Seminars 2019-2020

Toxoplasma related changes in human behaviors

Dr. Mariwan M. Mohammed

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases worldwide caused by Toxoplasma gondii. It is estimated that one-third of the world's population is infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Cat is the definitive host and human and almost all warm-blooded animals are intermediate hosts. In the later hosts, toxoplasma was found to develop tissue cyst in the brain. In mice hosts, toxoplasma was found to be related to behavioral changes including loss of the innate aversion to cat odor associated with a potentially fatal feline attraction in T. gondii-infected rats and mice. In the rat, also it leads to increased activity and decreased neophobic behavior.

Effects of opportunistic organisms on the complication of cancer treatments

Dr. Mariwan M. Mohammed

Cancer is a term used to denote several types of related diseases happening in the human body. It is an uncontrollable cell division due to genetic diseases resulting from genetic changes and spreads to nearby and distant locations within the body (metastasis). Cancer is considered the leading cause of death and estimated to reach 11 million at the end of 2020^th.

The side effects of the chemotherapies were also explained such as impaired host defense in patients with cancer (chemotherapy-induced neutropenia), impaired cellular and humoral immunity, disruption of skin and mucosal barriers and impaired reticuloendothelial function.

The main focus was to show the problems face patients with cancer receiving chemotherapies, infectious complications in patients with cancer is the leading cause of death. Several opportunistic organisms associated with infections including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and funguses. diagnostic workup for infection in patients with cancer was mentioned.

To sum up, despite the great achievement in discovering new chemotherapies against different cancers, impaired immune system of the patients associated with chemotherapies results in infectious complications and may result in undesirable consequences.

Polymorphism in Toll- like receptors associated with diseases

Dr. Sherko Nariman Subhan Niranji

In this seminar, I talked about gene encoded protein receptors known as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) which are located on the cell membranes of innate immune cells, for example, macrophage, and dendritic cells (Antigen presenting cells). The function of these receptors is to detect microbial components of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. In human, approximately 10 TLRs have been found and named as TLR1-10 with each of them can sense a specific pathogenic component known as Pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMPs). For instance, a flagellar protein (flagellin) and, Gram negative bacterial cell wall material (lipopolysaccharide) can be explored by TLR5 and TLR4, respectively.

I explained how a single nucleotide change may alter the function of TLR gene and subsequently cause diseases via changing the NFKB pathways, cytokine cascades and immune responses. This could be associated with pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory consequences to the host tissue.

Antimicrobial peptides as alternatives to conventional antibiotics

Dr. Sherko Nariman Subhan

Abstract

In this seminar, I firstly explained the mechanisms of bacterial resistant which is mostly caused by mutations in the bacterial targeted structures. This is indeed directed by evolution and natural selection. The bacteria become resistant to antibiotics due to their wrongly use in patients with infections.

The resistant bacteria spread through animals or hospitals. The resistant genes are transmitted between bacteria via transductions, transformations or conjugations.

Then I focused on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) which are evolutionarily, innate immune molecules expressed by all living organisms on earth including animals, bacteria, fungi, and plants. AMPs kill microbes through binding their cationic and hydrophobic amino acids to anionic and hydrophilic lipid membranes of bacteria. AMPs can also bind other bacterial structures such as proteins and genetic materials leading to stopping the microbial growth. Thus, it is hard for the microbes to acquire resistant against AMPs, although some evidence supported that bacterial can also become resistant to AMPs but it is rare. However, problems of AMPs, as toxicity and proteolytic degradation, should be solved by performing further research. This could be done by finding AMPs and test them against resistant bacteria.

In conclusion, AMPs could be suggested a good candidate for future therapy against resistant bacteria.

Effects of exam stress on blood pressure and heart rate Among Students of biology and social Sciences.

Mr. Seerwan Assi Raheem

Abstract

Stress is a natural phenomenon which cannot be escaped during our lifetimes. Thousands of different kinds of stress may experience throughout the lifetime of peoples. However, the level of stress could vary from very intense to minimal which depends on several factors. Regardless of the level, stress has an effect on a person’s physical and emotional well- being.

Examination stress is a feeling of pressure tensions that many students feel before and coming up to academic examination time. It usually occurs during the revision period before examinations and immediately before and during examination. Extreme stress can be harmful to body and mind. Exhibited in the form of major health hazards and problems, both physical and mental. Stress related diseases may be high blood pressure and peptic ulcer, A mild degree of stress and strain can sometimes be beneficial. For example, feeling mildly stressed when carrying out a project or assignment often compels us to do a good job, focus better and work energetically. But if the students feel intense stress before and during examination, it has consequences for mental health and somatic symptoms

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