The impact of bank credit on investment and public spending in Iraq for the period (2005-2021)

Purpose: The current study aims at examining the reality of bank credit, analyzing, and estimating investment and public spending in Iraq. The research also aims at showing the impact of bank credit on investment and public spending in Iraq. Theoretical framework: Bank credit has an instrumental and effective part in financing most economic activities, which contributes to revitalizing the national economy by organizing and developing short, medium and long-term financing mechanisms. As for investment and public spending, they reflect the development of the economy and the extent of financial and monetary stability that the country has. Methodology: For reaching the research methodology, the inductive approach was adopted to study the total facts through formulating economic analysis descriptively by using modern standard tools in economic analysis to show the impact of bank credit on investment and public spending. Finding: It was concluded that bank credit has a key role, especially in financing investment projects that require great funds in order to create a favorable climate for investment. The relationship between bank credit and investment is a direct relationship. Research, scientific and social implications: The study identifies investment financing and public spending and how bank credit can meet this financing through the bank strategies. The study also determines which of the two variables, investment and public spending, is most affected by bank credit

Aging changes of the testis in albino rat: light, electron microscopic, morphometric, immunohistochemical and biochemical study

Background: Aging has a deleterious effect on the morphology of the male reproductive system which might, in turn, lead to changes in spermatogenesis and consequently, decrease in both quality and quantity of spermatozoa. Materials and methods: The present study elucidated the histological and ultrastructural changes of testes of adult albino rats during aging and applied morphometric measures to obtain quantitative data for these changes. The oxidative and antioxidative markers of aged testes were also assessed. Results: The results documented the presence of age-related regressive structural changes of the testis accompanied with an increase in the apoptosis and a decrease in the proliferative capacity. Conclusions: The biochemical results gave evidence of an imbalance between the oxidative damage and the antioxidant defence indicating increased oxidative stress of aged testis

Frequency of abdominal aortic aneurysm in persons who have been examined with ultrasound at Kasr Al-Ainy Hospitals: a single center pilot study

Introduction: To know frequency of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using ultrasound and clarify associated risk factors in 1000 Egyptians. Material and methods: Prospective study. 1000 patients aged 50 years or more (mean: 57.97 ± [7.68]) were examined by B-mode ultrasound at our radiology department to measure suprarenal maximum diameter of the abdominal aorta (wall to wall measurement) and to identify the occurrence of AAA (aneurysms were defined as 1.5 times the mean diameter). Demographic data and risk factors were also noted. Results: Mean aortic diameter in study population was 18.9 ± (3.2) mm. AAA diameter was 28.3 mm. Frequency of AAA was 1.5%. AAA prevalence: 2.35% in males versus 0.75% in females. Prevalence of AAA in different age groups: < 60 years (n = 653), 60–70 (n = 282), > 70 years (n = 65) was 6 (0.9%), 6 (2.1%), 3 (4.6%) respectively. Patients with AAA were older (P < 0.001), more often male (P < 0.001), smokers (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Study showed that mean aortic diameter was 18.9 mm and AAA is present in 1.5% of the study population which was less than that seen in previously conducted studies in other countries

Poly (γ) glutamic acid: a unique microbial biopolymer with diverse commercial applicability

Microbial biopolymers have emerged as promising solutions for environmental pollution-related human health issues. Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA), a natural anionic polymeric compound, is composed of highly viscous homo-polyamide of D and L-glutamic acid units. The extracellular water solubility of PGA biopolymer facilitates its complete biodegradation and makes it safe for humans. The unique properties have enabled its applications in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, foods, and other domains. It is applied as a thickener, taste-masking agent, stabilizer, texture modifier, moisturizer, bitterness-reducing agent, probiotics cryoprotectant, and protein crystallization agent in food industries. γ-PGA is employed as a biological adhesive, drug carrier, and non-viral vector for safe gene delivery in tissue engineering, pharmaceuticals, and medicine. It is also used as a moisturizer to improve the quality of hair care and skincare cosmetic products. In agriculture, it serves as an ideal stabilizer, environment-friendly fertilizer synergist, plant-growth promoter, metal biosorbent in soil washing, and animal feed additive to reduce body fat and enhance egg-shell strength

Levels of certain tumor markers as differential factors between bilharzial and non-biharzial bladder cancer among Egyptian patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background/Objective</p> <p>Bladder cancer is the commonest type of malignant tumors as a result of schistosomaisis which is a major healthy problem in many subtropical developing countries. The aim of this study is to comparatively elucidate the underlying biochemical tumor markers in schistosomal bladder cancer versus non-schistosomal bladder cancer when compared to normal healthy ones.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This work was performed on tissue specimens from total 25 patients and serum samples from total 30 patients versus ten healthy individuals served as control. The investigated parameters in serum are: xanthine oxidase (XO), fructosamine, lactate dehydrogense (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total proteins, essential and non- essential amino acids profile, hydroxyproline, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-<it>α</it>). In addition, the current investigation also extended to study some markers in tumor bladder tissues including, pyruvate kinase enzyme (PK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results showed that biharzial bladder cancer patients recored more significant elevation in serum XO, fructosamine, LDH, AST, ALT, hydroxyproline, IgE and TNF-<it>α </it>than in bladder cancer patients when compared to control ones. While, in tissues there were significant increase in PK, LDH, AST & ALT activities of schistosomal bladder cancer than in bladder cancer as compared to control healthy patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It could be concluded that, bilharzial and non-bilharzial bladder cancer showed distinct biochemical profile of tumor development and progression which can be taken into consideration in diagnosis of bladder cancer.</p

Utilization of Some Fruits and Vegetables By-Products to Produce High Dietary Fiber Jam

The present study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds and ?-carotene of carrot peels, apple pomace, banana peels and mandarin peels and their quality in preparing jam. Mandarin and banana peels characterized by its higher crude fiber (12.16 and 5.25%) and vitamin C (68 and 16.6 mg/100g) compared to carrot peels (3.91%) and apple pomace (3.65%). Banana peels contained higher amount of magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron compared to other peels samples. Therefore, jam of banana peels characterized by its higher content in magnesium (758 mg/100g), potassium (779 mg/100g), calcium (191 mg/100g) and iron (59.15 mg/100g). Jam of apple pomace characterized by its higher phosphorus contents (220 mg/100g) followed by jam of banana peels (138 mg/100g), mandarin peels (128 mg/100g) and carrot peels (53 mg/100g). Jam of carrot peels characterized by its higher phenolics content as gallic acid equivalent (87.4 mg/100g) followed by jams of apple pomace (82.5 mg/100g), banana peels (42.7 mg/100g) and mandarin peels (34.6 mg/100g). The same trend was observed in total flavonoids as catechen equivalent (mg CAT/100g) in jams of carrot peels, apple pomace, banana peels and mandarin peels, where they were 35.9, 30.1, 23.5 and 21.7, respectively. Furthermore, jam of carrot peels had higher antioxidant activity, where its DPPH radical, had lower DPPH based IC50 (1.8 ?g/ml) while jam of apple pomace, banana peels and mandarin peels had higher DPPH based IC50 reached to 2.04, 2.21 and 3.34 µg/ml, respectively. The same trend was observed for the ?-carotene radical in tested jam samples. Hunter color parameter showed that jam of mandarin peels had highest lightness (L* = 39.8), followed by jam of carrot peels (29.46), apple pomace (18.27) and banana peels (15.19). Therefore, jam of banana peels was darker than other tested peels samples. Sensory evaluation showed that jam of apple pomace characterized by its higher taste and odor, followed by jam of mandarin peels, banana peels and carrot peels. Color of tested jam of carrot, banana or mandarin peels was darker than apple pomace jam. Also, jam of apple pomace gave higher scores in appearance and overall acceptability. Keywords: Jam – Peels – antioxidant activity – Total phenolics– Total Flavonoid