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In electronic devices, some important materials having a high dielectric constant can be used. Polymer-ceramic composites have a high dielectric constant and are widely used for embedded capacitor applications. It is critical to use polymer poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) as thin films capacitors for the gate dielectric in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). In this work, thin films of polymer PMMA were prepared by using spin coating at different speeds (1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 and 3500 rpm) to control the film thickness and study the effect of the thickness on the dielectric properties. Thin film thickness was measured by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to take cross-section images. We found that the film thickness decreased with increased rotational speed from 27387 nm at 1500 rpm to 10600 nm at 3500 rpm. The values of the capacities were nearly stable with increasing frequencies when thickness equal to or larger than (14366 nm), but their increased with increased frequency at thickness (10600 nm), and the dielectric constant also decreases with increasing thin films thickness. The best result of capacitance value was at thickness 10600nm which equal to (5.753 nF) and dielectric constant equal to (3.511) which represents best value that can be used as dielectric gate for Organic Field Effect Transistor (OFET).

Mitochondrial DNA hypervariable regions II of control region were sequenced from 139 random healthy unrelated individuals ethnic of Iraqi population in Basrah city. The aim of this study was to detect and classify the mtDNA haplotypes into mtDNA haplogroups will be better in applications of the forensic genetics and will determine the history of the Iraqi Population The variation in sequence within the D-loop control region was analyzed for the haplogroups composition which displayed a high haplogroups frequency. H, J, U, B, N and R (25%, 12%,12%, 7%, 5% and 5%, respectively, Moderate Haplogroups Frequency L, T and W was (3%) HV, I, X and M (1%), and low haplogroups frequency in pre-HV (0.7%). This study Reported absence of haplogroups V, P, Y, O, Z, Q, G, E and C.

Joubert syndrome (JS) is an autosomal recessive (AR) neurological disorder primarily characterized by aplasia/hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, retinal degeneration, and a molar tooth sign (MTS) can be seen on brain imaging. This study aimed to identify JS pathogenic variant in an Iranian consanguineous pedigree. We carried out whole-exome sequencing (WES) to identify likely causal pathogenic variant in the patient. The WES analysis identified a novel homozygous missense mutation (c.1213A>C; p.T405P) in the AHI1 gene (in exon 10). The Sanger sequencing data has validated the c.1213A>C mutation. We postulated that the disease in our patient was caused by a novel homozygous missense mutation in the AHI1 gene. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the AHI1 pathogenic variant causing JS phenotype in an Iranian family. Our data expand the spectrum of mutations in the AHI1 gene in JS.

Celiac disease is a chronic small intestinal inflammatory disease characterized by a lifelong reaction to dietary gluten in individuals with genetic predisposed. Many studies were suggests the presence of celiac disease predominance in women than man patients. This study was conducted in Thi-Qar province – south of Iraq. The blood samples were collected from healthy and celiac patients whose diagnosed by serology tests using Enzyme Linkage Immuno Sorbent Assay. The current study was designed to demonstrate women’s serologic parameters and their characters in Thi-Qar province. This case-control study demonstrates that women are predominantly incidence with celiac disease. Using the two-step testing is a quite precise strategy for diagnosing suspicious persons and can be a potent marker for monitoring celiac disease activity.

Background Celiac disease is a chronic small intestinal inflammatory disease characterized by a lifelong reaction to dietary gluten in individuals with genetic predisposed. Many studies were suggests the presence of celiac disease predominance in woman than man patients. This study was conducted in Thi-Qar province and the blood samples were collected from healthy and celiac patients whose diagnosed by serology tests using Enzyme Linkage Immuno Sorbent Assay. The current study was designed to demonstrate women's serologic parameters and their characters in Thi-Qar province. Results This case-control study demonstrates that women are predominance to incidence with celiac disease and the Anti-tissue transglutaminase IgG is the best and quite accurate test than other tests used in diagnostic approach. Conclusions This study detects that women are more susceptible to incidence with CD and using the two steps testing is a quite precise strategy for the diagnosis of suspicious persons and can be a potent marker for monitoring the activity of celiac disease.

This study was conducted to isolate and identify killer yeasts from soil samples that collected from different locations in Basrah and Dhi-Qar provinces. Seventy-five soil samples were collected from different areas, including sandy, arable, surface sediment and uncultivated soil, using dilution methods to cultivate a serial dilution of each soil sample. The results showed that a 112 isolates were identified biochemically using VITEK system and molecularly using internal transcribed spacer (ITS1- 5.8S-ITS2) marker. The molecular identification provided fast and precise identification results for the 112 isolates, whereas the VITEK test resulted low identification efficiency (8.2% were accurate and 91.8 % were not). The Diazonium blue B salts produced a good colour reaction in distinguishing between ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. The PCR was more accurate in identification of killer yeasts compared to the VITEK system.

Background Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), the severe form of inherited retinal degenerative disorder, is a prevalent disorder in the first year of life. Recently, genetic studies discovered that different gene mutations are responsible for LCA clinical manifestations. Case presentation In this study, we applied whole exome sequencing (WES) to identify probable gene defects in an Iranian girl with LCA-1. We found a novel disease-causing GUCY2D gene mutation (c.2348T > C; p.L783P), located in exon 12 (NM_000180), causing a missense mutation that has been changed the coding protein. The WES-identified variant was confirmed by Sanger sequencing for the patient and her healthy parents. Submitted to genetic counseling that the patient was 1-year old and blindness from birth. Conclusions Our findings establish that this detected GUCY2D-p.L783P mutation is the pathogenic variant for LCA-1. This is the first genetic study indicating that c.2348T > C missense mutation in the homozygous state in GUCY2D gene is responsible for the LCA-1 phenotype.

Y-chromosome DNA profiles are promising tools in population genetics and forensic science. Analysis of Y-chromosome variety was performed on a total of 191 unrelated males throughout different regions in Basrah. The Y-chromosome variety was explored utilizing 17 markers system. For the uniparental system, the large majority of the haplogroups observed in the Basrah population are (R1b, E1b1b, G2a, and J1) considered to have begun in the Middle East and to have later spread all over Western Eurasia. 30% of the Y-chromosomes, in all likelihood, represent landings from inaccessible distant geographic regions. The level of haplotype diversity and its implication for statistics are evaluated. The distinctive extent of long go genetic input observed for the Y chromosome shows that gene flow events to this area might have involved mainly males.

In September 2020 when we were investigating about opportunistic free living amoeba in patients with meningitis in Thi –Qar province south of Iraq, throughout examination the CSF which was cultured on NN Agar medium. It was surprisingly we found the ciliates protozoa (Orchitophryidae) in both stages, vegetative and cystic, after that the ciliates were isolated and cultured in vitro and then morphological, molecular and virulence characterizations were studies. The results of morphological study revealed that these ciliates were similar to Mesanophrys sp. whereas the sequence of rDNA of studied ciliate with accession numbers being given. in NCBI LC621170.1 was show (86.04%) homology identity to Mesanophrys sp. 18S rRNA gene (accession number MN260367.1). but show (98.56%) and (97.92%) homology identity to Orchitophrydiae 18S rRNA gene (accession number EF023919.1 and EF023549.1), that may be this ciliates in our study is a new species for Mesanophrys. In addition experimental infection confirmed that Mesanophrys like ciliates was the pathogen that infected human. In summary this study represent the first record of the ciliophora Orchitophryidae (Mesanophrys like ciliates) as a human pathogen from Thi-Qar province / Iraq.

Joudi breed were collected from Basrah, Al-Muthanna, Najaf, Babylon, and Wasit (10 samples each). As well as 15 samples of the Khawar breed from Anbar and 15 samples of the Hurra breed from DhiQar. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was employed This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of Iraq camel breeds. Eighty blood samples were randomly collected from unrelated animals from different parts of Iraq. Fifty samples of the Joudi breed were collected from Basrah, Al-Muthanna, Najaf, Babylon, and Wasit (10 samples each). As well as 15 samples of the Khawar breed from Anbar and 15 samples of the Hurra breed from DhiQar. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was employed in order to determine the genetic variability within and among populations of this camel breeds. The neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis were also applied to assess the neutrality and demographic expansion of the populations, respectively. The results revealed a total of 16 different haplotypes with high haplotype diversity (0.648) and low-nucleotide diversity (0.00109). The haplotypes of the Cytb gene were 15 haplotypes, 10 of which were in the Joudi breed, 6 in the Hurra breed and one haplotype in the Khwar breed. The haplotype H-2 was common to the three breeds. The variations within and among populations accounted for 94.36 and 5.64% of the total variation, respectively. The results of the neutrality test for Cytb showed that the Joudi and Hurra breeds had negative values for both Tajima's D and Fu's Fs. The highest values were -1.00737 and -1.98591 for the Hurra breed and the lowest values were for the Joudi breed (-2.14737 and -6.59079 respectively). In the Khwar breed, the values were zero for Tajima's D and Fu's Fs and the obtained result conforms to the model of population expansion (t > 0 and θ1> θ0) for Joudi and Hurra breeds.

Background The K1, K2, and K28 toxins are usually encoded by several cytoplasmically genetic satellite dsRNAs (M1, M2, and M28), which are encapsulated with virus-like particles (VLPs) and reliant on an additional assembly of assistant yeast viruses (L-A) for their reproduction and encapsidation. Ascomycetous yeast species that have these VLPs are especially attractive targets for finding killer toxins like proteins. This is because the organisms are known in producing a large variety of secondary metabolites and extracellular enzymes, which have medical importance as alternative drugs for resistance bacterial strains, particularly multi-resistance drugs (MRD). Results For the first time, 31 type strains of yeasts were tested for killer toxin production in Iraq via the measurement of gene expression of three killer toxin genes (M1, M2, and M28) within the mycovirus in yeasts. All the type strains gave an expression for the three killer toxins with variable levels. The highest expression was recorded for the killer toxin genes in Torulaspora delbrueckii followed by Wickerhamomyces anomalus. Determined antibacterial activity of two killer toxins appeared with high inhibition zone against pathogenic strains of bacteria. Cytotoxicity against human blood cells was not found. These results considered the first record of killer toxins isolated from type strains in Iraq. Conclusion The two typical strains Torulaspora delbrueckii and Wickerhamomyces anomalus showed the highest level of gene expression for the three killer toxins.

Background This study was conducted to estimate the antifungal activity and efficiency of purified killer toxins (TK and WK) produced by Torulaspora delbrueckii and Wickerhamomyces anomalus as alternative drugs of resistant strains against several pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus). A specific focus was on the antifungal activity of such purified proteins by using a simple and economical tools under controlled conditions of fermentations. Results The results showed that the optimum conditions of these experiments were detected at 30 °C, 150 rpm, pH 4.5, 3 days incubation period and by using one culture medium (yeast malt extract broth with 2% SDS). The extracted crude toxin had an excellent effect on Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus. The inhibition zone values were 35 and 30 mm for WK and TK, respectively, against Candida albicans. While the lowest values of inhibition zone were recorded at 25 mm for WK and 18 mm for TK against Aspergillus flavus. The WK killer toxins were in general more active against the three clinical strains compared to the TK that had the lowest inhibitory effect. Conclusion This study is conducted for the first time in Iraq to determine the optimum conditions for producing two types of killer toxins and testing their antifungal activity. The optimal killer activity was obtained at low pH and mesophilic temperature. The two yeast strains had a good role in the reduction of radial growth of tested pathogenic fungi

Background Ecological killer yeasts have had few studies compared with laboratory killer yeasts. The killer yeasts are known in excreting killer toxins that kill sensitive or susceptible yeasts. The killer toxins, such as TK and WK excreted from two yeast isolates (Torulaspora delbrueckii and Wickerhamomyces anomalus) have protenious nature with different molecular weight depending on yeast species. Results A qualitative test was conducted to determine the ability of both isolates to produce killer toxins on the media of yeast extract and malt extract broth when the two toxins were first purified by ammonium sulfate salt at 40% concentration and then by dialysis for the killer toxin TK and gel filtration method for WK. The molecular weight of TK was estimated at about 15 kDa, while WK was at 45 kDa. The chemical properties of the killer toxins were also studied. The results showed that the two killer toxins were with protenious nature. Conclusion Both yeast isolates (Torulaspora delbrueckii and Wickerhamomyces anomalus) had the ability of producing different kinds of killer toxins. The two killer toxins (TK and WK) were identified for the first time in Iraq, and their production involves many steps of economically unexpansive purification method with a good quality and high purity of producing killer toxins. The results confirmed that the nature of killer toxins (WK and TK) was similar to protein compounds resulted from the transition in UV and functional groups.

The objectives of this study were to examine the efficacy of four bacterial antagonists against Aspergillus flavus using 50:50 ratio of bacterial cells/conidia for the control of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production on two different nutritional matrices, nutrient and maize-based media at different water availabilities (0.98, 0.94 water activity (aw) on nutrient medium; 0.995, 0.98 aw on maize meal agar medium) at 35°C. The indicators of efficacy used were the relative expression of one structural and regulatory gene in the biosynthetic pathway (aflD and aflR respectively) and the production of AFB1. These studies showed that some of the bacterial species could significantly inhibit the relative expression of the aflD and aflR genes at both 0.98 and 0.94 aw on nutrient agar. On maize-based media some of the bacterial antagonists reduced the activity of both genes at 0.94 aw and some at 0.995 aw. However, the results for AFB1 production were not consistent with the effects on gene expression. Some bacterial species stimulated AFB1 production on both nutrient and maize-based media regardless of aw. However, some bacterial treatments did inhibit AFB1 production significantly when compared to the control. Overall, this study suggests that temporal studies are required on the biosynthetic genes under different environmental and nutritional conditions to evaluate the potential of antagonists to control AFB1.

This study involved 62 patients and 60 healthy controls, genomic DNA was extracted from blood and CYP19 gene amplified by PCR. The results showed The distribution of TTTA repeat polymorphism of the CYP19 gene among the controls and endometrial cancer(EC), showed that the risk for EC was increased about two fold in the women which have (TTTA)9, (TTTA)11 and (TTTA)12 repeats OR = 1.56, 2.16, 1.56 respectively. The risk to develop Ovarian Cancer(OC) patients have increased about two fold in the women having (TTTA)11, OR = 2.087 and about four fold in the women with (TTTA)12, OR = 3.868.Asignificant effect in (7–11) heterozygote allele between control and EC patients the risk increased about eleven fold, OR = 10.5 and a significant effect in (7–10), (7–12) and (11−11) heterozygote alleles between control and Ovarian Cancer patients the risk increased about two fold, OR = 2.111,2.111,2.462 respectively, and about six fold in (7–11) heterozygote allele OR = 5.981. The (TTTA)n repeat lengths of ≤9 were classified as short (S), and those ≥10 were classified as long (L) the result showed the risk factor increased about six fold with S/L alleles of CYP19 gene in EC. OR = 5.625 and about two fold with L/L alleles OR = 1..Alsothe risk factor increased about two fold with long allele of CYP19 gene in OC. OR = 2.216, four fold with S/L alleles OR = 3.666 and about three fold with L/L alleles OR = 3.3. In conclusion, this study showed an association between CYP19 polymorphisms, with Endometrial and Ovarian Cancer especially the long Alleles and the haplotype and genotypes frequencies of CYP19 maybe an indicator for susceptibility for Endometrial and Ovarian Cancer.

Prevalence of obesity and diabetes over world encouraged researchers to expand their studies about genetic predisposition factors which increase individuals' risk for diseases. LEPR gene encodes for leptin receptor which regulates body weight, energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity by binding with adipose derived hormone (leptin). Therefore we sequenced LEPR's promoter, coding exons, exon-intron boundaries and 3′UTRin 45 Iraqi individuals (24 were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 21 were not). Seventeen polymorphisms have been detected in this study, 6 in promoter region, 5 in coding exons, 5 in introns (2 were novel) and I Ins/Del in 3′UTR. Type 2 diabetic carriers of rs1137101 in exon 6 were 75% in comparison to non-diabetics (52.4%). Also 50% and 33.3% from diabetic patients and non-diabetics, respectively were carrying p.S343S in exon 9. GC allele in exon 14 increased the BMI of diabetics to 34.6 ± 7.8 but it was 32.4 ± 4.4 in patients with GG allele and both of them were higher in type 2 diabetics than other group (30.2 ± 5.2 and 29.9 ± 2.5, respectively). BMI of diabetic patients with AA allele (P1019P) in exon 20 was 35.7 ± 4 but it was 32.7 ± 5.9 in patients with GG allele, the same was in non-diabetics which was 33.3 ± 4 and 30 ± 3.7, respectively. Also CTTTA insertion allele increased the BMI of diabetics to 35.7 ± 4 in comparison to CTTTA deletion allele as well as 33.3 ± 4 and 29.6 ± 3.5 in other group, respectively. We have concluded that LEPR polymorphisms may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in individuals with BMI ≥ 30 and in general LEPR is a candidate gene for susceptibility to obesity and its outcomes.

Candida albicans is a fungal pathogen causes morbidity in immuno compromised patients, those suffering from lenkemia and AIDS. A review was done on its pathogenesis in this study.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the frequency and type of mutations in the coding region of androgen receptor (AR) and to determine the role of polymorphisms in the intron 1 of ERalpha, exon 5 of ERbeta, intron 7 of progesterone, exon 7 of the aromatase (CYP19) and exon 9 of VDR genes in the risk of prostate cancer. PCR-RFLP analysis of all above the genes was on 100 prostate cancer patients and an equal number of matching controls. The study also included PCR-SSCP analyses of exons 2-8 of AR gene. The genotype containing -/- allele of ERalpha gene was statistically significant for the risk of prostate cancer pose (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.08-6.70, P = 0.032) Rr genotype of ERbeta gene also have a higher risk (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.52-5.23) for prostate cancer. The Cys allele of CYP19 gene was also associated with statistically significant increased risk of prostate cancer (OR; 2.28, 95% CI, 1.20-4.35, P = 0.012). tt genotype of codon 352 of VDR gene showed an OR of 0.43 for (95% CI, 0.13-1.39) and an OR for Tt genotype was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.36-1.16). Taken together, the results showed that in North Indian population, ERalpha and CYP19 genes may be playing a role in the risk of prostate cancer.

In Basrah, grapevines suffer from dieback. Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Neoscytalidium dimidiatum were isolated from diseased grapevines, Vitis vinifera L. and identified based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The results of the pathogenicity test conducted under greenhouse conditions for L. theobromae and N. dimidiatum reveal that both species were the causal agents of grapevines diebacks in Basrah, Southern Iraq. A brief description is provided for the isolated species. Key words : grapevine, dieback, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), rDNA, Iraq.

To investigate the involvement of the CYP17, SRD5A2, CYP1B1, and CYP2D6 variants with prostate cancer, a case-control study of 100 patients and an equal number of age-matched control men was conducted. There appears to be a nonsignificant increase with risk of prostate cancer for individuals carrying one copy of the CYP17 A2 allele (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 0.99-3.29, P=0.05). The risk was increased in individuals having two A2 alleles (OR; 2.81, 95% CI, 1.06-7.40, P=0.03). Compared with men having the VV genotype of SRD5A2 gene, there was no significant association between the VL genotype and the risk of prostate cancer (OR; 0.54, 95% CI; 0.29-1.03, P=0.06). There was no difference in the occurrence of the genotype LL between controls and prostate cancer patients (OR; 0.90, 95% CI; 0.43-1.89, P=0.79). There was a nonsignificant increased risk of prostate cancer for individuals carrying the CYP1B1Leu/Val genotype (OR, 1.70, 95% CI, 0.91-3.17, P =0.09), which was increased in those having the Val/Val allele (OR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.13-10.07, P=0.02). Relative to men homozygous for the wild-type allele in CYP2D6 gene, those heterozygous for the B allele had an odds ratio of 1.78 (95% CI, 0.76-4.17, P=0.18) for patients, and for homozygous individuals, it was 1.95 (0.55-6.93, P=0.30). These observations have suggested that the CYP17 A2/A2, CYP1B1 Val/Val, and CYP2D6 genotypes may be associated with an altered risk of prostate cancer, while the CYP2D6 and SRD5A2 V89L polymorphism have no association with its risk in the North Indian population.

The study consisted of 100 patients (97 males and 3 females) suffering from bladder cancer and 76 matching controls. The maximum number of patients in this study was in the age group of 61–70 years. The prevalence of genetic polymorphism in the CYP2D6 , GSTM1 , and GSTT1 genes has been investigated to find their association with risk of bladder cancer. While there was no association between the heterozygous (HEM) genotype of the CYP2D6 gene with the risk of bladder cancer [odds ratio (OR)=1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.46 – 2.16], it was 1.5-fold with poor metabolizers (PM) genotype. When stratified according to different grades of bladder cancer, a significant association was found with an OR=3.54 (95% CI=0.89 – 13.98) in grade II, 3.3 (95% CI=0.12 – 20.6) in grade III, and 1.67 (95% CI=0.15 – 18.45) in grade IV. When stratified in relation to smoking status, significant association of the disease was found in heavy smokers with an OR=2.13 (95% CI=0.71 – 6.43). Subjects with the null genotype for GSTM1 had a slightly significant association with the bladder cancer risk and the risk increased to 2-fold with the GSTT1 null genotype. Smoking status also revealed an impact on the prevalence of bladder cancer in the individuals with GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes. The results indicated that there is a 3-fold increase in risk of developing this cancer in the presence of one copy of the variant CYP2D6 (HEM) allele and null GSTT1 .

The present paper reviews the genetic and epidemiological factors in the risk of bladder cancer in humans. Tobacco smoking accounts for about 50% of bladder cancer cases in Western Countries. Occupational exposures are second in importance to bladder cancer development. Exposure to aromatic amines in dye stuff manufacturers, in rubber and textile industry, exposure to paints and leather dust, inks, some metals and diesel exhausts in association with dietary factors, specifically, coffee drinking, alcohol consumption, vegetable, fruits, meat and vitamins, parasites and drugs have been identified as risk factors for bladder cancer. The molecular studies have revealed mutations in a number of genes in the tumor cells which might be responsible for the genesis of this cancer.

The formation of histological prostate cancer appears to be very frequent, occurring in one third of the men older than age 45. Geographically, this incidence is roughly the same world wide. The number of clinical cancers, however, differs widely among various populations, suggesting important environmental factors in triggering the progression. On the other hand, studies of familial aggregation of prostate cancer have suggested the existence of an autosomal dominant allele that predisoposes men to develop prostate cancer independent of environmental exposure.