Salahaddin University-Erbil (Zankoy Selaheddîn-hewler, زانکۆی سەلاحەدین-هەولێر in Kurdish) is one of the public higher education institution in the North of Iraq and especially in Kurdistan region. It is located in Erbil (Hewler), capital of the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Sulaimani University-Sulaimani was established in 1968. It was moved to Erbil in 1981 and changed its name to Salaheddin university. Initially, the university included seven Academic Colleges: Science, Agriculture, Engineering, Administration, Arts, Education, and Medicine. In 1985, a college of Law and Politics was added, followed by the college of Dentistry in 1995. Several more were established in the following years so that by 2004, the university offered courses in 22 departments. In 2005, the departments of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy split from Salahaddin University to establish Hawler Medical University.The University is a member of the International Association of Universities (listed under the Iraq section with its Kurdish name Zankoy Salahaddin) and grants various academic degrees and certificates to qualified individuals, including Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD). A Medical degree (MD) is also granted by the Medical College..
Physical activity is vital for preventing chronic diseases and promoting well-being, yet data on women’s activity levels in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of physical activity, leisure-time exercise, and sedentary behavior among a sample of women in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 540 women in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from November 7, 2022, to February 22, 2023. Participants completed a validated Kurdish translation of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to measure physical activity domains and sedentary time. Overall, 31.5
This study investigates the natural radioactivity levels in soil samples and evaluates the associated radiological risks in the Qaladiza district, Kurdistan region, Iraq. A total of sixty-one soil samples were collected from nine locations and categorized into three groups (A, B, and other sites). The samples were analyzed using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector to determine the activity concentrations and estimate potential radiological hazards. The mean activity concentrations were found to be 72.77 ± 3.20 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 26.43 ± 0.69 Bq kg−1 for 232Th, and 312.20 ± 4.96 Bq kg−1 for 4⁰K in site A. In site B, the mean levels of activity concentrations were 51.31 ± 2.81 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 29.31 ± 0.84 Bq kg−1 for 232Th, and 402.37 ± 5.51 Bq kg−1 for 4⁰K. At other sites, averages were 29.66 ± 2.25 Bq kg−1, 14.54 ± 0.51 Bq kg−1, and 244.45 ± 4.98 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 4⁰K, respectively. The average activity of 226Ra in both sites A and B exceeded the global average. The average values for radium equivalent, annual effective dose, and external and internal hazard indices were all within international safety limits. However, absorbed dose rates at site A exceeded the global average. The average of the excess lifetime cancer risk was below the global benchmark but several samples within A and B sites exceeded threshold values. The average value of annual equivalent gonadal dose was higher than the worldwide limit at A and B sites. This work emphasizes the possible radiation risk related to natural radioactivity concentrations in the soil of Qaladiza regions to evaluate precious facts for safety and public health.
Heavy metal contamination in settled urban dust was investigated across industrial, traffic, and residential areas of Erbil City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Twenty-five composite dust samples were analyzed for Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, As, Cu, and Zn using ICP-OES. Industrial areas exhibited the highest metal concentrations, particularly Pb and Cd, followed by traffic and residential zones. Health risk assessment revealed that ingestion was the dominant exposure pathway (> 95%), and children experienced approximately 2.5-fold higher total chronic daily intake (CDI_total) than adults. Noncarcinogenic risk analysis indicated that chromium was the dominant contributor to the hazard quotient (HQ), followed by arsenic and lead, with the highest cumulative hazard index observed for children in industrial areas (HI = 0.670). Carcinogenic risk assessment showed that the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for children exceeded the acceptable threshold (1 × 10-4) in industrial areas, with total cancer risk reaching 3.96 × 10-4. These findings highlight significant dust-mediated health risks, particularly for children, and underscore the need for targeted emission control and public health interventions in rapidly urbanizing cities.
CRISPR-Cas genome-editing technologies have emerged as powerful tools for precise DNA and RNA modulation, offering promising therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This review critically evaluates current CRISPR/Cas applications in neurodegeneration, with emphasis on mechanistic insights, therapeutic outcomes, and translational feasibility. Preclinical and early translational studies demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas platforms can correct pathogenic mutations, suppress toxic gene expression, and restore neuronal function. Advanced modalities, including base and prime editing, CRISPRi/a, and RNA-targeting Cas systems, improve precision and reduce genomic damage, which is particularly advantageous in post-mitotic neurons. Emerging CRISPR-based diagnostics (e.g., SHERLOCK and DETECTR), AI-assisted sgRNA design, and machine-learning approaches for predicting off-target effects further enhance the safety, stratification, and monitoring of CRISPR therapeutics. In parallel, patient-derived brain organoids and assembloids provide scalable human-relevant platforms for mechanistic studies and preclinical validation. Despite this progress, major challenges remain, including efficient delivery across the blood-brain barrier, immune responses, long-term safety, and ethical and regulatory considerations. Overall, CRISPR-Cas technologies hold strong potential as disease-modifying interventions for neurodegenerative disorders, provided that advances in delivery systems, artificial intelligence integration, and regulatory oversight continue to evolve toward clinical translation.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are one of the most exciting and commonly used nanomaterials today due to their fascinating properties and numerous applications. Green nanoparticle synthesis is commonly used to ensure an environmentally friendly pathway and to identify prospective candidates for applications. In the present investigation, TiO2 NPs were used as adsorbent materials to eliminate Pb(II) from aqueous solutions due to their high adsorption capacity. Fig leaf extract was utilized to synthesize the NPs, which were then characterized. The nanoparticles were found to be pure, evenly dispersed, and anatase in nature. A removal efficiency of 98.75 % was achieved using pH 7, 2 g/L adsorbent dosage, 80-min contact time, 90 ppm initial concentration, and 35 degrees C. Additionally, adsorption kinetics, mechanisms, isotherms, and thermodynamics were investigated. Based on the results, it was determined that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model was the most appropriate. The Langmuir model accurately represented adsorption by TiO2-NPs, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 56.17 mg g-1. In the isotherm study, it was found that film diffusion is the rate-limiting step in the adsorption process. Moreover, the positive enthalpy of the TiO2-NPs adsorbent (Delta H degrees = 90.37 kJ mol-1) indicates that the adsorption of Pb(II) is endothermic in nature.
