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Knowing students' belief of their capability in using the computer tasks is a key competency, necessary for learning in technology-enhanced environment. To generate a valid and reliable instrument for measuring computer self-efficacy (CSE), this study aimed to explore the underlying factors of CSE, and to find out the relationship with students' academic achievement. The respondents' CSE was assessed in terms of two dimensions, namely, general and advanced computer self-efficacy. The results revealed a statistically significant difference between Arts and Science students in terms of their CSE in favor of Science students, and also proved that there was no statistically significant correlation between students' academic achievement and their computer self-efficacy. The results provide the foundation for the instrument that allows researchers to determine students' general and advanced computer self-efficacy, and information that can be useful in enhancing students' academic achievement.

The present study aimed to identify Bacillus licheniformis in Iraqi environments and test their ability to degrade the pesticides usually used in agricultural fields. Three temperatures (25, 30, 35 oC) and pH values (5,7,9) were chose for this study, while three concentrations of above mentioned pesticide (600, 1200, 1800) ppm were used. 94% and 91% were achieved at pH values 9 and 7 at 35oC and 600 ppm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence and prevalence of breast cancer in Iraq are alarming. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among Iraqi women, and its rates have been steadily increasing over the years. The exact reasons for the high incidence are not yet fully understood, but it is believed to be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The research objectives of this study revolve around two main goals. Firstly, the study aims to establish baseline values for the amount of uranium present in blood samples. Secondly, the study aims to assess the potential relationship between uranium levels in blood and the development of cancer. The investigation includes 16 blood samples from women diagnosed with breast cancer and 20 blood samples from women without breast cancer. The nuclear fission track analysis method using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors will be employed to analyze the uranium contents in women's cancer blood (CB) samples. The methodology adopted for this study involved utilizing the SPSS program to conduct a comprehensive statistical analysis. The results of the study indicate that there is a variation in uranium concentration among both the patient women and healthy women. The uranium concentration among patient women ranged from 3.259 ppb to 1.918 ppb, while among healthy women, it varied from 2.105 ppb to 0.59 ppb. These findings suggest that there may be a correlation between the presence of certain health issues and higher uranium levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present quantitative study aims to find out the underlying factors of attitudes towards information technology and the relationship with academic achievement among students, through a self-developed questionnaire. The attitudes of the respondents were assessed in terms of three dimensions; namely affection, behavior, and belief. The results revealed a statistically significant difference between Arts and Science students in terms of their attitude towards IT in favor of Science students, and also proved that there was no statistically significant correlation between students' academic achievement and their attitudes towards IT. While students at the medium level of academic achievement tended to score higher on the affection toward IT comparing with students at the satisfactory level of the academic achievement. The results of this study provide information for policymakers, and the researchers who are interested in understanding the factors that affect technology use by students in their learning.

Background: Hearing loss is a common problem worldwide with a global prevalence of 20%. There is no local relevant study from Iraq about the prevalence of hearing loss. Objective: To assess the prevalence of hearing loss among patients attending the otolaryngology clinic, Ramadi city, Iraq. Method: This retrospective study was conducted at the otolaryngology clinic, Ramadi city, Anbar government, Iraq. Patients with hearing loss were enrolled in the current study. Data were gathered from patients record regarding the age, sex, type, side, and severity of hearing loss. Additionally, the number of cases were registered for each month during the study period. Results: Out of 8497, there were 2165 (25.48%) patients with hearing loss. The highest number of cases was registered in April (n = 246, 11.4%). The highest age group affected was 18–60 years (n = 1125) with slight male predominance (51.64%). The main cause of hearing loss was secretary otitis media (n = 762, 35.19/5). The vast majority of cases were with conductive hearing impairment (n = 2051, 94.73%). Unilateral hearing loss (50.76%) was slightly more than bilateral one. Mild hearing loss has outnumbered (n = 1905, 88%) the other severities. Conclusion: The prevalence of hearing loss was 25.48%. Hearing loss could affect any age with slight male predominance. The majority of the cases were with conductive type and mild severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen study is considered one of the most climate proxies distributed worldwide since the beginning of the last century. Some areas and regions still lack such proxy studies, the main objective behind this review is to investigate and draw a picture of the past climate and vegetation pattern in northeastern Iraq, where the area obtains only a few small in size natural Lakes, Fellaw Lake is the largest mountain natural Lake in the area considered within the study. In addition, there are tries to present the paleoclimate of the study area depending mostly on the bulk of research conducted near the area due to the nonexistence of pollen studies implemented on Fellaw Lake yet. Accordingly, and after matching the modern and past vegetation patterns of some adjacent lakes to the area such as Zaribar, Merabad Van Lake, and Akgol Lake, the area likely obtains to some extent a similar past climate trend and events and vegetation components, regardless of the factor of variation in latitude and topographic effects which in turn affect the precipitation amount that could lead possibly to variate of vegetation patterns in these conditions. Ultimately, the study area is located in a very climate-sensitive area, where it's situated among the following regions; Levantine from the west, Mesopotamia from the south, Anatolia from the north, and itself located in the eastern edge of the Irano-Turanian region. This in turn could consider the area to be a refuge for other regions in case of climate deterioration and fluctuations in the late Quaternary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of selfesteem in the relationship between psychological capital, academic engagement, and academic procrastination with academic performance among high school students in Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq. Methodology: The research method was descriptive-correlational with a structural equation modeling design. Among the students of Al-Diwaniyah schools in the first semester of the 2023-2024 academic year, 250 were randomly selected using multistage cluster sampling, of which 194 completed the questionnaires. Data were collected using the Academic Performance Questionnaire (Pham & Taylor, 1990), the Academic Procrastination Questionnaire (Solomon & Rothblum, 1984), the Academic Engagement Questionnaire (Fredricks et al., 2004), the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (Nguyen et al., 2012), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), and analyzed using SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24. Findings: The findings showed that there is a significant positive relationship between psychological capital and academic engagement with self-esteem and academic performance, and between self-esteem and academic performance (p < .01). Additionally, academic procrastination has a significant negative relationship with self-esteem and academic performance (p < .01). Furthermore, self-esteem partially mediates the relationship between psychological capital, academic engagement, and academic procrastination with academic performance. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that fostering self-esteem through the development of psychological capital and effective academic strategies can lead to improved academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nurses, comprising the largest profession in healthcare, play a significant role in the identification and management of mental health disorders in hospitals. Objectives: The study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of non-psychiatric nurses and their encounters with depressive patients throughout their careers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with 400 non-psychiatric nurses from different hospitals in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq during October and November 2022. The independent Student's t -test, one-way analysis of variance, and binary logistic regression were used to assess possible factors associated with knowledge and attitude toward depression. Results: In this study, 400 non-psychiatric nurses were examined, revealing a mean age of 31.57 ± 8.59 years. Their mean scores for knowledge and attitude toward depression were 5.41 out of a maximum of 11 (standard deviation 1.15) and 5.15 out of 18 (standard deviation 1.83), respectively. Notably, differences in mean knowledge scores were observed concerning participant marital status (P =.044), while disparities in mean attitude scores are related to participant gender (P =.010). Upon binary logistic regression analysis, none of the independent variables exhibited an association with good knowledge. Nevertheless, gender emerged as a significant factor influencing attitude toward depression (odds ratio: 0.51; 95% confidence interval: 0.30–0.86; P =.012). Subsequently, in the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, gender sustained significance (adjusted odds ratio: 0.573; 95% confidence interval: 0.348–0.942; P =.028) as the key variable impacting attitudes toward depression among non-psychiatric nurses. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, nurses have insufficient awareness and management skills for depression. It has been experienced and reported that nurses lack knowledge and an attitude toward depression management. The study highlights a significant gap in nurses' skills for managing depression, urging the immediate improvement of training programs. Customizing these programs to enhance nurses' abilities in identifying and managing depression is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes stands among the top ten contributors to worldwide mortality, with diabetics facing 2 to 3 times greater susceptibility to all-encompassing mortality. The adipose tissue has garnered growing recognition as a vigorously dynamic endocrine organ, discharging an array of biologically impactful molecules, among which is adiponectin. We investigated the influence of serum adiponectin levels and their correlation with oxidative stress in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the province Anbar of Iraq. Methodology: A case-control research was carried out at Al-Ramadi Hospitals located in Anbar province, Iraq. The study encompassed a total of 84 individuals, comprising 42 patients diagnosed with T2DM, and 42 individuals enrolled as healthy controls (HCs). Venous blood samples were collected and each sample was divided into four, to obtain the serum. Serum levels of adiponectin and oxidative stress were assessed through the utilization of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results: The study findings revealed that there was no significant impact on the lipid profile among patients when compared to the control group, as evidenced by statistically insignificant differences (P > 0.05). However, a noteworthy increase in glucose levels was observed in patients compared to healthy individuals, demonstrating a significant difference (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the average levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) displayed a significant rise in patients in comparison to the healthy cohort (P < 0.05). In a similar vein, superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels demonstrated a notable contrast, showcasing higher values in the healthy group in contrast to the patients (P < 0.05). The adiponectin levels exhibited remarkable divergence, with notably elevated values in the T2DM group relative to the healthy group, achieving statistical significance (P < 0.05). The data indicated positive associations between serum adiponectin levels and MDA, as well as fasting serum glucose (FSG), triglycerides (TGs), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Nevertheless, no significant correlations were identified between adiponectin and SOD, as well as the other variables. Conclusion The findings of the study indicated that reduced adiponectin levels are associated with elevated oxidative stress among T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite their importance in reducing maternal mortality, information on access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is limited. Methods: A standardized assessment tool measuring access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines included in the WHO essential medicines list (EML) was implemented in eight countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Pakistan, and Somalia) between 2020–2021. The assessment focused on five access measures: 1) the inclusion of medicines in national family planning guidelines; 2) inclusion of medicines in comprehensive abortion care guidelines; 3) inclusion of medicines on national essential medicines lists; 4) medicines registration; and 5) procurement and forecasting of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines. A descriptive analysis of findings from these eight national assessments was conducted. Results: Only Lebanon and Pakistan included all 12 contraceptives that are enlisted in the WHO-EML within their national family planning guidelines. Only Afghanistan and Lebanon included mifepristone and mifepristone-misoprostol combination in post-abortion care guidelines, but these medicines were not included in their national EMLs. Libya and Somalia lacked a national regulatory authority for medicines registration. Most contraceptives included on the national EMLs for Lebanon, Morocco and Pakistan were registered. Misoprostol was included on the EMLs—and registered—in six countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Pakistan). However, only three countries procured misoprostol (Iraq, Morocco, and Somalia). Conclusion: These findings can guide efforts aimed at improving the availability of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Opportunities include expanding national EMLs to include more options for Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines and strengthening the registration and procurement systems to ensure these medicines' availability were permitted under national law and where culturally acceptable. Plain English summary: Ensuring access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines is critical to improving women's health, and more specifically reducing maternal mortality and improving women's sexual and reproductive health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The aim of this study was to analyse findings from national assessments to capture information on the implementation of relevant policies and procedures. Those were the policies that ensure access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in the public sector for the eight Eastern Mediterranean Region countries included in the study (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Pakistan, and Somalia). The assessments were completed between 2020 and 2021. We found that most countries did not include all twelve contraceptives enlisted in the WHO essential medicines list (EML) in their national family planning guidelines. No country had developed a national abortion care guidelines nor included mifepristone (alone or in combination with misoprostol) on national EML. Libya and Somalia lacked a national regulatory authority for medicines registration. Most contraceptives included on the national EMLs for Lebanon, Morocco and Pakistan were registered. Misoprostol was included on the EMLs—and registered—in six countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Pakistan) yet, only three countries procured misoprostol (Iraq, Morocco, and Somalia). Our findings provide evidence on system-level barriers to availability of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines (e.g., lack of guidelines or inclusion on EML, lack of registration and procurement) that can support policy and advocacy efforts to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector to better ensure availability of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines to women in reproductive age at the country-level in accordance with the national law and prevailing culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lack of physical activity is an important element for non-communicable diseases and early death. It is vital to increase physical activity levels among healthcare professionals. The aim of the study is to assess physical activity motivators and barriers to physical activity among health providers in Karbala City, Iraq. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study examined physical activity levels and motivations among 800 healthcare professionals in Karbala City, Iraq in 2023. A simple random sample was drawn from selected hospitals and primary care centers in Karbala. The Arabic short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire "IPAQ" was used to measure physical activity levels. Demographic characteristics, percentages and frequencies were computed. Mann-Whitney U and the Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used to examine the association between activity levels and socio-demographics. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Approximately one-third (33.6%) of healthcare professionals were classified as physically inactive. The "Inactive" category had a mean age of 33.79 years, with 36.9% males and 31.0% females falling into this category. There was no significant difference in activity categories by age, gender, or job title of healthcare workers. Key motivators were intrinsic factors like accomplishment, experience stimulation, and knowledge. Fear of injury was the highest barrier 85.8%, followed by lack of skill 80.6%, and social influences 73.5%. Conclusion: High rates of physical inactivity among healthcare professionals highlight the need for targeted workplace strategies, leveraging intrinsic motivation and addressing barriers around skills, environment, and safety concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to detect Toxocara cati in cats by microscopic and molecular analysis using PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Materials and Methods: Randomly selected 200 cat feces samples were taken from various private veterinarian clinics in Baghdad. To identify eggs of T. cati by the flotation method, DNA from 100 cat feces was extracted, and one pair of ITS2 region-specific primers was used for polymerase chain reaction, followed by sequencing. Results: Toxocara cati infection rate was found to be 23 out of 100 fecal samples using PCR. Ten DNA product sequence data studies showed 98%-100% similarity to the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene sequences found in the Gene Bank. The study incidence showed that the overall infection rate by microscopic examination was 23%, with no significant difference between stray cats (27%), and domestic cats (19%). After studying the effect of several epidemiological parameters on the infection rate, it was found that the infection rates of stray and domestic cats were higher in kittens under six months of age, at 46.1% and 27%, respectively, whereas rates were lower for the adult than six months was 11.5% of domestic cats and 14.7% of stray cats. The percentage of stray and domestic male cats that were registered was 35.5%, whereas the female cats registered were 20.6% and 17.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Cats are significant clinical reservoirs for zoonotic parasites. In Iraq, Baghdad has a high incidence of T. cati detections. Compared to conventional methods, PCR is thought to be a more sensitive, accurate diagnostic procedure that confirms the species' identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Mediterranean area is a diversity center for the genus Dianthus. However, species belonging to this genus, including Dianthus orientalis Adams (DOA), have not been investigated for their medicinal activities. Objectives: To investigate antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant effects and molecular mechanism of D. orientalis Adams leaf extract (DOAE) in an animal model. Materials and methods: The plant leaves were collected from July to August 2021 from Penjween district, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq and then identified, authenticated, shadow-dried, and extracted using pure methanol. Thirty rats were divided randomly into 5 groups of 6 animals each. Group 1 was control negative (CN) and received distilled water (DW). Group 2 was diabetic control (DC) that received DW, while group 3 was control positive (CP) treated with Glibenclamide (GLB, 0.6 mg/kg body weight). Groups 4 and 5 were diabetic rats who received a low-dose (30 mg/kg) and a high-dose (90 mg/kg) of DOAE orally for 4 weeks. Then, lipid profile, total antioxidant capacity, histopathological examinations, and molecular studies were conducted. Results: DOAE was more effective than GLB in reducing blood glucose, lipid parameters, liver enzymes, and renal function. Micromorphological assay of livers, kidneys, and pancreas revealed significant restoration in diabetic groups treated with DOAE (90 mg/kg) and GLB compared to the DC group. Microribonuclic acid-21 (miR-21) was significantly expressed in DC but markedly lowered in both DOAE groups, while miR-24 and miR-126 were significantly suppressed in DC and expressed in the DOAE-treated groups. Conclusions: DOAE exerted significant antihyperglycemic, anti-dyslipidemic, antioxidant, and hepatorenal protective effects in diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary amenorrhea is one of common gynecological diseases among adolescent girls in community which is characterized by absence of menstrual cycles and normal sexual characteristics. Chromosomal abnormalities and hormonal disturbance play a crucial role in developing this disease. However, due to social stigma, many people with sex-related abnormalities even in certain provincial regions of Iraq do not ask for medical help resulting in an unclear true incidence of sex abnormalities among amenorrhea patients. Thirty-four patients were referred to Genetic Consultation Clinic in the Medical city of Baghdad to determine the possible causes of primary amenorrhea. Ultrasound findings of the current study revealed that 5 (14.72%) patients had normal internal genital organs, 18 (52.94%) patients had hypoplastic uterus and ovaries, 4 (11.76%) patients had infantile uterus, 3 (8.82) patients suffered from rudimentary organs, and 4 (11.76%) patients had no visualized organs (absent). There was a substantial increase in the serum levels of hormones in the patients’ group (p-value <0.05) particularly follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), when compared to the control group. Results also revealed that 26 patients had normal karyotype, 4 patients had Turner syndrome (TS) (45, XO, mosaic 45, XO/ 46XX, 46,XX/isoXq, 46 XO, ring Xq), two cases had (46, XX/isoXq and 46 xx, t (15q; 11q)), one case had 46 xx, t (1p;13q), and one case had 46 xx, t (1p;13q). It can be said in the end that each of these clinical examinations was crucial for making a correct diagnosis of the patient's condition and for identifying the important causes of primary amenorrhea in female patients from Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Engineering (17264073) is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a protozoal disease endemic in most cities of Iraq. The disease is caused by different species of the Leishmania genus via the bite of an infected female sandfly. Different species of the sandfly act as a vector for the parasite to the different mammalian host, and the human is considered as an incidental host for these parasites. This study was arranged to clarify the distribution of the disease in different regions of Al-Ramadi, Iraq. Materials and Methods: An observational descriptive study for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Al-Ramadi was conducted for two years (2020 thru 2021). The disease was diagnosed depending on its cutaneous manifestations, while tissue smear and histopathology were done as a confirmatory test especially in atypical cases. Geographically, the city was divided into four regions: region A, region B, region C, and region D, each consisting of numerous districts. All patients were asked about their residence, houses construction, living within their farms, and animal breeding. Results: Three hundred and ninety-one patients were examined at the Dermatology Clinic of Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital during a period of two years (2020 thru 2021). There was a variation in the number of cases during the two years. 53.70% and 46.30% of the cases occurred during the year 2020 and 2021, respectively. The mainly affected part of the city was along the left side of the Euphrates River (region A, constituting 36.57%). Within this region, Albu-Ali Jassim district was mostly involved (29%). On the right side of the river, the City Centre, region C, was the least one affected (16.88%). The Al-Thalia district within the region C was mostly involved (14.3%). Conclusion: CL is an endemic disease in Al-Ramadi and represents a public health problem. A high rate of infection was recorded alongside the Euphrates River, especially the rural district, while it was low in the urban side of the city. Any parts of the city may be affected, yet Albu-Ali Jassim, Al-Tamim, Al-Sufia, and Al-Thalia were the most frequently involved regions of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review discusses the current state of psychiatric nursing in Iraq and emphasizes the need for improvement. It explores the historical background of psychiatric nursing in Iraq, including its evolution and the impact of socio-political factors. Psychiatric nursing in Iraq faces a number of difficulties, including a shortage of qualified nurses, stigma surrounding mental health, a lack of services, limited infrastructure, and a lack of established protocols. The various strategies to shape the future of psychiatric nursing in Iraq are urgently needed. These include training and recruitment programs to address the shortage of nursing personnel, awareness campaigns and policy advocacy to reduce societal prejudice, the use of technology and community-centred care models to improve access to mental health services, the establishment of infrastructure and resources, and the implementation of standardized practices. The role of government policies in shaping psychiatric nursing is also discussed. The paper critically analyses the impact of policies, calls for increased government support and resource allocation, and explores international cooperation and best practices. Ethical considerations in psychiatric nursing are also examined, including the protection of patient rights, the preservation of human dignity, and the development of cultural competency. In conclusion, this review highlights the challenges and opportunities for psychiatric nursing in Iraq and emphasizes the importance of ongoing efforts and financial commitment. It calls on individuals and organizations involved in mental health and nursing to actively participate in promoting the progress of psychiatric nursing in Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iraqi Journal of Science is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: This study investigates the factors contributing to self-medication among elderly patients in TIU (Tishk International University) and Erbil Infirmary House, utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys. Methods: The sample includes elderly patients aged 60 years and above with diverse backgrounds, employing a mixed-methods approach consisting of qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys. The study identifies several factors contributing to self-medication, such as limited access to healthcare, financial constraints, long waiting times, lack of trust in healthcare professionals, family influence, and positive past experiences with self-medication. The study emphasizes the necessity for targeted interventions to address self-medication in the elderly. This includes improving healthcare access, reducing financial barriers, enhancing healthcare professionals' communication skills, and educating patients on the risks and benefits of selfmedication. Collaboration between providers and the elderly population is crucial for creating a safe environment for appropriate medication use. Results: The study reveals significant differences in self-medication behavior among the elderly based on demographic factors. Males were more likely to engage in self-medication, and the prevalence was higher among single elderly individuals. Primary education was more prevalent than high school or college education. There was no significant difference in self-medication prevalence between those without medical insurance and those with insurance. The presence of drug information significantly influenced self-medication practices. Conclusion: Further research is needed to explore the long-term consequences of self-medication and evaluate the effectiveness of intervention strategies in mitigating associated risks. Addressing self-medication among elderly patients is essential to ensure their health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sepsis is a life-threatening complication in pediatric patients. This study primarily aimed to investigate sepsis-causing bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance profile and check the change in the antimicrobial resistance trend for some selected bacteria. In addition, we evaluated the incidence of sepsis, the related mortality rate, and the effectiveness and outcome of the treatment regimes in sepsis pediatric patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 4-year data (2018-2021) collected from three intensive care units at the Hevi Pediatric Teaching Hospital. Sepsis screening involved clinical detection and confirmation by blood culture. Results: A total of 520 out of 1,098 (47.35%) blood samples showed positive microbial growth. A decrease in sepsis rate was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) and Klebsiella pneumonia were the most commonly isolated bacteria. A notable variation in the antimicrobial resistance trend was observed among sepsis-causing bacteria. The empirical sepsis treatment recommended by the WHO was ineffective, as certain bacteria exhibited 100% resistance to every antibiotic tested. The mortality rate significantly increased from 1.3% in 2018 to 16.5% in 2021. Discussion: The antimicrobial resistance profile of sepsis causing bacteria is of concerns, indicating a potentially serious situation. Thus, to avoid treatment failure, the monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in pediatric patients is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the impact of prosodic features (PFs) on the listening skills of IELTS test takers has been investigated. In total, 95 male and female students from Kirkuk/Iraq Institute participated in the study. The sample was split evenly across three experimental groups and a control group. The experimental groups were told to identify PFs. The control group was taught listening skills in general without any form of PF from the researcher. Because of the difference in instruction, the experimental groups' mean scores were significantly higher than those of the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jordan Medical Journal is the property of University of Jordan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Primary hypothyroidism, the most common form of hypothyroidism, requires effective patient understanding and management for successful long-term treatment. This study aimed to investigate the influence of patient knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP), depression, and medication adherence on treatment response in primary hypothyroidism. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Al Hassan Metabolism, Endocrine, and Diabetes Center (HMEDC) in Iraq between September 2022 and March 2023. We enrolled 111 patients with signs and symptoms of primary hypothyroidism over 6 months. A validated questionnaire assessed patient knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP), depression, and medication adherence. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured to assess treatment response. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26, with categorical variables presented as percentages. The student's t-test was used to assess statistical significance, with P - valuess below 0.05 considered significant and P - values below 0.01 considered highly significant. The mean age of patients was 45 ± 11.9 years. Approximately 34% of patients had insufficient knowledge, and 30% indicated a positive attitude towards their treatment. A total of 35% of patients had excellent practice. There was no statistically significant association between KAP and age or gender. There was a significant positive correlation between higher levels of education and improved KAP scores. A total of 44.1% of participants reported moderate depression, and 58% demonstrated adherence to levothyroxine (LT4) treatment. Despite good adherence, the combination of fair knowledge and moderate-to-severe depression resulted in suboptimal outcomes for replacement treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the accuracy of classification algorithms is paramount as it provides insights into reliability and effectiveness in solving real-world problems. Accuracy examination is essential in any remote sensing-based classification practice, given that classification maps consistently include misclassified pixels and classification misconceptions. In this study, two imaginary satellites for Duhok province, Iraq, were captured at regular intervals, and the photos were analyzed using spatial analysis tools to provide supervised classifications. Some processes were conducted to enhance the categorization, like smoothing. The classification results indicate that Duhok province is divided into four classes: vegetation cover, buildings, water bodies, and bare lands. During 2013-2022, vegetation cover increased from 63% in 2013 to 66% in 2022; buildings roughly increased by 1% to 3% yearly; water bodies showed a decrease of 2% to 1%; the amount of unoccupied land showed a decrease from 34% to 30%. Therefore, the classification accuracy was assessed using the approach of comparison with field data; the classification accuracy was about 85%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate late toxicity after whole pelvic irradiation in prostate cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 15 non-metastatic prostatic cancer patients treated with radiotherapy were included. The analysis was conducted at Baghdad Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Center, Baghdad Medical City Complex, Baghdad, Iraq, between December 2022 and May 2022. Data were collected retrospectively with the review of medical records. The following variables were studied: age, residency (address), smoking habits, TNM staging, histopathology, grades, GS, initial PSA concentration, ADT, treatment modality, the dose of RT, risk group, adverse effects including diarrhoea, pain, dysuria, anaemia, retention, haematuria, lymphedema, incontinence, urgency and sexual dysfunction, PTV95%, and OAR constraints doses. Results: The mean age of patients was 68.47 ± 8.15 years, with a median age of 65 and most patients above 60 years. Most of the patients were smokers, 14 (93.3%). Most patients have a history of comorbid condition 14 (93.3%). All prostatic cancer cases in this study were adenocarcinoma. Stage I recorded in 3 (20%) patients, stage III in 6 (40%), and stage IV in 6 (40%). Regarding the Gleason score, the median GS in this study was 7. The mean of PSA was 39.09 ± 38.74 ng/mL (median=23 ng/mL). Yet, no retention, anaemia, hematuria, or lymphedema was recorded. Approximately the percentage of adverse effects was 26.7% diarrhoea, 26.7% pain, 6.7% BPR, 20% dysuria, 6.7% incontinence, 13.4% urgency, and 60% sexual dysfunction. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Iraq to evaluate late toxicity after whole pelvic irradiation in prostate cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The research sought to determine the prevalence of patients and cancer-related risk factors associated with late toxicity. Methods: Fifteen individuals with non-metastatic prostate cancer who had radiation were included in cross-sectional research. The research was conducted at the Baghdad Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine Centre in the Baghdad Medical City Complex, Iraq. The study took place from December 2022 to May 2022. The data were acquired retrospectively via a thorough examination of medical records. The study examined the variables of age, residency (address), smoking habits, TNM staging, histopathology, grades, GS, initial PSA concentration, ADT, treatment modality, dose of RT, risk group, and adverse effects including diarrhoea, pain, dysuria, anaemia, retention, haematuria, lymphedema, incontinence, urgency, sexual dysfunction, PTV95%, and OAR constraints doses. Results: In this study, several adverse effects after RT were recorded. The overall mean PTV of 95% was 93.5 ± 6.57 (median=94%), ranging from 80% to 99.9%. Old age patients were significantly more suffered from diarrhoea (OR=3.33; p=0.046) and dysuria (OR=5.5; p=0.037). Stages of the tumour, either II or III/IV, were a significant risk for pain (OR= 10; p=0.015) and sexual dysfunction (OR=2; p=0.02). High PSA levels significantly enhanced dysuria development (OR=2.5; p=0.05). A high dose of RT was significantly associated with sexual dysfunction (OR=2.8; p=0.04). Extensive PTV95% coverage can affect considerably the risk of diarrhoea (OR=3.6; p=0.033), pain (OR=3.6; p=0.033) and dysuria (OR=4; p=0.023). Conclusions: As far as we know, this is the first investigation conducted in Iraq to assess the number of patients and the risk variables associated with cancer that contribute to delayed toxicity. Advanced stages, high PSA levels, high GS levels, and the presence of comorbidities characterise prostatic adenocarcinoma in Iraqi individuals. These patients are in the high-risk category because of their old age and smoking habits. Delayed Gastro-Intestinal (GIT) and Genito-Urinary (GUT) toxicities are anticipated to occur only with high doses of Radiation Therapy (RT). Old age, advanced stage, high PSA level, and extensive RT PTV 95% coverage considerably increase the likelihood of developing late toxicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of the distribution of Platanus orientalis L. trees in two different environments (aquatic and terrestrial) on some anatomical and stomatal features in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region-Iraq, during July 2022. The results clarified that the internal structure of the blade in all studied regions showed similar constituents, but significant differences were found in the measurements of the components of the internal structures of both leaves and petioles. Many values of the examined parameters were recorded due to the environment in which the oriental plane grew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium mainly associated with hospital acquired infections and in immunocompromised individuals who stay in hospitals for a long time. In recent years, it has become increasingly resistant to many different types of antibiotics. The production of the metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) enzyme is one of the primary causes of this resistance. This study aimed to detect the presence of MBL genes that belong to the verona integrin metallo-ß-lactamase (bla-VIM) and imipenemase (bla-IMP) groups in the isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from burn patients. Methodology: One hundred and seventeen (117) isolates of A. baumannii were obtained from patient specimens using traditional methods followed by using the VITEK 2 (BioMérieux, Les Pennes-Mirabeau, France) identification system. Metallo ß-lactamases were detected in the imipenem-resistant strains by using imipenem disks on Muller-Hinton agar. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was utilized to examine 117 isolates for the detection of MBLs encoding genes such as bla-VIM, and bla-IMP. Results: Imipenem resistance was detected in 78.6% of the patients. The PCR assays of the isolates identified bla-VIM-1, bla-VIM-2, bla-IMP-1 and bla-IMP-2 genes at the rates of 17%, 40.1%, 29.9% and 4.2%, respectively. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the majority of A. baumannii isolates harbour one or more of the detected genes, signifying that the production of MBLs plays a pivotal role in resistance mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Virulence factors are substances produced by pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa that contribute significantly to the etiology of disease. Virulence genes encode these virulence factors on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa chromosome. Methods: Between July 2021 and June 2022, at the Burn and Plastic Surgery Hospital in Duhok city, Iraq, seventy-one isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from infected burns. The lasB and toxA genes were identified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Results: P. aeruginosa was isolated from 64.55% (71/110) of the specimens, with non-significantly higher rate from females than males (38.18% vs 26.36%), but the differences between various ages were significant (P < 0.04). About 38.18% of burns were due to flame and the highest rate (45.4%) of infected burns were second-degree burns. Furthermore, 76.06% (54/71) of the isolates were multidrug resistant. They demonstrated greater resistance to Piperacillin; the resistance was 98.59%. Of the isolates examined, 35 (64.81%) were positive for toxA and 27 (50%) were positive for lasB genes. Conclusion: Due to the limited number of effective medications against this bacterium that are currently available, testing for antimicrobial susceptibility must be performed on all isolates. By doing this, you can help manage the treatment plan and stop the emergence of resistance in burn units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gestational diabetes is a condition that occurs during the latter stages of pregnancy and is marked by notable resistance to insulin due to the release of hormones by the placenta. Zinc alpha 2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is an intriguing protein due to its ability to perform numerous essential functions in the human body. Prior research has linked ZAG to lipid metabolism. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the ZAG level in GDM pregnant women undergoing different therapeutic modalities. Furthermore, the study examines the correlation between ZAG and lipid parameters. Method: The study included a sample of 76 pregnant women aged 18 to 40 years. A total of 22 pregnant women without any health issues (Group 1), 30 pregnant women recently diagnosed with GDM (Group 2), and 24 pregnant women with GDM who were receiving various treatments (Group 3) were included in the study. All participants were in their second or third trimester of pregnancy, and their demographic information and lipid measurements were assessed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in ZAG levels among study groups (P = 0.05); hence, GDM pregnant women in Group 2 showed the highest level. In GDM pregnant women who received treatment, there was a significant difference in ZAG levels among subgroups (p<0.01). The metformin group had the lowest level of ZAG. The high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in GDM-pregnant women in Groups 2 and 3 (p<0.05). Only in Group 3, ZAG levels and other lipid parameters (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and very low-density lipoprotein) were highly statistically significantly correlated with each other (p<0.01), except for triglyceride levels, where there was no correlation between them (p=0.05). Conclusion: The current findings revealed that ZAG levels are altered in GDM pregnant women and are beneficial indicators for metabolic status during treatment. ZAG levels correlate well with the lipid profile in GDM pregnant women who received treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caffeine consumption is considered a global issue, and the prevalence of caffeine consumption has dramatically increased among young adults. Objectives: To assess the frequency of caffeine consumption, its sources, attitudes, and adverse effects among medical students in Fallujah and Anbar Universities in the west of Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, and a convenience sample was used to choose medical students from Anbar and Fallujah universities in the Anbar district in June 2022. The questionnaire consisted of questions about social characteristics such as age, gender, academic study level, and caffeine consumption-related questions. Results: Out of the total (415), female students comprised 63.1% of the participants. The findings revealed that 34% of the participants consumed a caffeinated beverage once a day, 40% drank two to three times a day, 15.4% consumed caffeine once a week, and 57.6% had at least one cup each time. There was no statistically significant association between the adverse effects of caffeine and gender and the frequency of caffeine intake. Conclusion: The findings of the current study reveal that caffeine consumption is common among medical students in the Anbar district. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land surface temperature (LST) is crucial for determining the region's environmental quality because a significant temperature rise causes disasters, which cause environmental imbalance, reducing biodiversity and hastening desertification. In this study, remote sensing and geographic information systems were used to estimate the change in the LST of Babylon, Iraq, using two satellite images taken 20 years apart (2002, 2022). The temperature was extracted using a specific mathematical model in ArcMap10.8 software. The findings demonstrated a significant variation in temperatures and the concentration in various regions of Babylon between 2002 and 2022 and the relationship between LST and Normalized difference vegetation index. The most significant element that causes a shift in the LST is the spread of urbanization in Babylon at the expense of vegetation and unused land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current investigation aims to develop a management strategy to enhance the relationship between water and food in the Euphrates River Basin, Iraq. The research methodology utilized the LARS-WG model to generate weather data for the future period (2020-2050) for the CanESM2 model. The weather data was subsequently employed in the CROPWAT model to estimate crop water requirements. Finally, the Water Evaluating and Planning (WEAP) model analyzed the greatinhabitant growth rate scenario (5%), climate change scenarios (i.e., RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5), and management scenarios. The WEAP model was initially calibrated and validated utilizing several statistical metrics, viz., the root mean square (RMS), Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient efficiency (NSE), and the coefficient of determination (R2). Results revealed a superior performance of the WEAP model in terms of the statistical metrics utilized. The findings illustrate that the projected water demand under RCP 2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5 scenarios and the inhabitants growth scenario increased by 49%, 54%, and 56%, respectively, in the year 2050 compared to the reference scenario. In addition, the findings indicate that the water demand would decrease by 59% under the considered management scenario. Accordingly, the investigation recommends implementing water management practices, especially adaptation measures for climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of College of Basic Education Researches Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although human monkeypox infections had not been recorded in the Kurdistan region of Iraq as of August 2023, the rapid growth of cases worldwide and the detection of monkeypox in neighboring Middle Eastern nations call for careful planning and timely response measures. Educating and empowering frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) so that they can act to curb the spread of monkeypox infections are core elements of primary prevention and protecting public health. Therefore, this study aimed to assess HCWs' knowledge and attitudes about monkeypox and their willingness to vaccinate against monkeypox. By employing a convenience sampling method, an online survey was disseminated via Google Forms between 1 November 2022 and 15 January 2023. The researchers utilized regression analyses to ascertain the factors associated with the three parameters: knowledge, attitude, and the willingness to vaccinate. A total of 637 HCWs were included in the analysis (ages ranged between 21 and 51 years). The mean overall scores were 8.18 of a max score of 16 (SD 3.37), 3.4 of 5 (SD 1.37), and 2.41 of 5 (SD 1.25) for knowledge, attitude, and willingness to vaccinate, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HCWs who had heard about monkeypox before 2022 rather than later had a higher level of knowledge (AOR: 4.85; 95% CI: 2.81–8.36; p < 0.001). In addition, those who had newly joined the workforce or had less than 1 year experience in practice had more positive attitudes about curbing monkeypox (AOR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.20–0.59; p < 0.01) than those who practiced for longer. No significant predictors of willingness to vaccinate against monkeypox were identified. The research revealed that HCWs exhibited a relatively low level of monkeypox knowledge. They also had poor attitudes towards monkeypox vaccination and were therefore reluctant to receive the vaccines. Imparting knowledge about the infectious disease can cultivate better awareness and attitudes among HCWs as to their roles in mitigating the spread of an epidemic in the foreseeable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant breeders have to employ strategies and techniques to produce new improved wheat cultivars to increase productivity to meet the needs of the growing population. Therefore, they have to develop a new cultivar for adaptation to a new environment and new management practices. One of the most important criteria plant breeders should focus on is the exploitation of genotype × environment interaction (GEI). Thus, this study aimed to assess the variability of 24 wheat genotypes growing in different seasons by using the R software "Metan Package". Moreover, the study estimates the stability parameters and finally highlights the winning genotypes across seasons. Field experiments were conducted across three consecutive seasons specifically 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 and at different locations. The assessment was done on traits such as plant height [cm], flag leaf area [cm2], chlorophyll index [SPAD], spike number [spike/m2], fertility ratio [%], grain number [grain/spike], grain weight [g], and yield [kg/ha]. Results indicated different performances of wheat genotypes in certain environments as well as across the three environments included in this study. Winner genotypes such as G-20, G-10, G-30, G-4, and IRAQ were selected according to their stability and high grain yield potential. It can be concluded that the use of the Multi-Environment Trail Analysis-METAN package is powerful for detecting promising wheat genotypes with high and stable yields across different environments and under various climate change conditions. Furthermore, it can be recommended that wheat performance needs to be assessed across very wide geographical locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted in some northern regions of Iraq between 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the diversity of entomopathogenic nematodes in these areas. Entomopathogenic nematodes were isolated from soil using the Galleria trap technique. Molecular identification illustrated that these isolates belong to two genera of entomopathogenic nematodes, Heterorhabditis, and Steinernema. The results of the molecular analysis also showed the presence of Steinernema isolates in the Al-Rashidiyah region in Mosul, Iraq. Heterorhabditis nematodes were isolated from Salah Al-Din, Samarra, and Al-Jadriya, Baghdad. Some collected soil samples were negative and had no nematode species such as Dohuk, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, and Anbar cities. Molecular analyses using 28S genes confirmed that the isolated nematodes were Heterorhabditis indica (OQ653109.1), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (OR243201.1), and Steinernema carpocapsae (OR243196.1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unsafe abortion is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in countries where induced abortion is restricted. In Kurdistan Region of Iraq, induced abortion is strictly forbidden except for life-threatening situations, increasing the risk of seeking unsafe abortions. Attitudes among healthcare professionals who directly encounter cases and consequences of induced abortion can be studied to improve women's access to safe abortion. This study aimed to examine attitudes towards induced abortion among gynecologists in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Methods: This cross-sectional facility-based study was conducted in the first quarter of 2022 in Kurdistan Region of Iraq in the cities of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok. Convenient sampling was used to invite 330 gynecologists to participate, with 171 ultimately completing the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 53%. Questionaries using the Taylor and Whitehead abortion attitude scale were sent in person or digitally. The data was then analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to determine the independence of attitudes and associations between attitudes and sociodemographic factors. Results: Among 171 gynecologists, 25% of the gynecologists agreed that induced abortion is unacceptable under any circumstances. Most (71%) disagreed that a woman has the right to choose to have an induced abortion. Around 51% considered induced abortion murder, and 41% agreed that induced abortion goes against all morals. Around 57% disagreed with the legalization of induced abortion, while 43% agreed. Gynecologists who were unmarried (P = 0.025), under the age of 40 (P = 0.044), and with less than 10 years of clinical experience (P = 0.043) were more likely to support the legalization of induced abortion in Kurdistan Region. None of the variables was found to be independently associated with attitudes towards abortion legalization. Conclusions: Despite some younger gynecologists having more favorable attitudes towards induced abortion, most gynecologists in Kurdistan Region had less favorable views. Most gynecologists were willing to provide post-abortion care regardless of their legal status. We recommend conducting more studies to investigate the consequences of current abortion legislation among women in need of induced abortion in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study is to isolate and identify Legionella pneumophila by bacteriological and molecular methods from water and swab samples collected from a variety of water systems in Fallujah City, Iraq. A total of 227 samples were collected, including 146 swab samples and 81 of 1 L water samples. Bacteriological and molecular assays were performed compromised cultural, gram stain, a set of biochemical tests, and serological tests. The phenotypically validated isolates underwent a 16s rRNA gene by conventional PCR assays. The results showed 28 (12.33%) were positive with the presence of legionella pneumophila isolates. including 5 (17.86%) positive isolates from water samples and 23 (82.14%) positive isolates from swabs. The current study showed that the majority of the water and swab samples were detected to be negative, but there is an appropriate exposure to this pathogen in the community. The diversity of the presence of these bacteria in several water systems, as well as the diversity in the use of multiple sources of water and exposure to them, leads to an increase in the potential risks of infection by L. pneumophila. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sesame Webworm, Antigastra catalaunalis (Dupunchel) is a principal harmful insect of sesame crop. It infests the all shoot parts and stages of sesame plant growth and responsible for approximately seventy percent seed yield loss, therefore, the present study conducted to investigate the seasonal incidence and evaluate two sets of cultural control practices against the damages of the pest larvae. Methods: Field experiment was carried out in the Grda Rasha Research Station-College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences-Erbil-Kurdistan region-Iraq, apart from seasonal incidence, first Set was for assessing the effect of three Sowing Dates viz. 16-May, 15-June, 15-July-2020. The second set was for evaluating the efficiency of three different crop plants viz. corn, cowpea and sunflower plants, intercropped with sesame crop to minimize the capsule infestation damage and seed losses caused by A. catalaunalis (Dup.). The experiments were performed using the RCBD design. Result: The results revealed that the larvae appearance started 2 weeks after sowing and reached its peak 2.31, 2.50 and 2.83 larvae/plant 13 weeks after sowing for all three dates of sowing, the results also showed that the percent capsule infestation and Seed weight loss/25 capsules were 22.27%, 33.85% and 34.16%/25 capsule of sesame plant, for sowing dates mid-May and mid-June and Mid-July respectively. The findings of the intercropping experiment revealed that the least percentages of capsule infestation and losses in seed weight/25 capsules were on sesame plants intercropped with cowpea 18.00% and 21.00% and followed by sesame intercropped with Sunflower and Sesame plants intercropped with corn plants which were 19.40%, 25.60% and 20.20%, 27.60% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Tikrit University for Humanities is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and Aim: Proteus vulgaris, a Gram-negative bacterium, is a common cause of human infections, particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study aimed to assess the multidrug resistance patterns of Proteus vulgarisisolated from diverse clinical samples, shedding light on its impact on healthcare-associated infections. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 clinical samples were collected, including 100 urine samples, 50 wound samples, 50 vaginal samples, 50 blood cultures, and 50 sputum samples. All samples were selected in the same number (50:50), except the urine samples (100) because the urine samples in this study were more available in the collection from the study patients, which gave more advanced UTIs. Phenotypic and molecular techniques were employed to identify and characterize these bacteria, focusing on detecting resistance genes such as UreC and blaCTX-M. Results: Among the 300 clinical samples, 150 yielded positive cultures for Proteus species. These isolates were obtained from various clinical samples, including 48% from urine, 32% from wounds, 10% from vagina, 8% from blood, and 2% from sputum. Of the 100 P. vulgaris isolates, 88% harbored resistance genes on chromosomal DNA and plasmids. Specifically, 75% carried the UreC gene, and 50% carried the blaCTX-M gene. The highest prevalence of these resistant genes was observed in urine and wound pus samples. Conclusion: This study revealed a concerning prevalence of highly resistant multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. vulgaris isolates, particularly in female urinary tract infections. The genomic presence of the UreC gene, which encodes the urease enzyme, and the blaCTX-M gene, which confers resistance to cefotaxime, underscores the urgency of effective antimicrobial strategies in combating these infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is opportunistic gram-negative bacillus and a major human pathogen belongs to family Pseudomonadaceae, it causes several nosocomial infections including pneumonia, urinary tract, surgical sites, otitis externa, and soft tissues. Methods: The study was conducted from April 2021 to January 2022 and involved the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and their susceptibility to different antimicrobial agents among patients and healthcare workers specimens in three hospitals of Duhok city. The collected specimens were examined and cultured on different media in the Advanced Microbiology Laboratory, Azadi teaching hospital. The isolated bacteria were identified according to their morphological and biochemical properties. Results: Out of 324 specimens, 29.32% (95/324) of the isolates were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, isolated from 26.89% patients and 40% healthcare workers. Regarding isolate rates among specimens, the highest rate (48.78%) was from sputum, with a highly significant (P < 0.001) difference from other sources. Females had a non-significantly higher isolate rate than males (28.19% vs 25.22%), ages, > 50 years had the highest isolate rate (72.88%), while the lowest rate 6.25% was among ages > 10-20 years, with highly significant (P < 0.001) differences among them. Specimens from Heevi hospital showed a non-significantly higher isolate rate (28.57%) than other hospitals. Isolates highest susceptibility was to Colistin (88.7%)-followed by Imipenem (78.9%), while they were 98.6% resistant to ampicillin and 100% resistant to Amoxicillin, Erythromycin and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole. A high rate of extensively drug-resistant (19.72%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates was documented among patients who attended these hospitals with the highest (31.25%) from wounds. Conclusion: These findings will be helpful to advise treatment with appropriate antibiotic strategy against multi- and extensively drugresistant P. aeruginosa to cope with the chances of evolving resistant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates whether intellectual capital (IC) is related to audit fees and financial statement restatements in companies listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange (ISE). The present study is a pioneer investigation of this topic in emerging markets. Using a sample of all listed companies on the ISE from 2014 to 2020, the research hypotheses are tested with multiple regression based on panel data and the fixed-effects model. The results demonstrate that intellectual capital is positively and significantly related to normal and abnormal audit fees. Moreover, findings indicate direct and significant relationships between intellectual capital components and normal and abnormal audit fees. This means investment in IC components is likely to determine the auditors' evaluation of a given client's riskiness. Thus, an efficient IC investment level might be considered a key factor that companies are expected to consider. The findings of this study provide valuable implications for users of financial statements, analysts, and policymakers with information regarding IC, risk determinants, and audit fees. Policymakers can improve market efficiency by implementing regulations that foster IC disclosure as a risk-determinant factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are considered as recently identified pollutants in the tap water of Mosul city. Limited studies on the quantity and features of microplastics have been reported. Consequently, this study examined the number and characteristics of MPs in tap water from 16 districts in left side of Mosul city, including 8 districts that receive drinking water from the Alaysar aljadid drinking water treatment plant (AJ-DWTP) and 8 districts that receive drinking water from the Alaysar alqadim drinking water treatment plant (AQ-DWTP). Infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy (FTIR) and stereo microscopy were used to determine the microplastic abundance, polymer type, and morphology characteristics (colour and shape). The results showed that the abundances of MPs calcualted in tap water in AJ-WDN and AG-WDN were 35 to 70 items/L and 25 to 71 items/L, respectively. The predominant shape of microplastics was fiber and fragment, accounting for 93% of the identified quantities. The most common polymer types were polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (51%) followed by polyamide (PA) (16%). Statistical analysis was conducted on the results using Exel 2019. The microplastic's risk has been estimated based on the potential risk index of polymers. In both the water distribution networks of AQ and AJ, MPs' potential risk was significantly similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]