The Expression Pattern of Death Associated Protein Kinase1 in Normal Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons and Following Peripheral Nerve Injury

Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) is a calcium/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM) regulated serine/threonine kinase. An increasing body of evidence supports the significance of DAPK 1 protein in cancer and CNS diseases. The role of DAPK in peripheral nerve regeneration and neuropathic pain remains completely unexplored. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression pattern of DAPK1 along with key pro-and anti-apoptotic cell signaling molecules (p53, Bax, Akt, ERK5, p38) and to verify the possibilities of DAPKI1-NMDA NR2B relationship in dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRG) after 2 hours, 7 days and 14 days following a sciatic nerve injury. Gene expression analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the effects of nerve injury. ATF3 was used as a neuronal injury marker. The results showed that DAPK1 mRNA was expressed and translated to functional protein in normal DRG neurons. Soon after a sciatic nerve injury (2 hours), DAPK1 was significantly up-regulated (p\u3c0.05, 2.2 fold) in the injured L4 and L5 DRG compared with the contralateral uninjured side. However, 7days after axotomy a profound decrease was observed in the DAPK1 level, with a further reduction that reached its minimum level at 14 days postoperatively. In addition, 7 days after injury, most of the DAPK1 positive injured neurons (76.11%) were ATF3 positive, while after 14 days DAPK1 immunoreactivity significantly decreased (53.89%) in injured ATF3 positive neurons. Interestingly, DAPK1, p53 and Bax exhibited a similar expression pattern in axotomized lumbar DRG. The results also revealed that a sciatic nerve injury had no effects on the gene expression of ERK5, P38 and AKT at every time point. Moreover, NMDA NR2B mRNA expression increased after 7 days and continued to up-regulate significantly until 14 days postoperatively (p\u3c0.05,3.6 fold). In contrast, our immunofluorescence results showed a decrease in the protein level in DRG neurons during this time period; but a strong positive NMDA NR2B immunoreactivity appeared in the satellite cells that surround the injured large-sized neurons in L4 and L5 DRG neurons. In addition, immunofluorescence double labelling revealed that DAPK1 and NMDA NR2B are co-localized in normal and injured DRG neurons. In conclusion, the down-regulations of DAPK1 following sciatic nerve injury, along with other vital pro-apoptotic players promoting neuronal survival might shed light on the mechanisms of peripheral nerve regeneration. The results also suggest that NMDA NR2B might modulate neuropathic pain through satellite cells, and not through neurons, 7 and 14 days after peripheral nerve injury

Long Time Stability Investigation for Structural and Magnetic Properties of Ti-doped Barium Ferrite

Barium hexaferrite (BHF) (BaFe12O19) and its substituted derivatives have been considered as the most potential magnetic candidates with considerable chemical stability and physiochemical characteristics. BHF with x ferrite ions substituted by titanium (Ti-doped BTHF) (BaTixFe12-xO19) (x=1 and x=3) was prepared from ferric oxide (Fe2O3), barium oxide (BaO), and titanium oxide (TiO2) of purity >98%. The materials were mixed with deionized water and then dried at 1100°C and 1200°C overnight. For the formation of BaFe12O19 phase, the mixture was annealed at a rate of 10°C/min in static air atmosphere until reaching 1200°C and then maintained for 10 h. Structural properties of these samples were measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy, while magnetic properties were measured using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) device. Magnetic and structural characteristics are investigated after preserving Ti-doped BHF samples at room temperature and ambient conditions for 12 years. The samples are characterized using the same previous techniques to find out the possible effect of long period storage on their properties. The results showed that the storage process has little effect on these properties where the granular size increased due to increased oxidation. XRD tests also showed the absence of Ti at low ratios due to increased oxidation of ferrite. VSM results showed increased magnetic properties after storage due to increased iron oxide

THE EXPRESSION PATTERN OF DEATH ASSOCIATED PROTEIN KINASE1 IN NORMAL DORSAL ROOT GANGLION NEURONS AND FOLLOWING PERIPHERAL NERVE INJURY

Death-associated protein kinase1 (DAPK1) is a calcium/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM) regulated serine/threonine kinase. An increasing body of evidence supports the significance of DAPK1 protein in cancer and CNS diseases. The role of DAPK in peripheral nerve regeneration and neuropathic pain remains completely unexplored. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression pattern of DAPK1 along with key proand anti-apoptotic cell signaling molecules (p53, Bax, Akt, ERK5, p38) and to verify the possibilities of DAPK1-NMDA NR2B relationship in dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRG) after 2 hours, 7 days and 14 days following a sciatic nerve injury. Gene expression analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the effects of nerve injury. ATF3 was used as a neuronal injury marker. The results showed that DAPK1 mRNA was expressed and translated to functional protein in normal DRG neurons. Soon after a sciatic nerve injury (2 hours), DAPK1 was significantly up-regulated (p\u3c0.05, 2.2 fold) in the injured L4 and L5 DRG compared with the contralateral uninjured side. However, 7 days after axotomy a profound decrease was observed in the DAPK1 level, with a further reduction that reached its minimum level at 14 days postoperatively. In addition, 7 days after injury, most of the DAPK1 positive injured neurons (76.11%) were ATF3 positive, while after 14 days DAPK1 immunoreactivity significantly decreased (53.89%) in injured ATF3 positive neurons. Interestingly, DAPK1, p53 and Bax exhibited a similar expression pattern in axotomized lumbar DRG. The results also revealed that a sciatic nerve injury had no effects on the gene expression of ERK5, p38 and Akt at every time point. Moreover, NMDA NR2B mRNA expression increased after 7 days and continued to up-regulate significantly until 14 days postoperatively (p\u3c0.05, 3.6 fold). In contrast, our immunofluorescence results showed a decrease in the protein level in DRG neurons during this time period; but a strong positive NMDA NR2B immunoreactivety appeared in the satellite cells that surround the injured large-sized neurons in L4 and L5 DRG neurons. In addition, immunofluorescence double labelling revealed that DAPK1 and NMDA NR2B are co-localized in normal and injured DRG neurons. In conclusion, the down-regulations of DAPK1 following sciatic nerve injury, along with other vital pro-apoptotic players promoting neuronal survival might shed light on the mechanisms of peripheral nerve regeneration. The results also suggest that NMDA NR2B might modulate neuropathic pain through satellite cells, and not through neurons, 7 and 14 days after peripheral nerve injury

Approach for the Design of a Broadband Microwave Power Amplifier in Microstrip Technology for Mobile Communications Systems

This work presents a broadband power amplifier in S-band in microstrip technology. The proposed power amplifier is modeled with a single-stage architecture based on a field effect transistor ATF13786 of Agilent Technologies (hp)®. The used transistor has been polarized with transmission lines and it has been adapted with matching networks in the form of λ/4 transformers filters at the input and at the output. This amplifier has been studied and optimized using the Advanced Design System (ADS®) software. The simulation results of the output power and S parameters show excellent characteristics with a satisfactory gain greater than 10.9 dB, low reflections, a saturated output power of 16.4 dBm with a 1 dB compression point at an input power level of about 5 dBm, a maximum PAE of 25.3% and unconditional stability in the desired frequency band. The modeled amplifier can be integrated into mobile communications systems namely LTE mobile networks (2500 to 2690 MHz) and wireless networks using Wi-Fi protocol (2400 to 2485 MHz)

STUDY OF MOTOR OIL COOLING AT LOW REYNOLDS NUMBER IN MULTI-PORT NARROW CHANNELS

Mini and micro-scale channels have drawn researchers\u27 attention in the past three decades. The use of these channels in a heat exchanger is due to the several advantages they provide. Motor oil was chosen as the working fluid since it is greatly utilized in automotive applications. In current investigations, experiments were performed to verify the aptness of cooling the oil through a cross-flow minichannel heat exchanger. The inlet temperature of the motor oil was kept constant at 75oC, while the air inlet temperatures were varied within the range of 20oC - 40oC. The range of oil Reynolds number was found to be between 0.85 to 3.5 whereas the air velocities were between 6 m/s and 18 m/s. Correlations were developed between the Nuoil and Reoil and Proil. The effect of Reoil on the heat transfer coefficient, NTU, and effectiveness were investigated. The results were compared with the findings of another viscous fluid where a similar test specimen was used and same trends were observed

The impact of compost and expanded perlite on soil physical properties and water productivity under different irrigation practices

Finding an appropriate field management strategy for improving crop and water production becomes an imperious necessity because of the irrigation water deficiency in most of the agricultural fields in Iraq. Studying the response of soil properties to the applied soil amendments represents one of the critical parameters in agricultural field management for improving crop production and water use efficiency of Iraqi strategic crops. The effect of soil amendments (compost = 7.5 t/ha and perlite/0.1% Polyvinyl alcohol = 0.25 t/ha) on the water use efficiency and crop production under three levels of water depletion (30, 50, and 70%) of the available soil water was examined for wheat and barley crops. The study was applied under the sprinkler irrigation system. The experimental design was RCBD within 6 treatments and 3 replications for each wheat and barley. The results show that the soil amendments of expanded perlite and compost exhibit an improvement in the soil properties of soil bulk density and soil water content. Soil amendments, especially, the expanded perlite improved the crop yield and water use efficiency under all irrigation levels. The effect of expanded perlite shows the maximum effect on barley production under the 50% irrigation level with 3500 kg/ha. The irrigation level of 70% could be a worth-able management strategy if it is associated with the soil amendments of compost and expanded perlite. As a result, the effectiveness of expanded perlite increased with the increase in the drought of Iraqi soil

Distinguished Students in the Study of Academic Jurisprudence

Following the era of prophet Muhammed (PBUH), the nation has religiously relied on one of the four accredited jurisprudential doctrines. Despite their differences regarding many scientific issues, these doctrines did not deviate from the approach of the prophet’s companions in ruling judgments. It is the wisdom of God to set certain general guidelines and principles for Sharia Law to ensure a well-organized life for the people in all times and places. Islamic law is characterized by immortality. It remains as long as man exists. Its branches are renewed with the passage of each day and night. It is preserved by God the Almighty. Allah the Almighty has true believers in every period and time. They are mandated to revive the disappeared principles of this religion. In the light of this fact, it is a matchless honor to be the servants of this nation and, with the help of the Almighty, to enlighten people with knowledge. If we succeed in communicating our message it is because of the blessings of the Almighty but if we fail it is because of the whims of the self. The advantages of the Alasfia school extend beyond the mosques and into society. Many of the school alumni excelled in academic study. Among those outstanding alumni is Sheikh Yassin Mohammed Saeed al-Walid, who will be the focus of this article. The first segment considers the role of the students of the Asfiya school in the field of jurisprudence and academic excellence. The second segment explores the life of Sheikh Yassin Mohammed Saeed Al-Waleed. The third segment discusses the provisions of the Hajj and Umrah in terms of methodology and resources and inferences and scientific value. Finally, in the conclusion we present the most important results we have arrived at through this research. We pray Allah the Almighty to deem our work beneficial for muslims and finally all praise is due Allah and He is the guardian of success

Phase Measurement Units based FACT’s Devices for the Improvement of Power Systems Networks Controllability

This paper describes the importance of FACTS devices; it presents the outcome of the study of its reflectance on the performance of power system networks. It seeks to increase and guarantee the fact and accuracy of response systems under disturbance conditions when the phase measurement units are introduced as Real-Time Measurement (RTM) stations. This paper also describes the importance of FACTS devices. The combination of FACTS devices and PMUs is presented to increase the controllability performance of power systems. This paper demonstrates how PMUs measure voltage, current and their angles. It provides, through a communication link, a Phase Angle Data Concentrator (PDC) to make an appropriate decision to correct the power system state using the FACTS device (TCSC). We utilized the Graph-Theoretic Algorithm to optimize the number and location of PMUs. The technique proposed was tested on the Iraqi National Super Grid’s 24bus network, Diyala City’s regional 10bus network and the 14bus IEEE standard test system. The MATLAB/PSAT package was utilized for the simulation of results. It is evident that our proposed algorithm and technique achieved the purpose of this paper as confirmed by the level of accuracy of the results obtained from most of the cases tested

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus, Rubella, Herpes Simplex Type II and Chlamydia trachomatis in Pregnant and Abortion Women in Tikrit City

Aim of this study was to assess the Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Rubella, Herpes simplex II and Chlamydia trachomatis infections among pregnant and abortion women. This study was performed on 210 women who attended the gynecological consultative clinic in Salah El-Din general hospital during November 2021 until the end of march 2022.the sera samples were tested by ELISA assay for detection of specific IgG and IgM antibodies. Overall Seroprevalence was 10%, 5.7%, 3.3%, 1.9% of IgG for CMV, Rubella, Chlamydia trachomatis and HSV II respectively while IgM was 3.8%, 2.8%, and 1% for the last two respectively