during summer and the minimum (4.1 individual/m2 and 547.2 g/m2, respectively) in winter. In polluted locations, the above-ground tissues had an efficiency to remove more contents of N and P (11.9 and 3.8 g/m2, respectively) than in unpolluted ones (7.1 and 3.4 g/m2, respectively). The high-nutrient standing stock of C. alopecuroides supports its potential use for nutrient removal from eutrophic wetlands. The tissues of C. alopecuroides had the maximum nutrients removal efficiency to remediate great amounts of Na, K, and N in summer, and Ca, P, and Mg in spring. Above- and below-ground parts of C. alopecuroides from unpolluted locations can be considered as a rough forage for beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, and sheep. The present study indicated the potential of C. alopecuroides in restoring eutrophic freshwater ecosystems, and, thus, it can be used in similar habitats worldwide

Ginger Extract and Fulvic Acid Foliar Applications as Novel Practical Approaches to Improve the Growth and Productivity of Damask Rose

Plant biostimulants (BIOs) have been identified as among the best agricultural practices over the past few decades. Ginger extract (GE) and fulvic acid (FA) are a new family of multifunctional BIOs that positively affect development processes in plants. However, the underlying mechanisms that influence these development processes are still unknown. The objective of this study was to determine how GE and FA affect the plant growth and productivity in damask rose. Furthermore, the mechanisms of these BIOs that regulate the performance of this plant were investigated. Damask rose plants were foliar-sprayed with GE (5, 10 and 15 mg L&minus;1) or FA (1, 3 and 5 g L&minus;1), while control plants were sprayed with tap water. The results showed that GE or FA foliar applications enhanced plant height and branch number much more than the control; however, FA treatment was more effective than GE. Intriguingly, flower number, flower yield, relative water content, and total chlorophyll content were all improved by either GE or FA, paying attention to reducing the blind shoot number per plant. Relative to the control, foliar application with 15 mg L&minus;1 GE or 3 mg L&minus;1FA increased the flower number by 16.11% and 19.83% and the flower yield per hectare by 40.53% and 52.75%, respectively. Substantial enhancements in volatile oil content and oil yield were observed due to GE and FA treatments, especially with the highest concentrations of both BIOs. The treatments of GE and FA considerably improved the total soluble sugars, total phenolic content, total anthocyanin content, and total carotenoid content, more so with FA. Additionally, the contents of N, P, K, Mg, Fe, and Zn elements were also enhanced by applying either GE or FA, especially at higher levels of both BIOs. In sum, our findings illuminate the potential functions of exogenous application of GE and FA in improving the growth, flower yield, and volatile oil yield in damask rose through enhancing the phytochemical and nutrient profiles. Applications of GE and FA can, thus, be a promising approach for enhancing the productivity of damask rose

Deteriorating Harmful Effects of Drought in Cucumber by Spraying Glycinebetaine

In order to alleviate the shortage of irrigation water in dry regions, refining water use efficiency (WUE) is a key issue in sustainable productivity. Furthermore, glycinebetaine (GlyBet) is a vital osmoprotectant produced in crops for improving drought tolerance; however, little is known about its role in improving plant WUE under field conditions in non-accumulating plants such as cucumber. In order to elucidate the effectiveness of GlyBet concentrations (0, 2000, 4000, and 6000 mg/L) in mitigating the deleterious effects of drought (e.g., well-watered (1250 m3/fed), moderate drought (950 m3/fed), and severe drought (650 m3/fed)), field experiments were conducted at Elmia village, Dakahlia, Egypt in the 2020 and 2021 seasons on vegetative growth, some physiological attributes, as well as yield and quality. Drought considerably decreased vegetative growth, yield and its components, leaf relative water content, and photosynthetic pigment concentrations compared with well-watered plants while increasing electrolyte leakage. The most harmful causes were severe drought. However, exogenous spraying with GlyBet substantially boosted the mentioned attributes, but reduced electrolyte leakage within well-watering. Commonly 6000 mg/L contributed to the maximum growth and productivity, preserving cucumber plant water status above other concentrations or untreated plants. Under extreme drought, the application of 6000 mg/L GlyBet had a beneficial effect on moderating the damage of water deficit on cucumber plant growth and productivity. Overall, using GlyBet as a cost-effective and eco-friendly biostimulant six times (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 days from sowing) has the potential to mitigate drought damage while also increasing yield; however, more research is needed to determine the optimal rate and timing of application