General Evaluation of Biocide （Bt-ASF-1） Produced from Iraqi Isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis

General evaluation of isolate Bacillus thuringiensis （Bt-ASF-1） used as biocide in meddle scale application was conducted. Some morphological and confirmation tests were achieved. The sensitivity tests had been accomplished by diffusion and dilution techniques to determine the response of isolate against the antibiotics. The results of diffusion tests showed to the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics of cefixime, erythromycin, gentamicin and tetracycline respectively. It was resistant to trimethoprim sulfonamide （TMP）, bacitracin, penicillin and all its generations, and moderate resistance to nalidixic acid. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration （MIC） for amoxicillin was ranged between 30-40 pg/mL and these results are an approximation of the universal findings. Curing experiments showed the effective role of sodium dodecyl sulfate （SDS） （1.5%） comparing with temperature. The bacterial cells became sensitive to amoxicillin and TMP. The curing by temperature did not differ significantly from control treatment in plasmid pattern or antibiotics response. Plasmid profile referring that curing by SDS has been caused disturbance in beta -lactamase genes through the sensitivity to amoxicillin and remaining resistance to ampicillin. Curing isolate by SDS also became more sensitive to nalidixic acid, erythromycin and tetracycline respectively. It was found from the curing treatments the complexity distribution of r-genes between different plasmid size and chromosome but not effect on their insecticidal ability.

Tracing of Sertoli-Cell-Only Syndrome and Other Histopathological Abnormalities in Iraqi Males with Primary Infertility of Azoospermia

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the histopathological examination of the testicular biopsies in infertile males with azoospermia. The patients were referred to the Urology Department in Salah Alden Hospital. Methods: The present study was carried out from May 2017 until June 2018 and the number of the patients group was 60. The patients aged between 20 to 50 years. 20 of them were selected and subjected to histopathological examinations by taking biopsies from their testes. Results: The sertoli-cell-only syndrome (SCOS) was the most common positive histopathological finding comprising 35% of the cases. This was followed by testicular atrophy with 30%, while maturation arrest was 20%. The percentage of hypospermatogenesis was 10% and normal spermatogenesis was 5%. Conclusion: Among the 20 specimens examined, the sertoli-cell-only syndrome (SCOS) was the most common positive histopathological finding. The semen analysis and testicular biopsy provide valuable information about the etiology and the fertility potential of an individual.

The Impact of Some Widely Probiotic (Iraqi Probiotic) on Health and Performance

Probiotics (Greek: for life) are commonly defined as monoor mixed cultures of live microbes. When applied to animals or humans, they exert a beneficial effect on health of the host. These beneficial effects include disease treatment and prevention as well as improvement of nutrients’ digestion and absorption. Probiotic microorganisms are generally, albeit not exclusively, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) including Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. casei, L. plantarum, and L. rhamnosus. However, use of other bacterial species such as Bacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. as probiotic strains has also been described in several commercial products. This article intends to present an up-to-date version regarding Iraqi probiotics currently used and health benefit obtained from their consumption. However, the employing of microbes to promote a good health is very common, while the current review paper provides a comprehensive view of some common probiotics in Iraq as all strains are very important to be familiar with them before any applying process. Ideally, microbial probiotics should have a beneficial effect and not cause any harm to the host. Therefore, all strains must have been studied comprehensively prior to use in humans or animals and thus are given GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) status.

Geochemistry of Termite Hills as a Tool for Geochemical Exploration of Glass Sand in the Iraqi Western Desert

Sand glass deposits was located in the mid of the Western Desert of Iraq. It is situated within Rutba Formation (Ceno-manian). Ancient traditional mining method is still used in exploitation the unconsolidated white glass sand from glass sand quarry. The overburden thickness ranges from 2 to 4 m in average. Termite hills were observed around the glass sand quarry extending far from the quarry area. Termites could burrows down and penetrate the sand glass bringing it up to the surface. The depth of penetration reaches more than 35 m. The field observation of the white color of termite hills which are built up by sand glass gave a good indicator for the hidden subsurface deposit and it appears to be a surface signature for finding glass sand directly under the termite hills. The scattered white hills of glass sand on the surface with high content of SiO2, concordant Zr/Hf and Th/U ratios and heavy mineral distribution in both of quarry and termite hills provide a strong evidence of that those termite hills could be an effective tool for exploring subsurface hidden glass sand up to 35 m depth.

On the Current and Restoration Conditions of the Southern Iraqi Marshes: Application of the CCME WQI on East Hammar Marsh

Water quality of the East Hammar marsh after restoration was assessed by using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI).The model was applied in two approaches based on the historical data and the CCME aquatic life guidelines as objectives. Variables included in the index calculation were Water Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Salinity, pH value, Total Nitrogen, Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphorus and Sodium. The CCME WQI analysis in both approaches reflected that water quality of the East Hammar marsh is rated as poor based on 2005-2006 data, meaning that the conditions of the marsh are often depart from natural or desirable levels particularly in respect to sodium and nitrogenous compounds;it simply has not recovered yet. The results reflect that the marsh area is still far from the current guideline criteria and, too far from restoration.

Reservoir Characterization of the Early Jurassic Butmah Formation Using Well Log Data in Selected Wells from Iraqi Kurdistan Region

The reservoir characterization of Butmah Formation (Early Jurassic) was studied in two wells: (AT-1) and (SH-1B) from Atrush and Shaikhan Oilfields respectively, in Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Well logs including;sonic, density, neutron, gamma ray, and resistivity, were employed to investigate the formation. The petrophysical properties, such as lithology, shale volume, porosity, water saturation, hydrocarbon saturation, and bulk water volume, were estimated using Interactive Petrophysics Software (IP). Water saturation, bulk volume of water, residual hydrocarbon, and movable hydrocarbon were plotted as Computer Processed Interpretation (CPI) for Butmah Formation in the studied wells. In order to check reliability of log data, lithology of the formation was detected using neutron-density cross plot and M-N cross plot. The results of log interpretation display that Butmah Formation is composed of dolomite, limestone with anhydrite and shale in the studied wells. The calculated shale volume shows low clay content. Therefore, Butmah Formation is considered as a clean formation in both wells. Porosity was estimated using porosity logs (sonic, density, and neutron) and had the average total porosity of (7% - 8%) in the two wells. Based on the determined petrophysical properties, particularly porosity and hydrocarbon saturation, it can be concluded that Butmah Formation seems potentially good in reserving oil.

Genetic Polymorphism of Kappa Casein （K-CN）in Iraqi Buffalo Using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

This study was carried out the animal production department, genetic engineering lab, college of agriculture, （UoB）, Iraq. The aim of this study was to use the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） as a fast, efficient and low cost method to detect the genetic variants of kappa-casein gene （k-CN） in Iraqi buffalo using three different primers specific for bovine k-CN to amplify the gene segment, followed by digestion using restriction enzyme （Hind III） for genotyping. DNA from 50 Iraqi buffaloes was extracted by phenol chloroform method. PCR was carried out in a final reaction volume of 25 μL and the reaction mixture was subjected to standard PCR protocol. The results of this work show that among the examined 50 Iraqi Buffalo were homozygous for the K-CN and genotyped as BB for all three primers but gave different bands. Thus PCR-RFLP using Hind III revealed all the samples to be monomorphic for this locus. The restriction digestion analysis of 397 bp PCR product of k-CN indicates the presence of two fragments of 154 bp and 225 bp for BB-genotype. A 437 bp fragment of the bovine genomic K-CN gene was amplified. One Hind III restriction site is found in position 346 of the amplified fragment of allele k-CN B, yielded 91 bp and 346 bp. Amplified products from Iraqi buffalo （530）, after being digested with Hind III, yielded two separate DNA fragments of different sizes i.e., 160 bp and 370 bp. For the first time completed research such specifications in Iraq, for the first time using molecular biology in genetic identification. Our objectives of this study have been to aid in understanding domestication, Buffalo origin and their history and evolution, to identify genetically unique breeds, to provide an objective basis for conservation decisions and to aid the formulation of breeding plans.

Mercury Exposure Assessment in Iraqi Women＇s Hair with Respect to Fish Consumption and Contamination in Marshland （Southern Iraq）

This study investigated the level of mercury in hair samples of pregnant women and newborns living in marshes. Hair mercury concentration, as an indicator of mercury body load, was studied in 30 samples of indigenous women and newborns to assess the association between fish consumption and specific characteristics that can influence exposure. In January 2013, 40 pregnant women were invited to participate. An interview was administered and a questionnaire was used to collect information about age, body weight, height, fish （fresh） consumption, pregnancy stage, residence duration, education level, family income and number of dental amalgam fillings. The results showed that for hair total Hg concentration was 6.47 p.g/g （6.47 ~ 0.71 pg/g）. About 5.9% of mothers had hair total Hg levels in excess of 14 ~tg/g. Maternal hair mercury was above the threshold level of WHO （World Health Organization） （5 pg/g）. As expected, there was a clear increase in hair Hg with reported fresh fish consumption （p = 0.08）. The highest mean in a group who consumed fish several times per week was 5.93 lag/g. Moreover, a significant effect of age and residential time on Hg in women＇s hair was found such as the older women.

The Major Psychocutaneous Disorders in Iraqi Patients

Background: Many skin diseases can be evoked by psychological problems. Dermatological conditions could also lead to psychological disorders;hence psychodermatology is an emerging subspecialty that focuses on the interface of psychiatry and dermatology. Objective: To assess the frequency of the major disorders of so-called psychocutaneous disorders which are commonly seen among Iraqi population. Patients and Methods: This case descriptive study had been done in Department of Dermatology-Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq during the period from March 2011 to October 2013. All cases were collected and categorized according to the disease problem. Patients were interviewed to search for the main triggering and precipitating factors involved in pathogenesis of these disorders. The clinical picture was well described in order to reach a final diagnosis. Psychological interview and analysis were performed for all patients to reach the specific emotional and psychiatric disease by consultant psychiatrist. Results: A total of 100 patients with major psychocutaneous disorders were seen and evaluated. Nineteen were males and 81 were females with female to male ratio: 4.26:1. Their ages ranged from 7 - 73 (26.5 ± 5.217) years. The frequency of these diseases was as follows: trichotillomania 53%, dermatitis artifacta 37%, delusion of parasitosis 6% and neurotic excoriation 4%. Conclusions: The major psychocutaneous diseases in Iraqi population were: trichotillomania, dermatitis artifacta and these are problems of mainly young females while delusion of parasitosis and neurotic excoriations were diseases of middle age females.

Frictional Melanosis of Rubbing Thighs in Iraqi Patients

Background: Frictional melanosis of rubbing inner thighs is a common problem among Iraqi females causing great psychological and cosmetic impact. It might simulate lifa disease but it is a different entity. It is unfortunately not reported in the medical literatures although commonly encountered in daily clinical practice. Objective: To evaluate the hyperpigmentation of inner aspects of thighs in Iraqi females as an isolated pigmentary problem. Patient and Methods: Sixty patients with frictional melanosis of rubbing thighs were seen in Department of Dermatology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital in this case descriptive, clinical and histopathological study, during the period from April 2011 to March 2012. Any associated skin problems were also noticed like folliculitis and boils at area of friction. Forty individuals were enrolled in the present work as the healthy control group. The pigmentation was assessed by clinical, Wood’s light and histopathological examinations (H&E and Fontana stains). Body mass index was obtained for all patients and obesity was graded according to WHO recommendations. Results: The ages of patients ranged between 19 - 52 (32.86 ± 7.65) years, with 59 (98.3%) females and 1 (1.6%) male. By Wood’s light examination, accentuation in pigmentation was observed in 39 (58%) patients, while 21 (42%) of lesions showed no change. Body mass index was ranged from 23.3 - 43.6 (34.04 ± 4.13), history of vigorous rubbing of pigmented area with washing tool (lifa) was positive in 46 (76.6%) patients. Skin biopsies in 10 patients showed pure dermal melanophages in 3 of biopsies with slight melanosis of basal layer of epidermis, while the other 7 biopsies showed mainly increase in basal melanin. There was a statistically significant association between obesity and the severity of pigmentation of the inner thighs. Forty control individuals (2 males and 38 females) were assessed, their ages ranged from 19 - 50 (31.72 ± 6.40) years. All females were within normal weight while males were overweight and BMI was ranged from 19.7 - 28.2 (22.49 ± 1.84). All control individuals showed no pigmentation of inner aspects of thighs. Conclusion: Frictional melanosis of rubbing thighs is considered a new entity which had been not reported before in the medical literatures. This is a disease of mostly young obese females and the effective therapy is weight reduction and possibly liposuction.

Breast cancer among Iraqi female in their fifth decade: a retrospective study

Background:Breast cancer is a major public health concern for women around the world.Breast cancer incidence increases with age,and this is an important factor for the management of this disease.The aim of this study was to assess the clinical profiles of female Iraqi breast cancer patients in their fifth decade,and to evaluate patients'molecular profiles and 5-year disease-free survival(DFS).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted at Baghdad Oncology Teaching Hospital between 1 January 2012 and 12 December 2016.Of 979 individuals seen,285 were aged between 40 and 49 years.Results:The median age at diagnosis was 45 years.The highest incidence of breast cancer occurred among women in their fifth(40-49 years old)and sixth(50-59 years old)decades of life(29%and 28%,respectively).The most common stages at diagnosis were stages II and III,with 40.8%and 39.5%,respectively.Luminal A-like cancers were seen in 124 women(58.5%)and 29 women(13.7%)presented with triple-negative cancers.De novo metastatic disease comprised just 6.7%of the group studied.The median DFS was 48 months(95%CI:41.4-54.5 months).Conclusions:The highest incidence of breast cancer occurred among women in their fifth and sixth decades of life.The most common diagnosis was stage II breast cancer of the luminal A molecular subtype.HER-2(human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)overexpression and triple-negative were the least common subtypes.The median DFS was 48 months.

Drought mapping using Geoinformation technology for some sites in the Iraqi Kurdistan region

Iraq has suffered severely from drought in recent years and the year 2008 was the driest,particularly in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.This study incorporated Geoinformation technology into mapping the drought that severely affected the Kurdistan region in the years 2007
2008.Geoinformation technology provides support in the theories,methods and techniques for building,and development of Digital Earth aspect.Five vegetation,soil,water,and land surface temperature(LST)indices were applied to two Landsat 7 ETMimageries of June 2007 and June 2008,to assess the drought impacts in Erbil governorate Kurdistan during the study period.The indices that were employed in this study were Normalized Difference Vegetation Index,Bare Soil Index,Normalized Differential Water Index,Tasseled Cap Transformation Wetness,and LST.The results revealed a significant decrease in the vegetative cover(56.7%)and a decline in soil/vegetation wetness(29.9%)of the total study area.Likewise,there was a significant reduction in the water bodies surface area in the region such as Dokan Lake,which lost 32.5%of its surface area in comparison with the previous year,2007.The study results showed that the soil moisture content was the most effective actor on the vegetative cover,LST,and drought status in the study area.

伊拉克战争对国际法治的冲击和影响

美英发动的伊拉克战争对国际社会提出了一系列值得认真思考的国际法问题。本文着重探讨这场战争对国际法基础的冲击以及违反联合国宪章规定非法使用武力问题 ,探讨在国际武装冲突中实施国际人道法面临的困境。在此基础上 ,作者提出了加强国际法治的若干建议。

伊拉克油田岩心酸化反应动力学参数研究

针对伊拉克X油田开发过程中面临的开采难度大等问题,室内通过旋转岩盘实验仪,分别测定了盐酸与伊拉克X油田碳酸盐岩储层岩心在90℃、120℃和140℃下反应的速度常数、反应级数以及H+有效传质系数等,通过以上酸岩反应动力学参数,建立了不同温度下酸岩反应动力学方程,同时确定了盐酸与该储层岩心反应的反应活化能,为该油田碳酸盐岩储层酸压优化设计提供可靠依据。

论世界新军事变革趋势和中国新军事变革

新军事变革始于上世纪80年代末90年代初,其目标是把工业时代的机械化军队改造成信息时代的信息化军队。美军已确立2030年全面数字化的发展目标。1991年以来美国发动的多场战争技术含量越来越高,反映出新军事变革的特点和规律。新军事变革很可能发展成一场波及全球、涉及全部军事领域、有史以来最深刻的军事变革。为顺应世界新军事变革加速发展的趋势,应积极推进中国特色军事变革,不断加强国防和军队现代化建设,为全面建设小康社会、加快推进社会主义现代化建设提供可靠的安全保证。

伊拉克战争对美国软实力的削弱

伊拉克战争使美国的结盟体系出现裂痕,美国霸权的合法性进一步削弱,美军虐俘事件更是损害了美国的国家形象,并且美国民主改造伊斯兰世界的计划受阻,伊拉克战争也没有达到预期的反恐目标。伊拉克战争削弱了美国文化的吸引力、意识形态的吸引力和利用国际机制的能力,美国的软实力在这场战争中明显受损。

2010年大选：伊拉克前途命运的转折点

2005年大选之后的经历给伊拉克国内各政治力量留下了深刻教训,他们意识到国家的安全和稳定需要一个有什叶派、逊尼派以及库尔德人代表参加的联合政府。2010年大选产生了一个联合政府,该政府将有机会实现国家统一,并向邻国传递积极的信号,即伊拉克不会对它们产生威胁,同时新政府也将面临巨大挑战。选举产生的政府将承担起领导国家走向主权独立的历史责任,并努力提高伊拉克在该地区的地位和影响力,尤其是在2011年底美军撤出伊拉克之后。2010年12月21日,新内阁获得国民议会投票表决通过,从而开启了多党派联合执政的架构。

伊拉克战争中无人机作战使用及启示

随着无人机技术的发展,无人机在战场上执行的任务也逐步由单一到多样,由简单到复杂。为配合美军全球作战的理念,美军大力发展无人机并将其用于实战检验。分析了美军在伊拉克战场上无人机的使用特点,指出美无人机的研制进展情况。对我军无人机的发展有一定借鉴意义。

美伊战争对世界及亚太地区石油市场的影响与合作前景

本文从全球石油资源地理分布、石油需求及其变化、世界各国对中东石油的依赖程度、石油成本、石油对欧元和美元及相关汇率的影响、对相关产业和世界石油及经济格局的影响等方面 ,综合分析了美伊战争对世界及亚太地区石油市场的影响 ,并提出了加强亚太地区能源合作的框架设想。

美国霸权的终结——兼评伊拉克战争对未来国际政治的影响

美国谋求单极世界霸权的企图已是一个不争的事实。它现在不仅拥有了实现这一野心的硬实力,而且似乎也具备了相应的软 实力。但如果据此认为美国真的能实现它的这一梦想那又未免过于主观。本文将重点探讨有哪些现实因素将阻碍美国实现其单极霸权,以 及为什么说美国的这一野心注定会失败。