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Several problems have emerged as a result of urban expansion or the connection of urban areas with rural areas. This process has led to the urbanization of rural areas, and to have overlapping edges and margins of areas, which were outside the basic design of the city. Accordingly, the present research assumes that the accelerating growth of Baghdad population has contributed significantly to the process of unplanned urbanization. Thus, the study aims to examine the factors that have led to an increase of urban sprawl at the expense of the agricultural land. The study has thus adopted the descriptive, analytical, and historical approaches relying on the simple linear regression method to predict the phenomenon of urban expansion and its impact on the agricultural land. It has also included illustrative maps used in the preparation of geographic information technology (GIS). The study has concluded that the events of Iraq after 2003, the absence of legal rules, weak legislation, and the successive large immigrations from the countryside to the city have all led directly to a great increase in the process of housing expansion at the expense of agricultural lands. The research recommended the necessity of finding final solutions to the problem of encroachment on agricultural lands, establishing new and low-cost urban housing with full facilities and services, simplifying the procedures of building licensing, and reducing fees.

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the impacts of active and passive immunization against synthetic inhibin and steroid-free bovine follicular fluid, respectively, on reproductive fecundity out of breeding season in Iraqi Awassi ewes. Methods: Follicular fluid was aspired from mature bovine follicles, treated with activated charcoal, and used for immunization of male rabbits for obtaining steroid free bovine follicular fluid (SFBFF) antiserum. Forty non-pregnant Awassi ewes were allocated into 4 groups (n = 10 each). At day 38 of experiment, ewes were treated with intra-vaginal MPA sponge (60 mg for 12 days). At days 0, 28, and 50, ewes were treated with 4, 2, and 2 mL of normal saline (control; C-ve), 400, 200, and 200 μg of ovalbumin (C+ve), 400, 200 and 200 μg of inhibin (SI group), respectively, and 4 mL of normal saline at day 0, and 4 and 2 mL of SFBFF antiserum at days 28 and 50, respectively, (AI group). After mating with Awassi rams, pregnancy and embryo number were diagnosed, at day 38 of pregnancy, using ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected at days 30, 60, 90, and 120 of pregnancy, for assessment of estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels. After parturition, numbers of delivered lambs were recorded. Results: The results revealed significant increase of P4 and significant decrease of E2 levels in SI and AI pregnant ewes than controls at days 30, 60, 90, and 120. Newborn number increased significantly in SI and AI treated than control ewes. Conclusion: Active or passive immunization against endogenous inhibin could augment reproductive fecundity out of breeding season in Iraqi Awassi ewes. KCI Citation Count: 6

Non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder accounting for almost 70% of the total congenital hearing loss. The implementation of rapid advanced sequencing methods has significantly contributed to the correct molecular diagnosis for several rare genetic disorders, including NHSL. Features of two probands with NHSL were clinically and genetically evaluated. One of the affected individuals was subjected to exome sequencing (ES) using standard methods. 3D protein modeling was performed to check the effect of mutation on the protein structure. ES data analysis revealed a homozygous nonsense variant [c.1144A > T; p.Lys382*] within the GPR156 gene (NM_153002.3) associated with rare NSHL. Sanger sequencing supported its recessive segregation within the family. The in silico predictions and 3D protein modeling further affirmed its disease-causing nature. The present study reported a nonsense variant in the GPR156 and its association with NSHL susceptibility, which requires further studies to unveil its key role and disease-related pathophysiology.

Antecedentes: La Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica (EPOC) tiene un gran papel como causante de morbilidad duradera del organismo, también muerte prematura además de un gran costo para el sistema de salud. El tabaquismo representa el factor de riesgo más predominante para causar esta enfermedad. Los primeros síntomas como la tos y las sibilancias suelen ser pasados por alto por los pacientes sin una buena evaluación y luego tendrán disnea después de hacer un esfuerzo leve a moderado y cuando alcanzan este momento, se puede perder aproximadamente la mitad de la reserva ventilatoria. El uso de la espirometría representa el mejor estándar para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Objetivo del estudio: El objetivo del estudio fue detectar y diagnosticar precozmente la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en varones fumadores y exfumadores asintomáticos mediante espirometría. Pacientes y métodos: Se participaron en el cribado de forma consecutiva varones asintomáticos fumadores actuales (n=100) y exfumadores (n=100). Todos los participantes no tienen antecedentes de (EPOC), asma, enfermedad pulmonar crónica o síntomas pulmonares activos. Además, todos ellos no toman broncodilatadores, corticosteroides inhalados, montelukast o teofilina. Resultados: Un total de 100 hombres fumadores actuales asintomáticos y 100 ex fumadores masculinos asintomáticos fueron evaluados mediante espirómetro, el procedimiento de uso de espirómetro se realizó de acuerdo con las directrices de la American Thoracic Society y la European Respiratory Society. En general, la obstrucción de las vías respiratorias se observó en el 49% de los fumadores actuales, el 22% de los pacientes tenía una obstrucción leve y el 27% de los sujetos. Trece pacientes (13%) tenían obstrucción leve mientras que el 39% de los casos tenían obstrucción moderada. Conclusiones: La detección precoz de la EPOC es muy importante para dejar de fumar además de prevenir la exacerbación de la EPOC, mejorar la función pulmonar, la calidad de vida y reducir la mortalidad.