Seroprevalence and some Demographic Factors Associated with Toxoplasma gondii Infection among Male Population in Duhok Province/Iraq

هدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى دراسة معدل الانتشار المصلي لعدوى المقوسات الكوندية وعلاقته ببعض العوامل الديموغرافية بين الذكور في محافظة دهوك/ العراق. تم جمع ما مجموعه 424 عينة دم عشوائية من السكان الذكور من مختلف الأعمار (18-60) سنة وفئات اقتصادية اجتماعية مختلفة. من بين 424 عينة تم فحصها ، كانت 108 (25.47 ٪) إيجابية المصل منها 88 (20.75 ٪) تم العثور عليهاإيجابية مصليا ل IgG، في حين أن 20 (4.72 ٪) عينة كانت إيجابية مصليا لل IgM. فيما يتعلق بمهنة الذكور الماخوذة منهم العينات، أعلى نسبة لداء المقوسات المزمن اثبتت مصليا عند العمال، يليهم رجال الشرطة والمتقاعدون بمعدلات 23.96 ٪ و 23.6 ٪ و 23.07 ٪ على التوالي. أظهرت الفئة العمرية 18-30 سنة أعلى معدل مصل الدم الذي كان 26.6 ٪. مما يعني انخفاض معدل الإيجابية المصلية مع زيادة العمر. فيما يتعلق بفصائل الدم، كانت أعلى نسبة مصليا للIgG في كل من فصيلة الدم O + و B-، والتي كانت 23.2 ٪ و 23.1 ٪ على التوالي. وقد لوحظ ارتفاع معدل إيجابية المصل لدى الذكور المتزوجين (21.32 ٪) بالمقارنة مع الذكور غير المتزوجين (19.05 ٪) والخصبة 22.3 ٪ مقابل الذكور العقيمة 12.5 ٪. تظهر هذه الدراسة أهمية العوامل الديموغرافية  لوبائية المقوسات الكوندية  لدى الذكور، والتي تدعم دور الصحة العامة في السيطرة على الأمراض المعدية.The present study aims to investigate the seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma gondii infection and its relation to some demographic factors among males in Duhok province/Iraq. A total of 424 random blood samples were collected from the male population of different ages (18-60) years and different social-economic classes. Out of 424 samples examined, 108 (25.47%) were seropositive to the anti- T. gondii antibodies; 88 (20.75%) were found seropositive for IgG, while 20 (4.72%) samples were seropositive for IgM. Regarding occupation, the highest percentage for chronic toxoplasmosis was reported in workers followed by policemen and pensioners at rates of 23.96%, 23.6%, and 23.07%, respectively. The age group 18-30 years showed the highest seropositive rate which was 26.6%; the seropositivity rate decreased with the increase of age. Regarding the blood groups, the highest percentage of IgG was reported in both O+ and B- groups, which were 23.2% and 23.1%, respectively. The higher rate of seropositivity was observed among married males (21.32%) as compared to unmarried males (19.05%) and fertile (22.3%) versus sterile males (12.5%). Concerning IgM antibodies, the highest seropositivity (9.4%) was reported in infertile males. The results of this study showed the importance of demographic factors to the epidemiology of T. gondii in males, which support the role of public health in the control of infectious diseases

La dimensión afectiva olvidada del conocimiento didáctico del contenido de los profesores de ciencias

Shulman se refería al paradigma olvidado de la investigación sobre el profesor el que no se hubiese considerado el contenido de la materia específica, lo que le llevó a desarrollar el Conocimiento Didáctico del Contenido (CDC). Sin embargo la dimensión afectiva y emocional podemos considerarla la parte olvidada del CDC. Shulman consideraba que el CDC es una forma de razonamiento y de acción didáctica por medio de la cual los profesores transforman el contenido en representaciones comprensibles a los estudiantes. Investigaciones recientes indican que no hay acción humana, sin una emoción que la haga posible. Desde esta perspectiva es indudable que las emociones del profesor formarían parte del CDC. En el simposio mostraremos la relación entre lo cognitivo y lo afectivo del profesor y la necesidad de incluir la dimensión afectiva en el CDC de los profesores de ciencias

The Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection among Male Population in Zakho city, Duhok Province, Iraq

Toxoplasmosis is a neglected foodborne disease, stands as the fourth most frequent cause of hospitalization and the second leading factor behind deaths among immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women who contract the disease at early pregnancy stage. The prevalence of toxoplasma infections among males in Zakho city has remained poorly examined. The current study's primary objective is to estimate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in males residing in Zakho city, Iraq. Data for analysis were gathered through serological tests and participant questionnaires. Among the 213 participants, 65 (30.52%) and 4 (1.88%) exhibited IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, respectively. The current investigation highlighted the prevalence of T. gondii infection within the general population of Zakho city, Iraq. However, the rate of seropositivity of anti-toxoplasma IgG, increased with age, but this increase was non-significant (P>0.05). Also, higher but non-significant seroprevalence rates of toxoplasmosis IgG and IgM Abs were observed with other studied factors such as residence, contact with cats, occupation, marital status, and eating at restaurants. Indicating to the presence of poor relationships between toxoplasmosis and these demographic factors in males

Compression methods for XUV attosecond pulses

none5noneMark Mero;Fabio Frassetto;Paolo Villoresi;Luca Poletto;Katalin VarjúMark, Mero; Fabio, Frassetto; Villoresi, Paolo; Luca, Poletto; Katalin, Varj

ZnR/GPR39 upregulation of K+/Cl−-cotransporter 3 in tamoxifen resistant breast cancer cells

Expression of the zinc receptor, ZnR/GPR39, is increased in higher grade breast cancer tumors and cells. Zinc, its ligand, is accumulated at larger concentrations in the tumor tissue and can therefore activate ZnR/GPR39-dependent Ca2+ signaling leading to tumor progression. The K+/Cl− co-transporters (KCC), activated by intracellular signaling, enhance breast cancer cell migration and invasion. We asked if ZnR/GPR39 enhances breast cancer cell malignancy by activating KCC. Activation of ZnR/GPR39 by Zn2+ upregulated K+/Cl− co-transport activity, measured using NH4+ as a surrogate to K+ while monitoring intracellular pH. Upregulation of NH4+ transport was monitored in tamoxifen resistant cells with functional ZnR/GPR39-dependent Ca2+ signaling but not in MCF-7 cells lacking this response. The NH4+ transport was Na+-independent, and we therefore focused on KCC family members. Silencing of KCC3, but not KCC4, expression abolished Zn2+-dependent K+/Cl− co-transport, suggesting that KCC3 is mediating upregulated NH4+ transport. The ZnR/GPR39-dependent KCC3 activation accelerated scratch closure rate, which was abolished by inhibiting KCC transport with [(DihydroIndenyl) Oxy] Alkanoic acid (DIOA). Importantly, silencing of either ZnR/GPR39 or KCC3 attenuated Zn2+-dependent scratch closure. Thus, a novel link between KCC3 and Zn2+, via ZnR/GPR39, promotes breast cancer cell migration and proliferation

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among stray cats using different serological techniques in Erbil City: Kurdistan Region/Iraq

Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular protozoan. Felines including cats are the only definitive hosts for T. gondii and they play a significant role in spreading the oocysts in the environment. It has been estimated that T. gondii infects about one-third of the human population. This study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence rate of Anti-T. gondii IgG Abs in 100 strays by using different serological techniques.Methods: Hundred stray cats of both sexes (50 males and 50 females) from different ages (one month to 48 months) were hunted by trap cage and shooting tranquilizer gun in Erbil city and used for detecting T. gondii antibodies.Results: The seroprevalence rates obtained were: 22%, 20% and 11% by MAT, ELISA and LAT respectively. Male cats showed higher seroprevalence than females (13% versus7%). According to the agreement between MAT titers and ELISA IgG (cutoff ELISA≥1) in stray cat’s sera, the percent of positive results in ELISA (cutoff≥1) method were exactly matched with the MAT titer (≥1:50) while the overall agreement and negative percent agreement were elevated by increasing MAT titers and the positive percent agreement was stable in all titers. The overall agreement results were 96% and 100% for MAT titers ≥1:25 and ≥1:50, respectively and negative percent agreement results were 97.4% and 100% for MAT titers ≥1:25 and ≥1:50 respectively.Conclusions: Exactly matched between MAT technique titer (≥1:50) and ELISA technique. Index (cutoff≥1). Therefore, MAT could be used for detecting IgG Abs of Toxoplasma gondii instead of ELISA technique

Diagnosis of Linking Activities of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering of Universidad Tecnica De Manabi

The aim of the study is to determine the contribution of universities to the development of society through linkage projects carried out by students of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering at the Universidad Técnica de Manabí. At work, the results achieved in the institutional evaluation and self-assessment racing related indicators linking with society and offered projects are identified by the career of Agricultural Engineering in the period of the past five years are analyzed. Later a survey was applied to communities to determine their needs are the same, in order to compare the offered with the defendant and propose improvements in the process. The results of the survey of the communities show that some of the defendant's themes have not been offered so not being met community needs. As a result of this diagnosis strategy that support the continuous improvement of the process of linking with society career of Agricultural Engineering, Universidad Técnica de Manabí and contribute to social and economic development of the territory they are proposed

43 W, 1.55 μm and 12.5 W, 3.1 μm dual-beam, sub-10 cycle, 100 kHz optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier

We present a 100 kHz optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier (OPCPA) developed for strong-field attosecond physics and soft-x-ray transient absorption experiments. The system relies on noncollinear potassium titanyl arsenate booster OPCPAs and is pumped by a 244 W, 1.1 ps Yb:YAG Innoslab chirped pulse laser amplifier. Two optically synchronized infrared output beams are simultaneously available: a 430 μJ, 51 fs, carrier-envelope phase stable beam at 1.55 μm and an angular-dispersion-compensated, 125 μJ, 73 fs beam at 3.1 μm