Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research (KJAR)
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Novel Polymorphism in a Promoter of MBL2 Gene Result in Lower MBL Expression in Chronic Infection Caused by HCV
Get PDFThe Pathogen Recognition Receptors (PRRs) is an active protein in the immune system. The PRRs that secreted in the liver and we addressed were L-ficolin, MBL and H-ficolin. Previous studies revealed that both MBL and L-ficolin were hampered the HCV entry and infectivity. However, H-ficolin impact still needs to be addressed more so as determining their role during HCV infection. For these purposes, we aimed to determine the effect of different level in the serum of these proteins on the HCV infection and treatment outcome. Initially, we selected (25) HCV positive patients and (25) HCV negative control patients from the Trent Cohort and Regional Haemophiliac Study and to present the differences in serum concentrations of MBL, H- and L-ficolin. The level of these proteins was measured by ELISA method and compared with each other based on the detected SNPs by PCR and sequencing methods in the responsible genes. Our results showed that the polymorphism at position -221 in the MBL2 promoter significantly reduce the level of MBL protein more than the SNP at position -551. Interestingly, a new deletion of six nucleotides [AGGAAG] detected in the promoter at position -319 to -324 that succeeded by four other mutations at position -328, -336, -349 and -427 in most of the analyzed sequences. The 6bp deletion was statistically decreasing the concentration of MBL below 1µg.mL-1, precisely among non-responder patients. In conclusion, the existence of the new deletion in the promoter region of MBL2 gene and the additional newly detected polymorphisms, reduce the level of MBL protein and as a result impacts on the response to treatment among HCV-infected patients
Measuring Service Quality of Bus Services in Sulaimani City
Get PDF This research paper presents a descriptive model to assess the quality of bus services by measuring passengers’ satisfaction in Sulaimani city. Transportation facilities are enlivening the economic activities of any country. Public transportation services are an important aspect of any urban transportation system, as they provide mobility for a number of passengers to different destinations in different directions at the same time via one transportation facility. Public transportation is considered a sustainable mode of transportation. This study intends to assess the services’ quality and identify the challenges to sustainable development in public transportation in order to achieve sustainable development for the current public transportation system. A passenger survey was conducted in order to assess the level of service quality including 300 participants. The study depends mainly on the passengers’ survey, as well as interviews and personal observations for data collection. SPSS software and GIS are used for Data analysis. The results show the outcomes of the assessment process of the current system based on passenger’s opinions. The results reveal the system’s aspect in detail which is further clarified in the conclusion. The paper recommends several steps to be adopted in order to improve the current public transportation system in Sulaimani and other cities, it also suggests future studies that can integrate with this study and contribute in achieving its goal
 
The Role of Nutrients in Supporting The Immune System Against Viral Infection; Newly Emerged Coronavirus (COVID19): A Narrative Review
Get PDFBalanced nutrition is vital for peak performance of immune function, especially when a global pandemic is emerging, and there is major lack in approved treatments for it. Many nutrients and their abundance in cells induce immune function. We performed a narrative review to describe existing literature with regard to role of nutrients in supporting the immune system against viral infection including coronavirus (SARS-COV-2). PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant articles. This review represents a picture of the current state of the art. In particular, we classified the nutrients by means of their types, abundance, importance and possible antiviral effects in immune system. The macronutrients such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are essential for cells to generate energy and participate in immune function as well. However, unbalanced diet with high levels of macromolecules could lead to chronic diseases that impair the body’s immune abilities. The micronutrients including vitamins and minerals participate in immune system on a bigger scale that almost all body’s immune mechanism depends on the expressions of micronutrients. Vitamins improve immune responses. Some vitamins include A, D, K, B, and C enroll in antiviral mechanism of the immune cells. A group of trace elements including zinc, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, and iron are heavily contributed in maintaining body’s immunity. The susceptibility toward the infectious diseases is highly elevated in cases of their deficiencies. Besides their antiviral roles, vitamins such as E and C with minerals in the cells adopt antioxidant properties that help immune cells to fight oxidative stress in the cells. Nevertheless, the high levels of minerals such as iron could threat the immune system by growing the oxidative stress. So, maintaining rich and balanced nutrition could improve body’s immune function, and possibly prevent viral infections including COVID-19
Phylogenetic Analysis of Spike and Envelope Proteins for a Number of Bat Coronaviruses for Understanding the Hypothesis of Possible Origin for the Novel 2019- nCoV
Get PDFCoronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) emergence reveals globally a great health issue and due to the limited information and knowledge on the origin of this novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV). Therefore, this study aims to investigate the evolution and analysis of molecular epidemiology for both Spike and Envelope proteins of 20 available complete genome sequences of different bat coronaviruses including 2019-nCoV in order to find out which type of bat coronaviruses is more likely to be the origin of this new 2019-nCoV and also multiple amino acid sequences of Envelope protein for all bat coronaviruses were aligned for the purpose of finding the greater probability of novel 2019-nCoV original host among bat coronaviruses. Phylogenetic tree analysis for Spike protein revealed that all 2019-nCoV related coronaviruses isolated from these species of species are discovered in China and Hong Kong and the Middle East bat are less likely to contribute in spreading or to become the origin of 2019-nCoV and all coronaviruses that from Hong Kong and China are located into one clade next to the clade that contains 2019-nCoV coronaviruses which indicates that this group of coronaviruses are genetically different for 2019-nCoV; moreover, Hong Kong and USA bat coronaviruses does not contain the bat coronavirus from China and are located into one clade far from the clade that contains 2019-nCoV indicates that all coronaviruses are genetically very different from 2019-nCoV, and USA bat coronavirus may has no role in generating of 2019-nCoV. The phylogenetic trees analysis of Envelope protein showed that Envelope protein of different coronaviruses are more similar in comparison to Spike protein, USA bat coronavirus has a relatively closeness relationship to 2019-nCoV. Furthermore, Envelope protein alignment showed the closely related amino acid sequence which confirms that the outcomes of phylogenetic tree analysis in which that these bat coronaviruses have genetically close relationship together and more interestingly amino acid sequence (MG772934.1) shows 100% identity with the amino acid sequence of 2019-nCoV (NC 045512.2) and the same virus has a close relationship in both Spike and Envelope due to that in both phylogenetic tree analysis are neighbored with 2019-nCoV in the same clade. 
Outcome of Excision with Primary Midline Closure for Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Sinus Disease
Get PDFSacrococcygeal Pilonidal sinus disease is common chronic inflammatory disease affecting chiefly young adult male . It cause much discomfort and morbidity and affect negatively the quality of life of patients. There are various techniques of surgical treatment for the chronic sinuses but still there is no gold standard one. The aim of this study to report our experience with excision and midline closure technique of chronic Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal sinus disease and to identify the outcome of the procedure for postoperative wound complications and recurrence rate. This is a retrospective study with telephone contact and review of 36 patients operated for Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease from January 2011 through January 2016 under care of one consultant surgeon (the Author) in Public and Private Hospitals in Rania, Sulaimani, Iraq. Inclusion criteria was all patients with chronic midline located sinuses without evidence of acute inflammation. Exclusion criteria was all infected ,off midline located sinuses and recurrent sinuses. Elliptical Excision of the sinuses with primary midline closure over a vacuum drainage performed. End point of this study was rate of wound complications and recurrence of sinus. Thirty six patients with median age 22 years (range 14-40) with 24/12 male /female ratio. Median follow up was 24 months (12 - 66 months), the recurrence occurred in 3/36 ( 8.3%) patients at a median of 12 months (range 5 - 48), failure of treatment in 5/36 (13.9%) patients, and postoperative wound complications was seen in 5/36 ( 13.9%) patients. In the conclusion, excision and primary midline closure is simple, effective and preferable procedure for management of uncomplicated Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease associated with early wound healing and low rate of postoperative wound complications and recurrence rate
Novel Approaches to Diagnose COVID-19
Get PDFAn widespread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 has occurred worldwide. Public health agencies are in need of developing diagnostic tools which will have a major impact in tracking the virus and suppressing the transmission. Diagnosis of the disease is based on clinical symptoms, epidemiological history and laboratory examinations. Severe acute respiratory diseases with fever and ,cough and dyspnea, are used as the case definition to select people for testing. Different samples taken from the human body such as oropharyngeal (OP) and nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs are used to detect the virus. SARS-CoV-2 can be detected with different methods in the laboratory including real time RT-PCR, chest CT scan and immunoassays. Viral nucleic acid testing has played important role in control COVIDI-19 outbreak. More recently, a new CRISPR-based DETECTR assay has been developed to detect COVID-19. This test is rapid (~30 min), low-cost, and precise for identification of SARS-CoV-2. In addition, immunoassays and medical imaging can use as supplementary tests, combined with RT-PCR. This review is conducted to summarizes the current information on the present diagnostic approaches for SARS-CoV-2
Comparing The Viral Load of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Different Human Specimens
Get PDFThis meta-analysis study analyzed the data of 47 recent studies with data related SARS-COV-2 viral load detection in different human specimens. 1099 patients were tested for SARS-COV-2 viral load using up to 19 different respiratory and non-respiratory specimens using RT-PCR by targeting different types of viral genes of which ORF1ab is the most commonly used target gene. 9909 specimens were taken from the patients. The mean of viral load cycle threshold value is 17.8 (±11.7), with a median of 15.95 with minimum value of 0.2 and a maximum value of 36.5. Nasopharyngeal swab has the highest positivity rate (90.5%) for viral load detection followed by Bronchoalveolar lavage, nasal swab, nasopharyngeal aspirate, throat swab and sputum. For the non-respiratory specimen, stool and rectal swab are most appropriate specimens followed by blood. The urine is not appropriate specimen for viral load detection due to very low sensitivity. The sputum was positive up to 23 days in a daily manner since start of symptoms except for the days 19, 21, and 23 that were negative for the virus. Three specimens, the nasopharyngeal swab, throat swab, and rectal swab, showed positive RT-PCR results before the appearance of COVID-19 clinical features. Possible positive results can be present up to 43 days in throat swab, stool, and rectal swab. After negative conversion of respiratory specimens, the viral shedding can continue more than one month from stool and rectal swab. The 3rd day since onset of symptoms is the most day of testing (223/2935). The highest positivity of SARS-COV-2 viral load was recorded in day 16 since the onset of symptoms.  
Terahertz Microstrip Patch Antennas For The Surveillance Applications
Get PDFThis paper presents a new design of the microstrip patch antenna operated at the terahertz frequencies (700-850 GHz). The conventional microstrip patch antenna dimensions shrink to a few microns when operating at such terahertz frequencies. Thus, the design of the patch and its feeding network will be miniaturized extremely, and their fabrications would be extremely difficult. In this paper, the configuration of the proposed microstrip patch antenna is suited in a way that it can be modeled using multilayers structure. This multilayer structure facilitates the modeling, and considering its fabrication. The proposed microstrip antenna has been designed using three layers. The top layer is used to model the rectangular patch; while the second layer is for the substrate, and the bottom layer is for the ground plane. The physical dimensions of the layers and the fed-line are optimised using the microwave Computer Simulation Technology (CST) simulator in order to enhance the electrical parameters of the antenna such as antenna realised gain, bandwidth, total and radiation efficiencies, and radiation patterns. In addition to that, the impact of the physical dimensions of the rectangular patch on controlling the resonant frequency of the dominant mode (TM01) have been investigated. Keeping the lower and higher propagating modes out of the frequency band of interest is another aspect which has been addressed in this paper. The antenna has been simulated, and its realised gain fluctuates from 6.4 dBi to 9.7 dBi over the operating frequency range (700-850 GHz). Also, it provides extremely large reflection coefficient bandwidth (S11) which it is below -10 dB over the entire operating frequency band. The total efficiency is more than 75 %. Due to its simplicity and providing large bandwidth, the proposed antenna could be of interest in many security and surveillance applications
Experimental Investigation on The Effect of PolyVinyl Alcohol on Cement Fluid Loss in Oil Wells
Get PDFThis study presents the effect of PolyVinyl Alcohol Cement Fluid Loss Additive (PVA FLAC) on the API Filtration property of a cement slurry. In Cementing operations of oil wells, different type of fluid loss agents and chemicals are used based on the condition of the wells. PVA FLAC recently introduced in Kurdistan oil industry as loss agent additive to reduce the API Filtration Rate and fluid loss of the cement slurry. Four cementing formulations with different concentration of PVA FLAC additive prepared and their API filtration rates are measured. The results showed that when adding 1.94 gm, 2.91 gm and 3.88 gm of PVA FLAC additive to the cement slurry, the API Filtration Rate reduced by %17, %29 and %42, respectively. The new concentration significantly reduced the rate of filtration when compared to using only 0.97 gm of PVA FLAC additive
Characteristics and Risk Factors for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Among Females
Get PDFPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a major endocrinal syndrome may affect the female at adult ages. In polycystic ovary, the ovarian seen that are enlarged and the investigation may base on ultra-sonographic detection. Polycystic ovarian syndrome always represents a spectrum of syndrome rather than the diseases. Also clinically presented by polycystic on ovarian and generally demonstrated by reversible. 104 female patients were examined, 18 (17.3%) of females were diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The mean age was 24.62 ± 7.32 years (ranged from 15 month to 50 years-old). 17 (94.4%) of women were less than 25 years-old p-value=0.03, hormonal abnormality was the most frequent symptoms in relation to polycystic ovarian syndrome 10 (55.5%) and p-value=0.001. 16 (88.9%) of women experienced vaginal discharge p-value=0.09. In conclusion, one from six females is expected to experience polycystic ovarian syndrome. Young females are probably to be at a high risk for developing polycystic ovarian syndrome. Despite uncertain etiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome, marital status, stress or anxiety, doing a regular exercise and pregnancy are all related parameters to the incidence of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Additionally, Cases with high hormonal abnormality and vaginal excretion could be considerable indicators of polycystic ovarian syndrome