Iraqi Provinces Research Articles

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of β-Thalassemia in Kirkuk Province of Northern Iraq

To determine the prevalence and molecular basis of β-thalassemia in the Northeastern Iraqi province of Kirkuk, a total of 3954 individuals attending the provincial premarital screening center were recruited. The prevalence of β-thalassemia minor among the screened individuals was found to be 3.0%, while those of Hemoglobin E, and δβ-thalassemia carrier states were 0.05%, and 0.03% respectively. Molecular characterization of the β-thalassemia mutations was achieved by multiplex PCR and reverse hybridization, followed by next generation sequencing for those left uncharacterized by the former technique. Among 19 β-thalassemia mutations identified, seven were the most frequent, namely: IVS-II-1 (G > A), codon 8/9 (+G), IVS-I-6 (T > C), IVS-I-110 (G > A), IVS-I-I (G > A), IVS-I-5 (G > C) and codon 44 (-C) accounting for 78.5% of the mutations. This study further illustrates the heterogeneity of the spectrum of β-thalassemia in different parts of Iraq, and provides an essential step to facilitate prenatal diagnosis in the setting of a future national thalassemia prevention program.

Phylogenetic tree and Molecular detection of Theileria velifera in sheep southern Iraq

Background: The purpose of this research was to ascertain T. velifera's evolutionary state in the Iraqi province of Al-Diwaniyah. In this investigation, the clinical assessment of fifty infected Blood samples (2.5 ml per animal) were collected from sheep, and a PCR technique was used to target the samples. Aim: This suggests that there may be intimate ties between certain global strains and our local ones. The vacuum tubes were coated with EDTA. Materials And Methods: The PCR and partial gene sequencing were conducted with the 18S rRNA gene serving as the molecular target. All of the examined samples had the targeted segments amplified at 400 bp according to the PCR, which used the 18S rRNA gene as genetic targets. Local T. velifera isolates' 18S rRNA gene sequences were compared to global reference strains of the species that were listed in the GenBank. Results: The local strains matched Chinese isolates 100% of the time and Chinese isolates Theileria luwenshuni 99% of the time. High fever (40.3–41.5°C), decreased appetite or appetence, asymmetrical enlargement of superficial lymph nodes, especially the pre-scapular ones, diarrhea in some cases, pale or icteric eye mucus membrane, lacrimation, sclera bleeding, abnormal movement, depression, dullness, and salivation were among the clinical signs displayed by diseased sheep. Conclusion: The information gathered from the current inspection effort may show how the local strains differ genetically from other strains listed in the GeneBank.

Impact of Crude Oil Pollution on some Geotechnical Characteristics of North Rumaila Soils in the Southern Iraqi Province of Basrah Governorate

Background: Pollution affects the soil and results in a change in its natural, chemical, or organic characteristics and properties, which directly or indirectly affect the geotechnical properties of the soil and make it unsuitable for engineering use. The aim of the study is to determine how adding various amounts of crude oil to the study area's soil affects the soil's geotechnical characteristics, including soil shear resistance, compaction coefficients, and California bearing capacity. Materials and Methods: The North Rumaila site was chosen for the study. At a depth of one meter, natural, pollution-free soil was extracted, and weight percentages of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% of crude oil were added. Grain size analysis, moisture content, direct shear, compaction, and Californian bearing tests were conducted. Results: The findings indicate that the soil at the North Rumaila site has a moisture content of 6.45% and is mostly silty sand with small amounts of clay and gravel. Crude oil was added to the soil, which caused the Californian to lose some of its bearing capacity, the optimal moisture content to raise, the angle of internal friction to decrease, and the bearing capacity of the soil to decrease. Conclusion: Pollution by crude oil effects negatively impacted the soil's geotechnical qualities.

Pattern of Colorectal Cancer in Karbala Province of Iraq: Data from Developing Country

Background: Globally, there are differences in the prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) depending on environmental and demographic factors. Objective: Our study’s objective was to analyze the CRC pattern in the Iraqi province of Karbala, comparing and identifying probable variations with another people. Methods: In Iraq, at the Al-Hussein Cancer Center in Karbala, retrospective descriptive research was conducted on 524 patients who diagnosed with CRC from January 2012 to December 2020. Results: The incidence rate of CRC increased from 3.83 per 100,000 in 2012 to 5.69 per 100,000 in 2020. Among our patients, median age was 55 years. The proportion of males was (54.96%) while the proportion of females was (45.04%) with a M:F ratio of (1.22:1). The most affected anatomical site was colon in (64.89%) and adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histopathology in (67.18%). Unfortunately, more than 46% of cases presented as stage III & IV. Conclusion: This statistical analysis of CRC could be a fundamental knowledge source to analyze epidemiological pattern, to assess development in the last few years and to improve treatment plans.

The Transformation of Shape Movement Structure in the Drawings of Wasma Al-Agha

Formal formations, linear arrangements, variations in spaces, color contrasts, proximity and spacing between shapes, and even the repetition of shapes in some cases, and differences in sizes, make the painting a full-fledged compositional dimension. Therefore, we find through that importance a pressing need to conduct a study that sheds light on an important aspect of the formation represented by the experience of the artist Wasma Al-Agha. From this starting point, the researcher found a logical justification to address the subject of this research, to study and deepen the idea of shape movement and its relationship to the paintings of the artist Wasma Al-Agha. Through the foregoing, the researcher was able to formulate the following question: To what extent does the structure of shape movement transform in the drawings of Wasma Al-Agha?As the current research aims to understand the mechanisms of formation, types of shapes, and their movement in the drawings of the artist. Therefore, the researcher relied on the descriptive-analytical method (descriptive analysis) due to its suitability for the subject of the current study and what it allows for in terms of analysis procedures in order to achieve the research goal. The sample was selected using the intentional selection method for the representative sample of the research community, where the researcher identified his research models (3) models from the original community. Also the research came out with a set of results, the most important of which are: The artist tried to represent a sad and dramatic story of the suffering of immigrants in the Iraqi provinces, as in sample number (1). She relied on her own style in embodying the shapes to convey the scene with an illusory movement of the shapes, like an old inherited novel that she tells through colors and shapes, as in all the samples. As for the research Conclusions: 1. The artist relied on multiple pure colors that express a festive dimension that evokes joy in the viewer's soul. She depicted the Baghdadi scene that was repeated in all her paintings and her representation of the Iraqi woman as an old inherited novel that she tells through colors and shapes.

Federal principles in constitutional organization for the unorganized provinces in Iraq

In the constitutional organization of the provinces in Iraq within the framework of the current constitution (2005) and considering them as a constituent unit of the federal system in Iraq, this is clearly emphasized in the constitutional text in Article (116) K.C Federal oppression in Iraq consists of the capital, regions and provinces Decentralization and local administrations thus reflect the principles and phenomena of a different constitutional organization. Therefore, the constitutional status of the provinces and the consequences of implementing the system differ from the legal nature and interpretation within the local governance process. In this study, we will examine the position of the unorganized provinces in the Kurdistan Region within the framework of the constitutional organization in force in Iraq for the year (2005) and highlight the provision of the principles of the federal system in this period.

Epidemiological Study of the most Important Dermatophyte Infections in Musayyib General Hospital, Iraq

Background: Dermatophytes are keratophilic fungi that consider exogenous organisms, and cause serious infections of the skin, hair, and nails. The main goal of the current study is to present a survey of fungal skin infections in Musayyib general hospital of Babylon Province Iraq, through the identification of the incidence of some types of Tineae and the extent of spread in different age groups. Materials and Methods A256 patients clinically suspected of dermatophytosis, 210 were positive in direct examination and/or culture. From the positive patients' sample that includes skin scrapping, hair fragments, and nails Results The current study showed that Dermatomycosis infected in males more than females with a ratio of 151 (71.90 %) males and 59 (28.09%) females. The highest percentage of infection with Tinea capitis appeared in males , while the lowest percentage of infection with Tinea ungums with a rate equal between males and females. According to age groups. Conclusions According to the findings of the study, it absolves that although Covid 19 pandemic the world went through fundamental changes by increasing the level of understanding and awareness of people to use different sterilizers and detergents. In addition to reducing contact between people and taking care of personal hygiene. Unfortunately, these procedures did not have a positive effect on reducing dermatophytosis infection in Musayyib General Hospital.

Detect the IFNL4 Polymorphism (rs12979860) and level of IFNL4 in serum of Hepatitis C Virus in Iraqi Province

Detect the IFNL4 Polymorphism (rs12979860) and level of IFNL4 in serum of Hepatitis C Virus in Iraqi Province

Genetic Variability and Antibacterial Sensitivity of Dichelobacter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum Infection in Sheep Sulaimani Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Footrot is a significant health problem in ruminants, especially sheep, caused by the bacteria Dichelobacter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum. Infected animals may become lame and lose body condition. The aim of this study was to investigate whether sheep had mixed infections with D. nodosus and F. necrophorum, the global genetic relationships of both target genes (lktA and 16S rRNA genes) with different reference genes, and the degree of genetic heterogeneity between the standard serogroups of D. nodosus were studied. In addition, to detect the antibacterial sensitivity against these two pathogens. One hundred and seventy-five sheep interdigital spaces were investigated (2016-2022). The D. nodosus field isolate (Dn Sul/016-KY399851) showed 96% compatibility with other global isolates (NR_104942/USA, JN008724/India, and DQ016290/Sweden) when its 16S rRNA sequence was compared to some reference genes. The local isolate (Fn Sul/016- KY399852) and other IktA gene strains from other nations (FJ230831/New Zealand, JX678872/Australia, JX648295/India) were compared, and the results showed 99% and 96% identity. Additionally, within the multiple sequence alignment, a single nucleotide variation at position 389 (CA) was seen in the partial lktA sequence when compared to the field isolate (Fn Sul/16-KY399852). This modification corresponds to a switch at residue 130 from alanine (Ala) to glutamic acid (Glu). This study showed the initial molecular identification of D. nodosus and F. necrophorum from sheep with footrot in the Iraqi province of Sulaimani‎‎‎‎‎.

Studying the quantitative heterogeneity between two populations of Culex pipiens in two Iraqi provinces

The objective of this study was to investigate the quantitative heterogeneity between two populations of Culex pipiens (a mosquito species) and understand the underlying reasons for this variability. The study focused on two specific areas viz. Diyala and Alnajaf. To achieve this, the Geometric Morphometric Technique was employed using C. pipiens female wings. The principal components of the wings were analyzed, the central size of each female wing was calculated, and samples from both populations were compared using discriminant analysis based on wing size. The statistical analysis, including T-tests, revealed no statistically significant differences in the central wing size between the two studied areas. Additionally, an ANOVA analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in wing shape and size among the female insects from Diyala and Alnajaf. In summary, the study found that the central wing size and wing characteristics of female C. pipiens mosquitoes were similar across the Diyala and Alnajaf regions.

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The first molecular research on Iraqi centipede fauna is presented in this article. Between October 2022 and May 2023, during various climatic circumstances, centipedes were collected from several locations in four provinces of Iraq. Three families, represented by four genera, underwent molecular identification, and five species were found. From the order Scolopendromorpha family Scolopendridae, two species were recorded, Scolopendra morsitans Linnaeus, 1758, and S. cingulata Latreille, 1829, Cormocephalus sp.; while from the order Lithobiomorpha, family Lithobiidae, one species was recorded for first time in Iraq; Lithobius crassipes L. Koch, 1862 from the order Geophilomorpha family Himantariidae, one species Bothriogaster Signata Kessler, 1874. DNA was extracted from the specimens, the mtDNA fragment from the Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene was amplified by using the PCR technique with appropriate primers, and subsequently, the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) tool, which is accessible at the NCBI, was used. Additionally, a phylogenetic tree was built, and a distant comparison was shown.

Infection of tomato in Iraq with tomato leaf curl Palampur virus and multiple variants of tomato yellow leaf curl virus

Tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD) and tomato leaf curl disease (TLCD) cause serious losses in tomato production, especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions. In 2014–2015, tomato samples with TYLCD/TLCD-like symptoms were collected from different provinces of Iraq and infection with tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) identified. To study the diversity of TYLCV, DNA of eight positive samples from this survey was used for rolling-circle amplification, cloning and sequencing. Pairwise nucleotide sequence comparisons with complete genomes showed that the Iraqi TYLCV isolates belonged to the strains TYLCV-IL and TYLCV-Mld. In a phylogenetic analysis, the Iraqi TYLCV-IL isolates grouped into three distinct clades, consisting of TYLCV-IL (A) and the two new variants TYLCV-IL (D) and TYLCV-IL (E). The Iraqi isolate of TYLCV-Mld grouped into the newly proposed TYLCV-Mld (D) variant. For one sample, sequencing also revealed co-infection with tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPalV). The phylogenetic tree of ToLCPalV DNA-A showed a close relationship between the isolates of different hosts from Iraq and Iran. No evidence of recombination was detected in ToLCPalV DNA-A, but recombination was observed for the TYLCV isolates. The results indicate that there is a high diversity of TYLCV in Iraq, including new variants, that is partly shared with Kuwait and countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Occurrence of multiple TYLCV variants and ToLCPalV can act as a potential threat to tomato production in Iraq.

Immunological Study of Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I Associated with Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness and Development in Iraqi Provinces

Abstract Objectives: The present study aims to explain the vital role of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-B1) expression in aggressive and developed prostatic cancer. Materials and Methods: One hundred eighty males were enrolled in this study between December 2021 and June 2022. They were divided into four groups. The first group served as a control group. The second group included the newly diagnosed patients with malignant prostate cancer. The third group involved the patients who received treatment, and the last group involved those with benign prostate hyperplasia. Prostate cancer patients were divided into three stages and grades (scores). The stages are Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and ΙⅤ, and the scores are 5, 6, and 7, 8, 9, respectively. We studied SR-B1 in the serum of suspected patients. Results: The results revealed a significant increase in SR-B1 in prostate cancer patients compared to benign, tumor-treated, and control groups. They also demonstrated a substantial increase in SR-B1 in the subgroup with age range 50–59 years, in comparison with 60–69 years in all patient groups. In addition, SR-B1 recorded a significant increase in both new diagnosed and tumor-treated patients at grade IV compared to grades III and II and grades 7, 8, and 9 compared to grades 5 and 6 in both newly diagnosed and tumor-treated patients. Conclusion: This study showed that SR-B1 has an important role in aggressiveness and development of prostate cancer, with the possibility of using this marker for initial detection of cancer.

A Diagnosis of the Local Administration Performance According to Satisfaction of the Local Citizens: A Case Study in Diyala Province – Iraq

Paper type: Research paper The purpose of this research is to diagnose the reality of the provided local performance by the local government and its impact on the local citizens' satisfaction in one of the Iraqi provinces (Diyala Province). The problem of this research was most local citizens that were not satisfied with the local performance of local governments in providing public services in most Iraqi provinces. The research methodology was the descriptive analytical approach by knowing the views and opinions of a sample of the local citizens that contained 1200 participants, where the research conducted the questionnaire as the main instrument. The data were analyzed by using appropriate statistical methods such as frequencies, percentages, and simple regression coefficients through the statistical program (SPSS. V.26). Several significant results address the gap between the local performance and citizens' satisfaction, where the critical result was the level of public satisfaction with the local performance of the local government is extremely weak, and most of the citizens are unsatisfied. The practical and social implications of the research may improve and develop the skills and abilities of the members of local governments by enrolling them in programs and workshops, particularly in public relations, public administration, non-profit, strategic planning, and local administration to build stronger communication and interaction between members of the government and the local community with specialist universities and institutes could lead to raising the level of the local performance and public satisfaction.

Despair Absorber and Cataclysm Amplifier Challenges: Edicts of the Modest-House Man into Pacifism Critical Study on Liberation Poems))

The current research study is an attempt to trace the religious impact on selected poems written during the invasion of some Iraqi provinces by ISIS from a psychological perspective and literary explication, disability theory. The religious authority is a very essential cornerstone in the Muslim worlds in general and in Iraq in particular as there are many denomination heads and many edicts. The selected poems, whose main focal theme is an invasion-and-liberation stratum of the Iraqi lands, are collected from Arabic literature and English one to apply a sense of diversity and universality to the article. How the edicts fall into the orbit of the laypeople mentality as reflected in verse and how the nonMuslims portray the edicts on the one hand, how the poets broach the edicts, what tone they employ, what technique they implant and what messages they endeavour to convey on the other hand. In doing so, the study gives much shrifts to the procedures to cull a tint of objectivity in the welter of emotionality and simpatico factors, that is, there are three chapters, the first tackles Hawza edicts and the sapience of the modest-house man, the second does the canonical poets as compared to other ones in the light of the missions beyond the texts and the third does the challenges between despair absorber and cataclysm amplifier in the selected poems. Ultimately, the conclusion fathoms the major scope of the article as much as it trucks the echo of the edict in the samples.

Epidemic survey of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever infections in the Iraqi population during 2022

The primary cause of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a virus spread by ticks. The rate of frequency of case mortality is 10–40%, which is spurred on by the CCHF virus, which also produces severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. The current study can be viewed as an epidemiological survey of CCHF infections in Iraq, with the goal of better understanding block virus transmission and preventing the risk of contracting the disease. Approximately 1370 blood samples from suspect patients were taken and separated; then, the serum was processed to remove viral RNA and tested for CCHF infection using specialized kits. Results revealed 382 (27.9%) positive cases, including 76 (19.9%) positive patients with dying compared to 306 (80.1%) who experienced cures. Findings showed a significant incidence of more than 50% of the positive cases having contact with animals and raw meat, 33% slaughtering, and 36% tick bites. Furthermore, 125 (32.7%) homemakers and 64 (16.8%) butchers had the most significant infection percentage. With 42.4% of all infections, Thiqar province had the most infected patients, followed by Misan with 9.7%, then Wasit and Babil. With 27.2% of all infections, May had the most CCHF-positive infections, followed by June and July. In conclusion, in response to the initial wave counterattack in southern Iraq, public health interventions on the veterinarian side should be implemented; these should eliminate, or at least decrease, the impact of a second wave. Illegal trading practices must be controlled if zoonotic diseases like CCHF are to stop spreading. Keywords: CCHF, Iraqi provinces, RT-PCR, tick bites, zoonotic disease.

Stimulant Drug Using, Road Traffic Accidents, and Illegal Activities among Highway Drivers in Iraq in 2022: A Nation-Wide Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Drug and stimulant abuse is especially common in low and middle- income countries, such as Iraq and certain populations, such as highway drivers. Moreover, Iraq has high rates of traffic and road accidents. Objective: Our objective was to assess the associations of using stimulants with traffic events among highway drivers in Iraq. Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design, in which a self-administered questionnaire was distributed online on different social media platforms. The study included male highway drivers who used drugs from all provinces of Iraq. The questionnaire consisted of demographic questions and an addiction questionnaire about stimulants specially validated for the Arabic language. We followed a convenience sampling method to recruit participants. Results: A total of 1700 participants from 18 provinces were included with a median (IQR) age of 34 (24:55) years. Around 58% used drugs for reasons other than medical indications, while 81% reported abusing prescription drugs. Amphetamine and cocaine were used by 52% and 20% of the participants, respectively. Around 84% of the drivers had at least 56 driving hours per week, while 87% were involved in illegal activities due to drug use. Most of the participants (78%) had accidents at least three times per month. Most of the participants had social and medical issues. Conclusion: Drug use, especially stimulant use, is a major contributor to road accidents and thus, increased morbidity and mortality rates in Iraq. Urgent policies and regulations are needed regarding the dispensing of drugs and the working hours of the drivers.

Detection of CTLA-4 level and humeral immune response after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in certain Iraqi provinces participants.

Evaluating immune responses following COVID-19 vaccination is paramount to understanding vaccine effectiveness and optimizing public health interventions. This study seeks to elucidate individuals' immune status after administering a second dose of diverse COVID-19 vaccines. By analyzing immune responses through serological markers, we aim to contribute valuable insights into the uniformity of vaccine performance. A total of 80 participants were enrolled in this study, with demographic and COVID-19 infection-related data collected for categorization. Serum samples were acquired within a specified timeframe, and SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG rapid tests were conducted. Moreover, CTLA-4 levels were measured through ELISA assays, allowing us to assess the immune responses comprehensively. The participants were divided into eight groups based on various factors, facilitating a multifaceted analysis. The outcomes of our investigation demonstrated consistent immune responses across the diverse types of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Iraq. Statistical analysis revealed no significant distinctions among the vaccine categories. In contrast, significant differences were observed in CTLA-4 among the control group (non-infected/non-vaccinated, infected/non-vaccinated) and infected/Pfizer, non-infected/Pfizer, and infected/Sinopharm, non-infected/sinopharm (P = 0.001, < 0.001, 0.023, respectively). This suggests that these vaccines exhibit comparable effectiveness in eliciting an immune response among the study participants. In conclusion, our study's results underscore the lack of discriminatory variations between different COVID-19 vaccine types utilized in Iraq. The uniform immune responses observed signify the equitable efficacy and performance of these vaccines. Despite minor quantitative discrepancies, these variations do not hold statistical significance, reaffirming the notion that the various vaccines serve a similar purpose in conferring protection against COVID-19.

Two Parasitic Wasp Species: Ichneumon sarcitorius and I. ostentator in Iraq

Kareem, A.A., A. Alsendi, S. Al-Zurfi, A. Alamri and R.K. Aljaafari. 2024. Two Parasitic Wasp Species: Ichneumon sarcitorius and I. ostentator in Iraq. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 245-247. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001226 This study was carried out in Karbala and Najaf cities in June 2020. A sweeping net was used to collect the specimens during the survey. Results obtained indicated that the samples collected belong to the Ichneumonidae family (Order: Hymenoptera), one of the large and long Ichneumon wasps. This is the first report on the occurrence of two Ichneumon species, Ichneumon sarcitorius (Linnaeus, 1758) and I. ostentator (Heinrich, 1978), in the Al-Husayniya district of Karbala and Najaf provinces in Iraq. However, more survey is needed to identify their hosts in Iraq. Keywords: Ichneumon sarcitorius, Ichneumon ostentator, Taxonomy, Iraq

Examining the northern region of Iraq and the imperative for establishing photovoltaic power stations

The construction of a photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Iraqi province of Salah al-Din marks a significant step towards enhancing the region's energy infrastructure and transitioning towards sustainable, renewable energy sources. The project aims to harness the abundant solar resources in the area to generate clean and reliable electricity, contributing to both environmental sustainability and energy security. The chosen location, Salah al-Din province, is strategically positioned to receive ample sunlight, making it an ideal site for a photovoltaic installation. This solar plant is expected to have a considerable impact on the local energy landscape by diversifying the energy mix and reducing reliance on conventional, non-renewable sources. The construction process involves the installation of photovoltaic panels designed to capture and convert solar radiation into electricity. These panels, often mounted on support structures, form an array that maximizes exposure to sunlight. The energy generated by the PV plant is then fed into the local power grid, supplementing the existing energy supply. The benefits of this solar initiative extend beyond environmental considerations. The project is likely to create employment opportunities during the construction phase, boosting the local economy. Additionally, the operation of the photovoltaic plant will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change. Furthermore, the PV plant in Salah al-Din exemplifies Iraq's commitment to embracing renewable energy solutions as part of its sustainable development agenda. As the world transitions towards cleaner energy sources, projects like these play a crucial role in meeting the growing energy demand while mitigating the environmental impact associated with traditional energy generation. In conclusion, the construction of a photovoltaic plant in Salah al-Din energy a represents infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and energy resilience for the Iraqi province and contributing to the broader global shift towards clean and sustainable energy systems.